The spring and summer meshed together and before they knew it, the Phantomhive household was in the midst of winter. Thin clothes were quickly replaced with thick and cold foods with hot. The tension between people simmered and the water calmed, so to speak. Sebastian's life seemed full and endless as he was constantly sent off on assignments from his master. Ciel was more than pleased with life and his firm grip over Lord Williams' company. Sebastian was suspicious that his lord would soon demand for his child but so far the demand had not been made.
Katie spent most of her time with Anthony, who was now about four months old. His black glossy hair had completely covered his head and he had learned to roll around on the ground as well as crawl around on all fours. Sebastian found the child oddly interesting but Katie kept him close and unusually Anthony preferred to stay by his mother. It was like he knew his father was curious and sought after the protection of his mother.
One cold afternoon in December, Anthony was rolling around on the floor as Katie was washing dishes. Sebastian had successfully completely all of his annoying tasks and decided that he needed some extra love from his stubborn wife so he snuck into the kitchen silently to see her. She was softly humming to herself as Anthony played by her feet. Occasionally the baby would freeze as if mesmerized by her tune but after a while he would snap out of it and continue playing with whatever was in his hand. Sebastian chuckled to himself at the sight.
"Aren't you supposed to be serving Ciel his lunch," his wife asked suddenly.
She had heard him with her sharp senses. Of course they weren't as fine-tuned as his but they still shocked him from time to time. Sebastian rolled his eyes and picked up Anthony off of the floor.
"I was just checking to see if you have it ready for me," he mused. "And I wanted to see my beautiful imp."
Katie snorted.
"You're just trying to get out of work again," she replied wittily.
Sebastian pulled her away from the sink with his free arm. She allowed herself to be removed from work and gathered in his arm. Anthony laughed wildly and smacked his father in the face. Sebastian froze startled by the blow to his cheek. Katie chortled and lifted the child into her arms.
"He's been deprived of your attention for a while," she giggled.
Sebastian sighed and ruffled his son's hair. The boy screamed with joy. Katie smiled softly, watching them. Sebastian spotted her watchful eyes and kissed her gently. How he had missed her soft tender lips and firm control of her emotions. His wife pulled away quickly and pointed towards the table.
"Lunch," she said sternly. "I don't want Ciel to get grumpy when I go talk to him about the transaction today."
Sebastian laughed and kissed her forehead.
"Alright, dear," he replied. "I'll go."
He tickled Anthony's neck and earned himself another giggle from the baby before moving over to the lunch tray Katie had so elegantly prepared for him. A sudden shriek caused him to spin around. Anthony clung to his mother's bosom, screaming as if his body had been caught on fire or injured by an invisible force. Katie cuddled him in her arms, trying desperately to calm the child but his cries only became louder.
Sebastian walked calmly up to his small family.
"What happened," he asked smoothly.
Katie bounced the baby up and down gently as he laid against her body.
"I don't know," she admitted, partially frantic.
She had never been around children before so she knew so little about how to take good care of them. Of course she had her maternal instincts to tell her when to protect and feed her child but other than that, she was clueless when he started to cry.
Sebastian put a hand on Anthony's back and rubbed gently. He was still getting used to the small creatures behaviors and mannerisms but he found that he responded best to physical contact. The child continued to scream even as Katie smothered him into her body, worried and nervous about her baby. Sebastian slipped his hand back down to his side.
"I bet he's hungry," Katie said, flashing a smile at her husband. "I'll feed him and in the meantime, make sure Ciel gets his lunch in one piece."
Sebastian nodded and returned to the platter on the table.
"If you say so, sweetheart," he teased.
Katie rolled her eyes and Sebastian hurried out of the kitchen. Worry pulled at his mind as he made his way to the earl's office. 'It's nothing,' he told himself. 'Anthony just got scared or hungry.' He opened the door and entered. Ciel Phantomhive sat at his desk, brooding over papers. He looked fairly unhappy and glared at the demon butler with his single blue eye. He adjusted his eye patch and continued on with his work.
"I'm not hungry," the lord snapped. "I'm too busy for food."
Sebastian waltzed up to the desk and set the tray on top of it.
"I'm terribly sorry to hear that, young master, but my dear, sweet wife made this for you," he practically whined. "I wouldn't want her to be offended."
The master raised his head slightly, obviously irritated with his butler's statement. With a sharp snort, he sat up straighter.
"She insisted," the earl asked slowly.
Sebastian nodded emphatically.
"She did, my lord," he answered.
The earl sighed and waved his hand at the butler.
"Since it is Katherine's cooking, I'll take a break," he admitted.
Sebastian grinned and removed the papers from Ciel's desk. He stashed them away into a file then resumed his post by his master's side. The demon watched the thirteen year old lord eat his lunch. He was impressed that such a child could eat so quickly. In just a few minutes, the tray had been left spotless.
"Forgive me for saying so, my lord, but if I didn't know any better, I'd think you could eat Katie's cooking all day long."
Ciel snorted at his words.
"That's ridiculous, Sebastian," he hissed. "It's like you're admitting your wife is better than you."
Sebastian shrugged.
"Well, my wife does have more experience in the kitchen."
Ciel sighed, lacing his fingers on top of the desktop.
A knock at the door attracted their gaze. Finny entered, breathing heavier than normal.
"My lord," the gardener wheezed. "There's a carriage outside."
Ciel raised an eyebrow.
"I wasn't expecting any guest today."
There was an awkward pause. Sebastian snapped into action; he pulled out an agenda from his jacket pocket.
"No one has made an appointment accept for your budget meeting," he supported, assuring his master.
The door flew open and Sebastian swore under his breath as Lord Williams entered the study. His loyal dog followed behind him, smugly. Alfred shot Finny a cheerful smile. The immature servant knew better than to stay and flew for a secure hiding place. Sebastian hid the booklet back into the darkness from whence it came.
"Lord Williams," Ciel said slowly. "What a surprise; I thought we had seen the last of you."
The lord snorted and trilled his fingers over his cane. Alfred smirked at Sebastian then turned his attention to Ciel.
"We came to see how Katherine was fairing," Williams said firmly. "Where is she?"
Ciel glanced at Sebastian and let out a sigh.
"She's busy today; come back another day," he said somewhat politely.
Alfred stepped in.
"But you see, young earl, we have a busy day ourselves," he responded softly. "We won't stay very long."
Sebastian smiled sweetly, stepping in between Ciel and the half-demon.
"I understand your concern," he said sharply. "But as Lord Phantomhive has said, she is busy at the moment."
The door opened again, grabbing everyone's attention once more. Katie slipped in, Anthony snuggled in her arms. He was alert with wide electric blue eyes. His mother froze when she spotted her father and ex-butler standing in the room. Sebastian groaned on the inside. Could she not have picked a better time to come into the room?
"Impeccable timing, Katherine," Ciel said, his eye sending a warning her way. "Your father is here to see you."
Katie glanced at Sebastian then advanced to his side.
"You saw me now leave," she hissed.
Lord Williams' harsh face softened and he took a weary step forward.
"Is that little one yours," he demanded.
Katie withdrew Anthony tighter into her chest.
"No, I got a job as a governess," she snapped.
Alfred offered her a sweet and gentle look.
"He looks an awfully lot like you, Milady," he complimented. "As well as your husband."
Lord Williams held a firm hand out towards his daughter. Katie became rigid and firm where she stood. Anthony behaved the same way, clinging tightly to his mother.
"May I see my grandson," the lord inquired.
Sebastian put a steady hand on his wife's back as she leaned away from her father's presence.
"You can see him just fine from right there," she said darkly.
Lord Williams ignored her words and took another ragged step towards her. He didn't stop until he was just a few feet from her. His sharp blue eyes had softened like frozen butter as they gazed at Anthony's collected face. Something happened then that shocked everyone in the room; Lord Williams began to cry. Large tears rolled down his cheeks and he took a step back, covering his mouth with a shaky hand. Alfred was by his side immediately.
"My lord," he probed, as if unsure if his master would crumble into dust right then and there.
"What a beautiful child," Katie's father said softly. "So tender and young."
Katie relaxed next to Sebastian's side but only slightly. She would forever be haunted by memories of her father and that was something she was not willing to forgive.
The lord collected himself and cleared his throat. Alfred held his arm as if he was the only thing keeping him upright.
"Katherine," he said firmly. "Do you love this child?"
Katie tensed again but she nodded her head.
"Yes, I do," she replied.
"Would you die to protect him," her father continued on.
"Of course I would," she snapped.
Lord Williams smiled at his cane then looked up at her.
"I have long forgotten what it was like to look upon a child's face," he breathed. "I have even forgotten the joy of holding a newborn in my arms."
He swallowed and turned towards the door.
"Come, Alfred," he commanded. "We shall bother these good people another day."
Alfred's face made Sebastian suspicious. He expressed true horror and panic. It was like a murderer realizing that he had missed a mistake in his plan, that he had made a small imperfect flaw. The butler wondered if Alfred would finally leave them alone at last or if he could take matters into his own hand to fulfill Lord Williams' dream of conquest.