Hellish Bells
Chapter 4: Paterfamilias Broken
“Charlie.”
Her head snapped up from the wedding book she’d procured from Alastor. The bar was empty this time of day; it was group therapy time. She was just deciding on the cute little bells to hang up around the Heaven Embassy…
Emily was helping them out. After Sera Fell, Emily became the new High Seraph. And, thanks to her, more human souls were being Redeemed than ever before! Which wasn’t hard to beat as Sir Pentious and Anthony had been the only two she’d managed. When Charlie had mentioned getting married, Emily was more than happy to offer the embassy as the location. That way their Heavenly friends could come. Sir Pentious, Cherri, Anthony, Husk, and so many others…!
Alastor was, surprisingly, more willing than Vaggie. He muttered some things about ‘blasphemy’ and ‘deviant’. Which didn’t matter so much, because Charlie and Emily would be there to make sure that he didn’t pull anything funny.
Blinking, she said, “Oh! Dad! Hello!”
Her dad sat heavily into the stool next to hers. He waved a hand and his favored bourbon appeared under it.
Charlie was concerned. He almost never drank! That bottle was from the first batch ever crafted on Earth! What was wrong?
“What’s wrong, Dad?” she vocalized.
Her dad took a GINORMOUS swig of the bottle, apparently thinking. Then he said, “I wish you’d listened to me and your mother about deals…” He rubbed his head. “My daughter, marrying an Overlord…” He sighed. “I wish…” his gaze ventured to her hand with the ring. “I wish I could see those rings. I could figure out something with them. But it’s a personal contract. Only between the three of you. I can’t do anything, not even give advice. I, I haven’t felt this hopeless since I…Fell.”
“Dad, it’s okay.” She put a hand on his. “I know it’s not the best circumstance, and I’m kinda being forced into it. It’s okay! Really! I’ll get the wedding of my dreams, and me and Vaggie will be married. Really,” Charlie waved a hand dismissively, “Alastor probably won’t even care . Political marriage and all.”
Her dad frowned. “Don’t think that, Charlie. Demons have a way of surprising people, and they don’t have the decency to play fair.”
“Alastor said those words himself! He wanted me and Vaggie to get married so he wouldn’t have to deal with it!” Charlie defended.
“I don’t trust him.” Her dad said it like it was something new.
“You don’t have to.” Charlie leaned over, giving her dad a big, solid hug. “You can be my guiding light through this. I trust you to know when there’s something funny going on.” She considered not saying her next piece. Overriding that was her need to be fully honest with her dad. Their relationship had improved drastically, and to hide this would be betraying him. “I trust Alastor to uphold his deal. He always does. And…and he’s kind and considerate to me. I think he’ll treat me okay.”
“Mm-hm.” Her father was tightlipped for a moment before he was cheerful again. “Now, I know that he doesn’t actually plan to do anything to you. It’s better to be safe than sorry.” Suddenly there was a board sitting on the counter, covered in pictures of birth control. “What do you have questions about? Let me tell you, you’ll feel much better even if nothing happens if you’re protected.”
“ Holy shit Dad put that away .” Even though no one else was around, the embarrassment at her dad being so brazen about presenting something like that threatened to eat her alive.
“What? Do you WANT to give birth to Overlord spawn?”
Charlie hadn’t dedicated ANY thought to that particular idea. She WAS Hellborn, so she could get pregnant. Her dad seemed certain it could happen. Children…she hadn’t considered anything about it.
Before she could give any kind of answer - not that she even had one - her black ring magically spat out a little notecard. Charlie looked at her dad. He was still waiting on an answer. Apparently he couldn’t see the card. Curiously, she picked it up and read what was on it.
Monsieur Alastor requests the presence of:
Ms. Charlie Morningstar
Ms. Vagatha Morningstar (provisionally)
For a dinner date in his room today. Please RSVP!
Oh goodness. This wasn’t going to go well. Especially as Vaggie’s name wasn’t Vagatha.
“Charlie? What are you reading? Another little ‘deal’ from Alastor?” her dad said spitefully.
“Not a deal. A dinner invitation.” Charlie flipped the card over. On the back were two glowing words: ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. “I’m supposed to reserve a spot.”
“Hmph.” Her dad fumbled, trying to grab the card he couldn’t see. Frustrated, he said, “Why would you willingly want to interact with him? Stick to the basics and limit your interactions!”
“I can’t do that!” Charlie protested.
He gave her a truly evil eye. “Why not?”
Charlie paused. Why not? Why didn’t she want to do the minimum possible?
The answer was easy.
“Because I believe in him,” she said simply.
Her dad set the bottle down after another swig. “Charlie, I love you, but your blind belief in people will lead to trouble one of these days! Some people belong in Hell . Like Alastor!”
“I understand that some people are meant to be here.” Charlie straightened up. “That doesn’t mean that I harden my heart to everyone! I may get hurt sometimes. As long as I help even one more soul reach Heaven, I don’t mind.” She crossed her arms. “I know you think Alastor deserves to be here. I’m not so sure.”
Her dad burst into laughter. “Really? You don’t think the Radio Demon deserves to be here? Do you know how many souls he’s eaten?!”
“As long as he feels repentant for it, I don’t see how he can’t be Redeemed,” Charlie said stubbornly, digging her heels in on this opinion.
“So what, you’re going to fix a Bad Boy? Do you hear the cliche you’re saying?”
“That’s not what I meant! I mean that everyone deserves a chance,” Charlie explained.
Her dad’s lips twisted before he sighed. “I’ll do my best to watch over you and give advice. The main show, what you want and can do, is between you, Vaggie, and Alastor. I’m a bystander now.” Before she could comfort him further, he opened a portal to his tower and dragged the bourbon with him.
“Dad…” Charlie wished he understood. Everyone had good in them.
And Alastor…he did his best to hide it, to hide his real feelings, but the last few weeks Charlie had gotten a measure of something more from him. Wisps of the feelings behind the smiling mask. She wanted to know more. To bring him out of his shell. To help him realize he didn’t need to keep the barrier around him, that he could let people in.
Thinking that having a nice dinner with Alastor would be a good icebreaker into truly starting the process, Charlie pushed on the ‘Yes’ option on her card.
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