I'll be your dream

I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy

I'll be your hope I'll be your love

Be everything that you need

I'll love you more with every breath

Truly, madly, deeply do

I will be strong I will be faithful

'cause I'm counting on

A new beginning

A reason for living

A deeper meaning, yeah – Savage Garden

Eric POV

I cannot remember ever being this nervous before, either as a human or as a vampire. There have been nerve-wracking situations during both times in my life but nothing has caused me to feel like this before.

I am pledging my life to another. And that is the easy part. That is the part that is making me smile and fill with a warmth that I am getting very familiar with feeling. I am not nervous over pledging my life to Sookie; that is what is offering me comfort at the moment. The thought that I will not only be bonded to Sookie but pledged as well, that is the thought that I am clinging to as all others circulate in my head at the same time.

It is in my nature to think things through. This is not something that I developed as a vampire; instead this is something I carried from my human life into my vampire one. It is a skill that has kept me, and those I care about, alive and I am thankful for that. However, right now it is a skill that has me worrying about the huge target I am painting on Sookie's back. I will not take back my decision to pledge to her; I will not allow my fear to do so. I do, however, need to make sure that I am capable of keeping Sookie, my pledged, my wife in her terms, safe during the ceremony and for all the years after it. That is why I require a night of thinking.

I am trying to stay steps ahead of every threat coming at us with my plans. I have contingency plan upon contingency plan, trying to have a strategy for every scenario I can imagine being thrown at us. I have escape plans for Sookie if need be. Her Fae cousin Claudine is helping with this and has given her word that this will be something that will be kept secret. Though I don't think Niall would intentionally hurt her, that still leaves a lot of ways he could unintentionally cause her hurt and pain. I trust Claudine to make sure that does not happen to Sookie. A Fae never goes back on their word.

It is trying to find the connection among all the threats that is giving me pause; there are far too many for me to think them all a mere coincidence. The only link that I can think of is Sookie and while I will make sure no other touches her, that does not allow me to know what lengths they will go and the path they may travel to get to her. My instincts are telling me that she is not the ultimate goal; that her role in all of this is more of a treasured prize and that leaves the door open to many, many possibilities.

Then there is whoever is presently watching Karin. Again, my instincts are screaming more than just a coincidence yet I do not believe it is the work of de Castro. He would understand that sending vampire look-a-likes of horrors my past would do nothing else but incite my anger. That is not something that he would be attempting to do if he was planning a takeover, whether it be a violent or a peaceful one. The only other vampire I can think of that could be behind this would not stay this subtle for this long. He would have done something more direct by now. So I am left still unsure of that particular threat, which seems to be centered on my child now.

And that brings my thoughts to how I can get Karin here safely. The plane has not been able to land, not finding a spot large enough for a quick landing and takeoff. A helicopter has been considered but that could attract too much attention, which is something that for Karin's safety, I need to avoid. Moving Karin could alert whoever is following her that something is about to happen and that is not a risk I am willing to take.

Hearing my front door open provides a break from my thoughts. Sookie is still asleep, probably having spent the day trying to undo whatever my child has done now with our pledging. This leaves me some time to discuss plans with Pam, now that she is here. But with my vampire senses, I quickly find that Pam is not alone and she has brought another to my home.

I stand about to question why my child would make such a risky move with everything going on. As I do so, I catch the scent of someone I have not seen in a very long time and for a second, I doubt what my vampire senses are telling me. I turn back to Pam and see the glint in her eye as I ask my child, "Pam, what did you do?"

Pam POV

I 'gave' Eric the night to work through everything he needed to but wasn't allowing himself to. Eric is a thinker and though I know he is more than happy to be pledging his life to Sookie, I know he also wants to make sure that he can keep her safe.

Hence the need for thinking.

I did tell him he'd have the night and I'd distract Sookie over more plans, this time using orange instead of pink. Now that we are only one night away, I've got to up the ante a bit here. But when I told him to take the night, I may have already known he wasn't going to get all of it.

All part of my master plan to not let him drive himself crazy.

So as I am walking into his house with my surprise, I may have expected Eric to have a question like that. This was completely unexpected for him. This was also something that I have been working on since before I knew of Eric's wish to pledge to Sookie. It was simply something that needed to happen; all of us needed it. And though Eric was working on it and doing everything he could, it still wasn't working. Caution was needed, but he was being more cautious than necessary. My plan, to which my guest fully agreed with, may have been a bit more risky, but it worked.

I'm just happy I was able to pull it off. I sense Eric offering me a credit card with no limit, but just this one time I will turn it down. I did this for Eric; I know that he needed it. But I needed it too.

I closely watch Eric's expression as I hear the footsteps of the vampire accompanying me, telling me she entered the room. I am concerned of what his face might show. It could show fear and worry. It shouldn't ,but it very well could and that concerns me because it would mean that Eric is not as well adjusted, that he hasn't accepted the truth as much as he appears to.

With all that is going on at the moment that would be a very bad thing.

But I see none of the concern on Eric's face I am worried about, as the vampire I brought stops to stand right next to me. Instead I see disbelief and just a hint of a smile. I am hoping that smile is soon larger than a hint as his mind catches up with what he is seeing. Eric can usually do that in an instant but it is obvious that with this situation, it is a bit of a delayed reaction.

He looks from me to the vampire standing next to me a few times before repeating his question, "Pam, what did you do?"

"Well, you needed someone who could perform the ceremony," I tell him with my own smirk. That of course, was not my biggest motivation but it is a big bonus, if both Sookie and Eric agree though with this. I think they are going to though.

Eric focuses back on the visitor. They are both waiting for the other to make the first move and I can feel the tension in the room grow. But there should be no tension between these two. I am about to say something when the vampire I came with says, "Well, if this is the welcome you have for me, I may as well go back. And here I thought you were working your ass off to get me here."

That's my sister.

At her words, I see that Eric truly knows that my sister accepts him. He knew that from their phone conversations but I know my maker and he had to be sure, he had to see it. Karin has never blamed him for what happened knowing the whole time where the true blame lay.

Eric goes straight to her and wraps his arms around her. My eyes suddenly start to burn and I start to rub at them, ignoring the red that appears on my hands when I do so. Eric needed to make sure that Karin was truly okay with everything, with him. He is still putting others before him. It is something that for the longest time, I wanted to change about him because I thought he was shortchanging himself by doing so. I also thought it was a painful reminder of his early years as a vampire; just another thing Appius had wrongly drilled into his head. I no longer think that. In fact I encourage him to embrace it.

It's ingrained in him. It's a part of who he is and it's not because of his maker. It's in spite of him. Although Eric took much of what Appius 'taught' him to heart for far too long, this is a sign that Appius didn't destroy him completely, which is another testament in how strong my maker truly is. He could have let the 'lessons' Appius instilled in him destroy him and destroy any concern he had for others. But Eric is too strong for that. Instead, he rose above it and his concern for others shows this.

I just couldn't see it until I saw the same qualities in Sookie. She, herself, could have let her past prevent her from having trust in anyone, concern for anyone. But she has had concern when most would have turned away in anger. That is why we are here today. That's why she and Eric are getting pledged tomorrow night.

It definitely could have gone the other way.

"Karin," Eric says in a voice filled with love. He still has not let my vampire sister go, which looks like it is okay since Karin doesn't look eager to let him go either. I am just standing here, taking in the moment that has been a few centuries in the making.

"Does this mean you're happy to see me," Karin asks when Eric finally lets her go.

"Happy does not even begin to describe what I am to see you," he tells her and suddenly I am blinking a whole lot faster. "You are here. You got here unhurt?" he asks, concern clear in his voice.

"I'm here, Eric and I am okay," she tells him.

"How?" he asks looking back and forth between Karin and I.

That's when I start my explanation. We were not having any luck getting the plane exactly where Karin was for the quick landing and takeoff. So Karin had to go somewhere the plane would be able to land. I glossed over this part as Eric's glare showed he really didn't appreciate the minor danger Karin was in as she traveled to get to a point where the plane could make a quick getaway. She was still being closely watched and we didn't know what her observers would do if they thought she was leaving. Karin was sick of being held captive in a way and was willing to take on the risk.

One look at Eric's face though and I know that it is a risk he was not willing to take.

But as Karin says again, "Relax, Eric. I got out of there with no issue. I'm here and I'm with you. I am happy to be with you once again," the death glare Eric was shooting at me turns into one of gratitude.

"I am happy that you are here too," Eric says giving her another hug as the sound of the bedroom door opening fills our ears.

Sookie comes out of the bedroom rubbing the sleep from her eyes, which is something I have come to understand humans tend to do. Yet, another reason I am happy that I am a vampire, no eye crusty, as Sookie calls them. She hesitates when she realizes there is someone in the room that she does not know.

Eric moves right over to her and says, "Sookie, there is someone I want you to meet." He walks back to Karin and I, bringing Sookie along with him. "Sookie, this is my first child, Karin. Karin, this is Sookie. She is the one I am pledging my life to."

Sookie's eyes light up as she takes in the news and before anyone can do or say anything else, she wraps up Karin in a hug. My vampire sister looks surprised but soon returns the hug. I have no doubt that Sookie will soon have my sister wrapped around her little finger as she has managed to work her metaphorical magic on us. I know I am right when I see the grateful look Karin has as she sinks into the hug.

As Sookie stops clinging to Karin she says, "It's wonderful to meet you. I am so glad you're finally here."

"It's good to finally be here. I am so happy to finally meet you. Eric has told me so much about you over the phone." Karin hesitates before taking Sookie into her arms again and saying softly, "Thank-you. For everything you have done for him, for them," she adds her eye catching mine. "I owe you."

"You owe me nothing," Sookie says. "Eric is the one who finally was open to accepting the truth about his maker, about himself."

"I don't owe you? Well, that is certainly a shame. And here I thought I could be the one to perform your pledging" Karin says with a smirk all her own. It must be a family thing

"You can do that?" Eric asks as Sookie asks, "You would do that?" Eric obviously didn't catch it when I said it earlier.

Hearing both of them ask a question at the same time has Karin laughing. "Yes I can and I would be honored to if you would allow it."

"Absolutely," Sookie responds.

"The honor would be mine," Eric says.

"Ours," Sookie adds, taking a hold of Eric's hand.

"Well, then, what is there left to plan for your pledging tomorrow night?" Karin asks giving me a wink that goes unnoticed by the other two. I just may have let her in on my plans. There is nothing left to plan. I have covered everything from how to make sure everyone is safe tomorrow night to the small thorns on the roses for the centerpieces.

And they are going to love it. They just don't know quite how much yet.

Sookie POV

I am standing in the back hallway of Fangtasia waiting until it is time for me to walk to my vampire. I have been told that this is not common procedure in a vampire pledging. Instead, it is something Eric wanted to add, thinking that walking down an aisle would be important to me. I can admit that it is something I always saw myself doing, as it is a staple in most weddings but I could have done without it as long as my wedding included the love of my life. I can't say I pictured a vampire waiting for me at the end of the aisle, but I am glad my vampire is waiting for me.

And I know he will be. After all, Pam would catch him if he tries to run.

Of course, marrying a vampire isn't the only thing that has changed since I started imagining my wedding. My father had been the one I pictured walking me down the aisle, as is the typical dream of most girls. My mother would be in the front row holding back tears as my grandparents stood with her. My aunt should be standing there with Hadley; as it is Hadley can't be here at all. The Queen didn't want her coming by herself and it was decided Sophie-Anne should stay away as well. Getting through tonight with no catastrophes would be fabulous and the eyes on us would be observing closely if Sophie-Anne was here tonight.

Needless to say, it's going to be a small ceremony but I am happy about that. Present will be the people who care about me, who care about Eric, who care about us. That is what I need tonight. All I need is my vampire and our little family. It's all I want, for now and forever.

"There's still time to plan an escape if you want," Jason says coming to sit beside me. I ignore the stern look Thalia gives him at his joke, or tries to give as it seems she can't help but smile as he winks at her as he catches her gaze.

"May work if the groom wasn't a vampire. He would just be able to track me," I say, adding to his joke.

"I'll drive really fast," he responds and I can't tell if he is joking or if he actually thinks that would work.

"Not even that would get her far being bonded to him," Thalia says before I can decide if he's joking or not.

"Yeah, I'm not sure I want to know what my sister's bond entails," Jason says, rubbing the back of his neck showing just how uncomfortable he really is with the turn in this conversation.

"Jason, I have never wanted to know what goes on in your nights but unfortunately I haven't had much of a choice in the matter," I tell him tapping my head. "Maybe it's time I returned the favor.

That has Jason shaking his head saying, "Oh no, Sook. You, my baby sister, don't do any of that stuff. Ever," he adds emphatically, to which Thalia lets out a scoff that she tries to cover with a laugh. Damn vampire senses.

"I don't know," Thalia says and I worry that she may be trying to get me to blush even more. "With the right person, a blood bond would be quite magical," she adds and as much as I may want to because I already know too much about my brother's love life, I can't ignore the look that is in her eyes as she says it. My vampire friend is secretive about her past but I know that is due to the pain of it. She has been opening up slowly but surely recently though. I am not sure if Thalia's words are about her painful past or about a future she would like to have, but I can tell which one my brother is hoping for.

And I know which one I am.

Thalia leaves us for a minute to go do a last minute security check. I have told her she is off duty and have been trying to get her to simply enjoy the night but she wants to make sure everyone is safe.

I can't say I fault her for that.

"Sookie, this is for you," Jason says as he takes something out of his pocket. I recognize it immediately and my eyes start to tear up as I do. It's my mother's necklace, one that she always wore. Gran always told Jason to give it to the girl he married so she would have a connection with our mother too.

I shake my head and tell him, "That's yours."

"I want you to have it," he tells me. "There are a few other things I could give a girl if I ever get married. This is something that you should have. Mom is here watching over you today. I know she is and I want you to be sure of it too."

I feel the tears starting to fall out of my eyes and Thalia is quickly, softly blotting them, as she comes back into the room. "Pam will kill me if you smudge you makeup," she tells me.

"I won't let her," I respond my voice shaking as I try to keep from crying. Pam wouldn't do anything to ruin tonight, but with Pam I just don't want to take the chance. I wrap my arms around my brother and whisper, "Thanks Jase," in his ears as his arms wrap around me as well.

Karin peaks her head in the door and tells us that it's time, just as the music starts to play. She hurries to take her place as Thalia gets herself ready. She is entertaining another human marriage custom – she is walking down the aisle ahead of me. Though I am sure she did it mostly for me, I am positive that spending a little extra time with my brother was definitely not a hardship for her.

"Thanks for doing this, Jase," I tell him when it is just us.

He hugs me as he says, "I wouldn't be anywhere else," softly and that brings my thoughts back to my parents. I more than appreciate Jason being willing to walk me down the aisle but he should be sitting with my mother or standing up next to Eric as my brother and my father should be back here after threatening to kill Eric if he hurts me.

I touch the necklace Jason gave me tonight and I swear when I do that I can feel my parents here with us. I guess in a world with vampires, witches, Weres, fairies, and who knows what else, ghosts aren't that far off. Anything is possible.

Jason must be thinking about them too as he whispers, "I hope they'd be proud of me," into my ear as he squeezes me tighter. "I sure as hell know that they would be proud of you."

"They'd be proud of you too, Jason," I tell him. "They'd be more than proud of you." My brother may not always think things through but he has a good heart, a caring heart. That's what is important.

The music, another addition Eric insisted on, changes and I know that is my cue to start my journey down the makeshift aisle. A shiver of excitement and anticipation runs through me as the door that closed after Thalia is opened and now it is my turn to walk through them.

"Still time for us to run," Jason says even as he links his arm through mine.

"There's only one direction I want to run tonight, Jase," I tell him taking my first step in that direction.

"Well then," he says walking with me. "Let's go get you pledged."

Hello dear readers. I hope you are getting through the holiday time in one piece. I also hope that you have enjoyed this latest chapter as they all prepare for the pledging. And we have Karin here, which is always a good thing! Thanks so much for reading and thanks to those letting me in on their thoughts. I do appreciate the feedback.

I am not sure when the next chapter will be posted. I'm dog/cat/house sitting over break and it will depend on internet access.

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate this holiday. I hope everyone has had/is having a great holiday season filled with family and friends. I hope you all have an awesome start to the New Year!