ANNIKA HAYDEN WAS, by any definition, an angel. When she had been a little girl and still had both parents, her father had called her his little angel, and on her deathbed, her mother had thanked Annika for her angelic ways, promising to meet her in Heaven one day. Maeve had called Annika with the same word before, though probably not as a compliment, but it had made the Hayden laugh. She was always hoping to be positive, kind and understanding, but as of late, also brave and protective of those she loved.

And on the night she had met the Devil, it had been pointed out how she certainly looked like an angel, and she had never forgotten about those words. Most likely because it had been the first thing Lucifer Morningstar ever spoke to her.

Despite every sound of reason her mind, she had gotten involved, too. And for better or worse, she had changed — undoubtedly because she had been beaten, kidnapped, heartbroken by things she could have avoided by just avoiding Lucifer and sticking to her boring life. Yet, she had no regrets. She didn't regret getting to know Lucifer, falling for him, dying with him. Even if her death had arrived far before she had expected it to, and all because she had fallen in love with the Devil.

For a moment, Annika probably was an actual angel — Malcolm hadn't been wrong, she belonged in Heaven rather than Hell, even when she had wound up in the bed of the King. But it wasn't her time to go yet. Call it making a deal with the Devil, or the Devil making a deal with someone superior, but she wasn't dead.

Maybe she should have been, considering the gutshot that very few recovered from, but after brushing hands with afterlife, she was jolting awake on a hospital bed, gasping for air and feeling life fill her from head to toe. Panic rushed through her — how else did one react to coming back to life after already accepting your death?

After glancing around, though, and concluding from the surroundings that she was in a hospital, she could slow down her breath and focus on the dark spot in the light blur of her eyes. Amidst all the white furniture and machinery and the occasional flowers around the room, sat Lucifer, dashing as ever in his suit and a smile creeping up to his lips upon realizing she was returning to him. When she looked down, she found her hand being held tightly by his, and the familiar warmth coaxed a weak smile from her while bringing her focus back to the man before her eyes.

"Are you an angel?" she whispered hoarsely, partly joking but partly not. She was certain she had died and there was some kind of aching in her body, like an itch that could not be scratched, and she was attached to several beeping machines. Something was definitely wrong, or at least had bee . But as she looked into Lucifer's twinkling, dark eyes, everything felt just right, whether it was just an illusion in her personal heaven or sole reality.

Chuckling, Lucifer leaned closer to poke at her nose softly. "You're absolutely devilish", he commented, and knowing that laughter would only hurt, Annika had to resist. But gazing at Lucifer and seeing the joy crossing his features was satisfactory enough,

"I think it's supposed to be the other way around", she pointed out, and letting his head hang low, Lucifer laughed. Once he looked back up, the amusement softened away and genuine care took place on his handsome face. He seemed at peace, and that was enough for Annika to feel the same way and to trust that things were fine and she had woken up a better day.

"Seriously, though, darling. Annie, are you okay?" Lucifer began, nearing the woman slightly as he sang, moving his head along the imagined beat behind his words. "Will you tell us that you're okay?" he continued until his lips finally met hers, and the lyrics drowned in their gentle but deep kiss. Carefully, he squeezed her hand and as their lips parted and he remained close enough to rest his forehead against hers, Annika felt a sense of bliss — not a worry in sight, no sadness, no anger. If they were both there, then Malcolm had to be gone and Chloe and Trixie were safe and sound, as well.

"I'm okay. Not sure how, because if I remember correctly, I was shot. I was so sure I was dying, and I think you were too. How is this possible?" she wondered with a soft caress against Lucifer's cheek while he only flashed a mischievous smile and sat back into his chair.

"I'm the Devil, my love", he reminded with a wink, "I always have a little something up my sleeve."

Momentary peace landed in the air with them gazing into each other's eyes, but eventually, Lucifer was taking in a deep breath, one of the serious kind. He was endlessly flirtatious and teasing, but sincere speeches and love confessions were a rare luxury with him. Concluding from the solemn look in his eyes and the careful frown on his lips, she was in for a treat, now.

"I can't imagine a world without you anymore, to be quite honest. In fact, the world is what you mean to me, Annika. Words cannot describe how relieved I am that you're okay, and I promise, I will never let anything happen to you again", he swore, a soft kiss landing on the back of Annika's hand. "And well, I decided that you should have something to remind you every day. While you were unconscious, I got you this and — hm, take it however you will, but to me, it's a promise that I will protect and cherish and appreciate you until the end of times", he rambled on, seeming almost nervous as he dug through his pocket for something.

What he pulled out left Annika speechless and amazed. It was a stunning ring with a black stone and impressive details, attached to a delicate chain that he hung on his finger to let her see it fully. "And to keep away douches, naturally", he added quietly, pulling a laugh from Annika who covered her face with both hands and felt the happiness in her merely expand.

"It's beautiful", Annika finally whispered with her own hands cradling her face, and slowly, Lucifer nodded.

"Much like you, angel", he noted before reaching to slip the chain over her head and adjust it down her neck with gentle fingertips until the ring was resting on her chest. A constant reminder, not necessarily that she was his, but the other way around. He may not have said it so vocally, but with all that he had, he was all hers.

Frankly, Annika couldn't believe they were together — as officially as one could with the Devil. They had come so far, from the night they first met to when she had kissed his scars, to when he had confessed his feelings to her to the night they had died together only to come back together that much stronger. They had so much happiness ahead of them too, along with plenty of worry and danger, no doubt. But at the end of the day, they were together and they were okay.

It wasn't just them that were going to continue hand in hand. Maze had already decided to keep training Annika every week, all the while insisting on co-parenting the Hayden's cat. Surprisingly, Maeve, too, was on the road to growing closer with Mazikeen, and Annika didn't doubt that the two would make an interesting duo. Being a Civilian Consultant was in the past now, as Annika was decidedly made for being a teacher and connecting with the children — especially Trixie, who was undeniably happy to hear about her favorite teacher finally getting together with Lucifer.

However, that wasn't to say that Annika wouldn't stop by the precinct regularly. Her visits were more than appreciated by both Chloe and Dan, though both were hoping to spend more time with her away from crimes.

As for Amenadiel, well, his road to redemption included making amends with the woman he had kidnapped. It wasn't an easy task by any means, but after being given a second chance, Annika believed that he needed one, too — after all, if she wanted to be with Lucifer, avoiding him altogether would prove to be impossible.

But most importantly, Annika was with Lucifer and that meant endless affection, long nights, a surprising amount of cuddles, plenty of deep kisses. Her life was certainly not boring anymore, and surely she was signing up for lots of inappropriate interruptions in class. Still, with all that, she felt good. Like she had truly found her happy ending.

So, evidently, an angel walking into the Devil's club had been the beginning of something epic.

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Well friends, the end!

You guys have no idea how happy your comments have made me and how much I enjoyed writing this book, and how DAMN grateful I am for all the support and love I've been lucky enough to receive from you awesome people ((: I hope you liked this as much as I did!

THANK YOU SO MUCH! x

Update 09/04/2020: This book has now been rewritten, so the face claim for Annika is no longer Scarlett, and Myra's name is now Maeve! Most of the changes are minor but if you're suddenly confused about the subtle differences, that's why! x

Update 28/08/2020: There will not be a sequel to this book, however I have now published a Dan fic that features Annika (and Maeve) as side characters!! So if you'd like to read more of her and Lucifer or any about Dan, check it out ❤️