It's Christmas!!!!!!! Whoa, it came so fast! Merry Christmas all!
Review Responses:
Marrokinhas:More fluff? I'll try! I'm very happy that you like it, makes my writing more enjoyable to me if other people like it.
Sarge1: That was a huge review... I don't really feel all that sorry for Anna. I know she's headstrong and independent, and so having someone else have so much control over her would probably make her mad. But then, you realize who is in control of her. The drool worthy Gabriel Van Helsing, and you don't feel so bad anymore. I do have a thing with spiders. And that thing is no-thing. I don't even like seeing them on TV. But my point in mentioning them so often is to get you used to that reaction with Anna. To where I can mention a spider and you will go "Oh no! What about Anna?!" see? It's like getting to know someone better. If you learn that your friend doesn't like onions. You'll forget at first and then when you become better friends you'll see onions and think "so and so doesn't like onions". Right? Ya get it? lol. Here's the next chapter, and I'm working on Best left buried. Mistletoe is the best!
Liz-Bathory7: I'm going as fast as I can! Glad you lurve it!
Reese Sparrow: Wouldn't you?
the Widow Dracula: I enjoyed writing the scene with Carl, it was just, fun. lol, yes I can see Drac not enjoying Christmas all that much.
Spaztic Arwen: The irony is oh so amusing. Yes, well I'm not a fan of Christmas shopping as it is. So, I must say, were I in Anna's position my response would be much the same...
Vampyric Lycan: Rather naughty, I think I know which list he's on! Same to you mellonamin.
hollyberries230: No, I suppose it's not hard to figure what happens next. Brilliant? You gotta stop that, I'm blushing again.
KillerKitty16: If you can't figure out what happens next... um, well, that's just sad in my book. As to my cutting it off. Not my idea. But I thought it might take from the story somewhat if I were to jump the rating. Here's the next chappie for ya!
SilverFlover: Devilish? Yup. I always have more luv, and here it is...
Greenleaf: All my stories are done in XHTML, I write them in notepad with code. So, I get the horizontal lines on there by putting in an "hr" tag. You can put them in here at in the editing section.
enigmatic mystery: Continuing on at your request! lol
Gabriel couldn't help but be bored, wondering around in Bucharest after his wife. Anna seemed to be having fun, and that pleased him, but he was bored. He'd grown tired of looking into all the shops, that to him all had the same thing in it. Frilly stuff, not exactly things that screamed Anna.
"Anna, what do you want for Christmas?" he finally asked in desperation, throwing his hands in the air. She turned around, walking backwards, and eyed him amusedly.
"Why?" she asked, turning back around, he sighed and jogged up to her side. She smiled up at him, even reached for his hand, threading their gloved fingers together.
"Well, uh, I want to get you what you want" he said carefully, removing his fingers and sliding an arm casually around her waist. He realized it probably wouldn't be good to tell her he had no idea what to get her at all. She chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully, dark eyes glancing up at him, she shrugged.
"Anything you get me will be perfect, no matter what it is" she soothed, suppressing a grin at his bewildered look. This is way too much fun she thought evilly, she stopped right next to the fountain in the center of the square.
"Okay, I've got an idea. See that gentleman over there? The one in the top hat, standing just outside the ladies store?" she said watching him to make sure he saw the man. "Right, I want you to go see if he works there. If he does, ask him to help you find something for your wife, okay?" she smiled at the complete and utter confusion on his face. Reaching into her purse she pulled out some money and handed it to him.
"Just go, he'll help you, I'll meet you back here in an hour" Anna supplied, watching him closely. He looked down at the money in his hands, then at the man, then finally back to her. She leaned up and kissed him quickly, patting his shoulder she turned and headed deep into the crowded city. Leaving her poor baffled monster hunter to fend for himself. She made sure that he couldn't possibly see her before she allowed herself to laugh. Ignoring the odd looks she was getting, she shook her head and went in search of his presents.
Back at the fountain, Gabriel was still staring off after Anna, and eyeing the salesman warily.
"I hate Christmas" he decided, nodding to himself before casually approaching the man Anna had pointed out.
"Good day sir, how may I help you?" the little man asked, with a far too cheery smile. He had a thick French accent, Gabriel noted, and was a good deal shorter then Van Helsing. He wore a simple gray jacket, a little bit of blonde hair peeking out beneath his top hat.
"I'm looking for a gift for my wife, I don't know what to get her. She said you could help me find something" Gabriel found himself saying. The little man nodded and rubbed his hands together, exhaling softly. He grinned up at Van Helsing and stretched out his hand.
"All right, I'm willing to help you Mr. uhhh" he trailed off, looking up at the taller man expectantly. Gabriel glowered at him, and tried not to panic, he couldn't tell the man he was Van Helsing, he'd run for the hills. Then he'd never find Anna a present.
"Valerious" Gabriel replied, taking the smaller hand into his and giving it a firm shake.
"Ah, yes, Mr. Valerious, you may call me Adrian, let's have a look-see shall we?" he chirped, returning the monster hunters hard grip. Releasing Gabriel's hand he turned and entered the lingerie store he was standing in front off.
"Your wife Mr. Valerious, tell me about her" Adrian said, while Van Helsing followed him like a puppy. The darker man couldn't help but stare about him in wonder, and feel a little out of place. Here he was, dressed in hunting garb, and all around him was soft and flirty. "Um, her name is Anna, she's about five foot nine, she's Romanian-"
Adrian surprised him by waving a hand and cutting him off. "No, no, the height is good. But what color are her eyes? Hm? Hair color? Skin tone?" the salesman corrected, listing the specifics on his fingers. Gabriel blinked and toyed with his hat, which he'd taken off in an attempt to fit in a bit better.
"Oh, er, hazel, dark brown and curly, she's probably tan by your standards" he mumbled. He sighed as Adrian gave him a look and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'd say it's a cream color" he finally answered, wondering where his wife was.
"Ah! Beautiful! I have the perfect idea!" Adrian enthused, snapping his fingers and disappearing behind a rack of nightgowns.
"This one works eh?" he suggested, holding up a golden colored nightie, with thin straps and a low cut back. Gabriel narrowed his eyes, mind drifting back to his home in Vaseria, where he desperately wished he was.
"No, she has one like that" he said slowly, Adrian huffed and tossed the gown over his shoulder.
"Let me see then, this would be so much easier if Madame were here!" the Frenchmen growled. Gabriel rolled his eyes, hadn't it been an hour already?
Anna grinned to herself as she peered at the case of crosses in front of her. She wondered how Gabriel was doing with his shopping. She felt a little bad for leaving him with Adrian, but figured he'd get over it. She just hoped he didn't kill the Frenchman. That was her favorite lingerie store...
"Can I help you miss?" a mousy woman asked, slowly approaching the Princess. Anna smiled warmly at her,
"Yes, I'll take that one."
"Okay! This is the one!" Adrian cried, running fingers through his hair. He'd lost his top hat after the fifth nightgown, frustrated at Gabriel's apparent lack of interest. Which wasn't it at all, Gabriel was interested, his problem was that Anna seemed to own half of the store.
Adrian held up a purple lace number that made Gabriel's eyebrows climb to his hairline. He coughed and Adrian waggled his eyebrows,
"You like yes?" he asked hopefully. Gabriel shook his head,
"She'd kill me" he said, almost woefully as he studied the scrap of lace. Shaking his head he glanced around the store, trying not to pay attention to the string of French curses coming from the clothing rack.
It was then that he noted some children playing outside by the fountain. Something stirred in his chest as he watched them at play, their little faces bright and cheery as they threw snow at each other. God only knew how he wished to hear the sound of childish giggles in the manor. Their little feet pattering on the floor as they played and ran away from their mother at bath time. He smiled softly to himself, soon he promised himself, taking one last glimpse before turning back to Adrian. Soon.
He and Anna had discussed it, they both knew they wanted a family. Anna was a little frightened by the prospect of being a mother. Her mother had been taken when she was five, she'd had no example. He knew she'd be a wonderful mother, and had told her so, but still she was unsure.
The thought brought an idea to mind, one that made Gabriel grin almost frighteningly. Adrian came rushing at him, a dark green simple nightie in hand, a crazy desperate look in his squinty blue eyes.
Gabriel took a moment to be amused at the salesman, he'd been shoving tempting lace and silk creations in Gabriel's face for a good forty-five minutes. His little bit of hair was twisted in complete chaos, from his fingers grabbing and pulling it. The vein in Adrian's temple was standing out, his eyes were frantic and wild, his skin flushed. He was almost panting and a faint sheen of perspiration could be seen on his forehead.
"This is it, right here, I can feel it!" he shouted, thrusting the fine French fabric at the monster slayer. Gabriel had to admit he was intrigued by the color of it, and the picture it painted in his head. He could just see Anna in it. Reaching for it, he took the silk between his index finger and thumb. Testing the softness, only the best would touch his wife's skin.
Adrian stared at him, hopefully, watching his customers every movement critically. Gabriel let his mind drift back home, back to the big question. Did Anna already own this gown?
He smiled at Adrian, the man almost jumped out of his skin staring back expectantly.
"Adrian, I believe you've found the one!" Gabriel cried, startling the little man. Adrian's breath left him in a whoosh, he slumped against the counter, mumbling in French.
"Mr. Valerious I have never been happier to make a sale. I hope the little lady appreciates this gown!" he said, Gabriel clapped him on the shoulder.
"How much do you want for it?" Van Helsing asked simply, grinning at his disheveled companion. He handed over the appropriate amount, watching closely as Adrian wrapped the gown, then shook Adrian's hand and turned to leave. Running straight into Anna who stood behind him with a knowing grin.
"Anna!" he yelped, almost dropping the precious package he held. She peered at it curiously.
"What did you get?" she asked, reaching for it, he lightly smacked her fingers away. "No peeking," he hissed, smirking at her pout.
Adrian leaned around to get a look at the woman he'd just spent an hour hunting for.
"Oh Madame! He does not do you justice!" he said, coming around and taking Anna's delicate hands in his. He pressed a kiss into her knuckles, much to her amusement and Gabriel's chagrin.
"Sir she is not as beautiful as you said, she is more!" the salesman cried, smoothing Anna's skin with his fingers and talking to himself in French. "This skin!" he cried, "It is magnificent!"
Anna grinned and thanked him, Gabriel growled, reached over and removed his wife's hand from the Frenchman's crushing grip.
"Thank you Adrian, for all your help" he hissed, pulling Anna toward the door.
"Are you sure you don't want the purple one?" Adrian cried after them, following them to the door. Anna looked up at Gabriel curiously, further intrigued by the bright blush coloring his cheeks.
"The purple one?" she inquired, lifting one dark eyebrow. If possible he blushed harder, and shot a glare over his shoulder, "Don't ask," he growled.
Okay, I don't know if they had department stores back then. But, I really don't care any way. The store Gabriel was in was kinda like Victoria's Secret if you will. A French version. lol. I know they probably didn't have little shopping areas like I was thinking, but hey, it's Fanfiction. And it served the purpose of the fic... right?