WWU

Chapter 28 It's a Brand New Day

EPOV

The next morning did not start the way I'd planned.

Reaching out I kept on reaching until I felt the end of the bed. Opening my eyes, I realize that yes, I'm in Sookie's bed but my beautiful, blonde fiancée is nowhere to be found.

Rolling over I grab my phone to see that the time is just after seven. Usually the morning fills me with dread and guilt of how I'd spent the night before. Huddled into some hotel room, unwilling to face my apartment, the memories and the disappointment I'd see in the eyes of both Octavia if she saw me and Pamela when I arrived to work. Yes, mornings were hard and by the time I'd pushed it all away, it was evening and the dread of returning to the place that held so many memories would force me to repeat my routine over again.

But this morning, like the entire weekend, is different. The bed may be empty but it is nowhere near cold. Knowing that both my girls are somewhere in this house fills me with such joy and excitement, I'd swear I was a child again. It is literally a brand new day; in our week, in our work and most importantly in our lives. This is where my life will begin again and I am overjoyed at the possibilities.

I smile thinking of the conversation Sookie and I had last night. I certainly wouldn't mind her being pregnant. Not that I want to force the issue but I don't want to prevent it either. If or should I say when it happens then I'll be more than excited that we are growing our family. She didn't mention that there was anything stopping her from having children and after everything we talked about this weekend, I'd think that would have come up.

Sookie is a born mother and I can't wait to see her round with children, our children in the years to come.

Jumping out of bed, I head to the bathroom to handle my morning routine before heading out to see what is going on in the house.

Once done, I go on the hunt for my girls.

Looking into my princess' room, I see that she's still cuddled up under the covers like she was the first morning I stayed here. Snuggled next to her is her precious doll. I can't believe that all of this feels so perfect. Even with the coincidence, I feel like this is all meant to be. But then again maybe it's not a coincidence. Perhaps this is all a sign or intervention or whatever spirits and angels do to help us mere mortals. I choose to believe this is something from above. I have to. There is no other way to explain it.

I smile looking at the beautiful little girl again. Even with letting her sleep extra yesterday and putting her to bed early, she's probably still tuckered out. Well she had a big weekend with a lot of excitement. In fact, we all did.

Turning and closing the door slightly again, I smile at the thought of everything that transpired this weekend. I head downstairs to find the beauty that has given me meaning again.

It feels like our lives were put on fast forward in the past week but for the life of me, I don't care.

I don't care if anyone finds out that we met, fell in love and got engaged in a matter of days. I don't care what people will think if they ever find out that Maddi's doll, that she talks to has the same name as my dearly departed Angel.

I stop on the last stair and think for a moment.

It's the first time I've thought of my Angel in years without my heart shattering. Thinking of my loss makes me sad and I miss her terribly but I'm not falling to the floor, trying to catch my breath as I've done for years since she was taken from me. My sadness will always be there but something feels different. My heart doesn't feel as empty as it once was.

Hearing a sigh, I turn to look up to the top of the stairs and see my princess rubbing her eyes and clutching her doll.

"Mornin, Daddy," she says through a sleepy smile.

"Good morning my Princess," I take the stairs two at a time until I'm just below the landing Maddi is currently watching me from. "Did you sleep well?"

She nods and reaches out with her free hand to have me pick her up which I do without hesitation.

As we walk down the stairs, Maddi puts her head on my shoulder and sighs.

"You okay, Princess?" I ask her.

"Yah," she says. "Cwadine says we amost weady."

"Ready for what?" I ask her.

"Por her," she says softly.

I'm not sure if she's actually awake or not so I decide not to ask her any more questions.

Walking through the living room, I make our way into the kitchen to see Sookie at the stove. Turning, when she hears us, she smiles.

"Good morning you two," she says and comes over to kiss me and then Maddi.

"Momma," Maddi lifts her head. "I pway wid the kids today," she says with a nod.

"That's right," she says with a smile but I can see the sadness in her eyes. I'm sure today will be tough. It's the first time she's left Maddi for the day with anyone other than those she's known her whole life. I'm going to have to keep an eye on Sookie today to make sure she's handling it.

"Yes you are," I throw her just slightly into the air to the sound of her giggling. "You are going to have so much fun and play with all your new friends. Lisa and Claire will be there with you and I know that Megan will want to play with you after school. You will have lunch and a nap. Before you know it, Momma and I will be there to pick you up and we'll want to hear all about your day."

"You wia?" she asks.

"You will?" Sookie parrots her.

I nod. "We have no meetings tonight nor do I have anything on my schedule that requires us to be out in the city so we can come home right after work and have a nice dinner," I smile at Sookie and then turn to Maddi. "How does that sound, Princess."

She nods with the biggest smile and her curls bouncing around as she moves.

I put Maddi down in her seat as Sookie starts to plate up breakfast.

Just as I am about to sit down, I hear our house guests on the stairs. I'd almost forgotten about them.

"Where is my doodlebug?" I hear Jason growl.

"Unca Dathon," Maddi yells and jumps out of her seat.

She gets to the door when Jason comes rushing in, picking Maddi up and swinging her around; making her laugh.

"There's my girl," he says with kisses to both sides of her face.

"Not only yours, sweet cheeks," Lafayette says.

Maddi jumps from Jason's arms to Laf's and giggles as he too covers her face with kisses.

"You come to pway?" Maddi asks her two uncles.

"Well," Jason says looking at Sookie. "We came to see your new house and to wish Momma good luck on her first day of work."

Maddi giggles. "Did you see my Daddy?" she asks as she wiggles out of Lafayette's arms and races to me.

Picking her up I kiss her cheek and place her back in her chair.

"We did, Doodlebug," Jason smiles. "I hear you had a fun time this weekend."

"Yeah!" Maddi yells as she jumps in her chair. "Cwadine wob da beats."

"Who?"

"Cwadine," Maddi says holding her doll up to show Jason with a huge smile on her face.

"Jason," Sookie says as she brings the coffee carafe to the table followed by the rest of the eggs and bacon. "Where did you get Maddi's doll?"

"No doll," Maddi shakes her head. "Andel baby, Momma," she holds Claudine close.

"Sorry baby," Sookie smiles and nods at our daughter. "Jason, where did you get Maddi's Angel Baby?"

"Well," Jason looks from Sookie to Maddi and back again. "There is this sort of funny little shop that opened up a few blocks away from the college."

"Funny how?" I ask as I place some food on Maddi's plate so she can get started. The last thing I want to do is be in a rush on Maddi and Sookie's first day.

"Not funny like a joke shop, just a really strange little place. It has a lot of different stuff. There really isn't any theme. I'd say it's sort of a gift shop, but that's not right," he shrugs. "I heard one of the players on the football team talk about it when I was in the locker room one day. He was saying he needed to go there because his girlfriend had eyed some sort of healing bracelet or something and wanted to get one for her."

"Healing bracelet," Sookie asks. "Is it a Mystic shop?"

"Well," Jason shrugs. "It isn't called that. The shop is called Willow's Whispers," he pauses. "I thought I'd give it a look because I was in search of something for you and Maddi right before Gran passed," he pauses again and I can see a few unshed tears in his eyes.

Sookie nods as Jason clears his throat to continue.

"Anyway," he says. "I went in and met the owner. She really is a sweet old woman. She'd just relocated from New Orleans and had only been open for a month or so. Since she was from Louisiana too, we got to talking. When I told her about you and Maddi and how sweet the doodlebug is, she told me she had just the thing for her."

"She went in the back and came out with the doll. I thought that it looked like the ones you have made for little girls, you know?" he asks looking around the table.

"You never told me that is where you got it, baby," Laf says. "It must have cost a fortune."

"That's the thing," Jason shakes his head. "She wouldn't take a dime for it. Said she knew that the doll belonged to my doodlebug and that she was gonna need her soon. The next day you called about Gran."

We all sit in silence for a few moments. The only sound in the room was that of Maddi humming a tune as she ate her breakfast.

Bill's POV

"You don't understand, Judith," I say as I come out of the bathroom.

I'd been forced to stay at Judith's place since returning from the Hamptons. I didn't dare return to the estate for fear that my parents would know what had happened with Lorena. My relief was only slight when I learned that my mother had left Saturday morning and that Lorena was actually asked to leave due to a confrontation with my uncle.

I can't say that I'm surprised. Lorena had no love for Eric's new attraction. Then again, she had no love loss for Heidi either. In some strange way, I think any woman brought into the family is seen, in her eyes as some sort of threat. She even hates Amelia but other than her being a little too flighty for my taste, she's not a bad person. My cousin seems to be happy with her and that should be all that matters. Pam's love life has nothing to do with me or mine. Even in the office, Pam keeps it professional. Lorena never saw it that way.

"What don't I understand?" Judith asks me bringing me back to my current conversation.

I look over to where she is still seated in her bed.

She had to go out last night. Not that I really cared but I thought it strange that she had a meeting so late and I honestly don't remember her returning this morning. But it is her place and I've never stayed a night, never mind two before. I really don't know what her nightly routine really is. Perhaps 11pm meetings on Sundays is normal for her.

She mentioned something about a possible job or changing her job, I really don't remember. The weekend had worn me out and several long days and nights with Judith had worn me out. Not to mention the little run in with Lorena. That alone would suck the life out of anyone.

Looking around her room, I notice it's nice enough but nothing like the apartment I share with my wife. Staying over here isn't something I usually do. Sure I've been here before but I've never stayed the night. Even if Lorena pulled an all-nighter at the office or had gone out with friends and stayed over somewhere, I always made a point of being home.

I'm not stupid and you can never been too careful. I know the first way you get caught having an affair is to do things that you don't normally do. Me being home at night is standard for me. I don't like to socialize very much and abhor all the dinners, galas and social events that first my parents' dragged me to and then Lorena. Truthfully, before Judith, I'd rather stay home, watch TV, read or work on my computer every night and weekend. It was even better if Lorena was working. The silence of the empty apartment had always been my sanctuary.

"Be reasonable, Judith," I say and sigh. I've been trying to explain this to her since I got out of the shower. "I have to fix this. You just don't understand."

"I understand plenty, Bill," she huffs as she jumps out of bed, naked and walks toward the bathroom. "You are saying that I'm being put in the closet until you find time to play with me again."

"That's not what I'm saying," I move to stand behind her. When I try to wrap my arms around her, she pulls away. I sigh and shake my head.

"Judith," I start again. "My wife saw us together last night. She heard you talking about getting a room and," I wave my hand around. "I have to fix this."

"You mean you're going back to your wife?" she asks and spins around to look at me with her hand on her hip.

"You don't except me to leave her?" I almost laugh but the look on her face stops me.

"Judith," I say softly. "She'll destroy me and take everything if I don't fix this. You don't know Lorena. She can be vicious and cruel. She'll destroy me, my family, everything I have."

"What do you have?" she throws her hand in the air. "You have a job, a home, what else, a trust fund?"

"Well, yes but there is my families reputation," I shake my head. "You don't understand. I'm a Compton. My mother," I shrug. "You just don't understand. I need to fix this before it's too late."

Turning, I grab my jacket off the back of the chair and head to the door.

"I'll see you at the office," I say to her.

"It's seven in the morning!" she yells.

"I know," I walk out through the living room toward the front door. "I have to go see Lorena. I'll see you later."

Judith yells something after me but I'm through the door and have it closed before I hear it.

It doesn't matter what Judith says. I need to fix this with my wife. If I don't, I'll be ruined. Lorena won't just come after me, she'll come after my parents, their standing in society and everything my mother holds dear. If we hadn't sold our shares in Viking back to my uncle, she'd go after them too, I'm sure about it. The little stock I do own is peanuts compared to what we sold.

Lorena was never in favor of my father's decision to sell back to my uncle. In fact she tried on numerous occasions to stop the sale and try to get me to do something to prevent it. She even tried to get me to have my father found legally incompetent and take over as trustee for the family.

Like that would happen. My mother may be crazy but my father is as sharp as a tack. His investment portfolio alone proves that.

Lorena wanted us to sell the whole place. She tried over and over again to get my parents to see that giving the family business over to Pam and Eric was a mistake. As far as I could see, it was working out well. Our profits had increased and under Pam's direction, multiple expansions had been made. Hell, my IT budget had doubled in the time they have taken over. But Lorena just wouldn't give up. She had my mother sold but she had always had a chip on her shoulder when it came to her brother and her family. This was just another reason for her to be irritated with them.

But my father was unmoving. He believed in the vision Pam and Eric had and agreed to the sale. More importantly, it allowed him to open his own financial firms that have yielded him three times as much profit and revenue than either holding on to his shares in Viking or selling it would have given him.

I hail a cab and once in, instruct the driver to take me uptown to Lorena's office. It is a little longer to take a cab at this time of day but I'd be damned if I was going to take a subway.

Compton's do not go underground.

My mother would pitch a fit if I ever even attempted it.

I lean my head back and allow the sounds of the street to wash away all that has happened in the past forty-eight hours. It is amazing how a life can go from perfect to shit in such a short period of time.

I suppose it's all my own doing anyway. I was stupid to allow Judith to accompany me out to the Hamptons. It was even stupider for me to go out in public with her in an area that we'd be seen by someone I know or knows my family. Sure, I've taken her to the little bistro down the street from her apartment. We've gone to a movie and many, many hotels up town but I've never even considered taking her out anywhere in the city that may cause us to be noticed. No, I was stupid and not thinking straight.

Perhaps it was something in the drinks I had or even the water. Perhaps there is something wrong with all the Hampton water. I could use that to my advantage if Lorena is feeling like all that occurred Saturday was surreal as well.

The cab stops and I get out and pay the man. Standing on the sidewalk, I look up at the building. The firm takes up about two thirds of the high rise with Lorena's office being on the 50th floor. She has been hinting for months that she is going to be made partner soon. She is convinced that her name will be added to the masthead sooner rather than later.

I'm happy for her. Really, she is a great lawyer and has put all the energy she has into furthering her career. With that much focus there has been little left for a family, vacations, personal time and even me. I wanted her to succeed, I just never knew this was going to be our life. Her working to be one of the youngest partners in her firm and me getting caught with a woman ten years my wife's junior. No, it's not the way I saw my life at all.

Walking into the building, I go to the security desk to get a visitors pass. Since 9/11, most, if not all the buildings in the city and surrounding burrows have installed security check ins. If you have an issued badge from a resident of the building, you can bypass the check in. But when visiting, you need to be called up and verified with the receptionist as to the nature of your visit. It's tiresome and time consuming but it makes people feel safe. I guess it's necessary.

I was at my parent's place the day that it happened. I didn't believe it at first. It was all so surreal. The whole city felt like it was in chaos. It was hours later when we heard the news about Heidi and Claudine. I never warmed to Eric's soon to be ex but the little girl was something special. I know the family took it very hard. Who wouldn't? She was just a little girl and in a moment, she was gone. I half thought Eric would fold in on himself and disappear.

With my family all in disarray and mourning the loss, Lorena thought it might be a good idea to sell the firm. It was the same topic she'd been trying to bring up for almost a year at the time but neither my father nor my uncle wanted to hear about it.

With such a tragedy, Lorena thought it was time to sell and take advantage of the time. Her concern was as false as it sounded. Lorena wanted the firm sold and the proceeds divided. It was all business to her.

"Someone has to think of the future of this family, Bill," she huffed when I questioned her timing. "The firm is going to go under if someone doesn't do something and then we will all be left with nothing. Your father and uncle are letting the place stagnate. In a year's time, it will be worth nothing."

It was then the decision was made for Dad to sell his stock and for Eric and Pam to take over. Lorena was furious.

I shake my head at the whole situation. Yes, my wife very well may be a shrewd attorney but she has the worst timing.

"Can I help you, sir?" the security guard asks me.

"Yes," I nod. "William Compton," I say as I hand him my ID. "I'm here to see Lorena Compton. She is an associate at Hurwitz, Johnson and Crow."

"One moment please," the security guard says as he types something into the computer. The look on his face is perplexing. I'm about ready to ask him what the issue is when he picks up the phone and dials a number.

"Yes," he says. "This is James down at security. I have a Mr. Compton down here to see Lorena Compton," he says and I can tell he's listening to someone on the other line.

"One moment," he says to me.

"Is there something wrong?" I ask.

But before he can answer me, I can tell that whoever he called is back on the line.

"Yes?" he pauses. "Okay, I'll send him up." he says and hangs up.

Hitting a few more buttons, I hear the machine start that will print me out a visitor badge.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I'd half expected Lorena to refuse to see me.

"You are instructed to go to reception on the seventy-second floor, Mr. Compton," he says handing me my ID and the pass.

"But my wife works on fifty?" I ask.

"That is what reception told me," he nods and points to the elevators that will take me to the executive floor.

Following his directions, I take the elevator and wait patiently as the numbers tick off to my destination. There is no one else in the car with me so the ride is a short one. As the doors open I step out into a very prestigious and expensive reception area. The wall on the left made of rock and simulating a waterfall is most impressive. I wonder what kind of programming went into building something like that.

"Good Morning," the woman behind the desk says. "You must be Mr. Compton."

I nod. "I'm sorry they sent me up here," I say. "I just wanted to see my wife. I know what floor she's on so I won't take up any more of your time."

I nod to her and turn to make my way to the elevator.

"Mr. Compton," I hear from beside me.

I turn to see my wife's boss. He is the managing partner I believe.

"Mr. Hurwitz," I say and put out my hand. "They didn't have to call you out here. I was just looking for Lorena."

"Yes," he says as he shakes my hand. "That is what I wanted to speak with you about. Why don't we head into a conference room," he turns to the receptionist, "when the others arrive, please have them join us."

"Of course, Mr. Hurwitz," she nods.

"This way," he says and motions for me to head to a room the left. I look around once before following this man into the conference room.

This morning keeps getting curiouser and curiouser.

SPOV

After breakfast, Eric ran up to get Maddi dressed while I cleaned up the kitchen and headed to my, no our bedroom to get ready for my first day.

I'd picked out a dress for Maddi earlier and had it hanging on her door so Eric won't have too much trouble nor will she give him a hard time. Not that I think she ever would. She thinks the sun rises and sets in Eric and I don't think that is going to change any time soon.

"Sook," Jason says from his door.

I stop on the landing to look at him.

"He okay with her?" he asks.

I turn to Maddi's door, hearing her giggle at something Eric has said.

"Yeah," I nod. "They're fine."

"Yeah but," he looks past me to the door and then back at me. "You just met him and…"

"Jason," I sigh. "I told you, he loves us. Maddi thinks the world of him."

"Yeah, but you said that Pam and her partner don't have any kids," he says. "How does he know what to do and how does he know how to get little girl dressed?"

"Well, it's not like it's brain surgery or anything Jason," I laugh.

"You know what I mean," he whispers looking at the door again.

"Look," I say. "It's Eric's story to tell but he had a little girl that he lost."

"So, lost as in a divorce?" he asks.

"No Jason," I hear from behind me. "I lost my daughter on 9/11."

"What?" he asks.

I turn to look at Eric. "Honey, we don't need to talk about this now."

"No," he shakes his head. "It's okay. Jason is just concerned about you and Maddi," he turns to look at my brother. "She was with her mother in Boston. I had full custody of her and our divorce was almost final. Without my knowledge, she boarded a plane to LA with her."

"God man," Jason shakes his own head. "I'm, fuck man I'm sorry."

"Language," I growl at him and look around Eric to see Maddi is busy speaking to Claudine and getting her doll ready for their day.

"Sorry Sook," he says and turns to Eric. "Look, I heard what you and my sister said last night. I saw how you were with Maddi this morning and any fool can see that you two are head over heels about each other. I just," he shakes his head again. "I'll try to be as trusting as Sookie but you need to understand," he pauses. "I couldn't."

"Down Lover," Lafayette comes up behind him. "We all know yous love your sister and are trying to do right by her. But you need to have faith in our girl. She is stronger than she's ever been," Lafayette looks at me and then at Eric. "Look at them," he points at us.

Eric moves so that he can take me in his arms. I in turn wrap my arms around him.

"They are good together and they will be strong for one another. Sounds to me like they both have baggage coming along with them. With any luck they can put that baggage in the attic where it belongs."

He kisses the side of my brother's face that makes him smile.

"I know," Jason says and looks over his shoulder at his lover.

"Good," he smiles. "Now, I'm dressed and plan on spending some time with my pretty little doodlebug before we have to get our silly asses back on a plane home."

Laf lets go of Jason, walks around him, kisses my cheek, pat's Eric on the back and heads into Maddi's room.

I turn to look back at Jason.

"You two really got to go back today?" I ask.

He shrugs. "What life is like when your spouse owns a restaurant. But we'll be back soon," he says smiling and walking back into the guest room and closing the door behind me.

"Come on, Love," Eric says. "Let's go get ready."

Forty-five minutes later and a not so "G" rated shower, Eric and I are dressed for the day.

Eric in a black on black suit, shirt and tie and me in a heather gray skirt, pink wrap blouse with matching jacket and shoes. It was one of my splurges before moving up and I have to say that it looks better with the little color I got this weekend.

Pulling my hair up, I fasten it in a French twist. Finishing my makeup, I walk into the bedroom to see Eric straightening the last pillows on the bed.

"You didn't have to do that," I say with a smile.

"I have to do something around here," he says and looks up at me. "I don't want you to think I'm a freeloader or something."

"Well," I say coming around the bed and slipping into his arms. "If you keep giving me orgasms like you did in the shower, I'd say we're even."

"Damn it, Sookie," he growls. "You can't be saying things like that when it's going to be ten plus hours before I can be inside of you again."

I laugh and kiss him softly.

"Come on," I say and pull away from him. "We need to get to Bridget's house and get to the office."

"I called a car for your brother and Lafayette. We can take mine into the office," he says.

Gathering up Maddi's things, I watch as Laf picks her up and takes her downstairs while Jason grabs their bags. I smile when we all get down to the living room as I watch them say goodbye to her and then turn to Eric and I.

"Just let us know when the wedding's going to be, sugar," Lafayette says with a hug and a kiss. "I will be here in pink taffeta."

"Oh," I laugh. "I know you will."

"Seriously Sook," Jason says looking from me to Eric. "We won't miss it."

"I know," I say and kiss him. "I promise not to do anything without letting you know first.

Walking out with them, we wave from the stoop as Jason and Laf get into the car and head off to the airport.

"I can't believe they flew out here," I shake my head as we head down the steps and make our way to Brigette's place.

"I can," Eric says. "If I couldn't get in touch with you, I'd jump on a plane and come find you."

I smile at him but don't say anything.

Dropping off Maddi was seriously harder for me than for her and I'm more than thankful for Eric coming with me. Maddi literally dropped her bag and headed into the playroom with a quick hug and a kiss to both of us. I honestly thought that she'd be hanging off of me and it would take forever to get her off of me.

I guess I was wrong. I didn't know if I am more relieved or sad that my daughter is so eager to be away from me.

It didn't take Bridget long to notice my ring but she doesn't seem all that surprised about it.

"Got a call from Erin last night," she says and smiles at the two of us. "I'm really happy for the both of you."

We said our goodbyes and Bridget assured me that everything would be fine and I could call as many times as I needed to today.

Walking back to the car, Eric takes my hand in his.

"She's going to have so much fun," he says softly. "She'll hardly realize we are gone."

"I know," I say and sniffle. "I know," I say and let out a long breath.

We don't say much on the ride in. Pam had called us and she had left while we were dropping off Maddi. I had wondered why she just didn't wait for us but she had her car with her and wanted to get it into the city.

"I'll ride home with the two of you later," she told us. "Dad said your engagement announcement would be in the paper this morning. He spoke with Hoyt and made sure he knew the backstory. I'll make sure that the PR and HR department know what they are expected to say."

Great, another thing I need to be worried about.

Eric and I made it into the building and up to the offices without anyone seeing us. But when we got out of the elevator, Pam was standing there with a smile on her face. Instead of going right to the offices, she steered us left into the large conference room that was almost completely encased in glass.

"Good morning," Pam says to the dozen or so people milling around the room with coffee and pastries in hand. "I'd like you to meet Sookie Stackhouse our new Chief Executive Editor."

Pam turns to me. "Sookie, I thought I'd introduce you to the executive staff all at once."

I nod at her and turn to face the room with a painted on smile. "Good morning," I say. "I'm looking forward to meeting all of you."

"Now, before all the rumors start," Pam says. "You have probably heard that Sookie and my brother Eric, our CEO are engaged. I wanted to inform you all that though Eric and Sookie have known each other for some time, it is only recently that they decided to take this next step. However," she smirks at both of us. "It was my decision to hire Ms. Stackhouse. I think you will agree after spending time with her that she will be a very valued member of our team."

The next hour was spent with me walking around and getting to know all the senior staff. I'll probably mess up their names a dozen times and it's going to take me a month to figure out where everyone sits but until then, I have Pam and Eric who assured me that they'd help.

After taking up enough of these people's time, Eric and I headed over to the Executive suites so I could meet my assistant and his new one as well.

When we pass the first set of doors, I see several people that were at the breakfast. They smile and a few seem to be forcing the pleasantness. Well I knew that it was going to be hard for some people to stomach the fact that I was marrying the boss.

I've already resigned myself to this and am determined to work harder for them all to trust I can do my job.

"Good morning, Mr. Northman," I hear a pleasant voice from the next bank of offices.

"Good morning, Molly," Eric says and turns to me. "Sookie, this is Molly Hayes. Molly this is my Sookie."

I take the woman's hand and I'm sure we said hello to one another but I couldn't concentrate on anything but this woman's eyes. It was that they were familiar to me. I'd never met anyone with such green eyes before. And yet there was something familiar about them. I just couldn't place it.

Finally Molly looks away from me to address Eric. "Your furniture was removed last night. The painters will be done by eleven and the new furniture you ordered will be in place by tonight. They told me you should be back in there by tomorrow."

"Excellent," he says and smiles at me. "You mind sharing your office with me for the day," he says and wiggles his eyebrows at me.

"You did this on purpose," I laugh.

"Well, I wanted to have a new office and now seemed to be the perfect time."

I didn't say anything. I have a feeling that there is more to this but decide that maybe it is something that needs to stay in the past.

Moving down the hall, Eric makes his way to what will be my office and introduces me to Tanya Grissom. She is a beautiful woman with long black hair, a dark complexion and eyes almost the color of her hair. Her smile lights up her entire face and I could tell on first meeting that we'd be getting along famously.

Eric took up a spot at my small conference table and started working on a laptop that had already been setup for him as I got situated at my desk.

It didn't take long from one of the members of the IT staff to come up and show me how everything works. I couldn't help but notice that Bill wasn't the one that came to see me.

Before John finished telling me about the location of the color printers on the floor Eric addressed the elephant in the room.

"Oh," John says a little startled that Eric spoke to him. "He ah," he pauses for a moment. "He said he wasn't coming in today."

I look at Eric but he says nothing but nods at John to continue with me.

An hour and a half later had me looking cross-eyed at Eric as John left my office.

"Does he have any personality?" I ask.

Eric laughs. "He usually is in the network room, I believe. Bill usually does orientations."

"What do you think the reason for him being out is?" I ask.

"I don't know," Eric shrugs. "But he has sick time and I really don't want to deal with it right now."

The rest of the day was spent with Pam coming in with several new authors she wanted me to review, a meeting with Marketing, the review team downstairs and a meeting with the legal team which was anything but pleasant.

Eric and I had lunch out in the park after, of course, speaking with Maddi and her telling us all about her morning playing. They were going to do something with sand after nap times so she wanted to hurry up and get lunch over with so that they could get back to playing. With I love yous to both Eric and I, the phone was handed off to Bridget who assured us that she was doing fine and she'd call if anything strange happened.

I guess Eric had called her to let her know about the security. I was half expecting her to refuse to watch Maddi after that but she assured both of us that she'd keep an eye on Maddi but was sure that nothing would come of it.

"He'd be crazy to come find you two, Sookie. The Northman name is known all over. If he is smart, or maybe if he has smart friends, he'll stay as far away from you as he can get."

I'd called my attorney earlier in the day and he made sure to check on RJ's whereabouts and then congratulated me on my engagement.

"You be happy now, Sookie," he said to me. "You don't worry about that two bit so and so. If he and his Daddy knows what's good for him he'll stay as far away from you as possible."

The day went quickly, between working, meetings and Eric coming over to steal kisses as many times as he could. I have a feeling that he may be spending more time in my office than in his but I really couldn't seem to care.

Soon, Eric, Pam and I found ourselves back in the car, making our way back to Brooklyn and to Maddi. I actually found myself anxious as we made our way out of the tunnel and Eric made the turn that would take us into our neighborhood. I'd missed my Maddi and couldn't wait to see her.

He found a spot close to the front of our brownstone. Pam waved us goodnight and Eric and I were quickly out and walking down the street hand in hand to get our little girl.

It took about twenty minutes and pinky promises to let her come back tomorrow to get Maddi out the door and back home. Bridget just smiled at our coercing. I'm happy that she had such a wonderful time and is happy but I want some time with my little girl too. I couldn't help but notice that Lisa and Claire were still there. I wanted to ask Bridget but decided it may not be the best idea. The way they had been talking about Barbara the other night, I was honestly surprised to see them there at all.

Maddi reached for Eric to carry her home which he did willingly and soon enough, we were in the house, shoes off and getting ready for our night as a family. As promised by my beautiful fiancé.

Eric sat patiently with Maddi at the kitchen table while I started dinner. She replayed her entire day to us, even the parts she had already told us on the phone earlier in the day. She was so excited and not once did Eric look bored or impatient with her. He was just as excited to be home after a long day as I was and willingly listened to everything she had to say with rapt attention.

I had invited Pam and Amelia over but after such a long weekend, they declined and said that they would make sure to come over another night this week.

Personally, I think they just wanted to give us family time.

Dinner was an easy meal of chicken and salad and I had it prepared and served in no time. Eating didn't slow Maddi down, however. She just kept talking and we both had to reminder her to stop and take bites every once in a while. It was so funny and listening to both her and Eric laugh was the best sound I'd ever heard.

With a quick bath, and three stories, we easily got Maddi into bed. When she finally started to slow down, she really hit a wall. She was so tired, she didn't make any fuss. Kissing her softly, I leave her room, change and head back down to see Eric cleaning up the kitchen.

I'm about to join him when there is a knock on the back door.

Opening it, I find Pam and Amelia standing there with twin looks of horror on their face.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Have you two watched the news?" Amelia asks.

"No," I shake my head. "What is going on?"

The both come in and Pam makes a bee line to the TV. Turning it on, she switches the channels quickly and turns to look at both of us.

"What Pam?" Eric asks.

She points to the TV

Earlier today, Lorena Compton, recently let go attorney at the prestigious law offices of Hurwitz, Johnson and Crow and wife of William Compton who is the only son of Edward Compton, Financial advisor and CEO of CBC Financial was found dead in her car. The car was found out by Battery Park around six am by several joggers. It was only when one jogger passed the car three times did he go to check if the woman was okay.

Cause of death has not been determined yet but sources say they have not ruled out foul play.

It was confirmed that William Compton has been seen entering and leaving One Police Plaza but this reporter has not been able to determine if Mr. Compton is a person of interest.

Eric pulls me close to him and kisses the side of my head.

"Well," Pam says turning to look at us. "I guess we know why Bill wasn't in the office today."

I look up at Eric and he just kisses my forehead and holds me closer.

What the hell could have happen to Lorena?