Charlaine Harris owns all but one

A great big thanks to all of you who have taken time to read this story and for those of you that leave me your thoughts, it's beyond exciting to know what you're are thinking and how you're feeling. I hope you are enjoying the ride because it's just getting started.

To my beta, Sassyvampmama, thanks and you know you're the BEST!

Chapter 7

Sookie was on her way to a charity auction sponsored by the Pelican Publishing Company, a subsidiary of Channing Industries. Tonight's charity event was to help promote literacy throughout the Louisiana public school system. Louisiana's literacy rate was one of the lowest in the U.S., and Sookie was excited for the opportunity to help change those numbers through her involvement with Pelican. Sookie had a soft spot for Pelican and had become very involved in its daily activities. Declan had originally bought the publishing company for his wife, who had a love of books and Louisiana that rivaled Sookie's own love for her home state.

The publishing house published well over 1500 titles, and the main stable of authors wrote about Louisiana and its Southern Culture. Among many genres of literature covered were cook books, history, statistical data, children's book and a fictional mystery series about vampires in the south. Sookie laughed at that and thought how real could that be? Tonight's charity event was to help promote literacy throughout the Louisiana public school system. Louisiana's literacy rate was one of the lowest in the U.S., and Sookie was excited for the opportunity to help change those numbers through her involvement with Pelican.

Amelia walked into the room and admired her friend. Sookie was stepping into her beaded backless gown. It was a full length, V-neck teal dress with delicate beading that ran from under her breasts down all along the empire waist. It was much nicer than anything she would have worn before, back in her previous position as a vampire go-to girl. To accompany the dress, she was wearing 3 inch silver open-toed strappy sandals that showed off her perfectly up-kept nails; every two weeks Sookie had a French manicure and pedicure. It was only one of the many new luxuries she treated herself to since going to work for Declan.

"Is Declan picking you up or is he sending a car over?" Amelia asked her friend as she helped her zip her dress up. She walked around to face Sookie, and said, "You look stunning Sookie; you're going to take his breath away."

The first thing Sookie thought of from her friends comment was; 'it sure is nice to be with someone who has breath for me to be able to take it away.' Her life had changed so drastically over this past year and she was looking forward to starting a new chapter with Declan. She and Declan were planning on going way alone for the first time this weekend. They were going to stay at his beach house on the Gulf Shore; Sookie loved the ocean and was looking forward to lying out on the beach. Sunning herself was a past time she seriously missed.

"I'm actually driving over to Declan's house with my over-night bag and we are going to leave for the Gulf tomorrow morning." Sookie went over and grabbed her bag and purse off the bed.

"Wow, Sookie, this is the first time you are staying over his house, isn't it?" Amelia was surprised. She thought it was about time. Declan lived in his family home located in the Garden District, a very famous part of the city of New Orleans. It was one of the most beautiful areas of the city and there was a lot of old money residing there. Declan had moved into his family home with his wife ten years ago when his parents had both passed away, one right after the other. He had continued to live there even after his wife, Sarah, had passed away two years ago.

Spending the night at his house was going to be a big step for Sookie and Declan's relationship. In the past, Sookie had told Amelia she felt like she was invading another women's home whenever she was working at Declan's house. There were memories of his wife everywhere throughout the house. She knew if things were going to change between her and Declan, she was going to have to talk to Declan about his deceased wife. Tonight was her night to tell Declan everything. She was not going to sleep with him until he knew all there was to know about her. There were also things in Declan's past that Sookie needed to know. He had kept some things back from her, she could tell from time to time when she dropped her shields, and she needed answers before they took that particular step forward.

"Well, have a wonderful time tonight. I know how hard you worked on this event and I cannot wait to hear all the details of your weekend at the beach. Oh, and when I say details I mean," Amelia lifter her hands up and spread her hands apart with palms facing each other and she kept on widening the gap, " just how 'great' of a lover he is."

Amelia winked at her at those last remarks and Sookie just shook her head and said, "Amelia, you are beyond bad."

Sookie drove over to Declan's house, punched in the gate code and drove to the side garage. She parked the car and went into the house through the side door. Declan had a large office in his home and most days Sookie preferred to work from there. The Channing Industries corporate offices were just a short 15 minute ride south of Declan's house, but Sookie rarely worked at corporate and preferred the solitude of his home office instead. She found she was much more productive and most of the time she was in her car running one errand after another anyways.

Channing Industries main business was its Offshore Drilling Services division. That part of the company specialized in offshore drilling and support services in the Gulf of Mexico. Channing Industries also had one of the largest fleets of offshore supply vessels and anchor handling vessels in the entire Gulf area.

When Sookie was hired she learned about the history of Channing Industries and was very impressed at how they had impacted the nation throughout the company's history. Declan's grandfather, Marshall Channing, designed and manufactured Channing Boats; these boats were amphibious craft used for the invasion of Normandy on D-day. He also designed and manufactured PT boats, which were the first American airborne lifeboats. Before WWII they operated one manufacturing plant with less than 70 people, during the height of the war they had six plants and over 15,000 employees. By the mid 1960's, Channing Industries had sold off all their production plants but still had a number of ship yards that they continued to own. Some of these yards are used to house their current sea vessels and others house Declan's private yachts for repairs and restorations.

Sookie still couldn't comprehend that she working for such a large company. She also knew that Declan never wanted to be running this company, but he didn't have much of a choice. She didn't know all the details of how he became the CEO, but was hoping to learn more about his past very soon. She did, however, learn that Declan loved to work with his hands and during his early twenty's he had worked on an offshore drilling rig in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Well, he certainly had done a turnabout in careers, just as she had. She and Declan definitely connected once she had started working so closely with him, and she felt that they had a lot more in common that she would have ever thought at first. She was getting more and more excited for their future together and could not wait to begin it. She walked through the back hallway calling out for Declan.

"Dec, I'm here, and were going to be late if you don't get down here soon." Sookie yelled up the stairs.

Declan's home was beautifully decorated. She loved the color scheme; it was mainly whites mixed with yellows, sage green and touches of pink. You certainly knew a woman chose the designs and colors; yet as feminine as it was, it was very inviting. Sookie loved the curved staircase and the second floor balcony looking over the entrance way. As with many homes in the Garden Section it also had both upper and lower front porches that were lit up with the most magnificent gas hurricane lamps. Each porch was scattered with beautiful wicker and rattan furniture. Some nights, when Sookie had to work late she would bring her laptop out on the lower porch and work from the large basket swing.

"Sook, you look amazing. How is it possible that you take my breath away every time I see you?" Declan had startled Sookie with his comment, as her mind was focusing on their upcoming night together and she hadn't seen him approaching her.

"What?" She gazed upon him in his designer suite, custom made to fit him like a glove. She loved a black suit with a crisp white collared shirt on a man, and tonight Declan was wearing a teal tie, the color matching her dress exactly. She couldn't get over how handsome he was and he certainly knew how to wear a suit the right way.

"Now, how did you manage to be wearing a tie in the same color as my dress, Mr. Channing?" Sookie had a good idea what little birdie gave him the information, but was waiting for him to confess.

"Ah, I have my ways, and I never give my secrets out." He winked and laughed, and Sookie just shook her head. 'Amelia,' she thought, but it tickled her pink to know that Declan wanted to match her dress. He was always surprising her in these little ways.

"Are you ready to go? Declan asked Sookie and grabbed his car keys.

Tonight he was driving and most times he preferred it that way. He didn't like being driven around in the company limo. He had a passion for cars, and had a number of them. He also loved to race motorcycles and had even taken Sookie out a few times on one of his favorites. But his true obsession was sailing. As much as he liked fast cars and even faster motorcycles, he enjoyed the ease and solitude of sailing. Sookie had only been out once with him; he had a 37 ft boat and it killed him that he never had the time to go out in it.

Sookie and Dec made the social rounds throughout the evening. Dec was terrible at remembering people's names and he relied heavily on Sookie cuing him as to the identity of whoever chose to approach him or who he needed to talk to. Dec was so impressed that Sookie always remembered everyone's name after meeting them once or seeing a picture of them. Sookie seemed to have the social graces of an angel and knew just what each person liked to talk about. She quickly became the one thing that made these social events bearable for Dec. After his wife died he had hated attending these types of events, but now he looked forward to them, and especially to having Sookie by his side.

The charity event was a huge success; over $500,000 dollars had been raised to help fight illiteracy. Sookie knew Dec made a considerable contribution and it warmed her heart knowing how much Dec loved his home state of Louisiana and that he gave so much to help it prosper. He and Sookie left the event shortly after the last item was auctioned off.

"You're being so quiet, are you tired Sook?" Declan cast his eyes away from the road to her and thought tonight's events must have worn her out. He was glad the event wasn't too long and couldn't wait to get their first weekend together started.

"No, I'm not tired, I just have a lot on my mind and I'm anxious to get back to your place and talk. There are a lot of things I need to say to you, and well, I'm a bit nervous." Sookie was going to be completely honest with her feelings and hold nothing back. After all, she was the new and improved Sookie.

"I know, there's a lot I need to say to you too. And just so you know, I'm just as nervous." Declan never thought he could feel this way about another women. After his wife's death, when anyone suggested that he would meet someone and fall in love again, he literally wanted to shove his fist through their face for even suggesting it. Now he was falling in love with Sookie. He was torn, he felt guilty; like he was betraying his dead wife and the love they shared. He hoped Sookie would understand his feelings.

It didn't take them long to get back to Declan's and as soon as they entered the house Sookie slipped her shoes off and went straight into the family room and plopped down on the couch. Declan followed her in and removed his jacket and tie and slipped his own shoes off as well.

"Would you like a glass of wine or Gin and Tonic?" Declan thought it might help ease them into their discussion.

"I would love a glass of water, thanks."

Declan went over to the bar and grabbed a beer for himself and a glass of ice water for Sookie. He walked back over to the couch, handed her the water and sat down. He began the conversation.

"Do you want to go first or would you like me to?" Dec knew Sookie was anxious and wanted to make things easier for her. When he first told her he wanted more than a working relationship with her he knew she was apprehensive. He felt her attraction for him and he was happy that Sookie was so honest about her feelings towards him. However, he was surprised that Sookie told him there were things she needed to tell him about her life before they could have an intimate relationship. He thought he had everything figured out about Sookie, but she was adamant that they needed to have this discussion.

"Like I said before, there are a lot of things you don't know about me. I know I told you that I came to New Orleans because I had had my heart broken and wanted to start my life over, but there was a lot more to my move than my heartache." Sookie was looking directly into Declan's eyes for a sign of encouragement. Declan nodded his head as if to say, 'go on'.

"I guess I need to start at the beginning and you have to promise not to interrupt me. I just need to get it all out in the open and then you can ask me anything you want. Do you promise?"

Immediately Declan responded, "Yes."

"Some things I am going to say to you will probably shock you and will sound unbelievable, but I promise you, everything I'm about to tell you is real. It is my past and it is part of who I am now."

"Sookie we all have pasts, me included, but I promise you my feelings will not change because of what you are about to tell me. I want to know everything about you and I want you to know everything about me." Declan said with conviction and it made Sookie realize how lucky she is to have met him. She trusted him. She took a huge breath and shakily let it out.

She proceeded to tell Declan everything about her life, starting with meeting her first vampire. Declan already knew about her life with her Gran, she talked about her Gran a lot to him. She told him of her relationship with Bill and continued on to the night she walked in on Eric and his pet at Fangtasia. She told him how Eric came to New Orleans to try to explain what she saw and how she told him she never wanted to see him again.

Declan knew everything now; the vampires, the telepathy, the bonding, pledging, the fairy torture, and the betrayal. She was exhausted by the emotional reminiscence, but it felt like a 50lb weight had finally been lifted off her shoulders. She couldn't believe Dec stayed quiet the whole time, His expressions had changed frequently throughout her recant, but he never said a word. She knew he must have thought she was crazy; possibly even an escapee from a local loony bin. She let her shields down to hear what was going through his mind.

Telepathy, can she hear what I'm thinking right now?…bonded to a vampire…do I need to know what that means?…fairy?…Does she still love this Eric…Does he love her?…I can't believe all the pain and torture she has endured and is so strong…She is amazing…Can you really her me, Sookie?…

Declan new about vampires, he was familiar with some and he knew about Were's too, he had worked with one when he was on the oil rig, but fairies? He wasn't too sure about that, and the telepathy thing really shook him for a loop. His eyes lit up when he was thinking, 'can she hear me?' Sookie looked at him and said she could hear him and that she would answer all of his questions.

Declan had a lot of questions and Sookie answered them all, one after the other. Declan appeared to take everything in stride. He was mostly blown away about Sookie being a telepath. She explained how she could put up shields and block out peoples thoughts, and she assured him that she did not listen to him that way. She did say that from time to time she used it to help her in her position and Declan told her that he promised never to ask her to use her gift for his own personal gains. He was horrified at how the vampires used Sookie, and he was truly worried about them coming and taking her away from him someday. She told him that whatever Eric had told the King of Nevada about her not working for them must have worked because she had not heard from even one vampire the entire past year. She felt confident that she was free of them. Declan did not feel so confident, but that was for another discussion. The one question Declan didn't know if he would want the answer to was the one that he finally had to ask.

"Are you still in love with Eric?" He knew he had no right to be upset if she was. He still loved his wife, yet he didn't want her to love Eric. He was being selfish.

Sookie looked up at him; she must have sat there for a good thirty seconds before she answered him.

"My feelings for Eric are very complicated."

"What exactly does that mean? It's either yes or no?" For the first time during the night, Dec was getting upset.

"Then yes and no." Sookie said in such a neutral tone that it seemed to only irritate him more.

"Can you be more definitive? That doesn't tell me much, Sook." Dec spat at her and she realized that this was the first time she had seen him direct his anger towards her.

"Yes, I love Eric, but no, I am not in love with him. Is that more definitive?" Sookie's temper started to get the best of her, and she remembered that old Sookie would probably start stamping her feet or leave in huff rather than having an adult conversation about her feelings. The new and improved Sookie was not going to run away. New Sookie was going to articulate her feelings. No matter how uncomfortable is was for her or for Dec, she was going to remain calm and discuss her feelings.

"Dec, I will always love Eric in some small way, and I know he has probably has feelings for me too. I can't say he loves me, because he never told me that. However, he kept many things from me; he hid another woman from me, he hurt me deeply, and caused me to lose all trust in him. You must know that I have a lot of trust issues." She stopped again to gather her thoughts.

"All my life I have been able to read people's thoughts, yet hearing their words come out of their mouths seemed to always contradict their thoughts. That can really do a number on a person. Compound my telepathic abilities with the loss of my parents, my Uncle's abuse, Bill's betrayal and Eric's other woman… Well hell, I think anyone in my shoes would have issues with trust. However, I have not lost faith. I'm trying to learn from my experiences and become a better person. That is one of the reasons I want to be completely open and honest with you. I'm trying to do it right this time. I believe it was too late with Eric. I will always love him, but I cannot be with him. He lost my trust."

She paused for a second to let the importance of her words sink in, "I don't want that to happen with us, and I know now that I was partly to blame for what happened with Eric. I didn't tell him how I felt about him when I should have. I should have been honest with him from the moment he left my house after the Witch War. My behavior helped to cause Eric's actions. I know that now, but that still doesn't make what Eric did to me right. What it does do, is it makes me able to forgive him. By forgiving Eric and acknowledging that I will always love him in some way, it frees me to fall in love with, and give my heart to, whomever I choose."

Sookie took a moment to look into Dec's eyes, hoping that the sincerity of her next words would be conveyed to him, "I choose you Dec. Do you choose me?" Sookie looked at Dec with such hope and waited for his answer.