31

Agatha's plane was on the runway with the main door was open and the stairs down. The cargo doors were also opened. I walked with the vampires to the hold's door. Looking inside, I could see custom built caskets inside. They were secured to the floor.

"Not to worry, darling," Agatha said. "There is a storage area where I keep other facilities in case transport after landing is during daylight hours. You Eric will be safe."

"Ok. Thanks, "I responded. Other facilities were Agatha's was of saying spare coffins.

Agatha hugged me and kissed my cheek. "You are a brave little girl." She told me, then turning and walking with her second, John, into the hold. Bill followed behind her, nodding to me. I smiled back at him.

"Well, my dear," Antony came to face me. "It has been an honor to meet you."He kissed my hand. "And you Abirah." He said as he kissed the baby's forehead. "Should you ever be in the Northeast, please pay me a visit. Maybe you can convince that Viking of yours to come on up and frolic in the snow?"

"Maybe," I said, smiling at Antony. "And thank you, Antony, for everything."

"Ahh," he said, playfully swatting at my words. "This was interesting, to say the least. Brother," he said, turning to Eric. "Don't be a fool. This is a good one you have here."

"Yes, she is." Eric replied. "Exactly what I was looking for." With that, Antony shook Eric's hand and bordered the jet.

Pam came to us next. She didn't say anything to us; instead, she took Abirah from me for a moment and held her. Pam looked thoughtful at the sleeping baby. "She has the look of her mother."

"You think?" I asked.

"I pray," Pam said. "Do you remember what her father looked like in the moon? This child is far more beautiful." Pam kissed her forehead, and then turned to Eric. "I will see you in Shreveport."

"Thank you, Pam," Eric said, nodding. She nodded back before boarding the plane.

Eric looked at me holding Abirah.

"This looks so perfect," He said. "Never have I seen two more beautiful women in the moonlight than now."

I smiled as Eric kissed me softly. Abirah wiggled in the blanket.

"She will have to get past her jealousy and learn to share you, however. No matter how adorable she may be." Eric said playfully.

I laughed a bit at his comment, and then asked, "Have you seen Jason? I don't want to keep Agatha waiting."

Eric's lips formed his sly smile. He looked past me toward the stairs to board the plane. I turned to see what had made Eric grin.

Standing there, looking like a lost puppy was Jason, and quietly speaking to Lois. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I could tell by Eric's expression that he was amused.

"What are they talking about?" I asked.

"Nope," not from me."Eric said. "Have a good flight, Lover. I will see you when I wake." Eric kissed my once more and then left me to find his coffin for the flight.

I headed to board the plane, pausing next to Jason. I wondered if Lois had glamoured him, but he didn't appear to be.

"Jason," I said to him, "We have to get on the plane now. Lois, thank you for all you did for me. For everything you did for us."

"It was my pleasure," the female vamp replied. "See you later, Jason."

Jason smiled at Lois, nodded, and then she left for the cargo compartment. Jason and I watched as the doors lifted to shut before we got on and found seats.

We found seats next to each other, which was actually a trick, as the layout of the private jet was quite posh. Leather seats, tables, even a mini bar, fully stocked with blood and booze. Agatha seemed to be a perfect host. I wondered what her home in Massachusetts looked like.

Jason fastened my safety belt for me as I was holding the baby before he fastened his own. He looked at the infant in my arms.

"Sookie, about Amelia," Jason said. I looked at my brother. He pulled a piece of paper out of his shirt pocket. "When we were out in the foyer, after you had gone inside with that bastard de Castro. Amelia asked me to give this to you if she," Jason paused. "Well, here." He handed me the paper.

I looked at him for some clue as to what was written on it. His face told me nothing.

"Would you hold her while I read this?" I asked.

"Yeah," Jason said nervously. I was at a loss for the last time he held a baby, if ever there had been such a time. He held her like she was a fragile Faberge egg. I slowly opened the paper that had my name on the outside.

Sookie,

My dear friend. If you are reading this letter now, I am somewhere with Tray other than this life. Please do not weep for me now. I am at peace. I asked Lois if she knew a spell, should I fall, that could bring my baby to term and deliver. I pray that she did as I asked of her and that you are watching over my precious now. Tray and I did not know if it was a boy or girl. I hoped for a girl with beautiful blue eyes.

Please do not tell my father what happened to me. I worry that he would do something foolish that could cost him his life. Just tell him that Tray and I were in an accident. Please do not even tell him about the baby. He could not protect her the way that you can.

I ask you, my friend, to watch over my child. Help her to grow and understand that this world can and should be a beautiful place. Tell him or her that her father was a very brave man who loved their mother with all his heart. Tell the child that its mother is sorry that she could not be with them in a physical form, but that their spirit watches over always.

I must say goodbye now my friend. I hope that I do not ask too much of you. I love you Sookie.

Always,

Amelia

A tear slipped from my eye. I would do ask Amelia asked. I would care for her daughter. I would tell her stories about her parents and how much fun they were and how they were the best friends I could of ever had.

I folded the letter back up and put it in the pocket of my jeans. I watched for a minute while Jason made crazy faces and noises at the baby in his arms. I smiled at the two of them.

I looked out the window toward the ground below. As we circled the sky to head home, I watched as Felipe de Castro's compound became a mass of flames at the hands of Alcide and Sam. The flames burned brightly, even from up here. I hoped the two of them got away from there before the fire department arrived.

As the flames became harder to see as we climbed in altitude, I put my hand on the window, trying, one last time, to say good bye to my friend.

32

The plane touched down in Shreveport at around seven thirty. Jason had dozed off after giving Abirah back to me. I had held the baby during the flight. She seemed to be a good baby. I had to change her once on the flight and warmed up a bottle for her just before we landed.

One of the flight attendants had remarked how beautiful she was to me and offered to get me anything. I had taken her up on the Coke and Caesar Salad. I hadn't realized how tricky it would be to eat and hold an infant, even a sleeping one.

The door opened and Jason, grabbing the boxes of baby items, carried them off of the plane for me. There was a car service waiting for us, as well as the Fangtasia day crew to retrieve the coffins of Bill, Pam and Eric. I stopped them when I saw a piece of paper on top of one of the caskets.

I approached it and saw that it was an envelope addressed to me. I opened it.

Lover,

Use this credit card and get whatever it is little human girls need. Pick up some food for yourself and clothes. The driver will take you wherever you need to go for these things and then drive you to Fangtasia. I will see you at dusk.

E

I smiled. I hadn't even thought about how I was going to buy anything I would need for a baby. Thankfully Eric had.

Jason had placed the boxes in the back of the black car that was to take Abirah and me where we needed to go. Jason was walking back toward me.

"Listen, Sook," He said. "I'm going to fly with them to New York."

"What?" I asked.

"Lois. She wanted to show me around since I've never been up north before. I thought' when would I ever get the chance again?' So…"

I smiled at my brother. He ran his hand nervously through his hair.

"Yeah, ok," he said, giving in. "They aren't so bad. I kind of like that Lois, Sookie."

I hugged my brother, mindful of the newborn I was holding. "You call me tomorrow and let me know how everything is, ok? And don't forget to call work, either."

"Work?" Jason said." To hell with that!" he plunged his hands into his pockets, pulling out a huge amount of chips form Casino Sanguis. "I'm frickin' rich, Sookie!"

"Jason, "I told him, but he interrupted.

"No worries!" He called to me as he began to board the plane again. "I love you, sis!"

I waved back to my brother and blew him a kiss as he moved inside.

Boy, he was gonna be pissed when he figured out that he was suppose to cash those chips in at the casino to get his money.

*~*~*~*~*

I sat in the little rocking chair I had picked up during my shopping excursion and gently rocked Abirah. We had accomplished quite a bit while Eric had been sleeping.

I had skipped the designer baby stores and headed right to Wal-Mart for my shopping. I picked up a bassinet, more diapers and formula. I didn't buy any fancy baby clothes today, just onesies, blanket sleepers, and other necessities. I knew the store was open twenty four hours, so I thought that maybe Eric or Pam could come with me to get the rest. I had been surprised by how expensive babies were, and she wasn't even a day old yet.

She hadn't fussed at all for me all day.

When we had made it back to Fangtasia, I had the driver place the shopping bags and bassinet downstairs in Eric's private little room. I had napped when Abirah napped, so I was well rested for Eric when he came through the door.

I set the sleeping baby in the bassinette and tucked her in. She made a little noise, but was back to sleep quickly.

"Hello, Mama," Eric said to me. "I see you got my note?"

"Thank you," I told him. "I didn't realize all the stuff people needed for babies. I only bought what I knew I would need at the moment. I was hoping either Pam or you would be willing to come with me to pick out some stuff for her?"

Eric smiled at me and wrapped his arms around me.

"I think that would be very domestic. I would love to. But first," he said, pulling me to his lips, he kissed me deeply. "Did I happen to mention how very lucky I am to have you?"

"Not recently," I joked.

Eric began to kiss me again, holding me close to his body.

"I have something for you," Eric said. He walked to his desk and set a small, black velvet box on a pile of papers."I wanted to give it to you before I left for Las Vegas, but it had seemed so urgent that I hadn't had a chance." Eric picked up the box and walked toward me with it. My heart jumped to my throat and was beating wildly.

The little one in her bassinette was not to be ignored and began to make a huffing noise to let us know she thought that now would be a good time to start to cry. I turned to take a step toward her, but Eric stopped me. He set the box down again.

"Let me." Eric said, smiling.

Eric walked to the baby and gently lifted her up. She looked so small held in his arms. He looked down at her with admiration. I couldn't love this vampire more, of this I was positive.

I turned to get a bottle out of the refrigerator, glancing at the little box that sat on Eric's desk. My heart skipped when I thought about what was inside.

As I removed the formula I heard Eric call out in shock.

"For the love of Night!"

I spun around quickly, scared to see what had happened.

I saw Eric, holding Abirah out from his chest. His black tank top was drenched in what appeared to be Abirah's last bottle, a mess of baby vomit all over him.

Eric looked horrified, an expression I had never seen cross his features. Abirah made a sound that almost sounded like a laugh.

"Sookie," Eric said. "The baby seems to be leaking."

"Oh God!" I laughed at the sight of my Viking and my, well, daughter.

"This is going to get interesting!"

The End