Title: Understanding
Author: Jenn (email: indreamsidowander (at) yahoo (dot) com
Disclaimer: Me no own *sigh* All characters are property of Charlaine Harris and HBO.....However Jennika, Fallon, Asha and Rowan Kavanagh, Amber Sands, Eamon and Connor Adair, Shamus McKinnon and Dante Cataldi are all mine...any other OC's are mine as well...
Pairings: You'll just have to wait and see...I will say that sadly there will be no Eric/Sookie or Bill/Sookie...
Summary: What happens when after Eric tells Sookie not to use words he doesn't understand, a woman comes along that causes feelings in him that he'd long thought dead? Will he finally understand why Godric wanted humans and vampires to coexist? And what if (unknowingly) Jason was wrong when he told Sookie they were all alone? With the arrival of a few new occupants, Bon Temps will never be the same again....
Author's Notes: Okay let's assume in this fic that the events follow more along the lines of the show rather than the books. I am making a few changes to the story lines however: Sookie and Bill are no longer together; he wasn't kidnapped, she turned down his proposal and the truth came a knocking (I refuse to believe that after all she's seen and heard that Sookie could be that naive) – unfortunately Sookie had to face a very painful reality; she's not speaking to Eric either as she feels he played her as well.
-Just so you get a picture of what some of the characters look like: Dante Cataldi is based off of Jason Isaacs (the Harry Potter movies), Emperor Shamus McKinnon resembles Neal McDonough (Tinman), Eamon and Connor Adair look like variations of Tahmoh Penniket (Battlestar Galactica), and descriptions of Fallon, Jennika, Asha, and Rowan Kavanagh will follow.
-While I am a huge Eric/Sookie fan, the Muses just wouldn't leave me be until this was written..
-I think this is the most personal story I've ever written. A great deal of the circumstances surrounding Jennika and Fallon's lives (save for all the vampire stuff obviously) happened in my own. Their mother passed from complications associated with Multiple Sclerosis and their father abandoned them. My own mother succumbed to it after a 19 yr battle in 2008 and I haven't spoken to my father since. For those of you that don't know, MS is a neurological disease. All of the cells in your nervous system have a white covering on them called mylen that allows the transmission of nerve impulses. Overtime, MS breaks down the mylen causing everything from muscle spasms to speech problems and memory lapses. There are four types. My mother had what's called Progressive-Relapsing MS – attacks (periods of aggravated symptoms – usually brought on by stress) cause symptoms to worsen, but when the attack is over, the symptoms still progress at a fairly rapid rate. It's a very heartbreaking reality to grow up in, that much I can tell you. But my mother took everything in stride and never forgot to tell my brother and I how much she loved us or how she was proud of us. She was an amazing woman who never gave up and never blamed anyone; instead she kept on moving no matter how hard it was to even drag herself out of bed sometimes. Granted I was only 24 when I lost my mother, I will always be thankful to the Gods for giving me those twenty-four years with such an angel. I'm gonna stop right there otherwise I'm gonna need some Kleenex....
-As always, reviews are love =)
-For those of you who are interested, I had a little playlist that I listened to for this and each subsequent chapter. I will be posting it with each update. For this one I listened to the following: Stronger (Britney Spears), One Last Chance (James Morrison), Better in Time (Leona Lewis), Fighter (Christina Aguilera), The Voice Within (Christina Aguilera), Cruz (Christina Aguilera), Reach (Gloria Estefan), With a Broken Wing (Martina McBride), Emotionless (Good Charlotte)...
-Also, each chapter's title comes from the name of a Christina Aguilera song. I could listen to Stripped and Back to Basics for the rest of my days and never get sick of it.
On with the show.....
–
Chapter One: I'm Okay
Heaven: The Valley of the Gods:
Four woman stood side by side looking down upon the Earth. The spot in which they stood was a crossroads of sorts. It was a place where all the Gods of every land roamed together watching out for their children – mortal and immortal alike.
Few, even after death (or final death in some cases) had ever been allowed entrance here. However, the two woman who'd accompanied their respective Goddesses had been allowed special passage this day. For they were watching the beginnings of a new dawn. Their children, it seemed, were destined for one another. It was a union that had been given the blessings of all the Gods.
Two were quite tall with long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes – an obvious testament to their heritage. Like everyone who either resided in or ascended to Heaven, they had the gift of eternal youth. Long, flowing, intricately embroidered gowns that were as white as snow ensconced their lithe frames. On their faces were matching smiles.
The other two were quite a contrast to their counterparts. The taller of the pair had sienna colored tresses with bright green eyes. She stood regally in a navy blue sleeveless gown that complimented her ivory complexion perfectly. She looked every bit a princess as she had in her mortal life. Of course, that was thousands of years prior. Upon her death, she ascended to her rightful place among her fellow Gods and Goddesses.
The shorter woman and youngest of the four had curly strawberry blonde hair with eyes blue as the sky. She was dressed in sapphire empire waist gown with long flowing sleeves. Curiously, she surveyed her surroundings. "What are we waiting for?"
"Have you not told her?" The Nordic Goddess questioned of her Celtic counterpart.
Aine shook her head almost imperceptively. "And spoil the surprise? I think not. My dear child has felt much sadness for her daughters since she joined us. It is time to show her that she shall be saddened no more."
Thora regarded her newest companion with light in her eyes. Freyja had told her this was the mother of her son's Destiny. "So she knows not of why she is here?"
"No I don't," Mary-Ellen replied hesitantly.
Freyja put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "My Child, fear not. We have brought you here to show you something. Your worry for your daughters, well more specifically Jennika is great. It is time to show you that you should worry no further. Just as Fallon has come upon her soulmate, Jennika shall find hers shortly. It has been foreseen for some time now."
Her eyes lit up at the prospect. The younger of her twin daughters had always been a bit of a lost soul. Even after having children of her own, Jennika still hadn't found true happiness. She'd long wished that Jenni would find a man capable of loving her in the way she so richly deserved. "Who?"
"My son," Thora replied with a beaming smile. "He has roamed the Earth for many lifetimes. Sadly, he had given up the notion of finding his Fated so very long ago. One look at your daughter though, and I knew. Our children are destined for one another. Through her, he will once again see the sun. The journey may be arduous at times as they are both fiercely independent and incredibly strong willed. But in the end, they will both find the happiness that they never imagined possible."
"He's a vampire?" It made sense to Mary-Ellen when she thought about it. There was no way Jennika or Fallon could ever marry a human. Only a fellow Supe would really understand and appreciate them. There was no way a human man would be a suitable husband to either of her girls. Especially considering that they were no longer human themselves.
"Does that surprise you Child? One daughter has found happiness in eternity, why shouldn't the other?"
"No it's not all that surprising. They are destined to be immortal themselves, it makes sense that their companions are capable of making that journey with them."
"Well Jennika's Destiny isn't the only thing that will be found along the way," a new voice chimed in, joining the group.
Mary-Ellen turned with a wide smile as she held her arms open for her beloved half-sister. Andrea was taller than her sibling with dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes. The shape of their faces and a good majority of their features were similar – there was no mistaking their relation. "Now what do you mean by that Drea?"
Andrea's smile was beaming. Since her mother-in-law's passing, Sookie and Jason had been very lost. It was her hope that Jennika and Fallon would help them find their way again. And only her nieces would be capable of answering all of the questions that Sookie now had. It was crucial – especially now. Jason, it seemed, would finally be coming into his own abilities. He'd finally proven himself as more than just a selfish little boy with his actions in both Dallas and the chaos in Bon Temps that had followed. "It means, my dear sister, that your little girls are about to come upon their cousins. Therefore, my children will finally come to understand their gifts."
"Indeed," Aine declared with a knowing smile. "The Gods will smile upon your family for the rest of their days. I have seen it."
Not another word was spoken as the five woman smiled brightly and gazed upon the horizon.
Many lives were about to change and not one of them would see it coming....
----
New York City: Three Weeks Ago:
"Are ya sure bout this," Jennika asked as tears rolled down her porcelain cheeks. For half a decade, the man in front of her had been the father she'd never had. He'd picked her up, fed her, clothed her and cared for her when her own flesh and blood had turned their backs. It still amazed her how a man who literally had no heartbeat had more love in him than the man she had the unfortunate task of calling father.
"It's what's best," Dante declared with a warm smile. His hands cupped her cheeks as his thumbs brushed away her tears. "You need a fresh start Little One. Somewhere far away from here."
"But..." He silenced her with a finger to her lips.
"Fear not, you, Rowan, Asha and Amber will be safe. Sophie-Anne has given her word that she will provide protection should the need arise. Do not forget that Eamon and Connor are going as well."
"I dunno," she replied softly, her features laced with trepidation. She felt like there were a lot of things he wasn't saying. But she was wise enough to leave it alone. Dante had and would never do anything that could cause any harm to them. In fact, it had always been the complete opposite. Out of respect, she'd never probed his mind to see what he was thinking. He was her true father and as such had her implicit trust.
Dante knew full well that Jennika was aware of the fact that he wasn't being completely truthful. Her emotions were all over the place at the moment. They had to be. Normally, she was quite adept at blocking him. But, he only withheld the truth when it was necessary. He never outright lied to her. "You will be safe. Your magik is stronger than anything I've ever seen. The Gods will see to it that no harm comes to any of you nor the children." He truly believed every word that left his mouth. This move would only benefit his girls and his grandchildren (that was exactly how he saw them – Jenni and Fallon had quickly taught him that blood and species don't determine family; only love does). Even though it had been centuries since he'd had a premonition, something told him that this relocation would open up a whole new world for his precious daughters.
Jenni worried her lip in between her teeth and sighed deeply. "I dunno."
He gave her a reassuring smile. "Little One, it's too late to back out now. You and Fallon agreed on this last year. That is why the construction was done on the estate. You yourself even decreed it would be for the best. After all, don't you want the children to have a yard to play in?" He hated to pull the Asha and Rowan card, but if it got her moving, he'd get over it. When she and Fallon had decided on the big move last year, he'd known even then that Jennika would be the difficult one when it came to leaving. She was the more sensitive of the two. Fallon tended to let more roll off her back. But then again, Jenni, in some respects, certainly had it tougher.
Tears pooled in her eyes. She really didn't want to leave him. "I know," she sniffled. "I'm just gonna miss ya."
Her declaration brought a wide smile to his face. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. "Little One, I am but a phone call away. Do not think that the two of you will be rid of me so easily. I expect you home for the holidays."
She hugged him tightly. "We will be. I love ya so much Te. You've been tha fatha that neitha of us eva really had. I can't thank ya enough fa all ya've done fa us."
He smiled affectionately. "I am proud to call you my daughters. You've brought joy back into my life. It is I who can never thank you enough." With that, he opened the door to the second truck and helped her in. He shut the door and placed his palm against the glass. She mimicked his motions as the truck pulled away.
The trucks would bring the girls to his private jet at LaGuardia Airport. From there, they'd fly to a private airstrip owned by their great-grandfather just outside of Bon Temps, Louisiana. And then it was on to their new home.
His phone rang just as both vehicles moved out of sight. "Hello, Your Grace."
The reply was spoken in an Irish lilt. "Have they left?"
"They have My Lord. I pray that I haven't sent them into the lion's den." His trepidation lie in the reputation of Sophie-Anne LeClerq, Queen of Louisiana. She was not someone he really trusted. But she would have no choice but to follow the Emperor's orders, even if they contradicted her nature.
"If any harm should come to either them or the children, lives will be forfeited. Of this you can be certain. Fear not."
"If you say so My Lord."
"You miss them. Already?"
"You've met them My Lord. It's hard not to miss their presence."
"I dare say they've changed you Dante."
"They have My Lord. Caring for them and seeing them flourish has allowed me pieces of my humanity back. They give me hope that one day all of us human and vampire alike can coexist."
"That is precisely why no harm can come to the Kavanagh Clan in any shape or form."
"I agree My Lord. I agree."
----
Brooklyn, NY: Nearly five years ago:
Jennika Kavanagh shut the door and stared at the envelope in confusion. It was postmarked from Ronkonkoma, NY. The town where her father had shacked up with his mistress (well by now her step-mother) after her mother's death. Dana's (the crazy home wrecking bitch in question) first order of business had been to get the 'troublesome whores' (her and her twin sister Fallon as Dana had [undeservedly, mind you] nicknamed them) out of her way and out of the house.
A lot of painful truths came to light after her mom died: her father had been having an affair for the last seven years, he'd fathered Dana's two youngest children, and her older brothers Antony and Damon had known the whole time. To top it off, neither she or her sister had been allowed very many of their mother's belongings; and to make matters worse, they'd somehow gotten cut out of the will.
Funnily enough, said will had been redone the year before her death (quite strange all things considered: their mother was bed ridden with a feeding tube – amazing that a woman like that could sign a will) giving their father power of attorney. He flat out refused to give any money to either of his daughters. Instead, he took Dana, Antony, Damon, Tommy and Kelly (her younger half-brothers) on an extended cruise. He told the girls that when they returned, he wanted them gone. Dana had (probably with very little effort – of that she was sure) managed to convince Thomas Bedlam to kick his daughters to the curb at only sixteen years old – knowing full well that they had nowhere to go. Fuckin bitch ruined our family an they let her.
Their mother's best friend Mariah McCauley had helped them get a two bedroom apartment in Brooklyn and set them up with jobs in the admissions office at Fordham University. Thankfully, their mother had always been adamant that they save their money – whether it had been earned or given to them. So they'd stuck every single penny in the local bank. Thanks to their mother's urging, they had seventy-five thousand dollars in a bank account that their father had no knowledge of.
Of course, some of his anger towards the pair might have also had something to do with the fact that at eighteen, they would become fairly well off. Upon their grandfather and then eventually their grandmother's passing, they had been left the whole of the Kavanagh estate – two homes (estates would be a better description) in Muttontown and East Hampton as well as decent (well if you call four hundred twenty-two thousand a piece decent) sized bank accounts. Their grandparents had never cared much for their son-in-law and didn't want to see him squander away their grandchildren's money. So at eighteen, they would receive a portion of their trust funds with the remainder being turned over on their twenty-first birthdays. Those facts, coupled with their step-mother's hatred, had hastened their leaving. Seeing that he'd never have any of the Kavanagh money, Thomas Bedlam had no use for his daughters what so ever.
Upon being banished from the home in Richmondtown that they'd grown up in, their first task had been to be declared emancipated minors. Mariah's husband, a prominent family law attorney, had orchestrated it fairly quickly. Then, they took their mother's maiden name, Kavanagh. Neither girl wanted to share the same last name as their father and his home wrecking tramp.
Thankfully, the pair had finished high school at fourteen. School was the furthest thing from being an actual issue. By the time that their father had kicked them out, they'd already had bachelor's degrees; Jennika in ancient history and criminal justice, Fallon in psychology and mythology. You see, the pair had always been exceptionally smart. Their mother encouraged them to learn all they could – both inside the classroom and out. Especially since academic and extracurricular activities kept them out of the house and subsequently out of their father and brother's warpaths.
Language was no exception; they were fluent in Gaelic (as taught by their maternal grandparents and their mother), Latin (thanks to their childhood nanny Maria), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, Farsi, and Japanese. After all, what good is living in New York City and not taking advantage of the melting pot of cultures? They'd made a killing (both in knowledge and financially) in their younger years by tutoring other kids in exchange for their teaching them their native languages.
Sensing her sister's whirlwind of emotions, Fallon came bounding into the room. "Whatsa matta?"
"He sent us somethin. How tha hell'd he know where ta find us?" She raised her head and gazed into her twin sister's hazel eyes. Tears pooled in her own that she desperately wished away. It killed her that her father, or lack there of, still got to her the way it did.
Fallon was definitely concerned now. Jennika's eyes, which were normally azure had turned a stormy blue. Anger, pain, and sorrow laced her features. Out of the two of them, Jenni was the one who'd always been more affected by certain things – namely their father and brother's rejection. "Well we did fill out change a address cards at tha post office. I suppose he coulda found us that way. What's he want?"
Inside of the big envelope was a letter accompanied by another envelope.
The letter wasn't a letter at all. It was two sentences in her father's angry chicken scratch.
In the move, this was found. I have no use for it.
"He sent us this," Jenni said as she held up the smaller envelope. It was adorned with handwriting that neither girl had seen in years but would never forget. It read simply: Fallon and Jennika.
"Oh My Gods, is that?" Fallon stuttered in disbelief as she fell back on the couch.
Sitting beside her, Jenni nodded as a lone tear dripped down her face. "It's from Mommy."
"Well," Fallon cried out, "open it."
Without further preamble, she ripped open the letter and began to read.
Fallon grasped her right hand tightly; not just to steady Jenni's shaking hand, but to steady her own as well.
-
My Beautiful Princesses,
If you are reading this letter than I no longer walk the Earth. Fear not. I will be watching out for the two of you from above. Death is not the end. My soul will rise to the Heavens and my spirit will live on in the two of you.
Even though I have no right to ask, I beg of you to honor my last wish. My only request is that the two of you stay together. You're all each other has at this point and time. Without one another, I fear you won't make it in the world. I cannot explain at this moment just why that is. But in time, you'll come to understand.
-
At this point, Fallon held her hand up to stop Jenni from reading any further. "What's she mean, she ain't go no right ta ask?"
She closed her eyes, fighting back the tears but it was no use. In a voice that wasn't much more than a whisper, she replied. "Fal, ya know Mommy felt guilty bout things. She felt like Dad bein tha way he was ta us was her fault."
"'S bullshit. It wasn't Mommy's fault Dad's a dick. Mary said fa as long as she'd known him, he's always been that way," she bit out angrily.
"I know Fal but Mommy couldn't help it."
"Fuck that."
Knowing that if the conversation continued, they'd end up in a needless fight, she changed the subject. "Can I get back ta readin now Fal?"
"Yeah."
-
Don't think I'm not aware of the fact that your father and brothers have never quite accepted you. It was a big point of contention between us when you were growing up. I ached to watch Antony and Damon treat you as no more than outsiders when you had done nothing wrong in the first place. And your father did nothing to dissuade their behavior. With my passing, I am more than sure that rift will become permanent. It pains me but I know in the end, it will be better off for the two of you. I will say this: I am deeply sorry that I didn't take the two of you and leave your father a long time ago. By the time I finally saw his emotional abuse for what it was, I was far too sick to do anything about it. By now, I'm sure you know why.
Well not completely. But in the back of your minds, I know that you know you're different.
The two of you are very very special. When you were born, my mother took one look at the two of you and just knew. The magik that had somehow skipped three generations in my family, had been bestowed upon the two of you.
Our family are the descendants of what was once known in Ireland as the Ceridwen Coven. They were the strongest line of natural born witches to have ever roamed the Earth.
-
"Holy shit," Jenni declared as she put the note down on the coffee table. "I so didn't see that one comin."
Fallon's expression was just as slack jawed as her sister. "Me neitha. We're real honest ta Gods witches?"
"I s'pose it makes sense, Fal. Think bout it. We've always been able ta do freaky shit right? That explains why." With that, she picked the letter back up and resumed reading.
Their mother's next lines had them chuckling.
-
Girls, shut your mouths. You'll catch flies.
I know it is hard to believe at first; but is it really so unfathomable? Haven't the two of you always been able to do things that others couldn't?
C'mon, did you really think I didn't know? A mother always knows what her children are capable of. Your gifts are because of your magik. If honed properly, the two of you are quite powerful.
-
"Leave it ta Mommy ta call us on our shit, even from tha grave," Fallon said with a giggle.
Jenni grinned. "We neva could get anythin past her. Maybe that's why. Maybe Mommy had some magik a her own."
"Yeah. 'S called eyes in tha back a her head an supasonic hearin."
She choked while trying to take a sip of her water. "I s'pose that's true. Even afta Mommy got bad, we still couldn't get shit past her."
"Yeah. Well, get back ta readin J."
-
I'm not exactly sure where you can find any of the Ceridwen Witches; if they even still exist. I'm sorry I can't be of more help than that. What I can tell you is that I don't think you're completely alone....
On her death bed, my mother confessed that I had an older half sister. She was adopted out years before I was born. The search for her was pushed to the wayside when I got sick. All I know is her birth name: Alexandra O'Malley; and where she was born: Angel of Mercy Medical Center just outside of Shreveport, Louisiana.
Whether or not you choose to make use of this information is up to you.
But, there is some information that I know for certain the pair of you will find useful....
I don't know if you remember him or not but my mother's best friend Jason Grimaldi still lives in the old neighborhood in Tribeca. I recommend paying him a visit since he has some things for the both of you......
I lied to your father when I told him that Great Grampa O'Malley had cut myself and my parents out of his will....
-
"Holy fuck," Fallon exclaimed in disbelief.
Mutely, Jenni nodded.
Hazel eyes bulged out of their sockets as Fallon stuttered. "Ya know what that means J?"
"Uh huh."
"We're fuckin loaded."
-
See where I'm going with this?
You see, Grampa O'Malley and Grampa Kavanagh never did trust Tom or the boys not to spend the whole of the estate. So when Grampa O'Malley passed away, the three of us (me and my parents) put the money into a trust for the two of you in the event of my death.
Since the money was left in the care of my parents initially, neither your father nor your brothers (especially since they are not my biological children) have any claim to it what so ever. It is yours free and clear. I know that the two of you are smart enough to spend it wisely.
Besides, it will take you forever and a day to spend seeing as how it is the whole of your great-grandfather's estate....
The gaping jaw thing doesn't look very well on either of you girls *insert snickering here* What's the matter? Neither of you ever thought you'd have millions did you? Well now my Precious Ones, you do.
In addition to the money, there are also a few houses (more like mansions). One just outside of Dallas, Texas, one in Beverly Hills, a vacation home in Puerto Rico, a home in Monaco and the original O'Malley family homestead in Bon Temps, Louisiana. As well as three nightclubs , two hotels, and of course the O'Malley Real Estate empire. I'm sure you girls realize that almost all of the holdings are located in Louisiana near the family home. They've been overseen by my Uncle Shane, my father's childhood best friend and his family.
Jason has everything, including the key to a safe deposit box in which your grandmother left some things for you. I don't know the exact contents, but I have a pretty good idea. I'll simply say that the last of the surprises aren't over yet.
-
"Are we bein punked or somethin?"
"I don't think we are. Think bout it Gramma always used ta make comments ta Dad that we'd be fine even if he walked out on us, memba?"
"Oh My Gods," Jenni said as a huge grin spread across her face and she giggled giddily. "Fal, do ya know what this means?"
"J, we just got tha world handed ta us on a silva platta," Fallon squealed as they began jumping up and down laughing and crying in utter joy.
After about ten minutes, the girls stopped squealing long enough to see reason.
"So there could be an aunt an cousins out there somewhere," Fallon said with a gasp. Growing up, it had always been just them. Their mother's older brother, their Uncle Joseph, had been killed in a car accident when they were very little. He'd never married and had no children. And their father refused to speak to any of his family for reasons unknown.
The only other people they had around had been their best friends Rhysha, Chrissie and Ronnie. Ronnie had lost his battle with leukemia at the tender age of seventeen. And Chrissie had been killed in a head on collision with a drunk driver, while vacationing in Rome, only a few months later. Not long after that, Rhysha's father took she and her siblings back to his hometown, London.
Save for those three, they never felt comfortable around anyone else. Especially with their 'afflictions' as their father had named their 'skills'.
"We gotta find em," Jenni replied, her voice thick with determination. "We owe it ta Mommy an Gramma."
Fallon nodded affirming the sentiment. "Tomorra's a new day J. Tonight, we're goin dancin. We have somethin ta celebrate."
Jenni cracked a bright smile. "Last one dressed has ta be tha designated driva," she said as she darted up the stairs towards her room.
"I call foul," Fallon yelled running after her. "Bitch, ya gotta head start."
The only sound that could be heard after that was the happy laughter of two young woman who hadn't had a reason to laugh in a very long time.
But, the girls never got a chance to celebrate that night. Instead, they would always come to remember it for something terrible; a horror that neither of them could have ever imagined....
----
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