Chapter Sixteen

Mick carried Miranda upstairs without much work. Unsure what to do with her brought her to their room and laid her gently on the bed. He locked them in, then he laid down beside her.

Mick looked Miranda over. Her black hair was spread out around her head. Her skin looked as pale as it ever had. Her features were prefect. Her lips had just enough natural color to make Mick want to kiss her. His eyes traveled down to her stomach. It was flat as ever. He brought a hand over and let it rest on her abdomen.

Miranda's eyes flew open; her hand caught his wrist in an iron grip. Her eyes flew over to him. Two things were visible in his eyes; hurt and love. It was the weirdest combination he'd ever seen.

"I love you, Miranda," Mick whispered, reaching up with his free hand to brush her hair out of her face.

Miranda sighed, pain clear in her voice. "Mick, I begged you."

"You…Miranda, I couldn't let you die," Mick whispered. "I can't raise Zoe by myself. Let alone another one."

Miranda snuggled into his arms, as though trying to burrow under his skin, needing somewhere to hide. Mick kissed her head gently, hugging her close to his body.

"Tell me again," Miranda whispered. "Tell that you love me, again."

"I love you," Mick lifted her chin. "I love you with all that is within me."

Miranda watched him a moment then kissed him. He responded and they found themselves entangled in unrestrained love making.

Miranda woke with a start in the double wide freezer that she hadn't been in for what seemed like a very long while. She glanced next to her but found only a note lying next to a glass of blood. 'Had to go do some work. Will see you later. Zoe's getting dropped off around 8 pm but I hope to be back by then. All my love ~ Mick'

Climbing out of bed, Miranda got dressed and downed the blood. She smiled at the note and stuck it in the back pocket of her jeans. She wandered the apartment. Pain still held onto her but she refused to let herself dwell in it.

Plopping on the couch, Miranda hugged the pillow and turned on the television.

After a long time, a knock drew Miranda from the coma that daytime television had put her in. Turning the annoying box off, she rose to answer the door. On the tiny screen by the door was Josef, holding a sleeping Zoe in his arms. "Open the door, Miranda, I know you're there."

Miranda opened the door. "You're early," Glancing at the wall, the clock read only 4pm.

"I know, I'm not here just to return Zoe," Josef pushed past her, rushing the unconscious girl upstairs to her bed before appearing next to Miranda again. "I came to talk to you." Without Mick's interference, was left unsaid.

Miranda shut the door. "I don't want to talk," she whispered, crossing her arms.

Josef watched her. "Miranda…"

"Don't, I'm begging, Josef," Miranda flopped into Mick's favorite chair and curled up, her chin rested on her knees. "I just want to forget this whole thing ever happened"

"Ignoring it may not be what you should do about this, Miranda."

"I can't think on it, Josef," Miranda closed her eyes tight, feeling him walking up behind her. "I can't!"

Josef reached out, taking Miranda's shoulders in his skilled fingers, soothing her stressed muscles. "I'm sorry, doll."

Miranda began to cry, her whole frame shaking. "I wanted that baby so bad, Josef. I wanted to be normal."

"Why?" Josef asked, in a whisper, still rubbing her neck. "Or are you really Mick's twin in every way?"

Miranda chuckled, her head still on her knees. "I never hated what I was till I had the chance to have a family."

"You have a family, Miranda." Josef appeared in front of her, his hands on her knees, causing her to lift her head to look at him. "You have a husband and a daughter. You have what most people dream about. You have all the normal things of life but all the joys of immortality. You never have worry about aging. You'll always be perfect."

Miranda snorted. "Perfect? What is perfect, Josef?"

Josef tapped his fist under her chin. "Don't be down, pumpkin. Besides, if you really want a baby, adopt."

She half smiled at him as another knock sounded on the door.

Putting her hand on Josef's shoulder, Miranda rose to her feet and went to the door. A short, grey haired woman stood at the door. She held a file in her hand. She knocked again as Miranda pulled the door open. "Mrs. St. John?"

"Miranda, please," Miranda said, feeling Josef approach behind her. "You are?"

"I'm Janice Smith, with child services. I'm here to check on Zoe, and to finalize the papers." She looked past Miranda. "Mr. St. John?"

Miranda cracked a smile. "No, this is our family friend-"

"Josef Konstan, ma'am," Josef said, smoothly, holding out his hand.

"The 'Josef Konstan'" The woman said, her eyes widening, as she returned his handshake.

Miranda chuckled, "Why don't you come in? I'll go get Zoe."

Ms. Smith walked in as Miranda shut the door and headed upstairs. Zoe was out cold, when Miranda began to stoke her cheek. Pretty baby blue eyes opened, "You're cold again, mommy."

Miranda nodded. "I know, baby girl."

"Does that mean you're normal again?" Zoe asked, sitting up.

Miranda nodded again. "Yeah, back to normal."

"But the baby died, didn't she?"

"How did you know that, baby?"

"You got sick and then were warm when you had the baby inside" Zoe said. "When you're cold you aren't sick but the baby can't be cold."

"You are very smart," Miranda whispered.

Zoe beamed. "I know."

"Come on, a lady from social services wants to talk to you," Miranda said, holding out a hand to Zoe.

Zoe frowned. "Do they want to take me away?"

Miranda knelt, at Zoe's level. "Mick and I would never let that happen to you, baby girl."

Zoe began to sob. "Then why is she here?"

"She wants to make you an official St. John, baby," Miranda lifted the tiny girl into her arms, and headed downstairs.

Ms. Smith and Josef were sitting together on the couch. Ms. Smith smiled at Zoe. "You must be, Ms. Zoe"

Zoe nodded, as Miranda set her down and sat down in Mick's chair. Zoe stood right next to Miranda's shoulder.

Ms. Smith turned to Miranda. "Is there anywhere Zoe and I can speak for a few minutes?"

Miranda nodded, "Yes, of course." She led the little girl and Ms. Smith to Mick's office. "I'll be in the living room."

Josef took Miranda's shaking hard as she leaned her head against the wall. "Is there anything that they could say to take her, Josef?"

"No, you crazy woman," Josef said, giving her hand a squeeze.

Ten long minutes pasted before Zoe and Ms. Smith returned from the office. Zoe looked tired, and rushed to Miranda, hugging both Josef and Miranda closed as could at the same time. Both adults shared a look before looking to Ms. Smith.

"I think that's we all need," Ms. Smith set a piece of paper on the counter, it was the adopt certificate. Miranda walked closer. Adoptive father, Adoptive mother, both were blank, along with the two witness lines.

Mick walked in the front door as Miranda just stared at the page. Ms. Smith smiled. "Mr. St. John?"

Mick looked between them all, as he said, "Yes."

"I have the finalization papers for you to sign," Ms. Smith smiled, again. She waved at the paper that Miranda was still staring at.

Walking over, Mick leaned over Miranda's shoulder to kiss her cheek. He whispered, vampire low in her ear, "You alright?"

Miranda nodded, her fingers stroking the paper in front of her.

"All you have to do is sign," Ms. Smith said, holding out a pen to Miranda's hand. Miranda took it and signed her name with a flourish. Mick took the pen, and signed his name before turning to Josef who was leaning against the counter. Josef smiled, signing his name with a few quick flicks of his wrist. Ms. Smith was the last to sign. "We'll file these and you'll get your copy in a few days. Congratulations." She went to the door and Mick followed closing the door behind her.

Miranda turned, scooping Zoe up in a rush. "You're mine!" Zoe giggled loudly, as Miranda tickled her.

Mick chuckled, wrapping his arms around them both. "And you're both mine."

"Don't I feel left out," Josef laughed, with a smile.

"Uncle Josef," Mick gave his oldest friend a playful punch in the shoulder.

Josef cracked a smile. "Yeah, now, if you'll excuse me, I must find Aunt Aubrey." His eyes twinkled.

Having never actually deabt with the adoption process I ask that you forgive me for any mistakes you find.

SAME AS LAST CHAPTER - 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.