Hey readers! I don't really have an author's note for this story, just that I had fun coming up with the concept, and I hope you enjoy it. :)
Just a heads up—because I say this all the time—I am dyslexic, so I apologize for any spelling errors I might have missed. I try my best!
There has always been "bad timing" or being "in the wrong place at the wrong time." They had not planned for this to happen on a certain… "bad day," to put it lightly. But their little one had their own plans.
The King of Hell narrowed his red irises outside his palace window, watching black-winged creatures flying over his kingdom as screams echoed out. Using all of his strength and power, he formed a barrier to ensure their palace was safe from the chaos outside. With a flick of his wrist, all the currents closed.
The pink flames from the fireplace lit up the lavish Victorian bedroom that he and his queen shared. Large red curtains draped over the bed as multiple hellborns ran back and forth, carrying towels and hot water.
He turned back to the bed where his queen restlessly panted and grunted in pain, her nude body slick with sweat and wrapped in sheets, surrounded by pillows. She squeezed her eyes tight, feeling the contractions. Her husband quickly rejoined her side.
"Lilith…" Lucifer gently grasped her hand, concern in his eyes.
She took deep breaths, slowly looking up at him with a smile. "They certainly have excellent timing…" she said, trying to lighten the already stressful situation. It brought a smile to his face as he leaned down to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead.
It had been only a few hours since her water broke, right when the giant golden clock tower rang its menacing bell. They were extremely lucky to have gotten doctors from the Sloth Ring just in time, thanks to the other Seven Deadly Sins. They had wanted to stay (well, half of them at least), but they had to guard their own Rings during the night.
Hours felt dragged out, and the stress kept building. Lucifer wondered if circumstances would have been different on any other day than today. The darkness and despair began dwelling on negative thoughts in his mind; this was supposed to be a very exciting day, yet blood was being spilled more than ever just outside. His precious little one had to be born on this "hellish" day.
Lilith took notice of her husband's demeanor. Pulling her hand back, she cupped his cheek, redirecting his thoughts. "It will be okay… They will be okay…"
Lucifer leaned into her touch, taking a calm breath of relief. "You're right," he said, kissing her palm.
"Of course I am." She joked again, before suddenly jolting in pain, causing her to lean forward. "AAAaaahhh…!"
"The dilation stage has started, your highness!" one of the hellborn doctors exclaimed. Like clockwork, everyone was ready.
Lucifer took a second to step back as the demons positioned her, before quickly returning to her side and holding her tight hand. Lilith's grip tightened to the point where her claws were digging into his skin. He was definitely going to have bruises later, but it would be worth it.
The queen's breathing became shorter and more sporadic, her other hand using a pillow as a stress ball. The hellborn doctor lifted the blanket to check. "You're doing great, your highness! You're crowning…"
Lilith couldn't hold it in anymore and screamed bloody murder, causing the palace to gently shake like a small earthquake. Lucifer squeezed his wife's hand back, cradling her head close to him and muttering sweet nothings to her.
"Think about the names… what we decided on," he hushed.
"I can see the head! Keep pushing!" The doctor's hands were out and ready.
"AAAAAUUGHHHH!" The queen's eyes glowed silver, almost seeing stars. Her back arched upward as her toes curled.
"Just one more, Lili!"
"AAAAAUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHH!"
As suddenly as her pain had begun, it ended, and the wailing of the newborn pierced everyone's ears. Lilith panted on the verge of collapse. "A-Are they…?"
"It's a girl, your highness!" The hellborns smiled, cleaning the baby up and quickly swaddling her.
The king and queen gasped. "A-A girl…" They looked at each other in shock. The doctor came over to the queen's side and held out the swaddled baby. Her arms trembled, needing Lucifer's help to take their daughter. They both leaned in.
She was small—very small. Little blonde hairs speckled the top of her head, and her skin was a pale white, reddened from the cool touch of the air. She had little rosy cheeks and a tiny nose like her mother's.
"She's beautiful…" Lilith smiled, tears forming in her eyes.
"She's perfect." Lucifer was already crying, grazing a soft finger along her chubby cheek.
The little princess slowly calmed down, feeling the presence of both her parents. She struggled to open her eyes, which were hidden behind long lashes, blinking those sharp eyes shaped like her mother's—two yellow whites with silver irises glowing up at them.
Lucifer gently chuckled. "Oh wow, she's exactly like you, Lili. What a little cutie pie she is," he said, trying to rub his face dry.
They couldn't take their eyes off her. After so many years of talking and wanting, their family was now complete.
"She really is, our beautiful Katherine Morningstar." Lilith kissed her new daughter on the head.
But sadly, the happiest moment in their lives didn't drown out what was happening just outside. They could hear a guitar blasting through the sky and obnoxious laughter. The King of Hell glared with glowing eyes at the covered windows, almost tempted to go out and shut that bastard up. But he couldn't; they had made a deal, and he couldn't break it.
"Those fucking assholes…" Lucifer felt the gentle grasp of his wife, which intently calmed his rage. He looked back down at her and their wide-eyed baby.
"Ignore them, Luci. Right now, in this moment, everything is perfect." She cradled their daughter closer.
Lucifer watched his little princess rub the side of her face against her mother, cooing ever so slightly. His eyes stopped glowing, and his usual kind smile returned. "You're right…" He wrapped his arms around the two most important things to him. "Everything… is perfect."
"~Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Katherine...! Happy birthday to yoooou!~"
The young princess giggled, looking up at her parents, who were clapping with the biggest smiles. To every child, their birthday was the best day of the year. The great hall of the palace was decorated with gold streamers and red balloons. A hill of already opened presents from all the Sins piled by the lit fireplace. And it wouldn't be a royal birthday without the birthday girl dressed in her favorite black poofy princess dress and little gold crown.
"Happy birthday, apple pie!" Lucifer bent down and blew a raspberry on her round cheek.
"Daddy!" Katherine laughed, hugging him around his neck.
"Blow out your candles, sweetie," Lilith smiled, lifting the giant birthday apple pie that had a lattice trim, with three lit candles.
Katherine bounced on her toes, standing on her chair to reach the table. Watching the fire flicker, she placed her hands on the table and slowly leaned forward, taking a deep breath—
BANG!
The little princess gasped at the startled sound, almost jumping off the chair. The three royals turned to the closed windows; something was outside. Her parents narrowed their eyes at the curtain. Every birthday, they made sure every window was closed and covered so their precious daughter couldn't see what was happening outside.
Lilith picked up Katherine and set her on the floor, stepping in front of her vision, with an arm out to shield her. Lucifer marched over, eyes glowing red with fire slowly forming in his fists. Katherine tried to peek past her mother, watching her father quickly look behind the red drapes. He flicked his wrist, and whatever was there burned to ash.
Lucifer sighed before walking back with a smile on his face.
"Everything is alright, my little apple. Nothing will get inside," he reassured her, rubbing her hair down.
Though Katherine didn't really believe them. She may have only turned three, but she knew when her parents were 'upset.' Taking another glance at the curtain, she looked back up at them.
She was hesitant to ask at first, gripping her skirt and rubbing her dressed shoes together. Finally, she asked, "W-Why can't I go outside today?"
The King and Queen exchanged glances; they knew she would ask this question someday, but they didn't expect her to ask so soon. They were silent for a moment before Lilith nodded her head. Lucifer sighed; it was time she knew the truth.
Dropping down to his knees to be at eye level, he took both her little hands in his. "Katherine, sweetie," he began, taking a deep breath. "You remember the story of where I originally came from and how I met your mom?"
She nodded. "From Heaven."
"Yes, and the reason we were cast out into the pit of Hell?"
It pained Lucifer whenever his daughter frowned. "Because… they didn't like what you were doing?"
'That's one way to put it lightly.' Lucifer nodded in his head; it made sense for a three-year-old. "Well, a very long time ago, Heaven felt like we were causing trouble with how many sinners were arriving from Earth." He took a quick glance at Lilith, who was holding herself, looking down in dismay. "So, I made a deal with Heaven that every year they would send an army down to… attack sinners. To reduce the population."
Katherine absorbed it all, her little silver eyes widening slightly as her father finished. "And the day they come… is sadly on your birthday."
"That's the reason we don't want you going outside," Lilith finally spoke, kneeling down to join them, cupping her daughter's cheek.
"For my safety?"
They nodded. "Yes," but only for a moment. Once the sad story was over, the king and queen's smiles returned. "But hey, it only lasts for a few hours! And we always have fun inside, so don't worry about that!" Lucifer lifted his daughter up in his arms, spinning around, which made her giggle.
"And we both have something very special for you." He carried his daughter over to the last giant present that was patiently waiting to be opened. Setting her back down, Katherine eyed the box; it was as big as her, wrapped in red wrapping paper with little apples and a big bow on top. Oddly, it had holes in it. When she placed her hand on it, something moved inside. Her eyes lit up with excitement as her father took off the top and the box fell open. "For you, our precious apple."
It was on four legs and had a bulky body covered in fluff. Blue and striped like ocean waves, with a white underbelly, a long caudal fin-tail, and a stubby dorsal fin. Round solid black eyes and a wide mouth with hundreds of sharp teeth scratched at the pretty pink bow wrapped around its neck.
Katherine gasped with sparkling eyes; it was a furry shark-dog! The demon shark tilted its head at the little princess, stepping out of the box. She couldn't contain her joy, wrapping her arms around its snout and rubbing her face in the fur.
"She's so cute!" Katherine squealed. The shark-dog waved its tail fin happily and licked her face.
Lucifer and Lilith smiled. "Her name is Ariel. We hope you love her, apple pie."
"I do, Daddy! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She smiled, not wanting to let go.
"And we have one more gift for you." Lilith pulled something from behind her back, handing her daughter a tissue-paper present. Lucifer raised his brow at his wife; didn't she already get all of her presents? Lilith placed a single finger on her smirking lips and gave him a wink. Katherine quickly shredded the paper, blinking at her last gift: a little black t-shirt with red font. "Hold it up, sweetie. What does it say?"
Katherine stood up, holding the shirt to show the lettering to her parents. Lucifer glossed over it, while Lilith withheld a chuckle.
"Big Sister." Lucifer muttered, looking down at his three-year-old, who was also curious. "Big sister? Lili, why does she—" Katherine caught on faster than her father.
"Mommy!" She ran over and hugged her mother's long legs. Lilith smiled and bent down to give her a proper hug.
Lucifer scratched under his hat. Seeing that her husband was having trouble, Lilith flat-out said, "I'm pregnant again, Luci."
Finally, the lightbulb went on in the king's brain. "Pre—... Wait, what?" He blinked a few times, which made Katherine giggle. "Really?! Again?!" Joy immediately overtook him as he wrapped his arms around his wife. "Oh my Satan—Lili! Another one?!"
Lilith only chuckled as they all shared a big family hug, with their new pet joining in. "You're going to be a big sister, Katherine."
Her cheeks flushed with happiness. She gently placed her two hands on her mother's belly, already so excited to meet the new baby.
After a long day of games, presents, and pie, it was time for bed for the young princess. Lilith helped her get into her pajamas while her father waited by her bedside. Ariel had already made herself comfortable on the mattress, snuggled up next to Katherine.
Both her parents tucked her in, ensuring she was warm and cozy. Every night, her father would play his violin while her mother sang her a lullaby to help her drift off to sleep.
Magically summoning his golden instrument, Lucifer carefully strummed the strings with the bow. The soft, melodic notes filled the room, creating a soothing atmosphere. Lilith began her lullaby, her voice a gentle caress that wrapped around Katherine like a warm blanket.
~I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said don't leave me here alone
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight~
The King and Queen of Hell smiled down at their little princess, who returned their gaze with a bright smile. Ariel, her shark-dog, rested her head on Katherine's stomach, snuggling close. Lilith gently combed her fingers through Katherine's blonde hair, marveling at how much they truly looked alike.
"~Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound~"
These moments felt incredibly special to Katherine, especially now that she knew the truth about their world. She couldn't help but glance at her window, where the red curtains blocked the view of her bedroom balcony. Faint cries echoed outside, and her smile slowly faded. But Lilith was quick to caress her cheek, guiding her gaze back to their warm, loving faces.
"~Don't you dare look out your window, darling, everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on~"
Lucifer joined in on the duet, "~Hold onto this lullaby even when the music's gone, gone
Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound~"
They both hummed the melody softly, and Katherine's eyes grew heavier with each note. She yawned and grasped the edge of the blanket, pulling it closer to her chin.
"~Just close your eyes
You'll be alright
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound~"
Lilith and Lucifer shared a gentle smile as they noticed their little princess had finally drifted off to sleep. With tender care, they planted soft kisses on her forehead, then tiptoed out of the room, shutting off the light and quietly closing the door behind them.
In the silence of the hall, they exchanged worried glances, knowing that the night outside still raged on, but grateful for the peace they had created within their home.
However, Katherine was a stressless sleeper, peeking one silver eye opened, taking a glance at her door, she didn't hear anything. Turning to Ariel, who was eagerly wagging her tail, ready to play.
With a giggle, Katherine tackled Ariel's soft belly, showering her with affection. "Who's a good girl? You wanna play, Ariel?" she asked, her excitement bubbling over. Crawling to the edge of her bed, she leaned down to grab the chew toy resting on the floor.
Ariel's playful growl filled the air as Katherine threw the toy into the air. The shark-dog leaped, catching it mid-flight. They engaged in a spirited game of tug-of-war, the mattress bouncing with each playful tug. Katherine's laughter filled the room until, in a moment of struggle, she managed to rip the toy free, only to watch it fly across the room and land near the balcony window.
"Oh no!" she exclaimed, hopping off the bed and rushing over. But as she approached the window, a strange, heavy feeling settled over the room, like a dark cloud casting a shadow over her heart. Leaning down to retrieve the toy, Katherine's gaze was drawn outside, where she saw a dark figure standing on her balcony.
Her eyes widened as she recognized the shape of large wings extending from its back; just like her father's. In its hand, it clutched something that glinted ominously in the dim light.
Ariel, sensing danger, rushed to her side, the fur along her spine bristling as she let out a low growl, exposing her sharp teeth. Katherine's heart raced. Was this creature one of those exorcists her parents had warned her about? Trembling, she fought against the instinct to hide.
She needed to see it for herself—the monsters that came to her kingdom each year on her birthday. With a shaky hand, she grasped the curtain tightly and pulled it wide open.
What she saw sent a chill down her spine. The figure was tall, cloaked in black with red stains marring its attire. Its face was twisted into a haunting smile, and a pair of enormous wings spread wide behind it. A halo, dark and foreboding, hovered above its head. In its other hand, it held a spear that dripped with blood.
Katherine held her breath, rooted in place. The creature's eyes locked onto hers, its crooked smile unwavering as it examined her.
"Please, no…" she whispered, frozen in fear.
Suddenly, Ariel barked furiously, charging at the window. The angelic figure stepped back, startled. It cast one last look at Katherine, a mix of curiosity and menace, before extending its wings and taking flight, vanishing into the night sky.
Katherine's heart thundered in her chest, and her legs finally gave way beneath her. Now that the curtains were open, she could see the chaos outside. The screams and clashes rang through the air, a horrific backdrop to her birthday celebrations. Was this the reality every year on her special day?
Tears welled in her eyes as the weight of the moment crashed down on her. Ariel, sensing her distress, pressed against her, offering comfort. Katherine buried her face in her new friend's fur, squeezing her tightly as she shut her eyes against the awful sights and sounds.
But then, through the cacophony, the distant sound of a bell rang out, echoing through the darkened skies. It was a chilling reminder of the war outside, of the chaos that always threatened their home.
