Astaroth and Atargatis were the next to show up for Breakfast. Both holding hands and practically not wearing anything as they sat down. Lamashtu blanched in disgust when Rachael’s former human mother sat next to her.
“Great” Lamashtu sneared; “more human stink to dilute the Morningstar pool.”
“That’s enough,” Enoch practically barking. Standing up on his wolf- taur body as he stared daggers into his sister’s eyes.
“You going to do something about it dog boy,” Lamashtu rolling her eyes?
“Well,” Atargatis rolling her eyes, “did you take bitchy pills again Lamashtu?”
“I’ll give you something to bitch about,” Lamashtu retorted.
“They like this all the time,” Rachael whispering to Maisy as she shovels eggs into her mouth.
“Pretty much,” Maisy answering. “Aunt Arargatis, how was your evening?”
“Just lovely,” Atargatis looking at Astaroth. “It was the best evening I had in a long while.”
“And here is to many more,” Astaroth winking in return.
“Oh just end me now,” Lamashtu gagging. Getting up in disgust and looking at Lucifer. “I’m leaving father. Business to take care of".
“So soon,” Lucifer looking concerned; “but you just got here!”
“I lost my appetite,” Lamashtu giving Atargatis a dirty look.
Before Lucifer or any could react; Lamashtu quickly leaves the garden. Leaving everyone to eat in silence before Atargatis broke the silence.
“That reminds me,” Atargatis speaking; “I ran into a messenger. Jahi won’t be able to make it today.”
“Oh what’s wrong,” Enoch enquiring. “She always loved coming to these family moments.”
“Well,” Ataragatis nibbling on some toast while looking sheepish; “She is pregnant.”
The entire table erupts with the joyous news. Lucifer and Lilith looking happy at hearing the news.
“Why did she not come and tell us herself,” Lilith asking. “Why send a messenger?”
“Because”, Atargatis feeling embarrassed, “I knew a couple months ago. And she is having twins.” Atargatis continuing, “I visited her the other day and that is when I saw how big her belly has gotten. That is when she told me what the doctors told her. Expect new grandkids in a few months.”
“Plus hell is under lockdown,” Ammit added; “Travelling between the various circles when portal travel is shut isn’t easy. Less so if you are pregnant.”
“Oh that,” Lucifer looking embarrassed. “I’m afraid its going to have to stay that way until the Iron Knights are captured.”
“Or killed,” Enoch adding as he finishes the last of his bacon. “What,” everyone looking at him; “Everyone here at this table thought of it. I’m the one who had the balls to say it.”
“It’s going to be a nightmare travelling to limbo for the weddings,” Astaroth added.
“Why wait,” Rachael entering the conversation. “Why not have mine and mom’s wedding right now?”
“That’s a great ideal,” Rachael looking at her father. “You could get a temple priest here and since most of the family is present….”
“As much as I like the ideal of a spur of the moment party,” Lucifer looking stern; “as the ruling family of hell; we must adhere to certain protocols.”
“Screw the protocols,” Maisy retorting; “those Iron Knights could strike before then. Rachael nearly died yesterday!”
*****************************************************************************
Reverend Church looked to see it was Nergal was at his chamber door. The lion headed demon grinning as if he was a cat that caught the canary.
“Beelzebub wants to see you,” the demon smiling. “He has a special task for you and the Iron knights.”
Church was feeling apprehensive as the demon beckoned him out the door.
“Portal travel is locked down,” Nergal speaking; “so we will need to take the long way to Beelzebub’s palace. How did you enjoy your first night in Dis?”
“Interminable,” Church looking disgusted; “I barely got any sleep with this headache of mine.”
“Sorry we couldn’t put you up in some place more spacious,” Nergal smirking; “but we figured you’d like to see a portion of the city your dead ancestors managed to pillage.”
*************************************************************************************
“Calm down Miasma,” Lucifer speaking up; “you and lady Tenebra will just have to wait. Yes portal travel is restricted. Yes we have Iron Knights. But I will not have these inconveniences,” Lucifer pausing to drink his coffee; “to bypass politics and court intrigue. Even if they pull me to the frayed ends of sanity;” Lucifer finishing.
“You thinking of throwing it all away,” Enoch chiming in. “Retire to some tropical location to get sunburn and hyper-tension?”
“And let you destroy my garden,” Lucifer looking nonplussed; “that is not happening for a while.”
“If the rest of the family isn’t showing up,” Maisy getting up; “can Rachael and I be excused? I want to give her a tour of my palace and then do some clothes shopping.”
Lucifer sighs, “I suppose, your be-trove will need attire that is appropriate for formal functions. Don’t get me wrong,” Lucifer adding; “nudity is fine and acceptable here in hell; but some attire is required.”
“Unless you are like me,” Enoch winking; “fur covering the fun naughty bits when out and about.”
“That is until you are up on earth wandering about,” Lilith commenting. “Dear,” Looking at Lucifer, “Rachael has only been a demon for about a day now. Her wings are not quite strong enough to allow her to fly. Let our daughter use portal magic to head home and back here at least.”
“Fine,” Lucifer waving a hand; “just don’t go looking for trouble.