A/N: Sorry this update took me so long. I just went back to work after a year off. I'm also trying to go to school as well. So real life got in the way big time. But here it is. From here on out, I'm unfortunately only going to guarantee one update a week. There might be more, but I'm not going to promise anything. I'll start on Chapter 9 tonight, so maybe I can get it posted sooner. Thanks for reading!
Had this done last night, but was acting up and would not let me post it. Chapter 9 is halfway done as well.
SPOV
Eric leads me out the car after we both say goodbye to James. He helps me into the car and gets in his side. When we pull out the driveway I can see James watching us from the window.
The ride back to Shreveport is somewhat quiet. Eric asks me how work is going and if I like the job. Other than that, he is oddly silent. I'm not sure if I should ask him what's the matter, or keep my mouth shut. I decided to keep my mouth shut.
We pull up in front of the same restaurant that Eric took me too to meet Niall. Eric escorts me inside and gives his name to the hostess. I'm not fast enough with blocking and manage to hear some of her thoughts; Damn he's fine. What the hell is he doing with her. I could give him what he needs. Maybe I should slip him my number. As if Eric can sense my discomfort, he takes my hand and gives it a squeeze as we are walking over to the table.
Once we are seated with our menu's, I notice he's still quiet. The waitress comes to take our drink orders. I get a glass of merlot, and Eric orders some type of specialty blood. The waitress is back with them very quickly and takes my food order. I decided on the Ahi Tuna dish.
Finally he speaks. 'Sookie we need to talk about tonight." How did I guess this is what he wanted to talk about.
"Okay." I respond taking a sip of my wine.
He takes an unnecessary breath." We need to appear as a united front tonight Sookie." he starts. I go to interrupt him, but he holds up his hand for me to stop and let him finish.
"Sookie, according to vampire tradition, you and I are wed. When you left 7 years ago, you put me in a very precarious position. Pam, Bill and myself where threatened with final death if it came to light that any of us had helped you to leave." Eric takes a sip of his blood.
"Eric I had no idea, I never meant to put any of you in danger…I just..." I stammer.
"You did not think of the big picture Sookie. Only your small part of it. Granted I can understand why you thought you needed to leave, but think of this from DeCastro's perspective. You are only human and considered his asset. He tasked me with your protection, not only I am his sheriff but to him, your husband. From a vampire's perspective, I am unable to control my human".
"I am not anyone's possession Eric." I fume.
"I'm not saying you are Sookie. But, if we all hope to get out of this alive, and without him taking you to Nevada, you need to do what I say tonight." He stares at me.
"What do you want me to do Eric?" I question him.
"You need to only speak when directly spoken to. I must appear in control. No matter what he says sookie, you must be quiet. He will be testing us tonight."he takes another sip of his blood.
I hate vampire politics. I never considered how my leaving made my friends look. As much as I hate being thought of as a possession and the little subservient human, I realize I need to follow Eric's lead on this.
"Okay Eric, but I won't like it." I tell him.
Laughing Eric says" I did not expect you to."
My meal comes and we talk a little more about mundane things. Eric told James's he could trick or treat in his neighborhood and I let him know that's fine.
'There is on other thing Sookie, and I know you will not like this." he says looking directly at me. "Being that you are my wife according to vampire custom, Decastro will find it odd that my scent is not on you."
Oh Hell. What is he talking about now? "I'm going to need to feed from you Sookie. I will heal you after, I promise but Decastro needs to think we have a normal relationship. I will also need to hold you for a little while, so my scent will be on you."
"What do you mean a normal relationship Eric?" I ask getting madder by the minute.
"Again Sookie, according to vampire custom you are my wife. DeCastro needs to assume that we are intimate and that you allow me to feed from you."
"Well this is just MACHO VAMPIRE BULLSHIT!!!" I yell and get up to leave. Eric grabs my arm and forces me back into the chair "Be quiet Sookie, now." he says angrily.
"You have only one choice Sookie, listen to me and we can avoid DeCastro taking you to Nevada tonight so I can figure out what to do in the long run. Or, you can act like you are right now and he will not only take you tonight but he will also KILL ME. If your okay with leaving James with no parent's by all means continue." He glares at me.
Deep down I know Eric is right. He has not been alive as long as he has by being careless or stupid. I have always hated vamp politics, but Eric does know how to play the game extremely well. In the past, he's always protected me.
"I know Eric, I'll do what we need to. I just hate all this." I sulk.
"I figured that by your little outburst sookie." he replies curtly.
To say the rest of dinner was uncomfortable was understatement. We did not speak two words to each other. I ate while Eric did whatever on his blackberry. When the waitress came with the check, Eric did not even look at the bill, but shoved his American Express Black Card at her. When she came back with receipt, he signed it quickly and got up and left the restaurant, not even waiting for me.
'So much for us being friends" I thought as I got up to leave the restaurant on my own.
The ride over to Fangstasia was uncomfortable. Eric got right on his phone and was chatting with someone in Swedish barking orders. I could only assume its Pam. I could feel the tears escaping my eyes as much as I tried to hold them back.
Eric looks over to me and startles me by taking my hand. "Look, I'm sorry I yelled before Sookie. I know you hate all this. I'm trying my best to keep you and James safe from this fucker. You need to work with me here…..please." Did Eric Northman just use the word please?" Please stop crying Sookie; I hate it when you cry." He looks at me uncomfortably. Eric then leans over and dries my tears with his thumb and smiles at me.
"Okay Eric. I'm sorry as well. I'll do what you ask. I know you are only trying to keep all of us safe." I squeeze his hand slightly.
When we arrive at Fangtasia, Eric comes around to my side of the car and offers me his hand. I take it and we walk into the employee entrance hand in hand. We go into Eric's office and he leads us over toward the couch. When we sit down he still does not let go of my hand.
"You need to let me feed now Sookie. DeCastro is due in a very short time." He tells me.
"Fine, but make it quick, and no funny business mister."
'Of course not Sookie, I'll be a perfect gentleman" he leers at me. Yeah right.
Eric leans over and moves my hair to the other side of my neck. I see his lips moving toward my neck and can feel him placing soft kisses on my pulse point." Try not to tense up Sookie." he murmurs.
Kissing my neck once more, then I feel a lick. Immediately after I feel the sharp sting of his fangs. It hurts for a moment, but then I feel myself getting turned on. Eric tightens his arms around my waist, while he is still feeding. I feel him take his fangs out and lick my neck to seal the wound. He looks up at me, and we stare into each other's eyes. I see what looks like love coming from him. He leans in and softly brushes his lips against mine. Pausing for a moment, as if to wait for permission, he moves his lips against mine and I can feel his tongue sliding against my lower lip, trying to gain entrance. I moan and open my mouth slightly to allow his tongue in my mouth.
"Oh Eric." I moan. God can this Viking kiss. His tongue touches mine and I feel like I've died and gone to some kind of heaven. Eric leans me back against the couch, his lips never leaving mine. As he deepens the kiss, our tongues battling back and forth with one another I feel his hands sliding up my thighs under my dress.
Just at that moment the door flies open. "Oh Dear, I'm not interrupting anything am I?" she purrs. "Get out Pamela." Eric growls to her and turns to kiss me again.
"Up, Up off me Eric." I say pushing him up. Eric allows me to push him off and I readjust my skirt quickly.
"I thought you two kids would like to know DeCastro is here, he's waiting in your booth Master." Pam turns and leaves the office.
"Shall we Sookie?" Eric asks offering me his hand. I take it and we make our way out to Eric's booth. Eric motions for me to sit on the inside and he slides in next to me never letting go of my hand.
"Ms. Stackhouse… or should I say Mrs. Northman, lovely to see you again." Decastro says. "Thank you your majesty" I nod toward him.
"Northman, I'm sure your thrilled your wife was located." He tells Eric.
"Yes your majesty, I'm very happy to have my wife home where she belongs." He replies.
"I understand you adopted her bastard." Oh no he did not just say that. I can feel Eric's anger through the bond, and I squeeze his hand as if to calm him down.
"Your majesty, he is my wife's child so by extension my child." Eric tells him.
"And the boy has no abilities?" he asks Eric. "No your majesty, he is a normal human child." Eric just lied to the King. No one but Me, Eric, Bill and Pam have any ideas of what James can do.
"Northman, I do not feel you can control this woman. She ran off on you. I shall like to take her to Vegas." Of course. Prick.
"Your majesty, if I may, the ordeal with the fairies caused Sookie to become emotionally unbalanced. She thought rashly and regrets her choices. I can assure you, she is an obedient wife now, and we will have no further problems. Of course, if you are in need of her services, you need only let me know, and we will arrange something." He bows his head toward the King.
"Has she been punished for leaving Northman?" he asks Eric with a look.
"Of course your majesty, I have punished her. She is currently under guard when I am unavailable. She now heels nicely."
It's taking everything thing in me not to go off on both of them. Punished, Heel nicely. Sometimes I really hate vampires.
"Do you feel you deserved to be punished Miss Stackhouse?" the king asks me.
I can feel Eric squeezing my hand as if to give me courage to behave. Or just to warn me to keep my mouth shut. Better put on my subservient hat.' Yes your majesty, I was wrong to leave, I deserve whatever punishment my husband deems to give me." Oh man, I feel like I'm going to puke.
I can feel relief and comfort flooding the blood bond. "Very Well Northman, I will leave her with you on a trial basis. If I see you are unable to handle her, other arrangements will be made."
For the next two hours Eric and DeCastro sit there discussing Area business and policy. I sit beside Eric playing the dutiful little wife, when all I want to do is haul off and slap that slimy bastard DeCastro. Finally the King leaves. I let out a breath I did not know I was holding.
Eric leans over and kisses my cheek. "You where amazing Sookie. He did his best to get to you, and you ignored him. I know how much you hated that." He smiles at me.
"I did hate it Eric. Do you think we'll be okay?" I ask him.
"For now Sookie. Our little performance here, has bought us some time so I can figure out what to do." Eric pricks his finger with his fang, and wipes some blood on my neck to heal my wounds.
"He will be watching though. So no more dismissing your guards, okay?" He quirks an eyebrow at me.
"Whatever do you mean?" I ask him shyly.
"Sookie, I've heard of two occasions that you've dismissed them since you are staying home. They where wrong to listen to you they work for me, but also it's not safe for you to be without guards, especially with DeCastro lurking around." he says
"Promise me to have the guards with you always. We don't know what DeCastro may try." He looks me in the eye.
I wonder what else he knows. I'm so confused. I like Damien, but yet the minute Eric kissed me I totally forgot about him. If Pam had not walked in on us, I would have definitely had sex with Eric. Part of me wants to throw Eric down and screw him senseless, the other wants to slap him for taking advantage of the situation.
'Eric about what happened in your office…" I start. "It can't happen again." There firm and to the point.
"Why Sookie. I can feel through our bond that you still want me. I still want you too. Why should we deny ourselves?" he moves his hand to my knee.
"We have more to think about than our sexual urges Eric. We have James to think about. I can't just take up with you in a sexual relationship only to have our son heartbroken when it ends and us barely able to speak to each other. We need things to remain platonic for his sake."
"It would not be like that Sookie. We could be a family. I still care for you." he says with sadness in his voice.
I'm just getting mad now. It's been such a long night." Eric you would not know how to be family with anyone. What am I suppose to do? Sit home and be your little wife and mother to your son, while you're off doing your vampire politics and fucking everything in a skirt. I hear nothing in this bar but women fantasizing being with you, or women that have. You're incapable of having a mature relationship with anyone. Lord only knows how many woman you slept with when we where together!!!" I yell at him slamming my hand down on the table.
"You know nothing woman." He snarls at me. "Not that it is any business or concern of yours but I was faithful to you from our bonding in Rhodes both by blood and sex, until about 3 months after you LEFT ME!!"
"You're lying." I tell him. "Am I? Check the bond Sookie. Do you feel any deception from me at all? NO! I assume all your feeling right now is immense anger and disgust." He spits.
I reach out to the bond and all I can feel is a shitload of anger, hurt, and sadness. Oh god! What have I done? He was telling me the truth. Part of the reason I left was because I never felt like I was enough for Eric. I always thought in the back of my mind he was screwing fangbanger's left and right while we where together.
'Eric...I..."he interrupts me" NO! I have no desire to listen to your pathetic reasoning anymore Sookie. I will be civil to you for our son's sake, but I have no desire to have anything to do with you personally from now on." He glares at me.
"PAMELA!" he yells.
"Yes Master?" she answers in a flash.
"Get her out of my sight." He gets's up and stomps back to his office.
I just start bawling. Pam helps me up from the booth and takes me out to her car. I can't stop crying. How did my life get so screwed up? Eric really did care about me. I suppose I always knew that, but my endless doubt in myself and of him doomed us. He was there for me every night after the fairy war. He'd hold me and just let me sob. But I let my confusion and doubt win over and I left him. And here he was trying. And I just shit on him again.
Pam holds my hand while she drives." Pam, he really was faithful to me … wasn't he? I ask her.
"Yes Sookie. He was. He was never the same after the time he stayed with you when he lost his memory." she continues. "I know when you first came back I warned you about him. But I was wrong. That tiny human of yours has brought my master back from the dark place he inhabited for years."
"But what about what he did to you Pam?" I ask her.
"Yes it was wrong. But Sookie, we are vampires. Our right and wrong are much different then your's. I have forgiven him. Even though I will never forget." She says.
Continuing, "Do you know the other night he was showing me pictures of the little human on his blackberry, just like one of those human father's."
"Oh Pam, what do I do. He must hate me now." I sniffle.
"Sookie, He is angry and his pride has been hurt. I heard what the big lug told you. I'm sure once he told you he wanted to be a family and that he cared for you, he expected you to just fall into his arms. Men. They have no sense at all." she chuckles.
"Pam, I've been out on a few dates with that guy from the club Damien." I tell her.
"Have you gotten laid yet Sookie?" she asks me with a cocked eyebrow.
'PAM!" I yell but immediately start laughing. "And no Pam, I have not."
"Pity, he is quite good looking Sookie. Perhaps you should have a little fun of your own." She tells me.
"Pam, I'm not someone who sleeps around. I've slept with a total of 3 guys in my whole life."
"And that is part of the problem Sookie. You are just as inexperienced with relationships as Eric is." She snarks.
"So what do you suggest Pam?" I ask.
"All I'm saying is don't sit home pining over Eric. He's no angel. Go out and have fun. Date this Damien if you wish. After all, the tiger definitely lit a fire under my master." She laughs. "Don't waste your life waiting around for Eric to get his head out of his ass, If it happens and you still want him, go for it, if when he get's his head out of his ass, you have moved on. Leave it at that. "
"Or he could just be done with me." I state.
"There is that possibility as well Sookie." she says
The next month I never heard from or spoke to Eric. He called every night to speak to James, but he called on his cellphone. James spent every Monday and Wednesday night at Eric's house. At least once a week Eric would also come up to Bon Temps to do something with him for a few hours, but he would beep his horn when he got in the driveway. I could tell they where getting much closer. James knew there was something going on between Eric and I, and barely spoke about Eric around me.
Pam and I hung out at least once a week. She would come up to the house, or we would go out shopping or to a club. Anytime I asked her about Eric, she would say that he still had his head up his ass.
For about a week after Eric and I's fight, I stayed away from Damien. He would stop by the library to say hello, but I was just too emotionally drained to go out with him at all. I think a small part of me was also waiting to see if Eric would call, he didn't. I finally relented, and for the past few weeks, we had been going out on at least two dates a week. Always on the nights James was at Eric's. We had not been intimate yet, but I could tell it was heading in that direction. After all these years, I could tell I was finally getting over Eric somewhat.
Three days before Halloween, It was a nice quiet Sunday at home. It was going to be dark in about an hour, and James had been out playing with Michael most of the day. I caught up on my laundry. I was starting to wonder where James was when Michael comes barreling through my front door.
"Miss Sookie, come quick James fell out of a tree." He yells crying a little.
Panicked I run out the front door with Michael and follow him into the cemetery behind my home. "Over here" he motions.
I run over to James and he's crumpled over on the ground holding his arm, screaming in agony.
"Mommy, it hurts." He sobs.
I grab him up and run back toward my house. I place him in the backseat of my Jeep, and run back into the house to get my keys. "Michael head home please." I tell the boy. And jump in my car speeding to Clarice Hospital.
Once I arrive at the hospital 15 minutes later, I gather James out of the back. He still has not stopped crying the whole ride. "My son broke his arm I think." I tell the nurse behind the desk. 'Fill these out and bring them back." She tells me.
I grab the forms and lay James down on a couch in the waiting room. I fill out everything until I come to the part about insurance. I had insurance in Florida, but when I left to move back to Louisiana, they terminated my benefits immediately. I check self pay, cringing at how much it will probably be, and return the forms to the nurse. I go back and wait with James.
"Mom, it hurts, make it stop. please." He cries. If there was something I could do take my boy's pain, I would. I hate seeing him suffer. I hold him and stroke his hair trying to comfort him. We'd been waiting about an hour and a half and still had not been called back yet. Just then my son's cell phone rings. James reaches into his pocket and grabs it. I know immediately it's got to be Eric. It's around the time he calls.
"Hello." He says sniffling.
"I fell out of a tree and hurt my arm Dad." he tells Eric. Since when did he start calling him dad?
James turns to look up at me." Momma, what hospital are we at?" he asks me.
Oh Christ. Eric plans on coming to the hospital. I really don't want to see him." Tell you father I've got it covered okay James."
"Mom says she has it covered." he pauses listening to what Eric says. "Yes dad, I want you to come." He tells Eric. Oh Fuck.
James hands the phone to me." Dad wants to talk to you Mom."
"What hospital are you at Sookie?" he barks.
"Clarice Hospital Eric." I tell him.
"Fine I will be there shortly. And next time something happens to James, I expect you to call me immediately." And the hangs up. He's right; I should have called him immediately. James is his son as well. Just because I'm gutless and don't want to face him, I should not make James suffer.
"What's going on with you and dad?" my son asks me.
"Oh, it's just grownup stuff." I tell him.
"Funny, any time I ask him, he tells me it's nothing, but he thinks that he's hurt." James informs me.
Less than 20 minutes later, Eric comes barreling through the emergency room doors. I see him go up to the admitting nurse and hand a card. She seems to make a copy of it and hands it back to Eric. He then makes his way over to us. Immediately he lifts James up and sits down and puts him in his lap.
"How are you my boy?" he asks him
"It hurts dad." He answers.
"Don't worry son, they will call you shortly," and gives him a wink.
"How did you get here so fast Dad?"
"Flew." He smirks
"Cool" James giggles to him.
Eric reaches into his pocket and hands me a card. "This is his insurance card Sookie. I placed him on my policy at Fangtasia." I take the card from Eric. 'Thanks Eric." I reply to him.
5 minutes later the nurse calls "James Northman" and Eric rises still holding James, and follows the nurse. I follow them back. The nurse informs us that they need to x-ray his arm, so Eric puts James down so he can go with the nurse to get it done.
Eric and I are just sitting in the exam room not talking. You could cut the tension with a knife." When we leave this hospital, we will take him to your home, and I will give him my blood to heal him." he says.
"No Eric. I don't want him to drink blood. He's just a child." I tell him.
"You'd rather have him suffer?" Eric counters.
"They will cast his arm and give him some painkillers. Most kids get broken arms, it's not a big deal Eric."
"He is in pain. I can take that pain away in a matter of seconds, but yet you refuse to let me. It is illogical." he snarls at me.
Luckily the nurse brings James back in right after that. James keeps looking back and forth between Eric and I. I'm blocking my thoughts right now; I hope Eric is doing the same. James just shakes his head.
"James I do hope your not trying to read us hmmm?" Eric asks him with an eyebrow cocked.
James says nothing. Just as I thought. He was.
"Remember the conversation we had about that James?" Eric states.
"Yes dad. I'm sorry. I just want to know what's going on with you two is all. We never do anything together anymore." He says with tears in his eyes. 'I thought you where going to try and get along with mommy for me."
I can feel conflicted emotions from the bond. Eric runs his hands through his hair and sighs.
"So how have you been Sookie? Is work okay?" he asks me.
I'm stunned. The Mighty Eric Northman brought down by a 6 year old.
"It's good Eric. How are things at the bar?" I ask him.
We make small talk for a few minutes. It's forced on both our parts, but civil. James is grinning like an idiot the whole time. Finally the doctor comes in and does indeed confirm that James broke his arm and wants to cast it. Eric holds James hand while they put the cast on. So after two hours, we leave with our casted son and a prescription for pain killers.
Eric sits in the back with James on the way back. James has is head on Eric's leg, and Eric is stroking his hair. Witnessing this I see just how close they've become and smile. Regardless of the issues Eric and I have, I can see he loves his son very much.
When we get back to the house, James is already asleep from the painkiller they gave him in the hospital. Without even asking, Eric carries him upstairs and puts him to bed. A few minutes later Eric comes back downstairs and sits next to me on the couch.
"Why didn't you call me Sookie?" he asks me.
Figuring its best not to lie to him" I just did not want to see you Eric. After what happened at the bar." I look over to him.
"I know, we both said some things we regret Sookie. Hesitating a moment, "I'm sorry I got so angry with you." And he takes my hand.
"And I'm sorry I said what I did as well Eric." I say sighing.
"What are we going to do about this Sookie?" he asks.
"I honestly don't know Eric. I think for now, we need to think of James. He needs both of us in his life. He needs us not to fight like we do." I tell him.
"Yes. I agree. We need to put aside our personal differences and really try to get along for his sake." He pauses a moment and looks to me," And I did not mean it, when I said I wanted nothing to do with you personally." And smiles at me.
"So how about it Viking? Friends?"
"Friends Sookie." and he shakes my hand. Immediately we both start laughing.
We spend the next hour catching up. Eric tells me all about what has been going with the bar, but also that there has been a fellowship threat as well.
"Any idea what they are planning Eric?" I ask.
"No, and I was wondering if possibly you could come listen at the bar. We our having our annual Halloween Party, and it seems logical they might try something then." He says.
'Eric it's Halloween, I need to take James trick or treating." I tell him.
"Yes and I have a solution to that. I was thinking, you both could come down and we could take him trick or treating in my neighborhood. Then Nigel could stay with him, and we could go to the party. Of course you could also stay the night at my home. I have a guest room for you."
"I suppose that could work Eric. I know he would enjoy both of us taking him." I say smiling at him.
"Yes he would. But I am not wearing a costume like he wants me to. That's where I draw the line." He states.
I just can't stop laughing. My son trying to get his Viking Vampire father to dress up in a costume. That would be a sight." I'm sure he will be happy you are there."
"So Eric, when did he start calling you Dad?" I ask.
"About a week ago. He asked me if it was okay." He tells me.
"And how did that make you feel Eric, the first time he called you Dad?"
"I have to say, it was the greatest moment of my existence." He says smiling at me.
Eric and I spent about another half hour talking and then he needed to get going. He bid me goodbye with a hug. I hugged him back.
The next three days before Halloween, Eric came up one more time to see James, we all sat around and watched tv, and Eric and James played chess. I noticed sometimes they would speak in Swedish.
"James what are you saying?" I ask him.
"Oh, yeah mom. Dad's been teaching me Swedish. Cool huh?" he smiles.
Eric just grins over to me. True to his word, we have been making an effort to get along. He calls the home phone now, and we speak for a few minutes before he talks to James.
The day of Halloween I decided to just bring everything with me so I would not need to drive back to Bon Temps. We had arranged with Nigel for him to drop James off at Eric's house and I would just meet him there. I also stuck to my word and allowed my guard ( His name is Tommy) to follow me. I need some semblance of independence and would not feel comfortable having him drive me around.
When I pull up to Eric's house James opens the front door dressed as a little Viking. Eric had told me, they took care of his costume last week. Looking at James I could just imagine what Eric was like at that age.
"Hi Mommy!" he shouts.
"Hi honey, how was your day?" I ask.
James tells me about his day at school. They had a party in his class, and the teacher gave out candy.
"Come on mom, let me show you the guest room." He takes my hand and leads me upstairs. James leads me to the room two doors away from his. When I open the door, I see a room decorated in soft pastels with a huge bed, a tv mounted on the wall, and a light wood dresser. James shows me the bathroom as well it's got a shower, but no tub.
I quickly change into jeans, and head down to James. He's sitting at the kitchen table working on his homework. Luckily he broke his left arm, and he's a righty so he can still do things fairly well.
James said there was food in house, so I decided to check and make him something for dinner. I find a fully stocked fridge with pre-made catered meals. I ask James what he wants and he tells me lasagna. I can't believe Eric would go out and do this and I'm touched. He really would do anything for our son.
I set down James's meal and the pre-made chicken Caesar I decided to have. About half way through eating James get's up and takes a blood from the fridge and pops it in the microwave. He takes it out when it's finished, shakes it a bit and places it on the table.
"Dad will be up any minute." He says.
I smile at this. I can see they have a routine that they follow. Not even 5 minutes later, Eric enters the kitchen. He's dressed in black leather pants and a black button up shirt with the first two buttons undone. Fangtasia wear.
"Happy Halloween." Eric tells us.
He goes over to James and musses his hair a bit. Grabbing his blood, he sits down at the table next to him. Eric asks him how his day at school went.
"So what are you supposed to be Dad?" he asks Eric.
"What do you mean?" Eric replies to him.
"Well the leather pants Dad, they make you look silly." James giggles.
"Silly no, this is what people expect me to wear in my bar." Eric beams and winks at me.
"Well then Dad, the people who go to your bar must be silly." James states matter of fact.
Eric starts laughing very loudly." They are indeed son."
Eric sits down with us, and we have dinner like a normal family. Well other than the fact that we are eating and Eric is drinking blood. I can just imagine us doing this every night. I sense Eric staring at me and look over to him. I can feel nothing but content and love coming from our bond. Eric quirks his eyebrow at me. Somehow, I think he is thinking the same thing I am.
I clear up the dishes from dinner, and head into the living room to find my son wielding a plastic sword and laughing loudly. Eric is showing him how to hold it. I grab my camera out of my bag.
"You two sit on the couch; I want to get a picture of you both". I tell them.
Eric and James sit on the couch and Eric places his arm around James. They are both grinning like idiots. James will look just like Eric when he get's older. I know I'm in for some tough times. I chuckle to myself.
I take a few pictures of them, and one of James on his own. I'm about to put the camera away when James comes up to me" Mommy, sit next to dad, I want a picture of you both." he says
I sit down next to Eric and he puts his arms around me. I can feel myself getting aroused just being next to him. He chuckles at me and kisses my forehead. Bastard vampires and their sense of smell. James takes the picture.
"Come on, let's go!" he exclaims.
We all walk outside and start down the street. This is a very nice neighborhood, and now that it's dark out I can see all the decorations for Halloween. James bounds off in the direction of some other kids and we hang back, like the other parents.
"So the point to this is knocking on door's to get free candy?" Eric asks me.
I laugh. "It's more than that Eric. It gives the kids a chance to dress up, and get free candy."
I see James ahead of us with a group of kids and as we are walking along Eric puts his arm around me. In a moment of weakness, I lean my head against him.
"Are you well Sookie?" he asks
"I'm good Eric. Work keeps me busy, and I've been hanging around with Pam a lot." I tell him.
"How are you Eric?"
"I'm well. Business is good. This fellowship thing has me concerned, but I'm confident we can put a stop to it fairly soon."
We continue to engage in small talk while walking around. James comes back to us a few times to tell us about all the candy he's getting and how everyone is dressed. He walks in the middle of us and grabs both our hands. Just then an adorable little girl dressed like a princess runs over to us.
"Hi James." She says with a huge smile on her face. Looks like a little girl is already crushing on my boy.
"Hi Ashley." He replies.
"Is this your mom and dad?" she asks him
"Yep." He grins at both Eric and I.
Just then a woman with red hair comes running over out of breath. "Oh, there are. You should not have run off like that."
"Sorry mom, this is my friend from school James." She tell her mom
The woman looks down at James. "Hello. You where right Ash, he is cute." I can tell the poor little girl is embarrassed she's turning six shades of red.
The woman looks over to Eric and gasps. "Oh my god, your Mr. January!!!!" she exclaims and throws her arms around Eric.
"Get your hands off my dad lady!!!" James yells at her. "Can't you see he's with my mommy, your rude." He states.
Oh Hell. I can see this could get ugly really quick. "Why did she call you Mr. January Dad?" James asks Eric.
Eric looks over to the woman. "You have me mistaken for someone else. You have upset my son, and insulted my wife, please leave us." He says in a steely tone.
The woman starts stammering her apologies and leaves.
We hit a few more houses and I notice it's getting late, so we head back to the house. Eric had to carry James the few blocks and by the time we get back, he's sound asleep. Eric carries him up to the room so I can get ready.
I come down and Eric is waiting for me in the living room. "You look nice." He says and places a hand on my back to guide me out to the car.
"Did you glamour that woman before?" I ask him
"Yes. I will not having foolish fang bangers embarrassing my son or you." He says
"Well thanks. James got real upset. I bet he saw her thoughts."
"He did. He awoke when I placed him in bed. She was thinking about the pose I had in the calendar, and what it would be like to have sex with me. It upset him a great deal." Eric says sounding a little unnerved.
"You could not help that Eric." I reassure him and place my hand on his leg.
"Maybe not, but I'm seriously thinking of selling my interest in Fangstasia to Pam. I tire of it. And it is not like I need the money. I have been thinking of opening a more upscale club." He says
Wow. Eric is thinking about giving up Fangstasia.
"Why do that Eric? I thought you loved all your adoring fans." I say trying to make a joke.
"I no longer want it Sookie. Besides, I am a father now; I can no longer parade around as a vampire sex symbol. It is wrong."
Well yes, it is wrong. But I never expected that to come out of Eric's mouth. I can see in just the few short months we have been back, the changes in Eric.
The rest of the ride is quiet. I close my eyes for a moment to only a moment later feel soft kisses on my cheek.
"Sookie, wake up, we are here." Eric says.
'Oh I'm sorry, I must have dozed off." I say wiping the sleep out of my eyes.
Eric comes around to the passenger side door and opens it for me. He leads me into the club. As usual, Pam and Eric have really outdone themselves for Halloween. The decorations are quite nice and I tell him so.
We make our way over to Eric's booth and a waitress appears with a blood for Eric and a Gin and Tonic for me. We sit there in a comfortable silence. I open up my shields to take everything in. I hear a lot of the same crap, Sex, Sex, and more sex. But then I hear something that throws me "The master is here with her again. He has not been indulging in the customers lately; I know this woman has something to do with it. He seems so happy when she is around."
What the hell. Eric has not been fucking fangbangers. He also wants to give up Fangtasia? My heart skips a beat. Could I do this? Could I really and truly be with Eric after all these years? We'd have to take things slow, but I think I just might want to try. But then again, maybe he is just trying to be a responsible father. This may have nothing to do with me. Why can't I make up my mind about him?
'Sookie, earth to Sookie." I hear
"Huh?" I say confused.
"Your thoughts are so confused right now, what is on your mind?" Eric asks.
"Oh nothing, I just got overwhelmed for a minute." I cover up.
"Sure." Eric says smugly.
"Hey Eric?"
"Hmmm?"He quirks an eyebrow at me.
"I was thinking about something, I would like to talk to you about it later….if you want." I tell him
"I would like that Sookie. Would you care to dance with me?" he asks holding out his hand. I take his hand and he leads me out to the dance floor. He takes me in his arms and we start dancing. Eric is an amazing dancer, and we always had such fun when we danced together. This time is no exception. We dance to fast songs, slow songs; I even end up doing a little dirty dancing with him, which is quite a feat considering our height difference. I can't remember the last time I had such fun. We are both laughing and carrying on.
The music slows down again, And Eric grabs me close. He looks down into my eyes and smiles. I smile back at him. I can feel the love and happiness from both of us bouncing back and forth between the bond. He leans down, and I know he's going to kiss me. I lean up to meet his lips, and we kiss softly. Our lips moving against each other in a reverent dance. He does not try to deepen the kiss but does not break the kiss. Eric finally breaks the kiss, and looks down to me smiles, and pulls me closer.
When the song ends, Eric pulls away but takes hold on my hand. We are just standing in the middle of the dance floor staring at each other. When I see some fangbanger slide up next to him and drape herself over him.
"Hi baby, I was hoping you'd be here tonight." She purrs.
I'm slightly annoyed at her interrupting us, so my shields drop. I see images of her and Eric having sex running through her mind. Thoughts of depraved things he'd done to her, she was thinking about an orgy they'd went to and how she and Eric had sex with many different people that night. She thought she was special since Eric went somewhere with her.
"Leave Yvetta." He barks still staring at me.
She glares at me and smacks my hand out of Eric's. "Get off my man bitch." She screams.
Oh forget this. I lean over and smack the whore. She rushes me and pulls my hair. I push her and punch her right in the nose. Her nose starts gushing blood.
She's crying." Are you just going to let your whore do that to me Eric baby?" she cries.
"You are the whore. You touch her again, and I will drain you." He hisses. At that moment Pam sweeps up and takes the fangbanger out of there.
Eric is checking me for injuries." Are you okay darling? I am sorry about that, she was out of line." He says with concern.
"FUCK YOU NORTHMAN !" I scream. I storm back to the table and grab my purse heading toward the employee exit. I can't believe I was going to consider giving Eric and I shot. What would my life be like? Playing second fiddle to his gaggle of fangbanging whores. Hell no. Just as I step outside I feel Eric's cold hand grab my arm.
"Let me go." I fume.
"No Sookie. You need to listen to me. I'm sorry about what happened. I will not lie. Yes I did have sex with her. But it is over now." He grabs both my arms. "You see why I need to give this bar up right? I'm doing it for us Sookie."
"There is no us Eric. How many times do I need to say that? I was going to try and be friends with you for our son. But I see that we can't even do that." I sob.
"You might have the best intentions Eric, but you will never change." I stare at him.
"I will admit Sookie; I have slept with many women. But while we where together, I never cheated on you. If we where to be together again, I would be faithful to you. I never wanted things between us to end." He says his eyes rimmed with red.
"No Eric. I'm done. Even if you give up this bar, things won't change. I will not interfere with you seeing James, he loves you. But I want nothing to do with you anymore. I'll do what I need to keep up appearances. But that's it Eric. Leave me alone!!!" I scream and push him away. I run around the block and hop in a cab.
EPOV
I can't believe my night. Here I was, dancing with Sookie and kissing her and that stupid whore had to interrupt us and start her bullshit. Naturally I knew Sookie would be upset, so I followed her to try and calm her down. That's it. Once I get her calm, fuck it all, I'm going to tell her I love her. To hell with the consequences.
But she would not calm down. I tell her I'll get rid of Fangstasia for us. She yelled to me that there is no us, and she wants nothing to do with me anymore. I even tell her I want her and never wanted things to end. Fuck I even cried. She still left me.
I storm back into my office and Pam follows moments later." What shall I do with Yvetta?" she asks.
"Make her disappear, I do not care how." I reply dryly.
She turns around to leave but I stop her. "What do I do about Sookie Pam?" I ask her.
"Meaning Master?"
"I love her Pam. I no longer care if that makes me weak. I want her in my life." I tell her. My eyes rimmed with blood again.
"Does she know this Master?" Pam sits down and takes my hand.
'I tried telling her Pam, things where going well, I even think she was going to talk to me about seeing each other again. That stupid bloodbag came up and ruined everything!!!" I yell.
"I saw that." She says dryly.
"She wants nothing to do with me anymore Pam. She's dismissed me from her life."
"Give her a few days Master. If you really want her, you must show her. No more arguing. I know she's stubborn and childish. Hell tonight is a perfect example. You where not with Sookie when you fucked that bloodbag. But still, you must show her you are worthy." She pauses for a moment." And you must abstain from fucking the fangbangers. You know Sookie values fidelity, you must begin now, even if you are not with her yet. You must woo her." She says.
"I have already begun that Pam." I say.
"Oh really how long?" she snarks.
"Two weeks so far Pamela."
"Oh my, no wonder you are in such a state my master" she laughs. I hiss at her.
"Well I'm off to entertain Yvetta." And with that she stalks out of my office.
I decide to work on some invoices for a bit. I'm no longer in the mood to deal with the vermin. My cell phone rings. It's Nigel, James's guard.
"Northman" I answer.
"Sir, Miss Stackhouse showed up at your home ten minutes ago. She woke the boy and took him in her car." He says.
"Where are they going?" I ask.
"Back to Bon temps sir."
"Good, keep watch on them." And I hang up the phone.
I was hoping Sookie would stay at my home tonight. But I knew after this fight, she would take off. I never expected her to wake James though. I don't know why she just did not let him sleep. As if on cue I have a text come in from James.
James: Momma is crying and driving us home? Why?
Eric: She got upset. Are you okay?
James: I'm scared. She's really upset.
I have no idea what to say to him.
James: What did you do Dad?
Of course he would blame me. He has seen the way we fight.
Eric: I will tell you tomorrow. Get some sleep.
James: K. Love ya Dad.
Well at least my son is not mad at me. I could not bare it if he dismissed me from his life. James is truly the best thing in my long existence. Well him and Sookie. I decide to head home to my empty house. When I walk in, I can feel how empty it is. When James is here, the home is buzzing with life. Now it's just a resting place.
The next few days just pass in a dull blur. I open my eyes from my daily rest. It's Wednesday, which is good I know my son will be downstairs tonight. I had tried to call Sookie every night since Halloween, and she refused to take my calls. Rising I take my shower quick and dress to go down to see my boy.
Walking out into the kitchen, I find him doing his homework. "How are you tonight son?" I ask him.
James looks up from his books. "Hey Dad." He says sullenly.
'What is the matter my boy?"
"You really screwed up with mommy. She does not want to be your friend anymore." He says
Great. She's pissed off enough to involve our son in our fights. I know now, that this will be much harder to win her affections.
"James, I will tell you what happened. Your mom and I where having a great time the other night, and unfortunately one of my ex girlfriends came up and said some rude things. It upset your mom and she left before I could apologize." This should be good for him to understand.
"What's a manwhore Dad?" he asks me.
Hearing this makes me infuriated. As much as Sookie pisses me off, I've never said anything openly derogatory about her like that in front of him.
"Did your mother call me that?" I ask him gently.
"Yes, she said the reason she can't be friends with you, is that you're a said that lots of divorced parents don't get along, and that you and her can't get along just because I want it." I can see he has tears in his eyes.
"Well, a manwhore is someone who kisses a lot of woman. I will not lie to you; I could be called this manwhore. But, when with your mother, I never strayed. She is the one who left me son." I figure honesty is best.
"You kiss a lot of woman?" he sniffs.
"I have James. I just need to get your mother to listen to me so I can apologize." I tell him.
He smiles at me." That might be kinda hard dad, she's really mad at you now. And it takes her a long time not to be mad anymore." HA. My boy even sees how stubborn she is.
"I will wait James." I smirk at him.
I prepare his dinner and we head off to Karate class. He has gotten much better in the past few weeks, and has learned to control his strength. I'm glad I was here to teach him the skills to master this. I can see he's an excellent fighter, Just like me. Sadly, my son will need to know how to defend himself. The more who learn of his parentage, the more he will be a target. But I will teach him the skills he will need.
I hear the instructor start to announce that next week, they will be having several of the children move up levels. James is moving from Yellow to Orange. I'm quite proud. Not even 7 years old yet, and an Orange belt. I decide to text Sookie and let her know.
Eric: Sookie, guess what??
It takes her 15 minutes to even answer me.
Sookie: What do you want?
Fuck. She's still angry. I'm starting to get angry as well. I mean, okay she has a right to be pissed about what happened at the club, but let's not forget that she left me and never told me about my son.
Eric: I thought you would be proud to hear OUR son is moving from Yellow to Orange belt.
Sookie: James could have told me tomorrow. But thank you.
Fucking Bitch. Maybe Sookie is right. Possibly we are not meant to be. I sigh to myself and go back to watching James practice.