It's time for more Modern Loser Parents AU. I hope you all enjoy! Please don't forget to leave a review!
~O~
Ciel Phantomhive impatiently taps his foot against the bottom stair. He glances down at his expensive wrist watch for the fifth time. It is nearly time for them to leave.
"Lizzy would you hurry up! You're going to make us all late!" Ciel shouts upstairs to his wife.
Seconds later the woman appears into view. "Sorry, sorry! I was just looking for my camera!" Elizabeth calls, sprinting down the stairs.
She reaches the bottom stair and grins down at her children. "All right, Abby, Ellie grab your backpacks and stand in front of daddy." She instructs.
Reluctantly, Abigail and Elliot swing their backpacks of their shoulder and traipse toward their father. Each of their countenances adorns a listless expression.
Elizabeth grins and holds up the camera. "Okay, smile big for mommy!"
They give their best convincing smile and stare into the camera lens.
After the camera flashes, Elizabeth leans up to inspect the photo. "Oh, it's adorable!" She coos and holds up the camera to let her family see the picture.
"It looks nice. Now may we please leave? We'll be late if we linger here any longer!" Ciel grunts in annoyance.
Elizabeth pouts. "You're as grumpy ever, Ciel."
Ciel rolls his eyes. "I just enjoy being punctual, Lizzy." He replies. His eyes soften as he glances down at the twins. "Besides, we wouldn't want Abby and Elliot to be late for their first day of Kindergarten." He smiles warmly as he pats both their heads.
Elizabeth grins. "Oh yes. Are you excited sweeties?" She asks, shifting her gaze.
Abigail and Elliot's eyes simultaneously glance down at the glimmering designs on their shoes. "…Um I guess so." Elliot begins.
Elizabeth's eyebrows slowly inch to the center of her forehead. Her elated beaming visage is replaced with a look of worry. "What's wrong, you two? Aren't you excited for your first day?" She asks.
Before the children could answer, the blaring sound of a horn is heard. "Come on! We're going to be late!" Ciel shouts from inside the car once he rolls the window down.
Elizabeth clicks her tongue before taking a hold of the twin's noticeably perspired hands. She chooses not to comment on them.
"Your father, I swear." She grumbles in annoyance as she ushers them inside the vehicle.
"Be sure to buckle your seat belts." Ciel reminds, turning his head towards the back seat and does not turn around or start the engine until he hears the dull click of the belt being secured inside the buckle.
After everyone is settled in, Ciel begins to back out of the driveway and onto the road.
"Oh you're just going to love Kindergarten, you two!" Elizabeth grins, glancing in the rear view mirror at the twin's reflection. "And you're going to just adore your teacher. She was my best friend when I was in school. Her name is Paula Bell. Do you remember her, Ciel?" She asks, turning to her husband.
The man hums thoughtfully, "Are you talking about the timid brunette that was practically joined to your hip all through high school and college? Yes I remember her." He chuckles. "Wasn't she at our wedding?"
Elizabeth giggles. "Yes! She was such a shy thing, but she's very kind. I was excited when I found out she was teaching at Abby and Ellie's school." She turns back to the twins. "I'm sure you both will enjoy her class. She'll take good care of you after we leave." She beams.
The twin's eyes widen. "Y-You're not going to stay with us?" Elliot squeaks.
Elizabeth frowns in confusion. "Of course not Ellie. Daddy and I have to work. We can't stay." She explains.
"We didn't stay with you at pre-school, so why would we stay with you now?" Ciel adds, occasionally stealing glances at the mirror to gaze at them.
Abigail begins to gnaw on her bottom lip nervously. "I-It's just that…the school…it's so big." She replies, feeling the ache in her stomach becoming stronger.
Elizabeth waves her hand dismissively. "Don't worry, sweet hearts, it will be fine! Ms. Bell will help you." She smiles reassuringly. Unfortunately, her warm smile does not provide solace for the anxious twins.
"And I'm sure you both will make a lot of friends. Finny is in the classroom just across the hall so you all will see him there as well." Ciel pipes up once he stops the car at a red light.
Abigail and Elliot nod, though their nerves are still touched with apprehension.
The red traffic light switches to a fluorescent green and Ciel speeds ahead.
Somewhere along the car ride, Elliot's hand entwines with Abigail's. He gives the girl a nervous smile to which she reciprocates.
At least they would not have to do this alone.
~O~
After some time, the car comes to stop in a parking space near the entrance of the large school.
Ciel is first to step out of the vehicle. He stretches his legs, which were stiff from driving, before politely opening the door for his wife then his children.
Elizabeth giggles and steps out. "Such a gentleman." She grins.
Abigail and Elliot reluctantly inch off the seat and onto the pavement.
Their anxious eyes survey the large and foreign area. It is certainly much larger than Little Reapers Pre-school. It would be easy for one to become astray in such a large edifice.
"Are you ready to go?" Elizabeth smiles down at the children, offering them a kind hand.
The twins unlatch their balled firsts from the hem of their shirts in favor of holding her loving hand.
They each inhale a deep breath as they lift their feet to take the first step.
Ciel and Elizabeth chuckle quietly at the sight of their expressions.
Their tightly shut eyes and puffed out cheeks and chests elicits a combination of pity and humor from the couple.
As the family journeyed up the stairs leading to the front door of the large establishment, Abigail and Elliot cease their walk.
Elizabeth, having felt the force of being pulled back, turns a questioning eye towards the twins. She gasps as she notices tell-tale the saline water accumulating in their eyes.
"Mommy, daddy, please don't make us go. Not by ourselves." Abigail wails, peering up at her parents through a film of unshed tears.
"Please." Elliot, who is full on sobbing by, now, hiccups.
Ciel reaches them first.
He bends down to their height and stares straight into their watery emerald eyes. "Ssh, it's fine." He whispers, pushing them against his broad chest and rubbing a soothing hand on each of their backs.
Once the twins are sufficiently pacified, Ciel pulls away and places his hands on each of their shoulders. "Look at me." He commands lightly, giving them time to dry their eyes before speaking again.
"Now everything is going to be just fine. Your mother and I have known your teacher for a very long time. She's a very nice woman and I'm sure you'll both love her." He soothes, his timbre uncharacteristically doting. "And I'm sure the children in there are just as scared as you are. You're not alone."
The twins nod their heads in understanding.
"So will you try to be a big boy and a big girl?" Ciel asks; hope clearly glimmering in his eyes.
After several seconds of sniffing and drying of the eyes, the twins finally reply with an anxious yet a marginally confident, "Yes daddy."
Ciel's lips slide into one of his rare smiles as pats their shoulders. "Good."
Having watched the sentimental scene, Elizabeth grins lovingly at Ciel. She loves these moments of rarity where her husband's cold exterior melts away and reveals a side of warm adoration and affection.
She turns towards the twins. "Do you feel a bit better about going inside now?" She asks.
The children answer by taking hold of Elizabeth's hands and beaming up at her.
"Good." She giggles and begins to walk inside the building, her family trailing proudly behind her.
~O~
The school's corridors seem endless to Abigail and Elliot.
With every click of their shoes, their heart beats increased and their palms begin to heavily perspire while they remained in their mother's grasp.
The various giggles and joyful shouts that echo from the classrooms, they walk pass are somewhat reassuring to the twins.
Perhaps kindergarten will not be that bad.
After walking for what seems like miles to the children, Elizabeth and Ciel halt in front of a brightly yellow colored door.
Elizabeth glances down at the twins. "Ready?" She smiles.
Abigail and Elliot nod quietly, unable to tear their eyes away from the door.
Elizabeth lifts her small first and gives the door a hearty knock. She grins; she could not wait to see her closest friend. It has been a while since the two have been able to spend quality time together other than five minute chats over the phone.
After a few seconds, the door opens to reveal a tall woman with flowing brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, and a smile so bright it rivals the sun.
"Welcome!" The woman beams.
Elizabeth immediately jumps into the woman's arms. "Oh Paula, it feels like a century since I've last laid eyes on you!" She squeals, squeezing her friend as tightly as possible.
Paula laughs and returns Elizabeth's embrace, "Yes it has been a while, Lizzy."
Once Paula is released from Elizabeth's death grip, she turns to Ciel and greets him with a polite hug. "It's been a long time since I've seen your face too, Ciel. I trust everything is well."
Ciel nods, "Yes everything is fine. It's nice to see you again, Paula. I hope things are well for you also." He says.
The reply on Paula's tongue is forgotten instantly as she notices two small beings attempting to sequester behind Elizabeth's leg.
She bends down to their point of vantage and smiles. "Well, hello there! You must be Abigail and Elliot. Your mother has told me so many wonderful things about you two." She chimes.
"Abby, Ellie, this is your teacher, Ms. Bell." Elizabeth explains. Her grin fades to a smirk, "Or soon to be Mrs. Abberline."
Paula blushes instantly, "You stop that, Lizzy. He hasn't even proposed." She chides the snickering woman in a flustered rage.
She shifts her attention back to the children. "Why don't you both come inside so you can meet the other students?" She smiles sweetly and offers her hand.
Abigail and Elliot respond by tightening their grip on their mother's leg.
Elizabeth sighs. "I'm sorry Paula. They're terribly shy." The exasperated mother explains.
Paula shakes her head and waves her hand dismissively. "It's not a problem. The kids in there reacted the same way. First days are scary for children."
Ciel steps forward and taps the twin's heads. "Remember what we talked about?" He asks with a scrutinizing gaze.
Abigail and Elliot slowly nod and reluctantly release their mother's leg.
Abigail is the first to take hold of Paula's outstretched hand.
Elliot, being the more reserved twin, stands next to his father.
Their teacher smiles and ushers them inside the colorful classroom.
The room's walls are adorned with several posters of the alphabet and a chart labeling different classroom rules. In the front of the room is a large dry erase board with several different markers.
On the floor in front of the board is a polychromatic rug large enough for the students to sit on. In the center of the room are tables where the students, who are noisily chatting amongst themselves, currently sit.
The room is much bigger than one at pre-school, the twins note.
"Alright, Abigail you will sit at that table." Paula gestures by pointing at the table closest to the window at the back of the room.
"And Elliot you will sit here." She says, pointing to the table at the front of the room near the rug and the white board.
Abigail and Elliot give each other an anxious gaze after noticing they will not be sitting near each other.
Noticing their anxiety, Ciel pats both their backs in reassurance. "It will be fine. You'll both make plenty of friends if you sit at different tables." He whispers low enough for only them to hear as he motions over to the children already sitting at the table.
Elizabeth nods, "You'll have fun babies. I promise." She soothes and kisses both of their cheeks.
Abigail and Elliot give each other one last departing gaze before taking their assigned seats.
Paula smiles and turns to Ciel and Elizabeth. "Everything else should be fine. I'll call if Abigail and Elliot are having any trouble."
"Thank you, Paula." The couple responds in unison (though Elizabeth's tone holds more enthusiasm).
Paula waves as the two exit the classroom.
"Do you think they'll be alright?" Elizabeth inquires as they reach the car.
"I'm sure they'll be fine." Ciel hums as he starts the engine. "Besides, Paula said she would call if there are any problems." He reminds.
Elizabeth twirls the hem of her skirt. "But you know how Paula is. She doesn't like to bother people. Something could go wrong and she'd be too worried to call us." She replies while gazing at the rolling scenery out the window.
"That won't happen." He insists.
"It could." She mutters.
Ciel doesn't bother replying.
For the remainder of the way, the couple rides in silence. Both of their minds wander to the same topic; the twins.
Finally, Ciel pulls up in front of a building labeled 'Lizzy's Interior Styles', the building that Elizabeth owns and works at.
Elizabeth unbuckles her seat belt and kisses her husband. "Remember I'm staying a bit late since I'm supposed to check out my clients' house today."
"I remembered. And, be careful. You don't know what type of people they are." Ciel cautions.
Elizabeth giggles, "I will, worry wart." She teases before stepping out of the car and closing the door.
After his wife disappears inside the building, he speeds off to his job.
~O~
Ciel leans back in his office chair with a sigh. He lifts his hands and rubs them down his face.
Ever since he came in to work, his thoughts have wandered elsewhere, which is very uncharacteristic of him. He could not afford to become distracted, the mountain of paperwork resting on his desk reminded him so, but he could not help but wonder how his son and daughter are fairing.
The school is much larger than the pre-school. They will be learning more complex things than when they were attending pre-school. And at least Abigail and Elliot were familiar with the children at pre-school since most of them lived in their neighborhood. But now they are attending school with strangers (aside from Finny but he is in a different class).
Ciel was never the social type. Had the twins inherited his trait and were not making any friends? That would be dreadful. Were they having a difficult time adjusting to the lesson?
The man runs his fingers through his hair in annoyance. He needs to rid his mind of these thoughts so he may complete his work.
He glances at the phone on his desk. Perhaps a quick call to the school would put his worries to rest.
He lifts the phone and begins dialing the school's number. His fingers tap against his desk as waits for an answer.
"Weston Elementary School offices, how may I help you?" A woman replies.
"Yes, could you please transfer me to Ms. Paula Bell's room, please?" He asks.
"I'm sorry sir, but all kindergarten classes just left for lunch." The woman informs.
"Oh." Ciel responds with surprise. He had not realized it was that late.
"Would you like me to take a message?" The woman's asks. Ciel could briefly hear the dull click of what he thinks to be a pen on her end.
"No, it's not that important. Thank you for your time ma'am." He replies with a sigh.
"It's not a problem. Have a nice day."
After that, Ciel hangs up and rubs his temples. That was certainly a waste of time.
It's already past noon and he has not completed any of his work and he is still worried about the twins.
'This is going to be a long day.' He muses with a sigh.
Suddenly his phone rings.
He immediately straightens up in his seat. Is it the school calling back?
His hands begin to shake as he picks up the phone. "Hello?" He speaks into the receiver.
"Ciel?"
Ciel raises an eyebrow. "Lizzy? I thought you were with a client today."
He hears her sigh before speaking, "They had to reschedule because of a family emergency. I can't help but feel relieved though. I haven't been able to concentrate all day." She admits.
"Why? Did something happen?" He asks, signs of worry hinted in his voice.
"No…" Elizabeth trails off. "Are you busy?" She asks.
Ciel glances at the untouched paperwork on his desk. "Not exactly." He clears his throat to change the subject. "But more importantly, is everything all right?"
"I'm fine. It's just that…I'm worried about Abby and Ellie." She finally confesses.
"Oh?" Ciel asks in mock surprise.
"Yes. I even called the school to see if they were all right but the lady said they were at lunch! You must think I'm silly, Ciel but I can't help it." She cries.
Ciel leans back in his chair and hums thoughtfully. "Well it's expected, Lizzy since you are their mother. It's only natural for you to worry." He replies, conveniently 'forgetting' to inform his wife, he did the exact thing a mere few seconds ago.
"I suppose you're right." Elizabeth replies, her tone gaining its usual confidence back.
"Well of course I am, Lizzy." He chuckles. Elizabeth laughs as well.
"Do you think we should check on them?" Elizabeth asks after some time.
"What do you mean?" Ciel asks.
"I mean go to their school just to see how they're doing." She elaborates.
The man would have objected had his nerves not been plagued with worry and distress. "When can you take your lunch break?"
"In ten minutes."
"I'll meet you there in twenty."
~O~
The Phantomhive's once again find themselves at the Weston Elementary parking lot.
"Do you think lunch is over with by now?" Elizabeth asks, jogging up the school's steps that lead to the front doors.
"It's after one so they should be finished by now." Ciel replies, holding the door open for his wife as she sprints inside.
The couple quickly strides down the school's lengthy hallways until they come face to face with the familiar yellow door.
Ciel is the first to knock.
Seconds later the door opens and reveals a dumbfounded Paula.
"Lizzy, Ciel, what are you doing here?" She asks clearly surprised.
"We just came to see how things are." Elizabeth announces, her eyes searching through the open crack of the door for Abigail and Elliot.
Paul laughs, "Things have been just fine. Abigail and Elliot have been getting along great with other kids."
Elizabeth stops her quest and stares straight at Paula in astonishment. "Really?" Ciel and she ask simultaneously.
Paula chuckles again and nods. "See for yourselves." She says, stepping aside.
Ciel and Elizabeth peer inside the classroom and their mouths nearly fall open.
In the corner, Elliot sits reading a book with a boy with curly auburn hair, freckled cheeks, and shining gray eyes. The pair takes turns reading a page, helping each other when one of them is stuck on a word.
On the rug, Abigail, being the more gregarious twin, sits with a flock girls and the occasional boy showing off her bracelets and light up shoes. She often boasted about the perks of being a twin and having the ability to share toys and play with someone all the time, to which the crowd responds with, 'I wish I had a twin too!'
Ciel and Elizabeth smile. Thank goodness they are adapting well.
"Mommy, daddy? What are you doing here?" Abigail asks, glancing up from her crowd of new friends.
Elliot looks up as well and his eyes widen in surprise. "It isn't time to leave already, is it?" He asks.
"No! I don't want to leave yet! Ms. Bell said we would get to play on the playground soon." Abigail whines.
Elizabeth shakes her head. "No it's not time to go yet. We just came to see if you all were okay."
Abigail furrows her eyebrows in confusion. "But we're fine."
Elliot nods in agreement. "Yeah. School is fun, mommy." He gives a small smile.
Ciel nods, "We can see that. I'm glad you're both having fun." He turns to Paula. "We'll be going now. Sorry for the intrusion."
"Oh it's fine! No problem at all!" She smiles.
"Goodbye Abby, goodbye Ellie! I love you both! Have fun!" Elizabeth giggles, blowing a kiss.
Abigail and Elliot wrinkle their noses before continuing on their discussions, promptly ignoring their crazed mother.
Parents could be so odd.
~O~
I told you they were losers. Since Paula doesn't have a last name I decided to give her one. For five seconds I seriously considered letting her last name be Jingles because of her catch phrase and the sleigh bells she carried throughout the anime but then I was like nahh and made it Bell. Also, I've always been fond of the idea of Abberline and Paula getting together so that's where that came from.
In this AU, Lizzy is an interior designer and owns a business. Frances and Alexis are cops and Edward is a soldier. The reason why Luca isn't mentioned here is because he's a year younger than Abby, Elliot, and Finny so therefore he's still at Little Reapers Pre-school.
~Don't forget to review pretty please~