SPOV
I woke the next morning to the feel of Eric kissing my face, and the smell of coffee and maple syrup. I smiled and opened my eyes.
"Good morning, beautiful," he said and smiled back.
"Mmm, I could get used to waking up like that." I sat up and stretched, and noticed that Eric had a tray full of food sitting on the dresser. "What's all this?"
"Well, I was woken up quite a bit earlier than I would've liked to have been by a frantic phone call from Pam. Apparently there was a problem with a couple of deliveries. By the time we got it all straightened out, I was too keyed up to go back to sleep. So, I made you breakfast in bed. We've got some French toast, fruit, and coffee."
I was once again reminded of why I love this man so much. I'd never before had a relationship where the man took it upon himself to take care of me in every way. I'd been with men who enjoyed doing things for me, and helping me with things I wasn't capable of doing on my own. But Eric was the first man who, not only did those things, but also would surprise me by doing simple, run-of-the-mill, every day things just to make me smile.
I went into the bathroom (making sure to brush my teeth, morning breath is gross), and was saddened to see him fully dressed and in the process of putting his shoes on. "Are you going somewhere, Eric?"
"I am, but I'll only be gone for about an hour. Thanks to their little indiscretion, both Clancy and Ginger are no longer employed at Hell's Inferno. Pam has decided on whom to promote to head waitress, but I need to sign the contract before it becomes official. I'd like to get that done today so that she can start earning the higher rate as soon as possible. I'd hate to have one of my employees taking on extra responsibilities without getting paid for it. That's how you loose good people to your competitors." I knew he was a good business man, but I was previously unaware that he also treated his employees with such respect.
"Oh, well, I could go with you, if you'd like."
"NO!" The abruptness of his answer stunned me. "I mean, I'd love to have you with me, and I'm sure Pam would love to see you again, but, I'd rather you be able to enjoy your breakfast before it gets cold." It was very obvious that he was keeping something from me. However, since I'd made some wrong assumptions about him already, I decided I would give him the benefit of the doubt. If he wasn't telling me something, I'm sure there is a good reason for it. He needs me to trust me completely.
"Alright. Give Pam a hug for me though, okay?"
He laughed out loud. "Sookie, in all honesty, Pam's not really the hugging type. In fact, she generally shuns physical contact unless it's during sex."
"Oh, I guess that means I'll probably never hug her then."
"Well, you know, if you'd like the experience, I could probably arrange it. I'm sure she'd be game….All I care about is that I get to watch," he said with a naughty wink.
He spent the next few moments dodging the many pillows I threw at his head. When I was out of ammunition, he walked over, gave me a quick, but very deep, kiss, and said he'd see me in a while.
While eating the wonderful breakfast Eric had made for me, I quickly flipped through the newspaper. I'd never been the type of person who sits down and reads every article in every section, usually preferring to skim the headlines for something that would interest me. I'd purposefully avoided the main section yesterday, not wanting to read the local reporters thoughts on the confrontation in the cemetery. Part of me felt largely relieved that I would never have to feel threatened or afraid of Bill Compton ever again. But, I also felt horrible about Quinn getting shot.
With that in mind, I picked up my cell phone and dialed the hospital, asking to be transferred to Quinn's room. Maybe he would feel up to speaking with me for a moment, so I could once again tell him how grateful I was for his help.
"Hello?" He sounded tired and groggy.
"Quinn? It's Sookie."
"Oh, hey Sook! It's good to hear from ya. How are you?"
"I'm good. What about you? How are you feeling?"
"Oh, I'm okay. The doc gave me some kick-ass painkillers, so most of the time I feel like I'm on top of the world!"
"Quinn, I can't thank you enough for what you did. I'm so sorry that you got hurt. I wish none of this had ever happened."
"Sookie, it's okay. It's not your fault. And besides, when I took on a job as head of security for a halfway house, I knew this was a possibility. There's really nothing to apologize for."
"Quinn, you saved my life. If there's ever anything I can do for you, please, don't hesitate to ask, okay?"
"Sure, Sook. Hey, I'm gonna let you go, okay. My pain pills are kicking in, so I'm gonna try and get some sleep." He sounded pretty out of it.
"Okay, Quinn. I'll come later to visit you later this week, okay? Get some rest."
He hung up without saying another word. No matter what he'd said about it being a hazard of his occupation, I would never forgive myself for letting Quinn get shot. I shouldn't have left the bar that afternoon. I should have known better than to go somewhere alone. I had put everyone I care for in danger. I owed Quinn and Eric my life.
I decided it was time to stop brooding, and begin getting ready for the day. I took my dishes into the kitchen, laughing when I saw what a mess Eric had left it in after making breakfast. I cleaned up and loaded the dishes into the dishwasher. I was just about to hop in the shower when I heard a car coming up the lane. I looked out the bedroom window and saw Eric unloading a large box from the trunk of my car. I walked back out to the living room to ask if he needed any help with anything.
"No, I'm good. But, I have a favor to ask. Do you think you could stay in your room until I tell you it's okay to come out?" What the hell?
"Um…."
"Oh, it's nothing bad love. I have a bit of a surprise planned for you, and I don't want you to see any of it until it's all prepared."
"Okay, I guess I could do that. About how long do you think you'll need? I was just going to hop in the shower."
"I've got a better idea. Why don't you run yourself a nice, hot, bath? Soothe your tired, sore muscles."
"That does sound good, actually. Once I'm out of the tub, I just lie on the bed and read. Just let me know when you're done, okay?"
He nodded, and I turned and went back to the bedroom. I filled the tub full of water, and added some lilac scented bubble bath. I relaxed into the soothing water and scent. It felt like it had been a tremendously long time since I'd been able to feel this much at ease. When I felt the water starting to get cold, I washed up and got out. I dried my hair and pulled it into a ponytail, and put on some comfortable clothes. I lie down on the top of the bed, but suddenly felt very tired, and opted for a nap instead of a book.
EPOV
I really did need to sign an employment contract for the newly promoted head waitress, but it wasn't anything that couldn't wait. I just needed to give Sookie a good enough excuse to get away long enough to get what I needed from Pam.
After I'd sent Sookie up to take a bath, I began unpacking the many photo albums I had Pam retrieve from my home. Thank God Cindy made such a big deal about documenting everything. Had I known that I would have so few precious moments with my family, I would've taken more photos, I would held them more often, for longer. I would've made a point to tell each of them how much I loved them each day, and shown it every minute.
No, I can't dwell on that now. There is a time and place for grief, and this is not it. This moment is for opening myself up to Sookie. For showing her where I came from. For showing her what made me the man I am today. A man who loves her deeply, and has learned from past experiences. I will not make the same mistake again. Sookie will always know what much I care for her. She will always know that I want her in my life, in my arms, in my bed.
Once I had placed the photo albums around the room, I grabbed the salad I made earlier, along with some bowls and spoons, a couple of sodas, and put them on the rug in front of the fireplace. There, it was complete.
I walked to the bedroom to let Sookie know that I was ready for her to join me, and I found her sleeping. My ego was a little excited that she'd been so tired recently, hoping it was from all the sexing we'd done. But, my heart knew that she must be emotionally exhausted. What, with the situation with Compton, Quinn being shot, and then adding our relationship on top. A lesser woman would have collapsed by now. But, not my Sookie. A lesser woman, she most definitely is not.
She looked so peaceful; I couldn't help but join her. She was lying on her side, so I kicked my shoes off, lay down behind her, and pulled her body to mine. I wrapped my arm around her waist, and savored the sweet scent of lilacs. Even completely dead to the world, her presence was calming to me. It wasn't long before I drifted off to my own dreams.
"Daddy, Daddy, come swing me!" Lizzie was sitting on the swing in her favorite park, asking for me to push her.
"Okay, sweetheart, hold on, here we go!" I pulled back slightly on the swing, and let it loose, watching her fly forward, squeals of laughter flowing from her.
"Mama, look! Mama, look!" She shouted to Cindy, who was sitting not far away playing in the sand with Mattie.
"I see you, punkin! You're so high! Wow!!" Cindy's reaction caused Lizzie to squeal all over again. Mattie looked up at his sister flying through the air, and giggled and clapped his chubby little hands together over and over. I swear he thinks she hung the moon. I'm fairly certain he's right.
I continued to push Lizzie on the swing a few more times, and then let it slowly come to rest, lifting her out of the seat and hugging her tightly in my arms. The moment I let her down, she ran to Cindy and Mattie, began making silly faces at her brother, loving it when he laughed at her. I smiled at my beautiful family.
"Eric, I think Lizzie lost her shoe over by the slide, can you get it for me, honey?"
"Sure thing, Cin." I walked to the slides, and picked up the small pink tennis shoe that was sitting in the sand. Then from behind me, I heard screeching tires, crunching metal and breaking glass. I whirled around, desperate to see their faces. But, they were gone. I was all alone in the park. They were gone.
"Eric. Eric honey. It's time to wake up." Sookie's voice pulled me from my dream. "Are you okay? You were a little restless there for a while."
"Yeah. Just a bad dream." I took a minute to compose myself. "Well," I said sitting up, "are you all ready for your surprise?"
She smiled in anticipation. "Yes, I am. Show me the way, lover."
SPOV
Eric held my hand, and led me back into the living room. There was a quilt spread out on the ground in front of the fireplace, and what looked like books in several locations on the floor. "What's all this?"
"Well, you said you wanted to see pictures of my family, right?"
I understood immediately what this was. Eric must've had Pam bring him all the photos from his home. I knew that this must've been the first time he'd seen these pictures since he'd been in prison, possibly even since his family was killed. I leaned up, and placed a kiss to his lips. "Thank you for this. It's incredible."
"You're welcome, love."
We sat down on the floor and got comfortable. Eric handed me a bowl of the Chinese chicken salad he'd made, and a soda, and began opening up albums and showing me photos. He showed me pictures of him with his parents at the air force base in Sweden. Pam and Cindy with their Dad. Pam, Cindy and Eric as children, dressed up for Halloween.
Next came pictures from high school, which included a few pictures of Pam and Eric posing as a couple. I'd forgotten that he said they'd dated for a while. He picked up a specific photo album reverently, almost as if it was too delicate to touch. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and opened the album. Inside were pictures of Lizzie. The day she was born. Cindy holding her for the first time. Pam holding her. Pam and Cindy sitting on Cindy's hospital bed while they held Lizzie's sleeping form. Lizzie trying desperately to blow out the candles on her first birthday cake. In a cute little swimsuit and sunglasses at a pool, playing with Pam.
The next album contained pictures of Eric and Cindy on their wedding day. They were married in what looked like a meadow with wildflowers everywhere. He wore a light blue linen suit that matched his eyes perfectly. Cindy looked absolutely beautiful in a white satin dress. It was very simple, but it fit her perfectly, and she looked very elegant, very regal. Pam stood next to Cindy in the next photo, dressed in a beautiful pale yellow dress, and held Lizzie in her arms. Lizzie's dress matched Pam's in style, but was the same color as Eric's suit.
Then came pictures of Cindy during various stages of her pregnancy with Mattie. The most beautiful of them all, being one where Cindy was laying down, possibly sleeping. Eric had laid his head on her stomach, and had a shy smile on his mouth, while he felt for his child to move inside his wife.
Pictures of Eric and Cindy at the hospital the day Mattie was born. Pam and Lizzie were in some as well. Then came the pictures of Mattie. He was such a beautiful baby. I could already see the resemblance to Eric's infant photos that he'd spoken of before.
It took several hours to look through the various photos, because Eric had a funny story to accompany the majority of them. At times, he looked and sounded sad as he spoke of the family he'd lost, but, for the most part, he was cheerful, remembering how wonderful the time they'd had together was.
By the time we'd finished going through the photos, the sun was just beginning to lower over the horizon. I stood, held my hand for Eric to take and said, "come on, I want to show you something."
He stood and followed me onto the front porch. We sat on the porch swing, and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we watched the sunset across the sky. It was absolutely beautiful, and I said so.
"Yes, beautiful would describe it perfectly." I turned to see that Eric was looking at me, rather than the sunset. He lifted his hand to caress my cheek, and when he allowed his thumb to graze my lips, I kissed it, and sucked it into my mouth. He slowly pulled me until our bodies were as close together as possible, and looked into my eyes with a fiery passion. He bent to kiss my lips, and it started slowly, tentatively. After a few moments, the softness morphed with our urgency to touch one another. He swept me up in his arms, and took the stairs two at a time, reaching my bedroom in record speed.
Our limbs were entangled as we hurriedly removed each others clothes, before crashing onto the bed in one another's embrace. I had to pull my face from his to gasp for air, and he lowered my mouth to take place kisses along my breast. When he pulled my nipple gently into his mouth, I couldn't help but moan in pure joy. Oh, the things this man would do to my body. He smiled and laughed softly, before moving his attention to the other breast, so as to not play favorites.
I felt his hand glide down my stomach, and towards my center. I knew that I was on fire with wanting him, but was amazed at how easily his finger slid inside of me. "Sookie, you're so wet for me love."
I couldn't take it anymore. I felt I might spontaneously combust if I didn't have him inside me. "Eric, please," I moaned between gasps.
"Please what, lover?"
"I need you. Make me yours, please."
"Oh, yes," he growled, as he moved his hand to hitch my leg over his hip, and buried himself deep inside me. I heard a sound of pure ecstasy, only faintly registering it came from my own lips. I dug my fingers into his shoulders as I tried to pull him closer. I needed to touch him with every surface of my body.
He continued to thrust into me, and began kissing me, the movements of his tongue in my mouth working in tandem with the place where our bodies were joined. He gradually increased his speed, until I thought that I might be pounded into oblivion. Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, he pulled his mouth away from mine and looked deeply into my eyes. "You're mine, as I am yours." Those words meant more to me than I could ever have imagined. And then, the world around us exploded into stars and white flames.
As I lay curled against his chest a little while later, I tried to push back the thoughts that we'd have to return to Shreveport tomorrow. I wanted nothing more than to stay locked away here forever. In the arms of my lover.