Disclaimer: Don't own Lucifer. 'Nuff said.

AN: Just a little Christmas fic I came up with...which grew so long I had to split it into chapters. Probably won't get it all posted before Christmas, but since most of it's written, I'm aiming to post every day (which may or may not include Christmas Day, depending on how busy I am). Hope you all enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

"Lux really is closed for the season, huh?"

"Maze told you, then?" Lucifer looked up from his drink and met Chloe's gaze.

"She mentioned it, yeah." The Detective walked over to the bar and hopped onto the stool beside him. "So, what's with the Grinch-y attitude, Lucifer Scrooge?"

Lucifer rolled his eyes. "I'm not being a Grinch or a Scrooge. I just… I've never really had a Christmas before. Family issues."

"Oh. You wanna talk about it?"

He shook his head. There was no point telling her, because he knew she wouldn't believe him. How could he even begin to explain that the holiday humans adored was too painful a reminder of what he'd lost? Was a huge part of his family history in so many ways? Even when he constantly reminded himself that it wasn't the right date (and he didn't want to get started on everything else that mankind had gotten wrong about the story), he couldn't ignore the constant reminders of the event and it just made him…depressed.

"Besides," he said, after taking a sip from his drink. "The Devil celebrating Christmas? Can you imagine it?"

She smirked and said, "The Devil solving crimes? Can you imagine it?"

"That's completely different. The Devil punishes evil, and that's exactly what I'm doing. Just without the fire and brimstone."

Chloe let his talk about being the Devil wash right over her, like she always did, and Lucifer had to repeat to himself that it was better than the alternative: her knowing the truth, and fleeing. He would rather her think he was insane and accept him, than know the truth and reject him.

"I take it you're gonna be alone this Christmas, then," Chloe said after a moment of silence.

"I'm always alone on Christmas." He didn't count the thousands of demons and tortured souls that had been with him in Hell. And during his short time on Earth, well, he placed the Lux staff on paid leave when he closed up for the season, and Maze always disappeared to do her own thing.

There was a brief flash of an emotion he couldn't place – Heartbreak? Sympathy? – in the Detective's eyes, but it was gone before he could work up the courage to ask her about it. "In which case, there's no reason for you to say 'no' to my invitation."

"Invitation?"

"It's something my mom's been planning for months," Chloe explained. "She's rented this cabin in Colorado; really big, five bedrooms, and four of them have two beds. The whole family was going to spend Christmas there. Me, her, Trixie, Dan, his family… But the Espinozas had to cancel. Dan's dad fell ill, his mom and sister don't wanna leave him, and his nephew and brother-and-law don't wanna come without them. So, instead of cancelling the trip altogether, Mom asked me to invite anyone I knew who was spending Christmas alone."

"And you want to invite me." The very thought that someone wanted to include him for such a special occasion – even if it was Christmas – was almost overwhelming. "Who else is going?"

"Ella," Chloe replied. "She doesn't want to go back to Detroit because she moved here to get away from her parents, and her brothers are all doing other things. She practically jumped at the chance to come. Linda's coming, too. She doesn't have any immediate family and she's tired of being a silent observer at her cousin's place. And, believe it or not, I managed to convince Maze to come."

To say that Lucifer was surprised would be an understatement. "Maze? You actually convinced Maze to come to your family's Christmas gathering?"

"She's only coming because Linda is," the Detective explained. "And because Trixie begged her."

"I agree that it's very hard to say 'no' to your spawn."

"I can go get her so she can beg you to come."

"I'd prefer it if you didn't."

He went to take another sip from his drink, but Chloe gently took it from him. "Come on, Lucifer. If you've never had a Christmas before, then it's about time you did. And that means spending it with people who care about you."

"I highly doubt Dan cares about me."

She rolled her eyes. "Stop avoiding the subject," she said, before reaching out and squeezing his hand. "I won't be able to sleep, knowing you're here alone. There's no harm in taking a leap like you always do."

Lucifer was torn. On the one hand, the thought of spending Christmas with Chloe and other people he liked was actually rather pleasant. But on the other, he wasn't sure if he would be able to cope with so many reminders of what the holiday represented surrounding him. He didn't want to ruin Christmas for everyone else by being, well, him.

And yet, the Detective's eyes just looked so pleading and hopeful…

"I'll think about it," he said finally. It wasn't a 'yes' or a 'no', and it would give him time to debate the best choice without his partner around to distract him.

"OK." Chloe nodded, understanding, before sliding off the stool. "Just let me know either way by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. Mom needs to make some more arrangements, and it's near impossible to book flights this close to Christmas-"

"Oh, don't worry about the flight," Lucifer interrupted. "I'll book a private jet."

"So, you are coming?"

Am I? Lucifer realized he'd made the offer without thinking. "I'll pay for one either way. Consider it an early Christmas present."

For a moment, it looked as though the Detective had been struck speechless, but she quickly composed herself. "It'd just be for Ella, Linda and Maze – and you if you're coming – since Mom's flying in from her latest movie and I already booked a flight for myself, Dan and Trixie. But then again, our seats are in coach, and out of the two I'd take a private jet any day…"

He chuckled. "Consider it done, Detective. You can have yourself a Christmas party while your fly."

"Sounds like fun," she admitted. "But it'd be much more fun if the guy who paid for the flight was celebrating with us."

"I said I'd think about it."

"Please do." She sighed. "Anyway, I better go; I've had a really long day filled with complaints, and I wanna head home and rest."

"Complaints?"

"Dan was yelling at me for supposedly losing his Bodybags boxset," she explained. "A Limited Edition one, or something like that. On top of that, Ella was moaning all day about the department's budget cuts preventing her from getting some new equipment, and on top of that, Trixie won't shut up about this Nintendo Wii game she wants – which I can't get her because we don't even have a game console."

"Then get her the consol."

"It's too expensive." She turned to go, but then quickly turned back to him and said, "Oh, and can you extend the invitation to Amenadiel, as well? Maze mentioned that he'll be on his own, too."

Lucifer scoffed. "And you think I'm lacking the Christmas spirit. My dear brother has recently lost his 'faith', if you will. He'll definitely be a 'no'."

"You're actually saying 'yes'?"

Amenadiel just shrugged. "Maze will be there."

"Yes, but you'll also be surrounded by constant reminders of Dad and our little mortal half-brother," Lucifer explained. "And considering your recent…struggles, I'm surprised that you'd be willing to endure that."

The pair were sat on the couch in the penthouse, and Lucifer couldn't help but let his gaze fall on the table and chairs sat by the window. The same chairs he and Chloe had filled a few weeks ago, when he'd given her the dinner he'd promised.

Where they'd almost kissed.

But to further prove that his Father was actively working against him to make his life Hell – literally, most of the time – they'd been interrupted. By a Brittney who had wandered up, hoping to catch Lucifer alone and "pleasure" him.

He knew he shouldn't have yelled at her; shouldn't have lost his temper. But really, was it his fault that she was so dim-witted she couldn't take even the most blatant of hints? The Devil wondered if she would be brave enough to come back for the New Year's Eve party. But he wouldn't be surprised if he found himself down one Brittney come the new year.

What he regretted more was yelling in front of the Detective who, after the terrified Brittney had disappeared, had made an excuse that she needed to get back to Trixie before leaving shortly after.

Another dinner ruined.

Chloe didn't avoid him, thank goodness, but she did pretend that the evening had never happened – which he supposed was a far better outcome than her avoiding him altogether. Not to mention that with the pretence, there was a chance that he could try and have another dinner with her without any interruptions. A do-over.

If he ever plucked up the courage to ask her out.

Why is love so sought after when it makes you feel dreadfully frightened?

He pulled himself back into the conversation when he realized that Amenadiel was replying to his question. "In case you haven't realized, Lucifer, this holiday isn't just our little half-brother's birthday anymore. The humans have made it their own. It's about being with people you care about, and despite what's been going on with me lately, I'd like to enjoy myself for once."

"I thought you'd prefer to spend Christmas with Mum, seeing as you two are inseparable."

"She needs to spend Christmas with Charlotte's mortal family," Amenadiel explained. "Having a random stranger there wouldn't exactly be keeping up the pretence very well, would it?"

"I was actually hoping to avoid my mate and offspring altogether."

Lucifer rolled his eyes at his mother's unannounced presence. "Speak of the Devil's mum."

She dropped her purse on the bar before crossing the penthouse to join them, taking a seat on the couch opposite. "I think I'd rather go back to Hell than face one more day surrounded by all this…cheer and goodwill. It's disgusting."

"Well, if you hold still, Mum, that can be arranged."

"Luci…"

"It's fine, Amenadiel," their mother assured her eldest. "I understand that he's still upset with me, and he has every reason to be. But all things considered, I think it all worked out for the best. That Detective proved that she's worthy to be with you, and that filthy warden got a far better punishment than prison."

For once, Lucifer agreed with her on the latter. Perry Smith had been missing ever since the evening after the trial, and Maze had informed him that same night – after Chloe had left – that the Russians had found out who was responsible for Boris's death.

She hadn't needed to say anymore. It was clear who had let that information slip – and crystal clear that Perry Smith would never be seen alive again.

Ignoring his mother's change in attitude towards Chloe – something he couldn't begin to understand and didn't really want to contemplate – Lucifer finished his drink. "She's my first taste of happiness in eons, and you very nearly ruined that. It's not something that can be easily forgiven."

"Yet you're thinking about declining her invitation to spend Christmas with her," Amenadiel reminded him in an unhelpful manner.

"For reasons that have nothing to do with her," Lucifer quickly added.

"She invited you to celebrate Christmas?" His mother's eyebrows rose.

Lucifer sighed. "Yes. With her family and friends. It all sounds rather…nice, all things considered, but I'm worried…"

"That what? You won't enjoy yourself?" The Goddess's head tilted. "Or are you more afraid that you will enjoy yourself? That for once you'll be happy on the one day of the year that represents everything you stand against?"

"Mother, I have a therapist, and I don't need another."

"You're avoiding the answer, which means I'm right." He went to protest, but she quickly cut him off. "I'm your mother. I know. And personally, I think you're being silly. You said that you were here to reinvent yourself; become someone else, someone other than who your Father wanted you to be. In avoiding Christmas like you always have, you're once again accepting the role He gave to you. So why not rebel against that role? Enjoy Christmas, and laugh in your Father's face."

Lucifer frowned. His mother's words…actually made sense. While Christmas was a reminder of everything he'd lost, he almost felt…obligated to hate it, to spend it alone. Simply because he was the Devil. Enjoying himself instead would be the biggest middle finger he could send up to his Father. And that felt positively thrilling.

Though not as thrilling as the thought of spending the holiday with Chloe. She was the reason, his real reason, and getting back at his Dad would only be an added bonus.

He smiled, but it faltered a little. "Something tells me you have something to gain from all of this, Mother."

She sighed. "Fine. I do. After Chloe proved herself in the courtroom, I realized that…you two deserve each other. She proved her worth. I haven't seen you this happy in so long, and I want to keep that smile on your face. So, I approve. If you want to stay with Chloe and be happy with her, then you have my support."

There was still the feeling that she wasn't telling him the entire truth…but her words were still the truth. Chloe was safe from her, and Lucifer felt relief at that thought. So long as his mother was seemingly on the same page as he was, he'd leave things be.

"Well then." He rose to his feel. "I best call the Detective and let her know."

"I hope you enjoy yourself," said his mother. "And I can spend Christmas with Amenadiel and avoid my…human family."

Amenadiel winced. "Actually, I'm going too, Mom."

The Goddess's face fell. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Just buy plenty of toys for your offspring, and they'll be so distracted they won't bother you at all," said Lucifer.

She shrugged. "That could work, I suppose. I could even get some new toys for the husband."

"Mother!"

"Mom!"

Lucifer escaped into his club, far away from his mother and her descriptions of all the "tricks" she'd taught her mortal husband – and for once Lucifer actually felt bad for leaving Amenadiel with her – so he could call the Detective.

She picked up after the first ring, and Lucifer wondered if she was waiting for him to call. "Lucifer?"

"Detective!" The sound of her voice banished his nerves and whatever was left of his doubt. "You'll be happy to know that I'm accepting your invitation. And so is Amenadiel."

"That's great!" He could hear the happiness in her voice, and like a mirror effect it made him happy, too. "Do you guys have any winter gear?"

"Winter gear?" Lucifer frowned.

"You know, ski coat, snow boots, thermals?" She sighed. "Of course you don't. OK, I'm planning on taking Maze shopping for some next week. You two can tag along if you want, unless you want to get some yourselves."

"Perhaps it's better we go with you," Lucifer said, as he wondered what exactly he'd gotten himself into.

"Great! Oh, and don't forget to go Christmas shopping to get some presents for everyone. If you need any help, I can text you a list."

"I don't need a list." He had to get everyone presents?

"And Mom wants everyone to wear Christmas jumpers, so get one of those, too."

Lucifer refrained from sighing, but couldn't stop his fingers from pinching the bridge of his nose. He really didn't know what he'd gotten himself into.