Two Bats in the Night

Wedding Plans

"There you are, Mr. Sneaky Pants!" Ericka laughed as she embraced Dracula. "I've been really busy making plans for the wedding."

"Well, my little honey bat, I'm sure you're doing a great job." Dracula turned away from the reception desk, motioning for Phil (a nearby zombie) to take over. "How are you feeling about everything?"

Ericka pulled from the embrace slightly, just enough to gaze into Drac's eyes. She planted a small kiss on his cheek. If she were honest, this was scarier than when they'd faced the Kraken. Ericka had never had a boyfriend before; yet, now, within a matter of months, she would have a husband. 

"I-I'm really nervous," a sigh escaped her lips as she looked down to her feet, "Mavis has been really helpful. It's just..."

"It's okay." Dracula gave her a tight hug then cupped her face tenderly, "being nervous is normal. I am too! It's a lot of change in a short amount of time. And, I've been so busy with the hotel, we haven't spent much time together." 

Actually, Dracula was using every moment he could to sneak away from his duties and help with the wedding planning plus taking Ericka out on dates for dinner, dancing, and exploring around Transylvania. Yet, he felt it wasn't quite enough. He was constantly worried about how she was adjusting from a life of hunting monsters to a life of living amongst them. Yet, his worries were always dispelled by Ericka's bright smiles and quick quips. Almost always, at least. 

"I wish you could help out some more," Ericka confessed, yet knew this wasn't fair of her to say. It wasn't that she found fault with Dracula, but she did feel as if she was in over her head. "I-I don't mean to complain. You're great, i-it's just..."

"No need to explain," Dracula took her hand and started to lead them towards the elevator, "how about we discuss how everything is going with a small chat on the roof?"

Ericka's cheeks flushed and she gave a small nod. Taking this as an invitation, Dracula swooped his arm around her waist. He admired her greatly and would do anything to see her smile. And Ericka felt the same.

As they climbed onto the roof, Ericka smiled at the appearance of Dracula in the full moon's light. He looked calm, sophisticated, and, as he turned towards her, loving. As they sat across from one another, their toes nearly touching, it was almost as if they zinged all over again.

"Every time I look in your eyes," Ericka chuckled, "I mean, every time we're together it's as if I fall in love with you all over again." 

"And I you," he tucked her under his arm, "now, why don't you tell me how the wedding preparations are going? Did you decide which flavor cake you would like for the humans attending?"

"Oh, um, I thought that we could do cupcakes of multiple flavors but all with white icing. Not just normal flavors either!" Her eyes lit up bright as she divulged her plan, "That way everything would still look very classy, but there would be fun with the taste. Oh, and we should decorate them with black webs and blue pearls! Just like the chairs, decor - you know..."

Dracula nodded as she continued speaking about every little detail of their wedding. The gleam of her eyes lit his night. As time went by, yawns began to sneak in every now and again. The conversation began to drift from the wedding to about Dracula's day then just to random flirting. Then, suddenly, the topic switched back to the wedding. At least in part.

"I wish my mom and dad could be there," Ericka's eyes drifted to the distance, "I don't know what kind of people they were or anything about them really, but I just wish I did."

Dracula rubbed her shoulder as she leaned into his chest. The topic of her parents had been brought up once or twice before, but there wasn't much to be said. Of course, he wished they were around for her too.

"At least I still have my great-grandfather," she smiled towards Dracula, "since you saved him."

"Anything for you, honey bat." Yet, he saw tears welling in her eyes. He wiped one that had spilled over. Finding comfort in their embrace, Ericka drifted to sleep while watching the stars with her zing.

Just then, Mavis flew over the roof. Her hair was disheveled and she was out of breath. Dracula ensured to signal to remain quiet as to not disturb Ericka.

"Um, dad, we have an interesting vampire who just checked into the hotel." She whispered low and fast. "I need you to come to the lobby. This is really important."

Dracula nodded as he scooped the fast-asleep Ericka into his arms. He laid her in her room then darted downstairs to handle the interesting vampire. Yet, even Count Dracula himself was unprepared to handle this unmovable force.

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Hi! It's the author, Ericka Martha Dracula!

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Read on, friends!

In the next chapter, we'll learn who this interesting vampire is.