Chapter 34: Vampire Talk

Coop made his way towards Mick and Beth's loft trying to form out all his questions before he got to the door. He'd heard the case was over and had called Mick to see when they could meet so he could ask the questions.

Mick opened the door as Coop arrived and brought him inside, "Would you like a drink?"

"Not right now but I might need one before I leave."

Mick could tell something serious was on Coops mind. He was tense and he didn't have to be a vampire to figure that much out. Also he could scent fear on him which concerned him.

"What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"How's Kayla?" Coop sat down starting with simple things.

Mick grinned hearing his daughters name, "She's perfect. Well…she had an incident at school yesterday. A bully who was picking on some of the girls. She's fine it just brought up some old feelings."

"Oh man I'm sorry. Dani and I are making sure we teach the boys to be nice to others."

"Thanks man that's all we can do is teach our kids better."

Coop didn't say anything else for a few minutes. "I doubt you came here to ask how Kayla was doing."

Coop gave a half laugh, "No I didn't. Guess I'm just avoiding the real reason."

"Does it have to do with Danielle?"

He nodded. "She's considering becoming like you…a vampire. She wanted to know how I felt about the whole thing and I get it I do. Her friends. Even her little brother is going to be one of you and I get it you're all like family to use but…"

Coop dropped his head into his hands as he sighed. "I guess I just thought we'd be enough for her. You know me and the boys."

Mick understood the fear now. Coop felt he might lose Danielle to this life. "Hey man. I'm sure you and the boys are enough for her."

He didn't speak so Mick continued, "Is this why you wanted to talk to me? Ask me about being a vampire so you could understand it better?"

"Yeah," he admitted. "I was confused but she swears it can work if we want it. I was worried about the boys and how things would be with them but you have Kayla so I thought you'd be the best one to ask."

Mick gave him an understanding nod and stood up and fetched them both a drink. Handing the tumbler to Coop her took a sip of his own. "Honestly, I never thought I'd ever wish this lifestyle on another soul but Beth blew into my life she's shown me what a gift it can be if you let it." He snorted, "I still think it's a gift one should know and choose for themselves and not have forced upon them."

"Isn't it dangerous especially with kids around?"

"Sure." Mick took another drink. "There are risks with anything really but these are unnecessary given you're not in a bind. Every fledgling is different but when first turned you crave blood and sex. They go together in your mind and you want them more than anything. Eventually you are socialized with humans slowly and you learn to adjust. It's been my experience that the stronger the connection is with a person the easier it is to get past the food part."

"How so?"

"When Candice was turned she was near Beth pretty soon but she didn't have any desire to hurt Beth. Same thing with Beth. She was a fast recovery, she wanted to see her little girl again."

"What kind of risks are there?"

"There are very few instances where the vampire turns a person but they never wake up from the transition. No longer human but not waking up as a vampire. If not socialized and guided one could become feral. Then of course you could hurt someone."

Coop shuddered.

"You also can't be out in the sunlight for too long or you feel weak and hungry. Extreme heat isn't great either. You sleep in a freezer, you give up enjoying food and drink blood."

"That sounds horrible. No offense."

"None taken. It is hard sometimes but its easier since Beth has become a vampire. We can sleep together all night long again, I don't have to worry about hurting her when we're intimate."

"What do you mean?"

Mick grinned, "Even after you're fully adjusted your sex drive is sorta always amped up. You have more power, more strength, more stamina. Plus once I started biting her upon…completion I had to be sure I didn't take too much or too often." Mick felt like he could blush talking about his sex life. He was used to Josef making jokes, it was Josef after all.

"So with all that why would someone want to do it?"

"For Beth it was love. She couldn't stand the idea of not being with me and honestly I couldn't stand the idea myself. She knew the risks and she wanted it anyways to be with me and I thank the stars every day for that." Mick looked at Coop with happiness clear on his face.

"There are other perks to being a vampire as well. The strength and stamina yeah but the other is hard to explain. You can sense things…feelings. It makes things easier in my line of work for sure but also with Kayla. I can hear your heartbeat right now, and over time I've learned to distinguish the speeds to tell when someone is lying for example. But with Kayla it's more of a reassuring thing, like a baby monitor we can know she is safe." Mick grinned, "And when she gets older and God help me finds a boyfriend I can know what his intentions are."

Coop chuckled at that one. His face becomes serious again though, "I love Dani I do and I really like you all. Do you think the others would hate me if I decided against this? Do you think Dani would resent me?"

Mick shook his head, "No one will hate you Coop. You are a good man and this life isn't for everyone. You've asked questions, you got to know the situation before making a decision no one can fault you for not choosing this life."

Coop finished his drink and set the glass down, "Thanks Mick. If you don't mind not saying anything to anyone about this. I don't want to tell Danielle until after Christmas."

Mick stood up with Coop, "Understandable. Which reminds me Beth was wondering where we were meeting at this year."

Coop smiled, "Yeah let's allow the women to figure that out. We just show up."

Mick laughed as he stood at the doorway, "Sounds good to me."

To Be Continued…

Evilous