As usual, A/N at the bottom.
P.s. all italics are Bella's thoughts.
Disclaimer: It's not mine.
*What is this?? Not even a week and already another update??* I must really love you guys something extra special and I guess I just couldn't keep you waiting any longer. Ok, on with the story...
I was burning.
It wasn't like the burning you get when you've stood outside in the rain for too long and you come down with a fever, or when you forget that there was a hole in the oven mitts and you used it to bring out whatever was in the oven. No, this wasn't like that at all.
It was an all consuming heat, radiating out from the centre of my body to every extremity. It felt as though there were millions of lit matches being held underneath my skin, slowly burning the cells of my body one by one. There was nothing I could do to appease it. No matter how I twisted and turned, the heat was unrelenting in its path of destruction.
What is happening to me?
I opened my mouth to call out for help but the sound that exited was the most horrific sound I had ever heard in my life. Had it been possible, it was a sound that would have made my blood run cold. However, it did manage to frighten me, so I clamped my mouth shut and continued to writhe around. The heat continued, for how long, I was unable to tell, increasing its temperature in minute amounts causing the desire to scream to build up again. As I reached the point where I felt that I could hold back no longer, I felt a something cool press against my face. It didn't manage to completely dampen the heat, but it was enough for me to feel the relief from it. I let out a noise akin to a whimper and manoeuvred my body slightly to get closer to the coolness. The movement however, acted as a reminder to the situation I found myself in and my body tensed up as the heat flared up painfully within my bones. All at once, I felt the same coolness envelope my entire body and again, while it wasn't enough to take away the pain completely, it certainly did provide temporary relief, for which I was grateful. I gasped, taking in a deep breath as the heat seemed to move into a deeper layer within my body, and the scent that filled my lungs caused me to become light headed.
What is that smell?...So familiar...
I recognised the smell, trying hard to place it amongst the chaos that was going through my head, but it wasn't until I heard a smooth voice whispering delights in my ear that it came to me.
"My beautiful Bella."
Edward.
An unusual stillness came upon me, causing me to momentarily forget my surroundings and focus on the voice.
"Bella, only two and a half days left, then you and I will be together for all eternity."
Eternity...what is he talking abou-
And just like that, the images of past memories came flooding back to me.
*flashback*
Even with all the preparation that had taken place, I stood next to Charlie nervous as all hell when a sudden fanfare trilled through the soaring music and I recognized my cue.
"Don't let me fall, Dad," I whispered. Charlie pulled my hand through his arm and then grasped it tightly.
One step at a time, I told myself as we began to descend to the slow tempo of the march. I didn't lift my eyes until my feet were safely on the flat ground, though I could hear the murmurs and rustling of the audience as I came into view. Blood flooded my cheeks at the sound; of course I could be counted on to be the blushing bride. As soon as my feet were past the treacherous stairs, I was looking for him. For a brief second, I was distracted by the profusion of white blossoms that hung in garlands from everything in the room that wasn't alive, dripping with long lines of white gossamer ribbons. But I tore my eyes from the bowery canopy and searched across the rows of satin-draped chairs–blushing more deeply as I took in the crowd of faces all focused on me–until I found him at last, standing before an arch overflowing with more flowers, more gossamer.
I was barely conscious that Carlisle stood by his side, and Angela's father behind them both. I didn't see my mother where she must have been sitting in the front row, or my new family, or any of the guests–they would have to wait till later. All I really saw was Edward's face; it filled my vision and overwhelmed my mind. His eyes were a buttery, burning gold; his perfect face was almost severe with the depth of his emotion. And then, as he met my awed gaze, he broke into a breathtaking smile of exultation. Suddenly, it was only the pressure of Charlie's hand on mine that kept me from sprinting headlong down the aisle.
The march was too slow as I struggled to pace my steps to its rhythm. Mercifully, the aisle was very short. And then, at last, at last, I was there. Edward held out his hand. Charlie took my hand and, in a symbol as old as the world, placed it in Edward's. I touched the cool miracle of his skin, and I was home. Our vows were the simple, traditional words that had been spoken a million times, though never by a couple quite like us. We'd asked Mr. Weber to make only one small change. He obligingly traded the line "till death do us part" for the more appropriate "as long as we both shall live."
In that moment, as the minister said his part, my world, which had been upside down for so long now, seemed to settle into its proper position. I saw just how silly I'd been for fearing this–as if it were an unwanted birthday gift or an embarrassing exhibition, like the prom. I looked into Edward's shining, triumphant eyes and knew that I was winning, too. Because nothing else mattered but that I could stay with him. I didn't realize I was crying until it was time to say the binding words.
"I do," I managed to choke out in a nearly unintelligible whisper, blinking my eyes clear so I could see his face.
When it was his turn to speak, the words rang clear and victorious.
"I do," he vowed.
Mr. Weber declared us husband and wife, and then Edward's hands reached up to cradle my face, carefully, as if it were as delicate as the white petals swaying above our heads. I tried to comprehend, through the film of tears blinding me, the surreal fact that this amazing person was mine. His golden eyes looked as if they would have tears, too, if such a thing were not impossible. He bent his head toward mine, and I stretched up on the tips of my toes, throwing my arms around his neck.
He kissed me tenderly, adoringly; I forgot the crowd, the place, the time, the reason… only remembering that he loved me, that he wanted me, that I was his. He began the kiss, and he had to end it; I clung to him, ignoring the titters and the throat-clearing in the audience. Finally, his hands restrained my face and he pulled back–too soon–to look at me. On the surface his sudden smile was amused, almost a smirk. But underneath his momentary entertainment at my public exhibition was a deep joy that echoed my own. The crowd erupted into applause, and he turned our bodies to face our friends and family. I couldn't look away from his face to see them, as the realisation that he was all mine 'for as long as we both shall live' rested deep within.
Just as quickly as those images passed, others followed.
As we lay on the bed with legs entwined, both of us sated after our love making, with Edward kissing a wet trail along the column of my throat, I realised that I was completely and totally ready to join Edward in immortality, right here on Esme's beautiful island. The timing couldn't have been more perfect.
"Edward," I whispered softly, "I want you to change me."
He didn't say anything, but continued to kiss along my jaw. After a moment, he lifted his face and gazed into my eyes with a fierce intensity. I was slightly startled at the amount of love I found shining forth from his eyes, and was stunned temporarily.
"I love you, my beautiful Bella," he whispered before capturing my lips in a kiss that literally stole my breath away.
Instinctively, I wound my fingers into his hair and arched my back to be closer to him. I could feel myself getting short of breath but I couldn't bring myself to pull away from his lips. I was becoming more and more lightheaded as the kiss went on, but I clung closer to him, causing him to grunt softly against my mouth. There were stars and bright lights residing behind my eyelids as the kiss grew in frenzy causing a shudder to run down the length of my spine and reside in the pit of my lower stomach. I could feel the tingles of an orgasm coming on and although I was surprised that it was happening even though Edward hadn't touched me at all, I welcomed it with open arms. The fire erupted in my core and I shook violently against him, my body writhing in ecstasy as darkness began to creep in from the sides. I still couldn't find the desire or the energy to pull away from Edward's lips, the darkness inching closer and closer and at some point, I felt myself being laid back against the pillows. Then, just before it completely consumed me, I felt pain.
*end flashback*
I could finally put a name to the torment that was ravaging my body. I was being changed. I was to spend the rest of my existence with the man I was proud to call my husband. With the torrent of memories flooding my mind, I found myself not focusing on the pain, but rather on the love I had for Edward, and for each member of my new family.
After what felt like months, I felt the burn intensifying and this time there was nothing that anyone could do to stop the toe-curling screams that seemed to originate from my very centre and erupt from my lips. Even Edward's words and sweet whisperings seemed to have no effect on minimising the pain I felt. I arched my back violently with each cry that tore from my lips and Edward tried to pin me down, but with my increasing strength, his efforts were becoming fruitless. The pain was getting to the point where I wished for the sweet release of death. I had no idea if I had uttered it aloud to Edward's hearing but I couldn't find it in myself to care at that point. I was so certain that the change had gone wrong and that I was indeed dying when the pain suddenly seemed to dissipate slowly from my extremities. I was thankful for the loss of burning sensation however, I was not thankful that it seemed to move from my limbs and concentrate in my chest. As the heat migrated inwards, my heart seemed to beat as though I had run a hundred metres in less than ten seconds, its rate increasing with each second that passed by. The frantic beating of my heart threatened to break through my ribcage and send it soaring to the heavens. Just when I thought I could handle no more and was about to claw at my chest in the hope of easing the battering against my ribcage, it stilled with a final thud.
Never in my life had I known such peace.
I was certain that this was the peace that accompanied death; however, I could feel the fibres of my muscles stirring, causing me to spring to life. I gasped with a shuddering breath and sat up suddenly, opening my eyes to the new world.
My eyes immediately fell on the six wonderful members of my family standing at the foot of my bed, taking in their slightly tense stances and cautious stares. In the split second it took me to appraise them, I curse my human eyes for the deception I had endured all this while when I thought I was looking at them, for they were truly beautiful creatures each in their own right. My forehead crinkled in slight confusion as I pondered where Edward was but I needn't have worried because I saw a slight movement to my right and I turned in the direction.
"Bella," he whispered reverently.
Nothing could have prepared me for the sight that was Edward, he was simply breathtaking. While I thought his eyes where golden after a recent hunt, I could now make out the individual specks of his iris that made up their colour. His lips were a much deeper red, soft and beguiling. Where his skin had appeared hard, stone-like and flawless, I could now see the indentations and tiny crevices across his visible skin that I couldn't before. I gasped softly at this new visual and waited for the usual spike of my heart rate that occurred each time I beheld his face and was met with silence. The realisation of my immortality dawned on me and I couldn't stop the smile that burst across my face as I looked upon the being that would hold my heart forever.
"Hello Edward."
The end =]
A/N: First things first, the wedding flashback is not my work, as it is indeed an extract from Breaking Dawn. Everything else however, is mine.
Ok, on to the a/n:
I can't believe it's finished *sobs*. Is it normal for one to be this emotional??
I just want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who stuck with me and read my very first fan fic. Seriously guys, you have all made my experience a pleasurable and memorable one.
I would like to thank jadedandboring for her tireless work in helping to shape my writing into what it has become today. She worked patiently with me and helped me realise that commas are my friends...even to the point where I became a bit of a comma whore...I couldn't have improved as much as I have without her...she rocks fiercely!!
Last but not least, I would like to thank my friend and confidante Daniiface. She held my hand through the ups and downs and she's much more than a beta to me. I'm really excited to be working on a collaboration with her under the PenName: Vixieface. More info to come later...
Please put me on author alert so you can be notified when my new stories come out.
P.s please vote in the poll (if you haven't already) if you would like to read an EPOV for TWP.
Once again, thank you so much to EVERYBODY!!
Vic x