Chapter 12 - It's Been A Long Time

A lot had changed in the six months since Bill was sentenced to his jail time. He ended up with three months in jail, and two years of community service, plus a restraining order. After he got out, my brother did pay a visit to him, and I hadn't heard a peep out of him since.

I was no longer a waitress at the bar. I had actually just started Pam's job. Eric found a restaurant that he bought and was going to focus his attention there, so he officially gave Pam his job. He asked Pam to hire the person to take her job, so she interviewed all the staff to see if someone in house could do it. Apparently she thought I could. I have no doubt that her decision was partially because of who I was to Eric, but I really could do the job, and I loved it. The pay was a lot better, I had a ton more responsibility, and I got to spend more time with Eric at work. He still hadn't left his office yet, so Pam and I were sharing until he officially handed the reigns over to her.

As for my relationship with Eric, I was still unsure about becoming official. I knew I wanted it, but I had just recently come to the conclusion that I was really over Bill and put what he'd done to me to rest. That was a major thing, and a huge weight off my back. To go from that, right into another relationship scared the hell out of me.

Eric was still being amazing about it all. We would kiss when we could, and even had several hot and heavy make-out sessions, but that's as far as it would go. He didn't pressure me for more, and I knew he never would. We went on dates together, and he took me as his date to a few business owner events and fundraisers. It was like we were already together, but I couldn't bring myself to think of us that way.

Pam had helped me a lot and made me realize that I couldn't heal faster than I needed to. It did take a while to stop feeling towards Bill, and to get rid of a lot of the residual effects from his abuse. I was learning to say no, and figuring out that while making others happy was great, it was me that needed to be happy first. When Pam thought I was ready she took me to a real therapist, and it actually did help me more than I thought it would. It had been two weeks since my final session with the therapist, and I hadn't had one with Pam either. So now it was all up to me to decide when I was ready to be happy.

I had begun reaching out to the old friends I had driven away, and they were being great about letting me back in. I started having dinner at Sam's bar in Bon Temps a couple nights a week so I could catch up with everyone. We were all taking it slow there too, and Tara and Arlene had finally invited me to go shopping with them in a week.

I walked into work, once again thankful that I no longer had to wear a waitress uniform. Business casual was so much better. I went into my shared office with Pam to drop off my purse, and then headed to the break room to get some coffee.

"Guess who I saw at the club Saturday night?" Selah asked Arlene. They were both gossiping in the break room before their shift started, like normal.

"Who?" Arlene asked, hanging on Selah's every word.

"Eric. Northman." Selah said, and my head shot up as Arlene giggled. "He bought me a drink and we danced, then he took me back to his house…"

"And?" Arlene said, urging her to continue. Selah shot a look at me before continuing since she knew I was listening in.

"We had sex, and it was amazing. He's a God, I'm telling you."

Lying. Bitch. I'd known she was lying from the beginning because not only did Eric not go to clubs, but he was with me Saturday night at the movies. None of the staff knew that Eric and I had any sort of anything going on.

"He asked me not to say anything because he doesn't want the other waitresses to think they have a chance," she said with another pointed glance at me. She still treated me like I was equal to her, even though I could technically fire her if I had cause.

"I can't believe you're having sex with the boss!" Arlene said, and that was about all I could take.

I took a step towards them, and just as I was about to give them both a tongue-lashing, reality hit me. Since we hadn't labeled our relationship I couldn't just say that I was his girlfriend and that Selah was a liar. They'd never believe me. So instead of telling them off, I pretended like I was ready to leave the room, dumped the remainder of my coffee in the sink, and left. The sounds of their snickering carried down the hall as I made my way to his office.

I stood in front of the door for a moment, contemplating what I was about to do, and then I knocked.

"Come in," he called, his voice muffled through the door. With a deep breath, I turned the knob and walked into the office, shutting the door behind me.

Eric was standing in front of his desk, his back to me, and when he heard the door shut he turned around to see who had come in. His whole face lit up when he saw that it was me, and he set the mail that he was sorting through on the desk to give me his full attention.

"Hey, I'm glad you stopped in here. The city theater is doing a production of West Side Story, and I want to get us tickets for this…" I cut off his sentence by pulling his head to mine and kissing him with all the love and passion I could muster, and when I pulled away, he was breathless.

"I want to be your girlfriend, and I want to have sex," I told him.

"What, now?" he asked, clearly confused, yet excited by the idea.

"No, not right this minute," I giggled.

"Back up a second. While I'm thrilled that you're ready to take this step, I would like to know why it happened so suddenly."

"I had an epiphany," I said, and took a seat on the couch. Eric stayed standing and raised an eyebrow. "I was in the break room just now, and Selah was telling this tale about how she saw you at a club on Saturday night, and that you took her to your house and had sex with her, but told her not to tell anyone."

Eric's jaw dropped, and then a split second later he looked angry, like he was about to go to the break room and fire someone.

"Calm down, Eric. It's okay. I know she's lying, and I almost yelled at her for it, but then I realized that I couldn't. I'm not technically your girlfriend. But I want to be. It's been six months since everything with Bill. I don't feel anything but annoyance when I think about him now, and here you are, this amazing man who loves me, who hasn't pressured me once for anything… It's just right, Eric. It's right, and I've let us waste so much time. I'm ready. I'm ready to go with you places and have you introduce me as your girlfriend instead of your friend. I'm ready to take you into Sam's bar, introduce you to my friends, and say to everyone, 'this unbelievably beautiful man loves me, and he's mine.' I'm ready."

Eric was smiling by the time I finished my little speech, and he slowly walked over to me, pulled me up from the couch, and gave me the sweetest kiss I'd ever received.

"You have no idea how much I've wanted to hear you say that," he said. "Tomorrow night."

"What's tomorrow night?" I asked, feeling more than a little weak in the knees from his kiss.

"I want you to stay the night. We'll go to my house after work, and whatever happens, happens, and if nothing happens, then we both have the entire next day off and something may happen then. The possibilities are endless."

"I like where you're going with this, but I have to say that unless I get so busy here that I want my feet to fall off at the end of the night, it's going to happen. And then the entire next day it's going to happen more, and breaks are only to be taken for nourishment."

Eric's eyes seemed to darken as I spoke, and a grin spread across his lips.

"I like the way you think," he said, and then he kissed me again. This time it was harder, giving me just a hint of his desire and need for me, and I gave as good as I got until a knock on the door made us break apart.

I took a step back and straightened my shirt as Eric told the person knocking to come in, and I was relieved when it turned out to be Pam.

"Well, well. You two look like you were just making out," she smirked.

I let out a little giggle, gave Eric a kiss on the cheek, and left his office to go work. After my little epiphany and confession to Eric I felt light as a feather, and happier than I'd been in… well, ever. For the first time in a long time, the things that Bill had done didn't truly weigh on my conscience one bit. All I wanted in life at that moment was to continue to enjoy it. I wanted to be with Eric, to laugh, to love, and to move forward, past being just a waitress. I actually aspired to do something different, and Eric was fully supportive of it. I'd never had that before.

I was able to ignore Selah and the other girls the rest of the night if I had to go out into the bar. I talked to Eric after I finished inventory and then I went home, where I frantically searched my drawers for some sexy underwear, but came up empty. All I had was a ton of boy shorts and some bikini cut cotton, nothing with silk or lace.

I picked up the phone and called Amelia, who answered right away.

"I have an emergency," I began, and ten minutes later we had plans to get up early and go shopping, Amelia's favorite pastime.

After having a sandwich and taking a shower, I hopped into bed and tried to fall asleep. Twenty minutes of tossing and turning later, my phone beeped, alerting me to a text message.

Having trouble sleeping because I can't stop thinking about my girlfriend.

I grinned, and replied:

Funny, I'm having the same problem.

I smiled the whole time I was waiting for his response, and got butterflies when it came.

Oh, you have a girlfriend? Why didn't I know about this?

I cracked up, and typed in my reply.

She's fantastic. I can't stop thinking about her. We're going to make it official tomorrow night.

A schoolgirl with a crush. That's what I felt like at that moment. Maybe a schoolgirl with a crush, mixed with a blushing bride on the night before her wedding.

Your girlfriend is the luckiest person on the planet. If I were her, I'd hold onto you forever.

I aww'd at my phone. I actually aww'd out loud at my phone, and then I got misty eyed as I typed a message back.

Well then it's your lucky day. I've decided that I'd rather spend tomorrow night with my boyfriend.

You're right, it is my lucky day. I can't wait to show you just how lucky I feel to have you.

I couldn't stop smiling.

I can't wait to show you the same thing. All kidding aside, I'm very, very excited about tomorrow.

I am too. I'm going to have to stay in my office all night to keep from dragging you back there.

I couldn't stop the rush of heat I felt when I read those words.

That's probably a good idea. Very good things come to those who wait, and you'll be pleased that you did.

At least I hoped he would. I was basing that on what he would see me in, and I didn't even know yet.

I'll do my best, but when we get to my house, all bets are off, and so are my clothes.

And what am I supposed to do while you're naked?

You'll be on the bed while I remove your clothes with my teeth.

Oh yeah, definite rush of heat at that one.

While that sounds wonderful, I do have a surprise planned in the department of what I'm wearing.

I only have one question. Does it involve a thong?

Eric!

What? I love your butt. It would look fantastic in a thong.

I'll have to keep that in mind. But I'm still not telling.

I suppose I better go to sleep then so tomorrow will come faster. I love you.

I love you, too. Goodnight.

Sleep came much easier after that.

Amelia was at my house bright and early, unable to hide her excitement. She didn't even want to wait on me to brew coffee, and had come with a to go cup already full.

"I'm so excited that you two are making it official. I'm treating you to today, so leave your wallet in the car," she said when we got in the car to head to Shreveport.

"I can buy my own lingerie," I said.

"Fine, you buy your lingerie, but you're not paying for anything else."

"What else is there? I thought we were just getting me something that isn't made of cotton."

"I am very good friends with the woman who runs a spa, and I'm treating you to a manicure, pedicure, massage, waxing, and facial."

"Waxing? I've never been waxed. That's too much."

"You've never waxed? Not even at home?" she asked, and I shook my head. "What the hell do you have going on down there?"

I blushed the deep red of a tomato.

"I keep the area… trimmed."

"Personally, I go totally bare," she said.

"I'm not doing that," I said, and she knew exactly why. During my healing phase I'd told her about my uncle. One of the things he used to say to me was how much he loved how hairless I was.

"Shit. I'm sorry, Sookie. I wasn't thinking," she said, and reached over to take my hand.

"I know, and it's okay, but I won't be going bare."

"You don't have to. There are all kinds of different things they can do. They have a menu for you to look at."

"We really don't have to do all that. I'm just going to work tonight anyway, so my nails will get hurt at some point."

"I don't care. You're doing it. Now, do you have any idea what kind of lingerie you want to get?" she asked.

"I've never really worn any, so I guess I'll just see what I like. I don't want anything that makes me look slutty, or like I'm trying to hard. I just want to look and feel sexy, for myself, and for him."

"I promise we'll get you something that fits that description. Gotta say, Sook, it's nice to hear that you're doing this for yourself as much as you're doing it for him. You've come a long ass way."

"I know," I smiled. "And I can't wait to prove it to myself, and to him, tonight."

Amelia took me to Victoria's Secret, and after an hour I felt like I'd tried on the whole store. She kept bringing me corsets, and I hated the way I looked. It was either that I looked like a really experienced girl trying to be innocent, or an innocent girl trying to be too sexy and having it come off all wrong.

"You know what? Bring me something with garters. I've always liked the way garters look on a woman, and I want to try them," I told Amelia, and she ran off excitedly for a few minutes. When she came back she only had one set.

"Sookie, this is it. I know it," she said as she handed it to me.

"Let's see how I look in it first," I laughed, and closed the door to the dressing room.

I put all the pieces on, and took a deep breath before turning to look at myself in the mirror.

"Oh wow," I said.

"Is that an it's-the-one wow?" Amelia asked. I turned and opened the door so she could see me, and she let out an excited squeal.

"It's perfect. I feel like me, only sexy," I said.

"Eric's going to love it! You'll be lucky if he doesn't have a premature issue as soon as he sees you."

I laughed and looked at myself in the mirror again, but this time I frowned.

"What?" Amelia asked.

"I just feel like this isn't the one for the first time. I know Eric, and he's going to make it romantic and perfect, and this doesn't really fit that. I love it too much not to get it though. Maybe I should find something else for tonight, and get this for tomorrow. He said something the other day about getting us tickets to a play, so we can go out, and I can wear this under a sexy dress."

"That sounds good to me! If you go out to dinner, go somewhere with booths or a tablecloth, and take his hand up your leg until he hits the top of your stockings. He'll be dying to get you home," she giggled.

"That sounds like a good plan," I laughed, "but I still don't have something to wear for tonight. Think romantic."

She closed her eyes for a moment, and then gasped before taking off into the store again, and when she came back she was holding a pale pink slip with lace trim.

"Amelia, this is beautiful," I said as I took it from her.

"I saw it earlier, and it definitely fits what you want. Try it on," she urged.

I went back into the dressing room and removed the set that I would be wearing the next night, and then I tried on the slip. It was perfect. The pale pink looked great against my skin, and the neckline really accented the swell of my breasts. I opened the door so Amelia could see, and she once again squealed her approval.

We left the store ten minutes later with my purchases, and headed to the spa. The first thing we did was the waxing, just to get it out of the way since I was nervous about it. I got my legs and underarms done at Amelia's insistence, and after consulting with the technician I got a European bikini wax.

Next we got a facial, and then came the mani/pedi's where Amelia decided to ask me about birth control.

"Do you think you're my mother?" I asked, hoping the girl doing my toenails wasn't offended by this conversation.

"I'm just looking out for you. I want you to be safe," she said.

"Fine. We had the conversation a while ago. I'm on the pill, and we both got tested after Bill went to jail. We're clean so we're not going to bother with condoms."

"Are you sure you don't want to use condoms?"

"He's the only one I've ever not used them with," I shrugged.

"You mean Bill never talked you into not using them?"

"Strangely enough, Bill refused to have sex without one. I used to think he was just being safe, but now I wonder if there wasn't more to that. It could have been anything: him not wanting to risk pregnancy, something from his childhood, a bad experience. I don't know, and I really don't care to ever find out. I'm actually relieved it turned out that way."

"I am too. Could you imagine having a kid with him?" she asked with a visible shudder.

"I did," I said quietly. "Once upon a time, when I thought he would be who I ended up with, I imagined having kids with him. Now, of course, I'm thankful nothing like that ever happened, but I did want it once."

Amelia reached over and took my hand, giving it a squeeze to show her support. I smiled at her in thanks, and she quickly changed the subject back to Eric. By the time we got to the massage I was feeling fantastic, and then the massage itself completely relaxed me. I left the spa feeling like a new woman.

We had lunch at a little diner before heading home, where I had just enough time to take a quick shower and pack before heading off to work. I couldn't stop smiling when I got there and saw Eric's car sitting in its spot. My boyfriend's car. The boyfriend I would be making love with in just a matter of hours.

I was feeling so happy in fact, that when I entered the break room to the sound of Selah telling another tall tale about how she was sleeping with the boss, I couldn't find it in me to give a hoot. I was the one that had the one she wanted, and that was all I needed to know.

"Sookie?" I heard Pam say, and turned away from the cup of coffee I was fixing to see her standing in the doorway. The other few girls stopped talking so they could hear whatever Pam was about to say to me.

"Hey Pam," I said.

She gave me a mischievous smile, and then said, "Eric wanted me to confirm with you that you brought an overnight bag as he will be busy in his office all night."

I grinned broadly. "Please tell him that I did remember it, and that I packed for two nights."

"I will," she said. "Oh, he also wanted me to inform you that he bought you a toothbrush to keep at his house, so if you forgot yours again there's no worry."

I wanted to laugh. That had never happened, and I knew without a doubt that Eric told Pam what happened the night before with Selah. This was Pam's way of getting the message across loud and clear that Eric was with me.

"I did remember it this time, but tell him that it's very sweet of him to get me one."

"Sure, Sookie. Also, I think you should know that Eric is very, very excited about…"

"Pam," I said, cutting her off and giving her a you've-made-your-point look. She just chuckled and went back down the hall.

I finished making my coffee, and sat down at a table to drink it like nothing had happened.

"You want to explain that, Sookie?" Selah asked, which surprised me a bit since she was the one lying to everyone.

"Explain what?"

"Why are you staying with Eric tonight?" Arlene asked.

"Because we do that sometimes," I said, and took another sip of the hot coffee.

"You said you were the only one fucking him," Arlene said to Selah.

"She's not fucking him," I said, loving the way Selah's eyes flared wide in her anger. "If she knew Eric at all, she'd know that he doesn't go to clubs, nor would he bring a woman home from one and sleep with her. Eric doesn't do the casual sex thing. He's into monogamous relationships. Also, last Saturday? Eric was in a movie theater with me."

"Are you dating him?" Holly, the nicest waitress in the place, asked.

"Yes, Eric is my boyfriend," I smiled.

"Sookie, that's great!" Holly said, and came over to hug me. "I'm happy for you both."

"Thanks Holly."

"It's so nice to see you move on after Bill. I can't say that I really know Eric, but he's a great boss, and I'm sure he's a great guy," she said, smiling.

"He really is," I said, and got up to put my cup in the little sink.

A/N:

There's only one chapter left, and it's ready to go. Would everyone like it tonight, or should I wait a few days?

Thank you to kgmoll for beta'ing these last two chapters for me! You were great sweetie!