Author's Note: Ok so here is my second shot at a story, I know my stories aren't anything to rave about but I am certainly hoping that this one is better than the last…anyway…here's the next story, I hope you enjoy it, if not, oh well. This one, I'm hoping, is at least a little bit better than the last story, let me know what you think! It's all about Edward and Bella. It really just takes place on the day of their wedding and focuses on Bella's transformation in to a vampire. I hope you guys like it! Thanks so much in advance for taking the time out to read my story! I really appreciate it. Oh and if you or anyone you know are looking for a beta, I would love to be your beta, just head to my profile and read all about me and what type of beta I can be for you!!! Anyway, back to the story at hand, enjoy it!!
"I, Edward Cullen, take you, Isabella Swan, to be my wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow." I looked into the eyes of my love as I repeated the vows unprompted. I know that they were the traditional vows and Bella was probably expecting me to go overboard, quoting romantic poetry, or perhaps bursting into song or something. But what can I say? I guess am just the traditional sort. My only defiance of convention came when my brother, Emmett, who was officiating the ceremony today, asked me to take Bella's hand in mine, and instead I wrapped her tight in my arms. I didn't want a single superfluous millimeter to come between us. I am unable to read her thoughts the way I can with others, but I pride myself on being able to read her face as well as I was able to. I wanted her to feel all of the love in my still heart; to know that I would spend my eternity making sure that she had made the right decision when she decided to choose me. The last thing I wanted for her to be thinking about was the wedding ceremony that going on around us. I must be the only love-struck fool in a century to have to blackmail my beautiful bride to get her to the altar.
Bella has certain ideas about marriage that have been completely warped by her upbringing. She was terrified about what her mother and friends would say about her getting married right out of high school. The only reason that she agreed to get married to me at all is because I had refused to change her until she was my wife. I still do not understand why she would want to become a lifeless monster like I am. I have put all of my efforts into reversing, or at least delaying her decision. But she stands firm to her decision.
I am a vampire. My family, some would say coven, are all what we affectionately refer to as "vegetarians." We do not hunt humans, just wild game. And yet, as much of my humanity as I have struggled to retain throughout my time, it is still not the life I would want for the woman I love. I wanted what she likes to call Plan B. College, growing up, all of the glorious, wonderful experiences that a human life can offer. But my Bella is nothing if not stubborn. She refuses to "live" past her nineteenth birthday, she wants me to change her.
She insists that her decision is the only practical one for our relationship to be able to last and my family agrees with her. The Volturi, a powerful coven of vampire royalty located in Italy, has given us the option of either killing Bella, or changing her into one of us. They will not allow a human to live with the knowledge of our existence. The only rule that we live by is to keep the secret of what we really are from humans. I blame myself. It was my own selfish decision to keep Bella close to me that allowed her to figure out what we are and now her life, as she knows it, will end and for some strange reason she is thrilled about that fact.
My father, Carlisle, had offered to change her as soon as she graduated from high school. The delay, while irksome to Bella, was actually very practical. Bella's family and friends would be expecting her to go off to college. Her long absence from them would not cause any undue stress or unanswerable questions. The transition from mortal to vampire is an excruciating, three day long process that leaves the neophyte vampire with a manic, uncontrollable, thirst for a human's blood. It is only through years of fighting one's own urges that the thirst can actually be mastered. Until then, Bella would be a danger to her own family and friends. I have promised her that I will not allow that to happen.
She was all set to enter her new life on the morning after graduation, that was, until I offered her another option. I would change her myself, but only if she agreed to married me first. She was less than thrilled about the marriage stipulation, but as I had hoped, she wanted me to be the one to make her immortal. Although I still do not want Bella to become a vampire, I am glad that her aversion to the matrimonial state has bought me at least a few more months of her life.
"I, Isabella Swan, take you, Edward Cullen, to be my husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow." I think that I may have been the only one to notice the catch in her voice as she spoke her vows. And anyone who did notice would attribute it to her nerves or emotion, anyway. I feared it was something far more significant. This was one of those times that I really wish I could hear her thoughts. Then again, maybe I was better off not knowing what was really going on in that head of hers. Was she thinking about him? Jacob Black, the mangy, flea-bitten mongrel of a werewolf, was thankfully nowhere to be seen today. I had sent him an invitation to the wedding, against Bella's wishes, because I thought it was the decent thing to do. He didn't show up, thank God. Deep down, I had this terrible vision that Bella would suddenly believe that what I had been trying to convince her of since the day that we met: I am not good for her, that she deserves better than me. To my eternal bemusement and gratitude, she refused to listen me. I even told her that I would step aside if she told me that was what she wanted. She insists that she is sure about this, but I do not know that I ever will be. He could give her things that I never could. Children for one, a normal life. All I have to offer is immortality as a monster. I find myself really wishing that she had chosen him, even though it would kill me to lose her again.
"With this ring, I thee wed. And with all my worldly possessions I thee endow. And with all that I have, and all that I am, I honor thee." I spoke the words that would bind my soul (if I even have one) to hers forever. I leaned down and rested my forehead against hers as I slipped my mother's wedding ring onto her finger. The warmth that radiated from her skin giving me goosebumps. That would not be true for much longer. A sigh escaped my lips, so soft that only Bella would notice. That heartbeat that I have become so attuned to, what would the silence be like when that beat ceased to be? Her fragile, human body had forced a certain restraint in our relationship. Bella likes to push the limitations of our physical relationship, but my fear of hurting her accidentally has loomed over our interactions like a dark cloud. It has been difficult to see the hurt and frustration on her face when I am forced to end our romantic interludes, but the idea of harming her in my loss of control was infinitely worse. She has managed to extract from me a promise to try after the wedding. She says that this is the only "human experience" that she doesn't want to miss out on. She has convinced herself that once she makes the change, she will be so distracted by the thirst for human blood that she will not want to be with me anymore. I have assured her that she will still be Bella, but I have my own concerns.
The silence in my own chest that I have lived with for eight decades was relieved only by the steady thrum of her pulse. Her scent, that magical elixir which brings me back to life, how would I feel when I pull her to me and inhale instead that sweet scent of my own kind? I know she will still be Bella, but will she still be my Bella? "With this ring, I thee wed. And with all my worldly possessions I thee endow. And with all that I have, and all that I am, I honor thee."
Bella's whispered vows sent jagged shards of emotion ripping through me. Please God, let her be sure!
The final, official words were all but a blur. I was lost in my own thoughts and in my one true love's eyes. I was even a little late on the cue to end the ceremony with a kiss. Emmett prompted me with a not to gentle nudge. I placed my hands on either side of her warm, sweet, face and leaned in to her. I inhaled softly and felt that sweet rush of sensation that always came to me when she was near. I no longer had to fight the urge to kill her. No, I had lived with the thought of her death for the longest twenty-four hours of my life and it had effectively inoculated me against the lust for her blood.
The music swelled and we floated down the aisle hand in hand. That is how it appeared to everyone else. Bella, of course, understands how we move. I think she finds it exciting when I take her in my arms and she feels weightless. Is that just another thing I'll lose when she changes? Will she stop thrilling to my touch when she no longer needs my strength because she will have her own? Sigh.
The reception, which was being held in our living room to make Bella more comfortable, was as elaborate as Bella would allow. Alice greatly resented the restraints that Bella had placed on her party-planning skills, but she conceded in exchange for getting a wedding at all. I had offered to take Bella to Las Vegas. Alice was crushed and ended up guilting Bella into this ostentatious display of conventional romance. She is convinced that Bella would look back and regret not having a wedding. I'm not so sure. Bella is anything but what one would classify as a traditional girl. I feel immeasurably guilty at practically forcing her to make an honest man of me. Unfortunately, the very selfish, almost human, voice inside is rejoicing that she is finally mine and will be forever.
Alice announced our first dance and, finally, after what felt like a lifetime, I have an actual excuse for taking her in my arms. Bella is convinced that she is a menace on the dance floor, but she doesn't mind so much when I have her gliding gracefully across the floor on top of my feet. The music that was playing softly in the background is the lullaby that I wrote for Bella, and I can hear the thoughts flying around the room as fast as the song's story. "He wrote the song for her? That is so romantic!" "Isn't she beautiful?" "Yes, she is," I couldn't help but whisper. "What?" she asked, not having a clue what I was answering to. "Someone just thought, 'Isn't she beautiful?' and I answered 'Yes,'" I clarified for her.
"Oh," she murmured with an accompanying blush coming to her cheeks. She has no idea how precious she is to me.
The song changed and both Bella and I were shocked with Alice's sense of humor. When the country singer intoned about how she would love her mate with every beat of her heart, Bella looked at me curiously. I shrugged; Alice will be Alice. When the siren went on to sing about how she would give her last breath for his love, we both chuckled. I never knew my little sister had such a devilish sense of humor.
We did all of the expected "Kodak moments," cutting the cake (how can my lovely bride stomach the sugary mess?) the champagne toast, the kiss (which lasted a little longer than strictly necessary). Finally the last guests were out the door and my family was making excuses to leave, with varying degrees of believability.
At last, I was alone with my bride, my reason for existing, if not living in the strictest sense. I scooped her up into my arms with relish and flew with her to my, no our, bedroom. I slowly lowered her to her feet. I wanted to take this slow, as accustomed as I have become to speed. It took what seemed like hours just to get her out of that damned dress Alice had insisted she wear. I had to severely restrain myself to not just rip the thing to shreds. Bella pressed against me and pushed her mouth harshly into mine to intensify our kisses. I don't know if she was swept up in her passion or just scared that I would back out. Not tonight, love. I'm not giving up this time.
I laid her on the bed with all of the gentleness and patience that I could muster. Her every sigh was like an aphrodisiac, but the cold chills that rippled down her skin caused me pause. "Are you cold?" I asked, ever conscious of my lack of physical warmth. "No," came her husky reply and relief washed over me, leaving me giddy in its wake. The first time that I started to lose control, I had to pull back. I could see the hurt and disappointment on her face even as she tried to hide it from me. I placed my hand on her cheek and pulled her face back to me.
"I'm not quitting, I just need to calm down." "Really?" she asked and the hope in her voice lightened my heart. "Really," I promised. "I'm not giving up until I give you what you want most. You have already made my every dream come true. Now I am going to do my best to do the same for you." I did my best. I hope that that night was everything she hoped for. I had nothing to compare it to, so I am as blissfully ignorant as my bride, but it was by far the best night of my life, by a good margin.
The following night, though, was the worst of my very long life. My family returned shortly after breakfast and we were deep into the congratulations when I felt a foreign consciousness invade my mind. Alice met my gaze and with a quick nod, confirmed my worst nightmare.
"There here," I said, and Bella stiffened. " The Volturi?" she asked, and my answering nod seemed to be the death of our celebration. "How do you want to handle this?" asked Carlisle. His deference to my opinion was completely due to my feelings for Bella. They were here to see it done, one way or the other. I could read their thoughts as clearly as Bella read her battered copy of Wuthering Heights. There were a few among them who hoped that I would not agree. They had smelled Bella in Italy and were hoping to get a taste her for themselves. "Aro is among them," I stated. "All he wants is to witness the bite. If we cooperate, he is planning to leave us in peace for the rest." I felt a shiver run down Bella's spine. As ready as she says she is, I know that she is still afraid of the pain. And so am I. "Let's go," Carlisle instructed, his face grim. "It is better if we meet them now. Cowering inside will not send the message that we wish to convey to them."
We were waiting in the living room when the cloaked figures arrived. Aro seemed not surprised at all that we were expecting him, and his eyes flickered briefly to Alice. "She is still human, Edward?" Aro tisked. "That is a disappointment. You know what are conditions were." Alice spoke up before I could. "Last night was the wedding, for her human relatives. Tonight, she becomes one of us, as agreed upon." She held out her palm so that he could check the truth of her words. By the slightest touch, he witnessed Alice's vision of Bella's transformation. "With your permission, we will return at sunset and witness the event." His tone made it quite clear that the "permission" was merely a polite formality, that he would be here whether we wanted him to be or not. "You understand, we are curious about one who has made such a choice voluntarily." "Of course," Carlisle replied. "You are welcome to join us."
Satisfied with our capitulation, Aro and his entourage left, but we knew they would honor the promise (threat) to return this evening as witnesses. Bella was clinging to my side almost as tightly as I was clutching her to me.
"Are you sure you don't want to run?" I asked her. "I promise they won't find you. I swear I'll keep you safe. They can't track you. We still have time to leave if this isn't what you want." "No." That single word, spoken without fear or hesitation, was the end to my dream for Bella. "I won't hide and put people I love in danger when they come to look for me. They will never give up finding us, Edward, they will kill our loved ones and destroy every thing that we have, we can't just run like cowards. I want this! What about you? They can track you! How will we hide? Stay away from each other? I won't do that again! This is the only way we can be safe. The only way we can finally be free." I hesitated. "Please, Edward" she whispered, and it was my undoing. "Tonight, at sunset," I whispered. I took a deep, steadying breath and sighed "Let's go." "Go where?" she asked in her confusion. "Bella," I sighed. "You need to say 'Goodbye' to Charlie and Renee. We are leaving on our 'honeymoon' remember?" I struggled to keep the bitterness out of my voice. I had hoped for just a little more time before this day, I wasn't ready for this. There was so much of the world that I wanted to show her. So much I wanted for her to see and be able to experience before she had to give it all up so irrevocably.
We made the rounds, saving Charlie for last. That goodbye was the hardest for Bella. She had worked for so long to avoid hurting him with her decisions, and now she was saying goodbye, not just to go on her honeymoon, or even for her first year of college, as everyone assumed. No, this goodbye was, quite probably, the last goodbye. There was no way of knowing how soon Bella would regain control of her impulses and lust for human blood, but it was sure to take years. It was possible that many of Bella's loved ones would be dead before she was safe to be around them again. I tried to avoid pointing this out to her as the thought of hurting someone she loves causes her so much pain. I know, because I see it in her eyes whenever she is lost in thought, and I'm sure she is thinking about the hurt she caused Jacob Black when she chose me.
Renee cried profusely and glared at me when Bella wasn't looking. I had expected as much. The thoughts she was practically shouting at me screamed of her disappointment that I was dragging her baby down the path she had struggled to keep her off of. I couldn't agree with her more, but on an entirely different plane. Charlie tried to be brave, holding in his tears for Bella. He didn't want her to leave thinking that she was leaving him alone, to take care of himself. How like her father Bella is. Both are so deeply rooted in responsibility for others. I wonder if she has ever made the connection.
"How's Jacob?" I heard Bella's whisper from across the room. Even though I can't hear her thoughts, I don't even need to try to pick out her voice in a crowd. "I'm not sure," came Charlie's gruff reply. "I haven't talked to Billy in a while, but I got the impression that the kid is taking it pretty hard." I hope he comes back soon. Billy is not worried, but I hate to think of a kid his age just wandering around out there all by himself.
I tuned out the thoughts of the people and concentrated hard on finding Jacob's thoughts. It was difficult, more difficult than it should have been. I was a little worried. I know Bella wouldn't ask me, but I wanted to be able to tell her that he was fine. I am beginning to detest that dog for the pain that he keeps causing Bella, just thinking about him. Just when I thought I was going to have to give up, I caught the faintest whiff of his signature. Just a trace, really, but enough for me to determine that he was still in wolf form and very far away. Had he been like that all this time? I would have to be careful in my phrasing to Bella. I promised not to keep things from her, but I also don't want to cause her any more guilt. She feels entirely too responsible for Jacob's feelings as it is.
We collected the last of Bella's things from her room before we left. She hadn't left much in the first place, but I think she wanted to have an excuse to say "goodbye" to her room. So much has happened in that room. I find myself missing it a little, to my surprise. For so long, my almost obsessive thoughts have centered around making Bella mine, now I find myself longing for those days when she was content to let me hold her in my arms while she slept.
As the hours until sunset ticked away like the remaining time on a bomb, I felt a restlessness invade my mind. I was scared, plain and simple. Bella had complete faith in me, but I was terrified of hurting her. It was not a case of if I would hurt her, but how much? I found myself praying to what ever God existed, Please, please, don't make me do this to her. Please!
Finally, we could tarry no longer. The sun had begun its feverish descent. I took Bella in my arms and ran with her through the forest, to my home. I felt like I was saying goodbye to her humanity with every step that I took. We arrived to find everyone already assembled in the living room. Aro was already there, along with Jane and the rest of his personal guards. Caius, also, had made an appearance. There was more than just morbid curiosity in his thoughts, however. He was hoping to kill Bella instead of just witnessing her conversion. Jane, too, harbored feelings of bitterness toward Bella, but hers stemmed from pouting over her lack of power over Bella. She found Bella's immunity as frustrating as I did, but with a more sadistic twist.
"Ah, there now," Carlisle said, noticing mine and Bella's return, and the relief in his voice was palpable. "Just as I said, Edward is nothing if not punctual." "Well, now that the guest of honor is here, shall we begin?" Aro prompted. He seemed overly anxious about watching Bella's transformation. Then his thoughts wandered and I caught the real reason for his presence. Curiosity indeed, but not just to see Bella's choice. He wanted to see what "abilities" she would have once she made the transition into one of us. Alice, Jasper, and I all have unique abilities that were strengthened and intensified by the change. Aro was really hoping that Bella's immunity to his own powers was indicative of the abilities she would further develop as a vampire, and he was hoping that he would be able to gain control over her. He wanted her in his coven as much as I had wanted her blood when we first met. That will NEVER happen! I swore to myself. "Just a minute," Bella interrupted. I wished I could know what she was planning. "I would just like to say a few things first. Welcome, guests, to my –er- my birthday party. Thank you, to my family for being here to show your support for Edward and I." She moved to stand beside Carlisle and spoke quietly, even though every set of ears in the room was listening carefully to her words. "Stay close, Edward may need your help." She moved on to Rosalie, "You don't have to stay if you don't want to. I know you don't approve of this decision, and I appreciate your support in spite of that. I will understand if you need to go." "No, I will stay with you. You are my sister now. I won't walk out on you, especially now." Rosalie was still trying to make up for her bitter, resentful treatment of Bella for the last two years.
"Jasper, you can wait outside, if you need to. I don't want to make you any more uncomfortable than you already are." Bella thoughtfully gave Jasper the excuse to avoid the pitfalls of smelling even a hint of her blood. He still struggles more than the rest of us to resist the thirst. "I am o.k. Bella, really. I am here for the duration. There is no need to worry about me or any of us right now. You have enough to be going on with as it is." He was right, of course. The day that began with celebration and tearful goodbyes was degenerating rapidly into a nightmare for Bella, she just hadn't realized that yet.
"Alice, just tell me. Is everything going to go O.K.?" Alice's hesitant nod didn't seem to pacify Bella's need for reassurance and she turned to me, questioningly. I searched Alice's vision and saw the agony she didn't want to voice. I nodded. It would go as well as such things could be expected to go. It would be by far the most horrific experience of her life, but she would live through it and become a much stronger person for it.
She moved to Esme and kissed her softly on the cheek. "See you soon." It wasn't much, but it was enough. Esme was clearly touched by Bella's affection for her chosen family. Finally she came to stand before me, in the center of a circle of onlookers. I had my eyes closed and she waited until I opened them and met her gaze. "I'm going to have to break my promise that I made you," I whispered, sadly.
"What promise is that?" she asked. "My promise to never hurt you," I answered. I could feel emotion steeling my words, choking them off inside my throat. "I hate to do this to you." She reached up and placed both of her warm, soft, hands on my face. I silently thought to myself that this would be the last time that I would be able to feel her warmth on me. She leaned in and kissed my lips sweetly. "Then I won't ask you to." My relief was only temporary; it lasted only until she turned to Carlisle. Then I realized: she would not force me to hurt her because she knew it would hurt me. She did not, however, intend to back out.
"No!" I cried. "It will either be me or it will not happen at all. If you are going to go through with this, then we will do it together." I took a breath and inhaled her magical scent for the last time. I forced myself to stay calm; being upset would only make it harder for me to control what was now the inevitable. Finally, I took her hand and raised it to my lips. I placed a gentle kiss on the inside of her delicate, fragile wrist, against the erratic pulse that rushed there. "I love you so much," I whispered.
"I know you do, and I love you too," she replied.
"Close your eyes," I instructed her, although I think it was more for my peace of mind than hers. She did as I had asked her to. I had to force myself to ignore the gasp of pain as my venom-coated teeth punctured her skin. I did not drink; I could find no pleasure in the taste of her blood. Instead, I reached quickly for her other wrist and again, I injected my deadly poison into her veins. This time there was no answering gasp escaping from her lips. Her cries were from the burning agony that was slowly and painfully crawling its way up her arm. The venom would progress throughout her body, making the changes, healing, strengthening her. It would continue to circulate through her body until, finally, her heart would stop the beating to which I have become so accustomed to in the past two years since we have been together. I am really going to miss hearing that.
I held her tighter, crushing her to my chest; my face buried in the curve of her neck where, only a few hours ago, I had placed gentle kisses that brought gasps of pleasure, instead of pain. "It is enough." Aro's voice entering the room again. I couldn't even hear the thoughts of the people that were standing around me, only her cries. "We will leave you now. We will be expecting a visit from the both of you soon." I presume they left. I don't know. As soon as I heard that they were satisfied with what had just happened to the love of my life, I flew with Bella up the stair case, to our room in a sickening parody of our wedding night last night. I laid her on the bed and gathered her close to me. Her screams wrenched through me, tearing me apart. I felt her pain and she knew it.
"Go," she managed to gasp out between screams. "I'll b-b-be f-f-fine, j-j-just g-go." "I will not leave you again, love," I stubbornly insisted to her. "If you are going to do this, we will do it together," I repeated.
"It's too much Edward!" Her tears were killing me. She begged me over and over to make it stop, to end the pain. Finally, she begged me to just kill her, just to be done with it. Foolish girl, I thought. You should know by now that I could never do that. I'm not strong enough. I heard Jasper's thoughts outside the door. Let me in. "Leave us alone!" I shouted unnecessarily. He would have heard as well if I had whispered but I couldn't help it. I think I can help. Let me in, he persisted. "Yes," I conceded. As much as I felt that I had deserved to suffer alone for what I had done to Bella, I would not be so selfish as to deprive her of whatever minimal comfort my brother could offer her.
Jasper stood by the bed and closed his eyes. I could feel his peculiar ability to control emotions begin to ease the tension in the room. Bella's pain could not be removed, but he was at least able to ease the blind panic that the pain caused. She was less terrified and the pain she was no doubt experiencing, therefore, more manageable. Her screams subsided into sobs and then to whimpers. "Thank you, Jasper," I whispered. You are welcome came Jasper's thought reply, although I'm not even sure if I was consciously thanking him or God, or the universe in general. Her relief was my relief. We spent uncounted hours there, on that bed, Jasper very patiently standing beside us. At some point, someone brought in a chair and he sat, but he never wavered in his mission to ease my Bella's pain. He could feel people's emotions the way that I can hear their thoughts, so I know that he could feel what she was going through. He could have left. He could have, at anytime, said it was more than he could do, and no one would have doubted the truth of his words, least of all me. I knew it was too much, but I could not leave her. She is my life, my reason for existing. But he didn't leave; he stayed until the pain finally stopped. Three very long, grueling days of unending torment, followed at last by peace.
I felt the last shudder of her body as her heartbeat slowed. "It won't be long now," I whispered to her. "It's almost done." And then it stopped, her heart ceased to beat. I stared at her intensely, willing her to open her eyes. Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, her lids fluttered and opened. "Bella?" I searched her dark eyes for any traces of recognition. "Edward," she sighed and her eyes closed once more. "Are you o.k.?" I asked. I needed that answer more than I needed my next meal. "I'm…I'm…" She paused, and then her eyes flew open and met mine in the shock of first understanding. "I'm thirsty."
And so began the first night of our new lives together. I knew that she really needed to feed and so I took her to hunt for her first meal. My delicate, fragile Bella has a taste for mountain lion, it seems. Oh! What a sight to behold! My Bella, the inquisitive, the curious, the completely indecipherable. She was born to hunt. And now she would never have cause to leave my side. Not for the whole wide world would I ever be parted from her again. She is my life now and forever.
Another Author's note (I know): So that's it!! How did you like it?!? I really wish that I was able to make it a little longer, maybe add some more details here and there, but my schedule is extremely hectic right now seeing as how I am taking care of my three nephews and newborn twins, plus all of my animals….but anyway…I am hoping to one day be able to come back and add some more details to the story because I really like this one. Oh and don't forget to look me up to be your beta!!! I guarantee that you will not be disappointed by me!!