Author's note: Quick note! As Fantasywings7 pointed out, I forgot to fix the dates for the ages of the Denali brothers and their father from the last chapter. The brothers are only 1000 years old. not three. Sorry for the confusion!

The wedding is a two parter - because I wanted to put this one out there quickly, even if it is short. Please enjoy!


Day Twenty of Forever - Part 1


The sky was still completely dark when the Cullen home came into view but hints of the early morning hour alerted Beau of how much time had been lost. It was officially the day of his wedding now, a realization that made his stomach do a flip. Archie wasted no time in civilities when Beau and the brothers finally returned, short on time as he was. He could only chastise the group with a quick, dark look before ushered the brothers upstairs so they might shower and dress from the upcoming ceremony, leaving Beau in Royal's care briefly while he saw to them.

Royal gave Beau a walk-through of the festive area as they headed towards their final task. Together, the pair was set up the DJ booth system for the reception. Beau was sent to take armfuls of CDs from Edythe's collection to supplement the music selections. Royal made sure to remind him memorize how the albums had been arranged so it might be restored properly afterwards; they both knew from experience that Edythe hated having her collection out of order and how shift her anger could be.

The rain had mercifully stopped sometime during the previous night, making Archie's promise of sun for the ceremony seem more than possible. The clouds were thin overhead and might blow away before sunrise, bathing the lawn in soft light. Beau was excited to see the sun again, though not as much as he was to see Edythe glowing in it; she was beautiful without even trying but the way her skin sparkled stood out spectacularly in his past memories. He couldn't be sure if it had just been his awe for seeing her so blatantly inhuman or if it was possible that she could actually look that dazzling, but hoped to find out.

Royal was flicking through Edythe's collection, sorting through the appropriate ones for the event, while Beau carried out the speaker system next. The blonde explained how to hook them up to the station, never looking up from his task. The work went quickly and soon Archie was summoning Beau back into the house.

"I'll finish up here," Royal promised. Beau thanked him before heading to Archie's room.

His brother was tapping his foot impatiently even though three seconds had barely gone by. Beau knew better than to comment on it, however; Archie was in his type-A mode and not to be trifled with. "Go shower now," he instructed. "Your tuxedo is hanging inside the bathroom but for the love of all that is holy be careful with it. And make it quick in there or I'll come in after you," Archie added with a glint in his eyes.

Beau wouldn't have put it past Archie to drag him out of the shower so he did as he was asked,. He was mercifully quite clean despite the hunting trip, getting better at staying neat with each time. After a quick run in the boiling spray, he forced himself to jump out, missing the heat as soon as he shut the water off.

As he dried his hair, Beau accidentally caught his reflection while eyeing his tux, something he had been avoiding whenever possible. He was surprised to see that the red of his eyes wasn't as severally red as he remembered. They were richer, closer to burnt orange maybe. The color would still be alarming for most but provided a tiny bit of relief for Beau at least. He knew it would be months still before the color truly shifted but it was enough of a welcome change for him. At least he wouldn't be as self conscious about his eyes for the wedding pictures.

Now dry, Beau eased into his clothes mindfully. Archie had decided after much debate to go the classic route with a slim black tuxedo. It was something Beau had never had a chance to wear before and it made him a little nervous; formal wear didn't exactly look comfortable. But his fears were groundless. The suit fit him like a glove, from his dress socks to button-up collar. The shirt closed easily, if a little snugly, to go under the fitted outer jacket.

Straightening up after stepping into his shoes, he did a final once over to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. He was surprised he looked less like a penguin than he would have suspected. The contrast of the jet black against his pale skin was intense, naturally drawing the eyes to his solid build and height. When he buttoned the jacket close it found the outside breast-pocket accented by white satin, a pleasant touch to break up the otherwise black-on-black ensemble.

Archie waltzed in then, an array of terrifying hair products in his hands. The comb looked especially ominous the way he wielded it.

"Is all that necessary?" Beau looked at him warily.

"It wouldn't be if your hair wasn't so notoriously impossible to manage," he replied blithely. "But that's not the world we live in." Archie lifted himself into the counter, instructing Beau to lean in closer.

As he yanked the comb through the thick tangles, Archie went over the ceremony for Beau from start to finish. As soon as the sun was up, they guests would be led to the designated benches in front of the gazebo where Carine would officiate. The sun was timed to peek through the clouds exactly when Earnest escorted Edythe outside for the full effect. Afterwords, Archie would seamlessly direct everyone to the dance floor for the reception. Then Beau and Edythe would be allowed to leave at sunset to begin their honeymoon.

"And Beau," he said after a beat of thought, lifting Beau's face so they were almost eye to eye. "I'm only going to tell you this once. Her dress has 36 buttons down back of the bodice. 36. You will count them out and not miss a single one, got it? Ripping open her dress is not sexy - it is simply a waste of a beautiful and very expensive dress. Do you understand?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Good. Because if there is even a single pulled thread on that dress I will take it as a personal offense. And I will get you," Archie threatened. "And I am a patient and very scary man. I have ways."

Beau held his hands up in surrender. "I know, I believe you."

"Good." Archie jumped from the counter, reaching up to straighten out Beau's tux unnecessarily. He then dashed out of the room for a second, reappearing with a white rose, close-cut and with full petals. He neatly secured it in Beau's breast-pocket before spinning him towards the mirror again.

Even Beau had to admit he looked pretty good. His hair, against all odds, had been tamed; Archie had slicked it all mostly to one side where it hung in dark, lush locks. With his hair tucked back he thought he looked a bit like Charlie, an odd realization as he had always compared his looks to his mother. A surge of sadness filled his stomach at the reminder of her parents who for obvious reasons could not be here to see him married. Taking a deep breath, he pushed those feelings away, storing them in a box here he could deal with them later. Today was hardly the day for it.

Archie tugged Beau into a crouch so he could secure a black satin bow tie under the collar of his shirt. It was a simple finishing touch that completed the outfit. Looking satisfied, Archie shooed Beau into the main part of his room while he quickly showered too.

He didn't have to wait long. Only a few minutes later Archie was barreling into the room, dressing at the speed of light into an ash grey tuxedo of his own, also decorated with a white rose in the jacket.

"Okay we have twenty minutes until sunrise," he said as he smoothed out his slacks. "Time to start corralling everyone outside." Archie grinned up at Beau. "You ready?"

"Yep. Let's do this." Beau was actually starting to feel a little nervous, but more from anticipation than anything. He was mostly just hoping Carine would keep the ceremony short so he didn't have a chance to mess anything up like he was prone to do. Being the center of attention was still high up in his list of most dreaded things for that reason.

"You're gonna be fine," Archie promised, sensing Beau's apprehension. "There is only like an eight percent chance you'll end up looking stupid sometime during the day."

"Gee thanks for that."

The smaller vampire snickered as he led him downstairs. "That's actually really good odds for you."

Beau paused at the top of the stairs, his attention drawn towards Edythe's musical laugh spilling from under Eleanor and Royal's closed door. The sound called out to him, shifting his course for a split second before Archie caught his arm.

"Ah ah ah. None of that." He pulled on Beau's arm until he got his feet moving in the right direction again. "You'll see her soon."

Beau tried unsuccessfully not to pout.

Downstairs, most of the guests were already gathered. They quickly swarmed Beau, clasping him in tight hugs and handshakes, offering congratulations. It made Beau a little lightheaded, being in the spotlight, but he did his not to show how uncomfortable he felt. Archie stayed by his side loyally, funneling the crowd so it wasn't quite as overwhelming. Eventually they were able to shake the well wishers by directing them to the outside seating. Beau followed as if in a daze.

Tanvir and his brothers sat on the left of the aisle, on the bench closest to the gazebo. Elena and Carlos took the row behind them. Royal, the second best musician in the family, took his place at Edythe's piano that was pulled against the glass wall. Archie walked the suddenly overly stiff Beau to just outside the entrance of the gazebo where he was to wait for his bride. After making sure he was in place, Archie took his seat on the front most bench to the right of the aisle.

All eyes were on Beau and that did nothing for his nerves. He was acutely aware of himself, standing up there alone, his hands awkwardly at his sides. What was he supposed to do with his hands? Should he fold them behind his back? He couldn't remember if he had ever been to a wedding before - what did grooms normally do with their hands? It seemed extremely important in that moment to him.

Jessamine swirled outside then, elegant in a silver floor length dress and her hair pinned up. She went to Beau first, surprising him by kissing his cheek and gifting him a soft breeze of calm, before sitting beside her husband. Beau took a much needed breath, thanking his sister silently.

Carine appeared next looking more like a starlet than a small town doctor in a navy a-line dress. She too gave Beau a quick peck.

"Doing okay?" she asked, her eyes twinkling. Both of her hands were clasped around Beau's.

He didn't trust himself to speak yet, still waiting for the full effect of Jess's calm to wash over him, so he merely nodded.

Her smile was knowing. "It'll be easier once she's here beside you." Carine squeezed his hands once, fluttering past him to take her spot in center stage.

With the officiate in place, Archie signaled to Royal. He wore the same fitted grey tux now, his long hair tied neatly at the nape of his neck. He began to tap out a soft rendition of the wedding march with flourish. The sound filled the intimate space, echoing too loudly in Beau's head. Everything was too loud, actually. It was like his senses were in overload.

Eleanor came down the stairs first, her dress a shimmery gold version of Jessamine's. Her normally curled hair was straightened prettily down her back as she made her way down the aisle. She met Beau at the end of the rows of benches, punching him lightly with the hand that wasn't holding her bouquet, making everyone chuckle. Her silliness helped a bit with Beau's nerves. After checking that she got a smile out of him, she took her place behind her siblings but stayed standing.

The rest of the congregation rose too, announcing the entrance of the bride. Beau became marble statue still, his eyes trained at the bottom of the staircase.

He could hear the soft click of her heels first, accompanied by the quiet tread of Earnest's footsteps. Material swished with each deliberate movement and the familiar sound of her breathing carried to Beau's ears. It did more to ease away his tension than anything else had. He even managed an effortless smile.

The music built into a swell as the footsteps continued out of sight. They were moving slowly, slower than even humans normally did down staircases, but eventually they came into view.

It was like all the air had been swept out of Beau's lungs.

Edythe was a vision in white, a hundred times more beautiful than any person had the right to be. Her skin actually looked to have a bit more color to it against the fresh snow of her dress. It was high-waisted, cinched under her bosom with a satin ribbon secured by a silver brooch with sapphires dotting it. There was a sweetheart neckline to the gown but also a lace overlay that reached past her collar, securing around her neck. The lace covered the entire dress, actually, hanging a few inches past the bottom in a halo effect over the full skirt. Clearly Archie hadn't been exaggerating about the big white dress comment.

Her features were partially obscured by a delicate veil of matching lace but Beau could still make out her perfect face, trained down shyly. Edythe's dark eyelashes stood out against the white of her veil especially, drawing attention there. Her lovely hair was pulled back in a curls by sapphire-encrusted clips, though several careful wisps tumbled down to her shoulders. The veil fell only to the end of her nose, leaving her even pinker than usual lips exposed. If Beau hadn't been so completely stricken with awe he might have rushed over to cover them with with kisses. But he could only stare, forgetting how to close his mouth.

Archie looked away from his sister long enough to mouth to Beau a quick 'you're welcome'.

Edythe had one arm locked with a dapper looking Earnest, the other securely holding her bouquet of white flowers, accented with orange blossoms and blue freesias. Earnest's suit was the same ashen grey as Archie's and Royal's, timeless and classy on the older man. He easily led Edythe across the threshold of the home despite not looking where he was going. He didn't seem able to pull his eyes away from his daughter, the gold of his eyes marred by a shimmery coating of what could have been unshedable tears.

As they followed the flower-lined aisle onto the lawn, the sun broke through the clouds and everyone gasped. The light caught Edythe from every angle, making her skin shine like the most perfect diamond ever cut. Not even the gems that sparked in her hair could compare. The canopies overhead kept most of the rays from the party members themselves so Edythe truly stood out. She was incandescent, but seemed to be the only one unaware of it because her eyes were glued to Beau.

Her smile was impossibly wide as she drank in her groom, tall and handsome in his tuxedo. She marveled at his perfection, always so subtle before but in full force now. The smooth line of his jaw, the impressive expanse of his shoulders, the causal tumble of his dark hair... Beautiful was the only word she could use to describe him.

And the way he was looking at her! On his face she could see every ounce of his love for her. He was practically radiating with it, from his warm eyes to the brilliant grin he offered her. It was her favorite smile - one that held nothing back, the same smile he graced her with the first time he had whispered her name in his sleep. It made her whole body hum with longing. If Earnest's arm hadn't been holding her to his side she might have dove into Beau then. She wanted nothing more than to be held by him then, almost forgetting the ceremony in her desire. Her impatience was obvious to everyone watching, invoking another round of chuckles.

Finally, finally, they were at the end of the aisle. Beau didn't have to think at all, knowing exactly what to do with his hands now. He reached out for Edythe, his eyes burning into hers intensely.

Earnest finally turned his eyes away from her as he placed her hand in Beau's. He clasped his hand around their entwined ones firmly, turning his gaze to the man who would be Edythe's husband. And what he saw was encouraging enough for him to leave his daughter confidently, taking the seat beside Archie.

"Hey," Beau was breathless still. Up close she was even more overwhelmingly beautiful. He wasn't nervous any longer, too distracted by his bride to worry about anything else.

"Hi," Edythe whispered back, looking up at his from under her eyelashes. She was still glowing, but not just because of the sun anymore. Only Beau could make her shine like this.

Edythe threaded her fingers with Beau's, the pair taking the two steps into the entrance of the gazebo where Carine awaited them.

She looked around at the gathered family first. "I'd like to begin the ceremony by thanking everyone for joining us on this wonderful occasion. Truly, we are very grateful. It is not often we can all be gathered for such a wonderful reason." Carine turned her gaze to the bride and groom. The fair haired vampire looked beside herself as she took in the couple before her. "And thank you, Edythe and Beau, for allowing us to share in this first step towards your journey together. I know I speak for everyone here when I say we love you both very much and are filled with happiness to see you to this point."

Carine spoke at length about love and commitment, words said perhaps thousands of times the world over, though maybe not with the same depth of understanding. As one who had lived centuries alone before finding anything close to kinship in another individual, she knew better than most how it changed a person. And she could attest to seeing that change most clearly in her first child.

"I have been fortunate enough to know you for many years, Edythe," Carine said serenely, brushing the younger vampire's cheek affectionately. "You were my first companion in this lonely life. Even now, I wonder if what I did was truly wise, making you like myself." Edythe and Carine seemed to share something wordlessly then. The blonde chuckled a little sadly. "But I have never regretted my decision. You deserved more than the death you faced, more than to leave this world before your life had even started... I knew something more was sure to be awaiting you. I didn't than know what that was, only that you would know it when you found it. And now you have."

Carine turned her ocher eyes on Beau. "You found someone to love, someone to make you into a new person completely. Finding your soulmate inexplicably changes everything - how you see the world, how you see others... And how you see yourself." Her tone was gentle as she addressed her daughter. "That has always been my hope for you, Edythe. That someday you might discover that there is more to you than what lies behind you. Each day presents a new chance to become someone closer to who you want to be. And now, with Beau as your support, I know you will be able to push yourself further. This is a new beginning for you.

"For both of you," she corrected, bringing her hand to Beau's shoulder, beaming up at him. "Beau. I have not known you as long as Edythe, but I know you to be an incredibly bright and kind young man. You have shown bravery in the face of impossible situations, proving you have always been made of something stronger. And while you have adapted to this life was starling ease, I know still this has not been easy at all.

"What you have lost is indescribable, yet you continue to persevere and surprise us each day. You're like no one I have ever seen before." The way she shook her head made it obvious she was still marveling. "And seeing you work so hard each day has reminded me why I chose my profession, why each day we should all fight to better ourselves - because we are capable of amazing things so long as we never stop striving. You are an inspiration. It's a pleasure to know you, truly. And so as grateful as I am to you for making Edythe happy, I am equally grateful to Edythe for bringing you into our lives so I got the chance to meet you. You have been a most welcome addition to our family and a son I am already incredibly proud of," Carine finished meaningfully, the gleam in her eyes leaving no doubt she meant every word.

Emotion made her words thicker now. "It's an honor to be able to oversee the marriage of two such extraordinary young people. And so now, we will begin the exchange of vows."

She had the pair turn towards each other then. Archie appeared at Beau's side with Eleanor mirroring him beside Edythe. She took the bouquet from the bride then, lightly clasping it with her own.

Carine nodded to Beau. "If you would lift Edythe's veil, please."

He released her hand then, using both of his to slowly fold back the veil. It was like opening up a present, the way her whole face lit up as their eyes meet unobstructed for the first time all day. Beau lightly brushed the back of his hand along the length of her cheek. She responded in kind by leaning into his brief touch, her eyes dancing.

Carine had them fold their hands together once more. "The vows you make today are to each other and are as eternal as this world and beyond. They are not said lightly for you both understand the implications of these words as only our kind can. The love you share will light your way in darkness, strengthen your resolve in the face of obstacles. You will rely on each other but remain complete beings still, not two halves of a whole but two people destined to walk a single path. There will be bumps and bruises for we are not infallible, but what you must remember above all else is that love will only get you part of the way there. You must both be committed to working constantly to make it through the rest of the journey. Do you understand?"

"Yes," they answered together.

"Then I ask you now to make this vow to each other." As she spoke, Archie pulled from his inside jacket a velvet box, handing it to Carine. Inside was the second of two rings that had been passed down to Beau from his father, retrieved back from Edythe for the ceremony. Accompanying her ring was a simple silver band she had picked out for Beau. It bore a certain similarity to her ring, the two complimenting each other as the couple themselves did.

She looked first at Beau. "Do you, Beaufort Michael Swan, promise to love this woman before you, in good times and in bad, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." His voice didn't even shake. He reached to the velvet box, removing the ring intended for Edythe. She lifted her left hand for him to slide it on beside it's twin. He brought his lips to the completed pair before releasing her.

Carine turned to Edythe now. "Do you, Edythe Anne Masen Cullen, promise to love this man before you, in good times and in bad, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." The dimples at the corners of her mouth were out in full force. She copied Beau, taking his ring from Carine so she could place it on him, kissing the band softly once in place.

"Than by the power vested in me as a woman of faith and the head of our family," she said with a rich laugh. "I may now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Beau didn't need to be told twice. He pulled Edythe by her waist until there was no space between their bodies. In the same moment, she threw her arms around his neck, lifting herself up so their lips could finally meet to the thunderous cheers of their extended family. The whooping grew as the couple's kiss lasted longer than was customary, though no one bothered to try to pry them off each other. It was their moment to enjoy as thoroughly as they wanted.

When Beau finally put Edythe back in her feet, their attention was immediately seized by their army of well wishers. As they accepted another round of spirited hugs and displays of affections, ducking some of the more particularly exuberant displays from their cousins, they kept their hands locked together in an iron grip.

This was not for fear of being separated or even to tie themselves together for the sake of affection - it was simply the most natural thing for them, to be touching in some way from now on. It was the only way to satisfy the humming surge of energy that seemed to tingle across the surface of their skin when they were near each other. They were like magnets, being pulled together by a current - and when they met, the bond was instantaneous and impossible to shake. They simply belonged together.