"My Meemee!" Angelina and Kathryn cried, running toward Ciel as fast as they could go, their tiny arms outstretched grasping for their mother.
Ciel continued walking backward, keeping the girls within view.
"Come on little ones, see if you can catch me." Ciel challenged much to the twins' delight.
The girls shrieked with joy as they got closer. Soma and Agni grinned, they found themselves tossing a large ball to Evian, Vincent and Rowan while Rachel was busy attempting to place an oversized pink hat on Pluto's head. Sebastian watched his eldest daughter in amusement.
"Here puppy, I want you to wear it to my tea party." She called to the demon hound who was currently backing away from the child.
"Mr. Prince Soma, Mummy Man, we are happy when you play with us. You are funny!" Evian giggled.
"We are more than happy to be here. We love playing with all of you. I consider you all to be my family, your mother is like a younger brother to me."
"I have a brother that is not as old as me!" Vincent said pointing to Rowan. The young princes giggled.
"Will you have snack time with us, you can sit at the table and eat some cake. We like cake, dad says we get it from Mum." Rowan said nodding slowly.
"That would be great. Thank you for inviting us."
"You are welcome. It is so sad that your family does not have tea and snack time for you. You can come have it here. Mommy will let you if you ask." Rachel said now leading Pluto by the rope which served as a leash. The hound stared down at his feet resigned to his fate. Sebastian chuckled at the demonling walking the massive dog.
"My goodness, so much like your mother." He said.
"Yes. I am good and mommy is good too. Mr. Prince Soma, do you know that I can be like mommy?" The conversation was interrupted by the excited shriek from the youngest Michaelis girls, who now had their mother seated on the ground, their tiny hands wrapped around him.
"My Meemee, Dadyee, My Meemee!" Kathryn cried.
"Well done, you caught your mother at last." Sebastian praised as the older children clapped.
"Masters, the refreshments have been laid out and Lady Elizabeth has returned as well, I have made fresh lemonade and Strawberries with cream. If you would follow me to the courtyard, the table has been set." Cynna announced. Sebastian moved to his mate holding out a hand. Ciel allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.
" Meemee? " the girls said reaching for Ciel's hands.
"You're coming too." Just as Ciel was about to take their hands, he found himself in Sebastian's arms.
"Dadyee...my Meemee!" Angel grasped for Ciel.
"What are you doing?" Ciel asked.
"I do believe it's my turn to play with you dearest." The former butler replied with a grin.
"Dadyee, Mine!" Angelina declared. Without another word, Sebastian ran toward the castle, careful to keep his daughters in view. The twins looked at each other as if unsure of what they should do. Suddenly Angelina rushed forward, narrowing her crimson eyes at her father and leaving Kathryn behind.
Kathryn frowned, rubbing her eyes. Soma and Agni knelt down to comfort the princess.
"It's all right, don't cry." Soma soothed. "They are only playing." Kathryn whimpered softly with tears in her eyes. She raised her arms, making small grabbing motions.
"I don't think your mother would like that." Soma said as the child sobbed. Instantly Sebastian had returned carrying both his daughter and his mate. He released Ciel who held out his arms to the child.
The toddler rushed to her mother and was taken to Sebastian.
"Apologize immediately." Ciel demanded. "You may be her father but the one thing I will never tolerate from anyone is hurting my children."
Sebastian leaned down and kissed his daughter's head.
"Kathryn, Daddy is very sorry." He said. "I didn't mean to upset you dear one. I thought you would follow Angel."
"Take Angelina to the table, I'll be there shortly." Ciel said cuddling the girl.
"As you wish,my love." He replied turning from them and making his way to their destination, Leaving Ciel with their visitors.
Kathryn rested her head on Ciel's shoulder and soon calmed down.
"I saw the pair of you." Ciel said. " when you were trying to comfort her."
"That's what friends do for each other, I just hope-'
" thank you." The sincerity in the former Earl's tone wasn't something they had expected.
"You're welcome, my friend." Soma too had changed his tone and it seemed that the older Prince an his servant had found a moment of understanding with Ciel.
"Thank you for having us here, Agni and I enjoy being with your family. You have beautiful children, Ciel. They have such love in their hearts,which can only have come from a wonderful mother." Soma commented, hoping to use the moment to repair the damage he had done upon first discovering Ciel's secret.
"They are wonderful children, but I can't take all the credit. Sebastian loves them just as much." Soma allowed himself a faint smile.
"Of course. I have seen him with his children. You are both doing a great job raising them, you should be very proud, not just of them but yourselves as well." Kathryn raised her head reaching out for Soma once more.
"M-my?" Her soft voice called.
"Look Agni, I think the little princess likes us." The obnoxious tone had returned causing Ciel to sigh.
"All right Kathryn." Said shifting her in his arms. "Would you like to hold her?" He offered catching both men off guard.
"Are you sure, you have never-"
"I'm sure. Let's be clear about this, I don't allow just anyone to be near my children and I'm even more selective about who I give permission to pick them up. They're my entire world and I don't give permission lightly. Do you understand?"
"We will be very gentle. I'm honored that you would give me this chance. I know they are precious to you. I also care for your family as if they were my own...all of you."
"I wouldn't let this happen if I thought any differently." Ciel moved closer.
"What exactly-"
'She's reaching for you, just take her under her arms like you would a human child."Soma did as he was instructed and pulled her close to him.
"I, my." She greeted.
"That's her way of saying hello." Ciel explained.
"I see, hello little princess." Soma's grin widened when the girl rested her head on his shoulder. The youngest Michaelis child grabbed Agni's shirt.
"My!"
"Looks like she wants you next. You don't have to, but if you want to then it's all right with me. But we should get to the courtyard before there aren't any strawberries left." Ciel said leading them into the castle.
"how fortunate are we Agni, to have such friends and this feeling of belonging. One I wish was as strong in my own home. "
"We were blessed, my Prince." Agni replied.
"Yes, what a wonderful blessing it is."