Chapter 9
Jason Stackhouse slid into the seat opposite Ella, his expression quizzical. "What's going on, El? You weren't answering my calls or texts for a bit, and then you want to meet up for lunch? Is everything okay?" he asked her out of concern.
Ella nodded and smiled. "I just need to talk, Jason. I've had some new... developments in my love life, recently," she began a little uncertainly.
Jason grinned. "You mean with that Alcide fella? Man's been chatting you up for weeks. And, I hear you finally took pity on the poor man and let him take you out," he remarked.
Ella looked up at him in surprise. "You know about Alcide?" she asked.
Jason rolled his eyes. "Of course I do. Bon Temps is a small town, El, if I didn't hear about it from you, I was bound to hear it from someone else," he responded.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Jason. I wasn't quite sure about him myself until a few days back," Ella said earnestly.
She had been utterly consumed with her new relationship with Alcide the last few days, bathing in the glow of what she could only assume was love. She had never felt this way before about anyone. She was even beginning to understand those sappy little quotes that had made her nauseous before.
Jason blinked at her. "So it's serious, then?" He asked. Ella nodded. "El, I'm happy for you, but... you haven't gotten serious with anyone since..." Jason began, brows furrowing together.
"Since you, yeah." Ella confirmed. "You know me, Jase, I don't give anyone a chance. You were just about the only one I tried for, and you know we, well, we-"
"Weren't in love." Jason interjected where Ella had been struggling. His expression was uncharacteristically serious. Ella was unsure if that was a good thing or not.
Ella nodded along. "Yes." she confirmed. "But Alcide's different." she said. "He waited for me to be ready to try. And I'm really glad I did,"
Jason grinned so big his teeth were blinding. "Were ya in the sack with him all weekend? Couldn't help but notice you weren't around at all," he teased as she flushed red.
"Jason, you know what I'm getting at here," Ella said in exasperation.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. No more nookie for Jason," he retorted, folding his hands in front of him. "You know I don't care. Tell me more about your boyfriend," Jason continued, saying the last word in a sing-song voice.
Ella rolled her eyes at him. "Shut up, Jason." she said briefly. "He wants to meet you." she continued. Jason's eyebrows lifted. "Have dinner with us tomorrow night, please," Ella requested.
"Does he know that we sleep together?" Jason asked. Ella nodded. "Are you sure that's a good idea, El?"
Ella nodded again, forcing a wan smile. "I told him that you're my best friend. That that won't change. I just want him to meet you, know you, so he won't worry," she said.
Jason heaved a sigh. "Of course I'll do it, El. But you know me, I don't always say the right thing at the same time! I don't wanna mess anything up for you two,"
Ella reached across the table, taking Jason's hand. "I ain't worried about that, Jason. Alcide knows how I feel about him, and he'll see how we feel about each other, too. He'll know that it's just friendship between us," she promised, and after another heavy sigh, Jason nodded.
!
Sam Merlotte leaned against the doorjamb of his baby sister's room. He watched silently as Ella fretted over the three outfits laid out over her bed. "I ain't ever seen you like this over any guy," Sam remarked after a few moments.
Ella glanced up, distractedly, hands tracing down the soft cotton of a summer dress. "Are you mad at me, Sam?" she asked in a weak tone, one that showed she wasn't entirely invested in the conversation.
Sam straightened, brows furrowing in confusion. "What are you talking about, Ella? Why would I be mad at you?" he questioned.
Ella took a few moments to answer. She seemed to finally settle on an outfit, gathering it up over one arm. She straightened, meeting her adoptive brother's gaze. "Do you remember the promise you made me, not long after you took me away from my daddy?" she asked.
Sam's eyes widened, limbs slackening in shock. Ella hadn't spoken of her father in all the time she'd been with Sam. Not since the first night. Not since she told Sam what he'd done to her. He shook his head after a moment.
Ella sighed lowly. "You said that you would never leave me, no matter what. That you would always take care of me." she said.
Sam took three strides across the room to close the distance between them, throwing his arms around Ella. She looked vaguely alarmed, crushed into her older brother's embrace. "That will never change, Ella. Why are you asking about that?" Sam questioned in confusion.
Ella strained against him weakly, trying to get a little space back before speaking. Sam reluctantly conceded, loosening his arms, allowing Ella to relax. "It's just that, well, when you said those things, I promised myself that I would do the same," she began, pulling away and taking a seat on her bed.
Sam lifted an inquisitive brow, planting his hands on his hips. "I just feel like I'm breaking that promise, a little bit, because of what I feel for Alcide…what I want with Alcide," she explained, lifting vulnerable blue eyes to meet Sam's.
Sam sighed softly, and sat down beside Ella. "What do you want with Alcide?" he asked.
Ella sucked in a long breath. "I'm not entirely sure, Sam. All I do know is that I'm considering things I didn't think was possible for a shifter like me,"
"Like what?"
Ella shrugged. "A real life. A partner. Happiness. Maybe even babies." she offered. She ran a hand through her loose auburn curls. "Hell, I don't even know that I want any of those things. But for the first time, I'm thinking it may just be possible," Ella continued, turning her gaze from her hands twisting in her lap.
Sam reached over and took her hand, smiling wryly. "I been trying to tell you that for sixteen years. All it took for it to finally sink in was a few dates with one Alcide Herveaux?" he asked. Ella shrugged. "Are you happy?" he said after a moment.
Ella nodded. "Then you don't need to worry about that promise, El. It just means that we'll always be there for each other. It doesn't mean we're breaking that promise if we don't need each other as much," Sam explained to her, squeezing her hand.
Ella leaned her head onto his shoulder. "I'm bringing Jason to meet Alcide tonight. Do you think you can come with? Maybe you can help me make sure Jason don't make a fool out of himself tonight," she requested, glancing up at Sam as he snaked an arm around her waist.
"Of course. I'd love to," Sam acquiesced quickly. After a few moments of silence, he pulled away and stood. "Where we going? Should I dress up?" Sam asked, gesturing to his usual jeans and plaid shirt.
Ella shook her head. "Naw, Alcide's just gonna grill some steaks at home," she answered, standing and picking up the outfit she'd chosen. "Casual's good." she supplemented. Sam nodded, making his way out the door. "Jason should be here in half an hour to drive with us!" Ella called after him. Sam waved back, signaling he'd heard her.
Ella closed her door and slowly changed into slim-cut jeans and a blue silk blouse. She dawdled in the mirror for a few moments, toying with her hair and weighing whether she wanted to put on a little make-up or not.
Her cell-phone's text alert distracted her from her consideration. She crossed the room to her phone, plucking it up to read the text – it was from Alcide.
How goes it?
Ella had told Alcide she'd wanted to ask Sam too, but wasn't sure he could come. She tapped out a quick response before laying the phone back down.
Sam's coming. See you soon.
This is the last plotless, semi-fluffy chapter for awhile. I've been actually watching True Blood lately, and now I'm overcome with ideas. Next chapter will be up soon. Please Review!
