Family Chapter 7
After the initial shock wore off for Pam, I was bombarded with a wide range of emotions through our bond. Fear, unease, distrust, jealousy, still some lingering shock but her biggest concerned seemed that there would no longer be a place for her now that Agata.
"I need to speak with Pam privately for a moment" I informed Agata and Sean and I pulled Pam with me into my sound proof office.
I leaned against the heavy desk and drew my vampire child closer to me so we were eye to eye.
"You have nothing to fear my child" I assure her as I reached out to stroked her hair before she could even say one word.
"But Eric, your real child is here now" she replied in a whisper as she refused to make eye contact with me.
"There is room in my life for both of my daughters" I said as I drew Pam into an embrace.
I held her tightly until I could finally feel her body relax into my body. When I was confident that I had reassured her I drew back and with my finger raised her chin which was still lowered.
"Now pull yourself together, you know this softness bothers me" I said with a smile trying to lighten the mood.
I could still feel Pam's unease but it seemed to be lessening. "Come let us show Agata and Sean the bar" I said. Pam nodded in agreement and pulled herself completely away from me, straightened out her top and I could see as she pieced back up the wall that she usually had up around her. I took Pam's hand and led her back to the great room.
"We would like to show you the bar this evening if you are up for it" I said.
"I'd love too!" Agata said as she jumped up. "I have a feeling though I probably shouldn't wear this though". She had addressed the last statement to Pam.
"If you have anything goth that is what I'd go with" Pam answered. "I will have to change into my leather get up that Eric insists I wear" she added.
"Do you were a leather outfit too papa?" my daughter asked trying to appear innocent but I could tell she was already looking out for her sister.
"The two of you are forbidden to gang up against me" I said trying to appear to look stern but I knew I failed miserably when Agata slapped me playfully in the chest and said "I didn't think so".
"I'll help you pick something out" Pam offered. "Sean should come too, you'll at least need jeans and something black".
I also followed the group down the stairs to change myself. Fangtasia was much too beneath what I was wearing. I quickly changed and into my dark washed jeans, black sculpted t-shirt and my black riding boots. I made a mental note to retrieve my leather jacket from the hall closet as we departed.
As I expected I was ready first and was impatiently waiting in the great room. Sean appeared next in attire very similar to my own and then finally the girls emerged. Agata was dressed in dark washed skinny jeans with a low cut fitted top that revealed too much cleavage for my taste. She was wearing sky high red heels that were the only touch of color in her entire outfit. I immediately saw Sean appreciating the look and I had to swallow the growl that was building in my throat.
"Really Pam, that's what you suggested Agata wear?" I asked incredulously.
"Papa, I'm almost as old as you are" my biological daughter reminded me as Pam chuckled at my protectiveness.
"I don't like it" I said tersely.
"Dully noted" Agata responded.
"I'll meet you at the bar" Pam said as she nodded to me, her sister and Sean.
"She keeps clothes at the bar?" Agata asked.
I nodded. "She likes to minimize the time she wears her outfits" I said.
"If she hates them so much why make her wear them papa? Agata challenged.
"It's good for business. Come, let's go".
I didn't wait for a response knowing that it would only lead to an argument so I led them to my black Range Rover Sport. Sean opened the front passenger for Agata and she climbed in and he gallantly shut her door before climbing in behind her.
I silently engaged the household alarm and climbed into the driver's seat. I pushed the homelink to raise this garage door bay and pulled out of the garage, down the long driveway, through the security gates and finally onto the main road.
"I should warn you that the club is completely geared to human's perceptions of vampires and done up solely to maximize profits. I also use the club to conduct my business as sheriff so I do not need to use one of my homes or waste rent on additional office space".
"I figured as much based on what Pam said about her clothing and what she had us change into. Is it all done up in vampire bordello style" Agata joked.
"Actually it is" I deadpanned before adding a smirk.
I saw Agata's eye roll with my peripheral visions and my smirk widened into a grin. I knew that my child would take whatever I threw at her in stride.
When we arrived at the club I pulled in next to the awful mini van that Pam insisting on driving and unlocked the employee entrance. The club was not yet open to the public so we walked unimpeded into the bar area.
"Lovely" my daughter said with sarcasm dripping from her voice. Yes, she and Pam would certainly get a long well.
"So what do you think of our little hole in the wall?" Pam asked as she emerged from the cloak room wearing a skin tight red leather cat suit.
"You make her wear that?" Agata said indignantly to me forgetting about the Hollywood vamp décor.
"It's good for business" I said again.
"Come on papa, that's just awful. Pam could certainly wear something like I'm wearing and still have everyone drooling over her" my daughter tried to argue.
"This is not open to discussion" I warned as I cast a disapproving look to Pam who had the good sense to bow her head in submission.
Agata rolled her eyes at me and I could feel my ire rising. "You will not disrespect me" I said slowly with a touch of menace in my voice.
"I wouldn't dream of it papa" Agata replied quickly. "I didn't realize I had to censor myself in front of Pam".
"You do not but we have been very casual in our interactions and I have not seen how you behave in public".
Agata stood straight as a rod drawing herself up as she stared directly at me with a hint of defiance and annoyance in her face. "I assure you father that you have nothing to concern yourself with. I am nearly as old as you are and I did not survive this long by being reckless or disrespecting my elders".
I soften as I heard the hurt in her voice. "I am sorry if I offended you lilla bjorn" as I reached to stroke her hair. "I just needed to be sure".
Agata nodded at me and Pam brought all of us some Royalty Blend to take the edge off.
"When do you open?" Sean asked as he sipped his blood.
"In an hour but the human staff should be arriving now" Pam answered.
Just as the words were out of her mouth the front door lock turned and Ginger, their ditzy bottled blond waif of a waitress entered.
"Master" she said when she saw me and kneeled instantly.
"Rise" I said impatiently to the pathetic human that Pam insisted on keeping around. "You will serve my guests whatever they need, is that clear?"
"Yes master" she replied as she nodded.
When she didn't move I shooed her off and turned back to Agata and Sean. "Why don't we retreat back to my office until the club opens so we aren't distracting the staff?"
I left Pam to do her tasks and took Agata and Sean back towards the office. As I put my hand on the door knob a pounding from the locked employee entrance jolted me.
"We're closed" I growled loudly through the door.
"Eric it's me, Sookie. Please let me in!"