New chapter! Hope you like!
I Won't Back Down
Sookie's POV
It had been a few days since the evening with Eric. Bill had been in a foul mood then entire time since. Not that I paid much attention to it, I was too side-tracked, with constant flashing memories of that little kiss. It was a good kiss. I hadn't been kissed like that in ages, in such a tender, gently way.
Deciding to take my mind off of Eric and our little kiss we shared, I told Sam I would do the extra lunch shift at Merlotte's. It wasn't that I felt guilty as such, It was more that I couldn't stop thinking about him, about how he was so gentle, so kind and just so...un Bill. Oh dear, I couldn't go down that path, I just couldn't.
It was always normally busy at this time, but today it was strangely quiet only a few people showing up during the normal roaring lunch period, an even then they had left after a quick bite. So I sat near the kitchen area, watching Lafayette flip pointless burgers.
I suddenly heard the door open and I lent my head round from the kitchen hatch to see who had entered. One thing for certain, I wasn't expecting to see little Pamela Northman skip in, followed by the tall and muscular Eric Northman. Oh God give me strength!
I saw him scan the area quick and noticing it was reasonable empty, he shrugged and gently nudged Pam to a nearby empty booth. Suddenly, and much to my horror, my Boss Sam Merlotte shouted from his office.
'Sookie when you get a minute can you come and deal with the deliveries round back?' My head whipped round to Eric's once more just in time to see his eyes widen at the sound of my name.
'That man said Sookie Dad, Sookie might work here, let's...' Little Pam started talking excitedly and I had to quickly cover my mouth to stop a laugh escaping when Eric quickly smothered her mouth with his large hand in a desperate attempt to shush her. She looked up at him completely indignantly, her own hands trying to pull his large one away.
It was becoming more impossible not to laugh when Eric held his finger up to his mouth in a 'Be quiet please!' Gesture as he attempted to escort her back outside. That's when I decided to show my face.
Pam instantly spotted me and pointed dramatically in my direction. 'See!' She said, looking up at her Dad happily. Eric ran a hand through his hair awkwardly, and I could see form my distance away his cheeks were beginning to flush a light red. How adorable.
'Yeah, yeah I see there's a table free over there, go sit down then.' He said to Pam, still not looking at me, trying rather badly to pretend he still hadn't noticed me. Pam arched her eyebrow up at him clearly confused, only to move when she received a barely hidden glare in return.
She stomped over to the table with a huff.
I smiled coyly waiting for Eric to 'notice' me. This should be funny.
He began walking in my direction, then finally looking up, his eyes instantly connected with mine. He froze once more. 'Sookie, what a surprise!' He said, smiling like a little boy, I smiled equally back.
'Hey Eric, what are you doing here?' I said, before inwardly chiding myself, he's here for lunch dummy.
'Pam wanted to try somewhere new for lunch today. We eat out once a month as a treat.' He said, finishing with a boyish shrug. 'Oh that's nice, well you've come to the right place, Merlotte's is the nicest in town.' I said with my waitress smile; before going slightly red with embarrassment. Here I was a waitress and he was a bloody business owner!
I walked with him over to where Pam sat, already perusing the menu. Today she was wearing a little pair of light blue Capri pants and a white frilly vest. She was so cute. Her hair was tied back today in a braid.
'Hey Pam.' I said happily and leant across the table to kiss her cheek. Her head instantly whipped up in surprise when I did this, her little hand shooting up to cover the spot where I kissed her. I laughed softly.
'Hello Sookie!' She chirped after getting over the initial shock, and blowing me a kiss in return with a flourish of her hand. I made a game of catching it which she giggled at.
'So what would you like to eat today?' I said, whipping out my little pad and pen. Eric instantly scanned the menu quickly before looking back up at me. 'Burger and chips with a coke please. And Pam will have...' He said, looking expectedly over at Pam.
'Oh I don't know, oh, erm...how about the...no...' She was stuttering, reading and re-reading the menu in a little fluster. Eric chuckled.
'I can recommend the pizza slice and chips.' I suggested and Pam instantly smiled. 'Yes please, I'll have that with a coke please.' She said and instantly Eric interrupted, 'Diet coke.' He corrected and I winked t let him know I would have given her that anyway. Pam sighed and rolled her eyes at both of us.
Just as I was about to walk away, Eric suddenly spoke up again. 'Hey Sookie if you're due a break soon or not too busy, you're welcome to join us...my treat.' He said in that same adorable voice he used when he asked me for a drink the night we met. Pam nodded eagerly across from him.
I smiled down at him. 'I'll just check with my boss.'
As I turned and walked off, I risked one last look back at Eric, he was flicking crumbs at Pam from the table and she was squealing trying to dodge them.
I quickly ran to Sam's office and knocking once I entered. 'Hey Boss man.' I said with a smile before I noticed he was half asleep at his desk. 'Sam...' I half whispered, lighting blowing air at his face. His eyes fluttered open and then he suddenly yelped nearly falling off his chair. 'Hey Sookie.' He mumbled, then coming to his senses smiled up at me.
'Sam, it's really quiet out there, and a friend of mine has just come in and offered me lunch with them. Can I? Pretty please with sugar on top?' I begged trying to look my most cutest and pleading. He was quiet for a minute, then sighing in waved me away with his hand. 'Go on then, I'll cover this shift, but you can make it up to me some other time.' He said albeit half-heartedly.
'Thanks Sam!' I squealed like Pam, leaning over to peck his cheek. He brushed me away smiling.
I quickly ran out to place the orders in with Lafayette, not forgetting to order my own lunch too and then checking my hair in the reflection of a picture frame, I hurried back to the where the Northman's sat. Perhaps a little to eagerly considering we were just friends, but I was excited.
'Hey are you lunching with us then?' Eric said hopefully as I suddenly appeared at the table, shuffling up next to Pam. 'Sure am!' I chirped, swiping the salt shaker off Pam before she made a mess with it. 'Aha!' Eric laughed, flicking yet another little crumb at Pam when she looked to him for defence.
I swiftly lent across the table and smacked Eric on the arm. 'And you stop picking on your daughter.' I chided and Pam suppressed a chuckle, poking her tongue out at her Dad. Those two were just as bad as each other.
As Pam began to draw little pictures on the free crayon and paper set we gave to children at the restaurant, Eric leaned in to whisper to me. I leant towards him in return. 'Just so you know, I didn't realise you worked here, it's not like I planned to stalk you.' He said somewhat embarrassed but I could see his genuine concern underneath his features that I would judge him for it.
'I know silly, besides I don't mind, this is nice.' I whispered back, lightly placing my hand over his. He looked at our joined hands and I quickly removed mine. 'Sorry.' I muttered. 'Don't be.' He said back, completely reassuringly.
...
Lunch passed like a dream, with us all chatting happily like some normal little family. To an outsider that's what we would look like. I would have to stop myself whenever I started thinking along those lines. But it was hard not to whenever I looked at Pam as she giggled and chatted away about something barely touching her food or when I saw Eric smile proudly at her and munch through his own lunch like the hearty man he was. I could feel myself falling for them fast and I was powerless to stop it. They were perfect and for that short while, I truly felt like a part of them. I wanted to be a part of them.
Then like a sudden rude awakening on a cold winter's morning, my little fantasy came crashing down; as Bill walked into the bar. And suddenly I was back to being Bill's girlfriend again, with no children or loving tall blonde figures as a partner. Instead I had an angry; somewhat alcoholic, who was too concerned with his work then to pay me the slightest bit of attention.
I inwardly cringed when he spotted us and I saw his eyes darken. He strolled over to us and I just knew something was going to kick off.
'Oh hey Bill.' I said as he neared us and Eric's smile instantly faded as his head whipped round to see Bill approaching.
What happened next both shocked and scared me all at the same time. As suddenly, with all the anger of a jealous man, Bill swung his arm out in a punch at Eric as he reached us. Eric ducked at the last minute with super fast reflexes and was up on his feet within a flash, towering over Bill. Pam shrieked next to me, her little hand coming to grab mine. For some reason that meant a lot to me.
'What the fuck is wrong with you?' Eric demanded and I swiftly reached over to cover Pam's ears, although I was pretty sure she heard it.
'I could ask you the same thing, why's a single man having lunch with my girlfriend!' Bill spat, stepping an inch closer to Eric. My heart was pounding in my chest.
Eric let out a strained chuckle. 'Your girlfriend, she's not some toy mate, she's free to do as she pleases.' That made me blush inwardly at Eric.
'Oh you really fucking believe that?' Bill drawled out viciously, and once again I looked to Pam who undoubtedly had heard that too. I swear I would wash both their mouths out with soap for tainting the little girl's ears like that.
'Yes I do, she is a strong, independent woman who can do what she wants, and the only thing I don't understand is why on earth she's with you.' Eric said, but this time he was too slow in ducking and Bill threw another punch at him instantly. It hit Eric full in the face. Eric roared in anger as he spat some blood out of his mouth and whipped round to face Bill once more.
'Guy's don't do this, don't fight!' I said, standing up, not noticing at the time that Pam had copied my actions and stood up behind me.
Neither was listening though, as Eric threw a punch of his own knocking Bill to the floor. Eric turned to me, flashing me a bloody smile thinking Bill was done with. However, suddenly Bill kicked out at Eric's ankle, sending him to his hands and knees. Bill was on him in a second, trying to get another hit in, but Eric was doing well dodging them. That was until the last one hit him square in the nose; Eric's head tilted back giving me and Pam the pleasure of seeing a bloody nosed Eric.
'Leave my Daddy alone!' Pam suddenly yelled and ran over to the fray. I instantly panicked, throwing my arms out to catch her but she had already reached Bill and had jumped on his back like a squirrel monkey. 'Pam no!' I yelled and Eric's eyes shot open in panic at the sound of my voice, searching for his daughter frantically.
Unfortunately Pam had other ideas, as she grabbed as much of Bill's hair as she could within her little hands and tugged with all her strength. Bill roared in anger as his head reared back and then it seemed as though time slowed to almost a stand still as his long arm reached round to his back and managed to grab hold of Pam.
He yanked her off his back and seething with anger he threw her ruthlessly across the room like a ragdoll. She screamed as I screamed for her and she cried out as she hit the floor half way across the bar. I instantly ran to her.
Eric roared terrifyingly, jumping on Bill and delivering several pummelling blows in swift concession.
This entire event happened in just three short minutes, despite the fact it seemed like a life time to me. Lafayette was running out from the kitchen area at the same time Sam came running in from the back, pulling the two men apart, I could see the effort it took Lafayette to hold back Eric.
I pulled Pam up into my arms; she was shaking but otherwise ok as far as I could tell.
'Let me go, he fucking hurt my daughter!' Eric growled, struggling to get loose. 'Chill the fuck down motherfucker.' Lafayette spat between clenched teeth. Eric listened, shrugged out of Lafayette's grip and walked away, wiping his still bleeding nose.
'And you, you sick motherfucker, what'd you go beating on a little girl for!' Lafayette spat at Bill who at least had the good grace to look ashamed at this awful fact. 'Get the fuck out of my bar.' Sam said, practically pushing Bill over in the process of shoving him towards the exit. I stepped back as he passed us, little Pam still in my arms.
'Everybody stop swearing.' I suddenly said, despite that being the least important thing right now.
'Yeah, right, sorry.' Lafayette said glancing over at Pam, then nodding once at no one in particular he walked back to the kitchen area. I smiled at him as he passed me.
'You can get yourself off now Sookie, you need it.' He said, then nodding at Eric as he too walked back into his office.
We all let out a big sigh of relief.
Eric walked over to me and Pam, his eyes fraught with concern. 'You ok little one?' He asked, as he gently placed a finger under her chin to get her to look up at him. She didn't say anything but nodded, and reached her arms out for him.
I surrendered my hold on her and watched on with admiration as Eric pulled her up into his arms, and held her tightly for a long while, closing his eyes with relief. And despite it being completely obvious, I was suddenly starkly reminded that despite being clever for her age, Pam was just a little girl, no more than an infant, and right now an infant that had been hurt by a grownup. My boyfriend at that- I suddenly felt really sick.
I turned to walk outside; I knew Bill would be waiting there.
'Sookie, where are you going?' Eric suddenly asked, following me out into the parking lot. I paused a few steps in front of him; I looked to Bill ahead who was waiting by his car for me. His face was dark and pissed off. I looked to Eric behind me, and noticed his face was alight with concern. How I wanted to go to him instead.
'I'm sorry about all this Eric, but he's my boyfriend...I got to go.' I said, and turned to walk away.
All of a sudden Eric grabbed my upper arm, halting me in my tracks. 'What! You can't be serious. You just saw how he reacted; I could smell the alcohol on his breath. Sookie it's not safe.' Eric said very seriously. 'He's right!' I suddenly spat, though I could feel the tears coming rapidly.
Eric looked at me in confusion. 'I shouldn't be having lunch with someone who I...' I quickly stopped myself. 'Who you what?' What Sookie?' He quickly said, willing me to finish my sentence.
'Nothing, just please...' I stammered as my eyes drifted past Eric's dark concerned ones and saw little Pam standing by the door, looking all worried and lost. 'I'm not your problem, just do me a favour and look after your daughter.' I spat somewhat abruptly, shaking his grip off and walking away quickly.
He looked stunned, but thankfully I turned before I could witness his face fall dejectedly.
As I climbed into the car and buckled up, I looked out my window. I saw Eric walking back to Pam and pulling her up into another tight embrace, pressing a deep kiss to her forehead when she pointed in my direction with tears in her eyes. He then looked out sadly towards me again as the car reversed to drive off.
What had I done? I thought darkly as my stomach churned uncomfortably. I took a side glance at Bill and noticed his face was stony and at that exact moment, completely terrifying. I'd made a mistake.
Hope you liked, please read and review! And thanks as always to those that do!
Chapter five coming soon...:)