Hello again and a big Welcome Back to all you loyal readers who have returned. I know I'm a bit late to the party but technically, it is still fall. Before we get started, I'd like to recommend any new readers coming on board to go back to the beginning of this series. Lots of stuff has happened to bring Sookie and Eric to this point and reading it all will leave you less confused. Now, let's begin. Though I've consistantly written from Sookie's point of view, I thought it would be fun to open this final installment inside Eric's head. It is a short but sweet and will be the first and only time I utilize this tool. Enjoy!

*Core characters do not belong to me. No copyright infringement intended*

Prologue

Honey,

Sorry I wasn't home when you rose but Julie was under the weather today, so I went in and relieved her. Since Monday is date night, how about you meet me at Fangtasia. Oh, and wear something VERY casual. I'll be waiting for you.

XXOO

Love you,

Sookie

I smiled at the delicate yet quick writing, perfected from years of serving others as my cock twitched in anticipation of diving inside my wife. Wife! I shook my head and smiled in disbelief.

Who would have ever thought Eric Northman, infamous vampire and notorious womanizer would ever settle down and voluntarily take on the role of family man? Certainly not me. Nearly three years ago, if anyone dared make that suggestion, I'd have drained them dry and left their husk of a corpse rotting on Fangtasia's basement floor. Fucking and feeding off different fangbangers every night only to immediately toss them aside like garbage was my M.O. It gave me pleasure, or what I thought was pleasure. But then, Sookie walked into my bar and now, that thought repulsed me.

I'm probably the first and only monogamous vampire in the world and here I was, happily slipping on the red, silk boxers my lover adored and nothing else. I had no problem following her instructions to a tee. Anything to please her for her smile warms me in ways I thought never existed. I am fully aware there are those of my kind who can't understand why I would willfully choose to share my bed with one woman, let alone drink only from her, but they've never tasted my wife and they never will. I would destroy them first if Sookie didn't beat me to the punch.

Sookie. A name as lovely and unique as my wife. I've grown fond of the way it dances across my lips. Lips that would permanently attach themselves to my lover if she'd allow it. Her nectar is the sweetest thing I've ever tasted, second only to her blood and it is as though her body was made just for me. If I were the god who created her, I wouldn't change a thing. Her hair is a river of spun gold cascading around an angelic face with eyes that see right into my soul and a neck that entices my fangs each time I kiss it. Her breasts are plump and perky with nipples that beg to be suckled and her bottom is full and round, giving me something to admire and hold. The polite Southern drawl that falls from her delicious mouth soothes me and her laughter could brighten my darkest night. When she wraps her strong limbs around me, limbs that have never shirked hard labor, it comforts my ancient body. Her skin is soft and supple and I've loved discovering every inch of it, even the staking scar she finds hideous. She'd never believe me, but I think it is one of her sexiest attributes. Proof that she is a true warrior. I have seen men succumb to smaller wounds than that and yet, she endured the pain, refusing to let go until I assured her it was okay. Had she been of my time, she most surely would have been a shield maiden or Valkyrie.

When I think back to that night in Jackson, I know it was then that I began to see Sookie as more than a conquest. I wanted to win her heart, not add another notch to my well worn bedpost. She deserved to be wooed and courted, hence the new graveled drive. True, it made visiting her much easier on my baby, but I had given Sookie something she needed rather than a frivolous gift of flowers, candy or jewelry. The driveway showed I understood she is not materialistic and my intentions towards her were more honorable than just a mere fuck. However, it took losing my memories for her to finally see the me I'd kept hidden away from everyone, including myself. In that state, I was able to say and do all the things my Viking pride and vampire nature previously prevented. I wasn't lying when I asked Sookie to run away with me but am thankful she is a worthy woman who gave me back to myself even though it broke her heart to do so.

How lucky I am to have found such perfection and how foolish I was to initially think loving her would weaken me. It has only made me stronger and I am no longer merely existing through time, I am living. Probably more so than when I was human. I love seeing the world through Sookie's eyes and rediscovering things I have long taken for granted, like lying on the grass and admiring the full moon. Sookie and I have our best conversations doing simple things like that. She is so easy to please. I'd give her the sun, the moon and the stars if she asked for them, but all she ever seems to want is time spent with me. Perhaps it is because we had to fight so hard to get it or because in a few short months, we will no longer have that luxury. I never thought I'd say this, but I am grateful for fairy magic. Not only has it given Sookie a much longer lifespan than we both thought possible, but it enabled me to give my beloved wife her heart's desire and I too eagerly await the birth of our child.

In my human life, I was at sea for each of Aude's pregnancies, returning home to an infant or another grave. I cared for my children, to be sure, but I was not close to them. I am much more connected to my progeny Pamela, but she was already a grown woman when I made her. Though I released her years ago, she stayed out of loyalty and affection. I suspect now, she stays just to see what my fairy princess will do next. Practical jokes aside, it is good that she and Sookie have forged their own friendship. I do not know how Pam will react when she finds out I will soon have a living child, but I do hope she will be a better sister to my daughter than Sookie's brother was to her. He was selfish and thoughtless most of their lives, but I will give Stackhouse credit. When it really mattered, he was there to support Sookie, even putting his own life in danger. He may not remember his part in the raid and resulting end of The FOTS, but I do as does my wife and we will never forget.

I finished checking my e-mails so there would be no interruptions this evening. I've become accustomed to giving Sookie the undivided attention she deserves and anyone who has a problem with that can go fuck themselves. I've spent countless lifetimes subservient to others but now, nothing and no one will ever control me like that again. I am certain there are vampires, stupid vampires I might add, who believe Sookie holds that kind of power over me. The human term is pussy whipped. But they can't comprehend just how much she means to me or how much I've received in return, most importantly, my freedom. If I hadn't already been in love with her before she destroyed my maker, I certainly would be after. There are no words to describe what I felt when I realized my 1000 years of slavery was over, but it was the same kind of joy I experienced while witnessing my first sun rise in a millennia. Even if my lover sent me away tomorrow, I would never forget the priceless gifts she's given me.

I knew Sookie was special from the moment I first laid eyes on her. I just didn't realize how special and never in a million years would I have suspected fairy. True, it did take time for her beautiful yet stubborn head to come to terms with her essential spark but witnessing her accept her place in the supernatural world, embrace her fae nature and cultivate the gifts she's been given has made me very proud. She truly is my equal and I have to add, the image of her eviscerating that pathetic excuse of a vampire Compton, still makes me rock hard. I chuckled, remembering the shocked look on his face as Sookie sealed his fate. For all his talk of sacrificing himself for her time and again, he was, at his core, a coward and undeserving of my beloved wife's affection.

Sookie has more courage in her pinky than Compton had in his whole useless body and she is magnificent when unleashing her wrath. I look forward to seeing her use it many more times in the future though I doubt she shares my sentiment. Her Christian moral code still influences her but thankfully, she has learned to bend it in order to live another day.

I thought for sure she would leave me and never look back after I lost control in the heat of our blood lusted passion. Seeing the damage I'd done to her exquisite body disgusted me as I would rather meet the sun or stake myself than ever harm her. But she forgave me without hesitation and further surprised me by asking for her own forgiveness which I gladly returned. She was right when she told me she had to grow so we could be together but she missed the flip side of that coin. I had to grow too. I had to learn to let my guard down and offer my whole self, not just the bits and pieces I thought she could handle for she is stronger than one would think. She has seen me at my worst, my most horrific and yet, she still loves me. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

I strode through the house, ensuring all windows and doors were locked and admiring how my wife has turned this house into a home. An afghan blanket here, a floral arrangement there, pictures on the mantle. I haven't had a home in a millennia but it feels good and right and as Sookie would say, even if we lived in a cardboard box, we would still be happy for home is where the heart is. I have given mine to Sookie completely, just as she has given me hers and together, there is nothing we can't achieve. The child growing within her womb is proof of that.

As I stepped outside and turned the final lock, my lover's restless want and need caressed me through our bond. I took to the sky, returning her desire, signaling I was on my way to love her in whatever capacity she wished and hoping it would be along the same lines as the last time she summoned me. Even though I'd had to replace my throne and later, our couch, the rides had been well worth the ensuing destruction. When she shares her light, every part of my body becomes instantaneously orgasmic. I've never felt anything like it, even when she drinks my blood, which is a little piece of Valhalla in and of itself.

"I am coming for you Lover," I thought and smirked to myself adding. "Or at least I will be very, very soon…"

And we're off! I hope this opener was enough to interest you in coming back and plan to post every Tuesday until we reach the end. Also, this story's banner is now available to view on my author page and a special shout out to the incredibly talented artist who provided the perfect picture, Kitt Rose. I don't know who she is but her painting was exactly what I was looking for.

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Peace & Love!

Hippychik