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Dear Journal,

Oh thank God... My baby boy is finally home. I can actually hold him in my arms, brush his hair and his wings, kiss him on the forehead, tell him how much I love him... I can feel his cute little fingers grab onto mine when I tickle him, I can feel his soft skin against my cheek. Oh, my sweet baby 'Peka... You'll never know how much I love you...

Yes, today I was finally able to go to the Facility and bring my baby boy back with me. The doctors said that he'll be more prone to getting sick, especially respatory diseases, but then again, we already planned for that when I moved in with Adhi. And he's so beautiful, Journal, you can't possibly imagine. He has gorgeous mottled skin like Jake, and the most adorable little nubbin tail. I can't resist playing with it every few minutes, it's so cute how he wiggles and grumbles! And he has tiny little golden wings, just like an angel, and it looks like he'll be growing horns when he gets older. And Journal, you should see his eyes! Deep gold with a thin line of red around the edges... He's perfect, he's absolutely perfect, in every way. He's already such a little trooper, with how he... he came into the world, but nevertheless I hate to put him down. It was only a few minutes ago that Adhi convinced me to let him rest - and me too; I haven't slept for... almost two days, I think. Bad of me, I know, but I'm just too happy... My baby boy is home.

Suddenly it seems like everything is a little bit better. I've been so depressed and worried these last few days, and although everyone tells me I have good reason to be, it still isn't a fun place to be. But now that my baby's home, I think I'm starting to get better. I mean, I still... It's still so lonely going to sleep without knowing Aludra is somewhere nearby, but... I'm smiling more. That's good news, right?

But I'm still worried. I've been calling him every day, telling him that I'm not furious with him, that our baby is alive and well and beautiful, but... I can't reach him. Daddy told me to stop trying, and for once I think I might take his advice. I refuse to think about the possibility that Aludra... punished himself too fiercely, but I can understand that if he doesn't want to come back, he's not coming back. I just want to let him know that his son's alive... And even though it tears me apart to think about, as well as poor baby Demetre, I'm beginning to see the possibility of life without him. With Adhi and 'Zuba and the rest of my family, I'm growing stronger; maybe I can grow strong enough to take care of this family without him.

Tentatively, but with a growing hope,
Lirona Lorcalle, Mother. ♥

Would... would you look at that? That picture... I sent Damien to Lirona's house, in the hopes that, maybe... well, that perhaps I would be able to find out what kind of damage I really had done. Turns out, I had sent him over on the same day as a baby shower. A baby shower not only for my elder sister's lover, but for my own... well, if she is even that anymore, which I doubt by this point. Yet what I wish to point out is that I sent him over with a camera, to bring me proof of what... what had become of my mistakes.

I could never have expected to be as overjoyed as I was with the result. The attached pictures are all... they're... they're of my son. The one that was actually... he's okay. He's small, I mean, and Damien said that he gets sick a lot -he overheard it- but... he's alive... and he's so beautiful, isn't he? Deep purple skin with white flecks, golden eyes with red rims. He has two little, different-coloured horns that are nothing but little stubs. Two tiny, perfect little golden wings and a tiny nub of a tail that twitches about when you poke at it. He's so... perfect.

I have... every intent now to turn everything around. I know that I can't just dive back in where I left off, expect everything to be perfectly fine despite the fact that I completely abandoned my son's mother and all of that. I know that I will have to work hard to make up for what I did, and I intend to. Having these pictures of my son are going to to inspire me to do whatever I can possibly do to be a good father to him.

After I left, I couldn't have even thought about living through the next week, let alone the next few hours. It was Damien who found me on the roof of that apartment building, playing Russian Roulette with gravity ( in case you ever wondered, that's with a bullet in every chamber ). He kept me from throwing myself off of the building and practically had to beat the truth into me to get me to actually believe anything that he was saying. Thank the Lord that I actually listened to what he'd said or I wouldn't be here today, be here to see my son, even if it's only on prints of film. As a matter of fact, Damien has helped me a lot over the past few weeks.

Following my attempted leap of faith, Damien followed me around the entire city as I paced around, ranting and crying, tearing at my hair, my feathers, my scales, anything that I could do to punish myself for what I had done. When I finally managed to wear myself out, well into the next day, he half-dragged me back to my spirituality teacher's house, of all places. Apparently they have a personal relationship that I hadn't known about. Since then, I've been staying with the both of them. I barely ate, walked, or talked until the day that Damien came back with all of his pictures, doing nothing but staring at the ceiling or sleeping. I owe a lot to the two of them for putting up with me for all of this time.

Alas, now I have other things to worry about, such as the family that I need to once again win the approval of, find my way back to their hearts. With that in mind, I swear, here and now, that I will do anything to be with my family again. If I have to travel to the ends of the Earth and come back with a castle for my queen and my little prince, I will do it without hesitation.

With hope for the coming years,
Aludra By'arre... Father. ♥

Lira was slightly restless as she cuddled Copeka on the couch, eyes bouncing incessantly between the television ( playing something of little consequence ) and the door. She had been like this all day, waiting for Luthor to arrive. She had sent out the invitation a few days ago, having no other and more convenient way to contact him, and had spent the day constantly worrying and wondering. Did he get the invitation? Would he actually come? What if he wasn't able to get away from the Facility? All these worries buzzed around her head as she sat and stressed, cuddling her baby.

It had taken some time to get away, not because he was really a needed man at the Labs but because he spent certain days in the park, making deals with people who came by. It was his way of strengthening himself and his magic which he was always careful with, not wanting to use it for any dark reasons that might cause it to become tainted like Vampy's magic was.

He gave a bit of a smile as he approached the house, determined not to worry about such things today so that he could instead enjoy the fact that he was being invited back after the shower. It had been fun if a little to crowded for his liking. He wasn't really good with crowds of spawn but in small groups they were alright. He paused as he reached the door, starred at it for a moment, then lifted a hand to knock. His wings set to fluttering as he awaited an answer, hoping that she would be home today since he'd gotten the invitation a couple days ago.

When she heard the knock, Lira practically vaulted off of the couch, or at least as much as she could with her precious infant in her arms. She opened the door with a grin, quickly ushering the pretty spawn in. "Luthor! I'm glad you were able to make it. I was a little nervous, if you couldn't tell..." She giggled self-consciously, then gestured for him to have a seat anywhere.

"So, um, I don't know if you got this from the invite or not, but uh..." Lira trailed off a little as she looked at the powerful young man, mind getting sidetracked by his pretty hair and pretty eyes and pretty face... She shook herself slightly and smiled. "Sorry. I'm a little out of it. Anyway, what I was saying was that, uh, I was wondering if you would mind playing with Copeka a little bit. Not, like, a babysitter - I know that you can't always get away - but as, well..." She glanced at the floor, fidgeting with her baby's hair and trying to hide her blush. "As a kind of daddy...?"

Luthor looked at Lira as the door opened and he gave a smile, "Sorry about being late, I had a some appointments to keep." He said, patting the pouch that hung around his neck that carried all of the memory gems in it that he collected during his time out today. He had made two deals, small ones only, so while the gems weren't the most powerful that resulted from them they were still a boost to his power even so. He stepped inside and moved to sit down on the couch where the patience and lust spawn bade him to sit.

"A little out of it?" He asked, wings giving a little fluttering, "Are you feeling alright?" He wondered if maybe she were tired perhaps? It might come along with being a parent, he couldn't say for certain since he hadn't been around little ones to much aside from when he crossed paths with the younger spawn which was a rather rare occasion, "Playing with him? Naw I wouldn't mind at..." He trailed off as she said helping out not as a babysitter but a kind of daddy. He blinked a couple times, opened his mouth, and then closed it again. He found himself about to ask where the actual father was and then decided that it wasn't really his business, was it? After all his own Dad had raised him singlehandedly since the 'blood donor' as he called him, wanted nothing to do with raising a kid. Luthor was far different though, "I don't mind lending a hand if your in need of a nap, I mean... I have been wanting to learn more about little ones." He flushed slightly as he glanced at Copeka, "Ciaran and I, we have talked about perhaps having a family one day." He murmured, wings giving a rapid flutter.

Lirona smiled and gestured dismissively at Luthor's question of her health, quietly swooning over his concerns. "No, I'm alright, don't worry. Just a little tired; baby and all." She grinned reassuringly and stroked Copeka's head. In honesty, she really had little to complain about; after all, Adhara was the one spending nights up caring for Copeka when she needed her sleep. Most mothers didn't have that luxury, and she was going to be bratty and complain.

She winced at Luthor's startled reaction to her request, but she couldn't really blame him. It's not like it was the most casual request in the world. Lira tried to resist jumping down his throat with explanations and excuses, letting the pretty young man mull it over. If he couldn't... Well, he couldn't, and she'd survive with that.

When he answered yes, Lira couldn't resist squeaking happily and hugging on Copeka. Thank goodness! She blushed and readjusted her hair, glancing away. "Sorry. I just- I'm really happy, as you can probably tell." She giggled again, then looked towards Copeka lovingly. "I just... feel bad because he doesn't have a daddy figure in his life and I, well, feel that's important. And I'm not, y'know, asking you to commit to anything serious," she added quickly with a worried glance at the young man. "E-Especially if you want to have your own family. I mean, he likes you, and I know that nothing bad will happen when you're with him so..." She beamed. "You're the best candidate. Is- Is that alright?"

Luthor was a little surprised to hear that he was the best candidate, finding it a little shocking... but then again that was likely because he worried so much about who he was related to so he often worried that he was cursed to be as bad as 'that guy' and yet here she was saying that he was the best candidate. His wings gave a little flutter and then he gave a smile, "Its kind of you to say such nice things about me despite... well who I am related to. Thank you Lira." He murmured, then gave her a smile. She really was a nice young woman wasn't she? A good friend that he most certainly wanted to keep and wanted to continue to hang out with so long as he was allowed to do so.

Lirona blinked at Luthor's thanks, and waved her hand dismissively once again, a warm smile on her face. "Oh, of course, Luthor. You've been so nice to me, I can't help it. And..." She looked at him with a serious smile. "I really don't care who you're related to. I'm not going to think that you're evil because of your parents. I mean, my mother was a seductress who devoured her victims after... having her way with them." She blushed for a moment, nervous in her company. "Judging would be silly."

With an affectionate pat on the shoulder, Lirona stood up, gesturing for Luthor to do so as well. "So... If you're gonna be over a lot, do you want to see his room? I mean, it's Demetre's room too, and Adhi and 'Zuba's baby will sleep there too, so... Maybe it's just the baby room." She smiled, leading Luthor to the infant's room, chock-full of cribs and toys and pillows. With an affectionate kiss to his head, Lira set Copeka down near his corner full of pillows. "This is where all of his toys are and... stuff. It's really cozy here, huh 'Peka baby?" She tickled the child's tummy affectionately.

The sleepy little humility boy mumbled softly when he was set down, golden wings fluttering a bit. His gold eyes opened up and he looked up at the white-haired man curiously, a bleary little smile on his face. "Bubbo!" he squeaked happily at him, squealing when his mother started tickling his belly, falling against the pillows behind him and flailing his stubby little limbs in the air.

Luthor gave a smile as he pushed to his feet, following along after Lira and found himself looking around the room, "The baby room? That sounds nice." He said, taking in everything that there was to see. It was quite a cute room with all of the toys and such he found himself thinking, so many things were needed by babies but he was sure that helping to take care of Copeka would help in learning what all he would need to have when the day arrived that he would have a little one of his own to tend too. His wings gave a flutter and he smiled, "Its a cute room." It would be fun to buy such things, to decorate such a room, but he couldn't do it at home... he didn't want to raise a child there. He knew that he'd been raised in the Labs, he loved his Dad, but he would rather be out in a nice place, just him and Ciaran and then their baby when the time came he thought to himself. He wanted to raise that child far from the Labs and the dangers therein.

Luthor glanced down at Copeka with his soft, blue eyes before he gave a smile when he got a smile this time from the baby instead of causing him to cry... though he knew that he wasn't the cause of it the last time or so he'd been assured, "Bubbo?" He asked of Copeka, glancing to Lira, curious what the little one was talking about before gave another smile when the boy started to make such cute, happy sounds, "So cute."

"Thank you," Lira said humbly, looking around her and Adhi's and 'Zuba's handiwork with a quiet pride. "Considering we threw it together in a few days, I think it came together wonderfully." She smiled up at her friend. "If you want, when you and Ciaran start having a family, I could help you with anything you want. Consider it payment for helping me out now." To be honest, Lira was looking forward to that time. She had loved decorating and accessorizing the baby room, and she wanted to do it again as soon as possible. It wouldn't be a chore as much as an opportunity.

Lirona giggled happily and ruffled Copeka's hair gently, so pleased at her baby's new skill. "Um, he means 'bubble'. We got him a little bubble machine, and it was his first word a few days ago." She plugged in said machine and smiled as the bubbles began floating around the room. "He's been saying it constantly since then, it's so cute."

Copeka gasped in surprise when the bubble machine was turned on, bouncing happily when the bubbles started pouring from it. His small purple hands stretched out toward them, popping each on that he touched, squealing and clapping his hands each time. "Bubbo! Bubbo!!" he shouted joyfully, wings fluttering softly as the little nub of a tail that he possessed flicked happily as well. Bubbles were so fun!!

"That would be nice, I was so lost when I went shopping in the baby store for the party as there are so many things that little ones need." He said, wings fluttering in a happy manner, "So anything advice or ideas for what to buy first would be wonderful." He said, watching as the woman moved to plug in the bubble machine, to show him what it was that the boy was talking about. He watched the bubbles that set to filling the air around them, "Ohhhh, I can see why he would like that." He said, finding it rather facinating himself. The white haired spawn lifted a hand up to pop one of the bubbles before he gave a little grin.

His attention then fell to the boy that was doing the same as him, popping the bubbles before clapping and crying out for more, something that had him laughing, "Awww, that is to cute. You like them, huh Copeka?" He asked of the little spawn.

"Then it's a deal," Lira said with a smile, nodding decisively. "I know that I needed a lot of help when I was going shopping for baby, but lots of friendly people helped me and gave me advice. So I'll help you too!" She beamed warmly at Luthor, then at her adorable babbling baby. "And it's pretty much his favorite things in the world. He can do that for hours, although I'd never leave him alone for so long." She smiled fondly at her little angel, stroking his forehead soothingly.

Copeka made a soft happy noise at the feeling of his mom's hand stroking his forehead, letting his golden eyes fall closed and nuzzling against the pets. He smiled when Luthor spoke to him, looking up at the other and reaching out toward him, popping a few bubbles in the process. "'Peka!!" he followed the action with a calling of his own version of his name, the only other word that he knew at this point in his young life.

Luthor smiled as he looked down at the baby and gave a smile, "Yeah, I can understand why you would want to be by his side at all times." He couldn't imagine wanting to put ones baby down when you finally had it. It must be even more powerful a feeling for Lira given that she had once been a he... though that didn't exactly mean a lot, did it? After all Adriel had his children with the help of a wish and he was male. Reaching out a hand to the little one Luthor wiggled his fingers in front of the little one, within reach in case Copeka wanted to take hold of them. Luthor wasn't adverse to being close to others. It was impossible to be so having a brother like Pepper who tackled people as a form of affection, "Peka, huh? So you can say your own name? Good job!" He praised the little spawnling.

Lirona nodded emphatically, smiling excitedly at Luthor. "Oh yeah. Especially with how hard it was getting him here, I never want to leave him alone." She stroked Copeka's hair once again with care, then offered her fingers for her baby to grab onto as well. "Part of it is worry, but part of it is, well... You just don't want to miss anything." She laughed gently. "Every day it seems like something wonderful happens..."

"'Peka!!" the infant giggled happily, the golden feathers of his wings trembling softly. Both of his chubby little hands outstretched to take hold of Luthor's larger fingers. He bit at his lip gently, tail twitching in concentration as he tugged at the man's hand, only able to pull himself into an upright sitting position. Pouting, he stomped his little feet on the ground, trying again to pull himself up with the help of Luthor's outstretched hand. "'Peka!"

Luthor gave a sound of surprise in his throat when the boy pulled himself upright, something that made him smile, "Wow... good job." He murmured before he looked over at Lira and then back again. He reached out with his other hand to put it behind Copeka, not wanting for him to tip over since he would likely hurt himself, "There we go, now if you fall I will catch you." He told the little one in a reassuring manner. The way the boy was tugging at his hand made him wonder if he were trying to get up... was he trying to walk? Could they do that so small? He wasn't sure.

"Is he trying to walk already?" He asked of Lira, wings fluttering behind him in curiosity and excitement over the idea that he might be able to do something like that, finding it amazing that he might be able to see it.

Lira's eyes went wide as Copeka struggled adorably, teeth biting at her lip expectantly. Was he really trying to walk...? She gasped happily and took ahold of his other hand, giving him something to pull with. "I don't know, but wouldn't that be so amazing?" Her heart cooed over Luthor's kindness towards her baby, and she coaxed him sweetly, Jake oh-so-carefully stroking his hair. "Come on, baby boy, you can do it!"

Copeka didn't quite understand the sudden attention that was put on him, his deep purple cheeks tinting slightly red at it. The young one didn't understand why what he was trying to do was such a big deal, especially since Mama and Purpley Guy and all of the people at the party could do it fine and nobody made a big deal out of them. He squealed softly as he tugged on both of the hands that he was offered, holding on as tightly as he could. The little stub of a tail he possessed wiggled with effort, golden eyes pressed shut in concentration ( and to try and pretend that these two people weren't staring at him so intently ).

Luthor couldn't help but to chuckle when he saw the way the boy was squeezing his eyes shut, "Aww... are you having stage fright?" He asked of Copeka, finding his reaction rather cute. He was ignoring them so that he could instead concentrate on what he was doing, putting his all into standing. He glanced over at Lira for a moment before he lifted up slowly, helping Copeka to reach his goal which was taking to his feet, careful to keep him steady, not about to let him fall, "There we go, good job." He murmured to the boy, wings giving another flutter behind him.

Lira tried as hard as she could to suppress her squeal as her little baby struggled himself upright, little wings flapping so adorably and little tail wagging back and forth like the cute little babbin he was. Like Luthor, she helped lift him to his feet. She couldn't help glancing sidelong at the fair-featured boy, such a natural and sweet parent, and so pretty too... "Yup, there you go sugar, you're doing so well," she said as she forced her attention back to her baby, a warm smile on her face.

Copeka kept his eyes shut as he was helped upright, a soft gasp coming from his mouth as untrained legs wobbled at the sudden weight that had been set atop them. The baby whined softly at how difficult this seemed to be, as though he wasn't properly made for it, but he was going to do this! He was already halfway there, after all!! The hybrid spawn wobbled slightly where he stood, eyes cracking open slightly to peer at the two who were helping him stand, as though somehow they could teach him the secrets that made it so easy for both of them to do. "Bubbo...?"

"Your doing very good." He told Copeka when the opened his eyes to look up at them as he stood there on wobbly legs, aided by both Luthor and Lira, something that had the white haired spawn smiling. It took all three of their effort but the boy was upright and looking quite adorable at the moment. He gave another flutter of his wings, "Very good job, Copeka." He praised him, smiling when the boy spoke as well. It was to cute and far to amazing, to see the little one not only want to walk around but also talk, it was just... wonderful, he'd never see something so amazing before. So this was what it was like to be a parent he thought to himself, it was amazing and miraculous all at once, like magic!

"Yup, bubbo, my love. It's okay, sweetie, you're such a big boy." Lira rubbed Copeka's back with her hand softly, supporting it much like Luthor was doing so. For all of his nervousness about being a parent one day, he was certainly a natural. So sweet and caring. Her wing fluttered happily as she egged her baby boy on, a gentle smile permanently on her face. "Wan'na try taking a step forward, baby Peka baby? I bet you can do it."

Copeka made a soft, sad noise when nothing was explained to him, despite the fact that he probably wouldn't have understood the words that came from the two older people anyway. The boy babbled softly at the question from his Mama, looking up at her curiously, understanding what she meant by her movements, even if he didn't know what the words themselves meant. Getting a determined look in his eyes, he flapped his small wings and raised up one foot, immediately wobbling quite a bit - he would have fallen if it hadn't been for how well he was stabilized. Grunting softly, he made a point to put his foot back down, only a few inches in front of the other one. Yet, regardless of the distance, it was still his first step, and still sparked a wide smile on his splotchy, purple face.

Luthor's eyes went wide when the boy set to work at trying to walk, lifting one of his little feet up, and moved it forward, taking his first step forward... and he couldn't help but to stare, "Wow." He murmured the first step that he'd made, not to far forward, but it was the first step toward what would be a very important skill, "Wow, your doing wll at this, Copeka. Pretty soon your going to be running all over." He told him, though he was sure when he was able to do that Lira was going to end up having to chase him around... a part of being a Mom he was sure he thought with a smile.

"Are you going to try another step? Or do you need a rest?" He asked of the little one, not sure how exhausting it might be for someone his age to try to learn to walk. He couldn't recall learning that particular skill since it was so long ago.

Wow was right. Lira was the epitome of joy as she watched Copeka move his cute little foot, squeezing his little fingers happily as he set it down not far, but definitely enough to count as a step. Jake patted his head excitedly, and her wing flapped as she squeaked, smiling widely. "Omigosh, 'Peka, that was so good! That was walking, baby, you walked! Luthor's right, you're doing so well!" She resisted with difficultly the urge to hug him tightly to her, taking Luthor's advice. "But if you wanna, you can sit down, sweet sugar..."

Copeka bounced up and down a bit, giggling happily at the praise he was getting; they sounded happy, after all. His wings flapped softly and he poked the tip of his tongue past his lips in focus. Making a soft struggling noise, and wobbling a bit once again, he shakily lifted his other foot, grip tightening on both of his current guardian's hands. With a happy gasp, he stepped down his other foot before a sneeze had him falling off balance once, falling back and squeaking in surprise.

The white haired spawn did his best to keep from laughing as Copeka knocked himself off balance with a sneeze finding it to be far to cute. Instead of laughing thoug, something he was able to hold in, he carefully helped to lower him back down so that he was sitting once more instead, "That was great work, Copeka, I've very impressed with your hard work." He told the little one before he gave him a gentle pat on the back, "You did very good, when your ready we can try again if you want." He told him, then looked up at Lira and gave her a smile, "Your son is very wonderful, Lira."

"Oh, Peka..." Lira cooed happily as her adorable little boy slipped in what must have been the cutest way in the world. Like Luthor, she gently helped him back into a sitting position, stroking his hair soothingly. "You did good, baby, good walking. Now let's get you a tissue for that sneeze, hmm?" With a smile she extracted her fingers from his gentle baby grip, getting up and walking over to get a tissue from the ever-present box.

"Thanks, Luthor, you're a sweetheart," the young woman said with a soft smile, rubbing at Copeka's nose gently. "You've already done so much, you can leave any time you want. Not that, you know, I want you out or anything." She tossed the tissue away and brushed her hair back with a bashful smile. "I just don't wanna hog your time either..."

Copeka looked a little tearful after he fell at first, frustrated at how short his standing had lasted. Yet the coddles and snuggling from the two near him made the young spawn feel quite a bit better. When the tissue was gently pressed to his face, he rubbed his nose against it, pressing his eyes shut, so used to his sneezing and sniffles and how to use tissues already. He opened his small hands, reaching out toward his mama and bouncing on his bum, wings fluttering a bit as he babbled, trying to ask her to pick him up.

"I haven't minded, its been fun." He said, giving Copeka a smile as the boy, waving a hand at him, "I think I am learning a lot." He looked up at Lira and seemed to be thinking on it before asking, "Can I come by again sometime? Do you think maybe I can bring Ciaran to say hello the next time?" He didn't want to push anything, just thought that maybe Ciaran would want to meet the baby as well since they had been talking about having them one day. Just the idea of getting to see Ciaran holding a baby made his heart race with happiness.

He looked down at Copeka again, smiling, "You alright?" He asked of him, poor thing. He looked like he were going to cry and he didn't want that... at least he seemed to be calmed when his Momma returned to help him wipe his nose.

Lira swept Copeka up within moments, tossing him gently before cuddling him to her chest with a smile that easily turned towards Luthor. "Well I'm glad we didn't bore you, at least," she said with a smile, rubbing her baby's head softly. "And you can certainly bring Ciaran over... As long as he promises to be careful." She nodded once, trying to keep her misgivings to herself. She was going to have to learn to let go of her baby boy sometime... But she still would be cautious.

"Oh, he's alright," she said calmly as she walked Luthor to the door. "He just sometimes scares himself, don't you cutie pie?" She laughed and tickled his belly, then smiled at the pretty young man once more. "Thank you for all your help once again, Luthor. I look forward to when you can come by again." She gently took Copeka's wrist in her hand and made a waving gesture with his hand. "Say bye-bye to Mr. Luthor, 'Peka!"

Copeka giggled and gasped at his Mama's antics, snuggling against her soft chest when he was hugged close once again. His small nub of a tail wiggled around happily and he let his eyes fall shut, making a soft happy noise at the gentle pets that his mother gave him. When his hand was taken, he opened his red-rimmed eyes sleepily and gave a big, wide smile at Luthor, waving his hand as best as he knew how. "Bubbo!!"

Luthor rose to his feet, stretching out all over, then gave a smile, "It was nice spend the time with the two of you and I'm Iooking forward to another visit." He said as he looked the pair over, giving them a gentle smile, "If you need me to pick anything up before my next visit just give me a call." He offered them, knowing that if anything were needed he could pick it up since he would be out and about anyway. It wasn't to often that he was at the Labs anymore when he didn't have to be as he would rather be out in the park or visiting with friends.

He lifted a hand to wave at Copeka, giving a smile when the boy tried to do the same, "Thanks again for letting me visit, Lira, it means a lot to me." That she would let him visit, let him visit with her son, it meant a lot to him since he always worried that people would think badly of him because of who one of his parents were, "The two of you have a good day."

Aludra paced nervously, biting at what stubs of nails he had left. That was stupid. The idea that he'd had was a terrible, awful one and there was no chance that it would work. Not that he didn't trust Damien, of course, but it was Lirona who he believed had the stronger resolve. From what he'd heard -and observed- the woman never let go of their son, let alone took her eyes off of him. At the same time as that was a good thing, it was a terrible thing; yet at the same time as that, if she was putting so much work into caring for the sickly little boy, surely she would need some time to relax, right?

Whining softly to himself, he flopped down on the couch again, burying his face in the couch cushions. Gah, this was too much!! He was too nervous and too scared and not sure of anything and how would he even react? What would he do with the little baby boy? Would he even be able to take care of him? Well, he wouldn't have him for very long, but... would he even be able to hold him right?

If Aludra was nervous, then Damien was terrified. He couldn't believe that he had agreed to this crazy plan, or that Aludra had come up with it, or that Lira hadn't suspected anything, OR that he hadn't been caught yet. The poor paranoid spawn was shaking as he crept theatrically to Cat's apartment, clinging onto the handle of Copeka's baby basket like a vice. He knocked twice on the door, then slid in. Without asking, he plopped the basket onto the table in front of Aludra. "There," he said bluntly. "You have a few hours. He's... He's really cute," he added with a small smile.

Aludra nearly jumped out of his skin when Damien came through the door, eyes widening at the basket that he had with him. The young man was on his feet in an instant, hovering stooped over Damien's shoulder, biting at his lip in caution and what bordered on fear. Would... would Lira know if he touched the boy? Would the woman somehow be able to tell what he had done? His tail, which he'd been effortlessly allowing to drag across the floor in his state of depression, waved slightly, lifting up off the ground just a bit as he knelt down beside the table.

Holding his breath, he reached forward to slip his hands into the basket on either side of the infant. Steadily, carefully, he lifted the purple, white-splotched baby out of the basket, making sure to bring the blanket out along with him. Breathing shakily, he pulled the small, snoozing child close to himself, stroking his fingertips across the boy's cheek, only for them to be seized by a small, chubby hand. His breath caught in his throat, a smile crossing his lips. Just that and he was already on the verge of tears...

God... it was his baby... his baby...

Damien watched Aludra carefully, and allowed himself to smile again as the tail perked up. He could tell that the baby was already doing wonders for his depression, and that was the main reason that he'd agreed to this asinine plan in the first place. If this baby could inspire Aludra to get his act together - and from his reaction to the baby shower pictures, it certainly would - then all of this snooping and spying would be worth it. To that effect, he looked on slyly. "Pretty cute, isn't he? Look, I think he'll have horns as he grows, see?"

Aludra was oblivious to the amount of focus that Damien was putting on him, or how closely his actions were being watched. No, his entire attention was on the little, beautiful, sweet bundle of joy in his arms. He wiggled his fingertip for the child and Copeka giggled happily and grabbed at the digit with his other small hand, clamping his mouth around the tip of his finger, as tears spilled from Aludra's green eyes. His free hand covered his mouth, which was suppressing joyous laughter, and he leaned down to press a kiss to the tiny child's forehead.

"S-s-so he i-is..." Aludra murmured, voice full of the strangest combination of tears and mirth. He ran his fingertips over the small, different-coloured nubs on the baby's forehead, letting out a trembling sigh. "My b-b-beautif-ful little b-boy..."

Copeka was already quite prepared to go with his babysitter, Damien, again. The little boy was tugging on his boots, atop the gratuitous warm weather gear he needed to keep from getting sick as often as he was prone to doing. Yet, as usual, they weren't just going to the park. They were going to the park to see his Papa. He wasn't supposed to tell, he knew that, but they had taken some pictures at the mall one of the last times, and, well, his Mama had found them when she helped him get his pajamas on. He just hoped that she wasn't too mad.

When a knock sounded on the door, he squeaked, wings fluttering under his coat. "I'ww geddit, Mama!!" he cried out happily, running across the room and practically faceplanting into the door before he opened it, smiling brightly at the wrath boy who stood on the other side. "Hihi, Amie! Wookit, I grew!!"

"Alright, dear!" came the call from Lira's room as she put on her finishing touches. In a fit of womanly bitchiness, she had decided that she was going to look her best when she went to meet Aludra, and her son would look his best, too. Show him exactly what he was missing, that she would. She pursed her lips and applied her brightest lipstick, irritation brewing underneath her skin. How dare he walk out on her family and yet visit her son behind her back, without even as much as a question after her health...

"W-Wow, so you did." Damien smiled softly as he entered the room, looking over Copeka with an impressed eye. He reached out and ruffled the spawnling's hair, then glanced around before going to pick him up. "So, are you ready to go?"

"Not so fast, Mr. Avenue." Lira's voice, sickly calm came from the hallway, making Damien freeze in his tracks. Oh god. She found out. He grinned nervously, already sensing the scolding that was to come. He was already visibly ashamed by the time the woman strode up to him, placing a protective hand on her son's head. "Yes, I know all about the little trick you've been playing, in league with Aludra. To be honest, I don't know why I'm surprised; you always liked him more anyhow." Lira chuckled as Damien began to sputter pointless denials, and she patted his head affectionately.

"But don't fret. Like I said, I'm not that surprised, so I'm not mad. Besides, it's not like you're the one I should be mad at either..." Lira looked over Damien's head for a moment, as if staring pointedly at something far off, then came back to herself and smiled at the two boys. "So. Why wait, am I right? Are you two boys ready to go off and see our dearly departed Aludra?"

"Y-Yes ma'am," Damien said with all the appropriate humility, keeping his eyes on the ground. Being caught in a ruse was one of the most mortifying things that he had ever gone through; now he was even more resolved to never do such a foolhardy thing again. He glanced over at Copeka, reaching out to take the boy's hand before realizing that if they were leaving with Lirona that he would need to get Demetre. When he returned with the baby in his arms, reaching out to take Copeka's hand with the other. "Anything else you need, Copy? Because now it's time to get it."

Copeka was oblivious to what it was the grown-ups were talking about, giggling when his hair was pet and simply staring between the both of them as they bickered. Or... well, whatever it was they were doing. at the idea of leaving, he smiled happily and shook his head. "Nuh-uh. Got ev-e-ry-thin' I need!" the little boy stated with a wide smile on his face, wiggling a little bit in excitement. He loved going on these adventures with Damien!!

Aludra, meanwhile, was completely oblivious to the hellfire that was about to rain down on him. In his lap was a small box, in it a small trinket for his son, and in his pocket was a smaller box. That one, however, was something that he kept with him at all times. In that box was the ring that he was going to offer to his beloved... one day. Soon, surely. He just... he just wasn't sure when. As soon as he had a job, as soon as he had a house that was furnished. A smile touched his lips. Yet, despite the waiting, it was going to be wonderful. He had a house waiting, a car waiting that he'd sold his precious motorcycle for...

...it was going to be wonderful.

Damien was wishing that he could somehow warn Aludra that he was about to get his a** chewed out, but he knew that he couldn't. For one, he had no practical way of contacting him. And for two, to be honest, he did kind of deserve it. He shared Lira's anger at Aludra for walking out on his family in their time of need; perhaps this would help him get his act together. Not that he wasn't doing that already, but still. He held a little tighter onto Copeka's hand as they approached his father, wanting Lira to yell at him without their son being caught in the middle. However successful he would be was another story. "H-Hi, Aludra," he called out, the only warning he could give his friend.

"Yes, hello Aludra," Lirona called out, the picture of irritated and dangerous beauty. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and although she was smiling, her eyes were cold. "Fancy seeing you here. Plotting with a preteen to see my son, no less." She tapped her foot peevishly, Jake swaying threateningly towards the young adult. So great was her exasperation with him, her stupid, selfish, backwards ex-lover that she wasn't even ( that ) distracted by his attractive new body. "Well, Aludra? Like always, you have been keeping me waiting."