A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long to update. Real Life has gotten in the way something awful! I found out one week before school let out that I would be spending two weeks in a dorm room training. I'm too old to live in the dorms! Then my brand new super nice laptop has a weird quirk and I had to send it back to Alienware. They decided not to do anything but reformat the hard drive and send it back, quirk still attached. So, I got to send it back AGAIN! Not a happy camper. So to make it up to all my wonderful reviewers and readers, two chapters are on the way. Enjoy.

NICU Day 8

"Sara sucks." Sookie smirked as Eric rolled his eyes.

"Yes, she does." He chuckled as he held the tiny bottle to Sara's mouth. Sookie had fed her half and passed her over to Eric to feed her the other half of her formula. They were so excited when the nurse told them how Sara's sucking reflex was strong enough now to remove the feeding tube and for her to try to use a bottle.

"This stuff smells revolting." Eric cooed to Sara as she sucked hungrily on the small nipple. Sookie laughed again and snapped some pictures.

"It's baby formula. Of course it's revolting. The nurse said we can try to get her to take the breast tomorrow."

Eric monitored the amount Sara was taking and gently pulled the bottle from her lips. Sookie quickly placed the burp cloth over Eric's shoulder.

"Just pat gently like I did." She instructed as Eric's large palm rested on Sara's back. He patted gently and both smiled when Sara offered a large burp.

"Sounds like her Uncle Jason." Sookie grinned as Eric placed Sara back into the crook of his arm.

I need to give her my blood.
So soon?

It will make her strong. Plus I will be able to feel her.

Wait until the nurse starts assessments.

Eric nodded his head in understanding and placed the bottle back in Sara's mouth. A few minutes passed and Sookie gently nudged his foot. The nurse had moved to the back of the NICU and started taking assessments of the other babies. Eric pierced the tip of his index finger with his fang and replaced the bottle Sara was drinking. She suckled the tip of his finger in her mouth and swallowed a few drops of Eric's blood. The wound on his fingertip quickly closed and he returned the bottle to her mouth.

"She's strong and beautiful, like her mother."

"She's willful like her father."

"Me? I believe that is also a Stackhouse trait."
"Poor girl doesn't stand a chance." Sookie laughed as she smoothed her fingers across Sara's blond hair.

"You're tired." Eric observed as he pulled his gaze away from Sara's.

"A little."

"You didn't sleep while I was at rest, did you?"

"I tried. I was just too wound up today, I guess."

"We're going home early tonight."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Sookie."

"Eric."

"We're not having this fight again."

"You're right about that."

"Sookie." He growled.

"Eric." She cooed sarcastically.

"I'll carry your ass out of here and you know I will. I won't have you exhausted." Eric leveled his gaze at her and she closed her eyes in defeat.

"Fine."

"Good."

"Butthead." She mumbled and he glared at her.

"Real mature, love."

"Shut up." He smirked at her tone. It was conversations like this that made him love his bonded even more.