The Next Night

Bill sank into the steaming water and pulled Sookie close. Reaching over, he pushed the button to start the jets. Sookie rested against him and he nuzzled her neck. It was his favorite part of the day. Almost. The moments when they were together had quickly become precious to him. Her blood sustained him. He craved it, no, he craved her as he did no other. When he was away from her, she was all he could think of, and when he was with her he could not get enough of her scent, her body, her ability to spark something in him that no one had touched for far too long.

"What are you thinking about?" Sookie's timing was perfect.

"You like asking that question, don't you?" He smiled.

"More than you could ever know." She admitted. "But you didn't answer."

"When I am with you I'm reminded of things. Things I haven't thought about for years."

Sookie waited, but her silence was a question.

"My family. My life as a human."

Sookie turned in the tub so she faced him. "Does that make you sad?"

"Not really. It's like remembering a movie I watched a long time ago."

"What was she like? Your wife, I mean. Do you remember? How did you meet her?"

Bill closed his eyes willing memories he had banished long ago to come to the surface. "Life was different then. Her father's farm bordered ours. It wasn't exactly an arranged marriage, but it was strongly encouraged, and it was the way of things. It was business, survival really."

"Did you love her?"

"Love was not a priority. I loved her later. But when we wed, no. She was a child. I was not much more than one. Neither of us had any idea of what it meant to be married, only that we would work the land and raise the children that would come. That was to be our life, as it had been our parents'. She was shy." The memories came flooding back now and he had to measure his words so as not to say too much, or let himself become emotional. "We lost the first baby to a fever. It was not uncommon, but she took it very hard. It might have made us turn on each other, but instead it brought us closer. We were fortunate with the next two. First a healthy daughter and then a son. We were happy."

"Then the war came."

"Poor men fighting for rich men's land and slaves. She begged me not to go. But there was nothing else to do. I could not hide like a coward, and to be discovered of sound body and shirking duty would mean certain death. So I went."

"And you never got to come home."

"I was one of many who never came home."

Sookie reached and stroked his face. "But the others died. They didn't know.... I am so sorry you lost so much."

"Sookie, don't. Don't feel sorry for me. I am not that man."

"I know, but..."

"Shh..." Bill leaned in and kissed her. "There's a surprise for you in the kitchen." He said,. changing the subject. "Go and see."

"A surprise? In the kitchen?" Sookie rose from the tub and dried off, pulling his shirt on and rolling up the sleeves that fell past her wrists. He stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist.

"You could bring some clothes and leave them here, if you like." Bill said.

"I like wearing your shirt." Sookie blushed and fiddled with the top button.

"I like you wearing nothing under my shirt." Bill said, sliding his hand inside, stroking the curve of her hip.

Sookie slapped his hand away. "Surprise first." She sashayed off in the direction of the kitchen. Bill followed.

Sookie stood in the kitchen looking around. "I don't see anything. Where's the surprise?"

Bill opened the cupboard and the refrigerator.

"Food?" Sookie stared at him wide-eyed. "You bought food for me?" She glanced at the shelves and peered into the fridge. "How did you know what to buy?"

Bill smiled. She was pleased. He loved making her happy. "I snooped while you were sleeping."

"Did you make a grocery list?" Sookie giggled.

"I have a good memory. I called and had the order delivered."

"Thank you." Sookie wrapped her arms around him. "That was very thoughtful."

"You are very welcome." Bill kissed the top of her head, then slowly pulled the shirt up so that he could stroke bare skin.

"Ummmmm." Sookie murmured. She lifted her face to his and kissed him. He slipped his hands under the shirt again, and Sookie responded, tugging the towel from his waist. He pulled her to him as the shirt joined the towel on the kitchen floor.