Thank you so much for all the reviews and comments - I love each one.

So, Eric's view of the aftermath...

Eric

I left the wedding reception in a haze.

I couldn't quite understand how my life had gone to shit too easily. And why the fuck was I the last one to know about what was going on. Was this the reason that my dad was not a fan of my soon-to-be-ex-wife? It annoyed me greatly to think that two of my own family members had kept Claudine's infidelity a secret from me. We may not have been married when she had her 'affair' or whatever the fuck she wanted to call it with Sophie-Ann, but it was infidelity nonetheless.

I knew that I shouldn't have been driving considering the alcohol I had consumed and not to mention the mood I was it, but I had to get away. I wasn't going to go to my home in Shreveport as with any luck Claudine would be there packing her bags. I made a mental note to get the locks changed the next day, and if she had left anything, it would be boxed up and left in the garage. Possibly in the damp corner. And without any covering.

My parents' house in Bon Temps was also out of the question. I quite simply didn't think that I could face either Pam or my father without blowing up. I needed some time to cool off and deal with my thoughts before I faced either of them, although I did wonder if Pam would be staying with Sookie anyway.

Did Sookie know of this? Had Pam told her what she was going to bring up? I had a feeling that she didn't know specifics as I saw the shock on her face as Pam argued with Claudine. But did she know something was up?

The worst thing with Sookie was the look of sympathy she had on her face as I left. I didn't want to see Sookie giving me any sympathy, and I certainly didn't deserve it from her. It seemed crazy to think that the woman I had treated like shit would sympathise for me. I wouldn't have been surprised if she had laughed in my face and told me that I got what deserved.

And she would have been right. Karma really was a bitch.

I drove instead to a small, boutique hotel I owned in Shreveport and checked in. Luckily, they weren't full, and I went straight to the room, not spending any time talking to the manager of the hotel who I had known for many years. I was by no means in the mood for socialising.

I shrugged off my jacket and tie, letting them fall on the floor and went straight to the minibar. I wasn't normally much of a drinker, but I felt I had good enough reason to drink on this occasion. After mixing three of the small bottles of vodka with a can of coke, I downed it. I enjoyed the burning sensation it caused me, and I almost begged for the numbness that large quantities of alcohol would bring me.

I wasn't stupid enough to realise that it was the answer, but at that time, it was what I needed.

I took a hot shower as I let the alcohol spread through my system, and, when dried, I crawled into the large bed with a double whiskey to help numb the pain. I couldn't help but notice how large and lonely the bed felt, and I stared wistfully at the unoccupied section of the bed.

How had I been so stupid?

Deep down I had known things weren't right with Claudine for a while, but I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to accept that my marriage was on the rocks. She had been spending more time than she needed to in Seattle, particularly considering both of her parents were also up there, so she probably didn't need to babysit her brother.

Of course, it took Pam to realise that.

I didn't know quite what to think about Pam; that she knew about Claudine cheating on me before and didn't tell me. If I accepted that she didn't know the extent of her cheating until recently, and Claudine did end it immediately, I supposed that I could understand her reasoning for not telling me at the time. I was happy with Claudine, and I never would have thought she would cheat on me. Especially with another woman.

That bit was quite wounding to my ego.

I rolled over in the bed, my mind whirring with thoughts and images, and I heard my phone ringing in my pants pocket. I crawled out of bed to retrieve it and saw that it was Claudine, cancelling the call immediately. It was the fourth time she had called and I also had three messages from her. Plus one from Pam, which I did open.

'I'm sorry, Eric. I should have told you earlier and I'm sorry for the way it came out. I will always be here for you; come find me when you're ready.'

I appreciated that she wasn't being pushy, and I knew that I could never hold this against her. In fact considering she never had liked Claudine I was surprised she didn't jump on the information when she had the chance and split us up before we even had chance to marry.

I turned my phone off and left it on the bedside table next to the lamp, which I also turned off after draining the glass of whiskey. I sank down beneath the covers as I let the liquid burn through my veins. It was very welcome.

.

I woke the next morning with a pounding headache, and it took me a few minutes to realise where I was. I turned on my phone and saw that I had another six missed calls from Claudine, but I deleted each one without listening to the message. I knew that I would have to talk to her at some point, but I couldn't face her yet. Especially as I hadn't talked to my lawyer yet.

I saw that it was already ten in the morning, and I dragged myself back into the shower for a steaming hot wake-up call. The burn of the hot water was welcome, and I had it as hot as I could manage, leaning against the cool wall and trying to figure out what the fuck I was going to do.

My first port of call was to see Gladiola. I'd worked with her sister Diantha on many an occasion, as her specialty was business law, however Gladiola's interest was in divorce law. I had always hoped that I would never need her skills, but she was one of the top lawyers in the state and I wanted her on my side. Their uncle, Damon Cataliades, was a well-respected lawyer and had a large practice in New Orleans, but the girls had set up the Shreveport office as a sister firm.

After my lengthy shower, I dried and started to pull my suit back on when my phone rang again. I was close to ignoring it, but I saw the caller was this time Callie rather than my ex-wife.

"Hi Callie," I greeted, trying to sound upbeat but even I could tell that I didn't sound right.

"Hey Dad, are you okay?"

"I've been better," I admitted. "Thanks for asking."

"Of course. We're worried about you."

I had to admit that surprised me. Particularly the 'we' part.

"We?" I queried.

"Yes, 'we'. Mum doesn't want to see you hurt. I know the two of you are the best of friends, but I don't think she'd wish that on anyone. She wanted you to know that she was thinking of you."

I didn't quite know why, but Callie telling me that Sookie cared made things feel that little bit better. That is until I was reminded that I didn't deserve her sympathy, particularly considering the way that I had treated her both when she was a teenager and in this last week that she'd been in Louisiana.

"I appreciate that, but I'm not sure I deserve her sympathy."

"Why not? Your wife was cheating on you. That was hardly your fault. She was crazy to let you go."

I had to smile at her comment. We hadn't known each other very long but I felt so lucky to have her in my life. No matter what else happened, I was determined not to screw up my relationship with my daughter.

"Maybe, but I don't think she's going to make things easy." I let out a large breath of air to try and clear my head. "So what are you plans for the rest of the week?" I asked, wanting to change the subject away from the fuckery that was my life.

"Mum, Amelia and I are flying up to New York tomorrow morning for three nights and then returning on Thursday morning. We fly back to London on Saturday afternoon."

"So you have some free time at the end of the week?" I really did want to spend some time with her before she left.

"Yeap. And your parents mention that they wanted to see me as well…"

"Do you think your mom would be okay with you spending a night at my house, or maybe my parents'?"

"I can't see why not. I'll ask her though and let you know. When were you thinking?

"Maybe come over on Thursday afternoon and I'll take you back later on Friday? That was my parents can get to know you a bit better."

We agreed some provisional times for her to come over, and she agreed with to discuss it with Sookie. It was only five minutes later that I got a message from Callie letting me know that Sookie had agreed to my suggestion. I had to admit to being a little apprehensive about whether she would agree, but I could see she was trying to make an effort, which I appreciated.

I left the hotel, and rather than going home, went straight to the house that Diantha and Gladiola shared. It was Diantha that answered the door.

"Eric Northman, long time, no see."

"Diantha. Is your sister around?"

"She is. I do hope this is not a work-related issue?" she raised a questioning eyebrow and I sighed.

"Yeah, I'm afraid it is. I'm divorcing Claudine."

"Well in that case you'd better come in."

Diantha made me a much-needed mug of coffee while I explained everything to her sister as she scribbled down notes on a large writing pad. I told her everything that Pam had said, and everything that had happened to us during our just-under five-year marriage.

"You have a good case," she eventually said. "But tell me, have you cheated on her at all?"

I considered not telling her, but she'd told me I had to be completely honest. "I did kiss another woman. It's only happened once and it was only last week."

"It was only a kiss?" I had a feeling she didn't believe me.

"Yes. She slapped me before anything else happened."

I couldn't help but smile at Sookie's reaction. I didn't know why I had been so surprised by her reaction at the time. It was completely what I deserved.

"Okay. Will she say anything?"

"I wouldn't have thought so. I can speak to her, though."

I'd rather not have had to do that, but if it was necessary, I would.

"Just for my records, who is she and how do you know her?"

"Her name is Sookie Stackhouse, and she is an ex-girlfriend." Ex-girlfriend was probably a loose term considering the relationship we did have, but it was close enough to being accurate. "She is also the mother of my seventeen-year-old daughter."

She gave me a stunned look, as did Diantha. "You have a daughter?"

"I didn't know until Sookie came back for her brother's wedding. I … I probably should tell you that Sookie was only fifteen when we were together."

"But you were older?"

"I was twenty."

"Eric…"

"I know. What are the legal implications?"

"You could still face charges. You can hardly deny it when you have a daughter that confirms it. I will have to do more research on that, but it could cause problems. Luckily for you, you have me on your side, and I have no intention of letting anything happen. I do suggest you speak to this 'Sookie' and make sure she has intentions of mentioning your kiss or pursuing legal action regarding the statutory rape."

"She said she wouldn't on the latter issue, it was why she left Bon Temps in the first place."

"Well that's good news."

I spent an hour or so with Gladiola talking through what would happen, but I knew that I would have to speak to Claudine, if for no other reason than I needed an address for my lawyers to write to. I did feel much calmer and in control by the time I left the sisters' house, and decided to make the journey to my house and see if Claudine was still there.

It didn't surprise me to see that she was.

"Packing, I hope," I said as I walked into what was our marital home and saw her sat on the stairs with her phone in her hand.

"Eric! You came back!" She got up and ran towards me.

"Don't get your hopes up; I just came by to make sure you took everything."

"Eric, please don't do this. I can end it with Victor."

"Can? Meaning you haven't yet?" I sneered. "How long, Claudine? How long has this been going on? And do not thing about lying to me, I will find out."

"Four months." At least she had the sense to hang her head.

"And what about the others before him?" I didn't know if there were others, but thought I would see if she would tell me.

She gave me a painful look. "I'm sorry, Eric. I have never been the woman I should have been for you."

"So there were others then?"

"Yes," she admitted quietly.

"Just leave, Claudine. Take your stuff and go. And leave a forwarding address so my lawyer can reach you. I want you gone by tomorrow."

I went up to the bedroom and packed a bag for myself with a change of clothes that I'd need for work the next day along with the essential toiletries.

"Don't forget to leave your keys," I said as I walked out of the house.

She'd remained sitting on the stairs with her head in her hands. "I'm sorry, Eric."

I stopped and looked at her. "It's a bit late for that, Claudine. Maybe you should have thought about that before you slept around."

I slammed the front door behind me and stalked to my car. I couldn't help but feeling emotional at seeing her again, and I took a calming breath before I drove off, the gravel crunching soothingly under the Corvette's tires.

I didn't want to let this beat me, but that was exactly what I could feel happening. I needed to pull myself together and keep strong. I was not going to behave like a girl and allow her to affect me that way.

I hadn't really realised where I was heading until I found myself close to Pam's house. I was still angry with her, but we needed to talk. I parked in her driveway and saw that she had opened the door even before I had climbed out of the car.

She didn't look like herself either. Pam was nearly always perfectly presented, in some designer outfit or another, with her hair and make-up perfect. But right now she had no make-up on, her hair was tied back in a messy ponytail and she was wearing a pair of jogging bottoms and an old t-shirt that looked like it might have belonged to me.

She was eyeing me cautiously as I approached her house, my overnight bag in my hand.

"Are you okay?" she asked as soon as I was nearly on her doorstep.

"I've been better," I told her, repeating the line I'd said to Callie. "And I must say you look like shit as well."

She gave me a small smile. "I feel like shit, Eric. I'm so sorry for not telling you when I knew before. I …"

I placed a hand on her arm, silencing her briefly. "Can we take this inside? I'm not too sure I want your neighbours listening in."

"Sure." I followed her into the living room of her medium sized house and sank down onto one of her comfy leather chairs. "Drink?"

"A beer would be good. I drank enough of the hard stuff last night."

She went into the kitchen and brought back a beer for me and a large glass of white wine for herself.

"I do understand why you didn't tell me about Sophie-Ann," I said once she was sat down. "But I wish you had. I think that she may have been cheating the whole time we were together. If I'd known she had the tendency to be deceitful I may have looked closer." I laughed to myself and took a swig of beer. "I always thought we had this perfect relationship, where we could both trust each other not to cheat. She's a beautiful woman; I knew men were interested in her. But she never paid any attention to them. Certainly when I was around."

"She was cunning, Eric. None of this is your fault."

"Do you have any idea how degrading and embarrassing it is to find out that your wife is cheating on you for not only other men, but women as well?"

I could feel myself getting angry, and it partly was at Pam for the way she had told me.

"I'm sorry, Eric. I know that was the wrong place to do it, but …"

"But what?" I shouted. "You thought you'd embarrass me anyway? Let Sookie and my daughter find out that my wife had been cheating one me? Christ, probably everyone in the northern half of the state will know by now!"

"I didn't set out to embarrass you. Although I will admit I wanted to show Claudine up for what she was."

"And you thought you could do that without hurting me in the process?"

"I didn't think I would. And I'm sorry."

She looked as defeated as I felt. She got up from the sofa and went to a cabinet and pulled a folder out.

"This is all the evidence I was able to get on Claudine cheating. You'll see I only started collating it a month ago, but there are pictures and DVD evidence of her with Victor Madden." She handed it to me, but I didn't want to look inside, not yet, anyway. "I assume that's what you came here for?"

"No, actually," I said giving my sister a half smile. "I need a place to stay and I wanted a little company."

"And I'm your number one choice for that?" she raised a questioning eyebrow and appeared to look more like herself.

"Surprisingly enough, yes."

We talked more about what happened and how annoyed I was with her, but there were no residual hard feelings between us. She was my sister after all, and where I'd always done my best to look after her, I knew that she had done the same for me. I did take the opportunity to give my parents a call as well as Pam had mentioned that my dad in particular had been worried that I would be angry with him.

From what I understood from Pam, my mom had been furious with my dad and Pam for not telling me what they knew about Claudine's cheating, but she did recognise that they did it in my best interests. I still wished I had known, but I was aware that holding a grudge against any of them wasn't going to help matters.

Maybe Claudine cheating on me meant that I had finally had to grow up.

Pam had said that she had noticed a change in me since splitting from Claudine, but I had realised it myself as well. Maybe if I hadn't have been so self-absorbed I would have realised earlier that something was so seriously wrong in our relationship. And maybe I didn't treat her how she should have been treated. I knew that I was certainly no angel, and the fact that I had tried to kiss Sookie the week before was testament to that fact.

And Claudine wasn't the only one I had treated wrongly. I was more than aware of how badly I had fucked Sookie over. I had treated her appallingly when I was younger, and I hadn't done much better of a job since she had been back in Louisiana. I'd been rude and hurtful to her, and incredibly inconsiderate.

But there was just something about Sookie that would not leave me alone. I just couldn't seem to get her completely out of my thoughts. Was I attracted to her? I couldn't deny that part of the reason I pulled her away from John Quinn was as a result of my neanderthal instincts and jealousy of seeing her with another man.

Or was it simply that she was the mother of my daughter? She had done such an incredible job with Callie, but I'd not even taken the time to tell her that.

One thing I was going to do before she left to go back to London was to apologise to her.

.

Work was a suitable distraction for the few days that week before I went to pick up Callie from the farmhouse in Bon Temps. I didn't get to see Sookie as Callie was already waiting outside the house for me with Amelia when I arrived. That evening we went to watch the most recent Zac Efron blockbuster, which I really didn't get the appeal of, and I then took her to one of the chain Italian restaurants.

I'd spent the Monday and Tuesday nights at Pam's stopping only at my house to pick up more clothes, but on the Wednesday I realised I had to make up a room for Callie and I wanted to make sure that the house had been suitable de-Claudined. I was almost tempted to give the house a deep cleanse, but Pam told me it wasn't necessary. Instead, she helped me remove any articles in the house that held any kind of sentimental value from our marriage, and those items found themselves in the damp corner of the garage. Uncovered.

Callie had raved about how much she had loved New York and I was genuinely pleased to hear that her, Sookie and Amelia had such a good time together. I promised her that I would take her to other great cities, San Francisco being another of my favourites, or maybe Vegas when she was old enough to gamble.

We'd talked a little about what happened with Claudine, but for the most part we ignored the issue, and were much more relaxed in my home this time without her presence. In fact, it almost felt like a weight off my mind with not having to worry about my wife's reaction would be. All I had to focus on was my daughter.

The next day, after making her breakfast, I drove us to my parents' house in Bon Temps. Mom had gone all-out and cooked us a full four-course meal for Callie, full of traditional Southern food that she never normally bothered to cook. Not that I was complaining at all, as my mom always had been a great cook.

It made me think back to when Pam and Sookie were younger. Pam never really showed much interest in cooking, but Sookie always used to sit with my mom when they were younger. I wondered how much she'd been an inspiration to Sookie in becoming a food writer.

Callie seemed keen on questioning my mom on what I was like as a child, and, too my embarrassment, my mom insisted on bringing out the baby photos. I could see that Callie was amused, but she acquiesced and listened intently to my mom's tales, asking questions to mortify me further. My mom always did have a way of making me feel like a five-year-old, no matter how old I was.

"Thanks for that!" I said on the short drive back to the farmhouse. I couldn't help but feel sad at the thought of Callie going back home to England and I'd grown very attached to her in the short space of time that I'd known her.

"What?"

"Embarrassing me with the baby photos. That was just wrong." I laughed and rolled my eyes. I loved how she made me act like a teenager myself at times.

"It's only right that I should know! And I'm sure mum will show you mine at some point."

Somehow, I doubted that.

"Sorry," she said, and I turned my head to her, not really realising that I had gone quiet. It still did pain me that I had missed out on watching her grow up.

"It doesn't matter."

"It does," she insisted. "I wish you could have been around when I was growing up."

"So do I, Callie. So do I."

"Do you think you and mum can get along?" she turned to me and I could see the hopeful look in her eyes. I was hoping that she wasn't thinking that we would get together, as I seriously doubted Sookie would want anything like that.

"I want us to get along. But I don't know. I know I'm not your mom's favourite person, and I haven't treated her right."

"But I know she cares for you. She said as much after the wedding."

"It's one thing to not want to see someone be hurt like that, but it's another to want to spend time with someone."

We arrived at the farmhouse and I grabbed Callie's overnight bag out of the trunk. Since I wanted to have a word with Sookie before I left, I followed Callie up to the house and she let me in. She called out to her mom as we entered, and Sookie yelled back that she was in her bedroom. It wasn't the best place she could have been, but I would have to take it.

"Mum, are you decent," Callie said through the door of what used to be her old bedroom. "Dad's here and I think he wants a word with you before he goes."

I gave her a smile, which she returned encouragingly.

The door opened and Sookie stood there in a pair of hip-hugging blue jeans and a tight black button-down shirt that was straining slightly across the chest area. Her hair was down loose around her shoulders, and I could not deny that she looked hot.

"Can we have a quick word?" I asked her when our eyes met.

She looked quickly at Callie before agreeing. "Sure, come on in."

I gave Callie a smile then followed Sookie into her childhood bedroom and shut the door behind me.

There were many, many memories attached to this room, and quite a few of them were flooding my thoughts as I looked around. The decoration was different following the refurbishment my company had done on the house, and it was by no means the first time that I'd been in the room since Sookie had left Bon Temps. But it was very different with her being here as well.

I could have done with sitting on a chair rather than being on the bed with her, but the chair in the room has covered in her clothes and her suitcase.

"Memories, huh?" she asked with a sly smile.

She was sat on one side of the bed and I took a perch on the opposite corner, my body facing towards her.

"Something like that."

There was a moment of silence between us before Sookie spoke up again. "I've told Callie that she can spend as much time as she likes here over the summer, although being that she has her boyfriend, I wouldn't expect more than a couple of weeks."

"You're not coming?" I asked, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice.

"No," she said firmly. "I don't think it's a good idea." She didn't look at me when she said that.

"What about Jason? Won't your niece or nephew be borne by then?" I would have thought that she would jump at the chance to be an aunt.

"Jason can survive without me. And I'll be over at some point."

"You don't have to avoid the place because of me, Sookie." I hated thinking that she was, but it certainly seemed that way.

"I'm not … it's just …" I quirked an eyebrow at her. "Okay, maybe it is partly you. But it's also this place. There are so many memories attached. I just … I need some time away."

I couldn't deny that that hurt.

"Sure, I understand." I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. "Look, I haven't said this to you before, and I really should have, but I think you have done an incredible job in raising Callie. She's such a smart and thoughtful girl, and she's so much like you in many ways. It makes me proud to be her father, even if I am just the sperm donor." It was a bit of a low blow, but I couldn't stop myself from repeating her words.

Sookie visibly flinched. "I am so sorry for that. It was out of line and I am sorry."

"That's okay."

"And thank you for what you said. She is a great kid."

She paused for a moment and picked at her nails. I could see that she had more to say so I stayed quiet.

"I am normally such a strong person, Eric. But in your presence I just revert to my fifteen-year-old self and I feel weak and out of control. I feel like you dominate me, and I don't want to feel like that. You're so self-assured to the point of arrogance at times, and you really do seem self-centred."

I couldn't deny that her words stung, but I knew she was right. Very few people ever had the balls to call me out on those things, and so far the only ones had been Pam, Sookie and, briefly, Amelia.

"I won't deny that I'm attracted to you," she continued. "But in all honesty, I wish I wasn't. I know that you would never be able to return it. I know that I will always been the fifteen year old girl that used to have sex with you."

She had no idea how wrong she was; I wasn't that man anymore.

"You're wrong, I …" I protested, but she cut me off.

"I'm not. I know you're type, Eric. You're a predator, a carnivore. You're the top of the food chain in everything that you do, and you get what you want. I don't want to be another piece of meat to you. I don't want you to suck the life out of me."

"I can change…" I had already, but I was aware how stubborn Sookie was. I knew there would be no changing her mind.

"No, Eric. You can't. And I'm not saying that you won't be an excellent father to Callie, as I know you will; she is part of you, after all. But I know you'd be no good for me."

She stood up off her bed and I took it as my cue to leave. She obviously didn't want to believe me. But then I wouldn't have believed myself if it hadn't been for what happened with Claudine. I knew that I was a changed man, but Sookie would never believe that.

"I need a fresh start, Eric. I'm not saying we can't be friends eventually, but right now I need some time alone."

"You're right on that one," I said, thinking of Claudine. "I only wanted for us to be friends. But I do feel that you are doing me a disservice. I am not as shallow as you think I am."

I didn't give her chance to respond, but walked out of the room and found Callie sitting with Amelia on the front porch.

"Okay, kiddo," I said, rubbing her head. "I had better be off."

"All okay?" Callie asked, and I could see that Amelia was studying me closely.

"Fine," I said a little tightly. "Remember, you can call me whenever you want, and if you want or need anything, you let me know. I'll happily pay your airfare whenever you want to come over, so don't let that be a reason not to come."

"Sure thing, dad."

She stood up and wrapped her arms around me. I gave her a tight hug and kissed her on the head. I felt truly sad at having to leave her.

"It was nice to meet you, Amelia." I held out a hand, which she took.

As we shook hands she pulled me closer to her and leaned in to whisper into my ear. "Don't give up on her. Give her time; she'll come around."

I was surprised by her comments. "Thank you, but I feel you are mistaken."

Amelia gave me a half-smile and walked over to Sookie who was stood in the doorway of the house.

"Take care, Sookie. I hope you will be happy."

I pulled her into a reluctant hug, but her body soon moulded around mine. She felt so right in my arms, and I didn't want to let her go, but I had to.

I took a large step back to stop myself from taking her into my arms again and gave the three women a wave before folding myself into my car.

As I drove off, I knew Sookie was wrong.

I knew that I had changed. All I needed to do was prove it to her.

So what next? Can Eric change? Can he prove himself to Sookie? Will she give him a chance? Is he the changed man he claims to be?

I'd love to know your thoughts.

;)