A/N: I cannot eve begin to apologize for my lack of writing and updating. I was having huge issues with a plot point. And then I realized i should not change my story to fit my plot, I should change the plot to fit the story. I have been beating myself up about this and I hope I have not lost any of my regular readers. Again I apologize. Now we will get on with the story. Keep and eye out for a special guest appearance ^_^.

I own nothing from VanHelsing. Only the three sisters Raphael and Aria and Selena are mine.

Chapter 11: Birthday

All Hallows Eve approached and preparations for Dracula's annual ball were well under way. Another important date was also approaching, Natalie's birthday. The day before All Hallows. Dracula had already begun planning the surprise he would have for the girl's birthday.

Natalie was in the library reading when he found her a week before her birthday, "Natalie… I have a gift for you." He purred in her ear.

The young woman giggled and turned to look at him, "A gift for me? Vlad you really shouldn't have."

"Oh yes I should. After all if I cannot celebrate my love's birthday who can?" he smiled, "Now close your eyes and let me guide you."

Natalie smiled and stood up closing her eyes. She let him lead her through the castle by one hand the other out to the side just in case. It was a fairly long walk from the library, "Vlad," she laughed, "Where on earth are you taking me?" She heard him open a door, which he led her through and close it… whereever they were it was very warm.

"All right you can open your eyes."

She did as he told her and gasped in amazement; "Oh Vlad this is so beautiful!" they were in a large green house filled with tropical plants.

"And it is all yours Meu dragoste," He said softly as he placed his hands gently on her shoulder, "Your own private garden, you have my leave to do what so ever you desire to this garden."

She turned around and hugged him pecking him on each cheek, "Thank you Vlad."

"And tomorrow Selena and Aria will take you shopping in the city." He smiled, that would give him time to explain things to his special guest he hoped.

Dracula was sitting in his study when Tasha knocked, "Enter." He said.

"My lord that guest has arrived." She curtsied.

"Thank you Tasha. Bring Natalie to me and then you may show him in."

A few moments later Natalie entered wearing a dress she had bought that afternoon. It was simple, silvery white fabric with small blue flowers embroidered along the hem and sleeves, "You wanted to see me Vlad?"

"Yes my love… you are lovely in that dress." He smiled. Tasha showed in his guest the man gasped.

"You! I thought we were rid of you!" In the doorway stood Abraham Van Helsing.

Natalie gasped, "G-Grandfather!"

The doctor/monster hunter gaped, "Natalie what are you doing here? And with this monster!"

"Please Grandfather he isn't what you think…"

He didn't let her finish, "Whatever spell you have on her release her at once."

Dracula stood his eyes flaming with indignation, "I would never do such a thing to Natalie."

"Please!" She ran between the two of them, "Vlad please… let me speak with him alone." The vampire king sighed and nodded.

"Take whatever time you need Meu dragoste." He sat back down.

Natalie took her grandfather's hand and lead him out of the room, "We need to talk grandfather, Please come with me." She lead him to her green house where she knew they would be alone.

"Natalie explain this! That thing is a monster beyond imagining you should not associate with such a creature."

"He is not a monster grandfather. Maybe he was once, I cannot say but he is different now. He is changed… and I love him." He grandfather looked shocked, "I will tell you… just listen," and with that she told him her story of meeting the count and learning to see beyond his reputation to the man beneath all that.

By the end Abraham was smiling, he still seemed reluctant but, "You truly love him. I see now, no spell could replicate the devotion you have for him." He hugged her tightly, "If you say he is no longer the creature he was I will give him the benefit of the doubt. I wish you to be happy. But where are your sisters?"

"They are not here. They do not know yet, they may not know for a while… I want to tell them, to see them, but I don't want to hurt Vlad." He hugged her tight.

"Do what you feel is right Natalie. You have a good heart and good sense in your head." He chuckled, "I am sure your sisters will understand."

Natalie spent the whole day with her grandfather telling him all about her adventure and catching up with him and her grandmother. That evening they sat at dinner with Vladislaus. Natalie had been worried that her grandfather and love might be at each other's throats all night, surprisingly they got along rather well. After inviting her grandfather to stay for All Hallows, which he politely declined, Natalie bid him good night and kissed Vlad on the cheek.

Days passed and Natalie fretted over the fact that she had still not found the right gown to wear for All Hallows. There was a knock on the door and Aria came in grinning, "I forgot your birthday present so I figured I would give it to you now." She held out a large flat box.

"Oh Aria you didn't have to go to all of that trouble." She said and placed it on the bed and lifted the lid gasping at the contents.

"Well I knew you had no dress yet for tomorrow evening." She grinned, "Do you like it?"

Natalie pulled it out of the box grinning, "Oh Aria it is perfect!" the dress was a lovely violet color the bodice was embroidered with small silver flowers and the neck line dipped just enough to show a little bit of cleavage. It was tasteful and would bring out her eyes beautifully.

Aria embraced the young woman she considered a younger sister, "I am so glad you like it…" then she giggled happily and smiled mischivious, "Just wait until Vladislaus sees you. He will be even more in love than he was before."

Natalie blushed but she smiled happily, she was looking forward to the ball unaware that her rescue party was closing in, already they had entered the city and began to plan their rescue…

A/N: The end...of this chapter! Mwahaha! Sorry again about the lateness T_T

KT: *looks around for dracula and sighes in relief not seeing him*

Dracula: *sneeks up behind KT and whispers in her ear* Looking for me?

KT: *screams and jumps three feet in the air* You stay away from me. You're tricks won't work this time.

Dracula: Oh please it was just one kiss.

KT: *phoenix wright style* HOLD IT! *back to normal* It was two kisses and you made me...*shuts up*

Dracula: Admit that you love me. *smirks* you cannot hide anything from a vampires ears.

KT: *glares* don't make me castrate you.

OKAY PPL! Review please! I am dying for feed back on this chapter. Was bringing in Abe Van Helsing too weird?