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(EPOV)

Since I had injected the venom, some of my worries evaded me, only to be replaced with new ones. Her heart was stronger than ever as the venom surged through her system. The steady rhythm of that sound brought with it hope and despair.

As I lay next to Bella, I would watch her jaw clench and relax. Each time the pain seemed to be worsening, I did the only thing I knew to do. Which was to comfort and soothe her with my touch. I knew nothing could subdue the pain but it seemed to relax her a bit each time I ran my fingers along her jaw. I knew all to well the pain she was in and knowing I was the cause of her pain, washed over me in waves.

The only relief I found, was knowing that she wasn't truly an innocent victim. She was adamant on being one of us and this is truly what she wanted. That fact, however, didn't alleviate any of the shame or guilt that plagued me. I had, without her permission, commenced the change prematurely.

I was learning that Bella was strong, a much stronger being than myself. She should be screaming and writhing with the intense burning, yet she gracefully dealt with and embraced it silently.

She had prepared for this moment both mentally and physically. Her encounter with James gave her an insight to how powerful our venom was. Then her late night conversations with Carlisle were beneficial as well. They discussed every single detail of what to expect her first year, from hunting techniques to controlling her blood lust.

She was beyond prepared, but that never changed the fact that I didn't want to take away her human life and more importantly, her soul. I knew it was pointless to argue my reasons with her any longer. Bella was determined to get what she wanted. With or without my acceptance or participation. So I no longer fought her desired fate.

I also began to worry excessively about other matters at hand. Beyond the initial distress, that I had almost killed her because I wasn't strong enough to reign control of the monster inside me. I also wondered how angry she was going to be with me for not having the strength to protect her from myself. I was also fearing that she hold me responsible for her untimely change and may never speak to me again.

Then I thought back on my conversation with Alice the first night I had been with Bella. I recalled Alice had told me "She has decided that she wants to wait a few years before she makes the change. Just as long as she can have the passion that you shared with her tonight again." That memory made me shiver, what if Bella really didn't want immortality any longer? What if I took her away from the possibility of children? What if she no longer wanted me? The what if's consumed me. I was distraught with the possibilities of how bad things could end up being. I was mentally preparing for the worst and still hoping for the best.

Just then my phone began to vibrate on the nightstand next to me. I slowly slipped off the bed, grabbed the phone and headed to the living room.

Upon flipping it open I saw that it was Carlisle. "Hello!"

"Edward, we have landed in Rio and should be there very soon. How is she doing?" Carlisle had called while in Dallas to see if she had taken the venom in time. Since she was doing better, he sent Emmett and Jasper home and only he and Alice were coming. I was grateful that Carlisle and Alice was the only ones coming. I didn't need the added tensions of my brothers being here too.

"Her breathing is shallow but her heartbeat is strong and powerful." I had learned from watching Emmett's change, that a strong heart was very important to completing the change.

"Sounds great, and Edward? Alice wants me to tell you to stop worrying, that everything will be fine." Easier said than done. I have never bet against Alice and her visions, but she seemed to have faith in things that could suddenly fall through and change the course I was traveling in a matter of seconds. The current situation being proof of that.

"Sure, I'll see you soon." I flipped the phone closed and went back to Bella's side.

Carlisle had a way to help calm any situation. His compassion was as powerful an ally as Jasper's manipulation of emotions. Alice and her visions were beyond helpful when we needed them in dire times. But sometimes her visions were annoying. I sometimes wished the little pixie didn't possess such a power.

Only a few hours ago, Alice said that she couldn't see Bella's future. While in Dallas, she called to tell me that she see's Bella being happy and healthy in her new life. I wanted nothing more than to believe that. I just had this feeling that Bella would wake from her change furious with me, and I knew that I deserved whatever was coming my way. I would let her unleashed all her fury on me without a fight.

Right now, all I could do was sit, wait and worry. I slipped back into bed with Bella and watched her as my own guilt began to rip my sanity to shreds. Wishing I could take her pain away. I wrapped my arms around her delicate form and started to sob my tearless cry into her hair.

_____________________________________________________________

(BPOV)

"Bella, can you hear me?" I knew that voice, but decided it be better to not answer. The fire was still scorching my body, licking every inch of it. I could not, would not allow Edward to see the true amount of pain I was in.

"Bella? Bella if you could please squeeze my hand, let me know that you can hear me." I hadn't realized Carlisle was here. I ignored his request, fearing that I would alert Edward to the pain I was in.

"Oh Edward, look how beautiful she is, she will be even more stunning than Rose." Alice shrilled in excitement. Wow, Alice was here too. Of course she would be, she had seen what happened and most likely hopped on a plane in less time than it took Edward to calm down and ask for help.

"Alice, she has always been beautiful. You know it would be wise to keep that information to yourself. Rosalie is too vain to take that kind of news lightly." Edward said firmly to Alice but then he chuckled.

"Bella, could you please squeeze my hand?" Carlisle asked again. This time I complied. It felt like I was gripping a hot cast iron skillet without a pot holder. After a moment, I relaxed my hand and felt his hand pull away.

"She is strong Edward, she might even be stronger than Emmett on his best day." I could hear the smile on Carlisle's face. This too made me smile. I heard Edward gasp and Alice shrill with the small gesture that I was paying attention.

I could feel Edward's lips against my ear as his angelic voice chimed. "Bella, I Love You, I'm so sorry!" With those last three words, I began to worry a bit. He had still not accepted the fact that this is what I wanted. That he had nothing to apologize for. I was now fretting over how to deal with Edward and his stubborn morals.

As he pulled away, I felt Edward's lips pause against my cheek, I took advantage of his stillness and turned my face to meet his lips. I endured the pain long enough to express to him that I wasn't holding a grudge with a chaste kiss. He pulled back suddenly and simply said, "Love, it helps if you don't move around."

Uggg, he was so stubborn sometimes. I knew then that my new found strength was going to be my greatest ally while I dealt with Edward and his loathing. If it took force to get Edward to listen to me, then by all means force would have to do.

Not only was I becoming stronger, sounds became sharper as well. I allowed the crashing waves and marine life swimming about to help take my mind off the pain.

I also heard Alice in the master bedroom. I was certain she was cleaning up the feathers that were scattered about the room. We had moved into the guest bedroom the second night we were here because of the mess. I was a bit embarrassed just thinking about Alice cleaning up after my and Edward's destructive moment of passion.

I then turned my attention to the living room. I heard Carlisle flipping through a book or magazine. I could also hear the TV as if it was in the same room with me. A massive storm was part of the top stories as I listened, I was taken by surprise at what I learned. "This massive hurricane has made landfall on August 18th and has put Florida in a state of emergency. This is one of the strongest storms to hit Florida in years, reaching as far north as Jacksonville. With damaging winds up to 100 miles per hour and flood waters reaching 6 feet in some areas, has kept fleeing citizens trapped and dozens injured. Rescue efforts are now underway searching for survivors. Most residents are without power and many more homeless. Temporary shelters are being set up where flood waters have receded....".

My mind began to race, worring about mom. Had I not been on my honeymoon, I would have paid more attention to what was going on in the outside world. My heart sank with the knowledge that my mom could be hurt or worse, dead after such a storm.

Time was passing, slowly, but passing none the less. I just wished the whole transformation was complete, not because of the pain. The pain was the farthest thing from my mind, my sole concern was only Renee and Phil's safety and well being. As long as my mother needed me, I would do anything to be with her. I didn't know how if would be possible, but I will find a way, regardless of my current situation.