Time frame: Years after "From Dead to Worse"

This is a companion piece following "Family", "Bowling for Vampires" and "Leather Underwear".

Disclaimer: I don't have any claim on any characters in the Sookie Universe. Please don't sue me. The other characters are my own creation and just wanted to play with them for a while.

A/N: I was in a particularly romantic mood today which, if you know me, is a very rare event. I'm not in this mood because it's Valentine's Day since let's face it, I rarely subject myself to the obligatory desire to be overly sappy once a year. That and anniversaries- I just don't get it. Yes, my husband hit the mother load when he married me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm as big a sap as the rest of us, but I prefer a good laugh or a heart wrenching cry to candy and flowers any day.

Anyway, since I obviously have no other plans, *sniffle* I figured I'd take advantage of this lovely mood and work on my last chapter. Ally and Bill deserve a nice romantic ending to this story, but I wouldn't get too comfortable. There is still an epilogue and story number three but I'll let you all savor this for a day or so before I hit you with them.

This is dedicated to EricDreamer (duh!), Malanna, smeykunz and BillsBedroom for their constant support, their suggestions and for their inspiration. I know I've greatly improved as both a writer and as a person just by knowing you all. As always, thanks to those of you who take the time to review and/or add me to your favorites- I wouldn't be doing any of this if it weren't for you.

For your listening pleasure, I've chosen "Written in the Stars" by Westlife for this chapter. As usual, it's best to play it when reading so that you can get the vibe. I think the lyrics are spot on for Ally's and Bill's love for each other.

See- told you I was a sap.

Enjoy!

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Chapter 32

Love.

One of the most powerful things in this universe.

It can drive us to do the extraordinary, the foolish, the inconceivable. It pulls you in and draws you out. It comforts, it sustains, it angers and excites.

It is so many different things to so many different people. It is both tangible and ethereal. It can be cool. It can be warm. It can be hot.

Such power, such wonder in one simple emotion.

To fall in love-what a clever turn of phrase. Because that is exactly how it feels when it happens.

The tingling sensation that stirs within you starting from your toes, traveling upward towards your chest, taking your breath away. The helplessness in your being as you are propelled downward without anything to grab onto. The exhilaration and freedom of being weightless, defying the laws of gravity as you float, as you drop, as you fall.

I could say that I've fallen for Bill and that he's fallen for me. I could say it, but I won't.

To say it implies that it was an accident, an inadvertent misstep that caused us to find each other through the darkness. I simply refuse to believe that all of this, all the feelings that he's stirred within me was an accident. I refuse to believe it because it's simply not true.

Our love didn't just happen. It was there all along, even before we existed. It hummed in the background of our lives gently nudging us towards each other. Our story already had its ending before we had the chance to read the first page. It was true. It was destiny.

It was written in the stars.

***************************************************************************************************************************************************

Mrs. Allison Compton. I like the way that sounds. I like the way I feel when I hear it roll off my tongue. Like I was the me I was always meant to be.

The name McCallen never held any meaning for me. I was never loved by the people who bestowed it to me. I was never cherished or respected. I was Allison McCallen the freak, the joke, the sacrificial lamb.

Don't worry, I'm not wallowing in self pity, that's just not my style. I'm merely pointing out the facts and the facts are that my life kind of stunk growing up. It was better than most though. My adopted parents made sure I had the best of everything- the best clothes, the best education, the best that their money could buy. They never beat me or scolded me and I never gave them cause to want to. But they also never held me when I had a bad dream, or wipe the tears from my face when things got rough at school, they never tried to make me laugh. I would have given up all of the material things if they could just give me a sliver of the love that I so craved from them.

Ah well.

Lying on my side on the bed, I hold my hand up to the light to admire my engagement ring. So unique and beautiful with an antique air about it, much like the vampire that gave it to me.

My sweet, wonderful Bill.

I was honest about what I had told him when he first slid that ring on my finger. Much like the name Compton the ring felt like it was a part of me. The wedding will make it all official, but in my heart I have been his from the second we laid eyes on each other. He said he'd waited two lifetimes for me and so have I. I thought my Bill was lost to me after I was forced to correct the time stream. When I made that drive to Bon Temps the second time and didn't immediately find him my heart ached with despair and loss. But I kept on, hoping that what ever forces that brought us together the first time might do so again. So I waited, I hoped and I was generously rewarded for my patience.

As if on queue, I feel him sliding his arms around my waist from behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Good evening, my future wife" he whispers nuzzling my neck. I cover one of his hands with my own, placing it over my heart.

"Good evening, my future husband" I sigh, leaning into him. He scoots back and adjusts his arm so that I now lay on my back. His other hand remains on my chest. Looking into my eyes he says in that deep, smooth voice that makes me tingle all over, "I can't wait to see you when you walk down that aisle. I can't wait to lift your veil and give you our first kiss as your husband. I can't wait to hear you take my name."

I smile at him softly. "Well we still haven't told everybody yet and there's the matter of the dress, but I'm with you on the rest. I am so ready to be Mrs. Allison Compton, it's scary."

"A little nervous about our announcement tonight?" he asks as his fingers toy with my necklace. He has such lovely hands.

"Maybe a little. You know how I hate calling attention to myself, but since it's about us, I'll suck it up (ha!ha!). Besides I know how you vampires are compelled to make everything ceremonial. Just promise me that I don't have to wear some ridiculous hat or anything."

"I promise." he laughs "I am not one for big displays either but Eric insisted and since the King will be there..."

I sat up and looked at him poking him in the chest as I spoke. "You didn't tell me the King would be there. I thought it was just Eric and some of the area vampires. He wouldn't be able to stop us from marrying each other, would he?"

He holds me to him, stroking my back to calm me. "There is no cause to concern. I am sure it's just a courtesy visit. We should be honored."

"Yeah, why don't I find that reassuring?" I frown.

He holds my face in his hands. "Trust me, Ally. Nothing's going to happen. You have a whole bar full of people who will protect you and you have me. I won't let anything stop us from being together. Okay?"

I nod and try to give him a smile but my nerves were jumping up and down.

He pulls me down to him giving me a dark, seductive smile. "I know a good way to relax you..."

He shifts his body again so that he's partially on top of me and lowers his mouth to mine. My lord he's an amazing kisser- his lips both hard and soft against me. I run my tongue against them and they part. I run the tip of my tongue along his fangs causing him to moan. His hands and mouth began caressing every inch of my body with me mimicking his every move until I could feel every part of me burning for him. I cried out helplessly, my fingers tangled in his hair as he stroked my center with his tongue. He parted my folds and slid in two fingers stroking me while he swirled his tongue causing my hips to buck against him as I ride out wave after wave of glorious splendor. Then he was kissing me again and I tasted him and me on his lips only fueling my need to have him inside me. I reached down and rubbed him against my now extremely slick opening as I pleaded softly for him to end my agony. His eyes never leaving mine, he thrusts inside me filling me completely. Hands on either side of my head, forehead pressed against mine he moves inside me words of love and desire strumming through his lips between kisses. All I could do was cling to him as my fingers rake lightly against his back. He opens me wide, burying himself in me causing me to bite down hard on my lower lip drawing blood. He suckles it hungrily. He lowers his head to my breast and bites running his tongue against my nipple as he drinks from me sparking yet another climax this time pulling him along with me. We lay there in a tangled jumble for a while as I waited for everything to stop spinning. We smile at each other in the dark.

I was incapable of any coherent thought and felt completely warm and gooey inside.

Oh yeah. I was definitely more relaxed now.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I chose to wear a long black dress with a handkerchief hemline and spaghetti straps. Normally, I would have chosen something more of cocktail length, but it was fitted and I liked the way it swished against my legs as I walked. Also, Bill had a thing for me in long dresses and skirts. He also had a thing for slips. Must have been from his Civil War days- go figure. I wore some jade earrings to go with my necklace and of course my ring. My hair was done with a french twist with a couple strands loose around my face to make it less done up.

Bill was waiting for me at the foot of the stairs. As I made my way down he smiled appreciatively at me. He was wearing a dark suit and tie with a charcoal shirt and he smelled delicious. He gently took my hand and kissed the back of it.

"You look stunning, Ally." My cheeks warmed under his intense gaze.

"You look pretty wonderful yourself, Bill." I whispered caressing his cheek. He closed his eyes at my touch.

Pulling me to him, he nuzzles my neck kissing it. With his voice thick with desire he murmurs, "Come, let's get out of here before I take you right now." I could only nod mutely, my knees suddenly growing weak.

He helps me with my wrap and we hurry out the door.

The sooner we get there, the sooner we could leave.

The announcement was fairly normal, just a lot of well wishes from the vampires I knew. If anybody held any objection to Bill wishing to marry a human, they kept their opinions to themselves to my relief. Plus I didn't have to do some kooky ritual and yes, no hat thank God. I had expected the King to be there but was glad he wasn't. Bill told me that he would probably pop in later on as he had other business to attend to.

Fine with me.

I chatted with Pam and Cole for a little while. Pam promised to help me look for my wedding gown and to brief me on what to expect for the marriage ceremony. After a while, I left them to go find Bill who had wandered off with Eric somewhere. I spotted Clancy on the other end of the bar and started to make my way over to him to say hello, when an extremely good looking vampire stepped in front of me blocking my way.

He was around Bill's height with short, curly black hair, big brown eyes and a chiseled jaw. He was wearing a custom fitted tux and had a GQ air about him. He looked me up and down appreciatively pausing at my eyes.

"Excuse me" I said politely and attempted to side step around him. "Have we met before?" he asked blocking me again. I paused to look at him again, more critically this time.

"No, I think I would remember meeting you." I say plainly. He gave me a blindingly perfect smile at my reply. My curiosity piqued I ask "Are you a friend of Bill Compton or Eric Northman?"

"I am familiar with both of them though I wouldn't exactly say we're friends. What is your name, lovely human?" he asked, his smile never faltering.

"Allison McCallen. I'm Bill Compton's fiancee."

"How delightful." and indeed he seemed very delighted.

I was just about to ask him his name when Bill appears next to me. He turns me to him and pulls me up for a toe curling kiss. "Sorry for leaving you, my darling."

"It's okay. I was just talking to an acquaintance of yours." I turn to where the vampire was standing but he was gone.

Bill looks at where I was looking and then back at me. I shake my head and shrug.

That was weird.

The music begins to play and Bill takes me in his arms. Forgetting all else, I close my eyes as we move to the music enjoying the feel of our bodies pressed together. I didn't think about wedding plans or the future battle to come. All I thought of at that particular moment was how much Bill and I love each other, knowing in my heart that our love will see us through whatever comes our way.

Cos when I look at my life
How the pieces fall into place
It just wouldn't rhyme without you
When I see how my path
Seem to end up before your face
The state of my heart
The place where we are
Was written in the stars.

Damned straight.

FINIS- Epilogue coming up...