AN: Here it is, guys, the final chapter! Thanks for sticking this story through to the end!
Enjoy! Happy Reading! :)
Chapter 29
SPOV
I let out an unnecessary sigh, still finding it strange that I no longer need to breathe, as I straighten out my yellow, satin dress. I tilt my head in the mirror, studying my reflection as I find myself grateful once more for the advancements in sunless tanners. I can't say my transition to vampire has been easy exactly, but like all things in life, I've learned to accept the good with the bad, finding myself surprisingly more accepting of my sunless existence than I had previously thought possible.
"Oh, Sookie, you look beautiful," sounds a familiar voice behind me as I turn to take in the friendly, smiling face of Maria-Star.
"Though not nearly as beautiful as you," I return with a grin as her dark eyes light up in excitement. "I'm so happy for you," I tell her, pulling my were friend into a tight embrace, being careful not to wrinkle her flowing, white gown.
"I'm so glad I met you," she says softly, pulling away as her dark eyes brim with unshed tears. "Today wouldn't have even been possible without you, Sookie," she adds, having to wipe away the start of her tears as I shake my head at her.
"Of course it would have, Maria-Star," I assure her, reaching down to take her hand into my own. "Alcide loves you, like all men, he just needed a bit of a push in the right direction," I assess with a smirk, recalling both Eric and my own need for the same, friendly push to begin our relationship.
"I suppose you're right," she agrees with a smile just before a light knocking sounds at the door of the small room. Maria- Star is pulled away then, the rest of the eager bridesmaids beginning to fuss over her once more as I make my way towards the door.
"Alcide," I hiss, slipping into the darkened hallway to close the door firmly behind me. "You know you're not allowed to see the bride before the ceremony," I chastise, earning a gallant shrug from my friend.
"I'm here to see you, actually," he explains, a small frown settling over his handsome face as I gather from his thoughts the source of his sullen demeanor. "I know I've said it a million times already but, God, Sookie, I still can't help feeling like this is all my fault," he admits, his green eyes holding the obvious guilt he still holds over my recent turning.
"Alcide," I sigh out, shaking my head at him. "I already told you, I don't blame you for what happened with Debbie," I assure him, as he shakes his head vehemently.
"But if I had just handed her over to Eric that night," he starts before sighing loudly. "I never should have given her another chance, Sookie; it was foolish of me to think she would change. And if I ever thought she'd actually go the lengths she did to get to you," he trails off miserably as I shake my head, giving my friend a reassuring smile.
"Alcide, believe it or not, things worked out for the best," I assure him, though he remains looking unconvinced as he raises a questioning brow to me. "Alright, so I really didn't see things playing out this way, but I mean it when I say I'm truly happy Alcide. Please don't blame yourself," I beseech, earning a small sigh from my friend as he pulls me into a tight hug.
"I just had to be sure things were alright between us before I could go through with tonight," he explains as I pull away, nodding my understanding. "Just know that I'm here for you, along with the rest of the pack should you ever need anything, got it? And I mean anything," he insists, bringing a light chuckle from me as I start pushing him along the length of the hallway.
"I got it," I assure him through my laughter. "Now get a move on. Things can't get started if the groom is MIA," I tell him, earning a small chuckle from the Alpha werewolf as he starts jogging towards the back of the house, turning back to give me an exuberant smile before disappearing from sight.
It's then that I hear the soft music filling the hallway, sounding out from the backyard and I find soon myself surrounded by the rest of the bridal party, all adorned in identical, yellow dresses before we're trailing outside to meet our male escorts. I meet Quinn's smirking face as his beautiful, lilac eyes shine in delight and happily loop my arm into his as we line up behind the hushed guests who are all looking on with mirroring, excited smiles.
"Lookin' good, babe," Quinn whispers, bringing a smirk to my face. "You know, for a fanger," he adds with a wink as I have to stifle a giggle. Typical Quinn. Though, I have to admit, it's nice to see some things haven't changed.
"Ditto, pussycat," I answer back, shaking my head at my friend before he's leading me down the grassy aisle. We proceed with slow, rhythmic steps and it takes me only a moment to catch the emerald and ocean blue gazes of my two loves as they look on from the crowd with fond smiles. They're both sending me waves of love through the bond and I know I must be grinning like a loon as I return the endearing sentiment, working to line myself with the rest of the bridal party before the gathered guests.
"You're stunning, Lover," Eric thinks at me, sending me a wink over the crowd as I'm filled with the beginnings of lust for my Viking. Damn, that man can still make me weak in the knees with just one, heated look.
"Simply beautiful, my beloved," Godric adds, a warm smile pulling at his lips as he sends me his wordless endearment with a small nod. My undead heart is overflowing with love and it's in this moment I know all we had to go through to get to this moment was all worth it. I'd do it all over again if it only meant I would be gifted with my two soulmates at my sides.
"I love you both," I send them back silently, blowing a kiss before the bridal march begins. The crowd turns then, all taking in the stunning sight of the exuberant bride as she makes her way down the aisle and I find myself having to fight back bloody tears as I watch her meet the teary eyed gaze of Alcide as he impatiently waits for his mate to join him at the altar.
The ceremony is soon underway and my small handkerchief is marked with several crimson stains by the time Alcide dips his new bride at the waist, laying a whopper of kiss upon his Lupa. The crowd is cheering wildly for the newlyweds and the mood is contagious as the lot of us begin making our way to the adjoined tents to proceed with the night's festivities.
Toasts are soon being made and I'm rather relieved to find a number of synthetic bloods being served along with the night's meal, having become accustomed to the odd taste by now as it means I'm granted at least a temporary reprieve before having to consume from a live source. By the time the dance floor is filling with gyrating bodies of the guests, I find myself leaning against a tent post with a small smile, rather overjoyed to see supernaturals of all flavors celebrating as a whole as I hope I've somehow managed to help bring the unlikely groups together like this.
"Sookeh," is said beside me, bringing me from my thoughts and I don't have to turn to know who's speaking as a small grimace comes to my face. Oh, fuck my undead life. Sure enough, I turn to see the rather shocked face of my old neighbor, William Compton, as his mouth falls open in shock.
"Hey, Bill," I return, purely out of forced politeness as I manage a false smile. "How was Peru?"
"You are vampire?" he questions, shaking his head in disbelief as my mind is suddenly assaulted with a torrent of utterly disturbing thoughts streaming from the undead, Civil War veteran. Oh, holy shit. It would seem Bill hasn't been entirely honest about his intentions from the start as I gather he was sent by the state's vampire Queen to 'procure' me for her court, instructed to use any means necessary, including wooing me romantically.
"Billy boy," Eric greets snidely then, sending a condescending sneer to the shocked vampire as my two soulmates' proceed to wrap me in their combined embrace. I had thought it impossible for Bill to look any more shocked, but as he takes in the identities of my companions, I swear his pale chin is practically dragging the ground as realization sets in.
I then feel the combined rage of both Eric and Godric as they, too, discover the much younger vampire's plans for me and know Bill is in for a whole world of hurt as Eric's long fingers are abruptly wrapped around Bill's pale neck.
"Sookie is ours," Eric grits out, his towering form practically trembling with rage as Bill's eyes are bulging out of his head. If he were still human, I'm sure my old neighbor would be pissing his pants right about now.
"You will tell Sophie Anne our lover is off limits, lest she desires a truly gruesome end to her undead life," Godric adds gravely, sending a hate filled glare at the trembling vampire as he nods fervently in Eric's iron like clutches.
"O-of course," Bill stammers out as Eric's grip tightens. I can read from his thoughts that he wants to end our whimpering adversary now and I have half a mind to encourage him to go ahead with his plans before Godric reaches up to place his hand upon his child's shoulder.
"Let him serve as a warning, Eric," Godric wordlessly beseeches as Eric sighs unnecessarily, quickly realizing his Maker is correct about this. I step between them then, snaking my arms around the waists of my two soulmates, sending them a small nod of agreement before Eric unceremoniously drops the poor excuse to our kind to a heap upon the grass. Bill wisely scurries back, sending the three of us terrified eyes and as he quickly disappears into the darkness, I know this impending fight has only just begun.
"Shit," I whisper, shaking my head as Eric and Godric wrap me between them, both sending me waves of serenity. I read their innermost thoughts then, hoping to gain appropriate knowledge of this current threat and can't say I'm exactly thrilled by the threat the Queen could mean for us.
"The Queen of Louisiana is no match for the three of us, my beloved," I hear the ever soothing voice of Godric echoing through my mind. "If she is truly foolish enough to move ahead with her plans of acquiring you, we will not hesitate to destroy her," he assures me as I nod my understanding, already feeling better about this future confrontation within the comforting arms of my two loves.
"That bitch won't so much as lay one of her fucking manicured fingers upon you, Lover, not so long as I have anything to say about it," Eric chimes in silently, bringing a small smirk to my face as I raise my head to meet his cobalt gaze, deciding to put all worries of vampire monarchy aside for the time being. "Now, I believe it is customary for us to join you in dance, Lover," he adds aloud with a wink, holding his much larger hand out to me in offering.
"You can dance?" I question curiously, taking hold of both his and Godric's hands as devious grins come to both their faces.
"We have walked upon this earth for centuries, my love," Godric answers with a smirk as both my vampires place their arms firmly upon my waist. "We've managed to pick up a thing or two in that time," he assures me, sending a wink to Eric just before I find myself being expertly twirled over the dance floor. I soon find myself giggling in delight, my body being easily maneuvered between my loves as the three of us proceed to tear up the dance floor.
"Oh, I just love this song," I muse silently as the peppy, pop song soon quiets and the soft, harmonic love song begins to play. A soft smile graces my lips as I find myself pressed closely between my soulmates as our bodies begin rocking gently to the rhythm together. My eyes flutter closed and I could swear my feet aren't even touching the ground as I'm flooded with overwhelming love and utter happiness.
"Lover," Eric whispers against my ear. I hum back softly in return to bring a low, rumbling chuckle from the Viking that only manages to widen my contented smile.
"Open your eyes, my love," Godric whispers into my opposite ear then. I oblige him, looking between them curiously before realization sets in.
"Oh!" I gasp out in surprise, realizing we really are floating over the dance floor as we're now hovering several feet above the other wedding guests. Eric and Godric's hold upon me loosens then and I begin to panic, reaching out for them as I fear I'm only moments away from crash landing to the wooden floor below.
"Let go, Lover, you'll be just fine, I promise," Eric's assured voice sounds through my mind, as I take in a deep, unnecessary breath before nodding my agreement, knowing I can implicitly trust whatever it is he tells me.
"You've got it, my beloved," Godric's voice chimes in encouragingly through my mind as I quickly realize I'm floating above the crowd fully on my own accord. I can't help the huge grin that graces my face as I proceed to clap excitedly, already itching to take this newfound power of mine out for a test drive.
"Come, Lover," Eric says then, reaching his hand toward me as a knowing grin crosses his own face. I take firm hold as I feel Godric's fingers lacing through the fingers of my opposite hand and am soon squealing in delight as the three of us proceed to launch ourselves from the confines of the pristine tent to spiral merrily through the starry, night sky of the bayou.
"This is amazing!" I cry out, quickly gaining control over how to maneuver my flight as the three of us continue to speed across the moonlit night. I may not exactly love all the changes that having become vampire has meant for me, but this is certainly a perk I know I'll enjoy sharing with my loves.
"Race you home?" Eric's voice sounds through my mind then as I glance over to see the obvious challenge shining in his blue eyes as he smirks over at me.
"Oh, you're so on," I answer back wordlessly, earning a mirroring grin from Godric before I let go of both their hands and we're racing forward at invisible speeds. I can hardly describe the utter freedom I feel as I slice through the cool night air, my hair whipping wildly behind me as I soon take the lead.
"Ha!" I cry out in triumph, my foot hitting the front yard only milliseconds before their own as I continue to sprint ahead, having to slowly come to a stop after hitting such high speeds. "I win!" I shout out, raising my arms high into the air as I jump up and down upon the front porch. Eric and Godric shake their heads at me, matching smirks gracing both their faces as they wrap their arms around one another's shoulders.
"What prize could possibly be adequate of such an astounding victory, my beloved?" Godric questions, raising a questioning brow at me just before I'm hit with the combined, rising lusts of my two loves.
"It seems the two of you have something in mind," I coo in return, fluttering my lashes teasingly as they join me upon the porch.
"That we do, Lover," Eric answers before his lips are pressed against my own, kissing me tenderly as an anticipatory shiver runs through me. "So tell us, Sookie," he says, pulling away from our kiss with a small smile. "Do you regret having to trade the sun for the moon and stars?" he questions and I don't have to think over my answer for even a second as I begin shaking my head.
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat," I answer back honestly, earning matching grins from my loves as I feel their combined joy flowing through me. I grin up at them, knowing full well our futures are apt to hold numerous dangers and likely many adversaries, but I also know so long as the three of us are together, we will overcome anything that comes our way.
I have my two, fated soulmates with me; the three of us sharing an unparalleled love that I know with certainty will last for centuries to come. What else could an undead girl like me possibly ask for?
THE END
