a/n: Another TON of thanks to those reviewing and faving this story! I know I usually come onto FF to read a somewhat fluffy story that has a happy ending, simply because usually I've worked all day and just want to relax and smile. So I REALLY appreciate the readers on this story. I knew it would be full of angst when the idea popped into my head, but the muse wouldn't leave me alone until I finally started writing this one. So thanks a million for continuing to read even though it isn't a fluffy happy story. I love ya'll! Also this chapter is pretty long, they just didn't want to shut up in their flashback lol.

CHAPTER 7

When I hopped into my car I debated on running out to the lighthouse instead. No. I forced myself to go to the bookstore first. The dream of Eric was fresh in my mind and I wanted more answers. I would not be sharing all of the details with Sophie-Anne but I did want to see what kind of knowledge she had on dreaming.

I drove down the desolate Maine roads. The conifer trees towered on each side of the road and the houses were all far apart out here. You could always spot wildlife where I lived. It was not unusual to see deer, coyotes, or even a moose crossing the road. It was always a part of Maine that I liked. Nature was relaxing and I never minded sharing the space with wild creatures. Eventually I turned onto the main downtown road, then I took a sharp right that led down a steep decline. I always had to ride the brakes down this hill. The I took the turn into the Owl & Turtle parking lot. The book shop was on the backside of the main strip of old fashioned stores in town. That meant from here I could see the harbor, only about a thirty second walk across the decent sized parking lot.

I could see Eric's boat floating in the harbor from here. He had just put it in the water for the season a couple days before the accident. I pushed the thought away and walked into the book shop. Sophie-Anne greeted me right away. "Sookie! It's so good to see you. Tell Eric I say hello as well, although I'm sure he just heard me."

"Um sure, I will." It was weird that Eric was here and I couldn't sense him at all. It was also strange that Sophie-Anne treated him like a regular person almost. I guess I did too when I saw him. It was just weird to have someone else involved in this secret little world we had been sharing the past few days.

"Are you here for more books?" She asked and I wondered why a psychic didn't know the answer to that.

"Actually I was wondering if I could pick your brain about some…. Stuff I had questions about?" A customer walked in then so I went with a vague description.

"Oh sure! I'd love that! I close the shop at 12 for my lunch break, maybe we could go grab something to eat and talk then?" Sophie-Anne was all smiles and radiant.

"Okay that sounds good. I can just meet you here at noon?"

"Perfect, I'll see you then Sookie." She smiled but had to hustle off to help the customer who had come in.

I decided to get some chores done since I had a couple hours to waste. I walked up the hill and turned onto main street, and visited a few shops. Thankfully it was still spring so tourists weren't crawling all over the shops already. In summer people liked to travel up here, then infest the old fashioned downtown areas that we still used in Maine. We didn't have huge plazas in every town with Wal-Mart and Target. If we wanted to visit those it was usually a forty minute drive to the closest one.

After I picked up a few necessities I ended up walking down to the docks. I found Eric's fishing boat tied to the dock just as he left it. I was never the boat expert. But I had learned a lot about it since being with Eric. I could at least drive and dock it myself. I remembered learning and getting very frustrated when docking the boat felt like parallel parking a damn car.

I climbed onto the boat and put my bags down. I could just hang out here for the next half hour while I waited for Sophie-Anne. As usual lately, my mind wandered to the past.

Flashback one year ago…

"Sookie! Are you ready yet?" Eric yelled across the bedroom.

I was standing in our bathroom that directly attached to the master suite. It was his parent's 25th. anniversary party and my husband was being quite impatient about getting there. They lived about twenty minutes down the road from us. We had plenty of time. "Give me ten minutes I just need to finish doing my hair."

I peered over at him and rolled my eyes. He was pacing around the bedroom. Sometimes he could be so OCD when it came to arriving on time for events. I was enjoying the view though, he looked good in his jeans and black button down. Eric did not put on button down shirts too often. Being an electrician did not call for that. So when I did get to see him dressed a bit nicer I had to take advantage of it.

"Has it been ten minutes yet?" He was standing the doorway now.

"No and if you hadn't decided to take my dress off earlier, after I was done getting ready, I wouldn't be redoing my hair right now." I turned back to the mirror but could see him grinning out of the corner of my eye.

"Eh, I guess it's worth it to be late then. We could always go for round two and be really late. I won't mind sacrificing being on time for that." It was a tempting offer but I did not want to be late to the anniversary party. I liked his parents and that would be rude.

"You can wait until we get home mister, and that's if I feel like sacrificing my time to watch Friends reruns on TBS." I kept a serious face on and started putting my curling iron away.

Eric stepped up behind me and looked over my shoulder, catching my gaze in the mirror. "You're seriously picking a television show over me?" He had his eyebrow raised as if he could not believe this blasphemy.

I finished putting everything away and turned to face him. I hooked my fingers through his belt loops and pulled him closer. "Don't worry I'm sure I could do both things at the same time. We do have a TV in our bedroom." I giggled and Eric looked horrified for a second before he started laughing.

"I'll take that as a challenge. When we get back I dare you to turn that TV on. We'll see if you end up remembering anything from the damn episode once I'm done having my way with you." He was leaning over me now, his voice a quiet growl in my ear. I stood up on my tip-toes and kissed him. Maybe we could just stay home?

In seconds Eric had lifted me up and put me on the edge of the counter, pulling my legs around his waist. "Woah, hey, remember that party?" I had my hands on his chest, pushing him back slightly. Eric smiled and helped me off the counter. "Unfortunately, yes."

We left the house hand in hand then hopped into my car to drive to his parent's house. I made Eric drive my car instead of his pickup. I hated climbing into that damn Ford F250 with a dress on. It was a quiet but comfortable drive. Eric's fingers were tracing over my palm absent mindedly. I had to admit I was happy that even after an entire year of marriage, we were still very much in love. Of course things had changed from when we were dating, and even from those first few months of marriage. Things were not always a perfect honeymoon stage and we had our stupid quarrels. But both of us had never expected things to just be perfect and seamless. Even when we were dating Eric and I agreed that was impossible not matter how in love you were. I think that's why we both worked so well together. We were realistic about what love really meant. It didn't mean life suddenly became easy or you were constantly blissful. It meant you had a person who would always be there even on the rainy days. Eric was definitely always there for me and I would always be there for him. There was not a single doubt in my mind about that.

"What are you smiling about?" Eric turned onto his parent's road.

"Just thinking about you." I could see cars lining the road and the driveway was full already.

"And my awesome skills in bed?" He was such a doofus and typical man at times.

"Something like that." I laughed as we parked the car and got out.

We crossed the large front yard to the one story, grey house that his parents lived in. The small porch area was lined with rope between the posts, much like the docks you saw around here. The entire house had a nautical theme in each room. It was no wonder where Eric got his love for the ocean from. His father had a boat as well but it was a much bigger, cruising type of boat. I was fortunate that I got along with Jack and Nora Northman from day one. They were hardworking people that had worked their entire lives to reach the place they were in now. I would definitely classify them as upper middle class. Once I started talking about school and how I had just landed a full-time job at the aquarium they took an instant liking to me. Now the only thing they were both waiting on were grandkids. Nora questioned me all the time and Eric would tell his mother she needed to back off. I just took it all in stride. She wanted grandchildren but I also wasn't going to have any kids until I was ready.

As soon as I stepped foot into the house Nora rushed over. "Sookie! You made it!" She wrapped me up in a hug and Eric was already talking to his father.

"Of course we made it, happy anniversary, you must be excited." I smiled and started walking to the gift table. I placed down the small box I had wrapped up earlier and tucked the card beneath the bow.

"I am, it's been a good 25 years for the most part. Besides dealing with that old coot Jack." She winked and led me over to the food. Nora always had a sarcastic sense of humor, I think that's where Pam got most of her traits from. Although Pam definitely took it to a different extreme than her mother.

"Is Pam here yet?" I had yet to spot her.

" She's out in the backyard with Alcide we have a little campfire setup." I was surprised since Pam usually made fun of Alcide. He had been one of Eric's high school friends and now his coworker. So Alcide was basically another family member at this point. He and Pam bickered like siblings.

"So Sookie, do you have any news for us?" Nora ushered me to sit down at the dining room table with her. We both had full plates so I knew I was in for a full conversation while we ate.

"I got promoted to a management position at work." I smiled and took a bite of macaroni salad. I knew that was not the news she wanted.

"Honey you know what I'm asking you. I ask everytime I see you!"

"The answer is no, I'm no pregnant and we are not trying. Sorry to burst your bubble."I tried to be nice about it because I knew she only had good intentions.

"Mom, are you bothering my wife again?" Thankfully Eric chose that moment to come sit down next to me. He gave me a look that screamed 'sorry about my crazy mother'.

"Eric how could you accuse your poor old mother of that? I'm just curious." She smiled and took a sip of her drink.

"Sure you are. We already explained why we're waiting, it will happen, you just need to be patient." Eric was now picking food from my plate. Nora seemed to realize her son was done with the conversation and decided to get up and answer the door as more guests arrived.

"I'm sorry she does that to you all the time. I've explained to her a million times that I want to get that promotion at work first." Eric shook his head and I wrapped my fingers around his. This also stopped him from picking at my food, it was a two in one deal.

"It's okay. I know she's just excited and it's not like she gets too personal and starts asking about our sex life. That's where I draw the line." I smiled and returned to my food. I had to swat Eric away two more times before he finally gave in and went to get his own food. I did want children in my future but I wanted to make sure we were in a good financial spot for it. Eric and I both wanted to be able to get our kids braces if they needed them, be prepared for any potential medical issues, and help send our kids to college down the road. That's why we were hoping Eric would get the promotion his boss promised him. Then that extra savings account we had started would grow much faster.

It turned out that the guests Nora got up to greet were my parents. My mom was chatting with Nora but Jack and my Dad came to sit down with us after getting some food. "So, how is the old married couple doing?"

"You better mean them and not us." Jack replied.

"Of course!" My father laughed and started digging into the pasta on his plate.

"We're good Dad. Same as usual." I smiled and looked over at Eric who was inhaling the pile of food on his plate. I don't know how he fit all of that food into his stomach and still managed to be in shape. Maybe if I was 6'4" I would be able to eat like a thirteen year old and look like a model. I swear Eric ate Twinkies for breakfast last Saturday.

"How's that boat running Eric?" My Dad always asked Eric about the boat. I think he was jealous he never splurged and bought one himself. He always said it was too much maintenance to be worth it, yet he always agreed to come with us on the boat when Eric and I invited him.

"Good, I have it winterized and stored in Alcide's garage." Eric shoved some more food into his bottomless stomach.

For awhile the boys kept up conversation about boats and cars. Eric and his father argued with my Dad about how Fords were the best trucks around. My Dad was a Chevy man and I knew there would be no convincing him otherwise. I looked outside and noticed tiny snowflakes starting to fall. There was snow in the forecast tonight, supposedly we were in for a decent sized snow storm tomorrow. It was Sunday night so I was praying for a snow day from work.

Once we finished eating Eric and I bundled up in our coats and headed outside for a bit. Now I realized the dress was a poor choice in clothing. But I had not been planning on there being a campfire at this shindig. We headed out to the fire to find Pam and Alcide sitting in a couple of lawn chairs.

"You guys haven't ripped each other's throats out yet?" Eric smiled, cloudy puffs of fog filling the air with each breath he exhaled.

"Nope, Alcide and I are getting along just fine." Pam said in a rather bored tone.

"Man your sister is sitting here yapping about her new purse. I'm glad you decided to finally join us." He shook his head. That would explain it. Pam was fine because she was the one doing all the talking. Typical.

"Don't worry I'm here to rescue you." Eric stepped behind me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. Thank god! I was freezing out here! I leaned back into his embrace to try and absorb every bit of body heat I could get.

"Thank you" I said through chattering teeth. I felt him kiss the top of my head.

"Could you two stop being so god damn happy? There are two single and miserable people at this fire. At least pretend to be in one of those married couple arguments or something." Pam had been single for awhile now and Alcide just broke up with his recent girlfriend Debbie. She had been quite the clingy psycho so we were all happy that was over and done.

"Sorry Pam, we're just so in loooove" I giggled and pulled Eric down for a kiss. He of course obliged but then had to turn it into him shoving his tongue down my throat. Alcide starting making cat calls.

"Are you two working on my anniversary gift?!" Nora was yelling across the yard as she made her way to the fire with Jack. Oh god, Eric and I ended the kiss quickly then. She was so not getting a grandchild as her gift, crazy old woman.

Jack pulled his wfe along to sit down on the last two lawn chairs near the fire. He was much calmer and more logical than Nora. He grounded her and she gave him that spark his life needed. "Sorry Sookie, she just can't keep her crazy mouth shut."

"Excuse me?" Old Jack was getting the evil eye from his wife now. We all just grinned and kept quiet. Everyone knew better than to get involved there.

By the time we left Eric's parent's place there was two inches of snow on the ground. It was beautiful. I did make Eric carry me to the car bridal style though. My feet were freezing in these tiny dress heels.

"You're lucky I love you" he mumbled as he placed me down next to the car.

"I am" I smiled and plopped right down in the passenger's seat.

"I hope we get a snow day." Eric pulled onto the road and we slowly drove home. With the roads being slick we did not drive anywhere over 30 miles per hour.

"Me too" I replied and turned the heat up.

What do you know, hours later Eric woke me up in bed.

"Sookie! Sookie!" I wanted to swat him in the face. I was asleep and so comfy.

"Shhhhh" I rolled over and pulled my pillow over my head.

"Wake up old woman" He was now hovering over me with his hands on either side of my head and his knees on either side of my hips. Then he proceeded to bounce up and down like a monkey so the bed was shaking. He weighed like double what I did, so I was bouncing around.

"Eric!" I spun around and smacked him in the head with my pillow.

"Ow! It's snowed six more inches, we have a snow day." I stared up at him then looked at the clock. It was 3AM. Then I got out of bed to look out the window myself.

"Oh my gosh, it looks like 9 or 10 inches of snow already and it's supposed to snow all day right?" Eric had gotten up now and peered out the window with me.

"Yep, so we'll definitely have well over a foot of snow. No way we're going to be driving to work in that." He smiled and I grabbed his hand and started dragging him downstairs.

"Sorry I hit you with my pillow by the way." I went straight to the kitchen and started making cocoa. Eric and I always took advantage of our snow days together. We would camp out in the house and watch movies all day and eat junk food.

"I'll forgive you once I get my hot chocolate with extra marshmallows." He was already digging through the movie cabinet we had chock full of DVDs.

Once I had the two mugs full of steaming cocoa I settled down on the couch next to Eric. He had about three blankets piled up around him and quickly made room for me in that cocoon he had setup. Then we settled down to watch whatever he picked out at 3AM.

The Rudolph claymation movie came on the screen and I smiled, snuggling myself closer to him. I loved watching this movie around the holidays even if it was for kids. Eric had his arm around my shoulders making it easier to burrow into his side.

"I wonder what it'd be like to live at the North Pole…" He mused as Rudolph learned to fly.

"Cold?" I thought it was obvious.

"I guess but I like the cold. Some places are too hot and only good for vacation." He put down his empty mug.

"Like Australia?" Eric and I had talked about visiting someday. We both thought the wildlife and landscape were fascinating but neither of us wanted to make such a drastic move. So vacation it was.

"Exactly, it seems like the summer would be so hot and dry there. Plus all those venomous snakes might get sickening." Very true we learned that on Animal Planet.

"But the kangaroos look cute, I need a pet kangaroo." I pulled the blankets up around me more. Our house was always on the chilly side since it was fairly old.

"Yes because that's realistic." He chuckled quietly. I shrugged, a girl could dream right?

"Maybe I can settle for a dog someday." I thought a nice mutt from the pound could fit in well at our house.

"What about kids? Do we want a dog running around with a baby in the house?" That took me by surprise. We had definitely discussed kids but we always put it on the backburner for financial reasons. Had Eric changed his mind?

I leaned back some so I could look into his blue eyes. "I thought we wanted to wait awhile?"

Eric shrugged and looked off at the television for a bit. He seemed to really be thinking about this. "I know but you just got that promotion, and we already have been saving up. We're in a good place financially, we have our house…. So why not now? Sometimes I feel like we keep pushing it off because we freak ourselves out by thinking about everything that might go wrong."

We totally did that. Eric and I always found something to stop us from trying. First it was we wanted to be married for awhile, then we wanted our house, then it was a million other little things that didn't matter as much as the big things. We definitely had all the important things covered at this point.

"I guess you're right. Now could be perfect a time as any." I smiled and Eric actually looked relieved. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing it's stupid." He ran his fingers through his already messy blonde hair.

"Eric…" I was going to force it out of him so he might as well cave now.

"I've just been worrying lately that maybe part of you didn't want kids, and that's why we always seemed to find an excuse." He was staring at his feet on the carpet now.

"Eric" I held his face so he had to look at me. "I know way back when we first met I said I wasn't sure. Back then I wasn't, a baby was never something I wanted to plan for. If it happened then I'd love that kid and raise it the best I could. But I never wanted to purposely have a kid." Eric frowned at my words.

"But after being with you for a few months I quickly changed my mind. I fell in love with you, and you're the man I want to have a baby with. I want to plan it all out and enjoy every second of it with you." Eric really did change my mind about it. I saw how good he was with some of his younger cousins who were only in elementary school. He was a natural with kids and I loved him. So that alone made me want to share something like this with him.

I guess my answer was the right one because Eric tackled me onto the couch and started kissing me. I couldn't help but smile. "You do know that you can't get me pregnant tonight? I took my pill this morning as usual."

"That's okay" He breathed against my neck. "We can practice for the real event." I giggled and let myself get lost in his touch. Eric was addicting once he got started. We spent our snow day on the couch having sex and watching movies. It was a freaking awesome day.

Present Day…

"Shit!" I noticed it was just past noon. I was late to meet Sophie-Anne at the book shop. I gathered up my things and jogged up the dock. Then my foot hit an uneven board and I knew I was about to go flying flat on my face. I always seemed to fall on these damn docks. But then two strong arms reached out and held me up until I had my balance again.

I turned around to thank whoever it was, but no one was there. The dock was empty as it had been and I was alone. I glanced around and then realized Sophie-Anne was right, he was always with me. "Thanks Eric" I whispered then made my way to the bookstore at a much slower pace.

a/n: as always please send me a nice little review 3 I'd ship you ASkars in thanks, but I haven't been able to kidnap him quite yet...