I've been a walking heartache

I've made a mess of me

The person that I've been lately

Ain't who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me

And watch as the storm blows through

And I need you

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

And for when I think I lost my way

There are no words here left to say, it's true

God gave me you

Gave me you – Blake Shelton

Eric POV

The music stars and I breathe a sigh of relief, thinking that the start of the ceremony would end the conversation, read teasing, between my children. I should have known that the start of music and Thalia walking down the aisle would not be enough to stop them. I strain my neck to try and catch a glimpse of Sookie, but the door closes behind Thalia before I can manage to angle my head the right way. Thalia gives me a knowing smirk as she continues to walk towards me.

I made the aisle for Sookie, trying to respect her human traditions the state will not yet let us have. However at this moment, for purely selfish reasons of course, I am seriously regretting it. I have to wait for Thalia to walk down it before Sookie even starts; then I will have to wait at least another thirty seconds before Sookie is in my arms again. Too much time in my book.

Especially when Pam and Karin are still speaking. I do not know what I was thinking when I wanted them both in the same place. The two of them pit themselves against me. They behave like true sisters and I…love it. I absolutely love it, even if it sometimes feels like my sanity is slipping because of it.

"Are we going to have to call her, 'Mommy'?" Pam asks with an evil glint in her eye.

"You call her that and you may find yourself with a shard of wood sticking out of your chest, courtesy of Sookie," I tell her.

"Besides, you don't even call him Daddy," Karin says, seemingly sticking up for me. I should have known it wouldn't last long. "But it may be fun. Possibly we should start," she adds before the two of them burst into giggles just as Thalia reaches us and takes her place across from Pam.

She takes one look at my two children trying yet failing to hold in their laughter and says, "If you ruin tonight for Sookie, I will be playing in your entrails for the reception."

That causes them to stop giggling immediately as they both try and determine how serious she is with that claim. I give her a smile to show her my appreciation, as I know that she would never hurt Pam, Karin or anyone else in our family.

Though if it keeps them quiet at the moment, I will not set my children at ease as they ponder her words.

The music changes and my focus shifts to the doors that are still closed. I am about to go and rip those doors right off of their hinges. With my vampire speed, I could do just that and still be back here in place as Sookie starts her walk down the aisle.

Luckily for the doors, they open as my thoughts finish and an indescribable feeling comes over me as I see Sookie walk through them with her brother. I had tried to convince her, really I simply asked wanting everything on this night to be how she would like it, if she would consider wearing a red dress. Really the clothes are not important to the pledging and I find Sookie gorgeous in anything, but red is a favorite of mine. She told me that is something she will need to remember, but she would be walking down the makeshift aisle in a white dress.

And in this moment, I am happy that she is. She looks like an angel and for me that is what she has been. The white dress is fitting for that reason and for so many others. I would not be standing here if it were not for the woman walking towards me. Besides the obvious reason as she is the only one I could imagine pledging my life to, I would not be ready to pledge my life to anyone if it was not for her. It is something that I do not take lightly; I would hate to do it for a simple political move. It is something that should have feelings, love and respect to name two. Sookie is the one that taught me this. She showed me, is still showing me, what it is to love and to be loved and she allowed me to come to the realizations on my own. As a result, I not only have won Sookie's heart but I have a better understanding of the relationship I have with my children.

There is much I owe her for and I will spend a lifetime, whether it be hers or mine, showing her.

I will have a lifetime, but at the moment I must keep my thoughts in the 'now.' Now Sookie is walking to me, ready to pledge her life to me and ready to accept mine. Her dress is predominately white but there are red accents in it, red accents that she must have added in for me. The bottom as well as the top of the dress around the neckline, both have red in it. I would say that I have no idea how she found quite a dress in so little time but she had Pam helping her. My child could find that proverbial needle in a haystack in record time when it comes to shopping.

I feel myself tense up and the action does not go unnoticed by my children. "Breathe," Pam whispers to me as I stand and watch Sookie as she steps closer and closer to me. Tension may be running through me but this one is one I welcome. This one is all excitement.

"He doesn't need to breathe. He is a vampire," Karin whispers back to Pam from behind me.

"It worked for Sookie all those times."

"She's a human. Breathing is pretty important to them."

"It was more than just moving the oxygen around her body. It calmed her, it centered her," Pam says before Karin mutters something about psychology crap.

I take a deep breath but it is more a reminder to me that I love my children and would miss them if I made them goo. Also, I would not want to have to make Sookie walk through them on her way to me.

It would get her shoes gooey.

I must admit though that the tension, not the excitement or anticipation, leaves me as I take a breath. Pam pats my head and says, "Good boy," but my eyes never leave Sookie's as they have finally caught mine. I do hear Karin hit Pam's head though for her words. I also hear a snicker coming from Thalia. See, she is not that tough.

Do not tell her I said that.

As Sookie finally reaches me after what seems like an endless journey to me, I give her a smile, which she returns before my eyes leave hers. I turn to Jason and I hold out my hand to shake his. Sookie has had to tell him several times that vampires do not shake hands and usually she is right. But as hugs have become a part of my nightly routine, I feel like I can no longer begrudge him the simple act.

The smile on his face is well worth it as he understands my action as I had hoped. That still does not stop him from saying, "If you hurt my sister, I will kill you," as he shakes my hand. He says it with all the sincerity in the world and even though I can hear the soft sniggers from the few in attendance as well as the three female vampires standing up here with me, I know he means his words.

"I will never give you a reason too," I tell him just as sincerely. He gives my hand a last good grasp before nodding at me. He then goes to sit next to Alcide who is pulling double duty tonight. Sookie and I were happy to just have him as a guest but he insisted on coming fully stocked with weapons just in case.

We will just hope they are not needed.

I can feel the smile grow on my face as I turn and devote all my attention to Sookie. I wish to pull her to me and I almost manage to but Karin stops me and says, "Not so fast. You are not pledged yet." It causes some laughter through our guests.

"Well, you better hurry then," I say taking Sookie's hand in mine. I stroke it with my thumb just needing to hold some part of her. I have needed things before, things like safety, food, and blood but never before have I felt a need as strong as the one I have to be near Sookie, to be simply in her presence. It is almost like I am missing a part of myself when I am not with her.

Karin says something in welcoming but I do not hear the words she actually says. Instead, my focus is on the little human in front of me, and the way she squeezes my hand. The way she gives me a half-smile. The way her eyes are watery with what better be happy tears. The way she mouths, "I love you," but my vampire ears can actually hear it.

"Before we get to the actual pledge, Eric and Sookie both wish to share a few words with each other," Karin says, her words bringing my focus back to the ceremony. Another part of the human tradition I wished to make sure Sookie is able to experience. I love and appreciate the fact that Sookie is willing to do this in a way that is important and meaningful to me. I know that is enough to make it mean something for her but I cannot help but try to increase that meaning for her.

Karin motions to me, my signal to start. Though it is difficult to put into words just how I feel about Sookie, I am going to do my best.

"You are something I did not even know I was missing," I start off by telling her. "Something I did not even know I wanted, something I had know idea how bad I needed. You came into my life as what I thought was a simple human who came to my bar one night. I soon learned you are anything but simple." I get a small glare at that, from Thalia not Sookie who I believed would understand my words, and quickly add, "And I would not have it any other way.

"You, Sookie Stackhouse, are anything but simple. The way you care for others over yourself makes you nothing short of caring and magnificent. The way you love makes you nothing less than splendid. The patience you had to let me come to the knowledge and understanding that you knew long before I did makes you spectacular.

"That understanding you allowed me to develop is what makes me a better vampire, a better man. I cannot help but feel that we are two parts of the same whole. I do not feel complete without you. You are what makes me whole, Sookie. I am more of myself, the best of myself because of you. You had the patience for me to figure it out. For that, and for so much more, I will love you for as long as I walk this earth."

Sookie POV

I knew I should have gone first. I have no idea how I am going to get anything other than tears or sobs out after hearing Eric's words. They were perfect. He can say that they are his words to me but many of them are also my words to him; they ring true for him and for what he has done for me to.

I give his hand a squeeze before saying, "You spoke about being two parts of the same whole. You sell yourself short with that description though. Without you, I wouldn't even be whole, not even a complete part. You, you are the one that made me complete. You being there for me when I needed help made me complete. You, who never pushed yet always encouraged me to get help made me complete. You, who made me laugh when I needed to the most made me complete. You taught me what love really is. Your love for me that's what makes me whole.

"Now I get to start the next part of my journey with you and I am just so happy that you get to have all of me, a complete me. One that is healthier and happier and I have you to thank for that, Eric Northman. I will love you Eric in this world and in whatever comes after it."

This time, Eric does not listen to Karin's cry when he pulls me to him and kisses me tears and all. I return it and only pull away when I hear my brother start to groan. But I don't pull away for him; he could just sit there and take it for all I care. I stop because I still want to be pledged to my vampire and if I didn't stop well, I am not sure we would have ever gotten there.

I hear howls as I pull away, most likely from Alcide and Tray. I also hear a female one and am not surprised that Amelia seems to have joined in. I can just imagine the look she is getting right now from Octavia.

With no other words, Karin gets my attention and motions to me to start the actual pledging ceremony. Everything so far has been things that Eric added in for my benefit. I don't think I will ever be able to tell him how much I appreciate it.

I take the knife from a little table to the side. The vampire ceremony is very simple; I simply have to hand Eric the knife and he has to show his acceptance of it with a kiss. I do not hesitant to take the knife out of its protective covering. I do place a kiss on it myself before handing it over to Eric. He accepts it and presses a kiss to it himself and the look on his face has tears starting to run down my face again. I had thought his face had shown peace and happiness before, but that was nothing compared to what his face shows now.

We had discussed exchanging blood during the ceremony. It's not necessary in the ceremony but can be done if the two vampires love each other. Although I am not a vampire, love is definitely the reason we are doing it and for that reason I had thought the blood exchange was a given. I was surprised when it was Eric actually who was against us sharing during the ceremony. He said that it was something private between us, something that he did not want anyone else to witness. I can't say I fault him for that.

And it leaves me looking forward to our private exchange later on.

Karin simply yet loudly announces, "They are pledged," and immediately twinkling lights erupt above or heads and fall over us like fireworks. I look over to Amelia and Octavia thinking the witches have something to do with it. With the looks on their faces, I know it wasn't them however. Then I see Claudine behind them with a big mile on her face and I know it was her. It means so much that she wanted to be here, vampires and all. Octavia was able to produce a spell that would cover her scent for the majority of the evening, just in case.

With the lights cheers break out with the volume of them, I would have thought Fangtasia was full. But I only hear them for a split second before I find myself once again in my vampire's arm, him demanding my attention that I am more than happy to give.

I don't hear too much more for a few minutes after that.

During the reception, I can see that Pam has really outdone herself with all of this. My focus was elsewhere during the ceremony but now I do not see a trace of pink, at least the neon pink Pam was teasing me with, or orange. The decorations are more simple and white, transforming Fangtasia from a dark club to well, a less dark club. She had even taken down some of the pictures and put up some of Eric and I that I hadn't even known she had taken. The entire dance floor is lit up with little shimmering lights. I even managed not to hit her when she told me they are 'fairy' lights.

She did a fantastic job and I am sure to tell her that as soon as my vampire allows me to talk. He has been monopolizing my lips most of the evening. Pam takes my thanks with as much grace as I would expect, my asking me just how thankful I am.

"Not that thankful, Pam," I tell her with a laugh. She starts to say something back but Amelia comes over and drags her over to where Tray is standing before she can get anything out.

"Finally, I get you alone," my brother says coming up beside me.

"Not for long," I tell him eying Eric across the room. Felicia is congratulating him but as his gaze meets mine, I know she doesn't have much more time with her Sheriff. Not that I am complaining at all about that.

"I don't remember the last time I saw you this happy," Jason tells me, wrapping his arm around me.

"I don't remember the last time I was this happy Jase," I tell him softly.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am for that," he tells me. I look to him confused by his words. "I was your older brother. I should have been the one making you happy or at least the one who realized you weren't." He pauses while he runs his hand through his hair. "I promise to be a good big brother from now on," he tells me taking me into his arms.

"Well, that's going to be hard," I tell him. "You're already an awesome one."

"I'm happy for you Sookie. So happy for you."

"Thanks Jason," I tell him, as he backs away from me. "Still think marriage isn't for you," I ask him using the words I have heard over and over since. It may have bothered me if I thought he was serious, or if he wasn't trying really hard to make me an aunt all these years regardless of his marriage status.

"Sheesh, Sook. Gran can still hear you, you know," he says making us both laugh for a second. Gran never liked to hear Jason say that. I just look at him waiting for an answer. He sighs before saying, "I may not be thinking 'never' any more."

Before I can say anything in response, Eric comes up next to me and says, "You are a great man, Jason Stackhouse," as he wraps his arm around me. "A great man that any woman would be lucky to have."

Jason looks at him thoughtfully, as if he knows there's a message in Eric's words. "You're lucky you have my sister," Jason responds.

"Yes I am," Eric says, which causes me to pull him down for a kiss.

"And on that note," my brother says as he starts to walk away.

"Any woman," Eric calls after him, breaking off our kiss to do so. I would have pouted but it seems like it may have worked.

Jason walks right over to Thalia. I can't hear what he says but I see the smile that appears on her face and hear the snigger that comes from Eric. I can't help but let out a squeak of excitement as I see my brother and Thalia head towards the dance floor and start dancing. Pam and Karin themselves let out silent cheers, Karin obviously picking up on what the rest of us have seen in her few hours with them.

Also likely, Pam told her.

Eric laughs at my noise. "So it is not only a noise reserved for meeting up with friends?" he asks, as he knows what has caused me to make it before.

"Nope," I tell him. "And if you play your cards right, you may just get to find out what else can have me make that noise." I smile remembering his response when I said something similar when he was under Hallow's spell.

"I have a feeling that if I play cards I will not find out what else has you making that sound." He makes sure I am all right with leaving before announcing our thanks to our friends, especially his two children. What he says to them has tears coming to my eyes again. He then starts to pull me out the door. He would have been dragging me if I wasn't as eager as he was to get to the door.

Just before he closes the door behind us, I hear Pam sarcastically say, "Sure, no problem. We'll clean everything up." I owe her a shopping trip.

It will be well worth it though as Eric is able to have me make that sound, and others I didn't know I was capable of, many times before the sun comes up.

Pam POV

"It was a lovely evening, if I do say so myself," I say as I enter Eric's office, speaking of the night before. I know he and Sookie are already there and I am not surprised to find Karin and Thalia there with them. We had been trying to convince them to take a honeymoon as is the human custom but they both said no. Neither of them wanted to leave with everything still so unknown. I tried to tell them we could take care of things but they insisted on staying until everything is settled. They made it clear though that as soon as everything is settled, they will be taking that vacation, which mean I have a bit more planning to do.

No sooner are the words out of my mouth than do I have an armful of blond telepath. "It was the best evening, Pam. Thanks again for all your planning. It was beautiful. You really had me going with all that pink and orange."

"I had to have my fun," I tell her.

"Your fun almost drove me crazy."

"That was part of the fun, of course," I tell her making her shake her head.

Eric is all business though as he asks, "Is Tray here?" His business tone makes me nervous that something has happened or changed since last night. Eric had taken last night off completely, choosing to spend it focusing on his new wife, which we all strongly encouraged. Karin and I had been monitoring all situations. Nothing that we had heard would cause Eric to be using that particular voice this early in the evening.

"Yes. I drove him here. He's outside patrolling with Alcide."

Eric simply nods and looks back down at his desk. When I move closer, I notice that he is looking at blueprints, several sets of blueprints. I see Fangtasia's and I take a closer look and see that they are all for the major locations in each of the Areas of Louisiana, including Sophie-Anne's compound.

Sookie shifts as I step closer so that I could have a better look. "Is there a current threat of attack?" I ask Eric as I do so. Looking quickly over the plans, I see that most were not built to be strongholds. As a matter of fact, it looks like the only places that could be well defended is Fangtasia and the Queen's compound. That doesn't really bode well should the state be attacked.

"No more than usual," Eric says. "But we have to be ready for an attack. Sophie-Anne will not give into de Castro like she did with Threadgill and the clan leaders would not sanction another marriage for her so soon. She cannot, otherwise other monarchs will also use this method to try and take control of the state. When de Castro does not get what he wants through peaceful methods, he may resort to less than peaceful. We have to be ready for that. We have to make sure these locations are well defended but have to be careful that we do not concentrate everyone to these strongholds in case they should fall."

"You don't have to dive back into this tonight," I tell him. "You could have enjoyed your bride for one more night. I know I would have," I say giving a Sookie a wink.

I get a half smile back in gratitude from Sookie but Eric does not comment on my words. Instead he focuses in on one of the location plans, the one that looks like it will be the hardest to defend. He and Thalia immediately start to discuss ways to strengthen its defenses. Karin joins them as well. I know he heard my words though because he reaches behind him and takes Sookie's hand in his. I know he is doing this to keep her safe, to make sure they can have the future together that they promised each other just last night. That's why he is doing this.

I can see the muscles contract in Sookie's hand as she squeezes my maker's hand before she comes over to me. "No worries Pam," she tries to tell me convincingly. I can hear the worry in her voice and see it on her face though. "Just means more shopping time for us. I owe you and Karin a shopping night in thanks."

The words are surprising from her but that is not enough to stop the excitement that runs through me at them. But that excitement runs cold in terror as I hear a voice behind me say, "Well, I hear congratulations are in order," with absolutely none of those congratulations in his voice.

Happy New Year! I hope 2015 is starting out well for you dear readers. I also hope you enjoyed this chapter as these two are finally pledged. They do deserve it. I am eager to get your ideas on who decided to pop into Fangtasia as well.

This was one of the other songs floating around in my head for the title of this part of the story. It had come down to this or Everything and the other was going to be this chapter title. I thought it fit better like this.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate those taking the time to review. I love to hear your input and your thoughts.

Jackie69 – Sorry about the no tissue warning. It's something that I am working on…cause it may be needed in some of the upcoming chapters ;) So happy you enjoyed the chapter. Happy New Year! Be well.