A/N: Thank you again to all the fantastic reviews, I couldn't believe how many there were! Thank you for loving my story so much :)
Charlaine owns all of course :)
Chapter 17 – SPOV
I woke the next morning with a smile on my face. I hadn't felt this relaxed or well rested in ages. Eric still had his arm around me although he had buried his head under his pillow. I stretched out like a cat then rolled onto my side to face him and scratched my nails gently up and down his back.
"Mrrph" he grunted.
I giggled and lifted the pillow off his head "Morning sunshine!" I chirped. I'd never been a morning person before, maybe all that was missing was a few great orgasms the night before?
"Urrph" he moaned "no… need more sleep"
"Why? It's already…. 9am," I said after stretching backward to check the clock "I'm surprised Gran hasn't come up to get us for breakfast!"
"Sookie" he said, opening one eye slightly to look at me "please?…. More sleep."
I giggled again and dropped the pillow back on top of his head, he huffed out a breath and rolled onto his back, sitting up slightly to move his head on top of the pillow and flinging one arm over his eyes to block the light.
"Why are you so tired?" I asked, "Didn't you sleep well?"
"Honestly?" he asked as he let out a huge yawn, his jaw cracking with the stretch "Nope."
"Aww, I'm sorry" I said, wondering why he hadn't slept well "was the bed too small?"
"Nope… someone was snoring" he said with a stretch
"Who?" I asked with a snigger thinking up a few things to say to them.
"Sookie… light of my life… your snoring is like a freight train going through a tunnel" he said with a pained laugh. "I've never heard such a huge noise coming out of such a tiny person before." He added and removed his arm from his face to check my reaction, it only made him laugh harder.
"I don't snore!" I protested, rocketing off the bed and glaring at him. "Someone would have told me! Amelia or Gran or… someone" I threw myself on top of him and laughed as he groaned theatrically at my weight "Take it back or I'll tickle you." I laughed
"I can't lie to you Sookie" he chuckled "you really do snore… badly."
"Eric!" I laughed slapping his arm playfully "I don't snore! Take it back!" I gently tickled his sides making him squirm.
"I can't Sookie! It's… Ahhhh stop!" he yelled as I started tickling him in earnest "It's true!" he laughed and squirmed, twisting so hard I fell to the side of his body and onto the bed.
"You're lying to me!" I laughed and catapulted myself to his feet.
"I really wish I was" he laughed trying to get his feet away from my wiggling fingers
"Take it back or the feet get it" I threatened with a grin
"Nooo!" he squeaked, unsuccessfully trying to get away he laughed begging for mercy as I tickled him "Stop! Stop! I'll take it back!"
"Ah ha! I am victorious!" I whooped, releasing his legs and flopping back onto my pillow.
Eric stood and stretched himself, reaching his arms up toward the ceiling and rolling himself up onto his toes at the same time. These movements did fantastic things to the muscles in his back and his gorgeous butt of course. I watched with glee as he then relaxed and bent to touch his toes…yum!
He turned back to me and after raising an eyebrow at the blatant eye-fuck I'd just given him he twitched the bed covers back into place and headed toward the door, pulling on his tee-shirt.
"Where are you off to Mr. Northman?" I asked with a smirk.
"Bathroom, Ms. Stackhouse" he smirked right back at me. "And I was wrong before…" he said sweetly, pulling the door open "you don't snore like a freight train."
"Glad to hear you've come to your senses" I chuckled.
"It's more like a jet taking off." he said wiggling his eyebrows and whooping with laughter as he zipped out the door, slamming it shut behind him.
"Ass" I muttered, laughing to myself as I rolled out of bed and into my slippers and robe.
I bounced downstairs and ducked into Gran's ensuite to use the bathroom. Catching a glimpse of my reflection as I washed my hands I couldn't help but laugh at the enormous grin plastered onto my face, I'd been smiling and hadn't even noticed.
I prepared myself for knowing looks and a million questions as I walked into the kitchen. I was met with a smiling Gran, a giggling Amelia, a stack of pancakes and absolutely no questions about the night before…
"Morning" I said with a smile.
"Morning" they replied and laughed a little.
"What?" I asked, preparing myself for embarrassment.
"We heard the conversation you had this morning" Amelia said.
"How funny is it that Eric is trying to get me to believe I snore?" I asked in amazement "Someone would have told me before now, so I don't know what he's trying to pull" I laughed, shaking my head in disbelief.
"Well Sookie" Gran said with a chuckle "Your blue eyes weren't all you inherited from your Pops."
"Gran, are you sayin' that I…" I looked at her in shock
"Sookie, I can sleep just fine without earplugs unless you're home" she laughed "I think Eric is right, it is more like a jet plane" she cackled with laughter and took a seat wiping a tear from her eye.
"Nooo! You're ganging up on me!" I laughed begging them with my eyes to tell me that's what was happening.
"Sook, I'm sorry, but we're really not!" Amelia chuckled "I need earplugs all the time. Remember when you were sick and I was working really hard on that drama project and I was staying with someone?"
I nodded slowly, dreading the coming sentence
"I was staying at a hotel because even the earplugs weren't working" she said wincing.
"Oh my goodness" I groaned and buried my face in my hands. "Are you serious?" I squeaked, peeking through my fingers.
"Uh huh" she chuckled "It's only since you had to start taking the anti-anxiety meds after you broke up with your last boyfriend… if that makes you feel any better."
"Oh… that makes me feel a whole lot better!" I yelped sarcastically "This is totally unacceptable, I'm going to the Dr's as soon as I can and sort this out. I am NOT going to be compared to a jet" I huffed, crossing my arms and pouting.
Amelia and Gran just chuckled again and went back to their breakfast.
Stupid stalker ex had been so creepy after I broke it off with him, that I couldn't bear the thought of going outside. Amelia had dragged me to the Dr's after I hadn't left the house for a class and ended up with pills that made me snore. I couldn't believe no-one had told me before now… how embarrassing.
Eric walked in behind me and dropped a kiss on the top of my head before sliding into the seat next to me, a smirk on his face and his eyes twinkling with silent laughter.
"Y'all are mean" I said with a glare and stuffing pancake into my mouth, making them all laugh again.
"You could have warned me Adele" Eric chuckled
"I did… I told you I slept with earplugs!" she laughed "Can't get much clearer than that!"
We all laughed again and this time I joined in. If Gran had told him that, he obviously thought it meant something else, though I couldn't say I disagreed with his thinking seeing as I had the exact same idea.
"Now what are y'all doin' today?" Gran asked after we had all settled down.
"I thought I'd just take Eric around town, show him all the old hangouts and such. We'll probably stop in at Merlotte's for lunch if that's ok?" I said, looking at Eric and Gran for approval.
"Fine with me." He smiled and nudged my leg with his own.
"Fine with me too, I have a meeting with Descendants of the Glorious Dead this afternoon anyway" Gran said with a happy shrug of her shoulders, she loved history and the Glorious Dead was yet another outlet for it.
"Amelia? What are you up to? Would you like to come around with Eric and I?" I asked
"No, I should go and visit Cope and Viv" she huffed "They're my parents" she explained quickly to Eric "I don't see them often because they're too 'busy' or something" she said doing the air-quotes. None of us had time for Copeley and Vivianne Broadway.
"Then I think I might try and get onto Trey when I get back" she smiled speaking to Gran again "Say goodbye before he goes back with Eric today."
"Would you like his number?" Eric asked with a chuckle
"Is the Pope a Catholic?" she laughed and jumped up to grab some paper and a pen
I nudged his leg with mine and smiled at him for being such a sweetheart. I loved seeing Amelia happy and would do what I could to make sure she stayed that way.
Gran looked at her with a smile and gave Eric a nod. She felt the same way of course, having looked after her and practically raised her as she had Jason and I, she was obviously invested in Amelia's happiness.
"Sookie, are you going to drive me back to Shreveport tonight or will I ask Trey to come and pick me up?" Eric asked softly, sadly.
"I'll drive you" I said quickly "If that's ok." I added, looking to Gran for approval.
"Of course honey," she nodded "but… Amelia, would you mind going along? I don't like the idea of Sookie driving alone at night" Gran asked with a soft smile
"Sure thing Gran" Amelia said with a smile, "I could surprise Trey!"
"He'd love that" Eric said with a smile, handing her Trey's number then taking my hand in his, drawing little circles with his thumb.
Amelia chuckled a little and smiled to herself at the idea of seeing Trey again. I'd never seen her like this with anyone else. Maybe the distance thing would be good for them; they'd be able to get to know each other without the sex getting in the way of real communication.
I wondered if my relationship with Eric would be where it is now if we had met in person, rather than online. I'd like to think it would have been, but in my heart I knew that I would have cut and run before we reached this point. I shut part of myself down after Alcide and I think it was the safety of distance that allowed me to open up to Eric and let him in.
Gran got up as I finished eating and grabbed the small pile of Eric's clothes, passing them to him with a smile.
"Thank you Adele" Eric said with a smile "And thank you for allowing me to stay the night as well…"
"Well, everyone should be able to spend the night with the one they love" She smiled and chuckled at me as I turned red.
"I couldn't agree more" Eric laughed and took his plate to the sink. "If you'll excuse me, I'll just go and have a shower."
I turned to watch him leave and sighed at the view… that ass was a masterpiece.
"Sookie" Gran chided me gently "He has a very nice rear, but you shouldn't be staring."
"Gran!" I yelped, unable to decide if I was more shocked that she said something or the part where she had noticed my boyfriend's backside.
"What?" she asked with a chuckle "I'm old, I'm not dead!"
I shook my head and laughed, getting up and collecting the plates to wash up, kissing her on the cheek as I passed.
I quickly filled the sink with hot water before Eric started the shower, knowing that our hot water heater couldn't take the strain of two faucets at once. I washed and dried then put away the plates.
Eric walked back in soon afterward, his hair had been toweled dry and combed with his fingers, his jeans were hanging low on his hips and his shirt clung to his damp skin… he looked like sex on legs… yum
"I'll…uh… I'll go have my shower now" I stammered, entranced by the perfection of the man before me… if I got any worse I'd have to start wearing a bib to catch the drool.
Eric chuckled, pleased that he could have such an effect on me. He took a seat and winked at me as he pulled on his socks and shoes. "Ready to go when you are Sook." He said with a smile.
"I'll be as quick as I can" I smiled and practically ran to the bathroom.
After the fastest shower in history I dressed in jeans and a cherry red sweater. The fact that it was Eric's favorite color had absolutely nothing to do with the choice, neither did the fact that it made my boobs look great, I chose it because it was the first one I found… after I threw all my other clothes aside looking for it.
After pulling on my socks and shoes, I grabbed my purse and keys and went back downstairs. The look on Eric's face when I came into the kitchen was very gratifying, I'm just glad Gran was there otherwise we may not have left the house.
I smirked at him and raised an eyebrow. He winked at me and stood up, ready to get the day started.
"I won't be back by the time you need to leave Eric, so I'll say goodbye now" Gran said, getting up from her chair and coming over to give him a hug. "It was a pleasure meeting you. You make sure you call when you get home so we know you got home safely."
"Yes Adele" he chuckled, hugging her close "I'll call to let you know what Mom says about Christmas and New Years."
"Good boy." Gran said with a smile, patting him on the cheek "Now… you two have a good day"
"Bye Gran" I smiled and kissed her cheek.
"I'll see you later Sookie, you drive safely now." she warned as she kissed me back.
"Of course Gran" I smiled "Have fun at your meeting."
"I always do!" she laughed
Amelia said her goodbyes to Gran and after confirming when we needed to leave for Shreveport she left to pay a visit to her parents. She was sure to need as much comfort as I would tonight so I made a mental note to pick up a few pints of ice-cream and some chocolate before we came home to pick her up.
We drove around town for a while; I showed him where Jason and I went to school and told stories about my childhood to liven up an otherwise dull drive. There wasn't much to see or do in Bon Temps, but it was home, I loved it anyway.
Lunch came around and we stopped at Merlottes for some burgers. We cuddled in the booth as we waited for our orders to come, happy just to be spending time together like a regular couple would.
"So, have you thought about what you would like to do when you come to Cali?" Eric asked, playing with a lock of my hair.
"Ummm… snuggle?" I suggested with a chuckle
"I like the way you think" he laughed and gave me a squeeze.
"What were you thinking?" I asked
"Well I thought Disneyland would be on the list." he chuckled
"Oooh!" I squeaked, "I totally forgot about Disneyland!"
"How can you forget about that?" he laughed "it's supposed to be the happiest place on earth!"
"Nah…" I chuckled at the corniness of the line about to come out of my mouth "The happiest place on earth is wherever you are" I said fluttering my eyelashes and pretending to swoon
"Nice" he smirked "did you come up with that all by yourself?"
I nodded and gave him a cheesy grin, before kissing him on the nose.
We laughed and for a little while it was easy to forget he was leaving today. We finished up our lunch and played a game of pool. Eric pretended he was completely crap so I would win and I spent too much time staring at his butt to care that he threw the game.
I ran into the store quickly to pick up ice-cream and chocolate before heading back to the house to pick up Amelia and a few minutes later we were on the road to the airport. Eric rang Trey to let him know we were on the way up. Trey let Eric know that Maggie had washed all his clothes and packed his bag. She had also packed a huge container of cookies for them because she cooked when she got upset and they had run out of room in their freezer.
Amelia kept quiet through the whole conversation, her attendance still being a secret. They had talked on the phone today and she had said her goodbyes then, so she was bouncing in her seat with excitement at the idea of surprising him. Her day had been awful as was usually the case when she spent it with her parents, but she wasn't going to let that spoil her time with Trey.
Time went too fast for my liking and we were at the airport in no time. I parked the car and we walked slowly toward the terminal. Eric holding me close, his arm around my shoulders, mine wrapped around his waist.
Amelia ran ahead and jumped into Trey's arms just barely giving him time to realize she was there, he caught her and the look on his face would have been hilarious if I wasn't so completely miserable at the time.
The whole Dawson family waited with us while the guys checked in and got their boarding passes. We filed slowly through security and walked down to see them off at the gate. Maggie was already crying and I was trying my hardest not to join her.
Eric did the rounds, shaking hands and hugging the Dawson's to say goodbye and thank you. I hugged Trey quickly, not wanting to take too much time from Amelia. I moved slightly away from the group and sat down, facing the window watching the ground crews load luggage and prepare the plane for take off.
I stood as Eric came over watching him walk toward me and take a seat, my eyes never left his until he was settled and then I sat myself in his lap. I curled into his chest and breathed in his scent, I put one arm under his and around to his shoulder pressing him closer. The other moved up to his neck where I settled my fingers against his pulse point and felt his heartbeat. He wrapped me in his arms, gently rocking us, his head resting on mine.
"I don't want you to leave" I whispered, tears starting to sting at my eyes
"I don't want to go," he said sadly "but we both know I have to."
"I want time to stop or rewind or something… I don't want to say goodbye…" I said, a sigh hitching in my throat.
"Sookie…" he said softly "it's not goodbye, just see you later…"
"I don't want see you later." I cried. I hated myself for making this hard for him, he didn't need me to make this harder than it was, but I couldn't help myself. He was leaving and there wasn't a damn thing we could do about it.
Eric took my face in his hands and kissed me. One hand moved into my hair and the other pressed me closer to his chest. I desperately clutched at his shirt and kissed him back. I could barely breathe, but I didn't care. He was what I needed, he was more important than breathing.
"It hurts…" I whimpered "Please… please stay with me."
He made a shushing noise and rubbed circles on my back as he rocked me again. There wasn't anything he could say to make this hurt any less. There wasn't anything he could do to change the fact that he had to leave. So I cried and he held me until the final boarding call was announced.
"Go" I whispered into his chest "Don't look back or I won't…" My breath caught in my throat and I couldn't finish the sentence.
I felt him nod before he stood up. He lowered me to the ground and hugged me tightly to his chest, breathing in the scent of my hair then caressing my face as he turned it toward his. He kissed me softly and rested his forehead against mine for a minute before he moved away.
"I love you" I said as he moved past me.
"I love you too" he said sadly, squeezing my hand. "You know I'd stay if I could."
I nodded, unable to speak again. There was a lump in my throat that was choking me and a pain in my chest that was getting worse with each minute. I couldn't look at his face. If I saw how much this was hurting him it would tear me to pieces.
I knew I was over reacting. I knew he wasn't dying, that he was only going to the other side of the country. I knew there was nothing we could do, but wait. I knew that we would be talking on the phone every night. I knew that he'd be calling as soon as he landed. I knew all these things and it didn't make it hurt any less.
I heard him take a deep breath and walk toward the gate. I turned and watched him walk away… I watched him show the attendant his boarding pass… I watched him walk down the corridor to the plane… I watched him pause before he turned the corner and disappeared… I ran to the window and waited and watched as the plane pulled away from the gate… my chest felt like it was being crushed and I couldn't seem to catch my breath.
I felt someone wrap me in their arms and I let the sobs I had been holding in for so long wrack my body. I let myself fall apart… I was loud… I was causing a scene… I could hear whoever was holding me trying to calm me down, shushing and soothing me, stroking my hair and holding me tight.
I was losing half of myself and it hurt like hell.
A/N: Sniff... sniff...