A crime scene was not an appropriate setting for a child to be exposed in. Mom allowed me to have the rest of day off, though it wasn't an option considering I wanted to have a perfect attendance if wish to graduate. Aidan had manage to convince me. Now I am back in the comfort of my room at home. Ana, i had came to learn her name, hadn't left my arms.

" Mom! Mom..my. You be barbie and I will be skipper! Aidan can be raquelle." Giggles Ana, handing a barbie doll she had taken from trixie's toy chest in her room to me.

" You are barbie real life! Mommy!" She says, ingeniously and honest. I see Aidan squeeze the bridge of his nose, eyes squinting. " Are you hungry? You two? I can make some pan.."

I hear Ana excitedly squeal, the sound alone made my eyes widen from how sudden it was to hear. " Pancakes! I love your pancakes! They are the best. Daddy says he loves when you cook! because he can't. But I am not allowed to say the naughty word he uses after. He says it rhythms with sheet." Shit. I chuckle to myself. Her dad sounds like a hilarious man.

" How 'bout you get off M.. Ellie and let her make the pancakes? Yeah?" Aidan states, prying Ana off and out of my lap. " Aid! Aid! I want to stay with mommy! No." She contends, her words, as she argues her statement using a force of strength to latch on to my neck. I did not have the heart, the courage, to correct her. It's obvious she is confused on who I am. " It's fine. Aidan. I am okay carrying her." Children her age are susceptible of choosing mothers as a safe person. I read a scientific research book, in chemistry class, babies are born with an increased intrinsic need to be held. To regulate stress levels. " See! Mommy wants to hold me."

Ana poked her tongue out. Aidan groans, as a response. " You are a pain in the ass. You know that?" He glares at her, however it wasn't an actual one. " don't swear in front of An, Aidan." I deduce, scolded, using my hands to cover Ana's little ears. " she'll be alright. Dad swore, when she was growing up. She knows she isn't suppose to copy him or me."

That reassures me definitely. I think, monotonously, eyes rolling mentally. 'I sound exactly like mom. This is how she talks.'

I move up from my bed, Aidan and Ana close by on my heels as Ana held my hand swinging them back and forth. I pulled a chair out for her, the height of the dining room table just barely reaching her little shoulders.

" let me get the Ingredients, Ellie. I know the recipe off by heart. I can make these with my eyes closed. Our mom made them, growing up, for many years. it's engrained in my mind. Now."

Aidan and his insistence startled me, but I slowly nod in complacence.

" O-Okay. I trust you to not make a complete mess. Otherwise mom is not going to be happy, coming home to her kitchen in all sorts of disarray."

Aidan smirks, he threw an egg in the air before he caught it using a motion of amazing speed and precision. 'Woah. That was..' I had never seen such stealth, dexterity, before. " You can sit down, El. I have it from here."

I tap the counter, still amazed with what I had witness. 'That was too quick.' I brush it off, as simply I was tired from all the problems I had experienced today.

" Mommy? Why did daddy pretend he did not know me and Aidan? I try to give daddy a hug but he didn't give it back. I feel sad."

Anastasia expresses her sadness. My heart constricted to the sight of Ana's eyes well in tears. 'How do I console her? To tell her I do not know why she thinks Lucifer is her father.'

I had watch as Ana had hugged Lucifer by his leg, asking him to pick her up. Clear confusion, on his part, wondering why a young girl had ask to be held. No concept of stranger danger.

" Well. Ana, as you see. Maybe.. maybe daddy.. daddy is playing 'round with you, and pretends to not know you, as a game."

Entertaining the idea of Lucifer being her 'dad' is for certain not the brightest choice. but if it meant she will be happier, so be it, than her upset. I sat beside Anastasia, adjacency to her spot on my right. I tenderly bring her hand up. She feels familiar.

" I know daddys' games, Mommy. That wasn't a game." Her lips pout. Ana gets off her seat, her hands making grabbing gestures for me to hold her. I spare a quick moment to glance at Aidan, who is using a spatula flipping miniature pancakes. " i will have a talk with your dad. If you'll like that. I can't have you upset, that is unacceptable."

Her eyes lighten, exceptionally quick, which in turn she threw her arms around my shoulders. A child's innocent and happiness should never be taken. " I love you, Mommy."

Mommy. She called me Mommy, again. Aidan had stayed unusually silent the entire time Ana and I had spoken. I need to ask him about this.

~•~

I had weeks to go until graduation. I will need to at least gain and contribute enough credits, in order for me to actually be considered a high school graduate. Studying for final exams is the current, and main, priority for me. There was no chance I would let nothing of the sorts distract me. Nothing. 'I spoke too soon. Crap.'

Lucifer struts in the house, just as I see mom answering the knock on the door, his immediate reaction to me lounging on the couch, laptop resting in my legs, a grin of perversity resting feebly on his lips. I roll my eyes but couldn't help but smile a little to how immature he is.

" Do you really live here? I thought I must have gotten the wrong address. How do you afford this place? Good morning, Betty, darling. Oh, Deary me. That place has gotten you working even in the dire moments of these hours, in the morning, I see. Such a time waster if you were to ask me. Dad knows, I loathe the concept of schools and places of discipline."

Lucifer states, coming over where I sat just to sweep my laptop away. " Oh dear."

" Lucifer. I need to concentrate. I can't afford distractions, right now." I sigh, standing from the place of my spot on the couch. " Lucifer. El' needs her laptop. Now give it back, stop it." He exaggerates a long pause, for a dramatic effect. I made an effort, to reach my laptop, standing on my toes. I lose my footing, just when the tip of my fingers touch the bottom edge of my lap-top. Lucifer, in one swift breath before I could take a minute to realise I had almost fallen, caught my body just as i held on to his biceps.

" Lucifer!" Trixie came speeding out of her room, as I manage to take back my electronic device I paid hundreds of dollars for. Lucifer's mouth turns in to a frown, then quickly it goes in a displeased smile. " ah Hello, again, small human. Nice to see you."

I found amusement in how Lucifer acted when it came to children. He acted apathetic, indifferent. He chuckles, a hint of nervous laughter behind his action.

" is this yours.. this is yours, yes?" I cross my arms, entertained by his behaviour. " Yeah, that's Molly McDowell. She's a ballerina by day, but a ninja chemist by night." Trixie let her arms fall as she explained her dolls double life backstory to him. " When a simple yes would've sufficed. Well, anyway. Go on. Fetch! Fetch away!" Trixie, and I, I turn our heads on time with the doll being flung on a rug. 'Did he just.. yes he did.' He's acting as though she's a dog. Mom, stumped for words, looks at Lucifer cynically.

" Uh, is this too advanced for her?"

I drop both arms, walking to where he had left the doll bending down and taking it off the rug.

" Trixie, babe. Come on. Get ready." Mom says. Just when I go to stand back up straight, I feel my back hit toned muscles.

" Sorry. I apologise I didn't think I was standing that close to you. I was just admiring how gorgeous you are Betty 'specially in this lightening."

He, flirtatiously, said. Not ashamed at how forward he is acting.

" I have.. I have to get to school. Lucifer. I will see you this afternoon, if you're around."

It's no secret I couldn't take a compliment. I was never certain when a person is being genuine. I adjust my school book bag I had gotten off the island. His gaze was intensely focused on me as I backed out of the door, calling out to aunt Chloe. " I am off to school, now, Mom. If you're not home, I will come by the station if you are done with your shift."

She calls out from trixies room saying 'I love you'. I walked on the front porch, but I don't get far as Lucifer exclaims out 'Betty.'

He briskly came to where I am. I craned my neck needing to strain the muscles in order to stare at him.

" The LAPD is on the route to your school. Let me have the honour of driving you there." With no moment or warning, Lucifer takes my hand dragging me to his car. A nineteen sixty two corvette in pristine condition. I was an eighteen year old girl who did have her license but not enough earned savings to buy a car. I, bashful from my actions of admiration being caught, avoid Lucifers stares. Busted. " I gotta say, betty. You, and I, we have something of common in interests. We appreciate the beauty in things that most see unconventional. In my case, though, you are vastly more beautiful than a simple car." He's so straightforward and plain speaking.

" Too forward? I think not."

I just want to get to school. Before I become a melting mess.

~•~

Kids exiting out of classrooms made my heart start to flutter, nausea climbing my throat wanting to rush to the surface. I kept my head down entering my lockers combination, it clicks unlocked. Bannisters, promoting senior year prom for students graduating, decorate all the halls. I didn't have a date for prom. No one would ask me for their favour and hand.

" Ok, it's offical. School has turned me into the biggest of geeks. I can't believe I have said in the past, I actually enjoy going to school. Dad's right 'bout one thing. These places reel you in." Aidan states, casually throwing his arm around my neck. This causes girls, in my grade class, to stare angrily; jealous of his focus on me. He didn't care to notice. Whispers began, I could sense an impending sense of panic. 'Don't let it get to you, Ellie. Don't let it get to you, Ellie.' I start repeating in my thoughts as my legs carry me down the student-filled classroom laneway.

" Do you wanna go to prom, with me? Not like that, ew obviously. Not as my date. Cause why would I take my mo- a girl who is a friend, as a date, and ruin the friendship? That would be just weird."

Aidan dismisses the fluttering eyes of each girl who passes us. I grasp his fingers in reaction to his proclamation. " S..sure. That would be actually quite nice, Aidan."

He called me Mom, almost. That wasn't the first time it happened. First, Anastasia calls me mommy. Now a second is Aidan slipping. Who are you? Really? Is what I want to know.

My thoughts are interrupted. My shoulder, which is long enough healed given amenadiel's feather healing properties had helped greatly, is bumped hard. " Oops. Sorry. But then again I'm not." There she is. You know how in every cliche high school movie there is a mean girl? I had the unfortunate experience of having one. The main tormentor of my entire four years in school. " You just don't know when to stop. Do you?" I say, irritated. I had enough of her.

" I'm sorry. Did the Ellie parentless decker just talk back? To me? And who might you be? I know all of the school hotties. You're definitely new."

Her brown eyes Mischievously gleam, finding new prey for her to taint with her words. A true charlatan if you ask me. " the name is not interested. Cause' I ain't. And will never be, you harlot. C'mon, Ellie."

Sensing an imminent threat, from the back of my mind, my text books fall sprawling out of my hold just when I forcefully take Rebecca's wrist. 'Holy shit. How did I do that?' Students began crowding Aidan, Rebecca and I as her eyes blink rapidly.

It was clear she did not expect my quick reflex.

How did I do that? And feel she was going to grab my hair?

I shove her hand, backing off from Rebecca. Murmurs had started. 'Did you see how she stopped Becca?' And 'Decker is a freak. Just like her mother.' Aidan grabbed a hold of my hand, his unsettling glare made students back off. Some even do light gasps of fear and shock which I don't bother to mention. 'I just wanna go home.'

" I think it's time we leave, Aid."

JASMINE SPEAKS;

Hello! As you can all see I have finally decided I wanted to have inspiration for an update. I did say I would give a new update a little while in writing my Jim hopper book 'Out Of Time.'

I thought I'd write this newest update while I'm in the mood. I know consistency and updating has never been a thing I could keep up with, I am trying to better understand, a good update system I can work around.

I can't thank you, enough, as I already do when dealing with my updates. I know you already feel frustrated, but as I have said and stated, I haven't forgotten my other books.

Speaking of books, what are you guys thinking about when it comes to reading this new update? How do you think betty caught Becca about to grab her hair? Ana and Aidan with El?

I am working on making my chapters longer, so be patient with me. More than you already are, please. I appreciate you guys so much.