Freaky Friday (but on a Tuesday)

Chapter 1 - The Wedding

It was an excitingly eventful night at the Hotel Transylvania.

There was a wedding going on, and it was becoming the monstrous event of the season. Sure, the hotel had held weddings there before, but this one was different. Why? Because it was the wedding of Count Dracula and his bride-to-be Ericka Van Helsing. No one could forget the events that had unfolded aboard the cruise ship The Legacy just a few short months ago in the summer. It was a rollercoaster of happenings that ultimately ended up producing a zing - something that the monsters recognized as one true love. And now, the pair would finally bring that zing to officiality before many of these very monsters through the witnessing of their marriage.

The hotel lobby was decorated with a beautiful spider-woven sign that read 'Congrats to Drac and Ericka.' Guests from all over Transylvania - and some like Murray the mummy, Bigfoot, and the Yeti who had come from lands beyond - poured in through the front revolving doors. Their roars and whoops of excitement were heard rumbling throughout the corridors.

Up in his chambers, Count Dracula was preparing himself for the occasion. He dressed down in his most formal suit - a black set with gold embellishments and a frilly white ascot that was tucked neatly into his silk jacket. He smiled as he smoothed back his sleek black hair, knowing that he was looking his finest for his bride. A gentle knock on the door broke his attention away from his thoughts, and a moment later Mavis entered inside. She was looking beautiful as well, dressed in a simple black dress that flared out at the knees with a pair of kitten heels.

"Mavis," he said sweetly in greeting. His smile fell a little as he noticed Mavis's slightly somber expression. "Honeybat? What's the matter?"

"Hey Dad," she said quietly, coming up to him but not yet meeting her father's gaze. "I just came to check in on you and see how you were doing."

"Me? Well, I'm doing just fine, sweetfangs, but I believe I asked you how you were doing." He came up to her and with two fingers under her chin he lifted her head so that he could look in her eyes. "What's wrong my little Voodoo doll?"

"I uh..." she began, but then stopped, sighing. "Dad... are you sure you're doing the right thing and all, marrying Ericka?"

Drac nodded. "Of course I am. I love her, and she loves me. We zinged, just like how you and Johnny did."

"But what if this is some kind of trick, Dad?" Mavis interjected with worry. "What if she's just playing along and she really just wants to hurt you?"

"Sweetheart," Drac began gently, "I hate to say it, but that's a silly thought. Everyone knows that Ericka is a great lady. At least, I thought everyone knew." He gave her a pointed look, and her cheeks flushed a little with embarrassment.

"Sorry, Dad," she said. "I just don't want you to get heartbroken again... especially after what happened to Mom..." She broke off as tears began to water a little in her eyes. Dracula noticed and opened his arms out so that he could envelope her in a hug.

"Oh, honeybat, don't cry," he said, soothingly running his hand up and down her back. "Everything will be just fine. I know this day can be a little bit of a challenge for you, as it is for me. I'll never forget my wedding day with Martha." He sighed as he recalled the event that was hosted in his castle, where his friends had provided the music and he and his bride had waltzed through the floors and ceilings at the reception. Drac continued. "But, now it is time for a new beginning... with Ericka. She will never be Mommy, but she is still a wonderful part of our family."

Mavis seemed to have considered this for a moment, and finally looked up at her father with a look of determination. "Okay, Dad. You're right. I'm sorry that I acted all like this..."