If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what's next
I'd make you believe
I'd make you forget
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
Come On Get Higher by: Matt Nathanson
~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~
Edward POV:
My body is shaking with the force of me keeping my muscles locked in place. I am nervous that once Bella's sweet blood hits my tongue I will lose control, and just as her eyes drift close and she is taken under by the morphine, I press a kiss to her temple and whisper to her that I love her. Then, as I feel her heartbeat steady, I sink my teeth into her flesh. As her blood hits my tongue, something dark tries to rise up inside of me.
The monster is raging as I bite the other side of her neck, both wrists, on the side of her knees and her ankles, sealing each wound closed with a swipe of my tongue. I try to push back the monster, close to letting him win. I know I have to get out of this room before I lose control, and as I standup Carlisle is at my side. He must have seen my struggle. "Edward! Calm down, go hunt. I will stay right here with Bella. Stay in range of my thoughts, you will feel better about it."
I clench my jaw and nod at Carlisle, opening the door to see Emmett and Jasper are waiting on the other side. Jasper sends a calming wave at me in the hopes of helping me, but I growl at him and quickly run out of the house. As soon as I hit the tree line I scream, needing to let the monster out without putting Bella in danger. I uproot trees, smash boulders and let the snarls rip through me, so angry with myself for almost losing control and draining Bella dry. The sobs come next and I fall to my knees, sensing Alice moments before she has me wrapped in a warm embrace.
"Come on Edward. Jasper and Emmett are hunting down some bears for you; they will help quell the madness. We all felt it, so please don't berate yourself. Let's get this done so we can get back to the house." As she speaks silently into my mind, I know she is right, so we quickly go and find Emmett and Jasper corralling two bears.
I drain the beasts quickly, and now that the monster is caged deeper inside than he has ever been before, I know I am ready to face the next few days. I am nervous approaching the house, worried that the morphine is not working the way Bella had hoped, and I have a feeling she did this to save me the agony of seeing her in so much pain. I slow down close to the house; I want to be prepared for the screaming. What I am not prepared for is the opposite: I am met with silence, and there is a faint humming inside my head.
The humming grows louder with every step I take towards my bedroom. I know it is not Carlisle, as he is actively thinking about a patient at the hospital. Once I get to the bedroom door I find Jasper standing there, a look of pure bliss on his face. "Jasper, what is going on? You look so content standing here."
"Don't you feel it, Edward? I don't know what's going on with Bella in there, but she is utterly happy. Not a trace of pain in her. I think the morphine is working to keep the pain away." I smile at Jasper; it is good to know that Bella is not feeling any pain. Clapping him on the shoulder, I step into the bedroom.
There she is, laying just the way I left her. Her heart is still beating slowly – an effect of the morphine – and the humming intensifies the closer I get to her. Carlisle, previously unnoticed when I first stepped inside, slips out of the room as I slip into the bed with Bella, hoping that if she feels my presence it will help sooth her. I gently place my hand on her cheek and the humming in my head increases. Once I place a kiss to her forehead, I feel a pull in my mind, and then, suddenly, I am standing in our meadow back in Forks. I am watching the scene of Bella and me sitting in the sun that first afternoon we spent there, when I revealed to her what I looked like in the sun…
I spend most of the evening watching these memories play out in Bella's head. Every moment we spent together, I see the way Bella felt about me and it makes my dead heart soar. I whisper to her how much I love her, and I am so tuned into her thoughts that when she arrives at the day I left her in the woods I must of let out a cry, because suddenly everyone is in the bedroom with us demanding what is wrong. I cling to Bella and cry tearless sobs as I watch what happened to her after I left. The months of agony and emptiness she felt matched my own, and she was so determined to get through every day the best she could. I watch her waste away from not eating. I watch as her friends drew away from her. And then I watch as everything changed the day Alice showed up for her at school. The memories play out until the last moment she is conscious.
After Bella's memories end I become aware of myself again and notice that everyone is still in the room frozen in stress. Alice is the first to come around, "Edward, what happened? You were frozen for over six hours! We were worried."
I chuckle with humor for the first time in months. "I just watched every moment in Bella's life since I entered it. I was inside her mind; it was intense to say the least. But now I know what it was like for her in the last few months, that was not easy for me."
I look over to Bella when I hear her heartbeat change. It is not much of a change, but it tells me that the venom is beginning its work. Her heart is beating just a bit faster, her breathing turning shallower. We all watch in wonder as the color drains from her face, and then Alice starts to shift into a vision of Bella waking in twenty six hours. I am surprised it is going to be completed so quickly. Alice leaves the room mumbling about a new outfit, and Rosalie follows her out. I am a little concerned and before Carlisle leaves the room, I have to know, "Carlisle, Alice just had a vision of Bella waking in twenty six hours. Why is the change happening so fast?" I am shocked, almost panicking that this is happening too fast, and Jasper must have felt my panic as he is right beside me, throwing an enormous wave of calm over my emotions.
"Edward, it is my theory that because the morphine entered her system before the venom, the venom is chasing the morphine through her system, and this is causing the venom to burn faster. But because we have never done this before I can only theorize." And with that knowledge I am able to relax, so I walk back over to the chair at the side of the bed and wait for the next twenty six hours to pass.
Alice walks into the room a few hours later with a garment bag, stilettos and a hair brush. "Don't worry Edward, I am just going to change her clothes quickly and brush out her hair." I let out an annoyed sigh, hopefully moving Bella will not cause her to scream out from the touch.
I am surprised Alice has dressed Bella in a midnight blue silk wrap dress and matching heels, as we are going to take Bella out hunting as soon as she wakes up and has adjusted to her surroundings. The silk is easily going to shred, but I am sure my sister is prepared for that.
I watch as the venom begins to make changes in Bella's appearance. First it is the toning of her muscles, starting at her toes and stopping at her head. Where all her bones are showing through, the venom fills it in. I watch as her fingernails lengthen, her breasts enlarge slightly, her cheeks fill out and her features evolve, becoming more defined. Her hair turns thicker, more lustrous, and then I pick up on her changing scent: her floral essence sharpened, but laced with a trace of honey. The burn in my throat begins to recede, and I watch as her body loses its human softness and becomes the unyielding stone that will cause her to never change.
~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~
Bella's heart is beginning to pick up speed, and I know it is almost time for her to wake up. I am very nervous; I begin to wonder if she is still going to love me when she wakes up, or if she is going to leave us. And just as my panic begins to reach a crescendo, Alice comes bounding into the room and flashing visions in my head of Bella and I together in places that are not this home. Jasper follows quickly, shooting waves of calm at me.
Once I am settled down, the rest of the family enters the bedroom. Esme gasps at the sight of Bella, and Carlisle is amazed that Bella has been so silent through the whole transformation. He listens as her heart begins to pick up speed and Emmett tenses, ready to subdue Bella at a moment's notice. Jasper tastes her mood, and I register the shock as he feels nothing but calm and contentment coming from her. I am also a little shocked, but most of all, Rosalie's thoughts catch me off-guard. She is admiring Bella's beauty, for the first time really seeing her and acknowledging what I see in Bella. But I keep my thoughts to myself as I do not want to tip Rose off – I think she is finally starting to accept Bella into our lives.
As Bella's heart reaches a deadly speed we all hold our breath, waiting. Finally, it begins to stutter, forcing three final beats before it falls silent. I cannot hold it in any longer and let out a choking sob as I mourn the ending of her human life. But then I quickly recover as I realize that she will be mine for the rest of eternity.
When Bella finally takes her first breath, everyone in the room tenses and her eyes begin to open. She turns her head in my direction, and I am met with startled crimson eyes.
~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~
There's a drumming noise inside my head
That starts when you're around
I swear that you could hear it
It makes such an all mighty sound
There's a drumming noise inside my head
That throws me to the ground
I swear that you should hear it
It makes such an all mighty sound
Drumming Song by: Florence and the Machine
~~~~O~~~~
Bella POV:
At whatever point in time that the morphine weakens, allowing myself to be aware of my surroundings, I am able to feel and sense everything around me. I am in no pain, even though I can feel the venom burning in my body and I can feel myself changing. I look into my mind and sense my shield, protecting my body from the inside. I also find it easier to lower my shield in a way to allow Edward into my thoughts, and when I feel him approach I begin to go over my memories in great detail from the moment I met him.
After a while, I hear Edward telling Carlisle that I will wake sooner than expected. Carlisle's explanation soothes me in knowing that the venom is chasing the morphine, causing the transformation to take place faster than anticipated. I am happy that my experiment has worked the way I intended, that even though I am aware, I am in no pain.
Alice comes in a while later to change my clothes, and I feel the silk glide across my skin, the brush in my hair and the feeling of shoes being slipped onto my feet. Knowing Alice, these are surely stilettos, but I am not sure if I mind or not. Then I am wondering if my balance will improve; I would hate to be the only clumsy vampire in the world.
I can feel the changes happening to me. I can hear my heart start to race towards it end, and it is a strange sensation as everything modifies. My muscles tone, my skin hardens; my fingernails grow and even my hair. I feel the coldness begin to creep over me, my throat becomes scratchy and dry– it is a little uncomfortable, but I am able to push the thought into the back of my mind as I hear the rest of the family enter the room. They silently stand there and wait with baited breath for everything to be over.
As my heart takes three final beats my mind freezes. I am unsure what to do now, although I know it is time to open my eyes and see my family. Edward releases a choking sob, and it is enough to decide it is time; I do not want him to be in pain. I take my first breath, but am distracted by all the flavors on my tongue. Pushing through them, I open my eyes to a view of everything being so clear with colors so bright and defined. Every tiny detail is clearly seen, and when I turn my head in Edward's direction, I am startled by his beauty.
I quickly sit up, and then freeze. The movement is so fast it is a little unnerving. I ignore it, though, and take a step towards Edward. He opens his arms for me and I throw myself at him, feeling the strength coursing through my body. I only realize I am crushing Edward when he lets out a low grunt and a hiss, and before he says anything I let him go and take a step back.
I decide now is a good time to test my shield. Lowering it, think to Edward:"I love you, Edward. I am so sorry for hurting you. It is all so new!"I watch as his eyes light up when he hears me, and then he rushes over and plants his lips on mine. I gasp as his searing kiss shoots straight through me, sparking a shiver of anticipation throughout my body. But as I lean into the kiss someone clears their throat. Glancing in their direction, I notice Jasper slowly approaching us, hands raised in a non-threatening gesture.
"Bella, I don't think we should hold off any longer. You seem to be in control now, but I don't understand how you are overruling your thirst. We should take you hunting immediately." Jasper's weary tone makes me snap my head in his direction, and then I freeze at the sight. I am able to see every scar on his body, and in some places the scars overlap so many times it is hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.
"Jasper, she can't go hunting just yet. She needs to see herself!" Alice comes forward, distracting me with a large smile on her face. As she approaches, Jasper and Emmett close in on her. I cock my eyebrow at them, but they just continue to shadow her, and it takes me half a second to realize they are scared I am going to snap and hurt her. I let out a sharp laugh as I realize this.
"Surely that can wait, Alice? This burn in my throat is rather uncomfortable," now that it's made itself known…But Alice just shakes her head, grabs my hand and pulls me into Edward's bathroom to the large mirrors behind the sink. I gasp when I see my reflection. I am no longer weak-looking – I know I have filled out as I feel the changes, but seeing them is a completely different story. My face is perfected: no longer do I have hallowed cheeks, and my jaw is defined. Every scar and imperfection on my body is gone, my eyes a startling bright crimson, my fingernails look like I just walked away from a manicure and my breasts are larger, more womanly. This reflection I am looking at is shocking, but even I have to admit I am beautiful.
Alice laughs as I twirl in front of the mirror. "Bella, have you noticed your shoes?" No, in fact I was not even paying attention to my feet. I look down and let a small growl rip from my chest when I see the four inch high heels on my feet. And just as I realize that my growl is a mistake, Jasper, Emmett and Edward rush into the bathroom. Alice and I let out a fit of laughter when we realize they thought I was going to attack her.
"Come on Bella, let's go hunt. There is plenty of wildlife out today; we will have a great time." For a fleeting moment, I am nervous; worried that something bad is going to happen. But the feeling passes quickly as I realize the entire family will be coming out to make sure that nothing goes wrong.
Edward takes my hand as we walk out of the bathroom, and I am wrapped in a hug from Esme. Carlisle places a hand on my shoulder and whispers in my ear, "Welcome to the family, daughter." Rosalie stands there, hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. I cock my eyebrow at her, and Edward just walks past her. Hmm, I see things are still not completely mended with Rose.
When we reach the front porch, Edward stops and turns to me. He raises his hand to my cheek and trails his fingers down my face to my neck, to my collar bone, and then whispers, "Are you ready, love?"
"Yes," I respond in barely a whisper. He grabs my hand again and we sprint off into the forest.
~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~
Oh, you make it, make it right
My temperature is super high
If I scream, if I cry
It's only 'cause I feel alive
My body needs a hero
Come and save me
Something tells me you know how to save me
I've been feeling weird, oh!
Oh, I need you to come and rescue me
Turn Me On (feat. Nicki Minaj) by: David Guetta
~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~
Edward POV:
There she is, my goddess running right beside me. From the moment I laid my eyes on her, I felt the electrifying shocks run through me, the sign of one's mate. I now understand the feeling of bliss every time one of my siblings is close to their mate. The feeling really is indescribable, but I can feel strange emotions stirring deep inside of me. Primal, bone deep urges…Jasper is beside me then, an eyebrow raised, and I shake my head as I look over at Bella.
She is matching me in speed; I am sure with the newborn strength she could overtake me, but she doesn't. After a few more minutes Jasper lets out a warning growl, "Watch out Edward, her mood is shifting." But it is too late; Bella rips her hand from mine and takes off like a rocket.
After chasing her for a few minutes, she leaps up into the trees. I am met with Alice's trilling laughter as she launches herself into the trees after Bella, her only thought –"Chase!" I laugh as a vision of Alice and Bella, flying through the trees to the next clearing, rises in my mind. This is where we will find a large herd of deer resting.
The rest of the family finally catches up to Jasper and I, all with worried thoughts of Bella.
"It's alright, Alice is with her and they are going straight to the clearing where there are deer. Let's hurry and follow them." Everyone relaxes and begins following my lead to the clearing.
When the clearing is in sight, Bella's scent is thick in the air. I watch through Alice's eyes as Bella stalks towards the herd. It is a sight to see, and she is so natural at it, and as soon as I am in the clearing Bella leaps at the largest buck and quickly sinks her teeth into its neck. Out of the corner of my eye I catch everyone leaping onto their own prey while I am frozen, transfixed on the sight of Bella drinking from the deer.
After she drains the first deer, she quickly looks for another. When her eyes find her prey she leaps at it, flawlessly grabbing again. I can't stop myself as the deer falls limply from her hands completely drained, and I let loose a growl. A new monster has emerged inside of me, screaming at me to take action.
"That's your mate. Take her, and make her yours!" I am hard and wanting her, letting out another loud growl as Bella leans into a crouch and releases an answering growl of her own. When I leap, her eyes glaze over as I crash into her body, searing my lips to hers and ripping her clothes in the same moment. We roll a couple hundred feet, growling and snapping passionately at each other. She tears my clothes and as I enter her, a feral growl is ripped from her chest, echoing through the trees.
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Thank you to my beta Shakaka for a wonderful job! It really means a lot to me to have someone catch all my little mistakes!
Bella will turn OOC after this chapter; she is not the same Bella from S.M. I promised to make her less flat and I intend to do just that. Now that I have gotten this story to where I needed it to be you will notice changes… I hope you all stick with me. Please give me your thoughts, do you have any suggestions?
