"Are you sure you can't go with me?" she asked Lucifer when they were walking to the portal on Thursday evening, her little suitcase rattled on the street's cobblestones.

"I wish I could," he sighed and squeezed her hand. "But we have a quarterly budgeting meeting tomorrow, and it's not like I can get out of that. Anyway, maybe you should go by yourself first. Have you told your family about us being back together?"

"No, I didn't have the opportunity. I didn't feel like talking on the phone about it."

"I'm guessing they won't be thrilled. Considering how pissed you were with me lately, your parents probably hate me now."

"Well, I wouldn't say they hate you. Maybe they are no longer your fans," she said, laughing.

"I thought so. It would be awkward if I suddenly come with you on such an important occasion. You can prepare them for that eventuality in the future."

"Tsk, you're leaving me all the hard work," she sighed.

"Well, you are highly experienced in dealing with family dramas, are you not?" he said with the smirk, stopping before glowing rune, where portal resides.

"If you say so. I'll get going now. Don't work too hard when I'm gone, all right? No sleeping at your desk!"

"I try, although I can't promise anything. That way I know, you will come back for sure, to save me."

"You are unbelievable," she said, grabbed his tie, and dragged him down for a kiss.

"Be careful out there, love," he whispered. "And come back to me safely."

"Come on! I'm not going to war. Just visiting family for a weekend," she snorted.

"You'll never know," he replied, handing her the suitcase. "Tell Rosie happy birthday from me."

"I will. She is still your greatest fan."

"I knew she was a smart girl."

"Ok, I'll get going now," Lhori said, took out a small stone with a glyph matching the one carved in stone, and hold her hand above it. The purple light started to shine brighter, and within seconds the glowing portal appeared.

"Lhori, wait," Lucifer said, holding her hand. She turned back to him, and he kissed her again. "I'll miss you," he murmured.

"I'll miss you too. But it's just three days. I'll be back before you know it."

"You'd better be. Or I'll have to go there myself, to bring you back."

"Don't tempt me," she said with a laugh. Lucifer reluctantly let her go, and she stepped into the portal. At the last moment, she turned back and blew him a kiss. And then the world disappeared.

***

"I'm so happy you've made it!" said Fiona while they were preparing dinner in the kitchen, like good old days. "I don't know if Rosie would ever forgive you if you missed her birthday."

"Not likely," Lhori replied with a laugh while cutting the peppers for the salad. "So, dad told me you are renting the garage?"

"Oh, yes. It was a brilliant idea. When your father told me, he will renovate it and convert it into a small living quarter I was very skeptical. Who would ever want to live in such a small space? But then, the rents are skyrocketing lately, and students are desperate, so we didn't even have to look hard before we got the tenant."

"Who is it? A student?"

"Yes, it's a very charming young man. He is doing his Ph.D. in literature at the same university you studied. He is probably a year or two older than you, but it's possible you met."

"What's his name?"

"Noah Grant."

"Nah, doesn't ring a bell," Lhori said, dropping the veggies to the bowl and taking cucumber under her knife. "It's a big university. I mostly knew people from my year."

"Doesn't matter. I'm sure you'll like him," said Fiona turning off the oven and putting on thick mittens. "He'll be here soon."

"Here?" Lhori asked, surprised. "Like, here in the house? Or in his garage?"

"In the house, silly. I invited him for dinner today."

"Oh, that's very friendly of you."

"He's a nice boy. He helps your father a lot around the house. You don't even have to ask him. Last week he fixed Rosie's bike. I thought surely it was unfixable."

"Wow, he sounds like a real treasure then. How long has he been renting?"

"Around a month now." The older woman took out a big casserole dish and put it on the countertop. "Ok, we are almost there. Lhori, sweetheart, can you set the table?"

"Sure, salad is finished." She took out a handful of plates from the cupboard. At that moment, the doorbell rang.

"Oh, he's right on time!" The mother said excitedly hurrying to the hall. Lhori sighed, rolling her eyes, and went to the dining room to set up the table. She heard a hushed conversation from the entrance but didn't pay it much attention. She was not a fan of meeting new people. And she certainly didn't like inviting a stranger to share precious family time. But then, her mother was always a very kind and open person, and Lhori loved her for that.

"Dad, Rosie!" she shouted. "Come down, please! Dinner's ready!"

"Lhori, dear, come here, I want to introduce you!" said Fiona coming into the living room. Lhori rolled her eyes again and turned around. She was thankful she already put all the plates on the table, because otherwise, she might have dropped them.

"Noah, this is, Lhori," Fiona chatted unaware of her daughter's shock. "Lhori, this is Noah."

"Well, hello Lhori," said the man giving her a friendly smile and fixing the glasses that have fallen down his nose. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's... nice to meet you too," she stammered, staring at him. It was the guy from the theatre. There was no doubt about it. He looked a bit different in a simple t-shirt and jeans, but the glasses, green eyes, and auburn hair were unmistakable. Fortunately, the awkward moment was interrupted by Rosie coming into the room.

"Oh, Noah!" she chirped. "I didn't know you'd be here today! I think it's my lucky day!" she added with a wide grin. Then she looked at her sister and frown. "Lhori, why are you staring at him? You can't have him! He's mine! He'll be my MY boyfriend when I grow up. He promised!"

"Yes, I did," the man said giving Lhori an apologetic smile. She shook out of her stupor and plaster a pleasant smile on her face.

"I wouldn't dare to compete with you, Pumpkin."

"Ugh, I told you not to call me that anymore! I'm eight tomorrow, you know! Stop treating me like a kid!"

"Ok, Rosie, enough with the attitude!" Fiona scolded her gently. "Come on, everyone, sit down, and let's eat before the food gets cold!"

They ate dinner in a pleasant atmosphere. Rosie was chatting excitedly about her plans for tomorrow's party and all the friend she invited. Lhori couldn't focus on what she was saying though. Noah was sitting in front of her, and she felt his intense gaze on her, but she was pretending not to notice.

"Noah," Rosie said suddenly. "Why are you keep staring at Lhori?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I know it's very rude. But I could swear I know you from somewhere, Lhori. Have we met before?" he asked, looking at her expectantly.

"No, I don't think so," she replied, still not looking at him, playing with the food on her plate.

"Maybe you've seen her at the university?" said Fiona helpfully. "Lhori used to study there a few years back."

"No, no. I'm sure I've seen her somewhere recently," Noah said thoughtfully. She looked at him, silently pleading to drop the topic. But apparently, he didn't have a clue what she was thinking. Instead, his face lit up, and he exclaimed. "I know! It was a couple of weeks ago; I bumped into you at the theatre in London!" Lhori closed her eyes and sighed. A sudden silence fell over the table.

"I didn't know you were in London a few weeks ago," said her father, disappointment clear in his voice. She opened her mouth to reply, but Noah kept blabbering, unaware of sudden tension.

"Actually, it's a quite embarrassing story. It was so crowded that day, and I was making my way to the restroom when I bumped into Lhori! Like a total idiot! I thought your boyfriend would punch me or something."

"Boyfriend?" asked Fiona raising her brows.

"Yeah, tall, dark hair, very handsome. Quite scary when angry," added Noah obligingly. Lhori could have punched him herself right now. Maybe he would finally shut up.

"So, you're back together with Lucifer again, then?" her mother asked dryly. "I don't think you mentioned that."

"I didn't have a chance, did I?" Lhori replied, smiling sweetly to Noah, while her eyes were throwing daggers. "I'm not comfortable talking about my personal life with a stranger."

"Oh, I apologize. I didn't want to intrude," Noah said concerned.

"You are not intruding, Noah," said Fiona. "You were invited. And you are welcome at our table anytime, and you know that."

"So, why were you in London, Lhori?" asked Greg conversationally. "You didn't think it would be nice to visit us?"

"Ugh, it's not..." she stammered. "It was a really last-minute thing. There were cheap flights to London and back in a few hours in between, just enough to go and see a play and fly back. I didn't tell you, because I knew you would be sad that I was here and didn't have time to visit."

"That's ok. You don't have to visit us every time you are in the city. But would it hurt to tell us?" her father insisted with an expression similar to the sad puppy.

"Well, that face is exactly why I didn't," she said. "I'm sorry dad, but it was really just a crazy impulsive thing. I should have told you; I know. I'm really sorry."

The awkward silence fell over the table. Rosie prudently kept her mouth shut, looking from her parents to her sister, like she was watching a tennis game. The parents kept a polite smile on their faces, but Lhori could see clearly that they were hurt. She hated herself for lying to them, but then what was she supposed to say? That she's working for demons from the underworld?

Noah, suddenly aware of the tension shuffled nervously on his seat. He looked at her and smiled shyly.

"So, I've heard you are coordinating the exchange program somewhere in Europe?" he asked curiously.

"Yes, I do," she replied, sipping her wine.

"Which country?"

"Poland," she replied without a pause.

"Where exactly in Poland?"

"You are full of questions, aren't you, Noah?" she asked, gritting her teeth.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to be rude. I just find the topic of the exchange fascinating. I'm writing my thesis about international cooperation for greater cultural exchange and synergy."

"Of course, you are."

"Would you mind telling me a little bit more about your job? It would be a great help."

"I'd love to, but maybe not now. I'm afraid Rosie will get bored, and this weekend should be all about her. Isn't it right, Pumpkin?" The little girl perked up instantly and smiled brightly.

"Finally, someone is talking some sense! Do you know what games we will be playing tomorrow?"

"No, tell me," Lhori encouraged her. She looked at Noah while listening to her sister's excited voice. He was smiling, but still looking at her intently like he was trying to see right through her.

Luckily for Lhori, the rest of the evening went on peacefully while they discussed tomorrow's party and what was still left to do before it. When the hour got late, Rosie went to bed, and Noah left for his garage with an apologetic smile on his lips. Lhori poured herself more wine, as she still had to have a long talk with her parents about things she couldn't possibly explain to them.