The reconstruction of the Hazbin Hotel took just over a month of Earth-standard time to complete. Lucifer brought in imps and demons from across the seven rings, putting them to work with promises of generous rewards for their efforts.
Not to be outdone, Alastor summoned a slew of construction demons with his magic, the same sort he had done previously when Sir Pentious had destroyed one of the hotel walls.
The two clashed over designs and materials until Charlie put her foot down, informed them that she wouldn't tolerate their antics, and ordered them to cooperate. Reluctantly, they both agreed.
Ironically, they had no trouble teaming up to chase off the news crew of Studio 666 and Velvette of the Vees, both of which kept trying repeatedly to get interviews with the princess and her lover, the banished Exorcist, Angel.
Although she appreciated both of them for handling external issues, her anxiety went beyond rumors and gossip about her ex-boyfriend. She was far more nervous about the potential friction between Vaggie and Angel during the early days of rebuilding. She was very aware of how jealousy could show itself, having gone through it herself on Earth.
Yet, her worries soon faded when she caught glimpses of them getting along reasonably well. Then, one early evening while they were finishing some touches on the railing on the second floor, Vaggie suddenly spoke up.
"He's commendable."
"Hmm?" Pausing with a washrag halfway up a curved rung, Charlie lifted her eyes to her lover, "He who?"
"Angel." Vaggie smiled softly.
"Vaggie, I…" Charlie wanted to say more about that day on the battlefield, but hesitated to mention his name to her girlfriend, fearing it might upset her. Now that Vaggie had brought him up, she thought she should apologize again, but Vaggie raised her hand to stop her.
"Let me finish, hon."
Charlie nervously bit her lip.
Vaggie resumed. "Yesterday, I was working on Dazzle's statue, and the memory of his death hit me so hard that I nearly stumbled off the ladder I was on. Angel was nearby, caught the ladder, helped me down, and asked about Dazzle. He knew exactly what I needed, and all that pain I'd been holding in came flooding out." She sniffed.
Charlie took Vaggie's hand and gripped it. "It's okay, Vaggie. I miss Dazzle, too."
Vaggie swallowed and continued. "He listened, Charlie. He didn't try to apologize, explain anything, or make excuses. He just listened. I don't even know why I went on and on about Dazzle, but all he did was nod and encourage me to talk. I don't know what he was to you, Charlie, and I know you both will share everything with me once we're done. But…he's commendable, and a gentleman."
"Thank you." Charlie grasped the undertone of her girlfriend's comment.
In her subtle way, Vaggie was reassuring her that the explanation and apologies could wait, that she needed time, and that their focus should be solely on rebuilding the hotel.
Although it seemed Vaggie wouldn't have a problem with her and Angel working side by side, Charlie deliberately chose to assign tasks that would keep them apart. During shift changes, Lucifer would teleport the exhausted demons to his mansion for some rest, and Charlie had asked him to take Angel with him.
Despite all this, they occasionally crossed paths, exchanging warm smiles or lightly brushing each other's arms. Charlie wanted Angel to know she was thinking of him.
Then, one morning, they both found themselves in the newly finished kitchen together. Charlie had started a few pots of coffee for the morning shift before she and Vaggie would retire for their downtime, when Angel walked in to get his first cup of the day. He saw her, realized they were alone, and turned to leave.
"Angel? Wait, please?"
Stopping, he pivoted back around and gave her a small bow. "Of course, Your Highness."
Charlie's eyes blazed a fiery red, her voice thick with emotion. "Don't be so fucking formal!" Swiftly collecting herself, she softened her tone, saying, "I'm sorry! I know we're keeping our distance for Vaggie's sake, but I miss you." She pointed to the coffee carafe. "Could you at least have a cup of coffee with me?"
Dipping his head silently, Angel stepped up to the counter beside Charlie and picked up a clean cup. He offered it to Charlie, who poured until it was nearly full. She set the carafe down. "Cream? Sugar?"
He nodded again.
His silence annoyed her, but to stop from snapping at him again, she concentrated on making his cup. Stirring it thoroughly, she handed it to him.
"Thank you." Angel's voice carried a great deal of warmth. "My Princess of Hell."
The intimacy in the way he said it made her heart skip a beat. She offered him a smile. "You're welcome, my knight."
Silently, they sipped their coffees for a few minutes, gazing fondly at each other. Then Charlie remembered a question she had been eager to ask him. It was an intimate question, so she addressed him personally. "Kevin?"
The corner of his lips lifted at the familiarity. "Yes?"
"How—how did you die?"
The smile disappeared as he looked at her briefly, set down his half-finished coffee, and shook his head. "Now isn't the time for this, Charlie," Angel sighed deeply. "Please be patient, okay? I promise I'll tell you everything soon. Just not right now."
Disappointed and sad, she bowed her head. "Okay."
Suddenly feeling awkward, he ran his fingers through his brown locks and sighed. "I should head to the south wall. I promised Angel Dust and Husker I would help with the painting this morning."
"S-Sure." Feeling rejected, she turned her back to him to wipe away a tear threatening the corner of her eye.
She jumped when he placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a steady, reassuring squeeze. Biting her lip, she rested her hand on top of his, her fingers softly caressing his knuckles. In that silent moment, they stood together, connected, until she felt his hand slowly slide away and heard him quietly leave the kitchen.
His touch ignited desire and need within her, as well as memories of their past. She remembered how he had saved her, protected her, and taught her to embrace her inner demon. He was, in part, a major reason why she had taken on the impossible task of saving her people. And now, she was more than Lucifer's daughter—she was the powerful demon Princess of Hell that everyone recognized today. Wiping away her tears, she refocused on preparing coffee for the rest of the morning's crew.
Thankfully, over the final week, the rest of the rebuild went smoothly. When the last light bulb was installed, the honor went to Charlie to bring it to life with her magic. Now, as they all stood together in front of the freshly christened Hazbin Hotel, with Charlie holding a new key in her hand, she boldly declared that it was going to be a fucking happy day in Hell, and everyone cheered.
As everyone mingled, laughed, and shook hands, Vaggie leaned in and kissed Charlie's cheek. "I'm ready to listen, now."
Her smile fading with concern, Charlie nodded with a shaky sigh.
Angel approached them, softly placed his hand on Charlie's shoulder, and with his eyes fixed on Vaggie, he declared, "And we're ready to share."
After dinner that evening, with the Hazbin Hotel's lights shining brightly over the five points of Hell and the giant gargoyle clock chiming eight hollow bells announcing it was 8 a.m., everyone gathered down in the split-circular sunken couch area in the lobby.
Charlie turned to the Radio Demon. "Alastor?"
"Yes, Charlie?" Alastor's static voice replied.
"Could you please conjure up some extra comfortable pillows?" Even though she could call them up herself, her mind was too distracted. She felt a blush rise in her cheeks as she added, "This will take a while."
"Why, certainly," Alastor agreed. Within a wave of his hand, enough pillows appeared for everyone present—except for Lucifer.
"Why, you," Lucifer mumbled.
As Alastor walked off, humming the tune 'You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile', the king huffed and produced a mini-throne for himself, choosing to sit in the upper lobby behind the couch like the king he was, topping it off with a tiny merry-go-round filled with ducks.
Charlie shook her head, smiling. At least some things remained the same, even if the hotel—and her life—no longer would be.
Angel Dust, holding Fat Nuggets, plopped onto the purple leather cushions, piling up pillows around them.
Cherri Bomb sat next to him and was taken aback when KeeKee jumped onto her lap, curling up and quickly dozing off.
Husker and Niffty poured drinks and served snacks before settling onto their own cushions.
Alastor spread his coat wide as he reclined in a high-backed lounger off to the side and in the shadows, crossing one leg over the other. He set his microphone on his lap and intertwined his fingers.
Lucifer beamed as he took his throne, observing the princess as she guided Vaggie to the center of the large seating area.
Charlie assisted her lover in getting comfortable among some plush throw pillows, for this story was meant for her.
Before Vaggie got settled, she paused to kiss Charlie tenderly.
She hummed into the kiss, then stepped back. Nodding once, she turned and joined Angel, who stood in the proverbial spotlight at the top of the three sets of steps, his back to a pillar centered behind him.
Boldly, she quickly pecked his cheek, then turned to her friends. "Before we start," Charlie smiled at her friends, "I know I've said this many times before, but I want to reaffirm how much I love all of you. Even though not all of you believe it's possible to redeem a soul, you still stood by my side and fought for my dreams. You're the best friends any girl could dream of having. Thank you."
"Here! Here," shouted Cherri Bomb. "I may not be a part of this menagerie, but fuck it, if the camaraderie isn't endearing!"
Charlie encouraged, "You could be!"
"Eh, maybe." Cherri Bomb smirked back.
Charlie laughed softly and continued, "That's why I wanted you all to hear the story. The story I need to tell Vaggie. Because I fucked up." She let her smile fade. "When I saw Angel, I forgot everything else and remembered being that frightened girl trapped on Earth so long ago—"
"What!?" Vaggie's eye widened in shock as she leaped forward in her seat, her wings spreading out dramatically. The others gasped in unison behind her.
"Oh, this is going to be good!" Angel Dust relished, taking a long pull of his drink.
"Shhh," Niffty hushed, her one big eye glaring at him.
"Charlie?" Vaggie gasped. "You were trapped on Earth? When? How?"
"I'm sorry, Vaggie." She hummed, her eyes moist. "I didn't mean to spring it on you like that. Let me explain." Charlie gathered herself and continued, "When I saw Angel, all the memories I'd lost came flooding back. The girl I was? The one in love with him took over, and I kissed him, Vaggie. I kissed him with the memory of loving him with all my heart." Charlie sighed. "I hope that makes sense."
Vaggie motioned for her to go on with a soft smile. "I know. Go on, hon, I'm listening."
Charlie looked at Angel for encouragement, and he took the lead. "Vaggie? Everyone? Allow me to begin with a long-overdue proper introduction." Stepping forward, he bowed respectfully. "My real name is Kevin Angelus Collins, and I'd like it very much if you called me Kevin. Angel was my call sign when I served in the military and as a bounty hunter, and it's the name a dear friend of mine in Heaven encouraged me to embrace."
Everyone nodded slightly to his introduction.
Continuing, he explained, "It wasn't until I regained my memories that it occurred to me how fitting keeping that name was. You see, throughout my life, I dedicated myself to finding lost children—children who were taken, kidnapped, trafficked—whatever the reason, I would find them and bring them home. I didn't always succeed."
Murmuring voices buzzed among everyone, and even Lucifer shifted in his seat uncomfortably.
Kevin continued, "The night I found Charlie, I was tracking two brothers whom my source indicated might be involved in the kidnapping of two little girls."
Cassie! Charlie couldn't help but smile warmly. The 'source' was his older sister, whom she loved dearly. Even though they had kept their distance over the past month, she had asked him about her. He assured her that Cassie was alive and well.
She tuned back in as Kevin continued, "I had been scouting the forest, narrowing in on them when I saw a sudden flash of bright light through the foliage. Investigating, I was shocked by what I found."
"Me," Charlie whispered.
"How?" Vaggie looked at them both in surprise.
Charlie took over. "I'll get to that, but as you know, being the daughter of Lucifer doesn't grant you automatic respect. Remember Studio 666?"
"How could I forget?" Vaggie grumbled. "¡Qué le jodan a esa perra Katie Killjoy!"
Charlie's lips twitched. "Yeah, I still have her pen, too," she chuckled.
Vaggie's anger melted, and she shared a laugh with her girlfriend.
Shaking her head, Charlie sighed. "Anyway, I was used to that kind of mockery growing up. I needed to prove myself. I was determined to show everyone I was capable of being a strong, confident leader. I was Lucifer's daughter, after all, and Dad always said, 'Don't take shit from other demons.' So, I explored all over Hell, every ring and its regions. It gave me a sense of power. I dared to go where even the most dangerous demons seldom ventured. I wanted to know my kingdom, and I wanted my kingdom to see me as someone not to fuck with."
Alastor spoke up from the shadows. "You sought out Porta ad Inferos, didn't you?"
A collective gasp greeted his question, and Charlie nodded again. "Yes and no. I was aware of its existence, but I had only intended to enter the realm it inhabited to prove to Hell that I wasn't afraid to go wherever I needed. I thought it might be sufficient for some, at least. But when I approached it, I felt something beckoning me. Something that drew me deeper into the darkness where Inferos resided, as if whispering promises of fulfilled wishes. When I attempted to turn away, a power I had never experienced before seized me and drew me into its maw. I didn't have time to scream, and then I blacked out."
None dared to speak, allowing Kevin to resume where he left off. "When I found her, she was bruised, bleeding, and her clothes were in tatters. I carried her back to my van, wrapped her in a blanket, and assessed the extent of the damage. Seeing cuts and scrapes all over her, I started to bandage her, asking questions to try and keep her calm."
Charlie followed up. "My head was clearing while he cleaned my wounds, and his soft questioning voice felt comforting, but I could not remember anything. Well, nothing except for my given name."
"Charlotte," Vaggie whispered.
"Mmmhmm. But it was the only thing I could remember." Her eyes flickered. "Until a month ago, when everything started flooding back." Charlie turned to Kevin and whispered almost conspiratorially, "Now, I remember everything."
***
¡Qué le jodan a esa perra Katie Killjoy! = Fuck that bitch Katie Killjoy!