Author's Note: this is the second part of my story, 'First Hunt' - however, this can be read without having read the first part. GH
"How was it, Bella?" Alice's chirping voice rang out through the dark garden, and the rest of the family seemed to melt silently into view as the pair entered the lounge room. The corners of Bella's bloodstained mouth lifted, and Edward twined his long fingers through hers.
"It was…so good." The vampires all smiled. "It sort of…filled me up and made me feel alive – well, not technically, I mean we're not exactly alive, are we?" She giggled; a sound pure and sweet that she was not yet used to. "It was like everything I ever needed or wanted." Jasper's eyes shut for a moment and his mouth drew thin. Alice put an understanding arm around him, mouthing silent words of comfort. Edward grinned at Bella's response and kissed her, and the taste of blood and her own body filled her mouth.
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it Bella," Carlisle interrupted tactfully. "Perhaps we should all go hunting tomorrow?" He raised an eyebrow, glancing at Jasper's pained face. He made a miniscule movement with his head that indicated his agreement.
"I'm there!" shouted Emmett as he whisked Rosalie off her feet and over his shoulder.
She laughed, not trying to break free as they disappeared around a corner. "You can count me in!"
Alice looked at Jasper as a shadow of a smile passed over his face. "We'll be there. And the weather will be perfect – not too cold for animals, and nice and grey for us!" And with an impish smile, she led a grinning Jasper to the gym.
"I'll stay here…I don't need to hunt," smiled Esme. Carlisle looked imploringly at his wife, cupping her face in his hand.
"Come on, Esme, it will be fun. When was the last time we went out as a family? And besides, we have to see how Bella hunts. I'm sure we could give her some tips." He smiled, and Esme rolled her eyes.
"You are impossible to disagree with, Carlisle." She beamed, putting her arm around her husband's waist. "See you tomorrow then, you two," Esme said, gliding upstairs to her and Carlisle's room. Carlisle winked at Bella and Edward, and followed his wife's graceful steps.
Edward looked down into Bella's golden eyes, wrapping his toned arms around his wife's lower back. He pulled her forward into his lips, and they are transported back to the forest for a moment.
Edward breaks away, smiling through dark lips. "We need sleep if we're going to hunt again tomorrow."
Bella frowned a little. "But vampires don't sleep," she murmured, wondering once again if this was all a dream.
"Did I say sleep?" Edward chuckled. "I meant, uh…rest. Sort of." And before Bella could question again, he lifted her weightlessly into his arms, her face so close that he could smell her blood-soaked breath. He licked his lips as he carried her upstairs and into his room, shutting the door soundlessly behind him. Smirking, Edward lay his bundle down on the long, black leather lounge, and glided to the futuristic stereo on the opposite wall. He pursed his lips, standing perfectly still in front of thousands of CDs in the wall. After a few minutes of silence, Edward's white hand reached up and grasped a single disc. He fed it fondly into the machine, and turned to face Bella.