I didn't think I would be continuing with this story, but I thought of a little more to add to it. Thanks to those who reviewed the first chapter, hope you like the rest!

Chapter 2

He knew the other man would not take too kindly to leaving Sookie's home, but he didn't expect the human to actually attempt taking a swing at him. Eric laughed in amusement, picking Max up by the throat. It was hard not to just squeeze the life out of him, but he would never do that in front of Sookie. No matter how much pain the man caused her, she wouldn't allow it.

"I'm only going to say this one more time. You are to leave this house and never return. Sookie is going to get a divorce. Once the papers are signed and I will make sure they are, you are never to come near her or her child again. Do we understand each other?"

"You can't just kick me out of my own house," he croaked, inhaling a deep breath when Eric let him go.

Sookie shook her head. "This was never your house, Max. It still belongs to Eric, just because he signed it back over to me doesn't change that fact. It's belonged to him since he fixed it up for me after I disappeared all those years ago. I may not have appreciated it at the time, but I do now. This is where he belongs, you were just convenient. I wanted so much for this marriage to work, but my heart was just never in it and it's obvious you didn't love me. I only settled for you because I didn't think I had any other options. Look, if you actually care enough to see Ella, I won't keep her from you, but this relationship is over."

He rubbed his sore neck, giving her a look that could kill. "You always were a bitch, you know that? I didn't listen to what others in town said about you, but now I see how right they were. I'll give you your divorce, being free of you would be a fucking blessing. I don't want anything to do with that brat; she's no longer my concern. She'll just grow up to be a freak like you, we're done here. You two deserve each other."

Sookie felt tears in her eyes when he left the house, trying not to give in to them. "I can understand him being mad at me, but to not even want anything to do with his own daughter? I guess that's just more proof it never would have worked out."

Eric wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. "He's a fool, dear one, is there anything I can do?"

"You've done more than enough, but you can help me get rid of his things. I don't think he'll be coming back for them."

Eric nodded and followed Sookie upstairs; he had a house to put to rights again.

Sookie was stunned after everything Eric told her, she really hadn't known just how hard things were for him all those years he spent away from Shreveport, even before that. Her heart nearly broke after hearing about Nora, whether Sookie cared for the other vampire or not, she knew how hard Eric must have taken her death. It was probably like losing Godric all over again. She had seen his commercials and could tell how fake his smiles were, but had no idea just how miserable he really was.

"I wanted to return sooner, but I couldn't break the contract. The second I was free, I went to your house to see how you were doing and noticed Max holding Ella through the window. You watched them with a smile on your face, I just assumed you were happy, but that didn't stop me from checking up on you. I know I should have stayed away, but as I have told you before, I was never one for doing what I should. It didn't take me long to hear about Bill. I was reminded of our last conversation. He tried to convince me that we were only drawn to your light, that we would never be good for you. I know now he was mostly just referring to himself, it took near death for him to finally realize all of the horrible things he did to you. I know I was hardly a saint, but at least I was always up front. He took the coward's way out and I'm sorry you had to go through that. I hate that I almost did the same thing, if it wasn't for Pam giving me the motivation I needed to keep on fighting, I wouldn't be here right now."

Sookie moved closer to him on the bed, resting her head against his shoulder. It had been a week since he officially moved into the house, everyone around town knew the truth of what happened between her and Max. Not only did she still have to deal with their whispers and rude thoughts, but now they were also full of pity looks. Sookie didn't need that, ending things with Max was the best choice she'd made in a while. "I'm glad you decided to come back. Bill only really cared about himself, I know that now. Even Jessica came to that conclusion shortly after she heard about what happened to him, I'm just grateful that she never blamed me. We have a really good relationship now." She thought back to what he said, scrunching up her nose at one of the details. "Did you have to tell me about Ginger?"

He laughed. "You wanted to know everything. Believe me, it's nothing to be jealous over. In a thousand years of existence, I've never had a more disappointing experience."

Sookie couldn't help laughing as well. "And she really passed out? I'll hand it to you, Northman, you're really good."

Eric rolled his eyes. "I didn't realize I was that good. Ginger has always been very loyal, I figured I owed her, but I'm glad she's finally moved on. She doesn't even work at Fangtasia anymore. Last I heard, she was married with two kids."

"Her husband has a lot to live up to. Once you ride Eric Northman, there's no going back." She burst into more laughter as Eric attacked her with his fingers, knowing how very ticklish she was. "Okay, stop, I give up already!"

He let her go, pecking her on the lips. "Well, now you are the only woman who gets that privilege."

She smiled. "That's always good to know. I'm still amazed you're here, that you actually forgive me. I remember the last time we were in this bed together. You said you wanted to be with me forever, and I told you nothing lasts forever. I was so worried that I would lose you after you got your memories back that when you said you still loved me, I just couldn't believe it. I was so stupid, but everything is going to be different now. I may not have forever like you do, but I don't have the normal life expectancy of humans, either. I've been working with Niall and he said that me being part fairy will cause me to live longer. I could still be here after a hundred years, looking the same way I do now. He said that I will die, it's just not something I have to worry about any time soon."

Eric had a feeling that was the case, but it was nice to know for sure. He kissed her again, putting all of his feelings behind the gesture. "I do hope you wouldn't start to get sick of me."

"There's no chance of that," she muttered against his lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too," he responded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Whether we have ten years together or a hundred, nothing will ever change that."

Sookie believed him and kissed him with all the passion she possessed, knowing that even if they had an eternity together, it would never be enough.

The End