When I woke later that afternoon, I felt more rested and energized than I had in weeks. I knew that a portion of that feeling was due to taking Godric's blood. It could also be that my body was finally able to relieve some tension with the great sex I'd had yesterday. I blushed simply remembering the things I'd done since returning from Dallas.

My entire world had been turned upside down. I'd been held prisoner and almost raped, and then my first love, who I thought was dead, rescued me, and also saved Jason and I from being shot. He'd also become my lover. I found out that my first lover had betrayed me from the very beginning. I was more or less living with a man I thought I'd hate 'til the day I die, and he'd become my lover as well. The house I grew up in was burned to the ground, and some nut job who wanted to kill me was going to try to blow up the bar I worked at.

I pushed all of that to the back of my mind. I didn't want to think about all the changes just now. I wanted to try and enjoy the rest of my afternoon, and then have a nice, fun, shopping trip with Godric and Jessica.

After I'd showered and gotten dressed, I left the bedroom in search of the kitchen, and more importantly, the food Eric had mentioned this morning. I found the kitchen, and wasn't at all surprised at how small it was. In all honesty, it wasn't much bigger than my bathroom back home had been. After poking around in a few cupboards, I found some coffee, and was very grateful to see that Eric had even been smart enough to buy a coffee maker as well. I'd have to make sure to thank him for that, later.

Once I had a steaming mug of coffee in my hands, I looked around a little more, and found a loaf of bread, some butter and jam, and a toaster. After I'd finished eating, I took my mug of coffee and went to find the library. I noted where the TV was, but really didn't feel like turning it on at all. I looked through the many stacks of books, and was pleased to find a book about the history of Vikings. I saw down in a comfortable looking chair, and began to flip through the pages.

After a while, I checked my watch, noting that it was only about 15 minutes until sunset. I wanted to be back in the bedroom when my vampires rose, so, I replaced the book, put the coffee mug back in the kitchen, and crawled back into the bed in between my two lovers. I had to stifle a giggle when I thought of them that way, but, that's truly what they were.

Eric was on his stomach, and Godric was on his side, with about a foot of space between them. I crawled in, and put my back to Godric's chest, and then twined my legs with Eric's. It just felt so right being cuddled up to the two of them. I realized that someday soon I would really have to analyze why that was, but, for now, I would just enjoy it.

Even though I wasn't facing him, I knew the exact moment Godric woke up. He snaked his arm around my waist, pulled me tight against his body, and placed a kiss to my neck. "Good evening, my love," he said. His voice was raspy; it was quite the turn on.

I rubbed his arm with my hand, and said, "Hi, honey."

"Have you had a pleasant day?"

"Yes, I have actually." As I continued to speak, Eric woke up, and turned so he was on his side, facing me. "I spent some time in the library looking through a book on Vikings." Eric's eyebrows rose appreciatively.

"Were you able to find something to eat?" Godric asked.

"Yes, I was. I had some toast, it was very nice. Which reminds me…" I leaned over to Eric and placed a tender kiss to his mouth. "Thank you for the coffee maker. You have NO idea how much better I feel after I've had coffee when I wake up."

Eric just chuckled a bit, and mumbled something about wanting to keep me sane.

Godric got up out of the bed, and started to walk towards the bathroom. "Well, if I'm to accompany two young ladies to the mall, I'd best be getting ready. I'm sure the stores won't stay open very late. Besides, I'm sure the two of you could use some time together, since you probably won't see much of each other tonight." With a wink, he left us, and went into the bathroom.

The moment the door shut, Eric rolled to his back and pulled me on top of him, and just held me close. I loved moments like these. Just being held close, feeling cherished. He softly stroked my back, and placed kisses into my hair. "Sookie, you need to be thinking about what you'd like to do with the land your home was on. Although the structure itself could not be saved, there was no real damage to the land itself. You can rebuild, if you'd like."

I hadn't thought of that. I picked my head up and looked into his eyes. "What do you think I should do?"

He smirked, and said, "Well, personally, I wouldn't mind having you here with me as long as you'd like to stay. But, I know that won't make you happy in the long run. You'll want some independence. If you'd like, I can have some contractors draw up a few plans, and you can choose the layout you'd like, and we can have construction begin immediately."

"I don't know what to do, Eric. I think it would just be odd to see a brand new house where the old one used to be. Can I take a couple of days to think about it?"

"You can take as much time as you'd like, darling." I smiled, and rolled off of him, onto my back next to him.

"Eric?" He raised his eyebrows in question and looked at me.

"Kiss me?" That's all I needed to say. He moved so fast, that before I knew it, he was on top of me, kissing me leisurely. I could tell by his kiss that he knew I didn't want to have sex. Well, not right now anyway. I just wanted the intimacy of being with him, in our bed.

I hadn't put my hair in a ponytail, so he felt free to let him hands run through the strands, lightly massaging. It felt phenomenal. I placed my own hands on his shoulders, and then let them gradually make their way to his chest. Eric had the most magnificent chest I'd ever seen. Muscular and toned, with just a small smattering of hair. He was truly beautiful.

A small while later, Godric exited the bathroom, and silently moved around the room, dressing, and getting ready for the trip to the mall. Once he was dressed, he cleared his throat to catch our attention. "I hate to interrupt, but I believe Jessica is waiting for us, Sookie."

With a sigh of resignation, Eric and I stood up off the bed. I slipped my shoes back on, and then walked over to give Eric a quick hug goodbye. "Will I see you before dawn?"

"I'm not sure. I have some important business to attend to at the bar, so, we'll just have to see how things go." I frowned, but nodded my understanding. After one more quick kiss, I turned, and left the room with Godric.

Jessica was in the kitchen, sipping a True Blood. "There you are!" She was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Calm down, Jess. It's just the mall. We're not going to Disneyworld or anything."

Jessica and I laughed at the slightly confused look on Godric's face. "I know, it's nothing special. But, it'll be the first time I've been shopping and could actually afford to buy nice things! Before we went to Dallas, Bill gave me a credit card and said that he'll pay the bill for it as long as it's necessary purchases. Luckily for me, he deems nice clothing to be necessary! Oh, and please don't let me forget, I need to buy a new charger for my cell phone. I think I left mine in Dallas, and my phone's been dead for three days!"

Godric led us into the garage, and directed us to a very inconspicuous 4-door vehicle. I think it was a Civic. I couldn't imagine Eric buying something so mundane, so, I'm sure someone else had purchased it for him for a reason. Shortly after we'd left the house, Godric reached over and twined his fingers with mine, and placed our joined hands on my knee. I looked at him and smiled. This kind of thing was what I had missed about being with him. He always wanted to have some sort of physical contact with me. But, he never made it something I wouldn't have been comfortable with other people seeing. He knew I didn't really approve of public displays of affection. Heck, I didn't even really approve of public talks of affection. This was another thing about my little "arrangement" with Eric and Godric that confused me. Normally, I would've been embarrassed to have Godric simply KNOW I'd made out with Eric. Yet, tonight, it didn't faze me to have him in the same room with us at the same time.

We pulled into a parking spot and made our way into the mall. Since it was one of the first stores we passed, Godric and I waited while Jessica ran into Radio Shack and bought a new charger for her cell phone. Then, we made our way to some clothing stores to start rebuilding my wardrobe. I found several things I liked, but kept passing them by once I'd seen the price tags. Finally, Godric grabbed my hand, and asked me why I wasn't picking anything out. "I just can't bring myself to spend $75 on a pair of jeans. It's just too much. I'd rather go to Walmart and get some for $15."

"Sookie, don't let the price affect your decision about whether or not to buy things. I know that you hate spending money frivolously, but don't think of this as that. Sure, you could go someplace else and buy a pair of pants for less money. And in 6 months, you'd probably have to replace them because they'd become worn out in the dryer. Or, you can spend more money now, and get a pair that will last much longer. Believe me, it's a better investment in the long run." I stifled a laugh. I'd never heard anyone refer to jeans as an investment. But, he had a point. So, I began picking out things I liked so I could try them on.

Two hours, and about $1000 later, I had several new pairs of pants, shorts, skirts, tops, a few dresses, and five new pair of shoes. I was still having problems spending that much money on clothes, but, once again, Godric gave me a practical reason for not being so uptight about it. He told me that, if we had taken all of my clothes that were ruined in the fire, and added up how much money I'd spent on them, it would likely come to much more money than I'd just spent. I just wasn't used to having to buy all of this at once. And, also once again, he was right.

As we were walking back towards the side of the mall where we'd parked, my cell phone rang. Looking at it, I realized that I didn't at all recognize the number on the caller id.

"Hello?"

"Sookie?" Oh, great, just who I wanted to talk to.

"Bill, why are you calling me?"

"Sookie, I apologize, I was just a little desperate and didn't know what else to do. I've been trying to reach Jessica for some time now, and she doesn't answer. I was beginning to get worried."

"Oh. She lost the charger for her phone, and just bought a new one tonight."

"She's there with you, then?"

"Yes, she is. Would you like to speak with her for a moment?" I couldn't believe he would call me just to make sure she was okay, and then not talk to her.

"If you wouldn't mind, I'd truly appreciate it."

I held my phone out to Jessica. "It's Bill. He was worried when he wasn't able to reach you on your cell." She took me the phone from me, and apologized to Bill that she'd been so hard to reach. As much as I hated to admit it, I couldn't deny that Bill genuinely cared about Jessica's well-being. Well, I didn't think I could deny it anyway. I also thought he'd truly loved me.

As if he sensed my growing agitation, Godric signaled to Jessica that she should stay there to talk to Bill, and that he and I would go into a store to look around while we waited. It wasn't until we were actually in the store that I realized where we were.

"What, so just because you tell me you love me, and we're sleeping together, you think I'm gonna buy something pretty to wear for you from Victoria's Secret?" I asked in a joking tone.

"No, not at all. Actually, I noticed their sign said they're having a sale on their lotions, and I remember that you liked several of their scents."

"Uh huh, like I believe that!" We just smiled as he led me to the lotion section of the store. He was right, there were a few of their lotions that I absolutely loved, and always made sure to buy when they were on sale. Once I'd picked out a couple of bottles, I couldn't help but notice that he had wandered away from me, and was looking at lace teddies.

A saleswoman made her way over to him. "See anything you like, sir?" I had to try very hard not to laugh out loud when I heard what she was really thinking when she asked that question. "See anything you'd like to rip off my body while you fuck me senseless?"

"Several items, actually." He was being so smooth with her, it was a bit disconcerting.

She leaned in closer to him before saying, "Well, the best way to judge is to actually see it on a body." You didn't need to be a mind-reader to catch her true meaning there.

"Indeed, a very good point." He turned from her and looked to me. "Darling, could I convince you to come try a few things on for me?" I immediately put up my shields, but not before I heard the woman think "Oh, gross. What is a god like him doing with a tramp like that?"

"But doesn't that ruin the fun of the anticipation?" I asked while making my way to him. The saleswoman took that as her cue to walk away. Not soon enough as far as I was concerned.

He chuckled lightly, very aware of what had just happened, as if he could read her thoughts just as well as I could. "Now, tell me, Sookie. Would you truly be upset if I bought you a gift while we were here?"

I put my hand on his chest and simply said, "Oh, I guess that would be alright. Since it would be as much a gift for you as it would for me." He smiled, and since his fangs were most of the way out, I knew he agreed. As he looked at a few more things trying to make a decision, I browsed around a bit more. I found myself looking at a few things that were a bit more risqué than I would normally get. I decided I'd have to use one of the cars and come back on another day. It just felt weird picking out lingerie to wear for Eric while I was shopping with Godric.

One he picked something out and paid for it, and I'd paid for my lotions, we found Jessica patiently waiting for us, and went back to the car. Godric asked if I was hungry, and I said that I was. He went through the drive thru line at Wendy's for me, and we made our way to Fangtasia. I was nervous about taking my food in, because I knew that all the vampires would smell it for days most likely. But, Godric said it would be fine. He led us into Eric's office, which, oddly enough, was completely empty. He left to go to the bar to get a bottle of blood for Jessica, and when he came back, he said he needed to speak with Eric, and that under no circumstances should we leave the office. That struck me as odd. Was there something going on that they didn't want me to see?

I was just beginning to think about what they could be hiding from me, when Jessica said, "Bill asked me lots of questions about you on the phone tonight."

"Oh, really? What did he want to know?"

"Well, first off, he wanted to know how bad the damage was to your house, and if Eric had any idea who'd started the fire yet. When I told him the house was completely destroyed, he told me to tell you that he was very sorry to hear that, especially since he knew how much the house meant to your family."

I nodded. Bill had known the Stackhouse's when the house was first built. "He also asked me if you were seeing Godric or Eric." She waggled her eyebrows when she said this.

"Did he now? And what did you tell him?"

"Oh, I told him that considering everything that is going on, you've been in the presence of at least one of them almost constantly. He didn't seem very happy about that answer. But, honestly, it's not my place to say anything, and it's not his business, anyhow."

I was impressed. "Jessica, I appreciate you standing up for me, but, don't get yourself into trouble by lying to your maker. That's bad."

"Oh, I didn't lie. Sookie, I know that he's my maker, and yes, I am concerned for him. But, on the way back from Bon Temps last night, Godric told me what Bill had done. That's just terrible. He deceived you, manipulated you, and maybe even used you. That's not excusable as far as I'm concerned."

Before we had the chance to talk about it any longer, Godric came back. He sat down at Eric's house and looked over some paperwork, not saying a word. Almost as soon as I'd finished my food, he looked up, and said that it was time to go. I wanted to know what had happened to ruin his mood, but, I knew he probably wouldn't tell me. And, let's face it, I probably didn't want to know.

When we got back to the house, Jessica gave me a quick hug and said she was going to plug her phone in and call Hoyt. Godric and I told her goodnight, and made our way back to the bedroom we'd been sharing with Eric. He reclined on the bed, and watched me move about, hanging up all the new clothes I'd just bought. When I was finished, he pulled out the small bag containing his purchase from Victoria's Secret. "Sookie, would you mind modeling this for me?"

"Oh, I guess I could do that. But, only because you were a good boy tonight and didn't complain about waiting for me to try on clothes for two hours like most men would do!" He waggled his eyebrows, and I took the sack from him and headed into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, added a little more make-up, and fluffed up my hair just a bit for the effect. I opened the sack to find a very pretty plum colored satin slip with copper colored lace trim. I put it on, and looked in the mirror, taking in the full effect. Hey, I looked pretty good!

I turned out the light, and opened the door to the bedroom, to find that Godric had lit several candles and had them in various spots in the room. It was very romantic. As I stood in the doorway, he came towards me, and I saw the color of his eyes darken with desire as he looked me up and down. Apparently, he approved of his purchase.

When he was standing directly in front of me, he wrapped his arms around my waist, gently pulling me to him, and said, "You, my darling, are a vision. You are more beautiful than I could've ever imagined." I smiled, and leaned to kiss him. We stood there, holding each other, just kissing for a few minutes. Then, he put his hands under my butt and picked me up, walking us to the bed. He sat down and scooted until his back was on the pillows, and I was on his lap. His mouth traveled down my neck, and shoulders, as his hands caressed my breasts through the soft material. He had me squirming and moaning in no time.

Just as I felt his mouth close over my nipple through the satin, I knew I could take no more. I needed him, now. I reached down and started to push off his boxers (why in the hell was he still wearing them?), and he smiled as he helped me take them off of him. I moved from sitting on my butt to kneeling, and I took him in my hand and guided him to my entrance. As I slowly lowered myself onto him, I heard a low growl rumble through his chest. Once he filled me completely, he sat up and kissed me fiercely once again. After a moment, he laid himself down, and put his hands on my hips to guide me. I started to move in a slow pace, savoring the feeling of him inside me. In the back of my mind, I registered a change in the atmosphere of the room, and I started to look around to see what had caused it, but, Godric sat up suddenly and took my breast into his mouth, immediately commanding all of my attention. After a few moments, I began to speed things up, and I could tell that we were both getting close to reaching our peak. I looked him in the eyes to make sure he saw my intentions, and bent my head to the side, offering him my neck. He ran his tongue over my tender flesh, but didn't bite down. Just as I felt the beginnings of my orgasm, he bit down, and it sent me catapulting to heights I had never before experienced. I felt him shutter a moment later, and knew he'd had his own release.

After I'd had a moment to catch my breath, I lie down at his side, and put my head on his chest. He turned his face to mine and kissed me tenderly, and told me he loved me.

"I love you, too Godric," I said as I felt my eyes beginning to close. As I drifted off to sleep, I saw a movement across the room, and it finally dawned on me what the change I felt had been. Eric had been watching us make love.

A/N Ooh, that Eric, he's a sneaky one! There's a link on my profile to the pretty little teddie Godric bought for Sookie. Enjoy....and REVIEW!!