Chapter Twelve: Theory and Decision
Edward's POV
I looked around at the five faces of my family surrounding me in the yard. They were all thinking the same thing, 'I want Bella to be changed. She is part of the family. Let's make it official.' Or at least, that was the gist of their thoughts. I was severely outnumbered and getting annoyed at them. I pinched the bridge of my nose. The pressure helped me calm down. I also had my eyes closed and was taking deep, unnecessary breathes. They let me have a moment to gather myself. Jasper was debating on whether or not he should use his power on me.
"I'm fine Jasper." I told him. I opened my eyes and looked at my family. I was listening to all of their thoughts, even Alice's. "I can hear that you all want me to change Bella. You are all tired of worrying about her and seeing her in pain because of her accidents. It isn't easy for me either, far from it. It kills me to see her in pain, to see her suffer. I love her and I can't watch it anymore either. I'm just not sure if now is the best time to change her." I told them all. Carlisle stepped forward and put his hand on my shoulder. While I was talking, he had been thinking about medical stuff so I hadn't been paying close attention to his thoughts but I should have been. What he said next almost knocked me off my feet.
"You're right, Edward. Now is not the time to change her. Bella is still on her menstrual cycle. Rose, if Edward hadn't have stopped you, you would have trapped Bella in that state forever." Carlisle said. I was instantly horrified. I should have been focusing on his thoughts because now I wanted to rip Rosalie apart. Now I regretted paying more attention to her's and Emmett's thoughts than Carlisle's. My legs were about to give out now.
"What?!" the rest of us shouted at Carlisle. We all focused on him.
"Carlisle, what do you mean Bella would have been trapped in that state? Please explain." I asked him, a tinge of anxiety and fear in my voice.
"Our venom freezes a human in whatever state they are in. If Rose had succeeded in biting Bella, a perpetual menstrual cycle would accompany her into her vampire life, I'm sure. I can't be positive but I'm fairly sure it would be like that. It would not be pleasant for her." Carlisle said in his usual calm, doctor's voice.
"Wait a minute. A menstrual cycle is meant to prepare a woman's body for childbirth, right? How would that work if Bella could no longer have children?" Rosalie asked. I was wondering the same thing.
"This is only a theory but I don't think Bella would be capable of childbirth or even bleed. She would have no blood for that and her body couldn't change to accommodate a child. If my theory is correct, she would still have all the other symptoms of a menstrual cycle. Moodiness, irritability, cramps, fatigue, it would all be a part of her daily life. Bella would be trapped in that state, always in pain. Of course, this is only a theory." Carlisle explained. I couldn't stand the thought of my Bella being in constant pain. It hurt to picture her beautiful face twisted in a grimace of agony.
"Oh Edward, I am so sorry for what I almost did to Bella. If I had known about what it could do to her, I would have never even thought to do it. I would never intentionally do that to Bella, I swear. I'm so sorry. So sorry." Rose wailed at me. If she could cry, she would be sobbing in remorse and worry right now.
"I know Rose. I forgive you. It's clear that you just wanted to help. Don't worry; I'm not mad at you. I am sorry about how I acted to you and Emmett earlier. I was out of line and partially out of my head." I said what I knew she wanted to hear and made a joke at the last statement. Rose threw herself into my arms and I hugged her. She was really happy about me forgiving her and apologizing.
"Ok back to the matter at hand. When is Bella going to be changed? When will it be safe?" Emmett questioned. He really wanted Bella to be a vampire. I knew that he thought we should have changed her during the whole James ordeal. He was probably right but I wasn't willing to entertain that thought at the time. I took my arms from around Rosalie and faced Emmett.
"Bella will have a choice in this. I refuse to force her to become a vampire. If she chooses to join us, it will be after her period is over. Carlisle, how long will it take before it is safe to change her?" I said, turning to Carlisle. Emmett scoffed. In his head, he was laughing at the impossible idea of Bella not wanting to be a vampire. It was a fact that becoming a vampire was something she longed for as much as she wanted to stay with me. I ignored Emmett and focused on Carlisle.
"It would depend on how long she is on her period. I would say two weeks from now sounds right." Carlisle replied. He smiled and added, "I think it is a very good idea to give Bella a choice, son. I would do the same. If it had not been a matter of life or death, I would have given you all a choice in the matter." I knew that he was only referring to those of us he had actually created. That choice would not apply to Alice and Jasper. I nodded at him.
It was settled then. If Bella was still willing- and I had no doubt that she would be- I would change her in two weeks.