Chapter 38: After

Mick wakes in bed and is greeted by the sight of his two favorite people sleeping soundly. After taking a moment to enjoy the peace and beauty of it he sat up softly reaching out a hand to Kayla's forehead to check her temperature. Her body seemed to be cooling down, the fever had broken. She'd been a trooper through this bug so far. So much so she didn't even know about the battle that had taken place downstairs.

Shifting his attention to Beth Mick brushed the hair from her face happy to see the blood had left her perfect once again. No bruises marring her beautiful face, showing the ugliness of the night before.

Beth opened her eyes and found Mick watching her. She gave him a smile before looking down at their little girl between them. "Her fever seems to have broken. She's much cooler than last night," he said in sub tones so as not to wake Kayla.

"She's a strong girl," Beth replied kissing Kayla's temple before slowly sliding herself up.

"Just like her mother."

Kayla stayed sound asleep as Mick and Beth wiggled out of bed and to the hall. "Come on let's go get you something to eat."

Beth grinned, "You take sure good care of me."

Mick wrapped his arm around her as they descended the stairs. There was no sign that a fight had taken place here. All traces were wiped away by the Cleaner. Beth smirked seeing the tree stump end table was missing.

His grip around her tightened slightly seeing the scene of the crime. He did try to take care of his family but he couldn't deny that he had been the cause of so much pain. He's the reason she knew the horrors that Coraline could inflict. He brought the witch into her life.

He poured Beth and him a drink as his mind wandered to the countless times Coraline had hurt her. Beth could see the faraway look in his eyes and knew something was wrong. Running her hand up his arm she pulled his attention back to her. "What's the matter Mick?"

Mick lets out a heavy breath he didn't realize he was holding. "I almost lost you."

"But you didn't," Beth leaned into him to reassure him.

"Beth it's all my fault. I'm the reason Coraline was ever in your life."

"Hey," Beth reached up and held his face in her hands. "I know everything remember. I know if she hadn't taken me when I was a child I never would have had my guardian angel. I never would have met you again at the fountain. We never would have fallen in love. We wouldn't have that amazing girl up there. So yeah you brought Coraline into my life but I got you too."

Her thumbs moved up his jaw and to his lips. "She caused problems sure but she's dead now. All the bad she's done is over. All that remains is the good she caused without realizing it."

Mick wrapped her in his arms and pulled her to his lips. He kissed her with every ounce of passion he possessed, and she responded in same. His hands roamed over her body up under his shirt she was wearing touching her bare skin as he pressed himself against her.

They pulled back instantly when they heard the soft cry, "Momma? Daddy?"

Mick gave a small smile, "Coming sweetie."

Turning to Beth he pulled her in for one last kiss before pulling back to school away his other half. "I'll go check on her," she kissed his cheek once more and started to walk away. "While you're cooling down can you check and see how Candice is doing?" Mick nodded and watched her head upstairs.

Beth opened the door and made her way over to Kayla sitting on the bed beside her brushing the hair from her face. "How are you feeling today sweetie?"

"I still don't feel good…but I don't hurt as much."

Beth gave a smile, "That's good. Means you're getting better. You'll be good as new soon."

"Where are we?"

Taking Kayla's hand in hers Beth kept her voice soft. "We're at the loft. Do you remember us coming here yesterday?"

Kayla scrunched up her face trying to remember but shook her head. "We were at Uncle Josef's while you and Daddy work."

"We were but we moved here since it has the secure room. Remember the one Daddy and I told you about?" Kayla nodded. "Daddy and Uncle Josef and almost all his guards went and took care of everything."

"So the bad lady is gone?"

"She'll never come back again," Beth assured.

Mick made his way into the door holding a bottle of medicine Allie had left them. "I have something that will help make you feel all better."

Kayla held out her hand ready for it as Mick quickly poured the dosage into the little lid and handed it to her. She drank it quickly making a funny face, "Yuck. Why does it have to taste so icky?"

Mick chuckled, "You know I've always wondered that myself."

"Since the bad lady is gone do we get to go home?"

Beth looked at Mick who nodded. "I think that sounds like a great idea. But you are going to be resting you know."

"I know, I just want my bed."

"Then we will get you there. Momma and I will go get dressed and then we'll head home okay?"

She nodded laying back in the covers. Mick pulled Beth out of bed and towards the closet, "I couldn't get through to David but I called Allie. She said when she left Candice still hadn't regained consciousness but that she had high hopes."

Beth nodded, "If she wasn't dead I'd kill her again for doing that to her."

"I know baby." Mick rubbed her shoulder for a moment before reaching for something to wear. They needed to get their girl home, there was still more to wrap up but they were safe.

To Be Continued…

Evilous