Thanks for the reviews! I knew you would love the last chapter. Who can resist lemony goodness with the Viking right? Yum.
Let me know what you think!
WARNING! ADULT CONTENT AND LEMONS!
Chapter 67
Sookie felt him stir next to her, she pulled the covers up, the room was dark. "What time is it?"
"Lover it is almost seven." He went to his closet and pulled out clothes. "Maybe you should stay home Sookie, you are tired."
"No, I want to go. Please." She sat up and stretched.
Eric looked at her. "Alright, we will leave in an hour. Get ready and go down to get something to eat before we go. I do not want you making yourself sick."
She giggled. "I will. I need to feed Gunnar first."
There was a knock on the door, Eric went to answer it. "Thank you Lily. I was just coming for him."
"He wouldn't take the bottle. I have tried, he fussed and cried. I thought he just wanted his mommy." She always had the sweetest voice Sookie thought.
Sookie saw Eric take Gunnar who looked on the verge of a major fit, his face was red, his fists were clenched and his legs were straight out. Eric shut the door and the baby started to fuss. "Now my son, your mother is right there. There is no need for such an attitude." Eric brought the baby to her. "Feed my son Sookie."
She looked up and frowned. "I think I got the memo Eric." Shaking her head she put her son to her. "Now, now pumpkin, mommy is right here." Looking down on the baby he was fighting against taking the nipple, his lips puckered like he was hungry but he didn't want to drink. Sookie put her hand on the back of his head to rub it and pull her closer. "Theres my good boy, come on baby. Eat for mommy." He fussed some more.
Eric sat next to her. "Is he ill?" Eric's hand went on the forehead of his son, he felt cool to the touch like he did.
Sookie smiled. "No, he is just mad. He didn't want the bottle, he wanted me and I overslept. I think we better take him with us tonight, I don't want to chance him getting upset again."
"Of course my son can see where daddy works, he can sit on the the throne with daddy. Would you like that my son?" Gunnar's face eased up and he started to smile. "Yes, he would. Look at that smile, my little vampire."
"The little vampire needs to eat. Come on baby." She watched her sons fangs come down and latch on. "See, that wasn't so bad now was it?" Gunnar made a sound that sounded like he was agreeing with her. Sookie looked up at Eric, his eyebrow went up.
"I heard it too lover. Are you trying to talk to us little one?" Eric touched his chin and tickled him.
Gunnar stopped eating for a second. "Um hum".
Eric and Sookie burst out laughing. "That's enough baby, eat because mommy needs to get ready. Daddy is going to show off and she has to doll up so daddy's eyes don't wander." Sookie giggled again.
"Do you need a paddling wife?" He grinned at her and finished getting dressed. He went to sit next to Sookie while the baby fed, when he was done Eric took him to the nursery to get him dressed for his night out with his parents.
Sookie picked out a opaque satin desginer dress, it hugged her wonderfully when she bought it and she hadn't tried it on since the baby. She got out a bra and panty set in white and put them on, the she slipped the dress over her head. It had a red belt, the length came to her knee, it was sleeveless and had a v-neck. Her breasts were still full as they were when she originally tried the dress on so she giggled at the amount of clevage she had. She put her hair in a messy updo, put on ruby with diamond earrings, red platform high heels and a clutch bag. It was a warm summer night and she knew Eric wouldn't be taking the corvette because of the baby so she opted for no wrap or sweater. She went down the stairs and Nigel, Mark and Alcide were standing at the bottom of the stairs. The three of them looked up and their mouths dropped open. Alcide actually whistled at her.
"Mutt, do not try it. I will shave you bald if you continue looking at my wife that way." Eric came behind them with the baby who was dressed in a Fangtasia t-shirt in white with black lettering, jeans and little black and white Nike tennis shoes.
"Eric, you really need to make her stay home. You cannot take her out in public like that unless you take every guard we have with you." Nigel smirked.
Sookie took the last step and smiled. "Ah, thank you boys. Do you like the dress?" She turned around knowing it would drive Eric crazy showing off for the males.
Mark shook his head and looked at Eric. "I hate you." He stomped out of the room.
Sookie giggled as she watched her friend leave. "Maybe I should change."
Amelia came in from the kitchen with Adam who had a slice of apple chewing on it. "Sookie if you change that dress I will never speak to you again." She turned to her husband. "Alcide Herearux, you better put your tongue back in your mouth before I do it for you." She giggled and came to stand next to him.
"My love, are you ready to go?" Eric walked to her and took her hand.
Smiling she nodded. "Yes, we better go before I get myself and everyone else in trouble." Sookie put up her index finger and went into the living room where the kids were watching a movie with Lily. She kissed her children and told them she would see them later and she loved them. They smiled and told her goodbye. Sookie was back in the foyer and next to Eric.
Nigel picked up the car seat, diaper bag and Sookie's computer bag then lead the way to the waiting SUV. Eric helped Sookie in while Nigel waited then put the seat in next to Sookie so it would be between them for the ride. Eric got in and held the baby in his lap. Gunnar was wide awake and looking at everything around him. "You look amazing Sookie, I was only giving Alcide a hard time for whistling at you." Nigel stifled a laugh from the drivers seat. Thalia remained quiet next to him.
She took his free hand and squeezed it. "I know, I wanted to look nice for you tonight. I guess I went overboard."
His fangs came down. "Not at all. Every creature at the bar will be jealous of me. You are the most beautiful creature I know." He pulled her hand up to his face and kissed it. They were only on the road a few minutes and when they pulled into the back parking lot the car was parked in Eric's usual spot. Nigel had the car parked and their vampires were on each side of the car in seconds.
Nigel opened the car door. "My Queen, let me help you out." He smiled at her as he held his hand out and she took it getting out. Reaching in he grabbed Gunnar's carrier and the bags. Nigel walked closely behind her as she fell in step next to her husband. They were ushered in the back door and into the office quickly. Nigel and Thalia left to stand guard outside the door.
When they got in Eric's office Felicia was at the door. "Good evening your Majesties. Can I get you something?"
Sookie nodded before Eric could. "Hi Felicia, I am glad to see you." She smiled brightly at the pretty vampire. "I would like a coke, give Eric a blood and can I big salad? I am starving."
Felicia smiled and nodded leaving them alone. "I am sorry my love, I should have made sure you ate something before we left." Sookie shook her head at her husband. Eric sat with Gunnar on his lap and began working. Gunnar was fascinated by all the items on Eric's desk, he kept smacking his hands on the top of it in his excitement. Eric would lean down and whisper in his son's ear making him squeal.
Sookie sat back and watched her vampires, they were enjoying their time together. Felicia came back with their drinks and Sookie's salad. "Thanks Felicia. I appreciate it."
"Nonsense my Queen, you just call me if you need anything else." Felicia was looking at the baby. "He is beautiful Mistress." Felicia smiled down at Sookie.
"You havent meet Gunnar have you?" Sookie stood and went to take him from Eric for a moment. Eric was grinning at his son. "He is our vampire. Say hi to Felicia pumpkin." Gunnar was reaching out and smiling. Their son made a sound that almost sounded like hi. Everyone laughed and Gunnar's fangs popped at the attention.
Felicia put her hand out and took his hand. "Wow, he is a vampire isn't he?"
Eric nodded. "Yes, full like vampire me." Eric came around the desk and wanted to see if she sensed him like Pam and Nigel had. "You can sense him too?"
Felicia looked up at Eric. "Actually he smells incredibly like you Master just different, I suppose that is his scent." Gunnar had her finger holding it tight.
"That is what every vampire who has come in contact with him has said. Thank you Felicia." Eric nodded to her and she said her goodbyes to the baby then she was gone. Eric reached over to take his son and held him tight to him. "Wife, sit and eat please. Gunnar and I have work to do for a bit then we will go out to the entertain the vermon."
Sookie turned and sat down on the couch. She picked up her salad and dug in making a "um" sound. Eric laughed at her. "What?" Sookie asked.
"I tried to figure out where Johan and Gunnar got that sound they made. It is from you." He smiled at her.
She turned her head not sure what he was talking about. "What sound?" She took another bite.
"That humming you do when you eat. My children do that too." Eric kissed the side of his sons face and went back to work.
Sookie finished her food and stood to get her bag next to the couch. She took her laptop out and checked some emails. Sookie was sending a text to the King of Michigan when she felt eyes staring at her. She looked up and her vampires were looking at her. "Eric, why are staring at me?"
His fangs were down. "You look very efficient sitting there working my love."
"Shelf that thought mister, your son is here tonight." She giggled and finished her text.
"Who are you texting?" He sat back still looking at her.
"Michigan." Her fingers still on the keyboard.
Eric was curious now. "Is there an issue?"
Sookie nodded her head. "He is having a problem with the Sheriff of Area 1. The Detroit is having struggling and he would like to meet with us for help. The King feels his Sheriff could take a page out of the Eric Northman Sheriff guide book he says." Sookie giggled.
"He said that?" Eric smirked.
"Yep, got it right here. Eric Northman guide book." She turned her phone so he could see it.
Eric laughed. "Very well. Tell him to bring his Sheriff and be here before Saturday. We leave for Texas on Sunday so we need to take care of it before than."
"Already did. I knew you would want to see him." She was still typing.
"You knew I would meet with him?" Eric tilted his head.
Sookie set the phone in her lap. "Yes, you would never turn a Kingdom away that asked for your help. That is why you are the King." She smiled.
"I suppose I have gotten predictable then?" He asked her.
She smiled. "Not at all, trust me but where it comes to something like this you would do what is right and that would be meeting with the King."
He nodded and opened the email Amelia had sent him with Sookie's choices for them to attend. "My love, this calendar is full."
She looked up at him not sure what he was talking about. "What?"
"Our appearances from Texas and the following sixty days." His mouse was clicking as he reviewed what he saw.
"There was a lot of things we turned down. We had to make sacrifices about what was more important. Fund raisers took precedence over tea parties Eric. I want my kids to be part of important things not fluff." She took her laptop out and opened the lid.
"I expected to see a few dates not this. Are you sure you are up to all of this?" He kept reviewing.
Sookie pointed out some key dates to him. "Yes, I can handle it besides there are not all events the kids have to go to which is fine. Some are more adult evenings that you and I have to go to. Mississippi invited us to a party which I accepted but I am not taking the kids there even though he requested them. Russell is still on my shit list." She covered her mouth. "Sorry baby." Gunnar giggled.
Eric laughed too. "I agree, he is letting his Lieutenant run things during his punishment but I do not want to let our guard down there. We will ear mark that one to make a final decision closer to the date." Sookie typed on her computer to note Eric's request.
They spent about an hour going over the dates and talking about business. Eric kept thinking how much she had learned over the last three years, she knew what needed to be done concerning issues with the royals or the Kingdoms. Sookie made really wise decisions and didn't take any nonsense from them. She could be lenient but she was swift with her decisions. When they were done Eric logged off his computer. "Ready to go out my love?"
"Let me feed him first so that he doesn't fuss." Sookie held her arms for him.
Eric brought the baby over and sat with her on the couch. "Did you bring a bottle?" He asked her.
She smiled. "No, I am going to breast feed him." Giggling she looked at him strangely. "Why?"
"I do not want you to ruin your pretty dress." Eric's fangs were down.
Turning she pointed to the zipper and he unzipped it for her. She pulled the material down then lifted her bra to feed her son. Sookie put a towel under her son so he wouldn't make a mess on either of them. "He wont, he is too greedy to spill any." She winced. "Easy there pumpkin."
Eric leaned over. "Is he biting?"
She nodded. "Yes. Ow." Wincing again she sat back.
Eric moved closer and pulled her into his arms. "I am sorry he is hurting you my love."
"It just stings a second, his saliva closes the bites now so it doesn't bother me." She held the baby tight to her and the other hand she put on Eric's leg. Leaning against him she let her husband hold her tight.
Eric's phone rang and he answered it not moving from the embrace. "Pamela."
"Master. I am sure you will be hearing a rumor about Mr. Compton." Pam giggled.
Eric closed his eyes. "What would that be?"
"I had all of his clothes removed from the palace and replaced with vintage dresses, he must only wear dresses since he acts like such a bitch he needs to dress appropriately." Eric's child purred.
Eric closed his eyes and tried not to laugh. "What did you do?"
Pam was dead serious. "This is just the beginning of his torture, trust me. He will learn his place and quickly. This is the fun part, the next things I have planned for him will be much more painful."
Sookie was shocked, she could hear the conversation loud and clear. Eric looked at Sookie and shrugged. "I am sure he will not be contacting me. I believe your imagination is too twisted for words Pam."
That made her burst out laughing. "Yes, well I have learned from the best."
"How is Nevada?" Eric changed the subject.
"Fine, we are having no issues. I have some news though." Pam was happy and Eric waited for the bad news, Pam was never happy. "I have found my replacement."
Eric closed his eyes. "Who?"
"Duncan." She said nothing else.
"Is he state side?" Eric grinned.
"Yes, he called me yesterday, I thought you would be happy with that."
"Tell him I will meet with him on Monday. I am pleased he is back." They said their goodbyes.
Sookie had Gunnar sitting on his diapered behind on her lap burping him. "What are you two doing to Bill?"
Eric laughed and leaned over to kiss her. "Compton needs a reality check. I put Pam on it."
Sookie laughed and shook her head. "He is in big trouble." Eric nodded.
Eric took his son from Sookie, she fixed her bra and turned for him to re-zip her dress. They went out to the bar. Nathan was behind the bar directing the employees. "Good evening your Majesties." He bowed to them.
Eric nodded and Sookie smiled. "Hi Nathan, did the new waitress come in?"
"She will be here in about thirty minutes. I will let you know as soon as she gets here." He went back to work and Eric took his wife to the stage, helped her up and in her seat. Eric sat next to her with Gunnar on his lap.
The crowd was thick, the creatures were turning and talking about the new addition with them on the stage. Sookie let her shields down instantly to make sure she caught anything before it happened. Eric leaned over. "Relax my love, no one is going to hurt him." She turned to look at them, both of them had their fangs down and she smiled.
Males, females, humans, vampires were all looking. Some were curious others unsure of the child. Gunnar was smiling, Eric was holding him tight and talking into his ear. Sookie watched her son turn his face to his father and Eric would say something to him. They both were handsome Sookie thought. A female approached the stage, Eric hissed, Sookie was about get defensive, Nigel had her arm to pull her away, Sookie stopped him. "I just want to say I think its great you guys had him. Maybe people will be more accepting of vampires now." She looked to be in her mid twenties, she wasn't dressed in the usual fangbanger garb, she was in a dress pants and a silk blouse. Her red hair straight down her back.
Sookie smiled. "Thank you Kim. That is what we hope too." The young woman stepped away from the stage. Eric looked over at Sookie and smiled.
They sat and talked about nothing in particular. Gunnar was having the time of his life, he was smiling and giggling. Creatures would walk past and he would make all kinds of noise. Sookie was talking to Eric about the magic she and Amelia had been practicing when Gunnar started to hiss. Sookie was shocked, Eric pulled his son quickly to him and went into attack mode. His eyes began to scan the crowd and found what his son was hissing at. Eric looked to Sookie. "Lilith."
Sookie looked out into the crowd and then found the tall, beautiful blonde woman standing at the bar giving Eric the fuck me look. Gunnar was still hissing, Sookie leaned over and took his arm. "Pumpkin, mommy and daddy got it, we are ok." He looked at his mother and leaned into his fathers chest. "Are we going to have trouble with her?" Sookie asked Eric.
"I thought she would have gotten the message the other night. Let me take care of it." He started to stand and Sookie put her hand up.
"No, please let me." She grinned and stood. Nigel was standing on the side of the stage, he helped her down and was beside her, Thalia too. Sookie walked to the woman and smiled. "Hello Lilith."
She looked down at Sookie dismissing her. Nigel hissed. "Nigel, do not try to intimidate me. Hello Thalia." Lilith flashed her fangs at Sookie trying to intimidate her. "You must be the one who called me, what was it Shelly?"
Sookie smiled. "Sookie. That would be Sookie Northman to humans. To you it is my Queen or your Majesty."
Lilith waved her hand in the air like she didn't care what Sookie had to say. Nigel moved forward. "I am going to warn you once Lilith, you disrespect my Queen and I will kill you where you stand." His face was distorted more than Sookie had ever seen.
At least Lilith wasn't stupid, she must have known his reputation so she took a second look at Sookie. "Nigel, Eric would never get married, he cant have children. What kind of game is this?"
Eric came up behind Sookie. "Why are you here Lilith?"
She smiled and purred. "I missed you. I have been gone for awhile and thought you would like to see me."
Shaking his head Eric gave her a dirty look. "Lilith, Sookie did not lie to you. She is my wife and my bonded. This is my son, Gunnar."
Lilith blinked. "She is your bonded?" She looked devastated. "You bonded to her? Eric?"
Sookie could tell the vampire was crushed. Eric handed Gunnar to Thalia who he instructed her to take to Pam's office and was gone in a flash, Eric stepped in front of Sookie. "Lilith you need to leave."
"Eric, you cant have children! Stop this! It is not funny." She was getting angry and fast.
Sookie came around, Eric grabbed her arm. "He isn't lying to you. You need to go."
Lilith hissed at Sookie. "You have no right speaking to me you whore!"
Nigel moved so fast he almost knocked Sookie over, he had Lilith pinned to the bar about to twist her head off. "Let her go Nigel." Sookie said to him. He began to twist harder. "Nigel, let her go." Sookie put her hand on his back to make the connection to him. He turned slightly to look at her, his hand dropped from her neck. Sookie moved forward. "I can let him kill you, is that what you want?"
She rubbed her neck and narrowed her eyes. "I do not know how you tricked him but I will find out. You will regret this." Lilith was gone in a blur.
Sookie rubbed her face. "Why is it all your girlfriends are psychos Eric?"
"Because they have all slept with me." He was dead pan serious. Nigel burst out laughing.
"Yes, the Viking is the master of that domain is he not?" Nigel grinned.
"Nigel!" Sookie laughed.
"What? Every woman and man would like to get a piece of him. If I were not straight I would, I have heard the stories like everyone else." Nigel wasn't going to let it go. Sookie slapped his arm and looked at her husband. He stared at where Lilith was standing.
"Excuse us." Sookie said and took Eric's hand to pull him into the back. When they were inside Sookie pushed him onto the couch and straddled his lap. "Are you ok Eric?"
He looked up at her and nodded his head. Sookie could feel the regret his former life seemed to throw at them. "Yes, I am fine."
"Sweetie, I am not mad. I know you had nothing to do with her coming here. She wanted to see you with her own two eyes. You cant blame her." Sookie kissed him.
"I regret that these creatures upset you. Had I known….." Eric began.
Sookie stopped him. "Eric, you could have never known you would meet me and have kids. I mean sure you had that whole cryptic AP telling you one day you would but you lived seven hundred years before you did. Give yourself a break. You are a male with needs, really powerful needs and I get that. Each experience you had brought you closer to me."
He smiled. "You are so incredible."
She shook her head. "I let her go this time Eric, but if she comes at me or my family again I wont be so nice."
"Understood." He hugged her.
"Did you care about her?" Sookie looked up at him.
Eric sighed. "She has good qualities about her."
Sookie laughed. "You are terrible."
He pulled her back and looked her in the eye. "Sookie, you could put each woman I had sex with together and they combined could never hold a candle to you."
Laughing Sookie laid her head on his chest. "You say the sweetest things." She moved under them, her hand went to his zipper and unzipped him. "Eric." Her eyes locked into his. "We have to hurry, Gunnar is waiting for us."
Eric's fangs came down, he pushed her skirt up more and moved her underwear out of the way and guided her down on him. He closed his eyes and moaned quietly. "I can barely contain myself lover, I will be coming in you quickly. I have needed you for hours."
She giggled and pushed up and down on him, her arms wrapped around him. "I know sweetie, I need you too." Her body found its pace quickly.
He grinned and caught her bottom lip with his teeth. He pulled her into a kiss while she move up then down on his cock over and over. His hand was still under her, his fingers stroking her nub. "Sookie, you are mine!" Sookie kept her eyes on his, they never looked away from each other while they loved each other. Eric's fingers rubbed her fast making her bite her tongue to keep from screaming as she climaxed, Eric released right behind her whispering her name into her ear. "I love you Sookie."
"I love you so much Eric." She held onto him for a few minutes then stood up to get straightened up. "Gunnar is getting upset, hurry." Sookie looked at Eric concerned. He was zipped and out the door in a blur.
Sookie followed behind, she could hear her son, he was crying blood red tears. Eric had him in his arms comforting him. Eric looked at her as she came in. "Thalia had him asleep in the portable crib, she said he just woke crying."
"He is scared." She walked to him in Eric's arms and looked him the eyes. "Baby, mommy and daddy are right here. See. Daddy say something to him." Sookie looked at Eric.
"My son, it is alright now. Daddy is here, now no more crying." Eric rubbed his back trying to get his son to stop being upset.
Sookie leaned in and kissed the baby, he started to sniffle. "Your ok pumpkin." Sookie went to Pam's desk and pulled some tissue out of the box and wiped her sons face. "There is my pretty boy, he was buried under those tears." She tickled his side. "Here sweetie, let me take him and wash his face. You need to change your shirt, he got tears all over you."
"I do not care about my shirt my love, I am only concerned as to what upset my son." Reluctantly he handed the baby to Sookie who held him out a little so she didn't get blood on her dress, she went to the employee bathroom to clean Gunnar's face.
While Sookie was wiping his face she began to get an odd feeling. She turned to look behind her, it was almost felt like something was behind her staring at her. "Huh, that was weird." She said to the baby and dried him off and head back to the office. Eric was pacing the room. "He's fine. Want to sit with daddy pumpkin?" Eric reached out for his son, Eric's face still worried.
"Are you sure he is alright Sookie? He never gets upset." Eric was looking down on his son who was getting sleepy.
"Eric, he is a baby, he has never been here, maybe he woke up and just got scared." Sookie touched her husbands arm to try and comfort him.
There was a knock and Eric told them to come in. Nathan stood in the doorway. "My Queen, the new waitress is here."
"Oh, ok. Ask her to have a seat in Eric's booth and I will be right out. Thank you Nathan." She smiled at him, he nodded and left. "I am going to go out and check this new hire. You stay here with him, I will take Nigel with me ok?"
Eric nodded. "Alright, when you are finished we can leave to go home, I want take my son home."
She smiled, kissed them both and went out the door. Nigel fell in line next to her. Thalia stayed at the door to protect Eric and the baby. Sookie stepped into the bar area, Nathan nodded to the booth. There was a blonde sitting at the booth, Sookie put her shields down, she only got the girls name, Jody. She walked to the booth and smiled. "Hi Jody, I am Sookie." She held her hand out to the woman who was in her mid twenties.
The new waitress looked her up and down and took her hand. "Hi Sookie."
Sookie narrowed her eyes, this woman was really hard to read. Why? "I am going to ask you some questions alright?" Jody nodded to her. "Why do you want to work here?"
Jody smiled. "I am trying to buy a house so I want to get an evening job that pays good to help with that."
"Do you work anywhere else?" Sookie kept her eyes on her.
She shook her head. "No, this will be my only job."
Sookie smiled. "Have you worked for vampires before?" Jody shook her head again. The vibe Sookie was getting was odd. It almost felt like when she was in the bathroom with Gunnar. Sookie looked at Jody. "Excuse me for a moment please." Standing Sookie went to the bar. "Nathan, why did she say she wanted to work here?"
Nathan looked to the waitress then to Sookie. "She said she is going back to school and wants the money to pay for tuition."
"Nathan, are you sure that is what she said?" Nathan didn't get a chance to answer, the blast that hit Sookie in the back almost knocked her to the ground, Sookie whipped around to see Jody coming at her, Nigel was moving forward. Sookie's hand opened up and her light appeared, she threw it. Patrons were screaming and running everywhere. Jody was down on her knees, the light engulfed her. Eric was in the bar now rushing to Sookie.
Eric's face was twisted with concern. "Sookie, are you alright?" He was turning her, he could smell the blood. "Nigel! Get the car, she is bleeding!"
Sookie felt a little wobbly but she ignored everything only going forward to Jody. Sookie pushed against Eric, she needed to get at Jody. The woman was holding the sides of her head. "Why are you here?" Sookie yelled at her.
Jody was shaking her head, tears coming down her head. "Punishment, you need to die."
Sookie was getting light headed. "Who sent you?"
Jody looked up at her. "Please, kill me, I will be tortured if you don't."
Eric was yelling at her, he was standing in front of her telling her she was bleeding, Sookie didn't care, her arms pulling away from his grasp. He was telling her they were leaving. "No! Not until I know who sent her." She opened her hand again, she was really losing her fight on the pain, she was sweating and felt like she was going to throw up. "You have two seconds to tell me."
Jody looked at her. "Niall….." Before she could say anymore two males, both appeared at the same time reached through Sookie's light and pulled Jody out and they disappeared. "Crap!" Sookie's knees buckled, Nigel caught her before she fell to the ground.