Thanks to all who review, it's so nice to read and get the feedback, i do hope you will all continue with me through the rest of this story and this series.
Disclaimer: i own nothing, all places, names; characters and such are not mine. Though it would be amazing if they were!
Chapter 11
Around midday, Beth and Mick curled up on the bed decided to move to the new freezer to try it out.
"You'll need your rest to make it through your party this evening" Mick advised as he shut the door and wrapped his arms around her.
She yawned, the coolness soothing her and snuggled into his chest, inhaling his scent. She had always known it as a human but now as a vampire it seemed there were so many other levels and aspects of it to explore.
Her fingers trailed lazily up and down his chest, becoming slower as sleep took her. Within minutes, she was sound asleep, letting the same gentle snore that had amused him no end as a human.
Mick lay awake a few minutes longer, enjoying the new yet familiar weight upon his chest.
I always thought when i became a vampire that i would never get to see heaven, that all that was lost to me. Turns out I've managed to find my little piece of heaven right here.
Burying his nose in her hair, he allowed his eyes to close, each breath drafting in and memorising the familiar scents of the woman he loved.
***
Elaina was surprised to open the door of the LA student art and design studios and see Hueilen there. "is everything okay?"
"i have some news my dear" Hueilen began gently "it's good and bad at the same time"
"it's not Mickey is it?" Elaina asked horrified "please say it's not!"
Hueilen held up her hands "no no" she hushed "not that at all. Can i come in and talk?"
"sure" Elaina beckoned "we'll go up to my space. I'm just finishing one of the collaborative pieces off for LA fashion week"
Hueilen followed her up the stairs to the top floor where the designer cubicles were. The area was clean with light yellow walls and marble flooring. Elaina gestured Hueilen to a seat and going to the fridge poured her a glass of blood. She gave her the glass and took a seat opposite, looking at her expectantly.
"It's so small" Hueilen commented "you usually aren't one for confined areas"
"It's the space we're given here" Elaina explained "i am hoping to buy this if i win the innovation award"
She handed Hueilen an auction brochure, pointing to an old architecture building.
"there looking for a quick sale of the building because no one really wants that kind of space in down town LA but they aren't allowed tear it down cause of the front of the building" Elaina explained settling next to her "i think it'll make a perfect design studio, lots of rooms for collections, designers, meetings...what do you think?"
"It's very beautiful and suited to your taste" Hueilen admired. She read the print underneath with raised eyes "the former LA dance academy...?"
"It is where i started dancing all those years ago" Elaina confirmed with a sheepish smile "it's why i know the inside of the building so well. I have already been down to look at it and had an engineering review, its structurally sound and as beautiful as ever"
Elaina took the brochure and looked at the building fondly " it was always so inspiring to me as a human, and when i viewed it before i went to Milan, it felt the same, i know I'm going to do my best work in this building"
Hueilen smiled "all you need to do is win the award and get the money...details i am sure from what Beth showed me of your spread"
Elaina snorted "hopefully anyways...speaking of money, you can't tell Josef about this till i buy it ok?"
Hueilen frowned "what? Why? Don't you think he'd love to know about something like this that would mean so much to you...?"
Elaina raised her eyes brows and Hueilen trailed off understanding "so much so that he'd buy it for you"
Elaina blew out a breath and nodded "exactly...this is my business; i want it done by me. The last time Josef was choosing a new car, i made a passing comment on how cute one of the vintage cars was, it turned up the next week with a giant bow on it. He did that based on a passing comment, he can't know about something i care about!"
Hueilen reached over and squeezed her shoulder "he does it because he loves you, you know?"
Elaina gave her a smile "i know, but i don't need cars and buildings as proof of that. So don't tell?"
Reaching for her blood, Hueilen took a sip and agreed "I'll let you tell him when you have bought the building"
Elaina grinned "thanks. So what did you want to tell me?"
Hueilen sipped the blood then took a breath "i don't know if Josef told you but the council have decided have a young fledgling abandoned by his sire. He's scared to death and near feral. Since i am the only one with any sort of experience i have been asked to take him. the bad news is i have to leave straight away after the party. He is apparently in a desperate state"
Elaina reached for Hueilen's hand and squeezed it "i understand mother. You go as soon as you need to, i know you came to help me and Mick out and i really appreciate that. Besides, it'll be great not to be the youngest anymore!"
Hueilen snorted and gave her step-fledgling a look over the rim of the glass. Elaina paused for a moment then frowned "is his name not in the book of souls where he was found?"
Hueilen shook her head "no record, but he will only give his first name so a large scale search can't go on"
Elaina looked at her curiously and hueilen answered before she could ask "Robert, his name is Robert"
Hueilen finished her drink and stood "I'll let you finish the work, i just wanted to tell you myself, and I wouldn't like you to think I was running off on you after the party or something"
Elaina walked over and embraced the woman in front of her "i would never think that. As soon as you need to go and take care of my newest brother"
Hueilen returned the embrace "you will always be my baby girl"
Elaina drew away and shook her head "I'm still your girl but not a baby. I can use my own fangs and all"
Elaina pulled Hueilen tight again, looking at the charm bracelet that hung on her wrist, the fleur de lis sparkling in the light over her mentor's shoulder "and for the record, you will always be my sire"
***
Mick awoke several hours later to banging on the front door. Throwing on a robe, he went to investigate. Opening the door, he saw one of Josef's men, Kyle, there.
Mick surprised to see him ushered him in "everything okay with Josef and Elaina?"
Kyle nodded and flashed him a smile "Elaina asked me to deliver Beth's dress for this evening"
Mick nodded and held out his hands to take the parcel from Kyle. Kyle shook his head "sorry, only to go into Beth's hands. Elaina insisted."
Mick sighed "i figured as much, Beth is asleep but she'll want to see her finished dress i am sure. I'll fetch her"
Mick went upstairs to find Beth out of the freezer and reaching for her robe. He took it from her and held it, assisting her in slipping her arms in. "Kyle is downstairs with a parcel for you"
Beth allowed herself to be led downstairs to where Kyle waited. She had met him at Josef's office a few times when she had been there, he worked in both security and in technology development she knew. She greeted him with a smile and took the parcel with thanks.
"Mister Kostan will send a car to collect you in two hours. And to let you know that if you wish, a room and freezer have been prepared at the house for you to stay tonight if you do not wish to head home" Kyle informed them.
Mick thanked him but said "we'd prefer to come home. Beth is still very new to things and i want to keep her in some sort of routine until she is more used to and in control of things"
Kyle nodded his understanding and left.
Beth laid the parcel down and sighed wrapping her arms around Mick from behind "i don't mean to be a pain but I'm hungry again"
Mick chuckled and lifted one of her hands to his mouth and kissed it. "As i said its expected the first month, you're not a pain at all"
He drew her to the kitchen and fixed them both a glass of blood. Beth found that this time while she was aware of the burn in her throat, it was not as painful or as demanding as the last time. She drank delicately, savouring the taste and slowly put her glass down. She pursued her lips momentarily then asked "this is female right? And what we had earlier was male?"
Mick confirmed her answers with a smile "very impressive my love. Your senses are already sharpening. And you're not gulping as much as you did earlier; you are already very much in control"
Beth lowered her eyes and smiled shyly at Mick's praise. His voice was filled with wonder and joy and pride and it pleased her. She never wanted him to regret siring her or bringing her into this world.
***
Lorenza stepped off the plane and into LA airport. She saw the sun set over the horizon and smiled. The powers that be willing, she would see a whole new Beth in a few hours.
Elaina was excited she knew that. She wanted her brother happy and knew that this was the way to go about it.
Beth will make the most excellent vampire Lorenza thought as she collected her bags and made her way out to call a cab she is sharp and sweet, smart and resilient...she was made for the role.
***
Hueilen and Josef relaxed at his office, sharing some blood wine.
"Can you believe in a few short hours, we will be meeting LA's newest fledgling?" Hueilen smiled.
"i can't believe the fledgling is Mick's, I'm still trying to wrap my head around that" josef returned.
"He has a lot of potential as both a sire and a vampire. I think it is starting to be unlocked as he accepts himself more" Hueilen said thoughtfully.
Josef nodded in agreement, he had always seen and known Mick's potential as a vampire but it had be near impossible to tap under all the layers of brooding. Now it was starting to come to the surface and others could see what Josef had seen all along.
"I'll be leaving straight after the party" Hueilen's voice drew him back from his musings "i need to go collect my new fledging. Serafina rang me earlier to tell me his name is Robert"
Josef smiled at his friend. Despite her worries and misgivings, he could tell she was looking forward to having a new fledgling to take care of.
"You'll have to bring him to meet us as soon as he's ready" Josef noted.
"of course" Hueilen acknowledged "though Beth will probably be travel worthy before he is. Maybe you could all come and visit us in Minnesota?"
"i think we could do that" Josef agreed.
They clinked glasses and settled down in comfortable silence, each vampire contemplating the future of the newest additions to their friends and families.
***
Beth looked at herself in the mirror, turning to ensure each curl at the back of her head was in place. She could hear Mick pottering around downstairs. Poor guy she thought stuck to wait on her while she got ready. It struck her how normal and how human the moment was; her preening in the bathroom, him waiting impatiently downstairs.
Our world is made up of perfectly normal moments she thought but each one makes me smile and a little happier than the last.
Adding just the faintest hint of colour to her lips with lipstick she unwrapped the dress and slipped into it. It fitted like a glove; and why should it not, it was made for her.
Slipping on a pair of golden sandals, she gave herself one last eye over in the mirror and was satisfied with what she saw. Her curls, drawn up and away from her now paler face tumbled down her back in golden rivets. Her dress hugged her like a second skin and the necklace, Mick's gift to her in London, his testimony of love, sparkled and glittered, seamlessly connecting everything from her eyes to the shoes on her feet. She was ready.
Mick heard her gentle step upon the stair and turning did a double take. Standing before him in the elegant couture dress, she was a vision from beyond his fantasises, too beautiful for him to even describe.
Moving to her, he picked her up and twirled her around making her laugh at his actions. He set her down and drew her close murmuring to her "you are so beautiful Beth...oh my Beth...you look incredible"
She drew far away enough to reach up and kiss him, she could feel his love for her in his kiss and it left her breathless. She could never doubt this man and she knew that now that she had found him, she could never love another.
"Do we have to go to the party?" he asked pleadingly as the kiss broke.
Beth laughed "i said to your sister you wouldn't want to leave the house once you saw the dress. She issued a warning of staking or decapitating if we didn't show...and she isn't one for idle threats"
"No i suppose not" Mick conceded "i suppose we can suffer through one party to save our necks"
Beth giggled and play hit him "hey mister, this is my party you know! There will be no suffering at my party, you better man up and enjoy it!"
Mick gave her a mock salute causing her to giggle more "yes ma'am!"
She reached in and was about to kiss him again when there was a knock at the door. There car had arrived to take them to Josef's.
***
Yay another chapter added to the mix! I really hope everyone enjoys and reviews!