"Son, I never make promises I can't keep."
"Does that mean you're going to fight to get Dad back?"
"Is that what you want? For your dad and me to be together?"
"Well, yeah, what kid wouldn't want their parents together?"
Azazel chuckled and ruffled Kritoph's hair again. "Your dad and I are working things out, but be patient."
"I can help you," Kristoph said excitedly. "It's been a while since you've been around Dad, so I can tell you everything about him."
Azazel smirked. "Then I'll be counting on you, but the person I want to get to know is you."
Kristoph smiled. "I'd like to get to know you too, Father."
"All right, let's get something to eat. What do you have a taste for?" Azazel started the car with no particular direction in mind.
"Hm...how about chicken and waffles, with cinnamon-butter syrup."
"So specific." Azazel chuckled and headed toward Desiree's Kitchen. "So, are you ready for tomorrow's table reading?"
"Yup, I've memorized the entire script, and I've been working with an acting coach that my manager set up for me."
"That's pretty impressive," Azazel said.
"Yeah, I have a pretty good memory. Once I read, hear, or see something once, I'll remember it if it's important to me. It's how I've been able to stay ahead in school."
"I see."
"Plus," Kristoph went on, "I like to learn, and my dad and Uncle Orion have been teaching me since I was a kid."
"You're still a kid," Azazel commented.
"Father, please don't rub it in," Kristoph whined.
"Even when you become an adult you'll still be a kid to me." Azazel chuckled at his son's continuous mumbling as he pulled up in front of the restaurant. "Kris. Son, listen to me. Remember we're immortals, and even with magic fading, we will live a very long time. There will be days in the future you'll wish to be as young as you are now. So don't rush to grow up."
Kristoph was silent for a few minutes before he nodded. "Okay, I'll listen, Father."
"Good child," Azazel whispered. "Now let's go eat, I'm starving. Next time tell me what you want to eat in advance and I'll cook it for you."
"You can cook?"
"Of course. Didn't your dad tell you about the meals I used to make him?"
"Nope," Kristoph said. "I'll make a list of my favorites so you can cook them for me."
Azazel smirked. "Okay. Come on, let's go eat and you can tell me what you think about the character you're going to be playing."
They got out of the car and walked toward the restaurant. Contrary to the nervousness he was feeling earlier, Azazel knew that everything was going to be just fine.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Uriel sat next toKhray in one of Mama Vee's Italian Cuisine private booths. He was more interested in his tiramisu than listening to Dagon prattle on about Odin knew what. Uriel wasn't sure Blue's presence was needed, when both men seemed to have forgotten he was there. Uriel was exhausted and wanted to go home. Other than spending a pleasant lunch with Azazel and taking a short nap, he had been on the go all day.
Uriel's mind drifted to Azazel and Kristoph, and he couldn't help but wonder how their night was going. He knew that his son was eager to get to know his father, and realized he was a hypocrite from keeping them apart for so many years. Uriel needed things to work out between Kristoph and Azazel, because it would give him the courage to reach out to Donald. He wanted to get to know his son. Orion was right, he'd become a coward.
He'd let his naïveté break up his family, and it was time to get it back. Uriel couldn't wait until he was done with the Blue Lennox case, he had to start as soon as possible. His family was top priority and should have been from the very start.
