Iris

15. With Arms Wide Open

Lucifer lay in his bed wide awake. Chloe was asleep next to him, finally; it had taken her a long time to calm down, but eventually her breaths evened out and deepened into the rhythm of deep sleep. He was grateful that she had given in and decided to stay with him at the penthouse while they figured out a safe living situation until the danger passes.

Lucifer wanted to lash out at his siblings and be absolutely furious for meddling in the life he made for himself, assuming things about his daughter that no one, except maybe Dad, could know for certain she would become. Being as stubborn as he and the detective both were, he knew that their child wouldn't last two seconds rolling with the punches up there.

He looked out the window at the light-polluted L.A. sky and grimaced, biting the inside of his cheek. He could actually feel his blood boil as he resided in his anger. He had to take a moment to breathe and regain some control. Letting rage consume him was his go-to plan for as long as he could remember; it never mattered who disrespected him, but he was definitely known for his temper. Now as he followed the red and white lights of a passing airplane, he wondered if maybe anger wasn't the best option here. 

His thoughts drifted to Amenadiel. Outrage took over first and he hated Amenadiel for claiming Lucifer's daughter as his own and lying to Remiel about it. But, that was a lie too, wasn't it? Lucifer was lying to himself, as Linda helped him discover that he often does.

Yes, he was, at least, a little angry that Amenadiel was taking credit for the new baby, but his intentions were in the right place; Amenadiel was trying to protect his niece and his brother. Realizing this, Lucifer was able to shove away all of his ill-will and he felt somewhat indebted toward his brother, in a good way. He was in complete awe that his daughter had a strong family that cares about her already and wants nothing more than to keep her safe. 

Then he wondered if these feelings could possibly play his advocate for his brothers and sisters too, the ones who wanted to take Little Bullet to the Silver City? Amenadiel seemed to believe that Remiel thought that this was best for the child. She had said "child" not "Earth" but it was definitely implied. He ground his teeth at the thought.

Lucifer shuttered. Dr. Linda was corrupting him too much with therapeutic thoughts, as they were beginning to bombard his brain more often than not.

In all honesty, at this point in time, he truly believes that he is best person to protect both Chloe and her children.

Trixie was able to stay at her father's tonight. Lucifer offered to let her stay here, where he could keep an eye on the urchin, but Chloe insisted that Dan could keep her just as safe, and she didn't (or couldn't) believe that angels would dare hurt an innocent child just to get to them. Lucifer tried to tell her not to underestimate his siblings, as he thought of the lengths Uriel was willing to go to do Dad's will.

Now it was just Lucifer and Chloe in the penthouse, sleeping in Lucifer's bed. They slept about a foot apart, the previous snuggling interrupted by Chloe needing to stretch into a new position. Neither of them wanted to talk about how they were feeling, but neither of them wanted to be alone either. They hadn't said a word to each other since Chloe's breakdown.

Lucifer turned over to check on Chloe, who seemed to still be sleeping. Her chest rose and fell in deep, even rhythms as she lay on her back, her head turned so that her face was toward the open living area.

Lucifer stared at the large bump that used to be Chloe's stomach. The place that was currently housing the little girl they made together, keeping her safe, warm, and fed. Or it was supposed to be, though his siblings apparently had something to say about that. He rolled over fully so that he could prop himself up on his left elbow. The blanket fell off as he rose and the summer evening air that wafted through the penthouse chilled his shirtless chest. Goose bumps rose on his arms and chest as he shivered, then he smiled, grateful for the strange new feeling because that meant that his precious detective was near and well.