After
A/N: I know I usually do these afterwards but I doubt anyone actually reads them so I've popped it here so you HAVE to pay attention. First of all, I know some of you (aka all of you) want Eric to be the father if this whole thing goes ahead. However personally, I do like those types of stories. That is just my opinion. I have read many very good ones but I personally could not write it. Secondly, I just want to say a huge thank you to those who have welcomed me back. I know I took quite the hiatus from writing but I'm back now and hopefully all has been forgiven. I am always thrilled to get messages and reviews and will happily answer any questions people have.
Sookie had sat beside Eric now for 6 nights in a row, his hand firmly grasped in hers as he chatted softly to her and Pam. His eyes rarely leaving the dance floor but when they did they found only hers. Sitting beside him every night she had made the unconscious effort to make herself look as nice as she could. Her dresses had been short, the way Eric liked them. They had been of every colour with ample amounts of cleavage on show, another thing Eric liked. She had worn only a dash of her usual fragrance yet she seemed to have gone a little overboard with her makeup. It had left her cheeks feeling a bit heavy with a slight itchy feeling as well. She had yet to tell him the news that she had found a potential donor. Or that she was going for a health check tomorrow. Instead however she had opted for the coward's way out and simply sat beside him silently and drank. Her drink was being constantly refilled with gin and tonic without her having to even say a word. Her head was slowly hazing over as the gin took effect leaving her feeling the best she had in weeks.
"My master says you are considering having a baby," Pam said leaning over her shoulder. Her blonde hair mixed with Sookie's as she looked over her shoulder and nodded slightly.
"I've come off my birth control," she admitted.
"That is news to me," Eric said joining their conversation. Sookie simply nodded and relaxed into her chair more as she sipped what could be her 7th drink. His grip tightened slightly on her hand making Sookie withdraw her hand from his. His eyes darkened slightly at her but she ignored him and turned her head back towards Pam.
"One more I think," she whispered shaking the now empty glass.
"You have had enough," Eric told her.
"I am an adult," she replied. He chuckled at her softly before waving the waitress back over, she took the empty glass as Sookie allowed him to reclaim her hand. His kissed her knuckles before returning his attention back to the club.
At home Sookie giggled as Eric put music on and dragged her into the living room for a dance. The pair swirled together in an old fashioned waltz before he carried her bridal style to the bedroom.
The next morning as she awoke beside her vampire Sookie sat up slowly fearing that the world wouldn't stop spinning around her.
"How are we today?" Aelthi asked the second she appeared in Fey.
"Poorly," she lied. "Maybe a day of rest is needed?"
"Maybe less gin is needed," he smiled handing her a glass of smoky liquid. She drank it without question feeling instantly better. He placed a plate of dry bread in front of her next watching as she nibbled it cautiously.
"I have rearranged all appointments for today," he explained as he moved to stand behind her and massage her shoulders. "Your health appointment could not be rearranged," he whispered gently. She groaned slightly before waving him off, her diary was laid open on her desk for her to skim through as he talked lightly about the complaints she was facing later.
"Where are my warriors?" she asked suddenly. "I don't feel them near me today."
"Training down by the water," he answered simply. "Have you spoken to Galeal yet?"
"No," Sookie rose from the desk taking with her the bread. "Let us go watch," she smiled. "Bring my diary and some complaints and we shall work outside today."
Aelthi nodded and grabbed all they would require before taking her arm into his and leading her towards the furthest bank of water.
"I do not come down here often," she mused. "The banks are quite beautiful."
"Fey is a mass expanse," Aelthi smiled. "You rarely leave the office and home," he teased.
"I go to the gardens," she snapped.
"Which you continue to expand so that you do not have to go out into the towns," he laughed. Sookie looked at him slightly outraged as they followed the paths down near the shore. The far off noises of men laughing and the clang of swords made a smile spread on Sookie's face.
"I imagine a boy would please Eric more," Sookie found herself saying. "If I manage to secure a child."
"That I have no doubt about," Aelthi smiled. With a pause she noticed the smirk on his face and the twinkle in his eye.
Dima paused his training as he noticed the Queen walking towards him. He had taken a much needed training day with his men, taking them down to the water for drills and sword practice.
"HALT," he growled watching as swords paused. She was strolling with her advisor her golden hair ruffling slightly in the wind.
"She's majestic," one man growled.
"Shut your mouth," he snapped. As she neared he bowed low leading an example as she giggled and looked at them all. Her eyes sparkling in the sunshine as she looked at them all.
"I hope I'm not intruding?"
"Never," he lied.
"We'll sit over there, we won't say a word," she promised leading Aelthi over to the flat land. Her advisor threw a blanket down as she made herself comfortable.
"Does this have anything to do with new boy?" Lica asked standing beside him. Both looked over at their newest and youngest recruit who was stood awkwardly looking at the Queen.
"Possibly," he growled. "Aelthi hand appointed him, I had no say."
"You do not like him?"
"I distrust anyone who has the power to remove me from her Majesty's side," he admitted. "BACK TO WORK," he roared. "Laps in the water, out to the cliffs."
Moving back towards the Queen he crouched besides her watching as she smiled sweetly, Dima liked that about her, she always had a smile for everyone, even him. He had made a list that morning of all the warriors he was currently training and so presented her with the list of names.
"Fabziaor?" she giggled.
"Pronounced Fa," he laughed. They went through the list together as he pointed them out and taught her the correct manner in which to pronounce some of them. Sookie it seemed was genuinely interested in learning all the names and was constantly asking more information about them. Who was the oldes? The youngest? What families did some come from, where they all fairies. Her questions never seemed to end.
"How many are with me daily?"
"At least 5 Majesty," he answered. "I am always with you of course."
"Galeal?" Aelthi asked.
"Your pet," he smirked. Sookie didn't like that he realised, her eyes went wide in surprise at his tone making him slightly uneasy.
"Friend of a friend," Aelthi corrected. He nodded and bowed towards them before rising and joining back into practice. He ran towards them fitting in perfectly at the head of the group, the water warm as he ran.
"I did not realise I had so many men," she said looking at Aelthi.
"You believed it was all Dima?" he laughed scribbling notes down.
"I do not know what I believed," she shrugged. "Galeal seems to fit in well with them all. His hair looks nice in this sunshine," she pondered.
"You should ask him soon," he told. "You should make it seem like much more than a request," he smiled. "It is an honour."
Dima watched the way Aelthi steered the Queen around the shore, pointing out different things to her, showing her sights she probably had never seen in all her time serving. Lifting her dress she slipped off her shoes and took tentative steps towards the water. Her laughter made a change from the grunting of men. As the water lapped at her exposed calves she paused and simply stood in the water.
"Her majesty requires Galeal," Aelthi said appearing beside him.
"For?"
"Something that you do not need to know or care about," he snapped.
"Galeal," he shouted. "Her Majesty requires you."
Sookie heard the faint pop in the water and smiled at the Warrior that bowed beside her. She remained silent as he looked at her.
"You require me?"
"There is a lot that I can do as Queen," she started. "I had a very spoilt childhood and I was once given the chance for it all. I threw it all away for a vampire," she whispered.
"I knew the late Quails," he told her.
"I had them killed," she whispered. "Dima did the deed."
"I had heard the rumours,"
"I do have a point in all this," she smiled. He nodded and waited as she looked over his shoulder to where Aelthi was stood watching. "I wish to have a child."
"Oh," he nodded. "I am very pleased Majesty," he bowed again.
"Eric of course cannot give me what I wish," she paused and looked at him fully now. "You can though."
….
Sookie sat beside Aelthi at the human doctors she had chosen noticing the disgust evident on his face. As her name was called he accompanied her through the door and into the room. He even helped her into the gown she was provided with.
"Unless you are doing the tests I suggest you take a seat," with a nod he sat at the head of the room glancing around.
"Pop your feet up please Miss Brigant," the Doctor smiled.
"She is very healthy," Aelthi told him. With a nod he began his tests, taking blood, examining her thoroughly between her legs and giving her an ultrasound scan. Sookie remained silent during the whole thing until she began fastening her dress back up.
Back in her office she listened to Aelthi continue his talks about the meetings on the afternoon; he wanted to arrange an anniversary ball as well for her first year on the throne.
"Leave me," she sighed sitting back.
"Us as well?" Dima asked appearing. She gave him the slightest nod before she felt them all go.
"I don't think I fully understand what you are saying," Galeal had said.
"I know, I did this completely wrong," Sookie gasped rubbing her face gently. "I made the decision with Eric to try and find a donor in order for me to have a child. Then I saw you," she sighed. "I am aware it is a lot of me to ask, however as your Queen…"
"Yes," he said instantly.
"Excuse me?"
"It would of course be an honour," he said giving her a bow.
"You would only donate," she told him. "You would be required for nothing more than that."
"I am aware," he laughed gently.
"Ok then," she laughed. "You will have to come meet Eric with me tonight, I shall explain that you are fully aware of the situation and then I shall consult a clinic."
"A clinic?" he asked laughing. "Would we not just…" he trailed off looking her over.
"No," she snapped instantly. "I have only ever been with Eric."
"Really?"
"Yes," she snapped again. "You will only be required to give me a sample, nothing more."
"If that is your wish," he smiled kissing her cheek and disappearing.
…
"I find myself having second thoughts," Sookie whispered as she sat beside the tub which Eric currently bathed in. He looked up confused as she moved to join him in the water, still fully clothed. She rested her face against the side as he stroked up her leg.
"Is this a fairy thing?" Eric asked looking at her.
"Pardon?"
"Getting in a bath fully clothed," he said gesturing to her attire. Sookie laughed and shook her head as she splashed water on him slightly.
"I don't even really think I noticed," she laughed.
"So you were saying, second thoughts about what exactly?"
"Having a child," she admitted. "I find myself wondering if it's the thing that will end us."
"There is nothing that can end us," he smiled.
"Are you sure?" she asked seriously. "You cannot just say that without having some sort of conviction behind it. I will potentially have a child one day Eric."
"I know that," he nodded. "I had children as a human, I have Pam. What right do I have to deny you the opportunity to try?"
"Are you hoping it fails?"
"You twist my words lover," he sighed. "I probably have ancestors, relatives still in this world. All that you have is very distant Fey cousins and a brother who doesn't even know he is related to you. This would be something for just you my love," Sookie stared at him lovingly as she took his hand into her own.
"I have found a donor. A warrior of mine, he comes from a noble home and he's blonde," she played with the wet fabric of her dress as Eric rubbed his chin.
"We shall meet with him tonight?"
"If you want," she whispered.
"Speak to me lover," he purred.
"Promise not to hate me if it takes," she looked directly into his eyes now.
"I once promised to give you the world," he whispered. "I won't deny that it makes me furious that I cannot give you this gift of life. That however is just not how the world works. We met at the wrong point in time," he smiled.
"I know I'm being selfish on the matter," she confessed.
"You are a selfish person my love," he said blankly. "It's what would have made you an amazing vampire one day. It's what makes you a great Queen."
"Say you won't hate me,"
"I will never hate you."
Galeal appeared behind the Queen as she busied herself making a sandwich, her vampire fiancé was at the end of the table drinking blood and reading a newspaper. If he had not seen it before he would not have believed the sight before him.
"He's late," the vampire suddenly growled.
"Apologies," he said appearing. Sookie smiled secretly over her shoulder before ushering him to the table. She placed trays full of snacks down as well as he felt the vampires eyes take him in.
"Least he smells delicious," it chuckled.
"All Fey do to you," Sookie laughed gently sitting down with a little mug of tea. "So," she coughed. "We are all adults here and are all fully aware of why we are sitting down having this discussion."
"You are not permitted to sleep with my wife," Eric told him. "You will have zero say in the way her child is brought up, I will be its father on paper, and you will be its father only in blood."
"I am well aware of what a donor means," he coughed sitting up straight. "I am new to guarding the Queen and I am more than capable of keeping my distance. Dima has already looked into sending me to the Guards house anyway so that whilst she carries the child I won't be around."
"How is this," Eric started. "How is this situation ok for you?"
"She is the Queen," he said. "It is an honour to assist her in any way that I can. From all her guards I was the one she picked."
"Yes," he nodded. "I can see why."
"Shall I leave you both alone to discuss more?" Sookie asked shuffling her chair back.
"No," Eric said lifting the paper again. "Let him cum in a cup for you," he smirked. "I'll take care of the real fucking job."
"Eric," she said gently. "Be polite."
"Trust me," he told her rising. "That was."
"I have to cum in a cup?" Galeal asked confused. A laugh which sounded like chimes surrounded him as she shook her head.
"I honestly do not know," she admitted. "My health appointment results were all clear, I'm fertile and ready to go. Once Aelthi has an appointment available we will go and find out more. I admit it will not be easy."
"That is why we are magical," he smiled rising. "It makes things a lot easier."
….
Sookie had never seen a human more puzzled than the one in front of her currently. The fertilisation advisor shot looks between Galeal and Aelthi constantly and then back to her. He had talked over the whole process with them, asked why she wanted/needed a donor, discussed other options, adoption, sperm bank but Sookie had proudly presented Galeal and explained that her husband was a vampire. He had told them the basic process of insemination and how it would take place making her nod and pretend to be interested. It would be repeated she decided so why she was listening was beyond her. They went over the dangers, the chance of it not working and what to do if problems did arise. Eric had paid for this private clinic as a baby shower gift apparently which had amused her and made her love him just that little bit more. It was the best in the Country apparently and it had taken the fairies mere seconds to pop there when the appointment was finalised. Sookie watched again as the advisor took a few blinks at both men and shook his head. It didn't help she thought that Galeal had come in most of his warrior uniform. His brown leather trousers and oversized white shirt looked too medieval for these times and Aelthi looked immaculate in a brand new suit on her other side.
"I have been tracking the ovulation cycle here," Aelthi said producing papers from his briefcase. "As you can clearly see, she will be fertile in a mere 5 days when we can have the first insemination."
"You've read up on this clearly," the doctor said looking at the charts.
"Clearly," Sookie said glaring at him gently. "When did you start this?" she asked.
"I have always done this," he shrugged. "You run like clockwork," he smiled as if giving her a compliment.
"So you are the donor," he said now turning to Galeal.
"I am," he nodded.
"We will ask you not to masturbate or have intercourse until the insemination day if that's ok with you," he smiled. Galeal merely nodded before Sookie couldn't help but let a little giggle escape.
"I don't suppose you have recordings of her temperature as well do you?"
"I do actually," Aelthi said proudly.
"We need to discuss boundaries when we return to Fey," she hissed gently. He nodded and closed his briefcase gently; they waited almost in silence as he typed away, lifting sheets and pawing at other documents.
"Are you worried?" Galeal asked.
"No," she lied.
"Good," he smiled. "Aelthi and myself have prepared a fertilisation drink for you as well," he whispered.
"Sounds delightful," she muttered.
"This is a ridiculously fast pace for this sort of procedure," the Doctor said looking up.
"You have been paid the full amount," Aelthi told him. "We can easily take back our money and go to a clinic which is better suited to our needs."
"I am not saying we can't do it," he laughed. "We have three appointments available at what will be Miss Brigant's highest fertility moments."
"Excellent."
Sookie crawled into her own bed listening to the sound of Eric talking in his office. As he entered the room still on his phone she smiled and tapped the space beside her. He shook his head and continued talking in a language she didn't understand before she felt his mouth on her shoulder.
"Lover," he purred. "I trust all went well?"
"Yes," she said twisting to face him. "The first lot will be placed on Tuesday," she smiled touching his face. "Tell me to back out now if you are not fully behind this idea."
"Even if we adopted, it would not be my child," he told her moving so he was over her. His face nestling between her breasts as she opened her legs to allow him better access.
"I know that," she purred lifting his face to hers. "Tell me you support this."
"I support you," he grinned pulling her knickers down slowly and watching her eyes light up. "I shall support you no matter what."
"Bite me," she grinned. With a throaty chuckle he teased her mouth with his own, his nose gently rubbing against hers as he ground his crotch into her own. Without a second of warning he struck on her throat making her gasp and buck from the bed, her giggle of joy ringing in his ears as he drank deep from her.
…..
"You're doing what now," Claude said confused. Sookie had called her cousins to her home in preparation of what yet might occur. As she looked at them both she could sense both confusion and a bit of sorrow as well. This is what she had been dreading, the sorrow people would feel about her situation. This was what she had hoped to spare from Eric. The taunts she had faced when she had dated him previously had been bad enough but now, now she was Queen. People would judge her for marrying a vampire always but they would judge her even more for then going and having a baby with another man.
"Sook," Claudine whispered. "Have you really thought this through?"
"Yes," she nodded. "I will one day not be here and I have no heir Claudine."
"What about Brielle?" Claude pointed out. The baby in question was rocking gently in a car seat beside Sookie. At barely even 8 weeks old her head was filled with dark brown hair and her cheeks the most beautiful rose colour Sookie had ever seen.
"She is not my heir," Sookie said simply. "I have had many discussions with Eric about this and I have found a suitable donor."
"A donor?" Claude laughed. "You could have least dragged me here to tell me it's my sperm you want."
"NO," Sookie said instantly. "Aelthi put you down instantly when I had this musing to him. I shot the idea down immediately."
"Why?"
"Because I am not that girl," she snapped. The twins laughed at her and then sighed before each taking a hand and kissing it.
"Then we wish you luck," they said in unison. "And we cannot wait to meet the future little Prince or Princess you have."
"It will be a boy," Claude told her with a wink. "Bet any money on it."
"I would name him Niall," she answered instantly. Both smiled and kissed her hand again before she pulled them back onto her lap. "Eric fully supports this decision. I am not making it with an easy heart. I am young however and I feel this is the time. I hope I can have my ever faithful cousins to be beside me during this?"
"We would need prying from your side," Claudine told her fiercely. "I am as I have always been proud of you. The love I have for my own daughter is a love I never believed you would experience. Everyone should have the chance at this type of happiness."
"Thank you," she whispered holding back tears.
"Can't say I'm happy you didn't ask me," Claude started. "However I can see why you felt some warrior would be better."
"I shall take that as a yes," Sookie laughed.
"Yeah why not," Claude shrugged and rose from the sofa stretching. "Could have had all of this," he said gesturing towards his torso and grinning at her. With a slight shake of her head she moved onto the floor to greet a now awake Brielle. The three chatted easily as she wasted a night away from any sort of duty. Aelthi would be furious with her but she could handle that another day. Unless her throne was on fire she was not interested in dealing with any sort of Royal crisis.
The day of her insemination Sookie spent the morning sat on the banks again. She was only accompanied today by her thoughts as Aelthi had left her service to go about getting all preparations made. In Fey the weather never seemed to darken, the sun when it rose glowed across every inch of land. The water was never cold and the flowers never seemed to wilt and die. Or if they did Sookie was not aware of it. She had seen gardeners plenty of times but she had yet to see a dead flower, or even a blade of grass out of place. The bank she currently sat on was made of the whitest sand she had seen and her toes had buried deep into it.
"Majesty," Dima said appearing beside her. "You are summoned to the main house by Aelthi."
With a pop she arrived and looked at his excited face before feeling a smile spread on hers.
"It is all prepared for you," he said happily.
"You will come with me?"
"Of course," he handed her a perfectly folded pile of human clothes with another smile. "You will need to change and drink the smoothie I have left in the bathroom for you. It is infused with magic from both me and Galeal. When the insemination is complete I will also say a quick spell in hopes it will take root."
"I will then instruct your warriors to say a prayer for your health," Dima said from her side. "Majesty."
"I'm really going to do this then," she whispered.
"Yes," Aelthi told her. "You are."
Sookie gulped the smoothie down tasting nothing but bananas and what tasted like carrot. Standing outside the clinic in her 1950's inspired dress she took one last final hesitation before walking inside. Inside she was greeted again by the same doctor who informed her of a successful deposit and led her to a private room. As Aelthi made himself comfortable on the sofa she jumped onto the bed and awaited further instruction.
It seemed to take only seconds for the procedure itself and the entire time she did not see Galeal. A good thing she reasoned especially since later she would not be returning to the human world. A night in Fey was called for, a night watching the waves and the moon rise was what she needed. As the doctor showed her images on an ultrasound Aelthi rose and showed him out gently. Next he placed one hand simply over her and muttered a few words. Sookie translated the words 'please' and 'child.' Closing her eyes she rested her own hands on her stomach and thought of her own mother, she had been a beautiful woman from what Sookie had seen. So had her father, it was at this moment she wondered how they had felt when they learnt they were having a second child. How elated had they been at finding out it was a girl she wondered. When she finally opened her eyes Aelthi smiled down at her and nodded.
"It is done."