Chapter 18: Happily Ever After

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Sookie and I had been married just over a month when we finally got to move into our house. I decided to sell mine after all and with the money I made on it we decided to buy all new furniture. It was a completely fresh start for us, which was what we needed. I donated all of my old furniture to a women’s shelter. It would get better use that way.

 

It was our second night in the house. Willa was over the moon about her sparkly lellow room. She was adorable with her big brown eyes all wide when she walked into it. Over the last month I had fallen completely in love with her. She was an amazing little girl. Sookie was right about the snuggles too. It was about a week and a half of me staying with them full-time when I was lying on the couch watching TV. She had her duck and her blankie. She climbed right up on the couch and situated herself on my chest to take a nap. I was pretty sure Sookie went into the bathroom to cry about that but I never asked her.

 

“Is she in bed?” I asked Sookie when she came downstairs. As promised I bought a huge chair to relax in at the end of the day. Sookie walked over and climbed right into my lap.

 

“Out cold,” she smiled.

 

“It was all that running around in circles she did,” I chuckled. I kissed the top of Sookie’s head and when she nuzzled into my neck something hit me. I was in love with my wife. After Maria died I didn’t think I was going to fall in love for a long while, and then everything happened so fast with Sookie. I was expecting it, but I wasn’t expecting the rush. It had been so long since I was in new love.

 

“She’s such a goofball,” Sookie laughed quietly and kissed my neck slowly.

 

“She is. I think she gets it from you though,” I smiled. I tilted her head up to lick her lips. As soon as they parted I slipped my tongue into her mouth. I poured everything I was suddenly feeling into the kiss, hoping she felt it too.

 

Sookie moaned softly and her hand touched my face. Her tongue danced with mine and she shifted so she was straddling me instead of being curled up. When she pulled back she asked, “What was that for?”

 

“I just realized I’m crazy in love with my wife,” I answered with a soft smile. I settled my hands on her hips.

 

“Really?”

 

“Really,” I nodded. “When you curled up with me I realized I haven’t been this… happy in a really long time. I owe that to you and your crazy little girl. I love you, Sookie Northman. A lot.”

 

Her bottom lip started to tremble but Sookie smiled at me. She leaned forward and gave me a lingering peck with her fingers running through my hair. Her forehead pressed to mine and she whispered, “I love you too.”

 

“None of that.” I reached up to wipe the tear she tried to stop from escaping. “You wanna know what else?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“I think I’ve forgiven Maria and Alcide. How can I be angry at them when their affair brought me you and Willa?”

 

“That’s pretty big of you. I don’t know if I’m quite there yet, but I’m trying to be,” Sookie said. She had started seeing a grief counselor two weeks before and while she didn’t go too in depth about what she discussed with the counselor, she did say it was helping her.

 

“You do what you can. If you never forgive them, there’s nothing wrong with that.” I knew she wanted to. “You know what I want now?”

 

“Oh I’m sure it’s quite a list,” she giggled.

 

“Yeah, but right this very second I want you to bring those sexy lips over here for a kiss,” I smiled.

 

“You’re going to have to be more specific about which lips,” she replied as she leaned in.

 

“Which lips would you like me to kiss?” I flicked my tongue out to lick her bottom lip.

 

“That one’s good.”

 

“What about this one?” I sucked her top lip between mine. I reached down between our bodies to rub her slit through her pajamas. “I wouldn’t mind kissing these lips either.”

 

“We should probably go upstairs if you want to kiss those.”

 

“Is the gate up?” If the gate was up we didn’t have to worry about Willa sneaking downstairs.

 

“Of course. I just feel weird about fooling around out in the open when she’s home.”

 

“Okay. Let’s go break in the new bed.” We were way too tired the night before to even think about sex. We crawled into bed and passed the fuck out.

 

Sookie got up off my lap and turned off the TV. As she headed for the stairs she pulled her tank top off. I watched it fall to the floor and then I stood up to follow her. I left my sweats on, just in case Willa decided to wake up. I didn’t want to startle her. I wasn’t Daddy yet, but it was clear she looked at me as a father figure.

 

I could have easily caught up to Sookie, but I took my time. I made sure all the lights were off and that the dogs were inside. They had their own beds to sleep on. Since getting a companion Molly stopped jumping onto the bed so much. Unless it was just me, and she needed a cuddle.

 

By the time I made it into the room my wife was completely naked, lying in the middle of the bed. She was beautiful.

 

“This new bed was a good idea,” she said as her legs parted.

 

“It was an amazing idea,” I agreed. I closed the door before locking it. I dropped my pants, and my hand went straight to my cock. “Why don’t you show me where you want me to kiss you.”

 

Sookie’s eyes locked on mine. She reached down between her thighs and began to play with her smooth, lower lips. She moaned when her fingers found her clit and then spread her folds for me so I could see everything.

 

I held in my groan as I moved forward. When I reached the bed I grabbed her thighs to pull her closer to me. Sookie left her fingers right where they were as I leaned down and dragged my tongue through her wet folds. She was delicious. I never asked what sex was like with her last husband. I didn’t want to know. I knew how she responded to me, and that was all that was important.

 

My tongue slithered into her core, slowly pumping in and out before I moved up to lick her clit. I watched the ecstasy wash over her beautiful face as I licked. When she wasn’t expecting it, the licking turned into sucking and her hips bucked up. I still loved how her body responded to me. It was so fucking sexy.

 

Since Sookie was holding her lips open I used the hand I didn’t have around my cock to slip two fingers into her dripping wet core. I was learning every little thing about her body. I knew exactly when to curl my fingers to find that special spot inside of her that made her gush. Her walls started fluttering wildly around my fingers as I rubbed her g-spot. I needed her to cum. As soon as I had her cumming I was planning to drive my solid shaft into her. I loved how tight she got, and there was something so fucking hot about pushing into her spasming cunt.

 

“Eric,” she breathed right before her back arched. Her walls clamped down around my fingers, trying to hold them there.

 

I stood up, pulled my fingers out, and started to push into her pussy. She was so wet her honey was dripping onto the brand new bedspread. I loved how wet she got for me. Her fingers started moving over her clit to prolong her orgasm as I forced my cock in deeper. It was a very, very tight fit.

 

“Fuck,” I groaned. I grabbed her thighs so I could pull her closer. Sookie’s legs went up over my shoulders. I was at the perfect angle to get good and deep. Her eyes crossed when I started to swivel against her. I had a very good reason for making her cum before I fucked her. This was it. My balls were already starting to tighten. She turned me into a goddamn teenage boy. Fuck.

 

“Fuuuuuck,” she moaned too, her walls clenching with her aftershocks.

 

“You make me feel like a fuckin’ fifteen-year-old,” I chuckled. I started to pump my hips. I kept it slow for a moment so I didn’t blow my load too soon. I reached her ass to lift her a little, giving me a different angle.

 

“Holy shit, you’re fucking deep,” Sookie gasped, her eyes rolling back again.

 

“Uh huh,” I grunted. My eyes darted down to the spot where we were joined. It may have been a mistake to watch my cock sliding in and out of her tight little cunt. To save myself from embarrassing myself I dropped my head back and started thinking of anything I could to calm me down.

 

Cleaning up dog shit…

 

Getting kicked in the balls by Willa… that happened once already.

 

Alcide and Maria fucking…

 

That last one did it. I pulled out of Sookie and flipped her onto her hands and knees. I drove right back in from behind. My hands went to her hips to hold her still while I started slamming into her over and over the way she liked.

 

“Ohgodohgodohgodohgod!” Sookie put her head down to muffle the noises she was making.

 

That was a smart move, especially because I couldn’t stop my hand from flying and spanking her ass. It wasn’t hard, and she definitely liked it. Her walls gripped my cock, fluttering, damn near pulling my orgasm from me.

 

“Fuck, I’m not going to last, Baby,” I panted.

 

“Mmm… Fucking cum, Eric,” she moaned. Sookie reached down to play with her clit. “Oh fuuuuck…”

 

I did as I was told. My hips slapped against hers a few more times before I lost it. I swiveled my hips so I was grinding against her, filling her pussy up with every drop of my cum. I was certain when the time came to make babies we wouldn’t have a problem. She made me cum hard.

 

Sookie screamed into the mattress as she came a second time. Her body went limp and loose as a noodle. I had to stop myself from collapsing on her. It took every ounce of energy I could muster and pulled out. I spread her cheeks and watched as my cum came dribbling out of her a moment later. It was hands down the hottest thing I had ever seen.

 

“I don’t know if I want to go clean up or collapse right here,” I chuckled.

 

“I can’t move.”

 

“That answers that question.” I climbed onto the bed and grabbed Sookie to drag her up to snuggle into my side. “So that’s what it’s like to have in love sex with you, huh?”

 

“I think that was in love fucking, but yes,” she replied.

 

“Fucking is a much better word for it,” I agreed. I squeezed her a little.

 

I was in a good spot. We were in a good spot. She still had some healing to do, and we still had to get used to some of each other’s quirks. There hadn’t been any deal breakers yet though. I really did see her at her worst. I couldn’t walk away from her. I’d figured out I was going to stand by Sookie through anything. Maria and I had a good relationship, but it wasn’t the kind of good I had with Sookie. We had the communication skills we needed to make it work. Even if the other didn’t like what was said, we listened and respected what we had to say to each other. That was a huge deal. That was what worked for us, so I really hoped that would be how we stayed. In the short time we’d been together I realized Sookie was definitely my new best friend. Bobby and Clancy still thought I was crazy, but that didn’t matter to me. I was with who I needed to be with, and I was extremely happy. I had a strong feeling it was going to stay that way.

 

SPOV

 

The next day Willa and Eric were out at the market together, picking up the stuff we needed for supper so I was alone at the house when Jackson showed up. I had invited him for supper so he could see the new house and meet Eric. He hadn’t taken it well when I first told him I had gotten married again. It was understandable that he was a little offended by it but I explained that Eric had recently lost his wife as well, so we were kind of in the same boat.

 

As far as I knew he had no idea that Al had been cheating on me and I planned to keep it from him. Telling him wouldn’t do anything but tarnish his son’s memory and I didn’t want to do that if I didn’t have to.

 

“Hi, Jackson. Glad you found the place,” I said as I let him in. “Willa picked dinner so we’re having spaghetti and meatballs.”

 

“That sounds good to me,” he smiled. “This is a beautiful place, Sookie.” Jackson leaned in to give me a tight hug. “Where is my little Poptart?”

 

“She’s helping Eric with the shopping. Come on in,” I said as I stepped back.

 

He stepped in, looking around. “This is a huge room,” he observed.

 

“Yeah it is. It’s good for keeping an eye on the munchkin while I’m in the kitchen and whatnot.” I closed the front door. “I like all the light we get in here. With the trees around the house we don’t get too much direct sunlight, which is nice.”

 

“Yeah,” he nodded. “So… is there anything I should know before I meet this Eric guy?”

 

“He’s tall,” I told him. “He’s also a writer. I don’t know if you have read any of his books.”

 

“Northman is the last name?” I nodded. “I may have. I’ll have to check my collection when I get home. He’s good with Willa, though? I worry about you girls and having a new man around that you barely know makes me nervous.”

 

“He’s wonderful with her. Very patient and he indulges her when she wants to tell one of her stories or needs extra cuddles. He’s also understanding of the fact that I want Willa to know who her dad was. I put up a few pictures of Willa and Al in her new room,” I told him. I had a feeling that she would probably start calling Eric ‘Daddy’ in the near future but I couldn’t hold it against her.

 

“That’s good,” he nodded. “I knew you would move on I just didn’t expect it to be so quick. How did you meet? That asshole Corbett won’t tell me anything.”

 

“I met him at Gilroy’s. His friend owns it. You remember the woman who hit a tree a few months back? That was his wife,” I explained.

 

“Oh wow. I remember that story. She was a nurse, right?”

 

“She was,” I nodded. I moved into the kitchen to get us some coffee. I put two mugs on the island and filled them. “They didn’t have kids, but now we have Molly so George has a friend.”

 

“I assume Molly is that one over there side-eyeing me?” he chuckled.

 

“That’s her.”

 

“She’s a pretty dog. It’s good George has someone other than Willa to play with.”

 

“Yeah it is,” I agreed. “I’m thinking of enrolling Willa in some kind of daycare thing part-time so she can play with other kids her age.”

 

“That would be good for her. Kids need to socialize. Does this Eric guy fish?” he asked as he looked out the back window.

 

“Uh, you know I’m not sure,” I admitted. “Dad and Jason are already planning a trip so I’m sure the old man will be calling you about it.”

 

“Probably. Corbett won’t even tell me if he likes this guy.”

 

“I think he’s still on the fence. Maybe he’s concerned this is just a rebound or a fling, but I don’t think it is,” I told him.

 

“Well, hopefully he shows up soon so I can make my own decisions about him.”

 

“He will. Munchkin is excited to see you, too.”

 

“She talks about him nonstop when I have her,” he told me. “That’s a good thing, I guess.”

 

“They get to spend a lot of time together since he works from home. Actually, Eric has a meeting in Los Angeles in a week. There’s a director who is interested in turning one of his books into a movie,” I said.

 

“Really? That’s… exciting. Are you going with him?”

“No, I’m staying here with Willa. It’s a business thing so I don’t want him to feel like he’s got to rush back to entertain us.” I took a drink of my coffee.

 

“What made you decide to marry him?” Jackson asked, taking a drink of his own coffee.

 

“Honestly, it was an impulse thing,” I said. It was better than saying we were high at the time and didn’t know what we were doing. I still had no memory of how we got engaged but I realized it didn’t really matter as much as I thought it did. “But I’m not sorry I did it. I can’t really explain it. It’s just this feeling in my gut. With Al it was the natural progression and I don’t regret marrying him for a second, but with Eric I feel it in my bones.”

 

“I trust your judgement, Sookie. And I know all about feeling it in your bones. That was what it was like with Cordelia,” he told me.

 

I saw Eric’s truck pull up to the garage closest to the house. There was some renovating to be done with the other garage but nothing that couldn’t be done in a few days’ time. I opened the kitchen door when I saw Willa coming our way. It was no surprise to me that she had a smiley face balloon tied to her wrist. She had Eric wrapped around her tiny finger.

 

“Munchkin, Papa’s here!” I called out and she came sprinting towards the house as fast as her little legs could go.

 

“There’s my little Poptart,” Jackson grinned when Willa started running toward him. He knelt down to pick her up when she reached him. “You’re gettin’ so big.”

 

“Like Daddy,” she said.

 

“Yep, just like Daddy,” he replied as Eric walked in.

 

“Hello,” Eric smiled. “You must be Jackson.” His hands were weighed down with grocery bags.

 

“I am. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Likewise.” Eric set the bags down on the counter and kissed my forehead.

 

“Papa, my room is lellow,” Willa told him. “It’s shiny.”

 

“Yellow, huh?” he smiled. “You’re going to have to show it to me.”

 

“Come this way.” She took his hand and pulled.

 

“Okay…” Jackson chuckled as he followed her. “I’ll be right back.” He told me.

 

“Take your time,” I laughed.

 

“How is he?” Eric asked once Jackson was out of the room.

 

“Seems to be okay so far.”

 

“Okay. I want him to like me.”

 

“I think he will.” I got out a mixing bowl to start the meatballs.

 

“Do you need help with anything?”

 

“You can make the sauce if you want,” I offered. We were getting pretty good at making dinner together. Willa liked to help by getting us things or stirring sometimes if it was safe.

 

Eric nodded and moved to wash his hands. Jackson came down a few minutes later with Willa in his arms.

 

“She showed me every inch of that room and why one wall was more shiny when the sun hit it,” he chuckled.

 

“She was a good supervisor when we painted it,” Eric smiled.

 

“I don’t doubt it.”

 

“She picked out her bed, too.” It was a little toddler bed with a little hiding place underneath it and a tent top. I was surprised she picked something pink but she liked being able to hide and her doggies fit under the bed. Both dogs usually slept in her room, at least for a few hours each night.

 

“You did?” Jackson smiled at her. “You didn’t tell me that.”

 

“You know how she likes to pick out her own things,” I shrugged.

 

“And very opinionated like her mother,” Eric chuckled. “She scrutinized everything about that bed before she deemed it acceptable for sleeping and playing.”

 

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with having high standards,” I said in our defense.

 

“I didn’t say there was. That’s one of the things I love about you,” he smiled before leaning over to kiss the side of my head.

 

“It’s going to take some time to get used to seeing Sookie with someone other than my son,” Jackson said. He didn’t seem to dislike Eric. He was definitely still a little shocked over it.

 

“It took me by surprise too,” Eric smiled as he looked over at me. “I love these girls and I don’t think they could have come at a better time. What we have is… it came on quick, but it’s right. We both know that.” I knew Eric wanted people to accept it, but he didn’t let it bother him too bad if they didn’t. It was our life and we knew what we meant to each other.

 

“Mama, I help?” Willa offered.

 

“I have to do it, baby. Maybe you can help Eric,” I suggested. I couldn’t have her mixing meatballs for me but she could hand Eric things or stir his sauce.

 

“You can put everything in the sauce once it’s chopped up,” Eric offered. “Then I’ll hold you up while we stir, how’s that?”

 

“I can do it,” Willa said. She went to the corner to get her little step stool so she could see over the counter. Being tall for her age had its advantages.

 

Of course George and Molly came into the kitchen because they wanted to be close to their friends, but also because they knew we were cooking. Any training Molly once had to stay out of the kitchen when food was out had been all but erased by the bossy toddler who was watching Eric chop herbs.

 

Yet when Molly got too close Willa was the first one to tell her to get down.

 

“No, Mah-lee! Get down!” she said sternly.

 

“Molly, go park it,” Eric added. She looked at him like he was being a traitor before she turned to leave the kitchen. “Did you wash your hands?” Eric asked my daughter.

 

“Oops,” she giggled. Willa got down and dragged her stool over to the sink. “Papa, help?” She couldn’t quite reach the faucet by herself yet.

 

Jackson came around the counter to turn the water on for Willa. He helped her get the soap onto her little hands before she scrubbed them together under the water. By the time they were done Eric had most of the herbs ready to throw into the sauce.

 

It was a relief to me that Eric and Jackson seemed to be getting along pretty well. Jackson wasn’t just Alcide’s dad or Willa’s grandpa; he meant a lot to me, too. He had been a big part of my life for a long time. It was fair to say he was like a second father to me, so to know he approved of Eric was a big deal for me. I wasn’t sure he’d ever like Eric for me more than his own son, but Alcide wasn’t coming back and we all knew that.

 

If we could all move forward together, as a family, that was the best thing for all of us, especially the little munchkin who had two grown men hanging on her every word while she told one of her little stories. It brought tears to my eyes to see it, but they were happy tears. For a life that had felt like it was turned completely inside out just three months before, it sure seemed like everything was falling back into place again.

 

All that was missing was a little brother or sister for Willa, but we had time to make that happen. I had no doubt one day in the not too distant future we would do exactly that.

End