A Million Reasons Chapter 32, a lucifer fanfic

Chloe once again attempts to talk to the twins, but Lucifer has a surprise.

Some domestic fluff up ahead. 3 ;)

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The next evening, Chloe spent time watching over the sparring session that Maze insisted on having with Trixie. Apparently, the demon also had a smallish blade made for her daughter on the off chance she needed to use it. Chloe had spent a good amount of time fussing at the demon about it. There was no need for her daughter to need one considering one simple prayer to Michael or Lucifer, either one, would have them swooping down like vengeful vultures from literal Hell on any poor unfortunate soul that would mess with her. Plus, it wasn't like Trixie would be able to carry it all the time anyway considering she had school, but Maze had actually thought of that.

At first glance, it resembled a dark, medium-sized feather keychain. There was a small mechanism hidden within the veins that enacted the blade portion when manipulated. Chloe had been hard-pressed to find it even after Maze had shown her. It took the better part of the evening for Trixie to master just letting the blade out. The blade itself was small, only the length of her palm, but definitely sharp enough to kill if used correctly.

Maze was currently in the process of showing Trixie the major weak points of Angels, much to Michael's unease, as he was currently being used as the guinea pig. Lucifer had quickly mentioned an errand he needed to run and vanished when Maze had asked for a volunteer. Michael had shouted 'coward' after him before relenting to his fate.

Trixie had of course hesitated, not wanting to potentially harm Michael in any way, until Michael assured her that using just the feather portion wouldn't hurt him, even going so far as to stab his own leg with it as proof. Her daughter had then taken to the lessons with eagerness while Chloe had worked on getting dinner prepared as she watched the trio through the glass of the villa.

Should she be worried about her daughter learning to fight so well? It didn't take her long to decide that no, she shouldn't. If anything, she now knew that Trixie would have all the skills she needed for self-defense should the need arise and who better to learn from than a literal demon from Hell and the actual Sword of God.

At some point, when Chloe was distracted by not burning dinner, Trixie and Michael ended up play fighting in the pool with Maze gleefully calling out tips to Trixie and cheering when the girl landed hits. Michael was laughing as he tossed Trixie into to the air to let her canon ball back into the water with a squeal. Water splashed out over the sides as Michael blocked his face with his arms.

Chloe stood by the dining table, entranced by the energetic and happy picture Michael made at the moment. His eyes were bright and he was laughing freely with her daughter when she came back up for air. Maze made a teasing remark to which Michael replied easily. Trixie took advantage of the momentary distraction and jumped on Michael's shoulders. The Angel winced just enough to let Chloe know that Trixie had jarred his left shoulder a little too much. Michael simply reached back to tickle the girl until she let him go, catching her before her head slipped under the water. Subconsciously, one of Chloe's hands strayed to rest over her lower abdomen, gently caressing over her shirt. She smiled as she watched them.

"Well, they seem to be having fun."

Chloe jumped, twisting around to find Lucifer standing behind her with a smile. He was also watching the two in the pool. How long had he been there? How had she not heard him come in?

Samael?

Lucifer looked down at her. "It's me, Detective," he reassured her with a soft smile, moving to wrap his arms around her before nuzzling her with a soft sigh.

He smelled like ash, something that Chloe had not picked up on before. It wasn't the kind that came from being around smokers or a fire, but something darker and thicker. Had he visited Hell while he was gone? The thought caused a small amount of anxiety, but he was only gone for maybe two hours. Chloe figured she'd have to get used to them being gone at intervals and coming back smelling like ash from now on. They would be taking up tasks in Hell in the near future where they would have more time with each other than with her.

Chloe adamantly stomped down the thought before it took over. Each of them had promised they wouldn't forget about her; she needed to have faith in them.

Instead, she focused on the feel of Lucifer's warm embrace as they both looked back out toward the pool. Her heart ached it felt so full at the moment. Michael and Trixie were now tag-teamed against Maze, splashing water at the mock-enraged demon that had joined them in the pool. She laid her hands on top of Lucifer's where they rested over her stomach, closing her eyes.

They could have this, couldn't they? Her, Trixie, Michael, and Lucifer; a family – plus one – with Maze, Dan, Ella, Linda, Amenadiel, and little Charlie rounding out Lucifer's little flock. Chloe had noticed those that Lucifer had made sure to provide protection for.

Longing settled over her, making her chest tight. Her throat closed up in an attempt to hold back the soft cry as her eyes began to burn behind her lids. This was what she wanted, this was what she desired; they just had to get past Arkiel to get there. Her stomach twisted in fear at the 'what ifs' that started to race through her mind.

"Why don't we eat before it gets cold?" Lucifer's soft voice broke through her thoughts.

Chloe nodded in agreement. She sent Lucifer out to bring the others inside so she could get a hold on the emotions running through her as she brought the food over to the table. Was it just the stress or were her hormones already playing havoc on her emotions?

Maze left them to their dinner despite Chloe asking her to stay. Trixie was a ball of talkative energy throughout, then insisted that she be able to show Lucifer her 'new moves'. The Devil had reluctantly agreed, but had taken to helping the girl perfect said moves with all seriousness, grinning proudly and praising the little urchin when she showed improvement. Michael opted out this round, stating that he had filled his quota for the day, and instead helped Chloe clean up. He hid it well, but Chloe still noticed him favoring his left side. Dishes were carried only in his right hand and it seemed to take more effort than it logically should for him to be able to use it.

"Will a massage help?" Chloe asked him once they finished the washing.

Michael finished putting away the last plate. He looked at her kind of sideways, like he wanted to deny anything being wrong, and hesitated. Chloe let him be, not pushing, and set about making mugs of hot chocolate to enjoy before they sent Trixie off to bed. She checked in on Trixie and Lucifer to find them still very much engaged with each other, but what surprised her were the large white wings that Lucifer was currently showing off to Trixie. Her daughter was very enthusiastically listening to every word of the anatomy lesson as Lucifer let her gently run her fingers over the feathers.

There were still moments where Chloe had difficulty wrapping her mind around what had become of her life. This was one of them.

Michael snorted as he stepped up beside her. "It wasn't that long ago he avoided his wings at all cost. Now look at him."

"You two are finding yourselves," Chloe replied softly, adding marshmallows to Trixie's mug. "Becoming more comfortable with who you are. It's a good thing."

The Archangel hummed. He attempted to grab two of the mugs, but decided against it and sighed. "It's not that it hurts," Michael grumbled. "It just stops working after too much use."

Chloe looked thoughtful. "Raphael is the Angel of Healing right? Couldn't he do something to help?"

"He has tried," Michael stated simply.

"But you haven't let him," Chloe finished. The dejected sigh that followed told her she was right. She gently took his left hand in hers, making note of the effort it took for him to close his fingers around hers. Something had to be pinching down on the nerves. Something had not settled right when it healed. "Michael," She called to him softly, gently grabbing his attention. "Don't you think it's time to stop punishing yourself?"

Michael looked at her with a dark expression of sadness before his eyes shifted to once again watch the two on the couch. "I…don't know. How can I ever attempt to fix what I have done?"

"Sometimes it's not about fixing our mistakes, Michael," Chloe said softly, watching Michael's eyes shift back in her direction until he was glancing at her from the corner of his eyes. "Sometimes the only thing we can do is own up to them and try to do better." She gave him an encouraging smile. "I think you have been doing rather well."

Michael huffed softly, a ghost of a smile making an appearance before it disappeared. He said nothing. Grabbing up one of the mugs, he turned to join the other two on the couch, hiding behind a smiling mask. Chloe sighed, her heart hurting for the angel, as she gathered the other three to join them. Lucifer quickly took one mug, allowing her to easily hand over Trixie's. A movie was chosen for them to watch before it was time for Trixie to head off to bed.

Trixie got hugs and good nights from all of them before she disappeared into the room now dubbed as hers. Michael had told her she could choose one and decorate it how she wanted. Trixie had taken the angel at his word. Chloe had protested at first, but Michael had simply raised an eyebrow at her until she caved. It was his home, or nest rather, so if he wanted to give Trixie a room, she guessed he could.

Chloe couldn't deny the warmth that filled her, seeing Michael and Lucifer include her 'offspring' so thoroughly in their lives. It made her hopeful for a positive reaction when they found out about the one she was currently carrying. Speaking of…

The twins had retired out onto the veranda while she returned their mugs to the kitchen. She joined them, admiring the view of the stars the villa provided. Michael draped his good arm around her shoulders as she leaned into him. She buried her toes under Lucifer's thigh, which caused him to grumble softly under his breath, but he allowed it. He trailed his fingers up and down her calves instead, creating little shivers along her skin. The atmosphere around them was cozy and comfortable; a small moment of peace among the chaos happening outside of their little bubble.

Chloe took a breath. Should she ease them into the conversation or should she just say it outright? She thought briefly about allowing her fears to filter out to Michael and letting him start the conversation, but decided against it. If they thought she was afraid and fearful of the topic, that might cause a reaction she didn't want. Of course, they could still react badly regardless of how she told them, but being calm and collected herself could only help, right? Chloe knew this wasn't what any of them had planned; they hadn't even discussed the possibility since their Father had dropped the reproduction bomb on them. The only thing keeping her from a panic was the fact that she had come to terms with the fact that she wanted this, but she was still very unsure about them. There was only one way to find out though…

"I have something I want to give you two."

Lucifer spoke before Chloe could. She let the air she had gathered in her lungs out, but didn't make a sound. Okay. Lucifer had a gift for them. That was fine. She could work her news in after.

The Devil collected three boxes from his jacket. Each box was small, which was why they had not noticed them before. Two of the boxes were the same size while the third was slightly bigger, but thinner than the other two. Michael sat up a little straighter against Chloe, but otherwise kept her cuddled close. Did he know what was in the boxes? His equally curious look told her that he did not. This was something that Lucifer had done on his own.

Lucifer hesitated a brief moment before handing Chloe the thinner box and Michael one of the other boxes. If he noticed the tremble in Michael's left hand, he didn't point it out.

"I had these specially made for each of us," Lucifer began. Chloe shifted to sit up so that Michael could better use his good hand. "They are Hell-forged so will never break, no matter how much force or pressure is applied to them." That was why he had smelled like Hell. His errand was to pick these up. "I hope I haven't overstepped, but I…" Lucifer trailed off, looking nervous and completely out of his depth. He played with the box still in his hands, rotating it. "Just…just open them."

Chloe looked to Michael, but he motioned for her to open hers first. She very carefully pulled the top off the bottom portion of the box. Her breath caught at the sight of the little cuff bracelet it held within. There were two feathers beside each other; one shiny white and one iridescent black; perfect replicas of her Angels' feathers. Beautiful gems and sparkling stones ran down the middle of each feather, forming the quills of the feathers they connected to the silver metal of the band. In the very center was a mechanism that allowed the bracelet to open for ease of putting it on. Something this beautiful came from Hell?

Her heart hammering in her chest, Chloe reverently lifted the bracelet from the box for a better look. The shine and the iridescent colors of the feathers shifted as she moved it in the light. The gems were various bright colors that she had never seen before and the stones sparkled like they held a life of their very own. A choked gasp came from beside her. When she looked, Michael was staring at the bracelet, but his eyes darted very quickly over to Lucifer, who was anxiously watching them, before he shakily opened his box. Michael slowly and carefully revealed a black ring band that was inlaid with the same colorful gems and sparkling stones. A rim of shiny white was on each side of the ring.

Michael blinked rapidly, his eyes misty. "Lucifer…" His voice was tight as though he was trying adamantly to hold back tears.

Chloe was confused. There was meaning here that she just wasn't getting at the moment, but Michael was. She turned back to Lucifer to find him holding a reverse of the ring given to Michael. His was white banded with rims of iridescent black beside the same gems and stones. A matching set of jewelry for the three of them.

Lucifer focused on her. "Obviously, the feathers are a giveaway, but the gems are from the first planets Michael made and the stones are remnants of my original stars," he explained quietly.

Chloe felt her eyes go wide before she looked back down at the bracelet she still held. The first planets? The original stars? How was…holy shit. There were billion-year-old stones on this thing that they had created. How was she supposed to wear this? What if she broke it? What if she lost it? These were precious stones. They were way more precious than any diamond would ever be. Oh God. There would never be another like this. This was one of a kind and oh my God…she couldn't wear this. She'd lose it. She just knew it.

"Detective. Chloe," Lucifer said softly, moving to sit closer beside her. He took the hand not holding the bracelet and gently ran her finger over the stones. She expected to feel a rough surface, but it was cool and smooth to the touch. His ring had been placed on the middle finger of his left hand. "They are protected. I had them forged in Hell for the protections that would come with it. Please don't be afraid to wear it."

Chloe shook her head. "But Lucifer…"

"I collected these from planets and stars that I had been ordered to destroy. Michael took care of them, even when he could have destroyed them, and kept them in such great condition. He returned them to me when he returned from the Silver City." Lucifer cradled her hand as he reached for Michael's. They touched foreheads before pressing against Chloe's. "I wanted to do something other than just hanging them. They represent what I want for us. They survived the test of time and I want us, the three of us, to do the same."

"This is starting to sound suspiciously like a proposal, Lucifer," Michael choked out. He meant it as teasing, but Lucifer didn't laugh.

"Maybe it is," Lucifer replied seriously, making Michael stare at him incredulously. Chloe gasped a bit. A proposal? What… "I don't want to be without either of you. I've spent the majority of my life alone at this point. I don't want to spend any more time that way. I want to spend my future with you two at my side."

Chloe was having trouble breathing. Her heart was beating way too fast in her chest. This was sounding exactly like a proposal. She stared down at the bracelet warming against her skin. Both white and black feathers were present, as were gems from Michael's planets and Lucifer's stars.

Michael smiled. "I've already said yes to being Hell's second King, so staying with you was implied." Lucifer growled softly to which Michael let out a soft chuckle. "I've told you, Lucifer. You two are it for me. Yes, I'll stay with you."

Normally, one got rings with proposals. Lucifer and Michael had rings, but Lucifer had a bracelet made for her instead. It was clear that a lot of thought had gone into it and that it wasn't something that Lucifer had done on a whim. There would have been no way to get all the meaning that Lucifer wanted to portray through a ring. Yes, they had matching rings, but they both belonged to her. They wouldn't be here without her and no small ring would ever be able to get that across - hence the bracelet signifying light and dark being brought together around her.

Tears fell down her cheeks. She held them both close and kissed Lucifer deeply. Arms went around her from every direction it felt like as Lucifer's lips moved over hers. Michael buried his nose into the small spot under her ear. Chloe pulled back just enough to gasp out 'yes' before the kiss resumed more urgently than before and arms tightened around her. Michael started nibbling and licking under her jaw. Chloe thought briefly about her news, but there was no way she could take this moment from Lucifer. She would get her moment. She would let Lucifer have this one.

Michael had them separate, not far, just enough that he could pass his ring onto Chloe. She was confused until he held out his left hand. "If it truly is a proposal, shall we wear them as such?"

Both of them turned to look at Lucifer to wait for his input. Lucifer removed his ring, handed it to Chloe, and nodded softly as he held out his hand for her. Chloe couldn't help but chuckle softly. They were doing this all kinds of twisted, but it worked for them. She carefully slid, first Lucifer's then Michael's, rings onto their left ring fingers. Soft smiles were worn around. Lucifer took her bracelet carefully from her hand and opened it. Together, her angels closed it around her left wrist. All three pieces were perfectly sized. More tears, happy tears, fell down Chloe's face.

Everything blurred together after that. Kisses were exchanged, hands caressed skin as clothes were removed, and bodies moved together. Her Angels were kissing, their bodies pressed close together, as Michael pushed Lucifer back towards the bed. Chloe knelt on the bed and used her hands against Lucifer's shoulders to prevent him from sitting and falling back. She pressed against his back, gently kissing along his shoulders as Michael kissed a line along his jaw and to his neck. Lucifer moaned between them. He twisted enough that he could tug Chloe into a kiss.

Chloe pulled Lucifer back with her. He followed her as though entranced as he climbed over her and settled between her legs. They kissed as hands traveled lovingly over soft skin. There was a groan from Lucifer when Michael trailed his tongue up his spine before he gently bit at the skin over his shoulders. Lucifer shivered moments before his wings unfurled. Two sets of hands were immediately in the feathers, earning another deep groan from the white-winged Angel.

"We are never having sex without these again, are we?" Lucifer questioned in amusement.

Michael caught Chloe's attention over the Devil's shoulder. They nodded to each other in understanding, feeling everything within them agree. Lucifer had showed his hand in his desire for them; it was their turn to return the favor.

She pulled Lucifer down to her, nuzzling along his left cheek with her right. "You can furl them away again in a minute," she whispered softly into his ear, ignoring his confused hum for the moment.

When Chloe pulled back, she removed her hands from his feathers, showing him the one she had coated in his oils. Lucifer tilted his head at her, still confused; until she rubbed her hand along the right side of her neck, over the same area Lucifer always scented her. His eyes grew impossibly wide and his mouth fell open in surprise. Chloe could see his pulse racing in his neck and he looked like he had stopped breathing for the moment. Those dark eyes left her to settle on Michael when he moved to lie beside her. He showed Lucifer his own oil slicked hand before he trailed it along the left side of his neck.

Lucifer growled before he jerked them both up and to him. He breathed them in, running his nose along the marked sides and groaning almost painfully. Lips pressed hard into Chloe's just shy of enough force to bruise them. She clung to him just as tightly, gasping for breath when he pulled away.

"Wings out. Now," he growled toward Michael, very obviously impatient.

Michael unfurled his own wings quickly at the command. He winced when Lucifer wrapped an arm tightly around him, pinning his left arm against his side. Lucifer eagerly took the oil gathered and rubbed it along his right jawline before taking the excess and massaging it into Michael's shoulder. Michael let him, closing his eyes as his twin kissed him with urgent passion, and shivering as Chloe ran her own hand through his feathers. She waited until Michael was watching before marking her left side just for him.

They were both on her before she could take a breath, kissing and nipping along her skin. One of them delved their fingers within her, Chloe was unsure which at this point, but she groaned and shifted her hips up in a silent plea. Turned out it was Lucifer. She complained when he removed his fingers to look at them inquisitively. She attempted to urge him to continue, but he rubbed her essence along his jaw.

"Lucifer!" What the actual fuck? Chloe balked and stared in disbelief at him. "What…?"

"There has to be a way to keep your scent with us, Detective," he explained, not the least bit embarrassed or bothered. "Your scent is very strong here so perhaps it will work."

Chloe watched in disbelief as Michael leaned over Lucifer to sniff at his jaw. He hummed in approval. Chloe hid her face behind her hands in mortification, but let Michael do the same as Lucifer. They were rubbing her arousal on them like it was fucking aftershave. How was this her life? Though in all honesty, it wasn't that different than those that liked ejaculate spread on them, but still. Chloe's cheeks still felt hot when Lucifer pried her hands away from her face.

"You do smell marvelous, Detective." He had a soft smile on his face; a clear attempt to help her feel better. "How could we not want it embedded in our skin?"

Chloe shook her head, still in disbelief at the two of them. "Come here and make love to me."

Lucifer didn't argue. He did take a moment to let Michael prepare him a bit before they both furled their wings away. Chloe held Lucifer close when he finally sank into her, letting him rest against her while Michael settled himself within Lucifer. The Devil groaned in pure pleasure and desire, sending curdles of heat through both Chloe and Michael.

"Bloody hell, it has been way too long," Lucifer groaned out in bliss.

The Devil loved being in the middle. The note was taken.

They set a steady rhythm between them. Tonight was about Lucifer as Chloe and Michael cradled him between them. Their hands roamed on his skin. Chloe threaded her fingers through his hair, nuzzling and kissing away the stray tears that escaped from the emotional overload. Michael pressed his head against Lucifer's shoulders as he moved, his gasps hitching on occasion giving away that he was experiencing some emotional turmoil as well. Chloe gripped the hand she could reach within hers, offering her love and support to him as well.

They came down slowly, cuddling close to each other in the aftermath, none of them willing to move. Chloe ended up being the one in the middle, the twins nuzzling her and humming in contentment. Their hands still made gentle trails along her sides and abdomen, but it was meant more to soothe than anything else. She rolled into Lucifer, smiling softly as she felt Michael adjusting closer against her back. It was warm, comfortable, and Chloe felt herself drifting off into sleep. She ran a finger over the bracelet she still wore. She could feel the unfamiliar metal around Michael's finger were it rested just under her ribcage. She could smell the headiness of their scents heavy in the air around them. They officially belonged to each other. They were hers and she was theirs. Nothing else had ever felt so right.

Now if only she could get around to telling them. Chloe yawned. Maybe tomorrow.

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Michael never wanted to leave the bed. He had everything he had ever wanted right here and then some. It was warm and smelled like home. His heart lurched in his chest, remembering all that he had gained. He got Lucifer back and gained Chloe. Chloe brought with her Trixie; a welcome addition that Michael would protect just as fiercely as he would protect his nest mates.

Lucifer was working on breakfast for all of them while Chloe was getting Trixie ready for school. Michael spent long minutes in the shower, staring down at the ring that now adorned his ring finger. He had not expected this from Lucifer, or rather; he had not expected to be included, not this way. Sam had always been the more sentimental of them, regardless of his teasing Michael to the contrary. Seems he had retained some of that despite becoming the Devil for all these years. Michael attributed the wetness on his face to be from the shower and not more overwhelmed tears.

Trixie had been overly excited when she noticed the rings and her mother's bracelet. She seemed to understand the reasoning behind the bracelet rather well, nodding in approval to Lucifer's choice. Lucifer had of course beamed and looked overly proud.

"When's the wedding?" Trixie had teasingly asked next, causing Lucifer to choke on his food. Michael had smirked at his twin who tried to recover and failed miserably. Chloe had saved the day by explaining they were more a promise to each other than anything else. Trixie accepted the explanation easily, but gave Michael a look when her mother wasn't looking. Michael had smiled at the girl, remembering their conversation, and nodded in answer. The young girl had smiled brightly at him in response.

After breakfast, and after hugs, Chloe took Trixie off to school, leaving Lucifer and Michael to themselves. They finished cleaning up before Lucifer pressed close, pinning him against the island. He kissed him slowly, languidly, as though he had all the time in the world. Michael could feel the cool metal of the matching ring against his cheek and had to fight back those annoying tears again. Lucifer had said he wanted him, but Michael had not once expected a proposal of forever with both of them. He did not expect Lucifer to want to mark them both with such visible, human, means of claim. Michael gripped at Lucifer's vest to anchor himself; to keep himself from falling to pieces.

Lucifer pulled back, resting their foreheads together. They gazed at each other, just breathing the other in, and basking in the closeness between them. Michael half expected Lucifer to drag him back to bed at this point, but instead…

"Fly with me?"

Lucifer wanted to fly. With him. He didn't ask for a race. He just wanted to fly. Of course Michael said yes.

The sun was warm against his dark feathers. The wind felt great in his face and how it threaded through his feathers. He could hear Lucifer beside him, his wings beating in the air. Michael grinned and dove, smiling more when Lucifer yelled after him and followed. They weaved around clouds and mountain peaks. They twirled and twisted around each other to show off maneuvers neither had pulled off for years. Michael laughed when Lucifer fumbled a bit, enjoying the disgruntled look before Lucifer challenged him to try. He pulled the stunt off without issue. Lucifer pouted, but was still smiling when they took off again.

Not once did his right wing give him any trouble. In fact, it had not looked so normal for so long, it gave Michael chills to look at it.

Lucifer grabbed his hand, pulling him back around to face him. Both sets of wings flared out in correction before gently beating just enough to keep them in place as they kissed and held onto one another. He didn't need the Silver City. His Heaven was right here.

Mikael, um, hey, um we have a case. Chloe is trying to get a hold of Lucifer…can one of you guys call us for deets…this is too weird…

Michael broke the kiss, laughing as Ella's voice came through strong, but nervous. He found it funny that someone that so easily talked to their Father would be so nervous praying to them. Lucifer gave him an annoyed look before it smoothed over into understanding. Chloe must have just filled Lucifer in. They raced back to the villa to gather their phones before Lucifer flew to meet Chloe, who was just leaving the precinct, and Michael flew to meet Ella who had already arrived at the scene.

Ella had already taken multiple samples and started documenting everything by the time Michael arrived. She was currently talking to Dan… about a guy? Michael had walked into the end of the conversation, but had heard enough to know that Ella might need a little nudge.

He ignored the guy lying in the puddle of wine to sneak up behind the tiny human and gently grab at her sides. Ella, as predicted, screamed, immediately turning to swat at him with her hands, cursing him in a string of Spanish. Michael chuckled, hiding his face behind his arms, watching as Dan shook his head, waving off the officers that came running.

Mikael, that better be you or I'm gutting this estúpido, Ella growled her prayer, even though she not once slowed her hits.

"Yes, yes, diminuta, it's me," Michael quickly stated and risked a peak over his arm when Ella stopped hitting him. His smiling at her earned him a couple more swats and more minor Spanish cursing before Ella finally took a few deep breaths, trying to get her breathing back under control.

"That was ten years off my life, Michael. Ten years!" she complained.

Michael kept chuckling as he straightened and adjusted his clothing. "Lucky you, I happen to know the Angel of Death. I can get those ten years back for you."

"You better," Ella snarked. She sent him a minor glare as she continued muttering Spanish under her breath.

"Dude, can we not scare people at a crime scene? It makes people jumpy," Dan grumbled, but still wore an amused grin.

Michael nodded. "Alright." He focused on Ella. "I'm with Daniel, Ella. Maybe you should give this friend of his a chance. He can't be all bad if Daniel is recommending him."

Dan grinned and looked at Ella with eyebrows raised before turning back to Michael. "Thank you."

"Not you too," Ella groaned. "Like I was telling Dan, I'm just not ready to add a guy to the mix. I'm just getting back to neutral guys."

"No one said anything about actually dating the guy, I'm assuming. Why can't you just meet him? Make a new friend?"

"Exactly," Dan added. "Carol doesn't have many friends seeing as he hasn't lived in LA for a bit. Just meet him and see how things go."

Michael scrunched his nose. "Carol? On second thought…"

"Don't." Dan pointed at him. "He's a good guy."

"Okay, okay, look, I'll think about it okay," Ella compromised, more to just get them off her back than anything. "But if I do…" She faced Michael with an intent look on her face. "I want you to vet him beforehand."

Michael paused. He could feel her fears ghosting over his skin. She wasn't so afraid of her darkness anymore, thankfully, but Pete's memory still haunted her and would for some time. "Ella, I…"

"I don't need information. I just…I have to know he's not some psycho serial killer or something." Ella took a deep, nervous breath. "Please."

Michael almost wanted to decline, but Dan spoke before he could. "If that helps give her peace of mind, I don't see why not." Dan didn't look upset at the insinuation that his friend could be a serial killer. In fact, he looked very understanding about the entire thing. Pete had fooled them all.

Michael sighed. He could look through the guy's fears, he guessed. Perhaps he could talk Lucifer into scoping out desires to make sure there wasn't anything weird there.

"Okay," Michael agreed. "If it will help you feel better. A group meeting to start, then?" he directed toward Dan.

Dan nodded. "Cool. I can do that."

Ella sighed, shaking her head. "Okay. A group get together, I can handle." What was she getting herself into?

"What a tragedy," Lucifer stated as he and Chloe walked in.

Michael couldn't hold in the soft smile at the sight of the two of them. His thumb moved to rub over the ring on his finger; still a foreign object, but one he was quickly becoming accustomed to. Chloe's bracelet was just visible under the cuff of her coat. No one would notice it unless they knew it was there. Lucifer's ring had a slight sparkle in the light, but it was currently not in direct eye-line. Lilith's ring that he wore on the other hand was more visible at the moment. Michael wondered how long it would take for anyone to notice the other one and started a mental tally of minutes.

Ella quickly jumped onto the change of topic. "Oh, I know. It's always sad when…"

Michael scoffed. "Ella, he's talking about the wine."

Ella paused a brief moment before agreeing with Michael and then delving into the case at hand. Maybe he should convert minutes to hours.