Sookie was able to get a few more hours sleep before making the drive back to Bon Temps. She used the time during the drive to calm her nerves and get her thoughts together. She smiled remembering how difficult it was to back out of Eric's garage…their garage. He was right. This thing was bigger than what she was used to. Yet, she found herself quickly falling in love with it. The Escalade had everything. Even DVD players in the head rests of the seats! The windows were so darkly tinted that no one would even know it was her driving. She gripped the wheel tightly when she merged on the interstate. The last thing she wanted to do was explain to Eric that she had wrecked her car. She let out a small laugh. How quickly she had accepted the car as hers. She checked her mirrors and merged into the outer lane as her thoughts swirled around in her head. Three years ago she would have never dreamed she would be here. Even a year ago, her selfish pride would have never let her accept such a thing from Eric. She would have looked like a kept woman. A whore.

"I guess you've finally grown up, Sookie." She said out loud. She merged again and sighed at the smoothness of the ride. She was really going to like this car.

***

Soon she was pulling to the back of Merlotte's bar having stopped by her house to change and to leave Amelia a note. Sam was unloading boxes and watched as the dark red Cadillac came to a stop where Sookie normally parked. His eyes widened when he saw her slide out of the front seat.
"I guess you had a good trip?" He asked while he sat one of the boxes of beer by the back door.

"Hey Sam." She offered him a warm hug and he returned it.

"That's a nice car. Yours?"

"Yeah, um. I need to talk to you." He could see her smile fade and a new serious look replace it.

"Yeah, sure. Come on in the office. Terry can get the rest of these." She followed Sam into his office and tried to calm the nervous knot forming in her stomach. "So what's up?"

"You know you're one of my best friends." She hugged him again and felt his chuckle a little when he tightened his arms around her.

"Okay, what's this all about?" She pulled away and beamed at him. She felt her eyes starting to fill with tears from the mix of joy and sadness.

"I'm putting in my two weeks notice." His face fell and he looked hurt.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing. I'm moving."

"Where?"

"To Shreveport."
"Shreveport? Why would you want to move to Shreveport? Is it because of Eric?"

"Yes. Shreveport is where my husband lives." Sam's mouth flew open and he took a step back.

"Your husband?" He spit the words at her and the smile she wore suddenly disappeared.

"Eric and I were married in Las Vegas two days ago." She absently fingered her wedding rings waiting on Sam's reaction.

"Married?! You married a vampire?! Eric!? Why, Sookie?!"

"Why do most people get married!? Because I love him!" Sam swiped his hand through his hair and finally met her gaze. The tears were now streaming down her face and he could tell he had hurt her.

"I'm sorry. I…I'm just a little shocked, is all."

"Please be happy for me." Her voice was small but it tore through his chest like a knife.

"Are you happy? Really?" Sam walked toward her again and grabbed her left hand.

"Oh, Sam, I'm thrilled."

"So you're leaving."

"It's not like I'm moving to the moon, Sam. I'll come visit all the time. And if you get in a pinch, call me. I'll come fill in."

"You think Eric will let you do that?" He smirked at her.

"You let me worry about Eric."

"Oh I think you're the only one on the planet that worries about Eric."

"We're Fated, Sam." She knew Eric had told her the King didn't need to know about their special bond, but Sam was her best friend and she needed him to understand the significance of her love for Eric.

"Your true love, huh?" He laughed and she could tell he didn't understand the true meaning behind her words.

"No Sam. Listen to me. In Vegas, something happened and well, Niall had to help me. He told Eric that he and I are Chosen. Fated." Sam's eyes widened and he tightened his grip on her hand.

"But Sookie, vampires and humans…"

"I'm part fae. He said it's rare but it's true. Eric and I are Fated. I love him, Sam. I love him with all my heart." Sam nodded his understanding and she saw him swallow hard. Apparently, being Fated held great significance in the supernatural community.

"Wow. You and Eric." Sam recovered his voice and let what she was telling him sink in.

"Yep. Me and Eric."

"Okay…okay." He pulled her into a hug and she relaxed against his chest. "Congratulations, Sook."

"Thanks, Sam."

He held the door for her as they made their way out to the bar. Sam announced her nuptials to the bar and a few people were polite enough to wish her well. Holly gave her a hug but Arlene just looked at her in disgust. Sookie held her head high and started to work, ignoring Arlene's hatred.