The moment they stepped out of the stockroom, the elf thugs held out their guns, keeping their guards up while searching the area for their fellow comrades and the identity of the mysterious announcer. Eventually, they decided to spilt-up. In doing so, one heard a sound coming from inside the Grotto.
He came in with his guard still up and entered to find… all of the other thugs unconscious, tied-up, their masks removed and their mouths gagged. Before he had chance to react, he was suddenly struck by Dan's punch. Causing him to fall unconsciously.
As for the other, he was scouring through the second floor when he caught a glimpse Jophiel running on the ground floor! Following his orders, the elf-thug began shooting at her! Luckily, he kept missing her. That and even if he did shoot her, the bullets would have no effect on Jophiel do to her immortality. Nevertheless, the thug began chasing after her. He made his down the currently stopped escalator and followed Jophiel into the toyshop. Once inside, he began searching for her, with the intention to shoot her again.
Elf-thug: Hello? Come out, come out, wherever you are. I just want to have a little word with you.
Unknowingly to him, this is exactly what Jophiel intended. She lured him into the toyshop on purpose in order to trap him. She once again hid behind from you of the display shelves, waited for the exact movement he'd walked towards her, and then she unleashed a large bag of plastic balls that rolled into his path. Causing him to slip and fall to the ground. While also accidently shooting a ceiling ornament in the process.
Now with only one robber left, the group moved onto the last phase of the plan. Confronting him and saving the hostages. Thankfully, the last phase fell into the place the moment the last Santa-thug heard the gunshots going off and the smashing sound from the ornament. The moment he stepped away from the hostages, and made his way towards the door… Chloe and Dan came in, held out their guns and ordered the Santa-thug to drop his.
From outside, Maze was standing patiently from the side of a police-car in handcuffs while talking to Amenadiel and Linda (Who woke up shortly after Maze got arrested).
Amenadiel: Maze, what were you thinking?
Maze: I was thinking, that little bitch should've let me in. It's not my fault she got all-sensitive because I pointed my blades at her.
Linda: Uh… I think does Maze. You did point one of your deathly blades at a police officer. Which is very frowned upon. Although, I would like to know why? Why were you so determinate to go inside?
Amenadiel: Because she has a tendency of becoming violent and threatening whenever she can't have her way.
Maze: *Scoffs* You are aware I can easily break free from these handcuffs and pound you to the ground, right?
Linda: Look, Maze, I'm sure everyone's okay. I mean, from the looks of things, the police are preparing to storm the building.
Maze: Oh, please, like I care about happens to anyone inside. I just want to get in so I can save Chloe and Dan and then rubber it in Lucifer's smug face.
Linda: And that's the only reason why you wanna go inside? Just show off Lucifer.
Maze: Yeah. What else could it be? Plau if anything happens to Chloe and Dan, then you know, I'll be stuck with Trixie forever. And the last thing I need is a mouth to feed.
Obviously, Linda knew exactly what Maze meant. She wanted to rush into the building because she wanted to save Trixie's parents, because Maze didn't want her to suffer the pain of losing them, because deep-down, Maze truly cares about Trixie and her feelings.
Moreover, the trio looked over and watched as the SWAT team began storming the building and within those next few intense minutes… The SWAT team finally exited from the facility with every one of the robbers in handcuffs and the hostages, along with Lucifer, Chloe, Dan, Ella and Jophiel (Who had already changed into her original attire) were being safety escorted out. Meaning, their rescue mission was indeed a success. While being escorted out…
(Background song #4 = Let it Snow, Let it Snow by Dean Martin)
Ella: You were amazing in there, Jo. You were like John McClain.
Jophiel: Well, I wouldn't go that far. I didn't swear, I didn't blow up anything or get into intense shootouts. Anyway, did you still get those fragrance sets for your brothers?
Ella: Oh, shoot! I knew I forget something. I guess it's too late to go back and get them now.
Lucifer: Oh, I needn't worry about that, Miss Lopez. On the way out, I recovered theses lying around in Santa's Grotto. Apparently, a young forensics scientist left them behind while hiding and outrunning a group of criminals. They already been paid for of course.
Ella: Oh, man, thanks Lucifer! (Openly gives Lucifer hugs) This is the best Christmas present you could get me.
Jophiel: Yes. So what's the catch?
Lucifer: (Struggles to escape from Ella's hug) There's no catch. I'm just giving Miss Lopez what's rightfully hers.
Ella: Aw, thanks again, Luce. (Begins hugging him tighter)
Lucifer: Oh, okay, that's enough, Miss Lopez, thank you.
Ella: (Once she finally released him) Right. Thanks. (Checks the time on her phone) Oh, man, my flight is in less than two hours. I gotta go home and pack.
Jophiel: Well, what are waiting for? Go, go.
Ella: Okay, thanks. I'll see you guys after New-Years. Merry Christmas.
Before she was about to call herself an Uber, Ella couldn't help but glance at Jophiel. Even though she didn't know the full story, Ella couldn't stop repeating the argument Jophiel and Lucifer had earlier. She may not have known the full story, but Ella just couldn't imagine what her new best friend had to go through when she was forced to spend so many Christmas' alone. Which actually got her thinking.
As for the situation with Maze… Jophiel and Lucifer approached and engaged in a conversation with her, their brother and Linda, both curious as to why they were there in the first place, and why Maze was handcuffed.
Lucifer: Well, isn't this a surprise turn of events. Who rattled your cage, Maze?
Maze: Some bitchy cop who wouldn't let me go in to save your sorry asses.
Lucifer: Oh, and I see it was a major success.
Jophiel: Please don't tell me you stabbed someone.
Maze: No… I just threatened to.
Lucifer: Well, no to worry my little stabby Demon companion, I'm sure I can pull a few strings and get you out of this.
Jophiel: With any luck, you'll probably get over a hundred hours of community service.
Maze: What's that?
Jophiel: Well, let's hope you'll find out soon enough. But just not tomorrow, we have Christmas dinner. By the way, you're all still coming, right?
Amenadeil: Well, I've been trying to convince Mom that we should be focusing more on finding a way back home to the Silver-City instead of involving ourselves in this human holiday, but she's insisting we do, because you've been making such a big deal out of it. So I have no choice but to attend.
Jophiel: Yeah, cause that's the Christmas spirit.
Maze: That and mommy's telling you what to do and like any good mama's boy, you're obeying her.
Amenadiel: No, I'm attending because I wanna make sure that she is still focusing on our main goal, which is to return to where we belong.
Lucifer: Either way, good on you, Brother. You're being a good son and a loyal brother as always. Proving to our dear sister that she only needs one sibling to attend this event she has planned. So, enjoy yourselves.
Jophiel: You know what, Luci… fine. If don't want to have Christmas dinner at my place tomorrow, then you don't have to come at all. I hope you have a very Happy Christmas doing whatever it is you would obviously prefer doing more. Hopefully, the rest of you can still attend, along with Mam. And Linda, if you don't have plans, there's plenty of room. You can stop by anytime you want.
Linda: Thank you, Joei. That's very sweet of you.
Lucifer: Oh, so that's your second option, isn't it? You're bettering your chances of getting a gift by inviting the Doctor as well.
Jophiel: Luci, I told you before, I don't care about getting presents. In fact, I expected none of you to get me a present.
Lucifer: That's not true. I overhead you talking with the Detective, Daniel and Miss Lopez earlier and I heard you saying that you already had gifts for each of us.
Maze: You seriously got them gifts? Including me?
Jophiel: Yes. I got gifts for 'you' all. I knew none of you would get a gift for me.
Lucifer: Well, if you knew that, then why did you bother getting us gifts anyway?
Jophiel: Because that's what Christmas is. Giving without expecting anything in return. Which is why I don't care if you get me anything and if you none of you want to come to my Christmas dinner tomorrow, then I can deal with that too. So, Happy Christmas to whatever you all decided to do. I'm going home.
The moment she walked away from them, Linda walked up to Lucifer and asked…
Linda: So… I'm guessing you gave Jophiel the gift she didn't want.
Lucifer: Not exactly. I tried getting her something, but the shop was in the middle being robbed. Therefore, I couldn't get her anything.
Linda: Well, do you at least know what she might've wanted?
Lucifer: Well, while we were in there, she went on about this soppy story of how she spent Christmas alone for years and… didn't want that happen again this year. So… the worst Christmas present I can give her… is by letting her spend another lonely year. Looks like your idea worked after all, Doctor. Thanks to, you, Jophiel won't associate me with Christmas or any other holiday again.
Linda: Yeah, not my idea, so, I'm not taking credit for that.
Lucifer: Suit yourself.
At first, Lucifer wanted to be happy because his plot to give Jophiel the worst gift ever was undeniably a success. Yet, he still couldn't shake this feeling of guilt for making his own sister feel just as lonely as he was when he spent millennia in Hell.
He kept trying to convince himself that Jophiel deserved it, because like their Parents, she and the rest of their siblings abandoned him when he was being cast out and simply stood by and watched as it happened.
However, when Jophiel decided to remain on Earth and Lucifer would come up from time to time to visit humanity, he and Jophiel would often bump into each other. They would regularly reconnected by chatting and complaining about their parents and siblings. And surprisingly, those moments were often the highlight of Lucifer's visit. Even though the main reason he came to Earth was so he could attend wild parties that would normally result with him having sex with the nameless masses.
Nevertheless, throughout those short moments he spent with his sister, Lucifer felt less alone, and a part him felt that he owed Jophiel for being… a person he could confined in as not only a sibling, but also a friend too. Up until Amenadiel and Linda of course.
Meanwhile, Dan walked up to Chloe while holding Mrs. Butterfly-Sprinkle.
Dan: Hey, Chloe. Look who I got.
Although, she wanted to be glad that they finally had the very doll Trixie asked for, it bothered Chloe
Chloe: Yeah. Dan, about the doll… I don't think we should give Trixie this. I'm sorry, but it just dosen't feel right taking the doll, even if we already paid for it and left a note.
Dan: I know and I agree. Which is why on the way out, I talked to one of the guys from the toyshop and actually paid for it.
Chloe: Really?
Dan: Yeah. I mean, what kind of lesson would we be teaching our daughter?
Chloe: Thanks, Dan. And I'm sure Trixie will love the doll. Especially if we're both there to give it to her.
Dan: Wait, are you saying…?
Chloe: Come over and have Christmas dinner with us. it'll be just like old times, and despite our divorce, we're still friends, right?
Dan: Absolutely. I'll be there, I promise. I wouldn't miss having Christmas dinner with Trixie for anything in the world.
A short while later, everyone including the hostages had finished giving their statements, prepared to leave, and hopefully enjoy their own holiday plans. Beforehand, Chloe looked to Lucifer. He seemed lost in his own thoughts.
Chloe: Hey. You doing okay?
Lucifer: Yes, Detective. Just thinking… why do you celebrate Christmas?
Chloe: What do you mean?
Lucifer: Look at you for example. You and Detective Douche were bickering over getting your offspring the gift that was causing you to become distressed. So why did you still do it. Why risk stressing over all of this? What's the point of it all?
Chloe: Well, as stressful as Christmas can be sometimes, it's still surprisingly worth it in the end. Because by then, when Dan and I give Trixie her present, seeing her smiling when she opens it tomorrow, is what will always make it worth it.
Is seeing a smile on a loved ones face really worth it? Lucifer didn't how to respond because he's never had a chance to experience it. However, he wondered what it be like to see a smiling face on someone else and seeing if it is indeed true.
By the time she came home, Jophiel did as she annually did when she spent Christmas alone. She put on her Christmas pyjamas, made herself a large cup of hot-chocolate with mini-marshmallows, took out a Christmas reindeer cupcake, placed both of her chocolaty treats on the coffee table before sitting down on the couch and then turning on the TV to watch 'Home Alone 2 Lost in New York.'
(Background song #5 = Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Mel Torme)
Hairstyle: Let-down
Top: Red elbow-sleeve Henley
Bottom: Green Christmas seamless pattern print Pyjama bottoms
Footwear: White socks
Afterwards, Jophiel cleaned-up before heading to bed. However, little did she know, that a special surprise would be waiting for her by the time she'd wake up on Christmas morning. By the time shw woke-up on that particular morning, Jophiel expected to find her loft the way she left the night before, but to her surprise…
She walked in to find a large stack of presents lying in front of her Christmas tree and Lucifer standing next to them, wearing a Pine-Green three-piece-suit, over a white shirt and a Christmas Poinsettia instead of a well folded pocket-square.
Lucifer: Good morning, Jophiel. Merry Christmas.
Jophiel: Wh… Wh… what is all this?
Lucifer: Isn't it obvious? These are all your Christmas presents.
Jophiel: Yes, I can see that. How'd you get all these gifts on such short notice?
Lucifer: Well, let's just say I know a good few shop-owners and postmen in that owe me a favour.
Jophiel: Thanks, Luci. This is a very sweet gesture. So what changed your mind?
Lucifer: Well, it recently occurred to me that my behaviour from earlier may have been misconstrued as…
Jophiel: Jerkiness?
Lucifer: No.
Jophiel: Grinchiness?
Lucifer: No.
Jophiel: Scroogeiness.
Lucifer: Point being… regardless of my previous outlook of this particular holiday, I've learned that even though Christmas doesn't mean much to me, or Amenadiel, Maze or even Mum… It does mean to you, Jophiel. So, here's a start.
Jophiel: Thanks, Luci. It means a lot. Wait right here. (Walks into her walk-in-wardrobe and within the next few minutes, returns holding a rectangular shaped present) For you, Happy Christmas.
Once he received his present, Lucifer opened it to a bottle of…
Lucifer: A 1895 St. Royal Whiskey? I thought these things were long gone since World War II, where did you get this?
Jophiel: You're not the only one with connections, Brother. Do you like it?
Lucifer: Like it? Jophiel, this is… this is, just… Thank you, Joei.
In exchange, Jophiel began opening up all of her prents, which included, art supplies, make-up kits, charms for one of her bracelets, etc. to show her appreciation, Jophiel openly gave her big brother a bear hug. Lucifer kept struggling but Jophiel's hug too powerful for him to set free until Jophiel finally decided to let him go. Allowing him to breath again.
Later on, Jophiel got dressed for dinner and after much consideration, Lucifer decided to stay for Jophiel's Christmas Dinner.
Hairstyle: Mid-Ponytail
Dress: Cherry-Red scoop-neck elbow-sleeve Fit & Flare dress
Footwear: Black ankle-strap round-toe wedges
(Montage/Ending Song: This Christmas Night by Ziki Hexum)
Overtime, Amenadiel, Maze and Linda came up to Jophiel's loft, along with the sibling's mother, the Goddess of All Creation, who has been processing the life and identity of a defence attorney, named Charlotte Richards. Upon their arrival, Jophiel presented them with gifts she had prepared for them.
For Amenadiel, Jophiel gave him a blank Journal as a means for him to write down his own thoughts while also brainstorming ways to return to Heaven.
Lucifer: Well, there will be plenty of blank pages left over.
Maze got a katana-blade with a red ribbon tied to it. When she held it in her hands, Maze was so tempted to take it out of it's scabbard and use it on the people who are forcing her to do 3000 hours of community service for intimating a police officer. Then again, thanks to Lucifer, Maze will not be going to prison. In addition, Jophiel allowed her to use her new toy the Christmas turkey.
Anyway, since Jophiel didn't know Linda very well yet, she still gave her a nice enough gift. A Gift-Card worth $100 to any shop of her choosing. And Linda was very grateful for the kind gesture.
Finally, for Goddess/Charlotte, Jophiel presented her mother with a locket containing three pictures. Each one was an individual picture of Lucifer, Amenadiel and Jophiel. As she held the locket containing the images of her children, Goddess couldn't contain the tears of overwhelming joy from her face. To show her appreciation, she grabbed onto Jophiel and gave her a tightening hug. By the time she stopped… Dinner was finally ready.
As Jophiel served her family and friend the Christmas-Turkey and poured each of them a glass of sparkling white wine, she grabbed herself a chair and began consuming her own meal. Although, Goddess couldn't eat as much because she had eaten earlier with Charlotte Richards' family and Linda had to substitute the wine for water due to her recovering hangover.
Nevertheless, Jophiel was grateful to finally have the Christmas she missed having. Causing a visible smile to form on her face and allowing Lucifer to see what Chloe meant earlier. And seeing his younger sister smiling secretly gave him a much a similar feeling.
In addition, just as everyone was about to move on to dessert, the elevator doors opened and Chloe, Dan, Ella and Trixie came walking in! Ella decided to stay for Jophiel and visit her family right after dinner and although, they already agreed to spend the rest of their Christmas as happily friendly divorced parents by bringing Trixie to their dear friend's.
Thankfully, Jophiel's dessert was plenty big for all of them. It was her special homemade Stick-toffee pudding with caramel sauce and ice-cream.
From that point on, everyone had adored the sweet yummy pudding, the long talks and enjoying what turned out to be… A very merry Christmas.
The end.
Happy Holiday to all the readers.
And thus concludes my first Christmas Story for Lucifer. Hope you enjoyed it. If so, please comment. Enjoy what's left of the holidays, bye.
