Disclaimer: I don't own Hotel Transylvania!

Prelude: Second Chances

January 22, 2014

Looking down at the happy couple in the postcard, Dracula smiled sadly and ran his long fingers over the female. For the thousandth time since she left, he started missing her terribly.

It had been 109 days, 9 hours, 33 minutes, 11 seconds and counting since his only daughter, Mavis, had left to travel the world with her zing, Johnny.

To put it lightly, he was scared to death. Drac knew he gave Mavis his approval and he trusted Johnny with his life and soul to keep her out of harm's way, but every minute that she wasn't with him was a minute where something could go terribly wrong.

It was a never-ending cycle. Running a hotel took his mind off of Mavis for a time. However, in every moment of peace, his thoughts would be consumed with memories of her growing up and, eventually, leaving. Then he would go to sleep, only to repeat the whole grieving process the next night.

Drac made his rounds through the quiet hotel once before returning to his bedroom. Careful to stay out of the sunlight, Drac slipped into his bedroom and got ready for bed.

Thinking of his daughter, he started drifting until the distinct scent of spice and blood hit his nostrils. Drac's frown deepened. It must have been centuries since he last saw the owner of that scent. His mind flicked back to their last encounter. He sat up in his bed. Using his enhanced senses, he could smell the person lingering a moment before disappearing, but not before leaving something behind.

Almost immediately after the person left, Drac threw back the covers, changed into his regular clothes, and sped to the entrance. He pushed his way through the rotating door and he glared down at the object on the welcome mat. It was a basket with a folded card on top. Suspicious, he reached down for the card. In loopy cursive, it read "Keep her safe. – V & M"

"Her?"

Drac kneeled down by the basket and gently pulled the black silk blanket back. What was inside made Drac drop the card.

A newborn vampire babe.

As he stared at the baby, the sun continued to rise. It wasn't until a part of a ray of light hit his hand and burned him that he noticed his surroundings. He quickly picked the basket and card up and retreated into the castle. He put the basket down on the nearest table and studied the card.

"There is no name. That is just like him." He set the card down and gingerly lifted the sleeping baby out of the basket. He cradled her close to his chest and marveled at how similar she looked to Mavis at that age. Like Mavis and himself, she had inky-black hair. Drac softly touched a feathery lock, when she stirred. She opened her eyes slightly to reveal bright green irises. He smiled down at her.

"She must have her mother's eyes."

It was then that Drac realized what he was doing. He was getting too attached too fast and much too soon. It has only been about 4 months since Mavis' departure and already he was filling the hole that she had left. The baby started to fuss. Drac brought his attention back to her and slowly started rocking her. Then again, maybe this baby was what he needed. Something to occupy his time with, but this baby had to be more than just an occupation of time. She had to be a daughter, at least for the time being.

"If you're going to stay here, you need a name." Drac looked to the card. V is the first letter of her father's name, so M… M must be her mother!

"M…Martha…Mavis." He thought for a moment.

"Margaux."

The baby cooed in response and Drac smiled at her.

"Margaux Dracula it is then." He said aloud and cast his eyes to the card again. He frowned and held baby Margaux closer. At least for the time being.

A/N: What did you guys think? This is my first published story so I hope I did okay. Please review! Oh and this is an OC-centric story, so if you don't like those kinds of stories, just stop reading now. Til next time!