So, I'm very, very sorry for this ridiculous delay. I hope this chapter makes up for the two month or more wait. And of course, big thanks to my beta, RubySun03! Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing...sadly.
What Amelia said to me was a blur. I just knew she was on her way. I could sense Eric's confusion, which only made me feel worst. I was pacing in the living room when I heard Amelia's car come up the drive way. It practically came to a screeching halt. She came running in.
"What happened?" she demanded.
"I told Eric I'm pregnant and he just got up and left," I recounted, my voice quivering.
"Oh Sookie!" Amelia cried as she threw her arms around me, "I'm sorry. I swear, I'll stake the bastard!"
"I don't know what to do!" I sobbed into her shoulder.
Amelia brought me over to the couch. She handed me a clean tissue as she took my hand into hers.
"Sookie," she said gently, "It'll be alright. For right now you just need to calm down."
I nodded as I blotted my tears. I tried to steady my breathing, but it was still ragged and erratic. Amelia didn't know what to do. To be honest, there wasn't anything that we could do. I didn't know where Eric went and I couldn't sense where Eric was either. I suppose the surge of emotion clouded the effects of the bond. Amelia looked at me and gave me a sympathetic smile.
"Why don't you go take a long bath or lie down for a bit," she suggested.
"That's a good idea," I agreed, "But what will you do?"
"Don't worry, I brought stuff to occupy myself," Amelia assured me, "I'll be out here if you need to talk."
"Ok, thanks Amelia," I said gratefully.
I stood up and made my way to my bedroom. I crawled on to my bed and lay down on my back. I took a few, deep relaxing breaths. But, they weren't as relaxing as I hoped they would have been. My hands unconsciously found themselves on my lower stomach. I felt a rush of nervous excitement. I'm going to be a mom. I smiled slightly, the idea relieved some of my fears about Eric leaving. However, my anxiety could not be quelled so easily.
Although I didn't want to admit it, in the back of my mind I knew there was a chance that I'd have to be a parent alone. But I knew I could do it. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that I would make good mom. If my Gran could raise two children on her own, I know I could. Then again, she didn't have to raise us as babies. I mean, Jason was eleven when we moved into our Gran's house and he was mostly self-sufficient. I was the one Gran had to keep an eye on. Nevertheless, I know I could handle it.
But before I started planning single-parenthood, I needed to know that Eric didn't want to be a part of this child's life. And I had no inkling either way about Eric's intentions. As a vampire, you'd never expect to find out that you're going to be a father. So when the impossible happens, it would be total shock to your system. And being as old as he was, Eric must've been even more freaked out. I could easily read the shock on Eric's face when I told him. I understood that Eric had to think, but I just wished he'd tell me if he was coming back. Maybe if I calmed down more, the bond would be able to tell me his general location and state of mind. It would be a great burden off my mind, which was growing foggy with drowsiness. I lifted my head up to look at the clock, it was almost ten o'clock. My head hit the pillow again and I was out.
I woke up sometime in the early morning. I could feel Eric next to me, his arm draped across my side. Relief rushed through my body. Half awake, I rolled over to face him. Bleary-eyed, I looked up at him. He gave me a small smile.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I would love to say don't be, but I can't. Eric, you really worried me," I replied earnestly.
"I know my lover, and I am very sorry for causing you such distress," Eric said sincerely as he kissed my forehead.
I snuggled against him, "We need to talk."
"We do," he agreed, "but not now, it's almost dawn."
"Then when you get up tonight," I replied, still very sleepy.
"Of course," Eric paused, "please let Amelia know she doesn't need to stake me."
My lips curled up into a smile, "I'm guessing she greeted you when you came in then?"
"She did," Eric chuckled, "you have a very loyal friend ."
"I know and I'm very lucky to have her," I replied.
I felt Eric's lips on my forehead again and his hand gently stroking my stomach, "I love you."
"I love you too," I whispered back before falling back asleep.
I slept peacefully through the rest of the night. My dreams were pleasant and serene. I woke up later in the morning feeling rested. I did, however, fall back asleep several times for a few minutes before I finally pulled myself out of bed. It took a bit of coercing though. I stretched out for a bit before heading into the bathroom. I shucked my clothes and hopped into the shower. I was squeaky clean in no time and proceeded to brush out my hair. With my teeth brushed and some make up dabbed on, I went into the bedroom. I pulled on a t-shirt and some shorts.
Amelia hadn't gotten up yet, so I busied myself with making coffee and getting the newspaper from the porch. I had a small wave of nausea hit me for a brief minute. Thankfully, it subsided . I made some breakfast and picked at it while I skimmed the newspaper. The high school football team was undefeated and the local library was getting outfitted with new computers with the help of a grant. I continued to munch on my food as I read on. Human-Vampire marriages were up for vote again this coming November. It would be nice if Louisiana recognized our marriage. But hey, if it doesn't pass that's ok too. I didt need the state government to validate what I already knew, that Eric and I loved each other very much. I skimmed the paper some more. There was a smaller article about the registration bill for weres that had been waffling between the Senate and the House. It was back in the Senate now.
I pushed the paper aside and finished my meal. I sat at the table for a while. I thought a lot about the baby. I wondered what doctor to choose. I could get a were doctor, but I would rather not have it get around in the supernatural world that Eric had a human child. Well, I guess I wouldn't have to tell them the baby was Eric's. But were or not, they're still human and they still gossip. Plus, I'm pretty well known in the supe world and having the supe community know I'm pregnant would raise some eyebrows. More importantly though, Eric's place in Felipe de Castro's relatively new regime was unfortunately still unstable. Granted, our problems with Victor Madden were mostly gone. The Louisiana portion of Felipe's overall kingdom was running almost autonomously. Almost. Felipe was diligent in having a governor of sorts in New Orleans at all times. Her name was Cassandra. However, if any of the Sheriffs had a problem they'd report directly to Felipe. Or so Eric told me. Regardless, having the supernatural community knowing Eric has a human child would severely complicate the already delicate situation we were in.
I went back to thinking about doctors and babies. A human doctor, who was blissfully ignorant would probably be best. But, I might go a doctor's office in Shreveport or Monroe. However, going to a doctor's office outside of town would do squat from keeping the entire town from knowing that I was pregnant. I mean really, most of Bon Temp's population visits Merlotte's at some point. And everyone knows everyone, so it's not like they wouldn't know. I sighed, I was at a loss. I didn't know how I was going to explain the pregnancy. Maybe Eric would have some insight.
I got up and cleared off the table, I set the dishes in the sink and washed them. I placed them on the dish rack and placed the lid back onto the pan to keep the food warm for Amelia. And as if on cue, I heard the upstairs floor boards creak. I made my way back to the kitchen table while I listened to Amelia shuffle around upstairs before coming down to join me in the kitchen. I had already started the water for Amelia in case she wanted a cup of tea. She's usually up before me, but I guess that drive yesterday really took it out of her.
"Morning," she yawned.
"Good morning," I replied, sipping my coffee, "Sleep well?"
"M-hmm," Amelia nodded, "Well, I slept well during what few hours I got. I stayed up for awhile waiting for Eric to show up."
I chuckled, remembering what Eric had said to me, "I heard."
"Oh, I guess he told you what I told him then?" she figured as she peered into the pan on the stove.
"Yup," I affirmed.
"Huh, well you look happy and content so I'm gonna guess that I don't have to stake him now," Amelia presumed.
"You guessed right," I said with a smile.
Amelia grabbed a plate and got herself some food. She poured the hot water into a mug with the teabag and honey already in it. Amelia sat down at the table across from me, "So, did you guys talk?"
"No, not yet," I replied, "But we will tonight ."
"That's good," she nodded as she took a bite of her food.
Amelia thought she might still have to stake Eric after tonight though. She wasn't convinced that this talk would go over well. But, she hoped it would. Amelia started to entertain the idea of moving back in to help me with preparing for the baby.
"I can always stay to help you," she offered.
Amelia was also dreading her probation. It was menial work that even a novice witch would find demeaning-according to Amelia. She hoped that the witch coven in Shreveport, which was allied with hers in New Orleans, would allow her to serve out her punishment here.
"What about your probation?" I asked aloud.
"I might be able to convince my coven leader to allow me to finish it up here," Amelia replied cheerily.
"Well, it would be nice. But, I don't want to cause you any more problems than you already have," I shrugged.
"You'd be saving me. I mean, I'd still be doing the same thing, but it'd be a change of scenery," Amelia replied.
"But what about Brandon?" I asked.
"I hadn't thought about him," she paused, "I think Brandon would understand that I'd want to be up here to help you."
"Well, I appreciate the thought and I'll let you know," I assured her.
"Anytime, Sookie," Amelia grinned back.
Amelia finished her breakfast and cleaned up. I finished skimming the paper and set it aside for later. She told me she was going to get a shower real quick. I went back into my room and grabbed a paperback from the shelf. It was one of my sometimes cheesy, romances. I plopped myself on the couch and picked up where I left off.
I heard the shower turn off, signaling that Amelia would be out shortly. I could hear her shuffling around in the bathroom. I finished the chapter I was on and by the time I put the book away, Amelia was sitting in the living room.
"Hey," she greeted.
"Hey," I replied, "Have a good shower?"
"M-hmm," Amelia nodded, "So, what's on tap for today?"
I thought for a moment, "I don't really know. I hadn't really planned anything for us and then all of this happened."
"Why don't we go into Shreveport or Monroe and do some shopping?" Amelia suggested.
"Sounds good!" I agreed.
A little retail therapy would do me some good.
"Oh and we can buy cute little baby clothes," Amelia beamed.
"We can," I chuckled.
"Let's go!" Amelia said as she jumped to her feet.
Before we left, I went to the back door and locked it tight. I jotted a little note down for Eric too. Although, I doubted that Amelia and I would be out all day. But, you never knew. I placed it on the fridge door with a little magnet. I checked my wallet to make sure I had my seldom used credit card. I did. I stuck my wallet back into my purse and we were off.
Amelia and I decided to venture into Shreveport. We drove around for awhile but we then decided to stop at the mall. It was the biggest mall near us, four floors tall. Once we parked, Amelia was persistent on shopping for baby things. Every department store we hit, we were right in the baby section. We happened to be in Macy's at the moment. She was just enthralled with all the baby girl clothes they had. Everything was just so tiny and adorable in calm pastels. We must've looked lost because one of the sales clerks approached us. She was middle aged, with dyed brown hair and on the shorter side. She was curvy all around and had deep green eyes.
"Can I help either of you with anything?" she asked with a pleasant smile.
"You can help her," Amelia said, pointing at me, "She's the mommy-to-be."
"Oh, well congratulations," the clerk said cheerfully, "How far along are you?"
"About a month," I replied, although I wasn't sure in the least.
The clerk, who was named Dana, smiled once more and looked at one particular part of the baby section. She then looked back at us, "Over there are some newborn onesies and such. Lots of yellows and greens to choose from."
"Okay, thank you," I said.
Amelia and I headed over to the area Dana had pointed to. I picked out a set of three pale green onesies which were striped, polka-dotted, and solid print. We continued to shop around and eventually paid for the items we picked out. Amelia bought the baby's first toy. It was a super soft, yellow bear. I aww-ed a few times when I first saw it. Amelia laughed at me.
After another hour or so we left Macy's and went to explore the rest of the first and second floor. Once we finished up on the second level, Amelia and I were hungry again. So we grabbed some lunch and went on to tackle the third and fourth levels. Much to my surprise, Amelia and I shopped the day away. Well, mostly we window shopped , but we did actually buy other things than just baby stuff. I got a few shirts and Amelia picked up a skirt. On our way home we stopped in the same little restaurant we were in the day before to get some dinner. By the time we were in my driveway, it was almost dusk.
We brought our bags inside and Amelia went into the bathroom to freshen up. She was going to head out to Merlotte's tonight while Eric and I talked. She came back out from the bathroom and gave me a bright smile. I had been sitting on the couch, resting my tired legs.
"The only phone call I better get is to tell me that I should find another place to stay tonight so you and Eric can have fabulous make up sex," she said, half serious.
"Ok," I chuckled, "I'll see you later...maybe."
Amelia grinned, "Bye."
She grabbed her key and walked out of the front door. I got up from the couch after a bit and went into the kitchen. I pulled the note off the fridge and tossed it into the trash. I took my shopping bags to our room and put them at the foot of the bed. I noticed that Eric was up and about. I heard the bathroom door open behind me. I could feel his elation when he saw me, although he knew I was in the house long before that.
"Hello lover," he said as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Good evening," I replied as I turned around to face him.
"How was your day?" he asked.
"Good, Amelia and I went shopping," I said, "Did you rest well?"
"Yes," Eric nodded, "We should talk."
I released myself from his grasp and sat down on the bed, "I think so too."
Eric joined me on the bed. We sat cross legged, facing one another. I took a deep breath.
"Where did you go?" I asked. Not the most important question, but I wanted to know.
"I drove around Shreveport for awhile and then eventually went back to my house," Eric explained.
"I guess that explains why I couldn't pin point your location," I thought out loud.
Eric took my hands into his, "I'm sorry for worrying you."
"I know...it's just, I wanted to know...what you thought about all of this," I explained.
"I think...I don't know what to think," Eric literally sighed, "I've never had this kind of thing happen, obviously."
"I understand, sort of," I sighed as well.
Eric's cerulean eyes stared into mine, "Sookie, what do you want to do about the baby?"
"I want to have it," I replied, "keep it and raise it."
"Then we will do that," Eric said firmly.
"We?" I reiterated, a little stunned.
"Of course," Eric said, looking as shocked as he could, "You didn't think I'd let you raise this child by yourself did you?"
"Well, I wasn't sure that you wanted to be...ah, involved," I reasoned.
"Sookie, this is our child. I want to be a part of its life," Eric assured me, "I'm surprised you thought otherwise. I love you and I love this baby. Although, I never expected for us to experience this part of life, I'm very delighted to be able to. I want to be involved in your life and every aspect of it which includes our child."
I couldn't help but smile, "I swear, sometimes I forget you're a vampire."
"Yes, well me being a vampire, and a vampire of great power at that, will make this difficult," he said earnestly, "There will be times of danger for all of us involved which might include Amelia or anyone who will know about this baby."
"I figured as much. But, it'll be over my dead body that I'll let anything happen to the baby," I remarked.
"I know that to be true," Eric grinned, "You're quite the fighter."
"Only when I have to be," I clarified.
I felt more relaxed now and my mind was a bit more at ease. Eric was feeling the same. We were both nervous about what the other was going to say. But, now that we were on the same page everything seemed to be a bit better. There were still hundreds of questions floating around my head. But for now, I had the most important one answered.
"Well, Pam can have her baby shower now," I chuckled.
"Yes she can," Eric smirked.
He leaned over to kiss me. It looked like Amelia would need to find somewhere else to crash after all.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Drop me a review if you'd like.
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-Forever Is Never Forever
