Ciel sipped his tea slowly, as Sebastian sat down on the edge of the bed.
"The day you were born, yes I remember it well. It was slightly warm for December, the snow was beginning to melt and the sun was bright. I recall not being able to be in the room with your mother, and so I remained outside the door. It was the first time in my life that I felt what I now understand to be nervous, and worried."
"You worried about her?"
"Naturally, one day when you have one of your own and it is you in the hallway, you will understand. It is not by any means a calm atmosphere when a child is brought into the world. You did not seem to be willing to join us quickly. Waiting was simply torture as I could not be by her side to help her through it. Many hours passed before I was permitted inside. The moment I saw the two of you, well, everything else became unimportant. I knelt down beside our bed. Rachel had never seemed so happy. When she told me that you were a boy, I was overjoyed.
She asked me if I wanted to hold you, truthfully Ciel, I was not certain I could. After everything that I had down, the humans I had killed simply with my hands, how could I be gentle with one so small, I feared that to have you in my arms would be to dangerous. Rachel seemed to understand my hesitation and asked that we have a few moments alone."
Ciel smiled faintly."what happened next?"
"Well, she explained that I had always been careful when I held her and so I had it within me to hold my infant son. 'Be as gentle with him as you are with me.' She had said. I agreed to try semi-reluctantly. I took you in my arms Ciel and never before had I felt such a connection. You were so little and I knew then that I would never permit any harm to come to you, I would become your shield, Willing to give my life for the sake of yours." Sebastian smiled at the memory.
"Sebastian?"
"Yes?"
"was it hard for you, being a father, after all those... Things that happened?"
"There were fears as I said. But I would soon learn that none of that mattered when it came to our family." There was a pause.
"That night. When you were born, and your Mother was resting, I could not seem to put you down. I have done countless things, each one more evil than the last, but you were the one thing that I ever did right."
"Do you regret me now?"
"Never. You are a gift Ciel, the best Christmas gift either of us had ever received. We were sure to inform everyone of that fact as well."
"It must be true then, I guess I am loved."
"I should say so, considering the fact that for a very long time you did not know your name was Ciel." The boy looked at him curiously.
"Any time we spoke to you, we would refer to you as 'Love' both of us are equally guilty. It happened so frequently that when at last I did call you Ciel, you paid me no attention at all. I admit at first I was a bit confused. There you were, only a few steps away with your toys and yet did not seem to hear me. Finally I said very gently as always. 'Love' and you got right up and came to me." It was another three months before you knew who you were I-" Sebastian stopped and looked at the boy in surprise.
"Could it be, are you actually laughing?" The Earl was indeed. Such an occasion was extremely rare and caught the attention of the other servants.
"Young Master, is everything okay, we heard a strange sound and-"
"It is called laughter Finny."
"So that's what it sounds like when the master is happy." Finny joined in the laughing.
"It is indeed." Sebastian replied.
"It's so wonderful to see the young master this way, yes it is" Mey-Rin said cheerfully.
"S-Sebastian" Ciel chuckled wiping away a joyful tear.
"Yes my Lord?"
"I'm feeling better now, I'd like to get up now." Sebastian stood up and gave his usual bow.
"If you will excuse us everyone, I must get the young master dressed, I'm sure you have your own chores that need tending to. Please see to them." After the servants departed, Ciel crawled out of bed still smiling.
"And to think all this time, all I had to do was tell you that you did not know your name. It could have saved a great deal of stress for both of us." Sebastian said placing the Earl's outfit on the bed.
"It might have, though I don't think it would have made a difference as far as how I felt about the truth. I would think that a son ought to know these things."
"Yes, perhaps you're right, I could have sat down with you when you were small and said something of what we are so that you might have understood. At the very least you would not have felt all this pain in regard to Vincent." The two remained quiet Until Sebastian softly cleared his throat.
"Well, what will you do with your day then, the schedule was cleared."
"I don't much care." Ciel shrugged.
"Good, let's go practice your management skills. If you put forth sufficient effort, I shall make you something special tonight for after dinner."
"Must we?"
"Sooner or later yes. As I said your lessons are vital to your survival."
"Will I be able to do the same things you do after that?"
"Some perhaps. You are not entirely demon Ciel, certain advantages will be out of your reach."
"Could I do that Silverware thing you do?" Sebastian chuckled lightly.
" if you do well in your lessons, I will attempt to teach you some of my techniques as well."
"We'd better get on with it then." Ciel said exiting the room.
"Indeed my young one, while there is still time to learn." He frowned AMD followed the Earl downstairs.