Mike pulled onto Hummingbird lane just as the sun was rising. I had felt Eric's emotions the entire ride home. The rush he got from the battle, the lust he felt afterwards and then frustration from not being able to satisfy that lust with me. Then the elation he felt a few minutes later, I didn't know what that was from, it could have been seeing Felipe caught in his trap, it could have been locking Bobby up after unchaining him or it could have been satisfying his lust. I could only hope it wasn't the latter. But now he was dead for the day and it felt good not to feel him in my head. The last two weeks were catching up to me, the emotional rushes, the lack of sleep, the worry. I needed a week of rest and routine, but I knew that was impossible. I had to train my new staff on a computer system. Take as many consignments as I could this week, and pack to leave for Hot Springs, Arkansas which now had no King since Felipe was also King of Arkansas, but Eric never talked about it. It was like a lost piece of land. Maybe Eric would assign it to one of his underlings to over see it.

Mike pulled into the drive and parked. We got out of the car and walked up the steps to the front door. Mike stopped me and turned me towards him. "Sookie, I just want to tell you that I appreciate you keeping Eric from killing Bobby. I know that Eric only did that because of you, but Bobby is a good guy. I'm not sure why he hates vamps so much, but he doesn't deserve to die." He told me. "You don't need to thank me, I'm just glad that you didn't get injured tonight." I hugged him and opened the door. Jason was snoring on the couch and Claude was sitting in the chair watching TV. "Good Morning." I said to Claude. "Coffee is on; I figured you'd need it." He said. "Claude I know I don't say this enough but I love you, and thank you." I told him. "I love you too cuz, and I'm glad to see that I don't have to become permanent babysitter." He smiled at me then. I hugged him and he pulled me onto his lap. "There there Sookie, you need some sleep." Claude said. "No, I need coffee, cream cheese, blueberries, raspberries and sugar." I said as I stood up and walked to the kitchen. I busied myself making the crepes. Once they were done I went up and woke up Aidan. When he saw me he jumped up and hugged me hard around the neck. "Mommy." Was all he said, but it was all I needed to hear. We went downstairs and ate the crepes. We sat around the table and ate and talked about the upcoming week just like any family. No battle plans, no moving ideas, just family conversation.

Mike offered to clean up the mess, and I let him. I told Claude goodbye, and then poured a cup of coffee for Jason and walked it into the living room. I shook him and called out his name. On the third time I hollered his name he finally woke up. "Oh, hey Sookie." He said and swung his feet over to the floor. I handed him his cup of coffee and went to the kitchen to get mine. "So do you want to tell me what the hell is going on with you?" I asked him. "What, I was just tired and it's freaking early for a Sunday morning." He smarted off. "Not good enough Jason. You were late last night; I needed you here in case things went wrong. And Claude said you were drunk, and you passed out on my couch which is obviously the truth. So you better have a good explanation for yourself. You've got your house up for sale, you aren't following pack orders, you don't come to your families assistance, so what is it." I told him not in the mood for his bull shit. "Her name is Beth. She lives in Baton Rouge. She's a were fox, and I'm crazy about her. We met several months ago at a function Alcide held trying to unite all the weres to have a unification counsel or something. God Sookie, she's incredible. So I've been driving to see her every chance I get. I put the house up for sale so I could move to Baton Rouge, and I've been hanging out with the packs there in order to try and find acceptance. Then last night she told me she was engaged to be married and that the wedding was next Saturday. I tried to talk her out of it but he's another were fox and she thought it would just be easier. She broke my heart Sookie." Jason told me with tears in his eyes. "Jason Stackhouse, you have the worse taste in women of any man I have ever met. But I'm sorry she broke your heart." I told him and hugged him. "Are those crepes I smell?" he asked perking up. "Yes, I saved you some in the kitchen." He grinned and walked towards the kitchen. He said hi to Mike and then silence so he must have found his plate.

Jason left shortly after eating. Mike, the kids and I just lay around and watched movies all morning. When the kids went down for their long nap, Mike and I both laid down too. I woke up to chilly fingertips on the back of my neck. I rolled over to find Pam lying in my bed. "Did you rest well Sookie? you looked so peaceful." She said. "Pam, what time is it?" I stretched and sat up. "It's about an hour after dark. Mike thought you needed the rest and he took care of the kids. Eric sent me to get all of you and bring you to Fangtasia." She told me. "All of us, the kids too, why?" I asked still not quite awake. "It's a surprise, just dress nice, I've already put the kids in their Sunday best." I went to the bathroom then and took a shower. I dried and fixed my hair, and fixed my makeup. When I came out Pam was no longer in my room, but she'd laid out what she expected me to wear. It was a light blue tweed pencil skirt and a grey and blue knit sweater that hugged my breasts into a low V-neck. I slid the clothes on and then the grey suede boots that matched. I put on my earrings and opened my bedroom door. Mike was holding Adele. He was wearing a suit, and Adele had on a lavender ruffled dress. Whatever Eric had planned he wanted us dressed up for the occasion. Even Pam was dressed up in a yellow shift dress and white bolero with her usual pearls. Aidan had on a dress shirt tie and vest and khaki pants and loafers.

All five of us piled into my car and I drove to Fangtasia. I read that Mike had no idea what was going on either. When I pulled into Fangtasia the parking lot was packed, but there wasn't a line at the door. I parked and got Adele out of her seat. Mike and Pam were holding hands with Aidan and we all walked towards the front door. The sign on the door said closed for private party but I heard voices inside. We walked in the door and I had to step back not recognizing the bar. The entire inside was different gone were the black and red walls they were all covered with white drapes. All of the lights were up and bright. The tables all had white tablecloths on them, and white candles. It almost looked like a wedding. Everyone who was there last night, and more were back again tonight, only today they were all in human form and dressed in their Sunday best. When we came into view they all stopped and began to clap. Aidan was delighted at all the attention, but I wasn't sure what to think. People started to come up to us and shake our hands, kiss us. Adele got passed around from person to person, and Aidan just talked his little head off like he'd never met a stranger. Finally my eyes found Eric. He was leaning up against the bar which was covered in white flowers and candles. I walked towards him and he stood up straight. "What is all this?" I asked him. "My lover this is for you and the kids. I know you were upset last week with the pathetic human minister who would not christen our children. So I've been making a few calls and have found someone to not christen your children but bless them, and everyone here will make a vow to protect them. I was so touched. I had no idea he realized how upset I really was last week. I kissed him then. He kissed me back and held me close. "Don't tempt me to take you to my office when we have guests." He laughed. Just then an Amazonian tall dark skinned woman walked in to the room. She was dressed in all white and had a white veil that covered her long dark hair. She was beautiful but not in the traditional way. She glided across the floor to where we were standing. "Eric." She spoke in a song like voice. "Yes, Trinity, it is good to see you again." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "This is quite a turnout for a child blessing and protection ceremony." She noted. "Well these are very special children Trinity. You will see that when you meet them." He answered. "This is their mother Sookie Northman." He introduced us. I nodded my head to her. "It's a pleasure to meet you." "Ah, Sookie, yes, you are a very special person aren't you, your abilities are strong and not yet fully developed. You have a long life span, and will be with us for much longer than your human counterparts." She said while touching my face. It was a little unnerving.

"Everyone if I can have your attention." Eric commanded the room. 'I would like to thank everyone for attending this very unusual and very special ceremony. Many of you have never witnessed a child blessing in the vampire world because they are very rare, protection ceremonies are usually only performed for those who are very valuable and rare to our kind. To include so many supernatural beings in this ceremony has never been done before, but I think you would all agree that Aidan and Adele are well worth it and deserve both." Eric continued. "If you will all take a candle and form a circle around the alter." Trinity asked. Everyone did as she asked. Mike wasn't sure what to do so he followed suit. Eric lead me to the center of the room where a table was set up with what looked like holy water on fire it too was covered in white flowers. He stopped and took Adele from Pam's arms, and reached for Aidan's hand. The four of us stood in front of the alter and Trinity behind it. "We are all gathered here to bless Aidan and Adele. We bless them with the courage of the lion, we bless them with the patience of the wind, we bless them with the endurance of the currents, we bless them with the understanding of our Gods, and most of all the love of each one of us in this room. With all of giving us a part of ourselves to be with them. To protect these very special children with our own lives. Aidan and Adele will lead charmed lives, never to meet an enemy, never to be conquered by any being. I place the flame and water on their heads to show that two entities who are naturally opposing can come together in them. She then took the water into her hand and the flame stayed with it. She placed it on Adele's head first and then Aidan's. The fire burnt out once touching their skin but didn't leave a mark on them. "All of you blow out your flame if you will promise to bless and protect these children." Trinity sang. Every candle in the room went out. Then everyone applauded. I had tears coming down my cheeks in joy. I felt better than I had in years. Eric had done the unthinkable. He had brought all of these people together for the sake of our children.

Amelia came up and said "Wow that was really something. I've never seen anything like it. Your man sure knows how to throw a party." She told me. Then out of nowhere servers came out with trays of food and drinks for everyone and music started playing in the background. We had so much fun, yesterday, and tomorrow forgotten. Aidan entertained everyone he spoke too. Mike wasn't having any trouble holding conversations. Claude even seemed to be relaxed and enjoying himself in a room full of vamps. Slowly the evening would down. My little guy was curled up in a booth sound asleep. Adele was asleep on Amelia's shoulder. It was time to call it a night. I found my way back over to Eric who was talking to Calvin about the unification of the were cats. "Eric, I need to take the kids home and put them in their beds will you come with me." "Of course my lover." I went over to Amelia and took Adele from her. Eric had picked up Aidan. I walked over to Mike who was talking to Pam. "We're heading home do you want a ride?" I asked him. "I think I'm staying at Pam's tonight." He answered. I smiled and then walked away to meet Eric at the door. I was happy for Mike, and glad he'd found a friend in Pam.

Eric drove home and we talked about the evening. I was still amazed at how Eric had pulled it all together especially with everyone focusing on Felipe. "How is Felipe?" I asked. "Angry and hungry. He does not like being chained in my basement. But he is safe there, nothing will happen to him until the summit. I've put Rasul in charge of watching him." He explained. "And Bobby?' I asked. "He is mouthy. He hasn't stopped yelling obscenities since he was unchained. He's in a cage, and Pam has brought him food. It will still be a few days before I should try and glamour him, maybe longer, I don't know how long he's been drinking it." Eric told me.

When we got back to my house we took the kids to bed and met downstairs. I wanted him so badly I could taste him long before his mouth touched mine. His fangs were already out and I could tell he'd been thinking about this too. "I wanted you to stay with me last night." Eric said. "I know, but my children needed me." I told him as I ran my fingers through his hair. "I understand, but I needed you too." He said as he pulled me to him. He then kissed me down my jaw bone and to my collar bone, and then dipped down to run his fang against the cleft in my breasts. I moaned and started to pull him to the bedroom but he stopped me. He undressed me in my living room and laid me on the couch. He took his time despite my pleads for him to hurry. He touched every inch of my body with his mouth and then his hands. He left no spot unsavored. I was wet and wanting and begging him to enter me but he didn't. He fed on my thigh while bringing me to climax with his fingers. Then he brought me up again with his tongue. By then my hands and face were numb from the orgasms. By the time his mouth reached mine and he entered me I was insane with passion. This went on all night. First on the couch, then in the shower, and finally in my bed. It was around 2 when I stumbled to the kitchen for a glass of water. When I came back to bed he was grinning. "Eric not again, I love you but I'm exhausted." I told him as I curled up against him. "I was not grinning about that. I was grinning that we got to make love on Mike's couch." I hit him and laughed at his jealousy ploys. "Soon enough we will have our own home to christen every room and piece of furniture." I can hardly wait they finished framing today." He told me. "So quickly?" I asked. "Yes, working two crews is allowing things to move at a faster pace." He told me. "Tomorrow I will have a busy day at work. When do we need to leave for Hot Springs?" I asked him as I snuggled in closer. "Pam and I will take Felipe up on Wednesday night; it's a short drive so it won't take long. I'd like to have you join me sometime Thursday." He told me. "How long will I need to stay there?" I asked him. The trial is Friday night. If it all goes well and you don't intend to stay for the ball on Saturday you could leave Friday night. But I'd love to have you there through Sunday." He told me. "I'll let you know." I told him and then was quiet I could tell he wanted a more definitive answer, but I wasn't ready to be away from the kids for 4 days yet. "We'll see how much I get done before Thursday." I told him. And he let it be. I don't know when he left me, but when I woke I was alone. The sun was rising and there was a note on the pillow.

S-

I hope you realize that I only want to help.

Don't be mad.

They only follow orders.
Love,

E

I didn't know what the cryptic message was about. But I knew I'd find out shortly.

Thanks to everyone for your support on my first fanfic. I loved every moment of it, especially your reviews and enthusiasm. I'm taking a short break from writing to do some research for my next story. I want to live up to your expectations. So watch the fanfics for Dead Once More in the next week or so.