A/N: I do know that SE exists. :P When I get to this point, I can't seem to stop.

Chapter 32

April 4, 1996

Pam had been really working on Godric, and he had finally been convinced that it would be safe enough to bring Eric back to have a trial reunion. Sookie still smelled good, but not the way she did when she was pregnant. The smell of milk was tempting, but wasn't something that would induce bloodlust, although Godric had said that vampires found it delicious and that Eric would likely want to try it. It explained a little about Pam's fascination whenever Sookie fed the baby. Well, that and Pam liked looking at her boobs.

Godric was flying to Dallas at first dark, and he and Eric would hopefully be back the next night. Sookie was really excited, but so nervous that she could hardly stand it. Her brain kept going over what if scenarios, and they all seemed to end with Eric leaving her and the baby.

Godric was going to bring Eric to them, after they talked and Godric told him everything. About Sookie's job, her closeness with Godric and Pam, and about the baby. She had wanted to be the one to break the news to him, but Godric was afraid that Eric might not be able to control himself if he got too angry. Which of course had convinced her all over again that he was going to reject them both.

The funeral had been the day before and Gran was completely exhausted. The last couple of weeks had been hard on all of them, and so full of changes. Sookie hoped that Gran would take it easy for a while. The money Sookie made had certainly made things easier (as had the best medical plan that Sookie had ever heard tell of), and she wanted Gran to just spoil herself for a while. Gran had made some mistakes, but she had been taking care of people her whole life. It was time for her to concentrate on herself and finally enjoy her retirement.

Jason had called and invited her to Merlotte's for a burger and a game of pool. What he really wanted was to hold Leif for a while so all of the girls would make a big fuss over him and the baby. But she didn't really mind. She would still hear a lot of mean thoughts, but most people were more interested hearing the story about the baby's birth and how cute he was than Sookie's poor lot in life these days. Although there was certainly a lot of speculation about who the baby's father was. And Jason kind of deserved it. He had really stepped up for her, in the car and at the hospital. Plus getting out of the house might make the time go by a little faster and maybe help distract her a little.

Sookie was supposed to meet Jason at the bar at 6:00. He offered to pick them up, but it was too much of a pain to switch the carseat around. She tried not to get there too early, because Jason was usually late, and she didn't really want to sit around by herself. She unbuckled the baby and went inside and sat down at a table in the corner.

She hadn't been back since the incident with Rene. She felt weird about coming, but it wasn't like there were many places to go in Bon Temps, and Jason had really laid it on thick. And that had happened months ago. Nobody had connected her with his disappearance at all, although the owner was looking at her kind of funny. He said something to Dawn, and she headed over to Sookie's table.

…

Godric knocked on Eric's door in Stan's nest and let himself in. Eric was sitting in an armchair with 2 blondes in his lap. He was wearing a pair of jeans. They were naked, giggling, kissing his neck and whispering in his ear. When Godric opened his mouth to speak, Eric turned to the one on his right and kissed her hard on the mouth. Godric was not impressed.

"Girls. Out."

They pouted, but both got up and left the room, still without any clothes on.

"Eric, it's time for you to come back to Shreveport with me. We'll be leaving tomorrow at first dark."

Eric narrowed his eyes and set his jaw. "No. I've decided to stay here with Stan."

All Godric had heard for the past nine months was how much Eric wanted to go back to Shreveport. What had changed?

"I thought that you wanted to go back to Louisiana."

Eric shrugged. "I changed my mind. I like it here. Now, if you don't mind, I was about to get laid."

"Actually, I do mind. What about Sookie Stackhouse?"

Eric tried to look nonchalant, but his expression turned dark. "I told you that we broke up. Months ago. I gave you a letter to give to her. We're through."

"Eric…"

"Don't fucking mention her name to me again. And get the fuck out. I want Stan to be my maker." He was so angry he was shaking.

"It doesn't work that way, Eric. By vampire law, you are mine until I release you. You must do as I say."

Eric laughed. "You can't command me. You can punish me, but you can't make me do shit."

Godric crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. "Eric, I am over 2000 years old. You're a whelp. I could make you do anything I wanted."

Of course, Godric was right. Eric knew that Godric could do whatever he wanted with him. But every time he thought of her, he wanted to fuck and bite and kill. He couldn't control his rage.

"Eric, there are some things you need to know."

"What, that she's a fucking whore?"

Godric was across the room and had slapped him hard across the face before Eric saw him move. He was pretty sure his cheekbone was broken.

"You will be silent. Or I will rip off your lower jaw. Do you understand?"

He could tell that Godric was absolutely serious. Eric swallowed and nodded, and kept his mouth closed.

"You will speak of her with respect. She is the mother of your child. She has suffered greatly since you turned Vampire. She has sacrificed tirelessly for you."

Godric nodded for him to speak. He didn't think Eric had heard a word he'd said.

"She's in love with someone else!"

"Whatever you think you know, you're wrong. She has been with no one since you."

Eric's eyes filled with blood. "I was there, the night before last. I felt her through the bond. So full of love for somebody else. Some other vampire. I smelled him at her house."

"Eric, what did you do?"

Eric didn't answer.

"You sought revenge, Eric. It's all over your face. What did you do?"

…

Dawn smiled as she walked up to Sookie's table. "Sookie! Long time no see! And isn't that the prettiest little baby that I ever saw? I was going to drop by to meet him tomorrow, but you saved me a trip! Can I get you something to drink?"

Dawn reached out and grabbed Sookie's arm, and replayed highlights of very rough and angry sex with Eric. Who was very obviously a vampire. And when he looked into Dawn's eyes, it felt like he was looking right into Sookie's. Like he wanted to do these things to her. Hurt her the way Dawn seemed to like getting hurt. After they finished having sex, the focus went from Eric to a calendar hanging on the wall. It was the same one from the bank that was hanging on their kitchen wall at home. Turned to April.

Dawn was still smiling at Sookie, and didn't even seem to be aware that she was doing anything to her at all. Sookie was sure that she was going to be sick. She got up and pushed past Dawn and made it outside before throwing up in the parking lot, clutching the baby tight to her chest to try to keep him clean and safe.

She walked around the side of the building and sat down against the wall. She wondered if this was what Job felt like. She dug her cell phone out of her purse and called Pam. It went to voicemail, of course. Pam was still dead for the day.

"I'm at Merlotte's. Please come."

She held the baby and rocked until it was dark.

…

Godric said, "A vampire moved into the Compton house across the cemetery. When he called to inform me of his new address, he mentioned that he dropped by her home two nights ago. She didn't invite him inside. That was the night of her aunt's visitation. Linda died last week. Sookie went home early to care for your son, Leif. They were home alone. I assure you, she loves him very much."

Eric felt completely paralyzed. What had he done? How could he ever possibly fix this? Could he stop Dawn in time, or was it already too late? He had flown straight back here after taking Dawn back to her apartment and showing Sookie exactly what he thought she was good for. Nobody had even known he was gone.

And he couldn't even begin to process that he had a child. What in the fuck did that even mean? He's a vampire.

But she'd named him Leif… He remembered how much she hated that fake baby. How mad she'd gotten at him for teasing her. That might have been the last time she stomped her feet at him. He thought that he even knew back then that she was supposed to be his.

"Leif. Because he's Eric's son."

She was never going to forgive him.