Four chapters left! Ahhhhhhh!
Review Responses:
Sarge1: Yeah, I feel sorry for the French guy. Poor Adrian. Yeah, who'd a thought Anna a lingerie freak? Oh, yeah, me. Everything about Anna screams soldier, there had to be something feminine about her. Oh! I know! Knickers! lol, by the way (kicks) get to work on your fic!
marrokinhas: Oh, don't worry, Gabriel won't be forgotten. Not by Santa, not by his wife, and not by the author. Thanks. If you've ever seen Hugh around his son, it's just adorable. And Kate's daughter is so cute. They're both family people and I think that should stay true in their characters.
Spaztic Arwen: Erm, they're still on a honeymoon, of sorts. It's their first year together, yes there will be things they don't agree on. But it's Christmas, one of the most romantic holidays out there. You don't think it might kill the mood if they were yelling at each other about where Van Helsing left his boots? (lol) No, I haven't started on the last challenge yet. I've found that if I jump on too many stories at once, my muse kinda fizzles out. So after this one is done, I'll start in on the challenge. Lightly of course, as I still have to finish Best Left Buried...
the Widow Dracula: Oooh, you wound me! Yes, the purple one, I may have to further comment on that later... Anyhew, yes I realize by the time this was posted it was the 26th, but I'm too lazy to go back in and change it. I'm very glad that you like this story. Not very often you get a Drac fan that doesn't like G/A to read your stuff!
hollyberries230: Oh, wow, thanks! What can I say to that? Anna/Gabriel rules!(?) Thanks so much. Wow.
Liz-Bathory7: I'm a going, I'm a going... Wait no longer, here's the next chappie!
Vampric Lycan: I'm so happy that you loved it! I decided we needed a little humor in there. Then I had this mental picture of Van Helsing, in full monster hunting attire. You know, his hat and trench coat, pistols in holster, everything. Anyway, I had a picture of him dressed like that, standing in the middle of Victoria's Secret with some little French guy waving a scrap of lace at him. Saying "But she'll love it!" It just made me laugh. So I had to write it. lol, my muse is as twisted as I am!
KillerKitty16: More! More? So demanding... just kidding. Here ya go!
SilverFlover: Yeah, if there's one thing I can do, it's embarrass someone. Can't you just see Helsing standing in the middle of a lingerie store with a look of pure confusion on his face?
From-Heaven2Earth: Never end? I'm having a hard enough time as it is! I'm unbelievably happy that you love this fic. Here's some more!
Countess Jackman: Thanks so much! I'm like floating on cloud nine right now! Absolutely thrilled that everyone seems to be liking this so much... Thanks for the lovely review. You made my day!
When they finally got home, Gabriel was exhausted, to say the least. A little grumpy as well, he'd forgotten that he wouldn't get to see what Anna had gotten him till Christmas. Frankly, he thought that was dumb, why buy a gift for someone then tell them they couldn't see it? He'd told Anna his thoughts on the matter, she laughed.
Still grumbling he followed her up the steps into their home, carrying all the packages. She'd threatened to send him to the couch if he couldn't keep from peeking. After spending the day in a lingerie store, trying to imagine his wife in various garments. He could honestly say that he would not be peeking any time soon.
Anna pushed open the front door, looking well pleased, when the smell hit both their noses. To say that it smelt heavenly would be a gross understatement.
"Oh, I guess Miruna's been busy" Anna commented, sniffing the air appreciatively. Gabriel's mouth was watering, he sent his wife a rather pitiful pleading look. She shook her head, sending a wave through her curls.
"Could we at least put the bags upstairs and change our clothes first? I don't know about you, but I, for one, want out of these clothes." She gestured at her corset pointedly, then down at her high-heeled shoes. He sighed heavily, she rolled her eyes at him and started up the stairs.
"Couch!" she called sharply, when he failed to follow her. With a longing look in the direction of the kitchen, he ran up the steps after her. No pastry was worth the couch.
No matter how good they smelled.
"Miruna?" Anna called, peeking her head into the kitchen. The motherly looking woman turned from the counter, dusting flour off her hands onto her apron. Her graying brown hair was pulled back into a bun, gray eyes took her in, a smile gracing her lips.
"Oh! Mistress Anna! You're back so soon, I didn't expect to see you back till tomorrow. Did you have a nice trip?" she asked, continuing to try and remove the flour from her fingers. Anna grinned back at the cook, who was much more then that to Anna. Miruna had in many ways become Anna's mother, watching out for the Princess after her parents were tragically taken.
"Yes, we had a wonderful time, but Gabriel was worried about being recognized if we stayed. Is dinner already over? My poor husband is nearly starved," Anna said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Miruna chuckled, she reached a hand and gently patted the gypsies fingers.
"Men, my dear, are always hungry" she lectured, unable to resist the urge to tease the Princess she continued, "And not always for food." She looked up at Anna and was rewarded with a bright blush.
"Miruna!" Anna gasped, lightly slapping the other woman's fingers away. They shared a laugh, when Anna remembered her monster hunter was sitting just a room away.
"Miruna, serious now, we've missed dinner haven't we?" she asked, glancing about the kitchen. Miruna smiled sadly,
"Yes, you're about an hour too late. Would you like me to fix something?" she too, looked about the kitchen. Anna shook her head thoughtfully, she sniffed the air again.
"Ah, how about some dessert?" Miruna asked knowingly, raising an eyebrow. Anna grinned,
"Let me check and make sure that's okay with the man of the household" she said wryly.
"Here, try this one" Anna commanded, picking up a dainty pastry and holding it before her husband. Gabriel eyed it warily,
"Is this one spicy?" he asked, Anna shook her head and gestured again with the treat. Gabriel sighed and opened his mouth, allowing her to feed him.
Her heart jumped slightly, as it did every time, when his lips closed on her fingertips. He stared directly into her eyes, letting his lips linger on her fingers. His tongue darted out, without thought from him, and teased her sensitive fingers. Anna smiled impishly and withdrew her hand. Gabriel chewed thoughtfully, nodding his head in agreement with the taste.
"It's good" he allowed, once his mouth was free, she smiled brightly.
"Here you go, here's some fresh from the oven" Miruna called lightly, coming in from the kitchen and placing a plate of cookies down. She put her hands on her hips and smiled at the couple.
"Are you enjoying the food?" she asked, looking from one hunter to the other. Anna grinned up at her,
"The food is excellent as always Miruna, thank you" she answered politely. Gabriel reached an eager hand for a cookie, Anna quirked an eyebrow,
"Miruna's going to think I don't feed you," she laughed. He picked up a cookie, steam rising from the morsel.
"Miruna," he started conversationally, "she doesn't feed me" he finished, opening his mouth to receive hot cookie.
"Wait Master Van Helsing they're extremely-" Miruna warned to late. Gabriel popped the cookie in his mouth, almost immediately trying not to spit it out.
"Hot" Miruna finished, shaking her head at the sputtering man. Anna look fairly amused, resting her chin on her hand, watching the famous monster killer choke on cookie. Miruna shook her head and went back into the kitchen, leaving the children to their own devices.
Gabriel finally managed to swallow, sticking out his tongue pitifully,
"I burnt my tongue" he lamented, taking a sip of water.
"Poor brave monster hunter" Anna teased, tossing her hair over her shoulder and glancing at the clock.
"How about you? Want some? Hm? A taste of your own medicine?" he offered, reaching out and snagging another of the little treats. He held it before her lips, lopsided grin firmly in place.
Anna hesitated briefly, then opened her mouth, suddenly struck by the oddness of monster hunters hand feeding one another. Gabriel went to put the pastry in her mouth, and partially succeeded. Somehow he managed to smear cherry filling on her lips. She couldn't help but laugh, and heard Van Helsings laughter joining hers a moment later.
"I'm hand feeding the great Van Helsing like a baby" Anna chuckled, wiping the cherry red from her lips.
"Hey!" he protested, pouting at her, "I am not a baby!" he yelped. She smiled and licked the filling off her fingers.
"Of course not dear" she said, sarcastically he noted, growling he reached over and stuck his finger in some whip cream. Without second thought he reached over and smeared the cream down her cheek. She gasped, and jerked away, while he laughed at her.
Not one to be outdone, Anna reached over and snatched the whole pie, and shoved it into his face with a satisfied smirk.
"Touché" she snarled, then calmly wiped the cream from her face, using her mouth to remove it from her hands. The pie pan slid off Gabriel's face, along with some of the cake. Two brown eyes glared at her from amidst the white mess of his face. She chuckled softly to herself and continued to lick her fingers.
"I hope you're going to apologize" Gabriel hissed, Anna looked at him, then with a completely straight face leaned over and ran her finger down his cheek. Leaning back into her seat she cleaned that bit of frosting from her finger as well, watching him all the while.
"This reminds me of our honeymoon" she commented nonchalantly, running her finger over her lips. He narrowed his eyes, less then pleased that she'd had to bring up that memory.
"That was all your fault," he grumbled, searching for a towel.
"My fault I didn't want cake all over my back?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. He made a face at her and slumped in his chair, defeated, there was no towel.
That was kind of an odd chapter wasn't it? Oh well. Moving right along...