A little Christmas story.
I have often wondered what if things had been just a little bit different. What if Bill had not been sent to procure Sookie but in reality he was just a normal average vampire, struggling against the situation he had found himself in and attempting to exist the best he could, just mainstreaming and minding his own business.
How different would things be then?
No copyright infringement is intended. Kudos go to Alan Ball, HBO and Charlaine Harris and to Stephen and Anna for bringing to life characters that have become so very dear to our hearts.
Merry Christmas to all.
T'was the Night Before Christmas
There were only ten more shopping days left until Christmas the radio announcer was saying as Sookie pulled into the crowded mall in Munroe. Gee, it looked like every one else in the whole of the Parish had been taking heed of the count down too and had planned to do their shopping too, Sookie was thinking as she did the rounds yet again of the car park trying to find somewhere to park. She eventually found a spot almost at the extreme far end of the lot and made her way cautiously into the Mall.
The weather had turned cold . . . no it was more than cold, it was freezing. They had said on the radio on the way over that it was the coldest December since the 1860's and there was yet another alert out for black ice on the roads. The mention of the winter in the 1860's had made her think of the conversation she had with Grans that morning when full of excitement, Adele had related to her the meeting of The Descendants of the Glorious Dead the previous night where they had relived the worst of that winter so long ago and the effect that it had on the soldiers, how bitterly cold it had been that even the bayous around sleepy little Bon Temps had been frozen over and it had even been too cold and icy for the boys to be able to sleep on the ground.
No one in living history could ever remember a time that had been that bad but this winter snap was coming pretty close to it by all accounts and Sookie was glad to get inside to the warmth of the shops. She had made a list of all that she had to do and was determined to get everything done. She had to, this would be her last chance as she was working almost every day now until Christmas Eve and even though she had started earlier than ever this year, somehow she still ended up with a last minute rush to get those hard to buy for presents that she had wracked her brains over.
She had thought herself clever doing some online shopping this year and was pleased to see the small pile of gifts that she already had bought sitting wrapped prettily under the Christmas tree but still there was her boss Sam to buy for, never an easy task and she had to pick up that Bowie hunting knife that Jason had been hinting at for weeks now. She had Arlene's blue size four sweater already wrapped and sitting under the tree even though she secretly thought that she was a size eight, well she did like to wear things tight and I just bet that Rene will really appreciate it. She laughed to herself at the thought and like Arelene, was hoping that Rene would finally propose to her, she had her hopes pinned on a New Year's Eve proposal and wished her all the happiness.
She already had Grans flannelette printed nightie with matching slippers all gift wrapped and just because she knew that Adele would secretly slip into the room and feel the package just like a child, Sookie had hidden the Kindle that she had ordered on line and smuggled into the back of her wardrobe for safe keeping. No more trips to the library for her, she would be able to have her beloved romance novels at the touch of her finger tips and she couldn't wait to see her face when she realised how great this would be for her.
As she made her way through the crowds Sookie tried hard to relax but the constant chattering of that many people just overloaded her brain. Everyone seemed to be in a frenzy of thoughts, rushing here, running there, stressed out over what to buy Uncle Jimmy or Cousin Alex when really they didn't even like them and it was a chore to visit with them even at Christmas. So much for the real spirit of Christmas Sookie was thinking to herself.
Then there were the Mums and Dads wondering how they could squeeze every last drop out of their credit cards for presents for the kids and still be able to afford Turkey dinners and all the trimmings, how the hell they were ever going to pay off their debts and where on earth would they be if they get laid off in the new year, stress and worry and on and on it went.
By the time she had picked up all her shopping and headed for the exit her head ached and her feet were killing her. It may have been because of that she didn't realise that the roadway was covered in ice but no matter for as she neared her car laden with packages in her arms, she slipped and lost her footing, sliding for a few feet towards the tray of a pick up that was jutting out right at eye level. Had it not been for a pair of arms grabbing her from behind just in time to save her, she would have been spending her Christmas in hospital she realised, with at best concussion, at worst well, she didn't even want to think about it.
'I've got you' a voice like coffee coloured silk on naked flesh drawled in her ear as his arms held her tightly to him to save her from falling. She could feel strong muscles wrapped around her, holding her against a firm flat chest, cold hands with the longest of fingers, beautifully manicured she noticed in her fright, steading her own shaking hands. Hell, she thought, as a thrill surged through her at the sound of the sexiest voice she had ever heard, if he was anything like his voice … she shivered, boy she really did need to get a life and she shook herself trying to snap out of the thoughts flooding her mind.
On her way over she had been thinking of the year that had nearly ended and try as hard as she might not to, a small tear had managed to trickle down her face. Here is was another year gone and nothing much had changed to any other year in her adult life, it was Christmas again and she was alone. There would be no kisses under the mistletoe and no presents from lovers, no promises of plans for a bright future to come, just more of the same going on until what? She was normally resigned to her fate, she knew that she was different and could generally cope with that, she had to as she didn't have a choice but sometimes her guard slipped and she wished, well it would be nice to share life with someone special, someone that understood. She had sighed in frustration and closed the door in her mind on it but it was there none the less, it was always there.
'Thanks, I am fine' she said half over her shoulder trying to turn to see just who her saviour was but unable to catch more than a half glimpse of dark hair and a chiselled chin because he was still holding her tightly to him. 'I think that you had better let me take those packages from you, do you have far to go?' He loosened his grip and spun her around as easily as turning a baby in his arms, taking care to have a hand on one of her arms and somehow managing to hold onto the parcels at the same time.
Peering up in the semi darkness of the car park, she drew in her breath at the sight of his face and blushed under the scrutiny of the bluest pair of eyes that she had ever seen smiling down at her. 'Hi my name is Bill, nice to meet you.' That voice, she shivered again. 'You are cold, hold onto my arm and let me take your shopping then we can get you into your car and get you warmed.' Hell yes, she was thinking, you can get me warmed just looking at me. She blushed again at her thoughts and was glad that unlike her, he couldn't read minds.
At that thought she suddenly cast out and let her barrier down and her mouth dropped open. 'I can't hear you' she blurted somewhat shocked. 'I said lets get you to your car' he responded a little louder. 'No, I mean … yes, thanks but' she was confused, this was the first time in her life that she totally could not hear another persons thoughts and it was like stepping into a pool of crystal cool water after a hot summers day. 'What are you?' she puzzled.
Bill's eyes opened wide as he looked at her before scanning the car park to make sure there was no one else with in ear shot but found they were totally alone. Still he hesitated before seeming to make up his mind and taking a chance he whispered 'I am Vampire.'
Sookie sucked her breath in; she had never been so thrilled in all her life.
To be continued . . .