Well, here we go. Hope everyone enjoys. I actually don't know the biology of angels or demons so there is going to be a little bit of weird moments later. Oh, I should mention that this story is taking place years before the tv series begins. So most characters won't appear until later.
"Waaaaghh!"
"Please, stop crying!" Lucifer begged. He was standing next to a new crib he created in the palace's parlor. "I'm doing the best I can. It was enough for Charlie. What am I doing wrong?"
"Waaaaghh!"
Lucifer was about to pull his hair from his scalp. Harry was doing great so far since they arrived only a few hours ago. With the new crib, a few of Charlie's old stuff toys, a mobile with rotating apples, Lucifer figured Harry was set until he could send him back to Earth. He was just waiting for Prince Stolas of the Ars Goetia. The demon had been charged with watching Earth's night skies and keeping record of prophecies. The King was sure he could tell him everything about Harry's prophecy.
But about ten minutes ago, Harry started bawling and had to not quit. Tears poured down the boy's face as he howled.
Plus, there was an awful smell coming from him.
"Meow," came a voice from ground.
And then there was the cat. It hitched a ride at the last moment on Lucifer's portal back to Hell. It must have been the family cat. It had all black fur and bright yellow eyes. It was standing on its' hind legs and looking at the infant through the bars of the crib. It was watching the kid while looking at Lucifer once every few moments. It was like it was asking Lucifer to do something.
"Harry, if you stop crying, I'll create caramel apples for you to snack one. Everyone loves those."
"Waaaaaghh!"
The doors opened behind him and a regal-looking Imp stepped through. It was dressed in a server's outfit with a monocle in its' left eye.
"Your grace-"
"Finally," Lucifer crowed. He knew it was late and figured Prince Stolas would have been asleep. But when the King wanted something, he got it immediately. No one, not even a demon prince, denied the King of Hell. "Let Prince Stolas in. I called for him."
"But, your grace," the Imp stuttered.
"What?"
"It's not-"
The door opened even more. "Dad?"
Lucifer froze as his daughter walked around the server imp. She was dressed in a red pantsuit, white shirt with a bowtie, and black and white shoes. Like her father, her skin was white and had rosy-red cheeks. Her hair was blonde, long and in a ponytail. She had black lips and her teeth had fangs.
Even though she looked to be in her mid-20's, she was actually several hundred years old.
Well, in hell-years.
"Charlie!" Lucifer's face bloomed into a wide smile. He rushed forward and enveloped his daughter in a tight hug. Although no one would ever mention it, Charlie was taller than him. "What a pleasant surprise! You haven't been back in so long."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Charlie laughed awkwardly. She patted him on the back. "Sorry to arrive so late."
"It's no problem at all," Lucifer pulled away and kept smiling. "How have you been? Do you need some money?"
"No, dad. I'm doing okay."
Lucifer's smile fell a little. "And your mom…?
Charlie sighed. "She's doing okay."
Years ago, Lilith, the Queen of Hell and the first woman, left the manor. She and Lucifer had been distant for a long time and Lilith decided she needed some space. Lucifer was hurt, but supported her decision. Years later, Charlie, with her dreams of redeeming Sinners, left as well when Lucifer told her it was an impossible dream. It had been a few weeks since Charlie had talked to her father. Even longer for Lilith. But at least Lilith and her daughter were still on spoken terms.
"Well, that's good," Lucifer said. "At least you two are still speaking."
Charlie wringed her hands. "Hey, dad, I was hoping…"
"Waaaaghhh!"
"What was that?" asked a surprised Charlie.
"Oh! That!" Lucifer said nervously. "Well, it seems I've-"
Charlie gasped loudly. Her eyes were large and shining. "Is that a baby?!"
Not waiting for an answer, Charlie rushed forward to the crib. Harry was standing on his tiny legs and trying to reach over the railing. Charlie reached in and pulled Harry up by his armpits.
"He's so adorable!" Charlie squealed as she spun around in a circle. Harry's loud crying had quieted to a low whining. "I can't believe you have a baby!"
Charlie then stopped spinning and looked at father.
"Wait. Why do you have a baby?"
Lucifer nervously rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I can explain."
"Why do you have a human baby?" Charlie repeated, adding the human as she realized who Harry was.
"Yes, your grace. Why do you have a human baby?"
Lucifer and Charlie turned back to door to see a tall, thin, owl demon standing in the doorway behind the imp servant. He had two sets of red eyes, gray feathers, and a crown on his brow. He was dressed as a regal, but his attire was slightly rumpled. Probably because he was asked to appear at the royal palace in such a hurry.
"My lord, Prince Stolas," said the imp.
Lucifer sighed. "That will be all."
The imp bowed and left. Prince Stolas walked towards the royal family. It was then they noticed the prince was carrying a small bundle in his arms. Charlie gasped when saw the prince was holding a young owlet in his arms. She was the same age as Harry, having only hatched a year ago. Her feathers had just begun growing.
"Another baby?!" she squealed.
"My daughter, Octavia," Stolas answered. She was squirming slightly in his arms. "I happened to be feeding her when you called, your grace."
"Please, call me Lucifer," the king said as he waved his hands. "This isn't a formal greeting."
"Indeed. I was surprised to get your summons. Normally, the royal family doesn't call at midnight to hear about prophecies."
"Prophecies?" asked Charlie.
"Yeah. It's the reason I brought Harry to Hell," explained Lucifer. "Apparently the boy is tied to a human prophecy."
"But how did you get involved with the baby at all?" asked Stolas.
"Waaaaghhh!"
Harry interrupted by crying again. His cries were answered by the owlet in her father's arms. Stolas began rocking her.
"Oh, dear. And I just got her back to sleep," he said.
"What's wrong with him?" Charlie asked as she mimicked the same movements as Stolas.
"I don't know. He's been like that for a while now," answered Lucifer.
The family heard Stolas sniff a couple of times. "Have you changed him?"
"Changed him? Into what?" asked Charlie.
Stolas sighed. Of course they wouldn't know. Raising angels was very different than raising humans or Hellborn demons.
"Here. Allow me." Stolas placed Octavia in the crib Harry occupied earlier and used his telekinesis powers to lift Harry out of Charlie's arms. He also pulled a bag nobody noticed off his shoulders and placed it on the ground beside him. A diaper rose from it.
"I'm afraid this won't be pleasant. You see, angels eat and drink for the simple pleasure of doing so. They don't have to worry about the consequences of what happens afterwards," explained Stolas. While he talked, he used his powers to disrobe Harry, removed the dirty diaper, clean him, and finally place on a new diaper. "Humans and demons need to eat and drink to survive. In goes the nutrients, out comes the leftovers."
Charlie, who had her nose pinched at the smell, widened her eyes. "You mean…"
"Yes, I'm afraid so. If you would, my lord?" Stolas asked as he hovered the dirty diaper above him.
Lucifer grimaced and waved his hand, erasing the mess from existence. He kind of forgot humans had their digestive issues. Charlie never needed be changed. Lucifer never had to clean a dirty butt for thousands of years.
"So goes the work in becoming a parent," said Stolas as he placed a quiet Harry into the crib next to Octavia.
"Sounds like a lot of work," Charlie said.
Stolas chuckled. "Indeed it is. Changing about a dozen diapers a day, feedings at odd hours, and of course, there are the sleepless night. But that is the joy of being a parent. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Stolas ran a feathered finger down his daughter's cheek. But she was staring at her new crib mate to notice. Harry stared right back. The cat had jumped up onto the railing and was now watching the two infants.
"Now," Stolas said as he stood straight and faced Lucifer. "Before I was occupied, I believed you were about to explain why a human child was in Hell."
Lucifer nodded and willed three comfy armchairs into existence for everyone to sit down. He began to explain about the Sinner who was beginning to split his soul into pieces for the purpose of remaining immortal on Earth. How he kept missing opportunities to track him down and where the pieces were. He explained how he returned to Earth on Halloween to catch him but found Harry instead with a soul shard in his head.
"There was a prophecy?" asked Stolas.
"Yep, one that would say little Harry over would end the Sinner's life. If that's the case, then there isn't anything I can do without screwing up Earth's existence."
"Mmm, I see." Stolas waved his hand and a book appeared in his hand. It was his grimoire, given to him by his father to study the night skies on Earth and record the stars and prophecies. "Let me see. Harry…Harry…did you happen to get a last name?"
"Potter. His parents were James and Lily Potter."
"And they made it to Heaven?" asked Charlie.
Lucifer resisted to roll his eyes. Seems she still wanted to find a way to save sinners. "Yes. The self-sacrifice rule. They gave their lives to protect their son."
"Ah. Here it is," Stolas interrupted. "It was made in June 1980 by a weak Seer named Sybill Trelawney. It goes as followed."
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…born to those who thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…"
"So that's what it is," said Lucifer.
"Indeed," said Stolas as he closed his book. "It seems this Dark Lord as marked young Harry as the one who has the potential to end his existence. He thought by killing Harry now, he could negate the prophecy. Funny how those who try to defy fate often end up meeting it."
"But these soul shards have prevented this Dark Lord from dying?" said Charlie. "What power could Harry have to finally kill him?"
"Who is this Dark Lord?" interrupted Lucifer.
"His name is Tom Marvolo Riddle," explained Stolas. "A very powerful wizard who has been reigning terror on the hidden magical world on Earth for the past 20 years. His ideals are based on pureblood magic and doesn't want anybody from the non-magical world to interfere. He deems them inferior."
"Great. A magical nazi," Lucifer grumbled. The massive surge of Sinners in the 1940's received a lot of those idiots who believed in blood purity. One of the few years Lucifer really didn't mind the Exorcists purge of Hell.
"And thanks to his mother's sacrifice, this Riddle is now a mere spirit in the human realm. Unable to die, unable to reform," said Stolas.
"Free to keep roaming Earth and avoid his damnation," Lucifer growled. He stood from his chair and walked to the window that overlooked his kingdom. "And nothing I can do until Harry or Riddle finish each other off."
"I'm afraid so, sire," said Stolas as he joined him at the window.
"Well, at least I got one piece of his soul. That's a start."
"Aaawwww!"
Lucifer and Stolas turned to see Charlie hovering over the crib, her eyes wide and shimmering with happy tears. The fathers joined her and saw that Harry and Octavia had settled down. The two infants were sleeping and cuddling close together. The black cat had joined them and settled right next to their heads, purring contently. In a single act of cuteness, both infants yawned at the same time.
"How precious," whispered Stolas. He was grinning at the sight.
Lucifer couldn't help but smile too. Sometimes, there were moments in life where something can be, as Stolas said, precious.
"Well, I suppose he could have one moment of peace before I send him back," said Lucifer.
Charlie's head snapped to her father. "Send him back?"
"Well he can't stay here, Charlie. Hell isn't the place for a young human. He's much better back on Earth with another family to take care of him."
"Your father is right, Princess Charlotte," Stolas added. "He'll be much better on Earth."
"But his parents are dead. Who will take care of him?" asked Charlie.
"I can arrange for the boy to be dropped off at an orphanage," said Lucifer. "They can take care of Harry there until a family adopts him."
Charlie looked down at Harry with a little bit of concern. "But what if no one adopts him? But worse, what if a bad family adopt him and doesn't take care of him?"
"That's none of our concern, Charlie." Lucifer said. "I have the answers I wanted. I'll let prophecy take care of the rest."
Charlie kept looking at Harry. Her mind was whirling with thoughts. A very weird feeling had begun to form in her stomach. She didn't know what it was, but she felt like Harry's future was somehow determined by her actions. And that she needed to protect Harry from this Riddle wizard who was out to kill him.
"No."
Lucifer and Stolas turned together to stare at the woman who spoke.
"What did you say?" asked Lucifer.
"I said no. Harry isn't going anywhere. He's going to stay here and I'm going to raise him," said Charlie.
"Oh, dear." Said Stolas. He could sense what was going to happen next and hurriedly grabbed his daughter to keep her safe from the upcoming fight.
"Charlie, you can't raise him. He's a human. It's not like raising a hellhound or Keykey," said Lucifer, referring to Charlie's demon pet who transformed into a key.
Charlie picked up Harry who was beginning to fuss at the loss of his cuddle buddy. "I don't care. Harry needs someone to love and care for him. And I'll be damned if the wrong family is the one to do that."
"You don't know the first thing about raising a human child," argued Lucifer.
"I can learn. It can't be any harder than redeeming Sinners."
"Don't you remember what Stolas said. Odd feeding hours, sleepless nights, mountains of shit to deal with and you don't have telekinesis. You would have to change diapers by hand."
"He also said he wouldn't change being a parent for anything," Charlie argued back.
"I did say that, didn't I," said Stolas with a small grin.
"Fuck off!" Lucifer yelled at Stolas. He turned back to Charlie. "Charlotte Morningstar, you are not going to raise that baby. You're too young and naïve."
Charlie stared defiantly back. "Yes. I. Am."
There was a flash of fire and Lucifer's form changed. His eyes, once red pupils with yellow sclera, had reversed their colors. A pair of horns had grown from his head that sported a ball of hellfire between them. Behind him emerged his six wings.
"No you're not!" he yelled.
Charlie's eyes did the same change. A tail also grew from her spine, waving furiously behind her. "YES! I! AM!"
"Waaaugghhh!" Harry started to cry.
Charlie's demon form vanished, and she started rocking the baby. "Shhh, shh. There, there. I'm sorry for scaring you."
Lucifer calmed down too, but didn't leave his form. "Charlie…"
"There's a star in the night sky, little one.
One that holds your hopes and dreams.
And if you reach out to touch it,
You can prosper by any means."
Lucifer froze at the lyrics Charlie began to sing. Since his banishment from Heaven and Earth, he spent so long in a depression. He never left his workshop except for the few rare times. One of those rare moments came when he saw his wife Lilith singing that song to Charlie. Times like that melted Lucifer.
In that moment, Lucifer could see his wife now. Lilith singing to Charlie as Charlie now sang to Harry. The same moment fused together. The fussy boy quieted down and resumed his nap.
Charlie smiled as she stared at Harry. "There you go," she whispered. She turned back to her father. "Please, dad. Let me do this."
Lucifer's form changed back to normal. He stared hard at his daughter and the infant she held. After a few moments, he finally sighed.
"You do realize raising him will be a full-time job. It will put your other plans on hold," he said.
"For a time," Charlie agreed. "I don't plan on giving up saving Sinners in Hell. But right now, Harry needs me more."
Lucifer nodded. Then he turned to Stolas. "How long can he stay?"
Stolas froze. "Your grace, you can't mean…"
"The boy will stay. For now, anyway."
Charlie turned to Prince Stolas. "Please," she pleaded.
"Well, I don't know, actually." Stolas pulled his grimoire back out while still holding his daughter. He flipped through the pages. "The prophecy didn't actually say when he had to defeat the Dark Lord. Just that he had the power to do so."
"Can you keep an eye on the mortal realm for us? Send a sign when Harry must return?" asked Charlie.
Stolas gave a deep sigh. "I can, your grace."
Charlie smiled and went to give Stolas a hug. "Thank you, Prince Stolas. Maybe later we can arrange playdates for Harry and Octavia."
Stolas smiled and returned the hug. "I would like that. They are not many other demon-born children in Hell for her to interact with."
Lucifer tried not to say anything at their interaction. He may have agreed for Charlie to raise Harry, but he was still convinced she could do so. She had an optimism that really didn't belong in Hell and was convinced everyone deserved a second chance. She had never seen the harsh realities that Sinners and other Hell-born demons went through in this realm or in the mortal realm. The estrangement between the two had grown ever since Charlie discussed her plan of redemption. Whiled Lucifer tried to tell her wasn't possible, she didn't believe him. It led to her moving out of the royal palace in defiance.
And now she was back, now wanting to become a full-time mom.
After discussing playdates, Stolas used his portal magic to return to his own palace before his wife woke up. Charlie went back to her armchair with Harry in her arms. The black cat had jumped out of the crib and was now watching Charlie and Harry at the foot of the chair. The boy had begun sucking on his thumb. Lucifer waved his hand and a pacifier appeared. He placed near Harry's mouth and the boy took it.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Charlie," said Lucifer.
"I do," she nodded. "Somehow, I feel like this is something I am meant to do. More than anything."
"So I guess you're staying the night?"
Charlie bit her lip, then looked at her father. "Can we stay a little bit longer?"
Lucifer's smile grew even larger. "Sure think, kid. Stay as long as you like."
"Thanks, dad." Charlie then motioned to Harry. "Or should I say 'Grandpa'."
"Don't get ahead of yourself, 'Mom'. Just wait and see how the first 3 nights go."
Lucifer left the two and walked to the room across from Charlie's old room. It needed to be redone for a toddler's needs and now that his estranged daughter was back, the King of Hell decided he could give some help.
He tried to ignore the small thrill he got when Charlie called him 'Grandpa'.
Well, there we go. Second chapter over with. Sorry if it seems rushed.