THANKS TO: melissacl, Eternal Kaila, patracco, ncmiss12, ChickiesMom, evalilly, VAlady, Olivia Williams, casper22, Millarca666, LostInSpace33, violetsdream
Chapter 44
We're both quiet for a few minutes after she leaves because I'm processing what she may have meant by that: there's humanity in him. I wonder if she meant in the metaphoric way or the literal one.
Sookie's still as well and I reach out and take her hand carefully because I don't want to hurt her wrists. "What are you thinking?"
"That I'm exhausted. That I'm tired of almost getting killed. That I'm tired of watching people I love get hurt. That I just want things calm for even just a twenty-four period without major catastrophes or drama. But I suppose I've always wanted for things I cannot have."
"Why so melancholy?" I wonder as I stand. "Come sit with me," I tell her and she helps me into the living room. I guess the blue didn't heal the rest of me but that I can cope with much better than waiting for my eye to grow back. Still, I wonder what debt she felt she owed me.
I sit on the couch and lightly tug on her arms. "Come here."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't," I insist and pull her into my lap. "Just don't lean on my ribs."
"How long will it take?"
"Couple days probably," I reply and slip a hand under the back of her shirt to stroke her warm skin. It's like touching sunlight, as if I can still feel the warmth on her. "There's no reason to be so glum. A crazy vampire is destroyed. We've confirmed a good relationship with a fellow queen who happens to like you. You have the respect of one of the oldest vampires I know as well as the Lord of Louisiana who will now protect your friends as well. Additionally, you have an outrageously sexy Viking to bed you every night for the rest of your existence. Those are all cause for celebration, don't you think?"
"Of course, Eric, especially about the sexy Viking part," she smiles softly. "But I don't want to spend that existence being nearly killed. When will it fucking end?"
"Give it a year, Lover," I say and kiss her cheek softly. "Give me one year to get everyone in order and following the laws, dealing with those who refuse to obey. If it's not calmed down in one year, I will… dye my hair pink."
She starts laughing and it's a beautiful amazing sound and there's a lightness that enters her heart.
"What will that do? How will that help?"
"I have no idea, but it will be my penance to my queen." She slips her fingers between mine as she holds my hand.
"And you'll sing at Fangtasia," she adds. "In front of witnesses with your pink hair."
"See, the joke will be on you, since I've been told I have a very nice singing voice."
She raises her head to look me in the eye. "Sing something."
"Perhaps in a year," I tease and kiss her softly. "Now… what's in that envelope?"
"Oh, I'd forgotten about that." She gets up and retrieves it from where the fairy left it. "And how is this repaying a debt? Did she give me money?" she wonders as she opens it but it's a piece of paper with the words: Liliana Sukey, your birthmother.
"WHAT?" I yell and before I know it, I'm standing in the club, the night in full swing with the music pumping. "What the hell is this?" I demand as I rush in back and burst into the living quarters, hoping to find Maurella.
Lover, where did you go?
The club. I have to find her. What the fuck is this?
I think it's why you're half-fairy.
Well that's not fucking good enough, Eric!
I know it's not his fault but I yell at him in my thoughts anyway.
Come home soon.
"Sookie!" Hadley grins as she hugs me. "I'm so happy you're okay! We are all so relieved!"
"Where is Maurella?" I say, the anger and confusion rolling off me.
"She took Drew to soak up the sun."
"It's night time."
"Not everywhere," Hadley shrugs. "What's going on?"
"Who is Liliana Sukey?" I ask and listen carefully to what she says and what she doesn't say.
"I have no idea." She's telling the truth.
"Hadley, are we- Sookie!" Claudette smiles and throws her arms around me. "I'm so glad you're feeling better, but you really should be resting."
"Who is Liliana Sukey?" I ask her.
"A singer?" she wonders. "I don't know. I don't know that name."
"Maurella told me to find her. I need to know where she is. She's a fairy."
"Well we hardly know all the fairies, Sookie," Claudette says. "But I'll ask around. Why are you so upset?"
"I- I need to find this woman," I say urgently. "Like… pronto. Like yesterday. Please- can we use the Looking Glass?"
"Maurella has it. She is the keeper." Dammit.
Please come back, Sookie. We'll figure it out. I know you're upset but you need to rest.
"Why is she so important?"
"I- I think she's my mother," I say softly, tears suddenly flowing down my cheeks, because I don't understand. I don't- what does this mean? I'm so tired of it all. I…
Come home. Please let me help. We'll find her together, Älva.
"Oh Sookie," Claudette says and pulls me against her and I simply fall into her arms as I cry. "Why do you think that?" I hold up the card and I'm grateful when she pulls me down on the couch and I feel Hadley rubbing my back. Suddenly I just want Eric.
"I have to go," I tell them. "I'll… call." I teleport back to- or not. I tried, perhaps flickered a bit, but I'm back at the club. "Why can't I teleport?" I half-panic.
"You're upset and exhausted," Hadley says. "You've been through a lot, Sook. I'll ask around here, okay? You should go home."
"I'll take you," Claudette offers and wraps her arms around me as we stand. The next thing I know, I'm back in my living room and Eric jumps up quickly, causing Claudette to jump back about ten feet.
"It's- I'm fine," Eric says, but we both hear a low grumble in his chest.
"Call me," she says before she leaves quickly.
Eric's arms are around me immediately and I wrap myself around him and hug him tightly as he speaks to me but it's all gibberish to me because I'm crying and I just want to go home.
I want to go home.
You are home, my Sookie.
I look around through tear-streaked eyes and another huge realization just slams through me and takes me by surprise because- "I'm not home."
"Yes, Claudette brought you home."
"No," I shake my head and step back from him. "It's not right. It's not- it's not ours," I state simply.
This has been my home since my parents- or who I thought were my parents- died. I've lived here most of my life yet when I think of home, I think of Eric, of the house with Eric in that amazing bed and the most wonderful tub. I think of him sitting at the breakfast bar while I flit around grabbing things I want to eat. I think of lounging in a pool chair with him having just made love. I think of our life together.
"I want to go home, Eric," I tell him and he nods.
"Is there anything you want to bring?"
"Yeah. Let me get a bag with a few things."
I head upstairs and find an old bookbag in my closet so I can throw some normal underwear into it. I grab a few of my favorite books and the one off my nightstand that I was currently reading. I grab a few CDs and my thing of lotion off my dresser and wonder if my jewelry box will fit in the bag.
"It's not like you can't come back, Sookie," he says as he comes in. "Take what you want for now and in the new few days you can come with boxes and pack what you want moved."
Oh that makes sense. I nod and open the jewelry box to select a couple of my favorite things.
As much as love this place, it just doesn't feel like home because it doesn't include Eric. I don't know what I'll do with it, but… it's not where I want to be. It's not where my life is.
"Okay. I think that's it for now. Do you have the energy to fly?"
"Probably not. We can drive to Fangtasia. I think my car is still there, or it better be."
I lock the house behind us and I wonder if Gran is upset about this decision. Perhaps I'll ask Lafayette if he can ask her for me. I don't want her sad, but I also have to live my own life. Maybe not being in Bon Temps is part of that.
"This car is such a piece of shit," he grumbles as he attempts to climb into it. "How do you even deal with this?"
"I've had this car since I was nineteen. I worked my ass off for the money to buy this car. Do not insult it. It may be a piece of shit but it's my piece of shit," I scold him as I start it up. "It's gotten me everywhere I needed to go for the last six years."
"Maybe so, but eventually you have to put it out of its misery. What is that expression? If you love something, let it go?"
I laugh softly and we're quiet as I drive, which is difficult with the wrist bandages. "Do you suppose I need these anymore? I think they're healed."
"Up to you, but perhaps caution would be better?"
"I suppose," I agree reluctantly.
.
.
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AN: Anyone interested in a triple chapter Saturday? Hmm... lets say if I get 20 reviews before bed!
