Hi guys.
Sorry for taking so long. Been really busy over the winter holidays with university work.
I also want to say I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 15
Lucifer's Pov
In the early hours of the day, the great sun rises high and shines its bright light across the surface of Los Angeles. An extreme amount of light broke through the bedroom crystal windows as some were trying to break through the sleep dust on my eyelashes and touch the cornea of my eyes. Eventually, I felt the warmth of the sun's golden light touching my skin as I began blinking which tears the sleep dust depart from my eyelashes. Fully opening my eyes to see the bright light bursting through the window above my bed.
Turned my head to the left where I found the detective sleeping soundlessly on the opposite side of the bed beneath the golden silky cover, but Chloe was resting quite close to me. I followed the trail of my left arm heading towards her body where I found my left hand being held on by hers over the slightly round belly. I loved waking up first before the detective so I could view how beautiful Chloe looks laying so still and peacefully, was like watching a beautiful star shining bright in the dark sky. What I wouldn't give for my lips to kiss on her ruby lips or my hands to touch every part of her body.
I stretched my right hand out and tenderly stroked her forehead moving some golden strips of her blonde hair away from her eyes, I purred, "There you go."
"I'll get breakfast ready" I uttered quietly to myself as my eyes fell on Chloe's belly which was slightly curvy. I've heard that pregnancy can be tough for mortal women, so I thought I should be helpful to the detective in the meantime.
Very slowly, I slide my hand out from her gentle grasp and slithered myself off the warm bed and weigh my feet down on the cold marble floor. I glanced down at the sleepy and beautiful detective one more time, the view of her golden hair veining over the sides of her gorgeous face and thought to myself 'how lucky I am.' Stepping away from the bed and covered my red robe over my naked body, sheltering the light pink hickeys that were marked around my inner thighs.
I pulled out my phone and searched for something that I could do to help Chloe during the pregnancy, and one thing that caught my attention was making a tasty and healthy smoothie.
"Hello" I endearingly grinned while scrolling down some options of delicious smoothies. There were many opinions for me to look through until I discovered a website created by a woman who was pregnant herself and discussed how to make her well-loved smoothies. Subsequently, I picked one where I already got all the fruity ingredients in my penthouse. It wasn't a hard challenge as I managed to collect all the fruits.
"Here we go" my fingers picked up and drop those fresh fruits into a blender machine, and popped on the lid.
Once all the fruit was inside before I added some water and milk, I pressed the button and watched all the ingredients being shredded and gradually blended together. Hoping that the loud noise from the machine won't disrupt the detective's deep sleep, but I realised it was all right when I switched it off and my ears caught the music of her snoring like an Albanian field wench.
At last, the liquid mixture was complete and is tinted in a dark purple colour as I poured it all into a milkshake glass and, just for fun, I sliced the ends of strawberries and lemons before fitting them on the smooth, glass edge for decorations.
"Now, time for breakfast" I energetically clapped my hands together.
I walked out from the bar area towards the small stair that sets in the middle of the library wall, and down the small staircase which lead me to the kitchen. And, the first thing I did was to settle an empty plate on the 'L' shape island counter.
Picked up two pieces of sliced bread and dropped them in the toaster, then drowned a single egg in a pot of boiling water. It didn't take long for the food to be ready as I settle the toasted bread in the centre of the white plate and deposited the boiled egg in an egg cup. I positioned the full plate on the tray as I carefully lift it up and delicately walked out of the kitchen.
Soon, I returned back into the bedroom where it was brighter than before as the morning was uprising fast, meanwhile my ears picked up soft moans escaping from the detective's yawning mouth. Her eyes flickered till she broke the chains of sleep dust on her eyelashes, and when she saw me Chloe smiley moaned, "Umm… Good morning."
"Good morning, detective" I sat down on the side by the bed with the tray resting on the top of my thighs. I leaned down while Chloe raised her head forward so I could come in contact with her sweet lips. It was a soft kiss but I felt Chloe's intention of wanting the kiss to last, not that I blame her as I wanted the same thing. I was the first one to break up the kiss and pulled back to gaze into her beautiful eyes, "Did you have a nice sleep?"
"Yes. Oh, haven't had a good one in a long time" Chloe puffed in satisfaction, probably still exhausted from last night's sex, before she shifted her body more upward, so she was in a sitting position.
"Me too" I replied.
I watched her tired eye dart to the tray, "What's this?"
"You can call it a Bed and Breakfast in this hot, five-story hellhole" I repeated the quote Chloe once said when she first slept in my bed after getting drunk and trying to kiss me. As result, the detective chuckled lightly like listing to the soft ring from the wind.
"French toast. Boiled egg. And, I've researched healthy drinks for pregnant women and that you need protein, calcium, and nutrients and I believe this Ultimate Superfood Pregnancy Smoothie will do the trick" I pointed out each individual food dish and the smoothie.
"Ah, thank you, Lucifer" she blissfully beamed as I carefully passed over the tray to Chloe. The detective rested the tray upon her flat legs and lifted the smoothie up close and sniffed the still surface before taking a long sip. She closed her eyes and hummed in delight, "Hmm… Oh God, that's so good. What's in it?"
"Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, bananas, mixed with some organic greens and a brew of vanilla almond milk" I listed all the ingredients.
The detective took another long sip of her smoothie before asking, "What time is it?"
"It's 10:43" I answered after gazing at the clock standing on the left bedside table.
"Oh shit, I got to get to work" Chloe gasped before she briskly but carefully placed the wooden tray to her right side and tried to raise up.
Before she had the chance to get up, my hands reached out and gently pushed her back in her sitting position and informed her, "I've already called the lieutenant. And, I said you needed to sleep in."
"What did you say? That I had the morning sickness?" she asked while rubbing her finger softly against her right eye.
"No, I didn't lie, but she assumed you were having sickness and I let her believe it" I explained.
"Just like that?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I wouldn't mind telling her that you were probably still exhausted from all the heat and sex we had last night" I teased as I wiggled my eyebrows.
"Oh, you are such a lifesaver" Chloe commented while she pulled the tray back over her legs.
"It's a gift" I chuckled.
"Hey, where's your breakfast?" she asked.
"Oh, I think I'm pretty full after eating you up last night" I seductively teased.
"Oh, stop it" she softly slapped my arm.
I loved making Chloe blush when I'm teasing her, makes me feel great that I was the only being that made her feel this way. And how Chloe is the only mortal to make me feel the same way, which makes her so special. I watched the detective continue devouring her breakfast, Chloe usually takes her time when chewing her food but this time she was eating faster than usual. Wasn't really sure if it was part of the pregnancy.
"Speaking of last night" I lifted myself off the bed, turned around and knee in front of Chloe, my arms resting on the edge of the mattress. My voice slowly changed to a more concerned tone, "How are you feeling? You're not sore at the moment?"
I remembered last night when Chloe whispered to me that she was okay and that sex wouldn't harm her or the baby. But, it still worries me since I am a celestial being myself that I might have unexpectedly affected Chloe in other ways because it happened in the first place with the whole pregnancy.
A grateful grin grew on Chloe's gorgeous face as she reached her hand out and covered over mine, "Lucifer, I'm fine. I'm actually more concerned about you."
"I had no problem with the sex" I replied.
Chloe lightly laughed and slightly shook her head, "No, not about that, about the baby. About everything we talk about last night."
"Why are you concerned about that?" I curiously asked.
"Because, it just happened so fast, you know, like you telling me you want to be involved and being okay with the whole baby thing, and then straightaway we had sex" Chloe explained, "I mean, I'm pleased that we did talk last night. But, I still want to make that you'll be fine with this. Fine when the baby."
"I told you last night and I gave you my word. I'll be right here with you, Chloe. Always" I reached my hand forward to cover hers, feeling her coolness evaporate from her skin when it came in contact with my warmness. The detective allowed my promising words to sink in and I saw the calmness grow in her ocean-blue eyes.
"Oh, almost forgot. I've booked an appointment at the hospital today" Chloe added as she settled the tray by her side, "You wanna come?"
"Of course" I answered without a second thought.
After having breakfast and getting ourselves dressed; as usual, I was dressed in a brown suit with a red waistcoat below the jacket, while Chloe put on one of my large, white long-sleeved shirts and her black trousers from last night. When we were ready to leave, I offered Chloe a ride in Corvette to the hospital which was delightful for me because I wanted to be helpful. The roads were slightly busy, especially for a Saturday morning, there was a myriad of flying cars of colours swooping across lanes.
"Lucifer, why are you driving slow?" she asked me.
"Safety precautions, detective. You never know what could happen on these roads, nowadays" I answered while turning my head from side to side checking for any more brisk cars.
"Lucifer, you don't have to drive slow because I'm pregnant, just drive as you normally do" she convinced me.
"Very well" I nodded and pressed on the gas a bit hard, feeling the car speeding faster and the wind blowing rapidly past our faces and through my hair.
It didn't take long for us to arrive at the hospital and for the nurses to assorted us to a room in the radiology department. Chloe was asked to lie down on an examination table which looked like more like a dentist's chair to me. I stood by the front side of the table while my eyes were scanning around the tiny, white room where all the white walls had a few medical posters of women wombs and babies in an artistic style.
I must admit it was causing me to feel nervously sick like I developed a tight knot in my stomach. My distracted fingers were taping on the edge of the chair in a wave-like rhythm, Chloe faced me and sniffed out my anxiety like a bloodhound, "You're feeling alright?"
"Yes, just got a hysterical feeling" I answered.
"Listen, Lucifer, there's nothing to worry about. The doctors will just do some test on me and then we'll be gone" Chloe tried to soothe me.
"Why do they need to do some tests anyway?" I asked.
"To check if the baby is okay and that I'm okay" she answered.
"What do they need to check?" I questioned.
"Remind me to pick around at Linda's and get her pregnancy books. Hoping she still has them" Chloe prayed for my sake, I believed.
My curious eyes continued wandering around the room, from one side with a sink and a row of white cabinets, to the other side with a big, black screen wired to a computer console. Abruptly, my attention was quickly drawn to a neat pile of small, metal tools neatly positioned in a straight line on top of an instrument table.
"I think I've got some sex toys back home that look very similar to this" I mockingly smirked as I picked one up which looks similar to a salad tong and chuckled, "What is this?"
"Sweetie, that's the forceps" Chloe informed me the name of the metal equipment.
"It looks similar to a Prostate Vibrator" I twisted and turn the forceps up and down and around, curious at its' metal design. Fiddling around the forceps by squeezing the blades together while the detective chuckled at my comment. I asked, "What is it for?"
The detective grew an uneven grin like she was going to predict a reaction from me, especially from the answer she was about to tell me, "The doctors sometimes use it to pull the baby out of the vagina by gripping its head."
"Oh, bloodily hell!" I fling the metal object back on the instrument table as my face was painted in great disgust, at the same time I wasn't too delighted when I hear the detective laughing.
"Doesn't sound sexy now, does it?" Chloe replied with a mocking smirk.
"Maze would have definitely loved this place" I could imagine Maze using this sort of equipment to torture her victims, either here on Earth or back in Hell.
Straightaway, a female doctor entered the room in a white coat with her black hair tied back and she was holding a clipboard. And like most doctors, I sometimes catch the scent of chlorhexidine floating in the light air. The doctor greeted us with a welcoming smile, "Hello, Chloe."
"Hi Doctor Moore" Chloe shifted her body on the examination table. Chloe noticed how Doctor Moore was giving me a strange stare to me, so the detective kindly introduced me, "Oh, this is Lucifer. Lucifer, this is Dr Moore."
"Pleasure to meet you, doctor" I reached my arm forward and firmly shake hands with the doctor.
"Same to you" Doctor Moore presented a friendly grin with a curious look, "And, if you don't mind me asking. Lucifer? As in the Devil?"
"The one and only" I pridefully grinned.
"Stage name, is it?" Doctor Moore asked.
"Yeah, believe it or not, I felt for it too" Chloe answered with a sneer to me which made me respond with a baffled look.
"And, are you here to support Chloe?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, but also I'm the one who impregnated the little bairn inside of her womb" I answered.
The doctor stood still and stunned by my honest answer, bewildered even, until Chloe rephrased my answer, "He's the father."
"Oh! It's nice to finally meet the father. So, how are we feeling today, Chloe?" the doctor clicked the end of her pen ready to tick down the boxes with some questions written on a piece of paper.
"A bit cranky" Chloe nodded.
"Any heartburns, nausea and tiredness?"
"All of them, unfortunately."
"That's the usual routine" the doctor nodded.
There was a short silence in the room as I shifted my gaze from Chloe to the doctor expecting one of them to ask the same of me since I am also in the same room. Therefore, I noisily added, "And, I'm feeling splendid and not so anxious at all. Not that it matters."
"Is it your first time, Lucifer?" Doctor Moore asked.
"Oh no, I've been in many hospitals in my lifetime, some intentionally and some by mischance" I answered which painted an even odder look on Doctor Moore's face.
"She means as a father, Lucifer" again, Chloe reworded the question so it could decrease the awkwardness in the room.
"Oh, then yes, I suppose" I nodded.
"Right, shall we have a look then? See how the baby is" the doctor stepped towards a table where Doctor Moore switched on a computer console and the video monitor.
"Ready" the doctor waited for the detective's approval before Doctor Moore pulled up Chloe's top revealing her small, round belly and squeezed some white gel on the top.
The scent of the fresh gel and the electrical sound of the computer, all of a sudden, became too real to me. Since knowing about Chloe's pregnancy, I have tried to come to terms with the words 'pregnancy' and 'baby' because I knew I would be hearing more of those words in my life now. But, seeing all of this medical stuff caused a cold lump in my throat and my mouth drier than sandy deserts. The overheating tension was sweating my head and arching the back of my neck.
"I going to wait outside" I leaned forward and whispered to the detective.
"You okay?" Chloe asked as she turns her head to face me. Meanwhile, Doctor Moore pulled the attached transducer and gently rubbed it over the gel.
"Yes, I just don't know well about all of this, so I'll leave you ladies" I smiled while slowly stepping my way towards the door. I didn't wish to act cowardly to walk away but I needed some space and time to rethink this realistic moment. My unsteady legs start strolling towards the door desperate to catch some fresh air to breathe in.
Beep. Beep.
Beep. Beep.
Beep. Beep.
My feet were stuck to the floor, the air became thick as I stopped breathing for a few seconds, and I channelled all of my focus on my ears. Listening to that fast-paced music like someone was banging drums, yet it was very unfamiliar to my ears. Gradually, my body broke the stillness and slowly turn around to face the video monitor behind me. Chloe and the doctor were facing the bright screen which had whirling lines and shades blurring around the edges and some blobs of blackness in the centre.
I was suddenly drawn to this unknown rhythm of rapid thumping as I tiptoed back into the room till I stood by Chloe's side next to the examination table, once more, glanced over her head and stared at the screen. I was mesmerised by the strange shapes that were forming in the middle of the screen as I stuttered my question, "What's that?"
"That is the sound of the baby's heart" the doctor answered while continuously rubbing the transducer gently on Chloe's belly. I felt Chloe's body slightly shiver from the coldness of the metal equipment when it touched her warm belly.
"Well, that sounds awfully fast. Is it alright?" I asked as the fast beating sound was destressing my worries for the child's health. I don't think I have ever heard of a living creature with a heart that beats as fast as lightning. Usually, from my experience, it would usually mean they're having a heart attack or I have given them a splendid time of sex and love.
"It's fine. It's completely normal for the baby's heart to beat that fast" Doctor Moore sedately replied as her free index finger pointed at a white, blurry, peculiar shape in the centre of the screen, "See. There it is."
"What am I meant to be looking?" I leaned slightly forward so I could try to get a closer view of the screen, yet I cannot find the main object on the screen.
"Lucifer, see that small nut-shell shape on the screen? In the centre" Chloe whispered as she raised her head slightly forward closer to me so she could help me to spot the main focus on the screen.
"Yes…" I followed her clear directions, yet I was still in the mist and expected Chloe to further inform me with more instructions.
But, Chloe stayed silent for a second and stare up at me with an obvious look, "Honey, that's the baby."
"That's… that's the…" I stuttered speechlessly as I blinked my eyes multiple times thinking I was drowning in a dream. Because, I never anticipated to see the unborn baby be that small, in fact, in my entire I have never seen an unborn baby this innocently small. I guessed I was still astray in the lost time I had with the detective and my life on Earth, I have forgotten that it has only been a short time for the baby to grow inside Chloe's womb.
"Hmm" Chloe blissfully hummed with a wide grin as she glued her gaze to the screen, "It looks tiny."
"That's the baby?" I heaved through my dried mouth as I still couldn't believe that this tiny life form inside the detective's womb has a heart beating faster than a second.
"That's our baby" Chloe reshaped my words into changing 'the' to 'our.' Hearing that small and simple change in her sweet voice made my heart melt faster than ice cubes on a summer day.
"Our baby" I repeated those two sacred words. My eyes dropped down and locked my gaze with Chloe's, I could see the Ecstasy in the centre of her crystal blue eyes. At the same time we shifted our stare back to the screen while my ears were still listening to the baby's rapid heartbeat. With every beat was like a waking call to me saying 'This is real. This is my child.'
Eventually, Doctor Moore was finishing up the ultrasound test and purified the gel from Chloe's belly. Once Chloe was all dry and ready to leave, we headed out of the room and walked through the empty hallway. Chloe hasn't stopped staring down at the scan picture since we left the room, and I must admit it is astonishing to see a picture of the baby in such a small form, yet it looked so alive and real. It made me realise that even the smallest things are full of life.
"Here. As a reminder" Chloe passed the picture over to me and I gently gripped the edges as I studied the picture. I was about to suggest that she should keep the copy of the scan, but she declined, "I want you to have it. So, you could see what we made. The best parts from me, and the best parts from you"
"I'll keep it safe" I replied with a promising smile as I stared won at the picture, "How long will it grow?"
"Till about six months now. Doctor Moore says the due date will be in December" she answered.
Soon we exited the hospital and Chloe brought up something that happened yesterday when I was looking after her halfwit ex Jed, "You know, Trixie told me that you came by the apartment the other day."
"Yes, I did. I believe the little urchin is at the unfortunate time of her menstruation, am I right?" I recalled the last time I encountered the little urchin when I brought Jed to the apartment, yet the child refused to let us in. Well, basically, Trixie refused to let me in.
My first plausible theory for Trixie's high temper was that the child has just started her period cycle. The detective rolled her eyes before correcting me, "No, but she's just angry with you."
"What on Earth, for?" I questioned in a perplexed tone.
"Well, you did leave without saying goodbye. I tried to explain to her that you had a good reason, but she was still pretty upset" she explained sympathising with her daughter's feelings and now it all made sense to me.
"I suppose I can't blame the child" I nodded understanding the child's resentful behaviour now, "Can I come to see her? To apologise."
"Yeah, I think she would love that" Chloe sounded pleased by my request.
Knowing that I have a child coming anytime soon, it would probably be best for me if I could rectify my relationship with the detective's urchin so that I would acknowledge the lessons and aspects of parenting a child.
During our journey to the detective's apartment, I've been brainstorming an intuitive and empathetic apology. Seeing the child's ungracious actions from the other day indicates to me, I could be heading down into the lion's den for all we know.
Once the detective opened the front door, Chloe was the first one to walk in and I followed her from behind. Straightaway, Chloe yelled out, "Trixie, I'm home!"
"I'm in my room!" Trixie shouted back as we walked further inside the apartment.
"Trixie, Lucifer is here too" Chloe alerted her daughter of my presence, but our only reply was her silence. Even from where we were standing, I could sense some feelings of annoyance and anger vibrating through the wooden door.
We strolled towards the door to the child's bedroom and I noticed that she still had that sign with childish written words warning that no boys are allowed to enter except for me and her father, Detective Douche. I smiled, "Ah! Still got the sign."
Chloe knocked on the door and called out, "Trixie!"
"He's not allowed in!" she loudly demanded.
Before the detective and the urchin could commenced a little bit frustrating argument, I decided to jump in at the right time and gently knocked on the door, "Urchin, may I please come in?"
"No!" she yelled.
Ignoring her daughter's demands, Chloe slides the door across and we spotted Trixie laying on her small bed. I scanned the bright room painted in tiffany blue colour and the walls were decorated with posters that involves the topic of engineering science and others were just meme posters. Her shelves, her bookshelf, and her desk were all in white.
The hostile urchin was dressed in a white shirt with a rainbow shape printed in the centre, and over it was a light-blue denim jacket, and below she was wearing a pair of jeans in a light-chocolate colour. Resting her back against the headboard with her knees upwards while Trixie placed her comic article in front of her leg glueing her stare to the artistic pages.
"Buzz off!" she grumbled when she sensed my unwelcome presence.
"Trixie" Chloe growled in her low, motherly voice.
"It's alright, detective" I calmly replied before quietly gulping feeling like I was finally stepping into a lion's den. Slowly ambled into the room before I stood by the end of the little bed.
"Beatrice, may I sit?" I queried but the child answered me with no words and silently sealed her lips. Without an invitation, I leisurely sat down on the edge of the bed and turn my body halfway to face Trixie.
"What do you want?" she snarled while avoiding any eye contact with me and keeping her focus on the comic article she was reading,
"Beatrice, I understand that you are angry because I left without saying goodbye" I started off in a sympathetic tone.
Her face was painted in enrage, but I caught a glimpse of despair hinted in Trixie's small eyes. I couldn't blame the child for feeling abandoned since I left without saying a word, since she became someone special in my life. Of course, she wasn't abandoned harshly like I was when my father banished me to Hell, but I could sympathise with Trixie's pain of rejection since she was vaguely deserted by her workaholic father during her youth.
"I hope you know that I never intended to hurt you. But, apparently, I did and I am deeply sorry. I do have a good reason, but that is no excuse for me to leave you feeling sad and confused and angry" listening to my own words make me realise how disparaging and disappointed I must have made Trixie feel.
"I know I have a lot to make up for, so I would be deeply honoured if you would come to my penthouse and we could all play a board game" I proposed in hopes that it will bind our special friendship with forgiveness.
"What's in it for me?" Trixie tilted her head as the child shared her harsh stare.
"I'll bring some chocolate cake. Extra large" I offered and within a second Trixie dropped her comic article.
"What time?" I finally caught her attention.
"Tonight, seven?" I shifted my gaze up to the detective as I was waiting for her permission.
"Seven is perfect" Chloe nodded in approval.
"Wonderful. See you both there" I applause before raising up with a gratified grin and began walking back to the exit.
"Don't forget the cake" Trixie warned me.
I span around and placed a hand over my heart, "My word is my bond, child."
Before I exited the room, I caught a tiny yet hopeful grin that bloom on the urchin's face which, I didn't wish to admit but, melts my heart. Chloe slides the door close after me and once it was closed the detective whispered, "Get a medium size cake."
"Detective, I'm a devil of my word. You know that" I placed a hand over my heart as I pulled a dramatic look.
"Don't I" she rolled her eyes, "You're gonna spoil her rotten."
"Not as much as I've spoiled you" I wiggled my eyebrows with a little tease.
At the same, Chloe and I lean in and kissed softly as I was already tasting the sweetness on her pure lips. She was the first one to depart and licked her bottom lip, "See you tonight. Love you."
"I love you more" my hands stroked the sides of her neck as I leaned forward once more to steal another kiss but this time we were moaning for a deeper kiss.
"You both realise the door isn't soundproof, right!" our kiss was interacted by the little child's voice. While Chloe looked slightly embarrassed, I lightly laughed admiring the urchin's humorous side.
Time flew passed as briskly as the ocean tides coming in, I spent the next few hours finding the right snacks and drinks for the detective and the urchin to enjoy, especially a large chocolate cake. I borrowed the board game Monopoly from the detective before I left her apartment, so I could set up the game on the glass coffee table by the brown couch. There was a large bowl filled with cheese and crackers and some fresh fruit. A red wine standing in the middle of the table just for me, a jug of water for the urchin and Chloe because apparently pregnant women can't drink alcohol.
Outside, the sky finally became oiled with darkness and I was just at the end of setting up, at the same time my ears caught the dainty sound of the elevator bell. I waited for the doors to split open before turning around and facing the young women, "Hello, ladies."
"Wow, look at this" they walked in and straightaway Chloe was amazed by the layout.
"Got all snacks and treats" I waved my hand over the tasty food and drinks on the coffee table.
"Where's the cake?" the child was examining around the table and then the entire room, disappointed that she couldn't see the cake I promised to deliver.
"Save the desert for last, urchin" I advised her.
"Right! Let's play" I clapped my hands.
The urchin already dashed over to the coffee table and sat on the carpet with her arms resting on the glass surface. I slide along the brown couch till I sat by the left side while Chloe sat next to me. The fake money is already laid out for me and the ladies with the right amount, and it was time for us to pick our tokens. Chloe went first, "I'm the car as usual because…"
"You gonna leave us all in the dust. We know mum" the child mockingly ended Chloe's sentence. I grew an entertained smile as I still admired the child's cheeky humour.
"I'll be the shoe" I picked up the tiny, silver token and placed it on the 'GO' square next to Chloe's.
"I thought you liked being the top hat?" Trixie asked as she remembered the last few time we played Monopoly, I would usually take the Top Hat as my token.
"Well, I might give it chance. See where it brings me" I answered.
"Alright. I'll be the hat" Trixie takes the token and placed it next to mine and her mother's.
Once we started the game, our competitive attitudes increase as we bought some properties and laughably take some money from each other. Building up houses than to hotels on our properties. My favourite moments were the times when Trixie and I teamed up to bank rob them which, of course, pisses off the detective dramatically making us laugh. After a long time, we finally reached to the end of the game as we bought all the properties and some of us were nearly out of money.
"I win!" the urchin cheered as she threw her arms in the air.
"Excuse me. I believe I won since I have got the more properties" I debated on the matter of being the head victorious of Monopoly.
"Yeah, but I saved the most money" Trixie argued as she showed off all the cash she saved up.
"Well done you two, you both won" Chloe tiredly sign and acted like she was talking to two young infants. She then asked, "What now?"
"Let's watch a movie" Trixie energetically suggested.
"Very well, what genre?" I questioned.
"Horror" the little urchin proposed with a Cheshire-Cat grin.
I going to concur with Trixie's genre idea, however her mother cuts in and strongly objects, "Absolutely not, it's late for you. You'll get nightmares."
"Romance then?" Trixie mentioned another genre.
Then I thought of a good film that hinted at some elements of love and I implied, "Well you know, I have started the Fifty Shades trilogy, but I'm happy to go back to the beginning…"
I was interrupted when Chloe pinched my arm and I loudly shrieked before gazing at the detective in a perplexed and sure look, "Ouch!"
"Lucifer, she's just a kid!" Chloe loudly whispered.
"And?" I shook my head in confusion because the detective was acting like I never notice.
"And, it's way too expose for Trixie" she growled in an irritated tone, acting like it should be obvious for me to know.
"I disagree. I think it teaches children a good lesson" I justified my point.
"What lesson?" her face was faintly stained in confusion.
"That you don't have to be afraid to try out some non-vanilla sex" my answer made the detective roll her eyes. I leaned my head a bit closer to hers and seductively purred, "I mean we did."
Without saying a word, Chloe moved her lips to quietly shush me until Trixie cuts in and curiously asked, "What do ice cream flavours have to do with sex?"
"Nothing, Trixie" Chloe replied before facing me and trying to bring it back to the main topic, "You got any kid-friendly films."
"I think I've got a good one" an idea popped up in my head, however Chloe raised a suspicious eyebrow.
An Hour Later
We all sat on the couch together with Chloe in the middle as I sat by her right side while the child sat on her left side. Facing the large TV screen where we were facing the classic film 'Ghost' which is a thriller and romantic and sexy; all the genres we each wanted to watch. Chloe wrapped her arms over her daughter's shoulders which draws Trixie back and rest her head against the front side of Chloe's shoulder. As promised, we three had a small white each filled with two slices of chocolate cake to snack on.
At that moment, we were watching the scene of the small dance between the ghost and his lover. I sensed Chloe's warm heart skipping a beat during this romantic scene while I felt her right hand covering over mine which was resting above my knee. We both sympathise with the main characters as Chloe and I both experienced the thought of losing a loved one and never imagine seeing them again.
"Oh, this is heartbreaking" Chloe whispered in my ear.
"It is. But at least, they are with each other now" I returned with a soft purr.
Watching this scene of Sam and Molly dancing together, reminded me of the prom dance between me and the detective. Even though we were still friends at that time, I could feel the warmth and the closeness between our bodies, and her face was glowing like a night star with her eyes shining like glitter sparkles. It made Chloe so happy as it pleases me to see her that way.
Chloe snuggled closer to my body as her head lean back, brought her lips near to my ear and softly whispered, "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Doing this. We've missed this" Chloe mumbled.
When I first returned to Earth, I sensed a similar feeling of emptiness from the detective at first sight. I had that same lonely feeling during my long time in Hell, where I had no connection with my friends or family. I have missed all of them. I've missed solving crime cases, the trill of mortal danger, the party life at Lux, the normal life with my friends, but most of all…
"And I've missed you, Chloe" I hummed and shifted my shoulder nearer so Chloe could rest her head on it.
It wasn't long before we finally reached the conclusion of the film where we were all filled with sorrow yet satisfaction for the heartbreaking ending. I raised the remote and paused it.
"Right, what's next? Dirty Dancing? Pretty Woman? Maid in Manhattan?" I turned my head to the side expecting a quiet answer from Chloe, but I found the detective resting her head on my shoulders so still and so silent. sympathise
"Shh. Mummy's sleeping" the little urchin whispered. I slightly leaned my head forward and gazed at her tired mother who sank down into a deep sleep with her eyes closed.
Ever so carefully, I lifted my backside off the surface of the couch while trying to keep Chloe's sleepy head resting on my shoulder. Discreetly scoop one of my arms underneath the centre of Chloe's back and the other arm ducked beneath her knees. The heaviness of any human is weightless to me and the detective was not a bother when I lifted her entire body off the couch.
Slowly strolled up to the bedroom where I kneed down and laid the sleepy detective down upon my black, cosy bed. I had some spare bed sheets to cover her body. My eyes fell upon her seamless face as Chloe looked peaceful in her sleep, while the urchin was standing by the entrance of the bedroom and spontaneously noted me, "She's been sleeping a lot lately."
"Is it part of the pregnancy?" I wondered.
"I don't know. I'm only 11" Trixie shrugged her shoulders.
"Point taken" I nodded before I quietly tiptoed out of the bedroom and the child followed me from behind.
"Well, I suppose we could play Monopoly again. Now it will only be the two of us" I suggested.
"Nah. Monopoly's no fun with just two people" she shakes her head as she snacks on more of the sweets and chocolate.
"Fine. Let's go to the bar, then. I can make you a splendid Pornstar Martini" I strolled the bar.
Trixie stayed where she was as she grew an unsure smile, "I don't think my mum would like that."
"Wouldn't she? Well, she's asleep right now and she doesn't need to know" I winked before I picked up a whiskey glass bottle and poured some into my glass.
"What's that?" the child walked over in curiosity.
"Here, have a sniff" I passed her my glass.
Trixie leaned her small nose over the glass edge and sniff hard at the smell, in a result the child pushed the glass away and painted a cringy, disgusted look on her face, "That smells like bleach."
"Yes, it can sometimes taste a sweet climax" I take a short sip of the juicy whiskey.
"A sweet what?" she narrowed her puzzled eyes.
"Nevermind" I shook my head as I took another sip of whiskey.
"And what's a pornstar anyway?" she asked. If Chloe was awake right now, she would have commanded me not to explain to Trixie any serious topic that is beyond her age. However, I don't wish to lie to the child and since Trixie is growing up, I believed it would be wise to give her some knowledge she might need to understand in the future.
"You've heard the common term of naming actors as 'stars'" I started off and Beatrice nodded, "Well, it's like that but pornstars are more famous for being naked."
"You can get paid by being naked on camera?" the child widened her eyes and her mouth was slightly more open in shock.
"Oh yes. And a lot more" I smirked to myself.
"Ew" Trixie looked revolted again, "Why don't you could tell me a story?"
"Not to be so blunt, but aren't you a little too old for childish stories?" I replied, seeing that the child is growing closer to her teenage years so I assumed Beatrice would be too old for childish stories.
"You don't have to make anything up" Trixie prospected in a persuasive tone. Her small legs started wandering away from the counter and her energetic eyes were scanning around the room. The wooden desk was her first destination where the urchin opened one of the drawers and she notices a small but sharp dagger. Amused, Trixie lifts it up, "You could just tell me about this dagger. Has it ever killed anyone?"
"Ah… Not yet, no" I dashed over worried that Trixie will drop the dagger through her tiny, slippery fingers. If the urchin loses even the smallest finger, Chloe would certainly punish me probably worse than how demons torture souls in Hell.
"Do these work?" Trixie asked after she opened another desk drawer on the left side of the desk. Her right hand dipped in and pulled out a pair of pink fluffy handcuffs.
"Uh... that depends on who you're asking" I took them off from her tiny hands.
"Although, I do remember some great nights when using these" I have used these handcuffs many, many times with different women and men. Even tried them with the detective, or when she tried them on me, boy I've missed those fun times.
"Well, what about your ring?" I followed her gaze as it was directly pointing at my ring, "It looks special. Does it have a story?"
"Yes, it does indeed" I nodded, "But, it's a long story."
"I don't mind, unless you'd rather talk about the handcuffs" Trixie Eloquently spoke through a cheeky smile.
"Quite the negotiator, aren't we?" I applaud the urchin's cocky confidence.
"Very well. Take a seat. For one night only... it's story time at the penthouse" I raised my arm pointing towards the couch.
The child raced over to the couch where I unhurriedly walked, I sat down on the right side and unexpectedly the child jumped along sitting very close to me. I draw a puzzled look, "Why so close?"
"Because I'm very interested in the story" Trixies' answer I wouldn't say it was very reasonable.
"Right" I still didn't understand the reason for the urchin's closeness, but I accepted it, however I did gently push her slightly away. The devil does need his personal space.
"So…" the memory started following back to mind, "Once upon a time, the Devil went to New York City. The year was 1946."
"You were there in 1946?" she gasped.
"Of course, I'm the Devil, child. I've been around all over the Earth in different places and at different times" I answered.
"Cool" Trixie smiley replied, "And was that the time when you found your ring?"
"No. Not exactly. So, here's the story…"
"It was a wonderful time. Men wore hats, hemlines were on the rise, and so was crime."
"Rationing was over, the boys were home from the war, and the air was full of big band music and possibility."
"I was in Hell at the time, but then a recent damned soul arrived and gave me a message from an old friend of mine who wishes to reach out. Therefore, I travelled up and journeyed to one of the greatest places in New York, the place where my old friend works, the Garden Club."
"Now, the Garden Club was the hottest spot on the isle of Manhattan because it had the best chanteuse on the marquee. And she was a beauty with a heart filled with wildfire that never burns out. The whole city knew her voice, but I was the only one who knew her true name."
"Lilith."
"Wait, who's Lilith?" Beatrice cuts in and curiously asked.
"Maze's mother. Her spitting image, though neither of them would ever admit it" I replied.
"Maze never mentioned her mum before" I could see the puzzlement printed in the child's eyes as she was trying to remind her mind back to a time when Maze once talked about her mother.
"No, Lilith didn't have much of a good connection to her children" I explained.
"Why?"
"I assume you know the story of Adam and Eve?" I shifted my position so my body was slightly facing the child.
"Yeah" Beatrice nodded.
"Well, there was a few missing chucks of truth that was left out from the story. You see…"
"Lilith was actually Adam's first wife who was made from the same clay, therefore Lilith believed she and Adam were equals. Adam, on the other hand, wished to dominate Lilith and that maddening, big creator of theirs', who I sadly call my father, God sided with Adam and banishes Lilith from the Garden when she refuses."
Sadden by the story, the urchin's hazel eyes dropped down before reconnecting with my stare, "What happened to Lilith?"
"Well, after refusing to become Dad's little puppet wife for Adam, Lilith left Eden but not before taking a stone with her" I raised my right hand in front of the child and show-off the main object that was on top of the ring, "This stone."
"That ring has the stone from the Garden of Eden?" I watch Trixie's jaw dropped her jaw in shock.
"Yes" I wiggled my fingers while gazing down at the crystal, black stone, "Afterwards, we became good friends since we both, at first, had one single common, the hatred for my father."
"Since then, she has lived and walked every corner of the Earth, until she stopped in Manhattan to perform temporarily" I swing my right leg over my other leg and let it rest over my left knee, before I continued, "That said, back to 1946…"
"Lilith's voice was as soft as sky clouds and thrilling as lighting. Can draw the ears of all those who listen and snatch the hearts of mortal men."
"Every man would throw themselves for Lilith, take a knife to the heart if she wishes. But, Lilith was no one's woman, she looks away from the thought of forming any attachments to anyone."
"But, she was not interested in any man that night, which was a surprise since last time we had a fantastic time with many men and women. Not this time. Unfortunately, Lilith lost her special ring and asked me to find it as a favour."
"Favour? What favour?" the child cuts in again.
"Well, after giving birth to millions of demons, Lilith send them all to Hell, wanting them to be trained as deadly killers. An army of strong and emotionless fighters. Thinking that I could use them to fight against the Heavens again" I clarified Lilith's reasons for abandoning her children, though I did not partly agree on some terms.
It made me evoked back to that very moment, millions of young demons came crashing into Hell, unloved and unafraid. I wasn't scared of them and neither were they, instead all of those fresh-born demons were just waiting for orders, a purpose that they couldn't provide for themselves.
"But, you didn't?"
"No, instead they helped me with the damn souls and kept me company. But, Maze was my favourite" I held a thankful grin as I was pleased that I gained some loyalty from Mazikeen and from that we formed a solid friendship.
"Lilith requested my visit to her club because she needed me to help find her missing ring. Seeing as this was long before my police consultant days, I needed help. Professional help. And I knew the right man. Jack Monroe, a tough guy I knew from back when. Bit of a hot mess since the war, but when it came to solving crimes, he was the best in the business."
"Hang on. Why does the investigator have to be a boy? My mom solves crimes all the time" the child jumps in and complained."Good point. Fine, think of Jack as short for Jackie" I suggested.
"Okay" I approved by nodding her head.
"As I was saying…"
"Jack can be slightly sceptical when it comes to those in need, however I can be very persuasive when I introduce the green face of Benjamin Franklin on a big pile of cash. He was finally all ears and became flexible for this case."
"Jack had some tricks up his sleeve and knew exactly where to seek the gossip. There was only one person who stores the whispers and the gossip of the night. Gertie, the barwoman, and she was like Dr Linda because she served you drinks and make you say, 'just what the doctor ordered.'"
Beatrice quietly laughed at the end of my sentence.
"Dear Gertie had plenty of beans to spill, about a suspicious creeper lurking about Lilith's dressing room. Goes by the name of Lucky Larry. It should be an easy man to spot since he was wearing an eye-patch. And fortunately, Jack caught a rat that was dying to squeal so we decided to lend him an ear."
"The shaken weasel guided us to the back alley where we were expected to get some information. However, the sneaky whip dishes us at the last second and two huge thugs appeared as bodyguards. Surprise, surprise. They worked for Mr Stompanato as the boss man strolled out of the shadows like a Dracula out from its' coffin, with a cigar rolling on the edge of his lips."
"Now, Mr Stompanato was a respected and patient man and wished to provide us with a fair warning about snooping around inside his club. But, personality, he wanted to deliver a threatening message to me, especially if he had a fling with Lilith, foolish mortal really. Thinking that I was going to play with his little toy, where it was the other way out."
"Jack called it a night and headed homes where I greeted some little women for a bit of a party. Little did I know, Jack and his sweet-cherry wife, Shirley were going through a rough patch. You see, Jack was giving the cold shoulder and kept a long distance from his wife."
"Until on that same night, Jack called me in when, surprisingly, the mysterious man pirate eye-patch Lucky Larry dropped dead at Jack's doorstep of his home. I rushed over there where I encountered the cold silence between Jack and his wife. It wasn't before the next day that I discovered the reason behind Jack's insensitive behaviour towards his wife was because she was a called girl at the beginning paid to meet with him…"
"Hang on! Sorry, but what's a call-girl?" Trixie politely cuts in again
"Oh, it means Shirley was a sex worker before she became a housewife" I explained and Trixie understandably nodded.
"Our next lead steered us to a fancy mansion, owned by a dickish actor named Willy Kincannon but he goes by 'Willy the Sausage Prince.' Though I quickly characterised the egotistic actor in the description of a French toilet, a Douche. However, dingo Willy supplied us with little information saying that he buys several pieces of stolen property at Lucky Larry's place. Soon, Jack and I visit Larry's place and we were able to paint a vivid picture of how the struggle, and stabbing, of Larry played out."
"Eventually, our dead lead surprisingly guided us to another mansion which was unknowingly owned by that vexatious ass, Mr Stompanato. But it came with a twist where Jack and I found the infuriating crime boss laying on his bed, lifeless. His chest was cracked open and his heart had mysteriously disappeared, and the sacred symbol 'Eye of Horus' was drawn over his eye."
"Luckily, Jack recalls an occult shop that sells and deals with ancient artefacts. We were soon greeted by the owner, Melvin the Magnificent, but vexingly the strange seller denies having stolen the ring or killing Mr. Stompanato, with the help of my special mojo of course, but still no use."
"I apologised to Lilith for all of the unsuccess I had during my investigation, however the Mother of Demons became agitated, but she calmed down after I reminded her how grateful I was when she sent her demon children to me during my lonely time in Hell. Afterwards, Lilith explained to me how many witless mortals in her past life came to believe that her ring held the power of immortality. And that gave me an idea."
"Before Lilith's next performance at the Garden Club, we started the rumour that the ring only works in conjunction with a bracelet worn by Lilith. That night, we set the scene as Lilith and I sang our song together."
"Last song?" Trixie asked as she picked up those peculiar words.
"You'll find out" I didn't want to spoil the end hint it was hinted but the unlikely change through my voice as it transformed into a sorrowful tone.
"Later, Shirley who was working as an understand waitress, told us that someone has entered Lilith's dressing room. Jack, Lilith and I discovered the thief, revealed to be the unanticipated Willy, who admits to killing Larry for the ring. But the final, bigger twist arrived not long as Gertie entered the room with a gun, saying that she hired Larry to steal the ring."
"Time out! Time out!" the little urchin cuts in once more, "Let me get this straight. So, both Gertie and Willy learned about the ring from Melvin the Magnificent?"
"Correct" I nodded. My mouth became dry, so I lifted myself off the couch and headed towards the bar.
Trixie got up and followed me from behind with a curious eye, "Gertie hired Lucky Larry to steal the ring, but instead he betrayed her and sold it to Stompanato for a higher price. But then Stompanato killed Lucky Larry out of revenge for stealing his girl's ring in the first place?"
"Indeed" I stopped behind the bar island where my whiskey glass still stands on the crystal surface. I poured more whiskey into my glass while I continued storytelling, "But, unfortunately for Stompanato, Willy the Sausage Prince also wanted the ring, and rips the mobster's heart out in an all-too-real version of Melvin the Magnificent's fake cult ceremony in order to make it work."
"Huh?" the child unevenly opened her mouth in confusion.
"Forget it, Trix. It's Chinatown" I quoted a famous film line in a low, American voice.
"It's what?" the urchin looked even more puzzled.
"Chinatown? Jack Nicholson?" I expanded the description of the film, yet Trixie shook her clueless head, I rolled my eyes, "Gosh, what are they teaching you in school these days?"
"So, what happened?" the child crossed her arms and leaned them on the glass surface of the island table.
"Oh right, anyway…"
"We learnt that Gertie wanted the ring for her dying husband, but she later gave up once I proved her wrong. By putting a bullet in Willy's tiny-winy foot and he screamed like an eight-year-old girl."
"Once the police arrived, Lilith had a change of heart and declared Gertie's innocence so she could spend the rest of her days with her dying husband for whatever time he may have left. Dingo Willy was taken away while crying like a degrading baby. Jack ran off with Shirley as he finally took my advice in leaving the past behind and focusing o his marriage."
"I believed it was finally the end and Lilith and I were eventually even. Until unexpected emotions suddenly swallow her sanity and she lectured me on the meaning of life; 'realizes that the end of a life — and knowing that it is coming — is what makes a life truly worth living.' With a single whisper, Lilith kissed her immortality away and sealed it in the ring stone as she wishes to become mortal. And handed me her ring, in return we wanted a promise. A promise that I shall take care of the special ring."
"I did offer her a chance to say goodbye to her children but Lilith bitterly dismissed the idea. Citing that she doesn't want her children to be changed by any experience on Earth or by witnessing any human emotions. I couldn't argue with my dear friend for it was pointless."
"By the end of the night, we waved our final goodbyes as I watched Lilith walk away as the young demon awaits to start her new mortal life with the very few years ahead. That night was the last night, I saw Lilith."
"Wow" the child gasped in amusement while my story was sinking into her imaginative mind. I watched her small eyes dart her stare on the ring, "So, that ring has Lilith's immortality inside it?"
"Yes. I suppose it does. Though, as far as I'm concerned, the only thing special about it is... it reminds me of an old friend" I replied as I caught my eye's reflection through the black crystal surface of the stone and the memory was mirrored back to me which drew a sad smile on my face.
"Where is Lilith now?" she questioned.
"Not sure. Haven't seen her since that night" I answered yet it did, too, make me wonder as well. I do pray that she had a wonderful life during her mortal years and hoped that she did find her meaningful and expected purpose.
"Do you think she found what she was looking for? Her happy ever after?" she asked with a hopeful smile.
"I hope so. Last time I heard, Lilith was off to Des Moines, so she probably didn't get it there" I joked until my voice slowly change into a more hapless tone, "But, to be frank, urchin, not everyone gets their happily ever after."
My head was facing downward and my gaze fell down to the centre of the glass, uncontrollably my mind began recalling back to my previous life as a glorious angel in Heaven. Where I was born as a holy and honourable solider of God, until I was banished from Heaven and was left falling in flames and crashed into the firing depths of Hell. Unquestionably, it wasn't one of the great endings throughout history, especially for an angel who was transformed into the Devil.
I was lost in thought until my ears picked up the sweet, child's voice, "But, you did."
I raised my baffled head up and glanced at the child, "Sorry?"
"You found your happily ever after, didn't you?" Trixie tilted her head slightly.
I didn't have to ask the child what she meant as I glanced my gaze to the entrance of my bedroom where Chloe was sleeping in. I could understand the reference the urchin was making, and I agreed because I do see the detective as my 'happy ever after.' Ever since the detective became part of my life has inextricably made my existence meaningful, and when Chloe became my girlfriend, I have never been happier.
A grateful grin grew on my face, "Yes, suppose I did."
"But you left" suddenly, her beatific voice started releasing some woeful words which hooked the sharp edges of my smile and dragged them down in a frown, "Was it because of the baby?"
"No, dear no, what on earth would you think that?" I shook my head flabbergasted that the child would even ask me that.
"Most kids at the school either have one parent or none because they left them. It's strange how some people get pregnant, yet they didn't really want to be parents in the first place" she commented.
"It is a strange world, child" I agreed that most mortals can do some uncalled things like accidentally getting themselves pregnant with no fault of their own.
"But, my months of departure had nothing to do with the baby, I assure you" I leaned forward and hooked her gaze in a trace so Trixie could see how I truly meant what I say.
"Mum said you and her were taking a break before" she refers to the time when the detective and I argued and Chloe advised that we needed some time and space between us.
"It was a big shock to me and I may have taken the idea of fatherhood the wrong way. We were frustrated and we needed some space" I explained with a frown, "But, I learn to accept it as I don't wish to leave your mother alone to raise the baby and you, most of all."
"Beatrice, did… did your mother cry? Before and after my departure" I asked with an inquisitive stare.
"Well, sometimes when she's alone and I enter the room, she pretends like she wasn't crying, but I could tell" every word from the child's small mouth was like a small, sharp knife stabbing through my gut. I could imagine it was extremely difficult for Chloe when I left and could see her sleep with a tearful face.
Looking at the young child in front of me now, I could see the confusion imprinted in Trixie's eyes and, truthfully, I don't blame her since this whole pregnancy situation as well as the new relationship between Chloe and I has been baffling to me as well. I remembered when the detective was worried about raising the baby alone and I recall how Trixie would be affected when she and Daniel were separated and then getting a divorce. And therefore, I don't wish to bemuse the child and get her tangled in more mixed-up situations.
"Beatrice, I promise you, on my life, I will never leave you or your mother or the baby" the child could feel the heavy weight of my vow, and she knows that I always tell the truth. I continued, "If I have known about your mother's pregnancy in the beginning, I would have tried to stay and worked things out. But, something demonic was happening and I had to fix it."
"Now that I am here, I want to stay here with my family" I
"So, you'll be like my Step-Devil?" she questioned with a gleeful grin.
"Yes, I suppose I will be" I agreeably nodded, "Though, you might have to do some renaming."
"Right, I think it's best that you should to bed" I placed my whiskey glass down and maturity advised.
I started walking around the island table and placed a hand behind the child's back as I gently pushed her away from the bar area and guided her to the bedroom. We reached to the bedroom and the child got herself changed into her small and colourful pyjamas, tiny slices of watermelon printed on her white top and trousers. I suggested, "You can sleep on the other side next to your mother."
"What about you?" she whispered.
"Oh, I need to clean the mess and the filthy money you left on the coffee table" I answered as I remembered that we still left out fake money and the tiny objects from Monopoly. Trixie giggled before she carefully slithered herself into the bed and pulled the golden duvet cover over her small body.
"Can you tuck me in?" she pleaded while giving me the cute-puppy look.
"Aren't you too old to be tucked in?" I was reluctant to do such a thing.
"You need to do it at some point when the baby comes" the child cleverly pointed out while her head was sinking deeper into the centre of the pillow.
"Very well" I huffed with an unamused look as I was too tired to start a pointless argument.
I crept closer near the top of the bed, leaned in and starts tucking the sheets in the gaps between the mattress below and her small shoulders. Softly patted the sides of her shoulder and whispered through a patient smile, "There you go. Now, go to sleep."
Satisfied, I raised up and was about to walk away until the urchin whispered, "No good night kiss?"
"Oh, for crying out loud" I closed my eyes and quietly growled to myself, I looked down at the tired child and shook my head, "The devil doesn't give goodnight kisses."
"You do with mum" she indicated with a cheeky smile. However, hidden behind her puppy eyes and her adamant personality, I could see some sorrow and her yawning for affection.
"Fine" I gave in.
I leaned my head in once again and, while it was slightly agonizing for me at first, I swiftly tilt down and kissed the top of Trixie's forehead and rapidly pulled away before the child's face was lit up with glee. I quietly murmur, "Night, child."
"Thanks, Lucifer. This was fun" Trixie commented before closing her tired eyes and smoothly snuggling herself a bit closer to her sleepy mother.
"Don't exaggerate" I rolled my eyes while Trixie closed her and leisurely fell into a deep sleep.
When I took a step out of the bedroom, my left eye was greeted with a bright green light shining from the bar wall. My whole focus was pinned on the messy coffee where I commenced tidying up; with the fake money, the properties, the houses and hotels, and finally the board game. Once everything was packed inside the box, I collected all the unused glasses and plates and took them away.
I didn't mind sleeping on the couch, not really anyway, because what was really on my mind was my future with the detective and the baby. Today, I may have been confident and stable during the ultrasound test, but despite my calmness, I was feeling impotent because like I am not doing enough or giving enough benefit to support Chloe. I laid down with my back against the couch, my eyes leering up at the darkness that stains the ceiling. My mind was keeping me awake as I kept on thinking about the baby's arrival and what do I need to prepare for.
Oh Dad, this is going to be a long night.