Edited 2019

AN: I have not died or fallen off the face of the earth. I have however been swamped with school work. With the small amount of free time that I have had, I wrote this. There will probably be several mistakes and they are all on me. I will not make any promises of when I will post next. Just know that I am trying to find time to write and I will not give up on this story. I am profoundly sorry that I have not been able to update as much as I would like but I hope this chapter makes up for it. It is a long one and has lots of plot bunnies jumping around to make it interesting. Please tell me what you think; reviews are what make me want to continue to write.

Disclaimer: All of the lovely characters are not mine I am just having some fun with them.

Chapter 35

When the doctors decided to admit Gran, Mr. Northman came with me to help with signing her in. There was a moment that I didn't know what to do when the admitting nurse asked me if Gran had insurance. Gran did but all of that information was in her purse at the house. "It is ok Sookie, I grabbed all her info before we left, it is right here." Mr. Northman said as he handed the admitting nurse the insurance card. He took over answering the questions surprising me with just how much he knew about Gran and what she wanted.

After she was admitted, they had us all move up to the next waiting room. It was a rather depressing room. Old, terribly uncomfortable chairs and couches spread around, surrounded tables piled high with out of date magazines. I took a seat on one of the more cushioned couches. Eric moved to sit with me; pulling me into his side.

We had been in the waiting room for about an hour and forty minutes when a nurse approached us. She was wearing brightly colored scrubs that had smiling ducks on them. She turned to address Mr. Northman. "Are you the Stackhouses?" She asked. He nodded his head in response. "She was in critical condition when she arrived and is now in serious condition. That means she is doing a little better than she was when she arrived, but her vital signs are still not where we would like them. We moved her to the ICU, and she will be there until her condition improves more. She was awake for a short period of time when they were running tests, but she is asleep at the moment. You can go in and see her, but you need to be quiet and only two at a time. She is still hooked up to the monitors and things so don't be startled by her appearance. Also, before you go in you are going to need to wash your hands or sanitize them." Jason was still in his unresponsive state. He just sat there. I looked to Mr. Northman and he said: "You go first Sookie." Eric came with me, as we followed the nurse into the ICU. Gran looked so different from what she had this morning. Her skin was pale and drawn. Her usually well-quaffed hair was in matted disarray. The right side of her face looked a little weird kind of like it was drooping.

"She will be ok, Gran will get through this. You don't have to worry. I bet she will be back on her feet in no time barking orders and cooking before you know it." Eric said quietly placing his hand on my shoulder.

"I wish that I could believe you. Just look at her. Gran may get better but she won't be the same. Things are going to change, I just know it. What happens when she can't do things let alone take care of us?" I shrugged his hand off my shoulder and went to sit in the chair next to her.

"It will be ok Sookie. My family and I will be here for you and Jason. We will do whatever we can. I am sure that Quinn and the boys will be helpful too." He said reminding me that I had support.

"I forgot all about John. I should call him, he would want to be here too." I muttered to myself as Eric walked out the door in a huff. I sat there for a while just thinking about how everything would be different. Gran would have to take it easy and back off the fatty foods. I don't know how the docs would convener that eating as she had for her entire life had to change. I was still mulling things over when Hadley came in taking up Eric's vacated spot.

"How are you doing Sookie?" She asked. With that simple question, she set me off. I started to cry again. "Oh Sook, it is ok she will get through this and everything will be ok. I am going to take some time off work to come to stay. Everything will be ok." She pulled me to her into a gentle hug. She stroked my hair as she used to when I was little. Having Hadley and Hunter here for support would be a godsend. I left the room to give Jason a chance to be with Gran before they kicked us out. Visiting hours were almost over. Jason just grunted when I told him that he could go in. He was still out of it as he aimlessly walked towards her door. I took his seat and closed my eyes. I was worn out both emotionally and physically.

At 8:30 pm the same nurse came back and told us that we had to leave but one of us could stay with her overnight. I knew that I needed to go home and go to school the next day. Mr. Northman untimely made the decision for us by saying that he would stay; since Jason, Eric and I had school the next day, Hadley had Hunter to think about and Pam I found out had a flight the next morning. Hadley drove us home, I sat in the back between Jason and Eric. Jason was still subdued so he did not talk on the way home. Eric gazed out his window in thought. Hunter was asleep in his car seat. That left Pam, Hadley and I to try and fill the strained silence. Pam was more than happy to fill that void by talking about her current girlfriend Ginger. I learned far more about her relationship than I ever wanted to. Hadley seemed to be more interested in what Pam had to say then I did. I zoned out at one point and was startled when we came to a stop behind Gran's house. I ran up to my room, quickly changed and crawled into bed.

The next week was hard. Gran had to stay in the hospital but was eventually moved to a different unit. Mr. Northman came by to check on us and to see if we needed anything almost every day. Jason had moved past his shocked, silent stage to agitated and distant. He had come home from football practice on Monday slamming doors as he went. He spent the night in his room after he raided the fridge. I had gone to see Gran after school with Hadley and Hunter. She was still very weak but her coloring was better and she was talking and scolding just as much as she ever has. I could tell that Gran was on the mend.

John had been really sweet all week he even waited for me after dance practice to go and see Gran. He got her flowers and was just the best boyfriend ever. He was starting to get on my nerves. I mean it was great that he was being supportive and all that but he was everywhere. He had been picking me up every morning for school which was nice in the beginning. That was until he started to bring Frannie with us, so our nice quiet time together now included a young tagalong that whined and interrupted every chance she got. I know that I use to be just like her when it came to Jason but there was only so many times that I could hear about how no one liked her and that she was to "awesome" to have friends her own age. Another thing that was starting to get on my nerves was the fact that he never said my name. I was used to it when he was just my older brother's friend but now that I was dating him it felt wrong. On Thursday I had had enough. Once Frannie was out of the car I asked. "John, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but could we maybe not drive to school tomorrow?"

"Why Babe? I thought that you liked to ride with me." He countered sounding hurt.

"I do like riding with you, I just want some time to myself and that is another thing I know that you have always called me Babe, but I would like you to use my name sometimes." I took a deep breath and went on. "I like it as a nickname but that is all you call me. I feel like you don't know my name. Jason always uses pet names when he forgets the name of his date. I don't want to be treated like one of those girls."

"Babe... Ah, Sookie I did not mean to make you feel that way. I just liked that I got to call you something that no one else did. I thought that it was special. I can understand wanting to have some time for yourself but with Jason still in his funk who are you going to ride with?"

"Eric offered or Hadley has been staying with us so she could when she takes Hunter to daycare," I added as an afterthought.

"Why would you want to ride with Eric, I mean I am your boyfriend not him. I hoped that you had gotten over your thing for him now that you are with me. If you like him I don't know if we should be dating anymore. It is not cool to just string me along so you have someone to be with till you figure out how you feel about Eric." He said staring straight ahead he parked the car not looking at me.

"This is so not about what I feel for Eric. It is about me wanting some peace and quiet. He was just being nice and since he lives so close it made sense but I can tell you think that is a horrible idea. It is also me wanting to spend some time with you in the morning without your little sister as a chaperone. You are the one that brought up the Eric thing. I don't want us to break up, but if that is what you want then fine. I'm not going to fight for us if you don't. I like you a lot John, you are an amazing guy. I just wanted some time to myself. With everything that has happened with Gran I am worn out." I tried not to cry as I jumped out and grabbed my cello. There are days that I wish I played a smaller instrument it makes trying to storm off in a huff next to impossible. I ignored his shouts as I left with what little dignity I still had. I dropped my cello off and went to homeroom.

Mr. Brigant was just starting to read off the announcements as I took my seat. "The Football team and Cheer Squad are going to be holding a food drive starting next week that will last through the end of November. They have the goal to collect enough food to fill two school buses. The food will be going to the local food pantry in Monroe. Bring non-perishable food items to homeroom. The homeroom from each grade that collects the most will be given a breakfast party once we return from Thanksgiving break. I want us to win so bring as much as you can. Next, I am supposed to ask you to volunteer for the annual Haunted House that the Basketball and Wrestling teams are running. They need people to be actors in some of the scenes. I am told the theme this year is be careful what you wish for. Finally, the drama club has announced that the play this fall will be Fiddler on the Roof. Auditions will be held next Monday. Well, that is all I have for you, talk, read, sleep just be ready when the bell rings." He went and sat back at his desk taking a sip of his coffee.

"Sook, why did you come in here looking ready to cry? Is Gran ok, did something happen?" Holly asked worriedly.

"No, Gran is doing better. I had a fight with John and I think we broke up." I answered as quietly as I could as to not draw attention to it.

Amelia with her intensity ruined that and all but screamed. "What do you mean you think you broke up either you did or you didn't?" Everyone looked over at us and got eerily silent.

"Can we not talk about this now? I don't really want my personal issues spread around school." I was saved by the bell not having to continue my explanation. Math was awkward after that with a few people turning to look at me periodically. By the time I got to Art, there was a rumor going around that I was pregnant and that when I told John he dumped me. You just have to love how things spread.

"So I heard that you were knocked up and did not know who the father was so Quinn left you. Now I know that you are not that type of girl, what really happened?" Godric asked as he sat down next to me. We were working with clay this month. Our current project was to take a fairy tale and bring it to life in clay. I was doing the Frog Prince. I had made the well and had a good start on my frog prince.

"We had a fight. He was mad at me because I wanted some time to myself. I feel like all I do is see him or hang out with him. I told him that I wanted to ride to school with someone else. Partially because his sister is also always with us in the morning and I just wanted a break. He lost it because I said that I could get a ride from my cousin Hadley or Eric. He is convinced that I am hung up on Eric. I mean he is not completely wrong, I do like Eric but that has nothing to do with my relationship with John. He said that if I liked Eric then we should break up. Why do guys act like idiots all the time?" I rambled on.

"I won't take offense to the fact that you lumped me in with all those idiots. Guys, in general, don't like it when the girl that they are with cares for someone else. We always feel like we are going to be replaced." Godric said wisely.

"I was not trying to replace him," I mumbled. I went back to making my frog.

"Did you tell him that?" He asked trying to keep the conversation going.

"No, but I am not going to go out of my way to correct his misunderstanding. I still want to be his friend but if he is going to be a prick about things then why should I bother? I need to work and you have to go finish your project so scoot." I said turning back to my prince. He left to go work on his landscape. Art and History went smoothly. I was not looking forward to lunch. The girls and I have been sitting with Jason and the guys all year. While we were standing in line for lunch I said. "Ames and Holly I am going to go sit with Lala and Tara for lunch. I hope that you don't mind but I don't want to be around John and his asshattery at the moment." They both nodded and let me go.

When I got to the table Lafayette in his usual fabulousness manor greeted me. "Gurl, what is this I hear about you having twins with the tall blonde stud over there?"

"Uh, not you too. I am not pregnant. I did not cheat on John. I am not a slut. I hate that no one can mind their own dame business." I sat down in a huff. I pushed my tray forward and put my head on the table.

"He did not mean that Sook. We know that you are too much of a good girl to do anything like that." Tara said trying to soothe me while rubbing my back.

"We know the real story. I know that he is the one that was being stupid." Lala interjected in a serious tone. I lifted my head and was about to reply when I got interrupted by John.

"Babe… ah, Sookie can I talk to you. In private?" He sounded contrite and pleading.

"I don't really want too but I will." I turned to face Tara and Lafayette. "I will be back, don't throw my tray." I followed him out of the cafeteria. I could see that I hurt his feelings when he tried to take my hand and I didn't let him. "What do you want to talk about?" I asked knowing the answer. I looked out the window at the parking lot.

"First let me say that I am sorry for not listening to you this morning. I know that I was taking what you said out of context and jumping to the wrong conclusion, so I … ah… well, I want to know are you still my girlfriend?" He inquired timidly. To hear such a big guy talk so softly was surprising.

"I thought that you broke up with me this morning. I still like you a lot John but I think that we need to take a break."

"I didn't mean what I said this morning, I was just mad. Does that mean that you are going to just start dating someone else?"

"NO. I just feel like I see you all the time. Don't get me wrong that it is not a bad thing, I just want some space. For the most part, we have the same group of friends and I just feel like I never have time to myself."

"Can I still come over after school with the rest of the guys?" He queried hopefully.

"I will not stop you from hanging out with Jason, I just may not be there. This morning made me realize that I have some things to think about. You are a great guy John and an amazing friend. You have been a great first boyfriend." I kissed him on the check.

"Don't give up on me ok. We can take a break but I still want to date you Sookie. I will wait as long as you want." He implored.

"Let me have some time, I will see you later John. I will get ride home from someone else." I left him standing there and went back to my lunch. I picked at my tray till the bell rang. For the rest of the day I had to ignore the strange looks, I would get from teachers and classmates. I think the worst of it was when Mrs. Fortenberry pulled me aside before orchestra.

"Sookie dear I have been hearing some disturbing things today about you. I am fairly sure that all of them are false but I just wanted to let you know that if you need help with anything you can come to me." She placed a stack of condoms into my hand. My eyes bugged out of my head. She continued "I just want you to be safe." I did not have the chance to say that I had no need or intention of needing to use them. Just when I thought my day could not get any worse Debbie and Arlene spotted me and the lovely donation I received from Mrs. Fortenberry.

"Now Sookie isn't it a little late for those? What with you being pregnant and all I would have thought you would stop sleeping around. I guess you are no better than your cousin. I wonder if all the girls in your family get knocked up out of wedlock." Debbie said in a voice that carried across the room. I was mortified as the entire room turned to listen.

With as much courage as I could, I said. "Well you would know about pregnancies or at least gettin' ride of them, wouldn't you? You probably need these more than I do seeing as how I am not spoiled and we all know that you are." I tossed her the stack of condoms and went to retrieve my cello. I passed Godric coming out of the storage room and he winked at me. I got my cello out of its case and tuned it. I then went to take my spot. The room had gone back to normal and was now filled with the sound of tuning strings. Godric offered to have his mother drop me off when we were packing up. I accepted and followed him out into the parking lot. I could tell that Mrs. Hyde was just thrilled to be giving me a lift home.

"Sookie how are you? I have not seen you in a while. Is your Grandmother recovering?" She asked as Godric stowed our stuff in the trunk.

"I have had better days. Gran is doing better, she should be coming home this weekend. How are you?" I replied.

"I have been doing just fabulous. I don't know if Godric told you but his brother Victor just got engaged. She is just a lovely girl. I just hope that Godric finds a nice girl for himself. Obviously not now but when he is getting ready to graduate from college of course." She simpered as she slid into the front seat.

"I had not told her that yet, Mother. Sookie has been having a trying day." Godric saved me from answering.

"Oh dear, what happened?" She questioned as she pulled out of the lot.

"I got in a fight with my boyfriend this morning and we are taking a break now. The fact that the entire school thought that is was their business to fabricate a reason for us to fight was the hard part." I said looking out the window. Godric took my hand in his.

"I can only imagine what kind of rumors would be spread at that school. I am sure that you handled it like the proper young lady you are." She said looking at me in the rearview mirror. There was an awkward silence for a few minutes. "I have an idea, would you like to come to dinner with us tonight? We are celebrating Victor's engagement. "

"You don't have to if you don't want to but it would be nice to have someone I can talk to. Tonight is going to be all about Vic and Sandy." Godric said turning to look at me.

"I would love to go, I just need to ask my cousin Hadley if it would be ok. She has been the one running the house with Gran in the hospital." I replied.

"Well we will drop your stuff off and I can talk to her while you go change. We are going to be eating in Shreveport. You should dress up." She said as she pulled into the drive. Hunter was running around the yard while Hadley sat swinging on the porch. Godric got out and helped me with my cello. Hunter came running up to us and tugged on Godric's leg.

"Who are you? Why are you here? You aren't her boyfriend." He asked gawking up at Godric.

"I Godric, I am a friend of Sookie's. My mother and I gave her a ride home and we are going to take her to supper tonight." Godric answered smiling down at Hunter.

"Oh, I guess that is ok. Are you related to Jesus? Do you want to play with me?" Hunter asked hopefully.

"No I am not but I can play with you for a little bit. We will be leaving soon." He responded.

"Cool you can use my red truck. I am going to be the green one. We can crash them." Hunter pulled Godric along with him into the house. Mrs. Hyde was talking to Hadley so I took my stuff in and got changed. I put on a nice dark blue dress and grabbed a sweater. I switched shoes and brushed out my hair. I went back downstairs to find Hunter and Godric in the living room playing hard. Hunter saw me and his face contorted into a serious pout. "We were just starting to have fun. You can go but I want Godwic to stay." He crossed his arms over his chest and jutted out his lip.

Godric stood up and said, "Sorry Hunter, maybe I can come over and play with you another time."

"You better," Hunter said before his attention turned back to toys. Godric walked with me out to where his mother and Hadley were talking.

"Have fun tonight Sookie but you have to be home by ten you still have school tomorrow. I guess I will just have to deal with all the guys on my own." Hadley said as she hugged me.

"We will make sure to get her home on time. Let's get going Godric still needs to change and we need to pick up his father." Mrs. Hyde said as she descended the steps. We followed along and got back into the back seat of the car.