Hey I wanted to get this out for Valentine's Day, but I was a little busy with my own honey. I also needed to make sure I had it edited. So here ya go! Hope everyone, single or whatever, had a very happy Valentine's Day!

Chapter 59: My Girl

Sookie

As they followed Py of the stage, Sookie could feel Eric's happiness in the bond so acutely it made her feel like she was walking on clouds. She had never felt him so happy. She looked into his sparkling eyes and swore she could see herself in them. She lifted his hands to her lips and kissed the back of his hand tenderly.

Sookie began moving to the Louisiana table, but Eric tugged her to a different table near the front right where Py sat. With her she had a few of her other seers and two men. Jason and Lafayette who were beaming at her from across the table. Sookie turned to Eric with a shocked expression on her face. "Pam," he said softly in her ear.

Sookie turned to Pam and threw her arms around her. Pam stiffened and stood still as if she were under attack. Eric chuckled and pulled Sookie back to him and she then walked around the table and hugged Jason and Lafayette who were both in tuxes.

They both wished her and Eric congratulations as Eric sat her in a seat at Py's table. The speaker approached the podium again and said, "Well, I would like to thank the Ancient Pythoness for her words and for that beautiful example of human-vampire coexistence. I also wish Sheriff Northman and Miss Stackhouse the very best and may their union be long and happy."

Sookie blushed and even though Eric had a look of bored indifference firmly in place again, she could feel that he was ecstatic. She squeezed his hand under the table and he squeezed it back.

"Now, let us enjoy the festivities this evening and enjoy some music and dancing. Thank you all for coming."

From her table, Sookie watched a beautiful couple get up and take over the floor as the music started. The couple was two vampires that moved so elegantly that it almost brought tears to her eyes. She couldn't take her eyes off the couple as they twirled and glided effortlessly across the floor. Sookie noticed that now many were surrounding the floor watching the couple while others joined in.

As more and more people stood and began mingling the staff subtly cleared the dinner tables and swapped them with tall tables that were used for socializing and to set drinks on, giving it an elegant club effect.

Eric squeezed her hand and she looked to him, and he said, "Dance with me Sookie?"

She nodded eagerly and he smiled and helped her to her feet. She blushed as many of the people in the crowd clapped for the newly pledged couple as they took the floor. They weren't the best dancers, but they were decent and moved well together.

Sookie saw her own face in many of the thoughts filling her head and she saw images of her and Eric looking into each other's eyes, blissfully happy. They looked like they were in a dream. She closed her walls up and focused on Eric, who was guiding her around the floor.

"I love you, Cowboy."

"I love you, mitt hjärta (my heart)," he said softly as he looked deeply into her eyes. "Thank you for marrying me."

She only smiled at him in return and then stopped him and kissed him softly. Again there was clapping and Sookie blushed again as Eric resumed dancing with her.

"When can we get out of here so we can go back to our room?" she asked with a suggestive eyebrow. He smiled and said, "I'm afraid Bill will want you to stay for the majority of the evening since all vampires are here with their humans tonight."

She pouted and he leaned down and nipped her bottom lip. "I am disappointed too. I believe we bought you some lingerie that I have yet to see you model for me, and what better night than the night we pledge? I have to say that I have been feeling very neglected by you because of it."

"Well you can just keep on waitin'. My Gran would skin me alive for even havin' those lewd garments in my possession."

Eric laughed and said, "Wife, it isn't inappropriate since we are married. Even your Gran couldn't argue with that."

Sookie simply shook her head and smiled. She noticed that a lot of people were staring at her and Eric with interest. She wanted to get out of the spotlight for a while. She looked at Eric and said, "After this dance, can we go and get a drink?"

Eric nodded and spun her around a few more times before leading them right off the dance floor. Sookie looked to the bar and noticed Abby, Jake's human.

She stopped Eric and said, "Eric, see Abby over there? I want to go and talk to her to see if I can figure out why these two rub me the wrong way. I know you won't want to, but will you let me do this myself?"

He immediately shook his head, "No."

"Eric, just hear me out. She probably won't talk if you are with me. You can stay within earshot."

"Last time we did this you ended up with a bomb in your hand, Sookie."

"I know. But I won't touch anything. And the likelihood of me pickin' up another bomb is highly unlikely. Please Eric. Somethin' about this vampire and his human just don't sit right with me. And Bill won't listen until I have somethin' useful to tell him."

She pleaded him with her eyes and she could tell he was warring with himself on whether or not to trust her with her own safety. He finally stiffened his back and just when she thought he was going to say no he said, "Fine, I trust your judgment. I will be close and within hearing distance. If I feel anything is off I am coming to you whether you like it or not."

She smiled and leaned her face up to his to kiss him and he held her face there. "No picking up anything, do you hear me?" he joked.

She smiled and walked towards the bar and towards Abby. She ordered a drink and then turned to Abby and said, "Excuse me, I am sorry to bother you, but I have to say I am in love with your dress! That color just pops on you."

Abby blushed and smiled brightly at Sookie, thinking about how Sookie had the most stunning dress at the formal this evening.

"I have been thinking the same thing about your dress. Congratulations on your pledging, Sookie was it?"

"Thank you and yes, I am Sookie. I have seen you around this summit and should have been more social, but Eric is so protective I think that we scare folks off and intimidate them."

Abby nodded and said, "It's cute he is so committed and so happy with you."

"Yeah I guess I'll keep him around. Are you here with someone Abby?" she asked casually as she took a sip of the champagne cocktail.

Abby gave Sookie a small nod and looked in the crowd until she spotted Jake and pointed him out. He was watching the dancers, his eyes occasionally flicking around the room.

"Oh, yes now that you point him out I remember seeing him. How long have y'all been datin'?" Sookie asked.

"About a year. He is recently turned. How old is Eric?" she asked.

"Eric is an old man. Around a thousand years old," she joked.

Abby's eyes shot up in surprise and chuckled at her joke.

"So have you danced yet?" Sookie asked, trying to get back on track to talking about Jake.

"No, I don't know if Jake likes dancin' all that much."

Sookie looked at a miserable Jake and said, "Is he feelin' okay? He seems to be a little down."

Abby scoffed and nodded, looking into the bottom of her glass. "Down isn't even the word."

"I am sorry, did I say something wrong?" Sookie asked, feigning ignorance.

"No, it's just…Jake has been unhappy and I have no idea what to do. He is sweet and nice to me, but I feel so hopeless. All I want to do is help. I am sorry, I shouldn't be bringing something so depressing up at a party, ruining this wonderful night for you."

Sookie shook her head, "No, not at all. Let me tell you somethin' Abby. Eric and I haven't always been so happy. Far from it actually. It has been a bumpy road for the both of us. But we made it through. My Gran always said if you want a rainbow, you gotta put up with a little rain. I am sure that is just what you and Jake are goin' through. He'll come around."

Abby smiled and said, "I guess you are right. Thanks Sookie. You are sweet. I am glad we met."

"Me too," Sookie replied honestly. "I hope we can catch up throughout the rest of the summit."

She nodded and walked off towards Jake and Sookie found her way back to Eric's side.

Eric

Eric sat in stunned silence as he witnessed Sookie skillfully lead Abby through a conversation that was sure to get Sookie the information that she needed while also being incredibly sensitive.

As she sauntered back over to Eric, he felt himself relax. Well almost all of him. Her looking so stunningly beautiful tonight was proving to be a challenge for him. He had lost all of his self-control since meeting her. Now that he was pledged to her, he was sure he was lost for good.

"Well, I know all about Abby and a good deal about Jake now too."

Eric nodded and took her hand, pulling her to sit in his lap. He nuzzled her neck and inhaled deeply. "Anything interesting?" he asked.

She nodded and said, "He was a werewolf when he was turned and he has not been happy because he is alienated by humans, werewolves, and even vampires. He also isn't able to shift which messes with his sense of identity. I feel bad for him."

Eric considered this and looked the vampire over who was now holding Abby's hand and talking softly to her at a table across the room.

"That is rough, my darling, but each of us has to find our own way. He will find it soon."

"I think he is going the wrong way though. His human thinks he has been in touch with the Fellowship. I just hope he isn't planning on sacrificing himself."

He could tell she held back from saying 'like Godric' so as not to upset him.

"I will speak with him if you like."

Sookie shrugged her shoulders. "It's up to you. I don't know what will help him."

He looked at her and said, "You are such a good person Sookie. I heard everything you said to Abby. It was very sweet of you. Aside from the old man crack."

She smiled and rolled her eyes at him. "Well my water is whistled and I have found what I need from Abby. Shall we dance?" she asked as faster beat came on. She stood and rolled her hips hypnotically and he was practically salivating.

He nodded and led her to the floor and they swayed to the music for the rest of the night. When Bill gave Eric and the other sheriffs the go ahead to leave he quickly grabbed Sookie, who was in the middle of talking to Lafayette and Jason.

"Eric I was talkin…"

"Nope, we have a fashion show to get to."

This is more of a fluff chapter, but I was happy I was able to make contact with Jake and Abby. So tell me what you thought AND what you all are thinking about what Sookie found out from Abby.