Eric began work right away on turning Sookie's home into a safe place for not only him but for Sookie and the baby as well. Special UV windows were imported from other countries. They were designed so that a vampire could move around in the daylight if they chose to. A coffin for him had been moved into the basement of the house. The fridge, stocked to the max with bottles. Some filled with formula, the others filled with Tru Blood.
It was around noon. The "family" had been allowed to move into their new home three days prior. Sookie had just finished giving the baby a bath. Eric was now holding her. His eyes were closed and he was still as stone.
"What are you doing?" Sookie asked as she watched him curiously.
"I like the way she smells. I want to memorize it." He explained simply.
"What does she smell like to you?" Sookie asked.
"It's hard to explain. She doesn't smell like what I am used to. Obviously I smell her blood and the shampoo you used on her but there is something more."
"So what are you going to name her?" Sookie came to sit next to Eric. She took the infant's hand in her own and stroked the soft skin on the back of her hand.
"What do you mean?" Eric asked puzzled. He looked at her with confusion. As if that thought had never occurred to him before.
"Well she needs a name silly." Sookie let out a small giggle. "Everyone has to have a name."
He pondered what she was saying. He closed his eyes again and sat there deep in thought for a long time. If Sookie hadn't known better she would have thought he had fallen asleep.
"Carys Sofia" he said softly at first. He was testing the words as they came out of his mouth. He liked the way they sounded. "Her name is Carys Sofia Northman."
"Carys that's pretty." Sookie liked the name instantly. She smiled down at the infant. She had come to the conclusion that the name suited her. "What origin is it?" She asked.
"Carys is Welsh it means love. Sofia is Greek and it means wisdom. Believe it or not it is a very common name over in Sweden. It was my sister's name." Eric let out a long sigh. "It's one of the few things I can remember from my human life."
"Will you tell me about your life?" she wanted to know more about Eric. She wanted to know why he was the way he was. He had always seemed so closed off and guarded. Maybe something about his previous life made him that way.
"Maybe one day." He told her. "But I must warn you it is not for the faint of heart."
"Nothing about you is for the faint of heart." she retorted. "Now gimme her." She reached out for the baby. He eyed her carefully not wanting to let go of the infant. "Eric it's ok I am simply bringing upstairs so she can take a nap." Reluctantly he allowed her to take the baby.
He heard her make her way up the creaky old stairs. She opened the first door on the right and stepped into the nursery. Eric had spared no expense. He had had the nursery painted to look like a meadow. So when Carys grew older he could pretend like he was outside with her in the daylight. Sookie returned, she stood against the door frame studying him. Her hands were planted in her pockets.
"What?" he asked grinning slightly.
"I am just not used to this side of you." She admitted praying that she had not insulted him in some way.
"Honestly…" He looked at her. His blue orbs were light and carefree. They weren't the ruthless and cold ones she had become accustomed to. "I have never had a reason to show this side of myself."
"I have to go to work but Carys should be out for a while. You should probably get some rest yourself. You don't have to sleep in the basement if you do not want to. Feel free to stay up here just in case she needs you. You have the number of the bar if you need me. Yep I think that is it." Sookie gave him a smile as she sauntered out the front door.
He waited till she was out of sight before taking the stairs two at a time to get to the baby. She was asleep with her little hands thrown over her head. Eric smiled as he watched her. If his heart had been able to beat he definitely would have found the sight heartwarming. He brought his face down close to hers and allowed himself to inhale her scent once more. Then what he did next surprised even him. He placed his lips on her soft baby cheek and kissed her.
"Sleep tight my beloved." he whispered before leaving her alone to get some rest.
