Hey everyone,

So so sorry. I meant to post this last night I had it open to post and was re-reading it and all then I sorta...fell asleep. LOL Yeah at 7pm I passed out cold lol. So yes because it's my bad I won't make you wait any longer. I won't be here tonight family coming for the night/tomrrow going to say hi. So sorry for the delay.

Chapter 13: Venting

"I really wish I could remember something more," Grace sat back in the plus chair on the covered patio.

Jean sat across from her checking in on her seeing if she'd remembered anything more while she was asleep. Jean knew what Mick and Beth had found out which meant it was highly unlikely that she would remember anything. "That's okay Grace my friends and the police will figure it out."

"They think I might have killed someone," she confessed. "I overheard some of the officers talking. They think I'm faking my memory loss to get away with murder. They think it's Nolan."

Grace's heartbeat became erratic as she started breathing shallow breaths once more. Jean needed to keep her calm, "Hey don't listen to malicious gossip."

"But if it is his blood…if Nolan is dead I'm happy." She began to cry. "You know what he did to me…I wanted to be free but…I really don't know if I did anything. What if they're right? What if I killed him then blocked it all out?"

"Stop that," Jean moved to sit on her knees in front of Grace. Taking her hands she spoke in a soothing voice. "Listen to me, people talk about things they don't understand including cops. You need to listen to me though that the person in charge of the investigation won't listen to that. Lt. Davis will find out the truth and so will my friends. I promise you and I don't think you hurt anyone."

After a few haggard deep breaths Grace began to calm down. She was a total wreck but she knew she needed to pull herself together. Jean hands over some tissues and Grace wipes her eyes clear to see someone standing at the door to the main house.

Jean turns to see Danielle standing there with a confused expression. Motioning her to come over Jean turns back to Grace. "Grace this is my dear friend Danielle. Danielle, Grace."

They nodded and murmured hellos but nothing else. "I'm sorry I can come back at another time," Danielle started.

Grace shook her head, "No you stay and talk to Jean. She's been wonderful to me I'll go back in and rest some more."

Jean could see Grace really should lie down and let her slip away back to the guest house. Turning to Danielle they hugged for a moment while Danielle began, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude."

"Nonsense you are never an intrusion. How are you? I can tell you have something heavy weighing on your mind."

Looking in the direction of the guest house Danielle doesn't speak. Jean explains the situation briefly with Grace to Danielle. Danielle sat back completely astonished, "That's horrible."

"It is. But what is on your mind?"

"No you have enough on your plate without me unloading my worries on you." Danielle really didn't need to put this on her friend she could handle it. The idea of talking it out had seemed like a good plan but not now.

"Danielle, you know if you don't tell me now I'm going to be concentrating all my energy on figuring out what's wrong with you. You mid as well tell me."

Smiling at her best friend Danielle sits forward, elbows on knees and face in her hands. "I talked to Coop last night. I told him that for a long time now I've been wondering about…what it'd be like to be a vampire."

Jeans smile widened, "You want to be a vampire?" She'd silently hoped her friend would want to become a vampire and live forever for the selfish reason of not wanting to lose her.

"Yeah at first I couldn't imagine it but then…all my friends have become vampires. My baby brother is going to be a vampire. Everyone I'm close to will live forever and never age accept me and Coop. Well and the kids but you don't really think of them like that yet you know."

Jean nodded, "And what did Coop say?"

"Nothing. He said it was a lot to take in. I was so worried he'd pull away but he hasn't…but he also hasn't given me any type of answer or even a hint as to what he thinks about it."

"That is a lot to take in," Jean tried. "You have the boys to consider."

"I know but Mick and Beth make it work. Coop was even the first one to say Seth and Allie could make it work with the baby so why not us?"

"I don't know." Jean had no idea what was going on in Coop's head. "Just give him some time sweetie. He loves you beyond words he'll talk to you about it."

"But what if he doesn't want it? I don't want to do it without him, to live forever as he ages and dies but…how can he not want it?"

Jean ran her hand up and down Danielle's arm, "Don't stress it. Just wait and see. There's no deadline or anything so just enjoy your family and worry about that when he is ready to talk about it."

Danielle nodded, "You're right. I knew that I just…I think hearing it from someone else helped."

Unable to help herself she asked, "So you've been thinking about becoming a vampire for a while?"

Laughing Danielle shook her head, "I mean yeah. You, Candice, Beth, Seth. I know it'd be difficult but I'm sure we could make it work. And with the research going so well…it might not even have to change some things."

"You mean the sun?"

"Yeah I'm still doing the test trials but so far the results look promising."

"Well when Coop is ready to talk about it just tell him how you feel. And if you need a vampire there to explain anything I'm more than happy to help."

"Thanks Jean," she leaned forward and hugged her friend. "I'll let you get back to your patient."

"You're more than welcome. She went to rest I'm going to find my husband instead."

To Be Continued…

Evilous