A/N: I do not own these characters, Charlaine Harris does. You have no idea how much I wish I owned Eric though.
A/N: Huge thanks to my fabulous beta, the beauty, talented, lovely smfogleman. She rocks my socks off, and I had the utmost pleasure of traveling to NY with her!
A/N: Right...so, it's been a while huh. I am truly sorry about that. Real Life has been freakishly hectic lately. I went to New York a month ago and got to meet some wonderful ladies from FF: smfogleman, zeewriter, vio_laine, and greenabsinthia. It was a total blast. Work has also been crazy. I will do my best not to go so long between updates again, but I sadly can't make any promises.
3 Months Later
SPOV
I was deliriously happy. Being with Eric was amazing. It had been three months since he professed his love for me. Every time I hear "I'm on Fire" play, a rush of heat flows through me. Eric knows the reaction I have and has taken it upon himself to play it often. It usually gets him some time in the bedroom. We haven't had sex yet, per my request. The timing hasn't been right. It was too soon after Tray for me to feel comfortable. Eric has been the consummate gentleman, as always, never pushing me for more. I love him all the more for it. While sex isn't on the table yet, everything else has been. My god that man is talented with his mouth. I have never received that much pleasure in my life.
I haven't spoken to Tray since that day in the park, and I will admit, I am a bit sad about it. I miss him. I'm not longing to be with him again, but I miss his presence in my life. He had been such a large part of it for the last three years. It's sometimes hard to accept that he isn't there anymore. A part of me still loves him, it always will. It is my sincere wish that he finds happiness with someone that can be everything he needs. He's a great guy, and he's going to make some girl very lucky.
I am pulled out of my thoughts by a knock on my door. A flutter of butterflies in my stomach has me hoping that it is Eric on the other side. Getting up from the couch, I go to open the door.
Standing there with a sheepish smile, holding coffee and crepes, is Eric. It screams bribe. Not that he isn't capable of doing a sweet gesture with no motive, but the look on his face tells me this isn't one of those times.
He stoops down to give me a kiss, before walking in and heading straight for the kitchen table.
"I brought you your favorite. Nutella crepes with strawberries and a hazelnut latte."
Crossing my arms, I give him my best glare.
"What did you do, Eric?"
Feigning shock, he looks at me and laughs a little.
"Who says I did anything? Can't I just bring you one of your favorite treats, like the loving boyfriend that I am?"
"You can, but I know you. This is a bribe. Now, what did you do?"
Sighing heavily, he opens his container and starts eating.
"Sit with me and eat, and we'll talk."
The crepes do look inviting, and I know my chances of resisting are slim, so I sit down with him. I take my first bite and moan. These are amazing. The Flat Take-Away Creperie has become a staple of our date nights as of late. I see Eric's eyebrow shoot up at my moan and watch him shift in his seat. Good. Let him think about what else makes me moan until he owns up to what he needs to tell me. After sitting and eating for five minutes both crepes are gone and we have moved on to the coffee.
"I need you to go to Bon Temps with me next week."
I am momentarily puzzled. Why would this be a big deal? He knows I love going home to visit with Amelia, Sam and Lafayette. Tara recently moved back to town, having graduated in December, and it's always nice to see her again as well.
"Why did you feel like you had to bribe me to go home, Eric? You know I love going back to visit."
"My parents are having a party for their 35th anniversary. They want me to bring you with me."
Oh. Now I understand.
I had met Eric's parents before, of course. I have known him since high school after all. William and Thalia are two of the sweetest people in the world. I love them like they are family. I am nervous about seeing them again now that I am Eric's girlfriend though. Surely they must think badly of me for breaking off my engagement to another man, and for harboring feelings for their son for so many years and never saying anything. If I was in their shoes I wouldn't be too happy with me.
"Sookie, look at me."
I glance up at Eric and see the look of adoration on his face.
"I know you have been avoiding going to see them, because you think they won't be happy with you. You are wrong though. They love you. They have always loved you. They already consider you part of the family and they are happy that we are together. You have to stop worrying about that. Besides, this is their anniversary party. They want to share this with people that mean something to them, and that includes you. Trust me on this, please."
"I don't know, Eric. I feel like they should hate me for not facing up to my feelings."
"Stop it, Sookie! I'm not mad at you for waiting so long. I didn't exactly run out to express my feeling either. My parents want me to be happy. You make me happy, and that's all that matters. Please do this for me. It would really mean a lot to have you there."
He gives me his puppy dog eyes and whimpers. That little bastard! But I can't suppress my grin and find myself giving in.
"Okay, Eric. I will go with you. I make one request of you though."
I see the smile creep across his face.
"Oh yeah? And what would that be?"
"You have to save me a dance."
His smile grows even larger and he comes around the table to wrap me in his arms.
"You got it, Sookie. Thank you for doing this for me. We will have a great time, I promise."
He leans down to give me a kiss, and I can taste the dark chocolate from his crepe on his lips, so I touch my tongue out to taste it even more. That is the end of the talking. The poor coffee is neglected as we satisfy other appetites right there on the kitchen table.
The week flies by in a blur and Saturday is here before I know it. I am filled with nerves even though Eric has taken every opportunity to assure me that this will go over well.
The party is being held at the old Bellefleur mansion, and it is sure to be a classy event.
Felicia and I had gone out shopping earlier in the week to find myself a new dress. We have become quite close over the last three months, and I easily consider her my best girlfriend. She always puts Eric in his place, and it amuses me to no end.
We had been to seven or eight stores before I finally found the dress. We were in a vintage clothing store, and being slightly full figured I knew my chances of finding something that fit were slim. But miraculously the perfect dress was there. It was a sleeveless dress, blue green in color, with a brocade pattern. The square cut neck accentuated my cleavage nicely, without showing off too much. It flared out into a semi-skirt at the bottom. It was gorgeous. I fell in love immediately. I knew how much Eric loved me in blue as well; he said it always brought out the color in my eyes. I matched the dress with a pair of low-heeled shoes. I wanted to be able to dance the night away without my feet killing me.
As I remove the last of the curlers from my hair, brushing it until it falls in soft waves around my face, when I hear a knock on the door. Opening it, my heart leaps into my throat. Eric looks positively dashing in his black suit with his royal blue shirt underneath. His eyes are sparkling as he takes me in. A low whistle escapes his lips as I twirl to give him the full effect.
Pulling me into his arms, he brushes his lips against mine.
"Do you have any idea how tempted I am to just stay here with you and blow off this whole party? You look stunning, sweetheart."
My knees get a little weak, and I think for sure I am going to melt in his embrace. He gets to me like no other. Pulling back slightly, he grins at me, and hands me a perfect tulip. How have I not noticed that before now? It is beautiful. Leaning up I kiss him once more, and go to find a vase to put it in. Grabbing my purse on the way back to the door, we head out to the party.
Eric insists on driving, and I make him promise to keep the top up on his car, so as to not mess up my hair. I am determined to make a good impression on his parents, despite the fact that they have known me for years.
When we arrive at the mansion, it is clear that they party is already in full swing. I am worried that we will be in trouble for arriving late, but Eric assures me that it is no problem. Some of his parents' old friends are in town and wanted to get the party going early.
The place looks amazing. Twinkling lights are strung around the plants and line the walls. It is like a glowing wonderland. A big band is playing away in the corner and the dance floor is filled with couples. I spot his parents immediately. William and Thalia are dancing up a storm and laughing like little children. I have always been impressed by the love the two of them share, and it is wonderful to see them so carefree like this. I glance up at Eric, and he is smiling to beat the band.
"They are acting like they are still in their twenties. I swear those two will never grow up," he laughs, shaking his head.
I know how much Eric respects his father. Growing up as a military brat had not been easy, but his parents always made the best of the situation for Eric. His father is his personal hero, and I know Eric aspires to be like him one day. From what I have seen he is well on his way to becoming as great a man as his father.
We stand there watching his parents sway back and forth when the song changes and Eric pulls me out onto the floor to join the party. "Save the Last Dance for Me" has always been one of my favorites and I love to dance to it. Twirling me around the floor like a pro, Eric and I enjoy ourselves quite a bit. The song ends and we go to find his parents to say hello.
I feel my nerves creeping up on me again the closer to them we get. But all my fears are alleviated when Thalia immediately pulls me into her arms for a hug and William leans down to place a soft kiss on my cheek.
"Oh, Sookie, you look beautiful. That dress is lovely," Thalia says, holding me at arms length to look at me.
"Thank you, Mrs. Northman. The party is wonderful. Happy Anniversary."
Chuckling, Eric's father grabs my hands in his own. "I've told you before, Sookie, call us William and Thalia. Mr. and Mrs. Northman are just too formal."
I feel the blush creep up on my cheeks and nod. I hear Eric laughing softly under his breath as he goes to hug and kiss his mother in greeting. He shakes his father's hand, before pulling him into a bear hug.
"Thirty-five years huh? I don't know how you two did it, especially with me tagging around for twenty-five of them."
"Oh, Eric. Be quiet young man. Now, aren't you going to ask your mother to dance?" Thalia teases him.
Bowing before her theatrically, Eric asks for her hand for a dance. I watch as the two of them go out to the floor, leaving me alone with his father.
We stand there watching Eric and Thalia glide around the floor. Having watched William and Thalia dance, I know where Eric gets his skills from.
"He really loves you, you know," William says pulling my attention away from the floor.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Eric. He loves you so much. It's obvious by the way he looks at you. It is full of admiration and respect and pure joy. It's the same way I look at his mother."
I watch as his gaze follows Thalia around the floor. The love in his eyes is overwhelming and it is pretty clear how the two of them have lasted thirty-five years together. She catches his gaze from across the floor and flashes him a megawatt smile. It is wonderful to see two people so much in love.
"I want to thank you, Sookie."
"Thank me for what, William?"
"For making my son so happy. I always knew you two would be happy together if you could just get your act together and get on the same page. It was obvious how much you two cared for each other, even if you couldn't see it yourselves. Sam called me the night Eric sang to you at Merlottes. I have to give my son some credit; that took a lot of balls. I'm just thrilled the risk paid off."
"I'm sorry it took me so long to tell him how I felt. Surely you must hate me for that," I say averting my gaze.
Placing a finger under my chin, he lifts my face until I meet his eyes once more.
"Darling Sookie, we could never hate you. You are what our son wants. We have always considered you family, and I truly hope that one day I can call you that for real. Now, may I have this dance?" he asks and bows before me.
I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and giggle and accept his offer.
Sometime later, in between dancing with his cousins and friends of his father's, Eric pulls me away for a moment. He sings softly in my ear "Don't forget who's taking you home, and in whose arms you're gonna be, so darling, save the last dance for me."
I shiver with anticipation of another dance with Eric. This night has been a blast and more fun than I ever could have hoped for. I really feel as though I am a part of his family, everyone has been so welcoming.
It has been nice to meet some of his parents' friends from out of town and chat with the ones that live here. I danced with Sam several times, and he told me how happy he and Amelia are that Eric and I are finally together. I mockingly gave him a hard time for not telling me what Eric had planned the night he sang to me. He shrugged and spun me around once more.
I am standing beside the dance floor watching everyone, when Eric approaches me with a twinkle in his eye and requests the last dance of the evening. As Eric leads me to the floor I hear the band play the first few chords of "Tougher Than the Rest." My eyes widen in shock and Eric grins.
Pulling me closer to him, he sings in my ear once more. "Well it's Saturday night, you're all dressed up in blue, I've been watching you a while, maybe you've been watching me too."
I look into his eyes and the love I see staring back at me, awakens a desire to be as close to him as possible. Yes, tonight, I am going to make love with Eric. I snuggle my head against his shoulder and lose myself in the wonderful feeling of dancing closely with him.
A/N: Yep... the next chapter will be the big old lemon.
A/N: Here is the link to Sookie's dress. Just remove the spaces. http:// www. vintageous. com/v5350. htm