Northman and the Nanny Ch 2

Chapter 2

EPOV

“Good morning cousin.” Bill said as he walked in to my office and placed a much appreciated cup of coffee on my desk.

“Morning…thanks.” I said barely getting my words out before putting the cup to my lips.

“Hey, did you hear the Threewitt-McKinney case settled?” He continued.

“Thank God. I understand why we do pro-bono cases, and I’m glad that we do but timing would have been really bad had that case gone to trial. It was a drain on resources we didn’t need right now.”

“Yeah, but have you noticed, somehow all those pro-bono cases seem to work out. I don’t know it may be corny but you have to wonder if it’s the universes way of saying thanks for helping these people out.”

“Hmm…I don’t know, could be.” I said somewhat absentmindedly as I pulled up my schedule for the day.

“So I see we have two more nanny interviews today. Anyone look promising?” I knew as soon as the words left my mouth I was about to catch hell.

“As opposed to 15 promising applicants you have already interviewed?” Bill quipped.

“I know, I know man…I’m sorry. It’s just so damn hard… I mean what if I choose the wrong one? I don’t want to keep putting Holly through stranger after stranger. I just want to make the right decision the first time and I just haven’t felt like any of the previous applicants were the right decision.”

I hated how whiney my voice sounded but I suppose I was having a pity party. I was pissed. Pissed that I was having to make these decisions alone. Pissed that Holly didn’t have a mother that loved and cared for her enough not to make these decisions necessary in the first place and most of all pissed that I had ever I loved that woman to begin with. OK scratch that last one. If I had never loved her then I would not have Holly and although the last two years of my life have been nothing short of pure hell, I would gladly do it all over again just for the love of that little girl.

“Eric you don’t have to justify yourself to me. I’m sorry about what I said yesterday, I was out of line. This is a big decision and it was wrong of me to make you defend your decisions. Look, when it’s the right one, you’ll know.”

“Yeah, well I thought I had the right one.” I said a little more sarcastic than I intended.

“Eric, don’t start that. You know Amelia would have never put you in this situation if she didn’t feel like it was something she absolutely had to do.”

Amelia was Bills wife of five years and one of my best friends for the last eight. She and I met in college and hit it off right away; we dated briefly but mutually decided we were more suited to just be friends. We saw each other through countless bad dates and bad relationships each leaning on the other when necessary. Shortly after I got engaged to She Who Will Not Be Named, I introduced Amelia to Bill and at the risk of sounding cliché; it was love at first sight for the two of them. A year later they were married and a short year after that she found out she would never be able to bear children, a fact that was even more devastating to her since SWWNBN was due any day with our child.

Once Holly was born, I feared Amelia would shun us because being around a baby would just be too painful for her but she surprised all of us with the exact opposite reaction. Instead, Amelia was, and still is for that matter, the most doting person in Holly’s life, outside of me of course. She spent countless hours at our house when Holly first came home from the hospital; she volunteered anytime we were in need of a babysitter and often came to spend time with Holly while I was at work just to give my wife a break. The devotion she showed toward my child was nothing short of that which a mother would possess. So when She Who Will Not Be Named decided she no longer wanted to be a mother or a wife and I found myself with a job that required sixty or more hours a week and a 2 ½ year old that required 168 hours a week, Amelia was the logical choice to step in and take care of Holly. Which is exactly what she did for the next year and a half.

During that entire time I never once had to wonder or worry whether my daughter was safe and happy, I knew Amelia was the one other person that would gladly lay down her own life for the safety and care of my child. So imagine my devastation when she announced she and Bill were planning to adopt, a process they were expecting to take about two years to complete and she felt like she needed to go back to work now while she could because she didn’t plan to work after the arrival of their child. I admit I struggled with her decision and was bitter at first; I knew they didn’t need the money so I didn’t understand her need to return to the workforce for only two years but soon realized it was not my place to determine what it takes to make another’s life fulfilling.

“I know man, I just miss the peace of knowing Holly was safe and happy. But Amelia’s going to make a fantastic mother and she deserves to do whatever is going to make her happy. I’m just so glad she was there for me as long as she was.”

“She’s still there for you, cuz.”

“I know.” I agreed. “So who do we have today?”

“Well, Ms. Stackhouse is your first one; she’s scheduled for 10 a.m. She’s probably the youngest applicant we’ve had. Apparently she is working on her Master’s over at the University.”

“A student? Are you crazy? Look, I know you think I’m trying to find someone from the Geritol Gang for this job, but a student?” I said incredulously.

“I don’t know man, I wouldn’t discount her, she has everything you were looking for except for age and experience, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t do a good job. Besides I was really impressed with her cover letter. She’s very articulate and professional. Just hear her out and interview her with an open mind, what do you have to lose?”

“An hour of precious time I will never get back.” I mumbled.

“Eric.” Bill said with a stern look.

“Ok…ok…what about after that one?”

“Yeah, I have Mrs. Bingham scheduled at 2:00, she looks okay on paper but Ms. Stackhouse is the better of the two in my opinion.” My cousin was nothing if not persistent.

Bill left my office saying he would return at 10:00 with the first interviewee of the day and I spent the next couple of hours reviewing my case load and sorting out my calendar.

I was lost in reviewing judge’s orders when I heard Bill knock on the door again sometime later.

“Eric, Ms. Stackhouse is here are you ready for her now?”

“Sure, come on in.”

Bill barely waited for my response before coming into the office with Ms. Stackhouse close behind and immediately I was struck by her professional appearance. After interviewing law clerks, interns and such, I had become accustomed to the fact that people just did not bother to dress up any more. The definition of business casual had quickly morphed into jeans without holes and t-shirts sans obscenities, no one bothered to dress to impress these days. So the fact that she came in dressed in a nice fashionable suit, as opposed to one three years old pulled out from the back of the closet for interviews and funerals, already scored her points in my book.

“Ms. Stackhouse, this is Eric Northman. Eric this is Ms. Sookie Stackhouse.” Bill made the introductions as he handed me her resume and took a seat on the couch in the back of the office.

“Nice to meet you Ms. Stackhouse.” I said while offering my hand.

“Nice to meet you sir, but please call me Sookie.” She said shaking my hand confidently.

“Thank you Sookie, please have a seat.” I motioned to the seat in front of my desk and I took a moment to review her resume while she got situated.

“So Sookie, while don’t you tell me about yourself and why you are interested in this position.” I started.

“Well, I’m 23 years old and a student at the university currently working on my Master’s in English Literature. I plan to pursue a career in writing but right now I would like to find stable full time employment that did not require me working until all hours of the morning in a restaurant or at a bar on a continuous basis. I am a certified lifeguard and have my CPR certification and unlike most people, I’ve actually had to use my skills.” She paused when she saw the questioning look on my face.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I’m from a small town about 90 miles southeast from here and we rely primarily on volunteers for fire and rescue and I have been a volunteer with my home town squad since my junior year in high school. So I not only know how to handle an emergency situation, I have actually done it on a few occasions.”

“Look, I’m sure you’ve heard this multiple times during your interviews, but I’m good with children, but more importantly, I actually enjoy being around them. I am a dedicated, loyal employee. I’m responsible and I’m a hard worker and I think you would be happy with my service in this position if you give me the opportunity.”

I was impressed, as much as I didn’t want to be, she had spoken confidently and without begging or false bravado. I was still gathering my thoughts, when Bill spoke up.

“Ms. Stackhouse, you realize our main concern is the well being of the child. It is important to us that we not only make the right selection, but also that we don’t put Holly in a situation where she gets attached to someone and then have them leave six months later.”

“I can appreciate that and would expect no less and I assure you that is not my intention. I will tell you I am engaged, however, because my fiancé was needed at the family company he took a year off from school to work, so that put him a year behind me. We have both agreed not to get married until we were both out of school and established and since he is planning to get his Master’s as well, we are looking at least 3 years before any wedding.” She explained.

I couldn’t help but notice her nonchalance about the topic, while most women would be all lit up and excited about discussing their pending nuptials, Sookie seemed somewhat ambivalent about the matter. It made me wonder why they chose to get engaged so soon if the wedding date was so far in the future.

“You know the position is a live-in nanny, depending on my work load, some nights can get quite late as well as some pretty early mornings, not to mention the occasional trip out of town. Are up for that level of obligation?” I continued.

“I am. My fiancé is on a pretty vigorous school schedule and between that and the time he spends at his family company, I really don’t see this as a conflict.” She answered.

“Would you be willing to sign a contract with a time commitment?” Bill asked. As an attorney, he knew this type of agreement held little power, but to someone without legal knowledge, the threat of monetary penalty was usually enough to get someone to comply or at least gauge their commitment level.

“If we came to an agreement on all other matters, I would consider a contract, yes sir.” Sookie replied, again her confidence not wavering.

“Well Sookie, I appreciate you taking the time to come in this morning. We have a few more interviews we need to conduct, but we are hoping to make a decision soon. Once we have made our decision you will be notified either way, okay?”

“Thank you Mr. Northman, I appreciate the opportunity to have met with you and regardless of your decision, I wish you luck and I hope to hear from you soon.” She said while standing and offering her hand to me.

I shook her hand then Bill escorted her out of the office but was back in just a few minutes.

“So?” He asked walking back through the door.

“Well, I have to admit I admire her confidence. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders and she knows what she wants. I think she could have a positive influence on Holly. But I’ve got to tell you, the idea of going through this again in two or three years makes me nauseous.” I groaned.

“First of all, you have no guarantee that any of the applicants, young or old are going to stay for more than two years and second of all, do you really see yourself still single by then? I mean you could fall in love and be married inside of a year and not have the need for a nanny anymore.”

“Not bloody likely.” I snapped, the idea of remarrying making me almost as queasy.

“Well, I like her, I think she would be great for Holly, but this is your decision. Anyway, we have another interview at 2:00, I’ll see you then.”

Ugh, this was going to be a long day.

SPOV

I got home after the interview feeling pretty good about how things went, but dreading the waiting game that had just started. I decided to get some laundry started and clean a little before lunch.

After lunch I was in desperate need of a distraction so I grabbed my books and Ipod and headed to the library. It was about 3:00 when I felt my cell phone vibrate, I knew even without looking that it was Sam, his last class had ended and now he would head over to ‘Merlotte and Son’ to work. I quickly got up and made my way outside not wanting to disturb the others in the library before I opened my phone to answer.

“So?” He asked without even a ‘hello’.

“So what?” I could be just as cryptic.

“Damn it Sookie, how did the interview go?” His frustration more than obvious.

“It was fine.”

“Just fine?”

“What do you want me to say Sam? I liked them…I think they liked me, but did I get the job… I don’t know!” I hoped he could hear my frustration too.

“I just don’t understand why you are so hellbent on this, why this job?” He snapped.

“Sam, we have been over this a dozen times. This would be the best option for me both for my schedule and for my checking account. I don’t know why you’re having such a hard time understanding that!” I was really getting pissed.

“Sookie I have told you before, money is not an issue; I will gladly support you while you finish school. You can go ahead and move in with me and then you can just concentrate on your classes and writing.”

“But I don’t want you supporting me financially; I need to make my own way. Why can you see that?” I could feel my nails digging into my flesh as my hand was squeezed tightly into a fist.

“I’ll be supporting you after we get married, I don’t see what the big deal is about me supporting you now.”

“Who said you will be supporting me after we’re married? I don’t want you supporting me then either.” I was sure I was drawing blood in the palm of my hand by now.

“Look Sookie will talk about this more later. But in the mean time, if it’s offered, I don’t want you to take that job.”

“Well Sam, unfortunately that is not your decision to make. I’m going back to the library; I’ll talk to you later.” I said as I hung up the phone not giving him the opportunity to respond. I knew he was going to be pissed, but tough! I was pissed too.

I looked around, grateful that the crowd outside the library was lighter on Friday afternoons, at least there were less people to witness my meltdown on the phone. As I turned to go back into the library, I felt my phone vibrate again. I reached to hit “ignore” when I noticed the name on the caller id as ‘Compton and Northman Law Firm’.

“Hello.” I said trying to control my breathing and calm my nerves.

“Sookie?”

“Yes.”

“This is Eric Northman, have I caught you at a bad time?”

“No, this is fine, I’m just a little surprised to be hearing from you so quickly. I hope that’s not a bad omen.” I said and then I heard him chuckle.

“Not at all. I’m actually calling to offer you the position…that is of course contingent upon things going well when you meet Holly.”

“Are you serious?”

“I am. I understand if you need to take some time to think it over but if you could get back with me as soon as possible, I would appreciate it.”

“Actually Mr. Northman, I’ve already done a lot of thinking about it and if it’s all the same to you I would like to go ahead and accept the position now…of course I understand Holly still has a say in this as well.”

“Great! Well, if you’re free tomorrow, maybe we could get together at some point to go over the details. I could introduce you to Holly and you could see the house and such.”

“Sounds perfect. I’m free all day, so what time would work best for you and Holly.”

“How about 10:00 again, I’ll email you the address and you can just come to the house, does that work?”

“That sounds good. So I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Great Sookie, I’ll see you then.”

Sam, I hope you’ll forgive me.