"Ciel, dearest I-"

"No." Sebastian tilted his head slightly.

"I am afraid I do not understand your protest."

"Whatever it is that you want, no."

"I never said I wanted anything."

"You don't have to, It's the way you greeted me that was suspicious, not so much your words, but your tone."

"What about my tone?"

"I've heard it from Lizzy before she would ask me for something, then again when Alois is trying to get something from Hannah."

"I see, as it happens, you are correct, I do have a request."

"I knew it." Ciel smirked.

"I was rather hoping that you would consider accompanying me to a social gathering my father is holding, the servants could stay with Evian and you and I would be able to have some time together, perhaps after we could go somewhere and have some alone time."

"Sebastian-"

"I know you are not fond of such things but as a prince, I am required to appear, you would be excused because of Evian's age if you should not wish to come. However, I may look a bit silly going alone after every demon in hell found out about the bonding."

"When is it?"Sebastian could tell that his mate was already unhappy about the event.

"Next week, I would consider it a personal favor my love."

"It's a big favor." Sebastian wrapped his arms around Ciel lovingly.

"I assure you, I will make it up to you."

"You better. " Sebastian leaned Ciel back in his arms, kissing him softly.

"Thank you. We must be leaving no later that six in the evening. I will attempt to get us out as early as possible once we get there." Ciel leaned into his mate.

"Feeling affectionate today I see."

"Just a little. I'm not really sure why." Sebastian picked Ciel up, holding him close, much in the way he would carry him during his time as the Phantomhive butler.

"My dear, everyone needs a little cuddle now and then. Please permit me to provide it for you." Ciel smiled up at him as Sebastian nuzzled him.

"It's rather nice to be cuddled." Ciel commented.

"If I could not give you the love you deserve, what sort of mate would I be?" Sebastian whispered.

"Not a very good one." Ciel answered. "But I don't need to worry about that, I have the best mate there is."

"I would challenge that claim, you see, the best mate is here in my arms."

"You think so?"

"I do not need to think it, I know it." Ciel laid his head on Sebastian's chest.

"Now that I have you where I want you, you are powerless to stop me from doing this." Sebastian began to kiss Ciel, this time the young demon allowed it. Evian shrieked happily in his bed, pulling himself up using the side of his crib. He stared at his parents.

"You like that my son, you now understand that I am not harming mommy?" Sebastian asked setting Ciel down next to Evian's crib.

"Naaaaannn" Sebastian picked him up.

"I shall never understand how you began calling me such a thing. I would like for you to please attempt to say D-Daddy." The child giggled.

"What is so amusing little one?'

"You should listen to yourself and you wouldn't need to ask." Ciel joked.

"Is that so?"

"Yes." Ciel smirked. Sebastian shook his head.

"My son and my mate find me amusing, whatever shall I do?"

"Learn to deal with it." Ciel said. Sebastian glanced at him.

"Must you be that way Ciel, so cold" the older demon shifted Evian in his arm and grabbed Ciel with the now free hand.

"What the bloody hell are you doing, if you drop him I swear-"

"I have never dropped either of you and I do not intend to now."

"Damn demon."

"Disobedient dog." Ciel gasped.

"You did not just say that."

"I did, what will you do?" Sebastian challenged.

"You'll find out later." Evian looked on with mild confusion.

"You do know I love you Ciel?"

"Maybe I don't with a comment like that."

"Then perhaps I should show you. Come with me, both of you, there is a surprise awaiting you both. Sebastian turned and walked down the hall, his mate and son still in his arms.

"A surprise you say?"

"Yes my love. As you know I went out today on business for my father. I could not help but think of the two most important demons in my life and so I made several... Unscheduled stops."

"This should be interesting then."

"It is." Sebastian assured him as they approached the parlor. Sebastian stopped at the door.

"Ciel, would you mind opening the door, I would do it except I am carrying two very important-"

"Alright, I can open the door I suppose." Ciel reached for the handle and pulled. As he looked into the room he could hardly believe what he saw. A vase filled with white roses sat on the table boxes of chocolate surrounded it. Beside the chocolate, sat an assortment of new toys for Evian.

"I hope you will find them to your liking." Sebastian set both. Ciel and Evian down and placed the toys around his son. Immediately Evian wrapped his arms around an all too familiar toy.

"Bitter Rabbit, that's something I haven't seen in a while." Ciel shook his head as he watched his son pull the stuffed animal close and began biting on its ear affectionately."

"Apparently they are still quite popular." Sebastian said.

"Who's -"

"I made arrangements for the company to go to your next of kin, she's been doing very well as I understand it, she hired a few new staff."

"Lizzy?"

"Yes. I thought perhaps it would be best that way seeing as she was your fiance. I was sure you would have wanted it that way."

"Of course, It's only fair. Well, it's about as fair as can be given everything that'a happened. Is she alright Sebastian, have you seen her?"

"Yes. I did not stay to talk and she did not notice me. She seems to miss you quite a bit. She wears your ring."

"She hates my ring."

"But she loves you, and it meant something to you." Ciel felt a wave of sadness come over him.

"Poor Lizzy, she's pretty much all alone now and here I am with a family and a good life. I don't even deserve to have any of it, Lizzy should be happy." Sebastian pulled him close.

"Time heals all wounds Ciel. She will never stop loving you nor will you stop loving her but in time she will learn how to go on."

"Do you think so?"

"Yes. She lost you suddenly and it was quite a shock. Her pain will lessen as time goes on. She would be pleased to know you are alright and happy."

"I suppose, I feel bad though. It's been years, you would think she would have moved on."

"Ciel, you are not easy to get over. You are a very special kind of person. I promise she will be alright." Ciel nodded.

"Maybe if she had some kind of closure, it would be easy for her." Ciel sais thoughtfully.

"What would you suggest, going back to London for a visit?"

"Obviously I can't do that, I just don't like to think she's hurting."

"I know." Sebastian said softly.

Evian's gleeful shouts caused his parents to look over at him. Little Evian bounced on the floor as he picked up a second toy.

"Lizzy would have had a fit if she could have seen this." Ciel said now smiling.

"Yes, he would fit in well with her love of all things adorable." Sebastian kissed Ciel's head.

"Thank you Sebastian, I hope you don't think I'm not happy with the gifts, I am, really."

"I know love, I understand." Sebastian picked up a box of the chocolate and held it out to Ciel.

"These have always made you feel better, if only for a short time." He opened it and took one out, giving it to Ciel. The young demon nibbled on it slowly.

"Thank you." Ciel said.

"You are most welcome." Ciel felt a small tug at his shoe and looked down to see Evian, the eye patch from his toy in his tiny hand.

"Mmm" he said handing it to Ciel. Ciel looked at Sebastian, he too was surprised. Ciel bent down and picked the child up.

'Evian, what are you-"

"Mmmm" the child cried placing the patch over Ciel's eye. Ciel pulled his head away in shock. Not had he seemed to know where the accessory was meant to go, but he had placed it over the eye that had once held the mark of the contract.