Author's Note: Sorry I took so long between updates but I'm really gonna try and update as quickly as possible. And also thank you to those who have reviewed, I really appreciate hearing feedback on this story, whether its good or bad!

Chapter Three

I stared at Edward's perfect face and reached out a hand to stroke his cheek lightly. I missed him. Even though it had only been a few days it felt like much, much longer since I had last seen him. Like an eternity.

"Bella," Edward breathed my name, wrapping his arms around me tightly. "Are you feeling okay?"

I took a moment to answer. I wasn't quite sure how I felt yet. I felt different, that was for sure. Like I wasn't normal, clumsy, human Bella. I felt strong and confident. I smiled widely at Edward, causing him to smile in turn. "I feel fine."

I sat on the edge of the bed and looked down at my arms. My skin was even more pale than usual and that's saying something. It was a striking, icy color however. Not my normal, translucent, Albino color.

I stood up suddenly, thinking I was going to be as graceful as Alice when she walked. I could picture Alice prancing lightly around the house and Rosalie when she floated from room to room. I couldn't wait to look like them as well.

But as I stood up quickly and took a step, I tripped over my own two feet and fell flat on the ground. I rolled over so that I was on my back on the ground and I saw Edward's amused face suddenly hovering above mine.

His eyes were wickedly amused and he was obviously trying not to laugh. "Well…I'm glad to see that some things will never leave you. Emmett is going to be extremely pleased."

I glared at him and chose not to answer. I just picked myself up and steadied myself before walking again. Great, just great. My first day as a vampire and I wasn't as graceful as I should be. What was wrong with me? That is so like me that I would be so clumsy in my human life and then I can't even shake it off in my next life.

Edward wrapped his arm around my waist supportively. "Bella, love, don't be upset. One of the things I was going to miss most about you was your endearing clumsy quality."

I rolled my eyes. "Thank you Edward. Glad to know I can still serve as an amusement to you."

Edward laughed. "I'm sorry. But sometimes vampires tend to carry their strongest human trait into their next life with them."

I whipped my head around to stare at him. "Are you saying that this is my special talent? Like you with mind reading and Alice seeing the future? My talent is my ability to trip across a flat surface?"

That just caused Edward to laugh even harder. "Of course that's not your special talent. Maybe your body just needs time to adjust to your change. Patience, love."

He leaned in to kiss my jaw and then my neck. I found myself reacting to him differently as well. I felt braver around him when I knew that he didn't have anything holding him back anymore. He couldn't hurt me; I wasn't the delicate little flower he was used to.

I wrapped my arms aggressively around his neck and drew him close to my body, pressing my lips passionately against his. Edward seemed bewildered but extremely willing as I deepened the kiss.

"Bella," Edward gasped, putting his hands on my waist to firmly push me away. "Don't you want to see the rest of the family?"

I nodded my head, biting my lip. "Yes, of course. Sorry I attacked you. Everything is just so…different. I can't explain it." I felt as though if I was still able to blush, my cheeks would have been burning red at this moment.

Edward smiled. "I understand. You'll get used to your senses eventually. Everybody really wants to see how you're doing. These last few days were hard on all of us."

I noticed Edward's eyes become sad and distant. I touched his face gently. "Edward, its okay. I'm not in pain anymore. It's all over."

He smiled, trying to show me he was happy but I could still see the sadness in his eyes. "I know. You just can't imagine…seeing you in so much pain and me knowing I could do nothing about it was hard for me. I felt so helpless. I just want you to know that I was there. Every moment, I never left your side."

"I know that, Edward," I said softly. "Even if I couldn't recognize you sometimes, I always knew somebody was there with me. I love you more than words can say and I trust you with my life. In fact, I did trust you with my life. But tell me…was it hard? The actual process I mean?"

Edward nodded his head. "You tasted sweeter to me than I had ever remembered. I hated that I was doing that to you though, taking your life away like that. It just felt so unfair."

"Edward…" I said cautiously.

"I know," He said, cutting me off. "You wanted me to do it. And I'd be lying if I said a part of me didn't want it as well. I love you no matter what. You'll always be my Bella."

I smiled at his words and leaned in for a sweeter kiss this time. His words always left me feeling so emotional and I could feel myself ready to tear up again. However, I couldn't. I felt so happy and calm at his words and this would usually trigger tears from me. But nothing fell. I pulled away from Edward slightly and touched my face gently.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked.

I shook my head. "I can't cry. I have no tears." For some reason as I said that, I felt empty. I knew I was being ridiculous. I knew that all of this was going to happen. But I still couldn't help but feel a little lost. But I knew with Edward by my side, I could get through anything. I knew I would get used to my new self eventually. I just needed time.

Edward stroked my hair soothingly the whole time I was thinking. I realized just then that I had no idea what I looked like. Of course, I was just as awkwardly clumsy as usual so I probably looked the same as well.

"I need a mirror," I said suddenly to Edward. He looked at me in surprise but silently led me to the bathroom that was connected to his room. He flipped on the light and walked me over to the full length mirror in the corner of the room. He held my hand the entire time as I took in my new appearance.

Well, I certainly didn't look like old Bella. My dark brown hair was still hanging at my waist but it was different. It was sleeker and smoother, no tangles like my usually messy hair supplied. I was toned differently as well. My curves more pronounced and all my normally round features were sharper.

But the thing that startled me the most was my eyes. They weren't a deep, chocolate brown color anymore. And they weren't a golden topaz color like Edward's. They were a frightening blood red color. I gasped and recoiled from my image in the mirror. Edward knew what I was thinking.

"Bella, its okay," He reassured me. "They'll change color eventually. You're going to need to hunt soon. Are you thirsty at all?"

I hadn't really thought at all yet about my thirst. I knew I no longer craved the normal human foods that I used to love. They all sounded positively disgusting to me now. I was craving something else but it was an unfamiliar taste. I couldn't put my finger on it before but now I figured that had to be my thirst.

I looked back at my reflection in the mirror and forced myself to smile. My teeth were now perfectly white and straight. I shivered as I thought about the fact that these new teeth were now my weapons, my own natural defense mechanism as a vampire.

"Come on," Edward said, pulling on my hand. I could tell he didn't want me to get upset anymore over my new self. "Let's go see the family. I know they can't wait to see you."

I nodded my head numbly and followed Edward nervously downstairs. We traveled at a slow, normal human pace. I could barely walk slowly as a vampire; I knew I wasn't up for running quite yet. It was amazing how well all of my senses were heightened. I could see things so much clearer than before. And we had barely left Edward's room when I could have sworn I heard Carlisle and Esme talking even though they were nowhere in sight. Carlisle and Esme were actually sitting in the living room the entire time. I could hear them from all the way up the stairs and I was completely blown away by that.

They both stood up as we walked into the room. Esme's face was glowing and Carlisle was grinning proudly. "Oh, Bella," Esme said, rushing towards me and embracing me in her arms. "How are you? Are you feeling alright? Do you think we need to go out and hunt?"

Carlisle laughed gently. "Let her breathe, Esme. I'm so glad to see you're alright, Bella. However we should think about hunting soon."

I nodded my head. "Okay. I suppose I should learn how sooner or later."

Edward looked at Carlisle. "I don't know why she doesn't seem thirsty at all. Is this normal? I remember the venom just flowing in excess to my mouth when I was first changed."

I turned to Carlisle expectantly. He took a few minutes to answer. "I'm not sure," He said softly. "Bella, you don't feel anything at all?"

"Well…" I said, thinking about my answer. "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to feel like. This is all new to me. I know I don't want normal food anymore. I suppose once I hunt for the first time, I'll know what it's supposed to feel like."

Carlisle didn't respond, he just eyed me shrewdly. I turned away to look at Edward and saw him silently communicating with Carlisle. I guess even as a vampire they still don't want me to know things. Typical Edward.

I could suddenly hear Alice screaming for me as she ran into the room and threw her arms around my neck. "Bella! I'm so glad you're okay! How are you feeling?"

I laughed as I hugged her tightly. "I feel fine Alice!"

She drew back to look at me and smiled widely. "You look really great. So, are you ready to go hunting?" For some reason, as she said the word hunting, she started to laugh but quickly muffled it.

"What are you laughing at?" I asked, bewildered.

"Oh nothing," She said, still giggling.

Edward was now eyeing Alice suspiciously. However his expression grew more frustrated the longer he stared at Alice. Obviously she was blocking something from her mind so Edward couldn't hear it. Nothing annoyed Edward more than Alice purposely blocking something. She must have really seen something coming that she didn't want Edward to know about. But why was she still laughing?

"Come on, Alice, just tell me what it is," I said.

She shook her head furiously. "Oh, you'll find out!"

I rolled my eyes, figuring it was no sense arguing with Alice. At that moment, Jasper and Emmett walked into the room followed slowly by Rosalie. I looked to Jasper and realized that I could finally be around him without scaring him off. I bravely approached him and wrapped my arms tightly around him. As I drew back, I saw him expression was shocked but also pleased.

"Welcome to the family, Bella," He said softly. I smiled at him; he had no idea how much those words meant to me.

Emmett was next and he immediately tackled me in a big bear hug. "I knew you had it in you! You're gonna be a lot of fun to have around. I heard tell from Edward though that you're still as klutzy as you were in your human life."

I whipped around to glare at Edward and he just shrugged innocently. "What?" He said. "I didn't say anything."

Emmett laughed. "I overheard you two talking. Don't worry, I'll still love you the same."

"Thanks Emmett," I said, laughing.

Rosalie stepped towards me after Emmett was through hugging me and cautiously wrapped her arms around me in a very short hug. "Even though I feel like you may have made a mistake by joining our world, I want you to know that I still accept you as my sister."

I blinked at her. "Thanks, Rosalie. That really means a lot to me."

Rosalie just gave me a quick smile and then scooted over next to Emmett, crossing her arms across her chest.

"We should think about going up to Alaska to teach Bella how to hunt properly," Carlisle said. "I know the Denali family will let us stay with them for awhile and it'll be better to teach Bella as far away from humans as possible."

I shuddered at the thought. I didn't want to hurt any innocent humans so I knew whatever Carlisle said was for the best. Edward came to my side and wrapped his arm around my waist. He leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Don't worry, love, you'll be fine. I'll be with you the whole time."

I looked up at him and smiled. "I know. As long as I'm with you, I can handle anything."