All Hell Breaks Loose
Chapter 71: Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
December 25, Bon Temps
Sookie allowed herself to sleep in on Christmas day. She wasn't really going to really celebrate until the evening anyway. She woke up at ten and walked into the kitchen to find out that Jason had made cinnamon rolls from the Pilsbury can.
Jason woke up at six and would be getting off around noon. He said he would be just sitting in the station for six hours. It was another reason why Sookie decided to sleep in.
"First order of business," Sookie said as she stared around the kitchen. "Clean." She hand washed all the dishes in the sink, took out the trash, swept and mopped the floor and gave the counters a good wipe down. After that she had vacuumed the carpet and did some dusting.
Her second order of business was make lunch for Jason. She made him a BLT and placed it in the fridge. It wasn't much but she still felt like she did something for him.
Third order was to put the goose in the oven. Jason had a 25 percent off coupon for full cart of groceries at Kroger and he decided to buy a goose instead of a ham or turkey.
fourth order was deliver some treats. She had baked several pecan pies for her coworker families and she baked banana nut muffins and made her white chocolate and cranberry fudge. She packed them up and drove off to deliver them.
"Sookie, can you stay for a bit?" Sam asked when she finally stopped by his place.
"I'd love to Sam," Sookie said. She had told everyone that she had visited the same thing when they offered.
"It is Christmas," Sam said. "Are you certain?"
"I still have to get the goose in the oven," Sookie answered. It was a small lie. She had put the goose in the oven and left a note for Jason to turn it on when he got home. It was on the same note she made for him about his sandwich and since Jason never missed a sandwich note before she knew he would have seen it."
"I just feel bad not offering you a drink or anything," Sam said. "These all look delicious."
"Before I forget this is for Emma," Sookie handed Sam the small wrapped gift. She had felt bad about not getting gifts for Holly and Danielle's kids and she found a good deal on those Crayola marker packs that had the special markers that only marked on special paper. She had also bought a pack for Emma.
"I'm sure she would appreciate it when she gets back," Sam said.
"They are not spending the holiday with you?" Sookie asked in a sympathetic tone. It was awful being alone on Christmas.
"Celebrating with her relatives out west," Sam explained.
"Why didn't you go with them?" Sookie knew it was a rude question but she was certain he was invited.
"I felt like I'd be intruding," Sam said. "I only know her for less than a year and I don't really know any of her friends and family."
"Do you love her?"
"I love both of them," Sam smiled. "I want to be a good father for Emma."
"Do you want to have dinner with us?" Sookie asked. "Jason did buy a decent sized goose and there will be plenty to eat. I've invited Alcide but he said he will be spending it with his family but Tara and Lafayette will be there." She had also invited Lawrence and Meadow after asking Lawrence if he didn't mind sitting down to a Christmas dinner. Lawrence would love to but after losing both Valentino and Cassidy he decided to stay with Ismene that Christmas.
"You know I think I will stop by over," Sam said. "I haven't had goose in a long time."
"We will be eating around six," Sookie said. "But feel free to come by earlier."
"My goose is cooked," Sookie shouted when she noticed the red part of the thermometer had popped out. She slipped on the oven mitts and pulled it out.
"She means that literally," Tara said as she carried the green bean casserole out to the table. "Lafayette, there is still the turnips."
"Don't you be ordering me around, hooker," Lafayette said as he entered the kitchen.
"Aint ordering I'm asking," Tara answered.
"You got a funny way of asking," Lafayette said as he carried the turnips out.
"Could you guys not do this?" Jason asked. "It's Christmas. Do you need any help carrying that out, sis?"
"I'm fine," Sookie said as she brought out the goose and set it down."
"Wow," Steve answered as he finished setting out the flatware. "Looking at that makes me wish I can eat human food."
"Thank you," Sookie said and heard someone knocking at the door. "Jess can you get that? I think its Sam."
"Sure," Jessica said as ran across the room.
"Lets see got the plates, flatware, glasses, napkins," Sookie said as she ticked off the list. "We have the goose, stuffing, gravy, cranberries, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls and the mashed turnips, oh crap the wine."
"I'll get it," Jason offered and ran back into the kitchen.
"Could you also nuke a couple bottles of Tru Blood?" Sookie asked.
"No problem," Jason answered.
"You over did it," Sam said when he walked into the dining area.
"I still think I should have made a little more," Sookie said. "Even if it's something simple as a salad."
"Don't say that," Tara told her. "This looks delicious and I can't wait to dig in."
The food did turn out to be great. The goose was tender and juicy, the turnips and sweet potatoes were not too sweet and the rolls were crispy and the stuffing as nice and fluffy.
"Did you keep the guts?" Jessica asked when they were half way done with their meal.
"You mean the goose?" Sookie asked. "I kept them. I never throw them out since they are edible."
"Are you going to make pate out of the liver?"
"I think I will," Sookie answered. She had never cooked a goose before and the idea of making and eating something that is considered a delicacy appealed to her.
"Let me know when you do that, Sook," Lafayette said as he poured himself another glass of wine. "Cause I'm gonna be coming over."
"I'll be sure to let you know," Sookie answered.
Sookie felt a little too full for cake or pie after dinner and when she offered the others they also wanted to wait. They had decided that it would be a good time to open presents.
"I can assure you these are not cards," Jason said as he handed a small stack of envelopes to Sookie. "Or rather not just cards."
"I believe you," Sookie said as she opened Jason's gift. She had expected a gift card to one of her favorite stores. Instead it was a picture of a refrigerator and a delivery and installation date for the 27th. "You bought me a new refrigerator?" Sookie asked as she stood up.
"Merry Christmas," Jason said and hugged her.
"You didn't have to do that," Sookie said. She felt bad now that since she only got her brother a new leather jacket. "I still have plenty of the insurance money."
"You can use that money for something else," Jason said.
"You are the best brother a sister could ask for," Sookie said as she opened the rest of the envelopes and nearly fell over. She received a new stove from Bill and a dishwasher from Steve.
"I hope you like it," Steve said. "Jason told me you didn't have one before and with this kind you don't even have to pre rinse."
"I like it but you really didn't have to do this," Sookie said.
"Anything for my future sister in law," Steve said.
Sookie took a deep breath before she opened her other gifts. They were wrapped packages so there wouldn't be anymore similar surprises. Jessica had bought her a coffee pot and Sam got her a microwave. Lafayette bought her a new pots and pans set and Tara bought her several new mixing bowls and storage containers. She opened the gifts from the rest of her co-workers. Arlene bought her a new toaster and Terry got her a new blender. She received a new hand mixer from Holly. Danielle bought her some new table mats and Big John bout her a new table cloth. Ricky, the other bartender even got her a new rug and Cody and Lisa made her a collage and framed it.
"Arlene told me they made it so you would have some new art to hang in your new kitchen," Sam explained.
"Did everyone coordinate this?" Sookie asked. "I just don't have any words right now."
"I do," Jason said as he held up the brown leather trench coat Sookie bought him. "Best sister in the whole world. I have been wanting this for months."
"Merry Christmas," Sookie said and hugged him.
The rest of her gifts did not have anything to do with her kitchen. Meadow had even gotten her a small twenty dollar gift card to a book store. Ismene bought her a new black dress, Anya created a cook book for her and had it bound with leather, Lawrence got her the new Taylor Swift CD. She froze when she came across the gifts from Valentino and Cassidy. She had thought about giving them back to Ismene, but that seemed wrong and she knew that her new friends would want her to have them. She cried as she unwrapped them. Valentino had assembled a bath set basket for her using natural ingredients and Cassidy bought her several skeins of yarn and a few crochet patterns.
Sookie was not the only one to cry. Jessica wept when she came across the gifts from Valentino and Cassidy. Sookie embraced her as they sobbed together and the two of them were joined by Jason and Steve in a long four way embrace.
After the last gift was unwrapped and the last bit of paper was balled up and thrown away Sookie offered to cut the cake and the pie.
"I got plenty of room," Lafayette said. "How about a slice of that cake."
"I'll take some pie," Tara requested.
"I think I have room for a slice of each," Sam said.
"I reckon I'll also have one of each," Jason said. "And I'll put on a pot of coffee."
"That does sound good," Sookie told him as she cut slices of the cake and pie. Tara had come in after she had finished cutting and helped her carry out the plates.
"I have an announcement to make," Steve said and stood up. "Will be making an official announcement on the networks tomorrow. I talked with them and the Authority about and they approve."
"You proposing?" Jason asked.
"Not yet, J-pie," Steve said to him. "I'm starting a new church. It's called Fellowship of the Night and it will be in Shreveport. It will have Sunday night and Wednesday night services and Anya and I will be leading it. It's Christian non secular and anyone and everyone is invited, no matter if you are a human or a vampire or a shifter, straight, gay or bisexual, it does not matter."
"Oh Steve," Jessica gasped.
"That's wonderful news, Sugarfang," Jason said before he and Jessica embraced him and hugged him.
"I hope you all come opening evening on the thirteenth, although I am going to need some help setting up the night before."
"We would be honored," Sookie said. She took a bite from her cake and heard a knock at the door.
"Sis, could you answer that?" Jason asked. "I'm going to pour everyone their coffee."
"Sure," Sookie said and opened the door. Eric was standing on the doorstep wearing a large red sweatshirt with the image of Christmas gifts and also wore a Santa hat on his head. Sookie wasn't sure which was cheesier, the smile on Eric's face of his outfit.
"Merry Christmas," Eric greeted and held up a red velvet bag that was filled with wrapped gifts. "I brought some gifts from us at Fangtasia."
"You didn't have to do this," Sookie said as she stepped aside for him to enter.
"Hi Eric," Steve greeted. "How is my Maker?"
"Doing well," Eric answered. "She loved the make up and perfume you bought for her. She wanted me to give you something and Sookie, Jessica and Jason. I and Hailey have a few gifts for you as well."
"Thank you, Eric," Jessica said when Eric handed her several packages.
"You do not need to thank me," Eric said as he handed out gifts. "Tis the season of giving is it not?"
"It is," Sookie said when she was handed two gifts, one was from Pam and the other was from Hailey.
"I bought you a new washer and dryer set," Eric said.
"The others told you?" Sookie asked as she unwrapped her other gifts. Pam bought her a large bottle of Godiva liquor and Hailey bought her a bracelet.
"They told me what they were getting you," Eric answered. "I decided to go with the theme. I also will be taking you out someplace special."
"You don't have to do that," Sookie said as she handed him her gift. "Mine pales in comparison."
"Don't say that," Eric said as he unwrapped her gift. His smile returned when he saw the Lego set. "This will keep me busy for hours. There is only one gift I truly want from you."
"You want me to be yours," Sookie guessed. "I thought I already was."
"Do you want to be mine?"
"Always," Sookie answered and felt herself hoisted off the ground. She squeezed him back, stared deep into his ice blue eyes and gave him a long and passionate kiss.
A/N: Not quite the end but close. The next chapter will be the epilogue.