Title Song: "You Always Hurt The One You Love" by The Mills Brothers

It had been four months since Tina had introduced the subject of children. And things between her and Alastor were strained.

The first morning, after a lonely, sleepless night, he had expected his wife to have cooled down.

But when she arrived at breakfast, the first thing she said was, "About what happened last night—"

"Apology accepted," Alastor said, taking a larger spoonful of eggs than usual.

"No, Al. I mean I am sorry, but we really should talk about—"

"What's there to talk about? I believe I made myself perfectly clear."

Tina scowled. "I was gonna give you a chance to explain what was up with your behavior last n—"

"Tina." He made a zipping motion across his mouth. "We're done discussing this, alright? No more talk of babies."

"That's not what I was—"

"Forecast says it might rain acid today, so I suggest we stay inside."

With a huff, Tina scooted her chair back, stood, and picked up her plate. "I'm gonna go eat in the dinin' room. Call me when you're done actin' like a child."

Alastor scoffed as she turned on her heel. "I'm acting like a child? You're the one storming out of the room in the middle of—"

She slammed the kitchen door before he could finish.

The Radio Demon didn't think their small disagreement would cause such a rift. But it quickly became apparent that Tina was not going to be letting this go so easily.

It soon came to a point where they were doing everything separately. Eating separately, sleeping separately, she even insisted on walking to and from work by herself.

Alastor tried everything to smooth things over. He suggested they go out for a night on the town, but she refused. He presented her with lilies, her favorite flowers, but she didn't even bat an eye. He cooked her favorite dishes, and while she accepted these, she would eat them in another room.

Then, on the night of the Extermination, once they were safe in the bunker, Alastor decided to confront his wife.

"Exactly how long do you plan on giving me the cold shoulder?"

Tina crossed her arms as she plopped down on the couch. "When you apologize for that night."

"Which night?" Alastor matched her pose. "Because if your behavior over the last three months is anything to go by, you should be the one apologizing to me."

"Oh, no." She wagged her finger. "Don't you go pretendin' ya don't what this is about!"

"If I did know, I wouldn't be asking, now would I?"

Tina hung her head back and groaned. "You're such a fucking idiot sometimes!"

Alastor narrowed his eyes. "If this is about my turning down your proposal to have children—"

"Of course it is, Al!" She sprang up, throwing her arms in the air. "Why else would I be this upset?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "How many times do I have to say it? I don't want us procreating right now."

"What you mean to say is," Tina said with a snort, "you don't wanna be in any situation that requires you to have sex with me."

Static crackled as he blinked. "Is that really all you can think about? I thought our relationship was purer than that."

"Purer? Purer?" Her fur stood on end. "Who the fuck cares about purity in Hell?!"

"Well, pardon me," Alastor said, putting a hand over his heart, "if I think there's more to a marriage than how one performs in the bedroom! That I love you more than I love your body!"

"I don't doubt that, Al." Her voice softened. "What you don't get is that because you love me, I wanna share everything with you."

"Is that why you shared yourself with other men?"

The Radio Demon regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. Tina's eyes glazed over.

"Is that," she said, her lip trembling, "is that how ya see me? Ya won't touch me cuz I'm…damaged goods?"

"No, no, Tina." He sighed. "This has nothing to do with you."

"Then what's the problem?"

"I told you from the beginning, that…I wasn't interested."

"Yeah, but that was back when we were practical strangers." Furious tears dripped down her face. "Ya mean to tell me that after all this time, after saying you love me over and over, you actually feel nothing for me?"

"No, darling, you're missing the point." He dropped to his knees and grabbed her shoulders. "I love you, more than anything. I just don't want to…"

He winced. "I don't want us doing…that."

"But why?" Tina took his face in her hands. "Please, Al. Just tell me what's wrong, and we'll figure it out, okay?"

He shook his head. "I can't."

"Why not? Don't you trust me?"

Alastor didn't reply. Tina grunted and turned away from him.

"That's why ya said no, isn't it? Cuz it involves us havin' sex." She balled her hands into fists. "Or is Lucifer's way like artificial insemination, or some Rosemary's baby shit?"

"You know I don't understand you when you reference anything past my time."

"Just answer the question." She spun back round to face him. "Does Lucifer's way involve us havin' sex?"

He looked down at the floor. "He didn't give me…all the details, but…that much was implied."

Tina placed her hands on her hips. "So, that's it, then? It's not a matter of you wantin' kids or not. You just don't wanna have sex with me."

Alastor tapped his fingers together, saying nothing. With a sniff, his wife turned her back to him again, so he wouldn't see how hurt she was.

"Maybe…you should go."

He raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"Go. Ya haven't done your annual Extermination broadcast in years."

The Radio Demon stood. "I can't just leave you here."

"I'll be fine. Don't…" She pinched her face in an attempt to stop herself from crying. "Don't let me hold ya back."

He didn't want to leave her. Not while she was so distraught, and certainly not during the Extermination. But it was clear his presence wasn't making anything better for her.

So, with no other idea of how to handle this, he teleported out of the bunker.

Husk wasn't surprised to find the Radio Demon in his apartment after midnight. The bastard popped in whenever he liked. But Husk was surprised to see him collapsed on the bar counter, a bottle in hand.

Alastor drank on occasion, but rarely did he indulge.

"Things must be bad if you're stealing from my stash," Husk said as he went over to the other side of the counter.

But instead of scolding him, Husk took the liquor from Alastor's hand, and poured it into a glass. There was only one thing that could make the Radio Demon this desperate for drink.

"Trouble in paradise?" Husk asked.

Without lifting his head, Alastor groaned. "My wife hates me."

Husk whistled. "Haven't heard that one in a while. Last I heard, you two were singing in harmony. What happened? You two get in a fight?"

Alastor nodded, his face scraping against the counter.

"Well, hate to break it to ya, pal," Husk said as he poured himself a glass. "Doesn't matter if you're madly in love with your wife or not. Couples fight. All a part of marriage. But you'll get over it. You've fought with her before."

"Not like this," Alastor grumbled. "I worry…I worry I might lose her, Husker."

"Look. Before you go signing divorce papers—"

"Divorce?!" The Radio Demon straightened up, his eyes wide with panic. "No. No, no, no, no! We can't divorce! We got married to spite Lucifer! Do you have any idea how embarrassing it would be if we went and asked that he divorce us?!"

"Now wait a—"

"And how could I divorce Tina? She's my perfect match, my soulmate, my one true love! It took me nearly a century to find her. You think I'm ever going to find another?"

"Shut up and let me finish, will ya?" Husk banged his fist on the counter. "I was trying to say, before you go and call it quits, why don't ya tell me what this is all about?"

Heaving a sigh, Alastor leaned his elbow onto the counter, and rested his cheek on his fist. "You were married, Husker. Did you and your wife have children?"

Husk paused with the rim of his glass just an inch from his lips. "Why you so interested in my past married life, all of a sudden?"

"Humor me, will you?"

The cat rolled his eyes. "Nope. Not so lucky."

The Radio Demon absentmindedly circled his finger on the counter. "Did you…want one?"

Husk shrugged. "Never really thought about it. But let's face it." He raised his glass. "I would've made one shitty bum of a dad."

"But would you have wanted one, had you been able to?"

Husk chugged down his drink, then stared at his empty glass. "Wouldn't've been so bad to have a daughter, I guess."

"A daughter?" Alastor cocked his head. "Don't most men want a son?"

"And have him shipped off to war?" He snorted as he opened a new bottle of liquor. "I served enough for the family."

Husk took a swig of the bottle, then set it down, watching as the liquor sloshed inside. "But yeah, I think I would've liked a little girl. I'd take her out for ice cream, help her with her homework, spoil her with all the toys and fancy clothes she wanted."

A small, sentimental smile graced the cat's face. "I'd have worked two jobs to pay her through college. Or her wedding. Whichever came first. Think I might've called her Suzie, or Jeanie, or something like that."

Alastor listened in wonder. He'd never heard Husker talk so fondly about something. Let alone something that didn't even exist.

Was this how Tina felt? When she thought about what she might've done with her own daughter, had she chosen a different path?

Then Husk shook his head out of the fantasy. "But whatever. That window closed ages ago." He lifted his bottle. "No point dreaming 'bout what might've been."

What might've been. That was exactly what Tina dreamed about all the time. Up top, she'd never truly fallen in love, and the only chance she'd had at a family had been tossed away.

That was why she was so insistent on having a child with Alastor. She wanted to stop thinking about what she could've done differently, and instead, focus on what she could do now.

"What if," Alastor said, biting his lip, "you had the opportunity to do what you could never do in life?"

Husk raised an eyebrow. "Why we talking 'bout this depressive shit?"

The Radio Demon decided it was time to get straight to the point. "Tina wants a child."

"You mean like adopt an imp?"

"No." He took a deep breath. "She wants…my child."

Husk stopped his bottle mid-sip, staring at the Radio Demon. "She knows that ain't possible, right?"

Alastor tapped his fingers together. "Actually…"

"Hold it!" Husk slammed down his bottle. "Don't tell me you know some Voodoo shit that can make a sinner pregnant!"

"I'm not allowed to disclose that information," Alastor said, holding up a hand, "but I can tell you it would still involve…the usual steps."

"Oh." Husk's bewilderment turned into concern. "So, uh, let me guess. You told her no, and that's why she's mad at ya."

Alastor nodded.

"Did you at least tell her why?"

"I told her it wasn't a good idea. After all, can you imagine I, the Radio Demon, a father?"

"Well." Husk looked him over. "Can't argue with that. But come on, Al. You know that's not the real reason."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"I mean ya won't have kids with her cuz ya won't have sex with her."

"Wh—?" Alastor's jaw dropped. "That isn't… Why…?" Growling, he pulled at his hair. "You sound just like Tina!"

"And she's right." Husk poured him a fresh glass of liquor. "Anyone who's known ya long enough knows that sex is a problem for ya."

"How dare you?" Alastor stood and slammed his hands on the counter. "How dare you question my manliness?!"

"It's not a criticism, Al," Husk stated. "It's just something I've seen in all the years we've known each other. You've always been against the idea of sex, and the only reason I can think of you not wanting a kid with Tina is that despite you being in love with her now, sex still bothers ya."

Static crackled as the Radio Demon stared blankly at him.

"Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with ya. On that point, anyway." Husk pushed the glass towards Alastor. "But the fact remains that Tina does want that kind of relationship with ya. So, the way I see it, you've got three choices on how to handle this. One, ya call it quits on your marriage."

"Out of the question," Alastor said.

"Thought so. Two, ya explain to Tina why you're so afraid of sex."

"How can I do that?" He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't even know why I'm…hesitant."

"You could at least talk with her about it. Maybe she'll let go of this baby thing."

Alastor shook his head. "She's hardly talked to me in four months. She's not letting this go."

"Well, then there's option three. Ya suck it up and give her what she wants."

"Hmm." Alastor rubbed his chin. "You think…you think I should?"

Husk rolled his eyes. "Al, doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman. No one should be forced into having sex."

"Then why did you suggest it?"

"To hopefully talk you into option two."

"But Tina really wants—"

"Never mind what Tina wants." Husk pointed at him. "What do you want?"

"I want…I want…" Alastor stared down at his reflection in the liquor. "I want…to see my wife smile again."

Groaning, Husk facepalmed.

"Is that so wrong?"

"No, but…you're missing the point." The cat pressed his palms together. "Look. I know when you got engaged to that dame, I told ya to make her happy. But you gotta take your own happiness consideration too."

Alastor blinked. "But isn't love all about sacrifice? Putting one's needs before your own?"

It was hard to believe this was the same demon who, a decade ago, said that love was a waste of time.

"Usually, yes." Husk sighed. "But things like sex, having kids, those are big life decisions you have to both be onboard for. It can't just be one of you making choices like that. So, let me rephrase the question. Do you want kids with your wife?"

The answer didn't come immediately. Truthfully, Alastor had been so focused on the sexual component of having a biological child, he hadn't thought about whether or not he actually wanted one.

On one hand, he was uncertain of how a child with his genes would turn out. Would they inherit his psychopathy, his murderous tendencies, his taste for human flesh, his aversion to sex? Or worse, would they inherit the abusive nature of their grandfather?

On the other hand, the child would also have Tina's genes. Perhaps her virtues would cancel out his vices.

Then again, Alastor wouldn't mind if his child also became a cannibal. But he didn't think Tina would entirely approve of that.

He tried to think of what it would be like. To have a smaller version of himself around. He could teach them all sorts of things. How to shoot, how to play various instruments, how to skin a demon.

Then he pictured his wife. Her belly swelling over a nine-month period. Him feeling for their child's kick. Then him holding her, while she held the little darling, his wife smiling up at him, and then the baby taking a break from their bottle to coo.

The Radio Demon would not be like his father. He would give his son or daughter all the love and care they deserved. Just as he loved and cared for Tina.

Could he handle the responsibility? After all, Alastor had never thought he'd ever commit himself to matrimony, and look where he was now. A baby would not only satisfy his wife's desires, but bring new light to the Heaven they'd created together in Hell.

"Yes," Alastor finally said.

Husk's eyes widened. "What's that now?"

"Yes." The lips closed over his teeth, forming a blissful smile. "I would like us to have a child very much."

The cat blinked. "You're serious?"

"It's a surprise to me as well," Alastor said with a sigh. "But if Tina wants a child, a child she shall get."

"Stop right there." Husk held up his paws. "You're not just doing this for her, right?"

"While some of it is partly for her benefit, yes, the idea of the two of us creating a soul with both our likenesses sounds…intriguing. And pleasant."

"Shit." Husk scoffed. "The dame's really changed ya, hasn't she?"

"A little." Alastor chuckled. "She'll never truly change me, of course, but I can be…somewhat adaptable."

"Right." The cat smirked as he raised his glass. "Well, here's to Junior."

They clinked glasses.

"So, you gonna do it tonight?" Husk asked.

Alastor shook his head. "I have to make a few arrangements, first. Oh, but our tenth anniversary is in a couple weeks! What better way to mark the occasion? Not only will I be giving her a child, but my virginity too!"

Husk grumbled as he took a sip. "Too much information."

"Oh, which reminds me! Could you give me some performance tips?"

The cat spat out his drink and got into a coughing fit. "W-What?"

"See, I'm aware of what needs to be done," Alastor said, tracing the rim of his glass. "However, Tina is much more…experienced than me. And I want to be able to please her, you know?"

"Uh-uh." Husk made an X with his arms. "I ain't having this talk with ya. It's too damn embarrassing, and I ain't your dad."

"Come on, Husker, help an old friend out."

"No."

"You sure?" With a wave of the Radio Demon's hand, a bottle of cheap booze appeared. "We can discuss it over another drink."

Husk eyed the bottle, then grunted. "Fine. But I ain't doing this for you." He swiped the bottle. "I'm doing this cuz I like Tina, and wanna make sure ya treat her right."

"With your help, Husker," Alastor said with a wink, "I'll treat her like a queen."

"So, you finally decided to start a family, hmm?" Lucifer asked.

The Radio Demon hadn't even opened his mouth yet. "How did you—?"

"It was only a matter of time." The King of Hell sipped his appletini. "After ten years of marriage, you and your wife were bound to be looking for a way to spice things up. And believe it or not, infertility is among the top three reasons I'm summoned."

"Let us cut to the chase." Alastor laced his fingers together and placed them on the table. "What is this magical infertility cure you mentioned before my wedding, and what will it cost me?"

Lucifer sighed. "Always business with you, Alastor. Just once, can we not meet simply to enjoy a drink?"

Alastor narrowed his eyes.

"Right." The Devil set down his glass. "Normally, condemned sinners are unable to reproduce. At least, that is what we want you to think." He raised a finger. "But you'll recall that my Lilith is a sinner, yet she gave birth to my dear little Charlotte. Have you ever wondered how that was possible?"

Alastor pondered this for a moment. "I thought it was because Lilith technically didn't die, but was made into a demon as punishment from the L—"

The palace rumbled as Lucifer's eyebrows furrowed.

"You-Know-Who," Alastor corrected himself.

"Exactly!" The quaking ceased as the Devil brightened back up. "And hence, my wife is the only full-fledged demon who was born human. To put it simply, she has the blood of a sinner, but the body of a hellborn, and that is how she is able to bear children."

After a quick glance around to ensure no one was listening, Lucifer leaned in and whispered, "You are aware, more than anyone, I am sure, of what consuming another demon's blood can accomplish?"

The Radio Demon blushed at the one time he'd consumed Tina's blood. "Can heal wounds, or replenish one's powers."

"Or obtain them. It's quite simple, really. All you and Tina would need to conceive a child is drink my wife's blood."

Alastor's eyes widened. "Are you…certain your wife would consent to that?"

"Oh, she was all over it. In fact." With a wave of his hand, a small vial of dark purple liquid materialized. "When I explained it was all for the cause of true love, she was quite accommodating."

Alastor tilted his head. "You just happened to have that on hand?"

"What can I say?" Lucifer shrugged. "I was hopeful."

"You mean to say…we only have to drink it like medicine?"

"Of course. You did not think I was going to let you drink blood from my wife directly, did you?" Lucifer chuckled. "No, no, no. Lilith's blood is potent enough that you only need a few drops each for it to work. You can put it in your coffee, and it will still be effective. However, I should warn you that you may experience some slight discomfort. At least for a few hours, as there is a chance this will reorder your anatomy. Then you do the usual steps for conception, and a normal, humanlike pregnancy should follow. In theory, anyhow. I have never actually tested this out on sinners before."

Alastor crossed his arms. "Then how do you know this will work?"

"Well, if it doesn't, you need not worry about the price then."

"And what is that?"

The Radio Demon was prepared for something steep, and slightly absurd. Like a thousand years of shoveling manure in the Wrath Ring. Or his left middle finger.

Whatever he expected Lucifer to say, it wasn't this.

"In exchange for my wife's blood, you must agree to make me the child's devil-father."

Alastor blinked several times. "Devil-father?"

Lucifer frowned. "I dare not call myself a godfather. Meaning, should anything, myself forbid, happen to you and the missus, I will see to the care of your child."

The Radio Demon waited for the King to say more. "That's…it?"

"Well," Lucifer continued, "I also have the condition that once your child is eighteen, they come and work for me."

Alastor didn't like the sound of that. "As what, precisely?"

The Devil rolled his wrist. "It will depend on the child's skillset. But truthfully, I am merely curious to see what power an offspring of yours might possess. After all, a biological child of two sinners is a rarity. It would be beneficial to have someone that unique serving me."

"I see." Alastor scowled. "So, your price is my child's soul."

"Not their soul, just their service. Oh, but do not fret." Lucifer waved a hand. "This will be good for your child, to have a future set in stone. You are aware, old chap, that one needs friends in high places in order to survive in Hell. Would you not like to see a child of yours as a member of my court?"

Alastor searched for a downside to this bargain. It wasn't technically a soul deal. There were worse things than taking a job offer for a child that didn't even exist yet. And anyone working under Lucifer would have guaranteed protection against the dangers of Hell.

Besides, Tina would also want their child to be successful and safe.

"I'll…accept your terms. If," Alastor said, holding up a finger, "when the time comes for my child to enter your service, he or she will choose their position. You will not decide it for them."

That would at least guarantee that his future offspring would have some say in the matter.

"Very well," Lucifer said. "One last condition. That you do not share this blood, or the information I just gave you, with anyone. If every sinner knew it was possible to reproduce, they'd never leave my poor Lilith alone. Not to mention my domain is crowded enough as it is. We'd need an Extermination every month, instead of a year."

"Then why take this risk?" Alastor asked. "There are certain to be a lot of questions when my wife is suddenly with child. And even if Tina hides away during the pregnancy and we say the child is adopted, surely demons will notice the resemblance."

"Oh, I know you have your ways of dealing with pests who dare question you," Lucifer said with a smirk. "And if you must know the reason I take this risk, it is simply because you and Tina are my favorite couple."

Not to mention a child would distract the Radio Demon from any ambitions of taking the throne of Hell. The promise of a position in the Devil's court was insurance. After all, who would overthrow the King who ensured his child's success?

"Can I at least explain it to my wife?" Alastor asked. "I do not wish to impregnate her without her knowledge."

"Oh, of course! I would not dream of asking you to keep secrets from your wife!"

Alastor stopped himself from wincing. "You keep saying child, as in one, but what if we have more than one? Would they all have to enter your service?"

While the Radio Demon wasn't certain he'd be able to conceive more than once, twins or triplets were a possibility.

"Caught that little loophole, did you?" Lucifer tapped his chin. "Since we cannot determine the number of children at this moment, let us say the condition of employment applies to the firstborn. Unless one of your younger children would prefer that destiny, they could always make a deal to take their eldest sibling's place."

That seemed as good a deal as Alastor was going to get.

"Are we agreed, then?" The Devil extended his hand.

Alastor didn't wait long to shake it. "Agreed."

Maybe Tina was taking her anger too far.

These past four months had been the loneliest since she'd married. This wasn't her first tiff with Alastor, but they had never gone this long without any affectionate interaction.

Tina was sick of it. Mealtimes were quiet. Sleeping alone had brought back her night terrors. Even though she and Alastor still lived under the same roof, she felt more apart from him than ever.

But what else could she do? She'd tried to talk to her husband about the day everything went south, but every time, he'd shut her up, change the subject, or the conversation would escalate into a shouting match. They couldn't go near each other without polluting the air with unresolved tension.

The problem was that Alastor wanted to forget their disagreement ever happened, despite it looming over them like a shadow every second they were together. Why was Tina the only one that understood that they had to address that disagreement before they could move on in their marriage?

If only the marriage counselors of Hell could be considered trustworthy.

In all honesty, she could wait a few years for a child. That wasn't the issue. What enraged her was her husband's refusal to confide in her. He pretended like nothing was wrong when it was clearly the opposite.

She'd trusted him with all her secrets, all her trauma, all her shortcomings. She had thought he'd done the same.

After ten years, he was still hiding things from her.

Ten years.

Tina sat up in her bed.

That's right. It was their tenth anniversary today.

She glanced at the clock on her bedroom wall. It was almost noon. Why hadn't Alastor come to wake her? They weren't on the best of terms at the moment, but he wouldn't allow her to sleep in on their anniversary.

It was their annual routine. They would start the morning with him making eggs and bacon, and presenting her with a new pair of shoes, in homage to the night they got engaged. After breakfast, Tina would play him a song from her time, and he would record it. Then they'd spend the rest of the day together doing whatever came to mind, and end it with a fancy dinner.

There was no way her sentimental husband would let her waste a minute on the most important day of their marriage.

Tina chalked it up to the rocky state of their relationship being the cause of this delay. Alastor probably didn't think it proper to enter her room when she'd expressed the desire to be alone, and he had decided to wait for her.

Finally dragging herself out of bed, Tina slipped into the red flapper dress her husband had bought her last Valentine's Day. Then she went into the bathroom to doll herself up, all while humming through possible songs to sing to him.

She held firm on her belief that her and Alastor needed to address the wall that had sprung up between them, but she would let go of it. At least for today.

This was supposed to be a day of celebration, not separation. Today, she would put her doubts and fears aside, and have a nice, romantic day with her husband.

Tina entered the kitchen, expecting to find Alastor there. But to her surprise, it was completely empty, and sparkling clean, as if no one had been cooking there at all today.

What she did find was a red envelope on the table, next to a wad of cash. She opened the envelope and read the note inside, which was in that familiar calligraphical handwriting.

My Dearest Tina,

I didn't wake you because I know you've been working late and need your rest.

Tina winced. While she did work nights at Mimzy's club, she hadn't been staying out late to work, but to get wasted at one of those seedy 24-hour bars.

She continued reading.

I have some business in the city, and won't be home until 7 tonight. I hope you'll do me the courtesy of joining me for dinner.
In the meantime, sweetheart, I've left you some money for you to spend to your heart's content! Why don't you go out and buy yourself something nice, or grab some lunch with Niffty? Just because I'm stuck at work, doesn't mean my little magnolia can't have fun!

And please, don't be late for dinner! But don't be too early either! It is of utmost importance that you be punctual this evening!

Your Devoted Husband Forever,

Alastor

Tina's claws tore through the paper.

"That bastard went to work?!" she shouted. "On our tenth anniversary?!"

He'd always gone to great lengths to ensure that neither of them would have any conflicts on their anniversary. So far as to threaten Mimzy to pull his patronage if she didn't give his wife the day off. Which he'd only had to do once, as Mimzy had been expecting one of the Seven Deadly Sins to be coming in that night. What would possess Alastor to make business plans today of all days?

"Did he…forget?" Tina murmured.

She used to forget their anniversary all the time. In fact, she hadn't remembered until this morning, and had only decided on a song to sing to him.

But this was Alastor. The man who literally counted the days since they'd confessed their feelings. Even before then, he'd always kept track of dates that were important to him, their wedding included. How could he suddenly forget?

Or was this all to get back at her? For shutting him out all these months? Was this his way of saying that two could play at this game?

Tina's fur stood on end, her eyes turning black as she glanced at the cash on the table.

"You want me to have fun? Oh, I'll have plenty of fun." She swiped the money and turned on her heel. "Without you!"

Man, this extended flashback is taking up more time than I thought. But I hope the conflict between Tina and Al is starting to become clearer.

I know, I'm taking a stretch with the whole Lilith's blood thing, but when Vivzie confirmed that sinners can't reproduce, I had to come up with something. And I figured Lucifer might have a way around it, because, well, he's the Devil, and don't couples who can't conceive in the old stories usually turn to supernatural entities?

I'm really going to hate myself for what's to come. Or rather, what's already happened.