AN: I am glad that so many of you liked the last chapter. I would say I am sorry for the cliff hanger but that is one of the things that I do best. I hope I did not make you wait too long for the answer. I did not tell anybody who the flowers were from who reviewed because I wanted everyone to find out at roughly the same time. I hope you like this chapter there will be a small time jump after the revelation of the sender. There will also be some minor citrus not a full on lemon mind you but we are getting there. As always I would love to know what you think. Read, Enjoy and Please Review.

Chapter 15 The Language of Flowers

"I didn't know that." I say in shock trying to think about which one it could be.

"It has been hard not to notice for a while. I mean the way he goes out of his way to help you or the way he looks at you is obviously a sign." She continues.

"Seriously Pam who?" I asked.

"Well I know that Johann is convinced he is going to marry you someday even if you don't know it yet. Then again Eric has liked you for a long time too." She giggled trying to contain her mirth.

"Fine if you are going to be like." I stomp back to my room. The two of them cackle as I leave the room. I know it is childish but my self-esteem has taken to may hits recently to be played with like this. If I think about it rationally then it was probably Eric. I mean he has a steady job and he was the one that kissed me. He was also the one that I had verbal diarrhea in front of. I wish he would have finished his sentence last night. I throw myself onto my bed and scream into my pillow. There is a knock at my door.

"Sookie we're sorry. I think we have had too much to drink." Jess says from the door way.

"Is Pam going to tell me or keep poking fun?" I sit up and look at her.

"No we're both done I promise. Come out and we can make something for supper." Jess is contrite.

"Ok but I need to know who." I stand to follow her back out. I level Pam with what I hope is a menacing stare.

"I am sorry Sookie I was not trying to make fun of you. Eric is the one that asked this morning. He said that you were upset last night and wanted to do something nice for you. The truth is you have had all of the men in my family wrapped around your little finger since they meet you. There are even times when I think they like you more than me." Pam apologizes which is something I have rarely seen from her. She pauses and goes to her bag. She pulls out a letter and hands it to me. "I am also supposed to give you this."

"That did not answer my question about the crush." I point out unfolding the nice stationary.

"No but that will." She smiles pointing at the letter. "Sit and read we will try to not burn supper while you read." She giggles and joins Jess in the kitchen.

I sit down in my club chair with my feet pulled up under me.

Sookie,

I have never been real good with dealing with my emotions. Dad used to tell me that real men did not let emotions govern them. With that said I know how I feel about you. I liked you the day we meet when Pam brought you over to watch the saints play. I still remember the dress you were wearing and how your hair was. You were a bright little ray of sunshine and so beautiful, still are actually. You had me when you started talking about the game. I thought you were so amazing and you had more passion then I could ever imagine. You changed my favorite color that day. I used to like green but since the first time I saw you blush it has been red. I also remember when I found out you had a boyfriend. I was devastated but I made myself a promise. I was going to bide my time and wait he had to screw up at some point. I am so sorry for the way you found out about Bill but I am not sorry that it happened. He never deserved you. I hope to prove to you that I do.

I told you once that if you were my fiancée I would never have treated you like that. I mean it with all my heart. I have liked you for years and I want to have a chance to woe you. That sounds a little old fashioned but you deserve it. I loved getting to spend time with you on Sunday and I would like to have the chance to do it again but this time without my little brother. I hope you liked the flowers, Pam said that they were your favorite. If Pam did as I asked there should be a knock at your door when you finish reading this.

Yours Hopefully,

Eric

Just as I finished reading there was a soft knock on the door. I sat the letter down and hastened to answer the door. Standing there with another bunch of flowers was Eric. He had a nervous smile on his face. Gran had taught me when I was younger what different flowers meant. The bouquet in his hand had red tulips, daffodils, sweetpea, and star of Bethlehem.

"Hi Sookie these are for you." He handed me the flowers.

"Oh Eric this is so sweet thank you." I smile moving to let him in.

"Did Pam give you my letter?" He asked biting his lower lip.

"She did." I replied feeling myself blush and looking at me feet.

"Good" He said stepping so close to me that I could feel his breath on my check. I looked up into his eyes in time to see him lean in to kiss me. While the kiss last night will stay with me forever this one was even better. It was sweet and loving. He pulled away smiling ear to ear. "Hi" He said again.

"You already said that." I breath.

"Good." I notice him blushing too.

"That too" I whisper.

"Hurry up already!" Pam hollers from the kitchen. We both jump back from one another still blushing and smiling.

"Shh you're ruining it." Jessica hushed.

"Before we get heckled again will you go on a date with me?" He enquires nibbling on his lip again. I nod my head.

"What was that Sookie we can't hear you?" Pam interrupts again. Both her and Jess come into the room looking hopeful. "Well?"

"I don't think you deserve to know." I say before taking my flowers and adding them to the others. Eric kissed me on the check and then turned to leave.

"I will see you Sookie." He smiled heading out the door.

And he did. We went out that Friday for the first time. I was hoping against all odds that my luck would turn around and it would be great. He picked me up dressed in an amazing pair of dark jeans and a crisp red button down shirt. I gasped when I saw his hair. He cut it a little shorter so it now framed his face in layers. I had thought his long hair was beautiful but now it looked so inviting. I just wanted to run my hands through it.

"You cut your hair." I blurted out.

"I did. Don't you like it?" He asked cautiously.

"I do it looks great." I responded.

"You look great." He said taking in my outfit. With the chill in the air I had opted for a creamy white sweater dress, leggings and my espresso colored knee high boots. I had my hair down in soft curls.

Our date was fun he took me to LASM the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. I could not remember the last time I had had that much fun. We spent hours roaming around the exhibits. The Ancient Egyptian exhibit was bigger than I remembered. My favorite part was getting to see a show in the planetarium. It was a show of music by Pink Floyd with neat graphics. At the end of the night he was holding my hand and reluctant to let go. It was the first of many amazing dates. He also kept bringing me flowers. I was impressed with the time he took to pick out the right combinations each time. I asked him at one point if he knew what they meant because he had given me a posy of Gerber daisies and ivy. He admitted that he didn't but the florist he went to did and made sure that all of his bouquets said just the right thing. This was the night he asked me to be his girlfriend officially.

Daddy and Jason had given him a stern talking to when he came home with me to take Hunter trick or treating. He was so great with Hunter I could see what he would be like as a father and it made me smile. He even dressed up as part of our group costume. Hunter had gotten obsessed with pirates after Jason had gotten him the book How I Became a Pirate. It became his favorite bed time story. Eric and Hunter were adorable together in their hats and swords. Eric had loved my costume too he had a hard time keeping his hands to himself.

A week and a half before fall break we were lying in my bed after our date. We had gone to a movie and made out through most of it. He was holding me and running his hand up and down my arm. Eric and I had made out with some heavy petting before but that is as far as we had gone. He started to kiss my neck and jaw paying extra attention to the spot right behind my ear. I rolled to face him and he moved to my lips. His hands flowed suit and relocated to my hips kneading them with his hands. I let out a moan when he rolled on top of me pressing his erection to my center. My hips involuntarily rolled up into him. It felt amazing. We continued like this for several minutes. He grounded when I pushed him away so I could catch my breath. He kissed my forehead before lying back on the pillows.

"Sookie what are you doing for thanksgiving?" He had asked.

"Well usually I go home and help Gran cook up feast. Why?" I countered turning to rest my head on his chest.

"How would you feel about coming to dinner and my father's house? It would be later in the evening and you wouldn't have to bring anything Lizzie will be doing everything." He hopefully explained. Lizzie was his stepmother. She was about five years younger than Eric's father Jonathan. I had met them a few times but this would be different.

"I will if you come to lunch at Gran's." I reply.

"I think we can do that. Thank you for saying yes." He smiled.

"Technically I didn't." I smile at him.

"It was implied upon condition, which I met so it is a yes." His eyes twinkled.

"Mr. Smarty-pants." I teased back.

AN # 2: So they are now together and have plans for the near future. I find the language of flowers to be an intriguing thing. I hope you like what the different flowers he has given her mean. Flower Meanings Red Tulips - declaration of love, Daffodils – New beginnings /chivalry, Sweet pea - shyness/ delicate pleasures, Star of Bethlehem - hope/ purity, Gerber Daisy – Cheerfulness, Calla Lily- Modesty/ regal, Ivy- fidelity