Disclaimer: I have been neglectful and I know it. I'm sorry. I hope E doesn't punish me too badly lol. SVM does not belong to me.
Author's Notes: First of all, I know I have written a very long and lengthy story thus far, I will tell you that if you need a cliffnotes refresher, skim the important things Eric and Niall have revealed about their histories and the plot details about the mythology. It's going to be IMPORTANT.
This chapter is called Heaven Beside You after the Alice in Chains song of the same name. It's a reference to the lyric, 'Like the coldest winter chill/ heaven beside you, hell within'. I thought it fits in with the opening scene with Eric being the heaven beside her and the hell within being Sookie's mind about everything. I had a couple ideas for the chapter title, I can't remember them now…but this one fit.
Another something that really sort of inspired the second scene for me towards the end was definitely the play, Scorched, just the idea of the way a mother loves a child. It made me wibble writing it. The Crème Egg thing? I HATE them. The centre is waaaay too sweet. I love Mini Eggs though. Bok bok! And it's almost Easter.
I also finally switched to Microsoft Word 2007...so bare with me...lol.
One more thing, I've backed up my fics at EricNorthman(dot)net. FF. net will still be my primary home…but I'm there too.
CHAPTER SIX: HEAVEN BESIDE YOU
Birds chirped a song in protest of the morning chill as golden sunlight streamed through gaps in the curtains and venetian blinds, casting long rays of warmth across her room. Sookie stirred restlessly against the cool sheets of her bed, awaken by the conversation of the birds outside her window. The morning light made it impossible for her to continue sleeping, but her limbs felt heavy against the tangled sheets.
In her half conscious state, she rolled to her side. Her arms sought out Eric instinctively, only she was slightly disappointed to come up empty. Still, his scent enveloping the sheets made up for it. She settled for cuddling the blankets to her chest and inhaling his scent, cocooning herself inside in order to doze for a few more minutes. As her mind drifted to the night before and the sweet way Eric had put her to bed, she smiled dreamily.
Of course, the world kept moving all around her and she had no choice but to join it.
Rubbing her eyes groggily, Sookie made the executive decision to get up by tossing her blankets off her still naked body. She wasn't about to let the day go to waste and besides, she had promised Amelia that she would attend her doctor's appointment after all. No, it was time to wake up, even though she regretted throwing off her blankets due to the chill of the room. Regardless, she hopped out of bed and hustled into the bathroom. Turning on the water in the shower, she made sure to run it hot.
The steam curled all around her and Sookie scrubbed herself clean to wake up from her Eric induced, post sex delirium. She sighed with a smile, thinking of him, feeling slightly regretful of her current actions. However, with the noses on the supernatural beings she associated with, she hardly appreciated being sniffed and everyone knowing of her sex life and Amelia had decided to go with Dr. Ludwig, who already had a well known contempt for vampires. Part of her wanted to crawl into bed, sleep all day and wait for Eric to wake her up using his preferred methods, damning the consequences. Yet, despite it all, she felt good, blissful.
When she finished, Sookie swiftly dried off, brushed her teeth and rubbed on some moisturizer, disregarding her distorted reflection on the steam covered mirror. Feeling refreshed, she tossed on her clothes, feeling casual with a pair of dark jeans, a t-shirt and a black zip up hoodie which featured a graphic pattern of lotuses. After accompanying Amelia to her appointment with Dr. Ludwig, they were shopping which was hardly a time for anything dressy. Besides, Amelia wielding a credit card without a limit was a dangerous thing. Between Amelia and Eric, she could never win, she thought wryly.
Humming the fleeting notes of "Patience" by Guns N' Roses, Sookie padded into the kitchen as she haphazardly arranged her damp hair into a bun. The kitchen was awash with the scent of bacon and eggs as she entered. Amelia had really gotten into a cooking kick since her pregnancy, something Sookie couldn't say she complained about. It was nice being fed by someone else's hand.
What Sookie did not expect was the Tupperware container that came flying towards her face from one Amelia Broadway.
"Here, I made it to go," Amelia explained in a rush, grabbing her purse and keys, "I already ate. Oh, here's a juice box."
Sookie eyed what appeared to be slices of toast stuffed with eggs, bacon and cheese. A homemade Bacon Egg McMuffin without that horrible English muffin. Nice.
"I know you had another late night with Eric. He drop you off last night or is he still in the hidey-OHMIGAWD SOOKIE!" Amelia exclaimed as she turned from the counter and leapt towards her friend.
"What?" asked Sookie, her brow crinkling.
Ignoring her, Amelia flung towards Sookie and pulled her into a tight bear hug, "I'm so happy for you! I never thought you would get your act together this quickly with Eric, but I'm so glad you've figured things out and are this committed to each other and that you love each other so much!"
Pulling her back, Amelia allowed Sookie to catch her breath.
"What the hell are you talking about, Amelia?" Sookie asked, completely confused.
"Tell me all about how Eric proposed to you with that radiant ruby, you silly goose!" Amelia replied with a smile.
"HE WHAT!?" Sookie squeaked. Her eyes bulged as she took notice of the aforementioned radiant ruby resting innocently on her left ring finger.
"Oh shit…" Amelia gasped, her hands covering her mouth.
"I can't believe he'd…the GALL! Dammit!" Sookie cursed, before letting out a heavy sigh, "I don't even know what any of this really means." She began pacing restlessly around the kitchen, her hands gnashing about as her nervous energy took over her body.
"What do you mean?" Amelia asked.
"He wants to marry me? We've never even talked about marriage!" Sookie blubbered, as the panic set in.
"And the whole knife thing was what? Interpretive dance?" Amelia responded wryly, raising an eyebrow.
"I never considered that a marriage marriage, Amelia and Eric knows that. The bastard said the whole vampire marriage thing could be whatever I wanted it to be, which looks like a whole lot of crock and bull right about now! What the hell was he thinking!?" Sookie raged.
"Well, hold that thought and take it on the road, because we're gonna be late, Sook," Amelia suggested, tossing Sookie her red coat.
Yes, anger was better than the feelings of doubt bubbling to the surface. Again. Every single time she thought she'd gotten somewhere with Eric, he'd pull some sort of stunt like this which made her question her trust in him. Was it so hard to talk to her, to discuss their future together? Couldn't he include her in making his decisions? How could they have a future together if he never let her in, if he never let her pilot their life together with him? Didn't he know by now that all she wanted was to be included? To have a say?
She could understand why he wouldn't tell her about his plans regarding Felipe, but this stunt was just unacceptable. He had worn her trust in him thin with their impending trip to Vegas, but now this? How could he do that? The newly found faith she had in him was so tenuous already. Besides, this was about their relationship and he didn't' even have the decency to ask her to her face. Did she give him too much rein?
The worst of it? The bastard knew she would have an entire day to stew.
"Okay, okay…the baby, right," Sookie took some deep breathes, calming herself, "Maybe it's another one of his lavish, way too expensive, over-the-top gifts?"
"Umm…on your ring finger, with that stone and that cut? I don't think so," Amelia replied.
"Sooo not helping, Ames!" Sookie groused, following Amelia out the door.
"Oh, I suppose congratulations are in order," Dr. Ludwig said with thinly veiled disgust as she glared at the ring on her finger. She could fathom why someone would marry a vampire. After all, her job was to tend to the living and keep them that way. She was a guardian of the natural order of things, life until death. Unfortunately, Vampires were always the anomaly which went against her entire job.
"Um…I…uh…" Sookie stuttered.
A pregnant pause filled the air, broken by the glooping noise of the cold gel landing on Amelia's stomach.
Sookie settled for a smile, knowing full well it was the one that got her labelled 'Crazy Sookie.' Damned vampire.
Dr. Ludwig harrumphed and turned back to her task at hand, smoothing out the gel on Amelia's stomach with the sonogram's apparatus.
"I love him," Sookie said, feeling the inexplicable need to make Dr. Ludwig understand her choice.
"Of course you do," Dr. Ludwig replied, tonelessly.
"I do," Sookie asserted, "He's the one for me."
"If you like cold, dead and lifeless, sure. You seem like a nice girl, Miss Stackhouse. It's not yet too late to change your mind and sever your ties to the Vampires, you know."
"You should know me well enough by now to know that I don't abandon my friends. Don't you have the Hippocratic Oath or something," Sookie sneered, annoyed.
"The vampires are good friends, yes, if give them what they want. If you do, you're rewarded handsomely, but you will find that their favours and whims are as fleeting as cherry blossoms and shift as unexpectedly as a tropical storm. You know this. Your scars may be gone, but you bore the pain of your vampire's relationship a month ago and only good fortune has knit you back together. Yet, here you are. Settling, for someone whose mind is quiet, whose life is gone, along with his ability to create it," Dr. Ludwig observed cuttingly, "As for the Hippocratic Oath, it is something trifling created by the humans for humans and I am no human."
"You don't know a damn thing about me or Eric! He's stood by me, so have the other vampires. Humans, weres, they've never done that for me," Sookie replied with her voice rising and her face growing red. She could feel her body shake with wrath. How dare Dr. Ludwig judge their relationship? It was between the two of them and no one else.
"I thought you'd use a spell or something. I mean, Octavia told me-" Amelia babbled, trying to keep the peace. Luckily, Dr. Ludwig cut her off.
"Oh, I could, but that's 150 extra. You of all people should know how much energy it takes to something like that," Dr. Ludwig admonished. "Plus, I'm finding a blend of technology and more…holistic methods work best these days." Taking the apparatus, Dr. Ludwig pressed it against Amelia's belly and slowly coasted along her skin as both pairs of eyes stared fixedly on the monitor.
"Here we are," Dr. Ludwig announced, pointing to a figure on the screen.
"It's my little bean, Sookie!" Amelia exclaimed excitedly, "Isn't it precious?"
"...Yeah, Amelia," Sookie replied, her throat tight with pain, "it sure is..."
There on the grainy screen in the cold, sterile room was the undeniable beginning of life, a fluttering heartbeat, the formation of a mind. A child.
Amelia's fingertips brushed the screen of the sonogram machine in wonder and reverence. She barely heard Dr. Ludwig's diagnosis. "Hi, baby."
Sookie could feel her breath become shallow and the sting of tears threaten her eyes as Amelia obliviously took her hand in bliss. She would never know what it was like to have a life grow inside her, never get a sonogram image of a little bean, never feel such a wondrous connection to another human being... There would be no first smiles, first words or first laughs. No diapers to change, no sicknesses to care for, no knee scrapes to soothe. No preschool, no prom, no graduation, no moving away... She had made her choice. Why did it have to hurt so much? Wasn't his love alone enough?
"The baby is approximately 12 weeks along and healthy. The heartbeat is strong and regular. All signs of development are normal," Dr. Ludwig pronounced.
Here it was, the relentless rhythm of life pounding against her, an endless cycle that she would not take part in. She had withdrawn herself. Could this new beat satisfy her?
How could it be so unfair? Even he once had a family, children. Even he experienced it, but she never would. Was it so bad to want it, even as a selfish cure for her childhood?
"The bean'll be half-Were...Will the baby be normal? Will my baby be able to make half transformations?"
"I'm afraid we won't know the extent of the child's abilities until it hits puberty, but given that Tray was a very strong werewolf, his first son's abilities and your abilities, a wide range of possibilities could occur. The child could be like Tray's first child whose powers are mostly latent, or it could have abilities close to a full blooded werewolf, given your abilities," Dr. Ludwig revealed.
"What do you mean? I've never heard of witches having any real ability to pass on their power to their children by birth. Our power is mostly learned and then harnessed through our own skill and ability," Amelia frowned, her brows scrunching.
"That would usually be the case...but as I said earlier, I find a technological and holistic approach to medicine is best. Your bloodwork showed up nothing unusual than perhaps a little anemia. Using magic, I was able to ascertain something much more interesting. Your lineage was revealed to me. You are descended from a long line of witches who were actually able to pass on their abilities through their blood by birth. Your powers are probably latent, but given that your child will be half-were, I would say that all bets are off with it," Dr. Ludwig predicted.
"The Kingdom of the Night...?" Amelia asked after a pause.
"Yes," Dr. Ludwig said as she appraised Sookie with a hard glance, "There are a strange many coincidences and gatherings of late involving them..."
Despite her anguish, Sookie raised her chin defiantly.
Shaking her head, Dr. Ludwig got back on task, "Would you like to know the sex?"
"If that's alright," Amelia replied.
Dr. Ludwig put the sonogram apparatus away and began to murmur a soft chant as she slowly placed her hands on Amelia's slightly protruding stomach.
Amelia paid no attention to the ritual, for nothing could capture her attention more than her child on the screen.
"You're beautiful and perfect, baby. I'll always love you," Amelia whispered, staring intently at the sonogram image.
"You'll be a great mom, Ames," Sookie said, trying to smile and not cry as she squeezed Amelia's hand. She hoped Amelia didn't pick up on the change in her voice and her breathing.
Unfortunately, Dr. Ludwig's gaze caught hers for a moment. She had the decency not to say anything, but Sookie hated the pity on her face.
"A boy," Dr. Ludiwig announced finally.
"A boy, just like Tray," Sookie said numbly as her eyes glistened, "Congratulations."
"I bet you'll be just like your dad, baby. I'll tell you all about him and how much he would have loved you. I'll tell you how he was brave, loyal and courageous. I'll tell you about his motorcycles... I'll love you with my whole heart and maybe that will be enough," Amelia whispered through trailing tears.
The elegant figure reflected in the mirror before her was strong, regal, beautiful. She was put together and knew what she wanted out of life. Draped in a slinky backless blood red dress that hugged her curves, she appeared confident and vivacious. It simply could not be helped in the dramatic floor length cut of the dress that flared and extended into a train at her feet or the daring v-neck that showed off her ample cleavage. The satin dress had straps that crossed between her shoulder blades with a knot. She looked as luxurious and classy as a 1930s film star.
Inside, she was anything but.
"So what do you know about boys?" Amelia had asked and so launched an epic shopping spree. A shopping spree Sookie wanted to take no part in.
"I want to know all about them!" Amelia squealed in her glee as the pair strolled along the Shreveport shopping district. Amelia was by and large an only child and any advice was welcome.
"Well, I dunno, Ames, I've just got Jason," Sookie replied as levelly as she could, "I didn't even start dating until I was 25!"
Oblivious to Sookie's pain, Amelia exclaimed, "Well, you're still ahead of me in one department. I want to know everything!"
"And I can always tell you the other stuff about dating," Amelia added mischievously, "I think you've been pretty much ruined for anyone else after Eric though…"
"Yeah, Ames. He's up there, definitely. His ego definitely doesn't need the boost though," Sookie said politely.
Amelia cackled loudly in response, her vicelike grip on Sookie's arm excused due to her excitement. Besides, Sookie could hardly deny Amelia this joy, especially given Tray's recent death. Amelia deserved to be happy. Sookie couldn't rain on it.
"Ohmigawd! That onesie, Sookie! Isn't it the most adorable thing you've ever seen!?" Amelia shrieked as she darted to an adorably decorated storefront window. Her nose was practically pressed against the glass, her breath creating condensation. Baby Mania was stencilled on the door.
The smile she displayed facing Sookie then was of an absolute, pure joy and elation, a great thing of beauty. Only Sookie could not enjoy it.
"We're going in and then after this, we're getting you those dresses!" Amelia ordered executively.
"Okay, Ames. Wait up and don't scare the store clerk!" Sookie admonished with as much excitement as she could muster.
So now here she was, standing in front of the mirror as the biggest liar the world had ever known and everyone had to know it.
What was wrong with her? Couldn't she just be happy?
For all she knew, they would all die within the next three days if Eric's blasted plan didn't work. It simply wasn't logical to want that, want what Amelia had right then at the moment. It didn't make sense for the life she chose and yet, she could barely hold herself together on the inside.
Had she always been a shell of strength, a hard exterior to mask a delicate centre? Was she a Cadbury Cream Egg? A pretty hard chocolate shell, nice and tasty filled with a disgustingly sweet cream centre that was only suitable for being spit out? Eric liked the chocolate now, but the pretty shell would melt. It'd only last so long and then all that was left was that unbearable inside that was sure to be thrown away.
Before another moment of contemplation could pass, Amelia burst through the curtains of the dressing room with no consideration for her personal space.
"That's the one, Sookie! That's your ball gown. It's perfect!" Amelia screamed elatedly.
"You think?" Sookie asked softly, in sharp contrast to her vivacious friend.
"I know! Eric is gonna flip and devour you whole," Amelia confirmed.
"Not that he doesn't do that already," she amended with a smirk, "You look like a movie star."
"I'm gonna be attached to his arm all night…and not by choice," Sookie joked.
Amelia chuckled, "Isn't that the point given the situation?"
"Yeah…but I don't exactly need him to be more overbearing…"
"He wouldn't be Eric if he wasn't," Amelia replied.
"I'm just happy that we've finally found something. It's been hours," Sookie complained.
"Oh, hush," Amelia admonished, "After this, we can find your shoes!"
Sookie groaned and Amelia shot her a mischievous wink, drawing a glare from Sookie.
"I still have to go home and pack, you know," Sookie reminded Amelia sternly. She would be leaving with Eric tomorrow for the perils of Las Vegas after all.
"Do you really want to spend that much time packing for your impending doom?" Amelia asked sarcastically.
"Yeah. About that, I don't understand why I'm even going to need this dress if I'm going to die," Sookie replied with just as much vitriol.
"That's because you've gotta be hot when you die," Amelia cackled, before waving over the petite red headed attendant. "We'll be taking this dress."
"That's an excellent choice! It even matches your engagement ring. Your lucky man won't be able to take his hands off you all night!" the attendant complimented.
"That's the plan!" Amelia informed conspiratorially.
"Thanks!" Sookie replied, smile tight on her face. She didn't know how much longer she could pull it off. And she was just so damn sweet. It simply wouldn't do to bite the poor woman's head off. Or any of the other sales associates who had noticed her ring today…and they were many. "Now all I need is a cocktail dress."
"Oh! Well, I've just put out a new shipment that just got in today. Be sure to check it out. It's out front. Between you and me, there are quite a few that are going to be charged with my employee discount," the saleslady advised.
"Sounds good," Sookie replied, when all she wanted to do was go home, put on her sweats and lie on her couch with Buffy and a pint of ice cream.
"I hope this isn't being too nosy…but are the dresses for your wedding? We've just got a great new bridal selection that should come in sometime next week to add to the killer one we already have," the clerk said perkily.
"Oh…uh…"Sookie started, but her tongue caught in her mouth and a lump formed in the back of her throat.
"Well, these are just for a business trip she'll be taking with him, but we'll be sure to remember that for when we're planning the wedding!" Amelia rescued, noting the frown on the redhead's face light up into a grin.
The redhead told Sookie she'd put the dress at the cash register once she was done with it, while Amelia went dress hunting. Sookie had the faint suspicion that she had dashed out in order to blindside her with some dress she would never even consider wearing in a million years. Amelia loved pushing her out of her comfort zone when it came to fashion. It wasn't something Sookie enjoyed often. After all, Amelia's soccer mom appearance was quite deceiving. When the time called for it, she would dress quite provocatively…in belts masquerading as skirts to show off her legs.
She had just taken off the red stunner when Amelia burst through the curtain her dressing room again.
"Amelia!" Sookie cried, doing her best to cover her breasts. Why couldn't they go to a boutique with doors for dressing rooms?
"Nothing I haven't seen before, Sookie," she smirked before tossing a swathe of fabric into her hands and slipping out of the cubicle.
Untangling the fabric, Sookie bristled. "This is NOT a cocktail dress!" Sookie she cried, her voice travelling into the hall. She heard the rustling pages of a magazine before Amelia answered.
"Just try it on!" Sookie could swear she was cackling.
"You expect me to go into the enemy nest dressed like this?" Sookie squeaked.
The sound of a magazine landing on a heavily stuffed couch reached Sookie's ears. "Try it on or I'll go on a hormone induced rampage!" Amelia threatened.
Sookie groaned. "Fine. Fine…dammit."
Relenting, she opened the clasp securing the thick black crew neck collar on the dress and slid it on. Strangely, she felt more naked with the dress on than she had with it off. For one, the vibrant purple dress was completely backless and practically revealed her butt crack. In fact, she was currently sporting some serious whale tale with her thong and that thing was already ridiculously tiny. Secondly, it was short. There would be absolutely no bending over whatsoever in this dress. Her breasts weren't spilling out but they weren't exactly covered either. Under the thick, beaded collar was a delicate shear panel of black lace wildflowers that revealed ample cleavage. There was really no way to hide a bra, not even an adhesive one. The soft satin fabric was thin and loose and pleated on the bodice to emphasize the shape and style of the dress that reminiscent of 60s mod fashion. Had it not been for a pair of thin strings of beads that attached from the back of the collar to the fabric under her armpit on each shoulder, Sookie would be afraid of flashing side cleavage or an entire boob.
Despite how revealing it was, Sookie had to admit that she felt and looked hot.
"Dayam, Sook," Amelia whistled from behind her.
"Amelia, you really gotta stop that," Sookie sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Whatever, but you are so whipping out that dress in Vegas. You need to. It's the dress that breaks a thousand fangbangers out of disillusionment. It's the power dress, kill dress! Hell, it's a fuck me dress!" Amelia pressed and Sookie lost all hope of ever breaking her habit of bursting into dressing rooms.
"Okay." Only Amelia continued rambling.
"And you're married to Eric! None of the vamps can touch you. It's a 'you can't have this' dr- Wait! 'Okay?' Really?" Amelia asked perplexed.
"You were right about it," Sookie admitted.
"Repeat that again, Stackhouse," Amelia pushed.
Sookie sighed. "You were right. It's my…uncocktail dress," she conceded.
"Uncocktail dress. I like that," Amelia said, tapping her lip and smirking. "Now lose the thong. No whale tailing and no wedgying. It's unsightly."
"So I'm walking into the demon nest with no underwear?"
"You might as well fly by the seat of your pants. You only live once. Seize the day," Amelia advised.
"So you're saying that I should go into the tiger pit with no underwear because there's a real possibility I'll never get to do it again?" Sookie surmised.
"Yep."
"That's pleasant," Sookie deadpanned.
"Enh. Anyways, Pam will be pleased."
"Ugh. She put you up to this, didn't she?" Sookie deduced.
"Yep. The dress comes with a built in 6'5"ish Viking vampire that will scare everyone away," Amelia reasoned.
"You mean it will inspire him to not to stray more than two inches away from my side?" Sookie translated.
"That too."
"Right, now we just need a few things that are more cocktail than uncocktail and we can blow this joint," Sookie sighed.
"Right. We need to get started on the shoes," Amelia said, "I'll be right back…after I grab a burrito. There's a place across the street and I'm craving beans for some reason…"
"Right…I'm beginning to understand why you're starting to show."
"I gave up trying to lose the moping weight awhile ago once I found out it was a baby," Amelia patted her belly fondly, "Besides, I might as well let my waistline go down in style…Right. Beans."
Soon enough, after Amelia's quick excursion, they had left the store with an emerald green, one shouldered knee length Grecian dress along with a charcoal grey strapless cocktail dress with a sweetheart neckline and a thick black velvet cummerbund around the waist, moving to the shoe store. By the time they had picked up a pair of black platformed pumps made of patent leather and a pair of strappy gladiator heels to wrap up their shopping trip, Sookie was exhausted on top of being extremely emotionally wrought.
Accompanying a pregnant woman to a doctor's appointment, knowing it would never happen for her, along with the stress of the pending trip to Vegas, on top of a constant bevy of people pointing out her boyfriend's latest stunt had simply worn her thin. It was nice to have a break from freaking out over the implications of her ring, but it still gnawed at the back of her mind constantly. Her mind was a mess, but all the others saw was the damn ring on her finger or some beautiful dress. Had she become so good at fooling everyone else? Was that all she'd ever be? A shell of happiness encasing an abundance of turmoil?
Oh, and she'd only had a breakfast sandwich the entire day.
"Hey, Sook, being pregnant is hard work and I feel the hunger of two…Wanna go to Merlotte's for some dinner?" Amelia asked.
An emotionally wrought day in Shreveport and now a small town diner where the entire problem-filled populace of Bon Temps would be holing up for beer? "Sure, why not." It's not like it could get any worse.
"Jason!" Sookie exclaimed in surprise as she looked over Amelia's head from where she was seated in a booth. From the bottom of her vision, Sookie watched Amelia's head spin towards the entrance. Her brother had just walked into the bar, looking a little worse for wear, his hair shaggy and his face in desperate need of a shave. His wife and baby had been murdered and he had aged in the eyes. They no longer bore the laughter and innocence he had carried into adulthood from his youth. It saddened her.
This was just perfect. Just when she was starting to enjoy her evening. She had caught up with the girls at the bar and Sam too. Sam had just brought over their orders of southern comfort food, blackened catfish and gumbo with rice and beans. The menu of Merlotte's was being expanded and they were currently doing test runs of new items. The old classics, like the Burger Lafayette would remain though. Sam had figured it was worth it to shake things up a bit due to the recent coming out of the two-natured. Everything seemed to be changing around her. Nothing was waiting for her to catch up. Nothing cared for her approval.
"Sookie?" Jason stuttered as he wandered timidly towards Sookie and Amelia's corner booth, "What are you doing here?" Sookie could feel the eyes of the entire town on them, watching the exchange in rapt interest. Great. Knowing Maxine Fortenberry, this would make it to Monroe by noon.
"I happen to work here," Sookie answered with snark, "Right now…I'm eating dinner with Amelia."
"I thought you were still at Gran's…you know, getting better…" he said sheepishly. Well, this was new. "I'm glad you look alright."
"Thanks," Sookie said shortly.
"Aww, Sook," Jason sighed, "Don't be like that."
"I'm just not in a mood to deal with this tonight, okay. I've got a lot on my plate right now," Sookie replied heavily.
"So when is? I don't know about you, but my wife and unborn child were murdered. I could have used your support," Jason accused.
"Well, where were you when I needed you?" Sookie replied with equal venom, "When I had my 'accident' you came to see me once and then insulted Niall! He's important to me…important to us! He's…" Sookie took a quick glance around the restaurant, noting the rapid head movement away from their direction. Great.
"Guys…" Amelia warned, her head pivoting between the siblings and the enraptured audience.
"You know what he is to us, Jason…" Sookie replied firmly. They really didn't need nosy citizens digging into Niall…
Jason shot Amelia a look and she quickly scooted over, giving him room.
As he plopped down into the vacant spot, Jason said, "Look, Sook, I don't want to fight. It's been hard for me. I guess I've had my own things to deal with, but we're all the family that's left now…"
"Okay," Sookie said.
"Really?" Jason asked hopefully.
"Yeah," Sookie confirmed, "We can talk later." If there was a later. She had to admit she didn't want the last thing for her brother to remember her by to be anger and spite towards him.
"Right now, you can just join us for dinner," invited Sookie.
Jason nodded and as if on cue, Holly ripped herself from Hoyt's side to take his order.
"Uhh…I guess I'll try the chicken fried steak," he ordered, upon Holly's request, "Oh and bring a pitcher of-"
"Jason, I hate to be a party pooper, but do you really need that right now?" Sookie asked. He seemed like he'd seen the bottom of a shot glass one too many times. Shot glass, beer bottle…the bottle of any number of hard liquors…
Jason sighed, "Bring me a coke, Holly."
"Will do. Y'all need anything else?" Holly asked before heading back with Jason's order.
"I think we're good," Amelia replied.
"Are you okay, Jason?" Sookie asked, taking in Jason's appearance critically. He looked like he'd slept in his t-shirt.
"I will be," Jason replied, "Soon…"
"What about you?" he asked, his eyes darting to his sister's hand. "You marrying that big vamp of yours?" With that signal, Sookie once again felt the eyes of every patron of Merlotte's concentrated on her. Great. Just what she needed, more people to come after her. Sometimes she wondered why she didn't just carry a bright flashing red sign over her head. One that said, 'This is a weirdo. Destroy.'
"Kinda already am…" Sookie admitted in a soft whisper.
"And I wasn't invited to the wedding!? Sook, how could you! You know it's my job to walk you down the aisle!" Jason exclaimed, upset.
Sookie cringed. "Dammit, Jason," she cursed. This day just kept getting worse and worse. Now everyone knew she was married to a vampire. She was officially off the market to these people and the worst thing? It wasn't a wedding she recognized. Even though she couldn't see herself with anyone but Eric, the misinterpretation of the nature of their relationship by others bothered her. She was still coming to terms with what they were to each other.
And now brains were buzzing all around her, jumping to conclusions about her, Eric and their relationship. False ones, insulting ones, disgusting ones…She hated it. Hoyt wondered why such a nice person could wind up with vampires. His mother thought she had finally crossed over to being a fangbanging whore. Those that had seen her at Fangtasia and knew of her and Eric's relationship wondered why he could want a fat, unattractive bitch like her. Their minds were full of jealousy and hate. Her head was spinning with the onslaught of thoughts.
Fucking Eric…
"I can't believe you went ahead and eloped," Jason admonished.
"It wasn't that kind of wedding…" Sookie said, attempting to explain.
"Well, are you married or not?" Jason asked bluntly.
"We're married but…um…you see…" Sookie struggled.
"They have a common law marriage," Amelia explained, jumping in.
"Yes!" Sookie said, finding the term 'common law marriage' appropriate. It was a good way to put it.
"So you still have to make it official?"
"Yeah." Hell yeah.
"You're still gonna have a wedding?"
"Maybe?"
"Oh good." God forbid Jason Stackhouse didn't get to perform his brotherly duty by walking his baby sister down the aisle.
"You tell me if that sunovabitch don't treat you right. I'll take care of him if he don't. Put a stake right through his heart," Jason vowed.
"Well, Jason, you can certainly try…" Sookie said, with a wry smile. She certainly wouldn't mind that ass getting a death threat right about now.
"Sook, he breaks your heart and I'll break him," Jason promised.
He checked the room around him to make sure there were no nosy ears, snooping where they didn't belong. Luckily, the patrons of Merlotte's were well accustomed to the Gossip Acquiring Dance and hurried their attentions back to their meals or drinks. His mission accomplished, Jason whispered, "You know I'm a werepanther now…I can take him."
Sookie was about to reply, but Sam dropped off Jason's chicken fried steak for him, along with a coke, while Holly looked about sheepishly.
"Here's your chicken fried steak and a coke, Jason. Tell me what you think when you're done, 'kay? You know about us expanding our menu, right?" Sam requested.
"Oh yeah, Sam. Will do. This looks delicious, by the way," Jason replied as he eyed his steak hungrily and dug in.
"Thanks," Sam said, before turning to Sookie, "You mind coming back for a bit, cher? I've been meaning to talk to you…"
Sookie groaned internally, but tried to keep her discontent off her face. Channel Eric, she told herself. "Yeah, sure, Sam," she said and followed him back to his office, feeling the eyes of every customer at her back. God, she hated being their entertainment and this was high drama for them. It was better than a soap opera. Crazy weirdo gets herself in a car accident, gets even more weird, elopes with her vampire lover, reunites with her estranged brother, who finds out that she's only in a common law marriage with her vampire lover and still has to make it official and then goes to talk behind closed doors with her boss who has been bearing a torch for her for years? You couldn't make this shit up. You made popcorn for it.
Sure enough, once they were inside Sam's office, he closed the door.
"Take a seat, Sookie," he said. God, she missed that catfish. She sure was hungry.
Sookie sighed and plopped onto one of the chairs in front of Sam's desk. Before he could utter a word, Sookie said, "Look, if this is about Eric, it's my decision and I l-"
Sam let out a short laugh dropping down into his chair, "No, Sook. I know you love him. I know…he loves you too. In his way. He makes you happy. Although, if he ever breaks your heart and I'm teaming up with Jason… I still wish you weren't so deep in bed with the vamps, but it's your choice and I know Eric can and will protect you better than anyone…but I want you to know that I'll always be here for you for whatever you need. Please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thanks Sam," Sookie replied, "You're a good friend. The best. I don't deserve you."
"Nah, Sook. You deserve the best…and I guess congratulations are in order?" he said, gesturing towards her ring.
Sookie groaned and clenched her eyes shut, "You could say that?"
Sam only laughed harder, "You two…"
"What is it you wanted to talk to me about, Sam?" Sookie asked, irritably. She hated being a punchline.
"Look, I know things have changed, Sook. Usually, you'd be back in days, working with a vengeance even though you really shouldn't…" Sam began.
"I can't deny that," Sookie acknowledged with a smile.
Sam smiled back at her, "You've got your life with Eric now…and I've always known that you were more than just a barmaid and I'd only have you around until you realized that for yourself."
"Sam…" Sookie protested.
"No, Sookie," Sam pressed, "You are…you're more than a barmaid. You always were. I guess what I'm trying to say is that…I know it's time for you to move on, but please don't feel guilty about it for my sake. Like I said, you deserve the best and it's high time you took it for yourself. I'm just here to help you on your journey."
"Sam…just…Thank you," Sookie replied, her eyes misting over. She was truly lucky to have a friend like Sam.
"You got any plans?"
"I'm thinking of going to university, but…I just don't know how much longer my journey is going to last." She felt so drained.
Sam began to speak, but Sookie stopped him. "It's bad. It really is. I can't lie to you, Sam…but I can't tell you everything," she said, and suddenly she knew what it was like to be in Eric's shoes, to keep secrets from the people she cared about to keep them alive, so they wouldn't be used against her, so they could have their lives and their hopes and dreams…
"It's Felipe, isn't it?"
Sookie nodded. "Just know that Eric is taking care of me. He'll keep me safe. As much as I allow… I made the choice to be with him and there are consequences. I know what they are, but my life would be worse without him in it. I've been living without him for too long, wasted too much time and I'm done with not having him in my life. I don't know what I'm going to do if we get past all this…but I know Eric will support me in whatever that is."
"I just hope it's worth it, cher," Sam said, patting her hand, looking sad.
"Me too, Sam. Me too."
The ride home from in Amelia's car was uneventful. The Corvette wasn't exactly practical or comfortable for their day's errands and Sookie didn't think Eric would appreciate any pregnancy related accidents in his car. Regardless, Sookie couldn't get back fast enough, if only to escape all the staring eyes, gossiping whispers and buzzing minds full of hateful thoughts. Besides, there was still the matter of a certain high-handed, stunt pulling, in-deep-shit Viking vampire for her to deal with. And she knew with absolute certainty that he was up and about. It was full dark and she had felt Eric's smugness the moment he rose for the evening all the way from Merlotte's. Bastard. The poor piece catfish never looked the same after.
As soon as they entered the house, Amelia retired to her rooms upstairs. Her only request was for them to keep it down. Sookie just rolled her eyes and used the blood bond to hone in on Eric, trampling towards her room with noted aggression in every single step. The floorboards protested her heavy footfalls.
Roughly, Sookie threw open the door, storming into her room.
"Just where do you get off-" she roared, but to her annoyance, Eric silenced her with a long finger to his devilish lips. A smirk quirked their corners and further infuriated Sookie.
His bare back had been turned to her and the only thing he was wearing was a pair of black lounge pants. He had turned quickly upon her very noticeable entrance to face her and reveal a cranberry coloured Blackberry attached to his ear.
Eric's smirk broadened into a smile noting the expression on his face when he gestured to an outfit he had laid out for Sookie on her bed for her to wear at Fangtasia, after he requested her silence. Her expression could kill the balls of any other man. He was certain of it.
It was a nice momentary respite from his conversation.
"So what would make Elsa happy, Michael? …Tell her I'll think about it. …Of course I'm not budging. She just doesn't need to know that. You and I both know she's requesting more than she's expecting to receive in return. …You do that. I'll expect another update on her soon. …Yes, with the same line and the same protocols. Have you received Auguste's latest papers? …Can you reach the outlined objective?"
Sookie narrowed her eyes as she caught snatches of Eric's side of the conversation. Super secret vampire stuff. Of course.
"This is not over," she seethed, turning on her heel and pulling clothes out of her drawers and closets, disregarding the outfit Eric had laid out on her bed.
His eyes twinkled as he nodded and returned to his phone conversation as Sookie went into the bathroom.
"You think I'm in trouble with my girlfriend? Probably. Most likely," Eric replied into his cell.
Sookie had just finished pulling on a pair of tight black jeans with a black leather belt that featured an intricate floral belt buckle and a blood red silk corset embroidered with black roses, when the doorbell rang. What now?
Exiting the bathroom, as she hooked the last few eyes together down the front of her strapless corset, noticing Eric's fangs pop out in appreciation. Eat that, asshole, she thought as she grabbed a black velvet blazer and left her bedroom.
She was just finishing throwing on her blazer, when she opened her door, revealing none other than Bill Compton on her darkened porch.
"Fuck my life," Sookie exclaimed.
A look of confusion crossed Bill's gaunt features as his brows crinkled and his head tilted.
"Never mind, Bill," Sookie sighed, "Please, come in."
"If you don't mind, I'd rather stay out here on the porch…I don't plan to stay long," Bill explained.
"Oh, of course," Sookie replied. Grabbing her red coat with the tortoise shell buttons, she followed Bill outside. Taking his lead, she sat next to him on the porch bench.
He looked a lot better than the last time she saw him when she visited him about a week ago. Pam had finally deemed him safe enough for humans. It was also at that time that she'd given him the green light for survival. Mostly, Sookie gathered that Pam was relieved that she didn't have to babysit Bill anymore. This was the first time she'd seen him going out and about though. However, his movements were slow and cumbersome. He was still very weak and could be easily hurt in any manner of ways, from draining, staking to abduction…Take your pick. He was also still getting his blood delivered. It seemed the Fangtasia vamps were taking turns. Sookie had seen Thalia nearly hidden behind the steering wheel, driving down Hummingbird Lane when she was coming home.
"What is this about, Bill?" Sookie asked curiously when the silence had stretched a little too long. Bill seemed to be taking the time to form his words.
"I'm leaving Sookie," he said at last, letting out an unnecessary breath. His gaze stayed fixed ahead of him, staring over towards the trees and beyond, to the cemetery that separated their two properties.
"Bill-" Sookie began. She didn't know why, after all that time, after all that he had done, she wanted him to stay. Maybe it was because too much was changing and she didn't want it punctuated by the lack of his presence across the cemetery.
"No, Sookie. Please, let me speak," Bill implored, taking her hand gently and looked into her eyes earnestly. It was the face of the man she once loved, once cared about above all others. She had once hoped he would be enough…but now that she thought about it, Eric had always been in the back of that picture.
"I am glad that you are happy, but I have not the heart to see it with another. I need to find for myself what there is for me in this world and I can only do that if I leave. I can see the places where I played with my brother, met my wife, lost my friends and last saw my children…I can see where I walked with you… There's too much here that is familiar. It's time I looked forward instead of backwards. It is time I go," he said softly and Sookie could understand what it meant to be haunted by your history. There was too much of that in Bon Temps and she wasn't over 150 years old. She could only imagine how much worse it was for him.
"I understand," she whispered, feeling slightly teary. He had been the one who had set precedents for her in relationships.
Bill smiled sadly, "You were always more than I could possess. I think I always knew it, but I couldn't help but try and fight against it."
"Regardless, you were always slipping from my grasp from the moment you met him. The harder I tried to fight against it, to hold you tighter, the further and further away you slipped. In my heart, I always knew it would come to this when you went to him in Jackson. When you saved me, I knew he had taken possession of you. Your heart was his. I knew then I was your interim."
He chuckled slightly, as if remembering something silly, "No one likes to feel that way and I can't say I handled it well."
"No, you can't," Sookie smiled, remembering Selah. At least they could joke about it now.
Patting her hand, he stood up and gave her a small smile, "Eric makes you happy. He always will. I will always look to our times together with fondness. I hope you can one day do the same."
Sookie stood up as well, nodding. "Where will you go?"
"Europe. England first. I have some friends there and it will be easier to do my research. They keep such impeccable records. Eventually, I'll go to China," Bill explained.
"The records?" Sookie asked, smiling.
"Yes," Bill confirmed, smiling as well, "If you ever need me, please, contact me. The last thing I want is for you to think that I'm…What's the term?" Bill struggled, "…Bailing on you? Yes. Bailing out on you when things are getting tough around here."
"I understand, Bill. Really, I do," Sookie said, "You do what you have to and maybe I'll see you around some day.
"Goodbye, Sookie," Bill whispered, placing a lingering kiss on her forehead.
"Goodbye, Bill," Sookie replied, but she was speaking to the wind.
Just like all the times past. How typical. Sookie grinned.
As quickly as he had entered her life, he had left it. For now at least.
"How was your day?" Eric asked Sookie sullenly.
"Fine," she replied in monotone, staring at the scenery flying past the windows. It was just plain irritating. He felt like he was talking to a brick wall. The one word answers and the short meaningless phrases were just plain frustrating. Not to mention, he had been feeling her moods all day. It made the long drive to Fangtasia and Shreveport even longer…even given his driving speed.
Fucking Bill Compton. She'd gone from buzzing to despondent in about fifteen minutes. Oh, and the whole thing with Felipe requiring his time. He'd lost valuable time on the phone.
"Fucked up, insecure, neurotic, emotional?" Eric asked smartly.
At least that got a glare out of her.
"I'm waiting for an answer here…" Eric fished impatiently.
"Would it make you feel better if I said 'yes'?' Sookie returned sarcastically.
"No," Eric replied as she went back to staring out the window.
As she brushed a stray piece of blonde hair behind her ear, Eric noticed his ring glinting on her finger. He couldn't help but smile a little. She hadn't taken it off. Sookie took note of his expression and quickly caused his joy to evaporate with a well placed glare in his direction.
"What happened?" Eric asked with a sigh, knowing he couldn't win.
"Let's see, my high handed, stunt pulling, arrogant and obnoxious vampire boyfriend decided that my sleep would be the best time to spring a ring on me. I had to accompany my friend and roommate on a doctor's visit regarding her pregnancy which sent her into baby bliss, which by the way, really sucks even when you choose to not have kids. Not to mention Dr. Ludwig giving me shit for our relationship. And then I spent fucking hour trying on dress after dress in a gazillion fucking stores while all the fucking sales associates all pointed out said ring and assumed I was engaged. What the hell do you say to that?" Sookie raged.
Noting a response the tip of Eric's tongue, she continued furiously, "Don't you even start. I'm not even done! Who should be at Merlotte's when I went over for dinner but Jason. And why should he be concerned about anything else going on in my life other than not having had the opportunity to walk me down the aisle…because that's his job! Sam's pretty much given up because he probably thinks I'm in too deep with the wolves. I attempt to confront my fucking boyfriend, but he's too busy with super secret vampire business because we could all be dead in two days. And to top it all off, my first boyfriend is leaving because it's too painful to be around me."
"Are you finished?" Eric asked, his features tense.
"Yes, I'm done. Happy?" Sookie replied cuttingly.
"No. You're upset," Eric replied.
"No shit!"
"I don't like it when you're upset."
"That's great, Eric. Really helpful. Have you considered doing a daytime talkshow? You could call it Sucky Advice from a Vampire."
"Would you let me speak, woman!?" Eric exclaimed frustrated, nearly running over a pedestrian with his Corvette.
Surprisingly, Sookie paid no mind to his latest traffic violation, staring at him intently instead. Gesturing with her hand, Sookie said, "Go ahead, then. Please."
Eric rolled his eyes, a gesture that looked comical on a vampire, especially one as old as him. "Can I do anything for you?" Pam would have a field day with him if she could witness him now.
"That's very sweet, Eric," Sookie said in a falsely saccharine voice, "but no."
"That's it," Eric growled. Increasing the speed of the Corvette exponentially, he then pulled the handbreak and turned the steering wheel sharply to the left, making a very illegal U-Turn.
"What the fuck!?" Sookie exclaimed as Eric broke several traffic laws before finally coming to a stop in a very packed line for a carwash.
"What the hell are you doing?" Sookie shrieked.
"Getting a carwash," Eric replied dryly.
"Who goes for a carwash when they're about to go and be trapped in a foxhole and eaten alive?" Sookie cried, her eyebrows peaked.
"Vampires. You know, the same people who decorate said foxhole with ridiculously expensive shit and want people to look beautiful when in said foxhole," Eric replied calmly, "Besides, I can't have Felipe drawing some false conclusion about me based on the condition of my car, now can I? Oh, and it's touchless. They're so hard to find around here."
"Oh God," Sookie groaned, rubbing her temples.
"You don't even have the code," Sookie observed, crossing her arms over her chest.
Eric chuckled and made a show of reaching into the cup holder and removing his cell phone. After punching in some numbers, he made sure to face Sookie as he spoke some phrases in German. Sookie just rolled her eyes, as Eric finally switched to English.
"91428 for the code? Yes, just charge my account. Thank you very much, Rolf," Eric said and then hung up, dropping his phone back into the cup holder.
"Whatever shall we do while we wait in this ridiculously long line?" Eric said wryly.
Sookie took a peek behind her. Eric's maniacal driving had not deterred five cars from lining up behind him. They were well and trapped inside the line. "You knew full well that the lines are always long at this time," she accused mildly. The gas station had a special on carwashes after 8pm on Mondays.
"Of course, dear one. Talk to me," Eric implored.
"Answer me first," Sookie requested.
Eric nodded his assent.
Holding her hand up for Eric to see the ruby ring, Sookie asked, "What is this, Eric? What the hell does it mean?"
"Well, it's not an engagement ring. I assure you that if this were to be an engagement ring, it'd be obnoxiously large," Eric replied with a grin.
Sookie snorted, "I figured as much. Now explain."
Taking her left hand, Eric brought her wrist to his lips. Placing a kiss on her pulse, he let his fang nick the skin and revealed the glowing red Amaranth to her. "You committed yourself to me and I value it more than you can imagine," he began, "but one of your biggest fears has always been my commitment to you. My age, my power, my status, my…experience…It all makes you insecure about yourself and where you stand with me. I know that you are confident in my commitment to you in theory and logic, but you need something else, something physical, a reminder…"
Gazing at the disappearing marking fondly, he stroked it with his thumb, "Something that won't fade, something to take with you always. For the days I cannot be with you."
As he turned to look into her eyes, his blue depths piercing her deeply with the honesty of his emotion, it didn't matter that they were parked in line at the carwash with the bright fluorescent lights, giant signs and tacky ads. "Something to remind you of my commitment to you, that you have my heart in your hands."
Leaning over the seat, Sookie kissed his lips sweetly, running her thumb over his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered.
"That and I can't have others chasing after you, now can I?" Eric joked with a smile as he rested his forehead against hers.
"There you go, ruining a moment again," Sookie sighed, but she couldn't help but smile.
"You could have just asked me to wear it, Eric," Sookie continued.
"Well, I couldn't be certain that you wouldn't be half way to New York by now if I pulled out a ring out on you," Eric teased.
"Ha-ha, very funny."
Eric snickered, before saying sincerely, "You needed to accept it on your own."
"Why do you have to be so smart?"
"How else could I put up with you?"
"So you're putting up with me, eh? You know, I hear Quinn is in Vegas…" Sookie teased.
"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response," Eric replied and Sookie chuckled.
"You're still troubled," Eric observed, "What's going on?"
Sookie let out a long breath, "It's just everything happening. Everything changing. Work…I basically got encouraged to quit by Sam. He understands… Bill leaving…But mostly, Amelia having a baby, Tray's baby boy. I know it'd never be possible for me. I made my choice. I can't bring a child into this world that would be hunted down, tortured, killed, just for who I am, who its parents are. I couldn't do that to a child, my child. I wouldn't be able to bare it. I couldn't go through that... But I guess having the possibility completely taken away and thrown in my face with Amelia...It hurt."
Eric wrapped her in his arms and pulled her into his body, before saying, "I don't think any less of you and I never will. We can't help what we feel, no matter what logic should dictate for us."
"I know, I guess I'm just coming to terms with the end of my childhood dreams and fantasies, those pretty little ideas and notions…" Sookie replied, snuggling into his shoulder.
"It's never easy to let them go."
"No."
She didn't know how long Eric held her, but only two cars had moved in front of them and she could feel his tedium keenly. "You're bored now?" she said disbelievingly.
"This line is not moving…it's frustrating."
Sookie giggled. "Poor you… Seriously, you're over a thousand years old and you can't wait ten minutes in line for a car wash? You're unbelievable."
Eric broke the embrace, but kept his arm wrapped around her, "You know what we could do to pass the time?"
"What?" Sookie asked with a shriek as Eric unbuckled her seatbelt and pulled her into his lap. His mouth descended quickly on hers and his hands wandered her body in a very overfriendly manner. Her coat vanished from her body and Sookie couldn't deny him. She'd missed him all day, craved him in the back of her mind. It simply felt too good.
Eric was fervently working on getting a hickey onto her neck when a car honk stilled Sookie's passions.
"Eric, stop it! Everyone can see!" Sookie hissed.
"So, I haven't been loved all day. I don't care," Eric replied petulantly.
Somewhere along the way, Sookie had been repositioned to straddle Eric's lap. His erection was grinding deliciously into Sookie's core. She gasped. Suppressing a moan, she said, "Pfft. You brought that all on yourself and you know it."
"You're a cruel woman, Sookie," he mumbled from between the breasts. He had began to unhooking the hooks and eyes holding her corset together in the front, revealing even more cleavage to his hungry eyes. She guessed he was finished with that hickey.
Hooking a finger under his chin, she brought his eyes to hers, "With your heart in my hands. Don't forget it, buster."
Eric smirked at her, his fangs running out. "Never," he said, before returning to her mouth, sucking her bottom lip. His hands trailed to her ass, helping her grind his rock hard erection better. One of her hands was tangled in his hair, pulling sharply, while the other one scraped his arms roughly.
Just as she moaned, a green light came on over the garage door of the carwash. Eric growled.
"Hold that thought, lover," he said as he moved the car forward. Sookie was paying particular attention to his neck, nipping it roughly and Eric could barely remember the code as he opened the driver's side window and punched it in.
Once they were safely situated inside the carwash chamber and the water began to pour in thick sheets over the car, Eric opened Sookie's belt. "Well…now that we're alone…"
"Eric! We'll be out in 10 minutes!" Sookie shrieked, trying to push his hands away.
"If Rolf knows what's good for him, he'll keep me in here until I'm damn well ready to leave," Eric hissed before popping open the button of Sookie's jeans and pulling down the zipper.
Slipping his fingers inside her panties and finding her soaking wet, he groaned, "So wet for me, lover," before pulling his fingers out of her pants to spread her juices onto the tops of her breasts.
"And so delicious," he panted as he licked her juices off her breasts.
Sookie couldn't help but be completely turned on by the erotic display. She had began working on popping open the buttons of his black shirt and red silk vest, wanting to feel the full expanse of his hard, naked body in addition to his relentless mouth and talented hands. His slate grey jacket with black pinstripes had long been open.
Even though the chamber of the carwash had a large window, the pair was obscured from view due to all the water and soap coating the Corvette. Furthermore, the car's windows were fogging up from their heated passions and why not? Her body was on fire for him. She burning, being consumed by his flame and she never wanted it to stop.
Having released enough hooks on her corset, her breasts finally spilled out as he pulled it down. His teeth nibbled the aroused peaks of her nipples while his fingers mimicked the action on her clit, pinching it between his fingers. Meanwhile, Sookie's hands busied themselves with releasing his hardened length from its painful confines in his pants, making sure to stroke it with every attempt, driving him mad.
At last, Sookie's warm hands wrapped around his pulsing naked length, stroking and squeezing, causing him to grunt and pull her pants and underwear off her ass, finally allowing his painful erection to enter her tight pussy.
"Fuck," he cried as his fingers dug into her hips as he began pumping into her hard.
"Eric!" Sookie cried, knowing she wouldn't last long. There was just something about fucking in a public place…and not being well concealed. She could feel the orgasm building inside her with every thrust of his hips. Her walls were clenching and his thrusts were becoming more and more sporadic. They were so close and she craved release so badly…
Too bad that was the exact moment that the window of the carwash chamber was shot out by a spray of bullets.
"Fuck," Eric cursed for entirely different reasons as his and Sookie's heads darted to the remnants of the window. A pair of black SUVs were revealed and mounted on top of each vehicle was a large machine gun over its sunroof with a lackey to do pull the trigger happy.
"Oh shit," Sookie whispered.
I hope you liked that concession speech from Bill. It was written during the summer sometime. I think I wrote a week or two after starting this fic, just in part though. I guess I wanted to do justice to what the relationship was for both of them and regardless of what I feel about them personally. They were never meant to be, but they were together, once upon a time.
And I had originally planned to show the conclusion of the whole carwash scene…but I figure I'd let y'all stew lol.
I'm sorry that this took so long. It kept on getting pushed back. I was going to finish it before New Year's. Then, before January ended, the February…and now March…Real life things happened. I got busy. I'm going to try my damndest to get the next chapter out faster though.
I feel kinda rusty writing this chapter, especially during the editing. It could be because I was super tired and wanting to reach my before April 1st deadline…but I don't know…I kinda feel like it was missing some oomph during editing. That might change eventually.
Chapter 7? How about Welcome to the Jungle? I think it fits…it's definitely time for adventures in Vegas! I had wanted to call it Cradle of Love, after the Billy Idol song…but I think I'm filing that one for later…another mythology heavy chapter, maybe.
I'd love to hear from y'all! Drop me a line!
~simba_317
