Thank you again for the reviews, I can't tell you how much it meant to me that you had all been so patient with me. Thank you :)

As always Charlaine Harris owns everything... woe is me.

Mini rant about Alexander Skarsgard...

Is it completely lame that seeing Alex and Kate together makes me want to cry? I'm just so sure he's too nice for her! She just looks… sneaky… and fake… and for goodness sake wear a frikin' bra! I don't want him for myself, although it would certainly be nice (I don't think hubby would like that much though) and from the photos it looks like he's happy-ish, I just think there are other people out there that would be a heck of a lot better for him than she is/could be…

Rant over… sorry!

Oh and I forgot to upload all the Northman Christmas presents, they are in my profile now… happy reading, Eric is here!

Chapter 21 – SPOV

Eric was on his way! My heart sang as I bounced around the house. His plane was supposed to land 30 minutes ago then he would have to grab the bags and organize their car for the few days they would be here. I wondered if he was on the road yet, I hoped he was… I was jumping out of my skin with excitement.

"Sookie if you don't stop humming and pacing I'm going to tie you to a chair and gag you" Amelia laughed "He'll get here when he gets here, you jumping around and wearing a hole in the carpet is not going to make him arrive any sooner!"

"I know that, I'm just too excited to sit still!" I giggled "Maybe I should do something… what can I do?"

"Why don't you go through the linen closet and reorganize…" Amelia suggested

"I did that already, before you got up" I replied, going back to my pacing "What else?"

"Alphabetize your CD's?" Jason asked

"Did that too…" I admitted

"Polish the silver?" Jason tried again

"Done" I said with a slightly hysterical giggle

"Go over the grout in the shower with a bleach pen?" Amelia asked, wracking her brain for something to keep me entertained and out of her hair

"That could work!" I said, clapping my hands in glee at having something to do "Thank you!" I yelled as I ran off and changed into some ratty sweats and a tee shirt, ignoring the laughter coming from my family… I was nervous! So shoot me! Nearly an hour had passed when I was finally finished, the shower looked great and I looked like crap, but felt a hell of a lot less nervous.

I grabbed my clothes and used Gran's bathroom to wash up. I had just finished drying my hair when I heard the gravel on the driveway crunch under the weight of a car. He was here! They were here! Eric!

I ran down the hall to the front door to watch the car come to a stop out the front of the house. We usually came in through the kitchen, but of course Eric wouldn't know that… yet. My heart ached with the thought that one day he would, one day I'd be in the car with him, unloading great grandchildren and ridiculous amounts of luggage and greeting Gran instead of greeting Eric.

Unable to contain myself anymore I ran squealing out onto the front porch, down the stairs and into Eric's arms before I had time to think it through. I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck, my legs around his waist and snuggling my face into his hair.

I breathed in his scent and sighed in contentment at having him with me again. The knot that had been in my chest since thanksgiving was finally gone, replaced with the bright glow of happiness and love. Eric was finally here, and he's all mine for two weeks.

"I missed you" I whispered as he held me tight

"I missed you too" He whispered back, kissing my neck gently

Someone cleared their throat and chuckled a little and it took me a couple of seconds to realize that I had climbed up my boyfriend in front of his family! It was not only embarrassing, it was rude too. My head shot up and I wiggled a little to get Eric to let me down, but he wouldn't let go!

"Mamma, Pam, this… is my Sookie." He said proudly chuckling under his breath and smiling like a complete goon.

"Eric, put me down!" I hissed, before trying to get down again, he still wasn't letting me go… oh crud.

"Hi y'all! I can't tell you how great it is to finally meet you! Eric talks about you all the time, I feel like I already know you!" I said with a smile, waving a hand because I couldn't move enough to offer a hand shake. I pretended that I wasn't currently hanging from their son and brother and I seemed to be doing a very good job of it.

"Eric, put the girl down, I need a hug too" said Alexis with a laugh

"But Mamma!" Eric whined, pouting and trying to keep from laughing himself. He gave me another quick squeeze before gently setting me back on my feet and walking off to greet my brother who was standing on the porch holding his sides laughing…butthead.

"I tried to teach him manners, but they must have been pushed out by all the astronomy stuff" Alexis laughed as she wrapped me in a hug "It's lovely to finally meet you Sookie, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see the two of you together, Eric's been a different person since he met you"

"It's a pleasure meeting you" I smiled hugging her back "Please come in, you must be tired, would you like some coffee? Tea? Hot chocolate? Or something cold?"

"I would love some coffee" another voice groaned "Eric made me get up at five am, I didn't even know people were alive at that time of the morning"

"Strangely enough they are; I don't know why though!" I said with a chuckle, shaking her hand and linking her arm with mine "It's nice to finally meet you Pam, come on in and I'll get you the biggest cup of coffee we have…"

"I've asked Eric already, but are you absolutely sure you aren't a saint?" she asked with a smirk. Alexis chuckled a little… I guess it was a running joke.

I laughed and it seemed to set them off too… Pam, Alexis and I walked up the stairs and down the hall to the kitchen to see Gran being lowered to the ground by Eric, fussing at him for 'hoisting her 'round like a sack of potatoes' and flushing a bright pink, which only made us laugh harder.

"Adele, Amelia, Jason… This is my mother Alexis and my little sister Pam" Eric said with a smile, letting them pass to shake hands with the others as he pulled me into a hug and kissed the tip of my nose then my lips… he was just so cute! I thought as I kissed him back.

"Now enough of that shaking hands nonsense. I need hugs…keeps me young and sassy! Not to mention we're practically already family." Gran said with a laugh as they reached her, she pulled Pam into a hug and squeezed her tight like she would have for Amelia, Jason or myself… Pam was…stunned.

"I couldn't agree more Adele" Alexis laughed, hugging Gran after Pam had made her escape and seemed to hide behind her brother a little.

"Now, y'all let me know what you'd like for refreshment and go sit in the living room… You must be tired from your flight and I know that the drive from Shreveport is less than thrilling." Gran said with a smile, fussing around the kitchen and preparing a tray of mugs and snacks.

"Coffee all around please, Adele…" Eric said with a chuckle "Mamma and Pam didn't know there was a five o'clock in the morning until today"

"Eric…don't be mean" Alexis scolded "You know that's not true."

"Sorry Mamma" He chuckled, kissing her on the cheek and winking at me.

"Well then… coffee it is. Once you feel human again we'll show you to your rooms" Gran said officiously "Now scoot, you're in the way" she added with a chuckle

"Could you please use my big cup for Pam? She's feeling less than human today" I asked Gran as I rounded everyone up.

Gran chuckled and nodded pulling down a cup that was almost as big as my head. They all giggled and I took everyone back to the living room, pointing out bits and pieces along the way, photos of myself, Jason or Amelia doing one thing or another and telling stories about said photos. I knew some of them were new to Eric, although he would chip in with some of the stories he knew.

"So he decided he was going to be Superman, jumped off the porch roof and didn't get a scratch" I explained, pointing to a picture of Jason with his leg in traction "went to practice his flying on the slide, fell off and broke his femur in two places"

"Ouch!" the visitors hissed as they took in the shot.

We settled into the couches and chairs, Jason sitting next to Pam and Alexis, Amelia off on her own and I was glued to Eric's side with his arm around me… there was nowhere else I'd rather be.

Gran came in soon afterwards with the tray, loaded down with cookies and cakes and cups for everyone, she had to make a second trip for Pam's cup, but of course she didn't mind. We sat and talked and laughed, getting to know each other. Alexis and Gran seemed to be kindred spirits and got on like a house on fire. Amelia and Pam were soon laughing together like old friends and Eric and Jason were talking as brothers should.

I stayed quiet, watching everyone getting along and sighed in happiness at the scene in front of me, thanking my lucky stars and any deities that chose to exist that I had met Eric and that we had fallen in love. Our families loved each other already and they had only just met, Eric loved me and I had a hot cup of coffee in my hand… could a girl be any more blessed?

"Sookie, how on earth did you get a cup that large?" Pam asked with a laugh as she finished it off… I don't know how she managed, it was seriously huge.

"When I was laid up with my broken leg, back when I met Eric, Jason, Gran and Amelia were looking after me, doing a heap of fetching and carrying… you know, normal invalid care stuff" I laughed "And Jason decided I went through too many cups of coffee, and he was sick of running up and down the stairs all the time, so he went out and bought this one for me, plus a little coaster thing that plugs into my computer USB and keeps the liquid hot… saved them a lot of trips."

"I'm a genius" Jason said with a grin, puffing out his chest "Amelia and Gran were just as peeved as I was, they just wouldn't say it"

"Jason!" Amelia screeched "You can't say that! It was my fault she was hurt in the first place! You know I still feel bad about that" she added, pouting a little "I talked her into wearing stilettos for the first time and she fell down some stairs" she explained to Alexis and Pam, who knew I had hurt myself, but not how. They nodded, well versed in the perils of wearing heels while walking down stairs.

"Awww… I'm sorry Ames" he pouted and went to sit on her lap "Want me to get Trey down here to kiss it better?" he asked wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"First of all… get your fat butt off me" she huffed, shoving at him until he fell to the floor, laughing "I wasn't built to have people your size sitting on my lap. Second of all… You're practically my brother! You're not supposed to suggest things like that!" she raged, looking completely embarrassed and hopeful at the same time.

"Hey, I like Trey! He's good people…" Jason said as he stood up "I'm sure he wouldn't mind the trip, if you make it worth his while…Eric, back me up man!"

"I'm staying out of this dude!" Eric laughed "You can't say something like that to a girl! I seriously believe you want to rethink your genius status."

"Low blow man" Jason scowled, settling back into his seat and pulling out his cell phone "Maybe I'll get Trey's input on this one…"

"Oh no, you don't!" Pam yelped, pulling his phone out of his hand and putting it down her top "Don't worry Amelia, I've got your back" she said with a grin

"You're not my sister Pam…so I don't have any qualms about going in there after my phone, but you are a guest, so I'll ask nicely…" Jason said, his eyes twinkling with laughter "Would you please remove my phone from your cleavage and return it to me?"

"Nope" she replied, popping her lips at the word and chuckling darkly

"Shoot" Jason huffed and settled back into his seat. He knew if he tried anything he'd get a hiding from Gran, regardless of the fact he was 30, and if Gran didn't do it Eric, Alexis or I would have. "Eric, control your sister would you?"

"No one controls Pam, except Pam" Eric laughed in reply "I like my safety too much."

Jason widened his eyes in shock and looked at Pam again, wondering what she could do to threaten someone as big as Eric. Pam winked and kissed the air before pulling the phone from her top with a warning glare. Jason visibly gulped before he took it back.

"Are y'all done?" Gran asked with a laugh "I was sure there were no teenagers left in this house, maybe I'll have to double check?"

"Sorry Adele" Pam said shamefaced

"Sorry Gran" Jason said, sounding anything but "Sorry Pam, Sorry Alexis… Gran really did teach me manners, I just forget to use them sometimes"

"Meh… we're Swedish" Alexis replied, as if that would explain anything, and chuckled a little at the stunned looks on Jason's face. We all burst out laughing at the fact my brother had just been schooled by four women.

"I need some air, excuse me, please." he squeaked as he left the room followed by the sound of us all cracking up again, laughing until our sides hurt

"Don't worry Pam" Gran said with a chuckle "I wasn't scolding you, he needs to be knocked down a few pegs every once in a while"

"Can't imagine why" Pam said sarcastically with a laugh "his ego is almost as big as Eric's"

"Ouch Pam!" Eric said with a pout "I was on your side!"

"You have the wrong chromosomes to be on my side" she laughed and blew her brother a kiss. "These are really great cookies Adele, would you mind if I steal the recipe?"

"Of course not!" Gran smiled, pleased at being asked "I'll run and get it now so we don't forget before we go back to Cali" she added and shuffled off to the kitchen.

Amelia excused herself to the bathroom and I realized we had been talking for so long that their bags were still sitting in the hallway and we hadn't shown them where the bathroom was either!

"Oh I am so sorry!" I squeaked at the realization "I should show you around a little and let you freshen up! I was just so comfy talking with y'all I completely forgot my manners." I said apologetically.

"I would like to freshen up a little" Pam chuckled "And change out of these shoes, they pinch my toes, but they are just too cute not to wear them." she added as she admired her Louboutin clad foot.

"Oooo…Honey look at the pretties…" I cooed, tapping at Eric's arm as I drooled over his sisters shoes.

"I knew I was going to love you! Darling girl." Alexis laughed merrily "We are definitely taking you shopping when we get home to Cali."

"You're twisting my arm so what can I do, but ask if we could leave now?" I laughed

"Eric said you'd be uncomfortable shopping with us" Pam confided with a chuckle "He thinks we're over the top"

"He hasn't seen me shop for shoes!" I laughed as Eric groaned and buried his face in his hands faking a sob or two for good measure.

"Come on upstairs and I'll show you where you're sleeping and so on" I said, yelling out to Gran what we were up to, before grabbing a couple of bags and lugging them toward the stairs as Eric grabbed the rest.

"Sookie, just leave them there, I'll get them" Eric said gently "I know how they pack, I don't want you to hurt yourself"

"I'm tough" I grinned as I scooted up the stairs and waited for them to catch up "Who do you think kept Jason fit in the off season when he played ball!"

Eric chuckled "I should have known. You're always full of surprises, love" he said as he dropped a couple of bags in my room, I assumed they were his.

"I assume I'm to 'bunk' with you again?" he asked silkily, quirking that darn eyebrow and making me wish it was already night time.

"Yuh huh" I gulped and gave myself a little shake as he smirked at me. Darn him and his well developed ego.

"Y'all are just down here" I said, remembering we weren't alone and directing my conversation back to Alexis and Pam, I could tell they were amused and couldn't bring myself to look them in the eye.

I showed Alexis into the spare room, putting her suitcase on the little bench we kept at the end of the bed, for just such an occasion. I loved this room, we had redecorated a few years back and this was transformed from ugly seventies flowers to a gorgeous green with beige accents. I pointed out the bathroom and left her to herself with a kiss on the cheek. I could tell I was going to love her.

I took Pam further down to Jason's old room that we had redecorated in warm browns with aqua blue accents. I did the whole hostess thing for a few minutes, reiterating the towels and letting her know that if she needed anything Amelia or I would be just down the hall. I gave her a quick hug and a cheeky grin as I left her alone, I was lucky, I was definitely going to love being a Northman.

Eric and I went back to my room after I grabbed him a couple of towels. As soon as the door was partially closed, Eric swept me into his arms and breathed in the scent of my hair, with a little sigh sounding more content and happy than he had in the last month.

"I missed you so much Sookie" he sighed again, capturing my lips with his own and kissing me until we were both breathing a little harder

"I missed you too honey" I said, touching his cheek with my hand and sliding it up into his hair "I feel like I've been asleep since you left and I've just woken up"

He sighed again and held me tighter as we swayed a little, just reveling in the feeling of finally being with each other again in the flesh. I never knew I could love someone this much. It was physically painful to be without him, I don't know how I would have survived another six months without the option of seeing him.

"So I've booked tickets to come up to NY for a three day weekend at the end of January" I whispered as his hands slid up and down my back

"Good" he sighed "I don't think I could go too long without holding you"

"Ditto" I smiled. "We should go back downstairs before Gran thinks we're up to something, and I should probably check if Gran needs help with dinner."

"Hmm" he moaned in protest "I hope you know I'm going to demand at least one day of your weekend where I don't have to share you with anyone else"

"I'm not going to argue with that…" I chuckled, patting him on the butt and moving toward the door

He pulled me back into a toe curling kiss and I think my heart skipped a beat when his tongue grazed my own. "Something to think about" he growled as he pulled away and slid his hands up my sides, grazing my breasts.

"Guh" I choked out, floating out the door and down the stairs before he could kill off my higher brain function… that man was a drug, and I was completely addicted…yippee!