Lucifer smiled brightly as he accompanied the Detective into the police station. He felt so many emotions. Gratitude for her acceptance, joy in her love, and the nagging feeling that he didn't deserve to be so happy. He shook off his doubt. He would be damned (again), if he would let anyone hurt her.
He scanned the room for any possible threat. He studied and identified every single person around them. Luckily, the Detective planned to be in the station all day, which made it easier for him to protect her.
He jumped up as soon as Chloe walked toward the staircase. He quickly placed himself in front of her and moved so that he stayed between her and the glass windows.
She gave him a funny look, but continued toward the Records Room.
As soon as he knew where she was going, he lengthened his stride to get in front of her. He pushed open the door to the room and checked for danger before he allowed her to enter.
She shook her head as she walked in and reached for a couple of binders. She gathered them into her arms and turned to leave. As she turned, she bumped into Lucifer who was hovering over her. "Lucifer, what has gotten in to you?"
"Nothing." He jumped in front of her as she moved toward the door. He lifted one finger, gesturing for her to wait, while he opened the door and checked the hall.
She sighed and pursed her lips as she stormed out of the room.
By the end of the day, Chloe wanted to kill him. Every time she turned around, he was there, in her way. She tried to be patient, but her temper flared. "Lucifer, isn't it time for you to go get Trixie?" She held up the keys to her cruiser.
He interrupted his scan of the room to give her a distracted look, "Ah yes, I did agree to get her, didn't I." He took the keys as he stood. "The urchin and I will be back to pick you up at six." He looked directly into her eyes, "Promise that you will stay inside until I text you that we are here."
She rolled her eyes, "Fine. I promise. Now, please just go."
Her sharp tone made him bristle, "Right. I'll give you some space, then. Shall I?" He strode out the door without looking back.
Chloe put her head down on her desk as a wave of sadness rolled over her. She pushed the feelings away and forced herself to finish her paperwork. She shut down her computer and impatiently brushed away the tears on her cheek.
Over the next several days, things went from bad to worse. Lucifer stopped sleeping. He refused to come to bed. He wouldn't make love to her because he was afraid it would relax him too much. By the end of the week, Chloe was on edge, and also deeply worried about Lucifer. He insisted he was fine, but she was pretty sure that even the Devil needed to sleep.
She decided it was time to discuss the situation. After work, they picked up Trixie, grabbed some take-out food, and took the private entrance to the penthouse.
Trixie ran down the hall to the room she thought of as hers, "I'll get my homework done."
Chloe called after her, "Homework, not internet videos of cute cats!" She followed Lucifer into the living room as he set their dinner on the bar top, then closed his eyes and rested his head in his hands. She frowned, "Lucifer, this has got to stop."
"He gave her a confused look, "What darling?"
"I need my alert, intelligent partner back. You can't stay awake forever!"
He gave her a small, defiant smirk, "Want to bet?"
She narrowed her eyes and studied his haggard face. "You are dead on your feet. Someone could attack me right now, and you wouldn't be able to stop them."
He clenched his jaw, "Darling. My eyes may be blurry, and my brain may be a little fogged, but…" he learned in, seeming to become larger and more threatening by the second. Flames danced in his eyes as he vowed, "I will protect you and Beatrice."
Her eyes widened, but she refused to back down. She stood nose to nose with him, and looked directly into his angry, red eyes. She clearly saw her partner beyond the hellfire of his temper. She focused on her love for him. With a warm smile, she placed one hand on his cheek. "I know that and I appreciate it, but I desire you to rest."
His lips quirked up slightly as his eyes reverted to dark brown. His look softened as he stared down at her, "You don't fight fair."
"I know." She smiled back at him and kissed his lips. "Look, after we eat, Trixie can get in our bed. You lock down the penthouse, and then come settle in with us. We'll be right there. Safe by your side while you get some sleep."
"All right. You win. But I want both of you under my wings and if anybody leaves the bed, I will know." His facial expression promised dire consequences should she disobey.
Chloe let out the breath she was holding, relieved that he had agreed, "Deal."
After dinner, they all got ready for bed. Trixie jumped up onto the large mattress and scrambled under the covers on one side, while Chloe settled in on the other. They both wore oversized sleep shirts. Lucifer adjusted his black silk pajama bottoms higher onto his hips as he waited for mother and daughter to get settled. He crawled up the middle of the bed and stretched out on his stomach, "Everyone set?"
"Yes!" Trixie said with a grin. "I've wanted to see your wings again since you saved me on the cliffs. You should make them appear more often."
"I'm not a magic act, child…"
Trixie tried to make her face look serious. "I know. You're more like a real super-hero and my second dad."
He whipped his head toward her, noting her innocent smile. He frowned at her. "Well… right. I'm not… " He huffed, unwilling to tear apart her trust, "Thank you." He turned to see what Chloe thought and found himself lost in her tender smile.
He put his head down on the pillow and closed his eyes. He mumbled, "I'm literally older than dirt, but still no match for one small human and her mother. The Devil's reputation is ruined."
The slight smile that accompanied his words, made Chloe ridiculously happy.
He motioned toward the bed lamps, "Lights out, please."
Chloe clicked off the lights as Lucifer curled one arm around her waist. She snuggled in while Trixie curled up with her back against his other side. As they drifted into sleep, Chloe heard and felt Lucifer's wings burst into being. She smiled as warm, soft feathers lowered until both she and Trixie were covered. Safe and content, she drifted toward sleep, until her Detective's brain kicked in.
Visualizing the scene, she realized that Lucifer's back was totally exposed to attack even though she and Trixie were protected. She jerked awake, turned onto her side and reached behind the bed. She fished around until she found the bulletproof vest Lucifer refused to wear. Gently she tugged it into place over his vulnerable back. He was already deep asleep, but she felt him tighten his hold on her. She carefully stroked his feathers before she closed her eyes in contentment.
Ten hours later, Trixie wiggled out from under his wing to go to the bathroom. He opened one eye and turned his head to check on her, "Morning, Spawn."
She giggled, and ran to the bathroom, "Good morning, Lucifer."
Chloe stirred next to him, as he folded his wings away and tossed the Kevlar vest onto the floor. He moved to gather her into his arms. He kissed her neck, and pulled her closer to his side, "Good morning, Chloe."
She shivered, as she always did on the rare occasions when he said her name. She traced the line of his jaw with her lips, teasing, until she whispered in his ear, "I'm glad you're feeling better, but we're running late." She twisted easily out of his gentle hold and ran for the closet. We need to be ready in ten minutes."
He stared after her, a sexy grin on his face, "I'm ready now, love."
She rolled her eyes, and shouted for her daughter, "Trixie, babe, get dressed. We have to leave."
From down the hall, she got a response, "Okay Mom. Almost done."
Lucifer followed Chloe into the closet just as she was about to step into her slacks. He lifted her off her feet and pressed her against the wall. She automatically wrapped her legs around his waist. He gave her a kiss and rubbed against her, his silk pajamas leaving no doubt as to his desire. He trailed his lips up her neck and delicately sucked her earlobe into his mouth. Chloe's passion-clouded brain refused to work until he set her on her feet again. He gave her a wicked grin, "Teasing the Devil will always get you in trouble."
She took a steadying breath, then pulled on her slacks and tied her hair back as she whispered, "Promise?"
Exactly ten minutes later, they were all out the door. After Trixie was dropped off for school, Chloe got a call and took it immediate, "Decker."
Lucifer watched her face, listening.
She glanced at him, "Yes, I've got it. My partner and I will be at the scene in fifteen minutes."
He checked his watch with a disgusted frown. "Murder at this hour. How barbaric."
Chloe made a u-turn. "Let's take a look at the scene and talk to any witnesses."