Chapter 4 THE MEETING.

Kamala stood beneath the ancient oak tree, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared at the figure before her. It was as though time had folded in on itself, bringing back the man she had once loved so deeply-the man who had changed her life forever.

Lucifer.

She hadn't spoken his name aloud in years, yet it rolled off her tongue as though no time had passed at all. He stood there in the dim light of the moon, his features just as sharp, just as breathtaking as she remembered. His dark hair fell loosely over his shoulders, and his emerald green eyes, the same as their son's, glowed with an otherworldly light. He hadn't aged a day, but of course, she hadn't expected him to. He wasn't human.

The silence stretched between them, thick with the weight of everything left unsaid. Kamala's throat tightened, and before she knew it, the dam of emotions she had held back for eighteen years burst open.

"Why did you leave?" Her voice cracked as the words tumbled out, tears blurring her vision. She hadn't meant to break so easily, but seeing him-after all these years, after raising their son alone-it was too much. "Why did you abandon us?"

Lucifer took a step toward her, his expression softening with sorrow. "Kamala, I-"

"You just disappeared," she interrupted, her voice rising as her pain gave way to anger. "I had to raise Kaidan by myself! I had no one! My parents kicked me out, and I was left with nothing! Why, Lucifer? Why didn't you stay?"

Lucifer closed the distance between them, his hands reaching out to gently take hers. His touch was as warm as she remembered, but it did little to soothe the ache in her chest. "You know why I left," he said softly, his voice heavy with regret. "You know what I am."

Kamala shook her head, the tears streaming down her face. "That's not an excuse."

"I knew you were pregnant," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I knew, Kamala, and I left because I didn't know what else to do. I'm not human. I wasn't ready to be a father-especially to a child who would inherit my powers."

Kamala's breath hitched. So he had known. All this time, she had believed he left because he didn't care, because he didn't want them. But he had known, and instead of facing the consequences, he had run.

"You should have stayed," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You should have stayed, Lucifer."

"I know," he said, his hands tightening around hers. "I know, and I'm sorry. I've been living with that guilt every day for the last eighteen years. I abandoned you both, and I'll never be able to make up for that. But I'm here now, Kamala. I'm here to make things right."

Kamala looked into his eyes, searching for the truth in his words. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to forgive him. But the pain of the last eighteen years wasn't something that could be erased with an apology.

Lucifer seemed to sense her hesitation. "I've been watching over you both," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "All these years, I've kept my distance, but I never stopped caring. I watched Kaidan grow up into the incredible young man he is today, and every time I saw him, I was reminded of how much I failed both of you."

Kamala blinked, surprised by his confession. "You've been watching us?"

Lucifer nodded. "From afar. I didn't think I had the right to come back into your lives after what I'd done. But when I heard that Kaidan wanted to know about his father... I knew it was time. I couldn't hide any longer."

Kamala's heart twisted. She had spent so many years wondering if Lucifer ever thought about them, wondering if he regretted leaving. And now, hearing him say these things, it brought both relief and sorrow.

"He does look just like you," Kamala said, her voice softening as she thought of their son. "Every time I look at him, I'm reminded of you."

Lucifer smiled faintly, the pride evident in his eyes. "He's remarkable. More than I ever could have imagined."

Kamala found herself smiling through her tears. "He really is. And he's kind, just like I always hoped he would be."

Lucifer's expression grew serious again. "Kamala, I need to know... Can you forgive me?"

Kamala stared at him, her mind racing with everything he had told her. She had spent years resenting him, angry at his absence, but now... Now she understood. He had made a mistake, a terrible one, but he was here, asking for a second chance.

Slowly, she nodded. "Yes. I forgive you."

Lucifer let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his shoulders relaxing with relief. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Kamala."

She smiled, a weight lifting from her chest that she hadn't even known she was carrying. For the first time in years, she felt a sense of peace, as though the wounds of the past were finally starting to heal.

But there was still one obstacle left.

"What about Kaidan?" she asked quietly. "Will he forgive you?"

Lucifer's expression grew somber. "I don't know. He has every right to be angry with me, just as you did. But I want to talk to him, to explain everything. Not tonight, though. I'm not ready for that yet. I need to be sure that when I face him, I can give him the answers he deserves."

Kamala nodded in understanding. "He's going to need time."

Lucifer sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. But I'll wait as long as it takes. He deserves that much."

For now, Kamala was content with the knowledge that Lucifer was willing to face Kaidan eventually. Tonight, she wanted to savor the moment-the first time in nearly two decades that she had felt like she wasn't carrying the burden of Kaidan's father alone.

They spent the rest of the night talking, catching up on everything that had happened in the years they had been apart. Kamala told him about Kaidan's childhood, the milestones he had missed, the struggles she had faced as a single mother. Lucifer listened intently, his eyes soft with regret and admiration as she spoke.

The moon hung high in the sky by the time they finished, and Kamala realized how late it had grown. She stifled a yawn, her body exhausted but her heart full.

"I should get back," she said softly, glancing toward the house. "Kaidan's probably wondering where I am."

Lucifer nodded, standing and offering her his hand. "I'll walk you."

Together, they walked back through the garden, the night air cool and refreshing against Kamala's skin. When they reached the front door, Lucifer paused, his hand gently cupping her cheek.

"Thank you for giving me a chance," he murmured, his voice filled with emotion.

Kamala smiled, leaning into his touch. "Thank you for coming back."

Lucifer leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment before he pulled away. "Goodnight, Kamala."

And with that, he vanished, leaving only the faintest trace of warmth where he had stood.

Kamala stood on the doorstep for a moment, her heart still racing from the night's events. She had never expected this-never imagined that Lucifer would return after all these years. But he had, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of hope for the future.

Quietly, she stepped inside, careful not to wake Kaidan. She peeked into his room and smiled when she saw him fast asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

With a deep sigh of contentment, Kamala slipped into her own room and lay down, a sense of peace settling over her as sleep finally claimed her.

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