| EIGHTEEN |
A SMILE LIKE THE SUN

They were now at a house in Dallas that belonged to Godric. His nest congregated here to welcome him home. She was currently upstairs in an ensuite bathroom rinsing the blood out of her hair. She had discarded her shirt that had been covered in blood (she actually turned it to ash in the trashcan because she thought it was wise not to leave something lying around with her blood on it).

She got most of the blood out and she figured that was good enough as she squeezed the water out of her hair. Then she put her damp hair in a low side ponytail.

She put on the sweatshirt Godric loaned her and it was a bit big but she felt like wearing something that swallowed her whole. It smothered the feelings of unwanted fingers on her skin, of being helpless, as she drowned in its softness; it was like a blanket of safety.

When she came out of the bathroom, she found Eric pacing but he stopped once he saw her. She started to smile at him before he spoke quietly, "Did someone touch you?"

Eric had been going over her words in his head. Why listen to him when he hires rapists to do his dirty work? He felt restless thinking about it and it pained him to think about it.

         Eira knew what he was really asking and she frowned, "He tried to."

           He looked down as he clenched his jaw, "I should've been there sooner."

        Eira moved forward and hugged him. Eric wrapped his arms around her gently like a cocoon and hunched over to press a kiss on the top of her head. She felt butterflies as she snuggled her head against his chest as she spoke, "If it makes you feel better, he's dead."

         "But what makes you feel better?" he mumbled against the top of her head.

She smiled, "You."

He grinned before he teased, "You know this is the one moment you could've asked for anything and I would've granted it to you."

"I don't need anything, though," she pouted in confusion before she smiled hopefully. "Although, if you wanted to buy me more flowers when we got back home, I wouldn't mind."

He chuckled before he agreed, "More flowers then."

"Okay," she said with a happy smile before she thought of the events going on. "We should probably go downstairs now."

"In a moment," Eric tightened his hold on her as he didn't want to let her out of his arms. Not yet. And she didn't want to pull away so they stayed there for a small moment in peace.

____

They were now downstairs as the nest welcomed Godric back. She was in the kitchen chatting with other vampires. Eric wasn't by her side but he kept a close eye on her; mostly he could hardly look away because her smile was like sunlight that lit up even the darkest corners of the room.

Eira was in the middle of talking with someone when Jason suddenly hugged her. The vampire moved away to give them space as he spoke in relief, "Eira. When I heard you were at the church..."

Jason pulled away as he swallowed, "Well, I...I'm just glad you're okay."

Eira gave him a smile, "And without you I probably wouldn't have been."

       Jason smiled. All he had ever wanted was to be a hero in her eyes. Something good. And he finally achieved that.

         "Do you think...we could talk?" Jason said nervously. "Outside?"

       She furrowed her eyebrows but nevertheless nodded. She followed him outside where he turned to her and stared at her intensely, "Look, if I don't say this, I never will..."

         She waited expectantly but he said nothing. She stared at him in concern, "Jason? Say what?"

          "Sorry, I, uh..." Jason apologized before taking a deep breath as he confessed. "You have always been the girl, the best girl, and...and I love you. I've been in love with you since we played Seven Minutes in Heaven. Hell, I've probably loved you longer than that but I just didn't realize it. I'm probably always gonna be in love with you. And now I know you're not and that's okay. But I just needed to tell you."

         "And...now I've told you," Jason let out a breath as he smiled like the words had been crushing him.

           She stared at him in shock and she was tongue-tied. She had no idea what to say to that. Out of all things she expected him to say, a love confession wasn't one of them.

           "I, uh..." she attempted to find words to say as she frowned. "I don't want to hurt your feelings but, Jason, I don't feel that way towards you...at all."

            "I know," Jason nodded sadly before he looked at her hopefully. "If you hadn't met that vampire, do you think there could've been a chance for us?"

            "I don't know, Jason," she said sadly; she didn't like hurting people she cared for. But truthfully she didn't think there'd ever be a universe where she didn't meet Eric and fall madly in love with him.

             _____

         Eric had been listening in to what Jason was saying. He only heard the love confession which made him infuriated before Bill approached him.

          "You sent in my maker," Bill accused with a hardened stare.

          "I don't believe I know what you're talking about," Eric smirked. He did get Lorena to come to Dallas because Bill angered him with his threats to get close to Eira.

         "You know, when I arrived at the church to find you were already there. It surprised me. Because the sun had only just set. It had to have been daylight when you arrived, but that can't be right, can it?" Bill smiled confidently like he'd caught him red-handed.

          "You're mistaken," Eric said blankly.

          "Yes. Of course unless...you had someone that made it possible. Like Eira. It's her blood, isn't it?" Bill continued.

         Eric gave him a warning look, "I'd be very careful about what you say next, Bill."

         But Bill goaded. "You know, I'm sure the Authority would love to know all about this."

           Eric bared his fangs at him, "You wouldn't dare."

           "Release Sookie from her deal and I won't," Bill said.

            Eric chuckled darkly before he retracted his fangs, "Fine."

              Bill looked at him skeptically that he caved so easily before Eric leaned closer and put a hand on his shoulder. He squeezed painfully as he threatened, "But if I get even a hint that someone knows about her or you put her in danger in anyway, I will tear apart your precious Sookie right in front of you. Am I clear?"

              "Yes," Bill gritted out.

             Eric released him, "Good."

           ______

          Eira had been outside for awhile after Jason left her alone. She had been overwhelmed and she needed a moment. But she came back inside just as Isabel brought Hugo before Godric. She went closer to watch and Sookie stepped beside her. The blonde read her thoughts and winced, "Sorry about Jason."

          "It's okay," Eira smiled slightly.

           Then Eira looked across the room to find Eric next to Bill. She wondered what they had been discussing as Eric met her eyes. He met them briefly before he looked away and at the event unfolding.

            Godric decided to let Hugo go and had Eric make sure he left safely. After it was over, everyone went back to talking. She was alone as Eric took Hugo outside. But she wasn't alone for very long.

           Stan had approached her and she smiled slightly, "Oh, hi, Stan."

         He tipped his head in greeting as his eyes danced across her beautiful face before he smirked, "You're a feisty little human. You punching the Reverend had to be the highlight of the night."

          She blushed a bit, "Well, it hurt quite a lot."

          Stan licked his lips, "I could heal you if you'd like. Make you feel all better."

           "That's nice but not necessary," she smiled politely.

           While she talked to Stan, Eric came back in to talk to Godric. He crouched down next to his maker as he spoke, "Hugo's been dispatched. I told him not to stop driving until he reaches the Mexican border."

         Godric nodded before Eric continued as he smirked, "I've arranged for an AB-negative human for you. Extremely rare."

       "Thank you. I'm not hungry," Godric said as he kept his eyes on one person.

            Eric followed his gaze to Eira. It surprised him and he was silent for a moment before he looked back at Godric as he spoke painfully, "If you would like her then...then she can be yours."

          "You give her up so easily," Godric said in disappointment. "When she holds on to you so fiercely."

         Godric smiled fondly, "She refused to feel any fear in the church until the last possible moment just so you wouldn't put yourself in danger. It is rare to find that type of devotion, especially, for one of us."

          Godric finally looked at his progeny as he advised, "You should cherish her."

Eric stared at his maker for a moment as he took in all the changes about him. Godric had a love for humans and was now filled with so much mercy. It confused him but he, nevertheless, bowed his head, "Of course, Godric."

         ____

         Stan continued to follow her around the party. He even lingered when she gave Isabel a hug and apologized about Hugo. Then as soon as Isabel left her presence, he was right back in it. He was like a puppy dog trying to soak up all her attention. Really, he was hoping to impress her (as other vampires in the room also tried) so she'd agree to be his and, then, she'd no longer belong to Eric if she agreed.

          "Can I get you any sort of refreshment?" Stan asked politely. "Humans need those, don't they?"

         "I'm good. Thank you," she faked a smile. She was starting to feel uncomfortable with his steps haunting hers.

          Suddenly, a hand was placed on her back and a certain presence loomed over her as he spoke, "Stan, stop bothering my human."

           "Yes, Sheriff," he nodded and he made himself scarce.

           Then Eira tensed when she felt Eric press his cold lips against her ear as he spoke, "Is every man here trying to confess his love for you?"

               Her heart raced at how near he was. But she felt absolutely mortified that he did indeed hear what Jason said. A blush creeped up her neck as she spoke, "I, uh...I need a drink."

          And she quickly left his presence. She would rather not have a conversation about that at the moment. She entered the kitchen and found Sookie who had water bottle in her hand and she asked, "Where did you get that?"

          "Here," Sookie smiled in amusement. "You can have mine. It looks like you need it."

         Eira quickly grabbed it and gulped down some water. Her nerves made her feel parched. She looked at Sookie anxiously, "Do you think I'd be able to get away with hiding in here for the rest of the night?"

         "No," Sookie chuckled. "It looked like you were about get eaten alive out there. Nearly every vampire has watched you all night."

           Eira huffed before she took a deep breath, "I guess I'll be fine."

           "With Eric around, yeah."

            Eira nodded but Sookie didn't know that really she was just nervous about Eric. She left the kitchen and she intended to go Eric but she immediately saw Godric across the house sitting in that chair in his office. He stared into space and he just looked so sad. She felt compelled to go to him so she did.

              Eric watched her walk across the distance to Godric. Her eyes never left his maker like she was on a sole mission that didn't include anyone else and made the rest of the world fade away. It made him jealous.

           Eira sat down on the ground with her legs folded beneath her as she joined Godric. He looked at her curiously and she stared back at him with the same as she asked, "So did you answer the first question or the second? I am Godric or I am okay?"

           "Both," he replied.

           "But you look so sad," she frowned.

             Godric quirked his lips, "Perhaps I am sad that I cannot smile as beautifully as you do."

            Eira blushed and she was a bit tongue-tied before she smiled, "Am I making you sad now?"

            "Very much," Godric only smiled wider as he responded playfully. "I might just have to order you away."

             She giggled before they delved into a peaceful silence. Then Godric shook his head with a fond smile, "Do not worry over me, little one."

            "So you'll smile more then?" she asked.

           "I already have," he replied as he gave her a thoughtful stare.

But then he turned his head like he heard something. He was gone in an instant. She got up to go see what happened. Godric was holding a red head by the throat and he radiated power. Everyone was silent in the room.

It seemed Sookie had been in a fight with the maker of Bill, Lorena. Godric lectured the vampire before he commanded Bill to escort her out and ordered her out of his area before dawn.

As Lorena was escorted out, everyone went back to talking. Eira had her eyes on Eric who was across the room as Godric joined her side. He followed her stare before he looked back at her, "I've been around a long time to know that where your eyes gaze is where you truly want to be."

She looked at him hesitantly and he jerked his head slightly in the direction of his progeny, "Go."

Eira felt the need to make sure Godric was okay and stay by his side. She felt like it was because of his blood but she wasn't entirely sure. Maybe it was just her and the fact that she didn't like it when people were sad.

She smiled in gratitude before she started to walk away. But she only took about five steps away from the wall of the fireplace when a human entered the house and asked for everyone's attention which made her stop. She looked at this young man as he talked and she probably wasn't even a full ten feet from him.

"Excuse me, everyone. If I could have your attention. My name is Luke McDonald. I'm a member of the Fellowship of the Sun. And I have a message for you all from Reverend Steve Newlin..."

He opened his jacket to reveal a bomb wrapped around him. Her eyes widened in surprise as he pressed a button and the bomb exploded.

One moment she could feel the heat and fire of the explosion start to surround her. The next she was behind the stone fireplace wall with Godric as he wrapped his arms around her and tucked her head against his chest to protect her face.

And just as quickly as the bomb exploded, it was over.

Except there was so much carnage everywhere with screams and groans of pain. Her ears were ringing as she stepped out of his arms. She looked around to find Jason nearby and unharmed. There was debris everywhere and blood was all over the walls from where a vampire died; there were even small fires.

Her eyes stopped ringing as she looked at Godric who only had soot stains on his clothes. He looked an angel untouched from the chaos before her eyes widened, "Eric!"

She ran out from the wall and side-stepped the bodies of people as she searched for Eric. She found him easily across the room, laying on top of Sookie. He grinned slightly like she'd be proud, "I covered your friend."

He stood in a blink of an eye using vamp speed. His hands were on her face, tilting her head for injuries but he didn't find any. He didn't expect to as he knew she was with Godric.

Sookie breathed out in relief, "Thank God. You weigh a ton."

She didn't hear whatever Sookie said as she was too busy inspecting Eric. He was bloody and she saw a bunch of wounds from silver bullets that flown out from the bomb. She hovered a hand over his chest in shock as she choked out, "You're hurt."

"I'm healing," he said in exhaustion.

Her eyes watered, "Don't ever do that. You have to be alright always."

He smirked as joked a bit to get her to lighten up, "If I have you to kiss me better, I certainly will be."

"Eric," she scolded but she couldn't help but smile.

"Come here," he said softly as he reached for her to pull her into his embrace.

But she suddenly hugged him tightly and pressed herself so closely to him like she couldn't breathe without him. If he was human, he might've been knocked over with the force in which she attached herself to him. He couldn't help but smile as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

           ______

         After the bomb exploded, everyone went to the Hotel Carmilla. She went to her suite she shared with Eric. It had multiple bathrooms so she didn't worry about how long she took in the shower. It felt so nice to clean all the blood, dirt, soot, and everything else that was on her skin.

         When she came out in her pajamas, she found Eric sitting on the bed, clean from blood and in new clothes. His eyes raked over her attire that contained of a tank top and shorts but his eyes quickly went back to hers as he focused, "We need to talk."

           She froze in front of him as she thought about what Jason had told her earlier in the night and her heart rate picked up from nerves, "I know you're probably mad but I didn't know he was going to say that. Please don't try to kill him."

            "You think I'm mad?" Eric said as he grabbed her hand and played with her fingers. "I certainly don't like that another man loves you but I'm not mad....because I know you love me."

           Then Eric stood up and looked at her intensely before he confessed, "Which is why I want you to know exactly why I care about you. I owe you that much."

               When Eric heard Jason who hadn't even been in relationship with Eira confess his love for her, it made him feel inferior. Because a human was so open about his feelings for Eira when he was not. And that was how he knew Eira deserved better. He wanted to give that to her.

            "You are a prize," Eric revealed before he grinned as he gazed at her with adoration. "Because how could having you not feel like winning?"

           "I do want your blood. I do want to have passionate, primal sex with you," Eric smirked and she blushed scarlet. "I do want to call you mine forever. But I could have none of that and still care for you because of this..."

          Eric reached out and traced the small smile that started to form from his words, "It's the way you smile at me like...like I'm something good. You did it when we met."

       Eric bit his lip at the memory, "You came into the movie store. You were wearing jeans and a sweater that swallowed you whole which left everything to my imagination. Everyone was scared but you stepped forward and smiled at me like I'd never hurt you."

Eric caressed her cheek, "Your smile is what I care for. And it would kill me if it ever faded away. Because after a thousand years on this Earth, it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. You're beautiful. And I want to make you happy forever."

Eira had tears in her eyes from hearing everything she had ever dreamed of hearing from him and a tear fell down her cheek. He wiped it away with confusion, "Why are you crying?"

She sniffled, "Because I'm happy."

He shook his head in amusement, "You humans are so strange."

"Shut up," she said before she grabbed his face and brought it down to hers as she kissed him.

It was insane the amount of butterflies she felt as she did so like his words had awakened more love for him in her heart. She thought she had already reached the height of the love she could have for him but she realized that love could always grow.

Eric drowned in the heat of her kiss. Just kissing her was like ecstasy to him. Even though he could walk in the daylight, her presence felt brighter than the sun and he would burn for her.

As they continued to kiss, Eric grabbed her and pulled her flush against him which made her let out a little gasp in surprise. His lips traveled down her jaw to her neck.

       He could hear her heartbeat pounding in his ears which caused him to smirk at how exhilarated he made her before he pressed another kiss to her neck which was ever so close to the carotid artery in her neck. He could hear the blood gushing and the scent of her blood hit him so fiercely which made his fangs drop without his control.

Eric hadn't had a drop of blood since Eira came into his bar with those scratches on her back. He barely even drank anything while they were apart for two weeks. And now after tonight with being wounded and having to heal, control was difficult being so close that he could hear her sweet blood in those veins. But he refused to drink from her unless she gave him permission.

He swallowed harshly before he lifted his head as he muttered, "I'm sorry."

            Eira was a bit confused as she lifted her eyes up to him that were still in a daze. But then she understood as she saw his fangs and he looked a bit ashamed. She only merely tilted her head and moved her hair to the side as she encouraged, "Go on."

          "I don't have to," he shook his head. "It doesn't have to be you."

          "But I want it to be," she said softly as she stared with promise in her eyes. "I'm yours."

          And Eric could not resist after hearing those words as he sunk his fangs into her neck. They sunk into her skin so softly she barely felt it. And then he pulled them out as he sucked and licked at the blood that streamed out. He groaned at the sweet taste and she let out soft little moans with the way his mouth pleasured her skin. And he left her with another bite mark that would soon scar and last forever.