"So...what's going on with Avery?" Steve asked. "Plotting to use her to destroy mankind?"

"Oh, of course not!" Gwen shook her head. "We're just having a little mother-daughter bonding that doesn't concern you!"

Steve put his paper down and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "You can evade the issue all you want, dear, but you know I'll find out what's going on with Avery eventually."

"And that's perfectly fine!" Gwen assured him. "You can find out all you want...eventually."

"I just think it's very cruel and unreasonable for you not to share it with me," Steve continued. "How are we supposed to properly parent our daughter of one of us doesn't even know what's going on?"

Gwen lowered her book. "It's nothing terrible; no one is in danger. If Avery has something personal that she feels more comfortable sharing with me than with you, I'm not going to break that confidence. We haven't exactly done much to earn her trust, have we? I'm not gonna spoil my chance just because you're a bad sport. It's mother-daughter confidentiality."

"I don't believe that's a thing."

"Well, it is now!" Gwen said and then nodded resolutely. "Just between her and me. Not her father and not God!"

"I beg your pardon!" Steve huffed. "But she's my daughter too, and-"

"And if she were hurt or injured or anything like that, I would certainly tell you," Gwen promised. Then her eyes widened a little as Steve rose to his feet. "But now is not one of those times. So you sit down!"

"Hey!" Steve protested. "Now, just a minute-"

"No," Gwen said firmly. "If the universe wants you to find out what's going on with Avery, you'll find out. But right now, it's just between her and me. It must kill you, since you've never been left out of something in your life."

"Yes," Steve huffed. "Which is why I expected a little more sympathy!"

Gwen squeezed his cheek and talked to him like he was a child. "You poor baby!" She said.

Steve huffed and grabbed his paper before sitting down heavily. "That's not what I meant!"

"Oh, I know," Gwen smirked. "Believe me!"

Then a grin curved Steve's lips. "You may think you've won with Avery, but I know I'll have a victory as far as my son and Eleaor are concerned. I believe we've gone as far as we can go with that."

"I agree that we've gone far enough," Gwen nodded. "But as far as victory for you is concerned, don't you get too cocky."

Steve scoffed. "If you think this experience will change them, you're mistaken, my dear."

"Really?" Gwen asked. "That's all uou have to say? You have so little faith in your children, even as everyone else is supposed to have the utmost faith in you. It's truly despicable."

"Now hang on a minute," Steve protested. "I don't mean to say that they won't succeed at all. Just that I don't think now is the right time. I think it's too soon. Just trust me on this; I know my son better than you do."

"Just because you spend a lot of time around someone, it doesn't mean you know them," Gwen pointed out. "And seeing as how your relationship with Lucifer was so terrible, mostly because of how you acted, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a lot of things that he kept to himself."

"Regardless, I'm about to go visit them," Steve grinned. "I need to see my point proven with my own eyes. It'll be much sweeter that way."

"Don't you do that!" Gwen said. "If you interfere, that's cheating!" She was trying not to show it, but he was making her nervous. "That's what you're doing...isn't it?"

"Oh, you have no need to worry, dear," Steve told her, pulling her close and kissing her head. But it sent shivers down her spine. "If things happen that you need to know, you will in due time. That's how it is when you can't know everything."

"Wow!" Dexter said, and then let out a huge sneeze as he looked around the penthouse, which was now covered wall to ceiling in flowers of different colors. "When did you tell me that we moved into a garden?" He sneezed again.

"Don't tell me that demons get colds," Lucifer said and fluffed the pillows on every sofa for what seemed like the thousandth time. "Eleanor has finally agreed to move in with me and arrives today. I don't want it ruined, so if you're ill, find somewhere else to put yourself. How about a nice hotel?"

"Well, I wouldn't decline that offer, of course, but..." Dexter sneezed again as Lucifer quickly threw himself down on the couch in an attempt to get away from the germs. "But I'm not sick, I'm just...allergic to pollen...don't worry, I have pills though."

"Good," Lucifer nodded. "Please take them. The flowers are very important in all this."

"Oh, all right," Dexter rolled his eyes and heaved an exaggerated sigh. "I guess. Since you said 'please'."

He began to walk away and Lucifer called, "Oh, and when she gets here, go get her things, would you? It wouldn't be good to make her carry them all the way up here herself."

"You're a real prince," Dexter drawled. After he took his pills, he was in much better spirits as he looked around the penthouse with a smile, then chuckled. "I can't believe she actually agreed to move in with you. I thought she had better sense."

"Oh, you're hilarious," Lucifer drawled as his phone beeped. "She's on her way."

"All right, I'll wait for her and get her bags then," Dexter nodded. But when he came back with just one bag, Lucifer was surprised. "That's it?" He asked.

"Yes, this is what she told me to take," Dexter shrugged. "And she said 'Thank you'."

"Well, clearly I'll have to get her new clothes if this is all she has," Lucifer remarked, looking at the single bag and clicking his tongue. "But I don't want to choose wrong."

"Get her gift cards from a few places," Dexter suggested.

"Or a credit card, perhaps," Lucifer nodded.

"No," Dexter shook her head. "That might make her feel like she's being kept or bought. And you don't want that, do you? Go with gift cards."

"All right," Lucifer nodded and gave a little hop. "I'll try that." He was grinning in a way Dexter had never seen.

"Do you need anything else before I head out?" Dexter questioned.

"No," Lucifer shook his head and sat down on the sofa. "I guess...I guess I'll just wait here for her. Can't clean anything more than I already have."

"No," Dexter shook his head. "But I truly think she'll be impressed." He paused when he noticed Lucifer was blushing. "And don't be nervous. She's good for you."

"Yes, I suppose she is," Lucifer agreed. "And would you check and see if the special brunch is here yet? If possible, I'd like it set up before she comes."

"Of course," Dexter nodded and continued on, pausing once more just before the elevator door closed because Lucifer spoke again.

"Thank you for all your support," he said. "I know it's crazy to ask Eleanor to live with me; and I'm still shocked that she's agreed. I was expecting her to think I was crazy for even suggesting it."

"I wasn't," Dexter assured him. "She may seem mild-mannered, but I have no doubt she can handle you."

Lucifer chuckled and gave Dexter a smile before taking one last stab at straightening up the magazines on the coffee table.

When the elevator door opened again, he didn't even turn to see who it was. "Did you forget something, Dexter?"

He froze when a female voice that was not Ellie's answered him. "Hi, Lucifer! I was in town and I haven't forgotten our standing date. Want a little company?"

Turning, he saw Amber, one of his stewardesses, standing just outside the elevator, wearing the highest heels, and white lace underwear and a matching bra under an open trenchcoat. "Amber, what are you...?"

"Sugarplum, remember?" She grinned. "You always called me sugarplum." She paused. "Isn't it obvious? My flight landed not too long ago. It's a layover and I have a few hours to kill. I thought I could do that in your bed." She sauntered toward him and ran a finger down his cheek before moving them down to his chest. "And I brought handcuffs...see?" She held them up as Lucifer shook his head and tried to pull away.

"No, no, dear," Lucifer shook his head. "Once upon a time, I would have been more than happy to take you up on your offer, but things have changed. I'm afraid I'm going to have to end our standing date. I'm seeing someone else now. It's quite serious. Let me show you out."

"Oh, I'm sure you don't mean that," Amber said, shaking out her light blonde hair and putting her arms around his neck. "If you don't like the handcuffs, we could play with something else. I brought a whip too..."

"I...no..." Lucifer tried to be polite while attempting to pull out of what was suddenly a very tight grip. "It's not the whip or the handcuffs...I just...I don't need you anymore. I don't want you anymore. I want you to..." She grabbed his face and kissed him just as a voice rang out from the elevator.

"Stop that, and step away from him! Did you not hear him say he doesn't want you here? Leave my man alone and get the hell out!"

Surprised, both Lucifer and Amber jumped and separated, turning toward the elevator to see Ellie, her eyes narrowed at the other woman, and her arms crossed over her chest. Here was a girl just like Eliza and all the others who thought that they could just take whatever they wanted. She hadn't minded before; thought it would be easier just to let things be what they were and not start a fight. But this...this relationship with Lucifer was worth fighting for. She strode with purpose toward the sofa and grabbed the blonde by the hair. "He doesn't want you here," she repeated, her voice a hiss. "And neither do I. Get the hell out of my home and don't come back! And tell your friends, too!"

Meanwhile, Lucifer's eyes were on his lap and he was coughing and blushing while he tried to think of something to say. Finally, he managed to choke out, "You...you heard my...my girlfriend. Leave."

Ellie threw Amber down on the ground, she started coughing, caught her breath, and stood up. "Wait, you truly have a girlfriend? I thought you were joking...or thinking of bringing in a third!"

"Don't get any ideas," Ellie shook her head. "I won't ever think of that!"

Amber got her balance and did up her coat, giving Ellie a wink. "You know you're really lucky! This guy sure knows his way around a bed!"

"Oh, I know," Ellie grinned wickedly. "You don't have to tell me!" She snatched up the cuffs and whip that Amber was preparing to take with her. "I think I'll be taking these, thank you! You're not gonna need them!"

"No, I guess not," Amber shook her head. "But I'm glad someone can get use out of them!" She gave Lucifer a wave and blew him a kiss. "Bye-bye, Lucifer! I bet I don't need to say this, but...you two have fun now!"

As the elevator doors closed, Ellie looked at Lucifer with a raised eyebrow.

"I...I didn't invite her, I promise," Lucifer tried to assure her. "She just came out of nowhere!"

Ellie sauntered close to him and put a finger over his lips to silence him. "You don't have to explain; I really don't care. I don't care about her, or your past. That was all before. Now it's us. Now and for the foreseeable future." She held up the cuffs, letting them dangle on one finger. "Now...what interesting things can you do with these?"

Lucifer chuckled, putting his arms around her, then running them down her back."Let me assure you, Miss Eleanor, that there are quite a few interesting things I know how to do with them. And I'd be more than happy to show them to you." He started to kiss her. "But first...is there anything you have in mind already?"

Ellie opened her mouth to reply, but then the elevator doors opened again, causing Lucifer to swear under his breath. "What now?" He groaned as another female voice called his name.

Thankfully though, this time, it was Doctor Warren, followed by a very nicely dressed but annoyed man in a navy blue suit. "Oh, hello, Miss Mikaelson! So nice to see you again!"

"Same to you, Miss Warren," Ellie nodded, trying to hold in her laughter at the frustrated and annoyed look on Lucifer's face.

"Now that we're all friends, could you do me a favor?" Selina requested. "Will you please tell your uncle to stop following me like a dog?"

Ellie turned on her heel to face her uncle, her eyes wide with surprise. "Uncle Elijah! What are you doing here?"

"Your parents wanted someone to check on you," he told her. "Apparently, you've forgotten to call for a while and they were worried, and since I was in town, I promised I would stop by and assure them you were all right."

Selina rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Your arrogance doesn't know any end, does it? She is young woman, not a toddler! She doesn't need to be checked on!"

"If you are hoping to shame me," Elijah said, "Just know that I have little to no interest in what you think of me."

"Well, I don't care what you think of me either!" Selina told him. "Were you born this way or did you learn it from some equally shallow, self-centered person?"

"I really couldn't say," Elijah told her. "But let me ask you a question in return: How long has it been since a man has been kind enough to let you into his bed? Because based on all your frustration and hostility toward me, it seems like it's been awhile, if ever."

"Did you hear that?" Selina cried, eyes locked on Lucifer and Ellie. "Did you hear how he talked to me?"

"Uncle Elijah, I promise I'm fine. Now, I apologize for not calling my parents and for making you come all the way out here, but...my social life isn't any of your concern...or my parents' either." Ellie's voice was firm as she spoke.

"Do you know who that man is, Eleanor?" Elijah asked, stabbing a finger in Lucifer's direction.

"Yes," Ellie replied firmly, crossing her arms over her chest. "And it doesn't matter because...because I've fallen deeply in love with him!"

"You did?" Lucifer grinned widely and began doing a little dance, even in front of Selina and Elijah. "Well, that's good because I've fallen deeply in love with you too!" Still grinning, he strode up to Elijah and held out his hand. "Hello, I'm Lucifer Morningstar!"

Elijah didn't take his hand, stepping back instead. "I don't care if you love him! He is the devil!"

"So what?" Selina said. "I bet there's more than one walking around...and way worse than him, too!"

"What's that supposed to mean, Miss Warren?" Elijah asked. "Would you care to elaborate?" As he spoke, he didn't hesitate to get in her personal space.

"I do," Selina told him. "All you have to do is look in the mirror, Mister 'I-think-I'm-better-than-anyone'!" She paused. "Oh, and another thing-"

"What?" Elijah snapped.

"It's Doctor Warren to you, you-" Selina fumed.

But she didn't get to finish her sentence as Elijah pulled her close, his mouth crashing on hers. She fought, pulling away once and slapping him. "No!" She said firmly.

"Really?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Not really," Selina shook her head. "But don't you say a word about it!" She threw her arms around his neck and then began kissing him again.

As he slid her skirt up, Ellie gave Lucifer a look, still holding the handcuffs up. "We don't want to interrupt, do we? Let's go to the bedroom and do things with these!"

"Why not?" Lucifer grinned, knowing full well that his therapist and Eleanor's uncle were going to end up having sex on his sofa. The noises they were making soon proved it. "It's not like they won't have ways to entertain themselves without us."

He took her hand and led her to their bedroom, where they quickly undressed and fell into bed, their hands all over each other as they held one another as close as they could. He began to kiss the inside of her thighs and taste her slowly and gently. Then, after her climax, he looked her in the eye as she ran her fingers through his hair. "Did you mean it?"

"What? That I'm deeply in love with you?"

"Yes," Lucifer nodded. "That. Or did you just say it to shock your uncle?"

"Oh, I meant it very much," Ellie smiled. "The fact that it shocks my uncle is just a delightful bonus!" They paused. They could hear Selina and Elijah making noise out in the living room. "Geez, for two people who hate each other, they sure are loud," she remarked.

"Well, what do you say we drown them out?" Lucifer grinned. "Are you up to it?"

"Yes," Ellie smiled. "Come inside me, please!" And they weren't shy about what they were doing. In fact, eventually there was a loud bang on the bedroom door. "Do you mind?"

"You want us to be quiet, you should have been yourself!" Lucifer shouted as he buried himself inside Ellie and she nibbled on his earlobe.

"Yeah!" Ellie cried. "Go away."

Elijah heaved a big sigh. "Wait until your mother hears about this!"

"Do you think she'll be mad if he tells?" Lucifer asked Ellie.

"Nah," Ellie shook her head. "My parents were teenagers when I was born. I was kind of a...surprise. But my parents loved each other very much and still do. She'll sense the same thing with us. I know it. And how could she be mad about that?"

He held her close. "I hope you're right," he told her. "I hope you're right."

"How was the shower?" Lucifer asked from the couch as Ellie walked toward him, barefoot, her hair still damp, and buttoning up one of his shirts as she walked. It had been two months since she'd moved in with him and she was getting more comfortable walking around the penthouse not completely dressed.

"I hope you don't think it's gross that I just grabbed this shirt out of the hamper," She said, doing up the last button. "I just...I didn't feel like getting all the way dressed yet. Plus it smells nice. It smells like you!" She headed over to the large fridge, grabbed a couple of pieces of leftover pizza, and then came to sit next to him on the couch, putting her legs over his lap. He moved them for a moment, rested his books on her ankles, and then absentmindedly began massaging her feet and running his fingers lightly over her clean shaven legs.

"It's amazing what a couple of months can do," he said. "Before, you would have been blushing with embarrassment about taking food out of the fridge before asking me, or just settling yourself down while I was working."

She shrugged. "It's different now," she said. "I think I live here, right?" She paused. "As for the shower, it's much better now. Warm and everything."

"Good," Lucifer smiled. "Glad to hear." He paused and looked up. "How much more studying do you need to do to feel good about that test tomorrow? Because if it's not a lot, we could go out to dinner. Or order something in. Maybe put a movie on?"

"I'm feeling pretty good about it," she said. "We definitely could watch a movie." She paused. "You know, yesterday, my car was saying some stuff about the oil and the check engine light and all that. I assume you have a guy who looks after your cars. He could handle mine, right?"

Lucifer nodded. "I think he wouldn't mind a slightly used BMW. Nice gift from your father by the way. Excellent taste."

"I know," Ellie smiled. "It's the one big thing I let him get me before I left for school. It was a birthday present." She paused. "And thank you for my gift cards. I got some nice jeans and blouses, and a couple of pairs of trousers, and a blazer or two." She paused. "But they're kind of long. I know this is a stupid question, but...do you have a tailor that could hem them?"

"Of course they can be hemmed, quite easily," Lucifer assured her. "No trouble at all."

"Thank you," Ellie nodded. "But as grateful as I am, I want to make it clear that these are just...gifts. I won't make a habit of asking you for money or anything like that. Okay?"

"Right, darling," Lucifer nodded. "Of course."

They sat in silence for a few seconds and then Ellie cleared her throat. "Tell me something...are you happy with me?"

"Am I what?" Lucifer asked in surprise. "What did you say?"

"Are you happy with me?" Ellie repeated, then got up to pace around the room.

He frowned, putting his papers down to watch her. "What on Earth would make you think I'm not?"

"Well, I'm not like the others you've probably dated. I'm no supermodel. I'm just...me. Fast-food eating, 'second-hand everything-cause-that's-my-style' me."

He put his charts aside and strode over to embrace her and kiss her wet hair. "Oh, sweetheart; Everyone else I've been with, from the club and other places, none of them have made my heart pick up just by looking at me like you do."

"Really?" Ellie asked and gave a small smile. "Do you promise?"

"Yes," Lucifer smiled back and put a hand under her chin. "I promise."

"Good," Ellie nodded. "That makes me happy!" She put her books aside, and gently removed his charts from his hand and put them on the side table before straddling him. "You know, I think we've both been working so hard that we deserve a break!" She began kissing his neck. "Don't you think?"

"I thought you would never ask!" Lucifer grinned, hands roaming over her back, then laying her down on the sofa and kissing her furiously as they began to undo their clothes. He was glad, not for the first time, that she often didn't wear much during the weekend anyway. He ran his hands up her legs and thighs and she moaned loudly as he gently sucked on her nipples. She was so loud that they didn't immediately hear the other person in the room clearing their throat.

It was only when that person tried again that they took any notice.

"Son? Miss Mikaelson? Am I interrupting?"

They both jumped a mile and quickly tried to untangle themselves from each other while they did up their clothes. "Father, what in the name of...what are you doing here?" Lucifer asked.

"Don't worry, son," Steve tried to reassure him. "I didn't come to cause trouble. I just...when one of my children is so happy and with such a wonderful woman, I have to come see for myself if it's the real thing or not."

"'Father'?" Ellie cried. "Your father, as in...God?" She was blushing furiously. "Oh, my..."

Steve smiled and held out his right hand. "Hello, Eleanor. It's lovely to finally meet you in person. And you can call me Steve. It's much less formal."

Ellie shook his hand, but still didn't look him in the eye. "Hello...Your Highness?" She couldn't call him Steve. It was just too weird. Then again, meeting God was weird too.

Steve smiled. "Isn't she the cutest?"

"Oh, calm down," Lucifer whispered. "Call him Steve; it's what he deserves. He's anything but a Highness."

"Well, anyway," Ellie got up. "Nice to meet you...Steve. I'll leave you and your son to your family chat."

"I feel the same, my dear. Wonderful to meet you," Steve told her.

She left the living room and Lucifer poured his father a drink, and an even bigger glass for himself. "What do you want, Father? Did you come to tell me how this relationship will fail? That I'm going to lose her one day? Well I can assure you that I know that already!" Facing away from Steve, he downed his glass and slammed it down. "I just...I want to be happy for five minutes...or however long it is I'll have with her."

Steve frowned. "Why would you think that I want this to fail? I was the one who put her in your path! I want this to succeed very much!"

Lucifer raised an eyebrow."What do you mean by that?"

"What do you think I mean?" Steve returned.

"No," Lucifer whispered, his eyes wide with shock as he retreated behind the bar. "That can't be true! It just can't!"

"You know perfectly well that everything on Earth is God's will," Steve told him.

What they didn't know was that as they talked, Ellie left the nearby bathroom and had stopped to listen to every word they said.

"What's the point of all this?" Lucifer demanded. "What's your angle, Dad?"

"There's no angle," Steve shook his head. "I just thought she was kind and good, and that she would be good for you."

Lucifer scoffed. "Oh, there's more to it than that. You know I wouldn't accept such a thing. I can handle my own relationships without your help!"

Every word in that last sentence was a knife in Ellie's chest. Bursting into tears, she ran back to the bedroom, grabbed her suitcase from under the bed, and began packing the things she'd originally brought with her. She wouldn't take anything she'd bought from him. That could be burned for all she cared.

As she ran out of the room and out onto the balcony, her eyes blind with hot tears, Lucifer told his father,"We, and by we, I mean Eleanor and I, were the ones who decided that being together would fill our lives with joy. That would make us happy for the rest of time. You didn't have anything to do with it, am I clear? We decide what happens in our future. Not you."

Steve nodded and shook his head, a grin on his lips. "Gwen was right," he whispered.

"What?" Lucifer asked. "Who the hell is Gwen?"

"No one you need to know about," Steve told him. "I'm going to go now. I'm finally convinced that you have a life that is going to make you happy. I understand that now. You've chosen a marvelous destiny for yourself, my son. May it always bring you joy."

He disappeared then and Lucifer called out for Ellie, eventually finding her sitting on the balcony, her one bag beside her on the ground. It was windy and she was swaying somewhat precariously. "Eleanor, what are you doing there? Get down, you could fall and hurt yourself?"

"No!" Ellie shook her head. "Why do you care? You don't want to be with me! I was shoved down your throat by your father!"

"What?" Lucifer's eyes widened. Then he realized with a sinking feeling in his stomach how loudly he had been shouting. There was no doubt she'd heard him. "No, no, no!" He said. "You don't understand! I..." He tried to reach for her, but she leaned back to get out of the way of his fingers.

"Don't touch me!" She demanded. "Don't!" Then her eyes widened. She'd leaned back too far. She let out a scream of fright and for a moment, Lucifer watched helplessly as she plunged off the balcony. Then, he remembered that he had wings. He then began flying as fast as he could, praying that he would catch her before she hit the ground.

When he caught her, he almost cried with relief, grasping her tight as he flew back onto the balcony and set her firmly on the ground. She was unconscious and still, not moving one bit. He waited a little bit to see if she would awaken and when she didn't, he pulled her close, his wings enveloping both of them. "Oh, darling, I'm so sorry...please find some way to tell me you're all right...please!" He began to cry, his tear drops covering her face and her clothes as he cradled her. Then, suddenly, her eyes popped open.

"Lucifer?" She whispered weakly. "What...happened?"

"Eleanor!" Lucifer cried, full of relief. "Eleanor, you're all right! Thank Dad!"

"What happened?" Ellie asked.

"It was windy and you lost your balance and fell," Lucifer explained. "What were you thinking, sitting on the balcony like that?"

"Well, I wasn't planning on falling!" Ellie said. "I just...I got dizzy." She sighed. "It's been happening a lot these days. I haven't been feeling well."

"I'm sorry," he told her. "We'll fix it. We'll make it better." He sighed. "And I'm sorry for...for what you heard. I was angry with my father and I let my temper get the best of me."

"Why would you say that?" Ellie asked. "Why?"

"You want to know what else I told him?" Lucifer asked, taking her face in his hands. "I told him that I was choosing to make my own destiny with you. That I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Really?" Ellie smiled. "You said that?"

"Yes," Lucifer nodded. He couldn't stop hugging her and kissing her face.

She took a deep breath. "Is this...would you be willing to have a baby in our future?"

"Yes!" Lucifer nodded. "Of course!"

"Good," Ellie smiled. "Cause I'm pregnant. Right this minute. We're...we're gonna be parents! We're gonna have a family!"

"What?" Lucifer asked. "You're pregnant right now?"

"Yeah," Ellie nodded. "I wasn't sure how to tell you. I didn't know how you'd feel about us having kids now."

"Well, I love the idea," Lucifer told her. Then he chuckled. "Shame you already turned that paper in. This would be something to put in the report!"

"Yeah," Ellie chuckled. "Even though it wasn't as full of drama as Mr. Malachai was hoping, I still got top marks on it."

Lucifer shook his head and put a hand on her belly. "We made a baby," he sighed and then gave Ellie a wink. "We made Rosemary's baby!"

Ellie chuckled. "Oh, aren't you hilarious?"

"Yes," Lucifer grinned. "I rather think I am!" He hugged her and rocked her back and forth gently. "My darling, I'm happy. So happy!"

"You're not mad?" Ellie asked. "You're gonna be happy being a father to little...Valerie?"

"Or Vincent," Lucifer grinned. "Of course. Not that I have any idea what I'm doing, but there are books, aren't there? We'll figure it out somehow."

Ellie laughed and cried. "Yes," she nodded and let him carry her back inside. "We sure will."

He felt the blinding pain before he opened his eyes. And it took a lot of effort just to do that. Then Lucifer took a deep breath and put a hand to his throbbing temples, cursing softly. "What happened?" He whispered to himself. And where could he get a good, stiff drink?

But then he saw Ellie lying beside him, her body still, her eyes closed. As everything that had happened before came back to him, like their fight and him falling hard down the stairs, all thought of his own comfort disappeared. He had to get her out of here. Get her to a doctor. She looked all right, but who knew how long they'd been down here? He leaned over her and gave her a gentle shake as he kissed her forehead.

"Eleanor? Eleanor, darling, rise and shine! Time to wake up! I think we should get you to a doctor so they can check on the-"

But he trailed off as Ellie's eyes popped open. "Thank Dad!" he yelled exuberantly, then cast a hunted look around before taking her hand and kissing it. No doubt that little exclamation would be held against him later.

"Lucifer, what...what happened? Where are we?" She put a hand to her forehead. "It feels like someone ran over me with a truck!" Then her eyes widened and she let out a terrible shriek.

"What?" Lucifer yelled, wide eyed. "What's the matter?"

"Oh, nothing," Ellie chuckled weakly. "Nothing big. The baby is just coming. Now."

"Now?" Lucifer's eyes widened even more if that was possible. "Well we should get you to the hospital then! Can you stand up?"

"N-no!" Ellie shook her head. "I can't."

"Okay, what about zapping us to the hospital?" Lucifer questioned. "I know your powers are risky right now, but..."

"I'm giving birth," Ellie said through her teeth. "And you want me to zap us to the hospital too?" She jabbed a finger up to the ceiling, making a giant hole in the roof. "How easy do you think it's gonna be for me to get us to the hospital, huh?"

"Oh, all right, all right," Lucifer shook his head. "Excuse me for not wanting my wife to give birth on a cold and dirty floor!" He rooted around for a blanket, a tarp..anything that would be a barrier between her and the ground. He found one, though it was obviously dirty. But he knew Ellie didn't care. He slipped it under her, pulled off her bloody panties, and then pushed up his sleeves to fill a bucket up with water from the sink, turning when he heard Ellie make a noise.

"What happened?" He asked. "Are you okay? What hurts?"

"Nothing," Ellie gave him a grin and a small laugh. "You just..." She winced. "You look very good with your sleeves rolled up like that. You don't perhaps...you couldn't undo a few buttons on your shirt, could you? And do you have any...stuff...on you for pain?"

Lucifer undid several shirt buttons and then came to run his fingers through her hair. "I'm sorry, darling. Anything that might help with that is back at the house. But I don't think anyone but a doctor should be giving you that anyway."

"Oh, all right," Ellie pouted.

She tried to focus on his arms and bare chest and it helped a little, but didn't make all the pain go away. Eventually, she burst into tears. "Make it stop!" She cried. "Please make it stop!"

"I can't," Lucifer shook his head helplessly and grabbed both her hands. "But look at me, Eleanor! Look at me!"

When she was looking at him, he began singing "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley in a calm, soothing voice. She started taking deep breaths and although there wa still screaming that Lucifer had to sing over. Eventually, she stopped and took a deep breath.

"Thank you so much," she said. "You sing beautifully." She paused. "I love you...I love you, but I am so scared! We're in a dirty basement in the middle of nowhere and I hurt and I don't have any access to drugs and a baby is coming out of me, and I just...I can't stress enough how scared I am!"

"Oh, no, no!" Lucifer tried to soothe her, running his fingers through her hair. "You'll be fine. Our son will be fine. Everything will be okay!"

"What happened to us?" Ellie asked. "Why do things always get messed up?"

"They do, but then we find our way back to each other...like always!" Lucifer reminded her. "And that's how it will always be, darling. I promise." He smiled at her and then peered under her skirt. "All right, I think I see a head. It's time to push now!"

Ellie nodded, took a deep breath, and after a few strong, hard pushes, they heard the cry of a baby.

"You did, Eleanor!" Lucifer cried. "We have a son!"

Ellie smiled and sat up as Lucifer handed the baby to her. "Hello, Milo Alexander," she told him as Lucifer smiled at them both. "We did it, sweetie! We did it! Good job!"

They let themselves bask in the glow of their baby for a little bit and then Ellie looked around. "I think...I think maybe we should go to the hospital now," she said. "I'll hold on to Milo, you call the ambulance."

"Right," Lucifer nodded. "I will do that."

It didn't take long before the ambulance came and as Lucifer was wheeling Ellie into the hospital, they quickly came across a doctor. "Hi, I had a baby," she said. "Can I have a room?"

"Yes!" The doctor smiled and came over to help them. "Looks like you did! Everything go okay?"

"Wasn't the best delivery ever," Ellie admitted. "But Lucifer was with me and he made it all okay. This is Milo."

"Hi, Milo," The doctor greeted the baby before taking Ellie to an elevator while Lucifer filled out her paperwork. "I'm gonna make sure you and your mother get taken care of." He patted the baby on the head. "I'll see if I can't get you two a room so you can be looked over. But you look fine to me. That's good."

"Thanks, Ellie said as the doctor wheeled her away.

"I'll call the other children," Lucifer added. "Tell them that they have a new sibling. And that we're back together."

"Would you?" Ellie smiled. "That would be so nice!"

"And there's the last towel," Amy sighed and added it to the pile. "Now for some rest, relaxation, and peace and quiet!" She sat down hard beside Klaus on the couch.

"Did you have to go to the bathroom?" Klaus asked her, pausing reading his newspaper. "You know with how big you are, it takes us a while to pull you up!"

"Yes, but you didn't have to say it!" Amy hissed. She was just about to punch him in the face when Alistair opened the door and called out to them.

"Home from the grocery store! Little help?"

"Well, I guess you'll have to help him since, as you pointed out, it's hard to get me off the couch!" Amy grinned evilly.

Klaus growled under his breath. "I'd ask how you are, but then you would tell me," he told Alistair as they began to empty the grocery bags.

"Yes I will," Alistair huffed. "Can you believe the nerve of that Malachai, stealing my wife?"

"If you're getting divorced and it was your idea, he's not really stealing anything!" Klaus pointed out.

Alistair, who was tying an apron around himself to prepare for starting dinner, whipped around, a spoon held high. "Excuse me?" He hissed. "What did you say? How dare you!"

Klaus burst out laughing. "Do you want to challenge me to a duel? I'm sure if you do, you can do better than a wooden spoon!"

"What's so funny?" Alistair snapped.

"You're wearing a pink, frilly apron!" Klaus pointed out and herded him to the bathroom so he could look at himself. "If you saw this, would you take it seriously?"

Amy let out a small chuckle and cradled her large belly. "Oh, give him a break, Klaus. Can't you see he's been through enough? And the man did buy us groceries!"

Klaus scoffed. "Well, it's his own fault what he's going through," he said. "If he had just told Astrid his feelings to start out with, he'd be with her, instead of here, moping and whining to us about how he isn't!"

"That's it!" Alistair yelled. "Just for that, you get cold cereal for dinner, Mister! And just what do you want me to admit, hmmm?"

Klaus threw his paper down on the table. "Well, for a start, you could actually admit out loud that you still have feelings for Astrid! You love the woman! We've known each other for hundreds of years and you're only a mess like this whenever you feel unsure about her or that she's slipping out of your grasp!" He shook him. "Come on, man! You know what you have to do to stop your suffering! to stop all our suffering!"

"Yes I do!" Alistair cried. "She's my woman, I love her, and no Malachai is gonna take her from me!"

"That's a start," Klaus told him. "Good job!" He looked at Amy. "Don't you think it's a good start? I think we're finally getting somewhere!"

"It depends," Amy sighed. "Does Astrid know this?"

"No!" Alistair scoffed. "I'm not gonna beg her to love me!"

"And we're back to square one..." Klaus sighed deeply.

"Well, not entirely," Alistair contradicted him. "I had my way with her in her office. It was exhilarating! I enjoyed myself immensely and so did she." He narrowed his eyes. "It would have happened again, but that buffoon Malachai interrupted us!"

"Please, no more details!" Klaus begged, wincing. "You know I'm usually very open about sex, but when it's you...it's like hearing about your parents doing it!"

"Oh, come on!" Alistair said. "After all the escapades of yours that I've unfortunately been privy to, it's time for you to listen to mine. Now I have my vengeance! Ha ha ha!"

"I hate to interrupt," Amy groaned. "But my back is killing me!"

"Do you want me to rub it for you?" Klaus asked. "Would that help?"

"Yes, please," Amy nodded. "As for you, Alistair, maybe instead of trying to dull the pain of your breakup with Astrid by jumping her bones every time you meet, you could tell her how you feel about the break-up. I promise that will be much more productive in the long run."

"No, it won't!" Alistair shook his head and crossed his arms. "She'll laugh in my face!"

"Wow," Klaus chuckled. "It's taken many years, but...I'm finally realizing how stubborn you are, my friend."

"You can talk!" Alistair scoffed. "You let Amy marry your brother!"

"That's low for you to bring up!" Klaus yelled. "That was ages ago."

"But it's also true!" Amy reminded him.

Just then, the doorbell rang. "Saved by the bell," Klaus murmured. "Don't either of you move, I'll get it." As he headed toward the door, he listened to Alistair and Amy talk a little more, then grabbed the handle and opened the door. "Whatever you're selling, we're not interested in-"

His voice trailed off as he realized who was on the other side of the door: not a salesman, but someone he'd loved deeply once and lost...his best friend, Sybil. "Oh, my gosh," he told himself, blinking several times. "I must be seeing things. You can't be Sybil! She's dead!"

"I am," Sybil nodded. "I came back. Hello, Klaus." She sniffled and wiped tears out of her eyes.

Klaus shook his head. "I...I don't understand. How can you...how can you...after all this time...?"

"Well, I don't know, but...don't I at least get a hug?" Sybil asked. "I'd like that very much."

Not hesitating another second, Klaus grabbed Sybil and hugged her hard. "I don't know how this happened, but...I'm so glad to see you! Are you sure you don't know how it happened?"

"I promise I don't," Sybil said. "I'm as clueless as you are. But I'm glad I got a chance to see you again."

Not long after, alerted by the commotion, Alistair and Amy joined them. Amy was a bit surprised by who she saw in her husband's arms. She went pale and swayed on her feet, but Alistair caught her.

"I-I hope you don't mind my asking, Sybil," she said. "But how are you here?"

"We're still working on that," Sybil told her. "Look at you, Amy! By the looks of things, Klaus managed to win you back. Congratulations!" Then she turned to Alistair. "How are you?"

Alister couldn't help but shake his head in surprise. "I...I'm fine, I guess," he got out. "B...but it's still a shock to see you, Sibyl. From what I recall, you didn't exactly die in a way that would have just allowed you to get up and walk away alive."

"I know, I'm just as stunned as you," Sybil shrugged. "And I know it's probably a terrible imposition for me to show up like this, but it's the only place I could think of to come, since I have no home, no money, no-"

Amy let out a cry. "Enough!" She yelled. "We all have our sad stories but mine is much more important! I...baby coming...right now! I think my water just broke!"

Sibyl blushed. "Never mind then. I'll just...I'll go. I don't want to be in the way."

"You stay," Amy told her. "I need all the help I can get!"

"We need to get to a hospital," Klaus told her. "Can you stand up?"

"No, there's no time!" Amy huffed and let out another yell. "She wouldn't come for weeks and now she's really making up for lost time!" She grabbed both Klaus and Sibyl's hands, squeezing so hard that the friends winced at each other.

"I'm glad you could be here for this," Klaus told her.

Sybil made another face. "That's what friends are for, right?"

They continued to hold on to Amy's hands and say words of encouragement while Alistair focused on the actual delivery which, to the relief of everyone, didn't take very long.

Klaus was grinning widely as Alistair handed him yet another little girl with an obvious sprinkle of red hair wrapped in a blanket. "Another one for the Army of Redheaded Lovelies," he grinned. "Hello, Natalie, I'm your father!" He cuddled her and kissed her head.

"Does she have red hair?" Amy asked.

"Yes, she does," Klaus grinned. "There's no way we need to do a maternity test. She's definitely yours!"

Amy burst out laughing at this as Sybil and Alistair helped her sit up and get a good look at her daughter.

"This is so sweet!" Sybil grinned. "I'm so glad I was alive to see it."

Alistair smiled back and took her hand. "I'm glad you're alive too, my dear."

"And speaking of Sybil being alive..." Klaus said, finally able to tear his eyes away from Natalie and Amy for a second, "I know you said you had no idea how you came back, but...are you the only one? The only one who's returned from the dead?"

"No," Sybil shook her head. "No, I'm not."