October 31, 2022 | Freya gives birth!

 It had started at daybreak. The soft pain coursing down her back had awoken Freya, who startled and sat up with a soft gasp. Her eyes shooting open as she clutched her stomach, her teeth clenched only a moment as the pain was fleeting. She knew what that meant though. Her and Faustus's children would be born before the day was out.

Turning to cuddle back up under the covers and to rest against her husband's side, she tried to go back to sleep for a few hours if she could. It had only just begun and she knew from helping others, that this could go on all day. She would awaken Faustus should it get to be too much. For now, she just cuddled him and smiled faintly to herself as her mind wandered over the event that was now beginning. They would be parents soon……

 

Faustus was awakened by an unpleasant sensation of moisture dampening the sheets and his pajama bottoms. His initial thought was, 'Am I wetting the bed?' His eyebrows scrunched together, then his eyes blinked open and he groaned. 'No, Freya wet the bed,' he corrected himself. Before he could rethink that idea, he picked his wife up, carried her to the bathroom, and set her up on the loo.

"There's a good dear," he murmured, arranging her skirts so she could sit properly. He leaned her back slightly and then went back to the bedroom. A loud groan of dismay sounded as he saw the state of their 3,000 thread count green Egyptian cotton sheets. Well, they used to be a nice bright green. Now there was a large, wet blood stain on them. They looked like Chr*stmas, Faustus thought, chagrined. He groaned again and removed the sheets, crumpling them onto the floor. He was about to search for new sheets when he realized the mattress itselfーhybrid spring with cooling memory foam on topーwas stained! He wrinkled his nose in distaste. He had not realized how messy giving birth would be.

He went to the kitchen to grab some baking soda and apple cider vinegar. He poured the vinegar liberally onto the mattress, then sprinkled the top with baking soda. He'd let it set, then give it a nice firm scrub, he thought as he took the sheets down to the basement to put in the laundry. He decided to wash them with vinegar and baking soda, too. He would do a second cycle with detergent.

He went back up to the bedroom. It smelled awesome in here, as Serena would probably say. He mimicked that exaggerated eye roll she sometimes did, then went back in the closet. He grabbed some extra plushes: a novelty Rick and Morty pillow shaped like Rick's head, a Pickle Rick pillow, a ladybug Pillow Pet, an unnecessarily large (4ft) pastel-purple teddy with a smiling unicorn head, and a bright red toddler-sized Baphomet plush. He laid them down on the bedroom floor and covered them with every black fluffy towel they had in the closet.

Then he went to ask Freya, "Are you ready? It appears to be starting. Come. I've made you a nest."

 

Freya had managed to fall back asleep for a while till she felt the wetness under her and as Faustus went to move her, she inwardly winced. Both at the mess she had made, as she was sure her waters had just burst, and at the pain she felt from the small but fierce spasms that were radiating down her back and across her stomach. Her only small fear was seeing the blood. Should there be blood? When your waters break? Had hers? She didn't really remember any of that happening to anyone else she had assisted with before and it gave her pause.

Once she was left alone in the bathroom, she took stock of herself and stood slowly and headed towards the shower. She was a mess and didn't want to make even more of a mess than she had to. She didn't fully get in, just turned on the water, undressed and stood, door to the shower still open, holding onto the shower bar for support as she let the warm water run down her back. Strangely, the pelting of the water and its warmth, felt good; and it cleaned up any residing blood and mess upon her…for now.

Stepping out carefully, she wrapped herself up in a towel and dried herself off, hearing Faustus muttering under his breath as he worked in the next room. It made her giggle softly to herself as she redressed in some fresh loose-fitting clothes she had stored in the bathroom for just such an occasion. Ready, when her Beloved returned to her side. "You've made me a nest? How sweet. Thank you, my dear." She gifted him a small smile before it faded as another bout of pain ripped through her. it only lasted a few moments before she could breathe again, as she nodded and reached out for her Beloved for his help.

"Are—are we doing this by ourselves then, or should we call the others now?" She inquired. Knowing Lucifer could help with her pain and Trent and Sebastian as well as Trent's mother could possibly help with the delivery. Unless Faustus felt up to doing it all himself.

 

Bethany Maddock had promised she would fly in for the birth of Freya's children. She thought she had timed it perfectly, as she was meant to get in on Halloween Eve, but her flight was cancelled and then the next one was delayed. She half-regretted trying to fly commercial rather than having her son pick her up in his jet, and eventually she ended up biting the bullet and calling him.

"Trent, dear, I think I'll need your help…."

 

Trent had been sitting with a despondent Sebastian, trying to cheer him up. He didn't know what was wrong, only that his friend refused to move or speak and just stared blankly into space. Trent felt absolutely useless. He had always been able to cheer Sebastian up before. Why not now?

When Trent's phone rang, he would have ignored it, but it was his mother's ringtone. He picked up the call, heard her out, and nodded. "Okay. I'm on my way." Turning to Sebastian, he said, "My mom needs me to pick her up. Why don't you and Nathaniel go on to the Blackwoods' and see if they need any help?"

Sebastian didn't respond. Nathaniel in his blue-striped PJs walked up from the basement, yawning.

"Oh, good timing. Little bug, can you run Sebastian to the Blackwoods'?"

Nate blinked at him, frowning, and made the sign for "drink". He went to the kitchen, opened the fridge, pulled out a pitcher of filtered water, and poured some in two large crystal glasses. He set one on the coffee table in front of Sebastian, who stared at it for a long moment before picking it up and drinking. He then proceeded to drink the other.

Trent pulled on his grey pea coat and grabbed his keys, smiled at his friends, and left.

Nate pulled two cases of Ensure Plus from the fridge, a bottle of Kahlua from the shelf, and some almond milk creamer, then put them in a thermal bag. He put Sebastian's trench coat on him and grabbed a jacket for himself. Then he scooped up Sebastian and the bag, carried them out to his Ferrari, and deposited them. Poor guy missed his husband, and his boyfriend had already said he wouldn't be helping with the birth because of the blood.

And where was Lucifer in all of this? Why, caught up in revelry, of course! He and Maze were out at a pre-Halloween party, him in a devil mask, her in Day of the Dead makeup. It was when he was sitting down during a slow song that he heard his phone chime. He checked it to see that he'd missed ten calls from his best friend, Faustus Blackwood.

"Oh dear, I believe we were meant to do something today," he remarked to Maze.

"Last call!" the bartender announced.

"Ah, perfect timing! There's our cue." Lucifer and Maze strolled outside to find Luci's Corvette and they drove over to the Blackwood estate.

 

Blaine of course had already been there the whole time on standby in case he was needed. Only when he heard Faustus cursing over not being able to get ahold of Lucifer did he head to Freya's quarters.

"Yes, my Lady? Is there anything I can do for you?"

 

Freya looked up at hearing Blaine's voice and managed a small smile for him. "Hey….welcome to the party." She teased, giving a rather soft, strained laugh as she tried not to give in to the pain that was slowly starting to grow more and more apparent as the morning wore on. "Don't suppose, you as well as my Beloved, know anything for pain do you? Just till the rest of the group gets here."

Truth be told, if Lucifer had been out….doing whatever it was he was doing and didn't hear or answer the phone, she would have some choice words for HIM when he showed up! But later! She could think of things to say to berate him later, for now, her contractions had gone from roughly about ten minutes or so apart since they started early in the morning, to about five, give or take. She couldn't keep bloody count with how strong they were getting. Damn near took her breath away and this was only the beginning!

 

Unfortunately, it had to be today that Lucifer had the worst luck in the world! He had a taillight out, he was speeding slightly in his haste, he'd gone through a red light, and the cop who pulled him over wasn't as easily-bribed as others he'd met. This particular California Highway Patrolman was complex; he desired to be a good cop and follow everything precisely by the book. Lucifer ended up getting ticketed, which was highly unusual for him. Not that he couldn't afford to pay it, but it was the principle of the thing! Really, what was the world coming to when you couldn't bend the rules for a tax-paying citizen once in a while?

Maze insisted on driving from that point, so they switched seats and managed another mile or so before one of Lucifer's tires blew out, right on the freeway! Maze huffed as she pulled over to check it. Lucifer revved the engine impatiently, and the resulting black smoke and backfiring made it clear the carburetor, which had been needing attention for a while now, was officially down for the count.

They were in too populated of an area for Lucifer to let out his wings and fly them the rest of the way. Maze balked at the idea of calling a cab or rideshare.

"Well what's your brilliant idea, then?" Lucifer was beginning to get frustrated with Maze's bad attitude.

Instead of giving a direct answer, Maze just called Sebastian's cell phone. It had been out-of-service for almost a week now, and she wasn't suddenly expecting the bill to be paid, but it was worth a try.

"The number you are trying to reach—" said the phone.

"FUCK!" Maze shouted. She resisted with all her might the urge to just pitch her phone onto the ground and shatter it into a million pieces.

Lucifer heaved an equally-frustrated sigh. He hadn't been home in, it felt like, ages, as he'd been out every day and night sampling the competition and building more network connections in the LA underground. He had had an inkling it would be like this, so he'd asked Trent and Nathaniel to take care of Sebastian for him. Though of course it was a bit rich of him to try calling his husband to ask for a favor now, wasn't it? He wouldn't have taken kindly to Lucifer having been gone this long, but it was worth a shot.

"Maze, why don't you try calling Sebastian?" he suggested. Maze shot him a look.

"I've been trying his number every day for the last week," she bit back acidly. "It's been out of service."

That gave Lucifer pause. "…What?"

Maze closed her eyes briefly, then swiped on her phone and called Trent. It went directly to voicemail, and Maze felt like screaming again! But instead, she called Nathaniel.

"Hey—Maze? Yeah, we're on our way," Nate said without preamble.

"We need a ride," Maze said, equally tersely.

"… Run that by me again?"

Maze shook her head, irritated, and handed the phone to Lucifer.

"Yes, hello?"

"Lucifer? What did Maze mean, you need a ride?"

"Oh, hello, Nathaniel! Yes, it seems my car has broken down. Could we trouble you for a ride, please?"

There was a scrabbling noise on the other end, and a different voice sounded. "Luci? Are you really there?" Sebastian sounded like he was on the brink of tears. Lucifer closed his eyes. An immense weight of guilt settled on his shoulders, causing him to bow his head.

"Sebastian. I'm so sorry. I lost track…." The excuse died in his throat. It was true, of course; Lucifer never lied. But even he could tell it wasn't nearly enough to pacify his husband.

Sebastian sniffled. "We'll pick you up. Just tell us where you are."

 

If it had been anyone else deciding behind his back that Nathaniel would turn round and take on two more passengers when they were a block away from their destination, Nate wouldn't have stood for it. But it was his best friend's husband, who had all but gone off the grid, asking, and said best friend was showing the first signs of life he had in days. He sighed and turned the car round without much complaint, driving back down towards the clover to pick up Maze and Lucifer.

 

Neither Blaine nor Faustus had ever been particularly adept at pain management spells. They could give it a try, Blaine explained, but it might result in the pain increasing rather than decreasing.

"Well… we do have something foolproof," Faustus ventured, "as far as killing pain goes… but it may not be good for the babies."

Blaine shot him a look. He knew what Faustus was suggesting, and he was utterly against it.

"No," Blaine said firmly. It was one of VERY few times he had ever dared to contradict his mentor. "We will simply have to wait. In the meantime, I can make you some tea if it will make you more comfortable," he directed to Freya in a much gentler tone. Without waiting, he got up and walked to the kitchen, where he began rifling through the tea cabinet.

 

Freya wondered at what Faustus meant and the look Blaine had shout him. She was surprised that he actually contradicted Faustus, as that wasn't the norm; but she was in too much pain to wonder, or even voice her opinion on the matter at the moment.

Hearing about tea, her eyes furrowed but she nodded as she slowed her breathing a bit as another contraction hit. Her teeth grit, she sat up slightly and curled herself around her body and stomach, holding onto her stomach a bit as a groan escaped her lips. Eyes tightly shut, she counted silently in her head, her breaths to help keep herself calm before slowly relaxing back into the pillows when it was over.

"I don't care what you two do at this point." She gasped out softly, but forcefully. "Just—do something! If this is the beginning of all this and it hurts this bad now——" She shook her head. "They are getting faster, closer together, I can feel it inside when the wee ones move. Please….tea, magic, whatever…but something!"

She laid back in the pillows, biting her lip as a sudden bout of emotions overcame her. She suddenly felt like crying and she didn't know why. She did not like all these bouts of emotions mixed with the pain she was feeling. She was so confused and now getting upset. This was going to be a LONG day and night…for all concerned.

 

"Fucking LA traffic!" Nathaniel snarled, laying on the horn. Oh sure, picking up Lucifer and Maze had been easy enough. They'd just got Luci's car hauled off by AAA when Nathaniel arrived. But getting to the Blackwoods' from here was HORRIBLE! Nathaniel was secretly furious that they'd had to turn back anyway, but he didn't want Sebastian refusing to eat for a month AGAIN so he'd sucked it up. Now the Morningstars were snuggled up all cozy in the backseat, Sebastian weeping tears of relief as Lucifer held and soothed him.

 

The ride to Trent's hangar was, by contrast, uneventful. He'd texted Cat to let her know he was picking up his mom in his plane, they'd be late, she'd better go on ahead without him, and the others should be on their way.

When he was in the air, he did a little loop-de-loop and let out a whoop of joy! He couldn't help it. He loved flying! He couldn't wait to see his mom again, either.

He wondered what it would be like watching a woman give birth. He thought the idea of childbirth was beautiful, the same as he thought of menstruation. He had, of course, seen and assisted with the animals on his mother's farm, and then later on his own pig farms in Bakersfield and Tarzana. But then, being present for the birth of piglets would be different from being present for the birth of a human baby. He wondered if it would affect how he felt about having children with Rebecca. She, Rebecca, felt she was ready for children. Trent still remembered back in January 2018 when she'd put a hit out on Mona, but that had been almost three years ago°°, and she did seem… at least stable enough not to risk anyone's life anymore. Trent also knew that watching a friend have a baby would be a different experience from watching his own wife have a baby, but it would at least be a somewhat comparable experience, wouldn't it? Well, he'd find out in about… six to eight hours, give or take.

°° ((In OWC-verse, Trent and Rebecca would have moved in together round May 2019. I know for sure there was a 2-month time skip at one point, when Sebastian had Trent. Faustus and Freya married in October, and they'd been acquainted with Trent and Rebecca beforehand. The baby Blackwoods are being born on the Blackwoods' anniversary, which would make this current thread set on Halloween 2020 at the earliest. Trent and Rebecca would have gotten married in April 2020.))

 

Bethany drove to her farm's hangar. Terrance hadn't mentioned the farm in his will or trust, but since he and Bethany had never legally divorced, it defaulted to her anyway once he died.

Once their son had killed him, that is. She was also aware that her sister Annmarie had perished under mysterious circumstances. An allergic reaction, Cat had said, at a lunch Annmarie had attended with Cat, Trent, Rebecca, Sebastian, and others. Cat hadn't said Trent was behind it, but Annmarie only had one allergy and she steered clear of anything that might remotely contain cinnamon. Annmarie and Terrance had both staunchly disapproved of Rebecca, and Trent had been known to be violently protective of her.

A chill ran down Bethany's spine as she thought about it. She hated to admit that she was dreading seeing her own son, the monster she'd raised to be the utmost gentleman. She hasn't disapproved of his actions at the time, but now…. On the off chance that she might say something offensive about her daughter-in-law, she would be forced to walk on eggshells to save her own life. Clearly Trent was comfortable murdering family. How long until he turned on Cat? On Bethany herself?

No, she thought, shaking her head. Cat had grown up hearing about how awesome Rebecca was, and apparently the two had been fast friends when they finally met, despite the nine-year age gap. And Bethany had never disapproved of anything that would make her son happy. Not even….

Sebastian had never liked Rebecca; he'd been jealous of her from the start, and he'd made his distaste clear practically every chance he'd gotten. What would happen if Trent's devotion to his lifelong friend came at odds with his devotion to the woman he loved? Would they both survive? Would either of them?

Would Trent?

That thought was too horrifying to contemplate and she quickly shook it off, just in time to reach the hangar and wait for her beloved, dreaded, devoted son.

 

"See here, Brother Menchineel, she said 'anything'!" Faustus insisted.

It took a lot of self-control for Blaine not to roll his eyes. "Father," he said patiently, "she is in a lot of pain. Naturally she would say that. But I must still insist that it's not appropriate to give a birthing woman opium."

Faustus crossed his arms. "Well, what would you suggest? Stand round waiting for Lucifer? Who still isn't picking up the blessedー?”

Faustus's ranting was cut off by his phone ringing. He checked the caller ID.

"Yes, hello, Mazikeen, it's about blessed time you lot called…. Did you say Nathaniel and Sebastian? Where's Trent?…. Hello, Nathaniel, yes, I was wondering why Treー… Mm. Very well. Is Lucifer with you?…. No, that's quiー Hello, Lucifer. Say, what's your ETA?…. Of course there's a traffic jam in this heaven hole…. Very well, we'll be waiting. Honestly, I don't see why you can't just pull over somewhere and bloody teleport…. Then teleport the car onto the bloody fucking lawn, then! Blaine isn't allowing me to give Freya opium tea…. Yes, it is a shame…. Very well, I suppose we'll see you when we see you."

Faustus grimaced. "Yes, er, they're on their way. Lucifer, Mazikeen, Nathaniel, and Sebastian are. Trent is picking Mrs. Maddockーer, the elder, his mumーup from Iowa in his jet. Lucifer agrees with me that it's a shame birthing mums can't take opium for the pain."

Blaine had made a soothing tea and brought it out to Freya while Faustus was on the phone. He handed it to her, finally rolling his eyes behind Faustus's back.

 

By this point, a few hours had passed and Freya was starting to sweat, the pain was slowly increasing and she was reduced to biting her lip least she swear in a very unladylike fashion! Her breathing had hitched quite a few times during the contractions which were revving up and she couldn't really hold back the small screams that wanted to escape her lips every time she had one. She literally felt like she was being torn apart and it hadn't even really begun yet.

"For the love of Satan….Just….DO SOMETHING!" She shouted at the two men as that blasted tea hadn't helped in the slightest. "It—hurts—!"

She felt so confined, in this shut up room and in bed which she could not leave. The windows were closed and she hated it. She needed air! She felt as if she couldn't breathe! "Windows…please…open them….air…" She panted, her eyes wide and a little wild. She wanted to move, to walk about but knew if she tried they might never get her back into the bed!

"What—taking them so—long!" She panted out in demand. Her body all but curled up upon itself as another, stronger contraction rocked her, causing her to groan in pain and her eye went wide at feeling something burst, for sure this time, and wetness everywhere! Even more so than earlier in the morning! Oh dear Gods! What was happening now!

"Ohhhhhhh!! Please….just make it stop!" She whimpered out as she felt the wee ones inside of her move with each contraction. As if moving into position. It was happening faster and faster now! She didn't think these wee ones would wait! And the rest of their group…they weren't going to make it!

 

Rebecca had left at about the same time, Trent had and had to go pick up Cat and Helena before heading over to the Blackwoods. She wondered what all this would be like? She had seen people giving birth before, but never one she had been close to and it was a topic of conversation which helped the long drive seem to pass by fast for the three of them.

 

When Trent landed in Iowa, the first thing he did was race to hug his mother, completely oblivious to any nervousness she might be feeling upon their reunion.

"Mom!" he exclaimed happily. "How have you been? How's Paladin?"

Bethany's nerves disappeared once her son hugged her. What had she been thinking? This was Trent, her sweet-natured baby boy!

"I've been well," she said, "and Paly is just fine. How are you? How are Sebastian, Lucifer, Rebecca, and the others? Who's that nice boy you said you and Rebecca were seeing before he got engaged?"

"Oh, that's Nathaniel. Yeah. He's actually been taking care of Sebastian. Um…." Trent guided Bethany to the jet with a hand at her back. Once they'd both boarded, he continued, "Actually, Lucifer's been gone a lot for work, and I mean a LOT. He's spent so much time networking that Sebastian kind of… stopped functioning when Xander isn't—"

"I'm sorry, dear, who is Xander?"

Trent furrowed his brow. Sebastian had come back to visit Bethany last year; hadn't he mentioned Xander? Had Lucifer? "Um… he's someone Sebastian's seeing. Anyway, he travels a lot for work, too—"

"And where are you in all of this?" Bethany's tone took on a scolding quality. "Aren't you looking after him? You're the only family he has out there."

It was going to be a long flight back to Los Angeles.

—

"See, that's clearly a yes to the opium!" Faustus insisted.

Blaine shook his head stubbornly. "No," he demurred. "Not unless you want to risk your spawn dying."

—

While Nathaniel and Lucifer were arguing about whether or not to teleport the car onto the Blackwoods' lawn, they were stuck at a stoplight. A tattily-dressed man with a shopping cart came up and started spouting wild conspiracy theories. Sebastian snapped out of his half-catatonic state long enough to scream at the guy to "SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!", but it was too late— the engine died, signalling that a fellow hobo had come up under the car and stolen something out from under it.

Amidst the stream of curses issuing from Nathaniel's mouth, Lucifer finally cut in with, "ALRIGHT, NATHANIEL! I'll buy you a new Ferrari! Now, as we are several hours late, shall we go?!"

Before Nathaniel could answer, a woman tumbled out from the rear passenger side of a car next to theirs.

Sebastian was the first to recognize her. "Helena?" he asked hoarsely, his throat still sore from yelling at the hobo.

Nathaniel rolled down the window. "Hey, Helena?" he echoed.

Helena looked up. "Hey, guys," she greeted them, like it was totally normal for a woman to just let herself out of a car and roll onto the street. "Where are you going, and for the love of God, can I come with you?"

"We're going to the Blackwood birth," Sebastian informed her in a dull monotone. "Isn't that where you were headed, too?"

Helena shook her head. "No. I mean, yes, Cat did try to drag me along, but I have zero interest in the birthing process. I'm not that kind of lesbian, you know?"

Sebastian blinked at her. "You're a lesbian?"

"Yeah, well…." Helena shifted slightly. "Guess I'll catch you guys on the flip-flop."

"Wait," Nathaniel said. He got out of the car. "I'll come with you. I wasn't planning to stick around anyway."

"OH no you don't," Maze protested. She got out of the car and put one arm round Nate and one round Helena. "If I have to sit through this, so do you." And with that, she teleported them just outside the house, then let them all in through the window.

—

"Well, would you look at that? The window's open now!" Faustus said happily.

"I didn't know she could teleport," Nate grumbled.

"Welcome!" Faustus exclaimed jovially. "You're just in time to help me prepare the opium—"

"We decided NO on the opium," Blaine protested.

"Wait, did you say opium?" Nate asked. "If she doesn't want it, I'll take it."

"Well then, there's a good sport!"

"Um, no," Helena piped up. "I'm with Blaine, no opium for Freya."

Faustus actually POUTED, looking severely put-out. He was about to say something more when a knock sounded at the door.

"Hm, wonder whom that could be. Blaine, would you—?"

"I'LL get it," said Helena, shooting Faustus a severe look. "We won't have you drugging Freya behind our back."

Her eyebrows rose as she opened the door to see Sebastian and Lucifer standing on the doorstep, Sebastian swaying slightly and seemingly staring off into space.

"Wow. Maze actually beat you here," Helena said. "Okay, you'd better go in there and do your job as a walking, talking epidural."

Lucifer looked genuinely offended. He was, after all, still an angel, and had an angel's pride. He wouldn't be bossed about by a human woman, mortal or otherwise. Sebastian must have sensed this, because he raised one bony hand and, without another word, started slowly making his way to the bedchambers, where Freya was lying on her nest.

Helena was fast on Sebastian's heels. "Are you sure this is wise?" she asked. "You don't look like you've even been healing yourself, let alone would be able to heal someone else."

°° ((I forgot to mention how Sebastian looks earlier, but from another thread: "He'd lost weight and muscle mass; he now looked gaunt, almost skeletal. His hair, chemically straightened and a darker shade of blond than it used to be due to almost never seeing the sun, hung past his shoulders. His skin was sallow, waxy. Even with his hair loose, he had never looked less like Serena."))

"It's just painkilling," Sebastian muttered. "I can manage."

"But you won't be able to heal yourself while you're killing her pain, will you?"

"No," Lucifer answered from the doorway, "he won't. Sebastian, this is a bad idea. I was volunteered for this task and I should complete it."

"Yeah?" Sebastian asked, his hoarse voice barely enough of a whisper. "Then I guess it was nice of you to show up, but I've got this." He stretched his hand out, which was shaking slightly with the effort, and let it glow. First black, causing Nathaniel and Maze's eyes to briefly glow black as well and look to him for command, which did not come.

Then dark red— Nate's and Maze's eyes faded back to normal and they blinked themselves out of a trance— bright red, soft pink, pink-white, and finally, pure white. When his hand's aura finally appeared white, he pressed the glowing appendage to Freya's lower stomach, releasing painkilling and healing energy into her.

"How is that?" he whispered.

 

Hearing those within the room and standing within the doorway fussing with each other and yet not able to fully hear what was going on or even being said just about drove Freya nuts! She was in pain, and no one was helping!

With each contraction, she could feel the muscles of her stomach contract, pushing within her as she tried so hard not to bore down and push yet, it was still too early! But her waters had already broken so the show must be starting soon and she was not looking forward to that at all! Not with this pain!

"WOULD YOU ALL SHUT UP AND HELP ME!" She managed to yell, feeling her fire flare up around her only for a moment as if protecting herself. It sizzled the blankets she was resting on, as she calmed some and it slowly withdrew but by Satan, she was tired. Bone tired already for pain of this magnitude could wear you out and this was only the beginning!

It was when she felt the tremors of magic that she realized the rest of the gang, save Trent, his mom, and Rebecca and Cat had arrived. She huffed a bit at hearing both Bash and Lucifer debating whether Bash should help her or not and was about to snarl at them both if someone didn't do something, till Bash walked over to her, held out his hand and once he got control of the right Gift, and touched her….ohhhhhhh BLISS! Everything was suddenly so easy to bear now. It didn't hurt anymore and she could finally BREATHE!

"Ohhhh…Sebastian. Thank you. Least someone is competent enough to help me….without drugs." Her tongue was forked and whipped right now, but that was only because she had hurt so much, so strongly that her entire body was literally shaking. Her bones even ached and she swore she had a fever, as sometimes happened in difficult births and labors.

Now free minded a bit, she tried to remember everything about birthing that she could remember from helping with her brother, Amos. She had been there the day he had been born, and had helped with other births since then. But she hoped that Trent's mother would arrive soon, and her knowledge wouldn't be needed cause honestly, she didn't think she could focus and push at the same time.

 

Freya's outburst was to be expected in her condition and hardly anyone batted an eye, though Faustus and Maze did exchange an unreadable glance.

"I hope this place is fireproof," Nathaniel said, trying to lighten the mood a little.

"Yes, obviously we've enchanted it to prevent her from destroying the house. What do you take us for?" Faustus asked him, a bit impatiently.

"Do you want an honest answer?"

"That's just fine, Nathaniel. Let us focus on the issue at hand."

Lucifer's expression at Freya's comment looked much as though he'd like to take that forked, whipped tongue, rip it out, and force-feed it to her. For Sebastian may have been competent enough to help Freya ease her pain, but he was also in rather fragile health. He collapsed shortly after he'd started. Even so, the pain would be gone for another couple of hours, by which time hopefully the Maddocks would arrive.

"I told you not to push yourself," Lucifer sighed, scooping his spouse up and holding him close. "Have you eaten today?"

Sebastian did not answer, as he was unconscious. Lucifer frowned and looked to Nathaniel.

"He's been drinking Ensure more-or-less regularly. He puts amaretto or Kahlua in it, and sometimes I can get him to drink almond milkshakes," Nathaniel replied, looking uncomfortable. Sebastian was fine, right? He could sleep it off, couldn't he? "Um, Freya, I can get you a Tylenol or something," Nate offered lamely.

Maze, meanwhile, had wandered off to make popcorn, and Helena was kneeling beside Freya, offering a hand for her to squeeze if needed.

Lucifer shook his head in disbelief. He'd really dropped the ball by being away so long, hadn't he? An ocean of guilt assailed him. He took his spouse and sat in a corner away from the crowd.

A soft "beep" sounded from a few rooms away. A few minutes later, Blaine returned with the clean laundry and set to making the Blackwoods' bed properly. Then he knelt before Freya. "Well, you're not crowning yet," he said after a moment, "but I think you are more-or-less dilated."

Faustus gave him an "are you fucking kidding me?" glare, to which Blaine shrugged.

"Hey, until Trent and his mom are here, I'm the best midwife you've got," he pointed out.

 

Freya was a bit surprised and a little upset, seeing Sebastian collapse after he had helped her and uttered a soft cry of dismay. What was wrong with him? Was he alright? Hearing Lucifer's question and Nate's answer, her eyes went wide. Was Bash sick or something? How much had she missed, being secluded for the final months of her pregnancy?

"What do you mean he isn't eating properly?" Her voice a bit stern now that she was 'herself' again and would be for a while. "If he isn't taking care of himself then he shouldn't have helped me! Is he alright!?" Her concern now turned towards someone she considered a friend, albeit a not very close friend yet, but friend just the same. (She wasn't too sure about how Bash felt about her yet either. Not in her right mind, as it were.)

Freya had taken Helena's hand and smiled softly at her and then shook her head at Nate. "No thank you Nate. But that was sweet of you to ask." Though she let out a soft yelp of surprise when after making the bed, Blaine came over and looked her over. She wasn't expecting that! BLAINE! This was all so heady, it made her head spin.

She noted Faustus's glare and reached out a hand towards him. Both to give comfort to him as well as to receive it herself. While she could no longer feel the pain of her contractions as badly, she knew they were still happening and it wouldn't be long before she had to push. She was both not looking forward to it, and loving the thought that it meant she and Faustus would be welcoming their children very soon.

 

Nathaniel's discomfort increased. "Well, he's been… depressed," he hedged. "He's been sleeping in the glass cage in Trent's basement. Trent, Darryl, and I have taken turns looking after him while his actual partners are out on business." He side-eyed Lucifer at that last. Lucifer grimaced; Maze gave a couple of wide-eyed blinks.

"Well, you WERE rather insistent that someone help you," Lucifer pointed out to Freya, "and I did tell him it was a bad idea."

Faustus grimaced and took Freya's other hand. "Forgive me," he said saltily, "but I'm of the old-fashioned sort who believes other men should not be examining my wife's… padoodledoo."

A few guffaws sounded at that.

"Really? That's what you call it?" Helena asked, covering her mouth with her free hand.

 

"Actual partners on business?" Freya gave Lucifer a look that was unreadable at the moment, and no one could really blame her for whatever happened or whatever she said during this time, cause she was still in pain. But pain DID have a way of loosening the tongue, and even though she and Bash weren't always on the same page and didn't always get along, he was still a part of their group, still friend and she didn't like seeing him this way. "What the hell is so busy that you guys can't take care of your partner? Where the HELL has that vampire been! When I see him next, I’ma FRY HIM!" She vented before laying back in the pillows.

She looked back at Lucifer like he had grown three heads and growled softly. "You try pushing something as big as a watermelon out of a hole the size of a golf ball and tell me YOU wouldn't be in pain." She fumed. "And I said SOMEONE, if you didn't think Bash should have helped, you should have stopped him and done it yourself!"

Gods, she was in a mood and it clearly showed as she squirmed a bit in discomfort. Where was Mrs. Maddock! Where was Trent and Rebecca! Things were happening so fast at this point and she could feel her body moving under her hands as her babies moved into position., making her groan softly and squeeze Faustus's hand a bit, trying not to hurt him.

Though hearing what he had said, did make her chuckle softly between the soft whimpers. For though it didn't hurt as bad right now, it still did hurt!

—

Rebecca had a time getting there, thanks to the traffic and a few cuss words and threatening the traffic herself, later, she finally arrived. Rushing into the house, she headed to where she could hear all the noise and burst in, looking around. "What did I miss? Anything I can do to help?" She asked as she went to drop the bags of the few things she had brought for Freya.

"I got some towelettes and a massaging neck pillow, if it helps, Freya." She brought it over and set it beside her, giving her a soft smile. "And some home remedies, that my mother once told me about. Like…make it into a tea and it should help the contractions."

She looked around and noticed a bit of a tension within the room. "What's—going on?"

 

It was the laugh that did it. Before anyone else could reply, Lucifer was in full devil form with his hand at her throat, snarling in a deep, echoing baritone, "Do not forget who you are addressing! I may have been your friend, but I am still Lucifer and I will not be told how to run my business, my marriage, or how a human girl thinks I SHOULD use my power! My Sebastian healed you as a favor, and you'd best show a little more gratitudeー"

He was cut off mid-rant by a trembling hand on his arm.

"Forgive me," came the tremulous voice of his best friend, "but m-my wife is having our babies just now. Perhaps her mind is… o-occupied."

"Mm, mm, no one's in their right mind in labor," Maze rebutted with a mouth full of popcorn. "Das why it's a popular punishment in Hell."

Lucifer released Freya's throat and looked round at Faustus, whose eyes were notably averted. Lucifer took pity on him; he was clearly terrified for the sake of his wife. It must have taken exceeding bravery for him to even approach Lucifer when Lucifer was in this form.

Sebastian meanwhile had been transferred from Lucifer's lap to Nathaniel's when Lucifer has transformed and shot halfway across the room.

"Also, if you're fully dilated like Blaine said, it's more the size of a melon than a golf ball," the very same Nathaniel felt the need to point out in the deafening silence.

"Heyyy, welcome to the partayyyy," Maze greeted the girls who'd just entered.

"Um," Nathaniel put in, "your mother taught you home remedies for easing labor? Naomi Bunch? The woman who basically blames your birth for ruining her life and who has never uttered a word to you without some form of criticism or complaint?" Then, as eyes turned to him, he shrugged defensively. "What? Trent would say it if he were here. Maybe a little bit nicerー"

"Everyone is nicer than you, buglet," a faint voice interrupted. Nathaniel looked down to the skeletal creature draped across his lap and smiled faintly.

"You're awake," he observed. "I don't think your healing worked as well as you meant to."

"What?" Sebastian sat up, confused. "But it should have taken away all of her pain. Did it notーohー" He quickly lay back down again, adjusting himself so he was using Nate's leg as a pillow. "Hi Rebecca, hi Cat. You guys get here okay?" he half-whispered.

Lucifer had oriented on the sound of Sebastian's voice. He sped back over to Sebastian and Nathaniel. "Oh, my Sebastian…."

Sebastian hesitated, but slowly sat up and crawled into his devil's arms. "I miss you," he said hoarsely as tears began to stream down his face. "I miss… Duckie. Where is Duckie?"

Nathaniel checked his watch. "Probably on his way back," he said. He remembered, dimly, from the time Trent had jacked a plane and flown back from Iowa, that it took about three hours to get back to Los Angeles. By Nathaniel's calculations, he should be back within a couple of hours.

"Are they bringing my dad?"

Nathaniel blinked, not expecting that. "No, I don't think so," he answered softly. "Why?"

"He's dating Duckie's mom. Mine died, and his is nice, so I thought maybe…."

Maze cackled. "Wait, wouldn't that make you basically stepbrothers with your ex-boyfriend? 🎵Awkward🎵!"

"If we could all kindly focus on the issue at hand!" Blaine's normally calm bass broke through the chatter as everyone looked at him in surprise. During the commotion, he had taken the herbs from Rebecca and made them into a tea that would hopefully be far more effective than the one he'd tried earlier.

Lucifer strode over to Blaine and got right in his face, once again putting Sebastian in Nate's lap. "As far as I can tell, there are multiple issues at hand!"

Blaine swallowed and gently set down the tea tray by Freya. "If… If we're going to fight, w-we should do it outside," he said.

Lucifer barked out a laugh. "We should do it outside," he mocked. He grabbed Blaine by the lapel, hoisted him up with one hand, and walked over to the open window. "Would you still like to go outside!?"

"I would stop arguing," Maze advised, eyes darting from Blaine to beyond the window. For the first time since anyone had met her, she looked genuinely afraid.

Blaine held up his hands. "I don't want to argue," he said, "it's just, your best friend's wife is having her babies and this isー"

"Prime time television," Maze put in, relaxing some as Lucifer was lowering Blaine back to stand on the floor.

"I'm not sure she sees it that way," Faustus muttered. Helena, guiding Freya to drink her tea, was white as a sheet.

"I don't think anyone does except you, Maze," she added.

"Let's stop fighting," Sebastian agreed. He reached for Lucifer, who sat with him and scooped him up again. "Stop fighting," Sebastian repeated. "I don't want to be put down again. He's so warm…."

 

Freya hadn't been expecting Lucifer to react in such a way towards her, for it was not him she was laughing at. Merely at the words used to describe…well…her, in Faustus's words to Blaine. She tried not to choke and her hands came to rest at his forearms as he gripped her tightly within his grasp. Just BARELY restraining herself from burning him in defense.

When he let go, she gasped and glared at him, trying to keep a civil tongue in her head, but then, that wasn't exactly her way at times. "For one…NOT a human. Two, Don't you EVER touch me that way again. Three, If what I said bothered you then maybe you should take a closer look at what is happening right in front of you!" She didn't go into a deep a rant as she wanted to, knowing to save her energy for later and what was to come. But how DARE he put his hands on her in such a way, even more so when she was delivering her and Faustus's brood.

SHE wasn't the reason Sebastian was a complete mess! SHE hadn't left him behind to feel left out or abandoned so he would stop functioning! True, it wasn't purely Lucifer's fault either and when Xander ever showed his face again, she'd have it in for him too! But if Lucifer didn't like her words, maybe he should focus more on his personal life instead of being away all the time. Just how she saw it.

She turned to Faustus and drank a little of the tea Blaine had given her, with Helena's help, and gently smiled at him. For he looked white as a sheet. "It's alright, my love. I am fine, as are our wee ones……." She trailed off as another contraction ripped through the magical release of pain and she gasped.

"I think….Ohhhhhh!!! I don't think they will wait!!!"

Rebecca nodded at Bash and wondered at his appearance but didn't say anything. "Hey Bash. Gosh, this is a fun time huh?" She chuckled as she tried to make herself useful. Disappearing into the kitchen, where after a while some delicious smells could be heralded from within. "Hope you all are hungry, or will be after this is over."

 

That did it. NOBODY told Lucifer to do, and for her to do so after he had just warned her, while he was STILL in his devil form, was the height of foolishness. Despite Sebastian's pleading, he set Sebastian down yet again, stormed over to her without another word and, before Faustus or anyone else could stop him, grabbed her by the throat, removing Sebastian's healing at the same time, and threw her out the window! She could give birth on the fucking lawn for all he cared!

Then he teleported away, leaving everyone else to their own devices.

Shocked to his core at the loss of his husband, Sebastian, who was still not fully conscious or able to respond to much else around him, collapsed into a dead faint.

"Great," said Maze sarcastically, throwing down her popcorn to check his pulse. She frowned, then pressed her ear to his chest.

"He's…." She swallowed, then glared towards the window. "Thanks a lot, Freya," she muttered.

 

Freya had half a second to think: 'This is it! This is how I die….Shame, I so wanted to meet my babies.' as she was falling that she didn't realize when she no longer was. Having been caught by one VERY angry Dark Lord, who had appeared as if out of the mist and managed to snag her mid-air. Opening her eyes, she gasped as she saw her Lord before her and wondered at how he knew, until she remembered. 'The Dark Lord sees EVERYTHING'.

"Who dares throw you out of a window!" He bellowed, his voice carrying even inside the house!

Without even waiting for an answer, he poofed away and entered into the house and sat Freya down back into her nest, having already helped her with her pain as soon as he caught her. Glaring around the room, his hellish eyes taking in each person there.

"Who dares treat my Chosen this way? With Life I HAVE embused her with? Those that she carries are of my will and whomever seeks to harm them or her, seeks to do the same to me!"

His ears twisted atop his head as she shrank slowly down to take human form, just now noticing the commotion within the other room, off a ways. Snorting, he gave a brief nod, as if summoning someone or something and within minutes, there came a very LOUD pounding….not a knock…POUNDING upon the Blackwood Manor Door! Xander….had arrived and was full panic and rage mode!

 

"Oh, look, it's the furry," Nathaniel whispered. Maze frowned and swatted his arm. She didn't think now was the time for jokes. Besides, she kind of liked "the furry", as Nathaniel called him. There was something strangely alluring about him that made her feel things she hadn't felt since… Ever, actually.

At that moment, Bethany and Trent Maddock parked by the driveway and went up to the door themselves. Trent frowned at Xander, nudged him aside none-too-gentlyー "Trent, I'm surprised at you! I didn't raise you to shove!" ーand, pulling a couple of Rebecca's bobby pins out of his wallet, proceeded to pick the lock.

"I'm sorry for my son," Bethany apologized to the tall man standing there looking frantic. "He's not usually so impolite. I raised a good boy."

"Mom, I'm sorry but we don't have time to argue. I got an SOS on my pager from Litーuh, Nathaniel," Trent explained hurriedly as the lock unclicked and the three of them rushed through the door.

"Hello, you must be Lady Blackwood," Bethany greeted the woman in the middle of the floor. "I've brought you some things but you can rifle for them while… There must be some mistake." She refused to believe the person she had raised as a surrogate offspring had died.

 

it literally took ALL Xander had not to growl or snarl as Trent showed up and shoved him aside to pick the lock. He looked at the older woman, who confirmed was his mother and nodded, not saying anything yet. He was afraid if he did, he might end up saying something snotty or something wrong or even going full vampire mode on all those within, he was that angry and that rage filled.

Something was terribly wrong with his Bonded! He couldn't sense him, and him being within the house, he SHOULD have been able to! Hearing Trent's words about a SOS message from Nate only confirmed his fears; and as Trent shoved the door open, he literally darted into the house first, having already been invited by Freya oh so long ago it seemed, and headed towards where he could hear all company gathered.

The door all but swung off its hinges as he entered the room, looking about frantically for Sebastian, not even paying Nate's horrible words any attention as he ghosted to where Bash lay. "Sebastian?" His voice soft, almost like a whisper, afraid that what he saw was what was really true. "No…Bash! Bonded?!" He moved and gently as he could, took Bash from Nate, and walked with him to take up a seat away from everyone else.

He was utterly appalled by the state his Bonded was in! Nothing but skin and bones it seemed like, having an even grey pallor to his once bright and beautiful complexion, his hair stringy and hanging in a greasy mess. So not like the man he knew, who took such good care of himself. What had happened to him! Why was he in this state? This couldn't be the man he had chosen to watch over, to feed from, to share his life with, to love. Not this sad excuse for a skeleton he felt as if he could break just holding in his arms.

"No….please….Sebastian…." He looked down at the man he held in his arms and cuddled him close. Not caring who saw or heard his displays of lose, remorse and affection. For the first time, since he was four years old, tears rained from his eyes and tracked down his cheeks. REAL tears, and not blood tears. His body shook as he held the man gently to him, sobbing as if his very soul would break. "Please….don't leave me…" His voice a sobbed whisper.

Pulling back, he sniffed and just cuddled Bash's body like he would a baby, looking down at him as a soft, saddened smile crossed his face. “I am so sorry that I wasn’t there.” He said, his voice stronger now, but still held the sound of his emotions within. “I should have been, as I promised. To watch out for you, protect you, keep you safe and make you feel like you were loved. For you have told me many times that feeding me, being with me, gave your life purpose and—and I didn’t understand fully then what that meant.” He stopped and sniffed, blinking tears again out of his eyes. “I do now….and I am so sorry that I have failed you. Had I been there, you might not have—” He trailed off as another sob shook him and he had to close his eyes to control himself before he continued. “I remember the very first time I saw you. So full of life, so full of adventure. Ready to throw in with a perfect stranger because we shared a few interests.” Here he gently caressed Bash’s hair out of his face so he could see him clearly. “I had really been dead up till then, Bash. Did you know that? No heart beat within me—for so MANY years; but that night, seeing you…something lit up within me. You always say that it is I who save you….and I have to tell you, Bonded—you’re wrong!” He spoke with passion the likes NONE had ever heard within his voice before. “Twas YOU who saved ME, Bash. You got me out of that drab, cold, dark part of the world, and brought so much life and light into my heart. You….are my Bonded. Forever.”

Here he paused, sniffing, and gently resting his forehead against his Bonded’s for a moment before pulling back. “I will not ask your forgiveness, for what I have done to you is unforgivable. I was so lost, in hatred, Bash. All I saw was darkness.” He paused, sighing. “You stole what was left of my heart, and now I have lost you, forever.” His sadness leaked through his words as well as his body language, until he stiffened his spine as some sort of resolve set in as he looked down at the man within his embrace. “I swear no harm will come to you, as long as I live….and not a day shall pass, that I don’t miss your smile……”

He broke down then and lightly, gently leaned down to kiss Sebastian on the lips, before pressing his forehead to his Bonded’s, eyes closed as he tried so hard not to cry again. “I love you, Bash….I love you…”

 

"He's dead, no thanks to Miss Mouthy over there," Helena informed the vampire. Normally she and Freya got on quite well, but Helena had known Sebastian since college and had even briefly had a crush on him.

"I'm sorry," Nathaniel said quietly. "Trent and I have been taking care of him the best that we can. We've been working from home and we take it in turns, but there's not much…. We make him drink Ensure a few times a day, since he stopped eating."

Maze sighed. "We never said he couldn't run recon on the competition with us," she said sadly, following her ex and stroking Sebastian's hair in a gesture of affection rarely seen from her. "Lucifer and I lost tr…." She choked up, unable to finish the sentence.

"You're goddamn right you lost track!" Nathaniel snapped.

Maze frowned at him. She could kick his ass, as he was a significantly younger and less powerful demon than herself; he'd been made an incubus only a little over a year ago, while she was a first-generation hellspawn forged by Lilith herself. But Nate was grieving as much as she was, perhaps more since he was more human than she was, so she chose to let the insult go.

Nate ignored her, too, and pointed to Xander. "You're a fucking idiot," he spat, bristling at the vampire. "Your pet human runs off to another dimension for months, commissions a custom stake, literally hits you over the head with it, and, what, that wasn't enough of a clue that they're losing what little sanity they had to begin with?"

"Nathaniel!" Trent barked. He swallowed. His mother was right; he hadn't taken as good care of his best friend as he should have. It was his fault Sebastian had gotten himself bonded to a vampire and married the literal devil. "We all feel like crap. Youー" he pointed to Freyaー "and youー" he pointed to Nathanielー "don't need to make any of us feel worse about it."

Bethany watched the goings-on as she assisted Freya with labor, saying nothing about the situation, but thinking it was probable that the strange man and Sebastian had both saved each other. For a season, at least. His own mother hadn't cared for him, so he'd basically grown up on the Maddock farm, always trailing after Trent. Bethany had allowed him to stay there, not commenting on the fact that he never actually helped Trent with his chores. She had known, never said anything, but known. She refrained from saying more now because Trent was right: she didn't need to rub it in that she was disappointed.

As Xander swore no harm would come to Sebastian, someone muttered, "Little late," but no-one could quite make out who, and no-one would have admitted to it if asked.

When their lips connected, it was as if a light switched on under Sebastian's skin. He slowly began to return to his normal coloring; his hair returned to its usual soft curls; and his body began to fill back out to a normal, healthy weight. As he opened his eyes, they changed from dull grey to bright teal and a tear slid from the corner of his left eye. He blinked, then frowned and looked around without moving his head.

"… Hello," he whispered quizzically.

A collective sigh of relief was had throughout the room. A few people, knowing that everything would be okay, went back to attending Freya (and introducing themselves to Trent's mom). The rest stayed circled round Sebastian and Xander.

 

Xander felt his heart literally beat a few times as he watched Sebastian return to him. Literally, and it hurt! But in a good way for the first time in—eons, he FELT something! Really felt something and he had to blink his eyes as real tears slipped once more, unbidden from his eyes as he smiled a slightly fanged smile down at Bash. "Hello Bonded…." His words soft, gentle almost as he still cradled the man in his arms, holding him close.

He was so utterly happy that he didn't know what to do with himself. Instead, he just focused on the one he loved most. Love?! That thought hit him like a ton of bricks! That overly display of emotion, the tears still dripping from his eyes even as he smiled. No one EVER made him feel such a thing before and he marveled at it as well as paying close attention to Bash.

"How are you feeling? Do you need anything?" He asked almost frantically, afraid if he let Bash go, he would disappear.

 

Freya, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Sebastian return. She hadn't meant for Lucifer to lose his cool and leave, thus ending Bash's life. She had no idea what the Angel had been under, and still didn't, but that wasn't an excuse to let your Mate get that far into death's door, nor abandon him even if he was angry.

Still, all those thoughts could wait till later, as she turned her attentions now back to the process of giving birth. The contractions had started up again and this time with a vengeance, but they felt….different. Deeper. Like she should stand and bear down! Was it really happening! Already!

The Dark Lord, by this time, had set Freya back on her nest and made her comfortable. Standing back so as not to be in the way, but he would be there to witness the birth of his most Favorite High Priest and his wife's children.

 

Sebastian blinked up at the man speaking to him. His analytical mind worked as he tried to reorient himself. He felt as if he was waking up from the most surreal dream. His brain cycled through a few languagesー

"Oui, jeー non, daijoubu daー iie, hao leー sunt bine"

ー before realizing the person speaking to him was speaking English. "I'm… I'm okay," he said. He cleared his throat. There was something moist on his face and he raised an arm to wipe it off. He could move perfectly fine. He wasn't hungry or thirsty. He wasn't there anymore; he was awake, he guessed. He blinked rapidly.

Trent was here, and so was Mrs. Maddock. Sebastian smiled and sat up. "Yo, Duck," he said as he stretched. "Good shirt."

Trent was wearing a black turtleneck patterned with ice blue skeletons and silver-outlined black cats, tucked into a pair of black stretch boot-cut jeans. "Thanks," he said, flashing a grin at his friend. He came over to Sebastian, clasped his hand and pulled him up into a bro hug. "Come watch, it's fascinating!" He tugged Sebastian over to watch the woman giving birth, attended by Mrs. Maddock.

"Um," Sebastian said hesitantly, "are you sure she's okay with us just staring at her hoo-ha waiting for a baby to come out?"

"Yeah, it's fine!" Trent chirped.

"You know, you can say 'vagina,'" Mrs. Maddock put in. "It's a medical term; there's nothing vulgar about it."

"Nothing about that sounds appealing," Sebastian muttered so that only Trent (and those with super-human hearing) could hear.

Trent tsked and lightly bopped his shoulder. "Be nice."

Good old Trent. "Never change, Duckie," Sebastian grinned.

-

For someone who'd just died and come back, Sebastian seemed remarkably chipper, Nathaniel thought. He'd caught a few of the languages Sebastian had tried to answer Xander in: French, then Japanese, then Mandarin, then… was that Hungarian, Romanian, or possibly Ukrainian? Something like that. Where had he been? Had he gone to Heaven? Hell? Purgatory? Some other place? Nathaniel would have to ask later, but for now, at least Sebastian seemed happy to be back. At least he wouldn't be morose anymore, and Xander seemed far more attentive now that he was back.

"Yeah, Freya's fine with us watching," Nate put in casually. "That's kind of why we're all here, isn't it? To watch and help where we can?"

"Yeah, Nate, you've been a big help," Blaine put in sarcastically as he helped Freya get ready to bear down. He looked to their lord. "Aye, thank you for dropping in, me lord," he said, dipping his head respectfully. He was Freya's friend, but he was also Faustus's apprentice and a priest. "It's an honor."

"It is," Maze agreed solemnly. She'd put aside the popcorn for now and was leaning forward in her seat, trying to see if there was anything she could do to help. She'd witnessed millions of births. At least the babies weren't in breech, and Freya was young and healthy.

Faustus nodded dutifully and bowed his head. "Forgive me," he explained, "but I did try to stop… the angel who er …." He tried to choose his words carefully. "And he backed down for a moment when Brother Menchineel and I reminded him she was having my babiesー"

"But then she kept running her mouth," Trent added helpfully, nodding. "Yeah. If she'd taken the hint and quieted down, she would have been fine!" He grinned and gave the Dark Lord two thumbs up. "She's fine now though, so no harm done," he added cheerfully.

Trent turned his attention back to the witch in question and watched avidly as the first baby began to crown. He was fascinated! Turning to Rebecca, he asked, "Isn't it cool? It's like a woman's body is a portal between worlds!"

"I've always thought so," Helena piped up. "A woman's body can transport you to Heaー" She paused, noting Maze's glare, and realizing she was about to say something insensitive in front of company. "ーto Cloud Nine," she amended, "if you let it."

Nate rolled his eyes. "Please be more of a lesbian, Helena," he muttered.

"Around you, I just can't help myself," Helena shot back with a smile.

 

Xander wasn't quite sure what was going on with Sebastian, but he would have to ask later, for it seemed that ALL attention was now focused on Freya, who was in the process of pushing the first of her twins out. He tried not to make a face, and actually held his breath in case she bled, but he would stay to watch. Both over Bash and to help if he was needed with Freya, but he thought that everyone here had things under control.

Rebecca had smirked at hearing her husband's words and chuckled softly. Though she didn't particularly want to watch the kids being born, she was curious as well. "It is cool, yes, hun. But this is kind of what might happen if we were ever to have kids. Think you could handle my moods wings then?" She teased with a wink.

"If you get pregnant, Rebecca, I am going FAR away for a while." Cat teased as she sat by Freya, trying to help her breathe through what she must be feeling. She had never had the idea to have kids, herself, but seeing how everyone literally came together, and put differences aside to help Freya, maybe….just maybe…? She cast a look at Helena, they might have to have a talk later.

Freya, meanwhile, was focusing on boring down hard to get this first baby out while trying not to scream! Even though the Dark Lord was helping a bit with her pain, it still really freaking hurt! Her body felt like it was literally being torn in two and this was just the first child!

Leaning back, panting, she took a few deep breaths and pushed again. Pushed so hard, sweat beads popped out from her forehead as she strained! Gods! why would ANYONE want to do this…let alone multiple times in one GO!

She tried hard, very hard, not to scream or cuss, but it was just too much after a few pushes and she felt the babe slip down further and felt her hips literally crack a little to make way as the babe started to crown.

"FUCK! GET IT OUT! Oh for the love of Satan!! Whoever invented this as a way to give birth SHOULD BE SHOT!"

On and on it went, till she couldn't even look at Faustus without wanting to cuss him out as well. This was half his fault, but he didn't have to suffer for it.

 

Sebastian could sympathize with the look on Xander's face as it just about mirrored his own, but for a completely different reason. Sebastian was pretty sure Trent was the only man on earth who actually cared for watching a woman give birth.

Trent looked mildly alarmed at the idea of Rebecca having mood swings. "… I think we should get a psychiatrist's opinion," he said honestly. "Last time you had a baby-ready egg, you put a hit out on your ex-boyfriend's girlfriend."

"Who is now my ex-girlfriend," Nathaniel reminded Trent.

"Nice," Sebastian said, reaching over to fist-bump Rebecca. "Respect!"

"Um… as I recall, you judged her pretty hard for it at the time," Trent said nervously.

"Ah yes, the magical land of Far, Far Away," Sebastian directed to Cat. "Oh that reminds me, Mrs. Maddock, do we still have the Shrek series? I'm thinking movie marathon after this is over. It's a, uh… incentivization program!"

"I… didn't bring it with me, sweet pea, I'm sorry," Bethany said apologetically as she helped soothe Freya and get the crowning baby moving along.

Helena shook her head. "No way, Cat," she said flatly. She knew baby fever when she saw it. "You can do whatever you want with your body, but if you have kids, you're hiring a nanny to raise them until they're old enough to have an intelligent conversation and not poop their pants."

"Preach!" Sebastian agreed. "Closest I'm getting to kids is maybe a cat."

"Oh, how is Figaro doing?" asked Maze. There was something more than curiosity in her voice; she, too, had noticed something a little strange about the way Sebastian was acting. She'd sensed him cross over for just the briefest moment, but a second on Earth was much longer in Hell time.

"Hey, Bash, could you do something about that?" Helena complained, covering her ears. "I guess Luci took away the magical healing you gave her."

"Yeah, sure," Sebastian said. "Give me a sec." He went to Trent's messenger bag, rooted around in it for a minute, and pulled out a pair of earbuds. "Here you go!" he said, cheerfully handing them over to Helena.

"… Are you shitting me?" Helena asked, annoyed, but she put the earbuds in anyway and, cringing, hooked them up to her phone. She proceeded to blast Ladytron and try to ignore what was happening.

"Fun fact," Trent said, "it was actually Louis XIV who had women give birth on their backs because he had a fetish for watching. It would be more effective if you were on all fours or even just kneeling or squatting."

Sebastian made a face as he listened. "Of course you know that," he said. Faustus made a similar face. He was doing his best to soothe Freya as well, but there wasn't really much he could do for her.

 

The pain was the most intense thing Freya had EVER felt and she swore she would NEVER do it again! But when she felt the first let go, she breathed a big gulp of air in and had to rest back against the pillows for a moment. She glanced at Faustus and had to give him a small smile, to let him know she wasn't entirely angry with him, and was curious about the health of their firstborn.

But…she didn't have much time to register or even ask, as the second wee one seemed hellbent on coming directly after their sibling! Pain flooded her again, even with everything going on around her and the conversations she was trying to follow instead of all this mind numbing pain…though it wasn't working.

Growling and cursing again, wanting everyone within her immediate vicinity to die, she swore such a blue streak that even Cat blushed. Finally, with one last push, she grit her teeth and bore down so hard she very nearly passed out and it was then, that she felt the second babe let go and gasped in both relief and exhaustion.

"Are—are they—alright?" She asked after a moment of catching her breath. Worried a little as she hadn't heard them cry yet.

 

By now it was November 1st, just a little bit past midnight. The cries came after a hearty snack on the rear from Blaine (the first) and Bethany (the second).

Once the babes had been cleaned, they were placed upon Freya's breasts.

"There you are, then," Faustus murmured tenderly, stroking her hair. "See how well you did. Two beautiful, healthy babies. And one of them's even a boy," he teased.

"And she didn't even need an episiotomy," Nate commented.

Faustus rolled his eyes. "As much as I enjoy your fascination with my wife's… er…"

"Vagina," Bethany supplied.

"Yes," said Faustus, blushing, "I'd appreciate it if you kept such comments to yourself."

When all was over and done, Faustus and Blaine waved their hands and a spread of food appeared. Nate and Helena also brought in the food Rebecca had already cooked.

"Thank goodness," Trent said gratefully, pocketing his phone. "I was about to spend a small fortune on Uber Eats."

"Courtesy of Rebecca," Nate announced, smiling in her direction as he and Helena set down the food. "And here I thought your wife let you do all the cooking."

"'Let' is a word for it," Trent agreed. "I enjoy cooking. Did I tell you I almost went to culinary school?"

Sebastian blinked. "I didn't know you applied to a dedicated school," he said. "Doesn't Yale have a culinary program?"

Trent's brow furrowed. "I guess I could always reapply for Yale, but I'd have to brush up on a lot of things."

"Honestly, I've always thought it was kismet that you missed the deadline for Yale," Bethany put in. "You got into Harvard, after all, and we couldn't be prouder of you. Our little computer tech."

Trent smiled a little more shyly than usual. "Yeah… And I guess a lot of people do meet their wives at their safety schools, right?"

"Wait," Nathaniel said, holding up both hands. "Did you just say Harvard was your safety school?"

"Well, yeah," Sebastian piped up. "Yale was our first choice. But uh, Trent got into Harvard and… the rest is history."

Trent, Helena, and Maze exchanged a glance and then Helena raised her red Solo cup.

"If it weren't for Harvard, then Rebecca and I would never have met Sebastian and Trent. To Harvard!"

The others echoed, "To Harvard", touched cups, and drank.

"And if I haven't said it enough," Sebastian added, "congratulations on the hot wife." He winked playfully at Rebecca. "Just kidding. Hope that wasn't out of line."

Trent raised his cup next. "Not that Drake is any lesser of an institution," he said. "Cat, at age 16 you were brighter and more competent than anyone in the office admin hiring pool out in Los Angeles. Working long distance from the cloud couldn't have been easy on you, and balancing finishing high school and going to college with all of that took a lot of brainpower and willpower. When you finally flew out here to LA to join me as my PA, well, let's just say you were right on time to manage Mad Tech Solutions for me when I was hospitalized. Twice. And went on vacation that other time."

"Still calling it that, huh?" Nate muttered under his breath. Trent shot him a dirty look and continued.

"You did a great job and I just wanted to say, we may have had our differences over the years, but I'm proud of you. To my baby blister, Cat."

"To Cat," the rest toasted.

"And let's not forget Freya," Faustus insisted. "Without whom I would not have an extraordinary wedded life and two beautiful new babies. And of course, to the Dark Lord for attending us today."

They toasted to Freya and to the dark lord.

Nathaniel, meanwhile, was staring at Sebastian. "You look so… healthy," he said in wonder. "I'm not used to seeing you like this anymore, at least not without a pound of makeup and a skirt."

"Oh," Sebastian said with a little laugh. He nodded, smiling, and pointed to Nathaniel… then decked him across the face without warning.

"Ow, man, what the hell?!" Nathaniel cried, clutching his nose. "I'm just saying, you look good!"

"In caked-on makeup and a skirt?" Sebastian asked incredulously.

"Okay, alright, sorry. You don't cake it on." Nathaniel tried to sit up as Trent physically held Sebastian back from hitting him again.

"Don't be mad, Bashie," Trent said. "A lot of people here like you as Serena. You even kinda stole Maze's boyfriend while in drag."

"Serena did not steal Xander," said Maze, laughing. "No one had any objections to him being with both of us. I left for other reasons." She shrugged. "I don't have to be with someone to be happy, anyway, and they're cute together."

"I've always found those frilly pink dresses of hers to be rather… well, I don't want to say overcompensating," said Faustus, "seeing as she does act like a girl when dressed as one."

"It's like night and day," Helena agreed. "If either of them lost time, I'd think they had dissociative identity disorder or something."

"That would explain a fucking lot," Nate grumbled, angrily eating a carrot stick.

"Sorry, man," Sebastian said, grimacing. "You good?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Nate grumbled. "What is UP with you today, though?" Before Sebastian could answer with more than a shrug, he added, "I get it, okay, your husband and boyfriend were both gone for a while and you kind of wasted away there, but Xander at least is back and has been doting on you, so what's your deal?"

Sebastian shrugged again. "I don't know, man. Okay, physically, I feel fine. I feel perfect. But in the back of my head it's like, wow man, I got hit by a car."

Trent looked up from his pita spread.

"And then," Sebastian continued, "it's like I had this vision."

 

Freya smiled faintly as she nuzzled each babe that she held in her arms. She couldn't believe that they were finally here and all the pain and tears and curse words forgotten as she marveled in their beauty. "They are perfect." She said softly as she smiled up at Faustus as she nuzzled into his touch, sighing softly in delight and contentment.

"I think the boy looks like you too." She giggled softly as she just took the time to bask in them, knowing that soon she would have to learn how to feed and take care of them. But for now, it was peace before the storm.

Though she did perk up at the mention of food and she asked her husband if he could please fix her a small plate. She wasn't sure she could eat as much as usual but she was hungry.

Rebecca blushed faintly as Nate called her out for the food and nodded at him, thanking him in a way. She had wanted to make things easier for everyone and had made as much as she could and a few things that each one of them liked. Though she had to turn and give Bash a look and giggled softly at his comment. That was……different. She knew how Bash felt about her, but he had never actually called her 'hot' before, even if he didn't mean it now. "It's all good Bash. I know…" She giggled again and went the set out the rest of the food before making herself and Trent a plate.

Xander had been standing in the back of the room for the moment, while Freya gave birth so he wouldn't be tempted with all the blood about, but once that was all over and done with and Freya and the babes were cleaned up, he came back to stand by Bash's side.

He too, had noticed that Bash was acting a bit odd but when he heard that Bash had had a vision, he tilted his head slightly, curious and confused. "What do you mean, Bonded?" He asked, his voice soft. "What vision did you have?"

 

Faustus had already prepared a plate in the conjuring and handed it to her now. It had her favorites from before she had been pregnant.

"Take it slow," Bethany cautioned. "Your body has worked hard, but it might not accept a lot of food at once."

"It's not like we were expecting her to shovel it in," said Maze.

Everyone expected Sebastian to make a smartass comment about how Freya and Rebecca differed there. When he didn't, Nathaniel, Faustus, and Maze looked at him a bit strangely.

At Rebecca's remark, though, Sebastian did joke, "She's humble too."

Trent grinned. "I've been telling her how amazing she is for years. Yeah. It would give anyone a swelled head," he said. Sebastian shrugged.

When asked about the vision, Sebastian said, "This tall, dark, handsome angelー" He cut himself off with a laugh. "Yeah, I know. Pretty clichéd, isn't it?"

"You saw a dark-haired angel after getting hit by a car?" Bethany asked.

"Yeah, okay I see where Trent gets it from," Maze said, pointing between them.

Sebastian closed his eyes for a moment. "Yeah," he said. "This was, uh… This was that summer we visited NYC. Duckie and I were goofing around in Central Park and this taxi came out of nowhere."

"I remember," Trent said softly. "I went to get Mom. I thought for sure you were going to die, but you were fine. Maybe a little skittish afterwards."

"There was someone with you," Bethany said. "Someone helped you out of the street and made sure you were okay. He nodded at me and left when Trent and I got back to you."

"And the rest is history," Sebastian said, in almost a whisper. Remembering the toast about Cat coming to LA after college, he added, "Over a decade of history."

"A decade and a half," Trent whispered back. "You had your 33rd birthday this last September."

Sebastian shook his head slowly, clearly dazed. "That's almost half my life. 16 years have passed since New York."

"Well, yeah, but weren't you and Luci hooking up in college?" Helena asked.

"No, he was a virgin until last summer," Trent corrected her.

"Yeah, the quote-unquote 'vacation,'" Nathaniel snarked.

"Can you not, right now?" Trent asked, beginning to get annoyed with Nathaniel.

Helena ignored them and continued addressing Sebastian. "When you quit cheer, I started noticing he went to all the same parties you did and he used to drive you back to campus. When we came to your Serena debut last year, I was wondering why you didn't just tell me your sugar daddy was Lucifer fucking Morningstar. The brunet one," she added with a side glance at the DL. "I honestly thought it was Trent at first. Actually, I'm glad you and Trent got back in contact. I mean, we all love Luci, and he's probably the reason you didn't die of an overdose, but I never even saw you touch drugs until Trent followed his lady love to New Haven."

"Wait, you followed Rebeccaーof course you did," Nathaniel quickly corrected himself. "Why didn't you just reapply to Yale?"

"Well, I thought risking missing the cut-off twice would make me look twice as stupid," said Trent. "And it's not… exactly like that, Hel. We were never out of contact. We video chatted every day."

"Don't even worry about it," Sebastian said, clapping Trent's shoulder. "You guys got married, so it was worth it! All's well that ends well, right? Isn't that what you and Duckling always say?"

"Honey, that's the most accepting you've been of Rebecca since you met her," Bethany said. "I'm proud of you."

Sebastian smiled, a genuinely warm, sweet, happy smile. "Thank you, ma'am," he said bashfully.

"Yeah, I'm sure the swinging helped with that," Nate said. "Kind of hard to hate someone who's letting you hook up with their husband. Even if they are hooking up with yours at the same time."

"What, you know this from experience?" Sebastian scoffed at him.

Nate gave him a sarcastic look. "Yes," he said. "I, too, stopped hating you when I began sleeping with… Oh wait no, that wasn't Lucifer, that was you.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Unless you're angling for another roll in the cornfield, get off my jock," he said.

"It's a corn maze, first of all, not a field," Nathaniel countered.

"Well then I suggest you get lost in it. And if you're gonna say something stupid about getting lost in my eyes instead, save it and just fuck off now."

Nathaniel's gaze had become steadily more heated and before anyone knew it, he had Sebastian pinned under him and was kissing him, hard. "I love it when we fight like this," he whispered. "And I was going to say I prefer getting lost in your tight little ass, although your eyes are nice too."

"Nathaniel, that's quite enough of that," Faustus said, although he couldn't help a snigger.

"Why?" asked Maze. "Better than him being a dick to your wife because he can't put his dick in your wife."

"Well, I never said he couldn't," said Faustus dryly. "Although I wouldn't recommend it just now."

"Eight weeks is the suggested recovery time," Trent agreed. Helena looked at him like he was an idiot.

"Oh crap," Trent said. "Sorry, mom. Someone should probably get George. You know, since the birth is over and there's no chance of him walking in and seeing vagina."

"I'll do it," said Maze. "Having him walk in on his husband making out with Sebastian will be hilarious."

"Wow, you really are a demon," Helena deadpanned.

"No shit." And Maze left.

But her words were enough to make Nathaniel pull back. "She's right. We shouldn't be doing this again," he murmured. He sat back and, without even thinking about it, grabbed a slice of deep-dish pizza and devoured it.

"Wow, Nathaniel's actually eating carbs," Helena remarked. "Someone put a cross on the ceiling."

"Please do," Nate said round a mouthful of pizza. "I wanna see the look on the furry's face."

"Uh, it might not be smart to antagonize him, considering," Trent warned.

Sebastian righted himself and dished up some red duck curry. "It's nice being the town bicycle," he remarked sarcastically.

"Hey, I thought you were giving up duck," said Helena. At Sebastian's bemused expression, she added, "You decided to go vegan for Xander, remember?"

Sebastian shrugged. "If Xander has a problem with my diet, he can tell me himself. Can't you?" he asked, looking up at the vampire's chiseled features.

"What if we all just mind our business and eat," Trent suggested. "This looks good."

"Good luck with that," said Maze as she came back in, dragging George by the wrist.

 

Freya had taken the time to feed her young first, before she made sure they were settled as she had help setting them down in their baby baskets she had made for them. Their cradles were in the nursery, but for now, she wanted them close.

Smiling at Faustus as he handed her her plate, filled with the things she liked, she heeded the advice that Bethany had given her about eating slow and pretty much tuned out everyone….except the Dark Lord, who watched her with a somewhat playful smirk on his face.

"That you and the babes are well……I shall endeavor to overlook you taking my name in vain." He teased, smirking as he walked over to look down at the young ones. His dark eyes seeming to sparkle as he took them both in. "Great things you will do, little ones, when the time is right." He chuckled darkly and then nodding at Faustus and Blaine, went to grab some food for himself before settling in a chair off in a corner.

Poor George though! He had NO idea what Maze was up to, for he had made it clear that he had no wish to see the birth of Freya's twins, mostly cause he didn't want the image of Freya's body ingrained into his mind while she was giving birth. That she would suddenly appear, grab him, and then suddenly appear here with him.

"So….how did things go?" He asked nonchalantly, looking around and seeing the twins already laid in their baskets. He came over to look at them and smiled faintly. "They are really cute, Freya." He said gently, before looking over at Nate and walking over to his side. "Hello Love…you alright?" He noticed that his husband seemed a bit…off.

Xander chuckled softly and nodded. "You taste divine to me either way, my Bonded." It was true, even though Sebastian had sworn to be a vegan, as long as he didn't do anything to hurt himself, Xander wouldn't stop him from him eating what he wanted. "Just as long as you are healthy and happy, that's all that matters to me. I love you, just the way you are."

 

"Of course he will. The furry just loooves his Freya," Nathaniel said between bites of pizza.

"Nathaniel, didn't your parents ever teach you that if you don't have anything nice to say, you should shut your fat stupid mouth?" Helena snapped.

"No, but I heard that was in the original draft for the Bambi script," Nate retorted. "Seriously, though," he said, pointing to the babies. "You should let them be kids, not plan out their whole futures." He still had a chip on his shoulder about being Nathaniel Plimpton the third, expected to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, running a real estate firm in LA County.

"Thank you, Nathaniel," said Faustus, surprising everyone. "I was about to say something similar. With all due respect, they were just born. There'll be time yet to think of things like greatness, but for now…. I thank you, My Lord. I prayed for my eyes and her hair, and it looks as though both those prayers were answered."

"I think the girl has Freya's nose," said Bethany, who looked sorely tempted to boop the nose of the baby in the basket to her left.

"The boy definitely has Faustus's facial structure. Look at that. So serious," Maze said, coming up to look at the babies. She shared Lucifer's dislike of children, but they were sleeping now, so they weren't so bad.

Nate jumped as George spoke to him. "Uhーyeah. The birth went fine. She got a boy and a girl, and the furry's already making grand plans for their future."

"You can't keep calling them Boy and Girl," Helena said. "This isn't Bird Box."

"I loved Bird Box. Sandra Bullock is a revelation," Blaine piped up.

"Hell yeah, man!" Sebastian bumped fists with him. "Sandra Bullock is one of the Top Five World's Most Perfect Women."

Blaine blinked. "Since when do you like women?" he asked.

"Since when don't I?" Sebastian asked back.

Trent nodded. "Sandra was Bashie's first celebrity crush," he informed Blaine.

"Okay, well, either way, they need actual names," Helena persisted. "Maybe something evocative of your cu—oalition."

Faustus stared blankly at her. "Coalition?" he repeated.

"Call a duck a duck," Nate said.

"What?" asked Trent, looking at him reflexively.

"It's a Satanist cult," Nate continued. "Hell, they're witches, you could name one of them Crucio."

"What about Kurushiyo?" Sebastian suggested suddenly. "And uh, Kuromisa."

"That makes sense," Trent said. "Kuromisa means 'Black Mass'. It would be appropriate."

"How the hell do you spell 'Kurushiyo'?" asked Nate. "It just sounds like Crucio but with extra letters."

"Same language as Kuromisa but Romanized," Trent explained patiently. "K U R U S H I Y O. It's phonetic as well, so when he went to school, the teachers wouldn't have too much trouble."

"I like them," Faustus said slowly. "There was a book I once read with a girl named Kuromisa who went by Misa, and I always thought it a lovely name."

Sebastian nodded. "Yeah, that's what I was thinking," he said. "Um, about Kuromisa."

Sebastian turned to Xander. "Well, thank you," he said, "that's sweet of you. And I think I'll go back to eating meat. Why give up a pleasure when you can indulge in it instead?"

"Yep, there it is," said Helena. "You know when a couple's married long enough they start to sound like each other?"

Maze shook her head. "No, from what I hear, he sounded like Lucifer before he and Lucifer even started dating."

"He has always had a hedonistic streak," said Bethany. "Maybe it was just meant to be."

"Maybe," said Trent, but a sliver of doubt could be heard in his voice.

"Well, what do you think of the names?" Faustus asked Freya.

 

"With parents like they have, of course they will have outstanding magic." Cat smirked but nodded. "But I agree. Let the littles be littles while they can. Too much time to be 'GREAT AND POWERFUL' later on." She giggled as she finished up her food and went to help clean up.

"They really are adorable." Rebecca smiled softly as she gazed down at the babies. "Deff have Faustus's eyes though. Maze is right in that aspect."

George was still a little confused as to why he had been yanked into this situation, but sense it seemed that everyone was getting along, and all, he decided to relax a bit. He sat next to Nate and wrapped his arm lightly around his shoulders.

Freya listened to all that was being said and chuckled softly. "The names sound lovely, and it is fitting as well. Thank you for the suggestion Sebastian." She was mildly surprised that Bash, of all people, would have any suggestions for them but she was pleased that he had said so.

Xander smirked a bit and went to pull Bash gently back into his lap, settling the man back into his embrace. Smiling, actually smiling at the proceedings and wondering, if this was what life COULD have been like had he been born……normal. Not the anger filled man he had been. Interesting thoughts.

 

Sebastian watched Nate and his man together. He wondered what a solid 8 like Nathaniel was doing with someone like George. Still, as he watched Nate lean into him with warmth and affection, he had to admit that Nate was a little different with George. He came off like an acrimonious dick, but clearly George brought out another side to him. Still, he couldn't exactly be surprised that Nate had tried to jump him.

"You're welcome," Sebastian said to Freya, still mildly distracted.

Then when a pair of cold hands grabbed and moved him, he started slightly in surprise. "Oh— hi there," he said, smiling at the vampire holding him.

He went over what he knew in his mind. Judging by Trent's turtleneck and the clock on the wall, it was just after Halloween. Halloween… 2021? Yeah, if his math was right.

A few more thoughts swirled round in his head, and after a moment trying to process them all, he finally said, "Mazikeen… Belial wanted me to tell you hi. Actually, a few of your siblings did, but his is the only name I remember off the top of my head."

"Why am I not surprised that you went to Hell?" Nate asked.

"Why would you be? I do drag and suck dick," Sebastian shot back.

"Sebastian!"

"Sorry, Mrs. Maddock. Although, it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Demons are surprisingly nice people."

Maze looked at Sebastian like he'd lost a few dozen IQ points. "Um, they probably showed deference to you because you're married to their king," she pointed out. "You know, the angel with the power to disintegrate them with a snap of his fingers if they annoy him too much?"

"That… did not occur to me," Sebastian said slowly.

"I'm sure he'll be happy to hear that he's around so little that you actually forgot you were married to him." Blaine, who was usually so quiet, couldn't resist the pot-shot.

"You probably shouldn't tell him that," Helena said, "unless you have plans to join the Defenestration Association."

Sebastian looked round the room. Lucifer wasn't there, he realized. "Hey… don't tell me he fucked back off to Hell right after I left?" he asked.

Maze and Trent exchanged a glance.

"I'll… go find him," Maze said, disappearing again.

 

Xander knew that Sebastian had been through a lot, having just died and crossed back over. So he knew it was to be expected that he would act a bit…odd at first upon his return. But that he would act like he didn't really recognize him was a bit discerning. Still, he smirked down at Bash as he chuckled softly and held him close. Nuzzling him gently but not being overly affectionate in case it startled him a bit. He was trying anyway.

"And don't tell us you forgot that Xander was your bonded." Cat muttered under her breath, which caused Rebecca to nudge her and cut her eyes at her.

Rebecca shook her head at Cat and went back to sit next to Trent after she finished helping clean up after everyone had eaten. She kissed him tenderly and leaned back against him as she listened to everyone else talking.

Freya had paused mid-bite as Bash had asked his question about Lucifer and she slightly blushed. She sat her plate down and cleared her throat softly. "Think he left cause—I—I kinda fussed at him about his lack of care for you had gotten you in your near death state…." She muttered as she looked over at Bash.

"I mean, you were so sick and he didn't seem to realize that. And with me being pregnant and giving birth it and you seemingly getting worse from just helping me with my pain, it all kinda came to a head. I fussed at him…he threw me out a window and then left."

It sounded a little funny to hear her say that that way, but it was the truth….far as she saw it considering her circumstances at the time. She just hoped Bash wouldn't be to mad at her. She had stood up for him, in her own way.

 

Aww, Xander was almost like a cat, Sebastian thought, leaning his cheek into the nuzzlings. Adorable.

Sebastian raised his eyebrows at Catherine and treated her to a sarcastic smile. "I saw your parents," he said casually. "I'm sure they would have said hi, but they were too busy screaming in agony. It's good to know your social-climbing whore of a mother is getting what she deserves."

Faustus snorted, and tried to turn it into a cough. Bethany raised her eyebrows at Sebastian but didn't scold him aloud. Maybe she forgot. Or maybe she just didn't care anymore. Still, Sebastian caught the look.

"Sorry, ma'am," he said. "I just never liked her."

"Did you see your mom?" asked Trent, genuinely curious. He wrapped an arm round his wife and smiled at her. It was nice that she and Sebastian were getting along. Maybe this situation could have its advantages.

Sebastian shook his head slowly. "No. But I didn't explore all of Hell. There were a few streets where I just roamed checking out people's cells." The fact that he'd died, gone to Hell, and was allowed to just roam where he wanted to netted a few surprised looks.

Sebastian levelled a long look at Freya as he took in what she said. He looked from Freya to the babies to the shirtless man Nathaniel kept referring to as 'the furry', who apparently actually did go by 'Satan'. Then, he tittered quietly. When people looked at him wondering what he was laughing about, he shook his head. "Sorry, it's just… Mazikeen was stealing some glances at you earlier. I think she's interested. But if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were interested in Freya, who's married to… him." Sebastian nodded his head towards the tall, dour man sitting by the bed petting the basket handles and cooing at the babies. "The idea of a demon in love just… amuses me. Oh." He remembered about Maze being Xander's ex and looked up at the vampire. "Sorry," he said a bit sheepishly.

"When did you stop calling her Maze?" Faustus asked, without looking up from the babies. "You two are quite close, in fact, I daresay you've probably had an affair."

"Yeah, we've slept together," Sebastian murmured. "Even if I didn't know… my body recognizes her body. I feel it in my bones when we're standing close enough."

Nate looked uncomfortable at that, but Trent looked intrigued.

"Is it like that with everyone you've had sex with?" Trent asked. "If you'd only done it once or twice, I mean, would you still feel it?"

Sebastian got up from Xander's lap and strolled round the room, slowing to a stop in front of several people. "Nate… Trent." He smiled adoringly at his best friend. "Rebecca, of course… hmmm…. Mazikeen, as I said…." He came back to sit with Xander, returning his friends' expectant looks with a puzzled look of his own. "What? I mean, Lucifer's a given, right?" He looked round.

Faustus looked the most uncomfortable, but he was the first to speak up. "You've also hooked up with George, although obviously that won't be happening again anytime soon."

Sebastian made a face. "Obviously not," he agreed.

"You've slept with Catherine and Xander at least twice each that I know of, and I'm rather certain you've hooked up with Helena," Faustus continued.

"Just oral, doesn't count," said Helena.

Sebastian got back up and did another, slower, circuit round the room. This time, a light pinkish glow surrounded him as he approached the people his body recognized. The results were exactly the same so far. He was just about to approach Xander when Lucifer and Maze suddenly appeared in front of him and the glow blossomed to an eye-searing red.

Lucifer wrapped his arms round his husband and cooled the glow, stroking his silky blond curls. "You're not thinking of initiating an orgy, are you?" he teased gently.

Sebastian smiled and shook his head. "No. I was just seeing who my body recognized out of everyone here. Like a sort of litmus test to who I've slept with. It seems I don't 'feel' everyone I've been with."

Lucifer shook his head. He kept one arm round Sebastian and led him back to sit beside Xander. "You're a succubus, darling, and you've worked off and on as a prostitute. If you felt everyone you'd merely shagged, you'd constantly be going crazy, wouldn't you? Your body remembers the ones with whom you've truly made love."

"I— I'm not in love with Nathaniel," Sebastian objected. "And I doubt Mazikeen and I have that kind of connection either."

Maze looked like she wanted to slap him. "Wow," she said. "We've been best friends for months, but tell me what you really think."

"Don't take it that way," Blaine said, putting a hand on her arm, which she shrugged off with a glare. "It's probably because you're a girl."

"WHY do you think I'm gay?" Sebastian demanded, rounding on him.

"Well, let's see." Blaine ticked off his fingers. "You don't take female clients, you've slept with thousands of men and maybe a handful of women, you've always been more interested in Trent and Lucifer than Rebecca and Cat, oh and when you found my copy of Sports Illustrated, Swimsuit Edition, you immediately assumed it was garbage."

"Hmm, wow, okay, sounds like… there's a word for that, it's on the tip of my tongue… BISEXUAL. Not that it's any of your concern, since I have absolutely zero interest in a five-foot-two manlet—"

"Enough." Lucifer spoke quietly, but Sebastian fell silent immediately. "Sebastian, why don't you tell us what you know to be true as of now? Start anywhere."

Sebastian looked round the room hesitantly. "Hey Maze… I'm sorry," he started. Maze waved off his apology, sharing a look with Lucifer.

 

Cat smirked at Bash's reply about her parents and chuckled softly. "Good. I hope they continue to burn in pain as they deserve." She replied back. No love was really lost between her and her parents. Her father had sent her to a second rate school and her mother had been a judgmental bitch at most times. That Bash had seen them down there didn't surprise her.

The Dark Lord had to look up slightly when he sensed Bash's look and his eyes furrowed at hearing him snicker and then what he had to say. In love….with Freya!? What a preposterous idea!

"I do favor her, it is true, but it is not in the ways that you think." He smirked slightly, tilting his head to the side as he cast a look at the young man and then back at Freya and over to Faustus, who was still cooing over his new brood. "He is my most valued High Priest. Has been since his call to power and his rise in the Coven has been by his hard work alone. Is it no surprise then, that I would find one that would not only boost his power to do my bidding, and do it well, but to actually make him more focused? Give him powerful offspring?"

"So the fact that they love each other is of no consequence?" Rebecca spoke up.

"They love each other only makes what they have stronger. Why would I deny them that?" The Dark Lord sounded offended.

"You just…don't come off as the lovey-dovey type is all." Rebecca smirked a bit.

"I'm not, but as long as my will is done regardless, who cares how it works out." The man gruffed as he sat back with a small sigh. As if dealing with humans and his other version was too great a burden at times.

Xander had remained silent throughout all of this, but he was most curious as to what Sebastian would remember, mostly about him and that had left him thinking about certain things far as concerning them both. Perhaps he had been to lax at times, where showing his affection was concerned, but to be honest, he didn't know how to be overly affectionate.

When he was alive, he was only out for one thing. HIMSELF! Didn't matter who he hurt to get what he wanted, or even just for fun. So that didn't really leave any room to learn about affection and other peoples wants, needs, or desires. That he tried at all, when he was able to be around, said a lot. Least to him it did. Perhaps….he would need to 'step up' a bit more.

 

"Yes, focused is a word for it," Nate agreed. "That's how he got it in mind to start up a branch of the Church of Night out here in LA, because he's so… focused."

"Well, I do have friends here, it's true, but that's hardly a crime," Faustus said, narrowing his eyes at Nathaniel.

"Who cares if his offspring are powerful, as long as they're happy?" asked Helena.

"I agree," said Nate. Helena gave him a look that clearly said he could take his agreement and shove it, but she didn't object aloud.

"Why would love be of consequence, as long as the job gets done?" Maze asked. "Priesthood is a vocation. Freya's a strong match—"

Sebastian suddenly giggled. Maze stared at him, waiting for him to explain what was so funny. Sebastian shook his head. "It's irrelevant," he said, "just my mind wandering."

"It does seem the type of thing where love would be a bonus rather than a requirement," Trent said. Then he grinned. "Makes me glad I'm in computer tech. No-one's trying to marry me off to other techies."

"Especially since you're already married," Nate pointed out.

"Exactly! I got to marry for love."

Blaine made a face. "Everything's a means to an end," he said. "Friendship and camaraderie are nice, but love…. Best I can tell is that it's a potent cocktail of chemicals that gets released by the brain to encourage attachments. It's sold to the human populace as something necessary and desirable, yet it's also used for subterfuge. The idea of love is constantly used to manipulate others into doing what's wanted, because people are so obsessed with the idea of an unbreakable interpersonal connection that they fall all over themselves and sacrifice their better judgment just to have one person all to themselves forever. And that's not even love, it's possession. You could just buy a True Companion for $5,000 and save yourself the trouble."

"And tonight the Lonely Virgin Symposium will be led by Blaine Menchineel," Maze quipped.

When some of the squabbling had died down, Lucifer touched Sebastian's arm. "Go on, darling," he murmured. "Tell us what you know."

Sebastian looked round, then nodded to himself. "Okay. My name is Sebastian… Morningstar. I was born September 9, 1988, in Palo Alto, California. My family moved to Des Moines, Iowa just before my eighth birthday, right next door to the Maddocks. Duckie and I were instant best friends. He basically taught me how to read and how to talk. Mrs. Maddock— Bethany practically raised me. Every night, either I slept over at the Maddock house or he slept over at the Freedman house. Duckie has a half-sister, Cat, who was conceived while we were in third grade. She was born in the summer of 1998, the same day Duckie was hospitalized for nearly drowning. We didn't meet her for three years. We didn't like her when we did."

 

Xander smirked a bit at everyone's bickering. He still wasn't sure exactly what everyone was causing a scene over. Love….why was it such a good thing to marry for? In his understanding, marrying for political or financial gain was what those of his time did. There was no marrying for love in his time and even his parents didn't marry for love. Yet, they did grow fond of each other, but that wasn't 100% love. Maybe he would have to figure out what these people meant. Perhaps he would ask Trent….or Faustus later.

He did turn his attention back to Sebastian and smiled faintly as he heard what the young man knew about himself. It reminded Xander that it would take a few days or maybe even longer for Bash to fully remember everything, so that could be his chance.

That one thought actually made him excited. Something he usually only got when he was hunting or killing people for his meals. He could be excited about something that didn't involve blood? What an idea. He ended up blinking a bit, trying to ponder that thought too.

Shaking his head just the slightest, he turned to Luci and Bash again, listening. This was a chance to get to know his Bonded better too….he struggled to pay attention and not to let his attention wander so much.

 

"We were each other's rock. Duckie and I," Sebastian continued. "All through middle and high school. I felt so guilty for not knowing when he had been in the hospital, for not taking better care of him. I'm eight months older, after all. So I never left his side after that. We showered together. Slept— slept in the same bed. Nothing past third happened," he said with a sheepish glance to Trent's mom.

"Thanks for that," she said dryly, "but it's not like you could get each other pregnant. I wouldn't have minded."

Sebastian was shocked. "But… but all these years, you— you basically raised us on romantic comedies, telling Trent how he should treat a lady. I just thought—"

Bethany frowned. "Sebastian, sweetie, we had this conversation in January when you and Lucifer came to visit. I told you I'd have been happy with whatever made Trent happy, and that I'd always thought…. I told you how surprised I was that Trent had met a woman in college."

"At Harvard," Sebastian said hollowly. "Where Trent and I met Rebecca and Helena. Helena and I are friends. She's a lesbian who's dating Duckling and doesn't want kids. I, uh… I did drag, as Serena. I always liked that name, and the image of myself in a frilly pink dress. I thought Duck—" He swallowed, blinked up at the ceiling for a second, then resumed his deluge of fun facts. "Uh, a-and Duck is married to Rebecca, this beautiful curvy woman who put out a hit on Nate's ex-girlfriend while hormonal. I mean, she's clearly unhinged, but she seems nice enough right now. I, uh… I disapproved. Trent followed her to Connecticut, which definitely had something to do with why I disliked her at first."

Helena's eyes widened. "Oh my God," she whispered.

Sebastian faced her and shook his head. "It's fine, I mean, we're friends now, right? And I'm married… to Lucifer Morningstar, who… was my sugar daddy. Heh. And dating Xander."

Helena shook her head slowly. "Um… can you go back to high school? Like, senior year?"

Sebastian scoffed. "What? I graduated, obviously. I got into Harvard."

"He got into all the Ivies and Stanford," Bethany said proudly. "He chose to go to Harvard because that's where Trent was going." She turned to Sebastian. "Your mother knew, too. How you… feel about him. That confirmed it and she— I'm so sorry, Sebastian. She cut you off."

"Mrs. Maddock, I'm sorry, but I want to hear what Sebastian has to say about senior year," Helena said gently. When Sebastian didn't respond, Helena persisted. "Okay, what about junior year?"

"Of high school? Seriously?"

"Indulge me, please."

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Fine. Nothing notable happened, anyway. Duckie and I did SAT prep together. Timed each other's quizzes, proofread each other's practice essays. We scored highest in our class on the actual SATs. I kissed him in celebration. We… didn't go much farther than that, like I said. He didn't want us to be like his parents, who started hooking up in high school but then flamed out ten years later. He wanted to wait, so… I mean, we still experimented a little bit, but he didn't ever do more than kiss me and I, uh… well, I went a little farther with him, with his permission of course. We made a pact that we could start going out in college." Sebastian frowned in thought. "But he met someone… so it didn't work out," he said slowly. "But they got married, so all's well that ends well." He repeated his words from earlier.

"Well, what happened after the SATs?" Helena asked.

"I just told you," Sebastian said impatiently.

"No— besides you and Trent quasi-hooking-up."

"We looked at colleges together. We talked about Yale, mostly. My mom for some reason wanted me to go to Drake and stay nearby. Oddly enough I'd never quite gotten the impression that she enjoyed my presence." He smiled sardonically. "Uh… we went to junior prom, nominally both stag, but we spent the entire time hanging out, judging everyone. Took turns dancing with the wallflowers and girls on our cheer squad. We joined Facebook, plugged in all the numbers we'd got during prom and added our classmates as friends, all that jazz.

"And then last…. The week before senior year…. We visited New York and took a look at a few schools over there because Bethany wanted Duck to choose a safety in case Yale didn't work out. He said if Yale didn't work out, he'd go to Harvard, and she said he needed a plan C, so we checked out Vassar, Columbia, and NYU. He didn't really like any of them but he promised he'd apply to at least one of them. He had his fingers crossed, though. Sorry."

Bethany sighed. "I thought that might be the case," she said.

"And? What else do you know?" Maze asked impatiently, folding her arms.

Sebastian shrugged. "Duckie owns a tech company in Los Angeles; Duckling's been working for him since she was 16. She attended Drake, which was where my mom wanted me to go. It's not too far from where we grew up. You and Xander used to date, but now Xander's with me. He refers to me as his 'bonded', meaning I'm his exclusive thrall. He's surprisingly affectionate. He says he loves me, which is definitely something vampires say to charm their food into relaxing around them, but I don't mind. I stopped eating meat for him… temporarily, just so that's clear. I, uh… lost my virginity last summer, definitely not to Xander. Our friend Freya just gave birth to twins. Nate clearly has a thing for Freya, but they haven't slept together, although her husband seems pretty cool about it either way. Nate looks and feels like he lives at the gym, but judging by how unusual it is for him to eat pizza, he's a former binger."

"Is that all?" Bethany asked softly.

"One more thing," said Sebastian, frowning. "The dark-haired angel I saw the day I got hit by a cab was real. And I married him."

 

Xander blinked when he heard Sebastian talk more so about him. Exclusive Thrall? Was that how Bash really saw himself when he said Bonded? As a slave? And did he REALLY think that he told Bash that he loved him simply for the fact that it was to 'charm his food'? That wasn't true at all!

He had gone very still for a few moments, trying to process all of this and not just go off the handle. Which was a BIG step for him considering if he didn't get his way in the past or someone had said something mean or something he didn't like or took the wrong way, he was liable to explode.

He had to blink to bring himself back into the moment, and turned to look down at Bash. Giving him a soft, but slightly confused smile.

"Thrall? Slave? No, Bash, you are not that to me. Never that." He said softly, as he wasn't really sure how to go about explaining the meaning of Bonded again to the young man, without seeming to preach about it. Even though he knew Bash wasn't himself yet, that knowledge, that he saw himself as that…kinda hurt.

Freya had leaned back to rest after eating all she could manage, and was busy just taking in her new babies. They really were precious and perfect in every way. Though the tone of Xander's voice caught her attention and she looked over at him quizzically.

She knew it wasn't her place, so she shrugged simply and went back to gazing at her new brood. She knew things would work out in the end somehow. Though, if Xander wanted advice later, she was sure he knew he could come talk to her husband, or Trent, or even George if he needed to or wanted to. Their little group was growing, and each had to communicate with the others to make it work. They were all steadily learning, and finding their feet and she knew, Xander would find his as well.

 

For the most part, Sebastian had been parroting back things he'd learned since he'd woken up today. He was a little nervous as he looked round the room and took in everyone's expressions. He didn't want to be impolite to Xander by explaining that he didn't really feel that strong of a connection between them, so he just smiled. At least Xander was attractive— extremely attractive— although that might also have been part of his charm.

He was mildly surprised that Xander was the only one to speak. Lucifer sighed wordlessly and Faustus looked puzzled.

"… I… didn't mean to offend you," Sebastian apologized to Xander.

 

"You didn't Bash…it's ok." Xander immediately tried to soothe the man's feelings. It was odd, that it seemed like Bash didn't feel the connection they once had and he guessed it was probably because he didn't really remember yet, or that Xander, himself, hadn't exactly been the best boyfriend in the past either. Or both, which was still a little jarring.

He bit his lip and sighed softly, wondering how to go about this sort of thing all over again? He had 'won' Bash or rather, Serena over once, hadn't he? He could do it again. But how?

When they had met for the first time, it had just happened naturally and Xander sure as hell didn't want to force anything on his Bonded. Hell, he wasn't even sure HOW it had happened the first time. They had shown up to see his museum and he had an interest in the cute blonde female at first glance and sniff! So, he had offered a free tour and had tried hard, to seduce the young lady then, even though he knew she wasn't exactly a 'she' at the time. The scent was off but still, he pursued.

He didn't think that would work this time around and he was utterly clueless on how humans dated. Though Bash and the others had tried to tell him multiple times or even give him hints. He had to think about this….and it was clear that he wanted to talk to someone, but he wasn't sure how.

 

Lucifer had never bothered to be too in-tune with any one demon… or really anyone other than himself, for that matter, but he could almost see the wheels turning in Xander's head. He took the vampire's hand with a small smile and a reassuring nod. He'd help Xander figure it out.

Trent, meanwhile, had gone over to admire the newborns while trying to process what he'd picked up before anyone else, though Helena had been a close second: Sebastian didn't remember anything past getting hit by that car just before senior year of high school. He'd entirely reset to how he'd been a week before his eighteenth birthday. It seemed so long ago, but it also seemed like just yesterday. Trent would have to ease Sebastian into their new dynamic.

Nathaniel was avoiding looking at anyone in particular. He should have known something was off. Instead he'd just pounced on him, something he knew George wouldn't have liked. He stuffed another piece of pizza, this one barbecue chicken, into his mouth and tried not to think too hard about it.

Faustus was lost in thought. Their life was already so surreal. He and Serena had never gotten along, but he and Sebastian had had a more… what was that word Nathaniel sometimes used? 'Chill'? dynamic. And now Faustus and Freya had twins. What would that mean for the dynamics of the group as a whole going forward? Sebastian had made it clear he didn't like kids. Neither did Helena, Nathaniel, or Lucifer. The other girls and Trent seemed positively gaga over the babies. If Trent was hesitant to have children of his own, he might bond more strongly with Faustus's than the others, as a sort of honorary uncle. There was no doubt in Faustus's mind that they'd be raised by a village.

Blaine was back to his usual stoicism, watching everybody watching each other, and watching Maze attempt to make conversation with their Dark Lord. She liked chaos and excitement, which was probably why she and the Morningstars got on so well.

"Is there anything I can get for you?" he asked Freya quietly.

 

Xander looked up when Luci took his hand and he smiled faintly at the man. He knew, somehow that Luci would help him navigate this new dynamic with Sebastian. It was a little odd, that the man didn't seem to remember much and if he didn't remember past High School then this was basically a whole 'do-over'. That kinda excited and scared Xander to death if he was being really honest. Trying not to think too much into things and just sort of relax into them for the moment.

George was a bit confused as to why Nate was eating carbs, since he made it very clear that he was on a healthy diet; but as long as Nate was eating…he wouldn't say anything. Though, he did notice that Nate seemed a bit…skittish and wondered why, but thought it best to have that discussion when they were alone.

Rebecca was still cooing softly over Freya and Faustus's new babies while Freya smiled indulgently at both her and Trent. She wondered who would be next to have littles and if there were any more babies around, how they would grow up together.

The Dark Lord was looking a bit perplexed but smirked ever so softly at Maze. Feeling her ardor from here. "You are an interesting woman, Maze. Has anyone ever told you that?" He purred softly. "I am perfectly fine, thank you, but your company and conversation is stimulating to say the least."

 

After making sure Sebastian would be okay just sitting there, munching on food, and talking with his new/old friends, Lucifer got up and led Xander a ways away to talk. Bethany followed at a discreet distance.

"He didn't remember me the first few times we met, either," Lucifer said. "In fact, I'm surprised he recognized me now; by the time we met again in college, he'd forgotten me completely." Lucifer had gotten Sebastian through the worst of his post-Trent party years, making sure he never overdosed and making sure nobody touched him in the way he'd wanted only Trent to. "He seems content, no need to worry," Luci said breezily. "He's not frantic about trying to recover those lost years and he's not put off by either of us." He clapped a hand on Xander's shoulder.

"This does change things though, for all of us," Bethany put in quietly. "He's taken in a lot of information in a short amount of time. He may still be processing it all, but he'll need to be reminded…" She looked back at Sebastian and Trent, who were laughing and joking about some old inside joke now. "And when he fully realizes that he and Trent did have an affair, one he remembers nothing about, he won't be so content. You'll need to be prepared for that." She sighed. "Well, it looks like I'm staying in town a little longer than I thought. I want to be here if any of you boys need help."

"Well, thank you," said Lucifer with a charming smile. But Bethany could see in his eyes that he wasn't altogether pleased about the things she'd just pointed out.

When Nate felt George's eyes on him, his face heated and he shoveled food in his mouth more intensely, not far off from Garfield the cat.

"Most people use mouthwash," Helena snarked at Nate. "Not pizza."

"Go fuff furfelf," Nate replied.

"Not where you can see," Helena retorted. "Unlike you making out with Bash ten minutes ago… where everyone could see."

"They stopped by the time we got back, though," Maze pointed out. Then she turned her attention back to the DL. "Frequently, in fact," she said, smiling at him. "But it's nicer coming from someone more… on my level. So… tell me more about your role in Justin Bieber's rise to popularity."

 

Xander nodded as Luci talked, and it gave him a bit of hope that maybe things would be alright. he wasn't much for emotions and whatnot, but he tried and was willing to try again.

"That's all well and good, but……how do I do this?" he asked. "It's like the slate has been wiped clean and—I don't know how to do—any of this." He admitted. Knowing full well if he could blush he would have.

"The first time I seduced him/her, it was purely—not an accident, but she intrigued me and I wanted her! I wanted to see if I could turn her head, as the old saying goes. Not fully intending on following through with anything….till I tasted her." He kind of looked put out as he admitted this. "I'm NOT a good man, alright. Never have been and she was a delicious hunt back then but—it isn't like that anymore and hasn't been for a long time." He sighed. "I actually—care for Bash…Serena, whichever one they choose to be. How do I go about…wooing her again?"

George's eyes went wide at hearing what Helena said and turned to cut his eyes at Nate. So that explained why he looked so off and nervous. "Really? DID he now?" His voice low for once in his life. In a tone, no one, not even Nate had heard before. He didn't know what to do. They were set to marry and Nate was throwing himself at others in their group when he hadn't in a long while!

"Excuse me…" George's voice was still low as he stood up and headed for the door. "Freya….cute kids. I hope you feel better soon." He attempted a genuine reply as he headed out.

The rest were kind of left wondering what had just happened.

 

"If I may?" Bethany asked rhetorically. "I'd start by getting to know the person he is now, then progress to remaining in his vicinity at least three days out of the week." She had always been this blunt with Trent and Sebastian while raising them, after all, and saw no reason not to speak her mind. "Being Serena had never even been on Sebastian's radar before my dear departed sister saw fit to suggest he'd make Trent a better wife than the girl he'd just met, when they came home from freshman year of college."

Lucifer pondered. "When we met the second time in college, and then again last year, it was clear he was too preoccupied with Trent to see anyone else. Yet Xander, when you and Serena met on her first official date with Trent, she took to you immediately. I don't think you'll have any problem wooing Sebastian. My only concern is that… well, he's been told he slept with Trent. His body remembers, but his mind does not. As Bethany says, what happens if he decides he wants another go at Trent? Worse, if he decides Rebecca is in his way again?"

—

As George left:

"Saw that coming," said Maze, helping herself to the one slice of pizza left from the pie Nate had been devouring. "Cheers, everyone!" She held up the slice and took a biiiig bite!

Nate threw her a look, then scrambled to his feet and went after George. "Hey, George, wait!" He jogged up in front of him, then stopped, facing him. "Is this because I kissed another guy or is it because I kissed the guy who made fun of you for being pegged? Because honestly, I don't think he remembers that."

 

Xander had to really think about all that was said, because in his mind, he was more attracted to Serena, or so he thought. But was that really true? His eyes furrowed slowly, as the more he thought about it, the more it slowly made sense to him. It wasn't just Serena he was attracted to, it was all of Sebastian as a whole.

He knew the night they had met, that Serena was not a 'woman'. From first sniff, he knew that that was not what had caught his attention. It was more the way Bash smelled, the delightful scent that turned his head and nearly made him salivate over the person they were. Just—something inside of him had literally screamed 'YES!' upon catching Serena's scent that night and knowing she wasn't she didn't stop him from pursuing. So….maybe he wasn't as totally straight as he had thought? But then, what to do with that information? He would have to navigate that, slowly.

Hearing Luci's questions though, made him pause. He didn't want his Bonded to feel pain, or remorse or something of the two for any of his past actions and in a way, he almost wished that Bash wouldn't remember the experience with Trent, or Rebecca, seeing as he seemed to tolerate her a bit better now and was a wee bit more friendly.

"We will just have to take each day as it comes, won't we?" He said as he looked at both Bethany and Luci. "Regardless, I will still be by my Bonded's side. I still love him, even if he doesn't fully remember me." He found he meant every word he said.

———

George stopped as Nate caught up and then looked even more hurt and slightly angry at his love's questions. "You honestly have to ask that?" He said with a bit of bite to his own words. "I don't care if Bash doesn't remember. Good that he doesn't remember things that could cause pain or sorrow. He shouldn't have to remember things like that……but the fact that you kissed him." He paused and sighed. "You KISSED him, Nate. And not just kissed him, but jumped him, as if you would sleep with him." He shook his head and looked down a moment. "We haven't shared in a while. Not since we talked about getting married and now……well….I don't know what to think."

He took a few steps back and sighed. "You want to sleep with other people? Fine. But tell me first before you act like a complete fool!" He actually almost shouted.

 

Of course, as far as everyone else was concerned, a trans or genderfluid woman was the same as a cis woman, so it was a good thing Xander didn't voice the opinion that Serena was any less "real" than, say, Rebecca or Helena. It could be trickier with genderfluid people, but even Bethany knew that when they were in a masc mode or a femme mode, they were that mode completely and woe unto anyone who argued differently. Not that any of Sebastian's/Serena's friends would, at least, not after seeing Millie and Tillie in action.

Bethany and Lucifer exchanged a glance at Xander's words and nodded.

"Yes, I feel the same," Lucifer said.

"I'm just glad I don't have to find a tactful way to ask him why he hasn't emailed or called in months," Bethany joked.

As they were talking, a young man with blond hair halfway down his back had come in and made himself comfortable.

"Man, those are some cute kids," he said. "Makes me wish my sex ed class a couple years ago had followed through on their threat to make us babysit actual babies for credit."

Bethany looked up at the sound of her nephew's voice, just in time to see the appraising stare Sebastian was giving the boy who looked like he could almost be his twin. Bethany pinched the bridge of her nose. "Please excuse me," she said to Lucifer and Xander. She made her way back to the group.

"Sweetie, I told you to wait in the car," she said gently.

"Uhhhh Mom?" Trent asked.

Bethany closed her eyes briefly. "Okay, now's as good a time as any for a family meeting. Trent, Sebastian, Cat… I realize you haven't had a lot of time to get to know your half-brother, but since both his parents are dead and he's still a minor, I am his legal guardian now. I couldn't very well leave him to the foster system."

Sebastian looked from Bethany to Trent to Cat to the kid. "No effing way!" he said, awed, his eyes settling back on Trent. "Your dad and my mom?"

The boy folded his arms. "Gee, I know my parents kept me a secret for a while, but you're acting like you didn't know at all."

"Sorry, Troy," Trent said. "Sebastian fell and hit his head." It wasn't a total lie; his head had hit the floor when he'd collapsed. "He doesn't remember a whole lot right now."

—

Nathaniel blinked at George. "Sebastian and I have slept together," he pointed out. "So have Lucifer and I. So have Trent and I. And as I recall, you've slept with at least two of the above. I don't get why this is such a big deal. They're hot, I'm hot." He shrugged. "And you and I've been married since February, what are you worried about?"

 

(Concluded; Bex said she wasn’t sure where to go on this post so we agreed to wrap it up.)