WOW.
Red, this is magnificent.
I've read it through twice now, each time so very touched by it. The story of seeking a new home together, stepping away from the past and what you know so well to look to the future - the feeling of hope. Wonderful story. Truly.
I love this line in your opeining paragraph:
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.
I can see Beth doing this. Not making things obvious but really needing to know Mick is safe.:
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.
This line was just sexy 'cos I can hear Mick say it.
He beat her to the doorway, hand outstretched to block, to pull her back to him. "Be late."
And then we see that things are not quite as straightforward as they first seem. They have issues and Mick is being hesitant and Beth is growing more disappointed. Things are never simple with our dear Mick.
I loved this from Beth. She has so much more in her life to think about now.:
"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 connected with this line so much as I've been there. Holding on to things because they are comfortable and familiar and being a little scared to move past them on to the new.
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.
Such a wonderful image to see of Mick. Andi connects with him completely.
"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.
Knowing they are having issues at the moment, I adore the way you highlight their closeness with one another despite this. There is that deep connection between them that holds strong.
"I'm sorry." He pulled her near, "Trust me." Eyes closed, cheek to cheek, willing her to believe.
"Always."
The scenes with Marta and Andi touched me the most and I confess I did cry at a few sections here. I've had a particularly hard couple of days with a very emotional grandfather who has lost his sense of place and connection with people so the scene with Marta and Mick just blew me away.
I could quote the entire thing but I won't or this comment will never end.
This bit I MUST quote as it is the part of the story that got me the most:
"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."
I absolutely adore that Marta is as much a part of his life as Andi and Beth are. She is integral to their happiness and to know she won't be excluded and left behind is just so satisfying to me.
Then we get to see Mick being with his daughter in the simplest of ways and enjoying something he never thought he'd experience. He is content and joyful and determined to get this right. The image of Mick smearing sunblock just made me
. It is such a normal, everyday thing and it is wonderful to witness. (I'm behind the tree, watching, as always.
)
The MickBeth banter is ever present:
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."
And what a truly hopeful and joyful ending. They have the rest of their lives to figure the future out. I LOVE it.
Truly one of your best,
Red. This will be re-read and often.
And 
Grace) are too adorable for words. 
