This chapter gave me so many feels while writing it. I cried.

Many thanks to Wictory and Kathrin J Pearl for your lovely reviews to the first chapter!

Celestial City, 2038.

Chuck Milligan tipped back in his chair with a sigh. He ran his fingers through his hair, closing his eyes in exhaustion. Finally, he plucked his glasses off and lightly tossed them on his desk. All the while, Joshua waited patiently for him to speak.

"I think it's time," he said, as though continuing a conversation they'd just been having.

"Are you certain?"

Chuck sighed again and scratched at his beard. He shook his head. "Of course not. You know I hate the idea, but they have to learn how to stand on their own. Michael still acts like he's eight sometimes. And don't get me wrong—Lucifer does, too," he added when Joshua shot him a reproachful look. "And you know Raphael emulates Michael, and Gabriel…" Chuck shook his head again. "Sometimes I think the only one who actually knows what he's doing is Castiel. But that's neither here nor there, now is it? I don't want to do this, but they're adults. They need to learn to act like it."

"And you're sure this is the best course of action for such a lofty goal?"

Chuck exhaled sharply, running his fingers through his hair again. It was a nervous habit, one that every one of his sons had picked up. It was almost funny, how similar and yet so different they all were. "No. I don't like it. But what other choice is there?" He only asked because he knew Joshua had no answer. "I'm just a father trying to teach his children one last thing. I don't know what else to do—they bring all their little squabbles to me. I can't be their referee forever, Joshua. I won't do it. It was fine twenty years ago, but…!" Chuck groaned in frustration. He was starting to wave his arms as he talked, which only happened when he was at the end of his rope. "Michael's twenty-nine, Castiel's twenty-three, and everyone else is somewhere in the middle. They need to start acting like the grown men they are."

Joshua had heard this rant far too many times to be fazed. He nodded once in understanding. "Alright, then. I'll get the car."

Chuck stood up. "I'll be ready in twenty minutes."

The first stop was Michael's house. On a Sunday, it was the most logical place for him to be. When the car pulled up in front of the gate, Joshua rolled down the window to be identified by the security guard. He took one look at Joshua and one look in the backseat toward Chuck and nodded. "Should I let your son know you're here?"

Chuck shook his head. "No, thanks. I'll just surprise him."

The guard waved them through and Joshua continued the idle roll toward the front walk.

Chuck didn't bother waiting for Joshua to open the door for him once they stopped. He simply popped open the door, climbed out, and went to the driver's-side window. "I'm just going to be a minute," he said after Joshua rolled the window down again. "Turn it around."

"Lucifer's flat next, correct?"

"Yes." Chuck straightened up and headed to the front door.

He hadn't been here since last Christmas. It wasn't because he never saw Michael, but because when they did see each other, it was either at one of their offices or at lunch. Apparently, things had changed since the last time he'd been here. There were twice as many guards around as he was used to seeing, and most of them appeared to be armed. He was uncomfortable in general around guns, but he knew that they all had probably memorized a picture of his face under a "do not shoot under any circumstances" list.

When he knocked, he expected Michael or Rachel to answer. To his surprise though, it was another security guard. She gave him a once-over and stepped aside, smiling graciously. "Good morning, Mr. Milligan."

"Good morning." Briefly puzzled, he held out his hand. "Just call me Chuck. And you are…?"

"Hester, sir. It's nice to meet you."

"Hester. Thank you. Is Michael here?"

"Absolutely. Let me go get him for you."

Under ordinary circumstances, Chuck would have declined and opted to find Michael himself. But the house was huge and he honestly had no idea where Michael would be. He was in a hurry, too. He had to see Raphael, Gabriel, and Castiel after he finished up here and spoke to Lucifer.

But when Michael appeared, Raphael was right behind him. Well. Cross that stop off my list. Both of his sons were in suits, or at least most of them. Michael wasn't wearing a jacket and his cuffs were wide open. His dark hair was carefully slicked back, the only aspect of his appearance that was completely put-together. Raphael was wearing a jacket, but without a tie and with the top two buttons of his shirt undone. Both looked incredibly surprised to see him.

"Dad!" Michael said, immediately stepping forward to give him a tight hug.

"Hey, Mike." Once Michael released him, Chuck hugged Raphael, too. "Raph, how are you? I didn't expect to see you here."

Raphael smiled. "I'm always here."

"I see. What's with all the security around here? I swear, there's almost more guns than people walking around."

Michael shrugged widely with a "well, what can you do?" expression on his face. "Dangerous times, Dad. You can't be too careful. No one around here's gonna shoot you, though. They're all a lot smarter than that."

Chuck furrowed his brow slightly. "It's not me I'm worried about."

Michael nodded as though he understood, even though Chuck had a feeling he really didn't. "So what are you doing here? Not that I'm not delighted to see you, because I definitely am. I just… I wasn't expecting you."

"Yeah. Yeah, I know. I just wanted to see how you were doing. Both of you, actually," Chuck added with a smile toward Raphael. "I was actually on my way to see you in a bit."

"Oh, you're not staying?"

"No, I'm afraid not. I have a few other people to see, but I wanted to drop by in person and see you."

"Oh." Michael nodded again. "Well, I'm fine."

"How's Rachel?"

The smile disappeared from Michael's face and he suddenly seemed older than his twenty-nine years. "She's… she's been better. Still upset about…"

Chuck nodded sympathetically. "I understand completely." He looked at Raphael. "And you?"

Raphael half-smiled. "I'm alright, Dad. Doing just fine."

"And things with you and Ruby…?"

"Better than ever."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it." Chuck got the feeling that Raphael was very close to proposing to his girlfriend of four years and of course wanted nothing but the best for them. The unfortunate incident of Rachel's miscarriage was the only dark spot on Michael and Raphael's lives, apparently. "Well, I won't keep you," he said finally. "I'm sure you're both incredibly busy, and I have to be off as well." He held open his arms and hugged them both at the same time. After a moment, they returned the embrace and he held them tightly.

Both Michael and Raphael were six feet tall, so Chuck had to stand on his tiptoes to hug them properly. He wasn't sure where Michael's height came from, but probably the same place that Lucifer's did—Lucifer was six-foot-one. Gabriel, at least, had taken after him in the height department, refusing to get any taller than five-foot-eight. But he didn't care. He kissed Michael's cheek and then Raphael's. "I love you. Both of you." He stepped back and smiled at them.

Michael and Raphael exchanged glances. "We love you, too, Dad," Raphael said finally, a note of confusion in his voice. They both appeared to want to ask him something, but Chuck just turned around and headed back out. He had a feeling that seeing Lucifer would be a bit more of a strain.

"So Raphael was there."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"I don't know. It was okay, I think. I mean, I would have preferred to see them individually, but… Well, I guess it doesn't matter now. They're doing fine, which was the point."

"And Rachel?"

Chuck sighed. He had a soft spot for his daughter-in-law, but she hadn't felt up to having visitors in quite some time. It was probably why Raphael was there in the first place—he had a big heart and wanted to help his brother and sister-in-law any way he could. "Michael says she's been better. I understand, of course."

"Of course. Still to Lucifer's place next?"

"Yes."

Very few people outside the family knew where Lucifer's flat was. The name on the mail box was "Masters" to throw people off. Fortunately, the doorman knew who he was and let him in.

"Afternoon, Mr. Milligan," he said softly, discreetly.

"Just Chuck," he said patiently. He must have told this man a hundred times to just call him Chuck, but he never did.

Once in the elevator, he located his key and unlocked the button for the penthouse. There was no way to arrive unannounced to Lucifer's home, but at least he didn't have as much external security walking around to startle. The elevator bumped to a stop and the doors slid open, revealing his other daughter-in-law Meg.

She greeted him with a bright smile and outstretched arms. "Hey, Dad! We weren't expecting you!"

He returned her hug, feeling vaguely unsettled, but shook it off. "I know, I'm sorry. Spur-of-the-moment thing. Is Lucifer around?"

"Yeah, hang on. Lu," Meg sing-songed, turning and heading deeper into the apartment. Her bare feet sank into the plush stone-colored carpet as she walked and the highlights of her short blond hair seemed even paler when they caught the overhead lights. Being here always threw Chuck off a bit, although he could never quite pinpoint why. He was used to a fair amount of luxury, but his boys had thrown themselves in it. Lucifer's flat wasn't necessarily more high-end than Michael's house—that wasn't so much a house as it was an estate—but there was something about it that made it seem like more of a cage than a living space, even with the floor-to-ceiling tinted windows offering a panoramic view of Celestial City. He certainly couldn't see himself relaxing amid all the sleek black appliances and with a fire roaring even in August, but it suited Lucifer, and he was the one who had to live here.

When Lucifer appeared, he didn't look nearly as surprised to see him as Meg did. She must have warned him who it was because all that registered on his face was confusion. "Dad. What are you doing here?"

Chuck smiled. "Wow, no hug or anything? Just 'what are you doing here?' Nice. Very nice."

Lucifer at least had the decency to look slightly penitent. "Sorry. It's great to see you." He enveloped Chuck in a tight but brief hug before stepping back. "I just wasn't expecting you, you know?"

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry. I just wanted to see how you're doing. It's been a few weeks since we spoke last."

"Oh. Well, I'm fine." He furrowed his brow in bewilderment. "How are you? Did you want a drink?"

"Oh, no, thanks. I'm good. I just wanted to stop by for a moment. I haven't seen you in awhile." The last time they spoke was on the phone. It had been several months since they'd actually seen each other.

But apparently, Lucifer wasn't buying it. He gave his father a disbelieving look, crossing his arms over his chest. Despite the luxury of the apartment, he wouldn't have looked out-of-place at a rock concert. His faded black shirt bore the emblem of some band or another and though his black jeans were clearly designer and tailored to fit, they were well-worn and frayed at the bottom where they dragged across the floor. He was barefoot as well and he almost would have given the vague impression of a hippie if it weren't for the liberal amount of styling gel in his strawberry-blond hair, forming it into floppy spikes. "You drove all the way across town just to see me for two minutes?"

"A father can take certain liberties, can't he?"

The answer didn't seem to sit well with him, but he also knew he wasn't going to get a straight answer out of his father. He accepted it, however reluctantly. "Alright. I suppose that's true."

Chuck half-smiled, knowing he needed to leave now if he was still going to be able to see Gabriel and Castiel. "I have to get going, but it was good to see you."

"Yeah, it was. Even if the trip up here was longer than the actual visit," Lucifer added, just a hint of snark evident in his tone.

Chuck let it slide, though, and embraced his son. Just as he had with Michael and Raphael, he kissed Lucifer's cheek. "I love you, Lucifer."

The younger Milligan tightened his grip. "I love you, too, Dad."

When they finally let go, Chuck smiled again, if only to hide the fact that he was very close to crying. He patted Lucifer's shoulder and headed to the elevator.

"And Lucifer?"

"Seems to be doing well. That's what counts, though."

"Meg?"

"She was the one who met me at the door. I didn't ask but she didn't give me the impression of being anything other than fine."

"Do you wonder how long it'll last?"

Chuck bristled slightly. "I try not to ponder things like that."

"Gabriel next?"

"Yes."

Gabriel's house really was just a house. There was a fence around it, just like Michael's, but unlike Michael's, it wasn't electrified and ten feet high. It was wooden, painted white, six feet tall, and designed more for privacy than anything else. The mailbox affixed next to the gate had the initials G.M. on it. On the outside, it was simple. No one would suspect who lived inside. Gabriel had a thing for hiding in plain sight.

Chuck knocked on the front door and waited. He assumed Gabriel would be home, but it was quite possible that he was visiting Castiel. The two of them had grown close once Castiel was able to express himself in coherent sentences.

He had just about given up when the door was suddenly flung open and a golden blur practically attacked him.

"Dad!" Gabriel said excitedly, very nearly bouncing with his arms securely around his father.

"Hey, Gabriel," Chuck choked out, laughing. He returned his son's enthusiastic hug, resting his head against Gabriel's. He knew his beard was probably scratching him, but Gabriel didn't complain.

"How ya' doing, Dad?" Gabriel asked, finally pulling back. He was smiling cheerfully, making his golden eyes look even brighter. "Have you eaten lunch yet?"

Chuck laughed, feeling his mood lighten. "I'm fine, just fine. I actually can't stay, though. I just wanted to check up on you, make sure you're okay."

"Oh. Well, yeah, I'm great, though. Why wouldn't I be?"

Chuck shook his head, half-smiling. "I don't know. If there was something you weren't telling me, or something that happened since we spoke last…?"

He gave his father a puzzled look. "No, not at all. Trust me, you'd be the first to know."

Chuck smiled faintly. He knew Gabriel was telling the truth. "Good. That's good." He took a moment to look over his son, wishing he could stay longer. He always did like spending time with Gabriel. He had an innate ability to make people laugh. "I have to get going, though. Few more things to do today."

"I see." Suddenly, Gabriel was looking at him intently. "Are you sure everything's alright?"

A huge part of Chuck wanted to spill everything. He wanted to tell Gabriel what exactly was going on, to warn him of what was coming. But he couldn't. Doing so would defeat the purpose. So he just nodded. "Yes. Everything's fine." To divert further questions, he gave Gabriel another tight hug, which his son immediately returned. Chuck kissed his cheek, and as he did so, he heard Gabriel murmur something.

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you, too, Gabriel." With one last smile at his son, Chuck turned and headed back to the car.

"This is tougher than I thought it'd be."

"You almost told him, didn't you?"

"Almost. Part of me is glad that Michael and Raphael were together. Doing this five separate times? I think I'd fall apart."

"Do you still want to see Castiel?"

"Of course I do. I still miss him. Besides, when he finds out I saw all of his brothers but didn't see him, can you imagine how he would feel? No, I need to see him, too." Castiel was, after all, the baby of the family, and there was a soft spot in Chuck's heart for him.

Chuck only waited outside Castiel's door for a few seconds before his youngest son threw the door open wide. Castiel smiled and sank into his father's embrace.

"Hello, Dad."

"Hey, Castiel," Chuck said, not releasing him. "How are you?"

"I'm good, Dad. Really good." They finally let go and Chuck stepped back, beaming. Castiel looked the same as always, his dark hair messy without any product, his blue suit slightly and unintentionally disheveled, his tie loose around his neck. He looked more like a kid in his dad's clothing than a grown man with any amount of responsibility. He was twenty-three, but sometimes he seemed decades younger than his older brothers.

Chuck realized far too late that Michael and Lucifer and even Raphael were growing up far too fast. He felt like he just managed to catch Gabriel before he ended up like his brothers, but Castiel had been the one to retain his innocence. This would hurt him the worst.

But then, it would make him the strongest, wouldn't it?

"How are you?" Castiel prodded.

"I'm alright. I know I haven't seen you in awhile, but I wanted to drop by and check up on you."

Castiel smiled. "Thank you. And you're doing well, so that's a plus."

"Yeah. Yeah, it is."

"Are you hungry? I can make you a sandwich."

"Oh, no, thanks. I'm afraid I can only stay for a minute, so…"

"What's wrong?"

This was worse than Gabriel. He'd never lied to any of his children before. He always disliked dishonesty, but he knew that was about to make him a hypocrite. So for the first time in his life, he lied to one of his children. "Nothing's wrong, Castiel. I was just passing by and thought I'd see you for a minute."

Something behind Castiel's eyes seemed to say that he didn't believe him—or maybe it was simply Chuck's guilt projecting. But Castiel nodded. "Alright, Dad. Thank you."

Chuck hugged Castiel again and kissed his cheek. "I love you, Castiel."

Castiel squeezed his father. "I love you, too, Dad."

"That was the hardest thing I've ever done."

"It's about to get worse, you know."

Chuck sighed. "Yeah, I know. Did you make the necessary calls?"

"Yes."

"Alright. I'm ready."

Thirty minutes later, Chuck Milligan disappeared onto a charter plane.

Writing the bit with Lucifer was my favorite part. I could picture Mark Pellegrino perfectly. I adored it. (Also, if it makes any difference to you, I normally envision the Jake Abel (Adam) version of Michael, but in this case, I opted for the Matt Cohen (young John Winchester) version. He fits a bit better. Also, Meg is obviously Meg 1.0. Raphael was originally dating Anna but then I decided that he can't have her anymore. I may throw hints of Jo/Anna in here. So Ruby in this iteration is Ruby 2.0.

I have to keep altering my outline for this story because I end up writing more per chapter than I expected. This whole chapter in my original outline was supposed to be part of the first chapter. LOL THAT'S NOT HAPPENING.

It makes me happy, though. I'm writing a lot more than I expected, which is only a good thing.