I have to admit... I am not as comfortable with giving Ciel and Lizzie some bedroom romping time. It's odd... BUT since they are married, and such, they must. So if it sounds awkward, I am sorry... I am trying to be able to invade their relationship as well as I bust into Sebmey's...

Ciel and Lizzie

Ciel felt as if he was brave when he took his wife's hand in his. He felt as if his feet could float over the floor and not stumble over his own feet, be caught in the wide skirts of Lizzie, who was looking radiant in the light blue sparkling dress. Her fair hair and skin shone against the fabric, and the light blue reminded him of the snow and ice, cold and alluring. He pulled her closer as the music was struck up and he looked down slightly into her face, so bright and open. Ciel's heart pounded and surge, and for a moment he wondered if the world was slipping away and this was what supreme love felt like.

"You going to dance, or are we standing as the music starts?"

He blinked and saw his wife, his playmate as a child, stand before him, her curls bouncing as she giggled, as she looked at him, as her hands curled around his and he moved. He moved her effortlessly around the dance floor, delighting her, delighting those friends and family who had come. As they finished their first round, the dance floor filled and he took his eyes off the beauty who had been promised to him before they could make up their own minds, and looked about. The feelings in the air were contagious and he locked eyes with his butler, who was offering a dance to his wife, and his eyes locked with his father-in-law as he twirled Lizzie's mother around, and his eyes locked with Bard who had his arm around his intended.

"My darling," Lizzie's voice broke into his thoughts. "Thank you."

"For what?"

She giggled and placed her head on his shoulder. "For entertaining me when I asked if we could host the ball. I love doing at my parents, and you were sorely missed when we could not spend the holiday together last year, but to host it in our home," she looked up and blushed. "Our home. It makes the last eight months living here really feel like this is my home. I know I am impatient and demanding, but you are so kind to let me change a few things."

"It's only a house, Lizzie. The walls are nothing but a structure. The people who live here - all of us - is what matters. And I know I do put my foot down a bit too hard on somethings, but it is also the memories of those who have lived here that have been built into these walls that echo so loudly at times."

"I do wish the tragedy of your birthday did not cause you so much grief," she said, kissing him lightly. "I know you hate when we try to celebrate it, and how hard Christmas is for you."

He nodded and held her a bit tighter. "But tomorrow, when the guests are gone, and we celebrate Christmas Eve as our first Christmas as a married couple, that will be a new tradition. A new beginning. A new start."

"And then a new year," she added as the music died down and they turned and clapped for the band who had expertly guided them through the opening dance.

He laced his fingers into hers and smiled. "And then a new year. And Lizzie, for you to know only, I did enjoy my birthday this year. Waking up and having your arms around me was the very best present of them all."

She blushed and Ciel saw she was thinking about the other parts of his birthday as well. He pulled her to the doorway and looked up. She followed his gaze and saw the mistletoe. He gathered her into his arms and pulled her into a deep lean, kissing her as she leaned back, kissing her deep and meaningfully. He smiled as he righted her and blushed to match hers as a few by the door who had seen the display clapped lightly and winked at him.

"My dear," Lizzie stammered. "I think I need to go freshen up."

Ciel watched as she disappeared down the dark hallway.

"I am very pleased to see you smile, my lord," Sebastian's smooth voice said as he turned back to the crowd.

"Is that why my cheeks hurt so damned much?" the Earl retorted. "My heart, it feels…"

"Like it will explode if you don't have her back in your arms?"

Ciel glanced over his shoulder and back at his butler. Curiously he looked at his demon and sighed. "Yes, precisely."

"Love, my dear lord, it is called love."

Ciel did not say anything more, for he felt both conflicted and content. Conflicted because his own arms wanted to also reach out and be close to his butler, and at the same time hold Lizzie close. The young Earl sighed and sat at one of the small tables reserved for the snacking of the desserts. He had hated that Sebastian had fallen for the maid, and then had also proclaimed that he would married the maid. And he had hated that Sebastian seemed happy with Mey-Rin, something he had never been able to give, or do for the demon. He had only offered his soul, and had kept his heart for himself. But as they had grown, had fought, and had striven to find the peace the child that Ciel had been so longed to have fulfill his wild dreams, his heart had been given piece by piece to the darkness that had surrounded him.

How could it not? And even now, he watched in a odd sadness as Sebastian and Mey-Rin seemed to move as one breath across the dance floor, so effortless and perfect. The darkness that now enveloped Mey-Rin, would now protect him in two parts, not just one, swallow and chew and taste and consume… Ciel shook his head and saw the blue sparkle dress of his wife between the bodies that separated him from the door, where she stood. He stood up and craned his neck to be seen above the small crowd he was standing in. He smiled; he was forever demanding to be seen and also embraced the shadows so easily. Lizzie's bright smile was a ray of sunshine as she saw him and picked her way towards him. And they sat, holding hands, sipping wine, sharing a chocolate cake piece he saw Sebastian shake his head at.

And he tried to feel brave on his own as he stood at the bottom of the steps, into the wee hours and waved farewell to his guests.