Taking Action: Chapter 15

Still all of Charlaine Harris’ stuff…

Eric

Pawley’s Island? I’d never heard of it. But that’s what google is for. I still had several hours before dawn, and Sookie was sleeping peacefully, so I took off, wheels turning. Now I had a plan to make.

Sookie

I woke up with my head still hurting, but stood to stretch and use the bathroom. Wow. Still very sore. I untied and pulled my gown down and looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. Lots of purple. Ouch. Maybe I should have taken Eric’s blood. Sometimes he makes me more stubborn than I need to be. I don’t even know if that makes sense. He just makes me…what? Mad. Happy. Frustrated. Grateful. Oh yes, and horny. I still had no idea what I wanted from him, but I know I’d be lying to myself if I thought for one minute that I could really stay away from him any more. Not after that mind-blowing sex in his office. Oh my. And not after seeing the look on his face when he said he was better now that I’m better. I guess he really does care about me. Am I a fool to walk away from that?

Amelia came to pick me up after I saw the doctor. Lots of rest and ibuprofen. Fine. Sam wasn’t expecting me to get back to work anytime soon, and I could use a little time off, quite frankly. I had some savings in the bank, and would be okay for awhile anyway. It was a beautiful day outside and I was grateful to be alive. I’ve had more close calls than I care to count since meeting vampires. And weres. And Weres. And… well, everything else. There’s probably even more out there that I don’t know about. I don’t even want to think about that.

My shower felt heavenly. I was so glad to get that smoke smell out of my hair. When I came out of my room in fresh pajamas, Amelia and Octavia had the table set with a lovely lunch of quiche and fruit and sweet tea. They were both fussing over me, but I told them I was fine (well, not really, my head still hurt).

I went back to bed after that heavenly lunch and slept for a couple of hours. The doorbell woke me up, and I heard voices in the livingroom, so I knew I didn’t need to get up. Then there was a quiet tentative knock on my door and Amelia appeared with my vintage evening purse in her hand.

“Some guy that works for Eric brought this. I didn’t want to disturb you, but I thought you might want it.”

“Thanks.” She slipped out and closed my door as I opened the purse to find my phone and plug it in. There were quite a few voicemails and text messages. I read and listened while people asked about me, having obviously heard about the bombing at Fangtasia. Alcide. Calvin. Jason (really?). Bill, of course. I started to text people back. It would be quicker and easier on my headache than having a bunch of phone conversations. I’m fine. Thanks for asking. Just a concussion. That sort of thing. I almost jumped out of my skin when the phone rang in my hand. Tara.

“Hi Tara.”

“Oh my god, Sookie, I’m so glad you’re okay! How are you feeling?”

“My head hurts and I’m a little sore, but I’ll be fine. I’m really actually kind of looking forward to a little time off.”

“Oh really?” I could have sworn I heard a little giggle. That’s odd.

“Yes, really. Sam said I could take as much time as I need.”

“Oh, Sookie. I’ve got to run. That guy that works for Eric is here.”

“What? What guy? What’s Eric’s guy doing there?”

“Oh. Um…uh…didn’t I tell you? Um, Eric asked me to replace that red and white dress. He said the hospital people cut it off of you and it’s trash now. I don’t have that exact dress anymore, of course, but I found another one that I think you’ll love. I mean, if not, you can always bring it back and pick out whatever you want.”

“Really? He didn’t have to do that.” I started to get mad, and then stopped myself and thought I need to just try and be a gracious receiver. That’s something I’m working on.

“Well, I have to say, Sookie, I have no idea what’s going on between the two of you, but for a scary bloodsucking monster, he sure is a sweetheart, especially when it comes to you. I hope you know how lucky you are. And I hope he’s getting lucky for his troubles.” There’s that giggle again. “Really, though, I have to go. Have a great time. Bye.”

“Bye.” A great time? What did she mean by that?

I slept a little more, but not soundly. When I came out of my room, there was another delicious meal on the table. Amelia and Octavia had finished eating, and both jumped up and started fixing me a plate. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes and Caesar salad. Wow. I felt spoiled, and found that I was loving it.

After just a spot of peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream, I pushed my chair away from the table, thanking both of my very thoughtful roommates profusely (yep, a word of the day just last week). Amelia said, “Why don’t you put on some clothes? Maybe a touch of makeup. I’ll bet it makes you feel better.” And then I saw a clear mental image of me opening the front door to Eric. Ah, apparently, she had spoken to him and he was on his way over. (I found that I was pretty happy about that, actually.)

“Okay. Maybe I will.” She and Octavia exchanged a secret smile that I caught before leaving the room.

I was dressed and ready when I felt him and heard the knock at the door at the same time. I came out of my room to a perfectly clean kitchen and no sign of my roommates (clever girls).

“Hello lover.” That smile just melts me every time, damn it. Eric took my hand and kissed the back of it. I was kind of hoping I’d get one of his famous kisses on the lips, but he just stepped back and dropped my hand. “How are you feeling? Are you ready for your surprise?”

Ah, ha! This time I was a step ahead of him. “I’m fine. Well, not really, but I will be. And yes, I know that you bought me a new dress. And I accept. Thank you, Eric.” There. I’ll bet he wasn’t expecting that!

I invited him in (although he didn’t need an invitation, of course), but I remembered my manners at any rate. He passed on my offer of a True Blood, and we sat on the couch for awhile while he filled me in on the damage to Fangtasia.

I was shocked to see Amelia come into the room with a rolling suitcase and a head full of excitement that was hard to even follow. Eric stood and thanked her. She squealed a happy, “You’re very welcome.” Then she disappeared again, and Eric turned to take my hand.

“Shall we?” I was speechless. “This is your surprise, Sookie. You’re going to recuperate in style. We’re taking a little trip, lover.”

“A trip? What do you mean? Where are we going?”

“Don’t you remember our little conversation last night?”

“Well, yes, but I don’t remember anything about a trip.”

“Oh, well, then it will be even more of a surprise. Excellent!” And then we were off.

Next Chapter