BPOV

Waking up as a vampire was the best possible kind of overwhelming. The first sense to get my attention was enhanced smell, starting before I could open my eyes. The room smelled like wood, laundry detergent, and assorted fabrics. Edward smelled like his usual lilac and honey, but in a more pleasing way that I couldn't describe. Little Teddy had that sweet newborn smell that all babies do, with hints of freesia and honey, perhaps lavender, a perfect combination of his parents.

When I opened my eyes, everything had much more detail. Suddenly, Edward's jokes about my vision as a human made a lot more sense. I could even see specks of dust in the air in high definition. They were all different sizes and shades of white and grey.

My eyes found my husband and my whole body reacted, aroused, and astonished. His true beauty was lost on humans. The finest painters and sculptors could do him no justice. His eyes were intense, the color of which I never fully appreciated before. His hair color was more unique than I had ever noticed. His smile was the light of the room.

But then, my eyes settled on our son, and he was also perfect and adorable, looking a lot like a tiny version of his father. He suddenly had all of my attention. I loved him instantly, though I had loved him all along,

It had been too many days without properly admiring our son. When I saw how sweetly he held one of Edward's fingers in his little hand, I wanted that closeness with him too. He laid our baby in my arms and I could have cried from happiness. Everything that we had ever wanted was right there.

Edward kissed me and held me close as I held little Teddy. There were so many thoughts and emotions swirling around my head, the most dominant of which were love and happiness, both my own and my husband's. My throat burned a little, but it was bearable, like a dry feeling rather than a pain.

Occasionally, Edward would whisper to me or kiss me somewhere sensitive, like behind my ear, and desire would grab some of my attention, but what I wanted more than anything first was time as a family, all three of us. Something that we thankfully had plenty of.


Teddy slept for a while longer and then woke up with a cute yawn, looking up at us through cloudy eyes. He immediately reached for my face and showed me his love and how excited he was to see me awake at last. "I love you." I said and he smiled. "I couldn't wait to meet you."

Teddy reached past me for Edward, and Edward chuckled and rested his face on my shoulder where the baby could reach him too. He showed him the same things he had shown me, in addition to the several times he had asked for me. He was happy that he wouldn't have to wait to see his mom anymore.

"Me too, little guy." I said, smiling at him. He was confused.

He understands so much. Edward thought. "Mommy and I are gifted, like you. We both see what you show one of us now." I'm so proud of him. He amazes me just by existing, but he's so pure and loving. And he's talented beyond belief.

Teddy smiled and reached for me again, showing me his dad's smiling face. "I love him too." This made our son happy.

We spent a while happily snuggling and getting acquainted with each other. I admired each of his tiny little features, especially his soulful green eyes and how much they reminded me of the picture of Edward in my locket. Just like mine. He thought. And my mom's. But he has your loving personality. He loved the little guy so much, as did I. He's perfect.

I'm so glad we can share our thoughts easily now.

Me too.

Edward kissed me on the cheek. There are six people downstairs who are dying to see you. He focused on a few of their thoughts so I would hear them too.

Alice was excitedly watching her visions of us presenting the baby and hunting together. Esme and Carlisle were thrilled to finally have their large family complete and happy. Emmett couldn't wait to offer to wrestle me. Rosalie mostly just wanted to see the baby, but she was excited to see how I turned out too. Alice saw that we'd be great friends in time.

I was excited to see the family too. Edward rested his hand on my back and we carefully walked downstairs with Teddy in my arms. We stopped at the bottom of the stairs as everyone came to join us.

Edward was focused on Teddy's thoughts and we both smiled down at him, letting him know that we loved him too, making Alice squeal as her months old vision finally came true.


After a few hours with the family, the little guy fell asleep still in my arms. Jasper and Edward were whispering, though I wasn't paying them much attention, admiring Teddy instead. Edward walked over to me, kissed me on the head and carefully took our son while concentrating only on his love for us. Once he held Teddy, he asked "Are you thirsty?"

"Not really." I said, unwilling to leave yet, but my thoughts betrayed me. The burn in my throat was starting to become a more present.

"Come on, let's go for a hunt."

"I don't want to leave him. I missed the first three days of his life."

"I know." Edward handed the baby to Esme and wrapped his arms around me. Me neither. He's well loved and cared for here. We won't be gone too long. I'm sure he'll still be asleep when we get back. Besides, that gives us alone time for other things…

He heard exactly how that made me feel in my thoughts and chuckled, leading me towards the door. "We'll be back in a few hours." he called, smiling. It would be much longer than a few hours if I didn't want to get back to the little one soon too.

He loved him so much, as I did. It was a beautiful, indescribable feeling. Don't be nervous, you'll know what to do. he insisted to my fears about our first hunt.

I know what to do with you at least. I insisted.

He laughed out loud this time and took off running. For once, I could easily follow him, and I did, going miles into the woods in minutes without tiring or struggling to breathe. It started to make sense why running was his favorite stress reliever. It was exhilarating and a great way to clear the mind.

Edward stopped suddenly. I would have run into him if I hadn't heard the intention in his thoughts. There was a herd of elk nearby.

He showed me the memories of his first hunt with Carlisle and it was all the instruction I needed before launching myself at one and digging in. It tasted awful but soothed the burn in my throat and that was all that mattered. I hadn't realized how thirsty I was.

Edward drank one as well and happily watched me as I had a second, enjoying the view. We hid two of the carcasses in a small river nearby so it wouldn't look too suspicious should humans wander in the area.

He turned to face me, his eyes dark and his lips set in a slight smirk. His thoughts were focused on only me and the mess I had made of my clothes. He wanted to help me make an even bigger mess of them.

It was surreal, having my body perfectly healed from the trauma of just three days ago. You're as beautiful as ever. Although you know I would love you no matter what.

As he admired me, I admired him. How did I ever get so lucky? He was perfectly sculpted from the finest metaphorical clay. Even the messiness of his hair was a perfect vision for my eyes only. He's all mine. I thought happily, subconsciously.

You're going to give me an overinflated ego.

I never saw you properly when I was human.

You like what you see?

Obviously! my thoughts shouted and he laughed out loud again.

It's nice not needing to touch anymore to read your mind.

You're going to get tired of me in there.

No, you're going to get tired of me in there. he insisted.

We've already shared our thoughts for a few months.

True, but not constantly.

I'm sure we can learn to control it, but I really don't mind.

I like it.

The mind reader gets his mind read?

Exactly. he thought.

Well then, there's only one thing on my mind right now. The baby is safely asleep. I don't want to be away from him long, but I have the most gorgeous husband in existence…

Edward had me in his arms, kissing me passionately before I could blink, though I didn't need to. Our shared emotions were intense and all consuming once he touched me. Desire, passion, love, need.

He slid his tongue over my lips, and we kissed as we never had before now that he couldn't hurt me anymore. My tongue entered his mouth for the first time. Neither of us had to even think about his teeth or his venom, since it now flowed through my veins.

Although our sharing thoughts had helped me understand somewhat, I now felt exactly how much he had been holding back before because he no longer had to. He didn't have to be afraid of hurting me. He didn't have to spend at least part of our lovemaking thinking about how much pressure he was using to touch me or making sure he didn't thrust or grab me too hard. And though he had resisted my change at first, Edward was overjoyed to have me as his equal, his wife, and his vampire mate.

His hands started at my waist and quickly found their way to my back, hips, breasts, finally squeezing my butt. I promised you to admire your butt every day for eternity. he smiled into our kiss and we were both overjoyed, remembering how far we had come even since our wedding, which really hadn't been that long ago.

Our clothes were made quick work of and we stood still in the moonlight for a long moment admiring each other under the soft glow. He was relieved to see that I was unharmed and perfectly healed from the pregnancy and giving birth. I was intrigued by soft sparkles of his skin in the pale light.

Edward smiled as he reached for me and started rubbing his thumbs over my nipples while kissing his way down my neck. My gorgeous wife. Mother of our son. I love you so much more than words can say. There is no one I would rather share my mind or eternity with.

I was putty in his hands, not even thinking in words. He understood exactly how I felt though and never doubted that our love was mutual. I ran my fingers of one hand through his hair while the other gripped his strong, muscular waist.

He bent down to lick my nipples and kiss my breasts before lifting me in his arms and carrying me a few dozen yards away to a clearing I hadn't noticed before. I was sad that we had to leave our beloved meadow in Forks. Alice and the guys helped me make a new one a little closer to the house for when you woke up. We're far enough away that no one can hear us, but close enough to be home in five minutes if needed.

I love it.

Me too. he thought as he laid me down carefully on a blanket. I looked up at him confused and he showed me that Alice had a vision of this scenario earlier and had also left us a bookbag with extra clothes a few feet away.

Meddling pixie. I thought, stealing one of his favorite phrases to describe her.

We love her though. Enough about her, only you, my gorgeous, indestructible wife…

One of my biggest fears about becoming a vampire is that I would be too lost in the bloodlust to really enjoy my husband and our sweet little family, but we were happy to prove my fears wrong. They were my every thought.

Edward returned his attention to my breasts, kneading them in his hands as we kissed again, tongues dancing without any of his practiced restraint. His restraint with me was finally gone for good. We wouldn't miss it.

My new vampire senses allowed me to taste him as well as smell his unique scent that I had always loved as a human, more potent now that I could fully appreciate it.

One of his hands trailed down my stomach and found my clit, rubbing it between his fingers as I traced the muscles of his strong back. If I thought his touch felt good to me as a human, that was only the tip of the iceberg. We were the same temperature now and his marble skin was soft. Our lips both yielded to the others.

Even his gentlest touch in my most sensitive place made me squirm with pleasure. I love you so much. he thought, looking into my eyes before softly kissing me. He was enjoying my pleasure and relishing the fact that he couldn't hurt me no matter how passionate we got.

I love you too. I thought, showing him just how much with my thoughts while also focusing on our feelings of arousal, making him groan with an increasing need. Show me why it was so dangerous to me as a human. I've been looking forward to it. I hinted.

He growled softly in my ear and kissed down my neck as he slid a finger inside of me. You'll see. His thoughts showed all of the urges he had to bite me and how he imagined how it was going to feel, finally giving himself completely over to instinct. Finally trusting himself with me, knowing he wouldn't hurt me or worse, kill me.

Edward focused on how I was feeling as he pleasured me, intensifying his own desire. His hand felt amazing, but I wanted more. I needed to feel all of my husband inside of me.

He heard my thoughts and rolled us over so that I was on top, his erection resting against my thigh. I want to admire you some more. To watch your face as we mate as vampires for the first time. I'll never forget this night, or any night with you. You're so gorgeous in the moonlight. I'm thrilled about eternity with you. And so very aroused. You're a vision. Everything I've ever dreamed of in one cute, sexy package.

His eyes were dark, and I saw in his thoughts that mine were as well. I watched him with my eyes but listened to him with my mind as I wrapped my hand around his erection and stroked him a few times slowly, softly, before sliding him inside of me.

We both moaned and gave ourselves over to pure instinct and pleasure. There were no words for such a feeling of calm and peace that we were already feeling, now coupled with the intense sensations of being together. He fit inside me perfectly, reaching the spot that drove me crazy.

We made love slowly at first, savoring each movement, admiring each other. Then, Edward rolled us over again to where he was on top and thrusted harder, making me moan loudly, grateful that we were out of everyone's hearing range. He leaned over me, his breath tickling my ear as he thrusted more forcefully, and I wrapped my legs around him.

He nibbled my earlobe and nipped at my neck, biting into the flesh right as I climaxed, with his only seconds behind. His bites didn't hurt me. They felt amazing. It was his claiming me, not in a negative way, but in a loving one. In the mating way. The vampire way.

He slowed down his motions but didn't stop after we came together, kissing where he had bit me. "My venom doesn't hurt you anymore. My teeth don't hurt you. I don't have to worry if I'm thrusting too hard or putting too much weight on you. You won't get tired or sore."

"How will we ever stop?"

He laughed, the beautiful sound making me smile. "We may be horny teenagers still, but we do have a family to tend to."

"True." I answered, brushing some of his hair out of his face. "I love you so much."

"I love you too."

"Once more then home?"

"How about twice?" I asked with a smirk. "I want to try out some of this newborn strength."

He moaned and started moving faster inside of me, not putting up the slightest bit of a fight.


When we returned from our romp in the woods, the baby was still sound asleep, now in Carlisle's arms. Carlisle was so relaxed in his chair, eyes closed, a smile on his lips, that you might have thought he were sleeping too if you didn't know he couldn't sleep. Esme was sketching beside them. Alice and Rosalie were shopping for baby items on Alice's laptop. Emmett and Jasper were playing vampire chess.

"Back already?" Emmett asked with a smirk.

Edward just smiled at him as I went to admire the baby, sitting on Carlisle's other side.

"He's such a joy. He's eating and sleeping well. Growing fast. Learning more every hour it seems like. We are so in love with him." Carlisle said. Esme smiled in agreement.

"Us too." I said as he placed Teddy in my arms. The little guy snuggled closer to me and continued his rest. Carlisle's thoughts showed us how everyone had taken time holding him while we were gone, loving him.

Teddy woke up to the adoration of many smiling vampires. He showed me that he had pleasant dreams, though Edward and I could watch them if we focused on him. I always loved his enthusiasm to show us everything that made him happy, so we didn't discourage it. I would make sure that he always felt loved and admired. Edward wanted exactly the same.

Esme encouraged him to try a little bit of baby food, since human blood was a little hard to maintain a supply of and baby formula made him angry. He liked mashed bananas and sweet potatoes. The smell of a jar of peas made Emmett run outside holding his nose. "Just wait until it's your turn to change a diaper!" I called as everyone laughed.

At Edward's laughing encouragement, I took the jar of peas and walked outside to Emmett, holding it near him. He made a choking sound and looked at me, eyes sparkling and a mischievous smile forming on his face.

He tried to tackle me, but I saw it in his thoughts a split second before thanks to Edward's help and I dodged him, rolling him onto his back and holding the jar under his nose. Emmett sat up, sending me flying and I ran back at him. "Let's arm wrestle." he said, resting his arm on a low column on the porch.

"No!" Esme shouted. "Go in the woods at least! Don't you break another house Emmett Cullen!"

"Fine, mom!" Emmett called as everyone came outside to watch.

He found a large rock and we took our places. I let him think he was winning for a minute, just for my amusement. But then, I knocked his arm into the rock with a loud cracking sound, causing Emmett to break out into curses and Teddy to giggle uncontrollably. It was the first time we had ever heard our son laugh. It was a beautiful sound.

"Emmett, language!" Edward said. "There's a baby present."

"Sorry." he said.

"My son likes me beating you."

"Rematch!" Emmett shouted, looking for another rock.

We could keep this up all night, especially to hear that adorable little laugh. We would do anything for him. He brought the entire family such joy.


Edward and I spent every day loving our son, doing anything his little heart desired. We both loved hearing Edward play the piano and he composed a song to celebrate our son's birth. We laid in bed beside him as he napped, sharing everything via our thoughts so we didn't bother him. We took family walks in the woods and sunbathed in our meadow, far away from humans. We fingerpainted together and watched him play in bubble baths and with his toys.

Teddy grew quickly and Carlisle took his measurements twice a day, including pictures to send to the Volturi. They sent back a thank you letter, a large diamond necklace for me as a delayed wedding present and a Tales of Mother Goose book for Teddy that was likely older than Edward. He loved being read to and we gladly read him that book and many more.

His language skills developed quickly as well. Within two weeks, we were reading him Shakespeare and some of Edward's favorite novels, although Emmett showed him his fair share of comic books too.

One day after helping Esme with some errands, I walked in the bedroom to find Edward ass up in our bed, laughing. Teddy was giggling too, wearing only a diaper and socks as Edward made fart noises against his belly. It was one of the cutest things I had ever seen.

They both sensed my presence and turned around to look at me with matching smiles. I smacked Edward's ass and Teddy giggled even louder. He liked seeing the guys in the family messed with for some reason. Probably because I also thought it was funny so long as it was harmless. He always knew how much we all loved each other no matter what.

Teddy excitedly reached for my face and I laid down beside him. He showed me how Emmett and Jasper had fed him breakfast, teaching him some of their favorite absolutely ridiculous children's songs. Then, Rosalie had given him a bath while telling him stories. Carlisle took his measurements while Edward played piano for them. Edward fed him lunch and changed his diaper, tormenting Emmett with the dirty one for a minute much to Teddy's delight. Then, the boys had come upstairs to 'nap' and wait for mommy. My heart was full.

We missed you. Edward thought, rolling over on his side with the baby between us.

I missed you too. His little laugh is my favorite thing.

Mine too.

We both snuggled close to Teddy and he drifted off for his nap. We would never tire of holding him and watching his sweet dreams. We had everything we had ever wanted. Finally, there was not a worry on either of our minds. We were entirely, overwhelmingly happy.


Teddy loved the Denalis when they came to visit, being completely admired by all of the women. His gift was a fascination to Eleazar, as was mine and Edward's.

"Interesting." Eleazar said. Edward and I impatiently focused on his thoughts reading them together. His mother's a shield, his father a mind reader. It's as if he's reversed his father's gift, projecting his thoughts to others. Quite a useful talent. He can show others exactly what he wants and needs, even at such a young age. "He seems to do the opposite of what you do, Edward. He's quite unique."

We smiled at him as he handed Teddy to his wife Carmen, who happily bounced him in her arms, making him giggle, a sound I would never tire of. We were momentarily distracted, watching him play.

"Now you two, I have been wanting to examine for months."

"You examined me years ago Eleazar." Edward joked.

"True, but not along with your talented mate." he said, looking into my eyes. Edward squeezed my hand reassuringly. We consider them cousins but think of Eleazar as an eccentric uncle. It's much more fun. Edward thought. I cracked up laughing. Eleazar smiled gently.

"You're blocking me somehow, but I think I get the basics. Edward can read minds. You can block mind readers, like a mental shield. I believe you could share thoughts while you were still human because you were able to focus enough to lift your shield and even sometimes pull your mate under it, incredible really. Gifted humans are very, very rare, although Alice would be a good example of one."

"Why is it permanent now?" I asked.

"My theory is that since you and Edward are properly mated now that he's bitten you, your body automatically sees him as an extension of you and pulls him under it. You two can share thoughts and his mind reading if you focus on someone, right?"

"Right."

"But Edward doesn't hear near as many unwanted thoughts from others now unless he focuses, does he?"

"No." he answered.

"I think Bella's effect will get stronger with time. Eventually, she will be able to block out everyone but you two if you wanted."

"Why isn't Teddy under my shield?" I asked, on one hand loving the idea of always being able to hear his cute little thoughts and on the other hand glad he wasn't privy to our more intimate moments.

"I've never met a hybrid child before. I'm sure that you could learn to expand your shield in time and protect him from mental attacks, such as another mind reader, but the thought sharing is likely only a mated pair thing."

Edward and I were relieved. So fascinating! Eleazar thought. Interested to see how they all mature! I never never….

We shifted our focus back to each other and then our son, who was still happily giggling in Carmen's arms. His thoughts were so sweet.

"I used to think you were cute, Edward." Tanya said, "But your son might be the most adorable thing I've ever seen." She was gently tickling his belly and he was still laughing, now at both her and Carmen. Edward wrapped his arms around me, and we thanked her, watching our happy family enjoying the day together.

We haven't hunted in a few days, a bit of a long time for a newborn. The baby has more love and attention than he can handle. Want to slip out for a drink? he thought, his mental images being about what would take place after the hunt and his love for me. Jasper winked at us. I returned Edward's mental images with some of my own.

We kissed the baby, told him we loved him and would be back soon and took off running ecstatically into the woods. Teddy's thoughts, even as we closed the door, were overjoyed, and loved. He knew we would always be back for him. And we always would. He was our life.


Author's Note: This isn't the end! We still have an Epilogue to go that will be set in the future and should answer some of the lingering questions about the goings on of The Gift like the wolves, Charlie, etc. There will also be a few more cute baby moments because I love him and how Edward is with him. If there's anything you'd like to see answered, please leave a review and I'll try to include it. I expect to have it up in a week (February 2021).

If you loved The Gift, there are currently (19!) other stories I've written on my profile, including 6 that are still being updated regularly or going to start being updated soon. You can always expect HEA with me, and most stories are low to no angst. I like writing and reading to relax, not make myself and others anxious. Thanks for reading!