"1 Steps Forward, 3 Steps Back" - Olivia Rodrigo

It's been some time... Sorry about that. Small chapter, but better than nothing!

** I ADDED MORE CONTENT TO THIS CHAPTER! SOMETHING ABOUT IT DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT SO I ADDED STUFF. **

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The car ride to Chloe's apartment took longer than they had expected. What should have been no more than a thirty minute drive, easily turned into an hour-long commute. Trixie had eventually turned off Michael's song choices and opted for her own. She had deemed them "too old" for her taste, so instead, switched genres and filled the car with Olivia Rodrigo.

Unable to hold a grudge on the child, Michael let it slide. He knew his music taste was rather out-dated. One of Ella's greatest feats was trying to get him into the new age of music. With grunts kicking and screaming, Michael was slowly moving into the years of music.

As Trixie's music filled Chloe's car, Michael leaned back into the seat and looked out the window, drowning out the teenager's pop music.

As the time passed, Michael spent the better half of the car ride in his thoughts thinking about Zadkiel's words. He knew he had been dodging his duties back home. He knew that his actions had gotten out of control. Sure he blamed it on the persona that he was trying to uphold in being the Devil, but deep down… Well… Deep down he knew his time in Hell was slowly clawing its way up to the surface.

It was yet another problem on his very heavy plate he had to deal with. The list was growing at an alarming rate and Michael wasn't sure where to start.

His day had taken a rather unexpected turn. It was supposed to be filled with good intentions and happy memories, but instead it seemed like his destiny had other plans for him. Car crashes, lying, and even a big middle finger from his family... His neurotic brain just kept reading off the events that had happened in the past few months he'd been Earthbound.

Maybe it was time to take a step back and evaluate things.

The social worker he had met with earlier in the day had informed him that he needed to change his environment. Being a club owner living amongst the building wasn't going to help him when obtaining custody of his kids. And although he wasn't obtaining his kids through the courts, he knew the man was right. He couldn't live in his brother's penthouse with his kids. Lucifer was coming back soon and the place would be too small for the four of them. Five if Chloe stayed from time to time.

No, Michael thought. He would need to think of apartments like Dan had suggested.

Another item on his plate.

He never gave it much thought as to what he would do when he found his kids. He knew he couldn't go back home. It wouldn't look good for him to walk through the front gates with two teenagers. He wasn't even sure how everyone would accept them. Sure everyone accepted Charlie, but that was for Amenadiel's sake. He was Michael. He was in no way near the respect level of his brother. He shared the face of the Devil. What would they continue to say about him if they found out he sired children before Lucifer.

Michael let out a sigh. He shook his head once more and tried to kill the thoughts that swarmed his head. He was spiraling when it wasn't the right time. He took a deep breath and got back on track.

Apartments. Leaving the Silver City. Getting help. Finding his kids. Making things up with Lucifer and Chloe. Seeking therapy. Oh and he couldn't forget about getting Ella to believe him about his celestial status.

His list was ever growing.

Michael swept a hand over his face. He pinched the brim of his nose and pulled his head away from the widow. He was sick of looking at the passing cars speed down the freeway. Instead, he relaxed his neck and focused on his hands that rested on his lap.

Right now, at this moment you are going to do better, he told himself. No more half assed ideas. It's time to make a change. Starting with meeting with Linda.

Linda was obviously the person to go to for help. Not just because of her knowledge of celestials, but because he knew how much help she had been for Lucifer. He figured he'd start there. Not only for his sake, but for everyone around him. He knew how much he had scared everyone with the event that played out today. Michael nodded his head. He'd do better for them.

Michael looked over towards the front of the car. Both mother and daughter were singing their hearts out to one another. The sight instantly brought a smile to his face. His heart was swelling inside his chest. He watched as the other would switch off lyrics, neither on key to the singer. It was enchanting.

Chloe was so carefree. It was something he rarely saw. His smile continued to grow as he watched the Detective mask she wore so tightly slowly peel away and show the goofy mother buried deep inside.

"Strawberry ice cream in Malibu," Trixie sang out. She turned to her mother and gave her the cue to continue.

"Don't act like we didn't do that shit too." Chloe pointed to Trixie.

"You're trading jackets like we used to do."

"Yeah, everything is all reused!" They called out loud into the car. The two continued to switch every other lyric off until the song ended.

Michael sat in wonder in the backseat. The scene in front of him had him wanting the same thing. That carefree love that came with being a parent. He dearly wanted to experience something like that with his own offspring. He longed to know of a connection so great like Chloe and Trixie. He too wanted that with his own daughter.

Someday, he told himself.

Michael let out a sigh as the far off thought played in his head. He pulled his eyes off the pair and directed his attention back onto the traffic on the freeway. They still had some distance to go.

From the front of the car, Chloe pulled her eyes onto the rearview mirror. Michael's heavy sigh had caught her attention. Although he was quiet in the back, she had been paying attention to him the whole car ride. She could tell something was off about him. His trip to Heaven had done something to him. She kept playing his words around in her head. She remembered Michael saying something about exhausting his resources.

Just how much have you been doing behind my back? What aren't you telling me, Michael?

Chloe shook her head and placed her eyes back on the road. She figured she'd have a talk with Amenadiel about Michael's situation. Amenadiel was the better option, she knew Lucifer would be more… Well aggressive. Michael needed counsel not a scolding. Something she knew Lucifer would be incapable of doing by the trip to the precinct across town. Chloe's thoughts were interrupted when Trixie spoke up. Something about driver licenses in the current song playing sparked the girl's memory about an accident from earlier.

"Is this the car accident the Lieutenant was talking about?" She asked. Trixie pulled her phone up to her mother's face to show her a photo from an article she was reading.

"I…" Chloe looked between the phone and the road. When the car in front of her came to a stop, she focused her attention on the car wreckage on the screen "Uh… Yeah baby, it is…" She made a face as her daughter swiped through the photos. She still couldn't believe Liam and Michael managed to walk out with minimal damage. The driver on the other hand… She hoped he pulled through.

Trixie unclipped her seatbelt so she could look at Michael. "This is a really bad accident, Michael. How did you not get hurt?" She asked.

Michael kept his gaze outside, he was too ashamed to look the child in the eyes. "Luck, I suppose."

"Baby, put your seatbelt back on," Chloe called out.

"Listen to your mother, child, the seatbelt was the only thing that kept me safe," Michael replied.

"I…" Trixie let out a sigh. She turned back around and did as the adults asked of her. As the seatbelt clicked into place, she looked over to the side mirror and looked at Michael. "You okay, Michael?"

"Hmm?"

"I asked if you were okay," Trixie repeated.

"Oh… Yeah, I'm fine child. Just… I just have stuff on my mind."

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Chloe's Apartment

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Ella sat on the smaller couch in Chloe's living room, watching Lucifer pace up and down in front of her. She had been watching him for the past five minutes now just burning a line into Chloe's living room rug. She could see he was anxious. She didn't need to ask why. She knew it was because of his impending return from his other job. Ella could tell by the look on his face this morning the man was afraid of commitment.

At least… That was what she conjured up. She knew nothing about Lucifer's big conversation he had to have with Chloe about her miracle status. Once again, Ella was oblivious to the celestial drama that circled around her.

Fed up with watching him pace back and forth, Ella pulled a pillow from the side of her and chucked it over to Lucifer. The cushion whacked him over the head, halting his movement.

"What in the… Why did you just hit me with a couch cushion?"

"Oh, I don't know… Maybe it's because you're practically ruining Chloe's rug with your pacing. Relax."

"I am relaxed," he said, feathering out the lapels of his jacket.

"Ha! Could have fooled me."

"I…" He let out a huff, "fine.. I'm a little anxious."

"A little?" She raised her eyebrow.

"Alright. I'm practically bouncing off the walls." He moved over to the couch and had himself a seat besides Ella. The force of his butt crashing on the cushion caused her to move involuntarily with the motion.

"What's going on?" She asked to get him talking. Before he could deny there being something wrong, Ella raised her index finger up to warn him to not blemish the truth. Lucifer went ahead and let out a sigh in defeat.

"I have something important to tell the Detective…" Ella's face broke into a smile already putting two and two together. "It's not what you think."

"You're going to finally ask her to be your girlfriend. I get it. You're nervous."

"Well yes, but -"

"I wouldn't worry! Chloe is totes heads over heels for you."

"I'm not sure you understand…" He stopped mid-sentence, finally registering the words Ella had just uttered. He smiled at the knowledge. "You think so?"

His thoughts stopped thinking about the discussion about her being a miracle and directed its attention to Chloe potentially being his girlfriend. He had completely forgotten about the aspect of her being his girlfriend. He just thought after they had sex, that they were now a couple. He nodded his head making a mental note to ask Chloe should things go smoothly with his conversation with her. For the meantime… A smile spread across his face.

"Oh! I know so. You've been ogling over her since I first came to L.A. Don't think I haven't noticed." She slapped the back of her hand across his chest. "Dude, you need to lock things in with her. No more ,will you, won't you. Go for it. I know how much you want to be with her. Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid…" Ella shot him a look, "alright, I'm afraid… but for good reason."

"What reason?"

That stumped him. He had not expected Ella to be so forward with him. She had always managed to pull information out of him in the past, but right here, right now… He had not expected her to hit him with a retaliation question. Ella raised her eyebrow, waiting for his reply. Lucifer went ahead and cleared his throat trying to bide himself some time. When that didn't work, he shifted in his seat.

"Come on. What could you possibly be so afraid of?"

"I'll have you know, I haven't exactly had the best track record with the Detective."

"Psssh!" Ella waved her hand, dismissing Lucifer's bogus excuse. "Please, we both know you were immature before you were with Eve. You've totally grown up since then. Next."

"I…" He looked over Ella completely flabbergasted by her commitment to get information out of him. Lucifer let out a chuckle as the small Latina pressed him. "Have mercy on my brother, Miss Lopez. Are you this forward with him?"

"Nuh-uh don't change the subject. This is about you being scared to finally ask Chloe out. Come on, talk to me. I bet I can help pull those cobwebs off. Out with it."

"Bossy bossy."

"Luce..."

"Fine," he said out of another defeated sigh. His eyes fell onto his lap where his hands rested. His facial features softened as he tried to think of the right words.

"What reason, Lucifer?" Ella asked nicely.

"I… The Detective…" He let out another sigh. This conversation was proving to be harder than he thought. He thought back to his conversation he had with Lilith in Hell, but shook his head. He couldn't possibly talk to Ella about such a thing. She wasn't in the loop. He was sure his brother had failed to fill her in on his celestial status. Instead of talking about Chloe's miracle status, Lucifer decided to go a different route. A more recent realization he was now dealing with.

"What if I'm not worthy of her?" The question spilled out of his lips. "What if she notices I'm not worth being around. That I'm not boyfriend material. That I'm -"

"Woah woah woah," Ella stopped Lucifer from rambling on any further. "Where is this all coming from?"

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean…"

"You're going on about not being worthy of being boyfriend material. I admit I didn't think you could hold an actual relationship -"

"Thanks…"

"Hold on, let me finish," she stressed. "What I was saying is that I never saw you holding a relationship outside of Chloe. You proved me wrong when you started dating Eve. And you dated her for a couple of months."

"A couple of months indeed, Miss Lopez," Lucifer chimed in. He was rather proud of himself at how long he lasted in a relationship with Eve. Although the relationship wasn't necessarily monogamous, he was proud that he limited himself to Eve a majority of his time.

"See! That's something," she pointed out. "You can be boyfriend material. I know you'll be better with Chloe. The two of you are endgame."

"Endgame?"

"Yeah!" Ella pulled back on her excitement. The last thing she wanted was scaring Lucifer off. She knew how easily he was spooked. She cleared her throat and took her excitement down a peg. "I uh… I just know you didn't actually hold feelings for Eve the same you do for Decker. I'm not saying you were trying to get back at Chloe for her whole thing with Pierce, but I could tell Eve didn't mean as much to you as Chloe does. You look at Chloe like she's your reason for breathing... You both look at each other that way. So no… Don't think for one second that you're not worthy of her."

She reached out her hand and squeezed his that rested on his lap. Something about his smooth hands surprised her. Where Lucifer's were soft, Michael's were rough. Lucifer looked up and smiled at her.

"Whatever is going on in that crazy head of yours needs to be drowned out. She's going to look past whatever you have to say and just listen for the three little words."

"What words?" He asked worried.

"Be my girlfriend, silly!" She let go of his hand. "Ugh, I can't believe it's easier for Michael to ask me, than for you to ask Chloe. Who you've known for years!"

Lucifer blew raspberries out of his lips. "I'm sure my brother asked you after the first date. He's always been rather impulsive."

"Rude!" She pushed him, "and I'll have you know it was after like three dates." Three fingers shoved into his face.

"Three dates?" He asked surprised.

"Yeah, three dates! Well… Probably more because, you know… We had a lot of small lunch dates between our bigger ones, but that's besides the point."

"The point being?"

"You're head over heels for Decker, dude! And you're being a butthead thinking she doesn't share the same feelings for you."

"Hmm…" Lucifer corrected his seating so he could face Ella better. She had a point. Even if she didn't have all the facts, Lucifer knew she was right. He stared at her as he thought of her being with his brother. He wondered if she was this forward with him. She always just kinda beat around the bush when talking to him, why had she just found this surge of confidence to speak to him as he was a small child hiding something from her.

"What do you mean by, hmm?" She asked to draw him out of his thoughts.

"Oh, nothing. Really."

"Mhmm… Out with it," she demanded. She knew the conversation about him and Chloe was over. Ella went ahead and pulled her legs up onto the couch, securing them on the side of her, under her butt. She turned in her seat so she could face Lucifer fully. Lucifer couldn't seem to smooth out the smile that pulled on each corner of his lips. He definitely knew she was this forward with Michael. It made him giddy.

"Are you like this with my brother?" He asked.

"Like what?"

"Bossy," he chuckled.

"Nope," she popped the p. "Unlike you, Michael doesn't parade around his words."

"Oh," he laughed, "I find that very hard to believe. My brother is as stubborn as a bull."

"He's pretty open with me," she replied.

"Is that true?" He corrected his seating once more, "because you do know that phrase was invented by me to describe him. Stubborn as a bull," he repeated with a huff.

Ella rolled her eyes to Lucifer's ludicrous words. She leaned back into the cushion and got comfortable. "Try me. I'll have you know I probably know him better than you."

"Oh, ho! Alright, Miss Lopez," he gave her a smirk. He was one hundred percent sure she was going to lose, but he was willing to play along. He pushed himself back into the cushions, mimicking her posture. "Alright... " He gave his first question some thought. "What is my brother's favorite color?"

"Green," she answered quickly. Lucifer hit her with another question.

"Favorite alcoholic drink."

"Vodka, but he prefers sour whiskey. Come on, is that the best you got?"

"I…" Lucifer let out a huff. He pulled the lapels of his jacket granting his body cool air. "Alright… most embarrassing moment as a child."

The questions were never ending. No matter how hard Lucifer tried to stump his short feisty friend, Ella had managed to answer in all the right ways. He grew frustrated as he realized how open the two were in their relationship. Not even he had managed to tell Chloe this much about his life. As the stakes got high, their voices grew louder. To say they went passionate about stumping the other was an understatement.

By the time Chloe and company made their way to the front door of the apartment, everyone could hear the two shouting at one another. Trixie looked up at her mom with confusion.

"Is Maze hanging out with us tonight?" She asked.

Chloe took a second to calm herself as she could hear Lucifer's faint voice shouting at Ella over some technicality. She looked down at her daughter and plastered a smile on her face.

"I'm afraid Maze is out doing some work for Michael, baby. But!" She looked over to Michael who had his ear to the door with a smile on his face. "I do have a surprise for you."

"Is this the surprise Michael was hinting at?" Trixie rubbed her hands together excited for her surprise.

"It is."

Chloe went ahead and pulled out her keys making sure to jingle them around to notify the two inside her apartment that she was home. She stuck the keys inside the hole and made their presence known. As the door opened, Ella and Lucifer ceased their argument and shouted their arrival.

"Surprise!" The two announced.

Trixie immediately dropped her bag by the front door and ran over to Lucifer. The child came barreling towards Lucifer with tears in her eyes. His arms were open with excitement as the teenager launched herself into his open arms. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she held him close. Lucifer instantly engulfed her with a hug, swinging her side to side.

"I can't believe you're here!" She muffled into his neck. "When did you get back?"

"Last night... But before you get mad, I want you to know I wanted to come see you and your mother, but it was too late. I went ahead and surprised your mother at the precinct this morning. She had suggested I do the same for you."

He pulled his head away and smiled down at Trixie. He couldn't believe how much she had grown in the months he had been gone. She wasn't the awkward pre-teen he had remembered. She was slowly turning into a teenager. Her baby face was gone. Her height had kicked in. Lucifer gently sat her down back on her feet taking her in from head to toe.

"It was a good surprise," she chuckled. Her eyes pulled off of Lucifer for the first time and turned to Ella. "I didn't even see you, Ella. My bad," Trixie walked over to her friend and gave her a hug.

"Oh," she swayed them side to side, gently patting the teenagers back. A chuckle rolled out of her lips. "That's alright. I was totally surprised as well when I saw the big guy. You're good."

The two pulled apart and addressed the other adults in the room. Ella's eyes fell onto Michael as he tried to conceal a smile. Chloe walked over to Lucifer and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Did you get everything," she asked.

"I did, Darling. Everything is in the kitchen."

"Got what?" Trixie asked.

"The food of course," Lucifer answered. Everyone watched as Trixie beelined for the pizza sitting on the island. They let out a chuckle as she cheered with appreciation. "Help yourself, child. I got plenty for all of us."

"Thank you, Lucifer!"

Chloe slipped her hand around Lucifer's waist, hugging him from the side.

"Thank you," Chloe whispered.

"You're very welcome, Detective." He angled his head down, puckering his lips so Chloe could grant him a kiss. Chloe took his hint and reached up to place a kiss on his lips. "Mmm."

"Disgusting," Michael mumbled with a smile on his face. Both Chloe and Lucifer ignored him, breaking apart to join Trixie in the kitchen. Michael slowly made his way over to Ella as the coast was clear. His arms wrapped around Ella from behind, pulling her close to his body. His head angled down to rest it on her shoulder. "Missed me?"

"As a matter of fact, I did." Her hand snaked up to rest on his cheek. "Where did you go?"

"I had to run an errand for Chloe… Wound up getting into a heated discussion with my brother."

"Lucifer?"

"Huh?" He pulled away. "No, no," he shook his head. "Another brother. I have quite a bit of siblings," he chuckled.

"Big family," she nodded her head, "I totally understand that."

"There's big families… and then there's mine."

"How many are we talking about?" Ella asked out of curiosity.

"Oh," Michael blew raspberries, "I'd say about -"

"You two going to join us for dinner?" Chloe asked, cutting Michael off from answering.

"Uh… Yeah!" Michael looked down at Ella and nudged her over to the kitchen. "Pick this conversation up later?"

"Sure," she chuckled. She slipped her fingers between Michael's and pulled him over into the kitchen with the rest.