(Sam's POV)

Fall semester was finally over and done with as were the typical human holidays such as Halloween and thanksgiving. No more exams, no more studying, nada! Cleaning out my locker was the best thing ever! Not that I had used it much anyways. I was looking forward to the fresh snow and digging out the decorations that we had in the garage.

"Ready to go home, Sam?" My demon asked me, still out of sight from human eyes.

"You bet! On the way home though I need to stop and get Claire's gift. It should be done already. Oh! And coffee! This human needs coffee….."

Rose just shook her head at me with a "what am I gonna do with you" look. Speaking of Rose, her due date was just around the corner too. I wasn't sure on how demon pregnancies worked with the time difference but she seemed about 7 months along now, human time wise. I was excited. At first I wasn't, thinking I was getting replaced but the more I thought about it those thoughts actually weren't mine. It was like someone else put them there and my emotions made me overthink them and believe them.

Anyways, back to the other topic at hand. As I was waiting for my coffee, I began to think about what it was I should get Darius and Rose. I mean, what do you get someone whose job is to be Satan, practically royalty?! That man has every nice shirt you can think of, plus pants and shoes to boot. Rose has just about every weapon imaginable. I have noticed lately that Darius has been what me and Claire call "bottling". He hides his emotions when he doesn't want to talk or get too stressed out. Maybe….. oh! I got it! Just as the thought hit me, my order was called. After grabbing said coffee, I walked out the door and finished going home. I had already called ahead and told them to deliver Claire's gift seeing as I was walking home and didn't want to carry it and break it.

Looking up, the snow was starting to fall softly again. I've always loved the snow. So calm and peaceful. Nothing like how my life was. Continuing on home only took me about ten more minutes. I could see boxes in the living room already that held all the decorations. I also noticed that Darius was in his human form outside hanging lights on the edges of the house and getting frustrated because the lights were tangling so easily.

"Darius lol you have to untangle the lights first", I told him, giggling.

Turning to me with a smirk, "I did that already. But these damn things keep twisting!" To prove his point, he showed me the twisted wires while hanging them on the next hook.

"Ok ok. I'm sorry," I couldn't contain my giggles. This was way too funny. Finally going inside, I'm greeted with the smell of pine and cinnamon. Claire had almost the entirety of the kitchen and living room decorated! Not too much and not too little. It was perfect.

"Hi Sam! We're about to decorate the tree. Wanna help?" Looking back to the living room, I see Claire holding a small box that had once belonged to my mother. I hadn't seen that box in years. I hadn't wanted to. Setting my things down, I pulled Rose along with me and watched her go sit on one of the recliners. Turning towards Claire, I gingerly took the box from her and opened it. Inside was an ornament that held a picture that I hadn't seen in ages. It was of me and my mother when I was born.

"Awwwww. Who is this? She's lovely and the baby is adorable!" Claire cooed.

"That's Sam and her human mother the day she was born," came Rose's reply.

"Really? Awww you were so tiny!"

Memories flooded through my head but I pushed them back, not wanting to ruin the moment. So I just gave a soft smile and took the ornament back, hanging it on the tree. We placed random ornaments here and there that didn't really have any meaning or significance, just for the fact they were pretty. Darius came back inside holding a box that Claire's mother apparently dropped off earlier and was forgotten about. Inside were more ornaments! Cute ones too. There were a few that were of horses and cows and a few others that were just simple little bobbles. Turning to Darius, I asked if he wanted to put lights on the tree too. Turns out, we didn't have to. The tree already came with the lights on them! Kinda neat if you ask me. Hanging stockings came next. Mine was a soft tan Sherpa like material, Rose had a plaid one with a star on it, Darius' one was just all red with roses, and Claire's was like mine but in green. Then I decided to surprise everyone. Focusing on what I had been learning, I made icicles that shone in the windows along with a frosted look on the glass. I also made icicles on the tree as well. All three of the others turned, shocked at what I had done. Laughing, I said "surprise".

"How long have you been able to do that?," Darius looked really shocked. It was kinda funny seeing his eyebrows up to right underneath where his horns were on his forehead.

"Mmmmmm about a week or two, give or take a few days. It's easier outside with the snow." ❄️

"No. Remember when we went to eat a few months back? You froze the drinks that were spilled on the floor…" Claire reminded me.

"Oh yeah ... .I had forgotten about that. That dude was a total prat!"

A few days later, we had gone about doing our own things finishing up the last few touches here and there around the house. Afterwards, we had dinner and put on a Christmas movie called Christmas Oranges. I don't really remember falling asleep, yet again, but I thought I heard pieces of conversation fading in and out until I was completely asleep.

(Rose's POV)

"Why don't we leave the girls asleep where they are, Darius? It's safe enough here. Besides, no one has come to bother any of the girls lately. It seems as if maybe the mole from almost a year ago has just vanished or given up."

"Maybe you're right. Besides, with both of us here, I don't think anyone would be stupid enough. Not tonight. Even demons revere Christmas in a way," he answered, holding yet again his favorite liquor in his hand, that damned DeathTalon.

"How's the baby doing, Rose? You look due any day now."

"Are you calling me fat, Stone?" I quipped with an eyebrow raised while pacing the floor.

Laughing, he answered, "No. No I am not. I am just noticing that is all."

Just then, the baby gave a subtle but strong kick. Like she knew we were talking about her. Smiling, I rubbed the spot where she had kicked to calm her down. "She knows we're talking about her, it seems. I still haven't picked a name yet. Lyric hasn't really been around lately either. Her jobs seem to be getting more and more frequent." I was upset. I missed my mate terribly, as she seemed to always be gone for longer periods of time. She promised though, that she'd be there when the baby was born.

"Well, what names did you have in mind? Make a list and go from there. That way - "

"Actually.." I interrupted him. "I was hoping you would pick the name. If that's alright with you?"

Darius was so shocked, that he went wide-eyed and almost choked on his drink. "E-excuse me? You want me to do what now? I'm not the father or the other parent. I can't.."

"But you ARE my best friend and the closest I have to a family. You have been for how many centuries now? Please?" With a thinking face and a nod of his head, he agreed as I sat down next to him on the couch. I was getting tired from pacing back and forth.

"What about 'Azrael' or 'Layla'?" At the sound of both of the names, the baby kicked softly, as if to give her input.

Laughing softly, I told him, "I think she likes both of them. So how about both? Azrael Layla Slade….." Again, she kicked. Grabbing Darius' hand, I let him feel her kicking me while I said the name again. "Azrael Layla Slade." After feeling her kick, he moved his hand away with a small smile and looked at Claire and Sam, fast asleep on the pile of pillows, stuffed animals, and blankets.

"What are you thinking, Darius? For once, I can't read you or what's going on in that head of yours." I had an inkling, but wanted to be sure, and have him say his feelings and thoughts aloud while the girls were asleep. It was rare when we could have conversations like this.

(Darius' POV)

"You want me to do what now?" I was shocked! Rose was asking me to name her baby. I wasn't the father or other parent, yet here she was, asking me. Why?

"Because, you are my best friend and closest I have to a family. And have been for HOW many centuries?" She had a point. I mean, I was honored, but I thought maybe Sam or Lyric should do it, not me. But as she sat next to me on the sofa, done with her pacing, she gave me that look, "Please?"

I couldn't say no to her. Not even to Claire or Sam. I could outright tell other citizens, hell even my own council, to fuck off or NO. But not these three girls. I had a gut feeling it would be this way with her baby too. As I was thinking, two perfect names popped into my head. Both were elegant and albeit the first one was very rare. "What about 'Azrael' or 'Layla'?"

Rose looked down for a split second and started to softly laugh. "I'm guessing she likes both. So how about both? 'Azrael Layla Slade'…" Again she starts laughing and grabs my hand to allow me to feel the infant kick as if in agreement. After a few minutes, I pulled my hand away and looked towards the two human girls fast asleep on their "nest" that Rose had made them before the movie had started. Thoughts of possibly adopting Claire as my own kid went through my brain. But there were laws about that. But that didn't mean I could call her my own or keep treating her as such. Same went for Sam. I didn't care that she was Michael's daughter.

"What's going on in that head of yours, Darius? I can't read you."

Taking a deep breath, I allowed her to know what was going on inside my head. "I see Calire as my own child, not just a job. And lately, the same goes for Sam. While I can't legally adopt them, I just…..i don't know, Rose."

"Well…I am pretty sure if you would just open up and ask...they wouldn't mind. I mean, it would be good for Sam to actually have a father figure, yes? And you already know Claire sees you as her dad. There are already rumors going around. How much worse can they get? You're still my best friend, Darius. That will NEVER change. And as for the council, fuck em! Since when did you ever really care or listen to their opinions about your personal life?"

After hearing those words, my heart lightened up just a bit. "We should probably put the girls' gifts under the tree soon. I see they already put some under."

"Would you mind doing it, Darius? They're behind the recliner." After the gifts were stored away under the tree, I went back to the sofa to relax until the morning when the girls would wake up and (jokingly) all hell would break loose. Like I said, they are in their twenties, but can act like they were mere children. I mean, to us they were.

Soon, the sun rose, throwing a glossy look onto the snow that had fallen throughout the night, the lighting also refracting off of the icicles that Sam had made a few days prior. Rose had fallen asleep as well, curled up into the side of the couch. Sitting there, I contemplated just how I was going to do what had been going through my mind the entire night. I didn't have to wonder long, because Claire had started waking up.

"G'morning, sleepyhead. How'd you sleep?"

Quietly, "I slept ok. Did you get any sleep at all?" She was always worried about my health, regardless if I was Satan or not. Reassuring her that everything was fine, she nodded and started to shake Sam awake. I'm guessing she couldn't get up due to Sam holding onto her blanket making it damn near impossible for her to get up again.

"Mmmmm…Claire….five more minutes please? 'M comfy…." Typical Sam. When she got comfortable, it was difficult to get her to move. By now, Rose had gotten up as well. Going over to Sam, she pet her hair and got her to wake and sit up, releasing Claire. How she does that, I have no idea. Don't know how to be a mother, my ass, I thought, watching the interaction. Looking closer at Sam, I realized her eye color had stayed the dark maroonish red with gold flecks, similar to mine and Rose's. However, they seemed a bit more, well, dull. What was going on with her?

"Good morning, Darius," I hear Sam tell me. Pulling out of my thoughts, I see Sam in front of me with a cup of black coffee in hand as well as a gift wrapped in black paper with a red bow. Taking both from her, I unwrapped the gift after setting the mug of coffee down. Inside was a book that looked to be handmade. The cover was also black, but had a pentagram design stamped into it as well as vines stitched throughout behind it. In the middle of said pentagram was a small dragon with ruby red eyes. Upon opening the book, I found that it was a journal of some sort with an old fashioned style of paper. On the inside, it was inscribed with "Property of Satan Stone". There was even a ribbon of red for a bookmark. Looking back up at Sam and then to the band-aids that were on her fingertips, I pieced together that she herself had made this. But why?

"I made it because you bottle too much, Darius. This way, if you don't feel comfortable talking aloud to any of us, you can write it out instead. Best thing about that journal is no one but you can read it."

After thanking her and giving her a hug for the gift, I gave all three girls their gifts. For Rose, I gave her a much needed baby item, a cradle, and a blade that could turn into a spear. She seemed to love that one. For Claire, I gave something a little more personal and unique. You see, with how my wings are, I can turn the feathers into a type of dagger. So I had a set specifically made for Claire. These would only work for her since she was my protector child. The blades were simple and silver, with black handles that had a criss crossing design made from the metal and a red stone on the hilt of each one. For Sam, I had a ring made that was also unique. This ring had a dragon's eye on it that would help her focus her magic more. She could store some demonic energy into it as well, like a back up. Then came Claire's surprise to me. She had put the picture she had made a few months prior into a locket with everyone's birthstones into the cover of the said necklace. Also on the inside, it read, 'Always and Forever." Feeling choked up, I pulled my human child to me, giving her the biggest hug I could, without crushing her of course.

Next, Sam had given Claire her gift as well as Rose's. It was a new art set for her graphics design. She had the drawing pens and tablet engraved with Claire's name on it as well as the case. It was beautiful. Rose's gift to the girls were new hair clips. Claire's was a sunflower while Sam's was a rare flower called "fire lily of the valley". Basically a red and purple lily. The girls gave Rose a quilt that they had made for the baby as well as a new human sweater.

After stockings were emptied and breakfast was eaten, I got this feeling that something was going to happen. Nothing bad, but something important. As soon as I finished that thought, Rose came back into the living room looking as if she were in immense pain.

"Rose…are you ok," Sam asked, worried evident in her voice.

"Yea, Sammy. Just….nnnn ouch…..I need to get to the healers NOW." Realization struck all of us. The baby was coming early. Shifting to my Satan form, I grabbed the girls plus Rose and teleported us to the medical wing in the castle. After we got there, the girls as well as myself got pushed out. I needed to find Lyric and fast. Telling the girls to wait in one of their rooms, I ran to Rose's apartment hoping to the realms and back that Lyric was home. For some reason there was no sign of her. Maybe she's still out on whatever job she's doing. As I was leaving out the door, I couldn't help but notice something shining under a pile of parchment on the desk. Upon looking, I see that it was one of the daggers that I had seen when the girls went to the Renaissance fair. Why would Rose have this? I could have sworn I put these back in the vault. But, before I could reach over and grab it….

"Darius! Rose is in trouble! She needs you…NOW! We tried getting Lyric, but she's blocking us!" I could hear my protector child screaming at me with fear through our link.

"I'm on the way, Claire. Send someone to go find Lyric if you can. She's not at home."

"Will do! Now hurry your ass up!"

Closing off the link, I teleport back instead of flying to get there quicker. As soon as I get there, I hear Rose screaming in pain, crying and calling out for Lyric. The guards at the door were refusing to let me in, so I did what any friend would do and shoved past them. I would deal with them later. Poor Rose was a mess. Going up to her side, I grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat off of her forehead, petting her hair out of her face. She didn't even realize that it was me. She thought that I was her mate, Lyric.

"Lyric…it hurts…I can't do this…aaagh!"

"Yes you can, Rose. You can do this…..just a bit more and you can hold Azrael ok?" I tried coaxing her, but in doing so she realized that it was me and not her mate, given I had used the baby's name.

"Darius…wh-where is Lyric?! She's supposed to be here!" She was frantic. It almost seemed like she was about to give up. She needed to calm down or both her and the baby would get hurt.

"Rose, you need to take a deep breath for me ok? Deep breaths. Calm down….shhhhhhhh"

"M'Lord she needs to push NOW. She can't wait anymore," came a frantic healer.

"Rose, I need you to listen ok? Take a deep breath and push as hard as you can for me? C'mon you can do it," I was pleading at this point. I didn't know what else to do. Finally she weakly nodded and I climbed to sit behind her on the bed to help stabilize her and give her a more sturdy surface to push against. Within thirty minutes or less, and much screaming later, we heard the crying of a newborn infant echoing through the room. Rose finally relaxed, crying and exhausted, and let go of my hand. When she grabbed it, I had no earthly idea.