"Evian, look at Daddy, come on." Ciel encouraged gently. Evian gave an excited shriek as Sebastian took a picture.
"I hope this one turns out." Ciel said standing next to his son.
"This is so exciting, yes, the baby master's very first birthday!" Mey-Rin squealed joyously.
"He's growing so fast!" Finny said handing the decorations to Cynna.
"I can remember when Master Sebastian was a year old, the King and Queen were delighted when he-"
"Thank you Cynna." Sebastian said quickly.
"Why can't he finish, I don't understand what the problem is, I haven't heard many stories about you when you were small."
"Believe me, you would not want to, at any rate, my parents will be here soon. There is so much left to do.
".I can't believe Evian's a year, seems just yesterday he was just born, so much for slower aging." Ciel picked Evian up.
"Hannah's bringing Luca and Alois later."
"I thought as much. Is He coming with them?"
"Alois didn't say but if he does come, try to be civil, we owe him that much."
"The only thing we owe him is a swift kick in the-"
"Master Sebastian, you have visitors." Cynna said giving a low bow.
"Who might that be?"
"The King and Queen, Tanith and Aodh."
"Thank you, please show them in." Cynna existed bowing a second time.
"Ciel, do you need a moment?"
"Actually I think I do, if you want to take Evian." Sebastian took the small child from Ciel, though Evian didn't go quietly. He immediately began grabbing for Ciel.
"Mommy will come back, you will have to stay with me until he returns." Ciel made his way up the spiral stair case and to his and Sebastian's room. He turned to the nightstand, pictures of the family together, baby Evian staring into Ciel's eyes as Sebastian stood behind glancing down at his infant son. Sebastian standing in the Phantomhive library with Ciel and the newborn Evian by his side.
"Get ahold of yourself, you should be happy for his birthday. It isn't everyday your only child turns a year old. There's nothing to be upset about." Ciel told himself. "I must be the only person who gets upset on their son's birthday."
The young demon managed to compose himself before rejoining the group downstairs.
"Ciel dear, how are you, Sebastian said you weren't feeling very well just now" Ann embraced him tightly.
"I'll be alright. It's nothing to worry about." He said returning the hug.
"I understand, I felt the same way with both of my boys." Ann whispered before releasing Ciel.
Evian gave a shriek of joy as he reached for his grandmother.
"Hello precious, grandmother missed you so very much." Ann embraced Evian gently.
"A whole year, where has the time gone?" Sebastian's father patted his son's shoulder.
"It went so quickly." Sebastian replied.
" Mother, please be careful I forgot to mention, Evian has taken to biting and hitting."
"Oh Sebastian, He and I will be just fine. Right little one, you will be good with Grandmother, won't you?" Evian smiled, proudly displaying his fangs. Ann gasped.
"Look at those tiny little teeth, you are so precious." She commented sweetly.
"You know son, they learn much better by example, if you-"
"Do not instruct our son to bite him back, you know what happened when you did that with Sebastian."
"I have already mentioned that method and Ciel disagrees. He claims there are other ways of doing it.
"He is absolutely correct. Ciel dear, do not allow my son to use such teaching tools. You have very good instincts, I would hate to see my son go through the same thing his father did."
"Can I ask what happened?"
"Go on dear, tell Ciel what happened when you bit our Sebastian." The devil sighed.
"First allow me to say that if ever it comes down to that, I would offer this advice, father to son." He placed a massive hand on his son's shoulder.
"Ciel is so much like your mother. I would advice you to run as far as you can. If Ciel is as much like your mother as I believe him to be, it is not wise to stay."Ciel laughed.
"You see my dear Sebastian, I do not recall much after the phrase 'how dare you' I woke up two and a half weeks later, still on the floor where I fell with a terrible headache. Your mother refused to speak to me for the following month or so. If I wanted to spend time with either of you, your mother stood guard."
"Ann did that?" Ciel asked him in shock.
"True story, yes." The devil confirmed, Ann nodded."
'So you would have gotten off easy."
"It appears so."
"What, out of curiosity would have happened if Sebastian actually did it?" Ann asked lightly bouncing Evian in her arms.
"He would have lost his teeth."
"Perhaps you could see it my way if he was biting or hitting you, I have not witnessed those events."
"I told you he does. Not nearly as much as he does with you but it happens."
"Sebastian dear, once the baby is born, the father usually gets most of that, especially when a linking occurs."
"Why is that exactly?"
"Because the bond between a mother and child is strong, he loves both of you very much, however Ciel is his mother, Evian knows it was difficult to get him here just as you did. There for in an effort to make up for lack of better saying for it, it becomes Daddy's turn." Ann explained passing Evian to her mate.
"There he is!" The devil grinned raising Evian into the air, causing the child to giggle.
It didn't take long for the remaining guests arrive. Evian made his rounds to each of them, careful to allow everyone a good view of his teeth and making a point to make the biting motion to some.
"He sure is proud of those." Alois commented as the child rested his head on the older boy's shoulder.
"He's such s swee-" Alois screamed in pain.
"Evian let go, please that hurts!" The blonde boy pleaded. Evian giggled as Ciel held out his arms to him.
"Come on, come see me." Evian reached for his mother happily.
"He's so much like you Ciel." Alois rubbed his injured shoulder.
"Evian, I want you to look at that," Ciel pointed to Alois' bite mark.
"That isn't nice, no biting." Ciel said sternly. Evian tilted his head and looked over at Alois. He reached a small hand toward him.
"Lll" The young child proceeded to pat the injured boy's head softly.
"Nice, so first he bites, then he pets me." Alois shook his head. He couldn't be angry at such an adorable baby.
Soon everyone was gathered around the table, giving their birthday wishes to Evian. Sebastian set a small cupcake in front of his son and snapped the picture.
"I didn't think demons ate cupcakes." Alois commented
"There is a reason it is called Devil's Food Alois." Ann replied.
it didn't take long for Ciel to forget his sadness as pieces of cake flew in all directions. Evian's excited shouts echoed through the house, bringing a smile to everyone's face.
It was nearly midnight when the last guests departed, though the birthday boy had fallen asleep much earlier. Sebastian sat down on the couch with Ciel leaning back on him, his feet propped up on the arm of the couch.
"Do you feel better love?"
"Yes, It's been a very long day, but the joy in Evian's eyes was worth it."
"Yes I agree." Sebastian ran his slender fingers through his mate's dark hair. Ciel closed his eyes, he always felt relaxed when Sebastian did this.
"Ciel, I think we should talk."
"Alright, about what?"
" I am not sure how to say this delicately, and I do not want you to be angry or upset."
"Just tell me."
"Well, I know we agreed but in light of certain circumstances, I think now is a good time to revisit the conversation."
"Are you going to stall all night?"
"Ciel, I think and it does not have to be right away, I think we should have another child. It would be nice to have a sibling for Evian."
"Fine." Ciel said shortly. Sebastian smiled.
"Truly?"
"Of course. As long as you go through it this time."
"Ciel, dearest, you know it does not work that way. Even if it could, I will admit to you that I could not handle such a thing. You did so well with Evian, even the healer was surprised that you did not shout the usual phrases."
"That's not exactly what I wanted Evian to hear coming into the world." Ciel replied.
"Please consider it."
"You have my answer, when you come up with a way to do it, you can have as many as you like. Until then, one is enough." Sebastian nodded slowly.
"I understand, I realize it was painful for you and I have no right to ask you to go through it a second time, I apologize."
The rest of the evening was spent quietly. Each mate hiding a feeling of guilt on the subject of conversation.
"Sebastian?" Ciel said at last
"Yes love?"
"You know It's not you don't you?"
"Yes. I understand."
"Do you hate me for it?"
"Ciel, I could never hate you for any reason, you are too precious to me. Never think that."