A/N: Sorry I missed my update for the past week. I've been tweaking and refining. To make up for it this week is going to have six chapters. Before we do that I have a rather silly request. Could someone super familiar with WordPress please send me a PM? I am trying to figure out how how to make sure people that are following this story there get the updates, because they aren't. Sorry...I know this is not the place and it seems kind of ridiculous but I seriously can't figure it out. So any help would be great!

Ms. Buffi I know what I owe and I'm cooking it up. Sorry I am taking my sweet ass time with it. I got distracted with that new project (hint, hint; wink, wink)

Chapter 25

Family Life

Sookie

I blinked against the glare as the same room from last night came into focus but I didn't remember what happened after I saw my father smile. I don't know how I had gotten back into my bed. I must have passed out. He had given me blood. I could taste it. The taste registered just as the thundering chorus slammed against my skull. This time I didn't need help to shut it out. I knew who and what I was. There was no panic. Between one breath and the other I'd slammed my shields into place.

After that I counted back from a thousand and my consciousness returned one sensory organ at a time. I felt the lushness of the pillow and the silky fabric of the sheets. I felt the sun on my face. The scent of coffee was thick in the air. It was my favorite brand. That forced me to pry my eyes open.

"Hey Sleepyhead!" Someone shouted.

I barely had time to see her face before he arms wrapped in a super warm hug. My witchy best friend, she held me so tight that I could barely breathe. I pulled away from her, trying to imagine how I didn't recognize those eyes regardless of them being in cat form.

The first dream I had while in my amnesiac state came to mind, although now I knew that it wasn't a dream but a memory, one that I had all the pieces to. It was the day I met Amelia. That summer was Oliver's turn to watch me. We had been living in Bridge Hampton, New York then.

Ollie was throwing me a very early birthday party even though I wasn't turning six until the fall. It was a celebration fit for a princess. The problem was I didn't have any friends. I never really did. Telepathy aside, I hung around ancient vampires and a middle-aged neuroscientist. Oliver had invited the entire South Fork of New York as a substitute. The one person I wanted to see most wasn't there.

Almost two years prior, Doctor Wexler helped me create a serum for a vampire's affliction to sunlight, day time stupor, and silver. Now my family wasn't bound by the night, though despite what I had intended not much had changed.

I still spent most days with Doctor Wexler or at school if I felt like it. I got to see my dad in the daytime, but I still got rotated amongst my brothers so they could keep an eye on me when he was too busy. It also prevented exposing me as his.

"Shy," Oliver said. "Come along little one, your guests are waiting."

I didn't move. "Shy'ra," He called.

I remained where I stood, on my room balcony watching the guests amass. I didn't speak until I heard my brother enter the room. He had been dressed in an artfully cut linen suit. His hair was brushed back and he looked like a million bucks; no, it was more like a billion at least, that was what he was worth. That was why all these people had come. Not for me or him. My hurt turned outward.

"This dress is puffy and stupid," I complained, tugging at it. "These people are even more so."

My brother thwacked me on the forehead firmly with the knuckles of his middle and index finger. I tried to block it but, at this point, none of my siblings were using restrained speeds with me. They didn't have to. With a daily thimble full of vampire blood as part of my diet I was stronger than a man five times my age.

"It would insult your father to hear you say that about gifts he had made just for you," He scolded. "Surely you have more for him in your heart than that?"

The dress was a pink and white lace monstrosity. The bodice was tight and the bottom was a chapter in a taffeta horror story; it was itchy with a crinoline petticoat. Of course, it had come from my father. The outfit was complete with a pink diamond necklace and earring set. I knew they were both custom made.

I was immediately ashamed of myself. "Yes. I love him," I admitted, my lip trembled but I still didn't cry. "I miss him."

Oliver picked me up very carefully so as to not to ruffle the huge bow on the back of my Pepto-Bismol dress from hell. I wished I could recall how I had gotten in or out of that thing. He held me as I got my emotions under control. I knew all the reasons why my dad couldn't be there. The fact that he didn't want to wasn't one of them. I reminded myself of them and it helped.

"Okay," he asked a few minutes later.

I nodded and managed a smiled but he still kept me perched on his hip as we walked toward the party guests.

"I have something for you," My brother said.

I arched a brow. Overtime, my nonverbal communications was similar to that of any vampire. It was just another reason why I couldn't relate to kids my age.

"There will be over two hundred guests, fifty staff members, twelve people in the band, and twenty in the security detail. You must find the three who have the clues to your birthday present."

I perked up at the challenge. "Who is it from?"

"Lysander," He replied.

Now I was definitely interested. Whenever Zee was involved, I could count on something interesting and fun. I'd been in the kitchens where Amelia was sitting as her mother worked. She offered to help. At the end of all that was a stunning white pony with pink ribbons in her mane and beside her was a go-cart. That wasn't entirely true. It was a race car painted with all things princess but the engine had been replaced with something that wouldn't kill me when I crashed it.

Amelia and I went for a ride, and we've been best friends since. She was odd too, not telepathic but a witch and a powerful one. I was so happy to have a friend that was my size. I knew one of my brothers offered her mother a job doing nothing just so Amelia could travel with me no matter where I went. After her mother married Dr. Wexler, we became truly inseparable.

It was one of the best birthdays I have ever had but there were others, so many others. When I used to dream I had only been able to conjure up the beginning. It had nothing on the true grandeur of the full memory. I never remembered the cake that was seven tiers tall. I didn't remember the mountain of gifts, and, worst of all, I hadn't remembered my best friend.

"Unhand my patient please," Genie said. "She hasn't been cleared."

It was just as Bill had said. Some people were worth meeting again for the first time. All I could do was smile at him. Not for the first time, I was unable to imagine what had happened to ever make me forget him. This was the man who had delivered me into the world. Genie was a good man and great doctor. I had spent hours with him working on my memory gap and it never clicked that he had been with me my whole life.

In a distant part of mind I ran through all our sessions. I knew he had reported everything to my father. It was a blatant lack of ethics on his part but I knew why he had done it. I would have done the same. He had been trying to get me home even if I didn't know where home was.

"Course she is," She argued. "She looks great and she knows me. What else do you want?"

I nodded, "I'm fine, Genie, really."

Being the good doctor he was, Genie came over and took my pulse. He was kind enough to block his thoughts during physical contact. That was how I'd had no idea who he had been. He knew the ins and outs of my telepathy. He was the one who helped me strengthen the shields around it.

Even as he checked my vitals, he was testing me mentally. It was how he had trained me to strengthen my shields as a kid. It was like trying to find Waldo through the mud. I didn't know what I was supposed to be looking for and to make it harder, he buried it under countless inconsequential, yet complex, thoughts.

"Forty-one blue dodecagons," I said when he was finished with his poking and prodding. "A purple leprechaun with eight black leaf clovers and a pink and red tiger, satisfied?"

He smiled and I knew he was going to leave me in peace. "You are still on bed rest."

"I'll be back to have lunch with you," She said in goodbye.

I shook my head. "No. I've kept you to myself for the past year and change."

She scoffed. "I was furry and on four legs." She said. "It's hardly the same as hitting the strip or jet setting."

I smiled. "Bet you regretted learning that transformation spell huh?" I asked.

She shuddered. "Ugh! You have freaking idea. If I never eat tuna or see milk again it will be too soon"

Both Genie and I laughed. "Come on Mimi, your mom is waiting." Genie says gently, pulling her away. "Sookie needs to rest. She is home now you can catch up with you later."

I forced a smile and nodded. When they left I felt entirely adrift. The tether was cut and I was in orbit again. I was alone in the vast luxurious room and I felt every note of that solitude. It didn't last long as a knock sounded on my bedroom door before it was pushed open.

"Good morning, Miss," Grace Ann greeted.

"Grace, you look great," I said in all honesty.

She was an older woman with an eye for detail and the energy to chase down every hair that was out of place. She was the Steward of the house. She was human but she hadn't aged a day since I met her. Two days ago, I would have walked past her on the street and I wouldn't have known her.

It was all so surreal. The lag I felt was normal, I supposed. I was playing catch up. Physically I was fine. The mental upheaval was taking an emotional toll. Every person I came across I was meeting for the second time. It took the emotions I had and split them into three parts; the past, the present and past participle.

Grace preened and curtsied, "Thank you." She walked to the double doors that led into the sitting area of my suite. Then with a dramatic bow she said, "Now if you will please…be our guest."

I hadn't lived at this home in years and that was why I had forgotten how much of a production breakfast in bed was. Zee had watched me for three months when I was three or so. Naturally, he allowed me to do whatever I wanted. I had watched television nonstop. After watching the entire library of Disney princess movies, I had insisted on a full song and dance number as my meals were being served.

I let them finish the rendition of "Be Our Guest" from "Beauty and the Beast." I had no idea why my father had allowed it. For that matter, why did they think I wanted to hear it now? It was so ridiculous and I would have laughed if I didn't feel so miserable. Laughing also would have implied that the performers weren't up to par, but they were. Grace was facing them conducting with her hands and keeping count with her feet. It went something like:

'Tap: one, two, three, four and…spin, jump, glitter hands, glitter hands…smile.'

"That was amazing," I said with a polite smile and applause. "Thank you all."

I was met with bright smiles and bows, and then carts with trays were wheeled into the room. I hadn't eaten in close to twenty-four hours. Hearing the grumble of my stomach, Grace rushed, clapped her hands, and the servers began moving, double time.

"Wow," I breathed.

Every meal I had tried to prepare for myself but could never get right was here. There weren't just breakfast items, there was dessert, seafood, and even a juicy steak.

"I asked Babs to make all your favorites," She said.

"This is…just wow," I repeated. "Thank you!"

If it was possible, I thought Grace might literally burst with pride, "You are very welcome, Miss. Welcome home."

In accord, the remainder of the staff bowed and filed out of the room. Grace brought up the rear and closed the door silently behind her. My pallet had remembered what I was trying to achieve but my mind hadn't know how or why. I had been trying to duplicate Babs' recipes and with her talent, no wonder I had failed. I ate and that thing I felt that my food was missing was there. I had a bite of everything.

There was a memory and a story attached to each flavor so after a while eating became painful. It was just pathetic to be emoting because of pancakes. I couldn't help it. I'd made Eric use super vampire speed to mix batter during my quest to replicate what I felt was missing. It hadn't worked but because he had helped it tasted better. Now, all I could taste were the tears I was forcing myself not to cry.

I was my self again. I was home, but I couldn't get all of me to agree on that fact. I still felt pulled in two. Before I was being pulled by my dreams, now it was my past. Knowing for sure it wasn't just a dream made it harder to shake.

I spit my mouthful of food into a napkin and tried to clear my mind. What I wanted was Eric. I couldn't have him even if I wasn't aligned with another monarch; I had been an instrument to his fall from power. I wanted Eric but people in hell wanted ice water. You can't always get what you want.

I'd left Louisiana with nothing but the shirt on my back. When I walked into my closet after my shower, I was faced with a room that was larger than the average family's living room. I went with jeans and a t-shirt. They were hard to find but nothing else felt remotely acceptable to my skin at the moment. As I walked the familiar halls, I didn't feel at home but I felt surer. I had a purpose here.

Titles are written in blood. My father hadn't groomed me to be a Queen. He wanted me to be The Queen. I knew every detail that went into taking down Sophie-Anne. I knew that it wasn't over, not even close. That made me fear for Eric even more than I had the night before.

The place where my father and his vampires rested was under the pool house. It had been in the basement of the main house but that had quickly turned into my lab. It was three stories underground. Its walls and ceilings were reinforced with six feet of steel. It was where I went to solve any and every problem I had. It hadn't failed me yet.

"Fin," I called, looking at the camera above the door. "Let me in. I forgot my keys."

The holographic butler appeared in front of the door just before they creaked open. He moved with me through the thin holo strips that lined the lab and the entire house.

"Good day, Princess. How was your time off?"

I smiled because he had a British accent and I had no idea why. It had just seemed essential when I was nine and writing his program. So did his smart-ass attitude.

"Hectic," I replied. "So what's up?"

"You have 133,459 items on your calendar that are past due, 25,383 missed calls, 177,690 emails, and 47 trials in your work shop that require immediate attention."

The lights and screens were linked to Fin's programming. Once the doors closed behind me, the room came to life. This was where I developed the serum my family used. It was where I had cultivated and programmed Fin. Outside the library and the gym, it was where I spent the most time as a kid.

"Before we tackle all that," I said. "Upload video surveillance of key locations of Louisiana."

"Upload complete."

There were a total of seven flat screen televisions in the lab. They immediately loaded with the footage that came from the four key locations of that state. They were the only places where we didn't have spies. The first consisted of Eric's bar and base. The others were of Sophie-Anne's safe houses.

I had driven up to the Area base so many times. I knew every line in the driveway. As I looked at it from this aerial view, I knew that I was a stranger. That was all I would ever be to Eric. He hadn't married me. He had married the tattered remnants of what was left of me after my mind was gone. The activity in the Area was nil given the time of day. I wondered if our, no, his house was just as quiet. Probably, I wasn't there and I was never going back.

"Let me know when priority target one arrives," I said changing the screen.

"Command confirmed," He said.

"Now, let's see that list."

That was where I spent the day. My last act of a desperate wife had saved Eric and his people the night of the takeover. I couldn't undo what I had done, but I had to do what I could for him from where I was. That would be my focus and it was enough to numb the pain. It took a few hours but at some point, it stopped hurting. I stopped thinking about Eric. By the time sunset arrived, I had enabled my mind to detach.

"Incoming call," Fin said.

"Take a message," I snapped.

"It is your father."

If I didn't accept it, he would override the voice mail. He made me add the feature after I was caught sleeping and eating down here one time too many times, literally, it had only been once. I'd been ten or so and he had forbidden it after he'd nearly eaten my nanny for her flagrant neglect.

I cut him off before he could reply. In a distant part of my mind I found it odd that my brain automatically switched from English to Spanish when speaking to him.

"Hi, Daddy," I greeted absently. "I didn't forget. Give me a few minutes. Give me a minute."

"I do not have the time to give you tonight baby," He says. "I have no room in my schedule."

"I know…I know."

I had access to his calendar. It was just that I was trying to polarize hemoglobin and uncut MDMA. I wasn't getting any closer to what I was trying to do. It was an absolute pain in the ass is what it was. It was made worse by the fact that I had accomplished it already. It had been too long. The sample had corroded, as blood was known to do. I didn't know what I had done right or why it had now gone so wrong.

"I'll be up in five," I said, removing my goggles and gloves.

"Two," He replied. "Your clock started twenty seconds ago. Would you like to keep talking?"

There had been so many instances that I could have used this much speed and power I felt coursing through my veins. It had been there but it had been locked away. I pushed my body and found myself on the opposite wing of the mansion.

The only way to let the vampire and full fairy out was to push the human beyond what it could handle. That had always been Doctor Wexler's theory. I wasn't human, not really, but I never really was.

Looking down at my hands, I could almost see the destructive power within them. My body was tingling with adrenaline. If I wanted, I could push myself harder, go faster, and run for much longer. No matter what I knew, my body was capable; my mind was yet to catch up. I came to a skidding halt and narrowly avoided opening my father's study with the left side of my body.

I opened the door and I was faced with the people who had a hand in raising me, my four brothers sat in their usual order. I had seen this image so many times that I had no idea how I had ever forgotten it. Sai was the eldest and just shy of 797-years- old. He was a Moor. He had mocha skin and dark features. He was behind my father. His arms were folded and his left foot was propped behind him. It gave the deadly illusion that he was relaxed, slouching even. Yet everything about him still screamed ferocity, from the scar along his jaw to his long black hair and slanted eyes.

Nim stood off in the darkest corner of the room. He was motionless and silent, even more than the average vampire. He said the least but I thought it was because he saw the most, even more than I did. Born in Russia, he spent his human life as a slave in China. I remembered that when I was a toddler with words too big for my mouth to form properly, he was the only one who understood me.

Ollie and Zee were seated in the winged back arms chairs directly across my father's polished mahogany desk.

Oliver was British and Lysander was Greek. Physically they were similar enough to pass for biological brothers. They both had sandy hair with natural dark blonde streaks. Their eyes were warm hazel. Zee, who was my favorite, possessed delicate features that made him appear effeminate. Ollie was warm and could have a conversation with anyone about anything.

Then there was my father, Felipe De Castro. He was a Spaniard and in his human life, he had been royalty. It showed in every breath he didn't take and everything he said or didn't say. He wasn't a tall man. His skin was a rich caramel; not even death had stolen that from him. His hair was short, but full, and cut in a style to make it appear as though it was cascading despite its short length, and his thick, perfectly arched brows complemented round, deep olive green eyes.

Though he was far from tall and brawny, his presence was impossible to ignore. Even surrounded as he was by such physically imposing figures, he did not appear to be any less a Ruler with his regal manner. I idolized him. He was my father. The others were my brothers. This was my family. The accident had robbed me of everything, but so had coming home.