Hello again and welcome to my third installment in the fan fiction world. Thank you to everyone who has read, flagged and reviewed my previous two submissions. I credit all of you with giving me the confidence to continue on.

Initially, this was going to be a short story but I've decided to let it run as long as it takes. Yes, there is plot involved outside of how many different ways our favorite couple can have sex. LOL! The story definately moves into AU/OOC territory but I'm going where the muse takes me. Therefore, in addition to the characters we know & love (or hate), we will meet a few new people/vamps. Nothing on the grand, bloated scale Alan Ball utilizes, but I really love Sookie's Britlingen bodyguards and had to bring them back if only so we could see them in action which we will...eventually.

I've also updated my profile page. There is now a link to the painting that was the inspiration for Eric & Sookie's mountain home as well as a direct link to Sookie's engagement ring. If you haven't viewed my story banners, they're posted as well. Periodically, I'll be adding other links and will do my best to post alerts. I always like seeing something tangible, when possible, to compliment what I'm trying to describe.

A couple things to keep in mind as this part of their saga unfolds: First and foremost, Sookie is not the same person she was when she left Shreveport several months ago. She's become quite powerful and confident in herself as well as her relationship with Eric. She may do things in this story that she never would have considered before but her skin has thickened and she basically doesn't give a crap what anyone thinks. Hell, the girl took out Eric's maker. Not an easy task and she has every right to be proud. Also, now that Eric has taught Sookie his language, whenever you read Eric, Sookie or Pam's dialogue in italic, they are speaking it. It's easier to write that way than to constantly state said fact. This rule does not apply to correspondences unless specified or when Sookie hears people's thoughts. So with that out of the way, let's begin.

We open with Sookie and Eric having just returned from their honeymoon. They will now begin living the reality of sustaining a healthy, happy marriage and like any relationship, there will be some bumps in the road. Never fear. My Sookie has more than one brain cell and knows she's got a phenominal partner in Eric. Likewise for the viking. Though their stubborn personalities may clash occasionally, this saga has always been about how they conquer adversity together. Enjoy!

*They don't belong to me. No copyright infringement intended. I just like to play with Charlaine's toys.*

Chapter 1

"This is so weird," I murmured, staring out the BLDSKR's passenger window. It was the first night of spring and Eric and I were on our way home. We'd just flown in from our extended honeymoon abroad and were zooming down the highway past the dimly lit streets of Shreveport. It was very quiet but then again, not much happens in Northern Louisiana at 4am on a Wednesday.

"What is Lover?" my viking asked, downshifting before placing his enormous hand over my thigh. I wasn't surprised he'd heard me over the radio. Vampires have extremely acute hearing.

"Coming home," I sighed, resting my hand on top of his and absentmindedly stroking the cool knuckles. "Everything looks the same, yet somehow…different. It's probably just jet lag."

"That and you've never been so far away from home or for an extended period of time," Eric said. "It is normal. In a week, you'll be crying about how bored you are and how much you miss our sanctuary."

"I already do," I replied, feeling a little weepy.

We'd spent the past four and a half months on Eric's mountain and had made many beautiful memories together. I didn't realize how much I'd become attached to our little piece of Scandinavian Heaven until I started packing and even though I couldn't wait to come home, saying goodbye had been bittersweet.

"We can always return Lover," Eric said and gave my thigh a squeeze.

"Promise?" I asked turning my head to face him.

"Promise," he vowed, meeting my gaze with a tender smile. I leaned my head against the marble pillar that was his arm and he instantly adjusted and wrapped it around me.

"Is Pam coming tonight?" I asked, my eye lids becoming heavy. I loved Eric's child and knew she was anxious to see us…well, Eric anyway. But, the flight had been long and I just wanted to take a relaxing hot shower, crawl into bed and crash. Of course knowing Eric, sex would be squeezed in there somewhere. I didn't mind though. In fact, I rather liked being squozed, particularly by Eric.

"She is there now. I needed some files. Sheriff business. It won't take long." He kissed the top of my head as we turned onto Nottingham Drive. Eric's street name still tickled my funny bone even more so because he'd deliberately chosen it.

"Good," I said, yawning as we passed our mailbox with the shiny number 69 affixed to it. "Not that I'm not happy to see her, but I feel like the walking dead."

"I thought that was my title, Dear One," Eric deadpanned and I giggled as we drove past Pam's pink caddy and pulled into the garage. "Leave the bags, Lover. Pam was instructed to ready our home." For once, I was happy Eric had put on his Mr. High Handed hat.

True to her form, Pam was waiting, dressed in a pink pastel skirt and blazer with a white blouse and matching pearls and stilettos. Her look was so polished, a layperson would easily mistake her for a Sunday School teacher. She zipped over to us as we entered and bowed low before Eric.

"Master," She said reverently.

"Child," Eric responded, gently tilting her chin upwards to face him. The brief look they shared was one of mutual love and respect and it melted my heart. However, Pam being Pam, didn't let it linger.

"Hi Mom," she smirked, straitening and placing her hands on her jutted hips. "Did you have a nice trip?"

Cleverly, I smiled and replied. "We had a lovely time."

Pam's eyes grew as big as saucers. Apparently, I'd impressed her. "I see you've learned a thing or two."

"The most important being never to interrupt you when you're entertaining Ginger Twins," I quipped and a set of dainty fangs appeared beneath Pam's slight grin.

"You do catch on quick," she said then returned her attention to Eric. "I brought the papers you requested Master."

Taking that as my cue to skedaddle, I yawned and stretched dramatically. "While I'd love to stick around and find out who's staking who in the back, I'm exhausted. Catch you later Pam."

"I'll count the minutes." Pam snarked. "Oh, and by the way, the witch sent gifts. They're waiting on your bed."

"Thanks Pam. You're a good kid."

"Kid?" I heard as I left the room with a satisfied smile. I'd made it halfway down the hall when a strong gust of wind zipped past me and by the time I reached the guestroom closet, my viking was already waiting.

"No kiss?" he asked, furrowing his brows though the bond tickled. I laughed and stepped into his open arms.

"Your child distracted me," I giggled just before our lips touched and I was treated to a soft, sweet kiss.

"I've had the security updated Lover," Eric explained, pulling back the rack of clothes and revealing a new door. The exterior was steel but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts silver was somehow involved and it had the same handprint locking device utilized by the hotel in Vegas. "The Were did it while we were away."

I knew immediately the Were in question was Alcide. "You trusted him to come into your home even after Trey?" I asked, placing my hand on the screen and waiting for the obligatory beep.

"Herveaux was not responsible and you are a friend of his pack," Eric replied. "He owes you and would do anything to keep you safe. He even allowed Pam to glamour him when he finished. Your home in Bon Temps has undergone several upgrades as well."

Normally, I would have pitched a fit that he'd gone behind my back and made decisions regarding my property without consulting me. However, I was just too tired to even be annoyed and saw the gesture for what it was, an act of love. "Thank you," I sighed, giving him a chaste peck on the cheek as the locks clicked open.

"I'll join you shortly Lover," Eric said and a renewed hunger filled the bond.

I gave that gorgeous butt a squeeze, flooding him with my own desire and teased. "Just don't keep me waiting too long."

My viking responded with a leer so heated, it gave me goose bumps. "Never," he replied, licking his fangs before returning to his child while I descended into our chamber, far more alert than before.

The room was just as warm and inviting as I'd remembered. Pam really took her job seriously or maybe this was Eric's punishment for the practical joke she'd pulled. At any rate, we had a roaring fire, the candles were lit and perched upon my nightstand, on a coaster no less, was a fresh glass of iced tea. The bed had been turned down, a mint placed on each pillow and my ears picked up the faint sounds of what can only be described as a "Fuck Me mix" coming from the surround sound. Oh, she was good! Two beautifully wrapped packages sat at the foot of the bed but rather than rip into them, I decided to wait for Eric. The wedding themed paper clearly signaled they were for him too.

I shuffled into the bathroom, strategically leaving a trail of clothing behind and stepped under the hot spray. The remnants of our journey began to rinse away and I imagined what Eric would do to me once he'd returned, licking my lips in anticipation. Sexual compatibility didn't even come close to describing what we had together.

As I cleansed my hair, in my mind's eye, it was Eric's talented fingers running through the strands and the water beading off my puckered nipples was Eric's tongue, flicking and teasing. It amazed me that just the thought of him could throw me into a heightened state of arousal. Where was he anyway? For a vampire, he sure was taking his sweet time.

Once my tresses were washed and conditioned, I rested on the marble bench, slowly lathering my expansive breasts and toying with my engorged lady bits. By the time I was squeaky clean, my breaths had become more ragged and I decided I'd waited long enough. My need reached through the bond, calling out to my viking for relief.

Within thirty seconds, he confirmed he'd received the bonded transmission. Standing before me, fangs down, cocked and loaded, he growled hungrily. "You look good enough to eat."

My core twitched in response and my heated gaze locked with his. "You read my mind, Viking." Smiling wickedly, I dropped to my knees and swallowed the Gracious Plenty.

"Greedy Wench!" Eric hissed as I took him almost completely down my throat.

"Mmmm. Yummy!" I said coyly before shoving him back into my hungry mouth. Eric grunted primally as I sucked the head with enough force to siphon gas through a kinked hose while simultaneously stroking him. My tongue was doing its own little dance, swirling and fluttering against the sensitive ridge but just as I was really getting into it, Eric pried me loose with an audible POP!

"You are having all the fun Lover," he rasped and flipped me.

I now hung upside down, my legs draped over his shoulders, my mouth still where it wanted to be. His skilled hands spread me open and his tongue dipped deep within the quivering folds. Drunk on the lust and need vibrating through me, my hands reached around and possessively claimed those two spectacular cheeks. "Heavenly handlebars," I thought then latched onto his straining cock, licking and sucking greedily as Eric continued his own oral assault. I had no idea what he was doing up there but it felt nothing shy of AMAZING! My light hummed in unison with the bond, aching for release as Eric's ministrations brought me ever closer to completion. As my hands wandered lower and fondled his thick sack, my mouth glided over his pulsating shaft, channeling the light and wrapping my viking in it. The moment it made contact, he shouted and jerked and as I shamelessly accepted everything he gave me...he bit. Sparks flew before my eyes and I cried out as the waves rocked through me. By the time I knew which end was up, Eric was seated on the bench, deep inside me.

"My Lover. So beautiful. So soft," he whispered as his hands splayed wide across my back. He pushed up gently, rocking back and forth. However, gentle was not on my agenda so I decided to take charge.

I hovered over Eric's perfectly chiseled face, our lips lightly touching, and exhaled a heated breath. As I ensnared those hypnotic eyes with my own, I replied. "My Viking. So powerful. So hard."

I emphasized the sentiment by bracing my feet on either side of him and wrapping my arms around his neck. Wantonly, I began to bump and grind, treating my viking's body as though it was my own personal mechanical bull. Eric's fangs distended further and in between moans of exquisite pleasure, my tongue teasingly flicked them. I could feel his deliberate restraint which only spurred me on. Claiming his lips, I bucked harder and demanded. "Don't hold back. Fuck me until I beg for mercy."

I'd discovered, through our numerous sexcapades, dirty talk always got me whatever I wanted. Sure enough, Eric hissed and his grip tightened. He began thrusting as only a vampire can while worshiping each breast, nipping periodically and blowing cool air over them. The heated emotions swirling through the bond became all consuming and I drowned in the ecstasy, bouncing up and down as hard as I could without flying off. Not that Eric would ever drop me. Eventually, I gave myself over to the power drill between my legs, screaming incoherently. Eric growled, pounding me into submission and when I begged him to let me come, his fangs struck. I leapt off the cliff, pulling my viking with me and our bodies shuddered in unison. I slumped like a rag doll and Eric quickly scooped me up and carried me to bed, stopping only briefly to dry us.

"Thank you Honey," I sighed as he pulled the covers over me. "I've never left a shower feeling so clean….or so dirty." I gave my viking a wink and a nudge which earned me a fangy grin.

"I was happy to oblige," Eric said then added slyly. "It was impossible to ignore you."

"Pam got tired of the permaboner?" I giggled.

"You could say that," he grinned.

"So no urgent issues?"

"Nothing I'm not already working on Lover." Naturally. "You're sure you'll be ok to go to Fangtasia tomorrow night?"

"I'll be fine Eric," I reassured. "My place is with you. Besides, if I'm going to be managing the human staff, I need to listen in to determine if I have to clean house. I'll dust off my shields when I visit Merlotte's tomorrow. "

Pride radiated all over me. "I knew I would not regret placing you in charge. You do realize, all vampires in my area will be in attendance. They must renew their vow of fealty to me and thereby, you."

"And if they don't?" I hoped the answer wouldn't involve torture or final death. After all, I was still a human in the eyes of the vampire community even if I was Eric's wife. It wasn't fair to expect all of them to accept me as an equal let alone elevated to a position above them.

"They'll be ordered to leave the area," Eric said, his fingers lightly traipsing over my shoulders. "Vampires are difficult enough to trust. I don't want ones biased against you in my retinue." He dragged the two packages up from the foot of the bed so they rested between us. "Why did you not open your gifts?"

I was happy he'd changed the subject and decided it was best to let the chips fall where they may. Besides, I doubted any of the Area 5 vamps would ever cross Eric. They'd survived the Nevada takeover solely because of his leadership and owed him big time.

"They're yours too," I replied, running my hand over the pretty paper. "Which one do you want to open?"

"But, they are from your friend Lover," Eric said, befuddlement written all over his beautiful face though excitement flowed out of him. It was completely adorable.

"They're wedding gifts Honey. Go on," I coaxed. "Open the big one." Eric smiled, gripped the tall, slender, rectangular gift and tore it open.

Both of us stared, wide eyed and mouths gaping. It was an oil painting of Eric and me, a replica of a photo taken at our wedding though I couldn't remember when it was snapped. I'd been too high on happiness to notice. Our hands were joined and we were looking into each others eyes. There wasn't one detail missed, right down to our wedding rings and the etchings on Eric's sword. It was breathtaking and I was so overwhelmed, a tiny tear trickled down my cheek.

"Why do you cry, Dear One?" Eric asked, catching the droplet with his index finger. "Does it not make you happy?"

"It does. That's a happy tear," I clarified. The last thing I needed was Amelia to meet with an unfortunate accident. "I love it!"

"The artist who painted it is very talented," Eric agreed. "Where would you like me to hang it?"

"Over the fireplace," I replied, pointing to the hearth without hesitation.

"Excellent choice Lover," Eric said and zipped into his office, returning with a decent sized nail. I watched in awe as he pressed it into the brick and mortar using only his thumb. There was something extremely erotic about his subtle feats of strength, especially how his muscles contorted not to mention the way the firelight enhanced his fabulous ass. It was like watching a living work of art and I let my affection flutter through the bond.

"I'm glad the view pleases you," he smirked without turning around and taking a little longer than necessary to hang the painting.

"It's spectacular!" I giggled, dabbing a bit of drool from the corners of my mouth.

Eric finished and rejoined me. "It is a fine gift Lover," he approved. "Though I'd planned to mount a mirror there to satisfy your voyeristic tendencies. I guess it'll just have to hang over our bed." He wiggled his brows and I gave him a playful slap.

"You like to watch too, Honey."

"Yes Lover, but my pleasure comes from watching you watch me. You're so sexy when you're turned on." He paused and kissed the nape of my neck. "Like now." I was all for exploring how turned on I was but Eric decided to play hard to get, at least for now and pushed the second gift into my hands.

I opened the smaller box, revealing a thick wedding album. The photo that had been the inspiration for our painting was affixed to the cover and on the inside, Gran's letter had been laminated and mounted. Amelia had done an amazing job. She'd included pictures not only of the wedding, but of my dress hunt, Girl's Night Out and my surprise wedding breakfast. Even Eric was impressed and with each turn of the page, his happiness increased.

"Do you still love me as much as you did that night?" he asked , after placing the album on our dresser and laying next to me.

"Nope," I replied, smiling serenely as I lightly traced the ancient lines of his face. "I love you more and I've never been happier in my whole life."

I blinked and he was on top of me. "My sentiments exactly Lover," he whispered as his fangs lightly scraped my earlobe. "Allow me to show you."

I shivered all over and instinctively, my hands traversed the length of his back, feeling each muscle's peak and valley. A deep, low purr emanated from my viking's throat as he entered me in one, long, tantalizing stroke. The feel of him stretching my slick, heated walls never got old and I gasped at the sensation. Eric began thrusting slowly…deeply, while teasing the most sensitive spot on my neck. I moaned my appreciation as my legs spread wider, my body undulating beneath his. I turned my head and captured his lips, filling him with every ounce of love I had. In turn, his tongue darted in and out of my mouth, mimicking the movement of his hips and my feelings were reciprocated tenfold. We moved together as one, my hands clutching his back and his fingers tangled in my hair. He continued accosting me with kisses of pure adoration, loving me with his whole self. There was nothing I wouldn't do for this man. No. This vampire. An ancient vampire, powerful enough to snap my body like a twig, yet handled me like a rare piece of fine china. One who loved me unconditionally and had fought for and with me against countless enemies, never abandoning me, even when it threatned his own existence. He made me laugh. He made me cry. He could be infuriating to the nth degree then do something so endearing, I'd forget what I'd been mad about in the first place. He was my heart. my soul. my everything and I knew, without question, he felt the same way about me. The sparks of our mutual release ignited and Eric left my lips, returning his attention to my neck. Likewise, my mouth found its way into the crux of his and I began softly sucking. Our bodies writhing together, I nipped at his skin and asked, "please?"

"Oh yes," Eric moaned, his fangs poised to strike my throbbing carotid. We bit together in a moment of unbridled, unadulterated bliss and as we mutually drank, our bond encased us, intensifying with each pull. It was, for lack of a better word, perfect!

"Mmmmm. Who needs Valium when I have Northman?" I sighed in the quiet moments before dawn. Eric had pulled me back against his chest and it rumbled as his arm draped over me protectively.

"Who needs sunshine when I have Sookie?" he replied and I clasped the hand clutching my breast, smiling into the darkness.

"I love you husband."

"I love you wife."

Hope y'all enjoyed the homecoming lemons. You know I like to open with a bang! We'll get more into the plot in the next chapter but I just wanted our couple to have a little more fun. Plus, I can never imagine Eric's bare ass enough.

I'd love to hear what you think so please take a moment and leave a review.

Peace!

Hippychik