AN- All characters are property of Charlaine Harris.
Sookie could not focus on her job at all that day. All she could think about was Eric. She was praying that her Gran would like him. But if she had to admit it to herself, she wasn't giving him up for anything.
Sam could tell that her head wasn't in her work and he decided to ask her if everything was alright. He was worried about her hanging out with Bill. He knew that if the vampires knew what Sookie could do, they would use her for their own gain.
"Are things ok between you and Bill, cher?" He hoped they weren't.
"Oh, I'm not with Bill anymore." She doesn't even pause as she heads back to a table with some drinks.
When she comes back he tries again to see what's on her mind. "Well you sure don't seem too broken up by this." Maybe he still had a chance with Sookie after all.
Sookie can see where Sam's thoughts are headed, "I found someone else Sam." She doesn't want him to even meet Eric, she can guess how that would turn out.
"That's great Sook!" He turns to make another drink. Sookie is fully aware that Sam thinks she is has found a regular human boy to be with and that seems to placate him. She doesn't want to deal with his prejudice tonight though, she can only think about Eric meeting her Gran.
She rushed home barely saying a word to anyone on the way out. By the time she got home she was giddy. She quickly jumped into the shower and washed away the day. She went to her closet and picked out a denim jumper that hit her just above the knees. She paired it up with a short sleeved peasant shirt that showed a nice bit of her cleavage. She slipped on some sandals and decided that she should eat something before Eric arrived.
"You look nice dear," her Gran had saved her a plate of fried chicken with all the fixings.
"Thank you Gran and for the food too." Her stomach was doing back flips so she wasn't sure how much she could eat. But she was sure she should try.
"Are you sure about this Sookie?" Adele could see that her granddaughter had fallen hard and fallen fast.
"I can't explain it Gran, but I've never been more sure about anything in my life. I was always worried with Bill. I enjoyed not hearing him so much that I just clung to that. But with Eric, it just feels right. I know he's done terrible things in his life but I know that he would protect me where Bill wouldn't."
Adele just nodded her head and went to the living room. She picked up some crochet and tried to not worry about Sookie. She was old enough to make up her own mind. She had never worried about Jason, but Sookie was so innocent and trusting. She looked up as she heard a knock at the door. Since Sookie was still in the kitchen eating, Adele decided she would get it.
Sookie's grandmother opened the door and almost fainted. Sookie had warned her, but she wasn't prepared for what she saw in front of her. He was tall and very well built. He was wearing what she was sure was a very expensive light gray suit. His shoulder length blond hair was tied behind his head neatly. But what really struck Adele was his smile. She understood exactly why Sookie had fallen for this one, past life or not.
She snapped out of her assessment long enough to remember her manners, "Hello, I'm Adele Stackhouse." She extended her hand not knowing that vampires don't shake hands.
"A pleasure Ms. Stackhouse," he took her hand and gently kissed it, "I am Eric Northman."
"Well aren't you a charmer? Please come in Eric, I believe my Sookie has been clawing at the walls to see you." She steps aside to let Eric in the door. Adele watches carefully as Sookie and Eric see each other. Sookie's face lights up when she sees Eric. While Eric's face softens and he is instantly transformed from intimidating to caring. Adele's heart warms to this imposing man.
"You look lovely Sookie," Eric inclines his head to Sookie and is thrilled to hear her pulse race.
"Thank you Eric. You look very handsome yourself." Actually he looked mouthwatering, but Sookie had enough manners to not say as that in front of her Gran.
"Please, sit down, let's talk for a few." Adele motions for everyone as she sinks back into her chair. She watches as Eric and Sookie sit next to each other on the couch. "Sookie here tells me that she knew you in a past life," Adele is eager to hear what Eric feels about all this.
"Did she now?," his eyebrow raises. "Last night she still doubted me." As much as he doesn't want his true feelings trumped around, he is pleased to hear that Sookie has excepted their relationship. He reaches out takes Sookie's hand. If too many found out exactly how much he valued Sookie, her life would be in danger. As well as his own.
"I had a dream last night," Sookie clarifies. Eric can see Adele nod her head. He's intrigued what this dream could be. It seemed to make sense to them.
"Yes," he continues, "I met Sookie when I was still a human." He doesn't want to volunteer too much in case Sookie had not shared details.
"How long ago? If you don't mind my curiosity, this is all still very strange to me." Adele's forehead wrinkles slightly as she tries to ignore the fact that this beautiful and certainly dangerous vampire is holding her granddaughter.
"Certainly, I can understand how hard this is to comprehend. I admit, I was shocked when I saw Sookie myself. It had been over a thousand years since I had seen her last." He still can not shake the image of burying his beautiful wife. He secretly vows to never do that again.
In his native tongue, he turns to address his wife. "Sookie, love, I have something very disturbing to share with the both of you." He stares deep into her eyes. "How is she taking this? Should I wait to tell her?"
Sookie understands that Eric wants her to peek into her Gran's head. Normally she would respect her grandmothers privacy, but for Eric she would do almost anything. "She is shaken up, but she desperately wants me to be happy and safe," she replies in the same strange language. "Hearing me speak to you in this manner is freaking her out a little," she adds.
Eric turned to Adele, "I know that this will sound possessive of me but we need to beware of other vampires. Even Bill Compton," he shakes his head, "especially Bill Compton. He feels slighted and I do not know what he is capable of. What really scares me however is that he knows what Sookie's abilities are. And do not not get me wrong when I say that this scares me. Where humans might find telepathy unbelievable, vampires know that there is magic in the world. Many among my kind would not hesitate to use Sookie to their advantage. I am not entirely certain where Compton's loyalties lie."
Sookie didn't know what to think about all this. "You honestly think that Bill would do something terrible?"
"Tell me, my love, how well do you know William Compton?" Eric pats Sookie's hand lightly.
"Well I could say the same about you Eric," she states defiantly.
"No...," he strokes her neck gently, "no, my beautiful Aude, you know me better than even my own child." Eric watches as her eyes widen and her lips tremble.
Adele, who had been quiet this whole time, sat forward. "Was that her name? Aude?" Her eyes are sparkling as she sees how much Eric cares for her granddaughter.
Eric was about to reply but Sookie beats him to it. "It is Gran. I can feel it. That was my name." Tears are streaming down her face as she turns to Eric, "And we had three beautiful children."
Eric grasps both of Sookie's hands and brings them to his lips. He can not control his own tears now as his lightly kisses her fingers. He pulls her close and lets her cry. He strokes her hair gently.
"Oh my goodness, this just so unbelievable," Adele is crying now as well. She takes some tissues from the box next to her and then hands the box to Eric. He gratefully take the box and cleans himself up. He can see that Sookie still needs a minute and he just lets her cry.
"Ms. Stackhouse," he begins.
"You can call me Adele, or Gran. Everyone else does." She reaches over and pats him on the shoulder.
"Thank you Adele," Eric inclines his head. "I need to you rescind Mr. Compton's invitation. I do not want any harm to come to you or Sookie."
"Very well. William Compton is no longer welcome in this house." She can see Eric visibly relax after she says this. "I was not aware that it actually worked that way."
"Yes," he nods, "and if you wished me gone it would work the same way."
"Well I don't think that will be happening but I appreciate your telling me," she says seriously. "My Sookie has taken to ya and you seem to care for her. That goes a long way in my book."
Sookie has finally cried herself out and Eric dutifully dabs the remaining tears from her face. He smiles down at her, "You seem to have messed up all your makeup love."
She looks down at his suit, "Oh no! I messed up your fancy suit too."
He laughs lightly, "You can cry on my suit anytime you want Sookie."
"Here," Adele says getting up, "let's see what we can do for that suit while Sookie fixes her face. I'm assuming you two love birds want to get out of here. I've certainly wasted enough of your time."
Eric follows Adele into the kitchen as Sookie heads to the bathroom. As soon as Sookie is out of hearing Eric turns to Adele. "I am not going to lie to you Adele," he smiles wickedly, "I do not intend to bring Sookie home tonight."
"Oh my," Adele blushes, "well I appreciate your honestly. She's a big girl, she come and go as she pleases. But you had better take good care of her Eric Northman." She shakes her finger at him.