EPOV
We're on Godric's private jet, on our way back home to Shreveport, and I find myself lost in thought at the events of tonight. I'm ecstatic that my Maker is leaving his post here in Dallas to come and live with us. He makes an amazing Sheriff, but I know his heart is not truly in politics. He informed me that Isobel will be taking over his duties and I know she will make an excellent replacement for him. I'm still surprised by my little blonde mate's acceptance of our new living arrangements, that it was her own suggestion boggles my mind. I admit I'd planned on trying to persuade her to come and stay with us indefinitely, but I never expected her to be so agreeable.
She has shocked me again this night at suggesting a pledging ceremony between the three of us. Godric told me later about the earlier conversation they had while I was still deep in my daytime slumber. It seems Sookie's Valkyrie instincts, along with the bond she now shares with Godric and I, are helping her to be more accepting of everything that has been happening between us. I cannot be more grateful for this.
I know our joining has put events in motion that will begin to form our destined path. I have no idea what we are up against, but I'm determined to be sure we're ready to face whatever is coming. Sookie will need to begin her training once we return home. I smile at the thought of teaching her to fight. A Valkyrie warrior in battle is a beautiful sight to behold.
I'm pulled from my thoughts by Sookie's fear spiking through our bond. "What is it, Lover?" Could she possibly have changed her mind about staying with us, about pledging to us? I feel my own anxiety rising at the thought.
"I guess my new Valkyrie nature didn't take away my fear of flying," she tells me softly. I laugh as I scoop her up, placing her on my lap. I feel relief wash over me. She isn't questioning us at all and this little problem of hers is easily remedied.
"I can help distract you from your phobia, Lover," I tell her playfully, pulling her closer to me and nuzzling her neck, causing her to giggle.
"You're insatiable," she mocks as she gives my arm a playful punch.
"Only for my mates, Lover, and always for you." Godric is smirking at us from across the aisle as he finishes up his area business on his tablet.
Sookie looks back up at me with excitement on her face. "Let's talk some more about the pledging ceremony. I want to know more about how it's performed."
I smile indulgently at her. "Well, it will take place in whatever location we deem acceptable in front of witnesses of our choosing. We will exchange blood among one another with a ceremonial knife and recite vows of commitment to each other. It's a simple and short ceremony, but the meaning behind it is what's important, not unlike human nuptials, if I'm not mistaken?"
She nods. "Except for the blood part, it sounds pretty similar to a human wedding. Do I wear a bridal gown then?"
"You can wear whatever you wish, Lover. But a fluffy, white gown is not a requirement."
"I think I'll ask Pam about it when we get home. I'm sure she'll be able to help me find something appropriate." I nod in agreement. I'm sure my child will be delighted to be a part of the pledging preparations. Pam has always loved planning parties and events. I know if Sookie will agree, Pam will help to make the event quite extravagant indeed.
"Will I be able to invite my friends and my brother?"
"Of course, your family and friends are more than welcome to attend, Lover." I feel sadness coming through the bond then and give her a questioning look.
Tears are forming in her eyes and I'm suddenly uncomfortable with the emotions flooding the bond between us. I'm at a total loss as to how to comfort her. Godric joins us, concerned about our crying mate. He kneels before us and begins softly stroking her hair in an attempt to soothe her.
She looks up at us through her tears. "I'm so sorry. I was just thinking I wish my Gran was still here to see me on my special day. I miss her so much. She raised me, taking in Jason and I when our parents were killed in a car crash. She was more than just my grandmother. She was my parent, my teacher, and my best friend." Godric and I hold her closely between us.
"I'm sorry, My Love. I wish I could have met her. She must have been an amazing woman to have you missing her so greatly," Godric says to her with sympathy.
"She really was. I'm sure she would have liked to meet you both," she says with a small smile, wiping the tears from her face.
"She lives on within you, my little Valkyrie; she will be with us in spirit," says Godric.
"You're right. I won't let these sad thoughts take away from our special day. I'm excited to pledge to you both," she says, wrapping her small arms around us. We both smile down at her. My life has been in a constant whirlwind since the first moment I met my Valkyrie and I wouldn't want it any other way. Her emotions are steadied once more, so I decide a change in topic is appropriate.
"Pam texted me earlier, Lover; it seems your roommate is anxiously awaiting your return. She wishes to talk with you once we're home," I tell her and her eyebrows shoot up her forehead.
"Oh! Amelia! I haven't talked to her at all since we left! There's just been so much happening, I forgot to call her!"
"I'm sure she'll understand when you explain what all has happened, Lover. Call her when we land and you can make your plans to meet with her tomorrow."
"I will and then I can pack up my stuff while I'm at the house. I wonder if Amelia can find a new roommate. I don't want to leave her stuck with all the bills by herself. Maybe she won't even want to live there anymore once I move out. I guess I have a lot to talk to her about tomorrow," she rambles. I smile down at her and then a thought comes to me. I know she won't like what I have to say to her, but it's necessary.
"There's something else we must discuss and this is important, Lover, as it involves your safety," I look at her fixedly.
"What is it, Eric?" she asks with worry.
"I do not wish for you to be unattended during the daylight hours, Lover. We do not know when conflict will come, but it is surely on its way toward us even now. Our bonding would have set off the inevitable chain of events according to the way of the fates. I will be hiring a bodyguard to escort you when Godric and I cannot be with you."
"But I thought you said I was going to be this amazing warrior! I can take care of myself now! Tomorrow I will wake with more powers and immortality!" she fumes at me, anger clear on her delicate face.
Godric comes to my aide, "My Love, we talked about this before. You need to train to learn how to use your newly acquired abilities. And you may be immortal, but that does not mean you are invincible. You can still be killed, Dear One. Eric and I want only to keep you safe. Our lives are bound now; if one of us meets our final death, the other two will surely follow. Do you understand?"
She sighs. "I won't risk losing either of you because of my stubbornness, but I want to start training right away! I refuse to be some helpless damsel, always being babysat by a damn bodyguard. I want to be able to defend myself," she pouts.
I smile down at her. Her Valkyrie blood is certainly evident in our little mate; a true warrior always ready for battle. What a force she will be! "We'll start your training tomorrow, Lover." She nods up at us and smiles.
Soon, we're landing and we exit the jet quickly. Pam is standing at the side of the hangar waiting for us with her pink minivan in tow. She sniffs the air and her brows shoot to her hairline as she identifies the bond we now share. "My, my, you've had an exciting trip, it seems. Grandsire, so good to have you back with us," she says wrapping her arms around Godric.
"Pamela, it has been a while. How are you faring in the fine state of Louisiana?"
"The mud is hell on my Jimmy Choos," she answers coolly, eliciting a small chuckle from my Maker.
We pile into her hideous minivan. Godric and I place our mate between us in the backseat, while Pam takes her place behind the wheel. Sookie giggles, "I've never seen a pink minivan before, but it really suits Pam perfectly," she whispers to me, making me chuckle.
"My child does have a style all her own," I tell her and she nods back with a grin.
"I can hear you back there. My sense of style is impeccable; you should really take note," retorts Pam.
"So how goes the relationship with my witchy roommate, Pam," asks Sookie in a playful tone.
"You haven't talked to her?" Pam asks, looking in the rearview mirror. Sookie shakes her head. "She's seeing a werewolf now; some big, smelly, hairy, brute in serious need of a makeover."
"Oh! I'm sorry, Pam, for the record I thought you two made a cute couple."
"There's nothing to be sorry for, we were casual and the separation was mutual. I'll find a new pet, hopefully something as sweet smelling as you are, Cupcake. Tell me, do you have any sisters, or female cousins, perhaps? Or maybe my Maker is willing to share you with yet another," she says with a smirk and quirk of her brow.
"Pamela," I warn in a stern tone. My child can be so insolent.
Sookie giggles at us. "I think two vampire lovers are more than enough, Pam, plus I don't swing that way, sorry." Pam shrugs at her and Sookie continues, "I don't have any sisters, but I do have a brother living in Bon Temps. I have one cousin left, but I haven't seen or heard from her in years."
"Hm, a brother you say? Could be promising, I usually prefer my meals sans penis, but I could be persuaded if his blood smells anywhere near as sweet as yours."
"I'll be sure to mention you to him. We don't talk much anymore though; he's a bit of a hound dog. I don't think there's a girl left in Bon Temps he hasn't had in his bed at this point," my lover says with an eye roll.
Pam pulls up to my home, although I suppose it's our home now I think with a satisfied smile. How different my life will be from this point on. "Go on inside, Lover and call your friend. We'll grab the luggage and join you shortly," I tell her, placing a kiss to her plush lips. She nods and heads into our home, followed by my child.
Godric and I make quick work of the bags. "Who will you hire to guard our mate, Eric? I take it you have someone in mind?"
"I do. He owes me a favor," I tell my Maker, shooting a text to the werewolf in my debt.
"My Maker e-mailed me earlier," says Godric, "She was cryptic as always, but congratulated us on our impending pledging to our Valkyrie fae." I chuckle at this. The AP has a unique sense of humor. "She says to be mindful of our mate's safety. It seems we were right in assuming trouble is headed our way. We will go ahead with the plans for Sookie's training."
I nod to him solemnly. I pity the bastard who tries to cause harm to our mate. We will remain diligent in her protection.
We enter the house to find our mate in the living room, entertaining Pam with stories of what has taken place in Dallas. My child's face shows her amazement with our mate's tale. They turn to look at us as we enter the room.
"You've been very busy boys," Pam says with a knowing wink. "Sookie tells me you are to be pledged and has asked for my help with the planning."
"We are and no expense is to be spared for the celebration of our important day," says Godric, handing Pam his credit card; she smiles widely at this.
"I will leave you my Black Card as well so you can purchase the items necessary for the ceremony. Sookie also needs to find appropriate apparel. I assume you'll be assisting her with this?"
Pam beams at me as she always does at the mention of my credit cards and shopping. I shake my head at the thought. I really need to stop spoiling her so much.
"Of course, Master, we will have a girl's night out, as the humans call it. I know of some fabulous boutiques that should have what we need," she says to Sookie with a wink. Sookie grins up at her. I'm pleased to see my two girls bonding and my Maker's grin tells me he's also pleased to see them getting along so well.
"Sounds like fun, Pam, I look forward to it. Thanks for your help; I wouldn't know where to start with all this!" Sookie tells my child.
"Well, you're not so bad, for a breather," Pam replies smoothly. "Besides, I value my undead life too much to piss off a Valkyrie." Sookie laughs loudly at this, causing my child to grin down at her. The Sookie fan club continues to grow, it seems. Pam stands and stretches, saying, "I'll just let myself out then. Will you be returning to Fangtasia tomorrow night, Master, Grandsire?"
"We will." There is plenty of paperwork that has piled up since my absence from the state.
"Goodnight Pam, text me with the details for our girl's night," Sookie says with an excited smile.
"Oh, I will, Sweetness," she says with a wink, "And don't forget to mention me to your scrumptious brother." Sookie rolls her eyes at her playfulness as my child vamps from our home.
"Come, Lover, let us retire to our sleep chambers," I say, scooping up my golden Valkyrie bridal style, eliciting a surprised squeak from her. I carry her to our bed, followed closely by Godric. I lay her down gently.
"Your bodyguard will be here in the morning to escort you to Bon Temps, Lover." She scrunches her nose at me, as I continue, "It's just until you are proficient with your new abilities, until then, please do this small thing for us." She nods, letting out a yawn. It seems our mate is tired from our travels.
Godric and I make quick work of her clothes and place her under the covers. We join our mate in our usual positions, wrapping her in our limbs and effectively creating a Sookie sandwich. She lets out a satisfied sigh.
"Goodnight, Eric," she says, pulling my neck to bring my lips down to her own. She gives me a kiss and a smile. I return it with a smile of my own.
"Goodnight, Lover, do be careful tomorrow. And try to return to us by dusk." She nods at me and turns to face my Maker.
"Goodnight, Godric," she says, placing a kiss to his lips.
"Goodnight, My Love. Have fun tomorrow; we will see you here when you return to begin your training."
"Okay," she utters softly as her eyes are fluttering shut. "Love you," she whispers softly as she drifts off to sleep. Godric and I share a look of surprise at her soft admission. Godric kisses her forehead lightly.
"I love you too, my little Valkyrie," he whispers softly to her.
Our little mate loves us. Do I feel the same way about her? I haven't given it much thought, to be honest. Godric is looking at me with a smirk. He knows I'm no good with processing emotions.
"Eric, I feel your love for her, just as strong as your love is for me. Do not be afraid to admit your feelings to our mate."
He leans over Sookie and brings his lips to mine. I kiss him softly and think on what he's said. I know he's right. I do love our mate. I smile softly at him. He knows me too well.
I lean down to Sookie's delicately pointed ear and whisper softly, "I love you, my beautiful golden warrior."
We settle back against Sookie and I wonder briefly what new traits she will possess once she wakes, now that our bond is complete. Life will never be boring with my Valkyrie, my love. With this thought, I feel myself being dragged into the blackness of my dayrest.