A/N So I have removed all old chapters and will now start to upload the newly edited chapters. For those of you who read what I posted of the original story I would like your honest opinion on whether or not the changes I have made are good. I decided to stick with the POV flip flop but I will try not to bore you with repeating the same material. There may be a short summary of previous events from the new perspective but it won't be a copy and paste dulicate!

The reason this took longer to do than the 1 month time limit I gave myself was because I was going to add a fun scene to the first chapter but after struggling with it for 3 months I decided it was more than my meager talent could handle. I did add more detail but the fun party game I was planning with Emmett just wouldn't come together.

I would like to thank my faithful readers who continue to support this story even though I have proven to be unreliable in my posting. Despite my struggles with the first chapter I have accomplished quite a lot in others. I hope you enjoy it!

As Chuck Palahniuk said "Nothing of me is original, I'm the combined effort of everyone I have ever known." The same can be said for my writing. My writing is the combined effort of everything I have ever read. Nothing is intentionally borrowed, just influenced by everything I have read. Original characters belong to SM.

Chapter One - Birthday Presents and … Blood?

Bella's POV

Most people look forward to their 18th birthday. At 18 you're legally an adult, you can join the military, vote, buy tobacco and even in some countries you can drink. But most people aren't dating a vampire forever frozen at the age of 17.

I met Edward Cullen when I moved to dreary Forks, Washington a small out of the way town in the Olympic Peninsula about 7 months ago. Fork's is a small town filled with people who have lived there their whole lives so everyone knows everybody... and everybody's business. My father, Charlie, is the Police Chief and I came to live with him so that my Mom could be with her new husband, Phil, who is a minor league baseball player and he travels a lot. So instead of making her stay at home with me I decided to live with my dad. My mom left this town and Charlie when I was 6 months old because it is so small and dreary. Like my mom I thought I was going to be miserable here. That was until I laid eyes on the Cullen's.

The Cullen's were the last new people to move to Forks. They arrived roughly 2 years before I did, yet they still stick out like sore thumbs. I knew there was something different about them but I couldn't figure out what, I just knew I was drawn to them. Dr Carlisle Cullen and his wife Esme "adopted" Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Jasper, and Edward. The talk of the school was the shock that these "siblings" were dating each other; Rosalie and Emmett are together as well as Alice and Jasper. After Edward miraculously saved my life in a manner that wasn't human from an out of control van, I couldn't rest until I discovered their secret. After saving me for a second time, this time from being attacked in Port Angeles, I found out that not only can he read minds (except mine for some unknown reason) but he and his family are also vampires.

Edward was also drawn to me; or at least to my blood and my silent mind. He told me that my blood calls to him more than any other person's blood has ever called to him. He tried to stay away from me so that he wouldn't accidentally kill me but since he has never met someone who's mind he couldn't read he kept wanting to be near me so that he could figure me out. I fear the day he solves the mystery. How long can someone as perfect as my Edward be happy in a relationship with a plain ordinary girl that never progresses further than chaste kisses and who will eventually be physically older than him? I just know that the day is coming that he will want to leave me because I'm only human. And there is no way a human can hold a vampire's attention for eternity.

These are the thoughts that plague me as Edward drives me to the Cullen's for my birthday party. A birthday party I didn't even want in the first place. Stupid future seeing pixie vampire!

Alice is trying to live vicariously through me, since she can't remember her human life. She wants me to do and enjoy all the things that girls my age would love to do; and what a human Alice would enjoy doing. I understand where she's coming from and I want to help her but I also hate being in the spotlight.

"I feel like I'm driving you to your execution! Cheer up Bella; you may even have fun if you allow yourself." Edward breaks into my thoughts and says with his famous crooked smile.

"How can I celebrate being a year older than you?" I say before I can stop myself. I don't want to fight with him tonight about his irrational desire to leave me human.

His smile falters momentarily but he decides not to rise to my bait at the moment.

"You know, I like cougars!"

I try to hold onto my anger but I was too shocked by the double entendre in Edward's words. My Edward! The perfect gentlemen who I have never heard make a comment like that before. I can't help myself, I bust out laughing.

The next thing I know I'm being pulled out of the truck by the ice cold arms of the pixie I had just been cursing, wishing me a happy birthday. I hadn't even realized we had pulled up in front of the Cullen mansion. As soon as Alice releases me, I'm able to take half a breath before Emmett has me in one of his bone crushing hugs.

"Can't breathe, Emmett" I say using up the last of my air supply.

Emmett laughs and sets me down.

"When did you and Rosalie get back?" Emmett and Rosalie had been in Africa but the rest of Forks thought they were at Dartmouth.

"We wouldn't miss your birthday Bells. Besides I missed your blush and your innate clumsiness!" He says as he ruffles my hair.

"Har-har," I laugh sarcastically. Its true, it takes real skill to choke on air, fall up stairs, and trip over completely nothing; I have that skill!

Edward wraps his arm around me and leads me to the house; Alice bouncing the way ahead of us and Emmett grinning behind us.

The four of us walk into the house where Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, and an irritated Rosalie wait for us. Esme immediately wraps her arms around me and wishes me a Happy Birthday. She kisses my forehead and with her arm wrapped around my shoulders leads me to the living room with Carlisle on my other side. I gasp when I see what has been done to the usual white living room.

The furniture, which is usually spread out in the center of the room, is pushed to the side forming a little living area where we could all still sit and talk. Making room for a large table that had a tower of gifts on it in all shapes and sizes. Next to the gifts was a three tiered cake. The bottom tier decorated with soft pink and ivory flowers, the middle tier was soft pink and had what looked like pearls on it, and the top tier was also soft pink with more pearls and a big pink bow on the top. All around the room there were crystal bowls with tea lights in them and there must have been over a hundred ivory and pink roses all around the room.

Esme noticed my shock and stated "We tried to rein Alice in but she is a force of nature when it comes to parties!"

"This is too much." I whispered. I never did like receiving gifts. I'm more of a giver then a receiver and since I grew up modestly because of my parents' separation and income, I always felt horribly guilty when someone would spend money on me because I wouldn't be able to do the same in return. I had a flighty mom so at the age when most kids are demanding things from their parents I was balancing the check book and making sure the bills got paid on time.

"I mean, it's beautiful but it's just too much." How would I ever be able to repay their kindness to me let alone all the money I can't seem to talk them out of spending on me?

Edward comes up behind and wraps his arms around me. "It's never too much for you." he whispers in my ear. My heart skips a beat and I see Edward smirk.

Next thing I know there's a brilliant flash and I'm momentarily blinded. Then I blush realizing I just had my picture taken. I've always hated having my picture taken. I always seem to unintentionally make a weird face but since that picture was candid, hopefully it won't be to bad.

After the spots left my eyes I look around and remember I haven't greeted either Jasper or Rosalie.

I smile at each of them as I say hi. Jasper smiles at me and does a quick head nod. Rosalie says hi back but she doesn't smile. She doesn't glare either so I guess that's progress. I could never understand why she hates me so much. Its got to be about more then the fear that I will betray their secret. Well if I can ever convince Edward to turn me, hopefully she will finally except me as a member of the family.

As the party goes on, I find myself having fun. I really do enjoy spending time with the Cullen's. Since the 'James Incident,' I've spent a lot of time at the Cullen house, especially once school got out for the summer. Its so easy to be around them. We could be watching TV or sitting in the family room talking, and I just felt like I belonged with them. I've always felt like an outsider before, a freak, with everyone else in my life. The only person I've clicked with outside the Cullen's is my dad and that connection is recent. I never let myself feel close to him before because I saw him so little.

I haven't spent as much time with Jasper as I would have liked. Edward always seems to find a reason for us to leave the room or send Jasper somewhere else when I am around. He says its because Jasper's thirst can't be trusted but I know that's a lie. He was in the ballet studio after James attacked me and I was bleeding all over the place and he never made a move to attack me. Jasper has better control then then any of them realize. Especially if you take his gift into consideration. Jasper must sense the bloodlust of the vampires in his proximity and I smell especially good to Edward. I would like to suggest that I get to know Jasper alone so he wouldn't have to feel the family's thirst for my blood on top of his own but I know Edward wouldn't go for it. He can be very stubborn.

After a while, I excuse myself to use the bathroom upstairs. Vampire super hearing wigs me out so I like to go to the bathroom furthest away to do my business. On my way back down the stairs I trip on the last step and find myself about to face plant on the floor. But suddenly I feel two cold arms grab me. I look up expecting to see Edward but the honey eyes that are looking down on me belong to Jasper. This is the first time I've ever actually been this close to Jasper let alone touching him. My stomach tightens and I feel an energy vibrating between us. I find myself unable to look away as Jasper dazzles me. I've never been dazzled by anyone other than Edward before. Jasper really is gorgeous. His honey blond curls framing that pretty boy face and for some reason the amber of his eyes are different then Edwards...softer somehow.

"Looks like you're not the only one who can 'dazzle' our Bella, eh Eddie!" Emmett says breaking the spell between me and Jasper. Jasper makes sure I'm steady before dropping his arms and stepping away.

I mentally shake myself and turn to Emmett saying "All vampires can dazzle...well, maybe not a cute and cuddly teddy bear like you Em! Maybe I should start calling you Emmy Bear!" Everyone starts giggling as Emmett stares at me shocked for a moment before he steps forward and grabs me throwing me over his shoulder while saying "I'll show you cute and cuddly."

He runs at vampire speed and climbs a tree about 50 feet from the house. Once he gets to the highest branch that will hold his weight, he grabs me by the ankle and dangles me upside down. "Cute and Cuddly eh?"

I cross my arms in front of my chest and look up at Emmett and say "Is that the best you got?"

There was a brief look of shock followed by a devious grin before he released me one second and caught me again after dropping 10 feet or so. The look of shock on my face makes him smile wider.

"What was that you were saying Bells?"

"You're a big, bad, scary vampire!" Seeing that my distraction worked, I figured it was safe to give in.

He swings me into his arms and runs me back to the house where everyone was watching from the windows with smiles on their faces. Everyone that is, except Edward. He was shooting daggers at Emmett and I could see that Carlisle had a hand on his shoulder keeping him in place.

As soon as Emmett sets me back on my feet Edward is at my side. I look at him smiling trying to assure him that I had fun but he's too busy glaring at Emmett to notice.

"Relax, Edward, Bella enjoyed that as much as Emmett did." Jasper said trying calm Edward down. I'm assuming he sent a wave of calm as well because I saw the tension leave his body.

"Present time!" Alice announces to no one in particular, further dispelling the tension in the room. She comes and grabs my arm, towing me toward my tower of presents.

Seeing my brief look of apprehension, Alice rolls her eyes and shoves the first present into my hands knocking me off balance but I catch myself before I fall. "This is from Emmett and Jasper."

After a silent grumble under my breath that I'm certain everyone heard, I start ripping into the present to hurry the process along. Inside is the empty box of some electronic something or other. I look up confused and see the beaming face of Emmett.

"I've already installed it in your truck." he says with child-like enthusiasm.

I shoot a glare at Edward remembering the comment he made earlier about the radio in my truck. But no matter how much I hate receiving presents I don't want to seem ungrateful so I turn to smile at Emmett and Jasper and say thank you.

Before they can even respond, the bouncing pixie next to me is already shoving another present in my hands.

I can't help but smile at her impatience.

"This is from Carlisle and Esme."

I decide to take my time opening this one to get on the nerves of the annoying bouncing pixie next to me. I go to slide my finger under the wrapping paper to release the tape holding it in place when I give myself a paper cut. I pull my finger away with a gasp and look up to see seven vampires staring at the single drop of blood on my finger like it's their salvation.

Edward yelled "No" then pushed me out of the way and I go flying into the table that is filled with glass bowls. I feel blood dripping down my arm seconds before I feel the pain from the many cuts I received from the glass. Now instead of a tiny drop of blood from my paper cut, I'm covered in blood. Thanks a lot Edward.

I look up to see the blur of Jasper and Edward fighting.

Fuck My Life!

Jasper's POV

I was glad to see Bella start to relax. The emotions she was feeling when she first arrived were a bit overwhelming. The gratitude and love was almost completely covered by her feelings of unworthiness.

She had finally allowed herself to have some fun when I saw her tripping down the stairs.

Without thinking of Edwards rule to keep my distance I dashed forward to catch her before she face planted.

The feel of having Bella in my arms was completely shocking. I have never had that kind of physical reaction with anyone before. Not even Alice. It was like the air between us was vibrating with energy. But looking into her eyes was something else altogether. I finally understood Edward's obsession with this human girl.

In the past few months I've come to have great respect for Bella especially after witnessing how willing she was to sacrifice herself to save her mother when she thought James had kidnapped her. Not to mention, the number of times she put herself at risk to save the Cullen's. But looking into her depthless chocolate brown eyes, I was in heaven. I think Bella is dazzling me.

I'm glad Bella was able to think on her feet and distract Edward from prying into my head after Emmett's thoughtless comment. The joy Bella felt after her little game with Emmett was very powerful. I felt myself smiling in response. I can't remember the last time I had such a goofy grin on my face. I tried to calm Edward by projecting the feelings of joy I was feeling from Bella and he relaxed.

As Alice dragged Bella off to the mountain of presents I felt Bella's apprehension and felt a little guilty that I was unable to keep Alice from going overboard. I know Alice loves Bella but she really doesn't understand why Bella doesn't like to receive presents. She thought that Bella was just a little daunted by our wealth. But Bella really does feel unworthy having money spent on her.

I felt her gratitude for the radio and was surprised at how much it pleased me. This only confused me more. I was trying not to think about how right Bella felt in my arms while Edward was around. I'm going to have to take some time to get away so I could really analyze what I'm feeling away from the watchful eyes of Edward.

I was watching Bella spend a little more time unwrapping the gift from Esme and Carlisle when her scent hit me like a battering ram. At first, I could handle my bloodlust. It was just a little blood after all. But then Edward had to overreact and push Bella away. He must have pushed her too hard because she went flying into the table that held the glass bowls with tea lights in them. Now there's even more blood. All thought left my mind. I was running on instinct now. I leapt toward the sweet nectar that was calling to me. Nothing was going to keep me from it. It was mine. When I saw the bronze haired one move to intercept me, I dodged him and grabbed his arm and threw him with all my might through the window and towards the river.

With him that far away I would be able to reach and claim the prize as mine before he could return.

I briefly noted that the others were moving away from the blood instead of towards it so I grabbed the warm body and latched my teeth onto her throat. This was absolute ambrosia. I can't remember the last time I tasted anything so scrumptious. I felt the initial fear when I first sunk my teeth into her throat but what shocked me was when it turned to guilt and I hear her whisper "Jasper, I'm sorry."

She was apologizing to me. That shock was enough to break through the instinct that was driving me and remember that this was Bella. I'm killing Bella. I relaxed my grip on her but before I tore my mouth away from the wound on her neck I pushed all the venom I had in my mouth into her blood stream to ensure that she would at least have enough to complete the change, then licked the wound to seal it shut. Then I stepped away just as I felt arms grab me from behind. I didn't struggle as they drug me away. I watched long enough to see that Carlisle was tending to her before turning and running as far away as my legs could take me. Once the others realized I wasn't trying to get back to Bella they let me leave.

I don't know how far I ran but eventually the grief and guilt overwhelmed me. I stopped and fell to my knees. Too overwhelmed to move I just sat there and let the tearless sobs overtake me.

Edward's POV

When Bella's scent hit me I was overwhelmed by blood-lust, but when I saw the look that crossed Bella's face when she realized she was bleeding in front of 7 lethal vampire's I sobered quickly. I pushed Bella out of the way, not paying as much attention to my strength as I should have. I heard her crash into the table behind me but I was focused on Jasper and I saw him move towards Bella. I ran forward to intercept him but when I tuned into his thoughts all I could hear was "Mine" repeating over and over like a mantra. I went to grab him and next thing I know I'm crashing through the window and sailing through the air. With my power to hear the moves someone plans to make before they make them, it's difficult to get past me. Once I recovered from my shock I raced back to the house but I could see that Jasper was already draining my precious Bella. As I got closer I could hear Jasper's thoughts return with his rationality.

Esme, Alice, and Rosalie had left the house to get away from the blood so that just left Emmett and Carlisle to save Bella.

I saw Emmett drag Jasper away as Carlisle went to assist Bella. Without breathing I ran to Bella praying that she would make it. I instantly thought of how I saved her in Phoenix and thought that I could do that again. Carlisle was thinking the same thing as he examined her but then I heard him dismiss it. She has already lost too much blood and the venom had already reached her heart.

Bella was going through the change. My Bella is going to be a vampire. Part of me was mourning the loss of her humanity and yet part of me was relieved that the decision was taken from my hands. I get to have Bella forever.

Carlisle's thoughts broke through in that instant. Why isn't she screaming? The venom has reached her heart; she should be screaming and writhing in pain. This would be a good opportunity to test a theory of mine.

This concerned me. "Please tell me she's going to make it Carlisle."

I look around for Alice to ask her if she can see the outcome but I saw that everyone else had already left the house to get away from the smell of the blood. I search for her thoughts but she must have run after Jasper because she is beyond my range. I turn back to Carlisle just as he answers.

"I've never seen anyone be this quiet during the change but she's lost so much blood so she's probably just passed out. Plus Bella faints at the smell of blood so I'm pretty sure that's all this is. We should move her someplace more comfortable."

I pick her up and race her upstairs to my room. Carlisle following behind me after running to his study to get his black bag. As soon as I set her down on the black couch he reaches in his bag for a small bottle and a syringe.

"What is that?" I ask him.

"Morphine. I'm hoping it will dull the pain of the transformation."

Ahh, good thinking. I don't want my Bella to have to suffer through the three days of hell that we all remember so well.

Carlisle then cleans up and bandages her arm where she got cut by the glass. Once she is sewn up and he has burned all the evidence, I take my first breath since Bella cut her finger.

"We need to have a family meeting to decide how we are going to deal with this as soon as the others return." Carlisle says.

"I'm staying with her Carlisle. I can hear everything from here."

Carlisle leaves to go downstairs and start cleaning up. I hear Esme down there as well already cleaning up the blood with bleach.

I lay next to Bella holding her hand and start talking to her. I tell her how much I love her and that I'm sorry for the pain. I tell her that I never wanted this for her but that I'm really happy that I'll get to spend eternity with her.

When the others return I hear them move to the dining room. I can't hear Jasper's thoughts so I'm guessing that he is off wallowing somewhere. I'm not ready to deal with him yet so I hope he stays away.