Shifting Moon Chapter 68: The Brother Talk's

(Edythe POV)

I snuggled further into Thomas's embrace as he cuddled , finally giving in to his exhaustion and falling back asleep. As I listened to him tell about his past, I wished I could still cry. It felt wrong to sit there and listen to such a heartbreaking story with a stony face that was unable to show the emotions I felt inside.

I reached out with my mind and looked for Edward in Bella's room. Once I entered his mind, he realized it and reached for mine so we could talk. We did this rather often when we were newborn Vampires, but less so in recent years.

{"You heard, I assu."} I asked him.

{"I did, it was a tragic tale, one I doubt he has told anyone in its entirety. Maybe not even Bella. He would be too afraid of losing her. As stupid as that sounds to , he... well, they both are still emotionally young. Though Bella is much more mature than Thomas from what I have seen."}

{"You say that, yet they are more mature than we are in the emotions that we have buried for over 80 years. We can't stand on the moral high ground just because we can hear most everyone else's thoughts and have been able to for so long. Hearing the emotion through others and feeling the emotion ourselves is very different, I have co to understand. Besides, they are both nothing like what we normally hear. I have talked to Bella a good bit, and she surprises constantly. I bet it's no different with you."}

I heard the sigh from the other room. {"Yes, she never reacts the way she should. I have co to the conclusion that however she will react to sothing, it will be the opposite of what I expect. I am going to ask her to join in my adow this weekend, while you are at the dance. I think she needs to see in the sun. To see at my least human mont, as you call it."}

{"I bet she handles it as well as Thomas did when I showed him. I will warn you though, I have never been as afraid of rejection as I was at that mont. It felt like I would shatter if he rejected ."}

Edward collected his thoughts, {"I am glad you found a good man sis, though it's not fair he is the one I want's brother. I can't threaten him if he hurts you. Do all the protective brother things I should be doing."}

I chuckled wickedly, {"Just be thankful that goes both ways, when he put together that you have been in her room most every night, he went a little red in the eyes for a mont. I was prepared to watch him bust in there looking for you."}

{"If he knew the true danger I am to her, he would be after my life. I would be, if the situation were reversed."}

{"Have so faith in yourself brother, Bella does, and so do I. But still, plan on him having a talk with you tomorrow. His experiences make him more focused on his emotions when it cos to family. He will not hold back on you just because you are my brother, well I bet he will, but not much."}

{"What a fine ss we both have beco, you and I."}

I felt him starting to leave my mind, so I shared a quick {"Love you."} with him and then I withdrew from his mind. My mind wandered as I reveled in the feeling of warmth Thomas was giving while in his embrace. A girl could get used to this. One thing I did decide on that night, though. I would be going to Denver one day soon, alone. There were things that needed to be set right.

(Morning, Thomas POV)

Waking up with Edythe in my arms was a wonderful experience for , but it had to be so boring for her. Locked in soone's embrace, unable to move or adjust from the little pains being to still would cause. When I brought this up, Edythe assured she could remain in any position with no discomfort for any amount of ti needed. She just used the ti to go through her thoughts and just enjoy the closeness we shared.

I was partially convinced, but there will always be a little voice in my head that thinks she is just being considerate of over herself. So, I would just make sure to do the sa when I have the opportunity.

That morning, I woke up, did my bathroom stuff, and then joined Edythe in the kitchen. Greeting her with a good morning kiss (Now that I brushed my teeth) and eating the 3 eggs she made for . It felt a little weird to this morning to touch Edythe, I guess her core temp rose to nearly match mine since I was holding her so close last night, so there wasn't such a contrast as I had beco used to.

As I ate, I pondered the lightness I felt in myself. It was as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Was it the emotional release from last night affecting ? The relief that Edythe had seen in such a pathetic state and stayed with ? Or the fact that I had finally told soone it was my fault we went to the mall that day. I don't know why I always held that back, but I couldn't admit to my aunt that I was the reason her sister died. My growing knowledge and logic said one thing, but my emotions said another. Logically, the gunn killed her. Emotionally, I was the reason she was there to be killed.

Once I was done eating, I cleaned the plate and the pan, as Edythe grabbed my backpack, and we held hands as we went outside. She kissed again with the intent of leaving for ho, but as Jasper wasn't there waiting for us, I reached for her and deepened the kiss to more than just a goodbye peck. She pressed her body against mine, and we lost ourselves in the kiss. Eventually, a short cough broke us out of the little world we had created between each other during the kiss.

As we separated, she gave another little peck kiss and left for ho with a "Bye Jasper, you guys have fun. See you at the station."

Jasper just waved at her and gave an amused look. "You do realize, you have several 'Big Brother' speeches coming your way, right?"

I smiled back, "As a 'Big Brother' myself, I would be disappointed if they weren't coming. I have one to give today, myself."

Jasper laughed, "Well, mine will be simple. Don't do anything permanent with her, until you're married. There, done. Now let's go exercise, I feel a mighty urge to throw you around the forest for a while today."

I rolled my eyes but ran next to him as we took our usual path. After running a short distance, I had to ask the question that was burning in my brain, "Jasper, can you explain the Vampire body to a bit? When I first kissed Edythe, I worried a bit about the Venom affecting . Vampires only consu blood, but sothing must keep your body's… lubricated, I guess is the word. I feel saliva when Edythe and I kiss, but… will it lubricate the whole body? I'm asking now to know what to prepare for, after we marry, if she will have at so point in the future."

He kept his eyes straight ahead as he answered, "I am not much for the dical side of our physiology, but I can see why asking either of the n who are dically inclined would be an intimidating thing."

{You bet your ass, I want to ask a girl's father and brother if she will get wet enough for sex one day, about as much as I want to die.}

When we got to the edge of the forest, Jasper started walking and continued the subject. "In Denali, Alaska, there is a Coven that, like us, survives off animal blood. Three of their mbers, Tanya, Kate, and Irina, are known to have…relations with human males. So, any physical intimacy should be no problem between you and Edythe…After marriage. As for the Venom we produce, it only gets produced in the act of feeding, extre hunger, or biting soone, from what I understand. Venom is the reason for my scars, it is the only thing our bodies can't fully recover from without decades of ti."

"So, your scars will eventually fade away, right?"

"Yes, if I live long enough. Now, we are here, so let's start with the training."

The next hour and a half was an exercise in flight on my part. Jasper seed intent on showing the many ways a vampire can throw through the woods. The only reason I spent more ti on the ground than in the air during the training was that, in the end, it was taking longer and longer to get up. Other than that, I was in the air.

One thing I did notice in all my ti on the ground was that I had an audience today. It was a small red fox with a squarish face and a short muzzle. It must be so small because of coming out of winter hibernation. Its eyes were squinted and more intelligent than I would expect, but I just chalked that down to imposing my own thoughts on the little thing.