An- I enjoyed your reactions to Bella's change and her first taste of blood. And as always, I enjoy getting your reviews. I am finding myself with less and less time to answer them, however. So, I am going to make an effort to answer those who write detailed descriptions or ask direct questions. For those of you who leave reviews along the lines of "loved it, update soon!" know that I do indeed love these reviews as well and my answer is, "Thanks, I will!"
FYI, this story's steam factor is set to go up. 8P
Brand New Bella
Edward raced us through the house and into our bathroom. He set me down gently and turned on the shower. I peeled away the filthy clothing. I hadn't really thought of how gross I would feel afterwards. My sweat had combined with the outer layer of my skin when my new body sloughed it off. There was a disgusting film over my entire body. I tried to see what differences there were, but was too disgusted by the gore. I looked up to find Edward staring at me, breathless.
He smiled crookedly at me, shaking his head. "And I was sure I couldn't find you any more beautiful." I lowered my eyes, but the blush I was expecting never came. My eyes widened and I smiled.
"Ha! No more signs of embarrassment!" I laughed.
Edward's smile widened, "Oh, it's still plenty obvious," he argued. "Even without your beautiful blush," he whispered, stepping closer to touch my cheek. I wanted to know what he meant. I tried to turn to the mirror, but Edward held my head in place. "Wait, love, I don't want you to see yourself as filthy forever." I smiled at him; he knew me too well. Taking my hands he stepped into the shower with me. "Let's wash away the last of your humanity, shall we?" he smirked at me.
"Ha ha, Edward," I stuck out my tongue. He immediately captured it with his mouth, surprising me with a passionate kiss. I had forgotten how to breathe by the time he pulled away.
"Breathe, Bella," He teased.
"Make me," I sassed, knowing full well I didn't need to anymore.
Edward leaned forward and let a long breath out, directly into my mouth. I, of course, reacted. I instinctively inhaled deeply, my eyes rolling back in the delicious pleasure.
"And I was sure you could never smell better," I sighed, burying my nose into his neck.
Edward gently washed the grime off my new and improved body. As he finished rinsing my hair, I truly felt like a new woman. Edward pulled me close and ran his nose along my neck, up to my ear, breathing deeply of my clean scent.
"I'm glad you still like the way I smell," I whispered.
"Mmmmm," Edward replied against my skin. Then he moved his head to my shoulder and drew his tongue across to my neck and up to my ear, where he gently nipped it. "Delicious," he informed me. I went a little weak in the knees.
I giggled, then gasped at the sound. It was not my old girlish giggle. It was low and sultry. The sound belonged to someone like Rosalie. Edward smirked at me, his eyes smouldering. "Apparently I have all new sounds to learn about," he whispered huskily.
"Speaking of all new," I smiled at him, "I think I'm ready to see this breathtaking body of mine." If I sounded like that, how must I look?
"As you wish," Edward said, turning off the water. The heat of the shower had left me a little light headed. Or maybe it was just Edward. We stepped out of the shower and Edward wrapped a towel around his waist. I reached for mine, but he beat me to it. He toweled me dry with exquisite care. If he didn't cut it out, I would be the first vampire in history to faint. Finally, he was finished and stood back, staring at me unabashedly.
"Alright Mr. Cullen, enough for you," I chastised, again grateful I couldn't blush, "My turn." I turned to face the mirror.
The person that stared back was me, but not. I was the same height and body type. But my skin was flawless, smooth and tight. Speaking of tight, I was sure my rear had not been shaped quite so nicely, Edward chuckled as I turned to see it. I would have surely blushed again, but since I couldn't I continued to examine my new self. Every curve was softer, every angle sharper. It was like I had been the ugly sister and was now looking at my beautiful twin.
Before I could get carried away with ogling myself, I looked up into my face. I recognized the heart shape and the general features. But they were all clearer, crisper somehow. I wondered briefly, if it was really my face, or just my eyesight that had changed.
At the thought of my eyesight, my attention turned to my eyes themselves. They widened as they looked back at me. They were so big! And so very dark, with small circles of crimson around the outside. I looked thirsty. That thought led me to the back of my throat, which was indeed parched. I hadn't realized how dry it was.
Edward saw the look on my face and was instantly by my side. He caught me as my knees finally gave way. "Bella, are you alright?" his voice thick again, but this time with concern.
I shook my head, "Thirst," was all I could get out. Edward looked extremely annoyed.
"Of course," he said. I felt bad for ruining our moment. It hurt to see Edward upset as well. The pain in my throat was increasing. I was afraid to feel the thirst coming back so strong again. I then felt oddly detached.
"I'm an idiot, Bella. I shouldn't have made you take so long in the shower. I'll go get you something to drink." Edward berated himself. He ran into our room and lay me gently on the bed. As he moved to turn away, I began to feel strange in my own skin. I panicked further.
"No!" I cried reaching out and grasping onto Edward's hand. "Don't let me go!"
I was immediately wrapped in his arms again. "Never," he assured me. His eyes were a strange mix of confusion, joy, and worry. With his solid presence around me I felt more solid myself. Then he pressed his lips to mine. I came completely to myself, not wanting to be anywhere but right here, right now, thirst be damned.
Suddenly our door burst open, Alice was at the bedside with a camping thermos. "Sorry Edward, I thought she was just passing out, well, from you." She handed the container to Edward, "I came as soon as I realized."
"Thank you, Alice," Edward cut off her rambling and was quickly unscrewing the lid. "Bella, you'll need to hold your breath again," he reminded me. I complied and the minute Edward heard my breath cease, the lid came off the thermos. He placed it to my lips, while I continued to cling to him. "Careful, love, we wouldn't want to spill it."
"Esme would kill you for ruining the bedspread," Alice agreed. Edward rolled his eyes, but continued to tilt the thermos. The marvelous liquid poured down my throat as I greedily gulped it down. It took all I had to remain still, save the muscles working rapidly to swallow. When it was gone, Edward pulled it away and screwed the top back on, sealing away the smell so I could breath again. I lay panting for a moment on his chest.
"Do you need me to bring more, or would you like to get dressed first?" Alice asked. I suddenly realized I was still completely naked. I would surely have turned red from head to toe if I could have. "That's almost as cute as blushing!" Alice cried. My eyes went wide. What was she talking about?
"I know," Edward chuckled.
"I think I'd like to get dressed thanks," I said, mortified.
"The rest is waiting downstairs in the kitchen," Alice informed me, then started to skip away. At our door, she stopped and turned around. Her eyes flickered embarrassingly over my exposed self. "Poor Rosalie," she laughed and was gone. My jaw dropped and Edward began laughing in earnest. I turned on him.
"What did she mean, 'that's almost as cute as blushing?'" I asked furiously. He stood up and tried to get me to follow him to our closet. "Explain, please," I asked, my tone demanding.
"I will," he laughed, "But can we get dressed while I do? We need to feed you properly," he grinned at me, "Well, as properly as possible for a vampire who can't stand the smell of blood." He seemed to find that highly amusing.
"Very funny mister. Do you think I enjoy being a freak as a vampire any more than I did as a human?" I scowled at him, but moved to follow him to the closet. Edward grabbed me and put my face in his hands, locking our eyes.
"Never say that again," he growled.
"What?" I asked, surprised by his reaction and his tone.
"You are not now, nor have you ever been a freak, Bella." His eyes softened and his tone grew warmer. "You are simply a wonderfully unique creature, in whichever life you live."
Had I tears I would have cried. How did he always know just what to say? I couldn't explain what his words meant to me. There were so many strange things about me, and I knew he did and would always accept them. Instead of trying to thank him, I kissed him hard on the lips. He let it linger for a moment, but then pulled away so we could finish getting dressed.
"We don't want anyone else to have to come save you," he teased, "Who knows which of our dear siblings could come barging through that door next?"
I started at the thought and rapidly pulled on my clothes. Too rapidly apparently, because I shredded my favorite sweat pants in the process. I just stared at the tattered cloth in my hands. Edward laughed again and brought me a pair of jeans. I shook my head and put them on, carefully this time.
I squinted at Edward. "I'm waiting for my explanation," I reminded him. He took my hand and brushed my cheek with his fingertips.
"When you're embarrassed, you face still thinks it's blushing," he said.
"What?" I asked.
"You make the same face, but without the coloring," he paused and saw I was still confused. "Your eyes get squinty and your nose scrunches up," he explained, tapping the end of said nose. "And when you're really embarrassed, you duck your head and lower your eyelashes like you're tying to hide." He smiled at my horrific and apparently adorable habits. I rolled my eyes and tugged him into motion.
"Let's get my 'unique' self downstairs so I can be further embarrassed by being the first vampire in history to actually use the kitchen for mealtime," I sulked.
Edward laughed, "You're right, again," he winked at me. I shook my head at him. "We need to get you fed. I'll just have to wait," he finished.
I looked back at him, suspicious, "For what?"
He caught me in his arms, but continued our progress to the kitchen. "To see what kind of face you make when the flush in your cheeks wouldn't be from embarrassment," he whispered into my ear. I felt my nose crinkle and wanted to smack him for pointing it out to me.
