Belinda's POV
Hard to believe my life has gone as far as it has in just five short years. It started with a simple job offer and ended up being so much more. I went from being two steps from the gutter to being den mother to a safe haven for the supernatural with the help of my retired werewolf hunter sweetie, Remy. We decided long ago that marriage is sort of overrated so we decided that the cohabitation thing works so much better for us. I have Eric Northman to thank for my good fortune even though I may never be able to walk the same again. I don't sweat it because I should have listened to my daughter that day but instead my stubborn mind and checkbook decided I had to go to work that day. That small misfortune sent my life in yet another direction, that and a twelve foot tall ancient teenager that I ended up taking in to help out some friends. That was only the start of Daddy Karma's Haven.
I know it sounds a lot like a nineteen sixties hippie commune but the name has a lot of meaning to me. Daddy for a man I lost that I had great respect and love for. No not my real father, I never really knew him. Daddy Joe was a man that meant the world to me and gave me some faith in men after I was beaten down by werewolves. He didn't pay me well when I worked at his restaurant but what he did give me was something all the money in the world couldn't buy. Friendship and family. Little did I know that he ended up being my man's for real Daddy.
Karma for a group of friends that I have lots of love for. Karma's Backbone is a headshop and occult store ran by a great group of supes. The owners are two half-sisters that looks wise have nothing in common but they both have hearts of gold all the same. Esmeralda Frost is an ancient Norse frost giantess and warrior while her half-sister Augustine Spark is a dainty little elf/fairy hybrid and part-time nanny. The half -sisters have a cavalcade of misfit supes that have also become a part of my life too. There is Jareth the gay goblin with a thing for David Bowie, Carrie the sarcastic shape-shifter, Harvey the made werewolf who happens to be a computer hacker, three very interesting witches and one of my best friends, Esmeralda's son and all around great guy, Magni Frost who also happens to be the son of Thor.
Haven is for the home Remy and I have made for us and my two kids. Andy is now a gangly six foot two fifteen year old and Izzy is still my little girl at age ten. Andy takes college prep courses even though he is only a freshman while Izzy now attends public school with her friends she has made there. Both my kids pull their weight for the business on top of being normal kids, as normal as a teenage werewolf and a psychic girl can be. Both of them help take care of the abandoned supes. Andy helps with homeschooling the teen vampires and during the day watches over the Were and shifter teens at the high school. Of course being a leader comes natural to my son. Izzy's job is to keep the rarer supes company, mainly our resident frost giant Uncle Vaftrudir who also acts as my part time sitter like he's doing tonight since my son is out hunting and my nanny wanted to see her nephew strut his stuff.
Tonight I am doing a favor for a friend with the help of my other friends. Ms. Poppy Cherry had to come out of retirement to teach the art of striptease to a bunch of supernatural men. I wasn't that great of a stripper but I did learn a few tricks. Luckily for me the goblin already insisted he has the moves but the insecure frost giant on the other hand is a whole other story. Mag is usually far from insecure. No, he's not the cocky sort but Mag does have a confidence to him. Tonight he's like a frightened little boy during a thunderstorm.
I hear him out as I braid his long silken black hair. Mag is the sweetest and kindest man I know but tonight I get a nervous vibe from him that I've never experienced from him before. Mag has adapted quite well to the modern world in the five years of our friendship. He has a naturally generous nature and never makes you feel small even though most everybody is compared to Mag's seven and half foot frame. He has a perfectly handsome face of sculpted cheekbones and a strong chin. His aquamarine gaze used to have a permanently sad look even when smiling until he met a healer by the name of Brooke Anderson. She worked as a hospital janitor when he found her secret. She was healing a sick little boy in the room next to mine when Mag spied on her. Mag caught her before she hit the floor. Being a healer can be dangerous and doubly so when working around sick people. Mag's Mom and his Aunt Auggie took an instant shine to Brooke and hired her into the Karma's Backbone family. Brooke keeps the store tidy while her honey makes sure the shelves are stocked. We're just a supernatural Brady Bunch.
My legs haven't been the same since the witch's curse. Of course I could always take the easy route when it comes to healing. I declined Eric's offer of vampire blood. Partially because I'm a drug addict and partially because I know I can heal on my own even though it will take much longer. I was never one to take the easy way. I do therapy regularly. The cane is a major improvement considering I was trapped in a wheelchair for the longest time. Mag and Remy gifted me this cane after seeing the generic aluminum one the therapist gave me. They both worked long and hard on the carvings. The wolf's head represents my werewolf son. The vining flowers represent my daughter's psychic thoughts. There is also a silver tip that was Remy's idea as well as the hidden knife in the handle. Just because I'm handicapped doesn't mean I can't fight. In fact, my inability has made me stronger.
I keep my mental walls up. This is a little trick Auggie taught me after she could feel my annoyance from her poking around my thoughts. Don't get me wrong, Auggie is a great friend and all but I do like to keep some things to myself. Like that time Eric brought in a telepath to see who was stealing from the till. I'm glad Auggie showed me her little tricks. Just a simple brick wall is all it takes. That wall has really come in useful tonight since I can see the said blond telepath peeking through the door. Her curious reflection showing in the mirror as Mag gives me a playful wink.
I kiss Mag's cheek and he whispers in my ear," Is that Eric's woman? She is quite lovely." I nod and smile while I pat his stubbly cheek. That's one thing about giants that the fairytales get all wrong. It's true they are big but after that the lines start to blur. There are no magic beanstalks or bad hygiene and greed. I find my gigantic friends to be the most caring and generous people I know. Also they are easy on the eyes unlike the pictures that depict them. Mag for example puts every man I know to shame as far as his looks go except for my hunter but that's my personal opinion. His sweet nature is just the icing on an already big old piece of cake. Brooke is a very lucky girl to have him.
I feel my knees give out as I lean against the large chair Eric had made special for his god. Mag knows I have too much pride to show weakness and so he caresses my cheek in an effort to give me some extra support without it seeming obvious. He gives me those sad eyes that speaks volumes. Mag never likes seeing me like this. He even went as far as testing his grandfather's goodwill and seeing if the old man would let Freya use a little Asgardian magic on my legs but Odin was very firm with his decision to never help another mortal again. I wonder what the father of all Norse gods thinks of his grandson dating a very mortal human woman. Probably not much of a shocker since the women of Asgard never gave Mag so much as a second glance. They were afraid of his size and frost giants are sort of considered the enemy would be my only guess.
"Belinda," Mag whispers my name as I grab his hand in both of mine. "I wish I could help you. You are in so much pain and I feel helpless. You are my friend and I can't fix you." The shimmer of ice drips down his cheek and his hand felt cold. There is one thing I know that will make us both feel better and Mag read my mind when a small smile touches his lips. He learns fast when it came to putting on a show for our spy. That's when he makes his request for a good luck hug. Who am I to argue being on the receiving end of Mag's loving embrace? He is the only man other than Remy and my werewolf son that is allowed to pick me up off the ground without permission. I consider the half god the brother I've never had.
I smile when I see Sookie's eyes widen at the sight of the massive mountain of man. Mag makes Eric and Alcide look like runts in comparison. Unlike a very tall human, Mag's is very proportionate to his size. He not bulky but he's very built with muscle in all the right places. It's a shame he has to wear this cheap imitation Viking costume made of pleather and synthetic fur because the real deal costume only enhances his looks. He wore his real Viking clothes one year at a Halloween party for the preserve. Mag complains the furry G-String makes him itch and the low slung brown pleather break away pants are way too sweaty. He solves this problem by using his frost magic to regulate his body temp.
There is one advantage gods have over other immortals like vampires, they can do whatever they want like walk in the sun and eat a full blown feast without any implications whatsoever. The only way a god can truly die is by being forgotten. As long as Norse Mythology is being taught somewhere Mag will never have to worry about that. I won't ever worship him like the Vikings did so long ago but I will never forget him for as long as I live. To me he is a friend, not a god.
"She is quite beautiful. Eric deserves such beauty," Mag whispers in my ear.
"The other one isn't so bad to look at either but she's a bit of an opportunist from what Pam has told me. She likes Sookie and thinks she is a much better fit for her maker," I whisper back as I take in the wintery ocean scent that is Mag. He's also a handy friend to have around like when the air conditioning bust in the middle of a heat wave. I had to have him stay over once when that happened, his uncle is way too big for our old farmhouse. I'm also lucky to have him as a neighbor too. He moved into the farm next to Remy's doubling the size of our little supe preserve. He still stocks shelves at his Mom's store as a part time gig plus he also acts as counselor, handy man, and occasionally when we have a really bad case, bouncer. No vamp or wolf in their right mind would tangle with a god.
"I like this one. Can I meet her?" he whispers in my ear.
"Put the helmet and robe on first. We don't want any sneak peeks," I said as I grab the cheap plastic helmet that's a replica of his real helmet. The helmet obscures most of Mag's gorgeous face except for that winning smile and his piercing eyes. The robe made of cheap faux fur pelts gives Mag a bulky look that hides his perfectly flawless well sculpted body. These women are in for quite a treat.
Mag takes my hand into his. The giant is still nervous as he lets out a frosty sigh. Mag has a hard time controlling his frost magic when he is either upset or nervous. "I want to catch Remy as he comes off the stage," I then tell him and Mag smiles as he trails me out of the room. He has to duck when he reaches the door and the ceilings are a little on the low side back here so Mag has to be extra careful.
I nearly run into Sookie as she tries to act casual. "I was hoping to see Eric back here. Have you seen him?" she tells me. Truth is I haven't. Pam told me he is in his office and didn't want any interruptions so I didn't push the issue. That was when we arrived earlier and I still haven't seen him since. I wonder if he is dealing with vampire business again. He is always quick to make an appearance whenever he knows Mag is with us but this time it didn't happen.
"No but I'm sure he'll come out of his dungeon soon. The smell of money is in the air," this causes Sookie to smile. She knows Eric all too well. I feel Mag's cold hand around my own as he gives me a gentle squeeze. "My bad, Sookie I want you to meet a very special friend of mine. I think Eric was going to introduce you but since you're back here and all, I might as well do it. This is my very good friend, Magni Frost. He's the European talent and the main attraction," I say as Mag reluctantly lets go of my hand. He's afraid my knees are going give out again and wants to make sure I have enough support. I nod to the cane in my hand and Mag gives me a small smile from underneath his helmet.
"Please to meet you Mr. Frost," Sookie says as Mag gently reaches for her hand and slightly slouches. Mag has habit of doing this every time he meets somebody new. He never wants to appear intimidating although as much as the big sweetie tries he always seems to fail, just as I'm sure he's doing now considering the bulky fake fur robe isn't helping his cause any.
"Sookie, you may call me Mag. The pleasure is mine," Mag says in that wonderfully thick voice of his. He gently cradles Sookie's hand and plants a light kiss on it as she's visibly shaking in her shoes. Mag still lives in the Viking age some times and he still likes to introduce himself in an old world way especially when it comes to women.
"Confederate Bill, you're on in five," Pam shouts over the music as Bill put on his cheap costume coat and grabs his plastic rifle and saber. I'm sure Bill, just like Mag looks much more handsome in the real deal. I'd never seen Bill in his Confederate uniform like I have Mag in his Viking garb. Usually the local vamps have their own Halloween parties to attend and I have a hunch it's not the kind of party I would be interested in. Remy and I still get donations from the prominent Shreveport vamps all the same.
I reach up under Mag's helmet and pat his cheek. "I need to be the first real woman Remy sees after dealing with those banshees out there. I'll be right back as soon as we get some clothes on him," I tell my giant friend. Patting his cheek is a thing I have a habit of doing since Mag reminds me of a big gentle pony. Gentle is the best way to describe Mag considering the big lug is capable of punching a hole in the Hover Damn without so much as breaking a sweat. Vampires and werewolves are strong but not in the same league as a half-god like Magni Frost.
"Sookie, you should get out front. This is really something you got to see to believe," Pam says with a smirk, no doubt referring to Bill's portion of the show. Surprisingly Bill Compton turned out to be my best student. He's a very quick learner and some of the slinkier moves come easy to him. Jareth on the other hand I'm sort of interested in because he declined my training all together. I'll watch his routine at a safe distance in Mag's dressing room.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and to my relief it's not the giant watching my daughter instead its Mag's mom Esmeralda. "Hey Essie," I answer.
"Belinda, how's my boy doing? He's not getting cold feet, is he?" the humorous giantess asks in that naturally seductive voice of hers. She could make something as casual as asking about the weather sound sexy. Most men would be shaking in their shoes if they happen to meet the true owner of that voice, a nine and half foot tall Norse frost giantess. Yep, Mag's mommy is much bigger than him which is why Eric gave permission to Esmeralda's assistant Harvey to hack into the cameras here at Fangtasia just for the occasion. Esmeralda is probably sitting in her office right now watching the show on her computer monitor.
"He's being a big diva. He hates his costume and he is constantly whining," I sarcastically say and Esmeralda laughs. "No, he's doing just fine. Having a little performance anxiety is all. I think he needs a kiss from his mommy," I then tell her and she laughs some more. Esmeralda has a wonderful sense of humor which is one of the reasons I like her so much. She rarely gets to leave her apartment due to the fact she's a giantess but when she does it's usually to the preserve. Essie also does her best to keep up with the times despite the fact that she is very ancient.
"I wish I could help you out with that but I must say… that hunter of yours sure knows how to move. I'm watching him right now. Mmmm-mmmmm! I have a nice crisp bill for the next time I see him," she laughs.
"I can take your credit card number right now if that would be easier," I jokingly tell her.
"I wish Mr. Big Hammer could move like that. Maybe I wouldn't get so bored. It seems it's all about him," she says with a playful yawn.
"Essie! You shouldn't talk about Thor like that! Besides I thought he's a god," I playfully scold back.
"Not always where it matters," I swear I could see that playful wink as she sits at her desk talking into her homemade wooden speaker phone. That was another thing about Esmeralda, her real name is Jarnsaxa and her lover really is a god, the god of thunder Thor. Lately the two have mended fences but theirs is usually a tumultuous relationship. How do I know this? The last time I saw Essie she had been wearing her very ancient Thor's hammer pendant. Mag told me that that's a sign his Mom and Dad are getting along. I always wondered what Thor's wife Sif thought of her husband's other woman. Must be a very open relationship from what I can figure.
"Well I get a private show every night I want it," I tell her.
"Okay, I'm officially jealous of a tiny human. Consider yourself honored. That has never happened before," Essie jokes back.
"Oh I'm honored but if it helps any, I'll have Remy swing on by to collect his bill personally," I say as I look out to the stage to see my sweetie shaking that delicious bootie of his. All he is wearing is his little furry G-String and furry hat. Originally his wasn't going to be a solo act. Alcide was going to join him as the two were going to do this predator/prey thing but dumb me forgot to check the moon cycles and this was the only night Eric said he could do it. Remy seems to be holding his own, especially when Auggie crawls up onto the stage with a five between her very sharp teeth. He pulls the string from his hip and lets her slide it on in. Auggie gives him a smile and a wink as she slinks back to her table which happens to be the same one Sookie occupied earlier. Sookie's friend must've left after her hubby shook his stuff. Can't say as I blame the girl.
"Belinda," the gentle rumble brought me back to the backstage area. Mag delicately put his hand on my shoulder. "Sookie went back out front. She seemed frightened of me." I made out Mag's hurt gaze from underneath that ridiculous plastic helmet.
"Belinda, you still there," said the voice coming from my phone. I reach up and pat Mag's hand.
"I'm here Essie," I say and Mag's hurt look seems to lessen some. "Mag's here too. He just had a moment with Eric's woman. You want to talk to him?" Moments are code for Mag scared another tiny human and got his feelings hurt. If it isn't the lustful stares it's usually frightened ones he gets. It happens quite a bit for Mag and every time it happens, it hurts all the same for him. Mag is trying his best to blend in but it's hard when you're head and shoulders above everybody else.
"Put him on. Momma needs to give her boy a pep talk anyways. Thanks for the heads up. I'm grateful you and Remy keep an eye on him for me," Esmeralda tells me. That's another thing I like about Essie, she's a good and caring mother. Even though Essie and Mag are as old as time, the two still love each other like a mother and a son would. Essie still has to do damage control whenever her boy is down. I say my goodbyes and hand my cell over to Mag. Mag's smile widens at the sound of his mother's voice. Mag may be a Viking god but he's a momma's boy at heart. Mag starts talking in his native tongue of Old Norse. He gently pats my shoulder again and gives me a smile.
Remy comes running off the stage all oily and sweaty from his little act. Geez, he needs a shower something awful. If there's one thing I don't miss about stripping, it's the oil and that dirty feeling you get after preforming. You know, from strange hands pawing at you. Once upon a time it was one of the things I did to pay the bills besides working at Daddy Joe's restaurant. I like that I only have one job now, keeping supes in line at the supernatural preserve. It's a very tiring yet rewarding job.
"I have newfound respect for you 'Lindy. How'd you do it all those years?" Remy says as he is careful not to rub his oily body all over me. I hand him a robe that he gladly puts on and I give him a hug.
"I had two very good reasons for doing it. At least you only get to do it for one night. It's a shame Eric has to go so low to bring in the patrons but sadly it seems to be working. Did you see those Fellowship women in the crowd? Good Christians my freckly ass! Those biddies were practically molesting you," I say and Remy gives me that smile that melts my insides every time. It's been five years since I've hooked up with my honey and everyday still seems new. Words can't really describe what it's like being with Remy other than I love him more each and every day.
"I wouldn't compare those idiots to your freckly ass darlin'. You insult me and yourself by doing that 'cause unlike those fools I love your freckly ass and those biddies don't have a chance in hell because of that sweet little freckly ass," Remy says with a playful wink as he gently smacks my behind.
"I sure the hell's hope not. You're mine. I love you but I would love you more if you shower and put on some real clothes made of real material," I say as I lay my chin on his chest and I give my man a playful smile that has Mag shaking his head while he talks to his Mom.
"I think I might need a hose," Mag spoke loud enough for us to hear in plain English giving me that playful lopsided grin of his. Remy laughs as he holds me. Mag may seem like a lost little boy sometimes but others he can be as sharp as the end of a silver tipped arrow. He tells his mother he loves her in Old Norse, one of the few things I can actually understand. Learning a new language is hard, especially trying to learn two different ones at the same time, Old Norse and Cajun French. Yep, I have definitely been expanding my horizons in the past five years.
"I'm feeling a little dehydrated," Remy tells me. Mag grabs a plastic water bottle that is sitting on a table for the boys. No one made any attempt to put 'em on ice. Vampires! What do you expect? That's okay because we have our own cooler. Mag only has to hold the water for a moment as his eyes glow under the shadow of the cheap plastic helmet. He hands the bottle to Remy who then says, "Thanks buddy." Remy takes a swig of the cool icy water and pats Mag on the arm.
"You can use my shower too. There's enough room for two regular sized people," Mag says with a playful wink.
Eric Northman put it upon himself to build Mag a special dressing room here at the bar. Eric went out of his way to please one of his many deities. He even went as far as to offer Mag over half his business and the house I used to rent from him but Mag refused. Mag wanted to make his own way without any godly assistance or vampire assistance either. Mag worked hard at the family business until he earned enough to move out of the apartment he shared with a flamboyant goblin. Out of the blue, the farm next to ours went up for sale by some sort of real estate firm. The asking price was very low for the newly renovated house. It's strange to see a house with raised doors. Even the bathrooms and kitchen had been renovated for someone of Brobdingnagian proportions. I have a feeling a certain vampire had a hand in it but who am I to say? We do accept donations for our cause, maybe it was Eric's way of giving to the preserve and to keep his god happy at the same time?
"Thanks big guy but I think I'm good. Remy needs to get that oil off of him," I say as I give Mag a playful punch in the arm. It's nice to see the big lug is in better spirits after his moment with Sookie but I have a strong feeling it's still eating away at him. Mag may be an ancient Viking god but that doesn't mean he can't get his feelings hurt from time to time.
Remy takes my hand as we make our way to Mag's dressing room. Eric made sure his Viking god has every comfort imaginable even though the ceiling is still a little on the low side for Mag. There's a small refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and large flat screen television that is now playing closed circuit video of the strip show. Remy helps me up on the large framed cushioned chair made to look like some sort of Viking throne. I was surprised Eric didn't have a golden crown for Mag too. I give Remy a quick kiss before he disappears into the oversized bathroom. I make myself comfortable on Mag's special chair as I sit and watch Bill Compton strut his stuff.
Bill's routine was one of the hardest to come up with. I wanted to stay with the character of each man. JB and Remy were easy. Jareth and Mag were no brainers but Bill was a whole other ball of wax. It wasn't so much as coming up with a costume as it was the music without being disrespectful to his southern heritage. Remy and Modi stepped in and came up with an instrumental soundtrack that seemed to work, not that it mattered any. These women didn't care about the music or the costumes for that matter, all they want to see is what's under the costume. Bill's doing an excellent job of it as I watch Sookie's shocked face in the crowd as he strips down to his little gray G-String.
Remy comes out of the shower in nothing but a white towel displaying his many scars from the supernatural predators he has hunted over the years. He gives me that smile that makes the corner of his eyes wrinkle and kisses my cheek. He makes sure the door to Mag's dressing room is closed before his takes off his towel. I set out a pair of jeans and a plaid shirt for him as well as his belt and favorite pair of cowboy boots. Remy puts on his boxers as my eyes go away from the T.V. screen to Remy's beautiful backside. I still can't believe he's mine even after five years of looking at him.
"Essie wants an encore," I tell him. He turns around and smiles giving me a good look at the front part of him. He's in nothing but his jeans as he adjusts his silver belt buckle.
"Oh she does. Maybe we'll have to stop by the Backbone on the way home. I can give her a private show. I don't want to disappoint my fans now do I?" Remy says as he throws down a stack of bills into my lap. "I think we have enough here to get those windows for the bat house. Alcide told me he can get 'em at cost. The babies will like having a view of the outside. I'll have to get Andy to help me clean out the root cellar. They can stay there 'til we get 'em installed," Remy tells me. The bat house is the place we keep our vampire wards. There's the bat house for the vampires, the dog house is where the werewolves stay, the barn is Uncle V's place and we also have a place for the shifters and other much more rarer supes like the occasional elf or fairy that stayed behind after the portal to their world was closed off. The fae usually stay for only a night before moving on. The bat house is basically a windowless house with reinforced doors. When we built the place we didn't have enough funds for the special blinders and glass so Remy and I started a special fund for our vamp friends. We've been saving for a year now. We didn't feel it was right to hit Eric up after all the bad publicity he's had.
"That's wonderful! The babies will be so happy. Couple of 'em asked if they can get jobs. I still need to talk to Eric about that. I think they might be ready. I need to see if Pam can help find them nests too. Next we can save up for that pool and maybe install a bathroom in the barn. V had to carry Izzy to the house again. It would be so much easier on nights where Auggie has to leave. Randal thought it would be funny to try a taste of giant again. V had to throw him in the pit again," I tell my honey about the state of the preserve. Vampires stay with us until they're in control of their urges. Eric assesses them for us and Pam helps find suitable nests, usually with a vampire well over a hundred years old.
Recently we took in a teenage problem child. He wasn't much of a problem before he turned but after Randal thought it would be fun to live the sterotype but it cheesed him off when he realized the tats and piercings are impossible for a vamp so he gets his amusements harassing the resident giant. Dumb kid hasn't figured out he's no match against an ancient giant twice the size of an average adult man. V dug out a hole in his barn and Remy installed silver bars and poured concrete just so V has a place for our problem child. Randal hates the pit but the boy needs to learn. He's lucky we don't send him Eric's way.
"He does it again, I'm turning that one over to Eric. V doesn't need the headache. What's up with Mag?" Remy asks, changing the subject.
"He's met Eric's better half and he sensed her fear of him. Essie talked to him," I say and Remy shakes his head. "I wish people weren't so quick to judge him."
"Poor Mag. He's such a good guy. I'm glad he has friends like us, 'Lindy. She'll come around. Mag is scary to those of us with a little extra. I'm not going to lie 'Lindy, Mag scared me when I first met him even though I knew he was only helping me in my time of need. He is extremely powerful," Remy says as he caresses my cheek. Magni Frost, giant with a heart to match helped arrange my hunter's father's funeral with help from his Aunt Auggie. Mag didn't even know Remy from Adam when he did this which shows you the kind of character the half-god possesses. I really do hope Sookie comes around and sees the Mag I know. A giant with a heart much bigger than his size.