Author's Note: Hey guys! Well here is Chapter 4 finally. Now as you may notice I changed things up. Originally I planned on having Dennis's moment in this chapter, but I felt like I was missing something. So I decided to make this chapter focused primarily on Vlad and Dracula. I wanted to go a little deeper into this segment, sort of bringing out a softer side in Vlad. And of course having Dracula let go of some baggage that has been weighing him down to a degree. Warning: May cause more feels

Dracula paced around anxiously in the west wing where he kept the portraits of Martha. The candles giving off its minuscule illumination in the room only seemed to give him a sliver of comfort. He avoided the spots of sunlight that shone through the window. Where is he? a voice yelled in his head. Surely they would've heard something. Other thoughts began to overwhelm him to the point that Dracula's knees began to shake. He stumbled his way over to his coffin and sat down on the cold marble floor right next to it. Maybe something bad happened. Maybe Johnny and Leena are bringing back a b- Dracula smacked his head into the wall as if to prevent that last thought from completely forming in his remained huddled next to his coffin that was hand crafted by none other than Frank himself and gazed at Martha's coffin that remained next to their family portrait. The guilt and shame that overwhelmed him was unbearable. What would Martha think of him? He shuddered to think of how Martha would be if she saw what he did. Deep down in his heart Dracula knew she never thought ill of him. Not for one second! But why was it bothering him now at what she must be thinking from above? Anger, shame, disgust maybe?

There was no excuse for this, Dennis was a sweet boy and all of this squabble about who he was now convinced him that he wasn't loved. Dracula hated himself for what he did and for dragging his own son in law into this mess. This wasn't a situation of one person starting the problem, but they were all wrong in deciding Dennis's life. But Dracula felt like he was the starter for all this. Just then a knock snapped him out of his mental dwelling.

"Son?"

Dracula rolled his eyes as his father entered the room. Vlad saw him huddled in the corner and looked at him with pity.

"What do you want?" Dracula snapped.

Vlad flinched slightly, "You've been up here a good while kid. Your friends are concerned about you," he said in an almost pleading voice.

"No they're not," Dracula grumbled irritably. He knew better, Frank was fiercely loyal to him as much as the rest of the gang were. But they were also very loyal to Martha at the time.

"Drac, I am sorry for everything. Everything regarding to the kid."

Dracula scoffed "Is that what you think this is about?" he asked angrily.

"Y-You think I'm angry at you for scaring Dennis? I'm angry at myself!"

Vlad looked at him with great concern, he started to say something but Drac cut him off.

"And since when do you care? You never cared about anything not after mom died. So what could you possibly say that can bring my grandson back in one piece?" He snapped.

"Oh, let me alter that last bit. What could you possibly say that can bring my "half human" grandson back in one piece?"

Vlad looked at him in disbelief "So? Why should that matter? The kid is who he is. And it seems to me the humans have changed."

Dracula half laughed "I'm sorry did you just say "so"? A couple of hours ago you couldn't stomach the thought that my daughter married a human!"

"I apologized to Mavis in case if you weren't in the room!" Vlad shot back.

"Drac hear him out," a voice broke from the door.

They both turned their gaze to the doorway to see Frank standing there.

"Do you mind Frank?" Dracula growled at him.

"Actually I do buddy. Making sure you don't try and do something similar to what you did with Mike," Frank replied.

Dracula was overcome with anguish to the point he was too worn out to snap at that.

"It's the humans isn't it? Not Dennis in particular but it's something more," Frank replied.

Vlad stepped in "Son talk to me please? If it's not something that I'm doing then what is it?"

"Why do you care? You were never interested in my life, why now Dad?" Drac spat at him.

"Son I am trying now!" Vlad said desperately.

"Now? So you didn't that reaching out to me after my wedding was important to you? After the birth of my daughter? Or after my wife's murder? Where were you then huh?"

Vlad just stood there speechless but he didn't dare make an excuse. "I am reaching out now son, let me help you," he said pleadingly.

Dracula trembled greatly, a million and one thoughts overwhelmed him. He turned his back to the others not wanting to make eye contact. Then Mavis's voice echoed in his mind "Maybe you've let the humans into your home Dad, but I don't think you've let them into your heart,"

Why was he feeling like this? He had never had a problem with his emotions until now. Had he truly let humans into his heart? Or not? Old emotions seemed to resurface for Dracula. Everything that first launched his lifelong hatred for humans, especially the ones that rammed the stake and pitchforks through Martha's body. How could he forgive those who killed her?!

"Son?" Vlad started

"I don't know anymore!" Dracula exploded with rage and the greatest of anguish.

Vlad jumped back startled, Frank was too stunned to speak. Dracula finally turned around to face them, and Frank's heart split. Tears cascaded down Drac's face and if looks could really speak, the agony could speak lifetimes if that was possible. Now Frank was getting nervous, he had never seen Dracula in this state.

"You don't know what kid?" Vlad asked kindly.

"I don't even know what I should be feeling anymore. I don't know if I have truly moved on from Martha's murder! I thought I did once I realized Johnny proved me wrong on how humans are anymore. I am scared that my old emotions have destroyed my chances of having a bond with my one and only grandson!" Dracula yelled.

Vlad looked at his son with immense pity. "I love that boy with all my heart. He's the sweetest boy I have ever known, now he is convinced his own family thinks he's a freak!"

Frank looked at him with shock, "Drac you don't know that. Johnny and Leena are out there tracking him down, they will try their best to reason with him."

Dracula didn't respond to that, Vlad looked at him curiously. "What else is scaring you son? I can tell that there is more bothering you."

"I can't begin to fathom the thought of what Martha must be thinking of me. I've driven my one grandson away, my daughter's child! She would be ashamed of me!" Dracula exploded again.

"How can you say that?!" Frank exclaimed.

Dracula looked at his one friend who had been there for him through all the good times and the bad with desperate eyes. "Maybe it's true Frank!" he exploded.

"Buddy we all know better than that. Martha never spoke an ill word about anybody or you. She loved you immensely, we all could see that. Do you have any idea how much of an impact she had on us? I'll tell you how much. Eunice was a basket case when Martha died, and take a guess who had to listen to her crying for months? Martha was like a sister to her! And to me as well. She was the sweetest lady I've ever knew."

Dracula remained mute as more tears cascaded down his face "And I have no doubt that she never stopped loving you. If anything she would be sad to see you like this," Frank added.

Frankenstein was a true friend indeed. He saw Dracula at his best and at his worst. Dracula was forever grateful to him and Eunice. Frank was always there when he needed him the most. Even though he was still in pain, he couldn't deny the depth of Frank's words. Then Vlad placed a hand on his shoulder "You're not alone kid," he replied.

Dracula whipped around so fast that it made both Vlad and Frank jump. "You don't know what this is like!" he hissed.

"She wasn't murdered by the pitchforks of humans!"

Vlad looked at him stunned "No your mother died from the sickness that plagued her for some time, but it doesn't lessen the pain any. I lost my wife to kid, but unlike you I didn't acknowledge my pain. I denied it,"

Dracula's chest was heaving up and down. "You don't know Dad!" he growled in a strained tone.

"Dracula-"

"YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND HOW I FEEL!" Dracula screamed and instantly raised his fist in the air as if he was about to strike his father.

Vlad looked at him with pity and love. Dracula's fist remained in the air but he trembled greatly. Vlad placed a shriveled hand over his wrist, "Maybe our wives deaths were different son, but we both lost them."

That was all it took to get through to him, Dracula's knees buckled and Vlad caught him just before he hit the ground. Vlad's arms came over him, as he felt Dracula subside into uncontrollable sobbing. Dracula grabbed hold of his cape as Vlad held him close. There was an overwhelming sense of regret and guilt for this old timer.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Vlad said softly. Vlad shut his only son away when he needed him the most. Dracula clutched to his father's cape as if he was terrified to be left alone.

"Its okay kid, let it come," Vlad replied soothingly as his son cried into his chest.

Frank watched from the doorway, this was killing him to see his best friend like this. But he was glad at the potential new start for this father and son. He looked up at the ceiling with a sad gaze as if looking to see if Martha was up above watching. You left too soon Martha he thought to himself. Then someone tapping him on the shoulder broke him out of his trance. Frank turned and was surprised to see Mavis.

"Is he ok? Can I see him?"

Frank looked at her with sadness but he gave her a solemn nod. Mavis came into the room and her heart broke when she saw her father in this state. This was completely new for her. She wanted more than anything to soothe his pain. Uncertain of what the best move was to make, Mavis came next to her father and knelt at his side. Vlad looked up and lightly smiled at her. They made eye contact, although they did not speak to each other but their silence spoke volumes. Then Mavis gently guided her arms over her father's shoulders to hug him. Dracula didn't have to guess twice who was hugging him from behind. Mavis rested her head on the back of her father's shoulder. Tears dripped out of her eyes as she silently prayed above that her father would be healed of his pain.

"You need to forgive yourself Dad, Mom's death wasn't your fault. Let go your old views of humans," she said to him as she rubbed her hand up and down his back.

"Listen to her son," Vlad replied.

"No one needs to carry that weight for an eternity,"

"Drac they're right. Martha wouldn't want you living like this," Frank replied.

Dracula lifted his head up from his father's embrace. His eyes were still bloodshot from crying but they were filled with a lifetime's worth of grief. Mavis finally let go of him but she slowly guided him out of Vlad's grasp. Vlad didn't dare object as he finally let his son go.

Mavis took his hands into his and said "I am sorry that you have carried this pain for so long Dad. But it's time that you let all of it go, no one deserves to live like this."

Dracula's grip tightened over Mavis's hands as she continued "But more importantly Dad, I need you. And that little boy out there needs you as well. Find it within you to forgive those that took mom away. And to forgive yourself is more important,"

Dracula looked at her with a stunned by exhausted expression. "How are you doing this Mavis? How are you keeping your wits together?" Dracula asked.

"Because I have hope. Hope and faith in that my husband will bring home our child safely."

Mavis cupped her father's cheek and wiped away more tears, "Don't lose faith in Johnny and Leena, I refuse to lose faith in them," she said with the strongest of conviction.

Then she wrapped her arms around her father's neck and gently laced her fingers through his hair. Dracula held Mavis close as more tears splashed against her neck.

"There's no doubt in my mind that your mother would be proud of the person you've become Mavey," Dracula said through his tears.

Mavis held him close as he wept. Vlad slowly stood up and made his way to the door. Frank made no sound as he stepped outside of the room. As both men left, Frank passed one final glance at the grieving pair and prayed desperately for Dennis to come back. Then he turned around and continued his way down the hallway with Vlad.

To be continued…

(Sighs with relief) this is probably one of the longer chapters here. Anyway guys, thanks so much for your patience! I can tell some of you are getting antsy here and I couldn't be happier with your feedback. Without divulging too much info more will come. As always please be clean in your reviews! Have a good day and take care of yourselves!

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