Bella's Point of View.

Oh! How wonderful it felt to be in Edward's arms once again! Finally, the transformation had run it's course. I was one of them. A vampire. The thoughts in my mind both excited and terrified me. What was going through Charlie's mind? I'd never be able to see him again. And Jacob- his name stung my heart beyond comparison.

I put these thoughts away as I was lost in Edward's arms. We had no need to talk about how sorry I was, now, I would tell him later. And as soon as we were joined again, we were parted. Aro stood before us, but before me, Edward and Alice were crouched, growling.

"What was your vision, Alice?" I spoke, my voice sounding different, but only slightly. It was more smooth, velvety, and softer; though now when I was trying to sound harsh and stern, it still sounded like a lullaby.

Alice and Edward did not move away from me, nor did they answer me. I frowned as I watched them, confused. Hadn't the Volturi put me through enough the past few days? Now they were going to do more?

Aro shrugged, "Come with me, all of you." With that, he turned and began leading us down a hallway. Alice and Edward were on either side of me, guarding anyone from coming in contact with me.

"Guys, I'm a vampire now." I paused, still letting the emotions of the ordeal sink in. "You don't have to guard me all the-" I paused, glancing at my reflection in the mirror for a moment. My hair was darker, and my complexion pale, of course. My jawbones were more defined, and my lips a tad smaller. They had always been too big for my face. I stared into my burgundy eyes- which had me taken aback for a moment.

The person in the mirror didn't seem to be me- it couldn't have been. Viewing myself, now, was like staring at a familiar stranger. I wondered if Edward had ever experience how this felt to me.

A man appeared in front of me, ignoring the fact that Edward and Alice were beside me. "Of course, the transformation changed you beautifully." Herrod spoke slyly. Taking a step forward, only to have Edward and Alice jump in front of me- growling at him.

"Aren't you glad I changed you?" He spoke, smirking before taking a few steps back. "Oh, rubbish. You're really not going to be right there protecting her all the time, lover boy." Herrod glared at Edward for a moment, before glancing at me again, looking up and down my body. After a moment, Herrod finally turned and left.

"We do have to protect you, Bella! See? If you'd known what he was thinking-" Edward spoke, looking at Alice and then turning back to follow Aro down through a few more rooms- and a place that appeared to be a reception area. "Tell me if you have another vision." His voice was strong and solid, but I recognized it as the quiet whisper I could once not understand.

"Guys, tell me what's going on." I repeated a few more times.

Everyone stepped into an Elevator and Aro turned to face the three. "No, do not tell her. She'll be finding out soon enough!" He said, his momentary disappointment had now disappeared and was back to happiness.

I frowned, and as we stepped out of the elevator, I glanced around. This room was so familiar-looking. However, I hadn't remembered it smelling nearly this good. What was that smell? It was almost floral. Glancing around the room, I didn't see any flowers, though.

Normally, a scent would not make me react this way, but I found myself searching around the room for it. I had to have it. My mouth began watering considerably, and I spotted her. The woman I had seen before, and looked at as so brave to be with such viscous vampires all the time. Now, I looked at her like a gourmet meal.

Just as I leaned forward, ready to pounce on her, Edward and Alice grabbed me and pulled me back.

"Bella, she's human." Edward said, speaking softly to me, though his grip was strong.

I stared at both of them- knowing they were right, but something was taking over me. I wanted her blood more than anything I'd wanted in my entire life. This thought both hungered and disgusted me at the same time.

The woman glanced at me and realized that I wanted her- "Oh, the new V- I- I'll just get out of here." She said, before stepping out of the room.

I glared at her as she left, just as a feeling of guilt swept over me. Alice nudged my arm, loosening her grip on it slightly "Its normal, Bella, come on." She spoke, before both Edward and Alice led me to continue following Aro.

"I couldn't control it." I said, looking up at Edward. "I'm sorry."

"Bella, Alice is right. It's normal."

"I wasn't talking about my bloodlust, Edward."

"Then what were you-"

"I don't know what Alice's vision was, so I don't know how long I have to tell you. I'll tell you now." I paused for a long moment staring at the dark hallway walls we were passing.

Edward's eyes were pained for a moment. He stared at me, waiting for me to continue. Finally, I did. "I meant that I didn't want to change, Edward. I wanted you to change me, or be there to hold my hand. I'm sorry for what I've become, Edward. Please know it was not by choice, and it wasn't in spite."

"Bella, I know." He said, stopping mid-step, keeping me with him, before turning to look at me. He cupped my now perfect face in his hands, which now no longer felt so icy. "I was there. I watched it happen. They had me in the next room, but you couldn't hear or see me."

My jaw dropped slightly, parting my lips. "Wait, so you're not angry with me?"

"Of course not, Bella. I also have a confession." Edward ran his fingers over my lips, and then through my hair. "I didn't mean to leave you. I just went to clear my head."

Alice looked at the two of us, "You know, the longer we make everyone wait, the longer-" Alice quit speaking with her lips, and began with her mind.

Edward sighed, looking annoyed, and then angry. "Fine." He said, stiffening up, before continuing to follow Aro. Finally, we arrived in a room with a long red couch in the center. The walls in here were deep burgundy, and lined on them were dim lamps. It looked like an ordinary living room. Well, a darker version, but a living room none the less. They made us walk all this way for this?

Of course not. I hadn't noticed yet, but there on the couch were three men. Marcus and Caius were on one end of the long couch- and Carlisle on the other end. Aro took a seat beside Caius, whispering a few words I could not make out, before motioning that we sit.

Alice and Edward both glared at Carlisle. This, too, confused me. They pulled me to sit between them in the middle of the couch. Finally, Marcus got up and began to speak.

"So, now that we've all made it-" He shot an angry glance at Aro, before turning back to look at everyone else- mainly focusing on Carlisle, Edward, Alice, and I.

"As we can all see, Bella has turned out to be stunning- not that we didn't expect it." He paused, pacing as we spoke. "As we told you when we first met her, we are both curious and anxious to discover her powers. Bella is going to be very powerful, by the looks of it. She will be a great help to us."

My mind raced as he spoke. Was he suggesting what I thought he was? I stared at him, wishing I knew what was going on- or that I could read his thoughts. My own were racing so visciously, I doubted that even if I could have heard what he was thinking, I doubt I'd understand it.

"Keeping this in mind, the Volturi has decided to keep Bella here with us, at least as long as we need her. The rest of you are free to leave."

"What?!" I screamed, surprised at the volume of my voice. I shook my head, "No, I'm not staying! I cant! Edward, tell them I cant stay!"

Edward shook his head, looking at Marcus. "I will not leave her here. She's coming home with us to Forks, where she belongs."

"No, my dear Edward. You belong at Forks, but a girl of her potential-" He stopped, letting our own thoughts finish his sentence.

Edward began to fume, and I could see the anger in his eyes. "She's not staying with you! How can you do all this to her and then-"

Carlisle stood, moving beside Edward and putting his hand on his shoulder. "Wait, this could be a good decision." He spoke slowly, but his eyes never left Edward's.

"How can you say that, Carlisle?" I spoke, seeing that Aro, Caius, and Marcus were standing.

Marcus smirked, "We'll leave you to confer, but the decision is final." He said, leading the others out, and shutting the door behind him.

Both fuming, Alice and Edward stepped beside me as we stared at Carlisle. "How can you possibly even think that?" Alice said, crossing her arms under her chest.

"Let me explain." Carlisle said, shifting his weight from one leg to another. "If Bella comes back, she'll be a danger to those around her. Being in Forks would make things difficult for her, as well. She will no longer be able to see Charlie, or anyone from school. Then, there's the matter of the treaty."

"The treaty was already broken!" The harshness of Edward's voice would have given me chills if it was possible, but it soften as he continued. "But I see the other reasoning of your thinking." He said, before turning to me. "Bella, Carlisle is right. Maybe you should lay low here for a while."

If my heart was still able to beat, I'm sure it would have stopped dead, right there. "Edward, you're not serious." My voice was meek, and quiet. I was aghast. How could he possibly consider leaving me again? After all that had happened.

"We'll see each other again." I could sense every bit of uncertainty in his voice. "We have to go back and continue letting everyone think you're missing." He said, running his hand through my hair, and over my jaw.

"Edward, no." Hearing the pain in my voice, he leaned down and kissed my forehead.

"Bella, its not safe for you to be near humans, yet."

Alice nodded, turning to Carlisle, before hugging me tightly. "We love you Bella. We'll see you again. I'll be watching for your safety." She said, tapping her head, and forcing a smile at me, before leading Carlisle out of the room, quietly.

I watched as they left, making this whole reality far worse that I'd wanted it to be. "I don't care! I'll stay at your house. Edward, please!" I begged, grabbing his shirt tightly.

He frowned at me. "You wont be here long, Bella. Please. Don't make this more difficult."

I shook my head and stared at him quietly. "You promised me forever."

Edward nodded at me for a moment, "And sometimes, eternity doesn't last as long as we'd hoped it would." He said, before pressing his lips harshly against mine. He parted my lips and slipped his tongue in my mouth, letting it dance against mine.

My body, though it was so much stronger, felt weaker. I didn't know who I was without Edward by my side. There was so much passion in the kiss that it frightened me, and took my breath away- though now I had no use of breathing.

A moment passed, and Edward finally pulled away, leaving me in a daze. "I promised I'd never leave you, Bella." He said, staring into my eyes for a few seconds, before continuing. "I have to break that promise, for now. Let me make you another promise." He took both my hands into his, kissing the palm of each one. "I will love you forever." He took a few steps back, dropping my hands. "Until we meet again, Bella."

With that, he turned, walking out the door. My legs took me to the couch, where I sat down. Images of him danced through my thoughts, as a song began to play in my head. Oh, it fit the occasion. I let myself get thoughts in memories of him, and in the song.

I still get lost in your eyes
And it seems that I can't live a day without you
Closing my eyes and you chase my thoughts away
To a place where I am blinded by the light
But it's not right

And it hurts to want everything and nothing at the same time
I want what's yours and I want what's mine
I want you
But I'm not giving in this time
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

And when the stars fall
I will lie awake
You're my shooting star

I don't know how long it was until Aro finally entered the room. "Come, Bella. It's time for us to begin our work." He said, smiling at me, before motioning for me to follow him, and walking out of the room. I stood from the couch, stopping in the doorway, and looking back at the entire room. "I'm doing this for you. I love you. I won't forget." I whispered, to no one but myself, and the memory of the one I loved, now, and will always. I had just one more thing to say to him, before I went to follow Aro. I spoke quietly, letting each word be filled with memories, passion, and thoughts of tomorrow. I knew this wasn't the end. I wouldn't let it be. I had worked far too hard for everything to be over.

The words finally escaped my lips "Until we meet again, Edward."