Chapter Two: Reactions
The family was the first to be informed about Edward's new status. Everyone, including Carlisle, was shocked into stunned silence as they stared with wonder at the newfound human before them. All, of course, with the exception of Alice who'd already seen it coming, I daresay.
"E-Edward?!" Esme asked, walking up to Edward warily, not quite believing it. "How—?"
"I'm told that Bella and Angela spent about a month making this potion for me, but even they didn't expect it to have this sort of an effect. You should've seen Angela, she was bouncing off the walls."
"Wait, so you're not a vampire anymore?" Emmett asked.
"No, Emmett, I'm not," Edward said, and for the briefest of moments I saw apprehension in his eyes as he seemed to realize just how big and muscular Emmett really was. "You're going to have to be careful with me now."
Emmett grinned, and if I didn't know him better I would've hissed and placed myself in front of my mate. But I knew he wouldn't hurt Edward. At least intentionally.
"So, how long do these effects last?" Rosalie said, putting her hair up in a ponytail.
"Well, each dose lasts a year, and Angela gave me two," Edward says.
"That's amazing," Rosalie said, nodding appreciatively. Edward nods his agreement, while Jasper glances at Rosalie subtly. I'm still a vampire. I am able to catch this glance, and I know something's up.
Rosalie stands up fluidly. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go give my congratulations to Angela. I'll be right back."
Jasper began to stand, but Rosalie gave him a withering glare. It was quick. So quick I almost missed it, even with my vampire-senses. And immediately it hit me what seemed wrong with her behavior.
"Rosalie—" I began, worriedly.
"Bella?" she asked, and though it would've sounded completely oblivious to what I would've been about to say to Edward's human ears, I could hear the underlying threat in her tone.
"No Rosalie, seriously, it doesn't work like that—" I said, trying to warn her before it was too late.
"What are you talking about, I'm looking at the results," she scoffed. "Of course it works!"
She shoved past me on her way to the door. "I'm surprised; I thought you of all people would've supported this idea—"
"Rosalie, wait!" Edward said, finally catching onto what Rosalie was talking about.
Rosalie just shrugged him off and darted off through the door. I began to dart forward, and Emmett held me by the arm.
"Emmett, it would be dangerous for her!" I whispered quickly. "The effects can't be switched on and off like a lightswitch, she would get killed!"
"Oh dear!" Esme says in the background, looking quite shocked at this revelation.
The ideas of dangerous, get killed, and his wife going together gets Emmett's attention. He frowns.
"What do you mean?"
"The serum lasts exactly one year. A pregnancy isn't an exact science. To have a child, she would have to time herself giving birth down to the second if she wanted to survive. A second too early and the baby might be malformed. A second too soon, and the baby tears her apart. The chances are a million to one that she would survive that pregnancy."
Thank goodness that Emmett can see the reason his wife did not stick around to see. His eyes widen, and he nearly picks me up on his shoulder as he dashes out of the door, me in tow.
The two of us make a beeline for Angela's cave, where I'm sure we will find Rosalie.
It takes me not quite as long as Emmett to make it to the cave, since he is somewhat slower than me. There standing before me is, yes, Rosalie hanging over Angela.
"Just give me the potion, witch!" Rosalie hisses, stepping forward. "I'll pay you whatever you want for it!"
"Rosalie!" I said, holding my hands out. Angela looks extremely grateful that another vampire has gotten involved between her and the psychotic blonde hanging threateningly over her. "You need to think this through first!"
Rosalie whips her head around to face me. "I've done over sixty years of thinking, Bella," she hisses. "I can't believe you're not with me on this! After everything I did for you—"
"Rosie!" Emmett booms, standing in the entrance of the cave. "She's right, you can't do this. You don't know the consequences!"
"Consequences?!" Rosalie hissed. "What consequences have I not thought of that I wasn't ready to accept wholeheartedly, Emmett? We've had this discussion countless times before, and I can't believe that—"
"Rosie, that's not what I meant," Emmett said, stalking forward and holding his wife firmly. "Bella explained it to us, you took off before she could explain. Angela, the potion. It isn't able to just switch on and off at a whim, right?"
"The process to return to a vampiric state would be about a full day," Angela confirmed. "Using the antidote, it might take four hours."
"You see? Bella told me that you would have to plan going into labor and giving birth down to the second to even have a hope of surviving the pregnancy. The chances are a million to one that you could survive."
"Rosalie, if there was any way I could think of that I could help you have a baby with Emmett, I wouldn't hesitate to give it to you," I said, earnestly. "You know I owe you a huge debt for helping me during my pregnancy, and I know how much you want a kid. But this way will kill you if you try it."
Rosalie stared at the three of us, gauging our expression to see if we were truly serious. But seeing our urgency, I could see the fire in her eyes begin to die down, replaced by a morose sort of patience. She looked quite sheepish as she turned to Angela.
"Angela," she said, softly now. "I'm sorry. I hadn't thought of it like that before. I just—"
"You don't need to apologize, Rosalie," Angela said, "I can understand where you're coming from."
Rosalie nodded and began to turn away, when Angela continued.
"I'll tell you what. After I get rich and famous as a Witch with this potion, next thing I'll work on is a special brew for you."
"And Esme," Rosalie added, casting a glance at Angela. Angela nodded, causing her pointy hat to bob a little at the tip.
"And Esme," Angela promised.
"Emmett, you can let me go now," Rosalie said.
I realize that Emmett was holding Rosalie back from jumping Angela for the potion while she listened. If he hadn't… she might've already downed the elixir.
I breathed out in relief. "Alright then. Sorry for the intrusion, Ang."
"You're all good. I just worried for a minute that something wrong had happened to Edward," she said. "Nothing happened, right?"
"No, nothing yet. Thank you so much, Angela!" I said, turning and dashing back to the house. After having saved Rosalie from herself, I was still aware of the threat that was ever present around Edward's new mortality. And now that I'd heard that the antidote would take four hours to work, I was going to be sure that I was constantly hanging over Edward.
I was back at the main branch of the Cullen house in a few minutes at most. Edward was still perfectly fine, and sitting on the couch. He looked… curiously shocked, to be frank. He stared at his hands as I walked up.
"What's the matter, Edward?" I asked, putting a hand on his shoulder lightly.
I saw him visibly jump a little, before breaking out in a boisterously gorgeous laugh.
"I can't believe you were able to scare me that bad," he laughed. "And to think I used to be able to do that to you once upon a time."
"Oh no, you never scared me," I said, sitting down next to him on the couch. "I was just shyly surprised whenever you came next to me."
Edward is staring at me like he's trying to memorize my face. As if he hadn't already.
"Do I have something on my face or something?" I asked, feeling my face where I felt the embarrassed transparent blush in my cheeks.
"No, you're just as stunning as ever," Edward said, grinning his lopsided grin.
"Well, it's nice to see you're still as debonair as ever," I laughed a little, and I could see the sound float into Edward's ears like honey.
Edward grinned and looked at his hands again.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Well, I'm just marveling, really. I can't believe, after all this time, I'm human again. Even if only for a little while," Edward said, smiling absently. "I feel so light, and so much softer than before."
"Well, you are much lighter, and you're definitely softer than before," I said, gently hugging my husband. "But you're still the same Edward you've always been to me."
Edward smiled again. "Except for the fact that I actually have blood now."
"Right," I said. "Except for that."
There was a moment of silence before I spoke again.
"Edward, there's something I'd like to try," I said slowly. He raised an eyebrow. "And I need you to lay down for a minute."
He grinned, confused but compliant, as he laid down on the couch for me. I knelt next to him, and gently lowered my head, resting it lightly on his chest as I listened to his heart, felt the beating of it against my cheek, and breathed in his new scent, committing it to memory.
We stayed like that for a minute or two, before I sat up again.
"Thank you," I said, grinning. "Now I'm totally desensitized."
Edward laughed as he collapsed backwards, breathing harder than before.
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, I'll be working to gradually make them somewhat longer! Just wanted to do this piece on Rosalie first. I'd love to hear some reviews and ideas flashing around, that would be great for more content! :)
Also, just a reminder that I do not own Twilight or any associated franchises, Stephanie Meyer does. Last I checked, anyways. XD