Hey everyone! I'm sorry for the long wait, but work has taken over my life. I've been too tired to get anything out. Anyway, I want to finish this story this week, so stay tuned. If plan goes my way, I'll be posting the last three (I think) chappies in the next few days.

I want to thank each and every one of you that left me a review or sent me a personal message. Some have made me smile, some have made me cry, but, most of all, they have made me believe that I made the right decision by including the syndrome in the last chapter. I hope I made some of you want to go check yourselves out or at least google more info on the subject. As someone mentioned, there are more tell-tales for it, but the most often is the one I mentioned - irregular or lack of periods. I've put a few links on my profile page so check them out. It's not only about you, but about your girlfriends, your sisters, your mothers and aunts, your daughters as well. It may help a lot of women if we spread the word and more know about it.

I want to thank my dear Keri for going over the chapter with a pack of tissues. I love you, baby!

The playlist is updated. http:/www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=I2cpszet1P0&list=PLF9712A4E8F8DE2C4&index=20&feature=plpp_video

Well I know that I have only ever held your hand

But just one touch is more than enough to understand

There's a master plan

And although I know I don't believe in destiny

Maybe it found me

Now my world is filled with so many things

But nothing compares to the touch of your skin

There's a symphony

And a melody that plays whenever you're around

I think I've been found

I can see the sun

And I can feel the rain

I can hear the wind call your name

I can feel your love

But there's one thing I can't do

I can't ever get enough of you

Now I know that in the past I've been much too keen

But your eyes are the kindest that I've ever seen

I guess there are some things you just know

There's a voice inside telling me to hold on

And never let you go

There's a tune that plays

It's a sacred sound

It's a symphony I hear whenever you're around

Now my world is filled

With a whisper of love and a promise of tomorrow

I can see the sun

And I can feel the rain

I can hear the wind call your name

I can feel your love

But there's one thing I can't do

I can't ever get enough of you

When we make love I lose track of time

I can't count all the colors I see in your eyes

And while your heart beats in mine, it's true

I can't ever get enough of you

Now my world is filled with so many things

But nothing compares to the touch of your skin

There's a symphony

And a melody that plays whenever you're around

I think I've been found

I can see the sun

And I can feel the rain

I can hear the wind call your name

I can feel your love

But there's one thing I can't do

I can't ever get enough of you

I can see the sun

And I can feel the rain

I can hear the wind call your name

I can feel your love

But there's one thing I can't do

I can't ever get enough of you

(Darren Hayes - I Can't Ever Get Enough Of You)

EPOV

December 20th

After the night Sookie returned from the doctor, life was an emotional rollercoaster. She spent a lot of time online researching the syndrome, and she found a lot of other women in her position. Many had gone through a lot before they were able to have children, and some weren't able to, even after years. Those stories were the ones that put her in a particularly bad mood. She spent so much time looking wistfully into the baby's room that I thought about tearing it apart just so she wouldn't get that look on her face again. But I knew that I'd just make it worse. Having that room gave her hope. It gave her a place to retreat when she needed to be alone. I tried to be there for her as much as I could and she always welcomed me, smiled for me, but she seemed off.

She had seen Claudine a number of times. She quit her pills before her last period and started taking the new ones. We made love like we did normally, but we knew it couldn't happen from the start. I despised going to work, despite how much I loved my café, because I didn't want to leave her home alone for so long. She always closed off inside herself when I wasn't there. That's why I was beyond excited to finally be leaving for Sweden. Finally the day had come, and I'd get two weeks alone with Sookie.

She seemed to be happier as well. Her smile was bright and I knew she was genuinely excited about going to Sweden, to my homeland. I had a lot of things prepared for our trip and I hoped she'd like them as much as I hoped.

Our friends and families saw us off, as though we were leaving forever. It was two weeks, for god's sake. The flight was long and Sookie slept for most of it. I woke her up about an hour before landing to show her the Northern Lights. They looked beautiful from the plane window and I loved to see her smile in wonder.

"Where to?" she asked as we finally passed airport security.

"We're going straight to my old house. You'll love it," I said, draping an arm around her shoulders.

"I'm sure I will, honey," she said and reached up to kiss me.

We left the airport and got a rental.

"Brrr. Chilly," Sookie said, wrapping her coat tighter around her.

"Told you!" I chuckled at her. Sweden in December was definitely colder than Louisiana. She had said she'd be fine, but I insisted she'd buy a warmer coat anyway. By the way she was trembling, I'd say she was silently thanking me.

"If you're used to this kind of cold, how the heck do you live in the summer in that oven we call home?"

"You get used to it. Plus, I'm not that accustomed to it anymore. It's been a long time since I've lived or visited here," I told her.

"God, I need a ski suit or something."

"That can easily be arranged. We have time to shop tomorrow. "

"Great. I can't wait," she said, but I knew she was excited about the visiting we were going to do.

Despite the long years that have passed since I left Stockholm and the change in scenery, I still knew the way to the house. We drove in silence. Sookie kept looking out the window, taking in the way Stockholm looked in winter, while I took in the subtle changes, like buildings that were missing or buildings that have grown out of nowhere. She had little experience with snow since Louisiana is not accustomed to hard winters and she looked positively giddy.

"I love it!" she exclaimed just as we passed a park where kids were building a snowman.

"I'm glad you do," I said, feeling nostalgic about my hometown.

"Can we play in the snow?"

I smiled and squeezed her hand softly. "Anything you want, my dear."

Her smile spread on her face and she took advantage of the first red light to press her lips to mine.

I parked in front of the building and Sookie stepped out. I busied myself with the luggage, since Sookie was looking at the building, mouth hanging open. It looked the same as I remembered it; the corner building had 5 stories and the top two were transformed into a big penthouse by my father. We had two entire floors to ourselves.

She kept blinking because of the snowflakes hitting her face. "You grew up here?"

"Yes. The top two floors are Northman property."

"Wow. I knew your folks were loaded, but this… wow," she said and I had to chuckle.

"Come on, Lover, let's get you warmed up."

I took her hand and walked her through the lobby and to the elevators. I used the key that enabled us to go to the top floors and pushed the button. Once out of the elevator, I pulled her after me towards the door. She was dragging one of the bags, while I had the other, and the wheels sounded weird on the granite floor. I put the key in the lock and opened the door, flung it to the side and let her walk inside. I followed suit and flipped on the lights. They were lower than I remembered.

The apartment was spotless, hint that the crew was here recently, as per my father's request, I am sure. Suddenly my heart ached and I felt all the memories flooding me. I could see my mother sitting on the large windowsill with her pen and paper, I could see my child-self playing in front of the fireplace and my father enjoying a glass of scotch on the couch, watching me as I made a block castle.

Sookie's arm wrapped around my waist and her face searched mine. Her other hand touched my cheek softly, wiping a loose tear. I didn't even realize. She smiled and reached up to kiss my lips softly. She knew how much I missed my mother and she knew that this place would bring back memories of her, as well as buried feelings.

"Come on, let's get settled. Show me your room," she said and smiled coyly. It was a weird concept for us, me showing her my room. I felt like a teenager and soon started laughing. She joined in and I realized that had been her purpose.

"So this is the formal living room. The kitchen is to the left, but I doubt we'll use that. Straight ahead are two bedrooms and a bathroom. Up the stairs is a more homey area."

We dropped the luggage and climbed up the spiral staircase.

"This was the place where we spent most of our time. Straight ahead's my bedroom and my father's office. Mom used to write wherever she felt like it, which, more often than not, was that window sill over there, by the bookcase. My bedroom has an en-suite bathroom. You'll see," I winked at her and could almost feel her excitement.

I took her hand and we walked to my old room. Stepping inside was like stepping back in time. My HIM posters were still on the walls, along with Metallica and a Pam Anderson one. Hey, I was a teenager. She had big jugs. Sue me.

The bed lay in the middle of the room, big enough for two. The far wall was covered with a huge bookcase. My desk sat in front of the window and it still held some of my school stuff. I never bothered getting them when we moved. There was no need.

Sookie walked away from me and plopped down on the bed, opening her coat. She patted the mattress next to her and I joined her.

"I love your room," she said, looking up at the glow-in-the-dark stars that littered my ceiling.

"Me too. I used to spend a lot of time here, reading and listening to music. I'm glad you're here with me," I told her, turning my face towards hers. Her eyes left the plastic stars above and turned towards mine. "I love you," she mouthed before laying her lips over mine.

Before long I was pushing her coat over her shoulders and reaching underneath her sweater, inching my way towards her breasts. She pulled me on top of her and pulled at my coat and sweater until I was only wearing my pants.

"Let's break in your bed, shall we?" she whispered in my ear before biting softly on the lobe.

December 21st

The next morning we woke to the sound of a phone ringing.

"Hello," I mumbled into the phone.

"Good morning, son. Get up. I know you had a long trip, but you're meeting Bjorn at the bank in an hour. I thought you'd need the wake up call," he said.

I only got the part about Bjorn and the bank and I mumbled a thanks in reply and closed the phone. I knew it was rude, but I had a long night of enjoying Sookie. I really didn't want to get out of bed, if I were honest. Her body was draped over mine under the blankets, the fire was still on in the fireplace and I could feel her warm skin against my own. She was looking up at me, smiling. I hadn't seen her smile so much lately and the giddiness that had enveloped her since we came here was giving me hope that she'd be ok soon.

"Good morning, hot Swede," she said, kissing my chest.

I chuckled and kissed her head. "Morning, my southern lady."

"Your dad?"

"Yeah. He figured we'd need a wake up call. We're meeting my English and math tutor at the bank. He's actually an old friend of my father's."

"And he taught you English and Math?"

"Yeah. He works at the bank, so he definitely knows math, and he used to live in England when he was young. I guess that's how he learned the language."

"So we need to get out of bed, eh?"

"I guess so. I'm sort of excited to see him again. It's been so long. I can't wait for you to meet him, Lover. He used to tell me such great stories. He was a sort of friend of mine. A much older one, granted, but one I learned much from. "

"Then, I'm eager to meet him. Let's get dressed," she said and got off the couch and ran down stairs where our luggage still lay. She brought clothes for the both of us and dangled mine in front of my nose to get me up.

"You should really carry those upstairs," she said and stuck her tongue out at me before running to the bedroom.

I followed her and did my best to behave because we were on a schedule. She was dressed in a long sweater over a pair of warm leggings. Sookie grabbed her boots and her coat and marched downstairs after giving me a peck. I got dressed and followed her only to stop at the bottom of the stairs and grab the luggage to carry up to our room. I returned to the first floor and followed the scent of coffee.

"We could have gotten a cup on our way. I don't want you doing anything but relaxing," I chided her, but she only rolled her eyes at me.

"It's coffee, not French cuisine."

"I know, but I really want you to relax these two weeks. I'm going to pamper you. You've been working too hard," I told her, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her.

"Fine. But at least drink some of it so you don't fall asleep in the middle of the conversation with your friend."

"Ok. Bjorn, by the way."

"What?"

I took a sip from my coffee. "Bjorn. His name. You'll like him."

"I hope he likes me back then."

"Oh, he will."

We finished our cups with 20 minutes to spare before the meeting. I was nervous about my mom's stuff and I ended up patting my pocket a million times for the key. We both got our hats, scarves and gloves on since we were planning on going to more than one place and got outside.

We got in the car and I drove to the bank, following the instructions dad had given me before we left. It had really changed since I'd been here and getting lost really wasn't a good idea.

I parked across the street from the bank and we both got out, crossing quickly. I took her hand and guided her inside. I was worrying I'd have to look for Bjorn for a long time, but he basically jumped in front of me.

"I can't believe it! Eric Northman," he said and stepped towards me giving me a hug.

"Hey, Bjorn! It's been too long," I replied.

He looked me up and down and a smirk grew on his face. "You've grown."

"I have. Bjorn, I'd like for you to meet Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie, this is Bjorn."

Sookie extended her hand and he grabbed it, bringing it to his lips and kissing it. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Leif has told me a great deal about you and I'm happy to say that even his description of you hasn't done you justice. You are gorgeous, my dear."

"Thank you. I've heard a lot about you, too," Sookie said, blushing a bit at his compliment.

Bjorn was a man in his 50's, but he looked much younger. His hair was blonde and cut short and he looked like he still hit the gym. It was one of his main hobbies since I've known him, and he looked good. Hey, I was comfortable enough with my sexuality to even say he was handsome.

"How have you been?" I asked as he released Sookie's hand, wrapping my arm around her shoulder. My movement didn't go unnoticed and he smirked before answering.

"Same old, same old. I got married about ten years ago; you must come to dinner to meet my wife and daughter. They've been pestering me to get you over ever since I told them you're visiting. They want to meet you almost as much as I want you to meet them."

"Yes, I remember Dad told me about that. We'd love to meet them," I said, hoping Sookie agreed.

"Just tell us what wine to get and we'll call it a date," she piped in and I breathed out in relief. I had no idea if she wanted to mix and mingle or if she wanted to just spend time with me.

"Whatever kind you want. We're not picky drinkers. How about Christmas Eve? We have this big dinner and I really don't want you two to be on your own."

"Sure, that sounds perfect. How old is your daughter," Sookie asked.

He smiled at her and his face went soft. "She turns seven in January."

"Hmm. Barbie and ponies or cars and planes?"

"Definitely Barbie. But you really don't have to worry about that," he said, figuring out why Sookie asked.

"Oh, but I most absolutely do."

She smiled and he rolled his eyes. He probably figured out there was no way she was going to change her mind about getting a gift for his daughter.

"Come on, let's get you in the vault. You have the key?" he asked me and I nodded. My heart was suddenly hammering in my chest. Sookie squeezed my hand and kissed my cheek.

"I'll be here when you're done. Take your time," she said and offered me a smile.

I mouthed "I love you" to her and turned to follow Bjorn.

"She's the one, isn't she? I see the way you look at each other."

"Yes, she is."

"Have you proposed to her?"

"No, but I plan on doing it soon," I said and glanced at him. He was smiling and nodded his approval.

"She seems lovely. Your mother would have loved her," he said.

"That's what my dad said."

"And you know we're both always right. Don't wait too long, though."

"With proposing?"

"With proposing," he nodded.

We stepped into the vault and he led me to my mother's box. We both put the keys in their slots and turned at the same time. He gave me a last smile and left the room as I pulled out the box.

I opened the lid and found two envelopes and a little rectangular box.

One of the envelopes read "Eric" while the other simply said "Den". "The one". Mom had thought of everything.

I gently opened the letter addressed to me and took out a single folded paper.

Dear Eric,

My dear, dear boy. I hope my letter finds you in good health and young age. I hope your father kept his promise to me to keep an eye over you and help you achieve your goals. I also hope you two are closer now…

I made him promise me that when he thought you've met your match he'd send you back home, here, where you grew up, so you could find my last words to you.

My lovely, lovely boy, I can only imagine what you look like now. I know you must be handsome, like your father was when I met him. I also hope you have followed your dreams. You are your own man, that I know for sure.

I wonder what she looks like. I hope she's just as beautiful, inside and outside, as you are. The one your heart desires must be special if you chose her so I can only imagine what brought you together. Just remember that the secret to a perfect relationship is friendship. Love her and make her fall in love with you again, each day that you're together. Although your father and I have had our problems, he always knew how to remind me of those little things that had brought us together.

I cannot possibly know if you've asked her the big question or not. Don't ever think it's too early, because you need not let your fear get in the way. Ask her before it's too late. Tell her how I'd have loved to meet her and give her the letter I wrote for her. There are only a few words there, but I hope she'll cherish them.

I trust you found the box as well. It holds the jewelry I loved most. Give them to her as a gift when you see fit. There's nothing I'd love more than for her to wear them.

I leave you now, my boy, in the trusty hands of your chosen. Love each other and never forget the day you met.

Love always,

Mother

My hand went to my eyes and I wiped my tears away. I plopped down on the chair and went through her words again. I missed her so much. I took the little box out and opened it. Her vintage butterfly engagement ring lay there, along with my grandmother's ring. A pair of earrings, a brooch and a bejeweled hair clip were also there. Underneath them all was one of the pieces most dear to me – her necklace. The same pendant I had bought Sookie.

I put my letter back in the envelope and took the other out of the box and put it in the inside pocket of my jacket. I grabbed the ring from the jewelry box and stashed that in the pocket as well, closed the box and took it with me. I put the bank box back in the vault and locked it.

Sookie was chatting with Bjorn as I made my way outside. Her features softened and she was on her way towards me before he could register I was out. She put her arms around my neck and squeezed me close. She didn't say anything. She didn't need to.

After she released me we joined Bjorn and we exchanged numbers.

"We'll see you on the 24th, then," I told him and shook his hand.

I walked outside with Sookie and she stepped in much closer to me, cuddling in to keep from the cold.

"Mind if we take a walk?" I asked her, glancing down at her.

"Not at all. Let me bundle up more," she said and took out her hat from the bag on her hand. After placing it carefully over her head and pulling on the gloves, she nodded she was ready.

We walked slowly through the snow covered alleys. We found a gazebo and took a seat on a bench there.

"She left me a letter. She wants me to tell you that she'd have loved you," I told her when she kept quiet.

"She doesn't know me."

"She doesn't need to. If you're perfect for me, you're perfect for her."

"I love you," she said and her eyes filled with tears.

"I love you, too. She left you a letter too."

"Me? Was she psychic?" she joked.

"I don't know. I haven't read it. Here," I said and pulled out the letter addressed to her.

Her eyes welled up.

"What does it mean?"

"The one," I told her, translating mom's word.

She gently opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.

"My dear," Sookie began to read.

"You don't have to read it out loud. It's yours."

"I want to," she interrupted.

"My dear,

I do not know you, although I wish I would. I can only imagine you, but I'm sure my imagination would not do you justice.

My son is not the kind of man who gives his heart easily. Of course, at his age that is only now showing, but he resembles his father too much for that trait to skip him. However, if he gave his heart to you, please, cherish it. He's a sweet boy and I'm sure he'll grow up to be a successful man. As I said, he takes after his father. I hope he'll take something from me as well, though.

He has an artist's soul. I can see that. That means he might sometimes appear to be inaccessible. Be patient with him. Give as much as you take and fall in love with him each day.

I wish you both a wonderful life and I hope he's your "den" as much as you are his. If there's such a thing called Heaven, then be sure that I'll be watching over you both. You have my blessing and my sincere best wishes.

I had hoped I'd be there to see you, but my illness is eating me away and I'm afraid I will not get to live that long. I can feel I'm not that far from joining my ancestors.

I know we'd have been great friends, my dear, because we love the same man. He's in your hands now. Take care of him, love and cherish him.

The best of luck,

Annika"

We were both crying softly by the time she finished reading. I clutched her to me and told her I loved her over and over again.

"There's more," I told her and she looked at me questioningly.

"What?"

I pulled out the box from my pocket and gave it to her. "She left you something."

Her hands were trembling as she took it from my hands. She opened it gently and gasped as she saw what was inside. She lifted everything slowly, as if she were afraid they would break. She gasped again when she saw the necklace underneath. Sookie pulled it out and moved to wrap it around my neck.

"That's for you, Lover."

"I have mine. I think this one is meant for you," she insisted and locked the chain around my neck, before tucking it under my scarf.

"Let's go get me a ski suit to keep me warm," she joked and I nodded my consent. I wanted to show her around town a bit.

She handed the letter back to me and I tucked it into my pocket. I closed my jacket and patted the material. She smiled, thinking I was caressing my mom's letters. I smiled, knowing better.

Leave me some love!

xoxo

Gaby