AN: All characters in this story belong to Stephenie Meyer, I can only take credit for the story itself.

I also wish to thank everyone who has taken the time to post a review. Thank for all you lovely, encourageing comments. I'm glad to hear there are those out there who like this look at Rosalie early in her conversion.

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Chapter Five – Heaven

I looked over at the man lying on my bed, and I knew his torment would be over soon. His heartbeat was slowing and he was breathing shallower than before. His face was becoming more defined and beautiful, and his body was redefining his muscles. I reached out a tentative hand and touched his check. My body shivered enjoyably at the feel of his skin; it was colder than before. I found myself desiring to run my hand over his chest to feel how tight his muscles were, but I refrained from such an intimate gesture. I listened as his heart slowed even more and I realized it wouldn't be long before the transformation was complete. The man suddenly opened his eyes, and I watched as his body arched upward in one final shudder of pain and then gently relaxed back onto the bed. He let out one final breathe of air and then his heart stopped. I knew it was finally over. I also realized that, as soon as he recovered his senses, I would discover if I had made the right choice or not, and suddenly I felt terrified. I couldn't face this alone, so I softly called Carlisle's name: I knew he would be waiting nearby. In an instant, he was beside me, and we both waited for this man to become conscious of his surroundings.

I knew our eyes were red after our change, but I had never seen anyone's eyes but my own that color. As he expended his last breath, I had watched this man's eyes become a deep red. As I continued to gaze into them, I was surprised at how beautiful his eyes looked. It was not only the color, but also the look he directed at me that caught my attention. I knew he was becoming aware of his surrounding because I saw a look of supreme awe as he gazed at me, and I found that I couldn't pull my eyes from his. If I hadn't known better, I would've claimed my heart fluttered nervously in my chest.

The first words out of his mouth surprised me, "Am I in hell with a beautiful angel watching out for me?" Then he turned his gaze upon Carlisle and he asked, "God?"

Carlisle chuckled deeply. "I'm afraid not; nor are you in heaven. We need to talk before you do anything else, so you'll understand what happened."

The man was slowly sitting up and he swung his legs quickly over the edge of the bed. A look of surprise crossed his face as he realized how quickly he moved. Then he focused his gaze on Carlisle waiting expectantly for what he had to say.

"My name is Carlisle Cullen; I'm a doctor. This is my daughter Rosalie," he motioned toward me. "Rosalie found you in the woods; you had been mauled by a bear when she rescued you."

"I know," he replied, "I was dying." He said it so causally that I was slightly taken back, and even more so when he calmly asked, "Am I dead?"

"Yes and no," Carlisle smiled. "Rosalie brought you to me and asked me to help you. I couldn't do anything for you medically because you were too near death, but I could change you." He continued to watch Carlisle, but he seemed so calm. "You see, we're vampires, my family and I, I mean, and the only way to help you was to change you into one."

I was watching for his incredulity, his refusal to accept the harsh reality, and his anger at us for doing something so monumental without asking his permission, but instead, he just calmly commented, "So, I am dead, but I'm not."

Carlisle smiled, and I could see the relief on his face. This man was not reacting as I had reacted. There was no screaming, no yelling, and no denial of the truth, just calm acceptance. "In a manner of speaking, yes. I'm sure you have many questions, and we will all help you to adjust. You're a part of our family now, unless you decide you don't want to be."

"Why wouldn't I? I don't believe I can go back to my own family. Am I right?"

"Yes, it would be hard to explain the changes that have occurred. We'll have to fabricate your death to convince your family you are dead," Carlisle remarked.

"That won't be necessary." A slight smile was playing across the man's lips.

Carlisle just stared at him waiting for an explanation.

"My mother warned me numerous times that one day I wouldn't return and that would be the day she'd knew the bear won. My mother wasn't happy with all the time I spent in the woods, but I loved challenges especially ones that seemed life threatening. I guess she was right," he chuckled, "Except it wasn't the bear who won. I don't think my mother would accept that I was whisked away by a family of vampires. No," he chucked again before he continued, "My mother will just believe that a bear carried me off. So, as to becoming a part of the family, I might as well remain here." He looked over at me and smiled broadly. "It can't be all that bad when an angel saves my life." I had a feeling this might become a more interesting family. Finally, he asked, "How many people are in your family?"

"Sorry, poor manners on my part. Please, let me introduce you to the rest of the family. They are waiting downstairs."

Carlisle helped him off the bed; he was still a little disoriented from the three-day ordeal he had just endured. As we walked out of the room, I took a step back and followed behind him. I liked what I was seeing. I admired his broad shoulder and the muscles I saw running across them. I felt drawn to him in a manner I'd never felt drawn to any man before; I just wished I knew how he felt about me besides thinking I was only an angel who rescued him.

Esme and Edward rose as the three of us descended the staircase. Carlisle walked over to Esme first. "This is my wife Esme."

Esme held out her hand, "How are you feeling dear?"

"Actually, I feel extremely healthy for someone who's dead, and considering the last thing I remember, before the fire overtook me, was that a bear was turning me into his next meal, I could be much worse off." He chuckled deeply, and I fell instantly in love with his laugh and his voice.

"And what should we call you?" She asked after he shook her outstretched hand.

"Emmett, my name is Emmett McCarty." He had an extremely pleasant smile that brightened up his entire face. He had a beautiful face. The more I stared at him, the deeper in love with him I fell. I hadn't realized a person could feel love so deeply and so suddenly.

Carlisle turned to Edward. "And this is my son Edward Cullen."

"I hope this isn't too much of a shock for you Emmett," he shook Emmett's hand.

"Hell, no," he laughed heartily, "I was upset when I realized my mother was right and the bear was going to kill me, but the real shock came when I saw an angel looking down at me and then saving me from that bear." His crude choice of words put a frown on Esme face, which Emmett instantly noticed. "I'm sorry ma'am, my mother says I should learn to curb my tongue when I'm in polite company, but I forget myself sometimes."

Carlisle and Edward chuckled at his comment, but Esme smiled as she replied, "You're forgiven, and please, call me Esme; we're family," then she frowned slightly with concern as she added, "Unless you've decided you're not interested in being a part of our family."

To Esme, family was extremely important. When Carlisle changed me, she was the first one to welcome me, and over time, I discovered she enjoyed being motherly toward Edward and me. I eventually allowed her a small role in my life because I knew it would please her, and because I missed my own mother but it was never a close relationship because of the walls I realized I had build up around myself.

I noticed Emmett glancing at me just before he replied, "Oh, I'm very interested in being a part of this family. I'm looking forward to becoming better acquainted with all of you," and once again I noticed his eyes wandered toward me.

It suddenly dawned on me that Edward would know exactly what Emmett was thinking, and I also realized I liked his name and repeated it a few times as I looked toward Edward. He had a huge grin on his face, so whatever was being thought, must have amused or at least pleased him.

Carlisle began to describe to Emmett what he could expect now that he was a vampire; I had heard the speech before, so I blocked most of it out and spent my time examining Emmett. I liked everything I saw. His broad muscular shoulders, arms and chest I had already mentally recorded while he was lying on my bed; added to that mental picture was his flat smooth stomach and slightly drawn in waist, his narrow hips especially when compared to his broad shoulders, and the muscular structure visible in his well defined long legs. His face reflected the beauty that was a defining feature of all vampires – at least according to Carlisle; of course, I only had my family as a comparison so far. In the two years I had been with them, I hadn't met any other vampires; I had asked Carlisle about this once, but he said it was normal not to meet others of our kind too often, especially since we followed a different lifestyle than most. Because we limited our blood supply to animals, we were able to settle down in an area for an extended period of time while those who followed the normal vampire existence of drinking from humans had to continually be on the move so as not to draw too much attention to themselves.

As I continued to study Emmett's features, I noticed Edward's grin widening on his face. Obviously, he was finding something vastly amusing. In my mind, I shot at him, 'What?' He just grinned more and then slightly nodded his head toward Emmett. I peeked at Emmett's face and noticed he was smiling down at me.

Then I heard Carlisle saying, "Rosalie, maybe you should take Emmett out for his first hunt, unless you would prefer Edward or me to go with him."

I looked quickly over at Carlisle and replied, "No, that's okay, I'll take him."

"Maybe you should go south, away from Emmett's home; we wouldn't want anyone to see him, and then we need to talk about moving after you return."