Christmas Dinner

Lucifer

“I’m sorry that your father and other brothers couldn’t make it.”

Lucifer entwined his fingers with Cary’s before he brought Cary’s palm to his mouth and kissed the top of it. His sweet little mate shouldn’t be concerned. “It’s okay.” Lucifer meant the words. “The birth of my brother and his mate’s baby is a blessing and one that should be celebrated. I’m happy with those who could attend.”

Looking down the long table, Lucifer smiled at each member of his family and friends’ circle that joined him and his mates for Christmas dinner.

When he’d first learned that his father and several brothers were attending the birthing ceremony for another brother, he’d been disappointed. It had been Gage who’d helped clear his mind. Gage had suggested it might be easier to meet Lucifer’s family in stages. He’d also suggested inviting some of Lucifer’s demons that they already knew so there would be familiar faces.

“A baby,” Cary said. “Should we send a gift?”

“We will,” Lucifer promised. “There are many traditions that come with our position. I’ll have you help me pick later.”

“Cool.” Cary nudged Bel who sat beside him. “I get to pick presents!”

Bel smiled back at Lucifer’s little mate.

Wait, why was Bel next to Cary? He’d purposely placed Asmos by Cary and Bel by Gage. Uriel was currently sitting next to Gage and Asmos… Lucifer sighed. Why was Asmos at the other end of the table across from Michael? Lucifer very specifically wanted Asmos and Michael as far away as possible from each other. Asmos had never cared for Michael, and it had only gotten worse after Michael had embarrassed Cary. Michael just seemed to rub Asmos wrong. Well, he did most people but Asmos took it personally and annoyed Michael right back.

He met Azrael’s gaze, who sat across from him at the foot of the table and between Michael and Asmos. Azrael rolled his eyes before he took a long drink of his wine. Lucifer would have to make it up to his brother for the situation he seemed to be in as Michael and Asmos sniped at each other.

He returned his attention to Cary, who was peppering Bel with questions about babies and the traditions that came from the births in the heavenly realm. Bel was growing more uncomfortable, amusing Lucifer.

That reminded him.

“We should probably make time to discuss taking our own precautions,” he told his mate.

“Precautions,” Cary said. “What kind?”

“Yeah,” Gage snorted. “It’s not like any of us can get pregnant.”

Lucifer internally winced. Okay, he really did need to share more things with his mates. He’d been so distracted by finding his mates and then Christmas that Lucifer might have let a few things slip through the cracks. A few very important things. “Actually.”

Conversation stopped around the table as all attention turned to him and his mates. Lucifer shouldn’t have brought this up at Christmas dinner. What had he been thinking? He was just so happy to have his mates hose his Christmas dinner that he hadn’t been thinking straight.

“Actually what?” Cary said. “Did you want children? I guess we can look into a surrogate. Maybe a demon one? Or would you prefer an angel?” Cary questioned.

“Oh shit!” Michael barked out a laugh. “You didn’t tell them.”

Gage set his wineglass down. Hard. The look he was giving Lucifer...he was putting two and two together. “Luc?”

Lucifer looked from Cary and Gage and back again.

“Luc,” Gage said again. This time he balled his fist. Uh, why had Lucifer brought this up?

“Uh.” Lucifer struggled.

“What’s going on?” Cary asked.

It was easier to look at Cary. Cary probably wouldn’t kill him, right? Gage…yeah, Lucifer wasn’t sure about Gage. He was already vibrating. Probably didn’t help that Michael was laughing so hard. Cary tilted his head as he watched Lucifer.

“Do you already have children?” Cary asked. “That would make sense due to your age. If so, that’s okay. I don’t mind.”

“I don’t have children, but I can,” Lucifer replied.

“Of course you can,” Cary said. “We all can. But Gage and I are gay. We don’t want to have sex with a woman.”

“No,” Lucifer clarified. “I can have babies. Now that we are mated so can you. And Gage.”

Gage pushed his chair back. The chair crashed to the floor. “You better be kidding, mate. I know something that important wouldn’t have slipped your mind.”

It had. Lucifer hadn’t thought about having children in decades.

“What?” Cary asked.

Gage turned to Cary. “Think about those romance books you like to read to me. The paranormal ones.”

“I read a lot of books to you.”

“Mpreg! Cary! Our mate can carry a baby!”

Cary turned pale. “Like a baby…baby?”

“Technically so can both of you. Now.” Lucifer probably shouldn’t have pointed that out. Again.

Gage looked ready to kill.

“This is better than going to the movies!” Michael quipped. “Surprise!”

Gage picked up the roll from his dinner plate and threw it at Michael. Lucifer had to give his mate credit. Michael didn’t have a chance to do anything more than sit there as the roll beamed him in the center of the forehead. With power.

Michael’s chair fell back with him on it.

Asmos leapt up clapping and hollering.

Azreal refilled his wine.

Cary stared at Lucifer with wide eyes.

Gage was growling.

Lucifer picked up his own glass of wine and held it up. “Merry Christmas!”