Back on a roll again :) Here is chapter 9 which is now re-edited...
Please enjoy and the next one which I'll be editing is the Christmas chapter :)
Enjoy and review thankyou! x
'I…I don't know, these feelings are just so confusing, it's hard to make sense of it all,' Abe admitted, Red knowing this had something to do with the death of Princess Nuala.
'I wish father were here, he could've advised you better than I could…but you can't keep letting the past hold you back, you've come a long way since then Abe.'
'I know I have but what if I'm not right for her?' Abe replied shaking his head in doubt
'and what if you are?' Hellboy countered 'look I'm really not good at this kind of thing but try listening to your own advice.' His friend then finished the can that he was drinking and after getting back to work, Red left the topic open knowing that it wouldn't be the last he heard of it.
Meanwhile the girls went shopping within Fairfield, grateful to have the large car from all the shopping they were buying. 'Hellboy's like any other guy, we always have a long debate with whatever I buy,' Liz said smiling as Belle bought some new fairy lights,
'What are you getting him for Christmas?' she queried, Liz answering as she counted off her planned presents.
'A silver chain with a tab that has his name engraved, some of his favourite beer, some new tops, some of the ingredients for his hand made bullets…and probably more, so what are you getting for the guys?'
'I'm uncertain of what to get Hellboy I thought you might have an idea…'
'A cat,' Liz cut in surprised she hadn't thought of it before, Hellboy's love for cats and kittens was well known amongst his friends and after being left with only two currently, his girlfriend knew that it was the ideal gift.
After stopping at a pet store and putting a deposit down for a short haired black cat, with dazzling blue eyes Liz and Belle left the shop. Belle had been relieved she had got two out of three, after managing to secretly purchase Liz a new pair of jeans and a top with a CD that Liz had pointed out, all without her friend knowing. Belle had to say, she felt grateful in the fact that she was the mind-reader and not Liz as she tried her best to be discreet. Yet sitting in a café with hot drinks Liz took the opportunity to bring up Abe, 'you seem quite fond of Blue' Belle looking up from her hot chocolate as she nodded feeling her cheeks getting warmer,
'Yes he's a sweet friend.'
'So what do you think of him then? Don't worry I'm not going to say anything to Red,' she added at Belle's shocked expression before continuing. 'It's just I noticed you both get along so well and I was curious.' Belle knew she could confide in Liz. and feeling that she wanted to get all of it off her chest Belle admitted quietly,
'He's unlike anyone I've ever met before. He cares for me genuinely and makes me feel so happy when I'm with him.'
'Sounds like you have a crush,' Liz remarked smiling as Belle met the gaze of her friend unable to find any other alternative in her answer,
'I suppose I do…' she replied smiling
'Suppose?' Liz said testily Belle laughing at the remark,
'Now I just have to find him the perfect Christmas present,' keen to get off the topic of love though it wasn't achieved with much ease.
'Come on Belle, what's holding you back? I mean Abe's a good guy, he's polite, genuine…'
'Kind, caring, sweet, a gentleman…I know but I mean I couldn't say anything.'
'Why? Don't you think he might like you?' Liz queried Belle shaking her head in response looking downcast.
'What if I'm just mistaking feelings of affection, for Abe simply looking after me? I just don't want to make that mistake…he's really looked out for me since I arrived and I'm just afraid that I'm wrong in thinking he likes me as more than a fried.' Liz sighed, making Belle look up at her.
'Listen to me, I have known Abe a long time and in many ways he's different from H.B, but they are the same for the fact of regardless how they feel, they both show love and care in two separate ways. You have to see that.' Taking in her words, Belle nodded, thoughtfully, finishing her drink and suggesting they go and look more round the shops before heading home. Watching as Belle seemed to be lost in thought for some time after they left the café, Liz could only hope that she had gotten through to her friend. Though she knew the next step would be to see if Abe really did feel the same.
'How many books did you want to buy him?' Liz said exasperated as she and Belle emerged from the bookstore carrying a stack of thick books, an hour later.
'Well you know how much Abe reads, this is just a starting gift' she explained Liz shocked to hear the two words "starting gift."
'It's going to be a busy afternoon' she remarked the two girls laughing as they dropped off their purchases at the car. Walking back down the high street, Belle left Liz to order the silver chain for Hellboy and walked down to some smaller shops. Still searching for Abe's main present and coming to a store she had never seen before, it's unusual golden objects reminded Belle of the ones which resided in Abe's room. Feeling drawn to it, Belle stepped into the door way with a small bell ringing overhead, looking around and feeling the warmth within the small shop as she began to view some of the items for sale. 'Can I help you?' a raspy voice spoke out, the young lady turning to see a short but elderly man approach her,
'I'm just looking thank you…I'm after something different for a friend…'
'A Christmas present I presume?'
'Yes he's very much into reading and anything to do with knowledge or research,' Belle explained the short man running a hand through his short beard thinking of a possible object when something came to him.
'Follow me please,' he told her, Belle walking behind him and lowering her head to miss some contraption hanging from the ceiling when the shopkeeper led her to the back of the shop, where an array of items were placed.
Picking up a very large and old leather bound book, the shopkeeper struggled to lift it over for Belle to glance over. 'In that book is some of the most renowned subjects of interest studied and touched on in detail, the book was written over five decades…a rare purchase I can assure you.' Belle wasn't convinced that it was what had attracted her to the shop; so she politely refused when a golden book stand alike the ones the Abe used caught her eye.
'What's this?' she questioned the shopkeeper looking mildly uninterested in the object she pointed out,
'It is an unusual item, I do not know of the designer or the exact time it was made, all I know is that it was created for books, and this mechanism here…' he trailed off pointing to a hinged piece of gold which lifted to a peak and at close inspection, was no thicker than paper with a pointed tip. 'This is an automated page turner, which is quite rare for it's time; all I could guess is that the inventor created it for sheet music. However it was uncommon for any music as such to be bound in book form…'
'Does the page turner work?' she cut in eagerly as the shopkeeper nodded raising an eyebrow at the young lady's interest.
Placing the large book in the frame of the stand, the shopkeeper started the page turner, prompting Belle to read the first spread of two pages and was surprised that as she finished the last word; the gold piece slipped under and turned the page. 'That's incredible…is this the only one?' Belle questioned with interest the shopkeeper shaking his head.
'There were two made, I got them both for a good deal…it was a tough business decision but…'
'I'll take them,' Belle said instantly the shopkeeper looking surprised,
'It will cost five hundred dollars for the pair,'
'That's fine,' she answered lightly, the shopkeeper continuing to keep an eyebrow rose, shocked in some ways that she could so easily afford that amount. However it was a good sale to him, so wrapping them both carefully in brown packaging Belle paid, and made her way out into the late and cold winter's afternoon, feeling the slight weight as she saw Liz waiting for her outside the jewellers.
'Where did you get too?' She asked pausing at the sight of the long and large packages.
'I got Abe's present,' she remarked cheerfully asking Liz whether she had ordered the chain.
'Yes,' Liz answered walking back to the car and prying into what Belle could've bought,
'You'll have to wait until Christmas now,' she told her friend smirking and receiving a scowl in reply as Belle reversed out of the car park to drive home.
'H.B's going to love me when he sees the amount I've bought,' Liz said gesturing a thumb back at the backseat which was covered in bags that couldn't fit in the boot.
'It's Christmas how bad could Red possibly be?' Belle questioned Liz giving her a sceptical look as they arrived at the gates leading into their home.
'You know I'm actually beginning to feel that this place is normal now,' Liz remarked looking up at the result of the four's hard work, Belle agreeing as the two guys came to meet them looking flustered.
'Been busy?' Belle grinned, Abe about to answer her when Hellboy caught sight of the amount of shopping in the car.
'How much…' Red began Liz warning
'Don't start,' as she pulled out some bags from the boot and telling Belle she would see her inside, Liz strode in the house, Red on her heel as he followed his girlfriend in the house. Smiling to herself as Belle went to the boot, picking out a considerable amount of parcels, bags and boxes, Abe came to her side
'Would you like some help?' he offered seeing the young lady before him struggle with the weight.
'Yes, please' she replied beginning to hand him some of the lighter items, which Blue became aware of and so taking a few heavy bags from her they made their way indoors. Hearing raised voices Belle and Blue realised that H.B had guessed the probable amount which had been spent, 'will they be okay?'
'Don't worry; they have their moments like everyone. It's safe anyway the rooms fire-proof now.'
'Why…' Belle started only to see a spurt of flames emerge from the stairway, which led to Liz's and Hellboy's room. 'Ah,' she remarked in understanding, Abe nodding, apparently used to this.
Late that evening, surprised that Belle hadn't joined him, Abe went to her room and knocked on the door, hearing a shuffling from within the room. 'Come in,' Belle called sweetly, Blue putting his head around the door making the young beauty all the happier.
'Good evening,' he greeted politely Belle replying the same with a smile, gesturing for Blue to join her as she returned to her wrapping, 'how many gifts have you bought?' Abe questioned surprised at the amount which surrounded her on the bed. 'A few but there are a lot of decorations here too…I actually wondered if you would like to go out, late night Christmas shopping?' Belle asked hopefully, Abe a little uncertain about it.
'But what if I get seen? I mean I don't think people would react very well to someone like me…' he answered sadly.
'Abe, not everybody is that judgemental, and besides if you came you could wear a coat and a hat, and then no one would know the difference. But either way I really want you to come,' she finished looking at Abe with a continuing hopefulness in her voice. With no more thought needed, Blue smiled at Belle promising that he would go with her much to his friends delight as she threw her arms around his neck, Blue laughing as he regained his posture. Putting his arms around her waist, Belle held on until the rising blush fell again, and then sitting back and looking down at her wrapping Abe watching her as she folded over the brightly coloured paper. As her blonde hair fell forward, Abe put a finger across the ribbon holding it in place as she tied it, Belle looking up as she pushed back her soft hair. The light of the room making Abe's eyes shine in a way that made Belle turn her head to one side slightly, the cute look she gave making Blue smile as he questioned what she was looking at. 'Your eyes, I never noticed how…blue they are, it gives you such a soft look…' she replied Abe becoming shy at this compliment…yet that wasn't the only thing which left him feeling slightly embarrassed.
'You're going on a date? I told you there was something in this friendship of yours,' Hellboy said with a smirk as he sat talking to Abe, the merman floating in his tank trying to get Red to keep his voice down. 'But your not denying it's a date, and think about it you're the lucky one, I mean I'm stuck in and we're not even working with the BPRD anymore.' Abe nodded thoughtfully and couldn't deny looking forward to spending some time alone with Belle. 'You're thinking about her…' Hellboy taunted, Abe giving him a sceptical look.
'Who's the psychic one?' he questioned Hellboy grinning as he held up his hands,
'After spending years with you, can you blame me being able to read the look on your face?' H.B replied.
As the evening of the date came, Belle sat putting on a pair of brown leather boots, before checking her hair in the mirror. She couldn't deny feeling slightly nervous yet elated at the thought of spending the evening out with Abe. So as she saw through the mirror Liz at the door, holding Aurora in her arms, she turned to them with a bright smile. 'Hi,' Belle said cheerfully putting on her thick coat, and picking up her handbag, before looking over the little baby and letting her wrap it's tiny hand around her finger.
'Looking forward to it?' Liz asked Belle unable to suppress her smile as she answered,
'Yes' the two friends laughing as Belle followed her friend out and pulled the door closed…
So how will the date go? and just how will Belle and Abe get closer? All in the next chapter
Please review, thankyou!
x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x
