Just a reminder: This is a story inspired by a concept by Drericka on Tumblr. We discussed how the portrait of Drac & Martha would potentially lead to tension between him and Ericka, because having a 10ft painting of your fiancé and his deceased wife is extremely uncomfortable. And before anyone assumes, this is not hate against Martha. I love Martha; I'm only writing about what I would topics would be interesting to discuss in the films or in the fandom.

Enjoy reading!

It took all the strength within her body to prevent tears. As she stormed upstairs toward hers and Drac's room, Ericka's lips wobbled slightly. She clenched her teeth, glancing around her to convince herself that nobody could witness her in this state. As the Countess-to-be, Ericka aimed to present herself as persistent as her husband.

Yet, the mistiness returned to her eyes whenever she convinced herself not to cry. Goddamnit, the last time she cried pinpointed during her teenage years when her hormones almost dominated her entire mind. She'd cry to herself, punch walls, and even throw her training knives directly at Van Helsing. He never protested - instead, he appreciated her transformation from the innocent girl she used to be. A Van Helsing could never be sensitive.

Ericka turned another corner, sighing heavily to herself as she headed for the door.

The Shrunken Head always greeted Ericka with a bright grin, favouring her highly compared to other monsters and humans. Yet, seeing her frown made it question, "Darlin', what happened? Why the long face?"

That's what triggered the tears.

Failing to dry her tear-stained cheeks, Ericka sighed, "I screwed up."

The Head scoffed, "I highly doubt that, 'cause you're the most modest lady in this hotel. What really happened?"

"I should never have come here, especially with him." Ericka sniffled. Sliding against the door, she rubbed her eyes and continued, "How could I even think that he could replace that portrait?"

"Portrait? That tall one in the family room?" The Shrunken Head suggested, "With him and Martha?"

She nodded, feeling a lump inside her throat as she pictured it. "I told him it made me feel uncomfortable, but...I guess even marriage won't make me feel like somebody's true love."

Leaving the Shrunken Head to screech and call Drac every swear under the sun, Ericka shut herself alone inside the room. Her lip began to wobble until she replayed the argument within her mind, which ended in a waterfall of tears. She covered her mouth, compressing sobs as she fell onto the bed. Little murmurs escaped her throat, mainly scolding herself for being foolish.

His words had ripped her heart from her chest, something that depended on her fiancé greatly. Ericka shook her head, wondering how she allowed herself to commit herself to another being. A Vampire, for goodness sakes! How could he fall in love with a human, especially after humans had ended his first love? It seemed ridiculous that he could love her just as much as Martha. Maybe a second Zing only served as a replacement - her own love wasn't as strong as Drac's.

"Stop..." Ericka groaned, grasping her hair and continuing to sob.

She wondered whether leaving for a while would be the best idea. How could this work if she couldn't face her fiancé? It couldn't - yet, locking herself in her room would drive her crazy.

Reaching for her phone, Ericka clicked her tongue. Is this right? Exhaling heavily, he opened her message history to her great-grandfather and typed:

Ericka
Any recent cruises that I could Captain for a week?

Luckily, it didn't take any longer than a minute for him to reply.

Great-grandfather
Many are available! How come?

Ericka
I need some time alone.

The three dots appeared and disappeared. Ericka winced, expecting a fiery reaction. She was right.

Great-grandfather
WHAT HAS THAT WRETCHED VAMPIRE DONE TO YOU?

She rolled her eyes. Her fingers flew over the keyboard, sending a final text before chucking her phone onto the bed.

Ericka
I'll explain when I arrive.

Something sparkly in the corner of her eye caught her attention. A spiderweb, perfectly crafted and comfortable between the wall and the cabinet. Ericka glanced at her engagement ring; the little spider that clutched onto her finger. His little eyes furrowed in pity. Having become accustomed to its owner, he wasn't used to witnessing her cry.

"Sorry, little guy." Ericka sighed, gesturing for the spider to climb onto the web. "You're gonna have to stay here for a while."

He obeyed, yet he glanced back at Ericka with sorrow. All of a sudden, that warm feeling across her finger had vanished - like the guaranteed promise of love inside her heart.

Drac stared at his trembling hands, wondering when he last felt this anxious. You wouldn't feel like this if you hadn't shouted at her, he scolded to himself. Hunching his shoulders, Drac flew up the staircase with continuous churning inside his stomach. He knew how ill-tempered his fiancée could become - was there any way of resolving this?

No, Ericka wouldn't forgive him. His words ripped her fragile heart in two, ignoring her pleas for a more comfortable environment. Yet, he allowed the ghosts of his past to ruin a beautiful future. Drac gasped, the thoughts of Ericka refusing to marry him burying into his chest like a stake. No, she's his zing! Soulmates weren't supposed to float away from each other. That's why, with a straightened posture and a smidge of confidence, Drac realised he must save their engagement.

"Ugh, look who decided to show up," the Shrunken Head snapped. "You think I want you making her cry again? No, sir. So please, do not dis-"

With a flick of his fingers, Drac silenced the head. All he could hear were the scolds and frustrated comments in his mind, as well as the mumbles of the Shrunken Head. Drac frowned; feeling the shame washing over his body. He wrapped his hand around the handle, yet revisited the situation. Could he witness his fiancée utterly distraught, because of him and his ridiculous actions?

The door finally creaked open, and Drac found the courage to peek into their room. "Sunflower...?"

He spotted a silhouette on the balcony. Drac gasped quietly, gazing at his wife as she bathed in the sunlight with the advantage of not getting burnt. His mouth dried up, thinking about the beauty that his wife displayed as the sunlight glowed across her platinum hair. There wasn't a single memory in Drac's mind when he witnessed a sight as angelic as Ericka at that moment.

Yet, she ducked her head upon hearing his voice. Her arms tightened their hold around her body, cradling her legs together. Drac frowned, stepping into the room and hesitantly moving closer towards his wife. He wondered if he really deserved her. An angel for a wife.

"Ericka?" Drac murmured, hoping to attract her attention again. Instead, she continued watching the sunrise.

He almost stepped into the sunlight, wincing as the ray caught his hand. The light almost seemed like fate separating them. Not even their Zing could break through the barrier.

Drac bowed his head. "Honey, I didn't mean what I said, I promise. What happened was just a sudden instinct, because I've had that portrait there ever since the hotel was built. I guess I...just wasn't ready to move it, but I understand why you feel uncomfortable, and I'm sorry for making you feel any worse. I love you, and-"

"I'm leaving," she interrupted.

Drac almost misheard her words. His fidgety fingers dropped to his sides as he questioned, "What...what do you mean?"

Ericka turned her head, just enough to side-glance. "There's another Christmas cruise in two days, and I agreed to Captain the Legacy again. I just need some time for myself."

His worst nightmare slowly came believable. Drac shook his head, muttering words of pleas as he attempted shuffling closer and closer towards his fiancée."I'm so sorry!" Drac cried, managing to clutch her palm with a desperate grip. "Never would I try to make you feel uncomfortable, but I was too ignorant to realise how you felt. But please don't leave, I can take down the painting and listen to anything that you'd want to be changed. I promise."

Ericka clenched her eyes shut, avoiding eye-contact. His touch froze her body. Her mind ran a thousand miles - she wasn't sure what to do. Yet, her bluntness made it clear that there wasn't any chance she'd stay.

Throwing his sense of maturity out the window, Drac cradled Ericka in a tight embrace. "Please...!"

Ericka wiggled away, predicting that Drac wouldn't force contact between them. She sighed, shaking her head. "It's not that easy. You can't cover a wound with a plaster, and that's exactly what you're trying to do."

Watching with an agape expression, Drac wouldn't tear his sight away from Ericka as she retrieved her suitcase from the closet. He spotted something twinkle in the space between the closet and the wall. Yet, before he could investigate, she continued, "The painting doesn't matter anymore, it's what you said to me."

Ericka pursed her lips, distracting the upcoming breakdown by retrieving her phone from her pocket. "My ride's here."

The moment they locked eyes, Drac noticed Ericka's reddened cheeks. Her eyes shone like two twinkling stars, blinking back a fountain of tears.

Before she left the room, Drac retrieved her suitcase before she could grab it. His free hand held hers as he urged, "Let me walk you there."

Ericka obliged, but their travel towards the hearse was deafeningly silent.

Allowing Ericka to peacefully make herself comfortable in the backseat, Drac startled the zombie driver as he bared his fangs. "You make sure she gets there safe or I will suck all the blood out of your body until you dissolve into jello."

The zombie moaned in response, starting the engine.

Drac floated beside Ericka, who buckled her seatbelt with an ambiguous expression. He couldn't tell whether her dejected look regretted her decision but already made a conclusion. Sighing, he insisted, "Make sure you call me."

Ericka only hummed in response.

Yet, he felt that the next time he sees the caller ID, it wouldn't be good news. What if...this is her route into ending their engagement? The thought alone encouraged him to delay the hearse - never let her go.

Before he left, Drac grasped her palm tight. Her gorgeous eyes stared back into his, and he almost broke down. Instead, he held her head and gave Ericka a tender kiss atop her forehead. "I love you."

Ericka gulped, clenching her jaw so her lip would stop wobbling. Without a response, she only nodded and settled into the seat. Goddamnit, she loved him so much, but she wanted to leave. When she's frustrated, there was only an amount of affection Drac could embrace her with before Ericka needed personal space.

Pursing his lips, Drac shut the hearse door and allowed the vehicle to transport Ericka to the airport. He would've followed her all the way, but...he had to give her space. Yet, as the distance lengthened between the couple, Drac dreaded the absolute worst.