Chapter 3

Sookie had sat down finally on the porch swing as more and more people came up to the steps, bowing their heads slightly, getting a good look at Adele, and then presenting their presents. Sookie had received many fruit baskets (according to Mr. Cataliades it was tradition since all Changelings adored fruit), but some had chosen more modern gifts like baby clothes, toys, things that Adele would need later in life. She also was adorned with many flowers, so many that Sookie could hardly keep up with what kinds they were and the smells they produced. Adele sat silently gazing at everything around her as Sookie held her up to a bright pink flower that Adele snatched up quickly and mouthed.

"No sweetheart" Sookie said laughing "I don't really know if you can have that."

On the porch practically being her body guards were Bill, Eric, Pam, Alcide (who's pack hung around the house just for extra protection), Sam and Mr. Cataliades. Mr. Cataliades upon seeing Adele for the first time without a word touched her face and Adele squealed with delight. The half demon simply smiled and told Sookie that Adele had many gifts within her, and maybe later when she grew older he would bestow her with more. Sookie's heart panicked a bit, knowing full well where her powers had come from and smiling told Mr. Cataliades that it wouldn't be necessary for him to give her more reason to worry about Adele.

The demon simply laughed and hung around, watching the crowds of people come from up the drive and towards the house.

"Sookie!" she heard from the crowd as a flailing hand reached out from the crowd. Sookie stood and caught sight of Amelia waving frantically at Sookie. She found herself smiling at the witch who had helped her break the bond between her and Eric, but was a bit worried the witch would hold a grudge against Sookie getting upset with her last time they met.

Amelia pushed her way up in front with many protests and growls from people but Sookie accepted her up on the porch happily.

"Amelia I can't believe you came!" Sookie said genuinely surprised.

"Well I couldn't miss this!" Amelia said gesturing to the crowd "Look at all these people Sook! Your house looks like the party of the century."

It had gotten pretty wild in her field. Fae and Weres and all sorts of Supernatural creatures had begun setting up tents and the sounds of whooping music and cheers were heard. Fires had been lit around, much to the dislike of Bill, but Sookie merely shrugged her shoulders at his protest. It was a time to celebrate, why crash everyone's party?

"And this must be the little one!" Amelia said looking down at Adele.

"Sure is, want to hold her? She doesn't mind people very much" Sookie said offering Adele.

"Really?" Amelia said taking Adele hesitantly.

Adele cooed at Amelia and began clucking her tongue at her.

"I guess that's a good sign?" Amelia said smiling.

"Well she didn't cry" Sookie said laughing.

"Here you go darlin" Amelia said handing Adele back to Sookie. Adele squealed loudly as she felt Sookie's arms around her again.

"I brought some special herbs and spices" Amelia said handing Sam a wicker basket full of different jars "They'll help her digest some hard foods. I guess Changelings aren't that good at handling much meat."

"That definitely will help" Sookie said bouncing Adele in her arms.

"Sookie this is so exciting, the first Changeling in centuries!" Amelia said smiling at the little baby "So many things will change. My powers will increase, Were's will feel more alive, even vamps will get a good taste of magic. Everything is going to be so great!"

"Let's hope so" Sookie said smiling.

Amelia started talking to Sam about the house and about Adele's new room as Sookie turned and faced a green skinned elf looking man who approached the porch with a flower adorned box.

"What's in that?" Sookie asked.

The elf man seemed a bit shocked Sookie would actually talk to him and stuttered out "Wooden luck charms my lady."

"Oh don't call me lady!" Sookie said laughing "You'll make me feel old. What sort of luck charms?"

The elf opened the box and produced wooden puzzle like cubes with many inscriptions on them "They'll bring good fortune to the little goddess" he said quietly.

"I'm sure she'll love them" Sookie said taking the box "Thank you."

The elf man bowed his head quickly and the crowd parted for him as if he were a supernatural Moses. It must have been a pretty big deal for Sookie to talk to the fae.

Sookie planted herself on the porch steps as Adele cooed and babbled. More presents came, all more adorned with flowers, and each containing something different or unique.

"Where am I going to put all this stuff little lady?" Sookie said to Adele. The baby simply just looked at her mother with a knowing stare and then drifted her eyes elsewhere as if she really didn't have a good answer. She was definitely not a normal baby. When she looked at someone, you could just tell she was working things out in her head, an intelligence only found in pre-teen minds.

Finally, after all the presents had been given, spare a few stragglers that had come in late, Sookie finally felt like resting and nestled her daughter close to her arms.

"Mind if we give you our gift now?" Eric said standing over her with a smile.

"Oh go ahead" Sookie said laughing "Though if I see one more basket I'm going to scream."

Pam flew off on the side of the house and came back with a giant bag in her arms. Sookie was a bit puzzled until Eric pulled the bag up to reveal the most beautiful ballgown Sookie had ever seen.

"For when she really comes out in the world" Eric said holding up the dress.

The dress almost looked like something out of a fairy tale, with it's beautiful white gown flowing in waves while the bodice was decorated like a blooming flower with soft petal like sleeves. Small sparkling crystals decorated the edges like the dew on the grass in the cold light of morning.

"It's..." Sookie said shaking her head "It's so beautiful."

"It's adjustable so whatever size she may be it will fit her perfectly" Pam said obviously proud.

"I want her to feel like a princess" Eric said gently "I want her to have a beautiful childhood and a magical life. I want her to get all the things I know you did not get. You will make her feel special and loved, I only want to do the same."

"Oh thank you Eric" Sookie said wanting to cry "That's such a beautiful thing to say."

"Thanks Eric" Alcide said grumbling "Now we have to compete with that."

"Oh Alcide" Sookie said rolling her eyes "Anything you get will be just as grand in its own way."

"I got her a tricycle" Alcide said.

"And she will love it" Sookie said smiling at the big Were who simply looked down at the two of them and smiled back.

"My present will be here in a few days" Bill said kissing Sookie on the head "I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all" Sookie said shaking her head as she watched the crowd in her lawn party on in the celebration of her daughter coming into this world.

"Heck of a party" Sam said sitting down next to Sookie.

"Let them have fun" Sookie said "They all have done nothing but give respect for me and Adele. Might as well let them celebrate."

And celebrate they did, with streamers of colors flying across the sky and music pumping and beating in all sorts of directions. Shadows moved across the ground as bodies danced against the fires and flowers were decorated on practically everyone's head. It soon looked like an ocean of flora dancing in waves with hands shooting out from the sea in spinning whirlwinds.

Sookie watched with a mellow smile, enjoying and watching the party, all while Adele looked on with star struck eyes. This world was such a big place for her, so many people and things, and her second night on this earth was filled with dancing and music. Sookie couldn't have asked for a better beginning for her daughter.

But soon, as the wisps of the early morning were suggested through the lightening of the sky, the party died off with many visitors saying their farewells and going back to wherever they had come from far and wide.

Sookie sat on the porch swing, humming a lullaby as Adele snoozed on, partied out herself from all the excitement.

As Sookie looked at all the presents adorning her porch, and pretty much the whole inside of her living room, Sookie wondered "How could anyone hurt Adele?"

And then, a dark feeling passed over Sookie, and she knew right then she should have never even had that thought.