Stag Party

The Corvette screeched to a halt, and Lucifer jumped out of the car.

He rushed up to Linda's door, knocking frantically. He rang the bel three times in a row. At least there was light burning inside.

"Doctor? Are you there? What's going on?"

A bolt slid open on the inside, several locks turned. Linda swung the door open and let out a relieved sigh.

"Oh, good, you're here."

Lucifer brushed past her inside. He scanned the place for any possible danger.

The place looked perfectly ordinary. Everything was neatly in its place save for the toys scattered on the carpet.

"You sounded frantic on the phone," Lucifer said with a frown. He turned to Linda. "What's going on?"

Linda closed the door and walked over to him. "Your nephew – and your brother, who's not responding to any of my calls or texts. Or prayers."

"Well, that's not anything new."

"Maybe." Linda pointed to the chandelier above the sitting area. "But that is."

Charlie sat on the wrought-iron chandelier – still bubble-wrapped - his chubby little hands clinging to the metal. His tiny wings flapped every now and then as he sought a more comfortable space to sit.

He grinned widely when he caught sight of his uncle.

"My dear nephew," Lucifer said, sliding his hands in his pockets. "I see you've started to learn how to use your wings."

Charlie cooed from above them.

Linda stepped up beside him. "He was only flapping his wings yesterday. I don't know how it happened so quickly."

"Well, I don't think he's actually flying yet. The wing muscles haven't developed enough for that to happen."

Hopefully.

Linda raked a hand through her hair. "I don't care, just get him down! What if he falls and hurts himself?"

The Doctor's frantic response caught him off-guard. Lucifer raised his hands in surrender.

"I'll go get him. Bloody Hell, don't bite my nose off."

Linda glared at him over her glasses. "What would you do if it was Rory up there?"

Panic. Panic some more.

Probably be tied with Chloe in the race of getting to her.

With a roll of his shoulders, wings bloomed from Lucifer's shoulders. Two large beats, and he was eye to eye with Charlie.

"Charlie," Lucifer said, slowly extending his arms towards the child. "It's not considered polite to sit on the chandeliers. Your mum wants you to come down."

Charlie sucked on his thumb. He was still too young to not fully understand what he was saying.

Keeping himself steady, Lucifer flew as close to the chandelier as he could. "Why don't we go play with the blocks, mmm? Beats this dusty old place."

Charlie didn't move. The toddler was almost in arm's reach, just a little closer –

Lucifer clutched his nephew to his chest. Charlie's wings were pressed to his back by his uncle's arms.

"There we go." Lucifer softly descended until they stood on the ground again. "Safe and sound. And a little dusty."

Linda eagerly took Charlie from him. She let out a deep sigh of relief. "Oh my God, thank you, Lucifer. I couldn't reach him with a ladder."

"He's a little rascal." Lucifer ruffled his curls with a smile. "I think it's time for Amenadiel to start with flying lessons soon. Or at least basic wing control."

Linda pressed a kiss to her son's cheek. "I'd have thought Amenadiel was already with you? Isn't the stag party tonight?"

"He's wrapping up, I assume. We're all supposed to be at Lux around eight."

"You know, Lucifer, I'm surprised you're not throwing a bigger party. It's only you, Maze and Amenadiel, right?"

Lucifer looked at the floor. "Well, Daniel was supposed to be there as well, but yes. It's just the three of us – all the non-human creatures together."

Linda's eyes flashed with memories. "I mean, it's a good thing, of course. But it's just a little strange that Chloe's bachelorette will be bigger than yours."

"She deserves to go wild for a night – especially since her last one was a disaster. You are working on that, aren't you?"

Linda chuckled manically. "Oh, don't worry. We're planning something, alright. The fact that Ella's in charge should tell you enough."

"Right, so definitely strippers and beer."

"Are you afraid someone's going to look better than you?"

Lucifer chuckled heartily. "My dear Doctor, I fear that's not possible. These abs were sculpted by the hand of God, remember?"

Linda snorted and put Charlie down on the carpet, who'd started wriggling in her arms. "Oh, I remember, don't worry."

When she straightened again, she saw Lucifer lingering and picking uncomfortably at his suit.

"Lucifer? What's wrong?"

"Why would anything be wrong?"

Linda leveled a knowing look at him and leaned against the edge of the table. She crossed her arms. "I was your therapist for years. I know you."

Blast. Bloody shrinks.

Lucifer sighed and dropped his arms to his side. He studied the carpet intently as he spoke. His chest had been heavy the entire evening, something which he'd kept from Chloe so she could relax with Trixie.

"I just – I just wish Daniel were here."

Linda's gaze turned sympathetic. Lucifer felt a twang in his heart. "Oh, Lucifer."

Finally looking up, Lucifer gave her a watery smile. "He was supposed to be my best man, you know. I would have asked him. He is – was, my best friend."

If Daniel had still been here, he would have been the best man at the wedding. Would have helped him with everything.

Would have probably heard a thousand different versions of his vows and so on.

Linda pushed off the table and walked towards him. She opened her arms. "Do you want a hug?"

Silently, Lucifer stepped into her embrace. Even though she was at least two heads smaller than him, his friend's embrace was comforting.

She shared his loss, too. All their friends did.

They stayed like that for a while until Lucifer pulled back. He awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Uh, thank you. I think I needed that."

Linda adjusted her glasses. Were her eyes a bit watery, too? "I miss him, too. Even though he's with Charlotte and all that. Just means he's not here."

It was rare that Lucifer got to glimpse the person she was behind her profession. Sometimes it was easy to forget that she was just human at the end of the day.

"I know. But we can't disturb the dead and such. Besides, people in Heaven don't always remember everything. Just the good stuff."

His phone buzzed in his pockets three times in a row. Pulling it out, he saw that it was Maze – each text asking him more aggressively where he was.

Lucifer held up the phone. "I believe that's my clue to leave."

"Probably for the best. We don't want Maze to disembowel you."

Crouching down on the carpet, Lucifer ruffled Charlie's unruly curls. "Don't give your mother such a scare again, dear nephew. Just stick to stuffing Legos up your nose."

Charlie gave him a wide smile, and Lucifer just smiled and shook his head. The child truly was a handful.

Lucifer stood up and adjusted his navy suit. He exhaled softly and touched Linda's forearm. "Thank you – for the hug."

"It's no big deal. Thank you for getting my kid down from the ceiling."

"Something in me says that it won't be the last time that happens."

Linda glanced at Charlie, who was playing with his toy truck, fluffy grey wings drooping on the carpet. She sighed wistfully.

"I don't think so either."

The bass thumped through the floor up his legs as Lucifer descended the staircase in Lux. The club was packed, a promising Friday evening.

Not that they'd hold his stag party here, no.

The three of them had agreed to go everywhere but the famous club. From the dingiest bars to the most exclusive clubs, everything was fair game.

Even a Walmart.

Lucifer spotted his two friends at the bar before they'd noticed him.

Maze was telling a story to Amenadiel, gesturing widely with a blade (of course) in her hand. God just nodded and sipped his Cosmopolitan, often snapping his fingers to zip people out of harm's way of the demon's knife.

Most people were too drunk too notice, and the others were well on their way.

Seeing them sitting there, a pang went through Lucifer's chest. He adjusted the bracelet on his wrist.

You should have been here, Daniel.

It's supposed to be the three musketeers, not two and a demon.

Amenadiel perked up as he spotted his brother. "Luci. You're late."

"Well, I was handling your offspring, brother." Lucifer leaned on the bar next to them. "I call that a valid excuse."

Amenadiel groaned and put his head in his hands. "I must not have heard Linda during the meeting. Was Charlie up in the rafters again?"

"The chandelier this time. You ready, Mazikeen?"

Maze gave him a feral grin. "I can't believe we're holding a stag party for you of all people, but I'm so fucking ready. Eve gave me some great last minute ideas."

Right, so if they ended up at the ER, he had someone to blame when Chloe asked what had happened.

Perhaps she'd even kiss his hypothetical injuries better…

"Thank you, Lucifer. For getting Charlie."

Lucifer shrugged and brushed the compliment off. "I was on my way, anyway. I assume you'll return the gesture for me when I'm out of town and Rory decides to test her wings."

"I already have Chloe on speed dial, brother. You never know what happens."

Maze frowned at Amenadiel. "What are you, an IPhone or something? Do they even have wi-fi in Heaven?"

Before God could formulate a reply, Lucifer's phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out, and saw an incoming video call from Chloe. He quickly swept upwards.

"Honey? Is everything alright?"

Chloe smiled at him from her spot on the couch. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun, and she was wearing her favorite LAPD sweatshirt.

Rory was in her baby sling, snoozing sideways across her mother's chest. Only the top of her tiny head peeked out over the cloth.

"Yeah, I just wanted to tell you to have fun. I know we barely saw each other tonight."

Maze rolled her eyes and made a gagging motion. Amenadiel elbowed her in the side and motioned for her to be quiet.

And they called him immature.

"Thank you, love," Lucifer said, unable to help his own smile. "Though I don't think that will be a problem. Maze has got all bases covered."

Maze leaned over the bar and pressed her face into view of the camera. "I'll bring him back in one piece, Decker – though I can't say what state he'll be in."

"Fine, just don't get arrested, please. I don't want to marry Lucifer in jail."

Maze raised an eyebrow. "Why, can't you just bust us out? What else are you a police lieutenant for?"

"Thank you, Mazikeen," Lucifer said pointedly, pushing her out of view. He angled his phone so that he was the only one visible. "We'll be fine, love. LA will still be there in the morning. Hopefully."

Chloe snorted and gave him a wry smile. "Yeah, right. Just don't hurt yourself too badly, okay?"

"I promise I won't lose any limbs."

"Lucifer?" a familiar voice sounded from behind Chloe. Trixie appeared behind the couch a second later, wearing two braids and pink pajamas. "What are you going to do tonight?"

"I actually have no idea. You'll have to ask your Auntie Maze what she's planned for me."

Lucifer angled the camera towards Maze before the demon could rip the phone from his hands. Those two truly had a special bond – one that could result in gray hairs for both him and Chloe.

And possibly mild bodily harm, but let's look on the bright side of things.

"Oh, it'll be a night he'll always remember, Trix. We're writing history tonight."

Amenadiel looked slightly concerned Maze and Lucifer, who just shrugged. He'd been around Maze for millennia – he knew her habits by now.

At least, he hoped he did.

"Cool," Trixie's voice sounded gleeful from the other side of the line. "Are we going to watch horror movies again soon?"

Maze's lips quirked into a smile. "Sure, kid. Give your sister a kiss for me, alright? I'll see you next week."

Handing the phone back to Lucifer, Maze's expression was all softness and pride. Trixie really held a special place in her heart.

"I'll leave you guys to it," Chloe said when she came back into view. The arm that wasn't holding her phone supported Rory. "Have fun – be safe. And I love you."

Lucifer chuckled softly. "Orders from my Lieutenant. I love you, too. Be sure to kiss the girls goodnight for me."

"I will." The love in Chloe's eyes was enough to make his heart skip a beat. "Goodnight, Lucifer."

He raised his hand in goodbye. "Goodnight, my love."

The video call ended, and a glowing warmth lingered in Lucifer's chest. It still baffled him that they got they spend every day together.

That had simply seemed impossible little more than a year ago.

"Are we done with the sappy shit now?" Maze downed the dregs of her drink and pounded the glass on the bar. "It's time to get going!"

Amenadiel sipped his Cosmopolitan with a knowing smile. "Like you just weren't firing off texts filled with hearts to Eve."

"How do you know that?"

"I know everything, Mazikeen."

"Clearly not enough to develop a sense of fashion."

Amenadiel gave her a blank look, then turned to Lucifer. "Can we go now, Luci? I can't be away from Heaven for too long – you know how our siblings are."

"There's just one thing I still need to do."

Lucifer sat down on the bar, then swung his legs on the surface. He fished a glass and a mixing rod from Patrick's corner, then straightened to his full height.

Motioning to the DJ to turn the music down, he met his brother's wry glance. "What? You know I love making speeches."

"More like hearing yourself talk," Maze muttered.

Ignoring the demon, Lucifer clambered on top of the bar. All eyes were focused on him as a hush fell over the nightclub.

"Good evening, everyone. I'll keep this short so you can all get back to your copulating and excessive alcohol consumption as soon as possible."

Amenadiel snorted beneath him and ordered another Cosmopolitan. "Really subtle, Luci."

"I'm getting married!"

Cheers erupted all throughout the nightclub, people lifting their glasses and clapping and whooping. There were a few disappointed moans from past lovers, but there were plenty of fish in the sea.

Lucifer bowed at the waist while grinning widely. "Thank, thank you. Yes, she is indeed the most incredible person I've ever met. Your loss and my gain, truly."

The claps were dying down and people gave him a weird look. Tough crowd tonight, apparently.

"That will be all," Lucifer said, getting down from the bar and motioning towards the DJ. The music started back up in full swing. "Party on!"

This time they did cheer, and the light strobes above resumed their flickering and flashing. The bass pounded through the floor.

Now everyone knew he was definitely off the market.

Not that that helped people resist his mojo, but it was the thought that counted.

Lucifer felt satisfied as he stepped up beside Maze. "There, now I'm done. I'm ready for whatever depravity you two have planned for me tonight."

Maze shared an expectant look with Amenadiel, who had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. What had the Eldest planned for him tonight?"

"Please don't tell I'm going to regret this, brother," Lucifer said as he yanked on a cufflink. "Chloe would like to have me back in one piece. So no shark wrestling".

"Don't worry, Luci," Amenadiel said with that all-knowing smile of his. "We'll make sure you make it back in one piece."

The fact that Maze was nearly bursting with glee beside him wasn't very reassuring.

"Fine," Lucifer said. "Where are we going first?"

It was goat yoga.

The bloody bastards had dragged him to some Dad-forsaken farm to do goat yoga.

"Why, Lucifer," Maze said with a shit-eating grin as she petted one of the animals. "I thought goats were the Devil's creatures – horned and temperamental?"

"You bloody well know that's a lie, Mazikeen," Lucifer hissed. He jerked back from a goat that was munching on his trousers. "And we're supposed to do what now?"

He'd never gotten why humans associated with goats, of all possible animals.

Dragons, sure. They were huge and fearsome and capable of wreaking serious havoc.

But a goat?

What was he, a hairy vegetarian with anger issues?

Lucifer found his association with those creatures even more offensive than the allegations of him eating children. Humans and their damned imagination.

"I believe you're supposed to move in tune with the animals, Luci."

Amenadiel sat cross-legged on his yoga mat on the dry grass, the very picture of calm. The bastard had even brought yoga pants with him.

And they called him the Devil.

Cicadas buzzed around them in the warm night, and the large garden of the Spanish villa was illuminated by iron-wrought lanterns. There were four other people present – one couple and two middle-aged women.

And of course, a bunch of bloody goats tramping around the place.

Which dim-witted idiot had come up with this concept?

"Yeah, Lucifer," Maze said from her own mat beside him. One of the smaller goats was sniffing her combat boots. "Don't you feel such a deep connection to those creatures?"

"I swear on my daughter's head, Mazikeen –"

"Welcome!"

A woman in a long linen dress stepped forward. She stood on a mat in front of their small group on the lawn, her arms spread wide. Two incense burners beside her spread a patchouli-scented smoke.

What Lucifer wouldn't give for it to be marihuana.

"I'm glad to see all of our familiar faces back here," the woman – apparently named Kelsey – said with a Botox-filled smile. "As well as some of our new customers!"

A series of reluctant claps sounded around them, and Lucifer gave them a tight-lipped smile. He jerked out of reach when a buck tried to nibble his sleeve.

"They're only supposed to be here for a one-time event, but we hope we can change their minds tonight. Make them see the intrinsic bond that exists between man and animal."

Yeah, right.

Kelsey turned towards him, and Lucifer had to summon all his willpower to not fly away right then and there.

"And our special guest tonight is Lucifer – which is quite funny when you think about it, because the Biblical Devil was also associated with goats…"

"A common misconception," Lucifer interrupted, feeling his patience slipping away. "As an expert on the subject, I can say with the utmost confidence that the Devil doesn't do goats."

Maze shrugged and turned towards the class. "Who thinks of the Devil when you see a goat on a pentagram?"

Everyone slowly raised their hand – including Kelsey and Amenadiel.

"Traitor," Lucifer hissed to his brother.

Amenadiel gave him one of those all-knowing, condescending smiles that made him see red. "Mankind believes what they want to believe, Luci."

Maze gave Amenadiel a fist bump, the glee on the demon's face so bright it could light up the night. "God has spoken."

Kelsey watched this pass with a confused smile, then shook her head and continued on. She took a bell from one of the pockets on her dress.

"Right. When I ring this bell once, the goats will gather around me as I demonstrate or explain one of the exercises. If I ring this twice, then the goats will join you on the grass."

"They're already bloody here," Lucifer muttered under his breath as he attempted to shoo them off.

"And they're not going anywhere." Maze flashed him a grin that could only be described as devious. "I paid extra to make sure Kelsey over there directed the goats towards you. You have been really stressed lately."

Lucifer's eyes flashed red for a second. "You're going to regret this, Mazikeen."

"Maybe. But only after you've suffered through this for two hours."

Kelsey spread her feet across her mat and placed her palms against each other. "Now, we're all going to start off slowly in this stance –"

The buck that had been bothering Lucifer since the beginning looked him in the eye, its square pupils gleaming in the dim light.

"Don't make me turn you into a rug," Lucifer growled as he slid into the first yoga position. "You'd do bloody well to remember who I am."

The goat was not impressed.

After two hours of wrangling with farm animals on a lawn, Lucifer was finally free from the first activity of the evening.

Maze had captured nearly the entire yoga session on video, and he suspected Amenadiel might have had a hand in sending the damned beasts his way.

There was no way they were just attracted to his cologne and natural good looks.

Goats simply did not have a sense of taste.

A cab was already waiting for them outside, and Lucifer was about to ask why they didn't simply fly to their next location when Maze said –

"It's more fun this way. Also, Amenadiel used to get fucking carsick and I want to know if being God actually changes that."

Amenadiel gave her a look. "You could have just asked, Maze."

"Where's the fun in that?"

Now they had Lucifer's attention. He turned towards his brother with a sly grin. "Now here's something I want to know as well. After you, Your Holiness."

The drive from the Hollywood Hills to downtown didn't take as long as Lucifer had expected – mainly because it was the dead of night, but that didn't always mean no traffic in LA.

Amenadiel sat by the window, and even though he didn't turn green, he took a deep gulp of air when they arrived at their next location.

Even the divine weren't above the dread of California roads.

Lucifer adjusted his jacket and inspected their next location. Sirens sounded in the distance, and the pavement still radiated heat from the hot summer day.

It was a dingy karaoke bar called 'The Brazen Bull', not too far of off Sunset, but a whole step down from classic establishments like the Whiskey A Go Go or even Lux.

Well, not everyone had his sense of taste, right?

Maze slapped a couple of twenty dollar bills in the cabbie's hand, and the car sped off into the night. Taillights turning red before he turned a corner and disappeared out of sight.

Two guys were fighting in the alley beside the bar, and two ladies stood at the corner of the street seeking their customers for the night.

Lucifer couldn't help but smile. Oh, how he loved the more seedier places of the city.

That's where the interesting things happened.

Slinging an arm around Lucifer and then Amenadiel, Maze guided them towards the entrance with a grin.

"You know, Lucifer, tonight is about us torturing you a little, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun along the way."

Amenadiel tensed. "I assume Lucifer's the only one to sing, right? Right, Mazikeen?"

"What, is the Almighty scared of singing in front of a crowd? Are you a chicken – quite literally, in your case."

"…No," Amenadiel said slowly, focusing on the poorly illuminated sign above the door that was close to falling off. "I'm not afraid of anything. But I want a Cosmo first before I do anything."

"At least learn to drink, brother," Lucifer said, and inhaled the scent of the night. Or in this case, piss and cheap liquor and cigarette smoke. "It's really starting to get sad."

As they entered, some poor sod was trying to pull off a tragically mediocre version of 'Bed Of Roses' – and if Bon Jovi wasn't bad enough, then bloody Hell, this made his ears bleed.

Even Maze winced. "I bet he'd sound even better if I stabbed him in the leg right now."

"Shall we find out?"

"No," Amenadiel said. "I promised Chloe you two wouldn't end up in jail. Or somewhere worse."

A smile tugged at the corner of Lucifer's mouth. Of course she'd given instructions to Amenadiel – arguably the most sensible person in their family.

His Detective was always looking after him, since day one.

Although back then that meant just making sure he didn't mess up the investigation, while now he'd like to imagine it a little bit broader.

I love her so much.

"Killjoy," Maze muttered under her breath. She clapped Lucifer on the shoulder. "Baldy and I here are going to get drinks. Why don't you go kick that loser off stage?"

"Gladly." Lucifer smoothed his hair back and straightened his jacket. Time to show them what real singing sounded like. "Let's give them a show, shall we?"

The crowd was practically eating out of his hand after three songs on the stage.

There was a beat-up piano in the corner that needed some serious tuning, but nobody seemed to mind.

It annoyed the Hell out of Lucifer at first – nothing made such a perfect sound as his Steinway – but after a while he was so focused on his singing that he forgot how crappy the piano was.

After 'Radio Ga Ga' and 'Sympathy For The Devil' and a shortened version of 'Sinnerman', Lucifer took a bow and offered the stage to Maze – who'd been sliding Cosmo after Cosmo towards Amenadiel.

God was looking pretty buzzed, grinning from ear to ear and swaying along to the music. Sometimes he would point to the stage and say to complete strangers, 'That's my little brother'.

The people would give him a strange look – they couldn't look any different – but then shrugged it off and went back to listening.

Maze passed Lucifer as he stepped off the stage. Was that a hint of approval flickering over the demon's features?

"Break a leg, Mazikeen," he said and clapped her on the shoulder. "Though I think you'll find it difficult to surpass my performance."

"Feeling cocky, huh?"

"Seeing as you were once intimately familiar with my physique, I'd say yes."

She grabbed the mic out of his hand and ascended the three creaking steps to the stage. "You're going to regret this."

Lucifer gave her a saccharine smile. "Oh, I don't think so."

"Wow, shocker, you think."

"Ha-ha, very funny. Knew you'd be all talk and no bite."

Maze cocked her head and flashed a lethal grin that would have made lesser men turn tail and run. "I'll make you eat your words, Morningstar."

With that, she turned her back on him and slapped the mic into the holder. She pointed at him as she addressed the crowd –

"This guys this I can't do better than him do. What do you say we put his cocky ass in its place?"

The crowd jeered and raised their drinks, liquid spilling over the edge and splashing on the already grimy floor.

Lucifer sat down beside a very tipsy Amenadiel. He crossed his legs at the ankles and raised an eyebrow at Maze. "I'm all ears."

Maze just grinned in return. Her eyes burned with a frantic fire – almost hellfire.

But unlike a couple centuries ago, there was a warmth to it now.

A liveliness and a joy that hadn't been there before.

Looks like growing a soul has a myriad of side-effects.

"Hit it," Maze said to the disk jockey, not taking her eyes off Lucifer. A vaguely familiar upbeat tempo filled the room, and Amenadiel smiled widely. "Man, I love this song."

It took Lucifer a split-second longer to recognize which song he was talking about – then it hit him.

"Oh, bring it on, Mazikeen," Lucifer said.

Maze winked at him and started to sing into the mic.

'I come home, in the mornin' light'

'My mother says, 'When you gonna live your life right?'

'Oh momma dear, we're not the fortunate ones'

'And girls, they wanna have fun'

'Oh girls just wanna have fun'

The crowd whooped and cheered around them, people clapping and banging their fists against the table. Turns out that Maze's aversion to so-called pop music didn't run as deep as Lucifer had initially thought.

Though the Doctor might have been responsible for that, seeing as she had a love for hits from the last century.

Maze raised an eyebrow at him after she'd sang the first verse. Lucifer simply shrugged and mouthed, 'I can do better'.

She saw that as a challenge and grabbed her chance.

"My friend here thinks he can do better," Maze said during the musical intermezzo. She pointed at him and grinned. "How about we see who's the better singer?"

Jeers sounded around them, and all eyes were currently trained on Lucifer. He faked a deep sigh and downed the rest of his drink. "Fine."

Making his way through the crowd, Lucifer jogged the steps up to the stage and took the mic from Maze's outstretched hand.

"Watch and learn," he said before the music picked up again and he started to sing.

'The phone rings in the middle of the night'

'My father yells, 'What you gonna do with your life?'

'Oh daddy dear, you know you're still number one'

'But girls, they wanna have fun'

'Oh girls just wanna have fun'

Maze gave him a flat, unimpressed look. She turned to the crowd with her thumb pointed downwards. The people clapped and cheered for her, one guy in the back shouting, "Go, scary lady!"

"First you let bloody goats assault me, then you piss on my singing skills," Lucifer said with a wry chuckle. "I'd say you're jealous."

Maze snatched the mic from his hand with a triumphant grin. "And I'd say you're a sore loser."

In order not to lie, Lucifer simply stayed on stage with her harmonized the next verse and chorus with her.

His voice sounded significantly dimmer than Maze's – she'd gotten the microphone back, and she wasn't letting go anytime soon.

They both took a bow when the song was over, and Lucifer deferred to Maze as the rightful winner.

He'd get back on her at Lux someday – when she'd least expect it and he'd have the high ground of being in his own club.

They still called him the Devil for something.

But for tonight, Lucifer would have to follow the whims of his brother and his former lieutenant.

Hopefully it didn't involve anything that would get his wings dirty. Lucifer was down for a lot of things, but he drew the line at mucking up his feathers.

As the applause faded, Lucifer and Maze filed back into the booth next to Amenadiel. The current ruler of the universe was drinking a Pina Colada with an umbrella, still fond of the damn things.

"I'd have to give it you Maze, you certainly know how to put up a show."

Maze shrugged, but the wide grin on her face belied her nonchalance. "I may have picked up a thing or two during my years as bartender."

"Like robbing a man of his microphone, you mean," Lucifer replied, though the words held no bite. It had been fun, really.

Being at home with Rory was filled him with such incredible peace and joy – but being a new father while getting a degree in the evening left little time for anything else.

Like the millennia-old rivalry that existed between him and Maze, though it wasn't as bloody and lethal as it once was.

Lucifer studied his brother's relaxed composure and felt a stab of concern. "You know, brother, they say you shouldn't drink and drive, but I don't how that works in relation to ruling the universe."

"You think my entire being is here, Luci?" Amenadiel watched him with that typical eldest sibling – look, that mix between confusion and amusement. "A piece of my consciousness is here with you, yes, but the greatest part is in the Silver City."

Maze frowned at him. "So wait, you can split into multiple bodies or something?"

"I'd have to." Amenadiel shrugged, and took a sip from his cocktail. "Humans cannot handle too much divinity in one place. If I would be here with my entire being – my entire power – it would drive them insane."

"Right," Lucifer said slowly. Mulling in his head what that had meant about his Father's visits when his power had been waning. "But does that mean that you can get drunk?"

God snorted and shook his head. "Yes, Lucifer, I can get drunk if I allow myself to be. But only this grain of being that is with you, not the ruling one."

Maze raised her arms above her head with a cackle. "God can get drunk!"

"Hear, hear!"

Three drunk people on the table next to them cheered and raised their glasses, so deep in their cups they didn't fully process what she'd just said.

"Is it so different?" Lucifer asked, having narrowly escaped his brother's fate. "From being an angel?"

Amenadiel thought about this for a good second. "It simply feels like the next step in our evolution."

Thanks for the clarity, brother.

"Enough with the religious crap." Maze thumped her fist on the table. "Either we get drunk, we sing, or we move on to our next location."

An idea that been swirling in the back of Lucifer's head since they entered the bar took shape. He perked up. "I'm going to do one more song before we leave, but I'll need you to film me, Maze."

"Why, does your ego need stroking after I kicked your ass?"

Lucifer stood up and ran a hand over his hair, then straightened his jacket. "It's for Chloe. I want you to send it to her once we leave here."

It was one of the songs he'd discovered during his scrolling on Spotify when he should have been studying.

Lucifer was never one for complete silence – it reminded him too much of Hell – and he'd stumbled upon the song completely by accident.

But it had fit him and Chloe so well that he'd played it on repeat for the next three days, the song earning a permanent place in his heart.

"You're such a fucking sap," Maze said with a smile, no doubt thinking of the time she'd sung for Eve. She slid her phone out of her leather jacket. "Get your ass on stage, I got you covered."

Lucifer grinned and dashed up the steps, nearly colliding with the drunk Texan who'd giving a new meaning to the phrase 'making my ears bleed'.

Settling himself behind the beat-up piano, Lucifer took a moment to gather his thoughts. Maze gave him a thumbs-up from the crowd, Amenadiel looking curious beside her.

The lights dimmed above the booths and tables, and Lucifer looked straight into the camera as he said –

"This song is dedicated to my fiancée – the love of my life. I wouldn't be the man I am today without her. She's my best friend, my partner through everything. And I love her so, so much."

Lucifer smiled into the camera, his voice catching in his throat. "I always think of us when I hear this song. This is for you, Chloe."

He placed his fingers on the keys and the keys and started to play the intro. The original was played on guitar, but the melody wasn't too different on piano.

The sound rang throughout the room, winding around each person and wrapping them up in the music.

Then he started to sing –

'So tired trying to see from behind the red in my eyes'

'No better version of me I could pretend to be tonight'

'So deep in this swill with the most familiar of swine'

'For reasons wretched and divine'

Memories rose unbidden to the surface of the years before his employment with the LAPD.

Debaucherous parties, with scantily clad people everywhere, draping themselves over him, blind with desire. Too affected by his presence to hold a proper conversation.

Alcohol flows freely left and right, drugs in all shapes and sizes readily available. People grinding against each other on the dancefloor as all their inhibitions fell away around him.

Not even the break of dawn could stop their partying, and his sated bed partners usually lingered for a morning drink or two.

The life of the bachelor – sex and drugs and partying. Living it up in the City of Angels.

But most of all, Lucifer remembers the aching loneliness of it all.

To be desired, but never wanted.

'She blows outta nowhere, roman candle of the wild'

'Laughing away through my feeble disguise'

'No other version of me I would rather be tonight.'

'And, Lord, she found me just in time'

A smile tugs at the corner of Lucifer's mouth. He'd never forget his first meeting with Chloe

How annoyed she'd been with him, how unimpressed she was. Unaffected by him in the slightest, he'd been fascinated with her from the start.

Lucifer Morningstar, is that a stage name or something?

And then he'd started working with her – had actually gotten to know her. This beautiful, brilliant woman with a hunger for a justice and a heart that bled for every victim they encountered.

This Detective that saw right through the heart of him, past the facades he put up, past his self-depracating humor.

Saw right past the horns and tail.

Saw someone worthy of love.

For the second time in his life, Lucifer had fallen.

'She's gonna save me, call me "baby" '

'Run her hands through my hair'

'She'll know me crazy, soothe me daily'

'Better yet, she wouldn't care'

'We'll steal her Lexus, be detectives'

'Ride 'round picking up clues'

'We'll name our children, Jackie and Wilson'

'Raise 'em on rhythm and blues'

Lucifer had never dreamed of having children – let alone two. And he knew Trixie's wasn't his by blood, would never even think of erasing Daniel.

But she was still growing, and he knew what it was like to not have a father around. So he loved her in the only way he knew to– with all his heart.

A warm glow spread out from his chest. My two little urchins.

The song ended as quickly as it had begun, Lucifer so lost in thoughts and the notes that it was over in the blink of an eye.

Loud clapping and cheering pulled him from his thoughts, and Lucifer rose and took a bow. Then he gave Maze's phone one final smile and mouthed 'I love you'.

Maze stopped the recording and sent the video towards Chloe – no doubt with a complaint of how sappy her partner was behaving.

"Save the commentary, Mazikeen," Lucifer said as he downed his drink. Maze shut her mouth and went for a smirk. "I know it's cheesy, but the song makes me think of her. She deserves to know that."

"I think it's sweet, Luci," Amenadiel said, still sporting that dreamy smile. Looks like God was still a bit buzzed.

"Thanks," Lucifer said drily. "Now, are we going to move on, are you going to listen to me spouting love songs all evening?"

"Man, I still can't believe Decker tamed the literal Devil," Maze said as she got up from her seat, "and turned him into a cheesy housewife."

"That's a cheesy housewife who studies for you." Lucifer yanked on a cufflink and gave the demon a sharp grin. "And I'll have you know my abilities in bed are as fine as ever, only now reserved for one person."

Maze shouldered past the crowd of people gathered near the stage. She raised a cocky eyebrow. "Do you feel like you have to defend yourself?"

"Says the person who went shopping for bathroom tiles with her wife the other day because Eve didn't like the 'vibe' of the room."

"Hey, Eve was right about that –"

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of activities.

After the karaoke bar, they walked five blocks to find a carting establishment set up in an old warehouse. They all got a cart and safety helmets – Lucifer mojoed his way out of his because it would bloody ruin his hair.

They were only the three of them, seeing as it was well past midnight already. Turns out Maze had handed the owner a smack of cash – taken from a drug lord she'd captured – and told him to stay open until they arrived.

There was no set of rules, only to not deliberately harm each other.

Needless to say Maze ignored the last part.

For an hour long, they raced and whooped and crashed through the indoor course. Coming up with all kinds of ways to sabotage each other.

Amenadiel had promised not use any of his godly to try and win, but Lucifer didn't know if that was completely true.

During their twentieth round, Lucifer's car had suddenly swerved to the right without any reason.

And then of course his had brother had passed him by with that shit-eating grin of his.

Bastard.

Everyone had a couple bruises extra when they left the racing ground, but they were all sporting equally big ear-to-ear grins. There was just something inherently about trying to run your friends of the road.

Amenadiel's buzz was completely gone by the time they went skinny dipping near the Santa Monica pier. Though God was a bit of a prude, since he conjured up a cloud to cover his groin.

Seems like some things never change.

Maze peeled off her clothes without a second thought, sprinting across the damp sand and into the ocean.

"My suit," Lucifer mumbled, torn between joining the demon and preserving his Hugo Boss clothing. He really didn't want his jacket covered in sand and algae and whatnot.

After a few more moments of contemplation – and a promise from Amenadiel to clean his clothes with his powers – Lucifer finally flung himself into the sun-warmed waters of the Pacific.

There was still that nagging fear of being bitten by a fish, but that soon disappeared when Maze splashed water in his direction.

Oh, now it was on.

Two hours later, and the trio found themselves sitting on the edge of a skyscraper in the business district, passing a cheap bottle of wine back and forth.

The distinct scent of sea water still clung to him even after Amenadiel had dried with a snap of fingers, but Lucifer didn't find it entirely unpleasant.

It reminded him a bit of how Chloe smelled after she'd gone surfing with Trixie.

"So," Maze said, handing him the bottle of grocery store wine. Her legs were dangling off the edge, leather boots swinging above a four hundred foot drop. "How'd you find your night?"

Lucifer took a swig from the bottle and grimaced. Bloody Hell, that tasted awful. He took another sip. "Honestly? I enjoyed myself – except for the damned goats."

Maze laughed, high and sharp, and turned towards Amenadiel. "See? Told you it was a good idea."

"You know, Luci, goats are actually pretty intelligent animals –"

Lucifer held up a hand. "Spare me the details, brother. I've seen enough for one day."

God chuckled and accepted the bottle from him. They'd flown on one of the skyscrapers, his brother carrying Maze, for a quiet place to talk a bit.

They'd seen enough bars for one night – and Lux was the only place they'd sworn not to end up in the wee hours of the morning.

The city of Los Angeles stretched out far and wide beneath them – a glittering expanse of lights that stretched from the sea all the way across the desert to the mountains.

Red lights blinked in the dark on top of the skyscrapers around them, a warning for planes flying overhead. The wind was fierce this high above the ground, still warm after another scorching summer day.

Lucifer was perfectly content to sit there..

"You know," Lucifer started, leaning back on his hands. "We're calling it a miracle that I'm getting married, but we don't talk enough about the fact that you were the first, Maze."

The demon shrugged and downed the dregs of the crappy wine. "Technically, you were the first with that stunt you pulled with the stripper."

Lucifer winced. That would haunt him for the rest of his very long life. "Exotic dancer – and I'm talking about marriage for love, not…whatever that was."

"Yeah…" Maze's gaze turned soft, and he could tell her thoughts were drifting to Eve. "Honestly? I can't believe it myself some days. That she'd actually agreed to marry me."

Amenadiel frowned. "Why wouldn't she, Maze? You both love each other, and everyone knows there's nothing you wouldn't do for her."

The wind howled around them, blowing Maze's hair in her face. She shook it out of the way with a grunt.

"Maybe it has escaped your notice, but I'm a fucking demon. Daughter of the ex of her pathetic loser of a husband. Most people would find that one Hell of a turn-off."

"Well," Lucifer mused, staring out at the city beneath them, "Eve's always been into…non-human creatures, to put it that way. "

"You're saying she's a monsterfucker?"

Lucifer eyed the empty bottle with disappointment. "If you want to put it that way, sure. All I'm saying is that she's used to the company of celestials and infernals – has been for a while."

"I know that," Maze snapped. "I know that. It's just…sometimes I wonder if she wouldn't rather be with a human than me."

Oh, the age old fear of being rejected by your loved ones. Hello, my old friend.

"She wouldn't," Amenadiel replied instantly.

Maze scoffed and eyed him with disdain. "And how would you know?"

Amenadiel gave her a look that said I'm-the-Almighty-and-I-know-everything-including-your-doubts-and-troubles.

"Right," Maze said, and bit her lip. She swallowed hard and glanced down at her hands. "Guess she really loves me, huh?"

"She does." Lucifer placed a hand on her shoulder. "I've never seen Eve so happy as she is with you. You compliment each other, lift each other up. She'd never dream of being with anyone but you."

Maze nodded slowly as the doubt receded in her eyes. Perhaps he should nudge her towards the Doctor for a talk about her fears?

The vulnerable look on the demon's face vanished as she turned to Amenadiel with a sly grin. "But speaking of firsts, we almost forgot that baldy here was the first one to knock someone up, even though Lucifer's the slut in the family."

"And that someone happened to be my therapist," Lucifer joined in with a teasing grin. "Honestly, brother, and you preached to me about keeping distance form mortals?"

Amenadiel underwent their jabs with a sigh and the tired smile of an eldest siblings who was used to this crap.

"In my defense, Luci, I was human at the time. No one even knew it was possible for an angel to conceive a child with a mortal."

Maze punched Amenadiel on the shoulder. "Well, you sure tested out that theory. With my best friend, of all people."

Lucifer chuckled to himself.

The relationship between Maze, Linda and Amenadiel was one worthy of its own soap opera. They were all inextricably bound together – even more so when Charlie had come along. And as much as they could squabble and stalk each other, they had one thing in common.

They were family, and there was nothing they wouldn't do for each other.

"Speaking of." Now Maze turned to him, and Lucifer knew she wasn't done roasting them for the evening. Her grin grew even wider. "You knocked Chloe up in how little time since you two became a thing?"

"Ha ha, very funny, Mazikeen."

When she didn't get an answer, she raised an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms.

Ugh, fine. Why was he being cross-examined this evening?

Lucifer cleared his throat. "A little over two months, I suppose? We became a couple near the end of May, and she took a positive test on August 4th, so yes."

"Man, could Decker still even walk by then?"

Lucifer gave her a feline grin. "Oh, I certainly didn't hear her complain. A myriad of other noises, but no complaints there."

Amenadiel rolled his eyes, but Maze just ignored him. Her expression turned thoughtful. "So, I guess that means that all angels can make little angels?"

"Well, I don't know exactly –"

"Only in certain special cases." All eyes turned to Amenadiel, who was watching them with an amused smile. "As always, Lucifer's the special case."

Lucifer glared at him. "Pray tell, brother. Why am I the odd one out?"

"You were – and part of you still is – a severely traumatized individual, Luci. As Linda stated, that caused your subconscious to act apart from your conscious, resulting in your Devil face and your vulnerability around Chloe."

Maze blinked in surprise. "Shit, really? That's why Decker was able to shoot you all those years ago?"

Amenadiel nodded. "But when he started to heal because of therapy, those two started to align. Meaning Lucifer could control himself and his appearance at will again. Only sometimes, there's still a little slip-up."

A slip-up?

Lucifer perked up, a spike of fear in his chest. "What slip-up? I haven't turned red in over year. What are you saying?"

"After Michael killed Chloe and you rescued her from Heaven, there was part of you that never wanted to be separated from her again. The part of both of you that loved each other immensely, never wishing to be apart again."

Maze was absently fiddling with a knife as she listened to Amenadiel. "Sure, Lucifer's a big old sap, what does that have to do with a baby?"

"Rory is that part, isn't she?" Lucifer exhaled softly in disbelief. My little princess is literal proof of our love. "I was vulnerable in that moment, overcome with love, and that's why we were able to conceive."

A warm glow spread from Lucifer's chest all the way towards his fingertips. He remembered the initial days after the war had been fought, filled with fear and longing and so much love.

Like his heart kept overflowing with all the feelings he had for his Detective.

Along with the desire to never lose her again.

Amenadiel nodded with a smile. "Indeed. It's something Linda worked out, too – you know she's still fascinated by you. Aurora was able to exist because you and Chloe loved each other so much."

"So if angels bone with a human, it isn't enough? They have to get all lovey-dovey in order to make babies?"

God shrugged and looked out over the city. "We don't know. I can't read the minds of my siblings, so my guess is as good as any. We only have Lucifer, who's –"

"The special case. Got it, thank you very much."

A beat of silence, then they all chuckled at the absurdity of the conversation they'd just had. The wind had died down, leaving only a little breeze that curled around the three of them.

Far to the east, deep strokes of purple and indigo streaked across an endless expanse of sky. Dawn wasn't far off anymore, but Lucifer couldn't bring himself to check the time.

The sounds of traffic far below was starting to pick up as the early birds headed to work. Lights winked on in apartment buildings for people who had an early shift, curtains slowly being opened.

"Sometimes I can't believe I ended up here," Lucifer said softly. "A part of me still thinks that it's all a dream, and that when I wake up, I'm greeted by the bleakness of Hell."

"Same." Maze slid her knife back into the pocket of her sleeve. "But then I roll over and see Eve lying there, and suddenly it's all right."

Lucifer smiled as the dawn grew brighter. "I know the exact feeling, Mazikeen. I know it all too well."

Maze turned to him, a look of understanding on her face. "Time to go home?"

"Yes." Lucifer gazed out over the waking city. "It's time to go home."

By the time Lucifer returned to the apartment, the first rays of sun were already streaking across the sky.

He carefully closed the front door behind him, not wishing to wake anyone up. Pocketing his keys, he walked past the kitchen – still smelling like grilled cheese - and saw that Trixie's door was slightly ajar.

Worry flared in his chest. She didn't have another nightmare, did she?

Lucifer slowly slid the door open until he could fit through, and was met with a sight that made him smile.

Trixie was lying on her side, her two braids fraying from tossing and turning around so much. The sheets had been tossed around her waist, some of her stuffed animals lying on the floor.

A fan stood on her night table, giving off a cool breeze against the summer heat.

Lucifer walked over to the bed and gently pulled up the blankets over her. He froze for a moment when Trixie stirred, but didn't wake.

One by one, he picked up the fallen stuffed animals and placed them back next to their owner. Miss Alien stared at him with her button-eyes, the grisly bloodstain from Maze's trip still stark on the cloth.

Just as he was about to leave did he hear –

"…Lucifer? Is it morning already?"

He smiled and tucked the blankets around the girl. Then he leaned down and pressed a kiss against her hair. "Go back to sleep, urchin. There's more than enough time."

"…M'okay…"

With one last look at her, Lucifer slowly slid the door close and headed upstairs.

His next stop was the nursery – which was thankfully quiet. The Antichrist had been very fussy about going to bed the last couple of days.

And she could wail louder than a banshee when she wasn't pleased.

On silent feet, Lucifer padded towards the crib. The mobile was spinning softly, stars and planets moving above the bed.

Moving above a soundly sleeping Rory.

Her little legs were curled in on themselves like a frog, her tiny hands balled into fists. Wisps of dark hair were splayed out on the bed, sticking up at all sides. Her belly rose and fell with deep breaths.

She was so absolutely, utterly perfect.

A literal little angel.

"Hello, my darling," Lucifer whispered in the dim room, feeling strangely emotional. "Daddy really missed you tonight."

He had. As much as it had been fun to stir up trouble around town with his Maze and Amenadiel like old times, it had been odd to be away from home.

Away from his ladies.

Dear Amenadiel, I've really turned into a cheesy housewife, haven't I?

But at least he was a cheesy housewife with the best ass in town.

Lucifer held his breath when the Antichrist stirred, but she simply scrunched her nose and turned her head.

Oof. Crisis averted.

Kissing the tips of his two fingers, Lucifer slowly touched them to Rory's forehead. Cuddles and snuggles would have to wait until morning.

"I love you, Aurora, Don't you ever forget that."

With one last loving glance at his daughter, Lucifer turned away and slowly closed the door behind him. When he opened the door to the bedroom, he was met with a familiar snoring sound that could have roused the dead.

Albanian field wench, that one.

Lucifer quickly shed his suit and put on his silken night robe. Then he slipped beneath the covers, drawing them up to his waist to ward of the chill from the air conditioning.

The snoring stopped.

There was slight a shifting sound beside him, followed by a deep inhale of breath.

"…Lucifer?"

"The one and only." Lucifer shifted closer to Chloe's form, who had now turned around to face him. He slung an arm across her middle and pulled her close against his chest. "Hi, honey."

She blinked a few times to clear the sleep from eyes, then gave him a drowsy smile. "Hi," she said, voice gravelly with sleep. "How was your party?"

"Unexpected in some ways." He ran his fingers slowly up and down her spine, and pressed a kiss against her temple. "But a pleasant night altogether."

Chloe hummed and nestled herself against his chest, and he felt complete. She sniffed his neck. "You smell like…sea and animal?"

"Maze is to blame for that. She had to brilliant idea to subject me to two hours of goat yoga. Bloody goats! I've never felt such an intense dislike for an animal."

Chloe snorted and let out a laugh, then quickly lowered her voice to avoid waking Rory. "I think it's a great idea, actually."

Lucifer stared at her with an expression of mock-hurt. "Et tu, Detective? I thought you were supposed to be on my side."

"I am on your side, honey. You're just being a bit dramatic."

Oh?

"That's it." Lucifer playfully dug his fingers into Chloe's side, causing her to jerk and squeak in surprise. "It's the tickle punishment for you."

Chloe laughed and squirmed beside him, trying and failing to escape his grasp. She tipped over onto her back, and Lucifer used that to lean over her.

The joyous sound of her laughter rang throughout Lucifer, and he couldn't help but be reminded of their first morning together.

Just like back then, he was struck all over again by her brilliance.

Struck by how incredible a person Chloe Decker was.

When his tickle assault ceased, Chloe's laughter slowly died down, fading in short bursts and ripples. She caught him gazing at her and tilted her head in question.

"What's wrong?"

"I love you," Lucifer said, stroking his fingers down her cheek. "I just love you so much."

Even in the dark bedroom, he saw her face light up. Chloe laced her fingers behind his head, thumb stroking the curls at the nape of his neck.

"I love you, too. More than you'll ever know."

Lucifer exhaled softly, and leaned down to capture her lips with his. The kiss was soft, reassuring – a gentle embrace after a long night.

Both a promise and a declaration of love.

Chloe broke away for breath first, and tugged on his robe so he lied down next to her. "Can you see what time it is?"

Lucifer glanced at the clock and wound his arms around her waist. He stroked her hair as she tucked her head beneath his chin. "You still have a couple of hours left before work. I'll take care of Rory if she wakes up."

"Thank you." She grazed her fingertips over his jaw, like she always did. "A week from now, we'll be married."

Lucifer smiled, relishing the warmth of her body against his. "I know. It's incredible, right? Still feels a bit like a dream sometimes."

"I can't wait." Chloe pressed a lingering kiss against his cheek. "Then you'll officially be my hubby."

"I'm already your hubby, love." Lucifer adjusted the covers around them. "In heart and soul. Nothing will ever change that."

Chloe hummed in response, and they both lapsed into a comfortable silence. Golden morning light peeked from beneath the drapes, but they were still in their own little world.

Trixie fast asleep with her stuffed animals – that she hadn't gotten rid of rid in a fit of pre-pubescent rage – clutching her blanket in one hand.

Rory peacefully snoozing in her crib beneath her galaxy mobile with her tiny hands balled into fists – always ready for a fight.

And his beloved partner lying in his arms, who'd resumed her snoring now that he'd come home. Falling asleep again after murmuring a last 'I love you' to him.

Lucifer knew a stag party was supposed to celebrate one of the last night's of a bachelor's life, but nearly his entire life had consisted of stag-worthy evenings and nights.

And they hadn't been to celebrate – but to fill the gaping hole inside of him left by his Fall and the events that followed.

But things were different now.

He had people who loved him, who depended on him and he on them.

A home – a beautiful, sometimes odd, incredible home.

And marriage didn't change any that. It honored it, solidified the bonds between them.

It was a promise, made time and time again.

And Lucifer was ready to make it every day, for the rest of his life.