Warnings: Selfcest, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Vaggi and Charlie are still together, They're a throuple now
Summary:
Charlie wants to have a baby, but despite her and Danny’s best efforts, she never conceives. Their relationship is put to the test when Charlie decides to try IVF.
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“I was thinking Lily or Alyssa if it’s a girl and Alex or Lucas if it’s a boy.” Charlie rubs her stomach, unable to tear her gaze from the flat surface.
“Why not Danielle or Danny Jr?” Danny leans against the elevator walls, gloved fingers tapping against the railing.
Vaggi rolls her eye. “We are not naming the baby Danny Jr. One Danny is enough.”
“You wound me, Vaggi,” Danny clutches her chest, “who else will carry on my dastardly evil deeds?”
“I’m not letting you drag our baby into your plans,” Vaggi bristles.
Charlie squeezes in between the two, pushing them apart with a strained laugh. “There’s no need to fight. We have plenty of time to decide on a name, and I believe that since our baby will be raised with tons of love and care, they’ll turn out to be good.”
Note:
This is a commission I worked on! I've always been interested in writing for Hazbin, but I wasn't expecting my first fic to be from a commission. I tried my best with Danny, as there isn't much to go on for what her personality would be like. But how I interpret her is that she tries to be bad, but she's not as evil as she thinks she is or wants to be.
Happy Reading! (｡･∀･)ﾉﾞ
“Well, Charlie, what does it say?” Danny cranes her neck, trying to peer over her girlfriend’s shoulder.
Charlie bites her lip, tears gathering in her eyes. She hugs the pregnancy test to her chest, leaning away from Danny.
“It didn’t work,” Charlie whispers.
“What was that, Darling? I could have sworn I heard you wrong,” Danny chuckles, smoothing out her moustache. She reaches for Charlie’s hands, struggling to pry her fingers open. “Let me see for myself. Surely, there must be some mistake.”
“I’m not pregnant, Danny!” Charlie’s voice breaks. Her throat constricts, and she blinks away the burn in her eyes, spilling tears down her cheeks. Her words come out thin and airy. “It didn’t work. Again.”
Danny’s eyes widen. Her hat nearly slips off as the force of her spine snapping straight pulls it off. “Whoa, there, Charlie. No need to get so upset. We can always try again next time.”
Charlie shakes her head. Dewy droplets cling to her long, thick lashes. “That’s what you said last time, and the time before that. We’ve made so many attempts now.”
“It’s not like you to give up,” Danny says.
“You’re right,” Charlie sniffles and wipes underneath her red-rimmed eyes, “who cares if this is our fifth or even tenth failure! As the saying goes, it’s not about how many times you fall down, but how many times you get up.”
Danny frowns at Charlie’s strained smile. “Charlie, I didn’t mean—“
“I just wanted to finally be able to tell Vaggi the good news,” Charlie sighs. She stares at the single line on the result. Even if they check again, the outcome won’t change. Charlie’s tired of wasting tests to confirm what she already knows.
Maybe she’s not meant to have a baby.
Charlie grimaces and throws the test into the trash. It lands in a pile with all the other ones she’s taken over the course of several months.
“You will, my love.” Danny places a hand on Charlie’s shoulder, offering a comforting squeeze. “One day, we’ll succeed and rush to break the news to Vaggi together. She’ll be over the moon! And who wouldn’t? With our dastardly good looks and my diabolical nature, our baby is destined to wreak havoc in Hell!” Danny cackles.
“You mean continuing my legacy of the hotel and saving the souls of sinners?” Charlie beams, eyes sparkling.
Danny breaks from her villainous pose and nods. “Hm. That, too.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to have a baby! Whether it’s a girl or a boy, we’ll love it the same. Dad will become a grandad, and for the first time in hundreds of years, there will be a new Morningstar in Hell!” Charlie smiles and rubs her belly absentmindedly. “Things are finally starting to change down here, and our baby will be further proof of that.”
The hotel has already given Charlie so much. New friends, a stronger bond with Vaggi, and a better understanding of her dad. And Danny. Despite her moniker, the Diabolical Danny Do-Bad can be soft when it comes to romance. There’s good underneath those cunning looks and devious moustache.
“Why don’t we seek help from a specialist then? Someone who knows what they’re doing?” Danny suggests.
Charlie laughs, but her chest twinges painfully. “Do I really look like I need it?”
“Charlie, listen to me. We’ll have an easier time with professional help. I don’t know the first thing about babies other than how to make them,” Danny says. From the silence, she knows none of her words conveyed their intended purpose.
“I don’t need a doctor to tell me how to get pregnant. There’s nothing wrong with my body. So we’ve been unlucky, but we’ll get through this rough patch as long as we have each other!” Charlie says. In truth, there was a reason Charlie didn’t want to resort to this. It’s not like there are other angel/demon hybrids she can ask if this is normal. Besides, none of her friends is interested in having kids. Sinners can’t even have children, so what would they know? Talking with her dad is out of the question. Charlie sighs. If only her mother were still here, Lilith would know what to do.
“Why are you being so stubborn?” Danny places her hands on her hips, frowning.
“Stubborn?” Charlie stammers, her eyes narrow. “I know my body better than anyone else. And I think we need to keep trying.”
Danny runs her gloved fingers through her messy blonde hair, readjusting her cap. “Yes. Let go of that useless optimism and face reality.”
Charlie chokes on her spit. All the blood drains from her pale face, and she clenches her hands into fists. “Why are you being so mean to me?”
“There’s a difference between being mean and being realistic.” Danny sighs, shoulders drooping at Charlie’s glistening eyes. “Please, at least book an appointment for a check-up. Hell knows you’ve been under tremendous stress lately.”
Charlie wraps her arms around herself, tucking her chin into her chest. “I’m fine.”
“For a demon who’s always eager to help others, you sure have a hard time accepting it,” Danny scoffs, rolling her eyes. She observes Charlie’s slumped posture and the slight tremble in her hands. “Will you go, or do I have to get all our friends to drag you there?”
“What happened to not listening to friends?” Charlie chuckles.
Danny grins and curls her moustache around her finger. “Danny doesn’t, but Charlie does.”
Charlie smiles and shrugs. “Okay, you do make a fair point. As their friend, it’s my duty to hear their worries and offer a hand in times of need.”
“You are such a goody-two-shoes,” Danny snorts, pinching Charlie’s cheek.
“But I like being a good friend,” Charlie says.
“I know.” Danny’s expression softens. She boops her girlfriend on the nose and chuckles. “It’s one of the many reasons I love you. Someone has to balance out my diabolical deeds.”
Charlie stares at the growing mountain of used tests in the trash, lost in thought. It wouldn’t hurt to try….
“Okay,” Charlie says.
“So you’ll do it?” Danny asks, raising a brow.
Charlie nods. “It’s worth a shot.”
“I’ll let Vaggi know. She’ll want to come along.” Danny strides out of the room, leaving Charlie alone in their bedroom.
Charlie sits on the bed and hugs her knees to her chest. She rests her head against her legs, squeezing herself into a ball. “I hope I’m making the right decision….”
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
“Are you sure about this, Charlie? This is your last chance to back out,” Vaggie says as they stop in front of the clinic.
Charlie stares at the wooden double doors. Behind them could be the answer to her prayers, or a wake-up call to her worst nightmare. She swallows the lump in her throat, licking her dry lips. Charlie smiles and laughs nervously, waving her hands. “Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be?”
“You don’t have to do this if it makes you uncomfortable. We’re not here to prove anybody right or wrong. We’re just looking for answers.” Vaggi holds Charlie’s hands, gazing into her eyes.
Charlie’s lips wobble, and tears well, threatening to spill down her cheeks. She throws her arms around Vaggi and sniffles. “What would I do without you?”
“My loves, I’m still here,” Danny says in a deadpan tone, standing behind them. Her moustache twitches in amusement at the sheepish grin Charlie flashes before pulling her into a three-way hug.
“Charlie—can’t breathe,” Vaggi wheezes.
“Oops! Sorry about that,” Charlie giggles, loosening her arms. She looks at the doors again and takes a deep breath. “I can do this.”
“We’ll be here with you every step of the way,” Vaggi says.
“I’ll destroy anyone who gets in our way!” Danny smiles widely, letting out an eerie laugh.
“Ummmm, how about we try to peacefully resolve conflict first before resorting to violence?” Charlie says, clasping her hands together in a pleading motion.
Danny strokes her moustache. “Hmm. Very well, for you, I will make an effort to be less bad.”
“Behave,” Vaggi warns, narrowing her eyes at Danny.
“Oh, Vaggi, you know your threats never work on me. They only tempt me to raise more chaos!” Danny cackles and lightning flashes in the background. She stops her theatrics and realizes her girlfriends are gone. “Hey! Wait for me!”
They enter the fertility clinic. There are no sinners in the area. This building sits on the outskirts of the Lust ring. Charlie struggled to find this place—she didn’t even know if it existed at all. At first, she thought she would have to ask her dad, but Danny appeared with a business card, and that was the end of their search.
“Don’t worry, this is the best clinic in all of Hell. If there’s any demon that knows their way around fertility, enhancing or avoiding, it’s the Lust residents,” Danny says, leading them to the receptionist desk.
The receptionist is a female imp. Her clawed fingertips tap against the keyboard, typing words at a speed Charlie can’t keep up with.
Charlie waves and tentatively opens her mouth.
“Welcome to NewAfterlife Fertility; home to the most expensive eggs in Hell. Do you have an appointment?” The imp doesn’t look away from her computer monitor.
“Yes, that’s right! For Charlotte,” Charlie says, thankful the warmth in her cheeks isn’t noticeable. She watches a pair of demons leave the facility, one of them heavily pregnant. Hope blossoms in Charlie’s chest, and the abundant energy in her nerves settles down.
Danny wraps an arm around Charlie’s waist, and Vaggi takes her hand. Charlie smiles gratefully at her girlfriends. This is new to all of them. At least they’re not facing this alone.
“Ah, yes. You’re a little early, but that shouldn’t make a difference. Down the hall, first door on your left. The doctor will be with you shortly,” the receptionist says.
“Thank you,” Charlie squints at the small nameplate on the desk, “Izzy.”
Izzy shrugs. “Literally just doing my job, but you’re welcome.”
Charlie walks to the waiting room with a new spring in her step. She can feel it in her gut, that warm, fuzzy feeling when you realize everything is going to be okay. Danny squeezes her hand, and Charlie smiles.
Whatever happens, they’ll be ready for it.
Charlie enters the room, sandwiched between Vaggi and Danny on the chairs.
“This is going to be amazing!” Charlie squeals, kicking her legs, and a wide grin splits her face. She cradles her stomach. “I can’t wait to have a baby.”
A knock on the door grabs their attention, and a female Baphomet enters with a clipboard. The demoness smiles at the trio before taking a seat in front of the computer, her long, white coat tucked underneath her legs.
“Ms. Morningstar, I presume?” The doctor looks at Charlie.
“Oh! That’s me!” Charlie smiles widely, shaking her girlfriends by their arms. “How did you know?”
“You look like your father, and news of your hotel has reached outside the Pride ring. I am Dr. Lucina, and I will be your doctor during your hellish journey towards motherhood.” Dr. Lucina opens a form on the computer, and her claws hover over the keys. “I understand you’re having issues conceiving?”
Charlie flushes, her smile growing sheepish, and she stares at the floor. The ecstatic energy in her body fizzles into a hard lump in her stomach. She takes a deep breath and nods. The tightness in her chest eases when Vaggi and Danny hold her hands.
The soft thunks from the keyboard fill the silence.
“Which of you two is the donor?” Dr. Lucina asks Vaggi and Danny.
Danny smirks, leaning back in her chair and crossing one leg over the other. She raises her hand high. “That would be me, the Dastardly Diabolical Danny Do-Bad.”
“I see.” More typing. “And how long have you been trying for a baby?”
Danny’s moustache droops, and beads of sweat form on her forehead. “Several months now…?”
The sentence weighs on Charlie’s chest and presses against her ribcage, digging the sharp edges into the pulsating organ beneath.
“That’s perfectly normal,” Dr. Lucina says, adjusting the glasses perched on her muzzle. “We see plenty of couples who come to us after prolonged failed attempts. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. We’ll start with some tests before discussing options.”
Charlie follows a nurse to another room, where they draw her blood and collect other samples to analyze. They hand her a questionnaire to fill out, and some of the questions leave her cheeks burning, but she answers them as honestly as she can. With a sore arm, she returns to her girlfriends, waiting for Dr. Lucina to speak.
Multiple windows and tabs cover the computer monitor, filled with numbers and charts that Charlie can’t comprehend.
Dr. Lucina skims over the reports and scribbles on her clipboard. She looks over at the three women and says, “Well, the good news is that Charlie and Danny are both fertile, so there are no issues regarding their health. However, the bad news is that we haven’t been able to determine the cause of why conception has been unsuccessful. Are you timing it correctly?”
Charlie flushes and nods. “Yes, Ma’am. I’ve been keeping track of my cycle and letting Danny know when I’m… when it’s time.”
“If you’re timing the intercourse and still not seeing results, then there are some options available to you.” Dr. Lucina grabs a pamphlet from the table and hands it to Charlie. “We can do Ovulation Induction, which means your body may release more eggs during your next cycle. This, of course, increases the chances of you getting pregnant. Most couples combine that with another option, where we use a device to deposit the donor’s magic directly into the uterus.”
“And that works?” Charlie asks, gripping the pages until the paper creases underneath her fingers.
“We have had successful cases before, but the chances aren’t as high as in vitro fertilization,” Dr. Lucina says.
Charlie finds the procedure in the pamphlet and notices that the steps are significantly longer than those of the other options. “IVF? What’s that?”
“In simple terms, we collect your eggs and fertilize them at the clinic. We select the best embryo and plant it inside your uterus,” Dr. Lucina says.
“So you make the baby and put it inside me!” Charlie’s eyes sparkle. That would guarantee her a child!
Dr. Lucina smiles and patiently waits for Charlie to calm down. “Ms. Morningstar, while IVF offers a higher success rate than other options, it is much more invasive, and even then, there’s no guaran—”
“Say no more! We’ll do whatever it takes, won’t we, my love?” Danny interrupts, flashing a confident smirk at Charlie.
Charlie looks to Vaggi, and the fallen angel offers her a reassuring smile.
“Whatever you decide, we’ll support you every step of the way,” Vaggi says.
“Alrighty then.” Charlie takes a deep breath and absentmindedly rubs her stomach. She reads the pamphlet once more before looking at the doctor. “I want to try IVF.”
“Certainly. We’ll need to run additional tests, but before you leave today, we’ll provide you with the medication to prepare for egg retrieval,” Dr. Lucina says.
Charlie stares at the pamphlet, eyes fixated on the picture of a demoness hugging her swollen bump. A wet heat burns the corner of her vision, and she exhales shakily. Soon. She strokes the image. Soon, that will be her.
In addition to the previous tests, Charlie undergoes a series of screenings and X-rays. They even have her pee into a tiny cup! She listens carefully to the doctor’s instructions about the medication and how often to administer a dose.
“Alright, I’ll see you within a few days, Ms. Morningstar.” Dr. Lucina smiles and hands Charlie the box of injections.
“Thank you, doctor. We really appreciate all the help,” Vaggi says.
Danny pulls out a business card and tucks it into Dr. Lucina’s coat pocket. “Yes, if you have any evil plans where my dastardly skills can be of use, I’ll be sure to return the favour.”
The three wave goodbye before exiting the clinic and returning to the hotel.
Charlie passes by Angel and Husk at the bar.
“Whatcha got there, Toots?” Angel leans away from the countertop, peering at the container in Charlie’s arms. He spots the needles and raises a brow. “I never took ya for a druggie. Is that where you disappeared off to—on a binge? Listen, I know where to get the good stuff, so if ya ever wanna taste—“
“Oh! No thank you, Angel. I appreciate the offer; I really do, but these are prescription drugs,” Charlie says.
Angel whistles and looks at Husk with an impressed grin. “Did ya hear that? She says she’s got prescription drugs. It’s been a while since I got my hands on one of those.”
Husk rolls his eyes and grabs another glass to wipe down. “Charlie ain’t the kind to do drugs illegally.”
“Aww, Husk,” Charlie coos. Her irises sparkle, growing to take up over half her face.
“Don’t look at me like that. It wasn't a compliment,” Husk grunts. He drapes the rag over his shoulder and grabs a bottle from the shelf, flicks off the cap, and takes a deep swig, but not before he refills Angel’s cup.
“Unfortunately, Angel, these drugs won’t give you a high, but I have plenty of samples at my disposal,” Danny says, opening her coat to reveal rows of baggies, each containing pills, powder, or crystals.
“Danny!” Vaggi scolds, forcing the trenchcoat shut, much to Angel’s disappointment.
“Lighten up, Vaggi! Or better yet, take a hit,” Danny throws an arm around Vaggi’s shoulder.
Vaggi shakes her head. “You’re supposed to be guiding our guests in the right direction, not leading them further astray!”
“Oh, come on. I can’t help it if I’m bad—it’s literally in my name!” Danny throws her hands in the air, smiling apologetically at the spider demon. “Sorry, Angel. No acid trips for either of us.”
Angel clicks his tongue, turning back to his booze. “Laaame.”
Charlie walks ahead of them. “Come on, let’s go back to our room before I run into—“ she slams into a solid wall. Charlie stumbles backwards and meets her father’s crescent-shaped eyes.
“Run into who, Sweetie?” Lucifer leans on his cane, clawed fingertips drumming against the apple.
“Dad!” Charlie’s smile stretches thin, and she laughs awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck. “Nothing—it’s nothing! What are you doing here?”
Lucifer tilts his head, observing his daughter. “Well, I heard you came back and wanted to ask how you’re feeling. Nifty said you went to the hospital. Was there something you couldn’t ask me for help with?”
Sweat trickles down the side of Charlie’s face, and her grip on the box tightens. She shrugs her shoulders. “Oh, you know, just a standard check-up to make sure I’m healthy.”
“We’re going to inject Charlie with drugs for the next two weeks!” Danny chimes in.
Vaggi slaps a hand against her forehead and sighs.
Lucifer’s eyes widen, and his jaw drops. “My Char-char doing drugs?!?”
“Dad, it’s not what you think! It’s what the doctor ordered,” Charlie says.
“Phew,” Lucifer chuckles and adjusts the lapels of his suit, “you almost had me there, Danny.”
Danny snatches the box of needles and dashes up the stairs. Her manic laughter trails behind, growing thinner and thinner.
Charlie sighs and looks at her dad. “I promise I’ll explain everything later. It’s just-I wanted—it’s a surprise!” she stammers.
Lucifer’s brows rise to his hairline, and his expression softens. He lifts a hand and ruffles Charlie’s blonde locks. “I look forward to the surprise, then.”
“Vaggi—”
Vaggi cuts off her girlfriend. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll make sure these idiots don’t blow up the hotel. Go catch up to Danny before she does something stupid… again.”
“You’re the best,” Charlie says, giving Vaggi a quick peck on the lips before running after Danny.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
“Do you feel any different?” Danny asks as Charlie removes the syringe’s safety cap.
Charlie pinches the skin around her lower abdomen between her fingers and inserts the needle, grimacing as she presses down on the plunger. She sighs and disposes of the sharp object. The sting dulls into a light ache, and she massages the injection site.
“It’s only been a week since I started the medication,” Charlie says, chuckling when Danny stares at her flat stomach.
In all honesty, Charlie’s stomach churns whenever it’s time for the next dose, but she would never admit that aloud. She rubs her throbbing temples and stares at the remaining needles in the box. Only half more to go! Charlie can’t bring herself to smile at her progress, not when every shot leaves her feeling worse than the last.
The only thing keeping her going is the thought of holding her child in her arms. A mini Charlie to love and pass the hotel to when the time comes. All this discomfort will mean something. It has to.
But what if it doesn’t?
What if, after everything she’s done, it’s not enough?
“Charlie, my love. Are you alright? You’re spacing out on me,” Danny says, waving a hand in front of her girlfriend’s face.
Charlie blinks, forcing her lips to curve in a smile. Her laughter doesn’t ring with its usual warmth. “I’m fine, Danny. Just a little tired from all the craziness lately.”
“Bullshit.” Danny narrows her eyes. “My dastardly senses are tingling, and they detect that you’re a terrible liar.”
“I’m not lying.” Charlie wraps her arms around herself, fighting the tears that well in her vision. Her voice wobbles. “I told you, I’m fine.”
“Yes, and I’m the epitome of sunshine and rainbows,” Danny drawls with an eye roll. She sighs and says, “You’re not alone. I’m here. Vaggi’s here, too. Your dad is here—you have people who care about you.”
“I just,” Charlie’s lips draw into a thin line, and her shoulders tense, “I don’t want to disappoint any of them. Everyone was so supportive when I mentioned wanting to be a mom. But it’s been months with no results.”
“That doesn’t make you a failure,” Danny says.
Charlie winces, her expression growing gloomy. “No, but it makes me feel like a fraud. Who cares if I’m the Princess of Hell? None of my accomplishments can change the fact that I’m still not pregnant.”
“Oh, baby….” Danny wipes the stray droplets sliding down Charlie’s cheeks. “We can always stop if it’s too much.”
“Stop?” Charlie chuckles, but the sound clogs in her throat, coming out more like a strangled gargle. She rests a hand over her stomach, remembering how she could barely get out of bed this morning while enduring cramps. “Then all my efforts would be for nothing.”
“You know I don’t mean it like that, Charlie. I’m worried this is more than we bargained for.” Danny shakes her head. “I’ve seen what the injections do to you. It’s not worth it. My love, we can find some other way.”
Salt drips into Charlie’s mouth, and she licks her lips. She twists her body away from Danny, shrugging off her girlfriend’s hurt expression.
“…I’m tired, Danny.” Charlie’s hoarse whisper trails into silence. Neither of them speaks, stuck in a deadlock.
Danny stares into dull crimson eyes. Since when did they lose their spark? “I know, so why not stop before you suffer more? I miss the old Charlie, the one who was always cheerful and optimistic.”
“I don’t want to throw away possibly the only chance I have at carrying our baby,” Charlie says. “I can’t just give up halfway. Why are you trying to talk me out of it instead of supporting me?”
“Support you?” Danny scoffs. “I’ve been glued to your side for the past few days. I do everything you ask of me. I even abandoned some of my conniving schemes to care for you—you’re not the only one who’s tired!”
“Danny, I—”
“No, Charlie. I’m sick of you complaining all the time.” Danny clenches her fists, unable to look at Charlie’s teary eyes any longer. “You’re always whining about how it hurts, how awful it makes you feel, that you hate it. If it’s so terrible, then stop it! No one’s forcing you to go through with this treatment.
“We were fine before all this baby crap. Why can’t we go back to the way things were before? We don’t need children, not when it causes you this much pain.” Danny throws her hands in the air.
Charlie bites her lip, and she sniffles. “You don’t mean that,” she croaks.
“Yes, I do, Charlie. Stop caring about a baby that doesn’t even exist.” Danny winces when fat tears roll down Charlie’s cheeks.
A torrential downpour leaves Charlie’s face a streaky mess. She hiccups, swallowing past the ache in the back of her throat. “You know how important this is to me.”
Danny sighs and pulls Charlie into a hug. “I’m tired of watching you destroy yourself over this. If all you really want is a baby, then we can adopt one. Or if the kid needs to have our genes, we can look into surrogacy.”
“But I want to experience pregnancy.” Charlie wonders what the first kick feels like; what is it like to have this small life grow inside you? She pays no attention to Danny’s exasperated expression.
“Then you must make up your mind. Grit your teeth and complete the treatment plan, or stop right now. Because I can’t watch you be miserable any longer.” Danny furrows her brows and crosses her arms.
Charlie sobs, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. An overwhelming wave of emotion washes over her, draining the warmth from her fingertips. The question slips from her lips before she has a chance to stop it.
“Do you not want a child with me?”
Danny twists her moustache around her finger. “It wouldn’t bother me if we never had one.”
Charlie’s tight smile drops, and the smallest bit of hope in her chest gets snuffed out like a candle. The pain radiates from her heart in a dull ache that seeps into every fibre of her being. Her voice is small, but deafening to Danny’s ears. “I see. Then you don’t have to help me anymore. I can ask Vaggi or my dad if I need anything.”
“Charlie, I won’t abandon you like that.” Danny extends her hand, but Charlie recoils like she’s been touched by hellfire.
“It’s just—I feel like—when—UGH.” Charlie tugs at her blonde hair, messing up her ponytail. She sighs and holds Danny’s hands. “I know you said it because you’re worried about me, but it really hurt my feelings. I just want to know you’re on my side. Because of the medication, my body’s all wacky. I’m always sore and uncomfortable—cranky, too. I haven’t felt this emotionally dysfunctional since my teenage years.”
“You looked cute with black hair,” Danny says.
Charlie coughs, and her rosy cheeks darken. “The point is, I haven’t been feeling well lately, and I’m sorry for taking it out on you.”
“No, my love. I should be the one apologizing. No matter how diabolical it is, that’s no excuse to neglect those I care about.”
“Hug and make up?” Charlie says, opening her arms.
Danny smiles and embraces her girlfriend. “Of course.”
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
“You’re going to break the floor if you don’t stop,” Vaggi says, watching Danny pace back and forth.
“Then let it. This whole building can crumble if anything bad happens to Charlie,” Danny spits.
Vaggi grabs Danny by the arm and drags her to the chair beside her, forcing Danny to sit. “Charlie will be fine. They’re using magic to extract the eggs; it’s completely safe.”
Danny’s knee bounces, fingers twisting in her lap. Her eyes dart to the door where a nurse took Charlie. They were promised it wouldn’t take long—a standard procedure. She sucks in a breath and glances at a clock on the wall, wondering how many more times the second needle will complete a circle until they receive news.
The door handle turns, and Danny jumps at the click of the lock mechanism. She rushes up to the doctor, and the only reason she doesn’t shake the Baphomet is that Vaggi’s holding her back.
Dr. Lucina observes Danny’s face and smiles calmly. “The extraction was a success. We’ll have to sort out the mature eggs and fertilize them, but I’m confident there will be several viable embryos.”
“Thank you, Doctor. That’s great news,” Vaggi says. She grins at Danny, supporting the demoness when her body goes limp.
“And Charlie?” Danny asks, voice wobbling like her legs.
“Still asleep. We’ll do a check-up to make sure she’s looking good, but otherwise, Charlie can go home today. She’ll be sent back with medication to prepare her for the embryo transfer,” Dr. Lucina says. A nurse approaches her and whispers something in her ear. Dr. Lucina nods and looks to Danny. “Ms. Do-bad, please follow the nurse. She’ll bring you to a private room where you can provide a sample of your magic.”
Danny blushes and kisses Vaggi on the cheek. “I’ll be right back,” she mumbles, trailing after the nurse.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
A few days pass, and Charlie dives for her cellphone when it rings.
“Hello! Charlie Morningstar speaking!”
“Hello, Ms. Morningstar. This is Dr. Lucina. The great news is that you have six embryos available for transfer. Since this is your first IVF cycle, we will only use one and keep the rest frozen. Please book an appointment with Izzy for your next check-up. We’ll do our best to create the perfect environment to increase the chances of you becoming pregnant.”
Charlie’s smile widens, and the world around her blurs. She blinks, and a tear slides down her cheek. The words choke in her throat, and Charlie takes a deep breath. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Dr. Lucina.”
“You’re very welcome. Take care, now,” Dr. Lucina says.
“Yes, you, too!” Charlie ends the call, screaming so loud that the door slams open as Danny rushes in with a pistol.
Danny scans their bedroom, finger resting on the trigger. Her tense shoulders relax when she sees the ecstatic expression on Charlie’s face. She holsters the gun. “That was good news, I’m assuming?”
Charlie doesn’t say anything. She flings her arms around Danny and laughs until her head reels from the lack of oxygen.
Danny lifts her girlfriend and spins her around, smiling at the sound of her pure joy. “How long until they transfer the embryo?”
“Another few weeks. I need to keep taking the meds they gave me and book some appointments. But soon I’ll be pregnant with our child!” Charlie’s eyes glisten, and the crushing weight on her chest finally eases for the first time in months.
“You are amazing, my love, so unbelievably strong. I’m proud of you,” Danny says, stroking Charlie’s hair.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Once the doctor approved Charlie for an embryo transfer, she booked an appointment for the next day.
As she lies on the examination table, Charlie can barely contain her excitement. She looks over to Danny on her left and Vaggi on her right. They each hold one of her hands, and she’s grateful for their presence. While the procedure isn’t long, it’s nice to have something to squeeze when the discomfort becomes too much.
Charlie’s heart hammers in her chest, and she’s worried her damp hands will slip out of Danny and Vaggi’s grasp. Her stomach churns as Dr. Lucina explains the procedure one more time. She swallows the bitter tang that crawls up her throat. Charlie can’t bring herself to watch, instead focusing on the warmth in her hands and the gentle caress on her head.
“And we’re done!” Dr. Lucina removes her gloves and disposes of them.
Charlie blinks. “That’s it?”
“Embryo transfers tend to be simple compared to the other steps,” Dr. Lucina chuckles. “You may feel sore for the next few days, but that’s to be expected.”
Charlie sags into the examination table, muscles losing all their tension. The buzz in her veins drops off a cliff, and Charlie winces at the twinge in her lower abdomen. “What happens now?” she asks.
Dr. Lucina smiles and writes another prescription, handing the slip of paper to Charlie. “We’ll need to wait at least two weeks to verify if the pregnancy was successful, so until then, please avoid any strenuous activities and continue taking your medication.”
Charlie thanks the medical staff and leans on Danny and Vaggi for support. Their trip back to the hotel is filled with laughter as Charlie rambles on about potential baby names.
“I was thinking Lily or Alyssa if it’s a girl and Alex or Lucas if it’s a boy.” Charlie rubs her stomach, unable to tear her gaze from the flat surface.
“Why not Danielle or Danny Jr?” Danny leans against the Elevator walls, gloved fingers tapping against the railing.
Vaggi rolls her eye. “We are not naming the baby Danny Jr. One Danny is enough.”
“You wound me, Vaggi,” Danny clutches her chest, “who else will carry on my dastardly evil deeds?”
“I’m not letting you drag our baby into your plans,” Vaggi bristles.
Charlie squeezes in between the two, pushing them apart with a strained laugh. “There’s no need to fight. We have plenty of time to decide on a name, and I believe that since our baby will be raised with tons of love and care, they’ll turn out to be good.”
The elevator chimes, and the doors slide open to reveal the Pride Ring.
“I can’t wait to tell everyone the good news!” Charlie grins, grabbing her girlfriends by the hand and skipping out of the elevator.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Danny knocks on the bathroom door, wincing when she hears the wet heaves and gagging noises through the walls. “Charlie, my love? Are you alright? Do you want me to call Vaggi over?”
“No”—Charlie retches and bitter acid spills from her lips—“I’m okay!”
“You don’t sound like it.” Danny frowns and wiggles the doorknob, but it doesn’t budge. “You have been sick for days.”
The sound of the toilet flushing precedes running water. A long gargle and a spit finish the sequence before Danny hears the door unlock.
Charlie’s pale face appears with a bright smile. “This must be a sign that it worked, Danny. I feel nauseous in the mornings, my breasts have become tender—I know that something is different now. I must be pregnant. There’s no other way.”
Danny pulls Charlie into a hug, pulling a handkerchief from her front pocket to wipe the remaining water around Charlie’s mouth. “Yes, my love. I’m glad things turned out in your favour.”
“I know the test is scheduled for today, but I already know what it’s going to say.” Charlie wraps her arms around her belly, imagining the tiny life forming inside her. “I’m going to be the best mom ever.”
Danny raises Charlie’s hand to her lips, kissing the knuckles with a warm expression. “I have no doubt you will be. Vaggi cannot make it to this appointment, but I will be there by your side.”
“Then let’s go! I can’t wait to confirm I’m pregnant!” Charlie giggles and leads Danny out of the hotel.
They arrive at the clinic early for their appointment as usual, and Izzy redirects them to an examination room. Charlie nearly knocks over her chair when she gets up to greet the doctor.
“It’s wonderful to see you in good spirits,” Dr. Lucina says, pulling up Charlie’s files on the computer. “How have you been feeling?”
Charlie rambles about the past two weeks, emphasizing her suspected pregnancy symptoms. Dr. Lucina only nods and writes in her notepad.
“We’ll need to perform a blood test to be sure,” Dr. Lucina says. She opens a drawer and pulls out equipment. Her deft fingers tie a band around Charlie’s upper arm, and she quickly finds a vein, filling a test tube with blood. She removes the needle and places a band-aid over the injection site.
Dr. Lucina swirls the liquid around, and her palms glow faintly.
Charlie massages her sore arm, eyes brimming with hope. “What are the results?”
Dr. Lucina hums thoughtfully and sets down the test tube.
Danny intertwines her fingers with Charlie’s, squeezing them gently.
“Ms. Morningstar, I have been working at this clinic for centuries, longer than you’ve been alive as a doctor, so I’m quite confident in my skills.”
Charlie scoots closer until her butt is almost off the chair. She leans forward while holding her breath. Her hand rests on her belly, and she’s already thinking about how they should decorate the nursery once they return home. They’ll also need to buy plenty of toys and supplies. Maybe some of her old baby clothes are still at the castle. There’s no harm in asking her dad to check.
“Ms. Morningstar,” Dr. Lucina repeats.
Her baby will grow up surrounded by the friends and family she’s created at the hotel. Charlie’s chest pangs at her mother’s absence. Her messages are still left on delivered, even the one announcing her pregnancy. But Charlie’s not surprised.
Dr. Lucina clears her throat. “Charlotte.”
Even without a grandmother, her baby will grow up just fine. Charlie can love the child enough to fill that gap. An elbow digs into Charlie’s side, and she snaps out of her daze.
“I’m sorry, Doctor. Could you repeat that?” Charlie asks, avoiding eye contact with everybody.
“Ms. Morningstar, the test results are negative. You are not pregnant,” Dr. Lucina says.
“I’m not”—Charlie’s heart drops to her stomach—“pregnant?”
“It’s unfortunate, but not impossible.” Dr. Lucina looks at the couple with sympathy. “IVF is not a guaranteed method, and we’ve had other patients who did not succeed in their first round.”
Charlie’s hands tremble, and her stomach churns. “But that’s not right! What about my morning sickness? The changes happening with my body?!” She laughs in disbelief. “How can you say none of that was pregnancy?”
Dr. Lucina’s expression grows solemn. “Sometimes we want something so badly, our mind can trick our body into believing something that isn’t true or never existed in the first place.”
“No….” Tears flow down Charlie’s cheeks, and she sobs into Danny’s chest, crying until the world becomes a blurry mess and the sting burns her eyes raw.
“This is unfortunate news, but you still have several viable embryos. We can always proceed with another transfer if you’re willing.” Dr. Lucina rises from her seat and opens the door. “I’ll give you two a moment alone. Charlie, you can take as long as you need to decide whether you want to proceed with another round of IVF.”
Once the doctor leaves, Charlie’s cries develop into wails. She clings to Danny, slumping in her arms.
Danny coos and pets Charlie’s hair, but nothing quiets the loud sobs.
“Maybe, maybe I’m not meant to have a baby. Maybe this is a sign I shouldn’t be a mom,” Charlie hiccups, snot running down her face.
“That’s not true,” Danny says. She wipes Charlie’s tears and kisses her temple. “You heard the doctor. We were simply unlucky this time.”
Charlie shakes her head, every nerve in her body tingling like a live wire. The pounding in her chest suffocates her lungs, and her breath comes in tiny, gasping wheezes. “No, no. This is what I get for trying to make a difference in Hell. They put a baby directly into me, Danny, and it still didn’t work!
“There must be something wrong with me, something broken.”
“Charlie, get a hold of yourself! Everything will be okay! We’ll figure something out.” Danny wraps her arms tighter around Charlie. “Cry as much as you want. Afterwards, we’ll talk with Vaggi about our options.”
“Danny….” Charlie’s red-rimmed eyes glisten, and more tears soak into Danny’s shirt and vest.
They remain huddled in the examination room until Charlie’s sobs decrease to quiet sniffles.
“Feeling better?” Danny asks.
“Yes, thank you,” Charlie croaks, blowing her nose when Danny offers her a tissue.
They phone Vaggi, and Charlie nearly cries again after hearing her other girlfriend’s voice.
“Is it really okay for me to try again?” Charlie stares at the screen displaying Vaggi’s face.
“We'll be there with you every step of the way,” Vaggi says.
“Then…” Charlie grips the phone tighter. “I want to do it. I don’t want to give up on having a baby.” Charlie sniffles, looking between her two girlfriends. “I love you guys so much.”
“And we love you, too,” Vaggi says.
Danny agrees with a silent squeeze to Charlie’s shoulder.
“Then it’s settled.” Charlie smiles.
A month later, with more medication, Charlie returns for another embryo transfer.
“We ran more tests before selecting the best embryo,” Dr. Lucina says, slipping on a new pair of disposable gloves. “Shall we begin?”
Charlie nods, her body less tense this time. The procedure goes smoothly, and she’s back at the hotel within half an hour.
“Please work this time,” Charlie whispers, hugging her stomach.
The next two weeks are agony for Charlie. There’s no morning sickness or body aches other than the occasional abdominal cramp.
The day before her next appointment, Charlie nearly fainted while using the bathroom in the morning. Light pink splotches decorate her underwear, and the tears pour down her face. Charlie hastily redresses herself and wakes Danny and Vaggi, begging them to help her.
“Something’s wrong,” Charlie stammers, struggling to choose her words.
Danny and Vaggi take one look at Charlie’s face before rushing her to the clinic.
Charlie sits in the examination room, hyperventilating as the walls warp in her vision. She can barely hear Danny or Vaggi’s voices, their touch muted by the chill spreading through her chest.
Dr. Lucina performs several tests, examining Charlie’s body and recording her symptoms. She offers words of comfort to the trembling demoness, reassuring her that spotting or light bleeding can be normal during early pregnancy.
The doctor draws another sample of blood, and sweat trickles down Charlie’s face, sliding down her neck and beneath the collar of her clothes.
Dr. Lucina smiles. “Congratulations, Ms. Morningstar. The blood test has confirmed you’re pregnant.”
Charlie’s eyes widen. Her voice becomes airy and high-pitched. “And the bleeding?”
“Nothing to be concerned about. Although we’ll want to see you again in 48 hours to make sure,” Dr. Lucina says.
“I’m…” Charlie raises a shaky hand to cover her mouth, muffling her cries. Her shoulders tremble, and the familiar burn returns to her eyes and nose. She swallows the ache in her throat, beaming. “I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a baby!”
“That’s amazing!” Vaggi wraps her arms around Charlie.
Danny moves to sandwich Charlie in their three-way hug. “Wonderful, indeed. I had full faith in you.”
“We’ll need to monitor you closely during the first trimester, but for now, I think you deserve to celebrate and rest at home. That doesn’t mean you should forget to take your medication,” Dr. Lucina says.
Charlie runs over and hugs the doctor. “Thank you, thank you so much!”
Dr. Lucina pats Charlie on the back. “It’s an honour to be part of your journey.”
“We have to tell my dad—we have to tell everyone at the hotel!” Charlie gasps. She thanks the doctor once more and smiles the entire way home.
The reaction of all her friends was a mixture of shock and glee. Lucifer wouldn't stop crying, which meant Charlie wouldn’t stop crying, and the two Morningstars had to be separated temporarily.
Months passed in the blink of an eye, and Charlie’s bump steadily grew. Once Charlie started waddling around on swollen ankles, Vaggi and Danny would refuse to let her lift a finger. In fact, everyone at the hotel treated her like she was made of glass. It became a nightmare to have a moment of peace without her dad hovering over her shoulder or either of her partners running to her side if she so much as sneezed.
Charlie decided to not identify the gender of her baby. She wanted it to be a surprise. All the weird pregnancy cravings and back pain became worth it when she felt the first kick.
It took her by surprise at first, but then she felt it again. A light flutter in her stomach, followed by a twitch. Charlie almost didn’t notice the sensation. Her baby slowly grew more active in the following weeks.
Charlie’s chest fills with warmth when she watches the wonder in Danny and Vaggi’s eyes whenever they rest their hand on her stomach and feel the baby’s movements.
“It’s incredible to think you’re growing an entire demon inside you,” Danny says, caressing Charlie’s bump with reverence.
“I can’t wait to meet them.” Charlie’s eyes glisten, and she wipes away the tear before it falls. “We struggled so much to get here, but we made it.”
“No, Charlie, that was all you.” Vaggi kisses Charlie’s forehead. “I’m so proud of you.”
Danny nods. “She’s right. You did all the hard parts.”
“It was a team effort,” Charlie says, waving her hand.
“Just accept the compliment,” Danny snorts. “Now, why are we really here?”
“Oh! I wanted your opinions on the decorations for the baby shower!” Charlie pulls out her phone and navigates to her photo album, showing her the mood boards she put together. “Be honest, which one do you like best?”
The three of them spend the next hour finalizing the decisions for the baby shower. That party becomes one of Charlie’s favourite memories of the pregnancy.
Everyone they liked was invited to the hotel. With KeeKee’s help, they created a ballroom and set up the decorations in no time. Nifty outdid herself with the catering, and the scent of her cooking wafted all the way to the lobby.
The party went on for hours, and Charlie received countless congratulations and gifts from all the guests. She stacked her plate at the buffet table, avoiding all the dishes that looked like they contained a finger or a foot, and took turns dancing with Vaggi and Danny until her legs lost all strength.
As the energy died down and more demons were passed out on the ground, Charlie retired to her bedroom after Vaggi, and Danny urged her to go first, promising to take care of the cleanup.
Charlie’s phone buzzed when she reached her room. She nearly dropped the device when she read the notification. Charlie immediately unlocked the screen and accepted the call.
“…Mom?”
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
“GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY,” Danny hollers, clearing the hallway as Vaggi sprints behind her, carrying a heavily pregnant Charlie.
Lucifer opens his door and sticks his head outside. “Is everything al—“
“THE BABY’S COMING,” Danny interrupts him. A gust of wind trails behind her.
“Oh, I see. The baby’s coming,” Lucifer chuckles. He freezes and then bolts inside, scrambling for his things. His hat nearly slides off his head as he runs after them. “The baby’s coming?!?”
They bring Charlie to the nearest hospital, where she spends hours in labour before she’s dilated enough to give birth.
Charlie clenches her jaw as another contraction crashes through her body, and the wave of pain dulls to a low throb that travels from her navel to her tailbone.
Vaggi wipes the sweat from Charlie’s forehead, and Danny’s smile tightens as the bones in her hands splinter.
“I can see the head. One more big push now,” the doctor says.
Charlie moans as she leans forward and pushes as hard as she can. The pain meds they administered earlier aren’t enough to fully douse the burn as her body stretches to its limit.
A loud wail pierces the delivery room, and Charlie scrambles to move towards the sound, but her limbs remain stiff.
“My baby, where’s my baby?” Charlie mutters, wrestling with her tongue to articulate the words.
“Congratulations! It’s a beautiful baby girl!” The doctor wraps the infant in a blanket while a nurse clamps the umbilical cord. Danny and Vaggi cut the umbilical cord together, blinking away the tears in their eyes.
The doctor places the baby in Charlie’s arms.
Charlie gasps, cradling her newborn to her chest, feeling the tacky warmth from the small bundle.
Large, crimson eyes gaze up at Charlie, and a soft cry escapes the tiny lips.
Charlie brushes the sparse blonde strands and kisses her baby’s forehead. “Alyssa. Your name is Alyssa,” she murmurs.
“Welcome to the family, little one,” Danny coos.
“At least she didn’t inherit your moustache,” Vaggi says, peering at the chubby face protruding from the blankets.
Danny scoffs, “And what’s that supposed to mean?!”
Charlie sighs and watches in amusement as her girlfriends bicker in the background. She ignores their spat and focuses on her daughter. Small claws wrap around her finger, and Charlie smiles. She chuckles and kisses the tiny fist.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Alyssa Morningstar.”
End Note:
I had to research a lot about IVF, and now my phone thinks I'm struggling to have a baby, so it keeps giving me ads for different solutions and clinics 💀
If you made it all the way here, thank you for reading!
I'll see you guys at my next hyperfixation! (。・∀・)ノ
Reblogs are appreciated!
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