CHAPTER FOUR - "Announcements"

Mick and I hurried to put clothes on as Mick worried about the disappearance of his single malt Scotch going on downstairs and I worried that I had only a shirt to wear in front of Josef and Simone—they had probably noticed my discarded jeans and shirt on the sofa. Embarrassing!

Mick started down the stairs, stopped, turned and held out a hand for me. I took it, and we made our first entrance as a couple, greeting Josef and Simone as though they were both invited and expected. The two of them were seated cozily on the couch, sipping their drinks; my clothing, I noticed, had been folded neatly and was sitting on a lamp table. I smiled and went over and hugged Simone.

"So nice to see you, Simone!"

Josef stood for me and kissed my hand! How could I stay mad at such a gentleman?"

"Nice to see you again, Beth" he said, eyes taking in my skimpy apparel. Before I could blush under his gaze, he asked me, "Would you like me to get you a glass of wine? That's what Simone is drinking. . ."

"Sit down, Josef! I'll get the drinks!" Mick said rather shortly. He raised his eyebrow at me.

"Yes, honey, wine will be great." And off he headed toward the kitchen. I noticed he had been right—Josef took a large swallow of the Scotch, which he took "neat," I observed, then set the glass down on a coaster.

"Well, this is certainly a surprise!" I smiled brightly, maybe a little too much so, as I felt my top lip stick to my teeth. Hmmm. Surprise was right.

"We are SO sorry we just walked in on you like that, Mick and Beth! Honestly, Josef assured me it would be okay. . ."

Mick came back into the room carrying a Scotch for himself in one hand, and handing me the deep, rich, red wine in the balloon glass, which he carried in his other hand. I could smell it without putting my nose to the glass, and it had a wonderful bouquet. Mick certainly had great taste in the things he could taste!

"Well, I should be used to Josef showing up unannounced by now." Mick looked at Josef and something passed between them that only they could understand. Mick took a gulp of his Scotch; I couldn't help myself as I watched his Adam's apple move up and down, along with the powerful muscles of his neck contracting as he swallowed. Why was it that such a simple thing like swallowing made me want to jump into his lap? My gosh, I was smitten! Happily so, too! I still couldn't believe this perfect man was all mine! I plopped unceremoniously into a chair before my knees gave out, as Mick sat down in the chair next to me, crossing one leg over the other. I tried to keep my knees together. It seemed that every time I chanced a glance at Josef, he was eyeing me in a way that just made me squeeze my knees together even more tightly! Friend or no friend, he had a one-track mind, and I didn't want any trouble!

"So, Josef, might I ask about this 'news' you wanted to share with us? Has something happened that I don't know about?"

Josef looked at Simone, and smiled at her. She smiled back at him quite radiantly, I noticed. She looked at us and said expressively, in pure Simone fashion, "Well, Josef and I have decided to move in together!" Then she leaned over and kissed Josef on the cheek. I looked at Mick, who wore a bland expression.

"Congratulations, both of you," he said in a very unemotional voice. "When did you decide to take this grand leap of faith?"

Simone gushed, "It was just last night—we talked it over and it seemed to feel right. Josef has so much room—there was no question that I would move in with him, not him in with me!"

Josef looked at both of us and smiled. "Simone seems to think we might as well be under one roof, since she's decided on taking the big step. . ."

Mick tensed up noticeably. I reached over and put a hand on his arm. "What do you mean, Josef?" he inquired pointedly. "You're not going to. . ."

"Turn her? Well, yes, that's the plan." Simone smiled tentatively at Josef and he patted her arm. "She's convinced it's what she wants, and I love her, so, it's the next logical step."

Mick stood up and looked at Simone. "Do you understand what you're doing, Simone? You're giving up your humanity!"

Simone looked at Mick, an uncomfortable expression on her face. "Yes, Mick, we've talked it over—many times—it's truly what I want for us." She looked at Josef. "I want to be with him forever, you see, and this way—I can be." She wrinkled her nose at Josef, who had a love-struck look on his face as he simply smiled stupidly back at her.

Mick was still angry. He looked at Simone. "Do you realize all that you're giving up? You're giving up having children! You're giving up life as you know it—your family, your friends—that all has to change, you know, once they catch on to the fact that you aren't getting older and they are! And no more turkey dinners at Thanksgiving! Have you really thought this through?" He now looked at Josef, obviously upset. "Have you really explained all of this in exquisite detail? The fact that you will probably have to keep moving around so people don't suspect you? Have you honestly told her everything she is giving up? Have you my friend?"

Josef merely looked at Mick, not saying anything.

"And what about you, Josef? No more source of that 'liquid refreshment' you love so much! If you turn her, man, that's all over!" I saw Josef wince, but still he remained silent. "Is Simone okay with your freshies coming over for 'happy hour?' as you like to refer to it? Josef! Tell me you aren't going to do this!"

Mick was really getting mad now. I sat silently, knowing this was totally between the two of them, and Simone and I should just stay out of it. Simone was looking down into her glass of wine, probably thinking the same thing I was thinking.

Josef stood and faced off with Mick. He held up one of his hands in a sort of pleading gesture. "Hey, buddy—I was hoping you'd be happy for me. We wanted to tell you together because we thought you'd celebrate with us! I should have known better!"

"What do you mean by that? I want to be happy for you—I just can't be sure you've both thought this thing through!" Mick and Josef eyed each other for a moment. Then Josef broke the silence. In a quiet, controlled voice, he spoke:

"Hey, brother, I've finally found someone I want to commit to, and I wanted you to be the first to know." His voice rose a little as he went on. "Don't you see how important that is to me? Do you know how lonely I've been since Sarah? Do you understand in some small corner of your brain how much this will change my life?"

Mick said through his teeth, "Yes, Josef. I do know what this means. I should certainly know about lonely! I'm just not sure you're capable of being what Simone expects or needs."

Josef replied in a low voice that bordered on anger, "That is a low-blow, bro! I'm going to 'go straight' for Simone—no more freshies, no more parties, no more of the playboy stuff! That's all in my past. Maybe you doubt my ability to commit, but I'm telling you, man, I love Simone, enough to do this. I guess you can't understand that, seeing as how you hate so much what you are and you can never commit to anyone!"

He turned his back on Mick and me and looked at his lady love, who smiled at him, blinked and nodded her approval of what he had said. He reached for her hand and she stood, looking him lovingly in the eyes. I could see how much she did love him. For all of Josef's quirks and faults, I couldn't say she was wrong to love him. I loved him too, as Mick's best and dearest friend.

Mick still stood, looking like he was ready to pounce on Josef. I wanted to diffuse the stand-off, so I reached for his hand. He clasped it firmly in his. He looked at me, and I nodded toward the two lovebirds, silently asking him, "are you going to say something nice now?" He blew out a breath and nodded back to me. Inwardly, I exhaled too. This was unpleasant, in more ways than one, since I had thought Mick and I would be the ones to spring good news on Josef and Simone, and now I wondered how they would take it, with me being a human, and with Simone ready to give it up to be a vampire. Would they doubt my love for Mick? Maybe I didn't love him enough? Mick spoke next while I worried.

"Hey, Josef, Simone—I'm sorry. I had no right to go off on you two that way. I can see that you're happy, and that's all I want for my friends, okay? And you're both consenting adults, so I want you to know that I'm going to be supportive in any way I can be. That said, congratulations, and here's to a long, happy life together!" He lifted his glass up, and we all did the same in a toast to the happiness of Josef and Simone. They were all smiles as Mick went over and hugged first Simone, then Josef. Then, keeping one hand on his shoulder, Mick said to his friend, "Hey, be happy, Brother, and I'll always be here for you—you know that."

"I do, Mick. I do." Everyone sat down again, relieved the tension was broken, at least for the moment. We enjoyed about thirty seconds of silence before Josef spoke again.

"So, Mick and Beth! Seems the two of you have some 'splainin' to do!" Josef's eyes were searching both of us out. Mick and I simply looked at each other and smiled. "Ah, did somebody seal a deal here or what?"

"Josef!" Simone punched him lightly in the arm. "That's pretty nosey and rude!"

"I know—I love nosey and rude, though!" He had a cat-who-ate-the-canary grin on his face, as I felt the color in my face rise under his scrutiny.

Mick cleared his throat, and I suddenly panicked. What was he going to say? Omigosh. I tried to catch his eye, but failed. He began speaking and my heart began to pound hard in my chest. He could at least check THAT out! He had to hear it! He did. His hand reached over again for mine, and enclosed my trembling, icy fingers in his hand, which at this point, was warmer than mine. "Well, Josef—Simone—I have asked Beth to be my wife."

I watched the two of them look first at each other, then at us. Simone beamed and came over to hug us this time. Josef blew out a huge breath and said softly, "Wow."

Simone, however, literally bubbled over with enthusiasm. "Beth! Mick! That's such exciting news! Oh, wow! Congratulations!"

Josef was a bit more subdued, but seemed to be catching his breath again. "Hey, you two, it's meant to be—all my best to both of you." He looked straight at me. "You know you're getting one HELL of a guy, Beth! But he told me a long time ago that he was 'in love' with you, so this is really great! He must have finally let you in on the secret!"

Mick saw the surprise in my face and smiled. "I did tell him that--the day we had our picnic on the beach. Beth, I've loved you for quite a while." He leaned over and kissed me sweetly on the lips. I looked back at Josef just as he was raising his glass in yet another toast.

"Here's to you guys--may you live long and prosper!" He gave us the Vulcan hand sign, then he raised his glass and took an enormous swallow of the Scotch, actually finishing it off in one gulp. The rest of us merely sipped. He was looking at Mick now, raising his eyebrows. "Now, does this mean. . ."

"That I'm going to turn her? No. But I will marry her, Josef. That's what we both want."

"Ah, my friend from the early 20th century. I see!" He smiled at me and winked. I wasn't sure I liked that implication, though what he was thinking was coming out loud and clear. Mick had slept with me, so therefore 'old fashioned Mick' had to make an honest woman out of me! I was a little angry and a lot embarrassed, though I didn't know why. It wasn't like sleeping together was a crime! But under Josef's piercing scrutiny, my blush became almost as red as the wine, I was sure. "So, all must have gone well last night?"

"Okay, Josef, that's enough." Mick said the words in a very no-nonsense manner which made Josef begin to behave himself. Instead of leering at me, he now turned to look at Simone.

"I guess we all want to express our love in different but meaningful ways, that's all, and there's nothing wrong with that!" I did catch him rolling his eyes at Simone, and I felt a little hurt by that. To me, getting married was a huge step! He was acting like I wasn't fully committing myself to Mick because I was staying human! I think Simone sensed my uneasiness.

"Have you set a date yet?" she asked, and I was grateful to her for getting us back onto practical matters. I looked at Mick, and he looked at me.

"We haven't worked out the details yet, but as soon as we do, we'll let you know," he said. "Of course I'd like you to stand up for me, Josef, if you would."

Josef cleared his throat and straightened a non-existent tie. "Of course! I'd consider that an honor! I wouldn't miss watching you two tie the knot!"

"Well, thanks, Josef. This is all pretty new to us, so, ah, we'll make some arrangements and I'll get back to you to be sure you're free."

"I'll be there—count on that. And in return—I need to ask you a favor, Mick my friend." Josef looked at Simone, and she nodded at him. What was this about, I wondered?

Mick looked suddenly wary, and I thought maybe he was aware of something I couldn't discern. He sure didn't look pleased!

"And that would be. . .what, Josef?"

"I want you to be with us when I turn Simone. I want backup in case anything might go wrong."

--

Mick was pacing the floor after they left, back and forth, running his hand through his hair. I wasn't sure what to do—I knew he was pretty upset with Josef for agreeing to turn Simone, but then for him to ask Mick to be there? That was way above and beyond what I thought was Mick's tolerance, keeping in mind how much Mick hated being a vampire, and how terrible his memories were of being turned himself on his wedding night! I sat on the couch and watched him pace. The silence stretched out for at least three or four minutes. He finally broke the silence:

"Beth, how can he ask this of me! He knows how I feel about this!" He looked at me with pain in his eyes. I wanted to comfort him, but knew I couldn't say much about it. Oh well, might as well try!

"I think it's just that he trusts you so much, Mick, and Simone obviously means the world to him!"

"HA! If that were true, how could he even THINK of doing this?"

"I've talked to Simone before, Mick. I really think it was her idea, like Josef said. She really wants to leave her human life behind her and become. . .you know. . .a vampire."

"See? Even YOU can hardly say the word! So how do you feel about this, Beth? You're committing to me—do you want to be turned too?"

"NO! Mick! This has nothing to do with US—this is between Josef and Simone! I think they've made an informed decision! But I don't blame Josef for being scared—I mean, look at what happened to Sarah!"

"That's all the more reason to NOT do this! Why doesn't he see that?"

"Mick—I do understand the wanting to be together forever—I do! I mean—I want to be with you forever! I don't want to get old and die in your strong, young arms! Maybe someday I'll want to be turned too! You just have to be more. . . um. . . well. . .maybe you shouldn't judge this too harshly right now. This will probably be right for the two of them."

"I don't know how you can say that, Beth! And the thought of turning you into what I am? It's disgusting to me! I hope you aren't serious about that, because I don't think I could EVER do that to you!"

"And we are not going to talk about it—it's definitely not something we need to decide now—but don't let your own hatred of being a vampire keep you from being a good friend to Josef! He LOVES being a vampire! He's told you that he would never go back, even if he could! And after four hundred years, I think he is just so comfortable with it that he sees no problem at all with Simone joining him!"

I got up off of the couch and went to him. I took his hand. "Mick—let's let this go for now." I looked into his eyes and softly touched his cheek. "I need you to touch me." He looked deep into my eyes, and I saw them change from anger and frustration to that soft look he got just for me. He sighed.

"You're right. We are all that matters right now." He pulled me to him and held me in his arms. The feel of his body, the warm scent of his skin so close, his breath in my ear, the way we fit together, with my head under his chin—it all thrilled me and made me tingle with pleasure. After several moments of holding each other close, he lifted his chin from the top of my head, pulled back and looked into my eyes. Our mouths moved instinctively toward each other, meeting gladly, ending in a long, heartfelt, passionate kiss.

"I can think of things I'd much rather do than talk about Josef right now," Mick murmured against my lips.

"Me too, I breathed back at him." We kissed again, bodies pressing tightly together. I put my arms up around his neck as he bent down to me. Sweet bliss soon became more urgent, and once again he swept me up off my feet, ready to carry me to. . . "Mick?" I asked huskily.

"What Sweetheart?" he whispered against my ear.

"Where are you taking me?" I looked up at his face, which took on a kind of funny look.

Silence. "Good question," he said softly.