Ciel woke to the sound of rain against the castle, he lay still hoping that he would be able to go back to sleep. He wasn't feeling well but knew there was far too much to do to take the day off. He coughed and pulled the blanket over his head,allowing himself to drift off once more.

The young demon slept for only a short time when he suddenly felt three small beings climb in bed next to him.

"Mommy, are you okay,it is late, we are worried." Rachel shook his shoulder gently.

"I'm fine Rachel, I just need a few more minutes." Ciel replied sleepily.

"Mama, are you sure, I will get dad for you, he is feeding baby Angel and baby Kathryn,he is worried too. He fed us too, he is doing a good job today." Evian cuddled in beside him.

"I'm sorry children, I should've gotten up sooner." He wrapped his arms around his son and daughter,he sat up to find Eve had climbed into the bed as well and had fallen asleep.

"Mommy, can you play with us now?" Rachel asked sweetly.

"Maybe in a little while. Right now I -" Ciel was interrupted by a harsh cough.

"oh no, my poor mommy is not feeling good, Brother Evian, I am so sad." The princess cried hugging Ciel tighter.

"It will be okay sister Rachel. Mama just does not feel very good. We should let dad know so he is not worried, dad will know what to do."

Children, I'll be down shortly, you don't have to -" Before Ciel could finish both children rushed out of the room leaving Eve and Ciel alone in the room.

Ciel reached over and scratched the cat gently behind her ears.

"I have a feeling this is going to be a long day." he said before getting dressed and making his way downstairs.

"Good morning young master!" Finny greeted happily.

"Morning Finny." Ciel replied before patting Pluto's head as the massive dog licked his master's hand lovingly.

"Good boy." The young demon praised watching Pluto stand and follow Finny out into the garden. Ciel continued down the long hallway until he came to the parlor where Sebastian had just placed Kathryn in her bassinet and covered her up.

"Pleasant dreams Kathryn,I love you very much." He whispered to the infant.

Ciel smiled, Sebastian was such a loving father.

"Ciel my love, I was just thinking about you, our children tell me that you aren't feeling well this morning, can you eat something?"

"If you've fed all six of the children, I can wait. I'm not very hungry at the moment." Ciel sat down on the couch, his body was aching and he felt tired.

"Ciel,you and I have had this conversation my love. You handle the feedings nearly every day except the rare occasions when it starts to catch up with you and you need a few days to take it easy,which you're most certainly welcome to. In fact for health reasons, I encourage it. I can handle feeding our family now and then." Sebastian said kneeling next to him.

"I'm used to it though. You end up feeling off, I'm alright,just don't -" more coughing caused the young demon to lean back against the chair. Sebastian raised his hand to place it on Ciel's head only to have his mate pull away.

"Come now. You aren't feeling well, that much is clear. Let me check for a fever."

"I'm fine. I don't have time for this, there's so much to do, I promised Vincent and Rowan -"

"At the moment, both are with Lady Elizabeth and Cynna, they'll understand Ciel I promise you. Please don't try to keep this from me." Ciel hesitated but allowed it.

"Dear one, you have a fever. You need rest."

"Mothers don't have time to rest,I have children to care for, I told Rowan I'd fix Lovey the other day and I never got to it, I-"

"You need to have something to eat and then get back into bed, you do so much for our children Ciel, sometimes you have to have time to relax. They need their mother to be well and I need my mate to be healthy as well."

"We'll take care of you mama, like you do when we feel ill we can do it,we are smart." Evian said proudly.

"Yes you are, but it's not your responsibility to look after me, I'm your mother,even if I'm not feeling well, it's my job to take care of you."

"Please mommy, we took good care of you when you let the babies live in your tummy. We can do it, I love you." Rachel threw her arms around him

"I love you too, but I don't think it's fair to you children." Ciel said standing up to start his tasks. He had only taken one step when he felt dizzy and leaned against the wall for support.

"Mommy!" Rachel cried out in alarm.

"It's alright, I just need a minute." Seconds later Ciel was lifted from the floor into Sebastian's arms.

"You can do all those things when you feel better my love. You need to rest now, also you need to learn to accept the fact that our children are happy to help you,do you recall our vows, that you will allow me to care for you?"

"I do, I let you provide feedings when I need them,when I was having Angelina and Kathryn you all took care of me, I'm supposed to be able to take care of my family,my mother always did."

"Speaking of your mother Ciel,didn't she tell you just before our vow renewal that you should allow our little ones to do so,that she believed it would give them a sense of accomplishment and pride in themselves?"

"She did." Ciel admitted.

"Are you so afraid of becoming a terrible mother that you are willing to take that pride from your children?"

"I want them to be proud Sebastian, I just -"

"You can't let go. Believe it or not, it's a common problem. I assure you Ciel, if there were such a thing, you would surely hold the title Mother of the century and not one mother in heaven,hell or anywhere in between could possibly take it from you. You are incapable of being a bad mother." Sebastian kissed his forehead.

"That's not true though. I've done so much wrong with them and-"

"No mama, you are very good. You always loved us even when you did not know it. We loved you before we came to be your babies. It is good to take care of people you love. You are the very best mama ever."

"Yes, please let us make you better mommy, you are our most special mommy." Rachel added sweetly.

"I don't want you to catch it."

"Ciel,if they're meant to be ill as much as you and I don't want it to happen, it will regardless. We can protect them from many things but I'm afraid illness isn't one of them. Let's get you to bed now and then after you've rested a bit we can talk more about it." Sebastian carefully carried Ciel back up to their room and laid him down in the bed. Rachel and Evian followed them closely.

"Night night mommy, please do not worry,we will take care of everything for you. We will tell brother Vincent and brother Rowan to be extra quiet so you will be all better soon." Rachel walked closer to the bed and stroked her mother's hair before kissing his cheek. Ciel couldn't help but smile as his children imitated exactly what he did for his ill children.

"It will be okay Mama,I will help. I will feed the kitties and play with dad so he will not feel lonely." Evian promised.

"You'll do all that for me?" Ciel couldn't deny that he was touched.

"Just for you mama, because you are important to us.' Evian kissed Ciel's head and pulled the cover over him.

"If they thought you were not a good mother, you wouldn't get such an offer. I will bring you something to eat and then I would like for you to try the relax. Come children, let's let your mother rest." Sebastian suggested.

"I will go get Mama Bunny and my pillow for mama. That will help." Evian said happily.

"I will be a helpful Rachel and bring my favorite book. That will be good,mommy likes to read. Mommy can have my blanket and tiger too." The children raced from the room, leaving their parents alone.

"Sebastian, after everything we've done,how did we end up with such amazing little ones?" Ciel coughed hard causing his head to hurt.

Sebastian bent down and kissed him.

"I haven't the slightest idea my love, but we certainly are lucky to have them."

"Yes, I wouldn't trade the life I have now for anything in the world. Our children are so wonderful." Ciel closed his eyes.

"I agree, doesn't it make you wish we had a few more Ciel?' Sebastian teased.

"I told you Sebastian, when you have them, we can have as many as you like." Ciel replied drifting off to sleep.