A/N I had intended for Oh Holy Nights to be a one story event only. It was written for a contest entry and I said win or lose I'd post the entry on my own page. It was the first FF I had written, and I didn't win but the praise of my story was just as much a prize as winning would've been. So to those that enjoyed Oh Holy Nights and posted excitedly in their reviews they wanted MORE! well...here is more. Chapter Two

Sookie awoke early the next morning; she had an early shift to get to. The party would be in two days and she wanted to make as much money as possible. She planned on getting Eric a gift. She had so much to do and think about she had forgotten to finish her shopping. She had a list of who to buy for and what to get, to make it easier. She went downstairs and found a note for her from Eric.

Dear Sookie,
I see that under your Christmas tree is nearly empty, and that you haven't done much gift shopping. I found a list of names and possibly gift ideas on the fridge. I went ahead and bought them all for you. I even wrapped them and put From Sookie. I know you will probably insist on paying me back, and whether or not you do is fine with me. I did it mostly because you had a lot of planning to do for Bill's Charity and between arguing with me and convincing me to stay, you seemed to have very little time. So I thought I'd make it easier for you. My gift to you, in return for yours to me.

-Sincerely,

Eric Northman

Sookie was amazed. "He did something for me without expecting anything in return?" She was getting suspicious now. Eric did get her gifts, or give her payment for things she did for him. The gifts usually seemed to be a bribe to get her to agree to be his. Now he seemed to be doing things out of the goodness of his undead heart. She wondered if he'd try to get into her pants when she got off work. She wanted to tease him on purpose, to see what he'd do. She had a plan for when she came home.

When she got to work everyone was still in the same spirit as before. Arlene was back to her usual anti-vampire self, though. She kept yelling at Jessica. "Just because your maker or vamp daddy or whatever is holding a charity party don't mean I got to respect you. you're not even a person." Sookie sighed.

"You were all for helping me with Eric, and telling me to choose Eric, earlier."

Arlene shrugged. "I said if I were put in that position I'd choose Eric. That for a dead guy he was handsome. But I got my Terry and will never be put in that position."

Sookie shook her head. "What brought all this on all of a sudden? I suppose I shouldn't have expected that kindness to last. You're still going to his party, right?"

Arlene nodded. "Yes we plan to go but to be honest I was mostly helping for you, not for Eric."

Sookie understood perfectly now. "I get it now. Same old Arlene." Sookie was in a foul mood all of a sudden. "Your children are more tolerant than you'll ever be."

Arlene smiled. "Yes they are, but that won't change the fact I don't like vampires."

Sookie laughed. "So you're okay with them liking vampires?"

Arlene shrugged. "I can't change who my children think are cool. Heck, now Coby wishes he could fly."

Sookie laughed again. "So Coby has a new idol"?

Arlene glared. "Oh don't go saying that. All I need is him walking around in Viking armor and trying to attack us with swords."

Sookie thought that was pretty funny. "Maybe next Halloween he'll be a Viking."

Arlene grinned. "Well, I suppose vampires are good for something; inspiring Halloween costumes."

Sookie's section was finally set. She greeted her table. It was her brother Jason.

"What's on your mind, Jason?" He blinked. "Oh, why bother asking when you can just get inside my head, Sook?"

Sookie could tell he was in a foul mood. "I do it out of respect, you know. Now either you tell me or I will peek inside."

Jason sighed. "Besides being too big for an Elf costume I have to deal with not knowing what I feel for Jessica. I swear I liked her before all this happened, but that stupid vampire blood.."

Sookie understood that all too well. "So you two not having a serious relationship wasn't your idea?"

Jason shook his head. "No, she wanted to be friends with benefits basically. Which shouldn't bother me because I been that guy many times. The one that just wanted a screw buddy."

Sookie smiled. "But?"

He shrugged. "But I didn't get my ass beat by my former best friend just to have a screw buddy."

Sookie giggled a little. "You know Hoyt was thinking about forgiving you."

Jason smiled. "Well it doesn't matter, I am still gonna be conflicted on Jessica."

Sookie knew all too well what that meant. "The good ones make you conflicted. They are the ones you usually love the most."

It was Jason's turn to laugh. "You still thinking about Eric?"

Sookie nodded. "Yes, I don't think I was fair to him." Jason agreed, to Sookie's surprise. "No you weren't. All of a sudden he became himself again and you dropped him like a hot potato."

Sookie cringed at that statement. "What about Bill?"

Jason didn't understand his sister sometimes. "What about him? He cheated on you, lied to you, and nearly drained you."

Sookie wasn't happy at how right Jason truly was. "In his defense he was a starved and tortured vampire, and I was stupid enough to cut my wrist and try to feed him."

Jason acknowledged her efforts to defend Bill, but once more made a valid point. "Okay I'll give you that one. He was thirsty and couldn't control himself, but try defending his other actions," he challenged her.

"Well he cheated on me with Lorena. She was his maker. He had to."

Jason wasn't buying it. "He had to? are you saying Lorena commanded him to?"

Sookie nodded. "Yes, I believe she did."

Jason still wasn't going for it. "Just because she asked him to clearly doesn't mean anything. Pam disobeyed Eric at The Moon Goddess Emporium did she not?"

Sookie had forgotten about that. "Well maybe it wasn't a direct command, and there are loopholes." And as soon as that came out of her mouth, she wished it hadn't.

"See? You even agree there has to be loopholes, since Pam disobeyed. What if there was no direct order from Lorena? What if Bill had a choice?"

Sookie didn't want to think about it. "I don't want to think about it Jason." Her brother was not ready to drop the issue. He felt Sookie would be happiest with Eric and he wasn't afraid to tell her so. It was at this moment she saw Lafayette in the kitchen. Seeing the cook made her think of Tara. If Tara were alive now, she'd be telling Sookie, 'don't listen to Jason. Eric is no good.' She missed her best friend badly. Lafayette wasn't doing so good either, losing his boyfriend and his cousin. It was far from the topic, but her mind wandered lately. Jason snapped his fingers.

"Oh, sorry, I was thinking about Tara"

Jason gave her a big hug. "I am sorry. I just want you to be happy."

Sookie hugged him back. "I know. Continue with your points." She mostly wanted to get her mind off being sad.

"I'll skip the cheating part. You seem to get my point, so I'll move on." Sookie nodded.

"The lying. Now before you argue that Eric has lied, I'd like to point some things out." Sookie was prepared for it.

She hadn't had much time to talk to him about any of I, going to Faery and all, but over Thanksgiving she managed to tell him most of what happened between Eric, Bill and herself. Including the Russell adventures.

"Go for it," she told him.

"You told me the only thing Eric flat-out lied about was the wolves, and maybe how he felt about you?" Jason had a huge grin on his face. "Well, he came clean on both counts. You said he came to your doorstep to admit he lied to you about the wolves, and he told you he cared about you when he bought your house."

Sookie tried to stand her ground. "Yes, but he left me at Russell's to fend for myself. I told you the story."

Jason was persistent. "You also told me that Bill was taken and tortured after he tried to protect you. Perhaps Eric felt you'd be safest if he played the King."

Sookie couldn't believe her ears. "I asked him if he was doing that for the King's sake and he said no one played the king and got away with it."

Jason still amazed her. "Well duh Sookie. If he was playing the King, and vampires have super hearing, why on earth would he admit that was what he was doin?."

Is Jason trying to tell me to use my brain? Him, of all people! I swear I think he plays stupid to get laid. Oh, look at me, the cute dumb boy. Have sex with me. Because all of a sudden he gives such good advice you wonder where the hell it came from. Out of nowhere is where it came from. Sookie sighed. "What are you trying to say?"

Jason went and smacked her upside the head. "Come on Sook. You can't compare when Eric lied to you and when Bill did, and you know it." Jason always surprised his sister.

"Why? Because I had to hear the truth from someone else, instead of Bill?" She was getting frustrated. "Jason a lie is a lie."

Jason grinned. "Yes it is, but you've lied for them both. And how can you not see a man that comes clean himself is a better man than one who waits for someone else."

Sookie was regretting telling him her life's story over Thanksgiving. "Now I remember why I keep a lot of things from you."

He smiled. "You'll be grateful for telling me all this one day, I promise. You don't want to walk away from them both any more than they want you to."

Sookie's heart sank when she realized he was right. "You're right."

Jason enjoyed being told that. "And you'll see that Eric, at least for now, is the one. You might not believe in forever or know how your story will end, but I know when my sister is happiest, and it ain't with Bill Compton"

Finally Jason left and went to deal with his own love-life disaster. Lafayette came out of the kitchen. They chit-chatted for a little bit. He called her Hookah of course. "I'll truly miss it if you ever stop calling me hookah, or any variation of that."

He grinned. "I'll never stop calling you hookah, hookah."

She gave him a hug. "You better go flip some burgers before the regulars get angry."

He shook his head. "I don't really give a damn about the regulars. They get their burgers when I am ready to get them."

Sookie laughed. "Are you going to the holiday Party?"

Lafayette nodded. "I is," he told her.

She always enjoyed how Lafayette talked. She smiled. "Bill will be happy," she told him.

Lafayette nodded. "A charity event is a charity event. Don't matter if a dead guy or an alive one is hosting it."

She was happy at least someone agreed with her. "Well, I'll be there dressed as a Viking woman."

Lafayette laughed. "Eric is your unofficial date then?"

Sookie smiled. "Yes, if you want to look at it that way. We're two friends helping to co-host a party." He was happy for her.

"Good. I heard a little bit of what happened between you two, and a date as friends is what you two need."

She went to go check on her tables. Her shift ran late. So late that Jessica was just coming in as she was leaving. "What are you still doing here?" Jess asked.

Sookie shrugged. "I had a double so to speak. The new server called in sick."

Jess nodded. "Well, see you at the party," she said as Sookie left.

Sookie had the next two days off and wouldn't run into the teenaged vamp until then. On the ride home Sookie remembered all of her conversation with Jason, and her plan. When she got in, Eric was up. She went upstairs and got into the shower. She didn't need one, but she was testing Eric. Once she came out of the shower she went downstairs in a towel. She was fully covered with the towel, but it was a small towel.

Eric was sitting in the living room next to the tree he had bought her. He had put on the fire; it was getting colder and they were expecting some rare snowfall again. She walked in and sat on the sofa. He smiled at her. "A little too cold to be in a towel," he told her. She waited for some snide comment or a dirty one. Nothing came. She went upstairs, almost annoyed. While she was changing Eric was downstairs, amused. She wants to be friends. That's what we'll be. I am not going to be persistent with her anymore. It doesn't work when I do, anyways. So I am giving up. And she'll have to deal with it. He came out of his thoughts and was content to know Sookie couldn't read them, ever. She came back down dressed in a Fangtasia t-shirt and sweat pants.

Eric grinned at the t-shirt. "Free advertising won't get me to talk dirty."

She glared at him. "What is with you?"

Eric wasn't really in the mood for her ups and downs. "You know when I chase after you persistently you don't want me. I lose my memory and get you finally, and then you dump me because I become myself again." Sookie didn't lose her glare. He started to laugh at her. It infuriated yet amused him. "And then you insist you miss my company but only in a friendly way. Beg me to just be friends with you. So, I make a sincere effort, and now you're upset I won't make a move on you?" Finally she let go of her glare and knew he was right. She laughed a little herself.

"Well you are just as contradictory, you know. Tell me I make you feel disturbingly human, tell me I mean nothing to you, Kiss me and tell me you'd regret dying the true death without doing so, chain me in your bar's basement, nearly drain me with the help of Russell, and then buy my house because you care about me."

Eric acknowledged she had valid points, but couldn't help but make a joke. "I am a vampire. We don't see right and wrong the same way as humans. Our emotions are fickle and confused when we fall in love. What's your excuse?"

Though he was joking Sookie knew he was right. She had no excuse because she felt more than a vampire did. Her mind and heart were alive. She was driven by her emotions, and as a human she should know what love was. She should know what she wanted. Eric hadn't fallen in love in over a thousand years. He had held resentment for humans so long it was hard to admit he could love one. Sookie understood that, yet she still gave him a hard time. She looked at Eric and asked. "So, what do we do?"

He got serious now. "I am not going to make the decision on us. I won't pursue you any more. I will be whatever you want me to be. I let my guard down once; I told you I loved you, and I have been consistent in my actions recently. I won't claim you as mine; You have to claim me as yours."

Sookie was shocked. This was a different Eric. "What are you saying?"

He looked her in the eyes. "I won't make it that easy for you any more. I won't be the man you love to hate but fall head over heels for when you need me around. I won't be the man you push away when you start to have nostalgia over what you once had with your ex, and then beg to come to you when you're feeling sad over YOUR decision. You seem to forget you walked away. I didn't."

That was a bold speech for Eric Northman. One she thought she'd never hear. He was usually so manipulative, so cunning, so arrogant, so persistent. And he never shared such feelings. "Why are you sharing how you feel with me so openly? That's not the way you are with your memories. Not that I care, but it's out of character."

He didn't lose eye contact. "Because, like I said, I let my guard down once with you. I told you I loved you. And now I am only saying all this once. You won't hear my thoughts on it again. But you need to understand, it's your call now. I won't put up with this, because I could have any woman I wanted to, and I could be cold-hearted and feel nothing. You brought something out in me. I hate having feelings, Miss Stackhouse, and when I do I want them to be recognized, not trampled on."

Sookie could argue he had trampled on her feelings in the past, but she knew that wasn't true. How could he trample on her feelings if he didn't know how she felt? That was prior to him confessing his love. And he still loved her, even after he regained all his memories.

"I am sorry. I understand, but I loved before you."

Eric understood very well and he wasn't blaming her entirely, but he had to point something out to her before he ended the topic. "I know first love doesn't go away. Even if they hurt you. It's a proven fact, but let me ask you something. Would you have realized you still loved Bill if Marnie hadn't commanded me to kill him?"

The conversation reminded her of the one with Jason. She sighed. "No, and my brother lectured me earlier on how I treated you."

Eric smiled. "Your brother is wiser than he seems." Sookie knew she was in the wrong.

"I told Jason everything that happened between us in the past year. Well, with Bill, you and me."

Eric nodded. "From Bill's proposal to now?"

She nodded. "Yes, all the details of everything that happened before I went to Faery and after I came home."

Eric imagined she had told him over Thanksgiving. "That must have been an interesting dinner."

She laughed.

"He told me us Stackhouses sure knew how to get into trouble."

Eric sat closer to her. "This is true, but at least you didn't get involved with any werepanthers."

Sookie agreed. "Thank God. That Crystal is a lunatic."

Eric once more found himself laughing. "I bet Jason, who's never been a fan of us vampires, is happy to have Jessica now." She found it a little entertaining herself.

"He has nothing against you as a species. I think he was mostly upset because of how Bill treated me. He nearly drained me once and Jason saw me lying in a hospital bed near death. And Bill came in asking to give me blood so I would live."

Eric didn't know all the details of what had happened after he went off with the King and left Sookie there. "Well that's understandable, then. If I were your brother I probably would've staked Bill." It was the first time she ever heard Eric see something from a human's point of view.

She enjoyed that he moved closer to her. Even if it was a friendly gesture.

"In Bill's defense he was tortured to near true death, and was starving. I was stupid enough to try and feed him."

Eric understood that as well. "Yes, it is true when we're near that point we can't control ourselves, and it wasn't stupid but a little naive. There's a difference. You loved him and wanted to help him, but now you know better."

She remembered when she'd fed Eric after dragging him from the sun. "Yes, I learned my lesson. When you were brought in from the sun and needed human blood I told Bill to bite me, and I fed you but told him to stay by in case you lost control."

Eric loved it when humans learned things the hard way. "Yes I remember that, you're cuter when you wise up."

Sookie smacked him on the shoulder. "They say love is blind. I say it brings out stupid and deaf too."

Eric pretended to be offended. "I am not blinded by you, I am smart when it comes to protecting you, and I hear every word you say clearly."

Sookie tried to hide a smile. "You have great eye-sight and great hearing. You're a vampire." He sat even closer to her.

"Yes but just because you hear something doesn't mean you're truly listening. We vampires can tune out exact words too, you know. In one ear and out the other, as you humans say."

She knew that was true. For if it wasn't, Pam would go crazy talking to breathers. "So what about sight then? How can I make you blind if you have perfect senses?"

He made a funny face. "I don't have perfect senses. I didn't have sense enough to get over you."

Sookie gave up. "fine fine!"

He had a triumphant grin on his face. "Good, I win. Now let's do something friends would do."

She just didn't feel like this was Eric. I wonder if he's using reverse psychology on me. I'll go completely out of character, and then maybe I'll get her again. No, that's not like Eric either. If it were he'd have tried that ages ago. He means his words. Well, I'll choose him when I am ready, but I know I'll choose him. She came out of her thoughts.

"Let's watch a movie." She put in Buffy the Vampire Slayer; the original movie that spawned the TV show. Eric wanted a comedy.

At the end of it, he said, "how original. Make the man the damsel in distress and the woman the hero." He was referring to Buffy being the fighter and Pike being the one getting saved all the time.

Sookie couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. Well, he comes from a time where women didn't fight. They were meant to be housewives and stay home while the Vikings went out and battled. Yet he seems to have no problem with my little fairy magic that has gotten me out of a jam many times.

She got sleepy. She needed to do some last minute preparations for the charity party. She almost forgot that Merlotte's had two donation boxes. All money would go to a charity of the vampires' choosing. Eric chose a children's charity, which surprised Sookie. Bill chose to give the money to the homeless. And Pam could care less, but decided to make contributions to Eric's charity choice. "I need to go to bed. I have to get up early tomorrow and collect the money raised at Merlotte's and send it to each charity."

Eric smiled. "I sent a large donation myself to mine, so they should be getting plenty this Holiday season."

She been meaning to ask him why he chose that. "You don't seem like the children type."

He explained very well. "I wasn't the settling-down type as a human, and I don't dislike children now, really. In the past I might have..." he stopped himself. It was too violent to admit to Sookie.

"…Eaten them?" she finished for him.

"Well, yes. their blood is very good and it's hard to resist when you're a new vampire, but I wouldn't harm a child now."

He continued. "I do find vampires better than humans, but the way I see it a child is not fit to be a vampire. And they should be able to grow up." Once more she was surprised by him.

"If they are to remain human they should at least have good lives." So Eric fed children who had bad lives and put clothes on their backs.

"You know, that goodness in you almost breaks my heart."

He sighed. He didn't really need to sigh. Or take a breath; he didn't breathe, but there was just this automatic reaction sometimes.

"You're showing it again, and I am always baffled by it."

He shook his head. "Why? I never claimed to be a villain or a hero."

Once more he was right. "No, but which side do you prefer?"

He shrugged. "I prefer to go by whatever I feel is the thing to do and not be held down to the title of villain or good guy." In other words I am a decent guy for a vampire but don't you dare tell anyone. She wonder if the donation was really in his name. "Did you put the donation in your name really?"

He gave her that funny look again. "Sookie if I am to donate to humans I want full credit."

Now that was such an Eric thing to say. She yawned and went to bed. "You can sleep in your cubby instead of trying to find elsewhere to sleep."

He grinned. "I planned on it."

Sookie smiled and hinted to him that she planned on choosing him. "It can be our house now."

He shook his head. "You crazy fairy hybrid," was all he said.

When she woke up the next day she found another note and a bag of clothes beside it. This time the note was from Pam. The note made her laugh SO hard.

Dear Evil Fairy Stepmother,

Daddy has insisted I be more charitable. Since there's nothing I can do about you both being in love I figured you should have decent clothes to go on dates with. Consider this my charity for the holidays. Maybe you could wear sparkling make up to match those stupid fairy lightning fingers of yours.

Sincerely,

Pamela Swynford De Beaufort

"Pam hates my guts, and her sarcasm never seizes to amaze me." She got some breakfast and headed on out. Sam smiled. "Here to get the money boxes?"

She smiled. "Yes. don't tell anyone, but Eric isn't giving to charity just to look good. Who knew he had it in him?."

Sam shrugged. "I kind of did. He can be almost human when he wants to be."

Arlene came in at the tail end of it. "Give me a break. That man would do anything to make his kind look like people to us."

This angered Sookie. "Arlene Fowler you shut your mouth. What if it was your children who needed help? Would you be so quick to judge his sincere donation?"

Arlene shook her head. "Sookie I wouldn't take money from him if my life depended on it."

Sookie wanted to smack her sometimes. "I beg to differ. I bet if YOUR life really depended on it you'd take it in a heartbeat."

The two ended up in a heated argument and Sookie walked away wondering why she asked Arlene to help her with the Norse theme. "You're such a fake sometimes!" is all Sookie said. She felt bad talking to such a good friend that way.

Before Sookie left, both women found each other and apologized. "Don't mean I like them vampires anymore than I did yesterday," Arlene said.

Sookie sighed. "I know but if Russell hadn't gone on television would you have been so stubborn in your judgments?" Arlene shrugged.

"Most likely," she said with a smile.

Sookie laughed. "Be good at the party, Mrs. Bellefleur."

Arlene promised to behave, and pretend she was happy to help make Eric's holiday something special. Sookie drove off and sent the money to the appropriate charities. It was cutting it close but luckily for her she was assured it would get there in time for Christmas, and if not, the organizations would still be glad to get it. It was getting late and the vampires would be awake by now.

So she drove over to Bill's house. The party was tomorrow night, and the house was already set up for the most part. In the dining room he had a table that resembled a wooden Viking one. She wondered if he'd have mead or ale for the humans.

"Do you plan to get all our human guests who are of age drunk?" she asked as he entered the room.

Oh yes, it's a must for a true Jul feast."

She laughed. "Are we going to toast to the God Odin"?

Bill was glad Sookie got into all this. He was only doing it to keep Eric here. He would've much preferred a theme party related to his time. "Yes, we'll do all the toasts." She thought of something.

"They toast to the King too, you know."

Bill grinned. "No need to toast to me."

Sookie shook her head. "No, no. Wasn't Eric's father a Viking king of sorts.?"

Bill saw where she was going with this. "Yes and that would make him the King after him."

Sookie felt the toast should rightfully be to Eric then. "Then if you want an authentic Jul and accurate toasts, it should be to Eric."

Bill thought about that. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Sookie didn't know much about his family besides a story about his father's crown going missing. "Why?"

Bill told Sookie the story of why Russell's Talbot had been staked by Eric. "Oh well, it was just a thought," Sookie said. She still wondered if Eric would appreciate it, or not. Perhaps she wouldn't try to find out. She didn't need him upset with her again. She should have thought maybe such a toast would bring back bad memories. She noticed the high school students' painting of Odin and his horse hanging in the living room which had a Christmas Tree. There was also stockings hanging on the fireplace, and boots by it with sugar and hay. "You combined past and present well Bill." She had only come over to see if he needed help with anything.

"I guess you don't need help with anything right now."

He grinned. "Jessica helped me with most of it, and managed to find us a Santa."

Sookie seemed intrigued. "Who?"

Bill tried not to laugh. "She got Andy Bellefleur to do it."

Sookie was unsuccessful at her attempt to hold laughter in. She laughed so hard she thought she would choke. "Andy? Why did he agree to do it for Jessica?"

Bill shook his head. "She told him Jason shouldn't be humiliated alone." On her way out, Bill got serious. "You want to choose Eric after all?"

She was taken back by his question. "How would you know?"

He didn't smile. "Pam told me he stayed the night last night in his cubby for the first time in a while."

Sookie wasn't happy. "Bill Compton, who I have living in my house is none of your damn business." He kissed her then, and she pushed him away. "Don't you go thinking you can just kiss up on me and everything will be fine again."

He got furious with her. "How can you forgive Eric for all he's done and not me?"

Jason's words came back to haunt her. "Because a man that comes clean himself is a better man than one who waits for someone else to out him." The hurt on Bill's face could be felt in China. She covered her mouth and uncovered it quickly. "Bill I am so sorry."

He looked down. "Why be sorry you're right?." Something else had been bothering her. "Bill, how could Pam disobey Eric at the Wiccan shop?"

He didn't want to have this conversation with her. He knew where it was going, but he felt she deserved him to come clean himself for once. "There's ways around a command. How a maker words something has an effect on it, of course."

Sookie feared this. "So Eric forbidding Pam wasn't enough and wasn't seen as a direct order?"

Bill nodded. "If it was considered as such she wouldn't be able to pick up the weapon. Literally."

She grew silent for a good ten minutes. When she finally spoke, she asked the question Bill was dreading. "So when you cheated on me with Lorena, were you commanded to?"

He had his own moment of silence before answering. "She told me to, yes."

Sookie wanted a better answer than that. "She told you to casually? As in, it was almost a question or did she tell you to as an order?" He didn't answer her at first. The silence was getting to her. "Bill, please answer me."

Finally, he looked her in the eyes. "I could have disobeyed her. She never directly ordered me to."

Sookie didn't know what to say to that. "Thank you for telling me. I guess." She walked home crying. When she got inside she wiped her eyes. Eric was sitting in the living room again. She entered to say hello. "Pam should keep her mouth shut," she blurted. Then she covered her mouth. "I'm sorry."

Eric didn't seem offended. "Don't be. I agree, and why were you crying?"

Sookie sighed. "I went over to Bill's to help with decorations and we had an us conversation."

Eric motioned for her to come sit. He was going to listen, like a good friend.

She sat down. "And there is no us, but some things weren't exactly resolved." He knew that feeling clearly. She told him the conversation about maker's orders.

Eric didn't seem too happy. "He shouldn't have admitted that right now. That's something you come clean about before you lose the girl."

Sookie nodded. "And he only told me the truth because I asked."

Eric smiled. "I wouldn't ever be unfaithful to you."

Sookie knew he was right. Eric had slept around in his human and vampire days, but never once considered any of them worthy of being the "one" or girlfriend material. Sookie was the closest thing to such a thing, and she could only imagine how incredibly loyal he'd be. That's the scary thing. Sometimes he's a little over the top in his loyalties. What's next? Is he going to pledge himself to me for all eternity? Sookie you just thought of marriage. Until death do us part. Loyal to the end. She started to giggle a little.

"What's so funny?"

Sookie all of a sudden kissed him. He kissed her back.

After the kiss he smiled. "What's so funny?" he asked again.

She smiled back at him. "Oh nothing. Let's watch some TV together like friends."

He shook his head. "You tease. I won't wait around for another thousand years."

Sookie turned on the TV. The news was on. "I know you won't, but lucky for you I have to make my decision before then because that's way past my life span." All of a sudden there was Russell Edgington. He had gotten hold of one of the cameras and was making fun of Bill's charity Party. "Good thing we warned all our human guests," she told Eric. He agreed. Then he was making fun of Eric for his large donation to children's charities across the world. Russell made a joke about Eric being the first vampire to adopt a child legally.

"What a horrible man," Sookie said, turning it off.

Sookie ended up falling asleep on the sofa. When she woke up the next morning she found herself in her bed. She got dressed and walked into the kitchen. No more gifts or notes. She remember she hadn't bought Eric his gift yet. She wasn't sure what she'd get him yet. The new server, who was about eighteen, told her to get him one of those dog tags. That Walmart had a machine where you can create custom sayings and she could find a chain for it. Sookie had laughed at the girl. Imagine if I gave Mister Viking one of those. She had an idea. There was a new little shop that sold necklaces that had replaced an old clothes shop that closed down. Sookie had wanted to go to it; they made custom charms and things. They didn't just carry jewelry for women. She left Eric a note in case she was gone all day.

Dear Eric,
I have one more gift to get. I will be back later

-Sookie

She grabbed her keys and was out the door. Once she found the shop an old woman about her Gran's age asked if she needed any help. Sookie told her what she wanted. She had this instinct that Eric and Pam hadn't fully patched things up.

"A friend of mine said she saw a locket that was a shield."

The woman knew which one she was talking about. She took it out for Sookie. "Who are you giving it to?" The woman asked.

"A vampire who was a Viking in his human days."

The woman smiled. "Then this is perfect for him."

Sookie nodded. "Could you put engravings on it?" She heard the shop was pretty fast with requests.

"Yes tell me what you want on it and I can do it on the back now."

Sookie was surprised at how fast. "Could you put King Eric but spell Eric with a K?"

The woman was more than happy to. "Do you want King to be in Swedish?"

Sookie thought in silence for a moment. "Yes, put it in Swedish." It was dark now. Sookie paid for her gift and called Fangtasia. She asked to speak to Ginger so as to not spoil the second part of her gift to Pam. She had to stop by the bar to get the other half of it anyways.

She drove to her brother's house. He seemed surprised to see her. "Jason I need to wrap a present here. Eric is living with me more or less, and it's for him."

Jason laughed. "Well come on in. What is it?" She showed the gift off. Jason approved. She finished her task and headed home. She found Eric where he was every other night. Sitting in the living room. She walked in and handed him the wrapped item. "I bought you a gift."

He seemed surprised. "You didn't have to get me anything. I own everything I could possibly own."

She knew he was referring to material possessions and his riches, but this was important to her. "Just open it." So he unwrapped it carefully. He looked at the shield-shaped locket and smiled. He turned it over and didn't lose his smile. "King Eric in Swedish"

She nodded. "Look inside of it." He opened the locket and there was a picture of Pam and him. His smile wasn't as wide as it had been. "Why didn't you put a picture of you and me?."

Sookie wished he'd understood why. "You can't hate her forever. She's your progeny. She had you for over 150 years and I refuse to come between you two."

He was torn. "She disobeyed me and almost killed you." Sookie thought for a smart vampire he was pretty dumb sometimes. "You were about to kill yourself for me. Did you not try to stop Godric from killing himself?"

Eric was being stubborn. "He commanded me to stop all efforts to do so." Sookie wished he just appreciated her gift.

"And if you had worded your command better Pam would've had to obey you." Eric didn't want to admit she was right.

"She could have just been nice and obeyed me anyways."

Sookie burst into laughter. "Just as you could be nice and forgive her."

Finally he caved. "It's a perfect gift," he said.

She gave him a hug. "you're welcome." She couldn't get over Eric wishing Pam had been nice and obeyed. Especially when he liked her best cold and heartless. He likes her cold and heartless until she's cold and heartless to him and doesn't think of his feelings. Then it's be nice, Pam.

He put the locket on. "I think I should go to Fangtasia." Sookie decided she wanted to go with him. "I'll go with you."

When they arrived Pam was at the door checking I.D.s. "Well isn't it nice of you to grace me with your presence," she told her maker. She looked over at Sookie. "Get your fairytale yet, fairy princess?"

Sookie held her smile. "No, not quite yet, but I think you'll get your happy ending."

Pam looked at her. "What makes you so sure?"

Sookie could see why Pam and Eric were meant to be progeny and maker. "Because you had him first."

Pam grinned at that. "And don't you forget it."

Pam saw the new necklace around Eric's neck. "A gift?" she asked.

Eric took it off and handed it to her. Pam read the back and seemed impressed. "This is perfect Swedish and the K is a nice touch." Sookie told her to open it. So Pam did and saw the picture.

"Is that why you asked to speak to Ginger earlier?"

"Yes that's why. I didn't want you to know yet."

Pam seemed genuinely grateful. "Thank you, Sookie."

To Sookie's surprise Pam hugged her. "I won't let anyone know you hugged the fairy with a funny name."

Pam got out of the embrace and stood tall. "You'd better not."

Eric walked into the bar and Sookie decided to go home. "Thank you for the clothes Pam." Once Pam said you're welcome, Sookie took off. It was the perfect time to let Pam and Eric make up privately.

When she got home she locked her door. She fell asleep on the sofa. She had a nightmare about Russell, and when she woke up she heard his voice. She looked on the porch. There he stood. The raving lunatic was asking to be invited in. She let him stand there for a good while. Then she walked over and told him no. "Let me in?" was all he kept saying. He reminded her of Benny in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, only he wasn't floating. Finally he took off when she didn't cave.

"Psychopath." she told the air.

Eric came home and she told him. "Russell was here."

He stood still. "Bill invited him to the party."

Sookie couldn't believe her ears. "Why?"

Eric grinned. "Because he lost his King title with his little stunt and Bill is the King of this area."

Sookie wondered how much more trouble they could get into. "Is there anything else I should know?"

Eric thought for a moment. "I killed Nan's guards and Bill killed Nan. We were already in deep trouble."

Sookie wasn't too thrilled. "So you're worrying about being wanted men later and throwing a party now?"

That pretty much summed it up. "Yes, and I think Bill has something up his sleeve for Russell by inviting him."

Sookie remembered how cheery Bill seemed and his lack of concern. "He invited Steve Newlin." She began to wonder if Bill knew Steve was on her property. "I think Bill has some explaining to do, since he lives across from me. Do you think he..."

Eric had wondered the same thing. "Was aware of Newlin's actions?"

Sookie was a little unhappy. "Exactly. You don't think he's devising his own plan to get rid of Russell and still try to carry on a charity Party?"

Eric thought that was exactly what he planned. "Russell is a sinner. Steve Newlin is ridding the world of sinners. Perhaps Bill thought Steve wouldn't just go after vampires."

Sookie thought this was more ridiculous than Eric's trick her into partaking in Plan Let's Get Russell Out In The Sun And Die With Him. "Can't I just stake the bastard?"

Eric didn't get her. "Why didn't you do that before?"

Sookie got that irked look on her face. "Because you told me to go back out and save his ass."

Eric laughed. "Well, when have you listened to me before?"

He had a point, but right now they needed to fix this or talk to Bill. "This isn't going to go over so well, Eric. His plan will backfire on him and he'll never be able to get humans to think well of vampires again." She had thought Bill was the one with the brains of the two.

"He's not going to have enough vampires ready to glamour everyone," Eric said, amused. So it was confirmed then. Eric thought it was a stupid idea too.

Sookie and Eric went over to Bill's. It was awfully quiet. For about an hour they looked around. His mansion appeared to be broken into, but none of the decorations were touched, Sookie noticed. Eric had stayed outside to make sure Russell wasn't around. "Oh silent night..." Sookie began to sing. Finally she came out. "No one is around."

Eric told her to be quiet a minute. "I thought I heard someone."

Sookie noticed vampire guts on the porch that she hadn't before. "Do you think this is Russell or Steve?" she asked, pointing.

Eric heard a sound again. "It's neither" he informed her. Sookie was shocked. Just then, Russell came out of hiding with Steve Newlin.

Sookie stared at them both. "Why did Bill invite you to his party?" she questioned.

"Community service for crimes against humanity," Russell said. He looked almost humiliated. Sookie burst into laughter. So she was wrong. He was punishing them without death.

"So, what will you be doing at this party?"

Russell was annoyed. "Nothing, but apologizing to the humans. I must tell them we're harmless and explain why I went crazy on live television. Minus the Eric Northman connection, that is." She knew that Russell would take his revenge on Bill if Bill were to ever lose his position. She was betting he knew Eric and Bill were in deep shit, and was hoping the vampires in charge fired him from said position. Why do I get involved with vampires with extra-large baggage?

She was curious about the dead vampire. "So, who met the true death over there?"

Russell had forgotten about him. "Oh, an out of control baby vampire that Newlin made." The former King didn't seem too pleased to be in the religious vampire's company. He was now the weak one, and his age didn't matter because he had to show respect to authority younger than him. Sookie sensed it really got to him. She tried not to laugh. Russell was no laughing matter. So Eric and Sookie went back to their house. Sookie fell asleep dreaming of two vampires and a girl. She woke up at the really good part. The girl was going to choose which one to spend her life with. It was really early and her day off. The party wasn't until that night. So she went down to Eric's cubby and lay next to him. She drifted off to sleep and when it got dark Eric woke up next to her.

"Does this mean you have made your choice?" he asked her.

She kissed his cheek. "I made it when I bought you the locket."

They got ready together. She put on the dress Eric picked out for her. Fitting for a Viking woman. Eric put on his outfit and they walked to Bill's hand in hand. When they got there it was full. There were kids running around the tree. Some adults were already drinking and Andy, Jessica and Jason were cute as Santa and his Elves. During the dinner they had the appropriate toasts as planned. Sookie disregarded Bill's warning and toasted to Eric anyways. He enjoyed that part the most. Russell made his big speech. Steve Newlin discussed charities that his church raised money for. Sookie wanted to get out of her Viking attire, so she told everyone good night and took off with Eric.

When they got home Sookie changed into her pj's. "You don't have to sneak into my cubby to sleep next to me. You can just go to bed with me," Eric said.

She smiled. "I have to get up early for work tomorrow."

"No sun will come into it, Sookie. I might not wake up to you, but I can sleep next to you."

Sookie liked the idea. "You just want to sleep next to me?"

He nodded. "Yes, it's what people starting over as friends do." She enjoyed this Eric. She chose him to be the one she wanted, but he knew better than to make it right this second. Eric before wouldn't have done that.

"Okay, I'll sleep next to you." Once she agreed Eric went down to his room. She followed shortly after. They talked for a little bit before falling asleep in each other's arms.

"Thank you for the toast; you did some proper research and I appreciate it."

She snuggled next to him. "You're welcome. Thank you for giving me time to choose you."

He wondered if she ever truly listened to his words. "What did I tell you when you said I'd changed?"

She was dozing off. "That you were still the same Eric, just more."

Thank you for reading. So how long do you think King Bill will last? What kind of revenge do you think Russell will take on Bill? Will Sookie and Eric have a happy ending?