Disclaimer: The Sookie Stackhouse Series is the creation of Charlaine Harris. Don't sue me Charlaine! I love your books.
Understanding
A/N- Ciarán is pronounced like Kieran (keer-un)
V.
It was 10:30 am when I walked into Merlotte's with Ciarán at my side. I was dressed in dark green silk slacks and a lighter green silk shirt, with one of my handwoven muted shades of green and brown shawls wrapped around my shoulders. From the back office I heard,
"We're not open yet. Not 'til 11 am."
"Well, I guess I'll just have to wait then," I called back.
After a momentary silence and some sniffing of the air, Sam came bolting around to the front.
"Sookie!"
I smiled at his kind face. "Sam!"
He came to a standstill and looked awestruck by me. And he was equally struck by Ciarán, who was about 6' 5", slender, fair skinned, dark haired, green-eyed and typically fae gorgeous.
After looking me over he glanced down at my feet to see that I was not wearing heels. He looked puzzled.
"A bit of Irish magic, Sam. I grew about three inches. They say it's the water of the Boyne. This is Ciarán, a friend of Claudine and Claude's. He's escorting me around. Bodyguard, you know," I said with a smile. "It's so good to see you, Sam."
He wanted to hug me but was acting shy. I gathered him into my arms to hug him, to make it okay.
"Can I get you a cup of coffee?"
"I would love a cup, Sam. Ciarán?" Ciarán waved his hand as if to say, no. He didn't much go in for human foods I'd noticed.
"So how have things been in Bon Temps? How are Holly and Tanya?" I asked.
"Well, everything's been fine. Tanya's good. Cody's doing really well and Holly's been mighty proud of his grades the past year and he's doing cross country already for the start of school in late August."
We sat and chatted for a while. He updated me on all the goings on, including the fact that Terry Bellefleur was dating a werefox and had even seen her change. Holly and Hoyt were still a solid item and it looked like Hoyt was thinking about popping the question. Amelia and Tray had gotten engaged. He was relieved I knew already that Amelia and Octavia were conducting small classes for witches out of the Stackhouse home. He mentioned that Jason and Crystal were arguing about their baby and I was glad I hadn't called Jason yet. Poor Ava, I thought.
He danced around the subject of waitresses and then asked me whether I would be returning to work.
"Actually, I will be working, but sadly not for you, Sam. I'll be able to tell you more about it after the summit in Madison."
"You're attending the summit again?"
"Yes, I am doing a job for the Ancient Pythoness."
He seemed to bite his tongue on hearing that information.
As it drew close to 11 am, I rose. "I have to go back, Sam. I just wanted to see you with my own eyes and chat like old times."
"You aren't staying in Bon Temps, then?" He really meant was I staying in Shreveport.
I paused, then said, "No, Sam, I'm staying elsewhere, with friends. I'll probably be back in Bon Temps for a bit after the summit, though. Then I have to go back to Ireland."
Sam looked at me, trying to decide whether or not to ask me if I'd even been to see Eric. He wavered. I'd make it easy for him by answering what he hadn't asked.
"I'll see Eric at the summit, Sam. But I'm so glad to have seen you. I missed you so much."
Ciarán and I then went to my house, where I found only Octavia. Amelia was out on a job. Her side business of offering magical protection had really taken off since the Weres had come out. Many supes wanted protections for their homes, businesses and children. Octavia was speechless for the first few minutes I was in the house, and looked from me to Ciarán and back to me, many times. I introduced him and said he was a friend of Claudine and Claude's who was acting as my protection. She nodded, still looking stunned.
I sorted through a few clothing items in my room but knew I was going to have to continue the process of getting a new wardrobe. The waters of the Boyne and magic of County Meath and Tara had brought out whatever was in my blood and whatever it was was tall and thin. With my height greater and my figure leaner than I'd ever remembered it since I was an adolescent, few of my clothes fit. I took Gran's cashmere sweater, however, along with some toiletry items and a favorite nail polish.
I looked out my bedroom window and sighed heavily to think that this home, where I was raised and spent most of my life, now felt rather foreign to me. I stifled a sob. My whole life was like that in a way, now. Ciarán tried to comfort me. He was a gentle person.
After writing a quick note to tell Amelia how sorry I was to have missed her, and offer my congratulations on her engagement, I hugged Octavia goodbye, and Ciarán and I headed back to Monroe, as Ciarán watched carefully to make sure that we were not followed. Both Niall and the Pythoness were still concerned for my safety. But I knew I was safe. Eithne had taught me well.