All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

It felt nice to be in my own bed again. Charlie seemed happy to have me home again and even offered to stay with me today. I tried to hide my grimace at his offer and politely declined. I didn't need his help. I was feeling a lot better. The pain was under control and I was planning on attending school the following day.

As soon as Charlie's cruiser left the yard I got out of bed and made my way into the kitchen. I opened the fridge grabbing the carton of orange juice and a cup from the cupboard.

I turned around and gasped there in one of the kitchen chairs sat Edward his lips twitching as he tried not to laugh.

I scowled at him. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" I grumbled as I sat at the table placing a hand over my racing heart.

"Sorry."

I took a few quick breaths and looked up at him unable to stay annoyed. "What are you doing here? Don't you have school?"

He shrugged.

"You can't keep skipping." I chided.

He rolled his eyes at me. "It's not like I'm missing anything." He reached across the table taking one of my hands into his. "How are you feeling today?"

"A lot better." I answered truthfully. "In fact I plan on returning to school tomorrow. It's Friday and I figured I could get the assignments I missed."

"Don't you think you should take the rest of the week off to rest?"

"No. I'm fine."

"Bella, I don't want you back in the hospital."

I sighed. "Edward, I know I scared you. But really trust me I am feeling much better--practically normal. I am actually looking forward to my shopping trip with Alice Saturday."

He looked down at our hands and it was quiet for a brief moment. When he spoke again his voice was low and full of concern.

"Do you think that's wise?"

"What?"

"Shopping with Alice." He answered looking back up at me.

I sighed removing my hand from his and walked around the table to him. I stood in front of him and he opened his arms allowing me to stand in between his legs. We were almost eye-to-eye. I reached up and moved a few stray hairs of his auburn hair from his forehead resting my hands on his face.

"I know you worry about me, but Edward I'm sick. I can't change that. We've been through this." I paused briefly as I searched his eyes making sure he was really listening to me. "I want to live while I can, not merely exist. Staying cooped up in a house all day afraid to get out and do things because it may or may not buy me a few extra days is not living. I want to experience life while I still can, no matter the cost. It's worth it to me."

He still did not look happy about my decision, and I could see the sadness in his eyes. "Please Edward, just try to see my side of things. What would you do if you were in my position?"

He pulled me to him then and held me tight for a long moment. "If you are going out with Alice this weekend can you at least consider taking tomorrow off to rest a little more. Please?"

I smiled. It was a fair compromise. "I think I can manage that, but only if you promise to go to school tomorrow. You've missed enough because of me. People are going to start to talk."

He pulled away and I could tell he was about to object so I quickly cut him off. "I will need my assignments anyway. You can get them for me. I will be fine. You can keep your cell phone on you at all times, and if I need you for anything I will call." He still didn't look convinced so I added. "You can even stop by at lunch to check on me."

"Do you promise to call no matter how small your need may be?" He asked raising one eyebrow at me.

I nodded.

He sighed. "Then I shall go to school tomorrow."

I smiled climbing up into his lap and nestling my face into his chest.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I was more nervous than I should have been as I heard Alice pull into my driveway. I exited my house quickly and found her waving happily to me from behind the wheel of Edward's car. I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm as I climbed into the seat next to her.

"You ready Bella?" She chirped.

"Let's go."

I was looking forward to having some girl time. It had been a long time since I had just hung out with anyone. It felt nice. We made it to the mall in Port Angeles faster than I imagined we would. I was frightened to learn that Alice drives as fast as her brother. Luckily she managed to take my mind off the speed every now and again as we talked about our favorite places to go and things we enjoyed doing. I blushed when she brought up her brother and how much we cared for one another. She laughed at my reaction and thankfully didn't press the discussion. My hands were sore when we finally arrived from the firm grip I maintained on my seat as we flew down the highway.

Alice laughed at me as I stretched my hands out in front of me allowing the blood to return to my fingers. I gave her a sour look which she dismissed as we entered the mall.

Shopping with Alice was very interesting. By noon I was exhausted, but in a good way. Watching Alice shop was fascinating. Somehow she knew exactly what she wanted upon entering a store and never had to try anything on. She simple made a quick sweep of the store grabbing at different racks for clothing as she went and then finally ending up at the register. After leaving our fourth store Alice was already loaded down with bags. I still had yet to buy anything.

"We should get you lunch." Alice announced as we made our way down the escalator.

"I'm not really that hungry."

She frowned. "Bella, I promised Edward I would take care of you. If he finds out I didn't feed you…" She trailed off. She didn't have to finish her sentence I knew exactly what he would do.

I sighed. "Fine let's go." There was something I had wanted to talk to her about anyway.

Alice insisted I sit with her bags as she got in line to buy me a turkey sandwich and a root beer. I hated to admit it but my feet were throbbing a little from all the walking I had done.

Alice returned quickly with my food in hand and set it down in front of me with a smile.

"Thanks." I said as I unwrapped my sandwich.

She smiled in return.

"Alice?" I asked after my first bit. "Will you tell me something?"

"Sure." She answered cocking her head curiously to the side.

"Would you tell me the truth, no matter what?" I asked biting my lip and looking down.

"I will always tell you the truth Bella."

Her words rang with sincerity and somehow I knew I could trust her.

"What do you want to know?"

"I was wondering…" I began but then changed my mind deciding to approach the subject in a different way. "I heard you and Edward talking in the hospital when you both thought I was sleeping, and…well…I had a few questions about what I heard."

"A few questions?" She asked skeptically.

"One actually." I clarified looking up at her with pleading eyes. "How do you become a vampire?"

She pursed her lips, frowning, pausing before she answered. "Edward doesn't want you to know that."

"Please. I think I have a right to know."

She sighed heavily as she narrowed her eyes at me deciding. I bit my lip nervously as I awaited her decision.

"I have never done it myself so I can only tell you what I have been told." I smiled brightly at her, forgetting the food in front of me, as I listened intently. "It's not an easy thing to do and requires a lot of restraint. We vampires are given many different weapons as you know, speed, agility, being physically attractive to our pray." She said with a wink. "We are also venomous." She stated turning more serious, her voice very low so only I could hear her. "The venom does not kill it only proves to incapacitate our intended pray. It causes great pain to our victims as it spreads slowly throughout their blood stream, making it impossible for them to escape us."

"And if the are not killed and the venom is left to spread…?" I questioned.

She nodded. "It takes a few days, about three for the transformation to take place. As long as your heart is still beating the venom continues to spread healing and changing you as it moves. It is extremely painful. Think of the worst pain you have ever endured." I shivered at the memory. She nodded knowingly. "Now multiply that a thousand times. During the entire transformation the victim wishes for death to escape the pain."

I looked down at my sandwich as I let her words sink in. "You mentioned that it was hard to do? What do you mean?"

She sighed. "Once we get the taste of blood in our mouths it is hard to stop. To change someone you must not drink them dry…not many of us have the restraint to do that."

I nodded my head. "Thanks."

She shook her head. "He's going to kill me for telling you."

"He doesn't need to find out."

She smiled. "He will." Then she added grumbling, "He always does." She sounded more annoyed than concerned.

"Are you finished?" She asked eyeing my food with a look of disgust. "There are still a few more stores I wanted to go to before we leave."

I nodded in reply throwing my leftovers away in a near by trashcan. I followed her around for the next few hours as we moved decisively in and out of the stores. Only until she had purchased enough clothing to fill a very large wardrobe did she announce that she was finished. I was amazed and baffled with the amount of clothing one small person could buy in one day.

The last store she brought me to I decided to go off on my own for a little while instead of following her. This store was much like the others, nice and clearly out of my price range. As I glanced through the racks of clothing a dress caught my eye. It was one of the most beautiful dresses I had ever seen. It was azure blue and silky. It had a fairly deep v-neckline, at least for me, with an empire-beaded waist. The skirt was straight and flowed seamlessly to the floor. The back of the dress was draped and open. I couldn't seem to keep my eyes off it.

"You should try it on."

I jumped slightly as I turned to find Alice standing behind me with a huge grin on her face. "I have no need for a dress like that, not that I could ever afford it if I did." I noticed it was a Nicole Miller design, clearly out of my price range.

She looked disappointed but didn't press the matter further. I was thankful when she announced that she was ready to go. It had been fun shopping with Alice but I was tired and ready to sit for a while to rest my feet.

As soon as we pulled into my driveway I saw Edward waiting there looking almost relieved that I was still in one piece. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face upon seeing him. He was at my door helping me out as soon as Alice stopped the car. He pulled me to him in a tight hug.

"I missed you." He whispered into my hair.

"I missed you too."

He pulled away slightly putting one hand under my chin angling my head up as he placed a soft sweet kiss on my lips. I had completely forgotten we were not alone until I heard snickering from behind me. I blushed and looked down.

"Well I will just leave you two love birds alone. Edward you can just bring my bags in for me when you return with the car later tonight." She turned to look at me. "Thanks for going shopping with me Bella."

She smiled as she reached forward and embraced me. "Thanks for taking me. It was fun. We should do it again some time."

She grinned as she made her way to the edge of the forest by my house and disappeared. I turned back to Edward to find a confused expression on his face. His eyes remained fixed on the spot Alice had just occupied.

"Edward?" I asked.

He tuned to me still confused. "Let's get you inside."

I complied not sure of what was going on. We remained quiet as I removed my shoes and got comfortable on the couch.

"So you had fun with Alice?"

"Yes."

"What did you two talk about?" He asked trying to sound casual.

I shrugged. "Lots of stuff."

He nodded his head. "What specifically?" He countered almost instantly.

"Why do you mean?" I was becoming increasingly suspicious, and I was reminded of what Alice said earlier about him always finding things out. He seemed to be fishing for information. But there was no way he could know what Alice had told me, right?

"What things did you discuss exactly?"

"I don't know. Lots of things. Girly things. Why do you ask?"

"Specifically…?" He trailed off raising his eyebrows at me.

I raised my thumb to my mouth and nervously began biting my nail. There was no way I could lie to Edward, but I didn't want to get Alice on trouble. I didn't care if he got upset with me, but I wanted to protect Alice if I could.

I took a deep breath. "If I tell you have to promise not to get upset with Alice. In fact you can't mention it to her at all."

He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly but nodded in agreement.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

I nibbled at my bottom lip as I gathered my thoughts. "I was curious about some things and she was nice enough to explain them to me." I hedged trying to bide my time.

"Some things?" He asked in a tight voice after I paused briefly.

I nodded as I braced myself. "I wanted to know how someone becomes…a vampire." I said whispering the last part.

His eyes instantly became enraged, turning black, and his body tensed. I could tell he was using all his self-control to remain quiet.

"Remember your promise."

He closed his eyes as he reached up with his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and thumb. He remained silent and unmoving for a long time. I bit at my thumbnail nervously as I awaited his reaction. He wasn't even breathing. I became more and more anxious as the minutes ticked by.

Finally I heard him inhale deeply and let the same breath out very slowly. He dropped his hand from his face but kept his eyes shut. "She had no right. It was not her place." His tone was low and menacing causing me to shiver.

"I had a right to know." I tried to sound strong but my voice came out in a weak whisper.

His eyes shot open at my words and I could see the anger in his eyes. I knew there was no way to reason with him when he was like this and I needed to calm him so that we could talk.

Slowly I inched my way to him keeping my eyes locked with his. I curled myself up in his lap, but he did not respond. I reached up and placed one hand to his face. "Edward, please?" I said softly. "Can't we just talk about it?"

He searched my eyes for a moment and then exhaled heavily into my face stunning me. I could feel his body relax underneath me, and his face nuzzle into my hand. He wrapped his arms around me and held me to him. I knew the worst was now over.

"There's nothing to talk about Bella." He finally said sternly, after a few minutes had passed.

"I think there is." I responded defiantly removing my hand from his face and pushing back from his to better see him.

"There was never any reason for you to know because there is no way I am going to allow that to happen to you. End of discussion."

He was so stubborn! This time it was my turn to growl. I caught him off guard by my reaction and he smirked despite himself.

"Did you just growl at me?" He asked somewhat amused.

I glared at him unwilling to be deterred. "Why won't you even consider it?"

He instantly became somber as he answered. "I won't put you through that kind of pain. I will not damn you to this life. You don't even know what you're asking."

"I do." I said firmly as I felt tears fill my eyes. "I'm asking you to make me yours forever. I'm asking you to save my life."

"I would be robbing you of your life, not saving your life."

"When are you going to except the fact that I am dying Edward? When? No matter how much you or I wish other wise in a few months I won't be here anymore. What then?" I challenged. I saw him flinch at my words, but I had to get through to him and make him understand. I didn't have time to beat around the bush.

He remained quiet as he looked down at my hands intertwined with his. Minutes passed without a word, and I sighed. "Do you love me Edward?"

His eyes shot up to meet mine. "Of course." He responded instantly and with such force it took my breath away.

"Will you at least think about it then? For me, please?"

He searched my eyes for a long moment before he sighed nodding his head in agreement. I smiled brightly at him and wrapped my arms around his neck. I still had a long way to go to convince him, but at least he wasn't saying no anymore.