SPOV

I emailed Eric and told him about our "wedding plans". Between my schedule and the 7 hour time difference, talking on the phone was difficult. He wrote me back saying as long as I was the bride, he didn't care about any of the details. Wasn't he a great fake fiancé? He texted me the next day, "Saw Aude. Didn't feel urge to jump off bridge. Progress." Then later, "Miss you every day." A tear may have crept into my eye.

EPOV

Aunt Cilla was recovering well. I had spent quite a bit of time in the last week visiting with her. I told her about Sookie, Sophie Anne's interference, and our fake engagement.

"I can tell you love her by the look in your eyes when you talk of her," she said.

"I look like a love sick puppy?" I asked, grumpily.

"No, you look like a man in love," she answered. "It is about time." Then she stroked my hair and kissed me on the cheek. Even if she was technically my aunt, this woman was the mother figure in my life. How long had it taken me to see that? Why did I even desire Sophie Anne's approval?

I made arrangements to fly out on Thursday which would put me back in Shreveport by Saturday evening. I hoped to spend Sunday in bed with Sookie.

SPOV

A letter came in the mail from Sweden. The handwriting looked much too nice to belong to Eric. It read:

My Dearest Sookie,

Eric has told me all about you. I am so glad that he has found someone he can let down his guard with. He has always appeared to be strong, even as a child. When he was nine he was riding his skate board and broke his arm. Did he lay on the ground and cry? No, not Eric. He walked the half mile home and told his father, dry eyed, that he thought he had broken his arm. The poor child was white as a sheet. He didn't cry or complain once while the doctor examined him or put the cast on. I sat with him in the hospital while his dad and the others went off to find some dinner and brag about Eric's bravery. When we were sure they were gone, I sat next to him in his hospital bed and held him while he sobbed. Eric told me he walked home because he didn't know what else to do and he didn't want his dad to worry. He has always tried to be strong for others – I am glad that he lets you see the real Eric. I can't wait to meet you!

Love,

Cilla

P.S. Eric showed me some of the pictures Pam took of the two of you. You will have such beautiful children!

Later I checked my email and found a message from Eric:

Aunt Cilla is home and getting stronger every day. I've promised her we will come for a few weeks this summer. I will be home late Saturday evening. Can I stay over?

I asked Tara if she could make herself scarce Saturday night and Sunday. She agreed (I had done the same for her before), but not happily. Tara still thought Eric was using me for sex and would cast me aside when he was bored. I was sure she was wrong – most of the time. I went to the grocery store, cleaned my apartment, put fresh sheets on the bed, bathed, shaved, waxed… then I lay in bed waiting to hear from Eric. He texted me at 12:30 and I went to let him in. Eric looked completely exhausted. I took him by the hand and led him to my room. Once again, he stripped down to his boxers and spooned behind me. I snuggled into his embrace and we were both soon fast asleep.

I woke up to the feel of Eric's mouth on my neck and his large hand sliding up my ribs.

"Wait," I said, springing out of bed and grabbing my phone.

"Who are you calling?" Eric asked, irritation in his voice.

"Just silencing it, I don't want to be interrupted," I answered with a wink. "Maybe we can finally put these to use," I said holding up a box of condoms.

"Are those the ones from the castle?"Eric asked surprised.

"Yes, they caught my eye when I was throwing things in my bag. I was hoping we would get to use them eventually," I answered with a smile. I pulled off my tank and slid my pajama pants down. I had Eric's complete attention. "Surely you have seen a woman in a thong before?" I teased. "We are even engaged." Suddenly, Eric grabbed me and pulled me into bed, rolling until he was on top. I squealed, then covered my mouth with my hand and giggled. Eric laughed too.

"I can make you scream louder than that," he said with a wicked grin. As it turned out he could.

Much later, we lay in a tangle of arms and legs. "I missed you," Eric said, finding that spot behind my ear.

"I missed you too," I responded, finding his mouth with mine. "How was your trip?"

"It was good to be back in Sweden and see my family. I'd forgotten how much I missed them."

"Do you ever think of moving back?" I asked, a little worry in my voice.

"No, my home is here," he said looking deep into my eyes. "I would like to visit Sweden this summer and maybe next year for Christmas."

"I turned in my passport application at the post office yesterday," I said. Eric smiled, then rewarded me with a kiss.

"Can you teach me Swedish?" I asked.

"Yes, let's start with body parts," he said huskily, stroking my breast.

"How about I love you?" I asked, stifling a moan.

His hand froze and he looked at me. "You love me?" Eric asked. I nodded. "Jag alskar dig."

"Jag alskar dig, Eric," I said, gently stroking his cheek.

"I love you too," Eric whispered, his voice thick with emotion. His mouth found mine – the rest of my Swedish lessons had to wait until later.

When we were once again sated and in each others arms, Eric took my left hand in his and rubbed his thumb over the diamond setting in the engagement ring. "This ring has a story, you know," he said.

"Tell me."

"Sophie Anne's grandfather fell in love with one of the young women who worked in the kitchen at his parent's house. He bought this ring for her. However, before he could ask her to marry him, his mother offered her a large sum of money to leave town and she took it." So the women in Sophie's family have been up to this nonsense for generations?

"Did she not love him?"

"Times were different then. The Great Depression was just ending. The girl had lost her father and she had her mother and five younger siblings to think of."

"Surely he would have taken care of her family if they had married?"

"Sophie Anne told me that he ran into her years later and asked the same question. You see, he had never told her that he loved her and she wasn't aware he had purchased a ring. She had convinced herself that he was dating her to irritate his parents."

"Oh. (Was there a fake dating gene in this family too?) Were they happy?" I asked.

"My great grandfather married a wealthy woman that his mother hand-selected. She helped him build his empire with her social connections and lavish dinner parties. She was everything a woman of her social standing was expected to be."

"That doesn't really answer my question."

"My guess is he pined over the first girl, otherwise why would he have kept the ring?" Eric answered.

"And the girl?"

"I don't know," Eric shrugged.

"So Sophie Anne gave me a ring with bad karma?" I asked.

"I'd like to think of this as the ring getting a second chance." Then he gently stroked my face. "Sookie Stackhouse, I love you. I want to marry you. I want to have a family with you. I want to grow old with you. Will you be my wife?"

"Yes." We kissed until Eric's stomach let out a loud growl.

"Do you have a bear in there?" I teased. "When was the last time you ate?" Eric thought a moment. "You need to keep up your strength - I still have condoms left."

Eric read the letter from his aunt as I pulled out sandwich fixings.

"It is a shame her English is so good," he lamented.

"Why?"

"She will tell you all of my embarrassing stories."

"Will there be pictures?" I asked with a grin.

"When do I get to meet your brother?" Eric asked with a sly smile. Ugh! Jason would tell Eric all kinds of crap about me. Just great. I wondered how long I could put off the promised lunch date. "Did I tell you Sophie Anne emailed me after your little luncheon?"

"Did she tell you to break up with me?"

"No, she suggested we elope to Los Vegas." I laughed until my sides hurt.