(A/N: dives into bomb shelter PLEASE don't kill me! I know I've not updated in five months, and I know that I could sit here and right a million excuses about why I didn't updated, and while all of those million excuses would be true, there's really only two reasons. 1) I got a teeny bit lazy… Ok, more than a teeny bit… 2) I was going through a 'my writing sucks stage'. And now, after reading what I'd written (reading something I hadn't looked at in five months) I see that it's not crap, and that it's actually pretty good, and therefore, I'M BACK! But this chapter might be, I don know, kind of weird. I've forgotten most of my storyline that I'd originally had, so, this chapter is mainly so I can get back into the swing of things and all that jazz. lol.)

(A/N Part Two:) I've edited this chapter since posting it. So if read chapter seven on the 27 of February, it's been changed since then. And what used to be Chapter Eight, The Reveal, has been added to this chapter since both installments were a bit too short. :) So, all better now. )

Chapter Seven

The New Bella

I watched with a half-hearted interest as they all dispersed, each going to do what needed to be done. Emmett and Rosalie were given the task of driving Edward's car up to Aletta Beach and parking it up there, as well as planting my shirt, Edward's shoes, and a few other tidbits on the surrounding beach. I don't think Edward was very keen on the idea, since he kept reminding them to lock it and park it where it wouldn't roll away. Emmett seemed to find it funny and kept thinking of pushing the car into the water himself, which would earn a slap from Edward. I laughed at this.

Carlisle went to the hospital to do a few things. He said he would come back late that night, so he could 'discover that we were missing', since everyone else would be 'asleep' and would be oblivious to the fact that 'we hadn't come home'. Carlisle said that our story needed to be as airtight as possible, so no suspicion could be placed on them, and that meant him actually going to the hospital to have an alibi. I agreed completely. Having to fake Edward's death and mine was bad enough, but I would feel even worse if Charlie even suspected one of the Cullens of doing something. Carlisle also said that once the memorial for us was over, that we were going to go to Alaska. The reason would be that Forks held too many memories, and that it was best if they just left Forks altogether.

Jasper decided that he was going to go and hunt since he didn't want to hurt any of the humans that were sure to come calling throughout the following days. I didn't blame him. So many people would be coming, asking questions, offering condolences, bringing flowers, and so on. I was sure that none of them were planning on visiting and then getting eaten by the grieved brother. Before he left, he had come over to me and given me a huge hug. "I've not had a chance to do that yet," he said. "I'm glad that you're one of us now. Now I don't have to worry about… about hurting you when I'm around you." I could tell that he was remembering the incident during my eighteenth birthday. I just dismissed it and returned his embrace.

On the case of me and my own thirst, Carlisle had decided that it was best that Edward take me somewhere away from humans during the day. We would return to the house once one of the family members called and announced that it was safe. I didn't have much of a problem with the plan since I would be able to spend it with Edward. I doubted that any humans would be wandering in the woods in the middle of nowhere, therefore I guessed that it would be safe enough to venture out of the house.

So Esme, Alice, Edward and I, were left at the house as the others went about their tasks. I felt so useless in all of this, and more than a little guilty. But when I would ask if there was anything that I could do, Esme would smile and shake her head, saying, "You don't need to worry about it, sweetie. It'll all turn out for the best." I prayed that she was right. I couldn't stand it if something else went wrong.

By that time, the sun had set and night was in full swing. I found it a little weird that I wasn't at all tired, but I knew that I wouldn't ever be tired again. I got up from where I sat in Edward's lap on the sofa, and walked to the window, gazing at the world around me. Everything was so clear, so… so perfect, that I found it so hard to believe that everything in my life had gone awry. It was too hard to imagine the fact that I'd nearly been killed, and that Edward had nearly gotten himself killed as well trying to protect me. No, looking outside with my new vision made me temporarily forget about all that had gone wrong. All I could think about was my new eternity.

"Edward," I said quietly, still looking out of the window, "everything is so beautiful at night. It's so serene, and calm. Does it always look like this?"

I heard him chuckle and before I knew it, he was beside me. I jumped a little, still surprised at the speed after all this time, even though I too could move as fast as he. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his head upon my shoulder. "I wouldn't know. For the last couple of years, I've not paid any attention to the night. I've been with you, and watching you sleep is beautiful enough in itself."

I smiled and turned around to face him, and gazed into his topaz eyes. He was so beautiful, and yet again I forgot to breathe. But this time I didn't need to. This time I could hold my breath forever as I gazed upon his immaculate beauty. He looked into my eyes as well and after a moment, laughed. "Oh Bella, if only you knew the effect you have on me. I was dazzled by you when you were human, and now, I'm finding it so hard to think when I'm looking at you."

I grinned and said, "It's sounding as if you're starting to like the idea of me being a vampire."

His smile faded a bit at that, and his eyes became sad again. He sighed. "No, I'll never like the idea, Bella. I don't like it even more so now because of how it happened. You knew that I fought this, fought to keep you human I mean. I never wanted this for you, ever. But now…" He looked away, pain filling his features.

I cupped my hands on his face and made him look at me. "Edward Anthony Mason Cullen, I don't want to hear that anymore. I didn't want this to happen the way it did either, but it did, and that's that. I don't want you blaming yourself about this, okay? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be here now. And as far as you not wanting this for me, it doesn't matter. I wanted this for me because I love you. I've wanted this for a long time, and you and me both know that I was going to get wanted I wanted eventually. So I don't want to hear you moping about it anymore because so many more good things will come out of this than bad. Okay?"

He forced a smile and nodded. "Come on, let's go upstairs, I want to show you something."

I heard Alice, who'd migrated upstairs long ago, say, "It's about time." I laughed.

"What are you going to show me?"

He took my hand and I saw genuine happiness brighten up his face again, and he said, "It's a surprise."

I couldn't help but giggle once I got upstairs because Edward and I had just ran up the stairs in about a second. Now that I wasn't focused on my thirst like I had been earlier, I was able to really notice my speed, and it was amazing. When I was running with Edward, Emmett, and Jasper in the woods, I wasn't fully myself, but now, I was aware of what was going on. It was like I'd made it to the top of the stairs without really moving. It was astounding!

Edward looked at me and grinned. "Being what we are does have a few perks, I suppose."

Esme laughed. "Indeed it does."

"Enough chit chat! Come on, Bella," Alice said as she grabbed my hand and drug me into her room. "I've been wanting to show you ever since your change was over, but I haven't had a chance yet. Now come on!"

I looked at Edward, and then at Esme, who both refused to give me a single hint. I glanced at little Alice warily, afraid of what she wanted to show me. Knowing her, it was some celebratory dress or something horrendous like that. "Please, Alice," I begged, "let me enjoy my first day as the new me! Don't torture me!"

Edward came up behind me and said, "Don't worry, it's not as bad as you think."

I groaned. "Now come on," Alice said.

We were in her and Jasper's room now, and we were standing in front of the bathroom door. This was not going to be good. Too many makeovers happened in that room. She opened the bathroom door and led me in, followed by Esme and then a grinning Edward. She placed me in front of her full-length mirror, which was covered by a big navy sheet. That's when I understood what she was doing.

"Ready to see yourself?" I nodded. And with that, dramatically jerked the sheet away with a big flourish, and I gasped when I saw myself. I slowly approached the mirror, my hand floating up to touch my face. I couldn't believe what I was seeing was me… My hair didn't look much different, but it did possess such a sheen that I'd never been able to achieve as a human. My skin was paler than it had been before, if that was possible. Not a single flaw or mark upon her face. I seemed to be a bit taller than I remembered myself being. But I seemed… more refined, more elegant than I ever could have imagined myself being. My cheekbones were more noticeable, and my eyes were turned at a more attractive angle. I looked as beautiful as those in my new family. I looked like I belonged…

It was then that I noticed the clothes I was wearing weren't mine, but Esme's. The outfit I'd been wearing when I was attacked must've been thrown away due to the blood that was probably on it. But, unfortunately, once I'd got done looking at my body, it knew that there was one thing left to see. My eyes. I took a deep breath, even though I was unnecessary, and I looked at my eyes. They were not as bright red as I'd expected them to be, but more of a burgundy color. They reminded me of V… of Victoria's red eyes… of the Volturi's eyes… The eyes of all the monsters of my life…

I was so caught up in those horrible eyes staring back at me that I hadn't noticed Edward come over to me. He lightly kissed the top of my head and hugged me tightly. "Don't worry, Bella. They'll be golden in no time." I smiled at him, but I knew better. It would take a whole year before that wretched color would fade. I looked back at the mirror one last time, careful to avoid my eyes, and then I turned away from it.

Alice and Esme looked at me warmly. "What do you think, dear? Quite a change isn't it?" I nodded to my new mother.

"I think I could get used to this," I said as Edward put his arms around me. I smirked. "I definitely think I could get used to it."

Alice grinned and waved her arms in the air like some sort of swami and, in a prophetic voice, said, "I see many shopping trips in your future…" I groaned. Alice smiled. "You know that once we get out of Forks, I'll have to go shopping. You're old wardrobe just won't do now!"

"But… but you've already bought me so many clothes, why buy more?"

Esme looked at me and said, "Don't argue, dear. You'll lose." And with that, she turned on her heels and was gone.

"Esme's right, my Bella. During your first year, I predict that Alice will be go shopping every other day, and in no time, you may even have more clothes than she does. And not to mention once you're able to be around humans. Then she'll really have her way with you."

"Won't it be fun?" Alice hugged me tightly, despite Edward's arms still around me. Giddy, she walked out of the bathroom rambling on about what to buy first, what shoes to get, which designer would look better… It was horrible.

I shook my head and left as well, my fiancé following behind. This was going to be so interesting….

I made my way to Edward's room without thinking of where I was going and I flopped down on the bed, now useless. I inhaled and I could smell his scent everywhere around me. I smiled. Before I knew it, Edward was flopped down beside me. We lay there looking up at his ceiling for the longest time before he rolled over and whispered into my ear, "I love you Bella."

I looked over at him, mesmerized by his beauty once again. "I love you too." It seemed like we were frozen in time as we stared at each other, my entire head consumed with thoughts of how much I loved him. He was the most perfect being that walked the Earth, and for once, since I first met him, I felt somewhat equal, somewhat more deserving of his love.

"I want you to promise me something, Edward," I said as I ran my index finger across his cheek. "I want you to promise that you won't ever leave me again. Ever. When you ran out earlier, when I was changed, I felt so alone again. It felt like it did when you abandoned me." When I said this, he winced and looked away. "No, look at me. Please promise me. I want to spend every moment with you, because being without you is like being nonexistent. Being without you is like… is like dying. I don't think I could live without you, Edward."

He took my hands into his, and kissed them softly, and looked into my burgundy eyes. "Never, Bella. I will never leave you again." He leaned over and kissed me. "I promise."

(A/N: I've edited this chapter since I've posted it. I thought I'd remind ya again. So yeah, I'll try to update as often as I can. About once a week is my goal. And by the way, 25 chapters is what I'm hoping for, length wise. So, please review. You can tell me off for leaving for so long if you want to, but you'd better have some nice things to say along with it! Lol. I'm kidding. Well, yeah, I'm done talking now. Lol.)