An Earthbound Angel Ch. 31: Pain
Hello again my lovelies! I am back with another chapter of the story. Sorry it took so long for me to get back to this one. Regardless, I am back and continuing on with it. I do have a sequel I have to get to after all. The funny thing is that I had an idea for the sequel before I had the idea for this one. I am so glad that the prequel has been so successful and grateful that so many people are reading this. I love you all! ^.^ Anyways, let's get on with the magic!
Micky-Moo: Hello again Miss. Micky. I am so happy to hear from you again. Thank you for your continued support for this story. Everyone who has continuously supported this story is what gives me my drive to make new chapters.
L0n3W0lf36: It's nice to hear from you again fellow wolf. Thank you for your thoughts on what I wrote. I love hearing detailed reviews like this so that I know what I did right and what I need to work on. I also thank you for the faith that you have in Malphas. Maybe there is a reason why he did what he did. I also thank you for your praise. I am like a child with my work so any kind words about my work makes my day. No one, besides my family, has said something like that about my writing. It's nice to know that someone appreciates my story.
Kyra: Hello new lovely! It's always nice to meet more people and to have more reviewers join our family. I an glad to see your review and I look forward to future reviews.
Faery66: Ooh, another new lovely! This must be my lucky day. Three new lovelies for my other story and two new ones for this one. I am so glad! I hope to hear from you in the future!
And on with the quote!
"Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have - life itself."
-Walter Anderson
Now on with the next chapter of An Earthbound Angel!
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
The next morning I awoke to sunlight trying to break through my heavy curtains into my room. What? Why is it light out yet I was still asleep? Did Malphas not make his rounds? Just the thought of his name was enough to send my heart into a painful thump. I closed my eyes against the slight pain and breathed out deeply. Let's hold off on breaking down like this until we get the full story, I told myself. But he still cheated, my mind argued with me. I groaned at the thought. Yes, I know he did, but crying will get me no where right now. I let out a deep sigh as I sat up in my bed and stretched my arms up towards the ceiling. At any rate I was left to sleep in a little so I should take advantage of it and wake slowly. After stretching out, my hands ventured down to my stomach where my little one was beginning to grow. This alone brought a smile to my lips. I wonder if they will be a boy or a girl? A boy, I think. Hmm, what should I name him? Numerous names passed through my mind until I came up with the perfect name. Magnus. My little Magnus.
"I'm your Momma Magnus," I whispered to my stomach that hadn't even started to show yet. "I'll be sure to love you forever and ever."
"Ariel darling," Grell called into the room as she knocked on the door gently.
"Come in," I said softly, still rubbing my stomach soothingly.
"How are you feeling?" she asked when she sat beside me on the bed.
"I'm still hurt because of Sebastian, but because I have Magnus, I feel better."
"Magnus?" Grell echoed. "You named them already?"
"Mm hmm," I hummed with a soft smile. "My little baby boy Magnus."
Grell shared in my small smile and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"I'd hate to interrupt your time with Magnus, but everyone is waiting downstairs in the sitting room."
"Everyone?"
"Your brother, Sebastian, Undertaker, Lizzie, William, that prince and his butler, and the servants."
"How did you and Lizzie hit it off?" I asked.
"She is such a treat," she smiled. "You were right about us getting along."
I smiled at her words while I leaned against her shoulder.
"Do Mei, Finni, and Bard know everything between Undertaker, Sebastian, and me?"
"Everything except your condition and what happened between you and your butler."
I nodded slightly with a sigh.
"Will you be a dear and grab a dress out of the wardrobe for me?"
"Of course."
She was quick to the wardrobe to pick something out while I rose from my bed and changed into a chemise that had been laid out on my bedside table. When Grell picked out a dress, she slid it on over my raised arms and made quick work of lacing up the dress lightly.
"You have remarkable taste in fashion," she commented as she fastened the last ribbon.
"Thank you Grell."
I slipped on a pair of white slippers, styled my hair into a messy bun, then spritzed on some white rose water and declared myself ready.
"Is there some snacks in the sitting room for me to eat?"
"Of course. We're talking about your brother who has a major sweet tooth."
"I'm not sure if they will let me indulge in sweets like that," I mused out loud.
"I'm sure we can get something for you."
Grell was the first one to my door and held it open for me. I offhandedly thanked her while I thought about the curry buns. Hmm, that does sound good right now. Just the thought of them was enough to make my mouth water. Stop it, I scolded myself when I realized that my mouth was getting too watery. Save that for after the talk. Uggh, the talk. Grell seemed to sense my thought for she gently hip checked me to bring me out of my thoughts. I could feel the childish glint in my eyes to surface while I returned her hip check. We both adopted large smiles as we continued on our little contest down the hall. However, when we reached the sitting room, I could feel all of the playfulness vanish. Well, here goes nothing.
"Ariel! You're awake!" Prince Soma exclaimed when he saw me enter.
"Hello Prince Soma," I greeted him with a smile. "Agni, Lizzie, Ciel, William, Mei, Finni, Bard."
I saved Phoebus for last because I could see that he had a little loveseat saved with a spot for me by his side.
"Undertaker," I greeted with a warm smile.
"Good morning luv," he returned with a smile. I carefully sat beside him but my attention was grabbed by the plate of curry buns that was on the table before us. Curry buns?! I was just thinking about those on the way down here. I picked up one and felt that they were still warm. How did- My train of thought was cut off when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked up to see that Malphas had been the one to move. Did he...? All I needed in confirmation was a slight bow of the head from him. When I swallowed due to the thoughtfulness he had displayed with the buns, a lump caught in my throat. Focus Ariel, I told myself. You need to have that talk. I bit into the crisp crust of the bun as I looked at everyone.
"Do I need to retell what happened?" I directed to everyone.
"Would you please," Lizzie requested. I gave a nod and retold what I had told yesterday at Phoebus's parlor. Mei, Finni, and Bard were shocked at the news while Lizzie grew angry.
"Are you kidding me?!" she seethed while glaring at Malphas."You better have a good explanation for this Sebastian!"
"It was Master's orders," Malphas said that had everyone turning on my brother. What? He stiffened under everyone's glares.
"What do you mean it was my orders?"
"You ordered me to get information from one of the circus members and Beast was the only one who would let her defenses enough for me to get information from. Using fear to get the information would not work seeing as though she reacts violently, so the only option was to seduce her."
"How is that the only option?!" Grell demanded heatedly while William put a hand on hers to get her to calm down. There was more shouting from Lizzie and Grell and both Ciel and Malphas that had me sighing. Now that I knew the reason behind what had happened, I could see that both my brother and Malphas were to blame for this. I knew that with time I would be able to forgive the both of them, but right now that prospect was looking pretty bleak.
"Why is your uncle and Daddy such idiots Magnus," I whispered down at my stomach. Everyone seemed to have heard me because there was silence following my words.
"You named the baby?!" Lizzie squealed in happiness.
"Yes, I named him Magnus. It means great."
From Malphas's side of the bond, I could feel how pleased and proud he was of the name I chose for our child.
Will you forgive me Ariel?
Not now Malphas, but I will in time. The wounds need to heal.
I understand. I will give you the space you need, but I will be here should you need me.
Thank you Malphas.
"We should go window shopping," Lizzie offered at once.
"What?" I found myself saying.
"Grell, William, Undertaker, Prince Soma, Agni, you, and I should go window shopping," she clarified. "That way you can get some fresh air."
"That sounds absolutely delightful Lizzie," Grell grinned.
"Yay! I get to go!" Prince Soma cheered. I knew Agni would follow Prince Soma anywhere, Phoebus wouldn't dare leave my side right now seeing as though I was pregnant and without Malphas, and William was probably dragged by Grell. While most people would be angry or irritated at this, William was wearing a small smile while he watched his mate talk excitedly with Lizzie and Prince Soma. I quickly ate two curry buns from the plate and grabbed a third one as we all rose form our seats.
"I'll have Ariel back before it gets too dark," Phoebus promised Ciel and Malphas while the others had already left the room.
"Make sure you do," Ciel sighed in defeat. There was a stare down between Malphas and Phoebus that lasted for what seemed minutes that ended with a brisk nod from Malphas that Phoebus returned. What on Earth was that all about? I'll never understand men. Phoebus then guided me out of the sitting room then out the from doors so that we stood in the yard.
"How are we getting there?" Lizzie asked once we all stood there. I gave a small chuckle at that even though I should be shaking my head. Lizzie might have dropped her helpless act, but she was still kind of scatterbrained sometimes.
"We'll take care of that," Grell offered, taking the shoulders of Prince Soma and Agni. William simply placed a hand at the small of Lizzie's back while Phoebus placed his arm around my waist. In the brick of the manor in front of us, a black space opened up that the shinigami were ushering us through. I could tell the humans were apprehensive of the darkness but they trusted the two guiding them and walked through the portal. Ion the other hand wasn't that afraid. I could feel Phoebus's comforting presence next to me and that was enough to dispel any fear of the dark that I had. At the end of the dark tunnel was a bright light that turned out to be the alley right beside a less busy street.
"That was amazing!" Prince Soma laughed when he came out into the light.
"Now off to the stores!" Lizzie announced, linking her arms with both Prince Soma and Grell so that the three of them led us. William and Agni in turn moved to the back of the group with Phoebus and I.
"How are you and Grell doing?" I asked Will.
"We're doing great Ariel," he let out in a kind tone even though his facial features were a bit stiff. "I can't thank you enough for what you did for us."
"You two are family now," I dismissed with a wave. "I was happy to help. You're part of the family too Agni. Both you and Prince Soma."
When I had saw how Agni looked like he was out of place, I couldn't help but throw that out there. In the course of meeting the two, they had become like adopted brothers to me. Prince Soma was the younger brother while Agni was the older. I don't know if Agni or Ciel would be the oldest though, I mused to myself as my train of thought went off on another tangent.
"It seems being pregnant has made you scatterbrained luv," Phoebus chuckled into my ear.
"Oh hush you," I blushed and laughed at the same time. Will and Agni seemed to have heard the same thing for they both laughed. I huffed in playful exasperation just as Lizzie let out a shout of joy at something she saw in the window.
"Ariel!Come look at all the baby supplies!"
That was enough for me to hurry to the front of the group and saw that Lizzie had stopped in front of a baby supply store.
"I want to go inside," I spoke up as my eyes moved over the clothes in the window and a crib.
"Then we'll go inside," Phoebus assured me, placing an arm around my waist to lead me inside with the others trailing behind us. The first thing that drew me were the cribs. There were cribs of all different shapes, sizes, and colors but I settled on a medium sized crib that was a beautiful white with gold trim.
"Have you found what you want Miss. ?" the store clerk asked kindly when they saw that I had stopped in front of the crib.
"I would like this please."
"Of course. I'll ring this up for you. Tell me if you want anything else."
The disappeared with the crib towards the front while I turned to the others who were scattered throughout the store looking at different blankets, clothes, bottles, and shoes.
"What colors do you want Ariel?" Grell called over as she shifted through some blankets.
"I'm thinking bold colors. Red, orange, yellow, brown with touches of gold, green, and purple."
That was enough for Lizzie, Prince Soma, Agni, and Grell to run up to me with arms full of things. I laughed in excitement and happiness at the gesture and went through all of their suggestions. Phoebus had stayed by my side through the whole thing while Will had disappeared from sight.
"Where did Will go?" I voiced when even I moved my head about I couldn't see him.
"Will went to go look at paint and furniture,"Grell piped up with a wave of her hand. "He'll be back in a few minutes. He knows what he's doing."
I took her word for it and focused on the numerous things they offered me to look over.
About two hours later I called it quits from buying anything else seeing as though we would easily be able to supply for my baby. Just like Grell had said, Will had impeccable tastes in furniture. We all put the items together at the front desk much to the delight of the clerk.
"Where would you like this delivered Miss.?"
"Could you have it delivered to the Phantomhive Estate please?"
"Of course Miss. They will be delivered later today."
"Thank you so much."
Now that we were done shopping, my stomach let out a little rumble in hunger. That stopped everyone in their tracks. I was going to ask what was the matter when Phoebus turned us around sharply and led me over to a nearby cafe. When I realized that Phoebus was getting overprotective because I was hungry. Honestly, I chuckled to myself with a slight head shake. We had just crossed the street towards the cafe when I saw a familiar head of white hair. It couldn't be...
"Snake!" I called over to the pale snake man who was trying and failing to blend in. He froze immediately when he heard my voice and quickly spun around to face me. I hastened over to his side, much to the protests of Phoebus, and stopped in front of him.
"'Angel' says Emily," Snake said even though I could hear Emily say,
"Where have you been Missy? We have been looking all over for you."
"Would you like to come eat lunch with us?" I offered. "Instead of going to a cafe', we could go to somewhere a little more private."
Snake had looked uneasy about the prospect of eating in public, but when I offered a second option, I could tell he was all but begging for it. He nodded.
"Undertaker, change of plans. We're going to the town house," I declared in a firm voice. "We'll eat lunch there."
Snake looked confused as to the large number of people I had with me,but he followed us towards the townhouse.
"I shall make lunch," Agni announced when we stepped through the front door.
"I'll help," Grell offered with a grin before she left for the kitchen. All I could do is chuckle and shake me head. I hope Agni would be enough to reign in Grell if she gets too out of hand. As if thinking the same thing, Will trailed after her. They are certainly made for each other, I mused. Once my coat had been hung up, I led the rest of the group into the sitting room so we could all get comfortable.
"What happened to the circus members?" Wordsworth spoke up from around Snake's neck.
"Why are you in such a nice house?" Goethe demanded.
"Before I joined the circus, I was the younger sister to a lord," I lied seeing as though I hadn't the heart to tell him the real reason I had joined. "I couldn't take the stuffy lifestyle and when I saw the circus, I took my butler with me to join. For the first time in a long time I was having fun without the rules and regulations. Sometime during the week I was there, I had learned that I was pregnant with Demon's child. I was overjoyed, but I also learned of what Joker and the others had been doing when they left the camp. They were kidnapping children for reasons I can't even begin to comprehend. In fear for my baby, I am ashamed to say, I fled back to my brother with Demon and have been there since. My guess is that Joker and everyone else had gotten arrested by the yard and they are facing their crimes."
At the end of my little speech, Snake had tears of sadness in the corners of his eyes.
"My family," he whispered under his breath.
"I am so sorry that you lost them Snake," I told him. "But I could offer you a place with me at my brother's estate."
"Have you gone mad?"Oscar scoffed at my offer. "For all we know, you could have us be entertainment."
"I would never do that to you, any of you," I swore strongly. "If you were to be with us, you would work for us and get your own paycheck. You would have a place to sleep at night and food for both you and Snake. You would also have Sundays off along with Christmas morning for whatever you should wish to do."
"'Why would you do this for me' asks Wilde," Snake talked through his snakes.
"Because the second you let me into your family, you became mine and I don't turn my back on my family. Do you accept Snake?"
He stayed quiet for a few minutes before his head barely moved in a nod. Nonetheless it was enough for me.
"Great! We can go back after lunch," I cheered. "All I have to do is ring up Sebastian and he'll send a carriage to get us."
About forty-five minutes later found us full from the delicious lunch that Agni had cooked for us and Will and Grell leaving us.
"I promise to come back as soon as I can darling," Grell promised me before she turned to Lizzie. "I won't forget to drop in on you too."
"I need a hug from the both of you before you leave," I insisted, hopping up from my spot at the table to reach out to both of the shinigami. Grell gave me an enthusiastic hug while Will gave me a warm hug in his own way that might have looked emotionless to anyone who didn't know him.
"Be safe you two. Grell, behave."
"Why would I ever do that?" Grell smirked. "It's so much fun being naughty."
I was going to open my mouth to retort when I saw a faint blush rise on Will's cheeks. I rose an eyebrow at his reaction, but I brushed it off with a shake of my head. Grell gave a hearty laugh as she linked her arm through Will's.
"Ta ta darlings!"
With that, both shinigami were gone.
"I think I'll stay here," Prince Soma said with a small smile. "I think you'd want some time alone while decorating the nursery."
"Thank you Prince Soma."
He eagerly returned my hug and even squeezed my shoulders.
"Tell me when you're finished and I'll drop by to see it."
"Of course."
"I have to be going too," Phoebus spoke up, his words making me a little sad. "I have guests I need to tidy up."
"I know they'll absolutely gorgeous," I smiled up at him as I wound my arms around his waist.
"Thank you luv."
He pecked a kiss to my lips before he too left the townhouse which left only Lizzie, Snake, and I heading to the manor. Luckily for us, that is right when Malphas showed up.
"I have arrived to take you home Young Mistress," he declared, his wine eyes going over to land on Snake.
"Sebastian, remember Snake. He's going to be a footman for the Phantomhive Estate. Poor Tanaka is getting on in age so I think a nice, young man will help take the load off his shoulders."
Are you sure we can trust him?
Of course I am. He is family Malphas and has been since the circus.
What about the others? They kidnapped children yet you still consider them family?
Yes, I still consider them family. They may have taken the wrong path, but they are good people at heart. Did Ciel find anything on the workhouse?
It seems that the workhouse is no more. It fell into ruin long ago and there are no longer any children living there.
I closed my eyes in sadness for the needless suffering of my circus family members but with a deep breath I pushed it to the back of my mind.
"Lizzie is coming with us too," I said while the four of us walked through the front door. "Did some packages arrive yet at the manor?"
"No. Are you expecting any?"
"Yes. I'm expecting a lot of packages."
"Then I shall look out for them when we return."
Once Lizzie, snake, and I were placed in the coach, Malphas sped us off towards the manor.
"Can you believe that girl?" Emily asked in an appalled manner. "She had the nerve to kiss a man while she is pregnant by another. That is absolutely scandalous."
"There is a reason behind that Emily," I interjected. The fact that I could hear his snakes must have just sunk in with Snake for he froze and looked at me with wide gold eyes.
"Y-You can speak to them?" Snake stammered normally without talking through the snakes.
"Yes, I can," I confirmed and continued on to explain to both him and his snakes that I was an angel of animals and nature and the relationship I had with Malphas and Phoebus. I could tell that by the look on his face that he was thrown through a loop with what I told him so I let him soak in the words so that he could wrap his head around them.
"So, the wings you performed with...were your actual wings?" he voiced after a few moments of silence.
"Yes."
"Aren't they beautiful?" Lizzie joined in with a large smile on her face.
"'Yes, they are' says Bronte," Snake replied through a beautiful copper snake that peeked out from under Snake's cloak. Well, at least he spoke a few sentences without talking through his snakes. We'll get him out of his shell yet. We just have to take baby steps.
There was a carriage waiting in the driveway when we arrived back at the manor that had the same logo on the carriage that the baby store had from earlier. Upon seeing the carriage, a rush of excitement went through my body that had me shifting in my seat.
"What's wrong Ariel?" Lizzie asked me when she saw that I was moving about without settling down.
"They're here," I told her, my eyes twinkling.
"Oh my god!" she squealed in joy. I could feel Malphas's confusion through bond while Phoebus was happy for my excitement.
Malphas, could you take all of the packages to the empty room across form mine in my wing. Set them down and wait for me.
Of course.
He waited until he saw all of us out of the carriage and put the carriage away then he quickly followed my orders. Lizzie on the other hand split from Snake and I to find my brother who was probably in his study right now.
"Come on Snake, I'll take you to Tanaka and he'll show you the ropes of being a Phantomhive Footman."
As usual I found Tanaka in the kitchen drinking his tea.
"Hey Grandpa Tanaka," I greeted him warmly. "We have a new footman that needs training and I was wondering if you could train him."
"Of course I will Young Mistress."
"Thank you. I'm sure that he would prefer to have a room set up in the greenhouse due to his sensitivity to the cold."
Tanaka nodded and rose from his seat.
"What is your name young man?"
"'It's Snake' says Wordsworth," Snake said.
"Come then Mr. Snake, I will get you a uniform then show you what it is that I do."
Snake looked over to me like he was a lost puppy, so I sent him an encouraging smile and nodded my head in the direction of where Tanaka was walking. I watched their retreating backs until I couldn't see them anymore the took to the stairs to the room that I had Malphas bring the packages up to.
"What are all of these?" he questioned when I joined him.
"They're supplies for the baby," I told him softly. Hie eyes softened at the thought of the baby and I could sense that he wanted to hold me, but he held back to respect my wishes.
"I know it's going to take a while for me to fully trust you like I used to," I began in a shaky voice, tears beginning to gather in the edges of my eyes and a lump to gather in my throat. "But I want to take steps to get back to that by decorating the baby's room together."
There was silence on his end as he took in all of my words and his heart filled with hope.
"Will you take the first steps with me Malphas?"
"Can I hold you again?"
A watery laugh escaped me at his question.
"As long as you can promise me that this will not ever happen again."
He took my hands in both of his and slowly got down on one knee.
"I give you my word as your mate and my title as King of Hell that this will never happen again," he swore strongly with his eyes their beautiful glowing red. Happiness welled up inside of me that resulted in the tears rolling down my cheeks out of pure elation at his promise. Any oath he swore on his title was an oath that he could not break ever. Upon seeing my tears, Malphas scooped me up into his arms and gingerly kissed away the tears that were falling.
"Thank you Malphas."
"I would do anything for you Ariel. I am so sorry that this had to happen."
"Let's put it behind us Malphas. Instead let us focus on the future with out little one and Undertaker."
I could feel his irritation at the mention of Phoebus, but he kept quiet about it. For that I was thankful. Maybe one day all of us could be together without feelings of jealousy from Malphas. But let's not worry about that right now, I told myself. We'll take everything one step at a time.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o
Well there we have it folks! We have Snake joining the fray. I liked how they added him in in the mange and I just couldn't leave him out. I know this is a little short but hopefully this will be good until the next chapter where the real action will be picking up. This is more or less a chapter where I can wrap up ends so that everyone can move on through the story. Ariel and Malphas look to be getting back on track due to the baby. We also get a name for the little one. I can't tell you how long it took me to find a name that suited the little guy. I also couldn't help but write Grell and Prince Soma in there along with Lizzie. I feel like Ariel needs these kind of people in her life to support her. Anyways, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns feel free to leave a review or to shoot me a pm. Remember, reviews are magic!
-White Wolf