When Eric came to bed I stirred enough to roll towards him. I felt his arms wrap around me and then I was out again. The next thing I knew my cell phone was ringing. I finally reached for it and answered "Yes." "Sookie, do you not understand what call me later means." Claude said on the other end. "Claude I would have called you if I needed too." I told him. "Bull shit, Mike calls me and has me rush over says your in danger. I leave you text after text and you never answer, and then Mike comes in late saying you shooed him out like an unwanted fly." Claude chastised me. "The Coast Guard lost, they're pissed, and I couldn't read them to know more. But if I could guess Bobby will need to be released ASAP or if not he'll need to be taken care of in some other way. He's a huge liability." I told Claude trying to explain but still groggy. "Get home. You are already starting to sound like one of them; you need sunshine and family, not the night and cold." Claude told me sternly. "It's just 10 now. I'll go out in town today and soak in some rays. I'll be home after closing ceremonies tonight, and tomorrow I'll spend the day playing in the yard with the kids." I told Claude in hopes of pacifying his worry. "Well the kids are with Mike or I'd let you talk to Aidan. That kid is amazing. You are really going to have your hands full." Claude said and then hung up leaving me wonder what Aidan had been up to while I was gone. I ached for them. So I got up and pumped. I called Mike's cell phone and got voice mail. I left him a message saying I'd be home tonight, and I wanted to spend the whole day with the kids tomorrow.

Once I'd showered and dressed in a simple jeans and cashmere sweater the color of my eyes I went into the kitchen and fixed me coffee and breakfast. Then I headed into town. It felt good to be outside in the daylight. Claude was right, I'd been in the dark too much this weekend. Sleeping my day away was not what I needed to be doing. I went to the local outdoor mall. I spent the afternoon strolling from store to store doing price comparisons, checking out displays, and browsing. I did buy myself a new red trench coat with ruffles down the front, and Eric several pairs of silk pajamas, he had to get used to not sleeping naked if we were all going to live in the same house. I found Adele some really cute spring outfits on sale and Aidan some new books to read at bedtime. I was just getting ready to leave when I spotted something in the window of one of the stores. It was a man's tee shirt with wings on the back and a boxing glove on the front and said "This fairy packs a punch." I bought it for Claude.

On my way back to the house I stopped and picked up more True Blood. With four vampires waking we'd need at least two bottles for each. Then I got me an early dinner and ate it out on the dock. I watched the sunset over the water and the full moon rise. I heard a wolf call. Tonight was an assembly discussion on a were/vampire alliance and government. It would be tense but hopefully everyone would keep there heads and wits about them. I knew Eric was a wake and moving about. He searched for me through our bond to make sure I was ok when he didn't find me in the house. I sent him love and tranquility but didn't get up. I wasn't ready to meet all of them just yet. It was Andrew who came out first and saw me on the dock. He walked down and stood next to me. "How do you handle it?" he asked me. "Handle what?" I looked at him curiously. "The change, aren't you missing the sunlight?" He asked. "I spent the whole day in the sunlight. I work, I have children, I live a normal life, my husband just happens to be the King of Louisiana vampires. But I live a day life. I've only switched my schedule for the Summit, when we get back you won't see me as much. My kids wake early I can't afford not to get sleep." I explained to him. "You make it sound so easy." Andrew said shaking his head. "It's only as easy as I want it to be. I've made this choice and that means it's up to me to make the most of it. The same goes for you. You made a choice, now embrace it and make the most of it. I'm sure it will get easier." I told him with confidence.

Rasul stepped out on to the dock then. "Eric wants to speak to you before we leave Sookie." Rasul told me. "I'm on my way in, I need to change anyways." I told him standing and gathering my trash. I could feel Rasul watching me and then Andrew closely looking for something that wasn't there. I went into the house and threw away my trash in the kitchen. Then I went into the bedroom. Eric was sitting on the bed dressed to leave but he had his laptop on and was typing something. "Is this casual or dressy tonight for me?" I asked him. "Business." Was the only answer he gave me. I could tell by the coolness in his tone that he was upset about something. "Everything ok at home?" I asked as I pulled my clothes off and headed to the bathroom. "We had a raid last night by the local police force shortly after the trial dismissed. They were searching for someone. Of course he wasn't found, but it still cost us an entire night's business." Eric spoke with a tinge of frustration. "Maybe we need to head home early."
I told him. "I've already thought of that. Pam, Rasul and Andrew are heading back shortly. We will follow in your car after the closing ceremonies. It would look bad for a newly crowned King to leave early." He answered as he shut his laptop. "If you get your bags ready we'll leave right after and be home before sunrise." He told me. I came out of the bathroom dressed and ready to go. I had my cosmetic bag packed and in my hand. I opened up my suitcase and went throughout the room packing everything up. "Rasul thinks Andrew has an unhealthy attachment to you, he said it reminded him of the way Andre was with Sophie Ann." Eric told me asking an unspoken question. "EWW, I think Rasul is looking for something wrong with him. He's lonely, and unsure of himself. He sees me as a connection to humanity, nothing more." I told him. "If he crosses a line Sookie you will let me know." Eric told me. "You don't wear t color well." I told him. "What color, you told me blue was my color?" Eric said looking down at his navy sweater and khaki pants. "No, it's the green. I speak of." I looked at him with anger in my eyes. "Sookie, are you color blind, this sweater is clearly blue." He said standing up and holding his sweater out for me to see. "You are so dense. Forget it." It told him and zipped up my suitcase and walked out the door.

I kept walking right out the door and to my car. I put my suitcase in the back of the car and sat in the passenger seat. I fastened my seat belt, turned the car on so it would warm up and waited. Pam came out first and walked over to the window. I rolled it down just a bit. "Why is Eric screaming about the color green?" she asked. "Because he's being an idiot and I told him that green wasn't his color." I told her still irritated. "But he's wearing navy blue Sookie." Pam observed. "I was talking about that he was "green" with jealousy Pam." I told her. "I see, well he missed that and so did I so can you to play nice tonight, or do I need to stick around to referee?" Pam asked. "Pam, if you stuck around you might get your head bit off." I told her honestly. "Don't tempt me, you know how I love to watch you ruffle one another's feathers, but I'm going to pass. He's coming out now." Pam said and she walked away from my car and to her own. Andrew and Rasul passed my car with just a nod and then went on to Pam. Eric was the last one out. He collected everyone's keys and left then in the mailbox along with a check. He got in the driver's side and didn't even look at me. We drove in silence to the Country Inn. Which I thought as we pulled up was a joke of a name. It was huge. The largest place we'd been to this week. The valet opened my door. "Close the door." Eric told the vampire holding my door. He did as ordered.

"I am not going in there with this between us. So I'm not sure what I did, but I am definitely wearing NAVY." Eric said. "You were being an ass, accusing me of having interests in Andrew other than being nice to him. I think you need to remember that I am here for you. Only you. If I had my way I'd be home with my children. If you can't trust me by now we are wasting our time." I yelled at him. "What did that have to do with green?" Eric asked. "Get over the green, you were green with envy that was what I was saying, this whole conversation is ridiculous." I yelled again. "My lover I will always be "green" with envy when another man looks your way. You mean so much to me, I don't want to take a chance of losing you." Eric told me, and I knew it was hard for him to express his feelings. "What's the game plan for tonight?" I asked him. "Listen, nothing more." He told me with a grin. Then he opened the door and walked around and opened mine. He took my hand we passed through security and we headed in the hotel and to the conference rooms.

We were in the largest meeting room they had. The room was divided into two sides. One vampire, one were. There was a panel at the front of the room with two tables and a podium in between the two tables. There were three vampires on the one side. The head of the AVL, Martin Crandall. The Queen Alabama, and Russell Edgington. On the were side the three were a wolf, a fox, and a deer. None of whom I recognized. I did scan the were side of the room and saw several were's that had been at the conference all along, and then I saw a few I'd recognized from other events in the past both in New Orleans, and Shreveport. Then I saw Alcide. I waved and he nodded back at me. Good to see you looking in good health Queen Sookie. Alcide smirked in his head. Eric led me to our seats. I started to scan were heads. It was difficult. Some were really fuzzy, others were too angry to read, but most just came and went with words here and there. The overall emotion was that they didn't really want to be considered in the same class as the vampires. But that they felt they would stand a better chance getting equal rights if there numbers were larger. The vampires would help with that. Some wanted to call it quits, go back into hiding, and reverse the coming out. This was going to be a highly combative discussion.

The meeting had already been called to order while I was scanning. I had totally missed the opening remarks and when I tuned back in Russell was speaking. "I have had a good working relationship for many years with a were pack. I find them to be faithful and loyal. I would encourage everyone to form relationships with their local pack that can be beneficial to each. I know it works in Jackson where I reside. I also know that it works well in Shreveport. Isn't that right Eric." Eric stood. "I have found working with the Shreveport pack on numerous occasions to be highly beneficial. I can be honest and say in the beginning both I and the pack leader Alcide Herveaux were both reluctant to work with one another. However it proved a good working relationship during a witch war in our area. He and his pack also were helpful protecting my family during the day while we were under attack from Felipe De Castro. My wife works as the local packs Shaman and is considered a friend of the pack. This has also lead us to work with the local were panthers. I too would encourage everyone to find a mutual agreement and working relationships with the were's in there areas." Eric stated and then sat back down. Alcide stood on the other side of the room. "I can speak that what Eric is saying is true. We have worked on many occasions with one another. I run a contracting company that employs many were's in the area and he always allows us to work any jobs he has. His wife is our Shaman and does allow us to use her land to hunt whenever needed. She has cared for us when we were wounded or in need. She employs were women which is often hard to do. This is a good working relationship. I too had my doubts in the beginning. But I feel that having combined interests will benefit both of our kind. Having said that I do feel that we should have a joint governing system to help regulate and marshal any conflicts, or disagreements to help avoid violence between our communities." Alcide spoke well, and I could tell that many were's respected and listened to him. I also noticed that I was suddenly being paid more attention too also. Many pack leaders found it interesting that both men spoke so highly about me but I was neither vampire or were.

The next several hours were more testimonials of both good and bad experiences with working with one another. But at the end it was decided that each side would nominate three representatives to sit on a governing committee. Each state's King or Pack leader would then convene at home and discuss what they felt needed to be put down as bylaws for everyone to abide by. In three months time they would reconvene and vote in a public forum. Pack leaders and sheriffs would get equal vote. For me that meant more meeting to sit in on in Shreveport between Eric and Alcide, or maybe for both sides. It also meant that in three months time I'd have to be away from my kids again. Maybe not, maybe it would be held in Shreveport. But that was wishful thinking.

Once the meeting broke up many went on home. Alcide approached Eric and me. "Sookie, how are you?" Alcide asked giving me a hug. "Good Alcide, I'm ready to get home but it was a successful summit." I told him. "So I heard. Shreveport is all buzzing that the Viking is not King." Alcide told me. "News travels fast." I told him. "Well, we're heading out, it's a full moon and I've been invited to do a run with a local pack." Alcide said. "Oh, ok, I'll see you back at home sometime. Don't be a stranger." I told him. "I won't, take care." Alcide said, and kissed me good-bye. I internally struggled with wanting to go home, but I knew I had to stand by my Viking. Eric told me they were having a snack break in the other room which is why he kept me close. Then the closing ceremonies resumed. This was really for everyone to give themselves a pat on the back and congratulate everyone on how great it is to be a vampire. I found the whole thing ridiculous and by the time it ended I was more than ready to get away from the egos in the room. But I played my part well and was gracious and smiling.

Once our car was brought around and my door was shut I could tell Eric the truth. "What a bunch of blowhards." I told him. He laughed. "Are you saying you didn't enjoy the ceremony?" "The passing of blood, the cloak and daggers, and everyone telling their greatest accomplishment and speaking of how wonderful they are. No, I see why most people leave as soon as they can." I told him. We stopped and got gas and then got on the interstate and headed home. I must have fallen asleep in the car because when I woke we were getting off at the Bon Temps exit. It was around 3 in the morning. I could feel Aidan and Adele resting peacefully as we turned onto Hummingbird Lane. Mike too was asleep. When Eric pulled the car to a stop and turned off the engine he said "I want to tell you how much it meant that you went with me this weekend. I think it was good for everyone to see you by my side again. It also felt good to have you there. I was hoping we would have had more time for one another but I guess I shouldn't be greedy." He said. "Come inside, you can be greedy until sunrise." I told him.

We left our things in the car and quietly walked into the house. He headed towards my room but I headed towards the stairs. "I'll be right there." I told him and crept up the stairs to Aidan's room. I creaked open the door to check on him. He was out, but it felt so good to see him peaceful in bed, safe. Then I went across the hallway to Adele's room. She too was sleeping soundly. I swear she had grown so much. I closed the door and crept back down the stairs. Mike was standing in the doorway. "Go back to sleep, it's just me." I told him and he turned and shut his door again. When I finally opened my bedroom door I found Eric in bed naked. I undressed hurriedly and joined him. "Are our kids sleeping soundly?" he asked. "Snug as a bug in a rug." I answered him. "You say the oddest things my lover." "It's just something my Gran used to say." I told him and then kissed him. He did not hesitate to kiss me back. Soon our kissing had us both wanting more. Eric positioned himself above me. "Mr. Northman, won't you come in." I jokingly said to him. We rode our passion for over an hour and we were both exhausted.