" Yes, I'm your father." Was all Dracula could say while looking down at the miniature version of himself. It felt foreign to call himself a father for he never thought it would happen. His last three brides were not able to bring his children into this world alive. At times he felt defeated and started to be ok with not producing an heir, but his brides were persistent. They had not lived as long as he had and had hoped they would see their children live. The Frankenstein monster brought the prospect of hope only for Dracula to be killed soon after. " Well where have you been all this time?" asked Elliot. How was he to answer he thought as he now looked up at Astrid who was sitting on the couch. This was her doing, it was not only unfair but cruel for him to explain to his son why he had been absent all of his young life. "Perhaps it would be more appropriate for your mother to explain why. Don't you agree Astrid?"
The moment had come, one she hoped would never come about. Their father was abusive, a murderer, and Astrid could go on and on about her ill thoughts of him. She sat there silently for five minutes as she deliberated her response. Alex walked down the stairs just as she was about to explain. " You see your Father lives in Europe and couldn't leave due to his work. We thought it would be best to separate so your father could pursue his career." Astrid whipped up a lie. The boys were too young to understand to understand the toxic relationship their parents had. " Well , will he be staying with us from now on? "asked Alex. Before Astrid could respond Dracula intervened. " I'm here to stay in fact I plan on taking you all back to Romania with me." The twin boys eyes lit up, they were elated. His sons were bombarding him with many questions now. Dracula was too busy engaging with his sons that he didn't notice Astrid slip out the back door. She was fuming, absolutely no way in hell she was going back with him to Romania. Telling their children this only for Astrid to break their hearts of that not ever happening. Removing her socks and shoes in a haste, she set them next to her before dipping her feet into the pool.
" Mom promised us this summer before school starts, she would teach us how to fly. Maybe you can teach us instead?" asked Elliot. Dracula looked around to find Astrid, but she was nowhere in site. " I don't see why not my son, but tell me where did your mother run off to?" " There she is!" shouted Elliot as he pointed his finger out towards the backyard. " You'll have to excuse me, I need to have a word with your mother." Said Dracula before making his way towards the back door. Alex picked up the remote off the coffee table and turned on cartoons while his brother watched his father join their mother outside. Astrid could hear the screen door shut but didn't look up as Dracula approached her. It was now early afternoon with the sun from time to time peaking out from behind the clouds. Astrid remained still , still as the water till a slight breeze blew in causing the water in the pool to ripple. " Why on earth would you tell the boys they were going to Romania? Their place is here with me." Said Astrid as her back was to him. Dracula pulled up a chair to the edge of the pool so he could sit next to Astrid. " It seems the chickens have come home to roost. The children want to know their father and have a relationship with me. Are you opposed to that?" "Yes, yes I am! Hmmmm maybe it because you killed my family, my husband , and also let's not forget Cecilia. Any sane person would want to distance themselves or anyone they love far from you!" " You seriously believe I would harm anything that I love and care for?" said Dracula. The bickering back n forth was now escalating.
" You push, shove , and hit me, yet you claim you love me. At this point I wouldn't put it past you to harm them like you do onto me!" Astrid was able to silence him as she was now staring back at him angrily. She had a point he was abusive towards her, but he didn't want to though. Every time he hit her before he would say to himself today was a new day , vowing to never do it again. His anger at times got the best of him. She doubted him and had now upon reflecting had good reason to. " Astrid you and my children will come with me the easy way or the hard way. I have given you 24 hours to decide now your time is up!" Dracula quickly turned his head as he heard the screen door open and shut today. The man resembled the one he saw at the ball bark the other day with Astrid. His jeans were worn out looking with tears going up his legs. The black polo shirt he wore seemed to hug his biceps along with a baseball cap he wore backwards. So this was the infamous Chase Astrid had mentioned earlier.
Astrid pinched the bridge of her nose. Oh this was bad oh so very bad she thought. " Hey Astrid I tried calling you , but you didn't pick up. Figured I swing by and say hello." Said Chase as he walked up to Astrid. Chase could sense something was amiss for Astrid didn't greet him right away and the strange man Astrid had a fit over at the baseball game was there as well. "Hello I don't think we have been properly introduced ,I'm Chase who are you?" Chase extended his hand out to Dracula for him to shake hands. It was the longest awkward 60 seconds ever till Dracula grasped his hand in a shake. " My name is Vlad I am Alex and Elliot's father and who may you be?" asked Dracula. This was all too much as Astrid's face was almost beet red due to embarrassment. She could feel Chase's eyes on her as she tried to avoid eye contact. " Funny, Holly said the children's father was dead. Seems you have risen from the grave sir." Chuckled Chase. " Well in a matter of speaking I have Chase. You see Astrid and I go way back, isn't that right Astrid?" Dracula and Chase were both now looking at Astrid. Dracula was enjoying her embarrassment waiting to see how she would escape this conundrum she had gotten herself into. Chase was utterly confused and anxiously awaiting for her response. " Why are you calling her Astrid her name is Holly?" asked Chase. " Well it seems Chase you don't know much about the creature in front of you. Let me ask you this have you ever heard of Nosferatu?" "Count stop this right now!" insisted Astrid. However Dracula ignored her warning and continued his tormenting towards Chase. Dracula's blue eyes now illuminated while his fangs slowly started to elongate. Chase's eyes widened as he slowly backed away from Dracula. His pulse quickened his body began to shake, Chase felt his back hit against the siding of the house. Dracula continued to slowly approach while Astrid stayed next to the pool. "Dracula!" shouted Astrid. He turned around to face Astrid who was teeming with anger. "Leave him alone!" Chase now saw Astrid's eyes light up an unearthly glow like the man before him. " Luckily for you Astrid has a soft spot you otherwise I would've let your blood appease my pallet tonight. Better run before I change my mind." Said Dracula to Chase. Chase didn't need much convincing to bolt off towards the back door. The back door slammed behind him ,Alex and Elliot watched him whip right past them. Not even saying goodbye or anything and out the front door.
" What the hell is wrong with you!" shouted Astrid as she stormed up to where Dracula was standing. " Is it your mission in life to go around ruining mine? I loved that man , he was nothing but kind to me and to my children. But no Dracula can't afford to see me happy, no he just has to fuck everything up for me!" Astrid's body was now heaving with anger. Dracula did again ruined another positive thing in her life she had going for her. "Astrid what did you really expect? For you to Iive happily ever after with that young man? I hate to break it to you Astrid ,but we live in hell. We the undead don't get happy endings. You are even afraid to feed off another human being, how would you even gotten up the courage to change him. Could you seriously live with damning his soul?" shouted Dracula. Tears of blood slid down Astrid's face, he was right ,but she couldn't admit it. Astrid took off as well and ran back into the house. He didn't run after her although he wanted to, he needed to give her space and time to think. The twins faces were now glued to the glass door looking upon their father for answers as to what had happened. With as much effort as he could, he smoothed out his composure to present one of calmness to his children before him. Dracula walked towards the back door and headed inside.