"I think it's sweet you're so concerned about me Tammy, but I feel fine. If I get too warm I'll hop into the pool." Charlie stated, barely keeping the agitation out of her tone, hoping the she-wolf would take the hint.

During the first trimester Tammy had been a huge help when it came to her early symptoms of fatigue and morning sickness. However, as she started entering her second trimester and began showing more the brown-furred demon became…..well, Charlie didn't know how to describe it except as a few notches below 'excessive'. She thought that maybe it was because Tammy just deeply missed her son and that Charlie's pregnancy woes were bringing up old memories for the she-wolf. So, she allowed it to slide in hopes that letting Tammy in on her journey would get her to open up more during her therapy sessions. Over the past few months the brunette had been supportive when it came to everyone else's problems during Friday's group therapy sessions but was quiet when it came to her own. Which is fine since she had only been staying at the hotel for the last three months; however, she still refused to discuss her sins during private sessions.

"Are you sure you don't-" Tammy's sentence was immediately cut off as she felt an arm unexpectedly drape across the back of her shoulders.

"Why Tammy, a little birdie told me that you enjoy singing to others' songs. We've set up one of those machines up on the second-floor balcony if you would like to try it out." Alastor mentioned.

"…..a karaoke machine?"

"Yes, that's the word! How about you go up there before Nifty ruptures our eardrums with her questionable Elvis impression." He suggested while turning her towards the hotel.

"Well I was-"

"Oh, I bet you have such a lovely soprano voice. And I think I saw a few singers' names on that machine that you'll enjoy." That caught her attention.

"Dolly Parton?" She asked excitedly.

"Whatever your heart desires." The red demon smiled, the she-wolf already bolting inside the hotel towards the second floor and away from the pool party.

"Thanks for saving my butt." Charlie softly smiled as she came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his thin waist and leaning her head against his shoulder. "I appreciate her advice and concern, but lately she's been a bit much. I was so close to snapping on her."

"Maybe I should have let you suffer for a little longer, my dear." He stated as he gently loosened her grasp around him.

"Oh come on, I think you look adorable." The blonde demoness complimented, referring to the pink and white striped men's vintage swimsuit he was wearing. Charlie honestly thought that he did look quite appealing in his attire, but then again, she thought he looked good in practically anything. But the best part about this outfit was there was nowhere for his deer tail to hide. "And a deal is a deal." She teased.

###############

1 hour earlier…..

Charlie looked out her window from her private suite as she observed the last of the extra outdoor furniture being arranged beside the pool and the karaoke machine being set up on the balcony below. After several weeks of planning and construction the pool was finally functioning and swimmable, which was a blessing considering how unbearably hot and humid today was turning out.

She continued looking out of the window as she procrastinated putting on her swimsuit. Even though her mom told her that maternity swimwear is supposed to be stretchy, she was still a little anxious to wear it. Three weeks ago when she tried the black, one-piece, swimsuit that had ruffles around the chest it fit nicely, even the black swim skirt that came with it hugging her widening hips looked nice on her. Charlie took her mom's word at the time that she looked cute in it. But now, with her stomach a little rounder she felt a little more self-conscious.

Turning away from the window she picked up the silky, smooth fabric from her bed and traced her fingers over its ruffles.

"Are you planning not to swim today, sweetheart?" A radio filtered voice made her slightly jump, dropping the fabric back onto the bed.

"Ah fuck! Don't do that. Do you want me to miscarry?" She scolded her boyfriend.

"I didn't mean to spook you, my dear, but I did knock twice before entering." Alastor pointed out as he placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

She felt her racing heart slow down to its normal pace as she turned around to face him. "Sorry I didn't hear you. For some reason I keep spacing out…and seem to misplace anything I pick up and set down. Have you happen to see where I placed the ultrasound pictures from my last appointment? And my phone is missing too." She noted.

"That's actually the reason I came up here." He said as he snapped his fingers, the device materializing in his hand. "You left it again on the dining table."

"Thank you, it feels like I've been losing my marbles lately." Charlie said as she took the phone. "Were the pictures on the table too?"

"No, I haven't seen them since yesterday, but I can have my shadow search for them in the meantime." He offered.

"That would mean a lot to me, thank you." She softly smiled before standing up on her tiptoes to place a kiss on his cheek.

"No problem, sweetheart." He smiled back at her as he sent his demonic shadow on the requested errand. "Also, you didn't answer my previous question. The swimming hole opens soon, why aren't you in your bathing attire yet? I thought you would be pretty excited about today?" He questioned her.

"Well, you see, the thing is," she rambled as she placed her fingertips together, "I'mworrriedthatI'mnotgoingtofitinmyswimsuit." She mumbled quickly.

"Play that back to me, dear." He requested as he cocked his head and placed a gloved hand to his ear.

"I'm worried that I'm not going to fit in my swimsuit….and that I'm going to look like a beached whale." The embarrassed demoness added.

"Well how do you know if you haven't tried it on yet?" He asked as he gently grasped one of her pale hands in one of his gloved ones. "And to be honest, my lovely demon belle," he started to say as he kissed the back of her hand, "I think you look positively swell in anything."

"You think I look swollen in everything!" She gasped as she yanked her hand away.

"Swell not swollen, darling! You look great, amazing, gorgeous." He listed off, beginning to think that maybe there was something screwy going on in his girlfriend's head after all.

Charlie quickly realized that she had accidently misheard him. "Oh shit, sorry Al. Maybe I' am losing my marbles. I should probably make a call to Dr. Vex about it after the pool party is over." It was then that she suddenly got a devious idea. 'If he wants me wear my swimsuit so badly, then he's going to wear his too', she thought to herself.

"Which I intend to fully be a part of, dressed in the proper attire…..on one condition." She smirked.

###############

So, that's how nearly every hotel resident was properly dressed for the pool's grand opening on this hellishly hot day under the red hue sky. Well, nearly everyone was in their bathing suit.

"You missed a spot over there." Vaggie called out from the giant pool floatie her and her wife were reclining back on as they sipped their strawberry margaritas. The demon she was barking orders at was no other than Angel Dust, dressed in a red polo shirt with Hazbin Hotel labeled on his left breast pocket and modest black shorts. He thought he looked absolutely atrocious.

"No I fucking didn't. How about you get off your ass, take the pool skimmer, and clean what only your wonky eye is seeing."

"Not my job." She quipped as she dipped one of her legs into the water and used it as a rudder to turn the pool floatie away from the spider demon, cuddling closer to her wife. She took another sip from her drink, enjoying the sweet taste before the hint of alcohol left a nice burn going down her throat. The moth demoness rarely, if ever, drank. But decided to take Lily's advice about relaxing more, which was much needed since the little fiasco Angel caused last week.

He sighed as he ran one of his four hands through the white hair on top of his head, still feeling the marks on his forehead Vaggie 'lovingly' left when he had surprised visited. You would think she would be a little more appreciative that I had brought some cake and a show, he thought to himself. Well, she showed her appreciation alright.

By stabbing him.

Several times.

In the forehead.

With a metal fork.

Lily had to bust out her vines in order to pull her bride off the skimpily dressed spider before Vaggie could take out both of his eyes in her fit of rage. Luckily, Charlie was able to quickly snap Alastor out of his laughing hysteria and got him to help kick Angel and the rest of the exotic dancers out. The Radio Demon, for once, didn't want Angel to leave the room. Mostly because he was enjoying watching Vaggie lose it as she mercilessly attempted to mangle the spider's face with a dining utensil. But not wanting to ruin one of his best days in Hell so far, he bided his girlfriend's wishes and got his shadow puppets to roughly escort the wedding crashers out, cake and all.

Afterwards, Nifty quickly cleaned up any remaining frosting on the ground and everyone was served a slice of the actual wedding cake….after they all got Vaggie to calm down of course.

Angel grumbled to himself as he dipped the pool skimmer at the surface of the water and collected some floating debris. He had followed Charlie's rules hadn't he? The deal was no men or drugs unless he wanted to face Alastor's wrath for the rest of his damnation. But when he came back home after the reception was long over, he faced a not-so-happy Charlie. And that's how he was still invited to the pool party…..but he had to work as a pool boy. No drinking, no swimming, no lounging, and no playing. Just working under Hell's hot pentagram sun to keep the pool clean and serve the guests in this unappealing outfit.

As he was beginning to think that his punishment couldn't get any worse, country music erupted down from the second-floor balcony.

Why'd you come in here lookin' like that

In your cowboy boots and your painted-on jeans

All decked out like a cowgirl's dream

Why'd you come in here looking like that

Lilith hummed to the appealing tune as her dark purple stilettos made contact with the pool deck, her hips swaying as she made her way to the outdoor lounge chairs where her daughter and friends were sitting. She was oblivious to the stares and head turns she caused as she continued to hum to the tune.

Why'd you come in here lookin' like that

In your high heeled boots and your painted-on jeans

All decked out like a cowgirl's dream

Waltzing right in here lookin' like that

Why'd you come in here lookin' like that

When you could stop traffic in a gunney sack

Why you're almost givin' me a heart attack

When you waltz right in here lookin' like that

"You look absolutely amazing mom." Charlie smiled at her mother as Lilith placed her beach bag down and began to set up her things on the pool lounge chair next to her daughter's.

How in the world are those two related? Rosie thought as she glanced between mother and daughter. One wearing a cute skirted one-piece swimsuit and who's usual physic could be compared to a bean pole, and the other a very tall horned demoness wearing a risqué dark purple bikini that hugged her very curvy figure. How was this little doll related to a succubus?

"Look who's talking? Didn't I tell you that you would look adorable in that outfit." The horned demoness complimented her daughter.

"Lovely to see you again, Lilith, how was your concert last week?" Alastor asked from the other lounge chair beside her daughter.

"Oh, it was a huge hit. Standing ovations and request for an encore as usual." The Queen stated as she finished spreading out her beach towel on the lounge chair and picked up her tanning lotion. "I know you two are usually quite busy with the hotel, but I would love it if you guys would come to a RESIST concert sometime. After the baby is born of course."

"If they don't want to go we can certainly take their tickets." Mimzy spoke up from her lounge chair beside Rosie as she peered from over her sunglasses.

"Oh, I almost forgot to introduce you guys to each other. Mom, this is Mimzy and Rosie. They're longtime friends of Alastor." Charlie motioned over to the two demonesses lounging on the other side of Alastor. Lilith noted that they wore swimsuits that went out of style a century ago; however, she did have to admit that they did pull them off well.

"Pleasure to finally properly meet you, my Queen, quite the pleasure." Rosie smiled at her as she stood up from her lounge chair and walked up to Lilith, parasol in hand, giving a slight curtsy.

"Haha. I'm flattered, but you don't need to do that." Lilith smiled back. "I think I've heard about you before. You own Franklin & Rosie's Emporium don't you?"

"It's just been Rosie's Emporium for the past few years now, but yes." Rosie responded as she looked away and gestured her hand as if she was swatting a fly away, all while still smiling.

"Well I'm glad to finally meet the lead singer of RESIST, have you ever heard of The B.O.P before?" Mimzy butted in as she appeared beside Rosie.

"Oh dear goodness." Rosie mumbled as she closed her eyes, slightly bowed her head down, and placed her fingertips to her forehead. Mimzy certainly had no shame when it came to self-promoting her establishment.

"It kind of rings a bell." Lilith admitted.

"It's a swanky little night club not too far from here that pulls in quite the crowd. I assume a fine twist like yourself wouldn't mind stopping by for a free meal, a bit of giggle water, and the chance to have a spot on stage for one night."

"I'll speak with my agent and try to work something out, but no guarantees just yet." Lilith politely responded.

"Hey! It's nice to see you again, Lilith!" Lily called out from the pool.

"Why, if it isn't the newlyweds!" Lilith called back as Vaggie and Lily's large pool chair floatie floated up beside the group. "I'm so sorry I missed the wedding," the Queen said as she sat down by the pool's edge, "but I already rescheduled that concert three times and didn't want to disappoint my fans again. Did you guys receive my wedding present?"

"Yes, we did, and all I have to say is thank you so much, but how can we possible accept it? It's just way too much." Vaggie commented.

"Mom, what did you do?" Charlie asked as she sat up from her lounge chair.

"She gifted us with the greatest honeymoon ever, that's what she did!" Lily exclaimed as she practically bounced out of the pool floatie.

"She payed for us to go on a week-long cruise on the S.S Charon that tours the river Styx. That's like loco expensive." The moth demoness claimed as she tried to make sure her tipsy wife didn't tip them over into the water, margaritas and all.

"That's really nice of you, but why would you do that?" Charlie questioned her mom.

All Lilith did was shrug as she coolly stated, "It's my money. I can do what the hell I want with it." She said before standing back up. "And no, you guys can't return the gift." She smirked at the floating couple before deciding to go grab herself a drink.

###############

Rosie tried to focus on the next chapter of the novel in her hands; however, the events in front of her seemed so much more amusing at the moment. She took a sip of her ice-cold Rickey, served in a red plastic cup instead of a highball glass, which made her drink disappointingly taste off but she wanted to be a good guest and bid by the heiress's rules of no glassware on the pool deck. The demoness always held herself as a respectable lady. Prim and proper no matter the circumstances, unlike her more showy, short lady friend who seemed to be yearning to be blipped off the map at the moment. Rosie set her book down as she watched the other demons play a game of 'Marco Polo'. She was surprised when Alastor agreed to join in since he didn't particularly liked to be touched, but it was probably because of the puppy-dog eyes his moll was giving him. How the most non-threatening demon in Hell; if you can even consider her a demon, Rosie chuckled to herself, turned her dear Alastor into such a sap, she'll never know. But I think these past few years have been the most genuinely happy I've ever seen him, she noted. Not menacing grins meant to show off power and dominance, but real and authentic smiles.

She turned her attention away from Alastor and back to Mimzy, who was gradually sneaking up behind the deer demon with one wicked intent in mind as she crept closer while his eyes were shut. Rosie put her hand up to her mouth in an attempt to repress the chuckle trying to escape as she watched the show before her unfold.

The Radio Demon's head snapped 180 degrees around as he opened his eyes to find the short demoness sweetly smiling up at him, red fluffy tail clasped in both of her hands.

Rosie couldn't help but let the chuckle behind her lips escape as she watched Mimzy go from trying to reason with him that she never gets to see the cute appendage out on display, to that he better not do anything because she didn't want her hair to get wet and her makeup wasn't waterproof.

Which were all void as he showed her no mercy.

Mimzy shrieked as she was chucked into the deep end of the pool. Her hair falling apart in a sopping mess and her makeup running.

"What is that one phrase the new generation has been saying, Mimzy? Oh yes! Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!" Rosie almost unladylike snorted as she busted out in a fit of giggles as she watched Mimzy angrily grumble and make her way to the ladder.

"Ya need a refill there, toots?" A voice beside her broke her out of her fit of giggles as she recognized the six-limbed pest that Alastor seemed to despise so much.

"Ha! No." She menacingly grinned at him as she got up from her seat. "You don't think I haven't heard what you've done, you pro skirt wop? I think I would rather go refill my own drink." Rosie hissed, subtlety hip checking him as she passed by on her way to the bar, not noticing that Alastor's patience was about to be tested again as another blonde demoness tried as stealthy as she could to sneak up behind him.

He felt pretty done with the whole game and was about to turn around and head towards the ladder when he felt another pair of small hands on his tail. The Radio Demon whipped his whole body around, more than looking forward to turning the pool's clear water red before he locked eyes with the fool who thought toying with him would be a good idea while he was already seeing red.

The eyes he locked with were the wide, doe-like eyes of his Charlie as she smiled up at him. The demonic grin didn't leave his face as his radio static still lowly hummed while he hoisted her into his arms bridal style.

"You're lucky your knocked up or you would be joining Mimzy in the deep end. Now, I suggest you hold your breath and close your eyes, darling."

And she did just that, accepting her punishment as he quickly dunked her underwater before swiftly bringing her above the surface. Totally worth it, she thought to herself as she heard his radio static begin to fade away.

"Sorry, but I've been holding doing that all day and was kind of bummed that Mimzy beat me to it." She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Do you know how hard it was waiting until you weren't expecting it?"

"Happy you got your wish?" He asked, his demonic grin slowly receding to his normally dressed smile, shifting her weight to lean more on his right arm as he used his left to move her wet bangs away from her eyes before he returned his left arm to support the weight of her legs again.

"Well I can certainly say that it's out of my system."

"I highly doubt that." He replied as he leaned up against the pool wall, the game long forgotten already after the incident with Mimzy.

"Hmm. Maybe you're right. But you know, we wouldn't be acting like this if seeing your tail wasn't such a rare occasion. Why don't you modify your clothes to show it off more?" She curiously asked.

"Can't exactly strike terror into the hearts of sinners with a fluffy deer tail now can I, sweetheart?"

"But we already know how big, bad, and scary you are." She said, trying not to come off as mocking. "So, why don't you only show it off around the hotel?"

"Would not hiding it keep you from grabbing it and pestering me about it?" He inquired as he readjusted the demoness in his arms.

"I give you my word as the princess and heiress of Hell." She affirmed. "And I know that you've put up with a lot from me today, so I also promise to make it up to you later. Any movie you want tonight, even a slasher flick. Plus,…." She glanced around before leaning up to whisper what she planned to do with her second favorite appendage of his later that night.

"Better make good on that promise, then." He mischievously grinned at her as he slyly slid his left hand further up her leg, giving her ass a playful squeeze.

"Later." She giggled as she placed a small peck on his nose before wiggling out from his grasp and swimming away towards Vaggie, Lily, and Lilith. He watched her with longing eyes as she swam across the pool. Once she safely reached her destination he decided that he was done with the pool for the day.

"When will you make her your frau already, Alastor?" Rosie curiously questioned her dear friend, looking up from her book, refilled Rickey in hand. "If her mother is willing to lavish two acquaintances imagine what she would fork out for her little princess."

"You know that it's never been about money, Rosie." The red demon stated as he grabbed his black stripped towel from his chair before drying off, starting with his ears. "And," he started as he glanced over his shoulder back at the blonde demoness chatting and laughing over by the far shallow end with her mom, Lily and Vaggie, "if I ask her now she would believe that I would be doing it for all the wrong reasons. I don't think I could take it if she rejected my proposal."

But don't tell my heart

My achy breaky heart

I just don't think it'd understand

And if you tell my heart

My achy breaky heart

It might blow up and kill this man

"Will you stop with the goddamn white hick music already!" Yelled Angel up to the second-floor balcony.