Author's note: Thanks for all the amazing reviews - I read every one of them! :) I'm working on the lemon right now - just needs some finishing touching. Might have to upload it as a separate story, however; I'm not sure how strict FF is now about a single M-rated chapter in a T-rated story, so better safe than sorry since I don't want to get deleted.

Day Fourteen of Forever

Archie peeked his head into Edythe and Beau's room shortly after sunrise, not bothering to knock. The two were comfortably lounging on the golden carpet, listening to her stereo crooning out some chart-topper from the early fifties. Beau had his head in her lap as she explained the significance of this particular song; most of what she said went over his head, but he enjoyed seeing how passionate she was when talking about her love of music.

Edythe stoped mid-sentence to look up at her brother. "Yes?"

"Just wanted to see if Beau was up for a hunt. Royal wanted to go further north and I thought this could be an excellent time to take Beau out of the immediate area for the first time."

Beau got to his feet eagerly. "Sounds good."

Edythe reached over and flicked off the stereo."Where exactly did you have in mind?"

"Just north," he answered casually.

His tone made her suspicious. Edythe stood in one fluid motion but Archie cut her off before she could insist she join them.

"Sorry sis," Archie said with a wide smirk. "No girls allowed."

"Excuse me?" She looked at him indignantly, crossing her arms.

"It's time for male bonding" he explained, grabbing Beau's arm and practically dragging him out of the room and down the stairs. "I'm sure you understand. Don't worry, we'll bring him back in one piece."

"Hey wait-" Beau started.

"Don't try to fight it," Royal added as he appeared at the front door. His arms were crossed over his chest. "Just roll with it. Archie is pretty much a force of nature."

Earnest patted Edythe warmly on the shoulder as he passed her, following Archie and Beau down the staircase. "Everything will be fine, dear. I'll take care of Beau." His smile brightened. "And this will be a good chance to spend some time with all of my sons."

Edythe couldn't argue with that, of course, which Archie had seen would be the case. She was still very suspicious, perhaps because her brothers were clearly blocking her in their thoughts, but said nothing against the boys only trip.

She fluttered down the steps as well, meeting them at the entrance of home. Edythe gave Archie a pointed look who quickly released Beau with his hands innocently in the air. She then balanced herself on her tip toes to share a lingering kiss with her fiancee. He sighed into her lips, steeling himself with one hand on her waist - would there ever be a time when her kisses did not make him weak? He sure hoped not.

Behind them Royal cleared his throat. They ignored him but Beau stepped away when Earnest chuckled lightly in the background. Edythe reached for his hands before he got too far, however, squeezing them lightly.

"I guess I should say 'have fun' though I haven't the slightest clue what they are being so secretive about," she admitted petulantly.

"It's just a bachelor hunting party," Archie said a little too innocently, stepping between the couple and putting his arm around Beau's shoulders. "Really, nothing to worry your pretty little head over."

She still was frowning, however. "Is that right?"

"Yes." Royal looked somewhere between bored and impatient. "And the longer you delay this, the harder it will be to find game."

"I'll be back soon," Beau promised, offering her what he felt was a reassuring smile. Edythe softened, her eyes a brilliant topaz today. Fast as lightening, he gave her another kiss before letting himself be lead away by an over eager Archie, with Royal and Earnest taking up the rear.

They kept close ranks as they ran, Archie taking up as the de facto leader as he stated he had already scouted out a fruitful location earlier. He lead them through the familiar mountain range and surrounding forest that was even more green than Beau remembered. Spring was clearly starting to wane in favor of lush and vibrant Summer colors. If he hd thought Forks was too green when he first arrived here almost four months ago, he could hardly wait to see what it looked like when Summer fully took hold. Somehow, the color was starting to grow on him.

The air was somehow crisper than usual as they journeyed on and Beau could only assume from the slight elevation of the land that it was the higher altitude's fault. For the most part, he had always been instructed to stay local for their hunts since changing, mostly for safety reasons but also because it was easier with his jam packed feeding schedule. Thankfully, the Cullens were finally cutting back on his rousing eat-every-two-hours pace, allowing Beau a little space to breathe. Archie and Jessamine had been his biggest proponents in this decision as no one seemed to believe Beau himself when he said his thirst was being managed properly.

Having this victory was huge for him as he felt it granted him more independence, even if it meant Archie would now be able to take him on supervised visits into populated shopping areas - apparently the dark-haired vampire had been dying to supplement Beau's wardrobe with clothes that actually fit him. Beau wasn't exactly opposed to having his own clothes again, but was concerned about Archie's enthusiasm on the subject. Edythe had said he was responsible for keeping the Cullens well dressed and able to blend in, but all Beau could remember was how fine a job their designer clothes had done to make them stand out instead. He supposed he couldn't really reign his new brother in by requesting only comfortable clothes - comfort was not really a concern with his new body - but it was important to Beau that his clothes still looked like him, if for no other reason than because he didn't exactly feel like himself anymore.

Adjusting to his diet as a vampire had proved to be easier than actually adjusting to being a vampire in general. There were times Beau would pass himself in a mirror and be unable to reconcile that person with the self he had in his mind. It hadn't be a particularly amazing face he had had as a human, but it was familiar. He could observe himself and see Charlie's jawline, Grandpa Beaufort's nose, Renee's eyes... The shapes were all still there, kinda, but sharper, leaner. If anyone squinted, he might still be recognizable. But it was disconcerting to not be able to recognize himself.

If Edythe had any misgivings about the differences in Beau's appearance, she hadn't let on, loving him as just much now as she had then. Perhaps she knew it would make him feel worse if she made comparisons, or maybe she simply was not as bothered by the changes like he was. Objectively, Beau knew he was more attractive now, though he doubted Edythe put too much faith in his looks or else they might have never gotten involved at all; he matched her better now as a vampire than he ever had as a mortal and definitely looked more like someone worthy to stand beside her as her husband. The only feature he could say with any certainty that she might have found attractive before were his eyes - she claimed to have found them beautiful, as apparently had a fair amount of girls from school. But was that still the case now that they weren't the color of the sky, but instead such a rich blood red that he flinched just thinking about them?

And his appearance wasn't the only disconnecting part of his transformation. Beau didn't think he would ever get used to how he moved with such ease now, gliding without thought and without that constant nagging fear that he would end up sprawled across the floor. He had always felt overgrown in his old body, like he didn't fit right and his clumsiness had been a direct result of that. Now he could move confidently, trusting his feet to not get tangled on their own as they had before. He still caught himself over thinking his movements, however, out of habit.

Beau tried not brood over the changes he still couldn't wrap his head around - they were just the price he had to accept for having Edythe and were well worth it - but he wondered sometimes what his family might say if they could see him now. Would they look past the too perfect smile and paler than normal skin to still see the boy they knew underneath? Or would they be too busy running away, caught in his terrifying eyes? Beau would never know, of course, but suspected it would have been the latter.

Archie was leading them closer to the ocean now so Beau assumed they were far enough away from the treaty line to not cause problems. Eleanor had taken him to observe the invisible line recently so he could memorize where he could risk traveling without causing an interspecies incident; even if he crossed by accident it would be enough to potentially cause a war with the Quileute wolves. He really did not want to be responsible for breaking a century long treaty having already almost been the cause of a break just with his transformation.

As they ran, Beau couldn't help but to notice the trees and vegetation around them getting larger and more plentiful. He couldn't think of a more perfect place to hunt - he doubted even the most boisterous of human hikers could have intruded on this area, wild as it was. Beau picked up scent trails from what he remembered to be that of brown bears crisscrossing the area along with some other big game he didn't think he had smelled before.

Archie spun on his heel suddenly, signaling to the others they were deep enough in the territory to start picking out their meals. Royal wasted no time, taking off after one of the bears Beau had picked up earlier. Archie appeared to be following a huge herbivore's scent - maybe a moose? - gone in a flash of white. Earnest seemed content to stay with Beau more out of companionship than a need to oversee his hunting.

The pair quickly identified a pack of bobcats heading north into the mountain range and wordlessly working in tandem began tracking them down. They came across five adults in pursuit of some wild rabbits. Earnest let Beau pick his mark first, hanging back to let him mount his attack uninterrupted. Once Beau had sprung, the caramel-haired vampire tensed and struck a female that had just raised her ears in alarm. Within second the two had drained their kills, Earnest coming away with not a drop on him while Beau was wiping his face on the back of his sleeve, knowing he would earn Archie's ire as he did.

Beau looked at Earnest enviously, who chuckled lightly before taking off after one of the wild cats that had dashed into the bush. Beau was right behind him, catching up as Earnest was bringing his prey to his mouth. Beau meant to leave him to his meal, but Earnest waved him over as the bobcat struggled futilely in his hand.

"The secret is to hold the creature tight enough to make it still," Earnest instructed. "But not so tight that it panics and get crushed in your hands. Puncture above the jugular, not directly on it or it may spray, and let your venom flow. Apply suction and let gravity do the work when possible." He demonstrated then, lifting the bobcat higher in the air as he pierced the vulnerable flesh. It stopped moving almost immediately, allowing Earnest easy access to the life sustaining fluid. When it was drained, he pulled his head away to show Beau how the skin remained unbroken beside a few neat bite marks. Somehow Earnest had managed to make the whole process seem not only efficient but also neat.

Edythe and Archie had both shown Beau different ways to take down his kills with the least amount of effort, saying staying clean was just something he would pick up over time. Earnest's way might take a little more effort to implement and did have the disadvantage of only really being applicable in animals small enough that he could handle with ease without worry of them hurting themselves in the struggle, but seemed the most useful.

Earnest watched over Beau for his next kill, directing him as to where his hands should be and when the prey should be punctured to minimize the mess. When Beau pulled away he was happy to see Earnest's way had resulted in his cleanest feeding yet with only a few drops dotting his shirt from letting go of the bobcat too quickly when he finished.

Earnest nodded approvingly and clapped him on the back. "You did very well!"

Beau couldn't help swelling with pride. Hunting usually resulted in the complete destruction of his clothes - actually Archie's or Earnest's clothes as he still had very few shirts to his name - but he felt now he could actually hold on to the shirts for further use. And hopefully avoid Eleanor's relentless teasing at the same time.

Earnest and Beau continued to hunt as a pair, picking off a few more of the wild bobcats and the occasional stag they crossed paths with. Soon they both had their fill and were seeking out the others. Royal they found near the cavern areas closer to the water where he had drained three bears. They helped him bury the carcasses, Archie appearing behind them when the work was all but done.

"Nice timing," Beau said sarcastically, brushing off his hands from packing the earth around Royal's meal.

Archie shrugged his shoulders. "Hey I didn't ask Royal to hunt the largest game in the state. You could have just left him to do it himself, you know."

"We look after each other in this family, boys," Earnest stated as if it was the obvious thing in the world that they would help. "I trust you tidied up after yourself?"

"Naturally." He flashed his teeth in a wining smile.

"What were you after, anyway?" Beau asked.

"Elk," Archie said fondly. "This is the only area I can find them in the state."

"I've never seen one in person," Beau admitted.

"We will have to find you one before we go. Everyone says carnivores taste better but there is something a lot more satisfying about huge game like elks."

Royal finished burying the last bear and came over to join them. "Eleanor enjoyed hunting hippos in Africa for our honeymoon in '05. The population was prone to overproducing that year," he explained upon seeing Beau's expression. He was quick to shift his facial features into a more neutral expression. Royal looked amused, but continued on. "She was full after only one of them. They weren't as vicious as a grizzly but put up more of a fight then she had expected - tried to pull her under the water when she latched on. It was... quite a sight." Something about his tone was vaguely suggestive and made Beau a little uncomfortable, though he hoped he was just being overly sensitive.

Archie smirked. "You should have seen Jessamine at Gold's Ridge last year. She felled a whole pack of coyotes in a minute, with just such absolute control. Beyond thrilling and very sexy." He paused, scratching his chin absentmindedly. "On second thought, it was probably best you didn't see it..."

Beau couldn't help but feel mildly mortified now, unsure if he wanted to hear anymore of this conversation. He couldn't help but to look at Earnest for support, thinking he would chastise his sons for bringing up locker room talk about their respective spouses.

Earnest cleared his throat then, making everyone turn their attention to him. He appeared to be mulling something over. "Sharks," he said finally, throwing Beau for a loop. "When Carine and I were diving three summers ago, a lemon shark caught her scent and gave chase. There was something extremely awe inspiring watching her twist around in the surf, her golden hair afloat against the azure of the ocean." He sighed. "It was like I was seeing her for the first time all over again. She was so powerful and arousing."

Beau could not have felt more embarrassed hearing Earnest use that word than if he had said it aloud himself.

And then, to his furthered horror, Archie then turned to him with a wicked grin, though his words sounded innocent enough. "What about you, Beau? What is your favorite animal to see Edythe hunt?"

Beau shook his head minutely, already wishing himself a hundreds of miles away, anywhere but here. If he had still been human his face and neck would have been redder than his eyes.

Archie was clearly holding back his laughter. "Come on, Beau, you're among your brothers." And our - along with Edythe's - adoptive father, Beau wanted to say. "It's just us guys."

"I'd really rather not," he said lamely.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, son," Earnest said gently, which of course made him even more embarrassed.

"We aren't asking for the sordid details," Royal snorted. "But you can't pretend you haven't felt something watching her hunt - virgin or no, you're still a man."

Beau rounded on Archie, uncharacteristically angry. "You told him?"

Royal chuckled. "He didn't have to."

"Just kill me please," Beau mumbled to himself, crouching to the ground and covering his face with his hands.

Archie kneeled on the ground in front of him. "Don't be such a drama queen. You're wasting a good opportunity here, you know."

"To be the first vampire in existence to be mortified to death?"

"No, silly! To ask questions, to get advice," he prompted. "You are looking at three happily married immortal men who can answer all those burning questions and concerns you might have."

"I've already had the birds and the bees talk, thanks, " Beau snapped.

"But how about the birds and the bees and the vampires?" Beau was stunned into silence. Archie looked at him knowingly. "Whatever you might have heard before probably won't apply anymore and I'm sure you'd rather figure that out now rather than later."

Beau wasn't sure if he wanted to punch Archie or thank him for having the foresight to arrange this mercifully out of Edythe's hearing. Archie backed away a few feet, most likely seeing how close Beau was to the first option.

Earnest squatted next to him then, offering Beau his warmest smile. "We want to help, Beau, all of us. Your brothers were concerned about you and thought this was the best way to ensure you could ask whatever you want to know without fear of ridicule. They could have let you know beforehand, of course," he added with a disappointed look at both of them. "But they meant well, perhaps knowing this would make you uncomfortable. Just know we all want to give you the benefit of our wisdom and help you be the best husband you can be for our Edythe - this is as much for her sake as it is yours."

Beau couldn't really turn them down when put that way. And besides, Earnest seemed so, well, earnest. So, willing away his discomfort, he got to his feet. Earnest straightened up as well, beaming and putting his arm around his shoulders supportively.

"I don't even know what to ask," Beau started awkwardly.

"Just try the first thing that comes to mind," Earnest offered.

Beau thought until something popped up that he was curious about. "Um... Well earlier you were all talking about watching them hunt?" He stopped, not sure what his question really was.

Thankfully Royal did. "And about enjoying it."

"Yes... That."

"Yes that," Archie repeated with a laugh.

"So much for a safe space," Beau growled. This made Archie laugh harder.

"It's a largely biological response," Earnest answered, frowning at Archie. "We are essentially predators and very territorial. Having our own territory would typically mean for us what it does to other natural predators - having land to hunt on and reproduce in with relative safety. Though we lack the ability to reproduce, the drive to try did not leave as other psychological responses have. Carine believes desire to reproduce is closely tied with desire to feed for us because it does not have an outlet outside of, well -"

"Outside of sexual gratification for the sake of sexual gratification," Royal finished. "Pleasure without the benefit of expanding the coven. It's a hollow pleasure in that aspect at least."

"Speak for yourself," Archie interrupted, raising his eyebrows suggestively.

"Hey I like sex as much as the next man, but it's supposed to have another purpose," he huffed. "And the desire to create children despite knowing the limits of our bodies is still a constant ache for some of us."

Earnest nodded. "Some of us are more susceptible than others to that urge. Even Carine could only ignore the desire to have a family for so long until she was driven to change Edythe."

Beau remembered how Edythe had described Carine's state of mind then: desperate and unbearably alone. "Have any of you ever...?"

"Oh no," Earnest said with a small smile. "I would not trust myself to not hurt someone. I can make do with the beautiful children Carine has blessed me with."

Archie shook his head. "I haven't really felt that need. I think, knowing now what I do about my past as a human, it makes sense. I couldn't carry over the desire to have a family probably because I never really had it. I mean the need to eat, sure, that wouldn't go away, but I think being locked up in an asylum for so many years during puberty stunted me in that aspect."

Beau turned to Royal who was oddly quiet. "I've thought about it," he finally admitted. "My control is good - my record is almost as clean as Carine's. But every time I think about trying, I remember carrying Eleanor as she was dying. It wasn't painful to ignore my thirst - not nearly as painful in the face of her screams as her heart tried to stop several times on the way there. And then even worse after she began to change. I don't think I could put someone else through that for my own selfish desire to have a family." He turned away.

Earnest looked at him sadly. "It wouldn't be the same, anyway. The desire to make a child is something programmed in your DNA to further your genetics. Making someone into a vampire would not fulfill that need to your satisfaction."

"Seemed to work for Carine," he answered moodily.

"She was lonely," Beau offered. "That's what Edythe told me. It worked for her because she was completely alone. And you're not, Royal, so..."

"So you wouldn't feel the same relief," Earnest finished was a grateful look to Beau.

Royal said nothing, keeping his gaze towards the mountain range.

Archie cleared his throat. "So yes, back to your question: hunting often leads to feelings of arousal when shared with your partner," he finished sounding not unlike a vampire biology teacher. "You've probably experienced something along those lines when out with Edythe," he added obnoxiously. Beau didn't feel the need to dignify that with a response. "Which is part of the reason we usually send someone else with you two when it's time to feed. Just in case."

Beau's eyes widened. "Because you think I'll jump her or something?" Looking back on it, he could clearly remember feeling an intensity during his hunting trips with Edythe though he had suspected it was excitement for being able to be so close to her in general. And now in actuality he had to learn it was an innate sexual desire all the time brought on by watching her hunt. Why they had let them hunt together at all was a mystery to him.

"Oh no, Beau. We didn't think you would be the problem; we all felt you wouldn't have had it in you." Archie grinned. "We were more worried Edythe would jump you!"

He frowned, surprised and his ego a little stung. "She wants to wait, though, so I don't see why-"

"Wanting to do something is very different when faced with temptation," Royal said, joining the conversation again. "I'm sure she would have gone into the hunt with the best of intentions but things doesn't always work out how she wants them to." He waved his hand at Beau. "Case in point."

"For years she has been the odd man out," Earnest explained. "But privy to our thoughts all the while. It was very hard on her. You can understand how we might be worried now that she is experiencing these feelings firsthand. We couldn't be sure that her control would hold." He smiled playfully. "Women have desires too, Beau."

Beau could not argue that. Even when they weren't hunting he had always felt a surge between them when they were near each other, even from the smallest of touches and the lightest of kisses. He could feel Edythe's growing desire for him, fueled by his own he had always assumed, though now he wasn't so sure. From their assessment of it, Edythe was the one who needed watching after. He could only assume all the while everyone had been picturing Edythe as a mustache twirling villain after his modesty. It was a jarring idea.

"So, just to clarify, you're all saying Edythe is feeling... frustrated." He couldn't bring himself to use the other more obvious word.

"Yes," they answered in chorus.

"Damn."

"Indeed." Archie looked as if he would break into laughter again. "I mean, you're not innocent either, don't get me wrong, but you haven't been a virgin for over a century. Jessamine can't be alone with you two anymore, it's gotten that bad. Not that I'm complaining." He winked.

Royal snickered. "They have to be worse than me and Eleanor."

"You two are pretty bad, but no, not as bad. Maybe once they are actually getting sex they'll be tolerable again."

"You can stop talking about me like I'm not here now." Beau rubbed his neck almost sure he would feel it reddened anyway.

"Boys," Earnest said warningly. Archie and Royal both assumed innocent expressions then as if they hadn't just been mocking their little brother. Their pseudo father sighed. "What next, Beau?"

Still too embarrassed at having his sex life - or lack thereof - on display, he simply shrugged his shoulders as if out of questions.

"Are you curious how vampires do it?" Archie volunteered. "I mean it's really not that different, mostly, except we can be a lot more destructive so that's always something to be mindful of." He flicked his thumb at Royal. "Roy and El have the most problems with that. I cannot tell you how many beds they have gone through over the years."

"Guilty as charged." Royal didn't even look ashamed. "We are very passionate."

"Passionate is not the word I would have used. They have to live away from the rest of us sometimes," Archie added. "For their honeymoons, we call them. Edythe was miserable being around them when they got like that. Jessamine was always on edge feeling their wild desire, which had its benefits for me of course, but it started effecting her thirst as well, being in that heightened state constantly. So we have gently kicked them out for a few months during those times, just til they get it out of their system. Hopefully we won't have to do the same with you and Edy - she is my favorite sister." This made Beau groan.

"You two aren't exactly conservative yourselves," Royal reminded him. "Remember after you guys first got married, when we were in Connecticut in that colonial house? No matter what floor we were on, as soon as Jessamine spotted Archie this wave of lust would roll through the house and everyone would get swept up in it."

"The neighbors twenty miles away in town, too," Earnest added apologetically.

The blonde snorted. "Jess and Archie were nearly singlehandedly responsible for the small population boom that followed. Humans are much more susceptible to her influence."

Archie smiled as if remembering it fondly. "What can I say, my lovely wife just couldn't help herself. She's gotten better at holding back until we are alone - which is why Carine and Earnest have yet to give us the boot. Just saying." He looked at Beau thoughtfully. "Just to be safe, and to give you two some privacy, we thought it best to invest in a home off the property for the honeymoon. It would probably work out best for everyone that way."

Beau's eyes widened, nervous to know how much his brother had foreseen of their wedding night. "Are we really going to be that bad?"

"Hey we are not judging. We get it, we've all been there."

"Better invest in some heavily fortified walls," Royal prompted. "The house in Quebec might still be standing if you'd put a little more effort in our anniversary gift."

"You should have shown more restraint," Earnest admonished. "Even reinforced walls have limits."

"Sound proofing could be a good idea, too," Archie went on. "It wouldn't do the job 100% but it might be enough of a buffer that they wouldn't clear the forest of all wildlife."

"Oh god, just stop," Beau begged.

"It's nothing to be ashamed about," Royal scoffed. "You're both young - relatively - and getting married. You're kinda expected to go a little crazy." He turned back to Archie. "And I've got a guy who makes custom car bodies for me who I think could make a pretty solid bed for them, something sturdier, you know. I'll call him later to place an order."

"Perfect." Archie had clearly seen how it would come out and approved.

While the two brothers went on with planning how to newborn proof the extravagant home they were planning, Earnest pulled Beau slightly aside.

"I know you still have questions. Would it be easier to just talk to me? Your brothers are trying to help, I'm sure you know, but they can be a little... Crude. And it can be less than constructive." He smiled openly. "Truly, you can ask me anything."

Beau stared down at his feet. He couldn't help thinking about how awkward this whole trip had been and felt he would never live it down from either of his brothers if he asked the questions he had been turning over in his head. He felt foolish just thinking them, but at the same time didn't want to look even more foolish when he was alone with Edythe and couldn't perform as he wished.

Keeping his voice low and his words fast, Beau began the lightening round. "Foreplay?"

"Still very necessary," Earnest answered immediately and in the same tone. "Females still produce wetness from arousal to aid in penetration and it is up to you to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for her. There is no blueprint to work from as each woman enjoys different things," he continued, perhaps sensing the follow up question. "But she will tell you what feels good, either verbally or physically. I'll give you a hint, however."

Beau leaned in closer like he was hearing a secret. "We do not generate heat anymore except in our venom. I'm sure you remember quite clearly how it felt coursing through your veins. While it does not cause that same burning now that we are in these forms, it can be dangerous if used to bite through skin, as you've seen with Jessamine's scars that can never heal. In small doses, though, the venom can act as an aphrodisiac of sorts. It's something you could have experienced even just kissing Edythe."

Beau nodded remembering the feeling of her lips and how they had almost seemed warm. He immensely enjoyed the sensation, too even as a human in fact, often losing all his sense a number of times when they had kissed. "That felt good because of the venom?"

"Yes, and I can assure you she felt the same sensation. And her mouth is not the only area were venom can spark that pleasure." He was polite enough to leave it at that.

Beau swallowed nervously, going over the implications. "But how come the venom doesn't cause damage in... certain places, but could leave those marks all over Jessamine?"

"Part of it is the dose; when the newborns were biting her, they were holding nothing back and spewing out venom to incapacitate her. The other part is a theory Carine has been developing about the specialization of venom for different uses. Venom flows throughout our bodies and performs similar functions as blood, plasma, and saliva did to an extent - such as keeping our eyes lubricated, keeping our skin from wrinkling, and coating our mouths so we can speak. The venom has different effects of course, from making our skin harder than it was as humans, and devouring our insides if we do not feed; having blood in our bodies prevents the more unpleasant effects of our own venom. And so when properly fed, and in non-excessive amounts, venom is neutralized to an extent."

"That's why Edythe's venom when we kissed before didn't hurt me," Beau surmised. "She was always well fed and kept her mouth closed even when I couldn't control myself." He frowned at his old behavior. "Could she have accidentally changed me?"

"No, probably not. Like you said, she took extra precautions to be well fed. And even if you had ingested the venom orally, it would have never reached your veins with enough potency to change you - it would have paralyzed you most likely and you would have died before becoming one of us." Earnest sighed. "It's a lesson well learned by one of our cousins in Alaska. But never mind that for now. What else do you want to know?"

Beau shoved aside the curiosity Earnest's remark had sparked in him, going back to his list of other questions. "Well I was just wondering... I mean, as vampires we never get tired. We don't need to sleep, we don't need rest really..."

"Yes," Earnest said, a little amused. "Besides the thirst, nothing else could be pressing."

"So how do you, I mean anyone in general not just you, know when to stop? Does anyone ever want to stop? Or would we... can we just... Stay together indefinitely?" Beau didn't want to sound like some kind of sex-crazed maniac but he couldn't imagine wanting to stop when he was finally alone with Edythe if he didn't have anything forcing him to. Could they just stay in bed for the rest of forever, making love constantly? The idea was intoxicating.

Clearly the caramel-haired vampire understood the sentiment. "Admittedly it is an attractive notion. The first few months will be the hardest, maybe longer. It's easy to be so wrapped up in each other that you create your own little world. But I do hope you'll still make time for the rest of us, son." His words were said jokingly but there was a hint of seriousness to them.

Beau gave him a sheepish smile , running his hands through his hair. "Of course, Earnest, it was just a thought. But it's physically possible, I wonder. I mean there's no... Cooling off period?"

Earnest shook his head. "Venom works a littler differently than blood in that aspect. We produce it at will and indefinitely as far as we know. So there is no need to, ah, replenish yourself between."

"And orgasms?" he asked hesitantly.

"Not a problem," Earnest promised. "For either party."

"Okay. Okay good." Beau rubbed his neck again. "Um, I think I'm good for now then."

Earnest seemed pleased. "Good. If you have more questions you can always come to me. Please do."

"Yeah. Thanks, Earnest," he mumbled shyly.

"Anything for my newest son."

"You two all done over there?" Archie called out then. He had a phone in his hands and was clearly showing Royal his blueprints for the home was building for Beau and Edythe. "Cause we've got work to do."

Earnest chuckled, leading Beau over to his brothers. "The permits came through?"

Archie rolled his eyes. "I've had them weeks, please give me some credit."

"Archie is saying we should break ground today, actually," Royal said wearily. "Since we are out here anyway."

"Wait here? What's here?"

Archie looked at Beau like he was crazy. "Why your house, of course! The one we've been planning for you? Did you think I was going to show up at your wedding empty handed?"

"But I only proposed a seven days ago."

"Yes I know."

"And you've already got work permits and, what, building materials set up?" He asked incredulously. "That stuff takes weeks. Months even."

"Yes I know." Archie didn't seem to understand Beau's question.

"Wait when did you start planning this?"

Archie looked at Royal. "Edythe came back from Alaska on the 21st of January, right?" His brother nodded. Archie turned back to Beau with a smile. "January 22nd, then."

Beau's mind was reeling. "You knew all the way back then."

"It was a distinct possibility. I just thought I should be prepared." He grabbed Beau's hand, pulling him into a hug. "This was the outcome I was hoping for, naturally, so I thought if I started planning ahead I could will it into existence. Wishful thinking, but it worked."

"And we are all very happy it did." Earnest was looking over the plans on Archie's phone.

Royal was leaning over his shoulder to scroll through the plans with him. "Yeah, good thing Edythe didn't kill you, Beau. This land would have just gone to waste."

"Uh yeah. That would have sucked." Beau patted Archie on the back, mindful of his strength. "So is this one of the things Edythe saw you had predicted that made her mad at you?"

"Oh no, that was mostly you changing - I saw it happen a dozen different ways, though you died more than half the time. I didn't see the wedding until after she brought you back from the meadow," he explained. "That was when I knew you would live. But once I saw you like us the first time I was already hoping it would mean you were planning on joining the family. And I was right." Archie looked ecstatic. "The land was purchased the end of January, same day I sent in their permits. And I started ordering the actual materials once I was sure you'd live. All caught up?"

"I guess so," Beau replied with a laugh. "Can I see the plans?"

Earnest passed him the phone. The screen showed several sketches of what appeared to be a simple cottage, not overly ornate, just the kind of home you'd expect to find on the outskirts of civilization. The exterior appeared to be wooden but scrolling through the plans revealed it was be heavily reinforced with more solid material that he could only assume exasperatedly was for soundproofing. Aside from some proportion issues - there was no reason to have a closet that large - Beau was very impressed. Archie had planned it as an open and light area in the same spirit of the Cullen home with plenty of space for Edythe's piano across from the fireplace and a room marked Beau's library that looked very promising.

"Wow. You've out done yourself, Arch." Beau was awestruck.

"Earnest helped," Royal offered. "Even though Archie fought him every step of the way."

"I just don't see why we had to scrap the second floor," Archie grumbled. "Would have given us so much more to work with."

"Structural integrity aside," Earnest started, clearly having had this exact conversation before. "A two story would be too inconspicuous in such a modest setting."

"You just didn't want to make it too comfortable and give them reason to stay away more than necessary."

Earnest said nothing to that but shot Beau a guilty look.

Beau was quick to his defense. "I'd prefer it simple, honestly. And Edythe is going to love it either way."

"Well of course," Archie said frustrated. "She'd be happy with a shoe box as long as you're in it. But this is a wedding gift for my sister and my best friend - it's supposed to be grand." Beau had to laugh hearing the pout in his voice.

Royal seemed to find his brother's reaction funny too. "Shouldn't it also be something they actually want?"

Archie was about to resort something sharp, no doubt, but Earnest stepped between his sons, giving Archie a disapproving look. "Boys, how about we show Beau the site and get some work done before we head back, okay?" They all agreed and set off to the plot.

It wasn't terribly far from the cavern Royal had been hunting near, in the forest but still close enough that they could smell the salt of the ocean. The land had already been leveled and a large patch of clean earth mapped out the size of the eventual structure to follow. It would be secluded in the trees like a hideaway. Beau was already in love with it.

"Wow," he breathed, taking in the view.

Archie winked. "Glad you approve."

He led them to a pile of what looked like the gutted insides of a Home Depot just on the other side of the marked out layout. Huge piles of wood, metals, and all manner of tools were stacked together neatly beside a cement mixer and sheets of glass propped up on their side. Beau thought he should be wearing a hard hat just looking at the stuff.

"I'm coming up tomorrow to set up the frame work and piping," Archie stated, smiling at Beau's awe. "Today I just thought we could set up the foundation, lay some cement, and mark off electrical and plumbing lines. Just the small stuff."

"Right. Easy peazey," Beau said with heavy sarcasm.

"I'll be bringing you up here for the next few days. We're just gonna tell my dear sister we are getting you so clothes - she'll hardly be suspicious about that. In reality you're gonna be helping me get your love shack up and running so you and Edythe can do the horizontal mambo in peace." Beau was too overwhelmed with the scope of this gift to be perturbed with Archie's flippant quips.

"This really is too huge, Arch. I can't believe you'd do this for us, that all of you would," he said, looking around at the male Cullens with visible gratitude.

"Well of course we would, son," Earnest said graciously. "You're family. We all love you very much and want only to see you and Edythe happy."

Royal clapped Beau on the back. "What he said."

"And don't thank me yet, Beau." Archie was grinning as he gestured toward the pile. "Your labor is going to be very much appreciated."

"I'm happy to help," the brunette vampire said quickly. "But I haven't the slightest clue what to do with most of this."

"You'll be fine, I'll tell you what to do." Archie eyes glazed over for a second, a little crease appearing between his eyebrows. "And my first instruction is stay clear of the glass sheets - I had to import them from a glass worker in Italy and I can't have you shattering them, mister." Beau stepped back his hands in the air. "Good, now that that settled, shall we get to work, gentlemen?"

And so the four men got started building Beau and Edythe's honeymoon abode. Beau himself was largely useless outside of tasks that only required unskilled manual labor but we more than happy to assist when possible. It was quick work with their combined strengths, doing the work of a dozen men in a quarter of the time. With each task marked off their checklist, Beau felt more beside himself with joy, picturing a home away from home that he would fill with his love for Edythe. According to Archie's schedule the home would be completely up in just eight days, just in time for the wedding. It was hard to tell who was most excited about that.

As they dusted themselves off, preparing to journey back home and keep their thoughts on anything besides what had transpired during the trip, Beau found himself lingering in the grove. It was odd how he already felt emotionally attached to the land even without the home standing yet. This would be where he began his journey with Edythe as a married couple, where they would come to enjoy each other's company in ways he had only dreamed about. It would be their sanctuary.

Archie seemed to know where his thoughts were, ruffling Beau's hair as he turned back to him. "Something to look forward to, huh?"

"Yeah," Beau said with difficulty. "A lot to look forward to."

"That's one of the best things about being able to see the future," Archie replied lightly. "I get to enjoy seeing everything good in store for us first and then enjoy it all over again when it comes true." He bumped his shoulder playfully. "But enough of that. Come on, Beau. Someone's waiting for you back home."

A huge smile stole over his face, unable to stop himself from wondering what Edythe's face would look like when she laid her eyes on their private home for the first.

Royal shook his head. "Jeez, it is a really good thing she can't read your mind, Beau. Try to watch your face when we get back or you'll ruin everything."

Beau didn't know if he could promise that, too excited for everything to come. His forever was already looking even brighter than he had dared to imagine. He couldn't wait to experience every second of it.