The full moon had risen high over head, the twinkling stars danced around it. The Michaelis family made their way across the vast field, Alois and Naveen followed closely.
"This is so silly brothers and sisters, it is time so say good night but we are outside, grandmother wants us to visit and the moon is awake now." Rachel commented, her tiny clawed hand gripped the handle of the stroller where the youngest members of the family lay.
"Yes, we are very silly for being outside but I like the moon, it is very big." Vincent replied from the other side of his mother.
"Dad, mum, I like that we are all dressed up. It's fun to pretend." Sebastian smiled looking down at his youngest son.
"It certainly can be, I suppose it all depends on the situation, children." Evian remained silent, taking in the sights and sounds of the evening. He loved the crisp breeze that brushed against his face as they walked.
"Daddy, will Aunt Bethy be there, oh I hope so, I love Aunt Bethy and I want to show her my costume. Will 'grandmother like it a lot?"
"She will love it."
"Daddy, why didn't you or mommy and cousin Alois and cousin Naveen be anything?"
"Your mother refused. I on the other hand-"
"Of course I did, I'm not wearing those ridiculous ears, " Ciel said sharply.
"But they suit you so well. I've never in all my years come across such a stunningly beautiful-"
"And you never will. It's not happening. Where's this bloody place your father told us about?" Ciel asked.
"Not much further, just beyond this field, we'll go through the woods and then we will have arrived, I haven't been here since I was younger, my parents used to bring Mordred and myself out here each year. It will be nice to see the old place again. I have such fond memories...such as the time I broke one of my father's pumpkin's over Mordred's head. Father was furious of course, it had been the largest one that year."Sebastian smirked at the memory.
"I'm sorry I missed that."Ciel replied as the children laughed.
"Daddy, you are so silly!"
"Can you please do it again?"Rowan requested.
"We'll see."Rowan grinned, his tiny fangs exposed and gleaming in the moonlight.
"Are you sure Cayden and Lenora won't be too scared?" Alois asked his mate, breaking his silence at last.
"I'm positive. They're surrounded by family, precious one, they've nothing to fear tonight." Naveen promised.
"Dad, are the woods really scary at night time?"Vincent called over his shoulder.
"No. Always remember this children, there is nothing there in the dark that isn't in the light. Although, you may hear more sounds as wooded areas are often quieter at night."
"Scary ones?" Rachel released the stroller and grabbed onto her mother's jacket.
"No my little one, things like crickets and frogs, maybe an owl or two."Ciel soothed.
"Mommy, Mommy, owls are big!"Vincent cried excitedly.
"Some are, not all of them."
"Mommy, I have never seen one, is it bigger than me?"Rachel asked in a frightened voice.
"No. anything we might come across in the woods would be more scared of you than you are of it."
"Not my daddy and mommy, they are not afraid of anything. Not even monsters!"
"Rachel, dear heart, your mother and I are the monsters and we do not fear others, one day you will learn that this is simply the way of life. Demons are quite possibly one of the most powerful beings to be created. Not many things can easily contend with our kind and certainly not with your mother and myself should it try."
"Mama would beat it up and it would wish dad did it instead."Evian grinned.
"That's right Evian. Your mother has a very strong maternal instinct and he will protect you whether it be a grim reaper, angel, or another demon. He would never tolerate such a presence near his puppies."
"Because we are only babies and we cannot do it yet."
"Well, there's that and the fact that he loves each of you more than his own life, just as I do."
"Dad, there it is, I see it!"Evian pointed to the woods that were now just ahead of them. "Do not be afraid brothers and sisters, it will be okay."
"Brother Evian says it is okay, he knows, he is very smart." the Michaelis children nodded in agreement as the group continued on their way.
"I hope we get to see some happy things."
"We will sister, Grandmother, Grandfather and Aunt Bethy are very happy things to see and have." The children looked around curiously. Rachel gasped at the sound of soft croaking and chirps.
"I hear it Mommy and Daddy. Cousin Naveen, Cousin Alois, do you hear it too?"
"Yes, we hear it, that's what frogs and crickets sound like." Alois replied quietly. He shifted his infant son in his arms.
"It is not scary at all. I like it Mama, can we visit at night time again soon?" Evian pleaded looking up into the trees, hoping to catch sight of the owls.
"I don't know Evian, it's not-"
"One day perhaps when you're a bit older."Sebastian interrupted, earning a glare from his mate.
It wasn't long before the pumpkin patch came into sight, and with it, the towering shadow of the king of hell.
"Grandfather, hello, it is us. Do you see, we are here!" Rachel cried, waving to the figure, who moved forward to greet them.
"Young ones, Your grandmother and I have missed you." The king knelt down, holding out his massive arms to embrace his grandchildren. The Michaelis children turned to their parents.
"Go on puppies, it's alright." Sebastian encouraged, watching his children run to his father. Ciel shook his head.
"I know you have a difficult time with my father Ciel, and I want you to know that I appreciate you being here, this little gathering is an attempt to make this right with you as well as spend time with the family."
"As long as he behaves, we won't have a problem."The young demon said sternly.
"Sebastian my son, Ciel, welcome. Alois, Naveen, I'm pleased that you agreed to attend." The deep voice said,gesturing them into the pumpkin patch, where they found Ann and Beth playing together.
"Oh Mommy, Aunt Bethy and Grandmother are being so silly. Can we play too?"
"Of course you can." Ciel began to move past the king, making a point not to look in his direction.
"Ciel, a moment please?" the devil called. Ciel stopped reluctantly and waited until they were alone, allowing Sebastian to take the stroller.
"I know you and I haven't seen eye to eye on many things, but I want you to know that I'm grateful that you accepted my invitation tonight."
"I didn't do it for you, Sebastian's been looking forward to bringing the children here and Halloween is important to him. I love my family more than I dislike you. It would hurt my children to keep them from their grandfather, that's not something I'm willing to do."
"I figured as much, all the same, for you to do such a thing, to keep our disagreements to yourself and allow the children to continue to see us being civil. I promise you they will enjoy themselves."
"I'm sure they will." Ciel replied, joining the group and greeted his mother in law and sister in law.