I was dazed and confused, but strangely alert to everything around me, like I was waking from a coma, overdosed on drugs and struggling to bring myself back into my own head.The first thing I noticed (not without humor) was the softness of the pillow beneath my cheek. Hadn't Edward said so many times how soft I was? That everything was soft in comparison to him? I dug my head into the pillow, hoping to drift back off to sleep.
Then with sudden realization I opened my eyes wide, bolting upright into a sitting position, feeling my stiff bones protest after being still for so long. I couldn't sleep, not anymore. Sleep would be impossible for me now.
I was changed.
Everything came back to me slowly. The sharp, excruciating burning pain in my throat, my wrists and ankles. Like a fire, lit deep under my skin. It had been the worst when the venom reached my heart. I was glad I couldn't quite remember the moment my heart stopped. I remembered the screaming vividly, as if I'd witnessed it from someone else's body instead of felt it through my own. Did I really beg Edward – my husband, my entire world, to KILL me? I bit back a wave of remorse, hoping I hadn't hurt him too much over the last few days. He was unusually sensitive for a vampire.
I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion, only to notice how different my hair felt against my face. I raised my hands to my cheeks, my cold hands roughly brushing the hard surface. I raised my eyebrows, nothing could've prepared me for this part. The part I'd wanted almost the most was also the part that I'd been unable to imagine. I ran my fingers through my hair. It was stiffer than it was before.
I turned my head, and jumped, startled. He was still there.
He moved suddenly, one arm around my waist, his face only a few inches from my own.
"Bella, love…"
I sighed, shutting my eyes for a moment, moving my hands over to his face. For the first time ever, he didn't feel cold to me. I wasn't sure how to feel about that.
"Edward?" My voice cracked, hoarse. I tried not to think of why, my screams almost echoing in my new sensitive ears. Somebody was coming up the stairs, I realized. They were coming slowly. Waiting for us to come out of the room first, I presumed. It must be Alice, only she would know I was waking up before I knew it myself.
"I'm here, love. I'm right here." He kissed the top of my head, bringing my thoughts back into his room.
I sighed again, leaning against him now, for the first time I noticed how much more distinct he smelt to me now. I bit my lip softly, not sure if I could pierce my own skin with my new razor sharp teeth. I pressed my face into his chest, exploring this new novelty. My nostrils almost burned, and I wondered if it would be the same when I saw his family again as well. Would they smell as strong, or would Edward stand out to me, like I had for him for so long?
So many questions.
And an eternity to get my answers. No need to hurry.
I gently brushed my lips along the collar of his shirt and up his neck, to his earlobe and along his strong jaw. He kissed me softly, and I pulled back, surveying his face, searching for some sort of emotion in his jewel like eyes, onyx in color today.
He hasn't been hunting, he's stayed with me…
Gratitude and disapproval rushed through me at the same time, the former overcoming the latter. I smiled at him.
He didn't smile back at first, his eyes staring into my own. Trying to see in me what I was searching for in him.
"How do I look?" I asked tentatively, almost afraid of the answer.
He smiled suddenly, chuckling. He got up quickly, picking up a looking glass from the other side of the room. I beamed, for the first time I saw every step he took when he was hurrying, he was no longer a blur, like a bolt of lightning.
He handed the mirror to me, encouraging me to look, excitement filling his face. The same feeling flooded through me for a second, then went away. I didn't pay it any heed. I was too preoccupied.
I glanced at him doubtfully, then looked into the mirror.
I bit my lip again, a small gasp escaping me, as I saw the stranger looking back at me.
Her face was sharp, cheekbones stood out from it, bold, giving it shape. A gorgeous shape. Her skin was incredibly pale, marble-like, beautiful. Her face was framed by shiny dark hair, glinting with a reddish color as the light hit it through the window. Dark circles were under her eyes.
The eyes. They were what startled me.Blood red in color. Almost no pupil. Wide and eager, sharp in contrast to the strangers pale face.
My pale face.I almost dropped the mirror, my hand was shaking. I realized for the first time, the burning in the back of my throat. My muscles aching with desire, I sniffed the hair, searching for something other than Edward's wonderful scent. Venom rushed into my mouth, even though I found nothing in the air, it had no real taste to me. My body trembled for a moment. I looked up again, staring at Edward, struggling to comprehend this new feeling. This new … lust.
I felt incredibly foolish. I should've expected this. He told me it would hit me almost instantly.
"You're beautiful." He said matter-of-factly. It was his turn to be preoccupied.
I shook my head hard, trying to clear the feeling from my mind. It didn't work. I sniffed again, more desperately this time.
It only took him a moment to realize what my problem was. He looked at me, his face smooth and expressionless. And then I felt it.
A stab of pain ran through my still heart, I didn't understand why. He gasped, and I realized the pain I felt was his. I was surprised. His mouth dropped open suddenly …. In surprise.
"Bella?" he questioned me, confused.
"I … I think." I took a deep breath, composing myself. "Edward, I can feel your emotions."
Another broad smile filled his face, pride filled me. He was proud of me. I couldn't help but smile back, influenced by what he was feeling.
I stopped suddenly, stern. His smile disappeared. I bit back the laugh that started at that, but he felt the concealed humor, and the smile returned brighter than ever.
"Wow," he said almost breathlessly. "I knew you'd have gifts Bella. But this? I didn't expect this at all."
I laughed, my voice shaking as my muscles trembled. I realized for the first time I was half crouching, tensed. I tried to relax, unfolding my legs and stretching them infront of me, leaning back on my arms. Still I trembled. This time a desperate sound escaped my throat. A growl. I felt it rumble through my chest. Suprisingly, I was proud of it. I looked at Edward again, he was quick enough to cover over his face, but I felt what he was feeling, the pride doubling it's strength inside me.
He really was proud of me.He was happy, and that surprised him. He hasn't realized how much he'd wanted this until it happened.
He ran the back of his hand over my cheek.
"Let's go show the family!"