This is a "what if" type of story based off my last vampire story that I wrote last year, in other words an alternate path. So, in this one, Eric doesn't come back when Sookie is about to marry the king of New York. I love Eric Northman so he will probably be in my story in the chapters to come. I kind of got the inspiration for this story from the Bruno Mars/Lady Gaga song.

Sookie's POV:

I wipe the tears away from my eyes, at the same time trying to be careful from ruining the expensive makeup. I sniffle and look down at my ring, the ring that Eric has placed on my finger when we had married at Rhodes all those years ago.

I tremble as I wrap my fingers around it, preparing to pull it off my finger for the final time. I had to say goodbye. In one final motion, I pull the diamond ring off my finger and gaze at it. Tears well up again as I reminisce about the life I shared with Eric.

He had been a huge part of my life for almost a decade. It had been years since he had met his final death but it was still fresh in my memory, the pain still as immense as when I had witnessed his murder.

I sniffle again as I rub the ring, the token of the pledge I had made to Eric.

"Goodbye Eric," I whisper softly. I close my eyes to stop the tears from flowing and place the ring inside a pocket that had been sewn into my wedding dress.

I had to let him go. I had to say goodbye. I had to move on. But I didn't want to. But what other choice did I have? I loved Eric with all my heart and no one could ever replace him. But I had to continue on living. My Gran always said things happened for a reason. And I was still waiting for the reason as to why I lost Eric. I was almost thirty now.

I grab a tissue and dab my eyes gently and look at myself in front of the mirror.

"I can do this," I whisper to myself. My thoughts turn to the important event that was about to take place downstairs in a few short minutes.

I was about to marry again, for the second time. This time to the King of New York City, Marten Meijer.

I had agreed to marry him several months ago for my protection. At first, I balked at the suggestion from Pam. How could she ever think that I could every marry another man? But after a while, I agreed to it. Was I crazy? Was I an idiot for doing this? Marrying a man, a vampire that I didn't love?

I close my eyes again and breathe in deeply. I had gone through this over and over in my head. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to run away from this situation. I even had a way to avoid this. Niall had offered to protect me and to take me away so that I would not have to marry Marten.

But, I had made a promise to Marten. I had accepted his proposal. I sigh out loud.

Marten wasn't a bad man by any means. In fact, he was probably one of the best men I had ever met. He was kind and he had a zest for life more than anyone else I had ever met. He was admired and loved by his court. He was popular in the vampire and human world. The mainstream media adored him and printed endless stories about him.

Though I admired and respected Marten and his outgoing personality, it was daunting to someone like me who relished privacy. Growing up with my disability (telepathy), it was essential to me to stay hidden, away from crowds. Sometimes peoples' thoughts could be overwhelming, but as I had grown, I had learned how to manage it.

But that still didn't mean I wanted to be under constant public scrutiny.

I walk over to the window and gaze down to the street where hundreds of members of the media were down there taking pictures and to interview the arriving guests.

I sigh out loud again, feeling disappointed.

Suddenly, there is a knock on the door and it opens.

"Sookie?" Pam says softly as she looks at me with concern in her eyes.

"Hey," I say in a reassuring tone. I manage a small smile and walk towards her.

"Are you ready?" she asks me.

I answer with a nod.

We take the elevator down to the main floor and head to another room located near the ballroom.

"You really think I should do this?" I ask Pam for the umpteenth time.

"No," she replies, "But I know Eric would want you to continue on, even if it meant without him. He wouldn't want you holding onto a ghost."

I let out a loud sigh.

"Sookie, you look so pretty," Jason says to me as he gives me a hug. "Gran would be so proud."

He was wearing an Armani tux and was walking me down the aisle. Amelia hands me my bouquet of flowers and gives me a warm smile.

"Thanks for being here Jason. It means a lot to me. I love you," I tell Jason.

"You're gonna do great," she says as she gives me a quick hug. Amelia was my maid of honor.

"Thanks Ames," I say to her.

"Knock em' dead Sookie, and I do mean that literally," Pam says to me. I had asked Pam to be co-maid of honor with Amelia but she declined. Pam was a queen in the vampire world now. It wouldn't have suited her to be part of the bridal party in a human marriage ceremony. Besides, she was going to escort me to the vampire bonding ceremony that would be held later on tonight hours after this ceremony.

"My god, I'm so glad to have your support Pam," I tell her. "I'll be needing your help in the months to come."

Amelia fixes my veil and I take a huge gulp as the doors open to the ballroom.

"You can do this…" I whisper to myself again as my heart thundered inside my chest which was beginning to feel a bit tight. I brush my hand against my chest a little as I could feel myself getting ready to heave.

Amelia walks down the aisle slowly as my chest get heavier and heavier. It was beginning to feel like I was having some sort of anxiety attack or even a heart attack. My knees start feeling wobbly and I begin to sway a little as I hold onto Jason.

Suddenly, I feel a warm wave of calming emotions. My breath begins to even out. The panicked feeling begins to dissipate as I clutch my bouquet and hang onto Jason's arm tightly.

I look through my veil, down the aisle, towards the minister and where Marten was standing, waiting for me.

It was him, he had sent a relaxing emotion through our bond which was not complete yet. How did he know how to do that? I recall the moments when Eric had sent emotions through our bond in the past.

I take one last deep breath and begin walking slowly down the aisle with Jason. I take in the ballroom and look around me in awe at the wonderful décor. The wedding planners had done a fantastic job. There were hundreds of lilies and other flowers around the room. The scent permeated the air. My smile brightens up a bit more as we get closer to the front. I keep my gaze on Marten, trying not to look at his best man, his maker Marius, who was standing beside him.

More memories threaten to fill my mind to my previous existence when I had been married to Marius.

Stop it Sookie," I tell myself. Now wasn't the time for this.

I had to focus on the moment.

I stop momentarily in front of Marten who gives me a dazzling, warm smile. He looked so handsome as always. His usually tousled dirty blonde hair was slicked back. He was wearing a crisp black suit with a white flower in the lapel.

"You look beautiful," he whispers to me as he leans in a little.

I smile back and take his hand. We take the few steps towards the minister.

The minister begins to speak but I don't a word that he says as I feel the moment begin to overwhelm me.

Was I really going to do this? Was I really going to pledge myself to another man when my heart still belonged to another man? I sooo wished Eric was here. If he was, this is definitely not where I would be. Right now, Eric and I would probably be in our home in Bon Temps. I would be making dinner for myself with Eric's help of course. He always enjoyed helping me with different tasks. After dinner we would probably go outside and sit on our deck, watching the stars shine in the sky. Eric would probably tell me another story about another one of his adventures from his long life as a vampire. I would listen intently to his story as I gaze at him and at the shining moon. His gorgeous blonde hair and skin glowing in the moonlight.

But Eric was gone, he was a memory now.

A wave of sadness rolls over me.

"Sookie Stackhouse, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the minister asks which causes me to break away from my thoughts.

"I…." I stutter as I look at him. My eyes turn to Marten who looks at me with intensity in his eyes. I take a few deep breaths during this moment as something changes in his eyes. He gives me this strange look, as though he was trying to relay to me that everything was going to be okay. That if I wanted to change my mind, I could and there would be no hard feelings. I could almost hear Marten's voice in my mind. I gasp a little and my eyes widen, I did hear his thoughts for a brief second. There was only one other vampire whose thoughts I had heard, and that was Eric's.

Suddenly, I feel something strange. Like my thoughts and worries were leaning towards a different direction.

"I will," I say in a prominent tone.

We then exchange wedding rings and vows.

"I pronounce you, husband and wife, you may kiss the bride," the minister proclaims.

The crowd is silent as Marten lifts my veil. He grins and places his lips against mine. I close my eyes and respond to his kiss.

"I now present Mr. and Mrs. Marten Meijer!"

We face the crowd and I plaster on one of my nervous smiles as I wave a little to the crowd who were giving us a boisterous applause.

We walk down the aisle while receiving congratulatory responses from the wedding guests, most of whom were elite members of New York society as well as other celebrities. There were some human and other supe politicians as well as vampire royalty from all over the world.

"Come," Marten says into my ear as he takes my hand and leads me out of the ballroom and to a bank of elevators. He presses the button and immediately the doors open.

As soon as the doors close he scoops me up into his arms and places a kiss on my lips.

"I can't believe we did it!" he says in an excited tone. "Wow, I never thought I'd ever be married man, it feels… mind-blowing but in an incredible way."

I still had my nervous smile on my face. I wasn't sure how I was feeling. I think my head was playing catch-up with what was occurring right now.

Marten sets me down on my feet. He takes both my hands in his and places a kiss on both of the back of my hands. I was trembling and breathing loudly.

"I am going to keep my promise to you Sookie, my wife," he says in a serious tone. "I will honor you for as long as I remain."

He puts his forehead against mine.

"I love you," he whispers to me with his eyes closed. He was savoring the moment, while I was still breathing loudly, feeling very bewildered still.

I put my palms on his cheeks. I still had no idea what to say. I couldn't reciprocate his feelings, mainly because I didn't love him. I didn't know if I could ever love him. I was still in love with a ghost who haunted my every step. But I was now married to Marten and I needed to show that I respected him as my husband, at the very least.

"I will do my best to make you happy," I whisper to Marten. I knew what I had said was somewhat old-fashioned for this day in age, but I was an old-fashioned Southern girl who still abided by laws of the church when it came to marriage. I was his wife now.

"Oh, my love, you already made me the happiest man on the planet by becoming my wife," he says blissfully.

He kisses me a few more times before reaching the floor where our wedding suite was located. I was glad to have this moment to regain my composure.

A while later we head downstairs for pictures and the wedding reception. As the night wore on, I slowly start to become more at ease. Granted I was still shocked, but I was also letting myself enjoy the occasion. I danced with my family and friends. We do all the wedding traditions such as cutting the cake, our first dance, as well as speeches from our family.

I hitch my breath as I listen to Marius give us his toast as father of the groom.

"When I had first met Sookie, I knew she was special and that she would have a special place in Marten's life. It came as quite a shock to me when I learned what her role was going to be in our lives. I had not anticipated this, but nonetheless, I am overcome with pride and happiness for the couple. May your lives be filled with joy and happiness, congratulations!"

We clap afterwards and I take a large gulp of my champagne. It was after midnight and this reception was to end soon and the vampire ceremony was to begin shortly. I still had to go upstairs to take off my wedding dress and put on a different gown for this ceremony.

Pam and Amelia help me take off my wedding dress and get me into my other dress, which was an absolutely exquisite purple-printed strapless-corseted gown with a flowing skirt. Pam had bought this for me as a bridal shower gift. Amelia quickly puts my hair in an up-do, while Pam straightens out the front of my new dress.

"You look perfect Sookie," Pam says proudly.

"We're running a little bit late," Amelia says.

"The AP will just have to wait," Pam responds as she fixes my makeup.

"Oh my sweet Jesus!" I say nervously.

"I don't think Jesus is here Sookie," Pam says with a raised eyebrow.

I chuckle a little. "Going in front of the AP is always nerve-wrecking!"

"It will be fine," Pam says. "Just be glad that she and the council approved your marriage."

Again, I wasn't feeling quite sure about this, but I figured since I went through with the human marriage ceremony, what's one more ceremony to get though? Right?

We head back into the ballroom and this time the décor had changed. Gone were the lilies, and were replaced with more colourful flower arrangements and lots of red velvet. It looked like a setting for some kind of vampire movie. In this case, it was sort of true. I look around as I walk arm in arm with Pam down the aisle. There were no humans, all just mostly vampires, most of whom were royalty and other vampire dignitary. As we walk down, I suddenly feel uneasy. I look to my side and spot Rosamund Lefebvre, the queen of France, staring, more like glaring at me. I look away and turn my attention to the front where the Christian minister was replaced with the Ancient Pythoness, who was going to be performing the ceremony.

I stand with Marten in front of the AP and listen to her speak to us and the audience. I wasn't looking forward to the exchange of blood. I was uncomfortable when I had done it with Eric at our bonding ceremony, but I loved Eric and was more than willing to do anything for him. This time it was different.

We were coming up to the blood exchange. I sigh a little. I just wanted to get this over and done with. Marten takes the dagger and slices it in his hand. I latch onto the wound and he leans in. I hear the clicking of his fangs as he bites into my neck. I gasp a little as we continue to draw blood from each other.

I close my eyes as the overwhelming emotions flow through me. I had almost forgotten that this was our third blood exchange and we were now blood bonded. It had been a few years since I had felt this feeling. Immediately, I could hear the humming of the new bond I shared with Marten. I could feel his emotions. He was currently nervous, excited and overjoyed. I could also feel the love he felt for me and the respect that he had for me, but could also sense confusion. I could only guess it was because this was all new to him.

The wounds close on his wrist and he licks the bite marks that he made on my neck.

The AP announces that we are bonded and that we were now married according to vampire traditions.

"Long live the king and the queen!" she proclaims.

Again, we are met with a loud, boisterous applause from the vampire audience.

The vampire reception was like a whirlwind for me. I lose count as to how many people Marten and I chat with.

It was nearing the end of the night when Marten and I would leave for the start of our honeymoon. I had been so caught up with the marriage ceremonies that the honeymoon got buried to the back of my mind. I suddenly begin to feel nervous again. I wasn't ignorant to know what a newly wedded couple usually did on their first night as husband and wife. I recall the night that Eric and I shared after our ceremony. It was wonderful, finally being with him in an intimate manner as a bonded couple.

This time, however, was different. I had not had sex with any other man other than Eric in this life, though I had had sexual experience with other men in my past existence.

How did my life become so complicated?

I lean my head against Marten's chest as we continue to slow dance to a song by Phil Collins, immersed in my thoughts.

"It's okay Sookie," Marten whispers against my hair. "I can feel your emotions, remember?"

I look up and stare into his twinkling eyes. He was grinning. "I won't do anything that you aren't comfortable with."

I smile and made a squirming noise. "I know, I trust you."

"C'mon, let's get out of here," he says as he leans away and takes my hand.

I follow him and awhile later we were standing on the dock next to his yacht.

"What are we doing here?" I say with a smile. We had left the reception after getting a send off and had made our way to the docks. I look at the sparkling lights of New York City and then at the expensive yacht that Marten owned and had taken me on for a ride a few times in the past.

He hoists me into his arms. "I believe I'm supposed to carry you across the threshold."

"I'm not sure that applies to a yacht, but I guess this counts," I quip.

I was still wearing the gown from the vampire ceremony and Marten was still in his tux. He carries me through the boat to the primary bedroom.

He sets me down in front of the king-size bed which was covered in red and pink rose petals.

"Wow," is all I say. I spot our luggage on one side of the room. "This is nice."

Suddenly the yacht begins to move.

I look at the time, it was past four in the morning.

"Are we going somewhere?" I ask Marten as I go to look out the window.

"Yes for a few nights, then we will be heading to our honeymoon destination by jet when we come back," he says as he takes off his jacket and tie and throws it on a chair.

"But, is it safe?" I ask him in a worrisome tone. Dawn was coming soon. I wasn't sure if vampires felt safe to rest during the day on a boat.

"Don't worry my darling wife, I have all the details handled. My coffin is secure, one of the best that has ever been made. Nothing can break it, it's impenetrable," he says, his eyes still twinkling.

He comes up to me and puts his hands around my waist. He leans down slowly, looking into my eyes as he continues to get closer to my lips. I close my eyes and open my mouth a little, inviting him in. We deepen the kiss as desire begins to fill our new bond. I could feel his insatiable needs, both literally and emotionally, if the bulge in his trousers was any indication. It had been months since he last had had sex. When we became engaged, he made a promise that he would be loyal to me, not that I was expecting that from him. On the contrary, I was hoping he would continue with his lifestyle in the small hope that he would let me be. But my feelings on that matter were changing. All of a sudden, I felt glad and honored that he was going to be faithful to me. Maybe it had to do with my views on marriage or the bond, I honestly didn't know.

I was also feeling something else too. Something that I had not felt in a long time, which was sensual desire. I was incredibly horny. For me, it had been years since I last had sex.

I break away from the kiss as Marten continues to grind up against me.

"I need to freshen up," I manage to choke out, his hands roaming all over my upper body.

"Okay," he says huskily as he kisses my shoulder. "Sookie, you have no idea how much I need you."

"Give me a few minutes," I grab my small suitcase and make my way into the master bathroom. I close the door and take a few deep breaths. This was really happening.

"Oh my lord…" I hush to myself. I let my hair down and run my fingers through it and take some more deep breaths. I look at my finger on my left hand which was currently adorned with my new wedding set from Marten. I was his wife now, not only in the vampire world, but also in the eyes of God. We had been married by an ordained minister.

I suddenly hear music playing from the bedroom.

Was that BoyzIIMen? I think briefly before opening my suitcase and pulling out the lingerie that Amelia had gifted me from the bridal shower. It was a blue see-through teddy. Blue was Marten's favorite colour. I raise the teddy to eye level. It was definitely see-through everywhere and I mean everywhere! And it was also crotchless…...

I could feel my cheeks burning in mortification. I rummage through my bag for anything else to wear but only find bras, panties and a silk sleep set along with other daytime clothes. I gulp again. I also find a matching see-through robe for the teddy.

I couldn't wear any of that other stuff for my wedding night. Well, this was a special night and it was the first time I was going to be intimate with my new husband.

"I may as well give it a shot," I mumble to myself as I try to figure out how to get into it without tearing the delicate looking fabric.

I take off my dress and hang it up on hanger on the wall. I also take off my underwear and put the blue teddy on slowly as well as the robe.

I brush my hair. I decide to wash off the layers of makeup and put on some lip gloss and a little blush on my cheeks.

After I'm satisfied with my appearance, I head to the door. I take one last deep breath before opening it to find Marten standing in the middle of the room shirtless, but while still wearing the pants that was part of his suit.

The room was dimmed but the curtains were still drawn open. The moonshine filled part of the room, the part where he was standing with his hands in his pockets, looking at me. I hitch my breath as I take in his bare chest. He looked mesmerizing at this moment. I had always found him very good-looking in the past, but I wasn't attracted to him. I had only ever thought of him as a friend, but now it was different. Not only was I sexually attracted to him, I was now beginning to feel a romantic attraction to him as well. Was it because of the blood bond we had created? I ponder on that briefly before walking up to him slowly.

My heart was galloping like a racehorse and my libido was in overdrive. He runs his hands up and down my arms a few times slowly.

I put my hands on his chest and run them down towards his nether regions all the while not looking into his eyes. I was scared, not scared of him, but scared of the emotions that I was feeling.

"It's okay Sookie, like I said, we won't do anything that you don't want to do," Marten says as he puts his hands over mine.

I finally look up into his eyes. "I.. I.…. I want to."

In an instant, he crushes his lips against mine, his hands felt like they were everywhere as we continue kissing feverishly.

We make our way to the bed and lay on top of the rose petals. He takes off his trousers and kicks them off the bed. We kiss as I move my hand down between and grasp his rock-hard erection, which causes him to moan into my mouth.

"Oh my god, Sookie, you don't know how long I have been waiting for this moment," he says as he takes one of my nipples into his mouth through the thin fabric of my lingerie. I moan out in pleasure as his other hand massages my other breast. He kisses his way down and I spread my legs for him. He nibbles and sucks on my numb and inserts a couple fingers inside me which causes me to moan out even louder. I run my fingers through his tousled hair as he continues his ministrations down there. I cry out as I reach my first orgasm in years.

"Oh, my goodness," I cry out in a raspy voice. "More."

He's suddenly back on top of me, rubbing his tip against my folds. I nod a little as he pushes in gently.

A new wave of carnal desire overwhelms me as he continues to push in and out of me. It isn't long before I reach another orgasm as he climaxes at the same time as well.

Marten stays inside me as I ride out my orgasm. I could feel that he was hard again.

"This is incredible," he says in a daze. "I never thought it could be this way."

I was still catching my breath as he begins moving in and out of me again. I mumble incoherently….

An hour later, I fall asleep from sheer exhaustion, not just from the sex, but from everything that occurred.

I wake up in the afternoon, alone, naked under the covers. I look towards the end of the bed and see the teddy I was wearing last night in tattered pieces.

When did that happen? I think to myself. I don't even remember him tearing that off my body.

I roll over to find a note on the nightstand. I grab the note and lay back on my pillow still feeling tired and sleepy. I yawn as I begin to read it.

Sookie, my love, my wife. The last 24 hours have been the most amazing time of my life. I cannot wait to spend more time with you. I never thought I could feel such intense feelings. This is just the beginning. Sleep well. From your loving husband.

I close my eyes and roll over again. I try to close my eyes to fall asleep again but I couldn't. I suddenly begin to feel overwhelmed again. I hadn't imagined my life would take this turn, that I would end up being the consort queen of New York, again.

Perhaps, this was fate, that my journey would always lead me to this path. I was nervous, unsure of what was next for me. But I knew that the road ahead of me was going to be full of challenges, but also new adventures.