Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Stealing from her dad’s library was not something that Charlie ever liked to do. She used to sneak in all the time when she was little, and he’d find her and she’d hide like she was doing something devious. It’s a memory that almost brings a smile to her face. In the end she never really did anything wrong, and those memories with her dad were something she missed a lot, something that she’ll never get back as much as she wanted. Maybe that’s why she was so excited to sneak in in the first place. If she can find what she’s looking for she can have her own family with Vaggie. If she gets caught by her dad she isn’t sure if she can explain why she’s here and what she’s looking for. Her dad would not take it well, at best he’d get weird because he’s happy for her, at worst he’ll have a crisis over his daughter deciding to have a baby as if Lucifer is too young to have a grandchild. As if he isn’t thousands of years old. It’s just going to be better to tell him when he can’t talk her out of this.

Navigating the library was potentially the worst part of this. Lucifer was supposedly still at the Hazbin Hotel, maybe he was arguing with Alastor, maybe he was setting up his new penthouse. Either way, he might be busy, and Charlie has no idea what he would be busy with. Even if he is busy it’s possible that he’ll come back for his books. Though, by the caking of dust on some of these books it seems he might not even remember they exist. It’d be best if he didn’t remember the book she’s stealing. Then she can take it, perform the spell she needs to perform, and then return it hoping he doesn’t question why this one book isn’t as dusty as the others.

When she found the book it was perfect. Kept clean and in a seemingly well traversed area of the library. Of course it is. It’s likely Lucifer will miss it if he comes back for it, but that doesn’t mean Charlie is going to leave it. She’s not going to give up just because she could get caught, if she was that unsure about this it’d be a waste of time even if the book was long forgotten. Maybe it was a sign that he cared. Supposedly this is the spell that allowed Lilith and Lucifer to have Charlie herself, it makes sense that he’d keep the spell book that the spell resides in safe and pristine. It almost made Charlie feel bad for picking it up and putting it in her bag. At least no one else has access to the palace library, Lucifer will immediately know who has it.

***

“Did you get the book?” Vaggie was waiting once Charlie got back to the hotel. Thankfully Charlie was able to avoid getting caught in too many conversations when she returned home, telling everyone that she needed to put away her bag. Luckily it’s true because she’s absolute shit at lying to her friends.

“Yeah, of course.” Charlie smiled at Vaggie and pulled the book out. She was careful as she moved the pages to find the right spell. It was one of the last spells written in the book, preceded by spells and curses. It almost made the life creation spell look out of place.

“We should do the spell now. I think my dad will go looking for this book soon.” It might be strange to be holed up in her room all day, but this is more important than avoiding momentary suspicion. There would be a way to explain away her sneaking around anyway. Maybe they’ll just accept that she had to go get a few things for her and Vaggie. Implying this was for a moment of intimacy with her girlfriend isn’t wrong, it’s just not completely true.

Reading the spell made her hopes of finishing with the book before tomorrow quickly evaporate. The spell was more complex than what can be done in one night. Firstly, they needed to wait for the right time of the month, and then they needed to blend together an apple of the earth, baby’s breath flowers, Charlie and Vaggie’s blood, and a crows egg, then recite an incantation over the mixture, and finally whoever would carry the child would drink it. She wasn’t sure what to expect from the spell, but it all made sense. The spell had to be taken at a specific time in her cycle, and of course it would require ingredients from earth.

“This sounds disgusting. Are you sure you want to be the one to do this? I could too.” Vaggie was quick to offer, but Charlie could tell she really didn’t want to. Not that anyone would blame her. This spell did sound rancid. Perhaps it would be better if anything could be cooked, or if Charlie knew what an apple of the earth is, but the instructions say to not cook it. She’ll need to drink a cup of blood and raw egg. The thought made her shudder, but it’ll be worth it.

“Yeah. It won’t be that bad, and hopefully it’ll work and we don’t need to do this again,” Charlie smiled and leaned onto her girlfriend, “or it’ll be worth it and we won’t mind how gross the spell is.” There’s always the possibility that if they try the spell again Vaggie can be the one to drink it. They’ll save that for whenever they try again, if they ever try again.

“I’m glad you’re so enthusiastic,” Vaggie chuckled and the sound warmed Charlie’s heart. She just knew that everything will be okay as long as they’re together. “Okay, then we need to find flowers, a crows egg, and an apple.”

“I have a friend outside the hotel who can help find the ingredients, but you’d think my dad could have just written 'apple’ if he meant an apple.” Charlie frowned. She didn’t want to do this wrong. If she drank bloody apple sauce and it didn’t work she would not want to try it again.

“It sounds convoluted and old timey, maybe Alastor would know.” Vaggie joked, knowing they said not to tell anyone in the hotel about this until after they knew the spell worked. “And do I need to be worried about this friend?”

“Hm. Yeah…We do have time to figure it out before we need to prepare the spell. And you worry about all the people I know. I promise my friend is safe, she can keep a secret, and no one even knows we’re friends.” She kissed Vaggie gently and held her close. She knows Vaggie will be a great mom. They’ll be a perfect family, they just need to take the first step, and no time is better than right now.

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It wasn’t like Charlie to slink off immediately after being gone all morning, and it wasn’t like her to be gone all morning with no explanation either. Lucifer knew she was hiding something, but she was slinking around with Vaggie and stealing glances with her, it’s not like Lucifer could be too suspicious about what the two were doing together. He trusts his daughter, and he trusts his daughter’s girlfriend. He thought that he was going to hear news of a proposal soon.

He didn’t spend much time paying attention to his daughter either, Alastor often occupied his mind. The blazing red creep who always wears this smug grin all the time. It infuriated him as much as it made him ashamed. He spent Charlie’s entire life so far ignoring her. He hadn’t seen her in two hundred years, and now he is living with her and some asshole has his attention. He wished he could just get rid of him once and for all and just be able to be there for his daughter.

Days passed, then weeks, and Lucifer forgot about his daughter sneaking around. She seemed to return to normal. Part of him still expected good news any day, but nothing ever came. Charlie and Vaggie remained as they always were.

It wasn’t until Charlie started to act weird that he took notice again. Even worse, it seemed everyone was taking notice. Alastor would get this wicked look on his face like he knew what was going on, like he was the one hurting Charlie. Even sinners who were more trustworthy to Lucifer started talking.

“Charlie has been super weird, right?” Angel Dust leaned over on Husk’s bar, he was either trying to get Lucifer’s attention or he was just a loud mouth and an idiot. “She’s been sick every single morning and crashing at like eight every single night.”

Husk rolled his eyes and sighed, “maybe she’s just tired. I couldn’t imagine dealing with this hotel is a walk in the park.”

“But it’s so unlike her. You know everything about everyone, you have to know what’s going on with her!” Angel Dust might be annoying and loud, but Lucifer wanted to listen in. He wanted to know what’s going on with his little girl.

“I don’t feel comfortable getting into her business. Once she feels ready to talk about it she will.”

“So you do know something!” Lucifer couldn’t just listen in secretly anymore. Though, maybe it wasn’t as secret as he was hoping. No one seemed surprised when he spoke up. “You have to tell me, she’s my daughter.” It might not be the best choice to sound desperate, but this place is about chances to be good people, surely Husk would want to be a good person and tell Lucifer if he knows anything important.

Husk just shook his head in response and busied himself with something that had him facing the opposite direction. “If you really want to know, go ask her. You’d much rather hear it from her than from me.”

“It might be best not to bother her if she’s feeling ill, but I could tell you what I know.” Alastor’s voice slithered into Lucifer’s ears like a snake, filling the king of hell with white hot rage.

“And what would you know? There’s nothing she’d tell you that she wouldn’t tell her own father.” Lucifer felt his chest tighten as he stared at the radio demon. Charlie wouldn’t confide in Alastor, right? Not over her own father. Still, he needed to know what’s going on, and Alastor knows that, and why not mess with him a bit. “Tell me what you know. It’s not like it’ll be useful anyway.”

“You know better than to ask for information for free, don’t you?” Alastor smiled and came a bit closer. “You have to do something for me if you want my information.”

“Haha, good try.” Lucifer snorted at the very idea of Alastor wanting to make a deal with him. “I would have better luck making a deal with the bartender to get information out of him.” He turned to Husk, and the smirk on the feline’s face verified Lucifer’s thoughts. He could practically hear Alastor seething behind him. Though he’s delayed it too long. He needs to head upstairs to talk to Charlie, especially since once she’s downstairs she surrounds herself with the staff and guest of the hotel. When he saw Vaggie come downstairs without Charlie he took his chance to hurry up the stairs, stopping for a moment to say good morning to Vaggie, but not to listen when she tried to tell him something. Whatever it was she didn’t chase him, so it can’t be that important.

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“Charlie~!” Lucifer’s voice rang through the air, and in most other situations Charlie would appreciate having her father come and be so worried about her, but she feels so sick, and she knows he’s going to know why she feels sick. If he doesn’t she needs to tell him, and then he’ll get weird.

She heard him knock, and waited for a few moments, wondering if she can pretend to be asleep, but that’s not fair to him. “Come in.” She called out to him and sat up carefully. She must look like a mess.

Lucifer came in and gave his daughter a bright smile before hurrying to her bedside. “Hi sweetie, how are you feeling? You’ve been sleeping pretty late every morning.” He carefully sat down next to her. It’s clear he’s concerned and he doesn’t seem to know that Charlie borrowed his spell book.

“I’m fine. I’ve just been tired in the mornings.” She smiled and sat up straight. “You know I don’t get sick easily.”

“But you’ve been sleeping late, and then falling asleep in the afternoons, and I’ve caught you throwing up at least twice. I don’t want to be lied to.” He frowned, and tried to use his stern voice, but he can’t be bad at his daughter, especially when she’s ill. “I just want to know what’s going on…”

Charlie smiled at how sweet her dad is. He deserves to know what she did, it’s done anyway, and that’s what Charlie wanted before telling her dad anyway. “It’s actually because I used one of your spells.”

Lucifer snorted. “What spell would make you sick like this?” Charlie smiled at her dad and folded her hands over her lower stomach. “Charlie, what spell?”

“I think you already know what spell.” Charlie smiled and watched her dad’s reaction. She was scared he’d be upset. For a few moments he started to tear up and just stared at her. It made Charlie feel like she was going to cry too. Then he hugged her.

“You should have told me you were trying that spell.” He held her tightly and seemed to be trembling. “Congratulations. You’re going to be such a good mom. Oh my God I’m going to be a grandfather.”

Charlie laughed and hugged her dad back. It feels good to hug him, and it feels so freeing to have him know about the spell and the fact that she’s pregnant now. This means she can tell everyone at the hotel, though, Husk already knows, and Alastor knows that she was attempting a spell from her dad’s book, and that she needed a potato for it. Of course ‘apple of the earth’ was just what a potato is called in french, and of course Alastor is the one who needed to tell her that. Her dad doesn’t need to know that though.

“Dad, stop freaking out about this. Vaggie and I decided to do this because we are both intelligent and capable adults, your only job is to be a good grandfather and spoil your granddaughter.” She paused for a moment, seeing that he was about to say something. “And no, you are not too young to be a grandfather, you are as old as time. Older than time, right?” The pout on her dad’s face made Charlie laugh. “What I really need is for you to support me.”

“So… who else knows?” Lucifer asked and looked at his daughter. She really isn’t the baby girl he would need to take care of all the time. She made this decision on her own, and he trusts that she knows what she’s doing, even with the exterminations. Surely the baby would be safe.

“Vaggie and I, of course, Husk, just because it’s hard to keep any secret from him and he immediately guessed once I refused a drink after a hard day, and now you.” Charlie smiled at him. “I was waiting for you to figure out that I messed with your spellbook and realize what happened before I told everyone.”

“So, you’re going to tell everyone now? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me first.” Lucifer teased her, though he was a little upset that Husk knew before him, but it seemed like Charlie didn’t actually have any control in that. Husk just figured it out before anyone else.

“You didn’t tell Alastor? He seemed to think he knew something.”

“No. He shouldn’t know… I didn’t tell him, if he did figure it out he didn’t tell me he figured it out.” Charlie hoped that Alastor didn’t already know, though it wouldn’t matter once Charlie willingly tells everyone.

“I’ll tell everyone, once I’m feeling better.” She wrapped her blanket around herself. She might be awake and energized for the day, but that doesn’t mean her morning sickness is gone.

Lucifer nodded and got up gently. “I’ll let you rest.” He said and kissed his daughter’s forehead gently.

Chapter Text

> Stolas. [LM]
> Hey. It's been a long time. Please respond. [LM]

> Your Highness. I wasn’t sure if I could still text with the king of hell after my punishment. [S]

> Don’t be like that. I need a friend right now. [LM]

> What is it? [S]

> Charlie is acting strange and I don’t know what to do. [LM]
> I’m afraid that she’s hiding something from me. [LM]

> At least you’re living with your daughter. [S]

> Ouch man. [LM]

> You always told me about that before right, how does it feel now? [S]

> I get it, it was mean of me to do that all those years. Do you want to talk about what’s going on with you for a while? [LM]

> Not particularly. [S]
> What’s going on with Princess Morningstar? [S]

> She’s sick or something. She’s always sleeping, and keeps being so secretive when I try to talk to her. [LM]
> I swear she’s avoiding me. [LM]
> Even worse, the sinners at the hotel seem to know what’s going on. [LM]

> Are you still letting sinners of all people get under your skin? Sinners? [S]

> I know. It’s almost as bad as caring about what an imp thinks, right? [LM]

> At least imps didn’t damn themselves. They were born here. It’s not their fault. [S]

> Yeah, yeah… I should visit the other rings, go on vacation or something. Maybe I could visit you sometime. [LM]
> Where are you living these days? [LM]

> I’m in the pride ring, actually… [S]

> Huh… Where? [LM]

> Go talk to your daughter. You live with her. Talk to her. [S]

> Fine. Fine. I’ll tell you what happens afterwards. [LM]

[...]

> Stolas. [LM]

> Did you talk to her? [S]

> Yeah. [LM]

> And? You can’t keep me in suspense. [S]

> She used one of my spells to get pregnant using her and her girlfriend’s blood. [LM]

> She what? [S]
> There’s a spell for that?? [S]

> Yeah, how do you think Lilith and I had Charlie? [LM]

> The normal way? [S]

> Technically Lilith was a sinner so she couldn’t get pregnant, so we had Charlie through my magic. [LM]

> Lilith was still the one who got pregnant right? [S]
> Right? [S]

> Do you really want to hear about it? [LM]

> Fair point. [S]
> Congratulations. You’re a grandpa now. [S]

> Ugh makes me feel old. [LM]