A/N: Oh, what fresh level of hell is this? I have my end goal (of this story) wound up inside the black muck of my brain, and I just can't poop it out. Argh! And I'm crabby because I haven't had a good sexy time chapter since I started this back up. It's all muddled with convos and the like, which is fine, but bloody effing hell, they need some inny-outy time for stinks sake. That textual diarrhea translates to: Sorry for the stalling, incessant character chit-chat and lack of weddings and sex because I'm a fucktard. I just can't force it, it has to skip out of my mind like Paris Hilton with a Louis Vuitton dildo. Read: like a skank without a care in the world. Anyhoo-not sure why I am so vulgar tonight with the bowel movement refs (ie, poop, diarrhea, Paris), so deal. Uhmm...below is a link (assuming I did it correctly-minus the spaces)to some pics that I think describe my ideas for rings, dress, hair, location, etc. Seems a lil old-fashioned way to do it, as I noticed there is an image manager here (on FF) that is new since I last updated this story almost 2 years ago. But I've had those pics there for a while, so it just seems easier. We are getting closer, I swear. The wedding is in the next chapter. As always, all characters, except for the ones I've created, belong to the great Charmander (Charlaine Harris), I've just borrowed them for play time. Please forgive any typos-I have no beta, my eyes are bleeding yadayada. And love youz guyz for all the follows and comments. *bear hug, ball slap, wet willy

h.t.t.p. : / / s972. photobucket albums /ae206/ clferhatovic/ Life% 20in% 20Death/

Chapter 34

"Hurry, close the door, before he sees me!" Sookie gasped.

"Miss Sookie, he's going to have to see you. You two have to fly to El Yunque tonight." But Lucinda complied anyway.

"I know, I know. I just want to make sure he at least doesn't see me until I have the whole look together. I haven't even looked yet." She stood up and looked at her reflection. Her mouth hung open in amazement. Lucinda had swept the hair from her brow and temples, made two loose braids along the top and sides of her head that then blended into the back of her hair, which was loose in her natural waves. Her makeup was very subtle but done in such a way as Sookie had never had done before-it was stunning. With her tan and frequent ingestion of vampire blood, she had no need for foundation or blush. It was mostly just eyes and lips. Shimmery eyeshadow, smoky gray eyeliner that really made the blue of her eyes pop and a light coat of mascara. For lips, a pink tinted lip gloss, with a shade darker lip liner. She couldn't stop looking at herself. It was just the right amount Viking influence with the braids, but fairy-like with her loose waves and ethereal makeup. Sookie started misting up.

"No-no-no. Don't you dare! No crying until after your photos." Lucinda waggled her finger at her.

Eric chose that moment to knock on the door. "Sookie? Are you okay? What's wrong?"

Fanning her face to ward off tears, "Don't you dare come in here, Eric Northman, or I will skin your hide."

"How is that a threat? Can we start right now?" He jiggled the doorknob to tease her, as if he couldn't just knock it down with his pinky if he wanted.

"Eric!" She pretended to sound mad. "I want to at least wait till I have everything put together. I'd rather you not see me till the actual ceremony, but since we're flying in the same plane together..." she trailed off.

"You do realize I have seen the dress already? He snarked.

"I know, but not ON ME, smarty!"

He chuckled, then paused, "Would you rather me fly myself to the site and you can come separately on the plane? That would solve the problem. I would just ask that Manny accompany you for safety reasons. Give me a moment to ask him" without waiting for her answer.

Lucinda looked impressed, "Your vampire can fly? Wow...Wow."

Sookie snickered and boasted, "Yeah, he's pretty awesome."

"I heard that, lover, and I'm glad you agree." Brat! "Manny is available to escort you. I will fly to the park and you can fly the slow, boring way. Is that acceptable?"

Sookie excitedly clapped her hands. "Yes! Eric, that is such a good idea. Do you mind horribly?"

"Whatever makes you happiest my love."

She started to mist up again, but Lucinda gave her the stink eye, so she waved her hands at her eyes again. Though she didn't realize she was worried about such a traditional aspect of the ceremony, she felt like that was the last piece of the puzzle. She was only sad that she had to wait that long to kiss him. But, she thought wryly, with all the sex they'd been having, it would do them good to wait a few hours for something as innocent as a kiss.

"Thank you sooo much b-" almost said baby "-Eric. You are the most wonderful, amazing husband a woman could ask for."

"Sookie, if you keep talking like that, I WILL see your dress, right before I rip it off you, right there in that bathroom."

"Eric!" She blushed beet red "Lucinda's in here with me!", while Lucinda looked at her, pressing her lips together to suppress her laughter.

"And your point, my soon to be wife?"

"Gah! You make me crazy!"

"Good. Now you know what it feels like."

"Ooooh..." she clenched her fist and shook it in the air as if he could see it from the other side of the door.

"Ah ah, love. This is supposed to be a serene, magical event. Don't sully it with that 'Old Sookie' attitude." She heard him trail off, laughing at his own dig at her.

She couldn't contain her giggle. She wasn't mad at all. It was cute when he ribbed her, since he so rarely did. Plus, she HAD been a giant pain in the ass; she couldn't deny that.

Lucinda cleared her throat, "Yes, well, now that is settled. How about I make sure Manny gets him dressed and out the door and then we can get you all dressed and ready. You are wearing the dress on the plane, right?"

Sookie nervously wrung her hands, the anxiety was starting to creep in. "I was worried it would get all wrinkled from sitting so long before the ceremony."

"Miss Sookie, that's what portable steam irons are for! I brought one assuming you would need it. Most brides do. The last thing you need to do when you get there is then have to get dressed."

"Oh. Well, I didn't think of that. Okay, that solves yet another problem! Cool!"

"You stay here and I will go get your dress, shoes and veil and see how Manny is coming along." Lucinda slipped out of the room. Sookie locked the door.

A few seconds later, there was a knock. "Senorita Sookie, it's Manny. You have barely had any food today. I have brought you a tray of your favorite fruits and some cheeses."

Her stomach flopped, "Ugh-I am so not hungry right now, Manny. Thank you but-"

He interrupted, "Miss, if you don't accept it, Mr. Northman has advised me he will feed you himself. The coast is clear may I come in?"

Sookie sighed, there was no use fighting it, maybe it would kill some time while Eric got ready. "Fine", she opened the door and he set it on the vanity and left. Sookie locked the door again, as if it would do a lick of good, if Eric decided he wanted in. Looking at the food, she thought she really should at least try to eat, for the baby's sake. She nibbled a piece of cheese then ate a piece of fruit. After that, she felt a little more hungry, so dug in. She ended up eating the whole tray in less than five minutes. Wow, guess I was hungry, after all. She washed her hands, brushed her teeth with her fingers and used some mouthwash she found under the sink. Digging in the bag of makeup, she re-applied her lip gloss and liner, paced, fidgeted with her hair, then stopped herself before she messed it up. She felt an overwhelming sense of calm come from Eric and so sat back down. She looked at her fingers and toes-peeling off any polish imperfections outside the nails. She wondered how the whole ceremony would work-what would it look like, would they do the marriage first, then the Second Bond? All things she forgot to ask. But knowing him, it's all taken care of the the nth degree and then some.

She felt a little bad they weren't doing it with Jason or any of her other friends back home and hoped they wouldn't be mad. But that could only increase the potential for drama, whether it was from Jason causing a scene or from the typical kidnapping, bombing or stabbing that seemed to occur in her presence. Yes, this was just for them. If it was that big a deal, or if she still felt like it once they were home, maybe they could have some type of mock ceremony or reception to satisfy everyone. Eric may need to hold some kind of shindig to announce their Second Bond, she never knew how all that worked. She felt herself getting pulled into deeper thoughts about all the politics awaiting them, when Eric's voice at the door snapped her out of her reverie.

"Lover, Are you still certain you'll be okay flying without me? I know it's not your favorite thing to do."

She walked up to her side of the door and rested her head against it, as if it could somehow make her closer to him. "Well, of course I'd rather you be with me, but I'm willing to sacrifice it for the ceremony. I really want you to be surprised."

"Alright, Lucinda and I thought it might be best if she traveled with you and Manny. Then she can fix any wrinkles or makeup miss-haps if need be. The flight should be about 90 minutes. Manny has the luggage ready and will get you to the airport. I'll stall here, while you guys get a head start."

She put her hand on the door, as if it were his chest and sighed, "You think of everything. I love you. And thank you." She felt a huge surge of love come from him and she gave it right back.

"As I love you, my Sookie. You have made me the happiest vampire to ever walk the Earth." They both fell silent for a few seconds. "Okay, I've been banished to the upstairs chamber, so you may make a clean getaway. See you soon." And he was gone.

She teared up at his absence. Okay, seriously? That's ridiculous if we can't be apart for a few minutes without me feeling all weepy.

Right then, there was a curt knock, then Lucinda, "It's me."

She opened the door and Lucinda whisked into the room with the dress in it's garment bag and shoes in hand. She also had a sundress, sandals, the steam iron and a few other sundries in a tote.

"So, new plan. Since we will have 90 minutes and we will be on a private charter plane to the location, why don't we just get you dressed on the plane? That will keep you occupied, if even for a little while and cut down on wrinkles, since you won't be sitting in it, on the ride to the airport."

"Hmm...That does sound like a better plan. Good thinking."

"I can't take credit, Miss. That was Senor Northman."

Sookie rolled her eyes and felt appreciative at the same time. "Of course it was. Always the thinker."

"Okay, good. Put this on." Lucinda handed her one of the sundresses she hadn't worn yet and some flip flops and Sookie quickly slipped them on.

"You're sure he won't see me when we go out to the car?"

"He crossed his heart and swore no peeking."

"Hmph." But, she guessed, that's the best she would get.

After one more check to be sure, they decided they had everything. Sookie grabbed the tote, took a deep breath and headed for the happily ever after she never thought she'd be lucky enough to see.