AN: I just wanted to say thanks so much again to everyone for sticking with this fiction. The reviews have been awesome and I just hope you find this final chapter a worthwhile read. There may be a sequel down the line, but Im taking a break first. So keep your eyes peeled for something in the perhaps not so distant future if you have enjoyed this ride. Thanks again! xoxox

Chapter 14

"My dear, why don't you have a seat?" Niall spoke to her cordially and Sookie looked back into his piercing green eyes hesitantly not sure she could trust him, her gaze moved to meet Eric's and he nodded his head in approval...

"It is alright lover, Ill just be outside."

"You're leaving?" Sookie asked Eric not sure if she wanted to be left alone with this man, this stranger who claimed to be her great grandfather. As far as she knew all her grandparents were dead. Thinking he would have to come up with some story to convince her that it was true. And she looked back at Eric nervously. But his eyes were calm and he was sending her waves of love through the bond. This would have been another one of those moments when Sookie was dying to hear Eric's thoughts but he gave her nothing more. And this man, this Niall, he certainly had offered no reception to her either. She wondered what he was exactly. Perhaps another telepath like her? His mind was a blank though.

Eric gave Niall an undecipherable look and Niall nodded his head agreeing with Eric he replied...

"Let your great grandfather buy you dinner" Niall insisted with a smile.

And Sookie came to the conclusion that she was curious and besides, she had to eat didn't she? She knew Eric was just outside, and it was unlikely that he would go hungry. Infact he fed quite well the other night. Pam had told Sookie about this blood donor clinic for vampires and Sookie knew Eric hated the synthetic blood so she got them to bag up a couple pints of her blood and agreed to donate for him once a week until his fangs came back in. She finally nodded her head and she let Eric pull out her chair. As she placed the napkin on her lap, Eric leaned down and kissed her cheek. Sookie forced a smile for Eric as he left holding on to him through the bond, she didn't want him to go far, in truth she was nervous as hell, but if this guy was really her great grandfather, she had alot of questions for him.

"I must say, you are more lovely in person than I had imagined..." Niall proclaimed.

Sookie creased her brows, not quite sure what to say to that. Usually when men paid her compliments they were followed by an obvious ulterior motive, what his was, she was unsure, which made her very uncomfortable, but he looked like he genuinely meant it, and he was a relative, so she accepted it and said politely...

"Thank you."

"So how do you know Eric?" Sookie asked him jumping right in with the questions and Niall looked back behind his shoulder to make sure Eric had left and he replied submissively...

"The vampire and I go way back."

Sookie looked at him strangely for a moment wondering just what their relationship was, but before she could get him to elaborate he explained...

"I am a fairy prince Sookie, I do not live in this realm, we only visit from time to time when business calls for it."

"So is that what I am, business?" Sookie asked not liking the direction this conversation was going. She had enough of people taking advantage of her to last a lifetime and she took a sip of her water to hide her tense mouth.

Niall laughed politely and he replied shaking his head…

"No my dear one, you are nothing of the sort…I have waited a long time to meet you and I'm very glad I finally had the chance."

Sookie wasn't sure what to say to that so she just nodded her head allowing him to continue….

"I assume you did not know of my existence?"

"You assume correct." Sookie answered a little more sharp than she had intended and Niall continued…

"Your grandmother, Adele Stackhouse had an affair with my son Fintan, we'll actually it was quite the passionate encounter…"

Sookie raised her brows and he continued…

"Her husband was infertile, Fintan is your paternal grandfather."

Sookie tried to think about that for a bit. She always put her gran up on this pedestal. Adele Stackhouse could do no wrong, but to know she had an affair while still married to her grandfather broke her heart a little.

"So this makes you part fairy my dear." Niall announced and Sookie looked back at him with dread. She had already learned this, the Queen knew, both Bill and Eric knew.

Sookie put her hand up to her head, feeling overwhelmed. Even though she knew about the fairy stuff, she had always just assumed she was different. She didn't realize her whole family had been different, and they were hiding this from her. It wasn't like finding someone else who had something in common with her would have helped her cope through all of those years of being made fun of!

"Do not blame them my dear, they just wanted to protect you." Niall replied as if reading Sookie's mind and she looked back at him surprised.

Finally after a moments pause she shook her head not wanting to take his advice and she replied…

"Why shouldn't I be mad? They lied to me! They made me believe I was some sort of freak, when they knew exactly what I was!"

Her voice was raised just a little and Niall put his hand over Sookie's. For some reason it calmed her down instantly and he assured her…

"They had to protect you, because of me!" Niall explained. And Sookie looked back at him even more confused.

"Because of you?" She asked not liking the sound of this. And Niall nodded his head explaining…

"I have many enemies Sookie, us having this meeting even is a great risk, but the vampire has assured me he will keep watch for us."

Sookie creased her brows not even wanting to get into what Eric had to do with any of this and she began to rub her temple.

"So why did you want to meet with me then if it's such a great risk to both of us?" Sookie replied and Niall responded…

"I wanted to meet my great granddaughter and I also wanted to caution you to be careful."

Sookie didn't think she had ever felt more confused in her life and she shook her head not understanding, and then Niall put things on the table for her…

"I could kill him if you want me to dear one, just say the word!"

"What, kill who?" Sookie asked confused and Niall replied without even so much as a flinch…

"The Vampire."

"Eric?" Sookie asked in outrage, looking back at Niall if horns were growing out of his head, feeling her heart rate pick up in alarm. But Niall showed no notice of her heated stare and explained…

"If you do want to be bonded to him anymore, if you are afraid you are losing your power due to the bond, or that he is getting closer to turning you, just let me know and the problem will be taken care of."

Sookie swallowed hard as she thought about Eric and the bond they shared, it was true sometimes she cursed it. Sometimes she felt it was an invasion of her privacy and emotions/feelings were being forced on her, and it was true she and Eric hadn't had that talk, about what their relationship would look like long term, about if he would stay with her as she grew old, if she was willing to give up having children and a normal life to be with him forever, they hadn't yet got there, but Sookie did know that killing Eric would kill her and she shook her head profusely…

"No Niall….I love him, I would never want any harm to come to him."

Niall looked back at her thoughtfully and then he nodded his head. Sookie felt like she was being tested in some way and she looked back at him questioningly.

"Very well, then I will not make mention of it again." Niall replied ending things with a pleasant smile as the waiter brought their salads out.

They enjoyed the rest of their meal with pleasant conversation. Sookie found out more about her family history than she had ever thought possible. It was strange, that after letting it sink in, it actually brought comfort to her knowing there were more like her. She just wondered how it skipped Jason. And Niall never brought him up so Sookie decided to leave that alone.

When they were done with their meal, Niall dabbed the corners of his mouth with his linen napkin and he replied…

"Before you leave, I would like to give you something Sookie."

Sookie looked back at him curiously again and Niall explained…

"It's not something you can hold or take back with you, but I would like to grant you one true wish."

Sookie couldn't help but laugh at the irony and she replied….

"So you're more like a fairy godfather instead of my great grandfather?"

Niall looked back at her as if he was intrigued by her reply and he announced…

"We'll I think I can be both, I've certainly lived long enough…"

Sookie smiled and took the last sip of her wine, finishing it off. And Niall continued…

"You must mean it when you make your wish, it must be your hearts great desire, but when you say the words 'I wish' followed by your command, it will be made true."

Sookie looked back at him surprised and she asked him jokingly…

"So if I wished for a big mac, then you'd have to bring me one?"

Niall chuckled and he replied nodding his head…

"Yes my dear, if that was your hearts greatest desire, you'd have a big mac within the minute."

He set his napkin next to his plate and stood up, offering to pull Sookie's chair out for her Niall advised…

"I suggest you think on this for a bit though, it could very well change your life."

Sookie stood up, brows raised not quite sure what to say except…

"Well thank you."

"You are more than welcome dear one." Niall replied. He was quite tall now that he was standing, not as tall as Eric of course, but Sookie noticed that even though they had been seated, his black suit was perfectly straight, and his white shirt was starched and bright. He looked otherworldly almost, although she was sure most around here would probably just assume he was from Europe.

"I will be in touch." Niall proclaimed bending in to place a kiss on each of her cheeks and then in a flash he was gone.

It took Sookie a moment to realize she had just met her great grandfather. Astonished by it all, she knew it would take her awhile to really absorb it all. She wasn't sure when she'd see him again, but Sookie looked forward to her next encounter.

She pulled up her purse around her shoulders and walked outside. Noticing there was a definite chill in the air Sookie rubbed her arms and then she saw Eric there waiting for her. He had been leaning against his car, looking like he just stepped off the cover of GQ in his leather jacket and black jeans, his eyes taking her in, but when he saw that she looked chilled, Eric took his jacket off, walked over to her, and draped it over Sookie's shoulders…

"Thank you.." Sookie replied with a hesitant smile, her head still spinning from her earlier meeting and Eric asked her curiously his intense blue stare boring into her…

"How did it go?"

He took her hand leading her back to his car in silent support and Sookie was thankful once more, replying…

"It went good, a lot to take in…"

Eric nodded looking down for a moment as if he had to ponder her last line and he replied…

"I'm sure it was."

Eric opened his car door for her not wanting her to stay out here in the cold but before Sookie got in, she stood up on her tiptoes to press her lips to his softly. She kissed him sweet and tenderly and when she finally pulled away, Sookie proclaimed with a loving smile….

"Thank you for introducing us."

Eric smiled but she thought she saw a hint of worry there too. Vampires didn't get worry lines, especially Eric, but Sookie was sure she had just seen one, if even for a split second.

"Your welcome." Eric replied kissing her forehead and then he helped Sookie get into the car. Whatever she had just seen or thought she saw, it was clear Eric didn't want to address it right now as he got back into his side of the car, Eric flipped on the oldies station Sookie had chosen earlier and he started up his car, and he asked Sookie…

"Are you tired yet?"

Sookie looked back at Eric and shook her head.

"No, I'm not!" But her curiosity to whatever had been bothering Eric was growing.

"Good." Eric smiled at her and he replied plainly…

"I have some place I would like to take you then."

"Oh really?" Sookie asked this new topic piquing her interest.

"You don't have any more relatives for me to meet do you?" Sookie asked him with a smirk and Eric relaxed his smile…

"No lover…" He called her lover again; Sookie was so relieved to hear him call her that for some reason. Feeling like things were finally getting back to normal.

"The rest of the evening just involves you and me…" Eric replied as his eyes darted to meet hers quickly in a smug yet sexy glance full of promise.

Sookie smiled heart fluttered as he took her hand and she leaned her head on his shoulder.

Eric wrapped his arm around her back and he kept his eyes on the road.

"I can't wait." Sookie replied as she angled her neck up to kiss his jaw and then she pretended to watch the road ahead with him before going back to kiss his neck softly.

"If you keep doing that with your lips lover, we may not make it to our next destination…"

Eric warned her, and his eyes closed briefly as she daringly ran her tongue along his neck…

"Like this?" Sookie asked innocently having her fun, and Eric groaned as her tongue flicked the inside of his ear.

He jolted the wheel, and then Sookie noticed the car had swerved and she needed to hang onto the dashboard, but she continued to kiss his neck and jaw with eyes closed. She couldn't stop it for some reason, overcome with passion for Eric. He had turned the car off the road and she looked back at him questioningly, but he only met her gaze with dark eyes, and Sookie knew exactly what he had intended to do.

Five seconds later they found themselves parked in an orange grove and Eric yanked off his seat belt, followed by Sookie's…

"Come to me!" He demanded urgently helping Sookie onto his bulging lap. And their lips crashed together hungrily. Hands searching and then Eric plunged his tongue into her mouth. Sookie moaned, feeling his desire for her through the bond and through his pants. She wanted him too grinding her hips over him as he pulled the straps of her dress down. His mouth going to her breasts and Sookie tossed her head back. She could feel the prickly sharpness of his new incisors scraping against her skin and she never wanted him more.

Sookie began to unzip the fly of his pants, when Eric put his hand on her wrist suddenly preventing her from doing just that. She noticed that his mouth was no longer on her breast and his body was stiffened.

"What is it?" Sookie asked him still lucid from the spell he cast over her and Eric shook his head and he whispered looking out to the side as he set Sookie down on the seat next to him.

"I hear someone."

Sookie felt alarm all of the sudden and she quickly pulled up her dress.

"Who is it?" She asked in a whisper as Eric's eyes darted from right to left. She could tell he had picked up on something as he slipped out of his car door and warned Sookie…

"Stay here…Ill be right back." And then he left in a flash.

"Eric?" Sookie didn't want him to go or to play the stupid abandoned damsel in distress so she slipped out of her side as well, not listening to Eric she looked around and listened for any sound.

The smell of the sweet orange blossoms wafted through the air and Sookie tried to find Eric, as she weaved in and out of the groves of orange trees. Knowing she needed to be quiet.

Eric, where are you? Sookie thought anxiously wanting to find him. She'd rather they be together now than apart. She didn't care if Eric assumed the car was safer. Sookie thought perhaps she could cut through the trees, when she tripped over what she thought was a tree stump.

It was dark and as her body hit the ground in a thump she looked back trying to see what she had tripped over. Sookie couldn't see from here, the stump was blocked by the dark shadow of the tree canopy. She had to grab it for support as she stood up in her heels. She really wasn't suited for this kind of treckage, but Sookie didn't think about that while changing at Merlotte's for this date tonight. She didn't think shed be wandering around alone in an orange grove either, looking for Eric. As she braced herself, she felt the stump give way and then her fingers felt a warm sticky moisture. When she and stepped into the moonlight and saw that her fingers were now coated in red, Sookie realized exactly what she had tripped over. Looking back behind her as all of the hairs on the back of her neck rose, she panicked.

It was a body! Sookie thought in alarm. And then she screamed.

Eric was there within a heartbeat and Sookie turned into his chest not wanting to see anymore.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked her worriedly, all of the silent alarms going off in Eric's head when he heard that gut-wrenching scream. Thinking Sookie had been attacked; he looked down into her eyes his blue gaze lit by the soft moon.

"I…I…tripped…" Sookie was still so shaken up, it wasn't until she stepped aside that Eric saw the body.

His intense blue stare tore away from Sookie's as he tried to make out the form, it was a woman and she had been beheaded. She was wearing a beige hounds tooth pantsuit with cream blouse, stained red at the neck from the blood. It was fresh, she had just been killed, Eric determined as he stepped away from Sookie to search the area. And then he saw the familiar red auburn tresses. He turned it over and shook his head.

"Beatrix." Eric muttered under his breath, and before he even had a chance to comprehend it all, her head and body began to decompose. Sookie shrieked again and Eric went to her putting his arm around her small trembling frame.

"It was a message." Eric explained and Sookie looked up at him fearfully…

"From Victor." He announced and then Sookie felt the pits sink again.

Eric snarled in anger as he brought Sookie back to the car. She was too shaken up to make conversation, but Sookie couldn't help but ask as he started the car…

"What….what does this mean?"

Eric looked back at Sookie and he explained pulling out of the grove and back onto the main road…

"He intends to finish what he started."

Eric looked back at Sookie, and he already saw the horror play out on her face, and Eric explained assuring her…

"But that isn't going to happen."

Eric took Sookie's hand once more trying to pull her out of her fear-induced haze and he replied…

"If I have to, I will go to De Castro myself."

Sookie nodded her head holding onto Eric's hand she looked out the window sadly, watching the trees and world pass her by. She didn't want her life to be this way; she didn't want to always be looking over her shoulder. She didn't want to live her life in fear, and in fear of Eric's life being taken.

Sookie thought again about what Niall had told her, his warning to be careful. She knew now he was right. But it wasn't just her who had to be careful. It was Eric too. And she knew Eric would do whatever it took, he was a warrior, he would protect her, he would protect himself, but she feared this was bigger than he was.

Her mind was reeling as she thought about what to do. Maybe she could go to Niall and ask him for help. She wasn't sure how accessible he was. And then she remembered her great grandfathers offer to kill Eric. Wondering if he was really serious about that. If they were allies or not. It didn't seem very promising at the moment.

"Eric?" Sookie asked him wanting his attention. She knew his mind was reeling too. Sure he already had developed plans A-Z by now and he looked at her and replied…

"Yes?"

Sookie met his gaze for a moment before he was forced to look back at the road and she asked him…

"What if we asked Niall to help us, do you think…" But before she could even get out her full question Eric was shaking his head, and he looked back at Sookie and explained…

"The fairy will want nothing to do with vampire business, unless you were in danger personally, he will not help."

Sookie creased her brows in disappointment, fearful that Eric was right, but she had to ask…

"Why, he said you were doing a favor for him tonight? What did he do for you in which he earned that favor?" Sookie asked tentatively.

Eric was reluctant to give her an answer, but when he finally did, he looked back at her and replied…

"It was business."

"Business?" Sookie asked wanting him to elaborate. It was clear Eric didn't want to get into this, but he supposed he had no choice. Hating to drudge this up, Eric answered finally…

"He helped me open Fangtasia and is a shareholder."

Sookie raised her brows surprised by this and she asked Eric…

"Why on earth would Niall want to be a shareholder to a vampire bar?"

Eric raised his brows and he finally replied plainly…

"Because he is the sort of fairy who likes to keep his ear to the ground."

Sookie didn't understand any of it, or Niall's motive, or Eric's for that matter, but that was nothing new, and then she asked Eric for more clarification…

"So he asked you for a favor because he helped you open Fangtasia?"

Eric nodded his head and replied…"More or less yes, he phoned me and asked to arrange a meeting with you."

Sookie looked back at Eric strangely not ready to confess the wish Niall had granted her, or Niall's offer to kill Eric, she was sure that wouldn't go over well, but she did offer him…

"He told me to be careful…"

Eric looked back at Sookie curiously and he asked her…

"Careful of what?"

If Sookie was being honest she thought Niall's warning covered a pretty broad range of subjects and she replied…

"I think everything, the vampires, the supernatural, political agendas…not getting in too deep!"

"Do you think you are in too deep now?" Eric asked Sookie, and she looked back at him curiously, thinking that was a strange question to ask, but she answered it honestly, nevertheless…

"Not yet, but I think I'm getting there…(she sighed and finally proclaimed) I don't want to live my life in fear Eric, I don't want to constantly be worried about other vampires like Victor trying to kill you, or the next time the Queen beckons us on one of her whims, I know your powerless to stop her."

Eric creased his brows and he shook his head…

"I told you I will protect…."

"I know!" Sookie cut him off and she continued…"I know you will, and you would die doing it too, but I don't want you to die, I want to live with you and maybe someday we could have a house, and be married, and…and none of that is going to happen if your dead!" She rationed, scared she had already said too much and exposed herself.

Eric tried to hide his surprise regarding Sookie's sudden confession of starting a life with him. A very committed kind of life and one he believed humans held in high regard. But for some reason he could only hang onto the fantasy aspect of it, he was a realist and knew he could stay committed to her, but there were many things they still needed to learn about one another…like for one, vampires like him didn't get married, and he finally asked her…

"So your saying you want me to be human for you lover? I can assure you, that will never happen!" Eric proclaimed, part of the tone in his voice mocking and it bothered Sookie, but the other part, challenged her,

"No I'm not saying that, I'm saying…."

But as she thought it over again for a moment, Sookie realized maybe she was saying that.

Remembering all of the sudden Niall's wish. And what if her wish could keep Eric safe? What if she erased all the threats he faced as Sheriff of Area 5 and dealing with the Vampire hierarchal system? What if she had him all to herself? What if she could have a normal life with the man she loved?

Sookie looked back at Eric realizing he would never go for such a thing. Eric prided himself on being a vampire too much and a very good one at that. And he was. She just wished for once that they could be selfish and think of themselves and not just making it to the next day alive. She wanted Eric to be safe, but she wanted him to be happy too. She wanted to be happy.

Sookie realized in all of this, as Eric looked back at her in question that she was actually the one holding the cards this time. She had the control. And Sookie gazed back at Eric finally relaxing her face and she concluded with a small Mona Lisa's smile…

"I just want us to have a future."

Eric looked back at Sookie picking up strange sentiments from her through the bond and he replied taking her hand realizing that perhaps they were finally on the same page at last, and he proclaimed hopefully…

"I do too lover…I do too."

Eric folded his fingers through Sookie's hand and smiled affirming back at her as he took in the open road ahead of them with a new light in his eyes.

---------------

At Second Glance

Im a mess because of you.

I don't know how or why but somehow it happened.

Somehow love changed me.

Somehow you changed me.

At Second glance.

I know we were wrong about each other.

You couldn't use me if you tried.

And I could never hate you.

I fell so hard my lungs struggled for air as your body crushed over mine.

My hair, a tangled mess when I wake up next to you.

Body limp and aching.

Tongue panting and thirsty.

Skin balmy and damp.

Heart racing.

I don't even recognize myself anymore.

At Second Glance.

Who is this reflection in the mirror I see staring back at me?

Who is this woman?

I watch your naked body still at rest on my bed…

As the doubt creeps across my face I remember ghosts from my past

And then I watch them slowly fade away when I look at you…

A new day begins …

At Second glance.

Everything changes.

It's different now, you and me.

We're different together.

We have seen much in our short time.

My body has betrayed me before with you.

But I know it has always followed my heart.

xxxxx

AN: I just wanted to put up the link to the sequel to this fiction 'A Witches Curse,' its up now! :D

www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/5122696/1/

Thanks always for reading! =)