When Will was powdered, diapered, and redressed, Sookie stood, holding him out to Bill.

"Take him," She smiled. "You can hold him...there...like this," She turned Will so that he was facing out. "He likes to watch where he's going...dontcha...?" She cocked her head at the baby. Will smiled and drool dripped onto Bill's hand.

"Sorry!" Sookie said, quickly wiping it away with the towel. "He's teething. The bathroom is just what I would expect," She nodded at the huge whirlpool tub. "So show me the rest of the place."

They checked on Izzy and found her napping in the chair with Mona sprawled on her lap. Bill led the way upstairs. There were three large rooms and a second bathroom. "I don't get up here much," he explained. Only one of the rooms was furnished. "I use this for guests."

"It's nice," Sookie said as they headed back downstairs. " I like your place. I thought it would be odd to see you someplace outside of BonTemps, but this fits. It gives me hope."

"Hope? Hope for what?" Will wiggled and Bill tightened his grip.

"Well, if you can make a life outside of Bon Temps, then maybe we can too."

"You're thinking of leaving Bon Temps?"

Sookie sat on the couch and held out her arms for Will. Bill handed him to her and she held the baby's hands as he slid off her lap, pushing his legs against the floor. "You want to crawl around, don'tcha?" She let go and Will took off on hands and knees, exploring.

"I've already left," She said flatly. "The house is sold. The furniture is in storage. Jason is running the bar."

"Jason is running Merlotte's?" Bill laughed.

"Yeah, surprised the hell out of me, too," Sookie admitted. "But he really stepped up. When Sam got sick...he took over. Ran the bar, took care of the house. He and Tara took turns with the kids, although Sam wanted them around as much as possible. I think Jason has finally grown up. Although I doubt he'll ever settle down with one woman." She smiled. "Some things never change."

"But, Sookie, Bon Temps is your home. I've lived many places but..."

"I can't live there anymore, Bill. Everything reminds me of Sam. I can't stand people watching us, waiting for the widow to break down, or waiting to see if that Isabelle Merlotte has her mother's 'gift' or if Will...well, you know." Sookie looked at him. "I'm tired, Bill. I want to start over. I want to give my kids a chance at a different kind of life than I had. A life where people don't know all their secrets."

She moved from the couch and captured Will, who had begun crawling toward the kitchen. "I should feed him. You have a microwave, right?"

"Yes, of course." Bill followed her into the kitchen. She grabbed several jars and a spoon from a zippered compartment in the bag. Once the food was warmed she perched Will on her lap and fed him, alternating between the jars. It looked awkward to Bill, but she accomplished it with apparent ease, and without making too much of a mess.

"Where do you think you'd like to live?" Bill asked.

Sookie didn't take her eyes off of Will, who was now busily sucking on his bottle. "Maybe here," Sookie said. Then added quickly. "Not here here...in Chicago, I mean." She blushed furiously.

"Sookie, it's okay. I knew what you meant." Seeing her again had reminded him how much he had missed her, how hard it had been to walk away. He had to acknowledge to himself that he still loved her. But now was not the time to entertain any designs of renewing a romantic relationship. Sookie was grieving. She came here seeking his friendship. He would be a friend.

"Mama, I'm hungry," Izzie came into the kitchen, Mona following close on her heels. Isabelle leaned against her mother and repeated her plea. "I'm hungry!"

Mona wound herself around Bill's ankles and meowed. "Looks like all the girls are hungry," he observed. "Why don't we order in?"

Sookie smiled. "There's nothing in the refrigerator, is there?"

"Not much." Bill admitted.

"Anything close?"

"There's a place around the corner. It reminds me of Merlotte's..." Bill's voice trailed off.

"That sounds perfect," Sookie said. "It's a nice night, I've got a stroller in the van. Let's go get something to eat."

The stroller was big enough for two, and although Izzy had to pull her knees up to keep her feet from dragging, she insisted on riding and Sookie didn't argue.

"I'm afraid I give in too easily since Sam died," She admitted to Bill as they strolled down the street. "But...she's lost so much."

"And you don't have a lot of energy."

"No, it's hard being the only parent. I've only been at it for four months...my grandmother was almost twice my age and she did this. I never knew she was this tired."

"I'm sure she was. Kids are pretty oblivious to the adults around them."

"Until they're hungry," Sookie said with a grin.

The bar was crowded, but they found a table near the door. The waitress knew Bill and brought his usual TruBlood before taking their order. Will slept in his stroller while Izzy ate chicken fingers and drank root beer. At Bill's insistence, Sookie ordered, but pushed the plate away with half her burger and most of the fries untouched.

"My appetite is lousy," She said.

"You should eat more." Bill worried.

Reluctantly, Sookie picked up the burger and took another bite. She nibbled on a few fries.

"Happy?"

"That's better," He nodded.

"We'd better go. I need to get the kids to bed. Well, her anyway, he's already out. Do you know where the Marriot is? We have a reservation."

"You don't have to stay in a hotel," Bill said. "You're tired. There's the guest room. Please, stay with me."

"I don't want to put you out." Sookie pushed away from the table and fumbled in her purse to pay the check. Bill reached for it, but she snatched it away. "Sam left us in good stead. I'll get this."

"Then you'll stay with me," Bill leveled his gaze at her.

"I like the kitty, Mama." Izzy piped. "Can we stay with Bull?"

Sookie and Bill looked at each other and laughed. "Bull? Honey...it's Bill." Sookie put emphasis on the vowel.

"That's what I said," Izzy insisted indignantly. "Bull."

"All right," Sookie agreed. "But just tonight. Tomorrow we'll find the hotel. It has a pool," she reminded her daughter.

"I like the kitty."

Bill smothered a laugh and Sookie shook her head. "I give up. I can't compete with a kitty, I guess."

They walked back to the house and Bill helped unload the bags and port-a-crib from the van, carrying them up to the guest room.

"No bath tonight, Izzy." Sookie said helping her into her pajamas. "Brush your teeth and into bed."

"Can kitty sleep with me?" Izzy begged once she was snuggled under the covers.

"Kitty sleeps where she wants," Bill said from the hall. "But she might wander up here."

"Mama will sleep with you, okay?" Sookie bent to kiss her forehead.

"Okay. G'night Mama."

"Goodnight, Sweetie."