Disclaimer: I only own my own creations, but I like to let them play in the True Blood world. Fear not, however, unlike True Blood and SVM, I believe Eric and Sookie belong together!

Chapter 2 (flashback)

2017 Sookie's house at Thanksgiving

Eric's POV

It was a scene that was playing out all over America…friends and family gathering around the table to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Looking around this particular table, I noticed a plethora of supernatural and human attendees. From were and shifter, to witch and vampire, it was good to see that Sookie's acceptance of the supernatural hadn't changed despite her desire to live a "normal life". Hard as it was to admit at the time, Bill Compton was right about one thing. Sookie couldn't move on while we were still a part of her life. Bill loved her. I loved her. But she wasn't ready to make that choice...she was still holding out for a "normal" man. A man that didn't put her life in constant danger. A man that could give her children. A man that could simply give her more.

That was why I was hovering at a distance, watching this gathering of friends and family. I could see the love and joy of all those in attendance. I'd be lying if I didn't say it hurt a little, but it was a pain that I had brought on myself. I chose to distance myself.

As a reflected on why that was, the door to the farmhouse opened, and out walked Sookie. I hadn't seen her in nearly three years. She looked so different, but not because she was so obviously heavy with child. The sadness that seemed to have filled her eyes the last time we spoke, was gone. The worry, the stress, the pain. She was practically glowing. Her happiness showed for all to see. She was always beautiful to me, but now...she looked like a goddess. It nearly made my non-beating heart come back to life.

I watched as she went to her husband, and gave him a kiss. It seemed to break the spell she had unknowingly put me under. I felt simultaneously crushed and elated. It still hurt to see Sookie with another, but to see her so happy...that let me know that I was doing the right thing by staying away. Sookie deserved her chance to have the life she had always dreamed of.

As for me, I would carry the memories of the girl in the white dress for the rest of my existence. Thanks to the blood bond we formed during the witches' curse, I would also carry a small piece of her with me until she takes her final breath. It's not much, just a small mental signature that always seems to be in the background (much like the white noise of an untuned radio station). When she gave Compton his final death, I was aware of it the moment it happened. The bond sprang to life with such intense pain, it nearly brought me to my knees. I knew in that moment that Compton was finally dead. Not that I gave a flying fuck about him. I knew that in his own twisted way he loved Sookie. But he had lied, manipulated and controlled her with his blood. I was glad that she would now be free, but I could feel how the pain was tearing at her soul. As the months went by I could feel the pain slowly turn to acceptance. That was soon followed by determination, contentment, and eventually love.

Sookie had moved on. She was married, pregnant, and surrounded by her "extended" family. That family included my daughter Willa, Jessica and James…vampires that I trusted to keep an eye on Sookie and to keep her safe. Most of the vampires that knew about Sookie's unique gifts and heritage, were all finally dead. The fairies had fled our realm. There should be no more kidnappings, threats or violence. She was finally getting her happily ever after. So that meant It was time for me to fly (quite literally) ...I chuckled to myself at my own mental joke as I flew away from Sookie Stackhouse for what I believed would be the last time.

Bon Temps

December 2017

Sookie's POV

Three weeks to Christmas, I think to myself. House decorated? Check. Presents? Bought and wrapped under the tree. Check. Check. Baby's room ready and Dr. Ludwig on stand-by? Check. Check. Check. I know this is mostly just first time Mom jitters, but with the holiday coming AND the baby, it's getting harder to stay calm and not allow things to overwhelm me. Because of my fairy blood, and more importantly, my lack of a blood type, I convinced my husband to allow Dr. Ludwig to deliver the baby. We still don't know exactly what to expect. Even though I am just part fae, the essential spark within me has been steadily growing stronger. Dr. Ludwig believes this is the result of two things: my pregnancy and my recent lack of vampire blood ingestion. She has told me during my pre-natal visits that my fairy spark is growing stronger as my pregnancy progresses. She believes the baby may also possess the fairy spark. As it grows larger and stronger, so too does mine. I'll admit, I was a little distressed to learn that…only because I don't want a child of mine to feel like an outsider or freak like I once did. I was hoping they would be spared. However, the world we live in is constantly changing. Perhaps, more people will come to accept those who are "different", like I always have.

It's been the topic of many discussions between my husband and myself. I am trying my best to prepare him for the fact that our baby may be a little different (or maybe a lot). I tried to use Adilyn as an example. Her mother was a full fairy and father human, yet she still developed at an extremely accelerated rate until reaching puberty (in a matter of days). Would our child be the same? Would they have any other peculiar gifts? Would my husband be able to accept him or her unconditionally, or will it prove to be too much?

I told my husband about what I was on our third date. We hadn't been intimate with one another yet, and I felt he deserved to know the truth before we took things to that next level. I wanted him to come into the relationship with all the cards out on the table. That way, he could always back out if he chose to. Well he surprised me, and maybe even himself a bit, when he declared that none of it mattered. He didn't care if I was an alien, as long as I still wanted to be with him, and he feels the same about our baby. Fairy or not, he will love the baby just the same.

My husband is clearly a deeply understanding man…I am so blessed to have found and fallen in love with him. We met in a survivors group meeting at Bellefleur's one night. He was the grief counselor sent to provide the people of Renard Parish, some much needed PTSD coping skills and counsel. The Hep V virus had really taken its toll on all of us, and we desperately needed someone to talk to…someone with some distance from the issue. My husband had been sent from Washington DC to Louisiana to help with the Hep V aftermath. He set up meetings every Tuesday night at Bellefleur's, for human and vampire alike. We hit it off immediately. Of course, that was in part because I could "hear" that his heart was really in the right place when it came to helping folks. He actually cared, and it showed.

Once we moved forward in our relationship, he was the same with me…what he said to and about me, matched what he was thinking. He was genuine and sweet. How could I not fall for him? I know that my baby and I have nothing to fear. He will be there for both of us. I just keep telling myself, everything is going to be fine, as I finish cleaning the kitchen for the second time, TODAY. I have this overwhelming need to clean.

I am about to go tackle the bathroom, when it suddenly hits me! I feel like my breakfast has suddenly decided to attack me. I grab at my belly while things slowly click into place in my mind…the nerves, the cleaning, the sudden discomfort, cheese and rice, I'm going into labor!

I grab my cell phone and call my husband. He says he's on his way, I call Holly who has agreed to be my birthing partner, and then make the call to Dr. Ludwig. She says she'll be popping in as soon as my water breaks, and tells me to call when it does. She hangs up before I can say or ask anything else. In the next 20 or so minutes the house becomes a flurry of activity. My husband and Holly both arrive (thank goodness). We've all been preparing for this for weeks, so we basically need to just let nature takes its course.

An hour or two goes by. The contractions are coming at an increasing rate but so far have been fairly short and about on par with the pain level of a normal menstrual cramp. Honestly, I'm beginning to wonder what all the fuss is about in TV shows and movies…this isn't all that bad.

Words I would soon wish I had never allowed myself to think, what a difference 60 minutes can make! Before I know what hits me, my water has broken, the contractions seem to have doubled in length and intensity, and I finally hear the familiar popping noise that heralds the good doctor's arrival. Oh, thank God!

Dr. Ludwig spares no time, and gets right down to business. She says the baby is coming, and coming FAST! She has me sprawled wide open like an undressed turkey, and my usual modesty goes out the window as another particularly strong contraction hits. It's all hands on deck as my husband grabs my right hand and knee, while Holly does the same with my left, per the doctor's orders. With no time to even think, she has them pushing me up to a seated position and Dr. Ludwig tells me to push.

I push as much as I'm able for about a minute and a half, when the doctor has me stop for a rest. She tells me on the next contraction to push again, and we'll keep up the push/relax bit until the baby is finally out. So round two begins, and I bear down. I can tell from Holly and my husband's minds that it's going good, as my shields are gone. I can't focus on that and pushing at the same time. This time, as the contraction wanes, I hear Dr. Ludwig say she can see the head. It won't be much longer now. Round three, and the baby is crowning. Round four, and with what has to be the last of my strength, I push until the baby is out. It arrives in the midst of a blinding light…magic thick in the air. There's no doubt the baby is fairy, at least in part.

It's a girl.

A beautiful, blond haired, blue-eyed girl. Her first cry is a joy to hear, knowing it means her lungs are healthy. Her color is good, if just a bit jaundiced. Nothing a little sunlight won't clear right up, as the doctor says. Dr. Ludwig takes care of the final steps for both of us, makes sure the baby is cleaned, swaddled and checks to see if she will latch on. Not yet, but I'm supposed to just give her some time…she'll eat when she's hungry. With the baby safely delivered, Dr. Ludwig turns to leave, indicating she'll be back in 2 days to check up on us…but leaves her direct number by the bedside just in case. And just like that, she's gone.

Nearly nine months waiting, and it was over in less than 5 hours.

We decided to name her Ella.

Bon Temps

Christmas morning 2017

Sookie's POV

It's our first Christmas as a family, and I have to admit, this is not quite what I had envisioned. The three of us are gathered around the tree, ready to open presents. I had spent weeks buying and wrapping gifts for my husband and unborn child. I bought clothes, books and toys...for a baby. As it turns out, that was a mistake. As I start handing out presents, I realize just how little I have under the tree that is appropriate for a nearly 16-year-old girl.

Dr. Ludwig was right (as usual). Both Ella and I's inherent "fairyness" had blossomed during my pregnancy. Unlike my father and Jason, who were part fae, but failed to possess the fairy spark, Ella and I possessed it in spades. So like Adilyn before her, and even though Ella is not a true halfling, she matured at an accelerated rate as if she was. And though it was hard at first to accept and adapt, that is exactly what we've had to do. Do I mourn the fact that I only had a few days of her as a baby, instead of years…yes. Do I feel cheated a bit that we lost out on some of her first steps, first words, elementary school and the rest…sure. How can we not feel that way?

But as my gran used to say, "I'd rather have 30 minutes of wonderful, than a lifetime of nothin' special." I always thought she'd come up with that on her own, only to hear it one night while watching the movie Steel Magnolias. Either way, it does hold true. I am glad for every moment I have had with our daughter, no matter the circumstances. We've seen her through nearly her entire childhood in a matter of days…she's a teenager already. I've already promised to take her to the local Walmart after Christmas, so we can get some age-appropriate gifts for her. Sure, some people may have an issue with a barely 30-year old with a teenage daughter. But when have the things other people think ever bothered me? I only hope her dad will feel the same.

In the end, this is my family. She is our daughter, and I'm going to love her like a mother should!

Present day

2027 Los Angeles

Red Carpet Event

Eric POV

I suffered through the evening as expected. I bid goodnight to Pam, and Olivia and I make our way back to my home. She's had just enough to drink to be amorous, without being sloppy. She unties my bowtie in the back of the limo, and kisses along the side of my neck until I feel the need to reciprocate. I grab her, pulling her into my lap as I slowly begin the kissing assault to her collarbone and shoulders, shown off so well by her dress. As I start the slow wet climb up the side of her neck, the limo suddenly comes to a complete stop. We've made it back to my apartment already, and what we've only just begun, will have to be put on a brief hold, so we can make our way inside.

The moment the door to my apartment closes, I have Olivia pressed up against the wall. She slowly snakes her arms around my neck as our kiss slowly starts to deepen. She presses her tongue against the seam of my lips, and I gladly offer her entrance. I run my fingers up her arms and begin working my way to the zipper on the back of her dress. The teeth of the zipper begin their separation, and just as the top of her dress begins to reveal the swell of her breasts, I suddenly fall to my knees.

A single word escapes my lips…"Sookie!"

Olivia grabs at my shoulders and asks, "What the hell is a sookie?"