Sookie's POV:
I watch the trees and the houses pass us by as we are driving down the highway towards Bon Temps. It is an absolutely beautiful sunny day. The weather man was so wrong when he said that it was going to be raining. I am glad that I chose to wear my white empire waist sundress. I look over at Alcide who is driving and I smile at him as he smiles back. Today he is the one who is 'babysitting' me and he is taking me back to Bon Temps for the afternoon in his truck. I don't mind that Alcide is here with me today, but I look forward to the day when I am not constantly watched over by someone. But knowing my luck, that day will never come.
We don't talk during the drive which is alright with me. I am content to enjoy the ride and listen to the radio which is playing classic country music. This also gives me the opportunity to think about next week when me and Eric go to Las Vegas to see Felipe De Castro. It was three weeks ago at the party when he basically told Eric that my attendance in Vegas was mandatory. I am definitely not crazy about going there. I can't help but think about the possibility that I might never leave that place. They could hurt Eric or someone else that I love to force me to stay. What if the huge change that I have been sensing is going to occur over there? There are many horrible possibilities. I feel like I am heading into the lion's den. My thoughts become interrupted by Alcide.
"What's wrong Sook? You look like you're thinking about a million different things," Alcide says.
I quickly wipe the worried expression off my face and plaster on my smile, "Oh it's nothing Alcide. I'm just anxious about my first trip out of the state in years. Vegas is going to be so much fun!" I try to lie, but I know Alcide can see straight through it.
"Come on Sook. I've known you for a long time and it's okay to be worried. Believe me when I say I got your back. Me and my other pack members will always be with you during the day." He tells me reassuringly. Alcide and three other members of his pack were going with us to act as my daytime guards.
I sigh, "I know Alcide. I totally trust you. I just wish I didn't have to go. I just wish that me and Eric can go back to that bubble that we created when it was just me and him." I lean my head back against the headrest.
The rest of the drive is silent.
A half hour later we arrive at my old farmhouse. Not much has changed about it despite that fact that no one has been living in it for a few years. The exterior of the house is still in good condition. The grass is well trimmed. Despite my protests, Eric insisted on paying a company to maintain the grounds and to keep it secure from vandalism. But eventually I came around and thanked him for that. He knew that I would become heartbroken if I had let my family's house slowly deteriorate.
The truck halts to a stop in the driveway and I step out. I take a moment to savour my surroundings before Alcide and I make our way to the porch. Just as I am rummaging through my purse for the key, I hear another truck pulling up. I quickly turn around and see Jason climbing out of his truck.
"Jason!," I yell happily.
"Hey Sook!" He yells as he is jogging up toward me. He lifts me into a hug.
He sets me down, "Where's Charlotte?," I ask.
"She's at home taking a nap. She said her feet and back hurt too much," he says. Figures. I kind of knew she wouldn't come. For some reason none of the women that my brother gets involved with ever develop a liking towards me.
"Oh well she's going to miss out on my pecan pie," I lament.
I find my keys in my purse and open the front door while Alcide and Jason go to the truck to retrieve the cooler and the pie that I had made earlier this morning. I try to come here at least once every month, so the dust build-up isn't that bad. When I moved out, Tara and I covered up all the furniture with large white linens. I make my way to the kitchen and turn on the tap in the sink. I pour some old dish soap in it to clean some plates, cutlery, and cups from the cupboard. Jason and Alcide come into the kitchen with the stuff and put it on the table.
"Jason I hope you remembered to bring your barbeque grill," I tell him sternly.
"It's in the back of my truck," he says.
While I am washing the dishes, Alcide and Jason move the picnic table to the front lawn and set up the grill. I can hear another vehicle pulling up into the driveway. I make my way to the front porch and see Tara, JB, and their daughter getting out of their car.
"Hey Tara!," I tell her. I give her a quick hug. JB is holding their daughter and comes toward us.
"I think she missed her godmother," JB tells me while handing her to me.
"Hello, sweet angel," I coo to the little girl. I was honoured when Tara asked me to be her godmother.
"Hi, auntie Sookie," she smiles at me and clasps her little arms around my neck. I relish the moment. Being a godmother may be the closest thing to me ever having children.
"Need any help in the kitchen Sookie?," Tara asks me.
"Umm, yeah," I tell her. I set Emily on her feet and watch as she runs towards Jason and Alcide on the front lawn. JB follows her.
I finish drying the dishes while Tara prepares tosses the salad in a large bowl. I also season the steaks and fill a pitcher with water and lemonade mixture.
Jason comes walking in, "Boy am I hungry," he states.
"Then make yourself useful," I tell him as I hand him the plate of seasoned steaks. He takes them outside.
I sit down at the table and watch Tara as she is still mixing the salad.
"Buy me something good in Las Vegas," she says to me smiling.
I smile back at her. "You bet I will. I'll buy something nice for Emily too." My gaze lingers towards the kitchen window.
She looks at me, "What's wrong Sookie? You've been acting strange for the past month."
I sigh. "Oh it's nothing Tara, really. I'm just tired from my school work. Being at home most the time is starting to make me feel antsy. I think I might start looking for a job."
Her eyes brighten, "That's great Sookie. I think you need to work. I doubt that Eric would let you work at Merlotte's again. Maybe you can come work for me!"
I smile at her, "Thanks for the offer Tara. But I'm not too sure if working in a clothing store is what I want to do. I enjoy reading and writing. I was thinking about finding work in a library or bookstore. Something like that."
"Well the offer will always remain open," she tells me.
"Thanks Tara."
We take the salad, the lemonade, and the dishes outside to the picnic table. Jason and JB are taking turns cooking the pieces of steak. Alcide is playing catch with Emily. Tara and I settle down at the table and chat more.
Another truck pulls up and this time it's Sam.
"Hey Sam!," I yell. The others wave and greet him as well.
I get up from the table and let him hug me. "Hey Sookie, you look really good. Sorry I'm late."
"Oh you're not late. The steaks aren't ready yet." He lets me go and sits down at the table. Alcide joins us eventually as well. They tell me the latest Bon Temps news and Alcide tells us about what's going on with his business. We also keep an eye on Emily as she runs around the yard picking flowers and chasing bugs.
A little while later, the steaks are done. I hand everyone a plate and we line up in front of Jason for a piece of steak. After that Sam goes around the table with the salad bowl and gives everyone a portion.
"I made Emily some macaroni salad. I'll just go and get it from the cooler," I tell Tara as I run into the house to get it. I can hear her thanking me.
We all sit around the table eating, laughing, and sharing jokes. After we finish our meal, I get up to fetch the pecan pie, but Sam offers to get it for me instead.
We all finish off the pie and now we are all full and feeling lazy. Emily has fallen asleep on JB's chest. JB decides to take her home when Sam offers Tara a ride.
After they leave we sit around the table and continue to talk.
"Thanks for coming guys," I tell them.
"It's no trouble Sookie. We all love you," Tara tells me, as she rubs my arm.
"I just wanted to thank you all for everything. Not just for today and coming here, but for everything. For being there for me when I was recovering, for being patient with me. You guys are like family to me and mean as much to me as Jason does," I can feel the tears forming behind my eyes, but I hold them back.
"It's no sweat Sook. You're my sister and I'll always be there for you," Jason says, I can hear the emotion in his voice.
"I love you Jas. I'm gonna use the bathroom. I think I drank too much lemonade," I say with a laugh.
I head into the house and use the bathroom. I wipe the tears away that had escaped my eyes. After I finish I head out and Sam is standing in the foyer.
"Tell me what's wrong Sookie," he says in a serious tone.
I gather up the energy to smile, "Nothing's wrong Sam. I'm just feeling tired, that's all."
"Really?," he says, "Then why did it sound like you were giving your last speech or something?"
I sigh and rub my brow, "Sam," is all I say.
"Is there something going wrong with Eric?," he says with a slight angry tone.
"No!," I almost yell. "There is nothing going on with Eric," I say calmly. "Just trust me Sam. Everything is alright. I'm not in any danger. I haven't been for the last three years."
"You know you can trust me chere. If there is anything you need, I'll be there for you." He says and gives me another hug.
"I know Sam."
We head out to the yard. Tara and Alcide are cleaning off the table. Jason is loading his barbeque onto his truck. Afterwards Tara offers to help me wash the dishes, but I decline her offer. I say goodbye to her, Sam, and Jason.
Alcide and I watch them as they drive off and we head back into the house. I begin washing the dishes and Alcide helps me by drying them. Afterwards, I tell him that I'm going to gather some things from my old room. He goes into the living room and makes a phone call.
I remove the white linen covering from my bed. I lie down for a moment and close my eyes. Being here in this house is both comforting and upsetting. During the first four months after the fairy incident, this house was my sanctuary and my prison. I was afraid to leave the house. When I tried to go outside, I would get panic attacks and become hysterical. Eric lived in the hidey hole in the spare bedroom during those four months. After awhile, we both became worried about his safety during the daytime as this house wasn't exactly the most secure spot. I knew that he had to go back to his own home, but I also didn't want to let him go as I was even clingier with him back then. So I made the ultimate sacrifice and offered to go live with him at his home. He was ecstatic. I remember the day when Tara and I were covering up all the furniture when I was to move into his home. I felt sad about leaving, but I also felt optimistic about starting a new chapter in my life. I was still unable to leave the confines of my home, so Dr. Ludwig had to come and sedate me. When I woke up, Eric was lying beside me in his bed at his house. My recovery after the move became easier. I improved even more. I started to go outside with Eric into his backyard. We would sit on his lounge chairs and he would tell me stories about his life. During the second year, I made even bigger baby steps. I started to go outside during the daytime without Eric after looking at myself in the mirror. My skin was paler due to lack of sun and I missed my suntan. Months after that, I was able to go out on the town with Eric. He would take me out on dates and we were like a regular couple. In the beginning of the third year, I began going out during the daytime with either Sam, Alcide, or Jason. After awhile, I was able to go out on my own. Later we moved to a different house. He said he wanted us to live in a home that was new and both of ours.
I open my eyes and walk towards the bedroom window. The sun is starting to set. I asked Eric last night to come meet me here when he was able to. I go to my closet and get my shoebox full of my important papers. It's probably not the safest place to store some of these items as my deed to the house is also in it. I find the envelope that Bill had given me before he left. I had totally forgotten about this. He had set up a bank account in my name for over $100,000. He wrote in his note that he knew that I would not accept his money, but told me that I could do whatever I wanted with it. Eventually I decided that I would save it for Emily and my future nieces/nephews. I have never told Eric about this account as I know he would certainly get jealous. And besides, I don't consider this money mine anyway, as it will belong to others. I tuck the envelope of banking information and the deed into my purse.
I spend the next hour rummaging through my drawers, looking for old clothes that I wanted to wear again. I also put some old pictures and memorabilia into a plastic bag that I want to hang around in our house in Shreveport.
When I finish, I go out to the living room and Alcide is still talking on his phone. He is saying sweet things, so I suspect he is talking to his latest girlfriend. I turn on the lights and sit down on the covered sofa. Just then my cell rings, and it's Eric. I go back to my bedroom to talk to him.
"Hello Lover, how was your day?," he asks.
I smile like an idiot, "It was really good. I can't wait till you get here. What are you doing right now?"
"Waiting for that damn sun to be gone. While I am doing that, I am just catching up on some work. Is it just you and Alcide now?," he asks. I can hear a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"Yes, it's just me and him here all by our lonesome. What can we do in this big old house by ourselves? Do you have any suggestions?," I ask innocently. I love teasing him.
I can hear him growling. "You can tell him to wait outside by the door like the mutt that he is."
I laugh. "Baby, don't worry. Alcide brought some cards with him. So we'll just play some card games till you get here. Maybe we'll start with strip poker."
I can hear him growling and cursing in his ancient language. I laugh again. "Sweetie, I'm just teasing you. I love you and can't wait till you get here."
"I love you too," he says.
We hang up and I go out to the living room. Alcide is off the phone as well. We play cards for awhile and plug in the tv and dvd. I pop in the movie Old School, a movie that Jason left here. We laugh and watch the movie.
An hour and a half later, I can feel Eric getting closer. He sends me his love through our bond and I send mine back. A little while later we hear his car pull up. Alcide and I go out to the porch. Eric steps out of his car and I run down the steps and jump into his open arms.
"Eric," Alcide says greeting him.
"Herveaux," Eric nods at him.
I turn to face Alcide and Eric wraps his arms around my waist. "Thank you for hanging out with me today Alcide. I really appreciate it," I say as I smile at him.
He smiles back. "No problem Sook. I'll see you next week."
I say bye to him and we both watch him get into his truck and drive away.
Eric turns me around and starts kissing me and we make out for several minutes. He lifts me into his arms and carries me into the house.
"Are you glad to be back here?" I ask as he sets me down. He hasn't been inside my old house for several months.
He goes to close the door. "I am always glad to be here. This house is a part of you and part of your family. So in a way, it's my home too."
I smile and tiptoe to give him a quick kiss. He then hugs me and starts nuzzling my neck.
"You smell of shifter, were, human, and a human baby," he says while continuing to nuzzle my neck.
I laugh. "Emily was here today too. I can't believe how big she is now. Babies just grow so fast."
He brings his head up to look into my eyes. "Do you still dream of having children?" he asks, staring at me intently.
I think briefly about my answer. "I'm not going to lie to you. I always thought about having kids but only if I were married. But now, with so much going on and how unsure things are, I don't think children are something that I want bring into this world. Besides, the only person that I want to have children with is you. But obviously that's not possible."
He continues to look into my eyes, "If that was possible then I would want to have them with you as well. But who knows what the future will hold. I've lived for a very long time and in the past few hundred years, technology has dramatically grown. And if children were a possibility, then I would do everything in my power to protect you and them."
I reach up to kiss him deeply for a moment. "Well enough about hypothetical kids, what else are we going to do tonight?"
He starts kissing my neck. "Hmmm.... I know that you've had your dinner, but I haven't. Maybe you can do something about that."
He lifts up the skirt of my dress and brings it over my head. He drops it to the floor and then unclasps my strapless bra. That ends up on the floor as well. He takes his shirt off as I undo the button and zipper of his jeans. He's not wearing any underwear so his erection springs out. I stroke it as we kiss and he caresses my breasts. He then lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist.
He takes us towards my old bedroom. "Honey not there, there's no sheets on the bed." I tell him breaking away from our kiss.
He looks around the room deciding where to take us. "We haven't had sex on your table in a long time lover," he lustily tells me.
He takes us into the kitchen and sets me down on the table. I use my legs and feet to push his jeans down further. Instantly he rips my panties off on both sides and throws it on the floor. I use my right hand grab onto him and position him at my entrance while my left hand grabs onto his butt cheek. I pull him towards me. He pumps into me slowly as we kiss. I run my hands down his muscular back as he grips my butt. I begin moaning as he starts to pick up the pace. I can feel my climax building and he puts his hand between us to rub his thumb against my clit. As I am almost close to an orgasm, he bends down and his fangs pierce my right breast. I orgasm as he is sucking my nipple and blood. He removes his fangs from my breast and pumps into me quickly before he has his orgasm as well. As I am recovering, he goes down to continue to feed from my breast. A moment later he removes his fangs and licks the wounds until they heal.
I can hear the wind picking up outside and suddenly hear raindrops against the window. I guess the weatherman was right after all. He is hard again but I want to get home before the storm gets worse.
"Baby, let's go home now. We can continue this there," I say as I slowly stroke his erection.
"Alright, but I'm driving as fast as I can, so I don't want to hear any complaints," he tells me.
I laugh. I go to the living room area and put my dress on. Eric pulls up his jeans and puts his shirt back on. As he is turning the lights off, I go and grab my purse and the plastic bag that I filled. I hand him both items while I run to grab my ripped panties off the kitchen floor and my bra in the living room. I lock the door behind us and we run to his car. Just as we are driving down the road, a bolt of lightning hits the ground across the field and thunder follows it after. I can't help but think that today is what Las Vegas is going to be like. A calm before the storm.