"Did you honestly think that they were here just to see if Bella was changed? No, they were here to see if her supposed power was greater than anything they had previously experienced, or have." Carlisle paused, and after a minute continued. "I am surprised that Aro would come so soon. Bella shouldn't even have her power, or powers, yet. That must mean that they are going to come here again. Or they are going to summon us." I tried to smother a shudder, but to no avail. I was terrified of ever going back to Volterra, on friendly terms or not.
Edward pulled me closer, comforting me. I was comforted. Just being with Edward was enough to soothe me. His touch had an amazing effect on me, even now that I was one of them, a vampire.
It finally struck me. I. Was. A. Vampire. I had dreamt of this for so long, now that it had finally occurred I was… unable to put a word to what I felt. Jasper looked at me questioningly, not knowing what was going on. I just shook my head. He was probably wondering why there had been a flood of emotions in a matter of sections. Edward was looking down at me with concern and worry. He had unfortunately heard Jasper.
Carlisle, Alice, and Esme were still discussing what Carlisle had just said. I really didn't want to be included in that particular conversation. I didn't want to think about the possibilities. I was already drained from what had just transpired. I didn't know how I had held myself together in front of them. I was still shaking from the Volturi's 'visit'.
Edward sensed this, he lifted me up, carrying me bridal style up to our bedroom. The Cullens didn't even look up; they were so engrossed in their conversation.
The last thing that I heard from any of them was Carlisle saying that the Volturi could be very tricky and we would have to be on our guard. That definitely made me feel better…
Edward cradled me close to his chest as we arrived at our room. We entered at vampire speed, and he set me down on the enormous golden bed that so reminded me of his eyes.
I looked around with my new vampire eyes. Every thing was so precise, so overwhelming. I would feel the faintest movement that Edward made, and his scent… was even better.
My eyes were a brilliant red shade- the deepest contrast to his beautiful topaz ones. I ducked my head; I didn't want him to see my eyes that were the mark of a hunter of humans, ones that reflected my blood. He put his index finger under my chin and lifted my chin up to look at him.
"Bella, I don't care what color your eyes are, it doesn't make any difference to me." He said lovingly.
His little declaration surprised me. How did he know what I was thinking? Could he read my mind now? I looked into his eyes. I did not see any revulsion in them, nor distaste. Only love, understanding, and concern. I definitely don't deserve him at all.
He sat down on the bed, and pulled me into his chest. We sat there for a few moments, totally content. I looked up at Edward, to see his expression. He looked as if he were miles away, lost in thought, or someone else's thoughts. I watched him in that trance for a couple of minutes. I traced my fingers along the lines in his hand.
When my patience had gone, I reached up and kissed him. This certainly brought him back. It was a sweet kiss, nice and gentle. When we pulled apart, we were both breathing a bit heavily.
"So, what were you thinking or hearing about so intently?" I asked quietly.
His face fell, as if he was returning to an unpleasant place. "I was thinking about what I had done to you three days ago." Even though my heart did not beat to alert him to my panic, my shallow breathing did.
He put his hands securely on my face, making sure I was looking straight into his burning eyes. I couldn't breath when I saw them.
"Bella, I do not regret what I did to you, I never could. I only wished that it had been at a time of our choosing, not because of the Volturi. How could I regret one the best decisions of my very long…life? I can't, it would be impossible to do so." He spoke very intensely.
I thought about that for a moment. It made sense; I wouldn't regret the decision in the situation was reversed. How odd would it be in this was reversed, him in my place, I in his.
"What do you think about what Carlisle said? Do you think that they are going to come back or we are going to have to go there?" My voice started out calm, but by the end of my question, it was panicky.
"Yes, I do agree with Carlisle. Aro was thinking about us coming to Volterra… and something else that he hid from me. I didn't even get I glimpse of it at all. He can block his thoughts very well." Edward didn't exactly sound happy about that. Of course, why would he?
"Aro has had enough time to learn and perfect blocking his mind." He must be well over two millennia, maybe even three thousand years old.
"Yes, yes he has. I just hope that this ends well." He said hopefully.
"Will I get a power? With all of this happening just because of me, I'm not sure I want one. I could cause a lot of trouble. If anything happened, then it would be all my fault…" So many possibilities of what could happen. I could end up with a very powerful, very wanted power. Would the Volturi want me for the rest of time? Would I eventually have to give into them if they escalated the chase? Would I have to choose between my freedom and one, if not more, of my family's lives?
I heard a ripping sound, one that I recognized. I was dry sobbing, sobbing for might happen, which wasn't exactly right to do so. But dry sobbing didn't bring me the solace that real crying did. Edward was trying futilely to quiet me, to comfort me.
"I-I'm sorry, I was just over-reacting. I didn't mean to start crying like this." I said in a strangled and raspy voice.
"It's alright love, it's alright." He repeated over and over, soothing me. I probably had scared him with my sobbing, just as I had before.
"I was just thinking of the possibilities of what could happen, and it scares me." I said, my voice quivering.
"I will never let anything happen to you, if it's the last thing I do." I knew that his words were meant to soothe me, but now I thought of that possibility too. What made it worse was that I knew that he would anything to save me-even die for me. And the sobbing started all over again.