The next day I woke up to the sun on my skin. I furrowed my eyebrows. Why didn't I close the curtains last night? But then everything came back to me. The last night. Longshadow. The drive home. Eric. As soon as my thoughts landed on Eric I was wide awake. Eric brought me home. He didn't just take me home, he helped me change and even tucked me in. I felt a blush rising on my cheeks and then I couldn't contain the grin that spread across my face and squealed falling back into my pillows.

I felt like a teenager with her first crush again. Butterflys were having fun in my stomach and I felt like I could fly. I closed my eyes enjoying the feeling. With my hand on my galloping heart I took deep breaths to ground myself once more. I had forgotten how raw unrestrained happiness felt like. I wasn't sure I had ever felt happiness like it. Maybe I had gotten close to it during Erics amnesia time? But even then there were always some kind of worries in the background. But now? Now it felt like a new beginning. A new beginning with the real Eric. My Eric.

After showering and getting dressed in a bikini and some shorts I gathered a book and was on my way downstairs when I noticed a folded note on my night stand.

My Southern Belle was on the outside. I was unable to suppress the grin that felt like it would be permanently sketched on my face.

My dear Sookie,

I leave you in the hopes of finding you replenished once the sun sets. Seeing you that drained left me with a bitter taste. (Pun intended.)

I would rather see you as your beautiful, feisty usual self.

My dayman will stop by with the contract. Please read through it.

I saw your schedule for your work at the shifters bar taped to your fridge. I understand you have the day off until your next shift tomorrow afternoon so I will be taking you out to dinner tonight and we can discuss any questions you may have regarding the contract.

Be ready at seven.

Eric

I rolled my eyes. Highhanded as ever. But it wouldn't be Eric, if he wasn't.

I got a little storage box from under my bed and put the note inside smiling as I put the lid back on.

Downstairs Gran was on the phone writing down a new recipe from one of her friends from church. She pointed to a plate of scrambled eggs, sausages and biscuits she had kept warm for me. I smiled, mouthed a ‚Thank you' and pecked her on the cheek as I grabbed a cup of coffee from the coffee maker.

I sat at the table and ate my breakfast while Gran attended her call. Just as Gran said her good byes Jason walked through the door.

„Hey Gran, hey sis!" He greeted us and hugged Gran before he swiped my last piece of sausage from my plate and sat across from me. „Hey," I admonished.

„Is there more where that came from?" He asked Gran hopefully. She smiled indulgently at him. „You sit and I'll make you something," she answered.

„Thanks, Gran. You're the best."

„You won't believe what happened yesterday." He began excitedly. „Catfish promoted me. Starting today I will be overseeing the road-crews in all Renard Parish."

„Oh, Jason. I'm so proud of you honey. You deserved it." Gran congratulated.

„Congratulations Jason." I smiled at him. This was new. I guess getting arrested really did mess up things for him in timeline A, as I now dubbed it.

Gran and Jason kept talking about his new tasks while I finished my breakfast and washed up my dishes. I was putting my plate away when I heard a car coming up the driveway. Shortly after a knock sounded at the door.

„I'll get it," I said already on my way to the door as Jason was still telling Gran all the things he was going to do with his raise. Like getting a new flat screen. He was debating whether it was better to get a new grill or build an entire fireplace in his backyard.

I opened the door to a disgruntled looking Bobby Burnham.

„Good morning, I'm looking for Miss Sookie Stackhouse." He said while eyeing me up and down lingering with his gaze on my breasts.

At least she has nice tits. Maybe she'll be a new dancer? But he never sends me on errands for them. She must be one hell of a lay for me to have to drive to this podunk town.

As always Bobbys thoughts made me want to barf.

„That's me. How can I help you." I answered with a kind smile and tuned him out again. Accepting my telepathy had really been the key to everything. There were no more headaches or trying to raise shields to keep everything out. It was so much easier.

„I have a delivery from Eric Northman." He said and handed me an envelope along with a small package.

„Thank you," I said but he was already turning to leave so I closed the door and went back to the kitchen opening the envelope.

The envelope contained the contract so I just left it inside and put it on the kitchen table to read later. Then I got some scissors to open the package. After carefully slicing through the tape I opened it to find right on top a beautiful red rose with a note attached to it underneath lay a smaller packaging with the picture of a phone on it. I furrowed my eyebrows and went back to the note to the note.

My dear Sookie,

I hope you have had an enjoyable morning.

Please accept the phone as part of your payment for a job well done yesterday. I would have liked to gift you with a new car but I have a feeling it wouldn't have been well received so before you start about the phone. See it as a work phone. You will need it to be reachable.

Also, once your current car falls apart at the side of a road you will have a way to contact me so me or Pam can come and get you.

Feel free to message me during the day although you won't be getting any replies until after dark.

See you tonight Eric

I hadn't noticed Gran and Jason had stopped talking until I put the note down and smelled the rose whose aroma had already filled the kitchen.

„So who has you grinning like that? And what's in the box?" Jason asked wiggling his eyebrows and reaching for the box. I just slapped his hand away.

I hadn't even noticed I had been grinning again.

„Actually I have some news, too." I began and put the rose down. „I have a job offer in Shreveport. It's a very good offer. I have also been thinking about doing some college courses and this job would cover that and then some." I said.

Jason looked surprised and Gran was smiling from ear to ear.

„Oh my grand babies. You two are succeeding in life. I'm so proud of you both." Gran said and got up to hug me. I sat down and got the phone out of its box.

„What kind of job pays that well?" Jason asked suspiciously.

I bit my lip. „I will be using my ability. Some people pay really well to know whether they are being lied to." I replied.

Jasons eyebrows raised up at my statement. „Are you sure you want to do that? I thought you didn't want to use that on people? Listen, if this is about money, I can help out a bit now and then" He asked.

I was surprised at his question but more so at his willingness to help out if necessary. During our teenage years Jason had always talked about how he would use this gift to get rich and move away from Bon Temps and now he was hesitant about me using it. It showed how much he had matured.

„That is very nice of you to offer Jason." I smiled and held his hand fondly. „But it's not just about the money. I can't keep waitressing for the rest of my life. I want to further my education. Maybe do something in management or even open my own business someday. I don't know yet."

He nodded and smiled at me. „Okay. As long as you are fine with it." he shrugged. I smiled.

„So what kind of boss sends you roses? Don't think I forgot about that huge smile on your face." He grinned and went back to his happy go lucky attitude.

Before I could react he had already grabbed the note and was reading it.

„Holy shit. He wanted to give you a car?" He exclaimed.

I ripped the note out of his hands. „Heck. Do you think he's got a job for me too?" He asked. I rolled my eyes at his antics.

„He's not wrong you know. Your car is junk." He said.