Black Butler:

"The Family: Michaelis"

(Sequel to "The Maid's Child".)

By Axel Ingleson

-Chapter 01-

Desdenova Michaelis was planting a rosebush beneath the window of the music room of the home where he lived with his husband, Chase when Chase walked through the gates of their yard.

It was a small house, but they were just getting started in life and had insisted upon not depending on their families for money.

Chase had been away from home for a couple of months earning money with a shipping company that he had signed up with following his and Desdenova's honeymoon. Desdenova wasn't happy with this, as it meant he and Chase would be spending so much time apart. But not many jobs were available on land, and most of the townsfolk knew that he was half-demon, so they did not wish to hire him.

"You really ought to have a gardener plant that," Chase said, smiling at his husband. "Not to mention that's still very early in the springtime."

Desdenova stood and embraced his husband. "We can't afford a gardener," he reminded him. "And anyhow, this is a special rosebush. I'm planting it today so that when our baby is born in autumn, the flowers will be at full bloom."

"Our baby?"

"I found out just last week. I thought of sending you a message, but I decided this is news that would be best delivered in person."

Chase looked at the rosebush as he mouthed the words "our baby".

"Are you okay?"

"Do our families know yet?"

Desdenova shook his head. "I wanted you to be the first to find out," he told his husband.

"Are you sure?" Chase asked.

Desdenova nodded. "Remember, I'm a Shinigami. I can sense it, just as my mother Grell could sense me."

"How far along do you think you are?" the half-demon wanted to know.

"It was our wedding night," Desdenova smiled.

"When do you want to tell our families?"

"I was planning on having a party to celebrate your return this weekend," Desdenova told his husband. "We'll make the announcement then."

"This home is rather small for a party." Chase pointed out.

"True," Desdenova admitted. "That is why mother is commandeering the Shinigami Library for the event."

"William is going to love that." Chase shook his head.

"William isn't going to know until the guests start arriving." Desdenova grinned, mischievously.

"And you're sure your mom won't get into trouble?"

"No more than he usually does," Desdenova shrugged.

"Where will the baby sleep?"

"I'm converting the music room into a nursery," Desdenova explained. "I haven't bought the furniture for it yet. I didn't want someone seeing me with a cradle before I made the big announcement."

"Makes sense," Chase admitted, as he drew Desdenova close and placed a kiss upon his lips.

"Sinners!" one of their neighbors called out to them.

Chase took his coat off and flashed her his long tail. "I'm half-demon," he called back with a wicked smile, "What's your excuse?"

The woman crossed herself and hurried back into her house. Chase smiled and followed her.

"Begone, demon!" she demanded.

"I'll say this one time," Chase told her, in a tone that put her in mind of her childhood visits to her school's headmistress. "Leave me and my family alone. Unless you wish to pay us a kindness. I have no intention of being enemies with you or anyone else in this neighborhood. Am I understood?"

"Yes," the woman nodded. "You are quite polite for a half-demon."

Chase smiled. "I know a pure demon who is even politer."