Summary: A year later.


"Are you ready?"

"I don't know about this. What if it doesn't work?"

"It's okay to be nervous, but remember, we've worked for this. We've spent 10,000 Hell years working for it. You're ready. You can do this," Michael assured as he looked at his charge.

"I don't know…" the young woman sighed while wringing her hands together anxiously.

Michael gave Delilah a sympathetic look before glancing back at the fiery landscape of Hell. The boiling geysers in the distance periodically released gaseous plumes of sulfur as the magma from the Lake of Fire and other lava pits let off a sickly red glow, the only natural illumination that Hell could provide. However, in this special corner of the infernal realm the sky was decorated with burning balls of matter and light brought forth with the intermingling of Power and Will to create the first stars this realm had ever seen, the first ones Sam and Michael had created since their early days, though that was not the only thing they had recently created in Hell.

He turned back to the pacing singer and glanced towards the long, unending staircase stretching up towards the sky. A literal stairway to Heaven. Sam's idea of course.

Once Michael had had some time to recover from his encounter with his father, he had immediately turned his attention to what he could do to make amends. He couldn't keep hiding in the penthouse, he needed to be proactive. Sam argued that his work with Linda was plenty proactive and Michael should wait a while longer until he had a handle on himself, but the dark angel believed he could put the pieces of himself back together while also trying to make up for all that he had done. He knew exactly what he wanted to do to help. Sam wanted to revamp the afterlife system and Michael agreed that Hell was full of souls who didn't deserve to be damned forever. He had not only been complicit in the system that damned them, but he had personally judged many of them himself and sent them downstairs knowing full well it wasn't truly deserved. He needed to be the one to correct it and that meant returning to Hell.

Sam had been extremely reluctant at the prospect and Michael wasn't totally without apprehension himself. Hell had broken him during his short time. The very nature of the realm was to attach itself to one's guilt and regrets, magnify them and compound them, torture a person with them. He had more reason for guilt than anyone else currently sitting in a Hell loop, but he also had a reason to push through it. In facing Hell's effect on him head-on, he was able to figure out a way to cope with the guilt, to live above it though he never lost it. It gave him firsthand knowledge that it was possible to help the condemned souls in Hell learn the same thing.

Redemption wasn't an option for all denizens of Hell. Some souls were beyond help. Others deserved to burn if not forever, then for a set amount of time based on their crimes. Those cases were reviewed after a few Hell centuries had passed and it was determined whether redemption and ascension were a possibility. However, there were more than enough souls whose sins did not warrant a life sentence for Michael to stay busy with his new endeavor.

It wasn't something he did on his own. He oversaw the operation and also went into Hell loops where he helped those with misplaced guilt face their fears, the terrors that had dragged them down. He listened to their stories, not in judgement but in understanding from one fellow member of the fallen to another. He offered his own story, seeking to become a guide and a friend before anything else. Raphael healed the physical wounds the souls carried. Amitiel, Hofniel, Jehudiel, Mitzrael and Phanuel served as therapists of sorts. All were well versed in the healing arts, having trained under Raph, and they had been extremely interested in humans' development in the field of psychology. They had been using these interests to ensure the comfort of the human souls in Heaven that struggled with their transition into the afterlife but Michael knew their talents were better suited to helping out downstairs and so he had quickly recruited them. He would've liked more help but most angels were reluctant to willingly visit Hell, much less reside there for what could be millennia in Hell years.

It was hard work but the fruits of that labor made it worth it. When the souls had lightened themselves enough and the team thought they were ready, they were brought to this newly developed corner of Hell and given the choice to remain in the infernal realm, eternally damned and wallowing in their guilt, or ascend to Heaven by walking up the stairway straight to the Silver City where Cassiel would be waiting for them at the gates.

Michael's current charge was his longest running patient. She was his second case, right after Daniel Espinoza who Michael had been personally invested in making sure was able to ascend. Daniel had made it to Heaven by now, but Delilah struggled, often talking herself back into her Hell loop.

Michael knew Sam had cared for her early on in his latest trip to Earth, that he had considered her a friend before he had even met Detective Decker and Dr. Martin and thus had started turning over a new leaf. Delilah had not been a saint in her lifetime, but she was a classic case of both legitimate and misplaced guilt becoming inextricably tangled together and dragging a person down. She had become successful as a singer but the industry had led her towards drugs and people who sought to exploit her. She had been used her entire life, by her family, her friends, her partners. Singing was the only thing that she thought would save her, but it had brought her to people like Jimmy Barnes. She blamed herself for every bad thing that happened in her life and it ultimately dragged her to Hell.

Delilah's loop compounded her guilt regarding her life choices but also forced her to take on the guilt of others' poor choices, especially those who mistreated her. She refused to believe she deserved to go to Heaven after how she had failed in her life, at least as far as she saw it. Even with knowing that Sam was God now and that he had prepared a place for her in the Silver City, it was a struggle to believe in her own ability to be redeemed. Helping Delilah to face her guilt, her mistakes and shortcomings while also acknowledging that she was not responsible for the choices others had made to hurt and use her was not easy but it had been illuminating for Michael, who often found himself in the same position. Perhaps that was why he was as invested in Delilah as he had been in Detective Espinoza. Delilah couldn't remain in Hell forever, Michael wouldn't allow it. It was time for her to take the next step in her afterlife.

"What if, I don't know, what if it doesn't accept me? What if Heaven just spits me back down here?"

"That won't happen. I've already told you, there is a place prepared for you in the Silver City. Besides, the stairs wouldn't even have let you this close if you weren't ready to ascend."

She took a small step towards the stairs before she shivered and took two steps back, still wringing her hands nervously. Michael pursed his lips at her hesitance.

"Delilah, how long have we known each other?"

"Longer than I was alive."

He briefly smirked at the remark before nodding.

"I think I know you pretty well by now. So, what is this really about?"

Delilah deflated at that.

"There's still a voice in the back of my head telling me that I don't deserve this chance. I didn't think I'd ever really get here, you know? Now that I am…"

"I'm going to be honest. That voice may never go away, but that doesn't mean you have to listen to it. I believe you deserve another chance. God himself believes you deserve another chance. Is it so hard to believe that for yourself, even after all this time?"

"Sometimes, it's easy to believe it. Other times…"

"You're going to struggle, trust me, I know from experience. But that's why you'll have support in Heaven. There will be people to counsel you and help you transition and adjust. And I'll visit you too. You won't be alone."

Michael approached the blonde and placed comforting hands on her shoulders.

"Don't get hung up on the word 'deserve', you'll always find reasons for why you don't deserve something. You've put in the work, you've faced your fears and your guilt. Don't you want to finally be at peace?"

"Yes," she whispered in return.

"You can attain that peace. You don't have to be afraid. Walk up those stairs and don't look back."

Delilah looked at Michael before nodding.

"Okay, I can do this. I got this."

The former singer turned towards the stairs and took one step onto the landing. She paused as if expecting them to throw her off. When they did not, she continued climbing, one foot in front of the other. Michael felt a swell of pride and happiness with every step she took. The woman paused about thirty steps up and turned back to Michael.

"Thank you."

He shook his head immediately.

"You don't have to thank me. Helping you ascend is the least I can do."

"I wasn't the best person in the world. I landed myself down here. You could've left me here but you chose not to, so thank you."

He nodded in return, accepting the gratitude.

"Go on, ascend."

Delilah turned and continued walking up the everlasting staircase. Michael watched her disappear from view. After a moment, a surge of light lifted into the sky and disappeared through the planes, sending a shudder through Hell. There was faint cheering from the darker side of the realm as the souls there acknowledged the ascension of yet another one of the rehabilitated damned. Michael allowed a smile to alight his face as a feeling of fulfillment settled in his chest.

He glanced back behind him as he felt a familiar presence.

"Mazikeen," he greeted evenly.

"Dickface," she returned.

Michael's lips twitched as he fought back a smirk at that off-color greeting.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to want to gag. That was sufficiently dramatic. Of course she wouldn't be in Hell at all if you hadn't have thrown her down here like a jackass, but it is what it is."

He couldn't hold back the smirk then.

"Gee, thanks. Always nice to get your input, Mazikeen."

"Personally, I don't see the point of this whole little enterprise of yours. All you're doing is sending souls from the literal fire into the proverbial frying pan."

"I wouldn't call Heaven the frying pan. It's not so bad."

"You eager to go back any time soon?"

He couldn't hold back the slight grimace then.

"Didn't think so. Here's me surprised an angel would prefer downstairs to upstairs."

"I've got work to do down here. Heaven doesn't need me."

"Maybe not, but Earth does. If I'm reading the time correctly, we're going to be late if we don't get going."

A quick glance at his watch, calibrated to help him track the passage of time on Earth while he was in Hell, told him that the demoness was correct.

"I thought it was fashionable to be late to your own party," he quipped but he quickly unfurled his wings and offered his hand to her.

"Humans might get a little antsy if you show up smelling like brimstone because you didn't have time to shower."

"Glad to know you care."

She shot him a glare as she took his hand so he could fly them through the dimensions. He was slightly vigilant as even though he and Mazikeen had been on mostly friendly terms in the year since Michael had left Hell behind, she still had a habit of poking him with sharp objects every now and again.

Once she was slotted to his side, he took off, flying through the dimensions until they landed in the empty penthouse. He could hear music and reveling from downstairs. He nodded Maze off and quickly got himself ready for the party, "his" party. Sam was the one who had planned the whole thing as he felt a celebration was necessary to mark a year since Michael had been freed from Hell, freed from Father's commands and reunited with his twin. Michael didn't think there needed to be a whole to-do but Sam seemed so enthused about it that he didn't tell his twin no.

He hopped in the shower, got dressed, fixed his hair and was downstairs in 15 minutes. He stepped off the elevator into the club filled with a mixture of humans and angels. Sam hadn't opened the club to the public, just to those who Michael wanted to invite so there were people he'd met from various social clubs he attended and from the library he frequented as well as the support group he joined and a few officers from the LAPD that he liked well enough. He also sent an open invitation to the Host. He still had trepidations about his family, but Gabe and Raph seemed to think that more of them wanted to see Michael than he believed. He could spot several of them in the crowd. Jophiel and Zadkiel were entertaining some women from Michael's art club, Zuriel was chatting with a man Michael had met on a gardening chat forum, Saraqael and several Cherubim and Seraphim were on the dancefloor and Leliel was pestering the DJ.

"Hey, there's my favorite Morningstar! I was looking for you," an enthusiastic voice greeted before Michael found himself being tackled/hugged.

"Hi Ella," he replied, patting her on the back in response to the tight hug.

"Happy birthday, buddy."

He graciously accepted the salutation. Telling people that the twins were celebrating their birthday was easier than explaining everything that had happened. Plus, it fit on a banner a lot easier than 'happy anniversary of your independence from your abusive despot of a father.'

"I left my gift on the table with all the others," she informed him, pulling back to give him a wide grin.

"I said no presents on the invitations."

"Actually, the invitations said presents weren't mandatory but they were appreciated."

Michael rolled his eyes in response. Sam had gotten them printed.

"Oh, don't be so grumpy. It's okay to get free things on your birthday. Enjoy it. I mean, birthdays probably aren't that special after the millionth time, but still," she replied, whispering the last sentence, though with the pounding music, she didn't need to.

"Angels don't actually have birthdays, Ella."

The short woman blinked in return.

"Oh. But Lucifer said… and he doesn't lie…"

"We're born, but days weren't concepts then. I couldn't tell you what day it was when we came into existence. This is more of a general celebration than anything else."

"Celebrating what?"

"It's better not to say, especially not here and not now. It's a party. I don't want to bring the mood down."

Ella gave him a slightly suspicious look before replying.

"Fine, keep your secrets."

Michael gave her a knowing look as he recognized the reference. She had made him watch the entire trilogy after all.

"Still, this does strain the bounds of truth. Not that that's new for him," Ella continued, the last part said with a slight edge of annoyance. That was an improvement considering she'd been angry with his twin ever since Michael had accidentally spilled the beans about their celestial nature whilst under the belief that she already knew.

"First of all, ouch. Secondly, birthdays are a celebration of life and we are celebrating life, namely our current living situation, so not a lie just a stretching of the definition," Sam interjected as he seemingly materialized out of nowhere.

"Michael, brother. Don't you clean up nicely. I thought I was going to have to march you back upstairs to put you in something approaching presentability."

"Like I would've let you," Michael retorted.

Sam continued as if he hadn't spoken.

"And might I just say you look stunning, Miss Lopez. Not everyone could pull off that shade of pink and sequins too. I hear they're out of fashion but for you, they're definitely in," he complimented with a bright smile.

"Oh, thanks. Hey, wait—" Ella started before she shot him a withering look.

"I know you're just flattering me because I'm still mad at you about keeping me in the dark."

"Is it working?"

"Kind of, sort of. I spent hours looking for a dress and I wasn't even sure about this one, so getting a compliment means a lot, but don't go thinking you're off the hook. You're still my least favorite Morningstar. And no fake birthday present for you."

"The presents shouldn't even exist," Michael said, shooting his brother a look.

"You said presents weren't mandatory and that's what I put on the invitations. It's not my fault humans feel obligated to give each other gifts for the completely involuntary act of being born on a certain day."

Michael rolled his eyes in response, knowing full well his brother knew what he was doing.

"It's not just about presents. Birthdays are also about celebrating another milestone, celebrating life. Some years are even signifiers of a transition in someone's life," Ella explained.

"A celebration about presents sounds much more fun," Sam quipped back, drawing an eyeroll from both Michael and Ella this time.

Michael might just set a record before the night was done.

"Anyway, I'd better let you two catch up. I'm going to head over to the tribe. Maze wants a rematch on the drinking competish."

The short woman gave them both hugs before flitting off into the crowd towards where Michael saw Linda, Mazikeen, Eve and Chloe. Azrael and Gabriel were sitting at the table as well. The latter was chatting with Linda and Eve while Azrael shifted uncomfortably next to Chloe. His youngest sister relaxed once Ella joined the group.

Michael briefly met Chloe's gaze across the room. The blonde gave him a nod and he returned it before they both looked away from one another. If Sam noticed, he didn't mention it.

"How were things downstairs?"

"They're going well. You'll be glad to know Delilah finally ascended."

Sam let out a breath of relief at that.

"I'm sure Cassiel took her straight to Father Frank and Phanuel and they're helping her settle in. I'll have to visit her, make sure she's adjusting well. Thank you, brother."

"You don't need to thank me every time I help someone ascend."

"Perhaps not, but you're doing what I didn't, what I couldn't. You're righting a wrong I let persist just as much as Father did. So, yes, you have my gratitude. You also have a gift from me to you."

"You know full well it's not actually my birthday. I don't want a present from you. Considering your spending habits, the receipt alone would probably give me a headache."

"I swear I spent nothing on it. Here."

Michael took the unremarkable black jewelry box from his twin.

"That doesn't exactly inspire confidence. You hoard lavish things like that dragon from Ella's movies…"

He trailed off as he opened the box and saw what was inside. His old onyx ring, a nearly identical twin to his brother's. Rings that Michael had created for them and that they had exchanged before he'd gone off to fight Chaos. He hadn't seen them since he moved out of his and Sam's old nest.

"I've been carrying this around for a while, trying to figure out the perfect time to give it to you. No time seemed right but then tonight presented itself."

He glanced back up at his brother, still stunned as he watched him pluck Michael's ring from the box and hold it in his fingers. Now that he was paying attention, he noticed that Sam was already wearing his.

"We made a promise when we first exchanged these, remember?"

"I said we'd be together again soon. I didn't keep that promise."

"I disagree. Here we are, together. Granted, it took longer than either of us would've liked but still."

Sam stepped closer to him and took one of Michael's hands in his.

"We exist together, Mi. We came into being together. So long as darkness and light exist side by side then so shall we. Chaos and entropy cannot truly destroy what is eternal. That is my promise to you. So long as you have this ring, even when I'm not here, I'm always with you."

Michael felt his eyes burning as he recognized the same words he had used all those years ago. He took the ring from his brother and slipped it onto his finger, feeling the words inscribed onto the band as he did so, inter tenebris, lux aeterna.

"Thank you," Michael told him as he pulled him into a hug which Sam returned readily.

"I don't have anything to give you."

"You do and it's enough. Besides, all your friends brought gifts for me too so we're even."

Michael pushed him away playfully at that.

"Come on, all our siblings have been putting in requests with me to get to you like I'm some bloody middleman. Might as well do some mingling and greeting."

Michael let Sam take him by the hand and pull him through the crowd. He could feel no fear as he waded through the people he'd collected over the last year or so. They were all smiling at him and wishing him 'happy birthday'. He thought of Ella's words about birthdays, celebrating life and transitions. His life had changed a lot in the last year, and it had changed for the better. A year ago, he didn't have a purpose that gave him fulfillment. He not only didn't know himself but he had loathed himself and wanted for nothing more than Oblivion. There wasn't a roomful of people that he considered friends. He wasn't able to comfortably stand in the same room as most of his siblings. He wasn't living his life under his own agency. He didn't have Sam, his nestmate, his soulmate, his twin.

Now, he had all that and more. There was nothing standing in the way of him living an existence that actually made him happy, gave him the opportunity to help others and let him be with the ones he loved with no reservations.

He looked up and could see a group of his siblings waiting for him and Sam by the bar. He felt a spike of apprehension as he saw them for the first time in what was ages for him. He soon felt Sam's calming presence soothe away the anxiety as he turned back to face him and gave him a smile of reassurance and a quick squeeze of the hand, reminding him that he wasn't alone. Michael held onto that reassurance.

He had come into existence as a half of a whole, staring not upon his parents, his divine deities, but his twin. They had reached out to each other, and their souls had bonded instantly. All those empty places inside of him filled with Light. All the jagged edges of Darkness softened just a bit. Power balanced with Will. A perfect equilibrium. Without ever saying anything, they had decided that they belonged to one another in a way no one else could understand. Then they created and spun stars, moons, planets and galaxies across the nothingness of space as a manifestation of that belonging more so than it was ever a manifestation of Dad's Will. Because of that, their father had tried to tear them apart. He had succeeded for millions of years, but those days were over.

For better or worse, the past was a closed book behind them, nothing but particles of dust floating lifelessly by to be noticed but not dwelled upon. The future was laid out in front of them, uncertain, not set in stone or hamstrung by any god's plans. Endless possibilities spun and twisted themselves into an infinite multiverse of choice that was allowed to freely flow endlessly forward in time. There would likely be instances in the future when he would be afraid, hurt, full of fear. His Darkness may overwhelm him again and he might even fail more than once. However, the future also held love, hope, faith, fulfillment, duty, care, promise. Eternity was spread out in front of him and it held exciting possibilities.

He squeezed Sam's hand and gave him a smile as he continued walking towards his siblings. The future was not known, but it didn't scare him because he wouldn't face it alone.


AN: And that's a wrap.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. It was totally unexpected but I'm glad I wrote this story. I do feel like there are a few strings I could pull on, particularly with Chloe because I think her reaction is totally fair but I also want to dig more into her and Michael reaching an understanding outside of Lucifer. I do have a sequel in mind with focus on Michael & Chloe as well as Azrael & Michael, but I can't commit to writing that. I'm a teacher and school is starting again this week.

Regardless, thank you all for your positive reviews and amazing feedback. It helped me a lot.