I am awed by the response that my story has received. Thank you so much for brightening my day! My apologies for the slow update – I've been working lots, getting the last of my uni. coursework together…and getting engaged! The engagement part has been the most distracting!

Chapter Six

I woke up in the morning feeling different. I felt lighter, like a dark cloud had been swept away by the sunshine. Apparently the sunshine had a name as well – Eric Northman. I was still dubious (Word of the Day for Sunday) about Eric's motives, but I felt as though he was truly trying to build a relationship with me. I didn't want to start making too many plans for the future or fantasizing about the nights we would spend cuddled together because I didn't want to get my hopes up. One day, or rather night, at a time. Let's see how tonight turns out, and then we can go from there. I couldn't suppress my smile and a little giggle though and I rolled over to see a note on my dresser. Eric's familiar script was on it and I got up to retrieve it before climbing back into bed. What was a day off if you didn't get to sleep in and indulge yourself a little?

My fingers traced my name and I felt a little flutter in my heart before I opened it and pulled out the letter.

My dearest Sookie,

I thought you might be able to find a use for

the table and chairs and the heat lamps, so I've

left them for you. If this is not to your liking, please

leave a message for my day man and he will ensure

that they are removed.

I look forward to seeing you tonight. I will count

the minutes until I can hold you again.

Yours,

E.

I re-read the letter a few more time before putting it back into its envelope and placing it in the drawer of my nightstand. My clock read 12:30. I groaned and closed my eyes, then reluctantly got up and started to do some chores. I started a load of laundry and mopped the kitchen floor and vacuumed the living room carpet. I scoured the kitchen cupboards and swept the porches. It felt good to be busy, to not be thinking about anything…or anyone. When I was satisfied that I had cleaned every surface to Amelia's and my grandmother's high standards, I flopped down on the couch and looked at my watch. It was 4:00. That left me four hours until Eric arrived.

I turned on the radio and sat on the couch, where Eric had sat last night, imagining myself wrapped up in his embrace. My thoughts drifted and I didn't try to concentrate them on one thing. I thought about the men that had been in my life over the last couple of years. Men with hard outer shells, strong willed men who would fight through any adversity that came their way. Yet, they had shown tenderness that I hadn't expected. I remembered how Alcide had looked when he abjured Debbie Pelt, that stony gaze that closed his face to any emotion…yet, he seemed to enjoy the idea of us playing at being married when we were investigating the murders of the females Weres in his pack. And Quinn…Quinn, my one time lover, the pit fighter, the betrayer. But he had done it to ensure the safety of his family and I knew that he was heartbroken when I told him that it was over. Then there was Bill. Bill was a mystery to me most of the time, but he had been tender with me when we were alone, even if he had ultimately broken my heart. These men had risked their own safety to keep me safe, yet it wasn't enough to hold together a relationship. And now, Eric…

Eric was so difficult to figure out. I knew he desired me, that he wanted to possess me…but was he capable of loving me the way that I wanted to be loved? Was he right? Was I trying to change him? He did have an annoying habit of being right and I was hoping that this was one instance where he wouldn't be. Was I expecting him to act like a normal human man, when he so obviously wasn't? I'd read enough Cosmo to know that there was always some give and take in a relationship and that women who expected that their partners were going to change were in for a huge let-down. Would that happen to me? Could I really expect that he would stop being vampire and be content with just being with me? Did I even want that? My head was spinning with all of the unanswered questions that swirled around me.

For so long I had held onto the memories of when Eric had amnesia and somewhere in my heart I had hoped that he would remember and become that Eric again. But that would be robbing him of who he really was, and I had fun with the Sheriff of Area 5 Eric. He could make me laugh and infuriate me and challenge me. As the Sheriff, I considered him a friend. There had always been some sexual attraction between us, and I clearly remembered how good in bed he was, but would that be enough for me?

The voice on the radio announced that it was 6pm. I jumped from the couch and hopped into the shower letting the hot water wash away the confusing thoughts and the grime from a day of cleaning. I used the fruit scented shampoo and conditioner and some vanilla scented body wash. As I cleaned my body, my mind drifted to a delicious memory – the memory of a shower that Eric and I had shared so long ago. I shook my head and turned off the water, getting out and drying myself off with a fluffy pink towel. I couldn't let myself get caught up in that memory, not with Eric coming over or I would have even more difficult to stay out of bed with him. I blow dried my hair and curled the ends, carefully applied some eyeliner and mascara and a little pink lip gloss before standing in front of my closet. I pulled out at least a dozen tops, holding them up in front of me before discarding them on my bed. I didn't want to overdo it, but I still wanted to look good. Finally I settled on a pair of dark wash jeans and a red v-neck sweater that exposed just enough cleavage without being slutty. I put a pair of gold hoops in my ears and a simple gold necklace on and turned myself this way and that in the mirror as I took in the overall effect. Pleased with the way that I looked, I headed into the kitchen to warm up some leftovers. The clock read 7:15pm.

Forty-five minutes until Eric would arrive. I ate quickly and washed the dishes, all the while butterflies winged their way through my stomach. Despite what I might say to him, I was excited to see Eric again. I just couldn't let him know it, although he probably could feel it through the bond. 7:40pm. I looked around the living room and paced. Deep breath. The romance book I had taken out from the library caught my eye from across the room. Hmmm…maybe a romance isn't the best thing to read right now. I looked at the bookshelf where Amelia had put some of her non-witchy books and selected one called "The Monster of Templeton" by Lauren Groff, it looked promising. I curled up on the couch and started reading the first page, barely two paragraphs in there was a knock at the door. I glanced at the clock above the mantelpiece – 8pm. It was him.

Tempted to just call out to Eric to let himself in, I thought better of it. How many times had there been someone, or something, out there that I did not want nor expect at my door. I got up and looked through the peephole to see my beautiful Viking vampire standing there with a bouquet of exotic flowers in his hand. Smiling to myself, I pulled the door open and let the warmth and love he felt for me flow through the bond.