Elena seems to be getting along well in school now after everything. Now it's time for her birthday and she wants her friend there for all of it.

Ch 6: Sleepover

(Heart's POV)

Was crazy to think how fast a few months can go. Elena has been doing ok in school and from what she told me, there hasn't been anything happening. There have been some close calls, but the girl always tells me how Sam is always with her. She always gives those bullies a piece of her mind, as Sam has told me a few times. Made me glad the imp was around for my daughter when she needed it.

I was just glad school was going smoothly and there weren't any problems. After the school play Alastor wasn't happy at all. He threatened to go out and find those boys who wanted to hurt his daughter. It took a lot of convincing for him not to do so and I had to calm him down. They were only kids. Kids could be jerks. I just told him how they were just kids and that they were young. It would take them a little while to understand right from wrong.

Alastor didn't really want to hear any of that but he seemed to be ok with that answer for now. The deer demon did actually go blow off some steam that night. I let him go and cause some chaos in the city to see if it would help. At least when he came back in the middle of the night, he was feeling better.

After that day then things claimed and then it was soon coming up to be Elena's birthday. She was going to be turning six and I was trying hard to not cry thinking about that. It happened almost every time it was getting close to her birthday. My girl is growing up too fast and it might take me a while to get over that. Especially since she was the world to me as well as Alastor.

It was Wednesday and Elena was getting ready for school. We were already up and dressed while we sat at the table eating breakfast. Just a bowl of cereal was enough for Elena today and I had one for myself to. Alastor sat there reading the paper while drinking his coffee. We sat in silence. I was kind of lost in thought as I was thinking of what to get Elena for her birthday. I knew that she liked to paint. Maybe it was time for her to take that next step. I think I had the perfect gift in mind, but I wanted to run it by Alastor later.

Finally, I broke the silence. "You know...I think someone's birthday is coming up." I said in a playful tone.

The deer demon put his paper down to look at Elena, "Someone's birthday? Hmmm. I don't know if I can recall." Alastor was playing along.

Elena's ears shot up at those words and looked over at me and I saw her tail wagging fast behind her. "Oh! Oh! I know! I know whose it is?"

"Oh really? Who might it be, little fawn? Refresh our memories." Alastor said with a sly smile.

Elena gave her own big smile as she looked at us. "It's my birthday!"

"Oh my goodness are you sure?" Her father made sure.

"I'm positive!" She said proudly. "I'm going to be six." She said as she held up her fingers.

Alastor slapped his knee, "Six? My goodness you are getting old. Soon you'll be in an old folks' home."

"You know you shouldn't talk about yourself that way daddy." Elena said with a smirking face.

"Ow now that was a low blow their kid." Alastor pretended to be hurt.

I was trying my hardest not to laugh at the scene, but I was failing. I had a snort leave my nose and I tried to cover my face. "Ok ok enough, I'm trying to not laugh." I said with a giggle.

Both just started to laugh at that.

"Sorry dear, you know we're just having fun." Alastor apologized to me.

"Oh, I know, I don't mind. I just don't want to be choking on my cereal." I told him. "Besides, I think you still look stunning for someone who is a little over 100." I giggled.

"Laugh it up darling. You know you'll be in the same boat soon." The deer demon pointed out.

"Yea yea, don't remind me." I retorted, waving my hand in front of my face.

Elena seemed to be silent the whole time we talked, and I looked over to her and she looked at us with a raised eyebrow. "I'm confused. How old are you guys? I always thought..." Her voice kind of faded when she turned away from us as her ears went down, unsure of what to say.

I looked at her sadly and then to Alastor who then gave me a worried look. I looked back to my daughter and reached over to touch her arm lightly. "Elena, we aren't like you. We stopped aging when we died and came down here. We are forever stuck. You were born down here. Hellborn. Your special. You're not like us." I tried to give her a smile to reassure her.

She looked up and over towards me and it looked like she was on the verge of crying. "Will I die if I keep getting older?"

I took in a breath and held it a moment. I didn't know the answer to that. Hellborns always seemed to stop aging at one point. Charlie is a good example, but what if...Elena was different? To different. What if she did age normally and something happened if she didn't stop aging. Didn't follow the same rules as normal Hellborns. She was the first of her 'kind.' A child born from sinners. I was lost in my own thoughts. My mind headed to a negative place fast and honestly, I didn't want it going there. I felt my ears slowly going back.

Alastor must have sensed my distress because he finally answered the girl. "No, my fawn, you won't. You'll just be like everyone else. I'm sure you'll get to a certain age and you'll stop aging or at least you'll age much much slower. Either way...you aren't going anywhere." He smiled over to her. "Not on my watch anyway. You are our light, Elena. You always will be."

The deer demon reached over to grab my other hand to comfort me and reassure me to not think what I was thinking. As soon as I felt the touch of his skin against mine, I relaxed, and my mind just went kind of blank. At least those bad thoughts left.

The Radio Demon took a breath and just kept smiling at Elena, "Why don't you go get your backpack, little fawn. It will be time to leave soon."

Elena nodded and she finished her milk in the bowl. She got off the chair, took the bowl and put it in the sink and ran to her bedroom.

I could tell Alastor's gaze was on me and I kept my eyes to the table as my ears were pinned against my head. "I'm sorry." I finally said. "I didn't mean to freeze like that."

"Heart, look at me." Alastor said softly. I did as told and slowly looked up at my husband as I felt that my eyes were glazed over with tears that threatened to fall. He put his hand to my cheek. "I know you were over thinking, but don't think about those things. We know Elena is different, but she might just be like Charlie. I'm sure she'll stop aging at one point. It's something we'll have to see but don't think of those things. Not right now. Ok?"

I nodded and shut my eyes as a few tears fell. "Ok." I choked out.

The deer demon took my face into his hands and wiped my tears away. "Don't get upset alright. Everything will be ok my wolf." I opened my eyes to look at him again and slowly smiled. He smiled wider in return. "There you go. Remember to be fully dressed, my love."

I gave a tiny chuckle as he leaned down to place a small kiss on my lips and I kissed him back. I took my hands and put him on his shoulders to keep myself steady.

"Um, ew, I just ate. Can you not?"

We both pulled apart and looked to see Elena standing in the entrance way to the kitchen. We both just laughed as she had her arms crossed and she looked annoyed. She had her bookbag on her back. I looked at the clock and saw it was time to head off.

"Sorry about that." I apologized to her and then stood up from my chair. "It's time to head out so let's go." I went and put my own bowl in the sink.

Alastor finished off his coffee and put his cup in the sink before we all headed out. We all got into the car. As I drove, I then remembered about talking to Elena about her birthday. Our whole conversation this morning got sidetracked.

Looking in the rearview mirror to look at the girl I asked. "Elena, do you want to do something for your birthday this year? Like invite any friends or something?"

Alastor kind of gave me a look from where he sat but I ignored it. I knew that the deer demon didn't like people over the house too often, but I would make him get over it. This was for Elena's birthday; he usually would make an exception.

Elena's ears stood up straight and he looked up front towards me. "So, I can invite Sam over?" She made sure.

"If that is what you want then sure. Make sure to ask her when you're at school today to make sure she can come over." I told her.

"Can I have a sleepover? All weekend? My birthday is on Sunday after all." Elena asked as she pointed out.

I went silent a moment at that and looked towards Alastor. Honestly, I would have been fine with it, but I didn't want to make a decision if Alastor wasn't comfortable. Plus, in all honesty it was his house, so he was the one that made the final decisions.

The deer demon gave a small sigh. "If you want to have a sleepover for your birthday then I guess I can't argue with that. You can have her stay over." He finally answered.

Elena cheered and jumped a little in the back seat. "Thank you, daddy. I promise we'll be on our best behavior."

Alastor then smiled slightly. "I know you will dear. I trust you."

"So, if you want Sam to sleep over, we can pick her up Saturday and she can sleep over for Sunday. Does that sound good?" I suggested.

"That would be perfect! I'll make sure to tell her that." Elena said as her tail continued to wag against the seat.

I nodded and made sure to pay attention to the road. We got to the school and I parked the car and Alastor walked her up to the school steps. Once she said goodbye she was off running into the building. When the deer demon got back in the car, I started off back to the radio station.

"Al, I think I know what I want to get Elena for her birthday." I told him as we drove.

"What's your idea, love?" Alastor wondered as he looked over towards me.

"I'm thinking of having her expand her art finally. I feel she is old enough to get an easel. Start trying to draw on a canvas. What do you think?" I wanted to see what he thought of a gift like that for her.

"An easel? Well-" The Radio Demon stopped as he thought about it for a little more. "Honestly, I don't think it's a bad idea. She has to start somewhere right?" He smiled as he seemed to enjoy the idea.

"So, you agree?" I wanted to be sure I heard him right.

"Of course I do, dear. How about you buy her the easel and I'll buy her canvases and some paint." Alastor suggested.

I then smiled as well and took the man's hand to lay a kiss on it since I couldn't take my eyes off the road. "Thank you, Al."

"Anything for you and the little fawn my darling." Alastor said as he leaned over and kissed my cheek.

A small blush was then felt on my face. "I love you." I whispered.

"I love you too." Alastor whispered back.

(Third Person POV)

Elena was paying attention in class well today. Although part of her was super excited to ask Sam about her birthday. She didn't have a chance to talk to the Imp at the beginning of class. So, she was waiting till lunch to ask her. She was happy that her parents were going to let her friend stay over. Elena hopped that Sam didn't mind going to the hotel.

Every year for Elena's birthday they held it at the hotel so that her aunts and uncles could be there for it. Plus, she loved being at the hotel so she hopped Sam wouldn't get freaked out by anyone. I'm sure she would be fine, but you never know. She knows how scary her Uncle Husker could be and how weird Uncle Angel was, but she didn't think they would cause a problem.

All in all, she hoped that Sam said yes. Of course, she had to run it by her parents. She was sure but I'm sure her parents might not mind it. She kept her fingers crossed. Sam was her first friend, and she would love it if she was there for her birthday this year.

Soon enough lunch came around and Elena and Sam sat at their desks together as they always did. As soon as the hybrid sat back down, and the imp returned as well. She started, "Hey Sam can I ask you something?"

Sam swallowed a bite of her sandwich. "Sure. What's up?"

"Soooo...my birthday is coming up on Sunday...and I wanted to knowww...if you wanted to-" She pushed a moment since she was a little nervous now asking her friend. This was something new to her. "- come over my house to have a sleepover this weekend?"

"Your birthday? Really?" Sam asked to be sure.

Elena nodded. "I'll be turning six." She told her.

"Yea girl I would love to come!" Sam answered as she had an excited expression now on her face.

"You would?" The hybrid made sure.

The Imp nodded, "Absolutely! You're my friend Elena. I think it be fun to have a sleepover with you. As long as your dad doesn't eat me." The girl laughed.

Elena laughed at that, "You'll be fine. My dad can be nice, believe it or not. I'll make sure to tell my parents you said yes."

"Yea but I have to ask my parents first. They have the final say after all."

"Right. Right. Let me know tomorrow ok?"

"Yea I will."

Elena looked at her friend a moment and just smiled. "Thank you, Sam." She whispered.

The imp looked at the hybrid and raised an eyebrow. "What was that? You know you have to speak up."

Elena looked back up at her. "Thank you. I'm lucky to have a friend like you."

Sam smiled graciously at the girl. "Your pretty nice Elena. Don't ever change."

The young wolf-deer chuckled and smiled wider. "I don't ever plan to."

The two went back to eating and talking about some other things during lunch.

The rest of the school day went fine. When Elena got picked up, she was excited to tell her mother about how Sam had said yes to coming over but had to ask her parents first. Heart was happy to hear that the girl was going to come over. She could see how happy that made her daughter.

The next day at school, Sam came to Elena saying that her parents had agreed to let her stay over her house. That made the hybrid girl so happy to hear that her friend could come over. This was a first time she had a friend and the first time to have one over. It was a big deal for her to make sure this sleepover went over well.

Sam told her where she lived, which wasn't far from the school. At least they didn't have to drive far to come pick her up. Making sure to write down the address for her parents so she would know. Elena let her know that they would pick her up at noon on Saturday. Sam said that was perfect and it was all set.

Friday after school Elena talked to her mother about what they could do for Saturday. Listing games, they could play and a movie or two they could watch. Heart managed to help her daughter set up what she wanted and everything that she would want. Making sure her room was clean enough and helping her make a spot on the floor for Sam to sleep. With help from Alastor they were able to set up an inflatable mattress for the girl to sleep.

Heart was so happy to see her daughter so happy and excited to have this sleep over with her friend. She wanted to make sure it went smoothly. She talked to Alastor and told him that they would just leave them be and just be close by if they needed them. Lucky Alastor wasn't having a broadcast that weekend so at least he would be around to help. Of course, the deer demon suggested leaving his shadow to watch over them, but Heart didn't find that necessary.

Sooner than they could think Saturday was here and Elena was way too excited. They didn't have to go get Sam till noon and she was already up at nine in the morning and couldn't stay still. Eventually Heart did get her to sit down at the couch and eat some cereal and watch some cartoons on the tv.

It at least gave Heart a sigh of relief and went to cleaning the house a little bit. The house was always clean, but she was going around just picking up some stray toys and clothes that were around. Nothing too crazy. At least Rufio was behaving himself and she hoped that he would be ok with the imp girl.

Once Elena was done with her cereal she sat and watched her cartoons for a little while longer before having her go get dressed in something so they could leave soon to go get Sam. Elena ran off to her room to get ready. Soon enough she came back out wearing leggings and a red t-shirt.

"Are you ready to go?" I asked her.

The girl nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"Let me just go get your father." I told her as I walked up the stairs.

I walked to the study and opened the door. Alastor sat at a table he had set up and was fixing an old radio. He could have easily fixed it with his magic but sometimes the man preferred the old-fashioned way and used his hands to fix his radio's when they broke. His monocle was replaced by a pair of round glasses and he was screwing something back together.

I knocked on the door first to let him know I was there. "Alastor, we are ready to go." I told him.

He put down the tools he had and looked over at me from over top his glasses. "Be down in a moment darling."

"Hey, don't look at me like that. You look sexy with those glasses on." Heart told him as she leaned against the door frame.

The deer demon chuckled and just shook his head. "You're a strange one, my love. Maybe I'll wear them again for you once the kids are asleep."

Heart's checks dusted with a blush. "Maybe not tonight when her friend is over."

Alastor smirked. "We'll see how long you last my wolf."

"Shut your handsome mouth and get downstairs." Heart quickly said and walked out of the room and back downstairs.

Once Heart got back down to the living room, Alastor came down not long after. They all got into the car and headed out to go pick up Sam. Elena sat in the back seat excited as they drove through the city. It didn't take them long to eventually pull up to the apartment complex where Sam was. Luckily, the girl was already outside, sitting on the doorstep of the building. Once they all said hello, grabbing the small bag the girl had with her, and they got back into the car and headed off back to their house.

The girls talked in the back seat as they drove home. Heart and Alastor just stayed silent as the deer demon held his wife's hand. The two were just happy that their daughter was. To see her having so much fun already with her friend definitely was a good feeling. Honestly Alastor wasn't used to it but he eventually got over it and embraced it. Heart just never had a smile leave her face.

Once they passed the threshold of where the city ended and the forest began Sam was in awe. "Wow you live in the woods? That is wicked cool."

Elena chuckled. "I thought I told you?"

Sam shook her head. "Nope, but this is way cool."

The imp continued to look out the window of the car as the tree's went by. Soon enough they got to the house and Sam was amazed at all this. The house was big, and the forest was pretty.

"It's so quiet out here." Sam sighed happily.

"That's just how we like it." The family said together.

Sam laughed from their answer. The imp was honestly still a little afraid of Alastor, but she was slowly getting use to him and seeing that he honestly wasn't all that bad underneath. Sure, he could be scary but that was when he needed to be.

The group walked inside, and they were greeted by Rufio. The imp was scared at first of the hound since she had been attacked by a pet hellhound before when she was younger, but Heart took a hold of him. She showed Sam that Rufio was good and that he wasn't all that bad. Elena told her how the hound watched over her and slept in her room with her at night. He was her guard dog.

Sam seemed to calm down after that and actually was petting Rufio. The hound even gave her a kiss and wanted to be petted more. The imp laughed and just hugged the fluffy hound around his neck.

"Come on, I want to show you my room." Elena said and went running off down the hallway.

"Ok wait up." Sam said as she ran after Elena with the hound right behind her.

Heart was going to tell Elena not to run but she knew that she wouldn't listen. She was just excited after all. The parents followed behind the girls and stood in the doorway as Elena started to show Sam around her room. Of course, the first thing she showed her was Owen, her stuffed deer. Then her drawings.

Heart had a smile on her face the whole time. "Let's leave them be honey." Heart whispered to Alastor to get his attention.

Alastor looked to her as he also had a small smile on his face, "Of course dear." He looked back into the room. "Elena, if you need anything just let us know ok. I'll be in my study."

"And I'll be in the kitchen getting lunch ready." Hearted added.

The girls stopped laughing and Elena looked to her parents. "Ok, mom and dad, thank you."

They nodded and they closed the door slightly behind them as they left to give the girls the space they needed.

Elena had such a fun time with Sam over. The two talked a good while in her room and laughed. When Heart had lunch done the two girls sat at the table and continued to talk. Heart watched them from the island and was glad that her daughter was still enjoying herself.

After lunch, the girls went out to the background and played with Rufio as well. Heart sat outside on the back porch on the swing to keep an eye on the girls. It was cute to see them play together, and the wildness of Elena's imagination was something Heart didn't get to see often. Sam seemed to make her small world expand. So, she enjoyed watching the two play as they tried to deal with some kind of weird alien dog, who was Rufio, that wanted to take over hell. Was weird but still cute.

It was getting close to dinner time, so Heart went inside and had the kids come in to. They played a lot outside, so she told them to just relax and watch a movie in the living room if they wanted. At that point Alastor was coming downstairs and decided he would watch over the kids while she made dinner. At the same time, he said he would help if he needed it. Although he kept his glasses on and Heart was wanting help with dinner right away.

Heart tried to stay focused and went into the kitchen to make dinner while Elena put on a movie for her and Sam. Alastor sat on the chair while the girls sat on the couch. As she was in the kitchen the girls laughed as they watched their movie. Alastor was silent as he tried to watch the movie along with them but he honestly couldn't. He was still against all this tv stuff.

Eventually Alastor stood up and went to the kitchen. He saw Heart at the stove and walked over to wrap his arms around her. It startled her a moment, but she calmed.

"You shouldn't sneak up on me." Heart warned.

"I know but I had to get away from that bloody picture box. I don't know why we even had our child start to watch it." Alastor said with slight annoyance.

"That's because we experimented and she liked it. Now you know better than anyone that she still loves listening to the radio just as much." Heart reminded him with a smile.

Alastor chuckled a little at that. "Yes, I know dear but I still can't learn to love television like most can."

"And we would never force you to." She said as she glanced over her shoulder at him. "I know the history you have with Vox." She then chuckled. "Plus, you will always be an old man."

Alastor then grinned. "Calling me old huh?" He then took his hands and put them on her side. "I'll see what you say after this."

He quickly then started to tickle Heart's side and that made her stop and laugh as she was then 'attacked' by her husband. "Alastor! No! Stop!" She said between giggles.

The deer continued for a little bit before turning her around and wrapping his arms around her and held her close. "Are you still going to call me old?"

She laughed, and it was slowly calming down. "Yes." She snorted and laughed again.

Alastor shook his head. "Such a silly wolf you are." He chuckled and then kissed her forehead.

Elena heard her mom yell and quickly got up from the couch and to the kitchen. She looked around the corner to see her mom and dad laughing as he was holding her.

"Mom, are you ok? I heard you yell." She said as she walked around the doorway. Sam was behind her and stood a little way away.

The two turned to her and just smiled. "Yes, dear everything is ok." Alastor said to her. "Just gave your mother a scare is all."

Heart huffed and slapped his arm softly. "Lier." She whispered to him.

The deer demon laughed and let the hybrid demon go so she could go back to work. "You can go back to watching your picture show darling. Dinner should be done soon."

Elena nodded and then grabbed Sam by the hand to take her back into the living room. The imp was almost confused but at the same time though it was sweet to actually see a side of the Radio Demon that probably not many got to see. Behind closed doors he was almost a different person but there was nothing wrong with that.

When the girls sat back down, they tried to go back to watching the movie.

"Your dad actually is pretty nice huh?" Sam asked out loud.

Elena looked over to her friend with a smile. "Of course. I know people make him out to be big and scary and honestly, he is, but with me and my mom he is nice because we are people he cares about. My dad will be nice to you because he knows your someone I care about. My dad would never do anything to hurt me." Her tail wagged behind her happily. "I look up to my dad a lot."

"Even though you don't want to be an overlord?" Sam made sure.

Elena nodded. "Correct. I just want to be as strong as him if I can. I want to be like my dad, but only in certain ways of course." She answered.

Sam laughed a little at that. "You're a weird one."

The hybrid girl just laughed. "We all are." She admitted to her and the imp laughed louder.

The two went quiet as they went back to their movie. The two adults finished up dinner and got the table all set. Using the fourth chair that was part of their table. Once the table was set the girls got called in and they all sat down to eat.

Dinner time was quietish. Elena and Sam talked with each other while Alastor and Heart talked a little.

"Dad tell Sam one of your jokes. You're really good at them." Elena said to him after she swallowed her bite.

"A joke huh?" The deer demon put a hand to his chin in thought. "Hmm. Let me think." He took a pause and then snapped his fingers. "Have you heard about the chocolate record player?" A pause and everyone shook their head, "It sounds pretty sweet." He said the punchline and then gave a chuckle.

That made Heart and Elena laugh. Heart almost spit out her water and Elena covered her mouth as she laughed. Sam wasn't sure at first, but she was holding back laughter as she bit her lip. She wanted to.

At that Alastor decided to tell another joke. "What did one wall say to the other?" He spoke. "I'll meet you at the corner."

That seemed to make the imp break as she soon burst out laughing from that. "They are so corny but funny!"

"I know right!" Elena said as she also agreed.

Alastor let out a laugh of triumph from his success. "I'm glad you enjoyed it so dear. Sometimes I have to have some comedy up my sleeves."

The rest of the dinner was left with laughs and other small chat as they finished up. Alastor agreed to wash the dishes since Heart made dinner so she went into the living room to finish up the movie with the girls. Heart sat in the love seat while the girls went back to the couch. They sat in silence as they watched the movie with a few laughs and stuff when things happened. Heart always enjoyed movies so even just kids' ones were fine for her. When Alastor was done with the kitchen he came back into the living room as well and sat next to Heart on the love seat and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to bring her close to his side.

Once the movie was over the kids went back to Elena's room and the adults sat in the living room in silence. Heart leaned against Alastor and gave a sigh of relief. Nothing was said as Alastor leaned his head against her. She grabbed the deer's hand and intertwined their fingers.

"Today has been nice." Heart said softly as she ran her thumb against the back of Alastor's hand.

"I agree. I'm happy to see that Elena is happy. Besides the bumps so far with school...I think it was a good idea after all." Alastor said.

"I think so as well." She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the silence and warmth of her husband beside her. "We still have the party tomorrow. Hopefully, Sam will be ok."

"I'm sure she will be fine." He reassured her. "Don't worry so much."

Heart just nodded and relaxed herself on the love seat.

The two girls in the room were playing games and having fun until they started to get tired and fall asleep. So, they decided to head to bed. Besides, they had a party tomorrow and Elena wanted her energy for that. When Heart noticed it had gone quiet, she went to check on them. She found them both already fast asleep. With the kids asleep, they decided to go to bed as well.

Sounds like the girls are having fun at least. The party is tomorrow so how will it all go?