Lizzy sighed heavily while Paula continued to go on about the wedding and how happy she was for her.
"Aren't you excited my lady?" She asked.
"No. Not really." Lizzy replied stepping out of the carriage. She had promised to meet Edward and her mother for the cake tasting, though Francis Midford didn't care for sweets, she saw it as her duty to join her daughter when wedding plans were being made.
Lizzy entered the shop and was immediately greeted by her future husband.
"My dear Elizabeth, we were just talking about you." He said with a smile. Lizzy cast her eyes to the floor, not wanting to look at him.
"Don't worry darling, all good things. I assure you.." He said moving to embrace her. As he slipped his arms around her, pulling her close, Lizzy shuttered, wanting desperately to break free of his grasp and run.
"What is it Elizabeth?" Her mother asked sternly, giving her daughter a moment of hope.
"Mother, could I-"
"I'm sure it's just nerves, with the wedding being so close, is that it my lovely?"He tightened his grip on her.
"Yes, I'm fine. I've just got so much to do before the wedding and there doesn't seem to be enough time to do it."
Please Mother, you have to suspect something, why don't you do something, you had to notice. She thought to herself. Seconds later, the door to the bakery opened, catching her attention.
"Please brother, can we get it, Hannah won't mind if we do." Luca pleaded. Lizzy smiled, grateful to see her friend.
"I don't know, you've already had a lot of sugar at home, I think I'm just going to get ones for later." Alois replied glancing over at Lizzy.
"They like to keep their customers waiting I see." Francis complained.
"If they don't hurry, I'm afraid I won't be able to stay, I've promised my parents I'd be having tea and give them details. I do hope you understand."
"Of course." Lizzy carefully took a step toward Alois, slowly making her way to him, allowing Edward to explain his day to her mother.
"I'm so happy to see you two." She said trying to hold back her tears. Alois smiled. Leaning in close to her.
"Then you'll be even happier to know that we didn't come here on our own." He motioned to the large window. Lizzy's eyes lit up instantly.
"How did-" She began, Ciel sat just across the street having tea just outside of a small restaurant, Naveen sat across from him.
"He saw what happened and asked me to come and see if you were okay. He also wanted me to tell you we'll be here for a while if you want to spend some time with the little ones, Sebastian's taken them to get some new clothes but they'll be back soon.
"Did he know I would be here?" She asked quietly.
"No. We saw you getting out of your carriage on our way through town. Is that the man you're supposed to marry?" Alois asked.
"'yes, that's Edward, I hate him so much."
"Don't blame you, this is the first I've seen of him and I don't like him, he has one of those faces you just want to punch as hard as you can doesn't he?"
"If you'd get to know him, that feeling would be more intense." Lizzy said.
"Brother, we have to get it, he said to-" Alois pulled the money from his pocket, handing it to his brother.
"Go on then, ask the lady for it. I'll be right here." Luca nodded and did as he was asked.
"I don;t know how I'll get away."
"You want to spend the day with us?"
"Yes, but I-"
"Then don't worry about it, We'll make it happen. You know how we are when we get together, we'll do whatever we have to."Lizzy giggled softly.
"I know."
"Brother, I have it." Luca said handing Alois the white box.
"Good, come on Luca, let's take it to Naveen, He'll hold onto it for us."
"Okay." Luca agreed happily.
"We'll be back shortly, don't worry." Alois promised, Lizzy nodded, making her way back to the group as Alois and Luca exited the shop. She felt save knowing Ciel was close.
"She glanced at him through the window once more as she passed it, noticing now that Sebastian had returned with the children, Finny and Mey-Rin. Alois was now sitting next to Ciel, he seemed to be telling him something.
"I'm sorry about this, my darling Elizabeth, I have to leave in a few moments."
"No, it's okay, I understand, you're busy too. You don't have to apologize." He embraced her once more, receiving the same response.
"Be a good girl Elizabeth, if you react to my touch in this way again, there will be consequences. I won't have you ruining my plans." He said gripping her arms tightly, she gasped at the pain he was causing. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. When he finally let go, she quickly wiped the tear drops away.
Before long, Sebastian entered the shop, in his arms, he held Angelina who was crying and wiggling in her father's grasp.
"I know little one, your mother isn't far, you will be together again soon." He soothed. She noticed Evian standing outside glaring at Edward angrily.
"Sebastian, it's good to see you again." Lizzy greeted. Sebastian's smiled warmly.
"Lady Elizabeth what a pleasant surprise to see you here today. How have you been?"
"I'm sorry, how are you?" Edward asked, the demon turned to him.
"Forgive my rudeness, My name is Sebastian Michaelis, I was employed by the Earl Ciel Phantomhive." Edward sighed.
"Yes, I've heard quite a lot about him. It's unfortunate what happened to the Earl, my darling Elizabeth was so fond of him. Weren't you love?"
"Y-yes, I love him dearly." She said bowing her head.
"Of course, you were engaged after all, it's only natural. He would not want you to feel unhappy however." Sebastian said softly.
"I know, I just wish he was here."
"There's no use dwelling in the past my dear, if this man knew your young Earl and can tell you with certainty-"
"Though I knew my master well, and forgive me for speaking out of line sir, but it perhaps you should not dismiss the young lady's grief in such a way, I've always found these actions to be disrespectful at best."Francis said nothing much to Sebastian and Lizzy's surprise.
Angelina seemed to become more agitated by the man,
"you have indeed spoken out of line, you know nothing of our relationship, you're a mere servant, what right do you have to comment?"
"more than enough. Lady Elizabeth, might I ask you to hold my daughter for a moment while I pick up a gift for her mother?" He asked ignoring the protests from Edward.
"I'd love to." Lizzy cried, forgetting her sadness as the infant was placed in her arms.
"Now see here, you can't just hand over this child and do as you please, my wife is not-"
"Edward, surely you don't mind, you know how much Elizabeth loves children." Francis said finally. Seeing that he was outvoted, Edward fell silent, he momentarily made eye contact with Sebastian as he walked past. The demon allowed his eyes to change quickly before returning to his normal human appearance catching the man off guard.
Edward reached out to Lizzy, taking hold of her arm.
"I don't know what you're all playing at but I've had just about enough."He hissed to the confusion of everyone around him. As he tightened his grip, Angelina let out a low growl and then began to shriek loudly, the shop window began to shake and the customers were forced to cover their ears, Lizzy remained unaffected. Edward's hand began to move though he had no control, twitching as it grasped for his throat.
You are not nice, we do not like it. You are bad to her, but I am bad too, I do not allow you to touch her anymore, she is ours and the mother sees you...always. Mother knows and sees. The tiny distorted voice reached Edward's ears and the shrieking stopped. Angelina. Edward wasted no time in making a hasty exit.
"What-"Francis began as Sebastian rejoined them.
"Is everyone alright?"He was careful to sound reasonably concerned.
"Yes, fine." Francis replied in a daze. She turned to her daughter.
"I think that's enough for the day, Elizabeth, run along now, I'll take care of everything." She said, lowering herself into a chair, Paula did the same.
"Thank you Mother, but where would you like me to go?"
"Actually, I've some errands to run, if you wouldn't mind coming along and helping to look after Angelina. Would that be alright my lady?" Francis merely nodded and Sebastian took his box and lead her out the door.
Just outside, Evian giggled softly.
"Did you see dad, Baby Angelina and I made him run away. I made Cousin Lizzy's mama say it was okay. I am silly."
"Thank you Evian." Lizzy grinned, carefully patting the child's head.
"I saw son, but you shouldn't have made your little sister say she is bad, she doesn't-"
"No, no dad, I did not make her say anything, I only helped her talk to the mean man, she protected cousin Lizzy all by herself."
"Are you quite sure Evian, she's only a few weeks old, how could she possibly do such a thing?" They made their way across the street to Ciel's group. Lizzy softly kissed Angelina's head, giving her to Ciel.
"Mama, did you see us, I helped and our baby did too. Is it okay?"
"What happened to Aunt Francis?" Ciel asked his mate, still watching through the window as the samples were finally delivered for the tasting.
"It's a long story, one we shall go over later, at the moment, let us celebrate a small victory." Sebastian opened the box to reveal several cupcakes, he gave one to each child.
"Thank you Daddy, I am happy to have Cousin Lizzy come with us. Do you feel happy Cousin Lizzy?"
"I do now Rachel, thank you everyone, Thank you for protecting me." She took a bite of the cake.
"You are welcome, we love you, we will not let the bad man be bad. Do not worry, after your married day, he will never hurt you again, Mama will make sure of it." Evian promised, he was proud of himself for what had happened and the pride would continue to show in not only his eyes, but in the eyes of his parents and a very grateful Lizzy.