Grasping At Impossible
Chapter 5:

Once we got on the highway I noticed she looked as though she was having an internal debate. She kept shaking her head, and then mumbling to herself. To tell the truth, she was beginning to freak the shit out of me. Did this girl have mental problems? Was that why she was so different with me? I was halfway torn between asking her what the fuck was wrong with her, and pulling the car over. Luckily, she spoke first.




"I am sorry Eric."



I glanced her way before directing my eyes back on the road. "For what Sookie?"



"For ruining our lunch date," she said sadly, and without thinking about it I reached over and took her hand in mine. She laced her fingers through my hand and gave me a small squeeze. "My gran is sick," she started to say. "She has cancer and it isn't going away this time." I looked over and saw her eyes brimming with tears again. "The doctor said yesterday that she has maybe until the end of next week, if we are lucky."



So this was the reason she was distracted and upset. I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her hand. "I am sorry little one."



She nodded and pulled my hand back to her lap, and started rubbing small circles along my wrist. She may not have noticed it, but her soft touch was giving me a raging hard on. I had to stifle a moan while she looked out her window, not paying attention to my own personal battle.



"She raised me...she means everything to me," she said weakly, and I felt a tug at my heart. This girl was already mourning for the loss of her grandmother, and here I was trying to get in her pants. I didn't feel bad about it, but it was going to put a damper on my plans with her.



I didn't know what to say, so I continued to drive as she told me all about her grandmother. How she raised her and her brother when her parents died in a freak accident on a bridge when she was five. How her gran was the person that encouraged her to get her degree in photography. I could tell she meant a lot to Sookie, and for some strange reason, I was happy I was going to meet her before she died. I found myself wanting to meet the person that raised her, and who loved Sookie so much. You could see the love in her eyes as she spoke about her grandmother. I had never felt that way for anyone in my family, except my mother, and she died when I was eleven. My father wasn't around much while I was growing up, and my cousin Bill was the closest I had to a brother. I ended up moving in with my aunt and Bill not long after my father died when I was sixteen. I learned early on not to get attached to people, because they either let you down or they die on you. I guess you could say that was one of the reasons I stayed away from a steady relationship. I wasn't about to give myself to someone, and get disappointed in the end. I was better than that, and I learned it when both my parents died.



"I am sorry for your loss. If it means anything, I lost my mother when I was eleven, and my father when I was sixteen. I never met my grandparents though," I shared with her. I strangely wanted her to know, and I was, believe it or not, happy to tell her. The look on her face showed that she liked me telling her these things. With her, it was different.



"Oh Eric, that is terrible. I am so sorry to hear about it," she said, and I turned to see the tears leaking from her eyes. Why she was always crying, I really didn't know. Maybe she was emotional, or the events happening in her life were overwhelming her. Personally, if she was going to cry, I would prefer it to be her crying out my name, as I fuck her within an inch of her life.



I waved my hand. "Think nothing of it. It was a long time ago, and I have gotten over it. I miss them, but there is nothing I can do about it."



"I know how you feel," she whispered, and squeezed my hand tightly in her small one.



We drove in silence after that, and Sookie had calmed down by the time she directed me to a farm road. We continued on down the stretch of dirt road, until we came upon a drive she said to turn on. When the house came into view, I saw that there were several cars parked in the front of the house. I heard her sigh and she shook her head. I wanted desperately to know what was going on in her head.



When I stopped the car and moved to get out, she gripped my hand tighter. "Eric, not all my family is supportive of my life, so don't expect to get a warm welcome."



I raised my eyebrow in disbelief. How could anyone be unhappy with her, with all she had accomplished in her life? "What do you mean?"



"Not everyone sees my leaving as the best decision I have made. Some of them," she seethed in contempt, "believe it is my fault Gran is so bad off, because I wasn't here to take care of her." I saw tears form in her eyes once again.



"I wouldn't listen to what they say. You are a remarkable woman who should be proud of what you have accomplished so far in your life."



She shook her head. "I am happy Eric. But others are not, so...I just thought I would warn you, 'cause last time they were here, they got..."



I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed it. "Don't worry about me. Come, let's get to your grandmother." I let go of her hand after one last kiss on her palm, and went to open her side door. She stepped out and took my hand in hers, entwining her fingers with mine.



We had taken not more than five steps when a man and a woman came running out of the house, walking towards us. The glare on his face was directed to Sookie, and I held her hand firmly in mine. When they reached us, he crossed his arms, and the woman shook her head at Sookie, as though she was silently chastising her for something.



"And where the hell have you been Sook? Gran has been sick all morning," he asked, or more demanded..



"I have been..."



"And who the hell is this?" he asked, pointing in my direction. I had to bite back a growl.



"This is..."



"Eric Northman, and you are?" I answered him myself, and he didn't acknowledge me.



"Sook, you bring some stranger to Grans home? What is wrong with you?" he said.



"Jason, stop with this shit. Eric isn't a stranger. He is my friend. Now if you don't mind, I would like to see Gran. I have wasted enough time with you yelling at me," she said and started to take a step, but he held up his hand. I was two seconds from kicking his ass, and the only thing stopping me was the fact he was related to Sookie in some way. For some reason, I knew she wouldn't forgive me if I were to hurt him, no matter how he was treating her at the time.



"You didn't answer me. Where have you been? Gran has been sick, and you were supposed to be here for her."



"Jason, you live five minutes away. Stop acting like it is a burden to take care of Gran. But if you have to know, Gran told me to go. She wanted me to have the afternoon to myself, because I have been here taking care of her non-stop for three weeks."



"So you went off to have a fuck with him? So he is more important than Gran, or is it your career that is more important? I can't believe you Sookie. First running off all those years ago, and now you won't even stay by her when she is on her deathbed," he spat out, and I had had enough. I pulled her behind me and gave him a look.



"From what it sounds like to me, you are the one that should be ashamed of yourself. You live five minutes away, and you cannot take care of her properly, so this woman has to come and do it herself. Sounds like you should shut your fucking mouth before I break it," I said through my teeth, and he got silent. I would guess he was trying to size me up and see if he could take me on. I was sure he couldn't, but it would have been interesting to see him try.



"Who the hell do you think you are talking to me like that?" he said, narrowing his eyes.



"I am her boyfriend, and if you think you can talk to her the way you did, and it would be alright, you have another thing coming," I warned him, and he took a step back after meeting my gaze once again. I put my arm around Sookie's shoulders and walked her towards the house, not bothering to look back at the two who started whispering to themselves.



"Thanks," she said leaning into my arm. "Jason has been a real asshole since I got back a few weeks ago."



I stopped her as we walked through the door and kissed her cheek. "Think nothing of it. I didn't like how he was talking to you."



"He usually isn't like this. I think he is upset about losing Gran is all," she stated, trying to defend him. I didn't understand why she bothered trying to make his actions justified. He had no right to speak to her that way, and he wouldn't be doing it anymore if I had anything to do with it. We were now in the hallway, and we stopped in front of the first door to the right. She took a deep breath and seemed like she was getting ready for something, and I knew that look. It was the same one my father had when my own mother was dying. I pushed those thoughts from my head, and pulled her so she was facing me.



"Is he your brother?" I asked her, and she nodded. "Then he has no right to talk to you that way. If anything he should be supporting you and leaning on you, more than ever." The words came out of nowhere, and I knew them to be true after they were out. She deserved the best, and I knew it to be true even in the little time I have come to know her in.



Her eyes teared up. "Maybe...but he is taking it hard."



"Then he shouldn't be an ass to you. I think I should have a word with him," I started to say, but she stopped me by placing a finger over my lips.



"Jason will be Jason. It is better to ignore him, than to get into it with him. Believe me, I would know," she stated, and opened the door.



She took a step in and called out in a sweet voice, "Gran? Are you awake?" I followed her inside, my hand still holding hers. When I walked in I could see her gran on the large four-poster bed, wrapped in a comforter and blankets. She was propped up on at least six different pillows all around her, and there was a machine next to her. It looked like an IV, and I didn't know if it was for fluids or pain medication. I was scared for Sookie when I saw the woman's face. She looked like she was on her last leg, like she wasn't going to last long anymore. I saw Sookie's reaction, and it tugged at my heart. She didn't let go of my hand, but brought me closer to the woman's side. I would have thought I would have been uncomfortable, but with Sookie here, it wasn't all that bad. I didn't even know the woman, and there I was feeling for her in her current state. This wasn't like me at all, and I couldn't decide if I liked it or not.



"Gran?" she said again, and the woman stirred in the bed. I was halfway afraid she had already croaked on her, and I would have to deal with a weepy woman. Although a part of me really didn't mind, as long as it was Sookie that was crying on me.



"Sookie, dear. Is that you?" she asked, and her eyelids fluttered open.



Sookie reached out, letting go of my hand and gripping the older woman's tightly. "Yes, Gran. It's me. I am sorry I left you this morning. I wouldn't have if..."



"Nonsense child," she chided Sookie softly. It was then that she realized I was in the room with her and her eyes widened, taking me in. "Is this the young man you were telling me about?" she asked, and a smile played at her lips.



I saw Sookie blush before nodding. "Yes. Gran, this is Eric. Eric this is my Gran, Adele Stackhouse," she said, introducing us.



I walked a few steps more, and held my hand out to the woman. She gripped mine and gave me a strong squeeze. "It is nice to meet you young man. My Sookie has told me a few things about you."



I smiled at her attitude. I liked a woman that wasn't a prude, especially at her age. "I hope they were all good things," I smirked at her, and she let out a hoarse laugh.



"Oh you are a cute one," she said, then turned to Sookie. "Is he always like this? If he is, I would say he is a keeper."



Sookie blushed more, and lowered her head. I placed my hand on her shoulder and she relaxed from my touch. "I think I am a keeper as well, but that is for Sookie to decide," I remarked, and Sookie looked up at me with unreadable eyes. I felt as though I walked into something and felt my gut drop.



"Yes, well, from what I have been told, you are the one with problems in that area," Adele quipped back, and I felt Sookie tense up again.



Luckily I knew how to handle these remarks. "I have been known to play the field, only because I haven't found what I want yet," I said, and ran my hand over Sookie's neck, "that is, until now."



I felt Sookie shiver under my hand, and I swear my dick twitched. Oh, to have her shivering under my body, that would be even better.



"But it is not my grandchild that had that problem. I believe you will find it, or forever be lonely, that is what I found out when I met my Fintan," she said wistfully, turning her head and looking out the window.



Sookie cocked her head and I felt another presence in the room, and knew her brother was behind us in the doorway. "Gran, who is Fintan?" Sookie asked, and her brother walked to the other side of the bed and sat in the seat there.



"Fintan?" the older woman said, and smiled to herself. She closed her eyes, as if picturing the man. "My dear sweet love."



"What the hell are you talking about Gran? Our grandfather's name was Mitchell," Jason corrected her, and the woman turned her eyes to his.



"You watch your mouth Jason Stackhouse," she scolded him, and his face fell.



"Sorry Gran," he said sullenly.



"Now, where was I?"



Sookie spoke up this time. "You were about to tell us about Fintan, Gran."



Her eyes glazed over again, and she smiled. "Fintan was a good friend of my brothers," she started, and when I saw Sookie shudder, her gran took her hand and said to her quietly, "not that one." Sookie nodded her head as I took a seat behind her on the bed, and moved my hand to stroke her hair. She leaned back against me, and I wrapped my free hand around her waist. Her grandmother waited to see she was calm before continuing. Given her reaction to her gran saying something about her uncle, I could tell something had happened between them, something that has scarred her. There was no other reason for her uneasiness, and I found myself wanting to know what was happening. Sookie's effect on me was starting to scare me, but I couldn't back away from her.



"Fintan was beautiful. I lusted after him more than your own grandfather," Adele started, and I saw with Jason that this turn of events didn't settle well with him. His face had a clear look of displeasure.



"Gran, that is just gross."



She snapped her eyes open again and turned to him, smacking his hands which were close by her. "Jason, if you cannot control your mouth, you will be out of here," she said sternly, and he nodded his head, mumbling, "sorry," again.



"Now," she said turning back to Sookie and me, "as I was saying. Fintan was my object of affection, even after I had married my husband. I was young, and my hormones were alive and willing." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jason looking like he wanted to hurl. I had to stifle a laugh. The poor woman was on her deathbed, not really knowing what she was talking about, and he was willing to fight with her about something in her past.



"Did you, ya know..." Sookie said softly, and her gran just smiled, giving her a wink. I was liking this woman more and more. "Gran that is just wrong. You shouldn't have done that when you were with someone else. You should have known better," she said, and Jason nodded his head fiercely in agreement, but never opened his mouth.



"Child, I am a woman after all. Your grandfather...well, he wasn't always as in the mood as I was. So, I found a man that would take care of my needs. Little did I know he would be the man I loved," Adele admitted, and Sookie's mouth gaped open. This time I actually couldn't stop myself from laughing. I looked at Adele, and her eyes were sparkling with amusement.



"Hey man, this isn't something to laugh about," Jason said, and Sookie turned her head in my direction.



"Eric, you shouldn't laugh," she chided me gently, and I saw tears in her eyes. It brought me up short, and I felt a sadness from within me. Was I getting upset from making her tear up? No, it couldn't have been from me. It had to of been her grandmother's confession.



"Oh, hush children. Eric here is a lot like me, it seems." That brought me up short again. I cocked an eyebrow at her, and she smiled back. "We were both unhappy with our lives, so we took a chance to change them." I wasn't sure what he hell she meant by that; she was confusing as shit, and I was blaming it on the drugs. "My Sookie, she is a life changer," she said fondly, taking Sookie's hand. "She is one of a kind, and whoever manages to catch her will never want for anything."



I could hear Sookie sniffle, and she reached up to wipe a tear away. "Thanks Gran," she whispered.



I was about to agree with her comment, until Jason opened his mouth again.



"What about me Gran? Am I a life changer too?" he asked, and Sookie only shook her head, and stood from the bed. She leaned down and kissed Adele's forehead, and took my hand to lead me from the room. She gave me a smile as I turned to follow Sookie out, and then she started answering Jason.



We walked up the stairs, and around the small corridor into a room. I knew the moment we stepped inside it was Sookie's room. It was clean and the colors seemed like her. Soft greens and yellows, it brought out what I already knew about her. She released my hand, and took a seat at the edge of the bed, and I looked around a little before joining her. She had many awards for different pictures she had taken over the years, and even some from her younger high school days. She was very passionate about her work it seemed. I sat next to her and took her hand in mine. I felt the need to comfort her, and that is what I did. She laid back on the bed, and I joined her slowly. For some reason, I wasn't thinking of the goal I had set with her today. I pulled her into my arms without saying a word, and she cuddled up close to me, nuzzling her face into the crook of my neck. She kissed me lightly, and I felt a stir of something, and for once it wasn't coming from my pants. After a few minutes, I felt her body relax further, and her breathing even out. I pulled the blanket up over us, and kissed the top of her head.



For once in my life, I fell asleep holding a woman in my arms, without thinking of getting her clothes off.