Perfect Valentine Chapter 8
EPOV
Well, thank God, the meeting was breaking up, and it was only a little after ten. It had been just as boring as I'd thought, or hoped, it might be. Boring meant there were no huge issues to be settled before Dad got back to town. What few problems there were, could be easily cleaned up by then. I was looking forward to getting home to Sookie. She'd enjoyed the flowers, as I'd hoped she would, though she would probably fuss at me more about my overindulgence when we were face to face.
As I turned onto her, our, street, I saw that big white pickup again. It was cruising slowly up the quiet street. As it neared Sookie's house, I saw the brake lights brighten. What the fuck? I sped up a little. He must have seen me coming, because suddenly he stepped on the gas, and was around the corner. I would have to ask Sookie if she knew whose truck that was.
When I walked in, I could hear the shower running, and immediately beamed. I had an idea. Remembering our shared shower this morning, I quickly shed my business suit, and grabbed a rose from the vase on the dresser. I placed it between my teeth, and looked in the mirror. Oh, yes, a good idea, indeed. Other parts of my body thought so, too, already preparing for a hearty welcome from Sookie.
I threw open the shower curtain and was greeted with a scream, "Eric! You scared the life out of me! What. . .?"
She had just noticed the rose. I waggled my eyebrows at her, and stepped in behind her. By now she was laughing hysterically. I had to circle her waist with my arms to keep her from falling. I removed the stem from my mouth and held it in front of her, "My love, a symbol of my affection."
"Oh, Eric, you are such a goof!" she giggled, turning to face me. "A lovable goof, but a goof all the same." She put her hands on my chest and began working her way down. Apparently we'd both had the same ideas about our reunion tonight! Using her beautifully scented shower gel, she rubbed my body, front and back, leaving no part untouched. When we stepped out of the shower, we wrapped ourselves in one large towel, and dried each other as much as we could before moving to the bedroom.
"I missed you, Eric," she whispered, as she continued to administer caresses with her hands and lips.
"Mmmm, I missed you too," I groaned, barely able to contain my lustful desires.
"Show me how much," she dared. So I did.
As we lay in each other's arms, warm and sated, she, as I knew she would, brought up the subject of the flowers. "Eric," she spoke tentatively, "I loved the flowers. I really did, but don't you think you went a little overboard? I mean, there are so many! And we won't be here during the day to enjoy them, anyway. I don't want to seem ungrateful, but…."
I kissed her temple, "You don't sound ungrateful, Sookie, you sound practical. I'm afraid I'm not so much, when it comes to you. I wanted to send you flowers, but I couldn't decide which ones you'd like best, so I just sent them all!"
She lifted herself on one elbow and looked down into my face, "Eric, you just can't do stuff like that. I am flattered, but you must have spent a fortune, and I would have been happy with any one of the arrangements . As it is, I've hardly had time to look at each one, much less enjoy them the way they should be."
"I know. I should have thought of that. Would you feel better if they could each be enjoyed more thoroughly?" I asked, stroking her cheek.
"Yeah, I guess, what do you have in mind?" she asked curiously.
"In the morning, pick the one you like best. We'll keep that one here. I'll take the rest of them to the convalescent home we pass on the way into town. How does that sound?"
She bent and kissed me sweetly on the lips, "Perfect. You are the most generous man I have ever known. No wonder I love you so much!" She settled into the crook of my arm then, so I turned out the light, and we slept.
SPOV
When the clock radio came on in the morning, I turned to Eric and snuggled under his chin. Without opening his eyes, he kissed my forehead and ran his hands over my back. I had slept so well, it was incredible. I felt energized, and ready for the day, but hesitant to leave my lover's arms. Finally I whispered to him, "Eric, we'd better get up. Remember we have those flowers to get into the car this morning."
"Okay," he whined, as I moved away from him. I put on a robe against the chill of the morning, and went to the kitchen for coffee. I brought us both a mug, and handed Eric his as he sat up in bed. "Have you decided which flowers to keep?"
"Mm hmm," I nodded, my mouth full of coffee, "I want to keep the daisies. They are beautiful, but simple, and the vase is a perfect match for the kitchen. I can use it to put fresh flowers from the yard in this summer."
Eric laughed and shook his head, "That was the first one I picked out. It just looked like you."
"See, you could have saved yourself a lot of money if you'd just gone with your gut, huh?" I teased, "now get up, we've got work to do!"
"Yes, ma'am!" he said sharply as he saluted and rolled out of the bed.
"Want oatmeal?" I asked over my shoulder as I went back to the kitchen.
"That's fine," he answered. As I pulled out the supplies for breakfast, I looked around at all the beautiful blooms around the room. He was a sweetheart, but he really needed to learn about moderation.
After we'd eaten and showered, I told Eric I planned to go grocery shopping after work. "Oh, can I come?" he sounded like a kid wanting to tag along to the candy store.
"You want to go grocery shopping with me?" I asked, incredulous.
"Sure! Pick me up at the office. Your car will hold more. I can just leave mine in the parking garage overnight, and we'll drive in together tomorrow," he outlined his plans as if he'd been thinking about it for awhile.
"Eric, this is Friday. We won't be going to work tomorrow," I reminded him.
"Oh, yeah, can you be a little late this morning? We'll take your car in. But, if we stop by to leave the flowers, we won't get you to work on time," he explained as he combed his long hair in front of the mirror.
"It's for a good cause. Sophie Anne will be okay with it. I'll text Octavia and let her know what's up," I grabbed my phone and sent the text. Then we started loading flower arrangements into my back seat. I don't see how Eric got home with all of these in his Corvette, anyway. Maybe he made two trips.
When we got to Parkview Manor, we each carried flowers in. I was immediately shocked at how many of the staff members and residents knew Eric, even called him by name. When we walked back outside to bring in more arrangements, I just looked at him with a question in my eyes.
"What?" he said, "I come here sometimes to bring things the residents need or would like, or to read to some of the bedridden patients, or just to visit."
"Why? Do you have a relative here?" I asked, still in a state of amazement.
He shook his head, "I don't get to see my own grandmother much, since she's moved back to Sweden. Since I can't visit her, I visit people here, whose relatives might be in the same situation, unable to visit often. I figure it's the least I can do."
The lump in my throat was so huge, I couldn't possibly speak, so I just stood on tiptoe and kissed him. We carried in the rest of the flowers, placing some in all the common areas, and then taking a few to residents who couldn't leave their rooms to enjoy the others. By the time we were back in the car and pulling away, my heart was overflowing. Every time I'm sure my love for Eric can't get any deeper, I find out something that makes me adore him even more.
I dropped Eric at his office, and headed back to my own. "See you a little after five. I love you," I said as I leaned over to kiss him.
"Love you too, Sookie," he said, looking deeply into my eyes, "have a good day."
Oh, I was sure I would. Just thinking about that tall, blond, godlike man walking through the halls of an institution full of people so much less fortunate than himself, giving and receiving smiles, was enough to keep me on cloud nine for awhile. How did I get so lucky?
The morning went quickly. I finished up several last minute chores before the weekend, and was ready to go grab some lunch when my phone buzzed. Jason.
"Hey, Jase, what's up?" I asked, hoping a light hearted greeting would be echoed in his reply. Well, not exactly.
"Hey, Sis, I just wanted to let you know I talked to Bill last night. You know, about the two of you, your relationship, and breakup, and all," he explained as if I wouldn't know what they'd talked about.
"And…?"
"Looks like you were right about that a-hole. He started in on what a bitch you were, stuff like that," he had an edge of sympathy in his voice.
"Yeah, what'd you say?" I was curious to see how Jason would handle the information.
He chuckled, "Didn't say much, punched him in the face, though!"
"Jason Stackhouse! I can't believe you did that!" I wasn't sure if what I felt was shock or pride.
"I know, right? Well, he may have been my friend, but you're my baby sister, and nobody's gonna call you a bitch and get away with it," he answered, then added, "sorry I was such a tool to you and Eric the other night. I just, well, you know."
My turn to chuckle, "Yeah, I know. You okay?"
"I'm great! Say, you said he came by that one night. He been back?" being protective again.
"Haven't seen him. Oh, wait, what does he drive now?" my heart dropped to my stomach at the sudden realization.
"Big ass pickup truck. White Dodge, why?" he replied.
"Nothing, just wondered," I said, "listen, Jase, I was on my out to lunch. Can we catch up later? I've missed you, bro."
"You bet, Sook, sorry I kept you. Sunday dinner again?" he asked, finally in a lighthearted mood.
"See you there, and, Jason, thanks," I said as I hung up the phone, and picked up my purse. I had thought about grabbing a sandwich and coming back to eat, but decided instead to eat at the deli. I needed some alone time to think. What was I going to do about the return of stalker Bill?
EPOV
As soon as I'd said good-bye to Sookie and gone upstairs, I started tackling the issues discussed at last night's meeting. I wanted everything cleared up by midweek, so Sookie and I could leave town Friday. I needed to remember to tell her about that this weekend. Before long, it was four-thirty. I had one more task before calling it a week, so I opened my email, highlighted "compose," and wrote:
Hi, Mom,
How's the trip been? Hope you've had a great time. Looking forward to seeing you next weekend. I'm taking my girl, Sookie Stackhouse, you remember her, to the country house next Friday. Hope you and Dad can come down Saturday. I'd love to spend some time with you two, hear about your trip, and let you get to know Sookie better. She's a keeper, Mom, and I know you're going to love her. Hell, even Dad's going to love her! She's that good. Anyway, if there's some reason this doesn't work for you, let me know.
Hope to see you there!
Love,
Eric
I hit the send button after rereading the message, and started straightening my desk. Sookie would be here to get me soon.
When she walked in, there wasn't quite the buzz I'd witnessed when I went to her office the first time after I'd proposed. Most of the people here didn't know about it yet, but there were enough who did to cause a minor mob scene around her, wanting to see the ring, and meet the girl who'd landed the boss. I walked out of my office, briefcase in hand, to rescue her before the press of bodies got too overwhelming. I held my hand out to her and she took it eagerly, stepping to stand at my side. We spent a few more minutes exchanging pleasantries with the coworkers before I announced, "The weekend has officially begun, people. Get the hell out of here!" They laughed, slapped each other on the back (the men) or linking arms (women), and gathered their things. We'd all gotten a lot done today, and we had a right to enjoy ourselves.
Sookie handed me her keys when we got to the parking garage, and we headed for the grocery store nearest our neighborhood. She was making a list on the back of an envelope she'd found in her purse, biting her lip in concentration. She was so cute.
"How was your day, sweetheart?" I asked, just to hear her voice when she answered.
"Huh? Oh, good. Jason called me. He talked to Bill, decided I was telling the truth, and even told me he'd punched Bill in the face!" She was trying to sound upbeat, but I detected an undertone of, something, not quite sure what.
"Oh, well, I guess that's good. That he believes you, I mean. Don't usually condone violence, but…" I smiled at her.
"I know, me neither, but, in a way it felt good that Jason would defend my honor. He said Bill called me a bitch," she said.
"Well, then, good for Jason. Glad he came around," I patted her hand, then turned into the parking lot.
"Yeah, he said he'd be at Sunday dinner, so you can get to know his 'not such an asshole' side, maybe," she chuckled, climbing out of the car, and reaching in the back seat for her canvas bags.
Once inside, we set out on what, to me, was a new adventure. I dashed in to a store for an item or two quite often, but to do a week's worth of shopping in one trip was new to me. Years of having housekeepers and cooks had insulated me from this most mundane of human events. I was actually looking forward to this. It would be an education. Knowing Sookie, she had it down to a science, hitting all the aisles in order, picking the right brands, the freshest produce, the whole nine yards. I wasn't wrong, she moved through like a pro. I asked so many questions I'm sure any customers who overheard us thought I was from Mars, or something. Sookie patiently explained why organic vegetables were better, why we should only buy eggs from free-range chickens, beef from grass-fed cattle, etc. I knew Sookie's pantry didn't contain much junk food, but I didn't realize she ate almost no processed food at all. She even explained that she often travels to several different stores to shop. She likes buying from the farmer's market in the summer, and going to a butcher who specializes in meat raised without the use of chemicals or hormones. An education, like I said.
I was able to talk her into buying some things she wouldn't usually, more expensive cuts of meat, for example, promising to grill us some steaks if she'd relent. I wasn't a cook, but I knew how to season and turn a steak, for god's sake. I also picked out a nice bottle of wine. I also picked up some coffee beans. When Sookie said she didn't have a grinder, I told her I had a coffee maker that ground the beans, then brewed the coffee. We'd bring it to her house tomorrow. We might not use it every day, but it would be nice to have freshly ground coffee on weekends, wouldn't it?
When we got to the checkout, Sookie pulled out her debit card, but I snatched it from her hand, and slid mine down the slot instead. She looked at me, mouth agape, and said, "Eric, you shouldn't do that! I can buy my own groceries!"
"Were you planning on eating all this yourself?" I asked with a smile and a gesture to the six canvas bags full of food. "Besides, Sookie, I'm not a guest in your house anymore, I live there, remember? I should pay my share."
The logic of that statement sunk in, and she agreed that I could pay for the groceries this time, as long as she could pay next week. I reluctantly agreed. I tend to think of Sookie as perfect way too often. She does have her faults. For instance, her stubbornness makes a mule look like a freaking lap dog.
While we drove towards home, I figured we might as well get the other dreaded discussion out of the way. "Sookie, like I said, I think I should pay some of the household expenses, and help out around the house, too."
"Fine, I'll let you wash dishes tonight," she teased.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not too much into domestic engineering, but I know you like a neat house, so do I. I've arranged for Lupita, the housekeeper I've used ever since I moved out on my own, to start next Friday at your house. Our house. I had a key made for her and left it at my apartment for her to pick up today." I know I ducked my head perceptively when I heard her breath hitch.
"A maid? You think I need a maid? Eric, I've always done my own housework. Done a pretty darn good job, I'd say. I don't need a maid. Waste of money. Nope, not happening!" See what I mean? Stubborn.
"Sookie, you do a great job, but there are going to be two of us now, and I'm a slob. You shouldn't have to spend all your time cleaning up after me." I tried logic again.
"You, a slob? Your apartment was always neat as a pin," she countered.
"Lupita," I said. "Sookie, I'm paying for it. It will allow us to spend our evenings enjoying each other's company instead of working all the time."
"No, forget it," her arms crossed over her chest. I wonder how many times she'd gotten her way with that posture. I'm guessing a lot, but not this time.
"Okay, I'll call Lupita and tell her that her little boy will have to transfer out of Anderson School. I'm sure she can find a class in public school where he'll fit in." There's more than one way to skin a mule.
"Why, what's wrong with him?" she was interested, at least, but still had that defiant stance going.
"Nothing's wrong. He's a freaking genius. Way too smart for other kids his age. He's had a lot of trouble fitting in, until she found this school. But, I guess…"
"You don't fight fair, you know that? Okay, she can clean my house. Our house, but I don't have to like it!" She spent the rest of the ride home looking out the window, not speaking to me.
When we'd gotten home and put the groceries away, I talked Sookie into popping in the frozen pizza I'd convinced her to buying, made with all natural ingredients, of course. She agreed, we worked together to made a salad, and toasted each other with our Shiners when we sat down to eat. Things had gotten back to normal now that we were home. Everything happy and calm, so naturally I decided to stir up some more shit!
"Sookie, I meant to ask you this morning, do you know who owns that big white pickup that keeps hanging around?" Her face drained of blood, and her eyes grew to saucer size.
"If you'd asked this morning, I wouldn't have known, but now I do, thanks to Jason," she explained, looking down at her food instead of at me. "Bill. It's Bill, I think."
"I've seen it a couple of nights," I said, concerned, and growing more so.
"It drove up and down the street last night before you got home. Several times," Sookie answered with alarm, whether for the fact of Bill being near, or the anger I know she saw in me, I didn't know.
"If I get my hands on that son of a bitch, he'll …. Well, let's just say I hope he got the message from Jason last night." I tried to hide how fucking mad I was, but it was hard. Finally I took my bulging veins, and my balled fists out to the patio. I looked around in vain for something to throw. Had to settle for letting out a loud growl instead. "Not cool, Northman, she doesn't need to see your temper, not even if it's on her behalf," I chastised myself before stalking into the yard to walk off my fury.