A/N: Continuing on with Eric's point of view. I do have Eric change slightly. I was not planning on doing it so soon but it just happened. I'm not too happy with this chapter. Hope you enjoy and it's not too hideous. Thanks for all your support!!!
"Who told you? Was it Compton?" I'll rip his fucking throat out.
"He did not EXACTLY have to tell me." I realize now that my son can read vampire's minds.
"Also, I knew mommy was hiding something, but she's been blocking her thoughts. But when she left I found these hidden under the couch". He pulls out the letter and the adoption papers.
"Can you read my mind James's?" I question him. "I can read everyone's mind, but I don't understand your thought's, you think in another language". He answers.
"James's you must not ever let anyone know you can read vampire thought's, only your mother and me, it could put you in danger." I tell him
"You know, you don't need to be nice to me, I've done fine without you for all my life." James says and starts crying.
Oh hell. What do I do? How do I answer him? I lean over and put my arm around him. He cringes slightly, but allows me to do it.
"Why do you want me now, after all these years?" he sniffles in between tears.
"James, son, I did not know I was your father until two weeks ago." I tell him. No point in lying. Let Sookie try and fix this.
"You didn't?" he questions. "No, your mom never told me". He looks over at me. "You're lying. You probably did not want to be bothered, after all you HATE her!"
Fucking Compton. I'm going to need to torture that fuck again for thinking these things around my son.
He takes the iphone out of his pocket and throws it at me. "I don't want your crappy phone either eric!"
James gets out of the car and runs to the house. What the hell just happened? Here I was thinking now that he knew I was his father we could finally start building a relationship. But no, he hauls off and acts…. Just like Sookie. FUCK! It's not my fault I had no idea I had a son. If I had, I would have been around.
I get out of my car and pound on the door. Sookie answers" What did you do to him? I swear I could stake you!"
"What did I do? This is your fault! He knows I'm his father Sookie and he's blaming me. YOU'RE THE ONE WHO LIED!!"
"Invite me in Sookie" and I just glare at her. Just let her try and deny me entrance.
"Come in Eric" she says and I enter the home looking around for James.
"He's in his room Eric. Give him some time. I'll talk to him I promise." She says softly and touches my shoulder.
I go over and sit down on the couch. Sookie joins me.
"I don't get it Sookie. This is not my fault. I…I… just want to be his father is all. If I had known I would have been there. You know this". I say and lay my face in my hands.
"I know Eric. I'm truly sorry I never told you about him."
"Come on." She says and grabs my hand and leads me upstairs. She knocks on a closed bedroom door which I assume is James's room. "Come in mommy".
The minute we walk in he just glares at me. "What's he doing here Mom? Just rescind his invitation." He spits.
"James apologize to Eric." Chastising him.
"No way. He left us Mom." he states defiantly.
"No honey, he didn't "she tells him. Sookie sits down on the bed next to him and I just stand in the corner of the room, not really sure how to react to all this human emotion.
Sookie tells him everything. How the fairies attacked her, and how after we found her she was scared and confused. She goes on to tell him that when she found out she was pregnant, at first she thought it was rape, which is why she decided to leave.
She tells him that once he was born, she knew I was his father, but by that time figured I was so mad at her she was afraid to come back. I'm stunned. She fessed up, to everything. She even tells him not to blame me, as I had no idea.
I really want to be angry with her for doubting me. How could she have possibly thought I'd turn her away if she had gotten pregnant from rape. Did she think so little of me? Even if she had returned after James was born, I might have been angry for awhile, but I would have taken her back. I loved her. She was the only woman I've ever loved. I feel myself starting to get angry, but need to keep my temper at bay since James is in the room.
"I'm sorry Eric." James says to me. That breaks me out of my current angry thoughts.
"It's okay. I'd be angry too James." I reply and then turn and glare at Sookie.
I sit down on the left of him on the bed. "I hope you still want to get to know me James"
"Sure Eric. Are we still going go karting tomorrow?" he smiles at me.
"Of course." I smile back at him. Seeing that it's getting late I rise from the bed. I turn to James and hand him back the phone. "I'd really like you to keep this James".
"Okay." He takes the phone from me. I lean down to shake his hand goodbye, thinking he's not in a hugging mood, but he surprises me leaning up and giving me a quick hug.
I nod to Sookie and take my leave. I've had all the emotion I can stand for one night.
SPOV
I go into the house and find Bill sitting on my couch." What's going on Sookie?" he asks me.
'Eric had to drive me home Bill, my car broke down. He's out talking to James". I say and sit down next to him.
I start to tell him about my night at Fangtasia when all of a sudden a feel a surge of anger then confusion through the bond. "Something's wrong Bill." I tell him and get up to head outside.
Just then, the door opens and James runs in and bounds up to his room. I'm heading upstairs to follow him up when I hear Eric bang on the door.
I answer and say" What did you do to him? I swear I could stake you!"
"What did I do? This is your fault! He knows I'm his father Sookie and he's blaming me. YOU'RE THE ONE WHO LIED!!" he yells back at me.
"Invite me in sookie" and he just glares at me.
"Come in Eric" I say and he enters my house looking around for James.
"Leave Compton." He roars at Bill. Poor Bill turns and leaves immediately.
"He's in his room Eric. Give him some time. I'll talk to him I promise." I say softly.
He goes over and sits down on the couch. I join him.
"I don't get it Sookie. This is not my fault. I…I… just want to be his father is all. If I had known I would have been there. You know this". he says and lays his face in his hands.
"I know Eric. I'm truly sorry I never told you about him."
All I can feel coming off Eric is confusion and sadness. I take his hand and lead him upstairs to James's room. It's time to fix this.
We go into James's room and I can see he's furious with Eric. He yells at me to have Eric leave and rescind his invitation. I let go of Eric's hand and sit down next to James. I tell him everything. About the fairies, the rape, me leaving. I let him know that I did not realize Eric was his dad until he was born, and that Eric is not the one to blame.
James then apologizes to Eric and he joins us on the bed. He tells James's that it's fine and that he'd be angry as well. I just bet he would. I can tell Eric's not handling all this emotion very well as all I can feel is doubt from the bond. He even asks James's if he still wants to get to know him.
My little boy tells him sure and asks him about go karting tomorrow. Then I feel relief coming off Eric. He tells him of course and gives him back the cell phone. Telling him he'd like him to keep it. James gives him a hug, and Eric nods to me and leaves.
"That was nice of you to hug him honey." I tell him.
"He needed a hug mom. He was upset." He tells me.
"Why did you get so upset with him James?"
"I thought he was lying Mom. You know, if you don't want me to, I won't talk to him anymore. I know you don't like him mommy, he's mean to you." he smiles at me and puts his arm around me.
"Oh James" I hug him. "Eric and I have our issues and we may not get along, but he's your dad. It's up to you if you want to know him or not."
"I think I do mommy"
"Okay sweetie" I give him a kiss. It's getting late so I tuck James in for bed and head downstairs to relax. Still worrying about how Eric is doing, against my better judgment I send him a text.
Sookie: Are you okay?
A few minutes later my phone beeps.
Eric: Fine why? Is James okay?
He's worried about James. Maybe Eric will be a good father after all.
Sookie: He's good. He was worried about you.
Eric: Are you sure you where not worried for me... I was so sad... I needed comfort.
What a jerk.
Eric: I could always turn around. :- k
Sookie: Goodnight Eric. I can see your fine.
Eric: Night Wifey.
I slam down my phone. Over 1000 years old, and that man is still a child. But instead of finding myself angry I actually am amused by the situation. No. I can't forget he's different. But yet, even after two days, I can see some of "My Eric's" personality emerge, especially when he's around James. Maybe we can eventually have some semblance of a friendship again, for our son's sake.
EPOV
While I'm driving home from Bon Temps my phone beeps. It's a text from Sookie seeing if I'm okay. I'm still a bit angry at all her lies, but I find it impossible to be mean. I answer her back asking if James's is okay. Then I engage in a little harmless banter with her. I always enjoyed bantering back and forth with her.
When I get home, I find I cannot stop thinking about Sookie. I remember that her car broke down at the bar and immediately leave a message for my mechanic to pick up the vehicle and repair it, then deliver it to her home.
I've been putting off calling DeCastro for a few days. It would be much better if I call to report Sookie's return before he calls to inform me he knew she was back. I dial his number.
"De Castro" he answers on the third ring.
"Yes your majesty, it's Northman from Area 5, I'd like to report the telepath has been located and brought back to Bon Temps.
"Excellent". He exclaims. "And what of the child? Is he indeed telepathic like his mother?"
James is not only telepathic but can read vamps. I've now seen it first hand. "The reports of his abilities are false your majesty. He is a normal human child." I've now just possibly signed my final death warrant.
"Pity" he retorts. Slimy bastard.
He goes on to tell me he will be in Louisiana in two weeks, and would like me to arrange to have Sookie at Fangstasia for the evening. This is not good at all. When Sookie left, it made me look weak and unable to control her. Not only was she in my retinue, but my bonded and pledged. It took me several years to gain back credibility from that.
After I hang up with Decastro I realize I need to warn Sookie about this potential problem. I'm pretty sure I've managed to put him off about James, but Decastro knows she's a telepath and was pissed when she left. It could get ugly. I need to see how this meeting goes before I know my strategy how to proceed. I know De Castro well enough to know he won't just let this go.
I decide to make my way to my room before Pam comes home. I care for my child, but I'm starting to realize I might prefer it if she where to get her own place. She only moved in with me after Sookie left, and she's still here. I need my own space now, especially if I'm going to have James's spend the night here anytime. I go to rest this night with thoughts of the future on my mind.
Tonight I woke up about an hour before dark. I'm supposed to take James out tonight. I do have to admit, I'm slightly nervous about this. It's one thing to visit him, it's another to take him somewhere and be totally responsible for him. Maybe I should invite Sookie to come along.
Picking up my phone I call her. She picks up on the third ring. "Hi Sookie" I greet her.
"Oh hey Eric, what's up?
"I wanted to invite you along with us tonight, if you'd like to come that is".
"What's the matter, Scared?"
"Not at all, I just thought it might be nice for us all to go together." Scared. Me. I'm Eric fucking Northman. I don't get scared.
"Well as lovely as that sounds you boys are on your own tonight. Pam and I are going clubbing tonight. "She tells me.
Clubbing. What the hell is my child up to? "That's fine."
"Eric, you wanted your chance at being a father, your getting it. Don't screw it up. Besides, I don't need your permission for anything. I'm free, single and over 21." She laughs.
Growling I tell her" Woman, do not mock me."
"Oh pipe down Eric, when will you be here to get him?" Pipe Down. She's got some nerve.
"I will arrive in one hour." I say hanging up the phone.
"PAMELA!!!!" I scream from my room. A few moments later Pam glides into my room dressed like a catholic school girl. Oh Christ.
"You bellowed Master?" she cocks an eyebrow at me.
"What is this you taking Sookie clubbing tonight?" I ask her.
"Oh yes master. We shall have a wonderful time. Maybe Sookie can meet a nice man to settle down with."
"I think not Pam. You will insure no men proposition her. That is an order. I reply showing full fang.
"Why Master? Sookie is single. Abby says single mothers have difficulty making friends and meeting men. I intend to assist her with this problem. After all, that's what girlfriends are for. She smiles at me innocently.
"Well, I must run Master; I wish to have my evening meal before meeting Sookie. Enjoy "go karting" she cackles and leaves my room.
What the hell is it with the women in my life? They both seem to love giving me grief. I dress quickly in jeans, a plain black t-shirt and boots. Grabbing my leather jacket and my keys, I head out to my car.
I pull out of my driveway and make my way to Bon Temps. With the way I drive it only takes me about 25 minutes to get there. I pull around to the front of the house and head up to the front door. Should I just walk in? No. better not. I knock on the door. A few seconds later James opens it.
"Hi James" I tell him.
"Hey Eric. Come on in." He moves over so I can make my way through the front door.
"Where's your mom?" I ask him looking around for Sookie.
"Getting ready to go out with Aunt Pam." He replies.
I ask him to give me a minute and make my way back to Sookie's room. The bedroom door is open so I walk in. Glancing in the direction of the bathroom, I can see that the door is open a crack and she is standing in front of the mirror in her bra and panties putting on makeup. Thinking some privacy may be in order; I close the bedroom door and head over to the bathroom. Looking in at her, I can see she is still beautiful. To the human eye, the scars from the fairy attack are not even visible. Of course with my vampire sight, I still see traces left, but that does not matter. She looks hot. I can feel myself getting hard already.
I pop my head in and say "Don't you look sexy this evening." Smirking at her.
"FUCK Eric" she yells at me. "Don't you knock." Immediately she slams the bathroom door in my face. I chuckle to myself.
She comes out a moment later wrapped in a huge terry cloth robe. Pity. "The door was open." I say cocking an eyebrow at her.
"Don't you have somewhere to go?"
"Yes. But I need to speak to you about DeCastro." I tell she immediately looks panicked.
"Could we talk about this later tonight Eric. Please?" questioning me looking scared.
"Okay. Now remember to behave tonight my dear."
"Whatever Eric. You can watch him until Pam and I get back right?"
"Of course Sookie. I'll see you this evening." I leave her room and head back out to the living room where James is waiting for me.
It takes about 20 minutes to drive to the go kart place in Monroe. If I'd been by myself I would have made it in 10, but I figure I needed to drive somewhat slower with James in the car. On the ride over we made small talk about what kind of music we like. He tells me his favorite band is metallica. Oddly enough, they also happen to be one of my favorites as well. I put on "Enter Sandman" from my ipod playlist and James and I sing along to it.
Once we get to the go kart place James immediately heads over to where the cars are. I ask him what we do now, and he motions over to a ticket booth telling me we will need to purchase tickets to ride. We head over. James tells me you have to pay for however many rides you want to take. So I hand him a 100 dollar bill and tell him to get however many he wants.
"Your not coming Eric?" he asks me somewhat dejected. Oh shit.
I walk over to the ticket counter with James and ask the old human selling tickets" Will I be able to ride?" I am over 6ft tall, and these vehicles look somewhat small."Oh yes sir. We have some cars available for taller patrons."
"Fine then we will take 2 rides each." I tell him sliding over the money. I grab our tickets and we make our way over to the track. Some teenage kid takes our tickets and directs us toward the vehicle he wishes us to inhabit. Looking this thing over, I'm wondering how in the hell I'm going to get in this thing. "You getting in?" James yells from across the lane.
Sighing I bend down and manage to scrunch myself into this thing. I look ridiculous. I can only hope than none of my area vamps are here. That would be truly mortifying. I glance over to James and see him smiling widely and laughing his ass off. "You look funny in that Eric". He says. Of course I do kid, I'm a Viking vampire. I have no place riding go karts.
The ride itself was horrid. The damn car handled like shit, and since I'm so tall my legs kept bumping into the steering wheel causing me to veer over to the side wall constantly. After the two rides where up I get out of the go kart as fast as I can. Seeing that James was having fun, I ask him if he wants to ride again and he says he does, so I purchase two more rides for him, and make my way over to the fence to wait with the rest of the parents.
While waiting for him I check my email on my blackberry. Nothing of importance. That is good. I look over to the track and see James racing a few of the other little humans on the track. I can tell he is having a great time and when he drives by I wave to him.
On his next trip around I snap a picture on my phone. Once he's done he runs over to me, and grabbing my hand, drags me to a video game area. This is more my thing. I get 100 dollars in tokens and we are off and running. We play several shooting games, Skeeball, Pac Man, and a motorcycle game that James seems to love. He keeps smiling and laughing so I can only assume he is having fun. I find I am enjoying myself as well.
After about two hours of playing, James turns to me and says "Mommy said you need to get me dinner."
Okay. We head over to the food area and I ask him what he wants. He tells me Pizza and French fries with a Juice. I order and the cashier gives me a number and tells me to wait to be called.
"Eric aren't you going to eat?" he asks me while we are waiting for his food.
I look over to him 'They don't have true blood, but I'll be fine."
He looks up at me. "I'm sorry; we could go somewhere that has it if your hungry I don't mind."
I assure him its fine. They call the number and I grab his food and we find a place to sit. While he's eating his food I answer a few text messages from some of my minions. I also ask him some questions about what his life was like it Florida. He tells me about his friends, the beach, and his school. I use this opportunity to bring up his new school here.
"Did your mom tell you about your new school?"
"Well, yeah first she took me to that run down place and said I was going there, but then today she told me I'm going to a private school in Shreveport." He says shoving another fry in his mouth.
"Yes I've arranged for you to go to Southfield. It's a school near my home. Much better than that place in Bon Temps."
I go on to tell him about the school and all the things they have. He seems excited. I also let him know I've found him a Karate school and that he will go once a week after school and then his bodyguard will drive him home.
"Bodyguard? Why do I need a bodyguard Eric?" I look at him and say "It's for your safety. Your mom has one now as well. It's really not a big deal at all." I hope I don't worry him.
We talk a little more about karate, and I once again promise him I will show him moves as well. My curiosity is killing me, so I decide to ask him about Sookie and if there where any men in her life.
"So James, did your mom have any boyfriends in Florida?" I try to look as innocent as possible and make sure im thinking in my native language, just in case.
"Boyfriends? What do you mean?" Drumming my fingers on the table I say "You know, men who came to take her out on dates, maybe kissed her?" I crook an eyebrow.
He starts laughing then. "No way, Mommy barely had any friends. It was always just us. I'm glad mommy has friends here."
There was never anyone else. Damn. For a split second I really feel like a whore, but dismiss it very quickly. She left me after all. I did not leave her.
"So Eric, why are you mean to mommy all the time, hmm?' and he smirks at me. I've never been on the receiving end of my own personality, and I must say it's a little annoying.
"It's complicated James." Oh hell, what do I tell him? Shit. Maybe I should tell him the truth. "Your mommy hurt me very much when she left. I cared for her very deeply. More than anyone else in my life. Then when I found out about you, I just got angrier." There that's the truth. In a sense.
"Did you love her?" he asks.
Fuck me. "Yes I did."
"Do you still?" he counters back at me quick as a flash.
That's the freaking million dollar question. Do I still love Sookie. I honestly don't know. If I do, I know I will never allow myself to love her again. She made me look like a fool. Frankly I really don't want to deal with a relationship again. She made my life hell. But what do I say…
"No, I don't." James looks slightly disappointed when I say this so I add. " But, I'm going to try to get along with her. I promise."
"That's good Eric, she get's so upset when you yell and are mean to her." The bond told me that much. I reach out to the bond for a moment, just to check on her, and I can feel nothing but happiness. I guess her and Pam are enjoying their night.
Once James finished eating, we play some more video games and at about 9:30 I decide to head back to Sookie's. On the ride back, James tells me he likes to swim, so I tell him all about my house and the pool in back.
I promise him he can come over one night soon to swim. He seems to be happy about that.
When we get back to Sookie's I figured she was not back from the club yet. Luckily James has a key and let's us in. Not knowing what to do with him, I ask him if he wants to watch a movie. After flipping through the channels we settle on Gremlins. I've never seen it so I watch as well instead of going into downtime.
About half way through I notice he's fallen asleep. I carry him upstairs and take his shoes off. I place him in bed and close the door to his room. I don't think I did to bad tonight. Smiling I go back downstairs to wait for Sookie to get home.
SPOV
If Eric where not already dead, I would kill him again. I can't believe he just strolled in my room and leered at me like I was a happy meal. Then he tells me to behave. He's not my father. I'm a little worried about him taking James, but I swore last night I would give him a chance to prove himself as a father. I hear them leave and finishing getting ready.
Pam shows up about 8pm. She let's me know we are going to some new club called The Cellblock. Sounds fun. NOT. As usual I never now how Pam will be dressed. Tonight she appeared at my front door dressed like some slutty school girl. I've got on a cute little black mini dress and some black heels.
Our ride to Shreveport was fun. She goes on to tell me all about Paris. I find it really funny she used Eric's credit card to buy up Dior's new fall line.
We get to the club and walk right past the bouncer at the door. Pam just winked at him. I really don't want to know.
We grab some drinks from the bar, A gin and tonic for me, and a true blood for Pam.
"See anything you like Sookie?" she asks scanning over the crowd.
"Oh come on Pam, I don't have time for a man, I have a man to raise." I tell her point blank.
"Oh Sookie, nothing wrong with dating and having some fun, I think you need to get laid" she leers at me.
"Whatever Pam." Taking a sip of my drink, I notice that a guy is staring at me. He's about 5'9, brown hair, with amazing green eyes. Yummy. I look away quickly before he notices I've been drooling over him.
Pam does not miss a beat. "What about that one over there? He's been checking you out since we walked in. He looks tasty." Turning her attention toward him she waves.
"Cut that out Pam" I chastise her.
"Why Sookie? I hope your still not pining over Eric? It's been over seven years since you where with him." She says staring at me.
Do I tell Pam I've been celibate and living like a nun the past 7 years? Taking a deep breath I did'nt need to "Pam, I've not been with anyone since Eric."
Stunned Pam retorts" Well that's even more of a reason to go over and say hello to that tasty morsel." I did not need to go over to him, he's heading this way.
"Hi there, how are you ladies tonight?" Mr. Hotty asks us.
Pam jumps right in. "Oh we are sooo much better now, aren't we Sookie." She winks at me.
"I'm Damien Chandler". He says. Still unable to speak Pam takes it upon her self to speak for me. "I'm Pam and this is Sookie. Why don't you keep Sookie here company, I have a phone call to return." With that Pam gets up, cocks an eyebrow at me and heads into the club.
Damien sits down and asks me if I'd like a drink. Not needing one, I decline. We make small talk for awhile. I find out Damien is a professor of literature at LSU. "What do you do Sookie?" he questions.
"Oh I'm a librarian. I just moved back to the area a few days with my son." I figure might as well let him know I'm a single mother right off the bat.
Damien asks me all about James. Then he tells me that LSU is hiring and that if I'd like, he'd forward my resume onto HR. I notice he is very easy to talk to. We spend the next half hour laughing and joking and for the first time in 7 years I find I'm really enjoying spending time with a man. Hell I even find him attractive.
"Would you like to dance Sookie?" he asks extending his hand. Figuring what harm is it; I accept his hand and head out to the dance floor. Damien is really a great dancer. We dance to fast and slow songs and during Jay's Z "Empire State of Mind" I even relent and start dirty dancing with him. Did I mention by this time I've also had about 6 Gin and Tonics.
Leaning over, Damien places a chaste kiss on my lips. What the hell I figure, and grab his face and kiss him back. Running his tongue over my lips, I open my mouth slightly and allow him to stick his tongue in my mouth. We are kissing like crazy, our tongues massaging each other while we grind against each other like crazy.
I notice out of the corner of my eye, That Pam is dancing with some slutty looking woman and grinning over at me like crazy.
After about 30 minutes of grinding and groping each other like teenagers, Pam comes over and says 'So sorry to interrupt you, but my Master just text wondering where we are." Oh great. Fucking Eric. That brings me crashing back to reality.
"Master Sookie?" Damien asks me. "Oh yeah, Pam's maker." He's prolly thinking I'm some kind of damn fangbanger now. But surprising enough he does not say anything.
Damien walks us out to Pam's car and says goodbye to Pam. Leaving just us standing outside he hands me his business card. "I've really enjoyed meeting you Sookie. Please email me your resume and I'll forward it on.
"Thanks Damien it was nice to meet you as well."
He pauses for a moment. "May I have your number Sookie? I'd like to take you out sometime." Hesitating, not knowing what to do, Pam once again jumps in, rolling her window down rattling off my cell number. Damien programs it into his phone and smiles at me. Leaning over he kisses me. We are kissing for about 5 minutes when Pam once again rolls down her window and says" I know your enjoying yourself, But we really need to get going."
I give Damien a quick peck on the lips once more, and hop into the car. Pam's silent till we get onto Route 15. "So glad you had fun tonight Sookie, are you going to go out with him?"
I still love Eric, but for the first time in many years have found myself attracted to another man. Why should I sit around and pine after that ass when a single, sexy, successful man is interested in me.
"You know Pam, I think I will" I smile at her. "Good for you Sookie. If I was into men, I might have snagged him away from you even." She winks. We laugh and joke all the way back to Bon Temps. I'm so glad I went out with Pam tonight. It made me realize just how much I missed being home.
We pull up in front of my house and I see Eric's corvette parked there. "You coming in Pam?"
'Oh no, I'll see Eric later. You have fun now girl." Not likely that will happen. Thanking Pam again, I get out of the car and walk up to my front door. Going in, I find Eric sitting on my couch reading one of my romance novels.
"I never realized these books where like porn for women." He leers at me. "You look quite sexy this evening. Did you ladies have fun?" he asks me.
"Oh yeah. It was great hanging out with Pam again. She a riot." Telling him as I sit down next to him. He leans over and sniffs the air.
"You smell of a human Sookie. Where we a naughty girl?" he questions. If he only knew how naughty I was. For me that is. "I danced with a few people is all. It was a dance club after all Eric."
"Surely" taking my hand Eric looks right at me. "We need to talk about DeCastro Sookie." He says. "Fine. What's his problem?" I ask.
Eric goes on to tell me how DeCastro was livid when I took off. Apparently all the vamps I hold dear where threatened with final death if they had helped me escape. He tells me DeCastro will be in town in two weeks and would like to meet with me. I have no choice in the matter, I need to be there.
"What's going to happen Eric?" I'm getting scared now. DeCastro is a slimy scum bag who's always given me the creeps. "I don't know Sookie. He will definitely want your services again." He hesitates for a moment. "He wants to take you to Vegas."
Panicking now "Eric, I'll just leave then. I'll pack up James and leave. I'm not going to be a slave to some vampire king."
He squeezes my hand slightly as if to comfort me "I will not let him take you Sookie.I promise. I will keep you safe." Softly he continues "But you need to trust me. I can put him off this visit, but I need to feel him out so I can plan how to proceed."
Trust him. I'm not sure if I can.
"Sookie I know you have issues with this, just know I did not abandon you when the fairies took you. I would have met my final death to stop your suffering." What the hell!!! He wants to get into this after all these years. It was Bill and Niall who saved me, not Eric.
He continues telling me what happened that night. Apparently DeCastro showed up at the bar as Eric was leaving to come find me. He forbid Eric to use his resources in a matter that had to do with the fairies. Eric had told him I was his wife and he would use any means at his disposal to find me. He had attempted to leave, and Decastro must have anticipated he would do that, and had his goons bind him in silver for 2 days. He then tells me because of the bond he not only felt his pain from the silver, but everything I went through as well. He looks up at me with blood tears in his eyes.
Totally stunned and also now with tears in my eyes I look at him "I never knew Eric. I….I. blamed you. Why did you not tell me sooner? If I'd known.. I….I…" not sure how to continue, I just start sobbing.
Eric takes me in his arms and is stroking my back comforting me. "You never gave me a chance Sookie. You did not want to hear what I had to say." He says softly.
What have I done? Why did I think Eric would have left me? He'd never given me any cause to doubt him. And what do I do? I ignore him, leave him, and deny him his son. I'm either the stupidest woman on earth, or a total bitch.
"I'm so sorry Eric." Knowing I need to say this I continue. 'I was wrong. I should have never left. I was confused and terrified and not thinking rationally. I should have known you would have done anything to find me. I'm just so sorry." I sob in his arms.
Eric let's me cry until no more tears come out. "You've always been hell on my shirts Sookie."
"Well I try Eric."
"You know Sookie", he tightens his hold on me." If you want to make it up to me, I can think of a few ….ways." he kisses my neck.
"Dream on, Buddy." I say pushing out of his arms and slapping him on the arm. Eric grins at me and winks. I just can't stop myself from laughing. We always did have a playful relationship, even when we where only friends.
"I missed you, you big jerk."
"And I you, my little bullet sucker."
With the serious talk behind us, Eric goes on to tell me about his and James's night out. Apparently Eric even rode a go kart. He pulls out his blackberry and shows me a picture of James driving the go kart." Can you email me that Eric?"
'Sure Sookie. It's getting late; I should be heading back to Shreveport." I glance over to the clock and see that dawn is only about 2 hours away.
"Oh wait Eric I have something for you." I rush into my room and get the photo album I'd put together of James's pictures. Handing him the album "I put together this album for you of all James's pictures from when he was a baby."
Eric opens the album and glances at the first two pages. With a smile on his face he says "Thank you Sookie. This is wonderful."
'Your welcome. I thought you might want to see what he looked like as a baby."
"Yeah Me." he grins at me.
Eric gets up from the couch and heads to the front door. He turns to me and runs his thumb across my face "I promise I'll never let the bond slip while I'm entertaining the vermin again Sookie." he leans down and kisses my forehead and, with a smirk, is out my front door in a flash.
What the hell just happened?
EPOV
After James fell asleep, I watched a little television. Growing bored with the infomercials, I peruse the bookshelf and find one of those romance novels Sookie always used to read. I start thumbing through until I get to the good stuff. "How kinky" I think to myself.
Just as im getting into how the lusty cowboy takes the fair haired ranch owner's daughter, Sookie comes barreling through the front door.
"I never realized these books where like porn for women." I greet her with. She looks quite sexy and I tell her so. I also ask her how she and Pam enjoyed their night.
She sits down on the couch and I can immediately smell liquor and human with Ralph Lauren Polo Smell. Geez. I tease her by asking if she's been naughty, when all I really want to do this throw her in the shower to get that horrid smell off her.
I take her hand and tell her we need to speak of DeCastro. I can feel her fear immediately.
I tell her DeCastro was livid when she took off. I also let her know he threatened all of us with our final death if it came out we had helped her. I let her know Decastro was going to be in town in two weeks, and that she had no choice but to be there.
"What's going to happen Eric?" she asks me
"I don't know Sookie. He will definitely want your services again." I hesitate for a moment. "He wants to take you to Vegas."
She is totally freaking out now. "Eric, I'll just leave then. I'll pack up James and leave. I'm not going to be a slave to some vampire king."
Oh Hell fucking no. I just met James two days ago. I will not lose him now. If I'm really being honest with myself, I don't want her to leave either.
I squeeze her hand slightly to comfort her "I will not let him take you Sookie.I promise. I will keep you safe. But you need to trust me. I can put him off this visit, but I need to feel him out so I can plan how to proceed."
Then before I can stop the verbal diarrhea spewing from my mouth, I tell her what happened the night I tried to go save her from the fairies. By the time I finish my tale, I realize I'm crying a little. This woman makes me such a pussy.
What happened next shocked the fuck outta me.
"I never knew Eric. I….I. blamed you. Why did you not tell me sooner? If I'd known.. I….I…"
Before I can stop my inner urges I gather her in my arms, and stroke her back to soothe her. I tell her, "You never gave me a chance Sookie. You did not want to hear what I had to say."
She starts by telling me she's sorry, and then tells me her reasons for leaving. I never realized she was so confused. I knew she had issues from the fairies, but I never thought they went so deep. She starts sobbing again and I just let her do it. Holding her in my arms the whole time.
Realizing someone needs to lighten the mood, I tease her a little and flirt with her as well. Waiting for her to slap me, she instead slaps my arm, and starts laughing. It reminds me of how we used to banter back and forth when we first met. She looks up at me smiling and says "I missed you, you big jerk."
Not even thinking I tell her I missed her as well.
I tell her a little about how the night with James and I went. She loved the picture I took of James, and asks me to email it to her. Realizing its getting near dawn I get up to leave, and before I do, she runs into her room and hands me a photo album. Its got photo's of James from a baby until just recently. I will treasure this gift always.
I turn to her and run my thumb across her face "I promise I'll never let the bond slip while I'm entertaining the vermin again Sookie." I lean down and kiss her forehead and with a smirk, I'm out the door.
On the ride home, I'm thinking about what just happened. We made real progress tonight, although it's a conversation that should have happened 7 years ago. All those dreadful human emotions I had with Sookie have seemed to come back full force. I'm a little pissed I'm so weak.
I'm pretty sure we've had that human thing Dr. Phil calls closure. I know I feel better about things. I'm going to try to treat Sookie better. Letting her feel when I was fucking those women was wrong of me. And I'm not going to do it anymore. I'll make sure the bond is blocked from now on.
I remember when James told me she'd never been with anyone else. I'm pretty positive she still has feelings for me. And I know I have feelings for her as well. To Hell with it! At this very moment I've now decided I will win her back. She will be mine again. Oh yes. I need to tread lightly though, Sookie spooks easily. We will become friends again first, and then "Operation Woo Sookie" will commence.
A/N: Tadah! Emotional Eric is back. At least for a little while. It's only Chapter 6 and there is a lot more drama to commence. Fair warning cold Eric will be back. He's confused right now. LOL. But it will all work out in the end. I swear!!! I'm writing chapter 7 right now as well.