PART ONE

Chapter 1

Parties were few and far between but it was more like a homecoming party as Gunnar was finally returning home from his sojourn to the Viking vampire settlement in Sweden. The visit had wound up being longer than had been intended but the couple had been relieved when he had texted them, saying that he would be home Friday. And since it was already half way through Tuesday, it didn't leave a ton of time to plan out a party. But if anyone could get things like this done in a hurry, it was Pam. And so it would be taking place at somewhere that was a chance of scenery for them all, a place outside town. The Vineyard, as it was called, was a winery, country store and family destination all wrapped into one, replete with a party barn that though rustic on the outside, was filled with only the latest technology for a good party. And renting the place, well, there was a three month waiting list but thanks to her literal powers of persuasion, Pam had gotten them booked, managing to find out the next person on the list and glamouring them to make them forget they had wanted the place. Not too thrilled with forcing the party elsewhere, Sookie had made Pam at least secure another location for the temporarily displaced party.

"She was clever, I admit that much….but I feel better knowing we didn't steal the venue from someone….well, I mean we did, but I made sure we made things right for that family who had originally rented the place." Sookie shook her head. "Pam was not exactly caring either way that I did that, all she wanted was that we had the place. Some things don't change I guess." she was talking to her brother on the front porch of the quaint yellow farmhouse. "I know she wants to keep that facade of….."

"Bitchyness." Jason offered with a grin. "She Don't want anyone to know the other side of her."

"She wouldn't; admit it to anyone. Ever. But I think a part of her was glad that the family displaced from The Vineyard got another locale for their party. But make no mistake, she can be ruthless and selfish still. She can only adapt so much." and they shared a laugh as they heard the crickets starting to chirp. The sun was setting and she sighed, Jason looking at her sideways. "I can't help but think about how lucky we are, you know? All the violence, the bloodshed….the deaths…..it seems like we get knocked down and when we get up, we are stronger for it. That being said, I think we are all strong enough, it would be nice to have a prolonged stretch of time without drama, death and whatever….."

"Yeah, I think if a town could have nine lives, ours would be on number 11." he said. "But I think we've done pretty well, all things considered? I mean, expanded family and we are all closer than ever before….tight knit…."

She smiled. "And you got yourself some relatives you never would have expected."

"Yeah…..strange how things work out." he said and looking at the screen of hic cell, he shot to his feet. " Crap, I gotta get home, promised the wife I would cook for her and Harper. can't believe Harper starts first grade in September. Time sure does fly."

Sookie smiled at the mention of her one and only niece. Time sure had passed fast, it seemed like only yesterday vamps had come out of the coffin, that she had met and gotten involved with her first one and then the cavalcade of events that went on after that night. Years had passed since that night and she had finally gotten the life she wanted-a family of her own and though it was far from the typical American family, she had come to not only embrace their uniqueness, but knew that it was that same uniqueness that was helping then survive everything that had come their way. Putting about the house, she found herself feeling like the average American woman, doing laundry, the dishes and dusting, though when doing the laundry, she had to wonder just how her Viking went through so much laundry in a week, to say nothing of the leather he preferred to wear. Having had to toss out two jackets in this week alone, she felt confident that the leather industry certainly owed a debt to him. Laughing at her thoughts, she folded the rest of the laundry and put it away, thinking back on how she and him came to be. And what a long strange and painful trip it had been and yet, if she could do it all over again, sure she would change some things but she would still choose the tall blonde. Even if it meant taking all the bad experiences, the anguish, all over again. The sun was going down and she knew that soon, she wouldn't be puttering around the house any longer.

Chapter 2

She heard the door open and though she had always reminded him to use the doormat, she still took out a broom to sweep up the inevitable dirt that would be tracked in by someone who, she knew, always had more pressing issued on his mind at returning home than dirt on his boots. And sure enough, she saw him at the kitchen table, a trail of dirt in his wake. That she had at least trained him well was proven as he took the broom from her and swept up the mess, Sookie scooping the mess up in a dustpan.

Offering her lips and her neck to him, Sookie grinned at Eric, who, after returning a kiss and taking a quick nip from her neck, spoke. "I know I should know better by now, but I've had plenty on my mind….he comes home tomorrow night, after all. Pam said the place is ready to go for us, she is delivering him straight to the place under false pretenses. And she said she got her hands on some special refreshments for those of us who require such…nourishment. And though I would surely prefer one source in particular, she claims she tasted this and is second only to faerie blood. Said its called "Scarlet Surprise"

"Wonder what the surprise is…." replied Sookie as she went to pour herself some wine. Sitting down at the table across from him she frowned. "Lately, surprises have tended not to be good ones. Hopefully its only a buzzword to keep sales up."

"Its not cheap…more expensive than any of the synthetics on the market. Limited supply. After this shipment, apparently it will be no more." the Viking replied and Sookie sipped from her glass again.

"I can't wait for this, he's been gone so long but he said he learned a lot from your sister and the others back overseas…..but I know he needed to figure out where he truly belonged and…."

"We can't fault him for wanting to return there. The way of life here isn't to his liking and perhaps if I hadn't had my life go as it had, remaining there would have been what I preferred too. At least we have friends and family back over there and we will have him here for a couple weeks." he said. "I would prefer he remained here but I am also glad that my sister will have that much more protection back home…..but from what we have been told, she has ruled that colony like the princess…queen, she is."

Sookie thought of the life that he could have had if things had turned out differently, if his family hadn't been killed centuries ago. Would he have taken the throne that she knew he had been so stubborn to take. Hearing him reveal his past to her, his lack of responsibility he had revealed to her he had had, she ached for him and his losses and yet, if not for that night that had set him on that path for vengeance, they likely wouldn't be here in this little farmhouse together talking. "I am happy…..for you that you got some slice of your former life back, that those other Viking vamps…that they are together and whatever…" she trailed off as she watched his face, unreadable at first, no doubt the conversation taking him back down memory lane. Which for him was a long, twisty road paved with more loss than she could ever imagine. "I just….he is a big boy and he can take care of himself and I don't like that he chose to make the move there permanent either. But they have technology, remember? And thanks to me, we can be there in a literal flash."

He nodded in agreement and sighed. "I had been thinking about giving up the second house to him for a gift….but apparently that won't happen…,maybe it was stupid to have another house built-"

"I know that my house isn't exactly your style and we get the best of both worlds having two places to stay at. Unconventional way to live, yeah, but look at us? We make unconventional work. Besides, it makes a nice compromise and gives you a sanctuary of you own, since my house isn't the best light tight. And even though you can stay out in the sun for a few hours at a time, at least the cabin is completely light tight…..I have found that little home away from home quite enjoyable. The bedroom especially. And to think it's literally a stones throw from this house." she grinned, her face subduing. "I hope tomorrow night goes well…..its been a long time since we've seen him."

"Hopefully he won't need to take the skills he texted us he has learned to any use. At least tonight." though I have thought that it would be fun to get into a good, bloody fight. Father and son….something I never really got to do with my own father. Godric, yes, of course, but m human father….I was too irresponsible." there was a wistfulness in his words that she felt for but knew a party could only help.

"Tomorrow night will be great. I promise." she said reassuringly.

TO BE CONTINUED