Author's Note: I just wanted to let you all know this chapter has a flashback within a flashback. I hope you guys won't get too confused by them :-)

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Chapter 3

The next three months flew by for Chloe and the girls. The divorce was finalized exactly six months after it'd been filed. She'd been given full custody of both girls much to her joy. And just as she'd suspected the judge ruled in Dan's favor when it came to child support for Rory. What did surprise her was the judge didn't assign him child support for Trixie or alimony for her.

Chloe followed her attorney into the hall once the court had been dismissed. "Why isn't he paying child support for Trixie? She's his biological daughter."

"For the same reason he wasn't ordered to pay you alimony, Chloe. He claims and has documentation stating if he paid both child support and alimony he wouldn't have any money left to pay his bills."

"But he's lying, Mr. Roberts. I know he's lying."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Decker, but I couldn't find a single thing in all the documents that indicated Mr. Espinoza had falsified them. So, I did the only thing I could. I put in a request to the court to subpoena his financial records on the grounds the supplied documents were too perfect. The judge denied my request."

"I see Dan blowing money left and right, yet he doesn't have any money at least to hep support his daughter."

"According to what you told me, Mr. Espinoza abandoned Trixie, and isn't Rory's biological father. In the eyes of the court based on these facts, Mr. Espinoza has no daughter. I'm sorry. At least you get to keep the money from the sale of your house."

"Actually, I don't. I was able to sell it for the exact amount I had left to pay on the mortgage. You know what, that's fine. I'll find a way to take care of my girls all on my own."

Chloe turned around and walked down the hall toward the door of the courthouse. As she passed Dan, she saw him shaking hands with his attorney and they shared smiles between themselves. She held her head up high and walked out of the courthouse. She knew if she remained with the LAPD she'd continue to see Dan, but that was something she'd have to deal with. She also wasn't one to back down from a challenge.

Eighteen months later, Chloe smiled down at the two small smashed chocolate cakes sitting in front of both her girls. They giggled and smiled happily as their little hands dug into their sweet treat. Two weeks before Trixie and Rory's second birthday, she'd been asked by her mother why she wasn't throwing a full fledged birthday party for the girls. The answer had been simple. Her gut warned against it.

"Chloe, what do you mean?"

"I meant what I said, Mom. I was planning a party for the girls, but it doesn't feel like the right tie yet."

"Then when will there be a right time?"

"Maybe after they've started preschool or kindergarten. I really don't know, Mom. All I do know is that now isn't the time. Are you still going to make it that weekend?"

"I will as long as I'm not cast in this new television series I'm auditioning for this week."

"Okay, just let me know. I love you, Mom."

"I will, and I love you too, Pumpkin. Kiss those chubby cheeks for me."

Chloe laughed and nodded her head at her phone's screen smiling at her mother. "I will."

She got the call a week later with the news that her Mom wouldn't be coming to the party. So, it was just a party of three, and Chloe wouldn't have it any other way. She snapped pictures and took short videos of the girls thoroughly enjoying themselves. She set down her phone and turned her back grabbing a warm wash cloth from the sink when Rory suddenly squeezed with laughter. Chloe dropped the cloth and spun around, her mouth falling open as she took in her daughter's happy chocolate covered face. Spreading out slowly from her small back were a pair of pinkish red wings.

"No, Rory, baby, don't touch them," Chloe said, rushing forward and grabbing Rory's hands as she reached to touch one of the wings.

"Mama…ook," Rory said, giving her a toothy smile.

"Yes, baby, I see them. Don't touch them, okay."

"Kay," Rory said, nodding her head.

Chloe released Rory's hands and quickly walked over to the sink. She grabbed the wash cloth, and returned to Rory. She cleaned her fingers removing every speck of chocolate from them. Her mind was spinning. Her daughter had wings. But what else could she have expected especially after picking her guardian Devil's sperm when she went to the fertility clinic that fateful morning.

~~~~~~

"Dan, are you sure you don't want to come with me?"

"Chloe, I can't. I'm meeting the guys for a beer at the Paddock."

"Dan, it's Friday, and your day off. This should be your choice too."

"Chloe, we've been planning this get together for weeks. That's why we're all off today. Just pick someone who looks a bit like me and call it a day."

"But…"

"I got to go, Chlo. I'll see you later," Dan said, giving her a quick kiss then walked out the door.

Chloe sighed and shook her head as she followed him out the door a short time later. She arrived at the fertility clinic and parked her car. This was a huge decision and one she felt Dan should make with her. If he didn't want to take the time to help her choose the donor, then would he have time for the baby once he or she was born? She walked inside and stepped up to the reception's desk.

"Good morning, how may I help you?"

"Good morning, I'm Chloe Decker. I have an eleven-thirty appointment."

The receptionist smiled then glanced down at her schedule book. "Ah, yes, I see you here, Ms. Decker. Please have a seat, and we'll call you back shortly."

"Thank you," Chloe said, turning around to sit down when she immediately heard her name. "Yes, that's me," she said, turning toward the voice.

"Please come with me, Ms. Decker, and I'll get you set up in a room."

Chloe nodded her head and followed the nurse down the hall. They entered a room, and the nurse pulled out a chair for her. She thanked him and sat down at the table. He stepped out of the room for a minute then returned carrying several thick books in his arms. He set them all down on the table, then slid the thickest one toward her.

"All these books have pictures and information about each of our donors. This book holds our most recent donors in it, so these are the freshest samples we have currently. Number fifty-seven is a looker as long as you don't mind all the red hair. Now, number sixty-nine is our most popular choice, but we haven't had a successful pregnancy from it yet. It's a shame too because he is hot with a capital T."

Chloe couldn't contain the happy giggle that bubbled up inside of her. The nurse was currently fanning himself. She'd have to make a point of checking out this number sixty-nine for herself. She thanked him for his suggestions and for bringing her the books to look through. She spent the next fifteen minutes, once he left, flipping from page to page. The nurse had been right about fifty-seven, but the red hair was a no for her. She sighed and decided to bite the bullet and flipped the pages until she reached number sixty-nine's page.

"Oh, my God, it can't be him."

Chloe stumbled out of the night club and into the cool LA night. After a kidnapping at eight, a near death car accident at eighteen, she'd finally made it to the age of twenty-one. But what had she done with her second and third chance at life thanks to her guardian Devil? Absolutely nothing in her eyes except act in a movie called Hot Tub High School, which wasn't really a good movie without her nude scene. And even with it, the movie was still very cheesy. It also bombed at the box office. Chloe never really cared how the movie did after the murder of her Father by Joe Fields which happened the very week the movie was released.

"Hey, guys, look who it is."

"Yeah it's that chick from Hot Tub High School isn't it?"

"Oh, my God, it is her. Ms. Decker, we're really big fans of yours."

Chloe leaned against the side of the night club and snorted. "You guys are laying it on a little too thick there. I know the only thing you like about me is the fact you've seen my boobs. Well, good for you," she slurred. She pushed herself off the side of the building stumbling slightly as she began to pass the men when she was grabbed by one of them and yanked backwards.

"Hey, we aren't finished talking to you, Ms. Decker. Don't be a rude bitch."

"Look who's talking, asshole. Let go of me," Chloe yelled, pulling on her captive arm.

"Not until we all get what we want," the second guy said, grabbing her other arm.

"Yeah, we want to see what God gave you again," the third guy sneered, taking several steps toward her.

Chloe glared at the man as he approached her. She opened her mouth to tell him off when she felt a gust of wind, and heard a distinct British accent from the end of the alley. She just caught a flash of white and did a double take. The voice sounded like his, but she didn't remember calling for her guardian Devil's help. But who was she to kick a gift horse in the mouth?

"Hey, help me, please!"

"Shut up bitch! He's not going to help the likes of you. Let the man go about his business," the third guy said, standing directly in front of her. He reached for the front of her dress, but before he even touched her he was thrown backwards into the darkest part of the alley.

"I believe the young lady said no," her guardian Devil growled.

The two men holding her both threw her against the side of the night club. She hit the wall with a thud and slid down into a silent heap. She glanced up hearing the snarl that erupted from her protector. He was clearly not happy with the way she was being treated. If she hadn't been sure of that fact, she got clarification a second later when his eyes blazed with hell fire.

"That is not how you treat a lady."

Both men cowered before him nodding their heads in agreement. "You're right, man. We're so sorry for the way we treated you, Ms. Decker," the second guy said, raising his hands and slowly backing away.

"Decker," her guardian Devil said, turning toward her.

Chloe smiled up at him and was about to say something when a light sitting against the side of the night club flickered then clicked on. The light illuminated his face, and for the first time in thirteen years she got a good look at her guardian Devil. He was extremely tall, and she knew if she were on her feet he'd tower above her even dressed in her heels. He had short dark brown hair that had a natural curl to it, and from the look of its current slicked back appearance he was using styling gel to tame the curls.

She bit her lip as her eyes traveled down his body. Even dressed in a three piece suite, she could tell he had a well toned and muscular build. His eyes were chocolate brown that matched the color of his hair beautifully. He had a long nose, soft kissable lips, and a dark five o'clock shadow of whiskers covered his strong jaw line that also covered his slight dimple chin. Chloe shook her head then leaned it back against the building. Where the hell was her mind tonight? She felt another gust of wind and in the blink of an eye there stood her guardian Devil's brother.

"Lucifer, how many times do I have to force you to go back to Hell? It's where you belong."

The light on the side of the night club flickered then went out blanketing the alley in darkness once again. Her guardian Devil sighed as he turned away from her and faced his brother. It was as if he'd forgotten that she was even in the same alley. They argued as they always had done over the years before both brothers unfurled their wings and were gone. She slowly rose to her feet and silently wondered if she'd hallucinated the entire event.

Chloe blinked back the shock and stared at the picture. It was him…her guardian Devil. Seeing his picture also meant that the event in the alley all those years ago really did happen just the way she remembered it. She sat back in her chair smiling, her decision made. She glanced up hearing a knock on her door.

"Have you had enough time to make a decision?"

"Yes, I'm going with donor number sixty-nine," Chloe said, pointing at her guardian Devil.

The doctor gave her a tight smile and sighed. "Ms. Decker, this is your decision, but I highly suggest selecting a different donor."

"I know it is and thank you for your suggestion, but my mind is made up. I'm picking number sixty-nine."

"Very well, I'll inform the nurse and we'll begin the procedure. Please follow me," the doctor said, opening the door and stepping into the hall.

~~~~

Chloe leaned forward and kissed Rory's forehead. She laughed watching the pinkish red wings flutter. She kissed Trixie's forehead as she passed her heading back to the sink. She rinsed the wash cloth then returned to Trixie. After cleaning every speck of chocolate from her tiny fingers, Chloe ran her fingers through Trixie's long dark brown hair.

"What's wrong, Trixie?"

"Weengs, Mama," Trixie said, pointing over at Rory.

"Yes, Munchkin, Rory has wings, and I have no idea how to make them go back into her back."

"Where my weengs, Mama?"

"Oh, baby, I'm sorry. You don't have wings like your sister."

"Why?"

Oh, boy, here we go with the why questions. It appeared the terrible twos had begun. "Well, you and Rory have different daddy's."

"Why we no the same?"

"That's a very long story that you simply won't understand right now. I promise I'll explain everything when the two of you are older," Chloe said, lifting the smashed chocolate cake from Trixie's high chair.

"I fly, Mama?"

"One day you will, Monkey," Chloe said, removing the smashed cake from Rory's high chair. She tossed the revenants into the trash then returned to Rory's side. "For now, Mommy has to figure out how to make your wings go back inside your back."

"Weengs out, Mama!" Rory giggled, clapping her tiny hands together.

"No, baby, you can't keep your wings out. They're our little secret."

"I show, Mama?"

"No, baby, you can't show them to Nanna or Mrs. Bergstrom."

"Why no show, Mama?"

"Because other people including Nanna and Mrs. Bergstrom would be afraid if they saw them."

"Why?"

"Well, because little girls aren't supposed to have wings, Rory. And if people saw them they'd try to take you away from me."

"I no go, Mama," Rory insisted.

"I know you wouldn't want to go, Monkey, but you wouldn't have a choice in the matter."

"You stop 'em, Mama," Trixie said, nodding her head.

"I'd try to stop them, Trixie, but if they were stronger than me, then I wouldn't be able to," Chloe said, pulling Trixie from her high chair and placing the toddler on her feet.

"You stronger, Mama," Trixie said, following behind Chloe.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Sweetheart," Chloe said while she gently lifted Rory from her high chair.

She spun around stepping in front of Trixie at the sound of the front door being kicked in. Her gun was upstairs to ensure the girls didn't try to play with it. She stared at the strangely dressed woman as she walked into the beach house carrying a spear. Her attire reminded Chloe of the Ancient Amazon warriors. She tightened her hold on Rory with one hand and used the other to push Trixie closer against her legs.

"Who are you and what do you want?"

The woman looked from Chloe to Rory and back again. "I knew I sensed a Celestial, but Amenadiel told me it was not possible. Especially, when I told him the Celestial was here on Earth. And I was right."

The woman took a step toward them causing Chloe to take a step back pushing Trixie as she went. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

"Who I am is no concern of yours, human. She is what I want," the woman said, nodding her head toward Rory.

"You stay the hell away from my daughter," Chloe growled.

The woman laughed and shook her head. "She belongs in the Silver City, human. And that is where I am taking her." The woman took another step forward toward them.

"Mama, I scared," Rory said, tightening her hold around Chloe's neck. "I no want to go."

"I know you are, Rory. Mama's here, and I'm not going to let you go anywhere."

"You will not be able to stop me from taking her, human. Where did you find her?"

Chloe frowned up at the woman as she took another step backwards. "I didn't find her anywhere. I gave birth to her two years ago."

"That is not possible. She is a Celestial."

"She's also half human. She is my daughter, and I'm not allowing you to take her to the Silver City." Chloe lifted her head glaring up at the ceiling. "Do you hear me?! You can't have her! At least not yet," Chloe amended, lowering her voice then her head.

The woman glanced toward the open door as a bright flash of lightning streaked across the sky followed by a window shattering clap of thunder that shook the house slightly. She sighed and nodded her head. "It has been millenia since Father has answered one of His creations. His message is clear. The child will remain here with you. My name is Remidel, but you may call me Remi."

Tears filled Chloe's eyes and a smile spread across her face. "Thank you, Remi. I'm Chloe and this is Rory and Trixie."

Remi lowered her head slightly. "It is nice to meet you, Chloe. If Rory is going to remain on Earth, then I will be her protector. I am not the strongest of my siblings, but I am the best warrior among them, second only to my oldest brother Amenadiel." Remi knelt down to Trixie's level and smiled at her. "I am sorry I frightened you, Trixie. I promise I am not going to hurt you."

"You no take Rory?"

"No, child, I will not take Rory. My Father has forbidden it. And I promise I will not hurt your mother," Remi said, holding out her free hand.

After receiving a nod from her, Trixie cautiously took Remi's hand. "Hi, 'emi, I'm Trixie. You have weengs like Rory?"

Remi laughed, lifting Trixie up in her arms as she rose to her full height. "I do have wings like your sister. It is strange now that I am holding you I…" Remi paused glancing over at her before looking back at Trixie. "I do not sense any Celestial blood running through your veins."

"We have no same daddy," Trixie answered.

"I see," Remi said, rubbing Trixie's back.

"Speaking of wings, I have no idea how to get Rory's to go back into her back," Chloe said, stepping up to Remi and Trixie.

"Run your fingers down Rory's spine applying a slight amount of pressure and they will furl back into her back."

Chloe did as instructed and like magic Rory's wings vanished into her back. She sighed then kissed her two year old's cheek. "Thank you, Remi."

"You are welcome, Chloe. I am curious as to how you know about the Divine?"

"I found out about it when I was eight years old. I was kidnapped and one of your brothers…well, two of your brothers saved me. You mentioned one of their names when you barged into my home."

Remi frowned over at her. "Amenadiel helped save you when you were a small child? Why would he go against our Father's rule of non-interference?"

"According to him, he was sent by your Father to get me home. He just arrived after one of your other brothers found me."

"Who was the other brother who disobeyed our Father?"

"I know him as my Guardian Devil, but I think Amenadiel called him Lucifer."

Remi slowly nodded her head. "It does not surprise me that the Fallen One disobeyed Father."

Chloe bit her lip to keep from snapping at Remi. She had to remember she was now dealing with a whole bunch of Celestial nonsense. "When did your Father make that rule?"

"The day after Michael bound Samael's wings and threw him from the Silver City."

"Samael…you mean Lucifer don't you?"

"Lucifer is the name he chose after his fall, but Samael is the name he was given by our Father. Although, I suppose in a way Lucifer was given to him by our Father as well."

"Really, how?"

"To us Samael was our Lightbringer, and in Latin Lucifer means light."

"As does Lucas," Chloe said, remembering the name listed in the fertility clinic's book under Lucifer's picture.

"Yes," Remi agreed. "Now, my little one, it is time for you to fly like your sister."

"What are you talking about, Remi?"

"I am talking about her wings," Remi said, running her fingers down Trixie's spine.

"But she doesn't have…" Chloe's mouth fell open as a pair of pure white wings with dark purple tips emerged from Trixie's back.