The little motel that could (Brandy/Sam)

[Brandy Berry]

Brandy wouldn't lie, she was as nervous as hell about this. After all, this was a lot different than her parents being at Merlotte's Bar - this was behind closed doors, and behind closed doors is where the truth happened.

Anything that Brandy may of hidden from Sam, embarrassing moments of her past or the more 'in depth' tales of her past relationship with Derek would come out tonight. They would also be asking him questions as well, questions that Brandy dared not ask Sam herself - in truth..

... Brandy and Sam knew very little of each other. They just knew that they were madly in love, and Brandy would of been fine with only that knowledge.

Parents generally weren't satisfied with that, especially her father who already had it in his head that Sam was his future son - in - law. 'He's a keeper' meant 'your gonna marry this one'.

Brandy swallowed hard, looking out the window of Sam's truck as they pulled up to the modest motel room. It was the same motel they had been in only a couple of days ago, only this time she wasn't suffering from the beating of a life time.

In fact, her body was completely healed and she was so thankful for that! She would have a tough time explaining all the bruises on her face to her parents.

"Well, here we are"

Even Brandy's voice was shaky, she reached for Sam's hand and walked with him toward the motel.

[Sam Merlotte]

The drive out to the motel was a fairly quiet one. Sam had insisted the bar shut up early, much to the annoyance of his regular drunkards. But the staff didn't mind an early night. Especially Arlene and Terry. Sam smiled when he thought about them, despite all the problems with Maryann they really were a nice couple and Terry would never hurt Arlene like so many men in her past and Arlene would make Terry feel good about himself. Perfect match.

It was that thought that made him look over at Brandy. She seemed very into her own world. Sam wondered what was going on inside her head. His stomach fell a little as he hoped her mind wasn't on Jack. No. No thinking about that. Only positive thoughts allowed tonight, Sam said to himself.

"Well, here we are"

Brandy said, her voice tinged with anxiety as she held her hand out for his. Sam took her hand gently, giving it a light rub with his thumb. "Yup." was all Sam could reply with, what else could he say? The butterflies started to hit him. It was here Brandy and he hid away from the mess that was Bon Temps under seige. Where Brandy needed to rest from her injuries sustained at the hands of Eggs. Bad memories all in all, but they were here now and it was something they had to do. He just hoped it was as pain free as his 'man talk' with Carl Berry.

[Brandy Berry]

Brandy was the one who knocked on the door first, like the phone her mother opened up before she even finished knocking which awkwardly left her curled-up hand on her mother's shoulder.

Megan was beaming, wrapping Brandy up in a tight hug as Carl moved around the pair to extend his hand out to shake Sam's.


"Excellent, come on in you kids"

Brandy was pulled in by her mother, and much to Brandy's surprise there were various gift baskets and even a cheese/meat tray on the table. A secret weakness of Brandy's was white cheddar and pepperoni sticks.

"Mom, papa, what's all this?"

"Oh, you know your mother and shopping. There is even a gift basket for your boyfriend in there, that I had to pick out."

"Like I know anything about what a man need's. There is a bath set for you dear, along with a bottle of wine and some chocolate for when.. "

Brandy gave her mom that 'don't you dare say it' look, and her mother obeyed while Brandy picked her way through the cheese tray. Sam's basket seemed to be filled with... a lot of razors, was her papa trying to say something? Brandy really liked the stubble on Sam's face.. it tickled when he kissed her. Thankfully there were also 'manly bath products' a tape measure? and other various knickknacks.

Carl cleared his throat and took a seat on the sofa, motioning for Sam to join him.

"Come, sit down and relax. We have coffee if you want. Time for us to find out more about you Sam."

"We won't bring up the family, because it obviously made you uncomfortable at the bar to talk about. But, if you wouldn't mind telling us about where your from, how long you have been in Bon Temps, stuff like that."

Brandy wasn't even sure she had asked Sam such things. She knew she asked him silly things, like his favorite color and what he looked for in a person.. but that was pretty much it. He could of been from the moon and Brandy still would of liked him.

"We also want to know how you feel about Brandy being a witch, we know you aren't human and you aren't vampire but it would be nice to know what you are."

Oh. Sh!t. Brandy didn't expect her parents to know, but honestly why didn't she expect it? They were powerful wiccans and they knew a lot about the supernatural world! Way more than she did.

Brandy took a seat on the edge of the bed.

"And don't you worry, Sam dear, whatever your secret is.. it is safe with us."

[Sam Merlotte]

The door swung open and Megan swooped Brandy into her arms for a motherly hug. Carl made an appearance round the back and outstretched his hand. Sam put his hand into a tight handshake. Brandy's father sure had a firm grip.

Megan ushered them both inside and Brandy vocalised Sam's surprise at the awaiting gifts, then felt bad because he hadn't even thought to bring anything. He hoped it was just a blip on the radar and not how the evening was going to play out.

"Come, sit down and relax. We have coffee if you want. Time for us to find out more about you Sam."

"Thank you, a coffee would be great." Sam smiled appreciatively at Carl. His face fell at the latter part of the sentence. Know more?

Megan interjected with words that relaxed Sam once more.
"We won't bring up the family, because it obviously made you uncomfortable at the bar to talk about. But, if you wouldn't mind telling us about where your from, how long you have been in Bon Temps, stuff like that."

"We also want to know how you feel about Brandy being a witch, we know you aren't human and you aren't vampire but it would be nice to know what you are." Carl got straight to the point, as usual.

Oh sh*t. Sam wasn't getting a chance to reply. Bombarded with more and more questions. Sam was about to speak when Megan spoke up again. "And don't you worry, Sam dear, whatever your secret is.. it is safe with us."

Sam took a breather and began. He would tell them as much as he could, without putting himself or even Brandy into anything compromising.

"Well, first off I'm from Texas. Though as I said I was in foster care for most of my life. So where I was born I'm not really sure." he looked to Brandy and then back to the questioning looks of her parents. "I've been in Bon Temps for just over 6 years now. I felt really at home there and decided it was where I wanted to build a life." Now onto the big stuff. Confiding in someone what he was, was always difficult. But this couple obviously knew of the Supernatural world. "I'm...I'm a shapeshifter." there, all out in the open. "As for how I feel about Brandy being a witch. Well, I'm not too familiar with it all, but it makes Brandy happy and I would never want her to stop practicing. It's part of who she is and I love every part of her."

[Brandy Berry]

"Thank you, a coffee would be great."

It was actually Brandy that had stood up and made her way over to the coffee maker, she knew that Sam usually took his coffee with 2 creams and 1 sugar. When that was done, she passed his cup over to him and took a seat back on the couch.

Megan, on the other hand, was listening curiously to Sam explaining everything they had asked. The fact that he was open, and relaxed about answering the questions had put Megan at ease. But, after a moment, she wasn't watching Sam as much as she was watching Sam and Brandy.

She would have to bring something up soon, but would wait for Sam to finish.

"Well, first off I'm from Texas. Though as I said I was in foster care for most of my life. So where I was born I'm not really sure. I've been in Bon Temps for just over 6 years now. I felt really at home there and decided it was where I wanted to build a life. I'm...I'm a shapeshifter."

"A shapeshifter? Really? Well, that explains it then, I knew I felt something.. dual natured about you. I'm glad Brandy found herself a shifter, I have the utmost respect for your kind."

"And to manage to keep a secret like that, I can't imagine that is easy. What, in a town like Bon Temps. This place is so alive with mystical energy its insane. There are a lot of supes is this area for some reason. I can't quite put my finger on why though."

As for how I feel about Brandy being a witch. Well, I'm not too familiar with it all, but it makes Brandy happy and I would never want her to stop practicing. It's part of who she is and I love every part of her."

"Yeah.. you know, about that... "

Brandy turned to her mother, a questionable look on her face.

"Just.. do me a favor, and stand together. Holding hands. I want to.. try something. Carl, can you grab the tarot cards from my bag? And um.. a .... red candle."

Brandy had no idea what was going on, but she followed her mother's instructions and walked over to Sam, reaching for his hand.

Just what in the world was her mother up to?

[Sam Merlotte]

"A shapeshifter? Really? Well, that explains it then, I knew I felt something.. dual natured about you. I'm glad Brandy found herself a shifter, I have the utmost respect for your kind."

"And to manage to keep a secret like that, I can't imagine that is easy. What, in a town like Bon Temps. This place is so alive with mystical energy its insane. There are a lot of supes is this area for some reason. I can't quite put my finger on why though."

Sam was relieved, both parents accepted both who and what he was. Under different circumstances, he'd not let a thing like that stop him. But these people were powerful witches and they had control over elements and energies. The same energies that control Supernaturals. He couldn't risk either of there disapproval. Brandy was worth more than that to him.

"Just.. do me a favor, and stand together. Holding hands. I want to.. try something. Carl, can you grab the tarot cards from my bag? And um.. a .... red candle."

Sam looked to Brandy, he had no idea what was going on and by the looks of it, neither did she. Magick concerned him greatly, but he had to go along with it. For them and for Brandy. Sam took Brandy's hand and did as requested.

[Brandy Berry]

As they held hands, Megan had cleared off the table and put the single red candle on it. Next, before she lit the candle, she began to spread the cards out in - 5 of them in a straight line face down.

Carl nodded as the wick was lit, and shut off the lights. Megan grabbed the candle as she stood in front of the pair while Carl watched curiously in the background. Brandy felt her heart beating rapidly, unconsciously she had squeezed Sam's hand harder as her mother moved the candle over their hands and then all around them.

"Hmm.. as I thought. Carl, turn the cards over please"

Carl nodded and did as his wife had asked. He looked concerned, and found himself looking toward Brandy and Sam, and then to his wife as the flame flickered ever so slightly.

"Megan. This is something they are going to have to overcome themselves."

She looked toward Carl, a confused expression on her face as she left her spot in front of them and looked over the cards. From the cards, to Carl, to the pair again.

"And this is why I have no patience for vampires. But alas, you are right. Brandy, you must get yourself released from this vampire as soon as possible. The sooner the better"

Brandy still had her hand in Sam's, and she felt guilty about it but it wasn't like she could just.. storm in and find Jack. Or could she? She was scared sh!tless, she would rather just do it without having to see Jack at all.

"I know that. What else? There is something you aren't telling me."

Carl looked uncomfortable, and in one sweep he picked up the 5 tarot cards and put them back in the other pile.

"Your father is right. You two have to figure the other out on your own. You can let go of your hands now."

It was like her parents were speaking in riddles, and Brandy was annoyed. She let go of Sam's hand and moved to turn on the light. Now that was over, what was there left to do?

"Did our daughter tell you everything about her relationship with Derek?"

Oh geesh. The last person she wanted to talk about was Derek.

"We felt really bad that we gave away Brandy's general location, but we really had no choice. He didn't give us one. I am assuming since he is no longer here, that you both managed to work things out?"

[Sam Merlotte]

This whole situation was just plain weird to Sam. The magick, the candles, the cards. The insistince to stand up in front of Brandy's parents and be involved in this small ritual. When they started giving each other strange looks and talking amongst themselves, Sam started to get concerned. He didn't like the looks or the tones of there voices. Something was definetly going on.

"Did our daughter tell you everything about her relationship with Derek?"

Well if anything was going to snap Sam out of his thoughts, this was it. He had no love for Derek and Derek felt even worse about Sam. Even though they shared a brief moment of comradeship, his distaste for the man...Vampire remained.

"Not a lot no. But if Brandy chooses to tell me more about it, I'll be there to listen. I didn't need to know about her past relationships, I've only ever been concerned about the present and our future." Sam was painfully honest. He really didn't care about Brandy's relationship with Derek. It was history and didn't need to be dragged up at all.

[Brandy Berry]

"Not a lot no. But if Brandy chooses to tell me more about it, I'll be there to listen. I didn't need to know about her past relationships, I've only ever been concerned about the present and our future."

Brandy smiled warmly, and both Carl and Megan exchange glances. Megan was looking at Sam curiously and she swallowed hard, something was obviously troubling her.

Carl put his hand on Megan's shoulder, squeezing tightly. It was an unheard conversation between them but Brandy was certain it had to do with Sam.

"Was there.. anything else you wanted to talk to us about mom and papa?"

"Well, where are you living now?"

"With Sam, in his trailer"

"A trailer? Oh that's silly, how can you ever raise my grand kid's in a silly old trailer?"

Brandy could of died. Right then, right there. She started coughing, forcing herself to look away from Sam because she was certain his face would be as red as cherry pie!!

"We aren't going to have kids, not for a long long time! We aren't even - geesh, mother! How embarrassing..."

"Best not be having any granbabies for at least another few years. My daughter is pure, wholesome, and a virgin. For the rest of her life."

The expression on Carl's face read 'well, this is what I've told myself' but clearly he was trying to think of anything but his daughters "sex life".

Brandy wanted to change the subject but her mother was 'loving' this.

"You kids get so embarrassed so easily nowadays"

[Sam Merlotte]

Sam was now completely and utterly mortified. There was talk of children and what was an obvious hint towards marriage. These were things as Brandy had said, were a long way off. Kids especially, not that he didn't like kids or the prospect of having a family. Deep down it was what Sam wanted most of all. Never having truly experienced it growing up, it made him long for the comfort of a secure family unit.

But he was a Shifter and the chances of him passing on his genetics were high. The chance of miscarriage or infant death were also high and that scared him. He didn't want to put Brandy through that pain.
But it was something that he wanted to discuss in his own time. Now they were being coaxed into a discussion about it.

"You kids get so embarrassed so easily nowadays"

Sam had enough of staying silent. "With all due respect Mr and Mrs Berry. But this is something Brandy and I need to discuss, in our own time. Marriage and Kids are a long ways off. I love Brandy, but one thing at a time."

[Brandy Berry]

"With all due respect Mr and Mrs Berry. But this is something Brandy and I need to discuss, in our own time. Marriage and Kids are a long ways off. I love Brandy, but one thing at a time."

Carl let out a Huge sigh of relief, and Megan had a gentle smile on her face. Both nodded, and Megan had reached for the gift basket.

"Of course Sam. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, my apologies. Don't forget to take this with you Brandy"

Brandy nodded, grabbed a hold of it, and watched as her mother handed Sam's over to him.

"And yours as well. Brandy, your father and I are going out tonight. We do appreciate you both stopping by"

Brandy was a bit surprised that her mother wanted her to leave so suddenly, but if that was what they wanted.. then they must of had a good reason for it.

"Will I see you again before you leave? You will at least stop by the bar right?"

Both parents nodded, but it was Carl who spoke next.

"You both take good care of each other, don't let what you have between you die. No matter happens, work your way through it - and above all, forgive each other. No matter what."

Megan shot Carl a 'you gave them too much information' look, but smiled nonetheless.

"Again, it was a pleasure to meet you Sam. We will swing by on our way out of town. Till then, go - have fun"

Brandy shrugged, and gave both her parents hugs before she was finally shuffled out the door.

The meeting went better than she thought.

[Sam Merlotte]

Sam nodded his acceptance of Megan's apology. Sam guessed they were just excited and curious and above all wanting the best for there little girl. She handed Sam his gift basket and he made his thanks for it. It was a very kind gesture, though the tape measure really did bewilder him.

Sam and Brandy hadn't really been at the motel visiting for too long and soon they were on there way back home. But no point in being somewhere if you're not wanted.

"You both take good care of each other, don't let what you have between you die. No matter happens, work your way through it - and above all, forgive each other. No matter what."

Carl's words made Sam raise his eyebrows, as did Megan's look at her husband. Forgive each other? Sam was curious as to what that meant exactly. Did they see something in the cards? Or was it something else? It wasn't Sam's place to ask, so he stayed silent.

"Again, it was a pleasure to meet you Sam. We will swing by on our way out of town. Till then, go - have fun"

"And you both. Make sure to pop into the bar before you go." Sam put out his hand to shake Carl's.

[Brandy Berry]

Once they were outside, Sam said his goodbyes and Brandy decided to meet him at the truck. A sigh left her lips as she crossed her arms and stared toward the motel door.

What did her father mean? It almost made Brandy upset, her brown eyes glazing over slightly as she opened the door and climbed into the truck herself.

Forgive each other? For what, and hadn't they been through enough already?

Once Sam made his way to the truck, Brandy turned to him with a slight smile.

"I guess you wouldn't be in the mood.. for.. well, you know.. when we get home?"

She couldn't help but to be a little hopeful, it had been almost two weeks already.. was that normal for a couple like them?

It didn't feel very normal at all...

[Sam Merlotte]

Sam and Brandy were sat inside the truck and Brandy turned to Sam with a hopeful smile. "I guess you wouldn't be in the mood.. for.. well, you know.. when we get home?"

Well, this was awkward. Sam wanted to very, very much. It hurt him to not be with her the way they wanted to be. He feared she'd leave him eventually, get bored of the waiting. This whole situation with Jack was eating away at there relationship, slowly but surely and Sam felt helpless to stop it.

He thought long and hard over what to say. He couldn't say no, but he couldn't make himself give in to his feelings and say yes. He put a hand onto one of Brandy's and put on a smile. "We'll see how it goes when we get back home. Been a long, long day."

He beat himself up over and over in his head. In a sense this was even worse than the Maryann chaos.

[Brandy Berry]

"We'll see how it goes when we get back home. Been a long, long day."

Brandy let go of Sam's hand, returning it to her lap. Here were those 'up and downs' a relationship tended to have.

"That's a no then. It's fine, I wasn't really in the mood anyway."

Yes, it was a bold-faced lie but it was better than Brandy admitting to him that such things were eating away at her. As usual, she would hop in the shower, without him, and crawl into bed.. without him. Now she was just angry.

She would pretend tired and as they rolled onto the road she didn't say anything on the drive home. Not even when they were at the trailer, and she scooted off into the bathroom to have her shower.

Guess it was another night of 'double clicking her own mouse'.