Winterfest with the Morningstars

It was no secret that the holidays were Lilith’s favorite time of year.

It was the one time of year that felt like there was some sort of unity among the residents of Hell outside of any of her musical events. She had taken the time over the many centuries of humans finding their way to the Underworld to study the various traditions that had been created, both religious or not, in an effort to understand why it had become such a big deal for those that celebrated them. Over time, some of those traditions had slowly integrated themselves into the Morningstar household, changing over time until they became something unique and special to her family that allowed them to celebrate in their own way. As well, the Hellborn created their own holiday based off of the popularity of Christmas once it had been established as something many of the Sinners celebrated.

It fascinated Lilith to watch as these traditions evolved over time and have become something special to those who maintain them, even in their death. As much as it fascinated her, it also became one of the greatest things she always looked forward to every year. It didn’t matter how busy she got, she always found time to celebrate with her husband and daughter. It became one of the biggest things she missed when she left, spending seven long years in Heaven regretting everything that had gone wrong in her family and placing the blame on herself for why things ended up the way they did. Now, of course, she could look back on it with a clearer mind and see that the fault was between both her and Lucifer equally, and that upon her return, there were still issues that needed to be properly talked about.

Now was not the time for that though.

No, now was the time for enjoying being in the company of her husband and daughter once more as they spent a week celebrating the greatest time of the year. If it were up to her, Lilith would insist on Charlie spending more time at the Manor, but she understood that she had finally followed through on her dreams and had Sinners relying on her. So Lilith would take the chance while she was home to try and rebuild some of the relationships that had been broken in her absence while also forming a new one with her girlfriend.

While the week had been initially left up for Charlie to plan, Lilith had insisted on being in charge of dinner for the fourth evening they were together. It was, after all, the Winter Solstice. Alongside it being the shortest day on Earth for humans, it came with a plethora of holiday activities. She had particularly fallen in love with the tradition of eating dinner by candlelight and taking moments to appreciate the world around her. Hell was her home, and she wouldn’t ever deny the beauty it could hold, but this time of year always made her think back to Eden and the splendor of the Garden she had been created in. It was bittersweet, in a way, to celebrate the land that had rebuked her, but part of her had never truly let go.

It was as she was settling down to create orange pomanders to place in bowls around the manor when her daughter found her again. Charlie was wearing a new holiday sweater that she hadn’t seen before, though much of the Princess’ wardrobe had changed in her absence. Her hair was also in a loose ponytail instead of its usual braid, and there was a relaxed feeling about her demeanor. Lilith smiled lightly as she sat down across from her at the table, grabbing one of the small oranges and an extra knife.

“Oh, I haven’t made one of these in ages!” Charlie grinned, immediately getting to work on carving what would no doubt be an intricate design on the outermost layer of the fruit. Once decorated, cloves would be stuck into it and the finished product would be placed around the various rooms to create a pleasant aroma.

“It was always one of your favorite things to do with me.” Lilith reminisced, smiling at the memory. “I remember when you were smaller, you would climb up into my lap and I would guide your hand with the peeler in order to teach you how to make them. Your favorite part was always stabbing the cloves into them at the end, though.”

Her daughter let out a soft chuckle, clearly remembering that particular memory as well. “I think I remember just eating more of the oranges than actually helping, though.”

“Oh, that is definitely true as well. You would help me with one or two before you just grabbed an undecorated one and ran off to find your father. It wasn’t until you were a little older did you appreciate the time we spent together doing this.” Her violet eyes grew slightly misty as she talked with her daughter over old memories, but she willed herself not to cry.

“You gave me a better appreciation for the traditions we formed as a family.” Charlie murmured as she focused on the orange in her hand. “I didn’t realize how much I missed this until I came home for the week and we started celebrating as a family again.”

Lilith swallowed thickly. The knife in her hand slipped a bit and nicked her finger, but she was quick to heal herself to not allow any of the blood to dirty the fruit. The guilt she had buried so far inside of her in an attempt to make it through the week simmered in her gut, wanting to force its way back up in the form of endless apologies and excuses for things that were not proper explanations. Though before that could happen, Charlie looked back up to her, giving her the sweetest smile that seemed to act as a balm to the fire that threatened to consume her. It was as if she was hearing her internal thoughts.

“We’re here together again, that’s all that matters for right now.”

The Queen forced a smile onto her face as she smiled and nodded. “Right…you’re right.”

“Besides, Vaggie has been really enjoying herself this week. If I’m being honest, I’m happier knowing that she’s getting the chance to properly get to know you and Dad without the Hotel being in mortal danger or our residents constantly begging for our attention.” Her daughter breathed out a sort of laugh as she shook her head.

“Speaking of your lovely girlfriend, where is she at right now? I figured you two would be attached at the hip for the entirety of the week.”

“Dad dragged her away, wanting some time to bond with his future daughter-in-law. I think they went out flying for a bit.” That brought a fond smile to Charlie’s lips. “Vaggie is her own person. We don’t always need to be together at all times. This week was just as much of a chance to let her get away from the hotel as it was for me to bring her to meet you two.”

Lilith raised her brow towards her daughter. “Future daughter-in-law?”

That was clearly not something Charlie wanted to share immediately as she clammed up and focused intently on her orange. When Lilith continued to stare at her, she sighed and looked back up, her eyes pleading. “Please don’t say anything to Dad. I was trying to ask her a couple days ago back at the Festival, but Ozzy got in the way and you know how he and Bee are once they get their hands on you, and-”

“Charlie, my love, it’s not my secret to share.” Lilith laughed softly as her daughter’s expression relaxed a bit. “You certainly are Lucifer’s daughter when it comes to panicking.”

When she realized her secret was still safe, Charlie let out a soft sigh. She reached over to pull the bowl of cloves closer to her so she could start pressing them into the skin of the orange. “I…I trust you, Mom. It’s just that…I’ve been planning this for months now, and I knew this would be the best chance I got. Now I’m struggling to figure out what to do since the Festival is over and we’ve only got a few days left on our vacation away from the hotel.”

“I’m sure that no matter what you do, she’s going to love it and say yes regardless, Charlotte.” Lilith hummed softly in response. “I’ve barely met this girl, only having had a few hours with her yesterday to get the chance to know her at all, but all she talked about was her devotion to you and the other residents at the Hotel. Mostly you, though.”

Charlie managed a small smile at her words before it quickly fell again. Lilith was beginning to wonder if she was doing or saying something wrong, but just like before, her daughter managed to pick up on her feelings.

“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate your words, I really do. I don’t know why I’m overthinking it. She deserves the world, you know? I want to give her that and more, so if this isn’t perfect, I feel like we’re not off to a great start at this whole “marriage” thing.”

“And that’s how I can tell you’re definitely my daughter as well.” Lilith smiled warmly. She sat the craft in her hands to the side for the moment, and reached over to encourage Charlie to do the same so she could take her hands in her own. For a moment, she wasn’t the Queen that had abandoned her Kingdom and family and Charlie wasn’t the woman that had a whole lot of responsibility shoved onto her shoulders as a result. They were just mother and daughter, like they had always been, and always will be. She squeezed her hands reassuringly. “You’re a perfectionist, like I am.”

“I don't need the reminder, thanks.” Charlie huffed playfully, but the mirth in her eyes said enough that she wasn't upset about it.

“Oh I know, believe me. That’s not the point of this, though.” She chuckled. “The point I’m trying to get across is that there is no point in being perfect in your relationship. Things aren’t going to go the way you want them to, and that’s fine.”

“Yours and Dad's relationship was perfect. I looked up to you both, wanting the same thing for myself. At least until…” Her daughter frowned. If Lilith hadn't been holding her hands, she was sure she would be folding in on herself. The sentence trailed off, the rest of the sentiment unspoken, but they both knew what she was referring to. She tried not to dwell on it as her daughter’s feelings were more important at that moment.

“It just seemed that way, my love. We had a lot of problems that you never saw. After we fell…well, we really had to work hard to get a sense of normalcy between us again. There were a lot of fights and arguments as we struggled to establish some sort of control in Hell. The love was still there, but it was far from perfect. That strain continued to follow us, even once we had become Queen and King. It wasn’t until you were born that things finally seemed to settle between us.”

Charlie listened with wide eyes, eager to take in any information that she had never gotten before about her parent’s lives. “What changed?”

“Having you reminded us why we were in Hell in the first place. Our love for each other. That then extended to you. You were the best parts of both of us combined. You didn’t care about who we were or what we did. Seeing that in you allowed us to finally move past our imperfections and finally recognize that we don’t need to worry because it didn’t matter. Not to you.”

Lilith chuckled softly as she reached out to wipe away a stray tear from her daughter’s face. Based on her reaction, she hadn’t even realized she had started crying. “S-Sorry, I’m not actually sad, I promise.”

“I know you’re not, my little songbird.” She murmured. “That’s one of my favorite things about you.”

Charlie smiled softly as she leaned into the familiar touch. Lilith had been open with her for the first time in years, but she was also being open to herself as well. There was still something going unsaid about what caused the fallout for why she left, but that didn’t need to be explored until later. Now was simply a time for bonding with a daughter she didn’t get the chance to know as an adult and helping her move past her own insecurities to better her own future with the woman she loved.

“Your words…they helped a lot. Thanks, Mom.” She sighed out, wiping her eyes free of any remaining wetness before pulling away a bit so she could pick up the orange again. Lilith’s hand lingered for just a moment more before pulling away to join Charlie in returning to the orange pomanders.

“That’s all I could ask for.” She replied softly. Glancing up, she could see the happier mood returning to her face.

“I know you haven’t really gotten the chance to get to know her, but…do you…like her?”

That question caught her off guard. She hadn’t realized her opinion would have mattered much considering her absence. When she finally managed to get herself out of her shock, she noticed the hopeful, yet sheepish, look on her daughter’s face and she realized how long it had been without an answer to her question.

“Like her? Dear, I simply adore her! If I’m being honest, I’m just happy that she makes you happy, but if you’re looking for my opinion, she’s devoted and absolutely smitten with you and I can see the same goes for you as well.” Lilith chuckled. “Really though, my opinion shouldn’t matter. All that matters is you love her.”

“I know, I know, but it’s important to me that the two most important people in my life like the person that I’m going to marry.”

She smiled warmly at her daughter, but before she could have shared her sentiments in return, she was interrupted when the door opened and the two missing family members joined them. Their faces were flush and both of their hair looked windswept, and the two of them shared matching expressions of joy. Instead of responding to her daughter, she raised a brow towards her husband and future daughter-in-law. “Oh? And where exactly have you two been this whole time?”

“What, I can’t have my own time to bond with our daughter’s girlfriend?” Lucifer shot her a teasing look as Vaggie made her way back over to Charlie’s side. Her daughter gave her girlfriend a loving look as she pulled her down into the seat next to her.

“Still, you two look like you had a lot of fun.” Charlie smiled, helping to fix some of Vaggie’s bangs.

“The King and I went out flying for a bit.” Vaggie replied, her eye still bright and full of leftover excitement from their excursion.

“Yeah, and I still can’t believe she kicked my ass in a race. The only one that could ever beat me was Gabriel.” Lucifer sighed out. He sat down across from the other angel and picked up an orange.

“Well, no offense sir, but it has to have been a long time since you last raced anybody and I just so happened to have been the fastest girl in my squad.” Vaggie smiled proudly.

“A girl after my own proud heart. Charlie, you better not let go of her now. I need someone like her to keep me active.”

“I have no intention to, believe me.” Her daughter gave her a cheeky smile and Lilith felt her own pride fill her soul for being included in her secret. One that hadn’t meant to be shared initially, but still. It was an exhilarating feeling regardless, to say the least.

“What have you two been up to?” Vaggie asked, leaning over to look at the fruit piled, still waiting to be carved and decorated with cloves.

“We’re making pomanders! Mom likes to make them for the Solstice to place around the Manor before dinner by candlelight.” Charlie explained before handing her an orange to help guide her through the process of making one.

Lilith completely forgot about her own project as she let herself watch the scene in front of her. A fond smile tugged at the corners of her lips as the two girls worked together, laughing occasionally as the knife accidentally slipped too deep or one of them said something funny. She wasn’t sure why her daughter was so worried about impressing Vaggie. She was positive the angel would say yes regardless of how she was proposed to. There were no perfect relationships, but if she had to guess, her daughter’s came pretty damn close to it.

As she sat back in thought, she couldn’t help but reflect on everything up until that moment. There were still moments ahead of her that scared her, conversations that would bring up old wounds and things she wasn’t quite ready to discuss with the people they mattered to, but all of that could be ignored for that one moment in time. If she had to guess, the other members of her family felt the same exact way. It was an unspoken pact to not bring up those feelings during a time that was meant to be happy. Despite this, Lilith couldn’t help but feel like she was growing in the Solstice herself. During the Earth’s shortest day, they experience the most amount of cold and darkness, but in an act of celebration, they welcome the sun back to the world to warm their skin and start the year anew.

Her family’s love was like the sun, and just as she went through her own period of darkness, she too, was ready to begin again.