Chapter 22 : Heidi

I remember our first real date after our relationship changed. I could never see what she meant when she said that she wanted me to prove that she was my girl.

I remember how she said it made her sad when I would go weeks and not see her or speak to her. It won't happen again. This was my chance to woo her the way that she has always wanted.

"I don't really have a lot of dating experience." She sounded ashamed of that bit of information. "It's hard to date when you know what your date is thinking ... about what they want to do to you or how they want to do it to you.

So, I'm depending on you to decide. After all, you asked me out. You still want to take me out don't you?" she asked coyly.

"I do. If this is what you want then I will surprise you." I knew exactly where to take her. She loved it before; she will love it again.

"Since we have gotten that straight, are you still working?"

"Yes I am. I decided that I wanted to take a break. So here I am in my office, lying down on the couch talking with you."

As we laughed and talked for the next thirty minutes, I notice how relaxed I am; how happy I am. I asked her about her day and she was happy to tell me. She didn't go into much detail, but she loves her job. From what I gather, she works with children.

She said that she it's what she was meant to do. "It is my calling. There are so many children out there that need help. People are so ready to medicate them and that's not always the solution. There's always something more there, ya know?"

"You sound as if you love your job. I'm happy for you."

"Yeah; I do. I couldn't imagine doing anything else." She yawned. "Oh, I'm sorry for that. I'm never up this late."

"Well, I'll let you rest. Before you go to sleep, there is one thing that I need from you that I did not get before you left tonight."

"What's that?" she asked. There was a hint of suspicion in her voice. I knew that she was thinking that I wanted to use her skills. That's far from what I want from her.

"Your address; I have to know where live if we are to go on a date."

"Oh, okay." She sounded relieved. "I'll give you my home and work address. There may be times when you may need me when I'm at work too. You know, just in case."

I was willing to take whatever she was willing to give me. While she was giving me her home and work addresses, she yawned again.

"Well, my dear Miss. Stackhouse, you must prepare for bed. It is now 12:00. I will see you Friday at seven; will that be alright with you?"

"That will be perfect." She sighed. "Thank you Eric."

"For what?" I asked with a hint of surprise.

"For a great night; it was amazing."

"We only talked."

"It was wonderful. Good night Eric."

"You have no idea what you have done for me tonight. I thank you. Dream of me," I said to her.

"It would be hard for me not to."

"Good night, Sookie." I heard her giggling as we ended our call.

I smiled as I thought of her. I find her to be even more enchanting than she was before. She is sweet, caring, beautiful, and sexy.

She is smart and compassionate. She is everything that any vampire would want. I know that I will do anything to make our first date a date that she will never forget.

I know exactly what I am going to do. I want her to be happy. After all, I am taking her on her first date.

I start making phone calls and plans for Friday night. I remember that she likes the simple things. There is no need for a lot of extravagance. Our first date was very simple and it blew her away.

She was so happy. I can't wait to have that night with her again. In no way have I ever gone through so much trouble to make a woman happy.

Sookie has always wanted us to have a human type relationship; courting, calling, things of that nature. Towards the end, that is what we had. I will gladly start over.

After about four hours, the important phone calls were done and the vampire business had been completed. Pam came into the office just as the last email was sent.

"The humans have left and the workers have cleaned the bar. We are closed for the night. Before we leave, do you need to see us?"

"Yes," I said.

Pam went to let the others know to come to my office. When they entered, Pam took her place beside me.

Thalia and Maxwell Lee were seated on the couch and Indira leaned against the wall. Each vampire in my office is trusted and loyal to me.

They were also loyal to Sookie but since things have changed, I won't take any chances when it comes to her life. I will fill Heidi and Mustapha in on the changes when I see them.

"You all know that you are the most trusted of my retinue. You also understand that what happened here tonight stays here. If anyone betrays her, you will meet the true death." They all know that I meant what I said.

They said that they understand and pledged their loyalty to us.

After what happened the night of her murder, no matter how trusted they are, any betrayal; accidental or purposely, will be met with final death. I am not going to lose her again.

I didn't give them the same information that I earlier gave to Pam but I gave them enough to let them know what's going on.

Maxwell Lee, being the cool vampire that he is, settled on the edge of the couch as he removed his jacket.