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

A/N: As always, thanks for all the kind reviews – you are the reason I keep writing, and believe me…there's plenty more to come! I was so glad so many of you liked the email format in the last chapter. It was a risk that I feel really paid off.

Chapter 10

New Orleans, March 2028

Eric POV

I arrive in New Orleans, and report to the King straight away. I am shown to a suite of rooms in the mansion that will easily suit my needs. It has a balcony accessible by a set of double doors, a desk/work area, a bathroom with a tub that can accommodate my size, and a king size four poster bed. Say what you will about Sophie Ann, the woman liked the very best, and it showed. Though the interior decorating has been toned down (a welcome change from her over-the-top style) the basic elements of the room are very pleasing.

Who am I kidding? I would be happy with a wooden crate if it means I'll soon be seeing Sookie. I can feel her excitement in our bond, and can feel her getting closer. I know that some of that excitement is because of seeing her daughter, but I take heart that some of it is for me as well.

I have no further business here for the night, so I decide to make my way to Ella's apartment. I texted that I would be arriving after dark tonight, so she should be expecting me.

I walk over to the French doors leading to my balcony, and launch into the air. The New Orleans air smells familiar…a strange mix of swampy humid air, the smell of intoxicated humans and other undesirable results of people eating and drinking in excess, and the always present aroma of flowers, seafood and baked goods that are a part of the French Quarter. Sookie's daughter lives on the outskirts of town, and I find my way there quite easily.

The building is much as I expected. It's an older building, built in the traditional French style, complete with a beautiful private courtyard. I notice the wrought iron gate at the entrance, and wonder if Ella chose this place purposefully knowing the iron would ward off other fairies. Smart girl. As I pass through the gate to the front entry door, I can see and smell the night blooming jasmine. Lovely. It has always been a favorite of mine. I locate the panels of push buttons and names, touching the one labeled Stackhouse & Dupree.

"Hello?" a voice rings out of a tiny metal speaker.

"Ella, it is Eric Northman. May I come up?" I respond.

"Sure. Wait for the buzzer." Upon hearing a pathetic electronic static I assume is the buzzer, I push the door and let myself in. The implied invitation in her response allows me to cross the buildings threshold, but I will still need a more formal invite to enter Ella's apartment. A flight of stairs and a few turns later, I find myself knocking on Apt. 216. The door opens immediately, causing me to take a step back.

"Mr. Northman. Won't you please come in?" Ella asks sheepishly. "Did I do it right? The invitation, I mean. I've never had a vampire in my apartment before."

"Yes," I reply kindly, "you did it perfectly. I am honored to be your first vampire guest." I make my way past her into the utilitarian kitchen/dining/living room area. I can see a hallway that likely leads to the bathroom and bedrooms she and her roommate occupy. Overall, the space is small but comfortable. I sit down at the end of her couch, as Ella joins me in an adjacent chair.

She appears to be nervous, playing with invisible lint near the knee of the pants she has on. I notice the bracelet I gave her for Christmas adorning her wrist, and smile inwardly. "I see you're wearing the bracelet…it looks nice on you." I hope this will give us something to talk about, otherwise it is going to be a very long night.

Her face lights up at hearing my comment. "Yes, I love it! I meant to say something sooner. Mom said that the engraving is some kind of rune?"

"Yes. A fairy protection rune. Even though most of the fae have departed this realm, a few still exist. The bracelet will protect you from any who would want to do you harm." I continued, "The wrought iron gate out front is another deterrent. Fairies and iron don't mix."

"Wow. I had no idea. Mom has tried telling me things over the years, but I really never paid careful attention. I'm starting to regret that now." Her face looks a bit downtrodden, so I ask, "Would you like to know more?"

For the second time tonight, I experience the delight of seeing her face brighten as she shakes her head in the affirmative while contemplating her next question. We spend the better part of the next hour talking about all things supernatural. She absorbs my lessons like a sponge. I can tell that she was very bright, like her mother. I am surprised to find the act of sharing eleven hundred years' worth of knowledge to be quite gratifying. I was just about to tell her about her mother's encounter with the Maenad, when the woman herself arrives.

Sookie is the only woman who can make my long dead heart try to beat again. I stand up as Ella walks over to buzz her mother inside. The three short minutes it takes her to reach Ella's apartment feels like an eternity. I have to actively restrain myself from vamping to her a grabbing her in my arms, as I watch her embrace her daughter. I know they need this reunion as badly as Sookie and I do. The torture is over quickly, when Sookie breaks free of Ella's hold and walks into my waiting arms.

The misery of the past six-month separation instantly falls away, leaving us this moment of pure bliss.

I wrap my arms around her small frame and run my right hand up her spine until my fingers rest in her golden curls. I feel her breath as it ghosts across my chest, and her body's warmth seeps through my clothing. I inhale an unneeded breath, and take in the scent that is pure heaven to me…the sunshine to my moon and stars.

Sookie is gripping me tightly in return, and if I were human, I'd be a bit short of air. The embrace lasts a moment or two longer than expected, and we only break apart when Ella makes a throat clearing noise to express her discomfort. Sookie blushes, a bit embarrassed, but remains standing next to me. She apologizes to Ella and then asks if I can retrieve her bags from the car she has parked outside. I am able to vamp to the car and back in no time at all.

Ella shows me where Sookie will be staying and I place her luggage on the bed. Apparently, Ella's roommate is staying with some other friends so that Sookie can use her room during her stay. I was tempted to offer to let Sookie stay with me at the King's mansion, but decide against it for a number of reasons. Once all of her things are settled, the three of us meet back in the living room.

"So, what have the two of you been up to? Sookie asks as she looks back and forth between Ella and myself.

"Eric was giving me a crash course in the Supernatural. It was so cool Mom! Did you know there really are goblins and weres that shift in to things like Bears and Tigers?" I had clearly made a fan of her daughter, who at this very moment was bouncing in her seat like the ten-year old she actually is.

Sookie can't hide the smile that has begun to show on her face as she questions, "You don't say? How nice of Mr. Northman to share that with you. I've been trying for years to teach you this stuff…it appears you are finally interested in learning something."

I can see Sookie's amused expression, but the bond is relaying some frustration as well. I hope I haven't overstepped. I assumed the child would already know these things living with such open-minded parents. "If you'd prefer that I not teach her more…" I was about to continue when Sookie interrupted.

"No. It's not that at all. I'm grateful to you. Her father and I had been trying to teach her, for her own protection, but she was never so 'receptive' to our attempts. You have a gift, it seems." Her face was graced by another genuine smile. Beautiful.

The three of us spend the next few hours talking…about Ella's job, my recent trip to New York, and Sookie's business ventures. I am actually surprised by how at ease we all are with one another. I'll admit I was nervous about spending time with Ella, because I know children can be quite protective of their parents. But as the night went on, I got the impression that Ella was glad I was here. I was absolutely sure of it, when Sookie made her way to the bathroom, leaving us alone for a few minutes.

As I watched Sookie walk down the hallway, I sensed Ella leaning over towards me, using her hand in a 'come here' motion. I leaned in her direction as she spoke in a near whisper, "I didn't get the chance to tell you this before Mom showed up. I'm SO glad you talked her into this visit. Lafayette has told me that she gets kinda depressed sometimes, and that she needs to get out of the house for a while. I've been trying for months to get her here…so thanks. You're good for my Mom, I can tell."

I'm not sure what I thought she was going to say, but that definitely wasn't it. To know that I have her blessing, eased a burden I didn't realize I was carrying. I smiled despite myself.

"I care for your mother a great deal…I believe you know that. If you ever think there's anything I can do to help her, you must let me know. I'm not trying to replace your father, no one could EVER do that. But I want you to know, Ella, that I am here for your mother…and that means I am here for you too, if you ever need it." Before the words had completely left my mouth, Ella launched herself at me and encircled my neck with her small arms. Hearing the bathroom door open up, she just as quickly resumed her seat in the chair she was sitting in.

"Before I sit back down, can I get either of you anything?" Sookie was making her way to the kitchen. Ella asks her for a glass of sweet tea. When I try to decline, Sookie gives me a mischievous look and says that if I ask for a blood, there might be a 'little surprise' in it. How can I refuse? She comes back a few minutes later with two sweet teas and a coffee mug filled with NuBlood, still warm from the microwave.

She hands me the mug, and as I take it, I immediately notice the aroma. It still smells like NuBlood, but there was an earthy aromatic undertone…coffee. I had only consumed coffee a few times as a human. It was not commonly found back in those days. So, I don't have much reference for the taste, but the smell. It's so rich. It smells like all the Starbucks and coffee houses that I've ever walked or flown by. It's funny really, in all my years as a vampire, coffee was only food whose aroma made me wish I was human so I could partake of it.

I lift the mug to my lips, take a long sip of the thick liquid into my mouth, and feel my eyebrows quirk towards my hairline. I swallow the contents in my mouth and greedily drink some more. I barely register Sookie asking, "What do you think?" as I am so taken by the delicious beverage in my hands.

"Sookie, this is wonderful. I never dreamed that NuBlood could taste so good. I had my doubts when you and Lafayette were taking so long, but it was clearly worth the wait." I exclaimed.

"Really?" she demands. "James said it was good, but we didn't want to only take his word for it. I'm so glad you like it…we worked really hard on this one. We figured since coffee has been a staple in human diets for the last two hundred years or more, any relatively young vampires would really miss it." I nod in agreement as I finish the rest of the coffee-flavored blood.

"It's brilliant, Sookie. You're brilliant. I envision adding this to the NuBlood that we currently sell through our McDonald's supply chain. We are definitely going to have to make some time to talk business…" I watch as Sookie's face begins to fall, "but not this week. I'll need you and your flavor samples to come out to LA, to our NuBlood facilities. We can plan something after we return from this trip." With that, her expression turns back to a hopeful and excited one.

"I hate to eat and run, but it is getting late, and I'm sure you ladies have plenty to talk about on your own." Sookie's mouth begins to pout slightly, and I can't help but to find it adorable. I walk over and pull her into another hug, kissing her softly on the top of her head. "Good night, dear one. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

"Good night, Eric." Sookie pulls away from me slightly, and with a giggle she uses the pad of her thumb to wipe the corners of my mouth. "You had a little blood mustache," she explains. I noticed her eyes are still staring at my now clean lips, when she stands up on her tip toes and places a light kiss on my lips. Unexpected…and nice.

Realizing a bit too late what she has done, she pulls completely away and walks to the front door to allow my exit. I say my goodbye to Ella, give a nod to Sookie, and make my way outside. As I once again launch into the sky, this time it is with a lighter heart and fangy smile.