A/N: Yes I said it would be this weekend, but I couldn't stop writing, so here it is. I'm bad. I wanted to leave y'all with a cliffhanger, but I failed. The story kept going in my head therefore I wrote it down and decided to treat you guys with two updates in one night. This is the very last chapter! I hope you enjoy! Thanks to all my reviewers from the whole story along with everybody who followed or favorited as well. Special thanks to Accalia Silvermoon who reviewed moments after chapter 19 was posted! I hope you all like this, and thanks to everyone who stuck with it till the end!
*Disclaimer: Twilight is not nor will it ever be mine*
"Bella! Bella! Can you hear me?" Jake practically screamed as he pulled the bike away, sounding like he was about to cry.
"I'm fine," I mumbled, not really thinking.
"No Bella you are not fine!" he shouted at me. "I'm just so glad you're alive," he sobbed.
"Uh, kid, we need to get you to a hospital," the truck driver said.
"Carlisle," I mumbled.
"What Bells?" Jake asked, concerned.
"Call Edward… his dad… doctor," I managed to get out as I lay there bleeding and in immense pain.
"Maybe I should call 911," the truck driver suggested doubtfully, looking rather freaked out.
"No… call Edward," I breathed.
"I am Bella. Hold on, stay with me," Jake instructed as he found the number on my phone and dialed.
"Um, kid, what's your name?" the truck driver asked me, though I wasn't sure why.
"Bella," I hissed in pain as I tried to turn over onto my back.
"Yeah, she's hurt… We're about a mile out from the tree house… that old abandoned street… yeah… okay… I'll tell her… thanks," Jake said in a slightly strangled voice before hanging up.
"Bells, stay with us. Edward's on his way. He said he'll get here as fast as he can and to tell you he loves you. He's going to drive you to the hospital."
"Kay," I mumbled, closing my eyes to the harsh sunlight.
"No Bella, keep your eyes open. Edward will be her in a minute," Jake insisted.
"Ch…Charlie," I managed to say. "Call…"
"Yeah. Good point. Will do," Jacob muttered before turning to the truck driver who was standing silently to the side.
"Is there anything I can do?" the guy asked.
"I'm calling her father, the chief of police," Jake added pointedly. "You can just wait here, Jacob instructed before calling Charlie.
I couldn't tell exactly what he said because the pain was getting unbearable. Just as I was about to close my eyes again, despite Jacob's protests, I heard the sound of Edward's Volvo. Seconds later, he was at my side.
"Bella, baby!" he cried out as he began to gingerly pick me up. "Are you alright?" he asked, fearful.
"It hurts, Edward," I moaned.
"I'm so sorry baby. Alice saw it just before it happened. I didn't have time to warn you," he whispered. "Jacob, I need you to sit in the back with her and help keep her from moving around," Edward instructed him.
"Her dad is on his way here right now. I figure that this guy should stay here and have a chat with Charlie," Jacob informed him as the sirens of a police car could be heard in the distance.
"We can wait for him to arrive, but just that," Edward told him.
"Bella!" I heard Charlie scream a moment later. "What exactly happened?" he demanded to Jake. "And you!" he must have been talking to the truck driver, "why weren't you looking where you were going?"
"I was! These kids were just out riding in the street and the girl was doing a jump across the road. I tried to stop but well…" he trailed off.
"We'll talk later. I need to get Bella to the hospital," Charlie insisted.
"With all due respect sir, my father is getting an operating room ready as we speak seeing as there is glass embedded in her cuts. I can take her to the hospital while you deal with this, and you can meet us there afterwards," Edward explained.
"All right, son I expect you to take good care of my girl. Jacob, are you going with them?" Charlie asked.
"Yes sir," he answered.
"Good, you look after her too. And Bella, I love you sweetie. No more bikes ever," he choked out.
"Kay Daddy," I mumbled and then winced as I felt Edward carrying me to his car. He was being as gentle as possible, but it still hurt a lot. The worst part was when he set me in the back seat, my head in Jake's lap.
"It'll be alright Bella. I'll get you to the hospital as fast as I can," Edward assured me.
"Just hang on Bells," Jake added and I felt the car start to move.
I barely managed to hold in my shrieks of pain, reducing it to just whimpers as my cuts rubbed against the seat. I figured my right arm and leg must be broken, and I felt bad about bleeding on Edward's car, but I couldn't really help it at the moment.
As soon as we arrived at the hospital, a team came out with a gurney and loaded me on before wheeling me into the operating room, and that's the last thing I could remember before waking up in a hospital bed, hooked up to a bunch of machines and still in immense pain.
I could faintly hear voices outside my door and strained to hear what they were saying.
"Edward," Carlisle's voice said, "she's lost too much blood and her body isn't responding to the infusions. You have to decide," he insisted.
"Isn't there something else you can do?" Edward pleaded.
"I'm sorry son, she only has minutes left unless you act now," Carlisle explained.
"She wants it Edward. She won't resent you. It's what's best," Alice's voice said.
"I even agree Edward. Just do it," Rosalie told him.
"Bro, it's what's best," Emmett added.
"Edward, she really loves you, and she won't hate you for it. Either she dies or lives as one of us," Jasper said bluntly.
And that's the last I heard before I blacked out again.
Later, I heard Charlie's voice.
"Bella, baby, can you hear me?" he asked, and I could tell he was crying.
I managed to pull my eyes open.
"Daddy?" I whispered.
"Oh, Bella, I love you so much sweetie. I'm so so sorry," he sobbed.
"What is it?" I whispered.
"Bella, the doctor, Carlisle, says you don't have much time left. You lost too much blood and your body won't accept any transfusions," Charlie sobbed.
"I love you too, and I'm sorry," I told him.
"It's not your fault, Bella," Charlie assured me.
"I shouldn't have been doing such a dangerous trick," I maintained my point. I knew better.
"There hadn't been cars there before, and by what Jacob told me, it wasn't even that dangerous," Charlie assured me. "It was just a bad time."
"I love you Daddy, so much. Thank you for taking care of me and letting me live with you," I whispered.
"Oh, Bella, you're so welcome. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come to live with me sweetie. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Now sweetie, I have to go, Jacob and Billy want to talk to you," he sobbed.
"Bye Daddy," I whispered, tears streaming down my face as Charlie planted a kiss on my forehead. "Tell mom I love her too," I implored as I walked out.
"I will baby," he promised as he walked out.
Jake and Billy came in moments later.
"I'm sorry Bella," Billy told me.
"Look out for Charlie for me," I instructed with a raspy voice.
"I promise Bella," Billy told me before walking out, leaving me alone with Jake.
"I'm so sorry Bella! I should have never suggested we go riding," Jacob sobbed.
"It's not your fault. I wanted to go as much as you did, and you couldn't know the truck was going to come," I admonished him. I, however, should have known better. Alice had warned me after all.
"I'm going to miss you so much big sis," Jake said still sobbing but managing a small grin.
"You too little bro. Promise that you won't wallow. It wasn't your fault. Promise you'll remember that," I instructed.
"Okay Bells," he forced out, taking my hand.
"My bike and my truck are yours," I whispered. "Take good care of them for me."
"Will do," Jacob whispered.
"I love you Jake," I told him, barely managing to smile.
"Love you too Bells, always," he responded. "You're the best sister and friend ever."
"Don't tell Quil," I joked. "He'll think I replaced him."
"You never had anyone to replace," Jake assured me as I faded into the blackness and pain again.
The next time I woke up, it was Edward's voice that I heard.
"Bella, I'm here. It's going to be okay. We're going to pull the plug and take you home so I can change you. That is, if you still want me to?" he asked, in a heart wrenchingly sad voice.
"Yes, please. Just make the pain go away," I begged.
"It's going to hurt a whole lot worse than this Bella," Edward warned.
"I don't care. It's worth it. I'll be with you," I told him.
"I love you Bella, so much," Edward told me, before placing a tender kiss on my forehead.
"Love you too," I mumbled before I heard Carlisle's voice say that it was time.
I heard a loud beeping noise, indicating a flat-line before the darkness consumed me again. This darkness was different and lasted longer. And eventually, I felt sharp pain on my neck, wrists, and ankles.
"It's going to be okay Bella. Just stay with me," Edward pleaded as the pain spread from the concentrated points, consuming my whole body with a burning fire.
I thrashed and screamed, not being able to hold back this time. It felt like I really was dying. The only constant through it all was Edward's voice and his hand holding mine. It lasted for days. I was no longer sure of the time, but as it went on, I could suddenly hear more clearly than ever before. I could pick out each breath Edward took and every tick of the clock. I was able to determine the time as the fire condensed and got stronger before consuming my heart. I screamed louder making incoherent noises as it felt like my death was quickly approaching.
"It's almost over Bella, hang on," I heard Edward say, and moments later, the fire went out.
I was über sensitive to the hand in mine that was no longer ice-cold but the same temperature as me. I opened my eyes only to be captivated by the world around me. Everything was much more detailed than I had ever seen before, and when I looked to my left, I saw Edward. Any prior judgment I had made on his beauty was skewed. My human vision left so much to be imagined that I could barely remember how he looked then. It was nowhere near the perfection that faced me now.
"Bella," he said softly.
"Edward," I replied with a grin in a new version of my voice that was higher and more soprano sounding.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm wonderful. Thank you," I told him, pulling him in for a hug, my body moving the second I thought to. It was a bit disconcerting but something I could definitely get used to.
"Um Bella, a little less strength please," Edward requested with a chuckle.
"Sorry," I apologized.
"I love you so much Bella, and I'm so glad you're okay," he told me.
"I love you too," I responded immediately pulling him in for a kiss where many old boundary lines abruptly disappeared. No more worrying about hurting me.
"Ooh can you hear my thoughts now?" I wondered aloud.
"No, I still can't do that," he assured me.
"Oh, well, so can I go see everyone now?"
"Sure, if you want. But don't you need to hunt," he asked in a concerned tone.
"Is that why my throat feels all sore and itchy?" I asked.
"One of the downsides I'm afraid," Edward explained.
"Oh. At least there are some major up sides too," I chuckled, pulling him in for another kiss.
He pulled away much too soon for my liking, especially since we didn't need to breath now.
"Hunting?" he asked me.
"Right that," I responded.
"Wait!" I heard Alice call. "We want to see her first! And she needs to see herself!"
"Fine but hurry," Edward relented, and almost instantaneously, the rest of the Cullen family appeared at the door.
"Bella!" Alice shrieked before hugging me tightly. "You look lovely!"
"Thanks Alice!" I replied hugging my sister.
"You do look great Bella," Rosalie told me before hugging me as well.
Esme did the same and then Emmett came and picked me up and swung me around.
"My little sister isn't breakable any more!" Emmett shouted. "Welcome to the family sis."
"Thanks Emmett," I replied before Jasper greeted me as well.
"So, is it easier now that I don't smell like a human?" I asked him.
"Much," Jasper responded with a grin.
"I'm glad," I told him, shooting him a smile.
"Is everything in working order?" Carlisle asked me, obviously in doctor mode.
"Everything's great doc," I assured him.
"I'm sorry there wasn't anything else we could do," he apologized.
"It's fine. I mean, yes I'll miss my family and Jake, but I get to be with you guys forever, and you all are family to me too," I explained.
"I'm glad you think that dear," he told me with a smile.
"Now can we go hunting?" Edward asked Alice.
"Wait, one more minute," Alice said as she dashed out and returned with a big mirror. "Well, take a look Bella," she instructed.
I stepped in front of the mirror, still moving faster than I was used to, and a lovely reflection greeted me. My skin was now the same color as the rest of the Cullens' complete with the purple shadows under my now bright red eyes. Those were definitely a bit freaky, but I knew with a diet of animal blood they would eventually turn gold. My hair was shinier, and I was no longer covered in glass cuts, but otherwise, I looked about the same. I was still essentially me.
"What do you think?" Alice asked, curiously.
"I like it," I told her, "but why on earth, may I ask, am I wearing the prom dress we got me?"
"I wanted you to look fabulous," Alice explained. "Now go hunt! Shoo!" she directed.
"See you later Bella," Emmett chuckled, earning a slap from Rosalie who grinned at me before Edward and I dashed out the door, out of the house, and into the woods.
After my first hunting trip, which went quite well, thank you very much, except for a few casualties—mainly the dress, Edward and I began to head back to the house. Before we reached the edge of the forest however, Edward stopped me. Before I knew what was going on, he was down on one knee in front of me proposing with a gorgeous ring.
"Bella, I love you and want to spend forever with you. Would you please do me the honor of marrying me?" he asked.
"Yes!" I exclaimed despite the fact that I was merely 17 years old. So, what. I figured I would be 17 forever, and since Edward was definitely it for me, I might as well marry him now.
"Thank you," he said as he slipped the ring onto my finger and pulled me in for a passionate kiss.
A while later, we walked back to the house, and everyone began to congratulate us. Of course Alice already knew what I was going to say, so she began giving me suggestions for the wedding as soon as the word congratulations had left everyone's lips.
"So," she said, "I was thinking that you could have the wedding on Isle Esme—and island Carlisle bought for Esme quite some time back—and then you two can honeymoon there as well. It's quite lovely, and since we have to leave Forks anyways, you two can spend your time there for a while, and we can pick out where we're going next. I might be a good idea for you both to stay there until you get your thirst completely under control Bella. Oh it will be wonderful! Speaking of which, we need to get started on your dress!" Alice rambled.
"Slow down Alice! I just got engaged! Let it soak in a bit and then we'll talk wedding plans, okay?" I said, effectively silencing her.
"Oh all right," she consented.
Eventually we did have the wedding on Isle Esme, and it was absolutely gorgeous. Everything went perfectly, and as I later told Edward, it was much better than the prom that I missed. After the wedding, the rest of my new family was headed off to decide where we should live next, whereas Edward and I planned to spend a while here on the island. Life was going wonderfully, and I couldn't have asked for a better family.
"Hey Bella! Don't spend your whole stay writing in that book!" Alice called out as the boat containing the rest of my family was leaving.
"Yeah Bells, honeymoons are most definitely not for writing!" Emmett assured me with a sly grin.
"Oh shut up you two! I'm almost done! See you in a few months!" I called out to them.
"I'll call you in a couple of weeks," Rosalie assured me, "and I'll make sure these two wait at least that long as well. Have fun!"
"Thanks! Bye!" I responded as the boat sped away.
And that is how I met the love of my life, became a vampire, and got married, in that order.
The End