I want to thank all my reviewers, but especially to the ones who leave a nice review after EVERY single chapter (you know who you are). You guys are awesome and keep me happy. I hope you all are liking my story. Every day I get new readers and people adding me to their alerts and it still amazes me. So thanks. You all are awesome.
So here we go. The chapter with Pam is next so let's see where that will take us. Will probably update tomorrow, but if I get through main editing quickly tonight, I will post tonight hopefully. So cross your fingers and send me some love (in the form of reviews).
Chapter 30: Falling Star –Florence and the Machine with KiD CuDi
Sookie
Sookie woke up and glanced to the clock. Holy shit! She thought That can't be the right time, as she glanced around for something else that could tell her the correct time. If that clock was right, it meant she had slept almost 11 hours. Damn.
Sookie reasoned she must have needed it as she stretched the muscles that Eric had made turn to Jell-O last night. Sookie smiled the biggest, goofiest smile ever and buried her face in the pillow as she took in her and Eric's scents. She rolled to face Eric, who was in his day rest.
She loved his hair messed and she could look at him for hours like this. She would only have a couple of hours to wait for him to wake and she knew that her mussed hair probably didn't look adorable right now though.
She gave his lips some kisses, not wanting to leave him, but she wanted to look good for her night out with Pam. Sookie chewed her bottom lip nervously and she mentally went through everything she had. Nothing even came close to looking haute couture or high class. At best it might be described as southern bell, but even that was a stretch.
Sookie stretched, groaning loudly as the muscles in her body readied themselves for the night. She grabbed the shirt Eric had dressed in last night and climbed the ladder. She locked the door behind her and walked to the kitchen.
Her mouth was dry and she was in desperate need for some food. She remembered the meatball sub and popped it into the fancy microwave she had never really become accustomed to. She hit the "add :30" button until it was set at thirty minutes.
She then grabbed a glass from the cupboard. She went to the sink and filled it with water and drank it greedily. She quickly emptied the glass and refilled it, this time sipping it slowly. She heard the ding from the microwave and although she felt unladylike eating in the kitchen with no underwear, she grabbed the plate out and began eating the sandwich in large bites. She was ravenous and she made a mental note to get a more regular eating schedule for these odd hours she was on. Ginger was right about forgetting to eat when you spent so much time with vampires.
She cleaned up her plate and looked into her fridge. She didn't have much else and decided she would need to go to the grocery store. Could she squeeze it in before Pam?
She finished her glass of water and ran up the stairs to shower quickly. She needed to get some cleaning done and to find time to go shopping. As she showered she made a list in her head of what she would need from the store.
Deciding to quickly run to the store, she hopped out of the shower and dressed in jean shorts and a plain long sleeved tee and some sandals. She brushed her slightly wet hair into a side ponytail and also stuck a headband in. She wrote out her list, and then wrote Eric a note telling him she would be at the market and would be back soon, just in case it took her longer than she was planning.
"Hookuh?" Lafayette called out. Sookie jumped in surprise. Usually she felt when someone else was on her property. She went to meet him, but he was already walking through the dining room towards her with large bags of groceries.
"What's all that?" she asked in surprise.
"I went to the store. Last time I was here you were nearly outta everythin'. I got the basics pretty much," he said walking into the kitchen with Sookie trailing behind him.
"Lafayette, you didn't have to buy my groceries," she said, almost shyly.
"Sook, with you lettin' me stay here wit you and takin' care of me, I wanted to."
Sookie felt guilty, because lately she hadn't been as there for Lafayette with Eric around so much. She hugged him and began rooting through the bags to see if what she had on her list matched what he had in the bags. Almost everything.
She smiled and said, "Thank God. Tonight I have to go shopping with Pam for this summit to get some new clothes."
He lifted his eyebrow with a smirk, "How is that gonna go?"
Sookie simply shook her head, not comfortable bashing Pam when she was Eric's child.
"Girl, I say it, she one nasty bitch," Lafayette said with a chuckle. "An' her and her maker knows it."
"Lafayette, Pam is just havin' a hard time gettin' used to the idea of Eric being with someone for more than a feed and a fuck. She'll come around, and if she doesn', well I can't say I blame her."
Lafayette looked at her briefly and then shook his head. "She would be lucky to have you as her and she is lucky you love her maker. She should be thankin' ya for the love you give him."
"Whatever," she mumbled awkwardly. He would fix something for dinner and Sookie began to tell him she had just ate, but she then reminded herself she could eat the leftovers as she needed to eat more than one meal a day.
Sookie nodded. "Okay, but first will you help me pick something I won't completely embarrass Pam in?"
He gave a skeptical glance and Sookie chuckled as he led her upstairs. She sat on her bed and watched as he leafed through her clothes. When he picked out her outfit, she began getting dress. He had gone for Pam's weakness for pink by selecting a pink and white sundress. Sookie had typically tried to wear this in the summer, but it was mid spring and she assumed it would do. The dress was a light pink, but towards the end there were white flowers curling and swirling upward.
She took out her semi-damp and Lafayette dried it for her and smoothed it out with the brush. She then put on minimal makeup. Lafayette handed her a pair of her white wedges and she was ready.
She thought she looked good, but she knew Pam would find her appearance to be a disaster. She shrugged and said, "She won't like whatever I wear, so it doesn't matter."
"Sook, you look pretty as a picture. Don' let her nastiness get you feelin' bad."
She nodded and gave him a small smile.
Eric
Eric rose early and heard Lafayette and Sookie arguing about what Sookie should wear for the night. Apparently they selected something because there was silence for a moment before Lafayette made approving clicks with his tongue.
Did that mean Sookie had changed in front of Lafayette? He hadn't heard any doors opening or closing. Eric's possessiveness roared and he clenched his hands. Sookie was his and only he had the right to see her beauty. Her body belonged to him. Eric didn't give a shit if Lafayette was gay. He was still a man and he still had eyes.
He then heard Sookie say, "She won't like whatever I wear, so it doesn't matter." Her tone was light, suggesting she didn't really care. But Eric knew better. He could feel in the bond she was disappointed and that she really wanted this to go well, but she didn't have much hope.
He got up and paced, waiting for the sun to go down so he could go to her. When it did, he was standing in the doorway of her bedroom before she even registered it was dark out. Lafayette squealed in fear and Sookie in shock.
She spun and smiled at Eric and he sped to her. She was in a beautiful pink dress that enhanced her innocence.
He lifted her to her feet and said, "You look stunning," kissing her soundly.
She gasped as he broke off as suddenly as he had started and his fangs elongated as he perused her body. She shivered at his attention and blushed.
Lafayette was on his knees on the other side of the bed as if that could save him if he was in danger. Eric chuckled as he looked over at him and said, "Ohh, Lafayette. Did you see anything you like? Like my bonded without clothing?"
Lafayette visibly relaxed and chuckled. "Uh, it was only once and she covered herself with the afghan right away. And umm hello, I am gay."
Eric growled, realizing Lafayette had seen far more of his Sookie than he had thought.
He looked down at Sookie who looked up at him in amused confusion. "Eric, I was walking up from the cubby the other day and didn't think to check if Lafayette was here and he accidentally caught trying to sneak upstairs. It was your fault for rippin' my clothes to shreds. Changin' in front of him is not a big deal because he has more interest in seein' you naked than me."
Eric inhaled and exhaled to control the anger that had come forth. "Fine, but know this Lafayette and Sookie. Now you are my bonded, which means I have exclusive privileges over seeing you. If this happens again he will be punished."
Sookie arched her eyebrow, "Do I have the same right then? To be the only one allowed to see you? To touch you? To punish whoever sees what is mine?"
Eric thought about it. He had always been open with his own nudity, especially with Pam since she frequently stayed with him at his home and vice versa. They could be wearing full length Eskimo suits and there wouldn't be a difference.
Sookie placed her hand on her hip and when she leaned on one leg sticking her other toe out, telling Eric she was serious. "It can't be one way for me and another for you, Eric. So which is it?"
"Of course. I am yours," he admitted proudly. If his nudity in front of Pam would make Sookie unhappy, he would modify that behavior. He would love to see Sookie punish Pam.
"Perhaps I will flaunt it to see you punish Pam," he said in a seductive voice. She gave him an exasperated smile and turned back to the vanity and looked herself over. Lafayette was now lying across her bed, flipping through one of her grandmother's magazines.
Eric walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them as he caught her eye in the reflection of the mirror. "You really do look beautiful."
He placed a kiss on her head and she looked back at herself then back to his reflected face. "I look plain compared to Pam, Yvetta, and even the one I saw you with when I came to you unexpectedly."
"Pam is beautiful I grant you, but the others were cows. I used them not for their beauty Sookie, but for the blood in their veins and the temporary relief they gave me."
Sookie waved her hand, saying she didn't want to talk about it anymore and that she didn't believe him.
"If I thought they were beautiful I would have bonded to them Sookie. I bonded to you though, because you are the most beautiful person I have seen in my long life."
She smiled at him then, a genuine smile and turned and grabbed his hand, kissing his palm.
"When is she comin'?" she asked.
Eric tapped into Pam and found she was just now rising from her day rest and seemed to be contemplative. Probably about what to wear.
"It will be awhile," he replied with a smile. "She is getting dressed."
Sookie gasped. "You can tell that from the bond?" she asked in surprise.
"No, she is very thoughtful right now and she doesn't give a shit about anything but her clothes. So she must be picking out what she will wear for the evening. Have you eaten?" Eric asked.
Lafayette cleared his throat. "Eric, you need to let this chil' eat. You sent her up to me starving yesterday and starving today. Yes, Miss Sookie, I noticed the other half of that sandwich gone. I will go cook somethin' up for us, honey."
Lafayette sashayed out of the room and Eric looked back down at Sookie. "You haven't been eating,"
It was a statement. Eric had literally been pigging out on Sookie's blood but she had only managed to get in enough to keep her strength up. Eric chided himself. He had banged around claiming her as his, but he forgot her needs. He was new to having the responsibility for someone other than himself and Pam and so he hadn't even considered it.
Sookie grabbed his hand. "It was my fault, not yours. Don't listen to Laf. Okay?" she asked. She sensed he was still upset with himself and placed both hands on his shoulders and looked him squarely in the eye.
"I am responsible for feeding myself. I am fine. I will be better about regulating my eating schedule to this new schedule I am on. So will you please stop, Eric? For me?" she asked.
Eric felt himself nod and he wrapped her in his arms. It was almost as if she had glamoured him. 'For me' the words echoed in his brain. He would do anything for her and they both knew it.
"Please Sookie, will you promise you will tell me your needs so I can care for you?" he asked. He could play her game too. She nodded against his chest and he buried his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply.
Eric inhaled deeply again in the air he smelled some kind of fried meat. He also heard a rumbling car make its way up the drive. He felt Pam and found her still in Shreveport, so it wasn't her. Sookie sensed his confusion and did a mental scan, saying, "Jason."
She stepped back from Eric and grabbed his hand and led him down the stairs. When Jason walked in the door he looked up at Sookie giving her a wave and a smile and she skipped up to him and hugged him tightly.
"What are you doin' here? Not that you aren't very welcome Deputy Stackhouse."
"Lafayette called me and said he was makin' dinner. You look nice, you two goin' somewhere?" he asked confused.
Sookie nodded, "I am goin' shoppin' with Pam. After dinner of course," she added as Eric nudged her toward the dining room. Lafayette had set the table and was bringing out the food and serving up three dishes.
Eric watched in fascination as Sookie leaned over her plate and inhaled deeply. "Oh God, Laf that smells wonderful. You make Gran's?"
The thing about human food that confused Eric was when they ask who made it. If you followed a recipe, wouldn't it taste the same?
"Sookie what is that and how can it be from your Gran if she has met the true death?"
Sookie looked at him in confusion and then she ahhed in understanding. "My Gran did die, but I was asking Lafayette if he used her own personal recipe."
"Don't all of…whatever you are eating. ..taste the same?" he asked.
"I..don't understand," Sookie responded, not getting what he was asking.
Eric tried to think of a way to rephrase it, but surprisingly Jason jumped in as he dug into the food.
"Sook, Eric is wondering about food. Like why would it taste any different. To him a B+ people taste the same and all AB- people taste the same."
Sookie now apparently understood. "Food recipes vary dependin' on the human. My Gran made the very best chicken fried steak, which is what this is. It is unique to her, Just like the Lafayette Burger at Merlotte's is unique to Lafayette."
She then cut into her food, moaning as it hit her tongue. She began eating with gusto and didn't even notice as Eric leaned closer and closer to her in an attempt to watch her. He opened up the bond completely and let himself feel Sookie stuff herself. She was enjoying the food and he could tell from her feelings that she was thinking of her Gran as she ate.
Jason and Lafayette also ate with the same appreciation of the late Adele's recipe. It was now clearer to Eric. "Damn Sook, why is that vamp so close to you as you eat. Is that a turn on or somethin'?"
Sookie looked at Eric, but then turned her attention back to Jason, "Jason! Don' talk nasty at this table! And no, apparently it is somethin' that is gross to them."
Eric shrugged, "I find I don't mind it now that I am with you."
She smiled at him and his heart flip-flopped like it was trying to jump start back to life. She was naturally beautiful and she simply glowed. Eric found himself getting lost in the warm brown of her eyes.
He continued to stare even after he turned back to her food and finished off her meal. Eric listened as they all inquired about each other's work, friends, romantic interests, etc. Jason was actually trying to stop being a dog, but he smelled of sex Eric noted with a crooked smile. Lafayette had actually been apartment hunting he told them. Eric made a mental note to look for places for him.
Sookie sat in silence, listening to them, offering advice and support when she could. She slipped her hand in Eric's and he sent her love and support through the bond. She squeezed his hand softly and he responded.
Eric felt Pam getting closer and listened for her van on Sookie's drive. He would go to Fangtasia for the evening to get work done while they shopped. Eric was almost frightened to be away from her this evening. Dread filled him, but he closed off the bond so that Sookie wouldn't feel it from him.
She could feel him detach himself from her slightly and she looked at him curiously. Eric controlled his features and looked to Lafayette pretending to be invested in hearing him blather on about some "junk-hole" he had looked at the other day.
Sookie could also sense his evasion and began to speak, but his, who always had the best and worst timing, decided to knock at that moment.
Sookie jumped up and nervously smoothed her hair and then her dress. She looked to Lafayette who winked at her and nodded. She moved for the door, but Eric snatched her arm and pulled her back to him.
"I love you, my Sookie," he whispered so only she could hear. Sookie smiled.
"You too," she responded.
She then went for the door and let Pam in.
Okay, shopping next. Let's see how Pam gets it done!