I'm scared of what is in my head
What's inside my soul
I feel like I'm running, but getting nowhere
Fear is suffocating me
I can't breath
I feel like I'm drowning, I'm sinking deeper

White light fades to red
As I enter the City of the Dead

~City Of The Dead
Eurielle

Chloe stepped back into the bullpen feeling a mixture of being home and being lost. She still wasn't cleared for duty, but she had promised she would catch up on the paperwork they had given her. She owed them that, and really, a lot more.

Lucifer had dropped her off, refusing to stick around while she did 'boring stuff' – at least some things never change.

Ella and Dan were off at a scene somewhere, otherwise it was business as usual. Yet, with her new outlook – that was the best way Chloe could rationalise it – she itched to get to the bottom of whoever was stalking her. With her being squirreled away at the penthouse everything had gone quiet.

Where was the fun if they couldn't terrorise her?

Maybe because she was stronger now – more like herself – they didn't seem as scary – maybe that she was looking at the methodology – how did they do what they did? How could know their surroundings so well? Evade all cameras? It was pissing her off, and kind of driving her crazy.

That and the fact Lucifer hadn't really touched her, or kissed her since. In a way it was a relief, no pressure, no worrying if she would be good enough for him. But the frustration was gnawing away, she knew he wanted her – that was glaringly obvious anytime they were alone together. He was not shy about his body.

Yet he was holding back – and the whole 'waiting till she was healthy' was a bullshit cover for something she had yet to figure out.

Sighing, she had to drop it for a bit longer and focus on the small pile on her desk.

Proofreading reports. Ugh. She couldn't blame Lucifer for having zero interest.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed when she caught sight of Maze, Lucifer and Linda with Charlie secured to her chest. Chloe beamed; she hadn't seen Charlie in far too long.

She stood as they stopped at her desk, Maze standing quite relaxed for once and Lucifer sitting himself on the edge of her desk. Chloe had no eyes for anyone other than Charlie, reaching over Linda's arm, she caressed the small head, smiling as he smiled back at her. "He's grown so much!" It was cliché – but really, he had!

Linda smiled at Chloe, beyond relieved she was stronger, brighter, obviously happier. "He really has – I think he's going to be tall like his dad and uncle."

"Hopefully he's not as mind-numbingly dull as his dad," Lucifer deadpanned causing all 3 women to glare in his direction.

Chloe sat back down, her energy still not where she wanted it to be. "How are things?" It wasn't usual for Linda to simply take Charlie for a stroll.

"Things have been really quiet, we've been able to go out, let him play at the park. It's been a nice breather."

"You mean no action, no fun." Maze will always be Maze – not happy unless there is sex or violence involved.

A thought came to Chloe and before she could help herself, "The Devil's back in town… the Devil is back in town," she quietly sing-songed.

Linda nodded her agreement, Maze laughed, but it was the look on Lucifer's face that made it worthwhile. It was a look of surprise, mixed in with childish glee, mixed in with the secure knowledge that she does accept him.

What he hadn't figured out yet, and what she was finally coming to understand herself was her attraction to him – who he is, especially his power. It had taken her a long time to see it – what it had been about that night in the club, then on the balcony that had her revealing the truth – to him and herself in all honesty. She'd had a long time to think about it, about how he looked at her after he took control, commanded them back. She knew how she was looking at him and she didn't think she'd ever looked at a man like that. Love, respect and so much more. His relief had been palatable.

As it was now.

"So, lunch?" Linda looked expectantly at her, "somewhere outside where we can be in real sunlight."

Chloe nodded. "What about the café near the beach?"

"Oh, yes please," Linda shifted Charlie in her arms, "Maze?"

"Only if I get to drive!" Linda grudgingly handed her the keys to her car.

There was on odd expression on Lucifer's face as he stood, holding out his hand for Chloe as Linda and Maze walked ahead. Smiling, Chloe eagerly took his hand, threading her finders through his and squeezing lightly. "Welcome to family."

"I…" he closed his mouth, turning to look at her, "Is this what it's like?" There was a pleased, yet pleading tone to the question."

"Yup, full of insanity, arguments and treasured moments." They were the only ones in the elevator having taken too long to follow. She allowed herself to lean against him, her head briefly resting against the bicep of the hand she held between both of hers – he really was tall. At 5'5 she never considered herself short per se, but he made her feel petite, feminine. And sometimes, just sometimes, it was a nice break from being mom or cop.

It was becoming routine – back from work, they'd usually stop somewhere to eat, which with Lucifer was always a grand event; probably was not helping her waistline, but the food was always so very good; he made her promise to stop calling it Heavenly – though she had to admit digging at him was great fun.

Tonight they were expecting her mom to visit, Chloe had made the call, as per Lucifer's request. She was finally strong enough in everyone's opinion. Trixie would be dropped off at Dan's as he called first dibs as soon as he heard she would be returning – Chloe had to chuckle at that. So far removed from when they were married and caring for a newborn.

Lucifer sat at the piano, playing something else beautiful and dramatic. He'd learned quickly what she enjoyed and tailored his playing to that. Ever the gracious host. Though he did inform her that he loved playing this type of music; filled with such passion and desire he'd commented – right up his alley.

Siting now at her usual place at the end of the couch, ensconced in the corner with her glass of wine, she closed her eyes, letting the music, his passion for playing, take her away.

When the elevator binged, Chloe tipped her head over the back of the couch to see her mom appear as the doors opened. She took one step into the penthouse and paused.

Chloe watched amazed as her mother took in the scene before her. Lucifer continued to play, his back to their guest, knowing by having glanced up briefly that all was as it should be. Her mother's eyes shone momentarily as she looked at Lucifer's back, elegantly moving as he let the music guide him, to her daughter, sitting, obviously very comfortably and completely relaxed.

Penelope moved to stand at Lucifer's right hand side, in his line of vision, close, but not close enough to interfere with his playing. After a moment, her hand reached around the back of his head, her palm on the left side of his head, tipping him towards her. Before he had time to realise what was happening, she'd placed a gentle kiss to his right temple. Delightedly surprised, he paused in his music before resuming where he'd left off. Smiling, Penelope used her thumb to wipe the smear of lipstick off him before heading to sit beside her chuckling daughter.

"Hi Mom," Chloe passed the glass of wine to her mother who happily took it.

"Hi Baby," she took a sip, almost groaning, savouring the wine before swallowing. "Ohhhh the good stuff." She took another sip before handing the glass back.

"You know Lucifer, only the best." Chloe placed the glass on the table beside her before letting her head rest on her mother's shoulder.

Marveling Chloe thought about all the relationships Lucifer hand mended, rebuilt, created and revealed the poison in. A year ago she would never have dreamed she'd be sitting here, so comfortable with her mother's presence, not needing to ask how Trixie took the 'vacation', not worrying about anything her 'mother did'.

Stupid, foolish, time wasting bullshit.

This was far too incredible to have missed. The music, the warmth, the love. Right here, right now.

All because the Devil came into her life and showed her how to truly live.

"How's Trixie feel about being home?" yeah, she missed her daughter terribly.

"Pissed I dropped her off at her dad's." Penelope chuckled. "Also, highly suspicious I was coming to see you alone first. She's too much like you and your Dad – the questions….." the dramatic eye-roll told Chloe everything about how her daughter had quizzed her poor grandmother who was sworn to secrecy.

When the song came to an end, Lucifer poured a second glass of wine, handing it to Penelope before bracing an arm on he back of the couch between the two women, allowing him to sneak in a quick, deep kiss. He tossed a look over his shoulder that would have made the Cheshire Cat proud as he walked to the chair across from the two women.

Chloe rolled her eyes at the obvious possessiveness trying to squash how much he could affect her; "smug bastard," she half growled, half laughed at his back.

Penelope laughed into her glass of wine shaking her head with great affection and amusement. "You know you were never like this with Dan."

That caught Lucifer's attention as he settled himself elegantly down in the chair, glass of whiskey held by his fingertips over the edge.

"Okay," Chloe's curiosity was getting the best of her. "I'll bite – how so?" It was an honest question to her mother's observation

"You were never this relaxed, this open and you sure as shit would never have called him a 'smug bastard' – at least not within his hearing."

Lucifer took a sip of his drink, "would offend his douchie ego." It was said without malice, but the implication was clear.

What surprised Chloe more was her mother's agreement. Penelope tipped her glass towards Lucifer's relaxed form, "exactly."

Chloe blinked, completely taken aback, "I didn't realise you don't like Dan."

"It's not that I don't like him per se – more that there is a part of his overall character that is lacking. A part he proved with the whole Palmetto fiasco." That one still stung – badly if Chloe was being honest with herself. Her mother continued on, "thank God he's a much better father now."

Chloe held up a finger to stop Lucifer before he could start his usual tirade. Thankfully he closed his mouth right away, looking somewhat perplexed.

"I saw that," Penelope looked between them with amazement. "I have no idea what that was about, but the way you two move together, speak to each other – no words needed – the respect." She paused to take a slow sip, looking directly at Lucifer. "I don't know much about you yet, but I thank you for bringing my daughter back to me."

Lucifer almost dropped his drink. Chloe smiled, so very fondly at the man, the Devil, the Angel who she hoped was now a permanent fixture in her life.

Looking back at her mom, she silently thanked whatever it is, God, Heaven, Fates? Frankly she didn't give a shit. This is what life is. Only missing one generation of Decker's. "You're right – more than right. " She shifted to face her mother, regret painting her voice. "I'm sorry, so sorry for the things I've said. I was thinking that we've wasted too much time."

Penelope smiled a sad smile. "Yeah, well, neither of us took the loss of your Dad well. I was too lost in my grief to help you with yours." A distant look of longing crossed her beautiful features, "I loved your dad so very much, we were a great family – the three of us – not perfect, but great. And I think I took it for granted."

Chloe tipped her head back to her mom's shoulder, almost like how Trixie would do against her. Keeping Lucifer in her direct line of sight, wanting to keep eye contact with him so he could see – really see how much he'd changed her life for the better. How thankful she was for his presence. "I think we all did, and I was too selfish to recognise your grief. I know you and dad had a great relationship. I think I wanted that back so badly I ignored my gut feelings when Dan showered me with affection." Chloe shrugged, "I think I saw what you saw, but I didn't listen."

"That's called young love." Penelope chuckled.

"I can't regret it – Trixie is too much of a gift."

"I's about time you saw it too." Penelope looked between the pair with a note of wisdom she rarely shared. "Lucifer has brought something back out in you, an awareness, a joy of life I haven't seen since your dad died and you started feeling responsible for me. I'm sorry about that too."

Chloe, feeling a sense of tranquility closed her eyes for a moment, smiling, loving life and all it has to offer – including one very special Devil.

Lucifer leaned forward in his chair, "Right then, enough of this seriousness. Penelope, please, regale us with your stories of your trip." His attention was fully on her mom, who eagerly basked in his attention, jumping at the opportunity to launch into film queen mode.