A/N: Sorry I've been absent for so long. Things have been crazy at work, home and everywhere in between. You must all be pretty masochistic to put yourselves through this. I have decided to focus on one story at a time, and right now this one is my favorite. We left our favorite couple right after a bit of claiming. Sookie has expressed a change of heart in letting Eric turn her. This should be interesting.

Eric's POV:

I was fairly certain that Sookie was experiencing some sort of head trauma. It could have been during the flight here. Then again, it could have been from pounding her into the glass. The tiniest combination of hope and anxiety slip through the bond before I can close it off. Though it pains me, I can't let her know how I feel during this conversation.

She was still turned toward the window, leaving me with a choice view of her voluptuous backside. In the dark, her slightly mussed tresses fall right at her shoulder blades. I find myself in awe of her small delicate frame accentuated only by the light outside.

I can tell that she is eagerly waiting for my answer even though she hasn't moved yet. Her shoulders are tensed and her back straight. She is rubbing the sides of her arms in a defensive stance. It occurs to me that she thinks I will refuse her.

"Lover, I have been waiting to hear you say those words for what seem like ages." She turned and smiled, but before she could take a step towards me, I continued, "I am, however, concerned with your reasons for it." The pout and anxious eyes that result from this sentence are quite adorable, but I hide my amusement and motion for her to sit on the sofa with me.

"Eric, do I really need to go into an speech on 'Why I Want to Be a Vampire?'" She made a gesture with her fingers that was unfamiliar to me, but I continued to look straight at her, not bothering to answer the question. She heaved an exasperated sigh before continuing.

"Ok, fine. I have several reasons that I want you to turn me. I think since you're such a pragmatist you would agree with me that safety is a big concern. I've had more near death experiences in these past few years than I've had in my whole life. At least I'd be a little better equipped to take on whoever is set on killing me."

"You wouldn't need me to turn you for that. Besides, lover, vampires have their own weaknesses as you well know by now. How old do you think Lorena was when you staked her?"

"How did you know about that?" Her eyes widened considerably.

"Dear one, I have not survived over a thousand years by being an idiot. It was a simple conjecture, but your reactions whenever I've brought the 'vampire ho' up have been very telling."

"Ok, well maybe I'm still not as safe, but I'd be a little more resistant to getting shot and beaten up right?"

"I suppose you would require less rescuing."

"Honey, I'm tired of being a damn punching bag. I want to be able to defend myself against vampires and Weres."

"I don't believe the benefits outweigh the downsides in terms of safety lover. You could just as easily move into my house and I could instruct you on defensive techniques."

"Eric that's not the same and you know it!" She was beginning to get a little shrill. I gave her a little time to cool down before motioning for her to continue.

"It would certainly be a learning experience for me. You could teach what it means to be a vampire."

"You would most likely find some of those lessons undesirable and tedious."

"What the hell Eric? The way you're talking it sounds like you're the one who doesn't want to turn me."

"I want you to be sure. I want you to know what sacrifices you would have to make. You would never be able to lay in the sunshine. You couldn't work for the shifter anymore…"

"Why the hell not?" She stood up abruptly to begin looking angrily down at me. I continued to stay seated until she started waving her finger in front of my face while ranting about her independence. I stood up and bellowed, "Sit down Sookie." She clearly wanted to argue with me about bossing her around, but understood from my tone that I was dead serious.

"You will not work for the shifter because, as I have said before, it is beneath you already. No child of mine will act subservient towards a mangy dog. You would also be expected to come into Fangtasia with me. I wouldn't let a young vampire out of my sight for a second. Especially not you. You seem to attract the worst sort of trouble to you like a magnet."

The fire went out of her eyes and she looked down at the floor as if I had hit her.

"I didn't realize I was such a burden." There wasn't a hint of anger in her words. She felt genuinely hurt that I had brought it up. I knelt down and turned her chin up to look at me. Her fingers clenched the side of the couch as I brought her lips to mine. "Do you really believe that you are a burden dearest? I don't think you are. You are a sweet and gentle soul that is trying to adapt to the constantly changing world around you. Have no doubt that I would turn you in a second…" I seemed to be at a loss as to how to continue on.

"But?" She cradled her legs to her chest like a child.

"I will not turn you after one conversation Sookie. I believe you need to understand the expectations that would be placed upon you, should you decide to take such a step. We will talk no more of this tonight. Tonight all you need to know is that I love you and will care for you until the day you die, whenever you choose that to be. Take heart, dear one, not many people have a choice. This is my gift to you. If you truly desire to be my child, I will follow you into the dark. I have much of the world to show you."

Her eyes shifted from my hand that she was clenching to my eyes throughout this conversation. I could only hope that she understood how sincerely I wished to turn her. I will use this precious time to make her feel that I can support her, no matter what her needs entail.

"In the meantime, I have a surprise for you, lover."

A/N:

"If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied,

Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs.

If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks,

Then I'll follow you into the dark" – Death Cab For Cutie

What do you think? Is it fair of Eric to make Sookie wait to be turned? Did he make some fair points? Do you have a "Why I Want to Be a Vampire" speech? What do you think Eric's surprise is going to be? Let me know :D

Love,

PIP