EPOV
I listened intently, hungry for just one word. One thought, but I heard nothing. Her mind was as silent as ever while my own swam around with infinitive questions. She was absolutely beautiful, breathtakingly so. Although the rich brown eyes had been set ablaze into a fiery red color, they were just as deep, just as thoughtful as before. Her gaze upon me was nothing short of I raised my hand gently to caress her cheek, being ever so careful not to startle her. She took a quick intake of breath, and that seemed to catch her off guard even more. The tastes and smells of the air around us were somewhat off. Sterile equipment, bleach, alcohol, and several other not so pleasant flavors lingered in the air.
"Bella, love." I whispered. "Bella you're okay. Everything's okay. Take it slow sweetheart."
She sat up in a split second, looking around confused, searching for answers.
"Bella, I assume you understand what's happened." Carlisle stood at the door frame with Jasper at his side, ready to protect any signs of aggression or anger from a thirsty newborn. "Bella you were bitten by James in Phoenix. I am terribly sorry that it's happened this way. Had we known you had been bitten sooner, we would have been able to stop the poison from spreading. I know you're thirsty, so we're all ready to take you hunting as soon as you're able."
"Is that okay Bella? Let's take care of your thirst first, and we'll answer your questions later." I squeezed her hand looking for any response. Mostly I just wanted to hear her voice. However, she solemnly nodded and it appeared that I'd have to wait just a little longer for that little wish to be fulfilled.
The four of us walked cautiously to the door where we gazed out into the dark morning. The flowers had all bloomed with the end of spring, and the dark sky lured above us in the richest deep cool tones the atmosphere could provide.
"Edward?" My heart fluttered at her voice, and I looked down to the blood crazed beauty at my side.
"Yes Bella?" I asked.
"Where are all the others? Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, and Esme? Aren't they coming with us?"
"Not now love. Esme and Rose are still in Phoenix working around to delete any video footage of what has happened. Alice and Emmett went after Victoria, the red head. Alice is too fast for her, and if she gets caught, Emmett will be able to finish her off."
A look of terror washed over her beautiful complexion and I embraced her in a hug. "Don't worry. They have complete control over the situation. Let's not focus on that right now though, come on, let's go hunt. She looked ahead and nodded. She gulped down the extra venom pooling in her mouth, and I was eager to extinguish the fire satiating her throat.
We took off ahead of Jasper and Carlisle so they could keep an eye on Bella. I kept her hand firmly in mine as we ran lightning speed to the north east; far enough from the town and from the treaty line we had made so long ago. This was the best time I thought to take anyone out for a first hunt. It was four in the morning, so it would be near impossible to cross any human scent pacing through the woods. When we had run far enough into the wilderness I proclaimed "stop" into a wide clearing.
A book streamed nearby where two elk stood lapping up its contents, unaware of the predators lurking nearby. Bella looked at me with a face of disgust.
"I know," I chuckled. They smell a little more sour than sweet, but you'll get used to it soon enough. We can find you a carnivore later, but at least this will quench your thirst." Before I could give any directions, she had dropped my hand at my side and sprinted towards one of the tamed beast. Leaping over its strong neck, she grabbed a hold of one of the antlers and lowered her mouth to its throat. The animal moaned in response and the second elk ran off in a sprint. Bella drank from the beast until his legs finally gave out and gurgled his last breath. Before another second had past, she rose up again and ran in the direction of the second.
"Jasper! Carlisle!" I yelled panicked. "Don't let her get out of our sight." Although the likelihood of Bella running into a human was sparse, I didn't ever want to look into her eyes if she accidentally preyed on another human. She would never forgive herself. No matter her young age, I was still able to catch up to her in a matter of seconds, but she was already in the middle of drinking the second bull. I stood to watch silently, and when she finished, she shoved the mighty carcass aside and sat down on the ground.
"Give us some privacy for just a second," I whispered low enough for Carlisle and Jasper to hear. "But stay close."
"We'll wait by the brook Edward," Carlisle said. Then I could hear their light footsteps walking back in the direction we came in.
Bella was now clutching her knees to her face, eyes wide open and completely lost.
"Bella?" I asked. "Can I come sit next to you?"
She nodded, and I didn't waste another second. I sat down next to her with my arm around her as she sobbed. How could I have let this happen? I had torn every good thing away from this angel's heart only to deprive her of an existence of misery. My silent heart ached to comfort her and I didn't have a word to say, so instead I just cradled her in my arms, waiting for her succumb to silence.
We sat there for an hour, maybe two until the sun started to break out over the mountaintops. The sky was still highly overcast as usual, so no luminescent diamonds were able to reflect off our skin. For this I was grateful. She had already gone through so much, and I didn't wish her to see even more change than was necessary.
"Come on," I whispered into her ear. "Let's take a slow walk back to the house and you can ask me whatever you want."
"I love you," she said. She gazed up towards my face and looked at me with such adoration and trust, that I knew I would spend the rest of my existence trying to make this woman happy. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. An orchestra of symphonies. In this utter moment of sadness and depression, my being couldn't bear to be so far away from this miraculous creature. So I selfishly leaned in to steal a kiss. She willingly gave one back.
How different this kissing was! There was no burn in my throat, no monster tearing at my mind trying to unleash itself to kill this perfect creature. Instead I was able to hold her closer and give myself to her in every way I had ever hoped.
Edward, I know you want to be with her, but we need to get back to the house. The others are home.
Ugh. Alright! "Bella, the others have just arrived. We should probably go back to the house so Alice doesn't bite my head off." I was a little more than annoyed, seeing as my first moment with Bella as an immortal was cut short by my exuberant little sister. Alone time later, I promised myself. It's the only thing that would get me through today.
"Hmm, okay." She said smiling. She took my hand in hers as we walked at a human pace towards the house, curious about whatever news was about to be brought.
