I wake up at some point in the night and Eric isn't there. He probably left to feed. I get up to see where Draco is. I see him in his coffin napping. I'm glad he didn't leave while Draco was awake. I head back to sleep, knowing I will need to be awake all day later today. I head down to the lobby and See Sookie and a guy there.
"Nova this is Hugo. He is Isobel's human. Nova is Eric's human." Sookie introduces. She keeps my cover even to herself.
"Hi Hugo." I say.
"You should probably wear this." Hugo says handing Sookie a ring.
"Oh Hugo. Yes. Yes, a thousand times yes." Sookie says jokingly. I laugh.
"And also… Just so that they believe we're a couple about to get married, it'd probably be best if you let me do most of the talking." Hugo says.
"I'll just shut up and look pretty." Sookie tells him. I really don't think that will happen personally.
"That's not what I meant." Hugo says.
"Yes, it was. It's okay. It'll be easier for me to listen in on others if I don't have to worry about carrying on a conversation." Sookie says.
"Good, good. But if they do ask you any questions, are you sure you're going to be able to say the kinds of things about vampires that they're going to want to hear?" Hugo asks.
"Hugo, I don't just hear the things hateful people say. I hear the things that are so hateful that hateful people don't even want to say them out loud. Don't you worry about me. I got plenty of materials to work with. I'll be fine." Sookie sooths
"Good." Hugo says.
"It's funny, I don't even know you really, but you're the only other person I've met who's dated a vampire..." Sookie says.
"Isn't Nova dating Eric?" Hugo asks confused.
"I guess at one point they did. They're married now." She says, not thinking about what she is saying.
"She's married?" Hugo questions turning to me.
"Yes, I am." I say. I just hope she doesn't mention Draco at all. Cause then questions start happening.
"What do you want to know?" Hugo says turning back to Sookie.
"Everything. Like, do you and Isabel ever fight?" Sookie asks excitedly.
"We fight like crazy. But I've been with women I didn't fight with before, and with every one of them, I found that the reason that we never fought was because I didn't care enough to bother." Hugo explains.
"Oh, Hugo, that is messed up." Sookie says.
"Well, maybe. But it's also true." Hugo says.
"It's funny, but whenever Bill and me fight, even as I'm screaming and I'm so mad I don't think I'm ever going to stop, somehow, in the middle of all that, I know we're both fighting for our relationship. For each other. We're fighting to stay together." Sookie Explains.
"Do you... never mind." Hugo hesitates.
"What?" Sookie asks curiously. I really think this is getting into dangerous territory. It's like a train wreck. I don't want to watch, but I can't look away.
"Lately... the thing Isabel and I have been fighting about the most is whenever I bring up the subject of her turning me, she just shuts down. She won't even discuss it." Hugo says. "Do you and Eric ever fight over that?" Hugo asks turning to me.
"No, Eric has offered to change me when I am a little older. I want to look closer to his age before I turn." I quickly make up on the spot. I know Eric would never change me. That would take away my magic and I would be so lost.
"Is that a thing that actually people do? Because it's never even occurred to me." Sookie adds herself back into the conversation. For once I am grateful the attention is off of me.
"How could it not? Right now, it's all well and good, but in 50 years when they're still what they are, but we're in our '70s and '80s and we're hunched over and frail and using walkers? Come on. How could they still love us?" Hugo asks getting upset.
"We should go." I say changing the topic quickly. This conversation has gone too far for me.
"Listen, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have told you that..." Hugo says.
"It's okay. Really. Besides, now if I die today, who cares? At least I'll never have to feel old and unloved, and unwanted." Sookie says.
"I understand Hugo you are just frustrated. I think I should pose as Sookie's sister and Maid of Honour. I think I can pull that off." I tell them.
"That works." Sookie says.
We get into the car and start driving to the Fellowship of the sun. Sarah Newlin is waiting for us at the doors.
"Why do I recognize her?" Sookie asks.
"Because she's on TV all the time. That's Sarah Newlin. She's the reverend's wife." Hugo says obviously.
"Oh, right. You know, in person, she looks like vanilla pudding." Sookie says.
"She's much more dangerous then vanilla pudding, Sookie. Remember that." I remind her.
We get out of the car.
"Hi, there. I just happened to be looking out the window as you were driving up, and I thought I'd come on out and greet you myself. I'm Sarah Newlin. And you all are?" Sarah asks.
"Hi. Holly Simpson. I cannot believe I'm meeting you in person. You are cute as a button. This is my sister Nelly Simpson." Sookie says. I knew she would talk a lot.
"Thank you, Holly. And you're like a cool breeze on a hot summer day." Sarah compliments back.
"Quit." Sookie says blushing.
"And you are?" Sarah asks turning to look at Hugo
"I'm..."
"Silly me. This is Rufus Dobson, my fiancé, I love saying that word. In fact, sometimes I love it so much, I don't even want to get married, just so I can keep on calling him it. But we're going to. Get married, that is. Which is why we're looking for a church." Sookie interrupts Hugo's introduction. She has completely taken over the show.
"Well, excellence. And I'm pleased to meet you, Rufus." Sarah says faking a smile.
"It's an honor." Hugo says.
"The honor's mine. Now, how about you all follow me in and we'll see if Steve is available. I'm sure he'd love to meet you both." Sarah says leading us inside the church.
"For real? Reverend Newlin himself? Oh, that would be just super." Sookie says laying it on just a little bit thick.
"Well, come on." Sarah says leading us to what I could guess is where Steve is.
"I thought I would do the talking." Hugo whispers to Sookie.
"When I get nervous, sometimes I talk too much." She whispers back. She talks too much in general if they were to ask me. I keep my mouth shut because they didn't.
We arrive at an office. I would guess that this is Steve Newlin's office.
"Well, funny thing is, Rufus and I actually met in church, but we both left, like, a month later when we realized that our pastor was... a little iffy." Sookie says.
"He was a homosexual." Steve offers her.
"We don't know. He might have been, but what became all too clear was that... he was... a sympathizer." Sookie acts like it's a crime. She really is laying it on thicker.
"See, that really ticks me off. I mean, how can you claim to be a God-loving person and then love something that God detests?" Steve asks.
"It's upsetting." Sookie says acting upset. I just stand quietly. I have nothing to add. I don't want to bad mouth my husbands kind. He doesn't deserve that if I can avoid it.
"It is. It is upsetting, but that's why my fiancée and I are here. We want to make this our new home." Hugo agrees.
"We are thrilled that you've chosen us." Sarah says.
"It'll be amazing to finally be amongst like-minded people. I don't care what anyone says about vampires being able to control themselves. I know better. I know that every single one of them is a vicious, bloodthirsty killer."
"See you soon. He hangs up. Careful now." Steve says hanging up his phone. He called someone to join us on the tour.
"Careful? About what?" Hugo asks freaked out.
"Sometimes when we open these doors, so much love comes flowing out that it'll knock you down if you're not ready for it." Steve says.
"We'll be sure to brace ourselves." Sookie says.
Steve and Sarah open the doors of the church sanctuary.
"Oh, my gosh." Sookie says shocked. I have seen some pretty nice church's in my time and this isn't even top twenty. What did I get myself into? I just need to remind myself I am here for Eric. I need to help him find Godric.
"This place is beautiful." I lie.
"I know. I just love it in here. The way it glows like it does. Particularly in the late afternoon." Sarah says.
"It's inspiring, isn't it?" Steve asks.
"It really is." Sookie says.
"Yessirree. This is where we're getting married. I can't wait to see you walk down this aisle." Hugo says.
"Me either." Sookie agrees.
"I can see it now. A wedding just after noon. The sun will hit just right down the middle of the church where my sister would walk. It would be stunning. She would look like an angel." I gush.
"Have either of you ever been to a lock-in?" Steve asks.
"A lock-in?" Sookie questions.
"I believe it's where you stay in overnight and hear gospels. Learning more about god's word and guidance." I say. I think I remember the term used once in the Catholic church once.
"Oh, yeah, it's loads of fun. Everybody brings their sleeping bags..." Steve says.
"That lock-in does sound like fun. Rufus, we gotta go home and get our sleeping bags now." Sookie says obviously trying to get us out.
"But honey, the tour's not even over yet." Hugo says not catching the hint or choosing to ignore it.
"I know, honey, but I think we really ought to go so we can come back for the lockdown." Sookie tries to convince him again.
"There's plenty of time to get ready. The lock-in is not until tomorrow night." Steve says.
"You wanted to see me?" A big guy says walking in. You I'm getting a bad feeling about this.
"Oh good. Holly, Nelly, Rufus, I'd like you to meet an aide of mine. This is Gabe." Steve introduces.
"Pleased to meet you." Hugo says to him.
"Hi" Sookie says. Gabe leers at Sookie and me. I hate the attention he is giving us.
"Gabe here is gonna be joining us for the rest of the tour." Steve tells us. I think we have seen enough of this church and probably know enough as well. We need to get out of here before Gabe gets a hold of us. I can hold my own with my magic, but without it, I am a goner. I'm not strong enough to hold him off. Hugo is built like a twig, not that I think he would help us if he had the opportunity. He seems like the type to keep his head down and pretend he sees nothing, so he doesn't have to acknowledge that something has happened. If Gabe goes after Sookie she might be screwed. Eric and I are connected through our vows. Did a magic ritual to connect us. It's stronger then if I were to drink his blood. It's not in your face all the time. You can hide it or call up the other person at will. If Sookie get's attack she doesn't have this. I really do hope that Godric is here. Because if he is to, we will have gone through all this for nothing. I do believe that the lock-in is to burn Godric in the sun though. That would make the most sense.