The Dance

by Lilliana Dearing

This is a new look at how I would have liked Sookie and Eric to have meet. It is a whole new take on them and their world. Sookie didn't meet him right after first meeting Bill, in fact she doesn't meet him until after the take-over and fairy war.

9. Chapter 9

Authors Notes: Okay a few things before I let ya'll get to reading the wedding of our beloved duo. Hehe. First ya'll will see the name Kaare in the chapter, now I know most of you will think it is pronounced (car,e) but it isn't. It is pronounced Cory. The name Kaare is the Norwegian spelling of the American Cory. It is a nod to my heritage, and my great uncle who is the best. Same with Ivar, well, Ivar is pronounced exactly like it is spelled, but it is again a nod to my family roots. Ivar was my grandfather and he brought his son, my father, here to America from Oslo.

Now for those of you who take the time to actually read my authors notes, I have a home work assignment for all of you. As you all are aware, because I told you last week, I am putting together a website that will have all of my stories on it, including original works. Anyways, I am trying to put together a playlist for each chapter for both of my stories, this one and The Shadows of Doubt. The great thing about the site that I am using is that you can imbed music, and pictures into the posts and pages, its fuck awesome.

What is my point you may ask? Well, I am stuck!! I am having a hell of time picking out songs and when I get stuck I tend to not be productive. So I turn to you, my lovely readers to send me your ideas for various songs, for various scenes throughout the entire story. Just send me your ideas; maybe add a little tag that says something like. "I think this song would go well with scene whatever whatever." I would really appreciate it if ya'll help me out here. Seriously I want my site to be really good, and I feel like utilizing the music aspect of the site is important.

Also, if anyone wants to help out by making pictures for the beginning of each chapter that would be awesome as well. I tried, I actually did two, for the first two chapters of SoD, but, well, I am not very good with things like that, I think my four year old could have probably done better. Lol. So if you would like to undertake that as well, let me know and I will send you my email address so that you can send them to me.

I know all of this is a lot to ask of you, but I would be immensely grateful if ya'll could take the time to help, even if it is just in little ways. I work really hard on my writing every week and I am trying very hard to make a place for ya'll to utilize it to its fullest potential.

Another quick little tidbit, I have twitter, sigh, I found that it is a necessary thing to help promote my writing and I must admit that it has worked brilliantly. So, if you want to follow me on twitter let me know and I will give you my name there so you can hit me up whenever your little heart's desires. I am always around; I am a stay at home mom/writer so my computer is never far away.

Okay last thing. Tons of love to all of you that have supported me, and a huge thanks to all of you who have sent me your kind words to encourage me by letting me know you love my story. Please continue to do so. It means the world to me. Thanks to all of you the readers and everyone send pleasant thoughts to my beautiful editor Catie, without her my stories wouldn't be nearly as good.

Tons of love from the west coast,

Lilli

Chapter 9

-Eric

I pulled Sookie to me tightly and kiss her very deeply, just enough to be a tease, and leave her breathless and panting for more. I pulled away gently and looked down at her face and I knew I had done a good job; I am going to tease her endlessly after the little stunt she pulled this morning. But if her reaction to our little phone sex conversation was any indication I know that our love life is going to be spectacular. Even if it weren't already the best sex I had ever had in my long life, her willingness to listen and obey when I gave instructions was wondrous. Her sense of adventure and willingness to try new things was going to be a lot of fun exploring.

The way she reacted to me too just drove me wild. I really wanted to throw her over my shoulder, take her out to the parking lot, and fuck her senseless on the hood of the Shelby that I had driven like a mad man to get here in time to see her fingering herself in the bathroom. I reluctantly released her and turn to leave putting just the right amount of sway into my hips, making a show to my darling Sookie that I knew just what to do with these hips of mine. I had intended to put a show on just for her, but instead I heard every person in the room sigh with dreamy sex filled fantasies as I rounded the corner, and I couldn't help but to laugh in response. Whenever I am around Sookie I have the tendency to forget that there are other people in the room. If that wasn't a big old flashing sign that I love this girl I don't know what is.

Bobby had texted me earlier with clear instructions from Russell that I needed to go to a jewelry shop and pick up some kind of ring for my darling, and since I was already at the mall I decided I might as well do just that. I made my way through the people hustling here and there on their last minute errands before the shops closed up for the night. It was great that the locals had adjusted all of their hours so that we vampires could have a chance to contribute to the local economy. Before the great revelation we always had to send out our little human minions, like Bobby, to go and pick up whatever we needed during the day. I had always hated that, trying to explain exactly what you wanted to someone and hoping that they actually got what you wanted was always a pain in the ass.

I pushed open the door to the jewelers and the little tinkling of bells made the sales woman look up from her work as I entered. "Can I help you sir?" the cute little red headed sales woman asked.

"I certainly hope, so I am looking for a wedding set and an engagement ring for my intended and I."

"Well that will certainly not be a problem sir, when do you need to have it ready by?"

"Today, right now actually."

"Well I don't know sir," she said pouting her lips just the tinniest bit. If I weren't with Sookie I would have taken her in the back and shown her exactly what she could do with those luscious lips. My cock twitched just the slightest bit at having perfect lips wrapped around them and I got a flash of Sookie from this morning, swallowing me down as deep as she could, the head of my dick flowing effortlessly down the back of her throat. I shook myself slightly from that train of thought; it wouldn't do for this woman to think I was getting a ragger because of her. "Do you know what ring size your girlfriend wears? If it is the right size we won't have to size it to fit her. Or if it is too large you can bring it back later to be fixed."

I thought about that a moment. I didn't know what Sookie's ring size was. In all my years I had never actually bought a ring for any woman; sure I would pick up little baubles here and there, a bracelet or necklace or the occasional pair of earrings but never a ring, not even for my child Pam. "One moment. Let me make a call and see if I can find out. I will peruse your wares and see if anything catches my eye."

I flipped open my cell and called Russell's phone. "You've got me." His sweet sing song voice came over the speaker.

"Russell, Northman. Is Sookie close to you? Are you free to speak?"

"She's in the back putting on her negligee's that will go under her wedding gown. I must say Eric you will owe me big time for this. You're going to see these things and love every stitch of it."

"I will just have to trust you on that, although I wonder what a gay man can know about proper lingerie for a woman."

"Eric, please. I have had many female companions over the years, and although I don't enjoy their tender attentions, I do enjoy the form and seeing them prance around in a cute wrapping."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Listen Russell you wouldn't happen to know what size ring Sookie wears? I am at the jewelers and well, I have never had to think about something like ring size before."

"I believe she is a five but let me ask Betty Joe, I am almost positive that she bought Sookie a little bauble last Christmas." I could hear him pull the phone away from his mouth and say in a more muffled tone. "Betty what is Sookie's ring size? Northman is at the jewelers and doesn't know it." I hear her mumble something but can't quite make it out. Although my hearing is excellent, listening in on conversations is not easy with these darn cell phones. "Northman."

"Yes."

"Betty Joe says that she is a five, so that should make your job a whole lot easier, from what Betty Joe was saying almost all jewelers carry that size standard."

"Thanks Russell you have been a life saver."

"No problem, oh and Northman."

"Yes?"

"You have exactly twenty minutes to get that ring picked out and get your ass out of this mall. I will not have you seeing Sookie before the big reveal at the ceremony. I am going to be carrying her around to a few other stops in her gown before we get back to the house, so I better not see hide nor hair of you or your ass is mine."

"All right, all right," I laughed and hung up the phone. I turned back to the sales woman and said, "Her ring size is a five, will that work out?"

"Oh yes perfectly, and what about you sir?"

"Oh twelve I think."

"Perfect, did you see anything that catches your fancy?"

"Actually I haven't. None of these are quite right."

The perky little sales woman looked up at the ceiling, pouted her precious little lips again, and tapped her foot clearly in thought. "Oh you know what, we had a shipment come in this morning that I just haven't had the time to put out yet. I was thinking I was going to have to send a few of them back because they were so unusual, but I bet good money that they will be right up your ally. Just give me one moment."

She slipped into the back and was gone just a few moments and with a lock box clasped firmly between her delicate little hands. She set the box down almost lovingly onto the counter, unlocked the lid, and flipped it open, and there nestled in the velvet inserts were mine and Sookie's wedding bands. "Those," I said, pointing them out instantly.

"That's what I thought," she said beaming at me. She gently pulled out the rings and laid them in the palm of my hand. I looked closely at the bands; they where laurel leaves wrapped in a wreath style. The leaves were platinum with gold accents highlighting the veins and outlines of each wreath. They were perfect. "Coincidently they are just the sizes you need as well."

I looked up at her smiling. I knew my grin was a stupid boyish giddiness but I just didn't care. Everything with Sookie seemed to just click perfectly into place. I set our bands reverently back on the counter and perused the reaming ring's looking for just the right engagement ring for my beloved princess. After a few moments of inspection, I shook my head; none of these were quite right either. The sales woman just smiled at me and lifted the tray out of the box to reveal a second layer of jewelry, and again my eye was instantly drawn to the perfect ring nestled smack dab in the middle of all the rest. "That one," I said pointing out a five carat cannery diamond ring with three small rubies on each side of the main stone.

"Perfect choice if I may be so bold sir, she is one lucky woman to have a husband with such fine taste."

I could tell from her tone that she wasn't just talking about the jewelry I was picking out. I just ignored the double meaning and said, "No, believe me I am the lucky one." The sales woman just smiled lightly and went about ringing me up and charging the jewelry onto my credit card. I got a phone call as the sales woman was slipping the ring boxes into a bag and I was headed out the door. I clicked it open and said, "You got Northman."

"You have two minutes Northman to get your ass out of this mall. I wasn't playing I will have your head if I see you sneaking a peak at Sookie. Trust me it will be worth the wait."

I laugh lightly. "All right I was just leaving the jeweler's when you called. I am getting in the Shelby now and heading back to my house."

"Good, oh hopefully Pam and Bubba will have the pavilion for the ceremony all set up so you will only have to worry about getting your beautiful Viking butt all dressed and ready. We should be there in about forty five minutes. Make sure you are ready to go because as soon as we get there I will want to start the ceremony."

I was sliding into my car and racing down the road towards my house. I only lived about five minutes from this mall which was why it was so easy for me to get to Sookie in time to see the whole beautiful show of her in the bathroom. "Bubba is at my house helping Pam set up? Why is Bubba helping at all, why is he even there?"

"Oh, I keep forgetting that you and Sookie don't know each other that well. Bubba is one of her favorite people. She absolutely loves him, and he really cares for her. He has been assigned to watch out for her several times over the past few years and they have developed a very close friendship. He has agreed to sing for her as she's walking down the aisle as well as at the reception afterwards. Sookie is going to go bananas when she hears him. She has always wanted to hear him sing but is always very respectful and never asks him."

"Do you have any more surprises up your sleeves Russell?"

"Of course loads of them but you are just going to have to wait and receive them in the order in which they are given. I have to go now Sookie's hair is just getting started and I want to make sure that the beautician does it just right."

Without a further word or even so much as a goodbye Russell hung up just as I was pulling into my cavernous garage. I could hear music being played in my back yard and I meander my way through the house towards the music. I open the French doors and find a huge pavilion set up with flowing silken walls nestled perfectly into the landscape. It was absolutely gorgeous and I knew Sookie would love it. There were several rows of chairs all set up and ready for the ceremony. Off to the side of the pavilion I notice several small stacks of tables ready and waiting to be set up for the reception. I can't believe Russell planed and pulled off such an extravagant event in one day.

Pam came rushing up to me in a flowing gown of crimson silk, her hair all tucked up on top of her head with small little spiral curls flowing here and there out of her make shift bun. "Take your ass down stairs and get ready. We don't have a lot of time. Russell just texted me saying that he will be here in about a half hour at the most. They are on their way to the last stop right now. Go on now scoot." She turned me around and slapped my ass hard.

"Okay, okay," I laughed at her and ran with vampire speed down the stairs and into my closet. I stood for a long time in front of my formal wear section trying to decide which suit would fit me best. I was just pulling on the Armani when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Eric, do not even think you will be wearing that monkey suit." I turned around to see none other than my brother Sven.

"Sven by the God's what are you doing here?" I smiled at him and launched myself forward, pulling him up into a bear hug that would break a human in half.

"You don't think I would miss my brother's wedding now would you? Some pushy little poof called me and said that you were getting married to the infamous Sookie Stackhouse and that he would be sending his private jet to collect me so that I would make it here in time."

"Russell is definitely one of a kind, he knows how to get things done. I am so happy to see you brother."

"Oh I am not the only surprise your friend Russell had in store for you," Sven said stepping backwards revealing my other three brothers standing a little ways back from my closet.

"Ivar, Kaare, Stephan, oh good Gods now the day is fully complete. All of my brothers together to stand beside me on this day." I gave each a hug that could crack bones and they all laughed.

"Unbelievable," Kaare said. "I never thought I would see the day where you little brother would settle down with just one woman."

"Too true," Ivar said. "You have always been something of a womanizer."

"She must be really special," Stephan said softly.

"Oh she is. I can't wait for you to meet her. I know that you all will love her as much as I do."

"It might be nice to have a little sister instead of just that bratty little niece you gave us," Sven said with a full belly laugh that made me laugh right along with him.

"Sookie is definitely nothing like Pam. She is a true Southern Belle."

"Well her reputation truly does lead me to believe that she is worthy of you. Has she really done all that I hear?" Ivar asked.

"Oh yes, all of that and more things that were kept very quiet and brothers, not only is she diplomatic and brave, but good Gods I saw her battle last night and she wields a blade with the heart of a true warrior. It was glorious. She sliced the tiger into three pieces with two expert twirls of a blade; it was amazing. Then after she was done she knelt and wept for the life she had just taken. She knew that it had to be done and did it without hesitation, but offered her tears up to the Gods for the respect of the man who had just fallen at her hands. It was amazing."

"Wow," they all said in unison. "Do you mean Quinn the tiger?" Sven asked.

"The very same brother."

"Sookie stood toe to toe with the mighty Quinn and walked away unscathed?" Sven asked.

I nodded my head proud of my little warrior princess. Sven's only response was a low whistle between his teeth. "Enough chit chat about Sookie's many attributes boys." We all turned to see Pam standing in the doorway with a black garment bag draped over one arm and my family sword in her other hand. "We have to get him ready. We have maybe fifteen minutes. Uncles." She nodded to my brothers with respect and turned back towards me.

"Pamela why do you have my family sword?"

"You will see father. Uncles can you help him into his wedding garb quickly so that I can do his hair please?" Without another word all four of my brothers fell on me simultaneously and stripped me down and threw the new clothes on me fastening and tying me into my new garb. They lifted me up and stood me in front of my full length mirror in my bedroom and I took in my appearance. Pam came behind me and settled my sword on my hip.

I was wearing traditional Norse wedding garb. I had a loose fitting champagne colored tunic that had a deep v neck with loose ties made of a crimson colored ribbon. My pants were a soft crème colored deer hide that was softer then the softest suede. My boots matched my tunic in the same dark champagne color and they sat high up just below my knees. Pam leaned down and slipped both of my knives that Sookie had wielded the night before into the outside of each of my boots.

"Uncle Sven grab a chair I cannot do his hair with him standing." Sven rushed out of the room and was back in an instant with one of the chairs from my library. Pam made quick work of my hair parting it and putting it into the traditional braids that sat just behind my ears. I watched as she braided in a red and champagne ribbon along with the braid and tying it off at the end with a small leather cord. She kissed my head lightly when she was done. I rose and took in my whole appearance slowly in the mirror in front of me.

"Perfect," I whispered quietly as one lone tear rolled down my face. It was exactly what I would have wanted if I had planned this wedding myself with ample time. Traditional Norse garb, wearing my family sword, and bringing a piece of my past, into the present, for the love of my life. This was the warrior that I had been while I was human. I valued this piece of me and I hoped that Sookie would appreciate it and understand its meaning.

"I couldn't have said it better myself brother." Stephan clasped my shoulder tightly; Stephan was always the sweet one. I never really understood why Appius had chosen him, the rest of us were all warriors and great fighters when Appius took us but sweet Stephan was a theologian and a poet. He was looked down on with much disdain in his village. He had never even lifted a sword before Appius brought him into our ranks, the others and myself spent years teaching him how to fight and how to survive. We had to show him that it was all right to be both a gentle poet and fierce warrior. In some ways he was a lot like Sookie that perfect balance between kindness and wrath.

Russell came in and took in the sight of us all with a huge smile on his face. "Okay boys it's show time. Sven, Ivar, Kaare and Stephan put on your regalia quickly. Move your asses and get up stairs you have five minutes." He turned on his heel and ran up the stairs. Within moments all my brothers were changed into similar garb as mine except all of their tunics matched Pam's dress. They were leading me up the stairs and out the French door's up the aisle and into position waiting for Sookie.

Not even a minute after I taken my position, Bubba stood just behind and to the left of Russell and softly started singing "It's Now or Never". Amelia, Pam, and Betty Joe slowly came up the aisle and took their positions. After all the girls were in position Bubba changed his song to "Love Me Tender" just as Sookie stepped into the view and with the sight of her I stumbled one step backwards and grabbed Sven's shoulder.

A gasp went through all of the guests as they took in the sight of my beautiful Fairy Princess. Instead of a bouquet of flowers she held in her hands the most beautiful sword I had ever seen. Slowly step by step she walked up the aisle and I felt tears roll down my cheeks as I watched this beauty progress towards me. Step by torturous step she came closer and closer with a giant Lion matching her steps. Just as Bubba was finishing the last notes of his song she stood directly in front of me. We stood staring at each other for a long moment as Bubba's dulcet tones died away into the night.

The lion stepped forward and bowed deeply to me and then turned to Sookie and again bowed to her and went and joined the girls at the end of the line. Bubba came forward and lightly kissed Sookie on her cheek and she beamed at him. "Thank you Bubba," she whispered softly.

"Love you Ms Sookie." He turned and sat in the front row of chairs. Sookie was truly a beauty in as close to traditional Norse wedding gown as could be found. She was also wearing the most exquisite wedding crown I had ever seen made up of myrtle leaves and white tulips. I noticed at her waist was a cinch that had the tree of life embroidered on it. I just looked up at Russell and smiled my biggest smile. He had turned my beautiful Sookie into a Norse Goddess in the a few short hours.

He turned towards Sookie and nodded once, I turned my attention back to Sookie and she knelt down before me, head bowed towards my feet. She raised the sword above her head in an obvious gesture of offering and said, "My lord I present to you my sword. Take this as a sign of my undying devotion, faith, and love to you. May our love last as long as this blade." I was dumbfounded; Russell had gone all out to make this perfect. I took the blade from Sookie's fingers, pulled him from his sheath, and kissed the blade reverently.

"I accept this blade milady and your pledge," I said to her softly. I re-sheathed the blade and handed him to Sven, and helped Sookie to her feet. I then knelt in front of her in the exact same attitude that Sookie had before, pulled my family sword from its sheath, and raised it above my head to her.

"Milady, I present to you the sword of my ancestor's, take this sword as a sign of my eternal devotion, faith, and love to you. May our love last as long as this blade." I felt the sword leave my fingers and I looked up just in time to see her place her lips against the blade. She turned slightly and handed the blade to Amelia. I had a small flash of panic seeing my sword handled by someone besides myself or my beloved, but before I could really think too much about it Sookie had taken my hand and helped me to rise. Looking straight into my eyes she said softly,"My lord I accept this blade and your pledge."

We smiled at each other for a long moment and then Russell said, "To all creatures gathered here we have come to witness the joining of two very blessed souls. Although their cultural differences vary enormously they are truly one and the same. Eric, Sookie, please face the congregation." Sookie and I joined hands and turned towards the crowd. For the first time I noticed the massive amount of people and vampires alike that had come to witness our nuptials.

Not only was every vampire from my area here but several others from various southern states were as well. The thing that surprised me the most was that the majority were all sitting on Sookie's side of the congregation. They must be various people that Sookie has helped over the years. There was also every single shifter and were from the area here as well. In the very back I could just make out a few glowing figures and I recognized the one in the middle instantly as Prince Niall Brigant. How he managed to cloak all of the scents baffled me, I noticed that almost the entire royal fae line was there. Amazing. The show of support was absolutely heartwarming. We were truly blessed.

Russell interrupted my train of thought and said to the congregation, "Will you all bear witness to the joining of Susannah Sookie Stackhouse Brigant to Eric Northman, human Son of Roland, Vampire child of Appius?"

"We will," the entire congregation said.

"Will you pledge yourselves to them just as they are pledging themselves to each other? Will you help guide them through the rough waters of marriage and life? Will you stand by their sides not only in their time of harmony but also in there hours of need?"

"We will," they said again. I could hear the roar of the lion joined in among the many voices. "Susannah, Eric, please face me." We turned back towards Russell.

He smiled deeply at us both. "We are joining together to souls from two very different lives, with the slew of traditions between them. To show the true harmony of these two the ceremony is a combination of both modern and traditional human rituals as well as Vampire tradition and the blessing of the fae. Eric will you please place your right hand in mine."

I reached up and placed my right hand in Russell's out stretched fingers. He looked over at Sookie. "Susannah will you please place your right hand on top of Eric's."

I turned my hand palm up and clasped her hand as it gently slide into mine. With a small pop Prince Niall stood next to Russell. He had in his hand a red silken cord. He wrapped it around Sookie's hands and mine, and put a loose square knot in it. "In our culture," Niall's rich elderly voice rumbled, "we do not marry because our lives are so long, but once every thousand years two souls who are fated to be find each other and thereafter are inseparable. On these rare occasions of such joining we have a ceremony called hand fasting. The pagans later imitated our tradition that turned into common practice in the human realm. In these ceremonies the Prince of the land would say a blessing for the pair to further join them together. Susannah Brigant, blood of my blood, will you accept this blessing and be forever joined mind, body and soul to Eric Northman?"

"I will," she said softly.

Niall turned to me and said, "Eric Northman, human son of Roland, Vampire child of Appius, will you accept this blessing and be joined mind, body, and soul to Susannah Brigant?"

"I will." He nodded at me approvingly and turned to Russell. Russell handed him the traditional bonding blade used in vampire marriages. Niall ran the blade across the palm of his right hand I saw the blood rise to the surface and said a quick prayer that none of the vampires went crazy for the smell of fairy blood. But the smell never came only a sudden rush of power and magic. Niall placed his hand over mine and Sookie's allowing the blood to drip for a moment over our hands. I felt the sudden push of power into my hands and a snap of Sookie and I becoming one for just a moment while Niall said, "Let there be love between you, let your souls always speak truth to the other, let the two halves that were torn apart become one again. Let the love that was truly fated by the Gods come to blossom and flourish for all time. Let there always be happiness in your home." As the last words died away the silken cord that bound Sookie and I melted into nothingness and although it was gone I could still feel its press against my skin binding me forever to my love. With another small pop Niall disappeared.

Russell immediately progressed the ceremony. "We have had the Norse presentation of the swords, we have had the blessing of the fae and now we will have the human tradition of the exchanging of the vows and rings. Susannah please take Eric's ring and place it on the ring finger of his left hand." She looked at me a moment and I just nodded towards Amelia; she turned slightly and the witch handed her the wedding band that I had picked up earlier to her. Sookie turned back to me with a huge smile on her face she clearly approved of the band I had picked out. She slowly slid the ring on my finger clasping my hand with both of hers, tears streaming down her face.

"Do you Susannah Sookie Stackhouse Brigant take Eric Northman, human son of Roland, Vampire child of Appius, to be your wedded husband?"

"I do."

"Do you promise to love him, honor him, obey him, through sickness and in health through good times and bad for all of Eternity?"

"I do."

"Then please repeat after me. I Princess Susannah Brigant."

"I Princess Susannah Brigant," Sookie mimicked.

"Take thee Eric Northman," Russell said.

"Take thee Eric Northman."

"To be my lawfully wedded husband."

"To be my lawfully wedded husband," she mimicked and my heart swelled.

"For all of eternity and beyond."

"For all of eternity and beyond," Sookie finished. I wanted nothing more than to take her in my arms and kiss her forever with those words.

Russell turned to me. "Eric please take Susannah's rings and place them on her left ring finger." I turned to Sven and he quickly handed me her rings. I slid them on her beautiful trembling finger and smiled at the sight of these rings binding us together. I kissed her rings gently and Russell cleared his throat to get my attention. "Do you Eric, human son of Roland, Vampire child of Appius, take Princess Susannah Sookie Stackhouse Brigant to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"Do you promise to love her, honor her, obey her, through sickness and in health through good times and bad for all of Eternity?"

"I do."

"Then please repeat after me. I Eric Northman, human Son of Roland, Vampire child of Appius, take thee Princess Susannah Brigant to be my lawfully wedded wife for all of eternity and beyond my final death."

"I Eric Northman, human Son of Roland, Vampire child of Appius, take thee Princess Susannah Brigant to be my lawfully wedded wife for all of eternity and beyond my final death." I softly stroked Sookie's hand with my thumb. "I love you," I whispered.

"I love you too."

"This is the part of the ceremony where the bride and groom typically kiss but they are just going to have to wait." Russell laughed but just to spite him I leaned forward and placed one quick kiss on Sookie's lips and the entire crowd roared with laughter. "Very well then," Russell chuckled amusedly. "The joining of blood in the vampire culture is the most scared of trusts that we can bestow on another." Russell had the ceremonial knife and chalice in his hands. "Eric Northman, do you give your blood willingly to this woman so that she may be your bonded for all of eternity?"

"I Eric Northman, do freely give my blood to this woman to become my bonded for all of eternity."

"Then please place your left wrist above the chalice." He turned to Sookie. "Do you Sookie Stackhouse give your blood willingly to this man so that he may be your bonded for all of eternity?"

"I Sookie Stackhouse, do freely give my blood to this man to become my bonded for all of eternity."

"Then please place your left wrist above the chalice. Let the blood that flows in the veins of you both fill you up and become a bonded pair. Let you eternally be joined and know each other as one soul." He quickly slashed my wrist and then Sookie's, and you have to give that girl credit, she didn't even flinch. "Let the life force of you both flow into this cup and become one." Russell nodded to me and I took Sookie's wrist and licked it once to help the bleeding stop. Russell then nodded to Sookie and she imitated my gesture. "Let the two halves now become one whole being." He handed the chalice to Sookie and she held it to my lips, helping me to drink down half of the divine mixture of our combined blood. She handed the chalice back to Russell who then handed it to me and I in turn helped Sookie drink down the rest.

I lowered the cup from her lips and she placed her hands in mine, the two of us clasping the chalice between us. "What the Gods and Fates have created let no man tear asunder. Eric you may now kiss your bride, Sookie you may now kiss you groom." We handed the chalice back to Russell and I pulled my wife tightly too me. I dipped her backwards and she laughed that beautiful perfect sound of joy and I kissed her for all I was worth. Letting her know with each movement of my lips each stroke of my tongue how much I loved her.

It wasn't a battle of wills but a perfect joining each of us pushing and pulling in perfect harmony. I heard a roar of applause go through the crowd and I slowly pulled away. My beautiful darling wife was flushed and practically glowing from our exchange. I helped her to stand and slide my arm around her waist and faced the crowd. Russell's voice boomed over us. "Ladies and gentleman, vampires and humans, Were's and shifter's and most honored fae, I present for the first time Mr. Eric Northman and Mrs. Susannah Northman." Another roar of hoots hollers and applause went through the crowd coagulating us on our joining.

I felt Russell's firm hand at the small of my back as he motioned us off to the side of the platform. He leaned forward between Sookie and myself and said, "Greet your guests here while we set up for your reception." We both just nodded in agreement as guest after guest poured forward and congratulated us. The first in line was Amelia and Sven with our swords. They both helped to position them on our hips, the both congratulated us and went to help with the set up of the reception. After that it was a whirl of people thanking us for letting them come and wishing us the best of luck.

After what felt like an hour but was probably only ten minutes the last person in line was Bubba. He came to me first and clasped my forearm tightly and said, "Now you listen here Mr. Eric you take real good care of my Sookie, she is precious. If you ever need me all you have to do is call and I will be there for you both." He bowed deeply to me and I returned the gesture. I was very surprised by his eloquent words. I had always heard that he was a little addle brained and I didn't understand what had gotten into him until I saw the way he looked at Sookie. He truly adored her; maybe even loved her, and that purity of love enabled him to be more of his original self.

"Thank you Bubba. I love her very much and I promise you I will take care of her. I won't hesitate to call if I or Sookie need you." He nodded again and went to Sookie pulling her up into a huge hug.

"Miss Sookie if you ever need me you know I will be there for you right?"

"Of course Bubba, and thank you so much for singing for me it means the world to me." Tears slowly fell down her face and Bubba gently wiped them away.

"Don't cry Sookie please, I have two more surprises for you. Do you want to hear them darlin'?" He smiled that unforgettable smile at her and she brushed the ever-present lock of hair out of his eyes.

"Of course," she said quietly.

"The first, just for tonight mind you because you grandpa helped me be more, well me, you can call me by my real name." Sookie gasped in astonishment and Bubba just smiled wider at her. "Second, I am going to sing all of your favorite songs for you to dance your cute little behind to tonight."

"Oh Elvis," she exclaimed throwing herself into his arms again. "Even Blue Hawaii?"

He laughed again. "Of course what would a performance be without Blue Hawaii?" He kissed her gently on her forehead pulled back slightly and walked away towards the stage area.

Sookie turned towards me bouncing up and down slightly with excitement. "Oh my god Eric we get to dance at our wedding to the one and only Elvis Presley. Oh my god oh my god." She was so gleeful that I grinned ear to ear at her.

"You are a southern girl through and through and so stinking cute to boot." I pulled her to me and kissed her deeply; I was the luckiest man in the world to have found her. "I love you Sookie, oh wait, Susannah."

She slapped my arm lightly. "I hate that name that's why I never use it, but I love you too Eric." She went up on tip toe and kissed me softly.