Chapter One
"Bill, just inform Eric that I can't come that day," said Sookie. "I have a relative coming that I have never met who has gone to a lot of trouble to find me."
"He won't be pleased," said Bill.
"I'll just come another time, no biggie," said Sookie.
"I'll tell him," said Bill. "But, you know how he is."
"Well, I have a life too," said Sookie. "Just this once, can't he work around my schedule?"
Sookie pecked Bill on the cheek and then shoved him out the door and resumed cleaning. She had been at it all day. Her home may not be what her relative was used to, but, dammit, she was going to make sure it was spotless.
She remembered her conversation with her new found relative as she worked. At first, she had thought that it was some prank call and then that it was someone who was just mistaken. Because the voice on the end of the line had not sounded like any Stackhouse that she had ever heard. A wonderfully different accent had said that her name was Darcie Stackhouse and that she thought that she and Sookie might be related.
"Hello, is this Sookie Stackhouse?" said that different voice.
"Yes, who is this?" asked Sookie, curiously.
"My name is Darcie Stackhouse," said the girl. "I think that we might be related. Do you mind talking with me?"
"You sound funny," said Sookie. "Is this some kind of joke? Because I am just not in the mood to be messed with."
"I assure you that I am quite sincere," said the cultured and accented voice. "I sound peculiar to you probably because I am British."
"Okay, I know that you are mistaken now because none of my family has ever gone to England," said Sookie.
"Are you absolutely sure?" said Darcie. "My grandmother recently passed away and she left me several old letters and documents. I have been looking into the family history and believe that my great grandfather was a brother to your great grandfather. He was a Yank who came to Britain during World War I. He never went back to Louisiana because he fell in love with an English girl and married her. She was my great grandmother. I have all the names, I was just hoping that you also had a family history or Bible and that you wouldn't mind checking for me."
Sookie was stunned and sat there a moment.
"I assure you that I am legitimate and am not trying to trick you. This is a little scary for me too. But, there aren't many Stackhouses left here and if I really have other relatives, I would like to know them. I don't want anything from you, except to get to know you, that is, if you want to know me" said Darcie.
"Hold on," said Sookie. "I'll get Gran's Bible out."
It was a common custom in the South for the old family Bibles to record all the births and deaths of family members. Sookie pulled out the family Bible and returned to the phone.
"Okay, I'm ready," said Sookie.
"My great grandfather was Edgar Stackhouse. I believe his brother was Owen," said Darcie. "I know from my Grandmother that his father's name was Harlan and his mother was Eugenia."
Sookie looked through the Bible going up the family tree, which wasn't overly populated since the Stackhouses had never been prolific in regards to procreation. She found her grandfather Earl's birth and followed the family tree back. Sure, enough she found the births of Edgar and Owen written down. Owen's was her grandfather's dad. There wasn't any more information listed for Edgar and Sookie had assumed that Edgar must have died in childhood. Sookie paused as she considered what this meant.
"Did you find something?" eagerly asked Darcie.
"I think you are right," said Sookie. "I found the births of Owen and Edgar and their parents were Harlan and Eugenia. There isn't another mention of Edgar in the Bible, it's like he disappeared."
"Well, maybe since he left and never returned, they forgot about him," said Darcie. "Although, he figures prominently in my family history."
"This is so exciting," said Sookie. "Not only do I have a relative that I never knew about, but she is a foreigner."
"Are there a lot of Stackhouses there?" asked Darcie.
"I only have my brother, Jason," said Sookie. "Our parents died a long time ago, and my Gran only recently."
There was silence on the line for a moment.
"I am also an orphan, my parents died when I was 13, and my grandmother passed away only 6 months ago. It is strange that our circumstances are so similar. I am an only child which, I guess, is why I am so curious," said Darcie.
Darcie added, "I know this is forward, but I would like to come and meet you. I have never been to the states before. Do you want to meet me?"
Sookie thought for only a second and said, "Yes, I do."
So, Darcie and Sookie had made their plans. It seemed that Darcie's situation was much more affluent than Sookies. Not only did Sookie have a long-lost relative, she had a rich long-lost relative.
Finally, the day came that Darcie would be arriving. She would either arrive in late afternoon or evening and was planning on staying for a while. She had bought a one way ticket and applied for a visa since she intended to travel and see more of the US. She was renting a car at the airport and driving to Bon Temps. She and Sookie had not exchanged photos over the internet since she wanted their meeting to be a total surprise.
When Sookie heard the knock on the door, she was gripped with nervousness and excitement. What if this cultured English girl would look down her nose at her commonness and decide to turn around and make a hasty retreat.
She opened the door and saw Darcie for the first time and her suspicions were confirmed. Darcie was delicate and graceful, yet she was several inches taller than Sookie. She had dark brown hair that fell straight down, except for bangs, and her pale skin was flawless. Darcie was dressed in an expensive looking suit in a dove gray color. The pants skimmed her figure, but did not cling. The jacket fit her like a glove and a satiny purple camisole could be seen underneath it. She wore a simple strand of pearls with pearl drop earrings. Darcie's green eyes locked with her blue ones and Sookie knew instantly that Darcie was just as apprehensive as she was. Slowly, Darcie smiled.
"You are just the way that I pictured you," said Darcie. "You look very American and are very pretty."
"And you are too," said Sookie. "We don't look a thing alike. But, that is kinda cool."
Suddenly, inside her head, Sookie heard, Are you different like me?
Sookie gasped and put her hand to her mouth.
The voice inside her head said, Can you hear me, cousin Sookie?
Sookie replied telepathically, Get out! There is no doubt that you are related to me now.
Darcie smiled and said out loud, "I'm sorry that I didn't mention it, but if you weren't like me, I didn't want to scare you off since I wanted to meet you regardless."
For the first time in her life, Sookie felt like she wasn't so alone. She stepped forward and hugged Darcie and, after only a second of hesitation, Darcie hugged her back.
"Are all Americans so friendly?" asked Darcie when Sookie let her go.
"Actually, no," said Sookie, with a grin, and she pulled Darcie inside.
The two girls then began to share pictures and family history. Darcie had brought with her some family pictures, even one of Edgar and his English bride, Alison. She also shared her colorful family history, it seems her family was just as colorful as the Louisiana Stackhouses.
"I wonder if eccentricity runs in the family," said Darcie, "except my family was always a little strange even before the infusion of Yankee blood."
"Um, just so you know, don't call anyone around here a Yankee," said Sookie. "You might start a riot, since those are fighting words."
"Really? Aren't you all Yanks?" said Darcie. "I didn't mean to insult you."
"Oh, I understand," said Sookie. "But, we are going to Merlott's and I don't want you to say Yankee there, just to be safe."
"Merlott's?" said Darcie.
"That's where I work," said Sookie. "I'm just a waitress. But, everyone is dying to meet you and I really want to show you off."
"Don't say 'just a waitress' like that," said Darcie. "I didn't come here to make you feel uncomfortable, Sookie. I am not so small-minded to actually think that what a person does for a living has any bearing on their character and worth."
Sookie wished everyone thought that way.
"Besides," said Darcie, with a giggle. "I could mess up and do something weird to embarrass you, after all, I am a Stackhouse."
"Girl, you would have to do something totally off the wall, to even come close to my antics," said Sookie.
"I think that I hear a challenge in that," said Darcie, with a wicked grin.
It was after dark when Sookie and Darcie walked into Merlotts. And every male head turned to look at them. Or turned to look at Darcie, thought Sookie. She had some quality that made her noticeable even when she wasn't trying to attract attention, thought Sookie. A few had noticed the red Mercedes convertible that they had arrived in. Darcie obviously traveled in style. Sookie saw Sam standing behind the bar with his eyes glued to Darcie. Together, she and Darcie, approached him. Tara nudged Sam, when Sookie and Darcie were standing in front of him, to bring him out of that glassy eyed stare.
"Sam, this is my distant cousin, Darcie Stackhouse," said Sookie. "And Darcie, this Sam Merlott, the owner and my boss."
"Hello, Sam," said Darcie. "Sookie didn't tell me what a cute boss she had."
Sam actually blushed and said, "Thanks, it's nice to meet you, Darcie. Sookie mentioned that you were from England, but I really like the way you talk."
Darcie smirked and said, "I like the way you Yanks talk too." At the mention of that word a few heads turned around.
"Just kidding," said Darcie with a smile. "Southerners, is that the right term?"
"And this is Tara, my best friend," said Sookie.
"It's very nice to meet you, Tara," said Darcie. "Perhaps, us girls and get together and do something?"
"I would like that," said Tara without a ghost of sarcasm.
Arlene and Lafayette also poked their heads around the corner to look at Darcie.
"Girlfriend, she shore don't look like no Stackhouse from around here," said Lafayette. "That suit alone will set you back $500 or more and she knows how to work it."
Arlene whispered, "Do you think she's, you know, weird like Sookie?"
"Hard to tell," said Lafayette. "But, I would watch my thoughts, just in case. You don't want the Stackhouses to be double-teaming you."
Sookie noticed Lafayette and Arlene and waved them forward to introduce them to Darcie. Darcie looked Lafayette over and winked at him, slyly.
"You ever watch wrestling, Lafayette?" said Darcie.
That was enough for Lafayette who beat a hasty retreat back to the kitchen.
Just then Jason arrived. And he stopped when he saw Darcie and gave her the once over and then the twice-over. He then sauntered over to Sookie and Darcie.
"Darcie, this is my brother, Jason," said Sookie.
"Oh, this is my other cousin," said Darcie and she gave Jason a quick little hug.
"Wow," said Jason. "I mean, it's nice to meet you."
Darcie excused herself to the restroom and Jason watched her walk away. Sookie knew that look.
"Jason," she said. "You cannot hit on our cousin."
"Why not?" said Jason. "It's not like she's a first cousin or it's against the law."
"Jason, you behave and don't embarrass us," said Sookie.
When Darcie came back, the three Stackhouses slid into a booth together. Jason made sure that he slid in next to Darcie and then scooted over close to her on the seat. To Sookie's embarrassment, Jason began to flirt with Darcie who played along with good humor.
After several comments, Darcie said, "Jason Stackhouse, I think that you are flirting with me. We are related, you know."
"But, it's not like it's illegal or like we'd have mutant babies if we, you know, decided to make babies," said Jason.
"Jason!" hissed Sookie, turning bright red.
"It's okay, Sookie," said Darcie with a grin. "This is the most interesting offer that I think that I have ever had. My distant cousin has just offered to make mutant babies with me. I might need a moment here to consider the pros and cons of this alliance. Let see for the pros: my cousin is very cute and we would have cute, mutant babies and I can tell by the way he handles himself that he knows a thing or two about making a girl happy between the sheets."
Here, Jason beamed and Sookie rolled her eyes.
"Continuing on for the pros: I wouldn't have to change my name if we decided to make those mutant babies legitimate. There is something to be said for keeping things all in the family and that means that I wouldn't have to change my initials on my towels. And I have to admit the entire proposal is a little pervy, and I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I am a bit of a perv myself. But for the cons: we still have those mutant babies, Jason, and I really don't think the world is ready for mutant Stackhouse babies," said Darcie.
"We don't have to have babies to get together," said Jason, hopefully.
"Jason Stackhouse, you stop it right now," said Sookie.
"You are cute, Jason," said Darcie and she telepathically sent Sookie the message, but not too bright.
"That is an understatement," said Sookie out loud.
"Huh?" said Jason. "What are you talking about Sook?"
Sookie and Darcie giggled.
Just then Bill arrived, and Darcie's eyes widened when he came to the table. Sookie saw that and wondered what her new friend and relative would make of her vampire boyfriend.
"Darcie, this is my boyfriend Bill," said Sookie. "Bill this is my cousin, Darcie."
Darcie stared at him for only a moment and then remembered her manners.
"It's very nice to meet you Bill," said Darcie.
"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you that Bill is a vampire, I just didn't know how to bring it up," said Sookie.
"You don't owe me any explanations," said Darcie.
"So, how are you liking Merlott's?" asked Bill as he seated himself next to Sookie.
"It has a lot of charm, it's like a real American road house," said Darcie.
She then grinned and said, "And it is the site of the most interesting offer that I have ever had, so it's very unforgettable. Jason has generously offered to make mutant babies with me."
"Oh, that's, um, nice," said Bill, uncomfortably, looking at Darcie and Jason.
"I'm just messing with you, Bill," said Darcie, "although, just between you and me, I think Jason really wants to have it off with me. Shhhh, it's a secret."
"Hey, I made that offer in good faith," said Jason.
"I know, it's tempting too," said Darcie with a smile. "It's too bad that there isn't any dancing here or I would slow dance with you, Jason Stackhouse."
"I can fix that," said Jason and he got up and walked to the juke box and selected a slow love song and came back for Darcie. Darcie was a little embarrassed now, but she shrugged her shoulders and looked to Sookie.
"I think that I have just answered your challenge, Sookie, but what the hell, you only live once right," Darcie said and then turned her eyes to Bill. She added, "Unless, you are a vampire."
Darcie took Jason's hand and together they walked to the juke box. Darcie slipped her arms around Jason and drew him in tightly and together they began to sway to the music. Darcie lowered one hand down to Jason's hip and rested it there. Bill and Sookie's eyes weren't the only ones that watched the scene and Sookie could hear the buzz of people's thoughts inside her head. Sookie cast a glance in Sam's direction wondering how he was going to react. Sam didn't usually allow dancing in the bar. But, like everyone else, Sam seemed to be curiously watching the couple.
"Are they serious?" asked Bill. "You are all related, right?"
"I think Jason is serious," said Sookie. "Darcie is harder to decipher. You know the Stackhouses, we like to put on a show."
When that song ended, Jason put more coins in the juke box and they continued, blissfully unaware of the whispers that they were generating. They were a sight, thought Sookie. Total opposites, except both were very attractive. Maybe they would make cute babies, thought Sookie, who once again felt an irrational pang of regret that she and Bill would never had children.
Lafayette and Arlene watched the scene from the order window.
"I told you craziness runs in the Stackhouse family. Even if they aren't first cousins, that is some weird shit," said Lafayette.
Arlene watched them and looked over at Sookie and Bill. She said, "I still think that is more normal than having a vampire boyfriend, at least Jason is alive."
As the last song ended, Jason leaned down to kiss Darcie on the lips. Darcie placed her hand on his chest, causing him to pause. She moved and kissed him sweetly on the cheek. Jason smiled and led her to the pool table where the two of them began a game.
Bill eyed them for a moment and said, "So, how are you and your new found cousin getting along?"
"Bill, it has been so wonderful," said Sookie. "I know she looks like she should be a snob, but she is the farthest thing from that. Some of the so-called well-to-do in this town should take a lesson."
"They say that true culture and class are like that," said Bill. He looked at Darcie and she seemed like the genuine article, classy and down to earth.
"I think that she is still a Stackhouse," said Bill with a smile. "She's not afraid to set the tongues a-wagging."
"She has to have one flaw to keep her human," said Sookie.
"Is she like you?" asked Bill.
Sookie smiled and said, "Yes, that's probably why we are so at ease with each other. It's like she is an instant friend and she understands me. That is something that I have never had before."
Bill smiled and turned his eyes to look at Darcie.
"I told Eric and he said to call when you are ready," said Bill.
"I guess that he can be reasonable sometimes, after all," said Sookie.
Jason and Darcie came back to the booth, arm in arm, and took a seat across from Bill and Sookie.
Jason said, "Oh shoot, I forgot that I have a date tonight, but I can cancel."
"Oh, I don't want you to break some girl's heart over me," said Darcie. "I don't steal other girl's boyfriends, even ones as cute as you."
"Oh, it ain't like that," said Jason. "It's just, um, well, it's like..."
"Are you telling me, Jason Stackhouse that this is a clandestine and illicit rendezvous just for the purpose of sexual gratification?" said Darcie with a grin.
"What?" asked Jason, confused.
"In plain English then, so this is just a date for shagging," said Darcie.
"Does shagging mean what I think it does?" said Jason. "yeah, I mean, well...are you going to think bad of me?"
"No," said Darcie. "I could tell what you were from a mile away. You're family, I would never judge. Someday, though, you'll find the right girl and watch out, cousin, you won't stand a chance."
"Maybe I already did," said Jason.
"You had better save those smooth come-ons, you never know when you might need one," said Darcie, with a smile.
Jason grinned and kissed her again on the cheek.
"I'll see you later, Sook. And I'll be seeing you again too, Cousin," said Jason and, with a smile, he left.
"Sookie, I'm afraid to admit this, but I'm really knackered. If you can get a ride home, do you mind if I go back to your place?" asked Darcie.
"Of course, I'm tired too," replied Sookie. "Do you want to come over Bill?"
"I'll be over in shortly," said Bill. "It was nice to meet you, Darcie."
Darcie politely smiled and then she and Sookie left.
When Bill got home, he called Eric.
"Did you meet this long-lost relative?" asked Eric.
"Yes," said Bill.
"Well?" said Eric.
"She is like Sookie," said Bill.
There was a long pause on the line. Bill's mind was occupied with Sookie, as it ever was. There was now a way to ensure that Eric would leave her alone. It came at a terrible price, but he was willing to pay it.
"She can take Sookie's place," said Bill. "She has the same ability, plus you would not have any interference from another vampire."
"Sookie's talents aren't the only reason that I want her," said Eric.
"Trust me, you won't be disappointed with this girl. She is beautiful with brown hair and green eyes and a graceful figure. She's cultured and a genuine blue-blood, I know how that might be important to you," said Bill.
"You are making a hard-sell, Bill," said Eric.
"I want you leave Sookie alone," said Bill. "I will deliver the girl to you."
"Sookie will never forgive you," said Eric.
"She won't find out as long as you keep the girl under control," said Bill.
"If the girl is everything you say, then I will leave your precious Sookie alone," said Eric.
"When the girl leaves here, I will bring her to you," said Bill.
"I'm surprised at the lengths you are willing to go to, Bill," said Eric. "And people consider me cruel."
Eric hung up and Bill wrestled with his guilt.