Sweet Sacrifice

By: Evilous

Okay guys well glad to have you with me as we start the 6th story in this saga. I enjoy so much all of the comments I have received. Buckle in and enjoy I have some interesting things in store for you in this story.

Chapter 1: Girls Day

It had been a month since Beth and Danielle were taken from the Masquerade Ball and Zac was killed. Things had been crazy for the group, with setting up the back story of Candice's recovery, Coop learning about vampires while he and Danielle looked for a house of their very own, Josef and Jean worked on keeping things smooth. Today was the first much needed girl day.

Beth had left Mick in his freezer to meet the girls for lunch, well Danielle for lunch, Jean and Candice would just be there for company. She left him a special note for when he woke up. He needed his rest, they spent most of the nights when he didn't have to go out for work making love then he would hold her until she was sound asleep. Beth couldn't wait until she would be joining him in their freezer, their double wide he had asked Josef to order for them, it made her eager about when that day would come.

Jean and Candice had already been seated in the corner booth in a new French restaurant in town, when Beth walked in and took a seat next to Candice. "Hey guys," Beth greeted them.

Candice gave her a hug, "How are you?"

Candice gave a strong smile, "Wonderful. The trip to see my mom was…interesting."

With the hit that cost Candice her human life they hate to fake her death to throw the killer and the man who ordered the hit off the trail and protect their secret. They had called Candice's mother to make sure she knew her daughter was fine and that anything she hears on the news about her death would be a ploy to catch a bad guy. Her mother understood and agreed to stay home and not to come sit with her at the hospital where she was recovering from a not so serious wound, but when she heard the report that her daughter was alive but had been in critical condition she called starting a big to do. Upset that no one had told her the severity of her baby's injuries, that she couldn't be there to help her though it, that no one including David had thought to call her when it first happened.

In the end Candice had been able to smooth things over explaining things had just gotten crazy and then she had to stay out of sight for her protection. Her mother insisted on coming to LA to see her daughter for herself see she was alright but they had managed to convince her they would come see her for a day or two instead.

"I take it everything went okay though."

Candice rolled her eyes, "Yes but it is so hard lying to her. I used to love her pumpkin pie and her canned yams but now…I ate them and everything seemed okay but then…yeah note to self don't eat real food unless necessary and then eat as little as possible."

Beth gave her friend a squeeze, "Mom has no idea, took two days but she finally smiled at David again."

Jean laughed, "So he wooed her back into his favor?"

"Yes he can be quite charming. Besides I think it was more general irritation that I don't need her at my side now, even though I'm 28 years old she still wants me to be her baby who needs her when I'm hurt."

"She just loves you is all."

"I know," Candice shrugged.

They all saw Danielle coming over to their booth practically glowing, her belly getting bigger by the day in her cute maternity top. They all smiled and welcomed her the waitress came right over and got them all their drinks while Beth and Danielle ordered.

Once they were alone again they started talking, "You look so happy Danielle. You are so pregnant," Beth laughed.

Danielle rubbed her hand on her belly, "Trust me I know. I love this…well most of it."

They all burst into a fit of laughter knowing just what she was talking about. "So your trip was good," Danielle asked.

Candice caught them all up on what had happened and how she loved David even more knowing first hand what he went through not just this time but before when she was still human and they visited her mom. He had to really love her to go through that, eating the food that tasted like sand now and then being violently sick afterwards, giving a whole new meaning to bulimic.

As Danielle and Beth finished their meals and paid the group made their way down the street and towards some shops, Candice stayed close to the wall still adjusting to being in too much sun. The girls were all talking more about Danielle and her pregnancy it was the happiest subject, the subject of new life.

"Well I have gotten more energy again. We are so excited, but we're waiting to find out if it's a boy or a girl when this little one makes their grand entrance into the world. Although Coop is convinced it's a girl, I on the other hand think a baby boy. We don't care really, we will love him or her just the same."

Jean just grinned having already gotten a feel herself for what their baby would be but respecting her friends wishes and keeping that to herself. "How is the house hunting going?"

Danielle sighed, "Not so good. We can't find anything we really…love. Coop gave up his place and moved in with me, wanting to make things easier on us until we do. Most of his stuff is in storage for the time but he is just so sweet. He'd wait on me hand and foot if I let him, but I keep telling him I have to stay active I don't want to gain too much weight."

Beth smiled as they walked through the baby shop looking at things for both boys and girls and finding things for her to register for. Jean had demanded they throw her a baby shower, even saying they would keep the presents at the mansion until they found a house. Danielle had no choice but to agree Jean could be persistent and in fact she found it sweet that her friends wanted to have a party for her and her baby.

*****

With the girls out having a day Mick was working on some cases most of them coming to an end just finishing the reports and filing them away. He was surprised to see Coop at his door.

"Come in Coop, have a seat."

Coop came in and took a seat Mick could sense his nervousness, "What brings you here? More questions?"

Coop shook his head, "No…well yes but not about vampires."

Mick sat behind his desk and leaned back looking him over, "I'm all ears."

Coop wrung his hands over and over before finally sitting forward and reaching into his pocket clutching something tight in his hand. "How did you do it? How did you propose to Beth?"

*****

To Be Continued…

Evilous