They sat eating their lunch on the patio of an exclusive bistro. Salmon over a bed of rice. The woman with the hair of gold dressed in a floral cocktail dress. The man with hair of red dressed in a suit. They spoke of money.

He watched them from across the street. The smell of food making his mouth water. He had eaten yesterday. But only an apple he dug out of the dumpster of a grocery store. He watched as the well-dressed couple got up from their half-eaten lunch. Quickly like a shadow he was across the street and over the fence. He went to pick up the plate of food.

"Hey!" shouted a waiter.

He froze. Sighing he set the plate down and turned to the waiter. Other patrons now staring at him. "Sorry." He said quietly to the waiter.

"Get out of here before I call the cops."

He sighed. "It's just some leftovers. Please. I haven't eaten in a while."

"I said get out of here." The waiter pointed to the door.

He nodded. "Very well." He turned to leave. Stopping just short of the door. He thrust his hand and flames came to life. Tablecloths caught fire. Clothes. The umbrellas. People ran screaming. He just walked away. One his way out he picked up a basket of bread.

**Persephone*

It had been a chaotic couple of days since we got home with Tristan. My father stayed scarce around the in-laws. His few interactions had been nothing but bickering and hostility. I was proud of him for not going all Devil on them. How he had the patience I couldn't figure out

I sat on the bed as Bryan got ready for work. He looked so handsome with nothing but a pair of slacks on. His well-built chest made me thirsty for him. It had been awhile. I wanted to just jump him. But we had to wait. He caught me staring at him. "You like what you see?" He gave me that brilliant smile I loved so much. His blue eyes sparkled. I walked over and put my arms around his neck. We kissed.

"I have to get going, Persi."

"I know." I whispered to him. We kissed some more before I let him get back to dressing. Tristan was waking up. I walked to the nursery. Picking up my son I held him close. I took him to the kitchen. Sally was making breakfast. The short woman moved with precision. The woman could cook I gave her that. "Smells good, Sally." I said as I sat at the breakfast nook to nurse Tristan.

"Thank you." She said. I could tell the woman enjoyed cooking in this large gourmet kitchen. She called it her dream kitchen. The smell of bacon cooking made my mouth water. I was feeling hungry.

Bryan soon joined us. He had on a white button up shirt and black tie. His blonde hair was slicked back. He kissed his mother's cheek. "Morning Mom." He said to her. "That smells good."

She smiled at her son and placed food on a plate and handed it to him. He sat down next to us. He dug into his breakfast as his mother brought over a cup of coffee. I wrinkled my nose at the smell of the concoction. I was not a fan. My co-workers teased me about it. What kind of cop doesn't like coffee?

"Good morning, everyone." I heard my father say as he walked into the kitchen. My father had on just a pair of shorts. His well chiseled chest on display for all to see. He smiled at Sally. She dropped the plate of food in her hands. It shattered as it hit the tile floor.

"Oh damn." She said. She sneered at him before bending down to clean up the mess.

I felt bad. I handed the baby to Bryan. I walked over to help my mother-in-law clean. "Morning Dad."

He walked to the breakfast nook and took a seat next to Bryan. Bryan eyed him and shook his head. He was busy trying to eat while holding the baby in his other arm.

I grabbed a rag from the sink and proceeded to help Sally.

"Does he have to walk around like that?" Sally said to me.

I shook my head. I was trying not to laugh. "You'll get used to it."

When we were finished cleaning. I helped her serve the rest of breakfast to my Dad and ourselves. We sat there eating for a few minutes.

"This is good Sally." My father said to her.

She nodded but said nothing.

"So, where is Hank this morning?"

"He had to work." Sally replied.

"Oh that sounds fun." My father's voice was laced with pure sarcasm.

"Life can't all be fun Lucifer. If you want anything in life." Sally uttered.

"I disagree."

She glared at him. I could feel the tension building. Bryan must have sensed it too. "So, Lucifer how was your night?"

He shrugged. "I went to this exquisite club in Times Square. Almost as nice as mine. I met a gorgeous young woman and I took her back to a hotel and- "

"Dad!" I said quickly I knew where he was going with that.

Sally snorted. "Oh that's classy Lucifer. You are doing everything you can to live up to your name aren't you?"

My father folded his arms. "This is New York City. One of the finest cities in the world. I am going to enjoy myself here." He stood up and walked out of the kitchen.

Sally got up and started cleaning the kitchen. She was mumbling to herself at the sink. Bryan walked over to her. They talked among themselves for a moment. Sally seemed upset. The she calmed down as Bryan spoke to her. He kissed her cheek.

He walked back over to me. He leaned down and kissed me. "I have to get to work." Leaning down to Tristan he kissed the baby on the top of his head. "Bye Mom." He called as he walked out of the kitchen.

I sat and finished my food and then carried the plate and baby to Sally. "That was good. Thank you Sally."

She had her head down. She was really concentrating on the dishes. We had a dishwasher but she insisted on hand washing the dishes. "Does your father really think he is the Devil?"

I sighed. "He is the Devil." I said quietly and exited the room before she could reply. I was putting the baby down in the crib when my father walked in. He had on his usual black attire with a dark blue shirt. "Where are you headed off to, oh Prince of Darkness?"

He laughed. "Nowhere in particular."

"OH I bet."

He looked at Tristan sleeping in the crib. "I almost regret choosing Los Angeles over this city." He remarked. "There is certain class to New Yorkers you don't find in LA."

I nodded. He was right. It had been almost twenty years since I lived in LA. I definatly felt more at home in New York. "I suppose."

"Well, I have to go. I'll see you later, darling." He squeezed my shoulder and left.

I walked into the living room. Sally was sitting on the couch talking on the phone. She must have not seen me. She was talking about my father and me to someone. It didn't sound like she was talking to Hank. I stepped back into the shadows. I had the ability to almost make myself blend into darkness.

"The man is crazy. He really thinks he is the Devil. And what's worse is Persephone goes along with it." She continued. "I am afraid for my son and grandson. You need to help us Pastor."

My fists balled up. I don't know what she was plotting. I didn't like it. I continued to listen to her.

"Yeah, if you could come by later. Try not let them on to why you are here. Yeah five sounds good."

I stood against the wall. Trying to hard not to explode. But I needed to calm myself. I said a prayer. I than took a deep breath and stepped into the living room. "Hey Sally."

She jumped a mile high as she hung up the phone. "Oh Persephone. I didn't notice you there.

I sat on the opposite couch. "What are you going to do today?"

"Oh Carolyn is going to come over later. We are going out for a bit. Is that alright?"

I nodded. "Sure." I was a bit excited for the alone time with my son. It would just be me and him. Cody was at school. Bryan at work. Sally and my father out. I thought of calling upon Malachi. I needed his advice on how to handle this situation.