This is the Third Installment on the what I now have been calling the Chosen Series. It follows Conversations and Chosen. If you haven't read those, please do so you can understand what's going on.

A big THANK YOU to Paula for giving this the once over.

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Commitment

"You're being unreasonable!" She screamed as Eric sulked on the couch.

"I am not!" He roared in return.

"It's a good job. It's only from 2 to 6, three days a week." Sookie tried to reason with him. She knew he was going to fight her on this, but she wasn't going to back down. She and Eric had been married for almost a year and a half. She'd grown up a lot in that time. She and Eric had settled into a nice routine as husband and wife. About six months after she moved in to his home in Shreveport, they finished building their dream house. Eric had listened to every dream she'd ever had regarding the perfect house and fulfilled them all and then some. It wasn't ostentatious or extravagant, but it was beautiful and functional.

Eric had convinced her that education was important and she was too smart to waste such a brilliant mind. Unfortunately, the thought of sitting in a classroom terrified her. She knew from her high school experiences there would be nothing gained by sitting in a room full of people and their jumbled thoughts. He surprised her one evening with a new laptop and a catalog for online courses through LSU. Before claiming a major she started out slowly with a math course and a psychology course. Eric was thrilled when she made an 'A' in both. She had laughed and then fought back the tears when he hung her report card on the refrigerator.

"You need to concentrate on your school work." He argued as she stomped around the den dusting the end tables.

"I'm doing fine in school. Besides, Alcide could use the help. The girl he hired to replace Ms. Babcock, is pregnant and will be going out on maternity leave soon. It's just temporary."

"How did you even hear about this job? Did the Were call you?!" Eric's anger was seeping through the bond and she was doing all she could not to succumb to it.

"His sister told me about it when I got my hair cut the other day. So quit being an ass."

"You don't need to work."

"I want to work."
"Come work at the bar."

"No."

"Why?"
"I'm not going to Fangtasia to sit beside you and help you 'enthrall the vermin'. We both know you won't let me waitress anymore." She glared at him and he returned it.

"That man touched you right in front of me. What did you expect to happen?"

"He had to get 26 stitches!"
"He was fortunate I was in a generous mood." She growled in frustration and threw her dust cloth at his head. He caught it before it struck him in the forehead and tossed it back to her. She caught it just as swiftly, thanks to a recent intake of her bonded's blood.

"You're being a jealous ass."

"You act as if this is a surprise to you. You think I want you anywhere near Alcide Herveaux? You and I both know he wants to claim you as his."

"He can want all he wants to. I'm married. Married to a big ass Viking Vampire that's getting on my last nerve."

"You're the one wanting to spend time with the Were!"

"I want a part time job! A temporary, part-time job! Filing, answering the phone, posting mail! I need to feel useful."

"You can work in the office at Fangtasia."

"Doing what? You already have a staff that handles everything. Besides, you act like I've already got the job. I haven't even applied! I may not even get the job. I just wanted to let you know that I was applying tomorrow!" She flopped down on the couch beside him and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Apparently, you've already made your mind up about it. Why even ask me?"

"I don't recall asking. You just started saying no." Eric leaned forward and rested his head in his hands. He turned to look at her and saw her determined expression.

"Why the shifter?" He finally asked watching her face for an answer. He suddenly felt her fear and insecurity through the bond. She wouldn't look at him. He placed a finger under her chin and moved her gaze to his. "Sookie?"

She closed her eyes and tried to keep the tears from welling in her eyes.

"He probably won't say no. He'll hire me even though…"

"Even though?" Eric prodded.

"Even though I'm not qualified to do anything." She whispered as she looked away from his face again. His face suddenly softened and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't." He whispered as he kissed the side of her head.

"Don't what?"

"Don't ever belittle yourself, Sookie. You are an amazing, talented woman. Don't ever forget all you've done." She shook her head as he pulled her into his lap.

"I'm just an uneducated, ex-waitress from Bon Temps."

"You're the brilliant, 4.0 student and wife of the luckiest vampire in the world."

"I really want to try this, Eric. I want to feel like I'm doing something."

"It means this much to you?"

"Yes. Besides, it's only temporary." Her eyes pleaded with him to understand.

"Your studies won't suffer?"

"I'm not 16, Eric. I think I can handle it. Besides, what are you gonna do? Ground me?"

"Oh, I can think of more suitable punishments for poor grades." She rolled her eyes and he started gently tickling her sides. The laughter echoing through the house lightened his long dead heart. She kissed and hugged him tightly.