A/N: I do not own any characters or the world of True Blood, but I do like to play in it.

Sorry it's been so long between updates, but I've got the first draft of the book finished now and I'm on vacation this week so hopefully I'll have a little more time for fun writing now. (I can hope, right?)

"We've never done that before," she reminded him.

"Not for lack of trying on my part," he smirked. "Do you see now why I wished you to share my blood?"

"And here I thought it was because now I'm your wife," she smiled, snuggling into his chest.

Eric's laughter rumbled again and he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "There is food if you are hungry… I had thought to offer the ring after you'd eaten, but I confess I grew impatient."

"That's okay, maybe later, right now I don't want to move, I'm too comfortable," she sighed happily. It was a pity they couldn't ever have a real wedding with a white dress and the church and Jason walking her down the aisle with the whole nine yards, but this was pretty perfect too. Besides, she'd chosen him in her heart and that had to count for something.

"Then I have made you happy?" He tilted her face up to meet his.

"Let me show you just how happy…" with renewed vigor, Sookie slid atop her husband, eager to show him the benefits of that enhanced stamina his blood had given her.

It was nearing dawn when they returned home to collapse into each other's embrace. If Eric noticed the change in Sookie, he didn't remark upon it…

"You look different," Rob commented as soon as she'd crested the stairs.

"I do? Sookie immediately checked her reflection in the mirror to see if something was amiss. It was true; she seemed to glow from within, her hair had a more lustrous sheen, her skin smooth and flawless. Fairly bursting with vigor and good health, she admired the effect. It would have been romantic to call it love, but Sookie knew it had more to do with drinking Eric's blood. The same thing had happened before with Bill's blood, this was just more… more.

"She looks radiant," Eric appeared at her side, bending to lave his tongue over the flutter of pulse at her neck. "Hurry and go get ready, we don't want to be late."

"Ready for what?" She blinked. Was this going to be the norm now? Constantly waking to plans that had already been set in motion? While she knew that Eric was a planner, it did chafe a little that he never kept her in the loop. "Where are we going this time?"

"A party in your honor, so wear something ravishing."

"A party for me? Why didn't you tell me about it?"

"I didn't want to ruin the surprise, plus… there might not have been a party at all if you hadn't accepted me."

"Oh… so it's sort of like a wedding reception after the fact?"

"More like an engagement party."

Her brows drew together in puzzlement. "I thought we were already married?"

"We are, Beloved. In out hearts and in the eyes of the Gods, but is there no woman alive or dead who would not like to celebrate with a formal ceremony?"

"A real wedding, do you mean it?" Sookie's eyes went soft and dreamy at the thought. Though she did sort of think of herself as Eric's wife since his proposal, she had to admit the idea of being married in front of friends and family did have its own appeal.

"I would not deprive you of the chance to stroll down the aisle draped in finery for all the world to see you choose me as your mate," he chuckled.

Stunned into silence, her mind spinning at the possibilities that opened up before her, Sookie wrapped her arms around his shoulders, clinging to him fiercely, loving him for having taken the time to think about her wants too. "Thanks for understanding," she whispered into his neck.

"I'll go and see to the car," Rob murmured and Sookie felt a stab of guilt for having forgotten altogether that he was there. Eric did that to her sometimes, blotted out everything else until all she saw was him.

"We have time enough to plan for such an occasion, only hurry and go change now, we don't want to keep our guests waiting." Eric gave her behind a pat, gently shooing her towards the stairs. Sookie went down to the closet, wondering what she owned that might be suitable. Deciding that the black cocktail dress that Alcide bought her on their trip to Mobile was probably the best option, she dressed swiftly, adding the elegant touches she knew Eric liked to see on her. Strange that she'd come to feel so comfortable in diamonds in such a short time, and her a girl who'd spent most of her life too poor to get cable TV…

Ascending the stairs again, Sookie waited to see the look on Eric's face when he saw her, loving that moment when she was able see plainly on his face how much she pleased him. His wolfish grin did not disappoint, and her answering smile was buoyant. "How do I look?" She turned a slow circle, feeling his gaze over her body.

"Good enough to consider being fashionably late," he smirked. "I have not seen you in this dress before, it suits you."

"Thanks, I got it in Mobile when I was shopping with Alcide. Actually he bought it for me as sort of a peace offering."

The smile died on his lips. "Go and change."

"What for? You just said it suits me," she protested, trying to figure out where things had derailed.

"I'll not have you go to our engagement party wearing the trappings of another man, go and change."

"Don't be silly, you said we were running late," she waved away his concern.

"Sookie… do not test my patience, change out of that dress at once or I will tear it from your body," his eyes flashed dangerously.

That was just the last straw. If things were going to work between them, he had to learn that he couldn't order her around like some flunkie. "Eric Northman, you quit acting like you own me," Sookie huffed, the blood starting to pump a little faster in her veins. "I happen to like this dress and I'm not gonna get rid of it just because you don't like who bought it for me."

Eric's hands opened and closed as he visibly tried to calm himself. "Sookie," he began in a cajoling tone. "You have agreed that you are my wife, and that you will accede to my decisions."

"Yeah that's right, I'm your wife, not your property. And I agreed to go along with your decisions where my safety is concerned, not just because you got your ego in a twist. Nobody knows he bought it for me, so what's the big deal?"

"I will know that he bought it for you and he will know. That is enough."

"Well get over it cause I'm not gonna go change." Sookie's hands went to her hips, digging in for a protracted argument. Eric might be older and bigger and stronger than she was, but she'd be damned if she was gonna let him run roughshod over her whenever he got his knickers in a knot. "Now are you gonna stop acting like a big baby and take me to our party or are we gonna have words about this?

Eric stared at her, unmoving, unblinking, absolutely stock still in the way that only vampires can manage and for a moment she thought he was going to really let her have it. Instead he capitulated without any human sign of regret, no long suffering sigh, no counter offer, just a hundred eighty degree shift. "Alright, let's go." He held out his arm and she took it after a moment's hesitation, trying to gauge the sudden shift. The question begged asking, what had that victory just cost her?

Fangtasia was packed.

Mostly with vampires and a few of the two natured, but there were humans sprinkled in among them, their eyes having that slightly dazed look at being surrounded by so many supernatural creatures. Most of them were unknown to Sookie, but of course Eric knew them all on sight, greeting their guests by name with a blend of charm and a cool aloofness which served to remind all of his position. This was his area, and save a special appearance from the Queen, his was the final word of authority.

This gave Sookie a kind of celebrity status as his intended that she wasn't used to. Oh sure she was used to having people stare at her down in Bon Temps, but she wasn't used to all the flattery and kowtowing from others trying to gain a few moments of face time with Eric. It wasn't nearly as much fun as she'd thought it might be, especially given her ability to read through just how false some of those congratulations were. But her standard smile remained fixed and she developed the ability to talk without losing it for a sort of running commentary to Eric as they circulated through the crowd.

"Actually she thinks your staff is dressed far too vulgar but then again she's sorta stuck back in Victorian times…"

"That guy is just waiting for you to screw up so he can get in good with Sophie Anne…"

"Yeah she's hoping you don't ask her about her about the mess her Child made about a month back, she's been working hard to clean it up without the authorities noticing…"

Eric took all of these proclamations in stride, giving no notice that he was shocked or surprised by any of it, but she could tell his thoughts were percolating over how to best take advantage of the insight she'd given him. Finally he took his leave to see to some business and Sookie was cast adrift to find her own way in the crowd. Spotting a familiar pair of broad shoulders, Sookie made her way across the room to say hi to Alcide who stood in the corner, looking acutely uncomfortable in present company and nursing a beer.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here tonight, thanks for coming," she leaned forward to drop a kiss on his cheek, surprised to see such a sour expression on his face as she pulled back.

"You look beautiful," he rumbled, looking as though he'd just lost his best friend.

"I don't know if I believe a man who looks so down in the mouth when he's paying me a compliment," she teased, trying to get him to lighten up. "Is there something I should be worried about or you just got a sour stomach tonight?"

Alcide didn't pull any punches, getting right to the heart of his concerns. "Are you sure you're doing the right thing?"

Sookie blinked in surprise, immediately intuiting that he was referring to her agreeing to marry Eric. "He makes me happy." What else could she say?

Taking a half step closer, he picked up her hand, a bold move in Eric's own club. "I could make you happy," he tried, a flare of hope in his eyes.

"Alcide don't…" Tugging her hand free before there was some kind of incident, Sookie tried to find the right balance between letting him down gently and not leading him on. "Look I'm not gonna say I haven't ever thought of you that way because we both know it's not true. But me and Eric…" she struggled to put her feelings to words and came up short. "I don't know what to say except that it's magic and in a strange way, I think he kinda needs me."

"And I don't?" His brows knit together into a single dark line.

"No, I don't think you do," she shook her head. Or it would have been a lot harder to leave her be for such long stretches of time. If Alcide had truly needed her he wouldn't have taken no for an answer, just like Eric hadn't ever stopped in his siege on her heart. "You'll be just fine Alcide, trust me. One of these days you're gonna meet your true mate and then you'll look back on these lukewarm feelings you have about me and wonder how you ever even thought it could be love." Not that he'd said the L word, but he'd been edging towards it.

"Lukewarm…" Alcide snorted, "I can show you heat that no vampire could ever give you." For a moment Sookie was afraid he'd take her in his arms and then all hell would break loose, but after a pregnant pause he seemed to recall his surroundings. "But if he's the one that makes you happy…" a long heartfelt sigh was given, "I wish you the best of luck."

"Thanks, that means the world to me." And it was true; Sookie really hoped that they could keep their friendship without things getting nasty or uncomfortable between them.

"You're gonna need it," he muttered, tipping up the last of the beer, he slammed the empty down on a nearby table as he stalked away. Sookie watched him go, a pucker of worry appearing on her brow that was quickly smoothed away as Rob sidled up to her.

"You did that well, he could become a dangerous enemy," Rob observed quietly.

Sookie's brows came up in surprise. "Alcide? He would never hurt me." Just the idea was ludicrous.

Rob gave a half shrug. "People do strange things for love."

Sookie mulled that over for a moment. "That might be true but I don't think he ever loved me, not really."

"No?"

"No, or he wouldn't have let me go so easy." Eric would have fought for what he wanted, even if the very act of fighting for it might have destroyed it, it was just the way he was wired. Her husband to be was easy to understand in that respect.

"Not even if he wanted you to be happy?"

There was something in his voice when Rob said the words that made Sookie look at him more carefully. Was he saying…?

"Congratulations Sookie." Rob leaned in and kissed her on the cheek before moving away without another word, leaving her staring after him. There was no time to reflect on it though as the crush of guests crowded around her, eager to press the flesh and offer their own congratulations. Sookie got the distinct impression that most of the snootier ones wouldn't have given her the time of day before Eric had claimed her as his own, and there was a perverse pleasure in watching them squirm in her presence while she deliberately talked about mundane things like her very human life as a waitress.

It was tiring, pretending to be interested in hearing how Joe Schmo vampire's lineage tied him to other high muckety mucks in the kingdom or the Queen or Eric. Apparently bloodlines were a pretty major topic of conversation in a group of vampires that were all trying to one up each other though and she did her best to nod and smile through it all. A recurring theme surfaced time and again, and Sookie at first tried to brush it off. But the more she got asked when Eric was going to turn her into a vampire, the more it occurred to her; was that what Eric had in mind as the next step for them?

The more she thought about it, the quieter she got, until by the end of the night she had retreated into her own contemplation, allowing Eric to steer her home like an oversized doll.

"You seem subdued, beloved. Did you enjoy your party?" He asked with a brief kiss as they returned to the house.

"Yeah it was the bees knees," she murmured behind a yawn. "Eric can I ask you something?"

"Can I stop you?" He smirked.

"I'm serious, there's something we should probably talk about from the sound of things."

"That sounds ominous," Eric smiled again, pressing a kiss to her neck. "Having second thoughts already?"

"No, nothing like that," she replied quickly. "It's just… are you planning on turning me into a vampire?"

Eric gave her that unblinking stare that let her know she'd caught him off guard. "Would you like me to turn you?" He countered finally.

"Is that something that you want?"

"Is this a trick question?" His head canted to one side in puzzlement.

"No, I'm just asking if that's your ultimate goal is all."

"My ultimate goal? You make it sound as if I'm mounting an offensive against you, Sookie. My ultimate goal as you put it, is to love you as you deserve to be loved, nothing else."

"But you would like it if I was a vampire just the same as you?" She pressed stubbornly.

"It would ensure that we would spend all eternity together, that is true," he said carefully, as if he was expecting her to pounce upon his words.

"Christ on a cracker Eric, can't you just tell me if that's something you want or not?" Sookie threw up her hands in exasperation. Normally he had no problems telling her what he wanted in no uncertain terms, why the diplomacy now?

Eric placed his hands on her shoulders, drawing her close. "Yes and no." He laid a single finger across her lips when she opened her mouth to protest his response. "I admit, the idea of sharing the night with you is appealing in many ways that you can't possibly appreciate as a human. But at the same time, it is your humanity that drew me to you." His finger feathered across her plump lower lip, the expression on his face revealing that he still didn't quite understand how she (a mere mortal) had gotten under his skin. "I find no fault in allowing you your humanity. For now."

For now.

Sookie sensed that this subject wasn't over and done with by a long shot, but she was grateful that he could at least see that there was value in her remaining among the living.

"What about you my love, what is it that you want?" Eric asked.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "It's not like I never thought about it before, but there's so much that's unknown. What if it doesn't work? I mean I'm not all human. Have you ever heard of a faerie being turned into a vampire?" What if it made her turn into some kind of hybrid monster? Okay so she probably wouldn't turn into a sci-fi movie monster of the week, but it was enough to give her pause.

"No I have not, but that doesn't mean it can't be done," he answered soberly and she could see that it was something he'd already thought of as well.

"I wonder if I should ask Claudine if it's possible?" Sookie wondered aloud.

"Then you are thinking about it?" Eric's eyes blazed with warmth.

"Whoa, hold your horses now," she pressed a hand to his chest. "I just want to know if it's a possibility before I get too deep into thinking about it. No sense in borrowing trouble if it's not even doable, right?"

"As you wish, beloved. Now, let me share a taste of the pleasures that await you should you decide to join me in eternal bliss." His wolfish grin held no doubt as to what he had in mind as he swept her up and whisked her down to their bedroom in the blink of an eye.

Oh yeah, Sookie was all kinds of familiar with those particular perks, but she let him do a little more convincing until the arrival of dawn sent them to a deep sleep, where her dreams were overrun with vampire paparazzi; their fangs glistening as bright as flashbulbs as they chased her into the night.

A/N: Okay so I was delusional, True Blood's not coming back till the end of June? What kind of heresy is this? I was expecting it in May! Evil, evil, evil… Good thing the new book is already out! I won't give any spoilers, but I did enjoy it overall.

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