Edward helped me into his car, being very careful of my bulky walking cast. He ignored the put out expression on my face.
When he had me settled, he got in the driver's seat and headed back out the long, narrow drive.
"So are you ever going to tell me what's going on?" I asked. I wasn't overly fond of surprises and, as much as I enjoyed being with Edward, I would rather be in my bed right now.
"I'm shocked that you haven't figured it out yet." He threw a mischievous smile in my direction, and my breath caught in my throat.
"I did mention that you looked very nice, didn't I?" I verified.
"Yes." He grinned again. I'd never seen him dress in black before, and, with the contrast against his pale skin, his beauty was absolutely surreal. That much I couldn't deny, even if the fact that he was wearing a tuxedo made me very nervous. Even if the slim cut of it did make him look absolutely amazing.
Not quite as nervous as the deep blue tuxedo I was in. Or the exceedingly expensive shoe. Only one shoe, as my other foot was still securely incased in plaster. But this beautiful, leather shoe wasn't going to help me as I tried to hobble around. I could barely walk in sneakers.
"I'm not coming over anymore if Alice is going to treat me like her own personal Ken doll when I do," I griped. I'd spent the better part of the day in Alice's staggeringly vast bathroom, a helpless victim as she played hairdresser and stylist. Whenever I fidgeted or complained, she reminded me that she didn't have any memories of being human, and asked me not to ruin her vicarious fun. She had put some loose setting product in my hair and gently styled it back, my hair was getting rather long for me and she considered cutting it for a moment before decided that the medium length curls looked 'rather adorable,' in her words. Then she had me put on the most expensive looking tuxedo I had ever seen in my life. It was perfectly tailored to my body and extremely comfortable. I couldn't help but think I looked good—maybe more appropriate for a men's fashion magazine than Forks—but still damn good.
I was distracted then by the sound of a phone ringing. Edward pulled his cell phone from a pocket inside his jacket, looking briefly at the caller ID before answering.
"Hello, Charlie," he said warily.
"Charlie?" I frowned.
Charlie had been… difficult since my return to Forks, and justifiably so. He had compartmentalized my bad experience into two defined reactions. Toward Carlisle he was almost worshipfully grateful. On the other hand, he was stubbornly convinced that Edward was at fault—because, if not for him, I wouldn't have left home in the first place. And Edward was far from disagreeing with him. These days I had rules that hadn't existed before: curfews… visiting hours.
Something Charlie was saying made Edward's eyes widen in disbelief, and then a grin spread across his face.
"You're kidding!" He laughed.
"What is it?" I asked.
He didn't answer. "Why don't you let me talk to him?" Edward suggested with evident pleasure. He waited for a few seconds.
"Hello, Tyler, this is Edward Cullen." His voice was very friendly, on the surface. I knew it well enough to catch the soft edge of menace. What was Tyler doing at my house? The awful truth began to dawn on me. I looked again at the fancy tuxedo Alice had forced me into.
"I'm sorry if there's been some kind of miscommunication, but Beau is unavailable tonight." Edward's tone changed, and the threat in his voice was suddenly much more evident as he continued. "To be perfectly honest, he'll be unavailable every night, as far as anyone besides myself is concerned. No offense. And I'm sorry about your evening." He didn't sound sorry at all. And he hung up the phone, a huge smirk on his face.
My face and neck flushed crimson with embarrassment.
He looked at me in surprise. "Was that last part a bit too much? I didn't mean to offend you."
I ignored that.
"You're taking me to the prom!" My voice sounded panicky.
It was completely obvious now. If I'd been paying any attention at all, I'm sure I would have noticed the date on the posters that decorated the school buildings. But I'd never dreamed he was thinking of subjecting me to this. Didn't he know me at all?
He wasn't expecting my reaction, that was clear. He pressed his lips together. "I'm sorry, Beau, please don't be angry."
My eyes flashed to the window; we were halfway to the school already.
"Why are you doing this to me?" I demanded.
He gestured to our tuxedos. "Honestly, Beau, what did you think we were doing?"
"You never tend to do things casually, for all I knew we were getting milkshakes and you thought we should dress up." I glared.
"Touché." He smirked.
"Oh god, this is awful." I sighed.
"Why are you so upset?" He demanded in frustration.
"Because I didn't want to go to prom!"
"Beau." He turned the full force of his scorching golden eyes on me.
"What?" I muttered.
"Humor me," he insisted.
His eyes were melting away my fury. It was hard to argue with him when he cheated like that.
"Fine," I glared. "I'll go. But you'll see. I'm way overdue for some bad luck. I'll probably break my other leg! This fancy shoe doesn't have any traction! Look at it!" I held out my good leg as evidence.
"Hmmm." He looked me up and down, approvingly. "Remind me to thank Alice for dressing you up so nicely tonight. I am quite fond of that color on you."
"Alice is going to be there?" That comforted me slightly.
"With Jasper, and Emmett… and Royal," he admitted.
The feeling of comfort disappeared. There had been little to no progress with Royal, despite our phone conversation in the hospital. However, I was on excellent terms with Emmett. He enjoyed having me around—he thought my bizarre human reactions were hilarious, and he loved when I told Edward off for his temper. Emmett had even bought me a set of weights as a 'Get Well' present and was carefully showing me how to use them without hurting myself. His hope being that the next time I was in danger I could put up a better fight.
Royal, on the other hand, acted as if I didn't exist. While I shook my head to dispel the direction my thoughts had taken, I thought of something else.
"Is Charlie in on this?" I asked, suddenly suspicious.
"Of course." He grinned, and then chuckled. "Apparently Tyler wasn't, though."
I rolled my eyes. How Tyler could be so delusional, I couldn't imagine. At school, Edward and I were inseparable—except for those days rare sunny days.
We were at the school now; Royal's red convertible was conspicuous in the parking lot. The clouds were thin today, a few streaks of sunlight escaping through far away in the west.
He got out and walked around the car to open my door. He held out his hand.
I sat stubbornly in my seat, arms folded, my face resolute.
He sighed. "When someone wants to kill you, you're brave as a lion—and then when someone mentions dancing…" he shook his head.
I gulped. Dancing.
"Beau, I won't let anything hurt you—not even yourself. I won't let go of you once, I promise."
I thought about that and suddenly felt much better. He could see that in my face.
"There, now," he said gently, "it won't be so bad." He leaned down and wrapped one arm around my waist. I took his other hand and let him lift me from the car.
He kept his arm tightly around me, supporting me as I limped toward the school.
In Phoenix, they held proms in hotel ballrooms. This dance was in the gym. When we got inside, I couldn't help but giggle. There were actual balloon arches and twisted garlands of pastel crepe paper festooning the walls.
"This looks like a horror movie waiting to happen," I snickered.
"Well," he muttered as we slowly approached the ticket table—he was carrying most of my weight, but I still had to shuffle and wobble my feet forward—"There are morethan enough vampires present."
I looked at the dance floor; a wide gap had formed in the center of the floor, where a beautiful couple whirled gracefully. The other dancers pressed to the sides of the room to give them space—no one wanted to stand in contrast with such radiance. Jasper was intimidating and flawless in a classic tuxedo as he spun Alice around the floor in her striking black satin dress with geometric cutouts that bared large triangles of her snowy white skin.
Emmett stood near the dance floor grinning widely, looking very handsome in his own classic tuxedo. He waved at us when he saw us. Royal stood near him looking… well, like Royal. If I thought I looked like I belonged in a men's fashion magazine, Royal looked like he belonged on the cover. His deep burgundy tuxedo was perfectly tailored—accentuating his small waist against his broad shoulders. His long blond hair was loose and fell to his shoulders. I pitied every guy in the room who might compare themselves to him, and felt just as bad for every girl in the room who was gazing at him longingly.
"Do you think if I threw myself into the sound system it would end the prom?" I whispered.
He laughed, "Anything to get out of dancing."
"Anything."
He bought our tickets, then turned me toward the dance floor. I cringed against his arm and dragged my feet.
"I've got all night," he smiled.
"Okay, can I be honest a second?" I finally sighed, "I'm a terrible dancer, sure—I'm clumsy as hell—but… I've never danced with a boy." I could feel the panic rising. "And this is Forks, after all. Maybe I can be affectionate with you at school when no one is looking… but dancingat prom? In front of everyone?"
Edward looked at me confused, "Is that what you've been worried about?"
"A bit, yes." I admitted.
He considered this for a moment, "We don't have to dance if you don't want to."
I sighed and looked over his shoulder. I immediately locked eyes with Royal who was standing there watching us with an unreadable expression. He sighed, then reached out and took Emmett's hand and led him to the dance floor.
Edward spun around, no doubt hearing all the thoughts in everyone's minds. I could even hear a few hushed whispers as Royal and Emmett reached the center of the dance floor where Jasper and Alice were. Royal put his arms around Emmet's neck, and Emmett happily put his hands on Royal's waist. They effortlessly melted into the dance with Jasper and Alice.
Royal caught my eye one more time, his expression clearly saying Well? You've got no excuse now.
Edward was smirking as he looked back to me, "That's Royal's way of saying he's glad you're here."
"Oh, fine." I huffed. I let Edward lead me out to where his family was twirling elegantly—if in a style totally unsuitable to the present time and music. I watched in terror.
"Edward." My throat was so dry I could barely manage a whisper. "I honestlycan't dance." I could still feel the panic bubbling up inside my chest. Even if most of the school was watching Royal and Emmet, they were still watching us.
"Don't worry, love," he whispered back. "Ican." He put my arms around his neck and lifted me to slide his feet under mine.
And then we were whirling, too.
"I bet I look like a fool," I laughed after a few minutes of effortless waltzing.
"Quite the opposite," he murmured, pulling me closer for a second, so that my feet were briefly a foot from the ground.
Alice caught my eye on a turn and smiled in encouragement—I smiled back. I was surprised to realize that I was actually enjoying myself.
"Okay, this isn't half bad," I admitted.
But Edward was staring toward the doors, and his face was angry.
"What is it?" I wondered aloud. I followed his gaze, disoriented by the spinning, but finally I could see what was bothering him. Jacob Black, not in a tux, but in a long-sleeved white shirt and black tie, his hair smoothed back into his usual ponytail, was crossing the floor toward us.
After the first shock of recognition, I couldn't help but feel bad for Jacob. He was clearly uncomfortable—excruciatingly so. His face was apologetic as his eyes met mine.
Edward snarled very quietly.
"Behave!" I hissed.
Edward's voice was scathing. "He wants to chat with you."
Jacob reached us then, the embarrassment and apology even more evident on his face.
"Hey, Beau, I was hoping you would be here." Jacob sounded like he'd been hoping for the exact opposite. But his smile was just as warm as ever.
"Hi, Jake." I smiled back. "What's up?"
"Can I cut in?" he asked tentatively, glancing at Edward for the first time. I was surprised to notice that Jacob didn't have to look up. He must have grown half a foot since the last time I'd seen him.
Edward's face was composed, his expression blank. His only answer was to set me carefully on my feet, and take a step back.
"Thanks," Jacob said amiably.
Edward just nodded, looking at me intently before he turned to walk away.
Jacob put his hands on my waist, and I reached up to put my hands on his shoulders.
"Wow, Jake, how tall are you now?"
He was smug. "Six-two."
We weren't really dancing—my leg made that impossible. Instead we swayed awkwardly from side to side without moving out feet. It was just as well; the recent growth spurt had left him looking gangly and uncoordinated, he was probably no better a dancer than I was.
"So, how did you end up here tonight?" I asked without true curiosity. Considering Edward's reaction, I could guess.
"Can you believe my dad paid me twenty bucks to crash your prom?" he admitted, slightly ashamed.
"Yes, I can," I muttered. "Well, I hope you're enjoying yourself, at least. Seen anything you like?" I teased, nodding toward a group of girls and boys lined up against the wall.
"Yeah," he sighed. "But he's taken."
He glanced down to meet my curious gaze for just a second—then we both looked away, embarrassed.
"You look really handsome, by the way," he added shyly. "Your eyes are really beautiful."
"Um, thanks." I blushed. "You're not looking too bad yourself. You've got that rock-star, don't-give-a-lick vibe going for you."
We both laughed as we swayed.
"So, why did Billy pay you to come here?" I asked softly, though I knew the answer.
Jacob didn't seem grateful for the subject change; he looked away, uncomfortable again. "He said it was a 'safe' place to talk to you. I swear the old man in losing his mind."
I joined in his laughter weakly.
"Anyway, he said that if I told you something he would get me that master cylinder I need," he confessed with a sheepish grin.
"Tell me, then. I want you to get your car finished so maybe you can come visit me once in a while." I grinned back. At least Jacob didn't believe any of this. It made the situation a bit easier. Against the wall, Edward was watching my face, his own face unreadable—to anyone but me; I could see a twinge of frustration in his marble expression.
Jacob looked away again, ashamed. "Don't get mad, okay?"
"I could never be mad at you, Jacob," I assured him. "I won't even be mad at Billy. Just say what you have to."
"Well—this is so stupid, I'm sorry, Beau—he wants you to break up with your boyfriend. He asked me to tell you 'please.'" He shook his head in disgust.
"He's still superstitious, eh?"
"Yeah. He was… kind of over the top when you got hurt down in Phoenix. He didn't believe…" Jacob trailed off self-consciously.
"I fell."
"I know that," Jacob said quickly.
"He thinks Edward had something to do with me getting hurt." It wasn't a question and I could hear the frustration in my tone.
Jacob wouldn't meet my eyes. We weren't even bothering to sway to the music, though his hands were still on my waist, and mine around his neck.
"Look, Jacob, I know Billy won't believe this, but just so you know"—he looked at me now, responding to the new earnestness in my voice—"Edward really did save my life. If it weren't for Edward and his father, I'd be dead."
"I know," he claimed, but he sounded like my sincere words had affected him some. Maybe he'd be able to convince Billy of this much, at least.
"Hey, I'm sorry you had to come do this, Jake," I apologized. "At any rate, you get your parts, right?"
"Yeah," he muttered. He was still looking awkward… upset.
"There's more?"
"Forget it," he mumbled, "I'll get a job and save the money myself."
"Nope! Just spit it out! You're getting that damn cylinder thing."
"It's so bad."
"I don't care. Tell me," I insisted.
"Okay… but, geez, this sounds bad." He shook his head. "He said to tell you, no, to warnyou, that—and this is his plural, not mine"—he lifted one hand from my waist and made little quotation marks in the air—"'We'll be watching.'" He watched warily for my reaction.
It sounded like something from a mafia movie. I laughed out loud.
"Okay, duly noted," I snickered, "now tell Billy to pay up."
"I will," He managed a half smile.
"Sorry you had to do this, Jake," I smiled.
"I don't mind thatmuch." He grinned, "I got to see you." His eyes were appraising as the raked quickly over my tuxedo and face. "So, should I tell Billy you said to butt the hell out?" he asked hopefully.
"No," I sighed. "Tell him I said thanks. I know he means well."
The song ended, but we remained standing the way we were.
"And thank you, Jake," I said, "I know you wouldn't have agreed to come down unless you cared about me."
His hands felt hesitant at my waist, and he glanced at my bum leg. "Do you want to dance again? Or can I help you get somewhere?"
Edward answered before I could. "That's all right, Jacob. I'll take it from here."
Jacob flinched, and stared wide-eyed at Edward, who stood just beside us.
"Hey, I didn't see you there," he mumbled. "I guess I'll see you around, Beau." He stepped back, waving halfheartedly.
I smiled and pulled him back into a quick hug, "I'll see you later, Jake."
He stepped back and glanced between my face and Edward's. "Sorry," he said again before he turned for the door.
Edward's arms wound around me as the next song started. It was a little up-tempo for slow dancing, but that didn't seem to concern him. I leaned my head against his chest, content.
"Feeling better?" I teased.
"Not really," he said tersely.
"Temper," I warned, "Don't be mad at Billy," I sighed. "He just worries about me for Charlie's sake. It's nothing personal."
"I'm not mad at Billy," He corrected in a clipped voice. "But his son is irritating me."
I pulled back to look at him. His face was very serious.
"Jacob? Why?"
"First of all, he made me break my promise."
I stared at him confused.
He half-smiled. "I promised I wouldn't let go of you tonight," he explained.
"Oh. Well, I forgive you."
"Thanks. But there's something else." Edward frowned.
I waited patiently.
"He called you handsome," he finally continued, his frown deepening. I stared at him again and he quickly added, "That's practically an insult, the way you look right now, you're much more than stunning."
I laughed. "You might be a little biased."
"I don't think that's it. Besides, I have excellent eyesight."
We were twirling again, my feet on his as he held me close. He still seemed tense.
"You're jealous." I stated with dawning realization.
A guilty look crossed his face, "I told you before, I'm not used to feeling that way. You should have heard what he was thinking about you."
"Oh?" My curiosity was peaked.
Edward sighed, "he thought you looked absolutely wonderful, and that you're the sweetest, kindest, most perfect person he knows." Edward smiled a little then, "He thinks I'm incredibly lucky to have you."
I couldn't help but smirk, "what do you think?"
He spun me around, holding me tightly, lowering his lips to my ear. "I think I'm the luckiest man in the whole world."
I felt a shiver of excitement run through my body.
"He was completely accurate with one compliment he gave you." Edward kissed my neck gently. "Your eyes are beautiful."
I felt myself blush as I pulled back to look at him smiling down at me.
"So are you going to ever explain the reason for all this?" I wondered casually, trying to keep my mind off how absolutely amazing he looked and how badly I wished we weren't surrounded by a gym full of people.
His expression became confused, and I glanced meaningfully at the crepe paper.
He considered for a moment, and then changed direction, spinning me through the crowd to the back door of the gym. I caught a glimpse of Jessica and Mike dancing, staring at me curiously. Jessica waved, and I smiled back. Angela was there, too, looking blissfully happy in the arms of little Ben Cheney; she didn't look up from his eyes, a head lower than hers. Lee and Samantha, Erica with a girl named Justine, Lauren and Conner, and Logan, glaring at us; I could name every face that spiraled past me. And then we were outdoors, in the cool, dim light of a fading sunset.
As soon as we were alone, he swung me up into his arms, and carried me across the dark grounds till he reached the bench beneath the shadow of the madrone trees. He sat there, keeping me cradled against his strong chest. The moon was already up, visible through the gauzy clouds, and his face flowed pale in the white light. His mouth was hard, his eyes troubled.
"The point?" I prompted softly.
He ignored me, staring up at the moon.
"Twilight, again," he murmured. "Another ending. No matter how perfect the day is, it always has to end."
"Everything ends, eventually." I said wistfully.
He sighed.
"I brought you to the prom," he said slowly, finally answering my question, "because I don't want you to miss anything. I don't want my presence to take away anything from you, if I can help it. I want you to be human. I want your life to continue as it would have if I'd died from the influenza like I should have."
I shuddered at his words, and then shook my head angrily. "In what strange parallel dimension would I everhave gone to prom of my own free will? Even if I didn't have a broken leg, I would have been sitting in my bed with some ice cream and a book if you weren't here."
He smiled briefly, but it didn't touch his eyes. "It wasn't so bad, you said so yourself."
"No, but it helped that I was with you."
We were quiet for a moment; he stared at the moon and I stared at him.
"Will you tell me something?" he asked, glancing down at me with a slight smile.
"Don't I always?"
"Just promise you'll tell me," he insisted, grinning.
I knew I might regret this, "Fine."
"You seemed honestly surprised when you figured out that I was taking you here," he began.
"Iwas," I interjected.
"Exactly," he agreed. "But you must have had some other theory… I'm curious—what did youthinkI was dressing you up for?"
"I told you in the car," I rolled my eyes, "I have no idea with you." I ran my hand through his bronze hair, "You tend to go for extremes though. Maybe we were going to a movie, or a fancy dinner date."
"You didn't think…" He hesitated. "You didn't think I was going to… to changeyou." He practically spat out the words.
I stared at him, confused. "Is that normally a black-tie occasion?" I teased, touching the lapel of his tuxedo jacket.
He scowled, and I kissed his cheek.
"If I had been planning..." he trailed off. "If that was what I was going to do, what would you have said?"
I thought about it for a moment, "I don't know. I don't think I could leave Charlie or my mom, or my friends. After everything that happened with James I realized how important they all are to me." I paused, "But I would be lying to myself if I didn't admit that a big part of me wants to say yes."
He sighed deeply. "Are you really that willing?"
There was pain in his eyes. I bit my lip.
"So ready for this to be the end," he murmured, almost to himself, "for this to be the twilight of your life, though your life has barely started. You're ready to give up everything."
"It wouldn't be the end, it would be a beginning," I disagreed softly.
"I'm not worth it," he said sadly.
"Do you remember when you told me that I didn't see myself very clearly?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. "You obviously have the same blindness."
"I know what I am."
I sighed.
But his mercurial mood shifted on me. He pursed his lips, and his eyes were probing. He examined my face for a long moment.
"Would you be ready now, then?" he asked.
"Um," I gulped. "Yes?"
He smiled, and inclined his head slowly until his cold lips brushed against my skin just under the corner of my jaw.
"Right now?" he whispered, his breath blowing cool on my neck. I shivered involuntarily.
"Yes," I breathed the words out. I couldn't even tell if I was bluffing anymore. I knew that one day this is what would happen. I'd already made that decision. In this moment, it seemed to be happening so quickly, but did that matter? My course was set, who knew how much time I had before I reached the conclusion Alice had seen in her vision. Perhaps this was it, perhaps now was the time and I was okay with that. I felt the shivers of electricity run through my body as his lips brushed against my neck. I felt my heartbeat rise in my chest.
He chuckled darkly, and leaned away. His face looked amused.
"You can't really believe that I would give in so easily," he said with gently mocking tone.
I could only manage a shrug and a slightly euphoric smile.
His eyebrows rose. "Do you want to become a monster so badly?"
"Not at all," I frowned. "I just want you. Forever."
His expression changed, softened.
"Beau." His fingers lightly traced the shape of my lips. "I willstay with you—isn't that enough?"
I smiled under his fingertips. "Enough for now."
He frowned at my tenacity. No one was going to surrender tonight. He exhaled, and the sound was practically a growl.
I touched his face. "Look," I said. "I love you more than anything in this world. That's enough."
"Yes, it is enough," he answered, smiling. "Enough for forever."
And he leaned down to press his cold lips once more to my throat.