THANKS TO: LostInSpace33, classicoldmama, ncmiss12, nics789, Millarca666, Renny777, Eternal Kaila, mindy781
WHAT? how awesome am I for getting a chapter done before I have to leave?
Chapter 24
I look at her and she's obviously worried because she senses my emotions and her stomach is glowing bright purple, probably trying to calm her.
"Eric?" she asks again.
I don't want to burden her, but… "That was Isabel. Guillaume is contacting others, spreading word of how King Northman controls too much magic and is a threat to us all."
"Oh. That's-" She understands that this could become volatile and dangerous. "That's bad."
"It could become extremely bad. I will contact the other members of the WVA tonight. She says he claims to have already alerted them to the pregnancy and how I'm collecting fae to rally against the vampires. He wants to discredit my name and make me out to be a betrayer."
"So what does that mean?" Morgan asks. "Surely if you can prove his allegations false, then they wouldn't have a problem. How much clout do you have with the WVA?"
"A lot," I answer honestly. I turned in my own sister for her actions; even though they already knew and were planning on punishing her, I could have tried to help her escape. I was also the one who went to Europe to look for help in the first place. "I have friends in high places as well. But… how do you prove you are not betraying? Do I not have a fairy bonded? Did I not receive a huge magical gift from the fae? Will I not have control over four powerful fae children? Additionally, I was the one who was pushing for protection for fae from vampires."
"Well that is damning evidence," Rachel nods.
"Yeah, but it wasn't intentional," Sookie insists as I sit back down. "It wasn't like you said, hey, how can I become King? Oh I know, let's kill the American Authority. It just all happened!"
"I know this," I tell her and take her hand in mind. I kiss her palm softly. "I know and I will begin making my own phone calls immediately. I have to start now." I had wanted to take her to the house and then spend the night with her and the babies, but- "I have to go to Fangtasia now. I promise we will visit the house tomorrow." I know she's disappointed but she understands. "Try not to worry so much, alright? He won't be storming our doors any time soon."
"Okay. But… we have to take care of the house soon. I need to-"
"Nest," Emma says.
"Huh?" Sookie asks.
"Nesting, what all mommies-to-be start doing, Sookie," Meg takes over. "Just as a mother bird builds her nest, or a mother tiger finds a safe place for her cubs, mommies-to-be have to prepare for the baby."
"But trust us," Rachel says and touches Sookie's arm. "We are all here to help you, alright? You'll be ready for the babies."
I am so glad we hired these women because they are invaluable to her, which means they are invaluable to me. I lean over to rub her stomach and it starts blinking.
"I know, Babies. I wanted to spend all night with you and your mother, but I have to go work on protecting us. Do not give her a hard time," I lecture her stomach sternly and kiss it and then her.
"Hello!" I turn to see Pam walking through the house carrying bags.
"Pam, had I sent for you?" I don't think I did, but perhaps she sensed I needed her help?
"Since when does a progeny have to be sent for to visit her maker?" she asks. "And I didn't come to see you, oh creator. I came for Sookie. Eric mentioned you'd grown."
"Oh yeah, this… is the best I could do for clothes," she says of her shirt/dress/belt ensemble. "I'd wear his normal clothes but I'd swim in them."
"Yes, well I thought some maternity dresses were in order, so I had Ginger go out today and buy a bunch. I thought we could go shopping one night this week, but this will give you something until then."
Sookie's entire face brightens as she jumps up and rushes to Pam. They hug and it makes me happy. I'm also grateful Pam thought of that, since it hadn't occurred to me.
"She didn't get many since we thought you'd like to pick out your own, but it'll get you by until then." She hands Sookie the bags and Dani takes them from her immediately.
"No heavy lifting, Mommy," she states.
"So these are the mongrels?" Pam asks as she looks at Sookie's stomach.
"Yes," Sookie laughs. "These are our little chirpers. Babies, say hello to your Auntie Pam."
Pam growls loudly at her and flashes fang and is quickly repelled by the yellow shield up around Sookie. I laugh as she stands and looks pissed.
"What the fuck was that?"
"That was the babies," Sookie smiles. "They don't like anyone threatening me."
"The- babies?" Pam asks. "The babies?"
"Oh yes, they are quiet powerful," I laugh as I pat her stomach. "Aren't you?" I say and kiss her stomach again. It blinks through the dress a few times. "Now, this is your Pammie!"
She growls again. "I'm just Pam, like Cher or Elvis."
"They can call you Sissy," Sookie smiles. "You are Eric's other childe."
I feel Pam's discontent but I'm sure they'll grow on her. "Relax, Pam," I tell her. "My children won't be as annoying as others and they'll smell delicious."
"But not too delicious," Sookie says quickly.
Pam looks at Eric curiously and as I expected, they immediately start up in Swedish. I assume he's filling her in on the situation and she doesn't look pleased with the news either.
But I follow Dani inside to find a real dress to wear. I dig through the few bags and find a beautiful lavender satin dress with an empire waist that dips low in the chest to show off my growing cleavage. I pull it on and feel much prettier as I head out.
"Eric?" I call out. I assume he wouldn't have left without saying goodbye so maybe he's outside?
"You're stunning," he whispers suddenly in my ear and it makes me jump a little since I hadn't heard him. "This is absolutely gorgeous." His hands slip around me as he pulls me back toward his front. I rest my head against his chest and sigh as he kisses my neck slowly. "I wish I could stay and show you how much I appreciate this dress on you. Or off you."
"Don't tease before you have to leave," I request. "It'll make it that much worse."
I understand he has to go and why but it still sucks.
"I promise when I come home, I will appreciate the heck out of you and this dress," he whispers and hugs me tightly. "I'll be as quick as I can."
"You better, Mister Northman," I threaten him as I turn in his arms. "Because I didn't get nearly enough of you earlier." I go up on my tippie-toes to kiss his chin. "Okay, go before I won't let you."
"Shopping, you and me," Pam says as she walks by and looks at stomach. "Bye, Mongrels."
I laugh because they blinks at her. I rub my babies gently and head out to eat more. I'm still hungry.
I sit down and my ladies are talking about Pam and possible magical help for Eric, which might not be the best if he's being accused of collecting magic or being too powerful.
"Morgan, Rachel said you might have a locator spell?" I say, breaking off that conversation. I fill them in about my dreams and Liliana and what I think has happened and Rachel and Moran start discussing different things they could try and then start cleaning up the dishes as I finish my meal.
"Well… while they clean and plan, I say we play Dominos," Meg smiles happily and I agree. That might get my mind off things a little and the babies seem calm when we play.
It's after four in the morning when I finally land in the driveway and I'm grateful at least one car is here that belongs to the ladies. I really hadn't intended to be gone this long, but it was important.
I open the door and listen but it doesn't sound like anyone is awake, so I follow her blood and find her on the couch in the den sandwiched between the two weres with movie credits playing on the TV.
They all look so comfortable but I want my Sookie in bed beside me. I do notice her stomach starts blinking under the t-shirt of mine that she's wearing.
"Yes, Babies, it's Fader," I whisper as I approach them all and caress her stomach. It glows brightly and I smile and pat them a little more. "I missed you all very much. Can you teleport your mother into bed and I'll send the weres home?" I wonder and suddenly she's gone but I can hear her heartbeat and theirs across the hall.
This of course wakes the weres in a state of panic.
"It's alright," I say quickly. "I took her into bed. Thank you for staying. I really hadn't thought it'd be this late. I'll add a little extra in your stipend."
"Don't worry about, Eric. It's what you're paying us for," Meg says. "C'mon, Sissy. Let's go home."
"You're more than welcome to sleep here. We have a guest room."
"No thanks. We appreciate it, but we'll head home and be back later."
After I see them out and make sure the doors are all secure, I walk into the bedroom and strip before joining her on the bed. "Sookie?" I ask and shake her gently. I'm sure she'd want me to let her know I'm home.
"Mmm?" she grunts and starts to rouse. "Eric?"
"Yes. I'm so sorry I'm so late."
She turns and I pull my shirt off and rub her belly as we lay together. I think it got bigger but I don't say anything. She'll find out in the morning.
"What happened?"
"He had called the WVA against my wishes. Agostino and I talked and he said most people thought he was lying but I confirmed the information. He said they'll want to meet with us both. But it sounded like people weren't too crazy with his underhandedness. I also made contact with other royals to find out if I had their support. Unless they're lying, I think we'll be okay."
"Mmmkay," she mumbles. "Sorry."
"No. It's fine, Lover. You should sleep. We'll talk more tomorrow night."
I kiss her forehead as she drifts off and spend the rest of the night caressing the babies as they blink dimly before the sun takes my consciousness.