Epilogue

[End of Cinematic Records of Ciel Phantomhive, Sebastian Michaelis and Marianne Blackmore.]

Undertaker ended the Records with a swipe of his Scythe, and the records split into their separate components before returning to their homes. He smiled at the audience assembled before him. The eldery Tanaka was sat in his chair, and beside him were Bard, MeyRin and Finny. Elizabeth sat with them, dressed in a black mourning gown with a matching net veil. Soma, Agni, Lau and Ran Mao were also with them. Chastity was there as well, who felt more than a little out of place with the rest of the group. The only face she had a vague recollection of was Inspector Aberline, and that was only in passing. Standing at the back of the room was Grell Sutcliffe and William T. Spears.

It was 1890, over a year since anyone had seen Ciel, Sebastian and Marianne. Ciel was supposedly dead, as they knew, and Sebastian and Marianne seemed to have vanished, under the assumption that they left to enjoy their married life. But then, they all received the black embossed card through the post, a stark contrast to the sea of white envelopes that littered the floor. Of course, other means were used to invite the more supernatural guests. All of them were silent. None of them dared to speak up, having absorbed what they had watched, but unable to comprehend it all. It was Grell that was the first to speak.

"Well, I did always say I wanted to see my dear Bassy's Cinematic Record."

He said it so lightheartedly that it immediately got a response from everyone in the room.

"How could we have not noticed anything?" MeyRin asked. "Nothing ever seemed strange about Sebastian at all."

"Seems to me Marianne was the one to help him learn about our world." Bard speculated.

William shook his head, and turned to his To-Die List.

"When a human is turned into a demon, there are issues to be dealt with, but two in such a short space of time? More than a week of overtime at least. This is most irregular," he said. "Being a demon's mate though, it explains why she was always absent from the To-Die List, even when she should have been on the edge of death."

Chastity cast her eyes down, kept them in her lap; she twisted the emerald ring on her finger, and summoned up the courage to speak up.

"Marianne has always had a stubbornness about her for as long as I can remember. A lot of people underestimated her and what lengths she would go to for the people she loves," she said. Everyone fell silent as she continued. "From the broken pieces of their lives, Ciel and Marianne made a new family. They have proven that they are the ones in control of their fates, that they have accepted the choices they have made for themselves, and are happier for it."

There was not much else to be said after that.

More pleasantries and memories were exchanged between the assembled group before one after the other, they left Undertaker's Funeral Parlour. Chastity was the last to leave, adjusting her green bonnet as she prepared herself for braving the busy London streets. A man walked past her wearing a black coat and top hat.

"Good day, Miss," he said, touching the brim of his hat and brushing past her.

"G-Good day, Sir!" she responded but he didn't turn around.

Chastity searched for him through the gaps in the crowd, but he seemed to have vanished.

When she did catch sight of him again however, her breath seemed to freeze inside her mouth. Standing in the middle of the bustling street, as though she was the only one who could see them, stood Marianne, Sebastian and Ciel. The boy seemed to have grown taller, but she couldn't be certain, and he stared back at her with matching blue eyes, his once ever-present eye patch was completely absent. Sebastian hadn't changed at all, other than he was dressed as a nobleman rather than a butler, although his favoured colours of black, silver and white were still in play. It was Marianne her eyes were drawn to the most though. The way she stood there, it was as though she had stepped out of the Cinematic Record; poised and elegant, not even a hair out of place.

And then, Chastity's eyes widened. Curled up in Marianne's arms was a small infant. She made to run towards them, but when someone moved past her, the family vanished from in front of her. A small smile touched her lips.

"I wish you well, Marianne. You have more than earned your happiness."

She turned away and disappeared into the throng of people.

"Now, they know our story." Ciel said.

He was sat in an armchair in front of a blazing fireplace. His mother and father were opposite him on the chaise.

"They do indeed, Ciel. And they can continue without their unanswered questions." Sebastian responded.

A small smile crept across the boy's lips at the sight. Sebastian was watching Marianne as she fed their son. She held his downy brown head to her breast and let him suckle at the little holes his needle-like fangs created. Blood welled up and spilled into his hungry mouth before he finally released her. The bite marks healed instantly, and Marianne wiped the excess blood away from her son's mouth.

"Hungry little thing, aren't you?" Sebastian said, trailing a finger along the baby's round cheek.

"He is months old, and he's growing." Marianne smiled as she gently patted her son's back until he let out a small burp.

The baby blinked his brilliant red eyes and looked up at his father, reaching out for him with a giggle. The woman laughed.

"And he wants his Daddy."

Sebastian took him gently, lifted him up so his head rested against his shoulder. He stroked his hair and let him suckle his long fingers, and nibble at his black nails.

"Indeed, but this little one should be going down for his nap. Come along, Tristan."

Tristan giggled happily and snuggled into his father's shoulder as the older demon left the room.

When they were gone, Ciel made his way over to Marianne and helped her adjust her dress from behind.

"Are you alright after seeing them, Mother?" he asked.

Marianne swept her hair back and smiled softly.

"I am. I feel better in knowing that they know we aren't going back to our old lives. It's like we've given them a proper goodbye, rather than giving no explanation like we did when we left."

The boy settled beside her and rested his head against her shoulder. She pressed a kiss to the crown of his head.

"Think of it this way, we don't have to hide that we're a family anymore."

Ciel hummed in response, finding himself slowly slipping into sleep with every stroke of his hair.

"It's alright, you can sleep now, sweetheart."

He fell into sweet slumber not long after.

When Sebastian returned, he carried Ciel to his bed and let him sleep. He joined Marianne in their chambers, where Tristan slept in a bassinet decorated with black lace. He found her staring down at their baby boy, smiling the smile he first fell in love with. Sebastian wrapped his arms around her from behind and looked down at him. Tristan's leg twitched as he slept.

"Both our children are asleep now. Will you be joining me in bed?" he asked.

"Maybe in a minute. I want to watch him for a little bit longer," she replied. "He's so beautiful…"

Sebastian kissed her ear.

"Just like his mother."

He led her to the bed and lay down beside her. His hand stroked down her cheek, and she happily nuzzled him. Sebastian kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as she pressed her head into his chest.

"We're free… Sebastian, we're free…" she said.

"Yes, my darling mate, we are."

Marianne lifted her head and touched her lips to his.

"I love you, Sebastian…"

Sebastian's eyes glowed brightly as he moved himself above her.

"And I love you, my beloved bride."

Marianne let her eyes burn demonically back at him as he consumed her lips in a tender kiss, losing themselves in one another's passionate embrace…

And so concludes our story. I have to thank you all for joining me on this journey and all your reviews, it has truly been a pleasure. Following this story's completion, I shall be going on a break for a while as I work on my next story, which is still up for debate as I have several ideas sitting on my computer.

Again, thank you all and hope to hear from you all soon.

Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Please read and review!