A/N- Eh he he… *insert nervous laughter here* Yeahhh I feel like a crap updater. I'm sorry I feel like I took forever to update and I think I say this every chapter. Anyway, I have a long vacation because of Thanksgiving so I'll hopefully have another chapter posted by Saturday or Sunday? I'll do my best. Enjoy this chapter!
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Fangtasia was packed tonight. Who knew there were people that couldn't find anything better to do than go to a vampire bar on Christmas Eve? I then realized that I was at a vampire bar on Christmas Eve, so I probably shouldn't judge. Yet I couldn't help but feel sorry for the patrons. Didn't they have a family or friends they could celebrate with? My gaze swept across the club. People were dressed festively tonight. And by festive, I mean that the club was a sea of red leather and latex. I probably stuck out like a sore thumb in my green sweater dress.
Unfortunately for the Fangtasia Staff, it was a rule that on Christmas Eve they had to wear Santa hats. Complete with bells and white fur on the bottom and everything. All of them had to, except Eric of course. Pam was absolutely livid. She hated wearing the hat. These hats are for an imaginary, obese human who sneaks into people's houses to steal their fattening dessert treats.
Eric had pretty much told her "tough shit." Except not in those words exactly. The two were currently in his office, arguing about the fluffy hats.
"I seriously don't understand why you force us to wear these hideous things. They reek of cheap Christmas decorations and frivolity." Pam complained, crossing her arms.
Eric stared at her with a serious expression but the corner of his mouth was quirked upward in amusement. "I seriously don't understand why you insist on complaining about them every year. The more you whine the more pleasure I take in watching you wear it."
Pam huffed and balled her fists so hard I was afraid she would ruin her perfect manicure.
"I don't see what the problem is, Pam. It's just a simple article of clothing." Eric continued, putting his arms behind his head and leaning back into his chair. "Besides, I don't hear Sookie complaining about it."
Both vampires turned to me. One of their expressions was sour and the other amused. I gave a small smile and Pam glared at me.
"Perhaps you should wear one. You force all of us to wear one, yet you refuse to!"
"I am not going to wear one."
"Why not?" Pam demanded.
"The answer is simple: Because I am the boss and what I say goes." Eric said proudly, kicking his feet up onto his desk.
"If you had not commanded me to keep this damn thing on all night I would take it off and shove it down your throat." Pam growled.
"Well then it is good for me that I ordered you not to." Eric replied smugly.
Pam stamped her foot. I kid you not. She stamped her foot.
"The only thing to make me forgive you is the new winter line of Prada. I hope for your sake that is what you got me for Christmas."
And with that said, Pam stormed out of the room, the silver bells on her hat jingling merrily. She slammed the door behind her and I laughed.
"I seriously do not understand what the problem is." Eric said, shaking his head.
Of course he knew what the problem was. All the vampires looked absolutely ridiculous in their Santa hats and theatrical vampy costumes.
"Did you get Pam the Prada winter line?"
Eric shook his head.
"I got her the new Jimmy Choo boots she has been fawning over, one pair in red and the other in blue."
"Do you think it will earn her forgiveness?" I teased.
"Of course," Eric said simply. "She would take the new Jimmy Choos over the new Prada coats any day."
I smiled. I knew the brands were expensive and famous but I never owned anything designer my whole life. I was always a Target, Walmart, and thrift store kind of a girl.
Eric stood up. "I must go enthrall the vermin." He sighed and then looked at me. "Sookie, can you do me a favor?"
"Um, yeah."
"Go stand in the doorway for me."
"Why?"
"Do as I say please."
I rolled my eyes and stood in the door way like he told me.
"Okay, I'm standing in the doorway." I announced.
In a motion too fast for my mere human eyes to follow he was in front of me, pressing his lips against mine. I shook myself out of my surprise and kissed him back, winding my arms around his neck.
He pulled back and brushed past me, his hand on the doorknob.
"What was that for?" I asked, smiling.
"Mistletoe." He said, grinning. And then he had disappeared into the club.
I looked up and sure enough, mistletoe was hanging above me.
I made my way back into the club and saw Eric watching me. I blew a subtle kiss over to him and sat myself in a booth with Pam who was glaring daggers at Eric.
"Lighten up, Pam. It's Christmas."
She continued to glare at her Maker. "I hate wearing this damn hat."
I shrugged. "All the over vamps seem happy with it."
I looked over at Thalia, who smashed a glass with her bare hand in front of a group of gaggling humans whose eyes grew wide with surprise when her wounds immediately healed. The bells on her hat chimed cheerily.
"Well, Thalia's never happy." I defended myself as Pam rolled her eyes at me.
I glanced over at the new bartender, Chow. He had ripped the bells off. So much for defending Eric, I guess.
There was no trouble at the bar tonight. No minors or V dealers or police officers. I guess everybody realized that the bar should get a break on Christmas. Fangtasia stayed open later than usual. Eric thanked everyone for coming and encouraged them to come next Thursday, a live band would be playing and drinks would be half price.
The humans filed out and left the staff to clean up. I helped Chow wipe down the bar and he seemed surprised that I was pitching in. I didn't attempt to make small talk because he didn't look all that friendly with his intricate tattoos and huge biceps.
Eric dismissed all his staff and let them remove the Santa hats. They all ripped them off and Pam threw hers at Eric's face before speeding away. Eric chuckled and wrapped his arms around me. He kissed the top of my head and down my face until he found my lips. His kisses never failed to make me melt. He had the kissing skills of a world champion, no doubt about it.
"Your chariot awaits, my lady." He said, scooping me up into his arms. I shrieked with laughter and he smiled down at me.
He carried me out to the car before setting me down on my feet and opening the car door like any gentleman would.
"Why thank you, kind sir." I giggled, stepping in.
He shut the door behind me after he leaned over, buckled my seat belt and gave me a quick kiss. Walking at normal pace, he hopped into the driver's seat before taking off back home.
When we entered his house the first thing that caught your eye was the glowing Christmas tree in the living room. I forced him to go with me to chop down a tree and then decorate it. He did all of it, grudgingly of course when I gave him my best puppy dog eyes and promised not to blast Christmas carols throughout the house. I did anyway, of course, while he was sleeping. How could you not have Christmas carols on Christmas? It was absurd.
I changed into my comfy shorts and one of Eric's t-shirts before plopping myself down on the couch in front of the tree with a small glass of champagne, it was a rare treat I allowed myself on only special occasions.
Suddenly, the lights turned off so all you could see was the tree's radiance. Eric sat down beside me and I curled into his side.
"Isn't it pretty?"
"I suppose." He said reluctantly.
"Oh come on. I know you love it."
"It is nothing special."
"Oh please. You were so excited when we finished decorating."
"Stop telling lies, Sookie."
I smacked his chest. "You just don't want to admit it. It took us two hours to decorate that tree."
"Two very painful hours, with Christmas music no less." Eric groaned; closing his eyes and leaning his head back on the couch.
I took this opportunity to lay a few light kisses along his exposed neck.
"It's tradition. You should know. You were probably there when the first Christmas was celebrated. Hell, you were probably a shepherd bringing presents to Jesus." I teased.
He growled and crossed his arms over his chest.
"You're such a grumpy old man."
He cracked an eye open and before I could blink had my pinned underneath him on the couch.
"You know I am very sensitive when it comes to my age." He said, pretending to be hurt.
"It's okay, gramps. The years have been kind to you."
He made a low rumbling sound in the back of his throat and gave me one of those toe curling kisses. I tangled my hands in his hair as he deepened the kiss and cupped my face with one of his hands.
After a while he flipped us over again so he was on his back and we were belly to belly. I tucked my head under his chin as his hands massaged my scalp. His soothing hands brought me into a very peaceful sleep.
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I woke up to a light nibbling on my bottom lip.
"Hmmm." I moaned.
"Someone is sleepy." Eric whispered against my mouth.
"Just a few more minutes." I said, snuggling down under my covers even farther.
"You've been asleep for twelve hours."
"Then one more hour can't hurt." I mumbled, turning over to face the other way.
"But then you will miss opening presents."
I rolled on my back and stared up at him.
"Presents? You got me something? But I didn't get you anything!" I immediately felt guilty. I had no idea we would exchange gifts. I mean, what kind of captor got his captive a gift for Christmas, or vice-versa? I pondered what I could have possibly gotten the man who had everything- power, wealth, women, and even a little bit of fame.
"Don't fret, Sookie. I have received countless amounts of Christmas presents. I did not expect to receive one from you anyhow."
I felt a little better, but my southern manners kicked in and I couldn't help but still feel awful about not getting him anything.
"Come," He scooped me up from the bed and set me on my feet.
Taking my hand he led me into the living room where the Christmas tree still glowed so luminously that I had to stop for a second and appreciate its beauty. Eric strode over to the tree and pulled something out from under it.
The present was small and wrapped in bright red paper with a gold bow. I couldn't help but wonder if Eric made Pam wrap his gifts for him. I could picture Pam sitting on the floor in Eric's office with scissors and wrapping paper galore wrapping presents using vampire speed.
He handed me the brightly colored box and I accepted it with a smile. Carefully, I unwrapped it slowly. I loved to savor the moment of anticipation before you find out what is beneath the wrapping paper. Usually Jason would yell at me for taking too long but Eric stood their patiently, watching my every move like a hawk.
When the last of the paper was shed a tiny cardboard box was left. I looked at him curiously and he grinned. Struggling a bit, I imagined to pry open the top of the box. I was met with a whole lot of bubble wrap. I grabbed a sheet of it and popped a few bubbles. Popping bubble wrap never got old.
Eric rolled his eyes at me.
"You know, Sookie, I should have just gotten you bubble wrap. You seem quite satisfied with it."
Ignoring his jab, I dug deeper into the box and pulled out a red cell phone. I had never owned a cell phone before but I had seen other people use them. I flipped it open and pressed the red "End" button. I smiled broadly when the little screen came to life. I remember begging my Gran to get me a cell when I was in high school because all my friends had one. She was so against the new modern technology that she would scoff every time I asked. The teenager in me jumped for joy at the prospect of having one.
The inside wallpaper appeared and I burst out laughing. It was a picture of a shirtless Eric who was smiling broadly. He would. I also felt a tinge of lust course through me.
"I love it, Eric." I grinned at him and he chuckled at my reaction.
"I'm glad."
I frowned. "But the man in the background has got to go. People with that kind of a body should just learn to keep it to themselves." I said, trying to sound completely serious. "Maybe I'll change it to Brad Pitt or Matt Damon."
I burst into a fit of giggles while Eric glared.
"Surely after a thousand years you can learn to take a joke." I teased.
Eric broke his stony expression by cracking a smile.
"I don't think a human has ever teased me before." He admitted, shaking his head.
"Well there's a first for everything."
"Indeed," He replied evenly. "My number and Pam's are already set in your contacts. You have unlimited texting and calling. I'm your first speed dial, by the way." He grinned.
"Eric," I said cautiously. "Although I appreciate the gift, why are you getting me a cell phone of all things? I mean, I love it, but I'm just a little confused."
Eric's smile widened. "I figured that if you were to go out by yourself during the day, I would like for you to have a way to contact me if you are out after the sun has set."
My eyes widened. "No more Bobby?" I squealed.
He shook his head. "No more Bobby."
I launched myself at him and he caught me in his arms. I kissed all over his face, not caring if I was acting like a complete idiot.
"I can go out during the day by myself?" I clarified.
"Yes."
"This is not a trick?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I figure that you are mature enough to go out on your own without a babysitter." He said sarcastically.
I smacked his chest playfully. He sounded like a dad who was letting his thirteen year old daughter go out by herself for the first time.
"This is the best Christmas I've had in a while." I admitted.
"I'm glad you enjoy your present and the benefits that come with it."
"I do, very much. Thank you."
I pulled him in for a kiss. We explored each other's lips for a while before I suddenly pulled back.
"Wait, don't you think a cell phone is a little expensive? I mean, those things are definitely not cheap."
Eric rolled his eyes.
"Of all things, you are worried about the cost of a silly mobile phone? Please, Sookie. The amount is no concern. You are on a plan with Pam and I now, anyway, so no need to worry."
I stared at him skeptically but he ignored my look and pulled me back in for another kiss.
"You have made me so happy." I said against his mouth. "Thank you."
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A thoughtful present… or maybe another way to help keep track of her? Dun dunnn. Eric is always full of tricks, isn't he?
I know it's a little early for Christmas and I really should have written a chapter about Thanksgiving but it didn't line up with the timeline I've set. But oh well, I love Christmas just as much as the next person! Happy (early) Turkey Day and (very) early Christmas! Remember, reviews are always welcome!