Good Evening,
I hope you guys enjoy the chapter. I'll post the next chapter for "Little Mistake" next Friday.
Oxford Not Brogues
Chapter Three
"If…training is over, then…I guess I'll leave." Seras whispered, unsure of what should be done. Normally training went on for a bit longer, but if her mentors are calling it quits tonight, then there was no point in her sticking around. She glanced over at her daughter who was sound asleep on top of Alucard's coffin still. She should be getting Allison to bed.
"Don't," Alucard demanded softly and his grip tightened around her hand. The Draculina jolted and her eyes immediately flickered back up to look at him in astonishment. She saw a glint in her master's eyes, but she was unable to decipher that look. It wasn't exactly disappointment but more of a sorrow.
"Don't?" She repeated. He didn't want her to go? The little vampire cocked her head to the side to stare up at him curiously.
"Don't be rude." The elder vampire whispered as he finally released her hand. "Just because we ended your training doesn't mean you can run off in a hurry." Her master lectured her as he walked over towards the table next to his throne. He leaned over a little to grab a dark green bottle and three wine glasses. "Why don't you stay for a little while and gather yourself. Have a glass of blood." The dark haired male turned to flash such a mischievous grin at her. It became clear to Seras quite quickly that Alucard and Sebastian didn't want her to leave, but she was unsure why. She had noticed that they had been acting strange lately, especially around her. But they never seemed to want to talk about it. Was tonight finally the night they were going to tell her what was wrong? Will all emotions and/or thoughts come out? Will Seras leave this room upset and heartbroken because they will tell her the truth of how they truly felt towards Alice? But the Draculina decided not to think about any of that. Perhaps it will be none of that. Perhaps Alucard truly just wanted to spend some quality time with her and share a drink. The little vampire blushed lightly as she gave him a weak smile.
"That sounds nice." She whispered in agreeance.
"Perhaps the floor will be the most comfortable since my room lacks sitting areas and you probably don't wish to stand while enjoying your drink." Alucard noted.
"The floor will be fine." Seras responded with a slight nod. The fledgling then lowered herself onto the floor to criss-cross her legs. Alucard didn't hesitate. He practically dove down to sit beside her and placed the three wine glasses in front of them on the floor. Uncorking the bottle, he began to pour the room temperature blood.
"I don't want a glass, thank you." Sebastian muttered as he lowered himself on to the floor, completing their little triangle. But Alucard didn't seem to care or maybe he hadn't heard him, either way he poured the demon a glass of blood anyway. Michaelis clicked his tongue, but took up the glass of blood just to be polite. "Thank you," He grumbled, sounding so very irked. Alucard handed off a wine glass to his Childe who took it without complaints, unlike the demon.
"Thank you," She spoke with a warm smile. She felt a little awkward sharing a drink with them. Honestly, it was unusual because they've never done this before. The most time they spent together was on missions or training sessions, and even then they didn't exchange pleasantries. What were they supposed to talk about? What was she supposed to say? The nervous girl stared into her glass of blood before she hesitantly took a sip from it. Abruptly, all her little fears were forgotten the second the blood hit her tongue. Her eyes widened in shock. She hadn't thought much about what she was drinking. She figured it would be the same as what she drinks: the cold blood that comes from plastic bags. But this blood tasted drastically different. It tasted…fresher and it was palatable. Worried that she wasn't drinking donated blood, Seras looked up at her master with concern. Alucard didn't seem bothered at all by the blood. He was nearly finished with his glass before he took notice of the strange look his Childe was giving him.
"Master," Seras whispered, getting the elder vampire to lower the glass from his lips. "Is this blood…approved by…Sir Integra?" The fledgling asked hesitantly, afraid to anger or offend her Sire. Her master gave her a peculiar look. His brows furrowed together, though he proceeded to grin like the lunatic he was.
"What do you mean, Police Girl?" Alucard questioned her. "Why wouldn't she approve?" His fledgling swallowed nervously before continuing.
"I mean…is it…donated blood…or…did you kill to get this?" The little vampire asked and her eyes immediately darted down to avoid his gaze. Her ears were greeted by chuckling.
"You are far too paranoid." Her master snickered. "Of course it's donated blood."
"But it tastes…different." Seras muttered as she stared into her glass, like she was drinking sour milk.
"You don't care for it?" Alucard asked and his grin faltered a little.
"I like it," The little vampire answered with a shrug. "I just…wasn't expecting it to be so good because you let it sit out." Silence befell them. Seras lightly brushed her finger over the rim of her glass. She stared deeply into the glass full of blood while she subconsciously bit her bottom lip. Sebastian still had his glass of untouched blood in his hand. He gingerly tapped his finger along the exterior as he stared incredulously at the Draculina from the corner of his eye. Alucard was in the process of finishing his first glass. It was as if he was uncomfortable by the tension that everyone tried ignoring as they all sat there in silence, so he tried distracting himself by downing his blood. However, they didn't stay silent long.
"You're nearing your heat cycle, aren't you?" Sebastian broke that awkward silence. Seras shifted her head to look at him with a slight frown on her lips. But, not long, a smile graced her lips and she laughed softly to herself.
"What an icebreaker." The Draculina joked as she looked back at her wine glass. "Yeah," She answered then and nodded her head. "In a few days,"
"You'll lock yourself back in that dungeon?" The demon proceeded to ask his questions. His head was cocked to the side as he studied her carefully, like he was trying to figure her out.
"I think that's best, don't you?" She snickered again as she glanced back at him. "It would be kind of dangerous for us if I was to roam around freely." After saying this, the girl was quick to hide a blush by taking a drink from her glass. She couldn't help but think back to the night she hooked up with them. If she had to describe the sex in two words, it would be: steamy and hot. She definitely had good chemistry with them. This brought a small smile to her face and a satisfied look to her eyes.
"What do you normally do in the dungeon?" Alucard asked then, drawing her attention onto him.
"I actually try to meditate as lame as that sounds." She answered with a bashful looking smile. "Sometimes it works," She muttered with a shrug.
"Perhaps it's forward of me, but what is the heating cycle like for women?" Sebastian asked. Her eyes flickered back to him.
"What do you mean?" She questioned, looking a little confused by what he was asking.
"What do you feel?" The demon elaborated.
"Oh," She murmured as she looked back at her wine glass. "It's…extremely intense and uncomfortable." The blush on her cheeks darkened. "This may sound awkward, but it's the only way I can think of how to describe it. When I'm in heat and my senses are just completely hazed over by raw lust, the need to have…sex is so unbelievably strong that…it actually feels like I will die if I don't have it." The little vampire snickered at that thought and lightly shook her head. "Heating cycles suck." She then glanced back up at her mentors. "Why? What's it like for men when they're around women in heat?" Her master's gaze lowered to stare at the green bottle in front of them.
"When women are in heat, they give off a particular scent that is meant to draw men in." Alucard explained, but Seras already knew this so she nodded her head. He finally grabbed the bottle he had been staring at and poured more blood into his empty glass. "Normally, Michaelis and I aren't compelled by such scents. We're able to ignore it. But…" The elder vampire trailed off as he set the bottle back down in the middle of their small group.
"But what?" Seras asked with furrowed brows. What he was telling her didn't make sense to her. If Alucard and Sebastian were able to ignore the scents that came off of women that are in heat, then…why did she ever end up pregnant with Allison? As much as a horrible thought that was, Seras was intrigued and confused by what her Sire was telling her. It just didn't add up. Alucard's red eyes flickered back to her face.
"But the scent that came off of you was absolutely suffocating." The elder vampire whispered.
"Suffocating?" The fledgling repeated. "Like…in a bad way?" Before she could continue asking stupid questions her master interrupted by laughing lightly at her.
"No, Police Girl." He said through chuckles. "Your scent was maddening to us. It was hard to ignore and even harder to resist."
"Oh," Seras whispered and her whole face reddened in embarrassment. "So…if…my scent…is hard to ignore, then what do you guys do when I'm in heat?" She asked.
"We basically have to hold our breaths for the entire week." Sebastian chuckled.
"But sometimes even that isn't enough." Alucard added. "We try getting out of the manor as much as possible to get fresh air and clear our heads."
"I'm sorry that it's so bothersome." The Draculina muttered, feeling guilty that her mentors had to deal with her and her hormones. "There's a lot that I don't particularly like now that I'm a vampire. But the heat cycles are the worst! If I had the chance, I would get rid of that one ASAP." The males lightly chuckled at the girl's 'suffering'. She snickered with them before silence once more took over their conversation. The girl finished off the rest of the blood in her glass. She savored the taste that washed over her tongue as she set the empty glass in front of her on the floor.
"Seras," Alucard spoke her name. He reached in front of him to grab the bottle of blood once more. His eyes and voice held nothing but seriousness, instantly drawing her gaze onto him. "I would like a serious discussion." He stated simply as he poured some blood into her glass. When he filled her glass up halfway, he moved the bottle but didn't bother placing it back on the floor. Instead, his eyes flickered up to meet her gaze. "Why do you refuse to become our lover?" There was that familiar silence again. All was still. Seras sat there stiffly with eyes so wide that she looked similar to a deer in headlights. All the color had drained from her face and her heart paced quickly in her chest. Alucard and Sebastian sat there so coolly and just stared at her. It was a question they have been dying to ask her for several years now. They had tried talking to her about it earlier that night, but she hadn't taken the matter seriously. They waited somewhat patiently for her to respond, but Seras was stunned. All she was capable of doing was just stare at Alucard as if he had suddenly grown two heads.
"Seras?" The demon used her name this time, causing the girl to finally blink after a long minute.
"What?" The Draculina whispered. The males frowned in unison. Had she honestly forgotten the question out of shock or was she just playing dumb with them? Was this her way of avoiding the question?
"Why do you refuse to become our lover?" Alucard repeated carefully, raising his voice a little but made sure not to depict his anger or pain. He needed an answer. He wasn't going to let her go until she gave him an answer. Seras merely shook her head, as if she was trying to comprehend the words by shaking them about in her skull. She blinked rapidly and tried exceedingly hard to focus on what the hell they were both asking her.
"I don't…I don't understand. Where is this coming from?" The little vampire asked as she finally expressed something other than confusion. The girl merely frowned. It may not have been what they were hoping for, but at least she was giving them something to work with. The No Life King clicked his tongue as he finally set the bottle back down on the floor. Seras closed her eyes and lowered her head as she tried wrapping her head around this discussion. "This is just so…random and completely out of nowhere." Alucard and Sebastian both sighed and dropped their heads to look away from the dense girl.
"This isn't random, Seras." The demon spoke. "We tried discussing the matter with you earlier…" Seras interrupted before he could finish.
"And I told you, I don't think it would have worked out between us. And, to be fair, I didn't think you guys were actually being serious. I thought it was all hypothetical." The little vampire defended herself as she waved out her hand.
"Why do you say that?" Alucard asked with a quirked brow. "Is it because of Allison? Are you afraid that we will end up disappointing her?"
"That's partially the reason, Master." Seras responded as she gave him a pathetic look. "But I also think it wouldn't work out because we're too different." She gestured her hand between them.
"Why does that matter?" Sebastian questioned her. "We've gotten along pretty well."
"And the sex between us was, dare I say, passionate." The No Life King included. Unable to help himself, Alucard reached out to grab Seras gingerly by the chin. His thumb ran distractingly over her bottom lip several times. The girl instantly found herself entranced by his very eyes. It felt as if he was staring into her soul right then. "Your naked flesh against ours was like fire." Something simmered in the elder vampire's eyes, a hunger perhaps. Or maybe it was something more. Maybe it was lust or passion. "The pleasure was as maddening as that scent you carried with you. The chemistry between us was undeniable, Seras. There's no way in hell you haven't thought about it or haven't even craved for it again." Suddenly, there was a look of desire that crossed over into his fledgling's eyes as she stared at him.
"Not to mention," Sebastian whispered as he moved in closer towards the girl. "Having a child must be quite tiresome at times." The demon was ever so sly as he cupped her elbow and brought his face close to hers. Their hair entwined as his cheek lightly brushed along hers so he could whisper into her ear. "You must be in deep need of a stress reliever. Alucard and I know the best way to relieve all of that pent up stress." Seras closed her eyes and she visibly trembled at those words.
"Hold on," The little vampire whispered as she tried drawing back as far from their hands as possible. Alucard's fingers slipped from her chin as the demon willingly pulled his head back to look at her. "You're both getting ahead of yourselves." She gave them a serious look with a frown on her face. Seras cautiously glanced over at her daughter, making sure Alice was asleep before this conversation went any further. "Okay, yes." The Draculina continued as she looked back at the males. "I have thought about this a lot. That night is branded into my memory and it was great. But…are we seriously considering picking it up where we left off? Are you both sure that you guys want…" Before she could even finish that sentence, they were both answering.
"Yes!" Alucard and Sebastian agreed with a frightening look on their faces. There was an evident look of hunger in the males' eyes. It suddenly became so clear to Seras how badly they hungered for her body.
"But what does this entail?" The Draculina asked them carefully. "I become your lover and then what?"
"What are expecting?" The demon questioned her with an arched brow.
"That's what I'm asking you both! What are you both expecting?" Seras reversed the question on him.
"I don't understand what the issue is, Seras." Alucard admitted to her. "We made it clear what we want. We want you to become our lover."
"But how long will it last, Master?" The little vampire elaborated.
"Why does that matter?" The elder vampire asked. "It'll end when it will end."
"So there's no commitment?" Seras asked to clarify. Simultaneously, Alucard and Sebastian's eyes widened from that particular question she asked. It suddenly felt like their hearts dropped to their stomachs. What was with women and commitment?
"We only want one thing." The demon attempted to explain to her once more. "We just want an intimate relationship with you. Why can't it be that simple?"
"It can be." Seras agreed with a nod. "I just wanted to know what the boundaries are. I don't want to go into this thinking that there could be more. It's better if I knew now that our relationship is purely sexual so I don't expect anything more."
"You're agreeing to become our lover?" Alucard asked her with a wicked grin on his face. Her eyes flickered back to his face and she nodded her head.
"Yes," She whispered after a moment. "I think…it'll be fine as long as we keep our sexual life separate from everything else…" Before she could get those words out, she found that she was being 'attacked'. Alucard cupped the back of her head and pulled her towards him. The little vampire was forced to fall forward onto her knees as her hands desperately landed in front of her to cushion her fall. However, her hands landed right on Alucard's thigh. All in a matter of a second or two, her master had his lips pressed to his Draculina's. Seras' eyes flew open wide and she whined in his mouth out of complete shock. How in the hell did she get into this position so fast?! Just how ravenous were Alucard and Sebastian?! The thought scared and excited Seras. She was terrified having to deal with their sexual appetite, but was eager to begin this fresh affair.
What kind of trouble will they get into? When will it all start? Seras became all too aware how aroused she currently was. God, it had been so long since she was last touched. She was aching for them. The little Police Girl, at first, was absolutely bewildered that her master was kissing her! But she had easily sunken into that kiss and was practically a puddle of goo in his arms. His warm lips smoothly moved over hers, kissing her deeply while his hand cupped her cheek lovingly. His taste alone was maddening to her senses, and made her crave every inch of him. She wanted more! Her hands fisted his pant leg as she fought back temptation though. While she did love the feel of his strong, warm lips on hers, she was quick to push against his chest.
"Master, no!" Seras exclaimed softly as she tried pulling her head away from his. Her worried eyes flickered over to her sleeping child, making sure that Alice didn't witness that. "We shouldn't, not in front of Allison!" She whispered. Alucard chuckled lightly when hearing this. He was a little out of breath after their steamy kiss. His hot breath wafted over her lips. She was dying to dive back in and kiss him again, but she couldn't! She closed her eyes and tried hard to fight those urges. Save it, Seras! Not with your daughter in the room!
"It's not like I was undressing you." He whispered as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. "And I don't think it's exactly appropriate to have sex with her in the room. But she is asleep and I was only kissing you, Seras." The No Life King reminded her with a toothy grin. Seras opened her eyes to give him a hard look.
"It doesn't matter what you were or weren't intending to do. I don't want Allison waking up and catching us snogging. What will she think? She'll be so confused, especially since her parents aren't truly together." The little vampire replied. Seras then sighed as her hand slipped from her master's chest. With her other hand she pushed off of his thigh to sit up properly. The elder vampire frowned in disappointment before he willingly allowed his fledgling to sit up. "That reminds me, there's something I have to discuss with you guys." Alucard and Sebastian noted fast that her demeanor had changed drastically. There was a look of seriousness in her eyes and the tone of her voice. Whatever she had to say was important; she needed them to listen.
"What?" Sebastian asked, telling her silently that they will be listening intently.
"Earlier, before our training session, Alice was asking me questions about…who her dad is." Seras whispered. There was a moment or two of silence before either male spoke.
"What did you tell her?" The demon asked. The little vampire merely shook her head. They were also able to notice that Seras wouldn't look at them. Uncomfortable by this conversation, the Draculina kept her eyes glued to the floor. Was she afraid of upsetting them?
"Nothing," She proceeded and shrugged her shoulders. "I didn't know what to tell her. I was just completely thrown off guard by that question that…I didn't tell her anything." Her eyes then flickered up to look at her mentors. A clear look of help shone so deeply in her eyes. She was a mother in need and was begging silently for their help. "What should I tell her?" She asked in a whisper. But they knew what she was truly asking them. Should she tell Allison the truth?
"Seras," Alucard spoke as he subconsciously reached out to tangle his fingers in her hair. "I've already told you that I would like to be involved in Allison's life. I can understand that you're afraid that I will disappoint her because you feel like I don't want to be her father. But I'm telling you differently. I swear that I won't disappoint her. I want to be able to be her father." Before Seras could speak, he continued while brushing his thumb over her cheek. "I know that you think that we regret she was born. But we don't, I don't. I love her deeply, Seras."
"Master…Alucard," Seras whispered while tears burned her eyes. Without thinking, the little vampire pounced forward onto her knees once more and she wrapped her arms around her master's neck. She hugged him tightly, beyond happy that he didn't regret ever having a daughter. All this time she thought that her mentors loathed her daughter when in fact it was the opposite. They adored that little creature, maybe as much as Seras loved her.
"If I may," Sebastian spoke up, earning both vampires' attention. "I know that I'm not Allison's father, but…I care deeply for her too. The day she was born, the moment I saw her…I was wrapped around her little finger. If either of you don't mind, I would like to be a part of raising Allison. I would like to become her parent and father her."
"Really?" The little vampire whispered as she wiped away the moisture from her eyes. The demon gave her a small, tender smile before giving a single nod of his head. Such a bright smile crossed over her face and she laughed in such merriment. "I don't mind at all. Master?" The Draculina glanced up at her Sire, wondering if he would approve.
"I see no issue in you adopting her as your daughter." Alucard spoke. "But know that she is my daughter and if you ever do anything that upsets her, I won't hesitate tearing your heart out through your ass." The demon blinked stupidly at him for a moment before smirking.
"What kind of father would I be if I ever disturbed so much as a hair on that little girl's head?" Sebastian questioned. "There's not too much I care for in this world, but she is most definitely one of the things I love most. As one of her fathers, she is my top priority now and nothing will ever get in the way of that."
"I'm more than happy to hear that, Sebastian." Seras responded as she continued to try and wipe the moisture from her eyes. "I'm really glad that you and Master both want to step up and become her father." Her smile widened a little more while her blue eyes sparkled. "She needs a father and I know how badly she wants one too." The Draculina then bolted to her feet. "Should we wake and tell her?!" Alucard and Sebastian gazed up at her with a tender look in their eyes. They were amused by how ecstatic she was. Chuckling softly, the elder vampire rose from his spot on the floor to stand beside his Childe.
"Do you think it's best to tell her right now?" Sebastian asked as he gracefully climbed to his feet to tower over the girl. His eyes flickered to the sleeping toddler. "She is sound asleep. Wouldn't it be rude to wake her?"
"You didn't see how heartbroken she was, Sebastian." Seras whispered and she pouted out her lip. "She was so unbelievably sad thinking that she didn't have a father."
"But," The demon muttered as he stared at Allison apprehensively. "She fears us, Seras." The little vampire frowned when hearing this.
"Are…you…having second thoughts about this?" She asked him carefully. His eyes widened and he looked down at her in disbelief.
"Certainly not!" Sebastian answered. "I want to be her father. I just…don't know how she'll react." Seras then gave him a small encouraging smile.
"What if this helps the situation?" The Draculina attempted to calm the males. Alucard and Sebastian stared down at her, still looking a little uncertain. "What if after she learns the truth, she feels more comfortable around you guys? What if hearing this makes her happy and she no longer feels fear?"
"It sounds a little too good to be true." The demon muttered as he glanced back at his adopted daughter. Unexpectedly, Seras slipped her hand into his. Sebastian jolted in surprise from the contact. His eyes darted down to look at where her hand rested in his before he looked up at her face. Such a brilliant look shone in her eyes. Her orbs were practically sparkling with tenderness and love as she gazed up at them.
"Let's just try it." Seras whispered to them. Gingerly, her other hand latched onto her master's wrist. "Come on," She coaxed the males and gently pulled on their arms to try and get them to follow her. They allowed her to lead them over to the sleeping girl. Allison was curled up tightly in Alucard's large coat. With her fox tucked under arm, she slept soundly with the tip of her thumb in her mouth. The elder vampire was astonished to find the girl cuddled up in his coat. Hadn't she disliked him and yet she took comfort sleeping in his attire? The No Life King couldn't help but smile softly at his small daughter. Perhaps things will go well for him and Michaelis. Seras released their hands so she could lean over the coffin.
"Allison," The mother whispered as she scooped her daughter up into her arms and out of the male's coat. The toddler curled up into the warm body while she rested her head on her mother's soft chest. Seras sat down on the coffin so she could place her daughter carefully in her lap. "Alice," The Draculina whispered again as she brushed her daughter's hair out of her face. Alucard and Sebastian cautiously sat down on either side of Seras. Their eyes drilled into the young vampire, waiting for her to stir from her sleep and be told the 'good' news. Hearing her mother's voice, Alice groaned, sounding somewhat frustrated that she was being woken up.
"-um," The girl murmured, but the adults were able to tell that she had said the word 'mum'. The toddler shifted lightly on top of her mother's lap as she tried curling up more against her. "I'm tired," Alice whispered to her as she kept her eyes closed.
"Darling," Seras spoke and she proceeded to play with her daughter's hair. "Do you remember when you asked me who your father was?" This seemed to have caught the child's attention. Alice's eyes flickered open, revealing those soft red orbs. She blinked several times before pulling her head back to look up at her mother curiously. She was bewildered to see such a warm smile on her mother's face and a bright look in her eyes. She thought for sure that her mother had been deeply upset when she asked the question about her father. But it appeared her mother recovered from it and was ready to talk to her. Alice rubbed over her eyes, trying to wake herself up. She then nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"Yes," The toddler whispered before yawning. "I asked you why the fox had a daddy and I didn't." Alice reminded her mother, causing Seras' smile to widen a little more. Her mother chuckled softly to herself.
"I remember, darling." The Draculina responded and nodded her head. The toddler moved on top of the woman's lap so she was facing her mother. She calmly sat back on her heels as she hugged her fox to her chest.
"You know who my daddy is?" Allison asked her. The child cocked her head to the side in a cute manner. Seras nodded her head and opened her mouth to respond, but her daughter interrupted. "Is it Walter?" The mother snickered and immediately shook her head.
"No," Seras answered with a blush of embarrassment.
"Is it Pip?" The toddler asked, looking confused. She couldn't understand why the butler wasn't her father. He was nice and he was a male!
"No," Her mother answered.
"Is it one of the soldiers?" The child asked but her mother then covered her mouth to prevent her from asking any more questions.
"You actually have two daddies." Seras told her carefully as she held up two fingers. Alice's eyes flickered to look at those fingers curiously. The toddler held out a hand to latch onto her mother's two fingers.
"Two?" The child asked and a bright look appeared in her eyes. She was only expecting one daddy, but instead she was getting two? The little girl hugged her fox even tighter to her chest as she smiled and giggled in glee. "Who?!"
"Well," Her mother drawled as she gave a nervous look. "They're sitting here with us." It was very slow. One moment Alice was a bright, giggly child and the next she was drained of all emotion. Her little face paled, her eyes widened, and her heart seemingly stopped by the sound of it. For a long moment, the child just stared up at her mother in pure disbelief. Her eyes flickered about her face, trying desperately to tell if her mother was either joking or lying. But her mother looked pretty serious about this. Alice's eyes flickered to the side to look at Alucard. The man sat there so coolly with his arms resting on his knees. He stared at her carefully while giving her a small grin. The child's eyes then flickered to her left to take in the demon. Sebastian was sitting a little more properly. His back was straight and his hands were folded in his lap. There was a strange look in his eyes as if he was uncomfortable, and he had an even stranger smile on his face.
Alice then looked back at her mother who looked so tense. Seras was giving her an awkward smile, much like the one Sebastian was giving her. Carefully, the toddler slid off of her mother's lap to stand up right in front of her. For the next minute, the child just stared at all three adults as if she was studying them. Her eyes flickered from one adult to the other repeatedly. The longer she stared the more evident it became that she was upset. Such a disappointed look appeared in the toddler's eyes. By the looks of it to the adults, it looked the like the child had just found out that her entire world had been a lie; like her world was crumbling down around her. Alice just looked so confused and lost. Her gaze flickered down to stare at the floor for a moment before looking back at her…parents. She then pointed a finger up at the adults.
"They're…my daddies?" Allison asked her mother, needing to be absolutely sure.
"Yes," Seras answered with a nod. Sadness struck the child hard then. Such misery swelled in the girl's eyes as her hand fell back to her side.
"What?" The toddler whimpered and her eyes flickered between Alucard and Sebastian rapidly. The elder vampire's grin was long gone. He stared upon her with those frightening red eyes and a look of dismay. Sebastian was no longer smiling…if she could call that a smile. He was full on frowning down at her with a look of pain in his eyes. But Alice didn't care. The child closed her eyes tightly as she started to cry hard. Blood tears ran down her pale cheeks while she sobbed loudly. All the while, she clung to her fox as if it would comfort her pain, but it didn't, not in the slightest.
"Alice," Seras whispered and she cupped her daughter's face in her hands. "Don't cry. There's no reason to cry." Allison shook her head, trying to escape her mother's gentle hold. "Why are you crying, love?" The child, so upset that she couldn't even speak, simply pointed at Alucard. Seras was so quick to push her daughter's hand down, preventing her from pointing any longer. "That's no reason to cry." Her mother repeated. "Alucard and Sebastian love you so very much. They're your fathers." Those words did not settle her whatsoever. It only made things worse. The toddler dropped to the ground and hugged her legs to her body. Tears were burning her eyes as she buried her face into the crease of her legs. She was crying so hard and couldn't stop. How could she after what she just found out? Alucard and Sebastian were her fathers!
"I DON'T WANT TO BE A MONSTER!" Alice sobbed into her legs. Seras' eyes widened as she froze on top of the coffin.
"What?" She whispered.
"I d-d-don't w-w-want to…to be a m-m-mon-ster." Her daughter cried.
"You're not a monster." Seras tried to assure her daughter.
"I am!" Alice corrected her. "I'm a monster! I don't want to be!"
"Why do you keep saying that about yourself?" Her mother asked calmly. Again, the child pointed up at Alucard and Sebastian. The males straightened on the coffin when the child accused them. Is that what she really thought about them? She saw them as monsters? It stung Alucard and Sebastian to see how much their daughter was afraid of them. She didn't want to be anything like them. She was afraid of being a monster just like her fathers.
"They're…they're monsters!" Her daughter exclaimed through her sobs.
"Don't say such things." Seras raised her voice as she gave her daughter a hard look. Alice finally revealed her tearstained face. She pulled her head back to look up at her mother. Tears proceeded to run down the toddler's face and her bottom lip trembled.
"They're evil!" Alice yelled. "I don't want to be evil! I don't want to be a monster!" Those words had such bite to them, physically making Alucard and Sebastian flinch back. They could feel their hearts break each time the child pointed that finger or spoke those words. The little girl then grabbed a fistful of her long hair. "My hair!" The child shouted. "My hair is black like theirs! And my eyes are red too! I don't want to be like them! I don't want to be a monster!" Quite suddenly the little girl absolutely hated her appearance. She hated her long black hair! She didn't care if her mother found it silky and beautiful, as so many others did. She hated it! She didn't want it! And Allison hated her eyes even more; the eyes of a monster! Her eyes were sinful and evil just like theirs.
"Why do you keep saying that?" The mother asked. She was frustrated and hurt that her child was saying such horrible things.
"The humans!" The toddler responded. "They're always talking about them! They say such terrible things…and tell such scary stories!" Fearful, Allison looked up at the males and hugged her legs even tighter. "They kill people! They've killed babies and children! They've killed innocent humans! They're evil monsters! And I hate them!" That's when Seras reached her limit. The mother was so quick to kneel in front of her child and pick her up to place her on her feet.
"That is a very strong word, young lady, and I don't appreciate you using it. You do not hate people and you especially do not hate Alucard and Sebastian. They have done nothing wrong and have never hurt you. They adore you and want nothing but the best for you. Now, you will apologize…"
"NO!" Allison interrupted her mother and she stomped her little foot. She knew she angered her mother when Seras' eyes began to glow a brilliant red. Instinctively, the child cowered in submission.
"Allison," Seras tried to speak in a calming voice. "You have no idea what you're saying or what kind of pain you are inflicting." Again, the toddler interrupted.
"They don't care about the things they do. They've hurt people too." Alice grumbled under her breath and she folded her arms over her chest. Her mother's fingers tightened around her arms causing the child to wince.
"Their past is messy." Seras admitted. "But again, you have no idea what you're talking about."
"I don't understand how you could love them." The child practically growled as she gave her mother a hard look. "They're horrible." Alucard and Sebastian simultaneously glanced down at Seras in interest. They were aware that the Draculina loved them, but just how deep did that love for them go? Did the child know something that they didn't? Had Seras, at some point, confess her love for them to her child?
"I'm not saying that what they have done is right. I'm not saying that they're not monsters and…quite possibly evil." Her mother spoke while giving a light shrug. "What I am saying is that they are your fathers and that they love you very much. And just because they have inflicted pain on so many, just because they are considered monsters, doesn't mean that you have to be one too. You're not a monster, Allison. And you don't need to be scared of your fathers."
"Why do you love them when you know they've hurt people?!" Alice asked again. Why did her mother keep avoiding that question? It was frustrating!
"Because they're my family, much like you are." Seras whispered as she brushed her daughter's hair behind her ear. "Sometimes, honey, when you love someone…you turn a blind eye to the things they do. Is it right? No. But I love them, Alice, and while I might not have done the things they have done, I still have done horrible things throughout my life. We're what you would call survivors. We do what we have to in order to keep going." Allison stared up at her mother for a long moment, taking what she said into consideration. She then glanced back at Alucard and Sebastian to stare at them for another long moment. "You know," Seras whispered as she tapped her daughter's toy fox. "Alucard and Sebastian are actually the ones who got you your favorite toy." Alice's eyes widened before she quickly glanced down at the fox in her arms. "You carry that fox around with you everywhere. You love him to death. Your fathers are the one who gave it to you for your birthday."
"Mummy," Alice whispered after she spent quite a while staring at her fox.
"Yes?" The Draculina spoke, hoping her daughter was finally coming around. Maybe she will finally open up to Alucard and Sebastian. The child pulled back her head to look back at her mother.
"Can I go to bed now? I don't want to talk about this anymore." The little girl whispered and she lightly shook her head. Disappointment seeped into her mother's eyes. Seras sighed loudly before she lowered her head and frowned.
"Can you at least apologize to your fathers first? You said horrible things, Allison." Seras whispered. Alice looked back at the males who sat there on the coffin. They were incredibly silent and looked beyond depressed as they just stared at her and her mother.
"I'm sorry," The toddler said, but it was evident to Alucard and Sebastian that the child didn't actually mean those words. The only reason she even apologized was to get her mother off of her back. The elder vampire merely gave a nod to the child before lowering his gaze to stare at the floor. "Can I go to bed now?" Alice asked as she looked back at her mother.
"Fine," Seras sighed again. Her mother then stood up and pointed a finger at her. "But I want you to start spending time with your fathers. Is that clear?" Allison frowned in displeasure at that command, but she once more bowed her head in submission to the older vampire.
"Yes, Mum." The child grumbled. Seras then turned to look back at Alucard and Sebastian, giving them both a sympathetic look.
"I'm sorry." The Draculina whispered to them, but neither male looked at her. "Maybe we can try this again tomorrow." Her master's gaze flickered up to finally look at her.
"That'll be fine." He muttered to his fledgling. He then gave her a small grin. "Perhaps, we can also spend some time together tomorrow." There was that blush on Seras' cheeks that always riled Alucard and Sebastian. Both males couldn't help but grin widely at her.
"You mean for a 'training' session?" She asked with a playful wink.
"We'll work you extra hard." The elder vampire purred, sending a pleasant shiver down the fledgling's spine.
"Can't wait," Seras breathed.
"What the…?" Alice mumbled as she gave her mother a peculiar look. "You can't wait for that? That sounds awful! Didn't you hear him, Mummy? He said that they're going to overwork you!"
"Enough, Alice." The Draculina ordered gently as she took her daughter by the hand. "It's time for bed. Come on,"
"But you spent so much time training today already!" Alice proceeded. "Why do you have to train tomorrow too?! I told you that they're mean!" The child chattered on as the mother led her out of the room.
End of Chapter Three
I hope you guys enjoyed.
Oxford Not Brogues