Dr. Linda Martin smiled reassuringly and gestured for her client to sit down. She crossed her legs and waited. People often needed a moment of silence to gather their thoughts and their courage. Sharing personal issues with a mental health professional took a great deal of inner strength and a very real desire to learn the truth. She lowered her eyes just in case he might read her expression.
Lucifer Morningstar was definitely a symbol of truth and desire. He also happened to be the Devil. The Devil with surprisingly human issues, like the struggle for self-worth, the need to be loved, and the wish to rise above past mistakes. She knew she had the training to help him and even though his progress was slow, he was learning.
He sat on the edge of her sofa, barely able to sit still as he ran his hands through his hair, "Linda, I'm desperate."
She looked at him with great concern, "What's happened? I thought you were happy."
He shook his head, "That's the problem, I've never been happier in my life. I confessed my feelings to the Detective and she told me she loves me. It's bloody fantastic!"
Linda frowned in confusion, "But that's good, right?"
"Yes. Yes," he agreed frantically. "But last week the urchin got hurt at school and this past weekend the Detective nearly slipped and fell on our hike, then yesterday our police car was sideswiped." He jumped up and began to pace in the small space. "Someone is toying with me. Letting me know I don't deserve them and threatening to take them away from me." He stared down at the petite Doctor, "the Detective thinks I'm overreacting."
She silently agreed with Chloe's assessment. She took a moment to scribbled notes, tendancy toward distrust growing into paranoia. 1st emotional relationship too much?
Linda nodded, "Okay. Sit down please. I think you may be projecting your insecurity about being in a good relationship onto freak accidents. Seeing intentional harm because you think you don't deserve happiness."
He gave her a frustrated growl, "Of course that's the logical answer, doctor, but I can't take any chances. This might be a punishment for killing Cain."
Linda frowned, "We've been over this. Technically Cain killed himself and if you hadn't stopped him, he would have killed you and Chloe."
"Yes. It's true I didn't touch the blade that killed him. I broke Cain's hand and used it to drive the blade into his chest." He leaned forward to look directly into Linda's eyes. "But he is dead because I wanted him dead. I could have let him live."
He bowed his head and tightly clasped his hands together. "My choices may have set off Dad's wrath and put both Chloe and Trixie in danger."
She gave him a sympathetic look, "So, you think your family is threatening Chloe and Trixie. Maybe you should watch them 24 hours a day and control everything around them…"
He stared at her in surprised amazement, and then happily jumped to his feet and rushed toward the door, "Exactly what I was thinking. Thank you, Doctor!"
She shook her head, speaking to the empty room, "That was sarcasm, Lucifer." She sighed, "Maybe I should call Chloe."
Several blocks away, Chloe stifled a yawn as she watched her daughter walk into the school building. She waited for the line of cars in front of her to advance as she idly thought about why she wasn't getting enough sleep. Lucifer. They made love every night, sometimes all night. He sparked the passion in her soul with a touch or a kiss, while making it very clear that she ruled his heart. But lately something was different. He made love to her with an edge of panic, as if she might disappear at any moment. It made her nervous. She jumped involuntarily when the passenger door of her car suddenly opened.
Lucifer hopped in. "Good morning, love. I decided to join you earlier than planned."
"Lucifer, what's going on? I thought you had an appointment with Linda today."
"I did. That's why I decided to find you." He gave her a bright smile. "Linda helped me see what I need to do."
She slipped her hand into his, "I know you've been worried lately, but do you honestly think one of your siblings is out to hurt me or Trixie?"
He scowled, "I don't know! But I won't risk you." He lifted their joined hands to his mouth, and grazed the back of her fingers with a light kiss.
She smiled at him and gave his hand a gentle squeeze, "I know you always have my back."
He smirked at her, "and now I have your front too, beloved."
She rolled her eyes, but couldn't stop the satisfied smile that followed his endearment. "Behave yourself. I need to focus on work."
"Fine." He settled back for the ride, just as his phone rang. He looked at the screen. "It's Detective Douche." He answered and put the call on speaker, "Hello, Daniel."
"Hey, Lucifer. I need to ask a favor."
"Careful, Daniel. Favors often come at a steep price…" he warned truthfully.
"Aw come on. Don't be weird, man."
Lucifer gave Chloe a small smile, "Very well. What is it?"
"I have to work late tonight and I know Chloe has to stay until at least 6. Would you mind picking up Trixie after school?"
"No, I don't mind at all. I plan to watch over Trixie and Chloe quite closely for the next several weeks."
Dan gave a slight laugh, "Yeah, I heard that you were a little concerned about their safety. But don't get too overprotective. Chloe won't like it at all."
Chloe spoke up, "I heard that!"
Dan coughed, "Sorry. I'll keep my advice to myself… Hey, gotta go. Thanks again."
Lucifer gave Chloe a sideways glance, as he twisted his ring, "Am I being overprotective?"
She looked him in the eye, "No. I'm perfectly fine with your need to protect us just as long as you tell me what you're thinking and don't keep things from me."
"Ah… Detective Douche kept some rather major issues from you and made decisions for you." He raised an eyebrow, "Ones you didn't agree with?"
"You could say that." She continued gently, "But I'm also talking about how you decided I had no free will and that marrying Candy was for my own good."
He turned in his seat, and watched her face carefully. She looked calm, but the strain around her eyes and the tight line of her mouth gave away her true feelings. Lucifer looked out the car window to gather his thoughts. The subject of Candy needed to be dealt with. He knew he hurt Chloe deeply by marrying Candy. Obviously, it still caused the Detective pain.
He spoke softly, "I'm sorry. I pushed you away not only to protect myself, but also because I believed it was the best thing I could do for you. I thought that marrying Candy would free you from my Father's plan and save you from the rest of my family. It… hurt to leave you. I deeply wanted to have a relationship with you, but when I found out you were a miracle, I felt tricked and manipulated. Like a pawn on a celestial chess board, moved by my Father's plan until I loved you." He gave her a hint of a smile, "Candy was meant to disrupt the game and act as a barrier between you and me. She understood it was a business deal that didn't include sex. I really didn't know what else to do at that time. The Devil's heart had never been broken before." He looked away in discomfort and hurried on, "In fact, I didn't even know it was possible until I met you."
Chloe made a soft sound of surprise. The idea that she might be some kind of trap was new information. It all made sense. Lucifer reacted and rebelled against his Father, hurting her in the process, but the love had been real. The knowledge didn't erase all the pain they caused each other afterward, but it helped her understand. She nodded, and silently urged him to continue.
He glanced at her beautiful face, and then lowered his eyes as he admitted, "I should have stayed and explained everything to you. I will apologize for the rest of eternity for the distress I caused you." He gave a frustrated sigh, "I'm trying to tell you that I will never do that to you again." He reached over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, "Now that we are together, I want you to be able to put all your trust in me."
She glanced at him, "I do trust you, Lucifer. You have never lied to me."
He smiled, "I never lie. But I also don't tell the truth. I hold things back and that has caused a lot of unpleasant emotions for both of us. So now I'm going to share everything with you. It's not easy. I've never had someone who knew all of me the way you do. I'm still afraid you'll wake up one day and realize I'm not worth it."
She pulled her car into her assigned space at the station, turned off the engine and reached for him. She tugged him to her for a kiss. He took a second to catch up, but then kissed her back with enough passion to momentarily melt her brain. Minutes later, she eased away and gazed up at him, "You are worth everything."