Erics' fangs ran down as he struggled to contain his desire for her. This glorious creature before him was laying down her life for him. She was his hearts desire fulfilled. His euphoria flooded the bond making Sookie smile. He placed his hands on either side of her face and turned her to look at him. "Sookie, I wish to give you a gift greater then eternity"

She couldn't help but be confused and a little hurt. She feared suddenly that he would not turn her. But I want this. I want him always and forever. He felt her flutter of emotions. He pushed his love and calm through the bond. "I wish to give you what I never had. One last day in the sun. Go and greet the dawn, enjoy your last day in the warmth of the sun. When twilight arrives we will have each other forever."

Chapter 14

(Einin - pro a-neen. meaning "little bird")

Eric didn't need the blood bond to tell him that Sookie was a little scared of the day ahead of her. As they lay in bed together, their arms and legs entwined, Eric let his contentment flow freely through the bond. He heard a small giggle come from Sookie and he glanced over at her, eyebrows raised.

"Sorry Baby, just thinking to myself." she said

"What are you thinking about Lover?" he asked

"Just wondering what to do with my last day in the sun. My stomach is telling me to pig-out big time but the rest of me just wants to sunbathe all day long."

"Do both. I wish I could watch you stuff your self silly, then sunbathe in the nude" he said with sinfully and he stroked her naked behind.

"Nude! No way. What if someone sees me?"

Eric turned towards her and propped himself up on his elbow. He looked down at her and cocked one eyebrow. Sookie thought to herself that Eric could have whole conversations only using his eyebrows. "That is not likely Sookie, my Dear. Make the most of your day, do what ever you please."

"Eric, can I ask you something personal?"

"Of course"

"If you had been given one last day to do as you please before your were turned, what would you have done?"

He sighed involuntarily. Weather she knew it or not Sookie was asking, in a roundabout sort of way, if he had any regrets. Having regrets are a waste of time when one knows full well nothing can change the past. He decided to humour her though. He thought for a few minutes.

"Had Appius allowed me one last day in the sun I would have swam in the ocean, under the hot summer sun. I would have frolicked with my children and relished the way the sunlight light up their blonde hair. I would have gotten thoroughly drunk on mead and fucked my wife senseless." when he had finished speaking he realised with a start that, for the first time in 1000 years, he felt regret and loss. He had taken all those things for granted and only now that he admitted it to himself did he find some sense of peace.

After spending the remaining few hours of night between the sheets, Eric alerted Sookie to the dawns approach.

"It's time for you to go Lover. I promise you that this day will be the last one we spend apart."

Sookie dressed herself quickly in a sun dress and shawl. She wanted to look extra nice, almost like she was dressing up for someone important. Not someone but something. She brushed her hair out, leaving it down. She leaned over Eric and kissed him sweetly on the mouth.

"See you soon, Husband."

Sookie locked the steel door behind her and after climbing up the 'escape hatch', she entered the security code Eric had told her and the whole system was activated. They may be out in the middle of nowhere but she was still security-minded. Sookie walked out onto the porch and took a deep breath of fresh morning air. Nothing quite like it, she thought. She caught many scents on the morning air. Pine, bluebells and a slight fishy smell from the lake. She ambled slowly down the jetty and stood still at the end. The air was crisp so she wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed the backs of her arms. Shawl or no shawl, it was still cold. Breathing in fresh air and feeling the cold. Two thing she never thought much about until now. She turned her attention to the far side of the lake, being east, and watched as the sky grow lighter. Her thoughts drifted and her eyes looked into the middle distance until the were quickly drawn to the horizon. Wisps of cloud, invisible in the dark of pre-dawn, were lit up with pastel shades of yellow, pink and orange, and other in-between colours she had no name for. The colours became more intense as the crown of the morning sun rose above the mountains, sending sparkles of sunlight through the dense trees. She blinked quickly, allowing her eyes to adjust to the intense light. As the cusp of the sun rose above the tree line, she let out a sigh, not realising she had been holding her breath. The sun rose quicker than she expected. Such is life. Over before it's begun,she thought. When the sun was clear of the trees it's fiery warmth flood Sookies face and she relished it. I will never forget this. She sat at the end of the jetty for some time, watching and listening to the world waking up. When her stomach growled she decided it was time to eat.

She made her way back into the cabin and down into the underground hideaway. She had a good rummage through the refrigerator, finding it remarkably well stocked in her favourite foods. If she didn't already know what was going on, she would be highly suspicious. Smoked chicken, chocolate cake, pecan pie, iced tea, sirloin steak, an ice cold bottle of Gordan's Gin and some tonic water to name a few. And that was just the fridge. Not a minute after she finished her smoked chicken and brie sandwich she helped herself to a large piece of pie. She thought to herself, I thought was supposed to die first then go to heaven, but here I am. She began making eyes at the chocolate cake.

After she had suitable stuffed herself with no room for even another sliver of cake she decided to get out in the sun and enjoy her favourite pastime. Sunbathing. She hadn't brought a bathing suit with her but knowing Eric he had thought of everything. After opening several drawers, she found a shimmery blue two-piece bikini and put it on. She grabbed a blanket and headed topside once again. She situated herself back at the end of the jetty and lay down, letting the warm late morning sun smother her. When she was well and truly baked she flipped over. Not 20 minutes had passed when something occurred to her. She tensed up and opened her eyes. She couldn't pinpoint the cause of her concern but she felt like she was being watched. She made a quick survey of the surrounding area and heard no humans. She scolded herself quietly and settled back to bathing. Her eyes hadn't been closed long were she felt a shadow pass over her, blocking the sun. She bolted to her feet and found herself face to face with her brother Jason, but it wasn't her brother at all.

"Dermot!"

"Hello Sookie, my dearest niece, how have you been?" he said with an unmistakable sneer.

"Get the hell away from me!" she said, fear holding her rigid

"You and I both know that no one is coming to rescue you this time." She knew it was true but she wasn't going to give up without a fight.

"Why me? Why do you want me dead?"

"You and all the other filthy half-bloods need to be exterminated"

She had him talking and she felt emboldened

"You hypocrite! You are half human and half Fae. Why don't you kill yourself and leave me alone to deal with the heritage we never asked for.

"I plan on laying down my life but only after the last half-blood is dead.

"But why? What am I to you?

"We shouldn't exist! The Fae and humans should not be able to mate. The Fae are dying and being replaced by half-bloods like us. It must be stopped if the Fae are to survive."

He moved towards her

"Wait, please wait."

"I'm not here to kill you niece. I'm here to make sure the Vampire turns you."

"What? How did you....?"

"I have been watching you. And him. The vampire is crafty. I'll give him that. He has pulled this off with limited time and resources.

"Yeah, well..."

They looked at each other silently. He sighed suddenly and dipped his head. When he looked up at Sookie again, his eyes were wet with tears. Sookie was taken aback. She was extremely uncomfortable with her would-be assassin crying in her presence. But being in her nature, she couldn't not care.

"Umm, are you okay?"

"You look like her"

"What? I look like who?"

"Einin. My human mother. Your great-grand mother. You are the very image of her." His admission shocked her and she was at a loss for words. Sookie found herself imagining what her great grandmother was like, now she could put a face to the name. Einin. It sounded beautiful.

"Tell me about her" she was genuinely interested. When else would she get a chance to know about her real family tree. Dermot found he wasn't shocked or angry at her for asking. For the first time in centuries he had the urge to speak of his mother without hatred or shame. He simply wanted to remember her.

"My mother was everything good. Innocent and loving. But her people didn't see it like that. You know Fintan and I are, were, twins. We were born in an area now known as Caherciveen in the south west of Ireland. This was before your Vikings people came to our shores. Her people told of how she appeared one day as a young woman, barefoot and pregnant, unable to tell them where she came from. Our mother was alone in raising us. Niall flitted back and forth at his own convenience between worlds. We lived alone and isolated, shunned and feared by the locals. Her people ostracized her for what she was. They knew she was different from the beginning. Nowadays humans turn a blind eye to things they don't understand and they pretend it doesn't exist. Back then anything unusual or different was hunted and destroyed. They actually thought she was a witch! Ha! When my brother and I were still boys my mother realised I had the same abilities as she. She feared for our safety and tried to flee with us. But her people would not let her leave the village for fear she would mate with some other poor man." He wasn't sure if he should say anymore but he saw Sookie was intrigued.

"It must have been hard raising two children on her own."she said trying to sympathize

He snorted. "Stupid girl" he said under his breath. "She could read minds."

Sookie was stunned. What Niall had told Eric was true. Her telepathy was a human trait.

"What happened to Einin?"

"The people who took her in turned against her. They feared what they did not understand. She knew they were coming for her so she sent Fintan and I deep into the forest, hoping Niall would find us. After several days we returned to the village under the cover of night. Our small hut had been raised to the ground. We found our mother hanging from a great Oak tree. She had been burned alive. We were alone and scared so we fled back to the forest. After some days, Niall found us and took us back to the Fae realm. Life wasn't much better there. Your grandfather Fintan was more Fae than I and passed easily amongst them. But I am too human for the Fae to accept. Fintan was named Nialls' heir and I was cast aside. I have walked the Earth for centuries searching for my place but there is no home for me. I am tired now. I am too human to wish to live for another 1000 years. It hurts to much to be part of something yet always separated from it.

Sookie was saddened by this. Dermot and her were so alike. In abilities and experiences. She wondered if maybe she was too human for immortatity.

"You are right Sookie. We are not so different." he said reading her mind, which was a new experience for her. "But my life has been shaped by tragedy, rejection and my own self-loathing. Your life may have been shaped by tragedy and rejection also but you had what I never did. The unconditional love of your family, and a home."

"But if Niall wasn't interested in you why was he so desperate to have a relationship with me."

"You really aren't very bright, even by human standards. Because of your telepathy and your resemblance to Einin. I believe he loved her greatly, as Fintan loved your grandmother." he sighed a weary sigh. "I must go now." he said as he looked into the water below the jetty. Without looking up he spoke. "If you are still breathing tomorrow I will come for you." And then he was gone.

The sun continued to beat down on her. After the conversation she had with Dermot she didn't feel much like baking in the sun anymore. She was on edge with all the new information swirling around in her head, looking for a place to settle. She wondered how it should affect her. She thought she should be concerned but she just couldn't make herself care. As they say 'It's ancient history' she thought to herself. She turned and, taking a deep breath, she dived into the lake. When the cool water hit her hot skin she felt every inch of her tingle. She felt simply aliveand it felt wonderful. She felt her lungs begin to yearn for oxygen so she kicked hard and popped her head above the water. She looked about. She couldn't keep the silly smile from her lips as she floated on her back with her eyes closed. The moment brought back fond memories of summer vacations with her family. Camping outdoors, hunting with Jason and her Dad, sitting in a dingy with Poppa Stackhouse and trying to catch the big one! Then cleaning and gutting the fish with her Mom (not her favourite job). Endless hours spent exploring the forests and swimming in lakes with Jason and Tara. Oh God! Jason!

The real world came crashing back. Jason, Amelia, Tara, Sam, Bill and Pam. Would they know what was going on. Maybe. She would never again see them in the daylight and it crushed her. Jason's gunna to be awful mad at me and Amelia will be worried sick. Sookie swam back to shore and ran to the cabin. She was down into the hatch, making darn sure she locked up behind her before she started looking for a phone. When she came up empty, she saw Eric's laptop. She turned it on and waited. When she was ready to type her mind went blank. She didn't know what to write. What do you say when you know your friends and family won't see you alive again. She had so much she wanted to say but in the end she gave up. She buried her face in her hands and cried. After a few minutes of sobbing, her 'pity party for one' came to an end. She realised she had been crying for what her brother and her friends were about to lose. She wasn't crying for what she was losing because she no longer saw it that way. She was gaining a freedom she had always secretly desired and securing a love that would last forever. How could she be sad about that? She gave herself a quick peep talk before she decided what to do next.

What are some of the things I have never done? Hmm? I have never smoked a cigarette, though I doubt Eric keeps a pack of Camels hidden in the coffee jar! I have never skydived or bungi-jumped. I could probably do those things as a vamp though. As Eric can fly he could take me to 10,000 feet and drop me. Hopefully he could catch me before I hit the ground, not that the impact would kill me. This thought had her laughing so hard she cried. She walked through the bedroom on her way to the bathroom. She stopped when he saw a sleeping Eric, naked and wrapped in the bedsheets. She knelt over him softly and brushed a stand of hair away from his peaceful face. She knelt there for a few minutes watching him sleep. The realisation dawned on her that this was her last chance to watch him asleep and helpless. As vampires he would always rise before her. So beautiful, so peaceful she thought. She reluctantly left his side and went about grooming herself.

First she shaved her legs and trimmed her downy pubic hair. No way am I going through eternity with hairy legs!She washed her hair and went in search of a pair of scissors to trim her ends. Upon opening the second drawer in the kitchen she spied an open packet of Marlboro Reds and a lighter. That's weird. Does Eric smoke? Can vamps even do that?She pulled a cigarette from the packet, put it to her lips and lit it like she had seen it done a million times at Merlottes. She sucked hard, the tip glowing red as the smoke hit the back of her throat. She coughed and spluttered as she reached for a bottle of water on the bench beside her. After a few minutes her coughing subsided she tried again. This time she breathed the smoke in deep, held it, then blew it out. "Wow, what a rush!" She said as a wave of dizziness filled her head. She took puff after puff as she found some scissors and returned to the bathroom. When she saw herself in the mirror, a cigarette hanging out of her mouth, she laughed. She ended up cutting off more hair than she normally would have, making sure the style was as generic as possible. Also no way I am going through eternity with the 'Rachael' haircut.She plucked her eyebrows into the perfect shape to suit her face and then trimmed her nails. She checked the time. 5.20pm. Time had once again gotten away from her. She jumped into the shower again to wash away the smell of smoke. When she was washed and dried she began the difficult task of choosing something to wear. The closets contained several dress that Eric (Pam!) must have chosen. Sookie settled for white strapless dress with a matching long sleeved shrug. It looked very similar to the dress she wore the first time she met Eric. I'm sure he will approve. She was dressed and outside as the sun dipped below the treeline. She climbed the hill behind the cabin to get a better vantage point and was stunned with the view that lay before her.

Gosh I hope everyone liked this chapter. I thought it was running on too long so I stopped here. The next chapter will be up in a few days.