Chapter 14:

The 15th Reunion… continued:

Sookie:

The reunion is going way better than I could have imagined. Malena is beside herself. Now she has another new cousin and coupled with the large group of children here in her playground, her smile will not be fading soon. Also, since Tara and JB are here and Malena has officially adopted their two year old as her own, her life couldn't possibly get better. I am even surprised that Bill Compton is no longer with the wife he had five years ago. I see him sitting with a very attractive brunette and they have a set of twin boys they are not taking their eyes off of. Maybe he has finally found his happiness. Five years ago, he was a pussy and his wife was definitely the one who wore the pants. I don't know his history for sure, but if his happy face is any indication….he has improved his life considerably.

I have been noticing a very pretty, tall, blond lady eyeing our table. I just pray that she is not another one of Eric's past flings. He has never lied to me about his past sexual encounters, but it still hurts if one throws herself at him. Shit…. she is approaching our table and staring directly at Eric. There is a very nice looking boy with her and she walks right up to Eric and asks if he will take a minute to discuss something with her. I think to myself, "Eric honey, I love you more than life, but if this woman says that boy is yours…I really don't know how I will react." I know from his blank look he does not recognize her, so there is no love involved. I swear that I would accept and love anything that comes out of that man's loins, but this is neither the time nor the place. The whole damn class of "1990" is staring at the woman and anticipating Eric's reaction.

My beautiful husband is very cordial to the woman and I see he is listening intently to what she has to say. All of a sudden she begins to cry and he puts his arms around her. Normally this wouldn't bother me, but like I said before, this is neither the time nor the place and I can feel my emotions getting the better of me. My only solution to my growing emotional blow out is to flee. I know it is the wrong thing to do, but I refuse to let these people see me fall apart. I still don't know what is going on with the woman and I know that Eric deserves a wife who stands behind him no matter what. I am usually that wife, but hormonal Sookie can be a handful. I run to the only place I can think of, which is the Penthouse. I'm sure that Eric won't notice my abrupt absence right away. I know he will be the perfect gentleman and he will assist the woman and not be rude and leave her sitting there. We can talk about it after I have calmed down. If this is any indication of the way my hormones are going to control me, we are in for a very rocky pregnancy. Thank God, I made it to the elevator. Before I can put the code into the keypad I hear a very familiar, very upset voice a few feet behind me…"Stop right now! Don't ever do anything like this again before you talk to me. If you would have ran and something would have happened to you right now, I don't know what I would do, lover. Please come here, it's not what your imagination is making up….please, lover, come here." Eric's soothing voice begs me to come to him.

My heart falls. I know I have embarrassed him and right now, I am unable to stop the tears from falling down my face. Luckily Malena remained at the table, because it will be hard enough explaining my emotions to Eric without having to turn around and explain them to a four year old. Just as Eric reaches me the elevator doors open and he guides me inside. Reminiscent of the first time we were in this elevator, he sits in the corner and pulls me down on his lap and encircles me in his strong, warm embrace. That was it…..all I needed was him. All I ever need is to be near him and I feel myself becoming calm. Just like the Penthouse, the elevator holds so many memories; so much love began right here in this corner.

I can't avoid it any longer as I look into his blue eyes begging for forgiveness. "Eric, I am so sorry I embarrassed you. That was not my intention, it's just…..when you hugged her I thought the worst. I trust you completely, but it hurt my heart and…..well you know my imagination spikes when hormonal Sookie emerges."

"You didn't embarrass me, Lover. I made the wrong decision when I comforted that woman. She has a problem and asked me to help her in making a monumental decision regarding her son." Eric explained which didn't comfort me much.

"Oh…..so is he…." I began as Eric did not let me finish my question.

"The boy is apparently JB's." Eric smiled down at me and all I could do was continue to cry. I cried tears of relief and tears for that woman who has hidden her secret for so many years. Eric calmly soothed me with his soft voice and by slowly rubbing my back. Finally I was ready to speak without sounding like a crybaby.

"Eric you must think I'm a possessive, jealous wife, but I wasn't going to be upset if that boy was yours. I would accept and love any child of yours. I'm experiencing some really weird emotions this pregnancy and Malena said she dreamed about a baby boy with a "weeny" as she put it." I confess to Eric as he begins to laugh so hard I begin to laugh along with him. My emotions have just about worn me out, but then I ask Eric, "Why did you leave that woman…..oh Eric I didn't mean for you to be rude and just up and leave her. That was not my intention by leaving. I just didn't want everyone to see me break down. I knew I wasn't going to be able to stop my tears and everyone would have assumed the worst. We have such a perfect life and I know that alone can cause jealousy among those who are suffering through their own." I tell Eric as we continue to embrace. He is my rock and he says that I am his. That is why I am so upset with myself for getting emotional over assumptions.

"Well if being possessive and jealous are crimes Lover, I certainly would be going to prison for a very long time. I actually scare myself thinking about what my emotions would make me do if the tables were turned and I saw a strange man being secretive and then embracing you. I'm afraid I would not run away in tears. I would probably do something that would land me in jail for assault and then you would have to bring Malena and the new "weeny" boy to jail for combination conjugal/family visits. So….I actually love me a possessive and jealous Sookie….makes me horny as hell. That being said, we have a reunion to complete today and a growing family to return to. By the way….did you see the way Pam looked at Amelia. I think it's either recognition or perhaps they both swing the same way. What do you think lover?" Eric asks as he wiggles his eyebrows.

Eric:

After going up to the Penthouse for a few minutes allowing Sookie and I to freshen up, we returned to the pool area. Now that Sookie and I are the only two people at the reunion that know about the connection between the tall, blond boy and JB, we see a strange sight. There is a group of older children playing in the pool and Jennifer's son is swimming right along with JB's two boys. The three of them emerge from the pool and the resemblance is evident. There is no reason for Jennifer to lie. She has stayed away from JB for 16 years and said she did not want anything from him. She seemed sincere when she said she thought JB deserved to know him. If it were me, I would have to agree with her. I am positive that I would want to know my son. Since I have become a father, the wonder of childbirth and then watching that child grow still amazes me. The three of them indeed look like family, except JB's boys have brown hair. This can get really sticky if not handled well and I am not sure if telling JB is the right thing to do. Tara is also very possessive and jealous and this is not the place for that kind of confrontation.

Instead of returning to our family table, I take Sookie over to Jennifer to introduce them.

"Jennifer, I am sorry I left in such a hurry, but my wife is pregnant and when I saw her get up to leave, I needed to check on her. I would like you to meet my wife, Sookie and Sookie this is Jennifer….Jones did you say?" Jennifer reaches her hand out to Sookie and the two of them shake and acknowledge each other.

"Jennifer, I took it upon myself to explain your situation to Sookie. Maybe the three of us could put our heads together and try to figure out the best way to approach JB and his wife Tara. Actually the two boys that your son is playing with are JB's. Sookie and I couldn't help but notice the resemblance. I personally feel that once JB and Tara get over the shock, they would love for the boys to get to know each other. They seem to be getting along quite nicely." I tell her and it now sounds like I have made the decision for her, which I have not. "I am sorry, Jennifer, my opinion doesn't really count because the decision is still only yours to make."

"Thank you Eric and Sookie. I truly have not told another soul who Joshua's father is. I just told my husband a partial truth when I said I was drunk and had sex with a boy at a party. Since he was a classmate of you and JB's I didn't want him to always look at JB and wonder. He accepted Joshua and me without any more explanation and we are a very happy family. That being said, I cannot have any more children because I had to have a hysterectomy five years ago. I never wanted Josh to be an only child and now I see he has two brothers, and it breaks my heart that I have not been honest with him, my husband and JB. I just don't want to cause any family problems for JB and his wife." Jennifer begins to cry again and this time Sookie comforts her. She is my hero. Perhaps she will know what is best for all involved.

"Eric I think we need to ask Tara and JB to stay after the reunion and meet us in the Penthouse." Sookie says as she then turns to Jennifer, "First of all Jennifer, are you prepared for the worst? All we can do is get the parties involved together for a meeting. What happens after that must be accepted without argument, because there are children involved. Just the fact that you have not told a soul who the father is, should work in your favor. JB and Tara are not rich by any means, but they have a very comfortable and seemingly happy life."

"I have had many years to think about this, but this is the first time I have actually gotten up enough nerve to even get this close to telling him. It's only for Josh and then I would like to know if there are any health issues that Josh may have inherited. I'm hoping that if JB and his wife find out and accept him now, I won't have to interfere in their lives if something life threatening should occur. Also, I really don't want to disrupt their lives, but I really wish Josh could spend time with his brothers." Jennifer says to us both as she looks again toward the three boys swimming.

"The cute little girl sitting on my daughter's lap is JB and Tara's little girl. So your son has a sister too. It seems if all goes well today, Josh will have two brothers and a little sister!" Sookie gives Jennifer a hug and then she walks over to Tara and JB to arrange for the meeting. I am getting hot as I see psychologist Sookie emerge and her strength and intelligence that I love so much takes charge of the situation.

As Sookie is taking care of one situation, Claudine and father ask me to come and sit with them. "Eric we need to talk about my job." Claudine begins and I am not really sure where she is going, but I begin to panic internally as she continues, "I plan on retiring after Stefan and I marry and I want to reassure you that I brought Amelia with me today to not only introduce you to her, but I am hoping you will consider her as my replacement. Amelia is more than capable of taking over for me. She is not only a very capable and competent worker; she is trustworthy and extremely honest. I would not even consider retiring if I didn't feel confident she could replace me. I promise I will work with her until I feel she is ready to take over without me. Also, I will only be a phone call away whenever she has a question or a problem she feels she cannot handle. So bossman, if you are in agreement, I would like to get started training her on Monday."

"Wow, Claudine! Of course you realize that I don't know what I will do without you. I'll give Amelia a chance because you say she can do it. Please stay close by for awhile. After I have gotten used to Amelia, then you and Stefan can do whatever you want….deal?" I put my hand out to Claudine and pull her to me.

"Deal." Claudine says as we seal the deal with a hug and then she starts to tell me that I should probably hire Pam to help with the businesses. Apparently my cousin has a master's degree in business and was running a very lucrative clothing store in Sweden and she is part owner of a nightclub. I had planned on finding a position in our company for Pam anyway, but now that Claudine accepts her, I actually feel like everything is falling into place.

Sookie:

Before we all know it, it is time for Eric to speak to the alumni and their guests. He has always been so gracious when it comes to the last two reunions and I know that our love connection has something to do with it. Like I said before, I am sure if Eric had not been here five years ago, I would find it very difficult to return for any future reunions. But, everything turned into a fairytale for Eric and I, so the Reunion will forever hold a place in our hearts and we will probably attend each and every one until we are no longer able.

Eric walks to the microphone and luckily Janet is no longer making announcements. She actually seems like she is giving up on her involvement all together. She is here, but she looks to be childless and there is no man that I can see accompanying her. I have been pissed at her for her boldness toward Eric, but now I only feel sorry for her. Like Compton, I hope Janet eventually finds her happiness.

Eric begins with, "Thank you all for your attendance. I know from personal experience that Huirricane Katrina caused so much devastation and loss for so many unsuspecting families. If any of you are in need of a place to stay temporarily, my father and I have opened up two hotels in the Shreveport area. If you are in need, please sign in at the desk and one of my employees will be glad to take care of you. Now I want you all to know that Sookie and I have been married now for almost five years and we have a little girl who is the light of our lives. Also, we are expecting baby number two in April and to celebrate our happiness I would like you all to join my family in a toast to a happier and more successful future for us all." Eric holds up his glass of champagne along with the Class of 1990 and we all toast to the future.

A/N: Short but I wanted to update so you wouldn't think I forgot. The next chapter will be about the new baby…..maybe a "weeny" boy…..and we will advance to 2010 with a tiny bit of angst before the 20th reunion. I'm thinking that Sookie and Eric never went to the prom, so that might be a good theme for their 20th.