***Thanks for being patient, I snuck the computer away from my hubby, lol. I now get visiting rights with the computer, so every week I can post- yaay! I wanted to write Eric's POV for this chapter, I love him (who doesn't, lol), but wasn't sure how it would have been received, so kept it Sookie's.*** Thanks for reading and reviewing, alerting...I love you guys :)

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"Babe, I have to grab a drink, I'm parched. Do you want a blood?" I asked, but I wasn't thirsty. He nodded. I wanted to give him some time, so he could clean himself up. He would have been too proud to ask for a moment, so I made sure he didn't have to. He cried. I could not believe, Eric cried...and It was because of the love he had for me. When I saw his beautiful face, tracked by his bloody tears, I struggled with everything that I had to suppress my emotions. I could have started bawling all over again, but I knew that would only make him more uncomfortable, feeling like he made me cry. I know that me crying, in general, makes him feel helpless. So I sucked it up, literally. I licked his face. I licked and lingered, allowing the love for him to ease thru the bond. After a light kiss, he brought me to my feet and embraced me, before I started towards the door. Something piqued my interest- I wondered when the last time he cried...if he even cried before. I wasn't asking. I was just very...sad...and extremely loved.

As I was heading down the stairs, I looked around my home. I had so many memories, heck, 5, 6 lifetimes full of memories, in this house. Kitchen, good and bad. Living room, good and bad. Bedroom, good and bad. Bathroom, good and great. My showers with Eric, alone, make that the most memorable...well, at least top 3 memories in this house. There are many that I wish could be glamored out of me, like Gran's...I don't need to go there. No looking back. Eyes on the road ahead. I wasn't being malicious, I had to be realistic. Life is too precious- and I loved mine right now. It took a while for me to come to grips with things...to understand what/who I was and who/what I loved.

When I reached the refrigerator, I was certain of several things: I miss my gran, I miss Claudine, I love Eric, he loves me, Jason will always be a butthead, Pam is my best vamp girl, well, I don't even need to mention her being a vamp because it didn't matter. She was fabulous, witty, beautiful and fiercely loyal. Last but not least, I accepted my fate. It came calling, and I answered. Accepting one's fate is quite liberating, actually. No more sweating the small stuff. I knew I only had 2 options: 1. Freedom. The love of my life and I would be able to be together. Perhaps, forever? OR 2. Death. My death. Eric dying is unacceptable...not an option. I would rather die than have Eric lose his freedom. He was freed from his maker's repulsive clutches, with some luck and accidental help from a couple fairies (obviously, and very fortunately unbeknownst to one of them), leaving no one with any of that 'power' over him. I knew Eric could handle himself in their world- politically, and in general. There, I wasn't worried. He was the most magnificent vampire I have ever seen, and not because he's mine. He's fearless, intelligent, a master in the arts of strategy, cunning, and from what I've heard, he's a very firm but fair Sheriff. He is very well known by all vampires and his vampires were extremely loyal to him. He's over a thousand years old for a reason, and I would never forgive myself if I was the final death of him. Soaking it all in, it just solidifies my decision...no looking back.

When the microwave 'dinged, I placed my iced tea on the counter, went to open the door, and suddenly my hand was captured in one of Eric's. He was kissing my hand, the tips of his hair, wet- he must have snuck in a shower- were lightly slapping against my forearm. He wound up on my fingers, then fingertips, flickering his tongue at all the right spots. WOWSA! His other arm engulfed me into his body Want him. "Hmmm...I feel you," arching a brow, while he spoke. I was glad that's all he felt. "I feel you, too," I said as I thrusted my hips backwards, into him. "Of course you can, my lover. How could you not feel what you do to me," he grinned his sexy smile. His body was molding to mine. I was wearing the latest, and always fashionable, Viking Vampire- by E. Northman. I was envied everywhere. 'How does she get a gorgeous man like that?' or 'Look at the fangbanger...hope they drain her dry...' Blah. Blah. Blah. I got over that crap when I was seeing Bill. In one ear, out the other.

Now, my mind at peace, I decide I am going to love, ravage and cherish the very few and fleeing hours with my vampire...my viking...my lover- MY husband. Turning to face him, I cupped his chin with one hand and gazed into those beautiful blues, stroking his golden locks, starting near his ear and fingering up, then outwards. I trace the side of his face with the back of my fingertips, all the way down to his shirt collar. I let a few fingers tug at the Fangtasia shirt, leaned in and asked, "Husband, would you make love to me tonight?" Love, anticipation devotion, lust- among several other feelings, were flowing thru the bond. "As you wish, my wife." In his sexy voice, then he kissed me softly. This was a first, we actually took our clothes off in human time...nothing I owned was shredded. We were savoring- I was memorizing, every inch of each others' bodies. I could stare at his face all day, every day. It was so disgustingly gorgeous- in a good way. Oh, and his butt what a sight to behold as well. We made love, and it was heavenly. He was soft, caring, attentive...and I took care of him, hence the ancient babbles he was groaning out. We were cuddling on the bed, him on his side, propping himself up with his elbow and he rested the other hand on my stomach. I could have stayed like that forever, and a day. For me, it was the perfect way to say goodbye to the house. I started getting a little choked up. I thought I would be live here for the rest of my life, but I had no time to stroll down memory land.

FOCUS. 'you have a plan, to stick it. Now, think- sex, love, sex,' I was drilling it into my head. I didn't want Eric to feel any of my emotions that were brewing inside me- it would be too confusing for him and I have no time to spare. I know we have most of the evening to look forward to, so I ask, "Eric, can we spend the night at your house? I want to make love all night, and know you're near all day. I need to do some running around, errands...there's more store options...and since it's so much closer to Fangtasia, maybe we can enjoy each other for a little while, before the festivities tomorrow night. I miss Pam, too. Maybe she can stop by or we can stop by there before your house" I was acting normal. I sent some love, lust, and a touch of anxiety. Those feelings would be expected of me, so I had to play me to a 'T'. Eric didn't know of my decision, he didn't need to know it...and that's how I would really rather it remained. "As you wish," he whispered. But now, I was straddling him- vamp speed- and he was caressing the sides of my body, from arms and so on, up and down. He started out with his hands, but fingers worked great too, and so did his fingertips. He then stopped, grabbing each arm and lowers me, tenderly down to him, proceeding to press his firm lips into mine. I part my mouth allowing my tongue to explore his mouth and he the same, except he had that sexy growl going- FOCUS!

"Hold your horses, my sexy sheriff- I have to grab a few things for the sleepover and the special occaision." I winked as I walked to the bathroom. I could hear him on his cell, he was probably making arrangements for me; making sure I have a body guard, food, and so forth. He was so thoughtful when it comes to those things. I need to try and find the perfect gift for him when I'm out and about making sure my plan can somehow come into place. A plethora (last time I would look at my 'Word of the Day' calendar) of prayers, magic, etc. would need to be involved for it to remotely work.

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