"Stay with me."
"Uh, we live together you big dummy."
The look in his eye was not one of amusement. He is serious. About what though, I don't want to know.
"Stay. With. Me."
"Eric, honey… I don't understand—"
"I don't want to lose you, Sookie. Not now. Not later. Not ever. Do you understand that?"
I nod. I lick my lips, waiting for my mouth to open and say something. Nothing comes out.
"I know how you feel about becoming vampire. I know how you feel about watching everyone you love pass away. But you don't know how I feel about watching you, over time, fade away. I don't want that. I want you with me. Always."
I sigh. "I … I don't know what to say."
"Yes. That's what I need you to say. Nothing else. Just yes. It doesn't have to happen right this second. I just need to know that it will happen. That you will stay with me. Please."
Without my knowing it, tears roll down my cheeks as I listen to Eric's deepest thoughts being exposed, one by one.
"Sookie, I didn't have this choice, and I already promised you I wouldn't make it for you. This is the once and for all conversation. You give me an answer now and I'll never ask you again."
I swallow, hard. My mouth feels like I haven't had water in a year and I feel lightheaded. It isn't an ultimatum but I feel backed into a corner. But if I give him an answer now, we won't talk about it again.
"If I answer you now and its no, will you still love me the same?"
"My love for you will never change. I want the time to prepare myself."
"I need time. Just… time."