Chapter Three

Traces of Venom

The truck come to an abrupt halt. Closing my eyes, I readied myself for the agony I knew was sure to follow after Edward sunk his teeth into my skin. But … it comforted me to know that his venom would be what ultimately changed me, his venom would bind us together. Knowing that I would be spending eternity with my only love would be all I needed to get me through the next three days. I could and would endure anything for him.

The truck door opened and I let my head fall back into the warm rain as I felt an icy hand gently take my arm.

"Bella, can you hear me?" It was Carlisle's voice.

Opening my eyes, I saw Carlisle's face, upside down, water dripping from his usually perfect golden hair.

"I need to taste your blood for traces of venom. Don't be afraid, everything will be okay." His voice was so calming. Too calming.

I wanted to fight it. Edward was ready. Ready and willing to change me right then! How long would I have to wait for that chance to come again? I tried to say 'NO' but it was hopeless.

So, I burst into tears.

With the rain pouring into my face, Edward had no idea I was crying until the silent sobs began wreaking havoc with my swollen vocal cords.

"Oh Bella!" His voice was full of despair. "Please, Bella, don't cry, please, don't cry."

He began singing my lullaby softly and whether I wanted it to or not, my crying was calmed at once.

"Bella, honey, I need to check your blood, It's all or nothing. There is no in-between with vampire venom. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

With tears still trickling out of my eyes, I nodded my head to let Carlisle know I understood.

He placed his mouth over the punctures wounds, an extremely strong pulling sensation swept down through my veins and with that, I immediately understood how easily Carlisle could have drained every drop of my blood within seconds. Instantly, I became extremely light headed, everything was spinning. Fearing that I may vomit, that my stomach would rise up, I closed my eyes and prayed the spinning would stop.

Carlisle gently placed my arm on my stomach. Then, Edward sat me up and wiped the rain from my face with his gentle fingers. Opening my eyes, I turned to look at Carlisle, hoping he would volunteer some information. All I could see was the evidence of a private conversation between him and Edward, but his expression was unworried.

Then sounds raced from Edward's mouth. Words spoken so rapidly, I couldn't catch a single one. He could have been speaking in another language for all I knew. I focused my eyes on Carlisle, trying to catch any change in his expression but he only raised an eyebrow now and then, nothing to clue me into what was being said.

Wrapped in his arms, Edward slid out of the truck and carried me to Carlisle's car. With the speed of his Mercedes, the engine noise from my old truck soon faded behind us in the distance.

Edward had placed me in the back seat and sat next to me with his arms securely around me. A little more securely than normal, I felt. I knew I deserved that after the way I had lost control and somehow overpowered him. Looking into his eyes, dark burgundy gems had replaced the pitch black holes that had been present when he had shone his readiness to change me. I would never forget those eyes and knew I would look for them every second of every day until the moment he was ready to change me again.

He gave me the strangest, knowing look. Then, his face broke out in that beautiful crooked smile that always melted my heart.

"Yes," He said quietly, "For that moment, I was ready." His fingers stroked my face gently and I felt just as if it were the first time he had ever touched me. Electric.

How could he know what I was thinking?

Carlisle started laughing in the front seat.

"I can hear you, my beautiful Bella." Unbelievable happiness shown on Edward's face, making him even more gorgeous than normal. "It's not like anyone I've ever heard before. I don't know if it will last but it is the most wonderful feeling I have ever had!" He kissed me so hard and so full of passion, I almost raised my hands to push him away.

I wasn't so sure about this. I always felt an advantage to being able to keep my thoughts and feelings private, but he wiped all my fears away with the next thing he said…

"I'm so sorry if I have ever questioned your love for me. I will never doubt you again."

I pumped my arm, YES!

Edward and Carlisle couldn't stop laughing. I snuggled my head into Edward's chest, listening as the laughter poured out of him and fell I asleep with his wonderful laughter in my head and heart.