AN: So I apologize for the delay in my chapters lately. On top of my precious laptop getting a virus, life has been hectic. Im hoping after this weekend, it simmers down a little. I wanted to let you know that, Im plowing through full force ahead though, I even have some of the next chapter written already, so dont despair. It's coming, you just have to be patient. I know, excuses excuses, lol. So I wont give any more. I just want to say, I hope you like this chapter. And as always thanks to each and every one of you for reading, and for the reviews. They keep me going. Enjoy! xo

Chapter 28- Blood Line

SPOV

The next couple weeks went by much faster than I had expected. Eric helped me get most of my stuff packed up in Bon Temps and we borrowed Gran's truck for a day to move it all over to Shreveport. Most of the furniture I brought along was for the baby's room, with the exception of my dressing table and wardrobe. My Gran said we could have any of the spare couches and chairs if we wanted as well, but Eric's place was pretty much already fully furnished. So I opted to just bring along an old rocking chair that my Gran told me was used to help Jason and I get to sleep when we were babies.

It felt strange to dust off all this old stuff, stuff I hadn't seen in years and make it new again. I couldn't explain it, but I felt like both Eric and I were going through some kind of metamorphosis. I wasn't sure what awaited us on the other side. But neither of us did. Strangely it put my mind at ease knowing Eric was just as lost as me, because it meant we were both in this together.

Living for the first time on my own away from the family I knew and loved for 28 years made me feel like a real grown up. I couldn't lie and say it was easy though. I missed them too. It was different now. My worries just didn't revolve around me or my Gran, but around my future too, and around my baby, and Eric. It was weird looking at the big picture and not so much of the little day to day stuff. It was strange planning ahead for some little creature I couldn't yet even see.

But despite all that, I really didn't feel I had earned the full badge to adulthood because it was hard sometimes. It's not that I didn't love Eric, but I felt like I was letting everything else go, making so many changes at once, and it was all falling behind me so quickly. I wanted to cherish every moment and wished I had done more when I was still living in Bon Temps. My Gran was getting older now, I knew what came next…She probably didn't have many good years left either. It made a difference when you came from a family as small as mine. Everything was changing whether I was ready for it or not.

We had Gran over for dinner the night I moved as thanks to her for allowing me to use her truck. We rented movies another night and invited Jason and Tara over and gave them the grand tour. I just didn't want to lose them. Letting go was a scary thing.

I found myself actually enjoying the drive to work each week, and popping in to say hi to Gran before I headed in to Merlottes. It was nice to see everyone again, yes even Arlene and her redneck fiancée. As many times as Arlene and I had been at odds, she had given me several tips for what to do after the baby was born. I guess she had experience with Coby and Lisa. It didn't make me feel any more prepared for what came, but it was good to know what to expect.

Aside from my attempt to not fret over the small stuff, like worrying who was going to cut my Gran's lawn and run out to get her groceries when her arthritis was acting up, things between Eric and me had only gotten better. He had been wonderful in curing my homesickness, and making me feel like I belonged with him. That this home was now our home. Eric even told me one night he would do anything I wanted. He even offered to move back to Bon Temps if I missed it enough. But I knew I had to suck it up and try to make this work for both of us.

It really meant a lot to me that he was trying to make this work too. He even gave me an Ikea catalogue to select anything that I wanted for the house and I thought it was cute that he was even willing to let me play with his precious bedroom if I wanted.

Aside from work and the time we spent with friends and family, our time together alone was just as meaningful if not more. Some nights we had stayed up for hours just talking, and others we fell asleep on the couch watching old movies. There wasn't anything bad about it; in fact if anything was wrong, I was a little worried things were going too good. I had nothing to complain about. We had gotten into a routine, if he got off early he would drop me off and pick me up from work, if I had to only work a half day and he got off early, Id meet him. In fact, earlier in the week he asked me to wait for him in his office while he handled a dispute with a couple of his waitresses. While doing so, I noticed he had framed a picture of him and me at that fair a few weeks back and it was hanging on his wall. When I spotted the copy of my sonogram framed and sitting on his desk, it melted my heart. It gave me this warm happy feeling when he did things like that. And of course the sex was incredible.

He was the man who put the stars in my night sky, I thought with a hazy smile.

I wondered if he would be wearing that black tank top again today when he got home from work. It had quickly become my new favorite accessory of his. When he slipped off his leather jacket revealing those strong arms, rock solid abs, and hard nipples it did things to me. Just thinking about that sliver of blonde soft hair that peeked out from below the black fabric revealing his lower naval that led to the golden treasure below left me hot and quaking. I bit my lip; my cheeks flush as I remembered what he did with it after the jacket had been removed. Then a familiar voice shook me out of my thoughts.

"Jesus Christ girl, if I catch you day dreamin one more time with those goddamn stars in your eyes I might just be forced to whoop your ass, seriously, it's sickening!"

Like a bucket of cold water I glanced to my right and found Tara standing there. I frowned and replied pursing my lips, unhappy that she interrupted me just before I had gotten to the good part. Another side effect to being pregnant I guess. The daydreams were getting more vivid lately and they had obvious side effects, especially when they involved Eric.

"You prefer me unhappy and miserable?" I asked her in question.

"No, but it might be nice to let your feet touch the ground every now and then, I know you're in that honeymoon phase and all but the rest of us have to work and live in the real world."

"I live in the real world." I declared defensively.

"Listen, I'm happy for you and Price Charming, don't get me wrong, but maybe you could just try to tone it down a little, when you're at work and shit, the rest of us might not have it as good."

It upset me that Tara felt this way and I shot her a glare...

"Incase you forgot, I've had my share of hardships too!"

"Spare me the water works Darlin!" She shot a resentful look in my direction and I watched her wondering where this was going. Did she want to pick a fight with me because she was sure acting like she had a bone to pick...

"Things not going very well for you in the romance department?" I asked her sardonically figuring there had to be a reason for the attitude. Don't get me wrong, Tara wrote the book on giving attitude, but she had been a bit more touchy than normal lately.

She glared at me and growled...

"Don't patronize me Stackhouse."

I took a deep breath realizing when Tara got like this it was usually because of a boy and I had a pretty good idea who that boy was. Surrendering I replied.

"I'm not trying to patronize you, I'm asking as your friend."

Tara sighed, rolled her eyes, and finally confessed glaring at me...

"I cant even get a date for this party of yours on Sunday, even Hoyt Fortenberry has a fucking date, I guess I've finally reached rock bottom."

"I take it?" I met her gaze and she shook her head replying bitterly...

"No, he's taking Dawn-That slut." She hissed.

I knew it hurt Tara to see Jason with other women, but I didn't know what to tell her. My brother was a jerk to women most of the time. Maybe the sooner Tara realized that the sooner she would get over her little crush, I thought hopefully. Trying to change the subject I asked...

"What about Sam?"

Tara rolled her eyes again and then she shook her head refusing my suggestion...

"I'm desperate, but not that desperate, I don't need to be Sam's pity date, besides we all know who he's still hung up on."

She looked me up and down and my face colored and then to prove her point further I saw Bill walk in and sit down at the bar, stealing an ever so not coy glance in my direction as Sam took his drink order.

Tara just shook her head and glared at them...

"All of them are fucking pussies, wantin what they can't have, maybe I should think about playin for the other team, things would be a hell of a lot easier."

I cast Tara an empathetic smile and put my hand on her arm but she shrugged it off and walked back towards Sam's office muttering...

"Fuck them all!"

I followed her because I knew letting things fester inside Tara never turned out well. I thought about asking Sam for her myself, but I knew that would get all kinds of awkward considering what happened the last time the word's date and Sam came together, then another thought came to me and I glanced back at Tara and proclaimed...

"Why don't I be your date?"

Tara glared at me as if I were a few bricks short.

The more I thought about it the more it didn't sound so bad and I explained...

"In fact we can make all the men green with envy when we're done, maybe I can even get Pam in on it." I replied with a smirk, admiring the idea more and more as I thought about it.

"Listen, I know I said I was thinking of playin for the other team, but I didn't mean literally, and you can bet your sweet white ass I didn't mean you."

"What's wrong with me?" I asked her defensively, but realized I was getting off the subject.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Well whatever Prince Charming is into, you can count me out."

Okay now she was pushing my buttons.

"Tara, this isn't about what Eric wants, I'm asking if you want to go to the party with me stag."

Tara met my gaze in disbelief for a moment and then she asked me after a long pause...

"You're serious?"

"Yes, I am, but I have to make an appearance as Eric's other half too, it is a party celebrating our baby together after all."

"Haven't we already done this before? Ya know when you went with Sam to make him jealous, I seem to recall that not workin out very well for you."

Lord she could be so frustrating sometimes, I thought gritting my teeth noting Tara's need to slip in any painful reminder she could wrangle into the conversation and I explained…

"I'm not trying to make Eric jealous!"

Well maybe just a little when he sees what I'm wearing, I thought smugly, continuing…

"Like I said, I'm with him at the party, but we could arrive with out dates…that doesn't mean we can't leave with them."

I met her gaze imagining the look on Eric's face when he saw what I was planning on wearing to this little get together because I had bought the dress two weeks ago and I couldn't help but smirk at the thought.

Tara appeared as if she was thinking it over and then she met my gaze and concluded...

"Fine. I'm in as long as I can bring my cousin."

I smirked back at her and Tara explained...

"Lafayette would kill me if he was left out of the green envy parade."

She smiled and I grinned and nodded...

"Of course he can come. In fact if he's up for it, we can make his house pre-game headquarters, I have something I want to surprise Eric with and I may need some help getting it on."

Tara raised her brow and then she replied waving her hand in the air as if to wash me away...

"All I can say is I better get some after this shindig or I'm takin it out on you Elvira!"

She smiled smugly as if to say that was a promise and I raised my brows.

Tara took out her phone and in 5 seconds flat she had reached her cousin. At least she wasn't scowling any more so I took that to mean things were better.

I grabbed my purse ready to go out to my car when I nearly ran into Bill barreling out of the Men's room.

"Uh Hi." He replied with a surprised smile and I nodded at him replying flatly…

"Hi Bill."

In truth I just wanted to get home, it had been a long day and I had hoped to collapse, preferably in Eric's arms.

"You look good." He replied politely, his eyes moving slowly over me. I wasn't quite sure if he was just being nice or he was flirting so I hesitantly answered…

"Thanks."

"How are you doing?" He asked scratching his nose awkwardly and I nodded…

"I'm doing okay…Good." I answered.

"I heard that you finally moved out of your Grandmothers place." He added and I nodded again, not sure how to reply.

I didn't think I could say…Yeah its nice living with Eric, now I can fuck his brains out every night over and over again and no one can hear me scream.' No, that probably wouldn't have gone over well.

"I want to do what's best for my baby." I reasoned going with the latter thought.

I met Bills gaze, suddenly realizing that I just made it sound like I was moving in with Eric because he had knocked me up. Could this get any weirder? I wondered.

"And I love him." I added in attempt to protect myself from Bills advances, but as a result digging my trenches deeper. I didn't normally flaunt that kind of information, and didn't want to rub Eric and me in Bills face, but under the circumstances I thought it best that Bill didn't get the wrong idea. Eric and I had agreed to start fresh; I wasn't going back there. I was putting the past behind me, we both were.

Bill looked disheartened and nodded his head sadly and then replied softly…

"Well I hope you're happy."

He didn't give me a chance to respond before he turned and headed back towards the bar. I watched him down the two shots of whiskey that were waiting for him and he quickly waved Sam over for another.

I hated to think I had driven him to drinking but I had to look out for myself too.

Tara came back out just as I had grabbed my car keys her smile beaming and she replied…

"Cousin Lala is in…this is going to be a night we won't soon forget!"

She winked back at me and I wondered what I had just gotten myself into. But Tara was back behind the bar before I said anything, her scowl returning when she saw Bill. I cast him one last hesitant look before heading back to Shreveport.

I questioned whether or not I should say something to him, I didn't really know what we were, friends maybe? But then I wasn't sure if it was my place to judge him, Bill wasn't really the type to listen to what I had to say anyway.

By the time I got home, Bill was already a distant memory. Swollen feet from working all night, my caving bladder, and cravings of French fries and ice cream made me forget pretty much everything else. Eric called me and said he had to work late. I couldn't help but hide my disappointment, because as I was dipping a crinkle cut fry into a glass of melted strawberry ice cream, I realized I wasn't really pining for crinkle fries, or strawberry milkshakes, or even a few minutes off my feet, I was longing for the only thing that really gave me relief. I craved Eric.

I thought about waiting up for him, but by the time 1am rolled around I was out like a light. Barefoot and belly up, a parody of myself, only I didn't even have the belly yet, I knew I would soon.

I barely felt Eric's quick lips brush across my cheek as he settled into bed along side me when he finally got home. One eye open I saw the alarm clock blurrily and I was sure it read 2 something but it was a comfort to have him near me, allowing me the blessing of a peaceful nights sleep, I decided not to press it. I was too tired.

xxxxxx

EPOV

In the morning I woke up to traces of her, but alas the bed was now cold and empty. I had been so out of it with the last minute party plans that I just blacked out. I wanted to make this special for Sookie, it was important to me to let her know that she would be taken care of. Perhaps it was that check from Bill that really drove the message home for me. But I wanted her to know she could count on me and I would never leave her wanting. Even if the bar went under, I had other endeavors I could tap into.

Despite the pressure to get this night right, I also had Pam to deal with. If I thought I was a hard ass, she was 100 times worse. I regretted giving her any liberties with this because I should have known better with Pam—You give her an inch, she takes a mile. But I figured it would help her get her mind off Godric, Pam needed something to keep her busy since Sookie and I had gotten most of our shit together and she had nothing to fix at the moment, or so I hoped.

My hand fell on the empty spot next to me and my body yearned to touch hers. I never thought it possible to be completely co-dependant on another human being, but with Sookie, she was my crack. I regretted having to work late last night but I hoped the payoff was worth it.

I got up and noticed that she had picked up my clothes off the floor from last night most likely to do a load of laundry. It was so blissfully domestic the thought of her carrying around that old wicker basket filled with my dirty underwear brought a smile to my face and I decided right then and there that I was going to track her down and show her how much I missed her last night.

After I threw on a pair of jeans, I found my MIA girlfriend curled up on the big leather chair downstairs with a book in her hand. I crept closer and discovered it was the copy of Dante's Inferno, Fintan had given her. Her brows were creased intensely and she looked as if she were trying to pull apart the words with her mind. I couldn't resist leaning in and asking coyly…

"Have you made it to the circle of lust yet?"

She crinkled her brows and met my gaze with a twinkle in her eyes replying with a playful eye toss...

"Not yet."

"Well we will have to do something about that wont we?" I asked approaching her coyly about to smother her lips with my mouth when she backed away teasingly…

"Maybe…"

I readjusted to face her and I asked her in an attempt to lure her back in asking suggestively…

"Just maybe?"

She smiled and then she answered with one brow arched in question…

"Maybe first you can tell me what you were doing with this?" She slid out a brochure obscured by her hip for the Lexus GX460 SUV model and I suddenly knew where this was headed. Not to mention she must have gone through my pockets to find that.

"Were you thinking of getting another car, because these are expensive and I doubt I could even afford the insurance on something like that."

I met her gaze choosing my words carefully…

"Yes I was thinking of getting another car and I can afford it. We are going to need something practical for the child."

She sighed and shook her head sitting up straighter and then she replied sternly…

"We could get something used from Sam's little brother, he works at a used car shop, besides, my Gremlin is running just fine, and so is your Corvette."

"Your Gremlin doesn't even have air bags and my Corvette couldn't fit in a baby seat if we slid it in sideways."

"Well I'll just drive carefully then."

"I want to do this Sookie, it will be my gift to you, to the baby."

"Eric." She looked back at me, clearly conflicted about something she pulled me down to sit next to her on the chair arm and Sookie shook her head confessing softly…

"I haven't even made it past my first trimester yet…I don't know how smart it is to make these big huge investments when we don't even know what will happen… We are already having the party tomorrow, which is really early, most people don't even announce till the second or even third…I just don't want to jinx it."

Then I finally understood what was bothering her. I closed my eyes understanding her fears because they were my own. I put my arm around her shoulder and she wrapped her arms around me.

I assured her with certainty…

"Worry is like a rocking chair-it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere."

She looked back at me miffed for a moment and then her lips creased into a smile and she actually started to laugh.

"Okay now you are scaring me, not only have you begun to scope out practical family vehicles on the basis of room for car seats and air bag locations, but you are starting to sound just like Gran too, who are you and what did you do with Eric?"

I smirked back at her and shook my head in disbelief myself at the transformation, finally concluding…

"I like having a plan…I like knowing you are safe, that our baby is safe…It doesn't get more complicated then that."

Her face relaxed into a smile as her palm came up to caress my jaw. Her touch shooting an electric charge through me that reminded me of my earlier yearning and she concluded with smugness…

"You are one of a kind."

"It takes one to know one." I concluded shifting our positions so I was seated on the chair and she was straddling my lap. Enough foreplay, I thought as my fingers clenched her long blonde hair and she met my gaze with deep-hearted yearning. We hadn't touched each other since yesterday morning and I think I needed her just as badly as she needed me.

There was a long pause as we waited for the tension to break and when it finally did, I went in for the kill and kissed her heatedly with a fire that burned inside.

We started to get into it and when we finally needed to come up for air, I smoothed my hand across her neck declaring with absolute certainty...

"Yes and that is why I love you."

She smiled and nodded her head confessing before she pressed her lips to mine...

"I love you too."

I smirked feeling my heart pound rapidly against my rib cage and then she began to hurriedly pull at my pants our bodies ahead of our heads both knowing where this was going before she even finished unzipping me.

"So much for my morning coffee." I replied teasing her with a smirk and she replied after kissing my jaw...

"It's not my fault you decided to work till 2am."

I met her sparkling gaze and knew that had been the reason she was down here this morning and not in bed waiting for me and I replied smugly...

"Well I guess Ill just have to make it up to you then."

"I guess you will." She replied with a devilish smirk as she ground her hips over my aching hardness.

I yanked her top off over her head. Her hair cascaded back down around her shoulders in perfect golden ringlets and she met my gaze with a blushing desire.

My lips pressed to hers our hunger reawakened and I helped her remove her panties. My hands were everywhere, her hands were everywhere. We couldn't get enough, but I was aching. My burning desire raging as I kicked off my jeans while Sookie frantically worked on her own clothing. I reached around her back to help her with the removal of her bra when her lips crashed into mine and I felt her tight womanhood slide over my aching hunger. Shit she was so wet.

We both groaned on impact and I looked into her eyes lucidly as she slid all the way down. Fuck she felt good, I thought as the pink haze flushed through our bodies. I reached around to grab her ass as she used her knees to lift herself and caress my sex with her tight sheath.

She gasped and I brought one hand up to cup her jaw as she rose and fell over me and pulled her mouth to mine. When I was inside her it was as if the whole world melted away and my heart expanded in size. I breathed her in as her hands came up to cup my face. I used one hand to pull her ass up guiding her closer to me, while the other hand worked on unclasping her bra. The leather squeaked and mingled with our panting breaths as she continued to ride me and I fumbled with her bra, finally succeeding at my quest, the fabric fell unveiling two very full and aroused rose-colored peaks.

My desire increased in size as my hands came up to cup her breasts one by one. My lips trailed along her neck as she arched her back in pleasure and then I clamped down on her right peak, followed by the left. My tongue flicked the hard ridge of her sensitive nipple and then I devoured her flesh whole.

Sookie moaned quickening her pace. She cried out as I thrust into her pushing myself deeper and deeper. My body felt alive and on fire when we came together like this.

Her fingers clenched my shoulders and I knew her moment was near. I wanted to drag it out and savor it so I pulled her back down for a scorching kiss and guided her body closer to mine so our hearts met. I looked into her gaze and saw the eyes of our child. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. In that moment I and I felt total utter peace and happiness. It was deep, like this moment had been written in stone since the beginning of time

I reached down to press my palm against her navel and she gasped and then brought her hand up to my cheek. Her legs were trembling; her body balmy and I knew she was waiting for me. I kissed her once and then smoothed my hands over her silky skin, down along her smooth sides, past the swell of her breasts along her waist, to her hips and thrust up into her, lifting her body up with mine.

She cried out in pleasure again and I groaned feeling my Nirvana approach.

SPOV

"Sookie!" He groaned my name and I felt the insides of my body vibrate from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.

"Eric...Eric oh Eric..." I moaned as I felt another release course through my blood. But Eric was relentless. He knew exactly what I needed, what I craved. We fit perfectly like two pieces as a puzzle and I had no other option but to cling to him as he took me higher and higher on his climb towards complete orgasmic bliss.

I took his mouth to mine wanting to be connected to every part of him when it happened. My body now sweaty against his, we made friction against the cool leather chair. Finally his grip loosened on my hips, his eyes opened wide, and he looked back into my eyes with his very soul as our bodies broke through the final threshold together.

When the floodgates opened, it was quick and he let out a sharp hiss and I pulled back to watch him utterly entranced by his stare. Mere moments later I found my own body fall over that cliff with him sharing in Eric's ecstasy. I stumbled out of the realm of consciousness for just a moment as my eyes rolled back, feeling everything at once, the air, his skin, the heat, the pleasure, the aching release as our bodies drifted away on a floating cloud of bliss.

When I finally came to after the white haze left my eyes and I could see once more, Eric was staring back at me as if in amazement.

We were drenched bound together by our love, but it was deeper than that. I thought about crazy things like growing old with him. He smiled at me and I couldn't help but smile back. It was contagious. His lips connected with mine and I wrapped my arms around him once more.

He opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off by announcing...

"Okay, you aren't allowed to put on any pants today."

His smile broadened and he roared with laughter, and then I couldn't help but giggle at the ridiculousness of my words, but there was a hint of truth there. He lifted one brow and replied smugly...

"So are you saying you like having sex with me lover?"

My cheeks flushed embarrassed now and I lowered my lashes with mock anger in an attempt to get back my upper hand I admitted...

"I'm pregnant honey that just means I'm horney."

I tugged my fingers through his hair with soft aggression and showed him my teeth ordering him...

"That means you have to do whatever I tell you."

He rose his brow and smirked back at me and then nodded his head still smug which was turning me on even more, one of the drawbacks of being pregnant apparently...

"Well...I think that can be arranged, as long as you do the same."

He winked at me and I couldn't help but flip my eyes at his playfulness. I was about to counter his compromise when he smashed his lips against mine reminding me of my raging libido and I finally muttered against his mouth in surrender...

"Agreed."

There was a glimmer in his gaze and then as if a switch had been flicked on he lifted me up in his arms and we fell back on the couch. I squeezed his firm ass in my hands as his hardness parted my folds once more and we connected on a gasp.

This man was going to turn me into a bumbling pile of goo if I wasn't careful, I thought feeling the familiar waves of pleasure course through my skin once more.

"I love you." I confessed, my eyes hazy pupils dilated and he smiled and replied…

"You already said that."

Did I? I couldn't recall but before I could register another thought he coiled his body around mine, whispering into my ear as his soft lips brushed my neck…

"I love you more."

His hand took mine, his palm resting over my breast and my eyelids fluttered as he cast his spell over me and then it was as if a little ringer had gone off inside my head.

I was confused, but too far gone to figure out where it was coming from and it sounded again…

"Your phone is ringing." Eric muttered against my skin and then the noise suddenly made sense, but there was no way I was getting up off this couch unless the house was burning down and I replied hazily as his lips went to work on my neck and collar bone…

"Whoever it is, Ill call them back."

He smiled smugly bringing his lips up to join mine and I kissed him with a fervency I did not know I possessed.

I opened my thighs further to caress his strong hips and he thrust inside me.

Oh Lord. I felt like passing out the pleasure was too intense and then I heard that sound again, but it was closer this time.

I moaned wanting to ignore it but to my dismay Eric stopped what he was doing and looked up.

"That's my phone."

I didn't care what it was; I just wanted him to keep going.

"Ignore it." I plead with him meeting his dark blue entrancing gaze.

I rubbed my wet thighs against his hips reminding him of what we should be concentrating on as my hand moved along the back of his neck. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes tormented, but then he finally came down to kiss me heatedly, our lips searing on contact and my body cheered in delight.

I squeezed him hard encouraging him to go on, the phone finally at rest he was back with me to my joy, sliding in slowly and that's when both phones started going off at the same time. I groaned in frustration.

Eric pulled back gasping and he met my gaze worriedly and he replied….

"What if it's your Grandmother?"

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over our heads when Eric mentioned my Gran and then I began to worry as well. He got up handed me the blanket and then went to grab his phone, in the buff.

Under different circumstances I might have enjoyed the show, but now he had me concerned as well. I took the blanket and got up in search of my phone.

When I finally reached it, it was on the last ring.

"Hello?' I replied breathlessly.

"Oh Sookie, thank God I caught you, I've been trying to get a hold of you and Eric all morning. I can't find your brother anywhere, I think he went camping with Hoyt and Terry last night."

Relief flooded my veins, hearing my Gran's voice on the other end lifted the pits from my stomach, but then they were replaced by pits of guilt for not picking up the phone right away.

"I'm sorry Gran."

I didn't want to tell her what Eric and I had really been doing, but I never lied to her and I explained…

"I didn't hear my phone right away."

Trying to cut to the chase, I asked her…

"Is everything okay? Do you need me to drop by the house?"

"Oh Sookie." She sounded emotional and then I began to grow worried again.

"Gran, what's wrong?" I asked. Finally after what sounded like a muffled sob she replied…

"It's Fintan…He's in Intensive Care right now…I…we…need you two to come down to Shreveport Medical right away…I can explain when you get here."

"Gran? What happened to him?" I asked growing worried now, hating that I would have to break this news to Eric. I knew how close he was to Fintan, even if they weren't blood related.

I finally sighed giving up the attempt to persuade my Gran to tell me what was going on over the phone and concluded…

"Okay, we'll be there as soon as we can."

"Thank you Darlin, I promise to make this up to you. Gotta go Sugarplum, the nurse is looking for me. See you soon."

And just like that she was gone.

I took one look at Eric and realized he knew as well. His face looked crushed when he explained…

"That was the hospital."

"Eric, I'm so sorry." I answered in empathy wanting to be there for him as I wrapped my arms around his jean-clad waist.

I felt his arms brush my sides and finally rise to hold my arms, as he looked back at me, tormented and raw…

"It's his kidneys."

He finally confessed trying to hide the worry from his eyes and I put my hand on his cheek wanting him to look at me and assured him…

"He's in good hands…if anyone can help him the hospital will, and we will be with him soon too."

He looked down at me with those troubled eyes, and my heart reached out to him.

About 20 minutes later we were rushing into Shreveport Medical in search of Fintan. A woman at the front desk pointed us to the elevators and told us he was on the 5th floor.

I took Eric's hand as we made our way up to see him. I could tell Eric was still worried, as was I. I wasn't even sure what the kidneys did exactly, but I knew they were important, and it was bad when they shut down. I didn't want Eric to have to say goodbye to anyone else he cared about.

The elevator doors opened to the 5th floor and I cast Eric a supportive glance before we ventured down the hall in search of Fintan's room.

It wasn't hard to find because I could see my Gran standing outside his door. She had a tissue in her hand and she looked like she had been crying.

I glanced back at Eric worriedly and then I went up to her and took her hand…

"Gran?"

"How is he?' Eric asked anxiously, and my Gran nodded her head…

"They have him stabilized right now, but it doesn't look good."

Her eyes were all blotchy and she wiped away another stray tear.

I didn't see my Gran cry often. In fact I only remember two occasions when she allowed me to see her tears. When she found out my parents had died, and at my Grandfathers funeral.

"Why didn't they call me?" Eric replied in anger as he looked inside the room. The Doctor and nurse were in there with Fintan at the moment, and she shook her head and replied…

"They tried, but his home still had you listed at my house, they must have forgotten to change it. When I got the call, I tried you once, but then I got hung up in the ER trying to answer questions for him before I could give them your home number. I didn't know much about his medical history and then they were flying at him with all these tests, and we didn't know what was wrong, and I felt so helpless."

She kept shaking her head as if she doubted herself and then Eric put his hand on her shoulder and he assured her…

"It's okay, you did everything you could, he is lucky to have you here with him."

I nodded hesitantly in agreement with Eric unsure of what was going on here. I had never seen my Gran so worked up like this and it startled me. She was always the levelheaded one.

"I'm not so sure about that." She replied, her eyes flicking towards me and then the Doctor came out of the room.

"How is he doing doctor?" My Gran asked him anxiously and the Doctor stopped and paused….

"We are going to keep him here for the next few days in the Intensive Care unit he needs to be watched closely."

"They told me on the phone that his kidneys had failed? How did this happen?" Eric asked and the Doctor straightened up and explained…

"Fintan has Kidney disease. He has actually progressed to stage 5."

"Stage 5?" Eric asked in outrage.

"I just took him in for an appointment a couple weeks ago and they mentioned nothing about this, don't you think they should have detected something back then?" Eric asked clearly upset now. I took his hand once more and awaited the Doctors reply with Eric.

"The symptoms are minor at first, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of appetite, fluid retention, the need to urinate frequently…"

Eric met his gaze angrily and he spat back…

"Sounds like we might just have a lawsuit on our hands, if the goddamn clinic can't even diagnose him correctly…they said he had high blood pressure."

"I'm sorry, I don't know what to say, but we doctors take an oath to help and heal in whatever way we can, we can not however, help those who can't help themselves. Perhaps Fintan did not mention his symptoms to his Physician."

Eric growled lowly under his breath and I could tell he was pissed. I rubbed his back with my hand, and in an attempt to get us back on track I asked him with concern…

"So what does this mean for Fintan?"

The Doctor looked at me and then to my Gran and Eric and he explained…

"The main function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess water from the blood. You see we need our kidneys to purify toxic substances that we ingest, they allow consumption of a variety of foods, drugs, vitamins and supplements, additives, and excess fluids without worry that toxic by-products will build up to harmful levels. When we reach stage 5 there is total or near-total loss of kidney function. There is dangerous accumulation of water, waste, and toxic substances, and most individuals in this stage of kidney disease need dialysis or transplantation to stay alive."

My Gran put her hand up to her mouth as if in pain and Eric growled…

"So when do we get him on dialysis?"

He looked down at his clipboard, hesitating for a moment but then he concluded…

"We need to get him hooked up to a dialysis machine."

"I gather from Mrs. Stackhouse that she has been with him here for the last 3 hours. If you knew what needed to be done then, why the hell didn't you do it?" Eric argued.

"We are still waiting for his insurance coverage to get back to us."

Eric growled under his breath…

"Unfuckingbeleivable. Yeah help and heal in whatever way you can, Riiiight!"

The Doctor tried to keep his cool, but I could see his annoyance with Eric and I replied before things got ugly…

"Perhaps we can get the number to his insurance company and talk to them ourselves."

"Ill pay for it out of my goddamn pocket if I have to, but I want him hooked up to one of those machines in the next hour or I promise you, Fintan Brigant will be one patient you won't soon forget." Eric demanded.

The Doctor closed up his clipboard, straightened up, met Eric's gaze sternly and he finally replied…

"Ill see what I can do."

"You do that!" Eric called after him agitated as he made his way to the nurse's station.

Fintan's nurse finally came out of his room and then she replied…

"He can see you now, but just go in one at a time, he needs to rest."

I looked back at my Gran who was still very upset and then to Eric. I figured I could console my Gran, while Eric saw his uncle and I replied softly…

"You go."

His face softened for just a moment and he leaned down to press his lips against my forehead. I closed my eyes in an attempt to absorb his pain.

When I opened them, he had gone and my Gran was standing there looking at me with intensity. I was worried she was beyond my reach but just as I was about to speak, she replied softly…

"It's nice to see you two together, you make such a beautiful couple. I'm really happy for you honey."

I smiled softly, my cheeks flush and I replied hesitantly, not expecting her to say that…

"Thanks."

I turned to her to ask her if she was okay, my mouth partially opened, but she cut me off…

"Sookie sweetheart, there's something I have to tell you…something you need to know."

I met her gaze with concern, and was about to ask what it was when they paged code blue over the PA system and several nurses hurried past us. One bumped my Gran and she spilled her coffee proclaiming…

"Oh dear."

"Here, Ill get something to wipe that up, just stay there."

She was at a loss for words, but before she could utter another syllable I took off in search of a restroom. I found the nurses station first and asked them for a paper towel. They did one better however and called the custodian up to wipe down the floor and mop it. I supposed being in a hospital; they had to keep things sterile.

When I finally returned to my Gran she was pacing. And then Eric came back out of the room, and he announced…

"He's resting now."

"How was he?" I asked anxiously taking his hand once more and he assured me…

"He was a little out of it, but he still remembered me."

I recalled that Fintan had Alzheimer's as well, so that was good that he still had his mind with him. I felt so terrible for Eric right now, so helpless.

I looked back at Gran who seemed to be even more troubled than before if that was possible and I decided I finally needed to get to the bottom of this and asked her plainly…

"Gran what is it? What did you want to tell me?"

She glanced back from me to Eric reluctantly, still hesitant to speak and then she finally came out with it…

"I don't know if Eric has told you anything about Fintan and I…but there's something you need to know."

I looked back from Eric even more confused now and I shook my head, creasing my brows I asked her…

"What?"

She put her hand over her mouth and took a seat on the chair in the hallway. With one deep breath she began…

"Your Grandfather and I were high school Sweethearts…We got married two days before he had to be shipped off. I met Fintan after your Grandfather went to war…It had been two years since Id seen him and it wasn't looking good. Our boys were being brought home left and right in caskets, and I gave up hope that Id ever see him again."

I met her gaze still puzzled as to what this had to do with Eric or me. So she used to date Fintan before my Grandfather got back. I'm sure there were worse things. But my Gran looked down at her hands and continued…

"So we started going out, Fintan and I…It started out as a harmless date, then a little peck on the cheek, and then a kiss on the lips, and before I knew it, we had started something."

I looked back at Eric wondering why he never told me this, not that it really mattered now. So she still had a crush on Fintan after all these years?

"I found out the day your Grandfather came home from the war that I was pregnant with your father."

My face fell and pits dropped in my stomach as I began to realize what she was saying.

"I was married to your Grandfather, I was legally married to him…I couldn't tell him I had fallen in love with another man, I vowed to love, honor, and cherish him until death parted us, and after his sacrifice for me, for our country…I finally decided to break things off with Fintan and tell your Grandfather the child was his."

"What?"

I asked stiffly. The voice that came out of my mouth was not my own.

"Sookie, it could happen to anyone." Eric replied trying to coax me out of my shock, but when I looked back at him all I saw was his betrayal. I yanked my hand away from his as if he had burned me and I hissed…

"You knew about this? You knew and you didn't tell me?"

"Sookie honey, it's not his fault, I'm sorry, I don't want to take this away from any memories you had of your Grandfather."

"My Grandfather? You mean the man you cheated on? How can I even call him my Grandfather any more?"

I felt like my whole world was falling apart. Eric put his hand on my shoulder trying to calm me down since I was now making a scene but I didn't want any part of it. I yanked myself away from him, lashing back with…

"Get your hands off me!"

"Sookie, stop this!" My grandmother plead but I wanted to do nothing but scream. I glared back at her and hissed lowly…

"I can't believe you would do that to him, to our family?"

The tears stung my eyes as I looked back at them both, feeling the betrayal seething painfully over me in white hot fire. The ones I thought most near and dear to me, had turned out to stab me in the back. My heart physically hurt, as if in one swoop it had been torn from my chest and I shook my head and glared at my grandmother…

"I once looked up to you and had even hoped to be like you some day, but now all I can see is a woman who betrayed her husband, her family, and her country for some stupid affair. I hope you're happy with what you have done. You made your bed, now you get to lie in it—Alone!"

And with that I took off down the hall ran into the elevator and jammed my finger on the close button before anyone could stop me.

xxxxx

AN2: Hehe, dont worry Sookies not going to get very far. Ducks flying arrows. ;)