Author's Note: Another update - yay!
Day Nine of Forever:
Once again Beau found himself in the middle of the deep woods of the Olympic Mountain Range, the winds kicking up ferociously as the hunting trip came to a close. Dark clouds threatened the sky, painting the forest in the muted colors of a Spring storm as stillness rendered the land quiet. It was the calm before the downpour, something he was beginning to recognize.
The branches of the tree overhead shook with the patter of rainfall as Beau packed down the earth around his meal, a pair of stags, with his foot. Once they were buried, he lifted his face to the air, searching out the scents of his hunting companions for the day. He figured they should be ready to head home soon, too, so maybe they might beat the worst of the incoming weather.
Edythe found Beau before he needed to track her down. As usual, she didn't even look like she had been hunting; her cream turtleneck was spotless, her hair still in perfect waves down her back. If not for the light color of her eyes and the fullness of her complexion he might not have known she had been feeding at all. though not as immaculate as her, Beau was fairing better than he usually did, only a few drops of red dotting his shirt from his easy meal though his pants did have some grass stains from taking one of the deer down too roughly. All in all, he was in pretty good shape and didn't think Eleanor would have anything to tease him about this time around.
As if summoned by the thought of her, their sister landed heavily beside them, dropping from a drop. Her tank top was gashed around her stomach and she was covered in leaves all over, making her the least well-groomed of the three.
Beau felt smug as he took her in. "Guess that mountain lion put up a fight?"
"Not enough," his sister replied sorely. "Barely had to put any effort into wrestling it out of the tree. I don't see what you find fun about them, E."
Edythe chuckled. "Its not about fun - it's about taste. I don't play with my food, El." The sky opened up at that moment with a ripple of thunder. Unbothered, she merely sighed up into the rain. "Guess we should get back now. Come on."
"Actually," Eleanor said, stilling her sister before she could take flight. "You should go on ahead, Edythe. Beau, do you mind hanging back with me?"
Edythe exchanged a look with Beau, who looked equally as confused, but shrugged her shoulders and continued on, leaving them alone in the overgrowth.
Eleanor ducked under the cover of a redwood, dropping to the ground. She looked to him, patting the dirt beside her. "Take a seat. Just need to talk to you for a sec."
"Uh, sure." Beau sat himself beside her, crossing his legs beneath him. The rain mostly avoided them from the angle they were at. "What's up?"
She ran her fingers through her curly brown hair, dislodging some stray leaves as she spoke. "Just wanted to touch base with you. How are you holding up?"
Beau wasn't sure what she was looking for but he answered as honestly as he could. "Pretty good, I guess, everything considered. Just trying to do this one day at a time."
Eleanor nodded understandingly. "Right. It's a lot to take in all at once. Those first few months were the hardest for me - I felt lost, I guess, like I wasn't fully comprehending everything that happened. That I was dead but also not dead forever. It wasn't some great moral dilemma or anything. It was mostly just confusing having to remember how different I was. Broke half of the doors in that house clean off," she admitted with a wicked grin. "Earnest was not happy."
"I bet," Beau chuckled. He could imagine too well what it had to be like keeping up with an even more stupidly strong Eleanor. "Surprised they didn't make you stay outside."
"Pretty sure they thought about it," she snickered, making Beau laugh.
He found it was almost as easy talking to Eleanor as it was to Archie; she was very straightforward and had a way of keeping things light. Edythe had once told him that she hardly needed to read Eleanor's mind to see her true thoughts because she held so little back. More often than not her thoughts reflected what she had already said verbally.
"Some of the other stuff was hard too, though," Eleanor continued, laying back against the tree trunk with her hands behind her head. "Royal tell you about my family?"
"Just that you had a big one."
"Big is an understatement. Try six older sisters, one younger brother, and dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins in town." She snorted. "We pretty much were the whole town actually - everywhere you went, you'd see the telltale curly hair of the McCarty Clan. It's why I spent so much of my free time following the railroad tracks south into the bigger cities. That's where I could get loose and get myself in all kinds of trouble."
"You, trouble? Color me shocked."
Eleanor cuffed him lightly, but he still had to steady himself to stop from going flying. "Yeah I was a hellion, not a surprise. I mean, it was for my parents as my sisters hadn't really given them a lot of trouble. They were good Christian girls, harvested Ma's vegetable fields and brought the spoils into town to sell, married hardworking men who labored the railroad with Pa. Meanwhile I was drinking bootlegged whiskey in seedy bars, smoking hand rolled cigars, and having my fair share of wild sex with strangers." Eleanor's tone was not self deprecating; instead, she spoke as if she found her past self endearing. "I was getting a bit of a reputation so it was no surprise when one of my uncles heard about what I was getting into and told my parents. Pa tanned my hide good but it wasn't enough to get me in line.
"If that bear hadn't gotten me first, the road I was on would have been the death of me probably anyway." Eleanor shrugged. "They were expecting it, I bet, me to just not come home from one of my adventures one day. I was already pretty much gone in my family's mind so I doubt they mourned too long, at least. I think it made it easier. That, and the pile of money I borrowed from Edythe and left on their porch; I did most of the hunting for the family and I did feel guilty I was leaving them without that source of food. But when I knew they would be taken care of I was able to close the book on that part of my life."
Beau nodded awkwardly. "Yeah Royal told me that, too."
"I figured he might have. He told you about his family right? His sisters?"
"Yeah."
"Do you think you'll want to do that too? Check on your dad and mom?" Eleanor angled herself around to watch him. "Not asking to be nosy or anything. But I just thought since you heard Roy's side of it you should hear my perspective too. Get an outside opinion."
"You don't approve of what he does?" Beau asked.
"It's not that I do or don't approve; if keeping tabs on his old family is what he needs, I support him one hundred percent. It's not what I wanted, though, so when he gave me the option I turned it down. I already knew that what I wanted was a fresh start, that holding onto my old life was just gonna mess me up. What worked for him would have hurt more for me." She gestured to Beau. "And I just think you should consider that too. He's been checking up on them, hasn't he?"
"Yeah." Beau picked at some wet blades of grass. "Just until I figure out what I want to do."
"Yeah Royal doesn't normally spend this much time in town so I figured it had to be something like that. Any reason he's keeping it quiet?"
Beau was a little shocked by how perspective she was. "Uh, well, I'm not sure how Edythe might feel about it. I don't want to bother her with it if I don't have to, you know. In case I don't end up following through."
"Did you ever think she could help you decide?" Beau didn't answer, his silence speaking volumes. "Uh huh. See, here's the thing, Beau - Edythe is gonna find out. There are no secrets in this family, least of all from Edythe. I'm not going to tell her, of course, but she'll figure it out some day and she's gonna feel some sort of way. She'd be better off hearing it from you." Her tone was oddly gentle. "And besides that, she could help you, talk you through everything and help make the choice that's right for you - not what was best for Royal or even me. She knows you better than we do I'd say since she's gonna marry you. Maybe give her a chance to prove it."
Beau knew Eleanor was right, naturally. He sighed. "You don't think I'll upset her?"
"It might. Probably will actually - she is pretty sensitive about stuff like this. She butts heads with Royal all the time about interfering in his nieces and nephews' lives. But you should still be honest with her." The wisdom of her words were not lost on him. "Even if she doesn't like it, she'll come to terms with how you feel about it and support you, too. That's why you chose her to be your wife, right? Because you trust her to always stand by you?"
"Of course," he answered automatically.
"Cool. Then you already get it." In one tiny motion she was back on her feet. "Okay, I said my piece, little brother, you are free to run after her now."
Beau chuckled, standing as well. "Uh thanks, Eleanor. For looking out for me and giving me some perspective."
"It's what big sisters are for, Beau. You'll see." She reached over, ruffling his hair playfully. "Did Archie tell you? When you're finally ready to do the school thing with us our cover is gonna be that were siblings. Guess we've got a certain resemblance going on."
He hadn't known that, but could see why people might take them for brother and sister - the height seemed a dead giveaway at least.
"It'll be nice not being the youngest," she added thoughtfully. "Even though Archie and Jessamine joined us after, they've both still been vampires longer than me. Now I finally get to be mentor for someone." Her smile was bright. "So, you know, utilize my knowledge. I'm full of good advice."
"I'll keep that in mind," Beau said honestly, already glad to have Eleanor as a sister. She just made it really easy to get along with her.
They took off back to the house, chatting and shoving each other playfully through the storm. Eleanor seemed to be enjoying Beau's company as much as he enjoyed her's; he had always been a little envious of his friends who had siblings and wondered what it would be like to have a brother or sister. He had several now but somehow Eleanor most closely resembled what he had envisioned - protective, loyal, someone who could make him laugh. Even if she annoyed him, Beau knew he would still appreciate having her. He figured that just kinda came with the whole brother-sister dynamic, as evidenced with Edythe and Archie's often antagonistic interactions.
They slowed as they neared the house, confused to hear music pulsing behind the house. Eleanor shrugged, leading around the way as she dove over the short bend of the river with Beau a second behind her.
Approaching the home, they found the source of the music to be Edythe's impressive sound system set up on the first floor to give ambiance to what looked like a party. The normal white lights of the home were dimmed to give way to several colorful beams that shone in the open area. They surrounded from below what appeared to be a dance floor, the space cleared of the normal decorations of the room.
"What is this?" Beau asked as they entered through the door panel of the glass wall.
Archie appeared then. He was wearing a white pair of slacks with a black and electric green patterned shirt that was so bright it almost hurt to look at. The slim white coat jacket he wore over it somehow made the shirt more striking. "There you two are! Hurry upstairs and get ready, El."
"You got it, chief!"
"What is she getting ready for?" Beau asked as she flew up the stairs.
"Well Eleanor, Royal, Jess, and me have to at least make an appearance at prom tonight so we can show the kids in this town how it's done. But we felt kind of bad that you're going to miss it."
Beau didn't. He had never been excited for any school dance in the past and didn't see what would make prom any more appealing. The only saving grace even if he could go would have been his date - and maybe the fact that he was considerably less likely to trip over something now.
Archie didn't seem to notice Beau's disinterest or else he was actively ignoring it. "So I decided to throw a little pre-prom prom so you can still sort of enjoy it. You'll have plenty of proms in the future, of course, but the first one is always special."
Beau didn't want to rain on his parade so he tried to muster up some excitement. "Uh, well everything looks really cool, Archie."
His brother rolled his eyes. "Tone down the enthusiasm there, Beau."
He tried to look apologetic. "Sorry, Arch, but it's just never been my thing. Not that I don't appreciate the sentiment," Beau added, lightly kicking a white balloon that floated to his feet; it sailed away gracefully.
Archie pouted. "Prom is a big deal. And you would have enjoyed it! If you were still human-"
"There is no universe where, human or otherwise, I'd be caught dead at prom," Beau promised. "Short of being kidnapped and held hostage."
"Not even for Edythe?"
"Especially not for Edythe. Actually, for her sake, I would want to spare her the embarrassment of having to be seen dancing with me - it wouldn't be pretty." He grimaced, picturing his lovely fiancée patiently putting up with a painfully human and clumsy version of himself. It was mortifying to even picture.
Archie rolled his eyes artfully. "Such a martyr."
"No matter what I say, this is happening, isn't it?"
"You catch on fast." Archie directed him to the first floor bathroom. "Go get dressed."
"Should have figured you'd already have a suit ready too," Beau sighed, letting himself be ushered into the room. Sure enough, a silvery gray suit was hanging pristinely inside the room.
"This was actually one of the castoff suits I had for the wedding. Ended up going traditional - black tuxedos are the standard for a reason - so now you can wear this for pre-prom prom." He sounded so proud of himself.
Beau couldn't burst his friends' bubble, not when he looked so thrilled. With a quiet sigh he pulled his shirt over his head quickly, knowing the sooner he let Archie have his way, the sooner he could see Edythe; whatever dress her brother forced her into would at least be the silver lining in all this, Beau figured. He had pretty high expectations for the psychic, after all.
Archie was clearly in line with his thoughts. "She's gonna look amazing, don't worry. But let's focus on making you look decent for now."
"Nobody you dress up looks only decent, Arch," Beau replied, jabbing him lightly with his elbow before stepping into his slacks. He was pleased to find they fit him perfectly. The past two weeks of wearing Royal's slightly too wide pants and Earnest's too baggy shirts had colored him with low expectations.
He winked. "Well you're not wrong about that."
As Beau did up the buttons of the pale blue-nearly white shirt, Archie reached up on the tip of his toes to attempt to flatten his dark hair. Beau would have thought it was a lost battle, but his brother was prepared with some kind of gel. With that he was able to work it through the tangles and curls until it looked stylishly slicked to the side.
"That'll do," Archie said warily. "You know, sometimes I think I miss having hair. Not so much now. Just make sure she doesn't muss it up too, okay?"
"You got it, Arch."
Beau slipped the tie of a slightly bluer blue than his shirt under his collar. Before he could start securing it, Archie slapped his hands away, twisting it into a neat double Windsor knot. He could only roll his eyes as Archie stepped away to inspect after - of course it looked perfect.
Satisfied with his handiwork, he handed Beau the matching silver-gray vest to go over his shirt. Once it was on, Archie turned him towards the mirror to get the full effect.
The light on light coloring somehow looked good together. Beau straightened out his collar, taking in his tamed hair, ignoring the burgundy of his eyes as was his habit, and found that he did actually look nice. But maybe a little stiff.
Archie huffed but let Beau roll up the sleeves of his shirt to a neat crease just at his elbows. It was a small thing but it gave him a more relaxed appearance that was truer to himself. He grinned at Archie's reflection.
"Nice work, as always."
"You haven't even seen my masterpiece yet." His tone was smug. "She'll be down in a few minutes but everyone else is down here now. Come on."
The two exited the bathroom and worked their way back into the open room where the others awaited them.
Jessamine waltzed over right away, looking striking with her blonde hair pulled into a curled bob by several pins. The hairstyle went well with her mid-thigh length black sheath dress with fringes around the bodice and bottom. Her lips were painted a shiny red, brighter still as they outlined her ultra white teeth. It was like she had stepped out of the era of prohibition, which of course she could well have.
"Looking good, Beau." She looked him over once before turning her eyes back to her husband as he gravitated to her. They fit together, side-by-side, like two pieces of a jigsaw.
He gave her a smile that she couldn't see, her eyes locked with Archie's. "Thanks. You look great, too, Jess."
Royal and Eleanor sauntered over then and Beau had to take a step back.
Royal looked beyond dashing in a deep black suit with a vivid red vest and tie combo underneath. It was like he had walked right off the pages of French Vogue and into the living room. It was only slightly intimidating. His straight golden hair was tied in a neat red band at the nape of his neck with a few wisps slipping out over his eyes in a very practiced way. But Eleanor pretty much stole the show.
She was taller than Royal now in black stiletto heels that looked like pointy death traps, winding up and around her ankles with a satin ribbon. Her dress was short and daring; it was the same deep red at her date's tie, clinging to her curvy figure in an almost indecent way, cutting close across her chest and over her thighs with slits up both sides secured by black corset-crossed ribbons. Her hair was not in its normal messy ponytail but was wildly bouncing down her back in full curls, secured around her face with ruby-encrusted clips.
"Now if there was ever a couple who looked like a pair of vampires," Beau said only half jokingly.
"Might have been going for that." Eleanor did a sharp spin for him, her hair fluttering out. She stuck a pose, tilting her head back with wide grin on her face. "Hot, right?"
"Not sure if I'm okay with my sister going out into a room full of desperate teenage guys looking like that," Beau admitted. He was suddenly very glad that Royal could not read minds as he was sure half of his old classmates would be mowed down for what they were going to be thinking about Eleanor.
Royal chuckled, his eyes drinking in his wife hungrily. "No one in their right mind is going to even think about looking at her too long." His threat was conveyed in a menacing voice that left no room for doubt.
"Jeremy is going to stare a beat too long and Royal is going to practically make him wet himself," Archie supplied helpfully. "So that'll be amusing."
Poor Jeremy. "Maybe run a little interference, Arch?"
"Won't do any good. If we block his view he'll give Jess a once over that I won't be fond of. And then there will be nobody to stop me from ripping out his throat." Archie's words were light despite how terrifying they were in actuality. Beau shook his head, his pity for the hormone-ridden human boys at an all-time high.
"You'd do the same if it was, Edy," Archie promised, looking amused.
"Hey, I'm a newborn. I'd have an excuse for losing my temper."
"Newborn or not... Well, you'll understand when you see her."
His cryptic smile made Beau a little nervous. Surely he wouldn't put Edythe is a dress as extreme as Eleanor's, right? She was already too beautiful as it was but in something that suggestive, if she was among his classmates who already were entertaining inappropriate thoughts about her in jeans and sweaters...
"Down, boy," Jessamine cautioned, holding back laughter though it was obvious in her words.
Beau caught himself as a growl started building in his throat; he coughed quietly to get rid of it, a little embarrassed by his reaction. "Guess it's good thing we can't go to prom."
Jess's soft laughter broke through. "I'll say."
"You'll have better control of yourself in time for the eventual first real prom," Archie said positively.
"I'd hope so." If he was still this volatile in a few years he really had no business in a school setting at all. "Wouldn't really help our cover if I slaughtered a room full of prom-goers for checking out my date."
His siblings laughed loudly at his expense but it wasn't malicious. He knew his brothers at least understood his flare of temper having already admitted to similar feelings themselves. He took their ribbing with a good-natured smile.
"Oh!" Archie looked excited, grabbing Beau's arm and pulling him to the bottom of the staircase. "She's ready! Finally." He smirked, angling his brother minutely towards the balcony. "Get ready, Beau!"
The door opened quietly as Edythe stepped into view then, almost shyly.
Beau couldn't have prepared himself for how she looked even if he had had years.
She was beyond lovely in a long, pale blue dress that accented the ivory of her skin and the reddish hue of her hair. It had a deep-v neckline that was more than distracting, exposing her luminescent flesh to the glow of the party lights. Her hair was pulled into an elegant knot that exposed her slender neck and drew emphasis to her high cheekbones. And her eyes were more clearly lined then usual; the effect was smokey and alluring as she met his eager gaze. For the first time since waking up, he didn't have a single comprehensive thought.
She was obviously pleased by his slack-jawed expression, honoring him with her dimpled smile as she descended towards him gracefully. Her eyes never left his as she moved down the stairs, floated really. The gown swished around her hips and sparkled as the shimmery material reflected as brightly as her topaz eyes.
When Edythe was finally in front of him, she gently ran her fingers along his jaw, closing his mouth playfully. He knew he was staring and should try to string together the proper words to explain exactly how beautiful she looked but found that even with his expanded mind up and running again, even the most eloquent of phrases he could think of couldn't accurately describe how she looked. It would be foolish to even attempt to give her the proper compliments she deserved. She was indescribable, incredible, impossible.
Beau slowly drew his arms around her waist as if concerned she would vanish when he touched her, ignoring the snickers behind him. His fingers found soft flesh instead of material, however, as the dress was completely backless all the way to her waist. He sucked in a jagged breath.
Keeping one hand on her lower back, he lifted his other hand out to Archie, who slapped his hand enthusiastically. Edythe giggled, amused and undeniably enjoying Beau's reaction.
"Should I take it you're more amenable towards this whole affair now?" She brought her hands to his shoulders, working her hands down to his chest as she practically purred.
Beau nodded with gusto. "Without a doubt. Best idea ever. Never should have doubted Archie."
"He can be taught," Archie whispered loudly to his wife. They shared another bout of laughter that Beau couldn't register, taken as he was with Edythe.
She led Beau into the center of the room towards their gathered siblings, moving fluidly in her gown in a way that was definitely not human. He took a second to admire the daring view the dress offered from behind, innocently lifting his eyes at Jessamine's less than subtle clearing of her throat.
Archie bent down to fiddle with the stereo system, nodding approvingly when he found a big band station that fit his needs. He stood with a flourish, saying, "I can now announce the start of our little pre-prom prom. Grab your partner and cut a rug!"
He wasted no time, throwing his hand out to his wife who practically launched herself at him. Archie caught her impressively in mid aim, his grin almost too wide for his face. With practiced strength, he threw her into the air where she twisted once in a tight spiral, landing lightly before he drew her back in his arms and into a dip. They looked like a pair of professional dance partner the way they met each others' movements so perfectly. They spun, drew themselves together, and tore up the floor with their flashy moves; Beau only hoped they were getting it out of their system now before being around their human classmates because they way the moved was far from mortal.
Royal and Eleanor were pressed against each other tightly, showing more restraint their their siblings. But somehow they were also just as showy in their own, intimate way. There was no space between them as they danced - well, not danced so much as meshed together vertically. The way Royal reached around to grip Eleanor just below the cut of her dress made Beau turn away from them suddenly; it felt very private, if not inappropriate.
When he turned back to his date, Edythe was watching him expectantly. She didn't seem to notice their siblings in their exuberant displays, her eyes only on Beau. She lifted her hand to him, one eyebrow raised.
Even the prospect of having to dance couldn't dampen Beau's mood and so he did not hesitate. He let Edythe take his hand graciously as she spun into his embrace, curling against his chest. He wrapped himself around her, swaying into a simple two-step that required little attention - he didn't have any to spare as it was.
Edythe's hands were around his neck, her lips glancing over the skin there as they swirled demurely. She was singing along with the jazz singer, her voice far from as raspy but her lips buzzing still when she brushed against Beau.
"So this isn't terrible." Far from it, actually, as Beau found himself enjoying the atmosphere.
At the very least this would be good practice for the wedding when they would be expected to dance together as husband and wife in front of their family. There was no time for a rehearsal, of course, as Archie had insisted he needed the time to plan the actual event. As it was, no one seemed worried that Beau didn't have the slightest clue how to waltz; maybe they assumed Edythe would lead and he could just follow her cues. It seemed to be working out well for them now.
"Hmmm." Edythe pulled him into a slow spin that took them out of the immediate dance floor, back towards the glass wall. He watched her reflection as her lips tugged into a tiny frown. "Well it's not quite the same as prom would have been had you stayed human..."
"Yeah this is much better," Beau replied generously. He could have never gotten away with holding her so recklessly close as a human, intoxicated as he always was on her heady scent. There was no doubt he would have done something very stupid and not the least bit careful - now he had the ability to be as careless as he wanted without fear that it would result in tempting Edythe with his potent blood. He planned to take full advantage of that.
She rolled her eyes, not privy to the swirl of excitable thoughts in Beau's head. "We'll never know, I suppose. Just another experience you'll have missed out on."
"I'm not feeling the least bit deprived." His hands ghosted up and down her back slowly, marveling at her velvety skin. Beau leaned over to kiss the top of her head, closer than normal in her heels. "Pretty sure this is already a hundred times better than it could have gone before; at this point in the evening I most likely would have already found some way to potentially maim myself. Maybe even before we even arrived at the school. We'd have had to trade the limo in for an ambulance."
She smiled despite herself, leaning into his touch and wrapping her hand around his. "You do have a point. Keeping you alive at the prom would have been a whole ordeal."
"As I said. Much better this way." He brought his lips to behind her ear, kissing her as the loose curls of auburn hair tickled across his jaw as they escape their clips. Her trilling giggle filled the air.
Dancing with Edythe was easier than Beau thought it might be, but then, wasn't that the case with everything? She was clearly an expert, leading him into a gentle waltz as the music built into a swell. He matched her steps effortlessly, mostly because of the way she led and only a bit from his newfound grace as a vampire. Even as the steps grew more elaborate to match the new song spilling over the speakers, a faster number with lots of trumpets, he managed to keep up and even thrive.
"Guess I had been over thinking this," Beau said as they spun.
"I am an excellent teacher," she replied with a wink, ducking under his arm.
"Is there anything you're not excellent at?"
"Off the top of my head... no, not a thing!"
"Perhaps display of modesty?" he joked, pulling her into a deep kiss before she could protest. Her pink lips parted as she threw her around him, locking their bodies together. She was balancing herself by standing on his feet, making them equal height with her heels. By not having to duck down to kiss her, Beau found he could press his mouth closer than before and very much enjoyed the sensation.
When he released her lips, he found Archie watching them from around the staircase. "Okay, lovebirds, you two enjoy your night. We've got to head to the school now."
"Have fun," Edythe offered, pulling Beau into another kiss. Royal made gagging noises out of sight.
Eleanor popped her head around Archie then. "We'll be back later. Much later. Sooo if there was anything someone wanted to talk about with someone else, now might be a good time for that."
Edythe looked at her sister curiously before turning her gaze back to Beau. "What is she talking about?"
"Thanks for that, El," Beau chanted dully, having forgotten his promise to his sister from earlier.
"I do what I can!"
Beau waited until their siblings were piled into Royal's M3 and racing out of earshot before meeting her expectant expression. He didn't even know how to broach his breech of her trust.
"Well, there's been something I've been wanting to talk to you about." Beau mentally cringed, hearing the nerves even as he spoke. He had been hoping to make this sound casual and maybe deflect some of the anger that was sure to come. Edythe was hardly going to be happy to know he was checking up on his human family, after all, so Beau suspected this was going to be a tense conversation. And as much as he didn't want to ruin the evening but also knew he shouldn't put this off any longer.
She picked up on his tone immediately, pulling away to stand on her own feet again, leading into a slow shuffle now. "What about? Is everything okay?"
"Yes. Uh, maybe?" He shook his head as he floundered. "Everything is fine, but I've been keeping something from you and I'm not sure how you're going to feel about it."
Her features froze. "Huh?"
Beau took a big breath. "So, uh, don't be too mad, but Royal has been checking up on my family for the past few weeks. Nothing like going to see them but just a little bit of detective work online and following Charlie around town. It's really not a big deal but I didn't know how you'd feel about it so I thought I should keep it quiet but El kinda laid into me for that so I'm backtracking now and I'm very sorry for not saying anything in the first place."
Edythe's face flashed a few emotions in rapid secession - anger, of course, then hurt, more anger, maybe betrayal, and finally something akin to begrudging understanding. She sighed heavily but kept her hands on Beau's shoulders. "I should have figured," she muttered finally, deflated. "This was always Royal's MO. So nosy. I'll have a talk with him and get him to stop, don't worry."
Beau looked down at her, surprised. "I... don't know if I want him to stop."
She reeled back as if she had been slapped. He quickly went on.
"That is, I haven't decided anything yet. I don't know if I want to keep track of their lives at all, I'm really conflicted. Royal was just doing this as a favor to me until I make up my mind - he just thought I should have the option, just in case."
"Beau..." There was disappointment coloring her words. "You can't see them again. I thought I was very clear."
"I know, I know. But maybe I could just watch over them, make sure they're okay? I wouldn't interfere with their lives - I want them to move on - but I want to make sure that's what they are all doing, you know? Not just... I don't know, mourning forever." He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think I'll want to do what Royal does where I track their every life event. I just want to see them to a better point in life, I guess. Like I said, I still don't know.
"But I didn't think you'd approve," Beau added a little sadly. "And since I hadn't made up my mind yet about what I was going to do I didn't want to put all this on you. But El was right. I can't keep this from you, and I shouldn't. You have a right to know, even if it does make you mad."
She sighed again, the sound soft against the jazz backdrop. "I'm not mad, Beau. Not even at Royal for putting this idea in your head even though it was a stupid of him. I just don't think it's a good idea."
"Why?"
"Because it's a slippery slope. You've seen now how obsessed Royal is with his family; he can't let it go and that is part of the reason he has the most difficult time with what we are. He has one foot in both worlds and I've seen how that tears him up inside." Edythe put her hands to his cheek. "I wouldn't want that for you. It's tempting, very tempting, to keep tabs on them. Especially Charlie because he is so close by. But what comfort could it possibly give you to be so close yet bound by what we are to keep your distance? It'll eat at you too."
She frowned. "And then there's the fact that it's highly intrusive. It is interfering, even if it doesn't feel like it. Do you think Bonnie Black would take to the idea of having Charlie in a vampire's cross-hairs, even if he means no harm to him?"
Edythe had a point, Beau had to admit; Bonnie would probably have a heart attack if she knew how Royal followed Charlie around Forks, monitoring him. She'd try to find a way to say it was in violation of the treaty, somehow. "I guess you're right. But he's my dad. She couldn't really say anything if I was doing this stuff. It's just not an option right now."
"Even if you are his son, we are separate from that world, existing in it only on the fringes. We can't get close to humans in anyway. I broke that unspoken rule," she admitted. "Because I was selfish. It was selfish, Beau," Edythe said, putting her finger to his lips before he could argue with her. "I don't regret it, but there is no denying that it was. I pulled you into my world even though it was the farthest thing from what I wanted. It was the last thing I had imagined happening. Who is to say something similar won't happen with Charlie? He is already closer to our realm than you were: his best friend is the tribal leader to a pack of wolves, he was nearly hunted by Joss and Victor unknowingly, and his son is now a vampire. He is teetering dangerously close. How much further would you risk his world just to satisfy your own desires to be near him?"
That gave Beau more pause. Was it really possible that he was putting Charlie in danger by checking up on him? His good intentions aside, was he really being selfish?
If he took a moment to examine himself, he could admit to that much, to being selfish. Following after his family would give him a sense of relief, but it did nothing for them. They could never know what he was up to, could never know he was alive and in the shadows. It was a one-way relationship, benefiting only him.
But did it also put them in danger? Was that something he had neglected to consider?
Admittedly, by stepping into Edythe's world, things had abruptly become a lot more dangerous for Beau, though he suspected a lot of that was his own doing at the time. But what if somehow she was right? Was is possible that by saving Beau and not shying away from his presence Edythe had welcomed him into this dark world? Had it all been related, all those near-death experiences, maybe as a way to get him out of a situation in which he hadn't belonged until he was like them? At the very least, their proximity had been one of the factors behind Joss's hunt; he suspected that even if he hadn't been in that field that night, if Joss had went into town and caught the vampiric scent that clung to his house from Edythe's visits he still would have been targeted. It might have been inevitable the second Edythe chose not to kill Beau that first day.
Was that same type of danger now following Charlie? The thought made Beau shudder. He clung to Edythe, wishing away the horrid thoughts that now rampaged through his mind.
"I'm sorry, Beau. I know it's painful but it's the way things are." She was not condescending as she held him, but did not offer him empty platitudes either. It was important he understand the full gravity of the situation. "He will be safer this way. Bonnie has already agreed to watch after him. If anything pressing were to happen to him, she would alert you. But we can not be directly involved. You can't have Royal following him around town or Archie checking his future. It's as much for his sake as it is yours. Do you understand?"
He couldn't speak and settled for a single nod, his head pressed to her bare shoulders.
"I'm so sorry, Beau."
"Don't apologize. I didn't think it through. I guess I was just clinging to some small hope..." Beau let his words trail off. "I should have talked to you first, before letting myself get carried away with this."
"You should have, but I know you were trying to spare my feelings."
"It's no excuse."
Edythe rubbed his back, swaying lightly. "Even if you hadn't spoken to me about this, you could have talked to Jessamine."
That confused him. "Why her?"
"Because of her brother." Edythe pulled back to watch his face. "Royal didn't tell you about what happened when she tried to find her brother after fleeing the southern army?"
"Only that he was already dead when she looked for him."
Edythe growled. "Trust Royal to only tell you half the story. He probably didn't want to give you an out - he gets too much out his snooping and must not have wanted you to back out." She rolled her eyes, but her mouth was set in a tight line. "When Jessamine escaped from Marco's army, the first thing she did was try to find her family that she was stolen from. She had been estranged from them since faking her identity and joining the military as a teenager, but still had kept in contact with her brother, whose name and age she used on her credentials. They were very close. That was his undoing. Once Marco realized that Jess was never coming back, he sent a scouting team to her last known residential location on her enlistment papers. But since it was under her brother's name..."
Beau paled. "They didn't."
"It wasn't anything personal," Edythe said evenly although her face showed her pity for Jessamine's family. "They didn't find her but couldn't pass up such an easy meal. He lived on the outskirts of town - on paper he was reported AWOL when Jess disappeared in between combat missions so he had kept a low profile all those years - all alone. When Jessamine tracked him down, it was too late, though she suspects it was only by a few days. She harbors an immense amount of guilt about bringing about his death just for his association with her."
Her words were gentle yet insistent. "Our very existence taints those around us. Our presence, no matter where we are, will always draw dangerous things to us. Like the nomads, the werewolves. It is a part of what we are. So it's our responsibility to shield those more vulnerable than ourselves by keeping a careful distance. We can't afford to have more loss brought on to those around us; it's not fair to them."
She was right, of course. It didn't make it any easier, but it did ground him. Beau hadn't be able to accept that the door to his former life was completely shut, not when a tempting window seemed to have been left ajar, but he knew better now. He couldn't pretend any longer.
"I'll ask Royal to stay out of my family's life when they return," Beau promised solemnly. "I'll make sure he understands."
Edythe's eyes narrowed. "Oh don't worry, I will do that."
"Edythe, don't. He didn't mean any harm."
"So you think," she hissed under her breath. "Royal is always just looking out for himself. If he hadn't been he would have told you about Jessamine's brother in the same breath - but he didn't bother."
"I don't think you give your brother enough credit," Beau admonished softly. "He didn't twist my arm about this. I was already on the fence. And he did give me an out."
"He knew you were still vulnerable and took advantage."
"Maybe. But he also knew I would regret not having explored every avenue when it came to Charlie and Renee." He brought his forehead against hers, burrowing his eyes into hers. "He meant well, I firmly believe that. So please, don't start something with him over this. Promise me."
Edythe snapped her jaw shut. He held her gaze unwaveringly until her expression melted. "Oh fine. I'll let it go. But if he gives you any trouble about it, you better tell me."
"Deal."
With the conversation finished, the two went back to dancing. Edythe lead still, one hand on his shoulder, the other clasping his firmly as they moved. Her dress fluttered around her ankles with each lithe spin, the sound like a summer breeze through the trees. Her face looked tired, though, and maybe a little angry still.
Beau sought to distract her from her sullen mood. "So... was that our first fight?"
Edythe snorted. "Hardly. I can think of a few other heated moments in the past few months. You were exceptionally stubborn about not believing me when it came to saving you from Taylor's van."
"Well I was right about that," Beau reminded her playfully.
"Of course, but you shouldn't argue with a lady. If I say the sky is polka dotted and the ocean is plaid, you should just say 'yes dear' and go with it." Her tone was light and easy again, just the way Beau like it.
"I'll keep that in mind for our next fight," he promised with a wink. "I'm sure there will be many to come - as you pointed out, I am very stubborn. And you, sweetheart, are very opinionated."
"Naturally," she agreed easily. "I'm looking forward to our first fight as a married couple. I'm sure it'll be a boisterous one."
"Is there any other kind when it comes to us?"
"No, and I wouldn't have it any other way." Edythe took his breath away with her answering smile. "But, of course, as your wife I'll win every time."
"I figure. But I don't think I'll mind it that much; you being right every time is a small price to pay to have you forever." He leaned in to kiss the tip of her nose. "My beautiful soon-to-be wife... You know, I got to say, I'm really excited for that. Mrs. Edythe Swan does have a very nice ring to it." It was every bit as graceful sounding as the woman herself, if not as equally beautiful.
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Who says I'll be taking your name? This is a different era, after all, and I am a modern woman." Edythe's sparkling laughter tumbled from her pink lips as Beau's face fell. "Maybe I'll hyphenate. Edythe Anne Masen Cullen-Swan..."
"It's kind of a mouthful," Beau grumbled, wondering what objection should could have with sharing his name. He hadn't even considered she might not take it. It wasn't that he was particularly stuck to the idea before, but now that she was giving him push back it was making him more adamant about it.
She laughed again. "I suppose you're right. Well, I'll let Jess know when she goes to her forger to make my new documents. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a passport or something that has the last name Swan on it."
"Just one?" He brushed his lips against her cheek. "I was thinking you could have it embroidered on some wallets, too, maybe bedazzled on a shirt? Might help you get used to the idea."
"Oh I'm quite used to the idea already," she promised with a purr, leaning into his eager lips. "But you can hardly expect me to simply give up my sense of self just because I'm your wife, love." Edythe seemed to be enjoying herself as she teased him. In actuality she was thrilled to have his name as a part of her identity soon, even if she thought the name did sound a little like something out of a turn-of-the-century novel rather than a real name. "I just don't think I could be taken seriously as Edythe Swan - it's certainly not a name that is fitting for a vampire, anyway."
Beau vowed to himself then that he would use every opportunity he had to call her with the married name. Maybe have all her identification switched over to the name as well. He thought Jessamine might enjoy helping him annoy Edythe with that and resolved to ask her as soon as possible.
Hiding his intentions behind a smile that was only a little too innocent, he let the matter drop.
They continued to sway lightly to the crooner in the background, lit only by the soft light that surrounded the dance floor. The glow was intimate, quiet and seductive. Shadows danced around their silhouettes, bouncing off the mirror of the glass wall.
Somehow Beau had taken the lead as the songs bled into each other, time lapsing around them as the night cared on. Edythe laid her head against Beau's chest contently as he swirled her around, his movements smoother with each twirl. It was easier to do now, his confidence mounting as the evening waned.
They moved not in a practice way, but effortlessly instead like two leaves caught in the same breeze. It like this was simply something they were meant to do, to hold each other close and breathe each other in.
The world could have fallen apart around them and they would have continued to dance, wrapped up in each other - and neither of them would have noticed. In each others' arms, they had found their happy place.
