Awakening

93

Morgan adjusted the picture in the wood frame, a small smile on her lips as she walked toward the fireplace in the living room, placing the frame on the mantle, adjusting it slightly as she looked at the photo of Adele Stackhouse, her smiling face staring back her. She had decided to dedicate the mantle to those who lost their lives, Adele's picture being one of a few, the others we're of Earl Stackhouse and her – quote unquote – adoptive parents, along with a few trinkets for decoration, but the older woman deserved to be in her home. Adele was responsible for so many good memories, her finger trailing along the glass as she closed her eyes, her smile growing a bit when she heard the laughter coming from the older woman, her bottom lip quivering slightly, as Adele's laughter echoed in her mind,

"Oh, I wish you could have met them" she sighed softly "I know who I am because of them. I miss you, Gran"

"Is she the woman who raised you?" Louis asked gently, walking toward her and looking at the picture

"You would have gotten along great" opening her eyes, looking at it for a moment longer "she was never ashamed about my quirks. She actually encouraged me to practice with them so I would lose control"

". . How did it happen?" looking at his daughter

She dropped her hand from the frame, turning around and looking at her father. It was difficult for her to talk about, even now, the events of that night burned into her mind. Raising her hands, she looked at him for permission, earning a small nod from the older vampire, allowing Morgan to gently grasp the sides of his head, leading him toward her own. Her eyes closed as their foreheads made contact, Louis eyes closing as well, just as images formed in his mind, Morgan leaning a black mountain bike on the side of the house before entering the building. A dark room turned brighter with the light, and he could see the body of the older woman laying on the floor in a growing pool of her own blood, Morgan's hands and legs covered in the crimson liquid. He saw the older woman smile slightly, as if she was glad to see Morgan before taking her final breath, his eyebrows furrowing slightly at the feared scream that emitted from his daughter.

Louis's eyes snapped open, reaching up and gently grasping Morgan's hands, removing them from his head as he stood straight, looking at her with sympathy. His eyes fell to the marks on her hands, which had changed when she said the oath of a gray witch, they were beautiful, fitting her perfectly, even better than the first marks.

"I am sorry you had to find her in that state" sincerity in his voice "wherever she may be now, I know when is watching over you. Just as I know your mother is watching over us both"

∆

Merlotte's was busy tonight, Morgan looking around for a moment before smiling when Jessica walked up to her,

"Hey, Morgan" she greeted "just you, Alcide and Lex tonight?"

"Four of us" Raven replied as she walked over to the redhead "I saved us a table"

"All right" handing two menus to Alcide

Raven led the three to an empty table, some men following Morgan with their eyes, while some women looked at the werewolf and the vampire. They sat down, Morgan and Raven across from one another, Alcide next to his mate while Lex sat next to her best friend,

"I'm sorry we haven't had time to catch up" Morgan said, looking at Raven "this week's been crazy"

She filled her in on everything that's happened, with looking for Bill and meeting Russell Edgington, along with what happened to Sookie and the events of the night before, Raven listening to every word she said. And she had to agree with Morgan, the week she had really was crazy. Gray eyes looked over the menu, Alcide doing the same, settling on what they wanted, Arlene taking their order, the woman still not knowing that Morgan was responsible for killing Rene, something only five people knew about – Eric, Raven, Sam, Sookie and Bill.

"A visit from the chef" a male voice said with a smile "wow, it's my lucky day"

"I wanted to meet the sick fuck who ordered the veggie burger . . with bacon" Lafayette replied, gesturing to the plate he held in his hand

"I was just curious to see if you'd actually do it" smiling at him

"Boyfriend" he smirked "for you, I'd do all kinds of things against my better judgement"

"Uh, that's why I come back" amusement in his voice "for the personal service"

"You don't finish that. ." settling the plate down in front of him "you ain't getting dessert" walking away

Morgan couldn't help but smile, happy that Lafayette found someone to put a smile on his face, raising her hand, causing the man to smack it with his own palm, gently squeezing her hand as he stopped at the table,

"What'd you order?" resting his hands on the table

"Well, I ordered the fish and chips" Morgan replied "and Alcide ordered the steak special"

"No sour kraut, extra ranch?" looking at her

"You know me so well" she smirked "and, uh, nice catch by the way. I'm happy for you"

"Thanks, girl" he smiled

He pushed himself off the table, already knowing Raven's usual, walking back to the kitchen as Arlene returned with a tray of drinks, a sweet tea for Morgan, Sprite for Raven, B-Positive for Lex and a Budweiser for Alcide. She was hesitant toward Lex, looking at him with fear, which earned a small glare from his charge, which simply caused her to scurry off to the other customers. Leaning back in her seat, Morgan rested her bag in her lap, grasping her cup and taking a drink of her sweet tea through her straw, looking over toward the man Lafayette was talking to. He looked toward her in return, giving her a small nod, recognizing the marks on her hands, respect showing in his eyes. Morgan gave him a small nod as well, looking back toward Alcide as he was engaged in a conversation with Lex.