Author's Note: (1) I own nothing. (2) In my universe Sookie and Eric are always together.

Summary: This is a very loving, happy x-mas fic for Sookie and Eric.

"Eric, I'm tired of this." I said in a voice that was a little too loud and a little too desperate for my liking. I tried to tone it down a notch. "We never get to spend enough time together. And you stopping by twice a week is not…"

Is not going to cut it anymore. I had been about to say. Luckily I stopped myself. I didn't want to make it sound like I was giving him an ultimatum. That wasn't my intention. It wasn't like I expected him to hold my hand from dusk until dawn. I just wanted a little more face time with my boyfriend. I had to make what I wanted known or I would never get it.

"Look." I said taking his cool hands in mine. "I understand that you're busy and I know that there are things you can't help, but… it's the holiday season. I want to spend it with you."

He looked at me apprehensively, but said nothing. I knew it would chap his ass to get scolded for not being around enough. However, it was true. He wasn't.

"You are right." He granted after a tense moment. "I should be here more."

I hadn't expected that. I had expected a subtle refusal of my wishes. Christmas was not important to Eric, vampire politics were. Unfortunately for me, he was steeped in them.

I was aware that things were hard for him right now, and if his rare acknowledgment wasn't enough to throw me, the look in his eyes certainly was. Anger and resentment seared in their blue depths. But his wrath was not directed at me.

I watched him closely as he got lost in his thoughts for a few seconds. Of what he was thinking I could only guess. Then his attention was back on me. He squeezed my hand lightly, reassuringly. To my surprise, pleading crossed his face. The expression seemed misplaced on his proud features. I waited for him to speak.

"You know the reasons that have been keeping me away." He said, his voice revealing a hint of his accent. The accent that always became more pronounced when anger or passion took him. "You know that I do not wish to be away from you. But Victor continues to demand my attention and when he calls, I must answer." Pure loathing seeped into his voice as he spoke of his regent.
Eric detested Victor. I seconded that sentiment.

"Well, I demand your attention too," I countered determined to remain firm, though I could feel myself softening fast. I did wonder if I was being unfair. Quickly decided I wasn't. Enough was enough.
Believe me I was aware that Eric had to answer to Victor and to Felipe, his new Vampire King. And I was also aware that Eric had an Area to run … and several businesses to manage. But Eric had a life too. One which he had been neglecting BIG TIME.

I mean, Eric was the boss here in Northern Louisiana. It wouldn't kill him to delegate some and take a few nights off. I hoped.

This political struggle with Victor had been raging on for weeks. I didn't know the particulars. All I knew was that Victor's foolery was really eating up my boyfriend's time, and that just sucked. Eric and I had to content ourselves with only biweekly meetings. Those precious hours were spent too quickly as we got lost in the heat of our love making. Was it so wrong to ask for more?

"Sookie, I will do everything I can to be here when you need me," he said, his voice coming out smoother. "I'm here now," he added, his eyes asking me to understand.

At this concession my "ire" ebbed. I reached for him, pulling him to me, ready for a much needed make-up kiss. He came to me eager and relieved, bending down and taking me in his arms, a seductive smile replacing the frown that had been there moments before. Then we kissed. It was electric. The way he made his tongue dance with mine was enough to unhinge me, but I made myself pull away after a minute. I had more to say.

"Eric," I moaned after having reluctantly pried my lips from his. "I need you to be here for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day … er Night, and I want you to come over this Friday as well." I tried to fix him with a steely stare. One which hopefully let him know I would not be happy if he were to tell me no.
"I'll be here," he said, and I knew he meant it as a promise. "Do you think there is anywhere else I'd rather be?" He asked with a fangy grin.

It was a rhetorical question and it made me feel a little ashamed of myself for being so demanding, but I wasn't too sorry. I had gotten results.

"Okay, good." I said happily. "And are you going to stay here all night, tonight?"

"Oh yes," he said with a naughty glint in his eyes. "All. Night." A shiver of pure delight ran through my body.

Then he took my face in his hands and caressed me gently. The cool feel of his fingertips against my skin gave me nothing but pleasure. He smiled.

"Don't be angry with me, my lover. You know that every moment I'm away, I'm only longing for the time I can be back in my lady's arms."

"Kiss me," I said. It was the only appropriate response. He did. As only Eric could.
He was going to make me faint. Eric took me in his arms. My feet weren't even touching the floor anymore. My arms were locked around his neck. I lost myself in the feel of his lips. There was nothing like being in his embrace. Nothing like feeling his sculpted body pressed against mine.

I just clung to him as we kissed each other, overwhelmed by my own desire. I couldn't help but remember the delicious feel of him inside me. I wanted to make love to him, the sooner the better. But I had other plans for us first. Sadly, the mouthwatering, absolutely delectable sex was going to have to wait. My body was not happy with this delay. I ached for him.

"Eric," I cried, tearing my lips from his with great effort for the second time in so many minutes. "Umm … can we go get a tree?"

"What?" He asked still lost in his lust and a bit confused by my seemingly odd request.

"I want to get a Christmas tree. Do you want to help me pick one out and bring it here?"

"Yes", he said setting me down. "I would love to pick out a Christmas tree with you."

The jubilation that filled me at that moment was unprecedented. "Thank you," I said, while willing myself not to start jumping up and down with joy. I just loved the idea of doing these kinds of things with Eric. This had been a secret wish of mine for a while now.

"Okay then," I said looking up at him. "The tree lot I want to go to is open until 10:30pm, so we'll have plenty of time to look around. I want to get a really good tree this year and then we can decorate it together." He gave me a brilliant smile.

"Well, I'm going to go change into something warmer first and then we can leave. I'll be really quick."

Eric moved to follow me. He always liked to watch me get ready, but I asked him to stay. There was always the danger that if he came with me we'd just end up having sex. Then we'd never get anywhere.

Not to mention, I had to go change my panties after having him kiss me like he had. I'm sure he knew but I didn't care to admit it. He was already cocky enough as he was. I often wished I could curve my body's response to him, at least some of the time. It was embarrassing.

I hurried to my bathroom, leaving Eric to entertain himself in the living room.