A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has added this story as a favorite. I appreciate the love more than you know. I've worked on this quite a bit after sending it to my beta, hearttorn, so any screw ups are all mine. I couldn't stop messing with it and I hope you like what I've come up with. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing and make sure you let me know what you think. xoxo
"So you're sure that your dad hasn't said anything to your mom about us? I just want to be prepared in case she decides to rip my head off as soon as I set foot in the door."
"I don't think she'll react quite that dramatically but that's what he said. He has no reason lie to me. I think he realizes it's not really his place to say anything. He wasn't exactly sure that it was us in the office until I confirmed it, so…"
"So this is your fault? I knew I shouldn't have–"
"What? What would you have done differently? Do you regret what we did now?"
"No, of course not. It just wasn't the smartest thing to do at the time. I mean, we were in your family's home and it just wasn't appropriate." Understatement of the year.
"No, I it wasn't. But what's done is done. I wouldn't change anything. It was the best birthday I've ever had. I spent it with you, loving you the way you deserve to be loved. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Don't ever doubt my feelings for you, Sookie. I don't say anything I don't mean, and what I do say is not to be taken lightly. Know that I love you and I have for quite some time now. You've been my fantasy for the past three years and now that you are my reality, I won't let you go." I don't even know what to say to that.
"I still don't know about this. What if your mom freaks out? I know she will freak out but what if she takes it too far?" He looks at me as if he can compel me to accept his declaration. He places a lone finger under my chin, rubbing the length of my jaw line with his thumb, lazily tracing my top then bottom lip.
"Do you trust me, Sookie?" It takes me about one second to answer. I nod my assent. I do trust Eric. Hell, if I didn't I wouldn't be here, would I? Eric turns away from me to close the door behind us as I step into the foyer of the Northman Estate, preparing for the worst.
The Northmans have a beautiful home. I was impressed by the Bellefleur mansion but this is just, wow. The foyer is sectioned off by a beautiful tile mosaic, which stops just short of the main hallway. White marble floors stretch as far as I can see. The ceilings are so high I find myself craning my neck as I look up to study the beautiful moldings decorating the walls. Antique furniture fills the sitting room, which Eric ushers me into with his hand on the small of my back. The contact centers me and keeps me calm. I'm afraid to touch anything because it all looks priceless. What in the world does Eric's dad do for a living?
As soon as Eric moves away from me, my apprehension comes back full force. I don't know how I let him talk me into coming here. Actually, I'm pretty sure that I do know. Fucking charming, gorgeous, sexy bastard. All he has to do is look me in the eye and whisper my name and I'd do just about anything he wanted. I sigh and Eric looks over and smiles at me. He's being so reassuring but I have my doubts about Portia's self-control.
Eric said the talk with his dad went well, so I figure I won't have to worry too much about Portia being a bitch, but can I really blame her? He's her baby boy and she's just looking out for him. I won't even get into the fact that technically I'm still married to her cousin. Who am I kidding, I'm going to hell. Speak of the devil…
"Sookie! What are you doing here? Bill didn't tell us you two were coming to visit." She gives me a hug and pulls back to look me over. She's all smiles when suddenly the look on her face goes from one of extreme pleasure to excruciating pain. Eric walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. Her lips twist up into a scowl and she narrows her eyes to tiny slits. Her fists ball up tightly at her sides as she shifts her weight from foot to foot.
"Mom, this is my girlfriend."
The room goes so silent you can hear a pin drop. I can't help holding my breath in anticipation of her reaction. Before she can say anything Alexander rounds the corner looking oblivious to the tension in the room.
"Hey Sookie! Eric! I'm glad you two could make it. Portia, honey? Oh… you dropped the bomb already did you?" I thought Alexander was supposed to tell her I was coming, or he did but didn't elaborate. Shit on a stick!
"I… I don't understand. What's going on? Sookie? That was YOU in Eric's bathroom yesterday? What's going on with Bill? Does he know about this?"
"No." All three of us respond at the same time.
"Portia, honey, Bill and Sookie are separated. They're getting divorced."
"I know what that means; I'm not an idiot, Alex. I just don't understand. What happened? Why are you sleeping with my son? You do realize he's younger than you? He doesn't need to be tied down to anyone in your situation."
"My situation? What the hell Portia? You make it sound like I have a third arm or something. Bill and I didn't work out. He's an asshole. It just took me longer than I would have liked to figure that out. Eric makes me happy and I love him."
"You WHAT? You love him? How can you love him? You hardly know him. How old was he when he broke his arm? Who was the first girl he kissed? What's his favorite color? Do you know anything about his life?" I stood there in silence. I didn't know the answer to any of those questions. What did that mean?
"I know what you're thinking Portia, but we connect." I look over at Alexander who clears his throat trying to cover a chuckle. He must be thinking about the way Eric and I 'connected' in the office back at the Bellefleur mansion.
"Mom, I love Sookie. No, we don't know everything there is to know about one another but that's beside the point. We have time to learn. I want to be with her and she wants to be with me. That's all that matters. Can't you just be happy for me like Dad?"
"No, I can't just be happy for you and your father's an idiot and a hopeless romantic. There is nothing romantic about this situation. Are you crazy, Eric? Do you realize that you're just a fling to her? She's unhappy in her marriage so she seeks out a sexual conquest to compensation for whatever it is that she's missing. She'll dump you just as quickly as she picked you up. How could you seduce my son you harlot?"
"Now wait a minute Portia, I am not a harlot (who calls people harlots anyway) and you have no right to speak to me that way."
"I'll speak to you however I want."
"I won't let you speak to her that way, Mamma."
"You're married to my cousin, Bill. You do remember him? How could you do this to him?"
"Mom!" I appreciate Eric speaking up but I can see that this won't end well.
"I'm not doing anything to him. You have no idea what you're talking about and I won't stand here and be disrespected by you." As the words leave my mouth I find myself inching closer to Portia. Eric notices and reaches out to hold me back. I am so ready to slap her but Eric's hold on me tightens. Shit.
"Good. Leave. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out."
"Okay, that's enough Portia. This is my home too and Sookie is welcome here. She's our guest. You will be respectful to her just as you would anyone else. Our son loves her and that means something. You may have a problem with their relationship but that doesn't mean you get to judge them. I'm asking you to be nice."
"Alex, honey, I love you but this is my cousin we're talking about, and our son. I can't just sit here and let her get away with this."
"Get away with what exactly? What am I getting away with? Do you know that Bill had me arrested? Yeah, you didn't know that, did you? He reported my car stolen. MY car and had me arrested so that I couldn't leave him. I don't care what you think I've done to him. He's done much worse to me."
Exasperated and down to my last straw, I throw my hands up in defeat. She won't listen and nothing anyone says is getting through to her. I have no idea what to do. I look to Eric for an answer to my silent question and see he's just as lost on the situation as I am.
"Ladies, I think it's time for cocktails. Sookie, what can I get you?" A shotgun and a shovel?
"Gin and tonic, please."
"Eric?"
"Jack and coke, Dad. Thanks."
"Portia, would you join me please? Now." She grumbles a little but goes with him to the kitchen. As soon as they are out of earshot, I let all of my feelings out to Eric in one breath.
"Eric, I don't know if I can handle your mother the entire rest of the night. How did I let you talk me into coming here? She hates me and I can't say that I blame her. I know she's going to call Bill. Hell, she's probably already called Bill. I know she'll call his mother and Caroline. I've really screwed things up this time and I'm scared. I don't know if this is worth it." He places a hand on either side of my face, cupping my cheeks, tilting my head back so that our eyes meet.
"I don't want to hear you talk like that. I love you and that's all that matters."
"But she's right, Eric. I don't know anything about you. There were a few things she said earlier that I wanted to ask you about–regarding your father's business. But I'm always so distracted when I'm with you. This is so embarrassing. I should at least know your favorite color."
"The color of your eyes. That's my favorite color." He always knows how to make me smile.
"You're being sweet. At least I know your birthday. Now, that would be really embarrassing."
"I didn't think you'd ever be able to forget my birthday." He waggles his eyebrows. See, distracting…
"I want to go home."
"You know how I feel and you know that I want you here. What do you have to go home to? Would it be that bad if you stayed with me for a while?"
"I can't stay here forever, Eric."
"Why not?"
As soon as I prepare to answer him, Portia and Alexander come out of the kitchen with our drinks on a tray. I grab my gin and tonic and take a big gulp before plopping down on the couch. Portia eyes me from the corner of the room and Eric wraps an arm around me. I snuggle into his side as he kisses the top of my head. He starts murmuring into my hair. I can't understand a word he's saying because it's Swedish (of course) but he says something I do understand. Min älskare.
"Sookie, I'd like to apologize for my earlier outburst. I was taken by surprise at your revelation and I spoke without thinking."
"Thank you Portia. I accept your apology. I really hope we can be friends. I don't want to cause any trouble or for there to be any animosity between us."
"I appreciate that but I think being friends is off the table."
"Portia." Alexander growls at her. I wonder what he said to her in the kitchen.
"No, Alexander, it's okay. I can respect her position. I wouldn't want you to do anything you weren't comfortable with."
"Good, because I'm not comfortable with this situation. Now, are you going to call Bill or should I?"
"Portia! Didn't we just discuss this?"
"Alex, he needs to know what's going on. As a matter of fact, the whole family needs to know. They can't keep this a secret." She gestures toward us as she says "this."
"Actually Portia, we're not trying to keep it a secret. I'd just rather Bill not know where I am right now. He's not being very cooperative with this whole divorce thing. I'm sure you can understand that."
"What I understand is that my son is fornicating with an adulteress. That's what I understand." Now, I feel like shit.
"Damn it, Portia."
"Mom!"
"I think I'm going to go. I shouldn't have come in the first place."I quickly get to my feet and Eric stands with me.
"No Sookie, you don't have to leave. Both of you sit. Portia if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all."
"Fine!"
"That's more like it. Now, dinner should be ready soon so we'll finish up our cocktails and enjoy our meal. I won't take anymore rudeness from you, Portia. I mean it." Did I mention how much I love Alexander? I wonder if I can call him Alex.
"I don't deserve your kindness, Alex."
"Nonsense, Sookie. I know a little about what's been going on with you and Bill. I know you have to do what's best for you but my interests lie with my son. As long as he's happy, I'm happy. The moment that changes, then we'll have a problem. But I don't see you breaking his heart. I'm more worried about Bill because I know he loves you. Whether he showed you that or not, I know he does. I just hope he doesn't come after Eric."
"He doesn't know about us. And I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible."
"Do you think he'd come after Eric?" Portia asks.
"No, but he'll be upset and we know how irrational he can be when he's upset. I think he respects me and I can head him off. I am his uncle after all. I think he'd listen to me."
"Well that's the understatement of the month. He's beyond irrational when he gets upset. He plain doesn't think. His emotions take over and he flips out and starts throwing threats around. I don't know how I stayed with him as long as I did."I get nervous just thinking about Bill's reaction when he finds out about Eric and me. Eric leans over and whispers into my ear.
"He never hit you did he?" I wasn't expecting Eric to ask me that.
"No, he didn't. Did I think he would? A few times, but he never did."
"I'm so sorry Sookie. If I had known…" Eric pulls me into an embrace.
"What exactly would you have done? It wasn't for you to deal with anyway. I'm okay now." I look up at him reverently.
"I'll go check on dinner. Excuse me." Portia leaves the room and Alex looks over at us two with a question in his eyes.
"Um, Sookie, do you think I could talk to Eric alone, for a minute?"
"Sure. I'll just see if Portia needs help in the kitchen." Why did I say that?
"Thank you."
Eric squeezes my hand before I get up from the couch. I down the rest of my drink as I walk into the kitchen to face my monster-in-law. Why am I thinking of her as an in-law anyway? No more alcohol for me tonight. I shake that thought off and walk into the kitchen with a huge smile on my face.
"Hey, Portia. I'm coming to see if you needed a hand with anything."
"Yes, Sookie, there is something you could help me with. You can stay the fuck away from my son or I will make sure that Bill never gives you a divorce. We'll have you tied up in court so long the clerks there will know you by name. I can't believe you would even show your face here tonight. I won't ever forget this. But, you'll get what's coming to you."Raaarrr! The claws are out.
"Okay, I guess that means you don't need my help then. You know Portia, I understand that you're upset but it's unfounded. I'm not out to hurt Eric or to corrupt him or anything like that. I don't think of him as a fling or a boy toy. I really do love him. I don't what else I can say to make you understand but this is my life we're talking about here and I don't think it's a game. Would you feel better about us if I wasn't married to Bill? We are separated but I won't be able to file for divorce until I go home. Bill knows we're over, he just doesn't want to let me go. Is there anything I can say or do to make you feel better about this situation, as you call it?"
"No. You've experienced things he hasn't. You want things he hasn't even begun to think about. I know he's not a baby but he's my baby and I need to protect him from the likes of you. Once you get your claws into him he won't be the same. You realize he's never had a girlfriend before? I know he's dated but he always said that he was waiting for that special someone. Holy shit! I guess he was talking about you." She stares at me shaking her head, chuckling softly.
"He never told me that."
"I wonder what else he hasn't told you. You're rushing into this thing with him and I don't think you've thought it through. Take some time, get your thoughts in order and think, really think about how you feel about him. What do you two have in common? What can you give him in return for being with you? He has so much to lose from this. I won't have him falling in love with you for YOU to realize he's not what you want. If you hurt him I promise you will regret it."
"More threats. Is that all you Bellefleurs know how to do? I'm not afraid of you, Portia. And you've gotten this all wrong. I really do love Eric."
"Maybe you should be afraid of me, Sookie." She walks over to me looking calm and dangerous. Before I can register what she's doing she slaps me clear across the face. Alexander walks into the kitchen as I reach up to hold my cheek, which is stinging from the contact with her hand. I turn my reddening cheek away from him as he steps closer to Portia.
"How are you two ladies doing in here? Can I help with anything?"
"Yes, honey here. Take this into the dining room." She hands him a bowl and I walk out ahead of him.
I barely look up at Eric as I walk past him. I'm thinking about making a break for it. I can't stand to be here another minute. I decide to use the restroom and plot my escape. I poke my head out the bathroom door and scan for bodies. The sitting room is empty. Everyone must have moved to the dining room for dinner. I tiptoe to the front door listening to the echo of voices from the other room. Just as I reach for the doorknob it turns. The door opens and I look up into the dark brown eyes of an uninvited guest.
