Chapter 18
I am busy driving to the small diner that, (S/Name) and (B/Name) chose. I am going to be explaining to the about the letters and everything else that has been going on. I kind of curse Freddie for putting me in this situation. I did not want my family to know about the Ripper's Obsession with me. I hope they are not too mad with me though. No way I'd hear the end of it though, that's for damn sure. I know I need to tell them. They will be more protective of me though. They seem to not want me hurt. My brother would wrap me up in bubble wrap and lock me away so I could not hurt myself. I pull into a parking spot and walk in the diner to see my siblings already there at a booth waiting. I didn't like the pissed look on my brothers face nor my sisters. I knew they were mad at me and hell... I'd be mad at me too.
"Hey guys. I-"
(B/Name) cuts me off by getting up and hugging me.
"If you ever keep something like this away from us aging. I will move all three of us to a fucking remote island!" He snaps at me.
I nod and flinch slightly at the loud voice he used. I knew he wouldn't raise a hand but he could be scary, even if he was younger than me.
He lets go and pulls me to sit down across from him and (S/Name).
"So I know you guys have questions. I am ready to hear them."
"The hell were you thinking not telling us?!"
"Yeah and what the hell did the notes mean?" They both say at once.
"I know I should of told you." I tell them. "The letters were of The Cheasepeake Ripper declaring his love for me. He has started all of these murders to gain my attention and now he is leaving letters with bodies and sending them to my house."
"That fucker! If I find out who it is I'll fucking kill him!" the two shouted in synch as I flinched. I decided to leave what he said in said letters unsaid for..multipule reasons.
"Guys, no killing. He has already killed someone in my name and is probably planning more. I don't need more blood on my hands." I tell them. "But thank you for caring."
We order our food and start eating and talking I then bring up my Christmas Dinner party idea. "so... since you guys are in town... I was thinking of having a small party for christmas." I said, trying to lift the heavy atmosphere.
"Like one of your amazing Christmas dinner feasts!" My sister exclaimed.
"Yes, and some gift exchange. I am happy to say I have a daughter who I want you to meet!" I tell them happily.
The two turned to me shocked "Hold up, what?!" my brother shouted.
"You had a baby since when!?!" He shouts.
"I adopted her actually. And she is almost Eighteen. Her parents were both killed we became attached of each other and now. She calls me mom. Which I am happy with." I explained. "I also want you two on your best behavior. Understand."
The two calmed down and muttered a bit as I laughed lightly.
We finished our meal. I get home and hug Abigal. I have already told her about the Christmas party. She seems excited to meet my family and have a traditional Christmas dinner. One that didn't contain human, Hannibal even said he'd bring food.
-Time Skip-
It is the day of the party. Hannibal and I decided to cook at my home together. (B/Name) and (S/Name) came early as well to entertain Abigail. I am getting everything out for Dinner. When I hear a knock on the door. I go to answer it. Since my siblings and daughter are playing in the backyard. It was a man with a package and a dozen white roses.
I tilted my head, was it for my sister? she did have a boyfriend so maybe it was for her?
"Hello." I said kindly even if I was confused.
"We have a package for miss (Name) (Last Name) and roses for her." He tells me. "Can you sign here?"
"Of course." I tell him.
I sign and take the package and flowers. I nearly drop them when I see on the care. It says.
'To my dearest (Name). I wish you happy holidays and send my love.'
Forever yours, The Cheasepeake Ripper
I didn't think I wanted to know what was in the package... but maybe it could help catch him. Only one way to find out. I open it up and nearly scream it was a heart, a human heart! I quickly put it away and then put the roses with it. I will tell Jack after dinner. I am not going to let him ruin this because of obsession with me.
But right now, I don't even want to eat. God I don't even think I want to see the color red. I quickly compose myself knowing I cannot let this get to me. I have to be strong. I don't want to let him get to me, I won't bend so easily. Another knock comes from the door. I see that it is Hannibal I go and open the door. Smiling as he had bag of food that he can cook. Maybe this night can be normal. He smiles back at me, I hope Will will be here soon.
(Hannibal's pov)
I smiled slightly as I waled in and saw the roses I had sent her. They are out on the table near the door. The package is put away. I assume she put it away. Not letting anyone know I or the ripper, in her mind. Until after this dinner party.
"Good Evening (Name) and merry Christmas." I tell her.
"Merry Christmas to you as well, Hannibal." She says with a smile.
"Who sent you the flowers?" I ask. "A admire?"
She looked at me and blushed, wither it was because I said admirer or she was flattered I didn't know
"I-In a way I guess..." she stuttered out.
I nod not pushing her to tell me. I am lead into the kitchen in which she has already started to make dinner. The Ham is in the oven already and she was starting on potatoes. I look over at her every now and then, she looked so concentrated on the food before her. She is so persice with her cuts and everything she does in the kitchen is flawless. I could imagine her in my home cooking in a bra and panties. My arms wrapped around her as I assist her with cooking. My body flushed right up on her back. I could imagine it all, how I wish it was reality right now.
We set the food to cook. Guest start to arrive. (Name) goes to greet them. I stay in the kitchen disappointed I could not spend this time alone with her. I hear Alana, Will, Jack, his wife. And her siblings come in with Abigail from outside. She comes back to the kitchen. The good is nearly done. All we had to do is wait.
We both go out and (Name) starts getting drinks for everyone. We mingle for some time. Then it was time to serve dinner. (Name) set the table with Abigail and started putting good on the table. No course are needed she said just a good Hardey homey Christmas.
Everyone smiles happily as they said merry christmas. "This is my first actual Christmas." Abigail said. "My dad always wanted to go hunting for Christmas." She finished frowning.
"Well as long as your apart of this family you will doing this a lot!" (Name's) brother tells her.
"Yeah, (Name) is big on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Anytime family and friends are together she goes all out." Her sister added. "Wait till you sink your teeth into the food. She always goes out for her Christmas feast."
(Name) gets up and hugs Abigail. "I am so truly happy to have you here sweetie."
"Well dinner is ready. Let's dig in!" (Name) cheers.
I thankfully sat next to (Name). She is at the ad of the table. I am on her right and Abigail on her left. Then it is her siblings next to Abigail. Will at them end. Jack is sitting next to me, then his wife and Alana. The dinner was flawless. (Name) is an excellent cook. Everyone enjoyed the food. Soon is became time to exchange gifts. Abigail got a Clariney from (Name) and a puppy. She instantly grinned picking up the small German Sheperad puppy.
(Name) smiled as Abigail hugged the dog tightly, seeming like she never wanted to let go of the animal. (Name) got a book of French recipes from Jack and his wife, a necklace from Alana, a family album from Her siblings, a first edition set of all Shakespear classics from Will. Abigail gave her a heart warming gift of a framed photo they took together when she first moved in. When it came my turn to give her a gift I was nervous. I hoped she liked it.
I smiled and handed her the gift I had gotten for her as she slowly and carefully unwrapped it. As she took it out she smiled gratefully. I had gotten her a picture of when she fell asleep with Abigail in the hospital and a poetry book by Edgar Allen Poe. She smiled as she leaned over to me and kissed my cheek along with Will's.
"I love them both." She says.
I contain myself as she kissed my cheek. I wanted to pull her away from Will when she kissed his cheek as well.
"I knew you would make a brilliant mother when I saw you with Abigail. I wanted to honor and have something for you to remember that moment." I tell her.
She got teary eyed and hugged me burying her face in my chest. "Thank you." She whispers.
"That means so much to me Hannibal." She said as she smiled at me. I smiled at her as I knew she would like to hear that.
(Name's POV)
Everyone left. I ask Jack to stay behind to tell him about the heart. I pull it out after Bella leaves. Slowly I hand him the box with shaking hands. "L-Look inside."
He opens it up and says. "Oh my God."
"It was a gift from the Ripper. He also sent the roses." I tell him.
Jack looks at me concerned as I look back scared.
"(Name), are you okay?" He asks.
"I don't know. The Ripper is getting worse. I would have told you right away. But I am not going to let the ripper ruin my life. I will not bend to his will" I tell him confidently.
"Jack looks at my shaking hands then the heart. "I'll take it to the lab, stay safe alright? let me know, AS SOON as this happens."
"Of course Jack. Drive safely." I tell him.
He leaves and I go upstairs to take a shower and wash away the thoughts of the Ripper.