Ciel Michaelis sipped from his goblet while the delighted shouts from his four children filled the room.
"Brothers, try to find me, don't peek." Rachel said, she waited for the three boys to begin counting before hiding under Sebastian's favorite chair.
"Here we come sister!" Rowan called out as the boys spread out in search of their sister.
"Mama, do you know where Rachel is?" Evian asked.
"I can't tell you that, It's cheating."
"Can't you give us a hint?"
"No. You wanted to play the game, you need to play it right."
"But mama..."
"Evian Michael, that's enough. You either play the right way or not at all." Ciel said sternly.
"Okay Mama, I'll play right" Ciel reached out and patted the boy's hair lovingly.
"That's my boy. Your father and I are counting on you to set a good example for your brothers and sister. Being the oldest is a very important job." Evian smiled and hugged his mother.
"I love you Mama." He said "I will always try to be a good big brother."
"I love you too Evian, I'm very proud of you." After a moment, Ciel released his son and Evian rushed back into the game.
It was hard for the young demon to believe Evian was seven years old now, a part of his heart was breaking, his little ones were growing up, and yet another part of him was happy to watch them grow into the strong demons they were meant to be.
"Found you!" Vincent giggled as Rachel climbed out from her hiding place.
"Look, It's snowing again!" Rowan pointed to the window and the siblings gathered around it to watch the flakes fall to the already covered ground.
"Snow is very pretty." Rachel said in awe.
"Mum, can we play outside?"
"Not today Rowan, maybe your father will take you tomorrow."
"Where is he anyway?" Vincent turned back to his mother.
"Out on business. He should be back soon."
"Mama, will you tell us a story?"
"I suppose I could." The four children rushed over and sat down in front of him.
"The Princess story mommy!" Rachel cried.
"But what about the-'
"Let Rachel hear the Princess story Rowan. You heard yours last time." Evian pointed out.
"Fine." Rowan grumbled. Ciel put his goblet on the stand next to his chair and began.
"Once upon a time, a brave demon Prince married a demon he loved very much and together they had three sons.-"
"But they wanted a baby girl too, so they could cuddle her and play with her and then they would be happy right mommy?"
"Yes Rachel. So one day they decide to take a walk in their garden and the flowers were just beginning to open when they came across a very rare flower, it was bigger than the others and still closed.
'What a pretty flower the Prince's mate said and he reached out and gently touched the folded petals. He instantly loved the flower and spoke to it quietly.
'Pretty flower in the garden, you are the most beautiful flower I have ever seen, but why will you not open?' He asked. He leaned forward and gave it a kiss, to his surprise the petals opened, and there, in the middle, in a black and red dress, was-"
"Baby Rachel!" The children shouted happily.
"That's right, so she was taken to live in the prince's castle with his other three children and the family was so happy that they finally had a little princess they threw a party to celebrate."
"Then we lived happily ever after!" The three boys wrapped their arms around Rachel and hugged her. Ciel wasn't sure what had started this now normal behavior at the end of the "princess story" but was grateful that he had four children that loved each other.
"It's getting late, time to go upstairs and get ready for bed." Ciel announced much to the displeasure of the children.
"But mommy, we are not sleepy." Rachel yawned.
"Not at all, we want to say hello to dad when he comes home, it is cold outside, we should give him hugs." Vincent rubbed his eyes.
"You can say hello tomorrow, right now you need to get to sleep." Ciel led them upstairs and put them each in bed.
"Mama, will you tell dad that I said goodnight and I love him?"
"I'll tell him. Goodnight Evian, I love you very much." Ciel kissed the boy's forehead and tucked him in.
"Night Mama, I love you very much too. I'm glad you're my mama." Ciel smiled.
"Thank you, I'm happy that you're my baby."
"Mama?"
"What?"
"Even if I'm big, can I still be your baby?"
"Evian, no matter how big you get, you will always be my baby and I will always love you." Evian yawned.
"I will always love you too." Ciel moved to Rowan's room next, the little demon was asleep on the floor. Ciel shook his head gently lifting the child into his arms.
"I thought I put you in the bed little one." He whispered. Rowan snuggled closer in his sleep and Ciel almost hated to put him down. He placed him in the bed and covered him up before giving him a kiss on his head. The child's shadowy, clawed hand grasped Ciel's and pulled it close, Rowan smiled in his sleep.
"Rowan, I'm really sorry to have to do this to you but I need my hand." Ciel said carefully prying the small fingers from his own.
"I love you Rowan, very much." He crept from the room and found Vincent looking out at the snow.
"Vincent, go back to your room, It's late."
"But dad gets to stay up."
"Your father's a grown up."
"I want to be grown up too mommy."
"One day you will be." The thought hurt Ciel.
"Will you be angry at us when we grow mommy?"
"No, but I'll miss my babies."
"Why?"
"Because when you grow up, you go out into the world and have a life away from- don't grow up too fast alright?" Vincent rushed into his mother's arms.
"Don't worry mommy, I won't grow fast just for you." He promised.
"Thank you, I appreciate that, for now, let's get to bed." After saying goodnight to Vincent, Ciel made his way to Rachel's room.
Ciel approached her bed as she snuggled into the blanket.
"Mommy, can I talk to you?"
"Of course you can."
"I do not want you to be sad, but I want to tell you that I feel a little lonely."
"Do you?" Rachel nodded.
"Yes,.I am your only baby girl, the boys are good brothers but they do not like to play my games. I would like to ask you for a favor."
"Rachel-"
"Please mommy, I want a sister, so I can play with her, I promise I will help with her and love her and-"
"Rachel, I'm sorry you feel lonely, but you can't have a sister."
"Why, we can go out and get one tomorrow."
"Where would we buy a sister?"
"The baby shop."
"Rachel, that isn't how it works, and babies are a lot of work." Ciel explained.
"Oh, that makes me sad mommy, can I have a hug?" She reached out to Ciel who embraced her.
"I'm sorry. But we can ask Lizzy to come play with you, she likes your games." The offer seemed to cheer her up.
"I would like that, thank you mommy."
"You're welcome Rachel, get some sleep. I love you very much."
"Night night mommy, I love you too, will you tell dad I love him, I do not want him to think he is not loved."
"I'll tell him but he already knows you love him Rachel." Ciel said before tucking her in and leaving the room.
"Mr. Sebastian will be so proud of us, he will. Not a single thing broken." Mey-Rin said proudly.
"Well you weren't carryin anything, just sweepin up the place." Bard added.
"I can't wait to see the young master's face when Mr. Sebastian shows him his valentine present." Finny grinned.
"You three will not be here when it is given, you are to help set up and leave. Valentine's day is meant for couples as I understand it and since I am not bonded to any of you, I am not obligated in anyway to allow you inside. Please keep in mind that once you are back in the castle, anything said here stays here, I want Ciel to be surprised. This will be the first official Valentine's day we celebrate together so it is to be perfect. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir!' The servants shouted.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, however you must keep it down."
"Why're we doin' this at night?" Bard asked.
"Ciel will be busy saying goodnight to the children which means he will be on the other side of the castle and unable to see what we are doing."
"The master is going to be so happy, I bet he'll love his surprise Mr. Sebastian."
"I believe he will, it is my hope that it becomes a lasting, very fond memory, I have worked very hard to make it possible."
"It's such a romantic idea, he has to love it!" Mey-Rin said with delight.
"I certainly hope so, after all he has given me, he deserves something special."