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It was the opening day of Angelic Delights, and Luke was talking a mile a minute.
“What if people don’t like the Celestial sweetener? Do you think we have enough options? Have we gotten change for the cash register? Do you think the exchange student will come? What about the brothers, and Lord Diavalo, and of course, Barbatos? Oh, heavens, what if Barbatos thinks our pastries aren’t–”
“Luke, breathe with me. In…” Simeon locked eyes with Luke, placing a firm hand on the boy’s shoulder and taking an exaggerated breath. Luke scrunched up his face in protest, but Simeon’s fatherly stare locked him in place, and he relented, taking a deep, if shaky, inhale.
“And ouuuuuuut. There, that’s it. Another big breath in,” Simeon continued, breathing alongside Luke.
“I feel better,” Luke said, his small face serious again. “I guess it’s to be expected that things might not go perfectly at a grand opening, but I just really, really want them to!”
“Is there any particular reason for that?” Simeon asked, releasing his charge to step around the counter and straighten an already perfect table and chairs.
“I want to make Michael and everyone in the Celestial Realm proud of us. And to show our friends that we can make our way in the Devildom on our own!”
Simeon chuckled to himself. Luke always tried to show how mature and independent he was. He was a remarkable young angel and would undoubtedly do great things in his lifetime. Still, he, like all adolescents, wanted to do them now. Patience was a virtue he was still learning to wield.
Luke was still talking, and Simeon was partially listening, but he also knew from experience that this was something Luke needed to sort out on his own. Nobody could take away his first-time jitters, and it would be wrong of anyone to try. Luke had to live his life, and this bakery was practically guaranteed to be a success since Beelzebub and Barbatos could fund the place on their own with their support and love of Luke’s treats.
“Simeon?” Luke called after pausing for a moment, taking audible deep breaths. He was standing behind the front counter with his palms on the countertop, his shoulders squared, and his face determined. He looked so grown up in that moment, like a sneak peek of the man to come, and Simeon had to cough into his elbow to hide his watering eyes.
“Yes, Luke?”
“I’m glad we’re doing this together. I’m grateful you’re here with me. Thank you for everything.”
He would not cry in front of Luke, not a minute before their grand opening, with greater and lesser demons lining down the block waiting for a taste of Luke’s hard-earned expert baking.
“So am I,” he said, instead, and pulled Luke into a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you,” he murmured into the young angel’s hair. He kissed the side of his blond head before squeezing him one last time.
“I think I’m ready to open the store,” Luke beamed, and so that’s just what they did.
Angelic Delights sold out within two hours of their opening, and all of Luke’s friends and family came to support him. Michael sent an e-card congratulating Luke after Simeon sent him a photo of the empty glass cases and a tired but pleased Luke resting with the exchange student in a corner. It was a day to remember, and Simeon couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so much pride warming his heart.
He was so lucky to be there for Luke as he followed his dreams, and he couldn’t wait to see what adventures their future would hold.