Chapter Four
Miranda was carrying Zoe, who laid her head on Miranda's shoulder. Zoe was holding tight onto Mick's hand as they walked out down the hall towards the waiting room exit. They just hit the end of the hall when a voice called, "Miranda"
All three turned back, standing in the doorway to the waiting room, to see Jonathan coming towards them. "I don't know what good these will do but-" He held out a container of pills-"they can't hurt."
Mick took them but Zoe held out her hands, "I'll carry them." Mick smiled and handed the container to Zoe, who examined the pills through the amber bottle.
"Best of luck, Deary" Jonathan said, turning back down the hall.
Reaching the waiting room they saw the young pregnant woman was missing but the two elderly couples looked up. One of the gentlemen smiled as he caught Mick watching his family as he held the door for them. He called, "Daddy again?"
Mick looked over at them, his voice failing. Miranda turned too, looking at Zoe for a second. As the both were going to speak, Zoe said, "It's their first baby but I get to be a big sister"
It only took a second for the comprehension to dawn on the group. "Congratulations"
"Thank you" Miranda said, shifting Zoe higher up. Mick offered to take her but Miranda just gave him a saucy look. "Get the door"
Mick nodded, with his signature smile. "Yes, ma'am" He held the door for Miranda.
Once all three (four, Mick corrected himself) were in the car, Mick pulled away from the curb. Zoe, who was buckled in the back, was bouncing her feet up and down. She asked suddenly, "Where are we going?"
"To drop you off at school" Mick said, watching her reaction in the review mirror. "The appointment took less time than we thought. You'll be right on time."
"Can't I take the day off?" Zoe begged, her lower lip sticking out.
"Not today" Miranda said, turning slightly. "But if you behave we'll take you anywhere you want to go tomorrow, since its Saturday"
"The beach?" Zoe asked, hopefully.
Miranda and Mick exchanged a look. The beach meant lots of sun. Lots of sun wasn't good for two vampires. But both saw how excited the idea made Zoe. They nodded and Zoe squealed with delight.
Pulling the car to a stop, Mick watched Miranda collect Zoe's backpack and walk the skipping Zoe up to the door of the school. Heading inside, both disappeared from sight. Two minutes later, both appeared again, minus one Bratz backpack. Miranda knelt beside Zoe and fixed her twin braids. After a kiss on the cheek for Miranda, and a wave at Mick, who returned it, Zoe ran to play with all her friends on the playground.
Another woman came out of the school, just behind Miranda. She shooed her daughter after Zoe and stepped over to Miranda, extending her hand. "Susan Micheals" the tall thin blond women said. "Joanna's mother" An immaculate, dark blue dress suit, told that Susan was a no-mess business woman. Her hair was cut in a short chin length bob.
Miranda shook her hand. "Miranda St. John. Zoe's Mother" The words still seemed strange.
"Oh, are you married to that PI…umm something St. John?" Miranda could tell this woman was a gossiper…and a chatty Cathy.
"Yes," Miranda said, watching the women's smile spread.
"I heard an article about him a couple months back. I can't remember it though" Miranda nodded as the women tried to recall the topic. After a moment, she gave up and turned her attention back to Miranda. "So you are little Zoe's mother?"
"Yes"
"You look very young" The voice told Miranda that Susan was fishing.
"Thank you" Save me, Mick Miranda silently begged.
"You adopted Zoe?"
"How did you know?"
"Well, she doesn't really look like you and you are far too young to have a child as old as her" Susan gave Miranda's outfit a once over; white casual short heels, blue jeans, white t-shirt, dark sunglasses, and hair done is twin braids like Zoe's. "In fact I'm surprised they allowed you to adopt so young."
Part of Miranda wanted to stick up for herself and tell Susan Micheals about Zoe but the other part, the smarter part, didn't want to give this woman any ammo. Out of the corner of her eye, Miranda saw Mick walking towards them.
Susan gave Mick's outfit a slow appraising stare; black shoes, black pants, black shirt, black jacket, (and the only part that showed Mick and Miranda might know each other) dark sunglasses. "Oh, yummy" she whispered, fully turning towards Mick, smiling brightly, "Well, Hello"
Mick raised his sunglasses slightly to get a look at the women. "Hello" Mick circled Miranda and wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her cheek gently.
Susan was shocked, it was obvious to both vampires, but she recovered quickly. She gave Miranda and Mick's entwined hands, and their matching wedding rings, a dark glare. "Mr. St. John?"
"Mick, please" Mick said, using his free hand to shake Susan's.
"Daddy!" Zoe was standing at the fence. Her voice was high pitched. Mick excused himself and walked over quickly.
"You are a lucky girl" Susan whispered. "I hope that doesn't go south for you"
Miranda turned her attention from her family to Susan. "Pardon?"
"Someone like him, Honey, won't be faithful for long" Susan gave Miranda another judging look. "You just don't seem very…compatible."
"What do you mean?" Miranda cocked her head to the side, genuinely confused.
"Well, you just seem so…" Susan thought for a moment, looking Miranda over. "Young and naïve, and Mick is so…" Susan gave Mick a hungry stare, "mature, and business-like."
Miranda bit down on her retort, and her vampire side. "Mick's just not like that"
Susan nodded, turning to Miranda with a fake cheery smile. "I hope your right but trust me; I know his type from experience"
Mick walked back. Miranda turned, a strained smiled on her face. "What was the matter?"
"Small cut from the swings" Mick said, taking Miranda's hand and giving it a comforting squeeze.
"They always seem to need something, don't they?" Susan said, trying to bring Mick's attention to her.
"That's the nature of children" Mick said, looking at his daughter, who had gone back to swinging. Glancing at Miranda, Mick added, "We have to go, Miranda"
"I should too" Susan glanced at her watch. "I'm running slightly behind today"
A quick farewell and Mick opened the door, allowing Miranda to get in. As he climbed in Miranda raised her fist to slam it into the dash. Mick caught her hand just before it made contact. "Don't! The airbag!"
"I hate people like her" Miranda hissed, hot angry tears coming down her face. She tugged on her hand but Mick held tight. "She thinks she knows everything and has to give advice on things she knows nothing about."
"Don't worry about Susan Michaels and her opinion of you, me or Zoe" Mick said, stroke Miranda's braid with his free hand.
Miranda looked up at him, with a slightly surprised look. "You heard us?"
"Every word" Mick smirked. He liked her strange sense of style, and he didn't care what a women like Susan thought about it.
"I'm sorry" She looked down.
"Don't apologize." Mick caught her chin, tugging her to him. "Especially not for someone like her." He kissed her.
A cell phone started ringing. Mick growled and grabbed it. "What?"
"Did I interrupt something?" Josef asked, sounding amused and yet distracted.
"Sorta" Mick said, pulling the car into the gently flowing traffic and headed down the street.
"Well, I'm sorry then" Josef didn't sound sorry. "I need you and Miranda to stop by the office. I have to talk to you."
"Does this have to happen now?"
"Yes"