Chapter 26

-EPOV-

Author's Note: All characters belong to Charlene Harris.

Bud showed up a few minutes after Andy started his search of Victor's office. I doubted they would be able to find anything in there which would be incriminating. As luck would have it, the filing cabinet in the corner had several types of cameras in it. All, later we would find out, had Quinn's fingerprints on them. Most of them had matched the pixilation of the pictures sent to Sookie's email account and a few still had the SD cards in them with the pictures of the victims when they were still alive.

It was a highly productive afternoon for Bud, Andy, and Isabella. I was in my office finishing off the last of my emails when the grandfather clock in the corner chimed five. Realizing I was overdue for Gran's picnic, I shut down my computer, and ran out the door. Hustling out of the office, I yelled to the trio to lock up behind themselves. The security guard for the night wouldn't be there until near 10 and I had made a mental note to swing past the building to set the alarm before heading for home to Green River.

Making it to the park minutes before Pam and Jason's announcement, I grabbed a beer and blended into the party like atmosphere. Jason climbed on top of a nearby tree stump to gain everyone's attention. Gran went and stood next to Pam who was gooey eyed as Jason made the announcement. Corbett was flipping burgers at the grill with a sentimental expression on his face, I knew he thought of Pam as a daughter and would completely welcome her into the family.

"Hey, ya'all. I just wanted the fam damily to know,"

"Jason!" Gran scolded. But Jason just grinned and continued on.

"I just wanted everyone to know I asked for Pam's hand in marriage and she finally said yes!" Jason was beaming with a smile and Pam looked more at ease than I had seen her in over two weeks.

Cousin Dermont, not being the brightest bulb in the box hollered back. "Ain't she like your sister?"

Jason ever quick with a quip answered, "Just a sistah from another mister."

The family laughed and quickly went to give the newly engaged couple their congratulations.

"When's the wedding?" Hailey asked, she was a wedding co-oridantor and I could see the dollar signs glazed across her eyes.

"It is going to be September 25." Jason answered, folding his arms across his chest.

"2012?" Hailey asked hopefully.

"2011." Jason corrected.

"That isn't a lot of time. Couldn't you do a spring wedding?" Hailey had pulled out her phone and was furiously tapping and scrolling.

"The date is set." Corbett interjected from his duties at the grill.

"What's the hurry?" Hailey asked not realizing Corbett had been the one to answer her.

"Bugers are done." Corbett changed his tone and Hailey finally looked up from her electronic wedge realizing why the date was set for four months away.

Pam had turned a lovely shade of pink and had a firm hand pressed against her stomach. It set my heart on its side with the realization she was pregnant when she had to pull the trigger.

Most of the family had not commented on Pam's recent pictures in the newspaper or any of the national media attention she had received. Mainly everyone was concerned with Lafayatte's health and if he was going to remain a Wyoming resident after the recent attack.

My eye's scanned the crowd of familiar face's looking for the one person I wanted to see the most. I walked past Jason and gave him hearty hug, pulling back from him I saw Pam give me a come hither look. I hoped it was going to be a pleasant conversation. Walking away from him I heard the continual slaps on the back by most of the males in his/our large extended family.

When I got to Pam's side she was being crooned over by all the women. Amelia and Copley were dancing around the group of women as if they were May-poles. I stood to one side waiting for her to speak to me, I didn't want to be the first to speak; things were too raw between us and the last time we spoke… well it wasn't nice.

I spotted Sookie walking towards the swings at the other end of the park, away from everyone. Wishing I could go to her immediately, I bid my time, as Pam finished up with the last few well-wishers. Her blond hair was up in a ponytail, swishing back and forth across her shoulders. The summer had improved on what little tan she had, so her skin glowed in the fading rays of the afternoon light. Turning on me she caught me staring at her, a brief smile – an easy smile flicked to my lips and then I cast it away as quickly as I could.

"Eric, you are giving me away at the wedding." Pam was not asking me she was telling me what my duties were.

"So are we friends again?" I asked quietly, my voice only reaching her ears.

"We were never friends, we are family and families sometimes fight, get angry with one another or whatever the hell you call the last week. But we will always be family, maybe not by blood but from something stronger." Her blue eyes had the glistening of tears threating to spill over.

"Love." I answered.

"Yes, we are family because of our shared love. Between you and me, Sookie and you, and Jason and me. That ties us to one another. Now come here and give me a kiss on my cheek. Afterwards go talk to Sookie, she thinks you are mad at her." Pam pulled me down to her cheek and whispered in my ear. "She needs a good orgasm, see to it."

I snorted a laugh out my nose as I pressed my lips against her cosmetically coated cheek. Trying not to laugh too hard, I stood up and with a twinkle in my eyes told her. "Yes, ma'am, will try to fulfill all your requests."

Speaking with her had not only made me happy but it had decreased the amount of guilt I had concerning Pam and some towards Sookie. The spring in my step did not go un-noticed and Gran gave me a friendly pinch on my arm as I passed her.

"Go fix my girl for me Eric, I'm counting on you." She pointed her finger at me then at Sookie who was facing away from the celebration. The smile on her face stretched from her mouth and up to her eyes.

"Will do Gran." I said and then pressed a kiss to her wrinkly cool cheek.

Turning my back on my friends and pseudo-family, I walked the distance to Sookie.

"Hey, woman!" I was trying to be light and joking with Sookie. But the look she shot me, quickly notified me she was in no joking mood. Sitting on the end of the slide, I tried to dampen my happy mood. Just being next to her sometimes was the best way to comfort her; knowing this from years of growing up with her and spending time with her the last week.

"Do you want to talk?" Her voice was scratchy.

"When you're ready, we will." I was in no hurry the words would come when I needed them to. I looked at the nature surrounding us; the summer sun was throwing a curve ball creating long shadows across the park. It had been a mild start to the summer with days predictably in the mid 80's and afternoon showers. Most vegetation was in full bloom and the air had a distinct perfume that hung heavy in the humid air. Wildflowers bloomed here and there; it was an Easter tradition to give the kids in the neighborhood a package of whatever seeds were on sale at the time. And each spring wildflowers would sprout and grow along the edges of the community in parks, along the side of the road, and in untended fields.

Her voice broke through my thoughts like siren's song. "What did you have to go work on after church?" She was gently swinging and toeing the pea gravel as she went back and forth. I stood and went over to give her a push.

"I had to meet with Andy and Isabella." Placing my hands on the small of her back, I gave her a mild push. She swung forward with the help from my momentum.

"Oh, what did they have to say?" She had released the tension in her neck and had her face pointed sky ward as she swung back to me.

"They figured out a connection between an employee of mine and Quinn, somehow he was providing Quinn with an experimental drug. The drug is in the human testing phase but has yet fulfilled the requirements of FDA's approval." Her face stayed serene with a slight smile tipping the corners of her mouth up. "What are you thinking about?" I was curious; the last week had been terrible with being in Salt Lake, Pam in the national news, and her separation from her kids. She was on an emotional roller coaster with stopping nursing to boot. But the little smile I saw on her face made me wonder what was really going on inside her head.

"I am enjoying the sound of your voice." It was a simple answer but it made my heart swell. A cocky grin slid onto my face. "I can picture the way your mouth is set when you say his name. When you say my name your mouth curves into almost a kiss. When you say Pammy's name it depends on what mood you are in but typically softness comes into your eyes and a smile can be heard in your voice. I am just thinking of what you look like since you are standing behind me."

I was humbled by her observations. Gently I slowed the swing and walking on to the other side of her I stood blocking the sun from her face. She was wearing some navy blue shorts and a tank top; I braced my legs on either side of her thighs. Her eyes were still closed. I looked back to the celebration across the park; Amelia and Copley were playing on the merry-go-round under the watchful eyes of Tray Dawson. Pam was talking animatedly to Tara; both women looked to be on cloud nine. Maybe this was the way it was supposed to be all along. Perhaps we were all going to end up with our childhood sweethearts and life would be good. I would be content with that; I was nodding my head when Sookie opened her eyes.

"I guess it is my turn to ask, what are you thinking about?"

"Us." A blush crept over her face, starting on the swells of her chest, which I could see from my vantage point; as the blush crept over her chest up her neck and bloomed over her cheeks. I could swear it was one of the most erotic things I had ever seen in my life.

I slowly lowered my face to hers and gave her a kiss that almost stopped my heart. I heard hoots and hollers in the background but the blood rushing to my ears drowned out most of it. By the time the kiss ended Sookie had her hands fisted into my hair and we were both standing up. Grinning at her, I straighten up to my full height, hoping like hell I could will away the hard on I was now sporting in my pants. She eased my shirt from my slacks in a vain attempt to hide my situation.

"Push me some more, and I will take care of that when we get home." She said sitting back down into the swing. I went to stand behind her concentrating on global warming.

Yes, that was how I got rid of unwanted or needed erections, I thought about global problems. Some men think about crying babies, disgusting bodily functions, I think about social and environmental problems.

She started pumping her legs and soared into the sky.

Copley saw me swinging his mom and started to run towards me with something fisted in each hand.

"Erwic! Erwic!" Running full tilt he slammed into the side of my bad leg. "I hafe something imporwtant to twalk to you abot."

My knee twinged a little but the pain helped the last amount of erection to fade into the distance. I looked down into his little face. It was set so seriously, it concerned me. I tried matching the frown on my face to his. Squatting next to him, I favored my good knee over the one he just crunched. Looking him in the eyes I asked him. "What is it, Copley? What can I do for you?"

"We need to twalk." He nodded his head once.

"Okay, I'm listening."

"It's serwious."

"Copley, your killing me here what is wrong?"

"Someone twook the motorah out of my Kahs and Trway said he could put'em back in if only they was biggah. How can we get them to grwow?" I wanted to bust up right then and there but his face was so serious, I couldn't break his heart.

"I think Tray and I will have to discuss the best way for that to happen, you go talk to Amelia about it and see what you two think of." I answered with the straightest face possible.

Copley nodded his head again and muttered all the way back over to his sisters' side.

Sookie had her hand over her mouth trying to keep the laughter behind her teeth. It was a futile attempt, by the time Copley had made his way back over to Amelia's side both of us were laughing so hard. Sookie had to bee-line for the port-a-potty because she thought she might pee her pants.

I left the swings to head back over to the party. Tray met me half way with a stupid grin on his face pulled out his blackberry and showed me a picture of a 12V Chevy Camaro miniature for ages 3-6 online. It was a couple of hundred dollars, but I told him to go ahead and order it. Copley's birthday was in a few weeks and this would be a story to tell around the Thanksgiving table for years to come.

Easter 1991

"Jason Corbett Stackhouse, Eric Leif Northman, both of you have five minutes to be downstairs in your Easter best or I am coming up there with a switch to tan both of you hides!" Corbett yelled up the stairs at us.

We had been in Jason's room for an hour after the egg hunt in the back yard discussing important issues. We were in sixth grade and didn't believe in the Easter bunny any longer but Sookie and Pam still believed as they were babies and in the third grade. The "Easter bunny" had hidden the eggs and brought all of us baskets. The traditional Sunday best and seed packages were folded among the peeps and jelly beans. My folks didn't go to church and didn't believe in 'inconvenient' holidays as they called them. So unlike a lot of my friends I was able to spend the night at Jason's house for Easter, and twice on Christmas.

Mrs. Ravencroft and Mr. Ravencroft had slept in the camping trailer the previous night but I had heard Mr. Ravencroft slur some pretty awful stuff to my pseudo mom during the night and I watched him stumble his way towards home.

When we woke up in the morning, Mrs. Ravencroft was sitting at the kitchen table with Gran and Corbett drinking coffee. They all looked wide awake and I snickered about going into the backyard to find the Easter eggs when they told us to 'hop' to it. Pam had asked where her Dad was at, the adults lied to her and said he had to go home to get the camera and he should be back any minute.

Pam being Pam, really liked getting her picture being taken so she went and waited for her father's return on the sofa. The rest of us, supporting her, went and looked at our Easter baskets while we waited. He showed up about 30 minutes later, bleary eyed but had the camera in hand. He snapped away as all four of us raced to the backyard in search of the golden egg. Oh, yeah the Stackhouse family had a tradition of planting a golden egg in the back yard which held a twenty dollar bill. Who ever found the egg was able to keep the money or put it in the donation basket at church. It was a wives tail that if you placed the money into the donation basket and made a wish; it would come true.

I had never found the golden egg but Jason had at least four times, Pam and Sookie both twice. Every time Sookie found it she donated it but never told anyone what her wish was. Pam told everyone the one time what she wished for but since it didn't come true she said if she ever found the golden egg again it would be better off in her pocket than turned in for some wish. Jason had never donated any of the money.

But today was my day. My day to find the golden egg, I was going to do. I hunted high; I hunted low and everywhere in-between. Finally, I saw a glint in the bird house hanging on the porch. It had to have been waiting for me, Jason wouldn't be able to see it; neither would the girls they were too short. I was just tall enough to see the glint. Slowly, trying not to attract any attention, I slipped onto the porch and grasped my prize. It was a plastic egg wrapped in golden tin-foil.

I sucked in my breath and un-wrapped the plastic egg, cracking it open I peered inside and Thomas Jefferson was starting back at me. Corbett smiled at me from the other side of the porch, Gran had taken the camera and snapped a picture of me in my spiderman pajamas with the egg in my hand.

Jason and I discussed the merits of keeping the money and using it to buy candy in the next few weeks. But in the end I decided to bring the money to church and make my most secret of wishes.

The service was just about to begin as we slid into the pew at the back of the church. I couldn't tell you what the sermon was on specifically but I thought it was about forgiveness and love. Things that tie a family together, items which tie a church body together. So as the collection tray passed from person to person, I resolve to make my wish. It was the same wish as Pam did, just before I slipped the money into the donation basket. I held the money up to my lips I whispered my wish, "Please let me be a real part of the Stackhouse family, and make Jason my brother." Gingerly I placed the money into the basket and waited for my wish to come true. It took almost two decades for my wish.