"Ciel, that's wonderful, I'm so excited for you!" Lizzy shrieked, throwing her arms around Ciel.
"The children can't wait. Sebastian took it better than I thought he would, he was happy."
"Of course, how could he not be, are you sure you're going to be okay though, I mean last time-" Ciel hugged her.
"It's going to be fine."
"Good. If I lost you again, I'd-"
"Lizzy, I'm going to be fine. If you want, after the baby's born, I'll have Sebastian call you to let you know."
"I'd like that thank you. Do you think Rachel will get her little sister?"
"I don't really know. I wouldn't mind having another girl. Poor Rachel, the boys love her but they don't care to play the games she likes, there are times they do it anyway but you can just tell." Lizzy giggled.
"You used to do that when we were little. You never cared for playing tea party, the hat or my dolls. You did it anyway so I didn't feel sad... Ciel?"
"What?"
"I never did say thank you for all those little things you did, Thank you, I know you didn't enjoy them"
"You're right, but I did always like to see you smile. I love you, your happiness is important to me, and I'm sorry I couldn't show you that more often." Ciel said honestly.
"I understand. I'm just so happy to finally have my Ciel back."
"Mum?" Rowan called clutching his bear tightly.
"What's wrong Rowan?"
"Could I talk to you?"
"I'm sorry Lizzy, can I just-"
"Cousin Lizzy can stay, it isn't bad."
"Come here Rowan." Ciel invited gently. The young boy grinned and ran to him but slowed down when he got close. He didn't want to hurt his mother or the baby. He climbed up beside Ciel and leaned into him.
"Mum, I was thinking, you haven't been well, when I am not well, I cuddle Lovey and it helps. I don't want you to be ill so... I want you to have Lovey." Lizzy was amazed by the young demon and again by the reaction from Ciel.
"Rowan, I appreciate the thought, but Lovey is yours, we gave him to you when you were a baby, I couldn't take him now." Ciel hugged his son.
"Please mum, so you can be better, I love Lovey but I love you and dad too, I know you will take good care of him.
"My dear Rowan, I think you would know how to look after him more than I would, I could never take Lovey away."
"I want to share him."
"Well then, how about if you keep him with you, and when I need him, I'll ask." Rowan smiled again melting Lizzy's and Ciel's hearts.
"Okay. Mum, do you think our baby will like me?"
"The baby will love you."
"If it doesn't, will I have to go away?"
"I would never make you go away. You're my baby and no matter what happens, I'll always want you, so will your brothers, sister and the new baby and your father."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Mum, do you need anything?"
"No, thank you Rowan."
"I love you mum."
"I love you too." Rowan climbed down and stood in front of Lizzy.
"I love you cousin Lizzy." He said hugging her gently.
"Aw, Rowan, I love you too, you're so adorable!" After a moment he released her hand left the room.
"You're a great mother Ciel, the way you handled that."
"My children never stop amazing me. I'm really proud of them." He told Lizzy.
"You have good reason to be."
"I must have the best children anywhere." He said thoughtfully.
"They obviously love you very much."
"Mommy, cousin Lizzy!" Rachel and Vincent shouted racing toward their mother
"Daddy took us outside to play in the snow and Finny was with us and we threw snowballs that hit daddy in his nose!"
"Did you?"
"Yes. We wish you could play too." Vincent said.
"I'm sorry little ones, I can't do those things right now. It might hurt the baby."
"We would not hurt our baby mommy."
"Not on purpose, It's very easy to hurt a baby, even when you don't mean it."
"When can we play?"
"After the baby's born."
"Can we play with it?" Vincent asked hopefully.
"When It's big enough."
"Could we tell our baby we love it?"
"That would be very nice Rachel." Rachel turned to Lizzy.
"Will you come play tea party in my room?"
"Well, I was talking with your mommy and um.."
"It's alright, if you want to spend some time with the children, we can talk when they're asleep." Lizzy nodded and was instantly led from the room. Ciel laid down on the couch, he rested his hands on his stomach. He felt ill.
"Dad, you are the very best dad in the world. Thank you for playing with us." Evian laughed as they entered. Ciel smiled, he loved the interaction of his mate and children. Sebastian was a great father, Ciel wouldn't deny that.
"Ciel, are you feeling alright?"
"Little ill, it'll pass, it always does."
"Would you like to go upstairs and lie down in bed, you may be more comfortable?"
"I'll get you a couple more pillows and a book if you want Mama."
"I'm too tired to go anywhere."
"I would carry you my love, you know that by now."
"You shouldn't have to."
"I want to. If you need rest, allow me to help you. If I did not want to care for you, I would never have asked you to be my mate, I would not have allowed this to happen. If we are being honest Ciel, I quite enjoy taking care of you.I admit that since you changed into a demon, and no longer need me to shield you, I felt somewhat useless, as though I am no longer needed."
"Come here." Ciel said, Sebastian did as he was aske, kneeling beside his mate.
"Just because I don't hide behind you, that doesn't mean you're useless, or that I don't need you. I'll always need you with me."
"I suppose I miss the days that you depended on me for nearly everything. You have become more independent and although I am happy to know you can care for yourself, I-"
"You're still important to me. I love you, and I didn't mean to make you feel this way." Ciel reached up and placed a hand on Sebastian's cheek. His mate leaned into it.
"I love you too, please remember that, always."
"You're right. I'd be more comfortable upstairs, if you still wanted to take me up there." Ciel liked his independence, but he didn't like to hear his mate feeling that way. If only until the baby was born, Ciel would attempt to let Sebastian care for him.
Sebastian smiled and lifted him gently into his arms, Ciel rested his head on the older demon's chest. He carried him to bed and pulled the cover over him while Evian ran to collect pillows and the book.
"Would you let Lizzy know if she asks, she's in Rachel's room playing."
"Of course."
"Sebastian, I'd hate to ask but-" Ciel felt bad for what he was about to ask, the nausea was disappearing, and now he was hungry.
"Ciel, what is it?"
"I- you know I don't like to ask-" Sebastian kissed the top of his head.
"You're hungry?" He asked. Ciel nodded.
"I cannot understand why you don't ask, you feed all of us, whether or not you are pregnant, if you want to eat, all you ever need to do is say so. I am here to care for you, it is no imposition. Rest, I shall return to you momentarily." After Sebastian left, Ciel heard Evian and Vincent entering the room.
"Mama, are these enough?" Evian asked struggling to hold the large stack of pillows.
"Do you need help?"
"That is why Vincent is here. You and the baby need rest, dad said It's important, so you should stay in bed.
"Hello Mommy!" Vincent said cheerfully waving behind his brother, a small stack of books in his hand.
"Hello Vincent. Thank you, you two did a very good job." He took the pillows and books from them.
"Mama, can we sit up there with you?"
"When your father comes back. I can't pick you up until after the baby comes, I'm sorry little ones."
"It's okay mama, we know you love us anyway."
"Mommy, why does our baby make you ill, and sleepy?" He seemed afraid.
"It's alright Vincent, this is normal. You don't have to worry."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Well, it looks like you have two excellent helpers." Sebastian said carrying the glass used for feeding his mate.
"The happen to be two of the best helpers I've had." Ciel arranged the pillows on his bed, and took the glass from his mate.
"Mommy says we can sit with him. Will you help dad?" Vincent raised his arms to his father and both boys were soon lying next to their mother.
"You should stay too dad."
"Yes, and read us a story so mommy can sleep."
"Well, I do have some time, what would you like me to read?"
"The kitten story!" Vincent cried handing Sebastian the book.
"Come sit down with us." Evian offered, Sebastian walked to his side of the bed and sat down. He began the story and found that by the end, his sons were both asleep and after draining his glass, Ciel was nearly there.
"You should sleep if you need it, it will be good for you both."
"Are you sure you don't want me to-" Ciel moaned as he felt pain in his abdomen.
"Are you alright Ciel?" The young demon nodded.
"It's nothing to worry about."
Sebastian laid down and reached over the sleeping boys, rubbing his mate's belly. Ciel relaxed and closed his eyes.
"Sleep my precious ones, I love you so very much."