"No," Mother said with a stern look on her face.
"Come on, Lily, we'll be fine. Besides, our boy's going to be with me all the way, so he'll be perfectly safe," Dad said, carrying me towards Mom.
Mom gave a deep sigh before looking towards us and slowly picking me up, carrying me in her arms.
"Why even do this, Lucy? You know Adam's never gonna listen to what you'll say... not after what we did."
"I know he probably won't listen... but I have to try."
Mom looked towards Dad with a sympathetic smile and handed me back to him.
"Fine, you can arrange a meeting with that asshole, and if things don't go alright, leave immediately."
"Don't worry, honey, we'll be just fine."
"Okay... I trust you. Just try not to annoy Adam — he has quite the short temper, if you remember."
"Of course I do. After all, I did make him the first cuck," he said with a devilish grin.
Mom giggled at that and simply kissed us both on the cheeks before opening a portal. I couldn't quite see where it led to, but it was pretty dark.
Once Mom had stepped through and the portal closed, we were now left alone in the room. Dad suddenly began vibrating in place.
I looked up and saw both his eyes had hearts.
"Ahh... isn't your mom the hottest?" he said, looking lovestruck.
I simply stared at him, judging how this man ever ruled Hell. I jumped off his arms and landed on the floor — this seemed to knock some sense into him.
"Oh... where was I now? Oh yeah!" He suddenly conjured a golden piece of paper along with a golden quill and started writing something.
"Dear Sera, this is Lucifer, and I'm sending this letter to you in good faith so that we may have a little chat. Nothing serious, just... about Hell's monthly exterminations? P.S. Bring some snacks; I miss Heaven's apple fritters. Love, Lucifer."
Once he had signed the letter, it disappeared in golden flames.
Looking at Dad, I was about to ask if this was going to take long, but another golden flame appeared.
Opening the letter, Dad read aloud:
"Dear Lucifer Morningstar, this is quite a sudden request, but as King of Hell and you being a former angel and... friend, I shall be arriving with Adam and his lieutenant, Lute, to discuss matters regarding the exterminations. P.S. I shall be bringing a basket full of apple fritters just for you. — The High Seraphim, Sera."
Once Dad finished reading the letter, we stood there in silence for a bit before he finally spoke.
"Soo... the High Seraphim's going to be joining Adam... even though I hoped she would have just ordered Adam to come here. But on the bright side, we got a whole basket of apple fritters!" he said with a goofy smile, trying not to panic.
Great... a high-ranking officer is coming too. Honestly, things can't possibly get worse.
---
(1 hour later)
I was currently inside the Heaven Embassy — or that's what Dad calls it anyway. I was waiting outside the rather large door, waiting for Dad to let me in.
I tried listening through the door, but all I heard was either muffled or too quiet to make out. Dad told me to wait outside until it was time.
There wasn't anyone else around since this place was completely empty — not even a single janitor or staff member.
The doors then slowly opened, revealing Dad with a giant smile on his face. He waved for me to come inside, and not wanting to be stuck here any longer, I went in.
Once I got inside, I looked around the room and... I was too short.
All I could see was the table and some chairs. Dad quickly took notice of this and picked me up.
"Here he is — my son!" he said, showing me off.
I looked towards them and saw their stunned expressions; their mouths were all agape.
What happened?
---
(Earlier — Lucifer POV)
"Hey, Sera, Adam — how have all of you been?" I said, chuckling nervously.
"I've been fine, Lucifer, though I can't say the same for Adam here." She gestured to Adam, who was eating ribs.
Adam didn't say a word, simply eating his ribs like the pig he is.
"Lucifer, I would also like to introduce Adam's lieutenant. Her name is... Lute — as on the nose as it sounds."
I simply waved at her awkwardly, and she gave me a death glare. Great, this chick hates my guts.
"So, Lucifer, why have you arranged this meeting on such short notice?" Sera asked me.
Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself down and spoke.
"Well, Sera, you know how the exterminations are a monthly occurrence, right?"
"Yes, I'm well aware, Lucifer," she replied.
"Well... I was hoping to extend that time to... a year," I said, my voice softening and becoming quieter at the last part.
Adam suddenly choked on his ribs before spitting in our direction.
He quickly began to protest and yell, saying how much of a traitor I was and that the monthly exterminations were necessary — his lieutenant joining in and taking his side.
After a minute of yelling, Sera simply raised her hand, and that made both of them quiet down.
Once the room was silent, Sera spoke once more.
"Tell me, Lucifer — why have you decided this? For years, the exterminations have been conducted on the sinners, and not once have you spoken out against it... what has changed?"
Okay, I'm panicking. I didn't expect her to actually listen. I didn't even make a speech. But I was doing this for Charlie and Stygian — they both deserve to grow up somewhere that isn't constantly getting destroyed. So with a deep breath, I calmed myself and gave my response.
"To tell the truth, Sera, I didn't really have a clue what to say to you since I didn't know I'd make it this far."
She looked at me with a raised eyebrow but didn't speak up, simply listening to my words.
"But to tell the truth, I want my children to grow up and see that their home isn't just a constant warzone. And maybe, if we gave the sinners more time to develop, they may even change."
Sera then held her chin in thought, thinking it over.
"Oh, please! Those losers would probably just start killing each other. Even with the monthly exterminations, those idiots are nothing but animals," Adam said, looking absolutely furious at me.
"Adam, that's enough. I shall consider your proposal, and if you have anything else to add, please say it now."
Looking behind me, a smile began to slowly form on my face, and I had a bright idea. Maybe my son's cuteness would change their minds.
---
(Sera POV)
Lucifer was currently walking towards the door. I suspected as much — this meeting had been less than productive for both parties.
But to my surprise, he simply opened it slightly. A small figure with a pair of white horns walked beneath the table.
I couldn't quite see it, but as soon as Lucifer picked him up, I saw the figure, and it was...
Beautiful.
It was a bright light that almost blinded me with the absolute radiance of the figure.
It almost reminded me of...
"God?"