Wish of a kiss

 
  Barnabas knew Angelique had something to do with that Victoria was leaving, and especially with Carolyn.
He was noticed the moon being nearly full, and something alarmed in his mind that Angelique had planned that all along. Making Victoria travel with Carolyn alone when she turned into her wolf form and lost control.
 He had not yet got Angelique alone with him for long time enough to make her stop her plan, but he was going to. He had successfully got Elizabeth to keep girls from leaving before week was out.
It was Friday already, one more night until full moon and girls were about to leave next morning.
   Angelique heard noises from hallway and looked up from her papers.
"Mr.Collins, you can't go there now! She does not have ti-"
The door opened and Barnabas walked right in front of her desk.
Her worker came to the doorway, "I'm sorry Miss Bouchard, I couldn't stop him."
Angelique nodded, "It's quite alright. I have little moment. Close the door."
When door closed, Barnabas took hold of Angelique's neck. "You planned to kill Victoria. Now stop your cruel plan!"
Angelique took hold of his wrist and pushed him away. "Didn't your dear Doggie tell you whole story?"
"Whole story?" Barnabas repeated slightly confused and sit down.
"Yes. I made a deal with Carolyn. She keeps Victoria Winters away from Collinsport, and I release her from her curse. I let them go Barnabas. They travel together like teenagers these days usually do. See the world and find friends and learn new things. Does that sound like I'm trying to kill them?"
 Barnabas looked completely surprised. "Why would you let them go so.. Easily?"
"For you my love." Angelique said simply. "I want Victoria away from you, and you don't want me to kill her. So I sent her away. She'll live full and healthy life else where, and I don't need to bother my thoughts with her. As for Carolyn.. I release her against the favor that she keeps Victoria away. If they return to Collinsport, her curse will return to her."
 "Now that makes more sense.. Yet, it still surprises me you allow them leave unharmed."
"I promised you I will get better, didn't I?"
"Indeed. But you will not... Release me?"
Angelique sighed and looked out of the window. "You know what it takes to make me even consider releasing you."
 Barnabas nodded, looking down at his demonic hands, "a Marriage."
"Proposal is enough for start."
"Yes.. But with no attentions to get married, it is useless to propose."
Angelique looked at him, "You're not going to marry me at all?"
Barnabas looked at her, realizing few seconds too late that he had made huge mistake. "No, no! I didn't mean it that way.. I mean.. I don't know yet when... And I won't-"
Angelique stand up and pointed the door, "Get out before I make sure that your beloved Victoria is no longer in condition to move even her finger."
Barnabas swallowed, "Angelique, we will be married, but I do not know yet when!"
"Don't test my patience Barnabas, you're already pushing it over the edge."
Barnabas looked down, "I am sorry."
"It's quite not enough anymore."
He sighed heavily and left. He should have known that Angelique would easily misunderstand him.
He should have thought more carefully what to say.
  Angelique sit back down to her chair and sighed, massaging her temples.
Why Barnabas had to play around with her? As if he didn't care about her feelings at all.
She turned to look through the window as Barnabas walked away from Angel Bay. Her fingers touched her lips unconsciously and she sighed. She couldn't even remember when he had last time kissed her as he used to kiss her when they were happy, so very long time ago.

 .... It was Christmas Eve. Angelique and all other maids were spent all day in kitchen, preparing the Christmas dinner to Collins family. Hard work it was, constantly keeping them busy, but all Angelique was able to think was her gift to Barnabas. Sure she didn't have money, nor she had any chance to go to the town even if she had, but she still wanted to give him something.
 When all was ready they left to their chambers one after another. Angelique leaving the last, making sure everything was ready for the morning when they started the same project again.
 She stretched her arms and her back before she walked downstairs to her chamber.
"Finally. I thought you never come." She heard familiar voice and felt arms coming around her waist.
"Barnabas! What are you doing here?" She asked perfectly surprised and she turned to look at him.
"I came to see you."
"See me?"
"Yes. Come to my room Angelique, I wish for your company."
"I don't know Barnabas... I have to wake up really early and-"
"So do I. We go to the town after breakfast, so much to do before we can come home to Christmas dinner."
Angelique sighed, "Fine, but don't be surprised if I'm gone when you wake up"
Barnabas smiled, "I will hold on to you so that will not happen"
Angelique couldn't help but smile.
They go to Barnabas' room and he locked the door. "Now we are safe."
"Safe? From what?"
"From the world to see us." Barnabas answered and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her lips gently.
"Sometimes I wish that we won't need to hide." Angelique said softly.
"I wish that too. But there is no much we can do about it."
Angelique held her tongue from saying that he could perfectly well do something about it.
 Barnabas still seemed to know what she was thinking. "I wish I could.. But you know how huge mess it would be. I am not ready for that."
Angelique smiled a bit, "Of course.."
He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. "I have a gift for you."
"Me?"
"Of course, who else?" He laughed.
Angelique looked shamed of herself. She still didn't know what to give to him, and he had already found something for her.
"Angelique? What is the matter?" Barnabas asked, sitting down next to her and placing his finger under her chin to make her look at him.
 "Nothing." She smiled a bit.
"I am not accepting that answer, I know something is bothering you."
Angelique shake her head, trying to hide her smile, "You know me too well."
"So share your burden." Barnabas smiled.
"It's just... I have some troubles to.. prepare my gift for you. Makes me feel like a fool."
 Barnabas laughed, "Good god Angelique, that is not a problem you need to worry about."
Angelique felt her cheeks getting warm, "I'm sorry."
Barnabas placed him hand to her cheek, caressing her face gently. "You are the gift I most wish for."
"I am?"
"You are." He nodded.
Angelique smiled, "Your wish will be granted."
"Perfect." Barnabas smiled and kissed her.
   Indeed Angelique was long gone by the time Barnabas finally woke up, and he didn't have a chance to see her until much later, right before his dinner with his family.
 "Come to my room when you are finished." He whispered to her when she brought food to the table with other servants.
She nodded slightly and kept working.
It was nearly midnight when she got to leave from kitchen and go to Barnabas' room.
She knocked carefully and waited until he opened.
"Perfect, come in." He smiled.
She entered the room and surprised to see roses everywhere and couple glass of wine, sparkling red with candle light.
 Barnabas gave her a glass, "Merry Christmas Angelique."
"Merry Christmas Barnabas."
They took small sips from their wine until Barnabas took hold of her hand, leading her to his bathroom.
"Bath with me."
Angelique looked around small bathroom and smiled. "Gladly."
  Sitting there, in hot bath water and sipping wine, Angelique felt some kind of wave of exhaustion and closed her eyes for while. She had worked two days without time to sleep much, without chance to relax at all.
 Barnabas touched her cheek, "Angelique?"
She opened her eyes and smiled to him, "Yes?"
"Are you tired?" He asked, studying her eyes.
"No. Not really. It's just that, I haven't had time to relax past few days, it feels so good to be here without any hurry."
 Barnabas smiled, "Indeed, we have no hurry."
"Good. I'd hate to ruin our perfect moment."
"You have read my thoughts."
 They drink their wine and placed the glasses to the floor.
"I figured out perfect gift for you." Angelique said, leaning towards him.
"You did? What may be that?"
"A bath.. "She smiled, kissing his lips softly until placed gentle kisses down his neck, "With love."
 Barnabas' eyes fell  closed, "Indeed.. Perfect gift." He admitted.
 She smiled of her plan working so well, playfully biting his skin.
He groaned slightly and pulled her into loving kiss. "Now I feel fool, my gift for you isn't as good as this"
"You are best gift I could get."
He laughed gently and kissed her, "Your wish will be granted." ....

  Angelique sighed and shake her head, trying to focus on her work. She shouldn't be thinking about Barnabas like that middle of work day. It messed with her thoughts way too much.
 Being in love was her weakness, but if she ought of living without him again, her heart was about to shatter.
 How can one man in whole world make her so messed up, and so in love she's ready to do anything?
Right now she could have give anything to get Barnabas back there and simply kiss her. But she knew he would not do that. Not when he was so sure she was trying to kill his precious Vicky.
So she decided to take small break until the feeling of needing him would pass by and she could focus on her work again.