Chapter 58 –The Honor of Your Presence
Author's Note: This is the chapter a lot of you have been waiting patiently for… For the processional for the wedding you should go to Youtube and listen to "Mo Ghrá Thú" by Aoife Ní Fhearraigh, and for the recessional you should listen to "A Walk on Belfast" by The Belfast Harp Orchestra. Remember, Sookie told us that fairies would be providing the wedding music. And now, on with the story…
My eyes slowly opened. Sleeping was so different from vampire day death. I looked over at the clock, and it was after one o'clock in the afternoon. Well, at least I would be well rested for my wedding. I felt myself yawn… again. That was so weird; I don't think I had yawned in over a thousand years until recently. I got out of bed and stretched as usual, and again it felt better than usual.
I'd only been awake for a few moments, but I thought I was doing pretty well about not fixating on my upcoming wedding.
I slipped on a pair of my black satin lounge pants, walked over to the computer to swish the mouse, and grabbed the remote to turn on the television. And I yawned again. Even though I had at least three Royalty Blendeds last night, I got a bag of blood, heated it, and then poured it into a mug. I knew I would be around a lot of fairies tonight, and even though their scents would be covered, I wanted to make sure I was in total control. Somehow, I didn't think Sookie would forgive me for eating a member of her family… I only hoped other vampires were taking similar precautions.
Still proud of myself for not fixating on the wedding… Although… I was wondering what Sookie's dress would look like. Would her bridal jewels go with it? Was she thinking about all the details of the events right now? Was Prince Niall going to be there? Would he be impressed with my hotel? Would Fintan? Nope, not fixating at all…
I turned on the news and one of the women from one of those Real Housewives of Somewhere shows was feuding with another woman on the show, campaign finance reform had been voted down by Congress… again, and to absolutely no one's surprise, a beautiful Hollywood couple were calling it quits on their four-month-old marriage. I just shook my head and thought, why do I even bother to tune in? I still couldn't seem to find anything on any of the news channels about the apprehension of Junius Tiberius Ocella. Damn. He would be pretty mad at me because not only had I been publicly declared a hero for helping to stop the American vampire revolt, but also because he had surely figured out that Godric and I were responsible for the true death of his brother all those centuries ago.
I walked over to my closet and checked on my tux. I have no idea why. I chuckled and shook my head. I looked at my hand and it was shaking a little. I found this puzzling because the only time my hands ever shook in the past was when I was about to go into a berserker rage. But I could definitely tell that was not the case right now. And then it struck me, for the first time in a very, very long time, perhaps since I had been human, I was actually nervous. This feeling was entirely unfamiliar to me. And maybe I was also just a little excited… OK, fine, a LOT excited… I looked over at the clock again. Are you kidding me? Only about 15 minutes had passed since I arose! How was I ever going to make it until the wedding if time continued to pass this slowly?
Maybe I could calm myself if I checked out what was on television other than the news. I checked on the cable guide channel as it scrolled through the listings: crap, crap, the beginning of Four Weddings and a Funeral, crap, more crap, My Best Friend's Wedding was nearly over, crap, crap, crap, the dead middle of the movie Bridesmaids. With my elbows on my desk, I just face-palmed into my hands… Finally, I went to one of the classic movie channels, and I found a movie I'd heard of but never seen, 'The Philadelphia Story', with Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart was just about to begin. FINALLY… Something to take my mind off of my upcoming wedding.
So I rolled my desk chair back, threw my crossed ankles onto the corner of my desk, laced my fingers over my stomach, and watched. And. Fuck. Me. Running. But this was a movie about a wedding, too! I centered myself with deep breathing exercises and settled in to watch. Maybe it would be educational for my wedding. I could only hope.
I watched the entire movie, and the character played by Katherine Hepburn had beentreated all her life as if she were some deserving, entitled ice queen-like object of desire, when all she wanted to be was just a woman in love.Oddly, I could relate, and that calmed me down a little. Ah, well…
Finally, I decided that TV wasn't going to do the trick for me. So I went up to the swimming pool and just started swimming laps. Sadly, with vampire stamina, this wasn't 'winding me down.' I thought about doing my tai chi exercises, but somehow that didn't feel right either. I went back down to the underground space in the house, and it was only 4:15. Holy fucking crap! Would this day never end? I felt like my mind was screaming!
A few moments later, my phone was ringing. I answered, "I am here."
"Calm down, Eric," Godric said with his calm voice. "I have been feeling your anxiety ever since I rose for the day, and it is quite alarming…" he paused. "How much of this do you think your Sookie is feeling?"
By the gods, he was right. "Master, I feel as if I'm coming unglued. What do you recommend?"
There was a slight pause on his end. "Eric, you have over 1000 years of life experience…"
I responded right away, "I know, Master, but not one second of that time seems to be helpful today."
Another pause, "Eric, listen to my voice and breathe." He paused again, "you are calm; you are centered. You are in control of your emotions. You are a Viking warrior." He added, "you are a Viking fucking King!"
I closed my eyes as I listened to Godric speak. In over a thousand years I'd never felt so unsettled. I breathed deeply in, and then out. He was right. "I'm calming somewhat."
"Eric, are you happy to be marrying your Sookie?" he asked.
"Gods yes," I answered.
"Then what is the problem? You've dealt with complicated problems in the past. You just need to reach out and own this day," he said.
I nodded because of course he was right. However, I had never had my heart so entangled in those complications. This was absurd. "Godric, this feels different. Tell me how to tame my heart."
"You don't need to tame it. You need to own it." I thought, what? "Listen to me, Eric. I have talked to many actors and public speakers over the years about the concept of stage fright. The smart ones don't hate it. Rather they see it for what it is, the body providing excess energy to compensate and overcome a perceived threatening situation. They turn it around and use it to energize their performances or their speeches. I think that is what you need to do now… Own your emotional turmoil rather than letting it own you."
I closed my eyes and centered myself. Godric was right. Of course he was; he was always right. I am a fucking Viking Warrior King! I breathed deeply – in, out, in, out. I called upon that 1000+ years of badass vampire experience, and I willed myself to channel this extra energy into a positive direction so that I could calm the fuck down. After a few minutes I opened my eyes, and I felt much better.
I heard a little chuckle over the phone, "very good, min son. I can feel that you are re-gaining control. Well done."
I was once again Eric Northman. Large and in charge. "Thanks, Dad," I chuckled joined by Godric. "I guess the whole idea of the wedding just became a little overwhelming. After all, it's something I've never done before," I paused. "And we crave new experiences… So I'm just going to look forward to it."
Godric was silent for a moment before he added, "Eric, do you think it is possible that it is really Sookie who is nervous… maybe even a little scared? Could you have been feeling some overflow of her feelings through your bond?"
Good point. I closed my eyes and focused on Sookie in the bond. By the gods, she was in emotional turmoil! I hoped that I wasn't the cause of that! "Godric, I am fine now, but Sookie is not. I'm going to give her a call. She said it was bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding, but she didn't say anything about us talking to each other."
"I think that is a good idea. I will see you later tonight, min son. Stay calm," he said as he hung up.
I immediately dialed Sookie's number, and I was a little surprised when Clovache answered. "Clovache, is everything all right with my Sookie?" I asked.
There was a hesitation before she answered, "I think she is nervous about the wedding. Very nervous. She was a little shaky when she awoke this morning, and it has been building throughout the day." She paused before she continued, "she is breathing into a paper bag right now." Wow…
Well, that explained a lot about my own earlier nerves dilemma. "Can you put the phone up to her ear for me?" When she did so, I continued in my calmest voice, "hello, my Sookie. I understand that you are a little nervous. I just want you to know that meeting you, falling in love with you, waiting just a few more hours to marry you… all of these are the best things that ever happened to me. So can you calm down a little for me?" I waited a moment before I continued, "I love you, my Sookie. All will be well, I promise, and if you remember, for over a thousand years I've always kept all of my promises." I waited for a few moments.
"Eric," Sookie whispered. "I don't know what's wrong with me; I want to marry you more than anything. I just… I just…"
"You just what, my Sookie?" I asked.
"I just keep thinking of everything that could possibly go wrong tonight," she replied.
"Are you worried that maybe some of Victor Madden's residual soldiers might attack?"
She chuckled at that question, "no, my Eric, I was more focused on other problems like will the musicians arrive on time, did I order enough food, will everyone like where they are seated, etc. etc." Her voice was returning to normal, "but when you compare all of that wedding hoopla against a possible attack by dangerous forces, it kind of makes the possible wedding faux pas possibilities seem sort of trivial."
"Well, first of all, we've taken care of the 'hostile forces' so no worries there. Everything else will happen as it happens, and however it happens will be fine, my love. Where are you right now?"
"We've already moved into the penthouse to get ready, thank you for that by the way," she sighed, "and thank you, Eric, for calming me down. I feel much better now… Are you OK?"
"I am now, my Sookie. I love you, and in a very short space of time I will make you my wife."
At that Sookie squealed, and I could tell through the bond that it was a squeal of delight. "Thank you again, my Eric. I feel so much better now. I'll see you in just a little while."
"Until then, my love…" I hung up and breathed a sigh of relief. Good, Sookie was already safely at the hotel.
By now it was a little after five o'clock. Not much longer now, I smiled. I turned on the news again. Still nothing about our enemy in Milan, but there was expanded coverage of our little trip to the Zydeco Festival. Apparently, some of the reporters had noted that I was out with a small group of men, and that when we left the festival, we had all been seen getting into a limousine together. There were speculations that perhaps that was a bachelor party? Well, well, well, they were smarter than I thought… They further speculated that a wedding was imminent. That was concerning; I didn't want this wedding to turn into a media spectacle. If they showed up at Fangtasia and found it closed for the evening they might just go to my hotel. I decided to call Colonel Flood and have him put a small platoon of well-dressed Weres on guard duty in and around The Bonne Chance. Since he had been invited to the wedding himself, he knew the reason why I was calling about this and said all would be handled. He would place guards both inside the hotel and along the outer rims of the parking lots surrounding it. That way they could allow wedding guests onto the property and also prevent any of the news vans, reporters, and paparazzi from entering the grounds.
Fortunately, even though my manager had tried to talk me out of it, I had closed the casino for the night. Of course we would lose a lot of money, especially since I was still paying the employees, but now I was glad that we had taken that precaution. I chuckled as I thought that between closing down Fangtasia and the casino, how horrified Sookie would be if she knew the true cost of this wedding. Ah well hell… I'm only getting married once, and it was my money to spend.
I let out a rather large sigh. I still had a couple hours to kill, and I could feel my excitement ratcheting up again, but in a good, happy way. Soon, I would make a goddess my wife. By the gods, I was lucky. I began to muse on all of the luck of my long life. I was born to a king, made vampire under the best possible circumstances, adapted to that lifestyle very easily, had many adventures and learned so much along the way, including making a beautiful child and gaining a beloved brother, had helped defeat an insane megalomaniac, had been finally granted a freedom I hadn't known for a thousand years, was up for some prestigious American patriotism award, and now I was about to get married to my soul-mate who had gifted me with daywalking, among other things. Damn, but I was a lucky, lucky guy.
I guess I was still feeling a little restless, so I went to the ground floor and flipped on the television there. No reason to hang out in a basement. I turned on Fox News, the crap news channel, but I loved their flair for drama. The first thing up, accompanied by a picture of Sookie and me at the Children's Hospital Charity Ball, "Are wedding bells ringing for our favorite American Vampire Hero and America's Sweetheart?" Well, fuck. They even had a graphic of two criss-crossed bells with little fangs hanging off of the clappers. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at that.
They continued, "as we reported earlier today, Eric Northman was at the outdoor Zydeco Festival last night in Shreveport with a group of friends. Once the press arrived, he and his friends, all male, left together in a limousine, and it looked like a bachelor party. We know that Mr. Northman and Sookie Stackhouse have recently announced their engagement. So, we have to wonder, are they about to tie the knot? America wants to know…" I threw my head back against the sofa… I had never wanted this level of fame… I tried to understand why, other than our genuine, actual friends and family, anyone would even care that we were getting married.
The news continued, "We have learned, through careful research, that Sookie Stackhouse is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Consequently we have sent our reporters there to ascertain if, indeed, marriage preparations are underway… We go now to Stephanie Brown at that church…" I had to chuckle at that…
The coverage cut to 'Stephanie' in front of the empty church. I raised my eyebrows at that. She picked up, "well Phil, there doesn't appear to be an imminent wedding here tonight, but earlier today I went inside and visited with the church secretary, and she did say that there was a wedding scheduled here for tomorrow. However, she didn't feel at liberty to disclose exactly whose wedding it was. We will stay here until we know more. Back to you, Phil." At that, I found myself chuckling again. Excellent, maybe they would just stay there…
No such luck, next the news host continued, "other possible sites of a wedding could be one of the properties owned by Mr. Northman in Shreveport, including his vampire bar, Fangtasia or his hotel and casino The Bonne Chance. We take you first to Fangtasia with Jeff Porter. Jeff?"
The coverage cut to the front of Fangtasia, "Yes, Phil, we are here in front of Fangtasia on a Friday night, which should be one of this bar's most profitable nights as it is in any bar business, but it doesn't look like they are even preparing to open for the evening. This tells me that something is definitely up… I don't think the wedding is going to be held here, but I have to ask, why else would this bar be closed on a Friday night? Phil?" Well, crap!
The coverage went back to 'Phil' in the Fox News studio, "Thank you Jeff. Well, we are now going to check in with Azir Fouraz, currently at Mr. Northman's other Shreveport area business, The Bonne Chance Hotel and Casino. Azir?" I couldn't believe that there was this level of interest in a possible wedding between Sookie and me!
The coverage shifted again, this time to this Azir. "Thank you, Phil. I am here across the street from the Bonne Chance Hotel and Casino, and this is as close as I can apparently get. There are several security guards patrolling the perimeter of the parking lot and questioning people as they attempt to enter. I called the hotel earlier today and learned that the casino was closed for the night. Personally, I've never heard of a casino closing on a Friday night. So, I'm thinking something interesting is definitely going on in the hotel tonight. It may be too early to tell if it is a wedding, but I have to ask, what could close a casino that normally brings in several hundred thousand dollars, maybe even more than a million dollars, on a Friday night?"
The coverage cut back to 'Phil' in the studio, "Azir, are there normally security guards at this property keeping people out?"
And the coverage cut back to Azir, "no, Phil, this seems unusual. It seems as if something is going on here tonight." He backed up a little, "as you can see behind me, there are numerous other news agencies who are also basically 'camped out' waiting to see what may happen at the Bonne Chance tonight. And I might add that NONE of us have been permitted onto the property this evening." Well done, Colonel Flood, I thought. I also thought that I hoped that our wedding guests didn't have any trouble getting through the security guard line. That idea would upset my Sookie. Ah well…
Phil picked up the coverage, "Well, Azir, we'll leave you there to cover what may well be the wedding of the century." Really? The wedding of the century? Could this even be real? I couldn't help but crack up laughing at that. I looked at the time; it was finally time to start getting ready for my wedding. …Of the century. Well, alrighty then. I actually felt a little sorry for the two reporters currently stationed at Sookie's church and Fangtasia…
I went back downstairs and showered, blew my hair dry so that it would look its best, then wandered again to my closet for my tux to get dressed. I looked into the large mirror in the bathroom, and I thought that I looked pretty damn good, if I did say so myself. I went up the stairs, grabbed the bag with all I needed for the wedding, walked out to the garage, climbed into my corvette, and left for The Bonne Chance. I was on my way to get married! As my Sookie would say, 'who'd a thunk?'
I pulled up to the parking lot entrance of The Bonne Chance, and I was glad that I had called Colonel Flood for the security guards. There were dozens of news vans, reporters, and photographers situated across the street. The guards had put up overlapping sawhorses along with orange traffic cones to block all entrances into the parking area except for the main entrance which was directly in front of the ballroom, albeit a good distance away. Very good. All wedding guests and legitimate hotel traffic could be screened through this entrance.
When the reporters spotted my familiar red corvette, the strobe-like effect of their camera flashes began in earnest and nearly blinded me. I turned into the parking lot, lowered my window and nodded at the closest guard. He returned my nod, and I drove up to the porte cochere to valet park my car. When I got out of my car – dressed in my tuxedo – they started screaming from across the street. I suppose they were shouting questions, but with them all screaming at once, I couldn't make out a thing they were saying. Ah well… I turned to walk into the building, and just before I went through the door, I turned back and gave them a little wave and smile, which would probably only be captured by someone with a telephoto lens at this distance.
Once inside, I noticed the indoor guards, all dressed in suits as if they might be going to a wedding. Again, very good. I didn't want this venue to seem too militaristic today. After I checked in with the concierge that everything was OK, I decided to make a walk-through of the ballroom. When I got to the doors and looked inside, I was stunned. There were lush green plants and flowers beautifully arranged throughout. The seating was set up facing the orchestra stage with an aisle down the center. This ballroom had the capability of being partitioned into different sections, and I noticed that the partitions to the right had been put in place. I walked back out of the ballroom and into the door that led to the partitioned section, and that area was set up like the seating chart I had helped Sookie to create, and it was just as elaborately decorated with plants scattered throughout and amazing flower arrangements on every table.
Since there was still more than an hour until the ceremony, the buffet tables only had the empty trays, some outfitted with burners underneath. However, there was the monstrosity of a cake I had learned about. I walked over to it, and took a deep whiff. I had to admit that not only did it smell great, but it was also actually lovely. It had several tiers and plain white icing, I think it's called, with freshly-picked pink rose buds in a dome shape on the top. There were also rose buds with stems strewn all around the cake on the table it was sitting on. Several of the hotel staff entered to start setting up some of the food, and I decided I'd leave them to it.
I had reserved the conference room behind the ballroom as my waiting room before the wedding. I picked this room because there was a door to the back of the ballroom right across from it, and when it was time to start, all I had to do was walk across the hall and onto the stage. I knew that Sookie would be making her bridal entrance from the main door of the ballroom. I went into the conference room, and I saw a couple of Pam's bags on the table. Good, she was already here. I closed my eyes and looked into our maker/child connection, and I could tell that she was far above me. She must be in the penthouse with Sookie.
Just then Rasul and Godric came into the conference room. Rasul looked very dashing in his tux, and Godric was wearing a long off-white linen tunic buttoned all the way up to the standing collar on his neck along with matching pants. They both looked perfect. I smiled because this was the image of Godric I always thought of when we were apart. They both smiled at me and hugged me in turn.
"So," Rasul started, "how are you feeling? Ready to get married?"
I just shook my head, "I am so far past ready…"
Rasul nodded, "that's quite the crowd across the street from the hotel. How did they find out?"
"I saw a report on the news today that they saw all of us get into the limo to leave the festival last night, and they began speculating that we were having a bachelor party." I chuckled, "I also saw that they have reporters also waiting at Fangtasia and Sookie's church. That's when I decided to call the pack leader for help with security."
"Good thinking," Godric added.
I nodded. "Rasul, could you take some things up to the penthouse for me? According to Sookie, I can't see her before the ceremony, and I have some things for her."
"Sure, happy to help," he answered. I gave him what I wanted Sookie to have, and he took off on his errand. As he left, I heard ethereal music begin in the ballroom across the hall. We were getting closer to time.
"How was Sookie when you called her this afternoon?" Godric asked.
"You were right about her. She was having a panic attack when I called, which I'm pretty sure was at the root of my own distress. I talked her through it – like you did for me, and I could sense that she has felt better ever since." I closed my eyes and tilted my head, "as a matter of fact, she appears to be very happy right now, even if she is feeling more than a little nervous." I paused before continuing, "thank you for helping me through that today."
"Of course, min son. I am very proud of you. Outwardly you seem completely calm, but I can tell how excited about marrying Sookie you are inside."
"I feel fine. No, wait, I feel much better than fine. I can't wait to finally be married to her," I smiled. Suddenly I felt a huge spike in Sookie's happiness. "Ah, I think Rasul just gave Sookie her wedding jewels from me," I laughed. "I'm thinking that she likes them…"
"Good, very good, min son… I wonder how our good friend Nan Flanagan is going to feel about not being at the wedding…" A long silence followed his statement, and then we both just cracked up laughing. Our continued laughter is what greeted Rasul and Pamela as they came into the conference room together.
"Well, someone's in a good mood," Pamela observed with one of her rare smiles. I just nodded in agreement.
"I trust all is well with Sookie?" I asked her.
"She's very excited and a little bit giggly, but I think she's as anxious to get the party started as I can tell that you are," Pam shared.
I looked closely at Pamela. She was wearing a beautiful pale pink chiffon gown that was belted at the waist, and the skirt flowed around her when she moved. She was stunning. I got up and walked to her, "you look very beautiful," I said as I hugged her and kissed her on her forehead.
"Yeah, well you don't look so bad yourself," she sassed me with a wink.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a somewhat elaborate diamond and peridot bracelet, "this is for you," I said as I fastened it onto her wrist. "I got this many years ago, and I've been waiting for the perfect occasion to give it to you. Tonight seems like the right time. And I think that the color of the peridot complements your dress."
She gasped when she looked at it. "Thank you, Eric. I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything. You are my beautiful child," I smiled at her. "I also wanted to thank you for being my best man…" She chuckled at that.
Just then there was a knock on the door. Out of habit, I simply said, "enter."
A middle-aged man opened the door and came to just inside the opening. "Hello, I'm Harlan Stewart, and I'm the photographer for the wedding. Uhmmm… I've known Sookie and Jason their whole lives," he chuckled nervously. "Since we are only about ten or fifteen minutes from starting the ceremony, I was hoping I could get some pre-wedding pictures of the groom's party? I've already taken pictures of the bride's group." I could tell that he was shaking. He'd probably never been alone in a room with just four vampires before.
"OK, Mr. Stewart. Just tell us what you want us to do…" I smiled, trying to put him at ease. He then proceeded to place us in various poses and took pictures. In between the poses, he would also sneak in some candid shots as our group joked around a bit. I could tell that this wasn't his first wedding to shoot.
When he was finished with his poses, he looked at his watch, "Well, only about five minutes to showtime," he joked. "I'll see you out there…" And then he was gone. His departure was followed by almost an entire minute of silence.
"Gentlemen, shall we?" Pamela asked as she gestured to the door. I opened the door, and I was met by Jason with his fist in the air about to know on the door. Lafayette was with him, and they both looked rather dashing in their tuxedos, even if Lafayette's had a pink lamé cummerbund and bow tie, along with his signature false eyelashes.
"Y'all 'bout ready to get this shindig going?" Jason asked with a wide smile. He walked into the conference room with a brown paper bag. "Here you go," he said, as he handed both Rasul and me pink rosebud boutonnieres that matched his and Lafayette's. He then reached in and pulled out a small bouquet for Pamela.
Once we were flowered-up, we headed across the hall to the ballroom. Sookie had talked us all through everything at the Fangtasia party earlier this week, so I knew that Lafayette and Jason would go and stand on the right side of the stage and that Pamela, Rasul, and I would stand on the left. I remembered from that time I did that production of a Midsummer Night's Dream in western England that the designation of right and left corresponded with the actors' point of view as they faced the audience. Sookie had also said that bridesmaids typically entered through the center aisle just ahead of the bride, but since she didn't have any bridesmaids, that we would all just come out together. I stood closest to the center waiting to be joined by my Sookie, with Pamela next to me, and Rasul next to her.
I think I had one more surprise for my Sookie. She had never asked me who the officiate for the ceremony was, and I think that she was about to be very pleased. We just stood there for a few minutes while Hoyt, Francois, and Maxwell Lee seated the last of the guests to arrive. That gave me a chance to look out over the waiting crowd. I could see so many people that I knew and many that I didn't know, including several fairies dressed in the height of human fashion.
Just as the final guests were seated, the music stopped, and Jason looked at me as if asking if I was ready to start. I nodded to him, and he nodded to the musicians who began playing what I had learned was called the bridal processional. I looked to the door and Niall Brigant entered with Adele on his arm. They walked slowly up the aisle, and as their prince passed, every fairy in the room stood and solemnly bowed their head to him. Wow, there were a lot of them here. When they got to the front I also gave the prince a nod, and Jason gave him the more formal whole-head bow. I happened to catch FBI and Homeland Security out of the corner of my eye, and they looked in equal parts both astounded and suitably impressed. Niall and Adele slid into their seats on the front row.
The music had built to a crescendo, and there she was in the doorway – my bride on the arm of her grandfather who was dressed in a traditional English morning suit with the long frock-coat jacket that curved back at the waist with a waistcoat underneath, along with the traditionally striped trousers. But my Sookie… I couldn't believe how otherworldly beautiful she looked. Her dress was like nothing my imagination had conceived. It was indeed white chiffon with a fitted top and a softly flowing full skirt, but there were tiny pink flowers with small pale green leaves embroidered on the corset around her rib cage, at the bottom of the skirt, and around the edges of her stunning veil. Her small bouquet was very similar to the one Pamela was carrying. She was wearing a small tiara with her flowing, flowery veil, and I couldn't help but feel pride at how amazing her wedding jewels looked with the dress. Her hair had been styled into a loose updo with long tendrils left to flow down her back. Before they came onto the stage, they took a little detour to their left, stood in front of Prince Niall, where Fintan gave a formal head bow and Sookie executed a flawless curtsey. They then turned and mounted to steps to the stage. I briefly closed my eyes to offer up my thanks to Freya for gifting me with Sookie.
That was when Godric climbed the stairs on the side and took his place at center stage. I smiled as I saw Sookie's eyes go wide, and then she turned to look at me and nod. Good, she approved. I knew that Godric had been researching human wedding ceremonies, so I was anxious to see how he did. I was certain that he wouldn't disappoint. He began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Eric Northman and Sookie Stackhouse in lawful matrimony. Who brings this woman to be wed?"
Fintan said, "her grandmother and I do." He then lifted Sookie's veil off of her face and placed it behind her tiara and kissed her on her cheek. He then placed her hand in mine, and turned and went to sit next to Adele.
Godric continued, "Eric Northman, Sookie Stackhouse you have come to be united in marriage. I understand that you have both written words that you would like to share with one another. Eric?"
Wow, we got to this part of the ceremony quickly. I looked at my bride, "Sookie, I have roamed this earth for over a thousand years searching for you. You were the part of me that I didn't even know I was missing until I met you. You are the beginning and ending of my every thought or action. Whenever I am about to make most decisions, I find myself contemplating, 'what would Sookie think.' And you are the kindest, smartest, and most beautiful woman I've ever beheld," I smirked at that last part, and she blushed. "You are simply the best person I've ever known, and you make me want to be better. You have already given me so much more than I can ever repay. This is just the beginning of our lives together, and I hope we have many, many wonderful years ahead. I love you with everything that I am because you complete me."
"Wow," Sookie whispered. I looked at Godric to indicate that I was done.
"Sookie?" he asked.
"Eric, I can't even begin to describe how blessed I feel to know you, love you, marry you. You are an amazingly wonderful person. Truly connecting with people has always been a little difficult for me, but I know in my heart that not only do you love me, but also, and perhaps more importantly, that you 'get' me. You understand me as no one has ever understood me. I feel so honored that I am marrying you. And I promise you that I will always love you and be there for you, just as I know that you will always love me and be there for me. We are a team, and we are going to have so darn much fun! I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
I felt my throat go tight during her words. I simply would not embarrass myself with crying, so I willed that impulse away. But I was very moved by her declaration.
Godric continued, "Eric, do you take Sookie to be your wife, to live together in lawful matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall walk this earth?"
"Gods, yes!" I gushed and Sookie giggled along with many of our wedding guests. Then I got it together, "I do."
Godric was smiling, "Sookie, do you take Eric to be your husband, to live together in lawful matrimony, to love him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall walk this earth?"
"I do," she smiled.
"Eric, repeat after me. I, Eric Northman take you Sookie Stackhouse, to be my wife…" I repeated him. He continued, "to have and to hold from this day forward…" Again, I repeated the words. "For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, to love and to cherish, till true death do us part." Once more I repeated the words as did Sookie when it was her turn.
Godric continued, "I understand that you both have rings to exchange?" I reached into my vest pocket, and Sookie turned to Jason who was holding the ring for her. "Again, Eric, repeat after me, I give you this ring as a token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love." I repeated the words and placed the ring on Sookie's hand.
Godric turned to Sookie and repeated the ring vow. She also repeated the words as she placed the ring on my hand. I squeezed her hand when she was done, and she beamed a smile at me.
Godric then said, "by virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of the state of Louisiana, and the Church of the Loving Spirit, I now pronounce you husband and wife… You may kiss the bride."
I felt like my unbeating heart was going to explode. I put my hands on either side of Sookie's face and tried to pour ALL of my love and happiness into this one kiss. When we were done, I just rested my forehead against hers with my eyes closed in absolute, unadulterated bliss. I also had the entirely random thought that we had pulled this wedding off without intrusion or interruption! It was then that I heard the sound of a pair of hands clapping… quickly joined by all those in attendance. As Sookie had instructed the other day, she and I turned and faced those in attendance, side-by-side, holding hands. I looked out at the faces in the crowd and even Homeland Security was smiling ear-to-ear.
Then, harp music started, and the subtlest tug from Sookie's hand alerted me that we needed to start up the aisle toward the entrance of the ballroom. We were followed by Pamela and Jason walking together and then Lafayette and Rasul walking out. The photographer, Mr. Stewart was waiting for us at as we exited the ballroom. He gestured for us to follow him.
We walked over to the beautiful indoor garden that The Enchanted Forest had provided, and he posed us for more pictures. A few minutes later we were joined by Prince Niall, Fintan and Adele, Godric, and our three ushers. Several more pictures were taken. Some of the poses seemed, well… cheesy, I think was the word… like when he asked us to pose our hands to prominently display our wedding bands. I didn't care. In all, this photo session took almost a half hour.
Then Sookie walked us all back to the now un-partitioned ballroom where we lined up in what she called a reception line. Apparently in the intervening time the following had happened: the guests all exited the ballroom and waited in the lobby, the partitions were removed to expand the ballroom, the chairs for the ceremony had been removed to provide the dance floor, and the reception DJ/musicians were setting up on the stage.
We all stood in the wedding party line to welcome the guests back into the ballroom for the wedding reception. A lot of congratulations were expressed, even from people I could tell were a little nervous about vampires. Maybe now they would have an adventure to share with their friends. What can I say? I try to do public service whenever I can…
When the receiving line (as Adele had called it) was finally finished we made our way to the head table of the reception. Most of the non-vampire guests had made their way through the buffet, so now it was time for the food-eating people in the wedding party to partake. I was proud of how Sookie had also included "blood-fountains" made up of Royalty Blended for the vampires in attendance. Most humans would have been squeamish at the thought, but not my Sookie. She was as she ever was, accepting of all people.
While Sookie and her non-vampire family were eating I took the opportunity to visit with the vampires in attendance. They were all congratulatory and generous. Finally, I made it to the table with FBI and Homeland Security. They were enjoying their meal as I walked up. Homeland Security stood, "Mr. Northman, this has been a splendid night. Thank you for inviting me." He extended his hand, and I shook it.
FBI smiled at me, "yes, Mr. Northman, this has been a wonderful night. May I introduce my wife, Dorothy?" I looked at the smartly dressed woman with him and nodded.
She beamed back at me, "oh Mr. Northman, thank you so much for inviting us to your wedding. None of my friends back home will believe I was here! This is history in the making!"
I smiled at her and kissed the back of her hand. "I am so glad to make your acquaintance Mrs. Langford. Thank you for honoring us with your presence at our wedding."
"Oh, good heavens," she murmured. "You are just as dashing in person as I thought you would be!" Dashing? I rather liked that. I looked over at FBI, and he seemed very pleased.
"Gentlemen, Mrs. Langford, I hope to speak to you again before the evening is over," I said as I took my leave of them. I moved on and noticed that Thalia and Jesus were chatting away in a lively manner. I also observed Clovache and Batanya in 'earthling' clothes, as Sookie would call them, chatting away as well. Excellent, everyone was enjoying the evening.
I made my way back to my… wife. I still couldn't believe that! She was smiling waiting for me to return to the head table. I saw Mr. Cataliades standing next to Fintan in deep conversation. He looked up at me and smiled, so I surmised that all was well, and they were just sharing in their long-standing friendship.
Finally, we were ready to move on from the meal. Someone started clanging their silverware against the side of their drink glass, and they were joined by others. Sookie looked at me expectantly. I didn't know what that meant, and I guess my puzzled expression communicated that fact. She whispered in my ear, "that's our cue to kiss… for them…" she waggled her eyebrows at me. Well, alrighty then. I kissed the hell out of her, and when I finished there was cheering from all present. Well, this was a custom I could certainly wrap my head around.
Soon afterward, the music DJ for the reception announced the bride and groom dance. Sookie had warned me in advance of some of the reception dance customs. So I knew about this one. Sookie and I grabbed hands and walked to the center of the dance floor waiting for the music to start. For a moment, we just held hands and looked into each other's eyes. Then the strains of a Beatles song, Norwegian Wood, began to play. I smiled at my Sookie's attempt to relate to my Scandinavian heritage. This was a song that I actually really liked. It was a fairly slow tempo for a rock and roll song. We just held each other and started dancing. Soon, I whispered in her ear, "hold on, my love." I grabbed her more tightly around her back, and as the song played I lifted us off the ground in slow circles. My lovely wife just softly laughed as we were slowly lifting into the air. We continued staring into each other's eyes as we spun in the air. I felt utterly complete for the first time in my existence. I smiled as I thought about the human guests who had 'just gotten their money's worth'- so to speak - from attending this wedding. They would all have stories to tell. By the end of the song we had drifted back down to the dance floor, and I just had to kiss my bride. I wasn't at all surprised by the huge ovation we received.
Then the DJ announced, "With most weddings, the bridal dance is followed by a family dance, where the bride dances with her father and the groom dances with his mother. However, neither the bride nor the groom has any living parents. So… we are going to mix things up a bit. The bride will dance with her grandfather, and the groom will dance with his child." And then the music to 'Sunrise, Sunset' began to play. I accompanied Pamela to the dance floor where we saw Sookie and Fintan waiting. And we were off. This felt kind of beautiful, and I just let myself bask in the emotions of the moment. About half-way through the song, Adele tapped on Pamela's shoulder to cut in and dance with me, and I noticed Jason doing the same with Fintan. Then I was somewhat surprised when Fintan extended his hand to Pamela to ask her to dance, and now there were three couples on the dance floor.
After that song was over, we returned to the head table. Then the DJ announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please look at the screens around the ballroom." Just then, all of the video/television screens around the ballroom turned on. After a moment, we understood why.
When the system fully engaged, the image of the President of the United States was on all of the screens. He started to speak, "hello to everyone attending this wedding tonight, which I'm sure was beautiful. I just wanted to send my personal congratulations to Eric and Sookie on their special night. I know that I will be meeting you in just a couple days, but I wanted to emphasize how much America appreciates the courageous acts you have done to protect us all. Thank you so much, and congratulations from the bottom of my heart. Enjoy your evening!" There was a moment of silence that followed his presentation, and then almost everyone in the room screamed/squealed/celebrated his proclamation. I had to admit that was pretty cool.
AN: What can I say, YOU GUYS INSPIRED ME! When my muse returned, she returned with a vengeance. Even though I've thought about the wedding FOREVER, I hadn't even begun actually writing this chapter until I posted the last one just 3-4 days ago. Thank you so, so much to those of you who haven't totally abandoned this story in spite of no new chapter postings for over two years! It is not surprising that I may have lost a lot of readers, but I especially want to thank all who reviewed as of around midnight on 9/22/20: princessspot5, Duckbutt, MaryAnnieValentine, Asami's clown, lundyred, bttrflybelle, Jackie69, Perfecta999, ciasteczko, tleel, FanFicGirl5000 (who came late to the party and reviewed many of the chapters along the way), EricFan71, Mermaidmom, VampMad50, Lbot1979; the fact that you guys were still willing to spend time with my story meant the world! We are getting ever so closer to the end of this particular journey…
