I had planned to finish this story with the previous chapter, but in response to requests I've added one final one – its unashamedly slushy so if you are not in a sentimental frame of mind look away now.

EPOV

It was nearing dawn, but I forced myself to put off the moment of death for as long as I could just to watch Sookie as she slept. My fairy princess: so beautiful; so vulnerable.

I had not yet shared my suspicions about her heritage. I wanted to make sure that the time was right. She had dealt with a lot of new information in a short time and I didn't want to overload her. I felt sure that Pam would advise me that she would react badly if I did.

She had stayed with me for three full nights. Three nights of talking, and laughing, and amazing sex. I had to admit that Sookie showed not just enthusiasm for sex, but also a talent that surprised me, considering Compton had been her only lover. I couldn't believe that he ever diverged from the missionary position, but she was willing to try every position there was.

When we talked and laughed together I could even feel traces of my old humanity, long ago buried. I knew, more than ever now, that I wanted her. I had suggested that perhaps it was time to consider giving up her job in Bon Temps. There was so much more she could do with her life, and I hoped she could see that. But I sensed that she was still uncertain, and she could be maddeningly indecisive. Pam, who took these matters very seriously, had advised me that I should give her a little space, whatever that meant.

So it was decided that she would return to Bon Temps. The ball, as the humans would say, was now in her court.

SPOV

I figured it must be mid-morning when I woke. Eric had very thoughtfully bought a small clock, as it was impossible for me to judge the time in his light-tight bedroom. It was little gestures like that which made me believe that he really did care for me.

When I stumbled my way to the bathroom he had hung my day clothes up on a hanger, which considering that he generally treated the bedroom floor as his wardrobe was another point in his favour. Then there was the new coffee maker in his kitchen. That was definitely the clincher. I would just have time for the obligatory hit of caffeine before I had to head off back to Bon Temps.

As I sat in the kitchen, I reflected on our three nights together. It wasn't just that the sex had been wonderful, although it had of course. When Bill told me the first time I went to Fangtasia that sex with Eric would be unforgettable he wasn't lying. I did wonder how he knew of course. I was sure it couldn't be from personal experience, he didn't seem the type, but then when it came down to it I didn't really know him at all.

What I'd really enjoyed was finding out that Eric had a great sense of humour, and that we had more in common than I could have suspected. When we were together, just talking and laughing, he could be almost human. He shed the outer skin that was the scary vampire sheriff and revealed someone who was interested in me, endlessly fascinating when talking about himself, and most importantly really cared what I thought.

Then there was the sex of course. Eric managed to combine tenderness, sensuality, passion and forcefulness into one unbeatable package. I found myself willing to do things I would never have considered, never even thought of. All I wanted was to give him pleasure, and all he wanted was to give it right back. So we'd made love everywhere: in the garden; the pool; the hot-tub; on the couch; and even most conventionally in the bedroom.

Just the thought of what he could do with his hands, his mouth and his other equipment made me shiver with pleasure. But enough of that. I had to turn my attention to the task in hand. He had asked me to give up my job at Merlotte's and move in with him. He'd made it clear that I didn't have to answer straight away, that I could take my time to decide, but really, why drag out the inevitable. So today would be my last ever shift. I was going to say goodbye to Sam, to Arlene and Tara, to Jason, to my whole old life.

I had a moment of panic as I left the house. There was no sign of my old car. Did Eric have some plot to kidnap me and prevent me from leaving? In its place was an unfamiliar blue metallic hatchback. Looking more closely I could see it had a red ribbon bow and a note tucked under the windshield wiper.

Please don't be stubborn my darling, I only want to ensure your safe return

-E-

I had to smile. At least he'd chosen a basic no frills model. It had air-con, GPS, and a top of the range in car stereo with an i-Pod dock. He'd added an i-Pod which I could see was loaded up with songs for me but apart from that it was the kind of car I would buy for myself if I could afford it. I pocketed the note and the ribbon and set off back to Bon Temps.

I had to admit it was a pleasure to drive a car which didn't start to rattle when you went faster than 30.

Sam raised an eyebrow when I arrived half an hour early for my shift. "Good to see you Sookie". No need to be sarcastic I thought, but didn't say so. "Sam, there's something I need to talk to you about" He shrugged, but the look on his face was not one of indifference "Yeah, well I've got something to say to you too" I motioned to him to go first. "I'm sorry Sookie, but I'm going to have to let you go"

I stared at him "You're firing me, but that's ridiculous, I'm your best waitress".

"I know you are Sookie, and believe me its nothing personal but I've had some threatening letters from the Fellowship about what happens to businesses that are too Vampire friendly." I couldn't believe what I was hearing "so you're just going to give into them, Sam I don't believe you would do that"

"It's not just them, the more you get sucked into the supernatural world, the more of a target you become. Bon Temps is a good place, these are good people, I can't risk making them innocent victims. I'm real sorry Sooks, but I hope you can understand. Anyway, what did you have to say to me?"

Hurt as I was by his words, I had to laugh. I think it was probably the tension but I broke into uncontrollable laughter. Every time I tried to take a breath and speak, I would break down again. Eventually I calmed myself enough to get the words out "I was going to say that I resign". "And that's funny because?" he countered dryly.

"I'm sorry Sam, I guess I'm just on edge. This is a big thing for me you know. I really don't want to leave my friends behind, but I know that I can't sit on the fence. I have to jump one way or the other. I don't want to lose you all though. Please say we can still be friends"

He took a step towards me and embraced me in a big comforting hug "Of course we can. You know I wish things had turned out differently, but I think you're doing the right thing. Now I think we're going to be quiet today, so you don't need to work your shift. Just take the time to say goodbye to everyone properly"

So I took up position in a booth in my own section. It was strange surveying the bar that had been my second home for so long as a customer. Arlene was surprised to see me as she walked in. "Not joining the workers today Miss Stackhouse" she said sarcastically. "I've come to say goodbye. I'm moving to Shreveport"

I kept it simple, I could feel the tears already threatening to form. "Sookie, sweetie, please tell me you're not moving in with the dead guy. Its not right and you know it." I sighed "I love him Arlene, and he's really not bad, you just need to get to know him". She shook her head "I'll stick with the living if its all the same to you." She was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry we can't see eye to eye on this, but you've always been a good friend to me Sookie, I won't forget that."

"I'd like to keep in touch, maybe come over to see Coby and Lisa" I did so love those kids. "Yeah, maybe…" I could tell she wasn't going to let that happen, at least not with Eric around "so when are you leaving?"

"Right away. It's a quiet time of year, so Sam's okay with me not having to work my notice, besides he'll find someone else"

"She won't be like you Sookie. There's no-one quite like you" It was sweet of her to say so, considering how she disapproved of my lifestyle choices. I stood up and gave her a kiss. I had to get out of there and get on.

Jason was my next duty. I knew the road crew would be resting up as it was lunchtime and the hottest part of the day. Sure enough he was sitting under a tree with Hoyt, drinking bottled water. "Hey sis, nice car" Typical Jason. "Hi there, its good to see you too. Hi Hoyt".

"Miss Sookie" he nodded in acknowledgement, polite as always.

"So where did you get it?"

"I didn't come here to talk automobiles, but if you must know, Eric bought it for me" Jason's eyes widened "Wow, he must be sweet on you. Couldn't you have got something fancier though" I sighed "I don't want anything fancy, just a car is fine for me. Jason, listen, I'm moving to Shreveport" He gave me a knowing look "I see" he drawled, dragging out the words for full effect. "What are you going to do with our house?"

There was no 'our' about it I thought. Gran had left the house to me, and Jason had our parents old house. It was all quite fair "I'm not going to sell it, its been in our family too long. Maybe I'll rent it out. I'll make sure the maintenance is kept up" Hoyt perked up at that point "Maybe I could rent it, I can't stand it at my Mama's much longer, she's driving me crazy". "Yeah that sounds good, I'll get back to you on that. Anyway, now you know I have to get on"

"See you around then Sis" His evident lack of concern upset me, but that's Jason, you get used to it.

I spent the afternoon sorting out the house. I boxed up anything breakable to put up in the attic, packed the clothes I thought I would need, and bagged up the rest for the thrift shop. I would have to come back and finish another day, but I wanted to get through as much as I could. These actions made my decision more definite in my own mind.

As I worked I wondered what lay in store for me. I would need to do some kind of work. I couldn't see myself as a waitress at Fangtasia, ugh I thought, those outfits were just too tacky for words. Plus there was no way Eric would let me put myself on display like that. I wondered if there was any way I could study, perhaps I should try to use my brain.

The occasional wave of panic washed over me. My life was so short – maybe ten good years before I started to lose my looks – twenty, max I thought. What would happen to me then? I would just have to not think about it. Live in the moment, as Eric seemed to be able to do.

Would he marry me? It certainly wouldn't be the wedding of my childhood dreams, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was the sign of his commitment that I really wanted. I wouldn't rush it though – didn't all the advice columns say it was the quickest way to scare a guy off, and who was to say the same didn't apply to Vampires.

I worked on into the evening. Pam had cracked the whip and insisted that Eric make an appearance at Fangtasia for a few hours, so he would not be home till around midnight. I planned to get there just after eleven. I had a little tease planned for him, just to prove that I wasn't going to make things too easy.

EPOV

There was no sign of Sookie when I returned from Fangtasia. Just the car sitting outside with the note on the windshield. I couldn't believe she had rejected my gift. I had taken such care to choose an unostentatious model, that she couldn't possibly object to.

But the house was empty, and outside was in darkness. I paced around the living area trying to determine whether to call her or not. It was possible she was in trouble, although I couldn't feel any signs of distress. Most likely she was still trying to make up her mind, or just making me wait.

Then from nowhere I heard the sound of laughter, and the security lights were triggered. "I had you there, baby" she giggled "Sorry I couldn't resist" I was ready to warn her of the dangers of teasing me, but she slowly lifted herself out of the pool. She was naked, and the rivulets of water running down her luscious body sparkled in the light. If I had any breath, I would have been breathless. As it was I just stood silently admiring her as she opened the glass doors and walked in.

I didn't care that she dripped all over the rug, or that she soaked my jeans and vest as she put her arms around me and kissed me, those clothes were going to be on the floor soon enough anyway. I knew we should settle things between us first, but that body was just too gorgeous to resist. I had her down on the couch in an instant, kissing my way down to that sweetest spot. She moaned with pleasure. I loved the way I could get a reaction from her with just the lightest touch.

Her hands moved to the buttons on my jeans, but I pushed them aside. She would never be fast enough, and I wanted to be ready for her sooner than now. It was my turn to moan as I entered her. I could never get enough of that sweet feeling. We reached our climax together: a moment of golden perfection that could temporarily wash away all our fears and worries.

"So you've made up your mind then" I whispered as we lay tangled in each other's arms. She smiled and nodded. "And you're really sure"

"Of course not. Who can ever be really sure about anything? I know its not going to be all happy ever after, I'm ready for some bad stuff to happen to us, but" she paused for a moment "listen this sounds really stupid, like something from a bad romance novel, but I mean it. When I'm with you, I just feel I can face anything this crazy supernatural world can throw at me"

I was more sure that ever that we were destined to be together. In my thousand year existence I had only ever felt like this once before. That lover had been taken from me, but my fairy princess and I were never going to be parted.

That's all for this story folks – hope you enjoyed it!