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“Sir, you aren’t allowed to be here!”
Beatrice Espinoza perked her head up at the commotion she heard from the end of the hallway. The rest of her friends also directed their gaze towards the camp monitors, wondering what the big fuss was all about.
“It’ll be just a minute!”
Then it hit her. That was undoubtedly Lucifer’s voice.
Her face lit up immediately, like a knee jerk reaction. She rushed to stand up and walk towards them, not missing the way that the other kids kept their eyes locked on the scene.
“Offspring! Finally.” Lucifer huffed as he adjusted his cufflinks.
“Lucifer, what are you doing here?” She asked curiously.
The two monitors took a step back, eyeing the two of them. Of course, anyone in LA would know and recognize who the man in front of them was, but they had received clear instructions not to let anyone non related to a kid in.
“Sorry, sir, you really can’t be here…-“
Just as Lucifer was about to open his mouth to protest Trixie was quick to interfere.
“Will, it’s okay. I know him. He’s my mom’s boyfriend.” She explained while Lucifer simply raised his eyebrow up to the other two men, a triumphant smirk on his face.
“See? Told you.” He said, shaking his head. “Care to continue this conversation privately?”
At the question both monitors glanced at each other and without letting out any other word they simply nodded before disappearing, allowing them to enjoy some privacy.
“What are you doing here?” She asked with a smile.
Lucifer hesitated for a moment, struggling to find a way to /sort of/ explain everything that had happened over the last few days. “Uh… Let’s simply say there’s a tiny little possibility that I might have to leave for some time.” He confessed.
“What? Why?” Trixie asked with her eyebrows furrowed.
“It’s… complicated.” He briefly replied with a muffled chuckle.
Then, he kneeled down to be at her same height so he could face her properly. She had grown up so much over the last year, but Lucifer was still way much taller than her.
“So I decided to just pass by to say goodbye, you know, just in case.” He murmured, offering her what he hoped it was a comforting smile. “You see, urchin… I was just talking with a very good friend of mine and he made me realize something; it’s better to tell people how you really feel before it’s too late.”
“Lucifer, you’re scaring me…” She muttered, taking a step closer to him as she inspected his face. “Has something gone wrong? Is mum okay?”
“Yes, of course.” He rushed to blurt out. “She’s just as fit as a fiddle.” He said, hoping to light up the mood a bit. “I simply wanted to tell you something before I left.” He explained, letting out a shaky sigh he wasn’t even aware he was holding before speaking again. “You know… I never really liked kids before I met you. Well, if I’m completely honest I still despise most of them.” His words managed to make her laugh so he simply smiled before continuing his impromptu speech.
“But well… Never in my whole existence wouldn’t I have ever imagined to actually enjoy spending time with an offspring.” He muttered, his tone coming out slightly teasingly as he reached to gently nudge her elbow with his own. “Especially one who’s a cheeky little devil and absolutely loves to cheat at any single game. But I can’t really blame you, a fair-play is never fun, is it?”
As she shook her head he hummed quietly. “Right. Besides, you’re such a clever girl. Well, always have been for your age. And a strong one you are too.” He tilted his head to the side.
He remembered how horrendous the following days after Dan’s death had been. He spent most of his time at the Detective’s house. He had been so unsure of what to do, or if there could be a single thing that could relieve some of their pain, but Chloe had insisted that having him there was more than enough, and who was he to refute it?
Trixie, on the other hand, had been a bit more difficult to deal with. She would have sudden outbursts of rage, on other occasions she would spend her day crying, and no amount of chocolate cake or silly games could calm her. However, nothing could be compared to those rare days where the girl would act so distant, barely speaking, completely lost on her thoughts. But, eventually, she managed to get better – of course she did, she had the Detective’s genes after all.
“You know I have never intended to replace your father-“
“I know, I know.” She rushed to say, smiling small. “Still you’re the best non-official Step-devil ever.”
The man was unable to contain his laughter at that and shook his head fondly, taking in the –not so little- girl’s features that he would so dearly miss.
“Thank you.” He said sincerely. “But, you’ve grown up so much… Seriously. I’m just glad you trusted this devil enough to be there with you the whole path.”
Lucifer stopped for a moment, trying to recompose himself as he felt a common sting on his eyes, the tears threating to spill. He couldn’t do that to Trixie, though. He needed to be strong, for both of them in order not to worry the child any more.
As he stared into her eyes it became harder task. She had the same soft expressions her mother would also display, that same spark on those brown orbs of hers.
“Anyways, I do not wish to take up a lot of your time… You must be so busy with your-“He said, glancing at the end of the corridor to look at the big desk where all the children were. There were lots of books discarded on the surface, along with microscopes. “Science stuff.” He finished and smiled small.
As he was about to stand up he felt a tight knot on his stomach and sighed.
“Still… There’s a small little thing I need you to do for me. A favour if you’d like.” He whispered.
Trixie’s head perked up and raised her eyebrows surprised. “Really? What is it?” She asked, her enthusiasm evident.
“Take care of your mother, yeah? I know she can really look after herself but…” His voice came out as a soft whisper.
The girl nodded her head along and smiled small. “Really? That’s easy.”
Lucifer let out a quiet chuckle, of course it would be. He then reached to slightly rest his hands on her shoulders, giving them a soft gentle squeeze.
“I have to go now, child. There are still a few little errands I have to run today.” He said quietly before he stood up, using his hands to swipe the slight dust away from his knee.
Without any warning Trixie launched herself at Lucifer, wrapping her arms tightly around his figure and rested her cheek against her abdomen. He froze for a moment, even after all those years he still wasn’t quite used to those sudden bursts of affection, especially from her. However, it only took him a few seconds to react, willingly wrapping his own arms around the girl, although the height difference bothered him. So he swiftly picked her up, a tight embrace kept around her.
Trixie let out a soft light hearted giggle at the action, easily locking his arms around Lucifer’s neck who rested his chin on top of her head.
He allowed his eyelids to close for a brief moment, this was how he wanted to remember the offspring, and more concrete, how he desired her to remember him.
“I may have not told you before, but I love you dearly, Beatrice.” He whispered.
“I know, silly! And I love you too.”