AN: Thank you to Katherine Westwood, Lulubelle09, kpkisses, SomebodyWhoCares, charhamblin, TMart37, laacford, Team-Sooric-Delena, Nwagoner, ljhjelm49, artzannie25, mindy781, Baronessjai, TeaCupHuman, ILoveVikings, ashmo2000, Swedeheart14 and mademoisellesnow for reviewing xx
Disclaimer: all rights go to Charlaine Harris
Chapter twenty-nine
Sookie's POV
I stare at the clock, watching the red hand that indicates the amount of seconds gone by, I follow it's every movement, wishing that time would hurry up. This is my last lesson of the day, and I am desperate for it to be over because I want to go see my Gran. It has been a couple of weeks since she was admitted to the hospital, but she was released yesterday and is currently at home. I should be there with her, caring for her, making sure she has everything she needs, but she assured me over the phone that she felt great, she said she felt like a young woman again. I don't quite believe her. I need to see it for myself before I can accept that, plus I want to meet this man who has helped her. I don't care who he is, all I want to do is thank him; he has saved my Gran's life practically with his generosity. I just hope he treats my Gran with all the respect she deserves. She needs a good man who will treat her right, care for her like she needs to be cared for, God knows it would make me feel better if I knew she was being well looked after.
"Right, Class, I shall be back in one moment, Professor Northman is in need of my assistance," Our teacher informs us after he has looked at his computer, everybody nods, other than me, as he walks out of the classroom. I sit there pondering why Eric would need to see my teacher for, I mean, I know he isn't a Supernatural, so surely it cannot be that. Then again, he might be a Supe, just not a Vampire. He could be a Werewolf for all I know. But that seems so unlikely. In fact, I have never once actually spoken to a Werewolf or any other kind of Supe; I sometimes wonder if Eric was being serious about there being other Supes. I can always dream…
"Hey, Sook, are you alright?" Amelia nudges me, making me look up at her. I show her a small smile.
"I guess. I'm just worried about Gran,"
"I'm sure she's okay, Sook, stop worrying yourself. They wouldn't have let her out of the hospital if she weren't okay," Ames points out logically. She's right.
"I guess. So, how are you and Tray?"
"Um…alright I think. We're still on a bit of a rocky patch, you know, things haven't been too easy. We still don't know what to do,"
"Ames, how far along are you now?" I whisper quietly so that no one else can hear, I don't want to broadcast her private life to everyone after all.
"Um… I think I'm about ten, maybe eleven weeks, it could be twelve," She shrugs, obviously unsure herself, I frown at her.
"Amelia, you need to be keeping track of this, it's important you know,"
"I know, I know, but it's difficult. Sookie, I'm seventeen and I'm pregnant, I'm still in school, I'm slowly losing my waistline and I have no idea about what to do!" She hisses quietly, tears springing to her eyes.
"Oh, Amelia," I rub her back soothingly, trying to calm her before she releases the river of tears she's trying to hold back. She has been very emotional lately, but then again, she is pregnant. I guess it's only to be expected.
"I'm sorry," She murmurs quietly, wiping at her eyes carefully with her fingers, just to make sure she avoids smudging her eye make-up.
"I know this can't be easy, Amelia, but I'm sure you and Tray will do what is right. Have you not spoken more about it?"
"We have…briefly…"
"Briefly?"
"Well, you know, we did rule out abortion and we have talked about the other two options. Well, kind of,"
"Amelia, you two need to sit down and talk about it. This can't go on forever, you need to make a decision soon," I remind her promptly, Amelia sighing in realisation.
"I'll be seeing him tonight; we'll talk and hopefully make a decision tonight,"
"Don't rush into a decision for the sakes of it, think carefully about it, but don't wait too long to make the decision. That's all I'm saying,"
"I know, thank you, Sook, you know, for being so supportive,"
"What are best friends for?" I smile at her, Amelia smiling back as she rests her hand on her stomach carefully and conspicuously.
Luckily the bell goes then, causing me to cheer on the inside as I stand up and scoop all my things into my bag ready to go. Luckily I won't have to rely on Eric for a lift to my house, in fact, Pam kindly offered to take me there. She knows Eric and I haven't exactly been seeing eye to eye lately. I feel like an obligation to him rather than someone he genuinely needs or cares for. I sometimes wonder if he's just using me as some sort of pawn. But he wouldn't do that to me; would he? No, surely not… He would never do that to me…At least, I hope he wouldn't. On my way out of the classroom I accidently bump into Sam, Sam catching me before I can fall to the floor. He helps me back onto my feet with a small chuckle.
"Sorry, Sam," I apologise while picking my bag up off of the floor, Sam assuring me it's okay.
"Where are you going in such a hurry anyway?"
"I'm going to go see my Gran,"
"Give her my love will ya?"
"Of course I will, she'll be glad to hear it, you're like one of her own you know,"
"You are, too,"
"I am hers in a way. She is my mother figure, she brought me up, she's been there for me, no one else," I point out, Sam nodding sympathetically. He knows about my mom and dad, he knows everything that happened when I was a child; he was one of the ones who supported me when I was at my worst. He believed in me when barely anyone else did.
"Have ya heard about Pam having fangs?"
"Yeah…I've seen and talked to her since hearing,"
"Same. Let's face it, Sook; she will always be Pam no matter what she is. It's not like we're exactly normal ourselves either, is it?" I raise an eyebrow at him regarding that.
"How are you not normal?" I challenge him, Sam grinning before shrugging.
"Define normal," He retorts. I stare at him curiously before shaking my head. I'm too tired to be trying to figure out something that probably isn't even there to be figured out.
"Where are you off to now? You must have been in a rush to bang into me like that,"
"Yeah, sorry about that. I was on my way to Jannalyn's class; I said I would meet her. I'm planning on taking her out somewhere nice for dinner; I even managed to get permission from Professor Northman so that we can leave the premises,"
"He's obviously in a good mood," I note in a half daze. He is being extraordinarily nice; he's usually fairly strict over things such as this. Maybe he's trying to impress me; maybe he's just had enough. I turn around quickly, hiding the small tears forming in my eyes. I whisper a goodbye to Sam before rushing off down the corridor. The second I get outside I lean up against a wall where I take a deep, shaky breath, resting my head on the wall.
Once I have calmed myself, I push myself off of the wall where I walk towards the gate to find a red Corvette sat there in front of the gates, rather than the expected Jaguar that Pam drives. I stand there, staring down Eric who is leant up on the bonnet, waiting for me to come hither. We remain like that until I finally give in and walk through the gates, Eric walking round to the passenger side of the car where he opens the door for me. I climb in silently, fastening my seat belt while Eric shuts the door before getting into the driver's side. He revs up the engine with a roar before doing a smooth three point turn, with that he shoots down the road. We remain in silence for a few minutes, basking in our own thoughts, before Eric finally decides to break the awkward silence.
"What have I done, Lover, to make you so upset with me?"
"What haven't you done?"
"Do not play games with me, just tell me," He looks over at me briefly, almost as if he was trying to yank the answers out of me with his gaze.
"You have one of your ex flings working for you at the bar, you make me feel like I'm an obligation and you told that woman that I meant nothing to you!"
"For one, Ginger is a good worker; she works hard and does as she is commanded. She is reliable and she has experience working in a bar, she was a perfect candidate. It saved me having to interview people, and she is willing to work for a low wage. For two, how do I make you feel like an obligation? What could I have possibly done to make you feel as though you are just a chore in my eyes? Because, believe me, you are far from an obligation. I care about you, Lover; I wouldn't be here if I didn't. And for three, you have misinterpreted what I said,"
"You have an excuse for everything, don't you?"
"Will you shut up and listen, Sookie. Listen to me; stop twisting what I have spoken. Ginger means nothing to me, yes, we used to fuck, I didn't know you then and yes, if I knew it would upset you as much as it has, I would have glamoured her or not hired her. But you need to realise I have had past fucks; it's something you need to get used to. You accepted that fact about me from the beginning. Now, about Sophie-Anne, she is a powerful woman who could harm you, kidnap you and even torture or kill you if she felt like it. If she knew I cared for you, that you meant something to me, she would attempt to take you and use you against me. I have done this for your own safety,"
"My own safety?" I murmur while looking at him, not quite believing him.
"Sookie, you mean more to me than you seem to believe,"
"I don't know what to believe anymore,"
"You are being ridiculous," Eric shakes his head at me before coming to a sharp stop at the side of the road, causing me to fall into the restraint of the seatbelt. I glare at him while rubbing my chest where it hurts while leaning back in my chair.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to hurt you," He tries to reach out for me, but I push his hand away.
"Why did you stop?"
"I thought we should talk, I do not wish for us to see your Gran if we are in a poor mood. The last thing she needs is negative vibes," He's right about that.
"Okay, so talk," I deadpan, turning around in the chair to look at him expectantly.
"No, Lover, I have explained myself for those two problems you have raised, it is time you talked. Tell me why you feel as though you are an obligation to me,"
"Like when you offered for me to stay at yours longer, you said that it was because you had given my Gran your word,"
"Oh, Sookie, I did not mean for it to sound that way, you are far from an obligation. I want to have you in my home, I want to be with you, there is no obligation involved," He takes hold of my hand. I allow him to do so as I grip his hand in mine, it feels as though I have not held his hand in ages. I love how his hand is practically twice the size of mine, I love how it wraps around my hand, I just love how comforting it actually feels to have him hold my hand.
"About Ginger," I begin. "It did upset me when she told me about your two's past, I guess I felt…well…jealous," I finally admit shyly, Eric smiling softly as he lifts my hand to his lips where he kisses it softly.
"You have no need to be jealous, Lover, you are worth a million of her, you are what matters to me. Before you, it was all about sex and feeding, with you it is about – what is the word I am looking for – the…attachment. I do care for you, Lover,"
"I care for you, too," I smile softly, Eric leaning forward slowly, giving me a chance to pull back if I want but I don't, instead I gently cup his cheek, bringing his lips to mine where we kiss.
"Lover, are you sure you wish to stay in the dorms, I would rather you come back with me," I may have moved back into the dorms when we started back at school, only because I felt angry at Eric, plus I just couldn't bear the cold, lonely mornings anymore.
"I don't know, I do want to go back with you, but my Gran might need me at home, and then there is Amelia, my roommate, she needs me as well,"
"Amelia is that girl who sits with you in Registration, is she not?"
"That's Ames," I confirm.
"Why is she in requirement of your support?"
"She's kind of…um…well, she's pregnant," That made his eyebrows shoot into his hairline.
"One of my students, who cannot be more than seventeen, is having a child?"
"Yeah…"
"Who is the father and why has she not addressed the subject with me? I can provide her with support and time off school if she requires it,"
"You are being very kind and understanding about this, I mean, you are usually so strict and critical over things," I point out, Eric chuckling lightly.
"You are right, I do find myself critical of most situations, and I am very cautious regarding things such as this, but I am not heartless. Pregnancy, back in my time, was treated as a blessing, not a curse, and it is a belief I will not discard so quickly," He informs me.
"I don't actually know that much about your past,"
"Then I believe it is time you learnt more about me. We shall visit your Gran and then you will come home with me, you shall stay the night, if you wish to that is, and I will answer all the questions you may have for me,"
"That sounds great," I assure him, squeezing his hand lightly, Eric leaning over and kissing me softly before smiling at me. I smile back, a small blush on my cheek, as he starts up the engine before whooshing off down the road. We spend the rest of the trip engaging in mindless chit chat before we finally arrive at my house. I climb out of the car where I walk up to the porch, my fingers running along the ragged, worn out wood. I step off of the porch where I look up at the roof; I can see that there is a small crack in it from here. I better tell Gran. That's going to need fixing before any storms hit otherwise we're going to end up with an indoor swimming pool…
"What is wrong, Lover?" Eric probes as he wanders up to me, his phone in his hand where he is tapping away at it mindlessly. I roll my eyes with a small shake of my head. Men and their toys.
"The roof needs fixing, the wood is worn and needs replacing, that window there has a crack in it, the door handle is practically falling off and there is a wobbly wooden board on the porch that feels as though it is going to break any second now. I dread to think about what work needs doing on the inside…" I sigh, walking up to the door with Eric where I pull out my keys, Eric taking in the old worn down house.
"When was the last time your Gran had this place fixed or even refurbished?"
"Never. This house was built by hand and has never been touched since. It's pretty old now. Been here since my Gran was a baby, if not before then,"
"It is due to be upgraded,"
"It's an old house, Eric, not a phone; it can't just simply be upgraded,"
"We'll see," He murmurs quietly as the door suddenly opens, my Gran stood there with a grin on her face.
I didn't even get a chance to find the right key before she slung it open, I didn't even knock. I wonder how she knew I was here…
"Sweetie, it is good to see you," She envelopes me in a tight hug, I hug her back, joy filling me up. I am glad to see her stood up like this, and she looks so healthy and happy. Her eyes have this twinkle, her skin looks refreshed and rehydrated, her hair has took on a healthy shine and she is sporting the biggest, brightest smile you could imagine.
"How are you?" I probe, pulling back to look at her with concern.
"Even better now that ya here, Sweetie, and I must say, I am pretty impressed, ya even managed to drag this handsome fellow along," That caught Eric's attention as he turns around to look at Gran.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Adele. I hope you are feeling livelier now,"
"More lively than you, I'm sure," She jokes with a giggle, and when I say a giggle, I mean a giggle. How unusual. My Gran never giggles.
"I see your humour is ever intact," Eric chuckles, taking on the dead Vampire joke like a champ.
"Ya know I'm only jokin', now come on in you two before it rains, the clouds look awfully dull,"
"Gran, you do know there is a crack in the roof, right? If it rains we're all screwed,"
"Sookie, watch your language, and yes, I am very well aware of the damage. I have a bucket placed under it for now; I will pay for it to be fixed when I have enough money,"
"Are you having money issues, Gran?" I probe, worry taking over me.
I grew up with my family suffering through money troubles, and I don't want us to go through that again, if she can't afford for it to be fixed, then I'll find a part time job so that I can get it fixed. I will drop out of that posh school and into a public one if it means we can save some money.
"Nothin' for ya to worry about,"
"Gran…"
"Sookie, I am a grown woman and I am capable of taking care of myself, you, Jason and this house, now stop your wittering,"
"Gran, if you need money just tell me, I can get a job and start paying towards the repairs and bills, or we could ask dad for money if we're desperate,"
"Sookie, don't make me warn ya again," Gran scolds me, making me sigh as I look down.
"Adele, I believe I know a man who owes me a favour, he works within this industry and I am sure he can fix your house up for you,"
"Ya know someone like that?" She perks up at that. Trust her to listen to Eric but not me. It's not like I'm related to her or anything.
"Yes, his name is Jackson Herveaux,"
"Alcide's father?" I burst out, Eric cocking one eyebrow at me.
"Yes, his son, Alcide, does come to our school,"
"So this here Jackson, he can fix this place up?" Gran brings the topic back on track.
"He can, yes,"
"For how much?
"You do not need to worry about the cost," Eric assures her, Gran huffing unhappily.
"I don't want no charity work,"
"Adele, it is not charity, it is me doing a favour for a friend, if you will have me as your friend that is,"
"If ya can arrange this then you are practically family in my eyes," My Gran assures him, I could tell she wanted to hug him, but her cautiousness holds her back. At least she is being careful about this, Vampires don't appreciate unexpected hugs, nor do they like shaking hands. In fact, they take it as an offense if you try to shake their hand without them offering the gesture. That was one of the first things Eric told me.
"I am glad to see you are so willing to embrace me with open arms," Eric smiles before offering his arm to Gran, Gran hooking her arm around his where he guides her into the living room before easing her into the armchair. She thanks him, Eric nodding his head before he takes hold of my hand and guides me over to the couch, both of us sitting down together, my Gran looking between us.
"You know, you two suit each other," Gran notes thoughtfully, making me blush lightly.
"It is very pleasant to see that we have gained your approval, I do not wish to do anything that would upset you or Sookie,"
"Upset me? Never! I have never seen Sookie so happy and smile so much, you have been exactly what she needs," Gran points out with a nod of certainty.
"Is Jason here?" I ponder aloud.
"He's been stayin' at a friend's house, at least, that's what he's been telling me," So it would seem my Gran is blissfully unaware of the fact that he hit me. He actually hit me.
I look up at Eric to see him trying to hide his anger at just the mention of Jason's name, he knows what Jason did and he isn't exactly happy about it as you can tell. He would have killed Jason if it weren't for me preventing him.
"What's he done?" Gran sighs, already guessing he's in the dog house.
"Nothing you need to worry about," I assure her.
"Sook-" Eric begins, but I cut him off.
"I don't want to stress her," I whisper to Eric lowly enough that my Gran can't hear, but Eric can with his Vampire hearing. He nods once, but does not look pleased with my decision. I can tell that if it was down to him he would have told my Gran, especially seeing as he can't deal with it himself because I have been stopping him.
"Sookie, ya better tell me now otherwise I'm gonna go ask ya brother,"
"Gran, its noth-"
"Don't you lie to me, Sookie Stackhouse, you tell me right this second what he has done,"
"He hit me," I deadpan, no longer seeing any point in lying.
"He hit you?" Gran repeats in disbelief.
"Well, back handed me,"
"He hit you…" Gran repeats quietly to herself.
"Gr-"
"Did he bruise ya?"
"He did,"
"I can't see anything,"
"I've been covering it up with some foundation,"
"How bad is it now?"
"Almost gone now, it's healed pretty well, Eric's been rubbing some of his blood on it, and that's been helping it heal,"
"He hurt you," Gran confirms more to herself than anyone else.
"Gran, please calm down, I don't want you getting overwhelmed by this,"
"He hit you, Sookie, he hit his own sister. He ought to be ashamed of himself,"
"He is,"
"Are you sure about that?"
"Well…no…I guess not…"
"Exactly," Almost as if Jason could sense we were discussing him the door slings open where he walks in, tossing his bag onto the floor before walking into the room, an angered look on his face. He's actually sober. Now that's unusual.
He takes one look at me before suddenly all the colour in his face drains, especially when he sees Gran's face. He knows he's in for it.
"Whateva she's been tellin' ya, it's all lies, I swear!"
"Why would she lie about you hitting her?" Gran challenges, Eric stiffening beside me, I can tell he is physically making an effort to restrain himself.
"She wants to be the only apple of your God damn eye, she's jus' jealous cause dad don't like her as much as he likes me. She told me herself she hated me,"
"That's bullshit, Jason, and you know it!" I scream at him as I jump up from the couch, Eric jumping up where he wraps his arms around my waist, restraining me in my place. I thrash around in his arms.
"Sookie! Calm yourself this instant. Jason, tell me the truth,"
"The truth is tha' I dint do fuck all to her. She just a lying lil bitch,"
"Watch your language, young man, and I know exactly who I'm going to believe,"
"Ya goin' to believe tha' lil lying slut over there!" He points at me viciously.
"I have had enough of this. Your sister is no slut, you did indeed hit her and I have witnessed the evidence. She was shaken afterwards. You should be ashamed of yourself hitting your younger sister, she is seventeen, you are almost twenty, hitting women is uncalled for, especially ones who have done nothing to spiteful little boys likes you," Eric hisses at him.
"Who the fuck do ya think ya are?" Jason yells at Eric, making me shake with fury.
"I am the man who could end you if you do not settle down and admit to the harm you have caused,"
"Destroy me? I'd like to see ya try,"
"Is that a challenge?"
"Why? Are ya gonna accept it?" Eric goes to move but I spin around wrapping my arms around him.
"He's not worth it," I whisper, Eric wrapping his arms around me comfortingly as he nods, but his gaze never leaving Jason's.
"What da fuck is this?"
"Jason, I will not ask you again, watch your language,"
"I'm sorry, Gran, but there is some strange man stood in our livin' room hugging ma sis,"
"Oh, now you care about her?" Eric retorts.
"You betta watch ya self,"
"And you better learn some English. You are a disgrace to the language. Oh, before I forget, would you like me to refer you to a doctor for your small problem?" Eric grins over at him, making me frown. He's done something without telling me, I can tell. Oh, God, what the hell has he done?
"You…but how?" Jason frowns at him, I pull back to see Eric smirking at him. I sigh.
"Jason, please stop this, no more shouting, or threats. Gran doesn't need this," I point out as I step away from Eric where I go over to Gran to see she is sat there quietly, obviously deep in thought.
"Jason, if you did hit Sookie, which I believe to be true, I ask that you apologise to her right now,"
"Ya can't force me into anythin',"
"I know I can't, which is why I said I ask," Jason stares over at me, I stare back. He knows he's done wrong, and the fact he's tried to lie about it winds me up, but for the sakes of Gran's health, I will forgive him if he apologises. I just want this out of the way, and I want Gran to get better.
"Whateva. Sorry, Sook," I roll my eyes at how bored and uncaring his tone is, he really could not give a toss about me or what he said.
"How's dad?" I probe, trying to switch topics. I know none of us believe that apology, nor do any of us fall for it, but as you can tell none of us want to carry this on.
"He's on his way home,"
"Really?" I look between Gran and Jason who both nod. "How come he didn't tell me?"
"Because he hates ya, Sook, ya never were his favourite. He pays for ya to go to tha' school 'cause he didn't want to see ya on a regular basis when he was home, and then he thought tha' it would jus' be easier if ya were outta the way,"
"Jason, do not tell such horrible lies," Gran scolds him, Jason shrugging.
"Whateva. I'm gonna shoot back to my friend's house; tell dad I will be around tomorrow to see him. Oh, and, Sook, I am genuinely sorry. I dint mean to hit ya, you jus' kinda wound me up," And with that he just leaves, almost as if he didn't have a care in the world. Almost as if the world was made of roses, daisies, rainbows and everything nice.
"Sookie, it might be best if you stay at Eric's house for now, let me talk to Jason about his behaviour. Maybe your dad will sort him out,"
"Okay," I nod my head, feeling very dejected and rejected. Eric pulls me into his arms where he hugs me, kissing the top of my head lightly. I lean my head on his chest, releasing a small sigh.
"Sookie, if you two want to go now that is fine with me, I'm expecting company soon anyway,"
"Is it your fancy man?"
"It may be,"
"When do I get to meet him?"
"When the time is right," She assures me, going to get up but I halt her.
"It's okay, we can let ourselves out," I smile at her while going over to her, kissing her cheek as I say goodbye. With that Eric and I leave.
"Well, that was…"
"Eventful?" I fill in, Eric nodding as he opens my door, allowing me to climb in before he climbs into the driver's side. At least I know someone will be with Gran, and, better yet, now is my chance to finally learn more about Eric. I can finally ask him things I have been wondering about for a while now, like his human life. Now that I am interested in very much.
