Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday! I own nothing of the Sookie Stackhouse Novels. blah blah blah.. vampire emergency. blah. We're getting close to the vacation! Lot's of things are still brewing! Thanks for the reviews! The are addictive.. like Viking Kisses!

Chapter 26

Eric's POV

The first thing I become aware of for the night is her smell and then her warmth. She is stretched out along my side stroking my arm. I roll my body towards her so that I can wrap her in my arms. My words from long ago ring through my mind. This is best. This is right.

"Good evening Lover"

"Mmmm. Good evening to you!"

She is nuzzling her face along my chest. I begin to kiss the top of her head and as low as I can get on her face until she turns her head up so that I can reach her lips. Her kiss is like no others. Before Sookie, I was not one for such an intimate act. I fed and fucked. I did not kiss and cuddle. I hardly ever gave a woman oral sex. It was too personal. It was as if kissing a woman anywhere gave them the notion that I liked them. I did not want anyone to believe I had feelings for them; even if I did glamour them afterwards. When I am with Sookie I could kiss her for hours. I embrace the feeling of intimacy when with her.

"Claude is coming to the room in a few minutes. He wants to speak with us. Did your day man get everything together? Oh! And I forgot about Bubba. Claude said we can take him with us."

"I think taking Bubba is a good idea. He would be worried about you if we didn't. He was not dealing very well with the situation when he saw that you looked so ill. I had my day guy get all of my things as well as Bubba's. We can ask him if he wants to go."

"Is there anything else we need to take care of?"

"I only need to call Pam. I will inform her that I am leaving for an undetermined amount of time and I wish to find out how her punishment went last night."

"I forgot all about checking the website. Should I be concerned about what happened with her last night?"

"No I'm sure Pam is fine and will be more cautious when it comes to other's feelings now. I can see that you showered and are ready to go. Did you get a chance to eat yet?"

"Yes Claude and I had dinner. Can I warm you a blood or do you need…"

"Lover I am fine. Please warm me a blood and I will grab a quick shower. I'll go to my room for my things and return right back. Dear one I don't need to feed every night. We will figure out when we are ready for you to take care of my nutritional needs later on. Please don't think that I don't want to feed from you. I want us to ease back into intimate acts. Right now I'm afraid we won't 'behave' and we have to leave soon yes?"

"Yes we do have to leave and Claude will be here soon."

"Come here Lover"

She walks over to me and wraps her arms around my waist. I don't want her to doubt that I want her. I want all of her; her body, her soul, her love, simply all of her. I place my fingers under her chin and tilt her head towards mine. My lips begin to lower towards hers. It's like magic when we connect. Through the bond I can feel her doubt leaving; in its place is passion and love. I get lost in the feel of her lips and tongue dancing with mine. She tastes so good and feels even better. I feel her press her body against mine. We continue like this for a few more moments. I allow my lips to leave hers just enough that I can whisper against her lips as I tell her I love her. She responds in kind and we separate to finish out tasks before her cousin arrives.

I hear the knock on the door and go to answer it.

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

I have heard every pickup line out there but some are just so plain stupid. He needs some new ones. I smirk at him and walk away. I hear Sookie threaten him and have to laugh. She is buzzing around the room straightening up. I can't keep my hands off of her. The moment she is close to me I reach out 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."

Claude gets our attention to begin the conversation he wants to have with us. I lead her to the couch and listen intently to what he begins to tell us.

"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 the 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 felt about each other and I want to help you both in any way I can. Is this ok with you both?"

He spoke to the Pythoness. She never has anyone help her when her vision calls to her. The outcome must have been very bad if she called someone in on this. Oh Freya! Please don't let me loose her now. Not after we finally got this chance. He said that we are in the 'good' vision she saw. This means the danger has passed. He still wants to protect her and help us. Can there be more danger? We both agree we want Claude's guidance.

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

I need to know what could have been and if there is more for us to worry about.

"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 tighten my hold on her. Oh by the Gods! I almost lost her. She was going to kill herself. I would have lost any rational part of me. I would have torn the world apart in my rage. Please Freya! I beg of you, please let her be safe now!

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

I knew what the words would be before they left his mouth but they still struck my heart like a stake. I gather her while she cries. I'm not sure if she even realized how bad it was while she was going through it. I thank the Gods for her Grandmother, Claudine and Claude. I will be forever in debt to him for what he has done 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'."

Sookie is up on her feet practically knocking him over in her efforts to thank him. I let them have their moment and I do something I have rarely ever done. I approach him with my thanks. He has helped save us and has vowed to help us honor each other. I express my gratitude and ask him for his permission to be with her. I respect him and make sure he knows this.

"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"

I need to hold her. I reach out and take my Lover back into my arms.

We go over the final details of what needs to be done before we leave. I am learning that Claude likes to torment. He always feels the need to lighten our mood. I'm going to enjoy spending time with him.

"Viking?"

"Yes Claude."

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

I chuckle at him and give him Sookie's favorite eye brow waggles as he leaves the room.

Sookie is still holding on to me snickering for a minute or two after Claude leaves. I gently kiss the top of her head before I break free from her.

"Lover is there anything you need to do before we leave. I would like to talk to Bubba."

"I'm packed and ready to go. Should I go find Bubba?"

"There is no need lover I can hear him pacing around the hallway waiting patiently for you to ask him to come in."

This is what it must be like to have children. Bubba is wonderful with her and cares very much but he is very child like. I hope she knows what she is in for with him and now Claude. This is going to be a very interesting trip. Oh hell what are we going to feed Bubba? He prefers cats. I have no idea where we are going or if they have a feline population large enough to sustain him. I'm generally not one to care what others think but I hope the neighbors don't have cats. I'm going to have to talk to him. Sookie goes to the door to let him in. He enters and as he passes her I can see him glance at her neck. SHIT! He going to think me or someone else tried to attack her. I got carried away. I'm impressed those are quite the hickeys; I haven't lost my touch!

"Bubba, Sookie and I would like to ask you something. Come on in"

"Mr. Eric! Who tried to attack Ms. Sookie! Tell me who and I will fix them. They marked her neck and it didn't look like that before! Why didn't you stop them?"

"Bubba calm down. It was me. I was kissing her little too rough but its fine. It's a hickey Bubba and those marks are ok. Sookie and I are together again and things are going to be fine. We want to know if you would like to go on a trip with us. We are leaving tonight."

"I go where Ms. Sookie goes. I'd like to go on a trip with you two. Do you reckon that they might have some cats there?"

"They might not have any cats. You will have to drink bottled blood. I will have Sookie fix it special just for you. Will that be ok?"

If I can convince him Sookie needs him to drink and she makes it just for him… Maybe just maybe he'll behave. Why does this have to be so difficult?

"Anything for Ms. Sookie! I'm gonna go get some dinner. When do you want me back Mr. Eric?"

"Come back in an hour Bubba and we will leave. Be careful when you hunt."

"Yes sir."

Sookie is trying to hold her laughter in. After Bubba leaves the room, she lets loose. She is holding her side and laughing.

"Eric! I can't believe you had to tell him a hickey was ok! You are so patient with him. He's lucky to have you. It's weird though I feel like we're taking a pet with us."

I am laughing now because I referred to him in my mind as a child.

"I see him more like a toddler than a cocker spaniel. I need to call Pam before we go. Let's sit on the couch and you listen to her grovel about how bad last night was."

She laughed a bit more before she joined me on the couch. I called Pam so that we could listen to her whine.