The next evening, Sookie was met in Shreveport by James, Lafayette, and to her surprise, Willa. She had asked Jessica originally, but she wanted to spend time with Hoyt. So James had stepped in, as Eric didn't like her to be in Shreveport after dark without a vampire. She'd figured Lafayette would come, but couldn't figure out why Willa had, especially considering how much Willa hated Eric. Apparently Willa had become good friends with the remaining vampires in Bon Temps; James, Jessica and Keith. Sookie had been surprised to learn that they were all now living with Jessica and Hoyt in Bill's mansion, which he had apparently talked Andy into renting to them for a dollar a month. They, of course, were paying him much more than that. But it was the biggest vampire-friendly residence in Bon Temps and Sookie was happy to know they were so close to her, since Eric had one of them guarding her at all times. Except, it seemed, for Willa. But even this proved to be untrue because, though she didn't take payment for it or alert Eric to it, Willa was filling in whenever they needed a break.

They had quickly gone through the list of items Pam had sent her to pick up, and it was down to dresses that Sookie wanted to buy to wear for Eric. James and Lafayette had let them shop for this part in peace, trusting Willa to be able to look after Sookie while they stopped in at a bar across the street. Sookie was surprised by Willa's willingness to help her, and asked her about it.

"Don't get me wrong, I'd love for my shitty maker to be miserable. But I like you, you've been nice to me the few times we've met. And I like your brother, he's been good to me as well. He was the one that set me up with the room at Jessica's. Try this one," Willa said, shifting gears as she pulled a yellow cocktail dress off the rack, "It looks like sunshine, so it's perfect on you."

"Are you sure the gift of clothing taste and shopping skills doesn't come from Eric? Because it seems all of his progeny have it," Sookie joked, eyeing the dress appreciatively.

"Honey, I was the daughter of a Southern Governor. I know how to shop all on my own," Willa retorted. "Besides, you strike me as the sweet Southern Belle type, just like me. So I think I can figure out what you like," she finished, holding out another dress, this time in pale blue.

"Well, you're not wrong," Sookie admitted, smiling. When they'd gathered about a dozen dresses a piece, they went back to the dressing room.

"Sookie, can I ask you a question?" Willa asked from the next dressing room.

"Sure thing, Willa."

"Eric's not forcing you to do any of the things he's got you doing, is he?"

Sookie was taken aback, "No! What makes you ask that?"

"I'm sorry. It's just, I don't even know my own maker. I hate him for that, but I don't know what to hate him for other than him not being around to help me. I don't know him enough to know if he's a decent vampire or not, but I like you and I want to make sure you're doing this because you want to," Willa finished

"Of course I do. I'd never do anything I don't want to. Well, that's not true, there's chores. But I'd never re-build someone's bar for them, then fly halfway around the world to see them if I didn't genuinely want to. I don't know everything about what happened with you and Eric, but I'm sure he regrets it," Sookie gambled, not knowing if this was true or not. Eric had few people he cared for, but she had to assume he cared about his progeny, no matter what happened between them.

"I doubt it. He only turned me because he thought he could use me against my father. It's not like Pam, where he wanted to turn her," Willa said, her honesty taking Sookie by surprise. "He left me to fend for myself, without a care to how I was doing until he needed me again."

"That's pretty shitty, I'll admit," Sookie said. "But I bet there's more to it than that. I mean, he thought he was dying when he released you, but I bet he wouldn't have done it if he hadn't. I think he cares about you."

"Well, I don't care about him," Willa said, emphatically. "No offense, since I know you all are working together, or whatever you're doing, but he can go to hell for all I care."

Sookie wisely let it go at that, and they spent the next hour finding dresses. Sookie used her company card to buy Willa's purchases as well, figuring Eric owed her that and more. They met up with James and Lafayette and went over to Fangtasia so Sookie could show them the renovations she'd made. On top of updating the decoration, she'd expanded the bar so that it now took up most of the block. She'd assumed that Eric and Pam's status as vampire saviors would mean that business at Fangtasia would likely increase in spades after their 'treatment' went public, so she'd prepared the bar accordingly.

They were sufficiently impressed with Sookie's work, and enjoyed a few drinks from the samples and gifts Sookie had received from the new vendors before James drove them all back to Bon Temps. They went to the mansion and spent a couple more hours enjoying each other's company. It was especially nice because it seemed with everyone pairing off, they didn't hold the grudges they might have held otherwise. Jason and Brigitte came over, as well as Arlene who wanted to spend time with Keith after she left the bar for the evening. Jessica, Lafayette and James seemed to have mended their fences and had no problems picking up their earlier friendship as though nothing had happened. Sookie noticed that Brigitte avoided Jessica and Hoyt, but was still comfortable enough being in the same room with them, now that she had Jason. It warmed Sookie's heart to know that Jason might have finally found the one. As though picking this thought right from Sookie's head, Jason cleared his throat and addressed the room.

"Listen up, y'all. I got something I wanna say. Now, I know we're in mixed company, and Bon Temps is kinda like a cesspool of dating history, but I figure things are different now. Life seems to have gotten back to normal, and we've got most of our friends here tonight, so I wanna do something I've been fixin' to do for a while now. See, I met this beautiful woman here, Brigitte, about three months ago. And I know the circumstances weren't the best at the time. But somehow, everyone made it through, and everyone's happy where they're at. And I know I'm real happy, the happiest I've ever been. So I wanted to know if the woman who's made me that happy, that's you Brig, if you would do me the honor of letting me try to make you as happy as I am now for the rest of my life? Would you marry me?"

Brigitte burst into tears, but managed to nod out a yes before the room erupted in cheers and Arlene got the music going, while Lafayette found a few bottles of champagne from the kitchen while Sookie found a couple bottles of the good mixed synthetic and human blood Bill had put away for special occasions and they set about serving everyone. To Sookie's surprise, there were no hard feelings, not a single one. Jessica was able to be happy for Jason, despite their history. Hoyt was able to be happy for both of them, despite their very twisted history. And Sookie was just pleased as punch that her brother was engaged.

After a few minutes, Willa pulled her aside. "How can you even stand this? We're the only two not paired off in this group, it's unnerving," she said, but without real feeling.

"Oh, I don't know, it's sweet. For once everyone gets to be happy, and trust me that never happens around here. Besides, it's my brother. Of course I'm thrilled. And a catch like you? You're gonna go next, just you watch," Sookie said, handing her a glass of the Royalty blended blood. This seemed to boost Willa's mood and she went to congratulate the newly engaged couple.

Jason finally made his way through the crowd to get to Sookie. "Well, Sook, what do you think?" he asked, seemingly nervous about her opinion.

"Jason Stackhouse, I think this is the best decision you've ever made," she answered, and meant every word of it.

Jason's grin lit up his face as he pulled her into a bearhug. "Thanks, sis. That means the world to me. Now you know you gotta be my best man, don't you?"

Sookie laughed, "How does that work?"

"Oh, you still wear a dress, but since we're the only family we got left, you stand up for me on my side. I can't think of anyone else who's more deserving to stand there with me."

"Jason, I'd be real honored to. Thank you." They hugged again, before Jason rushed over to kiss his future bride, and everyone cheered again.

Around midnight, Sookie was ready to head home. She made the rounds, hugging her fellow revelers, and was met by Keith at the door, who drove her the short distance to her house. He did a quick run through to make sure everything was okay, and turn on the lights for her, as was his custom, before bidding her a good night and heading back to the party.

She went up to her bedroom to change and get ready for bed, but decided she wanted to try her luck and see if Eric was still awake. She knew it was getting light later where he was and was hoping he'd still be awake.

"Good evening, Miss Stackhouse. To what do I owe the pleasure?" he answered on the third ring.

"I didn't wake you, did I?"

"Of course not, what's the matter?"

Sookie laughed softly, "Nothing's the matter. I just had a good night, and realized the person I wanted to share it with was all the way around the world."

"This is good," he murmured. "Except for the being across the world from each other, but that will change this weekend, at least for a while. Please, tell me what has happened."

"Well, the big news is my brother proposed tonight. He's gonna get married! And he asked me to be his best man, though that's mostly in spirit, I still get to wear a dress," she said, sounding relieved.

"Congratulations, Sookie. I know how much you worry about him. I'm happy to know he has settled down. Do you approve of his woman?"

"Absolutely. She's sweet, but she's smart and keeps him in check. I couldn't be happier."

"Then I am happy that you are happy," he said, honestly. She knew he wasn't her brother's biggest fan, but appreciated that he was trying to be supportive, nonetheless.

"Also, I got my shopping done and guess who joined me?"

"I couldn't possibly, please tell me," he conceded, and Sookie didn't push it.

"Willa."

This piqued his interest, "Really? Did she say why?"

"Apparently she likes me, and she's fond of Jason - in a friend way, not a romantic way. He helped her get set up at Jessica's mansion. She's apparently been helping them keep an eye on me. Though you can't tell her I told you any of this. But Eric, I think you need to reach out to her. I know you released her when you thought you were dying, but she's still your progeny. And she's still real young and confused. She's got Jess, James and Keith, but she's YOUR progeny - you're in a completely different league. I think she could be great, with your help."

Eric sighed audibly, "Sookie I appreciate you filling me in on her life, and I am happy to know she is doing well and is caring for you. And I will say that reconnecting with her is on my list of things to do when I get home, but until then, there's nothing I can do. Does she hate me very much?"

"She pretty much considers herself an orphan like Jessica," Sookie admitted.

"I royally fucked that up, didn't I?" Eric asked, an unprecedentedly candid statement coming from him.

Sookie choked back her laughter at his brutal honesty, "Yeah, you did. But you can fix it. Ain't like the two of y'all are goin' anywhere anytime soon."

Eric took the opportunity to change the subject. "Unlike you. Are you all set for Saturday morning?"

Sookie let it go and moved on with him. "Yeah, I think so."

"Good. Dawn is approaching, so I must go. But I will see you very soon, and I cannot wait."

"Same here. Goodnight, Eric."

"Goodnight, my Sookie."