I DON'T OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE SOUTHERN VAMPIRE MYSTERIES OR ANY RESEMBLANCE THERE OF.
HOPESTREET THANK AS ALWAYS FOR THE SKILZ, AND YES, I DID IN FACT LAUGH…
AND NOW, NEXT CHAPTER…
Chapter 17 – Pearls
I was staring at my lease renewal.
Eric and I hadn't exactly talked about me moving in officially. I mean, I spent 99% of my time there, and I had only come back to my place to get a box of Gran's dresses I had taken from the house in Bon Temps before I left for New York. I loved those dresses. All from the 50's, amazing colors and patterns... I kept meaning to see if Tara could fix them up and fit them for me, but I never had. In fact, I hadn't looked at them since I packed them up, but there was a dress I wanted to wear to the cocktail party, and I needed to get it fixed before Sunday.
Right now, though, I was more worried about that damned lease than the dress. Of course staring at it wasn't doing me any good. I grabbed the box, my last bag of shoes, and the lease and went down to the car that was waiting for me. When I got to Eric's, I dropped the lease on the kitchen counter to deal with later and went to the closet to pull out Gran's dresses. I opened the box and was overwhelmed. They still smelled like Gran's house – fried chicken, coffee, and Lysol. I buried my head in the box and breathed deeply. Each dress held a memory. I was too young to ever see Gran wear them, but Tara and I used to play dress-up with them and have elaborate tea parties in the backyard.
I called Tara at work. "Hey girl!"
"Hey Sooks... what's up?"
"Remember the tea parties we used to have in the backyard?"
"Lord, I haven't thought about that in years! What made you think of it?"
"I'm looking at Gran's dresses right now. It brought back the memories."
"You still have them?"
"Yes ma'am I do. I was hoping you could fix them up for me?"
"Tell me you still have that chiffon dress with the big peach flowers on it?"
I smiled; it was her favorite when we were kids. "I'm looking at it now, just hung it up."
"Ohmigod, I'm coming over after work!"
"Tell you what, help me fix up the rest of them and it's yours."
"Deal!"
"Tara?"
"Ya?"
"Do you miss her as much as I do?"
"I certainly do Sookie. I haven't had decent angel food cake since she left us."
I laughed through the tear that was forming in the corner of my eye, "It was good wasn't it?"
"Better than good!"
"Ya. See you later?"
"Yup. I'll go straight there."
I hung up the rest of the dresses – 12 in all. Some were too dated or in such bad shape they couldn't be saved, moth holes and such, but I was sure that 8 of them were salvageable. The one I wanted to wear on Sunday didn't need more than a new hem sewn. While I waited for Tara, I took out the steamer that I had found in the back of a closet in Eric's hall (it was in a box never used, of course. He didn't know how to use the thing and just had things pressed when he sent them to be laundered or dry cleaned), and fired it up.
The steam brought the old dresses back to life. They were glorious again! Their optimistic colors and patterns, their cuts and shapes; they didn't make dresses like that anymore… what a shame I thought. The dresses were steamed and hanging and ready for inspection by 4 o'clock. I went to the kitchen and made some ice tea for when Tara arrived and then watched some TV. Oprah was on. She was talking about journals. She had all kinds of guests talking about how to start one, how to get past writers block, and the different types of journals. The dream journal got my attention. Although not technically dreams, I suddenly wanted to write down the memories that Eric and I shared. Partly because they were haunting and maybe putting them on paper would help make them more real, and partly for posterity. I didn't want those memories lost to the ages ever again.
I was in deep thought when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Sookie, is he there?"
"Umm, no, Pam, just little ol' me."
"Perfect. I'm calling to see if you had anything planned for his birthday."
"No! I don't even know when it is! I've tried to get it out of him but he won't budge. Hell, I'm not even sure how old he is! He's such a girl about it all."
"It's the big 3-0 this year; we can't let it slide, although you should have seen the tantrum he had when I tried to take him out to dinner for his 29th. He had a full blown hissy fit. We wound up eating pizza at his place and watching some horrible movie on his couch. Very non-festive."
"Well, hell, I had no idea. We have to do something, even if he hates us for it."
"Oh, he'll hate us for it, no doubt about that. We'll just have to make it worth his while…"
"I'm all ears. What did you have in mind?"
"Well, have you ever heard of…"
I cut her off, "…hey wait, before you tell me, when is his birthday?"
"It's part of the reason he hates it."
"Ok…"
"Well, back home it didn't matter because in Sweden it's just another day, but here…"
"PAM! Spill!"
"Ok, ok, don't get your panties in a bunch. It's Halloween!"
"No way!"
"Yes way, dahhhling."
I couldn't help but laugh a little. I couldn't imagine Eric willingly putting on a costume, and he obviously hated the whole aging thing. "Ok, so what did you have in mind?"
"Ocatvia."
Why did that name sound so familiar? I was sure I had heard it somewhere, but I couldn't place it.
"Sookie? You still there?"
"Hmm… oh ya, still here. That just sounds really familiar Pam."
"She's this witch or psychic or something from New Orleans. Anyway, she's famous – all the stars work see her. She does readings and tells people about their past and futures and… hey still there?"
Then I remembered. Octavia! She was Amelia's teacher. She was the one who Amelia said could help us. I'd have to call Amelia…
"Sookie!"
We definitely wanted to meet her.
"SOOKIE!"
"Huh?"
"Have you been drinking?"
"Ummm, no. Sorry Pam. I was just thinking that it's going to be hard to get her for Halloween is all."
"Already done. I got in touch with her, and it turns out that she's going to be in New York anyway. Something about visiting her student who needed some guidance, who knows. Anyway, she's agreed to do it already!"
"Visiting a student huh?"
"Yes. It's kismet."
It was indeed, but I wasn't so sure this was an accident. "Must be Pam. So, where are we having this little shindig?"
"My place. Huge loft in Soho, I'll push all the furniture away. It's going to have to be a surprise though; he would never agree to a party of course. We'll just say it's dinner and hope to God he believes us."
"Right," I said still somewhat distracted.
"So what are you going to be?"
"Be?"
"Costume of course! It's not Halloween without costumes."
"Of course not, what are you going to be."
"I'm a vampire."
"Excuse me?"
"Every year, I know it's clichéd, but I basically dress like one at the clubs – fangs are an easy addition."
"Makes sense."
"What about you?"
"Jeez, I dunno. I haven't worn a costume since high school."
"Well, think something up. We have about 7 weeks."
"True, god, that's right around the corner. What am I gonna get him?"
"The gift that keeps on giving of course."
I was almost afraid to ask… "What would that be Pam?"
"A trip to the gynecologist!"
"The gyno?" It took me a second. Then I realized what she was talking about, "OHHHHHHH… Pam that's perfect! Thanks!"
"Welcome, what's family for? Ok, ta! I'll call soon, and we can hash out the details." She hung up before I could say bye, or address the family comment. Is that what I was? Family? It felt good to hear it again. I had Tara of course, I always would, but I hadn't been part of a family since Gran died. I hadn't felt like part of one either, but hearing Pam say it was like angel food cake: better than good.
Tara and I had been playing dress up in the closet for a good 2 hours. We even had tea. It was iced, but it didn't matter. We were giggling girls again, and I loved it! She was wearing her favorite peach dress, and I was wearing a-little-too-tight-but-squeezed-in-all-the-right-places silk dress with red roses on it. When Eric came into the closet and saw us on the floor surrounded by dresses, tea in hand, we burst out laughing. He shook his head and walked out, letting us play make-believe a little longer.
Tara made short work of the hem on the dress I wanted to wear on Sunday. We chose shoes and figured out the hair, and even made a battle plan for the makeup. We both wished that I had real pearls to finish the outfit off, but the glass ones would have to do. Satisfied with our decisions, we made our way back to the living room. We made plans to meet at Eric's and go over together on Sunday. Before Tara left, I ran back to the closet and grabbed the peach dress for her.
"You sure? I haven't finished the other dresses yet."
"It's your dress, always has been."
"Thanks Sookie," she said and gave me a big hug before walking out the door, "See you Sunday," she said as she stepped on the elevator.
I closed the door just as Eric's arms wrapped around my waist.
"That was adorable."
"What was adorable?" I asked as he led me to the couch.
"The two of you on the floor surrounded by silk and laughing like little girls."
"Just reliving our childhood. I brought that box of Gran's dresses to the apartment; you know, the one I've been meaning to bring here?"
"Mhmm," he said as he sat my down next to him.
"We used to play dress up in those dresses and have tea parties in the backyard. The dress Tara took was her favorite. She always wore it. It was only right that she have it."
"I would have loved to see that."
"Oh it was hilarious! We used to put on these really awful fake French and English accents… Gran used to play right along with us."
"I'm so jealous of those childhood memories."
"There must be some memories you have?"
"I remember my father coming to a gymnastics meet I had once. I remember Pam and I playing in the park with our nanny… but nothing as charming as a tea party in my grandmother's dress."
"Eric Northman, don't be silly! You couldn't fit in your grandmother's dress!" He looked at me in mock-surprise before laughing out loud.
"Love you Sookie."
"Love you Eric."
"Sookie?"
"Yes?"
"When were you going to tell me about your lease?"
Oh damn! I forgot that I had left it on the kitchen counter! "I only just saw today. It was under my door in Brooklyn."
"What are you going to do?" he asked cautiously.
"I wasn't really sure actually."
"You're not…" he took a deep breath, I had no idea what he was going to say – he looked almost worried, "you're not thinking of renewing it are you?"
I was speechless. I could feel my face getting hot, tears were about to fall. "Are you asking me not to sign?"
"Of course I don't want you signing! You're place is here with me," he said as if it were a forgone conclusion. As if I should have figure this out a long time ago… maybe I should have. Hearing him declare it once and for all though was amazing! I let the tears fall. "Did I say something wrong? What are the tears for?" he asked, confused.
"I'm just really happy. I was hoping that's what you'd say." He kissed me. He kissed me again. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, we were naked on the bed. He sucked, licked and bit me into submission, and as I came down from my high, all I could think was: I'm home.
(Eric POV)
When I walked through the door, I could hear two little girls giggling to their heart's content. I walked toward the noise to find Tara and Sookie on the floor in the closet in a sea of taffeta and silk, ice tea in hand and laughing like kids. It was too adorable for words, but it was also 'a girl thing,' so I left them to it. Of course, it didn't escape my attention that Sookie was wearing a dress that made her look more delectable than Marilyn Monroe. It tucked and pushed in all the right places… I'd have to find an excuse to see her in that again.
I wanted to leave them alone, let them enjoy girl time, but I couldn't help but eavesdrop occasionally. I just wanted to hear her laugh like that again; it was so free and happy. I overheard them talking about shoes and hair. But when Sookie mentioned the pearls, all I wanted to do was run out and get them for her. Knowing Sookie, of course, she'd hate that I'd bought her something so expensive. Hell, she wouldn't let me pay her with anything but lingerie, not that I was complaining about that, but still. I wanted to get her that strand of pearls to replace her glass pearls, and I wanted her to have it for Sunday. I'd have to figure out a way that she'd accept them though.
The solution came quickly enough. I found her lease renewal on the kitchen counter. I had just assumed that she would stay with me, that she wouldn't find a need to have her own place anymore, but maybe I was wrong? Didn't she want to be here with me? Wasn't the clearing of closet space, and the keys, and all the rest proof enough? My answer came when I confronted her about it. My sweet Sookie cried when she realized I wanted her here with me. I brought her to the bedroom and threw her clothes on our floor. I threw off our bed cover, and we made love on ourbed.
The next day I went to Doyle and Doyle. I could have gone to Tiffany's or Bulgari, but her grandmother's dresses were vintage, so the pearls should be too. I found a double strand of cultured pearls with a small gold clasp and matching earrings from the 40's – they were perfect. I had them wrap it up in a black velvet box and white satin bow and hid them in one of my shoe boxes. I would give them to her before we left for Niall's on Sunday.
I was still nervous that she would make a fuss about me getting them for her, but I was hoping the recent 'officially moved-in' high would carry over to Sunday, and she would just accept them. Sunday came, and Sookie was a nervous wreck. She spilled coffee on her kimono, burned the toast, and almost brushed her teeth with skin cream. She was taking the launch a little too seriously, but I didn't say anything… I needed her as calm and as in love me as possible when I gave her those pearls.
Normally, Sookie took no longer than I did getting ready; however, today I found myself dressed, ready and waiting for Sookie in the living room.
"Almost ready!" she yelled from the other room.
"Take your time. Tara and J.B. aren't even here yet."
Ten minutes later, I heard Sookie "ahem" behind me, and I turned around. She looked beautiful… so perfect. I had seen the dress she was wearing on the hanger in the closet, one of her Grandmother's, but it came to life on her. Her hair was styled in large soft curls down her back, pulled off her face and held by two small combs. Her ruby red lips and perfectly lined eyes were intoxicating. Her legs looked curvy and edible, and her neckline was exposed and sexy, just a hint of cleavage – the glass pearls were around her neck. Once again, she looked like a pin-up come to life. I must have been gawking because she laughed.
"Earth to Eric!" she said, snapping me out of it.
"You look… delectable. I'm not letting you out my sight today."
"Thank you sugar," she said, sashaying over to me and kissing the top of my head. She smelled amazing too. None of it was helping my urge to lock the doors and ravage her silly. I was lost in my sex-haze when I remembered the pearls. I got up to get them.
"Hey! Where are you going?" she called as I left.
"Just forgot something," I said as I made it back to the living room. I pulled the box out from behind my back, and her face went from surprise, to smiling, and then down to upset when the realization hit her.
"Eric Northman, what did you do?"
"I bought the woman I love jewelry. And I'm hoping she'll smile and wear them once she has seen it."
"Eric!"
"Before you say anything else, just open it." She shut her mouth, took the box from my hands, walked to couch, and sat down. I sat next to her. She undid the ribbon and let her hand brush the smooth black velvet box. She looked at me, opened it, and looked back down. She gasped. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. She touched the necklace, letting her finger run over each cool pearl. She looked at it for a long time. Finally, she looked up. It looked like she was trying not to cry.
"How did you know?" she said quietly.
"I might have overheard you telling Tara how much you wanted real pearls instead of glass. And, I might have gone to an antiques dealer and got you those the very next day."
Silence. It worried me. Was it too much? Would she have preferred pearls from Tiffany's instead of vintage?
"Do you like them?" I asked nervously.
"I don't want to think how much you spent."
"Don't think at all, Sookie. I want to know if you like them."
There was a long pause, then: "They're the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me."
My heart swelled, "Is that a yes then?"
She didn't answer but nodded as a few tears ran down her cheek. I kissed her, chastely. Relief flooded me.
"Shit, I have to go fix my make-up now."
I laughed, "Ok, love." The doorbell rang.
"Tell them we'll be right down," Sookie said from the bathroom. A few moments later, Sookie came back out looking lovely, and without the glass pearls. "Will you put those on me?" she asked. I took the necklace and earrings from the box and walked to her. She lifted the hair from her neck, and after a second of fumbling with the clasp, I got the necklace on her. She put the pearl studs in her ears and turned around to face me. They were perfect on her. They made her glow. She ran to the bathroom to take a look, ran back, and kissed me.
"Thank you Eric! I love them!"
"You're welcome, love." I took her hand and led her out of the apartment and into the elevator. She rummaged through her purse for a tissue, rubbed the lipstick off my lips, and winked just as the doors opened to the lobby. Tara looked pretty in a yellow skirt and tan ruffled blouse, but she couldn't hold a candle to Sookie. We found a cab and made it to Niall's and Lafayette's apartment 15 minutes later. The place looked wonderful; every conceivable yellow flower in NYC was in the apartment. Pam showed up a few minutes after we did in head-to-toe white linen, looking like she just stepped off a boat in Saint Tropez… in other words, very Pam.
Sookie and I found the bar and helped ourselves to champagne when suddenly we heard, "You look prrrrrrrfect!" from behind us. We turned to see Lafayette with his arms open and an ever elegant Niall behind him smiling. Sookie and I hugged and thanked them. "Now, where did you find that darling dress!" Lafayette had hooked his arm into Sookie's and walked away with her. She turned to me and mouthed 'help!' All I could do was shrug, knowing that I wouldn't be able to get her from Lafayette's grasp anytime soon.
"She looks divine, Eric," said Niall, hooking his arm into mine.
"She looks perfect," I replied.
"I happened to notice that lovely strand of pearls around her neck… you wouldn't have anything to do with that would you?"
"Yes, I did, and how did you know?"
"She kept touching them and looking to you."
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
"Diamonds might be forever Eric, but they're also cold and lack personality. A strand of pearls, however, ahhh! They come to life on a woman. They glow and radiate charisma, just like Sookie."
"She only looked more beautiful when I put them on her earlier. Yes, she glows."
"I can't tell you how happy we are you found her."
"Me too, Niall."
"Good, good. Now dear boy, when can we expect grandchildren? I'm not getting any younger you know!"
A/N:
All the outfits are on my profile.
Doyle and Doyle is a high end antiques dealer on Park Avenue in Manhattan.
So I think my stance is clear on the issue, but what do you prefer? Diamonds or Pearls?
The rev button will run to Doyle and Doyle and buy you a vintage strand of your fave as soon as you press it!
