"Mama, can we make Grandfather better now?"Evian asked hopefully.
"Not yet, we only have two stones, we need all of them to make him well. We'll find them, don't worry Evian." Ciel soothed.
"Mama, I love Grandfather very much,even when he is scary."
"I know you do Evian, and he does too. Just like your father and I always know you love us." Evian grinned revealing small fangs. Ciel stroked the child's could hardly believe how much his son had grown to be like him. He could see a fair amount of Sebastian in Evian's behavior at times. Though the guilt remained from the day Ciel found out he would be a mother, Ciel wouldn't trade being a mother for anything.
"I'm happy to help Grandfather and grandmother. It's a happy thing to do. I wish grandfather was not so ill. I would like to tell him a story to make it better, just like you do when we feel ill."
"That's a wonderful thought Evian, if only it could be that easy.I'm sure your father could tell him enough stories to keep him healthy 's not the way life goes though,as much as we may want it to."
"Because if it was, you would have made stories to keep grandma Rachel and grandpa Vincent with you,right mama?" Ciel felt a terrible ache in his heart upon hearing the question.
"That's right, I would have."Ciel replied sadly.
"They still love you, they do. I know because you are their baby and I am your baby, you will never stop loving me, even if you had to go away." Evian cuddled into Ciel's side.
"You're right, I could never stop loving you or your siblings. I love you all very much."
"We love you too Mama."
"There you are, I've been looking for you." Sebastian said sitting down next to them.
"is everything alright?" Ciel's thoughts wandered to his children.
"Everything is fine, the children are with the servants and Naveen and I have figured out the location of another stone, we will have to be on the boat tomorrow morning. I would rather leave tonight however the children need their sleep." Sebastian couldn't hide the concern in his tone.
"Don't be sad dad, we can find them because we are a good family. We are smart and good and Rachel is good at finding shiny things...she is a girl, they like shiny things."The last part of the young demon's comment caused his parents to smile.
"Is that how it works?" Sebastian asked, Evian nodded.
"Yes, sisters like shiny things that sparkle and have lights. Cousin Lizzy does too." Evian replied seriously.
"Yes, Lizzy likes anything adorable, Rachel seems to be following in her footsteps."
"Mama, is that why cousin Lizzy loves us so much, because we are adorable?" Sebastian chuckled.
"Partly. You're also her family,that's another reason."
"I love cousin Lizzy."
"We know Evian, right now, I have to talk to your father. After that, I'll be happy to talk to you alright?"
"Okay Mama, will you still cuddle me?' The small demon request, he leaned forward to rest his head on his mother's chest. Ciel's heart melted and he wrapped his arms around his son.
"How can I say no to this?"
"Apparently you can't. You're such a mother." Sebastian teased.
"It's your fault."Ciel shot back.
"true as that may be, I am rather happy to accept that however it takes two to-"
"Where's this stone?" Ciel asked glaring at his mate.
"Right, we believe that this stone is currently located in a place you and I would rather leave in the past I'm afraid." Ciel knew right away and sighed.
"Are you sure,if I have to relive that and you have to torture yourself, I would at least like to be sure."
"Yes, that place does hold many painful memories for us shall get through it Ciel. We are both different now and I shall remain with you the entire time. I love you and I ask that if you're having doubts, look to our beautiful children as a reminder of our love. I will not make that mistake twice."
"Can't we just send the servants or-"
"I'm afraid not. The place we must journey to is a difficult one to find your way out of if you don't know what you're doing."
"I'm not happy about this." Ciel said quietly, Sebastian moved closer and hugged him.
"I know my love. I would be just fine if I never saw that place again, unfortunately it can't be avoided. You should know by now that I love you tremendously, nothing could ever change that."
"I know that, it's just hard to get past this."
"Poor Mama, don't be sad,I will hug you."Evian said before doing just that. "Dad will not go away, he is right, we will find the stone for Grandfather because we love him. But I don't like the scary place, will you stay close to me and sister Rachel,Brothers Vincent and Rowan?"The child snuggled into Ciel.
"I'll always be close. Nothing will ever happen to you or your siblings as long as I'm there. I promise I'll always protect you."After a moment of comforting the child, Ciel turned to Sebastian.
"where exactly in France are we going?"
"To a place which many fear to tread. I propose we leave the children with mey-Rin and Bard."
"It's as bad as all that?"
"I'm afraid so Ciel, if our calculations are correct, the stone can be found deep within the catacombs."