Summary: 25 years have passed since Eric went to marry the Queen of Oklahoma. Sookie stayed behind, developed more of her ability, and married Sam. One day, she wakes up age 25 again. She has never married or met a Vampire.
Sorry if there are similar stories out there like this or if its been done before. I'm just gonna go with it though.
I looked across the living room at my aging husband. Over twenty-five years ago, I had been looking at a different husband, about to say good bye for the last time. Eric walked out the door and I never saw him again. I didn't even hear from Pam, his protégé.
There was no way to know then what I know now- how much I would miss every little thing that passed between us. I thought of him often but I was too stubborn to admit my regret. Instead, I tried to move on quick as punch.
It wasn't a month later that I started dating Sam and a year had passed before we got married. His brain pattern was unreadable for the most part, though it was easy to determine his devotion to me, and I enjoyed the little silence and peace I could find in his presence.
Bless him, he even helped me develop my shields and abilities. I was a better telepath than I would have been otherwise. Reading certain people and blocking others (or all) was a breeze. If I concentrated hard enough, I could even alter memories- like vampires- or manipulate actions, though I would never do so without feeling terribly guilty. It simply was not my place to be changing people's lives to suit my own.
Still, the love poor Sam poured over me went unmatched. I could never allow myself to devote my entire being to him. I even considered using the cluviel dor to change my feelings but when I finally brokered enough courage to force my heart to make that plunge, the item was gone. That was about 2 years into our marriage. I never found it and never knew how I had lost it.
I was left with the knowledge that he could have done better than me, found someone who truly cared for him as more than a good friend and lifelong companion. It was a good thing I was so against having children with Sam. Aside from the chance that I would transfer my disability, raising a child in a household with no love would be a sin, my Gran would say. Sam never pushed me on this.
So, night after night, we shared only each other's company, bittersweet as it was, and let the years pass us by. He would watch television- or shift when the moon was full- while I read, studied history, mythology, science, math- whatever would make the time pass. We did talk, of course, since we were good friends. Sam and I had our inside jokes and games, but after a while it felt forced and as the years went on, we spent our time together in silence. Except when we worked at Merlotte's of course, which was doing exceptionally better than it had in the years I associated with vampires.
Tonight, however, did not go according to routine. Sam seemed anxious, as if uncertain of his next course of action.
"Cher," he said, looking me straight in the eyes. "I knew when we got together that I was not your first choice. And I know that these past few years could have been better."
Of course, I couldn't deny his statements, especially since I had just been thinking the exact same thing, but it still hurt to hear that he felt the same way.
"Sam, really it is no use bringing up-" he held his hand up, signaling me to let him finish.
"It's fine, Sook. I came to a conclusion today and I need to make my peace with it. Really should have done it years ago, the second it was in my power. Would have saved us both the heartache. Instead, I sat on the idea and wasted time."
Guilt washed over me. Sure, we didn't exactly connect and the passion had been lost years ago, but we never fought and things always seemed right as rain. My curiosity got the better of me, though. What had he hidden all this time that needed to be resolved, anyhow?
"So I just want you to know, that what I am doing, I am doing for both of us."
"Sam, you're scaring me. What are you planning?" I had turned to face him straight on. I didn't realize that it had been a while since I had really looked at him. I had noticed or stared, but I had not truly seen him. His unmanageable hair had thinned and grayed some, though it was still a messy halo around his head. He seemed leaner, strong still, but smaller. What really struck me, however, was his face. Sorrow rimmed his eyes, and the light that I had seen when we started dating had dimmed significantly.
How could I have been so selfish? I had wallowed in self-pity for two decades, using my best friend as a crutch. I had been such a horrible wife.
"I would do anything for you Cher," Same stated flatly. "So when the time comes, do what you need to do to be happy. I don't think either of us were meant to end up here."
That struck me and I was suddenly very wary. I needed to make this right. "I'm sorry, so so sorry." I leapt from the couch and embraced him tightly.
I could love him completely. It wasn't too late, right? If I just started now, I could make up for those lost years.
Frankly, I was scared he was going to leave me. Showing him that I was capable of loving him was my last chance. I started to kiss him, trying vainly to manipulate my own brain into wanting him as much as I had once wanted Eric. He didn't fight my efforts and whatever his plan was, he never explained.
We cuddled in bed, after. As I straddled the line between reality and dream world, I thought I heard Sam whisper something to me. It sounded like, "Be happy, Sookie. Make the choice that is right for you." He continued to whisper but the rest was lost on me. I thought I caught a hint of magic wafting through the air.
How odd. I wanted to ponder on what little I had caught but sleep pulled me under.
When I awoke, I was not where I expected to be.
What was I doing in my old room? Hadn't Sam and I turned this into a home gym years ago? I was probably still half asleep and imagining things.
The light from the morning sun gleamed through the window, illuminating the interior. It looked just as it had when I had lived here with Gran. Somehow, after all the time had passed, my heart still ached when I thought of her.
Looking at the old clock on the bedside table, I nearly flew out of bed- a lot easier than I remembered considering my bad hips. I was 2 hours late to go help Sam open up at Merlotte's. Usually he woke me up with coffee and we left together. I started to worry instantly. What was going on?
I made it to the door when I heard a voice calling from the kitchen that froze me in my tracks. "Sookie, honey, are you up?"
It couldn't be. I must still be dreaming.
I ran to the kitchen as fast as I could, tears springing to my eyes as I made my way down the hall. I stopped in the doorway.
"Gran," I breathed. The shock of this morning must have been too much for me because before I could help myself, the world went dark and I felt myself hit the ground.
Review if you want to. I'll be finishing the story regardless of whether people read it. :]