I turned to look at Edward; he was sitting, watching me, deep in thought, as still as a statue. We sat there, staring at each other. Edward broke into a wide smile. I smiled back. Then, quicker than I could comprehend; he pounced onto me. Edward kissed me passionately, frantically, he held my face like he would never let it go. I kissed him back, our lips moving together, faster than ever before. I gripped his forearms, pulling him closer. His arms were wrapped around my back, around to my waist that he gripped too hard.
"Bella!" he gasped "I love you, I love you, I love you"
"I know" I breathed. "I love you just as much"
"Not possible" he whispered in my ear. "Please be careful, I couldn't live with myself if you were hurt. My love is timeless, undying."
I was still breathing heavily, clutching Edward, when Carlisle returned. Carlisle was very calm, calmer than Edward, whose eyes darted quickly around, watching my every reaction.
"Bella" Carlisle said "When I changed the others, I left them in a locked room alone, partly for safety, partly for privacy, but I imagine you are going to want Edward to stay". I nodded.
"Then I think we are going to have to tie you down. I'm sorry, but you are going to be in great amount of pain during the transformation and you will awake unbelievably strong and frantic for blood. You could hurt Edward or yourself. I will just tie one rope loosely round your middle. Edward can always tighten it if you become it becomes too dangerous". My pulse quickened and I felt hot, despite the fact I was holding onto an ice figure. I nodded again.
"I thought about putting you to sleep, but with your body changing so rapidly you will be very unstable, we don't know what could happen. It will be safer if you are awake so we can communicate. I think it would be unwise to meddle with what we know so little about. Perhaps to achieve immortality we must first suffer", Carlisle said. I was feeling very aware and sensitive; I was conscious of every inch of my skin that was touching the leather couch. My breathing was shallow. I could feel Edward's eyes on me.
"Well then, if you are ready, just come over and lie on the bed". Carlisle said. I noticed Carlisle was being very formal, talking to me like a patient. I stood up and walked over but my feet felt too large for my body and they got tangled and I tripped. Edward caught me, but he wasn't smiling. He picked me up, holding me in his arms like a baby and gently laid me on the bed, he didn't let go of my hand.
This was the same bed as Edward and I had spent that wonderful night, the same night I had agreed to marry him. It was beautifully made, ornate, made from black metal, with vines and flowers twisting themselves up the four columns. I lay on my back, trying to stay calm, at least outwardly, trying not to reveal the storm raging in my head.
"Bella, I am going to put an IV in your hand, so that we can continue giving you morphine for the next few days" Carlisle said. I nodded again. I didn't even try to speak, my throat felt too tight. There was a heavy ball in the back of my throat, I swallowed it. Carlisle was setting up his equipment.
"I am going to insert the IV in your hand now Bella". I looked away, distracting myself by looking at Edward, concentrating on his angel face, his flawless features. His face was very serious, watching me. I felt the sharp pain of the needle, I scrunched up my eyes.
"Hey Bells" Edward said "Your new car is on its way. You're going to love it. It is a beautiful electric blue jaguar"
"Edward I can't believe you are trying to hold my interest by talking about cars. You don't know me at all. Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!" I squealed as the needle went in Edward laughed and kissed me on the forehead.
"There we are" Carlisle said. Carlisle wiped my hand with a damp cloth then taped the IV down to my hand. I could feel the IV in my hand, it was very uncomfortable, irritating.
"Now I am going to inject some morphine into the IV" Carlisle said. I felt the cold liquid creep sinisterly up my arm.
"All done" Carlisle said. "Now is there anything else I can do?"
"I don't think so" I replied.
"Edward" Carlisle said, "If it becomes too much for you to handle, just call me. I will come. I will do it for you and I will make sure Bella is safe. You have my word. And I want you to know how brave I think you are. You have tried over the past decades to control yourself; you have suppressed instinct which is an amazing thing. Then you came upon the greatest test, you met your blood singer. And you won – that shows a profound strength of character. I am so proud of you, I could not be happier. What you and Bella have created astounds and pleases me immensely." He looked at me, "And I could not have wished for a better partner for Edward and daughter for myself. I love you both". Carlisle put his hands lightly on my shoulders and kissed me gently on the cheek at the same time I pressed my cheek against his cool cheek. And with that he slinked out of the room, shutting the door behind him with a creak.