You sighed and glanced around. It appeared that everyone else had cleared out leaving the two of you alone. That didn't mean someone hadn't lingered, however. "I think we should have this conversation on the way home."

Eric looked you over for a moment before nodding once. He took your hand in his to lead you to the car. When he opened the passenger side door for you, you stepped back. "I should probably drive."

His brow furrowed but he handed over the keys just the same.

It wasn't until you were halfway home that you spoke. "I don't know my real parents. No one does. I've only been told that I was found in the company of a homeless woman who was not my mother. The man I call my father realized I was something other than human and took me in. Regardless of his inability to discover my origins, he raised me and loved me as his own."

"You've told me this."

You glanced in Eric's direction and gave him a small smile. "Have I? I couldn't remember. I don't talk about my past or my family often. It's too much of a risk." Your attention turned back to the road and you took a deep breath. "My father is Roman Zimojic."

Silence stretched for a long moment until Eric finally broke it. "Your father is the Guardian?"

You made a sound of agreement.

"You were raised by the head of the Authority?" His voice was tight, strained.

"I realize we should have had this discussion prior to me accepting your claim as mate. If you want to back out, I would understand." It pained you to say the words, but you understood that Eric might see you differently now. There was a reason you didn't tell people who your father was. Beyond the safety issues involved, the few people who did know always treated you differently after they found out. You just wanted to live your life without always being in Roman's shadow.

"Pull over," Eric instructed.

You bit your lip to keep from questioning him and did as he asked.

He was out of the car and had your door open before you even turned the car off. "Get out."

You got out and stepped to the side so he could shut the door. You kept your head down, afraid of what you'd see if you looked at him. After a moment, he lifted your chin so he could see your face.

"Look at me," he said when you refused to meet his eye.

You sighed and met his gaze. He gave you a soft smile. "Your father has nothing to do with my feelings for you. I love you. You are my mate. The in-laws will simply be a bit more interesting than I had anticipated."

His lips pressed against yours and you looped your arms around his neck as you fell into his kiss. Stress and worry faded away. This man continued to surprise you at every turn and you were oh so grateful for it.

He pulled away and rested his forehead on yours. "Let's go home." You nodded and he kissed your head. "I'll drive us. You have a phone call to make."

"Don't remind me." You got into the car on the other side.

Once you'd buckled in, Eric turned to face you. "Do you fear to tell him about us?"

You laughed. "Eric, he may be the Guardian but when it comes to me, he is first and foremost a father. No father is ecstatic to hear his daughter in love. It may be inevitable but it's a conversation he'd like to hold off as long as possible."

Eric smiled and started the car. Once you were back on the road he said, "Fair enough, I suppose."

"I've already told him about you. Before."

He glanced over in surprise. "You did?"

"Losing you was the catalyst to me leaving my work for the Authority. It cost too much." You glanced out the window at the darkness. "We had a horrible fight."

"You quit because of me?"

"In a manner of speaking. I quit because my heart was broken. It was time for a change." You looked at him, studying his profile while he drove. "He understood that eventually. Me agreeing to work for them on occasion helped. I can be a lot choosier than I used to be though. Honestly it works better for everyone. Even if he won't admit it. He's stubborn, especially when it comes to me."

The corner of his mouth curled up as he shot a glance in your direction. "Sounds like we have a lot in common."

You rolled your eyes. "Yes, I'm sure you two will have many conversations about what a handful I am." You pulled out your phone and called your father.

The phone only rang once before it was answered. "Hello, sweetheart."

"Hey, Pop. I'm going to put you on speaker so we can all talk." You laid the phone in your lap.

"And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?" You picked up the trace of annoyance in his voice but doubted Eric did. Your father was a master of hiding his emotions if he chose.

"Eric Northman, sir."

"Ah, Mr. Northman. I have heard much about you. Both from my daughter and others."

Eric shot you a glance.

"I thought I told you to leave him be," you said, your own annoyance on full display.

"And I have. But you can't honestly expect me not to investigate the man you're dating. Just a simple background. No more. No less."

You sighed but knew it wouldn't do any good to argue. Besides, it was already done. There was no sense in getting angry about it now. You were used to your father overreaching. "You're right. I should have known better."

He made a sound of agreement. "Now, why are you calling?"

"I have claimed Y/N as my mate and she has accepted that claim."

Silence was the only answer.

"Dad?"

"I'm here. Just...This wasn't the conversation I was expecting."

"I love him."

"To be blunt, it's not your feelings that I question, sweetheart."

You opened your mouth to respond, but Eric's hand on your leg stopped you.

"I have lived over 1000 years. Never before have I even considered claiming a mate. I would give up everything for her."

"And before you make your next argument, he didn't know who you were until tonight."

"There are still some matters to discuss. Perhaps you should call me later when you're on your own, Y/N." Your father may have worded it as a suggestion but you knew it was anything but.

"To be blunt, sir, this isn't up for debate. We are simply notifying you of a decision that has already been made."

Your brows shot up. It wasn't often anyone other than you spoke to your father with anything less than absolute deference.

Your father's response was immediate. "You are aware of what I could do to you with little more than a twitch of my finger?"

"I am."

It took you a moment to realize that your father was laughing. You smiled at the sound. "You have my blessing, Y/N. I do wish to meet him properly soon."

You breathed a sigh of relief. "Of course. Love you."

"I love you, too. And congratulations."

You hung up and put your phone away. "How did you know he'd react that way?" you asked.

"I didn't, but I was not about to allow him to separate us. It was important he understood that, Authority or not."

"Well, you're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. At least I don't have to question my importance to you after that. Not that I did anyway." You shook your head in disbelief. "Try not to piss him off too much. I kind of like having you around."

Before he could respond, your phone rang. A glance at the screen showed Sookie's name. "Hey, Sookie," you answered.

"Have you seen Bill?" Her voice was shaky.

"Earlier, yeah." You glanced at Eric who only shook his head. "I doubt he'll be home for a few days. He has some business to tend to."

"He could have called," she complained.

"He may not have had the opportunity. The business was unexpected." Why you were telling her this you had no idea. You'd be thrilled if she just decided Bill was a dick and never had anything else to do with him. You didn't want her taking his absence personally, however. It wasn't her fault.

"I need..." She huffed a breath. "Can you come stay with me for a couple of days?"

"What's going on, Sook?"

"The killer attacked me at Merlotte's tonight. I got away obviously, but I'd sure feel better if you came to visit." Your heart ached at the thought that you'd almost lost your friend.

"Do you have someone that can stay with you tonight?"

"Yeah, Sam brought me home. He'll stay."

"I'll have to get some things together before I can come. I'll head over in the morning, okay?" You ignored Eric's hands tightening on the wheel.

"That would be great, Y/N/N. Thank you."

You said your goodbyes and put the phone away. "Don't bother, Eric," you said when he looked at you. "She's my friend and she's in danger."

"I could send Bill back to her," he offered after a pause.

"That's up to you. Won't keep me from going to Bon Temps in the morning though."

"Why must you be so stubborn?"

You didn't answer. Odds were he wasn't really expecting one anyway.

"Is it necessary for you to continuously put yourself at risk for others?"

"No, but I'm not going to stop either. You might as well get used to it." You patted his thigh. "You don't have to worry about me, Eric. I'll be fine, but I'll text regular updates if it makes you feel better."

"See that you do. I'll not hesitate to burn that little town to the ground if I must to find you."

You rolled your eyes. He was always so dramatic. "No burning, Viking. No pillaging either while I'm thinking of it."

He grinned. "You really have no sense of fun, Y/N."

"If you'd hurry up and get us home, we could have all sorts of fun before I head to Bon Temps."

The press of his foot against the accelerator was his only response.