The waiting, they say, is the hardest part. Just how much longer will Chloe have to wait for Trixie to get home and how much longer will Lucifer wait to make his presence known to the woman he loves?


Wrap Me in Your Wings – Chapter 13

Chloe paced back and forth in her kitchen. She had given Trixie one more day to ask questions about Lucifer and to make plans to get home. She had reiterated that instruction to Maze who texted it to Candy and to Eve. They were to be the responsible ones, even if Trixie balked at the directive.

So at 6PM Chloe was waiting for word on Trixie's return. More importantly she was debating contacting the Las Vegas crew to find out about Trixie's return. She was the mom in this scenario for God's sake. They needed to let her know what was going on with her daughter.

She tapped a short fingernail against the phone screen. If I didn't know any better I might believe she was Lucifer's child. His penchant for not giving her pertinent information had seemingly trickled down to her daughter.

She decided to give them until 7:00 to contact her. Dan would be there at 8PM, insisting that he would spend the night so that whenever Trixie's flight returned to LAX, he and Chloe would go to pick her up together.

To say that Dan was a ticking time bomb of a father was an understatement. Chloe knew it stemmed from his worry over Trixie. Add to that his dislike for Lucifer – especially following the fiasco with Pierce. But she also factored in her ex-husband's love and care for her and how she felt about Lucifer as this entire crisis evolved.

Dan just wanted what was best for his family. And, try as he might, Lucifer had become an outside influence on that family and part of Chloe's inner-workings…one he couldn't ignore.

Her mind churned and her head hurt. First and foremost she wanted Trixie home. Beyond that… well, beyond that was everything she had kept on her mind for the past two months.

She left the phone on the counter, made her way upstairs and grabbed the journal off her bedside table. Chloe had jumped back to journal #2 in his series just to amuse herself with their early interactions.

She decided to grab a glass of wine and made herself comfortable on the couch. The reading would at least occupy her time as she waited for the phone to ring.
-

Stitches. Somehow she walked away with only stitches. Shaken quite badly, but five stitches on the side of her head from the car window shattering. I know I shouldn't have, but I had to go to her home to check on her. I must admit I was grateful that Dan the douche called me about her…accident.

Her ex and their offspring had her settled on the couch by the time I got there. As I came in she grimaced as the child gave her a hug but the Detective laughed it off and told the girl she was fine.

I knew better. Even from a distance I could tell she was scared. The accident had frightened her.

I cleared my throat to let them know I was there. The Detective glanced at me and then she smiled. Perhaps it was okay that I was there. I set the small vase of flowers that I'd brought on the counter along with the bottle of Pinot Grigio that I know she enjoys.

The ex mentioned that he needed to go pick up a prescription for the Detective. Perhaps I should've offered to do that, but when he looked at her she told him to go on… and she told him to take their child with him… because I was there.

She assumed that I would care for her while they were gone. She assumed correctly. I would've done anything for her in that moment. Much as it had been when she was shot, I somehow felt responsible for her injury, her accident and I wanted to make it better.

That's becoming a common feeling I'm finding, when I'm around Detective Decker. I've always been the overseer of punishments. I assign the torture for Hell-dwellers. But that's not what she is. She will never darken the doors of Hell, and for that reason alone she doesn't deserve the torturous injuries and pains that she's endured since I've come into her life.

Is this Father's way of trying to push her away from me? Will she soon realize that she's in more danger with me around than before she met me? Or is this a lesson for me to learn? Am I to become caregiver, protector instead of the demon-torturing king?

With the Detective I want to be more caring. I want to protect her. I don't like seeing her injured…physically or mentally.

I sat down on a chair, a bit away from the couch. It was slightly behind her view. She tried to turn her head to see me but then she cringed again.

"Lucifer, come sit on the couch with me," she said. Suddenly I felt nervous. I was afraid I would hurt her being closer to her but she was inviting me.

I stood and went to the couch where she pulled her knees toward her and made room for me to sit. I hesitated.

"You aren't going to hurt me, sit down," she smiled at me again and patted her foot against the cushion where she wanted me to be.

I sat down cautiously and pressed myself as close to the arm of the furniture as I possibly could.

The Detective tilted her head at me – in that fashion when she's scolding me for something and wants me to make it right…without her having to tell me. She usually has to tell me.

She poked her toe into my thigh and rolled her eyes at me. "Would you just sit normally, please? I promise if you do something that makes me hurt I will let you know. Why are you being so weird?" she wondered.

I smiled at her but apparently it was still not enough for her. She poked me again, this time with her entire foot.

"This must be why the douche moved out of your bedroom," I commented to her which earned me yet another push from her foot. Well, this time it was more like a kick.

"That's more like my Lucifer," the Detective shook her head, rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Well, I just know I'm not fond of being prodded by boney toes in the middle of the night. It would certainly drive me from the bed," I added.

"My toes are not boney!" she fired back at me and both of us laughed. I relaxed a bit more hearing her sass directed at me. Yes, that was more like my Detective.

"Are you alright?" I wondered before we diverted completely away from the reason I was there.

She described to me what had happened. I had that feeling in the pit of my stomach again – the one that wanted to wrap her in my arms and make her pain go away.

"Did you bring wine?" she asked, and I had to smile. I did do the responsible thing. I asked her if she should drink considering her pain medications. She assured me that she wouldn't try to drive any heavy machinery while under the influence.

The Detective struggled slightly to sit up, the movement causing her pain. I offered to help and she accepted. She held to my biceps as I did my best to lift her gently and helped her sit up. For a moment we were face to face, me looking into her eyes to make sure she was in no pain and comfortable; her looking into my eyes…just because.

I nearly lost myself in those blue pools. But she disrupted me with a request to adjust her pillow. She seemed slightly flustered. I so enjoy making her flustered. Have I mentioned that once or twice? Perhaps a hundred times by now?
-

Chloe smiled. He was an ass. Had she mentioned that? At least a hundred times perhaps? Probably more. She laughed.

She recalled the accident. The whole incident had been quite jarring and eye opening. Everything could be great one minute and then the next…gone.

She breathed in deeply thinking about the current situation. One moment she had been lost in Lucifer's dark eyes and the next he was gone.

The detective remembered Lucifer coming by after her accident. He was like a little boy when she asked him to come sit by her on the couch. Of course he didn't want to hurt her. But he was so nervous to even sit by her on the opposite end of the couch. Was he really that hesitant to even touch her?

She had gotten lost in his eyes, even before having a glass of wine. He was so gentle and careful with her that she couldn't help herself. Damn he was good – and he hadn't said a word or touched any part of her other than her arms, helping her sit up and adjust on the couch.

He was right. She had gotten flustered because her medicine-induced mind had wandered to him picking her up and carrying her to bed… Thank God that pillow had been so uncomfortable behind her back. That's what got her mind out of Lucifer-lust mode and back into 'I'm injured – help me' status.

She shook her head and laughed at herself. A chunk of her early time with him was spent flustered. He just had a way of making almost anything sexual and it had taken her quite a while to get past the blushing, embarrassment of ignoring those statements and digging deeper for actual meaning.

Once she realized she was wasting too much energy on his double entendres, she learned to somehow ignore those and almost immediately understand what he actually meant. It was part of their give and take, part of their partnership.

It was a part she was beginning to miss.
-

I have to admit something. I have something in common with Dan the douche. Can you believe it? Apparently he's also a fan of the Weaponizer movies. I suppose that's believable. Lots of martial arts and action scenes and Wesley Cabot… Well, Mr. Cabot is now dead and the Detective and I are working the case, with the douche's help.

I was shocked but amused when we both pulled the catch phrase from the movie simultaneously today. "Not on MY watch!"

The Detective had the nerve to say we were adorable – speaking of me and Sir Douche.

I suppose it was going to happen eventually. I guess you could say we already have something in common because we both care for the Detective. But this movie connection…that's too random. How can he and I have another common interest?

I suppose I'll have to live with it. But I am NOT going to the movies with him, nor will I share popcorn. His stubby fingers reaching into the bin after he's licked the butter off… Oh! No! Stop the thought now!

No, the real reason for this entry… the Detective stepped in front of gun yet again today. Cabot's co-star and friend pointed a gun at the murder suspects and Chloe stepped between them. I do not understand.

With stitches still in place from her car accident… With thoughts in her head about her daughter and her own life… she stood there telling the gunman how life can end at any moment and pleading with him to put the gun down.

Why on earth would she do that?

And then… Then, she insisted on leaving the crime scene alone. She wouldn't even let me drive her back to the precinct.

The woman is stubborn. That's all I'll say, she's stubborn. Can't she see that I'm trying to care for her, trying to support her, help her. And yet she steps in front of a gun and insists on driving her overwhelmed self back to her home.

I'm not sure I'll ever understand but I'm impressed.

I'm impressed by her composure, by her dedication, by her willingness to do whatever is necessary to solve a crime – even when she is hurting herself.

Just add this to the list of reasons I want to continue working with Detective Decker. I've much more to learn about her.

I hope our partnership can last for eternity.

Chloe jerked at the sound of her phone ringing with Trixie's ringtone. She looked at her watch. 6:45 – it was about time.
-

When Trixie and Candy returned from their day-long outing they were happy to find Lucifer sitting at the table in one of the hotel robes, his new t-shirt and pj pants. His hair was slightly mussed, his scruffy beard looked a bit unkempt but he looked a little more relaxed than he had the night before.

Trixie immediately put her packages down, ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. She put her chin on the top of his head gently and smiled.

She felt Lucifer's body stiffen slightly at her affection but after a moment he relaxed again – or he simply gave in.

"Urchin, how much of my money did you spend?" he began before patting her hands that were hanging down over his chest.

Trixie responded with a slight squeeze and a cheek rub against the top of his head.

Lucifer noticed Eve grinning at them and rolled his eyes before he asked his question again. "Eh? Still waiting for an answer here, Child."

"We bought clothes for you, mainly. There are a couple of shirts, a pair of jeans and a pair of dress pants. Candy picked out the underwear though. I didn't even wanna look at that stuff," Trixie let go of his neck and crinkled her face as she thought about some of the other items in the shopping bag.

"Good to know, Urchin," Lucifer looked at her when she walked around the chair and stood by his side. "Keep it like that for about 10 or 20 more years," he suggested.

"You sound like my dad," Trixie commented and Lucifer immediately pointed a long finger at her.

"I was trying to channel your mother when I said that. I'm not a douche like your father," he raised his eyebrows as he spoke.

"Still sounds like something he'd say, though," the girl crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh, we got you a special Vegas shirt too!"

Lucifer turned in the chair to look at Candy who had a nearly wicked grin on her face. She held up a hanger holding a Hawaiian print shirt with a pocket on the left chest with an 'I Love Vegas' patch.

"I'm not wearing that," Lucifer shook his head without any doubt.

Trixie stepped closer to him and pouted slightly. "But I picked it out just for you. I wanted it to remind you that I found you and you found me here." Her eyes were wide and her lower lip stuck out slightly.

Lucifer quickly looked away first catching Eve's eyes and then Candy's. He moved his lips as though he wanted to protest and hoped the women would help plead his case. Instead, both of them pressed their lips together, raised their eyebrows and gave him the most motherly look he had seen from two non-motherly people.

"Beatrix," he looked back at her and her childish pouty face. "You know I'm not fond of those shirts. The flowers… they just… they don't go with my complexion…" he stuttered.

"Try again," Trixie pulled her bottom lip back in and waited for his next fib.

"I simply don't like those shirts," Lucifer admitted, completely truthfully.

"But for me you'll wear it on our drive home, right?" Trixie asked

Lucifer again looked around the room for help and got none. "Fine," he slouched slightly. "Look like a British Tom Selleck playing Magnum, P.I." he mumbled.

Trixie's face immediately broke into a grin again. "You do love me, don't you?"

Lucifer looked at her and purposefully didn't smile. "The jury's still out on that Urchin. We'll see how this five-hour drive goes."

"I can help," she offered. "You still owe me driving lessons," she reminded him with a nod.

Lucifer's eyes widened and he stared at her with a slight glare. "Did you go through my wallet?"

Trixie nodded truthfully. "Where'd you think I found your credit card?"

"Bloody Hell," Lucifer muttered.

Trixie laughed again then turned back to the couch to get her own souvenirs. Lucifer got up and followed her to take a glance at the other items they had purchased for him.

"Beatrix," he called as she was heading into her room. "How soon can you be packed? I'd like to leave here by 7:00. That way we'll have you home by midnight and hopefully the traffic in L.A. won't be horrendous at that hour."

Trixie looked back at him with a smile. "It won't take long. I only brought my backpack and a few clothes and…" she stopped before admitting that she had brought some reminders of him with her as well. "…well, just some books and stuff," she finished.

"Alright," Lucifer instructed, "Go ahead and get packed up. I'm going to change into some fresh clothes, we'll eat and then get on the road. Candy, you were able to get a car for us?"

Candy nodded and smiled. The sporty car they chose was Trixie's idea. She was a little disappointed it wasn't a convertible, but figured it would be fine to get them back home quickly.

"Oh! Urchin!" Lucifer called again making Trixie come back out of the bedroom.

"Yeah?" she listened.

"Don't try to pack up Diablo. He'll find his way back to Los Angeles himself."

Trixie looked at him, speechless for a moment. "How did you know?" she asked slowly.

Lucifer went with a straightforward answer to that question. "Oh, Eve introduced us earlier," he smiled a closed-lip gesture in Trixie's direction and she easily accepted his answer.

Lucifer looked at Eve. There would be a longer discussion with Chloe about the butterfly's significance, later.
-

"Do either of you know anything about traveling with children?" Lucifer looked at Eve and Candy as he began gathering their few bags by the door?

Both women smiled and shook their heads. "You're the one who wanted to drive back. Trixie's got a return flight on her ticket. We could've booked you a flight and the stewardesses would have cared for her again," Candy said. "You said you needed time to talk to her."

Lucifer nodded. Why did that make him nervous, talking to Beatrix? It might be because she and Chloe were both now well aware of his true feelings because they had read the letters he left for them.

When he sat down and wrote the notes, watching Chloe sleep in his bed the very night that he had flown away, he didn't know if a return was possible. The only thing he could truly think about was that he needed her to know that he loved her. He needed her to know that he cared for her child and wanted Beatrix to be cared for. And he needed his brother and Linda to know that Charlie was a special child in his life.

But now here he was, getting ready for a lengthy drive with the youngest Deckerstar – yes, he gladly would refer to them with the relationship name he had assigned. It was part Chloe, part him. But he really wasn't even sure where to begin.

"I haven't called mom or dad today," Trixie came out of the bedroom with the phone in hand. "I'd better call or they'll get mad. But what do I tell them?"

Candy thought for a moment. "Here, let me find a flight number that gets back to LA at like 9 in the morning. You give them flight info and then that way when you and Lucifer get home at midnight or so, they'll be completely surprised."

Trixie looked at Lucifer. "Isn't that lying?"

Lucifer looked between the girl and the two women. "Yes, but it's more of a bluff than an all out lie. You will be on your way home, just not exactly how your mum expects. Although I told your mum I didn't want to bluff her, either, the last time I came home from Las Vegas…"

"Trixie, let me call your mom, okay? I'll give her the flight info and I'll tell her you're getting things packed up and just wanted to check in. That way this is all on me this time. Will that work?"

Trixie nodded, turned on her phone and hit the speed dial for Chloe's number. She wanted to hear her mom's voice and had a feeling Lucifer might like to as well. She sat down beside him on the couch and leaned her head toward his as the phone began to ring.

"Trixie?" Chloe's voice sounded a little concerned.

At that first word Lucifer took in a breath and held it. He couldn't help but react to simply hearing her.

"Hey, Mom, everything is good here. I'm going to let you talk to Candy though because she can tell you when I'm getting home and stuff, okay?" Trixie informed her but then held onto the phone.

"Monkey, is everything okay?" Chloe couldn't help but wonder. "Anymore clues about Lucifer?"

Trixie smiled and pushed the phone toward the man beside her but he shook his head. He stared at the device and raked his teeth across his bottom lip. Trixie could tell he wanted to talk to Chloe but that would be a little startling for her mother at this point.

"Just a few more people who recognized him," Trixie drifted back to the previous day's conversation.

"Ah," Chloe sighed. "You know, Monkey, there was a piece of me that hoped you might really find Lucifer there."

Lucifer closed his eyes. She didn't completely hate him. But he still couldn't bring himself to talk to her yet.

"Mom?" Trixie's voice softened and she put one of her hands on Lucifer's and looked at his face. "I have a really good feeling that he's going to come home. This trip…wasn't exactly what I expected. But it's left me with a better feeling about Lucifer coming home."

Lucifer offered his urchin a grateful smile. Giving her mom some hope and not giving up their little secret meant a lot to him.

"I hope you're right, you little urchin," Chloe felt a small lump in her throat.

Lucifer had a similar feeling. Hearing the Detective use his name for her daughter…hearing that perhaps she wanted him to return as well… He smiled at Trixie and nodded easily. Now he couldn't wait to get back to Los Angeles.