A/N: Thank you again to those who have reviewed/favourited my little puddle of words, it really means a lot to me.
So here's Chapter 3, they won't be coming as fast as this from now on, as I'm now caught up just about to where I've written. So the rest of the chapters will be posted as I write them.
I've just run through and edited this. It was written at stupid o'clock in the morning, and it showed.
After taking a 'human moment' in the bathroom, I had a small argument with Alice over what to wear; my clothes had mysteriously gone missing through the night. Eventually though, I followed the scent of bacon and eggs downstairs in a somewhat casual skirt and blouse that neither of us had found too objectionable.
I found Esme and Tanya in the kitchen, Esme was just putting my breakfast on a plate while Tanya watched on; she looked a little amused and perhaps intrigued by the unusual - for this house - activity. Esme set the plate in front of me as I took a seat at the small counter.
"Good morning Bella," she greeted me warmly. I glanced at the clock and her smile grew in amusement. It was just after 2, though it was morning. She hugged me from behind.
"Thanks Esme," I replied with a smile forming to match hers, "this smells great." Having barely eaten in the past day, I dug into the meal eagerly. Esme kept up a stream of conversation as I ate, Alice adding to it when she came in a few minutes later. It was just little things mostly. That Emmett and Rosalie were away in Africa, due to the small house, Alice's dislike of the minimal shopping opportunities nearby, and so on. No one mentioned their leaving, or anything unpleasant at all. Not until I'd finished eating, anyway.
"I'm sorry." Esme said simply as I finished the last of the toast. I looked at her, and I was certain there'd have been tears in her eyes, if it were possible.
"We all are Bella," Carlisle spoke from behind me as he came in to the room. I gave them all a reassuring smile.
"It's ok, I know you meant well." I sighed, and looked down at my empty plate. "I just don't belong there, I had to follow." I turned around and look up at Carlisle, "I know where I belong."
He smiled and took a seat at the head of the table. "There are some things you need to consider," he started, looking at me as calm as ever, but more serious than usual. "Alice said you wanted to be changed today. If you're sure?" He paused.
"Yes," I replied straight away, I'd already decided, I didn't need to think about it at all. My heart pounded from the nerves, and I'm sure they all could hear it. No one commented though, Alice took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Ok." Carlisle nodded, before continuing. "There's a few things though, such as your family." I swallowed the lump that was suddenly in my throat, but he continued. "Do you want to call Charlie? Let him know where you are? That you're ok?" I looked away, out the window thinking. "Either that or just let him think you disappeared. Which ever you decide to do, you won't be able to see him, not safely, for several months, maybe years."
If ever. Though Carlisle didn't say it, I knew it was there.
"Most of what you know about us is only because we've had years to learn control. But as a newborn your thirst will be extremely difficult to control. Don't be surprised if you can't be around humans for quite some time, and even then, only for short periods. It's not easy Bella, nor is it particularly comfortable. It takes time." He smiled softly at me, as I turned to look at him. "I'm not trying to talk you out of it, you just need to know what to expect."
I nodded. I'd known this of course, from talking with Edward, and Alice, since I'd met them. Talking about it like this though, knowing this was me they were talking about, what I had to expect in the coming months, or years. I wondered for a moment if the time would seem like anything at all, once I had all of forever in front of me. But there was still Charlie, and Renee, would I ever be able to see them again? My stomach turned nervously, it didn't seem likely, but maybe...
"I could send letters." I sort of half asked as I turned back to look at Carlisle. "Maybe that would be better, even if I never see them again. At least Charlie would know that I'm ok, that I'm happy." Carlisle nodded.
"It could work, if that's what you want to do." He agreed, I nodded.
"So..." I started, but Carlisle raised a hand and I trailed off.
"You don't need to be in a hurry Bella." He said simply, and I frowned a little till Alice spoke to me with her cheerful bell like voice.
"Bella, he just means, is there anything you want to do today? Something you won't be able to do again? Like eat a favourite food, or go see a movie even, you won't be able to do that for a while." I turned to her as she spoke, eyes wide, happy, hopeful.
"You want to take me shopping don't you?" I accused, she smiled wide. Carlisle and Jasper chuckled at us, and I heard a snort of amusement from somewhere in the house.
"Well," she said after a moment, "you can't keep borrowing clothes, not if you're going to be here for a while. So we should do it now." She had a point, but spending my last day as a human shopping didn't sound all that great to me. Eventually though, after a few more convincing arguments, and a promise that we wouldn't spend the whole day trying on clothes, I agreed.
That still left a few hours to fill though, the sun wasn't even up yet.
"Hello Bella," a familiar, if not entirely welcoming, voice spoke as I sat watching TV while waiting till it was late enough to head in to Fairbanks. I turned to look into the dark eyes, and my heart thudded in my chest.
"Laurent." I gasped out his name, not daring to blink. He smiled, or tried to, though it didn't ease my nerves at all.
"Don't worry," he spoke as Alice suddenly appeared beside me. "I promise I mean you no harm." I looked at Alice, she smiled faintly and nodded, I took a deep breath. "I came here after I last saw you," he turned his head with a smile to the woman beside him. I hadn't noticed her before, with the shock of seeing him. "Irena convinced me to stay, and I am most happy to." He raised her hand to his lips, she smiled lovingly at him and looked like she would have blushed if she could have.
"I've been keeping my distance since you arrived, the diet here takes a little getting used to, as I've heard you'll be finding out soon. But it is worth it, I believe." I nodded, he continued, "I just thought it would be best if you knew I was here now, I didn't fancy being attacked by a frightened newborn in a few days." I turned away from him, but nodded in understanding.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"You're welcome," he replied, sincerely. Then added, "We are going away till tomorrow, I don't think I should be here when you are bitten. But I look forward to seeing you again in a few days. I suspect you shall be even more beautiful when I see you next." I blushed a deep crimson, he chuckled, and I think I heard Irena elbow him in the ribs. And then they were gone.
"We should get going soon," Alice said after a few seconds, giving my hand another squeeze. "The stores will be open by the time we get there. Do you need to do anything first? A human moment?" She asked with amusement clear in her voice.
It took a few minutes for us, or me at least, to get ready. Then before long we were in the car speeding away to Fairbanks.
"Alice, stop, wait!" I called as she whisked me along gleefully into yet another little boutique I would not have believed could be found in Fairbanks if I wasn't being dragged into it. Amazingly she stopped, and looked at me. "The human needs food and rest." I reminded her, slightly demanding, even if I was tired. She blinked at me for a moment.
"Oh, sorry." She smiled again, "where do you want to go?" I sighed.
"Can we just sit in the car for a while and find somewhere for me to eat?"
"Sure," she allowed, then pulled me along at a more reasonable pace to her car. I was ever so happy to just flop into the seat when we got there and rest my poor feet.
"Do you ever get sore feet, or anything?" I asked after a moment. Alice look at me, shaking her head, she giggled a little.
"Not unless someone rips it off." I winced, I didn't even want to think about how that would feel. Alice took my hand and gave it a little squeeze. "So what would you like to eat?" She changed the subject. I sighed again.
"I don't know, you wouldn't by some chance know somewhere nice?" I asked with a faint smile. She thought about it for a few seconds.
"Actually, I think I might." I looked at her slightly stunned.
"Really?"
"Yeah, do you want Italian?" She asked, "you don't have to, you can have anything you want."
"No, that sounds great." I replied with a smile after a little thought. Alice bounced a little in her chair and started the car.
"Gambardella's Pasta Bella," I read the sign on the front of the restaurant with some amusement. Alice giggled. "It's fitting for my last meal I guess." I added as we got out of the car. Alice nodded a little sadly at that.
I ended up ordering the Fettuccine Alfredo with mushrooms, Alice ordered some Focaccia bread, which surprised me.
"I'll just tear it up into bits, and you can have some, they'll never notice." She answered my unasked question, I nodded, it made sense.
I'd eaten everything on my plate, and some of Alice's bread. I was stuffed, and wanted a nap. Alice however had talked me into going to a movie, I really wouldn't have a clue what it was about. One thing was on my mind the whole time: I was going to die tonight.
"Carlisle and I are going for a quick hunt when we get back," Alice told me as we drove up the driveway, I took a deep breath and nodded.
"Ok."
"He'll do it, but I'll be there." She told me, "I promised I wouldn't leave you, and I won't through this." She took my hand and gave it a squeeze as we pulled into the garage.
"Thanks Alice." I smiled at her gratefully.
Esme had been trying to keep me preoccupied with anything and everything throughout the afternoon. It hadn't really worked though, I was nervous about tonight, I remembered when James had bitten me in Phoenix. And now I'd asked to go through that for several days.
"It'll be ok," Esme reassured me for the umpteenth time as she hugged me.
"I know, I still want this." I whispered into her shoulder, "I remember it though, the pain. I think that's the worst part, knowing what's coming for the next few days." She stroked my hair.
"I've got an idea for that actually," Carlisle's voice called from the front door. Alice was right behind him, their eyes were bright and golden. "I set things up while you and Alice were out today," he continued, "I'll give you some morphine first, it should help numb the pain some." He smiled at me. I smiled back.
"Thank you." I said simply, I felt better, not much, but it was enough. "So..." Alice interrupted me though.
"One last thing Bella," she said as Jasper and Tanya came into the room. "We want to get some before pictures," she finished. I noticed Tanya had a camera in her hand, and cringed a little, I'd never liked having my picture taken. But there was no point arguing, and it did seem like a good idea, so we spent the next few minutes taking pictures of me. Alone, with everyone, with each of them, with Esme and Carlisle.
I didn't noticed that Alice's idea of taking pictures of me in different parts of the house was gradually moving me toward the guest room. So by the time I was there, and realized, I was calm and happy. So when Carlisle spoke, I didn't tense up as much as I had been earlier.
"I'll give you the morphine first Bella," he said, slipping into doctor mode, "and give it a few minutes to get to work."
"Ok," I replied simply, my stomach had knotted up again. Alice helped me lay on the bed. Carlisle looked at me seriously.
"Now Bella," he started, "are you absolutely..."
"Yes." I interrupted. Alice giggled, Carlisle smiled and nodded. I felt a small prick in my arm, and before too long I was numb all over. Carlisle gave Alice a significant look, and I felt her squeeze my hand through the numbness that had enveloped me. Carlisle's face appeared above mine.
"Last chance Bella," he stated simply. I concentrated all I could and uttered a single word.
"Bite." He nodded again, and brought his mouth down to my neck. I barely felt it when he broke the skin, just a slight tug. I smiled, the morphine seemed to be working.
Then the burning started, and this time, it didn't stop.
A/N: Gambardella's Pasta Bella does actually exist in Fairbanks, I found it while web searching for somewhere appropriate, and figured it fit perfectly.