An Arrangement was Made

Chapter 19: Things can't get much worse...probably

Charlie woke with a jolt. She got out of bed and ran to her mother's room. The little girl stopped outside the door. She didn't want to wake her mother up in the middle of the night. She considered going back to her room, but then she looked back at the dark hallway and got scared again.

Charlie opened the door and went inside. She went to her mother's bedside and waited. How do I wake her up without making her mad? Charlie pondered this question until she no longer had to make a decision. Lilith seemed to sense she was there and opened her eyes.

"Charlie!" She sat up. "Goodness gracious child, you about gave me a heart attack. What is it you need?"

"I..I had a nightmare."

"Oh." Lilith scooched over. Charlie clambered up into bed with her.

"What was your dream about sweetie?"

"There was a tall lady with black hair and a big hat." She buried her head in her mother's chest. "She was scary and she was mean! She said that daddy didn't love me." She started to cry.

"Oh Charlie, that's not true." Lilith wiped away Charlie's tears with her thumb. "Your daddy loves you. He loves you so much."

"But he's never here! Other people's dads live with them. Why doesn't daddy live with us?"

"It's um...it's complicated sweetie. It's not because he doesn't want to see you. Things are just...weird right now."

"I don't understand."

"I'm sorry." Lilith sighed. "I wish I could help you understand, but it's so confusing even as an adult. We can talk more about this when you're a little older, okay?"

That didn't comfort Charlie much. All she wanted was her mommy AND her daddy. Lilith of course noticed this. It frustrated her how much she wished Lucifer was here too. He probably would know what to say to make her feel better. She just wanted to be a good mother, but with every passing day she only felt more incompetent. She needed help.

"Hey, how about tomorrow, we go visit your daddy? Would you like that?" Lilith suggested. Charlie dried her eyes and gave her a little smile.

"Okay. Can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Of course sweetie." Mother and daughter cuddled together to sleep.

"Can we bring Daddy some cookies?"

"That's a good idea." Lilith closed her eyes. A few moments passed.

"Mommy?"

"Hm?"

"I have to go to the bathroom."

-

Charlie hadn't slept well that night. No one had. Who could ever feel safe with such an angry exorcist nearby? Even if that wasn't an issue, the angel was very very loud. His tantrums continued all throughout the night. They would stop for an hour or two here and there, but just as Charlie thought he had finally tired himself out, they would start again.

Charlie's alarm went off at 7:30 am as it always did. She turned it off but made no move to leave her bed. Adam was currently silent; thank goodness. Charlie was tempted to go back to sleep, but that would ruin her sleep schedule. Still though, she wasn't ready to get up.

She stared up at the ceiling. Everything was so wrong. No matter what she did, everything just seemed to get worse and worse. All she wanted to do was keep her friends safe, but now she felt like she had put them in even more danger. Every action she took to keep them safe put a bigger target on their back.