Northman and the Nanny Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I do not own the SVM characters. They belong to Charlaine Harris.

Chapter 5

SPOV

“No Sam. I don’t know how else to say it, but NO!” We had been going over and over this for the last 15 minutes and we were getting nowhere. Of course I don’t know why I should be surprised; it seemed lately the only thing the two of us could agree on is that we didn’t agree on anything.

“I don’t understand why you don’t want to go.” He had now gone from whining to being pissed that I wasn’t willing to give in to his wishes.

“It’s not that I don’t to go, but I’ve only been working for Eric for a month, I’m not going to start asking for time off already.” I replied incredulously, my irritation clearly apparent in my voice.

“You’re at his house 24/7 for piss sake, you can’t tell me Eric wouldn’t let you have two days to go on a trip with your fiancé.” I felt myself bristle at the way he sneered out Eric’s name and fiancé. I took a deep breath and then continued.

“He probably would but that’s not the point.”

“Then I don’t understand. If you know he would give you the time off, why won’t you ask him?” His voice getting louder.

“BECAUSE. I. DON’T. WANT. TO!” I shuddered at the sound of my own voice. When did I become a screamer? I could count on two hands the number of times I had raised my voice in anger to someone other than my brother and eight of those times had been in the last month to Sam.

“EXACTLY! You don’t want to! You’ve been begging me for months to take some time off so we could go away together and now that I have, you don’t want to go. You are soooooo damn frustrating!” Sam yelled back, I was glad it was after hours and everyone had gone home from the construction site; at least there would be no one to hear this ridiculous, heated exchange.

“I’m frustrating? You’re calling me frustrating?” I was beyond livid at this point. “You want frustrating? Why don’t we talk about the fact that I have been begging to go away and YOU were always unavailable… or how about that just a few weeks ago you were reminding me about how busy you would be until at least late fall and now all of a sudden, when you know I can’t take off, you’re suddenly able to get away? What’s that about?” I sat down and put my face in my hands. “You are not going to push this off on me!” Frustration replaced my irritation.

I knew when I took this job it was going to be an issue with Sam but I figured soon he would realize just how little things changed because of it and he would accept it. But so far there were no signs of that happening. It started with the frequent phone calls, Sam would call nine or ten times during the day and then get pissed when I told him couldn’t talk to him. At first I thought he just didn’t understand the level of attention required when responsible for a small child but then I realized his irrational jealousy of my new responsibilities was spurring the interruptions.

Sam’s confidence had been one of the things that had attracted me to him in the first place. He was never at a loss for what to do or what to say; our friends often joked that though he may not always be right, he was always convinced. Thinking about it now, I couldn’t recall a single episode of indecision in the entire time I’d known him, not even something as trivial as where to go to dinner. But something happened when I accepted the position with the Northmans, and now he seemed to doubt everything. Suddenly he was asking me what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go and incessantly referring to me as his fiancée. To me! It was as if he was trying to remind me.

“Look, I just don’t see why you won’t ask Eric to find someone else to watch the ankle biter for a day or two so we can go away like you’ve wanted to.” He had calmed down a little, well at least he was no longer yelling.

“Sam, her name is Holly, not ankle biter and for the last time…I am not asking for time off right now. Period. End of discussion.” I said with my voice as calm as I could muster at the time.

Obviously it was going to take him longer to adjust to this job than I expected but I knew one thing…he needed to get over it and get over it soon because this sure as hell was not working.

EPOV

“How are things with the nanny, Cuz?” Bill asked as he walked through the door of my office offering me a cup of coffee.

“Great man, I really should’ve done this sooner.” I reluctantly confessed.

“What, it’s been about a month now right? Is Holly still doing well with her?” Bill asked as he plopped down on one of my guest chairs.

“Shit, Holly took to her immediately and never looked back; I was the one that had adjusting to do.” I thought about the last month and all the changes we had gone through. Honestly I hadn’t considered the weirdness factor when I decided to hire a live-in nanny but having a stranger move in to your home takes a little getting used to.

~o~O~o~

The first awkward moment came late one night after everyone had gone to bed and Holly woke up screaming from a bad dream.

Both Sookie and I went running in to her room apparently neither of us considering the possible presence of the other as I showed up in my boxer briefs and Sookie in a
tee shirt that didn’t even attempt to cover her tiny panty clad bottom. After a finally getting Holly calmed down, the realization of our attire, or lack thereof, seemed to hit both of us at the same time. I grabbed the small blanket on Holly’s bed and tried to look as though I was straightening her other covers as I laid it casually across my lap. Yeah, I was cool! Meanwhile Sookie’s face turn a beautiful shade of crimson began pulling on the bottom of her tee shirt as if to make it longer as she backed slowly out of the room whispering good night to Holly.

This incident alone should have been enough to remind me that I’m not the only adult in the house any more, but no, I was a slow learner, that lesson wasn’t driven home until a week later.

I had gotten up early one morning as an epiphany had come to me in the middle of the
night regarding a deposition I was conducting that day and I wanted a little time to revise my questioning before heading off to the meeting. I walked into the kitchen, again wearing only boxer briefs, still yawning not bothering to turn on the light because I didn’t think my retinas were ready to be awake yet. I rounded the corner of the center island and bumped…no, not bumped…slammed…in to a firm, round backside.

The fact that Sookie got up every morning long before the rest of us and ran for three or four miles had somehow escaped me therefore I was not expecting to find her bent over in the dark kitchen stretching out her hamstrings at 5:00 in the morning. Anyway, by the time my still groggy mind registered what had occurred, Sookie’s small frame was being propelled forward sending her head first toward the glass door of the oven. I quickly reached out to grab her and pull her back which of course prevented the collision between her head and the oven but caused another collision between her ass and my now awaking junk.

After several rounds of “oh god I’m so sorry” and “don’t worry about it, its fine” from both of us and the awkward realization that I was still standing with my hands on her hips holding her against me, I decided I no longer needed coffee as every part of my body was now wide awake. I offered my apologies again and swiftly darted out of the kitchen back to my room.

Aside from those little moments, it was probably two or three weeks after Sookie moved in before we settled into a normal routine whereby I didn’t feel the need to try to entertain her and she didn’t keep herself locked in her room in her own self imposed prison. Each day I came home to the wonderful aroma of whatever culinary lesson she had given Holly that day and if you’ll pardon the pun, Holly was eating it up. After a brief conversation recapping what she and Holly had done for the day and a somewhat ‘changing of the guard’, Sookie would take her dinner and retreat to her room for the evening. The first few nights she excused herself I assumed she had been with Holly all day she was probably ready for a break and just needed to get away, but then I finally decided to ask her about it.

“I guess you need a break after running around with Holly all day?” I hoped my nonchalant approach would offer her the out she needed if it were true.

“No, not at all, I don’t get tired of being with Holly; I just want to give you the opportunity to spend quality time with your daughter without me being in the way.”

“I appreciate what you are saying but I don’t see you being here as ‘being in the way’.” I countered reassuringly.

“You know what I mean, besides, how do we know Holly’s not tired of me?”

“Well, why don’t we just ask her?” I already knew the answer; Holly had been begging me for days to ask Sookie to join us. “Holly, could you come here please?”
Holly came running in from the dining room where she had been putting out the silverware for our dinner.

“What do you say we invited Sookie to join us for dinner?”

“Yes!” She said pumping her hand in the air, “Pleasepleasepleaseplease…” Holly squealed as she jumped up and down in front of Sookie.

“OK you win, I’ll join you.” Sookie conceded and except for weekends or the evenings she was out of the house it became our normal routine to sit down to dinner together and I listened as the two of them entertained me with stories of their day together.

Soon the jealousy I felt about no longer being able to spend quite as much time with Holly went away as I acknowledged that the time we did have now was definitely better quality; but occasionally I could still get disappointed when she’d tell me about what I had missed that day.

Apparently Sookie picked up on this.

“Daddy, we have a surprise for you.” Holly said as she grabbed my hand to pull me in to the living room. We had just finished supper, washed and put away the dishes and now it was time to unwind.

“What kind of surprise?” I asked as I headed for my chair.

“No, sit here.” She said, a little too demanding for my taste, but I could tell she was excited about something so I just flashed her the look rather than say anything.

“Why here?”

“Because we want you to be able to see the tv.” She said as she walked over the DVD player and put in the disc that Sookie had handed her.

I looked over at Sookie and gave her a questioning look but she was not offering any answers only a shrug of her shoulders.

After the disc loaded, Holly came back to the couch and crawled in my lap and pressed ‘play’ on the remote.

The homemade video began to play and the words Holly Northman Swim Lessons Summer 2009 danced on to the screen. I gave another quick look at Sookie trying to understand what was going on but again she was revealing nothing. I want to play poker with this woman!

For the next 30 minutes I watched as Sookie patiently instructed Holly how to hold her breath, kick her legs and paddle her arms to propel herself through the water. I
was amazed. Not just at how fast Holly picked it up but also at how Sookie seemed to know the exact words to make Holly understand what she was trying to convey to her. It appeared that the video had been shot over several lessons as Holly improved almost as fast as the bathing suits changed.

The clip ended with Holly peeking out from the edge of the pool waving and blowing kisses to the camera after having swum the entire length of the pool alone. I was so proud of my little girl.

“Pumkin, that was incredible. You looked just like a little fish out there swimming around.” I said tickling her as she squirmed in my lap.

“Wait daddy,” she said between giggles, “we have more.”

“More?” I said as I let her crawl off my lap.

“Yep.”

Sookie reached under the couch and pulled out a photo album and handed it to her.
Holly took the large book and climbed back up in my lap.

“What is this?” Why I bothered to look at Sookie I will never know, she just shrugged her shoulders again feigning innocence.

“This is what me and Sookie have been doing while you’re at work.” I fought the urge to correct her grammar as she opened the book to explain herself.

The photo album was full of photographs of everything from the grocery store to the librarian handing her first library card. Holly and I sat there for more than an hour while I listened as she explained what they were doing as each picture was taken. The vast majority of the photographs were just of Holly but every now and again there would be one of the two of them together.

The photographs were priceless. Not only was I being allowed to share in the missed activities, but pictures were something that were sorely lacking in this house. I mean I had the annual ‘Holly with Santa’ picture and some from birthdays and holidays that we spent with Bill and Amelia but nothing by way of candid every day shots. I was blown away by the gesture.
~o~O~o~

I thought back on all the changes that had occurred in my life since Sookie’s arrival a month ago and the positive impact was undeniable. She had added a quality to my life that I had not anticipated, for the first time in years I felt good about things, about where I was and where I was going. I thought about how happy Holly was now and the way she seemed to blossom around Sookie. I didn’t feel alone any more in caring for my child. I thought about changes that had occurred in me personally over the last few weeks, the confidence that had disappeared with my marriage was returning and I was experiencing feelings I hadn’t felt in years.

I knew what I wanted.

“Bill, you know what?”

“What’s that Cuz?”

“I think it’s time for me to start dating.”

TBC

How I see Eric's home in Heart's Desire

Heart's Desire Chapter 31

Chapter 31

EPOV

“Not for long.” She whispered.

I was trying to get a grip on myself without much success; she mumbled something, but I couldn’t make it out. I pulled away from her so that I could see her face.

“I’m sorry Love, what did you say?”
But rather than repeat her sentence she brushed it off as not important.

“What made you decide to come here today?” She asked and I supposed that question was better than ‘why did I find your sniveling ass on the floor of your sister’s closet?’.

“I was looking for a file and when I couldn’t find it in her office I figured it was probably in her office here at home and I guess I underestimated the impact of coming here since I haven’t been here since her… her death.” I could barely make my mouth form the word. “Anyway, I started walking through the house and I don’t know…I guess it all just hit me and when I came in here…I lost it.” I fought the tears from coming down again. What the hell was wrong with me? It had been months since Pam’s death, why was I falling apart now? I needed to get a grip and gain control of myself.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you.” She said as she cupped my face in her hands.

“Sookie are you crazy? Of course you were here for me. You may not have been in
Shreveport, but as soon as I called, you dropped everything and came running. Besides, even though you weren’t here, you were here.” I took her hand and put it over my heart; willing her to understand how integral she had become to my very existence.

“So how are you feeling now?” Oddly, I felt better. Whether it was that I had my little break down or the fact that she, my anchor to sanity, was back, I wasn’t sure.

“Better, now that you’re here.” I kissed her forehead before continuing. I slid over to the wall of shelving and drawers that lined one side of the closet and leaned against it pulling Sookie to sit in my lap.

“You know…I think you would have liked Pam…and I know she would have loved you.”

“Really? Why is that?” She wasn’t challenging what I’d said; the clever girl was trying to get me to talk about Pam, something I had been reluctant to do since the accident.

“Well, she was a lot like you.” I told her. “She was honest and loyal and she didn’t see the need to play games like so many women seem to want to do. I just think the two of you would have gotten along really well.”

After a few more minutes we got up off the floor.

“Come with me, I want to show you something.” I told her as I grabbed her hand.

We made our way to the den and I walked over to the book shelf and located the two photo albums that Pam had stored there. She sat down beside me on the couch and for a little more than two hours I showed her pictures of my parents and Pam as well as some childhood photographs of me.

“Eric she was beautiful.” Sookie gushed.

“Yes she was but her inside was more beautiful than what you see on the outside. I owe everything I have and who I am to her. She was the one who taught me respect and integrity and that I could get ahead without having to screw people over to do it. Our company is what it is because of her!” This time I couldn’t stop them, the tears were back and I was crying like a baby again.

“Sookie I don’t know if I can do this on my own.” I moaned. Moaning? What the hell?

Sookie sat up and crawled in my lap straddling my hips and then took my face in her hands. “You listen to me Eric Northman. You can do this! And you will. Do you know why?” I shook my head without saying anything. “Because that’s how Pam raised you! She didn’t raise you to quit or to walk away from everything that the two of you worked so hard to build and besides that, you are not alone.”

We sat in silence for a moment before she spoke again. “Can I ask you a question?” I nodded. “If the tables were turned…and I can’t even believe I am saying this out loud… but what if God forbid it had been you that didn’t survive…what would you want Pam to do?”

I knew what Pam would want; she would want for me exactly what I would want for her. She would want me to follow through with every dream we had. She would want me go forward with the New York office. She would want me to catch the bastards that are stealing from our company. But most of all she would want me to be happy; to find a once in a lifetime love like she found in Bill.

We sat in silence until the orange glow of the setting sun began to flood the room.

“I missed you today. I know it sounds silly I mean you only managed to be away from me for just a few hours but just knowing you were away gave me an unsettling feeling. I had the sensation all morning like I had forgotten something.” I said as I kissed the top of her head.

“I missed you too. I was enjoying the time with the girls, but I kept thinking that I needed to hurry so I could get back to you.”

“So, were you able to get anything accomplished before you had to come rescue me or do you have to go back?” I said it with a light hearted chuckle but honestly the idea of her leaving me again right now caused a physical pain in my gut.

“No, I got my room boxed up and most of Gran’s things wrapped up. The fellas were coming by this evening to move the furniture to the storage unit so there’s really nothing left to do that Amelia can’t take care of. The couple of boxes that I left there can be shipped to me or they can bring them when they come up for the fourth.” She assured me but even in the hushed tones of her voice you could suddenly hear strain.

“Love what’s the matter?”

“Eric, I don’t know if now is the right time…matter of fact…I’m pretty sure that it’s not but we need to talk about something.”

I sat up and turned so I was facing her obviously a little concerned by the sound of her voice. She had gone home, was she having second thoughts now? No stupid, she just said she was shipping the rest of her things to Shreveport, why don’t you hear her out before jumping to conclusions?

“Sookie relax, whatever it is I’m sure we can take care of it.” Whether I was trying to reassure me or her I wasn’t sure but the suspense was beginning to get the best of me.

“Eric, please understand I didn’t mean for this to happen. I swear I tried to be faithful every day, but obviously I must have screwed up. I just don’t know how this could have happened.”

Faithful? Screwed up? What is she trying to tell me? She was still babbling when I interrupted her.

“Sookie slow down, what are you trying to say?” I was trying desperately to hide my concern and frustration but in my current state I doubt I was successful.

“Eric, I’m so sorry, I probably should have waited for a better time to talk to you about this…” Again I cut her off.

“Sookie stop apologizing and just tell me!” I know my voice held more irritation than I intended but whatever she was trying to tell me was obviously worrying her that was evident by the tears now pooling in her eyes and the more she stalled, the more I began to worry.

“IthinkImaybepregnant!” She said all in one breath.

All I heard was “pregnant”.

Wait!

Pregnant?

I tried to find my words. Honestly, I searched for a word, any word. Hell, I would have been satisfied with a grunt or any other sound at this point, but I had none.

“I’m so sorry Eric. I swear I never meant for this to happen. And I want you to know that I take full responsibility; you offered to wear a condom but I told you I had birth control taken care of; believe me I thought I did. So I don’t expect anything from you, the last thing I want is for you to feel like I have trapped you in some way.” Was she serious? Was she honestly apologizing for giving me the one thing I longed for almost as much as I longed for her? Why would she think I wouldn’t want this?

The sound of her crying broke me out of my thoughts and I realized I had yet to say anything or respond to her in any way. She had buried her face in her hands and her tiny body was now wracked with sobs. I reached over and gently pulled her hands away from her face and held both of them in one of my hands as I tilted her head up to look at me with the other. I searched her eyes trying to understand her reaction. My insides were at war. On the one hand it was taking all the restraint I could muster not to jump up, hug her and swing her around the room while on the other, here sat the love of my life brokenhearted and in need of consolation. Did she not want this? Or more disturbing, did she not want this with me?

“Shhh…Sookie please…why are you crying?” I asked.

“I love you and I would never want to do anything that would hurt you.” She said, her words barely getting out through the sobs.

“Love why would you believe this would hurt me?”

“I don’t …I just don’t want you to think I’m trying to trap you. Eric I swear…”

“Sookie stop it!” I cut her off. “I know you’re not trying to trap me besides it could hardly be considered trapping when someone would go willingly.” She gave me a puzzled look and I knew then that she didn’t get it; she didn’t know that I would drop everything and marry her this very minute. Hell without reservation I’ve been ready to marry her since I left the hospital.

“Love, tell me what you’re thinking. How do you feel about all of this?”

“I don’t know Eric,” my heart sank, “I took the tests right before I got your call and then when I had to leave, Amelia literally scooped them up and put them in a shoe box for me to bring here. The entire trip here I fought with myself about whether or not to open the box and then just before getting out of the car to come in I flipped the lid off and looked. I guess I’ve been so worried about how you would react that I haven’t thought about how I felt about it.”

We sat in silence again each contemplating our own feelings. I felt like a poor man who’d just won the lottery but was told he couldn’t spend a dime. I tried to recall a time in my life when I was this happy about something or wanted something this badly, and nothing…NOTHING compared. But me wanting it alone was not enough, I wanted Sookie to be happy about it; I needed her to want it too.

I watched her face for several minutes and I could see her deliberation, her facial expression betraying her every thought as it crossed her mind. After several minutes Sookie looked up at me and I couldn’t help it, the joy I was feeling was just about to make me explode, I felt a grin so big it was almost painful spread across my face. Within seconds her eyes lit up and her own grin appeared.

“Are we really going to do this? Are we having a baby?” She asked still somewhat timidly.

“OH. FUCK. YES!” I shouted as I grabbed her and without waiting for her response, pulled her into my lap and kissed her with all I had. I wanted her to feel everything in that kiss...love…joy…gratitude…everything.

She turned in my lap; her back was now against my chest and I wrapped my arms around her resting my open hands on her now flat belly.

“So what do we do now…I mean as far as the pregnancy goes?” I was a little embarrassed that I really had no idea what to do next. Was there a process or steps to go though? My head was already thinking of how to remodel the house to add a nursery and get a playground put in but as far as the pregnancy itself, I was clueless. I kept hearing that line from Gone With the Wind in my head ‘I don’t know nothin’ bout birthin’ no babies’.

“Well I probably need to get it confirmed by a doctor. I suppose I should go ahead and find one here in Shreveport; I can call Selah and see who she recommends. But don’t worry, I can ask her without letting on anything.” She reassured me, though it was unnecessary.

“Sookie I don’t care who knows, I’d take out a full page in the Shreveport Times if you’d let me.” I said while nuzzling her neck.

“Eric you realize everybody is not going to be thrilled with this news.” The strain was back in her voice.

“Fuck ‘em”. I told her.

She just shook her head. “No seriously, FUCK THEM! Sookie, while I would love for everyone to be just as happy about this as I am, at the end of the day it just doesn’t matter what anyone’s opinion is except ours and I refuse to allow any negative opinion to impact us in any way.

“Well even so, I would rather not tell anyone for awhile.” I knew keeping this a secret was going to be hard for me. I was sure after a few days of walking around with a permanent grin on my face people were going to start to ask questions but if this was a condition she place on this situation then I would honor her wishes.

“How reliable is the test you took?”

“Well five positives from five different manufacturers, I’d say that’s pretty reliable.” She said with a half hearted chuckle.

“Why didn’t you tell me you thought you might be pregnant? Is that why you chose to finally go to Bon Temps today?” It would kill me if she felt she had to keep this from me but I had to ask. I wanted to know.

She turned her body so that she was facing me now, the hurt very apparent across her face.

“The thought never crossed my mind until this afternoon when Amelia and I were talking and she mentioned having her period week before last and since we’ve practically been on the same scheduled the whole time she’s lived with me it made me realize I was late…but Eric, I swear I took my pills every day.” I could see the tears returning to her eyes.

“Sookie stop! I know you took your pill every day. I’ve seen the little wheel of pills beside your tooth brush and on more than one occasion I have wanted to flush them so even if you had failed to take them, it wouldn’t matter to me. Stop apologizing for giving me something I’ve always wanted.”

Sookie pressed her lips to mine but unlike when I attacked her mouth earlier in desperation, this kiss was tender.

“So who all knows?” I asked returning her to her previous position and my hands back to her tiny tummy.

“No one. I mean Amelia knows I took the tests but she agreed this should be between you and me first, regardless of the outcome.” She confirmed and I smiled at the idea of our little secret. “I really should call her, I’m sure she is worried right now.”

As if on cue Sookie’s phone chimed signaling a text message.
U no I respect UR privy. Want 2 no UR ok. - A

Sookie snickered then quickly typed out a response showing me what she had written before pressing ‘send’.
Eric & I r both ok, call U soon. Promise. – S

“Come on,” I said pulling her up with me as I got off the couch. “I’m starving and exhausted, let’s go get the two of you fed and get you home to bed.” Sookie nodded and wrapped her arms around me as we walked out to the car.

I was exhausted and hungry but happier than I had ever been in my life.

TBC

Heart's Desire Chapter 30

Chapter 30

SPOV

“Amelia, please…stop thanking me. This is as much the perfect solution for me as it is for you. I’m just happy you’re going to be staying here.”

Since I had told Amelia about my plans to stay in Shreveport, we’d been discussing several options about what to do with Gran’s house then she asked how I felt about Tray moving in. Apparently Tray had been renting a small place on the outskirts of town and was paying way too much for way too little. They had plans to get a place together soon and while money was no issue for Amelia, admirably Tray had insisted on doing it on his own.

We agreed Tray would move in, I would put most of Gran’s furniture and things in a climate controlled storage unit and since the house had three bedrooms, my room would remain untouched. They would pay just enough rent to cover the annual property taxes and the monthly rent on the storage unit and I was beyond thrilled that someone would be taking care of the property and Amelia and Tray would be able to squirrel away a nest egg for their future home. It was a win, win.

“Well thank you again, I’m happy this worked out, I’ve really missed you and I’m so happy you’re home for a visit.” Amelia said while hugging me yet again.

Home. I left for Shreveport planning only to be gone two short weeks and here it was almost seven weeks later and Bon Temps didn’t really feel much like home anymore.
When I decided to stay I called Sam and told him of my decision, offering to come home and work out a notice if it was going to put him in a bind. Sam had always been good to me and I was not going to burn that bridge but he guaranteed me that it wouldn’t be a problem. He had recently added a couple of new employees to his wait staff and they were all working out well. While he assured me he would miss me, he seemed almost happy about my decision telling me that he wanted what was best for me. I promised to stop by and see him anytime I was in Bon Temps and invited him to visit anytime he found himself in Shreveport.

“Well, I missed you too and besides we need to get all this stuff packed up to make room for Tray’s things.”

Tara had gotten a sitter and Amelia had taken a couple of days off to spend time with me and help me sort through what was going back to Shreveport with me and what was being sent to storage. I had to admit has happy as I was with Eric, I had miss time with my girls.

“So what is lover boy doing while you’re here slumming it in Bon Temps?” Tara said with a chuckle.

“He’s up to his ass in alligators at work right now. Every since we discovered the possibility of impropriety within the company he’s been swamped.” I answered.

“How are you doing with him being so busy?” Angela asked.

“I’m fine. Most days I go to the office with him and work on my stuff and then some days I stay home, enjoy the sun or go shopping and then meet him for lunch.” I said grabbing another box to fill with clothes.

“You don’t feel lonely?” Tara asked.

“Not yet. I actually have quite a few fund raisers I’m working on, so I’m spending a lot of time learning everything I can about planning those events but I am looking into to going back to school as soon as I can decide where I want to concentrate my studies...besides, Executive Northman is fucking sexy! ” The both broke out laughing but with puzzled looks.

“Executive Northman?” Tara grinned.

“Yea, that’s who Eric becomes when he’s at the office...” I could feel the blush on my face rising with my confession. “Guys you wouldn’t believe it…it’s like he’s a different person, all professional, confident and authoritative like. It. Is. Hot. As. Hell! I’m telling you…put that man in a suit and its panty changing time!” At this point we were all laughing our asses off.

Even through their laughter I could see the surprised looks on their faces. I’m sure my candor was what had them startled. In the past I’ve never really been one to talk so freely about someone I was dating and I had to wonder if there had been some change in me or was it that I was finally excited about who I was dating.

“Good for you, Sookie. We’re so happy for you.” Amelia said giving me a heartfelt smile.

“So tell us…what’s it like being the girlfriend of a multi millionaire?” Tara blushed as she asked the question.

“It’s fantastic! I highly recommend it.” We were giggling like junior high girls talking about boys at a slumber party.

“Sookie, you know you never did get around to telling us about your first date.” Amelia said as she taped up the box she had packed.

Ah yes…our first date…

“Dress casually and that’s all I’m telling you.” Eric said.

I had been hounding him all day trying to get any information I could out of him about our date for that evening, but he wasn’t budging. Being overwhelmed had become a constant state of mind for me since my introduction into Eric’s world. Everything the man did was on a grand scale; his home, his company, his cars…everything, so I couldn’t have been more surprised or relieved when he suggested casual dress.

Eric had gotten dressed while I was in the shower and then disappeared. He said it was so I could get dressed in peace but I suspected he was in the library checking on the status of things at his office.

I quickly dried my hair then went to the closet to decide what to wear smiling at the fact that my side of the closet was slowly filling in. I finally settled on a new sundress I had picked up at the mall the day before with a pair of strappy sandals that I purchased to complete the outfit.

I was just finishing up and coming out of the bedroom when I heard the doorbell ring. Since there was no alert from the gate, I assumed it was just one of the groundskeepers in need of something.

“I’ve got it.” I called as I came down the hall as I figured Eric was still engrossed in whatever he was doing in the library.

I finished placing the back on my earring as I reached the door, took one quick glance in the mirror hanging in the entrance way and then opened the door.

“Hello Beautiful, are you ready?”

There on the other side of the door was Eric looking totally fuckable in a pair of straight leg jeans that made his already long legs stretch on for days, topped off with a light purple button down shirt that showed off his deepening tan. Suddenly I no longer wanted to go out, I wanted to grab him by the hand and pull him straight back to the bedroom I had just exited and have my wanton way with him all night long.

“Sookie? Are you ready?” He asked again shaking me out of my haze.

“Hmm…yes I’m ready.” I replied trying to regain my composure.

Eric stepped behind me to lock the door and that’s when I noticed a silver Mercedes SLR Roaster convertible sitting in the driveway with the top down.

“Are we going in that?”

“Yes, is that a problem?” He asked obviously taken aback by my question.

“When did you get clearance to drive?”

Since his discharge from the hospital, Clancy had driven us everywhere we needed to go, including my trips to the mall and since he had also taken and picked us up from the office today, I feared Eric was planning to go against doctor’s orders.

“Today. I wanted to surprise you. Are you ok with riding with me?” I could hear the slight fear of rejection in his voice.

“Eric...you know I trust you.”

“Good then, let’s get going.” He said kissing my forehead before opening my door.

“So where are we going?” I asked when he got in the car.

“Remos. It’s a little Italian place I know.” He said pulling my hand to his lips and kissing the back of it.

We drove in comfortable silence holding hands and enjoying the music and the evening air. Every so often I would steal a look at Eric only to find him staring and smiling at me.

“What?” I asked.

“I love you, that’s what,” was his only response.

A few minutes later we pulled in to a parking lot and I heard Eric laugh at the shocked look on my face.

“I told you it was ‘a little Italian place I know’”
Little did not begin to describe this place. ‘Hole in the wall’ would be giving this place too much credit.

“Give the place a chance Love, I promise they have the best pizza in Louisiana.”

“Oh I don’t have a problem eating here; I’m just completely floored that you would eat here.”

“Sookie Stackhouse! I am offended that you feel that way.” He cried with mock indignation.

“Whatever.” I gave him my best eye roll.

I am not exaggerating when I say the joint was about the width of a singlewide trailer, matter of fact the place was so narrow the dining tables were outside on a make shift deck. We walked in and were greeted by a middle aged lady who you could tell just by her air of authority that she owned the place.

“Eric, it’s so nice to see you again. It’s been way too long, we’ve missed you.”

“Thank you Octavia, I’ve missed you too.” Eric said giving the portly lady a gentle hug.

“So, who is this you’ve brought with you?” She asked once we arrived at our table.

“Octavia, I would like for you to meet my girlfriend, Ms. Sookie Stackhouse.”

“Girlfriend, huh?” She said as she seemed to size me up.
I extended my hand to her but she was having not part of that, instead she grabbed me and quickly pulled me into a hug.

“Well, Ms. Sookie Stackhouse, I am damn happy to meet you. I don’t believe I have ever seen our boy here look as happy as he does right now, so I can only assume we have you to thank for that?”

“Well, I’d like to think I’ve had a little something to do with it.” I smiled.
Eric pulled me to him. “She’s had everything to do with it.”
We took our seats and Octavia relayed our drink orders to a passing waitress.

“So, how did you two meet?” Octavia asked as she took a seat beside Sookie.

“Sookie helped take care of me while I was…um…uh in the hospital recovering.” I could hear the strain in Eric’s voice recounting the circumstances that by which we met and suddenly I was hit with an overwhelming fear. This was it. This was the fly in the proverbial ointment and what would be the end to my fairy tale. No matter what we had between us, our relationship would always be tainted by the loss that led to our introduction. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes and just before I became engulfed by despair, Eric continued.

“I would have never made it without her; she’s one good thing that came out of that tragedy.” I offered a small smile but I could see the look of concern on Eric’s face at my reaction.

We chatted for a few more moments. Octavia offered her condolences to Eric then told us to enjoy our meal and she would check back with us later.

“So Love, do you want to tell me what that was all about a while ago?” He asked as he reached for my hand across the table.

“Honestly?”

“Always.” He said with a nod.

“It’s just dawned on me that every time someone asks how we met it’s going to automatically remind you of a horrible time in your life and frankly that worries me.”

“Sookie, I seriously doubt there will ever be a day that I don’t remember Pam and the horrible way that I lost her, but at least now I have something happy to tie to that memory.” His eyes were pleading as he continued to talk. “Don’t you see, without you it would all be bad? I would be without hope, without love.”

“I love you Eric.” I said as I fought the urge to leap across the table to grab and hold him.

“I know you do Love…and that…and that alone, is what has gotten me through, please don’t ever doubt that.”

Fortunately our pizza arrived and the heavy air that had settled around us was gone. We ate in silence for a few minutes both lost in our own thoughts.

“So, was I right? Is this the best pizza in Louisiana?”

“Yes Mr. Northman, I believe your assessment was correct.” I agreed.

“Told ya.” He muttered like a third grader.

“Ok Mr. I-Told-You-So, where to next?”

“The movies.”

“Wait. You’re telling me Mr. I’ve-Got-More-Money-Than-God took you for pizza and a movie for your first date? What the hell?”

“Yes ma’am and it was perfect!” Tara looked at me like I was crazy while Amelia gave me a knowing nod.

“Eric understands how uncomfortable his money makes me, so the fact that he chose to impress me by being doing less rather than more, just made it all the more perfect.” I explained.

“Sookie, you are a mystery. Most women will kill for a man to spend money on them and lavish them will all manner of gifts and here you sit with a man willing to do just that and you’re Jonesin’ for pizza and a movie.” Tara shook her head and I shrugged my shoulders. What can I say?

We finished separating and packing up the items in my room then Tara needed to get back to Nava so she said her goodbyes and Amelia and I moved on to tackle the living room.

“So how is Eric taking everything?” Amelia asked as we settled on the floor to wrap up all of Gran’s knic knacs.

“Honestly Amelia, I’m not sure …but I can’t help but think it really hasn’t completely hit him yet. I mean, he’s cried a couple of times, and I know everybody grieves differently, but really think that between me being there and what’s going on now at the company…well I just don’t think it’s all sunk in yet.” I could feel the tears that were pooling in my eyes as my heart hurt for him.

“Aw, honey…” she consoled, “you’re probably right, but you know guys handle these things differently. All you can do is be there if and when it happens.” I knew she was right but it did little to dissipate the helplessness that I felt.

We worked for the next hour or so wrapping each item in the living room and packing it carefully away in the storage boxes. We had made plans to go to Merlotte’s later; Tara was going to join us along with most of the rest of the gang. They already wanted to nail down our plans for the Fourth; it seemed that everyone was really excited about the prospect of coming back to Eric’s.

“So, since we can’t do much more until the guys get here to move furniture, what else do you need to do today?” I asked Amelia.

“I really need to go grocery shopping and get a few things, especially since all the guys will be here later. I need to at least get some beer.”

“Well, why don’t I help you get a list together and we’ll shoot over there and knock this out?”

This had been a weekly routine of ours to sit down and compile a list together and then one or the other would go do the actual shopping, occasionally when our schedules would allow we would go together and they were always the best trips.

“Perfect.” Amelia said then she began rattling off things she needed.

“Can you think of anything I may have forgotten?” She asked several items later.

“What about toiletries…deodorant…toothpaste …tampons?” I offered.

“Nope, good on deodorant and toothpaste and I just bought two boxes of tampons when I was on my period week before last.”

Week before last? We had always been on the same schedule before. Shit! When was the last time I had my period?

“Sookie, what’s the matter? Your face is white as a sheet.” Amelia asked concerned.

“I think we may need to add a pregnancy test to the list.”

We decided to forgo all the other items on the list and instead concentrate just on the last one. Amelia drove me to the drug store down the street as I found my hands were shaking too hard to get my keys in the door.

“Don’t panic Sookie; a late period doesn’t always result in babies.”

I could hear her words but none of them made sense. The only thing I could hear was my own head screaming, “how in the hell could this happen?!?”

We quickly made our way down the aisle that held life changing little boxes and not trusting my fate to just one, I bought five, each one a different brand. When we got back to the house and I was still working on the 2nd bottle of water that Amelia had given me before we left.

“Trust me, I can pee on demand but even I had a hard time producing for this.” She said as she arranged each test on its own little stack of paper towels. It was apparent this was not her first time with this particular scene but that was a conversation for another time.

After a sample was collected and all the tests had been exposed, we went to the kitchen to grab a glass of tea and wait. Amelia made small talk trying to keep my mind off my evolving fate in the other room. The questions were killing me. How? What would this mean for Eric and me? How was he going to feel? Would he think I was trying to trap him?

“Sookie?” Amelia said trying to get my attention.

“Hmm?” I said finally looking up at her.

“Honey your phone is ringing.” She said pointing to my phone lying on the table bouncing around from the vibration.

I picked up the phone and saw who the caller was.

“It’s Eric.” I said almost pleading to her for guidance.

“Sookie, if you don’t answer it, he’s going to get worried. Just be calm, you don’t have to tell him anything yet, because you don’t know anything yet.”

I took a deep breath and flipped open the phone.

“Hello.”

Nothing. There was no “hello”, no sound, nothing. Just when I decided he had probably just “pocket called” me, I heard a faint sniffle.

“Eric? Is that you?” The crying became a little louder.

“Sookie…” His voice was pained and he was no longer trying to suppress the sobs.

“Eric, baby…what’s wrong?” I was beginning to panic. Was he hurt? Was he in some type of trouble?

“Sookie come home…please?”

“Eric, where are you?”

“Pam’s.” His answer barely audible.

I got the address and told him I was on my way. Amelia grabbed the phone and quickly punched the address in to my GPS application for turn by turn directions while I grabbed a couple of the boxes I had packed and threw them in the car. I was closing the trunk when Amelia came out carrying my phone, purse and a shoe box.

“The tests are in here, I closed my eyes as I put them in the box. This is your secret to handle as you see fit but just know, if you need anything…anything at all…I’m here for you and this will always be home.” I thanked her as she hugged me tight. I put the box on the seat beside me and I quickly pulled out of the drive way and sped my way toward Shreveport.

The trip seemed to drag on forever, although I was making record time. At every stop sign and traffic light that caught me I waged a war within myself to open the box. Multiple times I put my hand on the lid and grasped the edge ready to flip it off and multiple times I returned my hand to my lap after losing my nerve.

“You have arrived at your destination.” Chirped the voice on my phone as I turned right into Pam’s drive way.

Pam’s house was a lot different than Eric’s but no less impressive. I pulled my car behind Eric’s and turned it off. I grabbed my cell phone and slid it in to my pocket and opened the door to get out but just before exiting the car I flipped the lid off the box.
o~O~o
“Eric?” I called as I came through the front door.

“Eric!” I yelled a little louder.

“In here.” I heard his muffled cry.

I walked toward the direction of his voice and soon I could hear his faint sobs so I quickly made my way to what was apparently Pam’s bedroom. I looked around hurriedly but didn’t see him; I quickly went toward the bathroom when I heard another cry coming from the closet. I walked into the closet to find him sitting on the floor holding an arm full of her clothes, sobbing. I sat down beside him on the floor and pulled him to me. He quickly wrapped his arms around me as I cradled his head to my breast and his sobs became uncontrollable.

I held and rocked him gently while he cried. I had lost all concept of time but the light coming through the windows in Pam’s bedroom told me that we had been sitting there for quite a while.

“She’s gone.” He startled me when he finally spoke.

“I know baby…I’m sorry.” I knew from experience that nothing anybody could say at a time like this would make pain go away.

“We had so many plans, so many things we wanted to do…to accomplish with the company. We were about to open the New York office. She was getting married for shit’s sake! And now it’s gone. It’s all gone and I’m all alone.”
I felt myself flinch when he said he was alone and I fought back the hurt because I knew he was hurting.

“You have me.” I choked out.

He pulled away from me and looked at me as he cupped my face in his hands and crushed his lips to mine. This kiss was different and unlike any kiss we had ever shared before. There was no gentleness, no caring. This kiss was about need…about urgency. This kiss was about the need to connect to another living person and the urgency to wipe out an overwhelming feeling of despair.

“I know Sookie, but it’s not the same.” He said willing me to understand. “I have no family.” He said and the sobs began again. “Today I realized I have no blood ties to any other living person. I’m alone.”

The despair in his voice was killing me. I mean Jason may not have always been the best brother, but at least I knew no matter what, no matter how mad he made me or I made him, he would love me. I was family. I was blood. And that wouldn’t change. The loneliness had to be devastating. I didn’t know what I could do to help. I wasn’t sure how to make his pain and hurt go away but I had to do something.

“Not for long.”

The words were out of my mouth before I realized it and although they came out as a whisper, there was no mistaking that he heard them.

TBC

Northman and the Nanny Chapter 4

A/N There are a few things I need to point out about this story so that I’m not accused of misleading anyone. First of all this is an AH story and definitely OOC, so while Mrs. Harris’s or Mr. Ball’s Sam or Eric may not do certain things, mine probably will. And lastly, this story is going to simmer awhile before it boils, so…patience! =)

Oh yeah, and Mrs. Harris owns these guys, I’m just messin’ with ‘em.

Chapter 4

EPOV

This had to be what heaven smelled like. I walked into the house and immediately my senses were assaulted with the glorious smell of food. HOME COOKED FOOD! I could smell oregano, basil and even bread baking with a hint of garlic. Yep, I had died and gone to heaven.
I sat my brief case down and placed my keys in the small bowl on the table in the entrance way. I was surprised and maybe a little hurt that Holly had not greeted me at the door. We had spent virtually every moment of the last two years together and I grossly underestimated the impact of her being elsewhere would have on me.

“Hello.” I called from the foyer.

“Daddy!” Came the return call from the kitchen, seconds later I heard the rapid
footsteps of her tiny feet coming toward me. I opened my arms just as she launched herself at me and I spun her around in a big hug.

“Hello pumpkin, how was your day.” I asked as I gave her a kiss.

“Good daddy. We went to the grocery store and got all sorts of healthy things and me and Sookie made dinner.”

“Sookie and I made dinner.” I corrected her while planting another kiss on her cheek before setting her back down on the floor.

“Sookie and I made dinner.” She dutifully repeated.

“Well something smells wonderful, what are we having?” I said as she grabbed my hand and we made our way to the kitchen.

“Chicken parma…parmesan and some vegetables and salad and bread with garlic on it.” She said stumbling on the “parmesan” for second before continuing; I doubt she could have been more excited if it were cake and ice cream we were discussing.

We walked into the kitchen and noticed the table in the dining room had been set for two places and Sookie was by the stove pulling a couple of dishes out of the oven.

“Hey…welcome home.” Sookie said with a smile and I was again struck by how at ease she seemed to be already.

“Thanks. It smells wonderful in here by the way.” I offered.

“Well you can thank Ms. Holly here; she’s done as much work as I have on this meal.”

“Oh really?” I said turning my attention to my daughter who was smiling as big as Christmas morning. “And what part did you help with exactly?” I asked as I sat down on the barstool and pulled her into my lap.

“Well…I got to dip the chicken in the egg stuff and then the bread crumbs. Then Sookie let me paint the butter on the bread and then I helped cut up the stuff for the salad.” My face must have relayed my concern at the idea of my four year old “cutting” anything.

“Relax Eric,” Sookie said. “I did the cutting; she tore the lettuce and broke green peppers. Did you really believe I would hand your child a knife?” She slightly chuckled and I knew she was just trying to point out the absurdity of what I was thinking, but you could also see the hint of hurt in her eyes at my distrust.

“I’m sorry Sookie; of course you wouldn’t give a knife to my daughter, it’s just…well…this is all very new for me.”

“It’s ok, trust isn’t given, it’s earned.” She said with a small smile. “Now dinner will be ready in two minutes so why don’t the two of you go wash up?”
A few minutes later Holly and I were taking our seats at the table when Sookie came in to say good night.

“You’re not joining us?” I asked.

“No, no…this is time for you to spend with Holly. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” She said as she grabbed her keys and purse.

Sookie had agreed to start work right away but still had a few things at home to take care of before she moved in so it was decided that she would come over every morning before I left for work and then leave after I got home. Provided she got everything taken care of at home, she planned to move in the next weekend. Once moved in, unless I was out of town, she would have every weekend off starting Friday when I got home until Monday morning when I was ready to leave for work. Depending on her schedule when classes began again in the fall, most of her evenings would be hers to do whatever she wanted unless I was working late. Fortunately most of her remaining classes would be while Holly was in pre-school.

The arrangement was worked out with little or no compromise by either party making this an advantageous situation for both of us but I had strong suspicions that her fiancé was a little less than thrilled with Sookie’s new employment from a few comments that she had made. Frankly since the whole thing had worked out so well I had gotten a little selfish about the arrangement and couldn’t have cared less what he thought as long as Sookie was happy with her decision and their drama wasn’t brought in to my home.

The rest of the week was pretty much the same; Sookie and Holly would have another wonderful meal waiting when I got home each evening and after a brief recap of their day, Sookie would say her goodbyes. Little by little, each day my fears and concerns about leaving my daughter with a stranger were dissipating, not to mention my stress level. Small seemingly insignificant things like not having to worry about what she was going to eat or what to dress her in was having an enormous impact on my psyche; I felt like such a huge burden had been lifted from me already so that when I was home I could really enjoy spending time with my daughter. Hell yes I was getting selfish about this arrangement!

It was probably around 10:00 Sunday morning when Sookie arrived with her things. I offered to help but she insisted she had everything under control so I tried to keep Holly occupied and out of her hair while she unpacked but was having little success.

“Holly, where are you going?” I tried to give her my stern father voice as she tried to sneak out of the den for the third time.

“Daddy, what if she needs me to show her where something is?” Holly argued trying to prove she was being helpful rather than nosey.

“You just stay put. If she needs us, she’ll call us ok?” I told her earning a pout. “Look, why don’t you work on a picture for Sookie’s room.”

Holly pulled all her markers and crayons out and began working on her masterpiece until several minutes later when Sookie came in to the den with a man following close behind.

“Eric I would like to introduce you to someone.” She said sounding more uncomfortable than she did the day she came in for her interview; I stood up and walked over to where they were.

“Sam, this is Eric Northman. Eric, this is Sam Merlotte, my fiancé.” I offered my hand and Sam and he seemed to take it somewhat reluctantly.

“Nice to meet you.” I said. I wanted to make a comment about the Kung Fu grip he was
putting on my hand but I decided that if I were in his shoes, I probably wouldn’t be very happy about my fiancée moving in with a single man and his daughter either.

“You too.” He said without much conviction.

“And this little jewel,” Sookie said as she picked up my daughter, “is Holly.”

Holly laid her head on Sookie’s shoulder and whispered to her. “What’s a fiancé?”

“That means I’m going to marry him one day.” Sookie answered and Holly thought for a moment and then leaned forward and stuck her hand out to Sam.

“Nice to meet you.” She mimicked.

“Why thank you, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well.” Sam shook her hand and seemed to warm a little bit. I felt confident that once he realized I was not a threat to their relationship things would be ok.

We chatted for a little while and then Sookie and Sam left to enjoy the rest of their day while I took Holly to the park to play.

Holly had been a chatter box the entire day. If I heard “Sookie and I did…” or “Sookie says…” once then I heard it 1000 times. In such a short time, Sookie had definitely won my daughter over and while I was happy she had there was a small part of me that silently ached that I was missing out on her day today activities and new experiences.

Damn it somebody’s got to pay the bills.

o~O~o

I was sitting in the den enjoying a glass of wine after finally getting a keyed up Holly to sleep when I heard Sookie come in.

“Hey, did you have a nice evening?” I asked hoping I didn’t sound lame. Small talk outside of the legal profession was…well let’s just say that was one social skill my overachieving ass just could just not master.

“Yeah, we just hung out and then went to dinner…just the usual.” She sounded more like a frustrated middle aged wife rather than a young woman engaged to the love of her life. I felt kind of sorry for her but then again I had only known her a week, who was I to judge?

“Sookie, I couldn’t help but notice that Sam doesn’t particularly seem to be a fan of your current employment. Is that going to be a problem? If so I would like to know now. Holly’s already getting attached to you and I don’t want to see her hurt.”

Her face looked as though I had struck a nerve, and while I hoped I was not letting my tainted experience with marriage cloud my opinion, I would not allow Holly’s wellbeing to be jeopardized while Sookie and Sam worked through their relationship issues.

“Mr. Northman,” Oh hell, “you don’t know this about me, but I don’t take my commitments lightly. I accepted this job, and I plan to do this job and do it well.” She paused for a moment and took a deep breath. “Look, I’m not going to lie to you, Sam is not happy about me taking this job, but this is what’s right for me right now and he is just going to have to deal with it. I know you’re worried about Holly, you’re her father, I would expect no less; but I’ve grown quite attached to her as well and I would never do anything to hurt her.” She turned slightly and I notice one solitary tear sliding down her cheek which she refused to acknowledge.

“Fair enough.” That’s all I had. We had reached an agreement and the case was closed.

“Well, I have a few more things to unpack so I think I will turn in now. Goodnight Eric.” I was satisfied by her use of my first name again that we were back on amicable terms.

“Goodnight Sookie.”

SPOV

I had hoped Sam meeting Eric and Holly would help put some of his concerns to rest but if anything, it did just the opposite.
We had just left Eric’s house after a disastrous introduction to my new boss and had pulled in to the parking lot of the store so that I could pick up shampoo and other toiletries when Sam got started.

“I think there are a few things you failed to mention about this job, isn’t there Sookie?” God I hated when he took that condescending tone with me.

“Like what?” I sure as hell had no intention of making this easy on him.

“Like for instance that the family you are working for consists of a SINGLE man and his daughter.” I was grateful we were still in the car as his voice began to get louder.

“And that this SINGLE man is just a few years older than yourself.” He was almost yelling now and I was quickly reaching my limit.

“I don’t see how that changes anything. I was hired to take care of a little girl, why does it matter who her parents are?” My own voice was raising now.

“You’ve just moved in with a single man and you don’t see that as a problem?” I had had enough of that tone.

“No I don’t!” I yelled.

“Well, I’m not going to allow it! We’re going back over there and you are going to get your things and quit that job.” He yelled back.

“I’m what? Have you lost your damn mind? I’m not quitting anything!”

People walking by the car in the parking lot were starting to stare, some looked concerned that I may need help; others just looked at us like we had gone completely snap bean.

“Fine then you don’t have to quit, but you are not living there. You can just go over there every morning and come home at night.” I was beyond livid at this point. Did this man know me at all? I took a minute and calmed myself before responding.

“Sam, I want you to listen carefully to what I am saying to you because this is the last time we will have this conversation.” I paused making sure I had his attention. “I have signed a two year contract to work for Mr. Northman which includes living on site, so unless he changes his mind or makes other arrangements, I WILL BE working for him for the next two years. So you do whatever you need to do to adjust to that because it is not up for discussion any longer.”
I didn’t bother waiting for a response; I got out of the car and proceeded to the store grabbed a cart and began my shopping.

We spent the rest of the day without either of us saying much. I knew he needed time to process what I had told him so I didn’t bother forcing conversation on him, I’m sure people passing our table at dinner thought we had taken a vow of silence.
We rode in silence back to the house and he gave me a chaste kiss before I got out of the car and promised to call later that evening.

I quietly walked in to the house knowing Holly was probably fast asleep by now; walked by the den and found Eric sitting there with a glass of wine.

“Hey, did you have a nice evening?” I knew living in the same house was going to make things a little awkward at first but I was glad he was at least trying to make conversation.

“Yeah, we just hung out and then went to dinner…just the usual.” I didn’t see the need to tell him about the fight.

“Sookie, I couldn’t help but notice that Sam doesn’t particularly seem to be a fan of your current employment. Is that going to be a problem? If so I would like to know now. Holly’s already getting attached to you and I don’t want to see her hurt.” Shit! I knew Sam’s behavior was not going to go unnoticed, but I was not willing to let him screw this up for me.

“Mr. Northman,” I used his surname because this wasn’t personal, this was business, “you don’t know this about me, but I don’t take my commitments lightly. I accepted this job, and I plan to do this job and do it well.” I paused for a moment fighting the emotions still raw from my quarrel with Sam earlier. “Look, I’m not going to lie to you, Sam is not happy about me taking this job, but this is what’s right for me right now and he is just going to have to deal with it. I know you’re worried about Holly, you’re her father, I would expect no less; but I’ve grown quite attached to her as well and I would never do anything to hurt her.” I felt a traitorous tear slip down my cheek but I refused to draw attention to it by wiping it away.

I stood there for several seconds waiting before Eric responded.

“Fair enough.” I felt the relief wash over me at our mutual understanding.

I said goodnight and retired to my room hoping tomorrow would be the beginning of better days.

TBC