Baby Shower - First Draft
The drive back home from the hospital was the longest of Chloe's life.
And she meant that in the most literal sense possible.
Lucifer avoided all highways and general busy avenues – which is pretty difficult when you live in the center of LA.
He never, ever crossed the speed limit. Not once.
He stopped dutifully at every stop sign – something he never did before. He looked at least four times before a crossroads and nearly had his blinker on for the entirety of the drive.
And every time he wasn't keeping an eye on the road, Lucifer glanced to the back of the car to see if Rory was alright in her baby seat.
How he'd baby-proofed the Corvette in less than an hour, Chloe didn't know. She could probably imagine the weird looks the hospital staff had given him when he'd bustled in an out of the underground garage, arms loaded with equipment.
Chloe didn't comment, though. She remembered the drive back home all too well she'd made with Dan when Trixie was born.
Nothing compares to the stress of driving with a newborn for the first time.
So, combined with taking the most abandoned lanes and backroads possible, it was nearly noon by the time they pulled up to the apartment.
They'd left at ten in the morning.
Lucifer's grip on the steering wheel was white-knuckled, even though he'd already parked perfectly next to the sidewalk.
"Honey, it's okay. You can let go now. We're here."
Lucifer didn't reply for the first couple of seconds. Then he blinked, seemingly coming to himself. He blew out a long breath.
"It's a special sort of Hell to drive home through the morning traffic with her." He passed a hand over his face, scrubbing at his beard. "Does it ever lessen? The anxiety whenever she's in the car?"
"A bit," Chloe admitted. "But it never goes away completely. I always drive extra carefully whenever Trixie's with me. It's sort of an instinct."
"But look, Rory's safe." She gestured with her head towards the back. "I think she's even comfortable back there. You did good, Lucifer."
Lucifer turned his head, following her line of sight. A smile spread over his face. "I guess I did."
Rory was bundled up in a fleece blanket against the March morning chill. Only her tiny head peeked out over the mass of blankets, her black hair in disarray.
She'd fallen asleep in the baby seat, eyes closed and fists balled in her sleep. Lucifer had driven so gently that she hadn't even waken up once.
"Let's get out of the car, shall we?" Her back and legs had cramped for a good half hour, and it wasn't getting any better. And besides, the Antichrist needed to be fed.
Lucifer shot her a roguish grin, some of the life returning to his features. "We shall, my dear."
They got out of the car, and Chloe took the baby seat with her. Rory stirred, but didn't wake up yet. She just turned on her side and continued snoozing.
Little baby angel, she thought.
Literally.
Lucifer held every door open for her – as was his habit. But this time he inspected the stairs for any flaws as well and insisted he go first.
Like with everything, Lucifer Morningstar didn't do anything lightly.
Especially not when it came to his family.
Lucifer got out his keys and turned them in the lock, then he opened the door for her. Allowing her to go first, as always.
A chorus of cheers sounded the second Chloe set foot inside the apartment.
"Welcome home!"
The entire place was strung up in pink streamers, balloons floating everywhere. A huge banner spanned the distance of the living room, which read "Welcome to Earth, Rory!"
A smile spread over Chloe's face. "You guys, what is this? I thought you were all coming over after dinner?"
"Eh," Ella shrugged from next to Linda, holding a pack of plastic party hats. "We couldn't wait any longer. Besides, we had to put up all this stuff before you came home."
"We wanted everything to be perfect," Linda added, juggling Charlie on one arm. "You deserve a good homecoming. Both of you."
Maze held up a bottle of tequila. "And booze."
"And booze."
"That's the spirit, Mazikeen," Lucifer said, stepping up beside his partner. "No pun intended. But I do hope you're aware that Chloe cannot drink while breastfeeding."
Maze stared at her incredulously. "You still can't drink?"
"No, I can't," Chloe replied with amused look. "But we can have a Tribe night without me drinking."
"But that's not the same, Decker. I want to hear your drunk version of 'Walking On Sunshine'. I need to hear –"
"Enough about drinking." Eve pushed through between Linda and Maze. "I want to cuddle Aurora again. Where's the pretty little princess?"
"Don't smother her, Eve," Amenadiel called from the couch. God was wearing a party hat – probably Ella's doing. "You squished Charlie a little."
Eve waved him off, instead leaning in to plant a kiss on each of Chloe's cheeks. She was always physically affectionate, something Chloe had to get used to in the beginning. But now her sweet demeanor was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Hi! I am so happy to see you again! I know we saw each other at the hospital two days ago, but still."
Pulling Chloe in for a hug, she whispered, "You look great, by the way. Mom to mom, sort of thing."
A chill crept down her spine when she realized both her sons were dead. Did she still consider herself a mother?
Before Chloe could formulate a thank you, Eve had moved on to Lucifer.
"Hello, Eve, darling" Lucifer said, returning her hug and kissing her on each cheek. The contrast between her floral dress and the sharp lines of his suit were stark. "Thank you for watching Trixie for us."
"It was no big deal." She waved him off with an easy smile and her big doe-eyes. "And Maze has a soft spot for her, anyway. It's the only time she would ever consider watching a Disney movie."
Maze gave her wife a glare, but didn't deny it.
"But now," Eve said with a bright smile, turning her focus on the baby carrier, "I want to see the little one."
Rory let out a cry of alarm as her family crowded her. Balling her tiny fists, she started wailing at a volume that rivaled most burglary systems. Eve and Ella took a step back.
Lucifer immediately went rigid beside her, concern flashing in his eyes. "Oh, no, what's wrong? What does she need? Did I do something?"
"It's okay," Chloe said, putting the carrier on the bar and carefully taking a wriggling Rory out. "She's just hungry and a little overwhelmed."
"How can you tell?" Lucifer asked, genuinely intrigued.
Because my boobs hurt which means it's time to feed her.
Instead, she said, "You learn to. Besides, the last time she ate was before we left." When she noticed that guilt was starting to set in because he hadn't picked up on the signals, she added,
"Honey, relax. Go join the others. I'm just going to feed her in the bathroom and then I'll be back, okay? And if she's still fussy, then I'll put her down for a nap."
Lucifer hesitated for a moment, as if deciding whether to listen or not, before he gave in. "Alright. But if there's anything – and I mean anything, just shout. I'm here."
"I know. Now go."
"So bossy," he murmured to her with a smile, pressing a kiss to her cheek and stroking Rory's head, who was still crying. "Be nice to mummy, princess."
With a final glance at them, he sauntered off to the living room, accepting a glass of champagne from Linda. A glass which he nearly spilled when Ella barreled into his side to hug him.
"Buddy, I am so proud of you! I can't believe you're a dad and –"
Linda cast a smile and a knowing glance at Chloe, which she returned before she closed the door of the downstairs bathroom behind her.
Chloe pressed kisses into her daughter's hair, hushing her. "It's okay, baby. Let's take care of you, huh?"
After being fed, changed and soothed, the Antichrist was finally calm again.
She was currently being held in the gentle arms of Ella, who was babbling all kinds of sweet nonsense to her godchild. "- and I have so many toys for you already! We're going to have so much fun!"
Rory was taking it all in with a casual grace, watching her madrina with big eyes as she explained her plans for when she got to babysit. Every now and then she let out a small coo, which caused Ella to sprout heart eyes.
Linda was talking to Lucifer, who had an excited Charlie perched on his lap. The boy was playing with the lapels of his suit jacket, and if his uncle minded then he didn't show it. Chloe caught bits and pieces of their conversation, most of it about either children or psychology.
Neither was much of a surprise, to be honest.
Ever since he'd started the psychology program at the UCLA to improve his skills as a healer, Linda had come over often. To give him advice or help him study.
Lucifer wasn't her patient anymore, but that didn't lessen the friendship that had developed between the two.
A part of Chloe cheered inwardly. Because when she'd first met Lucifer, he wanted to get as far away as he could from children and openly expressed his distrust for all things psychological while clearly dealing with unprocessed trauma. The man was a textbook example of daddy issues.
And look at him now.
Every once in a while Lucifer would suddenly jerk his leg upward, which caused Charlie to dissolve in a heap of giggles. Lucifer had his arms around his nephew, preventing him from toppling to the ground. From the amused curl to his lips, he was clearly enjoying playtime as much as Charlie did.
Chloe was listening with half an ear to Amenadiel's and Maze's conversation when a thought hit her.
"Hey, Maze? Where's Trix? I thought you said she was changing upstairs?"
"Uh, yeah," Maze said, ripping her gaze away from where Eve sat next to Ella, pointedly ignoring Amenadiel. She downed the dregs of her vodka, then reached for another bottle. "Kid insisted on wearing that new dress you'd gotten for her."
Worry swirled in Chloe's gut. She'd seen Trix only yesterday during visiting hour, when she'd practically had to pull her away from her baby sister. She'd seemed happy – truly happy – for the first time in months.
Had something changed in the last twenty-four hours that she wasn't aware of?
Or was she just being an overbearing mom?
Only one way to find out, Decker, she thought. Better safe than sorry.
"Will you excuse me for a moment? I have to check on something."
"Of course," Amenadiel replied gracefully, a calming aura emanating from him. The bright pink-and-blue party hat on his head was slightly crooked. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah," Chloe said, putting her flute of orange juice on the coffee table. "Just want to make sure Trix is okay."
Eve was wriggling her fingers at Rory over Ella's shoulders, the two women completely enamored by the tiny baby.
Lucifer gave her a curious look as she got up, forgetting his conversation for the moment.
It's okay, Chloe mouthed, then pointed at the stairs. Trix
His mouth made an o-shape in understanding, then gifted her with a small smile. Charlie dragged his attention away from her, patting his uncle on the cheek with a tiny hand.
Making her way up the stairs, Chloe's worry intensified when she heard rummaging and things falling over in the bathroom. She'd been in there for half an hour already. What was she doing?
"Trix?" Chloe knocked at the door. "Are you okay in there, monkey? Can I come in?"
A huff of frustration sounded, followed by a tonk as something got knocked over. "Mom? I, uh…can you help me, please?"
Chloe needed no further motivation. She opened the door, and the scene she found there had her torn between laughing and being concerned.
Trixie was struggling in her new white-and-blue striped dress, which had gotten caught on her elbow and was stuck half-way her head.
"Baby, what did you do?" Chloe asked as she rushed to her side, starting to help her out. How had she managed to even get in a position like this? "How long have you been stuck?"
"I don't know, really. When did you get home?"
"Twenty minutes ago or something. Hold still."
Trixie's head popped out of the proper place now as Chloe guided her movements. The girl let out a sigh of relief. She'd also attempted to make two braids, but they had ended up in a tangled mess.
"There you are." Chloe smiled, pulling her in for a hug. "Why didn't you ask Maze to help you? Or Eve?"
Trixie returned her embrace. It felt like a missing piece had clicked into place within her. She'd missed her monkey when she was at the hospital.
"I just wanted to do it myself," the girl replied, pulling back. "You know, try out some different hairstyles and such."
Chloe pushed a frizzy lock of hair from her face. "Okay, it's good that you're trying. But do you want me to braid your hair so you can go downstairs and join the rest?"
Trixie considered this for a moment, then nodded.
Suppressing a huge smile, Chloe got up and took a brush out of the drawer beneath the sink. She moved behind Trixie and loosened her tangled braids, then started to carefully comb her hair out.
I wonder how long she's going to let me braid her hair. Children grow up way too quickly.
"Is Rory downstairs?" Trixie asked, meeting her mother's eyes in the mirror.
"Yeah." Chloe finished one braid and flipped it over her shoulder. "Ella's cuddling her right now. I doubt she's going to let go of her anytime soon."
Would that make her feel neglected? All the attention that had always been hers now going to her baby sister?
But before Chloe could jump further down the rabbit hole, Trixie smiled at her reflection. "Awesome! Because I want to hold her again. If that's okay, I mean."
Chloe raked the brush through her hair before plaiting the other side. "Of course that's okay! Why wouldn't it be? She's your sister, Trix."
"I know," she replied with a shrug. "But she's just so tiny, mom. I feel like I'm going to hurt her or something."
Satisfied, Chloe swung the two braids over the girl's shoulders – which were now equal in length and smooth. She pressed a kiss to the top her head, wrapping her arms around her from behind. God, she was getting so big.
"You won't, monkey. Besides, Lucifer's not used to handling babies as well. You can help each other if necessary. Which I don't think will be the case, because you are a natural."
Trixie looked at her with those big doe-eyes. "Really?"
"Really. Now, do you want to go downstairs? There's cake."
The word 'cake' made Trixie's eyes light up, and she nodded immediately. She spun around and returned Chloe's embrace, holding her mother close. "Thanks, mom."
For what?
But deep down, she knew what Trixie meant. Had talked about it with Linda and several pediatric psychologists when her eleven-year old had been working through her traumas.
In times of change – like a new sister or a step dad moving in – it was important to provide stability and predictability wherever she could. Maintain old routines and friendships.
Keep old traditions in place.
And from the way Trixie was hugging her, Chloe hoped that she'd made a good start.
By the time they both returned downstairs, it was Maze's turn to hold the baby.
Eve had carefully passed Rory onto her wife – all under the watchful eye of Lucifer – before sitting back and enjoying the sight of a demon holding the Antichrist.
"Hi, baby." Eve wriggled her fingers at Rory, then pointed at Maze. "That's your Auntie Maze. She's going to teach you how to fight and stuff, and how to be cool in general. She may look tough, but deep down she's a real softie."
"Eve," Maze warned, though her reputation was already destroyed. Especially while holding your best friend's newborn. "I am also tough on the inside."
"Sure, babe." Though Chloe didn't miss the wink she threw at Amenadiel, whose grin only widened.
Rory let out a cry, which caught the demon's attention. Maze was holding her a few inches from her body, as if worried she might spontaneously combust at one point.
"So," Maze said slowly, inspecting her niece, "you're the spawn of Satan, huh? You didn't grow much since I last saw you."
"That was two days ago, Mazikeen," Lucifer drawled, one arm slung over the back of the couch. "She'll grow at a normal, human rate. Which is fast enough for me."
Though he appeared relaxed, he kept an eye on everyone holding his daughter, which sent a glow of affection through Chloe. Truly a mother hen.
Ella had taken out her phone and was snapping pictures of the pair, one a leather-clad bounty hunter and the other a tiny baby in a princess onesie. Linda gestured beside her to send to pictures in the Tribe chat.
Lucifer perked up in his seat when he caught sight of Chloe and Trixie standing at the bottom of the staircase. His eyes lit up. "It would seem that the ladies of the hour have arrived once more."
Trixie needed no further encouragement and dashed forward, nearly knocking over the coffee table in her enthusiasm. She practically flung herself into his arms. "Lucifer!"
He caught her gracefully in his arms, smiling as she buries herself in his chest. "Hello, urchin. I missed you, too."
"You haven't called me that in a while."
"I must be feeling nostalgic today," Lucifer replied, catching Chloe's eye over the top of the girl's head. The softness of his gaze made her heart stutter. "I need to take care of you as well, don't I?"
Trixie nodded. She slid off his lap, so she was sitting next to him on the couch. She leaned into his side, and he put his arm around her.
Sometimes Chloe forgot that she while she'd known Lucifer for nearly six years now, Trixie had known him for most of her life. She'd literally grown up with his presence, whether she and Lucifer had been romantically involved at the moment or not.
Lucifer had been like family to her even before he'd become family.
Ella quickly took a picture of the pair, and Chloe felt a buzz in her pocket not much later. She shot her friend a thankful smile.
And it wasn't just Lucifer and Trixie that were making her chest radiate a calm happiness.
It was the entire scene before her.
Amenadiel sitting next to Lucifer, the brother he'd been once forced to drag back to Hell over and over again. The brother he could never agree with, could barely stand the sight of. Now they co-owned a club and watched each other's children.
Linda with her Charlie in her arms, entirely unfazed by the display of his downy wings. Ella being at ease and joyful in the group, happy to finally feel like she belongs in her family once more.
Eve and Maze huddling together on the couch, talking in soft tones to Rory. The demon roommate who'd shifted between being her friend and enemy, before deciding once and for all which side she was on. The First Woman who'd come to Earth for fun, only to stumble into the love of her life.
Her family.
Her crazy, weird, celestial family.
Chloe tucked the image carefully away. Now that she was on maternity leave and Zadkiel was watching Hell while Lucifer was away, they were heading towards a peaceful period.
Well, if you could call handling a newborn peaceful, but still.
It was rare when they were all together in one place without anything bad happening or some supernatural entity – her future parents-in-law, cough, cough – causing upheaval.
Yet here they were.
"Come, Chloe," Linda said, patting the empty seat next to her. "Now that you're here, we can all start with the gifts."
The gifts were piled up in a corner of the living room, bags and boxes in all different shapes and sizes. Chloe hesitated. "Is that all –"
"Yeah," Ella said, scratching the back of her neck. "We might have gone a bit overboard, but it's better to have too much than too little, am I right?"
"Wise words, Miss Lopez." Lucifer lifted his glass of champagne towards her. "Wise words."
"I'll go first," Amenadiel offered. He waved his hand towards the coffee table. A flash of light, before a heap of gifts plunked down on the wood. Jesus Christ, how many gifts had their friends gotten Rory?
Lucifer clapped his brother on the back. "The God-father strikes again."
Chloe settled herself next to Linda, looking at Amenadiel. "Which one do I open first?"
"Oh, perhaps the pink one. Or no, maybe the one with the ribbon –"
Chloe set down the basket with a grunt. "I think this was the last one."
"No," Lucifer huffed from the hall and walked into the nursery. He put down a huge pack of extra-soft diapers on the changing table. "Now we're done."
"Everyone really went nuts with the gifts. It's way too much. They shouldn't have done this. A simple card or stuffed toy would have been fine."
"Well," Lucifer said, surveying the room jam-packed with presents, "you try telling Miss Lopez or Eve that. I fear that if you'd stayed at the hospital any longer, they would have ordered additional stuff online."
"Probably, yeah." Chloe held up a rolled-up leather pack. "But did Maze think it was really necessary to give a baby a pack of knives? What the Hell is Rory even going to do with it?"
"Slice her chicken nuggets with it?"
She gave him a LookTM.
"I was joking, my love. We'll just stash them somewhere she can't reach them. Like the safe at the penthouse. And when she's old enough, she can go knife throwing with her aunt."
Lucifer picked up a larger-than-life teddy bear from Ella and put it in the corner of the room. The bear smiled, the red ribbon around its neck giving it a festive air. "Besides, the Doctor gave her a finger painting set. She can only use that until she's older as well."
"One is a little less lethal than the other," Chloe remarked, putting the gifted baby clothes in the drawer.
"I wouldn't do anything to put her in danger." Lucifer's voice carried a tinge of hurt, and Chloe turned around to see him looking forlorn. Old fears and concepts about himself playing up.
Crap, what had she said? She crossed the distance across the room to him, wrapping her arms around him. The scent of coffee and scotch clung to him. "No, I know, Lucifer. I know."
Pulling back, Chloe met his eye. "You're amazing. You know that, right?"
Lucifer gave a non-committal hum, settling his arms on her lower back. Doubt lingered in his gaze.
"You are so gentle and careful with her," she continued, allowing the affection she felt for him to bubble to the surface. "Just because you don't know everything yet about babies or can't read every situation perfectly doesn't mean you're a bad father."
Chloe cupped his cheek with her hand, feeling him lean into her touch. "You're still learning. I'm still learning. And Rory loves you so incredibly much. So do I, and Trixie."
"Just give yourself some time," she murmured, rising on her tiptoes to press a whisper-soft kiss to his lips. "Cut yourself some slack. You're an amazing father, Lucifer. And if you have trouble believing that yourself, then trust my judgement."
Tears pricked at the corners of Lucifer's eyes and he quickly blinked them away. He gave her a watery smile, kissing her forehead before embracing her once more. "Thank you, Chloe. For having faith in me."
"Always."
They stayed like that for a moment, basking in each other's presence. Chloe felt something settle in her chest. He was here. They were all here.
Together.
"We should go check on Trix," Chloe said into his chest. She hated to break the spell, but they'd left her alone with Rory for a second. "See if everything's alright or if she needs help with something."
Lucifer nodded. He let his arms slide down her sides but linked her hand with his. The doubt from before had faded, leaving a calm contentness in its wake. "Shall we?"
"We shall," Chloe replied, smiling.
They padded through the hall on silent feet towards the bedroom, careful not to make noise in case Rory had fallen asleep. The scene they found made them stop dead in their tracks.
Trixie was sitting on the side of the bed, watching her baby sister while she and Lucifer had moved all the gifts to the nursery. She'd taken Rory out of the carrier and was carefully holding her to her chest, just like Chloe had taught her.
Rory was completely at ease. Her huge, dark eyes were focused on her big sister and one tiny hand clutched one of Trix's fingers, keeping her close. Every now and then her eyelids would start to flutter, but she was clearly fighting to keep herself awake.
To stay with Trixie for a little longer.
She truly has her father's stubbornness, Chloe thought with no small amount of love. And his dislike for going to sleep when tired.
Lucifer had frozen beside her, looking at the two girls in awe. A tender smile bloomed on his face when he heard Trixie talking softly to Rory.
"– and you met Maze as well. She's like, super cool. When you're old enough, she's going to teach you all these awesome moves and stuff and then we can practice them together. And then there's Charlie. He has wings, just like you. Or, well, like you will have someday –"
A pang went through Chloe's chest. I wish you were here to see this, Dan. Our monkey is a big sister now.
Rory cooed, and Trixie let out a laugh. "Yeah, that's right. Lucifer's your dad. And maybe he's not mine, at least not by blood. I'll never forget my dad, but I'm happy mom chose Lucifer. I'm happy it's him, and not someone else. Happy he likes me, too."
Chloe glanced sideways at her partner, seeing him choke back tears. She could never get enough of seeing this gentle, caring side of him. The Devil taking care of his family.
Giving his hand a squeeze, she leaned her head against his chest. "I love you," she whispered, not wanting to disturb the girls.
"I love you, too." Lucifer sniffled quietly and planted a kiss against the top of her head. "And I love them as well. So much."
They stood like this in the hallway, just out of sight. Watching Trixie talk to Rory about everything and nothing. About how cool science was and how much she liked surfing.
About angels and demons and everything in between.
About how her mom was the best mom ever, even if she struggled sometimes. And how Lucifer was going to be a great dad as well, even if Rory didn't know it yet.
And hearing her monkey talk to her little like that made Chloe realize something. That even after everything that happened – all the death and loss and pain, all the things they were still struggling with – they were still here.
Even if she didn't know what the future would be like. How Hell would behave for the next couple of years, or what unexpected surprises Rory's growing process might entail. If the Host of Heaven would leave them alone.
Despite that – despite all of that – Chloe knew one thing with clarity.
They were going to be okay.
All of them.
