Chapter Text
He came back twice, but only to see her. She never told anyone about their two brief interludes, not even Rory as she grew older, allowing the others to keep up the notion that he was buried in his mission in Hell.
One night when she was about thirty-four weeks pregnant and Trixie had fallen asleep, she became aware of the presence of a silent yet commanding figure as well as the lightest smell of ash in the living room. She scooted to the edge of the couch cushion, about to cling to the arm of the couch for dear life to stand (truly, why did she always seem to go for the couch instead of the chair?), when a familiar hand reached toward her. She stared at it with awe before slowly raising her head to look at his blissful face.
‘Good evening, Detective,’ Lucifer said sotto voce. ‘I doubt I’ve ever seen you look so ravishing. I’d heard that pregnant women glowed, but you are truly stunning.’
She took his hand and stood, and he softly placed his hands on her waist to steady her before leaning down to chastely kiss her. When their lips parted, they kept their faces close until she reached up to press the sides of his face and tilt it forward, their foreheads touching. She was vaguely aware of the tears that began streaming down her face and the light brush of his fingers as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
‘I’m sorry you’ve been alone,’ he said then raised his head to kiss her forehead.
‘I’m not alone,’ she replied quietly. ‘Everyone is so supportive.’
There was a beat, then her tears increased and she gasped through sobs. He wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her to him as best he could.
‘I wish it could be different,’ she admitted between gasps. ‘But I know the importance of the promise we made to Rory.’
He laid his cheek atop her head. ‘It’s horrendously difficult despite the gravitas of the task at hand.’
At that moment, he felt a roll against his abdomen, and his breath hitched.
‘Was that…?’
‘Yeah,’ she said with a little laugh as she sniffled then backed up enough to rub her belly, looking down at it. ‘Getting really close to making her debut. I’m surprised she successfully makes strong moves anymore; it feels like she’s run out of space.’
She looked back up at him.
‘She must know her Dad’s here.’
Reaching out, she almost hesitantly took his hand and pulled it toward her. He tensed but didn’t withdraw the hand as she placed it where Rory had kicked moments before. She could still feel their daughter moving, and she knew immediately that Lucifer could feel her as well. He tipped his head back, eyes closed but tears managing to sneak through. She reached up to return the favor in kind, brushing the tears on the right side of his face away with her thumb then leaving her hand in place, rubbing softly against his cheek as she watched his face. He tilted it forward again as he placed his other hand against her belly, running his hand over it with fingers spread widely.
‘What I would give to have been here to see you grow, to help you through this, to support you with the smallest of actions,’ he said, eyes still closed.
‘I understand,’ she replied. ‘Rory understands. What you’re doing is of cosmic importance, Lucifer.’
He slumped slightly as she said his name.
‘Let’s sit,’ she said after a few beats. ‘Just for a little while. I know you need to get back.’
He nodded, opening his eyes that had been clarified with tears.
They settled, Chloe sitting in Lucifer’s lap, her head on his shoulder and left hand held at the crux of his neck and opposing shoulder. He brushed her belly absentmindedly, looking down at it yet fixed on nothing. Rory kept kicking periodically. Chloe’s breath came in soft puffs against his neck as she nuzzled into him. Minutes passed.
He tensed. ‘I have to—‘
‘Yeah, you need to get going,’ she said quietly, squeezing her eyes shut. ‘It’s okay.’
She carefully got up with his assistance, and they stood facing each other, Lucifer’s hands once again settled on her waist. They looked at each other pensively before Lucifer bent down and took the edge of her shirt.
‘May I?’
‘If you want to see that stretch-marked mess,’ she said with a sigh.
He rolled up her shirt, exposing her abdomen. His fingers snaked up a couple of the larger divots in her skin before he pressed a hand to her belly and rubbed down the side of it. Carefully, he leaned forward and kissed over the last place he’d felt Rory kick. Standing, he looked down as he re-situated her shirt before focusing on her again. Their eyes locked before they dove in for a deep kiss. When it broke, Chloe leaned forward to press against Lucifer’s chest, and he wrapped his arms around her once more.
‘I love you,’ he said into her hair.
‘I love you too,’ she replied, her throat aching.
Letting go of her, he stepped back and lightly kissed her forehead before brushing past her to go to the door. His hand hesitated on the handle as he sighed softly. He stepped out after a long pause, and she soon heard the rapidly disappearing sound of wings. Sitting down in the chair, she wrapped her arms across her chest and cried as she stared blankly across the room.