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Where the Heart Is	By : TammyDevil666 Category: S through Z > Southern Vampire Views: 2748 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Southern Vampire Mysteries or any referenced characters and no money is made from this story. It is purely for fun.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Chapter 16
“How is she doing?”
Eric sighed, sitting down on the bed. “Jessica finally fell asleep. She kept crying for her mother, I just feel so helpless.”
Sookie touched his shoulder. “Oh, honey, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want you. I’m sure Jess was very grateful for you tonight; it’s just that sometimes a little girl needs her mother to tell her that everything’s going to be okay. When I lost mine, I cried in my room nonstop for three weeks straight. If it wasn’t for my Gran, there’s no telling where I would be right now. I know she loves you.”
He nodded. “My parents were killed in a car accident when I was a little older than Jessica is now. I know exactly how she feels, but I still don’t know what to say to make this better for her.”
“Who took care of you?” she wondered in concern.
“My great aunt, who was anything but great. The woman treated me horribly. As soon as I turned eighteen, I took off and didn’t look back once. I don’t even know if she’s still alive, but I haven’t cared to find out.”
Sookie kissed his cheek, resting her head against his chest. “Did she tell you anything about what happened tonight?”
Eric let out the breath he’d been holding. “I couldn’t get much out of her; I think she’s still in shock. I don’t even think I want to know, all that matters is that she’s safe now. I never wanted to be a father. Felicia had every right not to tell me about Jessica, she knew I wouldn’t understand and she wanted to protect herself from the hurt I likely would have caused. I get it now, but I could not imagine never having known that little girl. In just a few short months, she’s become my entire world. If I lost her…” his voice trailed off, not wanting to finish that sentence.
“You won’t lose her, Eric. You’re not alone anymore, you have me and together we can face anything. What happened was scary, but it’s over now. Crystal will never hurt any of us again, and even though she’s no longer an issue, I’ve still decided to quit my job at Merlotte’s. This made me realize how much I’ve been missing out on; I want to be able to spend more time with the both of you.”
He graced her with a smile, the first one of the night. “Thank you, Sookie, that means a lot to me. Just having you here, it makes everything easier to deal with. I love you very much.”
She returned his smile, pressing a sweet kiss to his lips. “I love you, too.”

* * * * *

“Would you like to talk about what happened now?”
Jessica looked up from her notebook, shrugging as she pushed it aside.
“Did that woman hurt you?” Eric asked when it looked like she would cooperate.
The little girl shook her head. “She said we were going away, that she would take me to see Mommy. I told her I wanted you to come, but she wouldn’t bring me to you. The bad lady said you needed to be punished.”
Eric took in a deep breath. “The bad lady was wrong, sweetheart. She was sick, but I promise she will never come after you again.”
“Is Mommy really gone?”
It was hard for a seven-year-old to understand when a parent wouldn’t be coming back, something like that would have to be broken to them very gently. Unfortunately, Eric’s great aunt didn’t have one maternal bone in her body. She made him think that his parents were taken away because he was bad, that it was what he deserved. It ate at him for years, until he realized that his aunt was just an old bitch, which he made sure to tell her before he got the hell out of there. Just because her life was miserable, she had to bring everyone down with her, but Eric would never stoop to her level. “Yes, baby, do you know anything about Heaven?”
She nodded. “Mommy told me that’s where Grandma went, she’s singing with the angels.”
“And that’s where your mother is, she’s at peace now. I know that I could never replace her, but I will be here for you through everything from now on. I’ve missed out on so much, but I promise that you will never be alone again. You, me, and Sookie, we’re a family now and that’s never going to change. Are you okay with that?”
“You won’t send me away?” Jessica whispered uncertainly.
Eric hated that she still doubted him, but supposed he couldn’t really blame her. “No, you’re here to stay.” His eyes teared up when she moved closer to give him a hug, wrapping his arms around her tiny frame. “I love you, princess.”
Jessica graced him with a smile. “Mommy used to call me that.”
He smiled as well, glad to see that the nickname caused a positive reaction from her. “Well, that’s what you are. And if I’m not mistaken, you have a birthday coming up in a few weeks. Anything special you want to do?”
She shook her head. “I just want you and Sookie.”
Eric felt touched that she would rather spend her birthday with them instead of her friends. “How about we just have a nice dinner together, with some cake and presents? Does that sound good?”
Jessica nodded, laying her head against his chest.
Eric wondered how he ever could have lived without this feeling. He wished more than anything to make things right with Felicia, to at least apologize to her for leaving the way he did. If he knew then what he knew now, there was no way he would have let her go, but he also never would have met Sookie and wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world. He would honor Felicia by being a good father to Jessica, it was all he knew how to do.
“Could you be any cuter?”
He blushed, turning to see Sookie standing in the doorway. “I have my moments.” Eric tucked Jessica in, seeing that she was nearly passed out. “Goodnight, princess,” he whispered, placing a kiss to her forehead. He left the room, closing the door quietly behind him and then taking Sookie in his arms. “It’s time for all good little girls to be in bed.”
She grinned up at him. “But I’m a very bad girl, didn’t you know?”
Eric picked her up, chuckling when she tried to let out a quiet squeal as he headed over to his bedroom. He placed her gently on the bed, lying down beside her. “Jessica wants to have a party at home, just the three of us.”
Sookie raised her eyebrows. “She doesn’t want to invite any kids from school?”
“That’s what she said, I’m still hesitant about taking her back to that place. Those people are incompetent; perhaps we could send her to a private academy.”
“Somehow I don’t think she would like that as much,” Sookie commented. “I’m pretty sure they’re not stupid enough to ever let something like that happen again. Jessica’s a smart girl; she knows not to go off with any strangers in the future. I think she’ll be fine.”
Eric agreed. “Still, I can’t help feeling worried. I don’t think Crystal’s the only problem we’re likely to have. Believe it or not, she wasn’t the craziest woman I’ve hooked up with. Sophie comes to mind,” he said with a shudder.
Sookie scrunched up her nose in disgust. “Yeah, I saw her. We really need to talk about your taste.”
“Hey, I think my taste has vastly improved.”
She smiled, it was hard to argue with that. “True, don’t worry, I have to believe that’s the last ex we’ll see.”
Eric really hoped she didn’t just jinx them.
- 15
- 16
- 17
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Where the Heart Is