Belated, but worth it

{They had spent her birthday with a dinner and movie cuddled on the couch, and she had said it was perfect but with him working so much he hadn't been able to get her something. So he began to plan out the perfect surprise. Work had him gone from early in the morning to later in the evenings. She had been working the closing shift at Merlotte's and so their time together was very limited. He had left for a few days to work in Alexandria and then Baton Rouge. Their nightly phone conversations were always interesting and consisted of him trying to sleep with a kick stand. He couldn't wait to see her and what he had planned for her, he hoped would surprise her. He'd used most of his bonus for it and now that all was set and planned, even calling Sam to let him know she wouldn't be in for the next week...well, now all that was left was to get her. That took more convincing since she wanted to know where they were going before she agreed to leave with him. Finally, he swooped her off her feet and placed her in the passenger side of his truck, buckling her in and ignoring her protests.

Now, here he sat thirty minutes from their destination and she was asleep next to him, cuddled against him. His arm was draped over her and the sun had just began to set. Checking his watch, he grinned and hoped that this was a way to make up for working so much lately and having to be away from her. He kissed the top of her head and whispered,}

"Sookie...wake up, beautiful. Sooks?"

She had been dreaming such a good dream. They were on a beach, curled up together on a blanket in the sand sipping little drinks with umbrellas and letting the sun bathe the both of them. She hadn't been able to experience this in such a long time, and it was so nice. A frown came to her face, though.

Wake up, beautiful. Sooks?

She mumbled a bit and shifted on the seat, snuggling her face closer into him and inhaling that scent that was all man, all him. Her eyes slipped open and she looked up at him, grinning sleepily up at him.

"Are we there?"

{He grinned and nodded, helping her to sit up but still keeping his arm around her to hold her close to him. Her scent filling his nose and relaxing him instantly. He turned the radio down and looked over at her.} "Almost. About another fifteen minutes. We're in New Orleans."

{He said as he changed lanes on the huge bridge that overlooked the city. Most of the Quarter by the riverwalk was visible there. He pointed to the right for her to look and smiled.} "Are you excited?"

She nodded her head then leaned up so she could look out the window and at the sights before her. She always had loved NOLA; it was way different than Bon Temps, of course, but the air always smelled salty and heady. It was one of the most wonderful places she had ever been.

"Where are we going? Or are you going to make me wait even longer?"

She turned her gaze to him and gave her best pout, making sure to lower her head ever so slightly and look up at him with hooded eyes.

{He hated when she pouted, it always made him cave. But not this time. He chuckled and looked away from her, shaking his head no.}

"You'll know in ten miles."

{He knew without looking at her that she was pouting more and probably with hooded hides that make him want to kiss her, but he focused on driving. He pulled into the long drive of the plantation and watched her eyes light up. Sookie always did like plantations and old historical things, after all, she dated Bill Compton. He smiled at his inner joke and hoped she didn't hear that. Looking over at her, he smiled.}



"This is the old Nottoway Plantation. It's like a bed and breakfast, the grounds are huge and there is so much to do here. Some say its haunted." {He grinned playfully at her and pulled up into the guest parking area.} "I think a getaway and some relaxation was much needed. We'll be here for four nights, five days. Sam knows and everything is set. Happy Birthday, Sookie."

She all but squealed and threw her arms around him, kissing him over and over again on his cheek, jaw and lips.

"This is perfect! A vacation...."

The word was foreign on her tongue, but it flowed out flawlessly. She was going on vacation, with Alcide. Four nights and five days... Just them. She shivered in anticipation and turned to kiss him again. "When do we check in?"

{He grinned and put the truck in park, wrapping his arms around her as she kissed him. He laughed and kissed her back.} "I'm glad you like it...but you haven't seen the best of it yet. {He looked at his watch after her question and smiled.} "Now..."

{He opened the door and went around to open hers. He pulled her to him and kissed her softly.} "There's a spa..." {He kissed her again.} "A lake..." {Kissed her again.} "Lots of places to walk and just talk..." {He kissed her again.} "A huge room and bed." {He grinned and kissed her again.} "And a tub that I can't wait to get you in, you dirty girl." {He kissed her long and heatedly until he was interrupted.}

"Mr. Herveaux?" {He looked up to see one of the men in uniform, a bell hop perhaps, waiting to gather their luggage. He pointed to the two suitcases in the back of the truck and watched him move to grab them. Taking Sookie's hand, he led her towards the inside to check in.. Everything had been paid for in advance and he was so thankful for that huge bonus he'd gotten for working his ass off with the new jobs he acquired around Shreveport and Baton Rouge. Next month he would start some in Monroe, so things were good. Getting their keys, he led her up the large extravagant staircase and to their room. Unlocking it, he lifted her into his arms and crossed the thresh hold.} "We're not married, but why not practice?" {He grinned and set her down on her feet to look at the room.}

Her heart kept up that pitter patter every time he kissed her, and every cell in her body lit afire. He was everything she had ever wanted. And the way he treated her was better than she ever could have asked for.

The bellhop had coughed, and grinned a bit, as he took their bags, leaving her standing there wrapped in Alcide's arms. They made their way up the stairs and to their room, her eyes trailing about left and right to take in all the sights and sounds. It was so beautiful!

As they got to their room and Alcide pulled her up into his arms; she let her arms go around his neck where they lay softly and met his gaze. "Are you tryin' to tell me something, Alcide?" she asked playfully. They had gotten the whole "when are you getting married?!" thing so many times. No one seemed to realize that they had only been official for a little while. She had gone from being engaged to Bill, to being engaged to Eric to being single then to dating Alcide.

As they stood there, she moved the upper part of her body so she could press kisses against his neck and pressed her body closer to his.

{He grinned when the bell hop placed their luggage inside the room and stood there, clearing his throat as Sookie pressed against him and kissed him. He moved away from her to tip the man and got a "Congrats man." from the bell hop. He thought they were married and it made Alcide wonder if maybe that's where the road would lead them one day. He just smiled and closed the door behind him. Turning to look back at Sookie, he leaned against the door.}

"Go on and look around, I'll unpack our bags."

{He watched as she excitedly went off to explore the suite.}

"Woah," she murmured quietly as she walked through suite; it was the nicest place she had stayed by far. Those vampire hotels in Dallas were nice, but they weren't made for humans. This place was all about human. And she loved it! Windows wide open, light everywhere.

"This place is absolutely fantastic, Alcide."

She turned to him and grinned, letting her fingers play with the button at the top of her shirt. "What made you decide to do this?"

{He placed their clothes in the fancy drawers and smiled as she walked around, making gasping sounds and squealing a few times. Setting the suitcases in the closet, he turned as she came back into the room. He walked up to her and slid his hands onto her hips and then her lower back.}

"I wanted to do this to make your birthday special, something to remember."

{He smiled and kissed her nose and then her lips, pressing her to him as his hands moved up and down her back, over ever curve of her body. He growled softly and walked forward, making her backstep until her legs hit the bed. He laid her down and hovered above her, grinning.} "I don't know about you, but for tonight...I don't want to leave this room...or this bed."

She moaned softly and let her hands graze over his back, running up and down against his shirt as he stared down at her with need, want, love, in his eyes.

"I think I can deal with that, Mr. Herveaux. Stay in bed, let them bring the food to us...." Her voice trailed off as he pressed himself against her again and she let out another moan. Her legs wrapped around his waist and held him close to her while pressing her lips against his.

"And this is the best birthday I've had in a long time. Thank you. I... I don't really have the words."

{He grinned and kissed her neck, moving up towards her lips.} "I like that idea, Miss Stackhouse." {He kissed on her again and chuckled.}

"Good, because I don't really wanna hear words..." {He said as he looked at her heatedly. Their getaway was starting out really....really good.}