Chapter 10

Stewart was on his way to firing practice. He saw Walter walking down the hall. "Have you seen Zoey, Walter?"

"She went shopping with Miss Victoria to buy maternity clothes." Walter answered.

"Oh yah. I forgot she told me she'd be going with Seras to do that. Wonder if Sir Integra's bought anything like that yet for herself." Stewart said.

"I don't think so. Much as she isn't looking foward to it, she'll have to do it soon. Probably in another month or so she'll start showing and will have to buy some maternity wear. Which also means she'll probably also have to get a few maternity dresses. I know she can't be looking foward to that." Walter replied.

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Seras and Zoey wandered around the maternity shop looking at mostly gowns and dresses. "It's nice to see that women have nicer choices in maternity clothes. When mum was pregnant with me there wasn't anything half as nice as what's out now." Zoey commented.

"I know. Oh this one's gorgeous." Seras said looking at a white gown made of satin and gossamer. Her eyes widened though when she saw the price tag.

"I love it, but I think Sir Integra would have my hide if I even thought bout buying it." Seras said with a dissapointed sigh.

"Hello ladies. Is there something I can help you with?" A sales lady asked politely.

"Well, my friend here is expecting her first baby and absolutely loves this gown. But it's a bit out of our price range. Can you suggest something similar to it that isn't quite so expensive?" Zoey asked.

"I think I have something that might do nicely." The sales lady answered.

She led Seras and Zoey over to another gown that looked similar. "This style is very popular with several new mothers who have shopped at our store. It's made out of a the popular slinky material and will accomodate your stomach as it grows. I've had several women purchase it and all have been very pleased with it. There's a matching robe that comes with it that's equally as comfortable. And as you can see the price is very reasonable."

Seras looked at the price tag and nodded in agreement. "Oh that's much better. Thank you very much." She said kindly.

"You're quite welcome. Please let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with."

"Thank you." Zoey replied.

"Are you going to buy it Seras?" Zoey asked.

"Oh yes. It's very lovely and I love the feel of the material. I've heard that the farther along the pregnancy gets, the more comfortable a woman wants her clothing. I wonder if Sir Integra's bought anything for herself yet." Seras answered.

"I don't think she has. I wonder if she'd ever wear something like this."

"Probably not. I'd imagine Integra wears pajamas to bed. She's not huge on dresses, skirts or gowns. It's just the way she is."

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The two friends returned to Hellsing manor at eleven-thirty. They stopped by Integra's office to return her card to her. Seras handed Integra the card and the bill. The two were a little tense to know what Integra's reaction would be to the charges. She looked at the bill with mostly indifference.

"This is fine. I trust you were able to find yourself a suitable wardrobe Seras." She said.

"Yes Sir." Seras answered.

"Will you be needing anything from me before I go to bed Sir Integra?" Zoey asked.

"No. Now if you both will please excuse me I've this last bit of paper work to finish up before I go to bed myself. You're both excused for the evening." Integra answered.

"Yes Sir." Both women said in unison.

As they left Integra's office they ran into Walter. "Ahh, you're back I see. Would you like some assistance with your bags Miss Victoria?" He asked.

"Yes please." Seras answered.

"Oh Miss Winifield. Captain Pickman was looking for you." Walter replied.

"Do you know where he is now?" Zoey inquired.

"He was at firing practice a little while ago. He may still be at the firing range." Walter said. He looked over Zoey's shoulder seeing a figure approaching. "Ahhh, there's Captain Pickman now."

"Hello Stewart." Zoey said shyly. Her face blushing a soft shade of red.

"Zoey, you...got a little time before going to bed?" Stewart asked feeling equally as sheepish.

"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow night Seras." Zoey said as she left with Stewart.

"All right Zoey. Thanks for helping me shop. Night."

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Stewart and Zoey went to her room. Zoey made herself comfortable on her bed while Stewart sat in a chair. "So you and Seras went maternity shopping eh?" He asked.

"Yes. She found some gorgeous clothes. Maternity clothing is so much prettier these days than what they used to be." Zoey answered.

"Yah. They make more now for pregnant women than they used to." Stewart replied.

"Um, can I ask a favor?" Zoey asked.

"What?"

"Would you mind if I did a quick sketch of you?"

"I guess so. I don't have to get into one of those weird poses do I?"

"Oh no. You can just sit there like that. It won't take but a few minutes."

Zoey took out her sketch pad and a pencil and began to draw.

"You must love to draw a lot don't you?" Stewart asked.

"Yes I do. I've loved it since I was a little girl. My father though, he's not too keen on the idea of me wanting to be an artist. Course, he wasn't too keen on my either." Zoey answered.

"I guess that's something we have in common. My father was pretty much a jerk to both my mother and I when I was growing up. Although I'm honestly suprised he noticed us since he was too busy being a drunk ass most of the time." Stewart said.

"I'm so sorry. My father pretty much wanted a son, not a daughter. He never was thrilled with the fact that my mom had a girl instead of a boy. He said the least I could do was give the family some honor by joining law enforcement or become some high end attourney. I tried but I just hated it. I'm just not cut out to be a cop or such. I'm an artist. I remember he would often tell me I'd end up on some street corner starving or become a stripper or prostitute." Zoey explained.

"My father would take time out of his busy day to bully my mother and I before he went back to his bottle. He spent more time in the pubs than at home. And when he wasn't making our lives a living hell he was passed out drunk." Stewart said.

"What happened to him?"

"He left home a year or two before I came to Hellsing. It's...a long and uncomfortable story. Nothing you'd want to hear."

"I'm sorry Stewart. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." Zoey apologized.

"It's all right. I did a pretty good job trying to make a wreck out of myself after he left. Mum never did get over all the abuse and dad leaving. She ended up medicating herself to death. I left home and pretty much didn't give a damn what happened to me. I got into all sorts of trouble and if I died, I didn't care. That's when Peter Ferguson found me on the streets running with a gang of hooligans. Even though I'd gotten myself mixed up with the wrong crowd, he saw a lot of potential in me. Said if I wanted to clean up my act and do something honorable with my life to come back to Hellsing with him." Stewart explained.

"At first Sir Integra wasn't too happy bout having a would be thug in her organization. She wasn't convinced I could handle it. But Peter spoke up for me and said that with some discipline and training I could make a proper Hellsing solider. And he busted my ass too. He'd make me do so much physical training I thought I would die. And just when I thought I'd give up he made me work even harder. He taught me about responcibility and how to be a man. Something he said my father never had. I guess in a way Commander Ferguson became the father I really needed. He whipped me into shape and made me into a good soldier. When I proved myself to Sir Integra, she gave me an official place in Hellsing and not too long ago made me a captain." He finished.

"I wasn't sure Sir Integra would be willing to let me stay either. But she said it wasn't my fault I ended up involved. She said it was best if I stayed here since I'd been exposed to the vampire world and would most likely be in danger on my own. At least here I can have a job with good pay and still be able to keep up with my art." Zoey replied.

She looked down at her drawing. She turned it around and showed it to Stewart. He nodded in approval at the sketch. "It's getting late so I better get out of here and let you get some sleep." He said.

"Yes. I am I getting rather sleepy." Zoey replied.

She got up and walked Stewart to the door. "Um...Stewart...."

"Yah?"

Zoey suddenly wrapped her arms around Stewart and planted a kiss square on his lips. She let him go with a shocked expression on her face. "Oh lord...Stewart, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I just wanted...."

"It's...it's all right. I'm not mad. Just caught me by suprise that's all." Stewart said still feeling a little winded by the kiss.

"Well, um, I'll see you later then?" Zoey asked.

"Yah. I'll see you tomorrow sometime." Stewart answered as he left Zoey's room. He shook his head trying to bring himself back into reality.

"So when should Seras and I expect invitations to the wedding?" A voice asked jokingly.

"She kissed me Alucard, that's all." Stewart mumbled.

"Well, we all know what that leads to. You know how the saying goes, first comes love, then comes marriage...and you know what comes after that."

"Keep it up Alucard and Doctor Travalion will be surgically removing the baby carriage from out of your ass." Stewart growled.

"That would be amusing wouldn't it?"

"Alucard, do me a favor" Stewart said. "Piss off, and mind your own damned business."

The young captain heard the elder vampire's amused laughter trailing off in his head.

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The next night Seras and Alucard met Doctor Travalion in one of the examination rooms for her ultrasound. She got onto the examining table and opened her gown exposing her belly. It was no longer flat but began to grow round to accomodate the child inside. The doctor squirted a jelly like substance on her stomach and lower abdomen and began moving the probe carefully around. Alucard and Seras both watched the monitor with amazement. Upon the screen they saw the image of a tiny form curled in a half ball position. Tiny limbs sprouted from the upper and lower torso. Limbs that were developing into arms and legs. They could see the beginnings of fingers and toes growing from still developing hands and feet. The baby was still very small and undeveloped, but it was beginning to take on the more familiar form of a human child.

"Amazingly the baby is developing normally. Sir Integra's baby is at this stage as well. I use the results of her ultrasounds as a comparison to yours. The limbs and body seem to be coming along nicely. Are you taking in enough nourishment for both you and the child?" The doctor asked.

"Yes. I drink at least three to four packs a night. She already has quite a ravenous appetite." Seras commented.

"I suppose for a vampire that is normal. Most likely as the pregnancy progresses and you near the time to give birth you'll have to take in even more than that. I want to keep a close eye on the pregnancy Seras. So I'd like to see you at least three times a month just to make sure nothing goes wrong." Doctor Travalion suggested.

"Oh, of course. Anything to make sure the baby is developing normally." Seras said.

"Now I need to take a swab of cells to make sure there isn't any infection in your reproductive area."

Alucard's expression suddenly became rather stern and even menacing at the request. Doctor Travalion saw the look on the vampire's face and became noticablly nervous.

"Alucard, it's all right. Pregnant women have to go through this to make sure everything is ok." Seras replied trying to reassure her mate the doctor meant no harm.

The elder vampire wasn't exactly thrilled about having another male examining such a private part of Seras's body. In a way he couldn't help it. It was the territorial instinct within him wanting to make sure no other male made a claim on his queen.

"Be careful with her." Alucard growled.

"Alucard, it's all right. The doctor can't do this properly if he has to worry about being ripped to shreds." Seras replied.

"All right." Alucard muttered. He would be quiet and calm during the procedure, but he'd watch the doctor like a hawk.

After a nervous swallow the doctor prepared Seras for the internal exam. "All right Seras, I need you to prop your feet up in these stirrups and scoot in a little." He instructed.

He turned on a lamp and got a tube of lubricant jelly to make things go more smoothly. He carefully rubbed some inside the entrance so it would recieve the specula more easily. "All right Seras, I need you to relax. You might feel a little pressure. It's just the specula stretching the vaginal walls so I can take a swab of cells."

"Why does he have to do this? Honestly, it's not like infection will hurt you."

"It's not so much for my protection. I'm a vampire and such things won't hurt me. But they could pose a threat to the baby. Infections can be deadly to the embryo, vampire or not. This isn't a normal pregnancy Alucard. We're not exactly sure how something like that might affect the child, so it's better to take precautions. Now calm down so he can finish this. This isn't exactly the most comfortable experience for me you know."

"I...I understand."

Alucard quieted his envy and held Seras's hand to keep her relaxed through the exam. As soon as it started, it was over. The doctor turned off the light and helped Seras take her legs out of the stirrups. "All right. I'll have the slide looked at and see if there is any sign of infection that might pose a threat to the baby. Oh, I know this might be a personal question, but I need to ask to ensure an accurate test. Have you and Alucard been sexually active in the past three days?"

"Why you..." Alucard growled mentally.

"Alucard..." Seras chided.

"No, we haven't." She answered.

"All right. I'll have you in for another ultrasound next week. Another pelvic exam shouldn't be necessary unless you began to feel anything unusual that I'd need to look at."

"Doctor Travalion, I don't mean to be rude, but if I have to have another pelvic exam, are there any females trained to do it? I think it would make Alucard feel a little less jealous if a woman examined me." Seras suggested.

"I think that would probably be a wise idea." The doctor answered.

"Thank you doctor."

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Alucard and Seras left the examining room and went to the master bath. Seras was in need of a bath to get clean after the exam.

"Alucard, it's not really necessary to scare the doctor like that. He wasn't doing anything to try and offend you. He's a doctor, and doctors have to do these things from time to time." Seras said.

"I...I can't help it. I don't like the idea of another man looking at that part of you, to say the least him touching you there. It just makes me feel like another male...and a human male at that, is encroaching on you." Alucard replied looking down.

"I understand that you feel that way. And most likely he won't have to do it again. Just try to remember he's a doctor and has probably seen more women's private areas that he cares to recount. So if nothing else, you can take comfort in knowing you're not the only husband who has been uncomfortable with a male doctor examining his wife's unmentionables." Seras said walking up to him.

She wrapped her hand around his tie and pulled him down so that he was face to face with her. "Now help me run a bath so I can get this bloody goop off my body."

"Anything my queen wishes..." Alucard said showing his trademark smirk.

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Kenneth stopped by Integra's office to see how she was doing. Though he certainly didn't try to press her about her work anymore, it didn't stop him from making sure she was all right.

"Is there anything you need Integra?" Kenneth asked.

"No." Integra answered flatly.

"Well, I guess I'll be on my way to my study to do some reading until it's time for bed." Kenneth said.

As he turned to leave Integra called to him. "Actually...there is one thing you could do for me." Integra stated.

"Yes?" Kenneth asked.

"Close the door." Integra answered.

Walter was making his rounds throughout the mansion making sure everything was being put in order. He happened by Integra's office when he heard what appeared to be groans coming from within. He stood there for a moment listening to the noise.

"Yes...oh yes there! Oh that's heavenly!" Integra moaned.

"Oh good lord...she and Kenneth..in the office?" He asked himself. Before he knew what he'd done he opened the door and walked in on the two.

"Sir Integra!" He gasped seeing her in a look of near rapture behind her desk.

Integra looked up and her face turned beet red. "Can't a woman get her feet massaged without everyone barging in on her?" She demanded.

Kenneth popped up from behind Integra's desk feeling nothing short of complete humilation. "Damnit man, can't you knock first?"

"A foot massage? Is that what was going on in here?" Walter asked feeling as embarrassed as his employer and her husband.

"Of course that's all. What did you think was going on in here?" Integra asked sharply.

"I...oh never mind. I'm terribly sorry to have disturbed the both of you." Walter said quickly closing the door and making a hasty exit from the area.

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Alucard and Seras were contently relaxing in the tub. Seras rested her head against his damp chest while he drapped an arm around her. She raised her arm and rested a wet hand against his cheek. Alucard tilted Seras's face upward and kissed her slowly. She pressed her tongue against his and he responded in kind. They spent a moment exploring each other's mouths. Seras drug her hand down slowly against his chest tracing the contours of his ab muscles. She guided her hand down further rubbing it against his inner thigh.

His head lulled back as she wrapped her hand around his flacid manhood feeling it beginning to grow hard against her fingers. She stroked it slowly while she pressed her lips against chest. She latched onto one of his nipples rolling her tongue lazily around it and grazed it slightly with her fangs. She heard Alucard draw in a sharp breath. She moved her hand in a slow steady rythm. Her fangs began to elongate. The hunger began to grow within her.

"Take what you need Seras." He gasped.

Seras sank her fangs into his left breast. Pleasure and pain intertwined as he groaned loudly. She nursed from him for a moment letting his dark blood flow into her mouth. She lapped his blood as it streamed from the wound. He put his arms around her holding her to him as she dragged her tongue across the wound once more before it heeled. She looked up at him seeing the orgasmic look on his face. He leaned in flicking his tongue across her lips cleaning his blood from her lips..

Once she'd aroused him to his fullest length she straddled him using her hand to guide him inside of her. He cupped her breasts with his hands palming them firmly. She pressed her lips insistently against his groaning into his mouth. Alucard moved down her neck working his way toward her boosom. Seras nuzzled his hair with her nose as he took one of her hardened nipples into his mouth. She heard his muffled groans of pleasure as she began moving against him.

Alucard rested his hands upon her hips to help steady her. He released one of his shadows mentally guiding it down between he and Seras. The tendril nestled itself firmly between her legs. She let out a gasp as it made contact with her most sensitive area. She bucked her hips against his to increase the sensation. He moved his hands down grasping her buttocks pushing himself deeper inside of her. The water sloshed and splashed in small waves because of their movements.

Alucard captured her mouth with his kissing her feverishly. Seras began moving faster against him. He broke their kiss looking into her eyes and pressed her close to him.

"Just sit still, and let me take care of the rest." He told her mentally.

She did as he told her and calmed her movements. The tendril nestled between her legs began to slide back and fourth stroking her achingly sensitive nub. It began slowly at first. Seras pressed her head against Alucard's chest as the sensations began to intensify. He wrapped his arms around her holding her as close to him as he possibly could. The pace began to quicken. Seras pushed herself insistently against him as her pleasure grew stronger. She could feel the muscles in her body beginning to tense as she braced for the impending orgasm. Her breath came in short pants and gasps.

Alucard pressed his face against hers. His breathing was heavy and labored as he felt his own release approaching. He felt her tighten and tense. He ordered the tendril to move faster and bring them both what they needed and wanted. They both tensed as the moment came closer and closer. Seras wrapped her arms around Alucard. She held tightly to him as she prepared for her climax.

"Alucard!" She cried as she hit her orgasm. Her muscles spontaneously constricted causing her inner walls to clamp down on her lover like a vice. She dug her nails into his back not realizing she'd done it. He felt her nails pierce his flesh, but he didn't care. It only added to his own pleasure as he too found release. He held her tightly to him as his seed surged into her body.

"Seras..." he gasped.

When his body calmed he withdrew the shadowy tendril back into himself. Seras was still spasming from her climax pressing herself urgently against him. He gently stroked her hair and nuzzled her cheek. He held her until she finally relaxed in his arms. She looked up at him wearily raising her hand to touch his face. She noticed there was a tiny amount of blood on her fingers.

"I'm sorry." She said.

"It's all right. I didn't notice it that much anyway." Alucard replied licking the blood off her fingers. "I think we'd better get out of here soon before we shrivel up."

"All right."

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The next day Integra decided she had to get the task of maternity shopping over with. She took Kenneth with her. Kenneth drove while Integra sat beside him. She wasn't particularly looking foward to this task. Namely because she knew she'd have to buy maternity dresses and gowns. She vowed to wear pants for as long as was physically possible. But she knew the time would come when the only thing she'd be able to get on easily would be a dress. She let out a sigh as the two reached their destination.

They entered the store and began browsing. Kenneth eyed a particular top. It was a flouncy blouse made of a pastel green satin material. "This one looks lovely." He said enthusiastically. The look on Integra's face however, was less than enthusiastic upon looking at the garment.

"I want practical and comfortable Kenneth. I'm pregnant. I'm not performing in a production of Romeo and Juliet." Integra replied dryly.

"Um..right. Moving on then."

Trying to be helpful he looked around and spotted some more appearel. "What about these?" He asked pointing to a rack of paisely printed blouses. Integra, feeling Kenneth wasn't grasping the concept of what she wanted told him to pick one off the rack and bring it with them to the dressing rooms.

"Integra, is this really necessary?" Kenneth complained.

"Do it." Integra ordered sternly.

"Now, how do you feel?" Integra asked.

"Bloody ridiculous." Kenneth mumbled looking at himself in the mirror wearing the exact blouse Integra told him to bring.

"Are you getting the point now...dear?" Integra asked.

"Point well taken." Kenneth answered praying no one came in seeing him looking so foolish.

"Good. Now just sit down somehwere while I look around."

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