12 Finally home

As I enter the apartment I gently set my duffle bag down near the coat closet and make my way to the bedroom. As soon as I crack the door Lucifer wiggles free and scurries up the bed. I try to quietly call him back to me but to no avail, not that I am surprised. I walk over to the bed and try to grab him before he wakes E'Lara but before I can he licks her cheek, she giggles and slightly wakes up.

"What are you doing, Jaz? Stop it." She mumbles groggily.

Does she really think I would actually wake her up in such an odd manner? Just to prove it was not me I sit on the bed next to her.

"I'm sorry, love. I just didn't know where else to bring him. I couldn't leave him behind." E'Lara sits up and looks at me puzzled then turns the lamp on.

"What in the world are you talking about, babe?" Now she is the one lost and confused.

I look down at Lucifer and her eyes follow mine. When I let him go he trots over to E'Lara and curls up, purring in her lap.

"Someone, or something, broke into my apartment. Thankfully, he was actually paying attention when I showed him, who knows how many times, where to hide if something like this ever happened. Again, I'm really sorry to just bring him here like this but I couldn't leave him there and I don't have anywhere else to take him." I avert my eyes as my shoulders drop in shame and embarrassment, I still cannot believe this is real.

"Well, I don't mind at all if he stays here with us, love. I've actually been wanting to bring up moving in together but wasn't exactly sure how to or if you'd even want to. Obviously he's alright with it." She scratches between his ears and smiles. "I love cats, I just never found one I wanted. One that's unique, like he is." She smiles even more at him.

I slowly let out a breath I had not realized I was holding in and shake my head trying to grasp it all. "Of course I'd want to live with you, that would mean I get to come home to your warm hugs and I get to cuddle you every night. I just, I can't fathom what they could have been looking for. I did call the police though, just because I didn't want someone else calling and creating a lot of bullshit for me to deal with." I reach over and rough up Lucifer's fur at his chest as a tear falls down my cheek.

E'Lara reaches out and wipes away the tear. "Come on, get into bed, babe. You can save the world tomorrow night. I know you haven't slept much in days," She starts to pull my coat off my shoulders when she stops seeing my horrified face. "What's wrong? What aren't you telling me, love?" She caresses my cheek.

"Its just, well, part of my panic was because I realized that I should of ran into more beasts tonight. Usually Friday nights are my longest. These monsters are more active since their victims are. I only killed two, most Friday nights I have to pick which ones are more of a threat." I stand up slowly and begin to undress.

As I undress and put my clothes in the hamper I cannot stop thinking that there has to be a connection between the number of monsters out and about being down and my place being turned upside down. E'Lara pulls back the covers and pats the bed beside her. I cannot help but think it could have been her, I could have been too late. With these thoughts circling in my head, my mood is dreary.

"Tomorrow I'm going to teach you a few ways you can defend yourself. I won't, can't, chance them finding you and you not being prepared. I at least want you to be able to hold them off long enough for me to reach you." I state as I crawl into bed with her. I have to, I cannot lose her.

"Alright, babe, whatever you wish." Is all she says as she cuddles into me, pulling Lucifer between us.

He purrs and licks her cheek again. "Not you, sweetheart. I was talking to Jaz." She smiles and kisses the top of his head.

I am so exhausted, even with my mind racing I pass out instantly. When I wake up I notice that I am alone, the bed is cold beside me, and I can hear commotion downstairs in the store. Looking out the window I can assume it's late morning but not after noon. I notice a note and smile knowing it's from E'Lara.

'Make yourself at home, sweetie. Lucifer certainly has. I found him in your bag this morning clawing at a cat food can. Yes, I did feed him. I put your clothes in the dresser, your photos are on top, and your weapons are in your bag in the closet. I love you, Jazlyn!' Was on the note, I smile even more because she wrote it on the back of the note I had written last night before I went hunting.

I am still groggy when I get up, I stumble around getting dressed before making my way downstairs. When I reach the bottom I see E'Lara is busy with a customer with Lucifer wrapped around her ankles. I cannot help but watch from afar smiling at them. It did not seem to matter where either of them went, they both seem to know where to step without getting stepped on or tripped. Which I am sure they both appreciate. I usually end up stepping or tripping over him when he weaves between my feet. E'Lara did not seem bothered in the least with his behavior. They almost seem to move as if they are two parts of a whole.