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Lucifer was busy gathering rocks on the beach in front of his home. "What you doin' Dad?"
"Hello there!" He swung Rory up into his arms. "I'm building a camp fire for later." He teased his fingers through her dark curls. He could tell that she was thinking.
"Fire is dangerous," she said finally. "Yes. It is. That's why we have to be very careful. I'm making a circle with these rocks, then we can keep the fire safely in the middle."
"Can I help?" He hummed. "Let me see, what age are you now?"
"Three!" she said proudly.
"Well now, I can manage the rocks but I think three is the perfect age to gather that firewood." She beamed and he put her back down. She started dragging the branches back to him. When she was done she plopped down on the sand, lifting handfuls and letting the grains run through her fingers. "Are we having marshmallows?"
"Yes, toasted on the fire."
"Pink ones?"
"If you like." She clapped her hands. "Yay!"
"I detect stickiness in my future," he muttered to himself.
Lucifer snapped the branches easily and arranged them in the centre of the circle. "Where's your sister?"
"Helping Mom do a surprise for later."
"Ah yes, I think you're going to like that one. You know why we're doing this today?" She nodded. "Uh-huh, 4th July."
Chloe and Trixie came down from the house. It was twilight now. They brought blankets and a big bag of marshmallows. "Hi," said Chloe giving Lucifer a quick kiss. He raised his eyebrows, silently asking if everything was ready. She nodded. "I was just about to explain to the offspring the reason for all this."
Chloe sat down and lifted Rory onto her lap while Lucifer got the fire going. "When I was little I used to do this with my dad."
"And Grandma?"
"Sometimes Grandma had to work in a different city. If she wasn't home it was just me and Grandad. We would have the camp fire and watch the fireworks from the beach."
"Was it fun?" Chloe smiled. "It was, so we decided to try the same thing with our family."
"I like marshmallows. They're yummy," she said with a grin. "They are. You like fireworks too."
"Um." Chloe hugged her close. "Fireworks are pretty but..."
"I know baby," said Chloe kissing her head. "You don't like the bangs." Rory nodded sadly.
"Don't worry Spawn, I have a present to help with that." Rory's face lit up. "A present, for me?"
"Yes, now come on you two, we have the first marshmallows ready." They all gathered round the fire, toasting their snacks. Trixie was helping Rory with hers and Chloe leaned her head on Lucifer's shoulder. "Happy?" he murmured. "Yes, very," she said putting a piece of the sticky treat in her mouth.
It was dark now, the only light coming from the house behind them and the fire burning bright orange. The moon was new, just a tiny slither in the sky. Lucifer got up and spread a big blanket a little way from where they were sitting. "Firework time." There was plenty of room for them all to lie down.
The blanket had been wrapped around a box. Rory spotted it immediately and sat down on the blanket with her legs crossed, bouncing up and down a little. Lucifer's lips twitched at her attempt at patience. He handed the box to her. "Here you go. This should help with the noise." She grinned. "Thanks Daddy!"
She tore into the box and pulled out a set of headphones. She put them on and launched herself at him. "Oof!" The headphones fell off and her face dropped. "Oh, don't fit." Lucifer lifted them and adjusted the size. "Try now," he said sliding them over her ears. They could see her grin by the flickering light of the fire.
The first firework went up and Chloe turned her round. She hadn't heard a thing. Instead of lying flat on the blanket like the others, Rory decided Lucifer's stomach would make a good pillow. Chloe laughed at the affronted look on his face but he sighed, put his arms under his head and relaxed.
There were three shows within range of the beach. One went with red, white and blue only. The others threw in some green and purple to mix it up a bit. Chloe couldn't help thinking of her dad and glanced up in what she hoped might be the direction of Heaven. Lucifer of course noticed and she felt him take her hand. She smiled at him, eyes glistening.
When the fireworks ended, the last bangs fading in the night air, Chloe sat up and removed Rory's headphones. "Well, what did you think?" The little girl hugged her tightly. "It was awesome! I could only hear little sounds."
"That's great Sweetie. Now, anybody want a grilled cheese for supper?"
"Yes!"
Chloe headed inside to get the food ready. Trixie lifted the headphones and popped them round her neck. "Come on, one more surprise." Rory took her hand as they walked back up to the house. "Ooh I forgot, what is it?"
"You'll see in a minute."
Inside the house the centre of the living room had been transformed into a huge blanket fort. Rory dropped to her hands and knees and poked her head through the entrance. "Wow!" she gasped. She crawled inside with Trixie following.
It was filled with pillows and cushions with fairy lights draped along the top. Rory crawled around carefully inspecting everything. "It's like a big nest!" she said beaming at Trixie. "So you like it?" She jumped on her sister throwing her arms round her. "I love it!"
Rory stuck her head out through the blankets. "Mommy!"
"Yes!"
"Can we eat in here?"
"Sure. It's almost ready. Where's Daddy?"
"Right here," said Lucifer coming through the door and dropping the sandy blankets in the corner.
Rory insisted on all of them having supper in her nest. Lucifer was doubtful but he removed his shoes, setting them neatly to the side. Once inside he discovered it was deceptively spacious. Rory was delighted, making it worth the effort.
"Wings Daddy?" He nodded. "Go ahead." She took on a look of concentration and wiggled her whole body, releasing the little pink wings. Trixie could never contain her grin at what she called the supernatural shimmy.
"Good job Spawn." She beamed at him. "You too Daddy." He looked at the space. "I think I'd need more room for that." She looked serious. "Come on Dad. You've got this." Chloe giggled. Lucifer looked at her. "I'm too big."
"I know," she said. "Do it anyway." He gave a long suffering sigh and rolled his shoulders.
The huge white wings unfurled. The fort lost it's side walls, one falling on Chloe's head. Rory burst out laughing. Lucifer ducked under the blanket and muttered, "I'd say I told you so but I'd rather..." He took the opportunity to kiss her since they were hidden from view. Trixie coughed loudly and they emerged. "I was just rescuing your mother."
"Uh-huh."
"What do you think girls, should we make this our July 4th tradition?" Chloe asked. It was an enthusiastic yes. Trixie headed off to her room after that. "Don't stay up too late Monkey."
"Okay Mom."
Lucifer mantled one wing around Chloe and Rory crawled over to claim his other side. They sat snuggled up together like that until Rory's eyelids began to get heavy. "Time for bed little one," said Chloe. "Sleep in nest," Rory mumbled but she was already asleep against Lucifer's chest before Chloe could answer and they carried her upstairs to her room.