A/N A few people have wondered about Lilliana's age. She was 7 when her mother died, 15 when she began spending vacations in Dallas with Godric, and 16 when she first met Eric. At this point in the story, she is 19. Hope this helps! Also, without further ado, may I present my very first chapter with ESN!!! YAY!!!!
From Chapter 3
"Sookie," Eric said, not turning to face me, "there is a photo of Lilliana in the envelope along with your check. Please take good care of her. I cannot begin to tell you what it would do to both Godric, and myself, if something should happen to her." And with that, he walked out to the yard and stood next to Godric. Godric turned his head and looked at Eric, then looked up into the sky, and before I was able to prepare for what was going to happen, they both took off in flight. Now THAT'S how you make an exit.
Chapter 4
I stood, rooted to the spot on my porch, watching the night sky that Godric and Eric had just risen into. I had certainly come across some interesting information this evening. I found it curious that Godric was more or less the legal guardian of a human woman. The fact that he held her in high regard was plain enough, but, knowing that his regard for her had grown when she stood up to Eric intrigued me. He also said that he thought well of me because I had stood up to Eric as well. I just don't get it. What's so darn scary about Eric? Yes, he's a ruthless killer, but, I personally think his bark is worse than his bite. I don't believe that he would ever actually hurt me, unless not doing so would put his own life in jeopardy. He DID in fact save my life in Dallas by placing himself between the psycho with the bomb and me. Granted, he tricked me into drinking his blood, and as Bill said, connected me to him so I'd have all kinds of hot dreams about him. But, as annoying as that was, I couldn't forget that if he hadn't stood in front of me, I wouldn't be standing here today.
I knew that Bill would probably be here soon, so, I turned and went back into the house. I went into my room to change out of my clothes and get comfy. As I pulled my shirt off over my head and felt my ponytail graze the back of my neck, I was reminded of how it felt to have Eric's breath on me, his body so close to mine. I have a feeling that if Pam hadn't called just then, I would've let him kiss me. And, I couldn't bring myself to be upset about that. Sure, I felt bad that I would've been betraying Bill, but, I couldn't feel bad for having a physical desire for Eric. For wanting Eric's lips on mine. For wanting his body pressed against mine. For wanting to feel his flesh against mine….okay, nip this line of thought in the bud right now Sook! Your boyfriend will be here soon. The last thing you want is for him to walk in on you fantasizing about the guy he hates probably more than almost anyone else in the world.
I finished changing into some pajama shorts and a camisole, put my feet into my slippers, and went down the hallway towards the living room, thinking I'd go to the kitchen to find something to munch on, and possibly heat up a blood for Bill. Imagine my surprise when he was already standing in my house, his hands braced on the fireplace mantle, his head hanging down towards the ground. Without moving a muscle, he simply asked, "Sookie, would you please tell me why I smell Eric all over this room?"
"Um, sure. He and Godric were here for maybe 30 minutes. Eric had to drop off the money he owed me for Dallas, and Godric said he had a favor to ask of me. He wants me to pick a human up from the airport for him on Thursday. Did you know that he has a human that he's been taking care of for several years?"
"Lilliana. I've heard of her. She's supposed to be quite the rare beauty. In fact, I've heard other Vampires say that the only reason she was sent away to a boarding school was simply because Godric didn't think he could keep his hands off her!" He chuckled when he said this. It sort of made my blood run cold. She was only a child when he sent her away. Did people really think he'd rape a little girl that he promised to look after? Well, that answers my question right there. PEOPLE didn't think that….VAMPIRES did.
"I'm supposed to pick her up from the airport on Thursday afternoon, and then both you and I have been invited to join her, Godric, and Eric for a welcome dinner at Fangtasia that evening."
"Yes, well, I'll come up with a good enough excuse to give Godric as to why we won't be in attendance," he replied with a large amount of disgust in his tone.
"We won't be? I kind of wanted to go. I like Godric, and I'm honestly interested in getting to know Lilliana." I didn't want to even consider whether or not I wanted to spend more time with Eric.
Bill turned to me then, looking me in the eye, almost as if he was trying to gauge whether or not he could trust my words. He walked over to me, with a smile, and began to pull me into his arms, but stopped suddenly, and very sharply thrust himself away from me as if my touch had burnt his skin. "Eric's smell is all over you. That would NOT happen simply from his being in your home for a conversation. Are you truly that naïve that you would let him jump into bed with you after everything he's done?"
Okay, that was it, now I was just getting fed up. "Bill Compton, you have no right to speak to me that way. You KNOW that I would never betray you with Eric. The guy honestly gives me the heebie-jeebies. Don't you trust me?"
"Oh, yes, I do trust you Sookie. However, the DISTRUST I feel for Eric is the stronger emotion by far. But none of this matters really anyway. I just came here tonight to tell you that I would need to cancel our plans. I have been summoned to New Orleans on business, and Jessica and I will be leaving as soon as she has finished packing."
I wasn't sure how to respond to this. First, he gets upset that Eric came to my house to give me the money he owes me, and then he calls me naïve, thinking I've cheated on him with Eric, and then just casually mentions that he's leaving town suddenly? What the hell?
"I'm not sure how long I will be gone. But, I do know that it will be at least 4 weeks, which is why I'm not leaving Jessica here. I cannot leave her alone for that length of time knowing how young she is. She is very volatile, like a loaded weapon, simply waiting to go off. I cannot have that around my home." I wondered if I should read into the fact that he said he couldn't have that around his home, but not me. As if his house mattered more to him than I did.
"Fine. Well, please call me when you've arrived so that I know that you and Jessica got there alright, if you wouldn't mind." He didn't answer. He simply turned, and walked out of my house.
Thursday seemed to come fast, simply because it was my first day off that week, and we'd been so swamped at the bar, and, I'd spent most of my non-working hours stewing over the fight Bill and I'd had. He stopped by for Jessica to say goodbye to me before they left for New Orleans, but, I haven't heard from him since. I don't know if I should worry that something's happened to them, or if he's just being an ass. I'm thinking it's the latter. He just hasn't been the same since Dallas. I was sick and tired of wondering what Bill's cryptic attitude meant, so, as I headed towards the Shreveport airport, I turned on my Lady GaGa CD, and sang along the whole way. I'm sure many a passenger on the highway that afternoon was highly entertained. I arrived at the airport, parked my car, and made my way to the baggage claim area. I had spoken to Godric on the phone the previous evening, and he told me where to wait to be sure Lilliana would find me. I had brought along the picture of her that Eric had left for me, to make sure I wouldn't miss her. I could tell by looking at the picture that she was indeed quite lovely. She had a sort of old fashioned beauty. Her skin was light, and smooth, almost looking like porcelain, yet creamy at the same time. Her eyes were the most intense shade of green I'd ever seen. Her curly, shoulder length hair was reddish-brown, and it framed her face impeccably. As I stood by the baggage claim carousel waiting, my mind started to wander slightly, wondering what it had been like to be this woman, no family left to speak of, and left in the care of Vampires. I can't imagine what she would've told her classmates at school when they asked about her family. I must've zoned out more than I thought, because, next thing I knew, I felt a hand on my arm. "Pardon me, miss, but would you by any chance be Miss Stackhouse?" I regained my composure and looked at her. Sure enough, it was Lilliana. The picture didn't even BEGIN to do her justice. I imagine this is what Cinderella must have looked like. "Yes, I'm Sookie Stackhouse. You're Lilliana?" Instead of answering, she let out a short squeal, and pulled me into a full body hug. Now that was unexpected! "I'm sorry, I don't mean to startle you, I'm just so excited to finally meet you! When I spoke to Eric on the phone a few nights ago, he told me how you had been such an important part of rescuing Godric from the fellowship, and I can't even BEGIN to tell you how grateful I am. Godric, Isabel, and Eric are my family, and I don't know what I would do if something were to happen to any of them."
We made small talk about the weather, and her flight and what not as she collected her single bag and we made our way to the car. As we were leaving the parking area, I asked if there was anything specific she wanted to do, as we still had 5 hours til we had to be at Fangtasia. She mentioned that she was tired from all the traveling, and would like a chance to freshen up before dinner, so, she gave me the address of her newly acquired apartment, and we made our way there, only getting lost twice! Godric must've hired Louisiana's best moving company, because the apartment was already decorated impeccably, and all of her belongings, save for what was in the suitcase she took on the plane with her, were already put in closets, cabinets and dressers. Heck, the fridge had even been stocked already!
"Would you like something to eat or drink? It looks like Godric had someone go shopping for me, and not only bought all the staples, but, a few of my favorite treats as well," she said enthusiastically. I could tell that she was used to this kind of pampering, but, was still grateful for it, and in awe that someone had done something like this for her.
"No, I think I'm fine thank you. I'm actually feeling a little sluggish myself, so, I thought I might just take a nap on the couch while you freshen up, if you don't mind."
"Hmmm… Yes, I think I do mind, actually," she replied with a completely serious expression. Well that was unexpected. She then chuckled and added, "Why use the couch when you can just crash on bed in the guest room? Please, make yourself comfortable, I'm going to shower and take a nap myself. Is there a specific time you would like me to wake you up at? I assume you'll be joining us for dinner?" I was encouraged by how hopeful she sounded about me dining with her at Eric's club.
"Yes, I'll be there for dinner. Let's see, it'll probably take us 20 minutes or so to get to Fangtasia from here, and I'll want to freshen up a bit myself before we leave, so, unless you have something else you'd like to do before we go to the club, I guess I'd need to be awake by 6pm."
"Well, 6 it is then. I'm so glad you're here with me, Sookie. I'm sure we're going to be great friends!" With that and a quick wink, she gracefully made her way down the hall to her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. I went into the room she had pointed out and laid down on the very comfortable bed. I must have been more tired than I thought, because within seconds of my head hitting the pillow, I was fast asleep.
Cool, soft lips placed kisses along my shoulder blades, while I felt firm hands rubbing up and down my hip. Without even having to open my eyes, I knew it was Eric. I was lying in the guest bedroom of Lilliana's apartment, and Eric had taken it upon himself to join me. "Eric, what are you doing here?" "Mmmm…snuggling," he answered, his voice soft and husky. He must have sensed that I was about to protest, because he rolled me over onto my back, laid his finger across my lips and said, "Shhh, don't make a sound. Don't think about anything except for being right here, right now, in my arms." He dipped his head to mine and kissed me, lightly at first. After a moment as he felt me respond, he began to deepen the kiss. I heard a deep growl when his tongue entered my mouth, only barely registering that the growl had come from me. "I know you want me, lover. Don't fight it." He whispered as he moved his mouth to my neck. His palm came up and began to caress my breast through my shirt. God that felt good. "Sookie," he said, his voice full of desire. "Oh yes Eric, please," I found myself responding. "Sookie." I heard my name again, but, it wasn't his voice that said it. That was odd. I no longer felt his lips and hands on my body, and I moaned in protest. "Sookie. Sookie darling, wake up. It's time to get up." I opened my eyes to find myself still in the guest bedroom, only Eric wasn't lying next to me. Instead, Lilliana was sitting on the edge of the bed trying to wake me up. "Mmmm, I'm up, just give me a minute." She giggled and little, and said she would let me have a little privacy so that I could freshen up before dinner.
LPOV
I was simply amazed at how beautiful my new apartment was. Everything was exactly how I would have designed it myself. If Eric had been the one in charge of my new home, I'm sure he would've hired a decorator to do whatever they thought was appropriate. But, no, this was very obviously Godric's doing. His attention to details was uncanny. After enjoying a nice long nap, I went into my new bathroom to take a shower. Now THIS, I could tell Eric had a hand in. There was a large Jacuzzi tub in the corner, and a separate shower next to it. The shower looked big enough for at least 3 people, and had 5 wall mounted showerheads going up 3 of the walls, and also an overhead one in the center. Eric always did go big when it came to bathrooms. Someday, I'd like to know where this obsession began.
I stood in the shower and let the hot water relax my tense muscles, before toweling off and going to choose what to wear. It was 5:45pm, and I knew that Sookie wanted to be woken up by 6pm, so I began putting my clothes on so that I would be at least SEMI-decent for her. I chose deep green sleeveless top that showed just the right amount of cleavage, and black pencil skirt that fell just below my knees. Just as I was going to the closet to find my black pumps, I heard the unmistakable sound of my cell phone dancing on the dresser, indicating it was vibrating. I looked at the caller ID and immediately smiled, "Isabel! What are you doing up already?" I knew that older vampires could rise before the sun actually set, however, I didn't know they could be lucid enough to have an intelligent conversation. "Well, I DID promise you that I would call you when I rose your first day in Louisiana. How is everything?"
I told Isabel about my flight, and the trip from the airport with Sookie. I was just about to hang up on Isabel and go wake Sookie up when I thought I heard someone speaking softly in the apartment. I had been fairly certain Sookie was still asleep, so I went in to check on her. Sookie was still asleep, and she must've been having one hell of a dream, because next thing I knew she was moaning, "Oh yes, Eric, please!" I froze. Trying not to laugh at this moment took almost every bit of personal strength I had. But, leave it to Isabel with her super sensitive hearing to chuckle. "Is that the sound of Sookie having a sex dream about Eric?" "Why yes, Isabel, I do believe it is. "Now this is getting more interesting. I knew he wanted her, but, I didn't think she shared his feelings." "Suddenly, my first night in Shreveport looks to be even more entertaining! I've gotta go Isabel, I'll call you this weekend." With that, I closed my cell phone and laid it back down on the dresser and went to wake Sookie.