A year in the life of a fledgling

Note: this story follows on from the two i have written before, the first story is hey there sister I'll be your mister and the second story is a spot of tea in London town? It is advised to read them before this as since i have introduced quite a lot of OC's by this stage, it may be hard to pick things up solely on this story.

Background: the gang are back from London, it's been a month and it's time for Beth to be turned. This story will look at her turning and then the rest of her fledgling year afterwards, short stories as to how she connects with all our other favourite characters.

Please read, enjoy and review!

Disclaimer: i don't own moonlight. We'd all have so much; much more fun if i did i am sure you would agree!

Chapter 1

"There!" Elaina cried out "that's it! That's the position! Don't move, do not breath if you have to, just hold it!"

Elaina gave a thumbs up to the photographer who stepped in and took the shot before swinging the camera around for Elaina to see. Smiling and nodding, Elaina called to the model again "thank you Sophie, it's perfect, sorry about that!"

Elaina walked forward to the model and handed her a bottle of water, trying to avoid the Milan sun as she did so.

Beth and Lorenza, who were seemingly conspiring for her death, had entered her collection to the innovation awards which were held in conjunction with Milan fashion week. Elaina's work had been short listed which meant flying to Milan and shooting the collections for a final judgement spread. It just so happened that Milan decided to have a heat wave right about the second Elaina stepped onto Italian soil and as per the wicked witch of the west's infamous quote she was "melting!"

Sophie smiled, accepting the water and went to change into the next dress. Rounding on the photographer, Elaina spoke "let's review the last set of frames there and we can pick the best ones for the spread".

The photographer nodded eager to please. He was a new guy on the block and had been shocked when Elaina had approached him about working with her on the project. It was no secret, especially if the tabloid news from America for the last month was anything to go by, that Elaina St John was the other half to the seriously minted and attractive Josef Kostan. She could probably have had any photographer in the business come and work with her.

Yet as the papers had reported confounded she chose some up and coming, unknown model and photographer. A model named Sophie Conga and a photographer named Nathaniel Thorn. Who were these people? The papers demanded and why did Elaina St John not use the gifts that had fallen into her lap?

But Nathaniel mused as the women beside him flicked through the camera, murmuring approvingly every now and then, this woman believed in hard work and pure talent. She was building her business based on her own merits and not whose bed she happened to share at night, Nathaniel could respect a woman who thought like that.

Sophie came back in the next outfit for the collection, a chocolate and pick sweetheart dress with a yellow ribbon. She sidled up next to Elaina and Nathaniel and examined the pictures as they appeared on the screen.

Finally Elaina looked up "these four for the spread, agreed?"

Nathaniel examined them and nodded. He added the pictures to the saved pile on the computer and pulled up the spread as far as they had gone. Elaina and Sophie nodded.

"Perfect" cheered Elaina as she adjusted the brim of her hat "now Sophie, we have three more dress to do, make me proud ok?"

"Yes ma'am" Sophie laughed and went to take her position in front of the fountain.

"Sophie move over to the rocks a bit, i want the contrast with the brown dress!" Elaina called before returning to the shade of a nearby tree and drinking from her bottle of blood. The weather and the work were exhausting but hey, no one ever said the fashion industry is pretty.

***

Aisling walked around Josef's function room with Beth. "And this is where you'll make your grand entrance from with Mick, the fairest fledgling of them all"

Aisling smiled "Elaina had said that while at a party in London, you had admired the set up they used, very white and white gold, clean and crisp. We can use that two if you like and maybe add a splash of colour with flowers?"

Beth nodded and threw Aisling a grin. "It all sounds perfect Aisling, how can i ever thank you?"

"Please" Aisling touched Beth's shoulder "I'm happy to help. I still owe Elaina majorly for her rescue of Laurence. And i am a party planner, it's what i do. Speaking of Elaina how is she?"

Beth rolled her eyes "she is loving the work and hating the sun. I talked to her yesterday and she swears she got burned. But the model and photographer are apparently working very hard and she loves the spread she is making so i guess that is what really matters"

Aisling nodded in understanding "I'd say she'd also like to be here helping you out with the last minute things"

Beth shrugged and sighed "Mick and i agreed to delay until she got back and i could work out my notice at the DA office so I'd say she'll still get to help a lot. But i think you're right, she would prefer to be here for both of us right now"

Aisling smiled "shall i talk you through the refreshment lists for the night and where i think is best to station them?" the girls continued on.

***

Josef and Mick arrived back at the house. They could hear voices coming from down stairs. "party planning no doubt" they said in unison.

Strolling up to Josef's wing and private rooms, the men flopped down with a bottle of good blood scotch in front of the TV and turned on the football game. An easy silence descended, broken only by Josef flipping and unflipping his phone every few minutes and scowling.

Mick watched in amusement for a while then spoke up. "You know it's the middle of the day there don't you? She's out on a shoot and has her phone on silent or off"

Josef threw him a look and replied "i have no idea what you're talking about. I'm expecting a very important call about business"

"mmhm" Mick replied, the amused smirk not leaving his face "so why not put the phone on forward cal to your secretary and then we can watch the game without you flipping your phone all the time"

"I'll do just that" Josef nodded and after speaking to his secretary, who in Mick's mind sounded very confused, placed the phone in front of him.

Mick waited 5 minutes before he looked over again and caught Josef staring at the phone, willing it to ring. "Josef, she's on a shoot, she's not going to ring till later"

Josef threw him a dirty look "o shut up mock you don't know everything"

Mick laughed "maybe not, but i do know you Josef"

***

So short and sweet start as always! But I do like to set scenes and then play things on from there! Review as always, I listen to everything that you guys say and it does help to make the story better!