The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

Merrick watched the snowfall from his kitchen window with—what he believed to be—child-like fascination. Not having one, he had no reference point.

The street below, yet a virgin canvas, waited for the day to create its art. And the sun taunted with its inclosing appearance, casting its first light on yesterday’s naked trees, now donned in pristine, glistening white vestures. He narrowed his vision, focusing on the individual flakes descending on the windowpane. Each unique in design, each perfect in nature’s creation.

It never snowed down south. Home was an oppressive heat. Sadly, he’d be back within its stifling warmth within a few hours.

Merrick took another sip of the cinnamon sprinkled latte from his favorite red mug—the one Onyx gave him for his birthday—holding on a bit longer to the moment and the morning. He snorted at the artwork on the cup, a clichéd rendition of two chubby cherubs, with feathery-white wings, kissing. The irony. She certainly had an innocuous sense of humor, while he was—cutting. But somehow, they fit. Maybe he’d convince her to come back with him. Dare he reach for it all? The unattainable…

The notorious Merrick, reputed for his endless conquests, settling on one individual? His twin uncles ridiculed him relentlessly. He shrugged. Hey, what were uncles for, right?

Merrick learned early not to be affected by such things. Emotions disrupted, messed with focus. No time, not when there was work to be done and reputations to uphold. And not when you were CEO of the family business, as well as the illustrious son of the boss, a famed crown magnate.

Merrick took another sip of coffee and glanced at his watch. What to wear to the meeting? Hmm…yeah, he knew just the suit for the occasion—the tailored Versace always made a bold statement, classic, like his Pop’s threads. His father had a killer fashion sense. So, no contemporary Haute couture today. But on second thought, maybe, he’d get away with the yellow, Gautier button-down without much of an eye-roll from dad.

Three hours. In three hours, all Hell would break loose.

###

Merrick’s Gaultier vacuumed sealed to his skin upon arrival as did his slacks. Thank goodness he chose the Gucci cotton boxers. That wouldn’t have been any fun. Damn designer threads pleaded no contest against the staunch humidity. It took a moment to adjust from the city’s wintery brightness. Well, at least he had something in common with the surrounding darkness. It matched his somber mood.

Mercifully, the Mercedes idled ahead, and the driver held the door open. The cool air pumping through the vents had Merrick offering a prayer of thanks for the creation of coolant.

Apart from the horrors of the incongruous humidity, these parts could fool anyone into believing the town was something straight out of a fairytale, with its quaint European village visage on a seemingly Mediterranean summer night.

Post lamps lined the town’s walkways, their glow melded with lighting from the open shops. Who would’ve figured? Nothing like those tales laced with terror. Well—truth be told, some parts were exactly as people imagined. But the closer we got to dad’s dominion the more those fables seemed illusionary.

There were no other cars on the picturesque cobblestone road. Sure, he should’ve taken the expedited transport, but when would he be here next? The center of town was alive tonight. Locals filled the pubs and a group of about ten recognized the car, but the driver peeled off before the mob surrounded them. There was a time he’d consider such things welcome.

Angelica, the closest thing to a mom, eagerly waited at the top steps of the estate. Dressed in her signature navy suit, silver strands wrapped tightly in a bun, her bright yellow eyes alive with glee, she outstretched her arms. Merrick acquiesced to her embrace.

“Merry. Why have you been away this long? What’s going on? You’ve had me worried.”

“Well, Angelica, I’ve been, um—”

“I was about to pop in to see you, but your father called this business meeting.”

“Yes, about that—"

“Well, let’s get you settled. Are you eating okay? You look pale. I’ve left some snacks in your room.”

“Well, I have changed my diet and—”

“Nonsense. You need healthy nourishment.”

“Angelica—I need to tell you—”

“Oh and look at you. Your father will love that suit. But why are you still wearing the other—”

“Angelica! I love you, but you haven’t let me get a word in.”

“Oh, I’m sorry dear. It’s just I’m excited to see you. But we mustn’t keep your father waiting. You know how he gets. We’ll catch up after the meeting.”

As soon as he opened his bedroom door, he saw the snacks. “Get out.”

The two females scurried out, eyes wide and oozing with relief. Alone in the room, Merrick deliberated his decision. He sat at the edge reciting the speech he’d gone over a thousand times when a knock interrupted his internal pondering.

“Angelica. I’m not hungry. Well, maybe a latte! With cinnamon!” He yelled across the room.

“It’s not Angelica.” The familiar voice he’d missed all these months called out from behind the door. “Onyx.” Merrick sprinted to the door. “Hey, Bright Eyes.” Those magnificent, amber-colored eyes, the pixie haircut complimenting an elegant neck, along with her smug attitude, always did him in.

“Merrick. What the Hell? Where have you been?”

“I’m sorry, Sweet. I’ve been making some—preparations.”

“And I suppose those don’t involve me… Or else, you would have reached out by now.”

“Well, as a matter of fact, I—”

“Listen, Merrick. I just came to end it for us. Save you the hassle. I know someone like you wouldn’t be concentrating on someone like me.”

“No, you’ve got it all wrong.”

“Yeah. Sure. Listen, see you around. I came to say goodbye, and so—goodbye.”

She was halfway down the endless corridor when he spun her around.”

“Listen up. Then tell me if you’re with me..."

###

The board room, only by name, was yet another one of the many elaborate, ostentatiously furnished spaces in the house. Dad loathed contemporary office furniture. It was anyone’s guess as to the stone fireplace with a scorching climate outside. All manner of antiques and collectibles from around the world strategically adorned the room.

Merrick sat in one of the elaborate, vintage tapestry couches, possibly an original Louis XVI, with one leg crossed over his knee, fiddling his thumbs, and humming a Christmas tune on the radio. His twin uncles sat across him—menacing figures, with intent bright eyes, chiseled features, slicked back, shoulder-cut black hair. They looked the part, like two assassins straight out of a John Wick flick, dressed in their slim, tailored black suits. Both eased back into their seats humming along with Merrick as they all waited for the patriarch.

The music ended abruptly with a wave of father’s hand as soon as he entered, leaving a chorus of off-key voices singing to George Michael’s, Last Christmas.

“Enough. Is this what you all do when I’m not around. No wonder our numbers are dwindling!” Dad sure held a room in check and even after all these years, his wrath still sent quivers. “Merrick, you’re up. Give me a play by play on your strategy and how you’re fairing so far. And later we’ll discuss why you insist on living in that damned, vile city along with those—well you know how I feel about them.” He held his attention with grey-steel eyes.”

Yeah, he inherited his damn good looks from the man, even after all this time, the only signs of aging were a light peppering of his hair and subtle laugh lines. The man was fitter than even those half his age.

“Well—” Merrick slowly eased from the couch, suave as ever, buttoned his suit jacket, and stood up tall. Although he really wanted to snap his fingers and transport home, to his true home. This wasn’t it anymore. “Dad. I guess I should just get this out of the way, instead of wasting everyone's time. I’m out.”

Pops sidled his head and arched a brow. “Out? Out as in how? I’m not sure I understand. Speak clearly, son. Haven’t I taught you anything?”

“Not doing it anymore. And don’t try to stop me, I’ve got my other two uncles on my side. They’re ecstatic about assisting with the transition, even—well the big, big guy, bigger than you. I love you Pops but I can’t continue to be in the business of destroying human souls, anymore!”

Severus and Antonius shot from their seats.

Angelica ran in, balancing herself on the shaky floor. “Luc. What’s happening? Why are you so angered!”

Pops transformed, losing his human appearance, skin turned an ashen grey, his hair disintegrated as two mammoth horns protruded from atop his forehead. Amber fire seeped through his pores. He grew in height towering to nearly nine feet, although he could grow taller. Leathery bat-like wings erupted from his back, blood pumped with intense pressure through their trajectory of veins. The ground trembled with each step of his muscular hoofed legs.

Lucifer peered down at Merrick with crimson laced eyes.

Trinkets, artifacts, and vases, vibrated, sliding across on surfaces, falling, and shattering on the floor as he spoke. Uh, oh, expensive pieces.

“Now, care to start over. Take a moment to gather your thoughts. Perhaps it’s a simple rephrasing. I’ll forget anything I heard prior.”

Merrick’s red mist seeped involuntarily. Unable to control himself, his skin morphed from a human-like Mediterranean glow to his signature blood-red coloring, losing the human visage entirely as two small horns jutted from his head, growing and coiling into ram horns. His long spade tail flicked with uncertainty, finally wrapping around his waist giving him some comfort.

Two brilliant lights streaked from the open window across the room, one a dazzling violet, the other a vibrant gold, each landing on either side of Merrick. Two beings emerged from the light’s glow, matching his father’s height. Immense wings gave the appearance of dove-like feathers, yet as strong as an unearthly metal and dangerous as any blade, arced above them, washing the room in the brightest white.

Lucifer stepped back from Merrick and nodded to Gabriel and Michael. “Brothers. What a pleasant surprise.” The room shook with Luc’s sonorous voice. "If I would have known you were stopping by. I would have prepared refreshments.”

###

One year later…

Merrick finished putting up the holiday decorations when Onyx ran into the room. “I can’t find Lucas again! I walked away for ten seconds!”

“Not again. I’ll get him."

Merrick appeared within a dissipating red mist in the grand hall. His uncles and Angelica surrounded Lucifer’s immense marble throne.

“Merrick... Now don’t be sore with Lucas," his father’s voice echoed from behind the group.

When they stepped aside, his father, the ominous Lucifer was in his human form bouncing an infant in diapers on his lap. "He missed grandpa."

The baby cooed as two black feathered wings unfurled from behind him.