A/N: All characters are the property of CH, as we children of the night know.
A right-good affectionate squeeze goes to MariaTerese for acting as beta and performing the duty during her free weekends. I greatly appreciate it. All remaining errors are mine.
Yes, there is an implied 'wild lemon', as opposed to a 'cultivated lemon'. You decide. But please do not read if any experimentation bothers you. This is for mature audiences only.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Woodside c. 1979, Graduation, Part V
P2.
It came as no surprise to Eric that Sven hadn't been pleased about the last-minute ceremony he wanted. He'd immediately wanted to know how long Eric had been planning it and why they'd now have to rush it? Eric could tell that Sven was definitely gearing up for a serious, time-burning argument about the whole thing, and time was not on Eric's side.
He'd squelched any further questions by asking the only pertinent one: 'Wasn't he the very same brother who had impulsively snuck off to Las Vegas to marry his wife?' It was actually his best come-back in several months. He savored it and Sven's resigned expression as he'd acknowledged the truth of it.
In the end, the ceremony was approved by all and sundry except Grandpa Alrick and Mimi, who never had an independent thought when Alrick was in the same room with her, much to everyone's disgust. The reasons for Alrick's unhappiness were made known and Eric subsequently bore the brunt of his unpleasantness during the Sunday graduation celebrations after the announcement was made.
In spite of Sven's lukewarm reaction to his and Sookie's decision, Eric had enjoyed being around Sookie's friends during the events of that day. Her childhood friend, Claudia, had also flown-in from San Diego on Sunday. She was a quirky character, flighty, but he was pleased to have someone celebrating with them besides his family and her school friends. He didn't mind playing along as the brother-in-law, and actually enjoyed seeing Sven work the crowd as the accomplished, caring spouse. It was his brother's final moments to shine alone in the role, and he might as well enjoy it. He felt he had the advantage now, but wasn't sure how quickly he could make it work for him. And if he'd learned nothing else, university politics had taught him to secure every advantage, no matter how insignificant. He recalled again the events leading up to Sven's revelation.
___________________
The drive back to northern California began just as the trip out had, with Sven and Eric hooking the headphones of their Walkman's over their ears and preparing to alleviate their boredom with their favorite music. Sookie had been sitting in the back seat again, first advising them she was going to take a turn driving this time, to which they'd both agreed. They knew she was unhappy but neither wanted to explore her reasons, especially Eric. He felt Sven needed to come clean about whatever was going on, but he'd changed his mind about pressing him for answers. He'd recalled the conversation they'd had that day he was released from the hospital and Sven had taken him home. What had seemed reasonable then no longer made much sense, but it was a done deal. There was no going back and Sven would just have to live with it.
In the end, after they had passed through several small towns, including St. George, Sookie realized they would be driving through Las Vegas, and reminded them it was the first time she and Sven would be back since their wedding last December at the White Chapel.
Unhappiness forgotten, Sookie had removed both sets of headphones and insisted they talk to her, or at least, 'listen!' She had apologized for her childish whining about camping conditions during their adventure and had sounded genuinely sorry for probably ruining the trip for them. In spite of the cramped space, Sven had pulled her over into the front seat and cuddled her against him as Eric strove to keep the Volvo on the road. Good thing it had such an impressive safety record; otherwise they might have crashed. It was quite the sandwich and Sookie had not forgotten him, stretching out her legs over him, eventually rubbing her sock-clad feet over his sensitive areas as she teased him back into a good mood, along with the two of them.
They'd rolled into Las Vegas around lunchtime after the winding drive through the Virgin River Gorge on I-15 and then endured monotony of the flat, featureless landscape on the last leg into Sin City. They'd decided just to do a drive-by of the Chapel, then park and eat lunch at Caesar's Palace, a legendary place Sookie had missed seeing on the honeymoon.
The casino and hotel was undergoing a major retail space upgrade, dampening her excitement, but the theme-park quality of the interiors made for a pleasant diversion after the monotony of the recent scenery. Sookie was very verbal about imagining both of them tricked-out as gladiators, with leather loincloths, wide leather belts, pounded metal shoulder guards with matching greaves, and legionnaire sandals. In her fantasy, which amused both men, they were mock combatants coming off a practice session. She described them in detail, both with matted hair, naked chests dripping from their exertions and carrying short swords and round shields, their elbows and wrists wrapped tightly in black leather strips for protection and their long muscled legs marked by the dust kicked up from the arena floor. Their girl definitely knew Roman clothing, and a few other things.
It must have been the twin thing again, because judging by the questions asked about some of the specifics, both he and Sven were clearly turned on thinking about their costumes for the first Exotic Erotic Ball event to be held that October. Sven, who'd met Louis Abolafia, famous for the 'Make Love, Not War' slogan and Perry Mann during his first years living in the City, had already purchased the tickets for the three of them and started chiding Sookie to begin assembling her costume or he'd select some choice bondage wear outfits for her. Speculation about the nature of the event and the bands that would perform had been a hot topic among them and Joran for weeks.
They finally found the casino's buffet and ate quickly, conversation held to a minimum. Sookie had dropped a few quarters in the slot machines, and then they made their escape, with Sven volunteering to drive the next leg of the trip. Once again, they all three piled into the front seats for the sandwich feeling they had unexpectedly enjoyed, this time Eric holding her on his lap as Sookie played torturer with Sven as victim. They were in a good place, happy to be returning home with still a few free days remaining.
The talk was easy and ranged over events from their trip, updates on Eric's preparation of his research for publication, Sven's problems with a specific institutional investor, and Sookie's excitement about completing her degree and plans for a new career. They exhausted those topics and moved on to current books they wanted to read, films to see, and concerts they wanted to attend. The hours passed pleasantly, the radio useless except for the occasional country music station none of them could tolerate as they drove back via Barstow and Bakersfield to pick-up I-5, eventually planning to turn off at the Garlic Capital to wend their way into San Jose and finally home.
The I-5 had a mind of its own and other plans for them and their fellow drivers. Pile-ups were not uncommon on the freeway all the major freight haulers used, and while they thought they were immune as they had avoided the infamous Grapevine area, there was indeed a huge blockage after the exit for Kettleman City from an accident several miles ahead. Traffic was being rerouted through Coalinga, a sleepy little town that was supported by the money trickling down from the oilfield workers' paychecks. Eric couldn't imagine that anyone else would ever know Coalinga existed after they had driven through it, but after all the unexpected delays, he suggested they acknowledge they were beaten and spend the night in Monterey. Sven decided they would stay at the La Playa Hotel, a historic property in Carmel-By-The-Sea. He advised them he had once stayed at the property and enjoyed its proximity to the ocean, which was enough to convince Sookie. Eric caught that Sven didn't tell them with whom he'd stayed, but suspected it had been Max.
Arriving late, they were still able to secure one of the cottages, the Tradewinds, which satisfied all of their requirements and offered a fireplace and kitchen. They made plans to eat at a restaurant recommended by the Concierge after taking a walk around town to stretch out from the cramped but cozy ride out of Bakersfield.
While dinner was uneventful, Eric and Sookie noticed that Sven was drinking much more than usual and was very quiet. They didn't press him, but waited to hear whatever was on his mind.
They didn't have to wait very long. After an short walk back to their cottage, Sven pointing out locations that had been in scenes shot in Carmel for the Eastwood film, 'Play Misty for Me', which Sookie had been too young to see when it was released, he wanted to sit out on the patio in front of their cottage.
Since both Sookie and Eric were eaten up with curiosity by now, they agreed and the three of them snuggled down on some padded chairs they pushed together and covered up with a blanket Eric had snagged from the car. He wanted Sookie to be warm and not distracted again.
After ten minutes of sitting, their silence broken once by Sven's offhand remark about the possible reasons for the lack of visible stars, Eric couldn't wait any longer for him to start.
"So what is on your mind, brother? Our girl here is going to start complaining about the cold in a few minutes. Let's have it."
And Sven proceeded to tell them about his last visit to La Playa with Max. And then about what he had decided to do on that visit. And what he had actually later done. And then both Sookie and Eric wanted to see his scars. "Later", and Sookie thought it strange she had never noticed them or recognized them as such. And then Sookie asked if the surgery could be reversed? And when told, 'not easily', said it didn't make much difference to her, provided Eric hadn't also had surgery, considering their new arrangements. Did it make any difference to Eric? When he said he didn't plan on getting pregnant any time soon, the absurdity of the remark broke some of the tension. But Eric felt very smug about his position now. He didn't point out that Sven had withheld the information from Sookie, or that it was a fact she should have known well before they married. She also did not choose to comment on the obvious deception. Maybe they had both decided to cut him a break. He'd looked a little pale. After a few minutes more, Sookie said she was going in to prepare for bed. Eric and Sven elected to remain outside.
While Eric had wanted to say more about the subject, he didn't. Sven had spoken first.
"So, we will be back home tomorrow. Thank the gods."
"Yes, back to the grind in a few days. I'll need to start planning a return trip to Hohn sometime in early fall, which I anticipated pushing off until next year. Impossible now. "
Sven hesitated. "Will you want to take her with you?"
"Not likely. You convinced me with this trip that she isn't suited to that aspect of my life, is she?"
"No." Silence. "Will you see Selah in Hohn?"
"Unavoidable."
"At least you are moving camp to Berkeley."
"Yeah, next week I'll pack up the last of my accumulated office crap in Santa Cruz. You could help me load up ten bookcases worth of books."
"No. But I could pay Joran to help you with it."
Eric wondered how much longer this banter would continue. So he asked.
"Want to talk of anything else before we go in?"
"Yes and no."
"Are you going to elaborate? Want me to beat it out of you? I'm good with my fists, you know."
"Yeah, and I'm better with my mouth."
"Matter of opinion. You sure our wife would agree?"
"Is she your wife as well, little brother?"
"You tell me. I believe she'd say 'yes'. Would have been mine first if you hadn't stolen her…"
"You had your chance."
"Is that what you wanted to tell me, Sven? Something I already knew and still regret?" Eric couldn't conceal his anger now.
Sven's response was sarcasm personified. "I wouldn't need you if I hadn't been so idealistic, convinced I was all but married to Max. And look how that turned out." It was sarcasm with a very bitter, self-loathing edge, Eric noted.
And on that note, Eric decided to call it a night.
"Your funeral, buddy, not mine. I'm still intact." He stood to go inside, prepared to crawl into the nice warm bed with Sookie, thinking that being off the ground wasn't such a bad thing, when he noticed Sven's shoulders were shaking, the movement almost hidden in the darkness of the surroundings. Oh, shit. He couldn't stand to see anyone hurting, pissed or not.
He sat back down, swung his long legs up on the lounge and gritting his teeth, pulled up against Sven. He thought of reaching for his hand, but waited to see what would develop next.
_________________________
Sven had watched as Eric stood to go. He'd fucked it all up with his false bravado, his lies, his manipulations, and it was all for nothing. It still rained down on him, a veritable shit storm of everything wrong he'd ever done.
Sven, though muffling his pain, once started, couldn't stop. Eric finally overcoming his squeamishness about closeness with another male, had dropped back down onto the lounge chair beside him, and offered him some body warmth. The unselfishness of the act intensified his feelings. This episode was going to be bad, he could feel it all the way down. The self-loathing was surfacing again, roaring to be let out. It was a painful clawing against his insides, scratching its name on his internal organs, squeezing his stomach and causing the bile to rise in his throat. And the tears to pool in his eyes, dammit.
With a loud sob, he turned from Eric, and wiped his hands over his face. He couldn't go back into their cottage looking and acting like this. But he couldn't stay on the lounge chair outside all night, either.
And then, to his astonishment, his brother wrapped his arms around him, and pulled him close. "Don't like toseeyouhurting." Eric had rumbled the words into the back of his head.
"You're going to take her from me, aren't you?" Sven knew with dead certainty it was just a matter of time.
Eric didn't speak for a minute, then just shook his head, indicating 'no'.
Sven could only hope he was telling the truth. They sat like that for a few minutes, each lost in his own musings, the raw feeling gradually draining from Sven.
When Sookie flicked the porch light a few times, Eric stood first, and holding out his hand, head inclined in his direction, he pulled Sven to his feet. He clasped him around the waist, and telling him what he needed to hear, said "Don't worry and come inside. Tonight will be different for the three of us. We'll hold each other. It's all that matters."
________________________
That night, with all three tired from the long drive, had indeed been different, Eric recalled. Once inside the cottage, he'd motioned to Sookie to help him push Sven onto the bed tucked against the wall, good oral hygiene be damned, and together they pulled off his clothing and scooted him to the center of the California King. Sven had wanted to curl up on his side, but Eric had killed that plan, stepping out of his work jeans, dropping the remaining clothing where he stood and sliding down next to Sven before he could think about what he was doing. His pale skin was in sharp contrast to Sven's olive shades. Sookie had followed suit, tossing the gown she was wearing, and slipping her creamy flesh on top of Eric as she rolled over him and onto Sven. She'd slid her arms underneath his shoulders and then wrapped her hands around his neck as she lowered her head to kiss him, long, slow, and without stopping to gauge his reaction.
When she came up for air, he surprised them both by asking, "How can you be so good to me? Be so forgiving, now that you know the truth about me?"
"Brother, I've always known the truth about you. Sometimes I just haven't wanted to admit it." Eric had answered him.
"Sven, dearest husband, I've never changed how I felt about you. We've all three said and done idiotic things around each other."
"Will it ever stop?" Sven had asked.
"Doubt it." Eric had replied.
"But we have each other, guys. I love you both." Sookie spoke from her heart.
Stumbling over his words, Sven had declared: "And I love you, family. I cannot bear to let you go. I've died every night, wondering what I would do if you, Sookie, left me over this….this lie, this loss. I've struggled to make it better. For all of us."
"Sven, I'm not happy you didn't tell me earlier about the vasectomy, I'll admit that. But it doesn't change the fact that I love you. I love you. Doesn't that count for something here?"
"And big brother, I love you as well. What those two did, Selah and her evil twin Max… The number they did on your head was unforgiveable. I cannot believe I ever let Selah come between us. I'm just…we would all have done better, on so many levels, if I hadn't gotten involved with her, too. Didn't really reason it out, and I regret that lapse."
Sven had relaxed at that last comment from Eric, and opening his arms, had pulled them both up against his trembling body. It had been an unthinkable intimacy for Eric, and yet for that one night, he let it be. He just went with it, whatever Sven wanted to do. It was fine. He was pretty sure he'd probably never want to do it again anytime soon, but one brief night of sweaty sex on the wild side was just an experience. Not a complete about-face. Or so he hoped. The soreness the next day convinced him it had truly been a one-time deal, never to be repeated.
_______________________
For the Monday night ceremony, Sookie thought it was appropriate to don the clothing Sven had purchased for her on their honeymoon in Barbados, a delicate pale lemon silk flowered ankle length dress, paired with some cream-colored flat sandals Eric requested she wear. He'd had to bow to his brother's unique understanding of what looked good on women, particularly Sookie. The dress emphasized all her luscious curves, the deep V in front showing the smoothness of her skin and the bounty of her breasts. She was a visual treat, modeling the dress in advance for the two of them yesterday. He'd noted both he and Sven had had to make some adjustments after she left their bedroom to return it to the hanger in her closet.
Now she waited in another part of the house with his moms and sister. Night had finally fallen, and as the invited began to assemble, Eric searched out his friend, the history professor from Santa Cruz, to check that she was prepared. Leida was a casually dressed middle-aged woman, charmed to be consulted and entrusted with her role in the night's activities. She had agreed to watch over their enactment of the customs Eric wanted incorporated into the event, and wouldn't raise an eyebrow at Sven holding Sookie's other hand throughout the proceedings. Joran had agreed to man the stereo and Eric had chosen, at Sven's suggestion, Respighi's Ancient Airs and Dances. He liked the title, if not necessarily the music.
Late on Saturday afternoon, Eric had placed his order for a special headdress for Sookie, one made of a wide forest green headband supporting a variety of summer flowers and long multi-colored ribbons, all accented with baby's breath. It had been delivered last minute and Mia had told him it actually fit, Tara settling it on her head and tying it in place at the nape of her neck, letting her heavy, honey-colored waist-length hair hang loose down her back. It was the perfect adornment and picked up the color theme of the many wildflower bouquets Mia and Celia had purchased earlier in the day to create a fragrant outdoor bower effect in the house's main room.
When all was ready, Sookie and Sven, acting as her 'best man', walked into the room, she to offer her hand and take her seat on the bridal bench next to Eric, while keeping her other hand in Sven's as he remained standing behind her, his formal Armani black tux gleaming in stark contrast to the clothing choices of some of the others present.
With Leida also acting as mistress of ceremonies, she welcomed all present, lectured briefly on some of the customs Eric and Sookie were adhering to, and others they weren't, such as the Vitabikar and the Tobias nights, and then asked all to bear witness to the joining of the pair. With that, Eric turned to Sookie and it began. The words they chose to say to one another were simple terms expressing their love and commitment, and their mutual desire to remain together forever. In deference to Sven, he also had several lines he recited, his words indicating his pleasure at having Eric join with them. It could have been uncomfortable, but it wasn't.
When it was finished, Eric rose, dressed in a pearl gray suit so formal as to be a choice Sven might have made for him, the look only marginally marred by the casualness of the sky blue open collared shirt he was wearing. He had quickly scanned those present before his expectant gaze settled on Ander, who was to make the dowry gift announcement. With an unfamiliar smile on his face, likely determined to make the best of the situation, Ander welcomed everyone again before announcing that the Nordmons were gifting Sookie and 'her family' with a condominium in Snowbird. It was a gift of an expensive piece of property the Nordmons had used for several years and Sookie had been astonished that the deed would be registered in her name.
After that, and a heartfelt kiss from her new beloved to satisfy a more current custom, the ceremony was almost complete. Leida had raised her hands above the group and declared it was time to celebrate the joining with the sharing of the Kransakaka cake, which was another surprise to Sookie, the almond-pastry stacked wedding-ring shaped cake center filled with glowing candles Claudia had been tasked with lighting.
The mistress of ceremonies had one last duty, and she fulfilled it with pleasure. After a few hours, when everyone began to get a bit bleary-eyed from the mead, wine and champagne drunk in quantity, she called Claudia and Tara to her side, asking them to take Sookie to the guest bedroom prepared for the pair, turn down the bed, and leave her to await Eric.
When it was done and they had returned together, she clapped her hands a final time for silence, and then explained the history of the custom that was to follow, amended to modern sensibilities and to save everyone the embarrassment of a naked Sookie. Instead, the 'bride' would be waiting, fully clothed, and Eric would join her and give her a bridal gift in front of the witnesses. They would take a drink from the bridal cups, and then everyone present would offer them their blessings. After Eric removed her floral headdress, the public viewing part of the ceremony would be over, and everyone would be free to leave.
It was a difficult moment for Sven, but he continued to act like a gentleman, moving to Eric's side as he kissed him on the cheek and wished him the best, then going to Sookie as well, and offering her his cheek, let her know he would see her in the morning and to simply enjoy the remainder of her night; he would always love her. More importantly, he wanted her to know he had accepted her decision and he was proud of her. He winked and then turned away. He had decided earlier to leave the party via taxi to stay at his condo in downtown San Francisco. Joran had been pressed into staying with him for the night rather than at Camilla's, so he would be joining him later when the party broke up. As it was, no one made mention of his absence during the part that followed.
Eric's gift to Sookie was two-fold. In addition to a tiny pink bikini, reminiscent of an earlier time in their lives, Eric had given her two round-trip tickets on TWA. It was his way of making up for the disastrous trip to Zion. Handing over the tickets, he told her he hoped she had her passport ready as he anticipated they would be going to Paris, London or Florence, her choice. Perhaps all three, if she so wished.
Then Eric stood, and making a small ceremony of it, casually lifted her hair and untied the ribbons holding her headdress in place, removing it to kiss the top of her head and laying the flowered headband on the table. He leaned in to kiss her carefully once more before raising the bridal cup a final time, thanking all for sharing in the most stellar moment of his life, and asking for their blessings.
The solemn tone of the toasts being offered proved to be a bit too much for the little boy that still surfaced on those rare occasions when Eric was feeling happy and relaxed. He waited for a break in the recitations, then grinning widely, loudly urged everyone to 'Call it a night and please, the last one out, close the door behind you. I'm sleepy!'
Alone now, the shuffling sounds of the crowd confirming their departure mingling with the squeals of the tires of the remaining squad of taxis Eric had ordered for their guests, Sookie commented that the tapers in the room Tara had lit earlier were beginning to burn down. Eric smiled at her, nodding, as she fiercely pulled her eager, very emotional lover into her arms. His chest felt tight as he focused on her face and the unconditional love he saw in her eyes. Between them, their desire for each other had never wavered or diminished. After tonight, they were forever free to indulge it without fear of reprisals from family or friends. It was a heady feeling.
She kissed him then, a deeply passionate promise of what was to come, but surprised him by pushing away when he made to unzip her dress. She had a present for him as well.
Pulling a wrapped box from behind the headboard, she presented it to him, the small size prompting him to tease her he didn't really wear ties at work, but it was a nice gesture. But when he opened it, it wasn't a tie.
It was an infant's woolen sweater, striped in shades of Nordic blue, white, cream and tan, a delicate pattern encircling the neck, and a tiny reindeer stitched over the breast. And that night, after Eric had been rendered speechless by her groom's gift, Sookie made her own ceremony of dropping the birth control pills she'd been taking since that first summer she'd met him in the room's wastebasket. She then proceeded to make it very clear to Eric that they would not need them for a good long while. And he agreed.
Finis.
________________________________________________________________
A/N: Hey, it was a quasi-traditional HEA after all; I always want to see Eric get his girl. *At least he's not sharing with Bill* Maybe CH will give Vampire Eric his chance at love here sometime soon, such as in Book 10. He's only been waiting a thousand years or so.
BTW, if you'd like to read more about all things Icelandic, you can google 'Icelandic marriage traditions', and click on the entry beginning with Brúðkaupsvefur. E/S went with a pastiche of old and new.
I must thank PMRose for her very welcome sledgehammer, err, suggestion that cracked a writing block about the commitment ceremony. She recommended perusing history websites for adaptable ideas. I luckily found the above .is site with some unique (to me) Icelandic cultural traditions (the bridal bench, headdress ritual, bride's best man, toastmaster, etc.) that Eric could have encountered in modern-day weddings held by the small-town Hohn inhabitants. I gratefully incorporated them to flesh out what otherwise would have been a very dry scene.
I've written sections of a two chapter epilogue. One chapter will have S/E/S partying at one of San Francisco's infamous annual events and clad, sorta, in the costumes Sookie's been dreaming of Eric and Sven wearing from Day One. No angst, I promise.
The second chapter will explore the aftermath of a much later famous San Fran event the three of them live through. This one may actually take two chapters to complete if I follow my usual pattern.
Thanks for reading to this--the not-so-bitter end. It's been great to have you along for the ride.