AN: Thank you to nordiclover, Northwoman, ljhjelm49, Millarca666, ILoveVikings, erin1705, AlphaSprout, ashmo2000 and TeaCupHuman for reviewing xx
ALL RIGHTS GO TO CHARLAINE HARRIS!
Chapter fifty-three
Sookie's POV
The second I wake up I push Eric off from around my body, causing him to tumble to the floor as I run at the speed of light into the bathroom where I yack my guts up. Stupid morning sickness. Almost within seconds Eric is behind me, his hands gathering up all of my hair as he whispers sweet nothings in my ear. Trying to soothe me as I have my daily throw up. I have been sick every single day for these last few days, it has been a nightmare. I have woken up that many times that I have had barely any sleep, so I have been exhausted these last few days. Which hasn't exactly been helpful considering that I have to do a few hours at the centre, as well as clean my house up a bit and decide what I am taking with me when me and Eric move in together. I thought it would be better if I started getting that sorted now, rather than later. Saves the panic, in my opinion. Plus, a very tired me, shifts at the centre, as well as cleaning the house and morning sickness – which actually happens throughout the entire day – makes for one tiring and slightly gloomy last few days.
"Are you okay?" Eric murmurs as I rest my head on my forearms. I feel terrible.
"Not really" I grumble as I reach for the toilet paper mindlessly, not even looking at where my hand was reaching for. I stayed over at Eric's last night because I thought we needed to spend more time together, what with us barely being able to spend time with each other over the last few weeks, other than our wonderful date a couple of days back.
"I think you need to sleep in today" Eric points out as he helps me up and guides me over towards the sink, my legs feeling very weak.
"Maybe I could get a few hours in, but I have to prepare for that appointment with Alexei that I have in a couple of days" I yawn, Eric's arms wrapped tightly around me in order to help keep me up and steadied as I go through my clean up routine.
"Have you talked to Pam yet?"
"No" he growls, her name only spurring anger inside of him. I sigh as Eric helps me back into bed, him sitting down beside me.
"You should. I know you're pissed off at her, Eric, but she is your sister. I know she has been a bit of a cow, okay, a hell of a cow to both me and you. And I know she has deceived your trust by blurting out to everyone about the baby and your contract with GQ, but she is your sister. She knows she has done wrong; she has tried to call you several times. She obviously wants to sort this out, and I think you should go talk to her. Sort things out. Life is too short to hold grudges" I tell him, hoping to break through that arrogant ass barrier he has up.
"But she treated you terribly, Sookie. I could never forgive her for that. She blatantly seems to have a problem with you, so if she has a problem with you, she has one with me. We're a package now, Sookie, and she needs to accept that"
"Then talk to her. Tell her that, tell her you want to put things to right, ask her why she has a problem with me. But, Eric, in my opinion she doesn't have a problem with me; she has a problem with us. From what you have told me you two have always been close, you know, you and her against the world. It's a brother and sister thing. She may think that I'm taking you from her; you have been pretty focused on me since we met. So, I recommend you take a day out where just the both of you can go out to town, or get an ice cream or something, bond. Put things to right" I smile at him, feeling very proud of myself for giving him some pretty good advice in my opinion.
"Ice cream? How old are you, like, five?" he laughs, making me hit his arm.
"I love ice cream" I mumble. And now that I have mentioned it, I actually really fancy some triple chocolate chip ice cream. The more fattening, the better.
"I think we may have some in the fridge if you want a bowl"
"I would love a bowl! What flavour is it?" now I'm suddenly all excited and wide awake; damn myself for mentioning ice cream. I am never going to get to sleep now, unless I go to sleep after the ice cream. I bet this is the pregnancy cravings acting up; but if pregnancy cravings are like this, I am happy to accept them. Everyone loves ice cream after all. And to my surprise I actually fancy some…
"Strawberries. Is it strawberry ice cream? I could kill for some strawberry ice cream"
"You don't like strawberries…" Eric trails off, watching me carefully.
"But Jr obviously does…" I retort, my eyes meeting his as I grin at him. Eric chuckling as he pulls me into his arms where he presses a light kiss to my forehead.
"Jr is already taking after me then, I see"
"Jr certainly is, now where is my ice cream?" I joke with a giggle.
Eric's POV
"Sookie, we need to talk" I tell her as I pass her a bowl full of triple chocolate chip and strawberry ice cream. A weird combination in my opinion, but Sookie seems to be enjoying it, so I guess I can't really complain. Must be the pregnancy cravings…
"What about?" now that is a good question. There are two topics I want to talk to her about, you know, house hunting and the GQ contract thing. But there is also the little problem of the three menaces across the road. They were conferring with paparazzi this morning, so that obviously has me worried. God knows what shit they might be telling those God damn nosy bastards otherwise known as the press.
"This contract. They want an answer by the end of the day, Sookie. And we haven't exactly had a proper talk about this. I know how you feel about it, but I want to know what you want me to do"
"Eric, I'm not going to make that decision for you. It's up to you what you do; I'm not going to force you not to do it if you really want to do it. I don't want to stop you from doing something you might really enjoy. But, Eric, if it was up to me, I would recommend you think things over, and if worse comes to worst, you take the one month trial contract to see how you take to it. If you enjoy it, take the six month contract, we'll find a way to make this work if this is really what you want" she tells me honestly, leaving me with quite a dilemma.
"Sookie, how would you feel about me taking the one month trial? But that's it; I was thinking that I could take that one month contract in an attempt to advertise my bar. But alongside that I was also thinking that I could arrange for a famous band to play at the open day of my new bar, if possible of course. Speaking of which, I still need to design posters and get word out about the opening, plus think of a name for my bar…"
"Do what you think is best. And as for the poster design, I can do it. I'm a whizz on publisher" she smiles at me, but her eyes hold some doubt. She's worried about this contract; I think she fears that I will forget about her if I take this contract.
"Sookie, this contract only involves me making one quick trip to Paris for a week. But other than that, it involves no travelling. Anyway, think about it, it could be a romantic week away from everyone for us. Paris is the city of love, after all"
"But what about my new job?"
"You don't start there for another week, do you? And when you do start you can just pull a sickie" I reason, Sookie rolling her eyes at me as she finishes her ice cream.
"When do you need your posters done for?"
"Within the week if possible. You don't have to do this, Lover, I can hire a professional to do it instead"
"Are you saying I'm not of professional quality?" Sookie accuses, her eyes narrowing at me. I think I may have just ventured onto angry hormonal pregnant Sookie.
"I'm not saying that, Lover, I just don't want you stressing over it. I'm only thinking of you and the baby" I tell her as I cup her cheek, leaning forward to give her a sweet kiss.
"I'll be fine" she assures me with a small smile, a yawn breaking through that sweet smile of hers.
"So, I'll take the one month contract. I'll hire a band to play at my open day, we need to decide on a name for the bar – yes, Sookie, I want you to help me name my bar – but right now you need to get some sleep in. House hunting can wait till later" I grin at her before kissing her cheek as she snuggles up under the covers.
"I do love you, Eric. And I think you're making a good decision, you know, it could be good for you taking this contract. You will be able to experience something new and exciting, even if it is only for about four weeks" she yawns as her eyes fall closed.
All under her eyes are puffy and bruised from her lack of sleep.
"I'll make you a special dinner tonight" I murmur in her ear as she falls off into a peaceful sleep. I take a deep breath as I pull out my phone as I make my way out of the room. I better get hold of
Pam, Sookie is right, I need to sort this out. For both our sakes. Then I need to figure out what those assholes across the street have been saying to the press.
AN: So, what do you think to these decisions that have been made? Also, do you all have any name suggestions for Eric's bar? xx
