A/N: Thank you again to everyone for the reviews :) I'm sorry for not replying to all of them, but I figured a better way to say thank you was to get the next chapter out as quickly as possible.
A/N 2: Sookie's relationship with Alcide contained physical abuse and rape. If you would rather not read this part, I urge you to please skip it. I don't want to offend anyone and I will mark the section at the beginning and end with o0o0o0o0o
Chapter 6 – EPOV
I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face, even spending the day shopping with Pam couldn't wipe it off my face.
I sprinted through the shower and pulled on some jeans and a tee, then walked out to the living room bracing myself to spend some quality time with my sister. I loved her dearly, but she was hard to deal with when shopping.
"So, did you have plans for any other things you wanted to do today?" I asked as I flopped onto the couch next to her.
She put her feet in my lap and wiggled her toes at me "You could give me a pedicure!" she said with a grin, knowing there was no way I would be.
"We could go to the Sciencenter!" I said reaching to tickle her feet, knowing it was the fastest way to get them out of my face. "They have a science themed mini golf course!" I joked, knowing that she was not a science geek like me and loathed golf.
"Ha ha asshole" she snarled "You'd think you'd be happy to spend some time with your only sister, but no…" she pouted, pretending to be upset.
"Shut up Pam. You know we can do anything you want" I poked her in the side and made her giggle, she was surprisingly ticklish.
"Ooh goodie!" she said clapping her hands with glee " when we get back from shopping…I want to hang out with my big brother, watch old movies and drill him about his girl"
"You are such a smartass Pam" I said with a laugh "Since when do you like spending time at home?"
"I'm serious!" she said "I want to hear all about Sookie, how you met, what interests you share, all that boring shit… and then I can tell you what Dear Abby says you should do."
"Sometimes I think you were born into the wrong time period, Pam." I groaned, massaging my face with my hands… she was going to torture me. "You should have been around for the Inquisition… you're very creative when it comes to cruel and unusual torture methods."
Pam laughed at my discomfort and gently nudged me with her foot "Let's get going, Shops to visit, goodies to buy"
I groaned in pain…why oh why did I think taking her shopping would be a good idea?
I walked around the shops with her, keeping my mouth shut, giving feedback when she asked for it, keeping my opinions to myself when she didn't.
We were browsing some jewelry and I had just picked out an amazing brooch for Pam and the sales lady was boxing it up when I saw a ring that screamed at me to buy it. It was perfect for Sookie. Perfect.
The sales lady came over to check if I wanted something else, so I indicated the ring I wanted to look at.
"Beautiful isn't it?" she asked
I nodded, it was beautiful, it was Sookie's
"It dates to about 1880, the stones are prong set in an 18 karat rose gold mount. This stone here" she said pointing to the centre stone "is an opal, and these "she pointed out the four others "are pearls of course. There are 10 diamonds in it as well, as you can see"
"I'll take it" I said. This was Sookie's ring. I didn't care that it was stupidly early in our relationship to be getting it, I'd hold onto it for a while so she wouldn't be scared we were moving too fast, but I had to have it.
The sales lady settled it into a box and rang up the sale. "You're going to make your lady very happy" she said looking at Pam.
"Oh no, she's my sister" I said with a quick smile "I haven't met the woman this is for yet"
Pam came over and quirked an eyebrow at me…shit…
My phone rang and I almost jumped for joy, Sookie, my savior.
I started explaining to her what we were doing, how the day was going and that she was always on my mind. Pam laughed and made faces like she was going to puke.
The sales lady smiled at me apologetically, she needed to be paid of course.
Pam snatched the phone out of my hand and wandered away. I paid for the ring as quickly as I could.
"May I ask… if you haven't met her…why buy a ring?" she was understandably confused.
"I know it's hers. I know her… I know her very well… I just haven't met her in person yet" I smiled taking back my card. "We met online so…"
"Oh I see. I understand completely. I met my boyfriend the same way" she smiled at me "Good luck to you"
I smiled and turned to hunt down my sister. She was commanding Sookie to come to Cali and bring her dancing shoes… crap.
I took the phone back with a glare telling Sookie not to worry about Cali. Pam pretended to puke and wandered out to the car.
I hung up from the call before I followed her to the car. I knew as soon as I sat down she would start with the questions.
"So…" she said with a smirk "it's like that is it"
"You think I'm crazy don't you" I asked, knowing I was in for it "I can't explain it Pam. It's like she was made for me or something."
Pam looked at me in shock and then smiled "All the more reason for her to come out to Cali and meet us. You are different Eric, I can tell she's good for you."
"So does that mean you're not going to give me shit about how much of a sappy loser I'm being?" I asked, truly surprised that she didn't have anything negative to say
"I'm happy for you, not clinically insane. Of course I'm going to give you shit. I just want to make sure you're not driving when I do it" she smirked at me and burst into delighted evil giggles…
I pulled into the drugstore and Pam turned to me with a confused look on her face…
"Out" I said with an evil smile
I picked her up, threw her over my shoulder and walked over to the drugstore while she was squealing and kicking.
I put her down on the coin operated pony, put in some coins, stepped back and snapped a picture on my phone.
"This is for the puke face and the stealing my phone, and the being a complete smart ass" I said with a smile.
I pulled the box containing the brooch out of the bag "And this is because you're the best sister on the planet and I love you, and the fact that you're a pain in the ass"
"Oooh!" Pam squealed "You're a complete asshole and I love you!" she danced over to me and snatched the box out of my hands, then kissed my cheek.
"Come on" I said laughing "money to spend, things to own"
Pam opened up the box and went into ecstasies over her brooch. I love making her happy…little pain in my ass
We tripped around the other stores, the last place we came across had a huge selection of clothing that had Pam in ecstasy.
"SQUEE! Oh my God Eric I've died and gone to vintage couture heaven. Get your credit card out." She ran off and couldn't stop squealing in joy.
I took a seat on the floor and waited for the fashion show to start. Pam paraded out in outfit after outfit and ended up buying about ten 1950's cocktail and day dresses… and then she saw the hats
"Oh you look like a blonde Audrey Hepburn in that hat" the sales lady said
Oh boy…Pam loved Audrey Hepburn
Pam placed her hands on either side of her face and planted a huge kiss on her mouth, 'popped' a foot into the air like the love interest always did in the classic movies when kissed by the hero. She then took a step back and said 'It's useful being top banana in the shock department' and walked out.
I laughed so hard tears were coming out of my eyes. The woman hadn't moved and I realized Pam had walked out with the hat on but I hadn't paid yet slowly. I handed over my card as she came back to herself and walked out as quickly as I could carrying all the dresses she had picked.
Pam was perched on the hood of the car with a joyous grin on her face and a mischievous look in her eye. "Isn't shopping fun!" she quipped, slid off the car and hopped into the seat.
I shook my head and chuckled as I put everything into the trunk. That Pam.
We got home and Pam called Mom in raptures about 'her' purchases. She laid them all out on the bed and took photos, swiped my computer and emailed them through.
"Mom, did Eric tell you about Sookie?" she asked with an evil smirk in my direction "Oh yeah, I spoke to her quickly today – yeah – uh huh – Oh they talk to each other all the time! If it wasn't so sickening it'd almost be cute – Oh yeah of course, hang on"
She prowled over to me with an enormous smile, kissed the air in my direction and handed me the phone.
"Hi Mom" I said "How are you going?"
"I'm fine sweetheart, how are you? How are things going with Sookie?" She said with a little giggle. "Pam was saying she spoke to her?"
"Yeah," I laughed "she stole the phone from me, demanded she visit us in Cali and to bring her dancing shoes then passed the phone back."
"Oh sweetie" she laughed, "What did Sookie say?"
"Um, she was a little shocked, but we're going to talk about it later" I said.
"I'd really like to meet her… after you have of course" she added "Do you have any pictures I could look at?"
"Oh… yeah!" I answered "I'll send you some now"
I walked into my room and found Pam, sitting at my computer with Sookie's pictures attached to an email.
I raised an eyebrow at her and pointed to the photo that made Sookie look like an angel
She looked at me in shock for a second then attached the photo and sent the email through.
"Ok, Pam just emailed them through for you Mom." I said smiling at the look of shock still on Pam's face.
We chatted for a while until she got the email
"Oh sweetheart" she gasped "she's beautiful"
"I know" I smirked, very pleased with myself "She's smart too and funny and…"
"She's the one isn't she Eric" Mom interrupted gently
"Yeah" I agreed happily "she is."
"I'm really happy for you then sweetheart. I can't wait to meet her"
"Me either" I laughed "Here, I'll give you back to Pam, my phone is ringing. I love you Mom"
"Love you too Eric, talk later, Puss puss" she said as I passed the phone back to my now bewildered sister. Point for me!
Trey called and invited me to his home for Thanksgiving, knowing that I don't celebrate it normally.
"I thought if you come home with me to Shreveport you could organize to meet up with Sookie." He said quickly "I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner, this would be awesome!"
"Are you sure Trey?" I asked, trying not to get over excited "I wouldn't want to intrude on your time with your family"
"Nah it's cool. I checked with Mom and Dad already, they'd love to have you. Not to mention it'll even the teams out when we play football after lunch" he said with a grin.
"Well then yeah!" I agreed "Thanks man, I owe you one."
We chatted for a little longer and said goodbye. Wow… I was going to meet Sookie in just over a week… wow.
Pam came and sat on my lap. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tight.
"My life is fucking awesome little sister" I said happily
"Yes it is" she agreed "you have me!" she laughed and slid off my lap onto the couch.
"So tell me all about Sookie," she continued "obviously you've already spoken to Mom about her… no fair by the way, I thought for sure I was putting you on the spot, but as always you're one step ahead" She settled into the couch like she was going to be read a story.
"Well…" I started, and told her all about how we had met, what interests we shared, how smart she was and kind and funny, before I knew it Pam was laughing so hard she had trouble breathing.
"Ohhh brother mine" she gasped "you have it bad"
"I know" I grinned "I'm completely smitten and I love it."
"So the ring you bought today?" Pam asked trying to get control of herself "That's for her isn't it?"
"Yep" I said with a soft smile "It's perfect for her. I don't know when I'll give it to her, I don't want to push her, it'd probably be too fast, but at the same time, I don't want to wait either."
"You two are a fucking movie… Oh my God… you're 'When Harry Met Sally'… you started off as friends fell in love and went completely mental!" she squealed "I love it!"
I laughed at my sister behaving like an excited little girl over my happiness and so I tackled her in a huge hug and tickled her until she begged for mercy.
We settled in and watched Roman Holiday… Pam needed her Audrey fix after the compliment she received today.
We ate dinner and chatted about the trip to NYC on the weekend. With all her purchases you'd think Pam would be shopped out, but no… she had a plan and I was to be her pack mule.
Pam was settled into the couch to watch another movie. I went to my room and had another look at the ring I had bought for Sookie. Still perfect.
Sookie called me a few minutes later
"Lucy… you have some 'splainin' to do" she laughed as I answered the phone.
"Hello dear one. What did I do, tell me how to make it up to you" I laughed.
She told me about Amelia's confession and commented that I was asking for it when I put Pam on the pony and that she'd have her revenge
"I know…" I said loudly toward the living room "it's how she shows love"
"SHUT UP DOUCHE!" Pam yelled back.
We laughed and Sookie bought up meeting for the first time. I could barely contain my glee when I bought up the fact that I was going to be in Shreveport and laughed my ass on when I heard her and Amelia jumping around squee-ing together.
I ignored the phone sex comment because I knew it would embarrass her, but the thought definitely stuck in my mind. I'd have to bring it up again when she was more comfortable with us being a couple… maybe after Thanksgiving
"My friend Trey lives in Shreveport and invited me down." I explained, telling her my plan for the holiday.
She then shocked me again by inviting me to home to meet her family for the New Year break. I told her I would understand if she changed her mind after Thanksgiving.
"I'm not going to change my mind, Eric" she said confidently "We're perfect together, so it's only natural to meet the important people in your life"
"Do you mean that?" I asked, surprised and smiling.
"Of course I do! I don't say 'I love you' to just anyone." She said with a giggle
"Me either… In fact, you're the first person I've ever said it to that wasn't family." I admitted
I was so happy I could barely contain myself. I was almost ready to let out a squee of my own
"You're doing it again…" Pam yelled.
"Håll käften ko!" I yelled back.
"Gör mig jävel!" she replied…smartass I thought.
I nervously bought up Sookie coming out to Cali to meet Mom and Pam at New Year instead of staying in Bon Temps after my visit.
"I'd love to meet them" she said soothingly "I know I made a big deal, when we first met, about other people pushing me into things that I wasn't ready for, but you aren't them… I was hoping you'd ask me soon anyway, I guess Pam just sort of brought it up for us."
"I love you, Sookie Stackhouse. My family will love you too. I'm really looking forward to meeting you in person." I said gently.
"I love you too Eric" she whispered "I'd always dreamed I'd have someone that meant as much to me as you do, I can't wait to meet you either"
Oh my God… I've died and Sookie is the angel come to take me to heaven.
We lightened up the conversation for a while and swapped plans for the weekend, then I told her about the cruel and unusual punishment that was shopping with Pam. We were laughing so hard Sookie was crying.
After a few minutes we had calmed down and Sookie bought up her emo-ness and Alcide. She sounded so apologetic for having to talk about it at all.
"You know you can always tell me anything Sookie." I said soothingly, I grabbed my stress ball in preparation of what I was about to hear
"Thanks baby" she whispered "that means a lot."
"So, if you could try not to say anything I would really really appreciate it" she started "It's not that I don't want to hear what you have to say, it's that I don't think I'll be able to get through this if you need to interrupt"
"Of course love" I said, now nervous about what I was about to hear
"I met Alcide in my first year here at LSU, he was handsome and popular and I was so flattered that he wanted to date me that I completely lost who I was. He introduced me to his family and they seemed to love me. They are really big in the upper social circles here and so he suggested some classes to help me feel more comfortable at parties and so on…then he got me classes to better my accent… then he booked me into a salon and directed the stylist to change the color and what he wanted the cut and style to be."
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I was in shock. Did he not know how amazing Sookie was just as she is? I started squeezing the stress ball.
"So I did whatever I could to make him happy" she continued "I was spending a lot of time at his place and he didn't like me seeing people without him so I barely got to see Amelia or any of my other friends… I put his towels away on the wrong shelf one day and he said he didn't matter, but I had bruises on my arms from when he moved me out of the way to put them in the right place. I didn't think anything of it at the time and thought he was just stressing over something else."
He bruised her? Over fucking towels? I was going to break his arm.
"We were taking it slow…sexually…" she said, obviously embarrassed about using the word "We hadn't gone all the way at the time, but that night he…took what he wanted… it only hurt for a little while and the bruises went away after a day or so."
What the FUCK! I was going to kill him.
"He mentioned that his mother didn't like the way I was dressing, so his mother's assistant took me out and bought me a heap of appropriate clothes and burnt everything I had at Alcides. Luckily it wasn't too much and nothing that was a favorite, Amelia had been taking things home for me to wash and I hadn't been able to get them back. I was falling behind on my assignments because I had so many classes for elocution and languages and flower arranging and dance. I told him I needed to work on it and he gave me a black eye. He apologized and showered me with gifts and everything, but I used the wrong fork at a family dinner and it made him angry again."
I felt the tears run down my face. This asshole had beaten her…for using the wrong fucking fork.
"One day I had been able to bargain my way into seeing Amelia by myself and she saw the bruises on my back" she was almost whispering now "she wanted me to report it, but I made excuses for him. I thought I was in love."
Oh my love… my dearest love… I ached to hold her in my arms, to wipe her tears, to keep her safe
"His parents mentioned to him that I wasn't from a good family and was probably only dating him for his money and they kept working on him and working on him until he started to believe it too… I told you that part… what I didn't tell you was that as a punishment he tied me up and whipped my thighs with a riding crop until the welts started bleeding…when that happened he poured salt water over me and shoved my own underwear in my mouth to stop me from screaming."
I was going to hunt him down and kill him.
"I started taking pictures then. I asked him to buy me a camera to take on a holiday he had organized with his family. I took photos of everything and recorded his verbal abuse on the tapes I used for my lectures… I hid it all with Amelia so he'd never find it, we'd see each other in class and I'd pass it over in class so he wouldn't notice when he came to pick me up."
I was going to destroy him and his family and then I'd kill him. My stress ball was no longer in my hand. I had put it in my mouth to keep from screaming.
"Eventually I got the courage to leave. I got a restraining order, returned everything he ever gave me, paid him back for all the classes he had paid for. I didn't want him to think I appreciated any of it, because I didn't." she was sounding more like my Sookie now. "I warn all the girls I see him with. I slip them notes so that he doesn't find out and punish them. They don't stay with him long thank goodness… and that's it… my very fucked up first year."
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"I wish I could have been there for you" I said, heartbroken "I'm sorry that you had to go through any that stuff with that fucking asshole, and if I could, I would hunt him down and beat the shit out of him." I said angrily, I stopped before I said any more and took a calming breath "That said… it doesn't change the fact that I love you, that I can't imagine my world without you in it. I know it's sort of weird to say that because we haven't met face to face yet, but that's just a detail. I need you trust me when I tell you that my knowing all this doesn't change my feelings at all, it may have even made them stronger. I want to protect you from anyone that would even think about removing the smile from your face. I love you so much."
Pam had heard my reaction from the lounge room and was standing in my doorway looking worried. I mouthed that I would talk to her later and she nodded and went to make tea.
"I love you Eric…and of course I trust you." she said lovingly "I can't tell you how much it means to me to have you know about all the bad that had happened in my last relationship and still want to be with me."
"I'll never want anyone or anything as much as I want you" I said softly. I never would. I would protect her from anyone or anything that tried to hurt. I would make sure she was treated like the queen she was.
"You need sleep" I said "Shall I read to you again?"
"I'd like that…I'd like that a whole lot" she said sleepily.
I picked up my Wordsworth and started to read… "Far from my dearest Friend, 'tis mine to rove… Through bare grey dell, high wood, and pastoral cove; …Where Derwent rests, and listens to the roar… That stuns the tremulous cliffs of high Lodore;… Where peace to Grasmere's lonely island leads,… To willowy hedge-rows, and to emerald meads;"
I read until I heard her breath deepen into sleep. I hung up and took a deep breath. I got up and walked out to the living room, Pam still waiting for me with a hot cup of tea.
I sat down heavily on the couch and felt her hand on my shoulder… I put my head in my hands and cried… wracking sobs that hurt all the more because I knew there was nothing I could do to wipe the memories of that animal from her brain.
Pam wrapped her arms around me and rocked me, smoothing my hair and shushing me as I cried.
After I had recovered myself, I explained as briefly as possible that Sookie had been explaining a previous relationship and that it had been abusive, that I felt helpless and murderous and exhausted.
Pam looked at me in sympathy and nodded. She jumped up, grabbed her phone and started calling people. Alcide and his family were going down. I smiled and hugged her quickly as I ran to grab my own phone and start bringing a monster to justice.
A/N: Sorry to everyone for the whole Alcide thing. Eric and Pam are going to socially destroy him and his family… Eric might get to break his nose or something at some stage, but I'd kinda like to keep the rest of their story happy.
I've posted pics in my livejournal account of Pam's Brooch and Sookie's Ring. Click on my profile to see :)
Next chapter will be lots lots nicer I promise.