I stayed with her the whole night and held her in my arms. The transformation of her skin from pale pink to pure white was enthralling. Her beautiful features became so much more magnified and dominant. She was a beauty beyond belief. She grew stronger and after the pain had stopped, I explained to her what I was and what she had become.

"I'm sorry for doing this to you but it was the only way to save your life," I told her wholeheartedly.

"I understand that now. But why would you want to save me? I had nothing to live for. My child..." She took a breath and pain came to her voice. "My child is... dead. You should have let me die." Her head fell into her hands and she sobbed. No tears came but this was all new to her.

"I am sorry for your loss but I just couldn't let you take your life like that. It was a quick and selfish decision on my part and I am in your debt for having taken your mortality." I couldn't find a way to soothe her. There was no comprehensive reason why she should be so at ease about becoming what I am. She was not at all worried about the fact that she thirsted for blood or that she would have to live her life moving from one town to the next, never settling down, growing old, or dying. She was filled with the love she had for her late child and this overwhelmed me immensely.

As I sat watching her cautiously, I could tell she was thirsting. I knew I had to help her adapt to the way I lived this life, guileless. I would not have her taking the blood of any human. She would be pure.

I stepped out of the car and her hand suddenly grabbed my arm. "Where are you going? Don't leave me here. I'm scared." Her grip would not loosen. Her eyes spoke for themselves. She was scared. I grabbed her hand and held it in both of my mine gently stroking the back of it.

"I won't be gone long. I just need to venture into the woods for a moment."

"To do what?"

I chuckled. "You'll see."

I let go of her hand and walked around the car and into the woods. I did not want to frighten her so I waited until I couldn't see the car anymore to run. The breeze on my face and the movement of my legs were refreshing after sitting in the car for so long. I raced around the tree trunks and bushes that blocked my path. Home was not far off but I knew I didn't want to leave her alone for too long.

A grey rabbit crossed my path and within a second I had cracked its spine. I carried its furry, limp body back to the car. When I stepped inside, her eyes had grown alert. She grabbed the rabbit with no hesitation and ripped right into its neck. I let her feed and turned on the car. She was done and had thrown the remains out the window. She still looked hungry. She restlessly squirmed in the seat. I began driving down the highway, a little worried by the look she had in her eye now. Even knowing how difficult it would be for her to change, I still didn't know how well she could adapt to animal's blood.

I had reached the outskirts of Ashland and had almost reached my home. It lay in the thick forest surrounding the town. Edward would be wondering where I had been for these several days.

As I entered the driveway, I stole a quick glance at her. She was balled up in the seat biting her knees. I let the engine idle for a while before turned it off. I stepped out and walked around to the passenger's side and scooped her up in my arms. She felt stronger and harder than when I had held her in my arms the last time. She was more durable and altogether more powerful.

I called out to Edward in my mind and within seconds he was walking out the front door of the house. He froze as he saw the figure that rested in my arms.

"Carlisle?" I'm sure he was reading the thoughts that were running through my head.

"Edward this is Esme. Please, don't scare her more than she already is. I changed her. That is why I have been gone so long. She tried to kill herself after her child had died. I could not let her die. Please understand this."

"I understand," Edward said with complete honesty.

"Thank you. I need you to go into the woods and hunt for more animals. Her thirst is overcoming her and I want to be able to control it."

Edward nodded and sped off into the trees. I carried her inside and set her down on the chaise in the family room. She recoiled when my hands left her and she began biting her fist. I quickly grabbed it away from her and she fought back.

"I'm so thirsty! I want... blood." The change her tone had taken was murderous. Her eyes burned deep black and her nails dug into my skin. I held onto her and began stroking her hair trying to calm her.

"I know you are thirsty. Just a little longer and you will be able to drink."

"I want it now! Why do I need this? This pull it has on me... it's so strong." Her jaw clenched and her teeth grinded together. The creature that I feared in myself was coming out in her. The couch shifted from its position as she thrust herself off of it. I held onto her even so.

I stood up and wrapped my arms around my head and settled her face in my chest. "Stop. It is okay. Edward will be coming back in no time. Do not worry. Sit down and you will get what you want, I promise." Her muscles stiffened and then relaxed as she fell back into her seat.

"How can you not want this so badly? I can't stop thinking of blood pulsing through human veins. It clouds all my thoughts," she said, tangling her hands in her hair. She rocked back and forth, moaning and gagging. Where could Edward be?

Then I heard him rustling through the trees and barge in through the door. His hair ruffled and hands muddy, he brought forward a batch of tiny rabbits and rats. He gave them to her and she fed unimaginably fast and Edward just stared at her in astonishment.

"Was this how I was?"

I looked up at him. "Worse." He heard the chuckle in my head and smiled back at me.

All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.