Title: On His Watch

Pairing: Eric and Sookie.

Summary: Far away from Bon Temps and Sookie, Eric struggles to raise his extraordinary daughter.

Disclaimer: The Southern Vampire Mysteries books are the creation and property of Charlaine Harris. This fanfiction was created strictly for entertainment purposes.

Chapter One

I suppose that being chained to a boulder and having snake venom dripping on your head for eternity could be worse but for plain, mindless torture nothing beat the cereal aisle at the A&P,

And yet here he I was engaged in a staring match with a particularly obnoxious image of a grinning Count Chocula while the girl decided between magical marshmallows or eight tasty layers of whole grain fiber. I would bet my fangs that the less colorful box ultimately made it into our already overloaded cart, Adele being the only nine-year-old who had read the Consumer Reports annual cereal ratings.

It was almost painful to watch as the somber child carefully replaced the cereal with the manic leprechaun back into the shelf and clung to the plainer box trying to reconcile with her decision. I sighed loudly and placed both boxes in the cart.

"Just on the weekends" I said and was rewarded by her relieved grin. Even a wise-beyond-her-years child still needed a little guidance.

Twenty minutes later I found myself loading the surprisingly spacious trunk in Honda Fit with her many purchases and a case of O positive for me. Adele was already buckled into her seat and kicking her legs impatiently. I knew what she wanted but there was no way I was going to risk the parking lot cameras recording something I rather not have seen.

"Poppa, you're going sooo slow"

I crossed my eyes at her and she giggled. She knew better than to ask. It had been years since I've used vampire speed and flying is a thing of the past. My daughter has since gotten used to the idea that her father is not a thousand year old vampire but rather a struggling single father who worked nights as a bartender and therefore needed to sleep during the day while she was at school. At least that's the story we've been telling.

Once I was done I folded my body into the driver's seat and buckled my own belt as even a $70 dollar ticket would make a dent in my precarious budget.

"Where are we going now poppa?" Adele asked as she twirled her long blond braid around her fingers.

"Home, you need to have dinner. It is important for young human girls to keep to a set schedule" I felt like I was channeling Pam there for a second.

"But poppa you're not working tonight. Can't we do something fun."

"Like what"

"We could go all the way to the top of the hill next to my school. You can see the stars real close from there." I did not have to turn around to know that she was giving me her most effective smile.

"Ahhh no. It's already too cold for you to be out."

"I'll wear my sweater please poppa. Just this once and I won't ask for anything else for a whole week."

A promise that would be impossible to keep if I knew my daughter and I did. However her appeal was not that unreasonable so I conceded. After a dinner that included an indecent amount of boiled Swiss chard for her and microwaved blood for me we headed towards the aforementioned hill.

The early autumn bouquet was earthy and musty. The odor of the rich dark soil was peppered with squirrel and a couple of badgers…maybe fox. I sensed no other presence in the vicinity. Adele had packed a blanket which I spread as soon as we got to the topmost part. We lay down with our heads supported by our folded arms. As was her custom she cuddled up to me. Close contact always soothed Adele and as a baby she would only go to sleep when I held her in my arms. Remembering, I nuzzled her soft hair. She smelled of peppermint, Irish Spring soap and Sookie.

Sookie. The memory of her could still tear me up inside.

"You're thinking of mommy again." My daughter ventured cautiously knowing that she was ignoring the rules..

"Please don't read my mind Adele." I scolded rather harshly and I could practically hear her pout.

"I'm sorry poppa. You just got so sad."

There was nothing I could say to that so I didn't and pulled her closer. Adele was one-sixteenth fairy but a much stronger telepath than her mother. Whereas my Sookie had been limited to reading humans and some supes, Adele had no problem accessing the vampire mind. It was one of the reasons why we had to leave.

"Do you think that mommy thinks of us?" she asked quietly.

Sookie was my bonded mate and her emotions were as familiar as my own. Wherever she was, I knew that we were in her thoughts. Her perpetual longing for us weighted down my heart.

"I have no doubt." It was an effort to keep the grief from my words.

But Adele wasn't finished. "When can we go see her?"

Overhead the stars seemed indifferent and cold. I found no comfort in their dismal prophecies. "Not for a while longer. You need to get older and stronger." It wasn't the first time that I'd told her and I was certain that it wouldn't be the last.

She grew quiet and I grew somber thinking about the unfairness of the hand fate had dealt her. Adele wanted her mother. My pathetic attempts at meeting her needs were just that and it was detrimental to her wellbeing. I was a poor substitute for Sookie.

"I need you too poppa." She said softly.

"I know little one. Me too."

TBC.

I hope you found this worthwhile. This is my first venture into Stackhouse territory so I am a little uncertain. Please review.