Disclaimer – Twilight and its characters belong to Stephanie Meyer

AN – A smaller chapter this time. This was not planned, but it felt right leaving it where it concludes. Next chapter should appear soon (holidays notwithstanding) as it was all mapped to follow this.

Thank you to my wonderful readers and very supportive Beta, I am having a great time.

Please note that this story will contain violence in later chapters. I will provide a warning at the start of those chapters.

Chapter Seven

I would like a man now who is rich, and who can give me a boat - a sailboat. I want to own it and let him pay for it. My first love is the sea and water, not music. Music is second.
~Nina Simone

Edward sat on a tree stump waiting for Carlisle. He looked around at the swamp wondering why the other had instructed him to wait there. They had run northwest from Oberlin towards the Great Lakes, stopping to hunt just east of the town of Huron.

Carlisle had then instructed Edward to run on ahead, letting him stretch his legs, while he followed.

The whole journey had been one of Edward following Carlisle's "breadcrumbs" by way of single thoughts. This was an old game that they had not played since he was a newborn.

Immediately after Edward had been turned and the nature of his talent had become apparent. Carlisle had devised a number of games to assist the young vampire in controlling his mind, therein reducing the chance that the inundation of stimuli would have a detrimental effect on the boy's mental health. They had also been used by Carlisle to keep a firm rein on the newly turned vampire. While Edward had enjoyed playing the game once again, he had also felt a little uncomfortable that they both fallen so easily into the roles of leader and follower.

He had followed the last of the breadcrumbs to this point, a sign helpfully identifying it as Sheldon's Marsh. Sitting quietly he could smell the brackish marsh water, see a glimpse of the beach through the dense foliage and hear the lapping of the lake against the breakwater.

Soon he heard, and then saw, Carlisle walking at a gentle pace towards him. Upon reaching Edward the other vampire held out his hand, encouraging him to stand.

"I'll lead the way from now on."

They walked down an overgrown path, no more than an animal trail, moving closer and closer to the sound of the water. A couple of times they were required to leap over the marsh waters, but maintained a steady northerly direction. Coming out from the marshes, Edward found that Carlisle had led him to a lovely little beach that stretched west along the length of the marshes and east up and along a spit which was the source of the breakwater he could hear.

Allowing them to pause only for a minute, Carlisle grabbed Edwards hand and led him east to the breakwater. The bush land here was dense and they were required to skirt around the edge of the breakwater, until Carlisle turned into a small track leading into the brush.

Carlisle slowed. Edward smelled something in addition to that of the marsh or lake. The scent of wood, paint, cloth and oil excited him. Carlisle moved aside and directed Edward to walk in front smugly following his eager mate.

Breaking through the brush Edward came face to face with a small boat house. It was clearly a recent structure which has been expertly hidden among the trees and bushes. He wandered to the front of the shed and, taking a quick look at Carlisle for confirmation, opened the double doors.

He stopped at the threshold, stunned.

The image that he had received from Carlisle had been that of a vessel much like his most recent row boat. It had been a lovely little boat – just big enough for the two of them – perfect for Edward to potter around their small lake.

This was…this was…amazing!

He reached his hand out reverently, as if afraid to touch it, should it disappear.

He looked again at Carlisle for confirmation.

"It's alright, Love. It's all yours."

Carlisle contentedly watched as the young vampire slid his hand along the side of the vessel.

Edward wandered around the vessel, lightly touching the hull. He was in shock, he had expected a row boat, a small sailboat at the very most, but this…this was too much.

"How did you…?" he breathed to Carlisle who had yet to cross the threshold into the boat house.

"I contacted the designer in Massachusetts, and convinced him to build you one of this particular design!"

"You spoke to John Alden!" It is not a question but rather an exclamation. He cannot believe that Carlisle procured for him a limited edition 28 foot Alden Triangle one-design racing sloop.

Running his hand along the wooden hull, he could feel the craftsmanship. The almost flawless finish which, along with the fin keel, would allow him to glide this beauty effortlessly through the water. Jumping up to the perfectly joined wooden deck, he briefly looked toward the companionway, behind which he knew he would find two berths for him and his love.

While the mast had been stowed to allow the vessel to be housed in the boat house, he can see the beauty in it, the rigging and sails. His hands itched to raise the mast and sails, set the rigging and head out into the lake.

He wandered to the bow of the vessel, looking over the front, wishing there was water and not dirt below him. Edward then wandered to the spoon shaped stern, noting the outboard motor attached to the rear.

"An engine?" he queried.

"Just in case I need to pilot the vessel," Carlisle assured him. "I would not want to hurt your new child."

Edward snorted at the last comment, but found himself sitting in the cockpit, running his hand gently along the timber sides.

He jumped down and walked around the entire length of the vessel. On this second lap he noticed something was missing.

"Does she have a name?"

Carlisle was pleased with his decision to resist the designer's firm suggestion that the vessel could not leave the docks without a name.

"Not yet. I wanted her to be yours, completely and only yours."

Edward was overwhelmed. He had never named a boat before.

His first row boat was simply 'boat'. It had been fitting and all he needed at the time.

The other boats he had either owned or used had already been named, so he had not been responsible for giving a vessel the name that would bring her to life.

Carlisle interrupted Edward's musings. "You do not have to name her right now. You can wait until you know her better."

Edward shook his head, "No! She has to be named before we launch her." He could not explain to Carlisle why this was important, but it was.

She must be treated with care and respect, so she would look after him out on the water. Like a parent would their child.

Then it hit him. It was so obvious, how did he not think of it straight away.

He gently touched the side of the vessel.

"Elizabeth," he whispered.

Carlisle is surprised, having expected Edward to choose a more classical name from one of his favorite compositions. This however is wonderful, he is so proud of his mate for honoring his mother in this way.

He walked up behind the young vampire and wrapping his arms around Edward's waist breathed into his hair.

"Perfect! Love!"

~*.*~