A/N This story contains references to a conversation within another of my Michaelis family stories. Also I am working on updates right now for my other stories about my little family. I don't own any recognizable characters from the series. Just my Ocs Please enjoy these one shots.

"Then what happened, Mum?" Rowan asked, climbing into his mother's lap. Ciel allowed his youngest son to lean into him, as his other children gathered at his feet just in front of the fireplace.

"Then your father decided it would be a good idea to join in and ride one of the bulls. They didn't think it was very funny." The children giggled.

"Did the people get angry with Daddy?" Rachel asked, Ciel nodded.

"They did. The bull didn't care for it either. Your father spent the evening doing what he and I call, bull hopping." An eruption of laughter filled the room.

"I want to see Dad do it!" Vincent cried. "Why did you not take us too?"

"You weren't born yet. Your father and I took that holiday before Evian was even thought of."Ciel explained, causing the eldest Michaelis child to look up at him in surprise.

"You did not think of me, Mama, you did not want-"

"All that means is that it happened before I knew you were going to be with us. Almost two years or so before any of you came into the world."

"When you were a sad mommy?"Rachel joined Rowan, snuggling into Ciel as he spoke.

"Yes. But I wasn't a mother then. I didn't see it at the time, but your father was trying to make me feel better. He was under contract then as well. It wasn't until a while later that I realized he did it , not because he felt obligated by the terms, but because he wanted me to be happy. He cared, he always had in some way or another. He blames himself for somethings that weren't all his doing. He's more than made up for it though, with all of you."

"Daddy is a happy thing, Mommy."

"Yes, Rachel, he can be." Soma drew in a breath as he stood in the hall, watching the former earl.

"If you wish to be friends with him again, my Prince." Agni began softly. "You must first find common ground. We care for his family, they are everything to him. It is as Sebastian told us moments ago when he offered you the solution. You must show them how you feel. You have made great progress since the day you hurt him. Sebastian believes that if you allow them to see the changes, Ciel will let the bridge between you be mended.

They watched Ciel slide off of his chair and onto the floor where he and his children began to play with Rowan's red ball.

"It is true, my friend, I have made the effort before, but Ciel has never-" Agni placed a hand on his shoulder.

"My Prince, do you recall last spring, when you comforted the young princess, Ciel showed you a different side. He allowed you to hold her, to play with the children. He has gone so far as to allow visits as long as we contact them beforehand.

"You can join them." Sebastian said appearing behind them in his human form. "They won't bite. Well, Ciel may if you push him to it, but never in front of the children. Angelina is asleep, she would be the one to watch. It's best to approach while he's in a good mood." The demon moved passed Soma and Agni, leading them into the room, their presence seemingly went unnoticed.

"Ciel, children, you have guests." Sebastian called softly. Ciel sighed heavily.

"Mr. Prince Soma, Mummy Man!" The children cried excitedly.

"Hello again, my friends." Soma greeted with a smile. He glanced over at the former butler, receiving a short nod.

"Ciel, I need Agni's help downstairs, and you know that-"

"Don't even try that. I know what you're doing. He's just lucky the children are here, I have a few good words for him." Sebastian knelt down beside his mate, pulling him close.

"Now dear one, you have to acknowledge that efforts were made, can you not see past it, he apologized, more than once for his mistake, do you not want to teach the puppies forgiveness, to give them the tools required to avoid becoming what you did?"

"I'd never want that for my children. They deserve much better than that." Sebastian lightly kissed Ciel's head.

"Then show them how. You know where you went wrong, be the one to teach them to let go of such a burden, not to allow it to consume them."

"I hate it when you do things like this." Ciel complained. "But there's nothing in the world I wouldn't do for my little ones. If I can help them along their way, I suppose that's what parents are for. But if he says one more-"

"Just give it a try, my love. An honest, genuine effort...for the sake of the puppies." After a moment of hesitation, Ciel pulled away and Sebastian stood up, leading Agni from the room.

Ciel remained seated, the children watching silently, their heads tilted slightly to one side in curiosity.

"I suppose we'll have to start somewhere, you might as well sit down. You can use the chair if you like."The former earl offered. Soma lowered himself down onto the floor across from them.

"I know we have had this conversation many times, Ciel." Soma began. "Never with your children here. I have...done some growing up and Agni and I have spoken about it as well. I have no children, and I cannot tell you how I would have felt if someone had said that to me. To be told that you must not be a good mother because your children were not given everything they want, I can see why it hurt you. You have such beautiful children, my friend. Each time Agni and I visit, they are smiling and laughing. I see the way you are with them and-" Soma bowed his head.

"I was very wrong. I see that they have everything they need and they are loved beyond everything else. I have watched you protect them, comfort them and they, themselves have explained to me that you are a great mother. My own was very different and so I could not hope to understand what it meant to be in such a family. I was given everything I asked for, and I did not see what was most important. I did not mean to hurt you or your children. Princess Rachel made sure I know she didn't appreciate it, many times. So not only must I apologize sincerely to you,Ciel, but also to your children. I hope that you can find it in your hearts to forgive me." The Michaelis children turned to their mother, Ciel remained silent, meeting the demonlings' gaze before turning his attention back to his guest.

The children moved to comfort their mother, Evian climbed onto Ciel's lap, laying back in his arms while his siblings took hold of his mother's jacket, leaning into him.

"It is okay to be sad, Mama. Your babies are here to hug you. We are good at hugging and snuggling, we love you."

"And I love all of you, thank you for being the wonderful children you are." Ciel smiled faintly.

"I think it's only fair for you to understand why it hurt so much." The former earl pressed on. "What you see now, it wasn't always this way. Being a mother is..it's very difficult. The thought of being responsible for another life when you can't pull your own together. The doubt, fear, shock. When I was carrying my little Evian, it was something I wasn't ready for, I had no idea it was possible. Apparently it happens so rarely, even Sebastian was surprised. But I was still..me. I was angry and scared, I said somethings that- that I can never take back and it will always be in the back of my mind. Evian and I had a rough beginning. Evian's hand reached up, wiping away his mother's tears.

"It is okay, Mama. I know it is so sad for you, but I love you lots and I knew you loved me anyway, I am not sad with you. We are happy things for each other and I am so happy to be your very first baby." Ciel kissed the boy's forehead.

"I don't deserve this kind of unconditional love, not from Sebastian and least of all from- I almost lost Vincent and Rachel before they were born and it scared the hell out of me. By the time they came round, I was enjoying it. Evian and I got closer everyday and not that you could understand what I mean, but he shared his happiness with me. He has a special gift, several of them actually. Vincent and Rachel, they- the very worst thing that could ever happen to me is to lose my little ones. Not once, but three times. I always had trouble believing I was any sort of mother to them. I've failed to protect them and I've hurt them, not physically, but sometimes there are worse pains. Rowan came and I still didn't learn, then Angelina and Kathryn..I wasn't there the way I should've been and because of my failures, Angelina is having a hard time. I didn't protect her from the monsters. I haven't always been-"

"Mum, you aren't bad. You do protect us, even me. We love you. I like being your Rowan baby. You even gave Lovey to me."

"And...and you hug us when we are sad and snuggle us and make sure our tummies are full and my tiny Rachel heart is always giggly. You are the happiest mommy to have and you are my mommy!" The princess smiled,showing off her tiny fangs.

"We would not be good babies if you were not a good Mama, because we would not know." Evian added.

"I'll always carry the guilt of the way I acted or my feelings, my thoughts, during the time I spent carrying my children and after. With all that and then for you to say that to me, which only re enforced my own insecurities and fears, If I'm being honest, some of it was misplaced anger. I was more angry at myself than you, but because of everything that happened before and your comments, everything Sebastian and I were going through at the time, I'd reached my limit and that was my last straw." Soma nodded in understanding.

'I didn't realize how hard it was for you, it seemed to come so easily, naturally to you."

"I know it looks that way, Sebastian's mother says it's maternal instinct, something that only comes out after I had Evian, I can't be sure. I just.."

"I think it has always been a part of you. You were always cranky and angry, but Agni and I have seen a softer side of you. I would like to tell you that I believe you are doing an amazing job, your children are lucky to have you."

"No. That's where you're wrong. They made me who I am right now. My little ones are so brave and loving, precious gifts, each one of them. If anyone is lucky, it's me. With all that I've done wrong, they've forgiven me. Sebastian's offered me more forgiveness than anyone ever should and Lizzy..I've come to see it as a gift as well." Ciel paused briefly.

"A gift that I'm going to give to you. There are times that want wring your neck, you get on my nerves so badly sometimes, but you've shown me friendship and loyalty, more importantly, you and Agni are good to my children and they absolutely love you both. Thank you for that."

"Thank you, Ciel. I have felt such a burden on my heart and you have my word that I will be more careful with my words." The children smiled at their mother.

"We are very proud of you, babies." Rachel said as the demonlings wrapped their arms around their mother.

"You did a happy thing, Mama." Evian clapped, his siblings joined in.

"Mum, can Mr. Prince Soma play with us?" Rowan asked.

"That's his choice, it's fine with me."

"Pleeeeaaase?" they pleaded with their guest.

"I would like that, thank you" Soma moved in closer as the children took their positions, and the game began once again.