Here's the new chapter ... complete with a surprise POV! Anyway, I hope everyone likes it!

Thanks to Northwoman who literally had this chapter back to me in like an hour or two! She's always quick and she always steers me in the right direction. If it weren't for her, this chapter might not have ever been finished! She puts up with my hellaciously long emails and is always willing to help! She rocks!

Oh, and she's leaving town next week, so I probably won't have any new updates until the following week.

These characters belong to Charlaine Harris.

Sookie's POV

"Eric," I pleaded, poking him in the side, "Please. Roll. Over."

Fuck, he was loud. It was after four and I had yet to get any sleep. He'd been asleep for nearly two hours and I found it completely unfair and infuriating that we could have mind-blowing sex and as soon as we'd finish and his head would hit the pillow he'd be out, yet I'd be energized and far from able to sleep ... a problem that was only worsened by the loud fucking honking that reverberated from within him.

"What?" he asked still sleeping and quite crabbily. "I'm fucking sleeping," he slurred, groggily.

I'd found that Eric was far from nice when you woke him up and you pretty much had to be just as nasty back, to get him to listen, which was no problem, seeing as how I was pissed off and tired.

"Well, I'd like to sleep, too, so shut the fuck up, roll over, and stop snoring, damn it!" I fumed, nearly at my wit's end.

Really, his nasty attitude didn't bother me in the slightest ... well; at least I couldn't blame him for it because I was the same way. Obviously, the situation we were in at the moment proved that I didn't like people messing with my sleep either ... not that I'd ever really do it, but just minutes before I poked him and asked him to roll over I had contemplated covering his face with my pillow and smothering him, simply so I could get a little sleep.

Once I had successfully squelched the need to smother him and got him rolled over the room was finally quiet ... for all of thirty seconds, and then he started snoring again. This time it wasn't just loud honking ... it sounded sort of like a dying horse ... his cheeks were flapping and everything ... so in a fit of rage, I grabbed my pillow and the quilt from the foot of the bed and stormed into the living room.

I was just getting myself and Killer, who'd apparently heard me and decided to join me, comfy on the couch and as I pulled the quilt up over us, the light from the fire in the fireplace reflected off the big center diamond in the ring Eric had given me, only hours before, catching my eye.

Holding my hand up slightly, trying to catch the best angle in the dim light, I finally took a moment to really study the ring. I had been so taken aback and surprised by Eric's proposal ... well, and our celebration afterwards that I hadn't even paid attention to it.

I couldn't believe what I saw as I lay on the couch staring at my finger. The ring … it was freaking huge! It was too dark to tell for sure, but there had to have been at least fifteen or twenty diamonds in the damn thing, not to mention the darker stones. It was too dark to even guess how many of those there were or what they were, but I suspected possibly, emeralds, sapphires, or garnets because I could tell they were dark in color.

The ring was obviously antique, at least it looked really old, and it looked quite expensive. Part of me couldn't help but wonder how someone with Eric's salary could afford such a beautiful ring, but I sure as hell wasn't going to wake him up to ask. Figuring I'd wait until morning, I rolled over, spooned Killer, and finally got myself some sleep.

Eric's POV

I woke up to find Sookie missing from bed. Figuring she must be sick again, I headed straight for the bathroom to find it empty. As much as I desperately wanted to crawl back in the bed, I figured that if she wasn't sick, then she and Hunter must be up and she was probably cooking breakfast, so I relieved myself, took my medication, splashed some water on my face, and was brushing my teeth when it hit me ... SHE SAID YES!

I was going to marry Sookie and I couldn't wait! I felt like such a fucking nancy to be so freaking excited about getting married, but I didn't give a shit ... I was in love with the perfect woman and she was going to marry me and have my child ... and I was also getting Hunter, whom I was proud to call my son, with the whole deal! I couldn't have been happier and my life was definitely good!

With a smile on my face, I threw on a t-shirt, and headed for the kitchen. I was going to suggest to Sookie that we announce our engagement tomorrow night along with the pregnancy. I was also hoping she'd be ready to set a date ... the sooner the better as far as I was concerned ... I couldn't wait to be her husband.

On my way to the kitchen, I was surprised to find Sookie and Killer curled up on the couch in the living room along my way. Killer, jumped up and started barking as soon as I approached them, waking Sookie in the process.

"Hush, Killer, I'm not going to hurt her," I commanded.

He really was a protective and territorial little fucker ... he didn't like it one bit when we snuck up on each other while we slept and he really hated it when Sookie and I made love. Honestly, I was pretty sure he thought we were hurting each other because of the noises we made … the grunts, groans, and, moans. He absolutely abhorred violence of any kind. For that reason, I was glad that he'd taken to usually sleeping with Hunter ... don't get me wrong, I missed spooning the little guy, but I'd rather make love to Sookie.

"Baby, why are you out here?" I asked.

"Don't you remember?" she yawned.

Nope ... sure don't, I thought, slightly worried, as I tried to figure out what I was supposed to be remembering.

"Remember what exactly?" I finally questioned, nervously wondering what I'd done ... this time.

As much as I hated to admit it, this wasn't the first time I'd found Sookie on the couch since I'd been staying here ... I'd found her there twice before. Apparently, I had some pretty unruly sleeping habits that I never knew about ... like talking, snoring, gritting my teeth, stealing the covers, and taking up the whole bed and refusing to budge ... at least those were the ones Sookie'd complained about.

"You were snoring again," she seethed, looking slightly pissed. She giggled quite sinisterly, then added, "It was either smother you or sleep on the couch," but she did it totally in a joking manner ... at least I hoped so.

Keeping in the spirit of the fun I'd hoped she was projecting, I laughed, "Well, I'm glad you chose the latter, Lover ... but I'm sorry I ruined your sleep," as I took a seat beside her, leaned down, and gently touched my lips to hers causing Killer to get all worked up again. "Killer, enough," I said firmly as I pulled back from Sookie holding my finger in his face.

"Oh, leave him be," she giggled. "He just does that because he loves us."

"I know, but that doesn't mean he's not a pain in the ass," I laughed as I nuzzled her neck and Killer snarled and barked again. "Come back to bed. It's not even seven and Hunter's not up yet," I suggested.

"He went to sleep pretty early last night and he'll probably be up soon. As tempting as it sounds to go back to bed, I think I'd better get breakfast started," she said sitting up and flipping on the TV.

"Baby, if you won't come back to bed with me, then at least let me handle breakfast?" I begged.

It was the least I could do seeing as how I had kept her from getting enough rest in the first place.

"I love you," she said smiling.

"I love you, too," I said smiling back at her. "I'm going to take Killer out and make some coffee, and then I'll get started on breakfast. Do you want me to bring you a cup when it's ready, or wait?"

"Wait, please. I'm not sure what my stomach's going to do over the next little bit and I don't want to waste my coffee."

She was so funny. I continually told her that if she'd drink decaf, she could have as much coffee as she wanted, but she flat out refused, saying things like, "That shit is garbage", and "I'd rather have one real cup of coffee than a gallon of that nasty shit!" Yep, to her decaf equaled shit.

"Alright," I laughed, shaking my head, then I kissed her chastely, stood and headed toward the kitchen with Killer in tow.

Sookie's POV

When Eric left, I felt like I should probably get up and shower or at least brush my teeth, but I just wasn't quite ready to get my butt in gear and off of the couch, yet, so instead, I turned my attention to the TV. As I was flipping through the channels, my ring caught my eye, reminding me that I needed to take the time to study it again, now that there was light.

Seeing it glisten in the rays of sun that were coming in through the blinds in my living room was enough to get my ass in gear, off the couch, and right into freak-out mode. That shit was almost blinding. As I'd suspected the night before, the ring was definitely old and very expensive and as much as I hated the idea, I had to tell Eric to take it back.

"Eric," I stammered as I entered the kitchen in full freak-out mode, "This ring ... I know this will sound horrible ... I really do love it ... it's beautiful, but I can't accept it."

Eric turned away from the bacon he was preparing to fry on the stove smiling when I'd said his name, but as I spoke, I watched as his smiling face, which looked so incredibly happy to see me, as it twisted and contorted into a look of complete and total shock, hurt, and confusion.

At first, I was so wrapped up in my little fit that I wasn't grasping why he looked so sullen and upset. I mean, it wasn't like I was breaking up with him or telling him I didn't want to marry him; I just wanted him to take back the ring ... but when he spoke it became all too clear that, that was exactly what he thought.

Solemnly, he lamented, "Sookie, you don't mean that. Please, tell me you don't mean it?" he begged.

Damn word vomit ... Fuck me! I never had meant for him to think I wouldn't marry him; I had simply meant the ring was too expensive. We had a baby on the way and I knew he didn't make enough to buy me jewelry like that. I mean, the ring was so big and so sparkly that I didn't even have a clue what something like it would cost. To me, that was indication enough that he'd spent too much.

"Eric, I didn't mean it like that," I said frantically trying to make him understand. "I want to marry you; it's just that ... this ring ... it's too expensive. I know you can't afford it. You need to take it back." Walking towards him, I added, "I don't need a big fancy ring ... all I need is you," and when I reached him, I wrapped my arms tightly around him.

"Oh God, Sookie, you scared me," he breathed, sounding relieved, as his arms wrapped around me and he held me just as tight. "Please don't ever do that to me again ... I thought you were leaving me," he said relieved as he continued holding on to me for dear life.

After a few moments the toaster dinged and the bread shot up, startling us both back into real life.

Eric loosened the grip he had on me as he said, "I guess I need to get back to breakfast, but you should know that you're stuck with me and a big fancy ring. I can't take it back. It ..."

Fuck! He couldn't return it. He couldn't get his money back. Fuck! Back into freak-out mode I go ...

"Are you sure?" I interrupted, pulling myself from his arms.

"Yes, Sookie, I'm sure. I didn't ..."

"Why? Did the place you bought it have some sort of no return policy or something?" I questioned fearfully, interrupting him again, not understanding why he couldn't take it back.

"Sookie, would you stop interrupting me so I can finish?" he implored, slightly raising his voice.

When his voice rose, it sort of snapped me out of my panic and back to reality. It was nothing mean or violent ... he simply spoke a little louder than normal, but it was enough to shut me up and make me listen. Silently, I nodded, allowing him to explain why he couldn't return the ring.

"I can't take it back because I didn't buy it. It belonged to my grandma," he explained. "It was her engagement ring. When she passed away, she left all of her jewelry to me and Pam, to be split equally between us. I gave Pam my share because ...well, I'm a guy and at the time there was nobody special in my life to give it to ... it was all pretty expensive; not the sort of stuff you'd just hand out to any ole girlfriend ... even if I had been dating someone at the time ... but Pam always told me if I wanted any of it that she'd give it to me. We both agreed that Grandma's ring should be yours. There's a matching band, too, but you can't have that yet," he added playfully with a grin.

Now, I felt like an idiot. Fucking hormones!

"I'm so sorry, Eric. I shouldn't have lost it like that. I just hadn't gotten a good look at it until just a few minutes ago and when I realized how expensive it looked ... well, I guess I just freaked," I apologized. "I should have known you wouldn't spend money like that."

"It's okay, Baby," he assured opening his arms. "Come here."

I allowed him to take me back into his arms and he ran his hands up and down my back and assured, "I should have told you where it came from last night. It's really all my fault, Baby… I'm sorry." After a moment, he pulled away slightly, but still held me in his arms and added laughing, "We did get a little distracted last night, though; didn't we?" as he waggled his eyebrows.

"Maybe just a little?" I giggled as I remembered just how "distracted" we'd been, and then all of the sudden, my stomach started to gurgle.

Fuck me ... I'm going to throw up, I thought as I brought my hand up to my mouth, pulled out of Eric's arms, and ran to my bathroom as quickly as I could; making it just in time.

Pam's POV

I had been sleeping for about an hour when I was jarred from sleep by the sound of my brother's ring on my cell phone. I was really going to have to change that to something less annoying ... especially given how often he called.

"What?" I answered slightly perturbed.

"Hey, Sis, what's going on?"

"Well, I was sleeping, Baby Brother," I seethed.

He knew damn well that I had a flight to catch and that I was going to bed early tonight. This had better be important, I thought.

"You know damn well that I have plane to catch at 5am. Now, what's so important that it can't wait another ten hours until you see me in person?"

"SHE SAID YES!" Eric shouted, extremely happily, into the phone.

Hearing my brother so happy immediately stifled any ill feelings I'd had when I'd answered the phone. I'd known from the moment I met her, that Sookie was the girl for my brother and I couldn't have been happier for him ... although, I must say that I never doubted she'd say yes.

I had seen the way they looked at each other at Christmas and realized that if I thought they were all about each other on Halloween, which they very much were, that they must eat, sleep, shit, and breathe each other now.

You could tell by the look in their eyes that they were both completely and totally, head over heels in love and it also didn't take being with them long to figure out that those two ... well, and that adorable little munchkin, Hunter, were already a family. Marriage was just the next logical step, even though things were moving fast between them.

"That's great, Baby Brother! I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks, Sis."

"So, I'm assuming this wedding is going to happen sooner rather than later, given the situation?"

I'm no dummy. I knew that my brother was the type that would want to do everything "the right way" and that meant he'd want them married before the baby was born. I also knew that no woman wanted to be pregnant and showing on her wedding day, so I knew they wouldn't put it off very long.

"Actually, we're still working out the date, but yeah ... we both agree that sooner is better than later because we both want to be married before the baby comes and she said that she doesn't want to look like the Goodyear Blimp in our wedding photos," he laughed.

"Oh, she'd be gorgeous even if you waited until she was in her ninth month and was as big as a house. Do I need to talk some sense into her when I get there in the morning?"

"No. I already told her that and promised her we'd do it as soon as possible," he said. "We're going to try to get the license in the next week or so, whenever I can get away from school for a couple of hours and she's off work, and then we'll set the date from there, but I'd say it will be in the next month or so, so be ready because I want you to be here."

"Russell is going to shit a brick when he finds out I need more time off so soon," I said, thinking out loud.

"Tell Russell he can come, too, then he won't be such a little bitch about it," he laughed.

I laughed at the thought of watching as Russell watched my brother getting married. He'd always had a thing for Eric, and had always held out hope that one day Eric would realize he was gay ... or at the very least get drunk enough to give it a shot.

Eric, of course, was clueless to all of it. He really thought that Russell's advances were Russell just being friendly and I didn't think I needed to fill him in. It was way too much fun to sit back and study the sickness that played out before me every time the two of them were together.

"Just let me know the date as soon as you know it and I'll make sure I'm there ... with or without Russell."

"You know you'll be the first to know, Pam," he assured. "We told Hunter and he's really excited. He said, 'We're going to be a real family, now,' and went absolutely ape-shit. Oh, and yesterday, he referred to me as his dad ... but he doesn't call me Dad, so don't mention it in front of him," he warned, then got quiet for a moment before sniffling, and adding, "I really love that kid, Pam. I'm so damn lucky."

"Baby Brother, don't you dare go getting all emo on me," I scolded.

I loved him ... and fuck, I didn't blame him ... Hunter was the sweetest kid in the world ... but I swear, sometimes Eric was worse than a teenage girl. I knew he was happy and I knew he was getting everything that he'd ever wanted in life, but damn ... he was a thirty-two year old man ... not a fourteen year old girl.

He took a deep breath, getting himself together and totally changed the subject when he said, "I think you'll be excited to know that Stan and Bill are coming this weekend."

Stan and Bill ... he was right. I was beyond excited to see them. In college, the four of us were always together ... the best of friends and partners in crime, but after college we all went our separate ways ... me to New York, Eric to New Orleans, Stan to Dallas, and well, Bill stayed in Baton Rouge and later moved to Miami.

With all of us starting new lives in new places, we tried to keep in touch, but really aside from the occasional lunch during a business trip or wall post on facebook, I hadn't seen or heard from either of them in years.

"You know me too well, Baby Brother. I'm can't wait to see Stan and Bill. I don't think I've seen Stan in like ... fuck, I don't know ... four or five years and it's been even longer since I've seen Bill. This is going to be so much fun! The four of us ... out on the town ... together again!" I exclaimed.

"Whoa ... hold up a minute, here! Don't expect me to be going out partying with you guys," he warned seriously. "It wouldn't be fair to Sookie or Hunter."

"You're such a fucking grown-up!" I teased. "When exactly was it that you became a grumpy, old fart, Baby Brother?"

"Pam, you're such a fucking bitch!"

"Oh ... I'm only kidding. I know that you have responsibilities and I'm proud of you and happy for you. Did you ever talk to Mom and Dad?"

"I did and they aren't coming ... something about a big merger ... not that I really thought they would come anyway," he said sounding slightly disappointed.

It was no surprise that our parents weren't going to be there, but I did find myself wondering if he'd told them anything about the pregnancy. I doubted he'd told them about their engagement because he was just now telling me and I knew I would be the first he told.

"Did you tell them that Sookie's pregnant?" I asked.

"No. If they can't be here, then they'll just have to wait. Honestly Pam, at this point I don't care if they ever find out. I mean, I love them. They're our parents and I'd never keep their grandchild from them, but I'm sick of them never being around ... even for the important stuff. They should know by now, I'm not going to invite them to something if it's not important."

"Do you want me to try to talk to them for you? Maybe I could get them to change their minds. They still have time to get to Louisiana before dinner tomorrow night. It's not like they don't have the company jet on standby at all times."

"Don't worry about it Pam. I'm at my wit's end with them. I just don't even want to waste my energy on them anymore," he said.

"Well, then we won't talk about them anymore," I suggested. "What did Sookie think of the ring? Did she like it?" I asked attempting to change the subject.

"Yeah, she loves it ... at least she does now."

"What do you mean, she does now?" I asked, wondering what that was all about.

"Well, she thought I'd bought it and freaked because it looked so expensive. I kind of may have left out the fact that it belonged to Grandma," he said with a wince in his voice.

I had to be missing something. From what I knew about Sookie, she was really smart and it seemed to me like she would have figured it could have been a family heirloom, as rich as our family was, and not to mention the fact that ring was antique.

To me, it just seemed as if she would have explored that as an option before jumping to the conclusion that he'd bought it. I mean, she had to know he would never buy something he couldn't afford. That totally wasn't my brother's style. Frugal was his middle name.

"Regardless of whether you told her it was Grandma's, I don't get why she'd jump to the conclusion you bought it so fast, Eric?" I questioned. "It seems like she'd have considered that there was a chance that you'd inherited it, given the fact that our family runs one of the most successful donut shops in the country and has for three generations," I said confused. "Not to mention the fact that you're a fucking tight-wad when it comes to your money.

"That's the thing, Pam ... she doesn't know any of that ... well, I think she knows I'm a tight-wad, as you call it, but the rest ... I haven't told her. It just hasn't ..."

"Hold up! ... What the fuck?" I interrupted, "You haven't told her yet? She doesn't know? You're not stupid, Eric. How could you not tell her that?"

"I know I probably should have already told her, but it's not like it's something I constantly think about. It's just the way things are and always have been and we've only been together for a short time. I'm sure there's still a lot we both have to share with and learn about each other."

I couldn't believe he hadn't already filled Sookie in on the fact that our family's business was World of Doughnuts. I mean, I understood his reasoning, but come on ... that's a pretty big detail to not mention. World of Doughnuts was up there with Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme. It was a household name.

"Eric, I know it's just how things are for us and a normal part of our lives and I know the two of you haven't been together long and have had a lot of other things to focus on in your relationship in that short time, but that's a pretty big detail to fail to mention."

"I know it is and I know I should have told her already, but between everything else that's been going on and the fact that I've lived for thirty-two years far from the lap of luxury and have had no choice but to work hard to get everything I have ... honestly it's been the last thing on my mind. Their money has had absolutely no bearing on my life and frankly, it's not like we're going to see any of it any time soon. It just hasn't come up between us."

"Well, you need to tell her ... like yesterday," I scolded, still unable to believe he hadn't told her, "And I certainly wish you luck when you do," I said, then muttered, "You'll certainly need it," under my breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing ... I just hope she takes the news well," I said, then yawned, "Listen, I'm glad you called, but I really do need to get some sleep ...," and call Mom and Dad, but I wasn't going to tell him that.

There was no way I was going to let them not be there. They'd missed everything important that had ever happened in mine and Eric's lives and I wasn't going to let them miss this. It meant way too much to Eric that they be there.

"Yeah, I guess I will see you in just a few hours ... and I need to get the little man to bed ... and I guess Sookie and I need to talk. I love you, Sis."

"I love you too, Baby Brother. I'll see you in time for breakfast."

"See you then ... and stop with the Baby Brother shit!"

Once I'd hung up with Eric, I immediately dialed Mom and Dad.

"Beatrix Northman," Mom answered pretentiously, as usual.

"Mommy, I just talked to Eric and he said you and Daddy aren't coming to Louisiana this weekend."

"Pamela, your father and I are very busy with the Planet Coffee merger. We just can't get away right now. I told your brother that if we could be there we would and he knows that," she insisted.

"He doesn't know that because it's simply not true," I spat, then added, "You and Daddy wouldn't be there if you could. You're too wrapped up in the company to give a shit about us. Do you know why he wants you and Daddy there?" I questioned, extremely pissed.

"Pamela, he just wants us to meet his girlfriend. It's not that big of a deal. I'm sure he'll have others for us to meet someday," she said cluelessly.

Oh my god! I couldn't believe what I was hearing! One would think that by now, my parents could never amaze me with their ignorance and lack of regard for Eric and I, but right now, that theory was being shot down in the worst kind of way, so in a fit of anger, resentment, and utter shock, I laid it all out on the table and I was unable to hold back.

"Mother, Sookie's not just any girlfriend and he's not going to have others! He loves her! He wants to spend the rest of his life with her and grow old with her! They got engaged! He gave her Grandma's ring and everything! That's why he wants you there!" I shouted.

"What?" Mom questioned, sounding slightly in shock. "Quit joking, Pamela."

"You heard me and I'm not joking. I suggest you and Daddy fire up the jet and get your asses to Louisiana," I said before slamming my phone shut.

That oughta do it; I thought as I sat my phone back down on my nightstand and curled back up into my bed in an attempt to salvage my last few hours of sleep. My 2am wakeup call was going to come way too soon.

Sookie's POV

"Hey, Baby," Eric said as he entered our bedroom. "You still awake?"

I had been dozing for over an hour; in a limbo between being asleep and awake while lying in bed and watching TV.

"Yeah, I'm up," I said groggily.

Eric crawled in bed beside of me, snuggled against me, but as opposed to lying down, he stayed in a seated position, and then he dropped the bomb.

"Baby, I talked to Pam a little while ago … and well, she pointed something out to me which made me realize that … well, that there's something I needed to tell you … and it's something that I maybe should have told you a while ago."

Damn, he sounded nervous, and he was scrunching up his nose as he spoke. That was something he only did when he thought he was going to upset me, which certainly didn't help me stay calm in this situation.

I mean, I had no clue what he was about to tell me, but the fact that he said it was something that he should have told me already, really freaked me out, so I just sat up and nodded, letting him know to go ahead and tell me whatever it was. I just wanted it over with.

"Uh … you've heard of World of Doughnuts, right?" he asked.

I nodded. Who hadn't heard of World of Doughnuts? In my opinion it was the best damn donut shop there was. Their American-style donuts were just as good as Krispy Kreme's and on top of those, they had every type of donut imaginable from all over the world ... hence the name World of Doughnuts ... at least I assumed that was the case.

This conversation couldn't possibly be any weirder, I thought. None of this made any sense and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what World of Doughnuts had to do with what he needed to tell me or why he had a look of impending doom on his face.

"Well, my family basically owns World of Doughnuts … uh … they did own it … now they just hold the most stock," he stammered. "My Great Granddad started it about seventy years ago. It started out as a small bakery in Chicago that specialized in donuts and eventually grew into what it is today."

"World of Doughnuts ... that's like ... huge!" I exclaimed, knowing I had to look at the very least, a little shocked and confused. "So you're telling me that your great grandfather started a donut shop and it became World of Doughnuts? I know you told me your parents were always too busy with their business to be around for you and Pam, but I had no clue that was your family's business."

My mouth was gaping and I was completely and totally shocked. Honestly, I couldn't believe what I was hearing and I couldn't help but wonder that if what he was telling me was true, why was his career in education? To me it seemed that a family that had a successful company like that would want to groom their offspring to take over someday.

"I know I should have told you sooner, but honestly Sookie, that business has nothing to do with me and I just don't think about it a lot. Plus, Dad's made sure that Pam and I won't see a penny until him and Mom both pass away or decide they want to retire."

"Why would he do that to you and Pam?" I asked not understanding the reasoning behind any of what Eric had just told me.

"Sookie, Pam and I, I guess we were rich growing up, but they didn't raise us in the lap of luxury. Our house was nice, but it was far from a mansion and as soon as we were old enough to work, they stopped giving us our allowances ... which weren't much anyway. We had to work in order to buy everything we needed ... paper and pens for school ... clothes ... toiletries ... you name it. We were basically cut off completely aside from the roof over our heads and that was only there until we were eighteen. Mom and Dad didn't even help Pam and I pay for college. We did that ourselves."

"Why? Was it because Pam wanted to be in fashion and you wanted to teach?" I asked, unable to see any reason a parent would do that to their child.

"Actually, that had nothing to do with it," he said, then continued, "See, my Grandpa was raised pretty much in poverty, until the business really took off ... and by the time that happened he was grown and was working side by side with his dad ... my great granddad. He knew the value of the dollar and made sure to instill that in my dad, by making him work as soon as he could until he graduated from college. Only after Dad graduated from college, was he given access to any of the family money and a job. He wanted my dad to truly appreciate our family's wealth and not take it for granted," Eric said. "Dad took things a step further with me and Pam."

"So this is all about you and Pam learning to appreciate your wealth?" I asked, still not completely able to wrap my head around it all.

"Basically, yes ... and honestly, it's totally fine with me. I never wanted to work in the company anyway. The only thing I ever wanted to do is teach," he said smiling.

I was still a little taken aback and wondering exactly what this all meant for Eric and I. Was he actually saying that one day World of Doughnuts was going to be his and Pam's? What on earth did that mean for us?"

"Eric, are you saying that one day, you and Pam will be rich and in charge of the company?" I questioned, still completely dumbfounded by all he'd just told me.

"What I'm saying is that one day, we," he said as he grabbed my hands, then went on, "will be very rich and so will Pam, and the three of us will hire managers to run the company ... unless that's a job you might be interested in. Pam and I are not ... that's for sure."

This was really a lot to take in. He just fucking told me that we were going to be rich and if I wanted, I could run the company. What the fuck?

"We? ... I can manage ...," I stammered, then gave up, not knowing what on earth to say to something like that.

"Sookie, you are in this with me and Pam, now ... what's mine is yours forever ... the money, the business ... hell, and my old ratty recliner that's sitting in my living room in Shreveport ... that is unless it's too much and you want out," he said solemnly. "That's not what I want and I think it would kill me, but I'd understand if it's too much."

"It's not too much, Eric ... well, it is too much ... but I love you and I'm not going anywhere," I said, feeling tears pooling in the corners of my eyes.

Yep, those damn hormones again ... making me cry, but I couldn't help it. Eric had just told me that everything that was his was mine and it was just too much on top of everything else he'd just told me. It pushed me right over the edge.

"Baby, why are you crying?" he questioned.

"I can't help it. What you just said ... it was just so sweet."

"I meant every word of it. Everything I have is yours, Sookie and I wouldn't have it any other way ... and if and when we get control of everything, if you want to make yourself a career anywhere within the company, you can. I just want you to be happy."

"I am happy," I blubbered. "As long as I'm with you, I'm happy."

So, not a lot went on in this chapter, but some pretty big things did go on that had to happen for the story to move forward. With that said, I had hoped to get at least into the whole dinner/ announcement, but I feel it would have made the chapter a bit too busy and too long. That'll be in the next one.

And, I did a little research for this chapter about donut history and it's just amazing. Many countries have their own versions of donuts ... which makes sense, but was still surprising for some reason. Also, prior to the birth of Dunkin Donut in 1948 the spelling of donut was actually doughnut, for the most part. There were a few occurrences of it being spelled donut, but not many. It wasn't until Dunkin Donut that we Americans adopted the shortened spelling of the word! Pretty interesting, huh.

Oh, and I don't want to forget this one ... If you'd like to see Sookie's engagement ring, there is a link on my profile. I've also put a link there to the band, but it's not really her band. Envision a similar band that better matches her ring when you look at the picture.

Finally ... tell me what you thought!