Chapter 18: Awakening

The pain was either lessening or I was growing numb. My throat was starting to throb from some unknown hunger. I felt myself growing colder and colder, like I was dying. Suddenly my heart began to beat as if it were under enormous pressure. I gasped for air but it wouldn't seem to stay in my lungs.

I was twisting and turning trying to ease the pain. Then my heart suddenly stopped. I gave a loud scream of agony and then all the burning aching pain disappeared. I opened my eyes and thought that I should feel dizzy. My eyesight was much clearer and I swear I heard people whisper from downstairs.

I jolted upward and saw Bella sitting Indian style on the end of the bed. She wore a pained expression on her face.

"Hi" she said in her musical voice. But the music wasn't happy it was one of those sad funeral marches.

"What happened?" I asked becoming startled when my voice had the same musical quietly as hers.

"You're a vampire now" Bella whispered.

"WHAT?!" I cried. Bella cringed and I instantly regretted my little outburst.

"Sorry…but I…and…how?" I stuttered.

"Vampire venom, when you get bite vampire venom gets into your bloodstream and turns you into a vampire" Bella explained.

"What about Connor?" I asked wanting to believe that my friend was all right. Bella looked extremely upset by this, "he's dead."

Emmett's POV

Bella was upstairs with the newly "vampired" Edward. Rosalie was of course eavesdropping as was Alice and Jasper. I preferred not to invoke the wrath of Bella and decided not to listen in. I was excited to have a new member in the clan especially since he was with Bella. She had been alone for almost 100 years and she deserved someone to love her.

Rosalie's POV

I kept feeling guilty about the first thought that had ran through my head when Jasper brought Edward in.

I hope he's not prettier than me.

I know stupid because one he was technically dying and two he's a guy but I have my selfish, self-centered moments. Once I caught sight of Bella having to be carried back because she was in so much pain, those selfish thoughts went right out the window and where replaced with, my god how horrible can you be Rosalie. I didn't mean to be that way, I blame the politicians. I didn't really but I had to blame someone other than me or the guilt would overcome me.

Jasper's POV

This one of those moments where I hated by power of empathy with a fiery vengeance. Emotions were bouncing off of everything and sticking to me. It seemed like even the furniture was attacking me with feelings.

Rosalie was overwhelmed with guilt, over what I'm not sure. Emmett had the excitement of a five-year old at Christmas time surrounding him. Then there was Alice. Alice was a Titanic-sized boat of emotions that I really don't care to dwell on.

Edward's POV

My friend, Connor, dead. My friend who had helped me replace my mom's vase after we broke it while playing football in the house. My friend who had played on the same little league team as me. My friend who didn't make fun of my ability to play the piano. My friend was gone. I couldn't grasp the situation very well and Bella looked liked she had been stabbed in the heart by my reaction to everything.

"It was my fault" Bella said, "I was so set on protecting you that I let Connor slip through the cracks."

"Bella don't say that" I warned.

"Why not, I'm a monster that has utterly and completely destroyed your life" Bella was approaching the point of hysteria. With lightening speed I pulled her towards me and held her in my arms. It felt different. She didn't feel so hard anymore, she felt normal. I also noticed that my skin color matched hers.

I kissed her head and a feeling of pure joy ran through me. I guess forever wasn't bad if Bella was there.

Bella's POV

I loved the feeling of Edward's arm wrapped around me. I was trying to pull myself together and stay strong for him. He was overwhelmed with change at this point but he still cared enough to hold me and kiss me. I felt selfish but I loved this feeling. I wondered if Edward would have a power or not.

I was torn between the two. I wanted him to have a power because I think it would be really amazing but then again I didn't. I didn't have a power and it seemed slightly unfair that he get one and I don't. God I was starting to sound like Rosalie, here I was my boyfriend just lost his life, his family, and his best friend, and I was thinking about being jealous if he got a power. A new wave of guilt rushed over me and I groaned in sorrow. Edward's arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. I love you, I thought to myself.

"I love you too" Edward whispered as if responding to my thoughts.

"Too?" I questioned as I sat up and looked at him.

"Uh?" Edward looked confused.

"Too you said I love you too" I explained.

"I know, you said 'I love you' and I said I love you too" Edward responded.

"Edward I didn't say anything" I said growing worried.

"Yes you did" Edward corrected.

"I just thought that…" and sudden thought crept into my brain.

"Edward you read my mind!"