Fallen Stars
Charlie sighed, picking at the pancake on her plate with a fork. It had been a full week since Stitches had fallen into a coma of some sort, and it already felt like a lifetime. Bel had come and gone yesterday, assuring them that she was healing well and everything was going well. However, seeing her sister lying in her bed, covered in tubes and wires… it just felt so… wrong.
“Char-Char, you need to eat, Sweetie.” She looked up with misty eyes to see her Dad giving her an encouraging smile. He’d been doing well, acting strong and put together over the last week, being a rock for everyone. But his eyes were tired and sad, puffy from nights of crying, with dark circles from lack of sleep. His usual cheerful, over-the-top energy was dampened to a reassuring buzz. He was spiraling, even if he refused to admit it. How long before his spiral took him away again?
“I’ll eat if you do, Dad.” She grabbed the plate next to her and dished up a plate, setting it back down and motioning for her father to sit with her. He hesitated, but sat down, slowly picking up his fork and putting a bite in his mouth. They sat in silence, stubbornly matching each other, bite for a bite until both of their plates were empty. “There, now we are both happy,” she whispered. She clutched her fork as the tears started falling.
Her dad stood up so he could pull her into his chest, making soothing sounds as she sobbed. His fingers ran through her hair, humming an old lullaby and rocking her from side to side slowly. She felt like a small child again, her dad sneaking into the nursery to comfort her back to sleep while her mom was off entertaining at a party or busy with important meetings. It had always struck her as odd that her mom had always told her that her father was always busy, but every time she snuck into his office or her mother wasn’t there to comfort her, he was always there. It wasn’t until after the attack on the hotel that they had finally cleared the air:
Her dad had been depressed. Massively so. For eons, ever since the fall. He had had his good days, decades even, but a lot of them were bad, and sometimes, he would just completely check out for years at a time. When he was good, he was charismatic and charming, doting on his family and attending royal events. But when he was bad, he would cut himself off from everyone, locking himself away in his workshop. When it got even worse… well, he hadn’t gone into detail, but he had said enough. Like revealing that he was intimately aware that nothing in or of Hell could kill him, and very little could even scatch him, unless he expressly wanted it to.
Whether her mother had been trying to protect her or had simply given up on him, she wasn’t sure. But now that she knew, she was never going to let him spiral like that again, locking himself away. Even if he had been at his worst, whenever she had sought him out, he had always set aside everything to be there for her. She wasn’t going to let him be alone again.
Charlie pulled away and looked up at him. “Dad, have you told Alastor about… you know…”
“My spirals?” Lucifer forced out a humorless chuckle. Seeing the concern on her face, his face softened. “He figured it out, Charlie, after Brandi’s tub incident. He knows.” His expression turned thoughtful. “I suppose that’s why he’s been extra doting the last week. He hasn’t let me sleep in my own bed at all; Insists on me staying every night with him, even though I keep waking him up.” He laughed softly. “Oh. My. Father. The bastard actually loves me!”
Charlie laughed and rolled her eyes. “Really, Dad? Just figuring that out?”
Her dad pushed her playfully. “Hey! It’s been a while since I courted someone. Give your old man a break!” He ruffled her hair and she giggled. “I love you so much, Duckling.” He pulled her close so he could kiss the top of her head. Greedy, she pulled him in for another cuddling hug, which he gladly returned.
“I love you too.” She paused, then sighed. “Stitches is going to be okay, Dad.” She was saying it for herself, just as much as him. “She’ll wake up, and we’ll all be a family. We-”
Alastor appeared in the kitchen. “I apologize for interrupting such an endearing moment, but you are both needed in the lobby. We have a very… well, important guest.”
Something about Alastor’s tone startled Charlie. He was always well-put together and able to hide his feelings and intentions pretty well. But there was an undercurrent of anxiety, and her dad must have picked up even more from him, because he walked quickly to him, and put a hand on his cheek. “Bambi? What’s wrong? Who is here?” Alastor looked into his eyes, then gently pulled away from her dad and looked at her. Soft radio static started emanating from him as he whispered:
“Lilith.”
____________________________________________________________________________
Lucifer was sitting on the loveseat, staring at his wife - ex-wife - who was sitting across from him, on the couch, holding their crying daughter. She was as beautiful as the day she had disappeared over eight years ago. He had imagined this day so many times. But that was a long time ago, and none of the warmth he used to feel remained. He couldn’t deny that some part of him would always love and care for her, but he had no desire to have her back. That chapter was closed. So he sat there quietly, keeping as stoic of an appearance as possible, legs crossed as he waited for his daughter to recover enough for them to discuss Lilith’s sudden reappearance.
Alastor’s hand took his hand and gently started rubbing soft circles on the back of his hand. They were sitting together on the loveseat, and just having his partner next to him was very soothing. When the deer demon had announced the news, he had looked crushed, as though he believed Lucifer would choose his ex over him. Which, is fair, but completely unwarranted. When he had told Alastor he and Lilith were over, long ago, he was serious. His current relationship was everything he could ever ask for, could ever dream of. He had no desire to go back to the hot and cold turbulence of what had once been.
So, when he had asked Alastor to come with him, to sit by his side as his partner and support him through this, he had been relieved when the answer had been an immediate yes. So, here they were, waiting for Charlie to get out all of her tears so they could discuss what came next. Vaggie was sitting awkwardly on the couch, just on the other side of Charlie, fidgeting as she waited for her girlfriend to come up for air.
Finally, Charlie pulled back and sniffled, letting Vaggie take her hand. “Mom, what brought you back? Are you staying?” Her hopeful voice tore at Lucifer’s heart. All his daughter wanted was for her mother to be there. But did Lilith want the same?
Lilith smiled fondly at her daughter and cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry, my little Rainbow, but I cannot stay for long. I need to return before I am noticed.”
“Let’s cut to the chase, then, Lily.” Lucifer leveled a cold stare at her, to which she winced, yet returned. “Three questions: Where have you been? Why are you here? Who are you hiding from?”
Lilith huffed sadly. “It is good to see you too, LuLu.” She glanced at Alastor, then back at him. “I see you found a new paramour. Are congratulations in order?” Her voice was melancholy, but there was no malice. She almost sounded… relieved. Happy for him.
“We are taking it slow,” he said simply. “We have not publicly announced anything as of yet, so your discretion would be much appreciated.” She nodded serenely, and he knew she would keep quiet. He waited for her to continue, raising an eyebrow to encourage her to answer his questions.
She sighed. “I have been in Heaven -” he was taken aback by this, but kept silent “- and shall be returning as soon as I have said my piece here. I struck a secret deal with Adam, and now keep that deal with his lieutenant. I cannot go into detail, but know that I have a good reason.” She paused, her eyes imploring him to understand, to give her his trust. He hesitated because after all the arguments and secrets, he wasn’t in the mood to trust her, not fully.
Sighing, he decided to ask only one question. “Is this deal going to bring harm to our daughter or our realm?”
“It is for the sake of Hell, Charlie, and you that I made the deal.”
Cryptic, but she’s being honest, so good enough. “Then keep your secrets. The other two questions?”
Lilith held up three fingers. “I am here for three reasons. One, I wanted to check on Charlie, because I know Lute came here.” She smiled at her daughter. “Two, I wanted to let Charlie know that the snake SInner from her hotel was redeemed. It caused quite an uproar, but I know that the Council will likely try to keep this information hidden, and you deserve to be told, Charlie. Hopefully, you can use this knowledge to your advantage in the future, though keep it quiet for now.” Charlie nodded vigorously, squealing at the news. Lilith turned to Lucifer. “The final reason is to warn you: the root is awake and active.”
Lucifer felt like someone had poured ice water down his back. “That… That answers my third question.”
Lilith nodded. “I cannot give you more, my love. I am sorry.”
Lucifer nodded. “It is enough.” Alastor and Charlie both gave him confused stares, but it wasn’t safe to explain, not yet. He needed to do some research and prepare. The less that was spoken aloud about the topic, the better. Words held power after all. So, a change of topic was needed now. “Before you return, would you be amicable to signing divorce papers? You can keep your title as Queen, it would be for the marriage only. I would eventually like for my relationship to be made public, but without knowing when you can return…”
Lilith smiled, sadly, but with warmth. “Of course, Little Star. Your happiness is mine.” She looked at Alastor with a stern gaze. “Hurt him, and I will wipe you from existence.” Then she smiled. “Love him, protect him, and cherish him, and I will be your greatest ally.”
Alastor chuckled and bowed. “As my Queen commands.”
As they waited for Lucifer to write out the divorce papers, Charlie animatedly caught her mother up on everything, including about Stitches. She kept a lot out, including Stitches being from a different world or her rampant mental health issues, as those were private, but she did share enough to make Lilith go quiet for a moment. Lucifer glanced up at her, raising an eyebrow. “Lilith?”
She tilted her head. “I know formally adopting her into the Morningstar family would involve a lot of paperwork and be difficult, what with her being a non-related Sinner. However, have you considered taking her in as a Magne?”
The room went silent. Lucifer couldn’t believe he hadn’t considered it before. But now that Lilith mentioned it, it was so obvious! Alastor was the first to speak up. “A what?” Charlie looked equally confused.
“Oh, yeah, we haven’t had a Magne in a long time, so neither of you would know what that is.” Lucifer smiled, trying to contain his excitement. “Magne is a secondary name that Lilith and I played around with several millennia ago when we thought about changing our surname, to distance ourselves from Heaven even more. But, I dunno, it never really stuck, and Morningstar is just way more catchy. HOWEVER, we did use it off and on when we would take in Wards from the Hell-born: orphans, mostly, that were under our protection and care until they came of age. It was a title that signified that they were under our household, and it gave them certain rights and privileges both within the palace and with society at large. Think of it as a status symbol that connects them to the Morningstar name, but without the pomp and ceremony that a formal adoption would have.”
Charlie frowned. “So, if you made Stitches a Magne…?”
Lilith smiled. “It means that she would be a Morningstar in all but name and formal title. She would have protection, prestige, and access to many of the same perks royalty enjoys. She would even be allowed access to other rings, open invitations to all meetings and royal functions, and would even be allowed some access to the mortal world, via proper channels. She would be, for all intents and purposes, just under you, Charlie, in Hell’s hierarchy.”
Charlie clapped happily. “That’s amazing! We should totally do that!”
Lucifer laughed and waved to calm her down. “Slow down, Duckling. We’ll ask her when she wakes up.” He turned to Lilith. “Thank you, Lily. I mean it. That was a wonderful suggestion.”
Lilith smiled and gave a curt nod. “My family’s happiness is the most important thing to me.” She leaned forward and signed the divorce papers. “I am afraid I must be leaving now. Stay safe, all of you, and I will try to contact you when I am next able to sneak away.”
Charlie walked her mother to the door, where Lilith put on her cloak and glasses, before giving her daughter one last hug goodbye before leaving. Lucifer hated to see how sad his little girl was to watch her mother walk away, but if what Lilith had said was true, then she needed to be as far away as possible. Hopefully, they could solve the problem, and then Lilith could return to Hell, if for no more reason than to be there for Charlie.
Alastor squeezed his hand. “She is very… different than I imagined her. I never thought she would willingly sign divorce papers.”
Lucifer shrugged. “We may have our differences, and yeah, she can hold a grudge, but when it comes to matters of consent and freedom, she’s pretty consistent.” His eyes softened as he remembered her, back in the garden. “After all, Free Will is what we risked it all for, what we Fell for. Wouldn’t make sense for her to back out on it now.”
Alastor hummed. “I suppose not. Lucky for me then.” He smiled down at him. “I now have the Queen’s blessing to love you, protect you, and cherish you. I plan to do so for the rest of eternity, My King.”
Lucifer laughed and reached up to cup his cheek. “Then I look forward to it, My Deer.”