#christopher ceurlli

[writingismyhappytime]

Good Little Demon: Angelo Part 2

Angelo Parente x OC

Warnings: language, and babies

A/N: Red finally had her baby! Meet the newest addition to the demon family. 

"So this is the babe with the power."

Red glances up in irritation, her red gaze narrowing dangerously as the spots the demon lingering in the doorway of the nursery. She's sitting in a black rocking chair, trying to quiet her screaming son, who definitely has his fathers' lungs.

"The hell do you want?" She snaps, her red hair done up in a hasty twist on the back of her head. She's exhausted and very, very temperamental, so if this demon thinks he's going to fuck with her ---.

"I come in peace." David lifts his hands, showing the blood witch he means no harm. He might not like his second son, but he's been very interested in the birth of his grandson, now that they know he's a boy.

David figured as much.

His mother was a bloodwitch, and he suspects the reason that all of his sons have extra little talents whereas normal demons can wield hellfire and are strong, but that's the extent. It's what gives his sons that extra edge and makes the world fear them, makes their family infamous. He's quite proud of the reputation, honestly.

He's so excited to see what his grandson turns in too.

"Did the two of you settle on a name?" David asks curiously, gliding flawlessly into the room. He can see that Angelo had a hand in decorating the nursery, what a gothic looking bassinet. There's the regular furniture, a dresser of clothing, little odd and end baby toys, the rocking chair and a sofa, the crib, and the bassinet.  Strange to see such innocent items lying about a castle of death.

"Yes." Red eyes him warily.

Angelo is in his dungeon taking a nap, she basically banished him so he could get some sleep. The baby's only about four days old, and he's so little; the witch still has a hard time understanding how something so small and innocent was created from the two of them. But the moment she held the baby, the moment she heard it start screaming, she wouldn't have cared if it was twin girls --- she wouldn't have let them go, no matter the consequences.

Luckily it was just a boy, and she doesn't have that concern.

She'd been so worried.

There's only one female demon in existence, a genetic fluke, and her life started off so miserable. Demons would love it if they didn't need to breed with humans to produce offspring, and Red can't imagine what monstrosity a purebred demon would be --- hopefully it never exists. Her family only produced females due to their magic, and so when she learned she was pregnant, she nearly had a heart attack! The fact she had a son is, well, a blessing upon everyone.

"Well?" David is curious what the newest member of his family is called. He's never named any of his children, usually the mothers take care of that business.

"Well," Red shifts, sighing as she adjusts the screaming baby wrapped in a blue swaddle. "We settled on Lucian Azrael."

David snorts. "I suppose Angelo wanted it to be the other way around? Azrael first, yes?"

"Maybe." Red knows that's the angel of destruction, Angelo wanted his son to have a fearsome name, something to inspire horror and the like when announced. Red didn't like it, so they compromised; she also didn't feel the need to tell him he was also considered a good angel, not a bad one.  "But we're calling him Luca, whether Angelo likes it or not. He says he's going to call him Azrael anyway, but ---."

"He'll pick his own name," David chuckles, daring to edge a little closer. Red lets him near with a wary look, black circles beneath her eyes that speak of sleepless days and nights. David knows the birth was hard, he could feel his sons terror for hours, but he didn't dare visit, he thought that might make the situation worse considering how little the two of them get along. Besides, he knows Christopher and Richard were around, as well as the fairy girl. They were in good hands.

"He has Angelo's eyes so far," Red says after a moment, tilting her head back against the chair, sighing. "And his mouth."

David tries not to smile, peering down at the scrunched, screaming red face. He gingerly reaches forward, very slowly so Red doesn't snap his fingers off, and brushes the child's small cheek. He tilts his head a little, earrings jingling, gazing at the small thing.

The only child he ever held as a newborn was Richard, although of course he doesn't know that. He knew that he'd gotten Richard's mother pregnant, he could smell it on her, and he was there during the entire birth, and for a few months after until her husband finally returned from his business away.

"They'll cry consistently when they're first born, you can try some gentle tonics in his milk, or drink them yourself if you're feeding him." David offers, withdrawing his touch. He never thought one of his sons would finally have one of their own, not after they'd made their silly little oath not to keep expanding the line; perhaps a good idea, David doesn't want too many demons of his blood roaming around, too many to remember their names. He should have figured Angelo would mess up first.

"He's fine," Red scowls, not appreciating the parenting advice. It's not as if the older demon can say anything, he didn't raise or even try to keep in contact with any of his sons! He's always left everything to the oldest brother Christopher, who is now too preoccupied finally living his life to care for his younger siblings. "He's just --- just ---."

God, Red doesn't know. He just cries all the time! She's not sure if it's growing pains, but he's only four days old. Is he hungry again? Is his tummy hurting? Does he need changed? She feels like pulling out her hair! She's worrying constantly, hovering over him, almost panicked someone might try to take him, just because of how strong he might be one day.

She's so afraid for this child.

"Why not let the hellhounds care for him for a while?" David suggests, his hands going to his hips. He looks as eccentric as always with his large blond hair and excessive eye makeup, long black boots to his knees like he's going horseback riding at any moment; he's the epitome of the eighties with his bright colors.  "Rest."

"Like I'm going to trust one of those lumbering oafs with my child," she snaps, finally rising to her feet. She paces back and forth with a huff, muttering curses under her breath as she tries to quiet the baby. She doesn't need any advice from him, he can go fuck off! For all she knows, he's going to try to steal her baby and turn it into a goblin!

She figured he would visit eventually, his curiosity always gets the best of him, but she wishes Angelo would wake up already! She really wants him up here, being alone with David makes her nervous. She could break him in a second, one prick of her finger and she'd have him writhing in the floor screaming, so that's not her concern --- she's just... tired.

So very, very tired.

"They're actually quite efficient," David says in amusement, watching as the baby finally starts to grow tired of screaming. Red looks relieved, gently laying it in the crib, raising her hands in fear instantly when it moves a little before settling. She can't really think of the child as a person just yet, it just seems so unreal... her as a parent? She never thought it would happen, it wasn't supposed too.

"Are you here to patronize me, David?" Red finally asks, glancing over her shoulder, pieces of her hair straggling to frame her shoulder as she stares at him; her normal colored eyes are bloodshot, and a color of red that's very unsettling, but mothers do bleed many days after giving birth.

Which makes David a little uncomfortable, as it means that Red can use her blood magic on him at any moment she pleases.

"No, not this time. I came to visit the child. It's completely human as of now."

"I know," Red can tell, but technically he's a warlock. "His magic won't manifest for some time either."

"He'll be able to perform it, you know, until his demon side comes out."

"How do you know that?"

"I know many things, I've been around a long time. Do you think this is the first child a blood witch and a demon?" David brazenly walks forward, noticing the magic in the air; Red cast a silencing spell so the child won't hear them, didn't she? He can still read magic just fine, but he's noticed he can't hear witches do spells lately, his attention must be slipping.

Red bites her lower lip, crossing her arms uncomfortably. "They always become demons?"

"Yes. The demon genes are always the strongest."

The witch doesn't like that; she'd prefer her child a warlock instead, he wouldn't be in so much danger.

"But, until then, you can enjoy your time with him. Teach him the magic, teach him control, it'll carry over when he's a demon." David adds, unsure why he's offering his knowledge on the subject. Red is arrogant, merciless, if he reached for the child now she would cause every blood vessel in his body to burst spontaneously --- while not fatal, it would really hurt, and David hopes to avoid that experience again. He supposes she's a good fit for Angelo, they're so similar in natures at least they won't guilt the other for their actions. "You might be able to even keep him."

"Well, of course we're going to keep him," Red scowls immediately, sending him a vile look. "We're not sending him away when he changes!"

"Well, I didn't mean he would be leaving." Surely she knows that demons turn on their human kind during times of transformation? Well, typically they do, their natures come through so sporadically it's just not safe. "You will."

"I will not be going anywhere!"

"You won't have much of a choice. Do you wish for him to have Christopher's fate, killing his own mother?" David does regret what happened, but he was so young, he didn't know what that feeling meant! he had no idea he'd gotten that slave pregnant, not until his own father had commented about it. "It's plagued Christopher since his humanity has taken hold again."

"Luca would never hurt me," Red disagrees vehemently as she looks at the demon, eyes burning. "Look at Vinny, he's never hurt his mother. He's spent a lot of time with her and she's always been perfectly fine."

"He spent some time, but not all. His temperament is a rare exception of his breed."

"You have a fucking answer for everything, don't you?"

David shrugs nonchalantly, looking back down at his child. Black sprigs of hair sprinkle his scalp, and he has dark eyes from what his grandfather could tell from the few moments of them being open. His face is puckered, round and still a little wrinkled, skin red from tears. He'll be a handful, probably make both of his parents suffer before it's over.

"Father, why are you here?"

"Ah, Angelo, wonderful of you to join us," David turns brightly as he hears his son, giving him a serene smile where Angelo looms in the doorway. "I was just admiring my grandson."

Angelo glowers. The only rest he's gotten is when the sun is up, and even then it's fitful --- it's as if even when his eyes are closed, he can still hear that child crying, feel Red's unhappiness. It's strange, but the moment she had him, something shifted a little for the demon. He can't begin to explain it, but he supposes that's just the feeling all demons get when their spawn is born --- they just know it, know where he is. Angelo could find that child in the middle of a wind storm if he needed too.

"Is he bothering you?" Angelo directs the question at Red, who exhales heavily, her hair moving around her face.

"I'm fine. And Luca is finally asleep."

Yes, Angelo noticed he'd finally stopped screaming, which he can hear all the way in the basement. He cuts his eyes at his father as he starts forward, coming to stand beside Red, his hand absently going to her shoulder as he glances at the baby.

He's so proud of him, even if he doesn't do anything yet. He's the most handsome creature to look at. He might have his fathers hair and eyes, but Angelo thinks he'll be more like Red, more practical, less spontaneous --- okay, well that's what he hopes anyhow. He's excited for the child to grow, to become his own person, see what his personality will be like.

As long as he's not like David, everything will be okay.

Or their Uncle William, for that matter.

"The two of you did very well, and you haven't killed the child yet," David adds. At first he was very against Angelo helping raise the child, it's just not done that way, not for a demon. The only mercy they can give their children is letting them enjoy their humanity in ignorance, blissfully unaware of what will happen on their sixteenth birthday. That's how it should be done, but if Angelo and Red just insist on going against the grain, that's on them.

Red should be taking it away, teaching it witchcraft and letting it live it's life. She might even tell him about his father, what to expect, and once his birthday arrives, Angelo should come and get him, at least for twenty or thirty years, however long it takes for him to get in control of himself. Perhaps after that Red could see him, but not until then.

David figures the boy will probably kill her, she doesn't have good sense, won't listen to reason. Her son will be the death of her.

But, David warned them, so that's on them.

He can just imagine the rage Angelo will feel, he's so attached to the witch, they've been together for a few years now. Not very long even by human standards, but still longer than David has ever seen.

"Just be aware that the child will be vulnerable to all human afflictions," the older demon sighs, deciding to cut his visit short. With both his son and his witch in the room, David isn't quite on top of the foodchain now, and he doesn't like that feeling. "Sicknesses, broken bones, scars. You'll want to teach him how to defend himself, he is a Bowie after all and we have our enemies. You might want to get Gretel to teach you more about defensive spells and warding since you're no longer in a delicate condition, you should be able to take a beating now. I'm sure the old gingerbread has been just dying to teach you the stronger spells."

Well, yes, Gretel has. Gretel is another blood witch, friends with Christopher, if you can call it that. She's managed to stay hidden for a long time, but everyone's nature comes out eventually. She's taught Red a few spells, but none that require great strenght or effort, at risk of the child of course. Red doesn't really feel up to learning anything new at the moment, she just wants rest, for at least a few years after what she had to go through.

Labor took hours, it's as if the baby was punishing her before it was even ready to enter the world! She had contractions, and they were just... not close enough apart, apparently. Gretel came through and tittered about, but it wasn't until Rosie arrived that the baby decided it was time to meet his family, unfortunately.

Red won't admit how grateful she was for the fairy, having her at her side, holding her hand, breathing with her, telling her stories to keep her distracted. To be such powerful creatures, no matter the species, it's terrible to give birth. The witch never intends to do it again.

Rosie is the only reason she was able to make it through one of them! She's so patient and kind, and her hands are so... oddly soothing,  which is probably due to her nature. Fairies might be tedious and fleeting, but they make great midwives, and it's supposed to be good luck to have one of them at a birth.

Red took that to heart.

"It will be fine," Red mutters, looking at her child. "I'll make sure of it."

"He," Angelo corrects, frowning. "He will be fine."

"Right, whatever." Red rolls her eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be asleep?"

"How can anyone sleep with you two yammering so loudly up here?" Angelo growls, looking pointedly at his father. They've never gotten along, their relationship... well, they avoid each other most times. Angelo never wanted to be a demon, he caused the most fuss about it, gave David the most grief. David's always been cruel to him, and Angelo has never forgotten it; he won't let that continue on to his son.

David will never get to see him again if Angelo has anything to do with it.

"Don't you have virgins to ruin or something?" He asks pointedly, earning a derisive snort from his father. "Or villages to burn or tax?"

"Don't be cross, Angelo, this is merely a cursory visit. Did you think I wouldn't visit my first grandchild?"

"First and last, probably." Red mumbles.

"Mmm, I wouldn't be so sure." David has a feeling that's not the case. His sons get too lax, and some of their mates are too... well, seductive. He can imagine, now that Angelo has broke the promise, that someone else will mess up, will produce another heir. It's almost amusing to think he might have many grandchildren to visit and turn against their parents.

He wonders who the next one will be?

~~~~~~~

"What fucking nerve," Angelo growls as he paces back and forth in front of his desk, furious. "What the fuck does he think he's doing, coming here like this?"

"Well, Luca is his grandchild." Red points out as she slowly sits down in one of the arm chairs, grimacing. "Of course he came to see him, you know he would."

Yes, well, Angelo just didn't expect to be asleep when it happened! He was napping so well, but the moment he sensed David, he panicked; he was worried his father might do something to the baby, or to Red. Both are terrible options he could never tolerate, and he would turn the entire family against their father if need be.

"We need more hellhounds."

"Hellhounds don't work against your father."

"Well, we fucking need something then!"

"Oh, do stop yelling," Red sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose as she leans back wearily. "I'll ask Gretel if she can cast something, she hates David just as much as the rest of us."

"Yes, but she also hates me."

"That's because you're a condescending asshole and you tried to bite her and make her a pet! She doesn't even like men!"

"Okay, that was decades ago! Centuries, actually, she should be over that by now."

"Well, if you didn't have such an entitled attitude, we wouldn't have issues with her, would we?"

Angelo's insulted. "I'm a demon, of course I'm entitled!"

"Well, Luca isn't going to be that way."

Yeah, sure, totally. Angelo frowns, but he doesn't want to fight with Red, even if she's picking for one. Instead, he goes to her, kneeling down in front of her and taking her hands with a heavy exhale.

"You need rest," he says after a moment, kissing her fingers. "Not even witches can go days on end without sleep."

"I don't want to leave the baby for too long. He'll start crying any minute." Red frets, having a hard time keeping her eyes open. She worries too much, but isn't that just what new mothers do?

"I'll stay with him until sunrise, why don't you go and sleep?" Angelo suggests, squeezing her fingers. Sure, it's not like he's trying to run a business or anything, make sure he isn't double crossed or his product stolen. The world might think he's distracted since he's had a son, although of course he's tried to keep that information nonexistent, but he worries.

He doesn't want his enemies, human and supernatural alike, thinking he's grown soft because of a child, that just won't do. He has a reputation to keep, after all, but maybe he should inquire about a nanny. Red can't handle that child by herself, she needs rest, and he wouldn't mind just letting the hellhounds take hold but she already shot that idea down.

Perhaps he should get one of his pets? He can control them completely, a simple bite from him will make them willing to do anything for him. He's not really needed a pet since he met Red, and what he has to do to satisfy his hunger doesn't count. She satisfies his needs in every other way he could possibly need.

"That's alright, I know you're working tonight."

"Oh, that's okay. I can work and have Azrael down here with me."

"We are not calling him that."

"I think it's a good name."

Red twitches, pulling her hands from his. "You know that Azrael isn't a bad angel, right? He was known as kind, his name literally means one who helps." She did her googling first. "So if you're wanting him to sound terrible and frightening, that name is not going to do it."

"I know what his name means." Angelo retorts, standing in aggravation. He wants his son to be fearsome of course, but --- well, he's hoping the name actually helps. "My name is Angelo, Red. I'm literally a demon named Angel."

Red finds it ironic.

Angelo was raised by a very religious father, he knows exactly that Azrael was actually considered the kindest of angels, just the one over death. He chose that name with purpose, as he hopes that means his son won't.... well, be out of control. He wants this family thing, he wants Red at his side, their child with them, not to be separated.

It might happen anyhow, demon natures are a fickle thing, but... well, Angelo wants family. He misses family. He was so close to his human father, he was so bitter when he realized what he was and what he'd lost. Family meant everything to him then, even if his human mother was a whore and none of her children belonged to her husband, it didn't mean he didn't love his half-sisters.

"Luca just.... sounds more like it should be for a werewolf and not a demon." Angelo finally grumbles, crossing his arms.

"I like it. Call him Lucien, it sounds intimidating." Red doesn't give a shit, but she's not calling her son something weird. Luca is good, and Lucien means light. So they essentially gave their son the nicest name possible, didn't they? Hell, might as well named him Adam.

Angelo rolls his eyes, feeling like they're going to roll into the back of his skull. "Go and rest, Red. If you don't, I'll hire a nanny and you won't have a choice."

"There is no way in hell anyone is looking after that child but us!" Red snaps immediately, rising to her feet so quickly she startles the demon. "I won't risk someone stealing him, Angelo! It's bad enough your father stopped by, now you want to invite a stranger into our home!?" She shrieks, and Angelo cringes, taking a step away.

"I was only kidding." Somewhat. "You know nothing will happen to the baby."

"I don't know, that's the problem! Your family has so many enemies ---."

"Don't put this off on my lineage, you have just as many as I do."

"Angelo, no one has any personal vendettas against me. They just don't like me because of my magic."

True.

"What if someone tries to take it, though? Because of who we are?" Red finally says, wringing her hands as she looks at Angelo. "Because of what he can become?"

"No one is taking the baby." Angelo shakes his head; he wishes there was something he could do to make Red believe that, to stop worrying herself before she gets wrinkles. "He's not safer anywhere else in the world, you know that. No one even gets on this property without my hounds alerting us."

"But what if your father, or one of your brothers ---?"

"You think one of them would steal my child?" Angelo dismisses that instantly. "None of them have use for that, and they would not gain anything. Besides, why have the wrath of demons coming after you? And who would want a screaming loaf of bread anyway?"

Red groans, running her hands down her face; the baby does scream a lot. "He's got your lungs, that's for sure."

Angelo chuckles, reaching forward to cup the face of the woman he loves more than anything; he never thought he would ever love anyone again, not after his human family died out, but here he is. He presses a soft kiss against her forehead, feeling her lean into him. "Everything will be fine, Red. Once you're back in top shape, you won't feel so bad either."

"I just... need to make a healing potion, I've just not had time." Red could make her aches and pains and post-birth issues go away, it's just she's either asleep or with the baby. Well, maybe she could haggle Gretel to making her one instead, or ask Esme to ask Gretel; for some reason Gretel does anything Christopher's girlfriend asks, and isn't so much a bitch about it.

"I know," Angelo kisses her cheeks. "But it won't be like this forever."

"Just a few more years."

"Mmm, but that's not so terrible, is it?" Angelo murmurs, pulling her into his arms; she feels so fragile right now, so easily breakable, it's hard to believe she's such a strong person. She melts into him, wrapping her arms tightly against his back. "Just think, soon he'll be rebelling, sneaking out and going to parties."

"Worshipping Satan and sacrificing virgins under the full moon."

Angelo snorts. "No, actually I was going to teach him the proper way to do that."

Red chuckles despite herself. She knows Angelo is full of shit, but maybe that's why she likes him so much. "You should put a bassinet down here, near your desk so you can watch over him while you work. He seems to like watching you."

"He's absorbing my evil aura already." Angelo replies, giving her a gentle squeeze. He'll have a hellhound put one in the office for him, although he's not sure how intimidating he's going to be trying to conduct a business call that needs some harsh tones with a child screaming in the background. If he can't control his own son, how is he expected to run a business?

He might just let the hellhound do the mothering, he just won't tell Red.

But he will think about the pet thing. Should he mention that idea to her? Well,  maybe not just at this moment, but later on.

Once his venom is in someone, they're pretty much his slave, they won't do anything he doesn't want. So if he tells them to love and cherish that child like it's their own and attend to it's every need, that's what they'll do.

No problem.

"Now, how about a nap?" Angelo murmurs, although he does enjoy holding her. She nods her head against his shoulder.

"Fine. I'll text Gretel and ask her for what I need, hopefully she won't mind."

"Why don't you text Esme instead and get her to ask? That usually works out better."

"True." Esme is so nice, if not still naive and a little air headed, but Christopher seems to want to keep her that way. "Christopher really needs to get her out in the world more."

"No, he's too protective. She'll never go anywhere without him, without some sort of escort. He likes the innocent ones, just like Father does."

Red wrinkles her nose; pervs. "Esme is a sweet girl, she doesn't ---."

"Come now, let's not get off on that." It must be the mothering instincts, but if Red gets started on what almost happened to Esme, she'll go on for hours. Angelo supposes it was because Esme's situation was so close to hers, that they were both kidnapped and enslaved, and the wound is still tender for the witch. She just feels this fierce need to protect everyone lately. "Nap."

"You don't have to keep fucking using the word at me, Angelo."

She definitely needs a nap. Angelo purses his lips, and closes his eyes in exasperation as he suddenly hears the faint wails of a child echoing down his stone castle right to the dungeon. Red groans, pressing her face harder against his shoulder, squeezing her fingers in his sweater.

"Please make it stop." She's going to have a mental breakdown, she's sure of it.

"I'll take care of it," Angelo says quickly, caressing her messy hair. "Rest. Let me handle it."

Red would let Martha Stewart handle it at this point, so long as she was under a watchful eye.

~~~~~~~~~

Angelo has no clue what he's doing.

He frowns down at the child he holds carefully in his arms, hoping he doesn't drop him. Is he supporting the head right? He obviously doesn't want the baby to have a crooked neck or something, is that why you support it this way? He has no idea.

At least he's not crying.

"That's a good boy," Angelo murmurs, lightly moving the baby back and forth. No tears, just big glossy eyes, little fists defiantly waving in the air. He's a good size for a baby, Angelo figures, having not ever really been around children. He seems healthy, Rosie and Gretel both said so.

Angelo wonders how many babies Gretel has helped deliver. She didn't seem as horrified by the whole birthing thing as everyone else was.

Angelo had no idea it was so horrible, why do women want to go through that?

It's not as if they could take Red to a hospital with professionals, so Rosie and Gretel were all they had. At least it was quick once it actually started.

Angelo doesn't want to think about that anymore.

He looks back down at the boy he holds in his arms, frowning. "You're going to have to watch yourself growing up," he mumbles, the big brown eyes completely focused on him. "You're going to have a lot of responsibility. A lot of enemies. Well, maybe not too many. Hopefully no one will even learn of you and you'll be a surprise when you're finally old enough to hold your own." Angelo says brightly, but he knows that's not going to happen.

David is bad enough, but he won't do anything to his own kin.

"So you're going to have to be tough, a big man, but be kind to your mother, she's a little insane." Angelo decides, wiping a little drool off his son's lips. "I saw her eat a man alive once, terrifying to behold. You're going to have to be as ruthless as her, but don't break her heart."

He feels foolish, talking to a baby as if he actually understands. Angelo could spill his life secrets, and at least no one could ever repeat them.

He glances at his office door, frowning as he senses his brother. Why can't anyone leave him alone? They know he just had a child! Does no one have respect for new parents these days!?

"What have I said about showing up unexpectedly?" Angelo grouches the moment Christopher appears in the doorway, looming and blocking the light.

"I did text, you didn't answer." Christopher replies, dark eyes finding the small addition to their family. He walks forward curiously; it's strange seeing Angelo, with his sulky expression, handling anything so delicate with such care. "So that's your son."

"Yeah, this is him." Angelo looks down, moving his arms a little so Christopher can get a better look. "He's got our hair and eyes, so he's definitely one of us."

Angelo had sort of hoped he'd have red hair.

"Mmm, that means the blood is strong." Christopher sighs. Vinny turned out a little different, his hair is brown, and Joshua, his eyes are a bright blue --- both of them are pulling away from the family. Everyone else with their dark hair and eyes, it seems that's where the demon blood is strongest. "Red alright?"

"She's resting for a little bit, I said I'd watch Luca."

"I thought his name was Azrael?"

"Eh, it is. I just call him that now to annoy her, but Luca is fine. Not very terrifying, but," Angelo shrugs.

Christopher clasps his hands behind his back, tilting his head a little as he studies the child, black hair framing his face. He was curious about his nephew, someone he didn't think would ever exist, and right now has a blank face and big brown eyes. He's still wrinkled and small, round head, toothless --- it's hard to imagine that every creature originates from something so defenseless.

"Rosie told Esme she handled the birth quite well."

Gossips.

"I suppose if you count nearly bleeding to death and pushing him out." Angelo responds; it was probably one of the most horrifying experiences of his life, nothing had prepared him for that. He could gut a man in under a minute and create a dog out of his intestines, but birth --- he never wants to see another one. "I wouldn't recommend getting anyone pregnant."

Christopher snorts, pressing his lips against a smile, the light glinting off the studs in them. "I'll keep that in mind. Are you going to keep the infant, or send him away?"

"Red wants to keep him here, where we can keep him safe. She worries already he'll get kidnapped."

"The threat is always present, but would be foolish." Christopher shrugs, watching as Angelo ever so gently deposits the baby in a bassinet, absently letting it rock back and forth with his hand.

"I know. Do you think if I made a pet to be the nanny, that would be sufficient?"

"A pet as a nanny?" Christopher hesitates. "Would Red agree with it?"

"Well, I'm obviously not going to be fucking the thing," Angelo rolls his eyes in annoyance. "But if I bit someone to be a nanny, I would have full control over them. They wouldn't harm him."

"You would just need to be particular about your pick, but I don't see why not. Just make sure it's not someone as air headed as Serena, you know she was resistant to Devin's venom in some ways."

"Probably due to the fact she barely had any brain cells for the venom to attach too."

Both brothers chuckle.

The baby makes a sound, immediately taking Angelos' attention, his head snapping. "Shh, shh, quiet now, Satan, let's have a nap." He sighs, hesitating as the baby threatens him with shaking fists. "Don't get all feisty on me and make your mother mad, she'll have my guts if she can't sleep."

Oh, that reminds Christopher.

"Here," he reaches inside his black coat, pulling out a tiny glass vial with a stopper. "Gretel sent this, it's why I stopped by. Esme said Red was needing a healing tonic?"

"Oh, yeah. Put it on the desk." Angelo waves his hand, the other keeping a steady pace for rocking, trying to get his son to quiet. "I'll give it to her when she wakes up. Birth takes a lot out of a woman, apparently."

"Mmm." Christopher really doesn't want to hear about that, and he definitely doesn't intend on putting Esme through it. He only came tonight because she wouldn't leave him alone about it and threatened to come herself, which he most definitely does not want! "I don't intend to stay, but congratulations on bringing another demon of hell into the world to cause misery and destruction for all of us."

Angelo makes a sour face. Christopher said that in much too bright of a tone, he hangs around his witch too much. "Thanks."

Christopher chuckles, turning on his heel and disappearing.

What a day for visits.

Angelo sighs as he looks down at the baby again.

"Well, Luca, you have a lot of uncles, you know. They're tough assholes, but unfortunately, we all have souls. And weaknesses. I'll have to tell you how to use those to your advantage so you can get whatever you want out of them." he says, admiring the baby. "Your mother likes chocolate filled croissants, it's her favorite right now --- or it was when you were still there. She hasn't mentioned them yet, so maybe that's changed. You better enjoy the food while you have an opportunity, eat all of it. I hear it's even better these days then what it was when I was growing up. Except for something called fructose corn syrup? Ah, I'm sure you'll figure that out."

Angelo absently tucks the blanket around the baby, hoping he's not too warm. It's usually cooler in the dungeon, so actually, what if he's cold and that's why he's upset?

He needs a baby whisperer.

Is that a thing?

He needs to find out.

Angelo glances up, hearing stirring upstairs. That better not be Red, she needs rest, and she better not be checking on him, he's doing just fine.

He's having a casual conversation with his son after all, which he feels is going to become a regular occurence.

His son.

How strange to think that.

He smiles slightly, his brown eyes meeting his son's.

He really does have a family again, doesn't he?

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