Chapter 16 – Ready for a Change

Edward left me alone. I didn't ask him to, but he could tell I wanted to be alone. I have been alone for some time now and it was not uncomfortable for me to be that way. Nothing would, ever could comfort me. I sat, listening to the rain fall on the roof. It was kind of comforting. It reminded me of home. A small smile came on my lips. I thought about what I would be doing right now in Forks. Right now, it was the early hours of the morning, so in Forks with was late at night. I would be lying in my small bed. My smile faltered when I thought about myself screaming in my sleep. Having the same nightmare, night after night. I needed to get my mind off such painful memories. I knew I would have to learn to cope with what I did. Soon, I hope I could put it away forever. I had to think about something else but my mind was filled with painful thoughts. The life leaving Charlie's eyes, the painful expression on Edward's face when he left, it was becoming too much to bare. I never wanted to hurt him. I didn't want to be alone anymore. I had to remove Jacob from my life, because he couldn't know what I was, Charlie was gone forever and now, I may have pushed away the one who loved me the most.

I knew I was damaged, but did I have to destroy everything. I groaned in exasperation. Maybe it would have been better if I never found any of them. I went into my bedroom and laid in my bed. The rain grew louder as it pounded on the roof. Thunder crashed about 5 miles away and it was getting closer. The sound of the rain soothed me. Before, it irritated me. Closing my eyes and listening to the rain, my mind drifted in a dream-like state. I was nearly lost in my mind, when a loud pounding brought me back. I jumped up as the pounding continued. Standing in the hall, I heard the pounding coming from downstairs and it was getting louder. Why was I scared? I was a vampire, the strongest being on earth. The pounding came from the other side of my front door. I braced myself as I opened the door, but I was not prepared for what I saw.

It was Edward, but an Edward I'd never seen before. His eyes were wild and feral looking. He was drenched and shaking, but he seemed to be lit with an inner fire. His hands gripped at each side of the doorframe. Before I could say one word, he grabbed me roughly, hauled my body to his, dashed into the kitchen and pressed me up against the counter. My small mewl of protest was cut off when his mouth descended upon mine, ravaging my lips and shocking me to my very core. One of his hands twisted into my hair, angling my head so that he could gain better access to my mouth. His tongue plunged between my parted lips, tasting me, devouring me as though he could never be satisfied. And he probably never would be; he'd have to spend his whole life feeding his addiction for me and that sounded like a great idea. My arms tighten around his neck and one leg press gently against his thigh. He lifted me up so that I was sitting on the edge of the counter. Then, he had done something he had never done before. Edward parted my legs, pulled me closer and pressed his body against mine even more tightly.

Despite the dizzying sensations, I never forgot that I was kissing my love, my Edward. The one for whom her heart once beat, that my soul ached and my body yearned for. It was like a dream and if my hands weren't so busy, then I might have pinched myself, to make myself believe that it was all real. The assault on my mouth continued and I loved every moment of it. Gradually, our mouths drew apart, gasping for air. Edward continued to kiss my face, my hair, my neck. In between his fervent kisses, he mumbled almost incoherently. "I'm sorry… I couldn't… I had to… I love you so much." "What did you say?" I asked, fearing I was hearing things. Edward looked me straight in the eye and pressed his hands to either side of my face. "I said I love you. I'm sorry if you ever doubted that, but I love you. I'll keep saying it because it seems like such an inadequate way to express what you mean to me. I love you more than anything. More than my own life." "I love you, too," I said, tears forming in my eyes.

"Don't cry, please don't cry." A smile came on my face. Edward stood back, pulling me off the counter. My shirt was stained with the rain from Edward, leaving an imprint of his body. I looked up and Edward had a different smile on his face. A smile I've never seen before. "Edward, what is this? I'm not complaining, but where did this come from?" His hands never released me, "Bella, I need you. After finding out about Charlie, I went to speak with Esme and Carlisle. Esme was shocked and regretted leaving. Alice's mind was practically screaming at me. She called me an idiot for leaving you. And they were right. I should have never left you. I was… am a fool for thinking I could go through the rest of eternity without you. Now we have eternity, so what am I waiting for?" I balked, "What is that supposed to mean?" Edward held my shoulders, "Isabella Swan," he got down on one knee, "I love you. I need you in my life and I cannot exist without you. Will you marry me?" My eyes widened and my breath hitched, blocking my words. "Don't think about what your mother will think. Don't worry about what people will say. Think about right now and the rest of eternity. We have eternity, Bella. We are immortal, but I cannot go another day without calling you mine. Please, Bella, say you'll marry me?" My lips trembled as they formed a smile. He was right. We were apart too long and we needed to be together. I love Edward and my mom would understand. "Yes," was all I could whisper. He stood, wrapped his arm around me and spun me around. His kissed me again and again.

Two weeks went by and a lot of things changed. Emmett and Rosalie talked and they asked to be changed into Daywalkers. Carlisle was anxious to see the transformation. After hunting, Emmett, Rosalie, Carlisle, Edward and I were in my living room. "Are you ready?" I asked, concern heavy in my voice. Rosalie nodded and took Emmett's hand, "I am." He looked down at her, then to me, "So am I." I was nervous to bit them, afraid I would simply drain their blood. Emmett volunteered to go first. Stepping away from Rosalie, Emmett stood in front of me, "Ready when you are." I looked at Edward and Carlisle. They promised to get me off Emmett and Rosalie if they saw me losing control. As a Daywalker, I had great control. I was well fed, so I wasn't really concerned. Pulling my lips back and letting my venom coat my teeth, I bit into Emmett's neck. He groaned and I tasted the blood in his body. It wasn't strong enough for me to loss control. I stepped back as Emmett roared in pain. His hands balled into fists as he pounded them into the floor.

Rosalie knelt down by Emmett as he howled, "The burning….!" Carlisle, Edward and Rosalie tried to hold him down, but they weren't strong enough. I placed one hand on his chest and using my strength, Emmett couldn't move. Emmett's body twitched and he groaned, locking his lips together. Before long, Emmett let out a roar that was more animalistic than before. His eyes flew open and I saw the gold leaving his eyes. His eyes were pitch black. The darkness in his eyes drew back to his pupils, leaving his eyes hazel brown. He exhaled deeply and sat up, despite the strength I was using to hold him down. Emmett was motionless, then he turned to smile at Rosalie. She caressed his cheek, "Your eyes? They're hazel again." Emmett held the back of her neck. "Oww, Emmett." He pulled back, "Sorry." Rosalie beamed, "Now me?" I nodded. Moving swiftly, I coated my teeth again and bit Rosalie. She screamed as my venom burned through her body, changing her. I walked away from them. I stood by the front door, staring out to the starry sky. Rosalie was groaning in pain, trying not to scream. Emmett was soothing her through the change and Carlisle watched anxiously.

I was happy that I was able to give Rosalie what she wanted. I turned back to face the living room. Rosalie was standing and Carlisle was checking her and Emmett. Edward looked back at me. Rosalie looked back as well. Her eyes were blue, with a tingle of purple to them. She smiled brightly, "Thank you, Bella." She hugged me, using all her strength. It felt uncomfortable, but I could handle it. "You're welcome, Rosalie. I'm just happy I could help you." Edward took my waist, "How do you two feel?" Rosalie smiled brightly, "The burn in my throat, it's hardly there." Edward stared at the new Daywalker couple, "That is fascinating." He looked down at me, "Their change was more jarring than the change into a vampire, but it was much quicker. From their minds, they seem to have some much more control. Right now, they can smell the blood in all our bodies, but they don't have the urge to attack."

Carlisle questioned them more, while Edward contemplated all he heard in their minds. Edward was silent, as he held me on the porch swing. Only his foot moved, to swing us back and forth. We sat there for a long time. Rosalie, Emmett and Carlisle had left hours ago. While we sat there, my head was on his chest, listening to his breath come and go. The sun was beginning to rise, when he took me in his arms and went into the house. Sitting on the couch, Edward held me and looked into my eyes, "Bella, before we get married, there is something I need you to do?" I blinked. What would he ever want from me? "What is it?" He held my neck, pulling me closer, "I want you to change me into a Daywalker."