EPILOGUE: AN OCCASION

Edythe helped me into her car, being careful with my bulky walking cast. She ignored the angry set of my mouth.

When she had me settled, she got in the driver's seat and headed back out the long, narrow drive.

"At what point exactly are you going to tell me what's going on?" I asked grumpily. I really hated surprises. And she knew that.

"I'm shocked that you haven't figured it out yet." She threw a mocking smile in my direction, and my breath caught in my throat. Would I ever get used to her perfection?

"I did mention that you look very beautiful, didn't I?" I verified.

"Yes." She grinned again. I'd never seen her dressed up in black before, at least not in person, and, with the contrast against her pale skin, her beauty was absolutely surreal. That much I couldn't deny, even if the fact that she was wearing a formal dress made me very nervous.

Not quite as nervous as the tuxedo. Or the shoe. Only one shoe, as my other foot was still securely encased in plaster over my pant.

"I'm not coming over anymore if Archie is going to treat me like a Guinea Pig when I do," I griped. I'd spent the better part of the day with Archie as he was helping me pick out a good enough hair style and a tux, he did most of the choosing considering that he's obviously got better sense of style than I do. He picked out a black tux with a black tie. Nothing good could come from formal attire, of that I was sure. Unless… but I was afraid to put my suspicions into words, even in my own head.

As we drove I started recognizing where the route was leading to. When we stopped at a red light, I noticed a limo ahead. "Edythe?" I muttered.

"Yes?"

"Please tell me we're not going to prom." I demanded.

It was embarrassingly obvious now. If I'd been paying 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 she was thinking of subjecting me to this. Didn't she know me at all?

She wasn't expecting my reaction, that was clear. She pressed her lips together and her eyes narrowed. "Beau, don't be difficult."

We were halfway to the school already.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I asked.

She gestured her dress. "Honestly, Beau, what did you think we were doing?"

I felt stupid. First, because I'd missed the obvious. And also because the vague suspicions-expectations, really-that I'd been forming all day. My half-fearful hopes seemed very silly now.

I'd guessed there was some kind of occasion brewing. But prom was the furthest thing from my mind.

I looked out the window and she quickly caught on. "What? Why are you upset?"

I didn't answer.

"Beau." She turned the full force of her scorching golden eyes on me.

"What?" I muttered, distracted.

"Humor me," she insisted.

Her eyes were melting all my fury. It was impossible to fight with her when she cheated like that. I gave in.

"Fine," I pouted, unable to glare as effectively as I would have liked. "I'll go quietly. But you'll see. I'm way overdue for more bad luck. I'll probably break my other leg. Look at this shoe! It's practically a death trap!" I held out my good leg as evidence.

"Remind me to thank Archie for that tonight."

"Archie's going to be there?" That comforted me slightly.

"With Jessamine, and Eleanor… and Royal," she admitted.

The feeling of comfort disappeared. There had been no progress with Royal, though I was on quite good terms with his sometimes-wife. Eleanor enjoyed having me around-she thought my bizarre human reactions were hilarious… or maybe it was just the fact that I fell down a lot that she found so funny. Royal 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." She grinned, and then chuckled.

I gritted my teeth.

We were at the school now; Royal's red convertible was conspicuous in the parking lot in the parking lot. The clouds were thin today, a few streaks of sunlight escaping through far away in the west.

She got out and walked around to help me out of the car. "Usually the guy is supposed to open the door for the girl." I muttered.

"Hmm, well that doesn't work out quite well when the guy has a broken leg and the girl is a vampire with super strength." She giggled.

"Edythe…"

"Beau, it's okay. I'll be by your side the whole time, I promise."

I thought about that and suddenly felt much better. She could see that in my face.

She put her 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, of course. It was probably the only room in town big enough for a dance. When we got inside, I couldn't help but smirk. 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," she muttered as we slowly approached the ticket table-she was carrying most of my weight but I still had to shuffle and wobble my feet forward-"there are more than enough vampires present."

I looked at the dance floor; a wide gap had formed in the center of the floor, where two couples 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. Eleanor and Jessamine were intimidating and flawless in classy dresses. Archie was striking in a black tux that looked almost like mine and his tie was red. And Royal was… well, Royal. He was wearing a black tux with a black bow tie.

"Do you want me to bolt the doors so you can massacre the unsuspecting townsfolk?" I whispered conspiratorially.

"And where do you fit into that scheme?" She glared.

"Oh, I'm with the vampires, of course."

She smiled reluctantly. "Anything to get out of dancing."

"Anything."

She got out tickets, then turned to me toward the dance floor. I cringed against her arm and dragged my feet.

"I've got all night," she warned.

Eventually we walked out to where her family was twirling elegantly-if in a style totally unsuitable to the present time and music. I watched in horror.

"Edythe." My throat was so dry I could only manage a whisper. "I really can't dance." I could feel the panic bubbling up inside my chest.

"Don't worry, I'm going to teach you." She whispered back.

"I really don't think this is a good time for me to learn… my leg is sort of broken, remember."

She put my arms on her waist and then put her arms around my neck. "That is why, we're taking it slow."

Archie caught my eye on a slow turn and gave me a thumbs up-I nodded my head and waved back. I was surprised to realize that I was actually enjoying myself… a little.

"Okay, this isn't that bad," I admitted.

But Edythe was staring at the doors and her face was angry.

"What is it?" I wondered aloud. I followed her gaze, disoriented by the dancing, but I could finally see what was bothering her. Julie Black, not in a formal dress, but just a white sunny dress, her hair down, was crossing the floor towards us.

After the shock of recognition, I couldn't help but feel bad for Jules. She was clearly uncomfortable-excruciatingly so. Her face was apologetic as hers met mine.

Edythe snarled very quietly.

"Behave." I demanded.

Edythe's voice was scathing. "She wants to chat with you."

Julie reached us just then, the embarrassment and apology even more evident on her face.

"Hey, Beau, I was hoping you would be here." Julie sounded like she'd been hoping the exact opposite. But her smile was just as warm as ever.

"Hi, Julie." I smiled back. "What's up?"

"Can I cut in?" she asked tentatively, glancing at Edythe for the first time.

Edythe's face was composed, with a blank expression. Her only answer was to release me and take a step back.

"Thanks," Julie said amiably.

Edythe just nodded, looking at me intently before she turned to walk away.

Julie put her hands on my shoulders and I put my hands on her waist.

We weren't really dancing-my leg made it impossible since Julie didn't have the same advantaged that Edythe had. Instead we swayed awkwardly from side to side without moving our feet.

"So, how did you end up here tonight?" I asked without true curiosity. Considering Edythe's reaction, I could guess.

"Can you believe my mom paid me twenty bucks to come to your prom?" she admitted, slightly ashamed.

"Yes, I can," I muttered. "Well, I hope you're having a good time, at least. Seen anything you like?" I teased, nodding toward a group of guys lined up against the wall.

"Yeah," she sighed. "But he's not available."

She glanced over over to meet my curious gaze for just a second-then we both looked away, embarrassed.

"You look nice, by the way," she added shyly.

"Um, thanks. So why did Bonnie pay you to come here?" I asked quickly, though I knew the answer.

Julie didn't seem grateful for the subject change; she looked away, uncomfortable again. "She said it was a 'safe' place to talk to you. I swear the old lady is losing her mind."

I joined her laughter weakly.

"Anyway, she said that if I told you something, she would get me that master cylinder I need," she confessed with a shy smile.

"Tell me, then. I want you to get your car finished." I grinned back. At least Julie didn't believe any of this. It made the situation a bit easier. Across the dance floor, Edythe was watching my face, her own face expressionless. I saw a sophomore in a blue button down shirt eyeing her with timid speculation, but she didn't seem to be aware of him.

Julie looked away again, ashamed. "Don't get mad, okay?"

"I won't be mad at you, Julie," I assured her. "I won't even be mad at Bonnie. Just say what you have to."

"Well-this is so stupid, I'm sorry, Beau-she wants you to break up with your girlfriend. She asked me to tell you 'please.'" She shook her head in disgust.

"She's still superstitious, eh?"

"Yeah. She was… kind of over the top when you got hurt down in Phoenix. She didn't believe…" Julie trailed off self-consciously.

My eyes narrowed. "I fell."

"I know that," Julie said quickly.

"She thinks Edythe had something to do with me getting hurt." It wasn't a question, and despite my promise, I was angry.

Julie wouldn't meet my eyes. We weren't even bothering to sway to the music, though her hands were still on my shoulders, and mine on her waist.

"Look, Julie, I know Bonnie probably won't believe this, but just so you know"-she looked at me now, responding to the new earnestness in my voice-"Edythe really did save my life. If it weren't for Edythe and her mother, I'd be dead."

"I know," she claimed, but she sounded like my sincere words had affected her some. Maybe she'd be able to convince Bonnie of this much, at least.

"Hey, I'm sorry you had to come do this, Julie." I apologized. "At any rate, you get your parts, right?"

"Yeah," she muttered. She was still looking awkward… upset.

"There's more?" I asked in disbelief.

"Forget it," she mumbled, "I'll go get a job and save the money myself."

I glared at her until she met my gaze. "Just tell me, Jules."

"It's so bad."

"I don't care. Tell me," I insisted.

"Okay… but, geez, this sounds so bad." She shook her head. "She said to tell you, no, to warn you, that-and this is her plural, not mine"-she lifted one hand from my shoulder and made little quotation marks in the air-"'We'll be watching.'" She watched warily for my reaction.

It sounded like something from a mafia movie. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Sorry you had to do this, Jules," I snickered.

"I don't mind that much." She smiled in relief. Her eyes were appraising as they raked quickly over my tux. "So, should I tell her that you said to butt the hell out?" she asked hopefully.

"No," I sighed. "Tell her I said thanks. I know she means well."

The song ended, and I dropped my arms.

Her hands hesitated at my shoulders, and she glanced at my bum leg. "Can I help you get somewhere?"

Edythe answered for me. "That's all right, Julie. I'll take it from here."

Julie flinched, and stared at Edythe, who stood just beside us.

"Hey, I didn't see you there," she mumbled. "I guess I'll see you around, Beau." She stepped back, waving halfheartedly.

I smiled. "Yeah, I'll see you later."

"Sorry," she said again before she turned for the door.

Edythe's arms wrapped my neck as the next song started. It was a little up-tempo for slow dancing, but that didn't seem to concern her. She leaned her head against my chest.

"Feeling better?" I teased.

"Not really," she said tersely.

"Don't be mad at Bonnie," I sighed. "She just worries about me for Charlie's sake. It's nothing personal.

"I'm not mad at Bonnie," she corrected in a clipped voice. "But her daughter is irritating me."

I pulled back to look at her. Her face was very serious.

"Why?"

"First of all, she made me break my promise."

I stared at her in confusion.

She half-smiled. "I promised not to leave your side," she explained.

"Oh. Well, I forgive you."

"Thanks. But there's something else." Edythe frowned.

I waited.

"She said you look nice," she finally continued, her frown deepening. "That's practically an insult, the way you look right now. You're much more than handsome."

I laughed. "You might be a little biased."

"I don't think that's it. Besides, I have excellent eyesight."

We were dancing again.

"So are you going to explain the reason for all of this?" I wondered.

She looked up at me, confused, and I glared meaningfully at the crepe paper.

She considered for a moment, and then changed direction, walking through the crowd to the back door of the gym. I caught a glimpse of Jeremy and McKayla dancing, staring at me curiously. Jeremy lifted his hand to say hello and I smiled back quickly. Allen was there, too, dancing with Becca. Lean and Sean, Logan, glaring toward us, with Colleen; 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, she helped me across the dark grounds till we reached the bench beneath the shadow of the madrone trees. She sat there, cradled against my chest. The moon was already up, visible through the gauzy clouds, and her face glowed pale in the white light. Her mouth was hard, her eyes troubled.

"The point?" I prompted softly.

She ignored me, staring up at the moon.

"Twilight, again," she murmured. "Another ending. No matter how perfect the day is, it always has to end."

"Some things don't have to end," I muttered through my teeth, instantly tense.

She sighed.

"I brought you to the prom," she said slowly, finally answering my question, "because I don't want you to miss anything. I don't want my presence to take anything away from you, if I can help it. I want you to be human. I want your life to continue as it would if I'd died in nineteen-eighteen like I should have."

I shuddered at her words, and then shook my head angrily. "In what strange parallel dimension would I ever have gone to prom of my own free will? If you weren't a thousand times stronger than me, I would never have let you get away with this."

She smiled briefly, but it didn't touch her eyes. "It wasn't so bad, you said it yourself."

"That's because I was with you."

We were quiet for a minute; she stared at the moon and I stared at her. I wished there was some way to explain how very uninterested I was in a normal human life.

"Will you tell me something?" she asked, glancing up at me with a slight smile.

"Don't I always?"

"Just promise you'll tell me," she insisted, grinning.

I knew I was going to regret this almost instantly. "Fine."

"You seemed honestly surprised when you figured out that we were coming to prom," she began.

"I was," I interjected.

"Exactly," she agreed. "But you must have had some other theory… I'm curious-what did you think you got dressed up for?"

Yes, instant regret. I pursed my lips, hesitating. "I don't want to tell you."

"You promised," she objected.

"I know."

"What's the problem?"

I knew she thought it was mere embarrassment holding me back. "I think it will make you mad-or sad."

Her brows pulled together over her eyes as she thought that through. "I still want to know. Please?"

I sighed. She waited.

"Well… I assumed it was some kind of… occasion. But I didn't think it would be some trite human thing… like prom."

"Human?" she asked flatly. She's picked up on the key word.

I looked down at my tuxedo. She waited in silence.

"Okay," I confessed in a rush. "So I was hoping that you might have changed your mind… that you were going to change me, after all."

A dozen emotions played across her face. Some I recognized: anger… pain… and then she seemed to collect herself and her expression became amused.

"You thought that would be a black tie occasion, did you?" she teased, touching the lapel of my tuxedo jacket.

I scowled to hide my embarrassment. "I don't know how these things work. To me, at least, it seems more rational that prom does." She was still grinning. "It's not funny," I said.

"No, you're right, it's not," she agreed, her smile fading. "I'd rather treat it like a joke, though, than believe you're serious."

"But I am serious."

She sighed deeply. "I know. And you're really that willing?"

The pain was back in her eyes. I bit my lip and nodded.

"So ready for this to be the end," she murmured, almost to herself, "for this to be the twilight of your life, though your life has barely started. You're ready to give up everything."

"It's not the end, it's the beginning," I disagreed under my breath.

"I'm not worth it," she 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 her mercurial mood shifted on me. She pursed her lips, and her eyes were probing. She examined my face for a long moment.

"You're ready now, then?" she asked.

"Um." I gulped. "Yes?"

She smiled, and lifted her head slowly until her cold lips brushed against the skin just under the corner of my jaw.

"Right now?" she whispered, her breath blowing cool on my neck. I shivered involuntarily.

"Yes." I whispered, so my voice wouldn't have a chance to break. If she thought I was bluffing, she was going to be disappointed. I'd already made this decision, and I was sure. It didn't matter that my body was rigid as a plank, my hands balled into fists, my breathing erratic…

She chuckled darkly, and leaned away. Her face did look disappointed.

"You can't really believe that I would give in so easily," she said with a sour edge to her mocking tone.

"A guy can dream."

Her eyebrows rose. "Is that what you dream about? Being a monster?"

"Not exactly," I said, frowning at her word choice. Monster, indeed. "Mostly I dream about being with you forever."

Her expression changed, softened and saddened by the subtle ache in my voice.

"Beau." Her fingers lightly traced the shape of my lips. "I will stay with you-isn't that enough?"

I smiled. "Enough for now."

She frowned at my tenacity. No one was going to surrender tonight. She exhaled, and the sound was practically a growl.

I touched her face. "Look," I said. "I love you more than everything else in the world combined. Isn't that enough?"

"Yes, it is enough," she answered, smiling. "Enough for forever."

And she leaned up to press her cold lips once more to my throat.