Bella woke to the sound of a voice shouting her name. She groaned and buried her head in the pillow. 'Too early...' she sleepily thought, but the voice kept screeching,
"Bella! You get down here this instant and explain yourself!" Sookie hollered. Bella groaned again before sitting up her in bed. As she rubbed her eyes she heard muffled voices talking, one louder than the other. It must be gran trying to calm Sookie down, she thought. Bella stretched her arms and tiredly walked into the kitchen where Sookie stood with her arms crossed and her gran sat at the kitchen table with arms folded and a sympathetic smile on her face.
"Want to explain this, missy?" Sookie said, pointing to a piece of card that sat on the kitchen table. Bella stared blankly until she walked over and looked at it. It appeared to be a note.
Dear Bella,
I have bought you a gift as a small token of my appreciation for last night. Please accept it without argument as it has already been paid for and cannot be returned. Do not fret, I have plenty of money to waste and I assure you this was no inconvenience.
It was truly a pleasure meeting you last night, tiny. I look forward to seeing you again tonight. My contact details including my cell number is listed below. Until then,
~ Sexy beast Eric.
Bella read the card slowly and wondered what Sookie had to be angry about. Why was Eric buying her stuff in the first place? She just met the vampire. She looked up at Sookie's expectant face, rather clueless.
"Well, where's the gift? What did he get me?" Bella asked curiously. This was all very strange. She wondered what he could have possibly sent. Flowers would have been acceptable but considering what he said about cost and that gran hadn't displayed them proudly in a vase it seemed unlikely. Vampires did not view spending money she same way as humans she knew.
"That's what you have to say? What exactly did he mean? What happened last night? I trusted you. Bill was right, I shouldn't have left you there alone" Sookie's loud indignant voice was right next to Bella's ear. It was all very melodramatic.
Adele Stackhouse spoke up, "Now, Sookie. Don't ruin this for Bella. Your not the only one allowed to have a vampire admirer, you know. Just because Bella's seems more generous than Bill doesn't mean you should get your panties in a twist. That's not very lady like. Just be happy for your cousin" gran stated, sending Sookie a stern expression.
Sookie's jaw dropped and she paled, 'admirer? Did Eric admire Bella? But-but he is only interested in fucking and feeding' She thought with an odd clenching feeling in her chest.
Bella watched Sookie's stricken face. She looked like she'd been hit in the gut. Bella smiled internally, 'seems like Sookie doesn't hate Eric as much as I thought, hm. I could use this to make her realise how she feels by making her a little jealous'
Bella dramatically clutched the note to her heart and smiled brightly, "you think he likes me? Really gran?" She asked in a childishly excited voice. She sighed dreamily.
Adele rose and gave her grandbaby a hug and then a kiss on the forehead,
"He would be a fool not to, dear. Now, let me show you what your vampire bought you" gran stated leading Bella out the kitchen. Sookie scowled when gran said 'your vampire'. Gran led Bella outside and she saw a beautiful light blue convertible. It had a huge red bow on the hood. Bella stared in disbelief. Did he buy me a freaking CAR? Bella couldn't grasp the situation clearly. She did save his life but this seemed far too much. Dear lord, Vampires would be the death of her.
Adele looked proud as a peacock, "Well hun, do you like it? Such a generous man he must be" gran said with satisfaction. In Adele Stackhouse's eyes, this was just the man she would approve of. One to take care of her Bella like she deserved.
Bella stood frozen and considered how to give it back then realised she couldn't, 'dam he is two steps ahead of me' Sookie came out of the house then and was observing Bella carefully. 'Well, time to play this up' she thought.
Bella squealed and jumped up and down. She threw her arms around her gran and laughed. Her gran laughed back indulgently and patted her on the back.
"It's for me?! Really. Wow, I can't believe he did this" She shouted and ran down to her car. She stroked it lovingly and let out a huge grin. When she peaked back at Sookie, she looked conflicted.
Sookie didn't know what to make of the situation. When she discovered the car and note and assumed it was from Eric to her; only he would do something like this. She was very shocked when it had been for Bella. Reading the note she became slowly furious thinking that Bella had slept with Eric after she left. She thought that she was angry that her cousin was used like that but oddly she felt angry at Bella, almost betrayed. She couldn't comprehend these emotions and wasn't sure what to do. Bella seemed to happy, so full of life right now. Happier than she had seen her since she arrived in Louisiana. Sookie decided to be quiet but wary of the situation. She wanted Bella to be happy but with Eric Northman? She thought incredulously. He couldn't possibly have feelings for her. Eric Northman did not have feelings. He would only break her heart she decided. She would tell Eric to back off or else, she wouldn't mention it to Bella. She was hesitant to do anything to hurt her baby cousin again.
Bella was satisfied with the expression on Sookie's face and although she wasn't as happy as she appeared by the car it was still a very pleasant surprise. She had a small amount of savings and was planning on buying a car soon – since her wonderful truck died a few months ago - but now she didn't have to and had a small sum saved up.
"Hey gran, Sookie, how's about we test this out? Can we call Jason and drive up to Monroe for breakfast? My treat!" She happily asked her family.
Adele smiled happily and called back, "That sounds wonderful dear, I'll give Jason a call right now" Adele shuffled inside. Bella bounced back up to the porch, Sookie eyeing her warily the whole time. She turned around to Sookie.
"So you coming Sook?" She smiled at her older cousin bouncing on the soles of her feet. Sookie gave her 'crazy' grin back and replied, "Of course, Bells. Let me just get ready"
Bella noticing her own attire which consisted of small pyjama shorts and a baggy top agreed that that would be a good idea.
She shuffled to her bedroom and changed into a pair of khaki shorts and a grey vest top. She put on a cardigan for the slight breeze and wore white trainers. She went to the toilet quickly, brushed her teeth and hair before throwing it up in a high pony tail.
She left her bedroom and saw Sookie ready in a white sundress and her gran putting on a big sun hat.
"Jason's getting ready, honey. We just need to pick him up" Gran told Bella. She nodded and headed outside to her car. Bella removed the big red ribbon but ran up and stashed it inside as a remembrance. She was silly and sentimental like that. When she came back outside her gran was smiling at her softly while Sookie looked uncomfortable. She grinned at them and inserted herself into the driver's seat. Her gran sat in the passenger's side while Sookie sat in the back. She rolled down all the windows and sped off down hummingbird lane. The car drove like an absolute dream and purred softly as she drove down the road.
Later, Bella took the last bite of her pancake and sat back stuffed. Her family had decided to go to IHOP and were just finishing off their meal. Jason sat across from her, gran sat to Bella's right and Sookie across from Adele. Jason was busy eating the leftovers in Sookie's plate; stuffing his mouth.
"Wow, Bells. Thanks for this. I can't believe your vamper bought you a car" Jason said genuinely. He was oddly more accepting of Eric than Bill. He didn't approve of the supposed relationship but rather the free car 'and that I am still a virgin and we aren't in an actual relationship probably'. He quickly decided that his family dating a vampire wasn't so bad if they got lots of expensive gifts. 'Typical Jase' Bella thought fondly.
"Hey Sook, why don't your vamper ever get you any gifts? I heard that all them vamps were filthy rich. Why don't he get you a new car like Bella? You need one, your cars a piece of shit" Jason said through a mouth full of half-chewed pancakes.
Adele scolded, "Jason, language!" sending him a reprimanding look. Meanwhile, Sookie fumed,
"Just because Bills ah vampire don't mean he just has money to waste buying me something I don't even need. Besides I can't be bought. I am not some hussy that will depend on some man for every little thing. I'm not some gold-digging tramp!" Sookie exclaimed to the table. Trying to get her point across.
The table fell silent. Tears filled in Bella's eyes,
"That's what you think of me Sook? I'm just a gold-digging tramp?" Bella whispered looking at Sookie, shocked she would say such a thing. She didn't call Bella it directly but it was certainly implied. Accepting expensive gifts from vampires makes you a gold-digging tramp in Sookie's opinion.
"No, Bella. Of course not. That is not at all what I meant" Sookie backtracked with wide eyes, hoping to not further upset her cousin.
Bella excused herself from the table and walked to the bathroom to clear her head and wash her face. She wondered when Sookie became so bitter and hateful.
Jason shook his head, "Dam Sook. That's harsh. Y'know Bells ain't like that. Just cos she got a car from a vamper don't mean she's just gonna hop into bed with him" Jason said looking warily at his sister. She was never usually like this with Bella. Usually it was Sookie sticking up for Bella with Jason when he said something stupid.
Her gran gave Sookie a disappointed look, "Sookie, that was totally unacceptable. Bella is a good girl, you know this. I don't know what is wrong with your attitude young lady but you need to fix it this instant. Bella's your family and family sticks together; not being jealous of their good fortunes. I thought you were better than that. Apologise to your cousin when comes back. After all the grief she's gone through she needs support from her family more than ever" Adele finished with her speech hoping she got through to Sookie. She had been behaving different lately, she was unintentionally pushing away those that loved her. Adele knew something must be wrong but everything appeared fine in Sookie's life; she couldn't figure it out for the life of her.
Sookie hung her head, properly chastised. She knew she had to apologize. Sookie wondered why she seemed so annoyed. Truthfully, she had implied that about Bella and although she would never think of Bella that way, she was angry. She was annoyed and wanted to hurt Bella somehow, even if it was in a silly petty way. Sookie frowned and wondered when she had became like this? Why was Sookie so angry at Bella? Because Eric bought her a car? Sookie couldn't understand this. She refused to think that she was jealous of the attention Eric gave Bella and his apparent liking of her. That was ridiculous, she hated him.
Bella returned to the table warily, sitting down and deciding now was the time to leave.
Sookie immediately spit out, "Bells, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I'm being so stupid. I don't know what's wrong with me its like I have no filter any more. Please forgive me" Sookie pleaded at her younger cousin. Bella observed Sookie for a moment before sighing.
"Sure Sook, you know I can't stay mad at you. I know your just jealous that my vampire is older, better looking and buys me cars" She winked at Sookie trying to rile her up with a little light hearted revenge. She forgave Sookie but still wanted to mess with her a little. Sookie seemed less than pleased by what Bella said but wisely kept her mouth shut and smiled a somewhat strained smile at her cousin.
Bella stood, "now I need to pick some things up before we head back home. That okay with everyone?" Bella asked the table politely. She thought it was finally time to herself a cell phone now that she calls so many different people.
Jason just groaned, "I knew there was a catch. Shoulda brought my truck". Adele smacked him on the back of the head,
"Don't be rude. Of course we don't mind Bella. Lead the way." Adele announced graciously. They all left iHOP and jumped into Bella's car.
It was just after nightfall that Bella sat in grans comfy chair in the living room waiting to leave for the trip to Dallas. Bill had arrived about five minutes ago. Him and Sookie sat on the couch chatting very quietly.
Bella pulled her new cell phone out of her small bag and went to fiddle around with it to kill time. She saw that she had a message from Sasquach. It read,
Aren't you a demanding little thing. Of course I will bring you flowers. I can't wait to see what scheme you have come up with you little minx. See you soon tiny, E
'Good!' Bella thought, 'Everything is going as planned'. Bella wanted Eric and Sookie to get together, she didn't know why but she felt like they belonged with each other. She usually had strange gut feelings about things and they were always right. The one time she ignored this feeling was with Edward. Deep down she knew he couldn't love her but she deluded herself. Not any more, she needs to trust herself. She had a plan to get Sookie to realize her feelings for Eric by making her jealous of them. She hoped to get Eric in on her little plan. So she sent the following text message to Eric when she set up her phone earlier,
Hey Sasquach, this is Bella. Thx for the car, its amazing! I think I found a way to help you out with Sookie. Bring me flowers when you come pick us up. Ill explain later, B
She hoped that this would go well. She had been playing it up all day. She bought a cell phone and a new outfit to wear, she wanted to seem like she was trying to impress Eric. What she wore was a little nicer than her usual clothes but still casual, just a high waisted black skirt which flowed outwards and a beautiful purple shirt. She also bought a small purse to stow her things. She had spend extra time on her hair and even asked for Sookie's helped and tried to seem excited. 'This better be worth it' she thought.
Still waiting, she decided to text Eric back,
I do not scheme and I am not a minx, thank you very much. I prefer to think of myself as cupid. Bill is here and is trying to order me around. May I tell him to shut the fuck up courtesy of his sheriff? B
"Did you hear me Bella? I said go change. You are dressed inappropriately. We will be going to a nest in Dallas and you look too much like vampire bait" Bill said in a superior voice attempting to order Bella around like a dog. Bella found this annoying but what was worse was that Sookie just sat there and let him talk to Bella like that. She heard a ding and looked down seeing that she received another message,
Oh yes, please do. I would love to see the look on his face. How is my Sookie? E
She attempted to keep a straight face and looked up squarely at Bill. She muted her phone then put on the camera. She pointed it discreetly in Bill direction and then said,
"Bill, Eric told me to tell you to shut the fuck up. You can't order me around" Bella said seriously looking him straight in the eye. The look on Bills face was priceless, she quickly shot a photo. He looked outraged and disgusted like he was terribly affronted. It was the look you saw on a priest or a teacher, not a vampire. One that was highly disappointed and superior.
Bill opened his mouth to retort but Sookie spoke first,
"Eric is texting you now? Show me, what's he saying?" Sookie said standing up and walking over holding her hand out expectantly with a stern expression.
Bella was appalled, "Sookie! It is none of you business that I'm texting Eric! What is wrong with you, I will not show you my phone! That's an invasion of my privacy" She shouted.
Gran heard the commotion and poked her head in the room, "Everything alright in here?" She asked, looking back and forth between Sookie and Bella. Bella looked at Sookie and raised her eyebrows, Sookie simply scowled at Bella and turned to her gran to reply,
"Yes gran, everything's fine" She said sweetly She returned to her seat shortly after, gripping onto Bills hand. Bella snickered and decided to reply to Eric,
Sookie is not happy that your texting me. I'm sure she's wanting to make sure your not sending me things which are 'inappropriate'. This is how Bill looked btw. B [Photo attached]
Bella smiled as she looked at the photo of Bill she took when she attached it to the message. She was given Bills number earlier. Sookie made her take it 'in case of an emergency' so she attached it to his number so his stupid face would show up every time he called her, she smirked. She then saw Eric replied. She opened the message,
Excellent, I think I will have it framed and displayed in Fangtastia. Oh did she? Well, show her this. E [Photo attatched]
Bella wondered at the photo attached and clicked it. When she opened it she burst out laughing. Sookie and Bill looked at her in curiosity but she didn't notice she was too busy doubling over laughing. She clutched her phone staring at the photo.
"Bella, what is it?" Sookie asked, annoyed.
Bella just shook her head and chuckled. She 'accidentally' dropped her phone and it tumbled in front of the fire place. Sookie dashed over to look at it, just as Bella predicted.
"BELLA! WHAT IS THIS!" Sookie screamed in poor Bella's face. Sookie looked at the phone and saw a picture of Eric with his shirt off, it show cased his beautiful body and amazing muscles. His arm trailed down teasingly low and the photo just cut off from where Sookie wanted to look a little lower. His other arm was rested comfortably behind his head displaying the bulging muscles in his arms. His eyebrow was arched almost in challenge and he had his usual smirk adorning his handsome face. When Sookie saw it she felt a massive wave of arousal and her heart sped up. She had never seen anything quite so delicious before. Then it registered that Eric sent this to Bella and she snapped.
Just after Sookie shouted there was a knock on the doorbell announcing the arrival of Eric.
Sookie stormed over to the door and threw it open revealing Eric's gorgeous face. 'No, not gorgeous, he is ugly. A horrible despicable person', Sookie tried to convince herself.
Eric simply smirked at Sookie then said,
"Good evening Sookie, I trust you are well?" He asked innocently, ignoring the furious look on her face. Sookie walked outside and slammed the door behind her.
"What the hell is this?" Sookie spoke with her voice in more hushed tones. She held up Bella's phone to show the photo of Eric topless. Eric raised a brow,
"Well that appears to be me. May I ask why you are snooping at half naked photos of me? If you wanted to see you only had to ask" He winked then continued with a sigh, "However, this particular photo was for Bella's eyes only" He explained with a shrug. He took the phone from Sookie's grasp. Sookie ire just kept rising. At that moment fortunately, Bill exited the house and put an arm around Sookie.
"Come on, darling. We will miss our flight if we do not hurry" Bill drawled. He shot Eric a look that said 'back off' but Eric simply smiled at Bill. Bella then came out the house and looked at everyone. She grabbed her phone from Eric and gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek. Eric hugged her back uncertainly but then looked at Sookie eyeing her jealous expression. 'So this is the plan. Very devious tiny, very devious' he thought, proud of Bella for coming up with this. Eric nuzzled the top of her head, Bella stepped back and looked at Bill and Sookie's frozen faces,
"Well, are we going or what?" Bella asked. Eric flashed away and appeared suddenly with a large bouquet of red roses.
"For you, my beauty" Eric bowed and kissed the back of Bella's knuckles. He inhaled deeply as he did so, enjoying her scent.
Bella blushed and played along, "Thank you Eric. That's very sweet of you. Sook, you mind putting these in water while I grab the bags?" She asked Sookie with a big grin on her face. Bill shot Bella a disapproving look but she pretended not to notice.
"Sure thing" Sookie gritted out, grabbing the flowers and stomping inside. Bella laughed and winked at Eric then she disappeared and Eric grinned back at her. Bella helped carry Sookie's and Bills luggage to the back of the limo. Yes a freaking limo. Only the best for Eric Northman she was coming to learn. As she packed them away in the boot she turned to Eric,
"I just need to get my bag then we can go" She said. Eric frowned and looked at the luggage.
"None of these are yours?" He asked curiously. She had said bag as in singular he wondered if that would be enough considering that no other of the luggage was hers.
Bella smiled and said, "Na its not. Don't worry I don't have much" Eric watched as she ran inside and came back out almost immediately with a backpack. One backpack. Eric was appalled.
"That is your only bag? Should you not have packed more?" He asked incredulously. Did the tiny human know that they might be in Dallas for a while?
Bella noticed his look and tried to wave it off.
"Yep this is all. I don't have much clothes and this is all I've got to take" She answered with a shrug. Eric's eyes hardened and was extremely relieved about his gifting of clothes to Bella. He would present them to her at the hotel. She desperately needed them. Poor human was probably used to such little belongings.
The door to the limo then opened,
"You coming? or are y'all just going to stand around all night?" Sookie remarked rudely, calling out from the limo. Bella simply smiled, kissed Eric on the cheek again as Sookie watched and walked to the limo only to slide in next to a thunder faced Sookie. Eric slid in next to Bella and held her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. 'Its off to Dallas we go then' Bella thought as the limo started driving away.