A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the delay. Life in the forms of a kindergartener catching anything that passes over the roof has held me up on posting. Thankfully, I have only caught one or two of the myriad of colds and flu that she has.
Chapter eleven:
Friday, the fourteenth dawns and I pull out all the stops. Push those puppies up as far as they will go. I wear the same outfit I wore to the club and throw on my boots. I change my scent. Because my boys are picking me up, I run up to the bus stop. Everyone is surprised when I walk in.
One of our vice principals dresses up in a huge heart costume and throughout the day passes out carnations. I figured I might get some.
I call Eric's cell to wish him a good day at school. They are leaving at noon. I kneel down and arrange my skirt so no one can see what's under it. "Country must be Country Wide" rings and I answer it, waiting for my friends to get back from the caf.
"Morning Alcide, Happy flying baby in a diaper day to you." He laughs. "Right back at you, Sis. I just hope you can handle the hours before seeing me again and of course the spaz I call my brother."
"I am counting the seconds, big guy. Oh how am I going to live?" We both crack up. "Feel better?" I ask.
"Yeah. See you later."
My day is typical, as it can be with a 6 ft. 2in. marauding heart roaming the school. I walk into the lunch room, carrying not only my bag but, an armload of carnations, which is funny seeing as they are from two guys, with very angry girlfriends. They had sent me their share too. I had beaten the popular crowd in, so I placed them where the girls sat. I whited out my name and wrote theirs instead. My group saunters in and sits down. I am about to get up again, to get some food, when "Crazy Girl" starts playing. I go to answer my phone when I realize it's coming from the loudspeaker. I look at my friends, who are as dumbfounded as I am. A gasp in front of me brings my head forward.
"Who're the hot cowboys?" I smile. Those are my hot cowboys, well one of them. Eric is carrying in a huge bouquet of baby pink and soft yellow roses, purple hellebore, lavender, blue columbine, sweet peas, black, deep blue and burgundy petunias, and stargazer lilies. There must be a dozen of each of the roses and lilies in the thing. That cost an arm and a leg. They are fully decked out; hat, boots and buckles. Alcide catches sight of me and points me out to Eric, who smiles. When I get up, he takes the flowers from Eric and tips his hat to me. I fly into my cowboy's arms. Eric picks me up and spins me around a few times, before letting me down again.
"You forgot something in Tennessee, little lady." He drawls for all to hear. Man, he's laying it on thick, but I've missed him so much. I'll take it any way I can get it.
"Oh, and what's that cowboy?" I play along. "This." He dips me low and lays the most sinful kiss on me. I have to remind myself that I am at school, before I crawl up him, like I want to. His eyes are glazed over when I break away. 'I've missed you. I love you. I will prove it too. ' The whole lunchroom whoops.
"I can't stay. We'll be back in a couple of hours. I have an appointment with destiny. Bye" He pecks me on the lips and hugs me. Alcide hands me my flowers and hugs me too before following him out. 'I see what he is talking about; it feels good to hold you.'
Alcide turns and calls out. "I like the orchard, Sis. I'm going to convince Dad to put one in." He waves and runs to catch up with Eric. That means they have been by my house already. I read the card.
"To my girl, I love you with my whole heart. Your man, Eric" I go back to my seat in my own little world. I am sitting down when I notice a second card. This one's from Alcide.
"Sis, hold on tight. Pam's up and all of us are going tonight. Time to break out the Honky Tonk Sook we know and love. You'll see. Love ya The Big Pain. I chuckle.
"Who's going tonight?" I ask my girlfriends. They feel the need to see "Honky Tonk Sook" so all are. "Be warned, there is going to be hijinks, if Alcide is around, and country music."
My guy is waiting for me, when the final bell rings, leaning against Sam's raised Ford Bronco. He unwinds and takes me into his arms. "This is where you belong, in my arms and in my bed. I love you. Did you like the flowers?" I nod against his chest. 'I have been lost without you. I want you with me always.'
"Yes baby, thank you." He nips at my lips and tucks his head into the crook of my shoulder. "I have missed you so, Sookie. I will never stop saying I am sorry." He whispers brokenly.
"Hey let's get a move on. We need to get moving if we are going to be ready for tonight." Alcide yells over the Marshall Tucker Band, blaring from the radio. Eric boosts me up and I sit between the twins as we leave. We drive to my house and I introduce them to my aunt.
My "best friend" begins my torture, for three hours. When I am done, my grandparents tear up. Alcide whistles and Eric actually has to wipe his eyes and clear throat, before he takes my hand. 'I almost lost this. I almost lost the only thing that gives my life any meaning at all.'
"You always take my breath away, I love you." He nuzzles my neck. "Come on people. We have reservations and a dance to get to." We all pile into Eric's rental. The dress I am wearing is only staying on until dinner is over. Luckily, it's a wrap dress; it will be easy to change out of. Pam has my dancing outfit with her. We go to the Village Inn and get our fill of seafood. I eat a bit more than I usually do, because I never ate any lunch. I change into the baby pink corset and short denim flare skirt in the bathroom and pull my hair down, while Pam waits for a meal for Sam. I don't know where he is. I don my boots and my hat. Eric smiles, when I walk out of the bathroom. 'Damn, I want to skip tonight and hole up somewhere, just the two of us. You are so much prettier than any of the girls down south.' I look at him, the comment picks at a sore spot for me. 'Here we go again. Can't I have one fucking evening with him without them coming up.' Eric never picks up on my changed mood, but Pam does. She shakes her head and sighs.
"He is a jerk, but he loves you. He called me and Sam up after you left and asked us if we could help with arranging this night for you two. He has been fighting them off with everything he has, knowing that he almost lost you for good. He was a wreck for two weeks, Alcide said. The fact that you walked out and were in the process of actually calling a cab to leave, broke him. I don't think he even realizes why that happened though. All he knows is that he pissed you off and that it might have had something to do with Sophie. The twits afterward didn't even register. He plans on asking you to marry him. Think long and hard about it. He knows that you have trust problems with men.
We are in your town. You have home field advantage, use it. Dance with your male friends. See how he likes you being sought out. That is the other reason behind me making you over. Other guys find you attractive now, he has competition. He has never had to compete for your affection, it might change his tune a little if he has to." Pam hugs me as we walk over to the guys.
"There's my girl." He has me wear his coat and swings me around when we get to the parking lot. We roar into the school's lot. You'd think we were drunk, we are joking back and forth. We walk up and wait with the others to get in. Pam and my other besties get along just fine.
"Who's the ebony haired beauty with her hair all twisted up onto her head?" Alcide asks me. I smile and tell him her name.
"Miss, my name is Alcide Northman. I hope you won't refuse if I ask you to dance with me." He bows down to Claudine. Eric and I both smile. 'Good choice big brother.'
The doors open and my hips start swaying to the music. I know I'm going to hear groans all night, from both friends and enemies but, I don't care. Eric and I walk in and scout out a table for the extended group. Once that's done, I pull off Eric's coat. Pam pulls me out to the floor. I look over to the dj and gasp, Sam's at the table. That's good for everyone else. He plays a combination, so there will be something for everyone. He winks at me. I start giggling when "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" comes on. Good way to kick it off.
"This is in tribute to two of my favorite women, Sookie and Pam, who see the good sense in following the advice." He says over the mic. 'I'm going to kill him.' Then my body takes over. Pam and I dance with each other that is until our men join us. Eric turns me around so I'm grinding against him. "I have missed dancing with you; of course if you keep this up, I'll have to follow through on my thought from the last time we were in this gym." He whispers in my ear as he grabs my hips and holds me flush against him. 'I want you so bad, right now.' He looks into my eyes as he thinks that and I lean into him and stretch up for his lips. The song ends and Pam is panting as she walks up to us, she excuses herself for a drink.
Sam types in a new song. The first request of the night, "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock. My hips sway under Eric's hands and we collide from time to time. When the song ends, we walk back to our seats. He pulls me onto his lap, and wraps me in his arms while he waits for his body to calm down. We watch Alcide and Claudine dance a couple times.
"Sook, do you want something to drink?" Eric asks me after a while of stroking my hair and staring into my eyes. I nod but insist on going with him. We walk up to the snack stand and buy a round of sodas for the table. One of my male friends walks over and asks me to come dance with our friends, Eric raises an eyebrow at him, but I agree and follow him to the group of band and chorus geeks that I have grown up with all my life. I end up dancing with three of the guys. When I get back, Pam asks me to show her the bathroom. Claudine goes with us. When we walk into the restroom, we overhear an ongoing conversation between the two occupied stalls. I hold my finger to my lips.
"Can you believe someone that good looking would be attracted to Sookie? She is fat, ugly and a nobody. What does she have on him that he's putting on this show? Did you see that slut dancing?" The middle stall cries out. The one on the left agrees with all that was said. Pam is aghast when she comes out to wash her hands. I know the voices. Hoyt's and Jason's girlfriends. I am seeing red and shaking. I take out my cell, turn up the volume and play back the message I received this afternoon.
"Hey Sookie, Hoyt and I are wondering if you got our carnations. I know I sent six and he says he sent eight. Are you doing anything after the dance? Maybe we could ditch the bitches and meet up at Denny's or something. You are a hell of a lot sexier than Crystal ever thought of being. We know you have that Eric guy but maybe you could work us in too. I mean, he's all the way down there and you are up here with us." The message ends with the date and time. Crystal's stall door slam open.
"You faked it, bitch."
"I didn't. The only thing I faked is whiting out my name on the carnations and writing in yours, They never bought you any, but they did me. I'm too kind to let them ruin your day when I could care less about them. I have a man, not a boy, and for your information, he asked me out. I still think he's out of my league, but he loves me and that's all that matters to me. Now excuse me, he's waiting." I turn on my heel and walk out of the bathroom.
Eric is waiting by our chairs. Pam stops me, just out of ear shot. "Good work, he was out of his mind when you walked over with that other guy. He asked me and Alcide about it. I told him that it was my idea. That he needed to feel how you did that night, the expectation of you chasing away all the hangers on was too much to ask of you when you were already upset with him. Then I told him that you were seriously thinking of breaking it off with him that night, after Sophie, the floozies were the last straw. He didn't like the sound of that." Eric is walking over and is within hearing when Pam asks the big question, knowing that he will hear it.
"So, how close were you to hailing a cab before he caught up with you? I saw you putting your phone away as you two were coming back inside. So they bought all those carnations for you and none for their girlfriends? That is low. What was he thinking?"
"I agree. I had dialed five of the seven numbers when he placed his hand on my arm and turned me around. Yeah, they did. I replaced my name with theirs and placed them on their lunch table right before the guys showed up. He was thinking about how much prettier I was compared to the girls down south. In itself, it's a compliment, but it rubbed against a sore spot and I reacted for a moment." Pam nods and we watch Eric get closer.
Eric stops in front of us. "Hey, how come you are the one who is always having to do that? I want to defend your honor too." He whines into my ear. I smile and pat his face. "Trust me by the end of the night, you might need to. Let's dance some more." Sam plays "Whiskey Lullaby" by Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss. The song is slow and sultry and kind of reminds me of the Tennessee Waltz. When we get to the floor, he takes the lead and we waltz softly to it. Eric dips me and kisses my throat when it ends. I can hear applause. Pam and Alcide are whooping loudly.
"Okay Frank and Ginger, how about another demonstration? This time to your song." Sam cues up "Crazy Girl". Eric and I do a lazy half waltz. When we make it up to the dj table, Eric grabs the mic.
"I warned you that I would do this soon." 'I have waited long enough. This ring has been burning a hole in my pocket since I bought it after she left Tennessee. I know that she was still shaky about us, but we have built our relationship back up and it's time for this step.' He drops to one knee and produces a Cartier box. "Sookie Stackhouse, will you be my wife? I promise to love you all the days of my life and treat you like the queen that you are." I pull the mic from his trembling hands. "Yes."
He almost throws the mic at Sam as he stands and swoops me into his arms. 'Thank you God, she said yes, she still wants to be with me even after all the shit I put her through. I was no better than these jerks. I made her question my love for her.' After securing the ring, he kisses me and whispers "Mine."
We head back to our table. Alcide swoops me up and spins me around. "Thank you, Sis. It has been hell around our house without you. I told him that if he has messed up that much that you don't take him back, he will be ruing it forever, because I would date, marry and build the life he wants with you. And all he would be able to do is watch as I make your dreams come true. I feel like your brother, but I think I could have loved you if Eric hadn't seen you first. I told him that you would be a Northman one way or the other." 'Yes, I would have done that. Eric was an asshole to you. You are the most loyal woman I have ever met. When I lie in bed at night, I wish I had been the one to see you first. If he really screws up again before you are married, remember that I would be proud to be your man/lover/husband. If not, then I am sure I could fall for that friend of yours very easily, she seems to be a lot like you and she said that she was a twin.' I hug my brother again and smile, thanking him for the thought. "She and I are a lot alike."
Eric dials their parents and tells them that yes, I accepted. I can hear Freyda whoop. The only ones not happy are the boys from my school. Those idiots really thought I would dump Eric for them. I have a little over three months before I am out of here.
We are all beat when we finally make it back to my house. Alcide sacks out on the couch and Eric and I walk upstairs to my tiny room and my tiny bed. To fit both of us on it takes some maneuvering but we bring the covers up and as he is takes me in his arms, Eric whispers "I'll be able to sleep tonight."
In the morning, I wake to the sounds of Alcide and Grandfather talking apples. When I move to stretch, I wake Eric up.
"Hey there love, did you sleep well? I know I did. I haven't since the end of December. My woman was mad with me. I thought that I messed up so royally that I would never get to hold you again, but you are in my arms. Let's get up and dressed. We guys have a day of seeing Maine ahead of us." He pulls on his clothes from the night before and takes some from the suitcase. I get dressed, while he waits. Eric asks to use the shower, when we get downstairs. Grandfather tells him he doesn't have to ask. Ten minutes later, a clean, shaven, Eric emerges from the bathroom.
"Okay, boys what do you want to do?" I ask as I take a sip of my coffee. My uncle looks over at me in surprise. They are not used to me drinking coffee. Sorry, but much has changed in the last eight months. I am not the little girl, I once was.
I have the boys jump into my Cobalt. We set off for town. I call Claudine on the way and ask if she wants to catch breakfast with us. She tells me, that her parents want her and her twin brother Claude to stay home for a day. I flip the car around; I decide to take them someplace else. I pull into the parking lot of a truck stop. "Come on boys, this place has some of the best breakfast in the area." Before we sit down, I give the waitress my debit card. "Don't even bring the check over. They will try to pay it." We sit and pig out. I get a bacon and cheese omelet with raisin toast and some apple juice. Eric has two eggs over easy, wheat toast and some sausage. Alcide orders a combination plate with biscuits and gravy.
"Sis, I haven't been stuffed like this in a while." Alcide rubs his stomach. Eric leans over and kisses my cheek. I excuse myself to use the bathroom. While I'm up, I get my card back and sign the check. The waitress chuckles while I am giving her a tip.
"You were right. The blonde tried to pay me while you were in the bathroom. They're cute." She smiles shyly. "Especially the blonde." "Yum!' I know she didn't know us but I still felt the bitch come out.
"Yes he is. I was just thinking that when he and I woke up this morning." I thank her and gather my boys. I wave to her when we leave.
"How did you manage that? Eric went to pay while you were in the bathroom. The waitress told him you already paid." Alcide asks as we walk to the car.
"Yeah, plus she tried to slip me her number. I patiently explained that my heart belonged to the girl in the bathroom." The nerve of that woman.
"I slipped her my debit card before she seated us." I explained as I throw the car into drive. My phone rings, it's my preset for someone I don't know. I look at the display, I don't recognize the number.
"Hello?" I answer the phone.
"Sookie, Hi umm… I was wondering if you wanted to do something with me today. I broke up with Crystal last night. Has the cowboy gone home yet?" Jason asks. I pull over. Covering the mic with my hand, I laugh out loud. My phone is up high enough for the guys, to hear what was said. Eric motions for me to hand him the phone. 'Yes! Here is my chance.' He's just all too happy to defend my honor. It is time to pay me back for the pain I went through in Tennessee. He told me that he would seek out any opportunity to do so.
"The cowboy has not gone home yet. I am surprised that you didn't see or hear last night but, Sook and I are getting married. Yes, her parents know. In fact, they gave us their blessing. I think she can make up her own mind, though how can a high school jock compete with someone who does what my brother and I do for a living. I'm sorry but we Northmans don't give up when it comes to our women. So don't try my patience any more, got it." He shuts my phone and hands it back. I thank him.
"No problem, its part of my job description. Remember we got your back, baby." I get us back on the road. I drive to the coast. "Mind you, this state is more than just this stuff, but as tourists, I figure you would like to see this." I make the right turn into downtown Freeport. Taking a back road, I park in the mountain lion lot.
"All out for Portland Glass." I grab my purse and get out of the car. The guys are staring at me when I close my door. "Oh, did I just say that? Sorry, just a silly saying. Welcome guys, to the world famous, open 24hrs a day 365days a year, L.L. Bean."
Alcide stands shocked, Eric whistles. Then they break out of it. Alcide runs ahead of us, excited. He has me take a photo of them with the giant boot. We walk around the store for three hours, the whole time Eric is holding my hand. We end up carrying an armload of bags to the car. We then have lunch at Friendly's and tour the town. Eric asks me to call my family and tell them that he's treating us all to supper.
"What do they like for Chinese?" he asks. We bring home five bags full of food. He sends Alcide down for my aunt and we all sit and talk. My grandfather laughs at Alcide's raving over Bean's. "Maine isn't all Bean's, lobster, blueberries and the Old Port."
"Country Roads" plays and I answer. "Hi Freyda. What's up?"
The boy's heads turn. "Oh nothing, just wanted to welcome you to the family. Get back to enjoying your time with the boys." I hang up and pat Eric on the knee. "She just wanted to say hi." We go back to eating. It occurs to me that I need to tell Eric about my doctor's appointment.
"Honey, could I talk to you for a moment?" We go into the living room. He can see the stress in my eyes.
"Baby, what's wrong?" he asks.
I let everything spill out. "I went to the doctor about what happened before Christmas." He nods. "My gallbladder needs to come out. I am meeting with the surgeon on Monday. Most likely, it will happen in March." I sag with letting it off my chest. "I'll call you after I find out the details. My doctor told me it was a day surgery now, so I'll be home the same day." He wraps me in his arms and hugs me tight.
"I'm here." He then opens his phone. "Hey Mom, when is the spring break next month? Thanks, love you too." 'Phew, I thought for a moment that she was going to say she was pregnant. As much as I would love to see her stomach swollen with my child, we are still too young and we are just starting again. I want to be married and settled in a home of our own before we have any little ones running around. Then again if she was, I would be up here in a second to support her.'
He hangs up and asks if I can try for the third week of the month.
"I want to be there when you go to sleep and when you wake up." He caresses my face. We return in time to help with the clean-up. I make sure Alcide is set for the night and Eric and I go to bed.
I wake up to Eric drawing his finger down my neck to the rise of my breast. "Morning sweetheart, I love you." He whispers before he leans down for a kiss. "I'm sorry we are leaving today. Next time I come up, I'm staying the week. We will both camp out on the couch." We get up and make breakfast together and the three of us go to church. Pastor smiles when she sees the boys.
"I see we have some friends here from Tennessee today. Welcome to Eric and Alcide, I am glad to see you again." We go through the service and hang out in the fellowship hall for a while. On the way home, I duck under Alcide's arm and hold Eric's hand. "I wish I could go back with you two." Eric tells Alcide about the surgery. He promises to text me jokes all week. They leave for the Jetport and I have to deal with the next day without my rocks.