6 Slow Building Connection.

So baby sis tell me how did the talk go?" Sasha asked.

"It went fine Sam is a shapeshifter," Tara said.

"Really how did he take the whole witch goddess news?" Sasha asked.

"He wasn't too shocked by that," Tara said.

Tara and Sasha walked into the front door met by the twins Nile and Yvonne Thornton Cyrus and Cherice's twins.

"Welcome home cousins." Nile greeted.

"Thanks, Ni did we miss anything?" Sasha asked.

"No not really great grandpa said we will be going to the place the ritual was done when we were babies this time Sam will be coming along," Nile replied.

"Come on Tara we got to get you ready," Yvonne said.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Tara asked.

"Nothing normally but for this, a change is in order," Cyrus replied.

Once Tara and the others left for her room Sam and Lafayette came into the door.

"Sam right this way you have to get ready," Cyrus said.

"All will be explained in a little while you can change clothes in here and when you're done we should be ready to go," Daniel replied.

The ladies walked the path they walked all those years ago when they performed the ritual that was meant for this moment, of course, they would make this journey many more times as the others found their soulmates.

"What are we doing out here?" Tara asked.

"This is the place your grandparents brought us when we were babies and where we brought you when you were babies we performed a ritual here to prepare you all for the moment you find your soulmates.

"The rest of you should come into contact with your soulmates very soon and then we will once again come here and begin the ceremony that will prepare you for the next phase," Ruby said.

"This set up looks like a wedding Yvonne replied.

"That is because it is what you don't know is that every monumental moment in the lives of every family member has to do with the full moon when grandpa came to grandma it was on a full moon night. all of us were born on the day a full moon was to happen found our soulmates on a full moon and married on a full moon." Cherice said.

"Wait you're telling me I'm getting married," Tara replied.

"Yes, you see when you meet your soulmate speaking in terms of couples who are supernatural rather than human there is a need to complete each other by binding two souls making them one. for regular human beings consummation of the commitment to each other on their wedding night serves as cementing the bond however for supernatural a ceremony, not unlike a wedding but with magic cementing the bond leaving a supernatural imprint that is recognizable to all other supernaturals." Cherice said.

Sam and the guys enter a few minutes later. Sam and Tara lock eyes and are speechless.

"Wow Tara you're beautiful," Sam exclaimed.

"You not so bad yourself Sam," Tara replied.

"It is time to explain to Sam what is going to happen," Orunmila said.

"What is all this?" Sam asked.

"This is the beginning of yours and Tara's life together. Now Tara and Sam please step forward we must seal your soul bond first.

A piece of rope was given to both Sam and Tara.

"Please place your hand's palm up doing as instructed Orunmila cuts their palms.

"Smear the blood on your ropes. Now tie your ropes together. Now toss them in the fire." Orunmila instructed.

Sam and Tara throw their ropes in the fire watching as they burn and turn to ash with a wave of Orunmila hand the fire slowly burns out.

"Now both of you take some of the ash in your left hand and recite these words three times.

"What was once two now make one mind body and soul," Orunmila instructed.

"What was once two now make one mind body and soul." Sam and Tara recited.

"Now take the Ash and place it over each other's hearts and say So mote it be," Orunmila instructed.

"So mote it be." Sam and Tara recited.

Instantly Sam and Tara could feel the connection even stronger than it was before.

"You are now forever bound husband and wife please exchange these rings and the ceremony will be complete," Orunmila instructed.

"There is something you both should know because you are soul mates Sam you have access to all of Tara's abilities and she can shapeshift the difference being Sam that you are no longer limited when you shift and it won't be a drain on you anymore," Cyrus said.

"Welcome to the family boss man," Lafayette replied.

Tara and Sam were stunned they were now married and it felt like a dream they could feel each other's nervous energy.

"Come on let's get back to the house," Cyrus said.

The drive back to the Thornton house was calm and silent Sam and Tara's minds raced there was still a lot that they needed to talk about.

"Here we are come on Ruby let's make some coffee," Cherice said.

"Sure let's give these two a moment to talk," Ruby replied.

As Sam and Tara sat in the living room Lafayette turned the Billy Oceans' love zone as the song began to play Sam took Tara's hand standing together they started swaying to the music.

Cherice and Ruby returned with the coffee setting the cups on the coffee table the group sat down taking a cup each.

"There is much the both of you will need to work out I know Sam that you are used to living in that trailer and Tara has lived her since she was a little girl where you will live is just as important for you to be ready for what is to come.

"This house just like the Stackhouse's Compton's and the Bellefleur's homes have known generations of Thornton's, my parents intended for us to continue and our children to be here as well," Cyrus said.

"I completely understand I never planned to live in that trailer forever it's a means of playing security for the bar I could have lived in any one of my rentals if it was just about me having a home," Sam replied.

"Well just to let you know you have a home here with this family. We can put protections in place on all the properties you own having the trailer turned into a security thing just for appearance's sake." Daniel said.

"Sounds good to me Sam replied.

"Here before we forget here is a key to the house," Cherice said.

"Thank you," Sam replied.

The hour had gotten late so everyone decided to go to bed Tara leading Sam to her room.

They were both nervous, to say the least

"Tara we don't have to do anything I know being married is new to you it's new to me too I just want you to know that I see you as my partner I never want your place to be behind me but beside me," Sam said.

"Sam I never once dreamed of being a wife having what Aunt Ruby and Uncle Daniel or Uncle Cyrus and Aunt Cherice have was something I never thought was in the cards for me," Tara replied.

"I didn't think so myself my sister was the one out of the three of us that got married my brother and I didn't have the best of luck in love until I met you, Tara," Sam said.

"Well, I guess we were both wrong," Tara replied.

Sam kisses Tara goodnight and they fall asleep in each other's arms which for them both was far better than any of the dreams they had before they married.

"The next morning when they woke up together their first morning as husband and wife they could hear voices coming from down the stairs Sam and Tara took a shower and got dressed.

They come downstairs holding hands.

"Good morning lovebirds. "Cherice greeted.

"Good morning Aunt Cherice," Tara said.

Sitting down to breakfast they enjoyed each other's company until Sam had to leave to open the bar.

Sam was surprised to see Lafayette at the bar before him though it wasn't an uncommon thing when Sam couldn't be the one to open up.

Big John Terry Bellefleur and Lafayette were prepping the kitchen while Arlene Sookie and Holly were preparing their stations.

"We need to put protections around Merlotte's its the go-to spot for the whole town, after all, it will keep people safe there," Cyrus said.

"Rashawn and I will go," Nile replied.

"You two isn't going alone were coming too," Yvonne said.

"Alright let's go then," Rashawn replied.

The drive to Merlotte's wasn't long from their house the arrived parking close to the trailer.

"First we start around the whole area here then by the bar itself," Nile said.

"I don't think salt will be enough," Sasha replied.

"Nope were using runes," Rashawn said.

Together they placed the things needed to perform the protection spell holding hands the recited the words and from them a great shockwave of power radiated from them towards the whole area of Merlotte's land once it was over they pact everything up and headed back towards the Thornton house.

"Well, how did it go?" Cyrus asked.

"It went, fine Dad, we got the job done though we noticed he doesn't have any security cameras outside and the security system on his trailer can easily be cut from outside," Nile replied.

"An old friend of dads is into security his son took over when he retired I think I'll talk to Sam about adding some security to Merlotte's," Cyrus said.

"Yeah sounds like a good idea," Sasha replied.

"We have to protect ourselves and those we care about the situation with the vampires can easily spill into another supernatural area," Ruby said.

"Where is Tara?" Rashawn asked.

"She is doing some research on her computer," Cherice replied.

"She usually has her nose in a book," Nile said.

"Well, this time she's not she's doing what she is meant to be doing like all of you are." Ruby scolded.

"What all of you have to understand is this vampire rights bill not only affects regular human beings but all other supernatural races as well. It's going to be up to us to protect other light sided witches as well as ourselves and those we care about.

"We also need to place protections around the Stackhouse's place," Cyrus said.

"Why?" Nile asked.

"Because just like the civil rights movement in the sixties people are going to be targeted and killed for their stance," Cyrus said.

"I get it, dad, how are we gonna fix this I mean grandma and Mrs. Stackhouse were friends, and Hadley Jason and Sookie would hang out with us all the time," Nile replied.

"Mama gave her an amulet that Mrs. Stackhouse never takes off we just got to place protections around their house and Jason's mama also gave amulets to Jason Sookie and Hadley as birthday gifts they can't take them off," Cyrus said.

Meanwhile, Tara stared at her computer screen taking notes as she read something she thought would be important.

"How's the research going?" Yvonne asked.

"It's crazy we never even knew this kind of shit existed," Tara replied.

"With good reason, history wasn't kind to witches any more than they were to blacks much less supernatural blacks," Yvonne said.

"We aren't just witches though we are goddesses and gods when we were kids that would be something I would have never thought to say," Tara replied.

"Besides all that you haven't said anything about the fact you got married last night," Yvonne said.

"Sam and I talked he said he doesn't expect me to stand behind him but beside him as his partner," Tara replied.

"That's great Tara so what's with the hesitancy?" Yvonne asked.

"What did you think we would get married and id get knocked up on my honeymoon night?" Tara asked.

"Tara Mae I know you aren't a hoe nor am I trying to say you are it's fine to take things slow you two are just getting used to being married," Yvonne said.

"It's not just the being married its the whole witch goddess thing too it's a lot to adjust to if I'm honest," Tara replied.

"Tara it wasn't easy for us to adjust to either when Mama and daddy told us about it. but we got over it with pranks.

" When a boy would come to call on me or your mama Cyrus being overprotective brother would use his powers to dump a bucket of ice water on them," Ruby said.

"But beyond that, we had their support and guidance and you all will have it too don't forget we can call upon the ancestors to give us support too," Cherice replied.

Tara and Sam felt the connection grow between them stronger than it was when it started the night before.

As Sam worked he couldn't help his thoughts drifting to Tara.

When he returned that night he brought flowers home for Tara but not just Tara he brought flowers home for all the ladies of the house.

"Flowers for the ladies of the house." Sam greeted.

"That's sweet of you nephew," Cherice said.

The family left Sam and Tara alone and just as the did Sam swooped Tara in his arms carrying her to what was now their bedroom.

Laying Tara on the bed the heat radiating off of Sam Tara noticed he was incredibly warmer than he normally was lately.

Consumed by their need for each other Sasha made sure to silence the room from the outside so Sam and Tara's private moment wouldn't be shared by the whole house.

The rest of the house had gone to bed it was two in the morning the bar wouldn't open the next morning

Sam laid with his arms wrapped around Tara holding her close to his side as he slept she breathed in his scent finding peace in his smell.

Sam woke up before Tara he decided to make breakfast for the house taking a plate for Tara and himself to their room.

The smells wafting into the room slowly wake Tara up hold the sheet up to her chest with one hand stretching with the other a slow smile comes to her face.

"Good morning Cher," Sam said as he leaned in kissing Tara.

"Good morning Sam," Tara replied.

"I made breakfast for the house but this is just for us since today the bar is closed I think we should spend the day together if that's agreeable to you," Sam said.

"Yeah, I like the sound of that," Tara replied.

"Then wife you should eat up I think you'll need your strength," Sam said.

"You know had I known becoming Mrs. Sam Merlotte would be this wonderful I would have married you sooner," Tara replied

"Had I known being married to a beautiful goddess could be like this I would never have dated at all just waited for you to make my life better," Sam said.

"You are something else, Sam." Tara laughed.

"Cher we both are," Sam said.

Just as Sam had predicted they didn't leave the room Tara tested her powers by sending the dishes downstairs to the surprise of her family in the kitchen.

And of course pride they felt seeing her get stronger.

"Do you think we'll see them today?" Yvonne asked.

"Most likely at dinner, they will get hungry after all," Ruby replied.

"Yeah they will be starving I'm sure," Nile said.

"Yeah, all those calories burned." Rashawn teased.

Hours later Sam emerged with Tara he had his arm wrapped around her and hers was around his waist.

"You two look satisfied." Nile teased.

"Nile Rashawn leave them be you two will be in their positions soon enough." Cyrus scolded.

"Sorry Uncle," Rashawn replied.

"Yeah sorry, Dad," Nile said.

"Come on let's settle down to dinner," Cherice replied.

"Hold on Cher," Sam said as he pulled out Tara's chair for her.

"Oh, thanks, babe," Tara replied.

"You're welcome, Cher," Sam said.

"Hey Sam we have been looking into the security of the bar you know there are apps that can help you keep track of things at the bar and your other properties while you're not there I've already talked to a friend of the families who agreed to take a look and install whatever is needed," Cyrus replied.

"Thank you, Uncle Cy, I appreciate that," Sam said.

"Your family Sam and you're a good man who provides a lot for this town there is no problem in protecting your interests," Cherice replied.

"Thank you," Sam said.

"No need for that Sam that's what we do," Cyrus replied.

The family dug into their meal Sam sitting next to Tara having a light conversation.

Once the meal was finished and the table cleared the family sat drinking coffee and enjoying peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream.

"So Sam why don't you tell us about your shifter ability," Cyrus said.

"Well my families go to form is dogs though other shifters family will have different go-to forms," Sam replied.

"That's fascinating Sam but now that you and Tara are together your situation has changed," Ruby said.

"You mean because Tara being who she is I knew things would change with me after the wedding the feeling was instantaneous," Sam replied.

"Yes, that is supposed to happen especially with soulmates," Cyrus said.

Not long afterward everyone went to bed Sam was going to call Rufus Rucker the Thornton's family friend so he could fix up security on his properties.

Sam decided he wanted to spend as much time with Tara as possible. The truth of it was they both lived lonely lives until fate sought to bring them together and nothing stops what fate has planned.

And as far as Sam and Tara were concerned nothing in this world or the next would part them.