Ciel wrapped Sebastian's jacket around himself tightly, allowing his mate to lift him into his arms.
"You knew what we were doing and you didn't think to bring towels or something?"
"That isn't entirely true my love. I didn't plan that last activity, I know I initiated it but in my own defense you could have-"
"You have no defense, you know better." Ciel said resting his head on Sebastian's chest.
"Do I?" the older demon teased.
"you had better, we've been together a long time, I you don't know by now, then-" Sebastian silenced him with a kiss. Ciel responded by raising his hand and placing it gently on his mate's cheek, allowing the older demon to deepen the kiss briefly, then pressing the hand to Sebastian's chest as a signal to stop.
"Don't start that again." Ciel said, as Sebastian began to nuzzle him lovingly as they walked up the path to their home.
"Start? What, Ciel am I starting?" Sebastian smirked mischievously.
"Damn demon."Sebastian chuckled softly at the reply.
"I love you."He replied, continuing his affection.
"If you love me, you would've brought me a towel, I'm freezing."
"But Ciel, I brought you something much better to keep you warm after your lesson. I am here with you. You did surprisingly well for your first lesson, I would very much like to continue regularly until you can swim on your own. We can use our lake. For the moment, I think it's best to get you inside and warmed up." Sebastian opened the door to find the castle filled with silence. The hall dimly lit by candles as Sebastian lowered Ciel to his feet.
"Strange, everyone should be asleep or working on chores further inside, there should be no candles lit in the entry way." The older demon commented. Ciel on the other hand, smiled.
"It's not if you think about it. Today's a special day, everyone's here, we went out, came home to what I can only guess was Lizzy's idea and-"
"Mama, dad, I knew you were coming home soon, hello. I missed you lots." Evian cried suddenly appearing from the parlor. He ran into his mother's arms.
"Mama, you are all wet, did you fall in the water?" Ciel hugged the child tightly.
"No Evian, your father that it would be a good idea to show me to swim."
"did you do good, can I swim too, even if I am not a fishy?"
"Of course son, one day soon when your mother learns, we will teach you. It will be a family activity." Sebastian promised, Evian smiled, reaching for his father who took him in his arms and lovingly stroked his hair, causing the young child to giggle.
"I'm going to go to our room and change." Ciel announced walking toward the elegant staircase.
"Wait Mama, you have to come back when you are all done, it is 'portant. Is that okay?"
"Yes Evian, I'll come back." Sebastian placed his son on his feet and followed his mate.
"Don't worry Ciel, I'll help." he said. Ciel turned to him.
"What makes you think I can't do it myself?'
"Darling, as much as I love you-"
"There." Ciel said.
"What, I don't understand."
"You're smirking, you were going to make fun of me again."Ciel narrowed his eyes at Sebastian.
"Come now, you have no proof of this, I was just going to point out that I know how difficult buttoning one's shirt can be.. not everyone is born with dexterity to work with such small accessories, for many, lopsided clothing is-"
"I hate you."Ciel said interrupting what was sure to be one of Sebastian's jokes at his expense.
"That's alright Ciel, I still love you very much...regardless of whether or not you miss a button here and there."
"You know what, you can really be a- what are you doing?" Ciel cried as Sebastian lifted him into his arms. The two disappeared from view, leaving Evian to rush into the ballroom.
"they are home, Mama is changing. Mama said they will come back. I am excited." He grinned at his family.
"Cousin Lizzy it is very nice that you did it, you are good." Rachel praised happily. The young princess ran to Alois and Naveen who was holding Lenora in his arms.
"Hello Cousin Alois, Cousin Naveen and Baby Lenora. It is me, I am Rachel Ann. I am happy you are here, can I play with baby Lenora please, I will be so nice with her." Naveen smiled, placing his daughter on the floor allowing Rachel to take Lenora's hand and guide the child to the Michaelis children who were seated on the floor playing with blocks.
"Look family, do you see, I have baby Lenora, I am helping her walk, she is smiley, just like my tiny Rachel heart." The princess announced, her family cheered for her causing her to giggle.
"Come on baby, we will play, we have babies too, our babies are happy things, you are too. We love you Baby Lenora." Alois smiled, he watched the young princess reach her destination.
"That's just too adorable, Ciel's children are always so patient with Lenora." The blonde demon commented. Naveen held his mate close.
"Of course Precious one, Evian taught them that through his love for them, then of course little Rachel and Vincent showed love to Rowan and in turn Angelina and Kathryn are now learning." He explained.
"It's lovely the way they care about each other."
"Yes, it is. I'm sure Lenora would love that...having someone to play with at home, when we come here she could-"
"What?"Alois pulled away slightly.
"Well, how would you feel about...another child?" Naveen asked.
"Is this really the right place to talk about this, an anniversary party, anyway, as much as I do love Lenora, I'm not going through it again. I won't argue with you about it here. Do you know what Hannah would do to you if that happened?"
The michaelis children giggled at the argument between their cousins.
"Cousin Alois is silly, I like him lots."Rowan said.
"Yes, he is very silly and he does not know what I do."Evian grinned showing off his fangs. His siblings turned to him
"What do you know brother?"Vincent asked curiously. Evian shook his head.
"I cannot say, but it is a happy thing. Mama and dad will tell us a happy thing too."
Upstairs, Ciel and Sebastian prepared to join the group.
"Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?" Sebastian said softly, helping Ciel put on his green jacket.
"I hear it all the time, this strange demon who apparently has it in his head that he lives here and I'm his mate..odd fellow really." Ciel teased.
"Odd you say, well, we shall have to correct this immediately."
"you're right, the funny thing is...he looks just like my former butler."
"Is that so?"
"It is." Ciel laughed.
"Well, perhaps if you had given him his proper payment-" Sebastian stood behind his mate, wrapping his clawed hands around Ciel and pulling him close.
"I've given him more than enough, I let him walk around the castle all day and play around with my cats. I even let him play with my children, what more could he possibly want?'Sebastian turned Ciel to face him.
"I love you so much, my young master, my precious angel, you are and always have been my heart. Even if it didn't seem that way at the time, I have loved you everyday of your life. I will love you for eternity and beyond. There's truly no one else I could imagine having an eternal life with. This will always be our truth." Ciel smiled, allowing the older demon to kiss him again.
"We should get downstairs. We promised Evian and try to act surprised will you?" Sebastian nodded.
"I shall. You have my word." The couple made their way back down stairs, this time, Rachel and Vincent were waiting for them, Lenora was still holding Rachel's hand.
"Look Mommy, Cousin Alois said I can bring baby Lenora to see you. Do you see, here she is. Daddy I am so nice with her." The girl beamed.
"We see Rachel. Good job." Ciel said as Vincent grabbed his hand.
"Come on Mommy, this way, dad, you have to come too. It is not far away, we can take you." Vincent said leading the way down the hall.
"Wait brother, baby Lenora is just learning, she is little, wait for her."Rachel cried, walking slowly behind them.
"Do not worry baby Lenora, I am here. I will stay with you, you can go slow if you want to." Ciel and Sebastian stopped and turned to her.
"Do you want me to take her Rachel?" Ciel asked
"Is it mean, I promised to take care of her Mommy." Ciel kissed Rachel's head.
"You have princess. No one will think you're mean." Rachel turned to the younger child.
"Is it okay Baby Lenora, do you want to see my mommy so we can get your mommy?" Lenora reached for Ciel with her free hand. Ciel lifted her up and Rachel took her father's hand.
"Yay, we are going now, I am happy." She said.
"Shh, sister, do not tell."Vincent whispered. The group reached the ballroom door. Upon entering, Ciel placed Lenora back on her feet and allowed Rachel and Vincent to walk her back to Alois. He and Sebastian took great care to act surprised as the group waiting for them cheered their arrival.
"Happy anniversary Ciel and Sebastian!" Lizzy cried pulling Ciel into a tight hug. Ciel returned the hug.
"Thank you." he said releasing her, only to find himself in another embrace as Ann approached him.
"Ciel, Sebastian, We couldn't be happier for you. It is my sincere hope that you continue to love and care for each other as you always have. What a wonderful family you have, hold on to each other dear ones. I know you've had your struggles, many of our kind, even the truest of mates have been shaken by hard times, but the two of you never allow it to tear you apart, you come back together with a bond that is strengthened I am so proud of you both." Ann released Ciel and turned to her son.
"This my son, is one of many reasons your father and I are so proud, At this point, I can tell you that when you first mentioned you wanting to introduce Ciel as your mate to us,happy though we were that he had given you your health back,we had our doubts that could understand what it means to love as you loved him, he was so young you see. I'm pleased to say that he has proven us both wrong. I see so much hope for the future when I look at you and the family you have made. How can your love be anything but eternal?" Ann placed her hands on Sebastian's cheeks, forcing her son to look into her eyes.
"I see it in you my son, and it gives me great joy as your mother. Though your relationship does not follow many of our traditions, what matters most is that it continues to flourish, for you have created your own traditions. One day, you will excel in your position as king, and with Ciel at your side, to support you as he does, to challenge you when you need it, as I have done with your father, you will be a beloved king indeed. When that day comes that your mate does take you aside in regard to a decision you have made, it's only out of love that we do this, keep that in mind."
"My beautiful mother, thank you. Your words are always encouraging and filled with love, your gentle advice guides both myself and Ciel so that we may understand how to overcome our obstacles. Truly you are amazing. Thank you for being in our lives,"Sebastian said, his words bringing Ann to tears.
"Well, come along darlings, this is your party. We have gathered in celeb ration of your anniversary, it is your night.
"Mama, Dad were you very surprised?" Evian asked as the four eldest Michaelis children rushed to their parents.
"Yes Evian, it was a wonderful surprise." The children grinned.
"Cousin Lizzy did it, but we were good helpers. We asked Grandmother and Grandfather to come see you. We love them, Grandma Rachel and Grandpa Vincent are here too, do you see, they are right there with Madam Red and Uncle Michael. They are nice to us, can we give them lots of hugs?"Evian asked.
"I'm sure they would like that very much." Ciel said gently,
"Guess what Mum, we made our babies take a nap today, they played with us a lot and went to sleep!" Rowan exclaimed pointing to the bassinets where the youngest Michaelis daughters slept peacefully. Rowan raised his arms to his mother.
"Can I have up please, I missed you very much."Rowan found himself in his mother's arms, resting his head on Ciel's chest.
"What a perfect evening, a quiet dinner, reliving wonderful memories, coming home to be welcomed by our little ones and our family, could we possibly have had a better anniversary?" Sebastian said with a sigh. Rowan's small, clawed hand took hold of his Mother's jacket causing Ciel to cuddle the child.
"Never. I could never ask anymore that what you've given me. None of this would be possible. I wouldn't know what it means to be loved so dearly if not for you Sebastian. Without you, I'd never see my family again, I wouldn't have Michael, I would never know how deep the love of a mother for their children truly is. Here, right now, I feel all of it. You go to so much trouble to make me happy and to show me how much you love me. Every anniversary with you is wonderful. Every day, living this life, the life you've built for me, is perfect. Nothing could possibly be better than this."