It's been a long time. A lot has happened and changed and i dont know if anyone would be interested anymore. but i promised myself a long time ago i would finish this and i will. There is still a story to tell.

Disclaimer: no own=no profit= no sue

Chapter 25

Mick let a loud growl at the near mention of the other vampire's name and Josef could not help but snort; Beth had far more taste than Juilan.

'i heard her on the phone' Coraline insisted 'she was talking to him'

'i was on the phone to him' Beth acknowledged, causing another growl from Mick 'why don't you tell everyone what i was saying Coraline?'

At this Coraline became mute, the males looking back and forth between them. 'What was she saying Cora?' Henri asked gently.

'Obivious Beth was telling that ass where to go and stick it like she has so many times' Lorenza interjected, looking Coraline and Henri over in disgust 'she knows we will know if she is lying and she isn't telling us cause it would make Beth look bad'.

Henri saw the look of disgust on Lorenza's face and his heart fell a little; like so many other times before it seemed the vampires around them would tar the Duvall's with the same brush, that he would once again pay for the crimes of a member of his family.

"Let's separate them and calm everyone down" Josef suggested, trying to keep his anger in check "there is another room next door where you can take Coraline to, Henri"

With a nod, Henri quickly guided his sister passed the angry elder. "Mick, take a few minutes with Beth and then go and deal with that ex of yours; make sure she gets the message this time- I won't have her doing any more damage" Mick nodded, knowing better to argue with Josef with the mood he was in at that moment. Lorenza shot the couple a sympathetic look as she followed Josef out of the room.

"Beth?" he whispered, letting her go so she could have some breathing space when the others had left the room.

She turned her angry, silvered eyes towards him "nothing would please me more than to go next door and rip her throat out, the vicious, deceiving witch. She tried to tell me you would be happier with her; that she was your chance at happiness"

Beth shook her head, pacing the area like a caged tiger. "She said I was nothing more to you than a child; she was the woman you loved"

Mick covered the distance between them, catching hold of her hands. He looked deep into her eyes, searching her very soul for any sign of doubt "you are the woman I love; no one but you"

Her face softened immediately; her anger cooling at the look of pure love and sincerity in his eyes "oh Mick, I know" she whispered, her hand reaching up to softly stroke his face "I could never doubt you, I know how precious our love is."

She looked into his eyes pleadingly 'please tell me you don't believe i was trying to contact Julian voluntarily'

'no' Mick was firm 'I could never think that. I know you, you are my Beth' he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it 'you would never betray me'

The sheer relief from Beth was palpable; even the thought that he might doubt her upset her. Their bond and love was strong; they were committed only to each other, for both of them, there was no one else.

He pulled her flush against him, wrapping his arms around her tightly. " i will deal with this" he soothed "i will make her see the truth of the matter, whether she likes it or not"

Beth stood on tiptoe, their lips meeting in a fiery, bruising kiss. "finish this, then i want you all to myself the first chance we get" her eyes sparkled with passion and conviction.

Together, they left the room. "go to Lorenza" Mick pointed to the purple haired vampire on the other side of the backstage area, peering out at the show. "i will go and deal with this"

*A*A*A*

Elaina stood at the side of the stage, having delivered her narration of the collection, clapping the designers with Mychael as they finished up. Judging by the cheers from the surrounding audience, the collection had gone down well and both designers allowed themselves a sigh of relief.

'glad we have that done' Mychael said as they moved off stage and went to help the models.

Elaina smiled and nodded in agreement 'it was a great show'

'i dont know how we're going to do it when we have our shows plus a few more designers on board' Mychael hung the dress handed to him by a tall Hispanic model, thinking of all the design assistants that were been given a chance 'these things are bedlam'

'we'll manage' Elaina reassured 'we always do'. Though a little bit of her gut twinged at the amount of work that would be coming their way in the next few months; she could only hope it would go smoothly for all involved.

'why dont you go see Josef? Mychael suggested ' i saw you looking for him in the audience, i am sure you are dying to go to him, i can finish up here'.

Elaina frowned 'are you sure? No one was in the audience, not Beth, Mick, Josef nor Lorenza. I am worried something has happened to delay them'

'that is odd' sophie nodded as she joined them, having overheard the last part of the conversation 'they were around for the first part, I spoke to Josef and Lorenza separately earlier'

Elaina bit her lip worriedly, she did not like that the others had been here and were now missing. 'Go' Mychael ushered her away 'find out what is going on and join us later at the after party'.

Shooting them a grateful look, Elaina turned and began worming her way through the crowd in search of her missing family and friends.

*8*8*8*

So that is that for this chapter. If you liked my work before, if you are happy to get to see the big fight i had planned actually come back to life, please do review.

;3