Evermore (Devil's ʻĀnela) [ON HOLD]

XXIV

"I, um--" Lucifer began.

"What?" Lani asked.

"Well, I-I got you burgers and fries but I forgot the ketchup."

"I'm allergic to tomatoes."

Lucifer chuckled. "Foolish condiment. A rather unfortunate allergy."

The elevator bell dinged and a woman cried, "Lucifer! Hello! This is your flight attendant speaking. Please buckle up."

Lucifer turned to the newcomer. "Jana?"

Lani's face dropped. "I didn't know you were expecting company."

"I wasn't. I--"

Jana cut him off. "Surprise layover in L.A., I thought we could rack up some miles." She noticed Lani. "She's welcome to join, if she's game."

Lani gathered her stuff. "Excuse me."

"Wait," Lucifer called, standing up. "No, Deputy. I had no idea that Jana was coming over."

Lani's faux smile faltered. "It's okay. I'll let you two catch up."

"Deputy, please! Come on. I mean, we were having a moment. Don't be angry."

"I'm not angry. I'm glad she showed up."

"You are?"

"Yeah. She just prevented me from making a huge mistake." She left.

"Deputy! I--Jana--"

"Wheels up, Captain?" Jana asked.

"I'm afraid this flight's grounded," Lucifer replied, walking away.

APARTMENT

"You want some juice with your eggs, sweetie?" Lani asked. "How about you, Trixie?"

"We don't like eggs," Kiana said.

Chloe frowned. "What? Since when don't you two like eggs? They're a wondrously scrumptious start to your day."

Lani reached for a box of cereal. "Who got you two this? Maze?"

"They're our favorite," Trixie replied. "Please, please, Mommy, Aunt Lani?"

Kiana put on her classic puppy dog eyes. "Mommy, please?"

Lani groaned. "Kiddos--Okay. But only because I missed story time."

"Were you working late last night?" Trixie asked.

"Uh, no. I had a little dinner."

"With who?" Kiana wondered.

"Uh, Lucifer."

Trixie smirked, glancing at Kiana before saying, "Oh. So if you weren't working, was it, like, a date? With flowers and candles and songs about naked stuff?"

Lani's eyes widened. "No! Definitely no. It wasn't a--it wasn't a date. It-it really wasn't."

"Why are your cheeks like tomatoes, Mommy?" Kiana asked.

Lani patted her cheeks. "My cheeks aren't like tomatoes--"

Maze walked into the room, holding up a newspaper. "Check it out."

Chloe took the paper. "Oh. Yeah. I had no idea you were so concerned about L.A.'s water shortages."

"What? No."

"Yeah."

"Wrong side." Maze flipped it over, showing an article about the death of Perry Smith. "Someone got his ass."