"Hello Daddy, we are shopping with Grandmother and Aunt Bethy,do you miss us lots?" Rachel grinned at the device which allowed her to see her father as they spoke.
"Of course I do Princess,are you making sure no one gets lost?" Rachel giggled.
"Yes, I have been holding on to Mo- To him so I can bring him back and we can play!" She cried. Ciel smiled, watching his mate with their children never failed to bring him happiness.
"Excellent, don't let go, he may wonder off and then we will have to send Pluto to find him, and you know how Pluto reacts to trying to find anything.'
"Yes, I remember, I do. Puppy gets bored and does not keep looking."
"That's right dear one. Now be good and give everyone a hug for me,I'll see you when you return."
"Sebastian my son, I cannot figure out this infernal device. I am tapping the 'x' however nothing is disappearing!" Sebastian sighed.
"That's because you have to use the mouse. Poking the computer screen won't get you anywhere." Sebastian called over his shoulder.
"I see no mice, does that not cause the vermin to-"
"No father, not actual- I shall be there in a moment." Ciel's group laughed.
"Poor Grandfather, he does not understand!"
"Probably never will, the poor dear,he never has been a fast learner" Ann chuckled.
"Poor Father, he'll never get it right, when we get home, I'm going to give him a big hug." Beth announced.
"That would make him very happy my dear, you're father loves you so much."
"Yes, I'm your only girl and that makes me special to father." Beth replied to her mother.
"That's right Bethy dear." Ann said with a smile.
"You four have a good time shopping and I'll see you when you return. Give everyone a hug for me, and give Ciel a kiss from me." Rachel giggled
"it is strange to not say the real word daddy."
"I know love, but I'm afraid the 'm' word is off limits for the time being."
"Yes, because that would be unhappy!"
"That's right dear one, such a clever girl. I love you very much." Sebastian said with a smile.
"I love you too daddy, Rachel kisses for you." The princess grinned.
"I love you Ciel."
"Rubbish, the whole bloody thing!" Sebastian was shocked by the reply
"what the devil-" He began as he heard Ann and Beth laugh.
"What exactly do you find amusing about that reply?" He asked curiously.
"Rachel, show your father what is going on please."
"Yes grandmother." The phone was turned and a second later, he had a full view of his mate who was sitting down on the bench behind the group, he appeared to be playing one of the hand held video games Sebastian had gotten him. It was then that Sebastian realized Ciel hadn't heard his words.
"Honestly, you and your games." Sebastian shook his head.
"Do not worry, I will get him Daddy." Rachel nudged her mother gently causing Ciel to look away from the device.
"Daddy wants to tell you something happy. You were not listening. You are very silly." Ciel turned his attention to the phone.
"surely that game can't be that amusing." Sebastian said with a frown.
"Have you tried it, I understand now how the little ones get so wrapped up in it." Sebastian again shook his head.
"I don't see what all the fuss is about. It's only -"
"It's alright Sebastian, old people rarely do." Ciel smirked.
"I wouldn't go there dear one. One day-"
"You're still ancient, weren't you already when we met?"
"Age means nothing, it's merely a number and if it means anything at all, it's simply that I am experienced in many things...including how to button my shirts correctly." Ciel narrowed his eyes at his mate.
"Bite me."
"Don't give me ideas."
"Sebastian!" The older demon chuckled.
"oh no, Daddy, please do not bite. That is not happy at all, it will hurt just like when brother Rowan bited me."Rachel fretted.
"My precious daughter, when have I ever harmed your mother?"Sebastian asked calmly.
"Never ever, because mommy would beat you up and then we would not have a daddy because you would not love us anymore."
"That's not true Rachel, though I won't deny that your mother is stronger than me and absolutely could beat me up, I would love you all even if that happened and I'll always be your father, you have my word."
"Would you even still love mommy?"
"Always and forever, no matter what." Rachel smiled.
"As I was saying, Ciel, have a good time and I'll see you when you return. I love you very much. "
"I love you too I guess." Beth and Rachel giggled.
"Ciel likes to play with my big brother, you are very funny Ciel."Beth said giving her brother in law a hug. After the phone call ended, the group continued to explore the mall.
Ann was amazed by the variety of stores.
"I never would have imagined a place like this could exist. What are all these people who have a stand out here in this hall?"
"They're selling things too. I think they're -"
"Can we ride the horsey, oh please can we?" Ciel checked his pocket.
"I've only got enough change for one time for you and Beth if she wants to. Or you can wait until we're done shopping and you can go on the merry go round which also has horses." Ciel told her.
"Is that the one that goes round and round and makes music and-"
"The one your brothers went on with you last time."
"oh I love it, can I please,please,please do it?" As hard as Ciel tried, he still couldn't say no when his children stared into his eyes, their little hands folded in front of them.
"I should really learn to ignore this behavior, you're all going to end up spoiled."
"What is that?" Rachel took hold of his arm and rested her head on him.
"it means you'll think you can have everything you want and when someone finally tells you no, you won't take to it well and have a tantrum."
"oh my, that is sad. But you are good, we will understand, we will. We do not need to be that because mommy and daddy are the best ones ever. We get hugs." Ciel patted her head affectionately.
"mother, can we get toys, I would like to have a game." Beth said peering into one of the shops, the shelves were stocked with a variety of video games and game consoles.
"Another time sweetie, we mustn't lose sight of our task. We came here to buy a gift for Naveen's birthday."Ann reminded her daughter.
"I love Naveen!" Rachel and Beth said in unison and laughed.
"And Alois and Lenora!" The two voice added.
"We know you do girls, and so do your cousins." Ann smiled.
"I know, I do, can we get cousin Naveen a hat?" Rachel suggested rushing to a window display filled with hats. She pointed out a baseball cap.
"It is green, Cousin Naveen likes green and Alois does too because that is the same color of -"
"Rachel, Naveen doesn't wear hats." Ciel informed her gently.
"but it is a pretty green." The child protested.
"I understand, but it's best if we get something he can use."
"I need to find a few kitchen items as well, Tani told me about it last week and I completely forgot, you know how she loves baking for the children." Ann added suddenly.
"Not sure we'll find anything like that here,but Sebastian and I did decide to take the children to look at new furniture and such, if you like you can come with us, we'll stop at a few stores."
"Thank you, I may just join you. "
"I have an idea Mother, we can get a TV thing. One that is very big and everything!" Beth exclaimed.
"that's an excellent idea dear, well done. Now then, I believe we can find those back the other way."
"we can go forward, this place is just a big circle." Ciel told the queen.
"But Aunt Bethy, if you get Naveen one of those, it will make Alois sad. Naveen will be glued onto it and not get off!" Rachel put her head in her hands. Beth patted her shoulder.
"Poor niece Rachel, do not cry. I love you."Beth then pulled her into a hug.
"I love you too aunt Bethy. You are so nice." Rachel sobbed quietly.
"When Alois said that he didn't mean that Naveen would really be glued to it, it just means that Naveen would watch it a lot, like your father watches those weird shows where everyone screams and fights all the bloody time." Ciel explained.
"Sometimes daddy's tv shows are so silly. Does cousin Naveen watch them too?"
"You would have to as Alois, he could tell you."
"I like Alois, he is very funny sometimes." Beth said.
"Like when we play tea and he will wear the floppy pink hat." Rachel grinned.
"Yes or when we play dress up and he puts on the purple dress and shoes and mommy wears kitty ears and daddy pats his head and says he would be a very pretty -"
"Alright, let's go see what's over here, I think there's a toy store and we could probably find one of those... Musical gadgets or something and since Rachel is being such a big help, we might find something in there you might like."
The little princess's blue eyes lit up and she grabbed onto her mother happily.
"This is so happy,you are nice to me. I am happy you are here. You always do happy things for us."
"As often as I can, it makes me feel very happy to see you all smile." Rachel was lifted into his arms. She placed her arms around his neck and whispered "I love you Mommy." Into his ear. Ciel held her close.
"I love you too princess,so very much."