Happily Never After by PersianFreak
Sequel to Surprise
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Charlaine Harris. Please don't sue.
Rating: T, possibly M for later chapters
A/N: Sorry for the wait, you guys; I was having issues with my computer. Thanks to everyone for your beautiful reviews!! They made my days :) More reviews are, as always, welcome.
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It's unbelievable how life goes on when you're not sure you can. It's almost annoying how the cool wind still plays with your hair and makes the trees whisper, how the moon still casts eerily comical shadows unto the ground and how radio stations still play the same old tired love songs.
It's unbelievable how many pillowcases you have to throw out because they're stained beyond help with your bloody tears.
I missed Eric with every fibre of my being. I craved his company; his smile, his jokes, the way his blue eyes sparkled when he was excited about something, the feel of his body when he held me, his scent when he made love to me.
One night I realized how paradoxical it was that a 200-year-old vampire missed sleeping in the arms of her husband, and then I laughed so hard I was crying myself to sleep all over again.
Pam had always been Eric's second-in-command, so she was temporarily given the title of Sheriff until (and if, my pessimistic side never failed to remind me) Eric returned. Fangtasia continued to thrive as it always had thanks to Eric's uncanny ability to run a business to the public's liking. I continued my duties at the bar and, as his wife, was given full control of Eric's estate. His red corvette collected dust in the garage for I found I lacked the heart to sell it despite the wave of sadness it evoked in me.
I was a mess for months; crying every night, looking like a disaster and being an all-around burden. I tried to learn the location of the Council but found it to be impossible. They were an ancient group of Elders whom were intent on maintaining order within the vampire population, part of which meant that the location of trials was kept hidden in order to avoid any rescue missions. Any questions regarding the Council were met with cold expressions and guarded eyes, and so I continued to spiral downwards into depression.
I fell until I hit rock bottom, and then I built myself back up, carefully cutting myself off from everything and everyone. I constructed an impregnable brick wall that kept me safe as I forgot what it felt like to show sincere emotion. The only people who could get past it were Pam and Bill, and they were both smart enough to leave me be. I trained myself to not think about him, to not wake up thinking he was lying next to me. I stopped saying his name entirely and eventually, Pam and Bill learned to follow my example. I would have changed my last name, but decided against it, not wanting him to get the wrong impression when (not if, when) he returned. Instead, I dropped my last name entirely, using only 'Sookie' as means for an identity. My wedding and engagement rings were the only other reminders of my husband for I never took them off, but I stopped looking at them.
The way I saw it, ten years could go by a whole lot faster if I didn't waste my time missing him.
***
"Here's your dress," Pam waved the garment bag before draping it over the couch in my office.
"Thanks," I responded without looking up.
"You should go home and pack," She observed from the doorway.
"Already done," Still not looking up.
"Fine," She rolled her eyes, "See you in Vegas, then, because I'm going home."
"Night," I called absently. I kept working until nearly two, when I finished up and went out into the bar to usher out the last of the drunken patrons, as had become my routine of late. I drove home at twice the speed limit and sipped a True Blood as I watched late-night television until dawn, when I settled myself into the Anubis Airways coffin sitting in the living room and fell asleep.
***
I hate Las Vegas, I thought to myself as I looked down at the Strip. I hated the drive-thru chapels and the crowd of honeymooners and happy couples with their children. I scowled at the darkened suite as if it was at fault for my problems. A quick glance at the digital clock on the microwave told me that it was time to leave, so I grabbed my clutch and made my way towards the floor lobby where I found Pam perched regally on a couch, talking to her boyfriend.
"Hey, Sookie," Derek grinned at me, his cupid lips looking strange coupled with his strong stubbled jaw.
"Hey, Derek," I nodded at him.
"Bill isn't here yet," Pam supplied helpfully.
"I can see that." I smirked, casually taking in their attire, "You guys look good."
"You, too," Pam grinned at me, her fangs extended. I rolled my eyes and looked away just in time to see Bill approaching.
"Ready to go?" I asked hastily when I sensed a compliment coming my way, and he nodded. The four of us got into the elevator, silently making our way through the crowded main lobby to the main entrance where our limo awaited. Pam and Derek chattered casually, Bill occasionally joining in as we made our way towards the queen's mansion. I stared out the window, carefully detaching myself from the situation as I avoided my last memories of Sin City. It took longer than usual to reach Marie Gerard's mansion because it was Christmas eve, but we reached it in the end, all four of us coolly regarding the gaudy Christmas decorations as we made our way inside and into the massive ballroom. I hate Las Vegas, I repeated to myself as I noticed the band in the same corner they have been for every single ball Marie has held in the 200 years of her reign. The layout was the same as always: human buffet, buffet for humans, bar, small circular tables draped with expensive tablecloths, dance floor in the middle. The only change was the massive Christmas tree in one corner and more gaudy decorations. Pam and Derek drifted off quietly, their silent embrace on the dance floor making me smirk.
"May I have this dance?" Bill asked quietly from behind me and I whipped around to face him. Bill's girlfriend Fleur had died years ago of cancer. She had been young, and yet she hadn't allowed Bill to bring her over, preferring to die mortal. It had broken Bill to watch her slowly die when her death was preventable, but he respected her wishes.
"Bill..." I began, unsure of how to voice my thoughts.
"He won't be arriving for at least another hour," Bill smiled, "So dance with me." I regarded him for a second; he was right.
"Alright," I nodded and tried to smile, "Thank you." He led me out to the dance floor and pulled me into his arms. I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes, revelling in the familiar feel of his body.
"How many years?" Bill asked me quietly, not needing to specify.
"Nearly ten," I responded, my emotions carefully suppressed. He made a thoughtful noise and dropped the topic, for which I was grateful. I lifted my head and looked at him, meeting his dark gaze curiously. His expression was unreadable as it had been since Fleur passed away over a hundred years ago. For a moment I dearly missed the man he had been with her, back when he had been open and happy and... at peace with himself. Back when he looked at me and let me see how purely happy she made him. She had loved him, it was clear to everyone. I recalled a conversation we had had one night when she had gushed to me about him and I had smiled, remembering how he had been with me for the few months when I had him. We were still close, Bill and I. He was one of the only two people that saw through my bullshit but didn't call me on it, and I loved him for it.
"Bill," I gasped a moment later, my eyes trained on the glistening head of black hair making its way through the crowd, "He's here." Bill nodded and casually pulled me away from the dance floor where he nudged me lightly.
"I will wait here," Said Bill, settling himself down at a table, "Go." I nodded and began heading in the direction of the black head.
"Why, Mrs. Northman," Lucius exclaimed graciously, "Girls, you remember Mrs. Northman, don't you?" I flinched at the sound of his name as the twins glared at me; I had yet to learn their names.
"How is he?" I asked without any preamble.
"Dance with me," Lucius grabbed my hand pleasantly and led me back out to the dance floor. I bit back the wave of nausea. "Your husband is awaiting trial."
"You say that every time, Lucius," I snapped impatiently.
"Do I?" He seemed amused, "How about that?"
"How is he?" I pressed, my teeth gritted.
"He is fine," Lucius grinned at me, "They feed him, even clean him up every once in a while." I sighed.
"Where exactly do they keep him?" I asked as I did every time I saw Lucius.
"In a dark and dank cellar in- Oh, you almost had me there!" Lucius shook his head and made a disapproving sound though his eyes danced with amusement. I scowled and looked away, my eyes catching the twins as they danced with anxious-looking human men nearby. The song came to an end and we pulled apart to applaud.
"Now, if you will excuse me, Mrs. Northman," Lucius smiled, "It was a pleasure, as always." I nodded absently and made my way back through the crowd towards Bill. He shot me a questioning look and pulled a chair out for me to sit in.
"Same old, same old," I sighed, sitting down, "He's fine and awaiting trial." Bill nodded.
"Do you want to go back to the hotel?" He asked after a moment, no doubt picking up on my mood.
"You don't have to," I rubbed my temple, though I had long since stopped having headaches or any other pains, for that matter, "But I'm going."
"No, I'll come with you," I raised my eyebrow but didn't say anything as he followed me towards the entrance. We didn't speak as we waited for the limo, nor on the way back to the hotel. Bill kissed my forehead as we said good-bye in front of my hotel room before heading towards his own room, and I proceeded to spend the next few hours watching late-night TV whilst sipping a glass of blood until the sun rose and forced me into my coffin.