Disclaimer: I only own my own creations, but love to make them play in the True Blood world.

A/N Thank you again, for all the great reviews…I'm so glad you like the direction I'm going. I know this fic is starting out a bit angsty, but funerals will do that. I promise brighter days to come. Speaking of which, thank you for all the well wishes on my daughter's upcoming wedding. Six days to go! I managed to sneak this chapter out before things get too crazy. Don't be alarmed if I go missing for a week or so.

Chapter 6

Bon Temps, 2027

Sookie POV

It's been a long few days. I am still having trouble wrapping my brain around the fact that I am a widow. It's such a harsh term. I guess it will just be added to the list of words people use to describe me…mother, sister, friend, boss, etc. Like the others, it will define me. My grief, I know logically, will pass with time. Who knows, I may even find love again someday. It's the labels that last forever. I will forever be known as that poor young widow. The one whose husband was killed by a drunk driver.

Right now, in this moment, I'm just sitting by a boy on a porch swing. I notice Eric hasn't tried to remove his hand from mine. I appreciate the gesture. How could he know that the simple act of holding my hand is providing me the anchor I need to stop myself from being swept away by this grief? The question is rhetorical, because I know without asking that he does understand. I appreciate the peaceful silence he provides…a timeout of sorts from all the thoughts that have been bombarding me the past two days.

I continue to stare at the stars, as I feel some of the tension finally release from my shoulders. I want to continue our earlier conversation, but the quiet is too precious. We sit together like this for some time, when Ella sticks her head out of the door to say they finished putting everything away, and that she's heading to bed. I wish her a good night, and shake my head as she retreats.

"What is it?" I hear Eric ask.

"My daughter suspects we were more than "just friends" before, and keeps prodding me about it. Also, she thinks you're hot, and wonders what Olivia is really like in real life?" I respond. "Who's Olivia?"

The corners of his mouth start to rise into that smirk of his I know so well. "Well, she isn't wrong on either topic," he smiles, "and Olivia Ellis, is the woman I have been seeing. She's an actress, you may have seen one of her films."

"Well, aren't we all full of ourselves?" I tease.

"Why, because I am acknowledging that your daughter was correct in her opinions." His feigns innocence as he continues, "As I recall, you once found me quite attractive as well."

I can feel my face growing hotter, and I'm sure pinker, as I admonish him, "You behave! I don't think your movie star girlfriend would think too kindly of you flirting with me."

He pretends to be offended. "You wound me. I was doing no such thing. I was simply stating a fact."

I might have been convinced if I hadn't caught him waggling his eyebrows at me. That is what I missed most about Eric. Very few people got to know him the way I have. To realize that under that tough and sometimes scary exterior, he has a great sense of humor. And let's face it, I've always had a soft spot for his often-inappropriate comments.

"Nice act, but I ain't buying it. You're no saint, Eric Northman. I should know." I actually laughed a bit at my words.

"Ahh. There she is. I wondered when fairy Sookie was going to show up. It's good to know she's still around. I thought perhaps she'd been domesticated." He said the last word with a look like Ella had when I made her try Brussel sprouts the first time.

"It may surprise you to learn that I am not the same naïve girl you once knew. Being a wife and mother, going to college, running a business, and yes…being a fairy-all those things have helped to make me the woman I am today. I'd like to think Life has taught me to be a little wiser, a little stronger and a lot more tolerant. Even my husband's death will mold me in some way." The mention of my husband causes my voice to crack as I continue, "You of all people should understand the power of time and experience."

Eric POV

"Well said." I had to admit to myself I'd under estimated her. It was hard to reconcile the words she was saying to her physical presence beside me. She looks so much like her younger self, but is so far from it. "I didn't mean to belittle what you've done with your life these past years, I'm sorry. Your appearance is still confusing to me."

I add, "You have matured, that's clear to me now. I guess that means I'll have to get to know you all over again."

That brought a genuine smile to her face. If I still had a beating heart, it might have stopped. Fearing I may have gone too far, I decided to redirect our conversation.

"Tell me about your daughter. She is a halfling, no?" I questioned.

"Yes. Just like Andy's daughter, Adilyn. You remember her, right?" Sookie was anxious to explain. "Apparently, during my pregnancy, both Ella and I's spark strengthened. Dr. Ludwig said we drew power from each other. When she was born, there was a burst of pure light, you could feel the magic. By the time she was three days old, she had already matured a year (physically). I knew then, that my fairy heritage had been passed on. By the time she was two weeks old, she looked like a teenager. Her growth rate finally tapered off, and she's been aging normally until now. Dr. Ludwig thinks she'll slow down even more as she approaches thirty. Just like me. And who knows how long either of us will live, Dr. Ludwig isn't sure."

"Wasn't that hard on you both?" I couldn't help but ask. "How did you handle her schooling and teaching her basic skills?"

"It wasn't always easy, I'll say that. Sixteen years of childhood crammed into two weeks. The book stuff was easy. She's very smart and a fast learner to boot. I home schooled her for two years so she could get her GED. A couple more years at a junior college, and then she was off to Tulane where she earned her degree in Psychology."

I see the pride on her face. "The life skills were harder. My husband I both worked with her on things like riding a bike, dancing, driving a car, and the rest. It's the emotional stuff that can't be taught that was the real challenge. She was so new to everything, so sheltered…she still is in some ways. She lives in a grown-up world, but she's only ten. I think that's why she's drawn to helping children. She can relate to them on their own level. For those that can't or won't, she has her secret weapon," Sookie says as she taps the side of her temple.

"You're very proud of her, I can tell." I give her hand a slight squeeze. "I know you always dreamed of being a mother. I am so happy that you got your chance."

"Me too. Some may think I was cheated, what with Ella growing up so fast. But I wouldn't change a thing…I loved every minute of it. I just wish her Daddy was still gonna be around to see." At that, Sookie starts to cry. I let go of her hand, and wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into my side.

It always disturbed me when she cried, but I could let it pass now as I know it is an essential part of grieving. I can handle a few tears on my shirt. I only wish I was able to do more. I hold her, and whisper to her, "It's going to be ok. I've got you." I feel her shake her head in the affirmative, as the tears fall.

After some time, when she had stopped crying, I decide I should probably be on my way. I start to lean away from her, and state, "It's quite late, and you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. You need your rest. It's best if I go." I stand up from the swing.

The next thing I know, I feel her hand grab mine as she pleads, "No. Please don't go. Won't you stay? You still have your room under the cabinet." The look on her face was all that it took to convince me.

"Alright. Let me send Pam a quick text so she doesn't wonder where I am." I follow her inside as I am texting, and notice for the first time, that I hadn't been invited…now or earlier in the day. She has kept my invitation to her home in tact, all these years.

She walks over to the cabinet and opens the doors. "You'll find fresh linens down there, if you need them."

I thank her, and make my way to the ladder. As I take the first step down, I glance back at Sookie's face. She looks so vulnerable. I can feel her fear, but am unsure of the source. "Are you going to be ok tonight?" I ask.

She hesitates at first, biting on her lip, "I don't think I can sleep in my room…in our bed…without him." Another tear makes its way down her cheek. "I slept in Ella's room last night, but now she's here."

"Sookie, its fine. I understand. Please don't take this the wrong way, but would you like to sleep with me?" I try to keep my face neutral, to cover my surprise at this turn of events. She is crying again.

I feel a wave of relief wash over her as she responds "Can I? "

I reply, "Of course. I remember waking one night in distress and you allowing me to share your bed. I believe this gives me the chance to repay that kindness." I continue my climb to the room below.

Sookie doesn't follow right away. In fact, I hear her walk upstairs. I take the opportunity to make the bed, and remove my clothes, leaving just my boxer briefs on. I climb in under the sheets and wait. I can't help but recall the brief time I had spent down here. A smile forming on my lips as I remember how happy I was…we were. The witch's curse afforded me the chance to be with her in a way I hadn't been with anyone else in over a thousand years. Stripped of my vampire bravado, I was a version of my inner-most self. The part of each of us, vampire or otherwise, we keep hidden from the outside world. Only revealing it to those we love and trust.

I hear Sookie's footsteps as she makes her way back. I watch her as she slowly descends the ladder. She has changed into her pajamas. I can tell from her swollen eyes, that she has been crying as well. It hurts me to see her this way. As she turns to face me, I raise the covers in invitation. She spares no time walking over and getting in bed beside me.

She turns on her side, with her back to me. I can hear her heartbeat increase slightly as she lies stone still. I smell the tears I know have begun falling again, and can't help but move closer to her. I press my chest to her back, and drape my arm over her waist…hoping the contact will provide some comfort. The lights turn off leaving us in complete darkness. She feels so small in my arms. I inhale, and notice the unique honey scent that has always been hers. "Try to get some sleep," I suggest even though I know it may difficult for her.

"Eric? I hope you know it means the world to me that you came. And you doing this? I don't know what to say." I listen as her voice falters, "I just wanted you to know how grateful I am, and I don't just mean for today. I didn't always tell you that in the past, and for that I'm sorry."

I cut her off, "That's not necessary."

"But it is!" she insists. "As time moved on, after Bill and after y'all left town, it's like I started seeing things differently. I had always held Bill in such high regard, and always thought the worst of you. Looking back, now I see the things Bill did that hurt me. The Rattrays. The Queen. Lorena. Billith. How many chances did I give him? And then to top it all off, he tried to make me give up my spark to end his life…I really don't know how I missed it before."

"I was no angel. I also did things that caused you pain." It saddened me to admit.

"That's true, you did. But there was so much more you did to help and protect me, so many I think I've lost count. Even though I didn't grasp it at the time, I haven't forgotten. So why was I so hard on you, and so willing to excuse Bill?"

"I have a theory. You ingested a large amount of Bill's blood over the years. I realize some of that was to heal you, but injury or not, Bill managed to get you to take his blood quite frequently. More than was necessary. Bill was the Queen's procurer, as you know. He was known to be quite talented with glamour. I think his blood worked on you in a way that traditional glamour could not. He was able to influence you to some degree, and I believe he used that power to make you think unfavorably of me while intensifying your feelings towards him." Gods, I've been wanting to get that off my chest for years.

Sookie is quiet, perhaps mulling over what I'd just said. She startles me when she speaks, "That manipulative a-hole!"

"I concur." I reply. Really, what more can I say? I tried to get her to see this years ago, but she could never bring herself to listen. She said she couldn't be with me, because of her love for Bill. Is it any wonder I'm glad that he's finally dead?

"God, Eric. I'm so sorry. I never realized what he was doing. As I look back on it now, it is all starting to make sense. I knew his blood affected how I felt about him, especially in the beginning. I don't think I would have fallen so fast for him without his influence. I was convinced in a matter of weeks, after not really liking him all that much, that I was completely in love with him. When I had your blood in Dallas, something changed. I didn't feel as strongly for him as before. I was on the verge of breaking up with him when the whole Maenad fiasco happened and I was given even more of Bill's blood. Suddenly, I was back in love. Then the whole mess with Lorena and Bill attacking me happened. That should have been a deal breaker, but he gave me more blood and I easily forgave him."

"And then when you and I were together," her voice softens, "I was so sure we could have a future together. The night I got shot, Bill gave me his blood. Again. Alcide told me that he thought Bill had gone too far. So, when you got your memories back, I refused you that night because I thought I loved you both. I assumed almost losing Bill was the reason I suddenly had feelings for him again, and if I did, then it made me question if what you and I had was real? That was Bill's blood, wasn't it? It made me think I still loved Bill and doubt that I really loved you."

I nod my head in agreement. "You didn't know. I suspected, but I also respected the choice you made…painful as it was."

As the enormity of what she's discovered sinks in, I can feel regret and shame in our bond. That's not what I intended. I recognize my error in broaching the subject…tonight of all nights.

"Sookie, I never meant for our conversation to take this direction, it was insensitive of me. I'm not here to rehash our failed relationship. Living as long as I have, I have become a believer in fate. I hold no trust in coincidence…I am certain things happen as they are intended to. Had Bill not influenced you, it is possible that you and I would be together still. Meaning, you would never have met and married your husband, and more importantly, you would never have had Ella." I had stopped lamenting her decision years ago, and did not wish her to start doing so now.

"I made peace with your choice years ago, and seeing that your life has been filled by the love of a good man and the blessings of a daughter, I see now that it was the right one." For her, I add silently.

"Thank you," is her only response.

I can feel her exhaustion. I pull the sheet up to cover her exposed shoulder, and rest my hand there. "Come now, it's time for you to rest. We can talk about this some other time."

"Ok, but just so you know, I did," she says quietly.

"Did what?" I question.

"I did love you," she declares.

"And I, you." I reply. "Good night, Sookie."

After only a few minutes, I can feel her heartbeat slow, and hear her breath start evening out. She is asleep soon after. I try to send calm and love through our bond, not knowing if it will have any effect. I relish the feel of her in my arms, and will hold her until my day death takes me. She is burying her husband tomorrow, I must remind myself. But here, in this place, we are one. For now, that will have to be enough.

A/N: Next chapter to post the week of August 28th. Stay tuned…