Leighton Fale smiled and turned to face the woman who lay next to him in bed, sleeping soundly. The sheet was pulled only up to her waist, because Azrael had told him that she was too hot to have the blankets any other way thanks to being near his body.

That was his woman, full of complexities and contradictions. The woman who had denied them the chance to be close for so long was next to him asleep with nothing covering her bare chest so that he could look at it whenever he wanted to.

Not that he was complaining, damn no, he was not! She was so beautiful and tiny, with delicious curves and perky breasts that he could suck on all night long if she'd let him.

Suddenly, Azrael made a noise, and her eyes opened slowly, a blissful smile curving her lips. "Don't you look at me," she demanded. "I don't want you to see me looking like garbage. I always look awful in the morning." She put her arm over her eyes so she couldn't see him staring.

"Well, we obviously don't have the same definition of 'awful,' he said, taking her hand and kissing it after moving her arm from her face. "I love your messy morning look, beautiful," he told her, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her closer to him before he cupped her breasts.

"You're not so bad yourself," she remarked and then reached up to stroke his bearded cheek.

"I should shave," he shook his head. "I'm sorry. I know I look like a bit of a beast." He kissed her wrist.

"Don't you dare," Azrael chided him. "I like you scruffy!"

"Really?" Leighton smiled and buried his head in the crook between her neck and shoulder, kissing and biting her skin. "That's not what you said yesterday, woman!" He then tickled her.

She laughed and squirmed, doing her best to get away from him. "Oh, Leighton, stop," she giggled.

"You said, and I quote," Leighton didn't hesitate to remind her "'your beard is scratching my delicate skin'."

"I lied, okay?" She cried. "I love being marked up by you!"

"Is that so?" Leighton grinned and winked at her before giving her butt a slap. "You're a bad, bad girl!"

"I'm gonna be covered in bruises!" She protested with a chuckle.

"You asked for it, sweetheart," Leighton reminded her, kissing her soundly and then nibbling on her bottom lip.

"But what will people say?" Azrael protested on top of his lips.

"You'll have time to heal," he promised her. "I'll have you to myself for a few weeks before anyone sees you at all." He winked and then his expression became serious, a loud, guttural growl escaped his lips as his face twisted in pain.

"Leighton!" Azrael cried out and pulled him close and cupping his face.

"It's…it's my legs," he admitted and put his hand on one of them.

"Oh, baby, I'm so sorry!" She cried. "What can I do?"

Tears filled his eyes, his entire body and jaw tensing.

Then Azrael apologized in her head for doing something that was technically against the rules for her before putting a hand over his leg and closing her eyes.

A white halo soon surrounded them. She was channeling every bit of power she had into Leighton so that all the pain he was feeling would become hers instead. After a few minutes, Leighton's erratic breathing stopped, and he opened his eyes. Nothing hurt now.

"What did you do?" He asked, immediately noticing how pale she was.

"I…I took your pain away," she explained as she felt her strength begin to return slowly but surely.

"Don't you ever do that again, you hear me?" He chided her, shaking his head in shock. "I don't want you to suffer for me, all right?"

"But Leighton…" She tried to set him straight.

"No!" He shook his head. "I know you mean well, but…" he brought her into the comfort of his arms. "I know I don't have much time left, and I want to spend it in your arms, making love to you, cherishing you, and bringing you joy and pleasure. I don't want you to feel like you have to suffer for me, all right?"

Azrael nodded and bit her lip. "Yes, Leighton. I understand. I…I need to go splash some water on my face."

She slowly detached herself from him and gave him a gentle kiss. "I'll be back soon, I promise."

"You better," he gave her a grin. "I plan to be in bed with you all day."

"I think that works for me." She smiled back at him.

After she got out of bed, she headed to the bathroom, closing the door gently behind her back, closing her eyes as tears fell down her cheeks and neck.

Leighton Fale was a stubborn, determined man. If he thought it was time to plan his death, he must be close to his end. She took a deep breath and reached the vanity, taking her overnight bag in hand, taking out her birth control pills, and flushing every pill down the toilet.

If the man she loved wanted to leave her and go to heaven, there was no way in hell that she wouldn't try as hard as she could to have a part of him with her before he went.

Julian walked barefoot down the corridor to reach his house's front door before wiping his hands on his apron and reaching for the door handle. He pulled the door open and found himself face to face with the mother of his child, Eleanor Morningstar…or was it Mikaelson now?

"I know, I know what you're going to say, but it's not my fault! Astrid had another emergency meeting at the Council." She explained nervously, rubbing her hands.

Julian rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever. Come in." He gestured for her to come in.

"Really?" Ellie questioned. "Are you sure?" She stepped inside and closed the door gently behind her back.

"Do you think I would tell you something that wasn't true?" Julian asked, tilting his head and smiling hat her.

"Well, I guess not," Ellie blushed and shrugged.

"Astrid called me. I knew that you would be here to visit Diana unsupervised," he informed her. "That is why I told you I would agree for you to come by yourself without protest.

"What?" Ellie's jaw dropped in shock and her eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

Julian shrugged nonchalantly. "Diana is taking her nap. I'm making cookies in the kitchen, but I wouldn't mind some help. You want to be the helper?" He led her to the kitchen.

"Ummm…" Ellie stayed right where she was, taking in the nice view of his back and ass. "Sure!" She decided at last, throwing her tote bag on the floor and hurrying to join him in the kitchen.

When they'd both washed their hands again, Julian grabbed the mixing bowl and opened a bag of flour that was waiting on the kitchen island..

"What can I do to help?" She asked.

"Well," he tossed an apron at her. "Put that on, grab the rolling pin, and start rolling out the dough.

Ellie smiled and saluted. "Yes, Sargeant," she teased, putting the apron on and tying it around her waist. "So…what kind of cookies are we making?"

"Well, these cookies are for Diana, our daughter…so what do you think?" He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "I mean, you've made her enough cookies, haven't you?"

"Double chocolate." She bit her bottom lip and chuckled. "Those are my favorite cookies too, you know."

"Oh, I know," he grinned. "I remember." Then he shamelessly looked her over, leaning against the counter, crossing his arms over his bulging chest as he looked Ellie over.

She was wearing jeans ripped at the knees that were light blue and an off the shoulder white t-shirt. Her brown hair was now cut into a short and stylish bob then when they'd met. She looked like a young girl except for her hips and large breasts that clearly showed she was a woman.

"Eleanor, do you need money?" He asked. "I don't have much. I'm not a gazillionaire. But I could give you a few hundred to get through whatever is going on."

Ellie froze, shocked. "After everything I've been through, what would make you ask such a rude question, Julian Johnson?" She snapped. "What makes you think I would EVER take money from a man ever again?" She growled and grabbed a towel to wipe off her hands. "Are you out of your freaking mind? I know you hate me, but I didn't think you would stoop so low and insult me that way."

"I don't hate you, woman." Julian shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Believe me when I say I would rather hate you than how I actually feel now."

"What makes you think I need money?" Eleanor snapped, her hands balled into fists on either side of her body.

"I didn't mean to insult you," Julian tried to reassure her. Clearly he'd touched a nerve. "I saw your jeans and t-shirt, and…"

Ellie closed her eyes and sighed. "It's okay, I understand now." She'd closed her eyes and opened them again to meet his gaze. "I don't need money, and I apologize for blowing up at you. Thank you very much for offering to help me but I've decided since my…life change…that it would be more freeing to dress in a more casual, bohemian way when I'm not in my suits for work. I like it. I think it's more me. No one is making me feel like I have to put on a show and wear designer clothes anymore, like I had to when I was with him. I'm not…" she trailed off, looking away from him.

"You're not…what? Married anymore? Is that what you don't want to say?" Julian narrowed his eyes at her.

"I wish that I wasn't married anymore, but Lucifer is still refusing to divorce me." She looked down at the floor, wrapping her arms around herself. "But at least we can be glad he let me leave and isn't making me play happy wife or something."

"That asshole!" Julian growled, staring at the ceiling. "Can't you fight him? You know enough people at the Council. You have a job there as a lawyer, and it pays you very well, If I remember correctly."

"Yes," Ellie nodded. "I can and I will!"

Julian lowered his gaze. "I'll never be able to stand that fucking asshole."

"Of course not," Ellie whispered. "I wouldn't expect you to…ever!"

"For what it's worth…I like the new look." Julian grinned. "It really seems like you."

Ellie blushed, smiling back. "Thank you."

He reached over and pushed a few loose strands behind her ear. "Love the new haircut also."

"Oh," Ellie laughed uncomfortably. "I know the hair is a bit short. It must make me look like a little girl." She paused. "I didn't always have it cut like this, but when it was long, some people always wanted to play with it, so I cut a bunch off to show that it was time to start something new."

"I like it," Julian pulled her to him and caressed the nape of her neck. "Trust me when I say that you're all woman to me."

"Julian," Ellie whispered as he crashed his lips against hers. Then she raised her hands over his muscular arms, wrapping them around his neck. Then he deepened the kiss by sliding his tongue between her lips to taste her before picking her up and setting her down on the kitchen island, her legs wrapping around his hips as she moaned and began pulling at her t-shirt.

Then he broke the kiss and moved to kissing down her neck, even nipping her a little and gently licking up the blood, then stroked her nipple through the fabric of her t-shirt. She let out a cry of pleasure as she grabbed the curly hair at the base of his neck.

But before they could go any further, they heard a discreet cough and froze. They jumped and quickly separated, finding themselves face to face with a pretty brunette wearing a t-shirt and pair of sweatpants that were obviously too big for her. It was impressive the pants weren't around her ankles. It took a little bit of time, but they finally realized they were looking at Diana Dove Johnson. Their daughter was all grown up!

"Sorry," she apologized almost immediately, doing her best to look away, but they could still see a twinkle in her eyes. "I didn't know you were busy." She tried not to laugh. "Not that I'm mad or shocked or traumatized. It was about damn time, you two."

Julian and Ellie stared motionless as they looked at their daughter in surprised just as she did with them.

"Yes, well…" Diana cleared her throat, speaking at last. "I hope you don't mind that I borrowed a hoodie and sweatpants from you, Daddy. After I grew up and came out of my cocoon, I was naked." She laughed uncomfortably.

"Wait, cocoon?" Julian shook his head. "What? What about a cocoon?"

"Oh, it's normal," Ellie did her best to reassure him. "Frequently, babies with demon genes will grow up in cocoons and then come out as adults."

"Sure," Julian nodded, running a shaking hand through his hair. "Right, exactly." He faced Diana. "Sure, sweetie. You can borrow whatever you need from me."

"Thanks," Diana nodded. "I'll go then because I know you're busy and I didn't mean to interrupt, and…"

"Oh, sweetie, of course we're happy to see you!" Ellie did the best to try and reassure her daughter, kissing her on both cheeks. "You're so beautiful. You're so perfect." Her voice was full of emotion.

"Yeah," Julian agreed, choking up as tears filled his eyes.

"Please don't think you're making your father sad," Ellie said since her daughter seemed distraught. "He's just…he's just emotional because he's not used to…"

"I'm still getting used to being part of the supernatural world," Julian finished for her. "It's a lot to get used to because you were a toddler not two hours ago and now…"

Diana pulled away from her mother, giving her a smile before going to reach her father. "And now?" She asked, worried. "Now it's bad?"

"And now," he smiled, running his fingers through her hair. "Now you're standing in front of me all grown up and the most beautiful daughter I could ever ask for."

"Oh, Daddy!" Diana cried out and jumped into his arms.

Julian hugged her back, caressing her hair and kissing her forehead.

Ellie turned around so they wouldn't see the tears she was wiping from her eyes. She and Lucifer had had many children, but if he'd ever loved them the way that Julian loved Diana Dove, it had been so long ago, she'd forgotten.

"I love you too, Daddy," Diana told him and gave him a kiss.

"Look at you," Julian grinned. "I know you're an adult now, but when you wear my clothes you're like a little girl playing dress up still. I mean, you look good, but…"

"It's okay," Diana told him. "I know what you mean, Daddy. Thank you." She paused and laughed. "But I don't mind wearing them for a day or two more anyway."

"I could get some of my stuff from Astrid's," Ellie volunteered as she looked her daughter over. "We look like we're about the same size." She took the hand her daughter was holding out to her and squeezed it.

"Oh, that's sweet, Mom, but I wouldn't want to be any trouble," Diana shook her head. "I can wear Dad's clothes as long as I need to. There's probably a belt or a rope around here or something that I can use so they don't fall around my ankles."

"Wait," Julian cried out. "I have some money on me. About two hundred dollars. That should be enough for a full outfit, right? Shoes, pants, shirt, jacket?" He took the money out of his wallet and handed it to his daughter, glad he had found a solution that didn't involve his daughter possibly wearing something that had been bought or otherwise paid for by Lucifer Morningstar.

"It's not necessary to give her all your money," Ellie protested. "I have my credit card and I can take her shopping now."

Julian gave her a look. "Eleanor, let me remind you that I'm the one with guardianship over our daughter."

"Hey, I'm her mother," Ellie shot back. "I think I should have a say about how to handle this, especially since it's about supernatural things, and I know more about that stuff than you do!"

Diana just watched her parents bicker, tasting some of the cookie batter. "How about you stop fighting? Weren't you kissing a few minutes ago?"

"We…we…no," Ellie shook her head. "We were just baking cookies for you."

"Oh, is that what you call it?" Diana winked.

"I can drive you to a store or two if you want," Julian offered, to change the subject.

"Thank you, Daddy, but if you don't mind, I'll just go along by myself and see the city." She gave each of her parents a kiss on the cheek and then prepared to leave.

"Alone?" Julian asked worriedly, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Daddy, I'll be fine," she tried to reassure him. "I'm all grown up now and I can take care of myself." She turned away. "I promise to be careful. I love you both."

"We love you too," Ellie called after her as she disappeared.

"Wow, I didn't expect that to happen," Julian remarked.

"I bet you didn't," Ellie nodded slyly as she removed her apron and put it on the counter.

"Where are you going?" He asked. "We still have cookies to make!"

"Well, since I'm not good enough to pay for my daughter's clothes, why should I stick around to make her cookies?" Ellie questioned.

Julian heaved a big sigh. "That's not what I said."

"You don't have to bother showing me out," she returned dismissively. "I know the routine. It's not like this is the first time I've been kicked out of your house. Good day, Julian." She paused and faced him for a moment. "And about that kiss, don't bother telling me it didn't mean anything. I think we're both smart enough to know better." Then she disappeared.

Julian didn't have time to say a word before she disappeared. Instead, he just hit the counter and dumped the cookie dough on the floor. "Damn!"

Diana Dove smiled at herself in the dressing room mirror, then turned around and pushed the curtain aside, heading toward the register of the vintage boutique she'd found on the boulevard.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" The young clerk asked her as he looked her over with appreciation. She was wearing a pair of dark skinny jeans, a fitted gray t-shirt with a low neckline, a perfecto leather jacket, and a pair of red high-heeled pumps.

"Yes, I did," She nodded. "I hope it won't be more than two-hundred dollars though, cause that's all I have from my father, and I don't want to ask for more."

"No, I think you're good," the clerk assured her.

"I hope you don't mind that I'm wearing my purchases," she asked, nervously biting her lip.

"Not at all," the man smiled. "Do you need a bag for the stuff you were wearing when you came in?"

"Yes please," Diana nodded and handed them over. "I borrowed these clothes from my father. That's what happens when you grow up super-fast."

The clerk raised an eyebrow as he handed her the shopping bag.

Damn! Diana made a noise in her throat. She needed to remember that not all humans knew about the supernatural world."

"All right, for the shoes, the leather jacket, the jeans, and the high heels, it's 198.50."

"Well, that's lucky," Diana smiled and handed him the money.

"Buying second hand gets you more for your money," the man said, taking the money and handing her the bag in return.

"Yeah," Diana nodded. "I don't believe in just throwing clothes away when they get too small for you. Why not let someone else enjoy them?"

"Sounds good to me," the clerk agreed with a smile.

"One more thing…do you know where I can get something to eat that only costs 1.50?" She wondered. "I know it's a bit of a tall order and if there's nothing…"

"Oh, there's a fruit and vegetable stand not far from here," he told her. "You could probably get a banana and an apple or something."

"Thank you very much for everything," Diana nodded at him and made her way to the exit of the boutique.

The man shook his head as he watched her go. Damn, she was a beauty who would probably break a lot of hearts.

Diana crossed the street and made her way to the fruit and vegetables market. Then she smiled at the woman who was bagging fruit for customers.

"Can I help you with something, young lady?" She asked. She was a middle-aged, tiny, and redheaded.

"Well, what will 1.50 get me?" She asked with a laugh.

"How about a banana?" The woman asked with a wink.

"Sounds good to me," Diana nodded and took the fruit after giving the woman the money. "Thank you very much!"

Then she continued on her way, peeling and eating the banana as she walked, looking in the various boutique windows. When she got back home, she'd ask her parents if Victoria, Elise, and Froy had grown up yet. She couldn't wait to meet them.

As she took another bite of banana, she was startled by the loud noise coming from a car nearby. She turned her head and glared at an approaching black Lamborghini Diablo. This made her tense and frown.

She knew instinctively who the car belonged to. Leaning against a wall of a boutique, she continued to eat, gripping the banana tight.

Meanwhile, Lucifer Morningstar stepped out of his incredibly showy car, nodding and smiling at a few women who were looking his way, pulling on the sleeves of his black silk shirt that was under a gray Armani blazer. He shut the driver's side door and walked away from the car, chin raised, to get on the sidewalk.

Diana's eyes turned red. She hated him so much! She'd always known, probably even before she was born, just how much trouble he'd caused her father and mother. If she could, she'd plunge a knife into his heart! She set the bag of her father's clothes on the sidewalk, taking one last bite of banana, then gripping the peel tight.

What she was about to do would be more enjoyable than killing him, as proud as he was. She would humiliate him in front of everyone watching his display.

He greeted a few of the women, probably thinking that he was God's gift and he'd have quite a few dates tonight. Then he reached her, just as she threw the banana peel on the sidewalk just in time for him to step on it.

She smirked as he struggled to maintain his balance, arms waving wildly in the air as his ass landed on the ground and he looked up at her in shock.

"Well, damn," Diana shook her head and chewed her last bit of banana. "You should watch where you're going." She stood over him as he struggled to get up. "Lots of garbage on the ground these days."

Lucifer managed to get to his knees, looking up at the person mocking him, eyes widening for just a moment as he took her in: a tall, beautiful brunette in red high-heeled pumps, a pair of skinny jeans, a gray t-shirt with a deep neckline that held her perky breasts in place, and a leather perfecto jacket, the final touch of this horrible ensemble. Her clothes weren't designer, naturally, but her attitude was Class Bitch, and even before their eyes met, he realized why she was so familiar: He'd stared at her infuriatingly beautiful face every day for years.

But that was when it had been her mother's face. This could be none other than Eleanor's brat, Diana Dove Johnson!

Resolving not to let her see him like this anymore, Lucifer gritted his teeth, getting to a sitting position on the pavement and then standing up, looking around at all the people who had stopped to watch him fall.

"I'm all right," he told them, then winced as a few people took pictures. Normally he wouldn't mind being photographed, but this…not like this. He looked away and wiped the dust from his pants and blazer as they all headed off to other things.

"Did you expect me to help you up?" Diana hissed, still some distance away. "Did you expect me to care about your sorry ass?" She wiped away the rest of the banana, making a disgusted face as she looked him over.

He tensed, losing his composure for a few seconds, then taking a breath and raising his chin. Just who did she think she was, humiliating him like this? Because it had to be her fault. No one else had any motivation to make him look like a fool. "Well, well, well…don't think I don't know who you are, Diana Dove Johnson. The daughter of a peasant and a whore." He grinned, pleased by the insult.

"Well, maybe," she shrugged, unaffected. "But at least I'm not, in any way, shape, or form, related to someone who may look put together but is really just a needy, whiny old man with a stick up his fucking ass!"

Lucifer shook his head and bit his bottom lip. "Better to be dressed tasteful and classy than…" he looked her over. "Then like a prostitute who's waiting for her next customer."

"Don't you wish?" Diana spat. "What words from a man who looks like a pimp! Are you always dressed this tacky?" She got closer, resting her right hand on the base of his neck, leaning forward so that she could whisper right against his ear, although his cologne made her sick. "I would prefer to have demons set me on fire in hell than spend another second looking at you, smelling your cheap cologne, or hearing another word out of your stupid mouth."

Then she pulled away and smiled blissfully as she bent down to pick up her bag.

Meanwhile, Lucifer's heart was pounding, and he was breathing hard. He hadn't been prepared to feel like this because of her. He took a deep breath and undid a button on his shirt to get his thoughts together.

"I heard the circus is coming to town next week," she said. "If you want to contribute something to the world, you could probably give them your resume and get hired as a clown pretty easily." Then she gave him a wink and walked away, swinging her hips. "Stay the fuck away from me, Lucifer Morningstar."

He laughed sarcastically, his dark eyes shining. "Oh, don't you play this game with me, little girl. You'll lose. Oh, and when you get home, don't forget to tell your parents I said 'hello'."

He thought that would throw her off as she froze, her back to him as she gave him the finger in response to his request. "You can say what you want, but I've already won. Better luck next time."

Then she continued walking, giving him neither another glance nor another word.