I'm afraid that it is after this chapter that I shall take my much needed vacation from this story. I almost think I could end it right here if it weren't for the plot bunnies I still have hanging around for when the twins are a bit older. So enjoy this one for it will be the last one of the year.

Can you believe it has been nearly a year since I started this thing? Amazing.

Also, I wanna give a shout out to the readers in Italy, Croatia, Portugal, Vietnam, Thailand, Peru, and in the Philippines! I am so amazed at how my story is being read worldwide. It blows my mind.

Sebastian: Cookie doesn't own Kuroshitsuji or its characters.

Special thanks to 12Marina21 for being an absolute lifesaver when I needed it. *throws you cookies*

Mating Season

Answer Me

Ciel stared at the familiar face staring back at him. He honestly couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Sebastian, is that really you?" He said breaking out of the two Indian's grasps.

Sebastian grunted a little as he got up off of the floor, "Yes, my lord."

The earl, choking back tears, walked closer to Sebastian, who was now standing. He then promptly slapped the taller man across the face.

Sebastian gave the younger a look of shock who then bit his lip and wrapped his arms tightly around his long lost love. Hesitating but for a moment, Sebastian followed suit by placing his arms around Ciel and stroked his hair soothingly.

All too soon, Ciel decided to shove Sebastian away from him. The 17 year old had tears streaking down his face, but Sebastian couldn't tell if the tears were a result of anger, joy, or grief.

"You bastard…" he whispered just loud enough for Sebastian's well-trained ears to pick up, then his volume increased, "how could you have left me like that?"

The demon sighed, he knew he had to deal with this once he returned, "I apologize greatly, my lord. But I had something important come up."

Ciel's one visible eye glared so powerfully cold at him that it was hard for Sebastian to suppress a shiver, "Oh is that it? Then please enlighten me."

He put his hands on his hips and raised his chin slightly, "Enlighten me, Sebastian! I would love to know what was so important. So tell me," his face darkened, "what was so damned important that you left in the midst of the bloody birth of your two children? What was so important that you had to leave me when I needed you most? What was so goddamned important that you left myself and your children behind for these past four years?" Ciel was starting to sound like a self-centered child again, "Answer me, Sebastian! Answer me, can't you? I'm not asking you! I am demanding you."

Sebastian listened to every harsh word Ciel spat at him, "Well… I suppose you want me to be honest. By the sounds of your screams, I could only assume that you were going to die in childbirth. Most women do nowadays so it wouldn't be uncommon. You see, I got terribly concerned for you and the children's sake. So, I rushed down to Hell to talk to my grandfather. He finds favor in you, of course. I told him of the predicament and he agreed to let you and the children live but for a price. I was forbidden to return to you for the first 4 years of the children's lives. Since time moves faster on Earth than in Hell, believe me, I had to wait nearly twice as long as you did. I only meant to do it for you. I came back as soon as I could."

Ciel stood there, absolutely lost for words.

Seeing as he was not getting a response but was silently forgiven, Sebastian continued, "May I see my children now?"

Without blinking or making any sort of movement, Ciel complied, "Cordelia, Anthony, get down here!"

In about two or three seconds, the pitter patter of feet running was heard above. Two small four year olds appeared in the doorway.

Anthony walked up behind Ciel and grasped onto his pant leg, hiding behind him. Ciel felt a tug and saw his little boy looking up at him, "Yes, Anthony?"

"Cordelia took my bunny rabbit."

Ciel knelt down to become eye level with his son, "She did? And why did she do that?"

The timid boy flicked his red eyes over to Sebastian curiously and then back to Ciel, "Because… she said it was hers. But I know it's mine. It has the blue bow and hers is the one with the eye patch."

Sebastian watched in awe at how much of a parent Ciel grew to be. He also saw the resemblances that make it obvious that they were partially his. The red eyes were evidence enough. Suddenly he felt something wrap around his leg. He looked down to see Cordelia about to sink her teeth into his leg. In lightning fast speed, he removed the small girl from his leg and set her on the ground. She paid no mind to it apparently as she toddled back over to Ciel.

"Mommy, who is the scary man?" She said pointing at Sebastian.

Ciel looked up and saw Sebastian give a confused look. He sighed as he lifted Anthony into his arms and rested him on his hip, "They don't remember you from the dreams, I'm afraid." He took Cordelia's small hand in his and led her over to the demon.

"Cordelia, Anthony, this… this is your father." The teen said with a bit of difficulty, "He's been gone these past four years on something very important."

The little girl peered up at her father, "So you are my daddy? That means you and mommy love each other, right? Because if you don't I'm going to bite you." She showed off her fangs.

Sebastian squatted down to her and smiled, "Yes I am your daddy. And I do love your mommy very much. Those little fangs of yours," he revealed his own fangs, "are inherited from me."

She plopped on the floor in a huff, "Well I thought they made me special."

Maylene walked in and bowed, "Excuse me, young master, Mr. Sebastian, I… Mr. Sebastian! You're back!" She looked thrilled as ever.

Ciel turned to her, Anthony still clinging to his mother, "Maylene, have you found a new nanny?"

"Yes I have. Her name is Christina Grant. She is the fiancée to the young Lord Dawlish, one of the Hargrave-Smythes." She read from a slip of paper.

"I see. Alright then, I've always found the Hargrave-Smythes to be a rather eccentric family. Always were inclined to tilt at windmills. Very well then, you are dismissed."

The maid nodded and left the room. Ciel set Anthony back down, "Okay both of you need to go back upstairs. Madam Mostyn will be here soon for your preschool lessons."

Once the two little ones were gone, Sebastian spoke up, "They are beautiful, Ciel."

Said teen turned around to face the butler, "And now for you," he ripped off the black cloak that covered his usual butler attire, "we need to have a talk in my study."

"Study?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure you wouldn't prefer the bedroom?"

Grabbing hold of his tie, Ciel began dragging the butler with him, "I suggest that you keep your demon mouth shut if you want anything from me."

Once they made it up the stairs and down to the door at the end of the hall where the study was located, Ciel led both of them inside as he took his rightful place in his desk chair.

"So… you said you knew the children and I were going to die?"

Sebastian pulled up a chair and sat down with a sigh, "I could sense death was nearby. That much itself was quite clear. I knew something had to be done or I would lose either you or the children, possibly both."

"Four years is a long time to be gone, Sebastian."

"I understand that, young master."

Ciel put a hand to his forehead, "Please, we are alone. Just call me Ciel."

A short silence hung in the room before the earl spoke up again, "I had dreams about you."

"You did?"

"Of course." He folded his hands in his lap, "They wouldn't last long at all. Sometimes I would just see your face and then be awake the next moment. But one was really memorable. The entire dream was of you and me kissing."

Sebastian's eyebrows furrowed in slight surprise as he looked into Ciel's sunlit sapphire eye, "Is that so?"

He smiled slightly then nervously bit the corner of his lip. "Yes. The dream happened more than once actually. It was just…" Ciel sighed quietly, attempting to find the words he sought, "It was soft, really gentle. Our lips touched just enough to relieve the nervousness I held. It wasn't of lust, no, not lust at all, but more a kiss of love, it surprised me because normally it wouldn't feel that way. It grew from there, but there was no urgency. It just grew, like the smallest rose bud in late summer. And it just felt, well, right. I felt like I belonged there, with your arms draped around me, my lips opening against yours. With us breathing the same air. It felt good. It was a kiss that didn't want to end, but had to, because I wanted to see your flawless face so badly, for it had been so long. But when our lips broke apart, I awoke."

"Well then Ciel…" Sebastian got up and leaned against the desk, "what do you think we should do then?"

The younger of the two sat in thought, pondering his decision, "Kiss me."

"And if it leads to something more?"

"You have my permission to do as you wish."

A chuckle, "Yes, my lord."

And that is going to be the end for now! I shall see all of you in 2011! I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Pepsi: Review so that Cookie will continue this story!

Me: I will be updating my Durarara story and be helping with my D. Gray Man story that got adopted and also be working on a story on FictionPress!

Thank you all so much for being such amazing people! I am glad you enjoy my stories even when I look at them and think they are crap.

Bye! I love you all!