From-Heaven2Earth: Here's some more!

SilverFlover: Well, KB did play a nurse in Pearl Harbor. (lol) And seeing as I based Anna more on KB then anything else, it seems fitting don't you think? Yes he is, isn't he. I know! I feel so special that I've got Drac fans reading my fic! Here I've got some more for ya! Carl? A chemistry set!!

lil-blonde-pirate: Christmas is finally here!

EbonyBeach: Is this soon enough? Bring it on? Okay, you asked for it! Who doesn't wish they were Anna?

Liz-Bathory7 Who are you calling toodles? (lol) Yup and more fluff on the way!

Sarge1: Ha! It can always get better! Hey! I talk to myself, does that make me nuts? I couldn't think of anything insanely clever for Gabriel to say, "Another day, another vampire" just seemed to fit though. Thank you so much. Here's some more.

Funkyflamingo: Good to know, I wondered who lil-blonde-pirate was.

RockinLizzy: More fluff!

I was listening to the Enya cd, "A day without rain", track number seven, "Fallen Embers" was my inspiration for the chapter. So if you want to, I would suggest listening to the track while reading this. You might better understand if ya do.

And for further insight, the lady I based Anna's mum off of is the actress Lena Olin (did I spell that right?).

Gabriel woke suddenly, his entire body going rigid with a shot of fear-induced adrenaline. A haunting melody echoed about him, heart wrenchingly beautiful, soft piano and a clear soprano voice creating a chilling effect. He looked over at Anna, about to ask her what was going on. She was still asleep, face half buried in the crimson of her pillow. He settled back against his own pillow, was he hearing things?

Come

Gabriel jerked his head, his hand flying to his ear, "What?" he yelped, eyes wide.

See

Anna frowned and stuck her face deeper into the soft pillow, "Mama?" she mumbled. Van Helsing furrowed his brow, "What?" he repeated, confused and a little creeped out. He shoved the blankets off his legs and sat in his bed, listening closely.

Come

And what was that ever persistent voice? Grabbing his pistol out of his bedside table he swung his legs out of the bed. The mournful song continued, he followed the sound of it. Closing the bedroom door firmly behind him, he looked around the hall, curious now, more then anything.

"Whoever you are, I'm giving you a fair warning, you lay a finger on her and hell will be a relief" he snarled.

Anna

His blood ran cold, he stiffened and crossed his arms, "Yes, Anna," he hissed, thinking once again that he must be crazy.

Come

Sighing and rolling his eyes, Gabriel started down the hall again, listening carefully to the lyrics, chasing the music down the corridor. He walked past the sitting room, the kitchen, the servants quarters.

Where the hell am I going? he wondered briefly, when a new feeling came over him. Not the eerie sense the sad song gave, but one he recognized. Warmth flooded in on him, blanketing him in the sensation.

Love, the voice whispered again, he felt like someone was whispering it right in his ear. It sounded familiar, just as it felt familiar. Anna, it made him think of Anna.

"I'm loosing my mind," he grumbled, but he kept walking, further into the old manor, chasing after phantom voices. Why am I doing this?

Trust

Sighing again he nodded and walked on, till a strong urge came over him, and before he knew it he was standing before the old ballroom. Swallowing in sudden apprehensiveness he looked up and down the hallway. What is going on?

Merry Christmas

Gabriel threw open the double doors and stepped into the dust-covered room. Staring open mouthed at what he found.

A woman sat at the old piano, her elegant white fingers playing the melody he now felt in every fiber of his being. Long chestnut curls draped down her back, her long white gown flowing over the bench. She closed her eyes while she sang, her beautiful husky voice sending shivers up and down his spine.

"Who are you?" he asked in awe, she didn't answer, but kept playing, it was then he saw that she was crying.

She held out the last note, her voice slowly decrescendoing to nothing. Her fingers came off the keys of the piano, her eyes remained closed.

"Hello Gabriel" she whispered, opening her eyes and finally turning to him. He took a step back instinctively, no longer afraid, but surprised. She smiled sadly,

"I'm sorry about that, but this is where I was-" her voice choked momentarily, she glanced down then back up at him. She lifted her chin, though her lip still quivered, and finished her sentence, "Taken."

Gabriel stepped fully into the room once more, the door closed softly behind him automatically, making him jump. "Annabelle Valerious?" he whispered, not believing his eyes. She smiled wistfully.

"You can only visit the place of your death, I apologize if I startled you. It was the only way I could get your attention. I wanted so badly to meet with you," she finished, striking hazel eyes watching for his reaction. He simply nodded and stepped hesitantly closer to her.

"That was a beautiful song," he said, she smiled sadly,

"Yes, my Anna loved that song," she told him. Gabriel could easily see the resemblance between Anna and her mother, they were almost twins. But Annabelle's eyes held a depth of time and wisdom that Anna's did not. The pain reflected in those golden brown pools almost broke him in two.

"She loves you," Annabelle said, standing from the piano bench. She walked around him in a circle, careful not to touch him. He allowed her to study him, though it made him feel a tad uncomfortable.

"Do you want to talk to her? I can wake her-" he started, Annabelle held up a slender hand.

"No, I don't want to hurt her anymore," she whispered huskily.

"I love my baby, Gabriel Van Helsing, I won't cause her more pain. You've given her more then I ever could and something I fear I took from her," the older woman confessed. She crossed back to the piano, her fingers easily finding the keys for the memorized ballad.

Gabriel watched transfixed as an image played out in front of him.

Little four-year-old Anna danced by herself in the grand ballroom, while her mother played the piano. Anna's soft four-year-old voice sang along with her mothers, as the older Valerious sang the favored song.

"Who are you dancing with little one?" a gruffer voice called teasingly. Anna stopped mid-step to look right at Gabriel. Piercing his heart with her innocent gaze, not the hardened gaze of the warrior he knew, but the soft gaze of a child who had yet to know the worlds cruelty.

"With my husband silly!" Anna said, like it was such an easy answer. Boris Valerious strode across the ballroom, walking through Gabriel in the process. He stopped at the piano to kiss his wife quickly, whispering softly in her ear. Anna shook her head and apologized to her 'husband', before starting her dance all over again. Boris walked over to her purposefully, tapping her shoulder politely.

"Excuse me, do you think I might have a dance?" he asked, grinning brightly. Anna nodded and was instantly scooped up by her father, she squealed in delight as he kissed her nose and spun them in circles.

"Madame? Would you be so kind as to play that lovely little number from before?" he asked, eyes twinkling merrily. Annabelle smothered her smile, trying to keep a straight face.

"Of course good sir," she chuckled lightly, "As you wish." She started to play again, every note prefect. Anna giggled in her fathers arms as he held her above the ground, 'dancing' with her.

The memory faded slowly, leaving Gabriel back in the ballroom, with Anna's mother, who was still singing.

"You've given her hope, Gabriel, and I thank you for it," she said when her song was done. The last note still resonating in the room, and within Gabriel's very soul.

The scene played again, this time with grown-up Anna. She stood before the now old and unused piano. She drew her fingers hesitantly over the worn keys. She started shaking then, a sob escaping her lips. She sat down on the bench and put her face in her hand, crying for her lost mother. Annabelle reached out for her daughter, stopping her hand right before it connected.

Anna's head jerked up and looked around, recognition shining from her tear streaked eyes.

"Mama?" she asked, putting a hand to her face. She stood from the piano bench, looking unsure. A rueful laugh escaped her lips, shaking her head she turned back to the piano.

"I will see you again," she said to no one, then closed the piano.

"You are a good man Mr. Van Helsing, you have a good heart," a tear slipped from Annabelle's eyes as she looked up at him. "And you love my daughter, that's good enough for me." Standing up she kissed his cheek lightly, though he felt nothing other then a whisper of air.

"Take care of my baby, monster slayer, please, love her and care for her as I could not," she pleaded softly. Gabriel nodded mutely, she choked back a sob and sat back down on the bench. She laughed shortly at herself, then turned back to the piano, her fingers finding the well-known path of notes. The heart-tearing melody lifted from under her skilled fingers, her voice rising to meet it. Gabriel turned and silently left the room.

Gabriel returned to his bedroom, stealthily sliding back into the now cool sheets. Anna stirred slightly and then rolled over, her eyes looking to him in question.

"Where did you go?" she whispered softly, he settled more comfortably, then reached out and took her hand, playing with her fingers. Still she stared at him, he lifted her hand to his mouth and lightly kissed her knuckles.

"Couldn't sleep" he answered finally, placing her hand in the center of his chest. She cocked her head, a small smile playing on her crimson stained lips.

"Fine then, keep your secrets," she grumbled, he smiled lopsidedly, reaching his hand to brush her hair behind her ear.

"I missed you," she said, tracing circles on his chest with her fingers.

"Did you?" he responded, acting surprised, she giggled and nodded, walking her hand up to his chin.

"How about a proper welcome then," he growled, leaning in suddenly to kiss her waiting lips. She smiled against his mouth, sliding her fingers along his jawbone, holding his face in her soft hands. She smiled up at him when he pulled back just enough, a playful spark in her loving eyes.

"My god, you're beautiful" he whispered, she skimmed her hands up over his biceps, quickly glancing down then back up at him.

Her breath quickened when he dropped his head back down, her full lips already parted and eagerly awaiting his kiss.

Up in the clouds, Annabelle smiled sweetly, she blew a kiss to her daughter then turned back to where she belonged.

Wow, uh, I had like a completely different idea for where this chapter would go, but this is what came out. Did ya like the flashback or hate it?

I have a very important question to ask you, would you like the bonus chapters. The honeymoon thing and the whole 'what about Drac's room'?

And in case you didn't get it, Anna's Mum is a ghost, she came to talk to Helsing. Check?

I don't own Enya, or the song "Fallen Embers"

Once, as my heart remember,
All the stars were fallen embers.
Once, when night seemed forever
I was with you.

Once, in the care of morning
In the air was all belonging.
Once, when that day was dawning.
I was with you.

How far we are from morning
How far we are
And the stars shining through the darkness,
Falling in the air.

Once, as the night was leaving
Into us our dreams were weaving.
Once, all dreams were worth keeping.
I was with you.

Once, when our hearts were singing,
I was with you