Hope Is the Thing With Feathers
A Let Love in side story
By Terri Botta
Disclaimer: I don't own the Southern Vampires. Sole copyright belongs to Charlaine Harris. I'm poor so don't sue.
Rating: M for later chapters.
Timeframe: Post-From Dead to Worse, Ten years after LLI
Pairing: Eric/Sookie
Summary: Eric gives Sookie a gift.
Chapter Seven
The trip home four days later is a happy one. Now that the little ones have been anchored for two weeks, his wife is beginning to relax a little and feel more confident. Hope is fluttering in her chest again, two happy sets of wings beating in her womb, and he can feel them fluttering inside his own silent chest.
Since he is becoming more and more territorial of his mate, he cancels the Anubis flight home and re-routes them on a human owned airline that is not likely to have too many vampires on it. It is a risk if there are flight delays, but he figures if he can get them to Dallas they can rent a car and drive the rest of the way if they have to. All goes well, however, and there are no problems getting back to Shreveport.
The worst part of the trip was being the only vampire on the flight and causing quite a stir just by being there. Their poor flight attendant had never served a vampire before, and she had no idea what to do when he asked for a True Blood. Luckily, they were flying First Class, and the other attendant had some experience with the undead. There were some issues with errant thoughts from the passengers around them, ranging from anything to wondering how good he was in bed to the typical Hellfire and damnation themes. They were making his wife uncomfortable, and he helped her block them out by bolstering her shields.
They arrive back home a scant hour before dawn, and go immediately to bed. That night they will have to begin telling those closest to them about Sookie's condition, and begin to make plans for the future, but for now the flight was tiring and all his mate wants to do is sleep. He holds her close until the daytime stupor takes him, his hand resting lightly over her womb.
Sookie is already up and dressed when he rises, which is a disappointment, but he understands her need to get things going. They have a lot to do in the next nine months, and his wife is most active when she is nervous. He always knows when something is upsetting her because he can smell the vinegar and bleach throughout the house. He finds her standing in "her" bedroom, a room that is solely hers, but that she rarely uses.
"I'm thinking we can easily put two cribs in here and a changing table. And I'll bring Gran's old rocking chair up from her house," she says without preamble when he comes into the room.
Even though they spend nearly all of their time either here in Shreveport or in their secret Ruston nest, they have kept and maintained the Stackhouse homestead, of only for purely sentimental reasons. Bill Compton is the unofficial caretaker of the property, overseeing the necessary work that goes into keeping an older home in working order.
He looks around the room, trying to envision the arrangement she is describing.
"Will they not be with us? In my time, infants stayed with their parents until they were a number of years old. Then they slept with their siblings," he states.
"The baby slept with the mom and dad?"
He shakes his head. "Not at first. The vagga… cradle would be next to the mother, but later, if there were no siblings… the baby would sleep with his parents."
"No such thing as separate bedrooms, huh?"
"Ah… no, not really. I slept with my brothers until I went off to battle. In fact… before I was turned, I'd never slept alone, ever."
"Really?" she asks, and stray thought escapes her mind, 'Well, that explains the cuddling fetish…'
He shrugs, ignoring her thought. How can he explain to her how it feels for a vampire to be pressed up against a warm, fragrant body, especially if that body belongs to a Beloved?
"There was no such thing as privacy. Families shared a one or two room house. Multiple generations lived in long houses. Grandparents, parents, children all under one roof. Our house was bigger than most because my father was chieftain, but still… our home was four rooms instead of two."
She thinks about this for a moment. "So… you'd want the babies in our room with us."
"Would that not be easier? Little ones need feeding and looking after. Is it not better to have them close at hand?"
"Babies smell and cry a lot, Eric."
He gives her his best "So what?" look, and reminds her that what counts as smelly to a human is far different than what a vampire considers to be rank. "My nose is far more sensitive than yours, my love."
"Yeah, that's my point. Won't the smell drive you crazy?"
He can make a comment about her flatulence after she has fatty foods, but refrains because he knows it will not be received well.
"I will be fine, my lover," he assures her.
"What about when they cry?"
"It will be a beautiful sound."
That chokes her up, and her eyes swim with tears. "Really?"
He smiles and goes to her, taking her into his arms and kissing her hair. "Really."
"Oh Eric. I can't believe this is happening," she murmurs into his chest.
"Believe it, because it is."
She sniffs and gets herself together, pulling away. "We'll need to think of names."
"There is time to decide on that. Let's wait until we know what we are having before we discuss names."
She nods. "Okay. That's a good idea, but I was thinking Adele if we have a girl. For my Gran."
"It was custom in my time to name a child after a parent or an honored relative who had died, in hopes that giving the child the name would also transfer the good qualities of the namesake."
"Wow. So, are you named after your father?"
"Yes. Nine days after I was born, I was presented to my father at a public feast. He sprinkled water on my forehead and gave me my name."
"So, if we have a boy, you'd want him to be named Eric?"
"Not necessarily. My father named me Eric to give himself immortality, just as his father had named him Eric. I already have that." Actually his name had been Erikir, but that isn't important. The sentiment is the same.
She smiles and gives him a tender look. "Well, that's true. Do you have any names in mind?"
He shakes his head. "I haven't thought that far ahead, lover. Right now, I am concentrating on how and what we are going to tell everyone. We won't be able to hide your pregnancy for very long, and we won't be able to hide it from other vampires at all.""We should tell Pam the truth. She's gonna know anyway once we go public after the babies are born, and she'll be upset that we didn't trust her if we don't."
"I agree. As my Second, she should be informed. I was also thinking that you would want to trust the tiger, your old shifter boss, and your Wiccan friend with the truth."
"And Claudine. She should know."
He raises a finger in caution. "What Claudine knows, Niall knows. That could get… complicated if fairies find out vampires are trying to breed."
"But vampires already do breed," she argues. "They make new vamps all the time, and female vamps can use their eggs to make a baby if they have a surrogate."
"That is different. There are far more male vampires with female human lovers who would want a child, than there are female vampires who are willing to go through the egg harvest process. The fairies could very well see this new development as a threat. We must be cautious, my lover. I do not want you at further risk than you already are."
She waves him off. "Yeah, yeah. Wife of head honcho vamp is a big target. I know that already. I've lived it for ten years, remember?"
He puts a hand on her arm. "I remember, but pregnant wife of head honcho vamp is an even bigger target. Do not take the risk lightly. There is a real danger here."
He can feel her anger and knows she's going to put up a fight.
"You are not going to go all Alpha-male, cave-vamp on me. I will not be treated like a prized possession that needs to be kept under lock and key. I am my own woman, buster, and you'd better not forget it!"
He raises his eyes to the ceiling and prays for patience because stubborn, aggravating Sookie has just reared her ugly head. If he does not handle this properly, it could degenerate into an all-out, knock down fight, and he does not want her under that kind of stress. Luckily, he's had ten years of handling his wife when she is like this, and he knows the best way to get out of it.
"My lover… do you acknowledge that I may understand the risks better than you because of my experience?"
She hears his ire in his tone of voice, but nods. "I do, but you have to admit that this is new ground for everyone."
"Not really. Before the Great Revelation, it was not unheard of for a vampire to breed his human female to a still living male relative, preferably a full-brother," he replies.
She blinks at him. "Oh."
He continues when he thinks she is ready to hear him. "These arranged pregnancies were considered perverse, and often the other vampires in the area would attack that vampire's nest, killing the vampire and his female. While attitudes have changed greatly, I am sure there are a number of old vampires with out-dated mindsets who would consider what we have done to be disgusting. Not to mention my many enemies who would love to hurt me by killing you and our unborn children. And… I hate to add this, my lover, but… you smell delicious, and the scent of the life inside you is a powerful lure."
He sees her eyes widen as his words hit home, and she visibly shudders. "So… I should stay out of Fangtasia, huh?"
"That would be a wise idea. Even vampires who have known you for years will be a danger to you."
She winces. "Bill? Felicia? No, not her, she has a baby of her own with her lover, Carrie."
"Those closest to you should be alright. They are well used to resisting the call of your blood. Compton, Pam… those two can probably be trusted. Felicia for the reasons you speak of, and Indira as well, but…"
"Clancy, Maxwell Lee, Thalia, Bernard, Abraham, Peter, and Jessica probably can't," she finishes for him, rattling off the names of the vampires she knows the most.
He nods. "Among others. Please forgive me in advance if I am overprotective of you."
"You're always overprotective, I just don't want you putting me under house arrest with two demon goon bodyguards who won't let me go to the bathroom by myself," she snipes peevishly.
He smiles, but she's given him an idea. "Would you consent to a female Britlingen as both bodyguard and midwife?"
That stops her short. "What?"
"You have expressed a desire for a live-in female to assist you with the pregnancy and birth, and child-care afterwards, which I feel will be an even bigger issue now that we are having twins. There are Britlingen females who are trained to guard high profile female clients while they are pregnant. They guard the expectant mother, assist her with the birth if needed, and protect the new mother and her infant. You got on well with the Britlingens you met in Rhodes. Would one to guard and help you be acceptable to you?"
"I thought they were really expensive," she says shrewdly.
"They are, but they are worth the price. As you know, the King of Kentucky survived the bombing of the Pyramid of Gizeh hotel unscathed."
"True. But… Batanya and Clovache were really scary."
"They were meant to be, but there are other, less conspicuous Britlingens who are just as deadly, but much more low-key."
She bites her lip, pensive, and crinkles her nose, which tells him she's really thinking. Having a Britlingen in the house for several months to a year – and possibly longer – is not a prospect he is looking forward to, but he will do it if necessary.
"I'll have to think about it, okay?"
He gives her a deep nod. "In the meantime, would you accept some… precautions that I would like you to take?"
She sets her jaw and crosses her arms, but she doesn't go into a snit. "Let me hear them and I'll see what I think."
"Firstly, as you have already figured out, staying out of Fangtasia is a very smart thing to do. Please do not come to the bar unless you are escorted by either myself or Pam."
"Okay, that's reasonable."
"Secondly, do not schedule any vampire bands for Stackhouse's until after the babies are born."
"What about bands that are already on the calendar?" she counters.
"They can stand, but I would request that you not attend those performances or set foot in the club on those nights."
She thinks about that, then nods slowly. "Okay. I can see the logic of that. Vamp bands bring in vamp crowds, and me being there would be like putting a wounded fish in the middle of a tank of sharks."
"Exactly. Your safety and the safety of our unborn children are our utmost priority. Do not do anything that you think would expose yourself or the little ones to danger," he states. "Thirdly, do not go anywhere alone. Not even to the mall to go shopping. Have someone with you at all times when you leave the house. I would prefer if it were someone who could defend you if necessary. I would volunteer the tiger if you do not object."
"Quinn already has a full-time job as head of security at the club," she argues.
"He can relegate to an assistant if he feels he cannot do both. I will assign Pam to guard you on the nights when Quinn is off. Unless you decide to accept the Britlingen, of course."
"We'll talk to him about it and see what he says. Maybe I'll talk to Alcide and see if he has any Weres in his pack who might be willing to play bodyguard."
He swallows his initial reaction to snarl and bare his teeth at the prospect of a Werewolf getting anywhere near his pregnant wife. Since the Weres and shifters came out of the closet, relations among the different Supernaturals are still strained but improving. The Shreveport Packmaster is a friend, and, more importantly, Sookie is a twice Friend of the Pack. If a Were is sent to guard his mate, and something happens to her, it would reflect poorly on the entire pack, so anyone Herveaux would send would be strong and vigilant. It's not optimal, but if she will accept the protection he shouldn't put up a fuss.
"I know you aren't too happy about Weres getting near me. I can feel that, but it'd be a lot cheaper than hiring a Britlingen," his wife says.
Now he does snarl. "Money is no object, and I will pay anything to keep you safe. Do not bring finances into this. We have plenty of money."
She backs off because she knows she's struck a sore spot. He has had power and wealth for the better part of six centuries while she was born just one step above poor and having money is still a novelty to her. She still thinks like a penny-pincher, and most of the time that is an admirable quality in her, but right now, when the need is much more important than a price tag, she must understand that money is only useful for what it can buy, and their children's safety is worth any cost.
"Okay. Okay," she says, putting up her hands. "I get it."
He breathes sharply through his nose, calming down. "Thank you. Do you want the Britlingen or should I wait to contact an intermediary witch?"
"Umm, why don't you start making inquiries? Contact whomever you need to and try to find out some details. I'd want to… y'know, interview whoever would be hired. It would have to be someone I can get along with. It's not like I'd need her for a couple of weeks. She'd be around for a while."
He nods in agreement. "Very well. I will make some calls. In the meantime, will you please take the precautions I have asked for?"
"Yes. You haven't asked anything unreasonable."
He bows his head to her and moves forward. The argument is over and he is now tacitly allowed to touch her.
"Thank you," he whispers into her hair as he holds her close, breathing in the delectable scent of her. It makes him feel wicked.
'How about we make use of this bed before we replace it with beds that are far too small for us?'
She snickers because she was thinking much the same thing, and she reaches up to kiss him slow and deep.
Three hours later, they are still at home, but for reasons other than pleasure. Phone calls have been made and requests have been put forth for Pam, Quinn, Compton (his mate insisted on telling both of her exes the truth, much to his displeasure), Sam Merlotte and the witch to come to their house for an important private meeting. Had the meeting been with anyone but their closest allies, they would have met at the penthouse apartment he rents just for the convenience of having a private place to meet. They are hardly ever there, and they have never slept there, but he pays to keep it clean and ready should they need to use it.
His mate takes it upon herself to tidy up and make some refreshments for the coming guests, and he does not try to stop her. This is her Southern upbringing coming out, and she takes great pride in her hospitality. Even elder vampires who feel nearly all humans are worthless, have commented on his mate's manners and attention to custom.
The tiger arrives first because he is closest, and Eric has an opportunity to test his theory that shifters will smell his mate's pregnancy the same as vampires will. He is proved correct because Quinn's nostrils flare, and he stares wild-eyed at Sookie in horror.
"What have you done?" the tiger asks in disbelief, but his mate only frowns sadly and shakes her head.
"I'm not saying anything until the others get here coz I'm only gonna tell it once," she answers firmly. "Can I get you a drink?"
"Southern Whiskey, straight up."
"You're working tonight," he reminds, letting the warning slip into his voice.
Quinn casts him a hateful glare. "I'll burn it off. But if you're gonna tell me what I think you're gonna tell me, I need a drink."
Sookie nods and goes to the minibar in the family room to pour her ex-boyfriend his drink. In the time it takes her to walk back with the tumbler of liquor, the doorbell rings and it is the witch and his mate's former boss. He watches carefully as the shifter takes a sniff of the room, and Sam's eyes open wide.
"Wanna drink?" Quinn offers the shifter, a wry, bitter look on his face.
"Uhhh," Sam stammers, and his eyes meet Sookie's.
'He knows too,' he sends to his wife.
'Yeah,' she agrees, her mindvoice sad and resigned. She knew there were people in her life who would not be happy for her, but she refuses to cut them out, so she must deal with the pain of the wounds they inflict upon her. He'd kill them, if he could, but her kind heart stays his hand.
"Okay, so what's the big news that I had to find a sitter for Trevor last minute and drag my ass over here?" Amelia asks.
He smiles. The little witch always was direct and to the point.
Sookie gives her a tender smile as she hands her old boss a glass of the same drink the tiger is having.
"We're still waiting for Bill and Pam. Pam was sent to Bon Temps to fetch him, but they should be here soon. Then I'll tell everyone all at once."
"We will tell everyone, my lover," he corrects gently.
"You're pregnant," Amelia blurts, then covers her mouth in shock at Sookie's surprised look. "Oh my goddess! You are pregnant! Sookie! Oh my goddess!"
His mate frowns and motions for her friend to take a seat. "I'll tell you all about it once Pam and Bill get here."
Still looking at his wife as if she were a monster with two heads, they sit in the living room, backs straight, bodies tense, and he is seriously considering removing some heads if they don't quit their scowling soon. He moves to stand at Sookie's shoulder, offering her his strength and support. She slides her fingers into his and leans a bit towards him, her mind disappointed and quietly grieving.
'They hate what I've done. They think I'm insane, and they don't even know you're the father yet.'
He squeezes her hand in answer, sending his love across the bond.
'Why can't anyone be happy for me, Eric? Just once? I've been with you for ten years, and they still think you're going to kill me, or betray me, or grow tired of me.'
'They do not know the depth of our bond, my love. They do not understand that I would sooner stake myself than cause harm to you.'
She sighs and melts into him, sliding an arm around his back as he wraps one of his around her shoulders.
"Why don't you sit down, my love?" he offers tenderly, urging her towards a plush chair.
"Yeah," she agrees and lowers herself into the seat. She looks tiny in it, and he scowls at the three so-called friends on the sofa.
"I will bring you something to drink. Tea?"
Sookie's head comes up and she looks from him to the witch. He mentally rolls his eyes and tightens his jaw.
"Tea, Amelia?" he asks, managing not to hiss it out between his clenched teeth.
"Umm, sure. Thanks, Eric."
He stalks off to the kitchen to brew some tea.
'How did I get so whipped?' he bemoans to himself as he puts mugs filled with water into the microwave.
"I'm sorry. I'm being a bitch, aren't I?" he hears the witch apologize. It's amazing how many people forget that a vampire has highly acute hearing. "I should be happy for you. I know how much you've wanted to have your own baby. I shouldn't be so judgmental and down on your happiness."
He sighs and brews the tea.
Five minutes later he brings out a tea service with two mugs of steeping tea and the requisite cream and sugar. He is heartily glad none of his minions are there to see it, and Quinn knows repayment of his debt to the Las Vegas vampires (and his continued cushy job at Stackhouse's) hangs on him keeping his mouth shut.
"Thanks, honey," his mate says as he sets the tray on the cocktail table. She knows him better than to think he'll serve anyone but her, so she offers the second mug to her friend.
The doorbell rings, and he already knows it his Pam and Compton because he heard the rumble of Compton's car in the driveway. That means Pam ran to Bon Temps, but that is not unusual. He opens the door to admit his child and his underling. Bill looks very displeased for all of two seconds before he gets his first whiff of Sookie's scent.
Both vampires freeze in the entryway, their eyes dilated and their nostrils flaring as their fangs come down. He growls low in his throat, warning. Behind him, he hears the tiger and the shifter stand and get into defensive positions. Good.
"Get a hold of yourselves. Both of you," he orders.
Two sets of feral eyes search out his mate and lock on her like lions hunting prey. He drops his fangs and growls louder.
"If you want to continue your undead existences, you will retract your fangs and get control of yourselves now."
Pam is the first to pull herself back from the edge, and she does so with a shake of her head and a snort. Compton is slower to react, but he watches guardedly as his minion suppresses his bloodlust and comes back to himself.
"Master," Pam says, bowing her head.
"Pam," he says coolly, then flicks his eyes to Compton.
"Sheriff."
"Are both of you sufficiently in control?" he asks, his fangs still down.
"I am," Pam confirms. Her fangs have been retracted.
"I am," Bill adds. His have not.
He gives Compton a long, hard stare until the other vampire's fangs recede. When they do, he nods and takes a step back, allowing them further into the house.
"Pam, there are two True Bloods already pulled out. They are in the kitchen," he says over his shoulder as he walks towards his mate.
Pam does not need to be told what to do. She goes immediately into the kitchen and she returns with the two heated synthetic bloods. By now, the rest of them have gathered in the living room. He is standing at his wife's side while the three non-vampires have resumed their seats on the couch. Compton opts to remain standing, placing himself as far away from Sookie as possible yet still be in the room. When his child comes back with the True Bloods, she gives one to Bill and then sits in the chair opposite Sookie with her own drink.
Their guests look at them expectantly, and he gives his mate a mental nudge. 'Do you wish to begin or shall I?'
'No, I'll do it.' "I guess there's no need to tell you why we asked you here tonight," she says aloud. "As I am sure you have already figured out, I'm pregnant. What you don't know, and why we've called you all here to give you the news in private, is that Eric is the father."
Pandemonium breaks out as five voices all clamor to be heard at once. The witch is babbling something about impossibilities, Pam and Bill are looking to him in abject shock, the weretiger and the shifter are cursing and demanding to know how it happened. He finally roars for silence and not even the falling dust dares to make any noise.
"One at a time, please," his wife finally states.
"Was it Niall? Was fae magic involved?" the witch asks.
"No. No magic. Eric and I are part of a research project that is developing a way to use immature sperm left behind in a male vampire's testicles to create living sperm that can get a woman pregnant," she replies.
In the stunned quiet, Sookie explains everything, detailing the sperm and egg harvest procedures, what the researchers did to put his DNA into another man's emptied sperm, and then the ordeal of IVF with their two failures and now hopeful success.
"So you're carrying twins?" Amelia asks.
"For now," Quinn mutters.
He snarls a vicious warning. "Nothing is happening to my children."
"Yes, I am carrying twins. Both embryos implanted. I'm two weeks along."
"Oh my goddess. This is going to blow vampire breeding right out of the water," the witch comments. "I have no idea what I am going to tell Trey."
"You will tell Trey nothing. No one is to know the truth about Sookie's pregnancy until the babies are born," he states harshly.
"He's right. This is a huge secret, you guys. It's proof of how much I love and trust you that I'm telling you the truth. But you can't let anyone know what you know. Me being pregnant is dangerous enough," his wife adds.
"The Fellowship of the Sun will make her their primary target," Pam points out.
"Yes. What are you going to do to protect her from those zealots?" the shifter demands.
"That's part of why we called you here tonight," Sookie replies. "We're going to need all y'all's help. At least until a more permanent solution can be found."
"I am to begin negotiations to bring across a Britlingen warrior midwife, but she will not be in place for several weeks at least. In the meantime, I will need you to help fill in for the times when I cannot be with Sookie."
"Quinn… we were… I was hoping you could help keep an eye on me during the day and when I'm at the club. It won't be all the time. I'm gonna put in a call to Alcide and see if he has any Weres in his pack that he trusts enough to be my bodyguards," his mate says.
Both the tiger and the shifter growl at the same time.
"You are not letting Werewolves anywhere near you," Quinn says.
"Weres aren't a good idea, Sooks. They're too violent and unpredictable," the shifter warns.
"Well, I'm gonna need someone, and you're just one person, Quinn, and you've got the job at Stackhouse's. You can't be in two places at once," Sookie argues.
"I can stay with you a couple of days a week," Sam offers.
"I'll talk to my coven about making some very powerful protective charms," Ameila adds.
"There's already a Level 4 shield on this house and on the one in Bon Temps. I'm not too worried about anything getting in here. We're much more concerned about when I leave the house."
There is a Level 6 shield on the Ruston House, but that nest remains their secret.
"Pam. I am assigning you to guard Sookie on the nights when I must be at Fangtasia," he commands his child.
"Yes, Master," she agrees without hesitation.
"Compton. If Pam is unable to perform her duties, I expect you to take her place. Will you be able to control yourself enough to do it?"
He sees Compton give Sookie a tortured, wounded look before he nods. "I will do it. I can… control myself."
"Good. It is settled then. Until such time as a Britlingen is hired, days will be split between Quinn and Sam Merlotte – I will leave it to you two to work out the schedule – and nights will be myself, Pam and Bill Compton. I will discuss the arrangement with you privately tonight. As for right now, Quinn are you willing to keep guard over her while she goes to the club?"
"Yes."
"Good. That is all. I will remind you that you are all sworn to secrecy. One peep of rumor that the children are mine, and I will know who is responsible."
"Wait. Who else knows about this?" the witch asks.
"Those of us in this room, the research team at the clinic we went to, and the King of Nevada, Louisiana and Arkansas," he answers.
"And Izzy and Maria," his mate pipes in.
He looks at her questioningly. "You called them then."
She nods. "They've known from the beginning. It was only right."
"The Soul Healer came to help you after you had lost the baby. That's why she was here," Quinn comments, more to himself than anyone.
"Yes. After I lost the second pair of embryos," she confirms, placing a hand over her womb. "I was… in a bad way. Eric called Maria to help me." She looks up at him. "Maria knows something of high risk pregnancy. I should call her and ask her about some of the things she did to make sure she stayed safe. Zolan has a lot of enemies."
'Better to talk to Izzy. She is the one who would have dealt with the threats,' he corrects.
'True.'
"Is everyone clear then? Our goal is to keep Sookie safe until I can hire a Britlingen. Are there any questions?"
Five sets of eyes look to him, but no one utters a word. He gives them all a short nod.
"Very well. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you for coming. Pam, Compton, I will see you in my office at Fangtasia in forty minutes."
"Yes, Master," his child replies, rising to her feet and giving a look to Bill. Compton nods to her and takes a few steps forward. He detours, however, and goes to stand before Sookie.
Eric can see the tension he is under, the fine tremors that shudder through Bill's body as he clenches his fists. Sookie has no idea the amount of control Compton is having to exert over his basal nature. She just looks up at her former lover with an innocent smile.
"I would like to speak with you privately at a later time, if that would be acceptable to you," Bill says to her.
It is a huge breach of protocol for him to address another vampire's blood bonded in such a manner, but it is no secret that Sookie conducts her own affairs. Compton knows it, too, because he casts a guilty eye-flick his way.
'Cocky asshole,' he sends to his mate.
He can hear her laughter across the bond. 'But isn't he always? He delights in passive resistance.'
'Hmmph. That's how he survived the Civil War.'
'The War of Northern Aggression, if you please,' she corrects haughtily.
'I was a Yankee.'
'That's grounds for annulment, you know.'
'Then our children will be born bastards.'
'Perish the thought! What will the ladies at the Social Club think? It'll be such a scandal!' she teases, then gives Bill a reproachful look. "Bill Compton, you know you're doing wrong, but I'll talk to you in my office later tonight."
Bill bows deeply to her, and gives him a head nod and cursory "Sheriff" before following Pam out the front door.
"I'm gonna go too, Sookie," the witch says, standing up and giving his wife a hug. "I really am happy for you, hon. And I hope everything goes smoothly from here on."
Sookie smiles a beautiful, happy smile. "Thanks, Amelia. It's scary, but we've gotten through the first hurdle. There's a bunch more, but I know I can do it."
"I'll help you in any way I can."
"I know you will, sweetie. You have a safe trip back home."
"I came over with Sam. He's gonna drop me off."
The shifter stands and offers Sookie a tentative hug.
"Oh Sam," she breathes.
"Congratulations, Sookie. I'm not happy about this whole thing in general, but I'm happy for you. I know you've really wanted this for a long time."
She gives her old boss another of her winning smiles. "Thank you, Sam."
"Quinn and I will work out a schedule, but you'll probably see me on Wednesday."
She nods. "Okay. I'll see you then."
The two leave, and all that is left is the tiger.
"I don't think I need to tell you how bad of an idea it is to allow William Compton to be alone with Sookie when he comes by the club tonight," he states.
"Eric! Bill is not going to hurt me!"
"He's right, Sookie," Quinn corrects. "That vamp was barely hangin' on to his control. There's no way I'm gonna let him be alone with you."
"It's good we understand each other, tiger," he says.
Quinn gives him a baleful glare. "I'm not doing this for you."
"I don't care why you do it, just so long as you do," he responds.
"Enough with the male posturing!" his mate huffs, rising to her feet. "You!" She points to him. "You get yourself to Fangtasia and quit your puffing. I'm sure I'll see you later, probably about 2 seconds after Bill leaves. Oh, you're going to follow him to the club and lurk on the upper gangway. Don't even bother trying to deny it. I know you. And you!" She points to the tiger. "You wait here while I get dressed for work, and I don't want to hear another bad word or thought about my husband or my choices out of you. Got it? Not a peep!"
"Yes, ma'am," the tiger agrees.
It was all anyone can say when Sookie Northman nee Stackhouse gets her panties in a twist. They both watch as she storms off, then share an understanding look.
"Hormones," they say in unison.
"It's only gonna get worse. My mom was hell when she was carrying Frannie," Quinn tells him.
"Hmmph. Modern women must be soft. My mother carried eight of us with nary a word of complaint."
"Hmmph."
"Well, I'd best get myself to Fangtasia before she returns. I will see you later."
"See you on the gangway."
"If not sooner." Of course he was going to be there. Did his wife honestly think he would allow her to meet with Compton without him within close range? Hormones hadn't warped her judgment yet.
"Right."
With a little mental caress to his peeved mate, he took his leave, but not before her mind brushed against his in a silent, if not a little contrite, touch good-bye. He smiles to himself and makes his way out to the garage. He might not like Quinn, but he knows his wife was in capable hands until he can return to her side.
TBC