PART THREE

Chapter 5

The toddler sized bed was broken and things had most certainly turned out to be more surprising than they had expected. But standing there in the remains of the collapsed bed was a tall blonde with blue eyes that were so much like his father. And he looked confused and almost sheepish. "Um…..sorry about the bed? Looks like maybe we need to take a trip to Ikea, get me something new to sleep on?" Gunnar was standing in the room, his now way too small clothes barely covering him. And it was clearly a shock to them all, they had all thought there had been more time, that they had three days before the end game, when he was full grown. Seems like nature had different ideas and as such it seemed that at least they skilled over the teen years, the tantrums and what not.

"Uh, ok, let me help you….." Sookie stammered as she went to the walk in closet and rummaged through the clothes she and Pam had bought for the right time. And this was so the right time. Tossing him a pair of jeans and a t shirt, she and Eric turned to give him privacy and in a few moments, they turned back to see their statuesque son dressed, flip-flops tossed to him by Sookie, who had had the foresight to grab them as well, hoping that any of the pairs she had got would fit when the time came. Well, they were a tiny bit snug but his feet were at least covered. This was happening faster than they expected and yet they were adequately prepared, she thought to herself as she gingerly approached their son, who was as tall and as physically blessed as his father. And as she looked closer, she saw his blonde hair was streaked with subtle shades of a darker blonde, like her own. And she certainly saw that there was her and her Viking in this figure, of that there was no doubt. She didn't know exactly what to do other than wrap her arms around her youthful looking son and he, to her relief, returned the gesture.

"sorry about the mess." Gunnar said, raking a hand through his hair. "I felt that tingling sensation and I knew something was happening and then….well, maybe some bonfire food now." he gestured to the broken pieces of the bed at their feet and they both laughed as the patriarch hung back, looking at the two with interest and bemusement. "I won't bite." Gunnar said, revealing his fangs to his parents, before putting them away. "I can't wait to use these on someone that deserves it….and it would seem that…" he trailed off as the inherent knowledge, that sixth sense that his sister had had upon using her powers appeared. And as he conjured that light with ease, he waited to see the faces of his parents and he certainly got the reaction he wanted. Shock, amusement and overall, they looked impressed.

"Well…we still need to teach you to use those talents responsibly. Though some people around here do tend to do what they want from time to time." Sookie smirked, not naming names, but gently dipping her head to her right where her other half stood looking innocent.

"Whatever are you talking about?" he quipped before turning serious. "Since I gained this new life, this family, I have had to be more cautious, not to let things get the better of me and….well, things got messy when I did. And there are plenty of humans out there who would love nothing more than to catch a vampire to sell their blood and should they learn the secret of what you are….your mother has already dealt with people tracking her down to get her blood because of what she is and I won't have another family member suffer because of that greed as well. Your sister was perhaps wise to decide to spend most of her time in Faery, though she had had her troubles there as well…" it was then that he and Sookie took to telling him everything, in a abbreviated form, of what they had endured, who their family was and other things that they knew they needed to tell him. They spend a couple of hours talking with their son, who at times became shocked, saddened and even laughed at the memories of the pas this parents brought up.

"There is a series of books in your sisters palace that has all family history in them. And they write themselves and as we sit here now, they have added you to the pages. But we have books and photos here we can share with you to learn more about your origins, what the time before you arriving was like. Granted, most of that stuff I would rather leave in the past but I think it important that you at least be aware of the troubles of the past. To avoid problems in the future. Not that they can be entirely avoided…" she said, trailing off, exhausted emotionally from returning to the memories of the past, though she knew that their son needed to know things. Needed to be aware. Life wasn't any easier even with powers and whatnot and if anything, life had gotten trickier. But still, they persevered time and time again.

"A party….how would you like a party when you can meet the family, the friends we have in our life. Friends who have helped us out time and again. Friends who will be around for a long time thanks to some magic on your sister's part." asked the Viking, looking intently at their son. "The fact is we are all going to be around and together for some time….forever, or as much time as we are granted, depending on fate. I learned a long time ago there is always a threat to even immortals and forever…..its not so clear cut." he and Sookie waited for the answer. They weren't going to force him into a situation he didn't want to be in. and finally, they got their answer

Chapter 6

"A party….to meet my family, your friends….I think it could be fun. You said you have a club? What is it like?" Gunnar asked and the couple looked at one another before explaining the rules, limits and atmosphere that made up Fangtasia. "Oh…..I think that could be really fun….any girls you know may be there?"

"A lust for ladies….sounds like there is something that he has in common with his old man." boasted Eric while Sookie shot him a look.

"You got the old part right…but maybe you will hit it off with someone, who knows but you don't need to rush into things. After all you're barely a few days old and there is a lot we need to go over with you still. But at least meeting the friends and family, that is a big thing to check off the list. Some of those you are gonna meet are certainly colorful characters. And though we have introduced you to them before, you were too small to remember. This time around, this will kinda be a reunion of sorts. And if you are fine with the location of the party-"

"Nothing scares me and I know this place isn't kid friendly….but I am not exactly a kid anymore, am I?" Gunnar said with a wry grin, one that rivaled his father's. rolling her eyes in feigned exasperation, she patted his arm "Just try and behave yourself…these people are everything to us and I worry that you could lose control. Though I suppose it is thanks to you being part faerie that you, like your sister, like myself, don't have the urge to take a bite of anyone from faerie descent….." she remembered what she had learned not too long ago and was thankful that she didn't (hopefully) need to worry about either of her kids ever having the urge to drain a faerie. But as they were part faerie themselves, she felt reasonably certain that was nothing to concern herself about.

"This will be a interesting evening…..Thursday, Friday and then Saturday…..three days out. So how will we spend our time together before then? Perhaps some good sparring practice in the…..rec room?" Eric asked, looking positively chomping at the bit to get his hands on some steel, to finally have another to teach in battle methods, though it was clear he was trying to remain calm, stoic. But it was clear as well he was failing. And she found it amusing and cute all at the same time. "Ok, you two go and do what you need to to get your jollies out….there's several hours before dawn so hopefully you can- " she was interrupted by two blurry forms speeding out of the room, heading down the hall and down to the room that was used for when either one of them needed a outlet for their anger, to release anger in somewhat of a healthy way. It was thanks to protective magic that the room itself was undamaged but in terms of punching bags and dummies used instead of actual people or supernaturals….well, they were bought by the dozen, depending on how things were going in their lives. It had been useful over the past and now, it would once more be used to train, to teach. After she had done some housework, she was unsurprised to find the two return upstairs a few hours later, disheveled, bloodied and clearly healing from injuries incurred form one another. But both looked supremely satisfied.

"It would seem, that like the other one, we have a fast learner on our hands. A natural. Tomorrow, maybe you can show him a little of your side of things. Your preferred method of fighting." they were in the kitchen and the Viking had opened the fridge and separate from the human food that Sookie still needed and what their guests and now son would need, he grabbed some New Blood from the fridge, knowing that she needed some time before he made a snack out of her again. Certainly her body, though appearing healed up and fine, had been through quite an ordeal with the extremely rapid pregnancy and the desperate measures needed to bring the child into the world. She was thankful and appreciative that he was willing to partake in the fake stuff and promised that soon, he could have the real thing again.

"if he wants to learn to control his light, to wield it safely, then so be it. Tomorrow if you want… " she said to her son as he too joined in some blood. "But first of all, I want the both of you to clean up, look at the blood you tracked into the kitchen. Out, out!" she shooed the two of them away, acting stern but revealing a smile that showed how thankful and grateful she was for the fact she was able to shoo them out. This was her family, she had the past piece of the puzzle and she couldn't be happier. And now, she had her chance to teach forthcoming.

Chapter 7

She had wanted to watch the two of them spar together and so it was Friday evening she had come down into the gym-like area. Having wanted to see the two, she had said she would wait a little while before she taught her son about how to use the faerie side of his powers. And she found herself impressed at the sight of her grown son, watching him match his father step by step with every slash of the sword, every slice of the knife, of every weapon that was being thrown his way. Even archery, he was more than adept at. "Wow…." she breathed as she watched from a safe distance, seeing them ignoring the cuts and scrapes being endured from one another and as they turned to take on the dummies with their own physical strength, sans weapons, she was just as impressed. And she knew without a doubt that there was a element of showing off in front of her by them both and nevertheless, she was appreciative, relieved that they were taking this seriously. That she could rest easier knowing that her son was to be better prepared for the inevitable threats that he would face that they would face together.

"So….looks like its your turn to work with him…" Eric said as he took a seat on one of the seats on the side of the room where she had been watching with interest. If he could, she knew he would be dripping with sweat, for it had been a workout for the both of them. Still, there was a healthy bloody sheen on him.

"Uhh….yeah, are you gonna take a shower first? " she teased as he went to wrap an arm around her, the blood still damp enough to wreak havoc with her clothes. "

"Picky, picky." he said as she got up and took her spot across from their son and stuck her tongue out at her Viking, who arched a eyebrow.

"I am gonna show you how to really pack a punch." she teased, turning back to face her son and as she worked with him, teaching him to focus, to concentrate, she was pleased with the progress he made in terms if wielding that special power. And time and time again, she had him blast the crap out of dummy after dummy and was glad that they happened to have dozens stored away. It was as if both of their kids had been born fighters. And she supposed, given the abilities and accomplishments of Aurora and those no doubt lying ahead for Gunnar, that this was to be a good thing. That at least she could rest easier knowing how talented her kids were in both sides of their abilities. "And Don't be rude getting into other people's thoughts." she said as she finished her lesson on mind reading…..but it seemed that while Aurora's vamp traits were somewhat less than faerie, it seemed, with the lessons with Gunnar, that his faerie power, at least the telepathy, was not as strong as her own. "Seems that Aurora's power favors me while you favor your fathers side."

"I can pick up on thoughts…. But not whole sentences, not really. Enough to get by…" Gunnar said as he worked with his mother on trying to read one another's mind. "I just picked a memory of yours….once you and dad were in the woods and you-"

"Hey!" Sookie protested. "Privacy is always something me and others would appreciate and while you may not get while thoughts all the time, its clear that from time to time you sure do get a good read…..maybe too good." she added, her face turning slightly pink. And of course, she saw no shame, embarrassment or the like on her Vikings face but rather amusement. "Stop being cute. " she said as she walked over to him and swatted his face playfully.

"Come on, we've got a party to prepare for, now don't we?" Eric said innocently. "After hitting the shower, of course.

She watched him leave the room, leaving her and her son behind. "Sometimes it feels like his greatest ability is just being himself its impossible to stay aggravated at him for long.

"Hopefully that runs in the family. " Gunnar replied as he too went to leave the room. Turning once more to face his mother, he smirked. "And I will give you two time, don't worry. I've got my own bathroom, right? Shower and everything?" he paused. "Soundproof so I don't overhear anything because I don't want to be only a few days old and already need psychological counseling." with a grin that was oh so much like his father's, he retreated to one of the spare guest rooms which would soon be decorated in his own design and décor. In the hustle and bustle no one had thought to move him to one of those rooms. They had been, after all, a bit preoccupied with the destruction of the other room and the mess that now lay within.

She opened her eyes wide and though she knew that he didn't have the same level of telepathic power as she did, or Aurora, he was perceptive enough to know what was on her mind and she reddened again. That he knew just what she was planning upon reaching her own bathroom…well, she sighed and had to laugh out loud. This was her son. This was her family and as far from human as they all were, she loved the fact that moments like the one she had experienced over the past few days had made her feel oddly normal, like they were just a family, nothing more, nothing less. Well…..save for the powers and whatnot. Yep, tomorrow night, the party would be a interesting one. That much was for certain.

TO BE CONTINUED