So, this chapter might not be what you are expecting. It was difficult to write, considering at every point - i felt as if i was copying Bella's transformation...and i hate that feeling! But ive got something seriously awesome lined up for the next chapter, trust me. If youre disappointed with this...the next few chapters will hopefully make up for it!
Reviews are wonderful, and they do help me update alot quicker.
Chapter Fifty Three
Evangeline
My eyes felt dry and jerky as I glanced around the room; paying great attention to the colours that patterned the ceiling. There were a thousand different smells tickling at my nostrils and a feverish array of textures beneath my finger tips. Everything was different, for the most part, this excited me...however it also frightened me.
"Evangeline?" The voice was filled with worry and coated with softness like velvet. Caution.
I didn't move...I just continued to lie there; still and quiet. My lungs filled with air that wasn't needed and I enjoyed the feeling of relief and comfort it brought to my chest. A warmth I couldn't describe. My hands ran fearfully down my stomach, where my swollen, pregnant stomach had been just...how long ago was that? Hours? Days?
"How long?" Before my brain had caught up, the question had already left my mouth.
"How long have you been unconscious?" The voice asked again quietly.
"Yes." I replied.
"About 3 weeks...your body had a lot of healing to do, it took longer than anticipated for you to wake up." I felt a hand snake over mine and I immediately turned to face the man I was lying here for, I heard the tiny, sharp breath he inhaled when he looked at my appearance and I couldn't help but panic a little. Did I look that different? That terrible?
Jasper stared into my eyes, his face still held anxiety, but I tried my best to ignore that. I just breathed in his familiar sent and let out a slow, long sigh of relief. His face was more beautiful than it had ever been; the tones of honey in his hair were radiant, the pitch black hues of his eyes were blinding. Darkness and light mixed together.
"I know I must look...far different, to how you last seen me...the scars," Jasper whispered, his voice hoarse. It was then that my brain caught onto what he was worried about...the anxiety and worry and his expression wasn't all because of me, but because of him. He had worried that his appearance would frighten me.
I studied the pattern of overlapping scars, tracing his neck, jaw and arms. Little silver half moons, some darker and less visible than others...whilst some were glittering and dancing beneath the fluorescent light of the desk lamp beside him.
"You're beautiful," I stated. I hadn't yet paid attention to how new my voice sounded, so crisp and light. I could detect every bit of my accent in each word; it was as if my brain was working harder and faster than it ever had.
"I can't express...I was so worried," Jasper's eyes left mine and I couldn't help but feel terrible. 3 weeks of not knowing whether or not the venom had worked.
The idea of the venom brought back the anxiety from my transformation; I remembered how extreme the pain had been...how terrifying.
"You look extraordinary," Jasper smiled; the first hint of true happiness I had seen since I'd awoken.
"I'd hope so...if I'm going to be stuck like this for eternity, I better look freaking awesome." I replied, still lying flat on my back - still as ever.
The sound of footsteps on the stairs sent me jumping back from Jasper, off the bed and into the corner, my back arched and teeth were bared. I was surprised before I had even finished hissing and immediately, I was embarrassed as Carlisle made his way through the door, gently closing it behind him.
"It's alright, Evangeline. It's entirely natural," Carlisle soothed, Jasper was now stood in front of me, his calming influence wrapping around me.
"How do you feel?" Carlisle asked gently, not moving from beside the door.
"My throat hurts," I replied, suddenly becoming very aware of the burning smothering me. I instantly pressed my hand to my neck.
"You'll need to hunt, Jasper, it would be a good idea for you to take Evangeline to change, she'll need fresh clothing." I was still wearing a hospital-like gown. My memories were foggy, but almost instantly, I felt a sense of guilt. I had forgotten my own child.
"Gabriel? I had a son," I stuttered.
"He's fine," Jasper replied with a smile, "He's perfect."
"Is he...can I see him?" My eyes moved back and forth from Jasper to Carlisle.
"You should feed first." Carlisle smiled reassuringly, "His heart pumps blood..."
Carlisle didn't need to explain, I nodded, allowing my eyes to fall to the floor.
"Come on," Jasper soothed, his hands - no longer cool, but almost warm, made their way to my face, into my hair. I stared directly into his eyes and he smirked, that beautiful expression. I had missed it.
"Let's hunt," He smiled again, his lips pressing to mine, gently but filled with so much emotion. His arms wrapped around my tiny frame and all of a sudden, I was human again. Delicate and protected. This was where I belonged.
Jasper took my hand and led me slowly and carefully into our bedroom, everything looked the same…yet somehow, it was different. I did my best to keep calm and ignore the noise from downstairs...the noise from outside. I'd need to learn to block that out.
Jasper shut the door behind me and I walked into the room; each of the large windows was open, allowing a warm, moist breeze to flow into the room and cover my skin in the refreshing glaze.
"Here..." Jasper handed me a neatly folded pile of clothing and I glanced at it. A soft grey t shirt, with long sleeves and a pair of black jeans.
"Everything feels so slow." I mumbled, setting the clothes down on the sofa.
"It'll feel strange for a while but don't worry...it'll get better, you'll start to feel like yourself again," Jasper replied, taking my hand in his and kissing my knuckles. It was then that I suddenly realised just how pale I was. I took in a sharp breath of pointless air and stepped back. I knew it was part of the deal, but it was still a shock to see my skin not match Jasper's, but pass it. I was paler than him. My hands were a more a grey porcelain than his beautiful silver ivory.
"Once you feed, your skin should take on a more...natural pallor." He didn't sound too sure about that, and I raised my eyebrow in question.
"We think it's just something to do with your body needing to heal a little more...plus, we're not sure what effect the venom in your system had early on, when you were pregnant with Gabriel."
I stepped away from him and walked towards the mirror, the first glimpse of my appearance made me panic. I didn't look like the others at all. I was paler, my skin looked slightly see through and unnatural, like Aro's was. My eyes were a deep, fiery crimson and my eyes lids were faded against my pale complexion in a soft lavender tone. My lips were close to blue and my hair, where it had been a light blonde, was now closer to white, with golden hues tickling throughout the strands.
Slowly, I began to undress. Jasper stayed behind, watching me from a distance and keeping his calming influence curtaining me. First, I noticed the scarring on my neck, my arms. Then, as the hospital gown hit the floor, I noticed my stomach. A swirl of lavender tinted, silver scars covered my abdomen. They were striking, almost horrific. I had flash backs of the birth of Gabriel, my stomach had been practically ripped open, and never sewn shut. The other scars on my neck and collarbone were less noticeable. More like Jasper's, with just a hint of purple.
"Why...?" I began, but stopped as I caught Jasper's expression. He hadn't looked at my stomach; he hadn't known that the wound had healed so terribly.
"We'll have to ask Carlisle about that...it may be that they'll heal..." I could tell from the tone of his voice that he was lying; I turned to him and smiled sympathetically as I pulled on the jeans and t shirt.
"What's he like?" I asked quietly, Jasper's face lit up immediately.
"He's noisy," Jasper laughed, "And he's growing rapidly. Myself and Carlisle managed to talk to someone who had been in a similar situation; our fear was that Gabriel's life would be short, a mere ten years or so. But we've been reassured that his existence is guaranteed centuries." He smiled, "He's developed quite a fascination with Emmett. His laugh reminds me of you...he's blonde, of course," Another laugh escaped his lips and I couldn't help but smile, "I read to him every night but he prefers to look at the pictures instead of listen, he's very stubborn, like his mother...he has your human eyes, bright green, with a hint of brown. He has your lips, your skin...but he has my hair and my nose."
I went quickly over to Jasper, wrapping my arms around him and allowing our frames to mesh together tightly.
"Evangeline?" Jasper whispered, his voice hoarse.
"Yeah?" I asked, my face still nestled into his chest.
"You're crushing me…a little bit," He laughed as I let go.
"Sorry…"
"Tiny and strong…I'll have to get used to that," Jasper smirked.
"I feel wrong," I stated, staring up at Jasper. The expression on his face was unreadable, but he seemed to be focused on my eyes.
"You look angelic," He replied, studying my face.
There was a knock on the door and instantly I jumped back from Jasper, crouched down and hissed towards the door; I couldn't stop myself.
"Evangeline, you're okay," Jasper soothed, stepping in front of me so as to keep me from whoever was about to walk in the door.
Edward entered cautiously, closing the door behind him. He smiled, but only slightly, when he saw me.
"It's alive, so to speak," He smirked.
"She's a newborn and she hates you, do you really think it's wise to be coming up here?" Jasper asked, laughing bluntly.
"I'm aware, it's nice to see you Evangeline," Edward nodded towards me, but I was still arched into a defensive position. "Are you taking her hunting? Gabriel is aware that she's awake, I think he'd like to see her."
"You can read his mind?" I asked, instantly straightening up. Jasper kept himself in front of me, his hand on mine as he calmed me.
"Yes," Edward smiled, unlike his usual cocky self, it seemed a warm expression, "His thoughts are complicated like yours, but easy to figure out. I have a feeling he'll grow more difficult to decipher as he gets older but for now, reading his mind is easy," Edward stated.
"Does he know who I am?" My eyes flashed between Jasper and Edward.
"Most certainly," Edward replied.
"He actually…he's probably the reason you've awoken," Jasper cleared his throat and spoke quietly.
"Pardon?" I frowned.
"It took bites from me, Rosalie and Gabriel to get the venom to a sufficient enough level to heal and revive you. It hadn't been working until Gabriel bit you," Jasper finished, clearly weary of my reaction.
I wasn't sure how I felt exactly, but I definitely sensed a feeling of…happiness? Honour? It felt right somehow, that this had all started with Gabriel and ended with Gabriel.
"Come on, you need to hunt," Jasper held out his hand to me and I accepted with a smile.
"Nervous?" I asked him and he led me to the window ledge, looking out onto the forest.
"Incredibly," Jasper smirked cockily before we both jumped. My heart may no longer be beating, my lungs may no longer need the oxygen, but my existence still required Jasper to survive.
Without him, I'd burn out.
