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Chapter 25

Claude's POV

I woke up early and started to go over scenarios that could have happened last night with Sookie and Eric. The wards worked well. I didn't hear anything from the room which is probably for the best. I'm certain that if they had sex it was not a quiet reunion. How the hell did either of them last 4 years without it? I can't make it a week! I want to go see if she's awake. What happened last night? She's probably in a sex induced coma. The man can screw me to death anytime. She's lucky he's a vamp and would kill me or she would have some competition. He is sex on a stick! Since I can't reenact the 'Viking inquisition' I'll just have to prepare some stuff for her to take on her vacation. Every girl needs a new sexy bikini when going to the Bahamas. I love being devious. I set off to gather the additional things I feel she'll need. I'd finished the bag I'm sending with her when I hear my phone.

R u still at the hotel? - Sookie

She's finally awake. Should I have her come to my room so that she can feel as if she's doing 'the walk of shame'? Can she walk correctly? I assumed since I didn't get a late night call with her crying or hear the Viking breaking furniture that it went well. Oh this is going to be fun. I need to see her smile again.

Finally awake? Come 2 my room. Right across hall from u- Claude

It's almost 5 in the afternoon. I want all the details! After a few minutes I hear her knock at the door. She comes in blushing. Oh I want details! All of them!

"Cousin how was your walk of shame across the hall? That is assuming you're walking normally?"

"Jesus! Claude, do you ever quit? I didn't sleep with him!"

"Did he go back to his room last night? I thought I heard him go to his room and then leave but… he never returned did he?"

"I don't have to tell you anything!"

She is looking away from me and I can tell she's blushing. There's a story here I can tell. I tried to look around to her face. OH MY GOD! She has hickeys!

"Sookie are those by chance… hhhmm… possibly hickeys on your neck?"

She is so busted!

"Cousin I want all the details!"

"Why do you embarrass me this way? Please Claude! Can I have some privacy?"

"NO!"

"Aggrrr! Alright! We made up. We made out. We exchanged blood. END OF STORY!"

"Oh! No you don't Sookie! Sit and spill it. I have no love life at the moment and I feel since I care so deeply about you that you should allow me to live vicariously through you. Besides that man is too hot! If I can't have him, I at least need the juicy details!"

"You are incorrigible. What do you want to know?"

"Did he go to rest in your room? Did you cum? You must have! You have the 'glow'"

I have her laughing so hard I just heard her snort.

"Oh why do I put up with you? Yes and yes ok? Now please stop!"

"I'm going to break you of your prudish ways Cousin. I'm assuming your talk went well then. I won't ask you for all the specifics you two discussed but I'm glad you two 'came' to an agreement. What are your plans?"

"He's coming with me. I can't believe it Claude. He's giving up everything and coming with me. I feel like I'm in a dream and I don't want to wake up yet"

"It's going to be ok Sookie. You two will get through all of this and have the perfect life."

"Claude what do you know? I know you are hiding something. You are very confident that all of this will work out."

"I won't keep it from you now. You both have made your decisions and I'll let you know just why this decision was the most important decision of your life."

"Claude, don't do this to me. You're scaring me."

"Cousin, panic doesn't suit you well. Trust me everything is fine. I'll explain it all to you and Eric when he rises for the night. Now when are you leaving?"

She's going to be concerned when I tell her about the two visions the Pythoness had. As soon as Sookie called the demon all the things we were concerned about had ceased to exist. Ludwig, Mr. Cataliades and I were only to help them to have an opportunity to decide their fates from here. Once they both were informed of the truth, this had to come from all the others and themselves, they had the free will to decide what they wanted. However, I took a personal interest in their relationship. They are well suited for one another and no one can deny the love they share. I'm looking forward to being a part of their growth.

"Eric doesn't care when we leave. I was wondering though, are you able to mask your presence all the time?"

"Yes cousin its magic. Once you have it, you have it. You don't lose the ability or it doesn't diminish."

"That's good to know. I was wondering, even before last night, that maybe if you weren't busy you could come with me for a week or two. I understand if you aren't free or now that Eric is going; I don't want you to feel like a third wheel"

"Cousin I would love to go! Oh we are going to have so much fun. The singing and dancing we can do! I do have one request if I may?"

"I know that look Claude, now what are you up to?"

"Nothing much really, now stop me if you must, but please tell me you have never had a vision of the Viking in a pair of Speedo's. Oh it would be glorious just glorious!"

"Claude there is something seriously wrong with your brain. So you want to go then?"

"YES!"

"How much time to do you need to get ready? I'm set to go and Eric only has to call Pam and get his stuff from his day guy."

"I can be ready by tonight if need be. I can 'pop' home and get my beach wear! Does Eric know where we are going?"

"Oh! I almost forgot no and don't tell him. He wants to be surprised. I hope they have a light tight room for him. Oh shit! Bubba! What am I going to do with Bubba? Is he still even here?"

"Yes he's still here. You can take him with us. We have the private jet and the house has light time rooms."

Oops! I hope she doesn't catch that!

"Do you know who owns the house Claude? How would you know it has light tight rooms?"

"Shit! It's my house. When I found out that you still wanted to leave I wanted you to have a safe place to go. It was just coincidence that you mentioned the Bahamas. Ludwig knows I have a home there and I offered it immediately."

"Claude….."

"Cousin it's almost time for your Viking to get up. Let's have some dinner while you tell me all about last night"

"Fine and then you have some explaining to do"

We called for room service and she told me of how she and Eric, for the first time, really talked. She laid out all her deep dark secrets. He had accepted everything she shared with him with love. Apparently Sookie could tell him that she was actually a 'he' and he couldn't care less. I wasn't surprised to find that he wanted to help Hunter as well. I've told her before he's an honorable man. He loves her very much and would do anything she would ask. I explained why I left him the note under his door. She understood when I told her I wanted to be the one to share all the horrid information with her. It was not Eric's fault what her 'so called' friends did to hurt her. If she were to be angry with anyone I wanted it to be me. We finished our dinner and she left to freshen up.

"Sookie I will be over in about 15 minutes. Is that enough time for you and 'Mr. I have a tree limb in my pants' to get it on?"

"Claude you're a pig. I talk to you later."

I spent the next few minutes gathering up my things and walked across the hall to their room. And but who answers the door but sex on legs himself.

"Hello there. Is that a mirror in your pocket? Because, I can totally see myself in your pants later!"

They are so much fun. Eric just smirks and walks away from me. Sookie however shouts out to me.

"Shut it Claude or I'll tell him to have you for a snack later on the plane."

"Oh you're no fun Cousin."

I watch them interact for a few minutes. She is walking around straighten things up in preparation for our departure. He is watching her every step. Every time she comes close to him he reaches out to caress her or pull her into him. I have never seen either of them smile so damn much. It's disgusting it's so sweet but I am very happy for her.

"I want to talk to you both before the 'king' arrives. He is resting down the hall and will want to check on Sookie is before he goes to find his daily fill of feline delicacy. Please sit down and I will explain."

They both sit on the couch. They are hand in hand. Now that they are together I know nothing will separate them and if anyone should try, well that's why they have me.

"I will tell you the basics of how I am involved and I promise you that no one has meddled in your life. A few years ago I was called by the Ancient Pythoness. She had two visions of Sookie. One outcome was not so good and the other one was as things are for you both now. She saw you at a crossroads Sookie and your decision would change both of your lives. She told me I was not to interfere and was only allowed to gather people to help educate you both when the time came. She never told me the details of the visions. I called upon Mr. Cataliades to help you understand your rights in the Supe world and Doctor Ludwig to help you understand your spark and the bond."

"I then began to keep tabs on your 'so called' friends. I wanted to know what happened in your life and all the details. I wanted them punished. You know all the reasons why so I won't go into the specifics. Sookie you may think that Mr. Cataliades has acted on your behalf in all of this but I want you to know that it was because I asked him to. I would like to assume the 'patriarchal role' in your life. I understand that Niall is your great grandfather and he should hold this right but I fear it would only be out of his duty to do so. I want to be there for because I love you and truly wish the best for you. He cares for you and does not wish either of you anything but happiness. He just is insensitive at times. I, on the other hand tend to be a little more dramatic when it comes to life and passion! I see how you two feel about each other and I want to help you both in any way I can. Is this ok with you both?"

They both accept this. I know it seems strange for me to take the role of her father but someone like Sookie deserves a few strong men in her life.

"Thank you both. I promise to help you honor your love to each other."

I know the Viking will have questions. I give him a questioning look for him to proceed.

"Claude how bad was the outcome?"

"I will tell you but let me explain what I explained to Sookie first. The worst vision changed immediately when she called the demon. She made her decision to fight for what she was going to have in her life. No one pushed or tricked you two to make the choice to be together. It was forbidden. You both will always have free will in your life. The reason the other 'possible future' if you will, changed is because you both knew what you wanted. You both wanted to be together; you just needed to be informed of what went on to allow yourself to take the next step. This will be harsh to hear, don't overreact. It was never really a possibility. I believe Sookie's Grandmother saw to that when she had the brooch appear for her."

I glance over to them both. I think the Viking see's what is coming and he would have reacted exactly like the A.P.'s vision predicted. He would have gone berserker.

"She saw Sookie kill herself and then Eric going on a killing spree. Nothing could stop him"

She gasps and clings to him. Tears are beginning to flow from her face. He holds her tight and I see the red beginning to rim in his eyes. I can see she told him how bad things had gotten for her.

"The Pythoness helped me to see how much we are alike Cousin. I never realized how much others had hurt you and saw you as an outcast. I myself have lived a very similar life. Fairies are by nature, very loving creatures normally but unfortunately for me a 'gay fairy' is not often welcome. I was to marry and have beautiful fairy babies but that wasn't the life I wanted. So I became over looked, forgotten about and cast aside. I decided, no one asked or ordered me, to help you both. Yes, there is a major movement happening in the supernatural world and people had been abusing innocent Supes, like yourself Cousin, but I needed to help you. I had to fight to have the life I wanted and I will not watch you do the same. I care about you very much. I will not nor did not use magic to help you two make the decision you came to. I have many gifts and some magic I would like to give to you both. I will always explain what I am offering to you both and you will always have free will. I want the both of you to have 'your dream life'."

The both have calmed down. Sookie is the first to speak up and rushes over to me, practically knocking me over in a hug.

"Claude, thank you. I love you too"

"I'm sorry I couldn't explain more but please understand it all had to be your decision. It's universal law that no one interfere in the future when the A.P. has a vision."

"I understand. Thank you again Claude for taking such an important role in my life."

The Viking is now standing and what he does next shocks the shit out of me. He walks over and hugs me. Only Brad Pitt walking up and planting a kiss on my lips could be better than this. It's a quick 'man' hug and then he reaches out to shake my hand. His next statement zings me again. Oh this is the day to be shocked and awed.

"Claude, I want to thank you for loving Sookie. As her patriarch may I ask you permission to pursue her?"

"You are welcome and yes Eric you have my blessing"

They return to each other's arms. I will leave them so that they may have some time to themselves. The learned of a harsh possible reality and will need time to reconnect.

"Eric did Sookie inform you that I will be crashing your vacation? Is this alright with you?"

"Yes she informed me and I am glad you will be with us."

"Good, I'm going to leave and gather my things. Did you make your arrangements Eric? Are we going to take Bubba with us?"

"Yes I believe we are taking Bubba, if he would like to go. My day man has two coffins and clothing for us gathered. Where should I have him drop them off?"

"Can he follow us to the small airfield in Shreveport?"

"Yes, I will contact him"

I kiss Sookie on the cheek before I leave. When I reach the door I turn around for one last question.

"Viking?"

"Yes Claude."

"Do you own a pair of Speedo's by chance?"

Sookie's mouth is hanging open and her face is beet red. The Viking snickers and waggles his eyebrows at me before I leave the room.