A/N: Let the fun begin! I still don't own it, aside from the story. I do own two nice magnets of Eric and Alcide. Insert eyebrow wiggles here.
Chapter fifteen:
That Thursday, I get out of school and head toward my car. I have already packed my suitcase, so I can drive to Rhode Island. I am staying at Pam's tonight. I am so lost in thought that it takes a minute to register the sight of Quinn standing by my car. He is holding some flowers and telling Amelia that he's done with her. He'll go to the prom if she still wants him to but that's it. I laugh when she thinks that Bob is better in the sack than Quinn and excuse myself trying to get to my door. I am starting realize that I was actually done a favor by being ignored by the male populace of this school.
"Hey beautiful, where are you going?" He says, trying to get my attention.
I close my door and he jumps in the passenger's side before I can lock the doors. "You got away before, not again." I look at him and call Pam, shaking my head.
"Hey Pam, I am going to be little late, but I am going to get there as soon as I can. There has been a development. I'll call you once I get on the highway. See you soon. Love ya." I shut my phone and put the car in gear.
"I am taking you home and then going to spend the night at my friend's. You have until your driveway to say what you want." I tell him. He has a smirk on his face that I don't like.
"Sookie, I think you want to get out of this whole thing. I mean, you are leaving your whole family for what? Someone who can't know you as well as I do. I would like a chance with you." 'Say yes please. You are so beautiful. I could make you happy. You wanted to be with me for so long, well I am ready now.'
My temper is now sparked. I pull over, and turn to him. "Okay, come here." He leans in and I kiss him for a full two minutes. When I pull back, he looks at me and smiles. "I have always wanted to do that." I admit. His grin brightens. 'Yes, I have a chance. She has been in love with me for a while. Now I can capitalize on that and have her for my own.' "But, it felt like I was kissing my brother. I'm sorry, but I am making the right decision. He does know me. I let him see more about me than I have anyone else. Did you know I have a violent uncle, who beats up my grandparents? Did you even know that I lived with my grandparents? Eric got me out of the situation. He also thought I was pretty when I was carrying around quite a bit more weight. You on the other hand, could not look past the outside package. And for that you have a head cheerleader girlfriend that has been going around school saying that she cheated on you with those guys because you are bad in bed, but would not break it off because you are loaded. I gave you your chance. You blew it, by making fun of me and making me the laughing stock of the whole jock crowd. Here we are, you're home. Say hi to your mother. Bye Quinn, see you at prom." He gets out and I rip out of there. I call Eric and tell him everything.
"I'm sorry I had to do it but, he wasn't getting the picture. I was a little mean. I told him it was like kissing my little brother." I laugh.
"It's fine, he got one of those kisses once but I get you forever. I'll see you tomorrow, Love ya baby!" He hangs up and I turn up the radio as I get on the turnpike. He sounded like he was upset about it but didn't want to get into it for the moment. 'Hmm. How does it feel to be on the other side of that coin. It hurts huh?' I am still working on my trust issues. It is difficult to do. I am getting married in one day and I am still wondering about him. Is this the right thing to do?
Five hours later, I am pulling into Pam's parent's driveway. She comes rushing out. "Hey honey, what was that about?" I tell her and we both laugh over it. We go inside and have supper with her parents. After I help clean up, she takes me up to her room and shows me the dresses. I smile and thank her, repeatedly.
"I guess I should show you the reason behind my request." I pull my top up my back.
"Oh my God, he's going to have trouble not being able to "thank you" the minute he sees it." she squeals. 'That is so cool!'
We change into our nightclothes and camp out in front of the TV for a wedding movie bash. I text Eric to tell him I made it safely. He calls me back and says goodnight.
They are loading up and driving out tonight. His parents and Alcide say hi from the background. Another Alcide and Eric road trip of bickering lay ahead of them. They promise to meet our flight.
Pam and I are laughing about Sam's last attempt at the barrel race, when we get off the plane in Vegas. The two Northman boys are waiting for us.
"Go on girl, I know I can't keep you from him. I learned that the night of the dance at Zion."
I walk up to Eric and step into his arms. His nose finds its place in the crook of my neck. "Thank God." He whispers. He runs his nose up my neck and pulls back to look at me. 'She is safe and in my arms. Not that other guy's. I can calm down now. You smell so good, my love.'
"I had a bad feeling that you weren't coming. That guy is lucky he didn't try anything. I thought I was going to lose you. I love you." 'I get it now, I am so sorry that I put you through that. I am yours completely and I will prove it tonight.'
He loops his arm around me and the four of us walk to his truck. I smile when I see it. Eric boosts both of us girls into the truck. Alcide climbs in back with Pam and we drive up the strip to their hotel. Sam is in the middle of the barrel competition, so we head to the arena to watch.
Alcide's phone goes off. "It's Dad." He tells us and walks away to hear. He comes back with a worried look on his face. He glances at me. 'This is not good. It seems like every time they finally work things out and are trusting each other, something happens. If Eric and Sookie deserve to have one night to themselves without interruptions, it's this one.'
"Uh… Eric, Dad said that Hadley and Sophie's parents called Mom and asked if they are coming over for tomorrow night. Of course Mom told the truth. They are coming too. They basically have horned in on the trip. Dad knows that the hotel is booked solid, with the riders and helpers. He was hoping that he and Mom could have your room. He says they will get rooms for all five of us in a different hotel."
"Those people are not going to ruin this weekend! It's our wedding for Christ sakes. "
He calls Godric. "Dad, I need to be close to the arena, other than that put us anywhere. Okay, we'll head back and get our stuff. Thank you. I will. Bye." He closes his cell with a snap.
"Let's get loaded up. We are going to the Venetian. Dad got Sook and I the Penthouse and two suites for Alcide and you two." He motions to Sam and Pam. It doesn't take much time to pack up.
Eric and I check in and he calls the arena to find out his slot. It isn't until the middle of the afternoon, on Sunday. He collapses on the bed. "I am trying to hold it all together here. That family doesn't know how to accept defeat." 'Then again, I doubt Sophie would even tell them that we are engaged. It would mean that she failed. What do I do? Sookie needs me to be strong and stand up, to show that I am only with her. Every time she needed me to show her that, I have backed down from it and let her stand up for me.'
I push him to sit up and I climb behind him. He leans back against me while I massage his shoulders, neck and scalp. He whispers his thanks and turns around to kiss my mouth. 'She is so good to me. I don't deserve her in the least.'
"Let's go down to the courthouse and get our license, baby. I am marrying you before you get away." He smirks at me.
I shake my head at him. "I'm not going anywhere." He pulls me up and waits while I get my blood moving down my legs again. We hop into the truck and drive to take care the business part to this. Another hour later, we have our license and drive to the airport to meet Mom and Dad and the others. Alcide is there too.
"Hey Sis, united front, okay? You're going to be a Northman in a few hours' time. Time to act like it." He hugs me as he whispers it to me. I hug him back and nod.
"By the way, you look a lot better than the last time I saw you." He grins at me. 'You're not skin and bones still. Keep up the good work.'
Tyler takes me back from his brother and holds me in front of him. Thanks for putting me in the line of fire. He wraps his arms around my shoulders and whispers the plan.
"They think I still have the same room. What they are not figuring on is you. Sophie and Hadley have more of an idea than their parents do about how close you and I are. Their mother is after the big dream for her girls. What better option than marrying them both off to twin brothers. It is sweetened by the fact that we have a share in the ranch and I ride professionally. I am betting that they will try to get a room in the same hotel as the rest of the riders. It's pretty easy to find out room numbers."
They announce the flight from Memphis has landed and is unloading. I start to fidget a little. Eric pulls me back and runs his nose up my neck, calming me, which he knew it would. We join Alcide again and I sigh when I see Freyda runs up to me.
"My babies!" She cries as she envelopes all three of us in her arms. "Sook, they are right behind Godric, get ready for a fight. Lorena has been coaching the girls on how to act the whole flight. Don't let go of Eric for a minute. Sophie is primed to pounce at any time. Keep that ring out. We will try to ditch them before tonight." She steps back and I steel myself for the Bellefluer's reaction.
Godric comes out next, followed by two sleazy looking people. I swallow my disgust and try to not to judge them before I meet them. Their daughters bring up the tail end of the group.
"Oh Eric, Alcide, you boys always look so good in your rodeo clothes." Mrs. Bellefluer coos, walking up to us. Alcide tips his hat and Eric nods and tightens his arms. 'Who's that? She must be a relative. Eric wouldn't blatantly flaunt a girl in my Sophie's face like this.'
I can feel the tension build in his body with every step the woman takes. Sophie tries to cover a growl at me as a cough. It scares me less than it did, the last time she tried it. Hadley waves at me and smiles sadly. Poor girl. Mr. Bellefluer gets off the phone and announces that he was able to get the two last possible rooms at the Wynn. I let out a silent sigh of relief.
"The Wynn, why isn't that a quirk of fate. You boys will be able to hang out with the girls while we're here." Mrs. Bellefluer coos again. I'm starting to get rather sick of the bird routine. Mr. Bellefluer's beady eyes fall on me then.
"Godric, who is this lovely girl with the boys? The boys seem to know her pretty well, a niece from Rhode Island perhaps?" He was trying to give Dad enough rope to hang himself. Eric kisses my ring while staring into my eyes, before I step forward and hold out my left hand to shake with the man as I saw he was a lefty, that and my ring is pretty hard to miss. The two carat diamond sparkles in the overhead lights.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Bellefluer. I hear from Freyda and Godric that we are going to be neighbors and is it true that we will be attending the same church?" They nod, uncertainly.
"Oh, where are my manners, today? I'm Sookie Northman." That's it leave it open for them to assume the wrong thing. The girls know but they won't let on yet.
"If you will excuse us, Sookie, Alcide and I are late for an appointment." Eric tries for an easy getaway. We say goodbye to his parents and the Bellefluer's.
"Eric why don't you be a sweetheart and take the girls by the hotel and get them settled in before you go?" Mrs. Bellefluer pushes. "I'm sure it can wait, Lord knows you are free until your slot."
Godric breaks in. "If he says they are late; then they are. I am sure we'll see the kids around. Right?" He is trying to save us but Lorena is relentless. She is about to launch another assault when, my phone starts ringing. "Please excuse me, I need to take this." Eric takes my hand and kisses the ring again. "Hurry back soon my love. I'll miss you." He says aloud. He kisses me on the lips and I hear the Bellefluers gasp as I walk away a bit to hear the phone.
I answer it when I get out of earshot. "Hello?"
"Where are you guys?"
"Trying to get away, that lady does not give up. She's like a pit bull with a bone." Pam laughs.
"Okay, it's not like this place closes or anything." I hang up and return to the group. You can almost see the stress pouring off Eric in waves. I walk up to him and lightly touch his arm, on the way to Alcide.
"We need to get out of here before he snaps; he is just barely hanging on to his manners." I whisper in Alcide's ear. He nods and turns to the waiting group.
"I'm sorry to be rude but, we will not be able to take the girls with us. Sookie's friend just called and we will miss our chance for another meeting if we delay anymore. Hope you understand. Have a good time in Sin City."
The three of us beat it out of there before they could stop us. Once we got to the safety of Eric's truck, we breathe a sigh of relief.