Beth's Baby (PG-13) Champagne Challenge Four Years

[cassysj]

I do not own any recognizable characters no copyright infringement is intended.

Beth had been having nightmares for the past month. She was constantly reliving her kidnapping and no amount of reassurance from Mick could calm her down.

She climbed out of her freezer and checked on her little girl , Michelle.

Michelle has blue eyes and dark wavy hair. She looked like a perfect combination of Mick and Beth. She certainly should. Donor number 4127 was described as having an Irish/Scottish background with dark wavy hair and hazel eyes. He was picked deliberately to match Mick’s physical characteristics.

Michelle turned over and opened her eyes. “Mommy, is it time to get up yet?”

“No, Baby. Go back to sleep.”

“Mommy, I want a Barbie Birthday party.”

“I told we’re not having a party this year. We’re going to Disneyland. Daddy and I are going to take you on all the rides.”

“But what about your sun allergy?” Michelle asked.

‘”We’ll trade off every hour and spend time indoors.”

“Uncle Josef said he’d dress as Ken and all his sisters will dress as Barbie.”

Beth gritted her teeth. She was going to have a word with “Uncle” Josef. He knew she didn’t want a party this year.

“Uncle Josef and his sisters will save it all for Halloween. Wouldn’t you rather have a big Halloween party next month instead?

“No Mommy. My birthday is September 15th, Halloween is sooooo far away. Mommy why is Uncle Josef, your brother but his sisters aren’t your sisters?

“We had the same mother, his other sisters have the same father. Beth said smoothly

“So all there last names are Kostan?

This kid was starting to notice too much, too fast. “Michelle, you should go back to sleep.”

“Mommy, can’t I have a Barbie party? Please……”

Mick walked into their daughter’s bedroom. “Michelle, we’re going to have so much fun at Disneyland you’re not even going to think about a party.

“But I had a party last year. Why can’t I have a party this year?”

Mick kissed Michelle. “Honey, we’re going to go to Toys R Us tomorrow and Daddy will buy you as many dolls as you want but we’re just skipping a party this year.”

“Daddy…..Michelle whined.

“Go to sleep. He turned out the light and motioned to Beth.

When they got to their bedroom he said. “Why can’t she have a party?”

“I had a birthday party when I was four and was kidnapped a few days later. I’m sure Coraline saw me at McDonalds Playland.”

“Well, we‘re not having a party at McDonalds . We’ll have it at Josef’s like we do every year. It‘s the safest place in the world. Mick said.

“Mick, I just want her to be five.”

“I know but she has to be four before she can be five. She’s really going to be disappointed.”

“Mick, no one has seen Coraline since the night she disappeared. It would be just like her to steal my baby.”

“Beth, we don’t even know if Coraline is still alive.” Mick said.

“I know but if she is I’m sure she is going to be furious when she finds out I’m a vampire.”

“Beth,, we didn’t have a choice. You had inoperable cancer.”

Beth started to cry. “I missed my baby‘s first birthday.”

“We photo shopped you in, Michelle will never know. You needed a few months to master control before you could be around her again.”

Beth wiped the tears from her eyes. “I know and Josef did a wonderful job of training me. I’ll just never forgive myself for what I missed.”

“Beth , if I hadn't turned you then you never would have seen her turn two let alone four.” Mick said gently

Beth leaned on his shoulder. “I know you’re right. I missed her first birthday, It’s not right to cheat her out of her fourth.

Mick smiled. “Does that mean we can call Uncle Josef and tell him the party is on?”

“Yes. Tell him his house has to be pink, pink Pink. The mansion is going to scream Malibu Barbie.”

"Beth, have you ever seen a four hundred year old vampire cry? It's not pretty."

Beth kissed him. "Suffering is good for the soul. He'll do it for Michelle."

Beth was frightened but she would not let her past, cloud her daughter’s future. This would be one little girl who would always be fearless at four.

[redwinter101]

“Yes. Tell him his house has to be pink, pink Pink. The mansion is going to scream Malibu Barbie.”

"Beth, have you ever seen a four hundred year old vampire cry? It's not pretty."

Excellent, Carol - and you can't blame Beth for being scared of Coraline coming back.

Red

[francis]

Beth is so worried about her daughter, but does history really repeat itself so much? I am sure they are safe at Josef. And Coraline certainly would go blind in all the pink, maybe that's the best armour they could have!

[eris]

J won't cry until they get to the part where Barbie drives a dream car, and it's also pink, so the Ferrari's going to need a make-over.

[allegrita]

Poor Beth... this is really traumatic for her. But she needs to draw on her courage and just muscle through it, like she always does. Mick is really helping her... I love the way they are there for each other. Michelle is a lucky little girl.

I would love to see Josef's mansion tricked out like the Malibu Dream House! But eris is right, the real pain would be repainting the Ferrari. Hmm... maybe he can just buy Michelle a brand new, hot-pink Corvette Stingray instead.

[MickLifeCrisis]

Very good, cassy! They can't be any safer than at Josef's!

[cassysj]

red - Beth is pretty tough but this would bring those old feelings to the surface

francis - I see Coraline screaming. "Not Barbie Pink!!!"

eris - J's already prepared an answer for Michelle. The Ferrari is Ken's car Sweetheart. Ken would never be rude enough to steal his lady's signature color.

alle - Mick and Beth are a team. I do like the Stingray idea.

MLC - Josef's is the safest place in the world.

[jen]

I love this!!!

Josef is going to dress up as Ken and all his 'sisters' will dress up as Barbie

Josef would totally spoil that little girl rotten, but don't you think it would be a good idea to clue the kid in at some point.

Fabulous job!

Thank you.

[Luxe de Luxe]

I like the psychological truth of this...despite Beth's courage, her kidnapping had an effect. Having a child is exactly the sort of thing that would re-trigger Beth's trauma.

This exchange was just priceless....

“Yes. Tell him his house has to be pink, pink Pink. The mansion is going to scream Malibu Barbie.”

"Beth, have you ever seen a four hundred year old vampire cry? "

[cassysj]

jen - Josef will enjoy spoiling Michelle to the torment of her parents.

Luxe - Age is a thing that triggers all kinds of feelings even when it doesn't make sense. My father died before I could remember him and when I turned forty-one I went through a phase where I was thinking that I was older then my father ever was. It's interesting what the mind does and having a little girl four years old would trigger Beth's fears

Mick is going to have delivering the pink message to Josef.

[cassysj]

Shameless bump. I had fun with this one because what little girl wouldn't like a Barbie party.

[MickLifeCrisis]

What a fun reread! I'm glad you bumped it!

[Lucy]

and what a Barbie party YOU could swing!!!!

[jen]

Cassy

This is such fun!

There are other stages to come. There is hello kitty, my little pony, and of course the all important princesses stage. Just think of it from Josef's point of view--he can buy her a real tiara--none of that cut glass or paste for his little princess!

The poor kid is going to be spoiled rotten leaving Mick and Beth to clean up the mess!

Great job!!!!

[allegrita]

How fun! I'm so glad to have a chance to reread this story! Pink, pink, pink.

Here's a donut for Michelle's party.