Disclaimer and warnings: Please see the first chapter!
Author's Note: Hello, hello, hope you're all having a fantastic day? Excellent! So on with the show!
4. Waltz of the Flowers – The Nutcracker – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
By the time 7 pm rolled around and with it the time for her to clock out, Liv had already cursed her rather short-sighted decision to go to work abundantly. It had seemed like a good idea when her alarm had gone off at 5:30, with no sign of either Godric or Eric making an appearance, and the alternative of work was spending the whole day alone at home brooding and worrying. But after twelve hours of her colleagues enquiring after her wellbeing and not so subtly about the bombing at Godric's house, she was ready to scream at the next person who started a sentence with "I heard what happened…". She had spent the last hour and a half sterilizing surgical instruments and counting and restocking dressings, syringes and suture material just to get away from everyone.
She didn't bother to change into street clothes, merely gathering her things from her locker and pulling off her scrub top since she was still wearing a thin long-sleeve underneath. The elevator cab down to the parking garage was thankfully empty and she power-walked to her car – an ageing blue Volkswagen she shared with her aunts.
Soon after, the hospital was disappearing in her rearview mirror and she breathed a sigh of relief, letting the familiar turns and stops home soothe her into a calmer state of mind. For the most part, her colleagues were kind and well-meaning people. They had their faults, their prejudices, their biases, of course, but she knew that if she had confided in any one of them, they would have dusted off their empathy and supported her to the best of their abilities. It was just that she feared that her colleagues – all men and women of science and modern medicine – were not particularly well-equipped to deal with matters of the supernatural. And after all, their jobs were hard enough without adding a suicidal vampire and a clairvoyant with constant premonitions of death into the mix.
A short while later she pulled into their driveway, the modest-sized one-storied house looking as welcoming as it always did. Sure, the outside walls were off-white verging on gray, the gutter was slightly wonky and one of the spindles in the railing around the front porch needed replacing. But they had repainted the entrance door and window frames in a jolly light-blue, which made the entire building seem more put-together, tidy and cheerful; Beth had added colorful flower pots as well as some other decorative items to most of the available surfaces and Iris had insisted on a door bell that played a merry jingle instead of any run-of-the-mill chime. So it was theirs, more than just four walls and roof.
"Beth, I'm home," Liv called, putting the keys on the key rack next to the door and dropping her bag underneath it.
"We're in the kitchen," her aunt called back, causing her to walk a little faster.
Her brief bout of worry abated instantly when she saw Godric, Eric and Isabel sitting placidly around their kitchen table, all with a bottle of Tru Blood in front of them, while her aunt was gently dipping a biscuit into her tea. They all seemed perfectly at ease, even Eric with his long legs folded awkwardly underneath their too small kitchen table. But then again, putting people at ease was one of her aunt's specialties – along with her famous marshmallow sundaes and finding the ugliest Christmas sweaters imaginable.
"Hey," she greeted, caressing Godric's shoulder as she walked past him and then embracing her aunt from behind in their own special kind of no-skin-contact hug. "Have you been here long?"
"We only got here twenty-three minutes ago," Godric replied precisely. "Your aunt was kind enough to invite us inside."
"You know you're always welcome here, Godric." Her aunt smiled warmly, indicating his almost empty bottle. "Would you like another one?"
"I'll get it," Liv offered, already moving towards the refrigerator and noting the fresh six-pack of Tru Blood Beth must have bought on her way home. "Anything for you, Isabel? Eric?"
"No thank you," Isabel answered with an ever so slight lisp to her words. "You smell strange."
"Oh, right. I probably smell like hospital," Liv admitted. "Do you mind if I take a quick shower?"
Godric had never come right out and said that she smelled bad after a shift, but since even humans remarked on the so-called "hospital smell" she could well imagine how overwhelming the scent of disinfectants, sickness and blood must be to their fine vampire noses.
"Go right ahead, honey," Beth told her, taking the bottle from her and shooing her out of the kitchen. "I'm sure I can keep our guests entertained while you freshen up."
That was doubtlessly true since her aunt had a sheer endless repertoire of funny anecdotes and always seemed to know just what questions to ask to get people to open up. The last time Godric had visited, her aunt had somehow pulled him into a conversation about gardening techniques which had resulted in Godric laying the foundation for a long thought-of, but never quite realized herb garden in their small backyard.
Still, she hurried through her shower and emerged only ten minutes later from the steamed up bathroom wrapped in a midnight blue towel. She slipped over the short corridor into her room.
"Mhm, much better," Eric greeted her with a fanged smile and startled a squeak out of her.
"What the hell, Eric?" she demanded, hesitating for a moment before moving a decisive step to the side and pointing at the door. "Out. Now. Or I'm rescinding your invitation."
"I just thought you might like this back," Eric said innocently, holding up the small black purse she had lost somewhere the other night. "I found it in the rubble for you, but if you don't want it…"
"Thank you. Now please wait outside so I can get dressed," Liv reiterated, indicating the door again und pulling the towel tighter with her free hand.
In the next blink of the eye, Eric was stood on the other side of the door, gently pulling it closed and allowing her the privacy to get dressed. She breathed out slowly and then quickly picked out a fresh pair of jeans and another long-sleeve, brushed out her hair. When she opened the door again, Eric was still waiting for her and looked at her expectantly until she waved him inside.
"I made you uncomfortable," Eric noted, offering her purse to her as he stepped into the room. "That wasn't my intention."
"I know," Liv assured him, taking her phone out and plugging it in. "Thank you for this. I'm glad I won't have to replace it."
"You're welcome," Eric answered, starting to wander around her room, taking a few moments to look at the pile of medical books on her desk before picking up the photo on her dresser. "You don't look like your aunts."
The photo had been taken a couple of years ago when they had all moved to Dallas. They were stood in front of their house, Liv in the middle with Iris and Beth on either side of her, and no, there was no family resemblance. Beth was tall and blond, with warm brown eyes and a kind, rounded face to match. Iris, on the other hand, had a boyish figure, a wry smile and a fluffy pixie cut that just managed to soften her angular features but did little to dim the intensity of her dark-eyed gaze.
"We're not biologically related," Liv replied, accepting the photo from Eric and carefully putting it back down. "Beth works for social services and she was assigned to my mother and me after her umpteenth suicide attempt. She took care of me for as long as I can remember and after my mother died, she adopted me. Iris is her fiancée. They met when I was ten. Is this really what you wanted to talk about?"
She looked at Eric inquiringly, a little startled at how far up she had to tilt her head to meet his eyes. Of course, she had realized that Eric was quite tall, but when Godric was around, there was always something deferential in Eric's posture, a delicate downward slope to his broad shoulders that made him seem a little less imposing. Clearly though, that wasn't the effect he was going for now.
"You've known Godric for how long? One month? Two? He talks about you constantly," Eric said it almost accusingly and Liv just had to laugh, only biting back on her amusement at the irritated look she received from Eric. "Sorry, that's just a little funny, coming from you."
"Godric and I have history," Eric said dismissively, as if that explained everything.
"I know. But it's more than that, isn't it?" Liv asked, hiding her smile at Eric's unimpressed glare. "Did Godric tell you about our first meeting?"
When Eric shook his head she continued, "I was in the library and needed a book from one of the upper shelves. I was trying to reach it when he came up to me and offered his help. I guess I looked a little skeptical because he said: 'I'm not as tall as Eric, but I have my ways.' And then he just floated up." She grinned as she remembered the scene, Godric's dorky smile, her own fascinated wonder.
Eric snorted indelicately, muttering something that sounded vaguely like "Two-thousand years and now he decides to show-off."
Liv sent him a chiding look, just to be safe, before she returned to her point, "That was the first thing he ever said to me and he hasn't stopped talking about you since. I was quite looking forward to meeting you."
"And now you're disappointed?"
"Not at all. I just wish it had been under different circumstances," Liv corrected gently. "I'm glad Godric has you in his life."
Eric cast her a long, searching look, then pulled in a slow, unnecessary breath and took a deliberate step back so that he was no longer looming over her. "I asked Godric what would make him happy,and it worries me how many of his answers revolved around you - spending time with you, hearing about your day, cooking for you, finding out whether you taste as good as you smell, dancing with you, taking care of you, helping you with your abilities…"
Liv made a soft sound of surprise, dropping down onto the bed. "Oh… I hadn't expected that. But it all sounds rather nice, I think. And it certainly doesn't change how I feel: I want to help him. I'm not giving up on him and you're not going to scare me away."
"Not really my point, but I'm glad we got that settled," Eric replied dryly before continuing in a more serious tone, "Godric has resigned his office as sheriff of this area and he has been ordered to leave Texas." He raised his hand when Liv made to speak up. "Isabel and I both tried to appeal this decision, but the AVL needed a scapegoat and Godric all but volunteered. We're only fortunate that the public response to his supposed abduction and the bombing has been mostly sympathetic…"
Liv shuddered, wrapping her arms protectively around herself and trying hard not to think about what Eric had just implied.
"I understand that you have your life here – your family, your friends, your work – but Godric needs you and he can't stay here," Eric said, staring at her with a plea in his blue eyes. "So, if there is anything -"
"Eric, please don't finish that sentence," Liv begged. "I meant what I said. I have no intention of disappearing from Godric's life so I will figure something out. And if I should need your help I promise I will come to you, but you don't have to… to convince me or offer me an incentive. Godric is reason enough."
"I'm starting to see why Godric likes you so much."
"Thank you," Liv replied politely, getting to her feet.
"Oh, that wasn't a compliment. Personally, I'd rather do without all that touchy-feely talk." He grinned at her as if he was trying to win a contest, speeding around her, opening the door and disappearing down the hallway before she could even blink, muss less come up with a witty rejoinder.
In the kitchen the scene was almost the same as before. Eric had returned to his seat, Godric had a second bottle in front of him, Isabel still hadn't touched hers and her aunt had put on a recording of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, no doubt touting her girlfriend.
"Ah, there you are," Beth interrupted herself when she entered. "I was just about to come looking for you. Iris said she'd call this evening and I'd hate to miss her. Will you be alright by yourself?"
"Of course, say hi to her from me," Liv replied, taking the chair Godric had pulled out for her.
"I will," her aunt promised, turning the stereo off as she passed it. "There's still some pasta in the fridge if you're hungry. Oh, and muffins! Judy baked."
"Birthday?" Liv asked, trying to remember if any of Beth's colleagues had a reason to celebrate.
"No, just a new recipe – apple cinnamon," Beth answered with a smile. "Isabel, Eric it was nice meeting you. And Godric, I hope to see you again soon."
Godric thanked her softly and then Liv was alone in the kitchen with the three vampires.
"Do you want to eat something?" Godric asked, but she shook her head. "Thank you, but I've kept you waiting long enough and I have a feeling this isn't merely a social call."
She looked at Isabel, hoping the female vampire might explain why she had come to visit. She liked Isabel for her directness and her loyalty to Godric, but they had never really moved past the level of fleeting acquaintances and she hadn't thought that she ranked high enough in Isabel's view to warrant a personal visit.
"You're right," Isabel agreed. "There have been some developments which also impact your life, unfortunately."
"Eric already told me that Godric is no longer sheriff of this area," Liv said, gently resting her hand on Godric's arm to offer her support. "Is that what this is about?"
"Not directly," Isabel replied, focusing for a moment on Liv's hand before once again meeting her eyes. "Are you aware that you smell… rather nice?"
"When I'm not fresh home from work, you mean," Liv joked weakly, but had a bad feeling she wouldn't like where Isabel was going with this. "I didn't think Stan was interested in me for my personality."
"He wasn't," Godric clarified rather unnecessarily. "He wanted your blood."
"The problem is," Isabel continued, looking intently at her. "That the whole nest heard Stan relinquish his claim on you before he died."
"There are other vampires who have noticed the way I smell," Liv inferred, clenching her free hand into a fist under the table. "Aren't there?"
"I think it's safe to say that we all noticed your scent," Eric offered flirtatiously, but she wasn't in the mood for his type of reassurance, feeling her heartbeat pick up and sweat starting to bead on her forehead.
Godric shifted a little closer and the reminder of his presence helped her to calm down a little. She smiled gratefully at him and then looked to Isabel again, hoping she hadn't come only with a problem, but also with a solution.
"It would be easiest if you accepted a claim," Isabel explained, matter-of-fact. "Vincent expressed a rather sincere interest in you."
Liv didn't care to ask what "expressing a sincere interest" meant in vampire terms or who this Vincent guy was supposed to be because she was very certain that she didn't want to find out either of those things. Being one vampire's pet might be preferable to being made an unwilling blood donor to the first, second and hundredth vampire that came along, but her aunts had raised her to be a strong and independent woman and selling her blood (and probably the rest of her) for protection was hard to reconcile with that. Fortunately, Eric had all but told her that there may be another option.
She gathered her courage and turned to Godric, noting the slight furrow between his eyebrows. "I was never Stan's. But I'll be yours, if you'll have me."
"Liv," Godric whispered, turning his arm under her hand so that he could take a loose hold of her forearm. "I would like nothing more than for you to be mine, but… I have to leave Texas."
"I know, Eric already told me," Liv replied, returning Godric's light hold. "And I want to come with you, either way. So what do you say? Am I yours?" She gave Godric a hopeful smile with her heart beating almost painfully hard in her chest, followed by a delighted laugh when he swept her out of the chair. He swirled her around, fast enough to make her head spin a little, but then steadied her in a careful embrace with his hands resting gently on the small of her waist. He gave her a beaming smile, a new sparkle in his deep brown eyes.
"Liv Halloran, you're mine," Godric declared softly, breathing in deeply against her neck, against the healing bite mark, before he turned back to Isabel and Eric and said more strongly with a hint of fang, "She's mine."
"Congratulations," Isabel answered with a smile that looked perhaps a little stiff. "The Magister has announced his visit for the end of the month so you have about three weeks to arrange your relocation."
"I'd be surprised if we have more than one," Eric corrected her. "The Magister is not known for giving fair warning."
"How much time do you need?" Godric asked her, sliding his hands up and down her back.
"I'd like to talk with my aunts first and I have to give my two weeks' notice, but I'm not scheduled to work next week, so – four days? Is that okay?" Liv replied, looking from Godric to Eric and then back again.
"Of course," Godric agreed immediately, but Liv only relaxed when Eric added his own confirming nod. Godric had once explained the basic structure of vampire hierarchy to her and she had no interest in meeting the judge, jury and executioner of North America, especially since his unfortunate reputation preceded him. "Why don't you go talk to your aunts now? There're still some details I have to discuss with Isabel."
"Okay," Liv agreed, lightly swaying against Godric before pulling back. "Don't leave without saying good-bye."
"I won't," Godric promised, giving her another bright smile as he released her.
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