Chapter Thirty-Eight:
"You don't have to stay, if you don't want to," Mackenzie glanced at the time. They had spent a better part of the afternoon ordering room service and trying to not think about how angry Godric and Eric were. "Bill will probably be up soon."
"And he can live without me there every second of the day," Sookie shrugged with a smile. "This has been fun, anyways. I haven't done this in awhile."
"Neither have I," Mackenzie nodded in agreement. The last time she remembered sitting around pigging out on sweets had been with Cassie. It was hard to believe it had been that long since she truly felt happy, but it had been. "I miss doing this. I haven't really had anyone to do this with. Pam's not exactly the girl's day sort of person. Or when she is, she's trying to fix my hair. She's obsessed with it I swear,"
Sookie chuckled. "I could imagine that. Well I guess it's a good thing we're doing this then. I think after the whole fellowship fiasco, we deserve this."
"More than anything,"
Godric still remained in the back of Mackenzie's thoughts, however. Even as they ordered a round of ice cream and chips, she couldn't think of anything other than Godric. She had tried to distract herself with showering and letting Sookie do her hair. She had tried to not think about him as they watched whatever chick flick they could find on TV. She even let Sookie tell her all about Bill, but still nothing worked. Mackenzie was caught between thinking about those damn dreams and wondering if Godric would even return to the room. She was utterly hopeless.
Sookie glanced over at the girl, peeking into her thoughts and sighed as she discovered what had been on the girl's mind the last few hours. She had done everything she could to help her not think about her family, even for a little while. But Godric was solely on her mind. She tried to think of something else they could do, even about to go as far as suggest they go for a walk around the hotel, but before she could a knock sounded at the door.
"Did we order anything else?" Mackenzie wondered, taking in their loot. The entire coffee table was covered in delicious treats that she was surprised a vampire hotel would offer.
"I don't think so," Sookie shook her head. "Maybe one of them forgot their key?"
Mackenzie shrugged as she pushed herself off the couch, tightening the silk robe around her form before moving towards the door. She was surprised to find a member of the hotel staff standing outside, a rack of clothing sitting beside him.
"Uh, hi?" she eyed the clothes in confusion. "Can I help you?"
"Mr. Godric ordered these to your room," the staff member, who couldn't have been much older than she was, all but pushed his way into the room, rolling the rack of clothes behind him. "Where shall you like them, Miss?"
"Um," Mackenzie shot Sookie a look of confusion before jabbing her thumb at her bedroom. "In there I guess."
He quickly swept into the bedroom with the clothes, not lingering for even a moment, before he was out the door. She didn't even have time to apologize for not being able to tip him. It didn't seem to matter as he was gone and out of sight, leaving Mackenzie to close the door and look at Sookie in surprise.
"What was that?" her eyebrows furrowed.
Sookie shrugged, glancing into the bedroom as she got to her feet. "Maybe Godric knew you would want something clean to wear."
"Maybe," her lips twitched into a frown. "But there were so many!"
A grin formed across Sookie's lips. "Lets go see!"
Mackenzie groaned but let the telepath drag her into the bedroom. There really were way too many outfits on that single rack, and she felt weird sifting through them all. Why had Godric done this? Had he ordered them before she had thrown a fit of rage? Was this a peace offering? Or maybe he was just being practical; she couldn't walk around in dirty clothes or a robe for the rest of the night.
"You should try them on," Sookie suggested.
"I don't know,"
Sookie offered a smile as she laid her hands on Mackenzie's shoulders, squeezing them encouragingly. "Godric obviously wants you to, or else he wouldn't have done this."
Mackenzie sighed as she chewed on her bottom lip. She'd much rather Godric here instead of the clothes. She was just so worried that he was going to leave her again, that it would be another six years or more until she saw him. She needed him now more than ever. Her family was still out there; this whole ordeal wasn't completely over and done with just yet. She still didn't even know if she was sick or not. She wasn't sure if she would ever really know. She didn't want to add Godric disappearing onto that list.
"He's not going to leave, Mackenzie," Sookie assured.
Mackenzie sent her a raised eyebrow. "Really? Did you see how angry he was? I've never seen him like that before."
"I have," Sookie shuddered as she remembered the Godric that had suddenly appeared in the basement of the church. "What he did to Gabe; Mackenzie, he would do anything for you. He was absolutely terrifying as he tore him apart. I really don't think he's going to just leave. He cares about you."
"Then why didn't he tell me about this?" her shoulders sagged sadly.
Sookie felt for her, she really did. She knew all too well what it was like to have people keep secrets from her. "I understand, hun, I really do. It drives me insane when Bill, and even Eric, keeps things from me. I'm totally on your side here."
Mackenzie knew there was a but coming. "But?"
"But I honestly do think he was just doing what he thought was best," Sookie admitted. "I don't know him all that well, but it's obvious how much he cares about you. Him and Eric, they went absolutely insane when you were kidnapped. They were furious and I swear they would have killed every single person they came into contact with just to find you. I have no doubt in my mind that they love you. Maybe a bit too much. I could have done without seeing Eric tear Hugo apart."
Mackenzie gagged at the thought. She remembered the screams, though she was so out of it that she hadn't even realized what had been happening around her.
"But Godric loves you, Mackenzie. He looked lost without you. I know he should have told you; he really should have. But I don't think he was intentionally trying to hurt you."
Mackenzie knew she was right. Godric wouldn't have just kept this from her to hurt her. But that didn't make it hurt any less. She had been going crazy since she realized Godric had been in her first dream. The one earlier hadn't helped at all. Knowing that Godric had kept this from her, it just made her so angry.
But maybe, just maybe, she had been a bit harsh.
She was alive, after all. She couldn't blame Godric for giving her his blood. He had saved her life and she would never be able to show how grateful she was. Especially if it had cured the cancer.
"You have every right to be angry, Mackenzie. No one is taking that away from you. But I really don't think Godric is going to leave just because you're upset. Right now, I think you're both a little confused and unsure of how you move forward."
Mackenzie snorted. "You have no idea."
Sookie smiled at the teen. "He really does care, Mackenzie. And I think maybe this," she nodded at the rack of clothes. "Is just his way of showing that he's sorry."
"I was a little harsh, wasn't I?
Sookie laughed. "Maybe a little. But I think Eric took the cake in the dramatic department."
"Seriously, what was wrong with him?" Mackenzie shook her head. Eric had snapped, and she just didn't understand why he had.
"I think Eric has a very bad case of overprotective father syndrome," The telepath snickered. "The thought of his daughter having those kinds of dreams is probably not a good one for him."
The colour drained from Mackenzie's face. "Oh god, I never thought about it like that. I'm having dreams about his maker! That makes Godric my sort of grandfather! Oh god!"
Sookie rolled her eyes and pushed her towards the clothes. "Lets not think of it that way. Lets think of it more like you're having dreams of a not so bad looking vampire that just happened to also turn your father."
"But he's not my…is this really necessary?" Mackenzie mumbled as clothes were shoved into her arms and she was pushed into the bathroom.
"After everything, Mackenzie, you deserve to let loose and have a little fun. Right now, the whole Godric and Eric situation is going to get solved. I think you're going to have to sit down with him and have a long talk. Until then, have some fun," Sookie urged, settling herself on the bed. "Now go try those on and come out to model for me."
"You will force me to, won't you?"
"Completely."
"Hurry up already, I'm dying to see that dress on you!" Sookie called through the door.
Mackenzie rolled her eyes as she zipped the back of the dress up, adjusting the lace material before gazing into the mirror. After being showered and freshened up, she could see the differences that Sookie had mentioned. Her complexion was much smoother than she remembered. It was her hair, however, that surprised her. She hadn't lost any of it during treatment, but it had turned stringy and dull. She had hated her locks for the past few months, half of the reason it had turned into the disaster Pam despised. But now it looked full of life, almost silky to touch as she ran her fingers through it. She didn't look like she had even been sick at all, and it caused her to actually smile. It was nice to see herself looking healthy.
"I will drag you out here if I have to," Sookie warned.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Mackenzie laughed, a sound that was almost unfamiliar to her own ears. It really was nice to hear.
She slipped out of the room and blushed when Sookie's jaw dropped. The telepath immediately jumped off the bed, nudging Mackenzie over to the mirror in the room. As someone who had never been a fan of dresses, mostly due to Pam's attempt to influence her wardrobe when she was a child, she was actually surprised at how much she loved that dress. It was coral in colour and completely covered in lace. There were lace sleeves to her elbows while the top of her dress hugged what little curves she still had. The skirt of the dress flowed down her legs, stopping a few inches above her knees. A brown leather belt finished the outfit off, and she was shocked at how well it fit her.
"Wow," Sookie shook her head, her eyes wide and bright. "You look gorgeous, Mackenzie. Absolutely gorgeous,"
"Really?" Mackenzie asked shyly, turning this way and that as she inspected herself. She had to admit, she felt great. She looked healthy, and hell, she even looked happy. "I honestly haven't worn anything that has fit as well as this in so long."
"I can imagine," Sookie nodded in understanding. "You're glowing."
Her cheeks grew a darker shade of red as she mumbled thanks. She wasn't used to the attention. She wasn't one to dress up; that had always been Cassie. She would be the one who gushed at how nice she looked before going back to studying or reading a good book. It was nice to be on the other side of that now, even if just for the moment.
"You know who would think so too?" Sookie couldn't hide the grin as it spread across her lips. "Godric,"
"What?" Mackenzie's eyes widened as she twisted around to stare at Sookie in disbelief. "I…er...I don't think…"
She was interrupted, however, by the voice of Eric and Godric. Mackenzie couldn't help but blush at the sound of the ancient vampire's voice. Damn those dreams!
"I cannot help this, Eric, and I will not apologize for it."
"She is my…"
"My blood saved her life, Eric. I will never apologize for that."
"Well look whose here," Sookie looped her arms with Mackenzie's. "We should go see what they think."
"No no no no no," Mackenzie shook her head, trying to drag her feet.
But Sookie was surprisingly strong as she dragged the girl out of the room. Both vampires halted their heated conversation the moment the two women appeared. Eric's mouth dropped open, his eyes widening as he stared at Mackenzie. Godric's expression, however, remained perfectly masked. His eyes, although, raked up and down Mackenzie's form and never once left her.
"What are you wearing?" Eric demanded, his voice gruff as his eyes narrowed. He did not like seeing Mackenzie in such revealing clothes.
"Godric, er, got it for me," Mackenzie risked a glance at the older vampire, biting down hard on her bottom lip. Her cheeks felt on fire as she caught his gaze for the quickest of seconds before she looked away. "Thank you, I guess."
Godric could only nod, finding himself utterly speechless. Mackenzie bowed her head, shifting from one foot to the other while Sookie smirked from beside her. Yes, Sookie thought, there was certainly more there than the two thought.
"Where the hell is the rest of it?" Eric crossed his arms.
"It's a dress, Eric," Sookie rolled her eyes. Eric was taking this overprotective father role a little too far. But it was nice to see just how much Eric had evolved in only the last few days.
"You shouldn't be wearing it," he shook his head. "Take it off."
"I used to wear dresses all the time," Mackenzie pointed out, though her gaze was still to the ground. The floor was beginning to look much more interesting than her vampires' expressions.
"And those went to the floor," he countered.
"It's not that short," Sookie tried so hard not to snort at how Eric was overreacting. It was almost cute in a way. She had to double-check herself at that thought. Eric and cute in the same sentence? What was wrong with her? "It's a perfectly respectable length. And anyways, I think she looks gorgeous."
"I think she should take it off."
"I think she looks beautiful."
It was Godric's comment that stopped Mackenzie's heart, her breath caught in her throat. Her head snapped up to glance at him and she began to feel faint at the look he was sending her. She had to clutch onto Sookie's arm and look away hurriedly before she either fell right over or ran back into the bedroom.
Eric, however, was glaring daggers at Godric, his fangs aching to extend. He did not like the way his maker was staring at Mackenzie. He felt the strong urge to rip his eyeballs out so he could never look at her in that way again.
"Well now that that is settled…" Sookie began, only for Eric's growl to vibrate throughout the room. She sighed and shook her head, putting an arm around Mackenzie's shoulders who had jumped in surprise.
"Take. It. Off."
"Oh leave it alone, Eric," Sookie sent him a pointed look. "She looks beautiful, just like Godric says. After being locked away in a basement after being kidnapped and tortured, I think she's allowed to feel gorgeous."
Eric turned his glare on the telepath but she did not back down. He hissed in her direction before twisting around and storming towards the other bedroom, slamming the door behind him. Sookie sighed at his stomping away and squeezed Mackenzie's shoulder, not wanting the girl to be upset. She was surprised when Mackenzie started rolling her eyes at Eric's actions.
"And he says I'm the child," she muttered under her breath, only to realize Godric likely heard her. She snuck a glance up at him, a small smile threatening to spread as a chuckle emitted from the vampire.
"He has always been extremely immature," Godric mused, catching Mackenzie's gaze.
The two stared at one another, neither able to look away. Mackenzie's grip on Sookie's arm began to loosen and the telepath knew it was time for her to leave.
"I think I'm going to go check on Bill," Sookie patted her arm before slipping away from the pair. "I had fun, Mackenzie. We need to do this again sometime."
Mackenzie was only faintly aware that Sookie had left; she really cared about nothing other than Godric in that moment.
"I'm really…"
"I should have…" they both spoke in unison.
Mackenzie let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding while Godric chuckled.
"Allow me?" he took a small step forward, not wanting to startle her.
She nodded and dropped her gaze finally. He frowned however, and flashed before her. He did startle her, but she didn't pull away as he clasped a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his. It had only been a few hours since their argument, but she appeared much different. There was happiness in her orbs, content on her face. Her time with Sookie had helped her, and he made note to thank the woman for making his Mackenzie happy.
Hid Mackenzie.
She continued to be his Mackenzie, and he found himself unable to stop referring her as such.
"I should have told you, Mackenzie," he shook his thoughts away as he focused at the task at hand. He knew he shouldn't have lost his temper earlier. It was rare for him to lose control. But he was beginning to find it difficult to control his inner beast when he was around her. She had stirred something inside of and it would not simply go away. "And I truly am sorry for that. I didn't want to lie to you; I only didn't want to cause you any other pain. You've already endured so much, I didn't want to add to it."
"You saved my life, Godric. You couldn't have caused me anymore pain even if you tried," Mackenzie shook her head. "I just…I wished you would have told me, Godric. Maybe I would have been angry or overreacted, but I'm really tired of people lying to me."
"I know," his thumb began to trace the length of her jaw. "And for that, I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too," she sighed. "I shouldn't have jumped down your throat like I did. I was just frustrated and not completely sane."
"The dreams truly did frazzle you," he frowned.
Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red and averted his stare. "Just a little."
"I understand, little one," even if he didn't understand his own feelings towards the dreams. But he would not shower her with his own confusion. She did not need anymore. "I'm also sorry for losing my temper."
"You did have a bit of a reason to," Mackenzie shrugged. She had just attacked him, shouting at him for lying to her without even trying to explain how she felt. She could have handled herself better, she knew that. "I did sort of make it seem like I was an ungrateful brat."
"Perhaps brat was not the right choice of words,"
"It was pretty accurate," she chuckled softly, sounding like music to Godric's ears. "I really do appreciate what you did, Godric. I don't mean for it to seem like I don't. You saved my life. I will always be in your dept."
"I do not want anything from you."
"Well too bad, I'm definitely in your debt," the small smile began tugging at her lips. The thought of her being in his debt, her owning him, it caused his lower region to stir in anticipation. If he could pale in horror, he certainly would.
"I only wish to see your smile," he tapped her cheek, his own smile appearing. "I never wish to hurt you again, Mackenzie. And I do promise I will not show my fangs again. That was not alright for me to do, and I apologize."
"It's okay," she assured him. It had startled her, and she didn't deny the fear she had felt. But she had pushed Godric a little too far with her unnecessary antics. "I honestly was just afraid you wouldn't come back. I thought you would leave because I was being stupid."
His expression hardened as he grasped his chin once again. "Never think that I would leave you, Mackenzie. I would never do that to you. I made you a promise when I returned and I intent on keeping that promise."
"That's what Sookie said. I don't know, I was just scared I guess," she admitted. "Because no matter what I might…you know," she swallowed hard at the thought of those dreams. She still wasn't prepared to talk to him about them yet, despite what Sookie believed. "I still really need you, Godric. Like desperately."
Godric found himself stirring again and he was glad her attention was solely focused on his eyes and not elsewhere. He felt ashamed for how his body was reacting. He was not supposed to be thinking about Mackenzie in such a way. And yet the thought of her dreaming of him, of throwing her head back in pleasure, of being below him even if it was a dream version of him, as he drove her to the brink, it brought out a side of him that had been lost for many centuries.
"I will never leave you, Mackenzie. I promise," he vowed, his other hand reaching up to caress her cheeks with the backs of his fingers. "You never have to worry about that. I'm afraid you're stuck with me."
"Good," her smile soon turned into a grin. "So does that mean we can stop fighting? Because I really hate it when we fight."
"Consider it dropped, my love," he promised, grinning himself. Her smile was infectious and he found himself drawn to those plump lips.
"So will it be completely awkward if I hugged you?" Mackenzie asked hopefully. She had always felt better while in his arms in the past. She damn well wasn't going to let these dreams take that away from her.
Godric didn't hesitate before drawing her closer, though making sure to pay special attention to not pressing her so tight against him that she would feel something she truly should not be feeling.
Mackenzie felt like the smile on her face would never be wiped off as she clutched onto him, her arms tightly wrapped around him. Despite the dreams, despite their argument and her worry that he would leave, she still felt completely content to be in his arms. It felt right to be in that position, like that was where she was meant to be. She seemed to fit perfectly against him.
"No," Eric's voice suddenly interrupted their very short-lived moment. The Viking stormed out of the bedroom and over to the pair, ripping them both apart. "No, this is not allowed."
Mackenzie's mouth dropped open. "Eric!"
"No hugging," he grunted, sending them both a pointed glare.
"Eric," Godric sighed, shaking his head. "We spoke about this…"
"I don't care," Eric hissed. "No. Hugging."
"Are you banning hugging?" she was gob smacked. What the hell was wrong with Eric?
"Yes, I am," he pulled her to his side as if he was trying to protect her from some feral monster. But it had only been Godric she had been hugging.
But she remembered what Sookie had said and she couldn't help but smile as Eric shuffled her behind him. Maybe Eric really was just acting like an overprotective father. As annoying as he was, it actually caused her to smile. She found herself not minding this turn of events, even if he did happen to drive her insane.
"You can't ban hugging," Mackenzie insisted, her smile unseen by Eric. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Fine, I ban the two of you from hugging," he was glaring down at his maker, daring him to challenge him.
Godric only shook his head and went to turn away. Mackenzie however, shot around Eric to stop him.
"Nuh uh, you are not going anywhere," she grabbed onto his arm. "You're staying, mister."
"Maybe he should…"
"Oh shut up, Eric," she snapped at him as she clutched onto Godric. "Don't be an ass or I'll make you go."
His eyes narrowed even further, if it were even possible. "Are you threatening me?"
"No," her expression fell as she stared up at him with sad, round eyes. "But I just…I really just want to spend time with my family right now. All of my family. So please just…can we just hang out? Please?"
He tried not to crack. He tried not to crumble at that look on her face, but he failed miserably. His tense shoulders fell in defeat as his expression softened. "Are you trying to manipulate me?"
"Maybe a little," she admitted, but didn't let her expression falter. It was slowly but surely working.
"Damn you," he muttered before sighing. "Fine."
"Really?" she brightened immediately? "We can really just sit and watch a movie and not jump down each other's throats?"
"I cannot promise that," he grunted, snorted when her lost puppy dog look returned. "But I'll try. Happy?"
"Very," she grinned from ear to ear, glancing p at Godric. "Right?"
Godric returned her smile, though he was very aware of Eric's anger concerning the fact that his daughter was clutching onto him. "Not a voice will be raised, I promise."
"Good," she began dragging Godric over to the couch and pushing him down.
She settled beside him, curling her legs beneath her feet as she reached for the remote. She was stopped, however, by Eric suddenly appearing before her, grasping her under her arms and moving her completely off the couch and to the opposite end. She squealed, completely flabbergasted at Eric's action. She tried to scurry back to Godric's side but Eric's form filled the space. "Eric!"
"What?" he sent her a look of innocence, but a hint of a smirk appeared on his lips.
"Stupid friggin ogre," she grumbled, sending him a glare as she reached for the remote, glancing at Godric around Eric's form. "Why did you turn him again?"
Godric chuckled at Eric's antics and offered Mackenzie a smile. "I wonder why myself at times."
Eric grasped onto the back of Mackenzie's dress and tugged her back against the couch and out of Godric's view. They would not within a foot of each other if he had anything to say about it.
A/N: overprotective daddy mode is totally in effect. can I just say that this final scene of Eric forcing his way between them was inspired by the Harry Potter scene of Ron doing the same to Harry and Ginny. because it totally was. Yep, I totally love overprotective daddy eric.