Author's Notes:

You are the reason I write. Your feedback inspired me to post another chapter so soon after the last. Please keep reviewing, who knows what you'll make me do next.

SUPER Thanks to AlphaSprout, ashmo2000, and HouseNorthman for your reviews. I aim to please.

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

**I OWN NOTHING**

Chapter 56

SPOV

I can't believe I let them talk me into this. At least Gran is not alive to see this.

FLASHBACK - Not so distant past...

The sound of our nest's chanting as Odin and Thor circle us is almost deafening. Although I'm in the safest place in the universe (Eric's loving arms), I'm nervous. I shouldn't be drinking while pregnant. I want to enjoy life to the fullest, but not if it puts our boys at risk. But Odin just said that I would be fine. Any other time, I would have been suspicious and paranoid of his motives. But I'm not because I can feel in my bones that he truly cares for me in the manner that I once believed Niall did.

Thor's words keep me from thinking more about Niall. Their pace builds. Everyone is looking to me for direction. Just as a self-deprecating thought was about to flit through my mind, it was gone.

Like a smack in the face, I realized that I was finally doubt-free. There is no danger to me or the babies because I am surrounded by love and joy. Not to mention, I can seriously fuck up some shit up if need be.

Odin's words are not only said out loud, but in my head too. My attention flashes to Eric. If he feels that all is safe, then it will be. He has always keep his promises and been honest with me. As my other half, he has to be on board. Otherwise, it's a 'no go'.

Those cerulean blues trap me and everything is silent. I can see and feel the power of our bond. The sound of his voice, especially in my mind, melts my heart.

"Trust your instincts lover. We're with you no matter what."

Nothing more needs to be considered. I tilt up my gold horn like the southern girl I am and chug its contents. My taste buds are assaulted by the perfect mixture of the sweetest honey I've ever had. It so good I moan as I drink. I open my eyes and see everyone else doing the same.

My horn is empty and I'm a little sad. The laughter of three men pulls me back to the 'hear and now'. I look up at Eric as he finishes his own horn. Mead trickles from the corner of his lips. Seconds later, my mouth is attached to his. He moans and pulls me closer.

"Tonight we will enjoy life and company with those gathered as if it may be our last. It very well may be for some, but know that because you fight at the side of my son...and daughter, there is a seat for you in my house if you should fall." Odin's voice sounds as if he is speaking through a bull horn. I guess that's a perk of being a God.

"It is child. One which you now possess as well" he whispers in my ear.

PRESENT

"I need a break honey. Your children are getting nauseous from all our dancing." I giggle as I feel their annoyance and Eric's amusement through our bond.

"Of course, lover." I'm quickly seated in his throne with Eric kneeling in between my legs. He nuzzles into my huge belly as he purrs like a large cat.

"Soon my sons, you will be here and out the confines of your mother's womb. Then, I will give you both the world." We laugh as we are bombarded by their excitement and love. Not even out of me and they've already made me the happiest mommy in the universe.

"BROTHER! Come, win a bet for me. Your first child has made a very, hefty wager." Thor was so excited that he grabs Eric's hand to pull him away from me. Perhaps pouncing on him with my fangs centimeters from his throat was a bit much, but I'm pregnant. And Eric is mine.

"WHOA! Sorry to interrupt dear sister. May I PLEEEASE borrow MY brother and your husband" he begs.

"You are wrong. He is MINE before ALL else." My words are even and calm. He nods emphatically. I move to rise and find myself in Eric's arms, bridal style. He tells me how much he loves me through his kiss. Not only do I feel it, but I can taste it. He sets me down in the ornate replica to the original throne that resides at our getaway once more.

"Can I go play?" he asks oh so sweetly.

"Yes. You may." He gives me the most radiant smile as he pulls away. He turns back to Thor, who is wearing his own version of said smile. Two more horns appear in his hands, one of which is quickly shoved into Eric's hands. Then, they're off and running.

Since I had already declined another horn from Odin a while ago, I'm more than content to watch as my family parties the night away. I close my eyes and focus on the boys. The jostling of my body as I jumped on their godly uncle didn't seem to register to them as they are now asleep. The soft purr of their minds comforts and reassures me that they're safe.

I'm pulled from these thoughts as I feel the distortion of magic that signals the arrival of my Mother. However, I'm surprised to see that she is not alone and has the AP with her. Sometimes, I really question if the Old Bat is truly blind. Especially when she looks in my direction as if she can see me the same way Freya can.

Freya leads AP to the throne next to me and helps her get comfortable.

"Oh, my darling child! You look so beautiful." She hugs me, and then kneels on my other side to rub my belly. She becomes lost in her cooing and glowing at the babies and they wake up as soon as they sense her power. Between the three of them, they have efficiently turned my body into a rainbow strobe light.

"The Goddess is now lost in the affections of her grandsons, so we have relative privacy at the moment." I look at AP for a second before I nod. She takes my hand, just like Gran used to and I could swear that she is channeling her right now.

"Tomorrow is going to be a long, difficult day for you. How are you feeling?"

"I'm ready. I'm happy that the babies will finally be here...and I get to address the darkness that has been plaguing my life."

"Yes. I would imagine that you are anxious to do what needs to be done. I wish I could have interfered during your times of pain, but that is a rule that even I could not break without disastrous consequences." She looks down at her lap. I can feel the sorrow coming off of her in waves. I grab her hand which causes her to look at me with a surprised expression on her face.

"We all have a role to play and can't get around that role, at least most of the time." I wink at her and she smiles. For the first time, I notice that her fangs are always extended. Why hadn't I noticed that before?

"You have carried a burden far heavier than anything I can imagine. Knowing what is going to happen before it does and unable to directly make any changes is a pain to wish on your worst enemy. Before, I used to be mad at you because I thought you were the 'puppet master'. That my life and that of those I love most were a game to you. I finally began to question that anger when I was on the run. It was then that I learned of you connection to Eric. I knew that you would never let your child kill himself and do nothing to stop it unless...unless you weren't able to do anything about it."

She nods in agreement as her milky eyes drift to Godric. After several minutes of silence, she speaks. "You brought him back to me, to us. His death was the downfall of my entire bloodline. We all felt it. Alexander followed soon after coming to verify that it was true. Their other siblings were not far behind. Eric and Pamela were short after. I almost met the true death myself. However, before crossing the threshold into the sunlight, I saw your ascension." She squeezes my hand once more.

"It gave me hope. Although I could not make the necessary changes to prevent all their deaths, you could. And you have." With those words, I can't hold back the tears any longer. She cups my face, using her thumbs to wipe them away.

"Niall and his group of accomplices have miscalculated severely. They all underestimate you because of the humanity you still possess. Even now, knowing that you have the powers of a god, they still believe you to be weaker than them. They have used all the traits that they consider to be inferior in you as reasons to justify their actions. And that is what will be your most powerful weapon against them."

"Thank you" I whisper.

"What would you ever have to thank me for, little girl? You are the one fighting for all of us, not I." Again, her milky eyes are focus on my brown ones.

"You may not realize it, but you have been a matriarch to me ever since I loss Gran...the first time. I may have been mad at you back then, but I always respected you and tried to watch my mouth when you were present. So, thank you for that, at the very least. Plus, you sired Godric, which lead to Eric."

"Then, my dear, you are very welcome." The satisfied smirk on her face looks a lot like Pam's. Speaking of the devil, she vamps in front of us wearing the same expression.

"Sookie, I need you. I bet Thor that you could still 'cut a rug' without the assistance of my maker. I could probably double my winnings and split it with you if you can get this old crone to join you." With her hands on her hips, she waits for my answer.

"I may be a 'crone' compared to you 'maiden', but I can still waltz and two-step better than anyone here." Pam and I look at each other before falling into hysterics.

"Let's go make some extra dough off these foolish men!" I pop to Pam's side as AP vamps to the other. They can't even fathom what's about to happen.

EPOV...before sunrise

"Tell me about your friend. What's his name?" My inquisitive wife asks as I lay her back onto the bed after our morning bath. The house is finally quiet now that the sun has risen and the majority of our nest is slumbering in preparation of tonight.

"His name is Lestat. And his mate's name is Rowan Mayfair. Their story is as epic as ours, although most believe it to be only works of fiction."

"Oh, I remember him. He's the blond vampire with that group that left to help get Ashlar and Morrigan to safety?" Her eyes are so big with excitement. It warmed my cold dead heart just to look at her.

"He is one in the same. He is relatively the same age as Pam, but he was not your run-of-the-mill human. I had not realized how many unique human I have met or known until I met you lover." I snuggle into her neck as she sighs in contentment. Her soft giggles make me want to have her again.

"His mate is a world renowned neurosurgeon. Since she is also a supe, she uses her abilities in her medical practice and research. Dr. Ludwig consults her on serious brain traumas." I add.

"I can't wait to meet them." Her nose crinkles in that cute way when she is about to ask me another question. "Didn't you say that she is already married?"

"Yes. Although it is a story that Mrs. Mayfair-Curry should tell, she is married. Her husband, who is a human, is dying. I believe they have an open relationship of some sort. She has known Lestat for about a decade." Her eyebrow rises and I laugh.

"I'm too amped to sleep." She falls back onto the pillows, her hair fanning entire head. She is more beautiful now than she was when I met her. How is it possible? Seeing her like this makes me want to shield my eyes, her light too bright to look at directly.

"Allow me to help you use this energy." And I spend as long as it takes to put her to sleep.

SPOV

I awaken to the voices of giggling boys and a growling Viking. I don't open my eyes right away so I can observe them with my other senses. Through Eric's mind, I see him chasing two small children around our humongous room. They are darting at vampire speed in separate directions as Eric counts to 20. He never understood the concept of covering your eyes during Hide & Seek. And obviously, ours sons don't care about that either.

Eric finds one, tickles him until the other comes out to distract him by jumping on his back. He turns and catches him midair and tickles that one. The three wrestle on the floor, the children working in tandem to pin down their father. The beauty and innocence of this moment almost makes me forget that there are people trying to kill us, them specifically. But I refuse to think of this now as I feel the bed shift as the boys climb up to join me. I still pretend to be asleep for the time being.

"Is she not the most beautiful woman in the universe?" Eric asks them as he gently strokes my hair.

"Yes. Mommy is the prettiest girl ever!" I don't know which one it was but the little darling also begins playing in my hair.

The silent one comes to lie facing me. I feel little fingers tracing over my closed eyelids, nose, and cheeks. "How can we ever get married if Mommy is the prettiest girl?" he asks.

Eric chuckles and it takes a lot of will power to stay motionless. "Your future mates may not have been born yet. When you meet her, or him, they will become the second prettiest. There is nothing that can change that for Mommy because she will not change. She will always look as she does now, as will I." As he spoke, both boys had sat up and given him their undivided attention. They nod profusely.

"Is that true Mommy?" one asks.

"Will you be young forever?" asks the other.

Knowing the jig is up; I roll over onto my back. "Yes it is." I smother their faces with kisses before laying a more adult version on Eric. I get up and head into towards the bathroom.

"You three enjoy yourselves. Daddy and I will be seeing you later today. I love you."

"We love you too, Mommy" they reply in unison as I shut the door.

After showering and being pampered by my overly excited handmaidens, I pop out of our room to the kitchen. I almost started salivating from the aroma of coffee. Coffee, which in my fragile state is the one thing I was forbidden to imbibe. A wave of strength from Eric and I'm able to shake myself from my stupor. Though we have a full staff of maids, butlers, and chefs, the urge to cook overwhelms me. I know with the babies around, I won't feel like doing this often, so I figure I should feed impulse while I'm feeling it.

Shooing the kitchen staff out was the first task to be done. Their shocked and confused faces are expected, but annoying as they are preventing me from cooking and I have a guest coming over shortly. I reassure them that are not being fired and tell the head chef to take them all out for breakfast. Happy with this knowledge, they scatter like roaches.

Now I can get busy. I mix, beat, fry, and plate my way to pancakes, bacon, scramble eggs with cheese, and fried potatoes. I add some grape juice and strawberries. Just as I float everything to the dining room, I feel an unknown brain enter my field of reception. It's another new one to add to the many I've added recently.

It's unusual for many reasons, but the most prominent one is how many separate lines of thought are going at one time. And she knows that her mind is being probed at this very moment. She expected as much and is at ease with it. She shows her ID to the front gate, which is scanned through a law enforcement-like database, and she is checked for potential weapons. Passing all checks, a guard escorts her to the front door. The door guards open them and allow her entry.

Upon entering the foyer, she is impressed. The decor and layout are not what she expected for the palace of a vampire king, more like what she would expect for a home she hoped to share with her own vampire in the future. Guilt flutters through her momentarily as she thinks about her dying husband, the one person she cannot save with her medical expertise or magic. She buries these thoughts and focuses on what she is about to face; me.

EPOV

After Sookie left, the boys and I continue to play for quite a while. We collapse onto the bed for a break. I know they will be leaving soon, but before the sunsets they will be here in the flesh. The very thought makes my undead heart sour to new heights.

As I lay on my back, the boys lean over my face, tracing my features with their small hands.

"Are we going to be as strong as you one day, daddy?" the one with brown eyes asks me.

"Stronger. You both will have power from your mother and me. She is more powerful than I, yet I have the power to protect all of you from any foe." The nod in earnestly as if they already know this.

"And Sissy will be stronger than us, like Mommy." muses the one with blue eyes. Sissy? So many questions run through me, but I won't bombard them.

"What of your names? Are you both still withholding any hints?" I give them my most severe puppy dog eyes, which only invokes peals of laughter. I guess it only works on women.

"It does" they respond in unison as they each kiss me and fade away. I rise and head to the shower. I must figure out possible names as soon as possible. The hours are ticking by.

RPOV

Rowan Mayfair-Curry walks into the dining room of the amazingly beautiful mansion. The table is covered with southern breakfast classics and the smells make her mouth water. Her mind travels back to her own childhood, before leaving New Orleans to move to California.

Just as she takes a seat, a short blond carrying a pitcher of grape juice in one hand and a large bowl of strawberries in the other joins her.

"Hello! You must be Rowan." She sits the items down among the food. She takes both of my hands in her and shakes them vigorously. Her belly protrudes far for her small frame and it looks quite uncomfortable. "I'm so happy to finally meet you. And please, call me Sookie. We are destined to be longtime friends."

Her lively greeting and upbeat confidence have caught me off guard, although it is very refreshing. She looks quite young to be such a powerhouse, but I of all people know that looks can be deceiving. Her beauty is strikingly with that youthful innocence we all hope to convey. As she waddles to the seat across from me, I imagine she is most uncomfortable.

"At the moment...I'm not. The boys are playing with their father, so they are sort of sleeping in me right now. Otherwise, they'd be doing jujitsu inside me." The fact that she just answered my thoughts startles me, but I take it in stride. This wouldn't be the most unusual thing I've witnessed in my own strange life.

"Boys? And you say they are playing with their father? I must admit, I'm quite confused." I take a sip of juice I hadn't noticed she had poured for me as she giggles.

"I imagine so. What I just said is pretty weird." I nod emphatically. "Well, my two boys" she strokes her stomach "have many powers. One of which is astral projection. We've seen them at different ages -adolescence to early teen- and they have told us a little about the future. Although, they still won't tell us their names."

We both laugh. "As for their father, well he is the happiest being alive of course. He's having sons." She is beaming with pride and it's adorable. Then, a thought occurs to me.

"Isn't your husband the Vampire King of Louisiana?" I ask, hoping I haven't offended her.

She nods knowingly as she finishes her bite of potatoes. I decide I should also eat. "Yes and no, you haven't offended me by asking. He was a vampire, one of the oldest in North America for quite a while. Now...he has evolved into something much more. We both have." I haven't been this intrigued by another since I meet Lestat. I obviously needed a new friend more desperately than even I thought.

"Enough about me. I want to learn more about you. And no...I don't like to just read it all from your head. That would be totally rude."

SPOV

Rowan and I chatted long after we filled our gullets with fattening southern foods. Her life and family were unbelievable. The fact that they have always been involved in the supernatural world, unlike me who was hidden away only to be dropped into it blindly, is amazing. I don't regret my past. But I would say that every time I hear someone's story, I feel more determined to make sure that their struggles were and will not be in vain.

She is so brilliant! We talked for quite a while about how my brain feels when I'm reading someone's thoughts and she was awestruck. Besides Eric, Rowan is the only person that learned about my quirk (I no longer consider it a disability) without thinking I was a freak. And I loved her more for it.

We finally moved to the library and are now sitting on the Lazyboy sofa I have claimed as mine, chatting away like old biddies. I am in the middle of giving her the lowdown on my crew when a sensation similar to a chill runs through me. I release a moan and try to regain my focus.

"Sookie? Are you alright?" It must be the doctor in her because she immediately places her hands over my stomach. Closing her eyes, she concentrates as the sensation hits me again with more force.

"I don't know what's happening. It doesn't hurt...it...just feels like…" I don't get to finish because the tingling feels so good and I feel wetness beginning to seep from under me.

Before I can inhale the air necessary to call him, Eric blinks into the room. He is covered in flames and on edge as if I were being attacked. Rowan scampers away in fear.

"ERIC! What has gotten into you! We have a guest. And I'm fine. I think...think...my water…"

"Broke." Eric kneels in front of me and starts sniffing me like a dog. My stomach begins to glow and gets brighter the closer he gets to me. Unhappy with the fact that I am on the floor, he scoops me up just as another wave hits.

One would think I was a porn professional from the sounds coming from me at this moment. Eric's fangs have descended and I can feel the lust and confusion bombarding me through our bond. As he starts nuzzling my neck and licking behind my ear, Rowan gains the courage to speak before this go even more wayward than it already has.

"Mr. Northman!" He ignores her the first time. The second time, she touches his arm as she speaks and almost loses her life. I'm able to inform him of who she is mentally since I seem to have lost the ability to speak and having the longest orgasm ever.

"Her water broke and her 'contractions' seem to be about 90 seconds apart. I can call Amy if you like." He looks her up and down, assessing her purpose and usefulness.

"You are Lestat's mate, yes?" Slightly thrown off by his words, Rowan just nods. "You may call Ludwig and tell her to come to the palace. We will be departing for Faery upon her arrival so she needs to be ready."

He starts to walk out of the library, but stops abruptly. "Are you coming? You are the only medical professional on the premises at the moment and I will not leave her alone." Rowan quickly scurries behind Eric as his long stride take us all to our room.

EPOV

Once I had Sookie settled in the bed with Mayfair at her side, I called both Karedon and the Valkyrie to me. I inform them that Sookie is now in labor and ensure they are aware of their roles as we prepare to leave the human realm. They both disappear and I feel confident that they will complete their tasks explicitly.

My next mission is to wake my bloodline as it is only 2pm. I waste no time and blink into my maker's room. I stand over him, examining his youthful features. Smelling the blood that he gave to me so many years ago, I search my mind for how to do what I plan to do. In an instant, the process hits me and I now know what to do.

Closing my eyes, I isolate all of the blood in me that is tied to Godric and shock it with my new godly power. He sits straight up in his bed and roars loud enough to crack the window. What I did not expect was for this to be so successful at one time. As my maker rose, so did my child, sibling and grandchild. I hear their screams through the soundproofed walls.

"WHAT HAS HAPPENED?! Are we being attacked?" He vamps out of the bed and into the bathroom where he begins to shower. A minute later, he is in his closet preparing to put on clothes for battle.

"No, Master. Sookie is in labor." He freezes and straightens his stand to face me. He looks excited and scared at the same time, an expression I have never seen on his face.

"What do you need from me, my son?"

"Help me wake the others. We will be leaving for Faery shortly." He finishes dressing and we walk out of the room to deal with my pissed off progeny.

SPOV

"Eric?" Where is he? He should be here with me. I need him with me. I can't do this alone. Just as my ire starts to rise, I feel the cool compress on my forehead and the soft humming of my new friend.

"Shhh. It's alright. Mr. Northman went to prepare for your departure to...uh…" She begins to explain.

"Faery. I must have the babies in the realm of my ancestors. They are heirs to the throne." Her eyes grow wider, but she nods and continues humming which distracts me from yelling out as another wave of pleasure hits me.

I was expecting pain, not orgasms. Could I actually have a 'jar of Os' that have unknowingly been accumulating for this precise moment? If so, then I'm about to completely embarrass myself.

Sensing Dr. Ludwig's mind, right before she pops into the room, tears my away from those thoughts. She greets Rowan and gets an update on my condition.

"Her 'contractions' are now 75 seconds apart. And I must say they are far from any I've ever witnessed in my career let alone lifetime." She slight blushes and I want to cover myself with the comforter.

"It's because she is Fae. Fae births are not like those of other species. Where the contracting and stretching of the uterus and birth canal are usually painful in most, fairies experience pleasure akin to that of a sexual nature. This is completely normal." She hops onto the bed. Sitting her bag next to my head, she begins checking my vitals. Nodding in approval, I assume that I'm on course. I open my mouth to ask her when we will be leaving, but another one hits.

Both women exchange looks after my particularly loud moan tapers off. "Okay, little girl. I need to see how dilated you are at this time. I know moving is not possible, so I'm about to cut your dress and underthings off." As she pulls out the scissors, I make my clothes disappear. Ah, that feels better much. I was so hot with the cotton of my sundress touching my skin.

"Thank you. Now try to remember that I'm NOT the Viking and this is not for pleasure." I nod rapidly as I feel her stubby little fingers probing me. I jerk slightly, but it is over quickly; to both our satisfactions.

"Good. Your body is working as it should. When the time comes, those babies are going to slip right out of you. It will be intense and very fast." Again, I nod.

Rowan and Dr. Ludwig are in deep conversation as I drift off to sleep. It was like one moment I was watching the door for Eric and the next second is all darkness.