"I didn't think you would decorate in here" Ciel said as she hung decorations on the tree in the Undertaker's shop.
"Well it does brighten the room somewhat" Undertaker said with a giggle.
Alois held his tongue from commenting that the decorations made the shop look even drearier than it already was.
"I find it quite nice. I absolutely adore Christmas especially all the red color" Grell said.
The red haired reaper himself was dressed in red skinny jeans and a black shirt. He had cut his lustrous red hair until it was shoulder length and tied up in a high ponytail.
"What made you cut your hair off, Grell Sutcliffe?" Sebastian asked.
"It wasn't me! William did it on purpose! He said he was being clumsy. Clumsy my foot! His stupid scythe slashed my hair until it was up to my elbows. I got horrible split ends after a week so I cut it off" Grell replied.
"He avoided me for a week because he thought I wouldn't like his news hairstyle. How many times do I have to tell you that I love you for yourself" Undertaker said airily.
"How sweet" Ciel said and Alois sent her a surprised look.
"Now, what are we doing for Christmas? Any plans?" Undertaker asked.
"We were planning to have a lazy day in bed. Then in the afternoon, we're going to watch A Christmas Carol at the theatre. No plans for the night" Ciel replied.
"How about you have dinner here? Grell's a great cook and he always makes food even though both of us don't eat. The food ends up at the orphanage next door" Undertaker said.
"We'd love to" Ciel said ignoring Alois's rapidly shaking head at her answer.
"See you then!"
They left the shop and then returned home.
"Why did you have to accept the stupid invitation? I don't want to go to his freaky shop" Alois complained.
"You can stay home then. He's my old boss and a great friend" Ciel said.
"Fear of the unknown again" Claude said to Sebastian who chuckled.
Ciel climbed up the stairs and into her study. She descended down to the secret study and then began writing in her journal. Sebastian came down with tea and then left her alone with her writing. Luke meanwhile was busy wrapping presents. All of his presents were paintings that he done secretly at school and they were currently being wrapped in plastic by the triplets. Alois also was busy arranging the presents under the tree.
On Christmas morning, Ciel woke up in Sebastian's arms.
"Why do you insist on wearing clothes after we have sex?" Ciel asked.
"A habit I suppose" Sebastian replied.
Ciel reached out and began unbuttoning his shirt. She ran her hands over his chest and then leaned up to kiss him. Their lips moved against each other, lazily. The door burst open and Ciel let out a shriek of surprise.
"It's Christmas! Come on, let's open the presents!" Luke shouted before running off to the opposite side of the hallway to wake up Alois.
"There goes our lazy morning in bed" Sebastian said and Ciel chuckled.
She dressed in her robe and then walked down the stairs for breakfast.
"I wanna open the presents!" Luke whined and a biscuit was shoved into his mouth.
"You have to wait until we're done, you hyperactive kid" Alois said.
Luke bounced in his seat anxiously. Then Ciel finally gave up.
"Let's just open the presents already" she said.
Luke jumped up and ran towards the tree. Presents were quickly exchanged and unwrapped. Ciel reached over and hugged Alois when she found he had given her a new leather-bound journal. An exquisite set of calligraphy pens was the present that Claude had given her. The triplets and Hannah had given her a box full of CDs of music they had collected all over the world ranging from modern music to old school music.
"This is awesome!" Alois said holding up a pure white sweater that Hannah and twins had given him.
"The white makes your blue eyes stand out, master" Hannah said with a smile.
"I'll have all the paintings hung in the front hall" Sebastian said referring to the portraits Luke had made as presents for everyone.
"This looks like..."
Everyone turned to Ciel who had just unwrapped her gift from Sebastian. Her uncovered eye was open in shock and she was staring at the ring in her hand.
"I remember that ring. But it was a long time ago" Alois said crawling over to sit himself down next to Ciel.
"This looks like the Phantomhive family ring. Where did you find it?" Ciel asked looking up at Sebastian.
"The ring hasn't been seen since Victor Phantomhive died. Where in the world did you find it?" Claude asked.
"I was the one who took it from Victor Phantomhive" Sebastian replied.
"You took it? Why?" Alois asked.
"I wanted something to remember my master by. But now it should be returned to its rightful owner" Sebastian replied.
Ciel looked down at the ring in her hand and then clenched her fist. She stood up and walked out of the room.
"Ciel? Where are you going?" Alois asked but Ciel ignored him.
She walked down the stairs to the secret study room. There she stood in front of the portrait of Ciel Phantomhive.
"I now understand what you meant by this ring. Holding it is bittersweet. There's the happiness you get by owning it and being the head of the Phantomhive family. But then there are the deaths of the people who wore this ring. I can feel the pain of Sebastian taking your soul and the last breath you took as you died. I can feel the tears of Elizabeth as the casket containing your body was lowered to the ground. I can taste the confusion of Victor Phantomhive when he wore this ring because you weren't there to show him what this ring meant" Ciel looked up at her ancestor.
Ciel's smirk seemed to have faded away as he gazed down at her from the portrait.
"I finally feel the pain you felt. I promise you, I won't continue this family line. We're cursed and no one deserves to suffer like the way we have. I know what I'm saying is foolish but it's what I think is right. You wanted to avoid Elizabeth's pregnancy because you didn't want anyone after you to suffer. But you didn't succeed. I'll finish what you started. The Phantomhive family line will end with me. It's over"
Ciel smiled wide and then bowed low before the portrait. She felt arms wrap around her and she leaned back against Sebastian's chest.
"That's quite a painful promise you've made" he commented.
"I know. I'm finishing what he tried to stop" Ciel said.
They held each other silently just as a knock sounded on the door.
