Chapter 11
Five months later....
Alucard, Seras, Zoey, Pickman, Integra, Kenneth and Walter and Megan all sat in the library of the mansion. Outside rain poured down in sheets while thunder boomed through the sky. It was a perfect night for a baby shower. Everyone in the Hellsing mansion, plus the familes of the knights and more importantly, the royal family, had all bought gifts for Integra and Seras. Wrapped packages were all piled neatly in the center of all the guests. If there had been a decorated tree one would have thought they were celebrating Christmas.
Zoey and Megan sorted out the gifts while Walter handed them out. Several gifts had been opened already. Both Integra and Seras had recieved several sleepers, booties and knit caps. The two expectant mothers continued opening their gifts. Both recieved rattles and teething toys. Megan took two presents and handed them to Integra and Seras.
"These are to help your little ones sleep peacefully." She said kindly.
Seras opened her gift first. Inside the box was a beautifully crafted mobile with a moon and irridescent stars. "Oh it's gorgeous." Seras commented.
"It is quite lovely Megan. Thank you." Integra replied looking over her mobile as well.
"You're both quite welcome." Megan said softly.
The ladies continued to open their gifts amasking a menagerie of stuffed animals, assorted baby clothes, and other items for the needs and wants of the children yet to be born. It wasn't long until all the gifts had been unwrapped. Everything was sorted so that Integra and Seras didn't get their things mixed up. Seeing that everyone was starting to wind down for the evening, Walter had house staff come and gather up all the items. The gifts for Integra and Kenneth were taken to their room, while Walter had Seras and Alucard's possessions taken to the sublevels.
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Alucard escorted Seras back to her chamber. When the two vampires materialized in her room, they found a wrapped package propped up against Seras's coffin bed. Seras looked up at Alucard with a secretive smile. "Zoey must have finished it."
"Finished what I wonder? Could this be the little secret you two have insisted upon keeping from me?" The elder vampire asked with an inquisitive glance.
"You'll find out." Seras replied still keeping her secretive smile.
Alucard carefully picked up the large rectangular package and placed it on the bed. He cautiously tore at the paper to reveal the treasure hidden within it. When he was done ripping the paper, he gazed quite apreciatively upon what he saw. It was a framed collage of all the pictures Zoey had drawn of Seras. There were five pictures in all. Understandably it needed such a large frame. One picture was of Seras laying on Zoey's bed on her stomach wearing a man's dress shirt. She had a carefree yet girlishly innocent expression on her face. Her legs were raised and knees bent with her ankles crossed. She rested her chin on folded hands. It's title read, 'The Innocent.'
The second picture was of her standing against the wall wearing a rather revealing yet very tastefully sexy and slinky, red satin gown. It had a plunging neckline revealing just a hint of her lovely breasts. She stood with one leg straight and one leg bent letting the slit of the gown open to reveal one thigh and teasingly giving just a hint of what that thigh led up to. She wore black silk thigh high stockings. Her stance revealed just a hint of the deep burgandy garter around her upper thigh. Around her neck was a strand of pearls, part of which she held ever so delicately in her mouth. Her smile was teasing and seductive revealing her fangs. She wore high heels to finish the look. This piece was titled 'The Temptress.'
The third picture was of Seras in her uniform with her Harconnen Cannon. She held it horizontally as if aiming it at some unseen foe. Her face was stern, almost angry looking. Her eyes were narrowed and her mouth made her look like she was growling. She was ready to take down whatever enemy challenged her. Even though it wasn't meant to be particularly alluring, Alucard still found it seductive nonetheless. It was appropriately called 'The Solider.'
The next one he really liked. Seras was again in her uniform, but this time she was kneeling on the ground. The background was of an outdoor setting. The sky was dark with the moon shining over her. Blood dripped from her mouth. The expression on her face was dark, predatory. The stance was almost wolfen in its appearence. A bit of blood covered the spot where she knelt. She looked foward. Her eyes glowing red and her fangs were stained with blood. Of course he surmised she'd just used one of her blood rations for the effect. A rather clever use for it he thought. Her expression, while it would have been unnerving or even frightening to most, was alluring to Alucard. Her face was so dark and sinister looking. Yet it was also wild and primeval. The title he saw suited the piece perfectly...'The Huntress.'
The last one was of Seras in the beautiful gown she'd worn to Integra's engagement ball. She wore around her neck a pearl choker with a sparkling ruby pendent in the center. The background appeared to be that of one of the studies. She stood at an angle looking out one of the large ornate windows. Her eyes gazed longingly at the clear night sky watching the stars sparkle. She smiled softly and rested one hand against the glass pane of the window. Her other arm rested gracefully against the gown. It was titled 'The Noblewoman.'
Seras waited breathlessly for Alucard's reaction. He touched his hand to the glass covered portraits. "Magnificent." Was his responce.
Seras let out a tiny sigh of relief. Alucard chuckled with fond amusement. "Did you both think I wouldn't like it?" He asked.
"Well, she was nervous about what you'd think." Seras answered.
"She's captured you perfectly in every piece. She should do commissions with talent like this. It could make her a rich woman." Alucard said.
"She doesn't do it for the money. This is what she loves. It's her gift." Seras replied.
"And a truly wonderful gift it is." Alucard said.
Just as Seras was about to speak again, she felt a sharp kick to one of her kidneys. She grimaced rubbing her swollen stomach. Alucard moved the picture before gathering Seras carefully into his arms and laying her down upon her bed. He lay his hand gently upon her belly and took her hand in the other.
"She's quite energetic this evening." He said softly.
"Yes, I've noticed. Mmmph, I think she wants to be a kickboxer. She's doing a pretty good job using my insides for sparing partners." Seras said with a grunt.
"Try to relax Seras. Just put your hand over mine and close your eyes. We will calm her together." Alucard instructed.
Seras closed her eyes as he'd asked. Alucard closed his eyes concentrating intently upon the restless child. "Calm down little one. It is not yet time for you to come to us. You've still some growing to do. Soon you will be with us. Be still now so your mother can rest."
After a moment, Seras let out a relieved sigh and relaxed. "She's calm now." She said.
"Two more months and she will be with us." Alucard replied.
"I think she may be hungry. For that matter so am I."
"Perhaps that's why she is so restless. I'll get you a few rations. I'll be back in a few moments."
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Walter was cleaning up from the babyshower when Alucard appeared in front of him. "Is there something I can get you Alucard?" He asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact there is. Do you still have that relic from world war two? I think you know the one I'm talking about. The one you taught me to use." Alucard hinted.
"Oh, that relic. Well, yes I still have it. Are you thinking about using it again?" Walter asked.
"Yes. I think I'm going to find it useful once more." Alucard answered.
"I'll get it for you then. I suppose Miss Victoria needs something extra to feed on." Walter replied.
"Yes. The baby's appetite is rather demanding this evening. If nothing else, perhaps feeding her will quiet her down so her mother can have some sense of comfort. She's been quite restless this evening." Alucard said.
"There are only two months left. Sir Integra's child has been very energetic as well. I believe Miss Le Fay has been teaching her relaxation methods to help ease the discomfort." Walter replied.
"Yes. She's been doing the same with Seras." Alucard said.
"Wait here. I'll be back in a few moments with what you asked for." Walter replied and went in search of the requested items.
Within moments he returned handing a few blood packs and the requested relic to the vampire. "Thank you old friend. It will be nice to put this to good use again." Alucard said and vanished.
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Seras was still in bed when Alucard returned to her. He sat at her side handing her one of the ration packs. She tore it open and started drinking down the scarlet fluid. She let out a satisfied moan feeling both her child's and her own appetite saited. "She's finally calmed down. I guess she was just very hungry." Seras said.
"Good. Do you feel better now?" Alucard asked.
"Yes. I need a little help getting changed into my nightgown." Seras answered.
"Of course." Alucard replied walking over to Seras's wardrobe and removing her favorite maternity gown. He helped her off the bed so she could undress. After helping her out of her dress he slipped the gown over her and helped her back into bed.
"I feel so tired." Seras sighed. "I need to rest, but this isn't the natural time for me to sleep."
"I think I can do something that might help you rest." Alucard said.
"Really, and what might that be?" Seras asked.
"I want you to lie back, close your eyes, and listen." Alucard answered.
"All right."
Seras got herself as comfortable in bed as was possible and closed her eyes. For a moment there was silence. Then she heard what sounded like the soft strains of a violin being played. Seras listened intently. She knew right away this wasn't a cd or stereo. It was Alucard. A content smile appeared on her face as the music lulled her into peaceful rest. She placed her hand upon her belly rubbing it gently feeling the child within her now content to stay still for awhile.
Alucard stood by her bedside playing the old violin Walter gave him. He drew the bow slowly across the strings while bending them firmly but carefullly with his other hand. It was no particular song that he played. Just whatever notes entered his mind and translated through the instrument. The tones were like that of a woman singing softly. Even though she was falling into a peaceful sleep, she kept her ears focused upon the music for as long as she could. She'd never heard anything so beautiful until now.
For almost an hour he played until he saw her hand slide from her belly to her side. He stopped playing and set the violin down on the bed next to Seras for a moment. He leaned over placing a gentle kiss upon her forehead. Then he placed his head against her swollen belly kissing it as well. Then he carefully drew the cover up over her.
"Sleep well my precious ones." He whispered softly. He picked up the portrait collage and the violin and vanished from her room.