Thanks for your patience! Real work writing is getting in the way of fun writing!
Now back to our story... A devil/daughter type conversation and a visit with the tribe therapist for the detective... so, just where does that leave the anticipated proposal?
Wrap Me in Your Wings – Chapter 22
"These are supposed to be chicken?" Lucifer picked up one of the deep fried nuggets from the cardboard box on the kitchen counter and cringed.
Trixie laughed at him.
"These look worse than those God-awful sandwiches your mother gets from the vending machine at the precinct. How can you eat these?" He wondered as Trixie grabbed another chicken nugget, dunked it in the honey mustard sauce and then shoved the entire thing in her mouth.
"I dare you to try one," she said with her mouth still half full.
"Manners, Child," Lucifer cringed as he watched her chew and then looked again at the nugget his fingers were holding. "Don't talk with your mouth full. That's something you've learned from the douche, isn't it?"
"Hey!" Trixie creased her eyebrows at him.
"I won't apologize, I know he's your father but he'll always be Detective Douche to me. You have to give me at least that much," Lucifer touched the chicken piece to his lips and tasted it with the tip of his tongue.
"You have to take a bite of it. That's just the breading on the outside. Here," she scooted the miniature tub of honey mustard dip toward him. "Dip it in this first," she held it up and waited for Lucifer to dunk the unhealthy food into the even more unhealthy condiment.
Trixie practically snorted as Lucifer took a bite, puckered and contorted his face in distaste and then took a moment to chew and actually get the flavor on his taste buds. His scowl began to change, albeit slightly as he swallowed the first bite.
He finished the rest of the bite-sized chicken in the second bite and then sighed. "All right, they aren't that bad. But proper dinners are on the menu for you and your mother."
Trixie looked at him, took a long drink of the large cherry coke that came with her nuggets and fries and nodded.
Lucifer had been just a little bit nervous after they ran through the McDonald's drive-thru, on the way to Runyon Canyon.
"Where are we going?" Trixie had wondered.
"You'll see when we get there," Lucifer had answered. "It's not too far. I promised your mother I'd have you home in time to do your homework," he added.
"Okay," Trixie answered. She pushed a few strands of hair out of her face, reached into the bag and grabbed a couple of fries to stuff into her mouth.
"Oh, I think I've been here before," she said after another few minutes. "Mom and I went hiking up here one time." She looked around, interested in the surroundings.
When they pulled into a neighborhood Trixie admired the houses. "Do you think they all have pools?" Trixie sized up a couple of houses then turned to Lucifer. "I liked it when we lived at Nana's house but I wish she had a pool. Mom said Nana was never at home enough to use a pool so that's why she didn't have one. My house will have to have a pool," she commented quite certainly and Lucifer grinned slightly. "And a hot tub…" Trixie continued, "Like the one you've got at Lux. That's just cool!" Her eyes nearly sparkled as she talked about the common L.A. amenities.
Lucifer turned into a driveway that was gated and pulled up to a keypad. He reached his long arm out and punched in a few numbers causing the gate to slowly swing open in front of them.
Trixie's eyes got wider as they drove through the gate and the house came into view. "Where are we, Lucifer?" she asked with a touch of awe in her voice.
"That is one of the things we need to talk about, Miss Beatrix," Lucifer pulled up next to the sidewalk that led to the front door of the house.
He climbed out of the car, came around and opened the door for Trixie and then helped her get the food and drinks to carry inside.
Trixie stood and looked up at the front of the house. It wasn't overly fancy, but it was a two-story house that had numerous windows on both levels. "Wait, is this…" she watched as Lucifer punched in another code on the keypad that was attached to the front lock. "Lucifer, is this the house in the picture that you and mom were talking about renting?"
He knew he couldn't lie to her so Lucifer simply did his best to shoo her into the house and gave a short, "Yes," as his answer.
"Are we renting it for the weekend?!" Trixie made a beeline for the kitchen that she could see down the hallway without even looking at the living room, the big screen tv or any of the furniture that she went by.
She put the bag of food down beside the stove in the kitchen and then started looking for the staircase to get to the upper floor. "Do I get to pick which room I sleep in? How many bedrooms are there? Wait, when is Mom coming up here?" the questions began flooding out leaving Lucifer to quickly put down the drinks and use his long legs to catch up with her.
"Beatrix, slow down," he caught her by the wrist before she could head up the steps. "Let's eat and talk and then I'll give you the grand tour. Deal?"
Trixie looked at him a little skeptically, "I don't know…should I make a deal with the Devil?" she raised her eyebrows and waited for him to answer.
"Come hear what I have to say, please," Lucifer asked sincerely. "There is something that I need to talk to you about and the sooner I can get this off my chest, the better." He let go of her arm and turned around to head back to the kitchen.
Trixie followed him and the Devil-daughter conversation began over chicken nuggets and fries, and a grilled chicken salad that Lucifer soon decided he liked less than Trixie's meal of choice.
As their food was almost gone, Lucifer pushed his remnants out of the way and sat back, wiping a speck of something off the khaki pants he had decided to wear with the button down shirt and sleeves rolled up near his elbows.
Trixie noticed and pushed her drink out of the way. She quickly put her elbows on the counter and leaned forward. "So, what's up?" she asked and watched Lucifer take in a breath.
He bit on his lip a little nervously. "Beatrix, you know that I care for your mother, don't you?"
Trixie nodded, "I kinda got that feeling when I found you in bed with her…"
Lucifer rolled his eyes, "Urchin, be serious with me, please? Before I brought you home from Las Vegas, you know that I have cared for her for a while. I – I have fallen in love with her."
Trixie blushed and noticed that Lucifer's cheeks were also getting red as he spoke the word. She decided to put on her mini-adult self and pay close attention to what this man was telling her.
"I know," Trixie nodded simply. "I know that you've been her partner at work and you've become a really good friend of hers. She likes having you around. And she's really upset when you aren't around."
Lucifer nodded in understanding. "And what about you?"
"Huh?" Trixie dipped her eyebrows.
"Do you…mind…me being around? If I were to be around…more…would that bother you?" Lucifer wondered, trying to broach the subject carefully.
"You're already around a lot anyway, what do you mean?" Trixie asked honestly.
Lucifer took a deep breath. "Beatrix…" he felt his mouth go dry and he grabbed his bottle of water to wet his tongue quickly. When he felt satisfied and only slightly less nervous, he looked back at the girl who was waiting patiently. "I would like to marry your mother. But I won't even ask her if –"
"Yes!" Trixie squealed, practically jumped out of her chair and over to Lucifer to wrap her arms around him.
Lucifer chuckled and sat still for a moment when Trixie placed her cheek against his chest and squeezed him with her arms. "You have to ask her. She's so worried that you're going to go away again… But if you propose and you get married, then she will know that you aren't gonna leave us. It has to be you," her voice got a little quieter as she finished sharing her thoughts.
When she loosened her hold and pulled away from him her face told a slightly different story.
"The detective is worried that I'm going away again?" Lucifer asked.
When Trixie looked away from him Lucifer put the tip of his index finger under her chin to gain her attention again. "Beatrix, the detective is worried, or you are worried?"
"I don't want you to go away again," she admitted and found herself a little lost looking into Lucifer's eyes. "I want you to stay with us. I want you and mom to get married so we can live together. That way she will be happy, and you'll be happy…and I'll be happy…"
She blinked a couple of times and her eyes got a little wider. "What just happened?" she looked around and pulled farther away from Lucifer who chuckled again before realizing the detective's daughter had just been affected by his eye-to-eye contact.
"Is that…what you truly desire, Urchin?" Lucifer chanced asking.
Trixie thought for just a moment before nodding. "I think so," she was still a little off-kilter, trying to figure out why those words had just rolled from her mouth. "But why are you asking me?" her curiosity began to kick in once more. "Shouldn't you be asking my mom about this?" the girl wondered and watched Lucifer slide into nervousness again, picking at imaginary fuzz on his pants and avoiding looking at her.
"I wanted to have your blessing, Urchin," he told her truthfully. "When you told me your feelings, about Marcus and your mother…I don't want you to feel the same about me. I don't want you to hate me. I care too much for you to let that happen. So if you don't like this idea then you simply have to tell me. I won't propose if it will make you unhappy."
Trixie climbed back into her chair, put an elbow on the table and propped her chin up in the palm of her hand. "You know one of the first reasons why I didn't like Marcus?" Trixie mentioned.
"What's that?" Lucifer inquired.
"Because he wasn't you," she answered honestly. "Mom is different with you. She has been since you two started working together. She's more relaxed at home and she's funny when you're around. I know you're a grown man and all, but it's like she's having to teach you stuff but… I don't know… we laugh about it and she's just better when you're around." Trixie tried to explain.
"When Marcus and mom were engaged, it just didn't feel right. She was different around him, but it was like she was nervous around him. I don't think she really loved him. Cause I believe she was in love with you the whole time." Trixie watched Lucifer's eyes as he smiled gently and looked away from her with slight embarrassment.
"So," Lucifer looked back at her, "If I were to marry your mother and we moved into a house, say, like this one… you would be happy with that?"
Trixie's eyes were wide once again. "This is your house, isn't it?"
Lucifer nodded slowly and was a little surprised when Trixie quickly composed herself. "Lucifer Morningstar, I don't care where we live. As long as you make my mom happy, we can live at our apartment or my Nana's house, or Lux or here. Will you promise to love her and make her happy for a long, long time?"
Lucifer looked into the eyes of the very mature 11-year-old and smiled genuinely. "I want to, if she'll have me as her husband."
Trixie stretched out her hand and waited for Lucifer to take it before gripping firmly and giving him a hearty handshake. "Show me the ring, I know you have one."
The girl's eyes glittered, as did Lucifer's as he pulled the ring box from his pocket. He wasn't about to put it back in the safe again. He wanted this most-important piece of jewelry attached to him until he had the chance to hopefully put it on Chloe's finger.
With Beatrix's approval, that chance was one step closer.
*****WMiYW*****
Chloe was completely lost in her thoughts when a knock on the door startled her. She looked down at the third sheet of paper that she had nearly filled with words, blinked a few times to refocus her eyes and then wiped her nose and eyes yet again.
She looked at the pile of tissues that was stacking up on the coffee table.
When the knock sounded again she looked at the clock. Was it really only 6:30? Lucifer nor Trixie would knock. She rolled her eyes. Both of them would just barge in and interrupt her thoughts and want to read what she had been writing.
"Just a minute!" she yelled toward the door. She folded the papers in half and put them as neatly as possible into Lucifer's journal for safe keeping. Then she looked at the leggings and Lucifer's shirt that she had changed into somewhere along the way, and decided that she was about as presentable as she was going to get.
When she opened the door she used a fingertip to swipe under her eyes once more hoping to remove any wetness from the tears that had fallen while she was writing down her thoughts. She was quite surprised to see her friend, and Lucifer's shrink, standing in front of her.
"Linda!" Chloe smiled hesitantly. "What brings you here? Come in, please!"
Linda looked up at the taller woman and quickly asked, "Is this a bad time? Are you okay?"
Chloe huffed out a laugh, took another step back and motioned for the blonde lady to come inside the apartment.
"I," Chloe stood up a little straighter, showing pride in herself, "have been writing down some of my thoughts and feelings," she pressed her lips together and nodded when Linda gave her a thoughtful look.
"And what brought that on?" Linda wondered as Chloe led them to the couch and they each sat down.
Chloe picked up Lucifer's journal and held it up for Linda to see. "This is one of Lucifer's diaries. Did you know he had these?" She opened it up and flipped a few pages. "There are 12 of them on the bookshelves at his penthouse. He shares a lot of feelings in them, about the cases that we've been on and emotions that came with our partnership and getting to know one another."
"Really?" Linda asked in complete surprise. "Does he know you're reading them?" her eyebrows furrowed and her voice got softer as though she was trying to keep a secret.
Chloe smiled. "He knows. Actually, he left this one here for me to read tonight in particular, since… he's not here." Her gaze dropped from Linda's eyes to the book as she spoke of his absence.
"But Amenadiel said…" Linda started, with a hint of why she was dropping by.
"Was he there today? Amenadiel, I mean, were you there when Azrael came to talk to Lucifer? Maze was there apparently but she wouldn't tell me anything," Chloe spoke quickly hoping Linda might fill in some of the gaps.
"Well, Amenadiel was there, yes. But all he shared with me was that their sister delivered their father's message and then she left. He said Lucifer was left with a choice to make but what their father…what God wants actually seemed to be in line with what Lucifer wants." Linda stopped there, obviously choosing her words carefully.
"And what is that?" Chloe wondered, hoping Linda might know more and might share with her.
Linda sighed and tilted her head. "That part, Amenadiel wouldn't tell me. He suggested that I come check on you because he knew you might be apprehensive because Lucifer is taking some time to himself."
Chloe nodded. "Apprehensive…yeah, I guess that's one word for it. What I'd really like to know is what kind of bond he's got with my daughter since he chose to see her this evening instead of me," she huffed.
Linda raised her eyebrows. "He's with Trixie?"
"Yeah," Chloe nodded strongly. "He wouldn't let me go with him to Lux to get this message, had me freaked out all day long. Then he sends me a note saying he picked up Trixie and he'll see me tomorrow. I mean what the hell?"
Linda laughed at both Chloe and the situation.
"What's funny?" Chloe wondered and watched Linda smile.
"Chloe, isn't that typical Lucifer? Doing something so opposite of what you expect. Thinking and doing crazy things and just being, Lucifer? He may have changed, Sweetheart, but there's still that part of him and you fell in love with it, didn't you? The What-The-Hell-Did-He-Do-Now part of him? I don't think that's ever going to change, do you?"
Chloe smiled and laughed. Linda was correct. His spontaneity was something she had always admired about him if she was honest. She thought back about several times when she thought he was completely crazy and realized, she was just a little jealous that he had suddenly had an idea and acted on it. It was what Maze had wanted her to do, live a little, live in the moment, get outside of herself.
She was doing that with Lucifer. And perhaps that part of him would never change.
"I guess I hope that part of him won't change," she admitted to Linda. "There's a boyish, devil-may-care, part of him… I guess it's named after him, isn't it?"
The two women chuckled and shared smiles. Chloe got off the couch and grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses from the cabinet. She poured a glass for each of them, and they toasted to Lucifer before making themselves more comfortable on the couch.
"So," Chloe looked at Linda, "Why are you here?"
"Because I had a gut feeling that a member of my tribe has been on a roller coaster ride for the past couple of months, and perhaps the last couple of days have been, I don't know, constant loops?" She contorted her face to try and describe the ups and downs that Chloe was enduring.
"Amenadiel told me that Lucifer brought Trixie home…and Dan was here when they got home? And he told me that Lucifer stayed here with you and Trixie after they got home…" Linda's various facial expressions were enough to make Chloe smile.
"Mmm-hmm," Chloe agreed with a nod and a soft smile.
Linda leaned back into the corner of the couch cushions and looked at Chloe pointedly. "Mmm-hmm? The man you love flew back to Hell two months ago. He comes back when your daughter runs away and brings her home. And then he spends the night with you and all I get is Mmm-hmm?"
Chloe smiled more widely. "Are you here as therapist Linda, or tribe sister Linda?"
"Oh, Detective, it's after office hours. I'm here as a tribe sister who wants all the juicy details!" Linda refilled her glass of wine, slipped off her shoes and tucked her feet underneath her to get comfortable. "Spill it, Lady. I see that glow and I want to know exactly how he put it on you!"
*****WMiYW*****
Linda noted the slight look of disappointment on Chloe's face an hour later when the apartment door opened but only Maze and Trixie came in. The younger of the ladies came over, wrapped her arms around her mom's neck from behind the couch and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, Monkey, what'd you and Lucifer do this afternoon?" she tried to play it cool for Trixie's sake and because of the other two women who were dying to know that same answer.
"Hi Linda!" Trixie looked at the other woman on the couch, avoiding her mom's question, momentarily. "Where's Charlie?"
Linda looked quickly at Chloe who was trying not to pout at her daughter's lack of answering. "He is home with Amenadiel," she smiled at Trixie.
"Do we get to babysit again anytime soon? Or can I come over to play with him?" Trixie sounded excited and the adults knew she truly meant what she was asking.
"Of course!" Linda answered happily. "I'm sure he would love a little 'kid' company," she grinned. "You know, Papa's having a tough time, wanting our little man to be walking and talking already. I'm more like – give him some time! He's still a baby!"
Chloe and Trixie both laughed. Maze pouted slightly, "I was swinging knives by the time I was his age, Linda. You can't put off his training much longer or he'll be behind the other demons."
Linda tilted her head toward Maze with a very motherly glare, "Maze, we've had this discussion. My child is not a demon. If anything he's a little angel and he will not be swinging blades around for another year or so at least." She let her gaze drift back to the other humans in the room.
"She's probably right, Maze," Trixie looked up at her demon friend. "And Amenadiel is more of a fighter, like boxing, right? So maybe instead of blades, we can teach Charlie how to punch and kick," Trixie offered.
Maze took the advice under consideration. Linda looked at Trixie, "Believe me, he's known how to punch and kick since before he was born. I think I still have bruises and stretch marks on the inside of my belly from him trying to get out," she put her hand on her stomach and gently rubbed over her uterus where her little angel had developed before birth.
Trixie finally came around the couch and sat down between her mom and Linda which led Chloe to ask again. "Hey, you little urchin, you never answered my question. What did you and Lucifer do this afternoon?"
Linda took that as her cue to leave and looked at Maze. "Are you coming back to the house or do you have other business to attend to?"
Maze glanced at Trixie and Chloe and then back at her house-mate. "I'm heading over to Lux for a bit. Lucifer's got a couple of new bartenders starting that I need to…put through orientation…" she watched Chloe roll her eyes.
"So Lucifer's at Lux?" Chloe changed her tune rather quickly.
"Nope," Maze shook her head, shifted her eyes to Trixie who was staying quiet, and then back to Chloe. "He just dropped off Trixie and headed back out. Said he would see you tomorrow afternoon."
Chloe pouted and Maze chuckled her demonic laugh. "What's the matter, Decker? Gonna miss him in bed tonight?"
Chloe quickly sat up, put her hands over Trixie's ears and looked menacingly at their friend. "Not…appropriate!" she chastised.
Maze laughed again. "Hey, the little human told me she caught you guys in bed together yesterday morning. Not like she doesn't know he's helping you warm up the sheets."
Trixie squirmed out of Chloe's hold and snickered a childish laugh. "Mom, it's kinda true. You're gonna miss having him here tonight. But don't worry, you'll have him back tomorrow."
Chloe looked at all three of the other females, "Yeah?" she focused on her daughter's eyes and Trixie nodded.
"Yeah, he misses you too. One night might be tough on both of you. But I'm pretty sure he just wants to make you happy."
Chloe sighed and couldn't help but smile. "Is that crazy?" she looked toward Linda in particular.
Linda slipped her shoes back on, got up from the couch and shook her head. "From what you've told me over the last hour? Nope, not crazy at all. Honestly, it's good to see you thinking like that. And to hear that Lucifer is actually letting himself feel this… feeling loved and feeling hope..."
"I think you played a big role in that, Dr. Linda," Chloe complimented her but Linda shook her head and pointed toward Chloe and Trixie.
"I might take just a little bit of credit, but no. I've watched him change from his first case with you and through all the chaos the past few years have thrown at both of you – at all of you," she made sure to include Trixie and Maze. "If Lucifer's heart has changed, it's because of the love you've shown him. The patience you've had with him and your acceptance, have made a world of difference for him." Linda's look told Chloe that she was quite serious with her words.
"Thank you," Chloe kindly accepted Linda's praise.
"Maybe you are just a little crazy," Maze added in. "Props, Decker. You're the only human I know that keeps comin' back to him for more than favors and sex."
"Maze!" Linda and Chloe raised their voices.
Trixie laughed. "I think that's my cue to go do homework," she attempted.
"Sit, Little Miss," Chloe caught her daughter before she could get off the couch.
With that, Linda ushered Maze out the door and waved goodbye to Chloe and Trixie. When the door was shut Linda looked at the demon with wide eyes.
"So?" Linda asked
"So, what?" Maze wondered.
"Amenadiel wouldn't tell me anything more about Azrael's visit other than Lucifer gets to stay on Earth if he follows his father's instructions. What are the instructions?" Linda asked earnestly.
Maze grinned at her and laughed. "Let's just say the deal has Lucifer nervous…but it actually isn't God that's making him sweat right now."
*****WMiYW*****
On the other side of the door, Chloe took a deep breath and took Trixie gently by the wrist.
"Different subject for a minute, Kiddo… I got a text from your teacher this afternoon," Chloe began.
Trixie rolled her eyes. "It was Ben, he kissed me on the cheek and that was the end of it. He got in trouble for P.D.A. and he told me he was sorry."
Chloe smiled and nodded at her daughter. "And just fyi, your teacher was just doing what she has to do. Keep me informed as your mom. I'm not upset. I'm glad it was a kiss on the cheek and I'm glad it was Ben. He's a nice young man."
"Mom," Trixie's voice had a slight warning tone.
"I'm just sayin'," Chloe held up her hands in innocence. "I'm glad it was him and not some random guy that I don't know."
Trixie relaxed a little. "So you aren't mad?" She wondered and watched her mother for any signs of anger or disappointment. She didn't see any.
"No, I'm really not," Chloe shook her head.
"Good," Trixie kind of rolled her eyes again, "Maybe you can tell Lucifer it's not that bad. He must think Ben proposed to me or something. He was not happy when I told him."
Chloe tilted her head and creased her eyebrows. "How did Lucifer know?"
"I assumed that's why he was picking me up," Trixie explained. "I didn't know he wasn't with you today. I figured you had sent him to pick me up so that you had time to calm down. Boy was I wrong about that!"
Chloe laughed slightly as she listened.
"I spilled my guts about it before he asked anything. He said we needed to talk, and I assumed it was about Ben's kiss, so I just let it all out before he could ask me anything. Now Lucifer says I'm not allowed to kiss a guy till I'm 25," she shook her head, recounting his ridiculous thought.
Chloe laughed again, "How's he gonna know?" She watched and noticed as Trixie blushed just a little bit.
The girl stuttered slightly as she quickly tried to come up with an answer that didn't give too much away.
"Oh," she looked away from her mom's eyes. "I just have a feeling he's gonna be around for a while," she offered.
Chloe accepted her answer with a little skepticism and then went back to her initial question. "So, now can you tell me? What did you and Lucifer do this afternoon, Monkey?"
Trixie still seemed just a little nervous as she answered, but was more smooth with these words. "He picked me up from school, we went for a drive, got McDonald's for dinner – did you know Lucifer has never had a chicken nugget in his whole life? – and then we went out to Runyon Canyon," she over simplified.
"And?" Chloe asked and Trixie shrugged her shoulders.
Trixie looked at her mom wanting to say more but knowing Lucifer had sworn her to secrecy. This time it wasn't just driving lessons on the line, Lucifer had promised her a catered pool party at their new house – if, of course, the wedding actually happened.
"C'mon, Babe, Lucifer doesn't just pick you up from school for no reason," Chloe tried again.
Trixie thought for a moment. "He took me to see a house, close to hiking trails. It's really cool with a lot of bedrooms and a basement with a game room and a pool!" she allowed herself to get overly excited.
Chloe nodded. "And why did he take you there?" she asked a little hesitantly.
"Lucifer wanted to know if I liked it. He said maybe it could be our house someday," Trixie treaded lightly with her words, again not wanting to give away too much.
Chloe back-pedaled slightly. "Our house?" she moved her finger between herself and her daughter. "Like me and you, our house, or me, you, and Lucifer?" she wondered.
Trixie liked that question, she could work with it. "I dunno," she answered and moved her eyes around as though she was thinking about it. "I guess it could be either. I mean, he didn't say he wouldn't be there. He told me he wasn't going to go away again if he could help it," she added.
Chloe nodded, still unsure what to think.
"He did this really weird thing though…he asked me what I desired and I felt like I was talking to Santa Claus or something," Trixie did admit.
Chloe looked at her seriously. "I will kill him," she commented under her breath. "Do you remember what you told him, Monkey?"
Trixie nodded and smiled, "I told him that I want all three of us to be happy. I know he makes you happy. I know you make him happy. And seeing you happy works for me."
The girl leaned forward and shared a tight hug with her mother. When she pulled away she immediately stood from the couch and pointed toward her room. "I'd better do my homework. Lucifer said he probably shouldn't help me because his answers might get me in trouble with my teachers."
"Did he teach you more swear words?" Chloe tilted her head and sighed.
Trixie laughed, "Not this time…" she left her answer dangling, somewhat.
Chloe also got up off the couch and grabbed her phone from the counter. There was a message she had missed from Lucifer that came in around the same time that Trixie got home.
"Hey Mom," Trixie called out before taking her backpack into her room, "Can we read from one of Lucifer's journals tonight before bedtime?"
Chloe smiled, "Sure, Urchin…we'll read from the one you've got in your room already, okay?"
Trixie nodded happily.
Chloe looked down at her phone and opened his text message.
"I think Beatrix had fun this afternoon. I promise to explain tomorrow evening. Have you thought about spending the weekend with me?"
"What are you up to Lucifer Morningstar?" She wondered out loud before responding to his message. "This better be a damn good explanation…" she offered.
In just another moment he answered back, "I'll do my best. I miss you."
Chloe smiled and bit on her lip, feeling herself blush in more places than just her face. "I miss you, too. Lucifer, are you sure everything is okay? Are you okay?"
The devil looked around the room he was currently sitting in. He had just finished changing the bedclothes on the king sized mattress to match what he used on his bed at Lux. He had a picture of Chloe and Trixie on the bedside table beside his side of the bed. Directly in front of that was the ring box, opened, so he could see the glittering gems.
Was he okay? Lucifer sucked in a breath. He would be, dependent of course on her answer.
"I will be, when you're in my arms again." He typed. He sent the message, laughing at himself for how corny it sounded. Then he followed up with a more instructional note. "Please just be patient with me, Chloe. What Father has asked me to do…I'm still wrapping my head around it. But I think it could be good, for both of us. Do you trust me?"
He waited for her answer and finally received it a minute or so later. He knew she was probably contemplating that last question more than anything else.
"I trust you, and I'm trying to be patient…you just know I don't like surprises."
"No?" he sent back quickly. "Then don't think of this as a surprise. Think of this as me being devilish, reverting to my old self and keeping you in the dark."
"That sounds more like you." Chloe responded.
"And you now know how much I enjoy keeping you in the dark…and having you in the dark…and undressing you in the dark…" he continued and wondered how far she would let him take this little diversion of a conversation.
"Stop that!" Came back to him with a blushing emoji which made Lucifer smile. "I am not sexting with you. If you want…this…you have to get it in person."
Lucifer read the message twice and felt himself sucking in a breath. That was quite bold of his detective and he was quite proud that she was comfortable enough to send him that response. His groin tightened at the thought and for a moment he was ready to get into his car, make the short, half hour drive back to her apartment and take her up on the offer.
Instead he simply smiled.
"I love you, Detective. I will see you tomorrow and perhaps we can continue this discussion then."
Chloe smiled at his response. She did miss having him right there with her. She was already missing those little innuendoes that he would whisper in her ear to make her blush. Whatever he was up to, it should only be one night…in bed alone…without him beside her… one night.
"I love you, too. I miss you. Sleep well."
Their conversation ended with that. Chloe thought back about her conversation with Linda and about the thoughts she had put down on paper earlier in the evening.
She found herself back on the couch with Lucifer's journal in hand, but looking up toward Heaven.
"I need him," she spoke softly. "I realize…well, no, I don't think I can realize…the issues between the two of you make this situation something unimaginable for my human mind. But I hope you know that I love him and I believe he loves me. I think at least a part of him has changed and I think he has learned to love. I beg you…Father…please let us explore that love together. Please don't take him away from me again right now. Please."
Chloe looked back down at the book in her hand and tapped her fingertips against it. She could be patient and she could pray. Now she could only wait and see what her devilish lover, and his father, had in store.
Trixie had heard a little bit of her mom's prayer. She didn't completely understand some of Chloe's words and thoughts but she certainly knew and agreed with her last few lines. Still, as concerned as Chloe sounded, the little urchin had to smile. She knew what Lucifer had in store – at least the big picture – she only hoped her mother would be willing to take this big step quickly enough to make everything right in their world.
*****WMiYW-Chapter22-WMiYW*****