Chapter Text
Lucifer spent much of the next few days on the phone, calling in favors and making various arrangements Chloe didn't want to inquire too much into. She had rarely seen such commitment and dedication in Lucifer, trying to put his affairs in order.
And that was the thing, wasn't it? In a lot of ways, once Lucifer left, that would be it. Even if he would be able to come back – and that was a doubtful condition — he would never be able to stay as long as he had again. So yes, his affairs had to be put in order.
But at some point, Lucifer put the phone down and announced that he had a final date. Then he turned all that commitment and dedication he'd displayed in arranging his affairs to enjoying what time he had left. Together with her.
Six weeks. That was as long as they had. Lucifer made it feel like a lifetime.
Intermezzo Epilogue
Ikea is Hell.
Compared to what I've been through before this, however, it's a playground. We've taken the long way through the store, having stopped in the restaurant halfway to have a leisurely lunch. And yes, the long way through included all the kid's bedroom displays –despite it being highly unlikely I'll ever have children. Mom enjoys the speculation. I let her have that one. She's pretty good about letting that go, otherwise. We've come far enough together by now.
It seems like we've been in this store forever. But we're finally approaching the accessories and lighting area. Beyond that, there's only the registers and the exit.
"Doesn't he look handsome?" my mother asks. She points at a man standing in front of the lighting display. "That suit looks expensive, too."
I reply without looking. "I keep telling you, mom, he is not my type." Then I do look.
It's the stranger again. The one who pushed me to the place where I could fight with my mother again, the one who gave me her phone number. I hadn't seen him in years and years. But I'd never seen him twice in one loop – I still hadn't gone back around to running out on the fight with my mother at seventeen.
He's dressed differently, this time. "But I think I know him, anyway. I'll go say hi."
"You do that, honey. You never know what might come of it."
The stranger turns as I approach. His suit – jacket included -- is completely immaculate, solid black. And not a hair is out of place. He raises an eyebrow as I approach. "Miss Morgenstern. You've been doing some redecorating, I see."
I look back toward my mother, guarding our cart. "Just getting started, really."
The stranger's mouth twitches as he follows my gesture. "You two seem to be getting along."
I shrug. "It took a while, but now it works, mostly. And because I lost my apartment and my mother can use the help with the mortgage, I'm moving back in. So we'll see how that goes." That's why we're here, after all.
I get a nod at that. "I thought you might be ready to move on," the stranger says. "Really, I thought you'd be long gone by now."
Right. The way out of the endless repeating cycle of fights, running away and working my way up only to find my mother died without ever talking to her again. Well – that last part is not going to happen this time. And as for the rest…. "I'm in no rush."
The stranger smiles. "If that's what you want, of course." He shakes my hand. "Enjoy your trip." He turns away and starts to walk, back into the store.
"Hey," I call after him. He stops and turns. "Thank you."
Another smile. "My pleasure."