Does Mandy’s father have magic in his blood? I snort at that thought. I suppose being a con man, a magic touch would be helpful. Now there’s a true devil, hellfire and brimstone. Leaving him and keeping Mandy was the best moment of my life until this week.
14
Lyla
I spend the following days perusing job ads online and playing video games with Mandy, interspersed with walks to the park with Rudolph. Our days are peaceful and normal… and missing something. Maybe our days aren’t missing something, so much as someone. Mandy doesn’t complain, not once, and I think part of that is because she has Rudolph to help fill the void Lucifer left in her heart. At night I fall asleep staring at my snow globe and wondering how Lucifer is doing. Is he busy? Does he think about us or has he gone back to his normal routine? His job is so incredibly important, it’s not as if I can ask him to stay with me. To stay with us. Despite what so many believe, we need him..
The next morning is New Years Eve and I decide we’re not going to let this gloom linger any longer. I need to at least pretend things are okay for Mandy.
“Why don’t we stay up until midnight this year?” I ask Mandy.
“Really?” she asks around a mouthful of chocolate cereal. “You’ll let me stay up this year?”
“Yep! Let’s eat lots of junk food and watch the ball drop on the television.” I smile at her.
“Yes!” She jumps up from her seat and does a little dance. “Rudolph! We get to stay up late!”
The dog dances around her, his goofy eyes shining at her happiness.
“What should we make?” I ask as I clean up our dishes.
“Popcorn, obviously,” she says with giddy excitement. “This morning there were new crackers in the pantry and that cheese that comes in the spray can. And ice cream with all the toppings.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to check my annoyance. “How do they know about that spray cheese?” I put my hands on my hips. “Do they have canned spray cheese in Hell?
“Wellll… I may have made a request,” she admits sheepishly, glancing up with a sweet smile. “I haven't had any in a long time.” She touches her pointer fingers together.
"And how did you do that?"
“Yesterday I was really hungry and you fell asleep with the tablet on your face.”
I cover my eyes with my hand. "How did you make this request?"
“Well I just opened the pantry and said aloud what I wanted. It’s worked a couple of times now.” She shrugs.
“You’ve done this more than once?” I frown.
“Um, yeah. Just little things. Not for anything expensive.” She twists in place while I contemplate what I want to say. “Like snack cakes and beef jerky.”
“We’ve been okay. More than okay. And now I find out you’ve been making excuses and asking for even more! That won’t do.”
“I’m sorry, Mommy. You’re right. That was selfish. I have more than enough and should have asked you."
“Okay, let's not do that again. Lesson learned.” I nod my head and turn back to the sink. They have given us so much, I can’t stand the idea of asking for any more. I still have my pride.
“We don’t have to have the cheese! We could cut up fruit and put that on a dish,” Mandy offers.
“That sounds like a good idea. There are blocks of cheese too, so I can cut some into cubes.” Honestly, I shouldn’t be surprised. As soon as I use something to cook, or eat, there is a replacement the next time I open the fridge. If something doesn’t get eaten, it magically disappears, replaced by a new option.
“Yum!” Mandy gives me a quick hug before running out. Probably to play one of her favorite video games. I really hope this doesn’t become an issue when we start back up for school.
I am elbow deep in dish water when Mandy calls my name.
“What is it?” Is there something wrong with her game? That would be more like our luck this year.
“I think you need to see this, Mommy.” There’s something off in her voice that has me quickly finishing the dish in my hand, before going out to meet her in the living room.
“Are you okay? Did Rudolph have an accident?”
“Nu-huh.” She points at the tree. “There are more presents under the tree.”
I frown and turn to look. There are in fact a couple of presents that weren’t there this morning. Instead of the acid green and blood red wrapping paper from Christmas, these are wrapped in black paper that has a silver sheen when you move the package, and black satin ribbons.
“Are they from Mr. Lucifer?” Mandy scrambles under the tree on her knees. “They are!”
“Get out of there before you knock the tree over, or Rudolph thinks you need help.” She giggles at my words, but carefully extracts herself from the branches. My heart speeds up. Lucifer sent us presents? Why? We fulfilled our contract, why would he send us any more than he already has?
“They’re for us,” she says. Her eyebrows pinch together as she thinks. “But it’s not Christmas or our birthdays.”
“Only one way to find out, kiddo. Grab a present and start unwrapping.” A week ago, I would’ve been scared and warned her away from surprise presents that came out of nowhere. Now, I’m anxious to see what they are.
“There’s a card here for you.” Mandy picks up the black envelope and I look at my name written in silver ink with delicate precision.
I take the envelope and sit down next to my daughter. Carefully, I open the letter so nothing will tear.
Dear Lady Lyla and Sweet Mandy,
I hope this letter finds you both in good health. If you do not have plans for this evening, I beg you join me for a New Year’s Eve party being held in Hell. You’ll be quite safe since immortals are immune to disease, nor are we carriers. I hope you do not mind, but I took the liberty of picking out holiday dresses for you both. If they’re not to your satisfaction, say Fuchsia’s name three times and she will come to help.
I am greatly looking forward to seeing the both of you. My days and nights have been empty since we parted and I’m not sure I can bear it much longer.
To accept, simply say yes and your answer will be relayed to me. If it is your desire to enjoy my company for the evening, I will pick you both up at eight tonight. If you do indeed have other plans, I will console myself with the thought of you wearing your new gifts.
Yours for eternity,
Lucifer
My fingers trace the sweeping handwriting and stare. He hasn’t forgotten us after all. He wants to see us. He wants to spend more time with us. And much more time might have passed for him then for us.
My heart tries it’s best to burst into a thousand tiny pieces, but I hold it together.
“What do you think, Mandy? Should we stay? Or should we accept Mr. Lucifer's invitation?” I watch her face morph into something entirely too close to the look of teenage disbelief.
“Mommy, of course we have to go. We can watch the ball next year.” Mandy grabs a large box addressed to her. “It would be rude, considering all the work he put into this.”
“That’s true.” I hum under my breath.
“Do you not want to go?” Oh, I want to go all right. I want to see Lucifer again, to hold his warm hand, to see his smile. I want to kiss him at midnight and--
My thoughts come to a screeching halt.
Nope, I won’t go down that road. I have no idea what his intentions are by inviting us. I like to think it is because he’s missed us as we have him, but I could be completely wrong. Even now, it’s hard for me to believe someone could want me.
I hold up the envelope and letter and whisper, “Yes.”
“Best. Dress. Ever!” Mandy stands up and holds the fabric to her shoulders. The gown is black, with a black and white striped underskirt that peeks out from the bottom. It’s beautiful, the craftsmanship superb. It has silky capped sleeves and an empire waist, with a sweet quality to it that fits her age, but also something a bit darker that suits the emo personality she seemed
to have developed since Christmas eve. A happier Wednesday Addams vibe, for sure. She spins in a circle. “It’s perfect.”
“It is.” She carefully drapes the dress over the back of a chair and opens the other boxes. The second box contains shoes, shiny black Doc Martens to be exact. She lifts them and holds them out for me to see. “It’s like he read my mind! These are perfect.”
In the next boxes are a necklace with a pendant that is so old, I’m almost afraid to touch it. And yet, he sent it to my child to wear to his party. It’s a cameo necklace, the white profile on a black surface, surrounded by diamonds. There are also baubles for her hair.
“Open yours, Mommy!” Mandy slips the necklace over her head, admiring the pendant cupped in her hands.
I lift the largest box and carefully untie the bow. Inside is a dress made for an extravagant social event. The material is pitch black and has a scoop hem, leaving it longer in the back. This dress leaves me speechless. When I lift it from the box and hold it to my shoulders as Mandy had done, my eyes widen. The neckline plunges deep between my breasts, but has a black panel of sheer fabric in the center. It hugs my curves until just above my knees where it sweeps out in layers. Black lace has been applied in places that will draw the eye, embellished with black thread that glints in the light.
“Whoa. Mommy, you’re going to look amazing!” Mandy smiled broadly, carefully tracing some of the intricate lace. “Like a gothic princess.”
“What do you know about gothic princesses?” I look at her with a smile.
“I know I want to be one someday. Wow!” She looks back at the tree. “What else did you get?”
One box holds a pair of heels that make my inner fashionista squeal. Black like the dress, they each have a little bit of lace that matches the dress and bright red bottoms. Simple and elegant. The last box holds a pair of earrings made from the same stones as my bracelet which I never take off. They are shaped like teardrops and placed in an antique setting.
Mandy whistles and I look up in shock. “When did you learn how to do that?”
“I dunno.” She shrugs her shoulders. “But it felt like this was the right time to do it.”
I laugh and clutch the gifts to my chest. “We get to see Mr. Lucifer tonight.”
“I’m so excited!” Then she pauses. “But what about Rudolph. Won’t he be sad if we go to his home without him?”
“We’re not. He’s used to his leash now and is very well-behaved. We should definitely bring him with us.” I stand back up and smile. “Well, bunny, I think we have a change of plans. Instead of pajamas and snacks, we’re going to Hell for a party.”
Her giggle is so full of delight, it’s contagious, and before I can stop, I’m giggling myself too.
It’s still early, but I am going to take my time getting ready for this party. A long hot shower using the products I received on Christmas, and an insane amount of time shaving and preening. I take my time on my hair and make up, opting for a deep red lipstick. It was a gift from a friend last year, when we were able to still see friends. At the time I thought I’d never have a reason to wear such a bold color. Yet, here I sit, carefully applying the red to my lips.
Mandy takes a shower as well, without any grumbling, and even asks me to curl her hair. I use the black and red baubles to secure some of the hair away from her face. When she turns to me I fawn over her, making her blush.
“Eh, stop it mom! It’s just a dress!” She waves her hands in the air as if to fend off an attack.
“Mom? Mom! What happened to Mommy?” I look at her and place a hand to my chest. “Where is my baby and who are you?”
“I’m still me, Mommy.” She smiles up at me, her eyes mischievous. “But who are you? You look like Maleficent. Just no horns.”
I laugh as she walks around me, eyeing me critically like an actual fashion designer. I place my hands on my hips and pose dramatically for her. She giggles and turns back into the little girl I know and love.
“You’re silly, Mommy.” She reaches out a hand and touches the red bracelet on my wrist. “But you look really pretty tonight.”
“Thank you.” I look at the clock on the wall in my room. “We better put on our shoes.”
Without a word, she runs out of my room with Rudolph on her heels.
I open the shoe box for my new heels and carefully take them out. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve had a reason to wear heels, especially ones that aren’t intended for working in an office. I slip them on and am relieved to find they fit perfectly. I have a funny feeling that my toes won’t be cramped and there will be no blisters on the sides of my feet at the end of the night.
I look at myself in the mirror and stare in wonder. I’ve never looked this… sexy. This dress is worth more than I made in a year at my old job. I look like someone else.
I pull all of my hair to one side of my head so it all splays across just the one shoulder. I only curled the ends and it looks perfect. I secure it all in place with a simple hair pin the same shade as my hair.
I’m studying my eyes, wondering if I should add another layer of mascara or not, when I hear a familiar sound I thought I would never hear again. The hiss and magical whisper of a fiery portal being opened in my living room.
I can hear Mandy talking animatedly while Rudolph lets loose with a string of happy growls and yips. Then I hear his voice in response and my whole body flushes. Even clinging to his memory didn’t do him justice. His voice alone is enough to heat me from head to toe. I check myself in the mirror one last time, take a deep breath, and make my way down stairs.
Lucifer is standing at the bottom in an all black tux, except for the red tie pin and cufflinks. If I was worried about his reaction to me, I now know I didn’t need to be. His dark eyes drink me in hungrily and his mouth is just slightly ajar.
“I told you she looks like a princess.” Mandy crosses her arms, her expression smug.
“You’re wrong.” He says softly and steps forward, lifting my hand to his lips. “She is a queen, a goddess gracing us with her very presence.”
I want to scoff at the cheesiness of his words, but I’m breathless from his hand holding mine and the warm press of his lips.
“Oooh. I like that!” Mandy looks at me, her eyes wide. “You do look like a queen. You just need a crown.”
“Thank you,” I tell Lucifer. “For the dresses, the party, the food, everything. I’ve wanted to thank you countless times over the last week.”
“Had I known you were waiting for me, I would have come running sooner.” He lowers my hand, but doesn’t let it go. His eyes stare into mine, as if willing me to understand how much he had wanted to come running. “I did, however, receive a very generous Thank You note from one little princess.”
He looks at Mandy and smiles. “Thank you, dear. Your words warmed my cold heart.”
Mandy’s cheeks turn pink, but she smiles broadly. “I’m glad you got it.”
“Your heart is not cold.” I smile up at him. “Look at all you’ve done for us, for the world. You might pretend to be cool and calculating, but there is a squishy warm heart under that exterior.”
“You’re too kind. I am most certainly cool and calculating.” He reaches up and brushes his thumb over my cheek. “However, you bring out the best in me.”
It’s my turn to blush and I lower my eyes. “I do have one complaint.”
“Whatever it is, I will do my best to remedy it.” His voice sounds worried. In fact, if I wasn’t listening to his words so intently I might have missed the nervousness. Has he missed me as much as I’ve missed him?
I look up at him coyly and give him a small smile. “You’re entirely too smooth with your lines.”
He blinks, then laughs, obviously not expecting that answer. He pulls me closer so that I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. “My dear, I fear I must deny you this once, because I’m resolved to steal your heart. I’m incredibly selfish in the end.”
“And what will you do wi
th it if you manage to capture it?” I tilt my head to the side and hope my smirk distracts from the pounding in my chest.
“What does any one do with their most coveted treasure?” He leans forward, his lips teasing my ear. “Keep it. For eternity.”
I shiver and lean into him. “Human’s do not have eternity, but I’ve resolved to let you have it for as long as it lasts.”
“Dear, you underestimate me again.” He leans back a little and I look up at him, heat staining my cheeks because of my declaration. “I’m the Devil, Master of Hell. And you, My Lady, have magic singing in your blood.”
“Mandy?” I whisper softly.
“The same. She’ll need to spend time on Earth to grow to adulthood, but that is nothing unmanageable.” He leans forward and presses his forehead to mine. “I’d be honored to be part of her life as long as you will let me. In fact, there is only one thing I want more.”
“What is that?” I frown.
“To be part of both your lives. To claim a space in your hearts no one else can have.” His hand cups my cheek. “Fill the hole in my heart, be the light of my soul.”
I stare into his eyes and wonder if he’s using magic to mesmerize me. My entire being feels entranced. “Is this magic?”
“Isn’t love always magic?” he asks.
“Is this love?” It’s been so long since I’ve been in love and this feels so fast, but also so much stronger, like what I felt in the past was a pathetic photocopy of the real thing.
Unholy Night: A Paranormal Holiday Romance Page 13
