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"There we are, Ciel. Careful now, my love, I've got you." Alois cooed to Ciel in a low, soothing tone.

His hands were firm but gentle as he helped the heavily pregnant bluenette sit up in bed.

"Alois…" Ciel sighed gratefully, her sapphire eyes looked fondly at Alois as she watched the blonde while he helped her adjust her position.

Ciel laid back once the blonde finished lovingly fluffing the pillows behind her, shifting them into a little nest to help her be more comfortable.

Alois smiled softly at Ciel and took her hand into his, giving it a sweet kiss.

"Better?" The blonde asked hopefully with a soft smile.

"As better as it's going to get." Ciel huffed, her pink lips curling into a pout.

Alois was just trying to get Ciel settled for her nap.

The weeks had rounded into months and Ciel's belly had rounded with them.

Alois eagerly awaited the arrival of the child he already thought of as his own, but Ciel was just ready to not be miserable anymore.

Ciel barely slept at night while the baby turned and kicked endlessly in her womb.

Her back hurt, her feet swelled, her middle ached…..

Every day seemed longer than the next.

Ciel wasn't sure how she could have endured it all if it hadn't been for Alois…..

Her sapphire gaze was soft as she looked at her husband and gave his hand a squeeze.

"What's the matter?" Alois blinked.

The smile fell from his lips and his face twisted in worry.

"Are you having any pain, Ciel?" Alois asked quickly.

"No." Ciel said with an amused chuckle at his concern. "I'm just….I appreciate everything, Alois. I really do."

Alois's soft smile returned.

"I love you." Alois said happily, moving the covers aside to climb into the bed and let Ciel rest against him.

Sometimes his body heat seemed to give the bluenette more comfort, especially in the chilly winter mornings and evenings.

Under the covers, Ciel guided Alois's hands to her round, firm middle and smiled back as she replied, "We love you, too."

Along with Ciel's mounded tummy, Hannah's jealousy grew with each passing day.

While Hannah cleaned the library that morning, she reflected on her recent efforts.

Hannah had continued her search for Sebastian or, at least a way to get in touch with Sebastian…..

…...But it had all been in vain so far.

Hannah felt like a failure for not being able to stop this nonsense before now.

It was almost too late…or was it?

No….

Maids in a household were often asked to assist with a birth…...

An evil plan began to knit itself together in Hannah's mind.

When the time came, while Alois waited by the fire, as most Victorian fathers-to-be did, Hannah would insure that something went amiss in the birthing room.

Something tragic that the midwives couldn't correct.

Ciel would die.

If the baby survived, Hannah would see to it that the infant was given to an orphanage far, far away without Alois's knowledge.

That way, if Sebastian ever came looking for Ciel, Hannah could tell him about the child and send him off.

That would give Sebastian less reason to attack her master…..

…...And the loss of Ciel and the baby would have Alois living in a virtual prison of despair and grief, but Hannah would come to his rescue~.

She would allow Alois to use her to relieve his pain.

Hannah smiled to herself while she dusted the bookcase.

Yes….

One day, Alois Trancy would forget about Ciel and her unwanted child.

Alois would eventually come to love Hannah just as much as she loved him~.

Of that, Hannah was certain.

Alois had no idea about his maid's macabre intentions.

Hannah had never mentioned her feelings for him at all.

Although Hannah's feelings weren't returned, the fact that they existed would still have been a useful thing for the blonde to know.

It would have at least given Alois a warning.

But no, Alois hadn't had any more altercations with Hannah since she returned the missing documents to him on that day several months ago.

Claude had not noticed anything else that was out of the ordinary about the maid.

With his butler's reassurance that everything was alright, Alois let it rest.

He was too busy with Ciel to really go digging anyway.

Ciel grew far bigger than what anyone expected, even herself.

Every time the midwife visited her for a checkup, she questioned the bluenette thoroughly about the conception date.

That question just made Ciel scowl in irritation as she repeated the same answer week after week.

To Alois's delight, as the pregnancy advanced, Ciel became dependent on him for nearly everything.

Alois had to help Ciel dress, bathe, and eat.

Alois even helped Ciel comb her hair and most importantly, he helped her walk, though the doctor said she should limit her steps as much as possible.

One evening, Ciel begged Alois to let her walk to the dinner table.

Alois reluctantly agreed.

He didn't want Ciel to strain herself.

With her gravid middle, even standing was a struggle for the bluenette, but the blonde draped Ciel's arm over his shoulder.

He was careful to support Ciel with one hand on her back and one hand holding the underside of her belly as they slowly made their way out of the bedroom and down the hallway.

"I'm sorry I've become so needy." Ciel said quietly.

"I love it when you're needy~." Alois smirked.

He was telling the truth.

Alois found that taking care of a pregnant Ciel was fulfilling and quite fun.

Alois had a deep fear of being abandoned and had spent many years drowning in loneliness.

Ciel couldn't possibly leave him like this~.

Also, it was so nice for Alois to be able to help the one he loved in such simple, but meaningful ways.

For Alois, it was amazing to be wanted.

To be needed…

It had been a long time since anyone had needed Alois.

"But, really, Ciel, you should be in bed, resting. Claude can bring dinner to us." Alois chided while they walked along.

The blonde blinked and stopped suddenly when Ciel took a deep breath in as an annoying ache shot up her back.

Alois let Ciel lean against the wall with his hands still pressed against her for support, watching her closely.

"I wish everyone would stop treating me like I'm a bomb." Ciel huffed in irritation.

"No, Ciel~," Alois giggled, gently patting her pregnant tummy. "You're an oven!"

"I am not an oven!" Ciel scowled in aggravation.

A strong kick rippled across Ciel's middle, brushing against Alois's hand.

Alois's eyes were soft and loving as he smiled sweetly and whispered against Ciel's lips while he replied, "Then explain the bun~."

Ciel groaned softly as Alois gave her a long, rich kiss, which she happily accepted.

"Ready to walk a bit farther?" Alois asked once he pulled away a few moments later.

Ciel gave him a nod and Alois gently resumed his supportive position.

If it wasn't for the pregnancy, Alois would have pushed Ciel into the closest bedroom and given her a little treat before dinner.

But now, it was far too close to the baby's arrival.

The midwives had said it was going to be weeks still, maybe another month or two.

But Alois knew they had to be wrong.

How much bigger could Ciel get?

"Here, let's slip this off, my darling." Alois purred one night two weeks later as he pulled Ciel's dress up over her head, helping her prepare for her bath.

In recent months, Alois had commissioned several silk maternity dresses to be made for Ciel.

The pantsuits she normally favored just weren't an option anymore.

Although, secretly, Alois didn't necessarily mind seeing Ciel in her new, clingy garments.

Uncorseted, not buttoned up, or hidden away under ruffles and layers….

No, it drove the blonde crazy to see the curves of Ciel's hips or the alluring silhouette of her legs as she lay on the bed.

But Ciel would always be beautiful to Alois.

Even if she wore a rug or tattered rags….

Or better yet, just nothing at all…

Alois grinned at Ciel once her dress and slip were off and she was completely naked in front of him.

"Don't look at me." Ciel begged, turning her face away from Alois as her cheeks flushed a deep pink.

Ciel was embarrassed of her body now.

Alois wasn't~.

"And miss the best sight in Britain? I think not." Alois giggled, kissing Ciel's cheek while he helped her stand and walk into the bathroom.

"You're ridiculous." Ciel huffed, flustered by Alois's flattery.

"You're gorgeous~." Alois purred with a satisfied smirk.

Ever since the moment they had met, years ago, and Alois had licked Ciel's ear, the blonde always did enjoy it when he could make Ciel blush.

Ciel looked so cute with her cheeks tinted pink!

Alois let Ciel lean against the counter while he went and started the bathwater.

The blonde concentrated hard, twisting the knobs this way and that, trying to get the water to be the perfect temperature.

Ciel preferred a scaldingly hot bath, but Alois knew the baby growing inside her would appreciate not being boiled alive in her womb.

Alois thought that he had the water just perfect when Ciel called his attention.

"Alois."

Ciel spoke his name with a deadly seriousness, there was no warmth or mirth in her voice…..

Ciel needed his attention.

Alois immediately looked over.

"Ciel?!" Alois asked quickly.

The blonde's ocean-blue eyes widened in concern.

Ciel was clutching the counter with one hand and her round belly with the other as the color completely drained from her complexion. Looking closer, Alois thought he saw a sheen of fresh sweat breaking out across Ciel's face.

"Ciel! What's the matter?!" Alois cried as he leapt to his feet and gently grasped the bluenette.

Ciel slowly sunk to the floor with a groan and closed her eyes.

Alois went down with Ciel, easing her safely to sit on the cold bathroom tile.

The blonde's pulse started to pound.

"Ciel! Ciel, talk to me! W-What's happening?!" Alois asked frantically, looking Ciel over, horrified.

Ciel barely heard what Alois said through the haze of her pain but what he was saying didn't really matter….

However, it did matter very much what Ciel had to say.

Ciel's words made Alois's blood run icy cold in his veins as the bluenette cracked her eyes open and spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, "I….I think it's time..."