A/N: My week of fun in the sun came to an end way too quickly. But, the slight sunburn and surprise sand I keep finding in various nooks and crannies will help me remember my vacation for at least another week! If I close my eyes tight enough I can still smell the salty ocean air, feel the warmth of the sun against my cheeks and taste the deliciousness of fried fish and soft serve ice cream…yum! So, whlie I own all of those amazing memories, I sadly do not own the fabulous characters created by Charlaine Harris. (Have I said that enough? Just covering my bases!)

Now that I'm back, I need to give a HUGE thank you to all the wonderful kitties that write such fabulous reviews/PMs. I haven't had a chance to respond at all really because while I was away enjoying my fabulous vaca, I was not enjoying some fabulous wifi. The house we stayed in only had dial up and I still can't believe I ever used to marvel at how fast it was...in the mid 90s! Oy. So, yeah…mucho thanks to all you wonderful readers who enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it!

And speaking of wonderful, I wanted to let you all know about a fantabulous new fic that has recently dripped out of the brilliant minds of LindsayK and Zigster. They are working on a collab'd story and who knows…I might just make a guest appearance writing certain POVs ;) So GO! Go check out their story, Preludes & Presumptions.

Eek! One more wonderful thing - , beta extraordinaire! She is a grade A beta and any mistakes are completely my own.

Oh, wow. Sorry for the crazy long author's note. Yikes! Now, back to the story…

Sookie POV:

The door shuts behind me and I bring my fingers up to my lips. I can still feel the ghost of his lips on mine, and I can't get this damn smile off my face. But I don't want to. I want to smile and laugh and jump up and down like I won the big prize at a carnival. I just had the most perfect date in my young life and I can't wait to do it all again soon.

I walk into the living room and flop onto the couch, gathering Amelia into my lap.

"Oh Amelia, I just had the most wonderful evening. And the kiss! Gah, the kiss!" Amelia starts to squirm around in my lap and I realize I'm getting overly excited again. I try to calm myself down and gently stroke her soft fur, before I nuzzle my face in it.

"I'm sorry my darling kitty. I didn't mean to frighten you. But seriously, that kiss was something else. And I kissed him back! I'm not sure where I got the stones to do that, but damn was I glad I did it."

Amelia purrs in response and I take that to mean that she approves of my actions. I smile again to myself and wonder if perma-grin is a normal side effect of an Eric Northman kiss. I hope I have another opportunity to find out soon. I look over at my phone and see a red light flashing, indicating that I have some new messages. I reach over and press the button, hearing the automated female voice say "you have two new messages."

A shrill beep sounds out and the first message plays.

"Hello Sookie darling, it's Gran. I was just calling to say hello. I'm not sure where you are, since you are usually home on Saturday night, but you're not home as I'm sure you know. Are you at work? Well, give me a call tonight if you don't get in too late. I'll be up until ten watching my Matlock, but after that I will be headed to sleep. If you get in later than ten, call me tomorrow morning, but after church of course! I love you Sookie darling. Oh, this is Gran just in case I didn't mention it before. Good bye!"

I chuckle to myself as I listen to Gran's message. She always leaves long-winded and inadvertently funny messages. I make a note to myself to call her tomorrow afternoon. Another shrill sound of the beep as the second message plays.

"Sookie, girl! How did the date go? Tara told me you looked fierce! I'm not sure if I can wait until Tuesday to get the play by play. I hoped you got yourself a piece of that fine, fine ass! Mmm…"

I can actually hear Lafayette drooling over the answering machine and grab my phone to text him, just so he isn't in suspense until the next time I see him at work.

It was incredible! You would have been in heaven with all the chefs there. I had a personal cooking lesson with Jamie Oliver!!

I deliberately left out any mention of Eric, knowing that it would drive Lafayette crazy. I laughed out loud when it took no longer than thirty seconds for him to respond.

Fuck Jamie Oliver (and srsly, I'd fuck him!). WTF happened w/ur pretty boy?

I laugh out loud while reading his text. I can only imagine the shock on some of our patrons' faces if they ever saw this side of the celebrated Chef Lafayette Reynolds. I debate not answering, and let Lafayette's mind run wild, but I decide I don't want to have to deal with non stop texts from him until I spill all the details.

The date was wonderful. He was wonderful. His kiss was wonderful. Nothing too crazy, will give full details on Tues.

Twenty seconds later and I already have a reply.

A kiss!?!? Guess I'll wait till Tues. But ur giving me ALL the deets! xoxo G'night.

I text a 'good night' back to him and put my phone away. A yawn sneaks up on me and I look at the clock, just now realizing how late it is. I trudge into the kitchen to feed Amelia before going into the bedroom to change into my pajamas. After putting on my pajamas, I wash my face and brush my teeth. As I crawl into bed, my mind drifts to Eric.

I still can't believe I told him that I was going to take him on our next date. As I lay in bed I rack my mind, wondering what I could plan that would in any way live up to tonight's date. I wonder to myself if our vast differences in social status and finances are going to be stumbling blocks. I also wonder if Eric has ever dated a waitress before. I clearly cannot afford something as extravagant as tonight.

Various ideas pop in and out of my mind, and I finally zero in on one that I think has promise. I remind myself to run it by Lafayette at work when I see him to get his opinion. I wonder if Eric will call me or if I'll just see him again on Friday. I realize I don't even have his phone number and mentally kick myself for that oversight.

I push that thought out of my head as my eyelids flutter close and I fall into a deep sleep.

***

I sleep remarkably well and don't wake up until ten the next morning. As I will myself to get up and head to the bathroom I pause by my dresser, where the flower Eric gave me is laying. The tips of the petals are a bit wilted and I mutter a profanity or two for not thinking ahead to place it in a vase of water before going to bed.

I hop in the shower and try to wash as quickly as possible since my stomach has started growling loudly, demanding breakfast. I smile to myself as I remember an egg cooking technique one of the chefs had mentioned on the panel and I can't wait to try it out. After I dry myself off and dress in a pair of comfy terry cloth pants and an old, worn out tank top I head into the kitchen to see what my fridge has to offer me.

I grab a carton of farm fresh eggs, some cheddar cheese, and a few bruised looking oranges. I set a few eggs aside, to bring them up to room temperature as I go to work squeezing the oranges for juice. After I manage to squeeze out enough for one cup, I pop a few pieces of bread into the toaster as I start on the eggs. I separate the yolks from the whites and beat each separately, making sure the whites are nice and foamy, yet not too stiff. I fold the whites into the beautiful, yellow yolks and pour the mixture into a hot pan coated in some butter. So far, so good. The pan pops and crackles as the eggs cook and my little kitchen is starting to smell fantastic. I add some cheddar to the eggs and allow them to cook a bit more.

As I set the table for just myself, I wonder when I'll get the chance to cook Eric some breakfast. I really hope it's soon. My food is ready and I bring it all to the table. Everything looks and smells phenomenal and my stomach is about to reach out and grab the food by itself if I don't start shoveling it into my mouth, but before I can even get any on my fork there is a knock at the door.

It's Sunday, and I'm not expecting any company. It's too early for Gran to be home from church, and she usually calls if she decides to swing by. I push myself away from the table, my stomach growling loudly, making its protest known.

I peek through the peephole and see a delivery man standing there with a large, cellophane wrapped basket next to him. I open the door just as he's about to knock again.

"Miss Stackhouse?"

"Yes, that's me."

"I have a delivery for you, please sign here."

He holds out a small screen and has me sign it with an electronic pen. I wonder if I should tip him, but before I can go back and grab some cash he's already left.

I bring the large basket into the living room and set it on the coffee table. I'm about to open it before my stomach loudly demands food, and I figure that if I don't comply I may just pass out while opening up the package. I head back to the dining room table where my eggs are a bit cold, but still fabulous. After almost licking my plate clean, I walk back into the living room to deal with the package.

I take some scissors and slice through the cellophane, and it flutters down to the floor revealing the strangest bouquet of flowers I have ever seen. There are a few gerbera daisies like the one Eric gave me last night, and some deep red, exotic looking flowers that look almost phallic in shape but are extremely beautiful. Then, peppered throughout the flowers are random cooking utensils. They are all top of the line, stainless steel ones. There is a whisk, a ladle, a couple of variously shaped spatulas, and some spoons. In the middle there is a pair of tongs, with a card sticking out of them.

I'm pretty sure I know who sent me this arrangement, and the damn perma-grin is back as I can't wait to read what the card says. I slide a finger under the envelope and slide the card out. It's a plain white card, but the message has been hand written, and I immediately recognize the handwriting from when he signs his bills at the restaurant.

Dearest Sookie,

I had a wonderful time last time and hope to do it again soon. I wanted to send a token of my affection, but as I'm not your usual guy, and you're not a usual girl, I figured a rather unusual arrangement was in order. I hope you enjoy.

I also hope that I am able to see you cooking with these things (the utensils, not the flowers!) soon.

Until then,

E.

I can't believe he signed the card "E". It reeks of pretention but is also kind of hot, so I let it slide. He also included his phone number at the bottom of the card. My stomach automatically fills with a million butterflies as I wonder if I now need to call him and thank him for the flowers. I am not sure why I'm so nervous all of a sudden, but I'm pretty sure it's because I'm starting to really dig this guy.

I put the card down and decide to go do some dishes while I think about whether or not to call him. What would I say? "Hey Eric. Thanks so much for the arrangement. It must have cost you a pretty penny to get this together and sent to me at the last minute. The utensils you sent probably cost more than any of the ones I already own, so thanks."

Ugh. I can already feel some resentment start to sink in as I over think the gift. I have a really hard time accepting things from people and this is no exception. I have to remember to do my best to be gracious, because I'm sure Eric's intent was a good one, and I'm just trying to nitpick at it.

I scrub the dish in my hands for the fiftieth time while I try and figure out why I'm feeling a little ticked off about the fancy utensils. I think I was just raised to fend for myself and be wary of handouts. I doubt Eric saw the gift as handout at all though. Do I have to have a conversation with him about this? Probably. Otherwise he might continue to shower me with gifts and that will just drive my anxiety level up more.

Normal? No. I know that. But it is how I am.

I finish up with the dishes and head back into the living room, staring at the arrangement on my table. I pick up the card that came with it and flip it over and over between my fingers. I realize I'm being a bit stubborn so I go to grab the phone and call Eric to thank him, only to realize that the little red light is flashing. Somebody must have called while I was doing dishes, so I press the button and hear Gran's voice float into the living room.

"Hello Sookie! My, you must have come home late last night if you were unable to call back. I do hope everything is ok. Matlock was excellent in case you were wondering. And church this morning was invigorating as usual. I was in your neighborhood and was hoping to swing by, but I'm not sure if you are home. Maybe you are but your music is playing too loudly? I'm not sure, though. So, maybe I'll stop by to check on you darling, just to make sure you are okay. This is Gran by the way."

I laugh aloud again at Gran's message and decide that if she is going to stop by I should go put on some more presentable clothes. Before I'm able to though, there is a knock at the door and one look through the peephole tells me it's Gran.

She looks adorable in a yellow dress with tiny white flowers on it. She has a big sun hat on and a large purse in her hands. Oh, how I love that purse. She always has whatever you need right in that purse. Whenever I was feeling sad or missing my folks, Gran would surprise me with a buttery candy from the depths of her ginormous bag. If I feel and scraped my knee the bag produced a tissue stop clean it up and a band-aid to help stop the bleeding. I wonder if Gran has anything in her bag to help give me the nerve to call Eric.

I open the door and Gran doesn't wait for an invitation before her arms are wrapped around me and I'm enveloped in warmth and love and the smell of magnolias. I hug Gran back fiercely and lead her inside, letting her know that I'll go put up some coffee for us. She nods and heads into the living room and settles on my couch.

I get the coffee maker ready to go and flick it on before heading back to be with Gran.

"Sookie?" Gran asks, her voice questioning.

"Yes, Gran?"

"What is this monstrosity on your coffee table?"

It's only then that I realize Eric's arrangement is on the table and I wonder how I'm going to explain it all to Gran.

"Oh, I, uh…" I stumble a bit trying to find the right words to explain that one of my customers who blatantly ignored me for a couple of months asked me out on a date and now I'm one ridiculously smitten kitten and then he sent me phallic flowers and whisks and I'm not sure what to think.

"Oh, just spit it out, child. It can't be all that scary. I've been around the block Sookie, I've seen a few things in my day. Come, on. Try me!"

The smile on Gran's face is warm and inviting and is the one she always uses to get me to spill all my secrets. This time is no exception.

"Well, I went out on a date last night…" and before I'm even able to tell her about it, Gran excitedly claps her hands.

"A man! Finally! It has been too long since you've been on a proper date, young lady. You are too pretty to be wasting away by yourself. I'm glad to hear you're not letting cobwebs grow where the sun don't shine."

I groan internally, not really wanting to have this talk with Gran. Luckily God's listening to my pleas not to have a creepy conversation about my unused lady bits with Gran as the coffee timer goes off.

"Hold that completely weird thought Gran, I have to go get the coffee."

I hustle into the kitchen and grab some mugs before pouring two cups of hot, steamy coffee. I also grab a plate and toss some Fig Newtons on them since I know Gran likes something to dip in her coffee, and really, who doesn't love Fig Newtons?

"Thank you darling," Gran says as she reaches for her mug. Before she takes a sip though, she reaches into her purse and brings out a small, silver flask. As she unscrews the cap and pours some brown liquid into her mug, I let out a small gasp.

"Gran!" I glance at my watch and see that at least it's after noon.

"Oh Sookie, don't you give me that look. As some wise woman once said, 'I love Jesus but I drink a little!' Stop being such a stick in the mud." She winks at me and gave my coffee a little splash.

I roll my eyes at her and take a sip, enjoying the extra tingle Gran's special elixir adds to my coffee. I sit back and let the brandy Gran add relax me a bit. I now realize that was her plan all along as she starts to attack me with questions.

"So, who is he? Is he cute? What does he do? Where did he take you? Why the heck is he sending you flowers and soup ladles?"

"Woah, Gran, slow down. Okay, okay. Let me see." I try and answer each of Gran's questions before she can launch another inquisitive assault.

"His name is Eric Northman and I know him from Merlotte's. He is definitely quite attractive. He does something in finance, I'm not sure what but he's good at what he does and it definitely pays well. He took me out last night to the Chef's Chat charity event and it was amazing." At this point I think I might start to swoon, so I do my best to not get too carried away with describing it all to Gran.

"It really was perfect, Gran. We had amazing seats and then a private meal with a world class chef and then he brought me back home."

"Was he a gentleman?" Gran asks, with a glint in her eye.

"A perfect gentleman, Gran. He gave me a wonderful kiss and then sent me this fantastically strange arrangement this morning. He included the utensils because he knows I enjoy cooking."

Gran nodded her head approvingly. The next words out of her mouth shock the hell out of me though.

"I'd like to meet your new gentleman caller, Sookie. If he's serious enough to be sending you flowers that look like shlongs then he serious enough to meet your old Gran."

I'm not sure which frightens me more. The fact that Gran knows a word like "shlong" and uses it in casual conversation, or the fact that she wants to meet Eric.

I grab my coffee mug and start sipping, before taking a couple Fig Newtons and shoving them in my mouth, hoping that Gran will forget about this. Of course she doesn't and patiently waits until every last crumb of cakey fig is swallowed and looks at me expectantly.

"Well, Sookie?"

"Okay Gran. But, if we do this, then you need to be on your best behavior, promise? Leave the little flask at home!" I say, knowing full well that Gran doesn't need any liquid encouragement to be her usual sassy, wonderful self. I giggle to myself, wondering how Eric will react to Gran, but I figure it will be a good test of his character and pray he passes with flying colors.

Gran sticks around for a bit longer and we finish off the plate of cookies and our coffee before she leaves. As I walk her to the door I promise her that I'll call her as soon as I set something up with Eric. Before I close the door behind her, I call out, wondering something.

"Hey Gran! You don't think he'll be a little weirded out that I want him to meet you after only being on one date with me?"

Gran looks back at me thoughtfully, her skin crinkling up at the corners of her eyes. "Sookie, if he's only a smidge as crazy about you as I am, then he'd be more than willing to do anything for you after just one date. He'd be crazy not to."

She gives me a wink and a quick hug, and whispers in my ear before she walks away, "Call him."

I head back inside, and pick up the white envelope with Eric's note in it. Without even thinking about it, my other hand grabs the phone and begins dialing his number. Before my mind can even catch up to what my hand is doing I hear a ringing on the other end before a wonderfully husky and deep voice picks up.

"Hello?"

"Um, hi. Eric?"

"Yes."

"Oh, hi, it's Sookie."

"Sookie! To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

I can't help the smile that creeps on to my face, and I wonder if he's smiling just as big.

"I wanted to call and thank you for the floral arrangement. I've never received anything quite like it before. You really outdid yourself, it's wonderful."

"You're most welcome. I'm glad you like it."

I look around, wishing I still had some more of Gran's special coffee so I can have some help getting through this next part.

"So, uh, my Gran was here earlier and she saw the arrangement." Oh lord, I sound like I'm ten years old. Come on Sookie pull it together!

"Oh really?" I swear I hear him chuckling. "And what did she think?"

"Well, she thought many things, to be honest. But mostly she was wondering a bit about you, and said she would like to meet you. I know that seems awfully soon and sudden and I wouldn't be offended or surprised if you said no, but I told her I'd ask and so I'm asking and yeah…" Clearly I ramble when nervous; at least we're doing this over the phone and he doesn't need to see how red I am.

"Slow down Sookie. I think it's honorable that your grandmother wants to meet me. I would enjoy meeting her as well, clearly she's important to you. Is this what you had planned for the date you wanted to take me on?"

It's clear by the tone of his voice that he's kidding, but the humor is most welcome and puts me at ease immediately. We hammer out some details and decide to grab lunch on Wednesday of this week. Eric's schedule allots him a free in the middle of the day and I'm off work. Unless Gran has a bingo game I'm unaware of, it should work for all of us. We plan to meet at a local restaurant and I am pretty excited that I get to see Eric before Friday.

We chat some more, the conversation flowing easily before he says he has to go and do some work.

"It was really nice talking to you Eric, thanks again for the flowers and the kitchen utensils, I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome Sookie, I'm very glad you like it all. It was a pleasure speaking with you as well. I'm very glad you called."

My smile grows impossibly bigger as I hang up the phone and I flounce back into the couch, every inch a completely smitten kitten.

A/N: meow.