Despite the amazing cruise, with all its twists and turns and excitement, the monsters that were all on board agreed that it was great to be back at Hotel Transylvania.

Several hearses driven by the zombie bellhops had been called in to pick them up at the airport, and now they were all making their way down the winding road through the dark haunted forest.

When the large magnificent castle on the hilltop came into view, delighted gasps and words of relief were heard. It was still there, as big and beautiful as ever, and ready to be occupied by the guests once again.

The monsters eagerly jumped out of the hearses and made for the entrance, bags and suitcases in hand - or claw or tentacle - as they easily made their way through the revolving front doors and toward their suites.

The corridors and walkways were not unfamiliar to the monsters, given that this had been their favorite go-to place for a safe and relaxing good time. Of course, it was not unusual for new guests to be overwhelmed with the prospect of such a grand place with such a wide array of luxuries. But it was an entirely different prospect to be a newcomer to the hotelandfrom thereon out permanent resident. Such was this very situation for Ericka Van Helsing.

The woman, having left behind a mind-numbing 'legacy' and full time job as a cruise captain, now found herself gawking up at the magnificent structure, her fingers in Drac's hand gripping his a little more tightly in anticipation.

"Well, here we are," Drac said, gesturing out to the castle. "Welcome home, to Hotel Transylvania!"

Ericka gaped. "Wow," she breathed. "It looks great!"

"That it may," an old voice below her said. "But is itsafe?"

The pair looked down and saw Van Helsing there with his mechanical body. He was looking apprehensively at the hotel.

"Of course it is!" the excited voice of Johnny shouted out as he came up along with Mavis and Dennis. Then the redhead broke into a sprint. "Last one in is a rotten egg!" Dennis and Mavis ran off with him, and Van Helsing groaned, getting his wheels turning.

"I guess that's me," he mumbled, trudging along.

Dracula chuckled and looked to Ericka for her reaction. But he was surprised to see that she wore the same look of apprehension that her great-grandfather had. Drac saw and asked, "Honeybat? You know it's all right, yes?"

Ericka didn't take her eyes off the hotel. "You really think so?"

Drac smiled. "Yes."

The answer didn't seem to satisfy Ericka all that much. "But… I-I'm a Van Helsing."

"But you're also my zing," Drac countered. "And I want you here."

"Yes… but do they?" She gestured her free hand out at all the other monsters already making their way in.

Drac glanced at her. "Why wouldn't they?"

"Well, let's see," she started to say sarcastically, "because I was trained to hunt and kill monsters for a living? Because they almost saw you die at the cruise from something great-grandfather and I willingly planned?" She stomped her foot angrily on the ground in frustration. "I can't change the past, Drac. It happened. Everyone knows it did."

Drac felt himself sadden at her self-blame and guilt. He gently pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Honeybat… it's true. You can't change what happened." Ericka stiffened, shameful. Drac then added, "but, you and everyone else can move past it. We can start over and make a new future here. Everyone is actuallyexcitedto have you join us."

Ericka gave him a deadpanned look. "And doyoualone qualify as 'everyone'?"

Drac laughed. "No, no. I'm serious. Dennis wouldn't stop asking me about you. Johnny's been desperate to know your taste in music. And Mavis…" He trailed off.

Ericka gulped. The last time they had interacted, the Count's daughter had been anything but cheerful. She shuddered remembering the magical binds that the vampiress had wrapped around her, squeezing her in a torturous suffocation when it appeared that she was trying to hurt Dracula down in the rubble of Atlantis.

But Drac's next words took her off guard. "Mavis… she's been asking about you the most."

Ericka's eyes widened. "Really?"

Drac nodded.

Ericka was still unsure. "Probably wants to know if I'm smuggling in any bazookas or stakes…"

Drac shook his head, unable to help chuckling. "No, sweetheart. She actually wants to get to know you better. Youarea part of our family now, after all."

She shrugged. "I guess…"

Drac tilted her head up, looking into her eyes a moment and then leaning forward. "You are," he whispered, before kissing her softly. Ericka blushed at the sudden affection but returned the kiss, pressing lightly. The woman's heart swelled with love and emotion for the man standing in front of her. He made her feel like she belonged, and she trusted him. If he said that things would work out for them here, then she believed him. They broke apart a moment later, and Ericka sighed happily. Drac grinned, holding her hand. "Come," he said. "Let's go home."

Home,Ericka thought, feeling much more at ease with the word. She looked up at Hotel Transylvania as they strolled toward the doors, eager to get inside and see what wonders awaited.