Chapter 39: Comfort

Mick looked up as Beth came in through the garage from girls night. Beth looked over at him as she slipped off her shoes, "I didn't think you'd beat me home."

"Not by much. I just sent the sitter home about ten minutes ago. Did you have fun?"

Beth set her bag down and headed towards him. "We did. Got plans sorted out for the bachelorette party. I hope you don't mind but I told Allie she could sleep at the loft after."

Mick opened his arms for Beth to join him on the couch. "That's fine. Only Allie right?"

Beth leaned in close, "Why do you ask?"

Moving a strand of blonde hair out of her face he kissed her lips softly before answering. "I just wanted to know if I'd be stuck spending the night alone."

Beth grinned, "Nope I'll be sleeping here with my handsome husband next to me."

"I like the sound of that."

Beth patted his chest, "Did you check on our girl when you sent the babysitter home?"

Mick rubbed her arm, "You know me. She's sound asleep."

"That's good. What do you plan to do with what's left of the night?"

Looking down at his beautiful wife, her long blonde hair, expressive blue eyes, her supple lips that just begged to be kissed he couldn't help but think how lucky he was. "Nothing planned. Though I'd use this time alone with my beautiful wife to ravage her."

Beth giggled, "That sounds like a wonderful night to me." She stood up out of his lap, "I'll meet you in there."

Mick shook his head, "You're going to check on her too huh?"

"Guilty. I just want to see her."

Mick stood with her and kissed her forehead, "Go check on our angel."

Josef was relaxing back against the leather sofa in his silk pajama bottoms and his matching robe hanging open when Jean came home. Jean sees him sipping a drink and walks over to him smiling, "Did you have fun?"

Josef took a sip of his drink before answering. "I did. I won most of the hands."

Jean sat down next to him, "I had no doubt."

Since she came in Josef could tell something was on Jean's mind. Something was troubling her. "How was your time with the girls?"

"We got some details sorted out for the party."

"That's all," he ventured hoping she would simply tell him.

"We talked. You know us women always something to talk about." She took his drink from his hand and took a sip.

"Anything you care to talk about?"

Jean shrugged, "Mostly just girl talk."

Sighing Josef pulls her hands into his taking the glass back and setting it on the metal side table. "Something is bothering you Jean. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to but I want you to know I'm here if you do."

Touched by his concern Jean looked at their hands. She should tell him and get it off her chest. She knew that but she wasn't completely sure how she felt about it yet. Her mind was still spinning. But Josef was right, he was so good at reading her.

Looking up into his eyes Jean took a breath. "You remember I told you Danielle came to me about wanting to be turned?"

Josef nodded, "I do."

"She said it was up to Coop. She wouldn't do it without him." Josef kept her hands in his giving them a squeeze as her normally radiant smile fell. "Well he decided he doesn't want this. Danielle isn't going to become a vampire."

Josef pulled Jean into his embrace hugging her to his body. "I'm sorry baby."

Jean felt tears fall against his neck. "I respect her decision. She made it with the man she loves, she's doing what's right for her family. I know that but…"

"Selfishly you wanted your friend to have forever."

Jean nodded against him, "I just thought…I just thought for a little while that I wasn't going to have to lose her. She's my closest friend and I can't stand the thought of losing her."

Josef continues to hold her stroking her back trying to soothe her. "I know baby. I'm so sorry." He didn't know what to say to make this better. This wasn't a problem he could fix for her.

They sat like that for a long time before Jean had ran out of tears for the loss she was now bound to face. When she sat back she knew she was a mess. Josef brushed the hair from her face, "Are you going to be okay my love?"

She smiled at him and nodded. "I feel better now. I think it just hit me hard."

"You had your hopes set high when she told you she wanted this life."

"I think you're right." She leaned in to give him a peck on the lips. "I'm going to go clean myself up. I'm a mess."

Josef stood up with her not letting go of her arm, "A beautiful mess."

Jean rewarded his charm with another smile which was all he wanted. "Charmer."

"Always for you my Jean. Go on…I'll be waiting here for you."

Jean disappeared upstairs while Josef headed to one of the downstairs bathrooms and used a rag to wipe her tears from his neck and chest. They were as painful as silver to him, seeing the woman he loved so upset.

When Jean came back down he was waiting with two glasses of blood. She had changed into a simple camisole that was sexy yet comfortable. Josef had her drink the glass, always taking care of her before taking her hand and leading her back up the stairs. When he pulled her towards the bed Jean leaned in and kissed him wrapping her arms around his neck.

Josef lifted her up and settled them side by side in the center of the large bed before pulling back. He reached up and clicked the remote that kept the bed cooled and relaxed against the pillows pulling Jean against him as he stroked her back. "No freezer?"

Josef looked down at her, "Not tonight."

Jean knew what he was doing. Crying in a freezer never turned out well. It was rather painful in fact. Happy with this man and all he did for her Jean snuggled up to him resting her head perfectly against his shoulder and kissed his neck. "Thank you for always taking care of me Josef."

Josef kissed her temple, "I'll always take care of you Jean, always."

To Be Continued…

Evilous