I woke with a start. I had fallen asleep on the couch but that was not where I currently was. I sat up. I was in the gigantic bed we left behind in Forks. Was yesterday a dream?

"Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?" Edward ran his hand through my hair.

"Um fine. Where are we? Did yesterday really happen?"

He chuckled. "Yes it did. I got the bed here late last night. You never even woke up."

"Well that explains it. So—today's the day?" I asked cautiously. I did not want to upset him so early.

His eyes tightened slightly. "Yes. It is. If you're ready, then so am I. Forever with you sounds absolutely wonderful." He sighed. I was glad that he wasn't going to argue anymore.

"When?" I asked.

"Later today. Carlisle, Jasper and I are going hunting this morning. I don't want to take any chances with your life. When we get back…then we'll do it." He explained.

"Okay, that works. I trust you." I knew he wouldn't—couldn't kill me.

"I know. I just want to have all my angles covered. If something were to go wrong…" He shuddered.

I gave him a hug. "You drank my blood once before, you can do it again. I know you can."

"That was extremely hard for me, but your faith in my ability to keep you alive is refreshing." I smiled into his chest. He sighed happily.

All too soon someone knocked on the door. "Come in, Jasper." Edward called.

"Hello, Bella. Edward."

"Hi Jasper!" I said.

He looked at me curiously. "You're not nervous about today?" He asked.

"Not really. Sort of, but I'm ready for it so I guess that's keeping me calm."

"You are going to be an extraordinary vampire. Oh, just to warn you, Alice has a torturous morning of grooming planned." He grimaced.

I giggled. "I think I can handle it. Edward are you leaving now?"

"Yes, unfortunately."

"All right. Get a grizzly for me!"

He shook his head. "You silly girl. I love you." He kissed me thoroughly until I heard Jasper gag. His lips left mine all too soon and he bounded out the door.

I sighed. I still did not like it when he left. Today would be the last day I got left behind. I wasn't alone for long. Alice danced into the room.

"Bella!" She sang. "I've got plans for you. It will be fun."

I sincerely doubted that. "Why Alice? Haven't you tortured me enough? Why are you doing this if I'm going to be a vampire in three days?"

"That's exactly why I'm doing this. When you're a vampire, nothing changes. Everything needs to be perfect. Would you really want hairy legs for the rest of eternity?"

Alice was right, as usual. Something inside me felt that her grooming was going to make me feel like I was getting ready for a funeral. My funeral, and I was still alive.

Over an hour later I would swear I lost weight because of the hair Alice had me remove. My legs and my armpits were more hairless than I thought possible. She even plucked my eyebrows though I thought they looked just fine. I stood in the shower for 45 minutes, concentrating on just my legs until they passed Alice's scrutiny.

"Now don't forget the moisturizer! We can't have your legs covered in shaving bumps for all eternity." I was definitely getting groomed for my funeral. She clipped my toenails, which didn't need clipped, shaped my fingernails, everything. I tolerated everything but balked when she suggested cutting my hair.

"Absolutely not!" I shrieked. "No! Keep those scissors away from me Alice!"

Esme and Rosalie ran into the room when they heard my shrieks. Esme looked concerned while Rosalie looked slightly amused.

"Alice, what are you doing to poor Bella?" Esme asked.

"Nothing. She won't let me. I just want to cut her hair." She was actually pouting. I backed away from her as fast as I could and tripped over a coffee table in the process.

"I don't wantmy hair cut. I like it the way it is." I explained. My legs hung over the coffee table while the rest of me leaned against the couch. I struggled to get up but it proved impossible.

Rosalie came over and helped me up while Esme lectured Alice. "Alice, leave her alone. If she doesn't want her hair cut she can leave it. Bella was nice enough to let you plan her entire wedding. You can let her keep her hair."

"So there." I said after Rosalie got me unstuck. Alice glared.

"Can I at least get your split ends, please?" Alice pleaded.

"Fine. You cut more than that and I swear…" My threat went unheard because Alice grabbed me in a tight bear hug, choking off my air.

"Thank you Bella!"

I just sighed. Alice was happy and I had all my hair. Besides, it would not be long before Edward came back from his hunting trip. He would stop the torture.

I was right. Not even an hour later Carlisle, Jasper and Edward strolled back in. Alice's scissors couldn't keep me from Edward. I jumped up into Edward's arms. We both sighed. Like I said, we didn't do good when we were apart.

"Did Alice torture you very badly?" He asked.

"Yes. I don't think I have much body hair left. And she tried to cut my hair." He glared at her over my shoulder.

"Esme didn't let me." She still pouted.

"Good."

Suddenly Rosalie stalked out the door with Emmett following close behind. She glared at both me and Edward.

"Sorry." Emmett said as he followed Rosalie.

"What was that about?" I asked.

"She still doesn't think you should be a vampire. She doesn't want to be near here when it happens. Reminds her of her conversion." Edward explained.

"Oh." Was all I said. What else could I say? Forever sounded appropriate when describing how long it would take for Rosalie to like me—human or vampire.

"Bella, let's go to our room." We flew there. Was it time already?

"Bella. Are you ready? Truly ready?" He asked.

"Yes. I am ready. I want to be with you. Forever."

He nodded. "And Jacob?"

I fiddled with the wolf on my bracelet. "He's not himself anymore. It makes me sad to think it's my fault but I've realized that it is not my responsibility to make him happy. If he's not himself, he's not the person I fell in love with. I can honestly say I am—not over him—but at a point of acceptance."

"I was worried about how you felt about Jacob. I understand that a part of you will always love him. If you can accept it then so can I. I love you."

"I love you too."

He took a deep breath. "Are you ready for this?"

I nodded. Carlisle opened the door.

"Is everyone ready?" He asked. Edward and I nodded.

Carlisle turned to me. "Bella, do you want the morphine now or after it's started? I'm only willing to give you about half a normal dose. I don't know how the morphine would affect anything."

I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I thought. "After, please." I wanted to be aware as it started, as crazy as that seemed. I really was not that nervous. I had faced murderous vampires, ran with werewolves. Edward leaving. The Volturi. Compared to all that, I was ready for anything.

I jumped when Edward began rolling up my pant leg. I thought I felt his hands shake, but I wasn't sure.

"I'm going to start at your ankles, then your wrists, and finally your neck. The venom is going to start working quickly. It's going to hurt. I have to make sure. Are you ready?"

My throat was dry. "I'm ready." I whispered.

He took another deep breath. He leaned down to give me my last kiss as a human. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Then he bit me. It stung just like James' had. I drew in my breath sharply and did not let it out until he bit my other ankle. I saw Carlisle preparing the morphine. I secretly hoped he would give me more than a half dose.

I shrieked. The venom began its slow crawl through my veins. Cold fire flowed up my legs. Tears sprang to my eyes. I couldn't help but try to get away.

Edward's voice stopped me. He growled my name in a way I'd never heard. He was a vampire now, trying to prevent himself from killing me. It frightened me and forced me to be still.

I screamed as he bit my wrists. Everything started to burn. I felt lightheaded. Was Edward taking too much blood or was it the pain? I didn't know or care. I just wanted the fire to be put out.

"Make it stop! Please! It burns!"

Carlisle answered. His cool, calm voice almost soothed me. "I know it burns Bella. It will be over soon."

Edward moved beside me. I whimpered. Time for the final bite. I felt his icy breath against my neck. It wasn't enough to cool the burning of the venom. I squeezed my eyes as tight as I could, bracing myself. His teeth found the vein in my neck. I moaned. I didn't have the energy to scream at the moment. I was close to passing out. I thrashed against him, trying in vain to throw him off.

Finally he finished. I heard him breathing heavily, trying to regain his careful control. "Carlisle. Give her the morphine." His voice was strained. The fire consumed me, blinding me. I hardly felt the sting of the needle. I could tell the morphine was coursing through me, but it didn't matter. Nothing could stop the pain.

Edward stayed beside me the whole time. "I'm so sorry, Bella. It will be over soon."

The pain consumed me, but I could make out parts of conversation.

"What have I done Carlisle? To put her through that? What have I done?"

"You did what was necessary, Edward."

"But still. The suffering she's going through."

"She wanted to be part of this family. The way you feel about her, she couldn't stay human. She is your mate, forever."

I wanted to pass out but I never did. It wasn't long before I lost all sense of time. It could have been the first day or the fifth and I wouldn't have known the difference. I begged Carlisle for morphine. I couldn't take the pain. From the tips of my toes to my eyes, everything burned. I couldn't see past the fire.

Alice and Esme visited me while I was changing. Esme's cool hand on my forehead felt like heaven on my hot skin.

"Hang in there, dear. It's almost over." Was she telling me the truth or trying to keep me calm? I screamed.

"Shh Bella. You'll be okay." Alice assured me. Edward didn't say much. He just held me while I writhed in pain and stroked my face when I screamed.

"Can't you give her more morphine, Carlisle?" Edward nearly begged.

"I can't get the needle in anymore. She's too far into the change."

I became more aware of my surroundings. I could feel the sheets beneath me. Edward's touch became clearer. And most importantly the pain and the burning were fading as I became more aware. I felt my heart stop. The change was complete.

"Bella? How are you feeling?" Carlisle asked.

I could finally speak. "The pain is gone."

"That's good news."

"Edward?"

"I'm here, love. Are you—are you okay?"

"Yes. The pain's gone."

"Can you open your eyes?" He asked.

"Oh. Yeah." I hadn't realized they were still closed.

I opened my eyes and gasped. Everything was crystal clear. I could read the names of the CD's on the far wall. It was like I had new eyes. It was amazing. I looked to Edward and Carlisle.

They gasped. I looked down. Was I naked or something?

"Carlisle! Her eyes! Bella—" Edward couldn't even complete his sentence.

"That is—highly unusual." Carlisle was shaking his head in disbelief. I noticed his voice sounded musical—a product of my vampire hearing.

"What's wrong with my eyes?" It's not like they had never seen a newborn before.

Edward handed me a mirror. "Take a look for yourself."

That's when I gasped.

Yellow eyes looked back at me. "What? How did I?"

Carlisle answered. "I honestly have no idea. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that you chose it before hand? I don't know." He smiled. "Welcome to the family."

I chuckled. "Thanks, Carlisle." I turned to Edward and looked into his eyes. I couldn't breathe. So that hadn't changed. "So how do I smell?"

That made him smile. "You smell as good as ever. Like freesias frozen in an early frost."

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? I just put you through three days of hell and--" I put my now icy finger on his lips.

"No more blaming yourself. I wanted this." I stood up and looked myself over. My skin was the color of alabaster and hard as diamond. I supposed I looked the part of a glorious immortal now.

"I didn't think it possible, but you look even more beautiful than when you were human. You are amazing." Edward said. I believed him, finally. Now I could stand next to him and not feel inferior.

"Let's go down and reintroduce you." Carlisle suggested.

Edward took my hand as we walked down the stairs. He didn't feel so icy anymore. As Carlisle brushed past I could finally smell what the werewolves had talked about. Carlisle smelled sweet and icy, with just a hint of spiciness. What an interesting combination. Edward smelled as good as before. Everyone waited for us in the living room, even Rosalie. Her face gave no hint of emotion but her eyes did. Something boiled beneath the surface. Hate? No, that wasn't it. It seemed like sadness. She thought I had everything within my grasp and I threw it away to become a vampire. I made the wrong decision in her eyes but how could I ignore my soul mate, my other half for someone inferior? She would just have to get used to me.

"Bella!" Alice cried, as she ran into my arms. "Your eyes are yellow. How strange."

"Didn't I say you were going to be an extraordinary vampire?" Jasper asked with a grin. I nodded, smiling.

"I suppose you look okay." Rosalie said with controlled emotion.

"Be nice Rose. You know she looks as good as any of us." Emmett smiled his goofy grin.

Esme gave me a hug. "Amazing Bella."

We talked like nothing had happened. Rosalie was a little colder than before, but other than that, nothing had changed. Edward was still in love with me. That's all that mattered.

"I want to go for a drive." I told Edward.

"All right. We'll take your car." We got up to leave. "I know Carlisle." Some unspoken question had passed between them.

"What was that about?" I asked when we got outside.

"Carlisle didn't want us going to the city."

"Oh." The unanswered question about my bloodlust.

I drove fast, for Edward's sake, though the knowledge that I couldn't be hurt made me reckless. Edward smiled from the passenger seat.

"You're not going to tell me to be careful?"

"You're immortal now. You don't need to be." And neither did he...I smiled to myself.

I stopped when I saw a small clearing in the distance. It reminded me of our meadow back in Forks. Supposedly it was cold but I didn't feel it. Suddenly Edward tossed a rock my way. Without thinking, I reached up and caught it. Maybe I wasn't going to be a clumsy vampire.

"Let's test your strength." Edward suggested.

"How are we going to do that?"

"See this tree branch?" He pointed to one next to him. "Rip it down."

I goggled at him. "I can't do that!" The tree branch he indicated had to be as thick around as me.

"Bella, you're a vampire now. Of course you can."

I grabbed the branch, eying him suspiciously. I took a deep breath and pulled. The branch came off with a deafening crack and without a problem. And it wasn't even heavy. I twirled it around, laughing. Edward laughed with me.

"I told you so." He teased.

"Give me a break. I've been a vampire for an hour, it's going to take some getting used to."

"So you're fine with this? Being a vampire?" He asked seriously.

"Of course I'm fine with it. I chose this didn't I? I don't know about the whole blood-drinking thing, but I'll worry about that later."

He hugged me. You are more amazing than anyone gives you credit for." He kissed me and we forgot about everything after that.

"I like not being careful." He sighed.

I giggled. "Look, it's twilight. Is it still the saddest time of the day?"

"No, it's not sad anymore. I might actually enjoy it now," He replied. "But we better head back now. They might worry."

"Don't Rosalie and Emmett disappear?"

"Yes but they tell somewhere where they're going."

"Oh ok." I didn't want to go back. There was one thing I wanted to ask him.

"Bella? Is something wrong?" He was too perceptive sometimes.

"Well. Um. What about the thirst?"

"What about it? It's normal if that's what you mean. Is it bothering you? It's too early."

"No, not at all. I don't know what I was asking." I started walking away. He grabbed my arm.

"Wait. Are you thinking that blood will be all you'll care about?" I nodded. "I don't think that will be much of a problem."

"You don't?" I did not believe him.

"No. If your eyes are any indication, I don't think you'll crave human blood--much. I don't want to test that theory, not for awhile."

I nodded. Maybe he was right. I was different. "So who wins the bet if I don't kill anyone in a year."

He grimaced. "Emmett. He's been gloating about it, saying that your eyes prove he'll win."

"Guess we'll see," I had an idea. "Hey! Wanna race home?" I took off before he could answer. I was a vampire. I had to break the rules sometime.

I beat him home. I burst into the living room, trailing snow in behind me.

"Where's Edward?" Emmett asked.

"Oh, he'll be home soon." As soon as I said it, Edward ran in. "Beat you." I stuck my tongue out at him.

Emmett snickered. "Beat by a girl." He crowed. Edward threw a lamp at him. It was getting to be a bad habit of his.

"Just you wait Emmett." Edward promised as he sat down next to me. "Challenge him to an arm-wrestling match tomorrow, please." He whispered.

"Okay." I laughed