"Sam, did you hear me?" She held her breath due to the long, silent pause.
"Yeah, I heard you Sook. Just need a minute to process, that's all." His voice was nervous.
"OK, I understand. Do you want to talk about this another time? Do you want me to come back later?" The biggest news was still yet to come.
"No, no…I'm just worried that I won't be able to replace you." "Sam, there's tons of people that can sling drinks in Bon Temps." She replied reassuringly.
"I don't mean replace you as a waitress Sookie. I meant that I'll never be able to replace, you. I love having you around. You're more than just my employee." His voice trailed off, it was sad and low. "You are my friend, my true friend. I just wish…"
She cut him off, she knew exactly what he wished and she couldn't bear to hear him say it.
"Sam, I'm still your friend. I'm just going to be a little further away. It's not like Shreveport is in California. I'll still be around. If you ever need me to fill in you know I'll be right here. If you ever just want to hang out and talk. I'm always here Sam." Her voice was sweet but her heart was heavy.
Sam's eyes were gray with the sadness that he felt due to her leaving. He ran his hands through his already messy strawberry waves.
"Sam…there's more." She paused and waited for him to nod to go on. "I haven't really told anyone yet, it just happened, I'm still kind of in shock." She was stumbling on how to get the words out. She looked down at her left hand and she smiled. She felt the courage and the strength to push ahead with the conversation. She held her head high and looked directly in Sam's eyes, "Sam, Eric asked me to marry him, and I said yes!" She beamed when the words escaped her lips. She was actually glowing as she heard the words and felt them come off of her tongue. To feel it again she repeated, "I'm marrying Eric."
Sam looked at her, not knowing if he should grab her and run away so no one could ever find them, grab her and hug her because she was so happy and excited, or grab the next guy that walked through the door and beat him unconscious to vent his hurt. He took a deep, startled, and concerned breath.
"Sookie, is this what you want? Really, really what your heart wants? It's one thing to date a vamp and to be around them. It's another world to marry one." His voice was gentle but full of questions and concern. Anyone else and she would have turned around and huffed right out of that bar. Instead she took his hand in hers and looked at him.
"Sam, I have never been more certain of anything. I love him with everything I have. He loves me with everything he has. We are already bonded to one another, all we are doing is making it legal. I trust him with my life, he trust's me with his. There is nothing that we wouldn't do for each other. I am certain. I hope you can accept this." Her eyes willed him to accept her decision. There was a long and almost uncomfortable silence while he looked at the bar in front of them. Finally he returned her look.
"Sookie, I've said it before. I don't like him and I don't have to. What is important is that he loves you and he protects you. I know that he does, every time he looks at you I see it. If this is what you want then I am thrilled for you. I want nothing more than for you to be happy. I'm just sorry I couldn't be the one to make you feel this way. I love you Sook. I'm happy that you are getting married, I will be there every step of the way." He grabbed her and gave her a hug with the strength of a lion.
As soon as she felt the sincerity behind him she cried tears of joy. The moment became real to her, she was getting married. She was getting married to Eric, the one thing on this Earth that made her feel complete and beautiful and cherished. Her body was overcome by a sensation of pure joy and pride and tenderness. Eric was feeling her through their bond. This was really happening.
As she pulled out of Sam's arms she laughed as she realized that her face was going to be stained with tears. She didn't realize that some of the bar patron's and the employee's had been watching them. They all looked at them with puzzled faces.
"Back to your drinks, show's over." Sam playfully shouted.
Of course Arlene happened to be working that day. She had ignored her the entire time she was there. Didn't even acknowledge her presence when she walked in the door. Every now and then she would get a few stray thoughts out of her head, even though her shields were in overdrive. Hell She'll burn in hell Miss her so much Evil creatures Jesus will punish her Hope she's finally leaving I miss talking to her Witch.
She felt bad about the way things had turned out, they used to be such good friends. She knew as soon as Arlene got involved with that group that it would never be the same, she knew it was just a matter of time. Since she was in such a good mood she decided not to taunt her with her news.
"Have a good night Arlene, I'll see ya when I see ya." She waved and walked towards the door.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Arlene was snippy.
""Exactly what I said, I'll see ya when I see ya. I've told Sam that it would be best if I bowed out. I'm leaving Merlotte's, I'm moving to Shreveport. I think it's best for everyone." She gave her a wave of her hand and walked through the door before any more could be said. As she walked by Arlene was certain she saw the sparkle of a very new, very large diamond ring.