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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
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Chapter 2
“There must be some mistake. Are you sure you have the right person? I can’t be a father.”
Tara got Jessica positioned on the couch once Eric let them inside, turning back to him in concern. “I assure you this is no mistake. Do you know a Felicia Hardwick?”
Eric’s eyes widened at that name. “She was my college girlfriend; we went our separate ways about eight years ago. I haven’t heard from her since.”
“Miss Hardwick was killed in a car accident two months ago; Jessica was with a friend at the time. The birth certificate addresses you as the father, as far as we know there is no next of kin. Foster care would usually be the only other option at this point, but I decided to track you down first. Jessica needs a home, and you are her only living relative. I did my research and know that you have no siblings, lost your parents at a young age. She is all you have, apparently.”
Eric was stunned, running his fingers through his hair. “Fuck, this isn’t happening. Does this look like the right atmosphere for a child? I’m not a kid person, never have been. I won’t be good for her; maybe foster care is the best choice. I’m positive you would make sure she gets placed in the right home.”
Tara shook her head. “Jessica is seven, at that age it’s not very likely that we can find a decent home for her, but I will do my best. Until then, we’ll call this a trial run. She stays with you for at least a few weeks, if it doesn’t work out, I can find other accommodations for her. Please, Mr. Northman, the girl just lost her mother. She has a right to get to know her father.”
Eric glanced over at the little girl, who was looking at him with her big, blue eyes. He let out a sigh. “All right, but I can’t make any promises. I’m telling you, she would be better off with anyone else.”
Tara nodded. “I guess we’ll just have to see.” She walked over to Jessica, kneeling down to be level with the girl. “This is where we part ways, sweetie, but it’s only temporary. Your daddy is going to take care of you now, okay?” The child hadn’t said a word since they arrived, but she accepted Tara’s hug. The woman headed back over to the front door, giving Eric one last look. “I’m sure you two will get along just fine. I’ll keep in touch.”
Eric watched her leave the apartment, wondering just what he got himself into. He gazed at the little girl, who still hadn’t said a word. “So, uh, what do you like to do for fun?”
She shrugged, but remained silent.
Eric continued to stare at her in awe, still not able to believe what just occurred. “God, you look so much like your mother.” He met Felicia his sophomore year of college, they were inseparable until their dreaded senior year. Talk of the future and starting a family was all Felicia could focus on, but Eric wasn’t ready for that. He didn’t think he ever would be, so before things could go any further, he ended the relationship. She must have already been pregnant at the time. She either knew and didn’t tell him, or didn’t realize it until after the fact. He couldn’t really blame her for not telling him if that was the case, Eric gave her no reason to think it was something he wanted.
How could this have happened? Eric always used a condom and made damn sure the girl he was with was on some form of birth control, but everything was different with Felicia. She was his first real love, but he just couldn’t see himself spending the rest of his life with her. And now her life was over, at just the age of twenty-nine. It wasn’t fair; he would never be able to make things right with her now. Not that he probably would have even bothered to try.

* * * * *

Sookie jumped up from the couch at the incessant pounding on her door, wrapping her robe more securely around her body, and letting out a frustrated sigh to see Eric Northman on the other side.
“It’s late, Eric, what do you want now?” Something was off, he didn’t have his usual shit eating grin.
“I need your help.”
Before Sookie could protest, Eric grabbed her by the arm and dragged her over to his apartment. “What the hell are you doing?” She stopped at the sight of a young girl sitting in his living room, that being the last thing she expected. Sookie smiled as she stepped closer to the girl, who was beyond adorable. “Hi, sweetheart, who might you be?”
The little girl rubbed her eyes, clearly very tired, but she wouldn’t respond.
“This is Jessica, she’s apparently my daughter.”
To say Sookie was shocked would have been an understatement, but decided to hold her tongue until Eric finished relaying the story of what happened. Once he was done, she couldn’t believe it. “What kind of crazy woman would leave a child in your custody?” Sookie felt guilty when she saw that he actually looked hurt, taking in a deep breath. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t fair, but what are you going to do? How are you going to care for her, even for a few weeks? This place isn’t exactly kid friendly, and let’s not forget the random women who tend to pass through here. You could scar her for life.”
Eric threw up his hands in exasperation. “Don’t you think I’ve thought of that? There’s nothing I can do, but I do know I can’t deal with this. You said so yourself, you’d have to be crazy to leave me the responsibility of caring for a child.”
“Okay, we’ll take this one step at a time. You need to fix this place up a bit more and get supplies, kid stuff, like food and toys that you know she would like. I’m sure even you can figure that much out. I’ll watch her for a couple days until you’re settled, lucky for you I have the next week off.”
“You would really do that for me?” Eric wondered in astonishment.
“I’m doing it for Jessica, there’s no telling what might happen if you’re left alone with her for too long.”
Now he was offended. “I’m not a complete bastard; I would never do anything to hurt a child. Do you honestly think me capable of that?”
Sookie shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re capable of, but I do know you have a lot of changes to make before I’m convinced this is something you can handle.” She moved over to Jessica, taking her by the hand. “Come on, honey, you’ll be staying with me for a little while.”
Eric watched them with a heavy heart, speaking up before Sookie left. “I know you’re not doing this for me, but I really appreciate it.”
Sookie nodded, heading back to her apartment before she could reexamine exactly who she was doing this for.
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Where the Heart Is