A/N Okay everyone! Here's another chapter. I hope it turned out okay. Thanks again for all the positive reviews. I'll try to get another installment up in a few days.
SPOV
James and I have been in Orlando for the past few days. He'd always wanted to go to Disney World and I figured since who knows when I'll ever get him back here now, I'd take him. I told a little fib at work that a relative passed and I needed to leave for a few days so we could go immediately. I'm a little afraid now that I know DeCastro knows about James.
Bill called last night and told me he finally spoke to Eric. He informed me that he told Eric I was in Florida but that he also told him about James and gave him a picture. Oh No. I'm not sure how I feel about this. But if anyone can protect us, I know that Eric can. I'm hoping that he will forgive me for leaving him. I'm pretty sure he'll never want to have a relationship with me again, but I do hope we can get along for James sake. Who even knows though if Eric will want to be involved at all. From what both Bill and Jason have told me, Eric is different now. If I really want to be honest with myself, I do miss him. It took the fairies torturing me, and leaving my life behind to realize that even though a vampire, Eric was a good man who never let me down. I think back to my conversation with Bill:
"So Bill, did Eric ask about me at all?" I asked him timidly.
"No Sookie. He was… quite busy. He just told me to have you return to Louisiana immediately. I will make sure your home is opened up, and that all the utilities are turned on for you. You have nothing to fear Sookie; we will protect you and James from DeCastro."
I sighed "Okay Bill, I'm taking James to Universal Studios, but we will leave for Bon Temps the very next day. We should be there by the weekend.".
I decide to stop my musing and take James and I out for dinner. We get out to the car and both decide we feel like a burger so we find a Johnny Rockets on International. Dr. It's a cute little place where the servers sing and dance while the patrons enjoy burgers, fries and shakes.
While we are waiting on our shakes I tell James "Hun, we need to have a talk".
"What's wrong mommy, whatever it is, I didn't do it." He smirks at me. God he reminds me so much of Eric.
"You did nothing wrong, I just need to let you know we are not heading straight home. We are going to the place I grew up and where your Uncle Jason and Uncle Bill live… Bon Temps, Louisiana.
"Oh cool I get to see my uncles. How long are we staying Mommy?"
Okay it's now or never. "James we are moving there. I still have my Gran's home there and that's where we will live".
James just glares at me. I can tell he's not happy. "There's no beach there is there? I've never even heard of Bon Temps. It sounds boring. I don't want to go. I want to go home."
I had expected this talk not to go easy. And I have not even gotten to the worst of it yet. I take a deep breath and tell him the rest. Well some of the rest. I explain to him about my name being Sookie Stackhouse and that bad people attacked me so I left and moved to Florida and changed my name.
"So, is my names James or did you lie to me about that to?" he says softly.
I know I really need to tell him about Eric. I don't know how to though. Who even know's if Eric wants to be involved. If he does not, I would much rather just not tell James. After all, why should I upset him. The rest of our dinner is quiet and I decide to get him back to the hotel so we can relax and get to Universal early in the morning.
Once I put James to bed, I'm sitting out on the hotel patio enjoying a gin and tonic to calm my nerves, and my cell rings. "Oh shit" I think to myself as I look at the phone. It's a number from Shreveport. I know it's not Bill or Jason since I have their numbers programmed in. I'm totally panicked right now thinking it's Eric. I don't have the guts to answer the call. Of course my unknown caller leaves a message.
I take a hard swallow and press 1 to listen to the message. "Hello Sookie." Holy shit it's Pam. "So glad you're not dead. I understand you'll be gracing us with your presence once again. Guess you have people after you and need our help again". Well I knew she'd be pissed. "Can't wait to meet my little brother, see ya soon".
Crap, Crap, Crap. Eric must have told her I'm coming back. I guess I should call her back so I don't piss her off even more. I take a huge swig of my drink and dial a number I never thought I'd call again.
"Fangtasia, the bar with bite." The fangbanger answers.
"Yes, may I speak with Pam please?"
"Mistress Pam is on vacation, but the master is in" she says
I just bet he is
"Oh okay could you just leave her a message that Sookie called". I tell her
The line goes silent for a split second when I hear that voice. "Sookie" Eric says.
"Hello Eric". I barely whisper. "They really did not need to bother you; I'm just returning Pam's call".
"I informed the fangbanger's that if you called to inform me immediately. "I see you have not made your way back yet. Enjoying Orlando?" he hisses.
"How the hell do you know where I am Eric?"
"I'm having you followed of course, I do trust you will keep your word for once and return. Trust me, you do not want me to come and get you, I can assure you of this".
His tone is so cold. I should have expected this.
"Uh yeah I'll be there this weekend. Thanks for helping with DeCastro Eric." Figure I need to try and be polite as I can to him right now
"It is my obligation since after all even if you do not remember, you are in fact my wife" he spits out like a foul word.
Oh crap. I was trying to forget about the whole Vamp marriage thing. I do need to find out if he wants to meet James.
" Eric, I need to know if you want to meet James or not. If so I guess we can tell him you are an uncle or something like Bill".
"DO NOT COMPARE ME TO COMPTON WOMAN!!!. Why does it not surprise me you failed to inform my son of my existence. I can just imagine the lies you told him. I do not even want to picture the damage he has incurred having YOU as a mother" he growls his voice heavily accented.
What the fuck. He has the audacity to insult me as a mother. "I'll have you know buddy, I happen to be a very good mother, James always comes first with me. If you want to be in his life you better do well to remember that" I yell back at him.
"Do not ever call me buddy again, you will regret it. Also do not ever tell me what to do. I will not tolerate insubordination from you. I tire of this conversation. You have until Sunday night to arrive in Bon Temps. DO NOT think of running. You are being watched. You cannot run and hide. At that he slams down the phone.
I don't know what I expected from Eric after all these years. He has every right to be mad at me, but how dare he insult me as a mother. He may be angry but between his insults and the fact that he is having me followed I'm livid right now. Finishing off my drink and pouring another, I call what must be Pam's cell.
"Sookie, how good of you to call me back". She practically sings.
"What the hell is Eric's problem Pam? He not only insulted me as a mother, but is having me followed.
"Of course he is having you followed, do you really think he trusts you, have you given him any reason to? Have you given any of us reason to trust you anymore? Abby says trust must not be earned, not given blindly." She states matter of factly.
I really can't argue with her. She's right. I took the trust they all gave me and stabbed them in the back.
"Also, DeCastro is looking for you. I'm sure he has guards on you for that reason as well Sookie. Are you back in Louisiana yet? She asks.
"No not yet Pam, I'm taking James to Universal Studios tomorrow, and will leave right after and drive straight through. Apparently I've been ordered to be there by Sunday or else". I say
Pam chuckles. "Sookie there are some things we need to talk about. Make sure you are there by Saturday Night. I will come visit you in your home then. If you never listen to another thing I say, listen to this. And she hangs up.
Damn Vampires. No Phone manners at all.
The next day we had a wonderful time at Universal Studios. I'd have to say our favorite ride was Jaws. I'm so glad we where able to have fun today since the rest of this week will be very stressful. James is so tired I have to carry him out the car. After I place him in the backseat, I glance behind me and finally notice that I am indeed being followed. For now I just need to ignore it. Not much I can do about it. After all it's about at 15 hour drive to Shreveport and another 45 minutes to Bon Temps from there.
The drive was uneventful and long. I'm really glad now I had bought one of those portable dvd players awhile back so James could watch movies on the ride. We had an enjoyable breakfast at Café Du Monde in NOLA and walked around the quarter for a bit. I took James into Marie Laveau's house of voodoo and he just had to have a voodoo doll and a shrunken head. I really don't know why he wanted them, but I relented and got them for him. I hope it does not work or James could cause quite a bit of trouble. I laugh to myself silently.
We leave NOLA around 11am and that should put us in Bon Temps around 3pm which will get me there in enough time before Pam shows up. James is sitting in the backseat playing on his gameboy. I take a moment to dip into his head and check what he's thinking about when he focuses his attention on me and says
'You know Mommy; it's not nice to dip into my head."
"Oh sweety, I'm sorry, I'm just worried about you, are you going to be okay with this move?'
He smiles at me. "I guess. Can we get a dog, pleeeeze mommy?"
He's wanted a dog forever. I relent. "Of course sweety, we have plenty of land, so once we get settled, we can go to the pound".
"Awesome!" he screams. He leans forward to look at me. "Mommy, are YOU going to be okay. You're scared I can tell. Of someone named Eric. "Who's Eric?"
Oh no. "James, I've told you to also stay out of my head, but I'll forgive it this time. I take a deep breath and continue. "Eric is an old friend of mine. You'll meet him soon im guessing. "Okay I chickened out. Totally NOT good.
The rest of the ride, I was peppered with questions about life in Bon Temps and who we might encounter. I tell James about Gran, Sam, Amelia, Tara, Lafayette and everyone else I can think of. I'm so engrossed in my story telling, I don't even realize im in Shreveport until I see the exit for Fangtasia. That's when I notice it. It's faint and hard to detect but there it is: The bond. I can sense anger and annoyance and feel Eric life's flitting in the background. Trying to shake it off, I concentrate and the road and make the turn toward highway 15, which will take me home.
45 minutes later I see the sign "Welcome to Bon Temps".
Time to face the music.
EPOV
The nerve of that woman. Of course I'm going to have her followed she not only ran off on me, she kept the fact that she had my child from me. Call me an uncle! Fuck that!. At that, my office door opens.
"Hello Master" Pam purrs.
"Pam"
"Problems, Master?"
"That woman has nerve. Not only does she take off on us, she has the audacity to want to call me an uncle to my own child"! I yell and slam my hand down on my desk
Pam looks up from filing her nails "Oh master, I thought that's what you LOVED about her, the spunk and independence".
"Humph"
"Well Master, this has been fun and all but my vacation is not over until tomorrow, and I'm feeling the need for some amusement. Oh by the way got you a little present." She slides a package across my desk, blows me a kiss and saunters out my door.
I open the package and inside is a book titled The everything father to be book: A survival guide for men. That Pam. Also thinking amusement might be a good idea, I grab a black haired beauty for my evening meal. She's got round supple breasts and an ass to die for. I really hope I can bring myself to fuck this one. I force the girl on her knees and pull out my cock. She better know what to do. She does, good. She takes my length in her mouth sucking hard and grabbing my balls. Damn this feels good. I'm really getting into this now and shove her all the way down on my cock. Hmmm. Then all of a sudden it happens. I feel nervousness; tension and the dull hum of a certain telepaths life force come buzzing back. FUCK.
I yank the girl off my cock and yell" Get out". FUCK. If this keeps up im going to end up with permanent blue balls and starving. On that note, I stalk off to the bar to get a bottle of Royalty Blend. Not as horrid as true blood, but no way near as good as the real thing.
As I sit and drink my worthless blood substitute I decided to check my email. There's the usual Area Business, reports from my financial managers and such. Oh, One from Pam. I open it and see that there is a picture attached. "What do we have here?" The picture I am now glancing at is none other than Compton, in quite a lurid embrace with an older human. At this point I'm laughing so hard I'm shaking. The note attached from Pam says simply (For the website). Oh my child is so devious. I sign into the Area 5 webpage, and post the picture of Compton and his paramour. I honestly don't remember laughing this hard since before Sookie left. Oh Sookie.
I had originally planned on just taking James from her the minute she was to arrive. After careful thought, I came to the conclusion that would not be a good thing. Regardless of what I told her, I knew, without a doubt that sookie was probably an excellent mother. Taking away James from his mother would harm him, and frankly, I could just not bring myself to do that. No, the plan was now to get to know James and make him decide I was the more favorable parent to live with. That way I could still get my revenge against Sookie, and also have my son with me by his own choice. A win win situation all around if you ask me.
Grabbing the picture of my son out of my desk, I'm really honestly looking forward to tomorrow night when I get to meet him. I'll really need to keep myself in check and not let him see what a cold blooded monster I am. I know for a fact Compton has told Sookie some things, and I find myself wondering just what she knows. No matter, she will not keep him from me. She really has no choice in the matter.
It's 3am and the bar is finally closed. I'd received a call from my guards I'd had assigned to Sookie and James and they reported that they arrived in Bon Temps safely. Apparently her brother and the shifter Merlotte had come over, and they all had a barbeque. The guards also reported that later in the evening, she had a vampire visitor. A FEMALE, vampire vistor. I know instantly Pam had paid her a visit. I should be grateful; after all, Pam was probably there trying to pave the way for my visit tomorrow night.
Grabbing my coat and heading out the door to my home, for the first time in years I feel myself feeling hopeful. And honestly, I don't know how I feel about that.
SPOV
I'm home again. As we drive through Bon Temps I can see that not much has changed at all in the years I've been gone. Downtown still looks the same. As I round the corner I can see Merlotte's. Since it is a Saturday afternoon, there are quite a few cars in the lot. I bet all the same people as before. In a town as small as Bon Temps, nothing changes much.
I had called Jason from the road to let him know I'd be back. He promised to run over to the house and make sure everything was okay. He also told me he'd pick up a few days groceries for us.
Making the turn down Hummingbird Lane, It's then that I see my Gran's old home. Just as I remember it. There are two trucks parked outside.
Just as I'm getting out of the car, Jason comes bounding down the stairs and grabs me into a bear hug.
"Hey ya Sis, It's so good that you're finally here. Hey little man". He says to James.
"Uncle Jason!!!!" James screams and runs into his arms.
Just then Sam comes down the stairs. "Sam". I say. Sam comes over and gives me a big hug.
"Who's this?" Sam asks as he looks over at James.
"Oh hi there, I'm James, who are you?" James asks as he extends his hand out to Sam.
Sam shakes James hand and says"I'm Sam Merlotte, I'm an old friend of your…Moms". He looks over at me.
We all go inside the house, and I get to meet Jason's wife Dawn, and his two kids Adele and Corbitt. I also get to meet Sam's little boy Michael.
All the children go outside to play baseball and Sam, Jason and Dawn and I all sit down to catch up. I got to hear how Jason and his wife met, How Sam had met a shifter named Luna and how she'd left two years ago, not able to deal with being a mother anymore.
Jason and Dawn decide to go out and start the grill and check on the kids while Sam and I headed into the kitchen to make the salad.
'So Sook," he starts, "Is it just me or does James look an awful lot like Northman?" Geez I wonder if there will be anyone who does not notice the resemblance.
"Yes Sam he would look like Eric, he's Eric's son." I say to Sam while I wash the greens for or salad.
"Oh Hell Sookie, you do realize what danger that puts both you and him in, don't ya? Does Eric know?". He questions as he cuts up the green peppers and tomatoes.
"Yes Sam, Eric knows. He's coming by tomorrow night to meet James and talk to me."
"You watch yourself Sook, he's not the same guy as you remember, you want me to be here in case he get's outta hand?"
"No that's okay Sam. I'm sure it will be fine. Let's just drop it okay. How are things with Merlotte's?" I ask him
Sam drops the subject and goes on to tell me how great the bar is doing and to ask me if I needed a job. I explain to him that I'm now a librarian and will be looking for work in that field once we get settled in.
We all have a great dinner of steak, corn and salad. Dawn had made a Butterfinger pie for dessert. It was really great spending time with everyone and getting to meet my new sister in law and also my niece and nephew. I know James had a great time as well getting to finally meet his cousins and also his new best friend Michael. I'm so glad that James had a good time tonight and enjoyed his first day in Bon Temps so far, I knew he was sad about leaving Sanibel Island.
At about 7pm, everyone says their goodbye's and leaves James and I to get settled in our new home. Bill had made sure all the utilities where on, he even bought a flat screen tv and had cable TV put in. He's really a great friend. I know he's wants it to be more, but I hope we can keep our friendship. I'd be really sad if Bill where no longer a part of my life again.
I figure I still have some time before Pam comes, so I leave James to watch the Jetson's on cartoon network, and go to soak in my huge clawfoot tub. God I have missed that tub.
JPOV
Mommy and I had a great time on the drive to Bon Temps. We stopped in New Orleans and Mom let me get a voodoo doll and a shrunken head. Very Cool. It took a few more hours to get to Bon Temps so I watched transformers on dvd while mom drove.
When we got here, Uncle Jason was here. It was really neat to see him again. I also got to meet my cousins Adele and Corbitt. They are only 4, but they are nice little kids. I also got to meet Mommy's old boss Sam and my aunt dawn. And I got to meet Sam's son Michael, he was cool. He's only a few months younger than me.
We all played baseball all afternoon. I won of course; I'm bigger than everyone else. Also older. Mommy has been on edge all day, but every time I try to take a peek in her head, she's got her thoughts blocked off. Well heck. How am I going to figure out what's going on? I have a feeling something big is going on for us to leave Florida. Other than bad people after us that is.
I found out from Michael that his dad also he are shifter's. he had to tell me what that meant, but once he did I thought that was wicked cool. I asked him to change into something but he told me he won't be able to till he's older. Well that's no fun. So I showed him how fast I am and how strong. I think what I can do is cooler than shape shifting any day. I did not tell him about reading people's thought's though. People kinda freak out when they hear I can do that.
We all had dinner and everyone left. Mommy headed upstairs to take a bath and I stayed down here to watch the Jetson's. The door bell is ringing. "I'll get it Mommy." I yell up to her.
When I opened the door there's a female vampire outside.
"Well hello little brother".
"Excuse me?"
"Iam Pam. But you can call me Aunt Pam. Invite me in little human".
At school they told us vampires are not allowed to come in unless you invite them. I know my uncle bill is a vampire and he's real nice, but this lady look's kinda scary.
"I don't think so, I need to wait for my Mommy." I say to her
I feel something weird in my head. "Invite me in little human" she states again.
"Nope sorry lady, I'm not going to be your snack, you need to wait for my mommy."
Just then I hear mommy running downstairs." Pam, you did not just try to glamour my son did you?"
Of course I did Sookie; I needed to see if he was as unique as you are."
Mommy then invited in the vampire who I guess is my "Aunt Pam" and told me to head up to bed. I kiss mommy goodnight, and say goodbye to her friend and head up to bed, it's been a long day and I'm really tired.
SPOV
I'm upstairs soaking in the tub when I hear the doorbell. "Oh crap, It's Pam already" I jump outta the tub real quick, throw on a robe and make my way downstairs just as I hear Pam trying to glamour my son.
I ask her if she was trying to glamour my son, and in typical Pam fashion she told me of course she was. I send James to bed so I can talk with Pam.
We both sit on the couch and she starts off immediately. "So good to see he's just as spunky as you are Sookie".
"Well I try Pam". I ask her if she wants a blood. She declines.
"Sookie I need to warn you about Eric. He's not as you remember him. You leaving us all high and dry broke his undead heart".
I laugh at this. "You must be joking Pam, Eric does not have a heart. He never loved me, he just wanted to own me."
"Six Years and you are still a child. He loved you. And Eric has never loved another. Not even in his human life. He does not do as well with emotion as I do. You need to be careful Sookie, He wants to take James from you". She says.
"WHAT!" I exclaim. "Eric wants to take James from me, he has no right. James is my son". I yell angrily and get up and start to pace around the living room.
"That's where you're wrong Sookie. James is his son as well. I'll do my best to keep the kidnapping idea out of his head, but you need to try and accommodate him as much as possible. He will be angry, and he has every right to be. Don't go making it worse by mouthing off to him."
I go to say something to her, but then rethink that choice. Pam is right. He does have every reason to be angry. But he loved me? I don't think so. If he did, he would have told me.
Pam and I spend a few hours visiting. She tells me all about her trip to Paris and tells me how things are at Fangtasia. Then she gets back on the subject of Eric.
"Sookie, you need to get any fantasies you might have of Eric out of your head".
"I have no fantasies of Eric Pam". I retort
"Well good, he has plenty of fangbanger to keep him company. He takes 3 sometimes 4 a night.
Isn't that special for him Pam" I retort.
"There is something else Sookie". She pauses. "Last week, he ordered me to submit to him."
"Submit?" I question
"Sexually. He ordered me to have sex with him. Now if I liked dick still I might have enjoyed it, he is quite the skilled lover as you know. But I digress I found it quite unnerving."
"Oh Pam" I go to give her a hug and she looks at me like she could kill me. "Sorry" I say.
"I don't need sympathy Sookie, after all it's just sex, I'm just trying to impress upon you to be careful."
We visit for a few more minutes then Pam tells me she must go before Eric realizes where she has gone. She offers to help me as much as she can, and we make plans to meet at the mall next week.
I can't believe Eric forced Pam to have sex with him. He knows she prefers women. I know Eric is a cold manipulative bastard, but he always seemed to really care for Pam, and let her get away with a lot. So many people have warned me he has changed, but hearing it from Pam makes me realize just how much he has.
This makes me more afraid for my impending meeting with Eric tomorrow night.
James and I get up bright and early the next morning and head to the mall in Sherveport to pick some things. We have lunch at a Mexican place and head back to Bon Temps by the early afternoon. Once we get home I needed to make a few calls about having our home in Sanibel Island packed up and having everything shipped to Bon Temps. I also call a realtor about putting the Sanibel house on the market.
I don't feel like cooking, so I grab James and we head to Merlotte's for dinner. Heading thru the front door, It feels like I'd just been there yesterday. Jane Bodehouse is on her favorite bar stool, Andy Bellefluer is at the bar talking to Sam. Hoyt waves hello and comes over to say hello and introduce himself to James.
We sit down and Sam comes over to greet us. James orders a chicken basket and runs off to play with Michael.
"So Sam how are you today?" I ask
"I think I should ask you how you are Sook. Isn't Eric coming tonight?" he asks.
"Yes Sam he is. You think you could do me a favor and make sure "dean" is close by, Just in case things get out of hand."
"Of course Sook, I was going to anyway." He smiles at me.
I really am blessed to have such good friends. Everyone, even Pam has been okay about me coming back after leaving. Something tells me Eric won't be as understanding though. Sam and I talk for a few more minutes until he has to get back to work.
The server brings our meal out, and I finally realize I need to tell James something about Eric.
While we are both enjoying our chicken baskets I say to James" Honey, a friend of mine is coming to meet you tonight."
"Okay mommy who?" he asks.
"My friend Eric. He's a vampire like your Uncle Bill and Aunt Pam who you met last night. In fact he's Aunt Pam maker."
"Maker, Mommy?"
"He made her a vampire honey." I say to him.
"Oh, Okay. Why does he want to meet me Mommy?"
Oh Shit. What do I tell him?
"Well hun, Eric is going to be protecting us from the bad men, he already knows me, but he wants to know you as well."
There that's a good explanation… right?"
"Okay Mommy."
I go on to tell James a little bit more about Eric. I tell him how Eric's over a 1000 years old and a former Viking. I also mention that Eric is sort of the head vampire in this area and that he owns a vampire bar in Shereveport.
"A Viking ? That's so cool Mommy".
James keeps going on and on over the rest of dinner how cool it must be to be a viking and that he wants to ask Eric all about it. It's starting to get late, So I pay the bill and James and I head home.
As I turn down the road, I see a fire engine red corvette sitting in front of my house and Eric is leaning against the car.
When I park the car James bolts out of the car and runs up to Eric.
"Are you really a Viking? Is that really your car? Can you take me for a ride? James asks him exuberantly.
Eric chuckles. "I'm Eric. Yes I was a Viking in my human life, It is my car, and we can go for a ride anytime you like. He leans down and tousles James hair.
"I'm James nice to meet you sir". He says extending his hand. I have not told James how vamps don't shake hands, but Eric bends down and shakes James's hand and gives him a pat on the back.
"James, why don't you go in the house so I can speak to Eric for a moment". I tell him.
"But Mom." He whines
"NOW, James Eric Corbitt." I say sternly.
James turns around and stomps toward the house.
"Hello Sookie, so nice to see you." Eric says icily.
"Hey Eric". I reply.
Oh crap he looks pissed.