Chapter 12
At last, it was time for the wedding.
The lobby and the ballroom had been decorated in mostly white with soft pink lighting, while outside at the pool an altar had been set up where the marriage could take place under a clear starry night and a long white carpet had been rolled out from the altar to the end of the two rows of chairs.
The entire hotel became alive with frenzy as monsters everywhere started getting ready for the big wedding. Frank had a hard time struggling to fit into his tuxedo and split the backside of his pants open. Dracula face palmed and summoned for a witch maid to sew it up quick as a wink. Eunice got her head tangled up in the veil and her head fell off. Luckily, Wanda and Sirena were there to help screw her head back on and untangle her from the veil.
After ten minutes, Ericka finally made her choice of what to wear, with Salem getting tired of waiting due to Ericka's expression the girl only cared less. She picked out a sleeveless red dress. Making sure her hair is still braided and her vampire make-up still on, and after putting on her dark shoes, and a golden chain necklace with a bat dangling at the end around her neck, was ready.
"Mr. and Mrs. Stein the parents of the bride and friends ", one of the soldiers said
"Mom and Dad ", said Eunice who was so excited to see her parents and they hugged her.
At the photo tableau, everyone gathered to take pictures together. First, Frank the groom with Dracula as his best man, Wayne, Murray, and Griffin as groomsmen. Then, Eunice the bride with Ericka (who forced a crooked smile) as her maid of honor, Wanda, Sirena, and Bianca as bridesmaids. The last photo of the entire family, Frank and Eunice and her parents with Ericka and the Drac Pack. Except Dracula didn't show up in the photos because he's a vampire.
Dozens of bats held up white sparkling curtains for the ceremony, and a white carpet going went from the end of the rows of chairs to the altar. The monsters had taken their seats and the wedding got started.
Down the aisle first came Dracula with Ericka an his arm. As the Count gazed down at this lovely blonde beauty at his side, he smiled as he imagined Ericka in her own wedding gown if they get married someday. The thought of Ericka as his wife made Dracula's heart flutter. But, her mother would never approve of the marriage and neither would his friends. If the world was different, then it would be possible. Then he noticed how quietly somber she looked. Worried, the vampire gently tugged her arm to get her attention. Ericka looked up at him and forced a weak smile. Dracula smiled back.
The bridesmaids, Wanda and Sirena and Bianca, went down the aisle first wearing their dark pink satin dresses along with the groomsmen, Wayne and Murray and Griffin, in their splendid tuxedos. Winnie cam skipping along the carpet tossing black rose petals. And then, Eunice walked down the aisle with her father in her lovely white gown as the traditional wedding march played on the pipe organ.
Frank smiled as her and father approached him at the altar. "You look beautiful,my love ," he whispers.
"Thanks, you look handsome," Eunice replied feeling flattered.
The monster minister cleared his throat, "Dearly beloved and departed, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage between these two golem monsters.
"Who gives this bride away to this man?" , the minister asked
" I do" ,said Mark
" May I have the rings, please" asked minister
Pedro gave the rings to Frank as he nodded his thanks.
"Frankenstein, do you take this woman to be your wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, from this day foreword, for as you both shall live?" the minister asked.
"I do."
"Eunice, do you take this man to be your husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, from this day foreword, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"If anyone objects to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace", the minister said.
"I object" said Agro
"Agro" Eunice said in surprise
"Eunice, you can't marry this man he's too wrong for you",said Agro
" Agro you and I are through I don't love you so could you please leave and stop interrupting my wedding", Eunice said
"You may have won this time, but I'll be back",said Agro as he was leaving the alter
"May I continue the ceremony?"asked the minister
"Yes", they said together.
The couple placed their rings on just as the minister announced, "Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce this couple husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."
Frank and Eunice shared their first kiss as husband and wife. The whole room filled with applause, cheering, and even a few manly tears were shed from Dracula and the groomsmen, for the happy couple. The only person who didn't cheer was Ericka. She tried to look happy for the couple as a stream of tears left her eyes. But these were not tears of joy. These were tears of sadness and envy. Here, the Steins received the most magical night of their lives, while Ericka herself received the most horrible night of her life.
The Steins walked down the aisle and entered the ballroom where the reception was being held. There was a whole buffet of of food with the gargoyle waiters waiting patiently. First off, Eunice tossed her bouquet to a group of single women, which included Bianca and Sirena, but as though by the working hand of fate, the bouquet landed in Ericka's unexpected hands.
"Oh, my goodness!" Ericka gasped in surprise, and then looked to Dracula as to what if means.
"It means you will be the next one getting married," Dracula chuckled.
"Um, who will I be getting married to? Don't I need to fall in love with the right guy first?"
Once again, Dracula chuckled rather amusingly. "Silly Ericka." Then he leaned forward as he spoke in a soothing, seductive voice. "I believe the right guy you're looking for is standing right here..."
"Hey, guys! It's time for the cake!" Murray called.
Ericka and Dracula took their seats at the long table with their friends. Right before Frank and Eunice cut the first slice of cake, the cake slice had been given to Ericka first, much to her surprise. It was a huge six layered cake, enough for anyone who wanted a slice. The zombies each carried a platter with about four to five pieces of cake and served them out to hungry guests.
Dracula gently tapped his glass with his fork to get everyone's attention. "A toast to the Steins! I just want to say how happy I am for the both of you and I wish you two many years of happiness and love."
"Thanks, Drac," Frank said, and he gave Dracula a big brotherly hug to show it.
"So,Ericka, how did it go?" Wanda asked Ericka, the two of them along with Sirena and Bianca, were walking to the dance floor to the loud, blasting, rock music Frank and the boys played. "Dracula took you to the village outside the cemetery. I don't know why you took so long, it's just we didn't know where you were. We thought you were still out."
"Oh no, I don't know why I ever wanted to leave, the people were so boring," Ericka slightly lied so not to scare her friends as she shrugged.
"But...I thought you wanted to go out there to see the floating lights. That was your dream." Sirena gaped at her friend in confusion.
"Uh...well...I made up my mind to stay and watch the lights...from my window." Ericka looked away with dismal eyes.
"I thought you said you grew tired of watching by the window!" argued Sirena. "Why throw away your dream when you've got your chance to make it happen! Whatever happened to that dreamy, perky girl who wants to go out and see the floating lights?"
"SHE'S GONE!" Ericka nearly yelled, her eyes ablaze with anger and sadness. "I never want to leave this place as I long as I live. I don't want my hair cut or pitchforks shoved in my face! If you want to see the floating lights, why don't you go?" Tears betrayed her emotions as she almost choked up.
Bianca and Wanda had drew back, frightened by the girl's outburst, but were now concerned when they noticed Ericka's tears.
Sirena shook her head and scoffed, "Since when did you have an attitude, Miss Crybaby? Besides, you can't stay here because..." She dared not say it in front of Wanda because who knows what will happen if Ericka's human identity was out.
Emotionally hurt by these words, Ericka turned and left the dance floor. "I think I'll go sit down for a while."
"What?" was all Sirena could say as Bianca and Wanda shook their heads in disappointment at her.
As Ericka took her seat, Dracula was at her side in a flash. "May I have this dance?" he asked as he extended his hand out to her.
"No, thank you." Ericka pushed his extended hand away, without even looking at him.
Taken aback by her rejections, Dracula sat beside her. "Darling, are you alright? What's wrong?"
Ericka turned to face him, and he could see the stream of tears on her face. "Everyone is so happy here. The Steins will live their dream as a happy couple, but I feel like I'm being mocked at because I can never live my dream to see the lanterns." She wiped away the tears but more tears kept coming. "You were right, Dracula. People hate us."
"Oh, darling. There are so many things you can do other than see these lanterns, yet you're so young to..." Dracula was at a total loss for how to comfort his human sweetheart, guilty for what he had done. But he had to do it to protect her. He wanted her to understand how dangerous the world is. But he had never seen her in such a morose state, she wasn't even trying to be happy nor did she feel like celebrating.
"Can I be excused to my room?" Ericka stood up. "I don't think I'm welcome here, nor will I ever be if they knew who I am." She started to walk away sullenly out of the ballroom.
"No, wait!" Dracula stopped his beloved, taking hold of her arm, gently. "Please, stay here for a little longer. I want you to dance with me."
"Drac, I..." Ericka didn't have time to finish because there came an announcement.
"Ladies and gentlemonsters," Murray said through the microphone, "it's time for the bride and groom's first dance together. Everyone else can join in too, so grab your partner and let's make this night magical."
In the center of the dance floor, Frank kissed Eunice on her hand and lead her into a slow, romantic waltz. Other couples joined them afterward.
"Ericka, may I have this dance?" Dracula extended his hand out to her.
Ericka could see it in his eyes that he was pleading for her to accept the offer, almost desperate. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she placed her hand into his.
In an instant, Dracula gracefully led Ericka on the dance floor, gradually leading her to the wall, which she was confused about. But a violet mist drifted around her gown to help her dance up the wall and even onto the ceiling near the crystal chandelier. The two swayed slowly together, gazing into each other's eyes.
Because I love her, I need her
Like Earth needs the sun
I need the one I love
To keep my hope bright
My head right
My heart fighting on
Until I am back in her arms
Because I love her, I need her
Like summer needs rain
To grow and sustain each day
I hear her singing
And bringing her strength to my soul
Until I am back in her arms
We're miles apart
Yet still my heart
Can hear her melody
I'm more that sure
That I can't endure
Without her love for me
Because I love her and need her
Like I need to breathe
Did Adam need Eve like this
Now I see clearly
I nearly gave up all I had
So whatever our differences were
I'll bid them goodbye
I'll give love a try
And all because I love her
Then time seemed to slow down between them as Dracula stopped dancing with Ericka, and smiled at her. For the first time throughout the party, Ericka started to smile for real again. Their eyes locked as he gave her a love struck gaze and Ericka stared in awe into his eyes.
Dracula steadily leaned in closer, and closer to the blonde girl. Ericka wanted to let go and back away, but she worried she might fall off the ceiling if she did. She tried to pull away, but the vampire's strong grip kept her from leaving. This time, nothing or no one would ruin what he wanted from her for so long.
"Uh, Drac? I'm really scared right now," she mumbled.
"Maybe that's a good thing," he insisted seductively as he closed his eyes and began to close the gap between them.
"What are you doing?" Ericka asked, flattered .
"Kiss me," Dracula whispered in a soothing voice.
Ericka shut her eyes and waited for it to happen. Suddenly she felt a pair of cold lips pressing against her own. Ericka's eyes shot open and found herself locked in Count Dracula's kiss. Her shock evaporated as she slowly embraced him and returned the kiss. Feeling as though eyes were on him and his private moment, Dracula immediately sprinted him and his beloved down the wall to a private corner in the ballroom.
He kissed her passionately as she moaned into his mouth and took his chance to thrust his tongue into her mouth. The two let their tongues duel in a battle one another for dominance. Ericka felt Dracula pin her body to the wall and gasped mildly when she felt a gasping Dracula grinding his forming erection into her crotch. After four minutes, the two stopped kissing, a trail of saliva connecting them after their lips parted, and it left them breathless.
Looking at her in his arms, the things he wanted from her so badly, so desperately, he knew his chance had finally come as he panted, "Let's go to your room."