Chapter Fifteen

"Miranda!" Mick walked into the kitchen, looking over the dusty furniture. Most of it probably hadn't been used since Miranda was young. He rounds the corner, coming to stairs. Taking them two at a time, he flew up the stairs. "Miranda."

"If you can't leave me alone, the least you could do is to not wake Zoe," a sharp voice snapped for the darkness near the end of the hall.

To his left, in a child's bedroom, lay Zoe, still sound asleep in the bed. Mick could just make out Miranda's shape in the pitch blackness in the room at the end of the hall. She was hiding in the dark.

Mick first walked into the room his daughter lay in. He knelt, kissing her cheek gently. He never realized how much she had made him happy. Standing, he shut the door behind him before he headed down the hall toward Miranda.

She had disappeared from sight but Mick knew she'd never leave her daughter. "Miranda, talk to me."

"I don't want to talk," Miranda's voice snapped. He knew she was somewhere in the dark but he couldn't identify where. "You didn't seem to want to talk either."

"Miranda, I couldn't let you die," Mick walked slowly into the room. "Not even for our child."

"Just leave, Mick," Miranda appeared a few feet in front of him. "Get out and never come back."

"I can't leave you," He pointed over his shoulder. "I can't leave her."

Miranda flew at him, punching, kicking and biting. "GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!" She refused to be gentle. She attacked with all that was in her.

The only thing that saved Mick was the fact that he was a good forty years older than her. He managed to stop most of the worst blows. He knew she needed to let this out. Soon enough she would be worn out and easier to reason with.

Sure enough a few minutes later, both vampires were sitting on the floor in silence expect for her sobs. Mick was sitting cross-legged with Miranda curled in his lap. Her hands clutched his shirt while she sobbed into his neck. Mick held her as tight as he could, as she sobbed.

"I'm sorry," became Mick's mantra as he rocked her. "I'm sorry, Miranda. I'm so sorry." He wished he could have taken the pain back. He wished he could have saved her another way. But deep within he knew this was the only way for them. It was the only chance she had.

About dawn, Mick felt her finally stop. "Can we take her home, Miranda?"

Miranda didn't respond. He looked down to find her asleep. He carried her to Zoe's room. Zoe was sitting quietly on the bed with her bag next to her.

"I heard mommy crying," Zoe whispered. "So I decided to wait here till you or mommy came to get me."

"We're going home now, Zoe," Mick said, nodding that she could come with him. They went down stairs to his car. He slipped Miranda into the passenger seat while Zoe climbed into the back. She buckled up on her own.

"What's wrong with Mommy?" Zoe asked, as Mick climbed into the car and started it.

"She's just upset about something," Mick said, turning onto the highway. "It's nothing you did."

"Oh," Zoe said. "Do I have to go to school today?"

"No," Mick shook his head. "Not today." As drove he thought, "In fact, how would like to spend the day with Uncle Josef?"

"YAY!" Zoe began to bounce in her seat.

Mick smiled, grabbing his phone. "Josef," he said, listening as the phone dialed.

One ring and Josef said, "Did you find them?"

"Yes," Mick said, glancing at his wife who was still unconscious in the passenger seat. "Can you watch Zoe for the day?"

Josef didn't even think about it. "I'm at the office, meet me and I'll take the girl."

"Miranda's out cold," Mick added, glancing at her.

"I'll meet you by the curb," Josef said. "You need to work this out."

Mick sighed. "I only hope we can."

"Anything's possible, buddy," Josef said, a smile obvious on his lips.

"Yeah, I'll see you soon," Mick hung up.

"Daddy, is Mommy alright?" Zoe sounded worried.

"Mommy's fine, baby girl," Mick said, smiling at her in the rearview mirror. "She's just tired."

"Why did Mommy take me to that house? Why was she crying?"

"Mommy was just upset," Mick reached on hand back to Zoe, and patted her knee. "But it'll be fine. I promise."

Zoe nodded and the drive turned silent. Mick kept checking Miranda but she appeared to be down for the count. He pulled up in front of Konstan Industries surprised to find the owner and CEO pacing the sidewalk.

Josef rushed to the car, as Mick pulled up next to the curb. He looked first at Miranda, still unconscious in the front seat then at Zoe, who waved happily. "Call me, when you want her back," Josef put on a smile for Zoe as he opened her door.

He spread his arms wide, "Come here, girly."

Zoe scrambled out of the car and into Josef's arms, who picked her up and shut the door at the same time. He held her on his hip. "Work it out, Mick" He gave Zoe a squeeze, which causes her to giggle. "I've got her. And she won't be going anywhere."

Josef's hidden meaning wasn't missed by Mick, who nodded. Josef wouldn't give the girl up without a serious fight and he may look weak but with 400 years on his side, next to no one could win against him. Including, Miranda, should she try to take the girl and run again. He would guard the girl with life, if for no other reason, than that Mick was his best friend.

Without another word, Josef turned and disappeared into his building with the girl. Mick looked at his wife then put the car in gear. He knew hell was to pay when she woke up and he only hoped the devil took credit cards.

I'm SORRY! I know it's been forever. The last few months have been utter crap, in so many ways. I have been just waiting for the next thing, so I haven't been updating anything. Too appease you all, I will be updating with two chapters this time and I have set reminds for myself to update every MONDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY from now until the story is finished.