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

A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting…busy at work and play. Still awed by your continued support of the story. Your reviews have been AMAZING! Thanks so much!

Last time…(Sookie's POV) I draw in a final deep breath, "Eric, I love you. And I think I'm ready to give this another try."

His lips find mine once again, as he takes hold of my face between his hands. The pressure is firm, but not unpleasant. My head begins to swim as his kiss steals the breath from me. Aware of my need to breathe, he pulls back from the kiss, and my eyes open to the look of pure joy adorning his face.

"I have waited 16 years to hear you say those words, my lover," he reveals as he lays another soft kiss on my lips, "I promise you, you will not regret it."

Chapter 13

New Orleans – Day 2 (cont.)

Eric POV

Gods, I have waited so long to hear her consent. I must use all the self-restraint I possess to not grab her, rip her clothes off, and claim what is mine. My body leans in towards hers under its own volition…every cell in my undead body yearning to be closer to her.

"Oh, Sookie," the words fall from my lips as I gently brush the side of her cheek with my hand as it makes its way into her beautiful golden locks. I continue to move in closer, tilting my head to the side as my hand finds purchase at the back of her neck. Before I can close the remaining distance between us, I feel Sookie launch herself at me, crushing her lips to mine.

Her heart is beating wildly, and I can feel the jumble of her emotions through our bond. She's happy, excited, aroused, and nervous? As I continue to pour every ounce of my love and desire into the kiss, I can feel the war waging in her. I pull back to give her a chance to breathe, both figuratively and literally, as even I find myself trying to catch an unneeded breath. She keeps a hold of my upper arms and slowly inclines her forehead towards mine until they touch.

"Eric," she says, as she begins running her hands up my forearms, and around to the back of my shoulders. "I've missed this, I've missed you…so much." I watch as a tear makes its way down her face.

I pull one of her hands from behind me and bring the knuckles to my lips. "My sweet Sookie," kissing one knuckle and then the next, "I've never wanted anything in my entire existence as badly as I want you." My words seem to have an impact, as she once again, closes the gap between us and initiates another deep, sensual kiss that would bring a normal man to his knees. The hand I had cradling her neck has slowly run down her spine. As it reaches the small of her back, I quickly move her astride me on the couch.

My desire for her is very apparent, and I feel her slowly grind herself against my erection. Her previously warring emotions have now consolidated to just one…need. Her feelings are a mirror of my own, as in mere minutes I've lost all track of thought aside of how much I want this woman. Sixteen years is nothing to a vampire of my age, but it feels like an eternity to me in this moment. Our bodies seem to be reacquainting themselves, and my mind is flooded with images of our previous couplings.

Sookie takes her hand from mine and runs it up under the hem of my shirt, while continuing her assault on my mouth and tongue. There's a confidence behind her moves that was lacking when we were together before, and I find that I am enjoying it quite well. The skirt of her dress has hiked itself up around her hips as a result of her new straddling position…giving my wandering hands better access to her luscious thighs and ass. The latter now being firmly grasped. It is rewarding (if not titillating) to feel delicate silk and lace beneath my fingers…more mature under garments for a more mature Sookie. I can't help the smile that plays on my lips as I continue to kiss her breathless.

I feel Sookie unbuckle my belt and undo the button of my jeans. I could have us both naked in a blink, but I am rather enjoying her boldness. I move my mouth to her neck, and start placing wet kisses along her jugular. My fangs make their expected appearance, as I feel her tugging at the zipper of my jeans. I am treated with her moan of "Oh god, Eric," as her head slowly rolls back with her face towards the ceiling. I take the opportunity to capture her breasts in both hands as her position has thrust them out towards me. Her nipples are rock hard, and I can feel a dampness between her legs where she is rubbing her heat against me.

Sookie adjusts slightly giving her clear access to my now open fly, and I nearly draw blood as I feel her warm hand reach inside my boxers and down the full length of me. I open my eyes and gaze into hers, which have gone nearly black with lust. We begin another toe-curling kiss as I start moving the thin layer of silk to the side, readying myself to enter her. She's ready, I can tell. I can't wait any longer…

"Mom!" Ella yells. "What are you doing? You know I can hear everything!"

Sookie and I freeze like deer caught in headlights. I noticed the emphasis Ella placed on the word "hear" and suddenly realize that her mother must have failed to shield her thoughts from reaching Ella. I would think the whole thing quite amusing, if it weren't for the throbbing erection I was still sporting.

Clearly, we would need to pick this up another time. In a matter of seconds, I put myself and Sookie back to rights. Sookie's blush is extending from her face to past her semi-exposed breasts…and rather than be embarrassed, I can't stop from wondering just how far the blush fully extends. What can I say, I can't just turn myself off like a light switch?

"Ella, I'm so sorry. I let myself get carried away, and dropped my shields." Sookie replies miserably.

Ella, it appears is smirking a bit as she answers, "It's not that I mind what you're doing, though I'd prefer you NOT on my couch, I just don't need the instant replay running in my head. I was trying to sleep, you know."

Seeing that her daughter is not terribly upset, after all, Sookie walks over and gives her a hug. "I promise, no more intrusion tonight, baby…go back to sleep."

I take that as my cue to leave, and stand and walk to the front door. Waiting. Sookie soon joins me with a mixture of joy and embarrassment written all over her face.

"Eric, I'm so sorry. I wouldn't have… if I'd known…" I cut her off with a smile and laugh. "There's nothing to apologize to ME for…I was rather enjoying myself." At the sight of my eyebrow waggle, she finally relaxes and laughs a bit herself. With a shrug, I hear her say softly, "Me too."

After firming up our plans for the next evening, we kiss (briefly) and I return to the King's palace. It has been a very unexpected night all around. I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow has in store.

New Orleans – Day 3

Sookie POV

I wake up, much later than usual. I can tell Ella had left for work hours before, and I am alone in the apartment. Thoughts of last night still run through my head, and I find myself smiling widely. The scene with Ella, not withstanding, last night was game-changing.

I finally did it! I finally said "yes" to Eric. I consider pinching myself to prove that it is for real.

Me and Eric Northman? A thousand-year-old Viking vampire sex god?

No.

MY thousand-year-old Viking vampire sex god!

Oh. My. God.

He is taking me to the New Orleans Art Museum and Botanical Gardens tonight. Very public places. Perhaps that is for the best. As silly as it sounds, I'm a little nervous about being with him, physically, again. I know my body hasn't really changed all the much...and he always seemed to like my body just as it is. But I have changed. I've matured, and I've grown. Still no match to his 1000 plus years, but I'm a far cry from the young girl he once knew.

Lord knows, I want him…I mean really. Who wouldn't? No disrespect to any of my other partners, my husband included, but I've never felt the way I did when making love to Eric, with anyone else. I can't really put my finger on it, there was just something different, something more, between us. Those few days we spent during the witch's curse were extraordinary.

We talked and laughed and made love all day and all night. We gave ourselves completely to one another, in a way I never have before or since. I loved Bill, but Bill loved the southern damsel-in-distress, all human version of me. My husband, though he accepted my otherness, still failed to acknowledge me as anything but human. Eric, is the only one that loves all of what makes me who I am.

I was a fool to not see it before. But here we are. Sixteen years later, nearly half my lifetime. And I have the chance to re-open that closed off part of my heart…to the man that first opened it.

The words that once haunted me, come to mind. Anything is possible.

New Orleans – End of Day 3

Eric POV

I drive back to the King's palace after I drop Sookie off at Ella's apartment. A smile comes to my face as I think about our evening together…

Sookie and I spent the past five hours walking and talking as we explored the Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. Holding hands, stealing too brief kisses, and getting to know one another all over again. I forgot how much I enjoyed her company. Her humor, her intellect, and her zest for life…so akin to my own. Though I still believe she would make a one hell of vampire, I didn't realize until tonight, just how much being a fairy suits her.

At one point in the evening, we were walking on a path through an enclosed butterfly garden. It was beautiful. We were surrounded by trees, flowers, and water features designed to attract the creatures. As we progressed we came across a small bench, so we took a seat. We were nearly the only two people around, so I reached over and took Sookie's hands in mine. I loved the feel of our joined fingers, and I began using the pads of my thumbs to rub small patterns on her palms. I leaned in and captured her mouth with mine. The kiss deepened, and I was rewarded with a throaty moan from her. I pulled back to gaze into her eyes. I watched as they slowly grew larger, with a look of astonishment? This thought made me look away from her beautiful blue orbs, long enough to register the scene around us.

We were surrounded by dozens of wonderful winged specimens…butterflies of all colors and sizes! They were clearly drawn to Sookie, and the inherent magic she possesses. As my attention shifted around us, I noticed that some of the flowers near us, had begun to open more fully…almost as if they were in the sun. The air around us was filled with the sweetest fragrance, and I realized that it was only partially due to the vegetation. My sweet Sookie.

The look on Sookie's face revealed that she was just as intrigued by all this as I was. "This has never happened before, I take it?" I questioned.

"No," she replied. "But then again, I've never been around so many at once."

"Like the proverbial moth to the flame," I commented, and heard her nervous laugh in response. I felt her emotions shift to that of embarrassment.

"Sookie, my love, don't be embarrassed. Your spark is a by-product of magic and nature. You're as connected to it, as a vampire is connected to blood. It and you are remarkable." To emphasize my point, I returned my attention back to her mouth, and was rewarded once again by the sweet sounds of her taking pleasure in me. Butterflies all but forgotten, we sat on the bench and made out like a couple of hormonal teenagers. We only stopped when we were joined by a few newcomers to the conservatory.

Not wanting to keep Sookie out too late, I offered to take her back to the apartment. She and Ella have early appointments at the spa tomorrow, and I know that the gala will likely go until predawn. We ended our date and I dropped her off.

As I park my car, and walk to my room in the palace, I think about the figurative path we are now taking in our relationship. I need Sookie to see that I want her, for companionship as well as for sex. The words I spoke to her in Bill's living room still hold true…I am the same Eric that she fell in love with during the curse, and so much more. I am her business partner, her protector, and her friend. I am a vampire, a warrior, and the Eric that offered to run away with her…they're all a part of me.

She accepted that once, just as I accepted her, and that mutual acceptance led to the bond we still share. The blood tie that should have dissipated years ago, has remained intact. I never realized until now, why that might be. We accepted more than one another's blood all those years ago, and if Sookie can find it in herself to be open to it, we could be bound once again. A thought for another time, perhaps.

For now, I will go to my day death after pleasuring myself with thoughts of sweet fairy essence, warm kisses, and butterflies. Gods, the things I will do for this woman!

A/N: Once again, sorry for the nearly month-long hiatus…October was an unusually busy month. There are more things to come, including the Gala (next chapter). Hope to post every week or so. Until next time!