Hey everyone, a few quick A/Ns:
Soooo sorry for the long wait. It's been a crazy two months, and I've never gone so long not updating before, so I'm sorry, especially so close to the end!
Just so everyone knows, his story isn't going too much into the aspect of Eric being king, since my other story, Darkness of the Night, going too deep in it, this will only briefly touch upon it
This story only has two chapters left after this; it's crazy to believe I'm finishing a series that's over three hundred thousand!
Anyway, that is all, sorry again for the wait, hopefully, this 7k fluffy chapter will make up for it

2 weeks later

SPOV

My eyes open and I smile, I'm in my own bed, for the first time in months it feels like. Granted, this is a new bed and my first time sleeping in it but it still feels like this could be our home. Last night was our first night in the new house and I've loved every minute of it, I've never moved into a new place before so I'm excited for the unpacking and decorating. Plus, every time I showed even a little interest in something, Eric went behind my back and bought it. The high-handed jerk. So there's a lot of new stuff that I'd have never bought for myself waiting for me to choose a place to call its home. Believe you me, I was mighty mad when I found out and gave him a good talking to but if I'm being honest, now that I calmed down I'm excited.

I've been thinking over things over these last few weeks and I realize he's right, I shouldn't feel too bad accepting his gifts and spending his money because we are pretty much married, more than really. And I've realized just because I take his money doesn't mean I'm a kept woman, I've seen how much money I can make with my telepathy, I don't need Eric to pay my way, I can make it just fine on my own, but we're a team and we pick up each other's slack, even financially, so I'm not going to let myself feel bad when money is put together, even if he has the lions share.

Anyway, I'm beyond excited to start the next phase of our life here. This is the first time in weeks I'm planning on waking up in the same spot tomorrow that I woke up in tonight. It's been crazy since Eric took the crown, we've had to travel all over his three-state territory and show his face, calm down people who were worried about how things were going to change now that there was a new king. The overall consensus is that they're happy for the change, Eric isn't trying to gouge them on taxes, and he's not trying to get them to be deceitful to other monarchs in hopes of taking their states. He just wants his people to follow the rules, check in, and make as much money as possible, and he'll take the normal 20% for taxes and put it to the state.

I read the people around those vampires in charge and know they're serious when they say they're behind Eric, so it's a load off our worries. Now, we've finally been able to get back to Shreveport and explore the house Eric bought for us before we left. It's exciting and scary at the same time. I haven't seen nearly as much of Eric as I've been hoping to, and even though I completely understand why, I can't help but feel a little neglected. I know it's insane, and he's here with me as much as he can be, but I can't help but feel the way I do. He has been working nonstop, even managing to work during the day by saying it's all done by his Day Man, and I know he's doing all this to get the states in order so he doesn't have to work as much later but it's just hard.

Thankfully when he works during the day he's with me, so we get to spend some time together then, and he's always next to me when it's time for him to rest, but there isn't much time for anything else. I'm hoping now that he's chosen and paid for the layout of his royal compound and has hired people to manage the day-to-day of it all, things will slow down.

I stretch before rolling over, I was spooning with Eric, his front against my back but now we're front to front, and I nuzzle in as much as possible. I know he's not sleeping when he pulls me a little closer and I hear the telltale sound of him inhaling and scenting my hair.

"Mhhmm, good morning," I mumble into his chest.

As he exhales he lets out a growl that sends shivers from the top of my head all the way down to the tips of my toes. "Good evening, lover. The sun is going to set in only a few moments.

He thrusts his hips forward twice, and his body is making it clear how much he wants me. I slowly slither my hand that was resting on his chest down past his stomach, belly button, happy trail, and hips, and I inch my fingers lower, teasing but not actually touching where he wants me the most. His growl becomes more insistent, feral, the sound alone causes a little moan to escape my lips the moment before I smash them on his. The kiss is hot and needy; the kiss overtakes everything else, and I lose sense of time. The next thing I know, I'm on my hands and knees on top of Eric, his head much lower on the bed than mine. I'm not given time to miss the kiss because before I know it, his mouth is focused on much more pleasurable places on my body. He has two fingers thrusting inside me as his tongue twirls around my clit, moving faster than any human could. Nonstop sounds are leaving me, moans, groans, cries, screams.

Before Eric, I was never that into the pleasures a mouth could bring you, but God, Eric changed my mind. I feel the part deep inside me tighten, coil, like a spring in my center compressing, bringing a pressure deep inside me, ready to explode open. I feel my eyes roll into the back of my head when he curls his fingers just so to that spot inside me no one had reached before him and I let out a long moan screaming my pleasure.

"Fuck, Eric!" I say, holding the vowels much longer than necessary.

I hear him chuckle and it brings another round of pleasure from me because his mouth is still at my clit. I know Eric's move well enough by now to know when he grabs my hips just so he's planning on manhandling me to get me in the position he wants. But this time, I stop him by resting my hands on top of his, the change is enough for him to look at me and see what I'm planning to do. I shimmy down his body and grab his member, I make sure we keep eye contact the entire time I slowly descend upon him. Inch by inch his grip on my hips becomes tighter, I'm sure there will be bruises where his fingertips lay tomorrow. It hurts but in that way that it feels oh so good. I can't help but let out another moan at the feeling.

When we're finally skin to skin, when he's all the way deep inside me, I sit there for a moment. I see the restraint in his eyes. He wants to use his hands that are still on my hips to lift me up and thrust me down on him; I stay still, though. And every second longer, it's like I can see that restraint snapping string by string until he's only holding on with one small strand, and if I make him wait anymore, he's going to take over. Then, only then, when he's ready to break, do I use my legs to lift up to the point that only the tip of his cock is inside me. If I moved even a centimeter more, it'd be falling out. Still, I make sure not to break eye contact, I'm enjoying the power I have over him at this moment. And I can tell through our bonds that he finds it sexy as hell even if every piece inside him is urging him to take control, thankfully he's holding back.

So I lower myself slowly, almost at a torturous pace, and I'm surprised at the long guttural groan that leaves his mouth. I'm pretty sure I hear my name in it, but I'm sure that sound he makes couldn't be categorized as a word. I keep up in this slow, tortuous place for what seems like hours, but I know it is only minutes, moments. At some point, he moves his finger to my clit, and I know he's keeping me just as close to the edge as he is. Figures, I finally take control and edge him as much as I've learned he loves doing it to me and he manages to match me. Whatever, I'm not going to let him win this tonight.

I lean over him and lick wherever my mouth can reach: his neck, chin, jawline, collarbone, chest. When I make it to his nipple, I take a chance and bite as hard as I can, drawing blood, feel his whole body shake and his cock deep inside me spasm and I know he's coming. He doesn't give me a chance to enjoy that I finally made him come first, no he starts moving his fingers at vamp speed, faster than I've ever encountered before and the next thing I know I have my head thrown back, I'm screaming my pleasure, and my hands are so bright I can't keep my eyes open. I'd be worried but I've learned well by now that my light affects Eric differently than anyone else, probably because a piece of my light lives inside him. Because of this, it doesn't surprise me that when my light hits him he loses what little control he had and I'm on my back with him fucking me so hard and fast I didn't even have time to come down from my high from my last orgasm. It is a little concerning that he feels warmer than normal, not human warm but certainly warmer than I'm used to. The thought is quickly thrown to the side when he twists his hips just so and it's so intense I almost black out.

When we're finally done, Eric's on his back and I'm on top of him, panting. I'm surprised when he's breathing in and out so much he might as well be considered panting too. Eventually, I manage to open my mouth, "Wow…"

His chuckle is almost dark, "Yes."

"I think that might have been our best work ever."

His dark chuckle turns into a genuine laugh, "I think I have to agree with you there, lover. And that's including that night by the lake."

Just the mention of that night sends so many shivers through me that I'm ready to go again. "Oh yeah, even more than that."

A few long moments later he lets out a grown, this time of disappointment, "It's time to get up now, lover, we have a busy schedule."

"Gah," I say as I stretch again, "Okay, fine…. Wait, are you sure we can't play hooky today? Doesn't it sound better just to stay in bed with me all night?"

He pulls me in for a rough kiss, "Yes, of course it does. But I've already set up the meetings. Worry not, I've already selected those who are going to work for me, give me a few days to give directions and set everything in place, after that, I'll only have to deal with the important things or the dangerous attacks. I don't expect to be called more than once a week. I've chosen the best of the best as my underlings."

I smile at him, I know he's right, and I know how hard he's working to make this easy for me. So I stand up and walk over to our closet filled with boxes, there's a few new outfits for each of us hanging up already, and thanks to Pam, I grab one of the garment bags at random. Pam and I might not have the same style, but damn is her perspective. When she shops for me, she buys things she wouldn't wear in a thousand years, but I love them, so I don't have to worry.

After getting ready, I look mournfully at the boxes as we pass them on the way out of the house. However, I do have fun putting the passcode in the security system on the way out. This is my first time having a system like that and my first time using it. I notice Eric's lips quirk up and know he feels how much it's the small things that make me happy.

For now, Eric is working out of Fangtasia, while we were gone, he bought a nearby rundown hotel and started work to turn it into where his kingdom will be run. It's only about five minutes from our house, and he already has his trusted advisors in their new positions, I'm hoping all of this together means we'll be able to live at least a semi-quiet life. I'm not silly enough to think it will be a normal life; I don't even want that anymore, I realized that a long time ago. Still, I do want as much time as possible with just Eric and me. I don't think that's too selfish, especially after everything we've been through over the years, hell, over the dimensions.

So it's going to take a few weeks, maybe even months for everything to settle down but we're getting there. Now, all we have to worry about is whatever the hell this prophecy is. I've been able to shove it to the back of my mind since I got here, it was easy because all my focus was getting Eric and then getting to know him again. But ever since the council meeting, with Niall and the Ancient Pythoness making such a big deal of it, it's been there buzzing in the forefront of my mind. My fingers tap anxiously on the center console just thinking about it.

Eric's hand reaches over and rests on top of mine, stopping my motions, I look at him a little sheepishly. "Sorry."

"What is wrong, lover? There's nothing to fret about tonight, we're just showing our presence around, and making sure everyone is accepting of the new way of things, after that we'll go back home."

"No, it's not that. I'm just thinking about the prophecy again. I just don't know what we should be expecting."

He lifts his head in a nod of acknowledgment, and his hand that's still on top of mine squeezes once. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, but if it's bothering you this much I can put my witches on it, or call around and see if there's a seer that can see anything."

I smile at him and after a few moments of thought, nod my head. "Thank you, Eric, that really would be a load off my mind."

He pulls my hand to his lips and kisses it, "Of course, Dear One."

The rest of the ride is made in a comfortable silence and when we pull into the parking lot I have to hold in a gasp, I haven't seen it this filled ever, even in the memories of Other Sookie. "Eric, what is all this?"

He groans, "It seems Pam must have put the word out to the humans that I'm back. It's her way of getting back at me, I assume. She wasn't too fond when I told her I'd be taking over her office for a few weeks."

I can't help but laugh, "You know good and well she learned her unique version of payback from you."

He chuckled then let out an uncharacteristic sigh as he looked at the long line of humans, "Are you ready?"

"As long as you hold on to me the whole time. I haven't been around this many humans in a long time, I'm a little out of practice."

"As if you need an excuse to get my hands on you."

I laugh and slap his arm, "Now don't you start with any of that dirty talk, mister. We've got work to do, right?"

He sighed again, "Why did I have to fall in love with such a responsible woman? Wouldn't it be much more fun to take you now in the backseat?"

His hand which was resting on my knee started sliding up, taking my dress with it and my cheeks flush, "What did I just say about that dirty talk?"

He kisses me deeply, consumingly, one of those kisses so good you can't help but moan into it. I instinctively push my chest towards him, just wanting to be closer to him, and groan when he stops kissing me and I feel his smug smile against my lips before he pulls away.

"Fine, let's go, if we must." He says as he opens his car door.

I hold in a groan, not letting him get the satisfaction, the smug smirk he's still sporting when he vamps around and opens my door for me makes me want to smack it off of him because he can feel exactly how much I'm affected right now. Still, I keep my poise about me and take his offered arm to get out of the car. He immediately wraps his arm around me and rests it on my arm, skin to skin, immediately making it easier to keep the voices out. It takes me a few minutes to realize I was keeping them out all on my own just fine. Maybe it's because of that last boost I got from the fairy fountain that Gramps brought me before the fight.

As we walked towards Fangtasia, the line of people outside the door started to grow louder, happy to see Eric back again. Seriously, he's like a celebrity here. It was strange; I had memories of seeing them like this before when Other Sookie was with Eric, but I was only here a few times, and I wasn't with Eric yet then, so I didn't notice. It's like deja vu and a completely new situation at the same time. There are a few people that say hi to me, too, even though I mostly just get dirty looks, so it's like I'm pretty well known here, too.

Eric, as always, ignores everyone and walks through the front door. He nods at a few vampires in the room, and they automatically get up to follow him to the office. When we walk in, they wait outside, Pam is sitting at her seat, and Eric can't stop the disgusted face he makes when he sees what she's done to the office, it's all pink and leather. "Pamela, what in the name of Odin did you do to this place?"

She shrugs nonchalantly, "It's nice, right? I've made it mine."

He opens his mouth to reply but decides against it, "It's very you."

She mock gasps, "I know a fake compliment when I hear one." She walks up to me and leans in to kiss me once on each cheek, "Sookie darling, don't you look amazing in that dress?"

"Thank you, I have a great personal stylist," I joke.

"She is great, isn't she? Now, hurry up with your meetings, I want my office back. I cannot wait until yours is finished being built."

In a very Pam way, he rolled his eyes, "It's only the first night, Pamela. I think you can manage. I'll only be an hour or two." He turns to me, "Do you want to stay with me or go out to the bar with Pam?"

The idea of sitting through the meetings doesn't sound too interesting to me right now, so I say, "Bar, I think. It's been a while since I've hung out here."

He leans down and kisses me once slowly, "Okay, I'll be quick, then we can get you dinner."

I smile and nod, standing on my toes to kiss him one more time before following Pam out the door. The vampires who were waiting in the hall take Eric's signal and make their way in. As we're walking to the bar area Pam asks, "Oh! Is this a Girl's night out I've read and heard so much about? I've always wanted to do one of those."

I laugh, "I think if you want a girl's night out you have to invite more than just me, maybe Karin or Thalia, although I don't know how interested they'd be."

"Sookie, if you don't think I can get them to agree, you don't know me at all." She says as she rests her hands on my shoulders, "Now, go get a drink, I have to go entice the vermin, feel free to join me if you want to."

I laugh, "I'm good, I think but thanks anyway."

"If you're sure. There's always a seat next to me for you, Dear Sookie."

I smile before turning and making my way to the bar. I know the bartender on shift from the one time I came here before I was able to save Eric and from memories from Other Sookie, so I smile at her in greeting, not surprised when her scowl doesn't lessen. Still, there's a gin and tonic in front of me before I even sit down. My eyes widen when she bows slightly down to me, "Thank you, Mistress. I didn't believe it when they said you'd bring him home but you did it. We owe you much."

I'm even more surprised when she doesn't immediately stand up, she stays bent over like she's waiting for something. A little panicked, I reach over and touch her shoulder, "Hey, it's okay, you don't have to bow for me. I'd do it again, we all knew he didn't deserve to be there."

She stands up straight and nods at me before turning her attention to another customer, pretty much ignoring me again. Oh well, I think I like it better that way. I take a long sip of my drink and look around, happy. This is the first time in a long time I've felt this happy. Eric's home, there's no more fighting or lying, hiding things from each other, we're a team, a real team that trusts each other. And we've beat the danger, sure; I know there will be more in the future. I'm not that naive anymore, but for now, we don't have to look over our shoulders; all we have to do is deal with all the kingdom stuff, and then we can just be ourselves.

I take another sip and feel a tap on my shoulder I turn around and see a man sitting next to me. I squint my eyes because he looks familiar but I can't really place where I know him from. "Hi, Sookie, right? Can't forget a name like that."

"Uh yeah…"

"It's me, Jared, although I don't think I even had the chance to introduce myself last time."

I squint harder, trying to go through all the memories of Other Sookie until I remember I don't have to go that far, this is the man that I sat next to the last time I was here at Fangtasia, before we went to Oklahoma to get Eric, when we were still coming up with a plan, and I was still getting used to my new life in this new dimension.

"Oh, right! Hi, how are you?" I've been keeping my shields up to keep all the fang banger's thoughts out, not wanting to hear all their thoughts and lust about Eric. I had a strange feeling about this guy last time I was here though, so experimenting, I try to lower my shields just enough to focus on his thoughts and find out it's easy.

Man, she looks even better than she did the last time.

"I'm good, I've been worried about you, haven't seen you around."

"Oh, I've been out of town pretty much since I saw you last," I say vaguely. His thoughts aren't anything special, not giving me any indication that I should be worried. Still, I don't trust him so keeping my answers short and sweet is probably for the best, even though we don't have anything to hide anymore.

"Oh good, so you weren't being held captive."

It turns out the bartender had been listening the whole time because her fangs come down and she aggressively leans over the bar, grabbing and scaring Jared. I know it's not very Christian of me, but I let out a little giggle. "You won't speak in such a way about our mistress."

"Sorry! It was a joke! An inside one!"

She looks at me with her brow quirked, and I just nod, so she lets him go and slowly walks away. He's still shaking in his boots when he asks, "What the fuck?"

"Don't worry about it." I shrug, not willing to explain.

He takes another sip of his drink while I look at the door down the hall and where the office is, feeling our bonds to find Eric calm and bored. I smile, Eric has something planned for me tonight but he won't tell me what, it's kind of exciting, the last time he did something like this he took me on the best date ever in San Francisco.

"So, did that man of yours ever come back? Or could I invite you to dance with me tonight?"

I turn back to him, "Sorry, I appreciate the offer, but no. Why are you sitting here talking to me? Normally the people here would do anything to get the attention of the vampires. Like that one on stage," I say, pointing to Pam, realizing her eyes are already on me. I smile when she winks at me. "I hear she owns the place."

"Oh, I'm just here for the atmosphere."

I shake my head and laugh, taking another sip of my drink. I'm about to stand up to make my way over to Pam, to sit with her when I hear:

Is this really the girl they want me to get information on and take if I have the opportunity? I mean, the vamps obviously respect her but she doesn't seem all that special to me.

I work my hardest not to let it show that I heard his thoughts, I mean, it doesn't sound like he knows I'm a telepath, but still. I don't even have a second to consider my options because, between one blink and the next, Eric is standing in front of me, looking around angrily with his fangs down, Pam next to her maker.

Once he sees no immediate danger, the tension in his body lessens, and his stance becomes more protective and less aggressive, "What is wrong, lover?"

I want to roll my eyes because it'd have probably helped if I had more time to get information, but I can't get upset, I feel how worried he is for me, and it makes me love him all the more. I nod at Jared, who's still sitting next to me, now confused and worried, "We have another wannabe kidnapper."

"Wha—" he doesn't get to finish the question. He and Pam are gone in the blink of an eye, and Eric's standing me up and almost wrapping himself around me protectively as he leads me to the back.

When we're alone in the office— the meeting must be over or Eric sent them away or something, he turns me so we're face to face, "What do you mean?"

I explain to him everything, from the first meeting, when he tried to get me to let him give me a ride home, to how he happened to be here tonight and kept trying to keep the conversation going, to his innocent thoughts until that last one. Eric stays quiet for a few long moments staring at me, thinking over all I said, "Hmm, worry not another second about this man, Dear One, I'll handle it."

"But we don't know who's sent him!"

"No, we do not," He agrees, "But I won't let this human ruin our night. I'm king now, I have a whole group of vampires, witches, and what have you at my fingertips for just this type of situation. If I'm going to take the job, I'm going to use the perks. Now, as I said, do not worry about this anymore." He vamps to the coat hanger where my purse is hanging and brings it to me, "Get ready, we're leaving. I just have to speak to Pam quickly."

He leaves no room for arguments, and really, after a second, I decide I don't want to fight it anyway. He's right, and I'm no longer blind to the supernatural world, I know sometimes things get dirty, and this guy was hired to steal me away from my life. I'm not going to let that man ruin our night, even if that makes me a bad person. Eric's back before I have time to let that last thought sink in, and he's leading me out the back door and into the car, before I know it, we're on our way.

I'm surprised when he starts leading us to Bon Temps, even more surprised when he pulls up in front of the Farmhouse. I haven't spent nearly any time here since this whole crazy situation started. I feel good like the feeling of home washes over me when I get out of the car. I know the new house will feel that way eventually, but it's not there yet and I've missed it.

"Eric?" I ask, not sure what his plans are. There are lights on in the house, which is surprising. Eric vamps around the car and holds his arm out to me in a gentlemanly way.

I smile as I take it and let out a little giggle when I say, "Why thank you, good sir."

As we get closer to the front door I realize there's music playing and the lights are moving, flickering, making me think it's candles. I can't help but ask again, "Eric?"

"Hush, Dear One, you'll see soon enough."

He opens the door with a flourish and I gasp when I get a good look at the inside. I was right, there are candles everywhere, flower petals strewn around the living room, and at the center my Gran's quilt that Eric used when he had amnesia, pillows on top of it along with a picnic basket, soft music playing in the background. Whatever is in the basket smells delicious, the smell makes my stomach growl and Eric laughs as I cover it embarrassed.

"Looks like we're just in time, come, sit."

He tries to start leading me but my feet are planted as I look around, "Eric, this is amazing, beautiful."

He puts his hand on my back and lightly but firmly urges me to move forward, so I do. I'm barely sitting on this indoor picnic when he's already opening the basket. I laugh when he pulls out a to-go bag from a restaurant we went to before, I loved their filet mignon, or at least Other Sookie did but I've long since stopped thinking of those memories as another person's life.

"I thought you'd like this better than me trying to cook."

I inhale, "Mhmm, it smells so good. Gimme."

He chuckles as he hands it over and then reaches back in and pulls out some wine that I also had that same night, pouring me a glass, then pulls out a bottle of Royalty blend for himself. He knows I feel better eating when he has something too, otherwise, I just feel silly. During the meal there isn't that much talking the food is just so good and I realize I hadn't eaten all day. It's one of the downsides of being with a vampire, they don't need to eat so that particular need is always on the backburner. Eric does a decent job of remembering my human needs though.

"Oh god, I couldn't eat another bite, that was so good. And I loved this, so much better than sitting in a stuffy restaurant with so many other people around." Eric feels strange, not upset, or nervous, just a little uneasy. It makes me give him a long look. "What's wrong, Eric?"

He smiles, not one of his smirks or devious smiles, but a real smile. " You're Listening to our bond, are you? Nothing is wrong. I'm just glad you're enjoying tonight, as you know I don't have much experience planning things like this."

I laugh, "Things like this? Eric you can call it what it is, a date."

He smirks, "Yes, a date, I don't have much experience planning dates or dates in general."

I reach across the blanket and rest my hand on his, "Well, for someone with not much experience, you've done an amazing job."

I put the leftover food back in the basket and push it to the side, deciding to deal with that later. I crawl over so that I'm almost in his lap and lean over him to kiss him and smile into his lips when his arm snakes around my waist to pull me closer. I open my legs enough to straddle him, and his hands move to grip my waist, moving them slightly, only enough to give us just enough friction to be deliciously tortuous.

I wrap my arms around his neck and run my fingers from his neck up into his hair, pulling it. I'm surprised a moment later when he groans regretfully and breaks the kiss, pushing me away slightly. Our lips aren't touching but they might as well have been, he must be able to feel my every breath. I realize his grips on my hips have become more soft, his thumb rubbing idly.

I quirk my eyebrow at him, confused. I've never once had Eric be the one to cool things down, well except during that strange period when I was the one with all the memories and he considered me a stranger. No, even then he'd have slept with me if I wanted just sex.

He gently but firmly moves me so I'm next to him instead of on top of him, I can tell he's considering his next words carefully, it's making me nervous, if I'm being honest. His eyes dart to me, probably feeling my worry, and he takes an uncharacteristic deep breath, exhaling a sigh, and when he does, his shoulders are straight, he's confident and back to the normal Eric I know and love. He leans forward so we're facing each other, him on his knees while I'm sitting cross-legged, my hands in his.

"Sookie, min kära, it's been a long journey to get us here." I nod as he picks up my wine and hands it to me, "a story I, who's been in and around the supernatural world for over a century, would have a problem believing if I hadn't lived it myself." I laugh again, and he chuckles lightly, "When I left for Oklahoma I shut the door on us forever. I tried to anyway, but simple thoughts of you throughout the night were enough to crack that door back open, no matter how hard I tried to keep you out…"

"Eric?" Where is he going with this?

"…And then you stormed through Freyda's doors like the Valkyrie you are, demanding me and my freedom. Fuck Sookie; I've never been more attracted to anyone than I was of you at that moment… except maybe when we went to the council meeting, and you took control of everything, yelling to the world that you're mine… that I'm yours too. But now that's all over, and for the first time in my entire unlife, I feel safe, like I'm no longer waiting for the other shoe to drop, I no longer have to keep complete control over my emotions, worrying that Ocella's interest will be piqued if I feel too much joy, or gods forbid, love," Tears are falling down my face at this point, Eric's opened up to me before, many times but never this much, this freely, "Even after he met his final death I knew enough not to feel completely safe, he always had a plan B, and if he cared enough, a plan C and D…"

He trails off for a long moment, and I squeeze his hand in comfort while taking a sip of my wine, I plan to talk when I swallow, but he's talking again before I have a chance, "Sookie, none of this would have happened if it weren't for you. You've changed my life completely since the day you walked into my bar, believe me, sometimes you got me so mad that I've wanted to rip my hair out, hell, I've wanted to rip yours out, too. You've dragged me, sometimes kicking and screaming, into this new way of life. And now that we're sitting here, I feel that I owe you everything, that never in my life had I thought I could fall in love with someone, let alone as much as I love you."

I think I'm starting to see where this is going, and every part of me wants to cut in and talk, the small smirk on Eric's face means he feels that in the bond, but I manage to keep myself quiet and let the silence go on as long as he needs to be ready, "I must admit I was quite embarrassed when you were the one that asked me to pledge with you. My father, my human one, would have been very disappointed in me to hear that story." He smiles one of the soft smiles that he lets out so rarely. Welp, the tears are back in full force again, oh well. He adjusts himself slightly but noticeably, instead of being on two knees like he was, he was resting on one directly in front of me and I can't help but gasp, almost positive now, "I've done some research on how things like this are done with humans nowadays," he scoffs, "I'm not one for long speeches, I've never gotten the hang of them during all my time as a leader…"

"I'd say you're doing a pretty darn good job right now." I sniff and he reaches over to wipe away a few tears, bringing it to his mouth.

"Mhmm, delicious, just as every other part of you. As I was saying, after much research and conversations with Pam, spending much time talking her down on extravagance, this is where I landed." He pulls a small velvet box out of his pocket, I'm not sure how I didn't notice it before, and opens it up, "Sookie Elizabeth Stackhouse…"

"…Sookie Mae Stackhouse…"

He tilts his head to the side like a curious cat trying to figure something out, "I know your middle name, Sookie, I've filled out enough paperwork with it on it."

I shrug, unsure what to tell him, "Well, you've got it wrong, my middle name has always been Mae."

"I've seen your birth certificate."

"What? When?!"

"It matters not," He waves the question away, "Perhaps that's another change in the dimensions. Either way, here, your middle name is Elizabeth."

"Huh," I say, not sure how else to respond. I look down and remember the box. Excitedly, I say, "Let's not worry about that right now, continue!"

He chuckles, "Sookie Stackhouse, It'd be my greatest honor if you'd allow me to become your husband, making it so we're tied in the ways of our kind and with the values you were raised with…"

I'm not sure if he's planning on saying more, I don't give him a chance. Instead, I lunge forward and wrap my arms around him, kissing him hard. He kisses me back immediately and has me on my back a second later, moving away to kiss down my neck, that spot he loves on me almost as much as I do. Before I get too into it, unfortunately, he pulls away to look me in my eyes.

"I can take this as a yes, correct?"

I laugh, "Of course, it's a yes!"

Faster than human eyes can see, he has the ring out of the box and on my finger. I want to take a second to look at it but that thought flutters away when his lips continue their attack on me. We spend the rest of the night and early morning celebrating our engagement.