SPOV

When I arrived at work, I found an email from Eric. It said: "Lessons cancelled for the rest of the week. Stop by my office after work tonight. E" His email etiquette left as much to be desired as his phone manners.

"Enter," Eric said later when I knocked at his door. He smiled when I walked in. "I am very busy tonight."

"I guess that is what happens when you take off two nights in a row," I teased. He held out his hand and I gave him my wrist. He licked, then sank his fangs into me. Why did being bitten feel so good? I almost moaned aloud. Eric licked my wounds and smiled a fangy smile at me. He pulled me onto his lap and kissed me thoroughly. I wrapped a hand in his hair and rubbed the other up and down the contours of his back. His mouth was so very talented! Eventually, he pulled back.

"Sookie, I must get some work done tonight. Many more kisses and I will just head upstairs with you and forget all about it." I wobbled a bit as I stood. Eric walked me to the door and kissed me on the forehead. "I will see you again tomorrow night."

EPOV

I was behind on my reports; that was a sure way to get the Queen's attention - the last thing I wanted right now. So I would be a good little vampire and do my homework. Really, I wanted to be buried inside of Sookie, listening to her scream my name. Her blood was delicious, and her body …. She might have had sex with me tonight, but I would wait a little longer. I wanted her to come to me and ask, even beg. I laughed aloud. I was a fool if I thought that would happen anytime soon. If I finished my reports tonight, tomorrow I could go Christmas shopping.

SPOV

The rest of the week passed in a similar fashion. Christmas Eve I drove to Bon Temps to help Gran prepare for the evening. She handed me a dust cloth when I walked in, although the house was already sparkling clean. I could smell all sorts of wonderful things wafting in from the kitchen.

"Gran, you are going to wear yourself out," I warned.

"I'd rather go down with my boots on," she answered. "Besides, I can't let your young man think I don't take pride in my home." My 'young man' had lived his human life in a home with a dirt floor. I didn't think he would be inspecting Gran's furniture with a white glove. I just smiled and dusted – it was easier on everyone that way.

Jason arrived as we were putting the food on the table – he seemed to have a talent for that.

"I thought your man was coming tonight, Sook," he said.

"Eric is coming by after work," I answered.

"Isn't he the boss? He could come by earlier if he wanted to." Jason was determined not to like him. Why?

"Jason, you leave Sookie be. If her boyfriend has work to do, he has work to do. A casino does not run itself," Gran scolded.

Jason launched into a story about Hoyt getting his truck stuck and he and Gran were off and running, sharing local gossip. Gran had outdone herself with the meal and I was drying the last pan when Eric parked in front of the house. I felt a little thrill of excitement run up my spine and headed to the door to greet him. He smiled when I opened it.

"Please come in," I said.

"You look beautiful, Sookie." I had dressed carefully in a new cranberry sweater and black cords.

"Sook, will you stop making goo-goo eyes at him and introduce us?" Jason asked from behind me. I really wanted to slap him.

"Eric, please meet my Gran, Adele Stackhouse. Gran, Eric Northman."

"A pleasure to meet you , Mrs. Stackhouse," Eric said. "I can see where Sookie gets her beauty."

"My ,you are a charmer," Gran responded, blushing. "We are so excited to have Sookie bring someone home." Because Sookie is a pariah that drives all the men away. Thanks Gran. Now it was my turn to blush. Jason cleared his throat.

"This rude man is my brother, Jason."

"Merry Christmas, Jason," Eric said handing him a case of beer. He was so smooth! He had given Jason a present he would truly appreciate and managed to avoid a handshake.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Eric," Jason responded. It hadn't even occurred to him to buy Eric a gift.

We settled in the living room, Eric sitting beside me on the couch. Gran told several embarrassing stories about Christmas when Jason and I were growing up. Her favorite was always the story of me making brownies in my easy bake oven. Jason stole them right out of the oven, then yelled at me when he burnt his tongue. Would he always be a pain in my ass? I didn't know if Eric really knew what an easy bake oven was, but he laughed at all the appropriate places. Jason started to get fidgety. I read from his mind that he had a date later. Gran suggested that we open presents.

Jason gave me some bubble bath and a CD I had been wanting. He got Gran a new coffee pot – she was thrilled. The old one was on its last legs. Gran gave me a sweater she knitted and Jason was the proud owner of a new camo jacket. She gave Eric a scarf. He put it on and praised her knitting skill. Eric handed Gran a small book.

"My Life as a Civil War Soldier," she read from the cover, "by William T. Compton."

"He is rather serious and whiney, but I thought you would enjoy it."

"Do you think he is any relation to our neighbor, Jesse Compton?" Gran was clearly delighted.

"I believe he was a native of Bon Temps. He may very well be," Eric answered.

"I may have to scoot off to bed early tonight, just to get started on this."

I gave Gran a new winter coat – her old one was worn and she was never one to spend money on herself. I gave Jason a box of ammo. Eric handed me a small box. Inside was a necklace with a sun pendant that glittered with diamonds. On the back was an inscription – Sookie, bringing sunshine to my world

"Eric," I said with tears in my eyes. He smiled and winked at me. Last, I handed him my gift. I felt rather foolish now. He opened the roasting stick and bag of marshmallows with a post it on the top that said – To practice with. He roared with laughter and gave me a hug.

"Tuesday night Sookie showed me how to toast marshmallows," Eric explained to Gran and Jason. "It does not appear to be a natural talent of mine." I snorted.

Jason was out the door before all of the wrapping paper was dealt with. "Sookie," Gran asked as his truck pulled down the driveway, " are you aware that you are dating a vampire?" Nothing like being direct, I suppose.