Chappie 12 is up! Hooray! Alucard has made himself scarce here... don't kill me for not letting him have a full appearance. Read, review, and enjoy!
Christmas had crept up on the Hellsing manor much in the way a cat creeps up upon it's prey. You aren't aware of it until… WHAM! It was right on top of you. Maybe it was Seras humming carols in the hallways, or Walter trimming the troop's quarters with glittery tinsel and festive lights that gave it away… but in any case, Integra was not glad of the season. There were too many memories connoted with it… some good, but mostly painful. After the death of her father, Christmas hadn't been the same. Since Arthur's passing, Walter had done his best to try to make Integra happy, but no butler, no matter how doting or paternal they may be, could replace a father.
Integra sighed. Holiday cheer was in short supply here. Sure, the soldiers were rowdy enough, with their spiked eggnog and wild parties that they had as the days were counted down to Christmas eve, but there was no joy to be had in these immature little bashes, at least not for Integra. She sat, slumped in an overstuffed lavish armchair, nibbling at warm sugar cookies that sat on a tray, placed by a table beside her.
One good thing that could be said about Christmas… Walter always kept cookies in the oven. And at the beginning of her second trimester, it was becoming obvious that she was with child. Her suits, usually overlarge on her twiggy frame were growing ever tighter… so much so that she had abandoned wearing them, unaccustomed to their clinging fit. Instead, she opted to hang around the house in a loose white button down shirt and a pair of slacks that still fit her… it wouldn't be too long before she would need to buy clothes that actually fit… maternity clothes. Integra shuddered at the thought. Integra didn't think they carried suits and slacks in sizes to fit her growing belly. She hated the prospect of wearing flowery printed dresses. Repulsive.
Integra reached for more cookies as she sat in front of the fire, warming herself and her unborn child. Absently, she stroked her stomach. What would the baby look like? Was it a boy or a girl? What would she name it? A name. That was the big, imposing question. She had more time these days to think of such things, now that her mind was less occupied by the symptoms that came with early pregnancy. The morning sickness had subsided along with the huge bouts of fatigue, but her hunger was ever present. Food. Was that all pregnant women thought about? She shoved another cookie in her mouth.
Seras walked into the room, her uniform flecked with bits of blood. She had just been out doing some extermination… nothing major. She had just needed to take care of some punk vampire that had gone on a killing spree. Stepping in front of Integra, the light in the room changed as Sera's curvy form blocked the fire.
"I've exterminated the vampire as you have said, Sir Integra."
Integra nodded, pushing her round glasses up the bridge of her nose.
"Good work, Miss Victoria. Do please sit down. I would like some company for a short while."
Seras was rather surprised at the invitation. Usually Integra didn't want to be bothered with her, and now she was openly requesting she stay for a chat? Shocked, but not unpleasantly so, Seras moved to a sofa near Integra's seat. Integra sighed in a deep, sad way. She had been feeling rather lonely; as of late… maybe it was Alucard's absence. She was still angry with him, but she had become so accustomed to his irksome little visits, the sound of his cold, resonating voice, that her existence had seemed rather desolate with no one to drive her up the wall. She had ordered him to stay away, and he could not disobey a direct order. Seras would have to suffice as company for now.
"Sir… how have you been feeling?"
Seras asked with care, her big red eyes darting to her Master's Master's stomach. Seras had been delighted when first informed that Integra was pregnant… there was no doubt that she would make a doting 'auntie'. Auntie Seras. She silently fancied the sound of it. A little baby toddling about the manor was an exciting thought.
"As well as can be expected. I've been feeling a bit more normal, albeit heavier. I guess I'm getting used to lugging a fetus around my midriff."
From what could be gathered, she didn't sound too excited. A normal mother would have cooed delightedly about having a child and what joy it would bring. Integra was stoic as she spoke of her heir to be. Not much else could be expected, really. Integra had never been the type of person to display severe emotion. Integra turned to Seras, her blue eyes flashing with curiosity.
"Tell me… how has Alucard been faring?"
Integra couldn't put her finger on why she had the sudden impulse to ask this. Seras merely stared for a moment, almost shocked at her Master's inquiry of Alucard.
"I don't know, really…" She said. "I haven't seen much of him. Keeps to his room mostly. And when I have seen him, he never really wanted to talk to me. I think he's sulking about what he did…"
Integra's gaze suddenly sharpened, her lips forming a straight, angry line. Immediately Seras knew she had let something slip. Sera's eyes widened into that 'deer in the headlights' expression. Integra merely glowered.
"He… He told you?" Integra asked, her voice grave. It was not so much a question as it was a command for her to answer.
"Yes." Seras squeaked, now very intimidated by the leader of Hellsing. Would she possibly be punished for her knowledge? Integra was known to be quite severe…
Integra was rather shocked that Alucard had chosen to convey such intimate knowledge to his fledgling. How dare he! It was supposed to be a secret. Seras would have to be added to the circle of those who knew… the circle now counted four. Integra, Alucard, Walter and now Miss Victoria knew of how Integra had been abominably defiled by her servant. Integra brought her hand to her forehead, rubbing irritably.
"You must promise that you will not tell another soul of these occurrences. You are sworn to secrecy."
"Yes, Sir." Said Seras, her blonde locks bobbing as she nodded solemnly.
"You may leave now, Officer Victoria. I will send for you if I require your services."
That was her cue for escape. Seras stood, nodding in an obedient sort of way, before exiting the library without another word. Integra's thoughts took a turn to Alucard. Seras had mentioned that he had been… moping. Was it possible he was suffering just as much as she was? Perhaps he regretted what he had done… perhaps there was a shred of humanity in him after all.
Christmas morning. A gray, half light streamed through the window. A groggy Integra turned her head away from the offending light, burying her face in a soft down pillow. Light bad. Hide in dark. Her mind was fuzzy as she slowly awoke from a long slumber. It was almost 11:00 am. Merry Christmas, Integra. Her present to herself was getting to sleep in as late as she had wished. It had felt good, almost rejuvenating, to curl up in bed and have no obligations for which she needed to wake up.
She moved her hand along her nightstand table, fishing for her glasses. Instead, her fingers met a small, square package, no bigger than a tin of sardines. She grabbed the little thing curiously, and inspected it with her bad eyes. It appeared to be a little rectangular box, wrapped in black paper and tied with a red ribbon. Grabbing her glasses, she put them upon her face, her interest immediately turning back to the package, which she ripped open inquisitively.
Cigars. It was a small box of fine Cuban cigars. Deprived for four months of them, she could sniff the tobacco on the air almost as soon as she had ripped off the wrapping paper and ribbon. Opening the box, she found it contained five neatly rolled, thick cigars. They smelled so good. Inside was also a small piece of paper. Grabbing the paper, she unfolded it to reveal a little note. In neat, loopy black letters, it read;
'Cigars for a woman who makes me burn.
Go ahead and have one. You know you want to.
Merry Christmas.'
Integra sighed, sticking one of the cigars between her lips, hurriedly fishing for a lighter. Igniting the end, she puffed contentedly. One cigar wouldn't hurt… She closed her eyes in euphoria as she savored the taste of the smoke on her tongue and lips and in her lungs. Ahh… bliss. Needless to say, she immediately knew whom this little trifle was from. Alucard. She blew a puff of smoke from between her lips. Undead bastard. He became harder to hate when he gave gifts like this.
An important note... I would like some suggestions on how the baby should look... but more importantly, suggestions of names for the baby. It would help a whole lot:D
Again, thanks for all the feedback I have been getting. Wahoo. I love it when I get comments.
I hope this chapter is sufficent.
I don't own Hellsing. But you already know that.
Cheers,
-Kimi-Taco.
