Under the Sun : Chapter Four : The Pain.

Disclaimer : I do not own Twilight.

Pain is a funny thing, just when you think you can deal with it, it gets worse. My veins were on fire, my arteries exploded, my bones cracked. Or so it felt. You get to know pain throughout life, even more so when you're unbelievably clumsy, but this was something else. I knew that I was screaming, making terrible noise, but I was burning. Burning to my death.
I opened my eyes against my better instincts. Edward stood before me, his eyes intense and his jaw set, only a small crease in his forehead betrayed his fear, I could feel his fear mixed with my own. If this all went wrong... regardless I knew that I would die. The burning reminded me that I was without choice in the matter anymore – who knew if I ever had a choice?

The others stood a distance apart, Emmett and Rosalie in some sort of discussion, Alice and Jasper looked on, hands clasped. Carlisle and Esme were watching with eyes narrowed like eagles. I guess I still wasn't safe from Edward accidentally killing me yet.

The pain intensified with every beat of my heart, I closed my eyes again, my eyelids dragging over my eyes parched dry. I choked, coughing up something, whatever it was I wasn't about to look at it.

"The time approaches," I heard Alice's voice ring out over the clearing. "The burning ends and the heart desists," I fell to my knees, the pain was making me light headed, only my pride had so far left me stand. My body tore at itself, my heart was frenzied, beating, beating, beating. Until.

It took me a few minutes to realise that I hadn't been breathing. Not since Alice had spoke. The burning had eased, retreating only to my extremeties leaving my skin tingling. I took a ragged breath but it felt different. Instead of feeling the subtle rise of my chest, my lungs expanding, I felt nothing. I no longer needed to breathe.

My fingers raced across my familiar wrist to check for my pulse. I wanted to feel the reassuring pounding of my heart. I needed to feel it. Suddenly becoming a vampire felt like an extremely big deal, even more when I discovered my heartbeat wasn't there.

"Bella, look at me," Edward's fingers lifted my chin gently. I reluctantly opened my eyes, afraid that he'd see my suddenly regretful decision to become a vampire, to become his vampire. Looking at him felt different, it was different. Suddenly I could see everything about him, I could feel his emotions, the protective love he held for me, the romantic love he had for me (which would've made me blush if I still could've) and now the concern that made him furrow his brow.

"Edward, I'm okay," I reassured him. Wow. My voice was different. It was a bit higher than before but not false high. I liked it, I think. His face relaxed noticeably and I could feel relief. "I've erm, got something to tell you," I decided that it was best to reveal this now, just to him. "I think that I can read emotions," I gave an uncomfortable little laugh. "Now I can feel that you're surprised and that you don't think I'm crazy and that you can't believe that I think I'm crazy," He smiled and it was just as alluring as ever.

"Bella, this is wonderful!" he laughed and embraced me. I suddenly learned the difference between a human and a vampire. Ordinarily a hug like that would've left me winded and slightly furious for exploiting my human need to breath. Now it just felt normal. I realised how much Edward had needed to hold back with me. Well, not any longer. Never, ever, forever.

It was twilight, my mind coursed with the smells I was smelling, it swelled with the feelings that I could perceive from those around me. Carlisle felt so relieved it made me wonder exactly how risky letting Edward bite me was. Esme was proud in the same way that I was proud of Edward, although I guess she felt a more motherly pride than mine.

"It's no fair," Edward grumbled lightheartedly. "How come you get to hear what I'm feeling and I don't get to hear what you're thinking?" I smirked at him and laughed.

"Would you really want to know what I'm thinking?" I teased. He looked at me seriously.

"You have no idea," I could feel his honesty.

"I'll tell you then,"

"You'll edit," he accused. I put on my best shocked expression.

"No way,"

"Tell me then,"

"Well," I paused to think about what I would say.

"See you're editing," I laughed.

"Actually, I'm thinking about what I'm thinking about." I smirked and reached out for his hand. "I'm thinking about the fact that I'm going to be your wife and that I'm currently wearing a diamond the size of a walnut," Edward squeezed my hand and smiled, his excitement was infectious. "I'm thinking about the fact that I'm no longer tired and how I'll never sleep again," I paused. "And I'm wondering what the hell to do about my parents," He sighed.

"It won't be easy Bella," he looked at me, I could feel how seriously he felt. "If anything, that was the easy part,"

"It's okay though, we have plans," Alice had strolled over to us and was now inspecting my wound making me realise that I didn't even feel it. "It'll heal," she said noticing where I was looking. "We figure that if we can convince Charlie that you want to live with Edward, you'll be able to stay in Forks for a while, at least until College starts," I bit my lip but accepted that it was better than disappearing into the night and never seeing them again. "You'll survive, I can see it," I rolled my eyes, of course I'd be alright, I'm immortal.

"But will they?" I asked skeptically. Alice smiled and patted my shoulder.

"Of course they will, I wouldn't let that happen,"

"Come on Alice, we must teach her to hunt," Jasper said excitedly running towards us. "Carlisle and the others are heading back to Forks," he smiled at Edward. "They've left us the Vanquish,"

"Cars," Alice muttered under her breath. I knew she was doing it for my benefit, she loved cars as much as they did. Edward smiled at me.

"And so the hunt begins!"

A/N : I know this is something that might get asked and because I have a reasonable explanation for it, I'll explain it. Bella was able to change so quickly because she still had a level of contamination from James' bite. The contamination had prepared her body for the change which made it far easier.

I am loving writing this so far. It'd be really nice if you wanted to tell me if it were good/crap, all you need to do is review. (isn't that a good rhyme? I am SO using it again!)

Are the chapters too short? I'm worried that they are...

Thanks for reading

~ The Paris Girl.