LIFE AND DEATH (edythe's pov)

Chapter 14 Closer

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Solar Midnight: Midnight Sun Reimagined (Life and Death, Book I) by beyondthedawn

Books » Twilight Rated: T, English, Supernatural & Romance, Beau S., Edythe C., Words: 224k+, Favs: 59, Follows: 36, Published: Dec 26, 2020 15Chapter 14: CLOSER

It was peaceful in Beau's room tonight. Even the fitful rain, which usually made him uneasy, did not disturb him. Despite the pain, I was peaceful, too-calmer than I'd been in my own home with my father's arms around me. Beau mumbled my name in his sleep, as he often did, and smiled as he said it.

In the morning, Charlie mentioned his cheerful mood over breakfast, and it was my turn to smile. At least, if nothing else, I made him happy, too.

He climbed into my car quickly today, with a wide, eager smile, seeming just as hungry to be together as I was.

"How did you sleep?" I asked him.

"Fine. How was your night?"

I smiled. "Pleasant."

He pursed his lips. "Can I ask what you did?" I could imagine what my level of interest would be if I had to spend eight hours unconscious, totally unaware of him. But I wasn't ready to answer that question now... or maybe ever.

"No. Today is still mine."

He sighed and rolled his eyes. "I don't think there's anything I haven't told you."

"Tell me more about your mother."

It was one of my favorite subjects, because it was obviously one of his.

"Okay. Um, my mom is kind of... wild, I guess? Not like a tiger is wild, like a sparrow, like a deer. She just, doesn't do well in cages? My gran-who was totally normal, by the way, and had no idea where my mom came from-used to call her a will-o'-the-wisp. I got the feeling that raising my mom through her teenage years was no cakewalk. Anyway, it's pretty hard for her to stay in one place very long. Getting to wander off with Phil with no sure end destination in mind... well, I think it's the happiest I've ever seen her. She tried really hard for me, though. Made do with weekend adventures and constantly switching jobs. I did what I could to free her from all the mundane stuff. I imagine Phil will do the same. I feel like... kind of a bad son. Because I'm a little relieved, you know?" He made an apologetic face, turning his palms up. "She doesn't have to stay in place for me anymore. That's a weight off. And then Charlie... I never thought about him needing me, but he really does. That house is too empty for him."

I nodded thoughtfully, sifting through this mine of information. I wished I could meet this woman who had shaped so much of Beau's character. Part of me would have preferred that Beau had an easier, more traditional childhood-that he could have gotten to be the child. But he wouldn't have been the same person, and truly, he didn't seem resentful in any way. He liked to be the caretaker, liked to be needed.

Perhaps this was the real secret as to why he was drawn to me. Had anyone ever needed him more?

I left him at his classroom door, and the morning passed much as the day before. Archie and I sleepwalked our way through Gym. I watched Beau's face through Jeremy Stanley's eyes again, noting, as the human boy did, how very little of Beau seemed to be in the classroom at all.

I wonder why Beau doesn't want to talk about it? Jeremy wondered. Keeping her to himself, I guess. Unless he was telling the truth before, and there's nothing actually happening. His mind ran over Beau's denials on Wednesday morning-It's not like that, when Jeremy had asked about kissing-and his inference that Beau had looked disappointed.