Estrella's Prophecy

✢ TWENTY FOUR ✢

 Estrella unlocked the front door and pushed inwards, hurrying into the house out of the cold air. Lucifer followed behind her closely; scanning the living room of anything suspicious but his instincts told him that they were safe. Estrella stumbled through the darkness until she found a lamp switch, flicked it on, and the room was illuminated with a golden glow.

"I know it looks like I haven't cleaned in months," she sighed tiredly while pulling off her coat. The living room was crowded with storage from her mother's bedroom, but even baby toys and clothes laid around. "I'm trying to find room for everything..." 

"Estrella," spoke Lucifer. She responded to him by looking into his black eyes. "to be blunt... I don't care what your home looks like. Crowded from the door to the bedroom or not, it doesn't affect me." 

She realized how right he was and she felt slightly silly for even thinking it did bother him. He's the Devil for crying out loud, and his residence was in Hell itself, and she's concerned her messy living room would make him run the other way. 

"I'm going to use the bathroom first then I'll show you the nursery."

Lucifer watched her hurry down the hallway and disappear into the bathroom; a second later he heard the door shut. 

Estrella exhaled heavily, pushing the loose strands of hair out of her eyes. She decided to glance into the mirror but instantly regretted it. She looked tired with bags underneath her eyes; her shoulder length hair needed to be dyed again and it was soaked from the rain. She still wore her work uniform and it made her feel self-conscious. What if she didn't look appealing to the Devil? She had to stop over thinking, her heart was throbbing against her chest loudly and she felt nauseous. Estrella splashed her face with cold water; emptied her bladder, then exited the bathroom to face him again. The living room was empty from his presence, so her heart stopped with the fear that he had left, but she could still feel his energy... She twirled around and glared down the hallway to see the nursery's light on. He was looking without her. She peeked into the nursery to find him sitting in the rocking chair by the window, rocking back and forth slowly while watching it rain. 

"You did an excellent job on this." 

Estrella grinned then stepped into the room. 

"Did Lucifer himself just compliment my decorating?" 

She had painted the walls light grey because it matched the dark colored carpet. The crib she had chosen was pure white and above it was large black letters that spelled DANIKA. She had chosen a white dresser for all of the baby clothes she keeps buying and a white changing table. There was a white bookshelf as well, the top shelf was filled with baby books to read to Danika, and the other shelves held diapers, toys, and shoes. 

"Surprisingly, I did." said Lucifer. 

He pushed himself up from the chair and approached the crib, staring down into it and imagining his unborn daughter laying there asleep. 

"I want you here for the first few nights... I don't want to be alone and I want you there for her firsts, Lucifer," she said softly. Thunder shook the house and he didn't say a word. "I want you to be there with her for everything. I don't want you to feel like you have to be distant because of the Archangels." 

"Estrella," he snapped. He had heard enough. "you don't get it. I have to stay away from you, from her, just to keep you two safe!" he lowered his voice and inhaled. He didn't want to lose his temper because he was furious with Heaven. "I want to be a father... but I won't be able to, not without putting her in danger." 

Tears blurred Estrella's vision and she stepped forward, grasping his arm to turn him around to look at her. 

"I'm not going to let them tear this apart... our family, Lucifer!" 

He searched her eyes to see the tears threatening to fall. Her bottom lip was quivering. 

"If you want me to be in her life without putting her in danger then I want you to come to the Underworld with me." 

"Lucifer, I can't..." 

"Both!" she exclaimed. "I want her to live a somewhat ordinary life. To attend school, to make friends, to explore the world. Not be trapped in the Underworld with demons, like a prisoner."

"Our daughter will never be a prisoner," he growled. "she'll have as much authority as do I. She will be treated with respect, royalty, like she is. She won't be able to live an ordinary human life because she's not fully human, Estrella. She will have abilities like no other child will, she'll be able to do things she won't understand without me by her side. You won't be able to protect her from my siblings and everyday will be a never-ending-battle to end her life." 

"I don't belong in the Underworld, Lucifer! So what's going to happen, will you take her away from me and raise her on your own in Hell?" she cried. The tears began falling then, crashing down onto the carpet. 

"I'd never take her away from you," he cupped her face and stared into her eyes. "you're her mother... a bond not even I nor God himself could break. She needs you, as do I."

She trusted the words he was speaking. She trusted those black eyes that wouldn't turn away from her. Estrella was trusting him fully without second thought, without fear that he would break the trust like a twig. Estrella stepped closer, grabbing the collar of his shirt and fumbling her fingertips underneath it. Lucifer leaned in, until their lips connected. It felt like a blast of strength through him, his insides were tingling and burning from the power, and he felt like he was glowing from it. They kissed slow but deep, and she didn't want to stop this, not until she got what she wanted. Estrella felt some pressure then wetness in the crotch-area of her pants and thought she had peed herself. She felt humiliated and stopped the kiss, opening her eyes to see the confusion on his face.

"What's wrong?" 

She was speechless, not sure what to tell him but the pressure became stronger and she gasped. 

"I...I think my water broke." 

Lucifer shook his head. 

"Not possible, it's too early." 

"Lucifer, listen to me! I really do think my water broke," she looked down at her pants to see the massive wet spot. In seconds, the pressure turned into contractions. "oh my god. Lucifer, she's coming!" 

Thunder exploded throughout the sky and lightning followed. It was a warning sign for Lucifer and he didn't hesitate to scoop Estrella up into his arms. 

"Where are we going?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck. 

"To the Underworld." 

"What? No! I can't deliver her there, are you insane? I need to go to the hospital, right now!"

"I am not taking you to a hospital, I'm getting you the hell off Earth!" 

"No!" she shouted and he looked at her with a surprised look. "take me to the hospital. If something happens there will be doctors knowing what to do, going to the Underworld to deliver her there is almost as dangerous having her here. Do you understand me?" 

Lucifer wanted to argue with her, to state his case but she had won this one.