part 3 of expecting that coincidentally lined up with gen's birthday 🥰
Audrey was acting strange. It had started around a week ago, after she’d returned from a gathering with Lane and the others.
“I have something in the oven, can you take it out?”
“Sure.” Cassiel fetched a pair of mitts, then opened the oven. Taking out the tray, he asked confusedly, “Audrey?”
“Mmm?”
“Why is there a single bread roll in the oven?”
“It’s not a roll, it’s a bun.”
“Okay? That still doesn’t answer my question.”
“It’s a bun…in the oven.”
“Yeah…”
He wasn’t getting it.
“We have a bun in the oven.”
“Actually, we have a bun out of the oven, because I just took it out.”
Audrey threw her hands in the air out of frustration. “God, you’re impossible!”
She stormed out of the kitchen, leaving one very confused Cassiel with a bread roll (sorry, bun).
“Why don’t you just tell him you’re expecting?” Austie asked.
Audrey scoffed, then mimicked Cassiel, speaking in a gruff voice, “Expecting what?”
“Okay, fair.”
“Scrabble game?” Lane suggested.
“Tried that.”
“Table for three,” Vicky threw out.
“He asked who else was coming.”
“...You’re right, you’re doomed.”
“Hey, do you know what’s wrong with Audrey?”
With a very serious face, David responded, “She swallowed a watermelon seed.”
“What? Are you having a stroke?”
“Did you have a stroke?” Felonia retorted. "I think brain damage is the only thing that can account for your stupidity right now.”
With his fellow demons turned against him, Cassiel went to the one person he could always rely on for advice: Mikael. The archangel was just as confused.
“I’m sorry I can’t be of more help…”
“It’s fine.”
But it wasn’t fine. Audrey was getting grumpier by the day, and David wouldn’t stop spouting nonsense about Cassiel being ‘in the club’ (when Cassiel asked him to elaborate he gave the bizarre answer of ‘pudding’) and ‘in trouble’ (that one Cassiel actually agreed on).
It all came to a head when the Astreans gathered for their monthly dinner. Malek waltzed in (fashionably late, of course) with a package of diapers, which he promptly handed to Cassiel. “I suspect you’ll be needing these.” He then smiled at Bruno, who’d placed himself protectively between Audrey and Malek; he’d never quite warmed up to their former enemy. “An excellent big brother.”
And finally, everything clicked.
(“You’re welcome, by the way.”
“Shut up, Malek.”)
Not me going down a rabbit hole of every euphemism for pregnancy 😅
Brian Baker woke up finding himself stuck in a dark and abandoned warehouse, with his older brother in the same state. They were both bound tightly with their hands behind their backs. Completely trapped and unaware of what their captors had planned for them, despite their situation, Brian glared at Hodge from across the dimly lit room, his voice dripping with resentment as he hissed.
"Guess your shady business deals finally caught up with us, huh? Always expanding the family ‘fortune’ your way. Now look where that got us. You got a plan to get us out of here, or are you too busy counting dirty money in your head, Hodge?"
The older man shifted uncomfortably in his restrained state, his face betraying a mix of anger and regret.
"I was just trying to salvage our family's legacy after his death. Meanwhile, you were off playing Mr. Artist."
"And look where that 'salvage' got us, big bro? Tied up and at the mercy of some goons. Real stroke of genius."
Their harsh exchange was abruptly cut short as they heard the sound of footsteps approaching outside the warehouse. The brothers fell silent. The rusty door swung open, flooding the space with bright light. In the doorway stood two burly men, their clothes stained and old scars covering their skin. They looked dangerous. The kidnappers stepped forward, brandishing handguns. Both brothers tensed up, instinctively shifting closer to each other as the gravity of the situation set in. This isn't just about their personal issues anymore. It's life and death now. The taller goon strided towards them, his steps slow and menacing.
"Well, well, looks like we've got us a pair of siblings. The infamous Baker Brothers, huh?"
Brian clenched his jaw, eyes flicking between the masked men, his mind racing. Hodge was unnervingly still beside him, calculating.
"What do you want?", Brian spit out.
The goon just laughed, crouching to eye level.
"Oh, nothing much. Just a little... 'chat' about your family’s debts. And since Daddy’s not around... His baby boys get to pay up.", the man threatened them while he tapped the metal gun against his palm.
Hodge exhaled sharply, finally speaking, low and cold.
"Tell us who sent you. You're insane if you think I am going to hand over the family fortune."
The goons stepped closer, the barrel of his gun hovering inches from Brian's forehead.
"See, your father owed us. And debts like that... They don't just disappear."
"Let my younger brother go and name your price."
"Oh, we will. But first, let's see how loyal you both brothers really are."
The deafening BANG of the gunshot echoed.
"Brian!! Noooooo..."
But instead of flesh, the bullet was embedded in the concrete wall beside Brian’s head. A furious, guttural snarl tore through the warehouse as a blur of fur launched at the goon’s arm.
"Sam?!", Brian’s voice cracked in shock.
Brian's dog, Sam latched onto the gunman’s wrist. The animal's teeth sank deep and the kidnapper howled in pain, dropping his weapon. The second goon staggered back just as Sam whirled around. Hodge seized the moment and rammed his shoulder into the distracted second thug, sending him crashing into a stack of crates.
"Sam, hold!!!", his owner screamed as he frantically worked his roped hands toward a jagged piece of metal on the floor. Sam tore the ropes easily releasing both brothers. Amidst the chaos and violence, the sound of Dominic's familiar voice broke through the pandemonium.
"Hodge, Brian! This way!"
Turning, the brothers discovered Dominic, Hodge's employee holding open a side door, an escape route in the shadows.
"Let's go!" Dominic yelled motioning urgently.
Brian's eyes widen as he spots his girlfriend, Catherine in the doorway beside Dominic. Fear and relief mingled on her face.
"Kitten?!"
"What is she doing here?!", Hodge muttered who was also caught off-guard.
But there was no time to waste. Dominic beckoned them again, more urgently now.
"Come on, before more goons arrive!"
"Catherine shouldn't be..."
"Brian, I'm not about to stand on the sidelines while you two are in danger. We go together.", she argued with her boyfriend as her ice-blue eyes blazed with determination. And the boys knew there was no time for arguments now.
All four escaped with Sam trotting protectively beside them. As they burst outside into the night, Dominic's car was parked nearby, in the shadows. They sprinted toward it.
"In, in, in!", Dominic hissed as he hopped into the driver's seat. The rest scrambled into the vehicle. Brian and Hodge were in the back, Sam was wedged between them, while Catherine took the passenger's seat. Instantly, the doors of the car slammed, and Dominic floored it. Tires screeched as the car took off. Hodge glanced out the rear window, checking the street.
"Anyone followin’?"
"Not that I can see. For now."
There was silence except for racing breaths until Brian broke it, addressing his girlfriend.
"Kat, you shouldn't have come."
"You were in danger."
"I know that, but you could have been hurt. It was too dangerous. We could have handled this."
"Didn't look like that. Besides I was the one who figured out your disappearance first. And I wasn't going to just sit there, waiting and wondering."
"I know you were worried, but..."
"But what, Brian?"
"Great. The perfect time for a lover's spat.", Hodge commented and rolled his eyes.
Dominic cleared his throat awkwardly, keeping his blue eyes on the road but unable to resist interjecting.
"Uh... Maybe save the yelling for after we’re absolutely sure we’re not being tailed?"
Sam let out a soft whine and nudged Brian’s hand with his wet nose as if saying to relax and make peace. The dog owner exhaled sharply, fingers curling into Sam’s fur. When he spoke again to her, his voice was quieter, rougher with worry.
"Catherine, just promise me you won’t do that again."
"Only if you promise not to get kidnapped, Mister Brian Baker."
Hodge snorted at her answer. Never mess up with Catherine Hill, The Snow Queen. Even Dominic cracked a smile. The tension in the car eased a little as the city lights blurred past the windows. After a while, the group arrived at Hodge's secret storage warehouse, an unassumingly grimy industrial building on the outskirts of the city. Brian cast a glance at his brother as they filed out of the car.
"You have a place like this and never thought to tell me?"
"It's not exactly a vacation home. More like an emergency hideout."
"This is like the Batcave. If Batman was addicted to collecting old TV sets...", Dominic noticed and whistled at the Baker's collection.
Sam trotted ahead, sniffing around curiously.
"Guys, listen... Until we can't figure out who’s behind this and how deep the threat goes, Hodge and I will stay here. We can't risk your lives, either."
"Which means we start tracing our father’s old enemies. Someone with enough grudges and resources to come after us directly.", Hodge explained as he pulled out a burner phone from a hidden compartment.
Catherine crossed her arms, frowning. "Just hide indefinitely?"
Brian hesitated. Sam whined and nudged his hand again, as if sensing his conflict and then he answered. "No. We strategize first. Then we act."
"Agreed. But this time, we do it together, little brother."
"Great. More sibling bonding in a creepy warehouse. Not something I actually want to."
Then the younger brother, Brian caught his dog scratching his ear with a paw which made him smile. A momentary distraction from the tension. Hodge was already scrolling through the list on the burner phone, muttering something about too many enemies and too little time. Dominic glances around awkwardly before trying for humor.
"So... does this place have Wi-Fi, Hodge?"
"What part of 'emergency hideout' implied high-speed internet to you?"
"A man can dream."
"Okay, priorities first... Dominic, Sam and I make sure nobody follows us out of this hide-out. Then we figure out who wants you two dead."
"Agreed. But we also need to find out why now."
Sam, Brian's puppy, tired of the tension, plopped down with a dramatic thud and rolled onto his back, paws in the air demanding belly rubs.
"Be careful, boys.", she requested while rubbing the animal's fur.
Brian hugged Catherine tightly, taking a deep breath of her familiar scent.
"We will. I promise. No unnecessary risks."
Hodge watched them from a distance, arms crossed. Dominic clapped Brian's shoulder.
"We'll keep a low profile and check in soon. Be careful."
"Dom, take care of her."
"Of course. I won't let anything happen to her."
To calm his nerves, Catherine gave Brian a lingering hug and kissed him tenderly before speaking.
"You better come back to me, okay?"
"I will. I promise. Sam will look after you while I'm gone. Don't worry, we'll get through this, Kate."
They watched Catherine and Dominic disappear with the dog into the night. Brian exhaled sharply, turning back to his older brother.
"Alright, let’s dig into Dad’s old mess and figure out who wants us dead. The sooner we figure this out, the sooner our paths can divide again."
While the boys were hiding, Catherine was at Brian's home with his dog feeling much safer. Only until she found a mysterious letter attached at the front door which was saying:
You may have escaped but I'm coming for you to get revenge for what you and the brothers did to Ocean. This time, you're alone, and nobody will help you, precious lady. Be ready.
Catherine Hill entered a grand ballroom decorated for the charity event, hosted by her boyfriend's older brother and her former boss, Hodge Baker. It was located inside his Club, called Sirius. The room itself was large and had a high ceiling with an ornate chandelier hanging from it. The floor was covered in smooth marble, and along the walls were tall windows framed with lace curtains. In the center of the room was a raised stage where a band played soft music. Along the walls, tables and chairs had been set up for the guests. One wall had a buffet set up with all manner of food and drinks available. The other guests were dressed in formal dress wear, mingling among themselves, sipping champagne, and chatting. In one corner, a few couples were dancing the waltz to the music played by the band.
It was indeed a spectacular sight for the woman, but only if she knew that this event wasn't really a Charity Event at all, but only a disguise to cover up the older Baker's shady and illegal business deals.
The young woman was dressed in a form-fitting dark blue dress that hugged her hourglass figure. The dress with a low cut neckline, revealing a hint of cleavage had a slit that went up to her thighs, highlighting her long, shapely legs. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and her face was covered with makeup.
Hodge Baker, the businessman, was dressed in a tailored black suit. He stood near the bar, chatting with a group of other businessmen. A glass of whiskey in one hand.
As Catherine approached, his dark eyes flickered with surprise and recognition before a smirk spread across his lips. He excused himself from the group and turned toward her.
"Well, well... if it isn't my dear brother's lovely Catherine. What brings you to one of my events? Brian certainly didn't come with you... unless he's hiding somewhere?"
He took a slow sip of his whiskey, his gaze studying her with undisguised interest.
"Hodge, thanks for the invitation. I love supporting Charity Events", she thanked him, which surprised the man as he didn't remember inviting her.
"How noble of you. Though I doubt my brother shares your enthusiasm. He avoids my establishments like they're cursed", he answered her with humor while trying to figure out how she got invited to his illegal party. Then he remembered the night he was drunk in his office, daydreaming about her while making the guestlist of this occasion.
"What are you thinking?", she asked which pulled him away from his thoughts.
"Since you're here... Let's make sure you enjoy yourself properly. With or without my brother, you're my guest."
Hodge signaled to a server, who immediately approached with a fresh glass of champagne for her.
"Uhh... Thank you."
"After all, charity is all about... generosity."
The double meaning in his tone was unmistakable. Especially because this wasn't a charity event at all, but only a way to cover tonight's shady and illegal business deals. As Hodge passed her the glass of champagne, he lowered his voice, leaning in ever so slightly.
"You do know this isn't just a charity event, right?"
There was a glint in Hodge's eye, daring her to guess. The corners of his mouth twisted into a lopsided smirk, as if he were enjoying her ignorance. He took a small step closer, closing the distance by just a sliver while his gaze never left her.
The older Baker brother couldn't help but admire the way the dress accentuated her figure and how her hair framed her pretty face. The crush he harbored for her in secret was as strong as ever, maybe even more. If only she were his and not his brother's. What did she even see in Brian? His younger brother hated him already, he wanted to mend things with him, but if he ever found out that he harbored secret feelings for his girlfriend, he would never forgive him. Brian would hate him even more than before. Standing this close to her while she was unaware of his attraction. The businessman took another sip of whiskey, using it to keep himself from doing something reckless. Then again, he was a little drunk already.
"You look beautiful tonight," he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft which surprised Catherine.
"Hodge, I..."
"Catherine!!"
Hodge's eyes narrowed when he heard Brian's voice behind him. His grip on the glass tightened briefly before he slowly turned his head to face his younger brother.
"Brother."
His tone was cool, betraying nothing of the jealousy and frustration brewing beneath the surface. He lifted the glass of whiskey to his mouth and took a long, measured sip. His deep gaze never left Brian.
"Brian, you came?", Catherine gasped.
Brian Baker walked over to them, his eyes briefly scanning Hodge. When he glanced at the glass of champagne in Catherine's hand, his expression wasn't entirely pleased.
"I came to keep an eye on things."
The younger Baker's tone was casual, but there was a warning. He stood slightly closer to Catherine, protective and almost possessive. Hodge noticed. While Catherine was too busy admiring her boyfriend's formal clothing style.
Brian was dressed in a sharp tailored suit. The material hugged his lean muscular frame in all the right places. The dark blue jacket, the white button-up shirt beneath it was crisp and wrinkle-free, showing his attention to detail. His chestnut-brown hair was combed back, revealing the sharp edge of his jaw. His expression was neutral, though his brown eyes never left Hodge, watching his every move. Then Catherine spoke again.
"I thought you wouldn't join.", she wondered.
Brian shifted his stance slightly, one hand slipping casually into his pocket as he kept his gaze steady on Hodge. His posture was relaxed, but there was an unmistakable tension in his shoulders.
"Plans change, my kitten. Especially when I hear my girlfriend's attending one of my brother's... events."
"Well, I'm glad you came. Let's have fun."
Brian relaxed a bit, the tension in his shoulders softening as he offered Catherine a slight smile. Despite his dislike for his brother's lifestyle, seeing her happy is what matters most to him.
"Of course. Anything for my girlfriend."
He glances at Hodge with a silent challenge, while resting his hand now on the small of her back.
Just then, one of the men Hodge was talking to earlier gestured for him, indicating that he was needed elsewhere. A barely contained scowl flickered across Hodge's face before he reigned in his annoyance. He downed the rest of his whiskey and set the glass on the bar.
"Duty calls. Have fun, little brother."
His gaze lingered a moment on Catherine, giving them both a brief nod before retreating to attend to whatever shady business was waiting.
Brian exhaled quietly, watched Hodge walk away before turning his full attention to his girlfriend.
"Now that we have the place to ourselves to enjoy... Even if I still doubt my brother would do some charity work. I just want you to be happy."
His hand still rested gently on her back, and he nodded toward the dance floor where couples swayed to the music.
"Kat, care to dance with me, or would you rather inspect the buffet first?"
His tone was playful now, eyes warm. The tension from before was entirely gone.
"Let's dance, Brian."
Brian led his beautiful girlfriend toward the dance floor, his hand still on the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd. They found an open spot, and he turned to face her, one hand gently took hers, while the other rested on her waist.
He began to lead her in a slow dance, his movements smooth and graceful. The music washed over them, soft and elegant, adding an air of intimacy. As they moved in sync, he drew her a little closer, close enough to catch a hint of her perfume.
"You look stunning," he whispered, his voice huskier than before.
"You look handsome. Glad you came so I could see you in a suit."
Brian's lips curved in a faint smile, appreciating her compliment. He tightened his hold on her waist, drawing her even closer, their bodies now nearly pressed against each other.
His gaze drifted down to her dress, the way the fabric clung to her figure, emphasizing her curves. He wetted his lips, visibly fighting the urge to lean in and taste her. Instead, he focused on the music, leading her through the steps.
"I'm glad I came, too," he whispered, his eyes flicked back to hers.
Occupation: Figure Ice Skater & recently started to study sports at an uni
Eye color: Light green
Hair color: Brown -> Blonde
Accessories: Mother's pendant and Brian's gifted ring
Languages: English
Three adjectives: friendly, stubborn, impulsive
Fears: Her biggest fear of losing her new friends and loved ones like she lost her parents. Even failing them and herself again which separates her from figure skating again. Terrible nightmares haunted her for days.
Dream job as a child: Figure Ice Skater
Favorite colors: White & Light Blue
Symbol: Snowflake with a crown (The Snow Queen)
Favorite animal: Cat (because of Brian who calls her his kitten) 🐱
Hobbies: Ice skating 🧊⛸️
Likes: getting painted by Brian, hanging out with friends and cuddling with Brian's dog.
Dislikes: being too much supported by friends. She wants to become an independent woman.
Secrets: Her depressing past... Getting sexually harrassed by her principal, her work with Ocean, taking addictive painkillers that she stole from a pharmacy and her mother. And more. Only her close friends know something about this.
Family: Isabelle (mother) & Robert (father)
Role in a group: The beloved one
Lover: Brian Baker ❤️
Pet: None. Brian did offer her to have her own dog or cat, but for now Brian Baker's cute and playful dog, Sam is enough 🐶
Couple edit [on the left] created by @choiceswithmika
Title: Can we go home now? (It's getting later, baby) [YanLane] Slice of Life AU
Book: Heaven's Secret: Requiem
Rating/ Warnings: T / slightly suggestive at the end
WC: 1,013
Tag: @rc-catalog
AN: I think it would be nice to give them a normal life. I'd like to highlight how Yan seems to be extrovert but he's actually an introvert who pretends to be social.
It’s already nighttime and usually Lane is at home reading a book or watching lame tv shows with Yan.
She didn’t want to admit it, but she’s having fun being outside. Going outside did her good this time.
It’s almost past 10PM but the restaurant where she meets with her work colleagues from Siberia unexpectedly brought this eventful but pleasant evening to her.
Usually she doesn’t like seeing co-workers off work. It’s expected to happen after all since the research base she worked in Siberia also has a branch here in England.
Audrey looks at her with such energy, it almost makes her wilt seeing her like this. But this is Audrey, talking is her style. She’s very good at carrying conversation due to her profession.
“Lane I didn’t expect you’d be here in Oxford.” Still carrying the same delight since 6 PM.
Lane rolled her eyes but her lips were curved upward. “What? Want to test if I am a ghost?” She curls her brow playfully to her colleague.
Anna, who was looking between them, finally spoke. “Did you two have worked together in a research?" Her face lights up, expectant, from the utterance of the last word.
Lane was about to answer “No” but Audrey flawlessly dismissed it with her head. “Not really, we just met at a convention and sat there for 5 hours.”
Lane lets out a silent chuckle, remembering how stiff her body felt sitting for so long.
Anna and Audrey carried along with a topic of research. Lane took an opportunity to look at her boyfriend, who’s been awfully conversational with Anna’s brother. Dmitry. She had long figured out that Dmitry and Yan knew each other. Now Lane wants to get involved in that. She tried to listen but the military jargons mixing up in her head made her head spin. Until Dmitry looks at her intentionally. “So I see why you wanted to quit the military. You finally found a life here.” The words carried weight she didn’t know, but the intent had been brushed off by Yan’s scoff.
He parts his lips. He circles the ice in his drink in the glass. The amber color dilutes.
“Well, kind of.”
With the admittance, Dmitry’s smile widens seemingly figuring everything out.
“I can’t blame you on that.” Dmitry said half-heartedly. Then it’s Yan’s turn to bite back. Lane suddenly remembered their entwined fingers, she looked down. It was woven tightly. She feels flattered and smiles to herself.
“Maybe your father is right, Dmitry. You need to find yourself a woman and settle down. So you can actually relate to us.” He held out his hidden hands and Lane stilled like a deer in headlights.
‘Oooh’
A sound of awe and sarcasm coming from both Anna and Audrey pierces their conversation.
“Don’t expect my brother to snatch up anyone soon considering his relationship right now is his work.” Anna jabs.
“Is that why you extended your stay here, near Oxford?” Audrey who’s in awe converts her expression into a foxy stare.
Lane’s face is heated and she can’t speak. She doesn’t know if she wants to stuff Audrey’s mouth or Yan.
She's a very private person, but not to the extent that there’s no PDA.
A tug from now hidden hands snaps her out. It was Yan’s signal. Yan hid them not long after.
“Well I’ll get more beer.” Anna stood up. “And you guys some too!”
Audrey follows her. “I’ll help you with that.”
Dmitry shook his head knowing the next thing that would happen. “Wait Anna. I’ll carry some of that.” He said hurrying to his sister who shot him an annoyed glare.
Finally alone together.
“So what was that?” She turned her head to Yan, who’s finishing his glass. He seemed to be enjoying himself. His dark eyes gleamed and his muscles relaxed.
The crescent moon of his eyes became whole and looked back at her. Then he finally broke. “Let’s go home now please.” Whispered in desperation as if teetering on the verge of breaking down.
Lane rolled her lips over her teeth and lightly bit them down.
She knew this would happen. Yan appears social when needed, but it does drain him. Lane’s like that. He’s more amicable on occasions but that was a front he can’t stand being out like this for too long, especially with the crowd. The tugging began, as a plea.
Lane sighs and shakes her head, but she isn’t displeased. It was about time afterall.
“Lane another glass?” Audrey called over all the way from the bar and Lane smiled at her and shook her head. “Nah, we’re good!”
Then Lane points to the door as a sign they are leaving. Audrey’s mild disappointment did not leave her sight but Audrey being understanding, she nodded.
A shout of heartfelt “take care” from the three bid them farewell and they finally exited the place.
Back in their shared apartment. Lane can feel the heaviness of her eyes but Yan seemed to be invigorated after getting home.
“I thought you’re tired?” She lifts her head to look at him better.
Yan snickers. “With people, yes.”
Lane’s brow lifted. “Then I guess I should leave to fully energize you.” Her voice is laced with playfulness but she’s retreating to the bedroom.
She can hear Yan scrambling to his feet. It made her scoff.
After a few attempts. He finally seized her by her waist.
“Where are you going?” His breath brushes her ears making her hyper aware where the wind blows.
“Sleep. Good luck energizing.” She tries to remain calm but Yan already saw through that. She’s expecting another gust of wind to tease her but a digging sensation from her earlobe made her eyes wide. “What are you doing?” Panicked, she tried to turn her body to face him but Yan’s much more powerful. “No you’re not sleeping. I didn’t even have much time being alone with you.” His voice is calm but in a sense it’s dangerous. It was devoid of any sarcasm.
That’s when Lane knew this was going to be a long night.
