September 5th, 1874

Rachel Dalles has always wanted to be a mother, to one day have children and be a grandmother once her children found people they loved. She has the positive attributes to become a mother. Rachel helped raise Angelina with her nanny and may have spoiled her a few slices of cake too much but also helped when she needed advice or taught her things only ladies know after their sixteenth birthday. Rachel is also kind, loving and the most genuine woman she knew. But she's also more than a lady, more than the traditional woman that England had modeled for many decades. Yes, she is going to lose some lively freedom of her outgoing nature to be some man's wife, Vincent Phantomhive's wife, but Rachel is a smart woman. Her sister is brilliant and pursuing dreams for a place with Doctors but Rachel Dalles is smart and not as obvious as many women portrayed.

The little servant boy that follows Tanaka around Phantomhive Manor is Vincent's first born boy. She had no idea how people couldn't piece it together from one look but she guessed the [H/C] hair sullied his blue eyes that Vincent shared with him. Then the birth marks, Vincent had a dot under his eye while his were thinner and under his eyes. The boy was barely tall and guessed he had to be around six or seven but also meek, always running away from her when she visited the manor.

She asked other servants of the manor to ask about him or his mother. The servants usually tried to change the topic by compliments but some broke after her fifth time asking. She was going to be their mistress of the home and so they said, " [M/N] has no mother, she died after giving birth to him and Lord Phantomhive has no relationship with the boy." or "He's a good boy, very smart and very quiet but sometimes he daydreams. What child doesn't daydream?"

Rachel heard about children like these, the step-children but Vincent seems not to care for the boy in a real father should. This broke her heart but she couldn't fix this relationship, at least into better terms until marriage.

There she could fix it, place womanly touches on their relationship and adjusted into where Vincent at least acknowledged the child. Vincent having a child before being married didn't even bother her, Rachel would have more practice but also in the darkest part of her mind satisfied her with a thought she could not say.

Her children would inherit it all, everything in the name of Phantomhive.

But now, she wanted to see her step-child, [M/N] and build something between them. See her in a light of she was a kind and loving step-mother, which she slowly attempts to show with each visit to the manor. She would see him feet away, moving behind Tanaka like a little duckling following their partner or see him outside in the garden by himself. Sometimes even moving about in the hallway before ducking into a different room if she were to be in his eyesight. Rachel watched how fidgety he was everytime she was around him, tugging at his long sleeves or eyes darting around for a possible escape before taking it.

She found it both cute yet exasperating! She wanted to be a loving step-mother and not the one from Cinderella.

Does he know Cinderella? Does he know how to read? To write?

These privileged abilities are needed for Victorian children, bastard or not.

"My Lady, are you alright?" Tanaka asked as he sat the teapot on the table gently as he noticed how her face twisted with mindless thoughts and confusion then worried. "You seem a bit...off today."

"Oh?" Rachel looks up and she smiles softly at the older man, she sits her cup of tea down and sighs. Vincent was talking to some close acquaintances that decided to visit the manor despite her visiting as his fiance. She placed her hands in her lap as she gazed at the older man still as lingering questions still whispered in her mind. "How is your son these days?"

"Oh, the boy is doing extremely well, lately he's been expressing his love for reading and the arts," Tanaka said as he felt his lips twitch as a smile came up despite the urge to suppress it. "He's also been helping around the manor as well. He's learning more around the kitchen and helping around the back area with the carriages and animals."

"What joy, he seems like a very good boy." Rachel said with a kind smile as Tanaka seemed beaming with pride, almost flowery around him like her future brother-in-law. "Though he seems awfully shy when he sees me, is he scared of me?"

"[M/N] is shy around Master Phantomhive's guest, usually sees himself out of the area and does not want to bother the master or his guest." Tanaka answered truthfully without wanting to get into too much detail about his child.

"He is no bother to me," Rachel blurted out and her cheeks turned a bit pink from it. "I mean..he is a child and I am going to live here once I am married to Lord Phantomhive. He does not need to be afraid of me."

"It's just his nature, My Lady."

"I see...but would it be alright if I met him..formally? Perhaps we can enjoy some treats in the garden and maybe a book or two? I would very much like to build a bond with him." Rachel asked, almost begging in the hopes of meeting her fiance's progeny. Tanaka looked a bit surprised, almost hesitant as she smiled softly, almost false, "Unless...there is a reason I am not allowed to see him."

"Oh nothing like that, My lady," Tanaka assured gently as he placed a hand over his heart with a tiny boy, "Never something like that, I will schedule a day where you can meet while Lord Phantomhive is working, he is the one who wouldn't approve of this."

"Oh? Is there a reason?"

"None that I know of, I am his Head Butler and I simply follow his doing."

++++

Four weeks passed along with the summer months, it was the last week of summer and Tanaka summoned Lady Dalles to the home while other servants prepared the garden for them. It was dressed up outside with light table cloths, some treats centering the table with a vase of flowers and a large umbrella out there to cover them. As she requested, Tanaka picked out books that were suitable for children of [M/N]'s age along with some toys, his favorite ones. Lady Rachel arrives on the time she was scheduled to arrive and leads outside where she was at awe at the work put into the area. She sits down and composed herself, fixing her blonde locks and fixing her gloves as the door creaks open to the garden.

[M/N] was dressed nicely, probably the nicests clothes that he owned that Tanaka helped him with. He held Tanaka's hand as they walked outside, [M/N] blue eyes squinting as the sun had hit him in the face as Tanaka led them to the table. [M/N]'s eyes blinked open before he saw Madame Dalles, and he tried hiding behind his Father's leg as he watched her.

He's so cute! He's so shy too!

Rachel thought with a giggle, soft and gentle smile on her lips as she got up from her seat and Tanaka inches away from his son as the boy stared at her weary. He didn't want Vincent to know that he was even in his fiancee's space, to breathe the same air as her. "Hello there!" She said as she gestured to the table beside her, "Would you like to have lunch with me?"

[M/N] looked to Tanaka and he smiled nodding, "If you will." He replied softly as Rachel kept her smile before sitting back in her seat and [M/N] sat across her as he glanced at the fancy treats on the table. His stomach grumbles as he sees the food and fiddles with one of the buttons on his overalls as Rachel gently pushes a plate with a fancy cucumber type of delight on it.

"Go ahead, I did ask for them to make us snacks while we sit outside." Rachel says as she sipped the tea that Tanaka began preparing for the two as he stood next to the table. "Or else it would go to waste."

"Okay."

He takes the sandwich and bites into it, the flavor deveined with the tasty cucumber slices along with cream cheese. His cheeks fulla and blue eyes shiny and wide as he ate, Rachel admired it and she giggled a bit.

Vincent's children are so cute! I can't wait to be a mother too!

"So tell me more about yourself [M/N]," Rachel said as she gently plucked a sandwich near her and gently bit into it with a smile. It really did taste so good! Tanaka was a cooking angel! "What do young boys like you like to do?"

Alright play it cool, she doesn't need to know Vincent makes me clean and doesn't teach me anything!

"I play with my Father," [M/N] manages as he wipes his mouth and smiles easily. "And with the doggies and kitties and horses here!"

"Oh! I love cats as well but I can't have them near me alot...or my asthma begins." Rachel sighs softly as she nibbles on her sandwich again and wipes, "How about School? Do you have a governess yet?" He looked the age for a proper governess to work with on his writing and reading. Her and Angelina had at least three from a young age and growing up.

"I don't need that!" [M/N] said happily, "Father teaches me all I need to know." Just a bit of reading and some writing when he had the time.

"Oh!" Rachel blinked, even if Vincent doesn't have a relationship, it didn't mean he shouldn't neglect his rightful fatherly duties. Even if the mother was some lower class lady didn't mean [M/N] at least deserved a proper noble child lifestyle. "If you want, I can help you read more or even help you write as well."

Does she think I'm stupid?
She thinks your stupid, look at your stupid face

There goes the voice in his head, reassuring him of something bad that he thinks about himself. Applause to you for coming in time once again!

"[M/N]?" Rachel says softly, thinking she hurt the boy's feelings as she saw his face soured. "I didn't mean to offend you."

[M/N] looked to her and he fiddled with the napkin he was wiping his mouth with, "No you didn't Miss Dallas. I'm sorry." He said as he wiped his mouth again and again until the cloth felt a bit rough on his lips and sat down the napkin. "I can read and write only a little bit."

"Oh, my apologies, I merely wanted to assist in any way I could in your upbringing." She said with a soft smile, tender and [M/N] watched her smile as his stomach clenched up a bit. "Since you know of such qualities...would you like to read a story with me after lunch?"

Why is she trying so hard to gain something from me? Does she want me to work for her as well?

You're already your father's bastard mule, of course she wants you to work for her too.

"That sounds lovely." He replies instead as her face lit up happily.

++++

Vincent's eyes stared out into the garden with a vacant gaze as his fiance was enjoying her time with a child that wasn't hers. She had to know, she had to know that the boy was his and yet she didn't storm her way into his office to demand retribution or a deal into their marriage nor throw her engagement ring at him either. She must be satisfied with [M/N], until they have their own children.

Would she want to get rid of him once we have kids? How does one do that exactly? I have many connections but none seemingly would think to harm a child. Vincent shakes his head and rolls his eyes at the ridiculous thought as he turns away and walks towards his chair, sitting down and looking over the important document that covers the oak. What am I thinking? If she's fond of him now, she'll have an uproar if he were to suddenly go missing.

"He seemed oddly fond of her as well." He speaks as Tanaka nodded, watching him. "Perhaps he does miss a mother figure."

"With due respect," Tanaka says, "He has known nothing of motherly touch since he has been under my wing as his Father. Perhaps it's companionship?"

"Does he not have companionship among his peers?" Vincent asked as Tanaka raised an eyebrow as he silently pulled his lips into a frown, "Right. There are no other children."

"Correct sir," Tanaka nodded as he pulled out his watch and checked the time. "Would you like me to alert them you're here?"

"No, let them enjoy their time together." Vincent said as his eyes narrowed a bit as he opened one letter to read up on business, "however..."

"Yes sir?"

"What animal does [M/N] like?"

+++++

[M/N] groans as he wakes up the next morning, rubbing his eyes as he smacks his lips for water. He tired himself and Miss Rachel out from playing and reading in the garden. His tiny body was sore as he slowly moved his legs to the edge of the bed and pushed himself off before noticing something moving in the corner. He rubbed his eyes with his fist as he looked at it, a basket with a yellow blanket moving.

"Good morning," Tanaka said as he opened the door and [M/N] jerked up to look at his father. "Breakfast will be done in a few and as I was cleaning up the garden with some gardeners...the strangest thing...a little animal was busy snacking on some carrots."

"Was it a bunny?" [M/N] asked as the basket jerked at the sound of voices and a whine. [M/N] jerked back too with eyes wide as he looked at the basket suspiciously.

"Go on...go see what I found." Tanaka said warmly as he turned to the dresser to get [M/N]'s clothes out for the day. His very first day off!

[M/N] stared at the basket before he walked slowly, and the basket whined and moved more. His eyes narrowed before slowly pulling the cover off and instantly coos as the puppy barked happily with its tail wagging behind it. He had a blue bow around its neck and began licking [M/N]'s face furiously. He giggles as the dog kept licking and nudging his face into [M/N]'s face for more affection. He seemed awfully cleaned for a dog getting carrots from the garden.

"The Master has been gracious enough for you to keep him." Tanaka hummed as he watched his son play gently before clearing his throat. "What do you wish to name him?"

"I get to name him?" [M/N] asked happily as he giggled as the puppy nibbled at his ear and he smiled still. "Really?"

"Why of course, a growing boy needs a loyal companion." Tanaka replied as [M/N] thinks. "Something brave and strong? Something the dog can quickly learn."

Something quick huh? I really don't have a lot of names...but there was one in the book yesterday.

"I want to name him...Sebastain."