Chapter Text
Whatever Zira had expected, Christmas in Mayfair with Crowley and their mother was nothing like it. The house was posh, that was true. Practically a manor house. Elegant and sophisticated, all dark woods, and paintings of stern looking family members in the halls. And yet their hostess couldn’t have been warmer. Lucielle greeted Crowley with a warm hug, “Darling,” she cooed. “It’s so wonderful to see you,” she hadn’t even noticed Zira at first. Zira merely smiled as she watched the interaction. Crowley was the spitting image of their mother in many respects. And yet, there was something almost regal about Lucielle Crowley. She could see why one might accidentally want to curtsey before her. Perhaps it was the sapphire blue gown, or the severe cut of her red hair that almost made her look stern and imposing, but she had a certain air about her that made Zira feel a bit nervous. “And who might this be?” She asked finally taking notice of Zira. She blushed.
“Mum, this is my girlfriend, Zira.”
“What a lovely name,” their mother said and held out her hand. Zira took it, she half wondered if she was meant to kiss her ring. She shook her hand instead and Lucielle beamed as she looked her over. “My aren’t you gorgeous, Crowley how have you been hiding this lovely girl?”
Crowley flushed and Zira found herself nearly scarlet. They had agreed that they should be more honest than not. Their relationship was relatively new, and no longer fake after their conversation a few days earlier. “It’s pretty new,” they admitted.
“It must be serious to already be inviting her to spend the holidays with us,” she remarked.
“Yeah,” Crowley said. “I’m kind of crazy about her,” Crowley wrapped their arm around Zira’s waist and she couldn’t help but blush. Despite all they had gone over, Zira had wondered about public displays of affection in front of their mother. Zira knew well she couldn’t handle such a thing in front of her own family—her parents were long since dead, but that didn’t mean that she wanted to try to explain to Gabe or Michael about their relationship. Gabe had seen enough. Unwilling though he had been to give her the weekend off, Zira had decided to ask Mic directly if she could cover for her. She was seeing someone new, she'd said, deciding to keep it vague. Mic had been thrilled for her sister and she had agreed almost immediately. Her boys were teenagers anyway, eager to spend the holidays with their own friends, one of whom lived in Hollywood and had invited him to the states for the whole of their winter break. “Frankly I’d be bored out of my mind cooped up around here,” she said. Zira had never been more grateful in all her life for her sister. “But you better promise to give me all the juicy details,” she added. Zira wasn’t so sure about that but she lied and agreed that she would anyway.
“Well any girlfriend Crowley is willing to bring around me, must be special, “Lucielle teased. “I was beginning to think that perhaps you didn’t want anyone to meet me.”
“Mum,” Crowley said. Zira chuckled.
“I can’t fathom why,” Zira said. “You have a lovely home. It’s baroque isn’t it?”
Lucielle beamed, “Yes actually,” she said, caught off guard.
“The architecture is stunning, and I just adore the mahogany accents,” she remarked.
“You studied architecture?”
“Oh no, I—just love the baroque era,” she admitted. “The architecture, the art, the music, the poetry,” Zira blushed.
“I’d be happy to give you a tour,” Lucielle said.
“That sounds lovely,” Zira remarked. Crowley smiled despite themself. It seemed Zira was already making a good impression on mother, she was smiling brightly, she hadn’t given anyone a tour of the place in ages. Zira seemed properly impressed by everything but then they got to the library she nearly let out a shriek of excitement. “Oh my word, this is lovely,” she said eagerly.
Lucielle smiled. “You’re welcome to take a look around,” she said. Zira stepped into the library, her eyes alight with glee. “A girlfriend who can actually read, my my Crowley, you impress me,” Lucielle ribbed them, she kept her voice low so only Crowley would be able to hear.
“Actually, she runs a bookshop. Loves books.”
“I can see that.”
“You have a first edition of the Importance of being Earnest?” Zira said excitedly.
Lucielle smiled, “It’s signed too,” she said. Zira’s eyes widened excitedly. “You can read it of course,” she added. Zira beamed and picked up the book excitedly. Crowley was more and more smitten every day. “She’s so earnest,” she hummed.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” Crowley sighed.
“You’re really in love with this girl,” Lucielle remarked as she turned towards them.
“Of course I am, I brought her home didn’t I?”
“Are you kidding, I haven’t just met you yesterday. I assumed you were putting me on when you told me. You’ve dated enough vapid social climbers I was beginning to worry.”
Crowley blushed at that. Lucielle had never approved of the women she dated, then again she had always been right too. Most of them just wanted to get to know Crowley because of their mother. “How’s the campaign that’s not a campaign going?”
Lucielle grinned. “With any luck this time next year you’ll be looking at only the third woman Prime Minister,” she said. “And the first female Labour Prime Minister.”
Crowley grinned proudly, “You’ll do splendidly mother.”
“You’re damn right I will,” Lucielle said with a grin. “Now look, far be it from me to use your budding relationship to my own political advantage, however, if you’re serious about this girl we should think about you two getting hitched soon.”
“Jesus Mother,” Crowley groaned. “We haven’t talked about all of that yet.
“Crowley, you’re nearly forty,” she said. “You’ve met a woman with a brain who adores you and who, might I add, would make a fantastic edition to this family. Why ever would you wait?”
“I don’t want to scare her off.” Zira was excitedly re-reading easily one of her favorite books, a fact Crowley knew well.
“Just think about it,” her mother said. Crowley hummed. “Dinner will be ready soon,” she added loud enough so Zira could hear. “Though you’re welcome to stay in here until that time.”
Zira looked up still beaming. Crowley made their way over to her as Zira was grinning from ear to ear.
“Enjoying yourself?” Crowley asked though they knew the answer.
“Sorry am I being rude?” She asked.
Crowley chuckled, “No angel,” she said and kissed her cheek. “I think it’s cute. And mother’s thrilled to have someone appreciate her books.”
Zira blushed she closed the book and put it carefully back where she’d found it. “Your mother is so sweet,” she remarked.
“I’ll tell her you said so, she’ll hate it,” Crowley teased.
“A demon like you, then?” Zira asked.
“Absolutely, the demon queen but she really likes you.”
“I’m glad,” Zira said dreamily. She liked it here, it was like a fairytale, and Crowley was her prince.