Chapter 4
"Please, Father. Please, just hear me out. You listened to Gabriel discuss the idea of a digital angel message board for thirty minutes, why can't you just let me bring this human back to Earth? You know who she is, you know it's not her time."
He sat with his hands folded. "Bring her in."
Amenadiel jerked backwards. "What?"
"Son…just let me speak to her."
His shoulders shrugged. "At your behest…"
Leaving the room, he found Chloe biting her thumb.
"He wants to see you."
"What?" She hissed. "As in…God? God wants to see me?" Her voice jumped escalated an octave.
Slowly, she entered the small room. It was empty, save for two couches and a glass table. Oddly like Linda's office. The light was stark, but not harsh. Not sterile like a hospital, but bright and inviting like a mid-summer's day. She didn't know what to expect, really. Her whole life, Chloe, like many humans, always thought that picturing God as a specific person, especially with a specific gender or form, was somehow sacrilegious. But now knowing the truth about Lucifer, and celestials, it hit her that God did look human, or at least took the form of one. He was tall, dark, wearing a simple, light garment that contrasted the deepness and richness of his skin. Although she knew he was much older, he seemed to be around middle-aged, grey facial hair neatly trimmed. In all honesty, he looked like a father. Which made sense, Chloe realised. After all, this was Lucifer's and Amenadiel's and…however many other siblings he had's (she still hadn't quite got around to finding that out) dad.
"I've been looking forward to finally meeting you, Chloe Jane Decker." His deep voice carried so much power, so much conviction. It was logical, she supposed. God being a soprano would certainly be far less convincing.
She gulped, completely lost for words.
He offered an endearing smile. "Please, sit, my child."
Still visibly trembling, she did as He asked.
"I-I'm sorry." She blurted.
God raised his hand, reassuringly. "It's quite alright. I harbour no resentment. You made a mistake. That is the beauty of humanity, that such mistakes happen and lessons can be learnt. That one can always try to improve themselves and strive to be better."
"But my mistake killed your son?" Chloe let out a nervous laugh. "I lost all my faith in him, because a stranger told me I was doing God's…" She cleared her throat. "Your work."
The man nodded. "Ah, it does bewilder me sometimes how far certain people have twisted and interpreted my messages. They've added all these complex political layers, and divided themselves into different groups which ultimately believe in the same kind of power, when really it's much simpler. My judgement of people when they die is not determined by visits to certain buildings or aversions from certain so-called temptations. No, my only judgement comes from the way they treat their fellow people. Guilt and shame are what drag your dear souls to Hell most of the time unfortunately. But there is always a way out."
She took in what he said, realising the sheer privilege she had by being there to hear it.
"And as for what you did, upon finding out my son really was the Devil. I don't blame you. You did the natural, logical thing. When I made you, I always conceptualised you as the rational counterpart to him."
Chloe's brow furrowed. "Counterpart?"
"Right. You see, Chloe. Your creation was not just a decision made by your parents. They had struggled with fertility, as many couples do, but I could see so much potential in you. Potential in the way you could help to heal my family and the world. So with my assistance, you were created as a gift for Lucifer."
Her face sunk a little, although she tried not to show it.
"But." He spoke firmly. "You are also so much more than that. You are John and Penelope's daughter. You are Beatrice's mother. You are an officer of the law. You are a friend, a supporter. You are Chloe Jane Decker. So please do not think any less of yourself because of that."
She pressed her lips into a thin line, slowly taking in what He said.
"L-Look, I know I've messed up. And I know I don't deserve special treatment over anybody else, I know that Heaven is a gift in itself but.." Her voice dwindled, sounding so small, almost child-like. "I don't want my daughter to grow up without me."
"I don't either. Although she is strong and brave, just as you are, I agree that she need not suffer like that, the way you have. You deserve to live your life to the fullest. And that, Chloe, is how you may do 'my' work as you called it. The day-to-day kindness and braveness you display that allows you to help those who cannot help themselves. It is the way you always read to your daughter before bed without fail, no matter how tired you are. It is the way you treat your friends, the way you support them through their strife, that is my work. So long as you keep doing that, I see no reason for you to be here just yet."
Tears rolled neatly down her face. "T-thank you."
"Amenadiel can take you back to Earth now." She walked towards the door, before turning to face God as He called her name one last time. "And there's no need to thank me, it's your God-given right to live life to its completion." His warm smile would forever remain imprinted in Chloe's mind as she walked back to Amenadiel.
With one fluid motion, the light disappeared, and Chloe felt herself fall, strong arms beneath her every step of the way.
