8

I finished washing the last of the dishes, placing them gently in the drying rack on top of the counter. I sighed and looked around the place I could now call our home. It was ours, all ours.

Lucifer had found a decent job too, he would be there for another hour or so. It had taken us a few weeks to get boxes unpacked, furniture in place, and the nursery together. But we had done it. And everything was perfect. We had just finished painting the last wall earlier in the week, and Lucifer had built the crib last night.

I had never thought my life would or could end up like this. It was a much more normal ending than I had ever dreamed of after seeing that other world. I had felt so lost there for so long, but now that I was here again, no longer hunting and soon to be a mother, I felt lost again. But this was the smarter decision, for my child.

I gasped, a sudden wave of pain jolting me forward as I gripped onto the counter. My other hand went to my belly, clutching it tightly. I exhaled deeply, trying to push the pain away. It was clear it would happen tonight. I knew it would. I had been having small contractions for hours now, but was positive I could wait until Lucifer was home. We needed the money.

I hobbled to the living room and lowered myself gently onto the couch. I groaned as another contraction hit. Maybe I couldn't wait. I pulled my phone from my bra and speed-dialed Lucifer. It rang several times before he answered. The construction site behind him was loud. It almost made it impossible ot hear him.

"Hey Sunbeam! Everything ok?" He asked.

"I…I think it's time.." I hissed through the pain.

"Time?" Lucifer questioned for a second. "Oh shit! Time! Ok! I'll be home as soon as I can. Will you be ok until then?"

"Just hurry," I grumbled, ending the call. I exhaled again and placed a hand on my belly. "Just wait a little longer."

*Lucifer's POV*

I wasn't sure what ot think or do anymore. I felt so helpless, only there as a hand to squeeze through the worst of it. I wanted to offer words of encouragement, but when I'd tried earlier, I had been met with cries of 'SHUT THE FUCK UP' from Elizabeth.

I kissed her head softly as tears ran down her cheeks. "You're doing wonderful," I said softly.

"If you speak again, I will kill you." Elizabeth hissed through her teeth. I smiled slightly, sure her threat was true. I wouldn't put it past her.

"One more push." The nurse said from the other end of the bed.

Elizabeth's hand somehow tightened even more around mine as she pushed. I rubbed the back of her hand, unsure of what else to do. And then crying filled the room. A separate sound from Elizabeth's pain, the cry only new life brought into the world can have. I brushed the damp hair from Elizabeth's face and shook out my hand as she let go of it.

"What do you think…" She panted, "What do you think it is?"

Right. We had waited so long to know the gender. Neither one of us had been keen on a reveal party, even though her mother insisted on throwing one. I shook my head and placed a gentle kiss on her hand.

"I promise to love them either way," I replied, even knowing deep down how much I wanted a son. I hadn't been able to experience anything with Jack, and now I regretted it. This would be a new chance.

"It's a girl." Another nurse announced as she brought the crying bundle to Elizabeth. She gently placed the tiny thing into Elizabeth's arms and I felt my heart sink.

How the Hell was I supposed to raise a daughter? We would certainly have nothing in common. How was I supposed to make her strong and independent? How was I supposed to do those stupid normal human things that fathers and sons did now? I had wasted late nights watching stupid heartfelt movies for no reason now.

"She's so beautiful," Elizabeth said, crying again. Her fingers trailed over the small girl's cheeks. "Shh…" She cooed softly, a smile on her lips. She glowed exactly like a sunbeam. "Welcome to the world, Alex." She whispered.

We had agreed on the name months ago. It was gender-neutral and gave Elizabeth a way to honor her closest friend. She had been adamant about it since the day we'd found out she was pregnant. I couldn't argue with her about it. If it made her happy then so be it.

"You get some sleep." The doctor ordered clipboard in hand. "She is very healthy. You should be proud." Elizabeth nodded as the doctor left the room.

"Do you want to hold her?" Elizabeth asked, turning to me. Exhaustion clings tight to her voice.

I wasn't sure about the answer. "I…I don't want to break her." I said honestly. She looked so small. Just the blankets around her alone told me exactly how small she was.

Elizabeth laughed laughtly. "You won't break her."

I hesitated but pulled the pile of blankets from my Sunbeams arms. I stood and stretched my legs, wincing as the blanket began to cry. I looked down and froze, suddenly unable to move. It was as if every feeling known to man that could be felt shot through me all at once. I was afraid of breaking her. She was so fragile, but somehow I also wanted to just hold her as tightly as I could.

My chest physically began to ache as I looked into her deep blue eyes. The phrase 'love at first sight' couldn't even touch the love that pulled at my heart now. And then the anger washed over me. Anger at myself and who I was. Anger at the horrible things I had done in my life. All the wrong. All the hate. All the killings. Everything. 

"I promise, Alexandria." I couldn't stop the quiet promise as it came to my lips. "I will be better for you. So much better."

The child had stopped crying and just stared at me now with those eyes that were such a delicate shade of blue, I was unsure if I had ever seen it before. Raw sapphires came to mind. They were so beautiful. Just as perfect as she was. So sweet and innocent. And…mine.

I glanced back to where Elizabeth now slept, her face even exhausted as she dreamed. I sat back down in the chair next to her, holding Alex close to my chest.

"I'll teach you so many things, Sapphire." I said softly, a smile on my lips, "You're going to be so strong, just like your mother. She can kick my ass." I laughed a little. "And we'll do all those stupid human things too. We'll have a tea party if that's what you want. Or we'll go fishing if you'd rather do that."

The fragile thing in my arms yawned and I felt my heart give a painful pulse. How was I supposed to be everything for her? I hadn't even been able ot hold Heaven together when I was there. How was I going to keep her safe? How would I give her the best life possible? We weren't going to be able to pay these medical bills. We were just scraping by as it was.

I sighed and kissed her forehead. "You're in for one hell of a ride, Sapphire." I mumbled, "But we'll get through it together. I'll rebuild the entire universe for you if I have to."