"You did?" he asked, completely taken aback.

Now that he thought about it, it made more than a little sense, but with all the time they had spent together, it was their future goals, both old and new, that seemed to evade every conversation. The future, despite not seeming as scary anymore, not as dreary with the brightness that Lettie brought him, was still too strange for him to spend more than a fleeting thought on. How could he, an unchanging immortal, really know anything about the future? Times change. Events change people. The only assurance he really had was the perseverance of the human race, and even that was an unoriginal thought, an optimism he inherited from Carlisle. So, it almost seemed useless to think about those long-forgotten dreams of his human childhood. The army, wars, family glory, what did any of that really amount to, but a blip on Earth's timeline?

But now, as he watched Lettie gently roll a paintbrush back and forth across the table, the nihilism towards dreams seemed almost as childish as he once thought those dreams were. Here she was, a ghost of nearly 150 years, possessing the memory of the average human, and still, she clung to her dream so tightly she recalled it as vividly as their class from the day before. You are remarkable.

"Oh, yes. To become a painter." She laughed to herself humorlessly. "It was a silly dream at the time. Even more so now that I no longer have the strength to do so."

"It's not silly," he comforted.

"When I was young, Wateridge women were not allowed entrance to any art program, and many families denied even the notion of a woman painting in the household. It was why so many in my community dreamed of traveling to cities, where it seemed women could be whatever they wished." A flash of a memory stabbed him then, the two of them lounging in the summer sun, deja vu of the sadness he felt when he originally spoke of her dream to go to New York. "As you know, my Father was a painter, as was my Mother. It felt natural to follow in their footsteps. But, my Father despised thinking of the arts after my Mother passed and was not outwardly proud of my dream. I felt silly, for I could not know if my dream of being a painter was my own, or the desperate connection I longed for with a Mother I never had the privilege to know."

"You're not silly for having a dream," he reassured, placing his hand over hers. "Not if it seems impossible, not even if it's the most ridiculous thing in the world."

"When…" she hesitated, fingers twitching under his, "When you were no longer human, did your dream remain the same?"

"That's hard to say." With a sigh, he reclined, replacing the contact with her hand by pressing his knee against her thigh. "As you know, my dream as a human was the same as everyone around me. We just wanted the War to end. So, when I woke up as this," he gestured to his golden eyes, "my newborn instincts took over, and I didn't really have time to think about human problems for a year or two. I found out several years later that the War ended less than two months after I was turned."

"Oh," she replied softly, at a loss for words.

"But I think," he continued before he could get too downtrodden, "my dream had always stemmed from the wish to keep my family safe. And that's still my dream, even today, even after everything my family has been through together."

"And I have introduced myself to it. I am sorry I have forced your family into danger."

"Woah, none of that." He nudged her softly. "You are not adding any more danger than the family manages to get themselves into on their own. I am-We are all happy to have you here." When it didn't seem to cheer her up, he leaned towards her. "There are plenty of dangers in the world. Emmett regularly puts himself in danger with his hunts. Rosalie likes to drive cars faster than they should go. If we had never met you, maybe one day we would have met another, more evil spirit, and been unprepared to handle it. Heck! We were at war when I was turned, and then again when Esme was still learning to control herself."

"Oh, yes," Lettie moaned, flopping back against the couch, "Do not remind me of that."

He snickered to himself at the memory of Lettie finding out that not only was there one world war, but two, and then Jasper's perfectly timed interjection about the Cold War. Her jaw was dropped the whole conversation.

"Are you talking about war again?" Alice questioned as she rushed into the room, tsking at Lettie's guilty look. She shot Edward a glare. "It took forever to get her back in a good mood last time!"

"Sorry, sorry," Edward said without guilt, raising his hands playfully. "She needed some cheering up."

"Cheering up?! Ugh! You're hopeless." Alice sent him another glare, and he watched it instantly melt away when she looked at Lettie. "You better get in a good mood quick because I finally finished your dress!"

"My…dress? Alice, have you made improvements?"

"Of course, silly! We can't let you wear something just off the rack." Lettie looked at her shocked, then turned to Edward.

"Were you aware?"

"It may have been the reason I brought us down here." Her eyes lit up. "Well? Are you ready to see it?"

"I do not know! I feel both anxiety and excitement at the same time!"

Edward and Alice laughed.

He had to admit, Alice had a way with fabric. There were only a few minor adjustments she made to the gown, but it transformed it completely. The burnt orange seemed to glow in Alice's heavily windowed room, long train pooling around the feet of the dress form. Instead of the somewhat revealing sweetheart neckline it used to have, Alice used the fabric from the decorative strap to fashion a modest halter, and the thigh-high slit was sewn to the knee. He was surprised originally when Lettie saw the dress, how much she adored it, when both the front and back were tight fitting, the skirt flaring just under the curve of her backside, but she insisted it was perfect, and Alice seemed to agree, keeping the overlapping fabric across the stomach untouched.

"Oh, Alice." Lettie's voice wavered as she stepped forward, hand running over the fabric. Her eyes were sparkling with tears. "It is more beautiful than I can express. Thank you. Thank you."

"Oh, I just knew you'd love it!" When Edward eyed her, Alice huffed. "Okay. I didn't know, but I knew, okay? It's too pretty of a dress not to love."

"Yes, I love it very much. You are magic with your talent."

"Even though I'm going to be sad about it burning, I just know you're going to look killer in it! Now, shoo!" Edward raised a brow at Alice, watching with skepticism as her hand was only directed in his direction.

"Me shoo?"

"Yes. We girls have to get ready, and you can't be here until the big reveal." Alice stuck out her hand, palm flat and demanding. "Go hunting. Emmett and Jasper are already waiting for you downstairs."

Edward eyed Lettie skeptically, but she was too enthralled with her dress to be paying close attention to their interaction. Hesitantly, he unlatched the necklace from around his neck, hovering it over Alice's open palm for a second before lowering it gently. Alice rolled her eyes playfully.

"We'll be fine here. Everyone else is staying behind to get ready, so go." She nodded to the open door, lowering her voice. "She'll be fine. We got everything covered."

"Thank you," he whispered. Turning, he gave Lettie a fond smile, raising his voice. "Alice will take care of you. I'm going to go hunting before tonight."

"Oh!" Spinning on her heel, she approached, hand reaching out to squeeze his arm gently. In return, he used his other hand to reach out, running a hand on the back of her head. "Be careful. I am very much looking forward to your return."

"Don't get into any trouble while I'm gone," he added playfully.

"That is something I should be asking of you, is it not?" she rebutted, teeth showing with her smile.

"You got me." He laughed but made no move to step away.

"Okay, great! Everyone is going to be careful and we'll all make it through tonight, blah, blah, blah. Now, get out of here!" Alice shoved him towards the door, breaking their connection. "Girl time started five minutes ago."

Though he always enjoyed hunting with his brothers, a combination of satiating the thirst that always seemed to hover right below the surface and spending time with two people who understood him without words, he was far too excited for tonight to pay their playful bickering any mind. Lettie had always looked the same to him, and as much as he joked about being unchanging, she had seen him in more looks than he cared to admit. Their time spent together in the rain was the only time she had ever looked different to him physically. So, the prospect of getting to see Lettie wear something different, a completely opposite color palette, sent a shiver down his spine.

His hand absentmindedly reached for where the necklace usually sat under his collar, already feeling lost with its absence.

"Keep it in your pants," Jasper jeered as he rushed by, a smirk on his face. Emmett hooted loudly.

"Woah! Eddie boy being a perv in his mind? That's hilarious!"

"Oh, shut up."

By the time they returned home, Jasper and Emmett worked in unison to herd him to a clearing near the house, suits hanging from a tree branch. They changed in relative silence, then spent a second assessing one another, fixing hair where needed, and straightening jackets. They each had a corsage in the suit pocket, flower color matching their respective ties. Though they were so close to the house, no one was betraying what they were seeing by their thoughts, each purposely singing something obnoxious to keep Edward in the dark. He didn't know if he should've been impressed or annoyed. Then, finally, the three of them walked out of the treeline.

The house was, as it always was, a beacon of light in the dense forest that surrounded them. Alice and Rosalie were speaking quietly, Rosalie fussing over the sparkly hair clip in Alice's gelled hair. Alice, always partial to short dresses, was sporting a deep blue knee-length dress of her own design, intricate beading crisscrossing across the top catching the light. Jasper approached with a smile, complimenting his date for the night as he fastened the corsage to her wrist. Emmett was much quicker, and more enthusiastic, rushing up to Rosalie, somehow remembering to be mindful of her makeup as he pressed several kisses across her face, endless compliments spilling from his lips. His deep red tie, of course, matched her deep red dress, shockingly more modest than she usually went for, though no less elegant, reminiscent of a 1950s cocktail dress. He knew immediately that Alice had made her dress as well, as the half bow on the front had an underside of sparkly fabric. Carlisle and Esme beside them with a camera, clad with chaperone-appropriate garb, were laughing with Lettie as she nervously smoothed her dress.

And, oh. Oh.

Despite seeing the dress already that morning, the mannequin did nothing to prepare him for what it would look like on her. He felt innocently youthful as the newly exposed skin of her shoulders sent a shiver through his body, but he couldn't help but stare, eyes flickering between the constellation of moles he never knew she had. Her hair was somehow pulled away from her face, pinned to her head with more bobby pins than he could count, exposing her long neck to the elements. The dress hugged her curves deliciously, stomach pudge wrapped like a gift in the orange satin. With the way she was running her hands over the tight fabric on her rear, he knew she was feeling a little self-conscious, the fabric pulling taut against her. He was transfixed with the way the light bounced the orange against her skin, bathing her in a sunny glow.

His own personal sun.

"She looks very pretty, doesn't she, Edward?" Esme teased, breaking his stare. His parents were looking at him with twin smirks, ones he did not like, as if they knew something he didn't. Lettie whipped her head towards him, a singular curl falling from her head to sweep across her shoulder. His lips instinctively pulled up as her face brightened, practically skipping down the steps, heels clicking against the wood.

"You have shoes," he said in lieu of a compliment, despite the countless ones spinning around his head. Lettie laughed, raising the dress hem to show off the sparkly shoes on her feet.

"Yes! Alice has selected a pair that shines with the dress, does it not?" He watched as she wiggled her toes (her toes!) against the crisscrossing strap. "I have not had shoes to wear in many years, and these are much more lovely than the pair I remember wearing last."

"They are…something." He cleared his throat, trying not to trail his eyes up her body as he looked at her face once again. Her face was still without makeup, but there seemed to be something sparkling in her tamed curls, like a fairy had tapped her on the head with its magical wand. Edward reached out without realizing it, gently rubbing a knuckle across her temple and into her hairline.

The corsage, Edward!, Alice's impatient tone snapped in his head, startling him. Edward cleared his throat and awkwardly held up the plastic case, popping open the lid. Alice was always one to match, and this was no exception; a large orange rose sat in the center, small red and blue flowers dotted the foliage. Now that the case was open, he could tell that instead of the typical elastic band, this corsage was made completely out of flowers, a thick vine meant to tie around the wrist of the wearer.

"What is this?" Lettie asked curiously.

"It's a newer tradition, but when your, erm-...date picks you up for Prom, they'll bring a corsage with them. Less cumbersome than a bouquet." Alice's voice rang out in his head again, reminding him of a very crucial step in the process. "Oh, right. Um, I offer this to the spirit world."

Before his eyes, he watched the corsage dull slightly. Lettie waited for a beat, then reached out, easily plucking it from the case.

"You can wear it around your wrist, that's where it usually goes." When he tried to reach out and grab it, his hand passed through, much to his surprise. Lettie laughed at his shocked face.

"Thank you, Teddy." With quick fingers, she had a knot tightly fastened to her wrist, holding it out to admire her newest addition. Her fingers rested gently against his chest, right above his unbeaten heart. He was thankful, in that moment, that his heartbeat wouldn't have given away his nerves.

"I know Alice already said I wanted to go with you," he started before he could second guess himself, "but you deserve a proper ask." He placed his hand atop hers, holding eye contact even as his nerves wanted to look away. "Will you go to Prom with me, Lettie Carnall?"

Lettie's returning smile nearly made him fall to his knees.

"I would go anywhere you desire, especially when you speak so kindly."

"Yo! You lovebirds coming or what?" As much as he didn't want to, his eyes pulled away from Lettie's, narrowing to a glare at Emmett's boisterous voice. The family was gathered by the cars already, watching them with mixed emotions.

"Shall we?" he asked his date for the night, holding his elbow out, ever the movie-worthy gentleman. Lettie's eye lit up at the action, instantly placing her hand in the crook.

Fork's Prom was as extravagant as a small town could get. As soon as they pulled up, it was obvious where the party was, multicolored lights flashing through the high gymnasium windows, balloon arch signaling the entrance. It was well underway already, Rosalie's insistence on being fashionably late putting them just after the immediate group of eager high schoolers. Just outside the doors, where music was blastic loud enough to be heard even by humans in the parking lot, a photographer was tiredly looking through the camera on his lap. Edward, in that moment, realized that it was very unlike Alice not to force him into some photos, even if this was only one of many Prom's he'd been to. At his incredulous look, Alice nodded her head to Lettie.

Oh, right.

Carlisle and Esme separated from the group immediately, promising to keep an eye out for them as they went to relieve the chaperones that helped with the first half of the night. Alice and Rosalie, in turn, started fussing over their dates, adjusting any minute wrinkle that could have happened in the car. Jasper, used to this, stood completely still, watching Alice fuss around him with a small smile, while Emmett made it that much more difficult for Rosalie, sneaking a kiss whenever her face was close enough. Edward pulled Lettie away, mindful of any watchful eyes.

"Where are we going?" she asked, voice dropped to a whisper. He snickered to himself, guiding them through the darkness to the back of the gym. Their shoes squished into the damp grass.

"Well, strictly speaking, we're not actually allowed to be here." Lettie looked at him scandalized, immediately sputtering. When she stumbled, he held her hand firm, pausing for a moment as a laughing couple passed by, minds filled with things he'd rather not know.

"Teddy-"

"It's alright, it's alright," he reassured, squeezing her hand gently. With a quick hop they were at the back door, concealed from view of the street. He pulled them up against the metal door, listening for familiar footsteps. "Prom is usually only for Juniors and Seniors, but Sophomores are allowed if they have a date from the upper classes. Alice formally invited us, but since Jasper is her date, that invitation is null. But they don't have to know that."

As if on cue, the heavy metal door squealed open, Emmett's smiling face poking out.

"Come on! Let's party!"

The room was just as hot and sweaty as he recalled Prom being, horny teenagers sneakily grinding against each other while hawkeyed adults made the dance even more enticing. The most popular students of the school were heavily congregated in the center of the dance floor, jumping with no rhythm as a decade-too-late pop song hummed overhead. 'A Night in Paris' was the theme this year, as cliche as it was, faux Persian decor pasted across the walls. There was another photographer inside, teenagers pretending to be drunk as they took countless photos with different props. The backdrop was the only good piece of decor, hand painted by one of the only humans Rosalie seemed to tolerate.

Speaking of, Willa was already standing beside Rosalie, giving her endless compliments as Rosalie pretended not to be flattered. Jasper and Alice were off to the side, dancing to their own beat to keep Jasper distracted from the roaring blood of moving humans, conveniently located below one of the only open windows. Emmett gave Edward a hard smack on the shoulder before taking off, beelining towards a group of basketball players who looked far too mischievous to be standing beside the refreshments. As Emmett approached, they cheered, a silver flask flashing in one of their hands.

"Are you ready?" Edward covertly leaned down to ask, shucking his jacket off and dumping it in a nearby chair. The DJ announced the next song, the crowd roaring in cheers. Lettie took one look around, face flashing emotion, before nodding, practically running to join the renewed dance floor. Edward found himself laughing, chasing after her.

It was strange, he realized, how easy it felt to be doing something so human and not bat an eye. In the past, it was only by Alice's insistence that he attended, no matter how many humans asked him to go with them. If he could avoid it, he did, rather than staying home listening to his own music. With his vampire abilities, Prom was nothing more than a deafening accident waiting to happen, tantalizing blood practically throwing itself at him, lights and music fading together and overriding his senses. Now, however, as he watched Lettie forgo her dance training and jump up and down like every human around her, wildly trying to copy their every move, all of the anxiety of being trapped in that room disappeared. He danced with her, watched as Alice showed her only the best gothic dance moves (Alice's words), laughed as Emmett then taught her the funky chicken, and even got to see Rosalie fix a strand of her hair when she thought no one was looking.

Yes, the lights still hurt his eyes, and the music was nothing but a compilation of bad radio hits that drilled into his overly sensitive ears, but, it was worth it, worth looking like a fool, to see Lettie so happy.

Edward guided Lettie to sit down as the DJ transitioned to some slow songs, pretending to be out of breath to smoothly make their way from the floor. Thanks to Emmett and his human friends spiking earlier in the night, most of the partygoers were too out of it to focus on the music, continuing to dance as if nothing changed, even as they bumped into swaying couples. Emmett and Rosalie instantly took centerstage, looking effortlessly in love, her head resting on his chest as pressed a long kiss to her hair. Edward caught sight of Carlisle spinning Esme in the corner, taking a short break from their duties to enjoy a moment together. Alice and Jasper disappeared some time ago, somewhere between Usher's 'Yeah' and Outkast's 'Hey Ya!', no doubt reaching his limit for the night.

Though her dress was significantly darker in the multicolor strobe, Lettie was still glowing, happiness radiating off of her as she watched couples cover the dance floor. Edward slowed his steps as he approached from the punch stand, two plastic cups in his hands even though he could still feel the questionable look from the adult behind the table. No, he was too focused on Lettie. As he got closer, he traced her features over and over, watched as it slowly relaxed, and her happiness began to mix with something else. Sadness? A lump formed in his throat. He felt his feet take him faster.

"Dance with me," Lauren asked, jumping in front of him from the dance floor and forcing his eyes away from Lettie. Her question was barely one at all, a demand, something she thought she was owed. He ripped his arm away from her in response, manicured grip catching his sleeve as he met her leer with indifference. Behind them, he could feel the glare of an upperclassman he'd never bothered to notice before, mind spitting hate in his direction for stealing Lauren's attention away. He could barely repress an eye roll at both of them.

"Sorry," he replied flatly. With grace, he twirled around her, eyes on Lettie, whose focus was now on the two of them. He gave her a smile. "There's someone else I'd rather dance with."

"What? Who?"

Edward simply nodded his head towards Lettie, delighting as Lauren went red in anger. She stormed off, muttering about Edward being a dickhead, her upperclassman date rushing after her. He practically bounced off of Edward when he tried to shoulder-check him.

"That was not very kind," Lettie said with a frown as he approached, but Edward simply shrugged.

"It was the truth." Lettie continued to frown but turned back to the watching people dance.

Although he had gotten much better at being able to read Lettie's mind when there was family at the house, finally being able to hear when her thoughts weren't loud, this environment was still too rowdy to hear a single whisper from her head. He sat with a thump, trying to get a reaction from her, but her eyes stayed ahead.

"If I offer this drink, will you be able to take a sip?" That finally earned her attention, though only just. Her eyes flickered to the drink in his hand.

"I am unsure. It does not appear to be natural." To that, Edward laughed.

"No. You're right." He placed the cups on the ground without a second glance. "Tell me what you're thinking."

"I find myself thinking how much happier you would be at this dance if your partner was…visible."

In an instant, he was on his feet, hand outstretched.

"Would you care for a dance, Miss Carnall?" Edward said aloud, not caring to see if anyone was looking at him. Lettie, shock across her face, grabbed at his hand, tugging him to sit down, whipping her head back and forth to the others around them.

"Teddy," she hissed. "Please, do not arouse suspicion on my behalf."

"I won't, if you agree to dance with me."

"Please, they will see-"

"Then I guess we'll have to go where no one can see us." He pulled her up from the seat, pressing her close to him, wrapping her in his arms, and rushed out the door, using a flash of darkness to disappear.

The entrance was all but abandoned as they flew by, the teacher that had been watching the front too busy making out with the photographer to care who left. He rushed them through the streets and into the woods, the familiar path they had carved throughout the year beckoning him closer and closer to his destination. Early summer had brought color back into the trees, spring showers helping the lush undergrowth blossom.

The view from the top of the mountain was as breathtaking as it always had been, but this time, it wasn't the view that had his attention, but instead, the woman in front of him, a playful scowl on her face as he transferred them into an easy waltz, hand buzzing where it sat on her waist.

"Teddy…" she started, but as he met her glare head-on, returning it with a playfulness of his own, she huffed.

"Lettie…" He smiled down at her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "You look beautiful, by the way."

"You are flattering me."

"I'm being quite serious. But, it's the first time all night I've had a second alone with you to tell you."

"We have abandoned your family so you may express your admiration?" He raised his hand, guiding her twirl, and easily capturing her waist again.

"They won't miss us, don't worry." She fit effortlessly in his arms, using all of her talent for dance to copy his movements despite being unfamiliar with them. They turned effortlessly, Lettie's dress wrapping around his legs with every exaggerated turn. He found he rather enjoyed being wrapped up in her.

"And Prom? We have left far too early."

"We were there for hours." When she didn't relent, he continued, "And I promise next year we'll stay as long as you like. But, isn't this better?"

She scrunched up her face, faux thoughtful contemplation making him smile.

"If we remain longer the following year, will there be music?"

"Music? You mean, you don't hear it?"

Her brows furrowed earnestly that time, tilting her head to listen closer. Quietly, he began humming a familiar tune, spinning her in a grand arc. Lettie laughed, and he drew her close again, addicted to the feeling of being so close to her. With a sigh, she lowered her head, resting it on his chest, just like Rosalie had done to Emmett. And, just like them, Edward leaned down, letting his lips rest where his neck bent comfortably. With the height difference between his brother and him, his lips made contact with the crown of her head, skin meeting skin. He resisted the urge to pucker.

"Oh, yes. I can hear it now," she agreed softly. She squeezed his hand, their waltz slowing to a simple sway. "How lovely it is."