(A/N: I know, I know...it's been a while since my last update. I have 2 excuses though! 1. I switched jobs. I'm now a day shift employee at a bank! This means that my sleep schedule has been thrown completely out of wack; thus causing less writing time. 2. I was on vacation last week at the beach. It was wonderful...even though I got stuck babysitting my two toddler nephews.
This chapter was so hard to write. I suffered from a major writer's block until my beta helped me out. Thank you to all of the reviewers! I know that I didn't get to reply to you all the last time around, but I promise that I will on this one! Without any further ado, here's the next chapter!)
Weeks flew by in the same fashion. I would hunt every other day, taking Jasper so he could control my emotions if need be, and Emmett in case I needed to be taken down for getting too close to society, which I haven't. Edward always went because he never wanted to spend any amount of time away from me. We always checked with Alice before leaving, making sure she didn't see me attacking anything other than animals.
I had grown accustomed to swimming in our massive pool, almost everyday. It was something that was fool-proof, meaning; I couldn't trip while I swam. I was amazed at how fast I could be. Edward and I often had races, and we found that I could be as fast as him, so we had to agree to a tie a lot. There were times that neither of us could even finish a race because we tried dazzling the other into incoherency so much.
We spent a lot of time at our family's house. I would go up to Alice's or Rose's room and hang out with them while the boys would play video games downstairs. Carlisle would join them sometimes when he came home from work and Esme would come up and talk with us girls.
My book collection expanded somewhat during those weeks as well. I grew bored of some of the books I was reading and ordered some off of the internet. The day they came in was the day that they were read. I noticed that I could do everything a lot faster, and that included reading. It aggravated me at times because reading usually took up a lot of my time; now, it's nothing to read a 500 page novel in an hour and a half.
It was a day in between hunts and it was raining, as usual. I was reading Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice, and was enticed with Louis' character. He denied himself so much and he hated who he was. And when he finally found love, she was killed along with Claudia, the girl he considered a daughter. I was near the end when I heard Edward whisper, "Oh, no!" Then he jumped on me, tackling me to the ground.
"Edward! What the hell is wrong with you?" I screamed at him.
"Hold your breath! I just saw one of Alice's visions that a human is coming our way. She couldn't tell me how close they are, but she knew it'll happen in the next few hours. I'm sorry, love. I really am," Edward apologized as his grip around me tightened.
I sucked in a breath and choked on it. It had a less than appealing scent to it. I coughed to get the unexpected stinky air out of my lungs.
"Edward, are you sure it's a human? It doesn't smell so great. I don't want that, whatever it is," I took a lighter sniff, and it stunk even worse.
"I'm positive Bella, it's a human. I can smell it now. It's really faint, but it's most definitely a human. In fact, I've met this human before. I recognize that smell. That's Megan," he said. Then it registered in his head the last part I said about the stinky smell.
"What do you mean it has an unappealing smell?" Confusion clearly written on his face.
"Smells like rust and salt to the extreme. I think it stinks," I answered, wrinkling my nose for emphasis.
"That's odd. I'll have to tell Carlisle about this," he scrunched his eyebrows together.
"Umm, Edward? Do you think you could let me up?" I asked, patting his chest.
"Oh, I guess. Are you sure you don't feel like you're going to attack anything?"
"I'm going to attack you if you don't let me up! I'm fine," I argued.
He got up and helped me get to my feet as well. The smell grew stronger as our visitor came closer.
"Why is she coming here? How did she figure out where we live?" I questioned Edward.
There was a knock on the door soon after I had voiced my questions. Edward opened the door and I felt relieved to see Emmett and Jasper rushing to my side with Alice, Rosalie and Esme towing behind. I knew that my new family loved me, but I didn't know the extent of it until a crisis was about to occur. My big brothers were doing their job of protecting me; both physically (with Emmett) and emotionally (with Jasper).
Jasper must have sensed my revulsion to the smell because he gave a curious glance and looked sort of disgusted himself.
"Bella, are you okay?" Alice questioned.
"I'm fine, the only things I smell are rust and salt. It's very unappetizing," I answered.
"You're really not enjoying the smell at all, are you? I can feel it. It's like you have no bloodlust at all," Jasper looked confused.
"Is there something wrong with me? I'm supposed to crave that smell; aren't I?" I was starting to worry that there might be something wrong with my sense of smell.
"Well, Bella, it's a good thing that the smell is unappealing to you. You won't want to attack this girl," Esme comforted.
"You mean that could be like Bella's power? Man, if that's case, we got it easy training her!" Emmett boomed.
A power? I didn't really think I would have a power, since I was pretty much plain as a human. But, the thought of being able to go around my human friends and family again made a smile appear on my face. I wasn't going to be the violent, crazy vampire I'd imagined.
I hadn't even noticed that Edward had left the room because of all of the commotion that had arisen. I heard him talking low on the phone in our bedroom and decided to join him. I knocked twice on the door and cracked it open. Edward had already hung the phone up and was sitting on our bed.
"Edward, is everything okay?" I asked as I glided towards him.
"I just got off the phone with Carlisle at work. I told him everything that just went on and he agrees with Esme. This could very well be your power, Bella. I asked him why it was just human blood that you don't like, but when you hunt, I can watch the animal in you take over with all of the temptation. He said that was probably because you never smelled animal blood. But, you've had to smell your own blood hundreds of times, and it always stank. This can be a great thing," he was interrupted when we both heard the gravel crunching under the weight of a car.
"You never cease to amaze me. I love you, Bella Cullen," he spoke softly, bringing me into a soft and passionate kiss.
"I love you too," I replied.
"BELLLLA! You have company!" I heard Alice yell from downstairs. She could've just spoken softly, but I guessed she yelled to keep up appearances.
"Can you read Megan's thoughts?" I asked my husband.
"She's wondering if you're okay. She hasn't heard from you in weeks and she grew worried about you. She's a good friend, Bella. Hang on to her as long as you can," he answered.
"What am I going to tell her? I mean, won't she notice that I look different?"
"Just tell her that you were under the weather for a few days and still haven't got over it. It's practically the truth," Edward said shrugging his shoulders.
We walked down stairs hand in hand and greeted Megan.
"Hey Megan! How have you been?" I asked her.
"I'm fine. I've just been worrying about you. I've tried calling your cell phone, and there wasn't any answer. So, I decided to pay you a visit. Have you been okay?" She answered in a hurry.
"Oh, well, I was a bit under the weather for a few days and I still haven't gotten over it," I used Edward's words.
"I can tell. You look like you've lost a lot of color, and you look cold," Megan looked sincere as she spoke. She was observant.
"Yeah. Hey, how did you know where to come to find me?" I inquired, genuinely curious.
"Oh, I was driving behind you the day we went to El Azul. I saw you turn off here, so I figured that this hollow was where you lived. I hadn't even noticed the turn-off until I saw you take it. I almost stopped at that lodge back there to ask if you had stayed there, but I thought I'd venture on out on the gravels. Then I saw this house and your car, so I knew I found it. Is it okay that I dropped in without asking?" She explained.
"It could've been worse. I'm glad you stopped by, though. It means a lot to me that you care enough to search me out," I would've said more, but there was a knock on the door.
"Edward, Bella?" It was Carlisle coming home from work.
"Come on in Carlisle. Look who showed up to check on Bella," Edward said with his crooked grin in place.
"Oh, yes. Hello Megan, it's nice to see you again," Carlisle shook her hand.
"Nice to see you too, doctor. Well, Bella, give me a call sometime when you feel better. I'd like to go hangout again. Maybe we could catch a movie," she said.
"That would be great. I'll call you," I told her. Hopefully I wasn't making myself out to be a liar. I really would like to hang out with Megan again.
She walked out the door and we could all hear the crunching of the gravels as she walked towards her car. Once she was inside the car we heard the clicking of what should've been a revving car.
"Dammit," Megan whispered from inside her car.
"I'll go help her. I'd like to see under the hood of those new Camry's anyway," Rosalie grinned while walking out the door with Emmett in tow.
We all walked out on the porch to see the car's hood up and Rose working on what appeared to be the battery.
"Edward, do you care if we used the Volvo to jump her battery?" Rose asked still examining the engine.
"Not at all. Here Em, pull it around," Edward said, tossing the keys to Emmett.
In no time at all, Megan's car was running like new again. Rose told her about her love of cars and Megan allowed her to do some quick, but minor work to enhance the drive.
"Thanks, you guys. I really don't know what I would do without you all. You saved me from a jerk, you fixed my car and you all are incredibly good friends. I guess I should be on my way back home," Megan smiled shyly.
"Megan, honey, you are welcome here at our home anytime. We're just so glad that we found a nice girl like you to help us get some roots grounded here," Esme spoke with a motherly tone.
We waved bye to her and watched her pull away. Edward pulled me into a tight hug and looked down at me; his eyes were even smiling at me.
"You handled that really well, love," he said before giving me a sweet kiss.
"You think so?" I asked, not feeling too sure.
"Bella," Carlisle started. "You did great, considering that you are a newborn. Edward tells me that you didn't like the aroma of human blood. Is this correct?"
"Yes, it smells like rust and salt. Like it used to smell to me, only…it was more intense. I know that everyone seems to think it's a good thing, but it isn't normal. Could there be something wrong with me?" I put my concerns out there for everyone to hear.
"Bella, we should test this before I give you a definite answer, but my hypothesis is that this could very well be your power. You have no human bloodlust, from what we've seen. This could be a very powerful thing you've got. Like I said, we just have to test it," he answered.
With that, the family went on to their own business, except for Jasper.
"Bella, you don't know how much you helped me. I felt disgusted with the smell, that's never happened before. I just wanted to tell you thanks; and I'm glad that you're finally one of us. We can finally bond like we should've two years ago," Jasper told me as he gave me a hug that could rival one of Emmett's. As he did, I felt a huge wave of gratitude wash over me.
"Jasper, it's no problem. Just stick around; I'm sure that if this really is my power, then it's going to help you more than just once." I laughed light-heartedly.
"Can I have my wife back, please?" Edward asked Jasper.
"Of course," he replied. They stared at each other for a brief moment, no doubt having a private conversation. When their private exchange was finished, Edward wrapped his arms around my waist and led me upstairs and into our bedroom.
"Bella," Edward spoke softly to me.
"What's wrong, Edward?" He had that tone that he only used when something was bothering him.
"Nothing is wrong, at least I hope not. I need to ask you a question and you must tell me the complete truth; don't hold anything back from me, please," Edward wouldn't even look at me in the eyes as he conversed.
"I wouldn't dream of giving you anything but the truth, Edward. You should know that. What did you want to ask?" I tried to lighten the mood.
"Are you happy? I mean, are you happy being one of us?" He sounded hopeful.
"Oh, Edward! How could you ask such a question? Of course I'm happy being a vampire. It's what I've wanted ever since I found that out about you!" All of my worries of what this conversation would lead to suddenly vanished with his question. He was worried that I wasn't happy with him; when in truth, this is the happiest I have ever been.
"Well, I know that you don't get to go out with anyone else except us and even that is just to hunt. I can't reverse what I've done to you and I'm sorry if you're not happy with your life," his eyes wore an expression of sadness as he finally looked at me.
"Edward Cullen! Listen to me, and listen well. I don't care if I have a life outside this family, because this family is my life. You are my entire being. Even if you could reverse the change, I wouldn't let you change me back. I am the happiest I have ever been, and I'm sorry if I haven't acted like it. I love my life the way it is. I love our life. This is exactly what I want. Please, stop feeling guilty for what you've done; I'm very grateful to you for it and I have no clue how to repay you for giving me this life," my tone started firm but softened at the end.
"Bella, Bella, Bella. It is I who should be repaying you for what you've given me. You've changed me in so many ways, and all of them have been for the better. You've given me peace of mind. I can finally be the only one inside of my head when I'm alone with you. The flood of foreign thoughts that often invade my mind seemingly don't exist. You have made me think that their might just be a chance, that I may just have a soul after all; because only God could send an angel like you to someone whose soul needs nourished. And I thank God each and every day for bringing you to me. You're my angel. I love you Bella, and all that I want is for you to be happy," Edward told me.
"I am happy. I know that it may still be a while before I can actually go out and have fun like we used to. But, I can live with that. We have eternity to do stuff like that. I just want to get used to my new body and my new life before we do. I don't want to go to a movie and break the armrest off of the chair simply because I placed my hand on it. I know that this has to be rough on you also; and I want you to be as happy as I am," I said, laughing.
"Do you want to know what makes me the happiest?" Edward asked, his face not an inch from my own as he breathed the words.
"Um-hmm," was all I could respond. Taken by surprise, I was officially dazzled.
"Just holding you in my arms, like I did when you slept. I could relax, knowing you were safe and no one's thoughts were evading my mind. It was just me and you," he relaxed his cheek against mine.
I grabbed his arms and wrapped them around my waist. My arms enveloped his neck and I put us into a laying position just like I used to sleep. We let our breaths fall into the same pattern as we caressed one another and kissed until the sun rose and brought another day with it.
(A/N: So, tell me. Did you like the sweet moment? I'm very excited about reading Breaking Dawn. Which leads me to a question. Are you guys going to read fanfiction stories after it's release? I tried to put a poll up, and it didn't work. So, if you could tell me while you review, that would be wonderful! I have a new story idea, but I wanted to know if there would be many readers out there to enjoy it. Thanks again you all for the supportive reviews! I really appreciate them!!)