Waiting For The Beast (Lucifer's Clock Series, Book 1)

Bye Mommy

 Robinette felt a kiss on her cheek followed by a small hand caressing her head.

"Mommy, wake up," said a familiar voice.

 Robinette opened her eyes slowly. Angelica was over top of her leaning down to kiss her again. She smiled as Angelica's lips touched her forehead. Was she in heaven? She slowly sat up and looked around her room. Everything looked the same.

Gabriel stood in the doorway watching her. "Are you all right?"

Robinette looked down at her wrists and breathed a sigh of relief. It had all been a bad dream. "Yes, everything is fine." She hugged Angelica tightly and kissed her on her cheeks repeatedly until she began to giggle.

Once Angelica was able to pry herself from her mother's arms she said, "Mommy, Aunt Gabriel took me to the zoo, but the animals didn't like me so we had to leave." Angelica pouted and crossed her arms.

"I told you it's not a big deal," said Gabriel looking guilty.

"Yes it is! The lions roared at me, the snakes hissed at me, the bears growled at me, and the monkeys tried to throw poop at me!" said Angelica dramatically.

"Honey, the animals probably didn't want to be bothered. Animals can be fussy just like humans," explained Robinette.

"Well, I'm never going to a zoo again."

"That's fine," said Robinette hugging Angelica. "Let me fix you something to eat."

"Aunt Gabriel already cooked for us."

"Oh nooo," groaned Robinette.

Gabriel looked as if she had been wounded. "I beg your pardon, my food actually turned out good." Gabriel was good at a lot of things, but cooking was not one of them. No matter how much she followed recipes, they never came out right.

"Let's go try this fabulous food," said Robinette following Angelica and Gabriel into the kitchen. Gabriel had already set the dining room table with their three plates when Robinette thought about Connie.

"Where's Connie?"

"She's gone home. It is eight p.m. sleeping beauty," said Gabriel. "That errand must have really worn you out."

"Yeah," said Robinette half smiling. Maybe she had pre-onset Alzheimer's or early dementia. Evidently she had left the house, but she couldn't remember what for. Everything had seemed so real, from her seeing Luciano to her slitting her wrists. Robinette half listened to Angelica talk about various things as she ate the spaghetti that wasn't so bad. Eventually something Angelica said caught her undivided attention.

"Mommy, when I took my nap today that man was in my dreams."

Both Gabriel and Robinette froze.

Gabriel spoke first. "Is that the same man that visited you on the playground?" Angelica nodded.

"What did he say to you Angelica?" Robinette asked trying to be calm.

"He told me a story about how you two met at a party and you fell in love and then you had me. He said I was special because I was a princess and when I become big he will take me and I will help him rule over the world," she said innocently. Robinette's hand was trembling so much that when she went to grab her glass of water she knocked it over. She jumped up and ran to the kitchen to get a cloth. Gabriel was right behind her.

"It's okay, it's just a dream," whispered Gabriel to Robinette.

"He appeared to me in my dreams too," Robinette whispered back in a shaky voice. Gabriel looked surprised to hear this.

"What happened in your dream?"

Robinette told Gabriel everything that had happened to her up until when they had woke her up.

"You are obviously alive and well," Gabriel said brushing it off. Robinette thought it was bizarre that she and Angelica would dream about Luciano. She grabbed the cloth off the sink and went back into the dining room. She smiled when she saw Angelica had cleaned her plate and fell asleep at the table.

"At least someone enjoys your food," she said to Gabriel. Robinette carried Angelica to her room. She put on Angelica's pajamas and tucked her in. Robinette didn't know what the future held for them, but she knew that no matter who or what Angelica became, she would always be her sweet baby girl.

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When Robinette came back downstairs, Gabriel had cleared the table and was in the kitchen loading the dishwasher.

"You know you are turning into a real housewife. First cooking, and then cleaning. You should just quit your job and come work for me," teased Robinette.

"Sure, as long as you can match what my present employer is paying me," laughed Gabriel as she loaded the last dish.

"I appreciate you Gabriel," said Robinette suddenly becoming serious.

"I know you do." Gabriel gave her a warm smile.

"Since I slept the day away I'm going to go do some work. Can you lock the door behind you when you leave?"

"Sure." When Robinette's office door closed Gabriel headed up the stairs towards Angelica's room. Michael was lying in his usual spot with Angelica sprawled across him.

"What's up?" he asked.

"We have a problem," said Gabriel slumping down onto Angelica's beanie bag. Michael sat up when he heard this.

"What is it?" he asked his face full of alarm. Gabriel quietly recounted Robinette's story making sure not to wake up Angelica.

"As long as he can control Robinette she is a threat to Angelica," said Michael who was now upset at the news.

"I agree," said Gabriel deep in thought. "What I don't understand is why he would make her think she killed herself."

"Let's see, maybe because he is evil and he likes to torment innocents every chance he gets," said Michael shrugging his shoulders. Gabriel didn't object to this.

"So, what's the plan?" Michael asked hesitantly.

Gabriel knew what they had to do, but she didn't want to put it into words.

"I know how you feel about Robinette," said Michael sympathetically. "But Angelica is our first priority. Whomever he can use to get to Angelica he will, including Robinette.

Gabriel held her head down and nodded, agreeing with Michael. With a heavy heart she said the unthinkable, "We have to take Angelica away from Robinette."

 It's me again! I feel like you deserve an award of some kind. You are still reading this story of mine without me having to twist your arm. That says something about you. You avid reader you! Now spill the beans. Please vote or comment!