Desire becomes Her

Chapter 20

20

She hadn't thought about it, but it must have been strange to have a small child running about and giggling in the Pit of Hell. He had no playmates, and so his playmates became the little creatures that Lucian had created to torture souls. The black leathery things jumped about and avoided him as he chased and laughed. She didn't like it, but Lucian assured her that they would not hurt him.

Mammon and Levi doted on him. Bringing him new toys and gifts and carrying him around. Arguing like sisters as to who got to hold him first when they came to visit. Who got to look after him when they left. Lucian had started taking her out again; buying her clothes, jewelry, and gifts. He took her out to clubs, restaurants and the theatre. The whole demeanor of everybody had changed. They celebrated rather than brooded. She knew this was because of David. Their war would begin soon and they were all enormously excited for it.

Lucifer had not seen David since he had claimed him that horrible night. He had avoided him and Addison in fact for months on end. But on David's 3rd birthday he surprised everyone and threw a party in New Orleans to celebrate. The venue was expensive, excessively so; he had spared nothing. Clients had been invited, all the Sins were there. Lucian had even invited Addison’s mother, feeling that she had learned her lesson and deserved to see her grandson again.

The Party was being held in a ball room at a hotel, a band had been hired, and caterers set up tables and chairs and a table in the corner that was full of wrapped gifts. Addison wore a black cocktail dress, her hair pulled up, Lucian in an expensive black suit. The party was as formal as they get. All for a three year old who was currently running around in just a shirt and underwear; having taken off his pants and jacket.

"Uh, maybe you should get him before Lucifer gets here..." Lucian nudged her and she handed her drink to him and ran after David, picking his clothes up as she went.

"Come here you!" She took a few steps as he ran past her and scooped him up in her arms and he laughed and squirmed and she took him to a corner table to put his pants, shoes and jacket back on. She wasn't going to bother with the little tie; he would just take it off again.

It was as she was pulling his socks back on when she heard a voice she hadn't heard in a while. "You've done a good job with him, Addison. I'm surprised."

She didn't look up, just pulled his other sock on followed by a glossy black shoe. "Surprised? Not proud? Look at what we have, mother. Far more than you could ever give him." Finally looking at her mother she was surprised. She looked worn, and her age now. She knew it was because of the last few years; how hard it must have been on her. But she had had a hard time too, and she didn't feel sorry for her.

"Wealth and status are not everything. He needs stability, he needs--"

"He needs us, Mother. He's healthy, and he's happy. And look what Lucian's employer has thrown for him. This party is more than we could ever ask for."

"Oh, your wonderful Lucian couldn't afford this on his own?" The sarcasm, it was always there in her voice.

"Of course he could, but his boss said he wanted to do it for us. He’s quite fond of David” She tied the other shoe, and slipped him off her lap. "Say hello to Nana, David and then go play." David gave her a big smile and hugged his Nana's legs. Her mother smiled, bent down slightly to hug the little boy, and run her fingers through his soft curly hair.

 "Happy Birthday, David. Nana brought you a gift; it's over there on the table." David smiled big and ran toward the table but Lucian caught him and picked him up.

"Not yet, you have to wait." David started to throw a tantrum, but Lucian quieted him and looked over to Addison and her mother; a questioning look. She waved him off and then looked back at Maria.

"Mom. Please don't ruin this for me. At least try and enjoy yourself. We didn't have to invite you but Lucian insisted."

"I see." She seemed hurt that she had not been invited by her own daughter, but she shrugged off that hurt and smiled at her.

“Mom…I didn’t mean it like that…We left it so bad last time…” Addison frowned, she felt awkward for a moment.

"I suppose I'll get a drink and mingle a little."

"Probably a good idea." She waited for her mother to wander off and then walked from the table herself. Walking over to Lucian, who was still struggling with a squirming three year old she looked at him with a puzzled look. "Why did you invite her? ---- David, stop it!" David stopped squirming finally and looked at his mother, his lower lip jutting out as if he were going to cry.

"I thought she had probably learned her lesson."

"She doesn't fit in here. I wish you'd left it alone." She took David from Lucian, put him on the floor and watched him run. Mammon and Levi were on him in seconds, bickering at who got to play with him first. Greed and Jealousy...the two were meant for each other. "When does Lucifer arrive? This is his party."

"Soon." He smiled. She was nervous, fidgety. This confident, proud woman was actually nervous about something. He kissed her temple, pulling her close to him and they stood and watched as the room filled with more people. More gifts were added to the table and the band played.

Finally, Lucifer arrived. He was not announced, no grand entrance; he just walked in through a side door and snuck up on the two of them. "Such a happy couple; I wasn't aware that was possible." They turned almost in unison. Lucian dropped his hand from her waist and smiled to him. "Now, where is the little Prince? I would like to see him"

"Running around somewhere among the crowd. Mammon and Leviathan have been arguing all night, find them, you will probably find him." She looked to Lucifer with a frown, she really did not like the man.

"I wish you would have instilled some manners in the boy."

"He's three, Lucifer. Manners are hard to teach to a three year old." She took a sip of wine and smirked at him.

"Perhaps if you hadn't spoiled him rotten he would not be running around like an animal."

"You can blame your two girls for that. I don't spoil him, they do." She nodded her head over to Levi and Mammon who were sneaking him a present from the table in the corner. Lucifer frowned and headed over toward them. He told them off, and they yelled right back, taking David's hand and leading him away. Lucifer looked like he might explode, but held his temper and straightened himself out. He walked away and greeted his guests with gusto.

Though it was all for a three year old, the party was very much catered to the adults. David was the only child there, no other children had been invited and so he was the center of attention. Addison watched her mother closely, knowing that something was going to happen tonight, and she hoped that it wouldn't destroy her. She sat with Lucian at a table, legs crossed and picking at some food on a glass plate. Her mother approached, she seemed agitated. "That man over there is claiming that David is his son. Is this true?" She was pointing at Lucifer, who was speaking to one of his clients and he side glanced at Maria and then to Addison.

"Mom...please." Addison spoke quietly, pleading.

"I knew it; I knew this was too good to be true. And yet you stay with her?" She addressed Lucian now and he stood up and put his arm on her shoulder.

"Maria, I think it's time for you to go. Say goodbye to your mother Addison."

“Goodbye, Mom.”  She gave her an awkward hug and stepped back, letting Lucian take her out.

 He guided her toward the other end of the room toward the exit. "Yes, it is true, David is not mine, that he is my employer’s son. I’m afraid she had no choice in the matter and I think it’s time you forgive her. Addison has forgiven you for what you did; now it is your turn.” With those words he had already walked her out the door, he snapped at a young man and he went to pull a limo around .”Please, take her back to her hotel; make sure she gets to her room safely."

“You’ve just implied that your wonderful employer forced himself on my daughter; got her pregnant... And that everybody has just turned their back and ignored what’s happened to her, including you.” Maria looked to Lucian with shock on her face; she was disgusted.

“Maria, your daughter is very important to me, and to my employer.  Without her, many things would never happen.  Go back to your hotel and forget everything you’ve heard tonight.” He took her hand gently and lead her to the car that was pulled around and helped her into the back seat. “She will be okay, Maria, I promise.” He shut the car door and it drove off.

When he arrived back in the ball room, things seemed to be underway. He made his way through the crowd, where she was sitting with David on her lap. She let him play with the bracelets around her wrist, the ring on her finger. She let her chin rest on his head as she watched Lucifer make his speech. Lucian sat down beside her with a bit of a huff. "She's safe, going back to her hotel."

"Good." It was all she could muster. She had a feeling this night was going to be the end of things as she knew it. As much as she detested what most of her mother said and did, she still loved her. She sat back in the chair, David leaning against her, still playing with the ring on her finger; his little body going limp with exhaustion from all his running around, she was sure he would be asleep soon. "What is going to happen tonight, Lucian...?" Her voice wavered a

little, she was afraid. He reached over, took her hand in his.

"The beginning. Don't worry. You will be safe."