AN: Happy Reading! Enjoy! :)

Chapter 1

SPOV

"There," I say with a satisfied smile, finally posing the crimson roses to my liking. I proceed to light a few candles before stepping back with a satisfied nod. Perfect. Light chiming sounds then and I skip into the kitchen, humming softly to myself as I pry open the oven door. The heavenly scent of the flawlessly cooked pork roast surrounds me and I eagerly slip on my oven mitts before sliding the large pot from the oven.

I glance at the clock, noting I don't have much time before my boyfriend is due home and rush towards our shared bedroom to finish readying myself for what I hope is a particularly pleasant evening. I pull Bill's favorite dress from the closet, slipping the floral material over my head before touching up my makeup and hair. Everything has to be just perfect tonight.

Tonight is our five year anniversary and I'm almost one hundred percent sure my long time beau, Bill Compton, is intending to finally pop the question. All my life, my dream has been to play the perfect housewife, doting upon my loving husband in our shared home before eventually raising our two point five kids. I know, not the most lofty of life goals and perhaps a bit fifties cliché, but it's mine all the same. And Bill and I are finally ready to take that final step that will ensure my dreams finally become a reality.

A small frown forms then, noting a speck of dust upon the bureau at the end of our bed and I quickly brush it away with a contented sigh before making my way back towards the kitchen. Headlights flash across the window right on time, just like every other night and a wide grin stretches over my face as I place the prepared food down among the pristine flowers and softly glowing candles. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

"Honey," I greet warmly, stepping closer to take Bill's briefcase from him before rising up to press a soft kiss upon his cheek. His dark russet eyes scan over the impeccably presented dinner and his brows rise subtly before his gaze settles upon me once more.

"What's all this then, sweetheart?" he questions, earning an indulgent smile in return.

"Like you don't know," I answer back, shaking my head at him. He grants me a curious look and I let out a soft sigh, not understanding why he's playing these silly games tonight of all nights. "Our five year anniversary," I remind him, seeing his eyes widen subtly at my words. "Don't tell me you forgot, Bill."

"I suppose I did," he admits absently, brushing past me to look over the lavishly decorated table curiously. I place my hands upon my hips, not believing for one minute he could forget such an important date.

"Bill, this isn't funny," I chastise lightly, earning a small frown in return. "You told me we had something very important to discuss tonight, remember?"

"Yes, of course," he answers, finally eliciting a glowing smile from me in return. I knew he was pulling my leg. "Come, sweetheart, there are rather important matters to be discussed this night," he remarks somberly, pulling out a chair for me like the ever polite gentleman I know him to be.

"Bill, you really need to lighten up already, you're starting to scare me," I tease lightly, sinking into the offered chair before he lowers himself into the chair beside me, his frown deepening at my words. "Bill? Is everything okay?" I question hesitantly before he's sighing loudly, his pale hand brushing through his dark hair in an uncharacteristically nervous gesture.

"No, things are most definitely not okay, nowhere near it in fact," he answers back somewhat tersely, making me instantly tense, my mind already fearing the worst.

"Bill, please, just talk to me, tell me what's wrong," I plead, reaching out to place my hands over his own. He frowns at the sight of our combined hands before slipping his own abruptly away. My brows rise in shock, looking on anxiously as he seems to be coming to some mental conclusion.

"I can't do this anymore, Sookeh," he says softly, his voice barely above a whisper as a light gasp escapes me.

"Can't do what, Bill? What is going on? Why won't you just talk to me!?" I plead as my bottom lip trembles subtly and the start of hot tears sting at the corners of my eyes.

"How else do you want me to say it, huh? We're done, over, this relationship is through. Do you get it now?" he bites back harshly to leave my jaw dropping in utter shock.

"Bill," I whisper, shaking my head as the first tear trails down my cheek. "Why? Why are you doing this? Things have been so great between us. Hell, I thought you were planning to propose tonight!" I throw back as my infamous Stackhouse anger begins welling within me.

"Propose!?" he cries before a bitter laugh escapes him to make me flinch. "Just what the hell gave you that idea?" he scoffs out, leaving my jaw ticking in indignant anger.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because the two of us have been dating for five years, because we share a house and literally every other facet of our lives together. Take your pick, Bill," I throw back, hearing him sigh loudly as he shakes his dark head at me.

"There's someone else," he enlightens me, leaving me once more staring back at this man I truly thought I'd loved in complete and utter shock.

"What?" I question in disbelief, hardly able to comprehend what he's telling me and not wanting to believe this could be true.

"There's another woman," he reiterates, his dark eyes turning icy before me as he sits up a bit straighter in his chair. "The two of us have been seeing each other for about six months now and she's only just enlightened me that she is to be with child, my child," he elaborates, leaving me staring back, stock still, not having the faintest idea how to even respond to his devastating confession.

"You're lying," the words slip out as if of their own volition to leave Bill sighing once more.

"I'm not. Lorena and I have been seeing one another for a while now and she is truly carrying my child," he tells me once more to leave my fists clenching in ire.

"Lorena? As in your boss' daughter? Bill, the girl's barely eighteen!" I cry back, noting his visible flinching at my words.

"You think I don't know that?" he yells back, his dark eyes shining with barely restrained anger as his fist slams harshly upon the table to leave the many candles flickering dangerously. He quickly composes himself once more, but my own anger won't be quelled so easily.

"So that's it, huh? You'll just throw away five years between us in order to pursue some lovesick, teenage girl that you managed to knock up," I grit out, seeing his eye flinch at my harsh accusation.

"Sookeh, sweetheart," he returns, reaching his hands towards my own, only this time, it's me left briskly pulling my hands from his touch.

"Don't. Don't you dare touch me, Bill Compton," I spit out, hitting him with a hard glare. "You've already made your choice. I wish you and Lorena the best," I add sardonically, abruptly rising from the table, sending a grimace over the perfectly prepared dinner and it's mocking reminder of how I thought this night would play out. Sookie Stackhouse, you are a fool, a complete and utter fool.

GPOV

I pull up to the house, my brows pinching at the sight of a blonde haired woman slouched upon my front porch, piles of bags spread out around her curled up form. What the hell? I slip out of the car; my head tilting curiously as I slowly make my way towards the softly crying figure.

"Um, hello?" I question inquiringly before hauntingly familiar sapphire eyes rise to meet my startled gaze. "Sookie? Is that you?" I question incredulously, knowing full well the identity of the blonde haired, blue eyed woman whose very presence still manages to send my heart racing, even after all this time.

"Godric," she sniffles out faintly as I lower myself to my knees before her. My brows shoot to my hairline, finding myself suddenly embraced by my old friend and I find myself sighing softly in spite of myself as I pull her deeper into my embrace. Her same, comforting scent encompasses me fully, instantly sending my thoughts to years ago, to the last time I held her like this. Gods, it seems entire centuries have passed.

"Why don't you come on inside," I offer softly, feeling her nod against my shoulder before she allows me to help her to her feet. The two of us work together to gather up her many bags and my curiosity is burning as we proceed to lug her things inside.

"God, I'm so sorry," Sookie remarks whilst reaching up to brush away her tears. "We've hardly spoken in years and I here I am, bringing my troubles right to your front door, quite literally," she adds, shaking her head to bring an amused smile from me.

"It's okay, Sook, really," I assure her, watching the faintest of smiles play upon her pink lips. "Though, I am a bit curious to know what on earth could have brought you, along with what looks to be the whole of your worldly possessions to my door at this late hour," I remark inquisitively, seeing her smile wiped away upon hearing my words, leaving me missing it instantly. She slumps down upon my sofa with a sigh and I settle myself beside her, catching her watery gaze.

"It's Bill," she whispers, instantly putting me on edge, having never liked that cretin and never having understood my friend's infatuation with said man.

"What did he do?" I demand, seeing her eyes widen subtly at my apparent anger. "Did he hit you? Because I swear to God, Sook," I start before she's shaking her head vehemently, to send a wave of relief through me, thankful to know this is not the case.

"No, no, Bill never hit me," she assures me as I let out a small sigh of relief, falling back to the couch beside her. "It's even worse than that, if you can believe it," she grits out irritably, leaving me looking to her in surprise, my mind already trying to determine what he could have possibly done. "He's been cheating on me, Goddy, for months, with some teenage girl and just to add insult to injury, he managed to go and knock her up," she grits out, leaving me utterly speechless. Holy shit.

"Sook, I'm so sorry," I finally remark, unable to form words even remotely adequate enough to offer my obviously hurting friend any sort of comfort.

"I can't believe how stupid I've been," she says then, her golden head shaking as more tears well within those stunning sapphire eyes of hers. "I really thought I loved him, Godric, and now I find out he's been carrying on behind my back, like our relationship meant nothing to him, like I meant nothing to him."

"Sook, you can't blame yourself for this," I interject, softly cupping her chin in order to meet her gaze. "This is in no way your fault, you hear me?" She nods just as a defeated sob escapes her and I find myself once more cradling her weeping form in my arms. My heart silently breaks for my old friend, wishing there was any way I could make this at all better for her.

Knowing I could never form adequate words to ease her pain, I remain quiet, hoping my embrace offers her at least some form of solace whilst silently cursing Bill fucking Compton. I knew I was right in not trusting him and only wish Sookie had felt the same unease around the man that would inevitably break her fragile heart.

It doesn't take long for Sookie to cry herself into a restless sleep and I just don't have the heart to wake her, especially given the night she's had. I slowly rise from the couch, cradling Sookie gently to my chest before trailing back to my bedroom, deciding she deserves a comfortable place to sleep. The couch will be adequate enough for me; Sookie's own comfort is first priority.

I carefully pull back the covers before placing her slumbering form upon the bed, a wistful smile finding its way to my face despite myself. I can't even count the number of times images of Sookie's angelic face have risen in my mind, managing to overshadow the entirety of my thoughts over these last few years and though I hate the heartbreaking circumstances that brought her into my life once more, I'm grateful for it all the same.

"Goddy?" sounds out softly then, bringing me from my wandering thoughts as I feel Sookie's hand clutch tightly around my own. "Please stay with me. I can't be alone, not tonight," she whispers pleadingly. I pause momentarily, unsure whether or not to oblige her before catching her imploring gaze. I'm left sighing softly, knowing full well I could never turn her away and proceed to slip off my heavy jeans before crawling under the covers with her.

Her arms wind around me tightly and a contented smile automatically forms over my face as I pull her deeper into my embrace, once more surrounding myself in her familiar, sweet scent. God, there's so much I need to tell her, so much for me to explain, but for now, I'll be the supportive presence she needs, deciding then and there it will be in her best interest if I were to fall back into the familiar role of her ever diligent best friend.

AN: So I realize this first chapter is a bit heavy and emotional, but this story will actually turn much more lighthearted and fluffy soon, just so you know! :)