Thank you! For the reviews, favorites and follows.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Sookie woke the next morning in Eric's arms. She stretched her neck to kiss Eric before she got up out of the bed. She was surprised when his lips moved with hers.
"It would be nice if you would kiss me when I am awake". Eric complained.
"One day" Sookie replied before wiggling out of his grip.
Sookie stood up from the bed and climbed the ladder and went upstairs to shower. The hot water felt good on her back after she stripped her clothes and climbed into the shower. All of her muscles were sore from all of the doubles but that would all come to an end that day.
She washed her hair and body before turning off the water. The shower curtain that kept the heat in released it when she pushed it to the side to reach for her towel. Sookie quickly dried off and then proceeded into her bedroom to dress for work.
She never thought the day would come that she would wear this uniform for the last time. Sookie thought that she would be like Arlene. She would have to find babysitters while she worked her shift and her husband worked somewhere else.
Instead she would be married to the vampire sheriff of area five and work in his bar. She would work in a bar where she would never need a babysitter because she would never be a mother.
Sookie needed to shake those thoughts from her mind for as much danger as she finds herself in, it might not be that bad of a situation for her not to have children.
After putting on her shoes, Sookie went down stairs and gathered her things for work. Then she got in her SUV and drove to Merlot's for the last time.
She pulled into the parking lot and parked her vehicle. She then climbed out of the vehicle and shut the door behind her.
Sookie opened the backdoor of Merlot's and went straight to the backroom to put her thigs away and put on her apron.
"Hey Sookie, Arlene needed to pick up an extra shift so you don't have to work a double today". Sam informed her.
"That's great! These doubles are kicking my tale". She replied before entering the dining room.
Sookie flew through her day and it was now time to help the new waitress to take over her tables as her shift was coming to an end. She cashed out her last table and then waited for them to leave so she could then clean a table at Merlot's for the last time.
The last table finally stood and left the restaurant and so Sookie grabbed a bin to clear the dishes and trash from the table. She then walked to the kitchen before grabbing her things to go home.
"Good luck, Cher". Sam said as she passed him.
"Thanks Sam". She hugged him one last time before walking out of the back door to the parking lot.
Eric woke for the evening. He climbed the ladder and then walked out of the front door of Sookie's house. He took to the sky until he landed in his driveway. He then entered his home.
"Good evening, master".
"Good evening, Pamela".
"I scheduled appointments for Sookie this evening since we leave tomorrow for New Orleans".
"She won't be happy. She has been working doubles for the shifter". He warned.
"There is no more time" She defended.
"Text her and let her know. I am going to shower".
Pam: I have made appointments for you this evening.
"That sounds scary" Sookie commented before texting back.
Sookie: What kind of appointments?
Pam: Maintenance
"That sounds really scary".
Sookie: I need to shower.
Pam: Are you done working for the shifter?
Sookie: Yes
Pam ended her conversation with Sookie to begin rescheduling her appointments for ones that would be earlier in the evening as she walked to find Eric.
"Sookie is done working for the shifter. I am moving all of our appointments up in time". Pam informed Eric.
"She is"? He questioned as he walked out of his bathroom.
"She said that she would shower and then be ready".
"Pick these up while you are out". He handed her a receipt from his dresser.
"Eric, this is for wedding rings". Pam stated confused.
"It's a human custom". He pulled on his pants.
"You are not human". She felt as though she was stating the obvious.
"My future wife is part human and was raised with human customs". He answered as he pulled on a black tank top.
"That doesn't sound strange at all". Pam commented before leaving the room.
Eric's cell phone began to vibrate. It was Sookie.
"Northman" He answered.
"Stackhouse" She returned.
"Yes, Sookie" He answered while holding the phone with his shoulder as he sat down on the bed to put on his shoes.
"I do not understand why you answer the phone that way when you know that is me calling you".
"Habit" He continued with his other shoe.
"I am done working. I apparently have maintenance with Pam scheduled for this evening which doesn't sound scary at all". She attempted a conversation with him.
"Yes, I was informed".
"Well then, I won't take any more of your time, Mr. Northman. Good evening". Sookie ended the phone call after no success of a conversation with him.
Pam arrived at Sookie's home and entered the front door. "Are we ready"? She asked from the bottom of the steps.
"As much as I ever will be". Sookie descended the steps.
"Great, we have a schedule to keep".
Sookie reluctantly grabbed her purse before following Pam out of the front door, locking it behind them on her way to Pam's car.
Pam drove to clothing stores where Sookie had final fittings before taking the clothes with them. Then they went to a salon, where they had their hair and nails done.
"So far, the maintenance hasn't been that bad". Sookie commented while the manicurist finished her nails.
"Yes, you humans consider this being pampered. I consider this maintenance".
"Well, I don't have Eric for a vampire daddy".
"Yet" Pam corrected.
"Not funny" Sookie scolded.
"We are ready for you, Miss. Stackhouse" A woman appeared in front of her.
"What am I getting done"? She was curious.
"Wax" the woman answered.
"What am I getting waxed, Pam"? Sookie asked concerned.
"Everything" Pam answered.
"This woman is going to be more intiment with me than Eric". She complained.
"That is precisely why you need it".
Sookie eyed Pam as she reluctantly followed the woman.
Eric spent the evening receiving packages and clothing.
"Mr. Northman" Bobby greeted with a rack of clothing in garment bags.
"Leave them by the front door with the rest of the luggage".
"Ms. Ravenscroft requested that I retrieve Ms. Stackhouse's luggage".
"Leave it by the front door as well". Eric answered typing on his phone.
"Yes, sir" Booby answered before leaving to complete his work.
"I have been painfully violated and thus I am done with maintenance". Sookie declared.
"Very Well" Pam agreed.
"What? That's it? No, fight"?
"That was your last appointment so, you truly are done".
"Oh. Well good". Sookie crossed her arms.
"You're so cute when you are trying to be intimidating". Pam pinched her cheek.
"Thanks" Sookie rolled her eyes.
"I do have an errand to run for Eric before I drop you off". She announced as they exited the salon.
"Alright, let's go".
"Eric was distracted by Sookie's emotions. She was calm, content and then in pain. Pam warned him that she would be and not to worry. That is was all part of the maintenance process.
He was also distracted by the event that would take place at the queen's home. Sookie would not be happy with his underhanded dealings but it was what is best for her.
"Why are we at a jewelry store"? Sookie asked as Pam parked the car.
"To pick up jewelry" She answered simply.
"Why didn't I think of that"?
They both climbed out of Pam's car and shut their doors before entering the store.
"Ms. Ravenscroft, so good to see you". The owner exclaimed.
"For how much we pay you, it should be".
"I have Mr. Northman's order right here". He left to go to the back room.
The store owner returned with several jewelry boxes.
"Your earrings and matching necklace in onyx and diamonds".
"Good" Pam nodded.
He handed her three boxes. "Ms. Stackhouse's earrings, necklace and Mr. Northman's cuffs in sapphires and diamonds".
"Sapphires"? Sookie questioned.
"Eric saw your dress".
Sookie was mesmerized by the detail that went into the jewelry. They matched her dress completely.
"Two more boxes. I'm not sure that Ms. Stackhouse is supposed to see these". He warned handing them to Pam.
"Why is that"? Sookie couldn't help but ask.
"They are wedding rings" Pam answered matter of factley.
"Why would he purchase wedding rings"? Sookie asked almost hurt.
"He knows what will happen at the queen's home. He just doesn't know that you know. And it will stay that way am I correct"? Pam addressed the store owner.
"Yes, mam". He agreed automatically.
"I am guessing these are both for me. I don't think that Eric would wear one".
"Mr. Northman ordered a wedding ring for himself". The store owner corrected as he opened the ring box.
There was a dark as night flat wedding band in the box. No one would miss the ring against his pale skin. It was the reassurance that she needed.
"Here is yours, Ms. Stackhouse". Sookie took the box from his hand and opened it.
There was a three carrot, princess cut diamond with smaller rubies on each side paired with a matching diamond band.
"Rubies? To represent blood"? Sookie questioned.
"Garnet would have been a better choice". He corrected. "Mr. Northman specifically asked for July's birthstone".
"That is my birth month. Does Eric have a file on me like Bill did"? Sookie asked in a daze.
"Not like Bill. Eric was searching for you for over a year. He wasn't trying to procure you". Pam answered her.
"Promise me. I couldn't handle it if…" Sookie demanded with tears starting to bud.
"Sookie I promise. Eric will never let you go. The fact that he is willing to wear a human wedding ring should be proof enough".
"I hope so because I think that I am starting to fall for him".