Change - Part 2
Unexpected Happenings
Author's Note: Ok, no guarantee this will work well at all… anyway though, here's a sequel – let's bring Edward back to life!
Also, I don't have a religion, no. I'm not an atheist either though, so don't worry… Just know that anything related to religion will probably have a larger degree of inaccuracy…
Disclaimer: I thought we established this before…
--
Time passes – even when it seems impossible. Even for me.
But I had promised him – to live on – and that was what I was doing, whether it meant I lived half dead or not.
"Bella?" Jacob glanced at me.
I snapped out of my reverie. "Uh, yes?"
Jacob grinned a little. "Bella, I was just asking if you wanted to go down to the beach."
"Oh. Sorry. Okay."
Although I lived life normally, like it was an everyday life, it definitely was not. After Alice had come to me with her news, the hole had hurt even more than before, threatening to kill me altogether.
And yet, her presence – even if for a short time – and Jacob's persistence in being my friend had eased my pain just the tiniest bit. Even so, the pain was there and it could not be easily ignored – that was something I would have to live with.
Even as I followed Jacob down to the beach, my mind whirred and an idea flew into my head. Even if he was dead, there was no reason they could object to granting me this.
"Actually, Jacob..."
He turned to me now, a little annoyed, "Yeah?"
I tried to smile apologetically , "I actually have something I need to do, sorry."
Disappointment washed over his face and I felt a stab of guilt but pushed it away. This was something I needed to do and I didn't want to put it off any more than was necessary – whether time was important or not.
"Okay."
"Sorry."
I dashed off in the opposite direction – tripping once when I wasn't watching closely enough – and back to Jacob's house, retrieving my coat. Then I stumbled out to my truck and waved to Jacob, who was walking back slowly, as I drove away.
I pulled up noisily in front of the Cullen's house, unsure of what I was supposed to do next. Alice didn't live here anymore, but I was counting on her seeing me in a vision and coming to meet me.
I was right.
The door opened as I got out of my truck and Alice stepped down to give me a hug. All feelings of nervousness, anxiety, fear – even that long pain – disappeared, even as I realised what must have happened.
"Jasper!" I smiled at him as Alice drew back.
"Come in," Alice pulled me inside and I took a look around. Although I wanted to run and hide and cry over the memories that swamped me, I remained calm – legacy of Jasper's power – sat down next to Alice on the couch. Jasper settled opposite us.
The sheets which had formerly covered the furniture and the fine layer of dust which had covered the floor before was al gone and the house was back in its glory. There was the sound of a door opening upstairs and Esme and Carlisle descended the stairs as I looked up.
"Bella!" There was genuine welcome in their voices, although their faces showed a little grief.
"Hi Esme, Carlisle."
I stood up again and Esme gave me a hug. Alice made a sound as though she were clearing her throat.
"Now that we're all down here, we need to discuss your… decision."
I sighed. Of course Alice would know already. No need to even explain.
"As you … might already know, I want to request to be turned into a vampire."
The Cullens' faces were grim and serious.
"Are you sure, Bella?" Esme asked gently.
I nodded firmly. "Yes. Even if I can't spend the rest of my life with … Edward, I want to be a vampire."
Esme looked at Carlisle who nodded ever so slightly.
"If that's what you want, Bella." She frowned though. "Although Edward was always against this. He did want you to be stuck suspended in time forever like we are."
I shook my head. "I want this… and I'll feel closer to him this way as well." I whispered.
Alice put an arm around me and looked up at Carlisle beseechingly. Jasper moved uncomfortably on the opposite side, trying to keep the emotions at bay.
"Alright." Carlisle sighed at last. "If that's what you want, Bella."
I smiled up at him and looked at all four of them.
"Thank you," I said, meaning it with all my heart.
--
"I can't stand this waiting." I moaned to Alice, who sat next to me.
Alice sighed. "You know we had to fix up things so we could explain why you disappeared. No one's seen us yet, so they can't connect anything to us, but the main thing is keeping Charlie and Renee in the dark."
"At least it is this afternoon." I sighed as well and drew my legs to my chest.
Although I knew it hurt Jacob that I wasn't visiting him and the last time I had talked to him was through a phone call, I was spending more time with the Cullens – or more specifically, Alice.
Alice helped heal some of the hole in me, numbing the pain so it was a little more bearable. Alice was truly like a sister and I was glad she was around.
Carlisle emerged from the house, Jasper tailing, and I could feel the wave of calm wash over me again. It was a little annoying, but I had to admit, it did help.
"It's almost time, Bella." Carlisle said softly. "You should go home and say your last farewells, though you should try to be inconspicuous."
I nodded. "Of course."
Alice broke in. "What about the werewolves? They won't try to attack us?"
I glanced at her in some surprise. Although I knew that they knew about the werewolves, this was the first tie they actually discussed them – in my presence anyway.
"Can't you tell, Alice?"
Alice looked at me, frustrated. "No, I can't see the futures of werewolves. Everything disappears."
That was news to me…
Carlisle glanced at me again as Jasper murmured, "A volunteer should be different."
"True." Alice said, just as softly.
Esme stuck her head out the door. "Carlisle, we're ready and Bella has about two hours before we fetch her again."
I nodded. "Thanks Esme."
It was time – to say my last goodbyes.
--
Two Decades Later (20 Years Later, anyway)
2025
Some people say that time heals all wounds – I tell them that it is complete and utter rubbish – but for the quote 'absence makes the heart grow fonder', I agree in every way possible.
It's not just Edward that I miss so desperately either. I miss Charlie and Renee and all my other friends – especially Jacob. This was the decision I made, however, and I probably won't ever see them again.
I wonder though, if I went back one day, would they remember me? Jacob could have not aged, certainly – I'd found out that they don't age until a certain point – but now that there weren't any vampires around, would they have turned back into normal young men?
We were lucky that day. The werewolves did not manage to get any of us, but they did attack. Eventually though, they retreated on Jacob's order and we escaped and ran.
I don't think I'll ever see Forks again.
"Bella!" Alice called from her room. "Do you want to go shopping?"
I sighed. Same old Alice. "Not really…"
"Please?" Alice bounded downstairs and looked at me beseechingly.
Argh. How could I continue to resist?
"Alright, okay, Alice."
"Yay!" Alice clapped her hands and laughed. "Let's go, then."
Alice's cheerfulness was contagious and I found myself laughing with her despite myself.
We got into her car and she drove, speeding as usual, to her favourite clothes shop. I rolled my eyes as got out and Alice bounded out and through the doors and followed at a slower pace.
Suddenly I froze, staring at the back of a boy in front of me. It couldn't be…
And yet, the hair was so very familiar – the same tint of bronze.
I couldn't tell though, all I could see was his back. It could be anyone… anyone at all.
He turned and I gasped, my eyes widening. It looked exactly like him – exactly. Inside the shop, Alice frowned and came back to me, eyes flickering in the direction I was looking. She froze.
He spied me standing in the doorway and came over.
"Hello, I'm new in these parts. Could you direct me, by any chance?" His voice was as melodic as ever, although admittedly, slightly dimmed.
I felt as though my throat was stuck, I couldn't get a word out.
"Of course." Alice replied, as we both stared into his green eyes.
"Wonderful. My name's Edward. Could you please tell me…"
I didn't hear the rest of it as I smiled and the ache of the hole which still remained with me eased.
How strange. Edward had never believed that he had a soul and yet now, such a thing had occurred.
I laughed, ignoring the questioning look of this new Edward, and pointed out the direction of the shop he wanted with Alice.
Good things do happen after all.
--
Author's Note: There you go. Happy ending for all? I have no intention of continuing this, by the way. All you need to know is that they'll get together again somehow – they're star-crossed lovers, remember? They'll remember each other, even if different lives! Edward's memories are down there somewhere!