AN- All characters are property of Charlaine Harris.
Sookie drifted off peacefully in Eric's arms. His smell triggered something in her and suddenly she sees him above her again but this time she comprehends. This is their wedding night and she has been blessed to have such a fierce warrior to provide for her and to protect their family.
She was married previously to his older brother who had also been a superior warrior. He had been good to her and she had to tried to provide him the family that was expected. But she had lost two children and was fearful that she could not bare children that would survive. She was still young and had many fertile years ahead of her and hoped to try for another when he returned to her.
He did not return however, he was killed in a raid and she was left alone. Until Eric came forward as the younger brother to once again renew the bond the families had made when the marriage had originally been made. Her heart had leapt to hear that she was to marry again she feared being reduced to slavery.
She had always been drawn to this younger brother but she dared not admit it. Love seldom had a role to play and was often found over time. She knew that this man would prove superior to his brother. He was exceedingly more cunning and ruthless. She knew without a doubt that where his brother had died, he would thrive and return victorious. She would once again get the chance to be a mother.
The site of her new husband above her took her breath away. His muscles rippled as he leaned down.
"Ah, my beautiful wife. I am indeed blessed."
She is ready for him. She had been ready for him all night. She glances down and suddenly understands how lucky she is. He is better than his brother in every way. She is certain that tonight will bring a baby to her breast at last.
As if hearing her thoughts, he leans down and gently sucks one of her nipples. A moan escapes her and suddenly he is inside her. Her back arches beneath him. It was as if they were made for each other. Every movement was matched by the other.
They spent the entire night making sure that this union would indeed bare fruit. She felt safe in his arms. She knew that he would protect their family and she would never want for anything. His strength and intelligence would not leave her a widow again.
Sookie awakens with a gasp, sitting straight up. Her heart is racing and her eyes are wide. She has had this dream before she realizes with shock. In fact she has had this particular dream often. How could she have forgotten? It is her favorite dream. Any time she felt lonely her sub-conscience would dredge up the image of this beautiful viking holding her close. No wonder she recognized Eric, he had always been with her in some way. She couldn't control her tears. It was all so unbelievable, yet she knew it was all true.
She gathered herself up and resolved to just tell her Gran the whole truth. She saw no other way around it. She had never kept anything from her grandmother. Even if Gran didn't believe her, she knew that she would feel better for sharing the truth.
Sookie could hear that her grandmother was up already but she needed a minute to gather all her thoughts. She quietly got up and made her way to the bathroom. She opted for a bath to clear her head and sank into the hot water gratefully. She closes her eyes and remembers how Eric touched her last night. Without even thinking about it she finds her fingers traveling the same paths. She sighs realizing that she doesn't want her Gran to walk in on her in the middle of pleasuring herself. She quickly exits the tub before she is lost to thoughts of Eric again.
Sookie got dressed and made her way to the kitchen where her grandmother was sitting at the table. Gran looks up from the newspaper she had been reading. She was wondering when Sookie would get up it was clear that she had been up most of the night.
"I didn't hear you come in last night Sookie," she carefully appraises her granddaughter. She seems different and she wonders if Sookie has finally fallen in love. Adele spared a moment lamenting that it was a vampire that had finally wooed Sookie. But she had been alone for far too long, it wasn't right for a woman of Sookie's age to not at least have a boyfriend.
"Gran we need to talk," her heart is racing as she fixes herself some coffee.
Oh she is in love, I knew it!
Sookie is touched at how worried her Gran was about her. "It's true Gran, I am in love. But it's not what you think. In fact I don't think anyone could have dreamed up what happened to me last night."
She sighs and glances up at the ceiling, "Do you believe in past lives? You know like reincarnation?"
Adele took a long time to answer carefully. "I can't say that I've ever thought about it much Sookie. I've seen and heard of many strange things in my life. I would have to say that if vampires exist, than it is likely that others things are certainly possible. If God saw fit to send someone back, than I'm sure there is a reason."
Sookie can not contain her tears any longer. Her Gran had always tried to be so understanding. It was never easy to raise a telepathic granddaughter. Adele could see that Sookie was struggling with something difficult. She silently went over and hugged her close.
"It's alright dear, you can tell me anything. You know that. I've always been here for you." It saddened her that Sookie was so scared of how she might react.
Sookie took a deep breath, trying to decide where to start. "You remember that dream I used to have all the time? Especially right after I lost mom and dad?"
Adele had to think awhile. She sat back down across from her granddaughter. It had been a long time since Sookie had mentioned this dream. "You were lonely and sad all the time. You told me of dreams that you were having of someone holding you close and it seemed to make you feel better."
Sookie nods her head, "It was a tall man, with long blond hair, and strong arms. When he held me I felt safe, and I knew he loved me."
"I remember dear." Adele had thought it very odd at the time however because Sookie was only seven and it wasn't right for her to be thinking about strange men at that age.
Sookie took a gulp of her coffee before continuing. She looked directly into her grandmother's eyes, "I met him last night Gran." She waits for awhile, letting what she said sink in a bit. "I didn't know it was him at first, but he recognized me as soon as he saw me."
This was all beginning to sound like one her romance novels. "What are you saying Sookie?," Adele was staring in amazement, "You literally met the man of you dreams last night?" She felt her heart flutter.
Sookie stared down at her hands shyly, "Believe me Gran, I am having a hard time believing it too."
"What about Bill? How does he feel about this?" Adele was starting to wonder how awkward this all would be.
"I won't be seeing Bill anymore Gran. I'm sorry about ruining your meeting with the Descendants. You never know he might still want to speak to them though. I just can't ask him. I hope you understand." Sookie was still baffled about how things had turned out last night. But one thing she was sure of, she should not have anything to do with Bill anymore. She could picture Eric ripping Bill's head clean off. She didn't want to date Bill, but she didn't want to hurt him either.
"Oh Sookie, don't you worry about that. I just wonder if you know what you're doing is all. It just seems so sudden and I thought you really liked Bill." Adele reaches out and pats Sookie's hand reassuringly.
"Did you know that I can't hear vampires Gran?" She doesn't usually bring up her ability.
"I can imagine that would be very peaceful dear. Is that was made you take a liking to Bill?" She is trying very hard to understand her granddaughter.
"That's part of it," Sookie nods.
Something finally clicks into place for Adele, "This other guy...He's a vampire too?"
Sookie nods again, closing her eyes against tears.
"It's alright Sookie," Adele can tell that Sookie's story is far from finished. "Now tell me what this has to do with reincarnation."
"Oh Gran, that's the part that is so incredibly hard to believe." She shakes her head, "If I hadn't experienced it myself...I knew him Gran. And it's more than just the dreams. It's like I've known him my entire life. Almost as if I was looking for him...without knowing..."
"And you think you knew him in a past life?" Adele prompts.
Sookie stands up to get herself some more coffee, she didn't have much sleep last night and she needed to be thinking clearly. As she turns back around she sees that her Gran is waiting patiently for her to gather her thoughts.
"I don't doubt it anymore Gran," she shakes her head a little. "I spent the entire night talking to a viking in his native language. How else would that happen Gran?"
Adele's eyes feel like they will pop out of her head. "A viking? My goodness Sookie that is incredible."
"There's more Gran," Sookie folds her arms around herself as if trying to hold it all in. "When he was still human...he and I...We were married."
"My goodness, that is a lot to take in," Adele muses. "Poor Bill never stood a chance did he?"
Sookie shakes her head, "Not once I saw Eric." She decides to make some toast to calm her stomach. "He's coming here tonight to meet you."
"Oh dear! I should clean the house." Adele quickly jumps up.
Sookie didn't feel the need to tell her Gran that Eric had already seen the house. "I'll help you until I have to go to work." She turns and embraces her grandmother, "Thank you for understanding Gran."
"I'm not sure that I do honey. But I'm trying to." She hugs Sookie back, "I just want you to be happy dear. That's all I've ever wanted for you."
As Sookie grabs the broom, she smiles wickedly. "I feel the need to warn you Gran, Eric is drop-dead gorgeous." She can hear her grandmother laughing behind her.