Edited 2019

AN: Yeah new readers! To add to my huge list of international readers I have a few new countries Spain, India, Hungary, and the Republic of Korea. So thank you to everyone who is taking a look. I hope you enjoy the chapter I had a hard time writing it. I am fighting through some writer's block. Read, Enjoy and Review Please!

Disclaimer: Read at your own risk may cause extreme cravings.

Chapter 25

Once the service was over, Jason went off with Crystal and her family. He was going to have lunch with them. Gran decided to take Eric and me to a restaurant in Shreveport for lunch called Blind Tiger. I knew that she didn't want to cook after the marathon of cooking and baking the day before and honestly, I didn't blame her. It was a nice restaurant and bar that served Cajun and Creole-style food. I had a salad and chicken, Eric ordered crab cakes and red beans and rice. Gran got prime rib with all the fixings. I was stuffed but Gran and Eric each got huge slices of cheesecakes for dessert. They were being stingy and wouldn't let me have any so, I got some bread pudding to take home.

I was in sort of a food coma on the way home and fell asleep. We were just pulling into Bon Temps when I woke up with my head in Eric's lap. He was talking quietly with Gran and stroking my hair. Neither had noticed that I was awake so, I kept my eyes closed and breathing as even as I could.

"You know how I feel about you dating her Eric. I am fine with it as long as she is. Sookie could use some affection from someone other than family and friends."

"I know it is just that she can be so frustrating at times. She likes me but won't go out with me while I am staying with you all." He sounded frustrated.

"Well, you are just going to have to wait and respect her wishes. I talked with your father yesterday and he said he is not going to be back for another three weeks. He said that he would call you tonight and that Pam might be coming back with him for a visit." She said glancing in the rearview mirror.

"That means she won't want to go to homecoming with me because I won't be out of the house yet. I wish she would just get over it and go with me." He sighed heavily.

"I raised her with good values and she will not bend or break them for anything. I know it will be hard to see her go with someone else but you could always ask her to dance when you are there." Gran offered.

"I don't think she will care with all the other guys that want to take her. I found out that she turned Preston down at the game. That leaves her with two other choices, and I know that some of the other guys are thinking about asking her." He responded frustratedly.

"Just be her friend for a while, be there for her. I know about Godric asking her, his mother told me he was planning to when we were shopping on Friday. Who is the other young gentleman that asked her?"

"John asked her after the game. I know that he tried earlier in the week, but Jason interrupted him before he could." I smiled to myself thinking about it.

"Out of the two who would you rather she goes with?"

"I don't want her to go with either of them, but I know that John would treat her right. I just wish it was me." He sighed again.

"There will be other dances you can take her to," Gran said knowingly.

"I get that, but I wanted to be the one to be her first date and take her to her first high school dance. I have been in love with her for three years now. I know that it sounds bad but I have been waiting for her to grow up so I could touch her and it wouldn't be creepy." If I was not concentrating so hard on breathing normal then I would have gasped. He loves me. His friend's dorky little sister. He actually loves me.

"If you love her like you say you do, then give her time. You have had three years to figure out that you loved her, she is just starting to see you as something other than a big brother figure. Being her first is not everything, being her last is." Gran said wisely.

They got quiet after that I just laid there thinking. When Gran parked the car behind the house Eric nudged me to wake up. I made a show of yawning and sitting up. He got out of the car and went into the house leaving Gran and me in the car. "So, how much of that did you here?" She looked back at me in the rearview mirror.

"I have no idea what you are talking about Gran. I have been asleep. If I did happen to hear something then it would have been from you telling him you are fine with us dating."

"That is what I thought. I am surprised that he didn't notice you tense when he talked about his affection for you."

"He said love Gran, not affection, love. I don't know why I am the same dorky little girl that he first met when Jason brought him over to hang out. He said that he liked me this whole time why wait this long to say anything?" I asked frustrated.

"He was waiting for you to be older Honey. He didn't want to feel so weird about it. There is a big difference between 11 and 14 years old. I think it is time we go in. You need to put that bread pudding in the fridge." She got out of the car and walked up to the house. I sat there for a minute, took a deep breath and went inside. I decided to wait to talk to him till his dad called later in the evening. I really did not have any homework to speak of to distract myself with so, I got one of my favorite books Pride and Prejudice to read. I spent the rest of the afternoon lost in the world of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Sometimes I wish life was a simple as a book, you would find the person that you are meant to be with, have some trouble seeing it but get there in the end. Jason had come back at some point and Gran sent him up to get me when dinner was ready.

"You only read that when you are confused about something, what is it?" He asked looking at the book in my hands.

"The complexities of love and life in general at the moment," I answered vaguely. I changed the subject. "Did you have a nice time at the Norris'?"

"I did Crystal and I talked for a large part of the afternoon and her dad seems to be warming up to me. You would not believe how amazing the girl can cook. I thought that you were good with how much Gran has taught you but Crystal could give you a run for your money. I am afraid to say it but I think I like her biscuits better than Gran's." He said as we descended the stairs to the kitchen.

Gran seemed to be taking it easy for dinner, she made grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. I was kind of glad because it meant that I would have more room for my bread pudding after. Dinner was a silent affair with everyone off in their own worlds thinking. When I got up to get my decadent dessert the vultures started circling. Now the portion of bread pudding I had, could have easily fed two people, but I was reluctant to share. It was made with challah bread, raisins that had been soaked in some kind of liquor and amazing cinnamon custard. They even drizzled the top with a cinnamon caramel glaze that I would love to use as a perfume. This was seriously the most decadent food I had in a while and that is saying something when you live with a cook like Gran.

"You boys leave her alone and have some of that cobbler that is left in the fridge. If she wanted to share she would have gotten more than one bowl." Gran scolded sipping her tea.

"I just want a taste Sookie, that's all," Eric said leaning over with his fork in hand.

"If he gets a taste then I want one too," Jason exclaimed loudly.

"What, like the taste of the cheesecake I was denied at lunch. I don't think so." I swiveled to Jason. "He is not getting any so, you don't have to whine Jason." I shielded my dessert and went to the living room to enjoy it. The boys got it in their heads that if they teamed up, then they could get a bit. I only got to eat four uninterrupted bits before they started in again. I had wisely or so I thought, sat in one of the club chairs. They came in and perched on the arms of the chair.

"Just let me have a bite and I will go away," Eric said looming closer to the point where he was almost on top of me. Jason made a move for my bowl when I moved it out of Eric's reach.

Slapping his hand I said. "Nice try but no. This is mine go eat something else. I have been looking forward to this since lunch. If I get full, I might let you have some, but only then." They both backed off after that but would ask me every few minutes if I was full. I was, painfully so, as I took the last bite watching the two of them looking on sadly. I went back up to my room to read. At around eleven Eric's dad called. I was just getting into bed when he started the conversation.

I didn't have any significant dreams. I woke, ready to start a new week of school. I picked out a pair of chocolate brown shorts and a flouncy blouse and went to take a shower. The door to the bathroom was open and I did not think twice as I entered. Standing there in all his glory, fresh out of the shower, was Eric. I squeaked and ran back to my room blushing furiously. I could hear him chuckling from the bathroom as I fled. That was the first time I had seen anyone of the opposite sex without clothing, well other than my family. I had seen more of Jason and Claude then I ever wanted to. When we were younger those two had a hard time keeping clothes on. I remember one family get together when we were outside by the lake and the two of them streaked pass butt naked into the water. That day they both learned why you keep shorts on when you go into the lake. I was roused from my memories by Eric clearing his throat.

"You dropped these." He said handing me my towel and undergarments smiling.

"Th-thank you." I stuttered out taking my things as quickly as possible.

"Next time you want to look just tell me Sookie, I will be more than happy to let you see." He said smirking and winking.

"You know damn well I wouldn't have gone in there if you had the door shut," I exclaimed.

"I was letting the steam out." He said innocently.

"I am amending my rules. Keep the door to the bathroom closed if you are using it. Are you done with the bathroom because I want to get ready?"

"Yes go for it. I need to talk to you later about my call with my dad." He said leaving my room. I went to get clean making sure I had the door securely closed.