I know it's been a long time since the last update but I've been busy with another story, haha.

Here's the new chapter.

Enjoy.

;)

Chapter Eleven

The Beginning Of Something Real

Alcide POV

Sookie was still asleep when I woke up the next day and I saw her in the same position in which she had fallen asleep the night before. She was beautiful, like an angel while was sleeping and I didn't want to move not to wake her because I knew she needed rest after the busy night we'd had.

And no, I wasn't referring just to the sex part.

Sookie found out her best friend had more secrets than she expected but she still tried to keep calm. I wasn't sure how I would have acted if I had been in her shoes but she at least tried not to go crazy and ask for explanations from Amelia.

Sookie started moving and I stroked her hair to continue sleeping but her eyes popped open and stared at me. "Good morning, sleepyhead."

"Morning…" she said whispering and yawning.

"How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts but I think I'll survive; I drank more than necessary last night 'cause everything seems to move around me and I'm sure it shouldn't be that way." Sookie moved and sat with her back against my chest while I was locking my hands between the strands of her hair. "Ames is at home?"

"I don't know; I haven't heard anything." Sookie nodded but said nothing. "But we were too busy to notice last night so maybe she's in her room and we didn't hear her coming."

Sookie looked suspiciously into my eyes. "Do you really think that or you're just saying it to make me feel better?" Sookie released a sigh and folded her arms under her chest with the sheet still around her body. "Alcide, you don't have to do this, okay? Amelia is a grown woman and able to make her own mind so if she wants…you know, if she wants to be with her friend is her business."

"I know you're upset, Sookie, but…"

"I'm not!" she huffed soundly. "Okay, maybe a little bit but…would you not be? I mean, what if your best friend showed up one day and said he is thinking of leaving everything he has because has found something and is not sure it's going to work? What would you do?" That was the question I had been asking to myself since I woke up. What would I do?

"Sookie, I do not know."

"That's not helpful, you know. Look, I'm just worried for her 'cause she's been talking so much about Tray that…I dunno, it's strange that she's going to be able to forget him so easily. I don't know, maybe last night she was drunk or just did something stupid, I'm not sure, but I don't want to see her ruining her life."

"What if she's not doing it? I mean…ruining her life. Sookie, I don't think it's our business and you seemed to agree with me last night so we should leave Amelia quiet until she wants to talk with us…" My argument was not the better, I had to admit it, but I didn't know what else to say. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah and if a couple of aspirin accompany the breakfast would be great." We got out of bed and I went downstairs to prepare breakfast while Sookie showered. When I walked into the kitchen I was surprised when I saw Amelia sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and looking sleepy. "Hello." I couldn't help sounding surprised but I was surprised.

"Hey."

"You're up early," I didn't know what else to say except the obvious so I began to picked up everything I needed to make breakfast. Sookie would be in the kitchen soon and at least I wanted to have some details about last night. "We didn't hear you come home last night."

"I came back late and didn't want to wake you guys." Amelia took a sip of her coffee and looked at me with an expression of guilt in her face. "Alcide…I know we barely know each other but I need to talk to you." I nodded and leaned against the kitchen counter waiting for her to speak. "I know things were a bit weird with Pam last night but it's not what you think…"

"You know, you don't really need to give me explanations. You're right, we hardly know each other and I think you should talk to Sookie and say to her…well, um, you know, what you need to tell her." Staying between two women was never a good idea but when they're good friends was even worse. "Hey, it's your life, okay? You can do whatever you want and I won't judge you because it's none of my business so…if you are happy so are we."

"Pam is just a friend."

Just a friend? What I saw last night was not something friends do between them but as I had said to her I wasn't going to judge her. "A friend…yeah, well it's good to have friends because friends are always there…you know, to help." I had no idea what I was saying and felt like a complete idiot but at least I was trying to stay calm. "Can I ask you a personal question, Amelia?"

"Sure."

"See, Sookie and I are a bit confused because you've talked to us a lot about this man, Tray, and it seemed things were going very well 'cause Sookie told me you were excited so…I dunno, I don't understand…you know, if you're actually in love with him…what were you doing with Pam last night?"

"Ah…that." Yeah, that. What else could I be referring? "You know, it doesn't really matter because Pam and I are just friends and nothing more. I love Tray and I'm in love with him but we never said our relationship was exclusive and Pam and I…well, I know her for a long time and we've always…you know, enjoyed together. There's nothing wrong because we don't expect anything from each other, just enjoy and have fun." She put her cup of coffee down on the table and stood up from her chair in front of me. "Hey, I know it may sound crazy and it's possible neither you nor Sookie can understand but my life has changed a lot since I left Bon Temps, and although I'm dating someone now…well, it doesn't change things at all. If Tray and I decided to take another step in our relationship I'm sure we'll be able to talk about this and…"

"Alcide, I need coffee…" Sookie walked into the kitchen smiling and obviously surprised to see Amelia there.

"Hi Sook."

"Hey, Ames, I didn't know you were at home." I gave Sookie a cup of coffee and she took a long sip. "What about last night? Alcide and I left before 'cause I was starting to get deaf with the music but the club was great…the music was cool and people…"

"I'm glad you liked it." The tension could be cut with a knife but it wasn't going to be me who did it.

"You know ladies…I just remembered that I need to go to Shreveport to do some errands so I'm going to shower and…you know, I'll go and then I'll come back." I was out of there as fast as I could but I couldn't help feeling guilty, especially when Sookie glared at me when I was walking out the kitchen. Yes, that look that says 'We'll talk later, traitor' and I knew it would be impossible to get rid of her anger.

I had nothing to do in Shreveport but I'd have used any excuse to be out of that house without looking like a coward. I knew Sookie and Amelia needed to talk and wasn't a good idea to stay in the middle of them trying to understand whatever they were talking about.

I wasn't sure what I could so go to Shreveport and buy some flowers for Sookie seemed a good plan.

Sookie POV

When Amelia was living with me she was always the last to wake up so I didn't expect to find her in the kitchen that morning but I knew she was still my best friend and decided not to act differently with her because I didn't want to be cruel.

"So…you're up early…" I couldn't think of anything better to say and I felt terribly uncomfortable.

"Yes…there's nothing better than a night out to celebrate that I'm back at home. And Alcide was a charm to me even though he barely knows me…it's great to be home."

"Yes, it is."

"Urrrrgh, Sookie, I can't stand this!" She suddenly rose from the table and took my hand as she looked into my eyes. "I know maybe what you saw last night was weird but I've changed a lot since I left Bon Temps and…I dunno, perhaps it's not been a good idea to come back here."

"What? No!" I suddenly felt like a real bitch; I was judging my best friend, well my sister actually, without knowing the whole story. "Ames, I love you, you're like my sister and I know last night I was pissed 'cause I couldn't believe that you had told me that you were in love with this guy, Tray, and then you were kissing someone else…"

"You mean a woman?"

"Well…I'm sorry, but it's weird."

"Sookie, don't apologize. I love you but things in California are different, completely different from Bon Temps and everything is normal there, nobody is surprised about certain things and maybe pretends the same here has been a mistake. I love Tray, I am in love with him, but I don't know if I'm ready to maintain a stable relationship with him and live together." Amelia was opening her heart to me and I wanted to understand her but there were things I didn't manage to accept and felt guilty for it. "Listen, if you want to meet Pam…well, you'd know that our relationship is not as strange as you think."

Perhaps Amelia was right and I was exaggerating but I couldn't stop thinking about last night and the picture of Amelia and Pam kissing each other.

"Maybe."

"Okay, I'll introduce you to her but I prefer to stop talking about it now and I dunno, do something, you know, girls' stuff."

"Like what?"

Two hours later we were in a beauty salon in Shreveport, getting manicures and pedicures and talking like old times. Suddenly I felt that my best friend hadn't left Bon Temps ever and everything was the same but the reality was very different.

"So, there I was, in the middle of Los Angeles trying to figure out how to get to this stupid art gallery and no one seemed to know it." We laughed like a couple of fools while all women around us looked at us like we were insane. "I started thinking that I had been deceived by Tray and he invented about the gallery as an excuse to be with me. It was fun and romantic."

"And you went to the gallery?"

"No, we didn't." Amelia chuckled and a second later I joined her. "We ended up in my hotel room, with our clothing lying around everywhere and drinking champagne."

Each story was much more fun that the other and I realized that I needed to spend some time alone with my best friend. I was enjoying every moment and when we finished at the salon we left for a coffee.

"I remember when we used to come here, you know, you, me and Claudine. I miss her." Although our jobs or plans we always found time for the three of us and go to Shreveport, enjoy a day of only girls and drinking coffee together was something we loved. "I know you'd be pissed when I left…"

"Ames, I was not…" I cut her off, but Amelia did the same before I could say anything else.

"I would be, Sookie." She looked down and focused on her coffee for a few seconds before continuing talking. "When Claudine left I hated her for it. It was like…I felt betrayed because we were like sisters, living together, doing everything together and suddenly disappeared. All vanished like…" I never thought Amelia had been so affected. She always hid her feelings and protected us and suddenly I could see it was nothing but a façade. "It was as if someone had ripped a part of me, Sook, that's why I left."

"What do you mean? Ames, it was hard for me too but…"

"I know I hurt you so much, Sookie, but stay in Bon Temps, knowing things would never be as they were…it was too painful." A tear rolled down from her eyes to her cheek and I took her hand automatically. "I hated myself for the first few weeks in Los Angeles. I couldn't stop thinking about you, you two, thinking about Claudine was doing and that you'd be sad and lonely and suddenly I couldn't help thinking about that asshole of Bill Compton and that he'd be capable of doing something knowing that you were alone at home." I never imagined Amelia would care so much for me but she had always protected me from Bill and it was something I've been grateful for.

"Amelia, look at me." She wiped the tears with her free hand and smiled weakly at me for a second. "You don't have to feel guilty, okay? You've always wanted to have an intense and different life and you obviously wouldn't have found it in Bon Temps. Yes, you left and it hurt like hell in the same way when Claudine left but I couldn't be selfish; I couldn't beg you to stay with me like I was a scared little girl. I was also scared at first, especially for Bill, but I got to be strong and accept the situation. I knew things would change sooner or later and I had to adapt myself but I think I did pretty well." I stroked the back of her hand and Amelia squeezed it tight. "Besides, I wouldn't have met Alcide if I hadn't put that ad looking for a roommate, don't you think?"

Ames chuckled and nodded. "True. He's really hot."

"I know." And I blushed like a teen in love.

We laughed, drank coffee, ate cookies against the diet, and continued remembering the old days.

"Hey, honey."

"Alcide!" I got up quickly from my chair and threw myself into his arms giving him a quick peck on his lips. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I had to make a few errands and was on my way to the van to go home but I've seen you two here so…" I hugged him tight because I needed to feel his warm body against mine. "I see you're having a great time."

"Yep, Ames and I have been doing girls' things, drinking coffee and we were thinking to go shopping now…"

"Sook," Amelia cut me off, "it doesn't matter. We can go shopping another day."

"No, no." Alcide said. "You don't have to change your plans for me, okay? Also, I was thinking about going home to fix a few things so I'll be busy." God, what had I done to deserve such an incredible man like Alcide?

"Are you sure, baby? Shopping can wait."

"Absolutely. Have fun and don't buy anything too sexy or I'll have to fight with all the men in Bon Temps." We laughed and suddenly couldn't help myself; I kissed him passionately under the watchful gaze of the rest of customers while Amelia put a shy grin on her face and looked down to her coffee again.

"Love you, baby."

"Love you too, Sook." He gave me another quick peck and said goodbye. "I'll see you at home." He winked at me and left the place.

"That was so sweet!" Amelia yelled. There was a big smile on her face when I sat down and couldn't believe I would have kissed him in that way in a room full of people. "And sexy."

"Ames…"

"What? You shouldn't worry about all these people who don't know you at all," she added, waving her hand around the place, "may think. You have an amazing boyfriend who's really hot and should be a beast in bed…"

"Yeah, he is," I mumbled and didn't even realize I did it out loud. I felt embarrassed for a second until Amelia laughed.

"I'm glad you admit it; I was beginning to think you were still thinking of sex as something bad."

"I've never thought that."

"Sook, before me leaving you were still a virgin and you now have a boyfriend who could bring down walls with his fists. I know sex and love are two things that go together for you but you gotta admit you've changed a lot."

"Okay, maybe you're right."

"I know I'm right." She said proud of herself.

"Alcide is different." I was sure it was not an enough explanation but it was true. "I dunno, guess after Bill Compton any man is different. Besides, he always treats me with respect and that's something I was not used, you know, with all those drunken guys trying to pinch my butt when I'm working."

"Sook, believe me, you're a lucky girl. There are not plentiful men like Alcide, trust me, it's true."

I wanted to spend time with Amelia but after seeing Alcide I couldn't stop thinking on him and what he would be doing. He was probably fixing anything, flexing his strong and sweaty muscles and shirtless and…

"Sook, are you still here?"

"Yes!"

"So what do you think?" Amelia waved a pair of boots in her hands and I was sure she had asked me for my opinion. "What's wrong? It's as if you weren't here."

"Sorry. They're beautiful, really, you should buy them."

"Sookie, if you want to go home, go, I don't care."

"No, no. Hey, it's okay." Amelia raised an eyebrow and I had to confess. "Okay, when I saw Alcide it surprised me but I'm fine. Anyway, I'll see him in a while so…let's keep shopping."

Amelia wasn't believing me for a second but said nothing else and we continued going from store to store. All clothing was beautiful, the shoes sexy, but what caught my attention was the lingerie section.

"Looking for something?" Amelia whispered into my ear and I couldn't help jumping like I'd been caught doing something wrong. "Wow…that is…sexy." I had been looking at the tiny set of lace bra and thong pink since Amelia went to try on some clothes and couldn't help blushing when Ames saw it. "You know, you should buy it, I'm sure Alcide will love it."

"You think so?" Why suddenly felt like a teenager girl I didn't know but it was like that. "Not sure, I don't think it's my style…"

"Sook, do it." She placed herself next to me and looked me straight in the eye. "Listen to me, you're beautiful, you have an incredible body and I assure you Alcide will lose his head when he sees you wearing this," she said, holding the tiny thong in her hand. I looked doubtful for a moment but I smiled weakly at her and decided to buy it.

I couldn't help feeling embarrassed when I was paying and although Amelia assured me no one was watching, I kept thinking otherwise.

I was eager to get home and see Alcide. I didn't know what was happening to me but suddenly the idea of being away from him was unbearable. He was in my head all the time and although Amelia and I had had fun I could only think that my friend's car wasn't fast enough to get in the shortest possible time for me to attack Alcide.

"You okay, Sook?" I nodded and just toyed with my hands. "You've been very quiet since we left the store."

"Sorry."

"Never mind, but it's weird. You know, we know each other too well and I wanted to know if you were okay." I decided to tell her the truth. She was my best friend after all and I could always talk to her about everything.

"So…I think it would be a good idea to leave you at home and I could go for a ride…" I wasn't surprised when Amelia talked to me; not after confessing her what I wanted to do with Alcide as the door opened. I was embarrassed for having said all that but for some reason I was unable to control myself. "I think I'll go see Sam, I've missed him."

"Ames, you don't have…"

"Nonsense, Sookie. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

And that's what happened. Ten minutes later Ames turned off the engine in front of the house and we looked at each other.

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

"I feel guilty. You've just arrived and I'm getting you out of home. That's not fair…"

"Sookie, I don't care." She laughed. "Really. Besides, there are still many people I want to see so…c'mon, get in and get your man." Amelia waggled her eyebrows at me and I knew she wouldn't give up.

"Okay, see you later."

"Sure. Bye, Sook."

"Bye, Ames."

I waited until I couldn't see her car anymore and ran into the house.

"Alcide! Alcide, where are you?"

Then I saw him walking out the kitchen and was sure I was drooling. Just what I thought; Alcide was sweating, shirtless and incredibly sexy. Some drops of sweat were sliding from his strong chest to his hard and perfect abs and before I could realize what I was doing I was on him, pinning my legs onto his waist, my arms around his neck and kissing him passionately.

My tongue was desperately attacking his mouth and the words did not seem necessary to show him how much I had missed him. It felt strange but incredibly intense and I couldn't pull away from him.

"Ohhhh…Alcide…" I moaned as his lips parted from mine and came to rest on my neck. "God…Alcide, oh my God…" Within seconds we were on the coach, with Alcide over me and supporting his weight on his elbows. "I love you, honey."

"Love you too, baby." His lips began kissing my stomach in the most sensual way as and it was driving me insane. I placed my hands on the back of his head while I entwined my fingers between the locks of his dark hair making him stay in place. Alcide was about to get rid of my shirt when I suddenly stopped him.

"Wait."

"What is it?"

"I have something to show you; a gift for you." Alcide looked surprised and confused but let me got up from the couch.

"Sookie, what is this about?"

"Patience." I smiled slightly and began to take my shirt off slowly, revealing to him the pretty bra I had bought and Amelia insisted for me to wear before coming back to home. "I promise you will like it." At first Alcide's reaction was the same as ever and his eyes were focused on my breasts but when I started to unbutton my pants I saw Alcide was very interested to discover what I was wearing beneath.

I took off my pants completely and threw them down without worrying where they finished and turned slowly for Alcide to see his gift.

"Well, what do you think?" I asked him innocently. I had to admit that Amelia was right; pink suited my tan and Alcide seemed to be enjoying his gift. "Don't you like it?"

"I love it." He growled.

"I'm glad 'cause it's all for you; just for you."

We made love passionate on the couch and when I recovered the control of my body I curled up beside him and began caressing his chest.

"You know, this," he whispered while was holding my new thong in his hand, "is the sexiest thing I've ever seen. It's just clothes, but when you're wearing it…mmmm…it's like a dream come true." He began stroking my hair and couldn't stop purring when I felt the touch of his fingers. "I'm so glad you've had fun with Amelia."

"Yeah…it's been great. We have forgotten everything and haven't even talked about it. Besides she wants to introduce me to Pam, you know, officially, to meet her in other circumstances."

"I think it's great."

"Me too."

"Sookie, can I ask you a question?" I turned my head to look up into his eyes and nodded. "Will you marry me?"

I coughed and tried to catch my breath and that was when Alcide showed me one of the most beautiful rings I'd ever seen.

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Sookie's ring: http:/www(dot)goldringshop(dot)net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/aquamarine-white-gold-ring4(dot)jpg