A/N I own nothing….
A/N I'm sorry for the delay on this. If you have following my other stories, you know what has been happening in my RL and I'm sorry that Fan fic had kind of taken a back (way back) seat.
But, I'm back now. I even have a blog that I'm using. This will update there probably faster than here (the link is on my profile).
So, I hope I did the story justice and this chapter was worth the wait. I hope to update my stories (collectively) at least three times a week. Where this will flow in the rotation, I'm not sure. It really all depends on what muse decides to talk to me and which doesn't. But this story already has three (3) sequels planned for it. So I know where I want it to go.
Thanks again for reading…I hope you enjoy the ride.
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Chapter 5 – How could you want him?
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EPOV
I race through the work in the office and head to the studio. I am there about 15 minutes when I hear the door open and shut. It is much too early for Sookie to be here. But that would only mean that….
"Please tell me you are serious." Pam says.
I smile as I turn around. "Serious about what?" I look at her. But the scowl or smirk that I am used to is not apparent. She is very serious, to the point of being scary.
"Please, Eric, don't play with me. Please tell me that she is not something to just play with and throw away. I know your heart. I know what I see when I look at both of you. Please tell me you see it too." I can see the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Pamela, what's wrong." I walk over to her and put my hands on her arms. "Did something happen to Sookie?"
The first thing I think of is my sweet sunshine.
Pam looks up at me. "Eric, I just came from her house. With everyone in tow, we…well, we were trying to…well never mind. It worked, she is leaving that scum bag. The only thing is I think that he was more of a scum than we thought." She says.
I growl. "What did he do to her?" I ask.
She shakes her head. "They aren't exactly sure. But, well, did you meet Lafayette last night?" She asks.
I nod. "Sam's partner, he is the cook at Merlottes." I say.
She smiles a little. "Well, yeah that's true but he is also a lawyer." She says.
"A what?" I step back. "But…"
"Hey, you like to dance, remember?" She points her finger. "Don't judge." She looks at me. I wait a moment and then nod for her to continue.
"Anyway, he is a lawyer and some things came up when Jason and Sookie were talking. Evidently, Corbett Stackhouse, their father, left a trust to them and Sookie has no knowledge of it. I guess Laf and Tara raced to New Orleans when Sookie and Jason went down for the reading of the will and such and Compton wouldn't allow them near Sookie. When Laf tried to approach the firm as her council, Compton had a document giving him power of attorney over Sookie, which she has no clue about. It seems William Compton, Jr. has been playing Sookie the whole time. And she just found out. So I ask you again, is this just a game or are you willing to listen to your heart?"
I look at my sister. I can't believe what she is telling me. My Sookie will be devastated if this is all true. How anyone could hurt her is beyond me. But to systematically remove her from her life, to separate her from those who love her and to steal from her; this Compton is more of a monster than I originally thought.
"Pamela, I am not playing games." I say to her softly.
She nods. "Good. Because if you were, I would make sure you never saw her again. She is special, Eric. You had to see her dance today. It was…" she pauses and I can see tears in her eyes. "Words can't describe how beautiful and angelic she looked. It was like watching faeries dance in the clouds."
"You…you saw her dance?" I ask her.
Pam nods. "When we got to the house she was in her small studio. Eric, she was a dream." She says softly.
I smile. I would expect nothing less from such an angel. Maybe sometime soon, I will be able to witness such a sight.
"Is she okay?" I ask Pam.
She shrugs. "She is Sookie. From what I have heard she sees images in summer clouds and hears music in thunderstorms. She finds beauty in life and I saw a glimpse of that today. She bounces but she has been so lost for so long. And today I got to see the light that everyone tells me she has. And my dear brother, it's all because of you. She has been a flat version of herself and you have breathed life back into her." She says. "If what Lafayette thinks is true, it will hurt her. But we are all here to pick her up. But she is going to look to you to keep her alive."
I nod. "I…I can't believe that someone would do anything to hurt Sookie? I don't know much about her yet, but what I do know I…I would do anything for her." I say.
She comes over and hugs me. "Just keep listening to your heart." She says and kisses my cheek.
She leaves soon after and I head to the studio. I walk over to the wall of windows that overlook the dance floor of the club below. The windows are one way mirrors, just like in the office. I watch as the cleaning crew finishes up their daily duties and think on everything that Pam has told me.
If what they think is true, we are going to need some serious leverage to get a judge to look at the evidence. Perhaps my father's connection can come in handy after all. I mean he is very good friends with the Governors of Louisiana and Arkansas. Never mind on the short list of advisors to Senator Davis of Texas. No I will need to contact Lafayette soon. No one hurts my Sookie and gets away with it. And yes she is my Sookie.
I wondered how someone like Sookie could ever want someone like Bill. But now I am thinking that it kind of just fell in place. I know what Pam said about her and Jason after their grandmother's death. I can see how someone with less than average scruples could take advantage of that. I let out a sigh. I wish I had known her then. No fucking way Compton would have gotten his hooks into her. It just wouldn't have happen.
I hear Sookie clear her throat and I turn around. She looks like the sun, my sun. I can't wait to touch her. I know I am completely taken now.
"Hi Eric." She says.
I walk toward her and am in front of her within six strides. Placing my hands on her waste, I lean in and kiss her. It starts out soft but when she doesn't pull away, I increase the intent. Once we both need air, I pull back.
"I wanted to do that last night but…" I say trying to catch my breath.
Her bag had already hit the floor, I am not sure when. She places her hand on my cheek and looks back in my eyes. "I know." She says.
I place my hand on hers and we stay there for a moment.
"Come on love, let's dance." I say to her.
The smile she gives me would rival the sun and I am lost in its rays.
***0***
BPOV
I look down to my phone. Ugh. "Yes mother." I say to her.
"Bill, have you spoken to Sookie today?" She asks.
"Mother, you asked me that yesterday. I don't speak to her every day." I say to her. "I am a bit busy."
"William, if you insist on marry this child you will need to keep track of her. I have my own things to do besides run after that little hick." She says.
"Mother, what has you so upset now?" I ask looking at Lorena. We were needed at a breakfast in an hour and I really wanted to eat her before we went.
"The little twit hung up on me." She growls. "And I think she is going out. I know you don't approve of that. But I tried calling her house last night and she wasn't home." She says.
"Mother, she was probably just at her brother's house." I growl. "I believe their off springs are due soon." I say. I just know because Sookie was glad that her sister-in-law was due before the Gala. Why it made a difference, I haven't the foggiest.
"William you listen to me." She says. "Either you get that girl to step in line or I will." She says. "People are just beside themselves that she is not here. She is upsetting table placements and counts for different events. I mean really Bill, can't you do something?" She asks.
"Mother, when she is there you complain that she is being talked to at events more than you. When she is away, you complain because she isn't there." I huff. "Make up your mind mother." I growl at her.
"Don't you dare growl at me William Compton. I am your mother and I will be treated with respect. You wanted this girl. Against my better judgment mind you now you need to make sure she knows her place." She says.
I look at Lorena for help and she asks for the phone.
***0***
Lorena's POV
I should have answered the phone myself. I ask Bill for the phone so I can talk to Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth?" I say.
"Lorena, please put my son back on please." She says.
"Elizabeth, I am sure you understand the significance of William being in California right now, yes?" I ask her.
"Lorena, I have been doing this since before you were born, of course I know the significance." She growls. Hmmm, like Mother like Son.
"Yes, well, the support and contributions we will get from these groups far succeeds anything you will get from these luncheons." I say to her.
"But if Sookie is to marry my son, which is his choice by the way," dig while you can old woman, "I believe she needs to be seen in society. They will only excuse so much and I am sure you understand that Sookie needs to be perfect. I mean her flaws don't include a failed marriage but still." She says.
Dig number two.
"Elizabeth, I am sure you are concerned about Sookie's performance at these events as much as William is. I am sure it is a relief to not have to deal with it." I say to her. "I mean at your age, you shouldn't be under so much stress."
Yes dig one for me.
"Lorena, this is what political wives do." She says. "I understand you never got that far, but still. I only have so much time to teach Sookie before she is off to DC and goodness me what a shambles she can make up there if we aren't careful." She says.
I sigh. "Fine, we will contact Sookie in a day or too and make sure she is back in New Orleans soon." I huff.
Might as well try to appease the old broad; no sense getting her irate. "I will call her myself."
"Fine, tell William to call me tomorrow." She says and hangs up.
Bill is walking around the suite. "Baby, come here." I say to him.
"My mother calls again, you deal with it." He growls.
"Fine." I say to him.
"I need to make sure Sookie isn't doing anything she isn't supposed to be doing." He says.
I nod. "Don't worry baby." I stand and walk over to him and wrap my arms around him. "I will take care of it. Now come here and give me some of that sweet sugar of yours."
He growls and that is all I hear from him for the next twenty five minutes. Yes, I will take care of everything.
***0***
SPOV
Eric and I had been dancing for what felt like hours and I felt so warm and comfortable in his arms. I couldn't believe how he made me feel.
He had just showed me yet another move and we were trying it out. When I look up I see him staring right into my eyes.
We stop in mid stride and he places his hands on my face. "You are an angel." He says softly.
I smile. "So are you." I say.
He kisses me softly and I melt into his arms just like I did before.
Pulling back he looks at me again. "Sookie, why him?" He asks.
I look down. "No, my angel, in my eyes, look into my eyes." He says to me.
I do as he requests. "I…I don't know. But it's over. I called him today and I am done being the china doll. I…I…want to feel again Eric." I say to him.
"Feel with me." He says and pulls me back into his arms for another kiss.
We could have been standing there for hours, days, weeks, I have no idea. All I know is that I never wanted the feeling to end.
"Sookie, love, don't go back, please." He says to me.
"I'm…I'm…not." I say trying to catch my breath.
He pulls back. "Then why are we…Sookie do you still want to dance with me?" He asks me.
I smile at him. "I am going to the Gala with your family and mine. I still need to dance." I say to him.
He smiles and kisses me again. "Come on, we have to get ready, we have reservations." He says to me.
Eric takes me upstairs to a mini studio slash semi apartment.
"Is this your place?" I ask him.
He chuckles. "No, my place is across town. We have this here to stay or, well…" He shrugs.
I look down and blush.
"Sookie," he says and I look at him. "I would never…I mean…you are not like the pitiful women who hang around the club, please believe me." He says.
I look into his eyes and I see nothing but sincerity. "I know Eric." I say to him.
He leaves me to get changed and I take a quick shower and dress. I am not sure where he went, but 20 minutes later he is back looking drop dead gorgeous. Okay he always looks gorgeous. But Eric is a suit, DAMN is all I have to say. Did I bring an extra pair of panties? Cause these really may not last.
He walks over to me. "Sookie you look beautiful." He says softly.
"Thank you…" I say trying to catch my breath. "You…you look very nice yourself."
He kisses my nose. Yes my nose. I know it sounds weird. But it felt really special. Very sweet.
He holds his arm out, "shall we?" He asks.
I smile at him and follow him down in the elevator.
Helping me into his Mercedes CL63, yes people we have the same car. "Nice ride." I say to him.
He laughs. "I thought this would be easier to get in and out of in a dress." He laughs.
"I wondered where you ran off too." I say to him.
"Well, my place is just down the street and I didn't want you to have to wait. I locked you into the building. There was no reason to be concerned." He says to me.
"I'm okay." I say. "We could have gone to your place to change." I say to him. "I wouldn't have minded."
He stops at a light and looks at me. "I…didn't want you to be made uncomfortable, Sookie." He says to me. "Sookie…this…this is uncharted territory for me. I am not usually…" He stops.
"Eric, Amelia told me you usually don't date." I say to him. "I am sure…well…I am sure that you really don't need to. I mean, women they probably…well…that is to say." I look down and I know I am blushing from head to toe.
***0***
EPOV
I didn't think this conversation was going to come up so quickly. But now that it's here, I will not shy away from it.
Yes, I had thought of bringing her to my place to change. But I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. Not to mention staying in the club while I know a wet and naked Sookie is in my shower is really more than you can ask me to endure. So I ran home to change.
But for her to put herself in the category of the women that hang on me in the bar is just ludicrous.
I watch her lower her head and look at her hands. I can see the soft pink tinge flow over her body. God I would love to follow that blush with my tongue.
I place my hand on hers. "Sookie, no, I don't usually date. And you are right, I don't need to impress people. They are usually falling over themselves to be with me. But…" She goes to talk but I stop her. "None of them matter to me. You, Sookie, you matter to me. And I intend on treating you like the lady that you are. You deserve moonlight and roses, passion and romance and I intend to give it to you."
"But Eric, my situation right now."
I stop her again. "Sookie, I don't care about that. What I care about is that you are here with me. I intend to woo you, Lady Sookie." I smirk at her.
"Woo me, eh?" She says. "I haven't heard that word in years." She laughs.
"Well, get used to it. Because I don't want this for one night, I want it for a million in one nights. I intend to be the man you deserve." I say. "And Mr. Compton needs to realize that if he isn't going to do it, someone else will." I say.
She huffs, "I don't want to talk about him. I don't know why I stayed with him as long as I did. A hundred times a day I would ask why I was there." She shrugs.
"Ever come up with an answer?" I ask her.
She shrugs again. "I don't know. In some sick way I thought I owed him. But now…" She looks up at me. "I want to be me and I can't with him." She says softly.
I take her hand and place a soft kiss on her fingers. "I want you to be everything and anything you want to be." I say softly to her.
Again, that blush. This woman is going to kill me. I am going to be servicing myself quite a lot, I can tell. But I will not take her to bed until she is ready. I already know she's untouched.
Something inside me stirs knowing that I am the only man that will be with her.
Dude cart before the horse, don't you think? My inner voice chastises me.
Nope, not before the horse, just anticipation. Once she agrees to be mine, I will fight like hell to keep her with me and make all her dreams come true.
I pull up in front of the restaurant and I hear Sookie gasp.
"What's wrong love?" I ask her.
"Eric, this..I…" She says. "Eric, you don't need to take me to places like this." She says. "McGregors Bar and Grill would have been fine." She laughs.
"Well we will try that another night." I say to her. "Tonight, I am trying to impress you." I wink and get out of the car.
The valet is already there opening the door and I reach in to help her out. I see the freckle faced boy do a double take at my Sookie and I have to smirk. Yes she is fuck hot, yes she is sex on legs, and yes she is mine.
I pull her close and place my fingers lightly on her collarbone. "You should be adorned in jewels." I say to her.
She shrugs. "I never had many places to go and I didn't have much need of many. I have a few pieces that belonged to my mother and Gran. But other than that," she bites her lip.
Damn, the woman is sexy even when she's not trying to be.
I kiss her nose again. She seemed to like it before and I must admit so did I. It is a little fun and fresh.
Sookie is very quiet until we get to our table. I smile at her knowing that this is all new to her.
"Sookie, relax, it's only a place people come to eat." I laugh.
She shrugs her shoulders. "I guess you're right." She says.
Dinner is delightful and the company even more so. Sookie told me so much about herself and growing up with Jason and her friends. She told me colorful stories about her grandmother and I could see the sting of pain in her eyes when she thought of her. But the way she carefully told stories about her told me more than anything that I would have loved Adele Stackhouse.
She told me about her father and the work he had done.
"The clinics he started really were a godsend." She said. "He was very good friends with Senator Davis in College." She pauses. "You know Stan Davis from Texas?" I nod and she continues. "Well his brother and my dad started the first free clinic in Shreveport. They opened it not too far from here, actually. The people they treated really needed the help. Then they went on to start a program for unwed mothers and runaways. That was my mother's project." She smiles. "They worked side by side to help people." She sniffs a little. "I am really proud of them." She nods.
She sighs. "Anyway, after they passed, Nial Brigant came to see us. He was not the governor yet but he was a really good friend of my father's and grandfather. Anyway he wanted to set up more of the clinics and wanted to use my dad's name and vision. So not soon after that, several other clinics opened all over the state. After he became Governor, he worked with other hospitals and area physicians to help with time and materials. The homes for unwed mothers and outreach programs have flourished in the past few years. Stackhouse Homes are all over the state and there are three in Texas now." She says with pride. "I contribute 10% of all my book earnings to the programs to help and do what I can to promote everything." She says.
"Sookie, that's…wow." I say to her.
"Yeah, well, you know what are you going to do with all that money anyway, right?" She laughs. "Besides, it is like I am contributing for my parents. Jason and Crystal do what they can to. They give money every year and Jason offers his services to the local schools and Homes for free." She smiles. "Every year we have a fundraiser and we all go." She smiles at me. "Maybe you can come with me this year?" Her eyes go wide at what she just said.
"Sookie, tell me when and where and I will be there." I say to her.
I remember reading one of the proposals on my desk a week back about helping with a new Stackhouse Home. I will need to pull that out. If this is something attached to Sookie and her family then I want to help too.
She laughs. "Oh that would be wonderful." She smiles.
She goes on to tell me stories about Jason and Sam growing up. How she met Amelia even though she is a few years older than her and of course Alcide.
I almost drop my fork. "Alcide Herveaux?" I ask her.
She nods. "Yes, do you know him?" She asks.
I smile. "Quite well actually, we went to school together." I say to her.
"You went to Tulane? Oh well that is impressive." She smiles. "And such a small world."
And getting smaller, it appears. It seems that fate and destiny were pushing the two of us together without either of our knowledge.
I sit back and listen as Sookie tells me about her life. And I can honestly see what Pam was telling me before. I listen as I hear her imagine fireflies are pixies and rain puddles are portals to other worlds. She reminisces about climbing trees and pretending they are castles. And imagining blankets over chairs are hidden caverns filled with treasure. How making wishes on dandelions is just as miraculous as watching the sunset over the lake in the backyard; and how no matter what the day, you can find a ray of sunshine somewhere.
Oh yes, our Sookie is light and free and I agree with Pam and the rest of the family. Never again will that light hide. No, never again.
***0***
We are getting ready to leave when I look at my watch.
"Oh Eric, I have talked your ear off, I am so sorry." She laughs a little.
I will do anything to hear that every day. "No, its fine Sookie, but it is getting very late. I think I need to drive you home." I say to her. "I really don't want you to drive at such a late hour." I say to her.
"Eric, I am a big girl. I can get myself home." She says to me.
"I know, it's just…Sookie, I would feel better if you let me take you home." I say to her.
"Well, how will I get back tomorrow. Or…don't you want to teach me anymore." She asks looking down and blushing.
I pull her close to me while we are waiting for my car to be brought around. I pull her chin up to face me. "Sookie, I want to teach you everything I know." I say to her and touch her cheek with the back side of my hand.
She smiles at me. I feel like there is someone watching us but when I break eye contact with Sookie, no one is around.
"Sookie, I will come and get you tomorrow." I say to her. "Then we can go to Merlotte's for dinner tomorrow night." I say to her.
"Or, ummm, we can have dinner at my place. I can cook for you?" She asks.
I smile. "I think I like that idea better." I smile at her.
By now the car has come back and we are on our way.
"Thank you for tonight." She says to me. "I really had a wonderful time. But you didn't have to go to so much trouble." She giggles.
"Sookie, taking you to fine restaurant is no trouble. I like doing that. If you let me, I will show you the world." I say softly.
"I think I'd like that." She says to me.
We settle into a comfortable silence as we listen to the music from my ipod. Quicker than I would like, I am in front of her house once more. I come around to help her out and then reach into the back seat to get her bag.
"I will be here around noon to pick you up. Does that give you enough time to write?" I ask her.
She gets that look again. I pull her closer to me as we reach the door.
"Would you..would you like to come in?" She asks me.
I smile at her. "I will be here tomorrow and you can show me your wonderful home. But the way you look tonight, I don't think I can trust myself to be in your home tonight." I say to her honestly.
"Oh, I understand." She says.
No, I don't think she does. "Sookie, there is nothing I want more than to be with you. Really be with you, but I want to do this right. You still haven't finalized your issues with Compton and I don't want you second guessing or better yet, feeling guilty about anything we would do. Make no mistake; I can barely keep my hands off of you for more than a few minutes. But I will not have you feeling guilty about something I hope will be beautiful."
She goes to say something but I stop her. "Sookie, my love, I think I know you well enough to know that you are loyal to a fault. You need to finish this and then we can start our lives together." I say to her.
Wait, am I serious? Yes, yes I am.
"What?" She looks at me.
"Sookie, I think I have made myself clear. I am going to show you exactly the man you deserve to be with and then do everything I can to be that man for you for eternity. But I think we should…well..not get physical until you are mentally ready." I say to her.
She puts her hand on her hip. "Don't you think I will know when that is, buster?" She says.
"Did…did you just call me buster?" I laugh.
She laughs with me. "Yeah, I did. But why are you being so high handed?" She asks me.
"What, I'm not. I am trying to be a gentleman and not jump you on your front porch." I say to her. "Sookie, I don't want there ever to be regret in your eyes. I never want to be a mistake." I say to her.
"You won't be." She says walking toward me. How am I going to do this? I adjust myself for the 100th time tonight.
"Sookie, let's do this. We have only known each other a few days. Let's…let's give this a week. I want to get to know you and there are some things I want you to know about me." I say to her.
She looks, what embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Eric…I have never.." I stop her.
"Sookie, I want you, BELIEVE me I want you." I growl at her. "I just…Sookie, I look…" She looks up at me and I can see the moonlight dancing off her eyes. "Sookie I see my forever in your eyes. Please, let me do this right." I say to her.
She smiles. "Okay Eric." She says to me. "We will do this your way."
I kiss her softly and then again and again. I pull back. "UGHH, woman you are going to be the death of me." I growl into her neck.
Again I hear the laughter of angels. I pull back and kiss her again. "Good night, Miss Stackhouse." I say to her.
She smiles. "Good night, Mr. Northman."
I kiss her one more time and wait for her to open the door and be safe inside.
Getting back in my car, I drive home. Not really noticing the road at all. I have a week, a week to woo her and I intend on doing just that.
***0***
SPOV
I stretch and roll over looking at the time, 10am.
After Eric dropped me off last night, I couldn't sleep so I went to the office and wrote. I think I cranked out at least fifty pages.
I looked over everything I had so far and I had about six chapters done.
I wrote a quick email and sent it off to Amelia around three this morning. I am sure I will be getting a call from her at some point.
But no time for that now; Eric will be here in a few hours to pick me up and I need to start getting things ready.
With a quick shower and shave, I make my bed, get dressed and head to the kitchen to check on what I have to make dinner for Eric tonight when I hear the doorbell.
I open it to a smiling face.
"Yeah there Laf." I say to him.
"Hey there sunshine," he walks in and hugs me. "Am I interrupting anything?" He says looking around.
I swat him. "No, Eric isn't here." I say to him. "But he is coming to pick me up." I say to him.
"Hmmm, and why is that my darling when you have multiple rides to choose from?" He asks.
I tell him about last night and a small smile creeps onto his face.
"What?" I ask.
"Hookah, he has got it bad." He says.
"Yeah, I'm ahhh starting to believe that." I say looking down.
"Oh, no you don't." Laf says. "You hold that head high. You are a Stackhouse, woman. Be proud to hold that name." He says.
"Oh, I am but you got a look at Eric. Laf…I…" I shake my head and walk into the kitchen.
"What Sook?" He says sitting at the island.
"Laf, you saw Eric." He nods. "Women fall all over him. I'm not…well.."
"Sookie Adele Stackhouse, you listen to me girl. That boy is in L O V E with you." He says. "I saw it at the bar. I saw it on the dance floor and child I most certainly see it in your face." He circles my face.
"I …what if I'm not enough?" I ask him.
"Sookie, you listen here girl. You are a beautiful, accomplished woman. You are our ray of sunshine in the rain. I have watched men fall out of chairs when you are around."
I laugh at him. "Seriously Sookie, you have no idea what kind of effect you have on the male species of this back woods hick town." He says.
"Now you stop that. You know you love this place." I say to him.
"No, I love Sam, and I love you and Jason. If I could get him to move I would. But I can't so here we are to stay." He says.
I tilt my head to the side. "You love him that much?" I ask him.
He huffs. "Girl you know the answer to that. I waited for that boy to figure out what he was for years. I knew what we would have would be special. Just like I know what you have with that Sex on legs is special." He says. "You just have faith. From what I hear, you have already turned that boys north to south. Just give him time and be patient with him." He says.
"But I still need to deal with Bill." I roll my eyes.
"Hasn't called you yet, huh?" He asks.
I shake my head. "Really didn't expect him too. He kind of ignores me unless I tell him it's something about his campaign." I say.
"Now, girl….I just…UGH…kick that good for nothing slob to the curb." He says.
"I am planning on it. I already told Eric I'm doing it and you all were ready to dial the phone for me." I laugh. "I just don't want to do it to his answering machine if I don't have too."
"Okay, what about email?" He asks me.
"Lafayette, that is just as bad." I say to him.
"No really, it's not. Email and texting are second nature to people. Not to mention admissible in court." He says.
I look at him and he continues. "Look, I understand you want to speak to him. But his track record isn't good. Besides you can do a return receipt, read receipt and even if he doesn't respond, you know he will have opened it." He says.
I sigh again. "What do you think?" I ask him.
He smiles at me.
"What, is that your legal opinion?" I ask with a laugh/
"Well," He pulls out a document. "I need you to sign this." He says.
"What is it?" I ask.
"It's a document that changes your council to me." He hands me another one. "This one is a termination of council so that I can send it to Compton and Compton. Basically it says you suspect fraudulent behavior on their part and have sought separate council to represent you." He says.
I read over the documents. "You really think he has been stealing from me?" I ask him.
"Sookie, I spent half the night looking over the documents you gave me. When I compare them to Jason's there are a lot of holes. One of the biggest is the trust from your father. When everything was said and done, the taxes and fees paid, you and Jason should have split almost 30 million dollars." He says to me.
"WHAT!" I scream. "Gran had that kind of money and she never used it?" I look at him.
"No, the money was left to the two of you with her as the trustee. There was a letter to both of you in the file. Jason said that it was personal and that there was one to you too." He says.
I look out the window out to the lake. "There was…there was a letter and..Bill…he…" I couldn't say any more.
Laf walks over to me and guides me to the couch in the family room. "Sookie, we will find everything, I promise you." He says to me.
I shake my head. "I don't care about the money, really I don't. But she left me a letter. Something of her and he just…" I shake my head again.
"Sookie, I promise you, when we are done with him he will be sorry he ever messed with you." He says to me.
I nod. "I know Laf." I sniffle. "I know."
I ask him to give me the documents and I sign them. "Okay, what now?" I ask him.
He sighs. "I want you to try and call him again." He says.
"Tell him you need to talk to him but ask him to give you a time so that one or all of us can be with you. Tell him that you want to talk to him by Friday." He says.
I nod. "Now if he calls and insists that you talk to him then, use this." He hands me a digital recorder with a cable. "Connect it to your cell and record the conversation." He says.
I take the items. "Is that even legal?" I ask him.
He nods. "You are taping him for your personal legal issues. Yes, it's legal." He smiles. "Now, if you don't speak to him, email him on Friday. Now do you feel comfortable bccing me on the message?" He asks.
I nod. "There won't be anything of significance in it anyway." I shrug.
"Good, okay. Now I want you to have no contact with any one of his family or his campaign. If they call you, ignore the message. If they persist, have them talk to me. The only conversation you are to have with William Compton is to end your relationship. Do you understand?" He says.
"Lafayette, what…"
He puts his hand up. "Sookie, there are documents missing, reports, financials, information about Gran's estate that don't match up. You and Jason are on the board of the Stackhouse House yet you have no information in your file. Jason just thought you were letting the people who are attached to the house handle it." He shrugs.
"But he never…he never asked me." I say.
"Sookie, when it first started, you were on the book tour. Then you were in New Orleans. He thought you knew what you were doing, you have always been passionate about the programs." He says.
"He's right. I should have known that we would be a part of it. I mean Gran was but she left the decisions to the board and Uncle Nial. I should have known." I say shaking my head. I start to cry again. What the hell has he been doing with my life?"
With that, the doorbell rings. "I'll get it for you sugar."
***0***
EPOV
It took everything I had to leave Sookie last night. This is going to be harder than I thought, literally three times in the shower last night and I still woke at 5 am with a hard on.
The morning went quickly with updates from Robert. I also asked him to find the proposal for the new addition of Stackhouse House. He said he would have it for me tomorrow.
I started out early to Sookie's place. I just wanted to see her. She has quickly become the highlight of my day. I have to talk to her and tell her my story and soon. It isn't fair of me to have all this information about her life and she barely knows mine.
I pull up to the house and see a black SUV in the driveway. I wonder who is here.
I get out and make my way to the door.
I wait a moment and the door opens to reveal Lafayette.
"Excellent timing my man." He says.
"What, what's going on?" I ask.
He shakes my hand and leads me in. I see Sookie sitting on the couch crying and I run over to her and kneel in front of her. "Love, what's wrong."
She shakes her head. "Laf you tell him." She says.
Lafayette explains everything that they have learned including the missing money and information on her father's legacy.
As I listen to him unveil the information I am suddenly infuriated. Not that the money is important. I know for a fact that Sookie wouldn't care if there was no money. No, the fact that he deceived her like he did; that the lies just keep coming. She trusted this man and he betrayed her at every turn.
"Lafayette, my family has connections with a few judges and such. If you need me to call one of them…"
He smiles at me. "They may help. Though our little Sookie here has an in with the Governor. I think between the two of you, we will be able to get our issue heard." He says.
I am so angry right now. "How did nobody see this before?" I ask.
"Eric," Sookie says. "I wasn't here much and when I was I was well, cloistered. He didn't want me around anyone. Probably for this reason." She says. "But he had to know that it would have come out sooner or later?" She looks at Lafayette.
He shakes his head. "Not really. Once you two had married, all assets would have become family property. You wouldn't have had him sign a pre-nup because you didn't know you had anything." He says. "So as soon as you said I do, all your money would have become his." He says.
"Without my permission?" She asks.
He nods. "So you see why it is very important the only contact you have with him is to dissolve you relationship. Everything else can be used in court." He says.
She nods. "I just can't believe he would have done something like this to me." He says.
"Can we have him arrested?" I ask rubbing Sookie's arms. I moved to sit next to her and she is leaning into me. It feels like heaven.
"Among other things. At the very least he will be brought up on civil charges. More than likely, he will be brought up on other charges as well. Not to mention that he has tampered with documents of an inter-state organization that applies and receives Federal funding. They may come after him too. He will most probably lose his license not to mention that his campaign will be in the toilet."
"Oh God." She puts her head in her hands. "Why would he do this with all the risks?" She asks.
"There are several million reasons why, Sookie." Laf says.
He stands. "I am going to wait until Thursday to submit these forms. That means Compton and Compton will receive a request for all documents relating to you by Monday at the earliest. Now I want you to try calling him again." He says.
Sookie nods and asks for her phone. Lafayette picks it up off the table and brings it back to her.
She dials the number and waits. She sighs and I know that she received his voicemail again.
"Bill, it's Sookie. Look, I really need to talk to you and I don't much care that you are busy. I'm busy too but I need to talk to you about something. You need to call me when you get this message." She says and hangs up.
"Good, now, do not say anything about what you found out." Laf says.
Sookie huffs. "Sookie, I mean it. If he knows we know then he may try to destroy evidence."
Sookie nods her head.
"Okay, since the probability that he will call you is low," He pauses. "After you send that email on Friday, you are to have zero contact with any of them." He says.
She nods. "I understand." She says softly.
He looks to me. "Take care of our girl." He says.
I nod. "With everything I am." I say.
He smiles. "I knew you were going to say that." He says with a laugh.
He kisses Sookie's forehead and walks out the door.
After a few moments she goes to stand up. "I must be the stupidest woman on the face of this earth." She says. "How could I not know what he did?" She growls.
"Sookie, he took advantage of your grief stricken state. You are not stupid." I say to her.
She walks around the room. "Four years. Four years and I didn't know. What else don't I know?" She screams. "How many other things has he taken from me? Did you hear that there was a note from Gran? A note to me written in her handwriting." I can see the tears welling up. "I…he never gave it to me. You know how much I miss her and how much that letter would have meant to me?" She is crying again.
"Sookie, shh…" I jump up and pull her into my arms. "Shh…we will fix this. You have Jason and Crystal, Pam and Amelia, Tara and JB, Sam and Lafayette, Alcide and now you have me. None of us will let him hurt you again." I say to her.
"Hold me?" She whimpers.
I pick her up and move back to the couch. Pulling her onto my lap, she curls right into me. Rubbing her back, I keep placing kisses on her face, forehead, lips, nose and eyes." I rock her slowly and soon enough I hear her breathing even out and she has fallen asleep.
Leaning back on the couch, relax basking in the feeling of holding her.
***0***
SPOV
I hear voices but I'm not sure where they are coming form. But I do know that I feel safe and warm.
I open my eyes slightly and notice that I am in someone's lap. Looking up I see the beautiful face of my Eric.
"Hey." I say.
"Hey there sleepy head," he says. "Feeling better?" He asks.
I nod. "How long was I out?" I ask him.
"mmm, about three hours." He says.
I notice now that the voices I heard was the TV.
"I am so sorry." I say to him.
He laughs. "For what?" He asks.
"I have kept you pinned to the couch for hours. I am sure there are other things that you would have rather been doing." I say to him.
He shakes his head. "MMMM, nope, this was okay with me." He pulls me to him and kisses me.
I lean back and he smiles. "Besides, one you got some pretty bad news. You were a little upset, you needed to rest. And two you really think that if I didn't want to have you on my lap, I couldn't have moved you? You really aren't that big, Sookie."
I smile at him. "Okay, do you still want to go to Shreveport?" I ask him
"You want to dance today?" He asks.
I nod my head. "I want to dance every day. I just don't get a chance sometimes." I giggle. "We can go into your studio or stay here and work in mine." I say to him.
He kisses my nose. "Why don't we stay here," he says. "We would waste over an hour driving there and then back here for dinner." He says.
"Okay, done." I say, come on.
I walk him back through the house. He is looking at everything but has a really strange look on his face.
"What's wrong?" I ask him.
"Nothing." He says. "Just your house seems really familiar to me for some reason." He says.
I shrug, "Hmmm, well it isn't like my house is in the Better Homes and Gardens or House shows on TV." I laugh.
"Yeah, but something is familiar about it." He says.
He follows me through to the studio.
Once inside, he looks around.
"I know it isn't as big as yours, but it serves its purpose." I say.
He pulls me to him. "Sookie, it's perfect." He says and kisses me.
I laugh. "Okay, let's get to work." I say to him
With a quick trip out to the car for his bag and we are back in business.
"Okay, love," he says. "Today we are going to work on the Viennese Waltz." He says.
I nod and we get to work.
***0***
Amelia's POV
"What are you doing, honey?" Pam asks me and she comes lean next to me on my desk.
I smile at her. "Sookie sent me the first six chapters of her latest book." I say to her.
"Is it good?" She asks.
"Pam, this is by far the best stuff she has ever written." I say to her.
"Really?" She asks me.
"Pam, come here and read this." I point to my monitor.
I move back so Pam can see. I move over to the book shelf and pull her last book off the shelf and flipping through to find what I am looking form.
"Holy…Amelia, are you sure that girl is a Virgin?" She laughs. "That is just, well HOT."
I nod. "Unless she is doing something and not telling me, which I doubt, that is pure imagination baby. But that's not all I want you to read." I say to her. "Remember when she introduced the newest Vamp in the last book?" I ask her.
She nods. "Well, after reading that, now read this." I hand her the book.
I sit back down and wait for her to be done.
She looks up at me confused.
"Did she see a picture of him or something?" She asks.
I shrug, "could be, but look how Tia meets the new vamp. How she describes the feelings." I say to her.
We both smile. "He was in her heart before he was in her head." I say to Pam.
She smiles. "We did a good thing then."
I pull her down next to me. "Yes baby, we did a really good thing." I say and kiss her.
***0***
SPOV
Five hours later and we are ready to call it quits. "You ready to eat?" I ask him.
He nods. "I think that would be great." He says to me.
I walk into the kitchen and pull out the ingredients to make us a stirfry. Not very fancy but filling.
Eric moves into the kitchen and puts his arms around me from behind.
Kissing my neck I moan slightly.
"How can you smell so good after working so hard?" He says into my neck.
"I think your bias." I say to him.
"mmm, maybe but you smell really good baby." He says to me.
I am not sure how I got dinner made with him attached to me, but I do.
We make our way to the table in the kitchen and sit down to eat.
"Sookie, I want to ask you something." He says to me.
"Sure, what's up?" I ask.
He takes a deep breath. "Hey, what is it." I place my hand on his.
"Sookie, you know I dance professionally, right?" He asks.
I nod.
"Well did Pam tell you that I do it competitively?" He asks.
I think she told me. "Ummm, I think so." I say to him.
"Well, I lost my partner. And I need a new one." He says.
"Oh…" I look down. "So you will need to find a partner. I guess that means you will have less time to work with me?" I don't look up. I don't want him to see the tears in my eyes. He is going to find some beautiful woman to partner with and forget all about me.
"Sookie, look at me." He says.
I sniff back and look up. "Sookie, I…would you…HUH." He stands up and walks around to me. Taking my hand he holds it in his. "Sookie, would you consider being my partner?" He asks me.
"What?"
***0***
EPOV
I needed to ask her. I'm just not sure I asked her correctly.
"What?" She asks. "You want me…but Eric, I…"
"Sookie," I pull her up. "You are a brilliant dancer. I can teach you all the choreography. We will be unbeatable. Please Sookie, we can dance and when we aren't dancing, you can write. The next competition is in five weeks in New Orleans. After that we have six months until the next one. Between competitions, we can come home. I would never keep you from your home. Sookie, the competitions are three days at the most. I know you don't want to be away too much anymore, so we can keep our home base here. Please, just say you will at least think about it." I say to her.
"Eric, you just met me." She says wide eyed. "This is your career. I don't want…"
I shake my head. "It isn't my career. It's my passion. I have a career. I just chose to do this." I say to her.
"Huh?" She looks confused.
"Sookie, I went to school to be an architect." I say to her. "I have my own firm. I have 20 plus people under me. I do the projects I want when I want. The rest of the time, I dance." I say to her.
"So…ahh..you're serious?" She asks me.
"Please?" I look into her eyes.
She looks at me for a long while. "Okay, I'll do it." She says to me.
"You will?" I ask her.
She laughs and nods.
I pick her up, spinning her around. "Sookie, thank you, you won't regret it, I promise you." I kiss her hard.
She smiles when we part. "You may be singing a different tune after we lose." She says to me.
I pull her to me. "Baby, I can't loose with you." I kiss her again and this time I mean it with everything I have.
*******0*****
Song for this chapter is "How could you want him" By Spin Doctors.