Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your responses! Every review makes my day! :D I love you all!

This chapter is again without a beta, so my apologies in advance.

Here's the deal - I'm at 315 reviews. If I get to at least 350 I'll post the next chapter tomorrow. :D I know, I'm a nasty bitch, but I'm too much of a review whore to resist doing this. I hope you still love me..

Playlist - http:/www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=leTz6095qXc&feature=BFa&list=PLF9712A4E8F8DE2C4&lf=mh_lolz

To oceans, to sailors, till heavens collide
A far travelling storm closing in
Waves crashing in and there's no where to hide
That's colder, there's nothing to win
Shine, shine on my way
And I will remember your love
Shine, shine on my way
And I will never fall out of love
An angel, a daughter, a gift from above
A brother with nothing to lose
I fight over nothing and nothing, but love
An ending in deep solitude
Shine, shine on my way
And I will remember your love
Shine, shine on my way
And I will never fall out of love
Tomorrow's here… I have no fear
Tomorrow's here…
Shine, shine on my way
And I will remember your love
Shine, shine on my way
And I will never fall out of love
Shine, shine on my way
And I will remember your love
Shine, shine on my way
And I wïll never fall out of love

(Biondo – Shine)

SPOV

"Good morning," I purred into his ear while biting lightly his earlobe.

"Mmm. I demand you wake me up like this everyday," he said, his eyes still closed. His hands wrapped around me and pulled me flush against his body.

"I'll see what I can do about it," I breathed into his ear before moving my lips to his neck as I straddled him.

We had slept naked again so I could feel his hard cock against my heated flesh. I was already wet, thinking of all the things he could do to me as I waited for him to wake.

I raised my hips a bit and started grinding on him. He growled and grabbed my sides. His lips found mine as I guided his cock inside me. We both moaned in unison at the feeling of being joined together like this.

I moved over him slowly, enjoying every inch of him and every caress. He flipped me over and my legs wrapped around his hips, keeping him close to me. He didn't change the pace, but he added a bit more pressure. I was looking in his eyes when I felt pleasure overtake me. I closed my eyes as I moaned his name and when I opened them I found him watching me with a smirk on his face. Cocky bastard.

I returned his smirk and my arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him to me. I latched onto his neck and he groaned in response. His thrusts became faster. I found myself on the brink again and I wanted him to join me. I bit onto his neck lightly as I started cumming again. I felt him swell inside of me and he buried his face in the pillow beside my head, trying to drown the loud moan that he let out.

Our breathing was erratic and we were both panting, trying to calm ourselves. He rolled off of me and I made a run for the bathroom, thighs close together, a hand between my legs, trying to do as little damage to the carpet as possible. I was giggling the whole way across the hallway and he yelled after me.

"Run Forest, run!" he chuckled and I heard him get out of bed as well.

I was in the shower, cleaning up when he entered the room, a big smile on his face. He came to me, leaned down and kissed me.

"Stop laughing, Mr! It's your fault!" I huffed jokingly.

"We could use a condom, if you wanted to," he said and started brushing his teeth.

"Oh, I'm not taking all these risks with taking the pill just so we can ruin all the fun with condoms. Plus, I think I'm allergic to them. Always felt weird after using," I said, shuddering a bit as I remembered how nasty I felt every time.

"Well, then stop complaining," he poked his tongue out at me, full of toothpaste.

I chuckled at him and finished cleaning. He spread out a towel for me and started drying down my legs as I started brushing my own teeth. It was a thing we liked to do, dry up the each other. I'd do it for him, and he'd do it for me. I hadn't toweled myself in weeks unless I was home alone.

We went and got dressed and then went downstairs where we had a light breakfast. It'd be a busy few weeks until the book got out. There were last touchups that needed to be made for the story before it went to printing and we had to agree on the cover. I was also going to have to take a few pictures for the backcover.

My phone rang and by the Britney song I knew it was Diantha before I even reached it.

"HeyaSook," she said.

"Hey hon. How are you?"

"Good. Whatchadoin?"

"We were just having breakfast," I replied.

"Aw, good. Heard 'bout the book," she said excitedly,

"Yeah. Isn't that great? I can't wait for the launch. You're all invited, of course. I don't know the details yet, but I want you all there with me," I told her.

"O'course."

"Hey, since you called… I've been meaning to ask you if you sent both Eric and I a text on Friday night. It's from a protected number and I know you had that prepay you used sometimes," I asked her in hopes of solving this puzzle.

"Nope. Glad youtwo did it, though," she said.

"Oh dear. News travels fast I see," I rolled my eyes and Eric chuckled, guessing what I was talking about.

"Laf says you're welcome," she said and I could hear Lafayette in the background, bragging about how he was the most awesome hookah around.

"I'll need him to do my makeup for a photoshoot on Friday and for the event, of course," I told her and waited until I heard Laf squeal and steal her phone.

"Oh, hookah, I'm gonna make you look mighty fine," he said and I laughed.

"Laf, I don't need anything over the top. It's for the cover. Just normal, but pretty, you know?" I asked.

"Anything ya' need. Now I'mma go finish my coffee with my beautiful neighbor. See ya later, fabulous!" he said.

"See ya," I replied and put the phone down.

"Well, life is sure never boring with our friends," Eric said.

"Sure isn't. But I like it this way. I don't think I'd trade it for anything in the world," I smiled at him and grabbed his hand.

"Me either. "

There was something else that tied us all together, other than crazyness, that is. We had all lost a parent or two. I had lost both mom and dad, Eric lost his mom, Amelia her mom as well, Lafayette was all alone and Diantha had grown up in foster homes until she found her uncle a few years ago. Alcide's parents were both ok, but they were divorced since he was a kid.

It was a bit weird, but at least we all knew what the others had gone through. It had been hard on all of us in highschool, especially in important times like proms and other events where everyone had parents present. We really grew close in college though, when we started going out more.

The week passed in a blur, between spending time with Stan, going over the entire text again, talking with Pam about events and whatnot and how we were going to do things once the book was out. She wanted to do a promotional tour, but I put my foot down for the holiday season. It was the first time Eric and I were going to go on vacation together and it was more important than anything else.

He had started making plans and he even bought the plane tickets. We were going to stay in the house he had grown up in. His father never sold it because he knew Annika would have "frowned upon it" so he had someone air it up and dust it down every month. Eric had contacted that person already and he was as excited as a kid on Christmas. I didn't care what Pam said, we were going to Sweden on holiday.

The farm house was already getting a new face. Eric called Alcide and within 15 minutes his father called us back and told us he'd send a crew there first thing in the morning. The walls had been reinforced and isolated for better heat efficiency and the windows were getting changed as well. I was assured that by the end of the week it would have a fresh coat of paint. It was going very fast and I was more than happy that they didn't have many contracts and so many of his men were free to work there. The electric wiring was being changed as well. All the old furniture, except the pieces I selected, had been either turned into winter wood or simply trashed out.

Friday came around and we all went in New Orleans – Eric and I, Pam, Stan and Lafayette. The artist that was going to take the shots had a studio there and so we all decided to travel. We woke at first light, so we were all grumpy. Except Laf. He was excited and since he was more of a morning person that either of us, he was talking non-stop. He stopped at the first Starbucks and got us all extra large coffees to go just so he'd get us chatting.

By the time we got to New Orleans we were all as excited as LaLa. Martin was waiting for us in front of his studio. Apparently, considering what Pam had said, he was the future Leibovitz. He was photographing anyone that was someone and he was selling his things to important magazines.

"Hi. It's nice to meet you," I told him.

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine," he said, shaking my hand. He was already studying my face.

He went and introduced himself to everyone, except Pam, whom he hugged.

"It's so nice to see you again, darling," he said.

He was about my height and if I had a guess, I'd say he was from some Latin American country. He was dark haired and his eyes were brown. Martin was all muscles and he awoke jealousy in both Eric and Stan who were puffing their chests out. Until he pinched Lafayette's ass, that is. That cleared everything up.

After LaLa put my make up on and did my hair, he had me sit on a chair and he took photos. He wasn't happy with his work though, and he had no idea what was wrong and what was missing. We took a break and I stretched a bit to lose the stiffness in my bones from sitting still for so long. I leaned forward and the necklace Eric gave me came out of my blouse.

"That's it. That's what it was missing. Tighten that chain," he instructed and I did as he said. I let the extra links fall on my back so the pendant was sitting at the base of my neck.

"Like this?" I asked.

"Si. Si. Now look at your boyfriend," he instructed and I glanced at Eric.

"That's it!" he yelled and I had no idea what was so different. After he took a few pictures he came to me and showed me.

The blank spot on my chest had been strategically filled with the pendant which caught a bit of light. I wasn't wearing much cleavage because I didn't want that to be what attracted people to my book so the pendant stole the attention below my chin. I looked up and noticed how soft my features were as I looked over Martin's shoulder at Eric. I could honestly say that I looked in love. There was no other way to describe the way he had photographed me. It was a beautiful picture and Pam immediately agreed with it.

"Good. Now go change," he pointed to both me and Eric.

"Excuse me? Change for what?" I asked.

"The cover of course," he blinked his response. Of course. That's why Pam had insisted Eric go as well.

"Pam!" I yelled and turned.

"Yes, dear," she replied, the image of complete innocence.

"I can't do this. I don't want to be on the cover," I told her and Eric nodded beside me.

"Oh common. I have this picture in my mind about how the cover should look. You two are practically the characters in the book, with a twist, so why not use you as such? Please. Go change and we'll just take a few pictures. If you don't like them, we'll think of something else, ok?" she asked and I conceded. The worst that could happen, after all, was that I'd have some awesome photographs with Eric.

Eric and I went to a dressing room and got into the clothes they had taken out for us. There was a black shirt and a pair of black slacks for Eric along with a pair of boots. There was also an anchor-necklace laid out for him, so I assumed he'd have to keep a few of his buttons undone. For me there was a white dress with red flowers on it. It was corset tight on the bust and it showed a lot of cleavage and it flared out in my waist. There were also some impossibly high shoes to go with it, but I had a feeling those wouldn't be showing in the picture. They were simply trying to get my height closer to Eric. Well, they'd need a stool for that.

"I won't even be able to walk in these," I said and giggled.

"I'll carry you," Eric said and I knew he was serious.

"No, that's ok. Just… hold my hand so I won't fall," I said. These shoes were something Lady Gaga would wear. The platform was insane.

We walked to the main room and all eyes were on us.

"Great, now stand there," Marin instructed, showing us to a background of what looked to be woods.

We walked there and I made sure to step carefully over the fake leaves on the ground.

"Lafayette, would you put the wig on Eric, please?" he said softly. Once he was done it was like I had gone back ten years. Eric with long hair looked like the 15 year old I met in Bon Temps High.

"Hookah, you look like you're 15 all over again," Lala said when I couldn't utter anything.

"Let's hope Sookie doesn't get in jail for taking advantage of me, then," he smirked in my direction. I couldn't take my eyes off him. I never realized I missed his long locks.

"Great. Now, Eric you look towards me and Sookie, turn your back to the camera."

I did as he asked. I was by Eric's side and I was looking up at him.

"That's it. That's how you should pose. Looking at each other. Perfect. Sookie, put your hand on his chest and Eric, get your hand around her hip and pull her closer," he said.

I placed my hand over his heart and he smiled at me, pulling me closer. We were hip to hip and his hand was holding me close.

"Sookie, look a bit to your right so your hair hides your face," he said and I did as asked. "Perfect, don't move!"

He snapped a few shots but I was lost in Eric's eyes.

"Ok, we're done I think. Turn around so I can take some shots for you to take home," Martin said and Eric turned me around, gluing my back to his chest. His hands came around my waist after he took off the wig Lafayette had placed.

Martin disappeared in a room and returned a few minutes later with our take-away photos and the pic he wanted to use for the cover.

It was framed in such a way that you couldn't see our faces. Eric's head was cut. You could only see his nose and that his face was tilted down to mine. The blonde hair fell around his face. His shirt was opened and you could clearly see the pendant on his chiseled chest. My hand was laying over his "dead" heart. All you could see of me was my blonde hair and my dress. My face was angled to Eric's but because of the lighting you couldn't see much of my features. His hand was gripping visibly, possessively, at my hip, holding me close to him. The picture was perfect for the cover of my book. Black and white. The vampire and the human. It showed the interest the characters had for each other, the potential passion between them, the intensity of their relationship. I wondered if that's what everyone else saw between myself and Eric before we finally gave into our feelings.

"The picture will be black and white and the writing red. You like?" Pam asked.

"I love it. Thank you!" I said and hugged her.

"No problem. I'll make sure Martin sends you the originals as well, so you can have at home," she said.

Eric drove on the way home and Lafayette took my seat in the back, talking with Pam about designers and whatnot. We grabbed some fast food on the way home since we were all famished by now. We would have remained in the city, but Eric had business to attend to at the café on Saturday.

We got home late that night and fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows.

Saturday morning came and Eric kissed me goodbye. I made coffee and went to work in the yard. It was still warm outside and I felt like enjoying the sun a bit. Alcide called me and told me that the workers were starting to paint the inside of the house now, since the outside was already done and Pam called to tell me the book was sent to printing. I was so excited I could burst. Everything seemed perfect and I was happy. I had a boyfriend who loved me and wanted to spend his entire life with me, I had a book getting published, I had a beautiful home and another in the making and I had wonderful friends.

I spent my afternoon writing for the new book, sketching out the story and the first chapters. It was nearly evening when I went upstairs, taking the laptop with me, deciding to call Eric.

"Hi, honey," I said.

"Hi lover. How are you?" he asked.

"I'm good. A bit tired. I've worked till now. I'm gonna take a nap. Wake me when you get home, ok?"

"Sure thing. I'll grab some take out on the way home. Sleep tight," he said and I got into bed. I didn't bother undressing like other times, but remained in my lounge wear. I loved how soft the material was. I was asleep within minutes.

I awoke to weird sounds coming from outside. As I came into it I realized something was off. There was a weird smell.

"Eric?" I yelled out, but no one answered.

I got out of bed and walked to the door. There was smoke coming from downstairs. I got my phone and hurried back outside, walking downstairs to see what was happening. I couldn't have left something on the stove cause I didn't use it since I made coffee in the morning.

It was dark outside so the sight of the deck in the backyard on flames was that much clearer. The glass door was locked, but smoke was sweeping in underneath.

My heart was racing as I looked around and noticed that there was smoke coming from the downstairs guest rooms as well. I covered my mouth and nose and took a few steps their direction. The drapes were on fire and the beds were catching light as well. I ran to the kitchen and looked for the extinguisher I knew had to be there but I couldn't find it. I was having a hard time seeing anything by now.

No amount of water I could carry could put out those fires. I ran to the front door and pulled at the door. It didn't budge. I pulled the drawer on the little table by the door and felt around for my keys but couldn't find them. They weren't there. I started pummeling the door with my hands and feet. The smoke was too much and I started coughing.

I let myself fall to the floor, my back to the wall near the door. I covered my mouth with my shirt and realized I was going to die. I don't know how I dialed Eric's phone.

"Miss me already, Lover?" he answered.

"Eric," I coughed. "I'm gonna… I'm gonna die… I can't get out. Smoke. Fire. So much. I love you. I love you, Eric," was all I managed to say before the world around me went black.

So... how about those reviews now?

I love you all,

xoxo

Gaby

*runs and hides*