Summer Ball Part 2

Disclaimer: Sookie Stackhouse - Southern Vampire Mysteries belong to Charlaine Harris.

Chapter 30

Eric's Point of View

Only when sun was half way up in the sky did the celebrations begin: mid-morning. As always in tradition, we Royals, my brother and I, now with our respective woman on our arms, made our way from the vast hall. With my people behind me, we make our way through the Castle grounds and into the beautiful gardenslit up by the sun. The gardens that my mother loved and spent any free time in she could.

Only when the sun reaches its highest point mid-day, do Sookie and I plan to give our news, with the sun shining down brightly upon us, the warmth of her rays hugging our skin giving us strength, warmth and courage.

As King I naturally begin the celebrations and open the first dance of the day. I lead Sookie into the middle of the ring of my court and hold her close to me, my arms protectively around her waist obscuring any on looker's views, protecting my baby from view. I wasn't ready yet and I knew Sookie was feeling self-conscious too.

She was really starting to show now and with her beautiful dress, you could just see our baby growing through the material if you looked hard enough. Sookie is petite and slim, though since her body is well toned, her pregnancy won't be as obvious as some for a while still.

We aren't complaining though because we love having the privacy of this experience to ourselves without having the whole world knowing about our are able to enjoy the news and get used to the idea of tiny little feet running round our chamber without a ton of stress and pressureon top of all the other shit her great-grandfather and cousin piled upon us.

I know things are going to change after today. Things will be is coming, and I wonder if this was what Niall has been going on about. This feeling I'm getting, I wonder if this is the warning he keeps reminding me and Sookie of. It is coming into the fifth month of Sookie's stay here. I feel my grip tighten on her waist and move my arm around her securely.

"What's wrong Eric?" Sookie asked, worry and concern clear in her voice. My eyes snap up to meet hers.

"Nothing to worry your pretty head over, lover." I say to her. A flash of hurt passes through her pretty blue eyes and I press my lips to hers, resting my forehead against her own and look deep into her eyes.

"Please don't be offended lover, I was just deeply lost in my thoughts, regarding events after today, and including today." I sigh.

"Ah," She say's as if she knew what I was thinking. Our eyes lock with each other's and a look of understanding passes between us.

"I worry too you know. I have a vague idea of what my grandfather and Claudine are going on about but I'm not one hundred percent sure.I am also afraid for us, and for our baby, and for what the future holds. How things…will be if I…when I return". Part of me doesn't want to leave this time, but a part of me knows I'll eventually return regardless of my wishes." she whispered, her eyes cast down.

I pull her closer to me, taking her chin gently in my hand, and lift her face up to mine so she'd have to look into my eyes.

"Sookie, whatever happens we know there's a chance we'll end up together. You yourself knew me when you first came here. So something tells me I'll be therein your time with you, though I do not know how, no matter how many theories and ways I've gone through in my head. Niall and Claudine have assured us our son or daughter will be safe and well. No matter what happens, no harm will come to our baby. I understand its natural for a mother to worry, but I heard how sure and positive Niall was when he told us he or she will be fine no matter how things turn out. I didn't mean to worry you lover, but time has gone quickly and we are close to edging into the fifth month of your stay here, and I remembered your grandfather saying that danger will become more noticeable in this upcoming month. As a King, it's my duty to avoid danger; to keep my people safe, to keep my family safe, and it's frustrating not knowing what that danger is because your cryptic grandfather and cousin still wouldn't say what that danger is. So I've been trying to peace it together."

They'd stopped dancing now and stood a little to the side of dancers, theirwhispered conversation thank fully went unheard due to the sound of loud music, talk and laughter coming from those around them.

Eric led Sookie to the outside of the dancers and walked her over to a bench by the river a little distance away from the crowd. They'd been dancing for a good hour, by the looks of the sun. He could tell she was becoming tired and knewthey'd have to withdraw from the dancing soon anyway, so he decided now would be best to take a breather.

"How are you and our baby?" He asked her after they both sat down; his hand resting on her belly that showed more noticeably when she sat down on the bench. Sookie's hand rested over his.

"We are very well this morning, a little tired." Sookie admit, smiling up at him through her eye lashes. He leaned into kiss her.

"I figured you'd need a rest soon, and after our conversation earlier I felt it best we sat down now, before we stressed each other out with worrying about things that might never happen, the so called dangers and things, plus we still have Sophia to deal with. I didn't want you stressing and reading into too much detail about things that haven't even happened yet." Eric said. Sookie rested her head against his shoulder.

"I understand, but sometimes it seems both our minds just go into over drive and we get lost too deeply in our thoughts and think way too much and read into things to soon, before they even happen. I guess we are just cautious, weary and strong minded people." He took her chin in his hands and turned her head, to press a kiss to her lips.

"Which is why you will make a great Queen, plus with your loyalty, love and un-judging accepting character we'll both go a long way. Before I met you, I was broody,had a temper, lonely and thrust into the throne with a crown on my head, which I didn't want, or at least, didn't want at the time. With you here, it's made it more bearable, more enjoyable to get out of bed every day, to face the vermin, and be put on display so the people can see royalty, to see I am not week, to see I'm still a strong fighter, and King. You make me all those things Sookie. You and our baby are my life and no matter what happens, I know that some how we'll always be together, no matter what the god's throw at us." Sookie had tears down her cheeks flowing freely from her eyes.

"You've made me a better man Sookie and for that I'll be forever grateful. You will be the only woman in my life! I haven't looked at another in the same way since I started having the dreams about you before you even came here. I just had this feeling you were special and were meant for me and now you're here. You have changed me for the greater good,are carrying my child and will soon be my wife."

He cupped both her cheeks in his large hands and whipped the tears away.

"Oh Eric, I wish I could tell you how I was before I met you but I'm afraid it will change the future too much. All I can say is that I was constantly running around after other people who took me for granted, pushed me around and used me when they needed something.I only truly ever had two friends and one person I could always rely on and call my friend and confidant. My when she was killed, I became lonely and my brother became distant and things started changing. Then he came to town and brought me into a life I never truly believed existed which is when I met you, who pushed my buttons, tested waters around us. I just hope and pray every day that things will turn out the way we've been brought to believe they'll turn out. "She said as honestly as she could without trying to give anything away.

"Who is this he?" Jealousy clear in his voice. She sighed, typical Eric.

"A man I wish not to speak of and hope if what my great-grandfather says is true, things will be different when I return. I hope the way we meet will be different too and it won't be through this man."

"I do too. I get the feeling this man is not good news?" I said to her. He watched as Sookie's eyes went hard and her pretty face turned cold.

"No." He knew judging by her tone that this was the end of that topic.

Eric glanced up at the sun and she was close to reaching her full height in the sky. Crystal clear blue skies. A beautiful day. He drank in her warmth that danced across his skin and kissed Sookie deeply on the lips, his forehead resting against hers.

"It's time." Was all he said as he rose and helped her up, tightening the bow around Sookie's dress making their baby that little more noticeable, like they planned on doing. He kept a protective arm around her as they walked back towards the crowd of happy talk, laughter and dancers to begin his announcements before dining for lunch at just after mid-day.

The raised platform was ready for them and as he made his way through the crowd searching for Christian and Isabelle, two people appeared that he hadn't noticed arrived before. Sookie's grandfather and cousin.

They smiled as they came in to view after finding Isabelle and Christian. Sookie walked over and her great-grandfather pulled her into a felt jealous of having another man's hands on her, family or no family.

He greeted Claudine politely to squash his sudden burst of jealousy and introduced Isabelle to Niall after Sookie and Claudine had hugged each other. After introductions where done, they all made their way to the platform.

Eric could hear the music quiet and could feel the power rolling off him, sizzling in the air around him and Sookie as Claudine and Niall stood behind them, Isabelle next to Sookie and Christian next to himself.

He briefly wondered what they looked like to an onlooker, as the crowd stopped dancing and turned to face them.

REVIEW.