When I awoke the next morning, I rolled over to look at the other side of the bed to see it rumpled and slept in. So I hadn't dreamed that Eric had crawled in beside me before I'd drifted off to sleep. I smiled and got out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom. That business taken care of, I headed to the kitchen for some much needed coffee. As I approached the machine, I saw a small box, roughly the size of a DVD with a note on top of it sitting on the table. I flicked the switch on the coffee maker before reading the note.

My dearest Sookie,

I wanted you to know, I spent the night with you, watching you sleep. I remember doing that sometimes when I was cursed by the witch. I miss spending time with you. Pam says this is very not like myself. I wanted you to have this. I happened to see it in a store and thought of you instantly so deeply. Please accept it, and the bracelet. (I moved that to your bedroom, I noticed your cousin eyeing it). They are gifts from me to you, from the bottom of my heart, no matter what our current state is.

I will love you forever and always,

Eric

P.S. I have spent my day in your hidey hole. I hope this is not an inconvenience to you.

I folded the letter back up and opened the box. Peeling away the layers of tissue paper, I finally got to the gift that had apparently shaken Eric to his core when he'd seen it. Inside was the most beautiful looking scarf. It was a gorgeous shade of azure I'd ever seen with silver threads woven through it in a delicate looking pattern. It was the softest material I'd ever felt, softer than silk. I snuggled it up to my face and sniffed. I could barely smell it, but I thought I caught a whiff of Eric's cologne on it. I took a last sniff and tucked it back into the box. The coffee maker clicked off and I poured my cup before putting the box in my bedroom. I took my coffee out onto the front porch where I always had it in nice weather. After my coffee, I tidied the house, ran some errands, got in a little sun tanning and finished the book I hadn't finished the night before and then had to get ready for work. I made sure to leave Eric a note as to my whereabouts and letting him know there was some True Blood in the fridge before leaving. Work was busy and the evening went by quickly. There was the usual amount of customers, which was a good sign, and tips were good. There were no situations and no unwanted visitors, which was a relief.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted. After getting out of my car at home I waved to Bubba in the forest and he waved back. I let myself into the house and flicked on the kitchen light. I noticed there was a light on in the living room and cautiously went to investigate. Eric was sitting on my couch.

"Eric?" I said, "Is there something wrong?" He turned to look at me and shook his head.

"No, just sitting and thinking," he said. I sat down next to him and he grabbed my hand.

"Are you going to go sit with Bubba tonight?" I asked.

"Yes, I was just waiting until you got back home. I'll be going outside now," he explained. He didn't get up to leave though, instead he stayed sitting next to me and stroked the palm of my hand.

"I'll get you both a couple bottles of blood. And you're more than welcome to sit on the front porch swing, or even in here in the living room, so long as you're quiet," I told him. He gave me a small smile. I squeezed his hand and then got up to get the blood. I handed him four bottles, sure that should be more than enough for one night. He bent and gave me a tender kiss on the cheek before letting himself out the front door. I closed the door behind him, not bothering to lock it, just this once, and headed to my bedroom, noticing Eric had tidied the closet in the spare room after he'd gotten up for the night. I changed into my pyjamas quickly and slipped in between the covers, relaxing from my evening at work finally.

Despite being so tired, I had trouble sleeping all night and when I awoke the next morning, I felt more exhausted than I had in a long time. I called JB's cell phone from my cell phone in bed for news on Tara and the babies. He was excited to report that she had delivered mid-morning the day before and had a healthy baby boy and girl. Both were a good weight and length for premature twins, but he and Tara were still debating on names for the babies. He mentioned they were discharging Tara on Saturday morning. I congratulated him, asking him to pass the message along to Tara, who was sleeping when I called, and told him I'd swing by the hospital later that day for a quick visit. I knew I'd have time after lunch before having to be at work. I spent my morning doing little jobs around the house, getting ready for my visitors coming in tomorrow. At one point I jumped onto my computer to email Amelia, letting her know I was excited for her visit and that Tara had had the babies. After I'd eaten lunch, I got ready for work and headed to the hospital to visit Tara, JB and the babies. I stopped by the local Toys-R-Us to pick up some gifts beforehand.

When I entered Tara's hospital room, the first thing I saw was both Tara and JB cuddling with a baby. They looked incredibly perfect and happy. I tiptoed into the room, setting the gifts I'd brought on a chair near the door and gave each of them a hug as carefully as possible. I ran my hand over the head of the baby Tara was holding. His hair was black, curly and so very soft. He stirred a little in his sleep, blowing a little bit of a spit bubble. I peeked over at the baby JB had. Her eyes were open and she was squirming, but not crying. Her hair was wispy and blonde. I sat with them for a little while, only talking once or twice. The calm and quiet the babies seemed to possess was overwhelming. But soon it was time for me to head out for work. I hugged each of them again and kissed each baby softly on the head. I promised I would be back to visit again the next day.

Work again that night was busy and kept me going all night. I liked nights like that but I ran my feet off, which could be painful in the end. Finally, the night was over and I drove home, wanting nothing more than my bed. Eric was sitting on the couch with Bubba, watching some late night talk show, when I got home. I patted Bubba on the shoulder and kissed Eric on the top of his head before heading off to bed. I think I would have loved just sitting on the couch with them, enjoying the company, but I was too tired. Since Claude had told me he and Dermot were moving out, I hadn't really seen them, so the house was lonely again. I gradually fell asleep to the soft murmur of the TV in the background, content with life lately. But in the back of my mind, the whole Eric situation still pulled me in a hundred different directions. I'm sure Eric felt the same.