I'm so terribly sorry this has taken so long to get posted, Internet problems and length issues have kept me from posting sooner. I actually wrote a chapter that was waaaaaay too long. Fifteen pages... So I split it into chapter 10a and 10b. You're welcome.
Review Responses:
SilverFlover: Oh I'm so glad you liked the flashback, I'm never sure if I'm being corny or not with those. Ah, we are finally at Christmas Eve and day in this chapter.
alias101: And so you will have the bonus chapters
EbonyBeach: Intensely romantic huh? I didn't think it was all that intense, but if you did, you'd better take some medicine for those palpitations, 'cause I'm about to give you my version of intense within a PG-13 rating! (winks) I'm so glad you liked the flashback thingy, since I thought I was borderline corny there. So did my muse...
Vampyric Lycan: Yay! You're back! I'm so very glad that I could make you feel better!
funkyflamingo: I'm sure glad you're all liking the flashback thing, 'cause I'm using it a lot more in this chappie! (SPOILER!) I'm writing the bonus chapters even as I try to finish this!
KillerKitty16: I feel so much better knowing that the flashbacks were so well received. Makes me less nervous about this chapter.
svu-chick-katarina: Would it be weird of me to tell you that I love that TV show? Law and Order: SVU rules! Btw, Mariska Hargitay won a golden globe last night. Bonus chapters are on the way!
Liz-Bathory7: Here's another update
From-Heaven2Earth: (grins) And I'm lovein' getting your reviews! I'll try to hurry with those bonus chappies!
Sarge1: Oh geeze, thanks, (blushes) Yeah, I enjoyed writing the flashback with little Anna. Okay, okay, I updated see? Just breathe... (lol) More insane? Luv, you're not even close...
Spaztic Arwen: SPAZZY! (lol) sorry, I had to do that. No, that's not the same lullaby. I wrote the lullaby for Michael all on my lonesome. This song was Enya's creation. The disclaimer is at the bottom of the page 'cause I forgot about it in the beginning. Are you referring to the summary? In which I said that Gabe was going to learn a bit more about Anna's family? That's the point of the flashbacks really. That and something really huge, that you're going to have to read to find out. Muahahahahahaha
"Papa" a tiny voice whispered, penetrating the thick fog of sleep Van Helsing was currently lost in. He jerked awake, lying on his back, and stared up at the ceiling. What? his groggy mind wondered. He looked over at Anna, her back to him, peering over at her face he decided she was still asleep. As if sensing him looking at her, Anna's brow furrowed, the corners of her mouth tipped down. She mumbled incoherently and clutched the sheets to her chest, she stirred lightly then settled once more, exhaling loudly when she found her comfort spot. A girlish giggle floated up from Gabriel's side of the bed.
"Papa! I'm over here!" the little voice shrilled, creating an instant chilling effect on the groggy monster hunter. We don't have any children he thought, slowly twisting to look at his side of the bed. Bright hazel eyes met his, a smile on a precious face, chestnut curls bobbing as she danced in excitement.
"Come on Papa! It's Christmas! Get up!" little Anna chirped, planting her hands on her hips in a pose she would perfect as she grew older. Gabriel stared at her in disbelief, she giggled again, dainty fingers reaching for his hand.
"I want to open my presents Papa!" she demanded, not looking at all disturbed when her fingers passed right through his hand. Her lip pouted out, in another face eerily familiar to Gabriel.
"Anna?" he asked, blinking and rubbing his eyes, was he still dreaming?
"What Gabriel?" grown up Anna mumbled, pushing her face against her pillow and shifting slightly. Four-year-old Anna giggled again,
"Yes Papa?" she asked, bouncing on her feet anxiously. Gabriel shook his head and turned to look back at his wife again.
"Anna you would tell me if we had a kid wouldn't you?" he asked stupidly. Anna frowned against her pillow, not even bothering to open her eyes for that one.
"Are you drunk?" she asked, he flopped back against his pillows, he had to be dreaming.
"Not yet," he muttered in response to Anna's question. She snorted and rolled over, shuffling to get comfortable again.
Younger Anna still stood there, completely unfazed by her 'Papa' having a conversation with her future self.
"Can we open presents now?" she asked simply, soft eyes pleading. Despite his brain telling him to turn over and go back to sleep, he nodded to her.
"All right," he said, tossing back the blankets, she danced out of the room in a flurry of curls.
"Where are you going?" Anna asked sleepily, cracking open an eye. He shook his head and hunted around for his other house shoe. Nowhere sweetheart, I'm going to go chase you as a child down the halls so you can open your Christmas presents, he thought with an eye roll.
"I'm ready for some coffee," he told her, not really lying, he was planning on a strong cup or two. She nodded and yawned,
"I'll be down in a minute, don't start without me" she said. Gabriel smiled and ruffled her curls affectionately. Bending he pressed what was meant to be a quick kiss to her temple, but she reached out and caught his head, and twisted so that his lips landed squarely on hers. His eyes widened in surprise at the furious passion with which Anna kissed him and he found himself being pulled back onto their bed, his body slanted over hers. He felt an arm twine around his neck, and her nails gently scratching against his scalp. Good God! he thought dimly, What did I do? You'd have thought he'd been gone for months the way she so hungrily clung to him. Eye's rolling closed with pure bliss, he pushed his fingers under her pillow, and fully lowered himself onto his wife.
"Paaaapa!" younger Anna whined, peeking her head around the door, she stamped her foot. Van Helsing jerked back so forcefully he fell completely off of Anna and the bed, landing with a dull thump. Anna appeared up above him, face cradled in the palm of her hand.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her other hand dangling over the bedside. He blinked and looked over at the door, little Anna's face pouted at him.
Anna sighed and shook her head, "I don't ever want to be accused of never being in the mood ever again," she said pointedly, then cuddled into his pillow. Gabriel stared up at her bewilderedly, did she honestly not see the miniature her standing in their bedroom doorway?
"Daddy, you said!" the four-year-old accused, Gabriel stared at her incredulously, Well there's another thing that time hasn't changed he thought with a wry grin. She stared right back at him, arms crossed firmly over her little chest.
How could he not indulge that sweet face? He nodded obligingly and stood from the floor, stretching his back. Shaking his head again, he reached over and yanked his robe off the nearby chair, quickly pulling it on.
Little Anna practically glowed as she skipped down the hall in front of him.
"Can Daddy, erm, I mean, Papa have a cup of coffee first?" he asked her, feeling like an idiot. He desperately hoped that Carl didn't stick his head out the door any time soon.
The little Princess sighed heavily and rolled her eyes, like he was being so difficult "I guess" she allowed.
Gabriel smiled to himself and headed for the kitchen, noting that little Anna followed along behind him. Her little bare feet slapping against the floor as she tried to step only where he had. They continued this strange dance all the way into the kitchen, with Gabriel purposefully taking larger strides every now and then.
Coffee secured he followed her back to the main room, sipping the warm brown liquid, almost groaning at the taste of the beloved beverage.
"God's gift to the human race" he commented to no one in particular. Little Anna looked like she might explode as she looked at all the presents scattered about the room. Gabriel realized with a start that they didn't have that many presents.
Ghost gifts? he sniggered at the thought, and took another sip of his coffee.
"Now?" Anna asked, shaking excitedly as she stared at all the wonderful packages. Gabriel blinked and looked down at her, she was waiting for his okay? Now there's a welcome change.
Enjoying being in charge, he puffed out his chest, and nodded, "Have at it kid" he said gruffly. She squealed in delight and tackled the nearest gift, giving another shriek when she saw her name written on the top.
He wondered briefly where little Velkan was, then slapped himself mentally. Don't ASK he scolded himself, one ghostly child was enough.
He heard a gasp and turned back to little Anna, she held up a china doll, her eyes as wide as saucers.
"Papa! She so pretty!" she cried, hugging the doll tightly, she jumped up and ran over to him. Once again seeming to not be bothered by the fact she couldn't touch him when she wrapped his legs up in a hug.
"Thank you Papa," she whispered, eyes glittering as she looked up at him. Gabriel blinked and opened his mouth,
"You're ver-" he stopped mid-sentence, little Anna was gone. So was the mountain of gifts. Thankfully his coffee was still in his hand, he quickly took another gulp.
"I need a new job," he commented to the empty room.
"Now why would you say a thing like that?" adult Anna asked, coming up behind him, hair hanging about her sleepy face. He returned her smile and handed her the cup of coffee. She took a sip then handed it back, making a face at the bitter taste.
"You always make it too strong," she complained, wrinkling her nose, he laughed and took a long swig. She walked off to make a more acceptable beverage, leaving him to his thoughts.
"Isn't this holiday over yet?" Carl asked, scratching at his head as he came down the hallway. Gabriel sighed and shook his head,
"I'm afraid not, this is the last day though, does that help any?" he offered, walking over to the couch. Carl followed behind him with a sigh, and took a seat by the fire, warming his hands in the glow.
"No," he responded simply, Gabriel quirked an eyebrow,
"You're a Friar, a man of the church, shouldn't you be crazy about this holiday?" he asked, settling himself against the couch. Carl scrunched up his nose and rubbed his hands together.
"Not at all," he answered, seeming rather pleased with the fact. Van Helsing barked a short laugh and put his coffee onto the glass table in front of the couch.
"Carl, if I had to be stuck with a man of the church for a partner in crime, well, I'm glad it's you," Gabriel said teasingly, though he sincerely meant what he said. Carl had been a burden at first, an annoying one at that, but the little Friar had proved himself more then capable of holding his own when battling evil. Now, Gabriel couldn't believe that he hadn't brought Carl on more of his adventures, he was a good partner, and more importantly, he was a good friend.
"You're not getting all sentimental are you Van Helsing? That's not very encouraging for a Monster Hunter," Carl teased, breaking Gabriel from his reverie. Gabriel shot Carl what he hoped was a withering glare and opened his mouth, about to retort when Anna reappeared.
"All right boys behave," she said mockingly, holding a mug of hot mint tea she stepped fully into the room, an impish grin on her features. She took full note of both men and their rumpled sleepwear. Carl in his little night robe, and Gabriel in his favorite cotton sleep pants and matching shirt. Which, she noticed rather appreciatively, fit rather snugly on his well toned torso.
That's mine, she thought possessively, chewing her bottom lip thoughtfully. And Velkan said I'd marry a big trollish brute with an earring in his nose and a uni-brow, she giggled as she imagined Van Helsing with both nose ring and uni-brow.
You realize of course, that you're staring, her mind warned, Anna's smile grew more seductive as her eyes drank in his form. Yes, and I fully intend to continue to, she thought back.
"Carl," she said suddenly, turning to look back at her friend, he smiled up at her.
"Yes?" he replied politely, eyeing her curiously, she was up to something, he could tell. Anna's smile only grew wider as she set her tea mug down on the table and moved to stand between Gabriel's knees. Her husband looked up at her, eyes asking her what she was about, she glanced over her shoulder at Carl, a full blown devilish expression lighting her features.
"Close your eyes," she said simply, grinning down at Gabriel, who finally understood what was on her mind. Bending slightly, she took hold of Van Helsings cotton covered shoulders and moved to kiss him. He met her half way, heavy palm cradling the back of her dark head. I must have done something right to be rewarded with such a man, Anna mused, pressing harder against his mouth.
Deciding she'd better quit while she was ahead, Anna reluctantly pulled away, still wearing that impish grin. Gabriel cocked his head, not sure what he'd done to deserve this treatment, Not that I'm complaining.
"Anna, not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?" he voiced his question. She ran her index finger across his bottom lip, Because you looked too good to leave alone just sitting here in your pajamas, she thought and said "Merry Christmas," instead.
Maybe there's something to this Christmas thing, a voice cried from the back of Gabriel's mind. He lifted an eyebrow in response, but shrugged, what was he supposed to say to that?
"Oh, Merry Christmas," he said, wishing he'd had something more charming and witty to say. Oh well, normally I'm the one begging, it's nice to be on the other side for once, he thought with a smile.
"Can I look now?" Carl asked from behind his fingers, sitting forgotten in his little corner. Anna looked over her shoulder at him, Gabriel peered around at his friend and stifled a laugh.
"Are you decent?" Carl asked, almost fearfully, Anna's eyebrows shot to her hairline, she looked back at her husband. Gabriel shrugged again, shaking his head at his friend.
"Yes Carl, you can look now," Anna laughed, seating herself on the couch, legs comfortably draped over Gabriel's.
"Just making sure," Carl said, dropping his hands from his face he eyed the couple suspiciously.
"After that time in the armory..." he trailed off, shuddering at the memory. Anna flushed scarlet at the mention of that incident, Gabriel cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"Yes well, as I recall that was your fault," he pointed out, trying not to fidget. Carl snorted,
"It most certainly was not! How was I to know?" he shot back, crossing his arms. Anna coughed, the memory now dancing through her mind, And to think I'd almost forgotten about that, she thought bemusedly.Can we get off this subject, sooner rather then later?
"Okay, well, let's get to the fun part shall we?" Carl said abruptly, much to Gabriel and Anna's immense relief. Anna nodded quickly, Van Helsing chose to hide his smile in his coffee mug as he took another sip. Carl slipped off his chair and scooted over to the tree, handing the brightly wrapped packages out.
Anna put her gifts in her lap, not looking exceptionally excited. But Gabriel saw her fingers shaking, and the light in her eyes that sparked and danced. In that moment he saw little Anna reflected in his wife, she was almost shaking in her excitement.
He continued to watch her, even as they all opened their presents. The absolute glee in her eyes as she shredded the wrapping paper. That little girl wasn't gone, he realized, she was just buried, she'd had to grow up much faster then little girls should.
Overcome by a powerful urge to wrap his wife up in his arms and never let her go, he reached over and took hold of her hand. Anna smiled up at him, curious as to his behavior and the painful look in his eyes.
"What is it?" she asked, brow furrowed, she looked around the room, and seeing no threat from the tree or Carl looked back at him.
"I have one more gift for you," Gabriel said loud enough for Carl to hear, but soft enough that Anna had to lean forward to hear. Carl took his cue and stood from his chair, brand new book and chemistry set cradled in his arms.
"I'm going to go see about lunch," he said and left the room. Now Anna was really curious, she pulled her hand from her husbands grasp and frowned after Carl.
"Okay, what's going on?" she asked, eyeing Gabriel suspiciously. In response he bent over and removed a small package from under the couch.
"Marry Christmas," he laughed handing her the little gift.
"Gabriel Van Helsing! you sneaky little-" she grinned at him and trailed off, she carefully slit the paper. Van Helsing scooted closer to her, not bother to suppress his grin when she removed a small collar from the wrapping. Stooping slightly he kissed her forehead then reached for his coffee.
"While I commend you for creativity, and am not opposed to the idea, I think you got the wrong size," she commented, one eyebrow raised as she looked over the collar.
Gabriel choked on his coffee, trying desperately not to spit it all over everything. He swallowed roughly, coughed, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Um, well, I agree that's an interesting idea, but that's not for you, er, well I guess it is for you. It's not for you." He sputtered in explanation, throat burning from the coffee he'd swallowed. Anna frowned at him,
"What? I'm lost," she said, he smiled, grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet.
"Come with me, I'll show you," he said, tugging her up to stand next to him. Forehead wrinkled she followed after him as he led her from the front room and down the nearby hall. He squeezed her hand reassuringly and stopped before the bathroom door.
She saw a flash of white teeth in the candle light as he grinned at her and gave her a small push in the direction of the door.
"Merry Christmas," he laughed as she pushed the door open...
The whole collar bit was specifically for my friend Onisyra. She doesn't think Anna would be very adventuresome, so that's just me teasing my friend. I apologize profusely if I offended anyone.
I will post the bonus chapters depending on the success of chapter 10.