I don't know how long I had been out but Carl roused me before sunrise and told me to get ready for Anna's funeral. He explained what had happened and I nodded as I changed. Anna's body was under a shroud in the cart and I sat between Carl and Gabriel on the journey. We came to the seaside where an altar was waiting. I helped gather bundles of dry grass and leaves as Gabriel laid Anna on the altar. I finally whispered my goodbyes and then moved beside Carl and knelt down as he began to read from the Bible.

I looked up from where I was when Gabriel came forward with the lit torch. I watched silently crying as Anna's began to burn. I finally dried my eyes and went back to praying when I felt a warm presence surround me. I opened my eyes to see Gabriel with his arm around my shoulder and his right hand holding mine. When the body was ashes; we put the fire out and then returned to the village. "I've got to find my father's will" I said, heading toward the house I had grown up in for sixteen years and had run away from. It was covered in dust but I could still remember every detail. "Do you have any idea where the will is" Carl asked.

I thought back and replied "It's in the master bedroom." The three of us went upstairs, opening windows along the way because of the dust we knew we'd stir up. "Where do we begin our search" Gabriel asked. "Check all the drawers in the desk and the dresser." We began searching and I finally found it in one of the drawers and after dusting the chair; I sat down to read it.

"What are you getting" Van Helsing asked. I read over the details a couple of times before I answered "A sack of money he left in a hidden panel and my mother's jewels." I got up and went over to where my mother kept her jewels and what was included was her most prized piece: a lace choker adorned with pearls that she had worn when she married my father. I replaced it in the jewelry box and packed the jewels and then went to find the panel and found the sack of money that had been promised. With that; we gathered our supplies and headed down to the docks and return to Rome.

Once on the boat; I returned to my quarters and got back in the white dress and boots that I had worn before we had left for Romania. Just as I was slipping my cloak back on; a knock came at my door and I called "Who is it?" "It's Gabriel" came Van Helsing's voice. "Come in" I replied, making sure I was covered. He opened the door and walked in before closing it again and locking it. "Is there something you want" I asked. "Yes Eva; I need to talk to you" Gabriel replied.

We moved toward the bed and sat down and he took my hand. I blushed and he finally said "Eva; I'm crazy about you and I have been from the moment I first saw you. You were that walking answer to my prayers and for the first time; maybe I was ready to take a huge step and tell you the truth." He brushed a strand of hair away from my face and continued "I feared for your life when you were captured. I didn't want to lose you before I had the chance to tell you that I'm wildly in love with you and I want to properly court you. Please don't call me crazy unless it's crazy in love."

I was speechless at that second but I finally replied "I was scared that I'd never be able to tell you the same thing. You saved my life last night and I believe you're the answer to a prayer. I won't keep you waiting Gabriel. I love you and I want to surrender to you forever." He removed his hat and embraced me with our lips mere inches apart until he finally pulled me closer and kissed me passionately. Now I felt like my life could finally be on the path to completion and that I could give in to the desire but the path of true love never runs smoothly especially when you don't plan for a wedding crasher.