Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. Watching it again on Thursday night was such fun. I hope it gives me fresh inspiration.

Thank you all for the feedback that keeps me wanting to write, I do feel grateful for all your support.

Chapter 34

"You don't understand how this hurts," Coraline spat out angrily.

"Oh my sweet, I do understand," Cynthia told her and embraced her quickly. Then she stepped back. "I know how it hurts to have the man you love look at you with distrust. Every time that you asked me to choose you over Philippe, I could feel him pull away from me. To my shame I let it happen and almost broke the bond with my sire completely."

"But you have Philippe," Coraline complained.

"Only because he decided to defy Darius and rescue me from Lance. Philippe fought for me," Cynthia reminded her. "We were meant to be."

"Mick was meant to be mine."

"No dear, he wasn't, he didn't choose. Let him go and find someone who deserves you," Cynthia pleaded. She worried about how fixated Coraline remained on Mick.

A light suddenly lit up in Coraline's dark eyes. She grasped Cynthia's hand tightly and leaned in to whisper urgently.

"Let's get out of here. Leave Philippe here to play "Grandpere" and let's go have some fun. I know a wonderful club where I am sure we can find some vamps who will show us a good time. Help me get over this Cyn. I need you," Coraline wheedled.

Cynthia's expression darkened and she pulled her hand away with a jerk.

"Cora….no. You are not listening to me," she cried in dismay.

Philippe had entered the room and now he quickly crossed to Cynthia's side. He slipped an arm around her waist.

"Enough Coraline. If you wish to leave I will call a car service. Cynthia will be staying here, with me," he said firmly. A sad expression graced his handsome face. "I know the ceremony was difficult for you but you chose to remain and be a witness. Please accept the fact that Mick chose Beth."

"Everyone is abandoning me…." Coraline moaned in exasperation and flounced out to the patio. She grabbed a glass of blood and settled on a bench to sulk. It was difficult not to focus on Mick and Beth as they mingled with their friends. It stung t see how happy the couple looked and she found her selfishly wishing Beth had never been rescued from this latest trouble. It wasn't fair that Beth seemed to always come out unscathed.

"Child, it does not suit you to wallow in self-pity. You must learn not to hate what you cannot change," Moriah said kindly as she sat beside her.

"I've lost him. Do you have any idea how that feels?" Coraline said bitterly.

"Yes I do," was Moriah's quiet reply. "Do you honestly think you are the only woman to have loved a man who did not return the feelings?" she inquired.

"You have Robert."

The older vampire looked at Robert and a sad smile crossed her face.

"You think that Robert is the only man who has held my heart? Oh my young one, Robert is a wonderful discovery that came many centuries after I suffered rejection by one I thought was my whole world. Jamal's spurning of my love was a devastating blow," Moriah confessed.

"Jamal?" Coraline pounced on the name with interest.

"A story for another time. Just know that there are other loves out there if you only look. It is time to move on Coraline," she advised with a gentle pat on the arm and then she rose and walked away. She crossed the patio to join Robert where he was talking to Josef and Rayna. The distinguished vampire touched her shoulder lightly and kissed her quickly on the cheek before returning to the conversation.

In frustration, Coraline looked around and found that her attention again centered on Mick and Beth, or to be more precise, on Mick. It felt like a knife cutting through her to see how he looked at Beth. On their wedding day he had looked at her that way…..or had he? Had he gazed into her eyes with that look of pure adoration or had it only been with desire for the physical? She couldn't answer that question truthfully now. Not sure if the surge of anger she felt was directed at Mick or her, Coraline rose and approached the couple who were conversing with Tyson and Savannah. The foursome fell silent as she joined them.

"I imagine you think you have finally won, right Beth?" she challenged the blonde snidely.

Mick frowned and would have stepped forward but Beth inserted herself between Mick and his ex.

"It is not a matter of winning or losing Coraline. Mick isn't some prize that I stole from you or that you lost. Love doesn't work that way; that is why it is so precious. If it is meant to be then it happens and it stays. I'm sorry that you can't understand that," Beth answered calmly. She felt her anger at the woman fade; Coraline was her own worst enemy.

"I don't need your pity," Coraline snarled, her eyes changing.

"That is quite enough Coraline," Josef spoke up from behind her. He had seen the look on Coraline's face as she had approached the couple and decided that this experiment in good intentions was over. "I think it is time for one of my men to take you home. You have had the chance to be a witness, Rayna is arranging for your ride home."

For one brief moment Coraline considered arguing but a quick glance around the group and she knew that she was beaten. It particularly galled her to see the look of triumph in Rayna's eyes as she appeared in the doorway with Sam at her side. It was clear that she was enjoying seeing Coraline humbled.

"Sam will see you safely home Coraline," Rayna said sweetly. "It was so good of you to come but then all good things must come to an end."

"Don't gloat Rayna, you haven't beaten me," the dark haired vampire growled as she headed for the door.

"I don't need to beat you darling; I just need to see you walk out the door," Rayna said in a low voice as Coraline passed her and followed Sam out to the car.

Eyes dancing with delight, Rayna hurried to Beth and hugged her.

"Poor Sam lost the toss but she won't talk him into taking her anywhere but home," she whispered. Beth laughed and returned her hug.

"She didn't ruin the commitment, it was beautiful. Thank you Rayna," she said softly.

"You are welcome my dear sister. I wanted it to be perfect for you and Mick."

"It was," Mick said giving Rayna a brief hug. "You made this night everything Beth and I could have asked for."

"That is a mighty big promise you made buddy," Josef smirked slapping Mick on the back. "Do you figure you can keep Beth happy for eternity?"

"I see no problems there," Mick grinned back. He wrapped his arms around Beth from behind and drew her back against him. "I know what she likes and I plan to see she always has it." He bent his head and kissed her shoulder. Beth shivered happily.

"Oh I second that thought," she sighed.

"Save that for later St. John," Tyson groaned. He held Savannah close to his side. "Some of us were thinking that dancing is in order. Can you dig up some livelier music?"

"For you Tyson….anything," Rayna laughed and disappeared into the house. Moments later some southern rock filled the air. Savannah laughed in delight, knowing that Rayna had remembered her music preference.

"Come on handsome, let's show these LA types how to dance to good southern music," she grinned taking Tyson's hand.

"You've got it sugar," Tyson agreed and swung her out into an open space on the patio.

"Oh we cannot let that go unchallenged," Mick said to Beth and spun her around to join the other couple.

"We can do that," Rayna said to Josef as she sauntered up to him.

"I'm more of a waltz man," Josef drawled, knowing he would not be able to refuse Rayna her fun. He took her offered hand and twirled her out to the pulsing music. It was quickly clear that Josef had mastered more than the waltz over the years.

Granny joined Anthony and Charity sitting off to one side watching the younger ones dance.

"I am afraid that this music holds no appeal to me. I do love New Orleans jazz though," Granny chuckled.

"My heart is willing but I'm afraid my knees are no longer up to the task," Anthony sighed. "I grew up on this music."

"You can still take rumba lessons with me," Charity told him. "You would be wonderful at it."

"I don't think I have time," Anthony protested and then flushed guiltily under Granny's direct stare. He had caught the flash of disappointment in Charity's eyes. "I'm sorry Charity, lessons might be fun. I'm sure my boss will adjust my hours," he said winking at Granny.

Charity smiled but threw a questioning look at Granny. She loved the old woman but she was not sure she wanted anyone trying to push Anthony into her arms. While she had come to care deeply for the man she knew he still held onto the memory of his deceased wife. Charity had every intention of finding her own place in his heart but wanted to do it without vampire assistance.

On the dance floor Tyson twirled Savannah around to the music. The flushed glow on her face made him smile and as the music slowed to a ballad, he drew her tightly to him. Bending his head he nuzzled her neck and inhaled her scent.

"Sugar, I want forever with you," he whispered in her ear before he could stop himself. He heard her breathe catch and felt her stiffen in his hold.

End chapter.

I have one more chapter to go and then this story will be finished. I just checked and I have been working on this story for six months. I am so grateful that you have stayed with me on the journey. Please give me a review; that addiction has not abated. Thanks