Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

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Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

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Title: Stealing Home
Author: redwinter101
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own Moonlight or any of its characters
Note: this story follows on from Homecoming, which was based on an AU story idea by sabazzz. If you haven't read that, here's a little summary: at the end of Sonata, Mick didn't go back. He kept on walking down that hallway and out of Beth's life for five years, during which time he moved to New York and Beth had a daughter, Andi. Finally, a case brought them back together and this story is set a few months later. Marta is Beth's live-in friend/housekeeper/surrogate grandmother to Andi. And she's Polish.

Although this isn't a Christmas story, it is in holiday spirit of fluff, fluff and more fluff.

That's it! Hope you enjoy.

*************************************************************************************************************


For Anthony, who I don't thank often enough and without whom...



--- Stealing Home ---


Bittersweet, dark, a hint of spicy chicory. Mick paused at the threshold of the elevator, savouring the scent of home. His sanctuary for most of the last thirty years now only felt like home when Beth was here, waiting, living, breathing. And making coffee. The short walk to the door was enough to shed the remnants of his night's work, case forgotten, a step away from dark to light, the early morning sun streaming across the room as he moved in, heading for the blonde in the kitchen.

"Morning, beautiful," her hair swept aside, a glide of lips across the back of her neck. "Something smells good, and it's not just the coffee."

The curve of his smile against her skin drew her own, "Mmmmm, morning." Beth leant into him, drawing his arms around her, hiding her everyday, secret moment of inspection, "How was your night?" No blood, no pain, he was safe and whole.

"Quiet. Frustrating. No progress." Mick paused, head cocked, searching for a second heartbeat, "I thought Andi was staying here last night?"

"No, she's at ho-. She's at my place." Mick heard the pause, her cover. His home, but still not theirs. "She's got a playdate this morning. Marta's taking her, and I," her whisper kiss, pulling away, grabbing jacket and purse on her way to the door, "need to get to work."

He beat her to the doorway, hand outstretched to block, to pull her back to him. "Be late."

The temptation of his mouth at her throat, to succumb to his hands, to steal another moment in their routine of never enough. She broke away, "The realtor called to reschedule." Her unspoken "again" hung heavy.

Mick opened his mouth to speak, to make his excuses of half-truth and evasion. "Beth, I…" but she was already through the door. "Beth," tracking her along the hallway. He caught her at the elevator, a superstitious prickle warning him not to let these be their last words this morning. "Wait, please. Let me explain." Mick winced at the ugly smudge of disappointment etched in her profile as she turned.

"If you don't want to leave here, to start again somewhere new," her half-stifled sigh, "we'll work something out. I have no idea how we're going to do that, but we will. I just," biting her lip, eyes downcast, "I just want more. I want all of it, Mick." She stepped away, pressing the button for the parking garage.

"I love you."

"I know," as the doors slid shut.

Once again the hallway was empty and cold, her lingering scent fading. Mick was alone. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Fight and struggle and pain and loss had brought them back together, their continuous happy ending, facing the path ahead as one.

He clenched his fists in frustration, futility, a swell of regret as he stepped back to the loft, closing the door softly. He remembered the pull of this place; no matter how long he had been away he'd never really left. It was a place of memory not a place to make a future. Eight months ago he would have walked through fire to be with her again but now he hesitated over bricks and mortar. The part of himself that resided in the fabric of this space was his past.

He paced a tetchy circuit, not touching, absorbing the sense, the feel of his home. A lifelong search for connection, as child, man, brother, son, friend, husband, vampire, lover, somehow had invested this place with a power, a hold over him.

It was time.

He pulled out his phone and dialled. "Josef. I need your help."


*****************************


Once his mind was made up, it only took a few days for desire to become reality, a whirl of realtors, designers, lawyers eager to please; the world moved fast when you used Josef Kostan's name. Beth had stayed away, avoided, weary of the search for compromise, for a solution where love alone wasn't enough. Now the time had come to make good on his promises and Mick arrived at her door firm of intent, conviction in his heart.

"Mick!" Andi's usual squeal of greeting as he let himself in, a lunge, a death grip around his neck, a squirm as she tried to reach tiny arms around his body.

"Well hey there, little one. You all ready to have some fun today?" A nod, a smile as she rested against him. The feel of her in his arms, regular, everyday, magnificent.

"I hope you know Marta's missing her bridge club for this little jaunt. It had better be worth it." Beth moved to kiss him, brief but warm. There was no anger but the strain of the past few days lingered, dark circles under her eyes, the trace of a frown.

"It will be," Mick smiled, "and that's all you're getting."

"Still my man of mystery." Another kiss, closer, "I've missed you."

"I'm sorry." He pulled her near, "Trust me." Eyes closed, cheek to cheek, willing her to believe.

"Always."

Mick felt her smile, the tension ease as he moved away, "We'll be back mid-afternoon. You're still okay for later?"

"It'd be much easier if I knew what you had planned. I have no idea what to wear."

Mick leaned in, his whisper, "I don't care." A snatched kiss and they were out the door in a tumble of jackets and bags and smiles and excitement.

Marta insisted on sitting in the back with Andi. The Mercedes was her kind of car, a reminder of past grandeur, and the drive had the feel of an old-fashioned family outing as they played I-Spy, craned to see the city landmarks retreating, admired the luxury of the gated palaces as they passed. A cool breeze, a clear day, and a destination ahead. They pulled off the highway heading closer to the ocean, the rush of breakers growing ever louder.

A smooth circle of dazzling driveway brought them to their destination and the chatter from the back seat came to an abrupt halt as they surveyed the beautiful, imposing house, set on three floors of concrete and glass, stretching down to the beach and up to the sky.

"Here we are." Mick stepped out and opened Marta's door with a flourish, his hand offered, as always.

"And where is 'here'?" Marta asked.

Clutching Andi's hand, Mick linked arms with Marta and moved to the front door, jangling a set of keys with a knowing smile. "Let's go in, shall we?"

Marta was uncharacteristically quiet as they walked though the entrance into the main living area, a vast expanse, glass-fronted, looking out across golden sand to the shore. Mick hid a grin behind his fist at her awe-struck gasp. He'd had a similar reaction on his first visit and had hoped for the same from her. She turned to face him, "Why are we here, Mick? Whose house is this?"

"You like it?"

"It's amazing." She moved through to the kitchen, an artwork of steel and glass, on, room after room, Andi dashing in and out, round and round in a whirl of wonder. Up the open staircase they climbed, checking out the bedrooms, barren but beautiful, out to the upper sundeck, overlooking the pool beneath. The plaster was worn and crumbling, a general air of tired abandonment, of emptiness, as though the house itself were waiting to come to life again.

"Being this close to the ocean has taken its toll - it needs a lot of work." Mick flicked idly at the terrace masonry.

Marta finally understood the purpose of their visit, "You want to move here with Beth and Andi, to make this your home?"

Mick nodded, "I'm sure she's told you that I've been… stalling about moving out of the loft. Well, she's waited long enough but I needed to make sure Andi likes it. If she's going to live here, she gets to choose."

Marta smiled, a tear in her eye, "It's a beautiful house, Mick. I never imagined my Beth living anywhere this," she waved her arm over the imposing vista, "glamorous. And it's good that it needs to be fixed up, something you can do together, make it yours."

Mick grinned, "That's what I was hoping you'd say - and I hope Beth feels the same."

Hoisting an over-excited Andi onto his hip Mick cast an arm around around Marta's shoulders, "Come on. There's more to see." Returning downstairs, stepping out through a side entrance, the trio walked along a short pathway through a covered portico into the adjoining cottage. The feel was different, instant. This had been someone's home recently and the echo of family and warmth enveloped them.

"Oh, this is lovely. So bright and warm." Marta strode through the living room to the kitchen diner, trailing her hand over work surfaces, fittings, a hum of pleasure escaping, drawing Mick's grin. He knew, now, right now, everything was going to be just fine.

Marta was off then, up the stairs, brisk as her arthritis would allow and Mick could hear her huffing and puffing as she checked from room to room. He and Andi followed at a distance, eventually finding her gazing out a picture window, lost in thought. "You will be happy here," stoic, determined not to trample on the joy of those she loved, "and whatever you decide to do with this part of the house, it will make a beautiful home for all of you."

"Well, that's not really up to me."

Marta turned, only half-listening, contemplating her own uncertain future. She had known the day would come when she would have to move on, start again, alone, but she hadn't expected it to be so soon. "Yes, yes, yes, Beth will be the one who makes the decision. I know I'm old-fashioned but when it comes to the home, it is a woman's right."

"It is indeed. You've just got the wrong woman." He was smiling now, unable to hide any longer. Marta turned, slow to understand, unwilling to hope.

"I don't…"

"This cottage is going to be your home, Marta." For the briefest moment, a chink opened, the tiniest crack in her veneer of lovable eccentricity and Mick saw the fear beneath. Fear of age, loneliness, uselessness. "If you like it of course-" The rest of his words were smothered in a cloud of crepe and Polish as Marta sought solace in her native tongue, hugging him as her words tumbled around them. "This is going to be our home. Our home for our family. Our whole family. And as a very smart woman once told me, family's about more than DNA. So, say you'll come. Make our family complete."

She turned away, heaving, smoothing her hands down her dress before straightening, chin raised. She turned, her eyes glistening, "I wasn't sure you deserved them."

"Neither was I," Mick smiled and shrugged. "I just hope Beth agrees with you. She's either gonna love it or stake me for making a decision without consulting her." His tone was light, but his nerves were real.

Marta patted his arm, "It will be all right, Mick. You are proving to her that you are ready. That is what is important. She will see that."

"I hope you're right."

She grinned, "I'm always right."

They spent the next hour lost in plans and designs and colours and a twirl of excitement. The briefest pang as Mick realised this was how it should have been with Coraline. For the first time in over sixty years, he felt like a newly-wed, thrilled at the wonder of looking forward.

"So, have you ladies seen enough?" Mick managed to extricate Andi from the dazzling, mirrored bathroom and they headed back to the car.

"Thank you, Mick. This was… well, for once I don't have the words." Marta's approval was unequivocal, warm, final.

"The day's not over yet. Who's hungry?"

"Me, me, me," Andi wriggled as Mick buckled her into the booster seat, so incongruous against vintage leather and walnut. Settled into the cool cocoon of the Benz, they set off on the short drive to a nearby park. Mick unloaded the picnic basket and headed for the shady seclusion of a cluster of trees next to an adventure playground. Marta busied herself with blankets and plates and napkins while Mick tried to still an over-excited Andi long enough to get sunscreen out of the tube onto her face. Giggling at the greasy smears that found their way everywhere except onto her skin, Andi was finally ready to join the scattering of neighbourhood kids enjoying the warm afternoon haze. She stopped and stared at Mick for a moment, a frown of concentration forming as she pondered her next move. On some level, she knew he couldn't join her, that the shade was his as she must step into the sun. Then she was off and running, hair streaming, her gleeful laugh floating on the sunlight.

Father and grandmother, in truth if not in blood, watched with joy as she played and skipped and danced, fearless on the swing, resolutely testing her balance on the jungle gym.

A tumble and a grazed knee brought tears of shock to her eyes and a terrified vampire to her side. The blistering burn beat against him, forgotten in this, his moment in the sun as he checked, soothed, hugged, reassured. Scooping her into his arms, Mick carried her back to their shaded sanctuary, her fretful tears abating.

The morning's excitement ensured they made short work of the picnic and with hunger and thirst satisfied, drooping eyelids took over. Mick gathered Andi to his chest, lying back against the smooth bark, humming a gentle lullaby. As Marta's glasses slipped to the end of her nose, jaw falling open in a gentle snore, Andi shuffled ever tighter, the most welcome weight Mick had ever felt. The sun reached its zenith and he felt tears come, unexpected, confusing, filled with the joy of realisation, an old question finally answered. All the years he had wondered how his father would have seen his son, the vampire; fear had driven his determination to sequester himself, keep those he loved safe from the monster within. But now, he knew. For all his passions, for all those he had saved, now, for the first time he understood the meaning of unconditional love. A father's love. Smoothing his fingers through her hair, feeling her gentle rise and fall, the thump of her tiny heartbeat, he knew for this child, his child, he would slay dragons.


*****************************


"A rose for the lady."

Beth hid her smile as she raised the bloom, inhaling its sweet scent, taking in the sharp, dark suit and shirt and the smile that always took her breath, "All afternoon they've been teasing me. I tell you, those two can keep a secret." She glanced over her shoulder at Andi and Marta whispering and giggling on the couch.

"You look beautiful." Mick coiled his arm around her waist, "Shall we?"

"Don't wait up," Beth called out as she allowed Mick to lead her to the car.

He retraced the morning's journey, this time to the accompaniment of the gathering dusk and a chorus of cicadas. Beth held her questions, intrigued, feeling the spell cast around them. She inched closer, tight against him, pulling his arm around her shoulders as they pressed on through the twilight.

Pools of light from within the house softened stark edges and warmed cool concrete. Beth took Mick's hand as they walked up to the door. She knew. Instantly she knew his reason, the purpose of this visit, feeling his need, her own wish for this moment to be perfect.

Silence as she inspected, pondered, planned, smiled. With each heavy moment, moving from room to room, Mick's agitation grew, to speak, to persuade, or to wait.

Finally, she gave him his opening, "You've been busy."

His words tumbled out, "I want to start over. Fresh, clean. With you. This is somewhere we can do that. Another bit of the past put back where it belongs."

"So this is where you brought Andi and Marta?"

Mick nodded. "The whole family had to give it the once-over."

"But the loft, Mick. In so many ways it's part of you. Are you sure? What about your work, the office-"

"I've found new office space in the city and there's room for a study here so I can work when I need to. The loft's already on the market and I think I might have a buyer."

"Wow. That was fast. When you set your mind to something…" Her words trailed off as she pushed open the glass door to the poolside deck, resting against the frame, the evening breeze carrying the incoming tide.

Mick moved to her, "Does that mean?"

Her answer was in her glow, the light in her eyes, the quickening of her pulse. "I'm trying very hard to be just a little annoyed that you did all this without me."

"Mmm, how's that working out?"

Her laugh reached into him, warming, comforting, "Not so well. It's perfect."

"It needs a lot of work."

"Building something worthwhile always does. Building a home. A place of our own." She turned in his arms, "I can't believe we're really here."

"Believe it." His lips pressed to hers, the thrill of reconnection, of living up to her vision of who they could be. "Because today," he held her, "today… it's been the best day."

"And tomorrow will be even better."
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by helloeeze »

Wonderful story. Mick is a family man and lovin it. The part about understanding a father's love was very touching. I'm glad Mick got to experience that.
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by wpgrace »

Gah! Ach! Oy! :happysigh:

I gotta go wash the dishes and get the kid in the tub... so for now that's all I got. Plus I gotta re read this marvelous thing sev-er-al times... and then I will go all quotey on you...

But for just now... OMG!! :happysigh: :happysigh:
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by redwinter101 »

Thank you, ladies. Y'all are very kind. :hearts: :hearts:

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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by darkstarrising »

red,

I loved 'Homecoming' and 'Stealing Home' is a wonderful, heartwarming sequel. At the end of it I just sighed. :cloud9:

You show us a Mick unwilling to let go of the place he has called home for so long, yet one who finally comes to understand that there needs to be a home for all of them, even Marta (who I love by the way). But the real moment that got to me was this as Mick comes to understand the meaning of family and of love.
All the years he had wondered how his father would have seen his son, the vampire; fear had driven his determination to sequester himself, keep those he loved safe from the monster within. But now, he knew. For all his passions, for all those he had saved, now, for the first time he understood the meaning of unconditional love. A father's love. Smoothing his fingers through her hair, feeling her gentle rise and fall, the thump of her tiny heartbeat, he knew for this child, his child, he would slay dragons.
Your gift to all of us, and I thank you :rose:
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by lorig »

:hankie: You do this to me all the time. You turn me into a weepy little girl!! :snicker:

That was incredibly profound. Mick it seems, at least to me, finally realized what it truely means to love and be loved. For him to claim Andi as his own was just....it was...breathtaking :heart: !!!

It was perfect Red, just perfect. Ya know, I wouldn't mind another Andi, Beth, Mick, Marta story, like a proposal or a wedding...I'm just sayin' :whistle:
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by redwinter101 »

dsr, oh you are so lovely. Thank you. :smooch:

lorig, :giggle: I've already married Mick and Beth twice in Afterglow but I'll see if I can come up with yet another wedding... I agree with you about Mick and true love - I think Beth is his chance to find that on his terms and I think he'd fight for it. For all of it.

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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by allegrita »

Oh, Red!!! Red, Red, darling Red, I love this story soooooooo much. Mick is still his unilateral-action self in a lot of ways, but he's learning. He's expanding his sense of self into a sense of family. And part of that is learning to love unconditionally.

First that wonderful scene in the loft. Beth's miffed that he keeps bailing on the realtor, but she knows it's hard for him... and I love the fact that he can't stand to part with her irritated with him. The last words have to be words of love. So sweet--he's lost so much, he doesn't want to lose any more. But... she's not happy, and he knows it.

So... of course, Mick goes all singleminded and puts his loft on the market and goes off to find a family place... and suddenly realizes, ooooooops... I have to run it by the women in my life! :snicker: Oh, that scene where he asks Marta to be part of the family too--or, actually, he tells her that she IS part of the family, in his unilateral Mick way. :laugh: :heart: Oh, and the scene where she runs her hands over the counters in the little apartment... :hug:

I just loved the line where he thinks that this is what he should've done with Coraline. A little wistfulness amidst the excitement and anticipation and trepidation of this new venture. So very, very Mick. (As grace would say, he does whisper to you.)

And when she cries and tells him that she wasn't sure he deserved them... :hearts: :hearts:

And equally poignant for me is the scene at the playground...Mick with Andi sleeping on his chest is just... :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: He is beginning to understand, or maybe to ABSORB, that this is real, that it's a true family and that he deserves it. I love that he thought of his own father... :hankie:

I am not crying, I am NOT crying.

And then he shows the house to Beth. The most important of the women in his life.

And of course, she tries to be annoyed with him for presenting her with a fait accompli, but she can't. Because it really is perfect. And it's gonna take a lot of work--like their relationship. Like life. But they'll do it together. ALL together. :ghug: :happysigh: :happysigh:
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by mitzie »

What a beautiful, heartwarming story!!! :hearts: Mick has finally found his place with Beth, Andi and Marta!! Now he can let go of the past. Beautiful!!!! :hyper2: :hyper2: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :happysigh: :cloud9: :woohoo: :biggrin: :yahoo: :yahoo: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :thud: :thud: :thud: :thud: :notworthy: :heart: :flowers: :happysigh:


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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by francis »

My comment is so long I hope you don't get bored. :rose:

There’s just no happy place for them in an easy way. It always is a struggle. And that’s what makes your stories so real. I love how Mick relates to scent, how smelling Beth makes him feel safe.
Once again the hallway was empty and cold, her lingering scent fading. Mick was alone. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.
I love how you use metaphors. They are easy to miss and they work every single time.

And then Mick makes a decision, and it’s awesome how he’s able to understand himself.
The part of himself that resided in the fabric of this space was his past.
Lovely paragraph.

Mick is still Mick, though, man of mystery. I can relate to Beth being frustrated, I don’t like giving up control either. They are both so headstrong.
Mick’s way to go about this is great, though. He understands that the child has to approve of the house, and that Marta would know what Beth would want. Marta’s insight that they need to make the house theirs by working on it together: that’s something Mick needs to consider for more aspects than just the house.

I love that he includes Marta, giving her a private part for herself. I love that you give her a personality by the tiny hint of vulnerability.

I love that Mick thinks about how it should have been with Coraline. This is how a husband should work, and now finally he has a chance to prove he can be one.

And this just slayed me:
All the years he had wondered how his father would have seen his son, the vampire; fear had driven his determination to sequester himself, keep those he loved safe from the monster within. But now, he knew. For all his passions, for all those he had saved, now, for the first time he understood the meaning of unconditional love. A father's love. Smoothing his fingers through her hair, feeling her gentle rise and fall, the thump of her tiny heartbeat, he knew for this child, his child, he would slay dragons.
Her answer was in her glow, the light in her eyes, the quickening of her pulse. "I'm trying very hard to be just a little annoyed that you did all this without me."

"Mmm, how's that working out?"

Her laugh reached into him, warming, comforting, "Not so well. It's perfect."

"It needs a lot of work."

"Building something worthwhile always does.
Love the little bit of humour that breaks the tension. And what did I tell you about metaphors?
I’m not really a MickBethhavingachildandafamily girl, but some of those stories are so heartwarming that I can forget about that. You manage to make everything you write into a story about life and relationships and love. Whatever the storyline, whatever the characters, I always find myself in them. Thank you.
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by rijane »

First off: SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
:hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts: :hearts:

:hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2:

Ahem.

So, I loved it, Red, I really loved it.
redwinter101 wrote:to steal another moment in their routine of never enough.
Mmmmm, that is a wonderful phrase.

redwinter101 wrote:"Mick!" Andi's usual squeal of greeting as he let himself in, a lunge, a death grip around his neck, a squirm as she tried to reach tiny arms around his body.

"Well hey there, little one. You all ready to have some fun today?" A nod, a smile as she rested against him. The feel of her in his arms, regular, everyday, magnificent.
Love the end of that bit there. A great visual cue and I can see that little one tucked in the nook of the neck.
redwinter101 wrote:a general air of tired abandonment, of emptiness, as though the house itself were waiting to come to life again.
Perfect description of both the reality and the possibility.

redwinter101 wrote:On some level, she knew he couldn't join her, that the shade was his as she must step into the sun. Then she was off and running, hair streaming, her gleeful laugh floating on the sunlight.
...
A tumble and a grazed knee brought tears of shock to her eyes and a terrified vampire to her side. The blistering burn beat against him, forgotten in this, his moment in the sun as he checked, soothed, hugged, reassured. Scooping her into his arms, Mick carried her back to their shaded sanctuary, her fretful tears abating.
....
Mick gathered Andi to his chest, lying back against the smooth bark, humming a gentle lullaby.
...
smoothing his fingers through her hair, feeling her gentle rise and fall, the thump of her tiny heartbeat, he knew for this child, his child, he would slay dragons.
I hardly thought it possible, but I think you've made me love Mick all the more. The bittersweet and the sweet and just the wonderful moments of Mick and Andi together. This is like chocolate- rich and sweet and wonderful and I'm filled up with it and yet can't wait for more.

This is a wonderful, wonderful bit of Christmas cheer. Thank you for this bit of MickBethery and Andi to boot!
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by laurapesada »

Gosh! You think this is not a Christmas story??...I think it is because it was a great Christmas present for me... :rose:
Not too much to say ...I loved your previous story and your new characters Andy and Martha, and I was so happy to see them back. :hyper2:
Sweet , really sweet...Yes familiy is more about than DNA and I am glad Mick finally understood that. :yahoo:
Thanks so much!!
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by bank1115 »

I loved it and I love you. kays :heart:
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redwinter101
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by redwinter101 »

allegrita, (who is NOT crying) :smooch: :friends: oh yes, he's learning. It's a long road, but he's learning. I really don't think he tries to do things on his own, it's just years of having to, of being alone, well it takes a while to believe they are over and even believing, to know how to be with someone. Poignant is one of my favourite words, and so apt for Mick - I love that you described this story thus.

mitzie, I think the past will always be a part of Mick, as it is with all of us, but letting go of the things that hold him back is what he achieves here, I think. :rose:

francis, NEVER bored, my friend, NEVER. :hug: Such a beautiful comment - I'm touched and a little giddy. I'm especially happy that you liked Marta. It's a delicate balance, to introduce an OC who plays an important role (and to make them real) without sidelining the main characters. I like Marta and she may well be back in future stories.
francis wrote:Whatever the storyline, whatever the characters, I always find myself in them.
That's beautiful - thank you. :heart:

rijane, steady, petal, my eardrums nearly burst! But I'll forgive you because a) you loved it, b) you pulled out my favourite bits, and c)
rijane wrote:I hardly thought it possible, but I think you've made me love Mick all the more.
My work is done.

laura, thanks for the lovely comment. Maybe I have got a little of the Christmas spirit after all... :flowers:

bank1115, massive :heart: :heart: right back to you, my sweet.

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"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality" - Emily Dickinson
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wpgrace
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Re: Stealing Home (M/B, PG)

Post by wpgrace »

FINALLY! I re read this again last night and this morning, but kids, the dog, phone calls, finally time to really enjoy it... Ok, first of all, I gotta get a little shallow outta the way... THIS image, both visual and the imagined sound of his voice saying it... :melts:
redwinter101 wrote:He beat her to the doorway, hand outstretched to block, to pull her back to him. "Be late."

redwinter101 wrote:He paced a tetchy circuit, not touching, absorbing the sense, the feel of his home. A lifelong search for connection, as child, man, brother, son, friend, husband, vampire, lover, somehow had invested this place with a power, a hold over him.
Oh do we not know it! The very THOUGHT of him ditching the FOS, well, we get it. In fact, I had to read the whole story twice before I could let the FOS go, myself... :giggle: Plus the usual spare beauty of your words create SUCH a detailed mental picture, here and all over this story.


And I just LOVE this little exchange... there's so much in it... the little tiff between them addressed, their entire history addressed, their current happy intimacy, and finally Mick's truth... it's sexy to hear him say, but in truth, I'm sure he never really cares what she wears. :happysigh:
redwinter101 wrote:"I'm sorry." He pulled her near, "Trust me." Eyes closed, cheek to cheek, willing her to believe.
"Always."
Mick felt her smile, the tension ease as he moved away, "We'll be back mid-afternoon. You're still okay for later?"
"It'd be much easier if I knew what you had planned. I have no idea what to wear."
Mick leaned in, his whisper, "I don't care."

And I LOVE how you let us into Mick's relationship with both Marta and Andi, cause we're not just in MickBeth territory anymore, Toto... the threesome have a wonderful, jaunty afternoon together, sans Beth... and such lovely little moments you give us... he is surrounded by love and feeling love himself, giving and receiving... Marta's...
redwinter101 wrote:"It is indeed. You've just got the wrong woman." He was smiling now, unable to hide any longer. Marta turned, slow to understand, unwilling to hope.
"I don't…"
"This cottage is going to be your home, Marta." For the briefest moment, a chink opened, the tiniest crack in her veneer of lovable eccentricity and Mick saw the fear beneath. Fear of age, loneliness, uselessness. "If you like it of course-" The rest of his words were smothered in a cloud of crepe and Polish as Marta sought solace in her native tongue, hugging him as her words tumbled around them. "This is going to be our home. Our home for our family. Our whole family.
...and Andi's...
redwinter101 wrote:Father and grandmother, in truth if not in blood, watched with joy as she played and skipped and danced, fearless on the swing, resolutely testing her balance on the jungle gym....
.... Mick gathered Andi to his chest, lying back against the smooth bark, humming a gentle lullaby.... Andi shuffled ever tighter, the most welcome weight Mick had ever felt. The sun reached its zenith and he felt tears come, unexpected, confusing, filled with the joy of realisation, an old question finally answered. All the years he had wondered how his father would have seen his son, the vampire; fear had driven his determination to sequester himself, keep those he loved safe from the monster within. But now, he knew. For all his passions, for all those he had saved, now, for the first time he understood the meaning of unconditional love. A father's love. Smoothing his fingers through her hair, feeling her gentle rise and fall, the thump of her tiny heartbeat, he knew for this child, his child, he would slay dragons.
That paragraph is so lovely and satisfying. You've given him everything, Red... for this one perfect day, you've given him everything....

Finally, 'cause I love the banter...
redwinter101 wrote:Her answer was in her glow, the light in her eyes, the quickening of her pulse. "I'm trying very hard to be just a little annoyed that you did all this without me."
"Mmm, how's that working out?"
Her laugh reached into him, warming, comforting, "Not so well. It's perfect."
Yes :yes: , it is. :twothumbs:
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If you read a lot of books you are considered well read. But if you watch a lot of TV, you're not considered well viewed. Lilly Tomlin

Grateful to Alex for Mick, Andy, and McG. :)
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