The snow covered world, falling silently. Ciel watched it from his bed as he waited for his father to come and wake him as usual. The boy had barely slept at all. Today was a difficult one, if he had his way, it would be wiped off the calendar forever. Tears fell from his eyes, soaking his pillow.
He remembered it so clearly, he ran through the halls frantically searching for his family, his little heart beating wildly in his chest. He recalled the flames, the crackling sound they made as they consumed everything in their path. He had called out to his parents but received no reply, adding to his fear.
If Ciel was shouting for them as though his very life depended on it and the didn't appear before him, it could only mean one thing, they couldn't, there was no other explanation for his parents to leave him on his own at a time like this. They couldn't be there because-
"Ciel, come on love, time to wake up." Sebastian's voice called softly. Ciel noticed the sadness in his tone. It was taking an obvious effort for the demon to keep his usual calm demeanor.
"I'm awake. Didn't sleep much last night."
"Was it that dream again?" Ciel nodded. Sebastian placed hand on his son's head and began to stroke this hair comfortingly.
"I am so sorry Love, I know how hard this is for you. Please forgive me, I should have been here with you last night. I chose to allow my own pain to take over. I should have put you first." Sebastian noticed the pillow.
"Oh Ciel, my precious son, come here." He said holding out his arms to the boy who wasted no time in climbing into them and sobbed onto his father's shoulder. Sebastian sat down on the bed.
"I hate today. Can't I just stay in here and pretend it doesn't exist?"
"You could I suppose, but no matter how good you may be at pretending, today will still be today, and what happened cannot be undone."
"It's a terrible day. I don't want to have to face anyone, not like this.
"You seem to have forgotten dearest, today is not all bad. Today is the day that you joined our family. You brought us such joy, let us not lose sight of that."
"If I hadn't been born-"
"Ciel, if you had not been born, it would have broken our hearts. The one thing Rachel wanted in life, her dream was to be a mother. You made that possible when you decided to complete our family. If not for you,your mother would have been quite sad"
"Maybe she'd be alive"
"It had nothing to do with you being born. Your mother would want us to celebrate today, Elizabeth is going to be arriving this afternoon, and a few other guests are coming, The servants have been hard at work to prepare, You will have cake and gifts"
"It's not working. None of those things can ever take her place, or Sebastian's."
"Yes, that's true, you were rather attached to that dog. You have not mentioned it in sometime."
"He was family too." Sebastian rested his head on top of Ciel's as he hugged the boy.
"Of course, the two of you had grown up together, I remember the day I brought him home to you."
"You got him for me?"
"Yes" the demon said shortly.
"But you hate dogs, why would you do that?"
"Because no matter how much I detest them, the love of a father for his son is far greater. I put quite a lot of my own comfort aside for you and your mother. You see Ciel, when you truly love someone, you care more for them than yourself" After a few minutes, Sebastian spoke again.
"I think that you and I should attempt to celebrate your birthday in honor of your mother. She would want us to be happy. Our happiness would make her happy as well."
"I can't promise that I'll be happy. But if It's for my mother, I can't refuse to at the very least leave my room, if it gets to be too much, I am going to come back up here."
"Fair enough. Come on, let's get you dressed and downstairs, everyone will be here shortly"
"Who is everyone exactly?"
" just a few friends. A relative or two."
"Relatives?"
"Yes, your... Grandparents may drop in, they haven't seen you since you were an infant. For obvious reasons, they will come when everyone else has gone." After Ciel was dressed and he had eaten breakfast Ciel sat down with the photos of his mother.
"I miss you so very much. Sebastian says you would want us to be happy.I know that's true, but how can I be, our family isn't together, you should be here. Though with the way I've been acting since, you would probably hate me. I am not the sweet, loving boy you're holding in this photograph. Sebastian says you would be proud but I seriously doubt that." Ciel yawned and placed the photo back on the table, he leaned back in his chair.
"I can't wait for this day to be over." He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
When Ciel opened his eyes, he found himself back in his bed but still in his day clothes.
"Did you enjoy your nap?" Sebastian's soft voice called from the doorway
"I don't know about enjoying it, but I didn't dream this time, at least not that I can remember."
"Good, are you ready to join us downstairs, some of your guests have already arrived"
"Do I have to?"
"It would be best, they have been waiting just over an hour. I thought it important at the moment for you to rest."
"Is it too late to change my mind and not go?"
"Yes. I'm afraid so." Ciel sighed as he stood up and straightened his clothes.
"Let's get this over with." They walked down the stairs and into the sitting room. Where Ciel was greeted by Lizzy who through her arms around him excitedly.
"Cieeelll, I missed you so much. Happy Birthday!"
"Thank you." He attempted to free himself from her grip.
"It is good to see you Ciel, it has been a long time since Agni and I have visited." Soma smiled
"Not long enough' the young earl thought to himself.
"Happy Birthday young Master!" The three servants shouted in unison. Ciel did his best to greet each guest with as much hospitality as he always had.
"We are waiting for two more guests my lord, then we can cut the cake and you will be able to open your gifts." Sebastian announced.
"Who's left, you seem to have invited all of London." Before Sebastian could answer, there was a knock at the door.
"Please excuse me a moment." The butler bowed slightly and left to answer the door.
"Bassy, how are you?" Grell asked, a look of concern in his eyes as he stepped inside."
"I'm managing, thank you."
"And your little monster?"
"Ciel is having a difficult day, please try to keep things calm. Good afternoon Undertaker, "
"Hello, butler." He greeted with a chuckle, in his hands he carried a box of chocolate.
"I wasn't sure what the Earl would like, I hope this is alright."
"Thank you, he will enjoy it. Please come in and join us."
"I can't stay long Bassy, work you know. I believe that both of you will like my gift." Grell pulled out a red envelope from his pocket, of course it would be best to wait until the two of you are alone before using it." Sebastian led them to the group and instructed them to place the gifts on the table with the others.
"What are you two doing here?" Ciel asked in surprise.
"We have quite a history, It's only right that we wish our favorite Earl a happy Birthday." Undertaker replied.
"Yes, and I was just dying to visit, It's been a while since Bassy and I saw each other. What better reason to come than to celebrate the young Earl's birthday, after all you mean the world to him." Grell sat down near the butler who sighed. He had been reluctant to allow the reaper to attend. Grell had told him he would be bringing something special, something both father and son would love. After several warnings the demon agreed.
"If everyone will please follow me into the dinning room, we can begin bow that everyone is present. Ciel sighed as he took his usual place at the table.
A chorus of "Happy Birthday" reached his ears as Sebastian placed the cake on the table in front of the boy. Ciel stared into the flames on the candles. The dancing flames caused some sadness in the young Earl.
"Make a wish and blow our the candles my lord." Sebastian encouraged gently.
'A wish, a child's adults trick theirs sons and daughters with. Very well Sebastian, I wish I could see my mother again.' He thought and blew out the candles. Everyone clapped.
After the cake was eaten, Sebastian brought on the gifts.
"It's only polite to allow ladies to go first. Lady Elizabeth, would you like to present the young Master with your gift?" Lizzy smiled.
"Of course, thank you Sebastian." She took the box from the butler and handed it to Ciel.
"Happy Birthday, I hope you like it." Ciel opened the round box and pulled out a new hat.
"Didn't know what to get you, I just thought this one was so cute, I had a few things added of course, but I wanted to get you something adorable."
"It's very...pink, I think I'm going to save this for special occasions." Lizzy beamed.
"Next, we have Prince Soma" despite his many gifts, Ciel only wanted the day to be over,. Though the party only lasted a couple of hours, it felt like an eternity for the boy. When at last everyone had departed, Ciel was left feeling no different than before.
"Sebastian, I'm going back to my room."
"Can you wait long enough for a couple more surprises?" The boy sighed.
"If I must." Sebastian handed him the red envelope left by Grell.
"After our last few encounters, you would think he'd hate me, if not from the beginning." He opened the envelope and pulled out a note and a piece of what appeared to be chalk.
To the Earl Phantomhive and my dear Bassy,
I know this day holds both sorrow and a touch of happiness(mostly for you my dear Bassy) there has been a great deal of suffering, I regret that I am unable to ease it for you.
Unfortunately, there's no way to recall someone who has passed on. But if there was such a possibility, it certainly would have nothing to do with drawing a doorway and saying the words:
What was lost, let it return, the doorway is open and I extend to you the invitation to walk through. (Insert person's name, this is important, other wise just anything will use it. Buy calling their name you open the door for them exclusively.) Even if it were possible, that person couldn't stay forever. But you most certainly could offer an eternal invitation. In a perfect world that is. I'm sure that if such a thing existed, it would be kept under very tight guard and should any reaper give such information would be severely punished for doing so. Thank goodness Undertaker is such a capable guardian when it counts most. Well, I must be off, places to go, souls to collect.
May you have the happiest of birthdays young Earl,
Grell.
Ciel reread the letter.
"Could this be true, he's not just doing this to get back at us is he?"
"He had better not be, as a precaution, allow me to attempt it alone, if nothing happens, I don't want you to get your hopes up. Should Grell use this to hurt you, I will kill him." Ciel shook his head.
"No.I want to do it too." The older demon frowned.
"I would rather spare you the pain if it does not happen, you would have to hope for the best while expecting the worst."
"I know. But you're going to be there, if I need need you."
"Always, yes." Sebastian suddenly remembered his gift to Ciel.
"Wait right here a moment, I must go and bring you my gift for your birthday."
"You didn't have to get me anything, you've already given me so much."
"I didn't get you something because I believed it was required, I wanted to." Sebastian said lovingly, as he turned to leave. Ciel turned the chalk over in his hand, it was very unlike the reaper to be this way, Ciel couldn't help but wonder why. He had little time to think on the subject however. Sebastian returned carrying a medium sized box that the boy noticed had small holes in it. He gently handed it to his son.
"I would not hesitate to open this one love. Happy Birthday." He said as Ciel removed the lid. The boy gave a smile. Inside, wagging Its tail, sat a small puppy that looked just like his dog Sebastian.