Chapter 9
Lucifer had been so preoccupied with Alastor he didn’t even notice Charlie and Lilith had taken the empty seats next to him them until Lilith spoke. “Terribly sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Oh not all. We were just having a lovely conversation about initial meetings and first impressions,” Alastor quipped.
This somehow irked Lucifer a bit. “Yes, Dear Al, here,” hey if everyone else could use that dear whoever bit, so could he, “was just recounting his first impression of me on the day we met. I had no idea I’d left such an impact. It would see he believes in first impressions. As for me, my good opinion once lost is lost forever.”
Alastor interjected, “Sadly, that is a failing, indeed. Especially coming from one whose daughter runs a hotel that’s all about redemption and second chances. I’m afraid even I can’t laugh at that.”
Upon realizing his mistake, Lucifer tried to retract, “now, hold on, I didn’t say a person couldn’t change.”
“No, just your opinion of them, I suppose. It seems it is your mind that cannot be changed.”
“Hey! I didn’t mean it that way! I just mean that some people, like myself, can lose their good opinion of someone upon further acquaintance. Once someone does something worthy tainting other people’s opinion of them, their reputation is tarnished.”
“Yes, and once again, that’s quite a failing. You see, some of us, like Charlie and even myself, believe that one’s reputation can be rebuilt.”
Before Alastor could get Lucifer any more flustered Lilith stepped in, “well it seems we have interrupted quite the philosophical debate. Though, I’m not really surprised given that the both of you have your own strong views and even stronger resolves.” Lilith couldn’t actually be sure exactly what Alastor’s views were, but she was certain he at least had his own sort of moral code and standards. Regardless, right now it just seemed like she should redirect them both. The air between them in this conversation felt different than their encounters she had witnessed so far. Honestly, leave them alone with each other for just a few minutes and, what, they hurt each other’s feelings? How petty.
“Anyway,” Lilith changed the subject, “I just wanted to inform you both that although I have returned to hell, I have no intention of interrupting the status quo, either in the hotel or in hell in general. Nor do I intend to make any sort of fuss among the sinners, if I can help it. In fact, I’d really like it if we could keep my arrival a private matter for as long as possible. It isn’t a secret and I know word will get around, especially with the hotel residents that saw me during our tour, but I rather it not become a big deal. That means no royal announcements and no radio broadcasts. Also, I will be staying at our family home so as not to be a bother or a distraction to Charlie’s redemption project.” Lilith turned to Charlie and continued. “If you need me I am just a phone call away. I promise to answer this time.”
Lucifer considered her words for a moment. Staying at the family home, away from him, and if Charlie needs her she’s just a phone call away. Not if he or Charlie needs her, just Charlie it would seem. Not that he hadn’t already predicted this. Lucifer expected they would likely just go right back to how they were living before she disappeared eight years ago, separately. So nothing has changed. Things between them were still as they ever were. Some days he wasn’t even sure they were still married…or if they’d ever been really. He sighed. Lilith clocked it. Of course she did.
“What’s on your mind, Lu?”
Well, at least we’re back to calling him ‘Lu’ again. That was a good sign he hoped. He looked back and forth between Lilith, Charlie, and Alastor. She can’t really expect to have this conversation here in front of them, can she? Sure, if it’s the conversation he suspects their about to have, it’s long overdue. However, she can’t insist on having it now, with both Charlie and Alastor present, right?
Lilith guessed Lucifer’s thoughts by the way he kept looking between Charlie and Alastor then back to her almost pleadingly. “I’ve already explained everything to Charlie. Our daughter has grown into quite the strong and understanding young lady. I think you already know that. Now, come on, out with it.”
Of course she did. Another sigh, “Lilly, I don’t think this is the time or place for a family conversation.” He glanced at Alastor again.
Lilith rolled her eyes. Alastor simply gave a polite, yet overly theatrical salutation as he stood from his bar stool. “It would seem that’s my que to exit the stage. This has been a marvellous performance, but I think I’ll take my extra-bloody Mary to go.” With that he melted away into his shadows.
Lucifer thought, oh a bloody Mary, so that’s what that really red cocktail was. Wait, that wasn’t made with REAL blood, was it? Oh, never mind. Who cares about that stupid cannibal and his weird tastes? Lucifer turned his attention back to his family. “I suppose we have avoided this conversation long enough. I really have changed, though, Lilly.”
She could tell he was looking at her with that last lingering ember of hope, much like Charlie had. “I know you have, Lu. I’ve seen it for myself just in these few short hours I’ve been back. That’s just it. You have finally begun to heal and move on. You changed so much in the short time you have been here at Charlie’s hotel than in all the millennia we have been together.”
“Now, hold on, you don’t mean this hotel is somehow working on ME, do you? Because I don’t think I can be redeemed, not that I’d want to anyway, but I am, ya know, THE DEVIL.”
Lilith laughed, “no, silly, and you don’t NEED to be redeemed. I have always said I don’t believe you have anything to be redeemed for. Heaven was in the wrong, not you. Of course, you know how I feel about all that. What I mean is, something or someone here has been very good for you. I suspect someone has caught your interest enough to motivate you out of your own head and keep you, dare I say, entertained.”
Charlie giggled at that. She knew exactly what her mom meant.
It took Lucifer a moment to process. Oh! Oh, no! She can’t mean…oh, hell, of course she does! Is THAT what all this Dear Alastor stuff was about? Is she nuts? Did she suffer some sort of head injury while she was a captive in heaven? Did she not see how volatile their interactions with one another were? “Lilly, you know I love you, and I always will, but have you lost your mind? You can’t possibly be insinuating that there’s something going on between me and ALASTOR of all people! Eww! No! Nope! Just…no. And anyway, I have always been faithful to you and our marriage, even during our periods of separation and your…explorations of yourself.” Lucifer didn’t want to say too much in front of Charlie, assuming she could even hear him still through all her giggling at his expense.
“Oh, hush. I didn’t mean that you had somehow betrayed me, you goofball. I just meant that you have found someone who pokes at you enough to peak your interest and keep you engaged. It’s a start, at least.”
Well, she was right about the poking part, only it was that Alastor always seemed to poke at his very last nerve. “Look, Little Red Riding Radio Demon aside, this conversation is supposed to be about us. I understand that I can’t change the past. I also understand that there are some things on which we will never agree. Sill, we love each other, don’t we?”
Like father like daughter, Lilith thought fondly. “When you love someone…,” she prompted.
Lucifer sighed again and added, “you let them go.”
“I want what’s best for you, Lu, and it is clearly not me. I want you to be free and happy.”
“I want the same for you, Lilly.” Lucifer looked at Charlie who had stopped her giggling and was listening to her parents intently. “Charlie, you haven’t said anything. Are you…I mean…how do you feel about, ya know, all of this? About your mom and me?” Lucifer was shaking. He wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. Maybe he was expecting Charlie to blame him? Or maybe for her to kick him out and never want to see him again for being a failure as a father and a husband? He was not expecting her to smile at him like that.
“Dad, I’ve kind of known for a while that you and mom weren’t really together. I mean, you were still, I guess, kind of officially together, but you haven’t been, WE, haven’t been, like, TOGETHER together for a really long time. Since I was too small to even remember. You guys just stayed married for my sake, right, and because neither of you wanted to hurt the other. I understand, though, that sometimes people can end up hurting each other more by forcing themselves to stay together. I mean, I know you both love each other, and me, but that’s exactly why I think you need to let each other go. I want you BOTH to be happy, even if that means you aren’t together anymore.”
By this point Lucifer was already crying. Pride be damned, his daughter loved him and wasn’t mad at him and wanted him to be happy. He was so lucky! Super lucky, even! The luckiest dad in hell! He had such a kind, understanding, smart, caring, amazing daughter! The best daughter in hell! Not just in hell, in all the realms! Ever! There has never been a better daughter anywhere!
Charlie was already reaching for him before he could pull her into a tearful hug. The two of the ended up in the cutest embrace of snot and tears Lilith had ever seen. She reached for them too. All three Morningstars hugged and cried for who knows how longs until Husk came to resume his usual place behind the bar.
“I don’t know what this is, but count me out. Sorry, Princess, but have enough of sappy group therapy sessions for one day.”
Charlie sniffled, “oh, right, sorry, Husk, we’re just, uh, having a family moment.” With that she turned back to her father and looked at him. With a reassuring smile she too his hand and held it for a moment while starring into his eyes. She just looked at him and waited.
Lucifer let out one final sigh and nodded. With that, Charlie slipped his wedding ring off his figure and held it out to him. He looked at it for a moment, then shook his head. “You keep it, Sweety. Hold on to it in case one day, you know, you might want to put that ring on another angel’s figure.”
Charlie flushed and her giggles returned. Lilith took her now ex-husband’s hand and said, “my dearest Lucifer, with all my heart I set you free. I will always love you. You are my first and best friend and will forever be. Please allow yourself to be happy. Give yourself a chance. Because Charlie and I are happiest when you are happy.”
Just like that, all three were back to hugging and crying again. Husk, for all his words, had to turn away to hide the tears threatening his own eyes. He never expected to see such love in hell of all places.
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