Author's Notes:

I just realized that I'm coming up on the 2 year anniversary of when I first published this story. Thank you to all those who stuck with me through a long hiatus as I finished my undergrad studies and relocating across the country. My goal is to possibly finish on that date, so be on the look-out for more frequent updates. Give me your feedback to help along.

Special thanks to ValkyrieAmyfor correcting me on which language I used in the last chapter. It was Greek and not Macedonian.

The conversation with Alex is in Greek.

The conversation with Lestat is in French.

*The characters in this chapter belong to their respective authors, CH, & AB.

**I OWN NOTHING**

Chapter 55

EPOV

After making the announcement that the party would reconvene at the palace, our group gradually leaves the club. Being the proper hosts that we are, Sookie and I are the last to leave. My maker and his brother stay by our sides as we give directions to those who need them and say our goodbyes to various allies.

Pam, Tara and Jessica were the first to depart to make sure everything at the palace was in order. From my bonds with the three of them, I know that our other guests have arrived and the party is in full swing. I know this will make Sookie very happy. Her Gran's 'southern' teachings have yet to be destroyed by my bad influence. Although, I believe that my reputation as a ruthless killer has taken some hits due to her good influence. However, as usual, I do not give a fuck.

The four of us make our way outside through the employee entrance. Not surprisingly, my car is the only one left in the lot. What is surprising is how intensely Alex is eye-raping my favorite toy.

"Motor vehicles are one of the many 'modern wonders', as he refers to them, that he has grown to love since he decided to come out of isolation" Sookie informs us.

"Can he fly?" I ask Godric.

"Oh, yes. He was my teacher. And he is quite fast." He sounds proud, which makes me quite smug.

Without another word, I toss the car keys to Alex. The look of shock and wonder on his face is priceless. His eyes are wide and intense, showcasing his emotions very clearly. I know from his aura that the reason he is being this expressive is because he is in the company of his own, his blood. As this thought flutters through my mind, I notice something very interesting. His right eye is the same brown as my maker's and the left is the same shade of blue as mine. Is this a coincidence? Now that my curiosity is piqued, I am planning on finding out the answer. Tonight.

Sookie's angelic laughter, the music to my soul, pulls me back to the reality that I am about to in trust the safety of one of my prized possessions to another. I release a deep, troubled sigh.

"I know there's something I can do to take your mind off this" she whispers directly into my ear. I did not register her movements at all, a sign that she is becoming very fast. I shiver and pull her tight into my side.

"Are you sure about that?" I ask. I rub my GP against her and she immediately grabs onto it.

"Definitely." Her grasp tightens as we stare into each other's souls.

"Precioius μηχανή σας είναι σε καλή, ικανά χέρια. Πλέον, maker σας θα είναι στο πλευρό μου. Μην φοβάστε, ο ανιψιός." (Your precious machine is in good, capable hands. Plus, your maker will be at my side. Do not fear, nephew.)

The change in language is what pulls my eyes briefly from my lover's. However, all I can do is nod since her small hand is now massaging me through my suit pants.

"Έλα αδελφέ. Το παιδί μου δεν είναι πια μαζί μας." (Come brother. My child is no longer with us.)

They get into my car, reverse, and peel out of the parking lot. Do I look up and shout with indignation over their harsh treatment of my well-oiled masterpiece? No. I am trying hard to control the impulse to bury myself in Nirvana, but my Goddess of a wife has other plans.

She pops away and I have to rely on our bond to find her. I blink into a familiar meadow near the farmhouse. The stream lies to the east side of the area that separates us from the unknown forest.

My wife is sitting on the ground under a weeping willow. The hideous afghan lies under her. I vamp in front of her and she pops up to pull me down with her.

I sit down, bending my knees so I can cage her in between my long legs. She moves into place quicker than I expected and attaches herself to my mouth in less than a second. She tastes sweeter than she did hours ago. Her tongue runs along the roof of my mouth to coax my fangs down. They respond to her more than to me it seems as the reaction is not of my control.

My moans and groans urge her on as her little hands roam up my chest. Ripping fabric and flying buttons later, she now has access to my upper torso. She pushes me to lie on my back. She holds my chin and forces my head to the side. Fangs pierce my jugular and I roar in pleasure. I do not think my dick has ever been harder.

She drinks her fill and begins moving down my chest. Licking, sucking, and biting my nipples seem to have become new hobbies of hers. I want to pull her on top of me, but do not want the ability to move taken away so soon.

Again, her little hands move over my body to land at the waistband of my pants. She switches to my other nipple, effectively distracting me as she releases me. Her sudden gasp informs me that she has just discovered that I went commando after our last thirst.

Her tongue trails further, licking the crevices of my abs and hips as she descends. I watch as she swallows me whole. My eyes roll up into my head at the feel of her tongue licking my balls as the ridges of her esophagus rub over my shaft.

She adds her hands to stroke me. It is happening too fast. The way she is handling me is already making my balls tighten and I am not ready to cum yet. I grab her head and try to slow her down, but she swats my hands away.

"You are going to cum and I am going to enjoy it. Then, we're going home to party with our family and friends. Now, shut up and cum already."

I am speechless. There is nothing I can think to say as it feels like she is trying to suck my heart out through my dick. The moment comes all too quickly. As my seed shoots stream after stream into her mouth, Sookie moans in delight at the taste.

Once the tremors end, I pull myself from her mouth and attempt to bury it in between her other lips. But it is to no avail. My lover got what she wanted and I will just have to wait until later to have my way with her.

She stands and straightens her dress. She catches a drop of my essence with a finger and pops it into her mouth. She lets out a little moan as she shivers.

I rise to my knees before her and look up into her brown doe eyes. Her smile is so sweet and it makes me happier than I could ever imagine being. She pulls me to my feet. I pick her up bridal style and launch into the air.

SPOV

As we flew through the night, we make out like the horniest teens ever. He tells some of the corniest vampire jokes I've ever heard, filling me with the giggles. Landing on the front porch, the guards open the double doors for us without a word as they are used to us just appearing out of thin air.

Music. Laughter. The wonderful sound of having a full house of loved ones startles me. Eric chuckles. His lips sudden move to my ear.

"So this is what family sounds like?" His voice is but a whisper yet full of the same awe and happiness that is ricocheting through our bond.

"Oh, yes! And the boys will soon be a part of this." I caress my belly and it begins to glow brightly as they send their own feelings of joy and anticipation through the bond we all share.

Still in the arms of my husband, we roam through the palace, checking out what's happening at our own house party.

EPOV

"I'M OUT!" I yell as my phone rings. The ring tone tells me that the caller is going to extreme lengths to make the number untraceable. In this time of war, one cannot ignore such things so I answer.

"Northman" I say in greeting. My tone is meant to say that 'I'm busy…what the fuck do you want' attitude that I am so famous for.

"Bonjour vieil ami. j'ai besoin de vous parler. En personne. J'ai urgent nouveau." (Hello old friend. I need to speak to you. In person. I have urgent new.)

It must certainly be for this person to contact me. Let alone request a face-to-face meeting.

"Quand?" (When?)

"Que diriez-vous en deux minutes? I, apparemment, besoin d'être invité bien que ce soit la maison d'un vampire. Un service ingénieux, si je puis m'exprimer ainsi. Je peux avoir besoin d'emprunter votre sorcière." (How about in two minutes? I, apparently, need to be invited although this is a vampire's home. An ingenious ward, if I may say so. I may need to borrow your witch.)

He is here? This is serious.

"Come on over. J'informerai-" (…I will inform-)

"NON! Je ne peux pas être vu par toute sécurité. il sera dans nos deux meilleurs intérêts si nous ne sommes pas associés ensemble, pour le moment." (NO! I cannot be seen by any security. It will be in both our best interests if we are not associated together, for the time being.)

"Très bien. Je suis dans la cour, à l'est." (Very well. I am in the backyard, to the east.) I hang up. If he were coming to do me and mine any harm, then he would be ash in the next 45 seconds. So he is very lucky to be considered one of my few dear friends.

Exactly two minutes from when I disconnected the call, he lands. He gives me an appropriate six feet of personal space. I have not seen him since the wedding, the event that brought us together after 125 years.

"I never realize how much I miss the Bayou until I am brought back." He takes a deep breath, inhaling the cool December evening air.

We shake hands because we have long years of friendship between us. Although he is 800 years or so my junior, there was something about him that I connected with immediately. The fact that he manage to survive longer than three nights without a maker or any clue of his new nature was remarkable.

I think it was his fearlessness, even as a human.

He killed eight weres to save a stranger, who would become his best friend. Then, he is turned and left an orphan in the same night. Only the strongest could survive such circumstances. His later exploits as a vampire (becoming a young maker, his infamous relationship with a 2,000+ year old vampire, trading bodies, and fame before the Great Reveal) that really made him stand out as a promising vampire. However, his 'love' for Louisiana still has not the power to lure him away from the Old World.

"What is it that has brought you here?" The suspense is becoming irritating.

"Two months ago, I was in Venice when I happen upon an interesting conversation about YOUR wife." I was expecting him to say that I was the topic. I was obviously wrong. He goes on.

"I had arrived at the cafe to meet with Rowan." His eyes cast down and I know it is because of his loneliness at not having his mate at his side, for she currently belongs to another. "Not soon after telling me that her husband, Michael, is now on his death bed, we were interrupted by a strange woman. She was not of this realm. She was extremely beautiful and smell...extremely delicious."

"She was a fairy" I state plainly.

"Correct. This was the first time I encountered such a being. I will ask you more about them later." I nod and he continues. "The stranger tells Rowan that she is her fairy -godmother and in grave danger of me. My love told me to leave them, but I didn't go far and was able to hear the conversation through her mind." Ah, I had a feeling that he was telepathic. Now that has been confirmed.

"The fairy tells her that she and all other Mayfair women with power should flee to her realm before the coming conflict begins. She tells my love that she is much like Sookie in that a vampire (me) is trying to control her and to take her 'light'. When Rowan pressed for information about this conflict and mysterious light, the fairy became evasive in her answers. She kept deflecting her questions, saying that my influence is blinding her and that she fears for her bloodline. Rowan promised to consider her words and would call to her when she made a decision."

"And what is this fairy's name?"

"Neave" he says.

"Well, you and your mate can rest easy knowing that we ended her and her brother. They were assassins for Breandan, one of our enemies. He has vowed death to all hybrids and it is obvious they thought your woman is one of these hybrids."

He thinks on this for several moments. "Is it possible that they are mistaken? The Mayfairs are a line of natural witches and there is no mention of any connection to any supernatural beings, other than the Taltos." Nervousness flashes across his face for a fraction of a second, and then it is gone.

"I believe it was just a ploy to get control over this family of power witches. Our mates need to meet. Sookie will be able to sense the Fae in her, if there is any."

"When?" he asks anxiously.

"How about later today, let us say about 10:00am for breakfast? We can meet before we go to their realm." I tell him this as I am re-organizing my plans for the next few hours.

"What the fuck do you mean 'we're going to their realm'? Is this the same realm that this now dead fairy assassin is from? The one where this Breandan is now?!" His native French accent seeps into his voice as he becomes more concerned.

"We must go. Sookie will be giving birth to my sons this day and as future heirs to the throne, their births must be witnessed by those under her rule." His eyes widen. He shakes his blond mane to clear his mind.

"That will be fine. Rowan is a doctor and would probably want to ensure there will be no problems." I cock an eyebrow at this. What can she possibly tell us? "My mate is full of surprises, and from what I hear, the same is true about yours."

"Indeed."

SPOV

After everything that's happened today, I'm finally sitting down for a meal. Tara gave the palace staff all of Gran's recipes and made sure that they were able to recreate her famed dishes, even though she couldn't test taste them herself. That is just one of the many reasons why I'm glad she chose to be turned, instead of dying at the hands of that rapist bastard Quinn.

I take my first bite of meatloaf and it's so good that I moan in delight. Soon after I begin, I'm joined by Jaz and Betsy. Besides my family (that being Pam, Tara, and my Jessica), I made an effort not to get close to any other females. Especially female vampires. Just remembering how many times I was man-handled like a rag doll for standing up to a bitch trying to push up on Eric makes my stomach roll.

When I returned, I was determined to make sure that everyone knew he was mine from the start. Surprisingly, these last few months have produced more of such cattiness than these last 25 years. Perhaps Eric was right and it was in the air along with the scent of battle. Either way, I will be the one on top.

Jaz fixes herself a plate while Betsy makes herself a strawberry shake.

"So what's on your mind, Sookie? You just had the most determined look on your face. Do you need our help again?" Jaz's concern and interest are sincere which makes me even more comfortable around her.

"Oh, I was just thinking about having to fight over my man. It's been a long time since I've had to deal with such attention" I admit.

"Sinclair told me that Eric used to be the wet dream of men and women, human and supe alike, before he all but disappeared off the radar. I take it that was you?" I love Betsy's 'non-sugar coated' perspective.

"Damn straight, I was. The message was received as it should have been until all this bullshit came up. Tonight has been the worst. I never had to kill another over Eric before. Not that it didn't feel amazing or was unwarranted." They both contemplate my words.

"I know how good it felt. I had to give Vayl's ex-wife and maker to her last rites. Sometimes, even when your man tells them to their faces that there's a snowball's chance in hell that they will ever be together again, these bitches just cannot accept that they lost the best thing they could have dreamed of. Then, they get pissy and we get pissed. It's their fault and they had to pay the price." Betsy and I exchange a look of shock before laughing at her nonchalance. Jaz just shrugs and continues eating.

"I haven't killed one of Sinclair's exes yet. Perhaps Tina bet me to it. Remind me to ask her when I see her. I nod as I finish my plate.

EPOV

By 2:00am, everyone had gathered in the ballroom. The music is pumping hard and loud. Gyrating bodies. Strobe lights. It is like a typical human adolescent dance. And I love every moment of this.

Even though Sookie's stomach protrudes quite far, she still is an amazing dancer. She had kicked off her heels as soon as I put her feet down to the ground hours ago. I hold her by the hips, which puts her ass exactly where I like it most as we sway to the music.

Everyone else is in some similar form. Sinclair and Betsy are next to us, held in a continuous kiss. Vayl and Jazz are dancing, sort of. He is more like dancing by himself with her attached to his chest and mouth like a starfish. Our other dancers include Alice and Jasper (although she seems to be dancing to a beat only she can hear) and a Tara-Bergman-Ivy sandwich that seems promising.

A glance towards the west of the room, I see the weres in a typical 'alpha-were' tournament. The contest consisted of three stages; the first is what Sookie would call the pageant portion. Each opponent shifts and then they are examine by Carlyle to see which has the best animal physique.

The second stage is the intellectual challenge, which includes a 5-minute game of Chess, answering three Trivia Pursuit questions correctly, and the correct answer to one of a series of math questions provided by Bergman (prior to his current situation).

The third and final stage was the fight. It would continue until either someone (a) surrenders, (b) taps out, or (c) gets knocked out. Vampires from all our individual bloodlines were placing bets with Pamela. As I watch her, in her element, I notice that Alex is not far from her side. He is intently watching her. Again, he looks as I did upon seeing Sookie for the first time.

I tenderly grab her chin and turn her head up so I can taste her lips. She is getting sweeter still. I try to recollect where and when in my existence had I had anything close to this. Her blood is a more intense experience, but this is extraordinary.

Suddenly, the double doors swing open, causing everyone to stop and look. It is Odin and Thor.

"MY SON!" he shouts jovially with a force that shakes the walls. They both meet my eyes and then they are upon me. They circle Sookie and I, grinning mischievously.

"Brother! Since we are now reunited, Father and I thought that you would want to show your friends her how WE celebrate in Bilskirnir." Sookie and I look at each, mouths agape, before my father's commanding presence takes us over.

"Since this is a pre-battle celebration, Sigrfilda and Sigrun are here to serve the mead." With that, two Valkyries appear. Silently, they make a circuit around the room, giving everyone a horn filled with mead. The vampires look at each other since they are unsure of what to do.

"Relax and be merry!" Odin says in a sing-song voice as he presents a golden horn to my wife. As her protest begins to bubble up, he puts his index finger to her lips to keep her quiet. "This is a special batch from Heidrun. He wanted to gift you with his very best brew. It will not harm the babies. And why would it? They are going to be Gods!"

The music changes to something reminiscent of my human days around a fire, after a victory. Odin and Thor begin to sing an unfamiliar song as they dance around us. Everyone else moves in to form a larger circle around the four of us. Our nest - now a mixture of friends and family spanning multiple species- begin to clap the rhythm of the Gods' song. The beat picks ups.

"We will only drink when you do sister" says Thor into her ear.

"For it is because of our faith in you that will bring us glory" says Odin in her other ear.

With eyes full of uncertainty and excitement, Sookie looks into my eyes. "Trust your instincts lover. We're with you no matter what." I send to her.

She drains the horn and we all follow her lead.