Dracula sighed, one hand holding his head up on his desk and the other in the process of a letter in his immaculate cursive font. His hand had a slight cramp in it, and he shook it off for a second before continuing, not at all worried about it. What mattered more was getting everything in the letter that he wanted to say.

To Mavis…

… and her boyfriend Johnny he supposed (but mostly Mavis).

The Count tapped the pen against his chin as he thought of what to say next, and his eyes caught sight of the little picture inside the frame at his desk. He smiled and picked it up. True, vampires could not have their picture taken, and the drawing that was behind the frame's glass was not at all a lifelike recapturing of the subjects, but he didn't care. Not when it was his daughter's drawing. It was a little aged he could tell, the corners slightly bent and the colors a little faded, but it was still perfect to him nonetheless.

Mavis had created the drawing about a century ago, only a couple of days before the hotel opened up. She had been so excited and drew a picture of herself with the hotel key, her father smiling along next to her, and the massive castle-like hotel in the background. It was a drawing he would forever cherish, and remembering those fun times he had in raising her made his heart clench. He sighed again. He really really missed her, that was obvious. But he knew that he still had another month to wait before Mavis and Johnny returned from their vacation in Hawaii. It had been hard to say even a temporary goodbye though, and not a day went by when he didn't think of her. His friends were well aware of his feelings, too. They had tried to get him to come out of his quarters to go travel with them whenever they checked into the hotel, but he always refused. He would rather occupy himself with writing letters to his Mavy, and in return looking forward to the postcards from Hawaii that she would send through the mail.

A knock at the door suddenly sounded, and Drac lifted his head up, calling out a "Come in," before hunching back over his letter.

Entering through the polished wooden door was his friends - Frankenstein, Wayne the werewolf, Murray the mummy, and Griffin the Invisible Man.

"Hey guys," Dracula greeted them half-heartedly. "What brings you here?"

"Well, Drac," Frank responded, "the guys and I were just starting to discuss a possible trip outside of Transylvania, but we're not sure where this time."

"Yeah," Wayne said, nodding his furry head. "We were wondering if maybe you could help us decide."

"And maybe come along this time?" Murray suggested while Griffin concurred with a "Mmm-hmm."

But Dracula, like times before, disagreed with this offer.

"Sorry, guys," he said. "I've got a very busy schedule today, you know, with the hotel and with the guests, and - "

"And with Mavis?" the guys all said at the same time with raised brows, knowing the same excuse he gave every time.

"Yes," Dracula responded. "Exactly."

His face fell a little when they mentioned his daughter however. He looked up at the calendar and almost felt tears pooling up in his eyes. He had lived for over 500 years, and yet one month couldn't go by soon enough.

The guys noticed his changed demeanor, and exchanged glances. Part of them felt bad for their friend. But another part - a more recent, happier part - knew that this sadness he was feeling would just as easily be cured soon enough. Very soon.

"All right, Drac," Frank said resolutely, walking up to the vampire. "If you're not gonna go out and see the world, we'll bring the world back to you."

Drac raised a brow, and before he could ask what exactly Frank meant, the Stein moved his hulking body out of the way to reveal Mavis and Johnny at the door frame.

"Surprise!" she greeted happily.

Dracula's face lit up. "Holy rabies!" He leaped up into the air and immediately scooped her into his arms for a great big hug. "Mavy Wavy, you're home early!"

Mavis hugged back. "Yeah, I missed you, Dad."

"Hey, Drac!" Johnny tried to say hello, though the vampire was too happy with the presence of his returned daughter to take much notice. Regardless, the redhead cleared his throat and continued to speak with caution. "So, Drac, uh… I've got something that I wanted to ask - "

"Yes, great, Johnny," Drac replied without much thought. His excited gaze was fixed on Mavis. "Tell me all about your trip, baby."

"Dad, it was the greatest time of my life!" she responded without hesitation. "We started out in Waki Waki…"

"Uh, Waikiki," Johnny gently corrected.

Dracula nodded. "You know what, it's okay. Just tell me you're staying and will never ever leave again!" He looked to her expectantly, and Mavis gave him a confused smile.

"Ever?"

"That's good enough for me!" Dracula cheered. "Hooray! She's staying!"

"Yeah!" Johnny joined in. Then he approached Drac a bit nervously again. "So, Drac, speaking of that, I wanted to ask you - "

"If you can marry Mavy and have a room here at the hotel where you both can live and grow old together?" Dracula finished for him with a smirk.

Johnny was impressed. "Woah, Drac! How did you know that?"

"I read minds, Einstein," Dracula joked, tapping a finger against his head. "And of course you want to marry my Mavy! She's the bat's meow!" He hugged Mavis again and then zipped around the room to hug the rest of his friends, all the while cheering, "She's home! She's home!" He went to Johnny next, then Murray and Griffin, then Frank, and then Wayne. But, after a moment of pressing up against the panting werewolf, he back away with a crinkled nose. "Sorry, man," he apologized. "I can't handle your breath."

Wayne nodded understandably. "I get it."

Dracula then zipped from him and began dancing a little jig of happiness. His daughter was home! And now, there would be a grand wedding to prepare for at the hotel. And once they were married, they could settle down in a suite and never, ever, ever leave him alone ever again.