Ciel Michaelis waited patiently for his mother to arrive, he looked forward to the visits with his family and was grateful to Sebastian for making it possible. He glanced at the clock, it was almost time now. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a long, thin velvet box. He couldn't wait to see her reaction to his gift.

When at last the door creaked open and Cynna appeared, Ciel stood up excited. The butler grinned,

"Master Ciel, I'm pleased to say that your mother has arrived, shall I send her in now?" Cynna asked quietly.

"Of course, don't just leave her in the hallway. She's my mother, let her in." Cynna chuckled softly at Ciel's eager tone.

"As you wish." The demon disappeared and in his place, Rachel Phantomhive came into view. She held out her arms, walking to her son.

"My precious son, I've missed you so much." Ciel wasted no time in embracing his mother.

"I've missed you too, I'm so happy you're here. Happy Mother's Day." Rachel smiled, stroking Ciel's dark hair.

"And to you Ciel. I'm so proud of you." It would be several minutes before Ciel let go. He didn't care how childish it looked, he loved his mother.

"Come in, sit down and visit. Do you have time to-"

"Sweetheart, I have all the time in the world for you. It's always a joy to see you."

"How are things..up there?" Ciel asked.

"Everything's fine, I've been meaning to tell you and your darling little Rachel that we did find her dear little kitten, it wandered over to me and I recognized it immediately, I took her home straight away."

"That's great, thank you, she'll be happy to hear that. I appreciate you doing that for her."

"That's what grandmothers are for." Rachel looked away for a moment, her smile widening.

"What is it?"Ciel inquired curiously.

"I was just remembering when you were small. I have so many fond memories. You know, you're the reason your father and I are happy. All my life, since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a mother, then you came along and I had everything. I remember the day you were born so clearly, holding you in my arms for the very first time, you were so tiny." Ciel smiled at his mother.

"You are our miracle, our gift from Heaven. I'm sorry that we couldn't be thee to protect you love. We never would have let anything happen to you if-"

"I know. You would've come for me if you could have. I don't blame you for what happened to me. I owe you an apology though, for the things I've done. You raised me to be better than I was, I feel like I let you and Father down, I'm not the same boy you held, or that used to climb in bed with you two when there was a storm" Rachel reached out and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Ciel, baby, we're proud of you. You'll always be our son, and anyone would be changed after such a horrific chain of events. You went through so much more than anyone ever should and somehow, you managed to get up every day and you were there for Elizabeth and you're raising a beautiful family. How could we possibly ever think badly of you. Each time I visit you, I see a little more of who you truly are returning. You're an amazing mother and we couldn't be more proud."

"I wouldn't be a good mother at all if I hadn't learned from you. You were always there when I needed you. You're wonderful, the best mother in the world, while I have you here, I want to say thank you, for everything you've done for me, everything you are and all the unconditional love that I still get from you,your patience and being so accepting of my family."

"You're safe and happy, that's what matters to us, we love you so much."

"I love you too. I'm glad you come to visit and the children adore you."

"I adore them as well, my beautiful grandchildren, they often remind me of you when you were little. Do you remember when your father would go out to work and every night he would come home and you would run straight for him, smiling and he would lift you up and cuddle you?"

"Sort of." Ciel admitted. "I remember how father and I used to bring you flowers on mother's day, and we would take you into London and let you look around, we'd arrange for madam red to meet us there later and send the two of you for tea while we got you gifts."

"Yes, she told me that your father would send you into her while she was visiting to ask her to help. She never could say no to you, she's always loved you. You would look into her eyes and smile, she was powerless to refuse."

"I love her too, just as much as I always did, nothing changed that."

"That means everything to her. Your forgiveness is what freed her from her prison."

"She saved my children, protected them and me. She didn't have to."

"She sees you as her own, what would you have done"?

"Exactly the same thing." When Rachel released him, Ciel again pulled out the box.

"Mother, I bought you a small gift, it's not much but I want you to know how much having you here again means to me,how much I love you." He handed the box to her and watched as she opened it. Rachel let out a soft gasp, placing her hand over her heart.

Inside, she found a golden, heart shaped locket, the word Mother was spelled out in small diamonds.

"Ciel, it's beautiful, thank you." She lifted it from the box, carefully opening it to reveal a photo of a very young Ciel with his parents, the Phantomhive family smiled joyfully at the camera, in the next small frame, a photo of The Michaelis children and their mother gathered together Angelina and Kathryn were seated on their mother's lap while the eldest four sat in front of the chair. Tears formed in Rachel's eyes.

"You like it?" Ciel asked hopefully.

"I absolutely love it and I'll always cherish it." She placed the chain around her neck and once more embraced her son.

"Happy Mother's Day, you're the best mother ever." Ciel felt his mother tighten her grip.

"My precious boy, I'm so proud to be your mother, as beautiful as this is, the greatest gift has always been having you as a son."