Lucifer's Return

Chapter 2: Are You Real?

As the sun began to rise light streamed into the bedroom. The early morning light touched Chloe's face with a warm glow. She hadn't moved an inch all night. A shadow suddenly cast over her face. Sensing a presence, Chloe awoke. As her eyes adjusted she made out a large figure on the balcony. Winged, in a tattered 3 piece suit, Lucifer stood in silhouette. Chloe thought this must be another one of her cruel dreams in which Lucifer makes a dramatic entrance as he returns from Hell.

She pushed herself up, leaning her weight on one elbow and rubbing her eyes. His figure approached, wings tucking back in as he strode through the balcony doors. He knelt beside the bed on one knee. He was in focus now. She could see his hair was mussed and his beard a bit longer. His fine suit was torn and covered in soot. His eyes fixed with a forlorn expression on Chloe's face. A tear drew a steak down her cheek as she reached out to touch his face.

"Are you real?" She asked, rubbing her thumb against his course beard. He lifted his hand to cover her small delicate hand upon his face and held it in place. "I think so" he whispered back to her.

Still not convinced this wasn't a dream, Chloe swung her legs off the bed and pulled him between her knees into a hug. His other knee dropped to the ground and he leaned into her body and let the embrace overtake him. He ran his hand down her back feeling the sensation of the smooth fabric on his fingertips, and her soft skin beneath.

He pulled back and inspected her, taking her shoulders into his large hands. He looked down at a small toothpaste stain on her collar, then back into her eyes. "You've soiled my favorite shirt, Detective!" Chloe broke into laughter with tears in her eyes. She hadn't laughed in weeks. She knew he must be real, she couldn't have dreamt up a line like that herself. "Shut up" she said breathlessly and kissed him.