Chapter 27: Epilogue

Stephan opened the door to his father's hospital room, the machines beeped over and over.

"Hi Dad." He said, closing the door behind him and sitting by his father's side. Jonathan was a shell of his former self, grey and wrinkled. Still he smiled when Stephan took his hand gently, the moonlight shone through the large windows of the hospital.

"Stephan, my boy. How are you today?" Jonathan asked.

"I'm fine Dad, how do you feel? Can I get you anything?" Stephan asked, Jonathan laughed.

"I'm alright, just very tired." He sighed, closing his eyes. Stephan bit down on his lip, trying hard not to cry. All the other members of his family and Jonathan's close remaining friends had come to say goodbye to the dying man. Except one...

"Dad?" Jonathan opened his eyes.

"What is it?"

"Someone's come to see you. She's just outside." Jonathan's eyes widened as he saw the tall silhouette of a beautiful woman.

"It is-" Stephan nodded and got up, looking down on his father.

"I love you Dad, I'll see you tomorrow okay?" He said, hugging his father gently; knowing that it'll be the last time. Stephan opened the door and left, slowly you stepped into the room. Your dark shape blending in with the rest of the dark room, mortal father and immortal daughter.

"Hi Daddy." You whispered, moving closer to him. Jonathan looked up at his only daughter; you fell to your knees by his side. Gently taking his hand, feeling the frailty of old age in his skin; frailty that would never touch you.

"Ophelia... my precious daughter. I was afraid that you would forget about your old man!" He chuckled; you smiled at him and felt moisture in your eyes.

"Never father. I could never forget about you or any of the idiots I call my brothers!" You said, Jonathan laughed and looked at his daughter's golden eyes. A blood tear rolled down your cheek but you brushed it away.

"I'm just glad that you're alright Ophelia. You can be so careless sometimes... and I know what's troubling you." Your head shot up and he caressed your cheek. "Not once did I ever blame you for your mother's death." You started to sob. "Not once." He said softly, your lip trembled as a huge burden was lifted from your heart. "It's because I see her in you Ophelia. She's still alive in you." He said, you hugged him very gently. Careful not to crush him with your inhuman strength, Jonathan moved to your ear. "Could you give me a minute alone please?" He asked, you nodded and got up. Closing the door behind you, leaving your father in that dark room... but not alone. "Show yourself vampire." He said, sitting up in bed. Shadows melted as Alucard stepped out of the dark, his hair wafting in invisible wind.

"Good evening Mr. Jones, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Alucard." Alucard said, standing over the fragile human.

"Nice to meet you Alucard. I want to ask you something." Jonathan asked.

"Of course." Alucard took a seat next to the bed.

"Did you change my daughter?" He asked, Alucard closed his eyes.

"I did not, but she slew the vampire that did." Alucard said, Jonathan's fist uncurled slowly.

"Good. I must say I wasn't expecting this when I saw her; she's even more beautiful than I remember. Then again... with old age, memories are all we have sometimes." Jonathan coughed, Alucard's eyes flared in the dark. The machines beeped wildly before dimming again.

"Mr. Jones, I wish to ask you something." He said quietly.

"Go ahead." Alucard took a deep breath.

"Though we have never met, I love your daughter with all my dead heart. She is the candle that I have waited for in my lifetime of darkness. I would die for her and I know she feels the same for me. So... I respectfully ask you for her hand in eternal engagement." Alucard said, Jonathan blinked in surprise. Then a smiled washed over the old man's features, he took Alucard's gloved hand.

"If my daughter truly and deeply loves you, even in death... then I give you my blessing. Treat her like the nobility she really is and make her happy." Jonathan said, Alucard grinned widely.

"Thank you good sir. Shall I ask her to come back in?" Jonathan nodded and you came back inside. You sat down by his side, Jonathan closed his eyes.

"Daddy?" You whispered, taking his hand.

"Ophelia... I'm- I'm really tired. I'm just going to close my eyes for a few moments okay?" You shook your head and gritted your teeth, tears falling down your face.

"No! Stay awake for a few more seconds." You begged, clutching his hand. Jonathan smiled and gripped your hand tightly, the machines beeped slowly... slower... "I love you Dad." You whispered, crushing your eyes shut as the machine went flat line. Alucard pulled the plug on the machine, so the droning beep would stop. You felt his hand on your shoulder.

"Are you alright my dear?" You got to your feet and looked at him, he wiped away your tears; making his white glove stained with red.

"Is this what it'll be like? To watch the world and the people on it decay?" You asked, he lowered his head to yours; your face between his hands, your fingers in his magnificent black hair.

"Yes... but you won't have to watch it alone." He said, a tiny smile touched your face before your lips met his. Half sobbing and deeply in love you kissed him back, his lips moving against yours... so cold but they fit just right. With that Alucard, swept the crimson folds of his coat and the two of you disappeared into the night. To return to England together... to be forever together; in undying beauty and eternal night.

The days were filled with slumber and the nights with endless and unbridled passion, nothing changed for the Hellsing manor. However... in these last few months, the world had changed for you. You bathed in blood, you faced the devil and you tasted paradise... you were Miss Ophelia Jones. Countess Dracula. The ruby and golden ring on your finger confirmed that.

The End