A/N: I feel so much better having gotten those lemons out on paper! Thanks for the reviews, they were awesome!!

I don't own the great characters; I'm just playing in CH's backyard.

A HUGE thank you to Northwoman!! She rocks in all her betaness!! Any mistakes after she worked her magic, are all mine.

Sorry for the delay; I was having trouble with this chapter. I think I'm on track now.

Also, I am on Twitter now too. I'm kmsmith1975 there too!

Chapter 10

When I woke up the next morning, I was deliciously sore. I rolled over to snuggle up to Eric. He had been so sweet and so attentive to me yesterday. I couldn't grasp how lucky I was. Again, I slept great, and I wondered how I would ever sleep alone again. I was beginning to think about moving in with Eric like he asked yesterday. Was it too soon for that?

I felt Eric's arms tighten around me and he purred with contentment. "Good morning, my beautiful Sookie. How did you sleep?"

"Better than I ever have! I'm having a hard time figuring out how I will ever sleep alone again."

"You know, I was serious when I asked you to move in here, right? I have slept so much better with you here than I ever have. I know it's early, but think about it, ok?" He kissed my head.

I sighed, "I will think about it, but everything has happened so fast, I'm just afraid of things ending badly. I could get used to this though! Come on, we need to get moving; I can't wait to get to Gran's! My mouth is watering thinking of her cooking."

I jumped out of bed so fast, that Eric pouted. "Just a few more minutes of snuggling, please?"

"Ok, twist my arm, why don't you?" I laughed as I climbed back into his warm embrace.

Soon after Eric's snuggle time, we started to get ready to leave. We had about an hour drive to Bon Temps, and I was bouncing with excitement. My normally chipper in the morning roommate looked like she had been up all night.

She handed her keys to me, I giggled, "Rough night, Ames?"

"You could say that. Do you mind driving? I could really use a little more sleep."

"Sure, no problem, Ames, I think I might let Eric drive though, if that's ok?"

"Mmhmm, sure Sook." She pulled on her jacket and sat on the couch with her eyes closed.

Eric and Quinn emerged from their rooms, Quinn looked about as awake as Amelia, I could only wonder about how much fun they had last night. It's Thanksgiving, we're going to see Gran and Eric is with me!

"OK, let's get on the road; we should be there in about an hour. Does anyone need anything before we go? I asked.

"Coffee!" Amelia and Quinn said in unison.

I giggled, "Alright you two, let's go. There is a Starbucks on the way. We'll get you an IV and you should be good to go! Eric, do you mind driving?" I handed him the keys.

"Um, yeah, are you sure?" He took the keys from me.

"Absolutely! Let's go!"

After a quick trip to get coffee, we were on our way to Bon Temps. I could tell Eric was nervous, but he didn't let on that he was. He and I talked the whole way there about who would be there and what to expect. I assured him that Gran would love him and Jason, well my brother is who he is.

About the time we hit the 'Welcome to Bon Temps' Sign, Amelia woke up. "Wow, I slept the whole way? Quinn wake up, we're almost there." She handed us all gum to freshen our breath from the coffee and ran a brush through her hair.

"Hey Sook, before we leave tonight, do you mind stopping by my dad's house? There are some things I want to pick up."

"Sure Ames, we can do that when we are ready to leave. Turn here Eric, this is Hummingbird Lane; Gran's house is the white one to the left of the cemetery." I got excited, and started bouncing in my seat. "Oh, there's Jason! I am so excited for today, I just love the holidays!"

Eric pulled down the gravel driveway and stopped in front of the house. I jumped out of the car and ran to Jason. I jumped up to hug him, but I wanted to ask about Crystal and the baby. "Hi Jas! So does Gran know?"

He hugged me tight, "Hey Sis! Yeah, she knows, she wasn't happy at first, but has come around a bit. So introduce me to your man!"

I walked over to where Eric was standing, "Are you ready?" He nodded. "Eric, this is my brother Jason, Jason, this is my boyfriend Eric." They exchanged hellos and Amelia introduced Quinn to Jason as well. As we headed inside to see Gran, Eric held my hand. I squeezed it reassuringly.

As soon as the door opened, Gran was rushing into the living room toward us. "Sookie, my child, I'm so glad you are here!" She hugged me tight.

"Thanks Gran, I am so happy to be home with you! Oh, Gran, this is Eric, Eric this is my Gran, Adele Stackhouse."

Eric reached his hand out to shake Gran's hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Stackhouse. Thank you for inviting us to dinner."

"Oh, nonsense, call me Adele or Gran, everyone else does. Now come in and sit down, Sookie has told me so much about you."

Eric and I sat down on the couch as Gran gave Amelia a big hug and kiss. Amelia introduced Gran to Quinn. I asked if anyone would like a drink and went into the kitchen to get some tea. Gran followed me in and was smiling ear to ear.

"Well, my dear Sookie, you have yourself a very handsome man. I hope he treats you well."

"Oh, Gran, better than you can imagine! I told you about his hotel and the space he and his sister Pam are letting us use right? Well, Amelia and I have so many plans; I can't wait for you to see it!"

Gran came closer to me so no one else could hear her, "Sookie, I can tell something is different about you. You are glowing, my dear. I may be old, but I can tell when things happen. Please tell me you are being safe."

Gulp, how in the world did Gran know that? "Um, Gran, what are you talking about?"

"Pfft, you can't fool me dear, I can tell you have had sex with Eric."

I was shocked, I couldn't speak, I just blinked. "Umm..."

Gran laughed, "Sookie, my dear, I am not upset, I knew this would happen eventually. I just want you to be safe. I think we all can learn from your brother's mistakes. Now don't get me wrong, I am beyond thrilled to be a great-grandma. I want you to be sure about what you are doing. Have you gone to see a doctor?"

"No, not yet, Gran. I guess I should do that soon huh?" I could tell I was red in the face. This was so embarrassing to be talking about with my Gran, but who else would I talk to about it?

Just as soon as she brought it up, she changed the subject. "Sookie, grab those trays in the fridge, the cheese and dips. I have crackers and chips over there to go with them."

As I was getting them out, Amelia came in to see if we needed any help. I gave her a silent 'thank you' for distracting Gran more. Between the three of us, we got the drinks, and snacks out to the living room.

Gran was asking Eric questions about his hotel, and his travels. She was fascinated by how many places he had been. Thankfully he didn't mind all of Gran's questions. He really had some fascinating stories.

I had gotten up to help Gran check on dinner, and when I came back, Eric wasn't there. Amelia noticed my expression and pointed out the door. Eric was on his cell phone. I didn't want to disturb him, in case it was business, but I wanted to be near him.

The old door creaked as I stepped onto the porch, making Eric turn toward me. He smiled and waved me over to him. He mouthed, "Pam" and I nodded.

I sat down next to him on the swing, listening to his one sided conversation. I had to laugh at what I heard, even though I didn't know what she was saying. "I'll see what I can do, Pam. OK, yes, uh huh. Got it. I will. Pam! Stop. I'm hanging up now. I'm sure you do. You are a brat! Goodbye!" And he shut his phone.

"Sorry about that. My sister and her ideas. I swear we don't come from the same parents!"

I giggled and leaned into him. He hugged me to his side and kissed my temple. "So, Pam wanted to let me know that she will be in New York for a while longer. I guess Sophie and she will be designing some socialite's loft and it is scheduled to be an eight week job. She wanted to know if we all would join her for Christmas in New York City?"

"We, as in you and me? Eric, I can't leave Gran or Jason on Christmas!"

He smiled at me, "We, as in you, me, Jason, Gran, Amelia, and anyone else who wants to come along. Have you ever been to NYC?"

"Um, no, but it will be so expensive to fly up there at Christmas time. We can't afford that just yet."

"Sweetie, I have a jet, it won't cost anybody anything. Plus we have a huge house there. I think it has like ten bedrooms, each with its own bathroom attached. It's a crazy big house. It would be so cool to have Christmas up there! I've never been there for Christmas, but always wanted to. It just didn't seem right to have me and Pam in that giant house alone for the holidays. What do you say? Will you go?"

To say I was shocked again with how much money he had was an understatement. The fact that he so freely shared what he had without asking for anything in return was amazing. "I..I don't know, Eric. We will have to ask Gran, it would be fun, I suppose."

"Alright, it's settled, let's go ask her now before things get too crazy." He grabbed my hand and dragged me into the kitchen to where Gran was.

"Adele, could I have a word with you?" I saw my Grandmother's eyes light up when Eric talked to her.

"Why, of course, is something wrong, dear?"

"No, that was my sister on the phone. She is in New York City helping a friend out with a new project. It will take them until after New Year's Day to finish up, so she and I won't be together for Christmas."

Gran interjected, "Oh, that poor dear. Will she be alright alone?"

"Well, she wanted to know if everyone would like to spend Christmas in New York City? Now before you say anything, she wants everyone, that includes you, Adele. We own a huge house that just sits there, and I have a private jet to get everyone there. It wouldn't cost you a thing to go. We could all sight see and just enjoy each other for Christmas. What do you say, Gran, will you come along?" Boy that man could sell milk to a cow, he was so convincing.

I could see Gran thinking it over. She said, "Well, I have always wanted to see New York, and it's so pretty in the pictures I have seen.......OK, I'll go."

I jumped up and down and then hugged her. "Oh, Gran we will have so much fun! I can't wait!"

Eric, ever the pragmatist, "Adele, you and Jason are coming to Sookie's Commencement right?" She nodded. "Well, it's a week before Christmas, so why don't we plan on leaving a day or so after and spending the week before Christmas wandering around New York and then we can have a big dinner and just relax. We can stay as long as you want, there is so much to see and do. I'd recommend staying through New Years Day, it's a great place to be then." His eyes lit up when he talked about it.

We spent the rest of the day and dinner discussing our trip to New York City for Christmas. Jason was excited, and said he would talk to Crystal about going too. Eric called Pam back and told her as well. She was excited and said she was planning on a 'girls only' day.

Pretty soon we had to head back to Shreveport, we didn't want to leave, but we didn't bring any clothes along. We said our goodbyes and headed to Amelia's house. I told Gran I would call her and we would work out all the details of our little vacation.

"Ames, what did you need to get from your dad's house?" I asked as we drove.

"My dad found some old family photos that he wanted me to have, plus some of my grandmother's jewelry. He said it would all be boxed up and waiting, so other than that, I'm really not sure." She shrugged.

When we got to her house, there was indeed a giant box waiting for her. But what she didn't know was that there was one waiting for me as well. Amelia and I looked at each other and didn't know what to think. There was a card on top addressed to Amelia. It read:

Dear Amelia,

While on a recent trip to New Orleans, I came across your old Nanny, Octavia in a restaurant. She was so happy to see me, and asked if I could come to her house later that day.

When I got there, she handed me these two wrapped boxes, one for you, and the other for Sookie.

I'm curious to know what's inside. I will see you soon Amelita.

Love, Dad

As Amelia and I tore into the boxes, Eric and Quinn just looked on in awe. We were like two little kids at Christmas. We opened the box at the same time, and both gasped. What we found was a leather bound photo scrapbook, with our names embossed across the front. We opened them up and immediately the tears fell.

Octavia was Amelia's Nanny for years, and since we were always together, mine as well. She took us everywhere she could and always had a camera on her. I think she used to develop at least ten rolls of film each week. She always said one day we would understand why she took so many pictures.

"Oh, Amelia, look at these pictures! She caught us in the most innocent and happy times of our life. I can't believe she did this for us. I am overwhelmed!"

"Sookie, I know, me too. Definitely unexpected. She did always say we would appreciate her pictures one day. I guess she was right."

Quinn walked up to us and asked, "What's so special about these? They are just photo albums, can we go now?"

Eric looked pissed at Quinn, "Hey, what is wrong with you? Go wait outside for us, can you not see that these are sentimental?" He pushed Quinn toward the door, and turned to us, "Sook, Amelia, take as long as you need ok?"

We both nodded because as our tears spilled down our faces. "Ames, do you have a number for her? We really need to call her, this was so thoughtful. Our whole childhood is here captured in pictures!"

"I don't know, but my dad saw her, so maybe he does? We can call him from the car. Do you think Eric would mind driving again? I'd like to sit and look through the book."

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Where is the stuff you wanted to get? We can have the guys load it into the trunk."

"Oh, it's just this box here, I wonder if the pictures he wanted me to have were Octavia's?"

"Let's get them loaded up and we can go through them when we get back. Ames, would it be ok if we stayed with Eric and Quinn again tonight? I don't want to sleep alone after seeing all these pictures. She has pictures of my parents." I started to cry thinking about them. She hugged me tight and we cried remembering my parents.

Eric came back in to check on us and noticed me crying. He came right over to me, "Hey, why the tears?" He hugged me and kissed my forehead.

I leaned into him and sighed. He was my comfort zone, and we really hadn't known each other very long. I pulled back from him, "It's all the pictures, Eric, there are some of my parents and I was just thinking of them. Can I stay with you tonight?"

"Of course you can Sookie. Let's get all this packed up so we can head back. Do you want me to drive so you and Amelia can look at your books?"

"Yes!" We both said together. We loaded up and set out for home. Home. Funny how I associate Eric's place with home. Hmm, I will have to think about that; but not today.