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 formerly human mother sat next to her.
“Great,” Lamashtu sneered, “more human stink to dilute the Morningstar gene pool.”
“That’s enough!” Enoch, practically barking, Stood 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 asked, rolling her eyes.
“Well!” Astaroth rolled 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?” Rachel whispering to Maisy as she shoveled eggs into her mouth.
“Pretty much,” Maisy answering. “Aunt Astaroth, how was your evening?”
“Just lovely,” Astaroth smiled, looking at Atargatis. “It was the best evening I had in a long while.”
“And here is to many more,” Atargatis winked in return.
“Oh just end me now,” Lamashtu gagged, 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 sneered, giving Atargatis, Astaroth, Rachel, and Maisy a dirty look.
Before Lucifer or anyone else could react, Lamashtu quickly swooped out of the garden, leaving everyone to eat in silence before Astaroth broke the silence. “That reminds me,” she said, “I ran into a messenger. Jahi won’t be able to make it today.”
“Oh, what’s wrong?” Naamah inquired. “She always loved coming to these family moments.”
“Well...” Astaroth paused, nibbling on some toast while looking sheepish, “she is pregnant.”
The entire table erupted with the joyous news. Lucifer and Lilith looked delighted to hear the glad tidings.
“Why did she not come and tell us herself?” Lilith asked. “Why send a messenger?”
“Because,” Astaroth said, feeling embarrassed, “I knew a couple months ago. And she is having twins. 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, namely that she can't travel until the birth. 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 mumbled, looking embarrassed. “I’m afraid its going to have to stay that way until the Iron Knights are captured.”
“Or killed,” Enoch added as he finished the last of his bacon. “What?” he scoffed as everyone pointedly looked 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?” Rachel asked, entering the conversation. “Why not have mine and mom’s wedding right now?”
“That’s a great idea!” Maisy grinned, 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 idea of a spur-of-the-moment party,” Lucifer responded, looking stern, “as the ruling family of Hell, we must adhere to certain protocols.”
“Screw the protocols!” Maisy retorted. “Those Iron Knights could strike before then. Rachel nearly died yesterday!”
“Calm down, Miasma,” Lucifer said firmly. “You and Lady Tenebra will just have to wait. Yes, portal travel is restricted. Yes, we have Iron Knights. But I will not allow these inconveniences,” Lucifer paused to drink his coffee, “to bypass politics and court intrigue. Even if they pull me to the frayed ends of sanity.”
“You thinking of throwing it all away?” Enoch chimed in with a friendly smirk. “Retire to some tropical island to get sunburn and hyper-tension?”
“And let you destroy my garden?” Lucifer responded, looking nonplussed. “That is not happening for a while.”
“If the rest of the family isn’t showing up,” Maisy said as she got up, “can Rachel and I be excused? I want to give her a tour of my palace and then do some clothes shopping.”
Lucifer sighed. “I suppose. Your betrothed will need attire that is appropriate for formal functions. Don’t get me wrong,” Lucifer added, “nudity is fine and acceptable here in Hell, but some attire is required.”
“Unless you are like me,” Enoch winked, “fur covering the fun naughty bits when out and about.”
“That is until you are up on Earth wandering about,” Lilith commented. “I still remember your first trip up there 2,500 years ago.”
“Those poor Greeks!” Naamah chuckled.
Lilith then looked at Lucifer. “Dear, Rachel 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 sighed, waving a hand. “Just don’t go looking for trouble.