Chapter 7
Ella Merlotte was absolutely baffled as to how this had happened. How she came to be sitting across from Alcide Herveaux in a fancy, so-called romantic restaurant. His earnest and eager expression opposite her uncertain and self-conscious features. They were on a date. Their first date, to be exact.
It was mostly because Alcide had made time to visit Merlotte's nearly every day for the past month just to see her. At first, Ella had been more than slightly annoyed that he persisted even after she had expressed no interest in dating him. But Alcide had just smiled and said he'd wait.
It was infuriating, actually, that he was so confident that Ella would eventually give in. But Alcide was right. His blunt and honest quips always made her laugh, and Ella knew he was a good man to the core, regardless of associations he'd had in the past.
So when Alcide had asked Ella on a date for what seemed like the millionth time, she'd finally caved and said yes. On the following Friday night, he had picked her up from Merlotte's and taken her into Shreveport for dinner and a movie.
"Ah, I guess this place might be a bit too much, yeah?" Alcide voiced, startling Ella from her thoughts. He ran a hand through his dark, coarse hair – the first show of nerves that evening.
Ella smiled. "It does seem a little fancy, but, well, I knew you really liked me after asking me out a total of twenty-six times." She responded, adjusting the shawl around her shoulders to cover the bare flesh chilled in the cool restaurant.
"Twenty-seven, actually," Alcide corrected, grinning at the woman sitting across from him.
Both of them had dressed up for the night, and Ella looked surprisingly girlish. Alcide hadn't been sure she owned anything but jeans and t-shirts, but when he had picked her up earlier that evening, Ella had quite surprised him. Not that he really minded her wardrobe.
Her auburn hair pulled back in a low, waved ponytail, and she wore the lightest of make-up. Ella wore a light, knee-length mint-green dress, brown sandals and a cream shawl around her shoulders. The garment complimented her hourglass figure perfectly. The beam Arlene Fowler-Bellefleur had flashed when Ella had emerged from the back of the restaurant suggested she had something to do with it.
Alcide himself had settled on a white dress shirt, dark slacks and matching jacket – simple but formal. He hadn't wanted to overdress and make his already skittish date more nervous.
Ella raised a hand to cover her mouth as she laughed lightly. "Yeah, that must be right. You must be counting that one weird time you tried to ask me out with a mouthful of steak." She retorted playfully.
"Well, it was the time you said yes, so it definitely counts." Alcide reminded her, taking a sip of the ice water in front of him. Ella was grinning back at him, her piercing blue eyes light. Alcide treasured that, the obvious happiness in those eyes meant more to him than just about anything.
It wasn't often Alcide saw light in Ella's eyes. Though he hadn't known her all that long, he had a feeling she was rarely very happy in her life. So when he saw a light, joy, in Ella's eyes that was there solely because of him… it inspired a very male sense of pride in Alcide. It made him want to keep making her happy, so he could bask in that joy.
He hadn't been like this with Debbie. Even in the beginning. In the beginning, they had been happy. Just happy. They didn't have to work at it. Not until it all went bad. Then all Alcide's energy went into trying to fix her. Neither of them had been happy then.
When they'd gotten back together after the madness in Jackson, Alcide had been so focused on making Debbie happy that he didn't have time for himself. Making her happy hadn't made him happy. It had only gotten him cheated on again.
"Now, before we get any further... How do you feel about vampires?" Alcide probed, raising a thick eyebrow. The curling of Ella's upper lip was answer enough.
"Can I ask why you want to know?" Ella asked curiously. The curl in her lip slowly went away as she gazed at him.
"I've just had more than enough trouble from them, that's all. I'm hoping I won't have anymore." Alcide began, uncertain how to go on.
"Look what happened to Sookie the day that vamp walked into my bar. You think I want anything to do with that? Alcide, please," Ella said, rolling her eyes. "It's sweet, though, that you'd stick by me even if I did get involved with vamps." She continued, smile rising on her lips.
Alcide smiled in return, reaching for her hand that lay on the table. Alarm entered Ella's eyes at the movement. Alcide held her gaze deliberately, and continued his movement slower, until he laid his hand on hers. The hint of fright in her eyes left slowly, and was gone altogether when she turned her hand beneath his so their fingers could clasp together.
Alcide grinned wider at that. "Of course I'd stick by you. A man that doesn't stick by his woman ain't no man." he said.
Ella arched a brow. "And I'm your woman, now?"
"I'd like to think you are. And that I'm your man." Alcide responded honestly, his fingers curling into her slightly cooler ones.
Ella's eyebrows rose even higher. Her lips parted to speak just as the waiter arrived at their table. "Hi, my name is Candace and I'll be your server tonight. Are y'all ready to order some drinks?" A perky blonde greeted, reminding them both uncannily of Sookie.
Alcide smiled politely, glancing down at his menu. "I believe we're ready to order our main course, too." He remarked, looking over at Ella questioningly. She nodded.
Candace smiled wider. "Great! What will we be having tonight?" She asked, notepad at ready.
Alcide and Ella traded a glance to decide who would order first. Ella waved her hand, signaling him to go ahead. "I'll have whatever beer y'all have on tap, and the steak and potatoes." Alcide requested.
Candace scribbled the order down and turned towards Ella. "I'll have a Pepsi and the ziti for the entree, thank you." Ella said, flashing the waitress an obligatory smile as she wrote down the order.
"I'll put that in right away, and bring your drinks back momentarily," Candace said, collecting their menus before heading back towards the kitchens.
Alcide leaned in towards Ella. "If you want a drink, it's alright. You're not on duty at the bar tonight," he reminded her. Alcide had noticed in his time at Merlotte's that he had never seen Ella have a drink.
Ella shook her head, smiling uncertainly. "I don't drink, Alcide. Ever. Thank you, though." She responded.
Alcide cocked his head to the side. "Can I ask why?" He asked.
Ella tugged her shawl tighter around her sides. "It's just something to do with my childhood, and I don't want to discuss it tonight." She answered honestly but vaguely.
He nodded earnestly. "Did you want me to cancel my drink? It's no big deal, I don't mind." Alcide questioned, brow furrowed in concern.
Ella shook her head, laughing lightly. "I work in a bar, Alcide. It doesn't bother me," she squeezed his hand, rewarding him with a wry smile. "I just can't bear the thought of drinking myself." she told him.
"You'll find no pressure from me," Alcide teased, holding his free hand up in surrender.
"I know," Ella said, smile growing bigger. "That's why I like you." She added.
Alcide's own grin grew. He brought their clasped hands to his mouth, pressing a kiss to the back of Ella's hand.
The pair talked idly and easily as they waited for their meal. It was just as their meal arrived that a tall, blond vampire interrupted their date.
"Alcide Herveaux," Eric Northman greeted, a smirk curling his lips. Alcide glowered up at the vampire, glancing back to his date when her grip tightened on his hand. The look Ella gave him was less than impressed. The vampire's eyes lingered on the ginger-haired woman. "A shifter. Interesting," he said lightly.
"What do you want?" Alcide questioned through gritted teeth.
"You didn't call me back," Eric teased, pouting playfully.
"Must be because I want nothing to do with you." Alcide muttered in response.
Eric sighed. "If you want to have this conversation here…" he began, eyes drifting meaningfully towards Ella. "Or we can step outside and discuss business," he offered genially.
Alcide began to stand reluctantly, opening his mouth to apologize to his date. "Don't you dare," Ella hissed. Alcide froze, half out of his chair. Stuck between a rock and the proverbial hard place, he eyed both the vampire and his date. Alcide slowly sunk back into his chair.
With that accomplished, Ella turned her hard gaze to Eric. He regarded her with equal parts curiosity and amusement. "You can wait for us outside while we take care of our bill," she ordered him.
The vampire returned her glare coolly. "Who said this is any of your concern?" he asked.
"You did," Ella retorted. "By including me in this conversation," she continued.
Eric began to laugh, while Alcide looked incredibly nervous. "She's a feisty one, Herveaux. I like that," The vampire remarked as he turned and left the restaurant.
"What are you doing?!" Alcide hissed as Ella flagged down their waitress.
"You said it yourself, Alcide. We're in this together now, and I am sure as hell not leaving you alone with a vampire." she informed him, expression stern. Her date was instantly appeased, looking shameful almost. "Our check please, and boxes to wrap up our meals. Unfortunately, we have to go." Ella informed the perky blonde waitress as she flounced over.
"I'm sorry he's ruined our date," Alcide said, running a hand through his hair in distress.
"Nothing's ruined yet. Derailed, maybe. We will take this food back to yours and eat there, once you've had this conversation with the vampire." Ella informed him honestly.
Alcide grinned at her. "You're amazing," he growled, leaning over the table in order to land a kiss on her cheek. Ella blushed prettily, which was a strangely pleasing contrast to her no-nonsense personality.
The pair boxed up their meals and paid the bill before getting up and heading for the exit hand in hand. Eric Northman leaned against the brick wall outside the restaurant, eyes immediately shifting towards them.
"What do you want, Northman?" Alcide questioned gruffly. Ella carefully watched the vampire for any sudden movements.
"I need a favor," Eric responded simply. His eyes lingered again on Ella, and her hand joined with Alcide's. He seemed curious, for some reason.
"I'm done with vampires. Ask someone else," Alcide said, shaking his head.
"And what of all our history?" Eric appealed, not looking particularly dissuaded.
Alcide growled, and Ella squeezed his hand. "The last time we spoke, Northman, you said my debt was paid. Are you going to go back on your word?" he asked darkly.
Eric shook his head. "Of course not. But I could use a man of your skills. It could be quite lucrative for you," the vampire explained, trying to tempt Alcide.
"You mean you need a Were dayman. No, no, I'm done with vampires, I'm done with Supes." Alcide retorted, shaking his head wildly.
Eric stared for a long moment before his eyes shifted again to Ella. "And your opinion on this, Shifter?" he prompted.
Ella seemed surprised to be addressed, but her expression quickly hardened. "Alcide says he's done. I support that," she said simply, turning her gaze to her date. He rewarded her words with an appreciative smile.
Eric, however, finally showed his displeasure with a frown. "If you change your mind…give me a call." he strolled towards an obscenely expensive-looking red convertible.
"Shall we head back to mine, then?" Alcide suggested, gesturing to his truck.
Ella nodded vigorously. "Yes, please. I'm starving,"
!
Ella leaned back on the couch in Alcide's living room. She had just finished chowing down her entire entrée from the restaurant and felt positively bloated. Alcide, however, was still working on the last bits of his steak beside her.
"Was the ziti good?" Alcide asked between bites.
"Oh yeah. Even better than Olive Garden's," Ella said, half-teasingly.
Alcide grinned. "Oh, good. Nice to know I don't really have to shoot that high with you," he retorted playfully.
Ella laughed. "Yes, I would have been just as happy at a diner… as long as that vamp hadn't found us," she responded.
Alcide finally pushed away his plate, leaning back on to the couch – mirroring Ella. "It was worth it. I'm pleased with how things turned out," he told her, resting his head on the cushion behind him.
Surprising them both, Ella took his hand. Her cheeks flushed lightly under Alcide's surprised scrutiny, but she clasped his hand loosely all the same. "May I ask you something?" Ella asked. Alcide nodded. "What type of debt were your referring to earlier? With the vampire?" she questioned curiously.
Alcide sighed, running his free hand over his face. "It was my dad's debt, not mine. Not really," he began gruffly, searching Ella's eyes for any sign of disapproval. She was careful not to let any sort appear. "So whenever Northman needed a favor, I obliged. To pay off my dad's debt to him." Alcide continued.
"What types of things did he ask you to do?" Ella asked.
Alcide sighed again. "Babysit Sookie, mostly. That got me into all kinds of hot shit alone, you know that girl's trouble," Ella nodded in confirmation. "It was basically just hell. Being at that vamp's beck and call. And the last time, a few months back, he promised me the debt was paid in full. So when he appeared tonight…" Alcide told her.
Ella began to nod along. "You thought he was going back on his word," she confirmed. Alcide nodded.
"That and he interrupted our first date – which was absolutely the last thing I wanted," Alcide clarified. "I know things haven't been easy for you, well, ever, I think, but I wanted this one thing to be,"
Ella looked at the man next to her, her narrowed eyes searching his. He just looked so distressed, so upset at the thought of having failed at giving her the perfect first date. She had no other choice but to accept him at face value.
She scooted closer to him noisily, and then Ella tilted her face back and pressed her lips to his. She could feel his body fall slack in surprise, even as his warm lips moved with hers. And then Alcide's strong arms wrapped around her and he kissed her with an increasing ferocity.
Ella could hardly describe the feeling. She felt warm and safe in Alcide's arms, but it wasn't the same as when she was with Jason. With Alcide, there was a heat. That heat threatened to overwhelm Ella as she melded herself to Alcide's body, wanting more of that feeling.
And as soon as the kiss had started, it ended. Ella and Alcide pulled apart to catch their breath. As disoriented and disheveled as Alcide looked, lips red and swollen, hair mussed; Ella knew she must look worse. After all, Ella had gone all out and let Arlene do her make up earlier that night.
"Well, that was as surprising as it was pleasant," Alcide said, clearing his throat. He leaned forward and stole a quick peck from Ella as he stood and began to gather the dirty dishes on the coffee table. "I did promise you a movie. Why don't you pick one out while I take care of the dishes?" he suggested, gesturing towards his television.
Ella grinned. "So, wait, let me get this straight…you arranged dinner, and now you'll take care of the dishes, too? I like you more and more all the time, Alcide," she teased.
Alcide winked back at her. "That's the plan," he retorted, heading towards the kitchen, all the dirty dishes in hand.
Ella's phone vibrated on the coffee table, lighting up to notify she'd received a text from Sam. She picked it up and opened the message.
Should I wait up for you?
She shook her head and sighed. Typical overprotective older brother. She typed out a quick response and turned off the phone before she stood to take a look at Alcide's movie collection.
I'm staying with Alcide tonight.
Responses? Eh? Let me know what you think!