Typical me, to use the same song for this chapter as a title for a previous chapter.

That said, the Title Song is "Maybe This Time" from "Cabaret."

And the song used is "It Had to Be You" by Frank Sinatra (though the song existed long before he covered it, so Alastor would've heard of it)

"This is prepos-s-s-terous! I demand you let me in this ins-s-s-tant!"

"What's all the racket?" Tina asked as she approached Charlie and Vaggie beside the entrance.

"It's Sir Pentious," Charlie said.

"Apparently, he heard about the party on Sinstagram," Vaggie said.

"Do you know who I am, you stupid mutt?" came Sir Pentious's voice. "You're letting other very important demon's in here! What excuse do you have to bar me from this s-s-soirée?!"

"No invitation," Hildegard stated, "no payment, no enter."

Vaggie gestured to the door. "He's mad that he's not considered a VIP, and that he has to pay to get in. Although, we shouldn't let him in anyway, after he blew a hole in our door last month."

"Shouldn't we give him a second chance, though?" Charlie asked. "I mean that is why we started this hotel."

"The guy's got a beef with at least three people here. We're not gonna risk an all-out turf war just to make one wannabe Overlord happy."

"If you refuse to let me enter," Sir Pentious screamed, "I will blow this place to s-s-smithereens!"

Tina cringed. "Seems like that's gonna happen either way."

"Oh boy." Charlie bit her lip. "You think Alastor should, err, deal with him like last time?"

"Yeah, where is that asshole?" Vaggie looked around.

"He stepped out for a bit," Tina explained. "Said he had some business to take care of."

Vaggie crossed her arms. "I don't like the sound of that."

"But we don't need Al for this. You two go find Angel and his friend and let 'em know the situation." Tina patted her hair. "Let me handle the snake."

Charlie and Vaggie exchanged an uneasy glance.

"You…saying we should let him in?" the Princess asked.

"If he behaves." The Songbat adjusted her bodice. "I'll make sure he does."

Vaggie narrowed her eye in suspicion. "Better not be something shady."

"I ran a night club. I know how to deal with unruly guests. Just make sure our bombin' buddies don't overreact."

Charlie and Vaggie finally relented and went off to find Angel Dust and Cherri Bomb. With one last pat down of her hair, Tina put on her sweetest smile and walked up behind Hildegard.

"Listen you canine cretin!" Sir Pentious stuck a finger in the hellhound's face. "Demons who cross me often end up a pile of—"

"Well, I'll be damned!" Tina slid herself between the serpent and the bodyguard. "Sir Pentious, is that you? Ain't seen ya in ages!"

At the sight of the Songbat, Sir Pentious turned pale. "Oh no. Not you!"

"Yes, me!" She waved her fingers. "How ya been, Sugar?"

The snake looked over Hildegard's shoulder as he backed away. "Is your husband here? Look, if I had known you were Alastor's property, I would've never—"

"Oh, you're still on about that little misunderstanding?" Tina scoffed. "What, ya think you're the first guy to accidentally flirt with a married woman? Now, what's the problem here?"

"Oh!" Sir Pentious shook off his shock and pointed at Hildegard. "This dog here s-s-says I can't come in unless-s I have an invitation or ten s-s-souls. On the web it s-s-says Overlords get in for free, but I never got an invitation!"

"My sincerest apologies." She put a hand to her chest. "Thing is, Sugar, after what happened last time ya graced our fine establishment, we didn't think you'd be interested in our boring little party."

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Y-Yes-s-s, I was-s-s merely—"

"Not to mention a few of your adversaries are here, includin' Cherri Bomb, and I'd hate to have to call on my husband to break up a conflict."

"Oh!" Sir Pentious held up his hands. "W-Well, we w-wouldn't want to trouble him, would we? I'll jus-s-st, um…"

He tried to slither away, but Tina grabbed his arm.

"That doesn't mean ya have to go. After all, our mission is to help demons find redemption." She slid her arm along his bicep. "Even big, bad, handsome devils like you."

The snake blushed as he yanked his arm from her grasp. "M-Madam, I will n-not partake in any impropriety!"

"Forgive me." She placed her hands behind her back, her bottom lip curling into a pout. "I don't mean to push ya into anything, it's just that…the damages ya caused put such a huge hole in our budget, what with all the mouths we have to feed, and how difficult it is to run a business when no one takes ya seriously as a woman."

She looked up at him with big, doe-like eyes. "All we ask is that our guests pay a small contribution to our cause, so we don't end up on the streets. Again."

Her eyes shimmered as tears formed. "Me and my girls wouldn't be here in the first place if ya hadn't blown up my club on Extermination Day."

"Oh!" Sir Pentious tapped his fingers together as he gave an awkward grin. "I d-did not mean—"

"No, I'm sure ya didn't. Course," she said, framing her face with her clenched hands, "ya did still inconvenience us poor, defenseless women."

Hildegard snorted as she held in her laughter.

"But it's not too late," Tina said, leaning forward, "to make it right."

Her face was now in his, and the snake's usually dark complexion was now as pink as his many eyes. "N-Now, M-Mrs. Alastor, please know I pride myself as a gentleman—"

"So you'll do the right thing?" Her eyes lit up. "I mean…" Tina pulled back. "I could let ya in for free as a show of good faith, but…"

Leaning her cheek onto her palm, she looked away as if she were ashamed. "I'd hate for my husband to think I was showin' ya special treatment. What with how jealous he gets—"

"No, no!" Sir Pentious waved a hand, the other reaching into his pocket. "Let's-s-s not be has-s-s-ty now!"

As he fumbled with his wallet, the Songbat wanted to know just what Alastor had done to this poor guy to make him such a nervous wreck.

"Here!" Sir Pentious thrust a wad of cash at her. "For the damages-s-s!"

Tina smiled as she accepted the bills and threaded through them to make sure they weren't a bunch of ones stuck together.

"I suppose this covers," she said with a disappointed sigh, "half the cost."

"Right." He scooped out another wad. "There."

After a quick count, Tina nodded in approval.

"Hey." She leaned in to whisper. "For an extra hundred, I can get ya into the VIP lounge. And a minute alone with the King himself."

He considered this a moment, then coughed up another bill. Tina beamed like a teenager who'd just gotten a raise on her allowance.

"Thank ya kindly for your generosity, good sir!" She gestured to the door. "Enjoy the party!"

Before the serpent could go inside, Tina grabbed his arm once more.

"And remember, this hotel's meant to be neutral territory. So, if I see ya stirrin' up trouble with the other guests…" Her eyes took on an eerie glow. "My husband's just a whistle away."

Sir Pentious forced a laugh as he backed away from her. "I can assure you, madam, you will have no trouble from me! Pleas-s-se tell your husband that. Ciao!"

He slithered into the ballroom. Tina chuckled as she thumbed the stack of cash.

The Songbat found Charlie and Vaggie and handed them the money. They both gasped.

"What?" Vaggie counted the bills. "This can't all be from Sir Pentious!"

"How'd you do it?" Charlie asked.

"Oh, ya know." Tina brushed a stray hair out of her face. "Good old-fashioned female prowess."

And preying on a frightened man's guilt. But hey, it was for a good cause.

"Wow." Charlie stared at the Songbat in awe. "Wish I could be as persuasive as you."

"You know what? I don't care how you got it." Vaggie slid the cash into the donation envelope. "We're not exactly in a position to be choosing beggars."

"You're right." Tina giggled. "Just beggars."

Remembering what she had promised Sir Pentious, Tina went to find Lucifer. He was at the bar, critiquing Husk's crafting of an appletini.

"You must slice the apple thinly. And you mustn't put in too much cranberry juice, or else it overpowers the apple flavor. Then it would be a cranberry-tini rather than an appletini, wouldn't it?"

Husk growled, but said nothing as he feared the King of Hell wouldn't be as forgiving of his smart mouth as the Radio Demon.

"And Husk would love to make another for ya." Tina leaned onto the counter. "Wouldn't ya, Husk?"

"No need." Lucifer set his disappointing glass down with a sigh. "I understand good help is so hard to find in Hell. Especially when you're on such a limited budget."

Husk clenched his paws into fists.

"Anyway." Tina turned Lucifer away before Husk could explode. "I'll cut right to the chase, Your Highness. I kinda promised a donor that he could have a minute alone to talk with ya. Think you could spare the time?"

She pointed to Sir Pentious, who was flirting with one of the wait staff.

"Oh, him." Lucifer rolled his eyes. "He's been trying to overthrow me for decades. Probably planning to charm me into revealing my weaknesses." He adjusted his cufflinks. "The only reason I haven't tried disposing of him yet is because anyone who can easily be defeated by a bomb-swinging hussy is no threat to me."

"Then spendin' a minute with him would be no problem for ya?" Tina asked. "Technically, I only promised he could talk with ya, so ya don't have to say anything back."

Lucifer smirked. "Your husband's been rubbing off on you. Very well, I'll humor the fool. If you clear up this one little mystery for me."

He put an arm around her and pulled her close to whisper, "When do you and Alastor plan to start a family?"

"W-What?!" Tina jumped back, her face as red as Lucifer's rejected appletini. "We're not… What made ya think…? We haven't even—"

"That's all the answer I need." The King twirled his staff as he went to talk with Sir Pentious. "Good luck tonight."

"W-What answer? Good luck? What do ya…?"

But he was already out of earshot. If there was anyone who was more of an enigma than Alastor, it was the Devil himself.

Speaking of which, Tina spotted her husband going into the VIP lounge, his arm draped around the shoulders of Prince Stolas. Alastor had said he had business to attend to, but what business would he have with Stolas? She had already gotten a donation from him.

Suspicion immediately arose within her. If this business had nothing to do with the hotel, it was possible the Radio Demon was discussing something shadier.

Come to think of it, the VIP lounge had initially been Alastor's idea. And he'd taken Rosie in there earlier, when it was empty. The perfect place to conduct deals the Princess certainly wouldn't approve of.

Tina would've told herself she was being paranoid, if she didn't already know her husband was the sort of person to pull a stunt like that.

Before she jumped to any conclusions, she approached the shut door of the VIP lounge, leaned casually beside it, and listened. It was difficult to eavesdrop with the music and sea of voices filling the ballroom, but by turning one ear towards the door, she was just able to make out the conversation within.

"…certain the marriage can't be salvaged?" came Alastor's voice.

Tina froze. Was he discussing their marriage with the demon prince?

Stolas's voice came next, though it was so soft that she only heard part of his speech. "…weren't as lucky…for love."

Alastor's naturally booming voice was much clearer. "Actually, contrary to what we've made people to believe, Tina and I didn't marry for love either."

There was a gasp from Stolas. "But…you always looked so affectionate with each other!"

"It was an act. At first, anyway. But then…" Alastor trailed off, as if he were reminiscing. "The more time we spent together, the less of an act our marriage became. And now, I can't imagine being married to anyone else."

The fact that he could say this with zero hesitation, with such conviction, made Tina's heart flutter.

"I'm afraid that isn't the case with me and Stella," Stolas said.

The next part of his speech, Tina only heard bits and pieces of, but she got the gist that he was talking about his affair with the imp he called Blitzy. Something about lending him a book in exchange for sex, which confused her. If the imp wanted a book so badly, why didn't he just find a library or bookshop?

Once Stolas's story was finished, Alastor said, "While I'm a firm believer in the sanctity of marriage, my understanding is that you harbor more romantic feelings for this imp than you do for your own wife, and you wish to make that clear to him."

The Radio Demon's response surprised Tina. After his reaction to her own affair, she thought he would've pressed for the Prince to give his marriage another chance.

Stolas continued to mutter. "…been clear. At least…more than just in bed."

"I see. Well, if you are truly serious this imp is the one for you, my advice would be not to treat your relationship like a business transaction. Because if you do, that's all it's going to be for him. Thus, when you do confess your feelings for him, he is not going to think you're sincere. And if you are not attentive enough to his feelings, especially the negative ones, he is going to seek satisfaction elsewhere. If you want to make this a committed, loving relationship, you must make that clear to him now, before it's too late."

At this point, Tina tuned out. She knew Alastor wasn't just talking about the imp, but his own relationship with her.

They weren't in a sex contract, but their relationship had, nonetheless, started out as a business arrangement. And he was now voicing his regret that he hadn't made his desires clear, and that he'd ignored hers.

Had her husband actually grown in maturity to recognize all this?

When Tina had received that negligee in the box, she had been worried. While she wasn't exactly opposed to the idea of them finally consummating their marriage, she worried that Alastor was, once again, forcing himself into an uncomfortable situation for her benefit. But what if that wasn't the case? What if he really did want to go all the way with her tonight? Not out of their contractual obligation as a married couple, but simply because he wanted to?

Of course, Tina would still have to talk to him about it. After all, they'd only just started to patch things up. Was this really the best time for them to be rushing into a big decision like this?

Then again, considering they'd been married for twenty years, could this really be considered rushing?

The door to the VIP lounge opened. Tina jumped as Stolas emerged.

"Oh! Pardon me, Mrs. Twinkle."

Upon hearing his wife's name, Alastor hurried through the door. His eyes widened as they fell upon her.

"T-Tina!" He shut the door. "H-Hello!"

He was acting weird, even for Alastor. Nervous, despite having spoken to her only ten minutes ago.

Tina folded her arms. "What were you and Prince Stolas up to?"

"Oh." Alastor glanced at the departing prince as he placed his hands behind his back. "Nothing much. Just business regarding the hotel."

"But I already got a donation from him."

"Well, yes." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I was simply reminding him to honor his word."

The Radio Demon was normally an excellent liar. But when he was showing obvious signs of lying, it meant he was feeling guilty about it.

"Uh-huh." Tina raised an eyebrow. "And what was all that talk about not treatin' your relationship like business?"

"You heard…?" He perked up to hide his anxiety. "Darling, don't you know it's terribly rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversations?"

"Please." She rolled her eyes. "Like you don't do that all the time."

Tuning sounds emitted from him. "H-How much did you hear?"

"I came in when ya started talkin' 'bout the Prince's failed marriage."

"Oh." Alastor sighed in relief. "See, the Prince requested some romantic advice regarding his new paramour, and as a good host, I was happy to oblige."

Tina scoffed. "He came to you for romantic advice?"

She didn't mean to come off as cynical, but it was hard to believe someone would come to the Radio Demon, who had only ever romanced one person in his afterlife, and was separated from said person for ten years, for romantic advice.

"Well, apparently," Alastor said, "the Prince's little imp is just as stubborn and brash as you are, my darling."

"But why did he think—?"

"By the way, I saw how you handled that snake! Excellently done, as one dealmaker to another!"

He was changing the subject. Which meant he was avoiding something. Tina would probe more about this later when there weren't so many demons around.

He bent to her level. "Perhaps next time I find myself with a difficult client, I should call on you."

Suddenly shy, she glanced down at her feet. "We do make a pretty good team when we're not fighting, don't we?"

When she looked back up, Alastor was staring intently at her.

"What?"

"Nothing." His smile softened. "Just…wishing I could be alone with you right now."

Damn his devilish charms for making her forget what they were arguing about.

"When do you go on?" she asked.

"Just as soon as they finish up." He jerked his thumb towards the stage, where the Dicto twins were performing their "Sisters" duet. "Be sure to stand where I can see you, alright?"

"Okay." He was about to leave when Tina said, "Uh, Al? About your gift…"

He turned back. "Yes?"

Biting her lip, she tapped her fingers together. "I'm, uh, sure whatever it is, I'll love it."

Alastor's chuckle sounded almost apprehensive. "Oh, you will."

"But…" She met his gaze. "Al, ya know I wouldn't wanna do anything to make ya uncomfortable, right? You don't have to do anything ya don't wanna do."

The Radio Demon tilted his head at her. Was she talking about the photographs? Had she realized how disgraceful the gesture was and felt ashamed?

The smile he gave her was sympathetic and loving. "Rest assured, mon amour." He cupped her chin. "I never lose sight of what I want."

And what he wanted was her.

Yes, that was why he was doing all this. To have a perfect life with her.

Alastor had made his decision. Even if he couldn't find the courage to go all the way with Tina tonight, he could always reveal the truth about her daughter. Then she'd be so happy that they could delay their consummation for another time.

Either way, he was going to please his wife, and was not going to let a few nude photographs tarnish the purity of his love.

"I must get ready for the show. But afterwards, we can have that dance." He leaned in to whisper, "Then maybe…sneak away to my room?"

Tina shivered at the way his voice tickled her ear. "I… Ya think we should?"

"Why not? Didn't you have the same idea a moment ago?"

"Quit with the flirting, good sir." She pushed him away with a giggle. "People will say we're in love."

"And Heaven forbid they should think that."

Across the room, Carrie Canary watched the couple. She bit her nails as the Radio Demon ruffled the Songbat's hair before heading towards the stage.

What was happening? Had he not looked inside the box yet? Did giving her boss the negligee she'd swiped from Alastor's room make things somehow better between them?

"Hey, baby. Up for a dance?"

Carrie squeaked as she turned to see a chameleon a foot shorter than her, dressed in a black suit, with his scaley hand outstretched. As his icy blue eyes met hers, she trembled with joy, as well as fear.

With a quivering grin, Carrie nodded and took the chameleon's hand. He yanked her into a waltzing position, and swung her onto the dancefloor.

He pressed her close and whispered into her ear, "Can the bitch hear us?"

Carrie glanced at the Songbat, who was conversing with the Princess. "We should be fine. Her super hearing's not as useful in crowds. She tries to listen too much, she gets a headache."

All the same, they kept their voices low.

"Good." His hand trailed down her back. "Then maybe, my little canary, you can tell me…"

Carrie gasped as he groped her behind, then she closed her eyes in pleasure.

"What the fuck," he hissed, "is going on here?!"

His claws came out, digging into her skin. Carrie squeaked, but dared not scream with so many people around.

"You said you'd take care of it." His other hand squeezed hers, threatening to crack her bones. "That those gifts you suggested would drive a wedge between them. Not only are they still talking, but she's wearing that fucking ring. The ring you were supposed to steal from her."

"P-P-Please." Carrie whimpered through the pain. "C-C-Camille, it'll w-work."

Camille released her rear. "What makes you think that?"

This time, she whispered into his ear, her tone shifting into something sultrier, "Sex is what drove them apart. Thanks to my little gifts, they now both think the other has sex on the brain, which is gonna screw with their heads. In Radio Boy's case, he's probably already wondering why his wife is in such shameful photos. The seed of doubt has been planted. And once our bosses make their move, that seed will grow."

Camille snorted. "You better be right. Cuz when this night is over, I'm bookin' us a room at Val's."

As he dipped her, he narrowed his eyes. "And my performance is gonna depend on your performance. And if I'm not satisfied by it…"

His claws dug into her back. "Get the picture, babe?"

Carrie gulped and nodded.

The Dicto twins sang as they twirled in their poofy blue gowns and swung their giant feathered fans.

"Lord, help the mister
Who comes between me and my sister.
And Lord, help the sister
Who comes between me and my man."

They posed together on the final beat and remained there during the applause. Since Tina's act, the number of guests had tripled. Apparently, a lot of demons wanted to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen of Hell.

The twins bowed and skipped offstage. Charlie clapped as she came up to the mic.

"And that was Dana and Dinah Dicto, recreating the 'Sisters' number from the classic Earth movie, White Christmas! Which I've never had the opportunity to see myself, but it looks fun! And speaking of classics, we've got another one coming up from our resident Overlord, and co-manager, who was gracious enough to let us use his station to broadcast our show, Alastor the Radio Demon!"

The applause for his entrance was the greatest of all. Mostly because demons feared if they didn't clap, they'd be eaten. But some, like Charlie, Niffty and Tina, were genuine in their applause.

With the natural air of a showman, Alastor picked up his mic and said, "Good evening, ladies, gentlemen, others! Happy Valentine's Day! This is Alastor the Radio Demon, coming at you live from my latest investment, the Hazbin Hotel! As what I have to say to you all is very important, I'm giving you the rare opportunity to film me! So, get out those infernal boxes of yours and feel free to, err, steam this, or whatever you call it."

He waited for demons to whip out their hell phones. Angel Dust immediately went to his Voxtagram to stream.

"That's weird," Charlie whispered to Vaggie. "I thought he hated being filmed or photographed. What changed his mind?"

Vaggie glanced at Tina, who was in the center of the crowd, looking up at the stage with her hands clasped over her heart. "I have a few guesses."

"You all recording? Good. So," Alastor addressed the audience, "who else is surprisingly enjoying themselves tonight?"

There were several cheers. Then someone shouted, "Would help if we had more booze!"

"And boobs!" shouted another.

That earned some laughs from the crowd.

"By the sound of it," Alastor said, "you gentlemen have had too much booze! Charlotte, perhaps we should limit the alcohol to one drink per guest!"

The audience groaned and booed.

"Now, now, now!" Alastor held up a hand. "Who said the only way to have a good time was with an abundance of alcohol? Then again, what do I know? I lived through Prohibition!"

As the laughter returned, Angel Dust said, "Hey, he actually made a funny, for once."

"No, I mean it." The Radio Demon wagged a finger. "Just because we're in Hell, doesn't mean we should forget our manners! So first, let me say that our Princess and her team have managed to host a swinging soirée! Almost makes me believe that this silly experiment of hers could work! Almost."

His lips fell over his teeth as his voice took on a more serious tone. "To be honest, folks, I never gave much thought to redemption, but since I joined this charity project, I've come to realize I was…mistaken."

He locked eyes with Tina. "While I still doubt demons will be welcomed into Heaven, this hotel has helped me find redemption with my wife, Tina."

A hush fell over the crowd as all heads turned towards the Songbat, who was on the verge of tears.

"She's the sole reason I even bothered coming here. And…she's the reason I stay." Alastor placed a hand over his heart. "Most of you are probably aware that Tina and I had a falling out some years ago, and…I'm happy to announce, as of yesterday, we have fully reconciled, and are officially together once again."

The reactions were mixed.

Charlie gasped. "Is this true?"

Niffty squealed. "No way!"

"Oh, yeah!" Angel whistled. "Bat Girl's gettin' laid tonight!"

Lucifer nodded in approval.

But mostly, there were cheers. Carrie Canary met the eyes of Camille from across the room. He did not look pleased.

"And so," the Radio Demon continued, "I dedicate this song to my beautiful wife. Tina, our relationship has been accompanied by many songs. Every anniversary, you'd sing me a song from your time, one that matched your feelings. Now it's time for me to sing my feelings to you. Although we've had our ups and downs, and we are both far from perfect, my love for you will never falter, because you, my dear, sweet Tina, are my one and only soulmate."

A grand, scarlet piano appeared centerstage. The mic shrank, small enough for Alastor to pin onto his lapel. Then he approached the piano, swept his coattails back, and sat on the bench. Casting a sideways glance at Tina, he began to play a sweet, slow melody. Upstage, the band sat down and listened.

The lights dimmed to a single spotlight on the Radio Demon as he sang:

"Why do I do just as you say?
Why must I just give you your way?
Why do I sigh, why don't I try to forget?"

Tina closed her eyes and shook her head with a smile. This song did, indeed, describe their relationship to a tee.

"It must have been that something lovers call fate.
Kept me saying I have to wait.
I saw them all, just couldn't fall, till we met."

When she opened her eyes, Alastor was staring right at her. "It had to be you."

At this moment, the room was flooded in blue light. Skinny, deciding to accompany the Radio Demon, blew into his trumpet. One by one, the musicians familiar with the song joined in.

"It had to be you."

The piano, along with its player, started rotating onstage.

"I wandered around, and I finally found
The somebody who…"

Alastor hung his head back, his eyes shut, as he let the music wash over him.

"Could make me be true
And could make me be blue."

He opened his eyes and gave a pout. Well, as much a pout as he could with that Cheshire grin.

"And even be glad
Just to be sad
Thinking of you."

He shook his head, thinking of all the emotions his wife had awakened within him.

"Some others I've seen
Might never be mean,
Might never be cross, or try to be boss,
But they wouldn't do."

The Radio Demon stood, the keys automatically continuing the song as he crossed the stage, a pink spot following him.

"For nobody else," he sang as he hopped off, "gave me a thrill."

The crowd parted as he made his way towards Tina.

"With all your faults—" He took her hand. "—I love you still."

He floated upwards, taking Tina with him.

"It had to be you." He placed his other hand on her waist. "Wonderful you."

He twirled her around. "It had to be you."

Through the instrumental break, Alastor led his wife into a dance, the two of them hovering above the crowd, their gaze never breaking. Not for one moment did Tina fear she'd fall. Not just because she had wings, but because she knew Alastor would never let that happen.

It was like the first time they danced together. Though unrehearsed, they were perfectly in sync. Except now, it wasn't just for show. There was real emotion in their movements.

"For nobody else gave me a thrill.
With all your faults, I love you still."

They lowered onto the stage.

"It had to be you.
Wonderful you.
It had to be you."

On the last few bars, Alastor lifted his arm, indicating for Tina to turn. Then he dipped her, one hand clutching hers, the other supporting her back.

Their first dance had finished with an impromptu kiss from Tina, which Alastor hadn't been prepared for. It was time he repaid the favor.

So, in front of all these witnesses, including the millions watching on livestream, the Radio Demon shut his eyes, closed the distance between him and his wife, and pressed his lips to hers. Tina's own eyes drifted closed as she reciprocated the kiss.

The audience was louder than ever before. With cheers, whistles, and hoots for the couple. It escalated when Tina reached up and pulled Alastor closer, her leg hooking around his. In turn, he snaked his other arm around her, opening his mouth to allow her tongue to explore. If they were pressed any closer, they'd merge into one being.

It was so easy for Alastor to lose his senses while kissing the woman he loved. His ears were flattening, his tail was wagging, his heart was racing, his entire body was on fire.

All feelings of jealousy and doubt melted away as he melted into her touch. What did those photographs matter? Even if someone other than him had seen Tina naked, she was with the Radio Demon now. He knew he was the only man she truly wanted.

Maybe, just maybe, he could still follow through with his original plan for tonight.

In fact, the thought of continuing this in private sent a pleasant tingle to that area that…usually wasn't so pleasant.

"You two gonna get a room, or ya gonna get freaky right here onstage?!"

Angel Dust's lewd outburst broke the spell. Alastor pulled away from Tina and straightened up, both of them blushing.

"Y-Yes, well…" The mic regrew to its full length in Alastor's hand. "Tonight's program is brought to you by the Hazbin Hotel. For reservations, please call…." He gave the number, then the address. "Now, I'll pass it off to my oldest and dearest friend, Mimzy!"

He left the mic centerstage, getting rid of the piano as he escorted his wife back to the dancefloor.

"Aw, now that's what Valentine's Day is all about, folks!" Mimzy said into the mic, giving the couple another hand. "Ain't those two lovebirds simply adorable? Twenty years back, I had the pleasure of singing at their wedding. And, not gonna lie, I was sort of hoping I'd get to sing this again for them tonight. After all…"

She winked at Alastor and Tina. "It's a sin to tell a lie."

Sure enough, the band started playing "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie," their wedding song.

Alastor offered Tina his hand with a flourish, and she accepted it. As he pulled her in, she rested her left hand on his arm, his right hand on her waist.

Meanwhile, Lucifer and Lilith were making their exit.

"You're not leaving already, are you?" Charlie asked.

"I'm afraid we have another engagement. Besides," Lucifer said, glancing at Alastor and Tina, "I've seen all I needed to see."

The Devil had upheld his end of the bargain and showed up to his daughter's party. Now that he'd received confirmation his devil-child was near conception, he had no more reason to stick around.

"O-Okay." Charlie masked her disappointment. "W-Well, thank you for—"

But they were gone already. Vaggie came up to her partner, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, at least they showed up."

Charlie said nothing.

"Would a dance make you feel better?"

The Princess nodded, and joined Vaggie on the dancefloor as Mimzy sang:

"Be sure it's true
When you say, 'I love you.'
It's a sin to tell a lie."

Tina chuckled as she and her husband waltzed around the ballroom. "Really does feel like our wedding day, don't it? Ya know, without the pretense."

Alastor's eyelids drooped as he gazed at her. "Well, I wouldn't say that day was all a pretense."

"How do ya mean?"

He twirled her outward. "When I first saw you in your wedding gown, do you know what I thought?"

"What?"

When she returned to his embrace, he stopped her so that her back was against his chest.

"That you," Alastor whispered as he guided her steps, "were the most beautiful thing I ever laid eyes on. And I couldn't wait to call you my wife."

Tina gave his hand an affectionate squeeze. "Wish I could say the same."

That was fair, given the circumstances of their engagement.

"Maybe I wasn't in love quite yet." He twirled her back into their starting position. "But by the time we said our vows, I knew I wanted you. That wasn't a pretense. I wasn't thinking about romance, or kissing, or…children."

He glanced guiltily at his feet, then met her eyes again. "I just wanted to know you, to understand you, to…to mean something to you."

Another turn, and he dipped her. "But it's more than that now."

Tina giggled. "I'm sure."

If their more recent interactions were anything to go by.

"Now when I look at you," Alastor said as he brought her up, "do you know what it is I think about?"

She shivered. "Honestly, Al, you're not the easiest man to read."

He leaned in and settled his chin atop her head, closing his eyes as he was bathed in the near-fresh scent of her hairspray.

"I think about," he murmured, "how I would very much like to have known you in life. We could've met under normal circumstances, had a proper courtship, fallen in love the way people are supposed to."

It was a lovely thought to Tina as well. That her life might've turned out better, had Alastor found her before Ethan, or Wilbur.

"Ya think we still would've ended up in Hell?" she asked.

Alastor considered this a moment, then replied, "I don't know."

After all, even if they'd been alive at the same time, there was no guarantee that they would've met before he'd started killing, or before her own fall from grace.

"But at least, on Earth," Alastor continued, the static in his voice fading, "we would've had the chance to grow old together, spend our golden years dancing to the radio, holding hands on the front porch, watching our grandchildren play in the bayou."

Tina snorted. "Sounds like a pipe dream. Cuz for us to have grandchildren, we'd have to have actual children first. And that wouldn't even happen up top, would it?"

Her husband did not respond. For a moment, she worried she may have insulted him.

Drawing back, she said, "I didn't mean it like that. I'm just sayin' us being alive wouldn't change your opinion on sex, right? So there's no way we'd have…"

He didn't look insulted. Rather, he was smirking. And his eyes were boring into hers so intensely it made her gulp.

"Uh, Al? You're only speakin' figuratively, right?"

"Well," he said with a shrug, "we can't grow old down here, but…" His hand moved from her waist to her belly. "Maybe the rest is still possible?"

Tina's knees buckled. Was she dreaming? Had she misheard him? Or…had Alastor really changed his mind?

"Mon amour." He pressed his forehead to hers. "Do you still wish to start a family with me?"

She blinked. Too stunned to question what he meant by that. Did he mean adoption? If so, why was his hand on her belly? Where was all this coming from?

Before her brain could process a response, a chilling voice pierced the air. "Aw, isn't this a pretty picture?"

Mimzy's song came to an abrupt stop. Tina and Alastor both stiffened as a fume of red smoke floated between them.

"Our long-lost lovers," said an electronic voice, "back together again."

Static buzzed as the Radio Demon clutched his wife protectively to his chest.

"You know you're trending all over Voxtagram?" said a bubbly, female voice, accompanied by the snapping of a camera. "Damn, you two look even sappier in person."

Tina winced. She'd been fretting so much about her husband, she'd forgotten her special guests for the evening. Any opportunity to give anyone a proper warning had passed.

The Three Vs had arrived.

Man, I CAN'T with these cameos! Why's this show gotta have so many characters?