Lucifer was in the kitchen making a bottle for Charlie, who was fussing, but not yet outright wailing. "Yes, I know. You're impatient. Just a few more moments, my boy.
Once he was finished warming up the bottle, he checked the temperature and went over to Charlie and picked him up.
Charlie immediately quieted as he was fed.
"There we are. I told you it wouldn't be long. Daddy doesn't lie," Lucifer said with a smile. It had been a few weeks since he returned from Hell, and his relationship with Charlie had changed. Well, it didn't exactly changed. It was more that Lucifer was now aware of what the boy meant to him.
Just then, Lucifer heard the elevator. Moments later, he heard footsteps, and the detective came into view. "Hello, Detective. What are you doing here? It's Sunday. I assumed you'd be with your offspring."
"Hey. I'm actually on my way to pick her up from Dan's," Chloe said as she approached father and son. She smiled down at Charlie and placed a hand on his head. "Hi, Charlie."
"What brings you by here then? Not that you're not always welcome."
"Well, I was planning on taking Trixie to the park for a picnic. I thought you and Charlie might like to come. Trixie would love to see both of you, and Charlie can get some fresh air and sunshine," Chloe said.
Lucifer pondered it for a minute. He had done some research that said babies should start getting time outside at this point. "Very well, Detective. We will join you and the urchin. Thank you."
"Great. I'll meet you back here after I get Trixie," Chloe said. She then headed back to the elevator.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
About an hour later, Lucifer was sitting at the park with Chloe on a blanket. Trixie was off playing on the swings and Charlie was asleep in his baby carrier next to Lucifer.
Lucifer looked down at a sleeping Charlie. "Well, apparently he finds this activity boring."
Chloe chuckled. "Enjoy this stage while it lasts. Soon, he'll never want to sleep."
Lucifer snorted. "He still doesn't appear to like sleeping when it's most convenient for me."
"Yeah, kids are never convenient," Chloe said with a smile. "Listen, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about, and I'm not sure how you're going to. Take it."
"You can talk to me about anything, Detective," Lucifer said.
"It's something I've been noticing since Charlie was born."
"Have I done something wrong?" Lucifer asked as he frantically looked at his child.
"No, Lucifer. You've been wonderful, and Charlie is doing great. It's actually about Eve," Chloe said. She debated with herself more than once about whether she should have this conversation with him, or just let him realize things on his own. She didn't want to come off as a jealous ex, but she did feel it was best that Lucifer at least be aware of Eve's disinterest in Charlie, which was why Chloe decided to tell him.
"Alright," Lucifer said.
"Look, I know what I'm about to say might come off as petty or spiteful, but…"
"Don't be ridiculous, Detective. I know you'd never be like that," Lucifer said.
That caused Chloe to cringe guiltily a little. When their roles were reversed, she didn't think so well of him. When he tried to warn her about Pierce, she had been sure it was jealousy that fueled his beliefs. She didn't listen to him. Granted, he was telling her that Pierce was immortal, but she still should've given him the benefit of the doubt. "It's just that I've noticed Eve doesn't seem to have much interest in Charlie. She's never around, and I've gotten the impression she doesn't help with him."
"Well, no, but it's not her job to. Charlie is my responsibility, not Eve's" Lucifer said.
"I don't agree," Chloe said calmly. She could understand why Lucifer saw it that. The parenting thing was new to him. He didn't understand yet that everyone in his life would have a. Impact on his son, especially a girlfriend. "When I get seriously involved with someone, I expect them to also be involved with Trixie. Not only that, I expect them to want to. She's a part of my life, so she'll be a part of theirs. Kids are perceptive. They know when someone doesn't want them around, and that can cause a lot of damage."
"Are you saying that being with Eve will hurt Charlie?" Lucifer asked.
"What I'm saying is that the way she acts around him will affect him. Lucifer, Eve doesn't want Charlie around. She doesn't seem to like children too much. I mean, you were there when she spoke of what it was like for her to have kids."
"Yes, but I didn't like children either," Lucifer pointed out.
"I think it was a little different for you. I think it was more that you were uncomfortable around kids. You didn't know how to act with them, but you didn't hesitate to get involved when Charlie needed you. Eve doesn't speak very highly of even her own kids. I don't think she ever wanted children, and I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Some people aren't meant to be parents," Chloe said. She didn't fault Eve for the way she felt. If she wasn't a kid person, that was her prerogative. Chloe had nothing against people who didn't like kids. What she did fault Eve for was trying to force her opinion onto Lucifer. She tried to convince Lucifer to give Charlie up for her benefit, and even now, she appeared to be waiting for Lucifer to just give Charlie up. That wasn't a good situation for Charlie or Lucifer.
Lucifer snorted. "Yes, that's certainly true. I have noticed that the situation upsets Eve. It bothers her when Charlie cries and when I can't go out with her to the club every night."
"You must have also noticed how she tried to talk you out of taking Charlie when the question was asked," Chloe said.
"Of course, but I figured it was because she was caught off guard by my desire to take Charlie. I'm sure no one expected me to do so," Lucifer said.
"That's not true. I knew you'd take him, so did Ella," Chloe said.
"Really? But you kept telling me it would've been understandable if I chose not to raise him," Lucifer reminded her.
"Yes, and it would've been if that was the choice you made, but I knew it wouldn't be. I saw how angry you were when you realized Amenadiel would not be there for Linda and the baby, and I know how you feel about people abandoning children. Charlie wasn't your son then, but he was your family. You were never going to leave him. However, you needed to come to that conclusion on your own. I didn't want to influence your decision. I don't want to do that now either, but I do think that the situation with Eve is something you need to think about," Chloe told him.
Lucifer nodded. She was right. If he was being honest with himself, he was delaying the inevitable for months. Things hadn't been right with Eve since before Charlie was born. His relationship with her had brought him to a bad place. He had fun with her, but it brought out qualities in him that he realized he no longer liked. He hadn't had much time to think about all that because he'd been busy with Charlie, but now he had to. He couldn't allow his relationship with Eve to negatively impact his child. "Very well, Detective. I am glad you brought all this to my attention. I will certainly think on it."
Just then, Trixie made her way over. "I'm hungry. Can we eat now?"
"Sure, Monkey," Chloe said before reaching into the basket next to her and pulling out some sandwiches.
Trixie looked over at Charlie. "Is he gonna wake up soon. I wanna play with him."
Chloe chuckled as she handed her daughter a sandwich. "Babies need a lot of sleep. Don't worry. Before you know it, he'll be at an age where he's fun to play with."
"Is Charlie gonna live with you forever, Lucifer?" Trixie asked.
"Indeed. This child is mine now," Lucifer said as he reached in and placed a hand on Charlie's stomach. He didn't care if Eve or anyone else had a problem with it. Charlie was his now. He would give him up for no one.
"Cool," Trixie said before she started to eat.
