Author's Note: I don't own the rights to either SVM or True Blood. This is just my interpretation of the events. Please feel free to disagree.

Thanks to everyone who's been so patient for this Chapter.

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Night Eleven

"Oh my gosh!" Sookie's voicemail exclaimed. I could hear the teasing in her tone over the sound of wind rushing through the open windows. "If I'm sleeping over, you need to get an alarm clock! I'm on my way to work right now, and I'm late. Sam's going to kill me." I couldn't help but smile; Sam would know exactly where she'd been and why she was late, and I loved it. Although I did need to think of a way of speaking with her about driving while talking on the phone while not offending her sense of independence; it just wasn't safe.

There were other messages on my phone that I quickly deleted – three from Sookie the night of the fire and two from Eric demanding that I call him immediately. I knew I needed to speak with him, both to let him know I was alright and to tell him what I knew of the fire, but something in me just didn't want to.

I ran to Merlotte's and walked in. It was mostly empty, the dinner crowd having left and the evening crowd not yet arrived. Sookie was wiping tables and refilling the condiments, and her face lit up in one of her real smiles when she saw me.

"Hey," she said, walking over to me. "What are you doing here?"

I gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I need to speak with Sam, and I thought I could escort you home."

She rolled her eyes at me. "I'm perfectly capable of driving myself home."

"Yes," I agreed. "But then I'd have to wait longer to see you." I smiled at her, and she blushed before bumping her hip into mine.

"Want a TruBlood? Sam's in his office."

"Thank you."

She took my hand and walked to the bar. "Tara, an O Negative, please."

Tara narrowed her eyes at me and sighed, but she went to warm my drink. She put it on the bar with a napkin without saying a word. I felt Sookie's frustration, and she was about to speak, but I gently squeezed her hand. When she looked at me, I shook my head no.

"Thank you, Tara," I said. She tersely nodded and went back to wiping glasses. "Just give me a minute," I said to Sookie.

"I have a couple things to finish up anyway," she said. "And then we can go."

I took my TruBlood, sipping on it as I walked to Sam's office. The door was open, and he sat hunched over the desk, entering figures into the computer. I politely knocked on the door and remained standing in the hallway.

"Good evening, Sam."

Sam immediately sat upright and growled. "What do you want?"

"It is entirely my fault that Sookie was late today, and I apologize for her tardiness. I'll be purchasing an alarm clock so it won't happen again."

"Did you just come here to gloat?" he snapped.

"No," I pleasantly replied. "Actually, I wanted to let you know that from now on, I'll be escorting Sookie home from work when she gets off after dark, if you could find a subtle way of insuring she remains here until I arrive. Given the situation, I think it'd be safer."

"She didn't need protecting until you showed up," he said.

"I was simply making you aware of my intentions, and if you would prefer, I will wait for her out in the parking lot from now on. But I will be waiting."

"I would prefer you to go back to where ever the hell you were before."

"No doubt," I said. "But since that is not an option, I will assume you'd prefer me to wait outside." I smiled and took a sip of the blood.

"I'm going to happily dump out every bottle of O Negative in stock."

"You needn't bother," I said. "Surely you realize I don't visit your establish for TruBlood?"

"Fuck you, Bill Compton."

"Sam!" Sookie scolded as she walked past me into the office.

"Sookie…" he started.

"That was just plain rude," she said as she took off her apron and folded it before placing it on the shelf in the corner. She slung her purse over her arm and stood before Sam, her hands on her hips.

"But biting is perfectly polite?" Sookie opened and closed her mouth several times without saying anything. I felt her anger and her hurt, and Sam looked like he'd happily crawl into the floor and die. "Sookie," he quietly said. "I didn't mean…"

"You should apologize to Bill, not to me," she said. She glared at him and turned and stormed out of the office.

"I'm sure as shit not apologizing to you, asshole," he muttered under his breath.

"And a pleasant evening to you too, Sam." I bowed slightly, put the half-full bottle of TruBlood on the corner of his desk, knowing it'd stink up his office, and then I walked quickly after Sookie, who was already outside.

I smiled and pulled her to me. I didn't care that she smelled of the bar as I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her. My tongue teased her lips and danced with hers, and she giggled and shivered.

"What?" I asked as she pulled away.

She smiled at me and fished her car keys from her purse. "Your tongue is cold. It's weird. I'm not complaining," she quickly added. "I'm just not used to it, is all."

"Maybe I should kiss you more often?" I suggested. "Just until you're acclimated, of course?"

"Maybe," she teased. I gently took the keys from her hand and opened the passenger door. "Are you driving?" she asked.

"My night-vision is better than yours."

"You know, I've been driving myself for nearly ten years now…" she said as I turned the key in the ignition and tried not to show my impatience for her tiny car and it's even tinier engine, but I knew she'd never allow me to buy her a new vehicle.

"I've been driving for over a hundred," I countered. "And while it does not contribute to my behind-the-wheel experience, I once met Henry Ford at a dinner party."

She laughed. "You're making that up."

"No," I said. "It was in Chicago in 1928. He was really quite fascinating."

"Of course he was," she giggled. Suddenly, she stopped laughing. She looked at me for several long moments. "Wait a minute," she said, shaking her head. "You're serious?"

"Why would I lie about that?" I pulled up next to her house and turned off the car. She didn't move to exit, so I got out and walked at human speed to open her door. "You should really lock your doors, especially if you're alone," I say as I held it for her and offered my hand. She took it, looking at me with wide eyes as she stood. "Are you alright?" I asked.

She nodded. "I just don't know what I could offer you… You've had dinner with Henry Ford… This, me." She waved her hand, gesturing around her house. "It must all seem so stupid and boring…"

"Sookie," I said. "You are so much more interesting than anyone I've ever known. I would rather be here, in Bon Temps, with you, than anywhere else in the world." I pulled her to me and gently kissed her.

She smiled and shook her head. "Come on," she said, pulling on my arm. She bounced up the steps, and I held the door as she unlocked it. She slipped off her shoes and hung up her keys and her purse. "Oh!" she said, rummaging around in one of the drawers near the back door. There was a basket full of keys, so many keys that I wondered if all of them still opened existing locks. "Here. In case you ever need it." She handed me the brass key to the house.

"Thank you for your trust," I said, holding her hand with the key still clutched in it over my unbeating heart.

While she flipped on lights as we made our way upstairs, I sniffed unobtrusively and listened carefully for intruders, but the house was empty. She led me shyly to her bedroom, opening the door and allowing me to enter first.

"Why don't you just make yourself at home," she said as she opened a drawer as little as possible and pulled out something that looked soft and pink. "I'm just going to wash off the stink of the bar and be right back."

I slipped off my shoes and socks and sat tentatively down on the bed. Before I could stop myself, I leaned over and buried my nose in her pillow. I rubbed my face against it, and then I turned and rubbed the back of my head on it, hoping to transfer her scent to me.

I heard the shower turn off, and I immediately stood up. I hunched over to examine her dollhouse, imagining Sookie as a little girl in this room, and she leaned in the doorway, watching me, dressed in a little pink gown.

"Gran never threw anything away," she explained. "And I just didn't bother moving it. I keep thinking I should put it in Jason's old room, but…" She shrugged her shoulders. I held open my arms, and she came to me. I rubbed my nose along her bare shoulder and her neck, my tongue flicking her ear.

"You smell good enough to eat," I whispered, walking backwards towards the bed and pulling her along with me. "And I do believe you're overdressed, Miss Stackhouse…" I pulled the thin strap away and licked and kissed her shoulder.

"Wait," she said breathlessly. "No." She shook her head. "I don't want to do… that…"

"That?"

"Well," she blushed. "I do want to do… that… But it's just…" She turned even redder and looked away.

"Sookie," I said, gently putting my thumb under her chin so she had to look at me. "You don't ever need to be embarrassed with me."

"I've been distracted," she began, talking too quickly. "The times before, but I want to see you… All of you…"

I held open my arms. "I'm all yours."

"Take off your clothes?" she whispered.

I smiled at her and slowly pulled my shirt over my head. She sat down on the edge of the bed and watched as I hooked my thumbs over my belt buckle, turning around slowly while I unzipped my pants, knowing she could hear but not see.

I heard her heart beating wildly, and her breath caught in her throat when I unbuttoned my slacks and noisily undid the belt. I slowly let the pants fall to the floor, and I stepped out of them, my back still to her.

"I think I see the appeal of not wearing underwear," she said. "Lay down on your stomach?" I did as she asked, and I watched as she knelt next to me on the bed, ghosting her fingers along my shoulder blades. She moved to my arms next, her touch soft and gentle. "Why do you usually wear long sleeves?" she asked. "Your arms are beautiful."

I shrugged. "I don't get hot like humans do, and while silver would weaken me through fabric, it doesn't have the same effect as it does on bare skin." She nodded. "Plus, my skin is too pale and too cold; if it's covered up, I'm more likely to pass as human."

"You're beautiful," she repeated. "What's this?" Her fingers lingered on a scar that crossed my left bicep. "I thought when you were turned, everything healed?"

"That was a scar before. From when I was still human," I explained. "The fresh injuries healed, but the scars will be with me forever."

"What from?"

"A bullet grazed me in my first battle," I said. "Battle of Bisland."

"When was that?"

"March 1863."

Sookie smiled and shook her head. "You're living history, right here, naked in my bed."

"Technically, I'm not living," I corrected.

She playfully swatted my bottom. "You're in no position to argue with me at the moment," she teased.

"Yes ma'am," I said, smiling as she gently touched my palms and my fingers, bringing my blood-tinged nails closer for inspection.

Moving slowly down my back, she stroked my cheeks and thighs, moving further down to my calves. "And this one?" she asked, her fingers moving along the rough scar on my lower right leg.

"That is far less dramatic a story," I said. "I was fighting with my brother."

"Who won?"

"Well, I bloodied his nose, and he pushed me into a rock," I smiled at the memory of Robert. "And then Rebecca got a hold of us, so I'm fairly certain we both lost."

"You've mentioned Rebecca before," she quietly said. "Who was she?"

"She worked for my father," I evasively answered. Rebecca had confounded me as a human, and time had not simplified my feelings for her.

"Like a nanny?"

"Sort-of."

Sookie nodded. "Was your brother a solider too?"

"He died not long after that fight," I said. "Measles."

"How old was he?"

"I was eleven, so he was twelve. My father never really got over it. He had a stroke and died when I was away."

"Just you and your brother?" Sookie asked.

I shook my head. "My mother lost a couple of babies after me, and then my sister Sarah was born when I was five. She married a man from Monroe."

"Did he fight with you?"

"He died that first winter in camp of influenza. A lot of men died before we ever reached the battlefield. After that, she moved back here with my parents and my wife. She never remarried, and she died rather young."

I heard Sookie sniffle. "That's so sad."

I shrugged. "It was a long time ago, and life was different then."

She quietly stroked my legs, moving down to touch my feet. "I've never known someone to have beautiful feet, but you do."

"I've never really noticed."

"Your hands are gorgeous, too. Such long fingers and toes…"

I smiled. "You know what they say about men with long fingers?" I teased.

She giggled. "No, what do they say?"

"It's nearly impossible to find a pair of proper-fitting gloves." She playfully swatted me again. "My mother said I had piano-fingers," I seriously added.

"Do you play?" she asked. I nodded. "Will you play for me sometime?"

"I'd like that…"

"And I think I'd like you to turn over." I happily complied, crossing my arms behind my head and watching as she took it the whole length of me, and I saw the blood rush to her cheeks again.

"Yes?" I prompted.

"You'll laugh," she said.

"What?" I glanced down to see what she found funny, but I looked as I always look naked.

"I don't really have… experience… But you'd be surprised how often people think about bits."

"Bits?"

"Body parts," she said, rolling her eyes at me. "Yours looks different…"

"I'm not circumcised," I said. Sookie ran her fingernails up my inner thighs and cupped my sack gently in her hand.

"Oh," she said, nodding, before squeezing me lightly. Her hot fingers stroked my length, I leaned back my head and closed my eyes. "I like it," she finally said.

"Me too," I sighed.

And I heard her take a deep breath, and then the mattress shifted as she moved, and her hot, wet mouth was around me.

"Sookie."

She swirled her tongue around me, and I felt when I hit the back of her throat. She relaxed to take all of me, and I nearly came when she scraped lightly with her teeth. I wrapped her hair around my hand, both to keep it from blocking my view as I watched, but also to help guide her movements. I thrust into her as she sucked, and then pulled out, only to have her swirl the tip with her hot tongue before she took me back.

She looked up at me, and that alone through me over the edge.

"Sookie," I warned, pulling gently on her hair. But she only sucked harder, and when I came, she swallowed every drop. As I lay shuddering, she snuggled into my side, her head resting on my shoulder. She licked her lips like a kitten with cream and sighed with contentment.

"I've never done that before," she confessed. I kissed the top of her head. "Doesn't it get old for you?" she finally asked. "I mean, you've been doing it for over a hundred years. Doesn't it get predictable?"

"Not with you it doesn't," I assured her. "You're entirely different." I struggled for the words that could convey my feelings, but failed. "And the beauty and the tragedy of it is that you don't know just how different you are."

"Please tell me if I'm doing something wrong."

"There's nothing more natural than the act of making love," I said. "Who am I to try and change what comes naturally to you?"
"But if you could change something?"
I shifted my shoulder and made her look at me. "I wouldn't change a thing." She smiled at me and nestled back into my shoulder. I kissed her forehead and stroked her hair, enjoying the feel of her breathing.

"What's it like to sleep in the ground?"

"Well, it's not exactly comfortable," I said with a smile. "But it is safe, which, if I recall, is what your three voicemails required of me that night."

The doorbell rang, and we both sat up in bed.

"Crap," Sookie said with a smile. "Arlene. Forgot – I told her I'd babysit the kids."

The doorbell rang again.

"Should I go?" I asked.

"No, stay. It'll be good for her. Put some pants on, though," Sookie smiled and kissed me lightly before hopping out of bed.

I smiled after her, internally groaning at having our night interrupted. I quickly pulled on my pants and shirt and raced down the backstairs.

"Sookie, what's wrong? What took you so long?" Arlene said in doorway.

"I was out back," Sookie stumbled. "In the yard…"

"In your nightie?" the boy asked.

"Cat got out," I added. Everyone jumped. "Made friends with a squirrel."

"Mommy! Look! It's a vampire!" The little girl made to move closer, and Arlene grabbed both children, who looked up at me with wide, excited eyes.

"Sookie, you didn't mention you had company," she accused.

"I didn't think I had to," Sookie said, her voice forced into cheerfulness. There was an awkward moment where they both smiled at each other too pleasantly, both ready to fight.

"I've got a right to know who's lookin' after my children," Arlene insisted.

"Well, here we are," Sookie said as she put her arm around mine. "Is there a problem?"

I smiled at the kids, hoping they wouldn't think too much of the fuss. The least their mother could do was to have this sort of conversation in private and not undermine Sookie's authority.

"Oh, take it easy, cha," Rene said. "Mr. Compton raised a couple of them little ones himself, if I remember. Yeah?"

"That's quite right," I said, winking at the kids.

"Put these on you, hear?" Arlene finally said as she slipped silver bracelets onto the kids' arms. Sookie looked at her feet, embarrassed, and I gently reassured her with a squeeze. "And stay close to your Aunt Sookie."

"They'll be fine," Sookie said. "I promise. Who wants pizza?"

"Me. I do!" the kids said.

"Good," Sookie said, holding out her arms for the kids. "'Cause that's what we're having."

"You gonna eat pizza?" Rene asked me.

"Unfortunately, no," I said. "But I understand it's delicious."

We all stood awkwardly staring at each other for a few moments before Rene hurried Arlene out the door.

"Come on, y'all," Sookie said as she herded the children towards the kitchen. "Let's see what I have to tide you over…" She poured salsa into a couple of small dishes and opened a bag of chips. "Bill, I'm going to run upstairs and change. Will you be alright?"

"We'll be fine," I said.

"You're sure?" she whispered in my ear. "I can take them up with me."

"Go," I said, pushing her towards the stairs. "We're fine." The children were seated at the table, the boy mindlessly popping chips into his mouth and chewing open-mouthed as he stared at me. The girl simply stared. "Bill Compton," I said, extending my hand to the boy first. He looked down at it, and then tentatively touched my fingers. "That's not how a gentleman shakes hands," I said. "Here, put your hand like that," I used my other hand to show him, and then gripped his small hand in a practiced, firm, human handshake. "Harder. A little harder." He squeezed. "Just like that," I smiled. "Bill Compton," I repeated, shaking his hand.

"Colby Fowler," he said. "Your hand feels weird. It's all… cold…"

"You can let go now," I said.

"How hard can you squeeze?" he asked, still not releasing my hand.

"Hard enough to crush your bones," I said.

His eyes grew wide. "For real?" I nodded solemnly. "Can I see how hard I can squeeze you?" I smiled and nodded. He stood up and used both hands, his face turning red with the effort. "Nothing?"

"Nothing," I confirmed.

"That's so cool…" he breathed.

"Miss Fowler," I said to the girl, bowing as I took her hand and kissed it gently. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

She giggled. "Your hand is cold. And I'm Lisa."

"Lisa and Colby," I repeated. "Would it be alright with you if we didn't eat pizza this evening?"

"That's fine," Lisa quickly said. "We ate at home anyway."

"I'm still hungry," Colby protested. "Why don't you like pizza?"

"I'm allergic to garlic," I whispered, as if telling them a secret.

"There's garlic in pizza?" he asked.

"In the sauce, silly," Lisa answered.

"You're a very smart young lady," I said. "So what else could we have?"

"How 'bout icecream sundaes?" Colby quickly offered. "Those are good."

Lisa rolled her eyes. "You think everything is good."

"Let's see what Aunt Sookie has in her freezer," I said as I heard Sookie's steps on the stairs.

"What about Aunt Sookie's freezer?"

"Mr. Vampire Bill doesn't like pizza," Colby said. "So he said we could have sundaes instead."

"Sundaes and chips aren't much of a dinner," Sookie said. "I can make y'all sandwiches. You don't like pizza?" she whispered to me.

"We already ate dinner at home, Aunt Sookie," Lisa said. "And Mr. Vampire Bill said it's the garlic in the sauce."

"Just Bill is fine," I said, winking at her.

"I didn't even think about the garlic," Sookie apologized. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be silly."

"And you know, I think I do have some icecream in here," Sookie smiled at the kids and opened the freezer, which did contain a half gallon of vanilla icecream. She rummaged in the cupboards and brought out sprinkles and chopped peanuts and a jar of fudge that she warmed in the microwave.

"Bill, will you please see if there are any cherries or whipped cream in the fridge?"

I flashed to the fridge, which made the children gasp and giggle. "Whipped cream!" I said, opening the plastic container. The stuff smelled foully of chemicals, not even remotely like cream, but they all seemed to enjoy it.

"Yeah!" Colby said.

"Me too!" Lisa quickly chimed in.

"I hope you can finish this before your mother comes back," I said.

"No problem," Colby said. "I ate a whole jar of mayonnaise once."

Sookie wrinkled up her nose in disgust and Lisa shuddered. "I had to watch."

"Bill," Colby said. "How come you can't have icecream?"

"Well," I said. "You might say I'm lactose intolerant."

"Just like my Aunt Fern," Colby knowingly nodded. "'Cept she don't tolerate Mexicans."

I sat down and exchanged a look with Sookie, who arched her eyebrows and choked on a mouthful of icecream.

"Aunt Sookie," Lisa asked. "Is Bill your boyfriend?"

"Bill?" Sookie said in a teasing voice, turning to me. "Would you say that you're my boyfriend?"

"Well, I suppose I'd have to ask permission from Colby and Lisa. Would it be alright with you if I were Aunt Sookie's boyfriend?"

"Do you buy her flowers?" Lisa asked.

If I could've blushed, I would've under the child's level stare. "Um," I stammered, not wanting to explain to anyone, especially not a child, that I hadn't courted a woman in over a hundred years. "Why no, I haven't yet."

"You better," she insisted. "Rene buys flowers for Mama all the time."

"Well, then I will have to mend my ways."

"You do that, then we'll talk," she smiled up at me. I smiled and winked at her.

"Can we see your fangs?" Colby suddenly asked.

"I don't think that's going to be possible," Sookie quickly interjected.

"Why certainly," I said. I snatched two of the tortilla chips from the sack and dipped the tips in the red salsa too quickly for anyone to see me, and then I hid my mouth behind my hand. I clicked my fangs into place and carefully skewered each one with a chip. I looked up and growled, the chip fangs making everyone, even Sookie, laugh. "AUGH!" I said, holding my hands up like claws. "GRRRRR!"

They were still laughing when I pulled the chips from my fangs and quickly retracted them.

"Why don't y'all go and play a game or something while I clean up," Sookie suggested. "Lisa, show Bill where the games are. And then we can watch a movie."

"Can we have popcorn?" Colby asked.

"Sure," Sookie said. "But I'm not sure where you're going to put it with all those chips and all that icecream."

Colby giggled and scampered off the living room, Lisa not far behind him.

"Want me to help?" I murmured into Sookie's ear as I came up behind her. Her hands were full of dishes, and I wrapped my arms around her waist, pressing my hardness gently into her back.

"Bill!" Sookie scolded. "That's not helpful."

"Oh, I think it could be extremely helpful…" I moved my hands up to tease her nipples through her blouse, and I nibbled on her earlobe.

She wiggled her bottom to distract me, which had the opposite effect, and then she giggled. "Go take care of the kids, and I promise you I'll take care of you later."

"You already did that once today," I whispered. Blood flushed her cheeks and she looked away. I gently pulled her chin so she was looking at me. "You were magnificent," I said.

She set down the dishes and swatted me. "Shoo."

"Shoo?"

"Yes. Shoo."

"Bill!" Lisa called from the front room. I flashed to her side, suddenly appearing, which made her jump and laugh. "I wish I could do that!" she giggled. "Do you want cards or checkers?"

"Either one," I said. "But I do know a couple of card tricks. Would you like to see?"

"Really?" she said, beaming up at me. "Let's do that then. Colby cheats anyway."

"Colby, you cheat?" I asked as I sat on the sofa, shuffling the worn deck of cards in front of me as fast as I could, which made the children stare in wonder. He looked up from the whirring cards and grinned impishly. "What's the point of playing if you don't play fair?"

"Then I win," he said, shaking his head as if he couldn't believe I didn't know that. "Rene said that as long as I don't get caught at it, cheating don't matter."

I thought of my own son, still a suckling baby when I left for war. My father was a firm, distant man, and Caroline hadn't remarried. Thomas grew up without a man to show him how to shake hands or to tell him that there was such a thing as honor.

"There are things far more important than winning," I told Colby. "Your honor. Your integrity. No matter what else happens in this life, you have the power over your own choices. You choose to be the man you are, and a gentleman would never cheat. Not even if he knew he wouldn't be caught." Colby nodded solemnly and seemed to be stewing on what I'd said, so I flourished the shuffled deck in front of Lisa. "Pick a card, any card, and show it to Colby, but don't show it to me."

Vampire speed made me a natural at card tricks, and I studied several talented street magicians, my supernatural vision the only thing that made me aware of their secrets. I used to entertain humans with my antics while Lorena chose who she wanted for that night.

The children were laughing and demanding that I tell them how I made the cards appear from behind their ears or in their pockets when Sookie came in, carrying a tray with bowls of popcorn and a plate with a sandwich and apple slices.

"What on earth are y'all doing, making so much noise?"

"Aunt Sookie!" Lisa exclaimed. "Bill knows magic!"

"Good magic, too!" Colby added.

I shrugged my shoulders and put the cards away. "Just a trick or two I've picked up," I said.

"A man of many talents," she smiled at me. "Okay, so what movie do you want?"

"A vampire movie!" Colby said.

Sookie furrowed her brow. "Um, I think Disney has that one coming out at Christmas, but I don't have one suitable for y'all…"

"We're brave," Lisa insisted. "We can watch something scary."

"Oh no," Sookie laughed. "I know you two, and I know your mama. No scary movies, or she won't let y'all come over to see me."

"Sure she would," Colby said. "If she wanted to go out and needed someone to watch us."

I cleared my throat as Sookie stared at him for a moment. "How about Finding Nemo?" she said.

The children agreed, and Sookie put in the movie. I sat back on the sofa, and before Sookie had it ready, both children had settled in next to me, one on each side. Sookie smiled as she handed them each a bowl of popcorn and a cup of water.

"Would you like something?" she asked me.

"No, thank you. I'll wait."

"Do you drink blood, Bill?" Colby asked, his mouth full of popcorn.

"You're so gross," Lisa said. "And of course he does. He's vampire. That's what they eat."

He held out his little arm. "You can have some of mine, if you're hungry."

Sookie blanched, and I smiled politely. "That's very gracious of you," I said. "But I'm quite well at the moment. Thank you."

The movie started, and Sookie sat across from us in one of the chairs, the sound of their breathing and their heartbeats mingling pleasantly with the sweet smell of their blood and the buttery smell of popcorn. It wasn't long until both children were asleep. Colby leaned against my shoulder, and Lisa with her head in my lap.

"I didn't expect you to be so natural with them," Sookie whispered over the film, chewing the last of her sandwich.

"I haven't been around children in a long time," I confessed. "Most children are asleep when I'm awake, and they don't frequent locations…" I smiled. "You get the idea." She nodded. "But it's like riding a bike."

"You must've been a wonderful father," she finally said.

I didn't answer, simply stared intently at the screen, watching the cartoon father clown fish search for his lost son. "That turtle is high," I said at last.

"He's not high," Sookie indignantly replied. "It's a kid's movie."

"He's high," I repeated.

"He's from California." I quietly laughed. "Bill, shhh! You'll wake the kids." I carefully eased Lisa's head off my lap, and then stood up with Colby in my arms. "Wait a second," Sookie said, and she rushed to the closet, returning with several old quilts, which she piled into a pallet on the floor. "Here."

I gently laid the child down, and he curled over, still asleep. I put my arms around Sookie and held her to me. "He's high," I insisted.

She swatted my arm. "He's not," she giggled.

"I've lived in California, and no one speaks like that unless they're high."

"Thank you, Mr. Know-It-All." I silenced her with a kiss, teasing her lips into opening with my tongue. She softly sighed and leaned into me, opening her mouth and sucking on my bottom lip. I thrust into her so she could feel my arousal, and she quietly moaned and kissed me harder, tugging my hair to guide me.

"Let's go upstairs," I whispered.

"The kids…" Sookie gasped as I teased her nipples.

I ran my hand up her skirt, flicking her click through damp panties and ghosting my fingers over her thighs. "I'll hear them if they wake up."

"No," she shook her head. "Kitchen?"

I nodded, scooped her up, and flashed to the kitchen. I perched her on the edge of the table and slid off her panties. I smelled them deeply, watching through the lace as she blushed, before pocketing them. "Put your heels on the edge," I whispered.

She immediately did as I asked, and I gently spread her knees, and she was open before me like a glistening jewel. I licked in broad strokes along her wetness, and she gasped as her fingers clutched my hair. I nuzzled into her thigh, my fangs clicking into place at the nearness of her sweet blood. I gently teased her with my fingers while I bit into her soft flesh, sucking deeply on the rich blood. When she was close, I abruptly stopped. She groaned in frustration while I pierced my tongue and licked the wounds closed, and then I unfasten my pants and eased into her, the angle making her even tighter. She opened her eyes as I thrust into her. I kissed her, pulling all the way out and teasing her clit before pounding in again, hitting her sweet spot and making her moan.

"Shhh," I whispered. "You'll wake the children if you scream."

She bit into her bottom lip, and when I saw the drop of crimson blood, I sucked it into my mouth, her taste sending me into a frenzy of desire. I felt her muscles begin to tighten around me, and she gave a strangled cry into my mouth as she came seconds later, her internal contractions milking my own release.

I eased out of her, and leaned her gently back on the table as I found a clean cloth, wet it at the sink, and carefully cleaned her.

"My Gran would kill me for doing that on the kitchen table," Sookie whispered.

I straightened her shirt and gently pulled her upright, cradling her against my chest as I smoothed her hair.

"Your grandmother wanted you to feel loved and to be happy." Sookie sniffled, and I smelled the sweetness of her tears. "Are you those things?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Then she probably only would've asked that you cleaned up after yourself."

Sookie quietly laughed. "You're right. You barely even got a chance to know her, but you really get her."

I smiled sadly. "She was a special lady."

Sookie nodded. "She was."

"So are you," I said, kissing her hair. The dryer on the porch buzzed. "Want me to help you fold?" I asked.

"It's mostly your stuff anyway," Sookie said, hopping off the table and stepping out onto the porch.

"Mine?"

"Yep," she nodded, walking back into the kitchen with a basket of clean sheets and towels from my house. "I took them with me when I left this morning."

"Sookie," I said, folding a towel. "You don't need to tidy up after me."

"Well, some of it is my mess, too," she offered. "I couldn't just leave wet towels on the floor. They'll get mildewy. And I soaked your white shirt. The one that was muddy. It's too nice to ruin."

I smiled, helping her fold a sheet. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

We'd just finished folding the last of the things when I heard Rene's truck pull into the drive. "They're back," I said. "Why don't you meet them on the porch so they don't wake the children? I can lift them into the truck."

Sookie kissed my cheek and skipped to the door, which she opened as quietly as possible and slipped through. I heard the car doors, and Arlene squealed before Sookie whispered that the kids were asleep in the front room.

Arlene scampered back to the kitchen, her heels clattering on the hard-wood floor, Rene blushing and shaking his head, and Sookie looking puzzled, bringing up the rear.

"Do y'all want something to drink?" Sookie offered. Arlene sat noisily in one of the kitchen chairs, and Rene sat down next to her. "What's going on?" Sookie asked.

"You'd better sit down," Arlene said. As soon as Sookie does, Arlene waved her left hand in front of Sookie's face. "I'm getting married!"

"Congratulations!" Sookie said.

"Congratulations," I repeated, offering my hand to Rene. He turned up his nose for a split second, and then quickly smiled and shook it.

"Thank you, man," he said, looking away.

Sookie held Arlene's left hand, examining the tiny diamond.

"I know I've done it four other times," Arlene exclaimed. "But it never gets old!"

"Oh!" Sookie graciously smiled. "I am so thrilled for you two."

"Would you be a bridesmaid for me again?"

"Of course," Sookie said. "You hardly have to ask."

"Oh honey!" Arlene bursts out, hugging Sookie. "I love you so much." It's all I could do to not snort at the insincerity and absurdity of the entire moment, but Sookie seemed genuinely happy for her friend, so I smiled politely.

"Hey, maybe you two are next, huh?" Rene conversationally said to me, something men often awkward say at these female-moments. I saw Sookie's face immediately drop, and I knew that I wasn't allowed to marry her, or any other woman. "I mean," Rene stumbled. "When it becomes legal."

An uncomfortable silence filled the room, but it was interrupted when Lisa wandered in, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Mama?" she asked. "What's going on?"

"Sweetie," Arlene beamed, flourishing the ring. "You're going to be my flower girl!"

Lisa squealed and hopped over to hug her mother, and Sookie smiled at me and squeezed my knee under the table.

"Do y'all have any ideas?" Sookie asked.

"Something soon. Why wait? I need to talk to Sam about a party," Arlene rushed. "But look at the time! We'd best get on home. Lisa, go wake up your brother."

"You needn't wake him, Ms. Fowler," I said. "I'd be happy to carry him to the truck.

Arlene smiled at me stiffly. "No need to go to any trouble," she said. Rene smiled at me and shrugged his shoulders, and they tromped noisily to the front door. Colby was awakened, and they left. Sookie waved from the front door until they were out of sight before closing the door and locking it.

"Alone at last," she sighed. "I'm really sorry for Arlene. She's a good person, really…"

"Sookie," I interrupted. "It's fine."

"No, it's not fine. She's rude to you. In my own home, no less."

"Not everyone is an understanding as you are," I said, pulling her into my arms.

"I'm exhausted," Sookie said. "Would you like to stay here tonight? With me? I mean, at least until dawn?"

I smiled at her and kissed her gently on the lips. "I would be delighted."

She took my hand and led me up the stairs. "I think there's a new toothbrush around here somewhere," she said outside the bathroom.

"I don't need a toothbrush," I said. I smiled broadly. "No bacteria. No bad breath. No decay."

"Really?" she asked, surprised. "And I was hoping you'd let me brush your fangs…"

I laughed. "Well, if you really wanted to…" I clicked them out for her, and she jumped. "But maybe another night? When you'd have more time to fully admire them?" I grazed them along her neck, not breaking the skin, and she shivered in delight.

"I'll be just a minute," she said, stepping into the bathroom. "Human-stuff."

"Take your time," I assured her.

She closed the door behind her, and I returned to her little bedroom, quickly undressing and crawling under the covers, grateful to be surrounded by her scent and her things. My mind wandered as I listened to her brush her teeth and wash her face, as it so often had the past weeks, to Caroline and Sarah and Thomas, my son who wouldn't have remembered me. Sookie flipped off the light and came to bed, her nightgown soft against my bare skin.

"You smell like the sun," I whispered as I tucked her into my side.

"Gran always hung the laundry when she could," Sookie explained.

"I like it."

She nodded. "Me too."

She sighed and gently twisted the hair on my chest, and I felt a sadness that wasn't there earlier.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"Arlene," she said. I patiently waited for her to finish the thought. "She's already been married four times. Not that I'd want any of her husbands. She has the worst taste in men. Not Rene – he seems okay. Jason really likes him… Even Jason has a new girlfriend. Did I tell you that?"

"No."

"He had her in the bar today. Sam hired her. She seems so… So nice." Sookie shook her head. "She's just not what Jason usually ends up with… with…"

"With his indiscriminate habits in regards to bedding the fairer sex?" I added.

Sookie quietly laughed. "Well, I wouldn't have worded it that nicely. But yes. That's what I meant."

I felt her warm breath on my chest, and I listened to the wet thumping of her heartbeat, and the night outside the open window was alive with insects and bats and birds.

"I just…" she finally said. "It just seems so unfair, really. That some people get so many chances at love, and other's don't. Before you, I never thought…"

I gently squeezed her. "That's got nothing to do with you, Sookie," I said. "I'm sure your not being with someone had nothing to do with uninterested parties."

"I've been asked some," she admitted. "But it's so hard when you can hear everything they're thinking all the time. And I couldn't have a child."

"Why not?"

"To hear what my kids thought of me all the time? It wouldn't be fair to them."

"You will be a wonderful mother, Sookie." I kissed the top of her head. "And being able to read a child's thoughts would occasionally come in quite handy. There were times, with my children, I had no idea why they were crying." She smiled. "And people like Arlene and your brother aren't in love. I've seen it over and over, more times than I'd like to. They want to be in love, they want to feel connected, and they loose themselves in a fantasy or in physical pleasure, but it's not love."

"Everyone wants to be connected," she said.

I nodded. "And everyone wants to be loved, too. But love, true love, is a gift. Not everyone is lucky enough for one chance in a lifetime, let alone more."

She was quiet for so long that I thought she'd fallen asleep, and when she finally spoke, it was so soft, a human wouldn't have heard her. "Did you love your wife?"

"Yes."

She nodded. "Do you still?"

"I don't think people ever stop loving someone. The heart doesn't understand death or distance."

She nodded again and nuzzled her face against my chest and kissed me, and then she sighed and settled into sleep.

***

Lorena and I were living in New York City, and I'd never seen a place like it. Even at night, the city was alive in ways I'd never imagined were possible. We rented a townhouse, posing as husband and wife, using the excuse that I was frail with migraines and couldn't bear sunlight to keep the nosey neighbors at bay. There were concerts and the theatre and museum guards who could be bribed to open the doors after dark. The alleyways were filled with poor immigrants who were grateful for enough coins for a hot meal, and we usually didn't even have to glamour.

"I usually don't understand your love of such things, William," Lorena laughed as we left the theatre. "But I have to admit, I really enjoyed the play."

"Wait here," I said, smiling at her. "I'll find a carriage."

"Let's walk," she said. "It's a beautiful night." I bowed and offered her my arm, and she took it. We strolled towards the house at a human pace, peering at the shop windows and chatting like any other couple.

"William," she finally said. "Will you ask me to marry you?"

"Lorena," I sighed, stopping and letting my arms drop to my sides. "Please don't." I shrugged her hand from my arm. "Please don't ask again."

"I know you loved her," she said. "I'm not asking to replace her. But she's gone, William. It's been five years."

"I'm with you," I hissed. "I broke my vow to her, and I am faithful to you. What more can you ask of me?"

"Marry me," she simply said.

"No."

"I could command you."

"But you won't," I said, walking again.

"William," she said, hurrying to keep pace. "William, wait." She gripped my arm tightly enough to make my bones ache, and I stopped. "I love you," she said, looking up at me.

"Why do you want a silly piece of paper? A ring? Is that what you want? I'll buy you a ring. I'll buy you ten."

"I don't want money," she said, blinking away tears.

"Then what do you want?"

"I want you to promise to love me forever."

"Lorena, please," I said, looking away. "Please don't do this."

"You are everything to me. You are mine, and I am yours."

"That is all I can give you," I said. "There is nothing left of me to offer you."

"Your heart, William," she whispered, placing her gloved hand over my chest. "Love me. Marry me."

I took her hand in mine, and I felt the tears burn as I tried to blink them away. "Do not ask that of me," I said. Once more, I offered my arm to her, and she sighed, and took it. We continued our stroll down the street.