CHAPTER. TWENTY-NINE

It was November twelfth, Eden's eighteenth birthday. Around five o' clock, Caleb arrived at Eden's house.

"Where's Abby?" Caleb asked.

"I'm sure she's dropping off herbs and spices at Hargrove's. She wasn't here when I got home. I know you said you're taking me out tonight, so are we going somewhere fancy or can I wear this?" Eden had changed into a short black skirt and an electric blue top that ties in the back.

"What you're wearing is great. There's a restaurant in Beverly called Chez Rosette and a friend of mine owns it. She reserved us a table for five thirty."

"That was very nice of her. Is she human or…." Caleb grinned and said, "She's a witch."

"Ah, very nice. I'm ready when you are."

"I'm ready." They left the house and got into Caleb's car.

Chez Rosette was a large and fancy restaurant. The menu was of mixed cuisines including Italian, French, and Indian and the place was decorated in black, white, and gold.

"Hey Caleb" came a voice to their left. Eden turned her head and saw a tall blonde supermodel of a woman with bright green eyes and legs to die for. He greeted her with a hello and a hug.

"Lindsay, this is Eden Pogue. Eden, my friend Lindsay Pagan."

"It's nice to meet you" Eden smiled at her.

"It's nice to meet you too Eden. Caleb told me about the woman he was dating, but I didn't picture you to be this attractive. Of course, I didn't picture Caleb to be dating at all" Lindsay laughed. Eden laughed with her and Lindsay showed them to their table.

Ashley was sitting in her living room, watching TV, when the doorbell rang. When she opened up the door and saw her four friends, she was surprised.

"What happened to the end of the month?"

"We just got rid of the other three witches and figured why not get your two little friends out of the way. When do you want to do this?"

"I was planning on the end of the month, but whenever you want to I guess" Ashley replied.

"Show us where she lives" Doug grinned.

"I overheard Caleb asking her out to dinner for her birthday. I'm sure her friends have something planned too."

"We can wait around for her. We can even run her and her boyfriend right off the road."

"Not tonight guys. Let's wait till she's alone to take her. Don't underestimate Caleb Wolf."

"Did you say Caleb Wolf?" asked Chris.

"Yeah" Ashley replied.

"Did you know that he's a vampire Ash?"

"A vampire?" she questioned.

"Yes, a vampire. We don't just hunt witches anymore."

"We've moved to bigger and better things" Whitney laughed.

"I had no idea. I thought vampires couldn't go out in sunlight and all that crap!"

"You thought wrong. Vampires act and think just like humans so hunters like us can't detect them."

"Take him out, what do I care. He's just a problem we'll encounter."

"Be ready for Friday" Doug told Ashley.

"I will" she smirked.

"I don't think I can eat anymore" Eden told Caleb, pushing her plate of Chicken Alfredo back.

"The food is great here, isn't it?"

"It's fantastic! So, eating regular food doesn't bother you?"

"It doesn't do anything for me" Caleb responded.

"It doesn't make you weak?"

"No."

"What about showers?"

"I take baths" he smiled.

"Clever. Does it hurt when you go across the bridge?"

"It doesn't so much hurt. I can feel myself getting weak."

"Like your power fading?"

"Yeah, like that. I'm going to pay the bill and we're going to get out of here. I have one more surprise for you."

"Dinner was enough Caleb" Eden told him. Caleb picked up the check off the table, smiled, and walked toward the cash register. Eden stood up and put on her jacket as Lindsay made her way over to her table.

"How was everything?" she asked Eden.

"It was great, thank you" Eden smiled.

"Very good. Caleb told me it's your birthday today."

"Yeah."

"How old are you?"

"Eighteen" Eden replied.

"I thought you were older than that. Well, your powers are fully matured now and you'll be able to do some heavy duty magic."

"Did Caleb tell you?"

"I can sense it in you" Lindsay interrupted.

"I guess that's a power I don't have."

"It comes with age Eden. Have a good night."

"Thanks Lindsay." She smiled and continued walking. Caleb returned to the table, placed a tip down, and grabbed his jacket.

"What did she have to say?" he asked.

"Happy birthday."

"That was nice of her. You all set?"

"Yeah." They exited the restaurant and made their way to the car. Caleb helped Eden in the car and then got in on the driver's side.

"Before we go, I do have something for you."

"I don't need anything Caleb."

"Too bad." He reached over and opened the glove compartment door. He took out a small package and handed it to Eden.

"Happy birthday" he smiled. She smiled back and unwrapped the small package. Inside the box was a large silver locket that had a unique looking design on the front.

"Wow."

"I've had it for the past two hundred years" Caleb told her.

"And you want to give it to me?"

"Yeah."

"Where did you get it?"

"It was a gift from a witch I helped. She was being attacked by a mimic and I was the only one who would do anything. She took the locket off from around her neck, blessed it with protection, and placed it in my hand."

"All because you helped her. Don't you want to keep this though?"

"I would rather see it around your neck." She placed the necklace over her head and let the locket dangle.

"Thank you Caleb."

"You're welcome. Now, you have to keep your eyes shut as I drive to the next location."

"Say what?"

"I can't have you knowing where we are going" Caleb chuckled.

"Okay." Eden shut her eyes as they left the parking lot.

"Where are we going?"

"I can't tell you that."

"I'm starting to get nervous here!"

"There's no need to be nervous" Caleb laughed.

"Yeah, says the one who knows where we're going." Caleb continued laughing as Eden felt the car turn left again and finally come to a halt.

"Keep your eyes closed."

"Okay." Caleb got out of the car, walked around to Eden's side, and helped her out. He placed his hand over her eyes and led her across the lawn.

"Okay, there are three steps so be careful."

"Okay." She stepped up three times and walked through the threshold.

"Just a little bit farther…and…now." Caleb took his hand away and Eden jumped when everyone yelled, "SURPRISE!"

"Oh my god!" Eden laughed, feeling herself blush shades of red. Her dad, Abigail, Vincent, Rowan, Trent, Chad, Nina, Reid, and Clark were standing before her.

"We thought you would like this," said Nina.

"I love this! I thought it was going to be a small dinner thing, but as soon as Caleb asked me earlier today, I figured we would wait till tomorrow or something, but this is great! You even decorated!"

"Of course we did! You can't have a birthday party without decorations" her grandmother told her, giving her a hug.

"Eighteen is a big day in a witch's life and we wanted it to be great," Simon said, giving her a hug as well.

"You guys are awesome!" Eden gave each of her friends a hug, including Caleb. Everyone conversed with each other before digging into the cake.

Eden got a few gifts: candles from Rowan, perfume from Nina, a gift certificate to the mall from her dad, a gas card and handmade scarf and hat from her grandma, and all of the guys made a photo album full of pictures of Diana when she was younger. Eden got to see what her dad and her friends looked like back then.

"Thanks for the gifts everybody. I think I'm going to head home if that's okay."

"I'll meet you back there Eden. I'm going to help Simon clean up" Abigail told her.

"Okay. Caleb, would you mind?"

"Not at all. I'll see you all later." Eden said her last goodbyes and walked outside with Caleb.

"You guys are sneaky!"

"We're happy that Nina didn't squeal" he laughed.

"I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted."

"You'll be home soon."

"I just want to lay down in my nice warm bed and curl up with my blankets." Caleb chuckled and backed out of the driveway.

Once Eden and Caleb were in the house, she changed into something to wear to bed and Caleb made sure all of the windows were locked.

"Everything is all set" he told Eden as he sat down next to her.

"Thank you." Eden took off her new locket and placed it on the bedside table.

"Did you ever get your blood from your friend at the bank?" Eden asked, trying to make conversation.

"It was dropped off last night."

"Good."

"I should get home though."

"Then I'll be worried about you!"

"You don't have to worry about me."

"Well I do anyway."

"What do you want me to do then?"

"Stay here with me" she smiled. He looked at her and thought about his answer.

"Please?" she pleaded. He stood up, removed his jacket and shoes, and pulled back the blankets. Eden pushed over as Caleb made himself comfortable and they both laid down.

"When was the last time you were involved with someone Caleb?"

"I was turned four hundred fifty years ago and that was 1560 and at that time I was involved with Elizabeth Delos. She was the last woman I was in love with. Anyone after her was just a blood donor."

"Are you serious?" Eden asked as she looked at him. Even in the dark, she could make out the lines in Caleb's face perfectly.

"I'm very serious. It was never easy for me to fall for someone, but Elizabeth was not like any of the other women. She was nothing like you though. You are wonderfully different and full of life."

"Are you trying to tell me something Mr. Wolf?" Eden smiled. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and ran the fingers of his opposite hand through her hair.

"I could be" he answered.

"Is it possible to fall for someone that fast?"

"I never used to think so" he whispered.

"I won't be around forever you know. I'm going to grow old and fade away, just like Elizabeth did."

"Elizabeth didn't fade away Eden. She was the one who turned me."

"What?"

"I wanted to be with her forever, so she turned me. Soon after that, I saw her acting the same way with another man and that's when I realized that everything she told me was a lie. I left and travelled alone."

"She's still out there somewhere?"

"Yes."

"Are you curious as to what happened to her?"

"I've tracked her down in the past. She tried to kill me."

"Why would she do that?!"

"Vampires can be very territorial, especially when you're as old as she is. She thought I was trying to invade her feeding ground when I was merely trying to say hello. Elizabeth is a very stubborn individual and I didn't think twice about leaving."

"I'm sorry Caleb" Eden told him, tracing her finger along his jaw line.

"I'm not. I found you and I don't need anyone else."

"Neither do I." Caleb brought her face closer to his and moved her so Eden was on her back. He massaged her skin with his fingertips as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"You understand that I can't do all that you want me to, right?" he asked before things went further.

"Why's that exactly?"

"I respect you too much."

"You're kidding, right?"

"I'm old fashioned Eden, that's just how I am."

"That's okay with me" she laughed.

"You're sure?"

"I'd rather have you like this than not at all."

"I love your attitude" he smiled, kissing her again.

"I'm not usually sex crazy, but there's no telling what will happen" she giggled.

"Well, maybe I will reconsider later" Caleb replied.

"You shouldn't tease a witch."

"Why not? It's fun."

"I could compel you" she laughed.

"And I can compel you as well."

"I bet my compelling has gotten stronger since I'm eighteen now."

"I bet it has. I will give in to you, just not tonight."

"How can you live so long without it?"

"I have bigger things to worry about, like my next meal or if anyone is trying to kill me."

"Okay, you win that one. I'm really worried about Gram and my dad Caleb."

"Nothing is going to happen to them, I promise you this. Abby is one of the strongest people I know and you are safe with her, not to mention whatever spells you know. She has cast a spell over your dad's house years ago when he moved back in there, so there's no need to worry."

"You say that, but do you realize who you're speaking to here?"

"Yes, I do. I need you to trust me."

"I do" Eden replied.

"You're in good hands. You also have Vince and his friends protecting you too."

"I have to tell you, I did NOT expect them to be…umm…oh crap…"

"Resurgents?"

"Yes! Resurgents! Thank you, yes resurgents. I think that's awesome. I have really cool friends" Eden laughed. Caleb chuckled and laid back down on his back. Eden cuddled next to him and he placed his arm around her.