Chapter Eight

Miranda stared at Mick. He was sprawled on the couch next to the bed. Lying against him was Zoe. Her pig tails had been yanked out and a single pony tail had been pulled together in haste. Mick's doing, not doubt. It was sloppy but cute. Miranda smiled.

As if he had heard a noise, Mick's eyes flew open. It only took a moment for them to focus on Miranda.

"Hi," she whispered. "You didn't go home."

"Jonathan said you only had to stay for one night," Mick whispered, back. "You're to be released by eleven."

"So why didn't you go home for the night?" Miranda eyes darted to the door and then to the sleep Zoe before she added, "You should be in a freezer."

"It's not right without you," Mick answered, sincerely. "And I can survive just fine for a little while without a freezer."

Miranda smiled gently. "How are you feeling?"

Mick looked at her confused, a slight smile on his lips. "You're in the hospital and you're asking me how I am?"

"Mick, I love you and I know this is a huge shock for you as well as for me."

"I'm…fine" Mick lied. He was a bad liar. He knew it. She knew it. He knew she knew it.

Miranda glared playfully. "You're a liar." She smiled. "A really bad liar." Shifting, Miranda looked around. "What time is it?"

"Nearly six a.m." Mick shifted. He laid his still sound asleep daughter on the couch and stood; crossing over to his wife. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Miranda answered honestly. "I feel fine. Human but okay."

"Are you sure?" Mick looked at her vitals. His eyes trailed the IV down to her arm.

"Mick," Miranda touched his hand, bringing his attention back to her. "I am fine"

Mick looked slight ashamed at his lack of trust in her. "I'm just…checking. This change is really big. I just want to know you're okay."

Miranda brought his hand to her lips. Kissing it gently, she whispered, "I know."

"Daddy?" came a child's voice. Mick shifted. Zoe was sitting up on the couch. She smiled seeing Miranda awake. "Mommy!"

Mick helped lift Zoe onto the bed, where she hugged Miranda for all she was worth. "I was scared you wouldn't wake up."

"Of course I'd wake up," Miranda said, pulling her daughter back by the shoulders to looked her over. "What happened was just a tiny complication with the baby. They just want to make sure nothing is wrong."

"Is it?" Zoe's voice was apprehensive.

"We're both just fine," Miranda assured her before pulling her into a hug.

Zoe laid against Miranda's chest for a few minutes. She was so still Mick had assumed to she was asleep again. Then she asked, "Can we still go to the beach?"

Miranda looked at Mick. "We did promise."

"Miranda, you're in the hospital," Mick reminded. He didn't like the idea that his wife was going to go to the beach when she had spent the previous night in the hospital.

Zoe turned to him and gave him the puppy dog face. He wanted to say he'd seen it before. Beth had always been good at it, even when she was young. Miranda smiled. "Please, Mick. She really wants to go."

Mick shook his head. It was apparent. He was not going to win this one. "Fine, but I am calling Aubrey or Beth to come too. Just in case."

Miranda nodded, as Zoe bounced up and down.

Mick stood just outside the hospital doors. He sighed as he dialed Beth's number. Josh picked up on the second ring. "Hi, Mick," Josh answered.

"Hi, Josh." Mick didn't want Josh to be concerned that there was still something between Beth and himself. So he said, "I was wondering if you and Beth were free this afternoon. Around one."

"I have to work…" Josh said as he moved. A door opened and Mick could hear the shower in the background. "Mick called. You don't have anything going on today, do you?"

Mick heard Beth grabbed the phone. "Mick?"

"Hi, Beth," Mick said, quickly. "We, Miranda and I, promised that we would take Zoe to the beach today. I tried to talk them out of it but…It didn't work. I wanted to know if you wanted to come."

"Mick," Beth said, in a whisper. "Should you really be going to beach? With the sun? And what about Miranda?"

"I know," Mick said. "But we promised Zoe. I'll hide under an umbrella. And Miranda seems just as excited as Zoe."

Beth was quiet for a moment. "Sure, it's been a while since I was at the beach anyway."

"We'll probably be there by one," Mick said. He was relieved that he had someone coming with.

"I'll see you there," Beth said. "Bye."

"Bye," Mick said. He closed his phone. He leaned against the wall of the building. He hadn't been to the beach since he was human. A beach isn't exactly the best place for a vampire.

His phone began to ring. He checked the caller ID; Josef. "Hello," he answered.

"Hey Mick," Aubrey's voice replied, sweetly. What she was doing with Josef's cell phone, Mick didn't want to know. "I was just checking in on Miranda."

"She's fine," Mick assured her. "Due to be released no later than noon."

"That's great," Aubrey pulled away from the phone and repeated what Mick had said.

"Hey, Aubrey," Mick added, suddenly thinking of it. "Do want to come to the beach?"

"The beach?" Aubrey was clearly confused. Mick could hear Josef, moving closer to the phone. A button was pushed.

"What's this about the beach?" Josef asked. Speaker phone is a wonderful thing.

"Miranda and I promised Zoe that we'd take her to the beach today. I tired to talk them out of it, since I didn't think Miranda should go to the beach after spending a night in the hospital. Clearly, I didn't win that argument but I want someone else there too." Mick then added, as an after thought, "Beth is coming but I thought you might want to come too."

"I'd love to go," Aubrey exclaimed. It was clear she was excited.

Josef was not so amused, "Mick, what are you thinking? A vampire on a beach?"

"I promised Zoe." Mick sighed. He really didn't want to argue over this.

Josef made no sound for a long minute then said, "I'm coming too."

"What?" Mick and Aubrey said together.

"I think I can survive one day at the beach," Josef said. "Besides, I want to see you in a bikini." Mick blinked then remembered Aubrey was also listening when she started giggling.

Suddenly the giggling stopped. "Does Miranda even own a bathing suit?" Aubrey had a point.

"I don't know," Mick answered. "But I know Zoe doesn't."

"Does this mean we get to go shopping?" Aubrey sounded far too excited.

"I would suppose so," Mick said, slowly.

A squeal of delight came through the phone and Mick had to hold it away from his ear. "You've made her day," Josef said, clearly amused. "She loves to shop."

"I bet that's why she loves you so much," Mick said, laughing.

"I knew there had to be a reason," Josef laughed. "We'll see at the hospital by eleven." The line disconnected.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. [continues] I should have updated ages ago. Especially considering this chapter has been done for a very, very long time. I have no idea why I didn't update sooner, especially since most of my other stories are on hold or completed. Probably has something to do with the fact that the stories I have been doing lately aren't fanfiction so I've been working more on DeviantArt instead. [Which if you are interesting in seeing my DA page the link is listed on my profile, or you could msg me for it]. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I do intend to update soon. Again, forgive me for the delay, I will attempt to make up for it.