1917 - CARLISLE INTERVENES

Edward's POV

The room materialized around us, and I noticed a bed at the side of the room. Weeping, I carried Bella to the bed, and tried to calm her screams of pain. I had saved her from becoming a vampire once before, when she had been bitten by James. So, I had to do the same thing now.

I tried to get my head angled to her neck, so I could suck out the venom, but her powerful spasms of pain were making it impossible. My 16 year old human body just wasn't strong enough to do this. My mouth swept past her neck, and my lip burned with intense pain. The venom! My human body would not be able to take this into my mouth. It would act as a poison, possibly killing me. How was I going to do this? I wiped away the offensive toxin, spitting the residue on the floor.

I sank to my knees, grasping my head in my hands, longing for help from the Carlisle of the future. He was the only one who could help me now. Sobbing, bringing my hands down over my face, I looked up at my sweet wife, who was turning into a monster. This was worse than any tragedy I had ever known. No one could ever imagine this horror story. I was hopelessly defeated with the confusion and misery of it.

Knowing that the earlier Carlisle was probably in this hospital right now, I jumped up to go look for him. "Damn it! I'm naked!" I looked around the room, to look for something to wear. I noticed a wardrobe in the corner, and pulled it open to find some hospital scrubs. I was frantically pulling on some pants and a top, when I heard the door to our room open quickly.

"Edward?" Carlisle inquired. I turned. "Carlisle! Help! I bit Bella, and she's turning into a vampire! You have to suck out the venom! I hope you're not too late."

"Yes, that's why I'm here. Step back, young man." Carlisle swiftly locked the door, then swooped over to Bella's writhing form on the bed. He held her arms firmly out of the way, then placed his mouth over the bite I had given her. I carefully watched him, knowing that he could possibly lapse into a frenzy at the taste of her blood. Then, I realized that if he did, there would be nothing I could do to stop him. I was no longer a vampire myself, so I wouldn't have the power to pull him off of her...I was utterly useless.

I prayed. Yes, I knew I could pray now, because I had a soul...a beating heart. I placed my hand on my heart, feeling the steady rhythm. God, please save her. Please save my Bella! I know I don't deserve her, but I'm begging you. Please let me keep my sweet wife. Don't let her turn into a monster!

I walked to her bed, watching Carlisle's efforts. Standing near Bella's feet, I reached up to stroke her leg, begging, "Dear Bella, please come back to me."

Her frantic screams were calming, and she was no longer thrashing around in pain. Carlisle eventually pulled back from her, saying, "It's all out, Edward. Her blood is clear now."

Angels in Heaven, REJOICE!I wanted to shout, but settled for weeping profusely instead. My knees were weak, so I settled down on the bed beside her, taking her in my arms. "Oh Bella! I'm so sorry I put you through this!"

Bella was incoherent, weak from shock. Carlisle was getting necessary supplies out of the closet and drawers, so he could take care of her. I was so glad that he was there.

Suddenly it dawned on me. "Carlisle," I asked, "How did you know who I was?"

Carlisle carried a tray of supplies over to the bedside table. "Edward, you'll need to come have a seat over here," he ordered. I gently extricated my arm from around Bella, letting her head settle back on the pillow, then I slipped off the bed, stepping over to the chair. As I moved, I noticed the pool of blood on the bed between her legs.

"Carlisle! She's still bleeding!" I moaned. "Yes, I know, Edward," he answered, "she must be injured from when you mated with her in transit." He came over to my chair, and began tying a tourniquet around my arm. "What are you doing?" I asked.

"Bella needs your blood, son," he replied. "You're a perfect match."

My eyebrows lifted, as I took in this information. "What are the odds?" I mused. My two medical degrees gave me the knowledge to find this particular fact intriguing. Carlisle grinned, saying, "I think that you and Bella must be two sides of the same coin, in more ways than one. Your story has been fascinating me for the past 50 years."

"50 years?!" I exclaimed, in confusion. "How could you have known about us for 50 years?" Carlisle looked at me with kind eyes, "Soon, Edward. I'll give you your answers soon. Let me do this, so I can take care of Bella right now." I closed my lips, and watched him work.

After drawing my blood, he walked over to set up an IV on Bella's arm, then told me to go to the room across the hall for a glass of juice and a sandwich. I unlocked the door, stepped to the opposite doorway, then went in to find an ice box, filled with sandwiches, juice, lemonade, milk, cookies and fruit. I then came across the hall, carrying the juice and sandwich.

Coming back to Bella's room, I pulled the door closed, locked it, then offered the food to Carlisle. "No. That's for you. Take a seat, and eat."

I chuckled, saying, "Wow. My first meal, I guess. I haven't eaten in almost a hundred years."

His shoulders shook with silent laughter, "I hope you enjoy it."

I was so relieved to have Carlisle here, helping me and Bella. I offered another quick prayer, thanking God for saving Bella, and giving thanks for my first meal as well. I didn't anticipate being a religious man, but it just felt like the right thing to do.

I brought the glass of orange juice to my nose, to take a sniff. It had a sharp smell, making my cheeks tingle in response. I wrinkled my nose. Lowering the glass to my lips, I took a sip. Intense, cold, wet, and quite satisfying. I smiled as I swallowed the fragrant liquid. My tongue came alive from the tingly flavorful sensation. The cool fluid soothed my throat as I swallowed. Delightful! I giggled, then downed the rest of the juice greedily.

"Tasty, huh? Personally, I don't understand the appeal of citrus fruit," Carlisle laughed. "Edward, I need to give Bella an internal exam. Just checking for damage here." He moved to examine Bella's hips and belly, then carefully inserted his fingers in her vagina. This was uncomfortable for me to watch, but I was anxious to know what kind of damage I had done to her with my unrestrained vampire mating. Nervously, I waited. Carlisle's eyebrows lowered as he concentrated, feeling inside her, occasionally pressing her belly with his other hand. He checked her rectum as well. He pulled out his fingers, then stepped across to the sink to wash his hands.

"I think she'll heal just fine, but I'll be checking her again soon. I know that you are both wanting to try for children eventually. I'll do all I can to make that successful for you." He turned around, looking back at me again. "Eat, Edward." I had completely forgotten about the sandwich in my hand.

He stepped back across to Bella, to continue checking her body for any other damage. I looked down at the sandwich, opening up the top to see what was inside. Some kind of meat, a slice of cheese, a green leaf of lettuce, round tomato slices, an onion slice, and pickles. My mouth watered, unintentionally, making me raise my eyebrows in response. My human body knew good food when it saw it, I guess. Using my tongue, I explored my mouth, feeling my teeth. They were smooth - no longer razor sharp. Just normal human teeth. I opened my mouth and took a bite of the sandwich.

"Mmmmmmm" I moaned. "This is really good."

Carlisle admonished, "Don't talk with your mouth full, Edward." We both laughed. I quickly finished the sandwich, wishing that I could have another one. Carlisle looked over at me, then said, "Help yourself to more, if you want it." I smiled, then hopped out of the chair to cross the hall again. I grabbed another sandwich, then decided to try some fruit too, a couple cookies, and a glass of milk.

Carlisle laughed as I entered the room with my meal. "You're a growing boy now, Edward. That's why you're so hungry." I grinned, and enjoyed eating the rest of the food. I looked forward to trying more foods, as the days went by. Being human was going to be fun.