Chapter 1: Rebirth
The next morning, I awoke dizzy, elated. I couldn't believe Edward had really taken me to prom. Well, maybe I could've. It was definitely the cheesy, romantic scene they tell about in movies and in books. And Edward seemed to fit in with those fairytale types. And that didn't bother me at all because he wasn't fiction, he was real. And he was mine.
Setting my feet floor I prepared to get up out of bed. Before I made it into full stance, Edward appeared in front of me, almost out of nowhere. In slight surprise I ended up sitting back on the bed. I looked into his mesmerizing golden eyes and he flashed a crooked smile.
"Sleep well?" he asked, slyly.
"As if you don't know the answer to that" I replied, sweeping passed him and grabbing my toiletries bag. But before I made it to my door he was in front of me again, still smirking.
"Actually, I don't." He sounded pleased with himself, but his expression changed when he noticed mine in response; hurt.
"Didn't you stay last night?"
"For a while, but I went home because I knew everyone would have probing questions about the evening, so I wanted to get it over with."
"Oh" I exhaled, feeling better. "They were excited for you, then?" I grabbed a towel and opened my closet door to pick an outfit.
"Bella, I think you mean 'us?'" He corrected. I sighed, looking again into his eyes. Now he looked a little hurt. But I was still a little nervous about 'us,' even after all we'd been through. And for some reason I couldn't get Rosalie out of my mind.
"Rosalie has nothing to do with us." He put his hands on either side of my face, stroking my cheeks with his icy thumbs. The feeling sent tingles down my back.
"I thought you couldn't read my thoughts?" I was puzzled. A smile curled on his lips and he let out a low chuckle.
"I can't, but that one was obvious." I was going to respond, but he'd bent down and pressed his mouth to mine before I had the chance. His breath was intoxicating, clouding my mind the instant we'd made contact. I tried so hard to be good, but I couldn't help my arms as they wrapped around his neck or my lips as they parted themselves instinctively. And even though I knew it would happen, I was surprised when he pulled away, wincing and letting out a groan of frustration.
"Sorry," I said as soon as we let go of one another. He let out a weak grunt in response. I could see his eyes had turned coal black, but I didn't wonder why. To break the awkward silence I whirled around in his arms and went back to my clothes, pulling out a pair of jeans and a green long-sleeved t-shirt.
"What questions did they have for you?" I continued the conversation. He shrugged cocking an eyebrow.
"The usual, I suppose."
"Have you been to many proms before?" I teased.
"What I meant was the usual for you humans."
"Yes, and I bet my life that Esme tittered on like any mother would after her child's first prom."
"I suppose," he agreed.
"And Carlisle kept repeating things like 'fine, splendid, excellent, good for you'. Like any father in that awkward-for-them type of conversation."
"Pretty much," he nodded slightly.
"And Alice and Jasper and Emmett all talked about how wonderful we looked, especially me."
"They did."
"And Rosalie didn't utter a word. Except maybe to extend the fact that she was happy for you?" Painful as that may have been for her, I thought. He rolled his eyes (now honey-colored) at me then.
"She did manage that, actually."
"Huh" I said, picking up my bag once again, clothes and towel on the opposite arm.
"What?" he asked, inquisitively.
"Nothing…but I was just thinking…that sounds pretty humanly to me, even for a family of vampires…vegetarian or not." I strode passed him again, this time opening the door and twirling out of it before he had a chance to stop me. I couldn't hear his response as I shut it behind me, but I'm sure it was something sarcastic.
After leaving the house, we took my truck toward Edward's meadow. This time when I rode on his back I only came off semi-queasy, as I kept my eyes open and alert to our fluid dash through the tress only most of the time.
Lying in the sun, I settled peacefully. Edward sparkling serenely against the tall grass, his perfect body was cool and comforting. My head was on his chest, and I turned my face inward to take in his heavenly aroma. I wanted to stay there with him for the rest of our lives or, as I remembered to my dismay, the rest of mine.
"I love you, Bella." He said quietly. I picked up my head and looked at him, smiling widely. "And I'll always love you, forever."
I responded simply by touching my lips to his as gently as I could muster. Electricity surged through us both and ignited a slightly deeper kiss. When we pulled away I lay my head back down on him, and we stayed that way for a long time.
We went back as the clouds became overcast and droplets of rain began to collect on the ground. Edward told me Alice and Esme had questions for me pertaining to prom, so he drove me back to their house. The whole time we held hands, resting them gently in the space between us.
Coming in the front door of the Cullen House (or mansion, as it should've been) Alice flew excitedly into my arms, holding me tightly to her.
"You looked fantastic, Bella!" she squealed, a perfect smile playing on her perfect model-like face. "You were BEAUTIFUL."
"Thank you, Alice. I couldn't have done it without you." I squeezed her hand in appreciation and hugged her back. Then it was Esme's turn to cling to me.
"My dear, tell me all about it! You and Edward both looked stunning!" They both took each of my hands and led me toward the sitting room. Edward didn't follow, but out of the corner of my eye I saw Emmett tap him on the shoulder and begin whispering in his ear. I looked away as I was lowered onto the sofa.
"What were the other girls wearing?" Esme asked. I inhaled and described the different gowns, each one she scoffed at, saying "it didn't hold a candle to mine." Alice inquired about the other boys, recalling that I'd danced with Jacob Black for a moment. Wondering if Edward had behaved gentlemanly about the whole thing or not. Just then, he interrupted us.
"Bella, Emmett wants me to go into town with him. I will be back shortly; you can stay here and continue talking with Esme and Alice, I know they've both been waiting to see you. I'll take you home when I get back."
"All right," I said. "Is everything ok?"
"Fine" Emmett announced. "I just feel like going for a drive."
Edward sauntered over to where I sat and crouched down to my level. He laid a light kiss on my cheek and told me to behave myself. I smirked at him and sent him on his way with Emmett. The second the boys were out of the door, Esme and Alice continued the interrogation.
Our conversation went on for nearly an hour, and surprisingly I didn't mind. Jasper showed up at one point and sat in a nearby chair, listening contently. Rosalie appeared shortly after, but stayed aloof. Standing in the doorway and resting against the frame, never uttering a word. Esme then glided off somewhere once she was satisfied with all she knew. I took that opportunity to have a grave conversation with Alice, disregarding Jasper and Rosalie completely.
"Alice, you've done so much for me and you hardly know me…" I started. My stomach churned nervously. But I had to ask, I had to at least try.
"It's no trouble, Bella. You mean the world to our Edward, and so you mean the world to us."
"Yes, and you mean the same to me…all of you…" I looked at Rosalie in earnest, her scowl never-fading. "But I have another favor to ask."
Alice waited for me to continue.
"I—I want to change." I swallowed hard. "I want to be one of you."
I saw the fear in her eyes. They widened, and she gripped my hand tightly in her own slender one. The cold feeling didn't faze me this time. "Bella, I don't think you know what you're asking."
"But I do, Alice. I know this is what I want—to be with Edward…forever."
"Consider the consequences, Bella!" Jasper sat up, alarmed. "Think of what you'd give up."
"Nothing I'd miss, nothing of value."
"You say that now, but you don't really mean it." Alice interjected. Jasper nodded desperately in agreement.
"I do. I'm aware of what this means. I'm aware of what I'm giving up. But it means really being able to be with him FOREVER. That is what I'm after."
"Edward told us not to…" Jasper admitted meekly. My heart went out to him. He did care, about us both.
"No one should live forever, Bella." Esme announced, standing next to Rosalie. Apparently she'd heard our argument.
"But you said yourselves, Edward has been alone…when I die, he'll go back to being that way. And that would pain you…the thought pains me..."
"He doesn't want this for you, dear." Esme responded. I shook my head.
"I want to make him happy. He doesn't realize it, but this will benefit us both. We'll both be happy."
They all looked at me for what felt like the longest moment in history. Jasper would glance from me to the floor and then to his each of his family members. Finally he uttered something that brought me great relief.
"She has a point."
"JASPER!" Alice shouted in alarm. The look in her eyes was wild.
"Alice, THINK about it. She can decide things for herself. And we do love her AND Edward. They should be together."
Alice looked annoyed, casting glares at her brother and then at me. Then she through her arms in the air, defeated.
"You're right," she shook her head. Esme gasped audibly. Rosalie mumbled something that made her mouth move in a blur.
"Thank you…thank you all…" I praised. I squeezed Alice's hand again.
"Well, if this is really what you want, Bella…" Esme began, "who's going to do the honors?"
All four Cullens looked around at one another. I made the decision for them.
"Alice. I want you to do it."
Her mouth gaped open, but she didn't refuse.
"Esme, I'll do it if you'll guide me." She pleaded to her mother figure. Esme nodded in agreement.
"But quickly, before Carlisle and the boys arrive home."
They nodded in agreement and moved from their spots, pushing the sofa and chairs away to make a space on the carpet. Esme cleared her throat.
"All right," she said nervously, her voice shaking a little. "Bella, you lay on the floor. Alice will hold your head. Rest it against her. Jasper, you hold her arms. Rosalie will get her legs."
"I certainly will not." Rosalie scoffed. Without a response from Esme she turned and walked toward the stairway.
"Esme, you get her legs. Just make sure and hold tight." Jasper suggested. Esme nodded and got down with me and the other two.
"Bella, close your eyes, honey. Relax as much as you can. I won't lie, this is going to hurt. But no backing out once we've started, understand?"
I nodded sheepishly and shut my eyes, trying to drown out their voices.
"Alice, on the count of three, sink deep enough into the jugular. Don't drink completely, but enough to let seep a good amount of venom. You know what I mean, don't you?"
I guess Alice nodded.
"Okay. One…"
I felt Jasper's hold on my arms get tighter.
"Edward won't like this…" Rosalie called from the other room.
"…two…"
So did Esme's grip on my legs.
"…three!"
Alice closed her arms around my face in a vice grip. She bit into my neck and it stung worse than anything I've ever felt. The fire ignited immediately, searing into my skin and devouring everything. I tried to kick and squirm away, but they were too strong. I screamed as hard and as loud as I could, but it did nothing.
"EDWARD!" I screamed in a moment of panic. I could hear Esme's voice, garbled, trying to calm me. None of them would let me go.
The pain continued as I begged inwardly for the poison to seep and make the fire go away. I cannot describe this pain on a level that would do it justice. I can only say that it BURNED.
After a while I disassociated myself with my surroundings. I was under water, warm and quiet, coming in and out of consciousness. I swam towards a light until my arms and legs grew tired from exhaustion. Finally I gave up and let myself float in the dark. That's when I saw Edward's face, and his voice was coming clear as I suddenly reached toward the surface.
"BELLA! BELLA! WHAT DID YOU DO?" He shouted at the top of his lungs. Neither Alice, Jasper, or Esme could speak. But they all stood from where they were, leaving me there at their feet. I could see Edward, but I couldn't yet speak. I was lost in my own body; trapped.
"I TOLD YOU NO! I TOLD YOU ALL NO! WHY?" He continued. I wanted to reach out to him, touch him. Let him know it was all right. But I couldn't move. He was at my side now. I could feel his hand stroking my hair, the side of my face. He started to shake me a little, to bring me back. Just then I heard a door close, and Carlisle's soothing, melodic voice.
"Dear God." He uttered, horrified.
"BELLA! BELLA CAN YOU HEAR ME?" Edward was panicking now. He kept shaking me.
"I told them not too Edward, I told them you wouldn't like it. But they wouldn't…she wouldn't listen. They wouldn't."
"SHUT UP ROSALIE!" Edward bellowed. He looked to Carlisle for help.
"Can it be undone?" He pleaded.
"You know it cannot." He answered, gravely.
"The venom's had long enough to take hold." Emmett added.
"NO! IT CAN'T! BELLA!"
And then the voices stopped, and they all drifted away from me. I was back under the black water.