A Light in the Dark Part Twenty-Three: Two Steps Back and One Step Forward!

Matty:

Chewing on my sandwich after a long day, a strange man in a floor length leather jacket stopped in front of me. Dark energy swirled around him, a pocket watch swung back and forth. Dangling it over my head, his next words sent chills up my spine.

“Go back to the time where you haven’t found your precious blossom.” He sang with a southern accent, the street in front of our deli shop faded to my teenage bedroom. Shouting echoed downstairs, my mother and father argued with raw anger. True fear rounded my eyes, her words causing silent tears to stain my cheeks. 

“You cheated on me, you rotten bastard!” My mother screamed darkly, my father’s fist hitting a wall. "Get your shit and get out!” The door slammed behind him, my hands cupping the sides of my head. The stability I had crumbled away, my heart torn between my two parents. He had done wrong but she didn’t attack the situation correctly. For a couple of weeks I had seen him sneaking around with her, his smile fading the moment he came home. Staring at my hands, my colored hair met my eyes in the closest reflection. Struggling to my feet, I had to get out of here. What was his game by sending me here? The stranger from before blocked my path, his silky silver hair hanging over his golden hourglass irises. Adjusting his black t-shirt and black jeans, he bowed in my direction. 

“Sorry I had to bring you back to this time but I have a pest running through your timeline. Only the owner of the timeline can fix it.” He chuckled nervously, shrugging his shoulders. “You have a little gremlin running through your memories.” Offering me his hand, the color drained from my hair. Ivory energy swirled with black energy, my hand burning from its intensity. Taking his hand, the sun and moon rose at an ungodly speed. Stopping at the time I followed a heartbroken Lily to the cemetery, the flowers shaking in her hands. Laying her head on the wet grass, the storm clouds rumbled over my head. Heavy rain soaked her red summer dress, the bruises glistening in the lightning. Fresh cuts covered her body, raw belt marks peeking out of her dress. Silent tears stained my cheeks, her screams getting disguised by the loud thunder. Crumbling up the flowers, a steady stream of curse words flooded from her lips.

“Why did you have to leave me!” She shouted into the sky, the grass squeaking as she stood up. Sprinting towards the bridge, a numb look came over her face. Chasing after, my teenage version of me made it a point to run in the opposite direction. Watching her sit on the sidewalk, her chin rested on her knees. This must have been another night where she was kicked out, violent sobs wracking her body. The teenage version of me rushed over to comfort her, a green little fellow dashing past us. Wanting to stay behind to tell him that she would jump off the bridge, Time dragged into one of my happy memories, the two of us chatting at the front desk of the gas station. Shelves fell down as they froze, our boots pounding after this monster. Rushing through my timeline with him, the annoying pest wouldn’t let up the chase. Blasting what I could, Time dove at him several times. Helping him up as I sprinted past him, my fingers curled around the runt’s neck. Dangling him over my face, the damn thing began to shiver. 

“Let me out of this time loop so I can take care of this little guy.” I demanded in a huff, ready to stab something. The sudden temper flare had me frightened to my core, perhaps the struggle of having to relive the day my father left rubbing me a bit raw. Letting me go, I was back on the stoop of my store, a pit stop into Hell would be necessary. Rising to my feet, a touch on my shoulder had me jumping into the air. Lily’s face lit up with curiosity at the sight of the gremlin punching the air. Cocking her head, her hand curled around the tiny neck. Mouthing a silent spell, it decayed to ash as Time popped up behind me. Letting out a strained shit, she placed her hands on her hips.  

“I see we have another celestial being in our presence.” She grumbled sarcastically, watching the girls run around in the store. “Do you want a coffee or something? You must be Time, your pocket watch gives it away.” Nodding once, her eyes fell on the dome. Thousands of shadows bounced off the surface, her eyes flitting between the monsters and Selene. Pressing her lips into a thin line, bubbles swirled around her palm. The girls smashing into her legs gave her pause, her bright smile illuminating her features. Crouching down to their level, their mother came out with their coats. Rushing them out the door with quick hugs, she yelled that she would be back tomorrow. Waving at the honk, it was just us. Motioning for Time to sit, he plopped into the nearest chair. 

“Why are you both-” She began furiously, his hand cupping hers. Examining the lines of her story, his jolly smile fell. Huffing with impatience, the crack of her slapping it away shocked us both. Watching with caution, Boomer bounced up to me with a soft whine. Stomping into the kitchen, one could see her bags from a mile away. 

“I am happy he stopped you from jumping off the bridge. We have a chance now against the Dark One.” He commented simply, the coffee pot smashed against  the floor. Too shocked to speak, a low growl rumbled in her throat. Bending down to pick up the pieces of glass, Death entered the shop with Dean, his arm never leaving her waist. Rising to her feet, Lily mumbled an apology as she began to prepare a fresh pot of coffee. Wiping her hands on her apron, her eyes fell on the Dark One’s shadows crashing against the dome. Working through what to do, Dean stepped up to her side. Tears flowed down her cheeks, her shaking hand gripping the handle with a new strength. Her body twitched with anxiety, words burning on the tip of her tongue. 

“You have no right to talk about that! Fuck you! You wouldn’t know the first thing about struggling to keep your tattered mind in composure when the rest of the world hates you! Did you have to watch your parents die!” She cried out with tears lining her voice, all of us growing quiet. “Now I have to protect the fucking world and most of them hate me! I am the daughter of Lucifer. Who likes a freak like me! How could I ever feel safe? Day and night they pound on the outside of the dome and I can’t do a damn thing about it! On top of that, it is my fault his mother died! He would cry every night until I fixed the damn problem!” Sinking to her knees, Dean rubbed her back. Smacking his hand away, the bell rang as an angel let himself in. Pulling herself to her feet, the golden haired being with ocean blue eyes and white feathers tossed her a jar of glowing blood. 

“God said to take this. He mentioned something about cleaning up his mistake.” The stern angel spoke coldly, his hand resting on his golden blade. “I can’t see what he sees in you but the fact you are family must have something to do with it. Before you ask, he would have come himself but he is busy ordering us to clean up the mess. Can you stop shaking and get your ass over here?” Walking over to him cautiously, he took the blood from her hands. Setting it down, he felt her back. Narrowing my eyes in his direction, Time told me to stand down. Something told me that he had something to do with it. 

“I know you have wings somewhere but I was ordered to unlock them. I am Archangel Michael by the way. You can call me Uncle Mike.” He introduced himself warmly, his golden armor glistening in the light. “You have quite the cast surrounding you. I have never met one person who knows Life, Death, Time and Lucifer. Here we go.” Drawing symbols on her back, onyx wings burst from her back. Black feathers floated around, Lucifer appearing in a flurry of his own onyx feathers. Marching up to Michael, the beauty of the moment was stolen with his fist meeting his cheek. 

“You fuckhead. I had tried to call you many times and you couldn’t bother to pick up the phone. I am aware that what I did was wrong but am I not doing my job.” He chastised him with an adorable snarl, Michael rubbing his face with his brow cocked in the way Lily would do all the time. Yanking him into a warm embrace, his rant ended in seconds. Relaxing into it, something at least had been repaired tonight. Lily’s fingers ran through the feathers of her wings, her father squirming out of the brotherly embrace to fret over his daughter. Swaying slightly, inky blood poured from her nose. Collapsing into his arms, her head bobbed forward. 

“Getting your wings is always tiring. Do you have a place for her to rest?” Lucifer inquired with his matching genuine smile, her snores echoing in the room. “Did you want to meet your niece or what?” Michael took a step back, his eyes falling on our daughter. His gaze flitted between Selene and me, his armor clanging as he walked over to the playpen. Lucifer carried her to one of the chairs. Laying her head on the table, salty tears pooled around her cheeks. Rubbing her back, Lucifer’s eyes fell on the black shadows banging on the dome. Uncle Mike scooped up Selene, his natural smile making her giggle. Running his free hand through his hair, he tickled her stomach. Fixing her bat pajamas, he really wasn’t so bad. 

“How long have they been at it?” Lucifer interrogated softly, attempting not to wake up Lily. “We can take care of that for you guys. Michael might be able to make the dome larger and more repellent if you wish. Let's eradicate the mosquitoes, Mikey boy.” Passing me Selene, they burst from the store. Dean took my side, gold mixed with inky blackness for ten minutes. Thinning out what we couldn’t, a sigh of relief flooded from my lips. Returning with little to no wounds, gasps of wonder passed around the room as the dome strengthened and sent off stronger waves of angelic energy. Draping his coat over Lily, Lucifer took the seat next to her. Acting like they did nothing, Michael took the other side. 

“I will patrol the area when I can. Please tell me the last time she actually slept.” Michael snapped hotly, his hand taking hers. Time shifted uncomfortably, one spin of his pocket watch allowing him to disappear before any yelling began. Holding his hand over her head, a bright light blinded me as her bags faded away. Folding her wings, his fingers traced every feather. Perhaps, his eyes kept attempting to discover any issues. Deciding to get some coffee, I couldn't be the only one needing a cup of coffee. Setting the mugs down in front of them, Dean helped himself to a cup. Passing one to Death, her arm scooped up Selene. Smothering her with kisses, her grandma energy was getting stronger by the day. Excusing myself, we needed a bed to crash on, my old man’s place being an option. Dialing up his number, his gruff voice caused my soul to warm up slightly. Smoothing out any wrinkles in my black dress shirt, a moment of awkwardness hung between us. 

“Can we crash at your place tonight? I don’t have the energy to drive back h-” I begged politely, his throat clearing giving me pause. The silence was deafening, his quick yes allowing me to breathe freely. Lifting up Lily, she seemed a bit too light. Wondering if she was eating enough, they all watched as I tossed her over my shoulder. Taking my daughter from Death, I motioned for everyone to hit the road. Locking up after them, my old man let me in with a sad smile. Laying her down on the bed, his tall frame hovered in the doorway as I tucked her in. Selene reached for him, his big hands taking her from me. 

“Are you going to tell me what is going on, Matty? I can sense that something is wrong. Don’t you dare lie.” He spoke serenely, rocking his granddaughter back and forth. He had a right to know, my hands crossing as I took a seat. Apprehension burned in my eyes, his eager eyes watching me. Focusing on his navy sweater, my mind coursed through the way to say it. 

“I am a demon along with Lily who is the daughter of Lucifer. Death is the actual spirit of death, and Life is the spirit of life. When I was younger and found out what Lily actually was, I decided to sell my soul to her father to be by her side. I didn’t magically go albino in the past month.” I admitted sheepishly, his floors creaking with every step towards me. Ruffling my hair, the mattress sank down next to me. 

“Like I care. I would love you no matter what you are. I knew you were lying but didn’t want to press the issue. Your strange cast of friends really gave it away. Did I tell you about the first ghost I ever saw?” He promised honestly, my head resting on his shoulder. “I was ten years old and saw a little boy running around. He said his name was Toby and his job was to protect you when you came. Knowing that he was your spirit guardian, I couldn’t bring it up to your mother. We both know that her lack of belief would have had her laughing my ears off. Then I kept seeing Lily’s parents in the cemetery once a week to give them updates on her. They loved her in the afterlife. I figured that her father wasn’t her real father.” Bewilderment twinkled in my eyes, his numb stare meeting the crackling fireplace. 

“What did you say? How could you assume?” I questioned with shock lacing my tone, her hand reaching for mine. “I didn’t even know until I sold my soul. I have so many que-” Placing his free hand on my shoulder, the look in his eyes told me to listen. 

“He told me himself. They summoned the devil himself to fix the problem. Yet, he raised her like his own. That man had a heart of gold.” He continued sadly, tucking a piece of hair behind Selene’s ear. “When they died I didn’t know what to do. Then I watched an entire town turn on a teenager. How in the hell did they manage that? I love Lily but her aura is so poisoned by trauma. I suppose her being part angel has something to do with how she attracts people. I am going to take Selene upstairs to get some shut eye. You should do the same if you have to run the store in the morning. Don’t worry, I have a crib that I recently built. I am not going to miss a moment with my little demon.” Taking her upstairs, another tug from Lily had me underneath the blankets with her. Resting her head on my chest, her real smile lit up her features. Perhaps she should take the day off tomorrow while I ran things at the store, my mind falling on how much better she looked in the meantime. Kicking off our shoes, they clattered across the floor. Kissing the top of her head, fright rounded my eyes at how much smaller she had become. Wishing that she would take care of herself, the very action would have drained her faster. Listening to her heartbeat, another nightmare was coming on. Those were a constant strain on her slumber, a scream bursting from her lips as she woke up. Shivering in my arms, her fingers gripped my shirt. Clammy sweat drenched my skin, a true fever painting her cheeks. Attempting to get out of bed, my arms caught her before she hit the floor. My poor wife had caught a cold, her cheeks flushing brighter. Damn, she looked so adorable as I pulled her back into my arms. 

“You are going to stay here tomorrow with my father and get some rest.” I affirmed sweetly, a coughing fit rattling her body. Shocking to most, demons did get colds like humans. The only difference was how long they lasted. A week cold was a day or two of suffering, a pleasant side effect of our condition giving me joy.

“You will be swamped.” She sniffled cutely, her slender arms hugging me lovingly. “I can’t miss a day of everything.” Shaking my head, this was my Lily to a tee. Cupping her cheek, protests fell on deaf ears as my lips pressed against hers hungrily. Being sick was only natural in the grand scheme of things. 

“No, I will manage with your friend. Get some rest if you can.” I assured her with my crooked grin, my heart fluttering at her narrowed eyes. “At least take the day off for me. You have been pushing yourself way too hard.” Caving into my demands, it felt as if victory was mine. Cupping her burning cheek, exhaustion weighed heavily on our eyelids. Watching sweet slumber steal her away first, her hand soon took me into dreamland.