The party was alive and jumping.

Loud music played out from the speakers as everyone enjoyed themselves, dancing about and having fun. Dracula too was enjoying himself - his little grandson Denisovich was finally getting the birthday celebration he deserved… and he had gotten his fangs! Things couldn't get better than that.

He had taken a break from his dancing spree to have a bite of his grandson's delicious super-hero themed cake. The Count hummed in delight, an agreeing hum of contentment coming from just next to him. He peered to the side, finding his father - Vlad - indulging in the confectionary as well. The elder vampire swallowed, and then spoke up.

"I gotta say, son, things aren't so bad here. Maybe being the 'King of Room Service' isn't as lame as it sounds!"

Drac rolled his eyes at his father's comment, but cracked a smile anyhow. "Yes, yes, Dad. Glad you like it."

Vlad scoffed. "'Like' it? I think that's an understatement, boy. I love it! That cave of mine was too stuffy and dank for my liking anyway. It's nice to get out and actually talk to people aside from Bela, eeck!" The elder vampire shuddered in distaste at the mention of his former crony. "Dumb demon… didn't ever know when to shut his blood hole!" He laughed, and Drac laughed too.

"Ah, yep," Vlad continued. "But now I've got this place. My son, my great-grandson Dennis, my grandaughter Mavis…" He trailed off, coming to realize something. "Hey… you're married aren't you? Where's your lady love?"

Drac's face fell at the mention of his late wife. Vlad didn't see his expression, however, as he was looking out into the party and continuing to eat the cake.

"She's uh… she's not here," Drac answered quietly.

"Oh? She on a trip somewhere?" he asked, his question a little muffled by cake in his mouth.

Dracula swallowed. "Eh, no. She's… dead."

Vlad stopped chewing and finally turned to look at his son. "Oh… er…" He tried to think of something to say, but after hundreds of years of being cold and commanding to his demon cronies, he was unfamiliar with how to console. "I'm uh… sorry for your loss."

Drac sighed. "It's alright, I guess. It happened a long time ago, when Mavis was just a baby. Since then I've kind of just been single."

Vlad nodded in understanding. "No other woman's ever caught your eye?" he asked.

Drac looked at him astonished that he'd ever say such a thing. "Dad? What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about whether or not you've put yourself out there, tried to date or find another girl," Vlad clarified. But Drac didn't need the clarification. He already knew what his father meant, and he strongly disagreed.

"No, Dad, of course not! You only Zing once. That's the rules."

Vlad raised an eyebrow. "Whose rules?" He shifted in his seat so that he could address him more directly. "I haven't even been out of my cave for half a day and can already tell you that times have changed! Isn't it obvious?"

Dracula frowned. "No, Dad. I zinged already, and it can't happen again."

Vlad shook his head. "Don't be so closed-minded, son. You've got a whole array of options! Gorgons, and Banshees, Harpies and Enchantresses, not to mention those fine maids you have working here."

He put on the most charming smile he could muster to three witch ladies who were hanging out at a table near them. They giggled as he gave them attention, flirtatiously batting their lashes. He chuckled and spoke to Drac again. "Heh heh, yes, I'm telling you, boy. I was able to get around in my day, and I probably still can. So what if you're a little rusty? You'll fall right back into it in no time. If you just give yourself the opportunity to - "

But he stopped himself when he saw Drac was no longer in his presence. Vlad shrugged. "Eh, probably went to go get more cake," he mumbled to himself while putting another forkful into his mouth. "It's delicious!"

But Drac had not gone out to grab some more cake. He stood to another side of the vast ballroom, watching the party and trying to clear his mind from the conversation he had initiated with his father. He smiled when he saw Dennis and his little friend Winnie. She tackled him to the floor in the way she always did and began to lick at his face, the little boy laughing as she did so.

"Winnie!" he managed between laughs.

"Zing zing!" was the wolf girl's response.

That pang of sadness returned to Drac again as she said it. Zing. It was the one word he wanted to get off his mind. He scanned the crowd again, seeing his friends paired off with their own wives - Frank with Eunice, Wayne with Wanda, Murray with the mumette… heck, even Griffin had somehow managed to land himself an actual Invisible Woman! Drac sighed, and a little voice in the back of his mind niggled. Maybe your dad is right. Maybe you should be looking. Your friends have suggested it too, you know. There's a reason. Maybe it is time…

Dracula swallowed thickly as he allowed his gaze, just for a brief flit of a minute, to wander over to the female monsters in the crowd. Some were tall, some squat, some with tentacles, some with lots of eyes or just one. And some, if he was being honest with himself, were pretty. He could feel heat rising in his cheeks as he took in all the details of their appearances, their curves, their smiles...

But just as suddenly as the feeling came, he shook it off angrily. What was he doing? Had he not just told Vlad just a few moments prior that a zing happens once? Why was he bothering? And worse… why was he being disloyal to Martha? He glanced down at the ruby wedding band that was on his ring finger - the one he'd worn for years, never having once taken it off since he tied the knot. He technically was still married. The only thing that had ended their marriage was when she was unrightly taken from him at the hands of an angry human mob.

He shook his head again, distracting himself from the frenzy of his thoughts for the time being by eating, playing party games, and hanging out with Mavis, Johnny, and little Dennis.

The distraction couldn't last, however.

The party, like all parties at the hotel no matter how grand or extravagant, came to an end. Guests thanked Drac for a good time and retreated to their rooms. Dennis, satisfied with a full belly of cake and ice cream, drowsily yawned in Mavis's arms, mumbling something about Kakie the Cake Monster and his friend Wuzzlelumpelbum. She giggled and hugged him close, bidding her dad a goodnight as well before parting as well. Drac made his way back to his own chambers, the thoughts of the day coming back to him as he brushed his fangs, changed into his satin pajamas, and made his way into the coffin. He sighed heavily, curling up with his knees close to his chest and tucking his arms underneath his head. Drac forced his eyes shut, concentrating on the cadence of his breathing as he eventually relaxed enough to go to sleep.

He awoke to darkness.

The space was quiet and still, the way it usually was. He yawned, and opened the lid of his coffin to stretch and get out of bed. Only, when he opened his eyes, his bleary vision cleared just enough to make out the room around him. It was his room, yes, but something was different about it. It wasn't the room he had set up at the hotel, but rather, it looked just like the one at his old home - Castle Lubov. He sat up with a start and rubbed his eyes. A crib was at the corner of the room with a little mobile hanging above it. Evidence of little baby toys and clothes were around the room. He got up, confused and slowly walked toward the items. He nearly got close enough to pick one up, when a voice - so sweet, so soft, and so instantly recognizable - made him stop in his tracks.

"Drac..."

The man instantly whipped around, his breath catching in his throat at the beauty before him, looking the same exact way she had all those years ago, long dark dress, wavy hair and all.

"Martha…"

He couldn't react at first. He didn't even know how to react. She was there, right in front of him, with her kind smile and warm blue eyes that radiated the love she had for him. Then, finally, he was snapped back to the moment and he lurched forward, grabbing her by the waist and hauling her petite body toward him as he buried his face in the slender crook of her neck. The tears started to fall before Drac could control them.

"Martha!" he sobbed, his grip on her tight and desperate, fearful that she might fade away from him at any given moment. She gently wrapped her own arms around his shaking frame, one hand rubbing soothingly up and down his back while the other petted the back of his head in a calming manner.

"Shh, shh," she cooed. "It's okay, honey."

His sobs slowly subsided into sniffles as she continued to murmur comforting words. Eventually, though, his hold lessened. Martha pulled back slightly so they could look at each other, wiping the tears from her darling's cheeks. She smiled, leaning forward enough to press a gentle kiss on his lips. His reaction was instant. He'd missed those delicate lips on his for well over a century, and the feeling made him almost delirious with joy. He cupped her cheek, pulling her closer to him and deepening the kiss, trying to convey everything that he'd been holding inside for far too long. She gasped and moaned softly against his mouth, running a hand through his black locks and pulling away only after the need for air became overwhelming.

"I missed you so much," he whispered. "My darling, you don't know how it's been, trying to bear life without you..."

"I know how hard it's been, honey," she replied, smiling sadly at him. "But I'm here now." She leaned forward once again, grazing her lips across his again. Drac gave into the kiss again, kissing her tenderly, savoring every moment. It was too good to be true.

Drac pulled away this time, shaking his head. "It can't be real. I'm dreaming," he mumbled, staring into her eyes with disbelief and seeking confirmation. Martha gave that same sad sort of smile and nodded. He sighed, Martha reaching up to wipe the tear that had spilled over from his eye.

"Don't be so upset, love," she said gently.

He looked up at her, gawking. "Don't be upset? How can I not be? You… you're not here… not really. When I wake up, you'll be gone again."

Martha shook her head. "Not necessarily. I've always been with you." She took a finger and touched his chest. "Here."

He took her hand, bringing it up to his mouth and kissing the back of it. "Yes, my love. But having you in my heart is not quite the same as having you physically here with me. To have and to hold. To show my love to."

"I know, honey," Martha agreed. "But you know that's not possible."

Dracula's face fell. "I know…"

"But, it doesn't mean you can't be happy again, you know."

Dracula's eyes widened, his face contorting to obvious confusion. "Whaaa - ?"

Martha giggled, tracing her finger along his jawline in the lightest of touches. "It's okay, Drac. You know it's okay."

Dracula shook his head. He couldn't believe what she was suggesting. Not from her.

"Martha… no, my sweet blood orange. You can't possibly think that I would - "

She put a finger to his lips, silencing him from speaking further. "Drac, I love you. And I know that you love me, too. You're so sweet, and loyal… it's one of the best things about you, honey. You're a father, and a husband…" She smiled and his heart melted as she caressed his cheek further before continuing. "...but you're also a man. A man who deserves to be loved again."

His heart clenched, the words hitting him hard. "But Martha… you don't understand, I can't."

"Why not?" she asked. "Your Dad mentioned it just earlier today. Your friends have suggested it to you over and over. Why do you keep ignoring what they have to say?"

"Because you're my zing!" he blurted. "My one true love. The woman I pine for every day. My first and last thought of the day. How could I just cast you aside like that, my sweet?"

"Don't think of it that way," Martha said, grasping his hands. "I don't want you to be alone. It's not fair to yourself. Don't you think you deserve to be happy again?"

"I am happy," Drac countered with a little pout.

Martha laughed, leaning her forehead against his. "You really think I don't know you better than that? I know that, deep down, you want that affection again… and it's okay. I want you to put yourself out there again. I want you to try and date around. I mean, heck, even your dad has had his own share of flings, and he's nowhere near as cute as you!"

Dracula blushed at the compliment, but then turned melancholic again. "But sweetfangs, I don't want just some meaningless fling. I want someone who will love me for all that I am, and someone that I can love just as much back. I want to smooch her and cuddle with her, and hold her hand and make her laugh. And I don't want it with another woman - I want it with you."

Dracula couldn't imagine kissing someone else's lips. He couldn't picture hugging them or being intimate with them. He shuddered just thinking about it. He peered back into her eyes, hoping that she would understand. "How can I honor you if I can't even remain loyal to you?"

She reached up to cup both of his cheeks. "Honey… you already have honored me. You protected our friends, you let our daughter grow up to be a beautiful young woman. You've opened your heart up to change. All of that... that means just as much to me as this." She raised his hand up so that they could both see the ruby wedding ring that he had on his finger. Martha ran her own fingers over it, tracing the outline, as she continued to speak.

"There's nothing wrong with honoring the past. But, there's also nothing wrong with making your own future for yourself. And you have the chance to."

She went silent for the next few moments, allowing him to process this new information. Dracula understood, though he still couldn't quite wrap his whole mind around the ordeal. To try and seek love from another woman…

He looked up at her. "Are you sure?"

"Come on, honey," she laughed gently. "How many times do I have to tell you before I start to sound like a broken record?"

He chuckled lightly as well, then sighed. "I just wish that things didn't have to be this way… that you were still here with me…"

Martha sighed, too. "I wish they didn't quite have to be this way either. But you have to make the best of what you have. And - " she paused, smiling - "I have a good feeling about you finding love again."

Dracula raised an eyebrow, then narrowed his eyes skeptically. "Do you know something I don't?"

Martha shrugged, but the look in her eyes was still mischievous. "Even if I did, you won't know until you go out and try. Who knows… maybe you'll even zing again."

The Count rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I don't think so. I already zinged, remember?" He nuzzled his nose lovingly against hers, and she giggled.

"Never say never," she chided him gently. "Surely you must know that after everything that's happened since Mavis's 118th birthday."

Well, he supposed, she's really not wrong. He never thought that a human would come to the hotel. He never thought that Mavis would zing with that said human. He never thought that the humans now loved monsters. And yet, here they were today, all of that happened.

"Okay, okay," he said. "I guess I can say 'maybe.'" He then tilted his head down and captured her lips in a tender kiss before pulling back slightly to whisper, "But always remember my darling... you were my first love."

She smiled, a small blush rising on her cheeks. "And you were mine." She leaned up and brushed their lips together once more. It was just as gentle as the last time had been, that night of the mob, right before everything had gone down the way it had. But it was also full of promise, of hope, and it filled him with a sense of peace he hadn't felt in centuries. A warmth spread through his chest as they pulled away, her last whisper being "Now go," before he opened his eyes and the dream faded away.

He was back in his coffin, his heart racing from the fresh memory of his wife. He touched his lips, marveling at how real it had all felt, and his heart ached. Could he really ever find love like hers again? Martha, even though she was only a figure in his dream, had thought so.

Dracula peered down at the ring on his finger, and sighed. He knew what he had to do.

Rising up and dressing in his classic black attire, he approached the wall next to his coffin, and looked up at the portrait that had always hung there, of him and Martha. A part of him pained him to do so, but he reached forward and detached it from its hooks, carefully pulling it off until it parted from the wall completely. Now that he was this close, he could see it in full detail better.

The painting was still intact, he was pleased to note, although the colors had dulled slightly over the years. His hands glided gently across the surface of the canvas until they reached the image of Martha. Her gentle face, full of kindness, sat forever frozen in time. Dracula could almost feel his heart break all over again, but he proceeded with what he was doing. Taking the painting with him, he felt along the stone wall of his chambers until he pressed at just the right spot. The wall opened up, revealing a vast extension to his room. He hardly used it much, aside from some personal items that he didn't really want to toss in the closet or attic. But this would be the perfect new home for his beloved portrait.

He stepped into the space, propping the portrait anew on the wall in there. It felt awkward to leave without doing or saying anything else, so he stopped and took a good long look, taking a deep breath.

"Martha…" he began. "You are my zing. We both know this. Even if I zing again, know that you will always be my first. My first kiss… my first, eh heh heh… time." He blushed, but continued. "And the first woman to ever capture my heart. Please know that, my sweet, even as I go out and try out this whole 'dating' thing again…" He sighed deeply, feeling tears prick at his eyes as he removed the ruby wedding ring off his finger and placed it within the portrait's jutting frame. "I will always love you, my sweet little tarantula cake. But, it's time to move on."

With that, he turned away, and trudged back out into his chambers, the wall closing behind him.

It felt strangely freeing, after all these years, to finally say goodbye to Martha. She had been his everything, since the moment he met her. He knew that he would never meet someone just like her. But, he also knew that that was okay. Martha's death had certainly not been in vain. Not only had she came to him in that dream to assure him, but she had also given him closure, finally ending the suffering of one of his worst memories and letting him see a new path forward. A new outlook ... And, perhaps, a fresh start with another.

Dracula shook his head, still finding it bizarre of the possibility of ever finding another zing. He wasn't mentally ready for it, yet. But he also knew he didn't have to be. A zing was something special, and to find the right person would take some time.

But right now, if anything, what he truly needed was a vacation, though he would never voice that out loud. A nice time to just focus on having good, old-fashioned family fun time, and nothing more.

And then, maybe, after he returned and felt more relaxed, he would be more open and in the right mindset to take on dating.

Little did the Count know what a turn that would take.