Degrees Chapter 9
Rosalie was pretty sure that Bella hadn't grasped the seriousness of being turned into a Vampire. Maybe Bella thought it was like falling asleep sick and waking up refreshed. It was impossible to know just how much Bella knew, if she knew anything at all. There really was no reason for her ever wonder though, was there? Bella didn't even know Vampires existed until Rosalie came into her life. Rosalie wondered if that chance encounter was now a blessing or a curse. It was very obvious that the two had to have a long drawn out discussion on the matter.
"How're you feeling today?" Rosalie asked as she swept into Bella's hospital room and greeted her with a quick kiss.
"I'm fine. I've been trying to call you all day." Bella said flatly.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Rosalie replied and then added, "I've been helping Carlisle with some preparations."
"Okay." Bella said quietly.
Rosalie wasn't oblivious to Bella's bad mood but thought if she ignored it Bella would come out of it sooner.
"We have to have a very important talk, okay?" Rosalie wasn't really asking but Bella nodded anyway.
"I know you must have questions, Bella. I promise I will answer them as best as I can." Rosalie said as she motioned for Bella to ask away.
So Bella started, "Will it hurt?"
"Excruciatingly."
"How long will it take?"
"Two to five days."
"And the pain lasts all the while?"
"For the most part."
"Where will you bite me?"
"Carlisle will do it, I'm not sure where. I've never seen it done before."
"But you'll be there right? God, Rosalie I can't do this without you!" Bella was becoming agitated.
"Of course I'll be there! Just calm down Bella!"
"Why are you being so distant and cold Rose? What's your deal? Huh?" Bella was demanding.
"I'm scared for you and you can't seem to get a hold of how dangerous this is!" Rosalie blasted.
"Right, cause having a fucking brain tumor isn't scary at all!" Bella blasted right back.
"You're taking my words out of context." Rosalie said as she let out a big sigh.
"Rose, I WANT to do this! You don't even know that I was wondering about it before you even asked! I want to take the risk because I think you're worth it! The time we've spent together has been the best of my life so whatever I become 'after' is worth it to me. So let's stop fighting about it and get it done…k?" Bella added innocently at the end.
"I know you're right. You always are. I imagine that's why I fell in Love with you." Rosalie confessed.
"Do you think you'll still Love me after I change?" Bella asked.
"Yes." Rosalie answered without hesitation.
"Okay, now get in bed with me!" Bella said as she made room for Rosalie. After they laid there for a while Bella whispered, "I Love you too."
Rosalie lay wide awake until just after 3am. She quietly woke Bella and told her it was time. Bella got out of bed searched for her slippers while Rosalie checked the hallway for any people. The coast was clear. She slipped back into the room, scooped up Bella and shot through the halls and out an emergency door before Bella even knew what was going on. Rosalie then gently plopped Bella into the car and drove off into the dark.
"That was fun!" Bella said with a huge grin on her face.
"My little adrenaline junkie." Rosalie said as she stroked Bellas cheek, noting that her temperature seemed high already. Carlisle would have morphine and blankets ready at the house; Rosalie was thankful for that.
When they got the Rosalie's house Carlisle was standing in the drive-way. Bella was amazed at how beautiful he was, for a man.
"You must be Bella." Carlisle said as Bella opened the car door.
"That's me. You must be Rose's dad?" Bella asked.
"Yes. A pleasure to met you. Won't you come inside. The sooner we get started the sooner we can be done." Carlisle smiled politely.
The two Vampires walked Bella inside the house. She was staggering and weak so the help was much appreciated. Rosalie never let go of Bella's hand even as she and Carlisle had a very quiet intense conversation.
Carlisle had decided that he would introduce morphine into Bellas system first then wait for her to drift off to sleep. Rosalie figured Bella would be an easier patient if she wasn't wide awake and asking questions all through the process.
With her I.V. set up and wrapped in blankets Bella finally started to panic a bit.
"Now I'm scared." Bella whispered. Then her eyes closed and fell into a deep sleep.
"Okay what now?" Rosalie asked impatiently.
"Would you mind going out to my car and grabbing my medical bag please?" Carlisle asked in a low voice.
Rosalie ran out to the car and by the time she was back she could sense something very different in the room. Carlisle was standing next to Bella with one hand over his mouth and the other as holding Bella's hand, taking her pulse.
"It's done?" Rosalie asked impatiently. "Thank you for not making me watch." She added.
"Now we wait." Carlisle said reassuringly.
And wait they did. Rosalie had never known time to pass so slowly. It seemed like this transformation was taking years when in fact it had only been four hours. By the eighth hour things finally started to change ever so slightly. Bella's heart rate sped up and her temperature rose. Then at the eleventh hour her heart stopped and her body temperature began to drop. More and more hours passed after that with no change whatsoever. Rosalie started to worry and began berating Carlisle with questions. He assured her that this was normal and that thankfully it was almost over. It would be another ten hours until Bella started to show some sort of movement. It started with her fingertips. There was a high pitched screeching sound that was later identified as Bella's new Vampire fingernails digging into the metal arms of the gurney she was laying on top of. After that her arms started moving in a way that would not have been visible to the human eye. Soon her toes began to make little fists over and over and then her legs started to quiver and shake. Then her body went completely still and finally her eyes opened.