Izzy was miserable. Bill tried to entertain her with books and puzzles, but all his efforts were rejected. She was tired of sitting still. The cast made her arm itch. Before the accident she had been proud of being independent, dressing herself, and needing little help with her food at meals, but now she whined constantly and clung to her mother, wanting Sookie to do everything for her. Sookie did her best, but Bill could tell her patience was waning. Will picked up on Izzy's mood and he was cranky and whiny as well.
Bill helped with Will between working on his presentation and packing for London, all the while wondering how Sookie would cope on her own. When he found her asleep with her head on the kitchen table in the middle of the afternoon, exhausted from caring for the both of them, he made a decision.
"How would you feel about making the presentation in London?" He asked Deidre over the phone.
"Why would I want to do that?' Deidre said lightly. He could picture her pacing the office, one long fingered hand twisting in her hair.
"It's not going to work for me to leave right now."
"You aren't going? Paul will be displeased."
"Paul will just have to deal with it." Bill said firmly.
"What's going on? I thought you were excited about London."
Bill had to admit, he had enjoyed the trips to London in the past, but Sookie needed him now. He had made the mistake of putting business first once before, he wouldn't do it again. "Izzy, the little girl you met, broke her arm. With the baby it's a lot for Sookie to handle."
"Since when is that your problem?" Deidre huffed.
"I want to help her."
"Is she feeding you?" When Bill didn't answer Deidre continued snidely. "Oh, I forgot. You're the politically correct vampire who extolls the improvements in synthetic blood. How long has it been, Bill, since you've had the real thing?"
"That's enough, Deidre." Bill made no attempt to hide his growing annoyance.
"You're in love with her." Deidre observed.
He said nothing. To Deidre, any vampire involved with a human for other than feeding purposes was foolish at best. Bill switched the phone to his other ear and hit the send button on the e-mail. "I just sent the presentation to you. Look it over, see what you think. I'll call Paul."
"Whatever."
Deidre was right. Paul was not pleased with Bill's decision but since Bill ranked above him in the hierarchy of the coalition, there was little he could do except express his displeasure.
"That little human has you jumping through hoops. I hope her blood is worth it."
Bill replaced the phone in the charger and paced the kitchen. He glanced into the living room. He had woken Sookie before he made the phone calls and persuaded her to lie down on the couch. Now she was turned on her side, her face pressed into the pillow, snoring softly. Bill watched her for a long moment, his eyes following the curve of her neck. He remembered the softness, the silky sweetness of her skin. An almost irresistible longing stirred.
He walked tentatively into the living room and slid to the floor beside the couch. Brushing the hair back from Sookie's face gently, he noticed for the first time the fine, spidery lines fanning out from her eyes. She remained asleep, and Bill leaned closer, breathing in her scent. It would be so easy to slip in beside her, to wake her, like he used to, his mouth traveling down her body. She would respond, he knew. There was desire just beneath the surface. He felt the heat of it at odd moments. Her eyes had met his only that morning, and she had flushed, turning away quickly.
No. No, it was too soon. He would not put her in that position. He would not seduce her, even if the seduction might be welcomed in the moment. Sookie was still mourning Sam, and Sam deserved to be mourned. Izzy and Will needed their mother's full attention. He would not complicate things further.
"Maybe I should go to London." He said to himself. Shaking his head, he pushed to his feet and went to the bedroom to begin unpacking. He was hanging up the last of the shirts and replacing the suitcase in the closet when Sookie startled him.
"What are you doing?"
"I've decided not to go to London." Bill said, closing the closet doors.
"Why?"
She was so beautiful, standing there, her eyes wide, her hair still tangled from sleep. Bill hesitated. It would be easy to tell her that something else had come up. How would she feel knowing he had cancelled the trip to be with her?
Sookie stepped toward him. "Bill? Why aren't you going to London?"
"I want to stay with you." He said quickly. "I want to be here and help however I can. I can see how hard it is with Izzy's arm and Will, and....I won't leave you alone again."
Sookie closed the space between them. Her warm hand caressed his cheek, and she leaned in. The moment her lips brushed his Bill felt his resolve disintegrate. This was his Sookie, here, in his arms, warm and alive. The still familiar taste of her filled his senses. His fangs lengthened and her tongue brushed against them. She trembled and Bill pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her, his cool fingers stroking the bare skin at her waist. They moved as one toward the bed, thinking only of each other.
"Mama!" Izzy's voice broke the silence. "Mama, where are you?" Bare feet slapped against the tile in the kitchen as Izzy searched for her mother.
Sookie pulled away. "In here, Sweetie." She turned, and the sweep of her hair hid her face from Bill. What was she thinking?
