a/n: Still struggling to balance work, family and personal time (which with a toddler is minimal on the best of days). I do try to get these chapters out on a weekly basis, but lately that's just not been possible.

You continue to be patient with me and I'll continue to sneak away from "real life" whenever I can!

Without further adieu...back to the story!

Just as the doctor predicted, Sookie lost the baby just two nights later. Sookie left her room only to use the bathroom and Gran was worried sick about her. She brought her meals to her room and kept encouraging her to eat, though Sookie had little appetite. A week passed when out of the blue, they had a late night visitor knocking on their door.

Gran opened the curtains, opening the door at once when she saw who was standing on her porch.

"Sam! Thank the Lord! I'd been prayin you'd be calling on Sookie soon."

Before Sam could question why, Gran had him in a such a tight hug, it took his breath away.

"Adele....I'm glad to see you too." Sam laughed. His laugh caught in his throat when he saw Gran's sober face. "What? Is something wrong with Sookie?" he asked worriedly.

"Well...come in now. She's resting. I'll get you some coffee."

Sam followed Adele into the kitchen, looking around for Sookie as he walked.

Where was she? It was pretty early for her to be in bed already? Where were the kids?

Adele poured Sam a cup of coffee and when she turned to hand it to him, he saw her eyes were brimming with tears.

He sat the cup on the table, taking a step toward Adele. "What is going on? Is Sookie hurt?"

I led Callisto away from Sookie...she should be safe. She was bleeding...had she been scratched?

Sam's thoughts were becoming more frightful by the second. He looked pleadingly into Adele's face for reassurance.

"Sookie isn't hurt but she is hurting." Adele began, gesturing for Sam to take one of the chairs. "She...she lost the baby, Sam." Adele told him after he sat, dropping into the chair beside him, her own tears streaking her cheeks.

Sam's own eyes welled up and he starting running his hands through his hair.

"This is all my fault. I shouldn't have left her. I had no choice. I had to get ..." Sam's words broke off as he heard his name called from the upstairs bedroom.

He was up the steps in a wink, finding his way easily to Sookie's old room. She was curled in a ball in the center of bed, the covers twisted around her legs from her tossing about. Sam walked softly over to the bed. Sookie reached for him, which surprised him. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying. He quickly stripped off his boots and climbed into bed beside her, spooning her little frame and wrapping her up in his arms. He unraveled the blanket, covering them both.

"Sookie...I'm so sorry I had to leave. I thought you were bleeding but I couldn't come back. I had to get the maenad away from you....if I'd known you or the baby were in trouble..."

"Sam it wasn't you or the creature." Sookie interrupted in a whisper. "I...I miscarried a couple weeks before the attack. I just didn't....I wasn't bleeding or anything....I didn't know."

Sam kissed the top of her head. "Sookie...I'm so sorry."

"I...I don't think I did anything different...I know I didn't...." Sookie mumbled through new tears.

Sam squeezed her tighter and shook his head. "Cher, I'm sure it wasn't nothin you done. Calvin says weres have miscarriages all the time. Its probably the same for shifters. He thinks the three we have are miracles and I think he's right. Don't blame yourself, honey, please. Its not your fault."

Sookie sniffled. "I don't want to talk about this anymore tonight." She yawned and turned around, facing Sam. "I'm glad you are alright." she told him softly.

Sam kissed her forehead and hugged Sookie close. "We both will be. You need to get some sleep. Close your eyes. I'm not going anywhere."

Sookie smiled and closed her eyes, feeling some of her own peace restored by Sam's presence. Soon they were both fast asleep and they slept straight through till morning.

Sam woke first but he laid still so Sookie could sleep a while longer. He stared at her beautiful face, her long lashes and deep pout. How he'd missed that face. How he missed everything about her.

She slept almost an hour more, waking to find Sam studying her with a huge smile on his face. She couldn't help but smile in return.

"Good morning, beautiful." Sam said, pushing aside a loose strand of her hair from her face.

"Hey." Sookie replied sheepishly. She was feeling a little silly and awkward after all their time apart, but mostly she felt happy. Happy to be back in his safe arms. She knew they had the same problems, but she couldn't care now. Everything may be the same but everything was different too. He came back...he came back to her. Right now, that's all that mattered.

She kissed him lightly on the lips. His eyes went wide with surprise, but he quickly kissed her in return, a much deeper kiss.

"I'm so glad you're back, Sam." Sookie said with a smile, wiping off his wet lips with her thumb.

Sam's smile disappeared. "Sookie..I love you and I'm sorry...but I can't stay."

Sookie sat up stunned. "What? I thought...I thought you wanted me back...where are you going?"

Sam shook his head, his hand back pulling at his hair like he did when he was stressed. "I do want you, Sookie...more than anything...but I have to go back. I have to go back so Callisto doesn't return here."

Sookie looked at him confused. "Callisto?"

Sam nodded. "The maenad. She...I have to go back and set things right. I owe her a debt. I'm sorry but if I don't go, she'll come back. I can't let her return and hurt you again or anyone else."

Sookie's head fell to her hands. He knew this creature...he owed her...he was leaving again. None of this made sense. Another huge part of Sam's life that she knew nothing about.

"What debt? What does she want from you?"

Sam looked at Sookie sadly. "I'm not sure exactly what she wants...I just know I have to return."

Sookie's sadness soon turned to anger. "More secrets?! Why even come back here, Sam Merlotte?" She hit him in the chest and jumped to her feet. "Why even see me again when you only planned on running out on me? Why bother?!" she yelled, her face turning red.

Sam winced painfully, more from her words than her fists. "Sookie. I'm sorry. I'll try to be back as soon as I can...I promise. I just want you to be safe."

Sookie stormed to the door, hands in fists at her sides like she often did when she was angry. "You don't need to come back! Just...just get on out of here!" she screamed and out she went, slamming the door behind her.

When Sam came downstairs, Adele just shook her head sadly.

"She stormed out of her without a word and drove off in her pajamas." she said, shaking her head distractedly. "I'm sure she'll be back after she blows off some steam."

Sam shook his head sadly. "I have to go. Adele, could you please tell her I love her. I'll be back when I can."

Adele walked him to the door, patting his back. "Of course, Sam. You be careful, now. Your family's going to be needing you back in one piece."

Sam shook his head sadly once more and walked out the door. He hoped Adele was right. He hoped he could win his family back once he returned. He hoped they'd still recognize him once Calllisto was finished with him.

He got in his truck and drove away, away from Bon Temps and the woman he loved.

This is where you leave a review and I feel all giddy inside, encouraged to write another day. :)