No, I definitely didn't spend an hour looking through Creole-Louisianan last names to meticulously pick one that fit Alastor. Why do you ask? 🙂

The name I picked means "man of the forest", or so says my source...I found that fitting.

Also don't mind the background of this skit, idk wtf I did but it was stuck in that light opacity and I couldn't fix it.

Alastor's POV

"Miss Bernard never came to retrieve the child, is that what you're saying, Mr. Broussard?"

I nodded, "yes. That's correct. She asked my partner and I to watch her child for her, but when the time for Lilian to pick her up came around, she didn't show...we're very worried about her," I told a half-truth.

Of course, I can't let the police know I already am well aware of the fate that befell the young mother.

The officer scribbled something on a small notepad, and then looked back up to me. I was getting a tad bit irritated with him...he hasn't seemed to take any of this seriously.

"Do you know what she was doing?" He asked in a near-bored tone.

I narrowed my eyes, but kept a smile on my lips, "I do...she said she had a date."

"Do you know with whom?"

My mouth opened as my brain got ahead of itself, but no words came out when I fell short of an answer.

"...no. She did not say that much..." I said quietly.

I wish she had. It would've made this much easier.

The officer hummed, and scribbled something else down before setting down the notepad.

"Well, Mr. Broussard...I wouldn't worry too deeply about the matter. A young woman like herself is bound to have emotional episodes...you know how women are," he chuckled, "especially someone like her. She'll turn up, but for now we'll take the child and keep it safe for her."

My brow twitched, and I clenched my fists in my lap.

Oh, that disrespect will not fly with me.

And did he just call a human child an "it"?

I opened my mouth to tear into the slobbish, sorry excuse for a police officer, but a woman busted into the room before I could.

She hustled to the officer, bending over to whisper something to him, sending a glance to me as she did.

My brows furrowed, and when the woman left and the door shut, the officer settled into his chair...becoming a bit fidgety.

"Uh..." he cleared his throat, his eyes no longer meeting mine, "it...appears that Miss Bernard has been recovered from the east end of town...deceased."

My lips pursed and my eyes fell.

Even though I already knew...the news still struck my heart as if It's the first I was hearing of it.

I shook my head, "dammit..." I whispered, my eyes shutting tightly.

The officer once again cleared his throat, "my condolences..." he said, slightly awkwardly.

A sigh left my lungs and I nodded, "thank you...she was a good friend, and it's a damn shame..." I said, my voice dampened.

A damn shame...

My eyes shifted over to the large window separating us from the main office.

Fawn sat out on a hallway bench, Hazel seated in her lap. She wore a large smile, playing peek-a-boo with the baby to keep her entertained.

My eyes softened and I shifted my focus mainly to Hazel. My heart truly does hurt for her...she'll never truly know just how much her mother loved her.

She didn't deserve this...and Lilian didn't deserve her untimely fate, either.

How cowardly this creature is. Praying on those weaker than he, luring them out and slaughtering them when they never even had a fighting chance to begin with.

I hadn't even realized my expression had fallen into a scowl, but the voice of the officer brought me back to the present.

"Mr. Broussard, I'll just need to ask you a few more questions while we get the girl's mother on the phone...once she gets here, you'll be free to go with your wife," the officer said.

The word "wife" threw me off, but I didn't really care enough to correct him.

Nodding, I glanced back to the girls, "and Hazel?" I asked.

"Who?"

My eyelids lowered and I sighed, "the baby, officer," I said flatly, "what will happen with the baby?"

He looked a bit embarrassed, then, clearing his throat once more, "ah, yes, uh...once the grandmother arrives, since no father is present, custody will transfer to her," he explained.

Relief washed through me, and I relaxed slightly.

"Good, good..." I mumbled, nodding.

After that was sorted, the officer once again began asking me questions, but it all blurred together in my head.

I just want this whole ordeal to be through with so I can return home with my Fawn.

**

The questions ended before Lilian's mother arrived.

I had gone and sat next to Fawn, smiling tiredly at her. Hazel was happily playing with Fawn's hair, completely unaware of the reason we're in this new environment.

"How'd everything go?" She whispered to me, her brows furrowed in a bit of worry.

I sighed, "well, some good news is that she does have family...she will have a place to go. We're just waiting for Lilian's mother to arrive, and then we are free to go."

She nodded, and bit her lip slightly, "they didn't, like...ask you any specific questions, right? Like, you're not a...suspect or anything...right?"

I chuckled, shaking my head, "no, Fawn, I'm not a suspect," I said, and she let out a breath, relaxing slightly.

"Ok, good...I started thinking about that and got a little worried," she laughed softly, and I nodded.

"I can tell," I hummed, "but no need to fret, my dear."

Just then I felt a little tug on my shirt, and I looked down.

Hazel had turned her attention to me, leaning over more towards me with her arms out.

Fawn allowed the switch, and I took her gently. She cozied up on my chest, settling her face into the crook of my neck before letting out the tiniest sigh.

The woman next to me giggled, and I glanced at her.

"I guess she's tired after our long, boring morning of doing nothing," she chuckled.

Then her eyes softened and she reached over and rubbed Hazel's back.

I hummed, "yes, I suppose so. I guess she associates me with sleeping and you with playtime," I mused with a soft smile.

"She trusts you," Fawn replied softly with no hesitation.

My eyes widened slightly, and I glanced down, partially being able to see the child in my arms.

The smile I was wearing faltered slightly and I let out a quiet sigh.

Before I could respond, the doors to the station busted open and an older woman hurried inside, looking around frantically before her gaze settled on us.

She looked...rough.

Her makeup was smeared down her face and she seemed to be 3 seconds away from hysteria.

However, her distress lifted slightly at the sight of Hazel in my arms.

"Oh!" She exclaimed, hustling over to us with her arms out.

I stood up calmly, and Hazel pulled herself closer to me and protested the movement with a whine.

"Hazel! Oh, thank you so much, Alastor...thank you, for keeping her safe," she said, sounding on the verge of tears.

I simply nodded, giving her a gentle smile as I pried the girl from my neck and tried to hand her over.

But, my heart skipped when she whimpered and clung to me.

The older woman blinked and let out a weak laugh, "she must be fond of you..." she said.

I chuckled and nodded, "it would...appear as such, yes."

I then finally got her off of me, and held her out. She looked up at me with tired eyes, confused.

"Hazel, I have to go now...there is someone here to take you home, alright? Here, see," I turned her to face the woman, and she immediately perked up.

"Nana!" She let out excitedly, promptly reaching for her.

There was relief when she was finally taken from me, but also sadness...I was surprised at myself to find I was just a bit sad to hand her off.

But, it's for the best...

The woman thanked me profusely a moment longer, then was ushered off by officers for a bit of mild questioning.

I stood for a moment, then sighed through my nose and turned to face Fawn. She was already standing, waiting patiently.

"Ready?" She said with a small smile.

I nodded, and she came over and took my hand.

After sparing one more glance to Hazel through the glass separating us from the interrogation room, I took a deep breath, and we exited the station.

**

Finally, after a full night of stress and hours of boring police questions, we were home.

Fawn sighed, and I looked over at her.

"Everything ok, my darling?"

She opened her eyes that had been relaxed shut, and looked over at me.

"Hm? Oh...yea," she said softly, and then smiled sadly, "just...still a little sad about everything, y'know?"

I squeezed her hand and nodded, "yes...but it will be alright. Miss Lilian is most definitely up in a better place, and Hazel will grow up in loving hands...no need to fret," I assured her.

She chuckled softly, "I know...I am a bit sad for having to give her up, still..." she mumbled slightly, keeping her eyes down.

I walked us over to the couch and sat down, pulling her into my lap gently.

Her body molded into mine, and I held her securely against me, "I know, sweetie...I am, too..."

Timid ministrations of her fingers traced shapes into my chest, the soothing feeling causing me to relax just a bit.

"You looked good as a daddy..." she mused, "it was nice to pretend for a minute..."

I rubbed her back, trailing my nails down her spine, "yes, it was...and you did splendidly as the role of her mother for a moment," I replied softly.

We fell into a comfortable silence, and I kept gently running my fingers down her side.

My mind wondered back to last night...that silhouette...

A flash of the figure standing up blinked through my mind, and my brows furrowed. I tried my damndest to remember any features, but his entire being was shrouded in darkness.

And he left no evidence at the crime scene...I had checked around before I went home, seeing if he dropped a glove or maybe even his knife.

But no, nothing, nada...

Based on just his figure alone, why, it could be any damn man in New Orleans.

This is all so frustrating...and worrying.

Flashes of Lilian's wound-ridden body flashed through my head...except when I pictured her face, I saw Fawn.

I can't be with her all the time...I won't always be there to protect her...what if...

My teeth grit at the thought, the horrid thought...

I couldn't imagine losing her, at this point...she's like a lifeline, something physical for me to love and cherish.

Filling that empty void left from my mother's departure...

If I lost someone else who means that much to me...it would break me. I'm already not whole, as a person...as a man.

I'm not all there.

I know this, I know I'm not right in the head...but I've finally found someone I'm willing to protect, and the thought of not being able to do that scares me.

Fear...an emotional I am unfamiliar with...

Causing it? Sure, I cause people fear regularly, and I enjoy it. I love being in authority, I love the power, I love the control.

But that control has been compromised...

My eyes shifted down to the woman in my arms. She had stilled, and her breathing was soft and even.

Poor thing...she must be exhausted. It's not easy work handling a baby, and she did most of the job.

Carefully, I brushed some hair from her face. Her cheek was settled against my chest, and her expression was relaxed.

Each breath she took released a very soft snore, and it brought a smile to my face.

Moving slowly, I wrapped an arm around her body and stood up off the couch. She lazily wrapped her arms around my neck, snuggling into my chest further.

If she snuggles any closer, she might fuse with me.

I made my way up the stairs, trying not to jostle her too much. I don't think she's fully asleep, but I don't want to wake her up completely.

As we walked down the hall, we passed my spell room and I gave it a wide berth as to not get her too close.

Still, I could hear the faint whispering, the spirits trying to entice me to bring her over...

Sacrifice her...

Give her to us...

We'll give you......all you have to do is give her to us...

They never finish their offers. They always offer something, but you never know what it is.

Sneaky, impish spirits.

I rolled my eyes, glaring at the door.

"Shut up." I hissed at them, "I will bring you a sacrifice soon, but you cannot have her."

The spirits grumbled and the whispering slowly faded out. I scoffed and shook my head.

They can be real brats.

Finally I made it to our room, gently laying Fawn down on my side of the bed so she can nap before dinner.

She whined softly when I tried to let her go, tightening her grip around my neck.

"Stay, please..." she mumbled into my chest, and I chuckled.

"I have to go make dinner, sweetie...don't you want a nice hot meal when you wake up?" I asked her softly, slowly prying her fingers apart so I could slip away from her.

She let off a small grunt of protest, but did allow me to stand up.

After snuggling into my pillow, she was out in practically seconds. My expression relaxed as I watched her breathing even out.

Bending over, I pushed her bangs back and laid a kiss on her forehead, lingering there for a second.

A moment passed before I pulled away, brushing my fingers down her cheek.

"I love you..." I whispered quietly, barely even audible to myself.

Even if she can't hear me, it feels good to finally say it...I'm still gaining the courage to tell her outright.

I envy her, in a way...and how easily she can say it to me. I wish it were so easy for me, but when I try to reciprocate the statement it's like my vocal cords stop working.

I'll get there eventually.

For now, I need to go to the cellar and butcher some fresh meat.