Merry Christmas

Christmas eve is just around the corner, and I still haven't gotten anything for Davion. What could a 400-year-old vampire possibly want?

I did get some presents for the other people on my list. I got my dad a new hat. His was looking ratty and a new scope for his shotgun. I bought Maria a painting of wolves howling at the moon. It's really pretty and it was cheap. I got it off e-bay. For Anna I got a porcelain doll. She collects them. It's a beautiful doll. I bought it because it looks just like her, with its raven curls and antique looking dress, with ribbons and lace covering every square inch. For Kat and John I bought some CD's that they asked for and a throw blanket to keep them warm when they're making out in the back of his dad's pick up truck.

Davion, however, is way more complicated. I wanted to get him something very special this year. I didn't know how long it had been since he'd had a real Christmas, if ever.

Today is a rare sunny day here in London, England. Since I knew it would be difficult for Davion to show up, I decided to roam around the city to try to find him the perfect gift.

I entered a department store called, "Salone's". If there was one thing that Davion needed desperately it was an updated wardrobe. At the moment all the guy had was his pirate styled clothes that he was wearing when we met, a red shirt, dress pants, boots, and one of my dad's old leather coats.

I passed isle after isle of men's clothing, studying every mannequin that I passed. I tried to fantasize Davion wearing the styles I saw. He looked like a god in everything. I had to keep in mind that he was allergic to sunlight. I picked out a black hoody with the Batman signal on the front in gold. (ha ha ha)

It didn't seem like enough though. What do you give the man who brought you back from the dead? I searched for another half-hour before giving up. I was about to head for the check out when a tall brunette with a nametag on her jacket approached me and asked if I needed help. I quickly glanced at her nametag, Nancy, she sure didn't look like a Nancy. She looked more like an exotic supermodel than a store clerk.

Nancy gave me a wide bright smile, "Need help picking out something for your father or boyfriend?" she asked. My cheeks flushed, "Uh…I wouldn't call him my boyfriend." She giggled, it was a warm tinkling sound. "A crush huh?" she gave me another smile, "Follow me." She gestured towards another isle. I obediently followed in toe.

She led me to two chairs sitting outside the dressing rooms, She sat me down in one of them, she taking a seat in the other. "So tell me about your secret love." She said mysteriously leaning her chin on her knuckles in interest. Never in my life has any store clerk ever showed any interest in me before. "Why do you want to know?" I asked. Nancy laughed again, "It's been a slow boring day and I love gossip. Besides, a little info about the guy will help me help you pick out the perfect gift." I couldn't argue with that. I was desperate. "Well uh, I don't know that much about him. We've only known each other a month." My leg was jumping all over the place out of nervousness, I tried to get it to stop but it wouldn't listen. "Is he cute?" she asked, her brown eyes brightening.

I bit my lip, feeling a surge of heat cross my cheeks. Nancy smirked, knowing from my body language that he most definitely was. "What does he look like?"

I made sure that my eyes stay on my sneakers, "Black hair, good build, tall" I sighed deeply, as his face flashed through my vision, "green eyes." She leaned in closer, "and his personality?" asked Nancy. My mouth went crazy I don't think I even knew what I was saying, "He's the dark and mysterious type." A smile crossed my lips as I thought back to the night he saved me from Scarlet's goons. "He has a powerful presence about him, a regal-ness, like…a king." I noticed a bolt a lightning flashing across the dark pools of her eyes.

She snapped her fingers together, jumping up from her seat.

"I know just the thing." She took me by the hand and pulled me towards the perfume counter. "Uh, why perfume? He's a guy." I asked, my arm was killing me. Nancy smiled cunningly, "The best Christmas present a guy like that could get is you." she said. My eyes widened, my imagination running wild. "excuse me?" She waved away my discomfort, "No, I meant you should tell him how you feel. Here" she added handing me a bottle. It had the word, "Twilight" scrawled across it in an elegant hand. "Spray some of that on your neck and he won't be able to keep his hands off of you. Men love it!" I didn't give it a second thought. I ended up buying the perfume, the hoody, some jeans, a leather jacket, some t-shirts, and a tan sweater, that I knew would fit tightly across Davion's well-developed chest. Oh and a new slinky red dress for Davion's Christmas surprise.

You may be asking where I got all that money. The truth is William is paying me to keep my mouth shut about his little hobby. Ah, blackmail, don't you love it!

I ran out the store carrying four full bags of merchandise. The strange thing is, the weight didn't bother me. I ran all the way home without breaking a sweat.

Back at Salone's

Nancy's lips curved in a pleased demonic grin. She blinked her eyes and they returned to their usual red tone. "Boys, the coast is clear." She called. Upon her order, Exavier dropped down from his hanging position on the ceiling, Alexander crawled along the ceiling before dropping down to stand behind his vampire brethren.

"Our work here is done. Let us return to the roost. All we have to do now is wait for Davion's little pet to destroy him for us." A dark chuckle rang out from the three. They all headed towards the back exit. As they entered the dark hall leading to the back door, they stepped over the still form of a young woman, with golden hair cascaded around her, her flesh covered only by her undergarments. At her neck there were three pairs of bite marks. There was no blood spilt on the floor. There never is when you're killed by a vampire. Waist not, want not.

As Alexander passed her he grabbed her by the neck, and dragged her out the door. Once outside, Exavier and the woman took off into the darkening sky. Alexander, not yet fond of flying, leapt to the building tops, and began to run, the real Nancy flapping about at weird angles in his clawed grasp.

Christmas Eve:

The days did not pass fast enough for me. However when Christmas Eve finally arrived, I found myself in a panic.

At around 4:00 I started getting ready for Davion's Christmas party. I figured he'd be hungry so I went to the kitchen, emptied a bottle of wine into the sink, and drained the roast of blood, filling the bottle, before putting the meat into the oven.

I ran with the bottle under my arm up to my room. I set up a small table quickly, setting the bottle upright in the middle and placing a wineglass on the left side.

Then I went to shower and get dressed up, wanting to look my very best. I put on my short red dress, studying the way my body looked in it in the mirror. It really accentuated my breasts, they looked twice their normal size. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, honestly. I didn't want to look like I was asking for it.

I put on some light makeup, mainly focusing on my eyes. Then I strapped on the red heels I never wore. Finally I pulled up my long curly hair.

I remembered the perfume and quickly grabbed it out of my bag and sprayed some on my neck. When I was done I quickly threw it into a dresser drawer, hearing the curtains of the veranda rustle.

I sprinted to the table and plopped in my chair, crossing my legs like a woman of class and sophistication, someone the complete opposite of me.

Within seconds Davion brushed back the curtains and gracefully entered the room. He looked about the room, searching for me. When he caught sight of me, I noticed that his eyes widened and sparkled. He seemed somewhat surprised. "What is all this?" he asked in his smooth voice.

"Merry Christmas!" I shouted happily. He began to smile but when he saw all the presents piled on my bed, the smile became a sad line. "I'm sorry, Dawn. It's been so long, I completely forgot about Christmas. I'm afraid I haven't gotten you a gift."

He seemed genuinely upset that he had forgotten, "That's okay." My eyes darted to my hands, folded in my lap. "Spending time with you is present enough for me." He gave me a small smile.

I motioned towards my bed, "Open your presents!" he laughed pleasantly.

I came to sit next to him on the bed to watch him open his presents. He opened every one, smiling and thanking me profoundly for each of them. When he opened the Batman hoody I began laughing hysterically and of course he had no idea why. I promised I'd explain it to him one day.

When he was done he thanked me again, leaning in and kissing my forehead. I blushed violently leaping from the bed and going to the table for the blood.

I turned around with the wine bottle in one hand and a glass in the other, "Wanna drink?" I said giving him a wink. He shook his head, "I can't drink wine." He explained. "Oh this isn't wine. It's cow blood." Davion grabbed that bottle out of my hand faster than I could blink.

He poured himself a glass and chugged it down greedily. He must have been starving. I've noticed that whenever Davion is fighting or he smells or tastes blood his eyes are red, but when he's calm and content they are that beautiful green. His eyes fascinate me. I watched him drink the entire glass. In a split second he slammed the empty glass on the table. He sighed with satisfaction, "Thank you. I needed that."

Watching him drink got me thinking, "Say, what would happen if you ate something besides blood?" Davion grimaced, "I would get very ill and vomit up my insides." I too grimaced at his words, "ooh, that's gotta hurt." His grimace broadened, "It is. I've been there. I tried to eat a loaf of bread, once, in my early days. I'll never do it again." We both laughed.

Now is the moment of truth. There's no going back. I took a deep breath, "Davion, there's something I need to tell you." He filled himself another glass, his eyes locked on me. I twiddled my fingers nervously.

"We've been spending a lot of time together. And you've saved my life numerous times, ...in more ways than you think. " I stared at him from across the table, "Even though I know its crazy and that it should't happen, I think …I think I'm falling in love with you, Davion."

He stared at me his eyes glowing even brighter than normal. He lowered his half-empty glass to the table and reached for my hand.

Davion squeezed my hand reassuringly as he leaned over the table. "We both must be crazy." he whispered, his voice like velvet. Before my brain had time to catch up, he kissed me. It was a nice long, passionate kiss. The kind that makes your heart skip a beat, or a couple of beats.

All too soon he pulled away, leaving me breathless and longing for more. "Please don't stop." I pleaded." I could see him gazing up at me beneath the shadow of his dark hair, he looked like he was studying me. For the first time since the night we met, I was terrified of him. Terrified not of what he was but of what might me coming next.

"I do care about you Dawn, I do. But, you're right, It's wrong. I'm a vampire and you're a human. All I can offer you is death." He lifted his head so I could see his face clearly. "I'm sorry…but we can never be." He rose to his feet in an instant.

I could feel my heart tightening in my chest. I knew he was intent on leaving and never coming back. I could't bare that thought. I sprang to my feet and leached onto him before he could make his escape.

"Let go of me."he ordered, his eyes flashing. "No, I won't." I screamed back, tears began to flow down my cheeks, "Please, don't leave me alone again! " I sobbed into his chest.

To my surprise, his powerful arms wrapped around me, holding me close. Davion took my face in his hands and kissed me again. This time it was more urgent, I could feel his need in the kiss. He didn't want to be alone either.

It went on forever. Then his mouth traveled to my neck and I could feel his nose and lips trail across my collarbones as he took in my scent.

Then to my horror, he began to cough violently, and collapsed!

In a panic I crumpled to the floor beside him. "Get away from me!" he spat. Davion's eyes were red and his body was convulsing wildly. "What did I do?" I asked, tears choking my voice. He gasped, "Your scent, something's wrong with your scent!" a foamy substance poured out of his mouth. Immediately my suspicion fell to the perfume. I ran to my dresser and took the bottle from its hiding place. Then I returned to his side to show him.

He took one sniff of the stuff and hissed, another violent cough racking his lungs. "Liquid silver!" his eyes wide in terror. "Oh my god!" I breathed, "What have I done!"

I was startled out of my self-loathing by Davion's firm grip around my hand, "Go get Maria" hack, his dark blood collecting on the floor around him, "chances are she has the antidote." I didn't need any more encouragement than that. I was out the door and down the stairs within seconds.

I threw open the bedroom door, to find Maria strapping on a black corset. I stared at my lingerie-clad stepmother, a look of horror on my face. "What, its all your father wanted for Christmas." Said Maria, nonchalantly. I shook out of my haze, remembering my original mission.

"Maria, Davion's sick! I need your help!" Her golden eyes flashed at the mentioning of his name, "The vampire!" I nodded, like a child whose hand got caught in the cookie jar. "Um…yea. I accidentally poisoned him." Maria gave a heavy sigh and rolled her eyes, "silver?" she asked. And I answered her with a deep nod.

She quickly went down into the basement and when she returned she had a large siring in her hand. It was filled with a blue colored substance. We both went up to my room, where she entered alone, telling me that I didn't want to see the shot's affect. Little did she know I watched her through the crack in the door.

She sauntered over to the convulsing vampire on the floor and knelt down beside him. Almost tenderly she lifted his head onto her lap. However, the moment of gentleness was short-lived, in one quick fluid motion she stabbed the needle into his neck.

Davion snarled his fangs longer and protruding from his jaws. Every vein in his body was pulsing and enlarged. You could see the blue liquid traveling through them through his pale skin. After a few moments his body relaxed and he went limp on the floor. Maria exited the room without a word. As she passed me she whispered, "Go take a shower. I can still smell the stench of silver on your skin." I quickly ran to my bathroom and jumped into the shower.

My shower only took about five minutes. When I got out I threw on my robe, much too worried about Davion to care what I wore.

When I came out of the bathroom, Davion was still on the floor but propped up on his elbows so he was half sitting up. As soon as he saw me he motioned towards the table, "blood" he rasped, "I need blood." I hurried to get the bottle of cow blood for my friend. I extended it to him and he tore it from my hand in lightning speed.

In two or three gulps the entire bottle was drained. He pulled it away from his lips with a sigh.

I fell to the floor next to him and threw my arms around his neck, "I'm so sorry, Davion." I sobbed, "Please forgive me." Davion touched my head lightly, running his fingers through my hair. "There's nothing to forgive. This isn't your fault." I looked up at him, with a confused look. His face was calm though his eyes were still in predator mode. "I can sense Scarlet's hand in this. Did a beautiful woman with pale skin and dark brown hair give the perfume to you by chance?" I nodded. "Speak with a Spanish accent?" once again I nodded. A knowing smile came across his face. "It was Scarlet, all right." Grudgingly he climbed to his feet.

I helped him over to the bed where he utterly collapsed. "Just give me a minute. That took a lot out of me." "Of course." I whispered images of him convulsing and foaming at the mouth seeping into my brain.

I sat on the bed next to him. "Are you okay?" I asked touching his shoulder with concern. He turned his angelic face towards me. Burring holes into my face with his red eyes. "You know I …almost wish you hadn't have gotten that antidote." A racking blow of horror and pain struck my heart at the words. "What?" my voice was shacking. His eyes burred deeper into me. "I hate what I am, Dawn. I despise myself. But… for some reason, I can not die. God knows I've tried to destroy myself. Yet I will not die. For years I have racked my brain trying to figure out why; why I go on living. I think I found my answer tonight." There was a suspenseful pause. "I live…for you." Before I could jump for joy, he leaned into me and pressed his lips against mine.

This time there was nothing to stop him. Each kiss was more passionate than the last. His hands moved expertly over my body. Strange noises escaped from my mouth at his touch. I had never felt like this before. I had never even been on a real date before. All of this was new to me. I could hear him making a weird purring noise. I couldn't help but giggle and to my unending pleasure he chuckled seductively back.

And then the unthinkable happened. Just as he was about to remove my robe and take me. I felt the tips of his fangs prick my skin. My reflexes took over and my hand slapped him across the face, bringing him back to reality.

He blinked twice and his eyes finally turned back to normal, from blood red to my favorite shade of green. I watched his eyes dart to the small blood spots at my neck. Realizing what he had almost done, he clasped his hand over his mouth and darted to the terrace. In an instant he vanished before my eyes.