"I can't believe I let myself get talked into this, what if Angelina gets into one of her moods, I can't expect Lizzy to deal with that." Ciel said taking the shirts and jackets he had packed out of the suitcase and walked back to the wardrobe.
"Stop, just go. How often do you get to take these little holidays, He loves you. You should be happy to have a mate that wants to do all this for you. I know it's hard to be away from your little ones, but just for a week, you get to be with him alone." Alois said taking the clothing from his friend and returning them to the suitcase.
"I can't, I just have to be sure that it's alright before I go, my children are more important than -"
"Ciel, look at me," Alois said grabbing his shoulders. "It's fine. Angelina will be alright. Lizzy watched her before, no one was hurt. You have servants here to help, I'll come by and check on them everyday, If Lizzy needs help with anything while I'm here, I'll do it. I can't be here long on Valentines day though, Naveen wants to take me out for the evening, Hannah said she'll take Lenora."
"That's an evening, I won't see my children for a week. What am I supposed to-"
"You're supposed to have a lovely time with Sebastian, fall in love all over again. Show him how much you still love him after all this time." Ciel stared at his friend for a long moment.
"What?" Alois asked.
"You're really into Valentine's day."
"Yes, it's great, I can't believe you're not. You're loved, Sebastian would do anything for you and you can't just enjoy that."
"I do, but have you met me, I'm not exactly the type to romantic or-"
"That's why this is good for you. Sebastian is what you're not. It's called-"
"I don't really care what you call it, I'm trying to figure out what you just said." Alois sighed.
"Look Ciel, Sebastian shows his love for you in obvious that subtle ways, like when he goes out of his way to bring you chocolate and gives you flowers for no reason or when he comes up to you and just wraps his arms around you. He tells you he loves you more than once every single day without being prompted or expecting anything back. But he also takes care of your children when you need time for yourself or you just want to read or spend time with your family. You show him by giving him a family and being there when he needs you, you support him and make sure everyone's alright. Now, the point I was making was that he is the romantic type but you are subtle about it. He completes you because you don't have that personality. You do the same for him too. That's what I was telling you. When you complete each other, you're perfect for each other. Let him be the romantic half of your relationship. Let him do these things for you."
"You've been reading too many of Hannah's books again." Ciel said turning away.
"You're so difficult. You're leaving in the morning, you have to finish packing and-"
"Don't remind me." Ciel sat down on the edge of his bed. Alois sat next to him.
"I already miss them." Ciel said quietly.
"I know you do. I'll miss Lenora too, even just for the night. I know she'll be fine with Hannah, but it's hard. You have to turn it off though. If you don't make time for yourselves, you can't really be happy in your marriage because you'll forget what it's like to feel like you're in love. That's different from just loving someone."
"You really need to stop reading those, we always have the strangest conversation afterwards." Ciel shook his head.
"Yeah, I guess we do." Alois admitted. A long silence followed.
"So let's get you packed and you can spend more time with your little ones before you leave tomorrow." Alois suggested as they stood up. Ciel returned to his task but neither demon said another word.
"It's time for bed children. Remember, tomorrow morning, your mother and I will be leaving. Do you want to share any concerns or ask questions?" Sebastian asked hoping to ease any anxiety the children may have.
"I will say one, I will. Is it okay to miss you and mommy while you are far away?" Rachel asked.
"It's fine to miss us however, try not to let it get to you and make you sad. Your mother and I want to see very happy children when we return and I will ask your cousin for a full report on behavior so please listen and do everything she asks."
"Dad, when will you and mum come home?"
"In one week which is seven days. I'll write it on the calendar downstairs." Sebastian promised.
"Daddy, will you please bring home a baby sister for me?" Rachel smiled folding her hands and raising them to her chest.
"Rachel, you have two baby sisters."
"yes, I know. But I love baby sisters,it would be so happy for me to have more of them."
"Your mother and I love you but bringing a new baby into the family isn't going to happen. We have six children, that's enough."
"Dad, will you please make Mama feel so very happy and give him hugs and kisses while you are away?"
"I promise I'll do that Evian. I want all of you to know how proud I am of you for being so accepting and encouraging. Vincent, you're quiet tonight, what are your thoughts?" Vincent crawled across the bed to cuddle with Sebastian.
"I know you and Mommy need to have mommy and dad time, Tanaka says it is important for you to have it. I want you and mommy to be happy and to go and have happy time. I just feel sad, you are not going to be here and I like to have mommy and dad kisses and hugs before sleeping. I will miss you very much. "
"I understand my son,believe me. It was very selfless of you to put your mother first. That was a very grown up decision. You're such a brave boy." Vincent looked up at Sebastian and leaned back in his father's arms.
"I am brave?"
"Yes. You and your siblings are the bravest children I've ever known."
"We are happy things?"
"Yes. You make us so happy."
"Dad, can we please sleep in your room with you and Mama?" Sebastian smiled warmly.
"Alright children, let's go to sleep." He led the four eldest into the nursery and took Angelina and Kathryn in his arms before continuing on until the group found themselves in Sebastian's and Ciel's bedroom.
That night, the children slept soundly between their parents. Each one huddled close to their parents. Sebastian lay on his side of the bed, he reached over to Ciel and stroked his mate's hair.
"It will be alright love." He soothed,sensing the sadness.
"I know it will, we'll leave tomorrow and they'll cry for a bit,it'll break my heart and then I'll spend a week recovering from it. I'll only be right again when we come home and they're with me."
"I promise you that they won't be sad long and neither will you. I won't allow you to be. All I want you to do is enjoy yourself, promise me you'll try."
"I-I will, I'll try, but I can't promise anything else."
That's all I ask."Ciel didn't sleep that night, he cuddled the sleeping children gently and though he knew it would be painful, he would take the advice given to him, he would genuinely try to enjoy the experience and be grateful for Sebastian's love, no matter how much his heart was breaking, he knew that he needed to be a mate now,he would have to learn how to be away with his mate , otherwise, his children wouldn't learn and neither would he.
