Thank you for the reviews, Favorites and Followings
Disclaimer: I own nothing
There was so much movement and preparation in Sookie's hospital room. The day that everyone was looking forward to had arrived. The Northman's were finally going home.
Sookie was packing her bags with Eric's help when Pam arrived.
"Pam, I want you to organize the sheriffs to patrol the estate for when we arrive home".
"Yes, Master".
"I also want Lex to lead the patrol".
"Of course". Pam smiled.
Sookie put the last of her belongings into her bag before she handed it to Eric. "How are you feeling my love"?
"Ready to go home".
"I am as well".
"I have my discharge paper. I was just finishing up packing".
"I will inform the nurse to bring you a wheelchair".
"Thank you".
Eric kissed Sookie on the temple before he turned to leave the room to find her nurse. Lex came into her room shortly after he left.
"Hey, sweetie".
"Is there anything that you need"?
"I will need you to carry that bag". Sookie pointed to a piece of luggage by the door. "Also, your father has Pam organizing the sheriffs for the first patrol after we arrive home. He wants you to lead them".
"You mean Pam, right"?
"No, you are the prince and they are sheriffs. You will lead them".
"I don't know if I can". Lex looked away from his mother.
"You must. One day, you will be a king and lead your own sheriffs so now you must learn".
"Yes, mother". He nodded his head.
The door to the room opened and Eric entered with a nurse pushing a wheelchair.
"Let's get you out of here, Mrs. Northman". The nurse pushed the wheelchair past Eric and next to Sookie".
"No argument from me".
"You have a seat and then I will hand you the baby".
Sookie sat in the wheelchair as the nurse reached into the bassinet and retrieved Annabelle. The nurse turned around to face Sookie and gently placed the baby in her arms.
"Thank you".
"Here we go" the nurse announced as she turned the wheelchair to exit the room.
Eric and Lex followed behind them.
"I want you to lead tonight's patrol with the sheriffs".
"Yes, father".
"Pam will be your second. It's not a weakness to lean on her".
"I understand. Lex nodded.
Eric left Lex to speed ahead to bring the vehicle to the front of the hospital.
When they arrived at the front entrance to the hospital, Eric and Pam were waiting with the vehicles.
The nurse pushed Sookie up to the back door of the SUV in front. Eric opened the door before he took Annabelle from Sookie for her to climb into the backseat. Then he handed her back the baby to put into the car seat before shutting the door.
Lex went and got in Pam's car for the ride home.
"Are you ready for tonight"?
"Nope, I'm terrified".
"What is there to be terrified of"?
What if they don't respect me? What if I screw up and embarrass dad"?
"There are a hundred what ifs. I am not a prince. I am the king's progeny but I know and all the vampires in the state of Louisiana know that if they disrespect me, their king and queen will rain down on them with no mercy".
"So, I should act like I am the son of Eric and Sookie Northman"?
"You should act like you are Prince Lex Northman".
The two vehicles pulled into the drive way past the gate and on to the house. Pam dropped Lex off at the main house for him to get ready for that night's patrol while she went on to her house to also prepare.
Eric got out of the vehicle to walk to Sookie's door to open it for her. She handed Eric the baby in the carrier and he then passed the carrier to Lex to take into the house. Sookie followed after Lex while Eric pulled the luggage out of the trunk of the vehicle.
Lx was dressed for patrol. He checked his gear several times before leaving his room. On the way downstairs he passed his sister's room.
"Hey, mom".
"Hey, Lex". Sookie answered from the rocking chair holding the baby.
"Hey, Annabelle". Lex looked down and gave her his figure.
"Are you ready"?
"As I ever will be".
"Be safe my prince".
"I always am, my queen". Lex smiled before leaving to go downstairs.
Pam met him at the bottom of the stairs. "Are you ready, my prince"?
"A guy could get use to my prince". Lex laughed softly.
"Don't let it go to your head or bad things might happen" She chided as she went out of the door.
Lex followed behind Pam. She stopped at the edge of the steps to await orders. Lex stood beside her.
"Line up" Lex barked.
The sheriffs looked to Pam for confirmation. She was lined up with Lex.
Everyone slowly moved to formation while chattering until they heard a distinct click and then were instantly in line.
Lex looked up into the direction that the others had looked too. His father was standing on the balcony with his fangs extended looking menacing while his mother had light in her figure tips.
"I knew it" Lex shook his head.
"Take advantage of the backdrop" Pam guided.
Lex bore his fangs "I am your prince. You are to obey my commands as though I were your king. Am I clear"?
Eric growled from the balcony.
"Yes, sir"! Resounded through the group of sheriffs.
"Once Pam has given you your assignments, you are dismissed to carry them out".
"Yes, Sir"
Pam called names and gave assignments until there were no sheriffs left standing in front of her.
"Well done, Lex".
"How did I do well when I had to have mom and dad stand behind me"?
"Do you see Henry over there"?
"Yes".
"He is twice my age and thus stronger. He doesn't cross m because of Eric and I know it. Do you see Mark over there"?
"Yes".
"He is thirty years younger than me. He won't cross me because of me".
"How will that work when I am king and have older vampires in my kingdom"?
Your father is over 1,000 years old. The queen before him was 300 years old and he was her sheriff".
"He took her kingdom too".
"He was given her kingdom". Pam corrected. "He took Phillipe De Castro's kingdom".
"How did she keep dad from taking her kingdom"?
"The Authority, if Eric had tried to take her kingdom they would have stepped in. Authority works similarly to an umbrella. If you stay under the Authority, you stay dry, happy and if you step outside the umbrella to say take someone's kingdom, you get rained on".
"And getting rained on is no fun". Lex concluded.
"It's also exhausting and restless".
"Let's join the others before they start talking smack about their prince not patrolling". Lex jogged down the steps with Pam behind him.
"How do you think Lex did"? Sookie asked Eric as she walked through the balcony doors.
"He did fine. He is learning". He answered closing the doors behind him.
"Will you send Pam as regent to Nevada"?
"Would this please you"?
"No, I don't want her to leave. She and Lex have become so close while she has been training him and he has done so well. He needs his sister".
"Then I will not send her".
"Who will you send"? She asked while folding back the covers to their bed.
"I could send Compton". Eric suggested.
"Send him". She nodded.
"Yes, my queen". He nodded before climbing into bed.
"Thank you, my king". Sookie smiled before she climbed into bed to join him.
The next morning, Lx came downstairs to join everyone in the kitchen for breakfast.
"The sheriffs will be sending their seconds for tonight's patrol". Eric informed Lex.
"How long will these patrols go on? With outside vampires".
"Until the Authority sends a regent to Nevada. I don't want any of De Castro's loyalists to sneak by".
"Understood". Les grabbed a True Blood from the refrigerator. Twisted the cap before sticking it in the microwave".
"After the regent has been sent the were will take over patrols". Eric continued.
"We're farming out the patrols now"?
"Yes, I will be busy training you so that one day you can be regent".
"You mean king". Lex corrected as he pulled the bottle out of the microwave.
"I'm not going to give you a part of my territory. What kind of king would I be, if I just handed you Nevada without going to war"?
"A great one" Lex smiled.
"No, I would constantly be in Nevada to make sure that no one took it from you and Louisiana would suffer".
"I understand". Lex conceded.
"Now that, that is settled. We need to prepare for the summit". Sookie interjected.
"As you wish, my love".
"Pam, will you book the entire reservations, plain, hotel, cars"?
"With pleasure" She smiled.
"Do not bankrupt the kingdom, Pamela". Eric warned.
"Yes, master". She answered with a pout.
"I will find an Au Pair for Annabelle". Sookie assigned herself and after a thought to the list. "Add clothes to your list, Pam".
"With pleasure" Pam's smile returned.
"Pamela". Eric warned.
"I must obey my queen". She chided.
"Next, Eric and Lex, I need you to take care of Annabelle while I set up interviews and conduct interviews as well as help Pam".
"I'm stuck on baby duty". Lex complained.
"She is a Fae Vampire hybrid. Don't let her play with stakes and give her a bottle of blood when she cries".
"So it's like taking care of you". Pam teased.
"Nope, I'm a big boy now. I get to play with stakes". Lex corrected.
"You two are a mess". Sookie commented before she took Annabelle out of her swing and left the kitchen to go upstairs.
Eric handed Pam his credit card. "Remember what I said".
"Yes, master". Pam snatched the credit card from his fingers before leaving to begin work on her tasks.
"Two vampires and a baby. Sounds like the title of a really bad movie". Lex finished his True Blood.
"Even so, we must live it". Eric rises from his seat and directs Lex towards Annabelle's room.