It had been two weeks since Eric had showed up at my house and declared that he was no longer brain damaged. He had remembered the time we spent together during the witch curse and we had finally come together as a couple. Things had really been looking up and I noticed that I had an ease now that I hadn't felt for a very long time, even when I was with Bill. Don't get me wrong, I did have feelings for Bill when I dated him, but it wasn't the same as what I had with Eric. We had something that felt surreal, blissful, exciting, and most importantly it felt right. Eric and I had exchanged blood several times and now our bond was stronger than ever. I could feel his emotions as he could mine. When he rose in the evenings I felt like a jigsaw puzzle that you just put the last piece in place. I certainly don't feel depressed or broken when he isn't awake, but there's something so comforting and intimate about feeling him engrained in my soul.
Tonight I was off work and heading to Fangtasia to see Eric. I took my time that evening shaving until I was baby smooth, curling my hair in big, soft waves, and making sure my makeup was just right. I decided to have a little fun and went with a very smoky, sexy eye shadow and liner and very glossy lips. My skirt was short denim, a gray graphic fitted tank top, and a black leather jacket. I finished off the look with my new Ugg boots that Pam sent me last week. I had to admit even though it wasn't my typical look; I thought I looked pretty hot. As I was finishing up getting ready, I felt warmth in my cheeks and a waft of love hit me and I knew Eric had just woken up. Now more excited than ever, I ran out to my car and headed to the club.
"The first breather who can sing the alphabet backwards gets to come to the front of the line!" Pam was checking ID's and having a little fun with, or at, the crowd.
"zyxwvu.." a nerdy looking young boy with too much eyeliner was attempting to please Pam.
"Stupid human it was just a joke! Move to the back of the line!" Yea Pam was really enjoying herself tonight.
"Hi Pam" I said and tried not to look too eager.
"Sookie, so good to see you my telepathic friend, and boy do you look scrumptious tonight!" Pam was flashing me a fangy smile, which was funny but also kind of scared me a little.
"Thanks Pam, it's always good to see you!" I stepped forward and gave her a little kiss on the cheek.
"Go on in, Master will be very pleased you are here. Oh and Sookie, I love the boots" Pam never missed good shoes, especially when she bought them.
When I stepped into the club, I saw the usual assortment of goths, fangbangers, nerds, and naughty housewives whose husbands thought they were at book club meetings. I felt my pulse quicken and my smile spread wider as I neared Eric's office. Just as I reached my hand out to knock on the door, it flung open and I was snatched in vamp speed by my Viking. I was already in his arms and being passionately kissed by the time my brain registered what happened. After a long minute, he pulled back and looked me up and down.
"Lover, you look especially edible tonight" Eric gave me a look that almost made my barely there panties fall right off.
"You like?" I did a little spin so he could take in the whole look. "I like very much" His fangs clicked down and my cheeks flushed.
"Takk ser deilig også" I purred the words at him praying I had them right. From the look on his face and the pure lust that shot through the bond, I think I did pretty well. Eric's lips were back on mine but in a frenzy this time. "So I guess I'm not the only one who gets turned on by the language of my love" I smiled at him.
"You always seem to amaze me lover, I don't know how I got so lucky" Eric was speaking from his heart. This was a rare treat that only I got to enjoy. I love my big bad Viking vampire sheriff and all that comes along with it, mostly, but I really did enjoy the special side of him that he saved only for me. A caring, tender side beneath all that alpha male, hardened vampire exterior. I faintly heard Pam step in the room behind me.
"If you two could stop eye fucking each other for a moment; I have a letter for you Eric" Pam snickered and handed Eric a black envelope with red writing. The stationary was a big tip off that it was from a vampire. Sometimes they are very theatrical with their vampy ways.
Eric was scanning the letter and had a look on his face I couldn't quite discern. "Who is it from Eric?" I asked not knowing if he would answer me.
"It is from my Queen. She would like to see me at my earliest convenience to discuss business." Eric tossed the letter down and put his arms back around me. "Now where were we? I believe you were saying something about me being the best you've ever had?" Always the joker, he was. I couldn't help but let out a giggle like a little schoolgirl.
"Ugh. You two are sickening. I'll be out front" Pam sauntered back out the door into the bar.
"You know Eric, I need to make a trip to New Orleans to clean out Hadley's place and speak to the Queen also. Maybe we could go together?" I asked him timidly thinking he might say no. I know Eric loves me, but vamps are real uptight when it comes to their political drama, so you never really know what to expect.
"That sounds like a great idea lover" He smiled at my suggestion. "I'll need to leave tomorrow night if possible though; it's not good to keep the Queen waiting. Will you be able to go on such short notice?"
"Well I need to talk to Sam but I don't think it will be a problem." My boss Sam Merlotte was a good friend to me and luckily he was pretty lenient about letting me have a few days off when I was dealing with vamp business. A big smile was on my face thinking about mine and Eric's first little out of town excursion as a couple. Maybe we could even take in the sights and go to a jazz club after he was done with his business.
"Sookie you are happy, I can feel it. Are you that excited about going on such a menial task?" Eric was confused as to what would have me excited about a vampire business trip and me cleaning out my poor dead cousin's apartment.
"It's our first trip together" The schoolgirl grin was back.
"Sookie we have been other places together, Dallas, Mississippi.."
"No" I interrupted him. "It's our first trip together as a couple" I pushed my love and affection through the bond and he caught on to why it was special to me. He leaned over and kissed my forehead and tilted my chin up towards him.
"You're right. This is one of the reasons I love you darling, you still have a zest for life and small things make you happy." He was smiling now too and looking at me with appreciation in his eyes.
We went out in the main bar and sat at his usual table for a little while talking about our day and making plans for New Orleans. Suddenly a little bit of my excitement faded about our trip when I realized I had told Bill he could come with me.
"Um Eric I just remembered one little thing that you may not like" giving him a sheepish grin, I kept going. "I kind of told Bill that he could go with me to New Orleans." Uh oh, Eric's smile had completely faded.
"Lover why would you do such a thing?" He wasn't mad, just a little disgusted if I was reading his feelings correctly.
"Well this was before you and I figured out that we were an us" I smiled at my little phrase. "Also I made sure he understood it was strictly for sharing a ride and that he would be staying at the Queen's compound once we arrived, not with me."
"Well you know how I feel about Bill-bore me to my final death- Compton, but as long as he is clear on the arrangements, I guess it won't be too awful." Eric was attempting to not have a vamp sized tantrum and I knew he wanted to. I reached over and gave him a little kiss and whispered in his ear, "Don't worry min Viking I only have eyes for you" The look he gave me was unmistakable and within a minute we were out the door and in the 'Vette heading towards Eric's house.