PART FOUR

Chapter 7

News, of course, had spread through out their circle of friends and family and though nothing seemed to face the townspeople anymore, it was still weird just how things had gone down that had led the waitress to be expecting. But everyone were also chalking it up to a miracle, that her previous loss and heartbreak, the misery she endued from her late ex had been terrible. That this miracle could finally give her the chance to move on and heal. Though the scars she had suffered from physically were gone, that she was even stronger than she had been before now that she had vamp traits as well, she felt the mental scars as deeply as any of the physical scars had. With sacrifice and acceptance on both of their parts, they had made each other more powerful, mentally and physically in order to create what they had. Though the changes would remain permanent, they knew that the more strength they had the better, what with the way their lives were. That he could even go out in the sunlight for a brief amount of time now thanks to her power within him was a bit of a blessing-he had told her he had tempted fate as he was wont to do and found he had been able to last a couple hours outside in the light before signs of burning started in. the fact she could send him out during the day if she needed him to was a comfort but when he had offered to go, she had refused. She knew that there was always targets on their back, being who they were but if someone was able to learn of their changes-especially his albeit somewhat limited day walking ability…..she shuddered to think how messy things could become for them. And the baby? She shuddered again, knowing full well that this was a almost unique baby, save for the fact that there had, in fact been a mix of such power before. But that had been Warlow and she had come close to changing herself then in order to save her friends from certain doom. Though relieved at the time that she hadn't had to go through that after all, she was now, thriving on what she was. What was to come.

She knew he had things to deal with at the club and had been texting back and forth with him since the sun had gone down. The conversation he had had with Pam about everything that had happened, right down to demonstrating his new ability to wield light like Sookie could, had been alarming at first to Pam. But when she saw the way it worked, now deadly it could be, she chalked it up to merely being another weapon for him. It was refreshing for Sookie to see Pam taking all of this in stride. Though again, the people who would know about them both being, for all intents and purposes, hybrids, would be severely limited. It was for the best. She hadn't wanted to trouble him but over the past couple hours, she had felt the pains return and had relegated herself to her bed with some water, flipping on her new TV on the wall that had just been installed that morning by her brother, who was doting on her as mush as he could. He had taken to being a deputy and had several commendations to his credit and with his family, Bridgette and little Harper, he had certainly changed from the goofy brother she had grown up with, well, he was still goofy and could be a little….dim sometimes. But he was a pillar of the community and she was proud of him.

But back in the here and now, she felt the pain getting more potent and she knew, without a doubt that though only a few days had passed since she had learned that what which had been hoped for had come true. And as she patted her much larger stomach, she placed her cell on her bedside table as she heard it go off, another text from him. It was nice that he worried about her and she had to laugh at the zig zag path her and his lives had taken. She had known he had sold off the company he had founded and was more than a bit well off. New Blood had thrived and she understood that he had come to prefer the simpler task of running his bar instead. Corporate life, as it turned out, wasn't for him. And though she knew that without having done what he had done when dealing with those Japanese thugs, hep v likely would not have been cured. He had saved the day but knew he was happier now, with the company in the hands of others once again. That she suspected he had done it for her was a solid theory. She ignored the text as a stab of pain came through her and she felt dizzy. Knowing who else she could call, she was chagrined to find her body feeling like she was paralyzed, to say nothing of her clumsiness when she knocked her phone to the ground and was physically unable to retrieve it. "Crap." she said as it began.

Chapter 8

Of course he had expected her to at least reply to his last text but he knew she was stubborn. That he felt the fear through their bond got him moving, barely taking a moment to tell Pam he had to leave and though the chat was all too brief, she knew that his sudden departure could and would only be for one reason. She sighed and hoped deep down for not another tragedy, knowing all too well the pain he and the faerie had endured and though her own life hadn't been a picnic, Pam had also not had such devastating looses like they had had. She had always felt herself somewhat fortunate but make no mistake, she was all too glad she had left her human life in the dust decades ago. Best choice she had ever made. And as touch as she was, she had grown to care for others in her life and even though she was as snaky as ever, those closest to her knew better and Sookie, of course, now knew there was more to her than that hard outer shell. And surprising herself, Pam mustered up a few kind thoughts for her former enemy, hoping for the best for those back at the little yellow farmhouse.

Meanwhile, he had been nothing more than a streak, a bur, as he had flew straight to her house and up the stairs. He saw her in bed, alone, sweating and looking as if she was in discomfort and yet there was something of aglow about her. She looked relieved and scared at the same time, not quite knowing what to do. The tingling, paralyzing sensation was long gone and she had managed to get her phone. "I tried calling the doc…she's out of town, some sick humans got exposed to some nasty goblin virus-yes, goblins exist, she told me as much, that though they can take a human form, they can still spread illness-" she stopped talking as she forced to take a deep breath. The pain was leaving her and she felt a air of calm about her and it was almost as if she wasn't about to have a baby. Strange, though she highly suspected it was her power taking hold, she had heard what Andy's one time fling Maurella had gone through when having their four kids. That it had been….a interesting and eve titillating experience for her and those who had been there to see the sight. Not that she wanted a big audience and knowing that the doc was, as she had feared, was indisposed for the time being, if she was even going to be able to come at all, at least she had gotten a message through and hopefully she would come soon. But it was very much clear that the kid was going to get here well before the good doc was going to and the other piece if interesting news was that there was only one person in the room with her and only one who was going to be able to do what was needed.

"What can I get for you…what….can I do?" he asked as he sat beside her on the bed, looking worried and almost…could it be…panicked. "I saw women have children in my human days but….I never really….imagined it would be hitting this close to home….."

"This isn't exactly what I expected." she replied in between the slight discomfort. "This is no ordinary faerie baby so I soluble be shocked that there is more pain that involved here than a average birth…. " she cringed, grabbing the comforter she was under, lot letting go until it subsided. "But ready or not, here it comes."

Chapter 9

She so rarely saw him look anything less than confident before and so as she took what little she knew about having kids and ordered him to get some towels and water, just in case things got….messy…she took in the sight. It was comical and amusing, to be sure but at this moment in time, her discomfort had turned to something she knew was, in fact normal in a faerie birthing. She wanted nothing more than to jump him right then and there and she even started to get off the bed but was able to fight off that inclination, instead finding herself riddled with that lustful urge within her and he seemed further unsure of what to do as he saw her trying to maintain some focus, come clarity.

"I hope you're ready….." she said as she breathed in one deep breath and then there was a slight hum, vibration to the room as there came a light and with a slick dive, the Viking dropped the items she had asked for and ripped through her clothes that would have impeded progress and in a few moments, cradled a unnaturally clean baby and though silently grateful not to have had to clean the kid up, he gladly would have.

"It would seem that it was a mostly faerie birth, though with its mixed blood, I am not shocked there was a few hiccups, more pain involved than what I would have wanted for her….but look at that, won't you?" a voice called from the doorway and in the heat of the moment, neither of them had noticed the faerie king lurking in the doorway, watching the delivery. "I wasn't visible until just now, but I was not about to miss this and wanted to stand by on the off chance that he would….well, he passed this trial with flying colors." Niall walked over to where stood the shell-shocked looking Viking, holding the kid in his arms., a fleece blanket having quickly been put haphazardly around it and allowing the faerie king to help, Eric watched the baby be swaddled in a more secure and snug fashion. There was not a trace of mess that came along with the typical human birth, not even a cord needed to be cut. "Since this was not typical of a normal pregnancy for a faerie, I shouldn't be surprised that it is only one….and a boy…boys are somewhat more rare." Niall continued as he walked over to check his granddaughter who looked refreshed. Joyous.

"A boy….. " she whispered. "Here's hoping that I get some blue things at the baby shower, though most people have a shower before the kid comes."

"Yes, but we are far from being most people." the Viking pointed put, smugly, as he was wont to be. But the others in the room knew better, the kind of heart, loyalty he had to those he cared for and granddaughter and grandfather rolled their eyes, smiles on their faces

"I don't think I want a shower. " she said. "A moot point now….but maybe some kind of party for everyone to get to meet this guy….." she was interrupted by a rap on the window as Pam had appeared, hovering in the moonlight and looking somewhat annoyed.

"you're having a shower and you'll like it….I already got most of it planned and there ain't no way I am canceling it and wasting my hard work….well, Ginger's hard work. I just told her to make calls and order crap." Pam said as Eric let her into the room and she made a beeline to where Sookie was in the bed, the baby in her arms now. "Well…." Pam scented the room and frowned. "Not what I expected to come into….smell wise….and no…mess….." she peered over the right shoulder of her former enemy. "It's not…..ugly." she narrowed her gaze at the squished little face, slumbering. "But if I start smelling anything, I am outta here."

There was a moment of levity and Sookie was appreciative of the visit. "Well, let me know the time and place and….oh goodness this will be quite the party, won't it? And keep it tasteful, please? It is a baby shower, after all."

"Well if I am gonna have this be a family affair, gotta have something for the guys….don't worry your pretty blonde head, it will be fine. Already got the booze bought and the setting….all you need to worry about is showing up. Willa is all about helping on this and I have to say, delegating is so much more fun then going through all the motions….." Pam smirked as she got up and turned to leave but patted her maker's arm, smiling devilishly. "Enjoy diaper duty." and before he could respond, she had taken off and the look on his face sent the waitress into hysterics, Niall enjoying the look on his face as well.

"So that was the infamous Pam….too bad she seemed too distracted to make introductions but perhaps when this party occurs, then we can make our introductions. "Niall said, shaking his head. "She is a firecracker, though it tends to run un the family, I've watched all of you from time to time…." he trailed off. "I think that anyone foolish enough to try anything funny with a family such as you would come to quickly regret their decision." Niall looked at his pocket watch. As modern as he was, there were those olden quirks of his he had and his dress and clock were a couple of those things that his granddaughter though added to his charm. "until the shower, I suppose…and perhaps I can convince your cousin to come. Hadley and Hunter, they have been so happy in Faery. This world just scares your cousin too much for her to want to be here for any reason and I don't know if even this would be enough to draw her back here, even for something this joyous. But I can see what I can do to convince her."

"Hadley…..Hunter….I've been so...preoccupied…I am glad they are happy but…does she know about-"

"I've kept her informed about things here in this realm and so she knows all too well about the two of you. She said she was scared of him at first but then she came to see the true nature of that Viking. He helped comfort her when she was in deep with the late, so very not lamented Sophie Anne. She may not be entirely at ease with him….but she gives her blessing to you, Sookie."

The girl said nothing but lay back in bed and nodded and with that, Niall vanished, leaving only the three in the room, two pondering what was, what could me and what would be.

THE END