Months later
Brielle and Dave were spending the day together since they'd met several months ago. Dave had settled into his apartment quite nicely and Brielle had helped decorate it to where it was very comfortable.
Dave offered to cook for her and Brielle agreed knowing that it was time to tell Dave what she was. She still wasn't entirely sure if Dave was human or not, but tonight secrets would be revealed. She suspected that's what Dave had in mind when he invited her to dinner at his apartment, as he apparently wanted privacy. This was something that Brielle could understand so hadn't protested.
"Dinners ready Brie," Dave told her coming from the kitchen.
Brielle had offered to help but Dave had turned it down. The smells coming from the kitchen were exquisite so that probably meant he was an excellent chef. It was a nice bonus, though not necessary.
"It's certainly smells good," Brielle said sniffing the air appreciatively.
"I hope you like it," Dave said smiling at her.
"I'm sure I will. After dinner I believe it's time we talk," Brielle told Dave and he nodded his expression rather worried.
"I agree it's time we talk," Dave said. "Let's just enjoy dinner first."
Dave led Brielle into the kitchen where the table was set for two.
The two of them shared an intimate dinner talking about everything under the sun while they ate their food.
The food was indeed scrumptious, Brielle thought, as she speared the pasta on her fork. The pasta was full of bits of ham with a nice white sauce.
"That was really good Dave. You're quite the cook," Brielle told him.
"Thanks," Dave said clearly appreciating the compliment. "I'll be happy to cook for you again instead of us going somewhere in town. How about we go sit on the couches in the living room?"
"Sounds good," Brielle agreed as calmly as possible.
The two of them went into the living room and sat it on the couch side by side.
"I have something to reveal," Brielle began. "Nocturne Falls is different from other towns. It's constantly Halloween for a good reason."
"I know all about supernaturals," Dave said, even as he turned on the couch to face her putting a hand on her arm gently. "I'm not affected by the enchanted water here, because I already know the secret, since I'm not naturally supernatural."
"You do?" Brielle asked astonishment studying Dave's face for signs of lying. However, if Dave knew all about supernaturals then he couldn't really be lying and that made her very glad, as that meant their relationship wasn't going to break up over the secrets she been keeping. He had also just mentioned the water that was enchanted so that the human tourist would take it all as a big gag and most people did not know about the water, which was further proof.
"I do," Dave said calmly. "I have secrets of my own, which is why I invited you to my apartment for dinner."
"What kind of supernatural are you Dave? If you know all about supernaturals you must be one," Brielle said.
Brielle never thought about the fact that some humans did know about supernaturals Roxy St. James being a case in point.
"Not quite," Dave said. "What I'm about to reveal to its important you never tell any else. You have to swear not to tell anyone else without my permission."
Brielle studied Dave's face, his expression and body language then nodded solemnly. To give her oath was serious and could take either her magic or kill her if she broke her word so a witch rarely gave her oath. Not unless they trusted the person completely.
"I swear on my magic to never reveal what you tell me unless you give me permission to do so unless it harms someone I care about," Brielle said finally giving her magical oath.
"Thank you for that," Dave said feeling honored as he knew what giving an oath like that could cost Brielle. "I am not supernatural in the traditional sense," Dave began. "I am something else entirely. I am immortal. I can't die except in a specific way and have been around for a very long time."
Brielle listened to Dave's words, but knew he was telling the truth as she could usually tell when someone was lying and made a very good lie detector.
"If you were immortal wouldn't that make you supernatural?" Brielle asked.
"I suppose technically," Dave admitted. "How I became immortal is quite the story, as I wasn't born this way, which is why I say I'm not supernatural. I've known about supernaturals for very long time though."
"Well, you've told me your secret," Brielle said. "I suppose it's time to tell you mine."
"I already know what kind of supernatural you are," Dave told Brielle. "You're not a shifter or a vampire, or a fae, or an elf, so I would say you're a witch. I'm also aware that they are other kinds of supernaturals like gargoyles, but if I'm wrong you're welcome to correct me."
"You aren't wrong," Brielle said. "I'm so relieved that you already know what I am, though I do understand why you insisted on that magical oath. As far as I know they're are no immortal supernaturals, though vampires come the closest."
"No they're not and I've never met another immortal like me," Dave said relieved that his explanation had gone so well. "There might be one or two out there for all I know, but I never actually run across one in all my centuries."
"Can I ask how you became immortal?" Brielle asked.
"Course you can," Dave said and then explained about the God he had run across centuries ago. "And that is my story in a nutshell," Dave finished.
Brielle listened in fascination as Dave told the story of how a God had become interested in him and turned him immortal without a by-your-leave or an explanation.
"Well, that's some story," Brielle said. "I have a question though."
"Ask away," Dave said.
"Why tell me?" Brielle asked. "I mean you made me take that oath, so I couldn't reveal your secret and you must've known that it would either kill me or take my magic if I did. Still, why tell me?"
"Well, I do have a good reason for it," Dave said. Dave produced a ring box from his pocket and then asked Brielle, "Brie, you are the love of my existence. Will you marry me?"
Brielle stared at Dave for a few seconds and then took the ring and kissed him senseless all without saying a word.
"Is that a yes?" Dave asked playfully once he had recovered from the assault.
"What do you think?" Brielle asked Dave with a mischievous grin.
"Now you understand why I told you," Dave added after a few moments of them simply holding each other tenderly, even as Dave slipped the ring he had chosen at Illusions on to her finger. "You don't keep secrets in a marriage as you'll soon be immortal as well."
"How?" Brielle asked.
"Through sex," Dave explained. "You know that a man's seed carries his DNA. It'll take you awhile to absorb enough of it so that you'll like I am."
"Question," Brielle said. "Have you ever turned anybody else immortal?"
"It did happen once," Dave said soberly. "Back when I was a young immortal and I had no idea I could turn someone just by having sex with them too much. Me and this lady had this relationship centuries ago. She was a well-known professional. We were together for some months and I discovered I had turned her immortal totally on accident. We had to keep our relationship quiet because back then having sex with a woman without marriage was taboo or at least frowned on, even though she was a professional lady of the evening."
Whore, Brielle figured but said nothing.
"So what happened to the lady?" Brielle asked.
"She was permanently killed many years ago. It is possible you know," Dave said. "She wasn't careful enough and she was burned out of her business with her inside."
"So a immortal can be killed by fire like vampires," Brielle said and Dave nodded.
"It's one of the few ways we can permanently die yes, though we will heal if we manage to escape the flames," Dave said. "I felt an instant connection to you the minute I set eyes on you. I instantly knew I wanted to get to know you better. Luckily for me, you weren't married or have a significant other so you were free for me to pursue."
"So you've never felt such a connection before with other women?" Brielle asked.
"Absolutely never," Dave shook his head negatively. "I won't say I haven't been close to people before not just women, but most of them never knew that I was different. I was always careful after I turned Adele immortal totally on accident. I either used a condom after they were invented or I kept it mostly to one night stands. I never again made the mistake of having a relationship with a woman for months, not without protection."
"The God who turned you into what you are sounds totally irresponsible," Brielle said.
Dave snorted in agreement with that. "Don't think I don't agree with you, as I always thought it amused him to do what he did to me. I've never met another God or at least someone Godlike, though I've seen a lot of unusual things in my time."
"I would think the least this God, whoever he was, could've done was explain," Brielle sad.
"I always thought so," Dave agreed soberly. "The God who granted me this gift or curse depending on your point of view said I would always do the right thing. Why he chose me I have no idea, though I did try to help my neighbors from time to time back when I was born. On the other hand, I've seen many things that most people never get a chance to experience. I help people to maintain their businesses or start one when I find someone I can be of help too. They have to be honest and not trying to lie to me, to get me to give them some of my money. I can nearly always tell."
"That is a talent we share as I can usually tell when someone's lying as well," Brielle said.
"It's a useful talent to develop," Dave admitted. "I've seen every kind of behavior over the years, which is why I can read people so accurately."
"As for me mine it's more of a natural talent. I think it has something to do with my magic," Brielle said.
"It doesn't matter really how you acquired it, it's still a useful skill to have," Dave said.
The two talked for quite some time and then Dave took Brielle home and told her he'd see her tomorrow.
~~~Dave and Brielle~~~
"Plan whatever kind of wedding you want. Believe me, I have more money then I'll spend in 1000 years," Dave told Brielle the next day, as they were having breakfast at Mummy's Diner.
"Pandy will be so excited for me and so will the rest of my family and friends," Brielle said. "My Aunt Corette owns a bridal shop named Ever After. I want to get my wedding dress from there. My aunt will give me a discount for one thing, since I am her niece and they really have some spectacular dresses, which is the main reason I want to go there."
"I've seen it, though I haven't been in," Dave said.
"It's where a lot of brides go for their dresses," Brielle said. "Really, it's a store for females and males alike as my aunt carries everything for both sexes that has to do with wedding apparel. You should get your tux from there, as my Aunt Corette will likely give you a discount, because you'll soon be family."
"So you haven't told anyone about our engagement yet?" Dave said and Brielle shook her head.
"It was too late to call Pandy, when I left your apartment, as she has a husband and daughter she was spending time with I'm sure. As for Aunt Corette she was likely spending time with Stanhill. I expect them to announce their wedding date any time now as they been engaged for quite awhile."
"Yes, I met Stanhill briefly when I had that meeting with Hugh," Dave said. "I didn't know he was dating your aunt though."
"They've been engaged for awhile. All of the family love him. He comes to dinner at my aunt's home at least once a week," Brielle explained.
"He seemed like a nice guy to me," Dave said.
"He is. From the way I understand it he's been with Hugh Ellingham since the beginning before he was turned into a vampire.
"Yet he's not a vampire as I would be able to tell," Dave said. "I also don't believe he's immortal like I am."
"You're asking how he isn't dead," Brielle realized and Dave nodded.
"I know about the supernatural world, but I thought only vampires were so long lived," Dave said.
"He's what's known as a rook," Brielle explained. "It means he's halfway between a vampire and a mortal. From the way I understand it, he was bitten only once to give him Hugh Ellingham's immortality but without turning him into a full vampire. He never gets sick and he heals faster than a human and that's about it. He was the valet for Hugh back when the family was still mortal and still works for him."
"So it's basically, just a different kind of immortality," Dave said speaking softly and Brielle nodded.
"His master would have been happy to turn him into a full vampire but Stanhill didn't want that. He's happy as he is. He would've been taken by the plague just like the Ellinghams if Hugh hadn't done what he had. So I've been meaning to ask how are you and Hugh know each other," Brielle asked.
"I saved his life," Dave explained softly not wanting anybody else to overhear their conversation. Mummy's was between the breakfast and lunch crowd so there weren't many people present right now but still Dave kept his voice down. "A vampire hunter was after him, but I happened to be in the area and so I rescued him and killed the vampire hunter but not without great injury to myself. Hugh thought I was dead until I showed up in his office where I shocked the hell out of him. He didn't know I was immortal until then. In fact, he didn't even realize that immortals existed other than vampires of course."
"I would certainly be shocked if I saw someone that should've been dead centuries ago just showed up," Brielle smirked.
"At first, he thought I might be a descendent of the man that had saved his life, but I looked like his rescuers identical twin so that meant I had to be the same guy, because that's not the way genetics work. A descendent might come out looking a great deal like their ancestor but not an exact copy," Dave said. "We had a few rough moments but he said so long as I meant no harm to anybody in Nocturne Falls that I was welcome. I told him that I was looking to put down some roots, maybe start a business and that was the absolute truth, something Hugh recognized. Of course, I didn't expect to run into someone that I felt an instant connection to immediately after arriving."
Brielle giggled as Dave looked at her with a small smile. "You've made my life so much better, so much less lonely."
"I'm happy I could help," Brielle answered with good humor as their food was delivered.
"I didn't know you were Pandora's cousin when we first met but it didn't take me long to figure out what kind of supernatural you were. I did know that Pandora was a witch though, because Hugh happened to mention it and said she was the most popular real estate agent in town."
"I am planning to go by my aunt's bridal shop as soon as we finish breakfast," Brielle said. "Tell her the news. I'm sure she will be glad to help me plan my wedding, even as she's planning her own. I know Pandy definitely will."
The two of them ate their breakfast as they talked quietly and Dave paid the check once they were finished.
~~~Dave and Brielle~~~
"Aunt Corette? Are you here?" Brielle called as soon as she got inside Ever After.
"Brielle is that you?" came Corette's voice from somewhere in the store.
"Of course, aunt, I have some news," Brielle said trying to keep the excitement out of her voice.
Corette appeared from the back of the store. "What can I do for you Brie? You haven't visited in awhile."
"I know I'm sorry about that," Brielle said. "It's just I've been really busy."
"You've been busy with your paramour," Corette corrected.
"Aunt Corette!" Brielle blushed. "That's hardly an appropriate term as our relationship is hardly illicit. Dave's never been married for one thing."
"Alright fine, your boyfriend," Corette said
"That's better and definitely more accurate," Brielle said.
"So what's the news? As you you are in an awfully good mood," Corette said.
Brielle said nothing and simply showed her aunt the ring on her right ring finger.
"So your boyfriend proposed then?" Corette said.
"Yes, Dave did. Last night," Brielle explained. "We had dinner and he cooked."
"So did you tell him you're a witch?" Corette asked.
"Yes, I did, but he already knew," Brielle said. "Once he knew Pandy was my cousin he knew what I was. Hugh Ellingham happened to mention Pandora when he first arrived and how she was the most popular real estate agent in town. The two of them apparently had a meeting right after Dave got to Nocturne Falls."
"So that must mean he's some kind of supernatural then after all," Corette said.
Brielle said nothing as Corette thought about what her niece had told her.
"So are you going to give me a hint?" Corette asked.
"No, because I promised Dave I wouldn't tell anyone unless he gave me permission," Brielle said shaking her head.
"Why the secrecy?" Corette wondered,
"He just likes his privacy that's all," Brielle said shrugging casually. "So I was hoping you could help me plan the wedding, even though I know you're planning your own to Stanhill. I was going to ask Pandy to help too," Brialle added changing the subject to distract her aunt.
"I'd be happy to," Corette said truly happy for her niece. "You'll have to tell me all the details and how many guests you plan to invite. You will be buying your dress from here at a discount."
Corette tone brooked no nonsense.
"Course I will, I was already planning to and I told Dave as much," Brielle said. "He didn't give me a limit on what I could spend for the wedding and told me to spend what I want. He told me that he's only planning on getting married once and that he has plenty of money. He's not stingy with his money like so many men. "
"I'm so happy to see you finally settling down Brie," Corette told her niece in a happy tone of voice. "I mean Pandora and Marigold have both settled down. It was about time you followed their example."
"I'm not that old, Aunt Corette," Brielle protested. "I've dated you know that. It's just nothing ever clicked until I met Dave that is. I have nothing against marrying, but I also didn't want to marry one of my old boyfriends as it only would have ended in divorce at some point. I love Dave so much more than I ever did those yahoos I dated in the past. He's courteous, polite, intelligent, well-mannered, easygoing and doesn't lose his temper easily. I won't claim he doesn't have one just that it takes a lot for him to lose it. Let's not forget handsome, though that last one isn't a requirement, just a bonus."
"He sounds perfect for you and that's all that matters, dear," Corette said kissing Brielle on the cheek. "You, me and Pandora will have to start planning. Have you told Pandora the news yet?"
"She was gonna be my next stop," Brielle promised. "You're welcome to pass the word among the rest of the family."
"Once I do you'll be indentured with congratulations," Corette warned.
"I don't mind that at all," Brielle said smiling hugely. She gave her aunt a hug before waving goodbye. "I promised I'd meet Dave in an hour or so I really need to go find Pandora now and tell her the news.
"You go ahead and I'm very happy for you Brielle," Corette said. "Congratulations again."
"Thank you, Aunt Corette. I'm very happy and I'm looking forward to my wedding and having children of my own," Brielle said before she left to find Pandora.
~~~Dave and Brielle~~~
"I'm so happy for you!" Pandora told Brielle excitedly. "I just know you were falling in love with Dave."
"How could you possibly know that?" Brielle inquired.
"Because I noticed the attraction between you," Pandora answered simply. "Alright, it might not have led anywhere, but the attraction was very strong."
"You always were perceptive," Brielle snorted in amusement.
"Besides, Nocturne Falls has become the place to fall in love and get married. People drive from all over the state just to have their weddings in Nocturne Falls," Pandora added. "It's also near the top on peoples buckets list when it comes to tying the knot."
"True," Brielle agreed. "I came to tell you that Dave proposed and to ask for your help to plan the wedding."
"What...?" Pandora began to ask when Brielle shook her head firmly.
"No, I'm not gonna tell you what kind of supernatural Dave is as Aunt Corette has already asked and I refused divulge it."
"So I assume Dave asked you not to say anything," Pandora said and Brielle nodded in confirmation.
"He did and I took an oath on it. Unless he gives me permission I'm not going to say a word," Brielle agreed.
"Why so secretive?" Pandora wondered. "I mean, this is a town for supernaturals to be themselves so why does he need to keep it a secret?"
"He doesn't necessarily. He just likes his privacy," Brielle said, "and I agreed to keep his secret."
"But if you took a magical oath on it he must really not want people to know," Pandora said.
"That's his choice," Brielle said. "I just made sure he was being truthful and honest with me before I agreed."
Pandora quit asking her cousin what kind of supernatural Dave was as she had taken a magical oath on it, so she literally couldn't say anything without losing her magic or possibly dying. Pandora did wonder why Dave was being so secretive, but also knew that Dave loved Brielle so she'd keep her curiosity to herself. So long as Dave treated her cousin well she wouldn't ask what kind of supernatural he was though she was very curious. She would give him that courtesy.
"I'll ask if I can tell you, but if he says no, then I won't," Brielle finally conceded. "He might have to get to know you better before he'll agree."
"I won't push you on the subject," Pandora told Brielle. "That wouldn't be fair to you, because you took a magical oath not to reveal what he told you. I won't deny I'm curious just as I'm sure mom was curious when she asked, but we all know that break your oath is to lose your magic and that's at a minimum. Nobody wants that, which is why I'm not pushing."
"Thanks Pandy," Brielle told her cousin giving her a hug.
"You're welcome," Pandora said return in the hug. "When you two are ready to start looking for a house let me know. That apartment that Dave is living in it's not big enough for a family."
"Well, there is an extra bedroom but that's only enough for one child," Brielle agreed. "You can start looking for a house and let us know when something suitable comes free. If Dave and I have to build a place, buy land and everything it's going to take longer."
"There are several plots of land available," Pandora said, "if you have to do that. They aren't really centrally located near all the shops and restaurants though, but are still within the city limits."
"Well, we'll see," Brielle said, "just keep an eye out for me."
"Can do," Pandora told her cousin cheerfully. "I'm so glad you've finally fallen in love. I never thought I'd fall in love either, but then, it happened and I gained an adoptive daughter on top of it."
"And when are you going to have your own kids?" Brielle asked. "I mean we're the same age and you've been married longer."
"Cole and I have just been so busy," Pandora said, "that we didn't think we could handle another kid on top of everything else."
"That's no excuse as you'll have plenty of babysitters me for one Aunt Corette for another, even Stanhill," Brielle said.
"It will happen, but probably not for awhile," Pandora said.
"I've got to go. I promised to meet Dave about now I don't want to keep him waiting. We're spending the rest of the day together," Brielle looking at her watch.
"You go then, you, me and mom can discuss wedding details a little later."
Brielle left Pandora in her office and headed to where she was supposed to meet her fiancé.
Dave's face lit up the instant he saw her after she had arrived at her destination just solidified her decision to marry him. It wasn't even that she was having doubts as she loved Dave so much and she knew with certainty that he loved and adored her and that was the way it should be for numerous reasons.
"Hey handsome," Brielle greeted him with a smile, even as she snuggled into his arms.
"Hey yourself gorgeous," Dave returned the greeting seeming amused at the way Brielle had greeted him.
"Sorry, if I'm a few minutes late. I got busy talking to Pandy. Both her and my aunt are curious what kind of supernatural you are by the way, but I refused to say anything."
"Thanks for that," Dave said.
"I would like to tell Pandora at least, though she won't ask, as she's too polite for that. Besides, she knows that I offered you my oath and she doesn't want me to lose my magic. She had trouble with her magic for a lot of years as you know."
"Yeah I know that happens sometimes," Dave said as he and Brielle talked softly.
"Then she met Cole, who just happened to be a familiar in human form," Brielle said.
"I suppose you can tell Pandora at least," Dave finally answered his fiancee's initial question. "I know you trust her to not go blabbing my secret all over Nocturne Falls. Make sure you do it somewhere very private where no one is going to interrupt you and make her promise beforehand that she is not to tell anyone her mother, her husband, her daughter, her sisters or friends or anyone."
"Thank you for that," Brielle said very moved that Dave was willing to let her tell Pandora his biggest secret. "I promise Pandora won't say anything if I ask her not to."
"Maybe we'll tell the rest of your family at a later date once I get to know them better," Dave added.
"Why are you so afraid of people live in your secret?" Brielle asked.
"It's not that I'm afraid," Dave denied then explained. "It's that I like my privacy and I don't need someone approaching me wanting me to turn them immortal for all the wrong reasons. If there's one thing I've learned in my long life it's that people human, supernatural, really anyone can be depraved if they really want something. The fact, that I might not be able to pass it on, except in the way I've already explained to you, will never occur to some people and they could kidnap you or someone else I care about, like one of our children, in order to try to force me to do what they want. They could threaten to kill you, rape you or any other number of depraved acts if I didn't cooperate. The fact that I can't cooperate past a certain point wouldn't matter to some people of the criminal mindset. Even if I told someone that I couldn't turn them immortal they probably wouldn't believe me and would likely threaten someone I love in order to supposedly get me to do what they want. I would then have to kill whoever it was and I don't want to do that. If I didn't kill them though it would be like an albatross around our necks and those of our descendants. Until that person died off we'd always have to be on our guards and that's no way to live. I've had trouble over the centuries just when some people find out I'm very wealthy. I don't want the wrong type of people to find out I'm immortal as that will bring us even more trouble."
"I see," Brielle said finally understanding why Dave didn't want to let many people know that he was immortal.
She and her family had faced numerous threats over the years so she knew that their was true evil in the world though she hadn't thought about anybody wanting Dave's immortality for themselves so would commit illegal acts. She now knew she had been being naïve or at least hadn't thought about it from Dave's point of view, but now she realized that Dave was right. There were evil people in the world that could try to get Dave's immortality, even if he couldn't pass it on, except through the way he had told her.
"I understand your caution very well, as my family has faced numerous threats over the years, but we stand together and with the help of the community we don't give into those kinds of people."
"It's good you're not totally naïve as that can lead to you being taken advantage of," Dave said, "though now that I'm around, I'll protect you if I can."
"I'm looking forward to our wedding," Brielle told Dave, just to change the subject, as everything that needed to be said about his immortality had been for the moment.
"So am I. I am eagerly anticipating our wedding night," Dave said, even as he kissed her thoroughly.
"So what about some lunch?" Brielle offered, even as her stomach growled.
"Sounds good," Dave said agreeably. "I can't believe it's already 1 o'clock. It seems like we just had breakfast not that long ago. By the way your stomach is growling I know you're hungry, just like I am."
"Time flies when you're enjoying yourself," Brielle suggested and Dave chuckled.
"That it does," Dave agreed, even as he helped Brielle rise to her feet. "I've certainly enjoyed myself more than I have in years after we met, so I understand what you mean."
Dave and Brielle linked hands as soon as they were standing and wandered towards Howler's where there was already a lunch crowd.
~~~Dave and Brielle~~~
Epilogue
Brielle finally managed to corner Pandora at her office a couple of days later, then checked to make sure nobody else was in the area and locked the door, so nobody could enter.
"What's the deal?" Pandora asked, as she gazed at her cousin in curiosity.
"I asked Dave if I could tell you what kind of supernatural he was and he agreed to let me. He said to make sure I was somewhere very private with no one else around, which is why I checked every room and then locked the door so nobody can come in."
"This must be some secret," Pandora said pure curiosity on her face and her tone of voice.
"It is. Dave explained his reasons why he doesn't want many people to know and once I thought about it from his point of view I agreed," Brielle said.
"So?" Pandora asked.
"I need your word that you will say nothing to anyone your husband, your daughter, mom, Stanhill or anybody," Brielle said
"I'm not going to have to take a magical oath, am I?" Pandora asked worriedly. "I don't think I want to know bad enough to risk my magic, as it didn't work right for a lot of years as it is."
"Dave didn't insist on that and neither will I. Your word is good enough, as I know you're not one to blab if I swear you to secrecy," Brielle said.
"All right then," Pandora said relaxing now that she knew she wouldn't have to take a magical oath. "I swear I won't say a word to anyone not to mom, not to Cole, not Kaley or anybody else.
"Good. Dave's not naturally supernatural, he's immortal," Brielle explained.
Brielle explained exactly what that meant and how Dave had been turned immortal.
"But why does he want to keep it a secret?" Pandora asked seeming stunned at the information her cousin had given her.
"Think about it," Brielle suggested. "You know not everybody, supernatural or otherwise, is a good person and what do you think would happen if one of those people learn that Dave was immortal?"
"I hadn't really thought about it like that," Pandora said seeming to suddenly realize that such a secret could be dangerous, which is why she could now I understand why Dave didn't want many people to know. Some people would try to get Dave's immortality for themselves and could kidnap or kill the people Dave loved until they got what they wanted. Most people could and would perform horrible acts if Dave denied them.
"I didn't either, until Dave explained it to me after I'd already told you I was engaged. The two of us met up in our favorite spot in the park and he then explained that people could be depraved but only when I asked why he didn't want many people to know. Once he did, he made me think and I realized I was being naïve and hadn't looked at things from Dave's point of view."
"I understand now why Dave doesn't want many people to know what he is," Pandora said as she absorbed the information that her cousin had just given her. "Some depraved person could kidnap you or anyone Dave cared about to get him to cooperate."
"He's already said he would have to kill the person that did so, though he also said he doesn't want to have to," Brielle said.
"Why not just take their knowledge of Dave's secret?" Pandora asked.
"I hadn't thought about that, but I'll mention to Dave, because I'm sure he'd prefer for me to make that person forget that they ever knew his secret. That way Dave doesn't have to kill whoever it is," Brielle said. "I don't believe I didn't think about that and suggest it to Dave when he told me what he would have to do."
"Don't kick yourself just because you didn't think of such an easy solution. You would have eventually and that's what matters," Pandora told her cousin.
"I still feel like an idiot," Brielle said. "However, you're right. Remember not a word to anyone, not to Aunt Corette, Cole or anyone."
"I won't," Pandora promised again and Brielle nodded. "I still find what you told me amazing."
"I can't blame you there. In a way though, Dave is also a supernatural, even if he wasn't born as one he still falls into that category."
"I suppose that's true," Pandora agreed after a moment.
"Now that you know I've got to go and meet Dave," Brielle said. "We can discuss wedding plans tomorrow."
"One question," Pandora requested and Brielle nodded waiting impatiently.
"Is there a way to turn you immortal, as I can't see Dave letting you die at the end of your lifespan," Pandora asked.
"That's a very good question Pandy, though I'm surprised you managed to think of it so soon since I've given you so much information. The answer is yes, there is a way to turn me immortal. Something I've already agreed to when I agreed to marry him. I'll be here for the family for centuries to come."
"How?" Pandora asked curiously.
"Through sex," Brielle replied watching as her cousin blushed a bright red.
"It has something to do with DNA. I didn't bother to ask farther, as I'm sure I'd be confused at the explanation, so why bother and give myself a headache."
"That's not the answer I expected, but it makes sense when I think about it," Pandora said.
"It does," Brielle agreed in an amused tone. "I've really got to go now though."
"I'll see you later," Pandora said and Brielle nodded.
"You'll definitely see me around. I promise I'm not going anywhere. Nocturne Falls is my home and also now Dave's home," Brielle promised. "We might travel and see some more of the world, but we'll always return home to Nocturne Falls."
Brielle unlocked the door to Pandora's office and left after telling her cousin goodbye. She immediately went to find Dave. She missed him, even though it hadn't been long since she'd seen him.
Brielle was really looking forward to marrying the love of her life and she knew she'd be happy for a very long time. They would probably never have to leave Nocturne Falls at least not permanently, because this is where people minded their own business for the most part, though they did have their troublemakers. She and Dave would face any trouble that came their way together as nothing was going to ruin their happiness and the two of them would always have backup in her family and friends if they needed it. That was one thing that made Nocturne Falls such a great place to live the community was willing to help out those that were in trouble, because if you threatened one supernatural you threatened every supernatural.
She was looking forward to her and Dave's wedding and then having those children who would grow up and eventually find loves of their own. She'd always have her family around and plenty of friends and that made life worth living.