Chapter 24 #2
Over the next few days, the fragrance shop stayed closed. I gave Amy extended leave to spend more time with Anya, but Anya remained downcast. She sat on the living room carpet, hugging her teddy bear, not talking, not drawing. I tried to play with her, but she just shook her head.
I knew she needed friends, needed freedom to go outside and play, not to be dragged down by me. I also worried about Lucifer and Liam, but Liam's phone wouldn't connect.
That afternoon, the doorbell rang.
I opened the door and jumped. Liam stood there holding a bag.
"I came to see Anya." He blinked.
I hugged him hard and let him in. Anya's eyes brightened when she saw him, but quickly dimmed again.
"Anya," Liam sat down beside her and pulled a puzzle from the bag, "want to do this together?"
Anya looked at the puzzle, then at him, not moving. Liam dumped the pieces on the carpet. "You find the edges, I'll find the middles." He started working.
Anya sat there at first, but slowly the cute pictures drew her in. She started turning pieces over, looking for the right spots. Liam stopped then, just staying beside her, occasionally saying "Does this piece go here?" "You're so good" "Anya, you're amazing!"
I stood in the kitchen doorway preparing drinks and snacks while watching them, breathing easier. Thank God for Liam. I poured two glasses of juice, arranged chocolate cookies on a plate, and brought them over to the coffee table.
"These are fortune cookies," I said, picking one up and breaking it open to pull out the paper slip. "Wow! It says I'm going to get good news!"
"Me too!" Liam copied me and opened his. I leaned over. "What's it say?"
"Says what I want will come true."
Anya dropped the puzzle, clamoring, "Me too!" Liam pulled her into his lap and carefully helped her open the cookie. Anya's recent gloom had completely vanished. She clapped and laughed, back to being that lively, slightly mischievous girl.
I sat on the couch watching them interact, casually asking, "Liam, your father... has he been okay lately?"
Liam's hand paused. He looked up at me, those gray eyes—exactly like Lucifer's—flashing with something.
Then his mouth curved up in a knowing smile.
"You want to ask about him?" he countered.
My face flushed. "I-I just..."
"You're worried about him," Liam stated it as fact.
Anya looked up too. "That man?"
I opened my mouth, not knowing how to explain this to Anya. Liam pulled his phone from his pocket and handed it to me.
"Call him," he said. "If you want to check on him, call."
I stared at the phone, fingers trembling.
"But—"
"Mommy," Anya looked up too, "just call. I want to know how Daddy's doing too."
"Daddy?"
Seeing my eyes widen, Anya stayed calm. "Liam calls you Mom, so his dad is my dad."
My mouth fell open. "You know?"
"Is it so hard to understand?" Anya spread her hands like the adults on TV. Liam stifled a laugh beside her. "The teacher taught us about family members."
She didn't understand the complicated past between Lucifer and me. She only knew: a dad is a dad.
I took a deep breath and accepted the phone.
"I... I'll call from the bedroom."
I walked into the bedroom with the phone and closed the door. Standing by the window, staring at the screen, fingers trembling.
What should I say? Lucifer, how are you? Lucifer, are you okay? Lucifer, I miss you so much—No! I can't say that! He'll definitely tease me!
But... but I really was worried about him.
I took a deep breath, opened the contacts, found the number labeled "Your Majesty"—Liam must have saved it. My finger hovered over the screen for a few seconds before I finally hit dial.
The phone rang twice before someone picked up.
"Liam?"
Lucifer's voice came through, low, with a hint of weariness.
My heartbeat skipped.
"It's... it's me," I said, voice shaking.
Silence on the other end.
"Elena?" His voice changed, the weariness vanishing instantly, replaced by surprise and concern. "How did you—are you okay?"
I bit my lower lip. "I-I just wanted to ask... how you are."
Another silence.
"You're worried about me?" His voice held amusement.
My face burned hotter. "I-I'm just worried about business," I said stubbornly. "After all, this affected you too. I-I hope I haven't dragged you down, otherwise how will my business survive!"
"Elena," his voice softened, taking on a tenderness I couldn't name, "you are worried about me."
"I'm not—"
"You are." He cut me off, the amusement in his voice more obvious. "You're worried about me, so you called."
I opened my mouth, not knowing how to argue.
"Don't worry." He lowered his voice. "I've already found out who's behind this. I'll have it solved soon."
My heart eased slightly. "Really?"
"Yeah." He paused. "Elena, don't worry about me. I'm very experienced handling these things."
"But—"
"You should worry about yourself." His voice turned serious. "Stay home during this time. Don't go out. When I've dealt with this, I'll come find you."
My heart raced.
"Also," his voice dropped lower, taking on a suggestive tone, "thank you for worrying about me."
My face felt like it would catch fire. "I-I'm not worried about you!"
He laughed—that low laugh coming from his chest, traveling through the phone to my ear, making my ears burn too.
My breathing scattered.
"I-I'm hanging up."
I hit the disconnect button.
The phone screen went dark. I leaned against the window, still clutching the phone, heart threatening to burst from my chest.
My face still burned, my ears too.
My wolf rolled over inside me, tail wagging wildly.