Sorry this took so long. I'm hoping to get the chapters written and posted faster. It's just been tough these days.
Thanks to Northwoman, for being speedy as usual, even though she's busy with the I Write Songs Contest!
Oh, and thanks to all of you who have stuck with me, regardless of my lack of updates!
I'm sure there's more that I need to say, but think I better get on with the story! LOL!
These characters belong to Charlaine Harris.
Sookie's POV
"Pam, you didn't have to bring so much ... or anything for that matter," I insisted completely surprised, when she walked into my room with three garment bags draped across her arms that looked like they were about to burst at the seams because they were stuffed so full of clothes.
At breakfast, she'd informed me that she'd brought me some maternity clothes, but I'd had no clue she'd brought me an entire wardrobe. I had wondered why she had so much luggage with her when we'd picked her up from the airport though, and now, it made sense - over half of the luggage she'd brought was filled with new clothes that were apparently for me and it was just way too much.
"Sookie, it's nothing. Fashion's my job ... I know designers and if I don't know one, I know someone who does. Believe me, you're going to be the best dressed preggo in this crappy little town if I have any say in it," she giggled, laying the garment bags out on the bed.
"There's stuff in this one from Heidi Klum ... especially for you ... it's all couture ... she owed me," she said waggling her eyebrows just like Eric, as she unzipped the first bag, revealing its contents, then pointed to the others and added, "Russell's working on some stuff for you, but he's not finished, so for now there's stuff from all the top maternity boutiques in Hollywood and New York in those."
"Pam ... Heidi Klum ... couture ... just for me," I managed to eke out, my eyes were filling with tears - those damn hormones again.
"Sookie, Sweetie, what's wrong?"
Pam stepped around from the foot of the bed to the side where I was sitting and took a seat beside me. I felt like a major idiot. I was getting all teary-eyed over clothes and Pam actually thought something was really wrong.
I guess Eric never told her about the fact that I'd been a big ole cry-baby lately, I thought.
"Uhg!" I groaned through my tears, absolutely hating the fact I no longer had control over my own emotions. "I'm sorry, Pam. It's just really sweet you did all this for me ... nothing's wrong. I've just been crying over everything, lately."
"Oh, has my little ... uh ... well, hopefully a niece been doing a number on you?" she asked soothingly, reaching her hand out and resting on belly.
"You could say that," I agreed, tears still pouring from my eyes.
"I hate you have to go through all this, but it's all going to be worth it ...," she assured, then added smiling, "... and even if you feel like crap, at least you'll be well-dressed."
Pam's take on things effectively stopped my tears and got me laughing. It may have been one of the most ridiculous things I'd ever heard and the funniest thing about it was knowing Pam, she probably didn't mean her comment as a joke at all - like me being well-dressed made the fact I was constantly crying, puking my guts out, and tired as hell, all okay. Not to mention that also, soon, I'd be as big as a house.
"I know it will be worth it and really, thanks for all these clothes. I think I'm really going to need them," I said nodding, then added, "I hadn't gained any weight at all, but in the past couple of days, I've gone up a whole pants size and all my bras are too tight and I know it's only going to get worse over the next ... uh ... thirty or so weeks."
"Well, I'd have never guessed it. You look great. I wouldn't even know you were pregnant if Eric hadn't told me."
"Oh, well that's because I'm still proportionate and I still have a waist," I said matter-of-factly, as I stood up and reached for one of the garment bags. "All the weight I've gained has been in my tits and ass, so far," I giggled.
"Well, I sure wish I had that problem," Pam insisted, cupping her breasts as she frowned down at them.
Pam was built like a model. She was only a few inches shorter than Eric and couldn't have been any larger than a size two. I really found it hard to believe someone who looked like that could ever wish they had my big ass.
"You really expect me to believe that, Pam? I have short stumpy legs, a fat ass, and forget ever not wearing a bra, my boobs would hang down to my waist. You're tall, skinny, and your tits are so damn perky it makes me want to puke."
"I'd kill for your body, Sookie. You're hot ... and I'm gay, so I know," she insisted. "Being a skeleton like me isn't all it's cracked up to be. I've found most men and women like to have something to hold onto ... if you know what I mean," she winked.
"I wish I could look like you ... but seriously, don't worry about gaining weight. You're pregnant. It's the one time a girl's life she can get fat and not worry." She smiled continuing, "And, you'll still be cute, so really, you shouldn't worry about your weight until after the baby's born."
I giggled a little more at Pam's logic. It wasn't that I was worried about gaining weight, but at the same time, I wasn't exactly excited about it either. I'd only started gaining and I'd realized what a pain in the ass it could be - to wake up and attempt to get dressed only to find the pants you wore only a couple of days before were too tight. It sucked!
"I get what you're saying, but I'm really not that worried about gaining weight or getting fat. It just really sucks to wake up and find nothing fits but your sweats," I laughed.
"Oh, I guess that would suck ... but now you won't have that problem," she said grinning, then she pointed toward herself and professed, "Thanks to moi."
Eric's POV
Sookie and Pam had disappeared into our bedroom, right after we'd gotten home which left Hunter and I to fend for ourselves.
"What do you wanna do, Little Man?" I asked, figuring they'd be in there forever.
Pam had mentioned something about clothes on her way in and had carried in several garment bags, so I was pretty sure whatever they were doing could take hours and that I wanted no part of it.
"Let's watch 'Pwincess Bwide', Ewic?"
Someone was about ready for a nap, I thought.
'The Princess Bride' had been a favorite for me when I was a kid, so when I'd happened across it on one of the discount DVD racks at Wal-mart, right after I'd moved in with him and Sookie, I knew I had to buy it.
I just knew that it would be something that we could share. Something we could really bond over and I was right. We'd watched it at least ten times together and we'd only had it for maybe two weeks.
"Alright. Come up here with me?" I patted the spot beside me on the couch with one hand, as I picked up the DVD remote with the other. The disc was already in the machine, so all I had to do was start it.
Hunter snuggled against my side and wrapped his arms around my waist as the movie began. I was pretty sure he'd be asleep soon. Not only was he having difficulty pronouncing his r's which was a tell tale sign he was sleepy, he was being super-clingy, which was another one of his tells.
Within fifteen minutes, he'd begun to nod off, just as I'd suspected he would, so I laid a throw pillow in my lap and carefully readjusted him so that he was lying down, then reaching behind me, I grabbed the afghan from the back of the couch to cover him. In no time, he was out like a light.
As the movie went on, I found that I was watching Hunter sleep more than I was watching it and as I watched him lying in my lap, so innocent and trusting, I realized I could never not be a part of his life. He needed me and more than that, I needed him. I was totally attached to him and I really did love him like he was my own.
I knew there was no way, until the baby was born, I would truly know what it felt like to have a child of my own, but I was so sure it couldn't feel any different than how I felt now because my feelings for Hunter were just so strong. I'd really come to love him more than myself, even, and there was absolutely nothing I wouldn't do to protect him.
"I promise I'll always be here for you," I whispered as I gently ran my fingers through his thick, wavy, brown hair; knowing he couldn't hear me, but just needing to say it. "I love you, Little Man," I added, then yawned.
When I yawned I realized Hunter wasn't the only one that was tired. I apparently was, too. I guess it really had been a long morning, already, and it wasn't even eleven thirty yet.
Our morning had begun with Sookie being roused by sickness. I don't know exactly what time it was, but I do know our clock had been set for six and it hadn't yet gone off when she flew up out of bed and went running straight for the bathroom.
Between her being sick, both of us needing to shower and get dressed, and having to get Hunter up and ready to go, we'd ended up being late to pick up Pam. Actually, we didn't end up leaving the house until Pam's flight was about to land which made us nearly an hour late.
When we'd finally arrived at the airport, I swear it had to have been the busiest I'd ever seen it, but it wasn't nearly as crazy as the restaurant where we'd had breakfast. It was so busy that I didn't think we'd ever even get seated, much less get to eat. Needless to say, I was just happy to be home, now, where I could relax a little before our big dinner and our announcements, tonight.
So far, those we'd told about the baby had been nothing but supportive, but the only people we'd told were Pam, Jason, Tara, and Hunter and they were the people we both knew we could count on for support no matter what. I couldn't help but think not everyone would be as supportive as they'd been and I really hoped even if that was the case, that the evening still went well. The last thing I wanted was all hell breaking loose.
All I could do was hope for the best. There was no way I could control what anyone else thought, so instead of letting my mind get caught up in worry, which was something my mind loved to do, I tried my best to squelch it, instead, I leaned back against the arm of the couch and forced my focus back to the movie.
Sookie's POV
It was a little after noon by the time I had all the clothes Pam had brought me put away and I really needed to get started on dinner - not that there was much to do. Eric and I had decided on pot roast so all I really had to do was chop an onion and throw it, along with some red potatoes and baby carrots in the slow-cooker with the pork roast. By the time our guests would arrive, it would be ready to eat.
As we walked into the living room, Pam giggled, "Well, would you look at that," pointing at the couch.
Eric, Killer, and Hunter were all three curled up asleep on the couch, cuddling together and 'The Princess Bride' was playing on the TV. Hunter and Eric had watched it nearly a dozen times over the past couple of weeks. I think it was a favorite movie for them both.
"Oh! My! God! They are adorable!" Pam quietly squealed.
I agreed with Pam. They were adorable. Every time I saw them like that, it brought to mind just how lucky we both were to have Eric. He'd really turned out to be everything we both needed.
I couldn't believe I had actually once thought being with him would be bad for Hunter. I had been such an idiot and I couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, being with him had done nothing more than make me a better parent and him a happier child.
Also, had I have thought about it then, I'd have realized Hunter needed a father-figure in his life, which was something I could obviously never be to him. I'd really been stupid, but that was water under the bridge. Eric and I were together now, and as far as I was concerned, he was the perfect dad.
"Yeah, they are," I agreed, smiling. "I don't want to wake them. Why don't you go watch TV in our room," I suggested.
"Do you need any help with dinner?" she questioned.
"I got it. All I really have to do is chop an onion. It won't take me long, then I'll be in."
Eric's POV
A knocking sound, a tiny voice, and Killer jumping off the couch using my fucking nuts as leverage - those three things woke me up from a nap I didn't even realize I was taking until I was jarred awake.
"Uhg!" I gasped as my hands went straight to my balls. My eyes were still shut and I was desperately trying to will away the pain which started between my legs and was currently shooting throughout my entire body, but it wasn't that easy with all the fucking noise.
"Eric ... Eric," the tiny voice repeated, over and over, as Killer kept barking and that damn annoying knock continued.
Finally, when I couldn't take it anymore I forced my eyes open, prepared to start shouting. Even though I hadn't realized I was sleeping, I was still pissed to have been woke up in such an annoying way, but before I could start shouting I saw Hunter staring down at me, his face mere inches from my own. The sight of his big, brown eyes brought an immediate calm to the storm building inside me and a smile to my face.
"Eric!" He repeated again, straddling my chest and gently nudging my shoulder.
"What is it Hunter?" I questioned groggily, as I brought my hands up to my face, rubbing my eyes while figuring I'd deal with this one annoyance at a time - not that Hunter was really an annoyance, but he took precedence over Killer's barking and that annoying rapping.
I wasn't yet awake enough to realize why Killer was freaking out or what the noise was, but fortunately, Hunter was, and he was about to fill me in.
"Eric, there's some lady at the door," he said pointing toward it.
The door, of course, I thought. Killer's barking and the knocking - suddenly, it all made sense. I sat up slightly, turning toward the door to see who was there.
As my mind registered who was standing on the other side of the glass, I turned to Hunter and said, "Hey, why don't you and Killer go play in your room for a little bit," as I lifted him slightly so I could swing my legs off the couch and stand up.
He obliged, jumping off of the couch as he shouted, "Come on Killer," and headed off in the direction of his room.
By this time, I was standing as well. I turned to the door and signaled, one minute, with my finger, then picked up Killer, who was still barking at the door, and carried him into Hunter's room.
"You stay in here with Killer for a little bit, while I talk to the lady at the door, okay?," I insisted.
"Okay, Eric," Hunter agreed.
As I left, I shut his door behind me, nervous about what was to come.
Sookie's POV
Once dinner was in the slow-cooker, I'd headed back to my room to hang out with Pam, where apparently, we'd both fallen asleep. I didn't realize I'd even fallen asleep until I heard Killer barking and what sounded like someone knocking at the door.
My first thought was to get up and answer the door, but as I sat up, preparing to stand, the urge to throw up overtook me, so instead I set my sights on the bathroom. As far as I knew Eric was closer. He'd have to wake up and answer the door, if he was even still asleep.
As quickly as I could, I stood and ran to the bathroom, hoping I could make it there in time. I totally didn't succeed, which made it all look that much worse to Pam when she came to check on me. She'd apparently been woken by Killer, the knocking, or my puking. I really wasn't sure which.
Just as I slunk down by the toilet, she appeared in the doorway and gasped, "Oh my god, Sookie, are you okay?"
I managed to croak between gags, "I'm fine," but she didn't buy it.
I mean, I hated being sick and it wasn't pleasant, by far; especially when I didn't quite make it to the toilet, but I really was fine. I just hadn't been quick enough, so I'd made a little mess. It was nothing I couldn't clean up and I wasn't dying or anything.
Concerned, she insisted, "You don't sound fine ... and this doesn't look fine. I'm getting Eric!"
"No!" I cried, but it was too late, she'd already walked away.
The last thing I wanted was to bother him just because I was sick - I really could manage on my own, but it was too late to worry about that. He'd no doubt be walking through the bathroom door any moment.
Eric's POV
"Mom," I said, standing in the doorway, leaning against the open front door.
"Eric," she replied, her face completely blank.
Neither of us said another word after that for what felt like several minutes, but I'm sure it was only seconds. We just stood there and stared at each other, my body still blocking entry into the house.
She'd told me she and Dad were too busy to come and it wasn't like either of them to show up without calling first - hell, it wasn't like either of them to show up at all, so I couldn't help but wonder why exactly she was standing on my porch and I found myself growing more and more concerned that my worries from earlier were about to be given credence.
"What are you doing here?" I questioned. It came out slightly cold because I was so worried, surprised, and confused.
She glared as she answered, "You invited me. May I come in?"
I realized I was still blocking the doorway, so I apologized, "Oh, sorry, Mom ... come on in," as I stepped aside, moving out of her way. "You said you weren't coming ... that you were too busy. What changed your mind? Why are you here?" I asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
As much as I wanted to hold out hope she'd had a change of heart and that she was here because I'd asked her to be here and because she cared, I knew that wasn't going to be the case.
She'd originally told me she was busy with a big merger and I knew if she'd rearranged her business to be here and she did it all at the last minute, then she couldn't just be here for a friendly visit. That just wasn't the way she worked. She never rearranged business for pleasure. That meant that her reason for being here could not be good.
"Pamela called me and told me what you're doing here, Eric. Are you crazy? You barely know this girl," Mom lectured.
"Mom," I said, trying to cut in, but she was wasn't stopping.
Snarkily, she maintained, "She has a kid, Eric. Do you really want that responsibility? You can't marry her!"
"Mom!" I scolded, in an attempt to cut in again to defend myself and Sookie, but failed miserably.
I was so going to kill Pam for this. She'd definitely told Mom that Sookie and I were getting married and Mom was not happy. But she'd apparently left out the pregnancy part because I was pretty sure she'd have probably mentioned that first had Pam told her.
As badly as she was reacting to the news we were getting married, I was a little relieved to know that she didn't know Sookie was pregnant, but it wasn't like I could hide it much longer with her being here and I wasn't too confident I could get rid of her, or that I wanted to. She was my mom.
Mom's tone changed although she wouldn't allow me to get a word in edgewise. I guess she realized she wasn't going to get anywhere speaking to me as she had been.
Sounding concerned, she begged, "At least wait and get to know her better and make sure she's really what you want. You haven't known her that long." She reached out and put her hand on my shoulder.
For a moment I actually thought she was truly concerned because she cared about me, and didn't want me to make a mistake, not that I thought marrying Sookie was a mistake, but she truly seemed concerned for me. I found out differently when she spoke again.
"Think about our family. The money. We can't just let anyone in ...," she pleaded before being interrupted by Pam, who came rushing out of mine and Sookie's room.
As Pam rushed into the hallway, that separated the bedrooms from the living room she shouted, "Eric, my little niece or nephew is making Sookie sick again. She ..."
I'd turned toward Pam the moment she came hustling into the room shouting, only turning my head back to Mom at the precise moment Pam said the words niece and nephew. Her eyes were bulging out of her head as Pam said them. I turned back to Pam, wanting to strangle her as she looked up, realizing Mom was standing there.
Stopping her words and her body dead in their tracks, she smiled the type of smile you smiled only when you knew you'd royally fucked up and were in big trouble.
"Uh ... she needs you, Eric," she stammered, continuing what she'd tried to tell me before realizing Mom was here.
"Niece or Nephew?" Mom implored, looking like she was about to cry, but not the good way you'd expect your mom to cry when she found out she was becoming a grandma.
She shifted her eyes back and forth between me and Pam, begging us with her eyes to tell her what was going on, but I could tell she knew exactly what was going on. She was just hanging onto hope that she was wrong. I hated that I was going to have to tell her she wasn't.
"Pamela ... Eric, one of you, please tell me what that was about?" Mom pleaded. "I know I had to have heard wrong."
I stood frozen, in shock, because I'd been totally busted and wasn't exactly getting the reaction I'd hoped for, instead, I was getting the one I'd been most dreading.
Not that I'd expected everyone to be as supportive of us as Pam, Jason, or Tara, but I had hoped Mom, and Dad for that matter, would at the very least be happy and maybe a little excited. I'd figured they'd have their concerns, as would everyone else, but that first and foremost, they'd just be happy for us.
Mom was going to be a grandma, but she clearly didn't care, which really sucked. To make matters worse, she'd made it pretty clear the only thing she was concerned for was the family's money. She'd said as much right before Pam came barging in with the grand-fucking-reveal.
Pam was still standing in the entryway to the living room smiling like a fucking lunatic when I turned and mouthed the words, "Thanks a fucking lot, Bitch," at her, then asked, "Can you keep an eye on Hunter, please? He's in his room right now ... just keep him occupied if he comes out."
She nodded, so I turned back to Mom and said, "I think you know exactly what Pam was talking about, Mom, but this isn't a good time." I turned toward the hallway and as I walked away, I said, "We'll talk about this in a little bit. I have to go check on Sookie."
I chuckled and shook my head as I walked away. We were having a baby, for crying out loud. A cute and cuddly fucking baby. We weren't kids; we were responsible adults. People were supposed to be happy for us, damn it!
Sookie's POV
As I gagged and heaved, Eric appeared in the doorway. He surveyed the disgusting mess I'd made, then he nimbly made his way through the bathroom, to me. I couldn't help but notice he looked a little upset.
He knelt down beside me, and apologized, "Baby, I'm sorry I took so long. Let me get you some wet washcloths and start cleaning this up."
"It's okay. You don't have to clean it up," I faltered. "I'm sorry I made such a mess. I'll get it," I cried, assuming he was upset I'd puked all over the bathroom.
"Baby," he drawled. "It's fine. It's not like you did it on purpose ... I don't mind cleaning it up," he insisted, but he still looked troubled.
"If you're not upset about the mess, then what's wrong?" I asked, stammering between heaves, wondering what had him so disconcerted.
He didn't answer my question - he avoided it.
Instead, he joked, "This is pretty fucking nasty," scrunching his nose. "You should be quicker next time," he laughed as he grabbed a couple wash cloths off the shelf and held them under the water flowing from the sink.
Continuing to avoid my question, he handed me a washcloth, then placed the other on the back of my neck and cooed, "I love you, Sookie," before kissing the side of my head, getting a dirty towel from the hamper and cleaning up my vile mess, with absolutely no complaints.
By the time he'd finished cleaning up, I was fairly certain there was nothing else that could possibly try to escape my stomach and I was actually starting to get a little hungry. It was sick, I know, but it was how things were for me lately.
Eric knelt back down beside me and asked, "Are you feeling better?"
He was still ignoring my question and it was starting to piss me off.
"I'm fine, Eric, but I'm hungry," I miffed. "Now, quit avoiding my question and tell me what's wrong," I demanded. "You're making me nervous."
So, now Eric get's to explain to an overly-emotional, pregnant Sookie that his Mom's there and not very happy with their situation ... oh, and they have a houseful of guests that'll be there in a couple hours to make matters worse!
Any takers on how that's gonna go?
Tell me what you thought!