Sorry for the delay. I had to think hard about this. I contemplated whether or not to do this to them again but once it starts to flow I can't stop it. I hope you like this.

Please review! I have so enjoyed them! You have all been wonderful and so supportive of this story.

Warning! Very adult content! WARNING!

Chapter 22

Eric was panicked, he growled so loudly Trish and Lily came running, Mark behind them, running into the office. "Eric, what happened?" He just shook his head. She was bleeding, Mark could see the trickle of blood running down her. "Eric, lets get her to the hospital now!" Mark leaned to pick her up and Eric pushed him out of the way, crushed her to him, ran down the stairs and was out the front door taking flight. He was rushing through the hospital doors yelling for Dr. Ludwig. Before he made it to the desk she was in front of him leading the way to the exam room as fast she her legs would take her.

"Put her down Eric." He shook his head no but she put her hand on his arm and he gently put her on the gurney. People came rushing in and began moving Eric back. A tiny nurse with a mask on her face told him to wait in the waiting room and she would come back for him. He stepped out of the room backwards. Amelia, Alcide and Mark where running through the door as he walked out of the room Sookie was in.

"Eric! Oh God, what happened?" Amelia was crying, holding onto Alcide.

He shook his head. "She called to me, she was in the office. I went to her and found her laying on the floor, unconscious." Eric needed to sit. He lowered himself to a chair.

Alcide sat next to him. "She's a fighter Eric, you know she will be fine." Alcide was trying to convince them all she would be fine. Amelia came to sit on the other side of Eric and took his hand squeezing it for support, softly crying. Mark stood staring toward where she was taken.

Eric looked at Alcide. "I can't lose her Alcide." His head hung low and he stared at the floor. "Can you call Sam, Jason and Pam?" Alcide nodded and go up to make the calls.

The four of them sat silently waiting. It seemed like forever, Eric kept checking his phone for the time. Sam came into the waiting room, his hair was sticking up every where like he ran a marathon before getting there. "How is she?" He was looking at all of them for answers.

"Nothing yet Sam. Have a seat, we don't know anything yet." Alcide nodded to him to sit. Sam did, he was pale and worried just as much as the rest of them. They waited another hour and Jason came in asking the same questions and sitting along side Sam.

Dr. Ludwig came out with a mask on her face. "Viking, were doing everything we can. She is still unconscious but the bleeding is a problem. I will update you as soon as I can."

She left as quickly as she came.

"Bleeding? Oh my God, she is bleeding Eric? Where is she bleeding from? Did she hit her head when she fell?" Amelia was terrified, staring at Eric wide eyed. He couldn't say the words, shaking his head no Amelia began crying louder. "No! Eric, this will kill her. She can't loose the baby! No!"

"Baby? Sookie is pregnant again!" Sam was pissed, he stood up growling and rushed Eric. "You son of a bitch! She almost died and you use her like some breeding machine! What the fuck is wrong with you! Your going to kill her!" Alcide jumped up in the middle of his rant and was pushing Sam back. Eric didn't look up, he knew Sam was right. This was his fault, his need for her, the want of having more children made him do things he wasn't proud of.

Jason was pacing just as angry. "I don't understand. She just had two babies Eric, what were you two thinking?" Eric got up and walked to the edge of the room, leaning against it, slamming his head backward a few times. His anger for what he allowed to happen was cursing in his veins.

Mark stepped forward. "Enough. Let it go. Sookie needs your support and she would never forgive any of you for doing this to him. They are two consenting adults and if they wanted to have more kids it is none of our business. Jason, Sam, don't do this. We almost lost her once, remember?" Every one started to calm down but the tension in the room was beyond palpable.

Another hour passed and the creatures in the waiting room were all still pacing, crying, seething. Eric was crawling out of his skin. Pam had called twice and he couldn't talk so he had handed his phone to Alcide to talk to her. Dr. Ludwig came out and stood in front of them. She had taken he mask down and the front of her gown was covered in blood. Eric closed his eyes and flashed to when the twins were born. "Eric?" Dr. Ludwig addressed him.

"Tell us, is she dead?" He could barely speak the word, his hands were holding the wall for support.

Dr. Ludwig shook her head. "We did everything we could, I am sorry Eric." He was growling so loud he couldn't hear any more. The doctor yelled to him. "Eric! Sookie is alive, but the baby didn't make it." His body slid down the wall, his hands were coving his face. "She will be awake soon. I will give her something to keep her calm. Get yourself together Viking. She will need you now. We will move her to a room and then someone will come and get you to take you back." The tiny doctor was gone.

Amelia was crying, Alcide looked shocked holding Amelia, Sam went out the front door slamming the door against the wall, Jason just sat on the first chair he could find. Eric, he wanted to kill someone, he thought about leaving and going on a murder spree tearing bodies to pieces but he couldn't, his legs wouldn't take him any where. He needed to see her with his own eyes. How could he tell her they lost the baby?

Eric sat in the same spot until the nurse that threw him out of the exam room came to get him. He barely had the strength to stand but he did, following behind the tiny nurse. She opened the door for him to go ahead and go in. He hesitated, not knowing what to do. Squaring his shoulders, running his hands through his hair he went into the room. The light was dimmed and she laying still in the middle of the bed with the covers up to her chest. Her eyes were closed and her face was pale, the palest he had ever seen her and her bruises were back full force. He stopped at the end of her bed afraid to wake her, he stood waiting.

Eric must have stood there an hour before her eyes began to slowly open, they were fluttering from the light. "Eric?" Her voice was husky.

He moved to the side of the bed and pulled up the chair to sit next to her. "I am here lover. I would never be anywhere else but next to you." He took her hand in his and his head fell to the bed holding her hand to his face. The tears welled in his eyes.

"Eric? What happened?" Her other hand was over her belly, it was like she knew something was not right. His eyes were watching her rub her stomach and the tears began to flow, his blood tears. Looking away he didn't know if he had the strength to tell her. "Eric, please, why am I in the hospital?"

He looked up at her and she gasped seeing his tears. Her face distorted and giant tears began to fall. "Sookie, you collapsed in the office upstairs at home. You were bleeding badly. The doctor tried everything she could. Our child did not survive." He moved to get close to her and she pulled away, recoiling from him. She was chanting no over and over. Her hand never left her belly. She rolled to her side away from him and cried, pulling her covers and pillow up to her face. Eric tried to wrap his arms around her but she pushed him away. "Sookie, please. Do not push me away. I love you." She continued to cry and he tried to touch any part of her and she would push or pull away. She needed space but Eric needed her, he needed to comfort her, he wanted to hold her and she didn't want it. His heart was breaking into little pieces from her sadness and pain. He tried to open the bond but she pushed back, not wanting his comfort or any other feelings he was trying to give her. "Sookie, say something, anything. Blame me, hit me, tell me you hate me. This is my fault, I know it is and I will take the blame. I can not let you take this on. Please Sookie, talk to me." She wouldn't, she just cried and looked into space. He wasn't going to leave her, he knew she was devastated and needed some space. Eric pulled the chair back and sat in it putting his head in his hands. He would wait until she was ready for him, what did she say to him before, even when she doubted their love he was there with his arms open for them to come together. He would wait no matter the length of time.

Nurses and the doctor came in, doing things to her, trying to talk to her and she never spoke a word. She stayed on her side and cried silently for a long while, calmed down then started to cry again. He felt so helpless.

Amelia came in alone. She stood on the other side of the bed opposite of Eric and took Sookie's limp hand. "Sook, I love you. I am so sorry. I wish I could do something to help you, I feel terrible. I am going to the house to check on the kids. They need you Sookie, Johan, Enar, precious Erika. You have three babies at home waiting for you to come home Sook. Don't forget that." She leaned down and kissed her cheek before leaving.

No one else came in, he knew under the circumstances people were probably too uncomfortable to see her right now with it being so raw and fresh. Eric would move to the side of the bed and try to rub her back or touch her face and she would push him away. He would just sit back in his chair. Hours went by and she finally cried herself to sleep. Eric moved to lay on the bed and held her just like he did every night, pulling her close and tucking her next to him. Before long he was asleep with her.

It was hours later and he felt her stir, his eyes opened to the dark. She was still laying with her face against his chest where he had moved her too. She was crying again. "Eric?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and cried so hard he almost let her go to get the doctor but she pulled him closer. He wrapped his arms around her back and cried with her. They held on to each other for a long time even when Dr. Ludwig came in.

"Sookie, how are you feeling?" The tiny doctor stood next to the bed waiting for her answer.

"Dead, that is how I feel, just like my baby." Sookie's voice was raw and heavy. Eric closed his eyes and the tears welled in his eyes again. His grip around his wife tightened.

"We are going to keep you today and we will see how you are feeling tomorrow. We won't bother you unless we have to. Push the button on the side of the bed if you need something. Do you want something to eat?" The doctor wouldn't push food on her because she knew she was grieving at the loss of her child.

Sookie shook her head a hard no. The doctor walked to the door, turned off the light and shut the door behind her.

Eric pulled her close again and she let him. Her body molded to him. "I am sorry Eric. I am so sorry." She began sobbing again.

He pulled her face to look into her eyes. "Do not do this, this is not your fault. You have nothing to be sorry for. I should be apologizing to you. If I hadn't pushed you to have more children this would never had happened. I should have been more careful. I wish I could go back and fix this. Please forgive me Sookie." She wouldn't look at him, she turned her head away, putting her face into his neck and continued to cry. He held her tight to his body trying to comfort, he spoke words of love to her, she just shook her head no, it was too much for Eric, he felt like a dagger was sticking out of his heart. She fell asleep again after a long bout of crying.

"Eric?" Pam walked into the room, Eric had no idea what time it was. She came to the other side of the bed to face him. Her eyes welled instantly, Pam never cried, never. "Oh, Eric? Are you both alright? What can I do?" The tears streaked down her beautiful face. It was all Eric could take. His head turned away from her, his eyes closing tightly trying to stop the tears. Here were the two woman that meant most to him in the world and both were falling apart.

"No, she is a mess Pam. She has been crying since she woke up. Go to the house and check on the children and make sure everything is as it should be. She will be here at least today, we will see about tomorrow. Please?" Pam reached for his hand holding it tightly. She nodded and went to wipe her face before leaving them.

They laid in silence for half the day, she slept the entire time. Her tears would start again in her sleep and he would lick them away each time. Dr. Ludwig came in with a nurse. The nurse needed blood from her, Eric wasn't letting her go so the doctor nodded to the nurse and the nurse went to draw the blood out of her forearm that was still wrapped around his neck. Eric was growling lightly. "Viking, let her take the blood. I need to see her blood count to make sure there is no bleeding. She can hemorrhage and die if we do not watch this carefully." He considered what the doctor said and let the nurse approach them. "We will check her weekly to make sure she is healing properly. You need to give her blood today Eric, as much as you can to prevent scaring. She will want more children in the future." He was shaking his head at the doctor to tell her no, he wouldn't do it. "How could you do that to her Eric? Her children are everything to her, look at her. You would prevent her from healing and having more children? She would never forgive you." The doctor and nurse had their blood sample and left them alone again.

Sookie began to cry again, he knew she was awake enough to hear the words the doctor said and she began to move from him, angry now that he would do what the doctor accused him of. Her head was shaking no, she wanted him to leave her alone. "Sookie, I am sorry, I will do what ever you want. Do you want my blood?" She stopped struggling and laid still for a few minutes thinking hard about it. Eric ripped his wrist open and put it to her lips and she hesitated moving away from it, then took it to her mouth drinking it slowly. She fell back to sleep until dawn the next day. Eric never left her side.

Dr. Ludwig came in and opened the curtains on the window. "Eric, we need to get her up, take care of her personal needs and try to get some food in her. Otherwise I can't let her leave and go home. I will release her this morning if you can get her up and walking. She will be more comfortable there than here. Give her more blood this morning and tonight, repeat it for today and tomorrow before you leave for New Orleans. I want to see her before you leave just to make sure she is healing. Alright?" He nodded his head and thanked her. She left them alone again.

A nurse came in with a tray of hot food for her to eat and sat it on the table next to the bed. "Mr. Northman, if you want I can get her up and take her to the bathroom. She has special needs right now and she may be more comfortable with me than with you." He told her no and she left closing the door behind her.

"Sookie, my love? I need you to wake up." He was gently kissing her face where the bruises were still under her eyes. They were a deep purple this morning.

She slowly opened her eyes like she was unsure of where she was and blinked looking at Eric. Her face registered the pain again. "No."

She tried to lay back down but he put her head in his hands and kissed her softly on the lips. "Come now my love, you have to get up to take of yourself and get something to eat. You have been lying here too long. It is important." She shook her head a defiant no, her eyes full of hatred. "I know you do not wish to do this but you have to Sookie. Come on, lets get you up." He moved off the bed and came around the other side to help her and she pulled away and tried to cover back up. He pulled the covers back down and scooped her off the bed, she only got madder and pushed away from him but he held on tight taking her to the bathroom putting her on her feet. He turned away to give her privacy. "I am not going anywhere lover, I know your angry and upset but I love you and I will not let you make yourself ill." She sighed and did what she needed to do and when the toilet flushed he came around her to put his arm around her to help her walk to the bed. She held on to him for support, her insides were sore and she winced a couple times during the walk. "Blood and breakfast, which do you want first?"

"I don't want either. Can't you just leave me alone!" She tried to get back in the bed but he caught her around the waist and pulled her back down to move her to the chair.

"No, I can not leave you alone. You are my bonded. I will always be here Sookie. I know your hurting and I wish I could help you with that. Now, which do you want first? Blood or breakfast?" She cursed at him and he took it from her, just standing waiting for the answer. He opened his wrist and put in front of her. Her eyes flashed angry again but she took his wrist anyway. When the wound closed he sat on the side of the bed and pushing the tray toward her to eat. "Eat your breakfast my love. You will need your strength."

Sookie picked up the fork and began playing with the food. She didn't want it, how could she eat knowing her child was dead. How could she sit there and want to get better when her heart felt like it had died when Eric told her she had lost the baby. Yes, she wanted more time to adjust with her other kids but she wanted this baby. She wanted all of her kids. Now it was gone and she felt empty inside. Her temper began to build again and the only person she could take it out on was sitting in front of her. "I don't want this Eric, I can't eat this when my baby is dead! No! Leave me alone!"

"No, Sookie I will not. Eat your food." He was speaking to her gently and pushed the tray closer still. She got up from the chair and started to walk away but he stopped her. "Sookie, you have to eat. Do not get yourself worked up again. Sit."

"Stop telling me what to do! Your always telling me what to do! I am a person! I know what I need to do! Stop it!" She pushed at him to let her go. Her anger was full force and he would let her vent it. "This is your fault! Leave me alone!"

Her hands were fisted and she wanted to hit someone, he knew it and he would accept it if she needed it. He pulled her to him and she struggled against him, his grip on her tightening. "I know Sookie, I know. I feel the same way, I am sorry I pushed you, put so much on you. I should have sheltered you, keeping you safe. I know it is my fault our child's is gone, I will never forgive my self. Never."

She only got madder, her fists making contact now. "No! Eric! No! My baby! How could I loose our baby! Oh God no!" Her legs gave out and she was falling to the floor so quickly Eric almost didn't catch her. Her tears started again. "Our baby Eric, our little baby is gone! I wish it were me dead instead of our baby!"

He pulled her up quickly, pulling her to look him in the eye, tears welling in his eyes. "Do not say that, never! You are mine Sookie, I love you and I need you, our other children need you! What would Johan do with out you? What would any of us do without you?"

She grabbed him by the shirt to reject the words, she needed him to stop it but through her tears she saw his face, his eyes, her children's eyes. Here in front of her was her husband she had loved with her whole heart and it was breaking more every moment and he was the only thing that could save her and she knew it. She moved slowly to him putting her arms around him to hang on. His arms went around her and he leaned to her shoulder to put his head down to hold onto her. "Oh Eric, I sorry, I am so sorry. I love you but I don't know if I can take this. How can I do this Eric? How?" She pleaded with him for an answer.

"We will do it one step at a time my love like we do everything else. I am here, I love you. Sookie, look at me. Look me in the eye." She pulled her head up to look in his blue eyes. "I love you, do you hear me? We need each other now. We can not blame each other for this, we will not survive it otherwise." His face looked into hers, his face full of love for her.

Her lip began to tremble and she knew what he was saying was true. He was always her beacon, her beginning, her end. She knew what she needed to do. She leaned in and kissed him on the lips, holding his face to hers. "I love you Eric." She moved away from him and sat in the chair and sighed. She picked up the fork and moved the food around on the tray and took a couple bites before she was about to give up, she looked into his face and saw him looking at her, she finished her food and drank her orange juice and he softly smiled at her. He leaned over and kissed her.

Her food was eaten and she wanted to take a shower so Eric pushed the button on the side of the bed to see if it was alright. Dr. Ludwig came in. "I see you have eaten little one. Good, you need your strength. Sookie, I will let you go home if you wish. If you feel more comfortable staying here that is fine, which ever you prefer."

Sookie looked to her with such sadness in her eyes. "Home, I want to go home. Dr. Ludwig?" The doctor looked away from the chart she was filling out. "Will I be able to, you know, have more kids?" Sookie couldn't breath while she waited for the answer.

"I believe so yes, keep taking Eric's blood several times a day, no sex, no breast feeding and I want you eating properly and resting. I want to see you before New Orleans and we will check you often to check for scaring. We will do what we can to give you the option of more children if you want them. Take a shower and we will get you discharged." The doctor put the chart back and left.

Sookie's eyes welled again and Eric stopped her. "You heard her my love, if you want more children down the road we will have them. Please do not cry. Lets get you in the shower." Eric helped her stand and took her to the bathroom to shower.

Amelia and Alcide were standing in the room when they came out, Amelia had a bag with clothes and personal items for Sookie. "Morning Sook, how are you feeling?" Amelia's face was moments from a breakdown.

Sookie sat in the chair she ate her breakfast in. "Sore, tired and I want to go home. So, I will get better I think. I just want to hold my kids and crawl in bed with Eric and sleep." She smiled up at him, he closed his eyes relieved and he smiled back. It took her time to get where she needed to be and she was getting there, he was so proud of her.

"Sookie, Alcide and I were talking and under the circumstances we decided we are going to postpone the wedding. I can't do it with out you and you can't be traveling all around now." Amelia's eyes welled up with tears. She felt horrible for Sookie and Eric, her hand on her own belly.

Eric looked at Sookie and nodded to her. He would let her make up her own mind. "Not on your life Amelia. We are going to New Orleans on Friday and you will marry that man or I swear will never forgive you. I will be fine, I will rest the next couple days, Eric and I wouldn't miss it for the world and I would never ask you to postpone. Married, you two, Saturday." She smiled at them and Amelia moved forward to hug and thank her. They left so Eric and Sookie could get her dressed and go home.

Sookie sat on the side of the bed, her mind replaying over and over while waiting for her discharge paperwork. "Stop that my love. We have to move forward, we will always love and remember our daughter but we have those who are still around us and we need to keep going." Sookie took a deep breath and nodded. He was right, he always was.

The paperwork came and they left to head home. They held each other the entire ride in the car on the drive. Sookie looked out the window watching the world go by her. Her hand absently moved to her stomach, their child was gone. How could she move through the pain of what had happened? She had lost family but this was like nothing she could explain. She and Eric loved one another, created a child from that love and now their child she would never meet. It was heart wrenching. Eric felt her sorrow and pulled her closer, kissing her softly on the lips. "I love you Sookie." She smiled at him as they pulled up in front of their home. Her heart began to beat hard, she wasn't sure if she could go in. Seeing the faces of her children, would it be too much? Her mind thought of the child she would never know. "Sookie?" Eric was looking at her concerned.

Whispering to him she asked him. "Just give me a minute ok?" Mark got out of the car to give her privacy. He stood on the outside of the car waiting for her. Eric opened the door to the car and stepped out and waited next to Mark. She sat in the car breathing hard and tears started to come to her eyes and she wiped them away. She put her hand over her belly and closed her eyes again willing the agony to go away. In her mind she saw her sons, her daughter and she knew they were waiting for her. She could feel the pull her son Enar had on her. The excruciating pain was replaced slightly by the love of her kids. Her hand wiped the remaining tears away and she opened to car door. Eric was there in a flash to help her out and into the house. When the door opened Johan was standing at the door, like he knew she was coming through it. His little face so somber it almost was too much for her. Lily stood in the doorway of the living room with the twins. Sookie broke her connection to Eric and she moved forward to her son whose little eyes were tearing up. She knelt down on the floor to face him. "Baby don't cry, mommy is ok now. She will never leave you, never." She pulled him up to her and hugged him so tight, the tears started again.

Johan pulled her face back. "Mommy no cry. Baby heaven." Sookie did everything she could to smile at her son. She knew what he meant and it was enough for her. Sookie kissed him and hugged him again. Eric leaned down to take Johan so she could get up.

Eric gathered her in his other arm. "Come on my love, lets get you on the couch and you can rest." She did need to sit, her legs were weak and her insides were tender but better since taking Eric's blood. He moved her to the couch, put her feet up and covered her. Lily stood where she was with the children and Sookie reached out for her to bring them to her. Leaning down, Lily sat each on Sookie's lap. "Lover, why don't you wait, your going to wear yourself out."

Sookie just shook her head no at him. Her arms gathered her kids in and she brought them both up to kiss each and inhale their scents. They smelled so wonderful, baby and talc powder. Erika was smiling at her and Enar looked serious as usual. His little hands came up her face and she closed her eyes at the feeling. She leaned back on the couch and pulled them closer, rubbing and petting them, whispering words of love to them. It was like a window was opened to her heart, just slightly, and the love for these three little beings were everything to her. Her heart swelled and took in every drop of the love they had for her. This was what would help her get through it, her kids. Her eyes closed and she slowly began to fall asleep. Eric sat and watched her until she was sleeping soundly and he went to take the twins from her arms and handed them to Lily. He picked her up and took her to their room, laying her on the bed to rest. He went to take a shower and put on sleeping pants and got into the bed pulling her close. They both were sound asleep holding each other.

Eric woke and she was gone. He got up panicked to go find her and as he came out of their room he could hear the laughter downstairs. Rushing down the stairs he saw Sookie sitting on the couch with her legs up on the couch, Johan sitting on the end with his book in his hand and she was holding the twins. Amelia and Sookie had big smiles on their faces, they were the source of the laughter. "Sookie, are you alright?" He walked to her and kissed her then kissed each of his children and smiled at Amelia.

"She's doing great Eric. Sergio made us the biggest breakfast on the planet and Johan is reading to us. He just told us daddy lets him turn the pages so we had to give him the book back. Someone is stubborn." She was pointing at Johan who was smiling like crazy at his father. Eric picked his oldest son up and sat in his spot putting his son on his lap.

"Sook, I am going to run up and do a few things. Why don't you let me take the kids up to nap." Sookie shook her head no and thanked her. Amelia got up and headed up the stairs.

"Lover, you really should be resting. You need to get your strength back and heal. Lily, Amelia, Trish and I are all here to help you. There is no need for you to wear yourself out." Johan was leaning back on his fathers chest, he was getting sleepy.

"I appreciate everyone, I really do but Eric, I have to do this. If I don't I will lose my mind." She looked at Eric for a minute and her face changed. "Are you alright? I know this isn't just about me and I am sorry that I have made it that way. I know your hurting just as bad as I am. I was cruel saying things I didn't mean to you. I feel horribly about it, you have done nothing but try to comfort me and I pushed you away again. Can you forgive me?"

He looked at her and he thought he would break down, he closed his eyes. "Sookie, you do not need to apologize to me. We lost our child. Yes, I am devastated but so are you. We will get through this just like we do everything else, together. My only concern right now is your health and I want you to take care of yourself, can you do that? Will you promise me you will take better care?" He looked so vulnerable, his beautiful face looked tired, his eyes sad. Sookie wanted to comfort him, she was so horrible to him and she felt even worse about it knowing what she did to him. He needed her, he reached out to her for comfort in that hospital room and she pushed him away like he meant nothing to her. She had to do something to show him how sorry she was. Her heart would never heal if she didn't.

She leaned forward adjusting the babies and kissed him. Opening their bond as wide as she could she let love and appreciation through to him and he closed his eyes again. "Can you help me put the babies down? Its time for their naps." He smiled at her and nodded moving off the couch with a sleepy Johan. Together they went to the nursery first then Johan's room and put their children to bed silently. "Sweetie, I know you have work to do. Go and take care of it. I am going to go and sit outside for awhile to get some sun." She leaned up to kiss him and walked to find Lily. She knocked on her bedroom door and she opened it. "Hi Lily can I come in?" She smiled and moved for Sookie to come in. "Are you settling in ok?"

"Yes, thank you." Lily's face locked on Sookie's unsure of what to say.

Sookie smiled. "Look, I know you have only been here an few days but I just wanted to tell you I appreciate everything you have done. Most people would have probably ran for the hills and I thank you for taking care of the kids like you did while I was in the hospital."

"I am just glad your ok. I am sorry about the baby Sookie. I don't know what I would do if it were me. I feel bad for both of you, poor Mr. Northman, when he found you on the floor he looked like he wanted to die." Lily looked at her feet.

"Eric is very sweet and he loves us very much. He doesn't mean to be scary and if he scared you he didn't do on purpose." Sookie hoped it wasn't the case but she knew how terrifying Eric could be.

Lily shook her head and smiled. "Just the opposite. I could see how much he loves you, I wish there was something I could do to help you both."

Sookie walked to her and took her hand. "Your doing it. Your being here for my kids is enough. I am going to go outside and get some fresh air. I just put the babies down. Can you keep an ear out for them? I shouldn't be too long."

"Take all the time you need. I will be there when they wake up, don't worry. You should probably get some lunch and lay down for a while." Lily smiled and Sookie left to go out to the back deck.

She had been sitting out there for awhile when Alcide came out and sat next to her. Sookie didn't even look she could sense him now. "Hey Alcide."

"Hey Sook, you doing ok?" He had turned his body to look at her face.

Sookie turned and smiled. "As good as I am going to get I think don't you? I appreciate everything you and Amelia did while I was gone."

"Sookie, we consider you and Eric family. That is what family does. How are you doing, really?" He almost whispered the last question to her.

"I don't know Alcide. I am trying to process all of it. I said some really horrible things to Eric, I hurt him on top of all the pain he already has and I don't know what to do about it. I wish I knew why I did and said the things I did." Her eyes filled with tears and they fell fast.

"Your hurting Sookie, that's what happens. You lost your baby and he understands that. Sure if it were me and I was standing in that room I would expect it from Amelia. Who else is she going to vent at? Eric knows you didn't mean it." He was staring out into the yard trying to wrap the concept around his mind.

"It doesn't make it right, I hurt him and I regret that more than anything. He is always the rock, he stands up for us, never doubts us and I push him and push him until I do that to him. I don't know if I can ever forgive myself for this." Her tears were slowing down and Alcide looked at her.

"He doesn't blame you for anything. He is just grateful your alive and getting healthy. You have a beautiful family and each other. He knows what he has Sookie and he would never hold it against you, what you said or did in that hospital." He was looking at her in her eyes and she just looked away. Her mind heard him but her heart couldn't accept it.

"Thanks Alcide." He stood and nodded and walked back into the house. She sat on the seat and cried for what seemed like forever. She heard the glass door open and close and she tried to clean her face up for whoever was coming out.

"My love?" He stood by the door, she knew he hadn't moved from the doorway yet.

She cleared her throat. "Hey sweetie." That was as much as she could get out, her crying wouldn't allow anymore.

He walked closer and stood behind her trying to give her space. "Sookie?" His hand moved to her shoulder and his touch made her cry harder. Her knees came up and she buried her face in them. Eric came around to sit next to her and he put his arms around her pulling her close. "I am here lover."

Her arms went around his waist and she took deep breathes to try to calm herself. Eric was rubbing her back pushing calm through their bond. When the crying stop she sat up looking at him. His hand went to her face to rub her skin. He leaned down kissing her softly at first, then deepened the kiss. Her arms went around his neck, her tongue searching for his. Her lips left his and she kissed his incredible long neck, his ear lobe, then went back to his lips. She broke the kiss quickly. "I don't deserve you Eric. Don't you see that? I have been horrible to you and I seem to always hurt you. How can I tell you that I love you and then do what I do hurting you?" She looked in his eyes saying the words, her heart cracking more.

He took her chin in his hand to look in her eyes. "Look at me. Tell me you do not love me. Say the words Sookie."

Her head shook no. She could never say that to him. "No."

"Tell me you do not love me anymore Sookie. Tell me you never loved me." His sapphire eyes were searching hers. "Can you tell me that?"

"No." Her chin moved up defiantly. "No. I will never say that because it isn't true."

"I am your mate. I am your husband. I am your bonded. I have said and done things too I am not proud of. One thing I know is that I love you and will until I meet my final death." He leaned into kiss her hard again, holding her face with his hands. Breathless Sookie broke the kiss. "Take this day by day. You and I will mourn our child, we will love each other, we will raise our children and we will do it together." He leaned to kiss her again. They sat together for a while until Eric took her hand to take her back in the house. "Sergio has your lunch ready. Johan is waiting for you to eat lunch with him."

Johan had his food on his tray of his high chair but he sat with his little hands in his lap looking at his food waiting. He heard the door open, when he saw his mother come in the room and he began talking up a storm to her. She smiled and kissed him. "Eat your lunch baby, mommy will have hers too." Lily was sitting at the table, she had the twins in their chairs to give them lunch. "Lily, you feed the little warrior and I will take princess. She is pokey like me." Everyone laughed and Sookie kissed her daughter on her little chin. "Lunch time baby girl." Sergio had made hot sandwiches and homemade soup for the adults. Sergio took the time to chopped up Johan's sandwich into tiny bite sized pieces for him already, and on his plate were apple and pear slices for her son to munch on. Johan made smacking sounds with every bite he took. He was the source of entertainment during lunch.

They were sitting and talking when Mark came into the room. "Eric, the Prince is here."

Eric looked at Sookie and she looked at him. "Let him in." Eric stood giving Sookie the spoon he had taken from her to feed his daughter while she ate and walked to the foyer where Niall Brigant stood waiting. "Niall." He nodded at the prince.

"Vampire, I am here to see my great granddaughter." He stood straight as if to dismiss Eric.

"My wife is feeding my children at the moment. What is this about?" Eric put his hands in his pocket looking at the fairy.

The Prince shook his head. "I wish to speak to her Northman. Will you ask her to see me please?"

Eric was just about to tell him to get out but Sookie stepped in the foyer. "Great grandfather?" She walked to him and gave him a hug and kiss.

"Sookie, I need to speak to you privately." Niall was looking at Eric over Sookie's head.

"No! If you wish to speak to my wife you will petition me like everyone else." Eric began walking toward them but Sookie stopped him.

"Eric, stop. Niall, if you wish to speak to me then you will need to do it with my husband in the room. I have no secrets from him and I will not start now." She looked at both them giving them angry looks.

"I am worried about you. I have not intervened in your life but after what has happened I feel I must." He looked at Sookie alone now.

Sookie knew this was not going to be good. When ever he got involved it seemed things were sketchy. "What do you mean exactly?"

"I want to bind your powers to prevent you from killing yourself with this monster. It will prevent you from getting pregnant again." Niall looked at Eric with such hatred she was shocked. Eric was hissing at him and leaning as if he would attack at any second.

"First off, my husband is not a monster. Second, I don't need you to do anything of the such. You cannot bind powers you did not give me. I am not full fairy Niall. Why would you even think of such a thing? Besides I want more kids. It is mine and Eric's decision, not yours!" Sookie looked at him like he was crazy.

"He is using you and he will use you until your dead. Don't you see this? He wants to keep you pregnant. Did you not realize what a mistake you were making after the twins came?" Eric moved like lightening and Sookie put herself between the two beings.

"Stop this! Niall you will not stand in my home and say things like that about him. I don't need or want your help. Eric is my husband and I don't want my powers bound. Besides it is not yours to do and you know it. I think you should go now." She didn't want to argue with him any more.

"Vampire, if I find you have hurt her again I will enjoy destroying you." He popped.

Eric strode to the door flinging it open and went outside pacing the front yard. He looked like he could pull a tree from the ground he was so angry. Sookie let him pace and vent until he began slowing down. "Eric?"

He turned to look at her and was in front of her kissing her hard. He was pulling her up to be closer to him. "Sookie, he is lying. I would never do what he is accusing me of."

She giggled at him. "Sweetie, you are upset over nothing. He is just using his relationship with me to try to make me do something I will never do. We have enough going on to worry about him. I am going to take a nap, will you come lay down with me?" He nodded and took her hand heading up the stairs.

They went in their room and when they entered he took off his boots while she got in the bed. He got in next to her and pulled her up to lie on top of him. He kissed her softly and rubbed her back. "Eric, I don't know how I am going to be able to wait weeks before we can be together again. I want you so badly." She moaned against his chest, she could feel his gracious plenty sticking into her thigh.

He growled and closed his eyes to stay focused. "Sookie when we go to the doctors tomorrow I would like to talk to the doctor about us getting some sort of birth control. I think we will need to follow what the doctor recommends." His eyes were locked on hers waiting for her answer.

She put her head down. "We need some time but I don't want to do that. Lets wait and talk to her about it tomorrow ok?" She was sound asleep before Eric knew it.

He gently rolled her to her side of the bed and got up. He needed to take care of some things before their trip to New Orleans tomorrow. He put his boots back on and went to find Trish. Trish was standing in the laundry room. "Trish, I am leaving. Please try not to disturb Sookie if you do not have too. I am going to Fangtasia to meet with Pam so if you need me call me on my cell. Make sure she eats please" Trish nodded and he left.

He drove himself to Fangtasia. It was something he did less and less these days since he was always coming and going with Sookie and the children. When he got behind the wheel of his red corvette he let the top down and drove like a maniac. The car was parking in the parking lot before he knew it. He loved that car and he loved the speed of it, he missed it. Pam was standing in his office when he came in. "Eric? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be home with Sookie and my siblings?"

"She is doing rather well Pam. I swear she never ceases to amaze me. Today she did have a few tears but she was up, spending time with the children and fought with Niall. She makes me proud." He was smiling and Pam looked relieved.

"Yes, I didn't want to bother you but he had been calling for a couple days. I have some things we need to go through tonight before you leave for New Orleans, I will be heading back to Vegas tomorrow evening." He nodded and his head came up as he heard the knock on the door.

"Claudine, come in." She looked reluctant but did. She stood near the door. Pam looked at her and left.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I assume this is about Niall's visit?" Eric had called her on his way to Fangtasia. He needed to set his mind straight on that Niall was up too.

"Yes, what is this about Claudine?" He turned his chair and put his feet up on the desk.

"Eric, I really can't get into it with you. I will tell you he is only trying to protect her. She is one of us." She looked away when she spoke to him.

"Really? I believe she is very little yours. She is Queen of the Vampires, by choice Claudine, not by blood. Sookie has chosen her life, every step of it. I do not force to do anything she wishes not to. Why is Niall trying to bind her powers?" Eric moved to put his feet down and rest his arms on the desk.

"Bind her powers? What are you talking about?" Claudine was shocked.

Eric snickered like he didn't believe her ignorance. "Yes, he wants to bind them so she does not get pregnant again."

Her head was shaking no at him. "Don't let her do that Eric. Sookie has too much do, she needs them, even her fertility powers. You two have much yet to do." She looked like she regretted saying as much. "I will speak to the Prince. You have to understand his concern Eric. Things are always happening to her since meeting you. He finds you the common denominator to the problem."

"I would never ask her do something so ridiculous. Her powers are part of her, part of my children. She could not live in this world now without them." Claudine shook her head in agreement at him.

"I will be in touch Eric. Take care of her." She was gone.

Pam appeared with a stack of papers and set them in front of him. She was sniffing the air. "Yummy. I swear Eric, you get all the fun. I get all the leftovers." She pouted for a minute. Eric just shook his head at her.

He signed where she told him, he looked over what she said to look over, he agreed or disagreed where needed. He read reports, checked emails, made calls. Eric knew when he got back from New Orleans he had to go to Vegas, he had neglected it long enough. Part of him wanted to assign the state to Stan Davis and be done with it, his only thought was Pam. She loved Vegas, she had the state running like a machine, just like Louisiana. His child had worked hard for him and knew it. "Pam, we will be back on Sunday, schedule a Sheriff's meeting in Vegas on Friday evening. It is time to touch base with them personally." She nodded and was gone again.

He looked around his office, so much of his time over the last few years had been spent in this room. Sometimes he missed the simple life of Sheriff but what he had now didn't compare to it. He gave up his old life to be with Sookie, putting everything he had on the line, bonding, marrying her, bringing her into his world and he never regretted it. The tiny woman was more important to him that anything he ever had in over 1000 years. He needed to get home, he needed to see his wife. It was late and he knew the kids would be sleeping, she would probably be too. Taking his phone out of his pocket he made one last call and then got in his car to head home. Home to Sookie and his children.

Walking in the front door the house was dark, the only light was the moon light coming in the back door of the living room. He could see her sitting in the dark looking out into the night. Eric walked into the room to where she sat, she didn't sense him come into the room. "My love." He whispered it so not to scare her. She turned to him, all he saw was part of her profile. Eric saw the bruises under her eyes were there again, he knelt in front of her bringing her into his arms. "Sookie, why are you not resting? You need to sleep." He took his wrist and opened it putting it to her mouth, she took every drop before it closed. Her eyes closed and she sat back in the chair.

"I know Eric, I just couldn't sleep. I am tired but I woke and you were gone. It sounds crazy but I needed you with me, your arms around me. I can't sleep without it." She was hoarse, her eyes swollen, she had been crying again.

He stood up to pick her up, cradling her to his body, his head leaning in to kiss her. "I need you too my wife. Lets get you in the bed. Tomorrow will be a busy day, you need all the rest you can get." They went to the bedroom and crawled into the bed together holding one another. Sookie held onto him and he fell asleep before she did, she watched him sleep for awhile before her eyes finally closed pulling her into a deep sleep.

Eric felt her body on his, her warm skin was next to his, going down his body. He could feel she had clothes on, he hated her dressed. Her body should never wear a stitch of clothes he thought and then his eyes popped open. "Sookie, no!" He was reaching down to pull her back up but she moved to avoid him.

"Stay were you are vampire. I need this as much as you do." She was between him spreading his legs apart. Her hands ran up and down his body, lightly scratching his cool skin. He tried to sit to pull her away from him but she pushed his hands away using her powers to strengthen the push. She could feel the muscles in his perfectly toned stomach, abs, arms. He had the most perfect body. Her vampire was so tall and handsome it was hard sometimes to look at him without sighing from his beauty. "I need to taste you Eric." She took her hand and gently ran it up and down his cock making it even more engorged then it already was. She leaned into his lap, taking her tongue to run circles on his tip, his juices were popping to the surface. "Mine Eric, this is mine." She licked his tip again. "This is mine." She licked the juice on him. "This is mine." She bit the sensitive skin of his thighs. "You are all mine." He growled loving what she was saying to him, giving into what she was doing. . Her mouth moved back down taking his length slowly into her mouth. Eric looked down and watched her place as much of him in her mouth as she could, her hand working the rest.

"Sookie, please. We shouldn't be doing this." His eyes glazed over at the feeling of her mouth bobbing up and down on him. His head flung back and he moaned, it felt incredible.

"Do you want me to stop sweetie? I will if you don't want me to touch you like this." Her mouth went right back to what it was doing on him. He grunted and groaned with the friction of her tiny mouth and tongue on his penis. "Do you want me to stop?"

His head was shaking back and forth hard. "No Sookie, no!" He looked down at her again and the smile on her face as she continued to pleasure him. "Your so beautiful Sookie." His head went back again and his hips were slowly moving with her rhythm. She began to pick the pace up, squeezing harder on him, sucking harder. Her fantastic mouth never giving up the pace. He felt it, he was ready, his hands grabbed the sheets under him and he wailed with orgasm that over took him, her taking every drop of him into her mouth. "Yes, Sookie!" When she was done she bit into his thigh while the waves continued over him, licking his blood making his body convulse and twitch hard and then he stopped as he fell back to the mattress.

Eric's eyes were closed and he was perfectly still. Sookie crawled back up him and laid against him. "Eric?" her hands were rubbing his chest.

"Yes, lover?" The sapphire eyes of her husband opened looking at her.

She giggled. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. Gracious plenty was calling to me. He looked like he needed attention." She laughed softly at her tease of him.

"I will show you what needs attention!" He whipped up, pulling her behind up and he lightly tapped her rear end like he would spank her and she laughed hard squealing to get away. "You my wife are long over due for a spanking." He stopped and rolled her to lay her flat on the bed looking her in the eyes. "Soon, lover, soon. I long for you, just looking at you I need to be with you. I crave you so deeply and I have very little will when it comes to you. Do not make this harder on either of us." Eric's long neck leaned into kiss her hard, Sookie responded and bit into his lip making him growl and deepen the kiss.

Sookie's eyes never left his, her hands were in his hair, his gorgeous hair. She pulled on it as to bring him closer to her. Not being able to take anymore she broke the kiss, slightly turning her head. She knew he needed her just as much as he did, his tongue licked the spot on her neck she knew he loved. The bite took her breathe away at first, the pleasure was catastrophic, she moaned with each pull she felt against her skin. Eric only took a little of her blood and began to lick her puncture to close it. He pulled back, breaking the skin on his wrist to give her more blood. He whispered to her. "Thank you." Turning her face to him she smiled up at him, gently kissing his lips before moving off the bed to go into the bathroom. Eric rolled away to his side of the bed. He heard the water turn on and she opened the door to the shower, his hands held onto the bed, keeping him in place. Every fiber of his being wanted to go to her in that shower but he shook his head no and closed his eyes. He knew he needed to distance himself so that she could heal and get stronger. His only option was to get up and leave the room so he did and went to the nursery to check on his children.

Lily was standing over the changing table with a fussing Erika. "Good morning Lily. I see Princess is being difficult this morning. Here, let me have her." Lily turned returning his greeting and moved out of his way. "What is this my little Princess? It is too early for your stubbornness. Tell daddy what the problem is little one." His hand was rubbing her belly and her face changed form to smiles. "There my girl is. You are too pretty to have such nasty looks on her face. It is time to get ready darling. We will be going with Amelia and Alcide today to get them married. Wouldn't you like that?" She was kicking and her little arms were going everywhere trying to talk to her father. Eric bent down to kiss her and she giggled up at him. He finished dressing her and picked her up. Enar was up on all fours in his crib rocking back and forth, Eric threw his head back at his son. "It is only a matter of time before we are chasing you isn't it my warrior?"

"Mr. Northman, let me take her. I will take them down for breakfast. We are all packed for the trip so we just need to finish breakfast and get in a short nap before we leave. You are leaving shortly to see the doctor?" He nodded and handed Erika to her and picked up his son to kiss him.

"Thank you Lily. We will leave at noon. Sookie and I are leaving in about a half hour." He handed Enar to her and went back to his room he shared with his wife. She was sitting at the dressing table finishing her hair. He came up behind her and kissed her neck quickly and went to get in the shower. When he came out she was dressed and sitting on the bed with Johan. They were engrossed in conversation, Johan's little hands holding his mothers. "Morning my son." Johan stood up and jumped to kiss his father, Sookie grabbed him around the waist giggling at him. Johan was chanting daddy over and over. After a quick kiss Eric went to the closet to get clothes for the day. He put on a black v neck t-shirt, dark blue jeans and black boots. He moved to the dressing table grabbing some of his hair gel and slicked his hair back with his fingers. Sookie moaned, he turned to smile at her. He found it fascinating that this woman found him so attractive. Woman were always telling how handsome he was but it was meaningless to him. The only opinion that counted sat on the bed with his son. "Thank you lover." He winked at her and walked to the bed grabbing Johan. "I am taking him down, are you ready to go?" She nodded her head slowly. He took her hand and led her down.

She sat in the chair across from Lily and ate her French toast and drank her coffee while Eric drank his True Blood so that they could leave. Her children were all in various stages of eating and all she could do is roll her eyes. Johan quickly picked up piece after piece of his French toast and bacon only to wash it down with milk in his sippie cup. Erika would tease her food, playing the game of moving her head when the spoon would come her direction before giving up and allowing the food in her mouth and Enar looked at the spoon seriously, open his mouth, take the food in and swallow quietly. Sookie found it comical that these three little beings each were so different but so much like her and Eric at the same time. It healed another crack in her heart. Eric was staring at her watching her children with a odd smirk on his face like he was enjoying what he saw in her. She pushed her plate away after eating every bite, she was full and ready to get moving to get this over with. "Are you ready Eric?" He nodded at her, addressed Lily and they went out the front door. Eric's corvette was sitting in the driveway. "Were not taking the security?" She looked confused.

"I thought we would enjoy the beautiful summer morning together, alone." His hand found hers walking her to the car. She felt like a teenager going out on a date, she giggled and leaned into him. She had forgotten what it was like, just the two of them out together. He helped her into the beautifully polished car, he came around and got inside starting leading it onto the road. "It has been a while since the two of us went anywhere alone isn't? I had forgotten what it was like our lives have changed so much in the last three years. Do not misunderstand, I would not change a thing but I sometimes spend so much time trying to protect us from the world I forget it is out there for us to live." He looked over at her looking at him almost looking shocked. "What is it?"

"Your amazing my Viking, just incredible. You always know what to do to help me, I don't know how you do it but you always do." She leaned over and kissed him softly before sitting back in her seat. He was smiling at her while holding her hand between shifts of the gears. In that moment they were just them, no vampires or responsibilities, just the two of them, at the beginning reminding her what started her journey with him. This incredible creature was more than she could ever had hoped for in her life. She felt her heart heal just a tiny bit more.

They were in front of the doctors, he pulled to park and came around to help her out. He held his hand out for her to take like he had done a thousand times before, she lifted her arm up and took it. Walking hand in hand into the building Eric took her to the desk and told the woman sitting looking up at them to let the doctor know they were there. Dr. Ludwig came out and called them back. Dr. Ludwig directed Sookie to undress and lay down on the table then told Eric to sit. She gave her a gown to put on and Eric helped her undress and neatly folded her clothes sitting them next to him. "You can do this lover, do not stress over this." He could feel her distress and tried to comfort her. She nodded and got on the table and laid down on it, waiting for the doctor.

Dr. Ludwig came back into the room with a nurse nodding at Eric. "Lets take a look shall we? How are you feeling Sookie?" The little doctor waited for the answer before touching her.

"I really feel better. I haven't been sore since I left the hospital and Eric is giving me blood a couple times a day. I have been eating better and boy, have I been sleeping." Dr. Ludwig nodded noticing her bruises under her eyes were almost gone today.

"Any discomfort? Cramping?" Sookie shook her head no. "How have your emotions been?"

She sighed and looked at her hands for a moment. "I cry. I can't help it, but I can't wallow in it. I have had a couple crying bouts but I try to cry and then let it go. Eric and the kids have been my rock." The doctor looked to Eric and he nodded confirming what she said. The doctor liked what she was hearing.

"You are stronger than you think little one. Who else would be able to tame the Viking?" Sookie laughed, Eric didn't, he just growled at the doctor. "Tell me it isn't so you big pain in the ass." Sookie grabbed her stomach laughing, Eric just shook her head. "Lay back now and lets take a look to what is going on." The doctor moved to cover her with a sheet and Eric moved closer to her to hold her hand. Sookie's legs were moved to the stir ups and the doctor did what she needed to do. They nurse gave her some sort of machine with a screen on it Sookie had never seen before. "With this device I will take a few pictures to check your healing. I believe Eric's blood will do the job but we want to make sure with this second scare there is no issues we could have headed off before hand." Sookie took a deep breathe waiting for the doctor to finish her examination.

Eric was pushing pride, strength and comfort to her. He smiled at her looking her in the eyes, then kissed her softly. Sookie was trying not to panic, she was frightened and Eric could feel she was frightened. He moved his hand to touch her temple kissing her speaking softly to her. "Your doing great my love. Just relax." Her eyes locked on his, her touch stone.

Dr. Ludwig stood up. "Dress and I will be back in a moment."

Eric lifted her off the table and helped her to redress. He handed her bra and panties, then helped her put on her dress bending to put her flats on her feet. Standing he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to sit on his lap waiting for the doctor.

The doctor came back alone. She pulled the little stool over to sit in front of them. "I want to see you a week from today. We will check again for the next few weeks just to make sure your healing is still going well. I do not see anything that would make me believe you will have any issues, but I want to stay on top of this. You have had two bad experiences so I think being proactive is best." Eric nodded.

"So, will I be able to have more kids if I don't have scarring? I want more kids." Sookie's voice was cracking.

"Yes, you will have more children as long as your healing continues the way it is. I see no reason why you will not. I want you to refrain from intercourse until I clear you. There are plenty of things I am sure you two can think to do without having intercourse, which is fine, you will have no issues from that type of sex. Understood?" Sookie giggled then looked at Eric and he nodded hard to her and she looked back at the doctor nodding to her.

Eric squeezed her hand before asking the doctor what he needed an answer to. "We would like to ask about birth control. What do you suggest?"

The doctor looked surprised. "Why do you wish to use birth control? I thought you wanted more children?"

"She needs time to heal does she not? I do not want this to happen to her again." Eric looked to Sookie who looked agitated at his wanting to use protection.

"I don't want to put her on the drugs unless it is something you wish to stop for long periods of time. If it is something you feel strongly about then we will do it but your gift may be fragile Sookie. I do not know the make up of it and I don't want to put restraints on it if it is unnecessary. How much time do you want?" Dr. Ludwig needed to know where she was it in her thoughts of how much time she wanted.

"I don't know. I just want to get healthy. A few months, I guess. I want the babies to be a bit bigger." Dr. Ludwig laid out some ideas of what they could use without putting her on the pill.

Sookie looked at Eric and he told her it was her decision. "Can we think about it and we can talk more about it next week?" Sookie was torn with wanting more kids and her need for some time. She would take the next week to come to terms with it. Dr. Ludwig agreed with her and told her to make an appointment for next week leaving them alone. "What do we do Eric? My heart tells me it isn't right, that if you and I make a baby it is meant to be and the other half of me tells me to take our time. Which way is the right way?" She needed him to help her with the decision, it wasn't for her to decide alone.

"I will not put your life in jeopardy again Sookie. If that meant we take drastic measures to stop having children then that is what we will have to do. I never want to be where we were a few days ago again. I would love to have more children but your body needs to get stronger. I will not sacrifice you to have more children. Lets wait till we get back from New Orleans and will make our choice. How is that?" She leaned in to kiss him.

They left the doctors and he got on the highway to head home. They were leaving to go to New Orleans in a couple hours and Sookie wanted to make sure they were ready. She and Eric had plans to visit with King Russell tonight at a party he was having and tomorrow was the big day, Amelia and Alcide were getting married. "I am so happy for Amelia. Who would have thought they would come into our lives and be like family to us. It is crazy." Eric nodded and pulled up to the house.

"My love I have a few things to do, get some lunch and lay down for a bit and I will wake you when we are close to leaving." He wasn't asking, he was telling her. She stuck her tongue out at him. She walked to the kitchen where Sergio had a plate already waiting for her. He nodded to her and she thanked him taking it and her glass of milk to the table to eat. It was wonderful chicken pita with vegetables, Sookie ate every bite.

Lily came to sit across from her. "How did your doctors appointment go?" Sookie smiled and told her great. "I am glad. We are all ready. The babies I just put down for their nap. You need yours and we will be good to go."

"Your so right. I am heading up. Eric is in his office so he will let you know when its time to go. I will see you in a bit." She handed Sergio the plate, thanked him again and went upstairs. She crawled in the bed and covered up falling asleep quickly.

She woke to her breasts being kissed. Her eyes tried to focus on what her husband was doing. "Eric?"

"I am here lover. I cannot resist these. They are so amazing." He kissed them both, playing with the nipple on each. She began to pant. He licked her shoulder, her stomach, slowly moving down her. Her body bucked under him. "Easy lover, let me love you." His hands touched her down to her curls, she began to pant in anticipation. He used his hand to open her to him and she pulled her legs up to open wider for him. His finger found her rock hard nub and he began circle it. Sookie's body was moving with the rhythm his fingers, her hips grinding. He slowed down and she moaned. Her build was fast but he wanted to slow her down just for a moment. Sookie wanted to touch him, needed to touch him, she broke the contact he had on her and moved to get on her knees in front of him, he moved to kneel in front of her. Her hand went to his cock, she took it in her hand and began to stroke him. His eyes closed and he grunted from her warm hands on his cool skin. His arm moved down to her folds and began to rub her while her hand moved back and forth on him. Sookie leaned closer to him to kiss his amazing lips, biting his bottom lip to draw his blood, she growled into his mouth, lapping up all the blood she could get. "Yes, Sookie." His eyes moved to lock her in his eyes. She couldn't look away from him his eyes were calling her. Their hands moved on each other strong and slow building them both up. Eric fangs found her tender skin behind her ear lobe and bit taking her sweet fairy blood into his mouth, Sookie took her hand and pulled his face to look back at her, her need to look at him was almost as much as what they were doing to each other.

"Mine." That was all Sookie needed, she began to reel from the word pushing her to orgasm, she never broke the speed of her hand on Eric to finish him, his scream bringing him to his finish. Eric's arms went around her quickly pulling her down against the mattress.

"Husband, I went to bed completely dressed, how did I lose my clothes?" She was trying to catch her breath.

He laughed at her realization he had gotten her completely naked before she woke. "I have my ways my love. They are a trade secret, never to be shared." She smacked at him and kissed him hard. "Move your behind my Queen. Shower and New Orleans." He pointed to the bathroom. She shook her head no. "You defy me you little vixen?" He was purring to her. "I have a great punishment in mind for you, now move it!" She giggled and rolled off the bed to get in the shower. Eric laughed at her silliness, he was the luckiest vampire in the world he thought. He got up to join her in the shower and found her holding onto the wall of the stall. "Sookie?" He almost pulled the door off the stall to get to her.

She put up her hand to stop him. "I am fine Eric. I just….." She shook her head.

"What is it Sookie?" He moved behind her to turn her around to look at him.

"I saw him." Her face looked indescribable.

He was shaking his head like she wasn't making sense. "Saw who? Who did you see?"

"Our next child, our son" Her eyes filled with tears.

Eric just stood looking at her shocked and pulled her to him holding her under the warm water. They stood like that until the water almost ran cold, Eric moved quickly to wash and shampoo them both before the heat ran out. He turned off the water and got towels to dry them off. Sookie was standing looking at herself in the mirror not sure if she was really looking at herself or she was dreaming.

Eric took her the bedroom and had her sitting on the bed drying her off. "Sookie, please tell me what your talking about."

Her eyes moved to look at his. "I saw him Eric, I felt him. His little face, I could see his eyes, your eyes Eric."

"Sookie, you had a vision?" She shook her head yes. Sookie didn't have visions, their children did, it was a power neither he or Sookie knew she possessed, but it made sense since at least two of his children had them. "What did you see?"

"I saw Johan first, maybe he helped me with this. He knows we lost the baby. I saw the twins, they were learning to walk. I saw his little face, we were bringing him home from the hospital." Eric was searching, figuring and if the twins were walking that meant she would be pregnant again in a few month. No, he thought to himself. It was too soon.

"No Eric, don't pick it apart ok? Just give me a minute."

"It is too early Sookie. No. I do not care what you saw, it is too soon." He was putting his foot down. In his mind he had already begun his defense for her, he was not going to let her get pregnant again. It wasn't worth her life and he knew he just needed to figure out how to convince her of the same.

She could tell his tone. He was dismissing what she was saying. His face had changed from her loving husband to the vampire King Eric, the one that ran states or ordered creatures into battle. There was no way she was talking anymore about this with this Eric, she wanted to let it go. "Your right." Her head shook and she got up off the bed to get dressed. Eric went to back into the bathroom.

In her mind she kept seeing the little baby, he was so handsome and strong. Rushing, she grabbed her clothes out of the closet. Today she planned on wearing a navy blue knee length dress.. It was crisp with white buttons up the front of it with a white thick belt, it had short sleeves. She put on a white bra and panty set, grabbed her shoes. She had her hair up and make up almost done when Eric entered the room again. "I am going downstairs to make sure every one is ready and to grab a snack. Do you need me for anything?" She turned to look at the somber Eric standing in front of her.

"No, I will be down in a few minutes. Alcide and Amelia should be here by now. " She nodded, grabbed her purse and quickly kissed him leaving him standing in the middle of the room.

Sookie could hear the voices of her family from the top of the stairs. She hustled down the stairs to find everyone sitting in the living room, Lily, Amelia, Alcide, her kids. Mark was standing in the corner of the room. They all looked happy. "Hey all!" She went and kissed each of her kids. "Amelia, can I talk to you a second?" Amelia looked to Alcide and stood following her out the sliding glass door to the back yard.

"What's up Sook?" Amelia looked concerned.

"How are you feeling?" She told her great. "Good. I don't want you to overtire your self." Amelia giggled at her. Amelia had the energy of ten people but it was nice Sookie was worried. "I had a vision Amelia."

She said it so matter of the fact it took Amelia a minute to realize what she was saying to her. Slowly Amelia responded. "You had a vision?"

"Yes, upstairs just now." Sookie looked at her friend who was looking seriously at her. "Don't look at me like that Amelia Broadway. I am not crazy. My kids all have visions but I am the one no one believes." Her foot stomped at her friend.

"I didn't say I didn't believe you, I just didn't know you could do that. I mean it makes sense since the babies do it, it isn't something Eric could give them because he doesn't have the power himself." Amelia's mind was doing what Sookie needed, she figured things out that baffled normal people. "What did you see?" Amelia was curious now and Sookie was thrilled.

"My next child, my son." Amelia gasped and looked into Sookie's eyes.

"Really? You saw another baby?" Amelia and Alcide talked about it, they were sure after all the trouble their friends had in the baby department Eric would put a stop to anymore kids. That was just his way.

"Clear as day. In the vision I was walking into this house with Eric carrying my new son. The twins were walking, you were there, your baby, Alcide. I saw it, I felt it. I could feel it like when I had that vision of Katie in the hotel." Sookie's mind was replaying the vision in her mind.

Amelia moved to take her hand. "Are you happy or sad about this vision?"

"Thrilled! Eric, not so much. He is pissed. I know he was up to something when he said he wanted to use birth control, that vampire thinks he can fool me. Can you imagine that sex fiend wanting to use a condom? Yeah, I see that happening." She and Amelia began to laugh like crazy. Amelia knew Sookie and Eric's sex life was really intense and more than frequent, they had girl talks about it from time to time.

"Alright, so what are you going to do? He has a right to his opinion doesn't he?" Amelia was going to play the devils advocate, give Sookie all the choices.

She looked around for a minute before answering. "Sure, but he will come back to my side, I can be sure of that. If there is one power I hold over that bad ass vampire it in the sex department, I believe with just the right stimulation I can get him to do just about anything!" They were laughing like hyenas when Eric stepped through the door.

"Ladies, were ready." He was still wearing his serious look. Sookie looked over to Amelia and they walked back in together avoiding Eric's face.

They loaded into the cars and headed to the airport. Sookie sat next to Eric holding Johan. The twins slept the entire ride. Amelia and Alcide sat together cuddled together. Sookie thought it was so sweet. The pilot announced they were landing before Sookie even noticed, she and Johan had talked and read his books until she had lost track of time. Eric had spent the entire time on the phone. When the plane landed they transferred to the waiting cars and headed to the mansion. Sookie watch the city as they drove. Johan chatted picking out things he saw as they drove. Sookie loved this time with her kids, time they spent just being normal. The car stopped and they were helped out of the car, Sookie took Johan's little hand and walked with him inside, Eric was behind her with the baby carriers, Lily, Alcide, Amelia, Mark and their security close behind.

Sookie let Johan go and he was off running, book in hand. Lily following. "Lily, I will take the babies up. Can you keep an eye on them please? Amelia and I have tons to do." Lily nodded at her. Eric walked with her to the nursery putting the babies up on the changing table to take out of their carriers. He undid the straps on Enar who was still sound asleep and placed him in his crib. Sookie went to get Erika who fussed for a minute but fell right back to sleep. They quietly left their sleeping children and went into the hallway. "Eric, is everything ok? You haven't said two words to me since this morning."

His face softened a bit leaning down to kiss her softly. "I am sorry lover, I have just been distracted. There is a lot going on all over. When we get home next week we will need to go to Vegas after your doctors appointment. I have pressing matters there that cannot be put off. Will that be alright?" She smiled, nodded and kissed him before walking away from him. "Sookie?" She turned to him. "I love you." She returned his words and left him standing there.