AN/ Thanks everyone for all of your reviews. I am so happy that you are enjoying this story. I always doubt myself before I post, thinking what I have written is too stupid to share...thanks for giving me the courage to say fuck it and do it anyway...lol.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
EPOV
Jesus, she was beautiful. My eyes roomed her body finding it flawless. I tried to pull my eyes away and think of why I had entered her home without knocking..tow truck. That was it, God look at her breast. Exquisite. Sookie shielded herself from my view, as she reprimanded me for not knocking. I felt robbed.
I wish I had known that she was doing a strip tease in the hallway, I would have entered the house sooner. My gaze swept her luscious frame one more time, trying to commemorate every dip and curve, before I muttered my apologies then turned around. Sorry my ass, I wanted to see more. Now!
I stared at the door in front of me, hating an inanimate object. The only way I wanted to see this door was with Sookie pressed against it, her legs wrapped around my waist as I pounded into her wet heat. Chances were slim to none of that happening anytime soon. I groaned in frustration.
Sookie and I had a lot of unsettled business between us it seemed. Not only our son but we both had some attraction left between us. I had noticed her pursuing my body outside when I removed my shirt. Although, I couldn't let what I felt for her interfere with my decision to be a part of Alex's life. I would have to learn to fight the attraction for her, if it killed me. Judging by how tight my balls were right now, it just might. As subtle as I could, I adjusted myself trying to relieve the pain.
Gran entered the room, furthering my discomfort. She chuckled softly then let me know in no uncertain terms, she knew exactly what I was feeling. I felt my cheeks flame in embarrassment. For the first time I was exceedingly glad the door shielded my face from view. The situation was worse then the time she had caught Jason and I watching porn when we were twelve. At least then, it was random girls with big perky breast and not her granddaughter that I was lusting after.
"When are you going to stop running and do the right thing by that girl, Eric?" She gave me a little poke in the back to make sure she had my attention. "She will not wait forever, you know? There are plenty of men around here that would scoop Sookie up in a minute if given half a chance. You better think about that Eric."
I turned around to face her, feeling more in control. Nothing cools the libido like a Grandmother, calling you out on it. "Gran, it is not like that with Sookie and I. We have a child together, that is all."
"You keep telling yourself that Eric." Gran shoved a towel into my arms. "Maybe one day you'll convince yourself of it then loose the best thing you could have ever had." Gran pointed me towards the bathroom down the hall.
I moved to comply when she stopped me by placing a hand on my shoulder. "Eric I am sorry to say I was wrong about you. All these years, I hoped and prayed for you. Wished you the best and hoped one day you would come back home, realizing there are people here that love you. I was wrong though. I gave you more credit, intelligence wise, than God graced you with. Good thing you're pretty."
"Gran are you calling me stupid?" I felt my eyes raise in astonishment. Gran had changed over time, it seemed. Never had she spoken to me this way.
"As a box of rocks, son." Gran smiled at me, then went outside to Pam and Alex.
Dumbfounded, I stood there thinking on what she said. There was no room for Sookie and I in my life. It wasn't that I didn't care for her, I did. But I could not see her giving up her life in Bon Temps for Hollywood. Nor, could I see myself being the type of man that came home to a wife. I had no time to give her or any woman, what was required in a relationship. Hell, I did not know how to even make one work. These were not the things I typically thought of.
I had a career and I life that I would have to get back too. I needed to discuss with Sookie, how we would share time with Alex. Handle his care and his needs, not bring them both home to my fucked up world. Plus, didn't Sookie have Alcide? I was not looking to upset her life, even though I would love to knock that smug bastard on his ass.
"You gathering wool, Eric?" Alex came tearing past me, laughing. "You know they say old people tend to do that."
"I am not old son." I was in my prime. Not even thirty yet. What in the hell was he talking about.
"Really, cause I swear I see some grey hair in the long, woman's hair you're wearing." Alex smiled up at me, now at the bathroom door.
"I do not have grey hair." I fought the urge to run a hand through my hair. I wouldn't give the little brat the satisfaction. "And my hair is manly."
"You keep telling yourself that, Erica." He slammed the door closed in a fit of giggles.
I debated kicking the door down, to scare some sense into his head. He needed to understand that I was not going to keep taking his crap. I held myself back from doing it though. Instead I waited until I heard the shower cut on. I gave it a few minutes then went into the kitchen and turned the faucet on full blast, hoping that the hot water heater was one of the things that had not been updated.
His shriek echoed around the house. Satisfied, I turned the water off then sat down at the table with a huge smile on my face. Take that you little devil.
Two minutes later, I was confronted by an irate five year old. He had wrapped up in a towel regardless of the fact that he was still covered in soap. I watched as he raised a hand up that shook as he pointed at me. "You're gonna pay for that."
"For what?" I brushed off my best acting skills and pulled the most innocent face that had one me an award. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Oh you know Erica." I watched as soap bubbles flew from his hand, landing on the floor as he shook his fist at me. "I'll get you back."
"Alex, why must you be so difficult?" I looked at him in disappointment. "All I want is get to know you. Spend some time with you, yet you met me with nothing but hate and resistance. Can't we at least try and be friends?"
"I got enough friends." Alex hiked the towel up, glaring at me. "Don't need no more."
"If that is the way you want it Alex," I felt hurt at his words. I did not know how to reach him and that killed me. I wanted my son, to want me. "then that's how it will be. We won't be friends but I will still be your father."
"Nope. We ain't doing either." Alex smirked up at me. He looked so much like I did at his age, it was like looking into my past. Except the bruises he held on his body came from play time and not beatings. "We are at war and I ain't calling a truce. Them's for wimps."
"Then so be it. I guess we will just have to battle this out." I felt a matching smirk cross my face. I could play on his terms for a while. I had fought my entire life. The only difference being, now I had something worth fighting for. My son. "One thing you need to know son, is I love a good fight and I never loose."
"Makes two of us then." Alex whirled around, sending more soap flying. He was half way out of the kitchen before he turned around. I could see he was up to something by the sparkle that suddenly hit his eye. I should have known then, to look away but I was quiet fascinated with him. "Gotcha."
"Pardon me?" Then I got it. I got it all right, with a well aimed can of shaving cream to the face. I growled, swiping the mess away from my eyes. I stood up to chase after him, my vision impaired from his latest assault, causing me to tangle my foot in the kitchen chair and fall to the ground. I heard the echo of his wet feet beating back down the hallway to no doubt, finish his shower. That kid was going to be the death of me.
"Eric, what in the hell are you doing laying on the ground?" The toes of Pam's Jimmy Choo's were suddenly inches from my face. Little flecks of mud, trickled down landing in the shaving cream that was dripping my face. Shit, this was not a position I wanted Pam to find me in.
My gaze traveled up her once pristine Chanel outfit that was now splattered with mud, to her manicured hand that was chipped and coated in debris. Her foot began to tap, sending the nasty goop into my face again. I coughed, catching some in my mouth and looked all the way up to snarl at her, when the light from her camera blinded me. Bitch.
"Ha haha...this is priceless. I am so glad that I brought my camera." Pam knelt down, angling the camera for a better picture. I slapped my hand out in front of it blocking her view. "Come on Eric. Don't be a spoils sport. Think of all the fond memories we will have one day when we pull these out to look. We need to start a family photo album."
"Right." I sat up, snatching the camera from her. I aimed it at and snapped her picture. "We'll put this one right beside mine to remind us of how much my son hates us."
"No, just you." She smiled at me, offering a hand to help me up. "He said I was very pretty even covered in mud."
"Why thanks Pam." I pushed her hand aside and stood by myself. "I am so glad to know that Alex only hates me."
"Happy to help. Now go get cleaned up so we can go shopping. I want to by my precious nephew something." Pam sat at the table and waved her hand at me to get going. "I'll wait for Sookie, then take a shower myself."
"Lets just go Pam. I'll call a tow truck from home." I stumbled over to the sink to wash my face and hands. I strained to hear if Alex was out of the shower yet. Deciding I really didn't care, I turned on the facet and cleaned up the best that I could. "We have no clean clothes anyway."
"Speak for yourself brother." Pam snorted. "I always carry a spare set of clothes with me. You never know when you will need them. Its better to be prepared. So get moving. You are not sitting your nasty ass in my car."
"Just full of support today, I see." I grabbed a hand towel from the drawer and dried my face. "Any chance there is something for me in your car?"
"Heavens no." Pam tsked at me."Why would I do that?"
"Well you are my manager. It seems reasonable to me that you would have my best interest at heart and be prepared to see to my needs."
"Pshaw. Grow a pair brother. I see to your management needs. I do not pack your bags, wipe your ass or suck up to you." Pam examined her nails, sucking in her breath when she came across a torn one. "Any chance I can get a manicure in town?"
"I am sure Sookie knows of a place." I placed my back against the sink, looking down at my pants that were caked in mud. There was no way I could get away with just doing a quick clean up at the kitchen sink. Hopefully, Jason had some old sweats here that I could wear.
"She sure is something else. I can easily see how you would have fallen for her." Pam faced me with a dreamy look in her eye. "Any chance you turned her gay?"
"No!" That was the last thing I needed was my bisexual sister hitting on Sookie.
"Stingy." Pam blew out a wistful sigh. "She has great breast."
"They are not yours to look at Pam." I tossed the hand towel at her, which she snatched from mid air then folded neatly before my eyes.
"Are they yours?" Pam smiled at me. "Do you want them to be?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me.
"No. I will not discuss her with you in this manner." I growled at her letting her know not to broach the subject again. Not that it would do much good. If Pam wanted to talk about Sookie, her breast or what she would like to do with them, there was nothing I could do to dissuade her.
"Someone is touchy. Is it your time of the month Eric?" She batted her eyes at me. "Need some mandol to quieten that raging testosterone?"
"Cute Pam." Why again had a brought her with me. Oh yeah, thats right. Moral support. What in the fuck had I been thinking. "Shut your trap woman, or give me some advise on how to reach my son. THAT does not include talking about his mother's breast or how wonderful you think they are."
"Uhm.." Pam tapped her finger against her chin, apparently this was her thinking mode. I had seen her do it many times in the fast. She either came up with something genus or shitty. It depended on how generous she was feeling at the time. "Buy him something."
"Pam, I am not going to buy my son's affection." I guess I knew how she was feeling. "Think of something else."
"Perhaps we should consult Abby. She has brilliant ideas when it comes to situations like yours." Pam pulled out her cell phone and began searching. I hate to admit, I was up for anything.
"Showers free." I heard Alex's voice ring out then a door slamming. Sookie entered the kitchen holding a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She looked adorable in a pair of cut off shorts and a blue t-shirt. Her hair was wet and her face was free of makeup, she was breathtaking.
"Here Eric." She passed me the bundle of clothing, her face looking flushed. "Just a few things we kept of yours that you left. I hope they still fit."
"Thank you." Why had she kept my stuff? I picked up my towel from the table, finally making my way to the shower. I made sure the door was locked behind me before I began to disrobe. I didn't need Alex to wonder in and catch me with my pants down, so to speak. No way was I making myself an easy target for him.
I turned on the hot water, praying that it would hold out long enough for me to get cleaned up. I hurried through my shower, scrubbing my body free of the mud. I reached for a bottle of shampoo noting that it was a store bought brand. Not what I was use to but it would do in a pinch. I placed some in my palm, breathing in the fresh scent of green apples. It wasn't very manly but it would work until I could get home and take another shower. My goal was to get clean, make sure Sookie could met me tonight then leave.
I closed my eyes, digging my fingers deep into my scalp. I washed it once more, hoping the dirt was all out and that I didn't reek of apples. I wiped a hand over my face, clearing the water from my eyes. I noticed my hands had a green tinge to them. I looked down at the tub and noticed green water washing down the drain. Suspicious, I pulled back the shower curtain to look in the mirror at my hair. Sure enough it was streaked. "God dammit. ALEX!"
I jumped from the shower, stopping long enough to dry off and pull on jeans that were a little snug. I was going to find that boy of mine and ring his fucking neck. I pulled a towel through my hair, seeing blotches of color appear on the white fabric. "Alex where are you?"
"Eric what on earth is wrong?" Sookie came barreling down the hallway to me.
What happened?"
"What happened?" I felt my control slipping. He might be my son but that kid was horrible. "I'll tell you what happened?" I whipped off the towel then cringed when I heard Pam's camera snap again and Sookie's gasp. "Yeah, isn't it fucking beautiful?"
"Mouth Eric." Sookie admonished me. Shaking her head at my language.
"Fuck Sookie. Are you kidding me? Look at my goddamn hair." I gestured at the mess that use to be a pretty golden blond. My trademark, that was now ruined and looked like Kermit the frog had puked on it.
"Not the color I would have chosen Eric," Pam snickered. "but if anyone can pull it off you can." Click I was going to toss that fucking camera against the wall. "It kind of plays against the blue in your eyes. Hey Alex, next time go for blue." She shouted.
"Sure thang Auntie Pam." I heard his voice across the hall. I placed my hand on the doorknob ready to confront him.
"Eric, I am so sorry. I honestly don't know what has gotten in to him." Sookie placed a hand against my shoulder. "Please let me talk to him. Go wash your hair again. Its probably just kool aid. It will wash out if you don't let it sit."
"You're fucking kidding me right?" I was to the point where I wanted to toss Alex over my knee. Me, that had never agreed with someone spanking a child. I was beginning to see why people did it. "How are you going to handle this Sookie? By talking to him? Trying to reason with the little darling?"
"Eric, let me handle my son." Sookie blew pushed past me, planning on entering his room. I stood in front of her blocking her.
"Correction Sookie. That is our son." I put my under her chin, forcing her to met my eyes.
"Eric, if I may." I shot Pam a go to hell look over Sookie's shoulder. "Dear Abby says, not to approach discipline in anger. Cooler heads prevail."
"Screw Dear Abby, Pam." I dropped my hand from Sookie in exasperation. "Isn't that old broad dead anyway."
"Oh, you did not just go there!" Pam threw a hand over her heart like I wounded her. "She is the wisest woman there ever was. Do not disparage her like that again."
"Well please forgive me Pam." I scrubbed the towel through my hair again, pulling away more green. "How crass of me not to worship the ground her snooty ass walked upon."
"You're a dick Eric." Pam shoot me a bird then turned her attention to Sookie. "Please forgive the Jolly Green Giant here. He acts like an ass any time he doesn't look beautiful and have people bending down to placate his spoiled ass. Do what needs to be done Sookie. Eric and I are leaving."
"No we are not." I folded my arms across my chest and leaned against the door. I dared them to try and move me. "You need a shower and I am not leaving until I get an explanation from our son."
The door opened behind me. I braced my hand against the frame to keep from falling. I turned around slowly to look at Alex who was standing there trying to look as angelic as possible. "Whats wrong with him now?"
"Alex why did you put kool aid in the shampoo?" Sookie pushed her way into his room. It was the first time I had seen it in years. The last time I was here, it had been Jason's room, cluttered with football trophies and playboys he would stash under his bed. Now it was full of army men, trucks, and things that any little boy would love to have.
"Cause it was funny." Alex giggled.
"No it was bad. I have had enough of your behavior today young man." Sookie took him by the arm and made him sit on his bed. "You are not going with me to Shreveport this weekend." She held up her finger when he began to protest. "No. You listen to me Alex. The only reason I am not spanking your bottom right now is your Father, asked me not to. So you need to tell him how sorry you are and then tell him thank you for talking me out of it."
"I don't want too." He crossed his hands over his chest and fell back on the bed.
"I don't care Alex. I have raised you better than this. You know how to behave." Sookie nudged his leg. When he wouldn't budge she pulled him up then turned him towards her. "You know how I hate to get onto to you but you have embarrassed me and yourself today. You are behaving like you have no manners at all and I will not have it. Do you understand me?" Her eyes teared up, I could see it from where I was standing. "He is a good man Alex and you are hurting us all with the way you are acting."
"I'm sorry momma. Don't cry." Alex patted her on the back. "I'll be nice if you want me too."
"Honey I want you too not just for me but for your Father." Sookie brushed a tear from her face. "You aren't even giving him a chance and he deserves better than that. If you have to be mad at anyone, you be mad at me. I am the one that didn't tell you enough about him."
"Well he's the one that left us." Alex's voice cracked. I wanted to put my arms around him, offer comfort but I didn't dare. He would not welcome it. "He didn't love us Momma."
"Baby thats not true." She shushed him and rubbed her hand over his back in a soothing manner. "He did not know about you. If he did, I bet you anything he would have come back sooner."
"That true Eric?" Alex looked at me with watery eyes. I could feel my heart cracking a little.
"Of course it is Alex." I walked further into the room, kneeling down so I could be at eye level with him. "I would never have left you son."
"I don't want you to take me away from my Mom." Alex sniffed. "She needs me."
"I know she does Alex." I reached out for him then dropped my hand as he pulled away. "I am not here to take you away. I just want to be a part of your life."
"Can I think about it?" Alex looked over at his Mom.
"Alex..." Sookie began.
"Of course you can. I am sorry son. I should not have just come barging in here like I did." I stood up placing a smile that I did not feel on my face. "If you need some time, I can do that for you. Just know that I am here when you decide Alex. I am not going anywhere anytime soon."
I turned to leave pulling Pam who was misty eyed away. We needed to leave. I understood now that I could not bargain my way into his life. Just because I found out I had a son and wanted to be a father, didn't mean that he was ready to accept me. I would give him some time to adjust. I just hoped in the meantime, he considered it and didn't just plot my demise.
"Eric." I turned around to look down at Alex who was suddenly there pulling at my belt loop.
"Yes Alex?"
"Sorry I have been acting like a little shit." Alex slapped his hand over his mouth. "Sorry for saying that..don't tell Mom. Anyways, I am sorry I was bad. Doesn't mean I like you or anything. I just don't like to see her upset."
"I forgive you." I stuck my hand out in a peace offering. He sized me up and down before he took it into his little hand and gave it a hard shake. "Truce?"
"Haha you called it first." Alex took off to his room calling over his shoulder. "Wimp."
Oh hell. Did we just agree to a truce or not?