Anelie had woken up to the bright rays of sunlight casting into her room a few hours ago, she opened her curtains a little wider to let the sun's light take over every corner of her bedroom. Promising that she would be making breakfast this morning and knowing that Darien would be joining the castle soon she went to work to prepare yet another meal for the people she loved most. Yes, their main meal came mostly from a bag or fresh from the veins of victims they chose but, human food was nice to have scattered around their Vampire Food Pyramid.
Anelie had already been cooking for almost an hour, a big pile of blue and strawberry pancakes was piled high on plates inside the oven to keep fresh.
Bacon now sizzled on the pan and coffee was ready and brewed and for the occasion of the holidays—Anelie's most favorite time of year—she made her family's favorite ginger bread coffee. Something she had become addicted too, but refused to buy from the store so she came up with a way to make it at home.
"I smell bacon," A feminine voice sang Anelie looked over, smiling, knowing who it was immediately.
"Good morning baby," Katherine greeted going over to the stove where her daughter stood, Anelie leaned up and kissed her, "Good morning Mamma, sleep well?"
Katherine nodded taking a seat at the island, "I did, thank you for asking."
"Where's daddy, he isn't still sleeping, is he? Darien is going to be here soon."
Katherine took the mug of warm blood that Anelie slide in front of her, she giggled, "Don't worry he's awake. He'll be down soon he's just taking a quick shower."
Anelie nodded.
Pancakes and bacon were hot and ready, all that was left was to make the eggs, Katherine said that she would take care of it so Anelie could go and make herself look presentable; her mother looked—as always—beautiful just rolling out of bed.
Anelie quickly took a shower, dried and curled her hair, picked out an outfit and did up her make up.
A knock sounded from her door and without asking who it was, Anelie invited them in. The person stepped in and closed the door; Anelie stood between her closet doors going through her selection of dresses.
"Good morning,"
Anelie turned recognizing the voice; she went wide eyed out of surprise, "Darien! I wasn't expecting you for another hour!"
He chuckled
"I was going to look all put together for you" She whined playfully
He laughed and approached her, "You look amazing as you are; I thought I would get to see you in some sexy lingerie this morning though," he joked
Anelie scoffed and slapped his chest, "That's for boyfriend's eyes only—sorry," she teased
Darien shook his head, "You and your little hints,"
Anelie pushed herself away and ended up grabbing a short, red form-fitting dress that was long sleeves and a hood.
Rustling through her drawer she grabbed a pair of black tights, "Let me change I'll be right back," she commanded and shut the door to her bathroom
Darien sighed and shook his head smiling, biting down on his bottom lip.
When Anelie was dressed, she came out to find Darien lounging on her bed, right arm behind his head and legs crosses at his ankles, scrolling through his phone.
Anelie giggled, liking how comfortable he was around her, she climbed onto the bed beside him peeking up his screen, "Whatcha doin'?" She asked,
A grin grew across his face and without peeking up at her he responded, "Facebooking,"
"Do you have one?" He asked
Anelie shook her head, "No, I'm not really a social media person, I barley even pay attention to my cellphone." She admitted
Darien slipped off the bed along with Anelie, "Shall we go eat some pancakes?" Asked Anelie
Darien nodded and tossed his phone back onto her bed, "We shall," he replied, casually grabbing Anelie's hand and entwining their fingers.
The gesture surprised the vampire and caused her to feel butterflies in her stomach but she loved how her hand fit with his.
Together the two made way downstairs where the table was set and everyone was waiting to seat.
Once in the kitchen, Anelie sensed Cassie immediately, she smiled comfortingly over to the human girl, Cassie spoke nothing to her but curiosity over took her when she laid eyes on the boy next to her friend—he looked oddly familiar.
After two hours at the dining room table, Anelie and Darien helped to clean up. Darien met some common ground with Elijah—books and history were their topics. Turns out that hunky, Bulgarian-boy Darien Valko was quite the book worm. Shakespeare was his favorite writer. Though that was a bit cliché even for Anelie.
However, she liked the fact that Darien was getting along well with her family.
"Anelie, hurry, look!"
Anelie walked over to the large, floor to ceiling window in the dining room. Looking out it was clear blue skies and beautiful sun rays, but somehow is this cloudless day, little white dots floated down from the sky.
"That's strange…how is it snowing? There aren't any clouds." Said Anelie, her eyes scanning up at the sky
"Mother nature has a strange way of doing the impossible." Spoke Tatia
She leaned down, both of her hands on Anelie's shoulders, "The work of witches—Bonnie I'm sure wants us to have a white Christmas…didn't you say that was what you wanted for your birthday?" Tatia reminded.
Anelie smiled, "Yes that is what I wanted."
"Darien is a nice young man Princess; you don't find boys like him often—don't let him go, you never know he might just end up being your, Prince."
Anelie gave Tatia a sideways glance, shaking her head, "Just because I'm befriending this boy does not mean him and I will be together. Besides, in this family…happy ends just don't exist. Princess or not."
"I would not be so sure about that Anelie," Spoke another voice entering the room, Anelie and Tatia turned to Katherine and Stefan.
"And why is that?"
Katherine smiled and exchanged glances with Stefan before looking back at Anelie.
Their daughter gave them both a look of confusion, but a small smile peaked through, "What?"
Nights later, Anelie's eyes opened slowly seeing nothing but darkness around her. Her body comfortably sunken into the feather mattress below her, she sighed silently. Her eyes already adjusted and with the help of the full moon that glowed beams of comforting light right into her room she observed the sleeping boy beside her. He looked so innocent—like a sweet little child she smiled softly to herself, her mind shuffling through memories of the past few days.
Since she laid eyes on him—sitting at her desk on the last day of school before break—Anelie knew that there was something very special about him. He was too good to be true from the get-go.
It was four days ago that Darien had come over for the second time, and with that being a very eventful day, Darien had since asked Anelie to be his girlfriend. Yes, it seemed so cliché to ask her something so childish, but Anelie thought it was sweet of him and she accepted with no hesitation. Though at the same time she wondered if it was too soon.
Darien shared that his family, including his four-year old sister at the time was murdered by a serial killer who had been going around Europe targeting families and children. The eldest vampires recalled hearing about that man and hearing about the murders. Darien purposefully tracked down a Vampire when he was thirteen, found when he was fifteen and turned at eighteen. He then found the man that killed his family and tortured him until he was nothing but a head and a torso, screaming out in horrible pain. It was then in such a state Darien left him to die alone.
He missed his family more and Anelie wanted nothing more than to make him feel like he had that once again. Anelie made him stay and he enjoyed her company just as much maybe even more than Anelie enjoyed him being with her.
Anelie thought it was time her parents knew the truth about her new friend, and gave them a peace of mind when informing that Darien too was a Vampire. Born in 1645.
And then, it was last night that he and Anelie shared a very intimate night together. From the beginning Anelie felt more than comfortable around him and Darien was falling hard for this Petrova-Vampire. Touching each other's body and Anelie running her fingers through his hair when they kissed felt incredible; the way Darien gently caressed her body as she laid on top of him. Their warm skin pressed against each other. Electricity sparked through them with every touch that came upon them.
Biting down on her lower lip, she turned over onto her back, realizing that she was still naked under her warm comforter; she shook her head, her grin growing wider and a soft giggle slipping through her lips as she now gazed up at the cluster of green glow-in-the-dark stars on her ceiling.
"Why so smiley?" asked an awakened Darien
Anelie snapped her eyes over to him, her heart racing, she bit down harder on her bottom lip shaking her head slightly, "Just thinking," she replied in a whisper
"What about?" he questioned with growing curiosity in his voice.
Anelie repositioned herself back on her left side, "Us," she answered simply Darien showed a smile, "Can't get enough huh? You have to do it subconsciously?" He joked
Anelie scoffed and hit his chest playfully; he quickly grabbed her wrist and held it tightly in his grip before she could pull away. Anelie scoffed again and flicked up her eyelids seductively, locking eye contact with him. "What do you think you're doing?" She demanded. He pulled her close making the space between them disappear, "This…" He whispered wrapping his hand around her waist. Gliding the tips of his fingers over the center indent of her back, she took in a sharp breath of air; arching her back. Goosebumps surfacing from head to toe.
Anelie broke the gaze from his eyes and softly touched her lips to his. Gently taking in handfuls on his hair into her hand; Darien licked Anelie's bottom lip, asking for permission to enter. Anelie obliged by opening her mouth wider allowing him an all access that was far from needing permission.
Darien pulled away from Anelie, gazing into her brown moon pools once again, he whispered, "Happy Birthday, Princess,"
Anelie smiled, "Merry Christmas, Darien,"
He leaned in once again; their lips meeting and not to again part for what felt like a wonderful eternity.
Katherine
It was Christmas morning, the atmosphere felt warm and happy—full of life so to speak. Everyone except Anelie and Darien were awake and I, being the impatient person that I was could not sit still.
Today marks the five-hundred and twentieth birthday of my Princess, Anelisia. And what I wanted most was to watch her open presents and love on her.
"Katherine stop fidgeting," demanded Tatia, "She will be down soon, if not in the next twenty minutes we will all go wake her up ourselves."
I sighed smiling, "I'm sorry—it's just an exciting day that's all."
"We know, we know—its Anelie's birthday today and she's how old again?" Asked Elena
I shook my head smiling bringing the mug of warm blood to my lips, "You don't wanna know." I stated before taking a nice long drink.
"No seriously, I'm curious." Elena pushed
I flicked up my eyes at Elena over the ridge of my coffee mug, bringing it away and licking my lips, "I'll let her tell you—she loves to tell people." I said with a grin
Elena shook her head chuckling
Footsteps were heard descending the staircase and just a moment later walked in the birthday girl and Darien hand in hand.
"Happy Birthday!" We all exclaimed in unison.
Anelie smiled big and laughed running into my arms.
"Честит рожден ден my love" I told her
"Thank you, Весела Коледа Мамо." She replied before I leaned down and gave her a kiss.
She's Five-hundred and Twenty…Damn I'm old.
That's how many years it's been since the day Anelie was born, but, the memory that came along with her birth was the day that I told Trevor about how he was going to be a father—I still—to this day—remember vividly the smile he put on when I had finally told him; how happy he was to be told that he was going to have a child.
"Katerina, no matter what—I'll stand by you the entire way through this." Trevor assured.
Katerina had insisted they go for a stroll around the gardens. It was spring, late April. The sun was shining and the beautiful pink color of Cherry Blossoms filled and covered the garden.
"I do not want you to think—that just because we are expecting a baby means you have to ask for my hand. I love you Trevor, but I do not want to—,"
Trevor chuckled and shook her head, "I had been thinking of a future with you the moment I laid eyes on you for the first time, Katerina. I love you so much and this child is proof of that love."
Katerina smiled softly leaning into the hand of Trevor that was brought up to caress her cheek, "What will Niklaus say when he finds out? And Elijah—," Katerina began
"I promise, you will not have to worry about him darling; all you do need to worry about is keeping yourself and the baby healthy and happy. Not a moment of stressing I mean it."
Katerina nodded, "I will not I promise."
"Good," Trevor spoke with a smile and he took her chin gently between his thumb and index finger bringing her lips to meet his.
"Mama?" chimed the gentle voice of Anelie, I looked up meeting her gaze, "Yes sweetie?"
"You were all spacy…is everything alright?" She asked
I nodded quickly, "Yes everything is perfect; I was just thinking."
She smiled and put her hand over mine, "I may not remember much of him—but I do miss him. Although I keep thinking about when he died…it's on repeat in my head,"
I had grown worried when Anelie informed me about this. He father was killed by Klaus, right in front of her. He did not care that Trevor's daughter was watching. In fact, he made her watch. He made the both of us watch, Anelie was eight.
We all sat in the living room, the big tree off in the corner lite with Red lights and ornaments collected from over the centuries.
Darien and Anelie were cozied up together on the couch which was weird for all of us to see her with a boy but we were going to have to adjust quickly. I could tell Darien felt something very special for Anelie and vice versa
Today was truly a relax day for everyone; No vampire drama, no fighting between Cassie and Anelie and we were all happy and to my surprise, they were getting along; chatting away at silly little things.
I leaned up cupping my hand around the side of my mouth bringing it to Stefan's ear, "Should we give Anelie her birthday present?"
"There's more?" Stefan joked I nodded laughing, "Yeah…remember—those things I found."
Stefan nodded, "Yes, I remember. Okay well should we bring her upstairs then?"
"Anie, sweetie, will you be ever so kind and come with me for a moment? Elena, Tatia you too." I commanded
Anelie nodded and got out of Darien's arms, "Awe, I was so comfortable." Darien joked
Anelie giggled, "I'll be right back—chit chat with Cassie and everyone in the meantime."
Darien leaned up and they shared a short and sweet kiss before Anelie finally was freed to follow us.
"Where are we going Mom?"
I looked down at her as she brought her arms around my torso, "It's a surprise,"
"Another one?"
I laughed
"We can't spoil you enough my dear," I said
I put my hands over her eyes as we got closer to our destination; I looked over at Elena to open the door for us. She did and we led Anelie inside, Tatia behind us.
"Oh, come on momma, I wanna see! What could this possibly be?" She demanded with a giggle
Stefan picked up a square red crushed-velvet pillow
"Okay, ready?" I asked
Anelie nodded and brought her hands over mine, she quickly took my hands away from her eyes and paused
Stefan was smiling
Anelie dropped my hands and took a step forward, she brought her hand up and touched the cool white gold object, "It's beautiful," She finally said whispering.
"It was given to me on my coronation day; I found it and thought that you should have it."
"But I already have a tiara—,"
"You are no longer just a Princess Anelisia; long ago you were supposed to be Queen. Even though our family no longer rules Bulgaria you are still a rightful young Queen in my eyes."
"In all of ours." Said Stefan
Anelie looked back at him and smiled
"Thank you," She said giving him yet another hug before looking back to me, "There is one more thing," I said going over to a large armoire across the room in the corner
"How much more is there?" Anelie asked
"Just this," I replied and opened the doors
"Oh wow, how gorgeous!" Exclaimed Anelie with a wide smile
"Can I put it on, please?!"
I laughed and nodded, "of course,"
Anelie turned to Stefan, "Did you know about this?"
He nodded, "For a while now."
Anelie held on her lips a permanent smile that everyone loved—that we all missed; with everything that was happening with Kiara and her psychotic family and even with the death of Mystic Falls, we had not seen that beautiful smile until today.
I know this chapter is SUPER cheesy, but it represents in full what their family life is like when everything (for the most part) is happy-go-lucky. And personally, I love the cheesiness. And a little Katherine cheesiness is never a bad thing when she's playing Mommy.
Xoxo