Chloe and Lucifer stood in the nursery of the hospital looking down at Linda's baby. "He seems very small. I don't think I've ever seen a spawn this size before," Lucifer said.
Chloe did her best to smile at her partner, but it was hard under the circumstances. "He's actually just the right size for a newborn. He looks perfect."
Lucifer looked down at the boy. "He should be in his mother's arms right now."
"I know, but he'll be okay," Chloe said before reaching down and lifting the newborn into her arms. "Hi, Charlie. I'm Chloe. This is your Uncle Lucifer."
Lucifer watched as Chloe took a step towards him and held the baby towards him. He immediately jumped back. "What? I can't!"
"Yes, you can. It's okay," Chloe promised. She wasn't surprised that he was nervous. Lucifer wasn't around many children, and he'd likely never held a baby. It made sense that he'd be hesitant.
"No, he's too small. I…"
"It's alright. I'll help you. You won't hurt him," Chloe assured him before holding him out again.
Lucifer tentatively held his arms out.
Chloe put Charlie into Lucifer's arms and maneuvered his arms so that he was supporting his head. The baby fussed a bit at being moved around, but soon settled in his uncle's arms.
Lucifer felt kind of uncomfortable as he held the boy. He was afraid he'd end up doing something wrong at any moment. Plus, he didn't feel comfortable around children period. He never liked them. They were too messy and unpredictable for his liking. Oddly enough though, that didn't worry him as he held his nephew. No, he was afraid of harming him.
"You're fine, Lucifer. He's doing just great with you," Chloe said as she touched the back of Charlie's head.
"Not as well as he would with Linda. It shouldn't have happened this way. I didn't even know humans could die this way," Lucifer said.
"It's not very common, but, unfortunately, it does happen. I know you miss her, Lucifer. I miss her too. She was my friend. I know it's worse for you though. She was who you went to anytime you needed help. You confided in her, and she always helped you. I know how much this is hurting you, but you know more than anyone that she's okay now," Chloe said.
"Well, she's in a particularly boring place, but I see your point. But now this child is alone. His mother is gone, and my brother has proved his uselessness," Lucifer said.
"Charlie is not alone. He may have lost his mother, but he has us. He has you, Lucifer," Chloe said.
It took a moment, but Lucifer realized the implication of what she was saying and dread filled his body. "Detective, are you suggesting I care for this child?"
"If that's what you want. I think Linda would be happy with that outcome," Chloe said. She was also certain that it would happen. She could tell Lucifer was panicking a little at the thought, but she knew him enough to know that there was no way he was going to allow strangers to take Charlie.
"I can't! I know nothing about spawns!" Lucifer exclaimed as quietly as possible. The idea of being responsible for an offspring was more terrifying than any hell lope he could imagine. At the same time though, how could he not agree to do it? He couldn't abandon the boy like his brother had. The child had no one else.
Just then, Charlie began to cry.
"Bloody Hell! What did I do?" Lucifer asked in a panic.
"It's alright. Babies cry. It's their way of telling us they need something," Chloe said.
"Well, what does he need?" Lucifer asked.
Just then, a nurse came over with a bottle. "It looks like I'm right on time. He's ready to eat."
"Oh, of course," Lucifer said as he went to give her the baby.
"No, it's okay. You can do it," the nurse said.
"No, it's better for you to. I have no idea how to do that," Lucifer said.
"That's alright. I'll show you. That's part of what we do for new parents or guardians. Why don't you have a seat over there?" the nurse asked as she pointed to a rocking chair a few feet away.
Reluctantly, Lucifer did as she suggested.
Meanwhile, Chloe looked out the window and saw that the others had gathered outside. She immediately went outside to greet them since Lucifer had the nurse to help him at the moment.
"How's the baby?" Ella asked.
"He's doing good. Lucifer's feeding him," Chloe said.
"Why? Don't the doctors and nurses do that?" Eve asked.
"Well, Lucifer has to learn to take care of him. It'll eventually just be him and Charlie," Ella said.
"Come on, Lucifer's not taking that baby," Dan said as though the idea were ridiculous.
"Of course not," Eve said with a laugh. Lucifer was like her. He loved to have fun and party all the time. He didn't want to take care of a baby.
"Lucifer is Charlie's only family, at least as far as we know. Of course, he's going to take him. He is, isn't he, Chloe?" Ella asked.
"Look, right now, Lucifer is still trying to deal with Linda's death, but he has realized that he is the only family Charlie has. He hasn't said what he plans to do, but there's very little doubt in my mind that he will take Charlie," Chloe said. Given how angry Lucifer was at Amenadiel for abandoning Linda and the baby, and how she knew he felt about people who abandoned kids, she didn't see him deciding anything else. As terrified as he was, he would be there for his nephew.
"No, Lucifer doesn't want kids," Eve said.
Chloe sighed. "A lot of people feel that way at first Eve, but they change their minds, especially when they are surprised with a child. There's no doubt in my mind that Lucifer cares about Charlie. He's not going to leave him. I think you need to decide very quickly if that's something you're going to be able to deal with."
"Chloe, do you really think Lucifer's the best person to care for that kid? Someone should try to get ahold of Amenadiel again," Dan said.
Chloe glared at her ex-husband. "Dan, I know he's your friend, but Amenadiel has proven himself to be a deadbeat. He is not coming to take on his responsibilities now. And, yes, under the circumstances, I do think he's the best person to care for Charlie. No matter what you think of him, he will make sure that baby is taken care of.
"Of course. He's gonna need help though. It's going to be hard to take care of Charlie on his own," Ella said.
"I agree. We can all help him. That way he won't be as afraid. We need to wait for Lucifer to vocalize his decision, but after that, I'd like to get all of Linda's baby things into the penthouse, so it's one less thing he has to do," Chloe said. He wanted to take as much off of Lucifer's plate as possible. She would also be making herself available to him to help whenever she could. He wasn't going to know how to care for an infant overnight.
"That's a good idea. I can also pick up some other supplies he might need, like more diapers and formula," Ella said. She was ready to get to work. It would help Lucifer, and it would also help take her mind off of her friend's death for a little bit.
"That would be great Ella. Like I said, we need to wait until Lucifer agrees, but I'm sure he will," Chloe said. She peered inside the nursery and saw Lucifer feeding Charlie a bottle. Yes, she was positive she was right about what he would do.
"Is there anything we can do right now?" Ella asked.
"No, I don't think so. Uh, I'm going to call to check on Trixie quickly. Let Lucifer know if he asks," Chloe said before walking away.
