The Devil as a Father Chapter 16
The night with the goblins left Harry feeling stronger and more in control of his magic. But he was more pleased that his family stayed with him while he had the goblin's procedures. He felt his father's care and interest in every step taken and his mother's protective love. They arranged to sleep in the same room, so Harry never felt alone for the somewhat painful procedure on his bones.
His Mother held one hand and rubbed him while his Father held the other and also touched him lovingly. So Harry was happy. Having more magic was nice, having bones that didn't ache at all was brilliant, but his family loving him so much was the best.
Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry
The following week Trixie noted she started being able to see strange auras on people. She decided not to worry about the ability, but she did watch people with angry red or black auras, and got on the clue bus as Maze would say and immediately decided to tell her parents and Harry that night at dinner.
Dinners were becoming large affairs. Frequently they had angels as guests, and today Uncle Amenadiel was eating while Uncle Dan was there discussing Christmas plans. Trixie finally made a coughing noise and everyone looked at her. "Dad, Dad, Mom, I noticed at school today I can see auras on people."
Daddy Lucifer choked and spat wine across the table and nailed Uncle Amenadiel right in the face. Dad started to cough on his food, and Harry jumped up to pound his back. Trixie looked at the shocked expression on Daddy Lucifer's face and Amenadiel's and started to giggle. She couldn't help it. "I'm sorry, but you both look so funny," she explained.
Finally Uncle Amenadiel cleaned himself off while Lucifer apologized, "Honestly, brother, I wasn't aiming at you. I was just surprised."
"So was I," said Amenadiel sarcastically, and then he started to laugh, and Mom started to laugh and Daddy Lucifer started to smile.
Her Dad started laughing too, but when he wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes, he had a question, "Does this mean she has to go to magical school?"
Lucifer frowned, "I think we will give it time, as it doesn't seem to cause her any physical symptoms or distress and then we will arrange for magical testing." He turned and looked at Trixie with concern, "You don't feel sick when you see auras, do you Darling?"
"No, but I felt cautious about a few people's auras that seemed angry or hateful."
"That merely shows wisdom, my love," said Dan and smiled at Trixie and Lucifer.
Aralia popped up and broadcast to the family, "I can smell more magic in Trixie now, but it's not like Master Harry's magic. It's different."
Goldie bugled in agreement. She seemed to feel it was a good thing.
Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry
Trixie sat in class the next day and Mr. Houston came in to get some things from his desk. He was short with the substitute teacher and his aura was both red and black. Goldie growled in her pocket.
Trixie studiously wrote a note to Harry and sent it to her brother via Goldie express. In emergencies she could mentally talk to him but always told him beforehand. She didn't want to read any boy's mind, even her darling brother's, so note were better.
"Mr. Houston's aura is like dark black clouds with red streaks. He's only visiting to get things from his desk, but I think he hasn't learned his lesson," she wrote.
The message she got back was, "Dad informed. He's arranging to transfer him to a military school if he wants."
Dad had the best ideas.
Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry
The family planned for Christmas. Lucifer almost brought his wife lingerie, but decided to do things she really liked for Christmas. Chloe and Lucifer shopped for the kids but didn't go overboard as the kids had received their new pets and didn't really want a lot. Also, they would probably see stuff they wanted at Disneyland after Christmas. They also got Goldie and Aralia presents, several luxurious dog beds for Aralia, and perches and special oils for Goldie whose skin tended to peel if not properly cared for. Trixie and Harry got dog Christmas sweaters and the like for Aradia. Lucifer told her ahead of time and begged the little hell-hound not to be offended.
The family had play nights planned and all played board games, baked Christmas cookies, painted faces as well as decorating a family Christmas tree. This activity included Dan, KynKyn, Amenadiel, Ms. Linda, Mrs. Edwards, Mooney, Sirius, Ella and of course Maze as part of the family. Some of the decorations were sort of odd, because Maze liked knives a lot, but they had lots of fun.
Mrs. Edwards was kidnapped by them on a regular basis, and forced to be waited on and listened to – not just about future or truth that needed to be told but what the older woman had to say. She told wonderful stories and baked delicious things that made your mouth water and your nose rejoice. Aradia and Goldie often sat on her lap and purred or rumbled in pleasure.
The older woman was settling into her new role as official grandmother with distinction. Even Maze respected her and talked to her about things.
Harry and Lucifer decided on having another extended meal for those who wanted to attend. All of the Lux employees and the families from the police thought doing another feast was a great idea but also wanted to bring things, so a sign-up sheet was posted at both the Lux and the Precinct. A cookie exchange was also set up, and supervised by Maze and Mrs. Edwards. Trixie and Dan made tamales together as gifts. KynKyn was concerned about Christmas and discussed it with Dan and Mrs. Edwards. Dan told her that she should make relaxing recordings of the wonderful sounds she was in charge of. Lucifer got her the recording equipment she needed and she made various types of soothing recordings as gifts for her new family and friends.
Lucifer visited hell again and made knives and a short sword out of some of his feathers in his old foundry, while spending some administrative time with the demons which resulted in several demons losing their lives and some demons being promoted to new positions. He announced he had a queen now and that if anyone came topside to visit without permission, they would die, no questions asked. Someone objected and died, and by golly there were no more questions asked. Lucifer noticed he didn't feel so much like a monster as he had in the past, and realized it was because he was protecting family now, and even the earth. How strange. He also gave demons instructions on looking for damned souls who might be swimming in guilt because they were victims instead of abusers. New projects were rare in hell, so this went over well. He arranged to have video's of lectures on human psychology available for learning more about guilt and evil. He used magic to power the video presentations.
He returned home and hid his presents for Maze, KynKyn, Amenadiel and Chloe. He felt a strange joy to think he actually no longer hated Amenadiel but was starting to enjoy his company. And KynKyn was so sweet. She tended to her duties, but came to visit daily and Lucifer finally gave her an apartment, which meant the family brought her decorations and he bought her furniture as gifts.
Chloe was trying to think of what Lucifer would really like for Christmas, since he disliked religious holidays, and realized what would make him really happy. So she announced to him he got to buy her lingerie, and made an appointment at Victoria's secret for a special viewing of trying on lingerie just for him.
Harry got together with Mum and Trixie and made Lucifer a huge and fabulous photo scrap book with all sorts of good memories and photos. Chloe was certain he would love that, and decorated one page with pictures of her in fancy clothing he had purchased for her since their wedding.
They had pictures of the Day that Lucifer adopted Harry in the Judge's chambers, and Trixie had pictures of Harry with friends in the playground at school and at the beach with the family. They made 5 pages of pictures from the wedding and even more for Thanksgiving. They had several pictures from the precinct and when people found out it was a Christmas present, they gave Harry pictures too.
They had pictures of Grandmother Decker's old place with Trixie and Chloe. They made copies from Harry's album and had baby pictures of Chloe, Harry, and Trixie.
Harry even made several pages for Halloween that looked wonderful. He knew his Dad would like this because it represented family. He certainly treasured the album from his parents.
On the first page they had photos of everyone with a big one of Dad in the middle and lines from each person to Lucifer. They put fake wings with the pictures of Amenadiel and KynKyn. They had a police badge next to Chloe and Dan, a picture of a rocking chair by Mrs. Edwards, knives by Maze, glasses by Ms. Linda, a CSI kit by Ella, a wand by Harry, a unicorn and a small photo of Mars by Trixie's picture and a wedding ring next to Chloe's picture as well. A picture of a wolf howling at the moon was next to Mooney's picture and Sirius' picture had a photo of him as Padfoot. Goldie's picture and Aradia's were at the very bottom and both beasts were very interested in the scrap book after that. They kept sending thoughts to Trixie and Harry with suggestions for new items. Aradia made paw prints from both of them and they made pages with photos of both beasts in various forms and poses. Aradia transformed into full hell-hound and had Harry sit on her back for one photo. It took some work but Goldie managed to breath fire and they got it photographed nicely. Then they tried to have her make popcorn and got some really funny photos of Harry cleaning up the mess.
Harry wrote a note to his dad on a page with pictures of him.
"Dear Dad, you are the best dad in the world. I never felt safe or happy until you came and held me in your arms. I love you and I will love you always. Thank you for all you have done for me, but especially thank you for your love."
Christmas morning was just the family that knew Lucifer was Lucifer. Mooney and Sirius were there, and still shy but terribly happy now. Sirius got Harry a flying broom and Mooney gave him wizarding culture books which were interesting.
Dad gave both men protective rings, and clothing that they really liked.
Maze had left the room rapidly when Lucifer gave her the short sword. "Is she angry?" asked Lucifer, upset.
"She likes it so much she's crying, you darling dork," explained Chloe.
"Well, I would never cry over a present," said Lucifer, puzzled but glad Maze liked the present.
Amenadiel and KynKyn were pleased with the knives he made for them. Chloe was delighted but very solemn with the knife. Maze had crept back in the room and she asked if she could have lessons on proper knife fighting. Maze was very happy.
Mom had gotten Dad some hard to find liquors that pleased him greatly, although he whispered he liked the other gift more. Mom blushed.
Aradia actually liked being in a reindeer costume and danced around the room with her jinglebell antlers and kissed everyone. Goldie flew from shoulder to shoulder and accepting pets and general worship for her beauty.
Mrs. Edwards had knit fingerless gloves for when the weather was cold. They were great for driving, and looked spiffy. Lucifer commented they would be good when the weather was very hot so you wouldn't burn your hands on the steering wheel too.
Amenadiel surprised everyone with pencil sketches of everyone. He gave Chloe one of Lucifer and one of Trixie and Harry. Then he gave Lucifer one of Chloe, Trixie and Harry. Lucifer was really excited. "I didn't know that you could sketch, brother, I would have gotten you some supplies."
Amenadiel seemed pleased, "And I didn't know you could forge knives, Brother, I am very pleased with your gift."
Trixie and Harry got their Mom and Dan bullet proof vests that were far better than what the department was able to afford. Harry had also put magic on both of them to cause an invisible shield if they were shot at, which would hold the bullet as evidence, and send an emergency notification to the police. Dan told him if he could figure out how to do it without magic he'd make a million.
"How about if I sold it with a secret patent?"
Dan smiled, "That might work; we would have to talk to your goblin friends. They have good ideas on interacting with the non-magical world."
Lucifer and Chloe also got Dan some really nice jackets that he was pleased about.
Lucifer and Chloe had set up an apartment for Mrs. Edwards by the elevator and made sure the apartment had emergency buttons if she felt ill or fell down. "We don't want you to leave your lovely home, we just want to have you feel free to take a nap or stay overnight when you visit us. Also, Maze wants belly dance lessons."
Mrs. Edwards laughed. They toured the apartment and the children had filled it with flowers and pretty things they knew she liked. Mrs. Edwards had been a little worried, but felt completely welcome and at home. It was just the type of place she liked and it had a lovely view, as well as an intercom she could call the bartenders on and the kitchens, although they didn't have anyone working full time there yet.
Then they returned to the penthouse and the Christmas group. KynKyn was proudly serving hot chocolate with whipped cream and muffins to everyone.
"Your children have a present they made for you," announced Chloe, who was possibly more excited about Lucifer's gift than Harry and Trixie.
Lucifer smiled at his darlings. He had received lovely thoughtful things, so he couldn't think of anything that the children could have made for him, but he was willing to accept macaroni picture frames if they had made them for him.
He received the huge box with a smile, and opened it. "A book," he said, softly. Then he opened the heavy leather cover and found the picture of himself surrounded by his new family. Suddenly he knew why Maze cried. He turned page after page and found a masterpiece of love from so many people. His eyes burned, and he manfully tried to keep the tears back until he found Harry's page with the love note to his father. Then he grabbed Harry and kissed the top of his head passionately, and then began to hug everyone, even Dan and Amenadiel. "This is definitely the most wonderful Christmas present I have ever received," he said and choked.
Trixie was watching her Dad. He had a purple aura which she knew represented love and peace, but now Dad's aura turned into wonderful sparkling gold that got bigger and bigger. She didn't know what it meant, but knew it meant something wonderful. She would discuss it with Mom later.
The glow was bright but didn't hurt her eyes. Then the glow seemed to touch the room and lit up people. Mommy, herself, and Harry were touched along with Dr. Linda, Miss Ella and her Daddy Dan.
Then they adjourned for a big Christmas breakfast, but first Lucifer took his present and put it in his master display case under lock and key. "This is a treasure to be protected," he explained.
They feasted with friends, and this time everyone made a lot of food and they didn't have as much work as they had at Thanksgiving. Harry insisted on doing dishes.
They got together and sang silly Christmas songs around Lucifer's piano. Then everyone went home or to their apartment at the Lux.
Lucifer stood on the penthouse balcony and stared up at the stars he had made. "I will store this in my heart forever," he thought, "One day I know that they will be gone, and my heart will break. Then I will return to hell and change hell as well. The gift of love they gave me will change everything. I cannot keep them forever but I will enjoy them and love them to the fullest while I have them."
Then he flew from the balcony uncounted light years away, and a new star appeared in the skies that puzzled and engaged scientists for years because it shone with dozens of glorious colors that could be seen by the naked eye if you squinted at it. It was considered by many a Christmas miracle, but no one knew that it was Lucifer's promise to hold his family in his heart forever.