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Chapter 17 - Alaska

I wondered idly if in, let's say 250 years, I'd finally get used to the life, luxury and resources of the Cullen's. Looking at the great estate, nestled into the wall of the shielding mountain, deep in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness, I highly doubted it. Only in my wildest dreams did homes like this actually exist. And never in them, was I ever a part of their existence. Me, a simple, ordinary and pale girl from Phoenix in one of the grandest homes I'd every seen, surrounded by the most beautiful people and landscapes in the world. Simply mindboggling.

I felt cold iron hands at my waist and icy sweet breath at my ear.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked, letting the tip of his tongue lightly amuse my skin.

"Wrong?" I replied, bemused, "I'm speechless!" I turned to face him.

Edward smiled excitedly. "Would you like a tour?"

Was it still silly to feel intimidated by the Cullen's wealth, beauty and perfection when I was now one of them? Silly yes, but completely unavoidable.

Edward didn't wait for my response and started towing me toward the front door that was held open with a small packing box. The rest of the Cullen's were meticulously settling into their new home. Only every once in a while, I'd feel the pleasant effects of Jaspers presence, I'd catch glimpses of Alice's black spiky hair, Emmett's burly form, Rosalie's perfect legs or Esme's sweet voice. Carlisle was tucked away in his study unpacking his books. With the sheer vastness of this property it felt almost as if Edward and I were the only inhabitants.

The interior of the home was as unbelievable as the exterior. The color scheme copied that of the estate in Forks in that the walls and accents were a soft white. Vast windows allowed natural light to spill in throughout the house. The estate had grand rooms in separate areas of the house for all four couples, two separate dens for both Carlisle and Jasper, a planet size garage for the benefit of Edward and Rosalie and enough closet space to fit the entire contents of the Mall of America for Alice. Emmett was overjoyed with the wildlife prospects.

"And this," Edward said gesturing widely to the elegant open space, "is our room."

My jaw hit the floor. 'Our room' was the size of Charlie's entire house. An elegant king size bed decorated the closest wall, opposite a grand fireplace. The far wall, mostly glass, greeted us with a view of the Alaskan forests. Two interior doors stood open, one leading to an impressive walk-in closet, the other to a bathroom suite.

I could see Edward scrutinize my reaction from the corner of my eye but my sheer 'awe' could not be contained. I walked around the room dumbfounded, touching the texture of the soft white walls, feeling the softness of the pillowed comforter atop our bed, and reveled in the heat from the roaring fire. I tried to control a frown at the site of the closet, almost desolate on my side. I hadn't realized how little wardrobe I actually had. There was a lot of things running through my head but "Wow", was the only thing that escaped.

"Do you like it?" Edward asked, approaching me again.

"It's incredible."

"Its home," Edwards's lips softly crushed mine then and I reacted as I always had. I pulled his body closer to mine and he graciously obliged

"Edward," I whispered when he released my lips, allowing me to breathe, "I'm ready."

His lips, traveling down the nape of my neck froze. He lifted his head slowly, and it hurt me to see the despair in his eyes. "There's no hurry Bella, we just got here."

"Yes there is," Alice chirped from across the room. I hadn't heard her enter but she was standing in the open door frame of our room looking somber.

"Damn it," Edward snapped.

"What?" I asked, looking between their beautiful figures.

Edward met my anxious eyes and sighed. "The Volturi, they've lost their patience. The guard is planning a visit."

A cold chill ran up my spine. "Oh," I muttered, looking down at my feet without seeing them. "It's okay Alice, I was just telling Edward that I'm ready."

"I'll get Carlisle and inform the others," she said before disappearing.

Edward was glaring furiously after her. I used my index finder under his chin so that I could move his head around to face me. As he turned, the anger melted leaving a look of agony.

"Please Edward," I pleaded, "Everything will be fine."

He cupped my face in both his hands and brought my forehead to his lips. "I don't want to hurt you Bella. We don't know if the morphine is even going to work and… and if it doesn't… the pain."

"Is temporary," I amended, talking into his chest. "If the morphine doesn't work then its three days and then it's over. Three days is nothing Edward." I looked up at him then, locking his golden eyes with mine. The sadness I saw in them was unbearable. "I need you to do something for me."

"Anything."

"If the morphine doesn't work, go away."

Edward snarled. "Not a chance."

"I'll have Carlisle, Alice and even Esme to look after me. I won't be alone Edward,"

He cut me off, "no!'

"Let me finish. If I'm in that much pain, seeing you suffer with me will only make it worse. I'll need to concentrate on getting through it."

"That is unfair Bella, and completely out of the question." He was still holding my face in his hands and as he lifted it and I saw something change in his eyes. "You are my wife Bella, my everything. Do you understand that? I'm bound to you in every way one person can be bound to another and beyond. What I feel for you is in the very core of everything that surrounds me, beating, pulsing and thriving with more love you can imagine. Please try to consider this from my perspective. Can you understand that I will not, cannot leave your side?"

I was silent letting the tears stream down my face and onto his hands. Finally, I nodded once.

The entire Cullen family was convened in our room. The elegant bed coverings had been replaced by generic white sheets and beside the bed were Carlisle's medical bag and a stack of towels.

Edwards's arms were wrapped tightly around me and I was flanked with Alice, Jasper and Esme on my left and Emmett and Rosalie on my right. Carlisle was speaking to everyone standing directly in front of me.

"Just to make sure we all understand. Jasper, we need to you remain somewhat close. This is going to be difficult for you, more than I can imagine with not only the blood but also the force of emotions you're bound to feel emanating from the rest of us but anything you can do to help us stay calm will be valued."

Instead of responding to Carlisle, Jasper looked directly at me, "of course," he said with a slight smile.

"Alice, don't become too overwhelmed and loose sight. As always, keep a lookout for any possible interruptions, danger, or problems." Alice nodded.

"Emmett, you need to remain close as well. Your strength may be a necessity." Carlisle's eyes flickered to me for the shortest second and then back to Emmett.

"I'll be here," Emmett agreed and then nudged my arm with his elbow.

The idea of needing Emmett's strength for little ol' me during these next few days was making any kind of sense. I let the thought go and focused back on Carlisle.

"Esme and Rosalie, please stick close if possible. We'll all need the support."

In my peripheral I saw them both nod and Carlisle continued again.

"Edward, I'll confirm the specific instructions with you again when it's time, but for now, you need to hunt. In fact, we all do. I know you're not thirsty," he interjected when Edward started to argue, "but it won't take long and I think it wise we take all precautions." Edward remained silent so Carlisle continued. "Alice, Rosalie and Esme will go first, and when they return, Edward, Emmett, Jasper and myself will go. Bella,"

I had been looking up at Edward's perfect stone face and turned to face Carlisle when he said my name.

Carlisle walked toward me and put his hands on my shoulders. Looking directly into my wide eyes he said, "These are only precautions I assure you. Everything will turn out fine. Alice can see that. We just want to make this go as smoothly as possible for you. We'll be able to start in just a few hours if that's okay with you."

"Yes," I said confidently as butterflies rioted in my stomach.

The crowd in our room quickly dissolved and Edward and I were left alone. Without the slightest tick of conversation, we folded into each other and made love. We poured everything we had to offer in that time into one another. During that time, we forgot all our fears, anxiety, and anticipation. We saw and felt only each other.

Alice, Rosalie and Esme returned two hours later. With an encouraging smile from me and a 'the quicker you go, the quicker you get back' from Alice, Edward left with his brothers and father to hunt. I had changed into my favorite sweats and a cotton tank top. I figured I'd try to make myself as comfortable as possible. Alice sat with me in our room, listening quietly to classical piano, waiting for their return.

I took Alice's hands in both of mine. "Alice," I said, waiting for her to look at me, "if the morphine doesn't work, I need you to help Edward. This is going to be so hard on him."

"I know," she said. "I'll do what I can to comfort him Bella but he'd kill any one of us that tries to separate you two."

"I know," I replied, feeling the full conviction of my agreement. It's only three days I continued to tell myself, only three days.

The door to our bedroom opened then and Edwards golden eyes shone bright in the dim light.

Alice gave me a tight lingering hug and whispered into my ear, "Don't be scared, we're all here for you and Edward and everything is going to work out fine."

I tightened my arms around her pixy body in response.

Edward walked toward me followed by Carlisle. Edward nodded once as Alice passed him on her way out. With a soft click of the closing bedroom door, my transformation began.

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