Chapter Text
One Week Later
Ericka groggily walks to the door as a gentle rapping on the wood awakens her. She opens the door, and smiles at finding Dracula there, dressed down in his classic black getup and cape.
“Good morning,” she greeted, and then paused to consider something. “Or is it goodnight?”
Dracula chuckled. “Good morning will do.” He leaned in to press a couple of sweet kisses to her lips which she gladly returned before he pulled away.
“Are you feeling okay, today?” He asked, putting a hand to her forehead to see if there was any sign of a fever. She had been in Hotel Transylvania’s infirmary for the past several days since returning to the hotel from the cruise. She was experiencing some odd symptoms, those which included frequent nausea and vomiting every morning. After receiving some medication, however, she was released back to her suite and, while still feeling a little nauseous, she felt much better than she had before.
She pried his hand off her head and kissed it gently. “I’m fine,” she assured.
Dracula breathed a sigh of relief. “Wonderful. Come with me,” he offered, holding out his arm.
“Where are we heading to?” she asked, taking it between her arms and walking with him out into the hallway.
“It’s a surprise,” he whispered.
Ericka followed him quietly as they averted everyone else and made a beeline for the attic. He pulled her further along still, opening the window and carefully leading her out onto the shingles.
“Okay, okay,” she giggled, “what’s going on here, Mr. Sneaky Pants?”
Dracula shrugged nonchalantly. “Oh, nothing. I just wanted to make sure that nobody would be here to bother us.”
“Oh? And what do you want to do, now that we’re all alone?” she asked suggestively.
His eyes widened and he gulped. “W-well,” he stammered. “I-I have to tell you something…”
Ericka smirked. “What a coincidence. I’ve been having to tell you something as well…” She paused and chuckled a little. “But you first.”
Dracula licked his lips nervously. “Uh...right. Well... Ericka Van Helsing...." he started. His voice wavered a bit and he cleared it. She wanted to laugh, but held herself. It was amusing to see the great Count Dracula, ferocious vampire, be as shy as a schoolboy talking to his crush for the first time. He continued with more confidence.
“I was wondering if you would… marry me.”
As he spoke the words, he held out a little box with a spider inside of it. The little creature was shaped as a ring, with a brilliant red jewel on its abdomen. Ericka gasped when she saw it.
“Well, what do you say?” Drac asked. “Will you marry me?”
Ericka is rendered speechless for a moment. Dracula was asking her to marry him. Her heart soared at the thought of being his wife, to spend her days by his side, to spend their nights making love to each other. But, despite his endowed body, her desire to be with him went beyond a physical need. He was so good to her, and respected her. He understood her emotions and was able to console her. And most importantly he had learned to see her for who she was - not a Van Helsing, not Martha - but Ericka.
She grinned widely and gave him a confident reply.
“YES!”
He smiled in gratitude and the little spider ring leaped out of its box and situated itself around her ring finger. She leaned into his embrace afterward.
“So, what is it you wanted to tell me?” he asked when they came apart.
“Oh!” she said, suddenly remembering, and trying to come up with a way to word it. “Drac,” she began, “promise you won’t freak out too much, okay?”
Dracula raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Okay.”
Ericka continued. "Do you remember the time we ah, um…" she blushed, unable to finish the sentence.
Thankfully, he caught on and flushed as well. "O-oh! Yes… how could I forget? You were so good…"
"Right," she huffed with a little embarrassment as she prepared herself to pose the next question. "You didn't, uh, wear any protection… did you?"
He looked at her. "No…" Then his expression changed, his eyes widening as he glanced between her belly and her eyes. "E-Ericka?"
She took a deep breath, fumbling with the next words as she spoke them.
"I… I-I'm pregnant."
The air hung in silence for several seconds before it broke as she heard his gasp of disbelief. He stared at her, not moving nor blinking in shock. She watched him carefully, taking notice of any shift of emotion in his expression and attempting to read it.
He was silent still. “Drac?” she asked.
All of a sudden he zipped up into the air as a bat, flapping around in jubilant excitement and yelling out in delight. “I’M A DAD AGAIN! I’M A DAD!” Then he zoomed back down, turning back into his vampire form and hugging her fiercely, peppering rapid kisses to her face, lips, and even down to her belly. She giggled at his actions and hugged him.
"And I can't believe I'm going to be a mom," she said. A wave of emotion hits her and she feels tears beginning to pool in her eyes.
“Aw, don’t cry sweetheart,” he cooed, wiping the tears away. “Those mood swings already hitting you this early?”
She laughed again and leaned against him. "Don't get me wrong, Drac. This is incredible... but I'm just so worried about all this too. I've never actually been a mother before."
Dracula took her hand and kissed it gently. "Don't be worried. I promise that the two of us will get through this, and we'll be a family."
She smiled gratefully at him. "I have no doubt I landed the best father for my children," she said.
"And I have no doubt that you are going to be an amazing mother," he agreed.
Things are silent for a moment, and then he spoke up again. “Have you, eh, thought of any names?”
“Already?” she asked.
“Of course,” he responded. “It will be the name you’ll be saying for the rest of their life.”
She thought about this, tapping a finger on her chin. “Well… I know my great-grandfather wanted to name me after him if I wasn’t a girl… but I don’t think I’ll be keeping that trend if we have a little guy.”
“No, no thank you,” he concurred.
Ericka giggled and sat up straighter. “How about Dracula Jr., for a boy?” she suggested.
Drac chuckled. “Sweetheart, as much as I appreciate you naming the baby after me, I would want him to feel original.” He kissed her forehead and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “How about Bram? I’ve always liked that name.”
“Bram,” she repeats, thinking it over. It had an older feel to it, but she found that she really liked the way it sounded when she spoke it. “I like it.”
Dracula smiled, and moved his hand down to stroke her belly. “Any ideas for a girl name?”
Ericka bit her lip. “I might have one in mind…”
Dracula quirked his head in curiosity to hear her answer.
“Martha,” she said finally.
His eyes widen. “Martha?”
“Why not?” she asks. “I like the name. It’s beautiful. And, it would be a great way to honor her… here.” She had taken his hand and placed it over her heart. He could feel it beating beneath his fingertips as she continued speaking. “I know you loved her, Drac. And I want to honor that memory.”
Dracula felt his chest constrict painfully when he heard those words. Then he took a deep breath and released it slowly.
“Okay. Thank you.”
She smiled softly at him. "You don't have to thank me... thank the zing."
He kissed her and pulled her into his lap, cradling her close like rocking a child. "I will thank you, and the zing. You are mine, and I am yours." He pecked her once again and caressed her cheek. "Forever."
Content with his kind words, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment between her, her love, and the small bundle of life that was inside of her.
Forever.
THE END