Archive of Our Own ^beta

“You are pregnant,” Joseph says, disbelieving.

“Uh-huh,” Mary nods, face hidden in hands, crying quietly. “I spoke to Nina and Maggie and they confirmed what the angel said,” She sobs.

“The angel again,” Joseph sighs.

“A different one - I promise! I am not making it all up Joseph, if I see the nice one again, I will ask him to talk to you, please - you must believe me.” Mary keeps sobbing and Joseph can’t help but feel sorry for her.

“Shhhh, it’s okay. You know, when you told me you are…like Maggie and Nina, did that – change, was it this angel who…?”

“No! No, Joseph, you are not listening, I do not want a man, I did not change my mind, I only, there was... as I told you and she wasn’t … I didn’t even properly see her, we only met at night, whispered to each other for ages, she seemed to understand me. Was like me. We talked and talked for many nights.”

Mary takes a deep breath and continues. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you back then. But you deserve…deserve to know. And I begged her to meet me during the day, so I could see her, but she wouldn’t. But she was so understanding, and then we kissed and it was so nice, it was everything and we touched each other and there was a lot of…” She blushes and buries her face in her hands again, while Joseph blushes even harder.

“You can spare me the details,” he says, “but you see it’s hard to believe especially now since you are…”

“If you want to break off our engagement, it’s ok, I understand, I do.” Mary tries to calm down and moves to stand up to leave the secluded tree they are sitting under. They are away from everyone so no one can hear them, but not so far that they can’t be seen which would be a problem as they are not yet married. Well and now they might not be.

“Mary,” Joseph sighs. “Since Joshua died, I know I will never love another. And if it means peace for both our families, I will gladly marry you. But do you think she - won’t come back?”

“No,” and now Mary starts properly crying. “It was the nice angel who explained, I don’t remember his name, Azipa-something. He wasn’t even scary like the other one who told me I’m pregnant by God.”

“God?” Joseph now stands up abruptly and starts pacing.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Mary folds herself into a tight ball, feeling so lost. This is all coming out wrong; maybe she is crazy. Maybe she did make it all up. What if…someone gave her a bad drink, it's been known to happen - but when; she doesn’t go drinking with others and now she can’t quieten her sobs.

Joseph sits back down next her and waits until she stops crying.
“Mary, I - I think I have to sleep on it,” he whispers to her after a while. “Will you be okay?”

“Yes,” Mary says, knowing she won’t be as she watches Joseph walk away.

“He’ll come around,” Maggie assures her brightly when Mary finishes helping wiping the benches, “you’ll see, I know Joseph for a long time. A little family will be just what he needs.”

“Look!” Nina nods over them, “Your friend is here.”

Mary turns and when she spots blond curls her heart leaps and she walks over to greet the angel.

“How did it go my dear,” Aziraphale enquiries gently.

Mary feels tears brimming in her eyes again as they seat themselves in a corner of the small space. “I think he didn’t believe me. What do I do angel? Sorry, I forgot your name,” she adds when she sees him startle.

“Aziraphale,” he smiles. “Not to worry, I will visit his workshop tonight and have a word, how about that,” Aziraphale doesn’t even get to finish his sentence when Mary hugs him with thanks.