Grace and
Lisa, thank you. "Lyrical" is lovely and I will see what I can come up with.
alle, The Pearl Fishers has been a favourite of mine since I first heard "Au Fond du Temple Saint". It's an old-fashioned tear-jerker and just somehow seemed appropriate - the image of Josef sacrificing himself for Mick and Beth to be together just worked for me. In the opera, the "Josef" character is in love with "Beth" too - that didn't work for me at all, hence it was only a very loose homage. If you get the chance to check out the music, I'd recommend it.
sabazzz, thank you - I'm delighted you enjoyed the letters and approved of the ending. As for an epilogue, I had no plans as the story really does feel finished to me - was there something in particular you felt needed covering? The only bit remaining is the posting of Mick's letters, as Moonlighter requested, which I'm working on.
Lupine, if Mick had realised that Beth's life was at risk for them to be together, in
this story, where he has moved on a bit from broody, self-sacrificing Mick, I think he would have been all about the action. He would have discussed it with Beth - they would have argued, probably repeatedly and determinedly, before deciding to take the offensive. Mick would have been hurt and angry that, for once, it wasn't him making a decision about their future, but it was Beth (by tacitly giving Josef the OK to have her killed, but not telling Mick). He would have gone to Josef, threatened him (assuming he knew Josef was involved in the plan somehow) and convinced him to be part of an assault on the Legion. Failing that, he'd have convinced Beth to run away with him, somewhere new and out of reach.
As for blaming himself, that was one reason why the final paragraph of Josef's letter tells Mick that he doesn't get to assume responsibility for Josef's death. Josef knew his friend too well and wanted to avoid adding another reason for Mick to blame himself. In this story, these events definitely cement their relationship, rather than tearing them apart. They are married, strong, determined, facing the future - and in my mind, that future ends in Mick turning Beth. In case you haven't guessed by now, I really am a romantic soul and I have to believe that the power of love is enough to force Mick to overcome his fears and face the possibility of eternity with Beth.
MLC, 
thank you, sweetie, for the read and the tears. I look forward to your comment.
Penina, that's so lovely, thank you. As a friend once said to me, death isn't the opposite of life, it's the opposite of birth. Life endures.
tucutecats, 'fraid so. There was always going to be a price - and Josef paid it, in his own inimitable way.
Red
And may I point out, YOU opened the door...
one from Fleur.... 
from Mick.
