Chapter ten

Once we had finished our small reunion, Godric smiled "Come on, let's go to Sookie's so we can all sit down, and explain what just happened and how you two escaped."

I drove with Godric around the corner to Sookie's and when there, I immediately reheated some food.
Once I was eating, I sat beside Godric, wincing as my skin was tender from the explosion.
"So, Dani, what happened when you so rudely pushed us out?" Bill asked his arm around Sookie. Eric sat on the other side of me, patting Libby silently.

"Well, I got away, and then drove Godric's car into a tree, I'm sorry for that, I'd say I'd replace the car, but Sam doesn't pay me that much" I said to Godric, who shrugged. "And then I kind of blacked out because I had used my gift so much, I couldn't heal myself. They must have taken me somewhere because I woke up in my old bedroom chained to the bed. But I melted the chains and then went to get out. On the way I met Eric but it was daylight so I waited for night to escape with him. They weren't very well planned and security wise, they sucked."

Eric nodded in agreement "I was in a silver cage and she just melted the locks off. We walked and then caught a taxi to my old place. It was almost day light so I got the coffin into the car and then went in there."

"I packed up some food and drinks, True Blood for Eric, and just as I was about to leave, someone hits me. The army people found us and I couldn't fight them all, so I just drove off and didn't stop driving until dark, when Eric took over for me. I was so tired"

"She hadn't slept in almost 30hours or something" Eric added.

I nodded, resting my head on Godric. "But where safe now" I whispered, closing my eyes. "Eric, how were you captured?" I asked.

"Well, we were pushed out by your glowing shield. And then everyone went to leave in the car but someone was out the back waiting, they shot me badly but I told everyone to leave. I'm surprised you kept going" Eric explained.
"I didn't want to, Bill was driving" Godric said, laughing at Bills face.

"I was trying to get Sookie out of danger!" He defended.

"Yeah, but I had just been shot!" Eric growled.

I lifted a hand and placed it on Eric's knee "Where all safe, does it matter now?"

Godric sniffed, looking back from me to Eric, and then leaned over closer to Eric, sniffing him. "Eric, did you drink from her?" He asked, angrily.

My head shot up "Now how the hell did you know that?" I asked.

Godric got angry, then sad, and then in his face, I could see betrayal. "I thought you were waiting for me Dani!" He said.

"But wait! I didn't... he didn't bite me!"

"Well, how can I smell your blood in him?"

"You can do that?" I asked, sniffing myself.

Godric nodded

"I didn't bite her, I made sure of that. It was just I was so thirsty, and exhausted. We had to make a quick getaway and I could barely stand!" Eric explained. "So, she cut herself for me, I swear on my life Godric, I wouldn't do that, not to you"

Godric relaxed and nodded "Sorry to have doubted you" Then he looked at me "Both of you"
I tried to keep awake, I did, while they were all talking, but eventually it all caught up with me and I drifted off to sleep.
I woke up at 4am; Libby was curled up at my feet. It was almost dawn, but Godric wasn't here. He usually leaves about 4.30. He should still be here.

I got up and frowned at my clothes, I wasn't wearing shorts and a tank top when I started. "Godric?" I whispered, passing Sookie and Bills room, where I grimaced at the noises inside there.

I managed to make it to the lounge room before I became dizzy. I was still so tired.

I turned into the room to find Godric looking intently at the TV, Eric beside him. "What's going on?" I slurred, plopping down beside Godric, who wrapped his arm around me. "We were just about to go make the shed light-tight, since Bills house has been blown up, but the TV was on and well, look" Godric explained.

I leaned into Godric "Who changed me?" I whispered.

"Sookie" He answered, then told me to be quiet and pay attention.

There, on the TV, was Steve Newlin.

"And finally, we feel that it is important to realise how dangerous vampires are and I must stress how it is vital that they are all exterminated. It's a matter of our safety."

Godric scoffed and turned it off, turning to me. "We have to get the shed ready..."

Eric stood "I'll do it; I'll call you when I'm done"

"Thanks Eric" Godric said, turning to me and then pulling me against him.

We just stayed silent, just holding each other, thankful for the company of each other. "I love you Dani" He whispered, kissing my cheeks.

"Love you too" I replied before I kissed him properly on the lips.

After a few kisses, Bill came out of Sookie's room, clearing his throat "Is the shed ready?" He asked, frowning at the idea of it.

I shrugged, holding closer to Godric.

"Let's go see then" Godric said, standing up.

When I didn't let go, he picked me up with him. "You too?" He mumbled, holding me close, my legs around his waist and my head on his shoulder.

I nodded, "I want to sleep in the shed" I mumbled.

Eric must have heard, because he came in laughing and said "Yeah, you sleep in my hole and I'll sleep in your bed"

"You have to sleep in the ground?" I asked Godric. "That sucks. Don't get eaten by worms, okay" I laughed at my own pathetic joke.
"What's wrong with her?" Bill asked, lying down

"She's tired" Godric explained, standing me up "I'm going to bury these two, will you bury me?"

I frowned "I want to get married first."
"What?" Godric laughed.
"I want to get married before I have to bury the one I love"

"I'm only being buried to sleep, not to be put to rest" He explained through my sleep clouded mind. "I need you to bury me and then lock the door okay?"

I nodded and watched him bury his friends before lying down and handing me the key.

"Keep it safe, okay?" he told me as I threw dirt on him.

"Sure, I'll eat it" I joked.

"No, just keep it safe"

"I know!" I said, putting dirt on his head.

He shook it off "Be nice"

Once he was buried, I locked the door and wandered back inside, falling asleep on the couch.

I woke up to noise in the kitchen and sat up to see Sookie walking around in underwear. "Ah Sook, put some clothes on" I mumbled.

"It's nothing you don't have" She said, swaying her hips.

I fell back down and surprised myself by going back to sleep... again.

I woke up and it was 3pm now. I would have kept resting, but I was starving and couldn't be bothered cooking. So instead, I got the bike and road into town to eat at Merlottes, Libby riding along next to me.

"Hey Dani, welcome back" Sam greeted as I came inside. It was quiet here, since it was after lunch and before dinner. "Here to work?" he asked, confused most likely.

"Nah, there's no food in the house; I'm here to find nutrients!" I explained.

He nodded "We'll, you know what to do"

I went up to Lafayette in the window "hey, want to make me something special?" I asked him.

He raised an eyebrow "Like what?"

"Um, nachos?" I asked, suddenly craving them.

"Sure Dani, sit down, Sookie can bring it over"

I sat at the table and waited for my food. When Sookie brought it over, I paid her then and then dug in and waited at Merlottes for time to pass. I played the kiddie games Sam gives to the kids when they get a kid meal. It was 5pm when I rode back, Libby following. Once home, I unlocked the door to the shed. Then I went and waited inside the house.
The three vampires came in soon, and were all very dirty. Eric went upstairs to shower first because he had to leave for Fangtasia very soon.

I gave True Blood to Bill and Godric while they waited for a spare bathroom. We had two, one downstairs and one upstairs, but the downstairs one was leaking.

"Want a hug?" Godric offered, opening his arms, small flecks of dirt falling to the ground.

I raised my eyebrows. "Ah, no I'm fine... you're a bit dirty... that's all."

"I'm very dirty" he whispered, earning a cough from Bill.

Things went back to normal, for a few weeks. The longest time I've spent in peace. Me and Godric had grown closer and now, tomorrow actually, it is my 16th birthday. Sookie had been saying I was 15 going on to 35.

"Dani" A voice behind me said.

I freaked and jumping so high I thought I might have hit the roof, in the process, I dropped the jug of juice I had been pouring. I swore in shock.

Libby began to bark but when she came into the room, she relaxed, knowing who the man was.

The man laughed.

I turned "Don't do that!" I scolded as he began to pick up the pieces of the jug that he made me break.

He finished cleaning before opening the fridge and then pulling out a bottle of True Blood. We always kept some on hand.

"Help yourself" I mumbled.

"Will do" He replied, throwing himself onto the couch as if he owned the place. Well, I suppose he does. Not own the place, but live here. Bill and Godric had moved into Sookie's house because there's had been too unstable to live in now. So we had all spent a Saturday night building an underground bedroom for them. Well, they did it, we watched and laughed. They even have coffins down there, Sookie and I decorated them, Godric didn't like the fact that I made his coffin with pink racing stripes. I actually did it as a joke, but because he threw such a fit, I decided to keep them on for a little longer.

I laid down next to him and let him put his arm around me so I wouldn't fall off.

We stayed like that, vegetating in front of the TV for a few hours. I fell asleep, considering it was about 12am, and when Godric began to shift, I woke up. "Gotta go Hun" He said, picking me up bridal style. As he carried me upstairs to my room, he hummed a song to me. I didn't recognise it until he laid me down and covered me, whispering "Happy Birthday my love"

He had just hummed the happy birthday tune. Sweet.

I was half asleep but I murmured a thank you, before I fell back asleep.

"See you tonight" He mumbled, his lips on mine.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" I heard someone scream in my ear.

This made me jump and wack my head on her head. "Ow! Sookie!"

Happy Birthday Libby sang in my mind as she licked my foot.

"Thanks guys" I said happily, kissing Sookie as she handed me my present.
I sat up and opened it, smiling even more when I brought out the frame. I was of us all. Bill and Godric were standing behind Sookie and myself, Godric has his arms around me while Bill was kissing Sookie'\s cheek. Libby was sitting on the floor, tail in a mid wave and tongue hanging out, her ball a bit beside her. Then next to me and holding up two fingers, rabbit ears, behind Godric was Eric, laughing as I had reached out and punched his shoulder. This photo was taken at the wrong time, we had planned on posing nicely, but the timer went off quicker than we thought so it captured this. I loved it more though. It showed us as a family more than a posed photo would have.

"I love it" I told her, touching the faces in the frame.

The day was spent at the shops with Sookie; she said this was part of her other present, to buy something for me. We spent a few hours there before having lunch at our favourite place, Merlottes. I got a free meal, a card signed by the staff and a kiss on the cheek from Sam. Then from Lafayette, he gave a cute shirt that he picked out himself. I laughed at that, but loved it none the less.

We went home at 5 and waited for the sun to set, happy that the boys were able to come out soon. We watched the sun set as we swung on the porch swing and as soon as it does, Godric appeared by my side. "Happy Birthday Love" He said, kissing my cheek and pressing something into my hand.

Sookie discreetly let us be alone as Godric had placed the parcel in my hand. "I made this for you" He told me, kissing me again.

I opened it eagerly and then gasped as I stared down at what I assume to be a pure silver heart. Its edges were perfect in every way, the shape exact. "You made this?" I asked, not sure.

He nodded "Yeah, hurt too" He laughed then he pulled out the chain I always wore, I have actually never taken it off. It was the necklace he gave me. "This chain and necklace were made by my own grandfather, for my grandmother, so it's even older than me! She gave it to me and I've kept it, not really knowing who to give it to, until I met you. The first time you came down that cellar, you seemed young then, well, still under your fathers command, sort of. But you looked at me and helped me, despite knowing I could kill you. So, that is why I gave you this, because of how lovely you were to me the first time you ever met me. I knew then though, that you were the one. However, this was made by my grandfather, and has sentimental meanings from him and my family, but I have yet to actually give you my own token. So that is why I made you this."

He took the chain off, despite it burning; He slipped the heart he made onto it, letting it slide down next to the old one. It fit nicely. Then he put it back on my neck. "I love you Dani"

"I love you too" I whispered before kissing him, I had my hands over his and they glowed, healing him quickly.

We kissed for a few minutes before someone cleared there throat at the stairs. "Ah, is this a private party or can anyone join?" A man approaching our house asked.

I turned to find Eric, standing there in his normal black clothes but with a pink present in his hand. "Pam wrapped it" he explained. "But I picked it out"

I hugged Eric and then took the gift. "You didn't have to get me anything" I said, "I didn't even think you'd come down"

"Oh Dani, you are my favourite human, of course I would come down to see you on your birthday!"
"Hey!" Sookie called from inside, coming out to see who was here "What about me?"
"Okay, how about... Dani, you're my favourite Child human? Better?" He asked Sookie.

She smiled and sat on the step, waiting for me to open the present. Bill came out moments later, a small package in his own hand. "Happy Birthday Dani" He said, passing me the gift.

I opened Eric's first, pulling out a box for a phone... an Iphone. "Wow. This is... this is too much..." I muttered, staring at it.

"Important numbers, such as my own, are already programmed inside, all with personalised photos. So you can recognise who rings you! I thought you would need one, considering everything."

I put it carefully down and opened Bills present; it was a cover for it. "Thanks guys... really"

Libby was being patted by Sookie; she was talking less now that she hadn't really needed to protect me. It was kind of weird.

I suddenly realised Godric was gone. "Where'd Godric go?" I asked, hoping he was not upset by something.

Suddenly, he came out carrying a cake, the candles lit and sparkling. "Happy Birthday To you..." He began, the others joining in. This was all too normal... it was weird.

Once they finished the song, I blew out the candles and of course, made a wish. It might have been childish for me to try so hard for a wish, but I did it anyway.

As I blew out the candles, I scrunched up my face and wished: for peace.

Once the cake was cut, Sookie and I ate some cake while the boys drank some blood, when we finished the food Bill and Sookie left for a more private location, but also to give us some space. Then eventually Eric left and then Libby stood as well, stretching out and then bouncing into the forest so it was just us two and the big empty house.

Happy birthday, Dani She said happily as she left.

"There subtle" I mumbled, picking up the plates and taking them inside.

Godric's laugh followed me into the kitchen, "Let me clean up. You must be tired Dani, it's almost 1"

I shrugged "Are you tired?" I asked, looking at the shadows under his eyes. "Why are you not sleeping?"

"I am, it's just, I can hear you when you're up and about and it's nice... to sort of be with you during the day"

I sighed and sat on the kitchen bench while he cleaned the plates "Don't be silly, you need your strength Godric, it's been too long with nothing happening that I am beginning to be afraid that something big is going to happen!"

"Yeah, I'm worried about that too... but not today, today, right now, it's just me and you. Just me and you" He said, emphasising the me and you part.
He came and stood between my legs; his hands went behind me and pulled me closer to him. I automatically wrapped my legs around him and then he pulled me completely off the bench. I was surprised so I threw my arms around his neck, earning a chuckle from him. Once I was safe in his arms he then proceeded to carry me upstairs... towards... the bedroom...

"Godric" I whispered as he laid me down.

He smiled at me, before he began to kiss my neck "Yes?"

"You said... you said I was too young, that we were going to wait..."

"But your 16 now"

"I know... are you sure though?" I asked, trying to ignore the fact that he was trying to take off my shirt. It wasn't working.

"I am sure" Then he stopped and sat up, staring at me. "If you do not want this, say so and I will stop."

I stared at him for a very long time, his face was calm and in his eyes was lust. "I want this..." I whispered.

He frowned "You don't sound so certain"

"I'm just...worried. I'm sure you've had a lot of experience, and here I am, still a virgin... will it hurt?" I asked

"Dani, I'm not going to lie to you, I have had sex with many women, an amount I am slightly ashamed of. But I have had many years."

"What about when you were 16, as a human?"

He paused and his expression changed "I was married by then, to a young girl, not older than 14. It was arranged and we held no love for each other. We had 2 boys together and one girl, but the girl did not survive"

"Married?" I asked, surprised.

"Well, not legally married as in these times... but married in terms of how we were married in my day. But Dani, that was so many years ago, thousands. Do not worry about that"

I smiled at his sad face and knelt up, pressing my lips to his "Go slowly" I whispered as I unbuttoned his top.

He nodded at me before pushing me back down and continuing where he stopped.

As much as I would love to continue... I'm not very good at writing those particular scenes. Unfortunately.

Please review, I have the next chapter ready, so review and I'll update!

bex