Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse!

Author's note:

I hope you'll like this chapter.

Please review.

Thanks a lot to all who already did!

8. Count Down

The next things I realized were voices and cool fingers, touching me. I opened my eyes. Edward's beautiful face appeared only inches from mine. "Bella, are you all right?" he whispered anxiously.

I swallowed hard, willing to give an answer; but I couldn't. My throat hurt awful. A pale hand held a glass of water in front of me. I reached out for it with trembling fingers. Edward took the glass and held it to my mouth, supporting my head. Cool water streamed to my lips and thirst forced me to drink.

I found myself lying on a huge bed in a room which was bright with light. It seemed so familiar; though I wasn't able to remember. I gave Edward a questioning glance. He seemed obviously concerned, shaking his head. "You gave me almost a heart attack when you suddenly fainted. Your mind has decided to rest for hours or more precisely for days," he smiled at me a bit relieved, petting my hair.

In the background I heard a silvery voice, describing something fussily. "Alice?" I mouthed her name.

Edward nodded. "She's speaking to Carlisle."

"Carlisle?"

"Yes, we're at home. I decided to drive to Forks as you didn't awake. Carlisle diagnosed a nervous breakdown. You need rest now, sweetheart. Don't worry about anything. You're the most important thing." He kissed my wrist, twinning our hands.

"Charlie?"

"Carlisle talked to him. I think he didn't mention the nervous breakdown including your little trip to Denali. Charlie got a story about wedding arrangements with Alice," Edward grinned slyly.

I nodded relieved.

Slowly I recognized Edward's room. The pale hand that had offered the glass of water belonged to Rose. She was sitting on a chair next to the bed, waving to me. "Hey, are you still alive. I've to admit you gave me a little shock when you refused to wake up," Rose snickered.

Edward glared at her with an angry expression on his face.

"This time it wasn't me. It was Alice. So stop glaring at me," she defended herself, trying to stop Edward's accusing glare.

"Don't argue," I forced out the first words; but they were only a low whisper.

"Get out, Rose. She needs rest," Edward commanded.

Rose slid out of his room, smiling at me and waving.

At the next moment Carlisle appeared in front of us, holding some drugs in his hand. "Welcome back, Bella," he greeted me. "You have to give your body and especially your mind rest for a few days. There, please take this medication; so you'll sleep well." He looked concerned at me, touching my wrist and feeling my pulse.

Edward gripped the three little pills and put them into my mouth, holding the glass of water near by my lips. I tried to refuse and shook my head. I didn't want to go back to sleep. I've slept for hours, maybe for days. But Edward seemed to hold another opinion.

"Be reasonable, Bella. You need to sleep. Please, do it for me." He focused the whole power of his golden eyes on mine. My heart picked up speed. I couldn't breathe even anymore. His cool finger stroke over my lips again and again. Then after several times he'd stroke over my mouth I swallowed, making a face.

"Fine, Bella," Edward gave me a content glance.

"Which day is it?" I forced out.

"Wednesday," he replied, smiling.

"Three days till our wedding," I mouthed.

He nodded happily and kissed my ring.

The thoughts in my head circled. What was the last I could remember before I fainted? I tried to concentrate hard; but the medications seemed already to develop their efficacy. My head got dizzy more and more. Then it hit me. Very dark; in the last corner of my mind I saw scraps of the conversation I had with Edward that night. Tanya and Alice taught me a lesson of hurting with jealousy. Edward was sorry for that. And then…. My mind got darker, my limbs relaxed. No, I didn't want to sleep. I wasn't ready. I focused my thoughts on the rocks where the whole conversation has taken place. What was it that made me so angry? I held my breath. Edward shook me. "Breathe, Bella, breathe," he called on me anxiously. I rolled my eyes. Abruptly it came to my mind; maybe because of the little vibration Edward caused, shaking me. Jake. Jacob Black had been the last subject we had been talking about. I looked at Edward.

He was holding my hand. Minutes passed and the room got gloomy. I blinked. My eyelids felt heavy. The seductive acted to the whole extent and finally it knocked me out. I fell into a black hole. Every memory vanished slowly step by step.

When I went back from my black hole and finally broke through his surface I felt a slant of light on my face. Warm shapes gave me a feeling of still being alive. There was a strange urge in my mind like I'd forgotten about something I couldn't remember by now; but at this moment that didn't bother me. The warmth was comfortable. I stretched my arms and legs. Every single muscle told me clearly they haven't moved for a certain time that was obviously too long. "Ah," I muttered. The sudden pain forced my eyes open. I looked at my surroundings. There was no move. Everything seemed to be still on his place. Not even the light flickered.

Suddenly I discovered a pale face with huge, innocent eyes in one of the room's corner. It took me a moment to remember where I was and what had happened; but this time my memory worked without effort and unexpected problems. Realizing her presence, I felt Alice's glance on me. She smiled when she saw I was aware of her.

"Hey," I greeted her friendly. Long time since I've seen you last," I joked.

"Oh, Bella, I'm so sorry. I haven't planed this. It was a misunderstanding. Please forgive me," Alice pleaded with a squeaking voice, giving me a puppy dog glance.

I tried to put things together what exactly had been her role in this strange play. Occupied with my thoughts I shrugged more to myself than to Alice. I'd no idea why she'd told me Edward had been indifferent about sleeping with Tanya.

"Please, please, please," was her response to my shrugging.

I pushed the blanket away and stretched my legs over the edge of the huge, golden bed, ignoring the shrill pleading, coming from the corner right in front of me. My head swam a bit. Now I realized the warm light on my face was the sun. Forks' sky showed up almost clear.

Which rareness, I thought, smiling to myself. Getting up, I tiptoed through the room to Alice. Without a blanket I almost froze on my short way. It was so cold.

Just now Alice was starting a new turn of pleading.

"Oh please, stop it. You already know I've forgiven you," I tried to get silence into the room. Then I plopped down on Alice's lap. She grabbed Edward's jacket, lying next to her and put it around my shoulders. I kissed her cheek.

"So I think it's time to tell me the whole story with detailed explanations of complicated parts, sis," I said reproachfully.

Alice's reaction was a huge grin at me. "Thanks, Bella. I knew you would forgive me," her silvery voice proclaimed happily.

"Of course you knew. You're a psychic," I teased.

"It was a real misunderstanding, he decided, she decided, he changed his decision so fast I wasn't sure of what about he was finally indifferent. And then you came along and made your own conclusion of my words. In my opinion your conclusion was a possibility though I've known my brother would never do that to you," Alice started with her explanation so fast I could hardly understand a word.

"But honestly, Bella, I think the whole jealousy subject has been gone beyond ridiculous. Every time you saw Jacob you freaked out and Edward suffered from jealousy without saying any word. Didn't you really know what you've done to him every single time you showed your feelings for Jacob Black?" Alice asked; but she didn't expect an answer.

I slowly shook my head in pain. Feeling bad after getting up, I felt now like a truck had run over me and had crashed my chest. I wasn't able to inhale. The air seemed as it was too thick for my lungs.

Looking at me, Alice guessed easily my current pain. "Oh, oh, he's going to torture me and at the end he'll bite off my head. At least he threaded last night he will do that, if I tell you this," Alice smiled weakly.

I glared in terror at her.

She nodded. "Yes, Edward was furious. I'm glad I'd Jasper. He calmed him down. My brother didn't want you know about his pain rather he would suffer until the next century. For some reason Edward still hopes you'll change your mind and will choose Jacob. It would be healthier for you. You would stay human and never lose any possibilities a human life can offer to you. Beyond ridiculous," Alice snapped.

"I don't want any human possibilities. I only want him. Every part of my body and my mind wants him," I cried out.

"I know, Bella. And he wants you too; but he is overdramatic and overprotective all the time." Alice rolled her black eyes.

"That isn't fair. I did believe the whole "make your decision" subject was finished and Edward has accepted that I'll first tie myself in every human way to him before he would give me immortality; but that he still hopes I would stay human and this without him – this is too much," I sobbed.

Tears ran from my eyes and soaked Alice's shirt. She brushed my back.

"Edward is going to kill me," she squeaked concerned.

"So, in conclusion, when I saw what was Tanya's purpose as she'd entered the living room I decided to keep still and let you understand his pain and to know the fact that he suffers. Will you forgive me," Alice asked again, suddenly doubtfully.

"I already did," I responded with a thick voice. "Where is he now?" I asked.

My body was still busy with the reactions to this unexpected information. I wrapped my shaking arms around Alice's neck and hid my wet face in her shirt.

"In front of the house. He plays referee for Emmet and Jasper. They are wrestling. But I think he's no fair referee because he owes Emmett," Alice told me.

I looked up. "Why?"

"He lost a bet. But technically he didn't. He just doesn't know this by now," she grinned.

Then she clapped her hands together. "Fine, if the boys have fun, we'll have, too. Please, don't freak out, Bella; but do you think you'll come to your slumber party I've organized for tonight." A huge grin appeared on Alice's face.

"Oh no, please don't," I complained.

There'll be enough attention to me on Saturday and I will have no chance to change this because in most cases the bride is the most important person on a wedding without a doubt. A slumber party with all my female friends or even worse - how I knew Alice - with all girls of Forks wasn't necessary to give me any more attention.

"Shouldn't I stay in bed until Saturday," I asked innocently.

"Don't be a baby. Therefore it's a slumber party. So you can stay in bed. Good idea?" Alice said smugly.

I made a face.

"Oh, come on Bella. That's going to be fun. Only girls. That's the last few days until you'll married my overprotective, stubborn brother," she teased.

"Fine, I'll come and will hate every minute like I do every time coming to your parties," I promised.

This time it's going to be worse than the last times because Edward won't be with me.

Alice grimaced and stretched out her tongue.

"I love you too, sis," was the last she got from me.

After lying in bed for such a long time I'd decided to take a walk. I dressed and a short glance into a mirror advised me to pull my hair back into a ponytail. Then I followed slowly the stairs down. When I arrived at the second floor I saw the door of Carlisle's office was standing open. My legs felt still weak and I didn't want to fall. Thus my hands glided along the wall and I walked carefully.

As expected Carlisle was sitting behind his huge wooden desk and looked friendly at me. "Hello Bella. How can I help you?" he asked politely.

I entered the room. Suddenly Carlisle was by my side, supporting me.

"You know, officially you're not allowed to take a walk, Bella. You should stay in bed," Carlisle advised me seriously.

"I know; but I can't do this any longer, my limbs hurt and I'm going to die of boredom if I've to stay in bed one minute longer," I complained.

He sat me gently down on a chair that stood in front of his desk.

"So, what's your concern?" he asked still politely and smiling at me.

"Edward hasn't accepted the soul subject, I guess?" I said to Carlisle.

It wasn't a real question; but I wanted to have an advice of Carlisle. I trusted him. He would know what I could do to force Edward to accept finally I would become a vampire.

Carlisle nodded. "He prefers you'll stay human; but after your conversion he'll see the whole advantages and will accept this. I'm sure. I know my son. He can't live without you. And joining our family your conversion is the only safe possibility for us all," he smiled at me.

"But that wasn't your only question, am I right?" Carlisle suddenly asked.

I nodded. "What happened really to me? Nobody gets a black out for days."

Carlisle investigated concerned my face before he spoke. "I think your body fought the stress your mind produced to him. Your decisions seemed not to be as clear as you might have thought. You have been stressed strongly for the last few weeks. For self-protection you'd gotten this black out. Are you really ready to join us? You have all the time you need, Bella," Carlisle said concerned.

"I think it's more the wedding than my conversion. And yes, I'm ready. Did you tell him this?" I questioned anxiously.

"No, I was very careful with my thoughts around him. I wanted first to know if you want to tell him. It's your decision, Bella," Carlisle pointed out.

"Thank you, Carlisle," I said gracefully.

"Anytime," he replied, smiling. "But now I'll call Edward. You can't walk around by yourself," he warned me.

Seconds later Edward glided into the office.

He scooped me up and flew with me downstairs.

"Let me walk by myself," I pleaded.

"Are you sure, sweetheart," he asked with disapproval in his smooth voice.

"Very sure," I mumbled.

He let me down on my feet and pulled his arm around my waist. I started to walk through the huge garden behind the house. I've never done this before. Now I saw that the whole backside of the house was really made of glass and I could clearly hear the river. I almost could smell it. There was peace and freedom in the air. I felt safe, happy and at home. I smiled to myself. Edward watched me attentively. I turned to him.

"We have to talk. I hope this will be the last time this subject will bother our relationship," I said.

He nodded in response and his face looked serious.

I thought a short moment about the choice of my words. I wanted to make it for good. These words had to be strong enough to phrase all my feelings.

"Soon I'll be your wife and then after some time, very little time, I'll converse to a vampire. There is nothing in this world that can change my will to do and to be this. I love you for eternity. Please accept this, Edward." I looked into his eyes and he seemed a bit confused about the reason for my words. I decided to give him a clue.

"Jacob Black will always have a place in my heart; but he's only a friend, nothing else but a friend and you aren't able to change this; not in a century or ever; he's only a friend," I finished, still looking into his beautiful eyes.

He closed it and pressed his cool lips on my forehead.

"I love you, Bella," he said.

And there was nothing else for the moment to say.

We walked silently side by side. Edward supported me, caring half of my weight. After a time Alice's party came back to my mind.

"Please, can you safe me from Alice's…" I started.

Edward grinned crookedly and shook his head.

"You should really enjoy your slumber party, Miss Swan. It's your last party before you're my wife," he said with a teasing voice, chuckling.

Back in the house I saw Alice had done her job. It was gloomy inside. Everywhere on the living room's floor seemed to lie white blankets and pink pillows. The ceiling sparkled with thousands of little stars. In one corner I could realize a huge table full of sweets. I rolled my eyes.

"Pink pillows," I groaned.

"Alice will be Alice," Edward chuckled.

"Where are you going to go this night?" I asked and he could read the jealousy on my face. Everything was better then joining a party with pink pillows.

"Hunting. It's a good opportunity before the wedding and we won't go far. So we'll be back right in the morning," he promised.

I hid in Edward's bed, hoping Alice wouldn't notice I wasn't downstairs. When the door slowly opened I pulled the blanket over my head and closed my eyes. Somebody removed the blanked and cold fingers brushed over my cheek. I looked up. It was Rose.

"Come on, Bell, party time," she smiled.

I looked shocked at her. She wore silky, pink pajamas and held the same ones in her right hand. I shook my head.

"No, I'm not going to wear this pink nightmare."

"I do also. Don't be a wimp. Everybody does," Rose said reproachfully.

"Everybody?" I asked in disbelieve.

"Yes, it's really funny. You should watch by yourself."

I got on my knee and scrambled out of bed. Rose held the pajamas in front of my nose. I groaned but took it. Then I lingered to the bathroom and put on this ugly thing. The only advantage I could imagine, wearing a pink nightmare, was that I didn't attract attention because the others wore the same, too. Comforting myself with this thought I left the bathroom.

Very slowly I made my way downstairs. I couldn't believe my eyes. Rose was right, everybody wore pink.