Alex's album is finally completed

Over the next week, Charles worked intensively with Alex on re-recording several guitar parts on his new album. When Alex discovered that Charles was adept at the keyboards as well, it led to an even more extensive retooling of the album, assisted by a very amused Fernando who seemed only too glad to see his boss excited about something again. This meant that Charles spent most of his time either at Alex's home or the recording studio, and it left him little time to visit Dave and Knox again. Still, Gabriel would have frowned upon his fraternising with humans whom he wasn't assigned to help. Alex was his main task, so he pushed all thoughts of Dave out of his head and concentrated on the quiet, guarded musician.

One of the factors working in Charles's favour was the fact that Paris seemed to adore him, always coming over to find him whenever they were working in Alex's home studio, sitting in his lap and chatting excitedly to him about school, Mrs Cheung the housekeeper or Lillian, her 'batty' friend. It amused him to no end, especially when Alex had appeared rather envious of Paris's fixation with the new guitarist and had attempted to monopolise his daughter's attention as well. This led to Alex spending a lot more time with Paris, which seemed to benefit both father and daughter, so Charles had absolutely no complaints.

It was one evening at the studio where Fernando and Alex were trying to get a particular section right, and Paris was absorbed in a game on her Switch while Charles played some random tune on the piano. He looked up when Fernando announced, "You know, I think this is it!"

Alex seemed exhausted, but the smile on his face was triumphant. "Yeah, I think we might be done."

"For the day?" Charles asked.

"Oh no, I meant the whole album is finally done," Alex said, laughing as Paris cheered happily, running over into his arms. "Want to go celebrate, sweetheart?"

"Yes please!" She nodded eagerly. "I wanna ice-cream, an' a Mars bar, an' a new doll..."

"Me too!" Fernando interjected. "Especially the new doll!" He turned to Alex. "Hey, did Kess get back to you about getting a cover artist?"

Alex made a face. "Yeah, he sent over some French bloke but he was crap. Didn't want to offend him, though. Might have to find one on my own."

Charles sat up. "If you're looking for an artist to do your album art, I may know a bloke for the job."

"Really?" Alex looked interested, tugging Paris closer to him and stroking her soft blonde hair. "Who is it?"

"Just a mate of mine," Charles told him. "He's actually having an art show tomorrow, maybe you guys could come and take a look?"

Alex nodded. "Sure. Fernando, mate, you in?"

Fernando shook his head regretfully. "Count me out, I promised the missus we'd have a date night."

Alex rolled his eyes at him and made the sound of someone getting whipped. "Wimp." He quickly dodged the cushion Fernando tossed at him. "Anyway, Charles, just let me know the time and place, I'll be there."

"Excellent." Charles smiled, trying to ignore the heavy guilt deep inside him in the knowledge that he was shamelessly taking this opportunity to see a certain dark-haired, tattooed artist again. But then again, what Gabriel didn't know wouldn't hurt him, right?