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He stared at the small tree sitting on the table by the fireplace. It looked so pitiful, draped with a handful of lights and tinsel. He just didn't have the Christmas spirit this year. But then again, why should he? He was a vampire whose closest friends were probably out grabbing a bite to eat. Mick shook his head and turned his attention to the nearby window. Leave it to LA to have rain on Christmas. He didn't think he'd seen snow in years. Mick shook his head and went to the kitchen to pour himself a drink.
In the parking lot below him, a car sat idling in the pouring rain. Her lips were shaking and her cheeks were tear-stained. Her mascara was beginning the join the tears on her cheeks. She couldn't believe she was sitting here on Christmas Eve. But here she was anyways. With quivering hands she unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out of the car. She ran as quickly as she could to the haven of the lobby but she got drenched anyways. By the time she'd made it up to his apartment, she was shivering violently. Mick heard the knock on his door and didn't even bother checking the monitor as he pulled it open.
"Beth, you're soaked," he said, ushering her in. He could smell the salt from her tears. He knew she'd been crying for a while. She stood just inside the doorway as he went to get a towel and blanket.
"Thanks," she sniffed, wrapping the blanket around her. They sat together on the couch and just stared at the fire and the tree.
"Are you ok?" Mick asked, looking at her. She was still shivering and he was fighting the urge to wrap her in his arms. He didn't want to send the wrong kind of message. He wasn't really sure what was going to happen with him. They'd gone to New York together but she'd declined his offer to go out on the town.
"No. Josh and I…he told me I had to choose…him…or you," she answered, fighting back tears.
"I'm so sorry," Mick replied, placing a hand on her shoulder gently. Before he could react she'd crawled into his arms.
"I told him…that it wasn't fair," she murmured. He suddenly felt very awkward.
"Here, let's get you into some dry clothes," he said and ushered her upstairs. He left her to change and took her wet clothes, tossing them in the dryer.
"I care about him…but…you…are different. I lie awake at night and think about you…about us. What could happen," she rambled once they were back on the couch.
"Beth…I never meant to come between you and Josh," Mick tried to protest.
"I love you, Mick. I realize that now. I'm scared…after what we saw in New York but I can't fight it anymore that I love you," she said. Mick couldn't help but smile a little at her statement.
"Did you tell him that?" Mick asked softly and Beth nodded.
"I didn't give him details but I told him I loved you," she sighed. She rested her head on his shoulder and stared at his poor attempt at Christmas cheer. She laughed a little.
"What?" he asked.
"That tree is pathetic," she answered.
"Yeah…wasn't feeling the spirit much this year," he answered. Beth just nodded and curled up closer to him. She couldn't help but feel like despite the break up with Josh, this was where she was supposed to be tonight. She sat up and looked Mick straight in the eye. He seemed to know what she was thinking because he pulled her to him and kissed her gently. This kiss, they meant. There was no question that they wanted it. He'd been lonely that night and she had needed his comfort. They might not work out but for now, each other was good enough.
