Chapter Four – Miracle

Bill was enjoying a rare evening alone. Sookie was at Merlotte's for her baby shower and Bill was kicked back with his bare feet on the arm of the sofa and the latest spy thriller in his hands. It wasn't that it was impossible for him to indulge in reading what he wanted, it was just something he didn't get to do often as he loved indulging his wife more. It was also a chance to listen to the throat singing monks CD that Sookie refused to let him play if she could hear it. He couldn't blame her; it was an acquired taste for most.

A few hours later he was about halfway through his novel when he heard the car slow and turn into their driveway. He marked his place and got up heading for the door. It wasn't long before the headlights swept across the lawn and the car pulled up in front. He met Sookie as she was getting out of the car and Bill couldn't keep the smile from his face. Her baby bump had turned the corner into a full-fledged baby bulk, something she didn't like to be reminded of so he did not try to assist her as she wiggled and scooted her way out of the driver's seat. It didn't matter because her happiness washed over him as she chattered excitedly and loaded his waiting arms with gift bags and boxes.

Bill answered when he could, smiled, nodded and 'mm-hm'ed' his way into the house all the while thinking about all the things left in the car. Sookie opened the door for him and instructed him to come right back out. As he zipped up the stairs to the nursery and unloaded his burden he couldn't help but marvel at the fact that there had even been anything left to buy for this child. He and Sookie had bought everything imaginable, not to mention the gifts that showed up regularly from Bob, Rose and Joe and even John had sent or shown up with gifts.

Back at the car the final packages were loaded into his waiting arms and taken inside. Once his arms were free Bill took his wife in his arms and kissed her soundly. Breathless, her deep chocolate brown eyes wide she broke into a grin.

"Now what was that for?"

"I missed you." She tilted her head and gave him a look he recognized well. "Must I supply you with a reason in the form of a list?"

He grabbed her again, dipped her slightly and once again kissed her; a long, sweet, slow kiss that made her heart race and her pulse pound.

"What has gotten into you!?"she squeaked.

Bill carefully let her go and said, as he gestured to the pile of gifts in a heap, "Well, I am happy you are home and clearly you've had a wonderful evening but what are we going to do with all this stuff!"

She just giggled a little and then explained some things could be put away now but the baby clothes, blankets and other fabric things would have to be washed first but he could help her find a place for the other things. Thus they began the task of finding room and as they did Bill was more and more certain that he was going to have to build the baby another bookshelf and likely a dresser as well. As he took one item out of the box and looked it over he looked up at his wife with his brows knitting together.

"Sweetheart, why do we need a baby wipe warmer?" Bill might have been your usual tech-savvy, know-everything-from-centuries-of-all-things-new-and-shiny vampire, after all his abilities to predict stock market trends were what kept them highly comfortable. This was something he didn't quite understand.

"Bill! What would it feel like if it's the middle of the night if your wet diaper was taken off to be changed and suddenly your tushy was being wiped with an ice-cold baby wipe?" She had her hand on her hip and her look pretty much said she couldn't fathom his question.

Bill gazed back at her and said evenly, "Am I really supposed to answer that question?"

A slow grin spread across her face and she answered cheekily, "Not if you're smart."

They spent about a half hour putting things away, the whole time Sookie gave him the play by play of the shower. He loved seeing her so happy and relaxed. Once they were through, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their bedroom. If there was one thing that hadn't slowed as the pregnancy progressed was either of their sex drives and they made love often.

The changes to Sookie's body was quite amazing to Bill, she felt different and while they'd always been responsive to one another, it seemed that both their pleasure was enhanced. Bill had insisted they check with Dr. Rios first and he assured them it was perfectly safe and absolutely healthy for them to continue their lovemaking. It usually started with a warm rain shower and then massaging lotion on Sookie's belly. It was slow and sensual and afterward they lay in each other's arms talking quietly. As was their current custom, Sookie was snugged up against him with her back to his chest. He slowly rubbed his hand in soft circles on the baby bump.

Sookie almost purred when she said quietly, "I think you're obsessed with my belly."

"Oh, I don't know if I'd call it obsess…" his words trailed off as she stilled his hand and they felt the baby shift and turn.

Sookie chuckled lightly, "Looks like we've reached that time of night." She carefully turned over so their abdomens were touching and even though he knew what she meant, he had to ask.

"What time is that again?" as her belly bulged slightly and they watched as the baby perhaps rolled over as well.

"It's time to kick Daddy out of bed what else?"

They slowly drifted off, Bill feeling most all of the baby's movements and marveling yet again about how incredible this gift truly was.

XxXxX

Bill was in the basement sanding the new baby dresser when Sookie slowly made her way down the stairs. Bill had carried down one of the rockers from the front porch and added comfortable cushions and she settled herself into it along with her latest favorite, black raspberry, mango, kiwi, vanilla yogurt, ground pecan smoothie. Bill smiled to himself a little and wondered if this one would last until the end of her pregnancy. She'd concocted quite a few over the past few months declaring each her favorite.

Sookie made herself comfortable, put her feet up on the ottoman Bill had made her, took a long pull on her smoothie then asked, "So tell me more about this thing we want to ask Bob to do for our baby."

Bill set the sanding block aside and took a swig of his blood beer, he leaned back against the workbench and wiped his hands on a piece of toweling. "It's simple in many ways, we have to file a petition with the Lord High Minister of the Vampire Ruling Class and The Authority first."

Sookie frowned slightly, "But it's not going to be all formal and all that jazz like the Joining was, is it?"

"Not at all, it's more like, well the same as the christening we'll have in our church, except there is a different group assembled, mostly friends of the more paranormal society with one small moment, so to speak where it will be a little, uh, formal." Bill had seemingly found something quite interesting on his hands and all his attention was focused on them.

Sookie sighed and said, "Babe, just tell me already! What's the big, bad thing you think I'm going to freak out over?"

Bill turned his gaze to his wife's and said calmly, "There's a small bit of a blood exchange that happens."

Bill had been expecting an eruption of epic proportions but Sookie just caught her bottom lip with her teeth, furrowed her brows a bit and said calmly, "Mine or the baby's?"

"Actually, it would be all three of us and, well we would also accept a token from Bob and he, uh makes a small mark on the baby… tiny really."

Silence. A full minute passed. Something deep inside Bill told him to not attempt to breach her lack of a response and to just let her come to her own conclusions.

Very quietly she said, "Will it hurt the baby? The blood, the mark?"

Bill was having a small problem gathering his thoughts, he had prepared himself for a much more volatile conversation over the ceremony details and he was a little unprepared for her calm responses thus far.

"Well, the baby won't react like they do when they have blood drawn or a shot… uh, well it'll be like it was for us, it's over so fast the babe likely won't even feel it." Bill watched his wife carefully and he mentally chastised himself. He'd been expecting her to go ballistic about the blood and he realized he'd needed to give Sookie more credit. This very subdued response made him become truly conscious of how very much Sookie wanted to do this for Garth.

Her voice did hold concern when she said, "But, it's not like a 'cut' cut or bite, right?"

He smiled warmly, "No dearheart, it's a pinprick, for all of us, then then we touch our fingertips to signify the bond and we're healed. To be honest I have viewed a ceremony and I've seen many more unhappy responses to babies having baptismal water poured onto their heads."

That made Sookie laugh loudly and she knew Bill was thinking about Colton's baptism too. He'd screamed bloody murder which had more than one guest chuckling over Colton's more than sufficient lung capacity.

Sookie sipped her smoothie and said, "I would imagine there's paperwork we need to start." Bill nodded before he came over and lifted her feet off the footstool and he began rubbing her feet eliciting a low moan and a long pull on her straw.

"So, what is the mark Bob will make? Something permanent? It's not like a tattoo or a scar or anything, is it?"

"No, it will just a tiny symbol at the base of the baby's neck that will look like nothing more than a tiny birthmark to anyone human." Sookie's brow was furrowed so he added. "By tiny I mean, really tiny, the size of a period on a letter, tiny."

"How is it made then? If it's not a tattoo?"

"It will be a response to Garth's blood." Sookie took a deep breath and Bill saw clearly now that she was about to blow up and he raised his hands to try and prevent the detonation if possible. "Sweetheart, it will be a reaction between all our blood mingling into one. Bob will touch the baby and the mark will form. The baby won't feel a thing."

Sookie's face still held a worried look and she asked, "Well, if it's so small and so undetectable why does it have to be done at all?"

Bill released her feet and took her hands as he explained, "Humans won't see it for what it is but to the supernatural, well it will be obvious…" he hesitated for a second knowing what his words would elicit and then said, "In the supernatural community the baby will be regarded as, well… royalty."

And Bill got the explosion he'd known was going to come eventually.

XxXxX

Bill ground his teeth together and prayed for patience. Sookie was stomping around the house grumbling, yelling and generally making him sorry he hadn't left the house and slept out in the dirt when he had the chance. Something crashed in the kitchen and it didn't sound like anything broke but as much as he didn't want to, he knew he'd better check things out.

As expected, Sookie must have decided she wanted to make something as there were numerous pans on the floor. Pans she was having difficulty reaching, "Let me dearheart…" he said softly and as he reached out but she slapped his hand away and yelled that she would do it.

At that, Bill straightened and thought hard for a good solid moment before adding, "I'm going out." And he zoomed out of the house and into the night air. He stopped about halfway to Merlotte's and thought about it. It was hard to believe that his wife was the same woman at times like this… she'd been crabby all day and got progressively worse as evening neared.

If Bill had known that they had been under surveillance for weeks now, he would never have left Sookie there alone.

XxXxX

The watcher saw Bill zip out and was glad he'd changed places, if he hadn't, Compton would have met him nearly head-on. Just to be cautious he climbed up a couple more limbs of the huge magnolia tree. In actuality, he'd been more than lucky on a few occasions now. He'd been preparing to enter the house one early morning when he spied Bill coming down the stairs and a moment later Sookie followed him in the direction of the kitchen.

Truth be told, he was stunned especially because none of the windows were shuttered, nor were they made of the material used to provide Bill beach access during the day. The only thing he could assume was that there was a new development in vampire friendly window glass. Most likely a gift from Garth. He hated how Garth doted on this human and her vampire husband! It was disgraceful and distasteful, and Garth was making a fool of himself but of course, no one would imagine for a moment telling him that. Then again, most, humans, vampires, demons or well pretty much anything else disliked the idea of being torn limb from limb.

XxXxX

Bill stepped into Merlotte's just as Lafayette was giving Arlene grief over a special order, both stopped arguing long enough to say, "Hey!" to Bill and resume where they'd left off. Sam was behind the bar and he gave Bill a smile, "Usual?"

Bill nodded and Sam put a TruBlood in the microwave. They exchanged pleasantries, right before Arlene came over and said, with a wide smile, "You come here and hug my neck!"

Bill hugged her and even gave her a kiss on the cheek. She stepped back and her smile changed from a wide smile to a, been-there-done-that look.

"Sookie drivin' ya to drink?" Sam poured Bill's drink into a warm glass. He too, was grinning.

Bill just shrugged and Arlene laughed, "Don't worry honey, we all get crazy when it gets this close to the end. Give her an hour, she'll be all settled down." She patted his arm and went over to one of her tables.

"This seems a little busier than normal tonight," Bill said, "what's up?"

"Surprise party for one of the guys down at the plant, but don't see how it'll be much of a surprise… none of them hid their cars."

It was Bill's turn to grin and Sam's just shook his head with a chuckle, "So how is Sookie doing? Or shouldn't I ask?"

Bill swallowed a sip and looked at his watch, "Oh, her next mood swing will be in a couple more minutes and it will probably be okay to go back home."

Sam laughed and said, "Well, I hadn't seen her for a couple weeks and when they had her shower here? Whoa… that is one big baby belly on somebody as small as Sookie! She's got what? Another month to go yet?"

"Three weeks and she'd be more than happy if it would be tomorrow. Can't blame her for being touchy, she's getting pretty uncomfortable. She about tore the doctor's head off at the last checkup when he reminded her not all first baby's show up on their due dates, sometimes it goes longer."

Sam laughed and just then a group of people near the pool tables yelled, 'Surprise!' and Bill chuckled to himself, unless the guy was a first-rate actor, he really did seem completely surprised. Bill picked up his glass as Lafayette waved him over by the pass-through to converse about his uncomfortable wife.

XxXxX

Sookie was in her chair reading when she heard the back door open. She flipped her book upside down on her belly and said loudly, "Bill?" she frowned slightly. "Why are you using the back door?"

She wasn't sure what to make of it when he didn't respond, she sighed and said, "Honey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so nasty," annoyed that she still had not gotten a response added, "are you not speaking to me?"

Sookie sighed and was just about to set her book aside when a man stepped out from the shadows of the hall that led from the kitchen. Her breath caught and she felt a flash of fear, "What are you doing here?!"

XxXxX

Bill felt Sookie's spike of confusion and fear and was then stunned when all feeling of her disappeared in an instant. Bill caught LaFayette's eyes and was gone in a blink, Lafayette yelled after him, "Later hookah!" He flipped a burger onto a waiting plate, took Bill's glass and dumped it out while yelling, "Arlene! Order up!"

XxXxX

Bill's heart sank when he heard the alarm blaring and saw the front door standing wide open. He didn't bother silencing the alarm as he raced through the house looking for his wife, propelled by the fact that it was the panic alarm that was sounding which meant Sookie had triggered it. Ensuring that she wasn't anywhere inside, meant only one thing. Bill silenced the alarm as he speed dialed his phone. When Garth answered, all he said was, "Someone took Sookie."

XxXxX

By the time, Bill silenced the alarm, Garth, Joe, Rose and John were standing beside him having come through a demon portal. He quickly told them what he'd felt through the blood bond and how fast it had occurred. Just then Mekahoomblek arrived and with one sniff said, "Part-demon, he used a demon hole on her."

"That makes sense then." Bill said. It not only answered the question as to why it had happened so fast but also why Bill could scent no real trail. John and Mekahoomblek walked outside to see if they could pick up anything else and Garth fired questions at Bill and issued orders to Rose and Joe, both whom were talking rapidly into their phones relaying information and instructions as fast as Garth issued them.

Bill was beside himself with complete and utter terror and he struggled to keep himself in control. Not feeling Sookie's blood bond left a chasm so deep within him, it made him feel soulless. The feelings of hopelessness and exasperation pounded his mind relentlessly. How had he allowed this to happen? He berated himself because he had foolishly left the mother of his unborn child in danger because he was tired of dealing with her hormonally fueled snit. Just then John and Mekahoomblek walked back inside and Bill was shocked to see how pale John's face was.

John looked at Garth and said quietly, "We know who has her."

XxXxX

Sookie sat on the floor quietly trying to keep her feelings under control. Her hands were bound securely in front of her and she was blindfolded as well. She was fairly certain she was alone in the room and there were either no lights or the blindfold was completely blinding. Her mind raced and she debated with herself. If she really was alone, would confirming that reality unnerve her even more than she already was? At the same time if he was there, she wanted to ask him why. She cleared her throat and quietly said, "Are you there?"

There was a beat of silence and he answered just as quietly, "Yes."

"Why are you doing this, Frank?"

She felt the air move near her and then the blindfold was removed. There was just a pale, soft light coming from another source and it gave the room an early evening twilight effect to their surroundings.

Frank sat opposite her on the floor and shrugged, "To be honest? I wanted to kill you. I wanted Mr. Garth to feel the pain I have felt."

Sookie blanched at the calm, flat sound of his voice and her heart lurched in her chest at his words. He gave a rueful grin and said, "Don't worry. I can't hurt you or your child. The way you smell, the way you glow… as a demon I am drawn in wanting more than anything else to be as close to you as I can be. In fact, I've got all I can do to keep from holding you and caressing your belly."

Sookie thought she would gag. "Why? I don't understand this! Why do you want to hurt me? Hurt him? It makes no sense!"

Frank exploded from his place and charged her, pining her to the wall she sat against and shook at the venom in his voice.

"WHY? Why do you think? You wronged me in every way possible!"

"I asked Bob to spare you!" she fired back as her fear was momentarily replaced with anger.

"Exactly! After the mistakes, I made in England with Alianna I should have been ripped to shreds! It would have been honorable! It was deserved! It was the way to pay for my mistake! But no! Sweet little human girl Sookie had to beg for Garth to be merciful, to be kind… do you know what that did? It made me a pariah! An outcast of the worst kind!"

"Do you know when others of my kind see me they spit on me? They strike me, kick me, wound me? And I am forbidden to strike back! I am forbidden to protect myself! I must take all they choose to inflict and you know what little miss human girl? Others of my kind aren't content to just ignore me or stop with one insult or blow!"

Frank's face was nearly purple as he screamed the words in her face and tears flowed down her cheeks as his spittle sprayed her face and she was so frightened she could barely draw breath, she turned her head and closed her eyes tightly as sobs wracked her body and just that quickly, he sprang away from her. His breathing labored, his hands shaking with rage.

Sookie brought her arms up against her chest and sobbed, gasping for air and shaking uncontrollably as her mind whirled in fear. She drew herself as close to the wall as she could, turning herself sideways by instinct to protect her unborn child. She furiously wiped at the tears that streamed down her face and tried to rein in her fear but she was on complete overload and all she could do was crouch away from the threat beside her.

There was a sudden flash of blinding light and a roar that blotted out all thought. Frank had left her by way of a demon hole and Sookie slid down the wall, curled into herself as much as was possible. She realized the odd, thin sound that still assaulted her ears was her own keening wail.

Then, there was pain.

XxXxX

Frank transported just outside the small building he was holding Sookie in. He slammed his fists over and over again into the concrete wall, causing pieces of concrete to fly in all directions. Finally, he pulled back as he felt the bones in his hands snaps and twist. He slowly got his ragged breathing under control, then pulled his fingers and knuckles to realign the bones as they began to heal. Sweat poured off him and his screams were low and ragged through his tightly clamped lips.

His entire body shook as the rage ebbed away held fast by the excruciating pain of the bones knitting together filled its space. He'd completely lost control and was both stunned and also relieved that he hadn't killed her. He'd wanted to without doubt, he still didn't quite believe he had come so close. It was the child that had stopped him of course. That sweet life-force, that had held his rage at bay just enough to spare its mother's life. He sighed deeply and groaned in pain, in frustration and perhaps most of all, relief.

He stood and gingerly stretched his aching hands, shook his head and took a few long, deep breaths. He moved to the door and entered. It was time to end this thing.

XxXxX

Bill was suddenly flooded with Sookie's emotions to the point that it staggered him. All present turned and flew out the door to the porch to face Frank as he stood in the yard holding a moaning Sookie in his arms.

In a nanosecond, she was in Bill's arms and Mekahoomblek pinned Frank in an iron grip and drove him to his knees. Bill could smell the blood and a small strangled cry escaped his lips, Rose was beside him as was Dr. Rios who had arrived just a minute before and they all stepped quickly into the open demon portal before them and disappeared.

Garth stood for a split second before Frank and said in a low and terrifying voice, "You will take centuries to die."

Frank merely bowed his head and whispered, "Yes Great Temragobeshib." A small smile played at the corners of his mouth just before they winked out of sight.

XxXxX

In mere seconds, Sookie was undressed and being examined. Dr. Rios calmly looked up at her and said gently. "Sookie we will have to do an emergency C-section." He turned slightly and gave the nurses standing next to him instructions.

Sookie moaned and gasped, "No!" grabbing Bill's hand, "it's too early!"

Dr. Rios gave her a warm smile and took hold of her other hand, "I know this isn't how you wanted it to be but just now there is no fetal distress and we must keep it so, you've gone into premature labor and the placenta has likely detached, we need to do this now to prevent any potential problems from escalating."

A contraction began and Sookie moaned and drew her knees up slightly, clutching at Bill, "I won't be asleep, right? Bill will… ugh… be,there, right?"

Dr. Rios nodded at the surgical personnel and they began to move Sookie's bed toward the O.R. doors, "Yes, Chandra get Mr. Compton changed, Sookie? I'll see you in just a moment okay?" As they moved quickly down the short hall, Mr. Garth appeared beside the bed and took Sookie's hand in his massive hand.

Tears slipped from her eyes and into her ears as she clung to his hand in desperation, "I'm so scared!" she whispered to him.

He wiped away her tears and said, "There's no need to be sweet child, all will be well very shortly." He dropped a quick kiss onto her forehead and the nurses pushed her through the doors were the rest of the medical staff awaited her.

Within bare moments, Sookie was transferred to the operating table and the staff quickly had her prepped and ready, Bill stood smiling, dressed in hospital scrubs and a surgical gown at her right shoulder. He was given a stool to be seated on as the scrub nurse adjusted the draping that would prevent he and Sookie from seeing anything graphic during the procedure.

The anesthesiologist smiled brightly at her and lowered a mask toward her face, "I just need you to take a few deep breaths dear,"

"No! I want to be awake! Bill!" she was a little panicked and she held tightly to Bill's hand.

"You will be wide awake Mrs. Compton, we just need to relax you a bit before we start." He placed the mask over her nose and mouth and continued, "please just breathe in slowly and exhale, no need to hold it in, that's it, just relax and breathe normally, there you go…" he said in a gentle, soothing voice.

Sookie was a little surprised because she instantly lost all feeling in her lower half. There was no more pain or cramping, yet she did not feel the slightest bit drugged. He gave her a big smile and said, "There, better?" She nodded as he removed the mask and carefully replaced it with a nasal cannula.

"Comfortable?" She nodded again and Dr. Rios entered and came to look at the two of them over the draping.

"Ready Sookie? Bill?" behind his mask his wide smile was evident and she just nodded and then glanced up at Bill. He answered yes quietly and Dr. Rios took his place.

As he started to work, Sookie asked, "Why can't I feel anything? You haven't drugged me." Bill smoothed her hair from her forehead and looked at the doctor as he worked.

"Well, it's one of the plus sides of a C-section being performed here, you'll feel nothing and will be wide awake the entire time. You know, you won't even have a scar," he looked over the drape "I'll close it like I did your fertilization procedure, no one will ever know unless you tell them!"

He said something low to his nurse and surgical tech before speaking loud enough for Bill and Sookie to hear, "Okay folks, here we go. Start the clock," he murmured to the tech.

"What clock? Why are you…" Sookie stammered.

"It's the clock that shows us the time from when we start, it's just a normal safety procedure for the baby Sookie, I promise."

Bill looked at her and nodded and she finally nodded too. Bill continued stroking her forehead and placing light kisses there and Sookie felt an odd sensation in her abdomen. If felt almost like a small pull and then the doctor said, "Ready,"

Bill held Sookie's eyes with his as the doctor worked. He thought about peeking over the drape but then decided against it. He wasn't sure he'd be able to stand to see his wife so devastated and damaged… especially because of it being his child. His child, Bill hummed softly, placing kisses on his wife's forehead, eyes and lips as his mind expanded with wonderment… his wife, his child. His! The marvel of it washed over him like the surf on the shore. To once again have a chance to know and love his own flesh and blood was a miracle of epic proportions!

"Sookie my love?" he said softly as he held his face inches from hers, her soft chocolate eyes searching his. He slowly traced his fingers down the side of her face and whispered. "You are the most magnificent woman I have ever known and I want to tell you how much I love you and thank you for the amazing thing you have done by bearing my child."

"I love you too Bill, I always will!" He kissed her gently and rested his forehead on hers. Both of them reveling in the moment.

As the doctor worked he said, "Now just so you know, we will give you a quick look as soon as the babe arrives and then we'll take it to the NICU. If everything is stable, we'll bring the child right back to your arms."

"Oh no!" Sookie cried and Bill's head snapped toward the doctor. He had not expected this either.

"Have no worries my dear, it is merely a precaution as well as protocol in the event of any premature birth. You're far enough along that the baby's lungs are likely well-formed but we can't just assume, that would be a bad decision on my part, no?" Dr. Rios paused for just a moment to peer over the drape and smile.

"Trust me Sookie…"

Bill wiped away a tear from his wife's face and smiled at her, kissing the back of the hand he held in his, "It will be fine dearheart, you know it will." She nodded and gave him a small smile.

"Okay, it's time!" A split second later, the odd, faint little cry of a newborn was heard, "Congratulations! It's a boy!"

A quick sob escaped Sookie and Bill's eyes overflowed with joyful tears and then the OB and NICU nurses wrapped their rather quietly squalling infant up in a warm blanket, and showed him to his ecstatic parents, before whisking him away.

Dr. Rios could feel Sookie's sobs and quietly said, "He looked fine and healthy and I'm sure… oh, nevermind."

The nurse walked back into the room and said to the tiny bundle, "Look! There's mommy and daddy!"

She walked to the top of the table and laid him in Sookie's arms. "Oh, my stars Bill! He's so beautiful!" They kissed each other, they kissed their son and for that moment in time there were only three beings present in their world.

XxXxX

A little while later, Sookie was showered and lounging in a comfortable bed, the head slightly raised and lying on her side, her son in her arms and Bill stretched out beside her marveling at the perfect, tiny human cradled between them.

"He's perfect," Sookie whispered. Her finger lightly tracing the side of her child's face. They had been relieved and extremely grateful when Dr. Rios assured them that even though he was a preemie, his lungs were completely formed and fine, he did not need to be in an incubator as he was having no difficulties breathing room air and other than his weight being just a little more than five pounds he was pretty much considered to be a full-term baby. He would have to remain in the hospital for at least a few days but barring any problems, of which the doctor expected none, they would all be home soon.

One of the nurses came in, bowed and said, "The Great Temragobeshib has requested a visit."

Sookie gave Bill a radiant smile and said, "Oh Bill, should we ask him now?"

He nodded and said to the waiting nurse, "By all means, ask him to come in."

A moment later, Garth stepped into the room and Sookie was overcome with emotion, tears began to slip down her face as she shakily said, "Come meet your grandson..."

Garth's eyes grew wide and he walked closer slowly, tears forming as he did. He sat carefully in the chair next to the bed and Sookie added quietly, "You will agree to be his Lord Protector too, won't you?"

A sigh escaped his lips and he reached out slowly and Sookie handed him the tiny bundle that was their firstborn son. Cradled in Garth's huge arms, the babe looked even tinier and one of Garth's tears fell on his blanket.

Sookie slid closer to where he sat putting her arms around his neck and hugged him as she shed happy tears. Bill walked around the side of the bed and placed his hand on Garth's shoulder as a crimson tear rolled down his cheek.

"You," Bill had to clear his throat to continue. "You have given us a gift that we can never hope to repay, what you've done for Sookie and I, well, we are so grateful, so blessed by all you've done…" his words faded away and Sookie was holding tightly onto his hand, the other squeezing Garth's arm, the baby sound asleep in Garth's tender embrace.

"Bob, this child is here because you have acknowledged me as your daughter, we are your family and you are the only one that deserves to be his Lord Protector as well as his Grandpa! And he will grow and flourish and he will know you as the best Grandpa a boy could ever have! It's the smallest thing we can do to share our joy and happiness with you! Please, will you do this for us?

With his voice choked with emotion he answered them quietly.

"I would be honored to be this sweet child's Lord Protector thank you."

Sookie scrambled out from the covers and hugged him with all her might, her smile broad and bright her voice shaking as she said, "He's a gift from heaven and his life will be as blessed because he will have such a wonderful, beautiful being in it. I love you so much… we love you so much!"

Garth held the child easily in his arm and then pulled Sookie and Bill into an emotional embrace with the other. They laughed and talked for what seemed like forever… they marveled at the size of his fingers, his black hair and his sweet face… and the baby slept through it all. Eventually, they were joined by Joe, Rose and John and more happy tears flowed when Sookie asked John to hold the child. It was precious family time and both Sookie and Bill reveled in the love and good wishes.

Bob, Rose, Joe and John had said their good-byes before they had transferred to the Monroe hospital where all the staff had, according to plan, been glamoured into believing Sookie had given birth there. By the time, they were comfortably ensconced in the their room there, Jason and Tara had been called and had spread the word to others.

"I can't believe he's here… he's just so…" Sookie's words trailed off and Bill pulled his wife and son closer to him and kissed her lightly.

"Perfect?"

She giggled a little and said, "yes, perfect." She dropped a kiss on the top of his tiny beanie hat. "Absolutely." Bill also touched his baby, still marveling on his son's angelic face. He hadn't stopped smiling since the birth.

"I think he looks like you," Sookie said quietly, "I can't believe he has all that dark hair!"

Their son had weighed in at 5lbs. 2oz. was 19" long and had been born with a full head of thick, black hair and clear blue eyes much like his father's. He'd been born a Monday's child and he was a little 'downy' because he was early but other than being a bit smaller and not quite so 'full-looking' he was utterly divine.

There was a soft knock and the door opened a bit and was instantly filled with a bunch of blue and silver balloons before Tara's beaming face appeared.

Bill got up and carefully picked up the baby and Sookie carefully sat up and hugged Tara as more emotion fueled tears flowed, within seconds Tara sat on the bed beside Sookie, holding her tiny godson-to-be in her arms, chattering excitedly with the new parents.

"I can't believe y'all didn't call as soon as you got here!"

Bill quickly fielded the statement, "Well, things happened in such a rush…"

"There was just no waiting," Sookie added, "It could have been bad for both of us."

Tara frowned and said quickly, "But he's okay, right? Bein' early and all?"

"He's fine, he's um, ah, perfect." Sookie said sheepishly.

Tara looked at Bill then Sookie and asked, "What?"

"Well, I think we need to find a thesaurus because we seem to be a little stuck on the word perfect."

Tara laughed, gazed at the baby and said, "Naw! He is perfect! Even if he is a little teeny, ain't ya' little man?"

Just then baby began to squeak and Tara was quick to hand him to Sookie.

"Uh-uh, I don't do the cryin' ones!"

As Sookie was trying to figure out if he needed to fed or changed the door opened halfway and Jason stuck his head around it, "Sook?" he asked quietly.

Just then the newborn let out a pretty healthy wail and Jason's face lit up like a spotlight, "Oh, I remember that! Somebody needs a feed and a change!"

Bill took the babe and laid him in the hospital bassinet to change him as Jason walked into the room and set the biggest toy dump truck Sookie had ever seen on the floor. He came to Sookie's bedside and gently leaned down, his eyes shining brightly and kissed his sister's forehead.

"Congratulations, sis." He nodded and smiled at Bill as Sookie threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. "You okay?" he asked then sat down next to her on the bed, Bill wrapped his son up and presented him to his uncle. Jason took him carefully and beamed, "Well will ya' look at all that hair! Congrats Bill! You've got a fine son here! Aw, he's great Sook! The boys'll be so happy to have a boy cousin, what'd ya' name him?"

"William Thomas Compton Jr. but we'll call him Thomas."

To be continued…