Author's note: thank you for your patience! As a warning, the next two chapters are going to be rated M so I'll be changing the rating of this story when I post those - can't have a honeymoon without some steam. ;) Favorite the story if you don't want to lose it - FF makes it really hard to track down stories once they are mature content...
Review please! I live for the feedback!
Day Twenty of Forever - Part 2
The ceremony morphed into the reception as the morning turned to afternoon. Eleanor pulled Edythe from Beau's arms - after Archie had snapped a few million pictures of them - to take her inside to unclip her veil and remove the outer lace covering of her dress so it wouldn't be damaged. Without the lace, the dress looked a lot sleeker, drawing emphasis to her slim figure and supple curves so Beau couldn't be too annoyed for the brief separation from his bride.
Royal took up behind the DJ station, flicking through the set list was growing impatience as Archie tried to micro manage him. The two squabbled quietly over the track list, debating if modern music or something more classic was appropriate.
Meanwhile the rest of the family was gathered on the dance floor. Jessamine was partnered with Carlos though they appeared to mostly be in a deep discussion about some unrest in the South; the moved easily across the floor despite their distraction, however. The three blonde brothers were taking turns dancing with Eleanor, Elena, and Lauren respectively, switching partners frequently and seamlessly as if it was a barn party. They clearly were having a good time, their laughter nearly drowning out the music. Meanwhile Carine and Earnest were perfectly at ease sitting together on one of the log benchmarks framing the dance floor, blissfully in their own world as they watched their family bustle around.
The couple of the hour, however, had managed to sneak off to the side, quietly enjoying each other's company away from prying eyes. Edythe had her arms around Beau, her face against his back, listening to him fill his lungs. He had his hands over hers, clasped together firmly. Each time she sighed dreamily it filled him with a new burst of happiness. They were content in simply holding each other, still somewhat in awe from the morning.
It was surreal, Beau felt, that after everything they had been through they were now at this point. Married. It was like he could take full breath for the first time after having been underwater. He didn't expect to feel so content, so grounded. He knew of course that he had Edythe regardless of the ceremony, but somehow this made it real. This truly was their start of their lives together.
Edythe, however, had wanted this more than she had understood; since she was a girl it was something her mother had talked to her about endlessly. She remembered very little of her human parents, but recalled her mother's brilliant smile when she talked about the night she had married her father. Carine told her once that she resembled her mother more than him, most notably around her eyes. They had had a similar face, Edythe thought, and couldn't help but wonder if at this moment she wore the same brilliant smile that her mother had had all those years ago. Maybe hers was even brighter.
Edythe curled around Beau with another happy sigh. He turned his head to look at her from over his shoulder. She met his eye, holding his heated gaze. With her face shyly pressed into the dip below his shoulder blades he could only make out half of her smile, only one of her adorable dimples. And he wanted more, to drink her in completely and marvel again at the woman who was now his wife.
He lightly tugged her around his torso so they faced each other. She lifted her face up towards Beau, wordlessly asking to be kissed and he responded more than willingly. One hand held her under her chin, tilting her forward to he could taste her more deeply. She hummed against his lips softly, the sound buzzing from her skin to his.
"I have told you how exceptionally handsome you look today, haven't I?" She mused quietly, her hands smoothing down the lapels of his tux jacket.
He chuckled, brushing his lips across her cheek. "That'll be the third time, actually."
"Well it could do with being said again."
He rolled his eyes playfully. "You're going to give me an inflated head you know."
Edythe tugged him forward, dusting his face with feather-light kisses. "It's only fair. You keep looking at me like you're the winner of the lottery instead of the grandiose prize itself. You could do with some reminding that I'm the lucky one here."
"You're really ridiculous," Beau mumbled between pressing his mouth to hers. "Have you even seen yourself today? You're a complete knockout. Like, impossibly beautiful over here. It's a good thing I can't faint anymore cause I seriously would have passed out when you came down the aisle." He pulled away to look her over once again, clicking his tongue. "Damn. You may need to pinch me. None of this could possibly be real - I really do think I may have slipped into a coma when Taylor's car almost hit me."
She laughed, reaching up to feel the back of his head. "Nope, no bump, no visible trauma. It seems you are in fact very much conscious. And I have a few medical degrees, so I would know."
"Wow," he breathed. "This all really happened. We're really married. This is crazy..."
Edythe just beamed up at him.
"Hey over there," Archie called over to them then from the other side of the lawn. "It's time for your first dance as a married couple. Get over here, Mr. and Mrs. Swan!"
Edythe shook her head minutely, perhaps not as taken with the use of her new name, making Beau grin as he pulled her into another kiss. He then held his hand out for her, bowing his head slightly. "You heard him, Mrs. Swan. Let's not keep our adoring public waiting."
She huffed, but it was an affectionate sound. Edythe took his hand, and together they returned to the party.
Everyone cleared the floor, lending the space completely to the newlyweds. Beau tested his feelings, looking for the nervousness that had filled him before the ceremony, but found nothing but peace. Even with all the eyes surrounding them. He supposed Edythe was the source of his ease, her presence allowing him to overcome his discomfort.
Beau brought their held hands to his lips again, placing her hand around his neck afterwards. Her other hand joined the first, locking her husband close to her form. His own hands were around her back, squeezing her waist slightly with welcome pressure.
The music was a soft, mellow piece mostly of strings. Beau was able to led Edythe in slow circles to the swell of the ensemble, looking down at her adoring all the while. It was like they were in a world all their own.
She brought her fingers up the nape of his neck, into the dark curls there, tugging him down. Her heels made up a fraction of the height difference but he still had to lean over her to press his mouth to hers. Edythe kept her face tilted up even as Beau pulled out of the kiss, her eyes still lightly closed. He pressed their foreheads together, watching her features as her lavender lids slowly parted, revealing the brilliant gold of the eyes he had fallen for.
"I love you," he utter softly, as they danced.
She flashed her dimples at him. "I know."
As the music shifted to something a little jazzier, Beau felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Earnest, asking to borrow his bride. And though he loathed to be apart from her, Beau graciously twirled Edythe into her fathers embrace.
As the twosome danced off, Beau found Carine sitting along the side. He held his hand out to her with a smile, warming her heart. Soon they were spinning along side their spouses to a polite round of applause from their guests. Carine and Earnest shared a single look brimming with pride for their two children, their eldest and their newest addition. Wordlessly, they exchanged back partners, with the older couple shifting off to the side to give the couple their spotlight back.
This time Beau lifted Edythe up so she stood on his feet like she had during the prom Archie had thrown for them. She was able lay her face against his neck, her lips dotting his flesh with affection as they danced more slowly this time. This embrace was more tender, more intimate.
"Exactly how long do I have to wait until I can sneak you out of here?" Beau asked under his breath.
She giggled. "Archie plans on holding us hostage a few more hours, love. It might not be wise to interfere with his plans anymore than we already have."
"Archie, smarchie," he grumbled back. "I want to be alone with my wife now."
Edythe shivered against him. "We are of the same mind, my husband."
But they promised to be good and kept dancing for their family's enjoyment, though all the while their anticipation for the nights to follow was on the forefront of their minds.
The music abruptly changed a few songs later, no longer one of the pre-approved waltzes on Archie's list. Beau looked over to see Royal had abandoned his station and now his wife was controlling the speakers. The song she had picked didn't really sound like a wedding song, however, leaving Beau bewildered. Why would she pick this song?
It was uptempo and oddly familiar. He cocked his had to one side, sure he knew this song though he couldn't place it. From the way Eleanor was holding her sides he assumed she had to have picked it purposefully. Edythe did not look amused in the least so he figured it was probably supposed to be a prank of some sort.
"Really, Eleanor?" Edythe had stopped moving, standing rim rod straight though her frame was shaking with what could only be anger.
Her sister's answering grin was diabolical. "What, you're not a Madonna fan?"
As soon as she named the singer Beau recalled the song and everything fell into place. He buried his face in his hand, groaning, silently cursing his sister.
Eleanor was singing along shrilly, her pitch perfect even as she mocked them. "Like a virgin - hey! Touched for the very first time..." She danced closer to where they stood unmoving in the center of the dance floor.
No one seemed to know what to do with the interruption. Carine was frowning, though not as deeply as a very annoyed Archie on the other side of the floor. The Denali brothers originally had looked as confused as Beau by the song choice but quickly put the pieces together and were roaring with laughter. Tanvir actually fell off the bench, his whole body shaking. Jessamine was enjoying herself too, snickering as she took in the bride's anger and the groom's mortification.
Edythe's fury was focused solely on her brunette sister, however. So soon as she was within range Edythe dropped her hands from her groom and pulled her sister into a headlock. Maybe Eleanor had assumed she would have been safe from the smaller vampire's wrath, what with it being her wedding and all, so surprise registered on her features. Before she could think to try to break her hold, Edythe had thrown her effortlessly off to the side of the lawn. Eleanor wasn't fast enough to react, toppling through the air in a short arch. Archie lifted the two tables into the air that would have fell to her trajectory otherwise, his frown even more apparent as she flew past him.
"Very ladylike," he chastised his newlywed sister as he placed the tables back down gently. Eleanor crashed into a decent sized oak a second later, the resulting impact mercifully making the track skip.
Earnest pulled the disk before it could start back up again, his disappointment in both his daughters apparent. "Girls, please!"
"Had to do it," Eleanor said without an ounce of regret as she got to her feet. She brushed her dress off and fanned her hair out with a flick of her hand.
"You really didn't have to," Archie insisted.
She grinned, rejoining the dance floor but keeping a wide breath from her sister. "I was torn between that one and 'Let's Get It On'. In the end I had to go with Madonna."
"At least she waited for them to finished their first dance," Jessamine comforted Archie though she had trouble keeping the laughter out of her words.
"Yeah I guess thanks for that at least," Beau grumbled. He had gotten overly confident that the day would go off without a healthy dose of humiliation but Eleanor had grounded him in reality.
Edythe pat his back comfortingly though her tone was cool. "Don't worry, love. We will get her back."
"The throw wasn't enough?" Royal was at his wife's side, frowning at Edythe as he raked his fingers through Eleanor's long hair, dislodging splinters of wood. "It was a joke, Edythe."
"I know. And I also know you were in on it too," she said, her voice dangerously low. "I hope you will find my joke as hilarious as I found yours."
Archie was quick to intervene. "Ooookay. As lovely as Eleanor's little dedication to the blushing bride and groom was, it's time to pick it back up. Royal, you are hereby stripped of your station for gross abuse of power. Jess, do you mind?" His wife nodded, stalking off to behind the DJ station. Easy listening music filled the air a beat later.
Finding the track satisfactory, Archie pulled Edythe from Beau's arms, stealing her for a dance. They moved together fluidly, lightening the mood instantly. Earnest spun Carine onto the floor then as well, the couples movements not as showy but just as smooth. Royal put his arm around his wife, but she shook him off, grabbing Beau as her partner instead, to both of their surprise.
He looked at her wearily, her face slightly above his thanks to her heels. "There isn't a second part to the punchline, is there?"
She laughed, throwing back her head. "No. I'll be good now, I promise."
Beau raised an eyebrow. "You? Good?"
"Don't hold your breath," Edythe call out to him as she twirled by with her brother.
"Ouch, E. That hurt more than you throwing me did." But Eleanor's eyes were alight mischievously. She clasped one hand with Beau's, laying the other on his shoulder. "I'm waving a white flag here."
Beau rolled his eyes but began leading her in a quickstep dance. "Let's just see if you can make it through the evening without another stunt like that. Edythe won't take it so easy on you next time."
Edythe hissed quietly, accenting the threat. Eleanor laughed again.
"Gonna let your wife fight all your battles?" the brunette teased lightly. She ducked under his arm, spinning out but holding tight to his hand.
"Yup," Beau said with no shame. He pulled her back in, her hair fanning out behind her at the movement. "She's a lot scarier than me. And besides, I'm still not as used to these type of antics between siblings - I've been an only child for years so I'm at a severe disadvantage here."
"You'll learn," Eleanor promised. "You have to or you'll be a really easy target."
"Thanks for the heads up," he replied sarcastically.
"It's for my benefit too - it's no fun picking on the kid you doesn't fight back," she replied with a shrug. Beau laughed too this time, already having forgiven Eleanor. She was pretty hard to stay mad at.
They danced for a while longer until he finally relinquished her to Royal who had been watching them from the sidelines. He gave Beau a tight smile, maybe slightly apologetic for his role in the fiasco, before sweeping Eleanor literally off her feet in a lively chacha.
No sooner had they stolen away and Jessamine was in front of him, sneaking out of her station to grab a quick dance with the groom. It was easier to move with her than Eleanor, maybe because she was not as large and or flashy. Jess was content to spin slowly with her arms around Beau's shoulders, mostly silent as they enjoyed each others' company. Even when she didn't utilize her gift, Beau still felt very at ease around the blonde. Maybe it was because, like him, she didn't feel the need to fill the silence all the time. When the music changed she gave him a soft smile that he returned, thanking him for the dance.
He went off to the side then, searching for Edythe. But before Beau could seek her out, Elena caught his eye and pulled him back on the floor. When he finally saw Edythe she too was occupied, now dancing with Kirill who seemed to be engaging her in some of his off color stories from the look of disapproval on her features.
Beau was quickly realizing there was a line to dance with both the bride and the groom at weddings, something he hadn't counted on. He had hoped to spend most of the day glued to Edythe's side. Now he was seeing that was going to be impossible. But he supposed he would have to bear with it - he was going to have all the time in the world to be alone with her after the party anyway, so knew he might as well let his family get their fill. So he let his dance card fill up without complaint, actually enjoying the company as the day wore on and everyone grew more rambunctious.
Archie was dancing with Edythe again when everything changed abruptly. One second he was all smiles, scooping his sister up in some swing move, and the next he was froze, his eyes unfocused as he absorbed whatever the future had in store for them. Edythe cursed quietly in response to what he saw, freeing herself from his arms. Carine was next to them immediately, with Beau taking up next to his wife, clearly concerned.
"What is it, Archie?" Carine asked, frowning. "What did you see?"
"Nothing," Archie wailed. "The rest of the evening just disappeared! Why does this keep happening?"
"Because we have visitors," Edythe announced angrily. Beau put his arm around her back but she stayed tense.
Tanvir looked around for these apparent visitors. "More guests?"
Edythe shook her head quickly. "Not the kind we would willing invite into our home."
"The wolves?" Beau asked, understanding her tone and Archie's blindness right away. Several answering hisses filled the air.
Tanvir and his coven looked confused, however. "Wolves?"
"Werewolves of sorts," Carine sighed. She looked towards the west. "Our neighbors."
His eyes were wide in shock. "You live so close to a pack of dogs? I did not know they existed so far from Europe!"
"These are different from those werewolves," she replied wearily. "They change at will, not just during the full moon."
Carlos reached out to his mate protectively. "Are they dangerous?"
Eleanor kicked off her high heels, making a show of cracking her neck. "We can take 'em."
Carine shook her head at her. "We have a long standing peace agreement. They have never attacked us without provocation, nor us them. We will see why they are here and aim for a peaceful resolution."
"Sure, sure," Eleanor replied with a wicked grin. "But, ya know, just in case."
Edythe stiffened, listening intently. Her eyes widened suddenly and Beau saw a range of emotions there before she adopted a neutral expression. He was immediately alarmed.
Beau turned her towards him, keeping his hands on her waist. "Edythe, what's wrong?"
"Are they here?" Eleanor asked hopefully.
"Not they," Edythe hedged, her eyes avoiding Beau's. "It's just one."
Tanvir looked curious. "What does it want?"
"To borrow my husband."
All eyes turned to Beau, who was even more alarmed now. Had he somehow managed to provoke the wolves? He figured hat would be par for the course, but did this have to come to head today, here and now? "Me? Why? What did I do?"
Edythe growled, ignoring his questions. "It's completely inappropriate. She had to do this today, of all days." She crossed her arms, glaring towards the front of the house. "She'll be here soon. Go meet her out front, Beau; she won't come too close when she realizes how many of us are here. And do let her know I'm not pleased she decided to gatecrash my wedding." The threat in her voice was evident and Beau felt it best to head off their guest as soon as possible before his new wife got a hold of her; he knew it would not be a friendly interaction.
So he kissed his briefly on the lips, melting her a fraction, and then sped around to the front of the home.
He stood as close as possible to the entrance of the property, mindful to stay under the shade of the huge trees that guarded the hidden path, hoping to keep their guest out of Edythe's immediate reach. He could smell her now, the musty smell of dog exceptionally pungent to his heightened senses, but he could also hear a car and knew she was not in her wolf form. He figured that at least meant it wouldn't start out as a confrontation. It would be up to him to keep it that way.
A newly painted red car sped down the hidden path towards their turn off, a woman with short hair behind the wheel. He thought it might be Sam but his human memories of her face were cloudy and he couldn't be sure. She parked a good hundred feet away, shutting off the engine and clamoring out of the vehicle noisily. As she came into view, Beau got a sudden shock as he found he did recognize her.
It was Julie.
Or at least, some version of her. Her long hair had been cropped short around her ears with just her bangs longer than the rest, reaching her chin on the sides at a severe angle. And it looked like she had the same sudden growth spurt he had had in sophomore year - she had to be at least 5'10 now if not already at six feet, looking like she might shoot right out of her black strapless dress. Julie also looked a lot older than her 15 years now, like a college student at least. It was like she had completely grown up over the last week or so since the funeral.
Beau perceived these changes to his friend in the back of his mind, his foremost thought on the most obvious change of all - clearly during the time since he had last saw her she had joined the pack.
"Julie?" he asked hesitantly, though quite sure it was her.
She leaned against her car, frowning at him. "Yeah, it's me, Beau. Is that still you though?"
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Uh yeah. It is... Wow. It's good to see you, Jules." And it actually was. Beau hadn't realized exactly how much he missed her until she was standing before him, her husky voice oddly clear still in his memories. Even though she looked like she'd rather be anywhere else, Beau was genuinely happy. It was like a surprise wedding gift.
She said nothing for the longest time, finally sighing as she looked him up and down. "When Mom told me what you were now, I didn't really believe her. But I guess seeing is believing." Jules kicked up at the ground. "...I thought you were dead, Beau."
"I know. Sorry. Didn't really have much of a choice," he apologized. He made no move to get closer, her scent already overpowering from a distance, but he wanted her to see how sorry he really was. Hurting her had been almost as bad as hurting his parents.
Her face was impassive, though a little tight around her eyes. "So it's true then? Some random one got you? It wasn't your pretty little girlfriend?"
Beau shook his head. "Edythe tried to stop her but it was too late. I was either going to die or change."
Jules snorted. "Unbelievable. Some job she did protecting you."
He frowned at the accusation. "She did everything she could to keep me safe. I was the one who willingly went alone to meet the hunter, you know."
She looked at him incredulously, her black eyes round as saucers. "What the hell? Did you have a death wish?"
"No! It's a long story. I thought she had my mom. Thought I could exchange my life for her's." He rolled his eyes. "Admittedly it was a stupid move-"
"Obviously," she agreed through gritted teeth.
"-but I thought it was the better option than putting everyone else in danger," he finished, shrugging, just glad he finally got the chance to explain himself to Jules. At least it was one less person kept in the dark. "I didn't want Edythe or anyone else getting hurt because of me."
"So instead you just handed yourself over to the leech on a silver platter." Her voice was hard. "Really smart, Beau."
He flinched slightly at the harshness of her words. "Sorry."
"You can't just keep apologizing for the single most stupid thing you could have ever done - especially when it resulted in you dying!" Julie nearly shouted, all visage of calm gone. Her fists were clenched to her side, her eyes narrowed dangerously. Even from far away he could see she was literally shaking.
"Jules..."
Beau wasn't sure what he could do as Jules hunched over slightly, looking to him as if she might be about to throw up. He was frozen, unable to get any closer, unsure if he would have just made it worse if he tried to comfort her. But as he watched, her shakes settled slowly. She took several deep breathes, her eyes forced closed with concentration as she straightened up.
"And I was so sure I could get through this without losing my temper," she mumbled under her breath as she combed through her hair absentmindedly. He thought it might have been a habit from back when it was longer. "I didn't realize how much this would upset me."
He smiled sadly, not sure what he could do to make it better. "To know what I am?"
"That, and something else." Jules raised an eyebrow at him, not calm but less visibly aggravated. "Nice monkey suit, by the way."
Beau straightened out his collar, smiling sheepishly. "Thanks. That's a nice dress, too. You here for the party?"
"Kind of."
"Well I'd love to offer you a dance now that I know I'm a lot more graceful than I was a month ago." He figured he could put up with her smell for at least one song to be polite.
"I don't think I should," Jules sighed after a beat. "Better not push your luck."
"Are you okay? It looked like you were feeling sick a second ago..."
"Yeah kinda." She looked tired now. "I'm still new at this and I can't control myself too well yet. If I get mad or freaked out... Well, it just wouldn't be too pretty. And I'd up owing Quil a new dress." Julie sighed, her joke sounding weak even to herself. "Mom said it was stupid to come but I thought I could handle myself better than this. She was thinking about coming with me, to keep me from wrecking everything, but she had already decided against it when the card came through the mall."
"What card?"
"The fancy invite card. Announcing the wedding of Beaufort Swan and Edythe Cullen," she added in a dry voice. "Didn't realize natural enemies could make it on the guest list."
"Oh. Yeah. I asked Archie to send it, just so Bonnie would know," he admitted, feeling a little off put by her mocking. "He saw she wouldn't come, but it just felt like the right thing to do anyway." It had hurt a bit knowing Bonnie wouldn't even come by to wish him well, but he understood. Or at least he could try to. Beau changed the subject then, morbidly curious about how the mortal world was doing in his absence. "How is she, by the way? And how is...?"
Jules watched him carefully. "Your dad is... Okay. I guess. Better now." Her expression was confusing, however; she looked apprehensive.
His eyebrows knitted together. "Is there something you're not saying?"
Julie glowered at him. "What, is being super perceptive some leech power you have now?"
"I just know you, Jules," he said quietly, stung by her tone.
She softened then, her eyes back on her feet. He realized then that she wasn't wearing shoes. "Sorry. I just thought... Mom said she can read minds and I didn't know if..."
"No, that's only Edythe. I can't do anything nearly that cool."
Jules looked surprised. "Oh? But you can do something?"
"Kind of." Beau shoved his hands in his pocket. "I guess I'm basically a shield. I can block other vampires' gifts sometimes," he explained. "It s a little disappointing - it's not mind reading or being able to see the future - but it explains some things. Edythe thinks I always had a very private mind and that's why she could never know what I was thinking, even before." He was just glad to know her not being able to read his mind hadn't meant he was defective.
"She didn't use her creepy powers to get in your head and control you?"
"It doesn't work like that, Julie." He resented the way she was talking about Edythe and the disdain in her words. His mood was thoroughly soured despite the reunion. "Why are you here anyway? Clearly you don't want to be."
Julie's face crumpled. "I wanted to see you," she replied hoarsely. "I needed to see for myself that this was true. That you're really..."
"A vampire."
"Married," she corrected sullenly
Beau stared at her. "That's why you showed up today? Because you couldn't believe we were going through with it? Or because you thought I'd get cold feet or something?" She simply kept her eyes on her toes. Beau could feel himself getting a little angry and fought to keep it under control. "Out with it Jules. What's really going on? Is this you checking up on me or just coming here to harass me and my wife? Cause I don't appreciate-"
"I think Charlie and my mom are dating," Julie exclaimed, cutting him off, clearly aiming to distract him.
Whatever he had been expecting, it wasn't that. Beau's jaw nearly dropped. "W-what?"
"I think so, anyway." She looked at him apologetically. "Or at least they will be soon. They still haven't said anything, I think cause it's a somewhat new thing. But we've been over at his house nearly every other day the past two weeks, bringing him food and stuff. I thought it was just checking up on him but the other day as I was leaving to meet up with the pack, I saw them through the window. Kissing." Jules combed through her hair again, distractedly. "I don't know when this started - I was kinda preoccupied with mourning you and then the whole turning into a giant wolf thing, but they are just... Closer than normal. Closer than she's been with anyone since Dad died," she added unhappily.
Beau was still trying to process what she was saying, before deciding if he was okay with it. He had never really pictured the two of them together, but he guessed it made sense on some level; they were really similar people in several ways, great friends, and had lost a spouse in some aspect. He didn't think anyone understood Charlie as well as Bonnie did or got him to open up as easily either. Beau could only remember seeing him smiling around himself or her, actually, when he examined his murky human memories. Maybe this was something that had always been right in front of him but he had missed because of his narrowed perception.
"Um, that's cool I guess," he finally said. Weird, maybe, but cool. It was a little different from when he realized his mom had started dating again, maybe because he had assumed Charlie had given up on the whole thing. But then, grief changed a lot of things. Maybe Bonnie being there for him as he mourned his son had been the spark that made Charlie rethink his life of solitude. Beau couldn't fault him for that; he could even be happy for him, he supposed.
"Yeah it's okay..."
Her tone didn't make it sound like it was okay though. "And you're okay with my dad with your mom?" Beau prompted.
She looked conflicted, shrugging her shoulders. "I mean... maybe? I've known Charlie my whole life so I like him. It's kind of weird but no weirder than me being a wolf or you being undead." Her eyes looked at him searchingly. "I don't know. Just thought you should know."
Beau tried to smile convincingly. "At least it's comforting to know he has you and Bonnie through all this. He needs people right now. And you guys might be the best ones for the job considering what you know. Besides, I think he always secretly wanted a daughter anyway," he added jokingly.
She shrugged again.
"I guess it would have been cool to have you as a sister too," he said thoughtfully, wondering what things would have been like if he had stayed human and they had become a blended family. What would that have been like? How could things have worked out then, with a werewolf in the family? That might have been a complication too far for Edythe, he figured dryly.
"You. Would. NOT. Have. Been. My. Brother." Beau startled out of his contemplation by Julie's venomous tone. She was shaking again, harder than before as she spat out her words. "I didn't need another brother, Beau!"
He lifted his hands in surrender. "Okay, sorry! Didn't realize you were that opposed to it."
"Are you serious?" Her glare was harsh. "God, you really are stupid, aren't you?"
Beau returned her glare. "Well if this is going to dissolve into insults maybe you should just let me get back to my wedding, Julie."
She laughed harshly. "That's right, your precious wedding to your precious little leech. Didn't mean to pull you from that horror fest."
An earth shattering snarl tore through his lips, shocking himself almost as much as it did her. "Do not insult my wife, Julie. I won't say it again." Beau turned away from her coldly. "Maybe you should just go now. Wouldn't want to force my leech company on you any longer." She flinched back.
"Wait," she called out before he could leave. She took a few hesitant steps towards him. "Wait, Beau. I'm sorry, I was out of line. Sorry." When he didn't say anything she continued, making slow movement forward. "I didn't come here to be rude or make you mad at me, promise. This is just... None of this going how I planned it in my head."
"How exactly did you plan for this whole 'crash Beau's wedding and insult his wife' thing to go?" From his tone it was clear he wasn't buying her weak apology.
"Not like this," Julie muttered. "I was just going to say my piece and go, not really crash anything. But it's you and it's me and it's so ridiculously complicated now." Her expression was one of pain. "It's just that I like you, Beau, that's all. I've liked you since we were kids."
Beau froze, positive he couldn't have heard her right.
She must have interpreted his shocked face as one of mortification because she forced out her words more quickly now, as if afraid he would cut her off and dismiss her before she could say them. "And you never noticed and I was totally okay with that cause I figured I just needed to wait a bit until I was old enough that you could see me the way I saw you. I could be patient. And I got my second chance when you moved up here - but I ran out of time when you met her. And then you died and I regretted not saying anything sooner and I wanted nothing more than to have that chance back, even if nothing would come from it. I just wanted to tell you how I felt, Beau.
"I felt so sick after your funeral, I was bedridden for days. Fever, nausea, nightmares - I thought it was my regret manifesting as the flu - only to find out that it was all from me changing into a wolf." Her laughter was hollow. "Somehow it turned out all the old legends that I laughed at were true. The world was full of monsters and I was one of them. But so were you. Mom could finally tell me what really happened to you. And I was mad, of course, cause even though you were not dead now, you still kinda were and so it didn't matter. There was still no chance because we were on opposite sides of a war that's been raging for centuries. It was just my luck...
"Then we got that invite in the mail and I was furious," she admitted, almost sadly but she was clearly mostly frustrated. "I would have destroyed the house if Sam hadn't sent me out into the woods to cool off. But it just wasn't fair! She got to marry you and I never even got a chance to tell you how I felt. I just wanted closure - I knew what you were and thought it would change how I felt about you, Beau, but I wanted to say how I felt about you just to get rid of that feeling.
"I didn't think... I didn't even suspect that I could still love you now that you were one of them... but I do," Julie whispered. "I do still love you even though it makes no sense. I look at you now and logically I know I should hate you, but it's still you, Beau. Kinda. Just in some sickeningly sweet smelling and super pale form. And I'm sorry, I know this is a lot to dump on you, especially now, but I thought you should know in case-"
"In case I wanted to ride off into the sunset?" He could hardly believe what he was hearing. "Seriously, Jules?"
"I know, I know, but hear me out," she begged.
Beau clenched his jaw shut. "No, I won't. Julie, I married her. I chose her."
"But you didn't know there was another choice," she insisted. She was right in front of him now, pleading almost desperately. Her copper lips were trembling delicately. "I'm ignoring everything in my core right now, everything that makes me a wolf. I'm choosing you over my tribe and family. Can't you just think about it?"
She reached for his hand but Beau pulled away. "There's nothing to think about, Jules. I'm sorry."
Her face fell. "But I-"
"It's not the same for me," he said as gently as possible even though he was angry with her for even suggesting he leave Edythe. "She was willing to give everything up for me too, when I was human. She broke all kinds of rules to be with me - and I did too. I ignored your mom's warnings and any shred of self preservation I had - because it had to be Edythe. There was no other choice because I didn't want another choice. It's as simple as that."
"None of this is simple," she argued. "We are talking about monsters and legends here."
"This is simple, though." He felt too guilty to look at her any longer, turning his gaze instead to the Cullen home. It was so open and inviting despite the world they belonged in. What made it impressive was not how grand it was, but what it represented - hope, family, a future. It was his home now, the place he belonged with the woman he loved. "It's always been the simplest thing in the world being with her. It was almost too easy to fall in love with her. Like she was my destiny."
He could feel that she was shaking again, but maybe not in anger this time. "Even though you have to give up everything for her? I wouldn't have taken your parents from you, your friends. We could have gotten married, too, had kids some day. I would have loved you more. We could have been happy."
He smiled down at her sadly, not able to even picture the vision she painted; any future without Edythe was an impossibility. "Maybe in another world, one where there was no Edythe. But I know what it's like to love her and now I'm spoiled. No one else will do."
A single tear dripped down her cheek from her large black eyes. He could see she was beautiful then, know that they if things had been different she could have been his best friend and maybe more, but it still did not shift his feelings even slightly. This, too, was too easy - breaking Jules' heart. He only hoped she'd be able to forgive him for it some day, that maybe they could find a way to be friends despite everything. But maybe it was too much to hope for.
Beau reached out his hand slowly, brushing away the tears from her scalding hot skin. She pulled back at his unnatural touch but he couldn't feel offended. "I'm not sorry for choosing her, but I am sorry to have hurt you. Please understand. This how it has to be."
She nodded once, holding his gaze accusingly through a veil of fresh tears, before racing back to her car and diving behind the drivers wheel. He wondered idly if it was the car she had been restoring, now finally completed. She tore out of the property so fast the tires sprayed up dirt and grass from Earnest's meticulously kept lawn. Her car was out of sight in seconds.
When she was gone, he turned to find Edythe beside him, a tiny frown on her pink lips. "Well that was unexpected."
"Sorry about that," he said gingerly, pulling her into his arms.
"It's hardly your fault - though you did technically invite her," she added, patting his chest a little harder than she meant to.
He winced slightly. "Um, ow?"
She didn't apologize. "Just how many more are going to come out of the woodwork. McKayla, Erica, Taylor?" She reminded him in a flat voice. "And the countless others. Now a werewolf too, on top of everything. I'm beginning to worry about what I've signed up for."
He rolled his eyes as he guided her back to the house. "Yup I'm a regular Casanova." He was actually starting to wonder if he was at fault, if he was sending out mixed signals to these girls - his track record was pretty bad since coming to Forks. But this had hands down been the worst of all of them. Hurting Julie had been the last thing he wanted to do.
She halted at the entrance of the home, concerned. "Are you okay?"
Beau nodded, trying to shake Jules tears from his thoughts. Just another person he had hurt - you'd think it would get easier after each additional time. "I'm fine. I mean I feel bad for Jules but it's not like it could be helped. There wasn't another way this could have worked out."
"You could have chosen her." Edythe's words were detached of emotion, facing towards the way Julie had taken off.
She was unearthly still, her ivory dress fanning out around her prettily, her bronze hair perfectly coifed and held by the sapphire pins. He thought she looked like a masterpiece carved in marble, something to stare at from a distance, too lovely and perfect to be desired by unworthy men like himself. But he saw a hint of unease in her lovely eyes, the slight pout of her lips that betrayed her inner turmoil. She was still perfect, but more than that, she was flawed too. It made her real, approachable. She was not something to be put on a pedestal to be admired; she was moving flesh, a creature made up of mistakes and choices, just like himself. He loved Edythe for who she was behind her beauty, for everything that made her Edythe. There would never be anyone else.
"No, I couldn't have." He stepped around to force her to look at him again, lowering his face to hers. First he kissed the top of her head, the tip of her nose, and then her lips softly. Edythe kissed him back, melting into his touch with a sigh, coming back to life. Her hands reached up to caress his face, letting him comfort her with his love. Beau brought her fingers to his lips, kissing each digit in turn, bringing her ring finger back to catch the light where it sparkled, though not as brilliantly as Edythe herself.
It was a tender moment that brought them back to the importance of the day. The words inside the band of her rings - always and forever - they were his vow to her.
"No, I suppose you couldn't have," Edythe murmured, with a coy smile. She laid her head over his heart. Beau had one hand still on her waist, the other against her back, holding her close. Her arms snaked around his neck then. They began to sway together as she sung under her breath to a song he did not recognize that floated to them from the backyard.
He spun them around slowly, picking up where they had left off on the dance floor before. They both thought it was better like this, just the two of them, leisurely swirling to the light pop song Archie had snuck into the playlist. Beams of light snuck across the room, catching them brightly as they danced, creating flickering rainbows around them. He lifted Edythe off her feet then, his arms locked under her bottom until she had to look down at him. She leaned in so that wisps of her bronze hair spilled over her face as they kissed deeply.
It hadn't been a true, traditional wedding, not the one that followed the happily ever after behind the pages of a book, but they were far from the traditional bride and groom. The world they lived in could not always be sunshine and light - not given what they were. There would always be things hanging over them like shadows, things that were harsh and scary, painful and haunting. But in that moment everything was as close to perfect as possible in their minds. They had each other, they had their day, and that was what mattered. Their vow to each other would be to strive together to cope with everything else that followed.
