Flight of Frost and Aurora

Chapter 26

Lucifer made his way into the kitchen where Charlotte was diligently cooking over the stove.

"Charlotte!" he called, his voice bright with excitement.

She looked up, her expression shifting from focus to curiosity. "Yes, Papa?"

"I have some wonderful news!" he exclaimed, stepping closer. "Sir Pentious is hosting a Yuletide ball for Christmas, and we've all been invited!"

Charlotte's eyes widened, a spark of joy igniting within her. "A ball? Really? That sounds amazing!"

Lucifer nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! And I want you to be a part of it. Next week, I'll be going into town to buy you a beautiful dress, shoes, jewelry—everything you need to look magnificent for the occasion."

Charlotte's heart raced at the thought of dressing up for the ball. "Oh, Papa, that sounds incredible! Thank you so much!"

Without thinking, she jumped up and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I can't believe you're doing this for me!"

Lucifer chuckled, returning the embrace with warmth. "You deserve it, my dear. You've always been so good and helpful. A perfect daughter really."

As they pulled apart, Charlotte's eyes sparkled with excitement. She felt a rush of emotions, and in that moment, she wanted to share something special with her father. "I have a gift for you too!" she said, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

"A gift for me?" Lucifer raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it?"

Charlotte reached into her pocket and pulled out one of the bright red apples Vagatha had given her earlier. The fruit glistened in the light, its surface smooth and inviting.

"An apple?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise. "You found an apple in this weather?"

"I didn't find it; a friend gave it to me. I'm not sure where she managed to get them, though."

She reached for a kitchen knife, a glint of nostalgia in her eyes.

"Do you remember how we used to eat apples together?"

Lucifer's expression softened as he recalled those cherished moments with Charlotte, sitting at the kitchen table, sharing stories and laughter over slices of crisp, juicy apples. "I certainly do."

As they settled at the table, Charlotte carefully sliced the apple in half, the fresh aroma filling the air.

She placed one half in front of her father and kept the other for herself. "Here you go, Papa," she said, her voice warm with affection. "Just like old times."

Lucifer smiled, taking a bite of the apple. The sweet, tart flavor burst in his mouth, and he closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the taste and the memories it brought back. "Delicious," he said, his voice filled with nostalgia. "Thank you, Charlotte. This means a lot to me."

Charlotte beamed, feeling a sense of pride at being able to share this moment with him. "I wanted to remind you of those happy times, especially with everything that's been going on lately."

Lucifer nodded, his expression turning more serious. "I know things have been chaotic, but I want you to know that you bring so much joy to this family."

Charlotte felt her heart swell at his words. "Thank you, Papa. That means the world to me."

Charlotte took a deep breath, feeling a mix of courage and hesitation as she prepared to broach a topic that had weighed heavily on her heart. "Papa," she began, her voice steady but soft, "there's something I need to talk to you about. It's about how...Lute and Eisheth-"