A/N: Here it is… the last chapter. Coming soon is the sequel, Star-Crossed Lovers. It won't be long, just a few hours, actually, before I post it. I can't wait, to be honest.
EPOV: I gave a final gasp. It had been three long, terrible days. Bella was still beside me. I felt the pain attack my heart, felt it cease to beat, and sat up. Bella stared at my eyes. I realized that they must be a deep red color. I quickly stopped breathing. I knew how bad my self control was now. It was horrible. All those years of careful practice were gone.
"Edward? Are you okay?" I nodded.
"Better than I've been in days."
She nodded. "Are you… thirsty?"
"A bit. But I think I can handle it."
"You know what I'm going to ask." I grimaced. "Now? But I just finished. I don't know if I can…."
"I have an idea. Just hold your breath, and we can have someone else hold you to… pull you away if you have any trouble." I nodded. Without taking a breath, I called softly for someone to come. I turned to her. "Do you really want to do it… now?"
"Do you really have to ask?"
"Oh come on, Bella! Aren't you even a little nervous?"
She finally nodded. "Very. But I can handle it just as well as you can."
At that point Emmet and Jasper entered the room. I tried to smile, but I was far too nervous. Jasper sent me calming waves. I ignored that and started talking.
"You know what it is we need you for, right? Alice would have seen it by now and told you." Emmet nodded. "Yeah. She saw that it would be okay. Bella will survive. But… try to stay calm. She saw you kinda lose it…. But it'll be fine." Jasper nudged Emmet in the ribs. I was already panicking again.
"It's fine, Edward. Don't listen to Emmet." He looked past me at a nervous Bella. "You ready?" She nodded. He looked at me. "No, but I may as well do it now."
He gestured towards the bed. Bella touched my face, nothing but trust in her eyes. I smiled weakly. She extended her hand the same way I had. Jasper and Emmet got a firm hold on me, ready to jerk me away if I lost control. I leaned in, silently cursing myself for what I was about to do, and sank my teeth into Bella's skin.
I struggled to pull myself away, the taste of that blood, that delicious blood, in my mouth. Bella put her hand on my arm, meeting my eyes. She nodded, willing me to let go. I pulled away, surprised that I could. She winced as the pain hit her full on. I growled as she cried out, fighting at the hands that held me back. They thought I wanted to attack. Bella continued to writhe on the bed. I was breathing now, and I could smell her blood. It was more potent than it had been the first day I smelled it, but I knew there was no danger of me trying to kill her.
Emmet and Jasper struggled to pull me away, but I got loose and ran to where Bella was screaming my name. I sat down on the bed beside her and stared evenly at my brothers, who realized that all I wanted was to comfort her. Emmet thought to me something about how I would need to come out soon to hunt. I nodded. "Go. I'll come out when Bella allows it."
She looked at me gratefully. I knew my brothers had gone. "Bella, it's okay. Don't worry; it's only three days…." My voice was strained. I growled again as she winced and attempted to smile. "I… I can do it…."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
I smiled wistfully. Bella sat up, face pale, eyes a red only slightly brighter than mine. I groaned. She was like me now. I felt a sob tear through me, shaking my whole body. "Edward? Are you alright?" God, her voice was beautiful. I looked up at her.
"I-I'm just… it's my fault…."
She embraced me. "Edward, I'm fine. We're together forever now. I'm happy. Please will you be, too?" Her eyes were hopeful. I nodded, recovering from my attack of depression. "I love you. I still do. Nothing changes that." It was true, of course. I sighed.
"You feel guilty for this?" She sounded shocked.
"I am responsible for it, Bella."
"No, you're not!"
"I am, though."
"Ugh. No, it's not your fault. And what's the point of arguing? I'm a vampire. I'm happy. The end."
"Okay," I agreed. Then something occurred to me. "Wait a minute. I wonder if you have any…." She froze. "Um, actually… yeah."
"What is it?" I thought of a variety of things, all too embarrassingly silly to actually consider. She laughed. I looked up at her. "What?" She giggled.
"Oh. Oops. Nothing." I realized what it was.
"You can read minds??"
She would have blushed, had it been possible. "Yes." She whispered it.
I was incredulous. "So… you can read my mind, but I can't read yours. Correct?"
"Pretty much."
"Oh god. How is that fair?"
"Well, it's not, but I think I like the opportunity." She grinned. I was miffed.
"Why can't I read your mind? It's so frustrating!"
"Sorry, Edward. Maybe you'll pick it up eventually. After all, we've got more than all the time in the world."
"Forget it. Let's just go meet the rest of the family. And then go hunting. I'm thirsty, and you need to drink. We'll just go for some nearby deer."
APOV: "They'll be down in-" I stopped midsentence. I knew I was getting a vision. Bella and Edward were talking. "You can read minds??" Bella looked embarrassed. "Yes."
"So… you can read my mind, but I can't read yours. Correct?"
"Pretty much."
"Oh god. How is that fair?"
"Well, it's not, but I think I like the opportunity." Bella was grinning widely at an my angry brother.
"Why can't I read your mind? It's so frustrating!"
"Sorry, Edward. Maybe you'll pick it up eventually. After all, we've got more than all the time in the world."
"Forget it. Let's just go meet the rest of the family. And then go hunting. I'm thirsty, and you need to drink. We'll just go for some nearby deer."
The vision faded. I laughed. "What is it, Alice?" Carlisle smiled at me, curious. I giggled. "Bella has a special ability." Emmet leaped up. "What is it?"
"She can read minds-including our frustrated brother's." Emmet shook with laughter. Everyone else grinned. Edward wouldn't be too happy. I motioned for everyone to be silent. We listened. Upstairs, I could here the argument just finishing up. Then Edward and Bella appeared at the foot of the stairs. Emmet spoke up before anyone could shut him up.
"Edward, are you going to tell us about Bella's ability?" He scowled.
"I think you already know," he said darkly. Bella laughed. "Edward doesn't like that I can hear his thoughts." She smiled teasingly at Edward. He smiled. I guessed he'd get over it pretty soon.
"We're going hunting, but we should be back in an hour or so. We won't be far."
BPOV: This was serious fun. Edward was acting so insecure. I read his thoughts as we left. This is so unfair. Well, at least I'm a dog. Just one way to even it out. Oh, damn. She might be listening. Shit! I laughed, but I caught myself, cutting myself off mid-laugh. However, I kept listening.
Bella, don't think I don't know you're listening to me. You should work on that. I turned to look at him. He was smiling to himself. He looked up at me, his eyes smoldering.
"Fine. I'll leave your thoughts alone for now, but I won't make promises for later."
"No, don't do that. I'm going to go change real quick, so you'll need to be listening to my thoughts. It's the only way we'll be able to communicate."
"Oh. Okay. Go ahead."
I waited for Edward to return. He came back a minute later, his clothes tied to his back leg. I need to hold them somehow. I smiled, and we ran together into the forest. It was just as exhilarating as I'd always thought it would be.
A/N: I know, it's the end of the story. Tell me how it was. )
