It was later in the morning than Lucifer had anticipated when he arrived at the hospital the next day. He'd been up before the sun, not having slept well and feeling anxious to check on Chloe. Despite the persistent urge to get back to her side, he'd driven all the way across town to her favorite coffee shop and had been caught in the morning rush hour traffic for his efforts.

He carried a now lukewarm cup of her usual latte in one hand as he hurried through the maze of hallways toward her room, the red soles of his favorite Louboutins clicking rhythmically on the linoleum tiles. He slowed as he neared the room, the hushed voices coming from inside giving him pause.

"…and we didn't see each other for three whole years."

"It was that long?" Trixie's voice piped in, sad and empathetic. There was rustling, and Lucifer could picture her shuffling up the bed to snuggle into her mother's side. "How did you find each other again?"

"Well…one night, I was lying in bed just about to fall asleep, when I saw our old flashlight signal coming from the treehouse." There was a pause where Trixie must have given her a questioning look, because Chloe went on to explain, "A short flash, followed by a long flash, then two more short flashes. Then long, short, long, short. Morse code for the letters L and C—for our names."

"Were you surprised to see the signal?!"

"I almost couldn't believe it! But I rushed outside and up the ladder…" She chuckled fondly, and his heart skipped a beat. "…and there he was."

Lucifer could still remember the excitement he'd felt that day as his foster mom had driven past the street where he'd lived with the McKees—Chloe's street. He'd taken care to memorize the entire route home, unable to believe his luck that his current foster home was just on the other side of the same neighborhood.

That night, he'd snuck out and made his way back to their treehouse. As he'd pushed himself up through the hole in the floor and saw his old glow-in-the-dark stars just as he'd left them, a surprising rush of emotion had made his eyes fill with tears.

"What did he say when you first saw each other again?" Trixie's voice was filled with wonder.

"Remember me?" he asked, putting on his most confident, charming grin. It was still a work in progress, but it was a grin he would soon come to perfect.

His eyes traveled over her, taking her in from head to toe. She'd grown up quite a bit—no longer the lanky girl with limbs too long for her body. She had curves now, just barely noticeable—but oh, Lucifer noticed.

He did his best to exude an air of calm indifference, but he was nervous. It had been years, and he was nothing special. Why would she remember him? He hadn't gone a single day without thinking of her, though. She'd been his lifeline through the very worst of times.

"Lucifer!"

The way she breathed his name, soft and happy, beaming at him through watery eyes, erased every single fear he had that she'd forgotten him.

She flung herself into his arms without hesitation. He managed to catch her, though he was caught off guard by the affection she so readily offered him after all the time they'd spent apart—but then he remembered that was how they'd always been. She was the same; it was he who had changed.

It wasn't long before he sank into her warm, familiar embrace as she cried softly into his shoulder, mumbling his name and how much she had missed him.

Hot tears stung his own eyes.

Somehow, he'd found his way home.

.

The flurry of hospital activity continued around him, but Lucifer remained lost in his memories until a familiar voice pulled his attention. "Of all the gin joints in all the world… Why if it isn't my favorite handsome devil!"

The reference to Casablanca made him grin as he turned to watch the figure gracefully approach. "Penelope, darling!"

"Lucifer!" She greeted, smiling as she swept him into a hug.

As he returned the embrace, he held Chloe's latte aloft, careful not to spill it on her. "You're looking breathtaking as always," he complimented.

She looked ever the glamorous movie star that had left him awed and speechless years ago. He could remember being a kid in his ratty hand-me-down clothing that was always either a size too big or too small, and thinking that one day, he'd dress just as sophisticatedly as Penelope Decker did. Glancing down at his Prada suit and Louboutin shoes, he felt proud of how far he'd come. He'd made something of himself despite the setbacks he'd faced; despite feeling at times like no one had any faith that he could.

"You look good." She patted his arm fondly as she drew out of the embrace. "A little too skinny—are you eating enough?"

Her concern for his well-being made his chest fill with warmth. She was the closest thing to a mother he'd ever had. "I am," he promised. "Although I do miss your spaghetti and meatballs."

She barked a laugh. "Spaghetti was just about the only thing I knew how to make. John was always the chef of the family. He made the best-"

"Egg sandwiches," they finished together. Her smile turned nostalgic as she gave a little nod. "We should have a family dinner once Chloe is settled back at her place. I'll make spaghetti for you."

His smile widened at the notion of being included as a part of the family. "That sounds wonderful."

"Well," she began, with a nod toward Chloe's room. "Shall we?"

He gestured for her to enter first. Before she turned away, she reached out and squeezed his forearm. "Chloe told me you barely left her side yesterday—thanks for being there for our girl."

"Oh," he said, surprised by the sentiment and quick to shrug it off as nothing. "Of course. I wouldn't be anywhere else."

"I know you wouldn't," she said with a wink.

He followed her into the room, relieved to see Chloe's bed in an upright position. She looked alert and managed a small smile at them in greeting. Lucifer had been right; the urchin was on the bed with her, curled into her side. Dan was perched at the window, quietly scrolling through his phone.

"Nana! Lucifer!" Trixie squealed when she spotted them. She scrambled to get up, flailing limbs and shifting weight making Chloe grimace.

"Oof."

Trixie froze, looking remorsefully up at Chloe. "I'm sorry, Mommy."

"It's okay, baby," she reassured. "I'm okay."

She continued to disentangle herself, but more carefully this time. As soon as her feet hit the floor, she launched herself at Lucifer, her skinny arms looping tightly around his waist.

"Hello, Urchin," he greeted, giving her head an affectionate pat.

Meanwhile, Penelope moved to Chloe's side. "Oh, Chloe," she said softly, reaching her hand out to brush a strand of messy blonde hair away from her daughter's mottled face.

"Hi, Mom," she replied, her voice soft and remorseful. Lucifer knew she harbored some guilt over her chosen career—the very same one responsible for taking her father from them much too soon.

Trixie loosened her grip around Lucifer's waist and tipped her head up to look at him. "We were just talking about you."

"Oh, is that so?" He directed his attention away from Chloe to focus on her offspring. "All good things I hope?"

She nodded. "Mommy was telling me about how you found each other again! Did you miss her when you moved away? She missed you."

He looked over at Chloe again. She and her mother were speaking in hushed tones, but he was able to catch some of their conversation.

"I spent years worrying about your father. Getting the call that you were in the hospital, Chloe—I was so worried."

"Did you?" Trixie prompted. "Did you miss her?"

He looked down, his warm brown eyes meeting an almost matching pair. "I missed her very much," he admitted.

Trixie smiled, satisfied with his answer. She opened her mouth to reply, but the shrill ring of Penelope's phone interrupted her.

Penelope glanced at the name on the screen and sighed apologetically. "I should take this. I'll be right back, though."

As she headed into the hallway, Dan stood. "Well, Monkey," he said, sliding his phone into his back pocket and holding his hand out toward his daughter. "We've got to get you to school."

The little girl ran over to the bed to hug her mother goodbye before latching onto Dan's hand. "Bye Mommy! Bye Lucifer!"

"Have a good day, baby. I'll see you after school."

Chloe waved as they disappeared through the doorway, and then her eyes sought his. His heart thudded hard against his ribs, the memory of their kiss still fresh in his mind.

"Hey, you." Her voice was shy, barely above a whisper. She bit into the corner of her bottom lip to suppress the happy grin that tried to stretch across her face, but Lucifer saw it, his own smile blooming in response.

She held her hand out to him, and he took it, moving closer to her side. As she twisted their fingers together, she held his gaze. Her eyes were bright and clear, erasing every single fear he had that the kiss they'd shared the night before might not have been real—might not have meant what he hoped it did.

"I got you a latte from Beelzebean," he said, needing to fill the heavy silence between them. He held the cup up to show her, but his smile fell as he added, "It's probably cold now, though."

"That's really sweet of you." She squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Lucifer."

After placing the latte on the table beside her bed, he moved in closer, bringing his hand to her cheek. She sighed and sank into the warmth of his palm, her eyelids fluttering until they closed. He studied her face, still a marbled mess of deep purples and blues, and tenderly caressed the delicate skin beneath her eye.

"How are you feeling this morning?" he asked, unintentionally prompting her to open her eyes again.

"Sore." She gazed at him through heavy lids and admitted, "And tired. I didn't sleep well last night. Everything still hurts."

A wave of guilt rushed through him—he never should have left her alone the previous night. "Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to call for a nurse? Tell them you need more morphine?"

She brought her hand up to cover the one he held to her cheek, her lips curling into an amused grin at his helicoptering. She shook her head. "I don't like the way the morphine makes me feel."

He raised a disbelieving eyebrow at that.

Color rose to her cheeks as she averted her eyes to her lap. He knew she wasn't telling the whole truth; he knew her so well, knew all of her tells. He supposed that maybe her reticence came from his past struggles with substances—she'd seen what addiction looked like, had seen how it had brought out the very worst in him, twisting her best friend into someone she hadn't recognized.

"Just having you here," she continued, tilting her head and nuzzling gently against his palm. "That's all I need."

Her words made his stomach twist pleasantly; he'd never understand just what it was she saw in him or what he'd done to deserve her unquestioning devotion. Out of every person in the entire world, it was he who made her feel safe and secure. Did she know she made him feel the same?

She pulled his hand away from her face and brought it to rest on her lap, where she linked their fingers together instead. "Listen—about last night…about our kiss." She nervously played with his fingers as she spoke.

"Seriously!" Penelope exclaimed as she stormed back into the room.

Lucifer heaved a sigh, annoyed at having been interrupted for the second time in as many days. Chloe's eyes sparkled with amusement though, and he couldn't help but huff a little chuckle of his own.

"You'd think he'd have it down by now..." She trailed off as her gaze landed on them, her eyebrow lifting suggestively as her lips quirked into a nosy smirk. Lucifer gently pulled his hand from Chloe's grasp as he righted himself, taking a step away from her.

"Well, don't let me interrupt!" she announced, her voice louder than it needed to be. "I'll just go grab a snack or a coffee or something from the cafeteria."

"No, Mom, it's okay," Chloe insisted with a roll of her eyes. She cast a secretive, knowing glance at Lucifer as she reassured her, "You're not interrupting."

He wondered if she was remembering the same night he was.

—Christmas Eve 1993—

"Come on in, Lucifer, dear," Penelope said, rounding the corner into the living room just as he peeked his head in through the front door. His smile was a little off as he entered, taking in her appearance with wide eyes—her sleek silk gown, diamond jewelry, professionally styled hair and makeup. "Well, don't you look handsome!"

He blushed a little as he looked down at the black slacks and forest green sweater he'd nearly outgrown. He'd been worried about what to wear to the Deckers' fancy Christmas party for weeks now; he didn't own a lot of nice clothing. Luckily, one of his previous foster families had been active members of the church and had bought him a nice outfit for Sunday services. While it was the nicest outfit he owned, he knew it would be miles away from the fancy attire that would adorn the other party guests.

"Is Lucifer here?" Chloe shouted from her room.

Penelope rolled her eyes. "He is," she called back. "And pumpkin, don't shout—it isn't ladylike."

Lucifer huffed a laugh and Penelope sent him a knowing look. Chloe had never fit the description of 'ladylike'.

His amusement faded as she emerged from her room, his mouth falling open in stunned surprise. Wide eyed, he was unable to stop his gaze from trailing down the length of her body. She wore a velvety red dress with silver stars of various sizes all over it, black hose, and a pair of Doc Martens for her own bit of flair. Her long honey-blonde hair was crimped and cascaded in waves over her shoulders.

"Don't you dare say a word," she threatened, coming to a stop in front of him and poking a pointed finger into his chest.

"Doesn't she look pretty?" Penelope pressed, a proud smile on her face and a mischievous glint in her eye as she ignored her daughter's order.

"Mom!" she protested through clenched teeth, her cheeks turning pink.

Lucifer thought Chloe always looked pretty, whether she was wearing a fancy dress with her hair and makeup done or was rolling around in the dirt in an old pair of overalls.

Penelope waited expectantly for his answer. He glanced between them and opened his mouth, not sure what would come out. "She looks...beautiful."

Chloe's blush deepened at his compliment, and it made his insides flutter to know that he was the cause of it.

"Shut up," she finally blurted through an embarrassed chuckle. With a shake of her head, she sent her mom a disapproving look. Turning back to Lucifer, she bumped her shoulder to his as she passed. "Come on, I want to show you the dessert table!"

.

An hour later, Chloe sat slumped in the recliner in the corner of the living room with Lucifer perched on the arm beside her.

She heaved out a sigh.

"Are these parties always so boring?" he asked.

That pulled a smile from her. "They always are at first, yeah. Everyone sucking up to the movie execs and directors, trying to be seen and make a good impression."

"And later?"

Chloe shrugged. "When people start to get tipsy, things usually get a little more interesting."

His eyes roved the crowd. The guests were certainly eye-catching—chic, elegant, and so beautiful—but the party was anything but lively. The dull chatter of networking permeated the lavish rooms of the Decker home, slow instrumental Christmas music playing quietly in the background.

At least the spread was impressive. His gaze traveled over the elaborate setup on the table across the room. Fancy hors d'oeuvres and finger foods that he'd never heard of filled the table.

With Chloe's words echoing in his mind, his eyes caught on something at the end of the table. Abruptly, he stood, and she looked up at him with a question in her eyes.

He held his hand out to her. "Come on," he said, unable to contain his excitement. "I've got an idea."

She took his hand and together they ducked down, giggling as they weaved their way through long, satiny skirts and pressed pant legs.

As they blew past the table, Lucifer snagged a bottle of champagne. He held it close to his chest, doing his best to cover it with his arm to hide it from disapproving adult eyes. He dragged Chloe out the back door, her laughter like music to his ears, making a smile stretch wide across his face.

No one even glanced their way. They were invisible.

They ran across the dark yard to the treehouse, the thrill of breaking the rules making them giddy and euphoric.

Once inside the safety of their wooden hide-away, Lucifer got to work trying to pop the cork. Their glee never ebbed as they struggled with it, taking turns, until it finally burst free with a loud pop, the cork sailing out the window. They turned to each other, wide-eyed and a little shocked at just how far the cork had flown, before sinking to the floor beneath the window in fits of delighted laughter.

Champagne bubbled up the neck of the bottle, spilling over the lip and down the sides. Lucifer brought it to his mouth, trying to slurp up the escaping liquid before any more of it was wasted. He cringed at the sharp taste, and Chloe laughed harder at the face he made.

"That good?" she asked, mirth making her voice sound light and sweet.

With a smirk, he held the bottle out to her. "See for yourself."

She chewed on her lip as she eyed it. "I don't know," she said, sounding a little unsure. "Have you ever done this before?"

He shook his head. He had to admit he was also a little nervous. He'd seen the very worst of what alcohol could do to people; had gotten the bruises to show for it. But he'd also seen the best—had seen stoic older foster siblings turn silly and playful.

"Me neither," she replied, eyeing the bottle again.

"We don't have to," Lucifer said. "I just thought it might be fun to try it together."

He watched as Chloe considered. One side of her mouth lifted into a lopsided grin as she sent him a rebellious look. She'd become more reserved in the years they'd spent apart, but some of that cheekiness from her childhood still shone through at times.

She reached for the bottle, determined, her fingers brushing his as she did so. His heart beat a little faster as she brought the bottle to her lips and took a gulp. Following the line of her neck with his eyes, he felt a pleasant jolt zing through his gut, joining the warmth that had already begun to build from the alcohol he'd sipped earlier.

Her face screwed up just as his had, an unpleasant shiver making her body twitch. "Blech. I can't believe people drink this stuff all the time. It's gross."

She passed the bottle back to him and he took another swig.

"This was a good idea," she said after they'd passed the bottle back and forth a few times. She let her head fall back against the wall with a soft thud. "These parties are always so ugh. I hate all of those people. They're all so fake or boring or creepy. Mom introduced me to this director, and the way he looked me up and down..." She shuddered. "It gave me the heebie-jeebies."

Anger tried to well up inside of him, but the alcohol dulled the emotion. Still, he frowned. "Has anyone ever…tried anything?"

"No," she was quick to reply. "But I've heard things from some of the older girls I've worked with. Warnings not to be alone with certain people now that I'm 'maturing'."

He sighed, relieved. He hadn't realized until that very moment that that was something Chloe would have to deal with growing up in show business. "You'll be careful?"

She squinted at him, quiet for a moment, before nodding. "Of course. I don't think my mom would let anything like that happen, anyway."

"But you said she introduced you to that creep."

"Yeah, she did. But I told her he made me uncomfortable, and she told me to always tell her if I ever feel that way around anyone else."

He nodded, satisfied for the time being.

They continued to sip the champagne in companionable silence, until Lucifer set the half-empty bottle on the floor and pushed himself up.

"Where are you going?" Chloe asked curiously.

"I thought we could listen to some music?" he suggested as he walked over to the bookshelf to retrieve Chloe's old Walkman.

"Oh!" Her eyes shone with excitement. "That reminds me!" She hopped to her feet, swaying a little before grabbing onto the windowsill for balance. "Whoa!" She laughed at herself as Lucifer grinned at her in amusement. "I got you a Christmas present!"

As she bent to rummage around in a storage box in the corner of the room, Lucifer's eyes darted to the first gift he'd ever received from her, the telescope still safely tucked away in its case next to the bookshelf.

His heart skipped a beat as she righted herself, holding up the small wrapped package with an eager grin in place.

"Open it!" she encouraged, and he swore her eyes shone brighter than any star in the night sky.

She held the present out to him, and his fingers curled around it. He noticed the wrapping paper she'd chosen was The Grinch themed and remembered how she'd invited him over to watch it with her family just last week.

For some reason, he was loath to tear it. Carefully, he slid his finger under the edge of the paper and through the tape that held it all together. His smile grew when he saw what lay inside.

"A mixtape?"

Across the sticker on the front, she'd written:

L + C

Greatest Hits
Christmas '93

And she'd drawn a small heart at the end.

She nodded excitedly, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. "All of our favorite songs are on it, plus some I think you'll like…" She fidgeted with her fingers before shyly meeting his eyes. "And others that make me think of you."

Goosebumps tickled his arms as his stomach flipped. His eyes zeroed in on the heart she'd drawn, unable to push down the rapid swell of hope he felt at her words. Quickly, he shoved it down. He knew it didn't mean what he wished it did. They were friends, best friends by her account, but that was all. And it was more than he sometimes felt he deserved. Chloe was on her way to becoming a famous movie star, just like her mom. She was beautiful, funny, and the cleverest person he knew.

And he was a nobody.

"Don't you like it?" she asked, and he looked up to see that her face had fallen.

"It's perfect," he admitted with a shy smile, wanting more than anything to reassure her, to restore the joy in her eyes. "Thank you, Chloe."

She blushed, and the way she gazed into his eyes was almost too much, so he slid a charming grin into place and teased, "You know what they say it means when a girl makes you a mix?" He wiggled his eyebrows up and down flirtatiously.

"You wish." She snorted and gave his arm a friendly punch.

He winced, and then quickly tried to school his reaction, but the champagne had made him slow. It was too late, Chloe had seen it.

"I'm sorry," she quickly apologized, but confusion was etched into the lines of her face. She hadn't hit him hard at all, and she knew it.

She reached for his arm, quickly shoving his sleeve up to his elbow. Reflexively, he pulled away, but she caught his hand and held it tight, gasping as she saw the bruises that striped across his forearm.

Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked up at him. "Lucifer," she breathed, lifting her other hand to hover over the purplish-blue splotches on his arm.

"Don't," he whispered, shaking his head. His own eyes stung with unshed tears. "Please."

She held his gaze as he silently pleaded with her to leave it alone. He didn't want to talk to her about this—especially not now. A variety of emotions flashed across her face, too fast for him to pick them apart, until at last she blinked back her tears and nodded.

He released a heavy sigh and pulled his hand gently from her grasp, tugging the sleeve of his sweater back down.

"I got you a gift too," he said to change the subject.

She gazed at him with curiosity, but he could see that her heart just wasn't in it. The mood had shifted from light and magical to somber and depressing. His stomach felt heavy with shame and anxiety—he hadn't wanted her to know this about him. And now that she did, the damage was irrevocable. She'd never see him the same way. She'd look at him differently now, with pity in her eyes.

"I'm fine, I promise," he told her, feeling guilty for ruining their merriment and doing his best to get them back to a place of normalcy.

She nodded again. After a moment, she ventured, "I know you don't want to talk about it, Lucifer." Her voice was wet and wobbly. "But I'm here for you if you do."

"I know you are."

"And promise me… You'll tell me if things get worse?"

He considered for a moment and then nodded again. "I promise."

The atmosphere was awkward, unusual for them. Finally, Chloe forced a smile. "You got me a gift?"

He sighed, grateful that she seemed to have decided to let it go for now. He had a feeling that this wouldn't be the last time they'd talk about it, though. The alcohol was affecting them both, and neither was really sure how to handle such a heavy moment while under its influence.

Reaching into the pocket of his slacks, he procured a small wrapped box and held it out to her. "I hope you like it."

Her smile grew into the genuine one he was so familiar with as her gaze darted to the gift. She plucked it from his hand and tore into it with none of the careful reservation he had displayed opening his. As she did, he slipped the unblemished wrapping paper from his own gift into his pocket.

"Wow," she exclaimed, lifting the lid of the jewelry box to reveal the thin silver chain necklace inside. Delicate star-shaped pendants dangled from the center.

"Now you'll have the stars with you wherever you go. Always."

He watched delight and awe wash over her face, her expression open and raw.

"It's beautiful, Lucifer," she breathed, unable to take her eyes off the piece of jewelry.

You're beautiful, he couldn't help thinking.

"You want to give this to me?" She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed, her eyebrows scrunched adorably with an amazed sort of disbelief.

Suddenly, he felt the urge to lean in and press his lips to hers.

It wasn't the first time he'd had that urge, and he knew it wouldn't be the last.

He cleared his throat instead. "Of course I do. You're my best friend. My favorite person, really." He hadn't meant for that to slip out, but the champagne, it seemed, had made him loose-lipped and candid.

She beamed at him, and it was worth the moment of vulnerability. "Will you help me put it on?"

He nodded, swallowing the lump forming in his throat. Pride swelled up within him, pleased that he'd chosen a gift she loved.

He'd done so many favors to save up enough money, had cashed in on a big one from a classmate whose mom owned the jewelry shop he'd purchased it from. Lucifer had dictated his college essays and he'd gotten into his top choice school. In return, his classmate's mom had sold the necklace to him for fifty percent off.

Chloe handed him the necklace and then spun so that her back was to him, pulling her hair to one side. He lifted the necklace over her head, his fingertips brushing the sensitive skin of the nape of her neck as he fumbled clumsily with the tiny clasp. He noticed the goosebumps that dotted her neck in the wake of his touch.

"I love it, Lucifer," she said, turning back to face him once the clasp was fastened. As her fingers came up to play with the dangly stars that lay against the smooth skin of her chest, he noticed that it matched the dress she'd chosen to wear that evening. "Thank you."

He blushed at her thanks, his heart full and heavy with the simple joy of being with her. It suddenly felt like too much, felt like his heart might burst, and so he held up the mixtape. "Shall we listen?"

"Yeah!" Chloe nodded in agreement, moving to sit by the window again. Grabbing the bottle, she took another swig as Lucifer fetched the Walkman from the bookshelf.

He sat beside her, and she passed him the bottle, wiping the back of her hand across her mouth. He chuckled, took another sip, and then passed it back. As he slid the cassette into the device, his eyes caught once more on the heart she'd drawn and he smiled. Cranking the volume all the way, he held the headphones up between them.

He smiled as the opening notes of the anthem to their summer, the Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)", played through the headphone speakers.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Chloe lean in a little closer to the headphones, a little closer to him. He copied her movements until only centimeters separated them.

They listened to the tape all the way through, the songs sparking memories they'd reminisce and giggle about.

"Does your tummy feel all warm and tingly?" Chloe asked, her words slow and deliberate.

Lucifer snorted at the word tummy. "Yeah. It feels…nice."

He felt light and floaty. Empty-headed, but in a good way. He knew Chloe had seen his bruises, but he didn't care. He didn't care about much of anything. There was no worry or fear or pain. His mind was calm. He felt content. It was freeing in a way.

"Mmm," she agreed, rolling her head to the side to look at him through drooping lids. "You always make everything so fun," she confessed, a tipsy smile in place. His heart raced at the way she looked at him, an unmistakable affection in her gaze.

"We should get back," he whispered, "before someone notices we're gone."

"Yeah," she agreed, frowning a little as she shifted away from him. "Yeah, we should."

They struggled to stand, stumbling a little and making each other laugh with their clumsiness. Chloe made it to her feet first, extending her hand to Lucifer and pulling him up as well. He followed her down the ladder. The second his feet touched the ground, his dark eyes found hers, icy blue in the moonlight.

"Race ya!" she challenged gleefully and darted toward the house.

He followed behind her, memorizing the way the breeze lifted her hair, whipping it around as she ran, the swish of her dress at her knees, the sound of her exuberant laughter.

He followed her through the yard and up the stairs to the porch, right on her heels. She reached the door seconds before him, and they paused to catch their breaths, leaning on the brick wall for support.

Her cheeks were pink from running, her plump lips parted as she breathed. He couldn't take his eyes off her—she was mesmerizing. She chuckled, a soft little rumble of a laugh, and he felt the sound zing through his belly.

Her eyes sparkled like glitter as she glanced up. Following her gaze, his eyes landed on the sprig of mistletoe that hung above them.

His stomach leapt, his heart pounding fast and hard against his ribs, as slowly her eyes met his, and then dropped lower to his lips.

He looked at hers, too. They looked impossibly soft, and he wondered what they'd feel like against his own.

Unconsciously, he leaned in at the same time she did, his head tilting down just as hers tipped upward. As her warm breath tickled his face, he swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously.

The door opened suddenly, and they jumped apart, twin guilty stares turning to see Penelope peering out at them.

"There you two are," she said, opening the screen door. As her eyes fell to the empty bottle that dangled from Lucifer's fingers, her hands came up to rest on her hips.

"Busted," Chloe mouthed, grimacing as she shot him a sneaky look.


Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Would love to hear from you! :)