It was now February fourteenth, Valentine's Day, and Joseph, Mandy, and Elena were all at the market to get their girlfriends something special for this special day, and unlike previous times they had been there, the overall feel was much friendlier and welcoming.

Since the renovation of Otto's Mill began a little over a month ago, more and more people have come to help with the construction, and they have started becoming much friendlier with the Dimitrescu family and the other lords in general as they are truly seeing now how much they have changed for the better. Of course, they still had their detractors, like Helen and Anton for example. But overall, things were greatly improving for everyone, and the village was finally starting to look like what Joseph had always hoped it would be.

The trio were currently looking at flowers that were being kept in one of the indoor stores as it was still winter. Being that it was Valentine's Day, there were plenty of roses on display and some of them had a green and white color to them rather than the traditional red. Since green was Daniela's favorite color, Mandy decided that would be the perfect one for the redhead.

Joseph's decision was easy too as he got a bundle of yellow petunias for Cassandra, since that was the brunette's favorite color, but Elena was having a harder time. Bela's favorite color was red, and while there were plenty of roses on display for the holiday, she wanted to get something less traditional so that she could make the blonde feel more special.

Seeing her struggling, Mandy wheeled over to help her out.

"So many choices, right?" She asked.

"Yeah. I want to get something special for Bela, but I have no idea what she may like. I mean, I know she'll be happy no matter what, but I want to do something special for her."

"Hmmm. Bela has been getting into Japanese culture recently, right? Why not get her those asiatic lilies? I think they would be perfect."

"I wholeheartedly agree." The woman selling the flowers said. "Those flowers are very popular in Japan. So the fact they fit with Lady Bela's tastes in culture makes them the ideal flower for her."

Elena then gave a smile.

"Okay, I'll take about a dozen, please"

"Of course, Elena."

After the trio made their purchase, they made their way to some more stands to pick up some chocolates, and they ran into Peter who was also browsing and greeted them warmly upon seeing them.

"Hey guys! Fancy bumping into you here!" He said as he shook Joseph's hand and gave Elena and Mandy a hug.

"Hey, Peter!" Joseph said. "Getting some stuff for Sarah?"

The young man chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Good guess. How did you know?"

"Well, me and Cassie may or may have not been trying to set you guys up."

Peter then gave an amused smile.

"Sarah didn't need help working that day didn't she?"

"You catch on quick. But seriously, she really likes you and you clearly like her, so you should definitely go for it."

Peter sighed.

"I know. I'm just nervous. Do you have any advice for that so I don't get cold feet?"

Mandy spoke up.

"There's really no fancy way to do it. You just gotta do it. You can't hesitate though. If you hesitate, you'll never do it."

Peter sighed again.

"Just do it, huh? Alright then, I guess I gotta just bite the bullet."

Joseph chuckled and patted his shoulder.

"Don't go too crazy. Just be yourself. You got this, Peter."

"Thanks Joseph. I guess I shouldn't stop stalling and get something good for Sarah. You guys take care!"

Peter shook Joseph's hand again before heading off. Joseph himself made his way to the stands with Mandy and Elena and quickly made their purchases before heading back to the castle to warm up. They loved their girlfriends, but they could only stay out in the Romanian winter for so long.

Surprisingly, Donna and Angie were there waiting for them in the main hall.

"Welcome back, everyone!" The doll greeted them with a smile. "We came to drop some things off for you!"

She then motioned to a large box that was on the ground, which made Joseph smile. He knew exactly what it was.

"It took some work, but I think the shirts you requested came out pretty well." Donna said.

"I have no doubt they did." Joseph said. "What's that other box you're carrying?"

"This has the vaccines I've been working on for all of you to make you immune to the megamycete's infection. It wasn't easy, but it's finally ready to be administered. I've already given it to the staff so that just leaves you three." The lord replied

"Thank god." Mandy said. "Now I don't have to worry about turning into one of those werewolves."

This got a good chuckle out of everyone as the trio approached Donna to have the vaccine be administered to them. When the lord inserted the needle into their arms and injected the green liquid, they all felt a strange sensation go through their bodies as the vaccine took effect, almost like pins and needles, but in a more soothing way. It only lasted for about ten seconds though before it stopped.

"Thank you so much, guys." Joseph said. "You just made things a lot safer for all of us."

"You're very welcome." Donna said with a smile. "We always look after our friends. Anyway, we should probably start heading back. We have to make more doses of the vaccine for the rest of the village. The girls are in the entertainment room right now if you're looking for them."

"Alright then, take care Donna!" Joseph said as he hugged the lord and Angie.

When the trio went back to the entertainment room, they couldn't help but chuckle. All three Dimitrescu sisters were on the couch wrapped in furry blankets, and playing on the TV was My Bloody Valentine. Most people like watching romantic comedies on a day like this, but not them. Then again, when has anyone in the castle been most people?

They were still early in the film watching the scene where the town mayor gets a real human heart in a candy box.

"Jeez I know some mayors can be dicks, but they didn't have to go that far." Joseph joked.

The sisters all turned and smiled widely when they saw their partners and the gifts they had for them.

"You got me my favorite color too? Oh Joseph, you spoil me too much." Cassandra said as her boyfriend handed her her flowers while Elena and Mandy did the same for their girlfriends.

"Oh! Just wait and see what we got you guys!" Bela said as she and her sisters reached behind the couch and pulled out plushies of Godzilla. Each represented a different design of the kaiju, but they all had the same general features. Each was about twelve inches tall with their back spines in the shape of hearts. There was also an opening in the stomach that held chocolate pieces as well.

"That is awesome!" Mandy said as she received her gift. "Where did you guys get these?"

"Where else? Japan." Daniela said. "They had such a great deal on them too. It was so hard to pick just one."

Mandy smiled and gave her girlfriend a loving kiss.

"You are getting the luxury treatment tonight, babe." She purred, causing the redhead to blush.

Everyone chuckled, but then Joseph then perked up.

"Speaking of Godzilla, Donna's shirts arrived just now! You want to see them?"

The three sisters all gasped in excitement.

"You seriously think we would say no?" Cassandra asked.

Joseph got up and brought the box over before peeling the tape off and opening it. When the group saw what was inside, they all burst out laughing.

There were about two dozen shirts of various sizes that all had the image of Godzilla flying through the air, and with it said the words, 'How weird am I? This weird.'

"I think it's safe to say she didn't disappoint." Elena said in between laughs.

"No kidding. I am claiming my shirt right now." Bela said as she reached into the box with the rest following suit.

Joseph couldn't help but grab one of the cameras Alcina gave him for Christmas and take a selfie with everyone wearing their new shirts. It was definitely a moment he wanted to capture to remember. Before long, everyone was resting on the couches snuggling with their partners as they watched the movie, which ended up being better than they expected. When it was over, Cassandra spoke up.

"Hey Joseph and Mandy, me and Dani were doing some research earlier on water sports and I found something called a triathlon where people race in three different segments back to back. Swimming, cycling, and running. They do relay versions of these too. So I'm thinking we could form a team with me and you guys so we can compete in one of those at some point."

Mandy's eyes lit up.

"That's a great idea, Cassie! We can even represent Koi Fish Outdoors if we compete in a triathlon."

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Joseph said. "I want to ask something though. I get why Mandy would be a part of it, but why you and me and not someone else?"

The brunette took a deep breath before responding

"Because I think it would greatly help all of us. Mandy will get to compete in sports like she's always wanted, you will be able to be there for your sister to help her achieve that, proving that her accident meant nothing. For me, it gives me a chance to go out there and…make my family proud. I know changing myself has already done that, but I want to go further. I really want to actually win something, something that really shows just how far I have come, and I think this is the perfect opportunity to do so."

The group stared in awe at the brunette's suggestion before all giving warm smiles and nodding in agreement.

"That's amazing, Cassie." Bela said. "You can bet we'll all help you, Joseph, and Mandy achieve this. I think this could be a great win for everyone."

"I agree. Look at you being inspirational. I'm proud of you, babe." Joseph said as he kissed his girlfriend's cheek.

The brunette looked back at him.

"Well, I learned from the best." She said. Her look was loving but it also was telling Joseph that he better not sell himself short. So he was careful with his answer.

"That's because I learned from the best."

"Hmmm. That's acceptable."

Joseph breathed a sigh of relief as the others chuckled.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh at my expense." He said.

"It's okay to be modest, little bro. The problem is you're too modest. It's kind of annoying." Mandy said.

Joseph rolled his eyes.

"Oh please. You can be annoying yourself, sis."

His sister raised an eyebrow.

"Is that so?"

Now he was smirking.

"Do I have to bring up how you knew you were a kid at heart, but never wanted to admit it? I'll always remember that time we were in New York City and you practically begged mom and dad to go to the huge Toys R Us that was there. You were seventeen, Mandy."

Mandy's face turned beet red.

"T-that was because I w-wanted to see the animatronic T-rex they h-had there!"

Joseph was now full on laughing along with everyone else, even after Mandy hit him in the face with her plushie.