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It's the most bizarre feeling, walking barefoot in the grass.
It's soft and cool underfoot, the air is warm, and everything is perfect. Because of course it is. This is Heaven.
Ella lived a good life. It ended after just the right amount of years, in her own bed, surrounded by all her adopted kids and grandkids. She'd achieved so much. Even her ghost friend showed up at the end, holding out a hand and smiling, wearing a sweater with a sugar skull knitted into it.
Still, she's almost a little surprised she ended up here. Even after she found a way back to her faith, to cradle it loosely in her hands like a wounded bird, the darkness never truly went away. She found a way to live with it, a pet shadow that curled around her feet like a demanding cat. Work kept it fed well enough.
And here she is. The sun is shining, and the water on the lake is sparkling. Her body is young again, her shorts are short, and her t-shirt has a tiny foxtato telling her that she can do the thing.
There's a familiar figure striding towards her, wearing a grey three-piece suit and a wide grin. She's not surprised to see him at all. He was always a good person, in spite of who he claimed to be.
"Miss Lopez!" he calls with open arms. She barrels into him full force and squeezes. His hand on her head feels magical.
"So, they let the Devil in after all, huh?" she teases.
"Well, I did gate-crash the first time and exploded into a ball of light, but I got better."
Ella has no idea how he comes up with this stuff, but it's always funny. "Right. It's good to see you again. Been a while."
"Yes. Sorry I haven't been in touch, this place keeps me rather busy. But I've been keeping an eye on you. You've done well for yourself."
"Thanks. I guess all my social media posts were getting through to someone."
"Something like that."
"Is Chloe around somewhere?"
He points over to the other side of the lake, where a few figures are gathered, sitting on a huge picnic blanket. "Naturally. We got word you were on your way, so I arranged a welcome party. All the old team- the ones that aren't still alive, obviously. The rest of your fan club are waiting at Lux, but the perks of being the boss mean that I get the pleasure of your company first." He bows his head slightly.
"The boss, huh? I thought you were in charge of the other place? Unless I'm not where I think I am. Shirt."
"You're just where you should be. I got a promotion." He's got a smug smile, just like when he used to play at all that Devil stuff.
She plays along, because she's always respected his right to live out his persona. "Good for you."
He offers his arm and she takes it. They stroll around the edge of the lake.
"You guys are still together, right?" she asks. She's not exactly nervous, but she doesn't want to say the wrong thing. "No more drama?"
"Very much, together, yes. Always."
"Phew. Because you two were my happy place, you know? You always had this energy like you belonged together. You guys gave me hope."
He chuckles softly. "You always believed, didn't you?"
"Hundred percent. We all need something. Whatever dark places I found myself in, Deckerstar was my guiding light. I mean, if the Devil himself can find love and redemption, that's good news for the rest of us, right?"
"Yes. It took a lot of work, though."
"Oh, yeah!" she gives an exaggerated nod. "Don't I know it. But it's all part of the journey. It makes it all the more romantic."
She leans into his arm. The peace of the place settles into her soul and fills her heart with nostalgia. She wants to share how much it all meant.
"I thought about you a lot over the years, you know. Even after you left, you were still a part of my story. I was going through a lot back then. There's always something. But you inspired me, believed in me. You did all those little things that made me smile, when smiling was a hard thing to do."
He stops and turns to face her, taking her hands. "Ella," he sighs, and the word washes through her like a prayer, filling her with joy and love. "You were an inspiration to me, too. They called me the Lightbringer, but you shone brighter than any star."
"It didn't always feel like it."
"It never does. But that doesn't make the light any less real. Your life was a story that brought joy to more people than you'll ever know. It meant something."
"And now the story's over," she breathes. Or at least, it feels like she does. Is there real oxygen in Heaven? What's this body even made of?
"Darling, no. That was only chapter one. A mere prologue for eternity. And your story will live on back on Earth, too, in the memories and hearts of all the people that you've touched. Your life spreads ripples through reality that have the power to change the world."
She rolls her eyes. "Who, little old me?"
"Never underestimate the importance of kindness."
He cups her face, and she feels… something. Some kind of force that connects them, binds them together. It sort of reminds her of taking communion. It inspires her to pray, even though she's not sure what to say except that she's grateful for the life she had, and that she's here now, with the people she loves.
Lucifer blinks and the spell is broken. "The only person you need to thank for your life is you. You made your own choices, wrote your own destiny."
"Wha-" for a second she wonders if he heard her prayer, but that would be absurd. She laughs and the moment passes. She takes his arm and they start walking again. As they get closer, she starts to recognise faces. Amenadiel's bald head is easy to spot, gleaming in the sunshine almost like a halo. Linda's there too, and Carol, and another face she hadn't seen in far too long.
"Dan!" she shouts. He looks up and runs to meet her, grabbing her in his arms and spinning her around. She squeals in delight.
It's not over, and never will be. Some things are meant to last forever.