Chapter 11: Under the Mistletoe
Christmas morning was white and had an air of magic. It was Dante's favorite holiday. He jumped out of bed and got dressed in his best. He went to his bedside drawer and pulled out a blood red rose shaped box. He opened it carefully and took a breath. It was a beautiful garnet and tanzanite ring. The band was blended silver and gold with ivy etching. There was even a hint of emerald.
"Ooo, pretty piece!" Griffon said as he perched on Dante's shoulder. The Hunter gasped then sighed.
"Oh God, you startled me. Where's Vera?"
"You serious? Dude she's cooking. You can't smell it?" Dante blinked, sniffed then smiled. It smelled divine.
"Oh wow,"
"Is that for V?" Griffon asked. Dante nodded and closed the box.
"I'm going to ask her to marry me." Dante said softly. "I want no other. I love her."
"Dude, that was beautiful." Griffon sniffled as he hid under a wing. Dante chuckled and placed the box into his pocket.
"Come on Little Chicken, let's grab a bite."
"Quick question, which name will you two be taking?" Dante blinked. It was a good question…
"I will discuss that with Nero and Vera if she says yes."
"Why wouldn't she? You two are absolutely nuts for each other and you practically adopted Nero." Griffon said. "You're as good as married."
"Shush your beak!" Dante said and Griffon winced. He did get a bit loud.
"Good morning everyone." Dante greeted. Nero smiled and waved, as he sipped his coffee. Vera looked up from the oven and smiled, hugging the Hunter.
"Good morning My Devil."
Good Morning Babe." Dante greeted as he hugged her back and kissed her. "Mmm, you smell amazing…" He lightly kissed her neck and Vera laughed softly, swatting at him playfully.
"Behave," The older devil said. "We have children present."
"Babe, said child has been swapping my porno stash!" Dante said. Nero yelped and coughed.
"As if you need it." Nero said. "You got Mother." The older devils blushed and Nero grinned. "Besides, I gave them to Nico and Morrison."
"What?!" Dante yelped. "Oh, this is too good! Be right back!" With an evil cackle Dante ran to his phone and dialed.
"Hey Morrison, I know something you don't know. Merry Christmas you dirty old bird!" He howled before hanging up. Nero dropped down laughing and Vera shook her head and sighed.
"Oh whatever am I going to do with you?" She asked as she hugged him. Dante smiled and held her.
"Just love me Babe." He whispered. Vera smiled and kissed him softly before returning to the kitchen. The phone rang and Nero answered.
"Devil May Cry?" Nero greeted. He laughed when he heard Morrison.
"Nero, where is Dante? Oh, and Merry Christmas. How's your Mother?"
"They're both here and Mother is awake and cooking up a storm! She woke up almost three weeks ago. Hold on, Father! Phone!" Dante halted and groaned. "Kid! Mistletoe! I was about to get my mack on!" Vera laughed and gently shoved Dante to the phone. Dante sighed dramatically and took the phone.
"What you want you pervy bird?" Dante chuckled. "I was about to smooch the most beautiful woman in the world and you block me?"
"Yea sure Romeo, you can woo her later. We got some demons on the loose."
"Damn, and on my favorite holiday….Alright I'm on it. Tell me where…" Dante took out his ledger and wrote the details. "I'm expecting a nice Christmas bonus!" He hung up the phone and looked at Nero and Vera.
"Who's ready for a hunting trip?" Nero and Vera grinned.
"Luckily I finished cooking…..Griffon! Away from the eggnog you feathered imbecile." Dante and Nero laughed when Griffon actually fell over drunk. Shadow and Nightmare fared no better. Nero laughed while Vera blinked.
"Wow!" Dante laughed. "They're wasted!"
"Looks like I'm staying home." Vera said. "Have fun boys." The two Hunters hugged and kissed her before leaving. Vera tsked at her drunken familiars and went to her room and pulled two presents out from her dresser. For Nero she managed to find their father's Order of the Sword uniform, complete with medals and sword. Sparda founded the order and he himself had led it. Vera decided that passing the medals, sigil, sword and uniform of the Order was fitting for Nero, as he had served in the Order as well. These signified that they were to pass on to a worthy Heir, in which Nero was.
For Dante, she found their father's pocket watch. She remembered how much Dante adored it as a child. Vera as Vergil, snagged it before Sparda was called away to his last mission. Before the tower was raised, the watch was hidden behind the portrait. Vera found it later on. She even had it repaired and polished. It was the perfect gift for Dante.
Nero and Dante made their way to the mission and rolled their eyes at the demon swarm.
"Well, Merry Christmas Old Man." Nero said. Dante smiled.
" Merry Christmas Kid. Ah, before I forget in my 'old age' I have a question for you. How would you feel if I popped the question to your Mother?"
"I'd say, it's about fucking time! Got the ring?" Dante nodded and patted his pocket.
"After this, let me see it."
"Deal. Do you think she'll say yes?"
"I don't see why she wouldn't. You two are crazy about each other." Nero said as he fired at a blood goyle. "Let's kick ass then you can ask Mother. I bet your motorcycle for a week that she'll say yes. "
"Which one?"
"Cavaliere." Nero said with a triumphant smirk as Dante mouthed 'Fuck!' He knew Dante loved that bike. He couldn't blame him. It was a wicked bike.
"Done!" Dante said after a while and Nero whooped.
"Can I keep it?"
"Don't push your luck Kid. You already got it for a week if she says yes "
"When she say yes you mean." Nero said smugly. Dante smirked. Smug little shit!
The Hunters wrapped up the mission and returned home. Both men stopped when they walked into the office and saw the placed decked out for the season. It was perfect. The food was already set and they scrambled to wash up. When they came back down their mouths dropped. Vera was dressed in a beautiful Christmas green dress with wine red trim, with her hair down, a red poinsettia on the side. She looked ethereal.
"Merry Christmas," She said softly. Dante and Nero smiled and hugged her, kissing her in turn. Nero was dressed in royal blue and wine red. Dante was in Scarlet Red and black, hints of silver and gold could be seen along the trim and around his neck: was the Perfect Amulet.
"Merry Christmas Mother," Nero said. "Excuse me I have to check on the guests." He left but grinned as he walked away.
"Merry Christmas Babe," Dante said as he kissed her . "You look absolutely beautiful. Vera, there's something I need to ask…." Vera blinked then gasped as Dante took a knee and held her hand. She felt her heart pounding.
"Vera I love you and Nero. I see him as my own and my heart is yours always. I can't imagine my life without you both in it. Vera, you are my Queen, my everything. You are my strength, my drive. I ask you, on my knees, heart open and humbled, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Vera gasped and sobbed at the beautiful proposal and ring. Dante didn't move nor put his head down.
"Yes My Devil," Vera said with a bright warm smile. "I will marry you." Dante smiled as he slipped the ring onto Vera's left hand and kissed her lovingly as soon as he got to his feet. They pulled away slowly when they heard cheers and applause.
"That was beautiful," Nico said as she sniffled. " And under the Mistletoe too."
"That was so romantic. " Patty said softly. Nero nodded and embraced the couple. Dante slipped the keys into Nero's pocket and hugged him tight. Lady and Trish also congratulated the couple and were awed by the ring.
After a wonderful dinner and dessert, everyone gathered and celebrated with telling stories and all. The presents weren't until the morning. One by one, everyone wished the couple goodnight and retired for the night. Nero was the last, hugging them both before heading upstairs to his room. They both wished him goodnight and sat down on the loveseat. Vera rested on Dante and smiled softly as they rested by the fire. They didn't have to say anything. Both knew they were blessed. They had their family and each other.