Chloe knew something was up, but she didn't know what Lucifer's plan was.

Lucifer was taking her to dinner at Chateau Seurat tonight—one of the fanciest and hottest restaurants in the city. They were going to meet her mother and daughter there. A family foursome.

Dress up, Lucifer had told them. Of course, her mother had taken that as permission to go shopping and buy a new outfit. And naturally, Trixie had needed a new outfit as well. Chloe wasn't looking forward to seeing the credit card statement next month, even though running Lux paid three times what she'd made as a Homicide Detective.

As for her, Lucifer had insisted she get her hair done. He'd gone so far as to make an appointment for her at a swanky Beverly Hills salon. But when she'd arrived at the salon, she found out that Lucifer had ordered the full deluxe treatment. A manipedi, a massage, even a facial with some kind of fancy oxygen machine blowing Vitamin D into her skin. Then came the stylist and his three assistants. She felt marvelous at the end of the day—though she suspected she would have been horrified to know what the services had cost Lucifer.

One thing he hadn't had to pay for was a new outfit for her. She had her own section of Lucifer's closet now, filled with high-end fashion. He'd wear a dark suit, of course; and she had a number of dresses that would match nicely. She was sure they'd make a lovely couple.

But why? Lucifer wouldn't say. He did love his little surprises, didn't he? She smiled indulgently. Honestly, such a little boy about so many things! She really didn't mind. She liked his surprises—most of the time. She just had to trust that this particular one would work out.

After all, Mom and Trixie would be there, too. Lucifer wouldn't go too far as long as they were at the table. Afterwards, later tonight, who knew? But the dinner should go well enough.

#

The limo dropped them off just after seven. She didn't even blink when they'd gotten into the limo instead of taking Lucifer's car. That was how far she'd come in just a few short months of living with somebody who didn't think about the budget when it was time to enjoy life. Take a limo to dinner? Sure. Why not?

When they arrived at Chateau Seurat, the driver held the door open for her as she exited, and then Lucifer held out his arm so they could walk into the restaurant together, as a couple. He was always such a gentleman to her. That was another thing she'd gotten used to. Not that Dan had been a jerk—at least in the beginning—but Lucifer always made her feel like a queen. Chloe Decker, a nobody: he treated her like she was a queen, and she loved how he made her feel.

She loved him.

She knew it; he knew it. They'd said the words to each other. She was going to be with him for the rest of her life and that journey was just beginning! Sure, they had their little issues from time to time—but who didn't? Still, their relationship was basically solid, even though she still didn't understand what that relationship was or how to describe it, or where it was ultimately going. Stop it! Chloe put her questions to the side and focused on enjoying the evening with her beloved companion.

They were greeted with an effusive welcome, and were immediately escorted to their table, even though there were other people waiting in front of them. Trixie and her mom were already seated. Trixie had a Shirley Temple and her mom was working on a glass of white wine. The two of them looked amazing. Well, her mom almost always looked amazing, but tonight Trixie looked like a fashion model. Chloe wondered how much her daughter's dress had cost. At least a thousand dollars, if she were any judge of dress prices. And their hair had been done, as well. Looking closer at Trixie, Chloe noticed fingernail polish and … was that lipstick? She'd never worn lipstick before, unless her Nana had put it on for an audition. What was going on with her little eighth-grader?

The two of them looked up as she and Lucifer were led to the table.

"Mom, Mom! Guess what!" Trixie said, as she jumped up and hugged her. Trixie was taller than she'd been the last time they'd hugged. We've been apart for too long. Chloe put that thought aside as she hugged and kissed her daughter, trying not to smear the lipstick.

"What, Monkey?" she said. "What do you want to tell me?"

"We rode in a limousine! Lucifer sent a limousine to pick us up! How cool is that?"

Chloe looked over at her mom, who was smiling. Obviously, Penelope was used to riding in limos. But Trixie? That would be a new experience for her. "That's very cool, Monkey," Chloe said. "I guess you had fun, huh?"

"Oh, yeah," Trixie said. "They have a big window in the roof, but Nana wouldn't let me open it. She said it would mess up my hair."

Chloe nodded. "And it would have, too. Good call, Nana." She saw her mom smile out of the corner of her eye at that rare compliment from her daughter.

They all sat down and the maître d' came over, followed by several other people. He said, "Greetings, Mr. Morningstar and guests. I would like to introduce your head waiter, Bertram, and his two assistants, Julia and Ernest. If you require anything—anything at all—you have only to lift your finger and one of them will be here."

Lucifer smiled. "Yes, yes. Quite appropriate." Then he looked sharply at the maître d'. "Everything is arranged, I trust? Just as Auguste and I discussed?"

"Oh, yes," came the reply. "Indeed. Just as you discussed. Everything shall be exactly as you discussed."

"Wonderful," Lucifer said. He nodded at the waitstaff. "Then you may begin when ready."

Chloe looked at Lucifer. "What do you have in mind? In fact, what's going on here, Lucifer?"

Lucifer smiled. "What's going on here is a special night, just for the four of us. Just sit back and let's all enjoy the night."

Chloe whispered back, "Seriously, Lucifer. I know you want a special night, but what can Trixie eat here? I read up on this place. This restaurant is top-end. Michelin stars. Avant garde preparation and presentation. There's nothing traditional here. What do they have that Trixie will like?"

Trixie overheard her. "Mom, I'm not a kid anymore. You don't have to worry about me. I can eat lots of things now. Like steak or chicken."

"I don't know, Monkey. I don't think you've ever had steak or chicken like they prepare them here."

Lucifer held up his hand. "Never fear. Trixie will enjoy her meal tonight, I can assure you of that. Auguste and his chef will work wonders for us."

Penelope reached her hand over to Lucifer's arm. "This is amazing, Lucifer. Truly. I haven't—" But just then somebody came to the table and interrupted her.

"Excuse me, but aren't you Penelope Decker? The star of Althea?"

Penelope smiled and admitted, with some modesty, that she was indeed that Penelope Decker. Chloe rolled her eyes.

"Oh, my God," the fan gushed. "That's like my favorite '80's Sci-Fi movie ever! May I please have your autograph?"

"Of course, of course. Now where is a pen?"

After the fan had departed, Lucifer held up one finger and Bertram came bustling over. Lucifer looked at him and said, very seriously, "Now Bertie, we'll have no more of that please. My dear Penelope here has fans everywhere—quite rightly, as she's a brilliant actress—but we don't wish to be disturbed any more tonight. Kindly see to it."

Bertram nodded and ran over to his assistants, who huddled for a couple of seconds. Then they ran off. While they were gone, Bertram brought over a bottle of champagne and presented it to Lucifer for inspection. "Krug, 1996, as you requested, Mr. Morningstar."

"Excellent, Bertie. Thank you. Kindly pour when ready."

"And the young mistress, sir?"

Lucifer looked at Chloe. "Perhaps just a half a glass would be all right for such a delightful occasion?"

Trixie heard him. "Please mom. I've never had champagne before. Just a half a glass—please?"

Chloe sighed. "Technically, serving alcohol to an underage minor is a misdemeanor."

Lucifer replied, "Perhaps serving bad alcohol is against the law. But this is hardly bad alcohol. This is a 1996 Krug. Nobody would fault us for giving your daughter a small taste. In fact, they might chastise us for failing to do so. This bottle of bubbly is probably the closest thing to Heavenly ambrosia to be found here on Earth. The only problem with giving her a small taste is that once she's had a sip, no other alcohol will ever do. We're ruining her taste for normal champagne. I'd feel slightly bad about that but, you know, it's educational." He paused as a thought hit him. "Indeed, this is actually an important part of your daughter's education. I wonder if we can write the Krug off on our taxes? Would you mind speaking to the bookkeeper about that, please?"

Chloe smiled. Maybe it was time for her daughter to grow up, just a little. "All right. But just a half a glass. Right, Monkey?"

"Thank you, mom!"

The champagne was every bit as good as Lucifer had promised. While they were sipping, Bertie's two assistants returned. They proceeded to set up velvet ropes around the table, creating a barrier between the foursome and the rest of the restaurant. Chloe was mortified—how would that look to everybody else? But Lucifer nodded and said, "Nicely done. That should prevent any more star-struck miscreants from interrupting our meal. Please add another ten percent to tonight's gratuity for yourselves, if you would be so kind."

Chloe looked over at Trixie, who had taken a sip of the Krug. Trixie wrinkled her nose and said, "It tickles."

Chloe smiled. "That's right, honey. The bubbles do that. How does it taste though?"

Trixie thought for a moment. "This is really different from what I expected. It tastes fruity—like apple or maybe pears. And it's sweet, like honey. And then there's some other tastes—maybe cinnamon or chocolate? Maybe some coconut, as well. I never thought of champagne as having all those flavors."

Lucifer's eyes widened in surprise. "All that, from just a couple of sips? Impressive, young lady. Very impressive. You obviously have a gift." He looked at Chloe. "We should facilitate this gift. Seriously. I'm thinking sommelier school."

Chloe laughed. "Really, Lucifer? Sommelier school? She's only thirteen. How about we wait until she graduates high school?"

Lucifer sighed. "I suppose you're right. But I think you're wasting an opportunity here. Certainly, a trip to France is in order. Ah, Provence! You'll both love it. Surely such a trip doesn't need to wait for high school graduation—as I recall, she's already spent a month in Europe."

Chloe had to agree. "Yes, I took her to Europe a couple of years ago. And you know why, too! But I have to admit, we focused on … other things. Not wine tasting."

"Mom got me gelato in Rome. That was amazing! Let's go back, Mom. Please!"

"We'll have to see, Monkey. Maybe this summer … if we can."

Penelope had been following the conversation without comment. But at the pause, she interjected, "You know, I started drinking when I was in high school. And as I recall, Chloe, you did the same. I recall some nights …"

"Thank you, Mom. I think we'll leave those memories in the '90's, where they belong. Trixie doesn't need to hear about my high school days, or my nights. After all, most of my senior year was spent being tutored."

"I'm just saying, sweetie. Thirteen is not especially young to get started. And I do believe that Europe has more liberal drinking laws than we do in the states-"

"Yes, Mom. I'm quite sure they do. But right now we are in the states and we are breaking the law by letting Trixie have any of this wonderful champagne. How about we wait for her to actually be in high school before we start talking about who did what when?"

Penelope sighed. "Of course, dear." She took another sip from her flute and smiled at Lucifer. "I must say, Lucifer, you always know how to treat a lady … or, in this case, three ladies."

Lucifer smiled back at her. "Thank you, m'dear. And what a pleasure it is to dine tonight with you three lovely ladies!"

Chloe wondered what was really going on. Tonight just couldn't be a simple as Lucifer was making it out to be. There had to be more to this night than just dinner … but she had no idea what tonight was really about.

The first course arrived. Deep red gazpacho for the adults, tomato soup for Trixie. The soups were almost the same color; the biggest difference was that Trixie's was hot and theirs' was cold. Well, their soup had beets in it, and cucumbers, too. And bell peppers. And garlic. But Chole thought that Trixie's soup was close enough to theirs that she would feel like an adult, even though she was having tomato soup. If this was a foretaste of the meal to come, then she could relax about Trixie. Obviously, Lucifer had thought this meal through.

The conversation turned to Trixie's school. Apparently, Trixie was doing well, but she was bored most of the time. She said, "Honestly, I'm usually done with my work before class is done, and then I have to sit there and read for like 20 minutes."

"What are you reading, Monkey?" Chloe asked.

"The Catcher in the Rye, right now."

Chloe's eyebrows went up at that. "Oh, really? What do you think about it?"

"Well, it's hard to say. I think they author is trying to talk about how people are disconnected from each other, and how little things can affect peoples' relationships. But the story's protagonist, Holden, is kind of weird. He's got a lot of problems. If he were here now, I'd take him to see Doctor Linda. I bet she could help him."

"I bet she could, too. She helps a lot of people."

Penelope said, out of nowhere, "Trixie has a boyfriend."

"I do not have a boyfriend!"

"Oh, really? Then who do you have lunch with every day? Who do you hang out with in the library after school?"

Chloe looked at her daughter. "Really, honey? Is he a friend who's a boy, or a boyfriend?"

Trixie blushed. "Mom, Eddie is just a friend. That's all. Nana is just making fun of me."

"Well, Nana shouldn't do that. Especially if Eddie is 'just a friend'. Eighth grade is hard enough without people making fun of other people."

"Right!" Trixie looked at her Nana. "We're just friends. That's all it is."

Penelope smiled and glanced at her daughter as she said to Trixie, "Oh, really? Just a friend? Then why did he ask you to go with him to the movies next week?"

Trixie blushed again. "We're going with a group of friends, Nana. You know that! Please stop telling Mom and Lucifer that Eddie is my boyfriend."

Lucifer tried to intervene in what was becoming a bit of a heated discussion. "Now, Penelope," he said. "I'm quite sure that this Eddie boy is just as Beatrice has described. A friend. Let us drop the subject, if you will. Unless—"

He looked at Trixie. "Perhaps he's a trifle to be played with? Lead him on, then break his heart? Teach him who is really in charge? Is that your game? If so, I approve wholeheartedly."

Trixie shook her head. "No. Not like that, Lucifer. We've never even held hands … yet."

Chloe's eyes widened at that last word. The "yet" part implied more than Trixie was admitting to. Still, everything seemed harmless, at least right now.

"You enjoy your movie with Eddie and your other friends, Monkey," she said. "Just let me know what Eddie's last name is, and I'd like a list of the other friends who'll be going with you. Oh, and what movie and when? What time does it let out?"

"Mom, you're not a Detective anymore!"

"True, but I'm still your mother. If you want to go out to the movies, I'll need a few details, young lady. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Mom."

Chloe looked over at Penelope, who was smiling at the exchange. Penelope nodded at Chloe. Well done, daughter.

Lucifer made a mental note to discuss with Chloe whether Beatrice should have a security detail for this "date" of hers. Plainclothes, of course. Nothing too obvious. Just to be sure. They wouldn't want this Eddie mini-malefactor-in-waiting to get the wrong idea …

The second course arrived. It was a salad, and everybody could enjoy that. Trixie looked at her plate, and said, "This looks weird."

"It's a deconstructed salad, honey. Just like a regular salad but, instead of mixing it all together, they show every ingredient separately." Chloe had a thought. "That way, if you don't like something, you don't have to eat it."

Trixie nodded. She picked at the celery and put the pieces on her bread plate, then she mixed the rest of the ingredients together. "Now it's a salad," she said, pleased with herself. Before she had taken her second bite, Julia had removed her bread plate and replaced it with a clean one.

The meal continued. Stories were told. Trixie heard about her mother's Goth days and about some of the bands that Chloe used to listen to.

"Siouxie and the Banshees still did the best cover of 'Helter Skelter'," Chloe said. Lucifer nodded at that.

"I believe you may be correct, m'dear," he said. "I must say, I do prefer the original, myself. But if we're talking covers, I would tend to agree with your assessment."

Trixie asked, "What's a 'cover'?"

The adults all tried to answer at the same time. They laughed at themselves and told each other "Jinx." Finally, Chloe said, "It's when one band performs a song that another band performed."

"Oh," Trixie said. "Why don't they do their own stuff?"

Lucifer answered that question. "It's called paying homage, Trixie. The band is acknowledging the greatness of the song by reperforming it."

"Oh, that makes sense, I guess," Trixie replied. "Still, you'd think they'd want to do their own songs."

While they were talking, a couple came up to the ropes and tried to catch Penelope's eye. She smiled at them and waved but, before they could say anything to her, the Julia and Ernest smoothly hustled them away from the table. The foursome continued with their stories and their laughter, as if nothing had happened.

The main course was served with a flourish. A large cart was wheeled to the table and the velvet ropes were parted so that the meal could be served. Each person's meal was served under a cloche, and the waitstaff pulled the cover off with a flourish to reveal what was underneath.

Penelope's dish was revealed to be ahi tuna, marinated and grilled. She said, "It looks lovely!"

Chloe's dish was revealed to be a steak, marinated and butterflied. Served with French fries; no ketchup. She smiled as well.

Trixie's dish was revealed to be a grilled cheese sandwich and fries. She didn't wait and bit into the sandwich immediately. "—s w'nderful!" she said.

The three ladies looked at Lucifer's dish, which was … nothing. His dish was empty.

Chloe didn't understand. "Lucifer, didn't you order something for you?"

He smiled. "Indeed I did. But it will come after, I'm afraid. Right now, I just want to watch the three of you enjoy your meals."

Weird, Chloe thought. But she knew Lucifer liked his games. This must be another part of his plan. Oh, well. I'll just enjoy my steak. She did hand him a fry though, which he took from her hand, and then bowed to her in thanks before he ate it. His antics made Chloe laugh. Seeing what her mother did, Trixie did the same with one of her fries. He treated her offering the same way. She giggled.

Wine was offered with the entrees. Penelope had a glass of white wine—a Chassagne-Montrachet '14, while Chloe had a glass of red wine, something from Bordeaux called Chateau Lafleur. Lucifer whispered, "That's a 1990 vintage, darling. Enjoy it." Trixie continued to sip her half-glass of champagne, though she also had a glass of water and a Shirley Temple to give her palate a break. Lucifer sipped on one of his Blanton's bourbons.

They finished their meals. From the wine to the food to the conversation, Chloe could not remember a better meal in her life. She had even gotten along with her mom! She knew this was going to be a night to remember, a memory that she would keep for a long time.

After the dishes had been cleared, Trixie asked, "What about dessert?"

Lucifer smiled at her indulgently. "How does a chocolate souffle sound?"

"What's that?" she asked. She supposed that anything with chocolate in it was going to be good, but she wanted to be sure.

"It's like a chocolate cake, but fluffier," he replied.

"Okay, then I'll try one," she said.

Chloe said, "Nothing for me, Lucifer. I'm quite full, thank you." Penelope said the same. So the three adults watched Trixie enjoy her first chocolate souffle.

"Mmm. This is really good," she said. "It is fluffier than normal cake, but also … I don't know the word … airier? Is that a word? Because it is. It's like eating a cloud made of chocolate cake."

Lucifer looked at Chloe. "Too early for sommelier school? I hardly think so." She laughed at his comment, not taking it seriously.

But Lucifer was being serious. "Chloe, if we don't get her into sommelier school or something similar, like a culinary institute, soon, she's going to find a different path. I'm afraid she may end up as … a food critic. Perish the thought!"

Chloe laughed again. What a wonderful night!

Finally, Trixie was finished. Chloe noticed she hadn't finished her champagne, though. She supposed that was a good thing.

The table was cleared. Trixie wouldn't let them take her champagne. "I'm still working on it," she said.

Chloe wondered what was coming next. If she knew Lucifer—and she did, better than anybody else—the meal wasn't over yet, even though they were all done eating. Lucifer had said his meal would come later. She supposed that "later" meant soon, now.

"Is everybody satisfied, for the nonce?" he asked, looking at each of them in turn. They all signaled that, yes, they were satisfied. For "the nonce"—whatever that meant.

Lucifer got up from his seat and knelt down next to Penelope. He took her hand in his, and said, "I know you miss your husband terribly. He couldn't be here tonight to share the moment with us, although I know he's watching us from Heaven. Because he cannot be here, you must act for him."

Penelope was puzzled. "Lucifer, whatever do you mean?"

"It means that I would like to ask for his blessing to marry his daughter, but I cannot. So I am asking you: do I have your blessing to wed Chloe?"

Penelope was surprised. But if she was surprised, then Chloe was shocked. She had not seen this coming, though if she thought about it, she had basically told Lucifer that leaving all the relationship decisions up to her was not very romantic—to say the least. Apparently, he had heard her and decided to do something about it. She felt herself tearing up.

Penelope looked at Lucifer, and said, "Do you promise to take care of her? To treat her right? And to treat Trixie right, as well?"

Lucifer nodded. "Indeed, I do. That is my intention. I want to be in their lives forever. Do I have your blessing?"

Penelope nodded. "I can't think of a finer man to be my son-in-law."

"Thank you, Penelope."

Then he walked around the table to Trixie, and keeled down next to her. "Beatrice Espinoza, I know you miss your father terribly. And he couldn't be here tonight, either. I know I can never be your father. But if you'll let me, I'll try to be the best step-father I can be. Do I have your blessing to—"

"Yes! Yes. Of course, you do, Lucifer. I know my mom loves you. We'll all be great together!"

Lucifer nodded. "Thank you, Beatrice."

By this time Chloe was crying huge fat tears, ruining her makeup. She did not care in the slightest. She knew what was happening next. Lucifer got down on one knee and took her hand in his.

"Chloe Jane Decker, would you do the honor of becoming my wife? To let me care for you and your daughter for the rest of your lives?"

Chloe nodded. She couldn't speak through the tears.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you," Lucifer said in a devilish voice.

Chloe managed to get the words out, though her voice was rough and gravelly. "Yes. Yes, I will marry you, Lucifer Morningstar." Then she pulled him up and they kissed in front of everybody in the restaurant.

When they reluctantly parted, Lucifer signaled to Bertram, who'd been watching the events unfold. Chloe thought that maybe Bertram had been crying, too. He brought over a small tray and opened it. Inside was a smaller jewelry box. Lucifer opened it and took out a diamond ring.

He took Lilith's ring off her ring finger and placed it on the same finger of her right hand, the same finger on which he had worn the ring for so many years. Then he lovingly placed the new ring on her waiting finger.

Chloe looked at the ring, moving it so it could catch the reflected light from the restaurant's ceiling. The ring was gorgeous. It wasn't too big, which was good. Chloe didn't want some monstrous rock on her hand that shouted "money but no taste." The ring was just right—maybe a carat-and-a-half, not more than that. It was surrounded by smaller sapphires, in a kind of flower pattern. And of course, the ring fit her finger perfectly.

They were engaged. They were going to be married. Chloe looked up through her tears at her mom, who was also crying. Then she looked at Trixie, who was beaming. "Come here, Monkey," she said. They hugged. Then she hugged her mother. Then she hugged Lucifer again.

"I'm afraid the night's not over yet," he told them.

He gestured again at Bertram, who brought over another cloche to the table. He set the cloche down in front of Chloe and then opened lifted the cover. Instead of any food, inside she saw several files and pictures.

"What's this?" she asked.

"These files, m'dear, represent my real estate holdings—each a potential family home for us."

"What? What about Lux?"

"Oh, we'll retain Lux, and the penthouse, of course. But the penthouse will hardly do for a family. No, we need to find another home, one that we can share with Trixie. And with Penelope, also, if she wishes."

"Oh, Lucifer!" Chloe started to cry again. It was like Lucifer had heard all her inner worries and anxieties, and decided to deal with them all at once.

"Now, here's our plan this evening. Each of you will look at a file and you will decide one of three things: No, Yes, or Maybe. If any file gets three No's, then the property will be sold. If any file gets three Yes's, then we'll live there. If no file gets three Yes's, then we'll hire an agent and start looking next weekend. Agreed?"

They spent the next twenty minutes looking at the files. Chloe noticed Trixie was still working on her champagne, one sip at a time. She hoped the champagne hadn't warmed up too much.

At the end of twenty minutes, they had three files that each had received zero No's. One had two Yes's and one Maybe, and the other two had one Yes and two Maybe's. No file had received three Yes's.

Lucifer looked at the three winners and said, "Agreed. These three are the worthiest. The rest shall be sold."

He handed all the files back to Bertram, and said, "Kindly dispose of these, if you will. And thank you for a lovely repast this evening."

Bertram said, "Thank you, Mr. Morningstar, for letting Chateau Seurat be a part of your special evening."

Lucifer nodded. "But the evening's not over yet," he said.

"Lucifer, this night's been perfect in so many ways," Chloe said. "What else could you add to it?"

"This way, m'dears." He led the four of them from the table and walked them toward the back of the restaurant. Chloe was so dazed by the events that the applause from the rest of the patrons almost didn't embarrass her. And she almost didn't notice that Trixie had taken her glass of Krug with her as they left. Almost.

But nothing mattered right now except they were all together, a family. And she was happy—the happiest she'd been in a very, very long time.

They were taken back to the restaurant's banquet room. The doors opened and Chloe saw her friends. Linda and Amenadiel. Ella. Maze and Eve. All dressed up and with drinks in their hands.

"Hi Lucy," Amenadiel said. "Well, we're here, just as you requested. Mind telling us what we're celebrating?"

Lucifer just held up Chloe's left hand. They all looked and got it immediately. Chloe noticed that Eve looked stricken for a second, but then put on a smile. They'd have to talk …

Lucifer sat Penelope, Trixie, and Chloe at a table in the front of the banquet hall, near a dance floor. He looked at everybody and said in a very loud voice, "We're having an engagement party!"

Then he yelled, "Where are the drinks? Where's the music? C'mon you lot, we have a party to start!"