38
This is My Daddy
Hi, everyone. I'd hoped to have this posted on Saturday but I was so busy with work. I want to thank each of you for reading, reviewing, alerting, and making this story one of your favorites. I hope that y'all enjoy it.
The story idea is mine but the main characters belong to Charlaine Harris.
Eric was at the school an hour earlier than he'd anticipated. He guessed the excitement of being able to pick Flynn up from school got the best of him. He knew that Sookie wanted to speak with him when she met with Niall. He could tell that whatever it was that she wanted to say him was important but he wanted to pick Flynn up from school. He wanted to meet her friends and her teachers. This was something that he's been aching to do and there was no way that he was going pass up that chance.
As he stepped out of the Buick Enclave, he buttoned his suit jacket as he looked up at the school building. He took the steps two at time as he made his way to the big oak doors. And when he walked inside, he was bombarded with children running down the hallway … laughing and talking as loudly as they possibly could. He smiled at the little girls as they ran past him. This was what he'd been missing. He promised himself that he'd never miss anything else again.
"May I help you?"
Eric looked at the teacher staring up at him. "Yes," he answered. "I'm here to pick my daughter up today. I'm Eric Northman. My daughter is …"
"Daddy!"
Eric turned to see his baby girl running towards him with her arms wide open. He scooped her up in his arms as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Hey, sweetie. How has your day been?"
"Great!" she exclaimed after kissing his cheek.
"Ahem," the teacher said.
Eric and Flynn looked at the teacher as if she'd appeared out of the blue.
"Flynn," she said. "Do you want to introduce me to your dad?" She began fluffing her hair and running her hands over her dress as she smiled at him. She realized that she's married but there was no law that said that a married woman can't look at another man. And she was just going to look. There is absolutely no harm in looking.
"Yes, ma'am," she said. "Ms. Nola, this is my daddy. Daddy, this is one of my teachers, Ms. Nola."
Eric offered her his hand in greeting.
Ms. Nola shook his hand quickly before looking down at the ground. She felt like a teenager all over again.
He could tell that she was nervous around him; though she had no reason to be. He continued to smile and speak in a soothing tone. "You're the teacher that spoke with my lover about moving Flynn to the sixth grade. We are very proud of her."
"Your lover?" she asked.
Eric didn't realize his faux pas until that moment. "Sookie," he said as he smiled. "I meant Sookie."
She swooned at the sound of him calling his wife his lover. The most that her husband called her Titty and that's because her boob fell out on their first date while she was doing the limbo at a beach party.
Giving Flynn a quick peck on the cheek, he said, "She is a wonderful girl, isn't she? Flynn hasn't made her decision just yet on what she wants to do but she's still thinking about it, isn't that right?"
"Yes," Flynn said. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "Where's mom? Is she still working?"
"Yep," he said. "I guess it'll just be me and you tonight, kiddo. I was going to cook dinner for you and your mom but I might need a little bit of help … but only if you're up to it."
Ms. Nola's heartbeat pounded in her chest. Calling his wife lover after being together for what appears to be a long time. Picking his child up from school. And cooking dinner while his wife is working. Is it at all possible for him to talk with her husband?
"I got your back, dad," she proclaimed.
"Are you ready?" Eric asked her.
"Yep," Flynn answered.
"Excuse me," Ms. Nola said. "I know that you're her dad, and a great dad from what I can see, but we have to go to the principal's office to get permission for you to leave. You have to be an approved parent to take a child out of the school. And since this is your first time, we can't just let you take her out of the school. I can show you where to go if you'd like."
Flynn began to giggle. "Daddy's being taken to the principal's office."
"Quiet down you," he joked.
Ms. Nola laughed with them. "I promise you, Mr. Northman, you're not going to the office because you're in trouble but because you have to sign Flynn out before she can leave the premises."
Eric smiled at Ms. Nola. "Lead the way, Ms. Nola. We'll be right behind you."
She giggled loudly. So loudly that she embarrassed herself.
Flynn laughed outright.
Eric remained as cool as ever.
As Eric and Flynn followed her down the hall, Ms. Nola glanced at him over her shoulder. "How long have you been in America, Mr. Northman?"
"Just a few days," he answered. "But I'm here to stay. How did you know that I was out of the country?"
Ms. Nola looked up at Flynn and said, "Ms. Flynn here talks about you nonstop. She's shown every picture of you on Fridays. That's when they're allowed to talk about the person that they love but can't see. You've been the topic for quite a while … you and her wonderful grandparents. Did she tell you that she's volunteered to have you speak to the class on Friday?"
Eric looked at Flynn and said, "No. She didn't."
Ms. Nola laughed. "I figured that she hadn't. She has a habit of volunteering her parents' services and not telling them about it ahead of time. She's done it to Ms. Stackhouse several times in the past." She had an accusing look on her face as she looked Flynn. "Isn't that right, Flynn?"
Flynn shrugged her shoulders and said, "I was going to tell you, daddy, but I forgot. Today is just Wednesday. I was going to tell you tonight … I think. I would have made sure that you'd be here on Friday."
Ms. Nola laughed. "She was probably going to tell you Friday morning. She does the same thing to Sookie. She always forgets." They were soon standing in front of the attendance office. "Here we are. You just go on in there and let them know that you're here to sign Flynn out. If you're not on the authorized list, you need only call Sookie … Ms. Stackhouse and she'll give them permission."
"Will do," Eric said. "Thank you, Ms. Nola." He offered her hand his once more.
"You're very welcome, Mr. Northman," she said as she shook his hand. "Have a good afternoon, Flynn. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay," she called out.
Smiling at the lady at the desk, Eric said, "Hi. I'm Eric Northman. I'm Flynn Northman's father. I'm here to pick her up."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Northman. I'm Ms. Kimbrough." She looked at him and Flynn over her glasses. "Hi, Flynn. How are you doing today?"
"Good, Ms. Kimbrough."
"That's good, sweetie," she said. "Now, let me see. Ms. Northman … Flynn Northman." Ms. Kimbrough looked up at Eric and said, "Alright. You're all set." She slid the tablet across the counter to him and said, "Place your hand here, please. We need to scan your handprint. It's only precautionary. We do this to all of the people that come in to pick up their children the first time. We keep track of all the times that the children are dismissed early."
Eric placed his hand on the tablet. "You don't have to call Sookie?"
"Not at all," Ms. Kimbrough answered. "You're all set."
There was no need for Eric to have to call Sookie to sign Flynn out of school. He'd already been added as an authorized person to pick her up from school. He's always been on the list … according to the secretary. "Since she started preschool here, you've been on the list," she shared. She began to nod as she read over the list. "Yes, sir. You, Ms. Ravenscroft, and Ms. Broadway. So the next time you come in, you'll show your id, sign her out, and then we'll send for her."
The woman ceases to amaze him. Sookie had no idea if he was ever going to come back but she's done everything in her power to make it easy for him to see his child. The trip to Sweden. The box of memories. Making sure that he and his daughter have a relationship. There was nothing in this world that he wouldn't do for her.
He chuckled as he signed his name. "Wonderful," he whispered.
"What did you say, dad?" Flynn asked.
He looked at Flynn and said, "Your mom. She's wonderful."
"I told ya," she said.
Ruffling her hair, he said, "I've always known, kiddo. Let's go."
As they were leaving, they saw Emily and Alyssa … Emma's and Cori's moms. "Hey, Flynn," they said to her … glancing at her for no more than a second but staring holes into the gorgeous man that was with her.
Emily reached into her purse and pulled out her lipstick. She turned her back as she put some on. When she turned back around, she was smiling and batting her eyes.
Flynn rolled hers.
Alyssa looked as if she was in a daze.
Emily thrust her hand out at Eric and said, "Hi. I'm Emily. And you are?"
Eric smiled as he offered her his hand. He didn't get to answer. Flynn answered for him. "This is my dad. His name is Eric Northman. He's moving back to America with me and mom."
"Hi," he said as he shook the hands of both women. Well, he tried to shake Alyssa's hand. She just placed her palm out and that was it. When he took his hand away, it fell lazily to her side.
"You're Eric?" Emily said. "Sookie has told us about you. She was right. My God, you're hot." She looked completely embarrassed. Her hands were soon covering her face. "I can't believe I said that. I'm so sorry. I'm such an asshole." She flinched again. "And I just cussed in front of Flynn. Shit."
Flynn and Eric laughed. He then graciously thanked her. "I appreciate your compliment, Emily. And there's no reason for you to be embarrassed. Oh," he quickly added. "From what I've seen so far, you're not an asshole and Flynn's not going to be emotionally scarred because of a couple of cuss words. You're good."
"She's Emma 's mom," Flynn said as her laughter died down to a giggle. "And she's Cori's mom."
Alyssa opened her mouth to speak. Only a squeak could be heard.
Eric decided to ease the tension. "It's nice to finally meet you. I've wanted to meet you both. Sookie and I have discussed having your children over for a sleepover in the near future … it that's alright with you."
Alyssa nodded as sweat covered her mocha colored skin.
"That would be great," Emily yelled.
Eric jumped.
Flynn continued to laugh.
"Okay," Eric said. "Well, it was nice meeting you, ladies. I hope to see you both again. Have a good day."
As they walked away, Flynn looked over her shoulder and said, "They're still staring at you, dad. Why do women act like that when they get around a cute guy?" She shook her head and said, "I don't get it."
Eric leaned down and said, "Maybe that's something you should ask your flirty mom."
Flynn laughed all the way to the car. "You got a new car?"
"I did," he said. "Driving a flashy car is not too practical when you have a family." He stared at the car for a long minute. "What do you think? You don't like it?"
She nodded. "I do. I think that mom's going to love it. She was talking about getting one just like this one. I think that she'll really like it."
Eric opened the backdoor for Flynn before getting into the car himself. "Are you buckled up?" he asked as he looked through the rearview mirror.
"All set, dad," she said. She began to giggle.
"What?" he asked as he pulled out into the road.
"Women love a man in a really nice car. They're going to love you." She laughed as she texted her mom.
Eric glanced at his daughter over his shoulder. "You keep quiet."
Their joy and laughter filled the car as they drove away from the school.
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"I'm glad that we're making tacos," Flynn said as they stepped off of the elevator. "I don't think I'd like that chicken stuff. It didn't look too good in that picture. Maybe we can have spaghetti tomorrow. Mom makes good spaghetti. She puts hotdogs in it when I'm sick but since I'm not sick, she'll probably make it regular. I'll bet that you don't like spaghetti with hotdogs."
Eric took his keys from his pocket as they walked to their apartment. "You would lose that bet, little lady. When we were kids, Gran used to make that for us. I loved spaghetti with hotdogs."
Flynn looked surprised. "Wow. We are just alike. Gran made it for me, JJ, and Kinsey. When I would spend a week with Gran and Gran'pa, Gran would me make spaghetti with hot dogs every day."
"Yep," he said as he ruffled her hair. "I remember those summers. They were the best summers of my life."
"Yeah. Gran and Gran'pa were the best," she agreed. Hey, Ally!" Flynn suddenly called out as she ran to him.
Alcide smiled when he saw her as he closed the door to Maria Starr's apartment behind him. "Hey, Blondie." He kneeled down and wrapped the little girl in his arms and kissed her cheek. "How have you been?"
"Good." She nodded her head and blonde hair fell into her eyes. "How about you?"
"Pretty good," he answered. He looked up at Eric and stared. Never saying a word.
"Alcide," Eric said.
Alcide stood up and nodded at him. "Eric."
The two men stood there and stared at each other and said nothing. Flynn took her dad's hand as she stood beside him. She looked up at both men. She didn't like how they were staring at each other. She wasn't sure what was going on. She just knew that she didn't like it.
"Guess what? My dad's back for good, Alcide," she said. "It makes me and mom happy."
Alcide stared down at Flynn and said, "I'm glad that you have your dad and I'm glad that you and your mom are happy." He then stared at Eric. "That's all I've ever wanted for you and your mom. You both deserve that … especially your mom."
Flynn smiled. "She does, doesn't she? She's going to be sorry that she didn't get to see you."
Alcide grinned. "Tell her that I said hello, will you?"
"I will. Me and my dad are going to cook dinner tonight. We're making tacos. He wanted to make chicken Marsala but no one wants to eat that."
Alcide laughed.
"Mom's going to be surprised when she gets home. She likes tacos better."
Eric stared down at his child and said, "We'd better get inside. We have ice cream. It's going to melt."
"Ok," she said. She walked over to Alcide and gave him a hug. "Goodnight, Alcide. I hope that I will see you again. You won't forget about me?"
"I will never forget about you," he promised. "You're my favorite blonde in the world. I love you, kiddo."
She hugged him once more. "I love you too, Ally."
Alcide closed his eyes as he kissed the top of Flynn's head.
Eric watched them and realized that there was no reason for him to be jealous of Alcide. If anything, he should be appreciative. This was the man that looked after his family while he was away. He kept them safe. Alcide loved them when he couldn't be there. How could he conceivably hate a man that's done something like that for him?
"Goodnight, Alcide. Thank you," Eric said as he offered the man his hand.
He looked at Eric's hand and then at Flynn's smiling face. He took Eric's hand and shook it. "It was my pleasure. See you around, man."
Eric nodded. "See you around."
"I love you, Ally," Flynn said.
"I love you too, Blondie." He kissed her cheek and walked away.
They walked into their home and did as daughters and daddies do. They washed their hands and began preparing for dinner. As the taco meat simmered, they enjoyed each other's company with a little conversation. Eric wanted to know how her day had gone. "So, what happened at school today?"
She was glad that he'd asked. She couldn't wait to tell him. There was something that was really weighing on her mind. "Dad?" she began. "I have a problem."
"What is it?" he asked.
"Can we sit down?" she said.
"Sure," he said as they sat at the island. "What's going on?"
"I can't talk to mom about it because she's not good with this sort of stuff," she began. "She doesn't like for me to talk about boys with her. She's always telling me that I'm too young to be talking about boyfriends."
Eric smiled as he rested his elbows on the island. "You have a boyfriend?"
"No," she hurriedly said. "We're just friends but he's really nice. The kids in school keep saying that he's my boyfriend but he's not. I don't like him like that but I think he likes me like that. Guess what he tried to do today?"
Flynn's dad was no longer smiling. "What did he try to do?"
She mumbled something that he couldn't quite hear.
"What did you say?" he asked as he leaned in closer to her.
"He tried to kiss me," she whispered. "In the hallway. I didn't like that. I don't like that stuff."
He patted her back and said, "That's okay. It's okay to not want to be kissed by a boy yet. You're too young anyway." He started to laugh. "You know what?"
"What?"
"When I was just a little bit older than you, I was in love with this girl. I asked her to be my girlfriend and she said yes." He stared down at his hands as he told his story. "I thought that I was a big man because I had a girlfriend. I was the only boy in the second grade to have a girlfriend. So, one day while we were on the playground, I decided that I was going to give my new girlfriend a kiss."
Flynn placed her hand over her mouth as she gasped. She looked appalled at the idea of her dad trying to kiss anyone.
"I know right?" Eric said. "I thought that she would like it if I kissed her. I was wrong. Guess what she did?"
"What?" Flynn whispered.
"She socked me right in the eye."
Flynn's laughter filled the kitchen.
"Yep," he said. "I broke up with her because of the domestic abuse."
"Did she black it?"
"Nah," he said. "But it did hurt."
"Who was the girl?"
He shook his head as he laughed. "Your mom could throw a punch."
Flynn really started laughing then. "Mom hit you?"
"She sure did."
"I can't believe it," she said. "She's always talking about how people shouldn't hit each other and she socked you in the eye." Flynn's eyes suddenly widened. "Can I ask her about it?"
"Not just yet," Eric said. "I need to stay on her good side." He stood up from his seat and went to the stove to check on dinner.
Flynn rested her chin on her hand and said, "You've always been on her good side, dad. Mom loves you. Do you love her? I told her that I was going to ask you so I'm asking you. Do you love her?"
He turned off the stove and began putting the taco shells on the cookie sheet. He selected the correct temperature for the oven and placed the taco shells inside. He rested his arms on the countertop before he answered his daughter's question. "Love doesn't describe what I feel for your mom. She is the most amazing woman in the world to me. I've always loved her. You've seen just a little bit of the wonderful that your mother has in her. There's so much more in there. I can see that you have a lot of her wonderful in you," he said.
"She used to be so sad," she said. "Gran told me that she was sad because she missed you. I'm glad that you're back." She dropped her head and said nothing else.
Eric waited for her to speak again but she didn't. He could hear whimpers coming from her. He ran over to her and lifted her little face to his. "Hey," he said. "What's wrong?"
"You can't leave us," she said. "I love you but mom will be so sad. I saw how she was looking at you when we first met. That's how she looks at all of your pictures." She wiped her nose with the back of her hand. "You're not leaving us again, are you?"
"I give you my word," he said. "Nothing is going to keep me away from you and your mom. I'm here to stay. Where I go, you go."
She wrapped her arms around him. "I love you, dad."
He kissed her head as he caressed her back. "I love you too, Flynn."
"Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"You burnt the shells," she said. She pointed at the stove as the smoke began to billow through the closed oven door.
Their laughter filled the kitchen. "I guess I'll just have to make some more."
"I'll help," she said as she jumped down from her stool.
As they threw the burnt shells away and put the new shells on the pan, Eric's mind wandered to his future with his family. There was nothing that was going to keep him away from them. Whatever it is that he has to do, he'll do it. His family is everything to him.
As he watched Flynn put the taco shells in the oven, he swore to her, "I'm here to stay, baby girl. Your daddy is going nowhere."