Ciel pulled the blanket closer and settled himself against his pillows. He had been unable to get out of bed since returning home the night before. His stomach hurt badly he felt worn down and he couldn't seem to stay warm.

Sebastian knelt beside the bed, stroking Ciel's hair softly.

"Are you feeling any better?" The older demon asked.

"No. if anything, I think it's getting worse.,I feel so ill." Sebastian kissed his head.

"I know. I've sent for the healer and he should be here very soon.. I hope you understand that I didn't mean to cause you so much-"

"I know. You don't have to keep saying that. I know you wouldn't purposely hurt me, I don't blame you for this, I didn't stop you, that's my fault. I've been so mean to you lately, you try so hard to make me feel better, I do love you, it's just so much at once. I'm frustrated and ill,I'm sorry." The older demon took Ciel's hand as he continued to run his fingers through his hair.

"You don't have anything to be sorry for, having a baby growing inside you is a difficult thing to deal with, you go through certain changes, you require sleep and experience a great deal of pain. It's all part of becoming a mother, I want you to know that I am here for you. Just tell me what you need, I love you so very much Ciel."Tears were now visible in the young demon's blue eyes.

"I don't know how you can." Ciel said

"How can I not, you are everything I could ever hope for, you can be so loving, you put me before yourself, you love despite the fact that I am a vicious monster, a cruel and terrible creature, but you Ciel, you aught me how to love. You're going to have a baby so I can be happy,, there aren't many who can say their mates have done the same. You are my heart and I could never stop loving you. You're precious to me. Never think differently."Sebastian said softly.

"But you know that I never wanted this child, I don't care much for the idea of being a mother, I can't understand how you can love something like me. I can't even love your child."

"You're upset, it was a shock, I believe you can love the demonling resting within you. You just need time. Sometimes it takes a while to get used to the idea of something new, when all this is over, when you're holding the child, you may feel differently."

"Sebastian?"

"Yes Ciel?" The young demon sighed, it was time to tell his mate yet another difficult truth.

"When I have the baby, I don't want to see it, I don't want to hold it, it should be given to you. I understand that it will need me to eat, I'll do that, but I want you to give it the bottle. I can't be a mother,you should know that now before we get too far into this."

"I appreciate you being honest with me like this. I won't force you to do any of that. But I hope that by the time you are ready to give birth, you'll feel better about it. All I want you to think of at the moment is feeling better. That's what matters right now." Ciel moaned painfully, tightening his grip on Sebastian's hand.

"Easy Love, the healer should be here any time now and he'll know what to do to help you.. I know I've already asked this, but under the circumstances, I must ask again. Are you certain you want to do this, if it hurts you this much and you're only starting, I don't want you to go through it if you really don't want to be a mother. I'll leave the option open to you."

"I don't want to be a mother, that's true. I want you to have a family, you want the baby, you should have the chance to be a father, I won't take that away from you. I-I want you to be happy too." Sebastian leaned forward and kissed him lovingly.

"If you're here, then I am happy. You make me happy, and regardless of whether you give me children or not, I will always love you. I didn't ask you to be my mate so I could force you to have babies. I asked because I want to be with you."

"I want you to be able to have this, and Ann would-"

"Ciel, listen to me very carefully. We don't have to say anything to them, this is your choice, not theirs. I will stand beside you either way."

"I don't want to hurt you. Just because I don't want to be a mother doesn't mean I want something to happen to it. I don't like it, but-" Ciel stopped.

"What is it?"

"What kind of life would it have, a mother who doesn't want it ...I don't know how you'd handle that or what it would do to your child."

"We'll cross that bridge later, our health is what concerns me right now. "

"Pardon me sirs, the healer has arrived." Cynna said showing the guest into the room, Sebastian stood up to greet him.

"Thank you for coming,I've been so worried, and as you know, I'm not one to become concerned easily. I just-"

"My dear prince, that's exactly why I ,made the time to come today. It was clear when we spoke on the phone that you were worried about your mate. Please, try to stay calm for him. May I?" The healer motioned to the bed.

"yes, of course. Do be gentle, he's been in considerable pain."

"I will be as gentle as possible." He walked over to Ciel, Sebastian following closely.

"Ciel, I understand you've been having quite a lot of pain, you stayed in bed today because of it?"

"That's part of it, I just didn't have have the energy to pull myself out of bed. I've been so bloody tired and I can't seem to get over it no matter how long I sleep."

"I see, and have you been eating normally?" The healer asked beginning to empty is medical bag.

"I've been trying, I can only take a small amount at a time. Most of the time I only eat because I have to for the child, I'm not even hungry when I try." Mostly I've been ill and in pain. "

"You're not the least bit hungry when you eat?" The healer asked in surprise.

"No." Ciel replied.

"These pains, how would you describe them?"

"Sharp, very sharp." The healer placed his stethoscope and listened closely to his patient's heart. The room remained silent for several minutes.

"Any weakness or would you describe it another way?"

"I wouldn't. I'd say that's an accurate description."

"I know you hate it, but I need to see what's going on, so I;ll be checking on the demonling.' "Get on with it then, the sooner you do it, the sooner I can be done." The healer began to press lightly on Ciel's belly. Seeing how much pain his mate was in, Sebastian moved to his side of the bed and took Ciel's hand.

"I'm right here love, I know it hurts. Try to relax now. " Sebastian soothed. As the healer applied pressure closer to the center of his abdomen, Ciel began to feel dizzy and sick.

"What is it Ciel, are you alright?"Sebastian asked, noticing that Ciel was beginning to look pale. Before Ciel could reply, the healer pressed in the center of his stomach and Ciel felt as if a black veil had been thrown over him, Sebastian called to him in panic but there was no fighting the darkness that swept over him and seconds later, everything was gone.