The Sunflower

The sunflower couldn't be a more fitting choice as her favorite flower.

At least, the way Dracula saw it.

Like the sun, Ericka had once been a danger. Prepared to kill him at any given moment as the sun had been prepared to scorch him to a crisp, whenever he found himself in the unlucky situation of somehow being in the path of its rays.

The cruise aboard The Legacy was a hoax, designed as bait to lure monsters to an impending death. It would have once been a pleasure for her to see a wooden stake driven through his heart, or a seemingly accidental poisoning occur through the aid of garlic.

But as it was, that was now all in the past. The thoughts of destroying him or his monstrous friends were far gone from Ericka's mind, replaced with a desire to find acceptance in their community. The fiery sun had set on an old dark time and then risen upon on a brand new day. It almost was, he supposed, like the time he had really taken the time to witness the brilliant star in South America during his brief time as a human. Seeing the sun in a new light (so to speak), he realized how beautiful it could truly be. Likewise, her own appealing traits shone through. There was brightness in her smile. There was a certain warmth that he felt whenever she told him that she loved him.

Like the flower, Ericka had slowly bloomed into something more. Had opened both her mind and heart to what she saw as real, and not for what had been engraved into her head by her great-grandfather. Also like the flower, she possessed a certain grace, beauty, and poise that could never be tarnished or depleted, so long as the proper care was given. And Dracula had been more than ready to offer that said care. He took the task on gladly, offering whatever he needed to in order to ensure both her safety and happiness with him and his family. She knew this and accepted it willingly, giving all of herself in return. Their relationship naturally blossomed from there, and the Count cherished every moment. From the various dates he'd whisked her away on, to the times he would simply hold her to him, her delicate human body as soft as the petals that adorned the disc-like floret on the sunflower and gave it its signature look.

Dracula couldn't help but be lost in the memories as he gazed at her with admiration. Presently, she sat across from him, cherubic face caught in the soft light of the candles as she smiled back adoringly at him. In the middle of their table sat a finely crafted bouquet of sunflowers, hand-picked from the hotel's lavishly rebuilt garden. She'd gushed over the thoughtful gift, and he in return had gushed about how ravishing she still looked in the very same sunflower-patterned romper that was worn on their first date. It was a pleasure to see it worn again for their wedding anniversary that night. Dracula sighed and took another long look at her, eyes glimmering with affection as he remained content with the knowledge that she was his and would continue to be his for many years to come. His very own ray of sunshine, and his dainty little blossom.

Hissunflower.