LATE
Summary: Sookie has some surprising news for Eric.
Chapters 1-6
WARNING: For Mature Audiences.
Chapter 1
Sookie just stared at the little stick as if the longer she looked at it, the more likely it was to give her a different answer. It didn’t change, of course, and the little “+” sign in the window was going in and out of focus, but it was still a plus sign.
“Sookie, this is really important. Are you SURE?” Amelia asked in her most diplomatic tone. She was visibly scared and Sookie seemed to be in shock.
“Amelia, I swear, it can’t be anyone else. It’s been over a year and a half since I’ve been with anyone but Eric. I’ve gone through this a thousand times in my mind.”
“Honey, vamps can’t…”
“I KNOW that, Amelia! This doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know what to do!”
“You know if he thinks you’ve cheated on him….”
“I haven’t – I wouldn’t do that, you know I wouldn’t and I haven’t.”
“Well, then, Sweetie, your only choice is to tell him and see if he has an explanation.”
“You think maybe he’ll have some idea what’s happening?”
“It’s possible. I don’t think he’ll kill you before you get the words out of your mouth, but talk fast and keep talking. Maybe that Dr. Ludwig would know…?”
“I hadn’t even thought about Dr. Ludwig. I guess she would be the authority on all things “Supe,” right?”
“Right.”
“Ok, so I drive to Fangtasia, I make Eric sit behind his desk and I stand on the other side of the room and I tell him and beg him to call Dr. Ludwig before he has a chance to kill me.”
”That would seem to be your only option. Maybe the shock will slow him down….” Amelia added weakly. She knew Eric Northman well enough to know that slow for him could still mean a dead human before the words were out of Sookie’s mouth.
It was the longest drive of Sookie’s life, but she barely remembered it. Her head was spinning. She was nauseous for several reasons. She felt greasy because she hadn’t even bothered to take off her Merlotte’s uniform or shower before she got in the car and headed for Shreveport. She sat in the back lot of Fangtasia gripping the steering wheel of her car – her crappy car that Eric wanted desperately to replace, but that was another fight – until her knuckles were white and aching. She looked in the rear view mirror, put a determined look on her face and opened the door. It had to be done - might as well get it over with.
Clenching and unclenching her fists by her side, wishing she’d worn something besides her shorts and sneakers from work, she walked rapidly to the back door and pulled. Pam was in the hallway – 'Damn, why didn’t I dress up, she looks gorgeous?' – and she looked surprised to see her.
“Sookie, he didn’t expect you until later. I thought you were going out – you didn’t change?”
“Hi, Pam. Yeah, I didn’t have time, I really need to speak to Eric before the club opens.”
“Alright,” Pam said cautiously, “he’s in his office going over the bank statements. Go on in.”
“What kind of mood is he in?”
“Mood? He’s Eric – he is how he is…”
“That’s what I’m afraid of”
Sookie turned the corner and took a deep breath as she reached for the knob on the door of Eric’s office. Taking a deep breath, she went in quickly without knocking.
Eric didn’t look up, but he acknowledged her.
“My lover – you are here...”
God, he was beautiful. She felt even worse now that she hadn’t changed. He was wearing a black leather vest with no shirt, probably matching pants that she couldn’t see and she was pretty sure which pair of ‘Double H’s ‘ he had on under the desk. His hair was freshly washed and shining like gold under the desk lamp.
“Eric, I’m late.”
“No, my lover, you are actually an hour early - you haven’t changed?” He looked up at her confused about why she was still in her work clothes. They did have plans…
“No, not late for getting here, late, late. I haven’t gotten my period this month.”
“Are you ill? Have you seen a doctor? You know, these things would not be a problem if you would come over. I’ve told you many times that all you have to do is say the…”
“No, Eric, I don’t think I’m sick. I took a pregnancy test and it turned out positive.”
His blue eyes grew wide and then he furrowed his brow and I could feel the anger building…
“Sookie, have you…”
“NO! No, I haven’t been with anyone but you for a year and a half! I don’t understand this…”
“You know I can’t …”
“I know, but you did because I am and there’s no other way!”
Faster than she could see, he was out from behind the desk, towering over her and gripping her upper arms. “Tell me the truth, Sookie. Who…’
POP! There was a noise and a flash and there stood Claudine in an aqua spangled dress.
“Hold on, Blondie – back behind the desk”
Eric’s eyes were fixed on Claudine. He let Sookie go and moved toward her with that look vamps get in their eyes when they smell Fairy.
“I said back up, big boy, and get behind the desk! We need to talk but I want some distance between you and me so you can focus on what I’m about to tell you."
Sookie put her hand on Eric’s chest. “Eric – snap out of it! Go behind the desk for a minute! Please!”
Never taking his eyes off the statuesque fairy, Eric reluctantly moved back behind his desk and sat down.
Sookie was crying a little – her nerves were shot, she felt sick, Eric was angry and her fairy god-cousin was standing there looking like she should be on stage in Vegas. Great.
“So I take it you both know the good news?!”
“Good news?” Eric and Sookie said in unison. There was news, to be sure, but there didn’t seem much good about it. The “news” was impossible!
“Look, Sookie, you know how Niall is always determined to give you a gift – something you really want?”
Eric was stunned. “What has this to do with Niall? What are you talking about?”
“Stop interrupting and I’ll get there. As I said, you know that Niall always wanted to give you something special, Sookie?”
“Yeah…?”
“Well, it turns out there was something he was able to do for you after all. He was able to make one of your dreams come true in spite of your… situation?” She said with a little distaste, pointing from Sookie to Eric and back to Sookie.
“Situation…?” Eric sounded a bit offended and still angry.
“The bond you two kids have. Sookie will never be able to have a human mate, or even a Fae or a Shifter. In order to be with you, Northman, she had to give up any hope of ever having kids.”
“Claudine, I never…” Sookie started to try and let Eric know that she made the choice consciously. She didn’t want him to think it was his fault she couldn’t have a normal life. Eric interrupted.
“Sookie never told me this was a problem. I wasn’t aware this was a sacrifice…” Eric suddenly sounded sad, as if the concept had literally never occurred to him.
Sookie was around Claudine and around Eric’s desk in a heartbeat. She threw her arms around him. “Eric, I chose you. Things were a little rocky at first but in the end I chose to be with you, knowing what that would mean. You have nothing to feel bad about.”
Eric’s eyes were rimmed with red. He closed them and tilted his head forward so that his forehead touched Sookie’s.
“Now, as I was saying…” Claudine began again, “Niall found a sort of “loop hole””
“Loop hole?” Sookie was confused, Eric was silent.
“Yes, a loop hole. Have you kids ever noticed that you have exactly the same color hair?”
“Yes, we’ve joked about it…” Eric said as he looked at Sookie as if he’d never seen her before.
“Well, kids, there’s a reason for that. No, you are not related, but you ARE of a type…
“A type?” Sookie was lost.
“Yes, a type – a type of Fairy.”
Eric was getting antsy. “Fairy, you are making no sense and I’m not in the mood for games: Say what you came here to say.”
“Well, it turns out that Eric’s mother… do you remember her, Northman? Eric’s mother was Fae.”
“What?!” Eric and Sookie cried out in unison again and looked at each other, then at Claudine, then back at each other.
“Eric, before he was a vampire, was half Fae. His mother was from Ireland, taken on a raid, and she only stayed in Sweden long enough to have Eric before she returned home.” Claudine now had their complete attention. “So, what we have here is a half-Fae vampire and a ¼ Fae human. It only took a little magick with that combination.”
“Magick… you mean I…” Eric was incredulous, but he was catching on.
“That’s right, Viking – it’s YOUR baby.”
Sookie’s eyes were wide and bright – “Is that.. Claudine, is… Eric is that possible?!”
“I have no idea.”
“It’s not only possible, kids, it’s a fact. Sookie, you are pregnant with Eric’s baby.”
“Claudine, if this is a joke…” Sookie pleaded.
“No joke, honey, a gift from Great Grand Dad. He found a way to make your dream of having Eric’s baby come true.”
Eric was still stunned, but his mind was racing with questions.
“Sookie, did you ask this of Niall?"
“Eric, how could I – I didn’t even know such a thing was possible!”
“Fairy – this child – will it be Fae, vampire, human, what?" Eric was trying to wrap his mind around the idea.
Claudine shrugged. “We don’t know yet.”
“What? You mean I’m pregnant with a baby and we don’t even know what it is?”
“Well, we know it’s a healthy boy, but that’s it. He might have Fae abilities. He might have a taste for blood. He will be very strong and live a long time. Or he might be human and have no special abilities at all. We have to wait and see – it won’t be that long.”
“What do you mean ‘won’t be that long?’” Sookie was getting nervous again.
“Well, Fae only carry babies for about 5 months. Vamps don’t gestate, but they do have healing power in their blood. We figure the combination will give you maybe 5 or 6 months of pregnancy. It will be much sooner than a human baby, but it will be healthy.
Well, kids, I’m out of here. You know as much about it as I do now. Enjoy!” and with that Claudine was gone in a cloud of gold sparkles.
“So… this is for real…” Sookie looked at Eric apprehensively.
“Apparently.” Eric was still stunned. 'If anyone had the power to do this, it would be Niall.'
“Eric, we never talked about anything like this because it was never a possibility. How do you feel about the idea of being a father?”
“Sookie, I’ve lived over a thousand years with the idea that I never would be… it’s going to take me some time to absorb this… but I think I’m delighted at the idea.”
“Really? You’re not mad at me?”
“My lover, there is no reason to be “mad” at you - this is not your doing. It is a shock, to be sure, but Niall had your best interests at heart and there IS magick involved. It might be unwise to regret such a thing. It might be dangerous to reject such a gift. If the gods have allowed this, there must be a reason...”
There was a knock at the door.
“Enter?”
“Master, I need your signature on a form…” Pam began.
“Pam, I am going to be a father.” Eric was beaming.
‘Wow’ Sookie thought ‘that was fast!’
Pam looked confused – “You are joining the priesthood?”
“No, Pam, I shall be a parent.”
“Apparent?”
“A father. Sookie is pregnant and I am the father. I am going to have a son!”
Pam blinked at him. Sookie had never seen her speechless before.
“Is this possible?” Pam asked.
“It would seem so. There has been… magick… “ Eric was trying to decide how much to tell her, “and we have it on good authority that it is true. We will have a baby.”
“Sookie, you are well?” Pam asked.
Sookie was surprised – Pam didn’t seem upset. She seemed genuinely concerned.
“I’m fine, Pam, I’m just pregnant and a little nauseous. Eric, I could use a ginger ale.”
“Pam, will you…”
“Of course, Master, I’ll send one of the bar maids back immediately. Sign this please, and I’ll go back to my work.”
Eric signed the pink form, and Pam was on her way.
“It occurs to me, my lover, that I have not thanked you.”
“Thanked me? For what?! Ruining your life?!”
“On the contrary. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. You will bear me a son, and a son like no other. He will be unique. You are his mother, so he will be beautiful. I am his father so he will be tall and strong. No other vampire will have such a nest!”
“Will any other vampire believe that it is yours?”
“Some will doubt, but that means nothing to us. We will let it be known that he is a child of magick, and that will suffice. No one needs to know whose magick or why, and no one will dare question my word.”
“How is the King of Las Vegas going to feel about one of his Sheriffs having a baby?”
“He’s going to be… surprised, to say the least!” Eric chuckled. Eric was laughing.
“You’re really OK with this?” Sookie couldn’t believe it.
“Yes, I’m “OK,” lover. Are you not pleased? It just dawned on me that you have not said how you feel about this.”
“Well, if it’s actually your baby, then I’m… thrilled. It was always in the back of my mind that I would never be able to have your baby, and I have to admit, it made me sad from time to time. I might not have chosen this right now, but if I had been asked if I wanted it, I would have said yes.”
“Then you are happy?”
“Yes, I think… I am VERY happy!” Sookie admitted. “Talk about having your cake and eating it, too! I get to have a vampire lover and I get to have a family with him!” Sookie jumped in his lap and hugged him.
He kissed her, a long soft, deep kiss. He didn’t want her to know that he was worried, or scared. He wanted her to enjoy this gift at least for a while. He knew that they must talk about the dangers this could create. Eric was a powerful sheriff and he already worried about Sookie being used to control him. This was one more vulnerability – but he was going to have a son, and that was a blessing. He silently vowed to himself that he would kill anyone who threatened his family. He would have a son like no other – a god among men and vampires alike. He knew this. His son might have enemies, but his son would be king and he would live to see it happen.
Chapter 2
“So, my lover, we have much to discuss. I think we should go home where we can be alone. Nothing is pressing here, and our plans are not that important.”
“I’d like that – It would be nice to take a shower and put on different clothes. I was too distracted to do that before I came over here.”
“Mmmmm – a shower sounds like a wonderful idea!” he said with his familiar leer. “You have clean clothes at my house, and that’s closest, so why don’t we spend the night there?”
“I’d like that. I need to call Amelia and tell her everything is OK.”
“Here, sit at my desk and use my phone – call your Witch and let her know we are happy and proud. I will go inform Pam that I am leaving for the night. “
Sookie was scooting up to Eric’s desk as he walked out and Ginger walked in with a ginger ale. Sookie laughed to herself about the “ginger” coincidence, as silly as that might be, and she was grateful to have it. This nausea thing might be a problem.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Amelia – it’s Sookie.”
“Sookie! How are you – is everything OK?”
“Yes, everything is fine. I don’t want to go into too much detail over the phone, but I can tell you that it IS Eric’s baby and he is thrilled about the idea of being a father.”
“Wow – that’s much better news than I was expecting. Maybe the Mighty Warrior has a soft spot somewhere after all. Wait – I just had a picture of Eric changing a dirty nappy – too funny!”
Sookie laughed out loud. “I’m glad you can picture it, because I certainly can’t!”
Eric came back in as Sookie and Amelia were giggling at the prospect of him changing diapers.
“All is well, my lover?”
“All is very well! I’m staying in Shreveport tonight, Amelia – I’ll see you tomorrow before I go to work. OK, bye!”
“Shall we go?”
“We shall. Can we stop and get me some food. Suddenly, I’m starving.”
“As you wish, my lover.” Eric promised as he ushered her out the back door, through the back lot and toward his tiny red sports car.
“Wow – no room in here for a car seat” she said as he held her door open.
“Two car seats are not enough?” Eric asked, not catching on yet.
“No, I mean a car seat that you put a baby in, for the back seat.”
“Ah, baby equipment.” He said as he folded himself into the car, “I suppose there is much for me to learn about these things. I haven’t been near children in a long, long, time, but I know from TV that there are many things to buy for an infant’s well-being and that women take great pleasure in creating their nests.”
“You mean “nurseries” don’t you?” Sookie teased.
Eric smiled at her “Nests, nurseries, these are all the same. Mothers feathering a soft place to nurture their young and protect them from harm. Some mothers might use twigs and feathers and some might buy designer furniture and baby clothes, but it is all the same. It is Mother Nature extending Her long life.”
“I never thought of it that way – I like that! Mother Nature extending Her long life.” Sookie repeated. “It almost makes Mother Nature sound like a vampire, though.”
“All life is vampiric in some way, my lover. When one thing feeds, another almost always dies. Life takes life to continue. Vampires are just a little more direct about it.”
“Huh – I never knew you were a philosopher,” she teased him again.
“One does not live for a millennia without occasionally thinking about the Nature of that life. What would you like to eat, my dove?”
“I want something really gooey and sweet but that’s probably not a good idea. How about one of those big Chicken Caesar Salads at Hannigan’s? They have takeout.”
Eric turned right into the Hannigan’s parking lot and went to the curb service entrance. A frightened teenager in a brown uniform brought her salad out to the car. She heard him thinking that he had lost the draw to see who would serve the huge vampire. She forgot sometimes just how big and scary Eric can be to people who aren’t used to dealing with an almost-living Norse god. She laughed out loud and Eric looked strangely at her as he pulled out of the parking lot and back onto the highway.
“You are amused?”
“I am giddy. This evening is already much better than I expected it to be.”
“If I have my way, this evening will get much, much better when I get you home and into the shower.” His blue eyes were glittering and his fangs came down a little. She knew what that meant and it made her squirm in her seat.
Eric laughed and took in a deep whiff of the air. “Ah, someone else is looking forward to our shower, too.”
He was driving too fast, as usual, but he couldn’t get them home soon enough to suit her.
Chapter 3
Sookie marveled at the large white house as they drove through the gate and into the garage in back.
Eric laughed. “You look as if you’ve never seen my house before. You’ve been here nearly a hundred times.”
“It always amazes me that a real Viking lives in a 4 story Victorian with a Summer Kitchen out back and a garage door opener. Let alone the idea that you have a gardener who takes care of your roses and all those beautiful white Moon Vines all around the windows."
“I don’t want it to look like a vampire's nest. As far as I know, none of the neighbors knows that a vampire lives here. The trees all around the perimeter inside the iron fence keep the yard hidden from view. I like the roses because they make the summer air smell sweet, and the Moon Vines bloom at night so I can see them. Between my day man, Bobby, and the gardeners and three maids, there’s enough traffic in and out of here in the daytime to make the place look normal.”
“Nobody would expect a Viking to know about Moon Vines, or to care that his house is dusted and roses are pruned.”
“People underestimate the Swedish. We’re a very cultured people, not the barbarians you see in movies. Yes, we loved to fight and we traded in faraway lands, but we weren’t all raiders and rapists. That would be like judging all Englishmen by the Inquisitioners of the Reformation.”
“Don’t get defensive, Sweetie. I’m just teasing you!”
“I know you are… but there are other ways I’d prefer you to tease me,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows at her as he held her door open so she could get out. Before she was on her feet, he swept her up into his arms and they were in the kitchen door.
He kissed her and set her down in front of the refrigerator.
“That was sweet. Now, food first, then shower, then… “
“… and then I make mad love to the mother of my child.”
“Wow, that sounds weird.”
“Think of how I feel about it. We have entered the realm of the impossible.“
Sookie sat at the little kitchen table and began to open her salad. She was starving.
“I wonder if I’m so hungry because I’m pregnant?’
“No doubt, my lover. I understand women consume a lot of food and in very strange combinations when they are with child. My son, of course, will have a huge appetite, and of course, will demand to be breast fed often.” He laughed with that smug look on his face that made her want to slap him, then kiss him.
“This thing with “your son” is going to get out of hand, isn’t it?”
“My dear, I will be the only living vampire with a child I didn’t have to kill and transform. He will be a combination of the two of us. He will be unique and magnificent – I have no doubt of this!”
“What if he grows up to be a geeky little science nerd who wants nothing to do with vampires and fighting?”
“You are joking, of course.”
“Of course.” She laughed.
“My son… our son will be a warrior. He will be strong and powerful. Humans and Supernaturals alike will quake at his feet. I know this.”
“Oh, you know this?!”
“Absolutely. I knew it the minute I understood him to be mine and yours by magick. Trust me, my lover, the gods have a plan for such a special child. These things do not happen by chance.”
“No, they happen because my Great Grand Father is a Fairy Prince who won’t take me fishing, so he gives me a vampire baby.”
“Niall would not know what to do with a fish. I’m sure he would tell you the same thing about our son if you asked him. Finish eating – I’ll be right back.”
Eric popped into his office and came back with a pen and a steno pad.
“We will have many questions about this baby and we must make a list of them, plus a list of things you must buy for our houses. “
Sookie watched as Eric wrote a 1, a period and then ‘C-A-R’ She frowned.
“A car for a baby?”
“A car for my baby’s mother. Yours is crap and you know it. I won’t have my child endangered by riding in a useless machine like that.”
“Eric, I do NOT need a new car.”
“Whether you do or do not, my son does and so he shall have one. It will be built in Germany and will have bullet proof glass.”
“Bullet-proof…”Sookie stopped. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. She was so worried about how Eric would take the news that she hadn’t thought about the fact that Eric and Niall both had enemies. For that matter, so did she. An infant with that pedigree was practically “A target.” She said. “Our baby will be in danger his entire life.”
“Yes, my lover, I am afraid that is true. He will be vulnerable to attack until he is grown and he could be used against me by my enemies, just as you could be.”
Sookie started to cry. Eric reached out and wrapped both his hands around hers.
“Sookie, look at me. We will live our lives. You and I have stayed together in spite of our enemies. So we will also raise our child in love and safety as much as is possible. Trust the gods, Sookie and trust me. I will do everything in my power to keep you both safe. This child is a child of magick. He might be in greater danger than some babies, but he will have greater protection as well. Most children don’t have an immortal Viking who will give his life for them, or a Great Grand Father who can bring the entire Fairy realm into war if he so chooses. You are protected by Were packs, Witches and every vampire in Felipe de Castro’s kingdom. You are the bravest, strongest person I have ever known. We can do this. Together, we can do this.”
“Eric, are you sure? Do you really want to deal with another person that is dependent on your protection, who can be used against you?”
“I want nothing more than I want this. I love you and I will love our son. There is no price too great to pay for that.“ Eric stood, bent and kissed her on her forehead, then gathered up the remnants of her salad container and bags. Throwing it all in the trash, he said brightly. “Time for our shower, my lover. Are you ready?”
Sookie smiled. Yes, she was more than ready. Eric carried her up the stairs to the third floor.
Chapter 4
Eric put her down on the bed, but she got right up to get her uniform off. He already had his vest and boots off and headed into the master bathroom. As she wiggled out of her shorts, Sookie called to him, “Eric, sweetie, would you consider a bath instead of a shower? It’s more relaxing.”
“Of course, my lover. What kind of bubbles do you want?”
“Bubbles?”
“Yes, I ordered a new selection of bubble bath crystals and gels. Some of them smell very good. This one called Amber has a wonderful scent.”
“Well, if you think it smells good, let’s try that.”
“As you wish, my lover,” He agreed as he bent to turn the faucet on. The tub was huge – one of the biggest they made that wasn’t intended for 4 or more people.
“Wait a minute,” Sookie said as she tossed her panties on top of her folded clothes, “Eric Northman bought bubble bath? You’re kidding,” she laughed.
“What’s the saying about bread and butter?” he asked as he lit several candles and turned off the light
She came into the bathroom naked, he scooped her up and sat her gently in the tub.
“You mean about knowing which side your bread is buttered on?”
“That’s it. The more pleasant I make your time in the tub, the more time I get to spend in the tub with you. “
“So by buying bubble bath, you are being pragmatic and manipulative?”
“Some would see it that way, I suppose. I just see it as indulging my lover’s senses and enjoying the results” he explained as he climbed into the tub right behind her.
She leaned back against his chest, the ever-erect “gracious plenty” folded up between them. Eric pulled the elastic that was holding her ponytail out of her hair and dropped it on the floor.
“Lean back and wet your hair,” he whispered.
She let him shampoo her hair. “Mmm – it smells like strawberries.”
“That’s new, too. I’m glad you like it.”
“Get that on line, too?”
“Yes. I find myself spending a lot of time thinking about what will please you. It’s very distracting, but not in an unpleasant way. It seems to annoy Pam, though.”
“That you’re thinking about me?”
“No, that I make her try out all these things before I get them for you. She says she feels like a lab rat.“
“Great…”
“She won’t admit it, but she likes the products, too, and so do her female companions.”
“Pam has…”
“Shhhhh, Sookie, relax.” He rinsed her hair with the hand held shower, then twisted it and clipped it up at the back of her head.
“Why’d you do that?”
“So it won’t get oily.”
“Oily?”
Eric reached for a bottle of golden liquid and popped the flip up top, pouring a little into his hand and gently spreading it on her shoulders.
“Oh, that smells delicious – what is it?”
“Almond massage oil. It’s edible so it’s safe for many different applications.”
“And you know this how?”
“Just be glad that I do. It will save you some discomfort later on.”
“What…”
“Quiet, my lover, you wanted to relax so trust in me and do as I say.”
He had both hands on her shoulders now, slowly squeezing and kneading the muscles there, pressing his thumbs firmly into her flesh at the bottom of her shoulder blades. Kissing wasn’t the only technique Eric had spent a thousand years perfecting. As his fingers danced over her skin, she felt all the tension melt away from her neck and shoulders. She hadn’t realized she was so tense, but then again, it made sense because she had been worried for days.
Eric pressed the heels of his palms onto her back on each side and slowly pushed them downward, his fingers kneading her lower cheeks as they circled around and he pressed his thumbs on either side of her spine and pushed them all the way up to the base of her skull. He traced that pattern on her back over and over and then he reached under her arms to her waist and pulled her back to him, kissing her shoulder, her neck, her ear lobe.
She began to worry she would fall asleep when he began massaging her breasts. OK, now she was awake. Relaxed, yes, but wide awake. He poured a little more oil on her breastbone and smoothed it down over her stomach. He began to make little circles on her belly with his fingers as they moved back up to her breastbone, her collarbones, gliding back down to her breasts and teasing the nipples. He spread his fingers across her ribs and stroked, pulling his hands back, then pushing forward to gently squeeze her breasts again.
He began to rub himself against her back as he pressed her oiled flesh back into his chest and his throbbing cock. She laid her head back on his shoulder and arched her neck to him. He kissed her neck, and moved his hands down between her legs, each stoking her soft folds in turn as they moved down and then back up several times.
“Sookie, turn and face me,” he whispered as he pulled her right arm around and guided her to straddle his lap. She thought he was going to enter her, but he shook his head slowly. “Not yet, my lover, be patient.” He kissed her deeply as his hands kneaded her cheeks and thighs, and she bent forward into him.
Damn, she hated it when he was so s-l-o-w and he knew it. He knew he was making her crazy, because she could see the sparkle in those sea blue eyes as she straddled his legs, resting on her knees. He reached for the bottle of oil again, pouring a lot of it into his right hand as he whispered “Kiss me.” She leaned forward again, raising up on her knees a bit to reach him.
As his tongue separated her lips, his hand spread the oil between her legs from her nub all the way back and up between her cheeks. Her eyes widened a bit at that but his left arm slipped around her waist and kept her from breaking the kiss. His right hand was gently massaging her labia, fingers slipping in and out of her. His right thumb slipped into her, as his fingers moved back up to the other entrance and began to press. She wasn’t sure what he was doing and she was even less sure why it seemed to feel good. She began to wiggle a bit on his hand and put her arms around his neck. She couldn’t look at him, but she didn’t pull away, either,
Eric breathed against her neck “My lover…” and as he did his finger slid into the other entrance as his thumb went deep into her vagina. She was impaled on his hand, feeling something she’d never felt before. She put her hands on his shoulders, grinding on his hand. Years of Christian upbringing were screaming in her brain but they were being smacked down hard by the pleasure that was building as she rode Eric’s fingers.
‘Oh. My. God. He has the longest fingers.’
He was really moving his hand in and out of her and he held her firmly around the waist. She began to lean backward into his hand, thrusting her breasts forward. His mouth found her nipple and bit. When the wave came crashing down on her, she understood why it’s called le petit mort – she was dying and she didn’t care.
Her legs were shuddering as he pulled his hand out and pulled her forward onto his cock with such surprising ease that she would later conclude that he’d done this before. A lot. She felt like a rag doll and not at all sure she could hold it together until he finished. He reached between them with his left hand to rub her nub and began to really push upward as she rode him.
He grabbed her with both hands and flipped her under him so she was now with her back to the tub. He began to take long strokes in and out of her, splashing water over the side of the tub, putting out several of the candles. His arms were on either side of her head, braced on the edge of the tub, his muscles bulging as he began to move with vampire speed.
“Oh, god, ERIC!” she screamed as he let out a growl she had never heard come from him before. Then, they were still. Sookie was panting, and Eric threw his head back and shook his hair like a lion’s mane. That was… intense.
Looking around a bit as she sat up, Sookie couldn’t believe the condition of the room. “We made a mess.”
Eric laughed with that shaky, ‘I just fucked like a vampire’ way of his. He was so smug. Damn he was sexy when he was pleased with himself. He pulled a stack of towels from a shelf and threw them on the floor to mop up the water they splashed over the sides.
“So, my lover, are you relaxed now?”
“Ah, I uh” Sookie chuckled because she knew there was a joke there somewhere but she couldn’t think clearly enough to find it. She was still laughing as Eric opened the drain to empty the tub, look a bar of soap and began to wash the oil off of her skin with the hand-held attachment.
“So, almond oil?” she laughed.
“Almond scented massage oil. And the best part is, your skin will feel like velvet when you’ve washed and dried.”
“What… I mean, I never…”
“It’s good to try new things, Sookie. Sometimes things feel better than you might imagine if you didn’t know.”
“I guess so…”
Eric reached for a big, fluffy white towel.
“That thing is huge!” she said as he wrapped it around her.
“I can’t let my lover get cold, especially not now.”
“Oh god, I almost forgot – I’m a terrible mother!”
Eric laughed as he took the clip out of her hair. “You are an angel. It’s good to be relaxed and happy. It has to be good for the baby.”
He handed her a comb so she could finish her hair while he bent over the tub and washed his hair with the attachment. She could grow to love that thing, if only for the view it was giving her of Eric’s best feature.
“I know you are watching me, Sookie.”
“So?” She snapped a little defensively.
“I just want you to know that I know your eyes are on me whenever I turn my back to you. I need to get on with having that mirror put up over the bed.”
He came to stand behind her as she looked in the mirror, combing her hair.
“You wouldn’t really do that would you?”
“I would if it would please you.” He took the comb and started on his own hair.
“It’s kind of kinky, don’t you think?
“Kinky? That’s a word people use to describe sex they aren’t having. It does not apply to us, my lover. We are bonded – we do whatever we want, whenever it pleases us.”
“Ok, then, yeah, I’d like you to do that. “
“Ok, that’s the second order of business – right after I order your new car.”
Chapter 5
Sookie was lying on her stomach on the bed on top of the big white towel. Eric stepped out of the room wearing a towel around his waist, and came right back with the steno pad.
“That’s a very pretty view, my lover.”
“Well, enjoy it while you can because I’m going to get fat.”
“You will not get fat. You will blossom, and ripen, and after you will be my beautiful princess once more.” He threw the pad and pen on the bed next to her and picked his black jeans up off the floor.
“What if I don’t? What if I stay fat?”
“No chance of that, lover. I will give you my blood and my attentions regularly – you will be healthier than you have ever been.” Frowning, he went through all the pockets several times.
“Speaking of healthy, what about pre-natal care?”
“What?”
“You know, a doctor to help make sure everything is OK. I don’t think Louisiana has any OB/GYNs that specialize in “children of magick.”” She joked in her best Boris Karloff imitation.
“This is true.”
He was down on his knees now, looking under the bed.
“Eric, what about Dr. Ludwig – does she handle babies?”
“I have no idea, but I’m sure if she doesn’t, she will know who does. She’s very well connected in our world.”
“Will you talk to her then? Soon?”
He was on his knees facing the bed now, resting on his elbows.
“Would you like me to summon her now?”
“No. Early tomorrow evening would be good, though. I’m a little nervous about this and I’d feel better if I knew what I need to be doing.”
“Good – make another column and put it at the top of the list,” and he resumed his search under the bed.
“What’s with you and lists all of a sudden?”
“We are in uncharted territory, lover – it’s best to take a map so we don’t forget anything.“
“That’s very pragmatic of you.”
“One of us has to be – you have cried three times today that I have witnessed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that pregnant women are known to be… mercurial.”
“Mercurial?”
“Yes, mercurial – moody and weeping all the time. You aren’t normally weepy as you have been today. Quick to anger sometimes, but not so quick to cry.”
“OK, now you’re just pissing me off.”
“I’m so glad you aren’t being moody.” Eric laughed loudly – he thought he was the funniest guy in the world sometimes. Most people don’t know that about him, but Sookie did. He never laughed harder than when he was laughing at his own jokes.
“What ARE you looking for?”
“Fangtasia matches. I had two books in my pockets.”
“What do you want them for?”
“Candles.”
“Ah, so… who are we telling about this baby. Amelia and Pam already know. Do we keep it quiet for a time or do we make a grand announcement and put it in all the papers.”
“I do not think we need to involve the press, lover.”
“I know, I’m kidding. When and how do we tell Jason. And Sam. And, especially, Bill.”
“Bill will find out when the rest of Area 5 finds out – though I admit, I would like to see his face when he finds out I fathered a child with you.”
“That’s mean”
“That’s ME. The shifter will need to know within a few months that he needs to replace you…”
“Replace me?!”
Eric dropped his towel and lay on the bed beside her, propped up on his elbow.
“Sookie, we have no idea what this child is going to need. He might be unable to go in the sun. He might sleep only in the day. He might need milk or he might need blood. Some Fairies drink either, or both.”
“They do?!”
“Yes, lover, they do. You might want to consider learning more about your Fae blood since it may affect our baby.”
“You mean OUR Fae blood, don’t you?”
He settled on his back, looking at the ceiling.
“Yes, I suppose I do.”
“Did you know about your Fae blood?”
“I thought it was just stories, but yes, I suppose I did.”
“What was her name.”
“Erin is what I was told, but that was also a name for Ireland so it might have been anything.”
“Do you remember her?”
“Some. She had hair a little darker than yours, but she was small as you are and very pretty. When I first met you, I thought of her. I didn’t know why at the time, but I thought it was because you looked like her. Now I think I recognized the Fairy in you and associated that with my mother. You always felt as if you were supposed to be with me. I never accepted the fact that you were with Bill – it was just… wrong, somehow, for him to touch you. I knew the Fates brought you to me. I know now that I was more right than I knew.“
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“I was small – maybe three or four. I remember her crying as she sang to me, and then I never saw her again. My father never allowed me to speak of her. He said she was a curse sent to ruin him, but he was far from ruined. Our clan was wealthy and powerful. The only thing he ever wanted for was Erin.”
Sookie looked up suddenly – was Eric crying? Not quite, but close. His voice broke. What the hell do you do with an hormonal vampire? She needed to change the subject.
“Do you want to go with me when I tell Jason?”
“That is an excellent question, my lover. Your brother and I don’t particularly like each other, but I would like to be with you when you tell him. He has a pattern of taking news badly, and I won’t take a risk of him striking you again. Better I be there to restrain him than to stay away and have to kill him.”
“Eric, he’s my brother.”
“If he strikes you again, especially while you are carrying my son, you will be an only child. I will not tolerate any harm to either one of you from anyone, for any reason., and you need to accept that, Sookie. It won’t change. I have been far less aggressive than I should have been with your previous lovers and your family and your co-workers because I did not want to upset you and have you angry with me. I will be more definitive in my actions from this point forward.”
“Even if it makes me mad at you?”
“If there is any chance of you or my son being harmed, yes, even then. I cannot afford to show any weakness now. Others must know that I will show no mercy to those who would threaten us. You must understand this.”
Chapter 6
“Are you going to pout now?”
“I am NOT pouting. I’m just tired.”
Eric gently ran his hand down her back, over her bottom and down the back of her leg..
“That’s too bad. I thought you might be on that towel for a reason.”
“That’s giving me chills.”
“Want to get under the covers?”
“No. What did you mean just now?”
“When?”
“When you said you thought I might be on the towel for a reason – what kind of reason would I have?”
“I thought maybe you wanted to protect the bedspread from more oil or secretions. I can tell you are more… aroused than usual. I thought perhaps you wanted more massage or to explore a little more.”
She put her head down on her hands folded beneath her as Eric played with locks of her long hair.
“Explore…” she repeated softly.
“Hmmmm? Is that a request?” He leaned forward to nuzzle her ear, his hand resting on the small of her back.
“Not exactly. I mean…. I don’t know… I’m just thinking.”
He kissed her shoulder. “Tell me, my lover. What are you thinking?”
“It’s hard to talk about.”
“Sookie, we are bonded. You can speak to me of anything. You can ask me anything.” He stroked her hair and back again.
“You know I’ve only had a couple of boyfriends.”
“Mmm-hmm, I actually think about that a lot.” His finger traced the edge of her ear.
“I’m not always sure…. I don’t know if I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do.”
“Sookie, I am very happy with you,” he whispered, “happier than I have been…”
“No, it’s not that.” She turned her face away from him as his hand began to squeeze and knead her bottom gently. He kissed her shoulder and reached for a switch in his headboard that dimmed the lights in the room, then continued to stroke and rub her back and her bottom.
“In the bathroom before….” She said softly
“Hmmm” Eric was paying close attention to her words now and she couldn’t see them but his eyes were bright and his fangs were down a little.
“I… couldn’t look at you… but…”
He kissed her shoulder again, still rubbing her lower back and bottom.
“…that didn’t mean I didn’t like it.”
“It seemed to me that you liked it very much, my lover.” He squeezed one of her cheeks as he said lover and he said it in that tone that makes her feel a little dizzy.
“Um…yeah…do you like to… do that?”
“That?” His hand was kneading a little more firmly now.
“Yeah, but instead of with your hand…”
“Ah. Yes, my lover, I like that very much. I will never try to force you to do that, you know. I would only consider it if it was something you wanted.”
“Would it hurt?”
“Probably not, with a generous amount of lubrication, if you were very relaxed and I was very gentle.”
“Would you stop if…?”
“I would never hurt you, Sookie. I want to give you pleasure, not pain. I get no satisfaction from pain.
”If I liked it, though, you would get… satisfaction from it?”
‘Yes, very much.” He reached down between her legs and stoked her. She was very, very wet.. She moved her legs apart and rose up on her elbows. He pushed up on one hand so he could reach her more easily. He stroked her silently a few more times, positioned himself over her, a leg and hand on each side of her, but not resting his weight on her back; He reached for the drawer beside the bed and retrieved a white tube. He rose up on his knees behind her, between her legs. He gripped her hips and said “Keep your weight on your elbows, lover, and come up on your knees.”
She did exactly what he told her to do. He reached around to the front and began to very slowly rub her nub and her folds. Eric kissed her shoulder and stroked her so that she couldn’t keep her hips still.
“Do you like that, lover?”
“Yes.”
He rubbed the tip of his penis around the entrance to her vagina, then slowly slid into her. She gasped and arched her back to take him deeper. He moved very slowly and deliberately again. He was merciless with his hand in front of her and he gripped her so hard she felt like she couldn’t get away. With her knees so far apart she felt as if he was going right through the center of her. He was beginning to pump her faster now, grabbing her hips and slapping the front of his thighs against the back of hers. His hands were everywhere, on her breasts, around her waist pulling her back into him.
Her head was pounding and she couldn’t focus on anything except the sound of their bodies slapping together and what she was feeling between her legs. She tried to stay up on her elbows, gripping the edge of the mattress and just trying to hang on. She could feel her climax building and knew she would collapse – her legs would give out because they were so far apart, and she was THERE, oh, god, right there and Eric was pounding her like he had never done before.
She couldn’t really think, but it flashed through her mind that he was more excited than usual because she had talked about that. Before she could form another thought, Eric was coming, his arms tight around her waist, puling her to him and keeping her from falling on her face. When he was done, he released her waist and let her slowly stretch out before him again. Her legs were still very wide apart.
“Sookie, can you come up on your knees a little, and arch your back a bit.” As she moved into place again his hand went underneath her from behind. He stroked from her nub all the way up between her cheeks this time.
"Sookie, this lubricant will feel cold at first."
Whatever it was, he spread a lot of it between her cheeks. His fingers began to open the ring of muscle, much more slowly than he had done earlier. He moved it in and out of her, adding more lubricant. She felt more pressure, and realized that he was slowly forcing a second finger into her. She couldn’t be still, and she was a little afraid he would think she was trying to get away from him. The two fingers moved in and out slowly.
“Sookie, are you still offering?”
“Unh, y-yes.”
“You know I’m bigger than this, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
She could hear sounds of him opening the tube again, but she didn’t feel anything. Then, his fingers retreated and were quickly replaced by something much larger. He pushed forward slowly and she felt a little panic briefly – she was really being stretched. It didn’t really hurt, but it was really tight. She was panting,
‘Relax, Sookie – don’t tense up;”
“ahhh- hhhh”
He was pulling out, but went right back without hesitating. He was making short strokes at an easy, even pace and it seemed to go on for hours though it was only a few minutes. She reached back with her own hand to rub herself. There were tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Sookie, my lover, oh, god, Sookie, you are mine. Promise me, you will never, never do this with anyone else.”
“W- we’re bonded, I did promise.”
“Promise me now, Sookie, right now.”
“I promise Eric,”
“Say it,” he growled.
“I promise I won’t do this with anyone else. Only you – AHH!
He bit her shoulder, hard. She was seeing stars, in a good way, and trying not to scream.
Now he was really moving. The bed was hitting the wall, and Sookie’s legs and arms both failed her. She was flat on the bed now, and Eric’s weight was mostly on top of her. He was talking very fast, in that language she was going to have to learn, his forehead pressed to her shoulders.
:Ahhhhhh: YYYEESSS!” he screamed and collapsed on top of her.
Eric was laughing – “Ohhhh, Sookie, I do love you.”
“I can’t breathe”
He was still laughing as he rolled to the side.
“Is something funny?” she croaked, still out of breath.
“No, my lover, I am just happy. I am very, very happy. “
“Because of what we just did?”
“Because of everything – you, our bond, our baby AND that. That was the best possible end to a very good day.”
“And what was all the possessive stuff – you know I hate that. It’s medieval.”
“It’s important in my world – more important than anything.”
“Why does it matter? We’re bonded, isn’t that the be all and end all for vamps?”
“For vampires, yes, but not for men.”
“What?”
“Did you ever do that with Bill?”
“Obviously not.”
“Or Quinn?”
“Absolutely not.”
“But you did yield to me, my lover, and that is very special to me.”
“So you’re saying it's a dick thing?”
“Where did you hear that expression?“ Eric seemed genuinely shocked.
“From Dawn, at work. She and Arlene used it all the time.”
“Ah, well – never use it again, but yes, my lover, it is a dick thing.”
Chapters 1-6
WARNING: For Mature Audiences.
Chapter 1
Sookie just stared at the little stick as if the longer she looked at it, the more likely it was to give her a different answer. It didn’t change, of course, and the little “+” sign in the window was going in and out of focus, but it was still a plus sign.
“Sookie, this is really important. Are you SURE?” Amelia asked in her most diplomatic tone. She was visibly scared and Sookie seemed to be in shock.
“Amelia, I swear, it can’t be anyone else. It’s been over a year and a half since I’ve been with anyone but Eric. I’ve gone through this a thousand times in my mind.”
“Honey, vamps can’t…”
“I KNOW that, Amelia! This doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know what to do!”
“You know if he thinks you’ve cheated on him….”
“I haven’t – I wouldn’t do that, you know I wouldn’t and I haven’t.”
“Well, then, Sweetie, your only choice is to tell him and see if he has an explanation.”
“You think maybe he’ll have some idea what’s happening?”
“It’s possible. I don’t think he’ll kill you before you get the words out of your mouth, but talk fast and keep talking. Maybe that Dr. Ludwig would know…?”
“I hadn’t even thought about Dr. Ludwig. I guess she would be the authority on all things “Supe,” right?”
“Right.”
“Ok, so I drive to Fangtasia, I make Eric sit behind his desk and I stand on the other side of the room and I tell him and beg him to call Dr. Ludwig before he has a chance to kill me.”
”That would seem to be your only option. Maybe the shock will slow him down….” Amelia added weakly. She knew Eric Northman well enough to know that slow for him could still mean a dead human before the words were out of Sookie’s mouth.
It was the longest drive of Sookie’s life, but she barely remembered it. Her head was spinning. She was nauseous for several reasons. She felt greasy because she hadn’t even bothered to take off her Merlotte’s uniform or shower before she got in the car and headed for Shreveport. She sat in the back lot of Fangtasia gripping the steering wheel of her car – her crappy car that Eric wanted desperately to replace, but that was another fight – until her knuckles were white and aching. She looked in the rear view mirror, put a determined look on her face and opened the door. It had to be done - might as well get it over with.
Clenching and unclenching her fists by her side, wishing she’d worn something besides her shorts and sneakers from work, she walked rapidly to the back door and pulled. Pam was in the hallway – 'Damn, why didn’t I dress up, she looks gorgeous?' – and she looked surprised to see her.
“Sookie, he didn’t expect you until later. I thought you were going out – you didn’t change?”
“Hi, Pam. Yeah, I didn’t have time, I really need to speak to Eric before the club opens.”
“Alright,” Pam said cautiously, “he’s in his office going over the bank statements. Go on in.”
“What kind of mood is he in?”
“Mood? He’s Eric – he is how he is…”
“That’s what I’m afraid of”
Sookie turned the corner and took a deep breath as she reached for the knob on the door of Eric’s office. Taking a deep breath, she went in quickly without knocking.
Eric didn’t look up, but he acknowledged her.
“My lover – you are here...”
God, he was beautiful. She felt even worse now that she hadn’t changed. He was wearing a black leather vest with no shirt, probably matching pants that she couldn’t see and she was pretty sure which pair of ‘Double H’s ‘ he had on under the desk. His hair was freshly washed and shining like gold under the desk lamp.
“Eric, I’m late.”
“No, my lover, you are actually an hour early - you haven’t changed?” He looked up at her confused about why she was still in her work clothes. They did have plans…
“No, not late for getting here, late, late. I haven’t gotten my period this month.”
“Are you ill? Have you seen a doctor? You know, these things would not be a problem if you would come over. I’ve told you many times that all you have to do is say the…”
“No, Eric, I don’t think I’m sick. I took a pregnancy test and it turned out positive.”
His blue eyes grew wide and then he furrowed his brow and I could feel the anger building…
“Sookie, have you…”
“NO! No, I haven’t been with anyone but you for a year and a half! I don’t understand this…”
“You know I can’t …”
“I know, but you did because I am and there’s no other way!”
Faster than she could see, he was out from behind the desk, towering over her and gripping her upper arms. “Tell me the truth, Sookie. Who…’
POP! There was a noise and a flash and there stood Claudine in an aqua spangled dress.
“Hold on, Blondie – back behind the desk”
Eric’s eyes were fixed on Claudine. He let Sookie go and moved toward her with that look vamps get in their eyes when they smell Fairy.
“I said back up, big boy, and get behind the desk! We need to talk but I want some distance between you and me so you can focus on what I’m about to tell you."
Sookie put her hand on Eric’s chest. “Eric – snap out of it! Go behind the desk for a minute! Please!”
Never taking his eyes off the statuesque fairy, Eric reluctantly moved back behind his desk and sat down.
Sookie was crying a little – her nerves were shot, she felt sick, Eric was angry and her fairy god-cousin was standing there looking like she should be on stage in Vegas. Great.
“So I take it you both know the good news?!”
“Good news?” Eric and Sookie said in unison. There was news, to be sure, but there didn’t seem much good about it. The “news” was impossible!
“Look, Sookie, you know how Niall is always determined to give you a gift – something you really want?”
Eric was stunned. “What has this to do with Niall? What are you talking about?”
“Stop interrupting and I’ll get there. As I said, you know that Niall always wanted to give you something special, Sookie?”
“Yeah…?”
“Well, it turns out there was something he was able to do for you after all. He was able to make one of your dreams come true in spite of your… situation?” She said with a little distaste, pointing from Sookie to Eric and back to Sookie.
“Situation…?” Eric sounded a bit offended and still angry.
“The bond you two kids have. Sookie will never be able to have a human mate, or even a Fae or a Shifter. In order to be with you, Northman, she had to give up any hope of ever having kids.”
“Claudine, I never…” Sookie started to try and let Eric know that she made the choice consciously. She didn’t want him to think it was his fault she couldn’t have a normal life. Eric interrupted.
“Sookie never told me this was a problem. I wasn’t aware this was a sacrifice…” Eric suddenly sounded sad, as if the concept had literally never occurred to him.
Sookie was around Claudine and around Eric’s desk in a heartbeat. She threw her arms around him. “Eric, I chose you. Things were a little rocky at first but in the end I chose to be with you, knowing what that would mean. You have nothing to feel bad about.”
Eric’s eyes were rimmed with red. He closed them and tilted his head forward so that his forehead touched Sookie’s.
“Now, as I was saying…” Claudine began again, “Niall found a sort of “loop hole””
“Loop hole?” Sookie was confused, Eric was silent.
“Yes, a loop hole. Have you kids ever noticed that you have exactly the same color hair?”
“Yes, we’ve joked about it…” Eric said as he looked at Sookie as if he’d never seen her before.
“Well, kids, there’s a reason for that. No, you are not related, but you ARE of a type…
“A type?” Sookie was lost.
“Yes, a type – a type of Fairy.”
Eric was getting antsy. “Fairy, you are making no sense and I’m not in the mood for games: Say what you came here to say.”
“Well, it turns out that Eric’s mother… do you remember her, Northman? Eric’s mother was Fae.”
“What?!” Eric and Sookie cried out in unison again and looked at each other, then at Claudine, then back at each other.
“Eric, before he was a vampire, was half Fae. His mother was from Ireland, taken on a raid, and she only stayed in Sweden long enough to have Eric before she returned home.” Claudine now had their complete attention. “So, what we have here is a half-Fae vampire and a ¼ Fae human. It only took a little magick with that combination.”
“Magick… you mean I…” Eric was incredulous, but he was catching on.
“That’s right, Viking – it’s YOUR baby.”
Sookie’s eyes were wide and bright – “Is that.. Claudine, is… Eric is that possible?!”
“I have no idea.”
“It’s not only possible, kids, it’s a fact. Sookie, you are pregnant with Eric’s baby.”
“Claudine, if this is a joke…” Sookie pleaded.
“No joke, honey, a gift from Great Grand Dad. He found a way to make your dream of having Eric’s baby come true.”
Eric was still stunned, but his mind was racing with questions.
“Sookie, did you ask this of Niall?"
“Eric, how could I – I didn’t even know such a thing was possible!”
“Fairy – this child – will it be Fae, vampire, human, what?" Eric was trying to wrap his mind around the idea.
Claudine shrugged. “We don’t know yet.”
“What? You mean I’m pregnant with a baby and we don’t even know what it is?”
“Well, we know it’s a healthy boy, but that’s it. He might have Fae abilities. He might have a taste for blood. He will be very strong and live a long time. Or he might be human and have no special abilities at all. We have to wait and see – it won’t be that long.”
“What do you mean ‘won’t be that long?’” Sookie was getting nervous again.
“Well, Fae only carry babies for about 5 months. Vamps don’t gestate, but they do have healing power in their blood. We figure the combination will give you maybe 5 or 6 months of pregnancy. It will be much sooner than a human baby, but it will be healthy.
Well, kids, I’m out of here. You know as much about it as I do now. Enjoy!” and with that Claudine was gone in a cloud of gold sparkles.
“So… this is for real…” Sookie looked at Eric apprehensively.
“Apparently.” Eric was still stunned. 'If anyone had the power to do this, it would be Niall.'
“Eric, we never talked about anything like this because it was never a possibility. How do you feel about the idea of being a father?”
“Sookie, I’ve lived over a thousand years with the idea that I never would be… it’s going to take me some time to absorb this… but I think I’m delighted at the idea.”
“Really? You’re not mad at me?”
“My lover, there is no reason to be “mad” at you - this is not your doing. It is a shock, to be sure, but Niall had your best interests at heart and there IS magick involved. It might be unwise to regret such a thing. It might be dangerous to reject such a gift. If the gods have allowed this, there must be a reason...”
There was a knock at the door.
“Enter?”
“Master, I need your signature on a form…” Pam began.
“Pam, I am going to be a father.” Eric was beaming.
‘Wow’ Sookie thought ‘that was fast!’
Pam looked confused – “You are joining the priesthood?”
“No, Pam, I shall be a parent.”
“Apparent?”
“A father. Sookie is pregnant and I am the father. I am going to have a son!”
Pam blinked at him. Sookie had never seen her speechless before.
“Is this possible?” Pam asked.
“It would seem so. There has been… magick… “ Eric was trying to decide how much to tell her, “and we have it on good authority that it is true. We will have a baby.”
“Sookie, you are well?” Pam asked.
Sookie was surprised – Pam didn’t seem upset. She seemed genuinely concerned.
“I’m fine, Pam, I’m just pregnant and a little nauseous. Eric, I could use a ginger ale.”
“Pam, will you…”
“Of course, Master, I’ll send one of the bar maids back immediately. Sign this please, and I’ll go back to my work.”
Eric signed the pink form, and Pam was on her way.
“It occurs to me, my lover, that I have not thanked you.”
“Thanked me? For what?! Ruining your life?!”
“On the contrary. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. You will bear me a son, and a son like no other. He will be unique. You are his mother, so he will be beautiful. I am his father so he will be tall and strong. No other vampire will have such a nest!”
“Will any other vampire believe that it is yours?”
“Some will doubt, but that means nothing to us. We will let it be known that he is a child of magick, and that will suffice. No one needs to know whose magick or why, and no one will dare question my word.”
“How is the King of Las Vegas going to feel about one of his Sheriffs having a baby?”
“He’s going to be… surprised, to say the least!” Eric chuckled. Eric was laughing.
“You’re really OK with this?” Sookie couldn’t believe it.
“Yes, I’m “OK,” lover. Are you not pleased? It just dawned on me that you have not said how you feel about this.”
“Well, if it’s actually your baby, then I’m… thrilled. It was always in the back of my mind that I would never be able to have your baby, and I have to admit, it made me sad from time to time. I might not have chosen this right now, but if I had been asked if I wanted it, I would have said yes.”
“Then you are happy?”
“Yes, I think… I am VERY happy!” Sookie admitted. “Talk about having your cake and eating it, too! I get to have a vampire lover and I get to have a family with him!” Sookie jumped in his lap and hugged him.
He kissed her, a long soft, deep kiss. He didn’t want her to know that he was worried, or scared. He wanted her to enjoy this gift at least for a while. He knew that they must talk about the dangers this could create. Eric was a powerful sheriff and he already worried about Sookie being used to control him. This was one more vulnerability – but he was going to have a son, and that was a blessing. He silently vowed to himself that he would kill anyone who threatened his family. He would have a son like no other – a god among men and vampires alike. He knew this. His son might have enemies, but his son would be king and he would live to see it happen.
Chapter 2
“So, my lover, we have much to discuss. I think we should go home where we can be alone. Nothing is pressing here, and our plans are not that important.”
“I’d like that – It would be nice to take a shower and put on different clothes. I was too distracted to do that before I came over here.”
“Mmmmm – a shower sounds like a wonderful idea!” he said with his familiar leer. “You have clean clothes at my house, and that’s closest, so why don’t we spend the night there?”
“I’d like that. I need to call Amelia and tell her everything is OK.”
“Here, sit at my desk and use my phone – call your Witch and let her know we are happy and proud. I will go inform Pam that I am leaving for the night. “
Sookie was scooting up to Eric’s desk as he walked out and Ginger walked in with a ginger ale. Sookie laughed to herself about the “ginger” coincidence, as silly as that might be, and she was grateful to have it. This nausea thing might be a problem.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Amelia – it’s Sookie.”
“Sookie! How are you – is everything OK?”
“Yes, everything is fine. I don’t want to go into too much detail over the phone, but I can tell you that it IS Eric’s baby and he is thrilled about the idea of being a father.”
“Wow – that’s much better news than I was expecting. Maybe the Mighty Warrior has a soft spot somewhere after all. Wait – I just had a picture of Eric changing a dirty nappy – too funny!”
Sookie laughed out loud. “I’m glad you can picture it, because I certainly can’t!”
Eric came back in as Sookie and Amelia were giggling at the prospect of him changing diapers.
“All is well, my lover?”
“All is very well! I’m staying in Shreveport tonight, Amelia – I’ll see you tomorrow before I go to work. OK, bye!”
“Shall we go?”
“We shall. Can we stop and get me some food. Suddenly, I’m starving.”
“As you wish, my lover.” Eric promised as he ushered her out the back door, through the back lot and toward his tiny red sports car.
“Wow – no room in here for a car seat” she said as he held her door open.
“Two car seats are not enough?” Eric asked, not catching on yet.
“No, I mean a car seat that you put a baby in, for the back seat.”
“Ah, baby equipment.” He said as he folded himself into the car, “I suppose there is much for me to learn about these things. I haven’t been near children in a long, long, time, but I know from TV that there are many things to buy for an infant’s well-being and that women take great pleasure in creating their nests.”
“You mean “nurseries” don’t you?” Sookie teased.
Eric smiled at her “Nests, nurseries, these are all the same. Mothers feathering a soft place to nurture their young and protect them from harm. Some mothers might use twigs and feathers and some might buy designer furniture and baby clothes, but it is all the same. It is Mother Nature extending Her long life.”
“I never thought of it that way – I like that! Mother Nature extending Her long life.” Sookie repeated. “It almost makes Mother Nature sound like a vampire, though.”
“All life is vampiric in some way, my lover. When one thing feeds, another almost always dies. Life takes life to continue. Vampires are just a little more direct about it.”
“Huh – I never knew you were a philosopher,” she teased him again.
“One does not live for a millennia without occasionally thinking about the Nature of that life. What would you like to eat, my dove?”
“I want something really gooey and sweet but that’s probably not a good idea. How about one of those big Chicken Caesar Salads at Hannigan’s? They have takeout.”
Eric turned right into the Hannigan’s parking lot and went to the curb service entrance. A frightened teenager in a brown uniform brought her salad out to the car. She heard him thinking that he had lost the draw to see who would serve the huge vampire. She forgot sometimes just how big and scary Eric can be to people who aren’t used to dealing with an almost-living Norse god. She laughed out loud and Eric looked strangely at her as he pulled out of the parking lot and back onto the highway.
“You are amused?”
“I am giddy. This evening is already much better than I expected it to be.”
“If I have my way, this evening will get much, much better when I get you home and into the shower.” His blue eyes were glittering and his fangs came down a little. She knew what that meant and it made her squirm in her seat.
Eric laughed and took in a deep whiff of the air. “Ah, someone else is looking forward to our shower, too.”
He was driving too fast, as usual, but he couldn’t get them home soon enough to suit her.
Chapter 3
Sookie marveled at the large white house as they drove through the gate and into the garage in back.
Eric laughed. “You look as if you’ve never seen my house before. You’ve been here nearly a hundred times.”
“It always amazes me that a real Viking lives in a 4 story Victorian with a Summer Kitchen out back and a garage door opener. Let alone the idea that you have a gardener who takes care of your roses and all those beautiful white Moon Vines all around the windows."
“I don’t want it to look like a vampire's nest. As far as I know, none of the neighbors knows that a vampire lives here. The trees all around the perimeter inside the iron fence keep the yard hidden from view. I like the roses because they make the summer air smell sweet, and the Moon Vines bloom at night so I can see them. Between my day man, Bobby, and the gardeners and three maids, there’s enough traffic in and out of here in the daytime to make the place look normal.”
“Nobody would expect a Viking to know about Moon Vines, or to care that his house is dusted and roses are pruned.”
“People underestimate the Swedish. We’re a very cultured people, not the barbarians you see in movies. Yes, we loved to fight and we traded in faraway lands, but we weren’t all raiders and rapists. That would be like judging all Englishmen by the Inquisitioners of the Reformation.”
“Don’t get defensive, Sweetie. I’m just teasing you!”
“I know you are… but there are other ways I’d prefer you to tease me,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows at her as he held her door open so she could get out. Before she was on her feet, he swept her up into his arms and they were in the kitchen door.
He kissed her and set her down in front of the refrigerator.
“That was sweet. Now, food first, then shower, then… “
“… and then I make mad love to the mother of my child.”
“Wow, that sounds weird.”
“Think of how I feel about it. We have entered the realm of the impossible.“
Sookie sat at the little kitchen table and began to open her salad. She was starving.
“I wonder if I’m so hungry because I’m pregnant?’
“No doubt, my lover. I understand women consume a lot of food and in very strange combinations when they are with child. My son, of course, will have a huge appetite, and of course, will demand to be breast fed often.” He laughed with that smug look on his face that made her want to slap him, then kiss him.
“This thing with “your son” is going to get out of hand, isn’t it?”
“My dear, I will be the only living vampire with a child I didn’t have to kill and transform. He will be a combination of the two of us. He will be unique and magnificent – I have no doubt of this!”
“What if he grows up to be a geeky little science nerd who wants nothing to do with vampires and fighting?”
“You are joking, of course.”
“Of course.” She laughed.
“My son… our son will be a warrior. He will be strong and powerful. Humans and Supernaturals alike will quake at his feet. I know this.”
“Oh, you know this?!”
“Absolutely. I knew it the minute I understood him to be mine and yours by magick. Trust me, my lover, the gods have a plan for such a special child. These things do not happen by chance.”
“No, they happen because my Great Grand Father is a Fairy Prince who won’t take me fishing, so he gives me a vampire baby.”
“Niall would not know what to do with a fish. I’m sure he would tell you the same thing about our son if you asked him. Finish eating – I’ll be right back.”
Eric popped into his office and came back with a pen and a steno pad.
“We will have many questions about this baby and we must make a list of them, plus a list of things you must buy for our houses. “
Sookie watched as Eric wrote a 1, a period and then ‘C-A-R’ She frowned.
“A car for a baby?”
“A car for my baby’s mother. Yours is crap and you know it. I won’t have my child endangered by riding in a useless machine like that.”
“Eric, I do NOT need a new car.”
“Whether you do or do not, my son does and so he shall have one. It will be built in Germany and will have bullet proof glass.”
“Bullet-proof…”Sookie stopped. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. She was so worried about how Eric would take the news that she hadn’t thought about the fact that Eric and Niall both had enemies. For that matter, so did she. An infant with that pedigree was practically “A target.” She said. “Our baby will be in danger his entire life.”
“Yes, my lover, I am afraid that is true. He will be vulnerable to attack until he is grown and he could be used against me by my enemies, just as you could be.”
Sookie started to cry. Eric reached out and wrapped both his hands around hers.
“Sookie, look at me. We will live our lives. You and I have stayed together in spite of our enemies. So we will also raise our child in love and safety as much as is possible. Trust the gods, Sookie and trust me. I will do everything in my power to keep you both safe. This child is a child of magick. He might be in greater danger than some babies, but he will have greater protection as well. Most children don’t have an immortal Viking who will give his life for them, or a Great Grand Father who can bring the entire Fairy realm into war if he so chooses. You are protected by Were packs, Witches and every vampire in Felipe de Castro’s kingdom. You are the bravest, strongest person I have ever known. We can do this. Together, we can do this.”
“Eric, are you sure? Do you really want to deal with another person that is dependent on your protection, who can be used against you?”
“I want nothing more than I want this. I love you and I will love our son. There is no price too great to pay for that.“ Eric stood, bent and kissed her on her forehead, then gathered up the remnants of her salad container and bags. Throwing it all in the trash, he said brightly. “Time for our shower, my lover. Are you ready?”
Sookie smiled. Yes, she was more than ready. Eric carried her up the stairs to the third floor.
Chapter 4
Eric put her down on the bed, but she got right up to get her uniform off. He already had his vest and boots off and headed into the master bathroom. As she wiggled out of her shorts, Sookie called to him, “Eric, sweetie, would you consider a bath instead of a shower? It’s more relaxing.”
“Of course, my lover. What kind of bubbles do you want?”
“Bubbles?”
“Yes, I ordered a new selection of bubble bath crystals and gels. Some of them smell very good. This one called Amber has a wonderful scent.”
“Well, if you think it smells good, let’s try that.”
“As you wish, my lover,” He agreed as he bent to turn the faucet on. The tub was huge – one of the biggest they made that wasn’t intended for 4 or more people.
“Wait a minute,” Sookie said as she tossed her panties on top of her folded clothes, “Eric Northman bought bubble bath? You’re kidding,” she laughed.
“What’s the saying about bread and butter?” he asked as he lit several candles and turned off the light
She came into the bathroom naked, he scooped her up and sat her gently in the tub.
“You mean about knowing which side your bread is buttered on?”
“That’s it. The more pleasant I make your time in the tub, the more time I get to spend in the tub with you. “
“So by buying bubble bath, you are being pragmatic and manipulative?”
“Some would see it that way, I suppose. I just see it as indulging my lover’s senses and enjoying the results” he explained as he climbed into the tub right behind her.
She leaned back against his chest, the ever-erect “gracious plenty” folded up between them. Eric pulled the elastic that was holding her ponytail out of her hair and dropped it on the floor.
“Lean back and wet your hair,” he whispered.
She let him shampoo her hair. “Mmm – it smells like strawberries.”
“That’s new, too. I’m glad you like it.”
“Get that on line, too?”
“Yes. I find myself spending a lot of time thinking about what will please you. It’s very distracting, but not in an unpleasant way. It seems to annoy Pam, though.”
“That you’re thinking about me?”
“No, that I make her try out all these things before I get them for you. She says she feels like a lab rat.“
“Great…”
“She won’t admit it, but she likes the products, too, and so do her female companions.”
“Pam has…”
“Shhhhh, Sookie, relax.” He rinsed her hair with the hand held shower, then twisted it and clipped it up at the back of her head.
“Why’d you do that?”
“So it won’t get oily.”
“Oily?”
Eric reached for a bottle of golden liquid and popped the flip up top, pouring a little into his hand and gently spreading it on her shoulders.
“Oh, that smells delicious – what is it?”
“Almond massage oil. It’s edible so it’s safe for many different applications.”
“And you know this how?”
“Just be glad that I do. It will save you some discomfort later on.”
“What…”
“Quiet, my lover, you wanted to relax so trust in me and do as I say.”
He had both hands on her shoulders now, slowly squeezing and kneading the muscles there, pressing his thumbs firmly into her flesh at the bottom of her shoulder blades. Kissing wasn’t the only technique Eric had spent a thousand years perfecting. As his fingers danced over her skin, she felt all the tension melt away from her neck and shoulders. She hadn’t realized she was so tense, but then again, it made sense because she had been worried for days.
Eric pressed the heels of his palms onto her back on each side and slowly pushed them downward, his fingers kneading her lower cheeks as they circled around and he pressed his thumbs on either side of her spine and pushed them all the way up to the base of her skull. He traced that pattern on her back over and over and then he reached under her arms to her waist and pulled her back to him, kissing her shoulder, her neck, her ear lobe.
She began to worry she would fall asleep when he began massaging her breasts. OK, now she was awake. Relaxed, yes, but wide awake. He poured a little more oil on her breastbone and smoothed it down over her stomach. He began to make little circles on her belly with his fingers as they moved back up to her breastbone, her collarbones, gliding back down to her breasts and teasing the nipples. He spread his fingers across her ribs and stroked, pulling his hands back, then pushing forward to gently squeeze her breasts again.
He began to rub himself against her back as he pressed her oiled flesh back into his chest and his throbbing cock. She laid her head back on his shoulder and arched her neck to him. He kissed her neck, and moved his hands down between her legs, each stoking her soft folds in turn as they moved down and then back up several times.
“Sookie, turn and face me,” he whispered as he pulled her right arm around and guided her to straddle his lap. She thought he was going to enter her, but he shook his head slowly. “Not yet, my lover, be patient.” He kissed her deeply as his hands kneaded her cheeks and thighs, and she bent forward into him.
Damn, she hated it when he was so s-l-o-w and he knew it. He knew he was making her crazy, because she could see the sparkle in those sea blue eyes as she straddled his legs, resting on her knees. He reached for the bottle of oil again, pouring a lot of it into his right hand as he whispered “Kiss me.” She leaned forward again, raising up on her knees a bit to reach him.
As his tongue separated her lips, his hand spread the oil between her legs from her nub all the way back and up between her cheeks. Her eyes widened a bit at that but his left arm slipped around her waist and kept her from breaking the kiss. His right hand was gently massaging her labia, fingers slipping in and out of her. His right thumb slipped into her, as his fingers moved back up to the other entrance and began to press. She wasn’t sure what he was doing and she was even less sure why it seemed to feel good. She began to wiggle a bit on his hand and put her arms around his neck. She couldn’t look at him, but she didn’t pull away, either,
Eric breathed against her neck “My lover…” and as he did his finger slid into the other entrance as his thumb went deep into her vagina. She was impaled on his hand, feeling something she’d never felt before. She put her hands on his shoulders, grinding on his hand. Years of Christian upbringing were screaming in her brain but they were being smacked down hard by the pleasure that was building as she rode Eric’s fingers.
‘Oh. My. God. He has the longest fingers.’
He was really moving his hand in and out of her and he held her firmly around the waist. She began to lean backward into his hand, thrusting her breasts forward. His mouth found her nipple and bit. When the wave came crashing down on her, she understood why it’s called le petit mort – she was dying and she didn’t care.
Her legs were shuddering as he pulled his hand out and pulled her forward onto his cock with such surprising ease that she would later conclude that he’d done this before. A lot. She felt like a rag doll and not at all sure she could hold it together until he finished. He reached between them with his left hand to rub her nub and began to really push upward as she rode him.
He grabbed her with both hands and flipped her under him so she was now with her back to the tub. He began to take long strokes in and out of her, splashing water over the side of the tub, putting out several of the candles. His arms were on either side of her head, braced on the edge of the tub, his muscles bulging as he began to move with vampire speed.
“Oh, god, ERIC!” she screamed as he let out a growl she had never heard come from him before. Then, they were still. Sookie was panting, and Eric threw his head back and shook his hair like a lion’s mane. That was… intense.
Looking around a bit as she sat up, Sookie couldn’t believe the condition of the room. “We made a mess.”
Eric laughed with that shaky, ‘I just fucked like a vampire’ way of his. He was so smug. Damn he was sexy when he was pleased with himself. He pulled a stack of towels from a shelf and threw them on the floor to mop up the water they splashed over the sides.
“So, my lover, are you relaxed now?”
“Ah, I uh” Sookie chuckled because she knew there was a joke there somewhere but she couldn’t think clearly enough to find it. She was still laughing as Eric opened the drain to empty the tub, look a bar of soap and began to wash the oil off of her skin with the hand-held attachment.
“So, almond oil?” she laughed.
“Almond scented massage oil. And the best part is, your skin will feel like velvet when you’ve washed and dried.”
“What… I mean, I never…”
“It’s good to try new things, Sookie. Sometimes things feel better than you might imagine if you didn’t know.”
“I guess so…”
Eric reached for a big, fluffy white towel.
“That thing is huge!” she said as he wrapped it around her.
“I can’t let my lover get cold, especially not now.”
“Oh god, I almost forgot – I’m a terrible mother!”
Eric laughed as he took the clip out of her hair. “You are an angel. It’s good to be relaxed and happy. It has to be good for the baby.”
He handed her a comb so she could finish her hair while he bent over the tub and washed his hair with the attachment. She could grow to love that thing, if only for the view it was giving her of Eric’s best feature.
“I know you are watching me, Sookie.”
“So?” She snapped a little defensively.
“I just want you to know that I know your eyes are on me whenever I turn my back to you. I need to get on with having that mirror put up over the bed.”
He came to stand behind her as she looked in the mirror, combing her hair.
“You wouldn’t really do that would you?”
“I would if it would please you.” He took the comb and started on his own hair.
“It’s kind of kinky, don’t you think?
“Kinky? That’s a word people use to describe sex they aren’t having. It does not apply to us, my lover. We are bonded – we do whatever we want, whenever it pleases us.”
“Ok, then, yeah, I’d like you to do that. “
“Ok, that’s the second order of business – right after I order your new car.”
Chapter 5
Sookie was lying on her stomach on the bed on top of the big white towel. Eric stepped out of the room wearing a towel around his waist, and came right back with the steno pad.
“That’s a very pretty view, my lover.”
“Well, enjoy it while you can because I’m going to get fat.”
“You will not get fat. You will blossom, and ripen, and after you will be my beautiful princess once more.” He threw the pad and pen on the bed next to her and picked his black jeans up off the floor.
“What if I don’t? What if I stay fat?”
“No chance of that, lover. I will give you my blood and my attentions regularly – you will be healthier than you have ever been.” Frowning, he went through all the pockets several times.
“Speaking of healthy, what about pre-natal care?”
“What?”
“You know, a doctor to help make sure everything is OK. I don’t think Louisiana has any OB/GYNs that specialize in “children of magick.”” She joked in her best Boris Karloff imitation.
“This is true.”
He was down on his knees now, looking under the bed.
“Eric, what about Dr. Ludwig – does she handle babies?”
“I have no idea, but I’m sure if she doesn’t, she will know who does. She’s very well connected in our world.”
“Will you talk to her then? Soon?”
He was on his knees facing the bed now, resting on his elbows.
“Would you like me to summon her now?”
“No. Early tomorrow evening would be good, though. I’m a little nervous about this and I’d feel better if I knew what I need to be doing.”
“Good – make another column and put it at the top of the list,” and he resumed his search under the bed.
“What’s with you and lists all of a sudden?”
“We are in uncharted territory, lover – it’s best to take a map so we don’t forget anything.“
“That’s very pragmatic of you.”
“One of us has to be – you have cried three times today that I have witnessed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that pregnant women are known to be… mercurial.”
“Mercurial?”
“Yes, mercurial – moody and weeping all the time. You aren’t normally weepy as you have been today. Quick to anger sometimes, but not so quick to cry.”
“OK, now you’re just pissing me off.”
“I’m so glad you aren’t being moody.” Eric laughed loudly – he thought he was the funniest guy in the world sometimes. Most people don’t know that about him, but Sookie did. He never laughed harder than when he was laughing at his own jokes.
“What ARE you looking for?”
“Fangtasia matches. I had two books in my pockets.”
“What do you want them for?”
“Candles.”
“Ah, so… who are we telling about this baby. Amelia and Pam already know. Do we keep it quiet for a time or do we make a grand announcement and put it in all the papers.”
“I do not think we need to involve the press, lover.”
“I know, I’m kidding. When and how do we tell Jason. And Sam. And, especially, Bill.”
“Bill will find out when the rest of Area 5 finds out – though I admit, I would like to see his face when he finds out I fathered a child with you.”
“That’s mean”
“That’s ME. The shifter will need to know within a few months that he needs to replace you…”
“Replace me?!”
Eric dropped his towel and lay on the bed beside her, propped up on his elbow.
“Sookie, we have no idea what this child is going to need. He might be unable to go in the sun. He might sleep only in the day. He might need milk or he might need blood. Some Fairies drink either, or both.”
“They do?!”
“Yes, lover, they do. You might want to consider learning more about your Fae blood since it may affect our baby.”
“You mean OUR Fae blood, don’t you?”
He settled on his back, looking at the ceiling.
“Yes, I suppose I do.”
“Did you know about your Fae blood?”
“I thought it was just stories, but yes, I suppose I did.”
“What was her name.”
“Erin is what I was told, but that was also a name for Ireland so it might have been anything.”
“Do you remember her?”
“Some. She had hair a little darker than yours, but she was small as you are and very pretty. When I first met you, I thought of her. I didn’t know why at the time, but I thought it was because you looked like her. Now I think I recognized the Fairy in you and associated that with my mother. You always felt as if you were supposed to be with me. I never accepted the fact that you were with Bill – it was just… wrong, somehow, for him to touch you. I knew the Fates brought you to me. I know now that I was more right than I knew.“
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“I was small – maybe three or four. I remember her crying as she sang to me, and then I never saw her again. My father never allowed me to speak of her. He said she was a curse sent to ruin him, but he was far from ruined. Our clan was wealthy and powerful. The only thing he ever wanted for was Erin.”
Sookie looked up suddenly – was Eric crying? Not quite, but close. His voice broke. What the hell do you do with an hormonal vampire? She needed to change the subject.
“Do you want to go with me when I tell Jason?”
“That is an excellent question, my lover. Your brother and I don’t particularly like each other, but I would like to be with you when you tell him. He has a pattern of taking news badly, and I won’t take a risk of him striking you again. Better I be there to restrain him than to stay away and have to kill him.”
“Eric, he’s my brother.”
“If he strikes you again, especially while you are carrying my son, you will be an only child. I will not tolerate any harm to either one of you from anyone, for any reason., and you need to accept that, Sookie. It won’t change. I have been far less aggressive than I should have been with your previous lovers and your family and your co-workers because I did not want to upset you and have you angry with me. I will be more definitive in my actions from this point forward.”
“Even if it makes me mad at you?”
“If there is any chance of you or my son being harmed, yes, even then. I cannot afford to show any weakness now. Others must know that I will show no mercy to those who would threaten us. You must understand this.”
Chapter 6
“Are you going to pout now?”
“I am NOT pouting. I’m just tired.”
Eric gently ran his hand down her back, over her bottom and down the back of her leg..
“That’s too bad. I thought you might be on that towel for a reason.”
“That’s giving me chills.”
“Want to get under the covers?”
“No. What did you mean just now?”
“When?”
“When you said you thought I might be on the towel for a reason – what kind of reason would I have?”
“I thought maybe you wanted to protect the bedspread from more oil or secretions. I can tell you are more… aroused than usual. I thought perhaps you wanted more massage or to explore a little more.”
She put her head down on her hands folded beneath her as Eric played with locks of her long hair.
“Explore…” she repeated softly.
“Hmmmm? Is that a request?” He leaned forward to nuzzle her ear, his hand resting on the small of her back.
“Not exactly. I mean…. I don’t know… I’m just thinking.”
He kissed her shoulder. “Tell me, my lover. What are you thinking?”
“It’s hard to talk about.”
“Sookie, we are bonded. You can speak to me of anything. You can ask me anything.” He stroked her hair and back again.
“You know I’ve only had a couple of boyfriends.”
“Mmm-hmm, I actually think about that a lot.” His finger traced the edge of her ear.
“I’m not always sure…. I don’t know if I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do.”
“Sookie, I am very happy with you,” he whispered, “happier than I have been…”
“No, it’s not that.” She turned her face away from him as his hand began to squeeze and knead her bottom gently. He kissed her shoulder and reached for a switch in his headboard that dimmed the lights in the room, then continued to stroke and rub her back and her bottom.
“In the bathroom before….” She said softly
“Hmmm” Eric was paying close attention to her words now and she couldn’t see them but his eyes were bright and his fangs were down a little.
“I… couldn’t look at you… but…”
He kissed her shoulder again, still rubbing her lower back and bottom.
“…that didn’t mean I didn’t like it.”
“It seemed to me that you liked it very much, my lover.” He squeezed one of her cheeks as he said lover and he said it in that tone that makes her feel a little dizzy.
“Um…yeah…do you like to… do that?”
“That?” His hand was kneading a little more firmly now.
“Yeah, but instead of with your hand…”
“Ah. Yes, my lover, I like that very much. I will never try to force you to do that, you know. I would only consider it if it was something you wanted.”
“Would it hurt?”
“Probably not, with a generous amount of lubrication, if you were very relaxed and I was very gentle.”
“Would you stop if…?”
“I would never hurt you, Sookie. I want to give you pleasure, not pain. I get no satisfaction from pain.
”If I liked it, though, you would get… satisfaction from it?”
‘Yes, very much.” He reached down between her legs and stoked her. She was very, very wet.. She moved her legs apart and rose up on her elbows. He pushed up on one hand so he could reach her more easily. He stroked her silently a few more times, positioned himself over her, a leg and hand on each side of her, but not resting his weight on her back; He reached for the drawer beside the bed and retrieved a white tube. He rose up on his knees behind her, between her legs. He gripped her hips and said “Keep your weight on your elbows, lover, and come up on your knees.”
She did exactly what he told her to do. He reached around to the front and began to very slowly rub her nub and her folds. Eric kissed her shoulder and stroked her so that she couldn’t keep her hips still.
“Do you like that, lover?”
“Yes.”
He rubbed the tip of his penis around the entrance to her vagina, then slowly slid into her. She gasped and arched her back to take him deeper. He moved very slowly and deliberately again. He was merciless with his hand in front of her and he gripped her so hard she felt like she couldn’t get away. With her knees so far apart she felt as if he was going right through the center of her. He was beginning to pump her faster now, grabbing her hips and slapping the front of his thighs against the back of hers. His hands were everywhere, on her breasts, around her waist pulling her back into him.
Her head was pounding and she couldn’t focus on anything except the sound of their bodies slapping together and what she was feeling between her legs. She tried to stay up on her elbows, gripping the edge of the mattress and just trying to hang on. She could feel her climax building and knew she would collapse – her legs would give out because they were so far apart, and she was THERE, oh, god, right there and Eric was pounding her like he had never done before.
She couldn’t really think, but it flashed through her mind that he was more excited than usual because she had talked about that. Before she could form another thought, Eric was coming, his arms tight around her waist, puling her to him and keeping her from falling on her face. When he was done, he released her waist and let her slowly stretch out before him again. Her legs were still very wide apart.
“Sookie, can you come up on your knees a little, and arch your back a bit.” As she moved into place again his hand went underneath her from behind. He stroked from her nub all the way up between her cheeks this time.
"Sookie, this lubricant will feel cold at first."
Whatever it was, he spread a lot of it between her cheeks. His fingers began to open the ring of muscle, much more slowly than he had done earlier. He moved it in and out of her, adding more lubricant. She felt more pressure, and realized that he was slowly forcing a second finger into her. She couldn’t be still, and she was a little afraid he would think she was trying to get away from him. The two fingers moved in and out slowly.
“Sookie, are you still offering?”
“Unh, y-yes.”
“You know I’m bigger than this, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
She could hear sounds of him opening the tube again, but she didn’t feel anything. Then, his fingers retreated and were quickly replaced by something much larger. He pushed forward slowly and she felt a little panic briefly – she was really being stretched. It didn’t really hurt, but it was really tight. She was panting,
‘Relax, Sookie – don’t tense up;”
“ahhh- hhhh”
He was pulling out, but went right back without hesitating. He was making short strokes at an easy, even pace and it seemed to go on for hours though it was only a few minutes. She reached back with her own hand to rub herself. There were tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Sookie, my lover, oh, god, Sookie, you are mine. Promise me, you will never, never do this with anyone else.”
“W- we’re bonded, I did promise.”
“Promise me now, Sookie, right now.”
“I promise Eric,”
“Say it,” he growled.
“I promise I won’t do this with anyone else. Only you – AHH!
He bit her shoulder, hard. She was seeing stars, in a good way, and trying not to scream.
Now he was really moving. The bed was hitting the wall, and Sookie’s legs and arms both failed her. She was flat on the bed now, and Eric’s weight was mostly on top of her. He was talking very fast, in that language she was going to have to learn, his forehead pressed to her shoulders.
:Ahhhhhh: YYYEESSS!” he screamed and collapsed on top of her.
Eric was laughing – “Ohhhh, Sookie, I do love you.”
“I can’t breathe”
He was still laughing as he rolled to the side.
“Is something funny?” she croaked, still out of breath.
“No, my lover, I am just happy. I am very, very happy. “
“Because of what we just did?”
“Because of everything – you, our bond, our baby AND that. That was the best possible end to a very good day.”
“And what was all the possessive stuff – you know I hate that. It’s medieval.”
“It’s important in my world – more important than anything.”
“Why does it matter? We’re bonded, isn’t that the be all and end all for vamps?”
“For vampires, yes, but not for men.”
“What?”
“Did you ever do that with Bill?”
“Obviously not.”
“Or Quinn?”
“Absolutely not.”
“But you did yield to me, my lover, and that is very special to me.”
“So you’re saying it's a dick thing?”
“Where did you hear that expression?“ Eric seemed genuinely shocked.
“From Dawn, at work. She and Arlene used it all the time.”
“Ah, well – never use it again, but yes, my lover, it is a dick thing.”
posted by Morgaine at 10:47 PM
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