Chapter 49: Building Begins

After dropping Kayla off at school Beth came home to find a flurry of activity going on in the backyard, when she left it was only Mick and the contractor going over final plans now there were at least ten people out back. She poked her head around to find Mick in the center of it all, his hands on his narrow hips just over the tool belt he was wearing and she grinned. She made her way up to him wrapping her arms around his waist, "Don't you look sexy this morning."

Mick looked over his shoulder at her and gave her that lopsided grin she loved before turning in her arms wrapping his own around her. "I wanted to get an early start. I want to get as much done as possible."

Beth watched the other people who she assumed were part of the contractors crew bringing in precut pieces of wood and other parts. Mick looked down at her his tone losing some of it's zeal, "How is she?"

Beth drew her eyes up to his filling with understanding, "Mick you were playing with her not 45 minutes ago, she's fine. Better than fine really."

"I know…it's just…she didn't say anything on the way to school did she? You're sure she won't slip up and say anything about our secret?"

"I'm sure," Beth assured him. She knew her daughter and she knew she loved them and she understood the basics of their situation. "Do you want to know what she talked about on the way to school?" Mick nodded needing to know. "She couldn't stop talking about how great her daddy is and how he's building her a tree house."

Mick grinned, "I can't wait to build this for her."

"Well I'm going to go meet Candice. She called and it sounded like she wanted to talk, I just wanted to swing back by and make sure you all are careful. I know how excited you are about doing this but don't forget cloudy or not you don't need to be out here all day. Make sure you drink plenty of blood and take breaks."

"Yes Mother," he teased.

Beth raised her eyebrow, "I hope you don't have motherly feelings for me Mick, because I have something in mind for you tonight and there's nothing motherly about it."

Pulling her to him tightly her brought his lips to her ear, "You never have to worry about how I see you baby. God you're so…breathtaking." He finished by nipping at her earlobe. "You should go or I might just have to take you upstairs and leave these men to get started without me."

Beth could feel her body pulsate with pleasure at his words, "No, you need to do this. You've been looking forward to it for too long. I'm going to go see Candice, but tonight you're mine." She pulled from his arms and headed back around front knowing if she didn't they would end up in bed.

Candice opened the door letting Beth right in as she bit her lip as she realized what her friend would smell. She had invited her over without thinking about the fact that their loft was permeated with the smell of their lovemaking. "Sorry," she apologized as she saw Beth's nose wrinkle.

Beth just gave a laugh, "Nothing to be sorry for. Mick and I are the same way," she grinned.

Candice ushered her over towards two seats by the window, curtains pulled, where she thought the scent wasn't as strong. Beth looked at Candice and could see all the worry and uncertainty had been washed away. "So I take it you and David have talked…somewhere in all that."

Feeling as though she could blush Candice grinned, "Yeah. We had a fight." David was upstairs in the freezer she had left him telling him to stay and rest while she spoke with Beth but she wondered if he was listening.

Beth smirked, "Followed by lots of make-up sex."

"I was upset about Mia, I let it get to me and…I'm so glad he didn't let me go."

"What?"

Candice shook her head, "I was upset and I almost ended things."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Candice knew this wasn't her story to tell it was David's but she was glad Beth was there for her if she wanted to. "I confronted him about keeping secrets from me and…he had his reasons. Stupid reasons yes but sorta sweet too. I can't really explain more than that but he came clean about everything and I told him how I felt about Mia and her trying to win him back. He of course had no idea, men can be so dense sometimes," Beth laughed at this.

"We made up…a lot. Then when the bitch called him he told her to stay out of his life and don't come near us again."

"I'm glad you got this worked out."

"Me too, it was causing stress that I didn't need. I didn't even realize how upset I was about the whole thing until it was over. Sure I never liked it but I never realized how much weight that was on my mind…now I feel light and free of it all."

"Amen," Beth looked at her hands. "I have some news."

Candice looked up expectantly, "Kayla knows we're vampires."

Beth watches as the smile drops from Candice's face and a look of shock and surprise replace it, leaving her speechless. "It wasn't anything we planned on telling her but well…she asked point blank if we were vampires and I…I couldn't lie to her."

"She asked?"

"Yeah," Beth explained to Candice how Kayla found out and the things she told her to make her understand and try to have fun with it. Candice agreed with her that it was the best choice, and she was a strong girl she would be fine with this. Beth also told her about how sweet Mick is, so worried that his baby will be scared, which made Candice laugh. "That man is such a push over when she is around the idea that she'd be scared of him…not a chance."

Beth giggled, "He is isn't he?"

"So my little niece knows I'm a vampire. Have you told everyone yet?"

"Just Josef so far, I figured he needed to know and he could tell Jean. The both love her," Beth grinned. "She brings out the soft side in everyone."

"She's an amazing little girl Beth," Candice placed a hand on her shoulder. "What you and Mick have done for her, taking her in and loving her as your own…"

"She's given us something we didn't know we could have, she made us a family. The way Mick looks at her, it melts my heart."

"So I hear a tree house is going up today," Candice wanted to lighten the mood neither of them wanted to get all teary.

"Yes they are working on it as we speak. Kayla and her friends are going to help this weekend, Mick had the contractor set aside little jobs he can do with them and make them feel like part of the team."

"It will be good for her. I can't wait to see it when it's finished."

"Did you have a tree house?"

"Nah, but one of my friends did…well it was more like a tree with random pieces of wood nailed into it as places to sit but it was the best."

"Well I better get going I wanted to stop by and see Coop and Danielle as well."

Candice stood up and walked with her towards the door, "Seth might be there. I talked to Danielle yesterday and he's been spending more time with them getting ready for his turning."

"He's a sweet kid, Danielle is taking this all well."

"Yeah but I think once the turning takes place we should have a girls night for her."

"We're overdue for one anyways," Beth gave Candice a hug at the door. "I'm glad you and David got everything sorted out. I'll talk to you soon."

"Thanks Beth," Candice waved. "Give that little girl a kiss for me."

To Be Continued…

Evilous