Lost and Found - PG-13 (Champagne Challenge #136)

[jen]

This. Is. Amazing.

The timings has always intrigued me--Mick and Coraline's wedding in 1952 followed by the carnage of those early days, Josef and Sarah's doomed love in 1955 and her 'turning' that left her lost between the worlds--this takes those elements and weaves them skillfully together with Mick's remaking into a productive member of vampire society. It also gives us a glimpse into Josef that I have felt lurked beneath the suave, edgy, and charming hell-raiser.

Fabulous. Just fabulous

Thank you!!!

Jenna

[cassysj]

I'm so glad you finished this. It is an amazing look at the early days of Mick and Josef. Sarah's anniversary is the perfect time for him to succeed and with Mick he certainly did.

[nutmegger911]

PGal, this is wonderful! You provide backstory on Mick and on Josef in such a well woven piece. Everything fits. The story is believable, the conversation fluid, and the emotions ring true. Well done.

[MickLifeCrisis]

What a wonderful reread! This is terrific!

[allegrita]

So glad you bumped this, MLC! I love this look into a side of Josef we really didn't get to see, but which I think makes perfect sense--the spiritual, religious side. He was a man of his time, after all. And for him to have acquired the ring from a true follower of St. John of the Cross, and for him to pass it on to Mick when he most needs solace and mentoring... well, it works perfectly for me.

And it just occurred to me that this is a wonderful "prequel" story, explaining how Mick might have become Josef's "go-to guy" for jobs that need the perfect combination of brains, talent, knowledge, and absolute loyalty. Also, by offering Mick a job on his security staff, Josef is putting Mick's feet on the path that will lead to his redemption, at least in Mick's own eyes--working as a P.I., and using his vampire abilities to help people who can't help themselves. I love rereading stories, because I get to see the story from a different perspective that allows me to appreciate things that might not have struck me the first time I read it.

[PNWgal]

Thank you, MLC, for popping this one to the top again. And thank you, Alle, for such great comments - and for being my sounding board with this one!

GA was the one that suggested St. John of the Cross, and it just fit so perfectly - it really finished off the story nicely!