"Thanks for the call, Kev. We'll be there soon." Alex hung up her phone as Levi tried to sneak a cookie past her. "Put it back, Levi."
"How do you always know?" Levi handed over the cookie and sat back down, staring at the breakfast Alex had prepared for him. It was eggs and bacon but he wanted his cookie.
"It's just something I picked up in mom school." Alex smiled at him and put the cookie away for later. "I have to go talk to your dad and Dean. I'll be right back."
Sam was still in bed because they had gotten in late last night. Dean was in the showers so she nudged Sam awake. "Hey, bed head. Kevin called and he needs to talk to us."
His response was to groan and squint up at her with sleep filled eyes before dropping his head back onto the pillow. "Why are you awake?"
"Because three children demanded it." Alex crawled on the bed and rolled him over to his back, giggling when he pulled her down on top of him. "Sam, we don't have time right now."
"We always have time for this." Sam kissed her neck and felt her body relax against his. She started to tug off his t shirt when her phone rang again.
Sam didn't stop teasing her as she answered it. "Hey, Kevin. Yeah we can bring you some hot dogs. Listen, I'd love to talk more but there's...hunting stuff...I gotta..."
Her phone dropped from her hand as Sam's lips met hers and he moved so she was underneath him. Alex used her demonic abilities to close and lock their bedroom door, allowing them some privacy, then succumbed to Sam's touch.
-0-
"Nice of you to join us." Dean smirked at Alex and Sam as they joined the rest of the family in the library.
"Listen, Kevin said he has something big for us but he has to tell us in person." Alex said in response. "Also, he wants us to pick up some hot dogs for him."
"Me and Sam will go." Dean said, earning himself confused looks from Sam and Alex. "I'm not dragging the kids with us. If they get caught by Crowley's goons, they could tell him where Kevin is."
Alex didn't like it but she had to admit he had a point. "Fine. We need to finish archiving the library anyway."
It wasn't long until Sam and Dean were gone, leaving Madison and Alex to archive the library. Seraphina and Levi were playing in their rooms, bored with the old volumes. Alex glanced up from her work often, checking on Madison, who seemed to be in figuritive heaven with all the books. They continued to work until lunch time and when they finished their food, Alex sent the children outside to play.
"But I want to finish-" Madison tried to argue.
"I know you want to finish, Maddie." Alex ruffled her daughter's hair. "But you need to be a kid too. Let's go to the playground down the street, just for a little while, okay?"
"Fine." Madison huffed.
It did Alex good to see her children be normal for a change. The last few months had been chaotic at best and while her children's bravery was admirable, they were just children.
"Mommy!" Seraphina ran over with her hands cupped. Inside lay a baby bird. "It fell out of its nest and its mommy isn't there anymore. Don't let it die, mommy."
"Of course not." Alex took the baby bird from Seraphina and checked it quickly, pleased when it didn't have any wounds. "We'll take it home and help it get better."
Seraphina smiled brightly and ran to get Madison and Levi so they could take the bird home. Alex sent the bird with Seraphina and the twins ran after her as Alex went to find a box and some water for it.
"Honey," A voice made her turn and her eyes widened when she saw Lucifer standing behind her. "I'm home."
-0-
"So, yeah, there's these trials that lets you close the gates of Hell forever." Sam told Alex over the phone.
"That's great." Alex replied, glancing at Lucifer where he sat with his feet propped on the table. He had locked the children in Madison's room and luckily Adam had gone to visit his mother's grave several states away. "You guys heading back then?"
"Yeah. We have to kill a hellhound and bathe in its blood." Sam said, grimacing as he repeated it. "How are the kids?"
"Good. Sera found a bird and she's nursing it back to health." Alex said. "I've got to go but when you get out of Poughkeepsie, give me a call."
"We're nowhere near there, babe." Sam said, the warning clicking in his head a second later. "Are you in trouble?"
"Of course not." Alex said."Oh, don't forget. You promised Levi the new copy of Halo, so could you pick it up?"
"Sure thing. See you later."
"Bye." Alex hung up and slid her phone into Lucifer's waiting hand. "Can't say that I'm happy to see you."
"Why is that, I wonder?" Lucifer asked, looking through the pictures on the phone. "I never lied to you and I didn't hurt you."
"You did brand me." Alex reminded him. "Sam got thrown into the cage-"
"Sammy jumped, dear." Lucifer interrupted, tossing the phone to the table. "I only wanted him to be happy."
"Why are you here?" Alex asked. "What do you want?"
"I want what I was supposed to have." Lucifer dropped his feet from the table and stalked over to Alex, taking her face in his hand and squeezing it. "Until your little family took it from me."
"You want a war with Michael?" Alex's cheeks started to hurt from his grip.
"No. I remember you being much brighter than this, Lexi mine." Lucifer smiled at her and it made her stomach turn. "The Earth is the one last beautiful creation of my father and the humans have ruined it."
"So you want to kill the humans?"
Lucifer chuckled. "Lexi mine, I want you."
He released her face and walked away, picking up a book and flipping through the pages before slamming it back on the table. "Now, you can help me or I can make you help me."
"Bite me." Alex sneered.
"I had really hoped that you would be kinder this time." Lucifer said.
"Too bad."
Lucifer gestured for one of his demon henchmen to bring the children to him. They stood, terrified and shoulder to shoulder in front of Alex. "These three are the key to your heart and cooperation, yes?"
"Stay away from them." She blinked and her eyes were yellow. The sudden change startled the children but they clasped hands and stayed quiet. Alex stalked toward Lucifer. "I'm stronger now. I'll kill you if you lay a hand on them."
Lucifer chuckled again. "I know you're stronger but you can't kill me and if you try, I'm afraid these dearies would pay the price. You warned Sam and Dean that I'm here, right?"
Alex glared at Lucifer and he spoke when she didn't. "Answer, Lexi mine or I'll start killing them until you answer."
"Yes." Alex said through clenched teeth.
"Pity. We'll have to be gone before they get back." Lucifer said. "The children will stay here as well."
"I'm not leaving them alone." Alex snapped. "Not with those demons here."
Lucifer gestured and the demons left. "Say your goodbyes."
He allowed them a moment of privacy and Alex hugged her children tightly. "Dean and your father will be home soon." She pulled her gun from the back of her pants and gave it to Madison. "Do you know how to use this?"
Madison nodded.
"Show me."
Madison checked the clip, slid it back in, clicked off the safety, aimed and hit the lamp a few yards away in the matter of a few seconds. Alex was comforted by that fact.
"Lock yourselves in your room." She gave her phone to them as well. "Stay together and when we're gone, stay locked in your room. Call Sam and tell him what happened."
"I'm scared," Seraphina whimpered.
"I know, baby." Alex said, pushing her hair behind her ears. Clearing the lump from her throat she said, "I need you all to be brave for me, okay? Take care of each other and wait for Sam and Dean to get back. I love you."
"I love you too." Her children said with trembling voices and she hugged them all tightly before standing and turning to follow Lucifer. Once they were out the door, Madison ushered her siblings to her room and locked the door.