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Charlie was absolutely exhausting . Alastor watched as she fretted about, in between hotel work and Dawn’s first birthday, the Princess of Hell was a mess. Since three weeks ago of sharing a room at night since Dawn had to refuse the two of them being apart, he had better sleep until Charlie would keep him up talking about Dawn’s first birthday.
He finds her in her bedroom, gently rocking Dawn, as he closes the door, and Charlie looks up, whispering, “Hey! When she is asleep I want to show you something!”
Dawn turns looking at Alastor , he smiles down at her, and Dawn smirks. Alastor places a hand on her hair. Gently rubbing her as he looks at Charlie, “Dear, if this is about the party…”
“Shh!”
He looks at Charlie in annoyance until Dawn copies her mom, shushing her. Alastor smirks, “Shh! It is bedtime!”
Dawn giggles at her father, making the sound again. Charlie takes her and gets up, walking over to her crib, and placing her down. Dawn curls up with her things, as Charlie goes to Alastor.
Charlie huffs, “Alastor it’s her first birthday! I just want it to be special.”
Alastor takes his coat and places it on an armchair, taking a seat, “Darling, you want it special for you. Dawn won’t remember any of it. She is just as happy as us singing to her then having a party with you r…f athe r…i n attendance.”
Charlie crosses her arms, “Maybe it’s just my Dad coming that concerns you?”
Alastor huffs, rolling his eyes, “I could really care less about Lucifer coming. You however are going overboard! She is one, and won’t remember it. Relax, my dear.”
Charlie sits on the arm of his chair, exasperated and frustrated but whispering, “I just feel like her first birthday is a big deal, Al! And for u s…w e kept her alive for a year!”
Alastor looks up at her, “So, we shall have a party for us ! We’ve kept her alive in this Hell Hotel for a whole twelve months! Surely, we should get a prize!” He looks up at her with a wide smile and bright eyes, and she gently taps his shoulder as he snickers at her, “Darling, have your party, but relax. It’s another day. When Dawn is old enough you can plan for bigger things.”
She sighs, leaning back on the edge of the chair. Alastor knew the two of them had gotten closer, but in the last few weeks, while they had shared a bed and a living space, the man was seeing her very differently. He observed her as her chest heaved , and the way she crossed her legs.
He had hated that he had so badly wanted to touch her, here in the waking hours, even though he knew the two of them would be curled together in their sleep. He hated that too , but he at least had that.
He watches her as she mopes and rolls his eyes, standing up to try and get away from her. She watches him as he turns to leave, “Are you at least getting her a gift?”
Alastor turns to look at Charlie carefully, his hands out, “Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I say something about it now, would I, my dear.”
Charlie gives him an odd look and sighs, “Fine, Al.”
It’s another two days when she is decorating the entire foyer, and Alastor is watching as she has the rest of the crew helping. Truly a leader, for all the silliest of things. Alastor moves forward and hopes to be out of Charlie’s wrath, until she catches him, “Al! Can you do me a favor?”
Alastor closes his eyes to try not to hold in the absolute annoyance, but indulge s…h e does share a bed with her after all, “Yes, my dear?”
Charlie watches as Nifty falls, face planting onto the ground after putting up a banner, “Uh, can you go to Cannibal Town?”
There is a God.
Alastor beams, “Charlie, I will be delighted to! Anything for the mother of my child!” He says, walking swiftly to the door.
Charlie is still paying attention to the others, but she throws a glance at Alastor, “Rosie has something for Dawn! And then I need you to stop by the bakery!”
Alastor mumbles, “Of course, my dear. I can do that!”
Charlie finally turns, running toward him, “Does it look ok?”
Alastor internally is fuming, she’s doing it for her and her father , mostly , but he digresses , “Dear, it will be a party to die for but I don’t want to keep Rosie waiting!”
Dawn watches Alastor and yells, “Dada!” at him, and he turns toward her, and walks back, “I’ll be back my little fawn! I’m going to get you something very special !”
Dawn waves bye at him as Charlie picks her up, and sighs, “Thanks, Al.”
Alastor looks at her and tilts his head, “Remember it’s for you, not for her.”
Charlie rolls her eyes, “Yes, Alastor.”
Alastor leans forward to Dawn, rubbing noses with her, her little giggle a wonderful sound. Charlie looks away a moment , the sweet gesture making her feel absolutely like she’s longing for something. Alastor smirks at her, nodding softly and leaving.
Charlie sighs a moment, and Dawn looks at her , she grabs Charlie’s face and does the same, as if she knew her mother wanted that kind of affection too.
Charlie smiles, kissing her on the cheek. Charlie smirks, “Kiss!”
Dawn looks at her funny, “Iss?”
Charlie shakes her head and carries Dawn up the stairs.
Alastor’s trip to Cannibal Town is uneventful, and as he enters Rosie’s establishment, he sees her greeting others , that is until their eyes meet, “Ah! Alastor!”
“Rosie, my dear!”
She lets the other customers go off as she greets him, “Well, I’d think you would be busy with the festivities! What are you doing here?”
Alastor looks at her oddly, “I do believe the Princess said something about you having something for her?”
Rosie lights up, “OH! Yes! I do. Just something for that little Princess of yours! Come, it’s in the back!”
Alastor does so, watching as she bends to pick up a beautifully wrapped box, “Rosie, my dear, you did not have to!”
“Well, of course I did! The little princess is such a wonderful addition to Hell, isn’t she? And it’s her first birthday! You have to make it special!”
Alastor rolls his eyes at that, “Yes, make it ‘special ’. More like her mother wants that.”
Rosie side eyes Alastor, “Well of course! She is her mother. She just wants what is best, as Dawn deserves. I’m surprised you are not finding all the little ways to make the day special.”
“Rosie, Dawn likes it when we sing songs and to chew on Husk’s tail. She likes to mimic the porn star, which I still don’t like, and likes to scare Nifty, which I do like.”
Rosie watches Alastor carefully , “Charlie running this thing into the ground, isn’t she? Tell me, is her father coming?”
Alastor makes a face that says everything. Rosie laughs, “Well, there is something I’m sure you will find make sure the day will be the best it can be. Appease Charlie, Alastor. She is, I assume, not having any more children anytime soon?”
Alastor looks at Rosie like she’s crazy, “Of course not! We are not having any more!”
He doesn’t catch himself, but Rosie does, “Aww, that’s too bad. You and her have already made one , what’s one or two more?”
Alastor narrows his eyes, “Rosie…”
“Oh, come off of it, Alastor. At the very least, you could make yourselves a family.” Rosie delights in seeing Alastor’s face turn, a bashful look he gets every damn time she brings up the motion of them just being together.
“I’ve told you, my dear. Me and Charlie are co-parenting. We are not romantically involved in any way! I don’t think of her…” Alastor all of a sudden looks away , he hasn’t talked to Rosie since he’s been sleeping with her. Jus t…s leeping. No t…
“So what happens when the Princess does have someone sweep her off her feet? A person you’d have to share your daughter with.”
Alastor sneers at that. It’s his daughter. Charlie’s daughter.
Their daughter .
He would never want to share that with anyone.
They are his . Dawn is anyway . Charli e…
His eyes dart this way and that , he’s hiding something here. Rosie raises an eyebrow, as he grabs the box, “Thank you, Rosie. It’s too bad you can’t come.”
Rosie places her hand on his hand , “I know, but someone has to make sure this place remains as it is. Give both Dawn and Charlie a hug and kiss from me.”
Alastor leaves, heading to his next chore of the day.
Charlie turns the corner to bump into Angel Dust, “Angel! What in hell is that!?”
“What? Valentino had it yesterday and we never used it! Kids love these things!”
The piñata was shaped like a penis, and Charlie wanted to now tear her hair out, “Angel, that’s not appropriate for a birthday party for a child!!”
Angel Dust throws up all four arms, “She’s not going to know any better! Let’s just let her hit it with a stick! It will be hilarious, and she likes to wave sticks and hit things anyway.”
Charlie stomps away, trying hard not to go into her demon form and throw him off the balcony. She watches as Vaggie brings her Dawn, “She keeps saying, Dada. Funny how Alastor went from the most fearsome overlord to Dad of the year.”
“Haha. Yes, Dad of the year…” Charlie says and takes Dawn from Vaggie, who waves bye to her aunt. Vaggie narrows her eyes, “Is everything ok?”
“I don’t know! I just. I’m trying to plan this birthday, and no one cares! Dawn wants nothing but him lately, but at night she wants the both of us in the same room. My father is finally coming for her birthday, he promised, but he’ll probably forget. Alastor I doubt even got her a gift, and I just…”
Vaggie smiles at Charlie, “Hey, hey! You're doing fine, Charlie! You’ve been working hard, and people care. I’m sure Alastor has something he just hasn’t said anything. Just , relax.”
Charlie growls in frustration about hearing that word again. Dawn looks at her mother softly for a minute and then says, “Iss?”
Charlie sighs, “What?”
Dawn yells out, “Iss!”
Charlie and Vaggie look at each other for a moment and then back at Dawn. Dawn scrambles to pull her mother’s face near hers, and opens her mouth, pressing her mouth to her mother’s cheek. Vaggie laughs, “She kissed you!”
Charlie smiles and looks at Dawn, “A kiss!?”
Dawn laughs and the girls giggle. Charlie kisses Dawn’s cheeks, “Aww, Dawn! You are giving me a kiss!”
“Iss!” Dawn then claps excitedly.
Vaggie laughs, “See Charlie , the girl just kissed you. She loves you.”
Charlie smirks and looks at Dawn, giving her many kisses as the little Hellborn giggles.
Alastor leaves the bakery and returns to the hotel later. Upon setting the gift with others (there are way too many for his liking) he goes to put the cake away and is met with Nifty and Dawn in the kitchen. Dawn excitedly reaches for her father, who watches as he hands the cake to Nifty.
“Don’t worry, sir! I’ll get it in the fridge for tomorrow.”
“Fine, Nifty. Where’ s…? ”
“Charlie, the Princess of the party, is knocked out on the couch. So, I took Dawn for a bit. She keeps saying something I can’t understand.”
Dawn yells at him, “Up!”
Alastor takes her in his arms, “Where’s mom, my little fawn?”
“Mama?” She asks, tilting her head, then looking back into the common area.
Alastor walks out with Dawn, and Dawn points at Mom. She’s a mess, her jacket thrown to another chair, and her hair is loose, so it’s a tangled mess on the couch. Alastor puts Dawn down as he looks around him, a hodgepodge of decor for their daughter’s birthday tomorrow.
He muses that she has worked hard, and smiles a softer smile for the mother of his child. Dawn toddles up to Charlie and says, “Mama!”
Alastor smirks, “Sleeping, my dear.”
“Iss?”
Alastor bends down, looking at Dawn, “ Well that’s new? What’s that?”
“Iss!” She yells out. Charlie doesn’t stir. Alastor looks at Charlie oddly, and back at Dawn.
Dawn leans forward toward Charlie’s face and opens her mouth. Alastor looks at her with an odd expression, when Dawn puts it on her mother’s cheek.
Alastor looks at Dawn who looks at Alastor, “A kiss?”
“Iss!” She claps.
Charlie finally stirs, and Alastor laughs. She looks at the faces of Dawn and Alastor looking at her, “What?”
“Dawn seems to have learned to ‘kiss ’, and was demonstrating on your face, my dear.”
Charlie wipes at her cheek, and sighs, “Yeah, she learned to do it and wouldn’t stop. Didn’t help that we laughed every time.”
Alastor hums and looks at Dawn, “Who is she kissing?”
“Just me, Vaggie she wouldn’t.”
Alastor rolls his eyes, “Good.”
“Al!”
Alastor laughs, and stands straight, bending down to pick her up when she insists. Dawn yells at Alastor, “Iss!”
Alastor looks at her, “Me?”
Charlie looks at the two of them and smirks, “Yeah, Dad. A kiss.”
He looks at Charlie oddly. He didn’t mind the nose thing, but a kiss felt s o…o d d…
He leans his cheek to her, but Dawn grabs him and bumps her nose into his. Alastor wholeheartedly agrees that’s a better compromise. Charlie laughs, “Fine, I can get the kisses then.”
“Iss!” Dawn yells, and Alastor laughs, as he leads them up to the room.
With Dawn in bed, Charlie paces around the room, trying to remember everything for the next day. Alastor is unamused and decides to try his hand at sleeping in his room. In a way, he feels like they should have tried this last week, “Darling, I do think I’ll head to my suite. You need rest.”
Charlie turns, “What!? No, no! I’m ok! Just trying to remember.”
Alastor points at Dawn, “She’s asleep. She won’t notice anything. If something happens, come get me, dear.”
He walks toward the door , but he notices it in the corner of her ey e…
She is in tear s…
Alastor turns towards her and looks at her with a confused expression, his smile tight. What is going on?
“Charlotte?”
“I’m not good at this, aren’t I?” Charlie huffs and Alastor looks over at their daughter who jumps but settles back. Alastor pulls Charlie away from Dawn toward the other side of the room. Charlie covers her eyes as she tries to find herself.
“Darling, you are worrying me…” Alastor tries to tell her and she drops her hands, sighing and looking up to him.
Charlie looks at Alastor for a minute and sighs, “You don’t understand, Al. Sorry.”
Alastor watches her turn, but then grabs her wrist, pulling her back, “What. Is. It?”
Charlie watches his face for a moment. He’s irritated, and when it comes to Dawn, he doesn’t like when things are kept from him. Charlie looks down, “I just…I wanted this to be a nice day for Dawn. But, it’s also reminding me that she’s not going to be small forever, and I’m trying really hard, ok!? Just , want to do the things I feel are…”
“Motherly?” Alastor let go of her wrist, standing straight and watching her closely. She looks over at Dawn, and whispers, “She always seems like she attaches to you. It’s not bad, at all. Just, I wanted to feel good about this , to do it for her.”
“So you work yourself to exhaustion and cry because you feel sorry for yourself ?”
“You know, you can go jump off the roof.” She said and tried to turn away, but he laughed as he grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her back against his chest, “Darling, stop. What did she do today for the first time with you, and only you?”
Charlie looked back at him carefully but then blushed, “She gave me a kiss.”
“And did she do that to anyone else?”
Charlie turns, his hands now on her forearms as she looks at him, “No.”
“I believe Dawn knows exactly who she enjoys her time with. She wouldn’t beg for the both of us if she didn’t want us, darling. You are just fine as her mother. She could have worse, and you know this for a fact.” He tells her, and she sighs but nods.
Charlie bash fully looks to the ground, then back at Alastor, “I’m fine now. You don’ t…h ave to go to bed, in your room.”
Alastor smirks and grabs her just slightly tighter, “I think you are getting used to me in your bed.”
Charlie walks right out of his arms and waves him away, as he laughs quietly to not disturb his daughter .
He joins her an hour later, Charlie fast asleep as he tucks in beside her, she instinctively sliding closer to him in her sleep. His instinct to grab her possessively he tampers, instead scooting over to lie closer to her.
She’ll be tangled around him before the morning comes, anyway.
Dawn awakens to whispers and looks over to see her mother and father whispering together. Funny, lately when she gets up, Alastor usually has left, and not usually with her mother. She watches as Alastor says something to Charlie, and Charlie gives him a funny look. She has no clue what they are saying but likes to watch their interactions.
She thinks that Alastor whispering into her mother’s ear must b e…
“Iss?”
Charlie and Alastor look her way and smile at her. Charlie beams, “Good morning, birthday girl!” Charlie comes to her, happy and smiling at her, making Dawn smile. Dawn is picked up and her father joins them, “Well! A whole year older than this little fawn! Happy birthday, darling.”
Dawn looks at her father and smiles. The attention from both of them is a nice difference. Charlie kisses her and hands her to her father. Dawn is slightly confused but enjoys her time to have breakfast with just her parents , that doesn’t happen often.
The enjoyment of just having the two of them to herself is a first, it seems anyway , and she delights at all of the attention.
Charlie brings over the gift from Rosie, “Look Dawn , a present!”
Alastor gives her a look , “Why are you opening that one now, my dear?”
Charlie shows Alastor the card that reads to open it in the morning. Charlie lets Dawn rip into the box, which she excels in, and Charlie notices an adorable dress made by Rosie. Charlie is excited, “Aww, it’s so cute!”
Alastor looks at Dawn, who plays with the box, “She just seems to love it too.”
Charlie puts the dress down and looks at Alastor who snickers at her, “It’s beautiful, but I did mention…”
“I know! I know!” Charlie says in her exasperation and picks up Dawn to dress her.
The dress is red with black lace, a mirror of her father somewhat and Charlie coos over it. Alastor tilts his head.
Ok, ok. She is very cute .
Charlie insists on a picture, and Alastor rolls his eyes. Dawn laughs at him making a face at his mother, which at least gets her a cute photo.
Alastor swipes her up and takes her out, Charlie right behind him, “Where are you going?”
“I’m taking her out, and you, my dear, are coming with us.”
Charlie looks confused, “But the party…”
“Isn’t until 3:00, Charlie. Come and spend the day. I promise you’ll be back with the time.”
Charlie looks at him like he’s crazy, but decides to throw her jacket on.
For the day, Alastor takes Charlie and Dawn to the outskirts of Pentagram, where the population is less. Alastor brings Dawn to what looks like a field, and Dawn is put down .
“What are we…”
“Time, darling.” Alastor looks at Charlie, “Something us sinners always took for granted.”
Charlie looks at him in confusion, before she watches as Dawn explores. She looks back at her parents before she begins to look around, laughing at the free play that her father has given her.
Charlie stands there and looks at Dawn, her smile and running around like a happy little demon does feel her with joy. Charlie follows her around as she explores. Alastor watches the pair with an expression of interest.
For Alastor, watching as Dawn and Charlie chase around each other, laughter and fucking joy intermingled in their sounds makes him feel like he’s found something he has never felt in his life or death.
Alastor understood his feelings for Dawn , she was literally manifested from a part of his soul. But as he watched Charlie, the deep grip that she had on him he chalked up that Dawn was the other part of that soul that they made.
What if Charlie had found someone else to spend her days with? Dawn wouldn’t stay little forever, and surely they would not want to keep sharing a bed after their daughter was in her room and space. Alastor was perplexed that this bond that they had made was an instinctive desire to want to be close to their daughter , but he couldn’t deny he enjoyed feeling Charlie against him when falling asleep.
He watched as the two were chasing each other, this time mother chasing her child when Dawn ran right into Alastor’s legs, as he looked down at her laughing hysterically like he does sometimes when he gets rid of the drivel that attacks the hotel. He looks down at her face, purely lightened up by just having her parents near, and she runs right away again, laughing as Charlie swoops in and picks her right up.
Alastor smiles as she brings her back to Alastor, and watches as Dawn kisses her mother’s cheek, watches as her mother’s face lights up, and they both meet each other’s eyes. For a moment nothing is said, just looking at each other as Dawn yawns, reaching out to Alastor.
Alastor finally looks at Dawn before taking her, holding her with her head on his shoulder as they walk back to the hotel, Dawn falling asleep on his shoulder. Charlie follows closely behind.
When they arrive, placing Dawn for a nap, Charlie thanks Alastor, “I admit, she seemed happy to just play .”
Alastor hums, for even with all these -feelings- he does enjoy being right, “ Now my dear, I admit that while the fun was for Dawn’s sake, I figured the break would be beneficial for you, as well.”
Charlie smirks and looks away, not wanting to look right at him. Alastor smirks and hooks her chin, gently moving her face back to him. He doesn’t know where his words come from, but they are there, in the open, “As I’ve said, you would be the only demon in hell that could love a spawn like her. You will grow, just like her, Charlie.”
Charlie looks right at him, not sure what to say or do, but all she can feel is his intense stare and his finger on her chin , like a magnet, they get closer, and Charlie whispers thank you spurring them further until knock at her door pulls them out of their magnetic force.
Charlie sighs and straightens her jacket as Alastor turns to look at the door with a sense of anger and foreboding he never thought possible, as she opens it to reveal the King of Hell.
“Hey Char…!”
“Shhh!” Both Charlie and Alastor say together and Lucifer frowns. But then looks over at his granddaughter in her crib.
He mouthed “Oh!” and walked to the crib to examine Dawn, ignoring Alastor as he fumed at Lucifer interrupting him and Charlie.
Not that the man knew anything.
Charlie sighs, whispering she is glad he could make it, but the look he gives her makes her eyes downcast, “I can’t be long. I just wanted to stop and give her a gift. Sorry, Char.”
Charlie can’t believe it and turns to try to stop her father from walking, “ Whoa wait!”
Charlie follows him into the hall, Alastor in tow following the two and shutting the door, his shadow with their daughter.
“Dad, it’s her first birthday!”
Lucifer sighs, “I know! But a lot is going on in the doomsday district and…”
“I am your daughter and she is your granddaughter! The only ones you’ll ever have!”
“Charlie , believe me ! I have absolutely nothing planned for Thursday! Come over with Dawn then . Not him.” Lucifer looks toward Alastor, whose permanent smile is a sneer.
“Today is her birthday! You know I was planning this! You knew! And stop with not including her father in your plans!”
Lucifer sighs, “Look, I’m so sorry for this, Charlie! I did get her a nice gift!”
“I don’t care about all that! I just…” Charlie looks back at Alastor, who looks down at her.
Alastor smirks as if a dawning (no pun intended) grips her tightly. Charlie shakes her head, “Fine. Go.”
“Charlie…”
“Just go, Dad.”
“Charlie, really, it just came up! I had every intention!” He says to her. His sigh is irritable but Charlie looks over at Alastor. Alastor looks at Lucifer, and is serious ,
“While I do believe you may have important matters. This is Hell. It’s not like anything is going to happen that will be permanent without you around.” Alastor says.
Lucifer goes to say something, but the look on Charlie’s face says a lot. Lucifer looks at Alastor, frowning and sulking, “I have to go Charlotte .”
Charlie just sighs and follows him out. Alastor just watches the two of them.
Good, he didn’t need him there, anyway.
After Dawn is back up, Charlie brings her to her party. The crew does seem very festive, and Dawn claps when everyone surprises her. Alastor watches carefully as Charlie plays a silly little game with the crew and Dawn, even though Dawn is much more eager to chase Husk.
After several minutes of this, Charlie says they will do gifts. Alastor watches as everyone grabs a box off a table, bringing it over to Dawn seated in the center of everyone.
First is Nifty’s gift, when opened is a series of plush-like knives. Dawn throws them, making Nifty delight in it. Next is Husk’s, which he just gives her a ball and Dawn throws it as well. Vaggie helps her open her gift, which is a stuffed Koala. Dawn also throws it. Next, Angel comes in with something wel l…n ormal.
“Wha? It’s just blocks. Also, I got us our favorite popsicles in the freezer!”
“Angel…” Charlie picks up the blocks, “What’s written on them?”
She picks them up, and he shrugs, “Just suggestions for things.” His laughter is palpable as she realizes there are body parts and sexual acts on them.
Alastor rolls his eyes, as Charlie takes them, “Thanks, Angel.”
Sir Pentious comes over, and gives her an egg, “For when she will need minions!”
Alastor and Charlie look at him, “It’s real?”
Sir Pentious goes to say something, but Dawn throws it too, the egg cracking. It wasn’t an Egg Boi, just an egg.
Charlie blinks a moment and then shakes her head, then turns to look at Alastor, who looks at her and nods to a gift on the edge of the table . She takes it and helps Dawn to open it.
She pulls out what looks like a staff, and Dawn immediately takes it from her, swinging it around. The tiny microphone is fake, but enough for her to even hold something that she’s been trying to get for the last several weeks makes the girl ecstatic about the thing .
Charlie smiles and thinks it’s kind of cute. Alastor looks at her with a smirk, and she finally brings one more box out for Dawn. Dawn looks at it and bangs the microphone on the box. Charlie helps her to open it, and Dawn reaches inside, a small doll inside. Dawn smiles at it, but then goes back to her microphone.
Angel Dust laughs, “Definitely smiles, spitting image.”
Charlie smirks , it is fine she didn’t care for her gift, and claps, “Well, thank you, everyone! Let’s have cake?”
They all agree as Dawn walks around, swinging the staff around, trying to imitate her father. Charlie watches as Husk brings out the cake, but Dawn’s twirling the staff makes her fling it, and it hits straight into Husk’s legs, making him trip.
Charlie gasps and everyone else yells, but the cake lands on the floor.
Charlie’s face is one of pure shock, and Dawn looks at everyone as they stand almost frozen, her father’s face one of annoyance at the others.
Charlie looks at everyone for a moment, but then moves away, heading back upstairs for a moment . Nifty rushes to deal with the cake, and Vaggie takes Dawn, who seems confused, and looks for the microphone.
Angel Dust helps Husk up, who looks at Alastor, the annoyed look on his face terrifying. Alastor turns, however, following Charlie.
He finds her leaning against the wall, her face in her palms and a stuttered breath escapes her as he comes to her, “It’s just..”
“No! No! Jus t…i t’s not the point. I just , I try! I do! Just one day…”
“It’s a cake, darling!”
“It’s not just a cake! It’s about family and time together, and celebrating what we do have! I jus t…t hese people and Da d…I should just go to bed.”
Alastor looks at her thoughtfully, “You could , or you can spend it with Dawn.”
Charlie frowns, “I…”
Alastor sighs, and grabs her shoulders, looking into her eyes, “Not every day will be sunshine and rainbows, Charlie. No matter how much.”
“I know that! I jus t…w anted to feel like a family, ok?” Charlie says, sighing in frustration, “I used to spend birthdays alone while Mom and Dad did things. I just wanted a bit more.”
“And Dawn does, darling! You, her mother, you're here. I’m here , the rabble we put up with daily is here. So your father missed today. If it becomes a habit, I will talk to him personally.”
Charlie looks at him, looking at his red eyes. Alastor lets her go but doesn’t move away. That magnetic pull from earlier is back, and Alastor’s nose brushes against hers. Both of them wait for someone to move, to leave, to try to get out of this, but neither does.
Charlie tilts her head and leans forward, meeting his lips with hers. He’s positively shocked but allows it. Both of them break apart to look at each other.
For a full minute no one moves, before Alastor moves to cup her cheeks to bring her back to him, her hands grabbing his jacket to pull him closer. He drags his hand into her hair, cupping the back of her head as he bites at her bottom lip, initiating her gasp as his tongue enters to explore her. All of her.
Pressing her to the wall, they taste each other, his hand gliding to rest at her hip, but then digging possessively. Charlie wraps her arms around his neck, and when they break to breathe she is the one to pull him back, gliding her tongue to intertwine with his.
“Charlie! I’m back! And hey! I brought cake!” The King of Hell yells from the foyer, and Charlie and Alastor stop.
They look at each other a moment , their breaths labored and chest heaving. Charlie licks her lips and Alastor watches her, the movement making him want so much more and to make her his.
“Charlie! Come on! Let’s light this cake!” Lucifer yells, and Alastor looks back annoyed.
Charlie pulls him back to look at her and she whispers, “We should go.”
Alastor nods and releases her. She blushes as she fixes her hair before she walks back to the common areas.
He needs a moment to compose himself. Clawing at his hair and fixing his jacket, he finally follows a moment later, watching as Dawn is set up to look at a cake Lucifer has somehow procured, watching her closely. Dawn, who looks confused, smiles brightly as she sees both her father and mother enter the room.
Lucifer looks at his daughter with a smile , “So, things died down, and I wasn’t sure if you had cake, so I figured why not more, right?”
Charlie smirks but doesn’t speak, a plethora of things in her head as Alastor stands behind her. Lucifer looks between the two and thinks better of saying any more, and then proceeds to start singing to Dawn.
They all chime in, watching Dawn as she looks at everyone singing to her. For her, this is amusing, and she claps when everyone finishes. Lucifer lights the candles with a quick snap of his fingers, and Charlie comes over, “ Dawn look!” She watches her mother blow on the candle.
She watches Charlie do it again, before looking at all the candles. For a moment, she watches the fire, bright and very interesting to her.
She just watches, and Charlie goes to blow on the candle when Dawn points at i t…
The fire bursts higher as both Lucifer and Charlie scramble to tamper it.
Charlie gets it all out and her eyes are wide , Dawn looks up at her mother with a shocked look , however , it is interesting, and she points again, the fire reignited and Lucifer and Charlie scramble to blow them out and grab the candles off the cake.
Even Alastor’s eyes are wide as Angel Dust chimes in, “Well, she’s not just the spitting image of Alastor I guess, huh?”
Lucifer nods, “Well, there is a first for everything, huh? Man, she manifested that quickly. Who wants cake?”
The crew all throw up their hands, and Dawn claps.
Charlie looks over to Alastor who looks at her, and Charlie moves to him, “Do you think she can do that again?”
Alastor looks at Dawn who points at things like she is trying, but it doesn’t work, “No, I believe she needs something to start it, but we should work on demon-proofing the hotel more than it is.”
Charlie nods, watching as Dawn is given a small slice of cake, and tries it, licking her fingers like it’s perfection .
Charlie smiles and joins in on the others, Alastor watching them all.
Dawn is let down and begins to go for the microphone toy that she was given until she finds the doll her mother had given her. She picks it up a moment, and says, “Iss!” and kissed it.
Charlie smirks as she runs along, dropping both things and grabbing the ball to throw it.
Lucifer goes up to her, settling in beside her, “Charlie darling, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, Dad. You made up for it. And with cake.”
He smiles as he watches Dawn play, and watches as she runs to her father, bringing him things for him to see. Lucifer sighs, “Did you open my gift?”
“No, I’ll go get it…”
“No! Do it when she sleeps. It’s a…s entimental thing anyways .” Lucifer says, kissing her on the top of her head, “Man, what a day of first huh? First birthday, first hellfire! Make sure the fireplaces are completely closed.”
Charlie giggles , and has to ask , “Did you have to do that with me?”
Lucifer frowns, “I…don’t remember. The staff mostly.”
Charlie frowns, “Yeah.”
Lucifer huffs, “Listen, I…you are great, you know that? And I’ll even admit, Alastor and you work great as a team.”
She looks over at him, who now holds Dawn as she holds the doll in her hands, gently kissing. Nibbling? It’s all in the girl's mouth. Alastor however is holding her to him tightly as he talks with Nifty and Husk.
Charlie looks back at Lucifer, “Thanks.”
Lucifer hugs her and Dawn scrambles down Alastor’s lap, running towards her grandfather, “Iss!”
Charlie laughs as Lucifer picks her up, “What is she saying?”
Charlie tilts her head, “Kiss.”
Lucifer smiles and looks at her, “A kiss? Ok!”
“No!” She yells, reaching out for her mother. Charlie takes her and the little demon immediately kisses Charlie. Vaggie smirks and the rest of the crew save Alastor “Awws” in unison. Charlie giggles as Dawn does it again.
Lucifer laughs, “All sorts of first! A kiss too huh ?”
Charlie looks at her father with wide eyes, her eyes darting to Alastor quickly who meets hers, and she breaks it quickly, “Yes! She just started that.”
Lucifer nods, “Well, she’ll crash here soon. Goodnight, everyone.”
The crew waves and Dawn watches as Lucifer kisses Charlie on the cheek, and then to Dawn. Dawn waves bye as Alastor comes to stand beside them.
Lucifer nods to Alastor, and he nods back.
Dawn is bathed and now in her little pajamas , Charlie sits cross-legged on the floor as Dawn plays with the doll and her red “ cat ” as Angel Dust has lovingly given her. Charlie takes the box her dad had given her and Dawn watches as her mother opens it. A deep red silk blanket was presented , and Charlie smirked as she lifted it, “This thing is really old ! Wow…”
She gently takes it, and Dawn reaches for it, the soft silk of it she presses against her face. Charlie muses for a moment, before handing her the blanket. Dawn covers the doll, but then takes it and rubs her face on it, “Nigh?”
Charlie stands, picking her up, “Yes, it’s night night!”
“Dada?”
Charlie turns, and hesitates, “Oh! Uh…”
The door opens then, and her father comes in and smiles at Dawn, “Sorry, dear! I was making sure everything was cleaned up . Didn’t want to leave everything to Nifty.”
Charlie watches him carefully as he takes Dawn in his arms. Dawn bumps her nose into his and giggles at Alastor. Charlie smiles fondly, and Dawn looks at Charlie, “Iss?”
Charlie leans forward and presses a kiss to Dawn’s cheek, “Goodnight, Dawn.”
“Mama.” Is all she gets, as Alastor lays her down, noticing the blanket, and looks to Charlie, “Father?”
“Mine, actually.”
Alastor covers Dawn with it, who immediately curls up and snuggles with the toys she is given . Alastor and Charlie watch her as she falls asleep.
“A whole year, come and gone,” Charlie says.
Alastor nods, “Though, here, there is more than enough of it.”
Charlie keeps looking at Dawn, “We will need to keep her out of our rooms, eventually. She seemed to forget now but …”
“Oh, she’ll remember again. A good tool to have in your arsenal, but she’s going to have to learn to control it.”
“Oh, I know! But, she’s still so small.” She says, looking at Dawn. Alastor smiles softly and looks at Charlie.
“She is, for a little while.”
Charlie looks at Dawn and then begins to move away, looking at Alastor, “We should…”
Alastor watches her for a moment , tilting his head, “We should…?”
Charlie plays with her fingers before putting them behind her, “Talk about...”
Alastor hums, “Ah, yes.”
Silence fills the air like a void, and she walks towards him. He sits down on the armchair, and she procures herself on that arm. She leans back, her arm on the back of it, crossing her legs, “Us.” She says, looking at Dawn.
Alastor watches her, “Us.”
Charlie looks down at Alastor who looks up at her. For a moment they just stare at each other.
Alastor and Charlie meet in the middle, colliding in a kiss, as he pulls her off the arm into his lap, her arm sliding to wrap around his neck. Her other hand is placed on his chest, and his hand holds her to him.
Charlie and Alastor break their kiss, looking at each other as if it is the first time.
Alastor murmurs against her lips, “I do believe your daughter should begin transitioning to her own room.”
Charlie intimately rubs her nose on his, “Your daughter should have done that a while ago.”
Alastor hums, “Her mother talked me out of it.”
“It was her father who didn’t want it in the end , anyway.”
Alastor looks at her carefully, “I guess we’re at an impasse, dear.”
Her hands glide into his hair, as his hand digs into the side of her thigh, “Charlotte…”
Charlie smirks, “Alastor…”
He leans again, their lips meeting.
It’s morning when Dawn awakens , her mother and father seem to be talking, but closer than normal . She watches as her father kisses her mother’s cheek. Dawn, excited, yells, “Iss!”
Charlie and Alastor look at her for a moment and smirk at her, as Alastor leaves. Charlie turns back at Dawn who claps, as she joins her daughter, “Yes, Dawn.”
She kisses her daughter’s cheek, a small secret smile on her lips that Dawn tilts her head back, watching her mother as it seems she is lost in thoughts, “Lots and lots of kisses…”