Forever-Part 14- Bedtime Stories
Author: Sparkling-Diva
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance/Drama/Minor humor
Pairing: Gabriel and Anna
Feedback: Please! Thanks!
Summary: What if Anna hadn't really died? Would the family live on for generations and generations more to come?
Warning: Major Spoilers! So beware…
Disclaimers: All characters and stuff belong to Stephen Sommers, Bram Stoker, Universal, and a bunch of other people that aren't me. Bah humbug!
Author's Note: GAAHHH! Long enough for me to update! At least I got to finish another story and post some LXG stuff. I'm so sorry if I kept anyone waiting. I have a few other chapters typed up and still finishing to write it. School is just getting in the way so much these days. Anyhoo…enjoy and I hope that this makes it up to you.
Moments later, Anna, Gabriel, and Carl were tucking Emma and Abraham into their beds all ready to hear a story.
"So what kind of story would you like me to tell you?" Gabriel asked.
"How about when you and Mommy met?" asked Abraham.
"Please do!" pleaded Emma.
Gabriel and Anna exchanged looks. They didn't want to lie to their children but then again they wouldn't want them to get mad when they get older and find out about the family's past.
"Do you really want to hear that story?" Carl asked the children helping Anna and Gabriel with this surprise crisis.
Gabriel sighed and said, "Very well. I'll tell you in a way so you can understand.
"Okay," piped up little Abe from under his covers.
"A long time ago, I used to live in Rome. I grew up there, went to school, and was taken under the care of your Grandpa."
"Grandpa Jinette?" Emma asked.
"Yes," replied Gabriel.
"What happened to your real Mommy and daddy?" asked Abe.
Gabriel paused for a minute. How was he going to explain that he didn't have any since he was sent to protect the people. Anna knew that he was the left hand of God because of a discussion they had years earlier but they shouldn't tell their children should they?
"Um…. I don't remember well. I was too young. They must've died months after I was born or something…"
"Oh father!" explained Emma.
"Poor Papa…" said little Abe.
Great, Gabriel thought, now they feel sad and have sympathy for me. That's not what I had planned.
"No. Don't worry. I had a fairly good life. While staying at Jinette's, I met your Uncle Carl who lost his parents when he was younger too. He's been family to me ever since."
Carl smiled and said, "Likewise."
"Now far away in another country, here in Transylvania," Anna began, "Was where I lived."
"With Uncle Velkan?" asked Emma.
"Yes, with Uncle Velkan. We were the best of friends. My mother and father were the King and Queen of the Gypsies and the Valerious family had often lived up to quite a noble name. The sad thing was that one person in particular decided to betray our family.
Emma's eyes widened.
"His name was Count Vladislaus Draquila. Dracula, for short. He was a Valerious but he despised us. It's a very tragic tale. We still don't know why he did but one thing is certain. He began to deal and fight in evil ways."
"Like how?" asked Emma.
Anna looked at Abe was staring in shock looking scared.
"I don't wanna scare your brother."
"Y-Y-Y-You won't," said Abe.
Anna hesitated, "I know the truth is hard to hear but I guess it has to come out someday. Velkan and I also learned of this story when we were young. Every Valerious-Helsing must know about it. You two are included. If I tell you, please don't get too frightened. Promise me that?"
The two shook their heads.
Anna looked back at Gabriel who nodded to her with approval.
She took a deep breath and commenced by saying, "He became immortal. He became a vampire."
The children gasped. Carl had told them about vampires before and about their blood lust but never were positive that what he had said was true or not.
Not until now.
"How?" asked Abe.
"No one knows. He did many evil deeds towards people including members of his own family. Our best guess is that when he was eventually defeated he was sent to hell where the Devil lives. The devil must've sent him back to do more deeds so that he could remain amused and pleased."
"That's bloody awful!"
"Precisely, centuries later, a Valerious came face to face with him. A curse was put upon us that said if a Valerious didn't defeat him, we'd live in a miserable life in hell for the rest of our days after death and never cross the Pearly Gates into heaven. Valerious after Valerious throughout the years attempted to kill him right once and for all. Soon enough, the only two left were Velkan and I."
"That's awful!"
"This is where I come in," Gabriel explained.
"And me!" said Carl.
"Over the years, my job was to fight evil and do good," Gabriel stated, "I was sent here after I heard about the Dracula problem."
"And what happened?" asked Emma.
"Well, let's see. I wasn't so kindly welcomed at first. Especially by your mother. She wanted me dead."
"Ma-ma!" said Emma.
"What!" said Abe.
"I didn't know whether to trust him. It wasn't until after our town as attacked by Dracula's 3 brides that he fought. Then I knew that this actually was the famous Van Helsing I had heard about and I understood he wanted to help. I wanted to fight this on my own. We didn't get along but as time grew we learned to respect each other. I was held captive soon after Velkan was killed and your daddy and uncle saved me. I'll be eternality grateful."
"How'd you know you were in love?" asked Abe.
"We couldn't stand one another being in danger," Gabriel responded, "Before our final battle with the enemy, we realized it was probably the last time we would ever see each other in somewhat easy conditions. Your mother kissed me."
"What!" said Emma.
"Did not!" Anna exclaimed.
"Oh yes, you did. You made the first move!" Gabriel replied.
"You were the one who kept pulling me towards you telling me how you cared and to be careful. You wouldn't let me leave."
"What!" exclaimed Abe.
"You were the one who made a grab for me!"
"WHAT!" exclaimed Carl.
"Well I couldn't resist your good looks. Besides you were quite the gentleman."
"Well you were quite the-."
'Uh-um," Abe coughed.
"So…" Emma started wishing them to continue.
"So we kissed. It was short and sweet but truly unforgettable," Anna replied.
"Anyways, Carl, your mother, and a good friend of ours, the Frankenstein monster were looking for a way to umm….," Gabriel stuttered. He couldn't tell them about the antidote or him being a werewolf so he said, "To defeat him while I fought and distracted Dracula. I did defeat him but I thought I had lost your mother too."
"What do you mean?" asked Abe sniffing.
"She was injured when she somehow got in the middle of the fight," he said, "I thought that I might have by accident hurt her but she was fine at the end."
"Is the Frankenstein monster the same monster you mentioned to us in another story? The poor creature that wasn't accepted into society and had his father killed?" asked Emma.
"Yes it was," Anna said, "His appearance might have been gruesome but deep down inside he had a good heart. After the mission, he wanted to start a new life and left. I do hope that all is going well for him."
"Me too, the poor fellow…," mumbled Carl.
"Well, back to the story. We grew closer and more aware of our feelings for one another. We went on a trip to Rome with Carl where your father proposed to me. We were married after coming back here. We became King and Queen of the Gypsies. Ten years later and here we are," Anna said hugging Emma, "With our little prince and princess."
"Oh my…," Carl said drying his tears and blowing his nose with a tissue, "What a lovely story."
"Indeed," Anna said.
"Now it's time to get you two to sleep," Gabriel said tucking them into the sheets and covers.
"Sleep tight you two," Anna said giving them and Teddy a kiss on the head as Carl and Gabriel gave them a hug.
They then turned off the lights and waved good night as they closed the door.
"Emma?" asked Abraham,
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for giving me back Teddy."
"Mom, made me…I mean, you are welcomed."
"Emma?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think that Dracula will attack us again?"
"You scared?"
"Uh-huh."
Emma got up and went over to his bed and said, "Move over." Once she was there she hugged her little brother and Teddy. "I don't know," she responded, "Father defeated him many years ago and nothing has happened."
"But he's immortal," Abe said snuggling closer.
"True," Emma responded, "But let's not bother wondering about that now. We have mommy, daddy, and Carl. They won't let any harm come to us. Plus, I'll protect you. I promise. Now go to sleep and dream sweet happy dreams, okay?"
"Okay. Emma?"
"Yeah?"
"Love you."
"Love you too."
"Emma?"
"Yes," Emma said starting to sound a little annoyed.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
"Emma?"
"Yes?"
"Say goodnight to Teddy."
"Goodnight, Teddy."
"Emma?"
"Yes?"
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
And finally everyone was left to sleep in peace…or were they?