Author's Note: Thank you everyone for your patience with the technical issues with the website. I know it left the story on that Chapter 5 cliffhanger for nearly a week, so thanks for still reading! I've loved reading all of your reviews and seeing people follow the story. This is a mostly fluff chapter.

EPOV

Two and a half days after Bella surprised me by arriving unannounced to my home in Chicago, Alice had the first vision of her as a vampire. I saw the vision in her thoughts as it happened, and I was frozen in wonder. Bella was running through the woods, dressed as she was now in a long blue dress, and laughing at someone just outside the vision. Her hair, now tinted just slightly red, was flying wildly behind her and her face was glowing and sparkling from the sun coming through the trees. She was graceful and stunning.

I had been mid-sentence speaking with Carlisle and Charlie. "She's beautiful." I smiled in response to their questioning looks. "And happy. Extremely happy."

Carlisle smiled back at me knowingly. Charlie was confused. "Alice had a vision of Bella. I saw it in her thoughts." I added.

"She's really going to be alright?" Charlie asked. He had been scared that Bella would never wake up.

"More than alright. She's perfect." I couldn't stop smiling. "Alice," I called downstairs. "How much longer?"

"Hang on I'll see if I can see more of her future now." Alice was quiet and I saw a flicker of potential futures flash through her mind. All of them had one thing in common, the sun was just barely beginning to set as Bella opened her eyes.

"Thank you." I caressed Bella's cheek. "Just a few more hours, love. I can't wait."

"Charlie," Carlisle started, "You can't safely be around when Bella wakes up. She is going to be extremely thirsty to the point that she may not be able to think about any other thing at first."

"I'm her dad." I won't leave her.

"Yes, but you're human. And her instincts are going to notice that first." Carlisle said.

"I'll risk it." She wouldn't hurt her own father.

"No." I said, causing Charlie to glare at me. "It would absolutely destroy Bella if she even considered harming you, even if she doesn't act on it. In the interest of protecting Bella, I can't allow it."

"I won't go." Not happening.

"I'm sure my brothers and I could carry you out if you insist." I was absolutely not going to cause Bella any more stress after what I had done.

"Can't I just wait downstairs or something?" If you have to carry me out screaming, so be it. I'm sure at least some distant neighbor will hear me though. I can't promise that there won't be a scene.

"Ugh. Alice?" I asked. She appeared at my side in an instant.

Alice had a suggestion. "What if we carry Bella into the woods to wake up so she can hunt first thing? Then we can gauge her reaction around Charlie with all of us here to protect him. Worst case, one of us can be ready to toss him in a car and take off faster than she can follow."

I watched a few visions play out in her mind and agreed reluctantly. There didn't seem to be any scenario where Bella would actually harm her father.

"Fine. I'll take her a few miles out with me. You all stay here and protect Charlie."

"But I wanted to see her reaction! You better not let her look in any reflective surfaces until I can watch." She's going to be so beautiful!

"She already is beautiful. But I'll try not to."

"What if she doesn't want to see you?" Charlie asked me. I thought he had accepted me, but it seems he still had a slight dislike for me and what I had done to Bella, not that I didn't deserve it.

"I'll go with him." Jasper said. "I can help if her newborn emotions are too out of control. And if she doesn't want to see Edward, I will help her hunt and get settled." If she's fine, then I'll give you two some privacy and come back home.

"Alright." I was agreeable with that.

An hour before sunset, I took Bella into my arms and Jasper and I went into the woods. We started running as soon as we were out of sight of the house and stopped a few miles away in a small clearing. Jasper spread out a large blanket for me to lay Bella on. "Alice's idea."

I smiled at him in thanks and carefully laid Bella down, sitting beside her and holding her hand.

"How much experience do you have with newborns?" Jasper asked me.

"Almost none."

"She's going to be extremely bloodthirsty when she wakes up. That will be her only thought. She may not even notice us." I could see hundreds of newborns he had dealt with in his mind. "After she's fed, then we'll be able to talk to her. She may not have all of her human memories, or in some cases none." This was the part I was dreading. I hated what I had taken from her. "Bella will be fine though. Alice saw it." He had an unshakeable faith in his wife. It was amazing to experience.

"One thing at a time." I whispered, nervous.

"Exactly." I felt Jasper attempt to calm me, but he was finding it hard to focus with Bella's pain. He could feel it too.

"I'm sorry."

"I volunteered to help. I'm just glad you did it." Now you can finally be happy. "And you are too, whether you will admit it or not." he added.

I nodded, trying to not think about it too much. One thing at a time.

I looked at Bella, noticing that her skin was lightly sparkling in the sunlight. A feature I found hideous and monstrous in myself was stunning on her.

Told you so. He smirked.

I couldn't wait for Bella to wake up. Her heartrate sped up, indicating that I wouldn't have much longer to wait. It raced for a few minutes before slowing down dramatically.

She stopped breathing.

Prepare yourself.

Her heart beat a few more times. I savored each precious one. There was a loud thud, followed by just one more, and then silence.

She was still.

"Bella?" Jasper asked.

Her eyes shot open. She jumped up gracefully to her feet and took a few steps back. I stood up slowly beside her, trying to not scare her.

Bella was afraid of Jasper. I could hear it in his thoughts. "It's alright, love. He won't hurt you."

Her attention quickly snapped to me. She froze as she saw me, and her ruby eyes changed in an instant from fright to the dark black of lust. Jasper laughed loudly and took off running through the woods away from us. Have fun, brother.

Her lips were on mine before I even saw her move. She was fast! And I was in heaven.

I eagerly kissed her back, wrapping my arms firmly around her waist and losing myself in the sensations of her. Although she was no longer human, she still felt warm to me. Her blood no longer tempted me, yet her smell was intoxicating. Her lips were just as soft and pleasurable, in fact, even more pleasurable now that I had lived without her for so long. The familiar sparks flew between us as we kissed.

Happily remembering that I could no longer hurt Bella with my venom, I moved my hand into her hair and slid my tongue along her lips. She brought hers out to tangle with mine and I lost all logical thought as we kissed passionately. I didn't have to hold back or pull away for once. I was thrilled to not have to end things prematurely for fear of hurting her.

Hours could have passed. I didn't know, nor did I care. When Bella stopped kissing me, I was grinning like a fool. "I missed you so much." I whispered, holding her close to me. "I love you, Bella."

"You really mean it?"

She was still afraid I didn't love her, even after that kiss. As if I could ever not love her.

"I have never meant anything more. Every word I've ever said to you was true, except that day in the forest. Can you ever forgive me for hurting you as I have?"

"You promise you won't disappear?"

"I swear it. You are my life, Bella. I love you more than I ever imagined possible to love someone. I have never stopped loving you."

"I love you too." She said, touching my face. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation.

"I'm yours forever. Completely." I said. I kissed her once more, softly. "Are you thirsty?" I was remembering what Jasper had said.

"Why did you have to mention it!" she said, holding her throat.

I laughed and released my arms from around her, taking her hand to lead us deeper into the forest.

I was prepared to show her the ropes, so to speak, but the second she caught the scent of a herd of deer, she took off.

"They stink!" she yelled, annoyed. I was trying to not laugh.

"They do, but they will quench your thirst for now. I much prefer large felines myself."

I thought that she would need some instruction, but her instincts took over, as did mine. When Bella crouched down and then gracefully leaped at one of the creatures, I growled loudly in a tone I had never heard. I wasn't aware that I could even make such a sound. My arousal was instant and powerful. I tried to look away, but I was mesmerized as she sunk her teeth into the largest of the herd and began to drink.

She finished the first deer and was after a second before I was able to snap out of it even a little bit. I realized that I was thirsty too and grabbed one for myself. I drank until the creature was dry and tossed it aside.

I straightened up to find Bella watching me, eyes black despite her just feeding. She lowered into a hunting crouch and pounced me. We fell to the ground. My laughter stopped the instant I heard her soft, sensual growling.

Would we ever make it out of the woods tonight? But did I care if we didn't?

We kissed, holding nothing back from each other. The thrill of the hunt and the taste of our kills on each other's breath only made the experience more pleasurable. I couldn't get enough of her. My hands enjoyed the silky texture of her hair before coming to rest on her hips. Her hands were on my face and in my hair. I felt pleasant chills move down my body with each touch of her lips or tongue against mine.

In that moment, I wanted for nothing. My world was perfect and complete.

"Edward." she whispered happily against my lips.

"Bella." I replied, looking into her eyes. They were gradually going back to a newborn red. Her emotions were shifting rapidly it seemed from lust to contentment. "I love you."

"I love you." she said, gently rubbing my cheek.

"Are you ready to go home and see the family?"

"My dad didn't leave, did he?" She knew him too well. This was more a statement than a question.

"He refused to. He really wants to make sure you're alright."

"I'm scared. I don't want to hurt him."

"I won't let you. I promise. Neither will Jasper or Emmett or anyone else."

"Home sounds nice." she said, moving to get up.

I pulled her back down in my arms and she giggled. My heart sang in response. I kissed all over her face, finally ending with a gentle kiss on her lips. "You are everything to me, Bella. Please don't ever doubt that. I am really sorry for hurting you like I did."

"I know." she answered shyly. "Let's go home. I have some things I'd like to show you."

Curious, I allowed her to get up. I got up after her and took her hand as we ran. She was laughing loudly as she let go of my hand and took off running at her accelerated newborn speed. Alice's vision from this afternoon came to life. I happily chased her towards the house. Bella only stopped when the garden came into sight.

"Edward, I'm scared."

"What is there to be scared of, love?"

"My dad. I bet he's furious at both of us."

"He's mostly just relieved that you're awake." I said, taking her into my arms. "As am I."

"What if he smells good?"

"Let's find out." I said. I kept my arms firmly around her but walked us slowly closer to the house. "If you feel tempted, hold your breath and run away. I will follow you."

"OK." she whispered nervously.

Jasper and Emmett opened the backdoor and stood on either side of it.

"We've got you, Bella. You won't hurt him." Jasper said. She should be in full on bloodlust by now with a human this close and her so young!

I'm up for a good newborn fight! Emmett thought.

Bella looked at me for reassurance before stepping inside. I nodded.

"Don't move, Charlie. Let her approach you." I called loudly as we walked through the kitchen and into the living room.

Bella stood in the doorway, looking at Charlie and the rest of the family. "Hi everyone."

Carlisle walked up to Bella and took her hands. "Bella, please let me apologize on behalf of the entire family for leaving you like we did. We thought we were doing what was best for you, but we were wrong. We are incredibly sorry for not putting just as much thought into your feelings as we did Edward's."

"Thank you, Carlisle. I'm really glad to see you all."

"As we are to see you." Carlisle kept one of Bella's hands and I kept my arms around her waist. Jasper and Emmett were right behind me as we all approached Charlie. Alice and Rosalie were seated beside him. Esme was behind Charlie, hands on his shoulders, ready to grab him and run if needed.

"Hi dad." Bella said as we got within three feet of Charlie.

"Hi Bells."

"What the hell!" Jasper yelled. Dude, she isn't the least bit tempted. This is unfair! Unreal. Unbelievable.

I laughed loudly and let go of Bella. Carlisle raised an eyebrow at me, smiling, but still holding Bella's hand.

"It's alright, Carlisle." I said. "Bella, are you thirsty at all?"

"No."

"Does anything in this room smell or sound particularly appetizing?"

"No."

Jasper stormed off outside, as did Rosalie. Emmett and I were laughing. Alice, Esme, and Carlisle smiled gently.

"What did I do?" Bella asked, scared.

"You're amazing. They're just jealous." I said, pointing outside. "Most of us couldn't stand to be around humans the first few months, never mind the first few hours. Go sit and catch up with your father if you like. I'll stay right with you."

Bella smiled and walked over to Charlie. Charlie stood up to hug her. I kept a hand on her waist, so I could grab her if needed, but I wasn't worried.

About damn time he thought. "You scared the hell out of me, kid."

"I'm sorry, dad. I never wanted to hurt you. It sounds like you know now why I couldn't exactly tell you the truth."

"I would have helped you look for him, you know, if you just would have told me before you left. My motivation would have been kicking his ass, but I would have." His thoughts showed me just how much he would have enjoyed some ass kicking at that point.

"I couldn't. You might have discovered too much and put them in danger."

I guess I can understand that. "I suppose so."

Charlie let go of Bella and sat back down on the couch. I sat beside him, taking her into my lap.

"Wait. How did you end up with the Cullens?" She was starting to put things together.

"Well my only daughter went missing and Dr. Fang here, as the Quileutes call him, was acting awfully suspicious…"

Bella stared at Charlie, in shock. She turned to look at me.

"It's alright love, he knows everything. He's under the Quileutes protection now. No one will harm him."

"What?!"

"What's the matter, Bella? I thought you'd be happy." Charlie said.

"I am, thrilled, but what the hell?!" she was so adorable in her anger. The kitten that thought she was a lion. "You mean I could have called you months ago and everything would have been fine?!"

"Yep." Charlie said, a little angry that she hadn't. That's exactly what you should have done, short of not running off in the first place.

She hid her face against my shoulder and groaned loudly. "I'm so sorry." she said, sobbing.

"Me too." I added. "It's all really my fault."

I rubbed her back and held her against me while she calmed down. I knew nothing anyone could say would take away the months of pain of our separation. I kissed her ear, her hair, anything I could reach as I tried to soothe her, and myself as well, trying not to remember the pain of being away from her.

"You're here now, with me. With us." I whispered, leaning my head against hers. "I'm not sure that I will ever let you out of my sight again."

"I don't want you to." she said. "Wait, what about the Quileutes?"

Charlie explained to her about the tribe, the wolves, and his time with us. She listened, fascinated as Alice snuck off to find some new clothes for her to wear and the rest of the family gradually settled into their normal activities.

"Wait. Edward, there's something I really want to give you. Did you all happen to bring my bookbag from Chicago?"

"Alice packed it. I'll go find it." I said, leaving her and her father to talk while I headed upstairs.

Author's Note: I think we'll switch to Bella's point of view for the next few chapters at least.