Ooooooooooo - that's a message I found in my cereal. Might have been weetos.

-YD-

Ingrid knew he loved her. And she wasn't running. Vlad could hardly believe his luck. Testing limits, he kissed her softly. Ingrid responded, smooth hand splaying over his cheek and hints of tongue tipping it from gentle to foreplay. They had years to make up for after all.

Clothes loosened and joined the growing pile of discarded fabric on the floor, Ingrid's nerves peeking through when her stomach was bared to him again.

"If the marks bother you, we can get rid of them. Wolfie was covered in them after growing six feet in six years. If you think they bother me, you're crazy."

There were faint tremors still when he ran his hands over her torso, but Ingrid seemed to compose herself within a few minutes, waiting for Vlad to kick off his trousers before climbing into his lap, kissing and nipping along his exposed throat with abandon not usually allowed on the Grand High Vampire. He didn't care.

Impatience and arousal grew as she rocked against him a little, rubbing herself against his erection until Vlad was leaking sticky and copious as she tormented him. Eventually, even Ingrid couldn't hold out anymore, raising herself up to let Vlad position himself, feeling Ingrid's wet, slick hole welcome him inside her.

The angle offered next to no leverage, but Ingrid made little back and forth motions, forehead resting against his and it was powerful in its slow intimacy, leaving his head spinning. His hands rested loosely on her hips, but Vlad happily let her take the lead, enjoying the way she fucked herself long and deep and slow, the breathless kisses she bestowed upon him between hot, needy whines.

When Ingrid's face tightened slightly, close as they were, Vlad noticed. Paying closer attention, he noticed she was struggling a little with the position and realised it had been a while - she was sore from before. Rather than highlight what could well make her feel sub-par, Vlad gripped her hips to still her and nudged her jaw with his mouth until she turned her face to kiss him.

She still whined in frustration when he slipped free of her body, guiding her down to lie on her back and slotting back into place. Rather than push inside her again, Vlad felt a surge of nostalgia for the way they had first fooled around as he encouraged her to tighten her thighs around his hips, rocking them to frot against her clit with his hyper-sensitive erection.

Ingrid made no complaint, responses just as intense as they had been five minutes ago when she gripped his bicep, tipped her head back when Vlad mouthed and teethed teasingly at the spots on her neck he still remembered were sensitive. Vlad kept his fangs back, certain there was no way he was in control enough not to bite Ingrid right now and knowing she deserved better than him forcing an eternal bond between them on her.

"So close Ingrid, you're so fucking hot."

She whimpered, one hand fisting in his hair as they kissed again and again, then she was trembling all over and Vlad felt the heat wash over him as he followed her into bliss. Her fingers loosened slowly, mouths brushing together softly as they came down from their shared high.

"I knew there was a reason we didn't do this naked."

Vlad knew what she was referring to - he had all but exploded between their stomachs, sticky and messy and some juvenile part of his mind enjoyed seeing Ingrid covered in his come, like a mark on her skin from him.

"Sorry, I will endeavour to stop part way through and leave the bed for underwear in future."

"Idiot."

Ingrid swatted at the back of his head, watching in slight confusion when Vlad winked before ducking down and dragging his tongue through the mess on her stomach. He wasn't a huge fan of his own ejaculate, but given how many times Lukas came in his mouth most nights he stayed over, Vlad wasn't exactly scared of it anymore - and Ingrid had regularly kissed him immediately after swallowing his load, so there was that. He used his discarded t-shirt to wipe the leftover residue off, then licked his lips to ensure there wasn't any there.

"That's not the first time you've done that."

"It isn't usually my own."

He watched the cogs turn, watched as she realised what he was alluding to.

"Let me guess. You fucked the werewolf."

He hadn't planned it to be so blunt when she found out, or when they were still flooded with afterglow. Even so, Ingrid let him wrap an arm over her waist, so she couldn't be too angry.

"Yeah. I wouldn't have gotten through the last few years without him."

Ingrid cocked her head, considering his words.

"How do you mean?"

"He helped when my transformation was tough, he practically moved in for a while when it was obvious I was about to lose my mind raising Ana and Wolfie. Made me talk about what was bothering me. And he definitely helped in winning over my mum and George when he told them he was half werewolf. He's... he's been a good friend."

"Friend?"

"Yeah. We talked about it, agreed that to stick labels on it would be asking for trouble. When he's here visiting Wolfie and Ana I usually end up in his room, but mostly we just hang out. Plus" Vlad took a deep breath, knowing he was making himself yet more vulnerable with her "he's always known I was missing you."

"And the other one hundred and ninety nine?"

Vlad wasn't specifically ashamed of enjoying sex and having a bit of a 'back catalogue', though he was by no means proud of that time right after his transformation, but admitting it to Ingrid still had him feeling a little... guilty.

"I always said I wasn't looking for long-term. Always used condoms. You're the only person I've gone unprotected with ever, including Lukas."

"Why?"

"For one, any vampiress who came near me was usually hoping they could get pregnant with my kid and force me to marry them. Two, I didn't exactly ask for their sexual history before I was in them. Three, neither me or Lukas are, or were exactly monogamous, using condoms was for both our protection. And last... I made a sort of promise with myself back when we were teens that it would only ever be you I went for no barriers with."

"And yet you have a daughter and are being forced into marriage in a different way?"

"Yeah, how did Ana happen? I wouldn't change her being here for anything, she's perfect. But I thought you were using a potion."

"I was. I must have missed a day, or you must be ridiculously fertile. Or both."

Vlad still had the note, the one Ingrid had left with Ana. The question had lingered on his tongue for hours now and rushed out of him before he could stop it.

"You were there that night, weren't you?"

"I had to make sure it was you who took her."

Tears rose, unbidden and Vlad felt his shoulders shake as a choked sob fought it's way up to his throat. He managed to contain it, but at the cost of more words breaking free.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I lied to you and I'm sorry you missed out on seeing the beautiful child we created growing up."

Ingrid pressed a hand over his mouth, eyes hard on his.

"Don't. I don't want to talk about it, I don't want to drag up what happened back then and find myself itching to leave again. I want to know my..." she sighed a little "our daughter. I want to stay, but please don't remind me why I left in the first place." She thought for a second or two longer before adding "and never lie to me again."

Vlad could only nod, but Ingrid let him burrow into her neck and inhale her sweet scent, let him fight to get his raging emotions under control and cling tightly to her. He didn't dare hope for forgiveness, but then he had never expected that. Ana was why she would stay... but she would still be here. He clung to that, shoved the swirls of guilt back in their box for now.

"Tell me. Tell me what to do here. I'll play by your rules Ingrid, but I need to know what they are."

Ingrid sighed, but didn't pull away from him.

"Don't bring up me leaving. I want to decide when Ana finds out I'm her mother. I'll think of more later."

Feeling Ingrid lace their fingers together where his hand was lazily resting against her hip, he nodded.

"Whatever you want. I can't promise the humans won't ask about both of those things though, because I've never talked much about you or Ana's mother to them."

"Why?"

Fingers tightened around Ingrid's automatically, as though he was worried she would vanish from his life if he let go for a second.

"It hurt too much. And I was scared they would realise that you and the mystery mother were one and the same."

She hummed in acknowledgment, then grimaced as she stretched next to him.

"I need a bath."

Unwilling to sacrifice their current position, but even more unwilling to risk upsetting Ingrid, Vlad nodded and slid from the bed, pulling on shorts out of habit.

"Why are you getting dressed for a bath?"

"I wasn't aware I was invited."

The trademark smirk that curled up over her mouth made Vlad's dead heart spasm, like it wanted to beat again. He held out his hand to help her up, mostly because he was still getting used to her being within touching distance constantly as she pushed into his personal space, pressing against him in a way he had missed so much.

Aside from bathing Ana - in which he had always worn boxer shorts, usually while Wolfie giggled nearby - Vlad hadn't taken a bath for a long time either. So many things served to remind him of Ingrid, painful and raw no matter how much time passed. As hot water enveloped his skin, contrasted headily by Ingrid's cool body where she lazed against him, Vlad half-wished he could stay there forever.

"How long until Ana wakes up?"

Glancing where his watch rested out of water-damage range, Vlad calculated.

"A few hours yet. I should get some work done, but you are immensely distracting."

"Don't blame me for your poor work ethic."

They stayed that way for a while, silent and close. Vlad would happily have stayed in this bubble forever, except he knew Ingrid wanted to know about their daughter and prompted her gently.

"She likes you already, you know."

If he had been talking about anyone else, her response would have been something along the lines of 'everybody does', but not here. Ingrid was still insecure and on foreign ground when it came to any relationship with their daughter, which meant her response was a shaky

"Really?"

Pressing a kiss to her shoulder, Vlad ached for all the wasted time. Ana had deserved better than what he could offer her alone, and it was his fault she didn't know her mother, his fault she had looked up at him with sadness and asked if her mother loved her.

"Really. When she said she couldn't find her dress? She hadn't actually picked one yet, so when I asked what one she wanted her answer was 'one like Ingrid's. She's really pretty!' which is high praise. She's so like both of us, and I see so much of you in her every single day."

Ingrid shifted from his lap, cleaning herself in the rapidly-cooling bathwater - their cold core temperatures would speed the process. Vlad followed suit, forced himself into clean clothes and restricted himself to only kissing Ingrid gently, then took her hand and led her out of the sanctuary of his private quarters. It would be too easy to just end up in bed together again.

The reading room off his office had practicalities - chaise lounge seating, for when Vlad still had work to do but couldn't stick sitting at his desk any longer, bookcases aplenty for study material when he was drafting new laws. Now, it could serve as somewhere still private but not so much they could be careless.

"Tell me about her."

Guiding Ingrid into one of the seats, Vlad sat across from her - they couldn't be caught in a compromising position if they weren't in one to begin with. He could talk about Ana for days, but forced himself to narrow it down a little at first - Ingrid had time to learn for herself.

"She's cheeky, and funny. Smart as a whip, she has been bossing me and Wolfie around since she could talk. Has everyone wrapped around her little finger in seconds. Her first word after 'dada' was 'bat', and her favourite colour is purple. Loves to cause trouble, has enough energy for five and faster than a bat out of hell. Has a lot of your little mannerisms, like the way she bites her lip and sticks her tongue out, and loves to draw me pictures. Just like you did for dad. Knows she's a princess."

Ingrid reacted to each new fact, a smile, a smirk, eyes lighting up as she heard how much of their daughter was like her regardless of not being there. Even so, she was ravenous for more.

"What else? How is she like you?"

"She sleeps with a teddy bear. Loves making friends. Plays in the sunshine, and she can already ride a bike. Messy, I tidy her room properly with her every week and by the next day she's turned it upside down. She loves school, does her homework with minimal persuasion. Oh, and she climbs like a monkey, I have lost count how many times she comes home with ripped tights or leaves in her hair, giggling as Wolfie complains she was up a tree in the time it took him to blink."

"Why Ana?"

Vlad raised an eyebrow, surprised she had to ask.

"You don't remember? That was always what you used to call your imaginary child when we were little. Baby girl Ana, and baby boy Isaac."

"No, I remembered. I just... I wanted to know if that was why."

Vlad smiled, mostly to himself.

"Kind of funny really. You picked names with the same first initials as us."

"Ana and Vlad start with different letters."

Ingrid looked perplexed, like Vlad had genuinely lost it.

"You forget, dad gave me that name. I was born Adam Giles."

After a few seconds, Ingrid nodded to show she understood. Overall, she seemed relatively... accepting? of his half-human status, but right now he put it down mostly to her being far more concerned with the girl she had missed five years of. Vlad's willingness to simply pick up where they left off 'relationship'-wise, and to talk about their daughter - they were secondary really.

Vlad had a lightbulb moment, flitting to and from the main room in the time it took Ingrid to look utterly perplexed. Handing over the thick leatherbound folder, Ingrid flipped it open hesitantly but he saw her face change instantly.

"Here. Lukas gave me a camera and photo album, told me to make sure he could see what he had missed when he wasn't here."

They started pretty soon after the move to Surrey, when Ana was barely six months old. Wolfie still only looked eight or nine back then, his rapid development obvious even from one months picture to the next. There were photos of each of Ana's birthday parties, her first steps, first smiles, first bite. Even her first day of school, pouting and Vlad remembered her complaining that she couldn't talk about being a vampire at school.

Ingrid was clearly absorbed, so Vlad grabbed a report he had yet to finish and sat opposite her, working to pass the time more than anything, let Ingrid have her moment seeing how their little girl grew up.

"What is that?"

Craning his neck, Vlad laughed when he saw the picture Ingrid pointed at - it was a mostly obscured photo, with Ana laughing visible in the corner.

"That is George. Or her hair at least, she was showing Ana and Wolfie the static from balloons and I have to say, her hair could probably take over the world if it wanted to."

Ingrid shook her head in disbelief, turning the page so Vlad went back to his work, eyeing his watch as he waited for it to be time for Ana to launch herself out of bed and into the attention of the mother she didn't know yet. He caught sight of the little number that told the date, realising what was coming up - he had been too lost in Ingrid to pay attention properly.

"Bats!"

"What?"

"You're very distracting. I've just remembered my fiancee" he spat the word, hating the prospect more and more each time he thought about it "and her father are coming over tonight. I hate having them anywhere near my family."

"Perfect."

For once, Ingrid didn't seem to be saying it sarcastically. Stunned, Vlad stared at her.

"Unless she's madly in love with you, my guess is her father is leading the charge in this betrothal of yours?"

Vlad nodded, stomach squirming pleasantly when Ingrid smirked.

"And how do you plan to do anything about it?"

Ingrid moved fast, kneeling over his lap and teasing her mouth in front of his but denying him the contact he craved.

"You think there's a man I can't bend to my whim?"

"Yes. I do."

Ingrid faltered, and Vlad hurried to finish the thought before she became hurt.

"Wolfie. Obviously."

He paid for the remark as Ingrid pinched harshly at his nipple, but she was smirking again as she kissed him, hands resting on his shoulders while his wrapped around her waist. The idea of being careful where they could be found easily faded as Ingrid melted into him, head swimming as he was reminded how well they fit against the other.

They broke apart, panting slightly when Vlad's watch beeped to say Ana would soon be awake, and they should get moving. Indulging in her sweet mouth once more, Vlad guided her back off his lap, nuzzling at her neck to inhale her scent before forcing himself to stand up. He was still adjusting to her being right there, close enough to touch and taste and feel.

"Come on. She'll be less shy this morning now she knows who you are."

That was all the push Ingrid needed to shift moods, so Vlad picked up the picture book to put away safely, then took Ingrid's outstretched hand and they sped to the main communal area of the castle. In the kitchen, Ingrid took in the strange gadgets, which Vlad explained as he went.

"Coffee maker. Lukas is responsible for most of these, he hates British instant coffee. So he bought that and makes it with grounds... it is good coffee. Drink?"

He held out the chilled bottle of French Peasant 1572, knowing Ingrid had barely imbibed a thing since she arrived. She took it, already spying the goblet cupboard Vlad was digging through to decant his soy into.

"Mmm, you don't know what you're missing."

Vlad could recognise the look in Ingrid's eyes from the moon, finding himself pinned to the counter with her vintage-tasting mouth on his. The blood was nothing compared to the heady flavour of Ingrid beneath it, completely stealing any thought coherence until a voice forced them apart.

"Come on Vlad, in the kitchen?"

Wolfie stumbled in, oblivious to the guilty caught looks on their faces as he reached for the glass next to the sink, filling it with water and guzzling it down. By the time he resurfaced, taking in their expressions, he sighed then shook his head.

"Did you think I would be surprised? I remember when I was younger, and it doesn't take a genius to know she's Ana's mother. But seriously, be careful. Dunno how your mother would take it."

His vocal chords seemed to have completely vanished, silence reigning as Vlad stared after Wolfie leaving the kitchen.

"He's got a point. Move it mongrel boy."

Vlad didn't have the capacity to be offended by her remark, as he could hear the excitable footsteps of Ana barrelling down her bedroom stairs to find him. How she never hurt herself was a mystery - even if they had put a shock absorbing mat at the bottom of the steps just in case.

"Daddy!"

He was back in the room just in time, Ana and Mr Cuddles the second leaping into his arms wearing coffin-patterned pyjamas and a beaming grin.

"Morning angel. Sleep well?"

"Yeah! Hi Ingrid! Guess what today is?"

Ingrid didn't know what to say, but tried anyway - not missing the opportunity of Ana instigating any sort of conversation.

"Friday?"

"Yep! Means tomorrow is Saturday and that's my favourite day!"

"Oh? Why's that?"

"No homework to do and I get to spend all day with daddy." She stopped, chewing her pouty little lip for a second before she added more. "You can come too I guess, if you like colouring and making stuff. Sometimes aunt George joins in but she likes uncle Wolfie and they go off together to smoochy smooch."

That was news to Vlad.

"What makes you say that Ana banana?"

"Not a banana. I saw them! They were in the arty room and uncle Wolfie kept giggling. They didn't see me though. Shhhh!"

Ingrid looked slightly overwhelmed by the whirlwind of energy, so Vlad pressed a kiss to their daughters head and sent her to get washed up and dressed - every day started with daddy hugs before anything else. The unfortunate times Vlad had to be away in the morning for his job, she would be absolutely glued to him by the evening, even falling asleep there to ensure she got her cuddle quota.

"Did you not know they were a thing?"

"I knew it was a matter of time, but I'm surprised at the suddeness. You are welcome to join in tomorrow if you want, Ana loves to paint and draw ever since she found out 'grandma Sally' is an artist."

Ana was friendly by nature, and she definitely didn't understand the magnitude of offering to spend her favourite day with Ingrid. Still, Vlad was pleasantly surprised just how quick Ana had taken to Ingrid, soothing an irrational fear she wouldn't like her, which would absolutely break Ingrid's heart. He had her breakfast out just in time for Ana to reappear in half of her uniform, tie hung loosely over her blouse and pyjama bottoms.

"Daaaaad?"

"Yes angel?"

"Can we have pizza tomorrow?"

Her Ingrid-esque manner of asking for Vlad's favourite food made his heart swell a little, loving the way she was a perfect blend of the two of them.

"Ooooh, I don't know about that."

Ana abandoned her breakfast to wriggle into Vlad's lap, putting on her best pleading face complete with petulant little pout.

"Please?"

Ingrid looked... sad, knowing she didn't have the easy, there-since-birth bond he and Ana shared. Thinking fast, he gave her a wink, then leaned down to whisper dramatically to Ana.

"Why not go ask Ingrid to help you convince me?"

She jumped to the ground, then clambered up onto Ingrid's lap with no preamble. Surprise melted into a pure enjoyment as Ana cupped her small hand over Ingrid's ear, then whispered simply.

"Make him say yes!"

It was probably good nobody else was in the room, because with their matching pouts and identical eyes, Ana looked like a perfect miniature of Ingrid. He knew he was biased, since his mother thought Ana looked a lot like him, but then he knew both girls faces better than anyone.

"Oh, alright then. Eat your breakfast darling, then go finish getting dressed."

"Yay! Thanks Ingrid."

Ingrid had to turn away to hide a flash of tears, but looked totally composed by the time Ana was done eating choco-bat cereal. She held up the empty bowl as proof she was done, then dashed off.

"Told you she likes you. She knows better than to jump on strangers, so you've already passed that line."

"Everyone likes me."

Ingrid winked, and if they weren't about to have company Vlad would have caved to his desire to kiss that beautiful smile currently residing on her face. He heard the sounds of his mother and George waking and starting their day, heard Ana had left her door open by the sounds of her chatting away to Mr Cuddles about the upcoming Saturday excitement.

"No homework?"

"She has to do it on Sunday, but Saturday is all about spending time together. Sometimes mum and George take her out for the day, but she loves just making a mess with paint and spending the day with me."

"And she's inherited your love of breather food."

Vlad held up the cereal boxes, winning an amused laugh from his sister as she saw the names and shapes of otherwise perfectly normal breather cereal.

"How even..."

"A little collaboration, a little hypnosis, a little financial incentive. And we have a product that appeases vampire parents without forcing five year olds to eat things their bodies haven't learnt to digest yet. Ana loves her crunchy mice."

Ana had rushed back into the room, fully dressed and long hair sweeping around her face again before Sally and George had surfaced. Wolfie appeared with multiple mugs of coffee, which was unusual - as was the almost-dopey smile George gave him with her thanks. Their mother was too sleepy to notice, but Ana was grinning knowingly - as was Ingrid. Seems their clever little daughter was right.

Vlad sipped his drink - at least Wolfie knew how to use the coffee machine from his uncle, and it was a nice brew - and let the others wake up a little. Ingrid watched Ana intently reading her picture book about princesses. A very serious subject for the little girl. Much like Ingrid really - she was the princess of darkness.

"Is the grumpy lady coming back? She doesn't like me."

"The grumpy lady?"

Vlad knew instantly who Ana was referring to - her future stepmother.

"She means Adze. As it happens, she and her father are visiting tonight. So..."

"We'll spend the evening in the game room, don't worry."

He hated how they had to do so, wished he had been able to shake Adze sooner. His daughter shouldn't be fearing the potential addition to her family. Lifting her into a cuddle, Vlad held her close and silently promised to protect her from the fallout. Ingrid looked at the two of them, and he knew what she was saying without speaking.

They would both fix this for her sake.

Vlad had always been certain Ingrid leaving Ana with him had never been about not wanting to be there for their daughter, and the fire in her eyes, her desperate need to know the girl, it just solidified that feeling. Ingrid wanted a relationship with her, and Vlad was only too happy to help them build it. Ana deserved that just as much.

"Did you tell Wolfie I saw him and George being smoochy?"

"No, but now you have haven't you?"

Ana giggled cheekily, offering her most innocent smile to her aunt and uncle when they stared at her in shock. Oh, she was so Ingrid's daughter at times like this.

"I don't know why you're fussing George, it's no surprise to me. Or Vlad, by the looks of it. Now come on, get ready for college."

As everyone got ready, and Ana kissed his cheek before clambering up onto uncle Wolfie's back, it left Vlad and Ingrid alone. With Adze and her father visiting that night, and then tomorrow being his day with Ana, Vlad knew it was going to be a while before he would get any sleep. So the sensible thing to do? Go to sleep.

Still, when Ingrid pinned him to his bed, kissing him so thoroughly it almost hurt, he wasn't sure sleep mattered so much. He had a suspicion this particular reward was for the moment he gave her with Ana, because Ingrid hated talking about most things, in particular her feelings. Vlad was just glad they made it to his room, as he heard the upstairs main door open. His mum knew he went to sleep when Ana went to school, so his speedy disappearance wasn't unusual.

Panting as she released his mouth, Vlad felt his head swim with the overpowering need only Ingrid was capable of bringing out in him. They stripped each other slowly, and Vlad somehow convinced Ingrid to let him take his time on her, exploring the body he had missed so much and memorizing the curves, the sensitive spots all over again. He took pride in her quivering limbs, soft moans, her seemingly endless responsiveness beneath his touch, his mouth as he brought her to multiple peaks of pleasure.

Fuck, he loved her so much.

Ingrid was beautifully exhausted by it all, letting Vlad hold her close as he stole the few hours left to get what sleep he could, ignoring the irritation he felt at the thought of that night. She audibly complained when his alarm woke them, until Vlad reminded her it meant Ana would be home soon. That was plenty motivation to see her shower and dress alongside him, mapping the faint scars on his neck with hesitant fingers but saying nothing of them.

"Ana you little monster, slow down!"

He could hear Wolfie from lower down the front path to their castle, no doubt chasing an energetic bundle of little girl who zoomed around the place. Vlad imagined she would be so fast it was invisible when she transformed at sixteen.

"No! You have to catch me!"

Her sweet little voice lifted his heart, and soon enough she came dashing into the room, expecting to see her daddy there as ever. Perfectly timed with daily practice, Vlad caught her as she leapt at him, holding her close as she giggled happily.

"Did you ditch uncle Wolfie?"

"Not my fault he's too slow to catch me."

Ingrid smiled behind Ana, making Vlad's stomach flutter at the unrivalled joy Ingrid already gained from their daughter. He had raised a girl who's mother was proud of her already - Ana was his biggest and best achievement.

"Go get changed then princess, remember to bring down your uniform to go in the wash. I would say it's bath night but no point if you're going to get covered in pizza and paint tomorrow."

Calling Ana 'princess' was the best way to ensure she definitely did as she was told, watching her charge off to her room to change for the afternoon. Ingrid watched, barely able to tear her eyes away from the perfect little girl they had made as confused, messed up teenagers with lopsided feelings.

Wolfie greeted them quietly as he passed, heading to his room to undoubtedly change out of his work overalls.

"She's... wow. You've done a good job with her."

"I had good raw material. She's ours."

Ingrid didn't have time to answer before the door went again, admitting George and Sally Giles into the building.

"Hey mum. Hey George."

"Vladdo! And... Ingrid! I remembered!"

Ingrid was still clearly at a loss with the humans - Vlad didn't blame her. All they really knew about each other were that Ingrid had left, and Vlad had discovered them later on. They had no idea Ingrid had been undeniably pulled back to the castle by the call to see her daughter - Vlad's daughter.

She managed a stiff nod in their direction, then resumed trying not to stare at the staircase Ana would reappear on very soon. The little girl in question came barreling down soon after, dressed in a sparkly purple dress, her fluffy monster slippers and a beaming grin as she clambered up onto Vlad's lap without a seconds preamble.

"Daddy daddy daddy!"

"What what what?"

Ana giggled, launching into a dramatic recount of her day at school and keeping everyone in the room utterly enraptured. When she found out she, George and Wolfie were all having a sleepover in the games room that night, Ana was thrilled. She didn't have to know it was because that room also happened to be treated specially to prevent a vampire entering if the person in there didn't want them to. That information was only within the castle - so nobody could lock themselves in with the humans and keep Vlad out.

He told Ingrid though, trusting her innately when she asked "why the games room?"

"I better get dressed, dinners almost cooked."

"You have to dress up for your future wife?"

"I don't have to, but Adze checks me out too much in these jeans. She isn't big on my suit, complained to the VHC I better have a properly tailored, fitted one for the binding."

Ingrid gave him the once over, humming approvingly and Vlad knew a minute of vanity that she liked what she saw - despite the fact he had recently been in bed with her and treated to very obvious evidence she considered him appealing.

When he had the suit on - and Ingrid had changed into a dress Vlad was fairly certain should be illegal, as it was unbelievably close fitted and emphasized every flawless curve - they were both eyeing each other hungrily.

"She might not like it, but you're keeping it on after she leaves."

Swallowing thickly, Vlad wondered if the suit would survive the heat in Ingrid's gaze as they headed back out. Ana knew daddy's special clothes must be kept glitter free, washing her hands and waiting to be in her pyjamas before she settled in his arms for her goodnight cuddle.

"You be good for aunt George and uncle Wolfie, ok?"

"I will daddy, you be good for grumpy lady. And Ingrid, you come to make stuff tomorrow ok?"

Ingrid nodded, almost freezing in surprise when Ana reached across for a hug from her. She may not know it, but Vlad certainly felt like their daughter was responding to some deep rooted but unknown instinct of their blood relation, naturally trusting and liking Ingrid despite having not known her three days, and knowing most of Vlad's visitors were not to be interacted with unless he said so.

"Come on little princess, me and George have set it all up with your favourite movies."

"Awesome! Let's go! Oh, wait, I gotta brush my teeth!"

Ingrid quirked an eyebrow at Vlad, clearly amused by their daughter needing no convincing of oral hygiene - Vlad had been (rather disgustingly) avoidant of such things almost the entire time in Transylvania. He had sort of hoped if he rotted his fangs enough he couldn't bite anyone.

"Good plan. I'll take her, you two go get your pjs on."

George and Wolfie scattered to get ready for the pyjama party as Sally headed off with Ana to get her teeth clean - there was a bathroom off the games room, but Ana's toothbrush was still up in her room. Vlad didn't relax until they were all safely locked in the games room, after a wide grin from Ana to show her teeth were done that made Vlad practically melt with his deep love for his daughter.

"Congratulations by the way. Once she starts hugging you she may never stop."

"You've managed to make a future hellraiser like me who's as soft as you."

Vlad grinned - that was a compliment to him. Now they were safely alone again, Ingrid's eyes went back to his suit, back to practically undressing him with her eyes and Vlad had bats flapping in his stomach pleasantly. Somehow despite his valiant efforts to resist, Vlad found himself neatly fitting between Ingrid's thighs where she sat up on the table, kissing her deeply before moving to mouth at her neck. He didn't doubt for a moment they could have thrown caution to the wind and risked getting caught right there where they usually ate - before the door knocked.

"Damnit. Can I just kill your fiance?"

"Ha, tempting. Sadly not, it would make for a messy end. And not the fun kind."

Ingrid rolled her eyes, straightening her dress and running a thumb around her lips to check for smears. Satisfied she looked flawless as ever, Ingrid glared toward the door for good measure before helping herself to blood. There was one upside to their interrupted fooling around - Ingrid was pouring pheromones, sweet and tempting. If she planned to work her charms on Ramanga, there wouldn't be a chance in hell he could resist her.

Vlad couldn't either, leaning in to inhale at her neck for a minute.

"Lucifer, you smell good."

"Mmm. Save it mongrel boy, your wife is here."

He growled in annoyance, finding the thought of Adze an incredibly effective arousal killer as he headed toward the door. He caught Adze giving his suit a distasteful look before the usual fake smile plastered across her face and the curtsey. Ramanga had his usual scowl in place, grating at the fact he had to wait to be invited in.

Vlad led them through, and both Adze and Ramanga instantly noticed Ingrid. He let them stew for a minute, catching the spark in Ingrid's eyes and deciding he better distract himself.

"Ramanga, Adze. My sister, Ingrid Dracula. Ingrid, this is my betrothed, Adze and her father."

Ingrid didn't curtsey, merely inclined her head from behind her goblet. He caught the smirk curling on one side of her mouth, knew the gaze she dragged over Ramanga was calculated. Amongst her many talents, Ingrid knew how to feign a very realistic interest. Vlad only knew it was fake because he knew how she really looked when she wanted something.

"How come we've never met before?"

"Adze, mind your manners."

Vlad cringed inwardly as her father remonstrated her quietly - he would never talk to Ana in that tone of voice. Couldn't imagine much worse than putting that deferential, learned-servitude look on his little girls face as Adze dropped her eyes.

"Yes father."

"Dispense with the formalities Ramanga, this is supposed to be a quiet dinner and Adze is entitled to ask."

The muscle twitched in his jaw - suppressed anger and irritation.

"Of course. I am most thirsty."

"Allow me."

Vlad had to fight a snort of amusement at that sickly sweet voice Ingrid was putting on, offering Ramanga a goblet full of vintage blood with her mouth tipped up at one side. Even so... it was subtle, Ingrid wasn't saying much or laying it on thick. Just enough that Ramanga could taste the scent of pheromones on the air that attracted, could see the way Ingrid's dress accentuated her every curve, that perfect body.

"Thank you."

She turned, offering Vlad a wink and knowing the eyes on her would drop down her body where the flowing fabric ghosted over her backside. Seduction was an art form, and Ingrid was a master.

"As for why you haven't met me before... I didn't care for small children, left to wait until they were old enough to be less annoying."

It was a total lie, he knew - Ingrid had always loved their little brother, and was so completely taken with their daughter already, had been pulled back to Dracula central for that little angel.

"Understandable. Though as stepdaughters go, Adze could do worse than the Chosen One's daughter. At least she's quiet."

Vlad felt his hand curl into a fist at his side, remembering he had heard it all before. They didn't know Ana. Their opinion didn't matter, Ingrid's did.

"Really? I found her quite spirited, reminds me a little of myself."

He caught Ingrid's half-smile, face currently turned where Ramanga couldn't really see her and took comfort in the genuine praise for their daughter before he swallowed his anger, standing behind Adze's chair and pulling it out for her.

"Shall we?"

Ingrid's chair was pulled out by Ramanga, but it did mean she was sat opposite Vlad at the table and he could surreptitiously stare hungrily at her over an extravagant and frankly disgusting dinner of all sorts of vampire friendly delicacies. Vlad much preferred a home cooked meal, or a pizza but that sadly wasn't appropriate for the supposed 'matchmaking' nights where he and Adze were supposed to get to know each other, strengthen their betrothal.

It was nonsense wrapped around spying and silent threats - it was supposed to remind Vlad he was meant to be faithful, to stop his well-known promiscuous behaviour.

Well... he had cut it down to one now. The one delicately wiping ocelot sauce from the side of her mouth, never once so much as smudging the red paint across her pouting, perfect mouth. Adze and Vlad managed a great deal of awkward silence, but Ramanga couldn't seem to stop talking as Ingrid appeared totally enthralled. Clearly Ramanga didn't notice her slightly glazed expression, the one that said Ingrid was bored rigid but knew better than to act in that way. Vlad had yet to perfect that.

"Father, we must leave."

"Patience Adze."

"No. Sunrise. You know my Saturdays are off limits Ramanga, and if you don't leave now you'll fry on the way back to Transylvania."

Swallowing nausea as Ingrid smiled sweetly when Ramanga kissed her knuckles - and wiped her hand on her dress when he turned away - he eventually managed to kick his fiance and her still-trying-to-watch-Ingrid father out. The door slamming behind them was immensely satisfying, though not nearly as much as Ingrid dragging him into a kiss by his jacket lapels.

"What a creep. Bed. Now."

Brain momentarily short-circuited, Vlad could only nod and make an unintelligible sound as they sped to his room, falling on to his bed and touching, feeling, kissing and as he felt her fangs, biting.

"Impressive acting."

"Mmm. Later."

She yanked his shirt free of his trousers, hands dipping under it to rake over his bare stomach as her hips pressed against his rapidly-hardening erection. Ingrid really liked the suit it seemed. Given his struggle not to stare at her dress all night, Vlad could relate to the built-up arousal of the night. They both worked to get his trousers open, and he felt a fresh surge of heat when he found Ingrid bare beneath her dress - meaning she had gone without underwear all night, a thought that had his cock twitching already.

"You sure you aren't still sore?"

"Don't mock me."

Ingrid glared, rubbing against his cock and moaning softly even as she scowled.

"I'm not, I just don't want to hurt you again."

Her face softened for a fraction of a second, emotions working through the cracks of her facade until both of them were making needy sounds as she sank down his cock, enveloping him in that perfect, silken embrace until they were flush together.

"I'm fine."

As if to drive the point home, Ingrid squeezed around him and drew a choked sound of desperate pleasure, smirking knowingly at him. He didn't much care for being dressed with Ingrid, but the hungry stare she gave his suit and the fact her dress left little to his imagination had Vlad making an exception. If she considered herself out of practice, Vlad couldn't tell - it was just as intense, just as hot and Ingrid moaning as she fucked herself on his cock was the most erotic sight and sound on the planet.

Reaching beneath her dress, Vlad rubbed her clit and enjoyed Ingrid's increasing pitch of whimpering sounds as she drew closer to climax, tightened her muscles around him like he would want anything but to be buried inside her right now.

"Fuck, I missed this."

Vlad wasn't even totally sure he heard right as Ingrid finally teetered off the edge, thighs tight on his hips as she came atop him and dragged Vlad alongside her into bliss. Ingrid lay on top of him for several minutes, little puffs of air against his neck telling Vlad she was still coming down from an intense peak of pleasure, slowly making her way to lie next to him with that soft, post-coital expression on her face.

"Did you actually just admit you missed me?"

"Don't be stupid. I missed the sex, you were an annoying little brother but the sex was always good."

It hurt a little, sure, but Ingrid had rarely ever admitted that she was mutually satisfied with their physical relationship as teenagers - he would take the compliments where he could. Checking his watch, he sighed and nuzzled into her neck again for a minute, enjoying the proximity to her soft, sweet scent.

"Better go shower. Ana doesn't sleep in just because it's Saturday. And because she's in with the others, they'll all be up at six too."

"How is my daughter a morning person? It defies logic."

"Ana defies logic. It's part of her charm. You coming?"

Vlad supposed it was good they had the time, because he almost forgot that they were supposed to just be cleaning up when Ingrid shoved him to his knees, leaning against the bathroom wall and openly taking pleasure in his ministrations as Vlad went down on her. She returned the favour, smirking up at him as she sucked his tip torturously slow, hummed to herself until Vlad was crosseyed with the vibrating sensations. As they stumbled from the shower on slightly shaking legs and sharing mischievous Dracula smiles, Vlad found his watch on the floor. It beeped as he picked it up.

"Just in time. The princess shall rise in fifteen minutes."

"How likely is this arts and crafts to make a mess of my clothes?"

Ingrid was looking at her dress, clearly unsure about whether or not to risk it. Vlad gave her underwear-clad body the once over with a grin, then turned to his own clothes.

"Depends on how stuck in you get. You can borrow mine if you like, there's a few t-shirts and jeans in that end of my wardrobe that I go through when I'm painting with her. We're probably the same size.. hang on."

Vlad scooped up her dress, undoubtedly making a fool of himself as he tried to put it on. It was a little loose on his chest and hips, but a tad snug on his waist and tight on the shoulders.

"Yeah, you'll be fine."

Ingrid actually laughed, the sound growing when Vlad realised he couldn't really get out of the dress - how did she do this daily?

"Idiot. Are they black?"

"Uh, should be some black there yeah. If you really want to win Ana over though? Purple is the way forward."

Ingrid rifled through his clothes, finding a black t-shirt she apparently didn't hate and some purple jeans Vlad only bought to pacify Ana - they didn't suit him much. The slim fit looked phenomenal on Ingrid though, he noticed.

"Ana will love that."

He loved it - they had just had this moment like any other couple, joking and easy and comfortable. And Ingrid in his clothes... that did funny things to his heart.

"Right. Soy blood and everything is good."

Ana predictably barreled out as soon as someone opened the lock for her escape, dashing out to jump on Vlad with a smile.

"Hi daddy! Hi Ingrid! Saturday!"

"Yep. You go get into your painting clothes and clean your teeth, breakfast first and then we can make stuff."

"Ok daddy! Come on Mr Cuddles!"

She dashed off toward her own room, teddy clutched in one small hand and swinging madly through the air. Three rather sleepy looking adults exited the games room shortly, shaking their heads at the girls exuberance.

"Too early."

"Mmm."

"I'll go make coffee. I can rock the pjs look."

Of the three, Wolfie was probably the closest to a morning person and both Sally and George looked at him gratefully. Half an hour later the humans vaguely resembled alive, and Ana was eagerly ingesting pancakes she 'helped' Vlad make.

"Hey, Ana banana. Would you mind terribly if I went out with Sally and George today? You'll still have Vlad and your new buddy Ingrid. I'll help you with homework tomorrow instead?"

Ana peered up at Wolfie, clearly considering what he said.

"Will you bring me back a present?"

"Ana!"

"Just asking."

She grinned at Vlad, utterly unapologetic and not understanding what Vlad had suddenly realised - he was giving he and Ingrid time alone with their daughter.

"Maybe. Only if I see something awesome enough for you."

"That's ok then. You can go."

"That's my girl."

She gave Wolfie a hug, wiped syrup on his cheek and giggled as he tried to lick it off. The Giles didn't question it, though Vlad suspected they thought it a little odd. Especially seeing Ingrid in clothes they recognised as his, rather than her usual black dresses.

Ana had no idea what theday would be, the first time she spent with just her parents. u

Vlad managed to catch Wolfie as they were getting ready to leave, hugging his little brother in everything but blood.

"Thank you."

"Enjoy it. I know it's the sort of day you only dreamed of for years."

It was so true Vlad almost cried, barely managing to fight back tears as he hugged his mum and George on their way out, then turned to go and spend the day with Ingrid and their daughter. It steeled his resolve further seeing them together - Adze had to go.

-YD-

Ah, I'm still so happy to have Ingrid back here (can you tell)!