-1Ch. VII
BELLA'S POINT OF VIEW
I was so happy. Despite my misgivings about my eyes, I was ecstatic. All my dream, everything I had ever wanted had some true. I knew that Edward expected me to be brooding for the next few days, and I suppose that regret or uncertainty should be in the forefront of my mind. But really, how could I be sad or pine for the life I left behind when I had an eternity to spend with Edward stretched out before me. Plus, it's not like I'd never see my family again…or wait; would I? I turned to Edward.
"What about my family? Renee? Charlie?" I could hear the panic in my voice. He hesitated, wanting to answer, but turned to Carlisle instead. I assumed Edward had heard some kind of plan Carlisle had formed in his thoughts, and knew that he could answer better then he could. Carlisle hesitated too. I began to grow nervous.
"The answer is no, isn't it?" I felt this horrid feeling behind my eyes and realized that I was "crying." I choked back a tearless sob as Carlisle came over to the mattress and gestured for me to join him.
"Not exactly," he said.
EDWARD'S POINT OF VIEW
Carlisle's plan was flawless; I knew it was foolproof as long as Bella played along. Carlisle would call Charlie and tell him that there had been a terrible car accident while Bella had been in Phoenix. Carlisle will have airline tickets for both Renee and Charlie already purchased, so they could meet us at the hospital. We'll keep Bella out of the hospital till the last minute, then once I "hear" her parents approach the hospital, we will get Bella all set up on a stretcher, covered head to toe in gauze. The gauze would hide her new features from her parents. Renee and Charlie would meet us as we wheeled her to her room, as she whispered her final goodbyes and most importantly, she would tell them she wanted to be cremated so that way we wouldn't have to have a body for the funeral. By that time, Carlisle will have hooked Bella up to all the necessary machines and most obviously her vitals would give her the appearance of being dead.
Poor Bella. I knew this would be so difficult for her. She stood and nodded grimly to Carlisle.
"So we'll be leaving Forks soon after I assume?" He in turn nodded to her. Her icy eyes looked hollow. Damn, I can't believe I've let this happen to her. I've damned her to hell, a hell far from Forks and her family. Monster, that's what I am and I've been foolish to think I could be anything different. Stupid selfish monster.
"STOP!" Bella screeched. "You are NOT a monster, never have been, never will be. You are the reason I'm alive, where you are is heaven for me and if that happens to be far from here, then so be it," her voice softened, "I can't have you hating yourself on my account." So many emotions flickered on her face at once: fear, astonishment at what she had just done, embarrassment at her outburst, and confusion. She had just read my mind.
"Bella, how did you do that?"
"I don't know," she whispered. She teetered for a moment, then fell backward.
"She fainted," Carlisle replied in wonder.
BELLA'S POINT OF VIEW
For the second time in about an hour, I roused myself from blackness.
"I had no idea vampires could faint. " Esme was saying.
"Well no we do," Carlisle half laughed.
"Leave it to Bella," Emmett chuckled.
"I heard that," I said as I pushed myself up from the floor. Everyone laughed. Edward reached for my hand and pulled me up.
"Are you ok?" He asked, making his eyes smolder deliciously.
"I'm fine I think, I mean I feel fine," I said, dazzled like always. Strange, I thought, I figured that the dazzling would disappear once I was changed. I guess it had more to do with then him just being a vampire. He didn't seemed convinced.
"Bella?" Carlisle said, " I think it's about time you and I ran home to have a chat in my office, is that ok?"
"Probably a good idea," I replied. I looked up at Edward, he smiled and nodded, but the worry was apparent on his face. Apparently he wasn't as good at hiding emotions as I thought, I was just to human to notice. Esme noticed as well.
"I'm sure it's fine if you join them Edward."
His relief was written all over his face. "Carlisle, do you mind?"
Not at all, as long as Bella doesn't have a problem with it." I laughed heartily at that. Why would I ever mind spending time with Edward?
"Of course not." My smile was huge, painfully so. It was infectious and soon my entire new family was smiling happily along with me. I looked around at these happy, beautiful people, my people, and although I knew I'd miss Renee and Charlie tremendously everyday for eternity, being with the Cullens made that up for that in a way.
