This one's for you random guest reviewer! Enjoy! - Sorry for the wrong chapter! It happens ha-ha! And I'm exhausted!

Chapter Twenty-One

"Edward," I heard my mother say gently. I wanted to turn my head to acknowledge her, but I could not pry my eyes away from Bella. So, I simply grunted to let her know that I had heard her.

"Please come eat with the family Edward. We miss you." She begged as she walked over and kneeled down beside me. She gently stroked Bella's face.

"I cannot leave Bella. I must stay and protect her." I said.

My mother sighed. "It has been two days my son. She will wake when she is ready."

"When will she be ready?" I asked. "I do not understand why she has not woken up. If the venom is not going to kill her, then why has she not woken up?"

"I am not sure my son." My mother said sadly before turning her head. "Alice you can come in now."

I heard Alice walk in and a few moments later she got down on her knees in front of me. She was holding a very large platter piled high with food. There was also a small bowl of mashed food for Bella.

"I made it extra soft," Alice said as she laid the platter down onto the ground beside Bella's head.

"Thank you Alice," I said as I lifted Bella's torso up. Much like a newborn, her head rolled backwards, so I made sure to cradle her precious head in my forearm. When I reached for the bowl, my mother stopped me.

"I will feed Bella. You must eat. It is not healthy to skip meals." My mother said.

"I will hold Bella," I said as I nodded towards Alice. She picked up the first piece of meat off the platter and placed it to my lips. I took the food carefully and watched as my mother rolled a small piece of the mashed food into a ball before placing it into Bella's open mouth.

My mother took her hand away and waited a few moments for the mashed food to dissolve. My mother smiled once the food dissolved.

"It is a good sign that her mouth is taking in the food. It means that she is—,"

We all jumped when Bella's eyes suddenly flew open, and she started screaming. I had to retighten my grip on her because she had surprised me. I was also so relieved that she now awake and worried that there was some sort of danger I was unaware of.

"Edward!" She screamed; tears began to fall out of her eyes. She threw her arms around my neck and squeezed very tightly. Her grip actually made me cough, but I could not bring myself to caring. She could squeeze me as much as she wanted, so long as she stayed awake and by my side.

"Bella," I gasped happily. I wrapped my arms around her.

"We are so happy you are awake Bella," Mom said as she stroked Bella's back. "Do you feel any pain? Or sickness?"

Bella's POV

I heard Esme's question, but I ignored her. I pulled away from Edward enough so I could press my lips against his. He, along with Alice and Esme gasped in surprise.

I pulled away and placed my hands on my cheeks, "I am so sorry. I-I had no idea… Being away from you was so painful."

I placed my ear against his chest so I could hear his heartbeats. I smiled as both skipped and fell out of rhythm.

His hand rubbed my back as he began to purr. A sound rumbled from my own chest, matching his purr. I surprised both of us. Edward looked down at me and cocked his head to the side.

"What is that noise? How did you do that?" He asked me.

I placed my hand on my throat and blinked. "She didn't tell me I would be able to purr too."

"Who?" Esme asked as she placed a hand on my shoulder, "Why don't you lay down? I know you have been resting, but I am afraid you might be weak from the venom."

I placed my hand over hers, "I'm okay Esme. Better than okay, actually."

"Get up gently!" She gasped as I jumped to my feet. Even Edward jumped to his feet to catch me if I fell. But I didn't feel like falling. I felt incredible.

I inhaled deeply. "Something smells incredible! What is that? I'm starved."

"It is our dinner," Alice smiled before jumping to her feet. "You were never like this before!"

I laughed and stroked the hair out of her face as a soft ringing started in my ears. "You should go see Jasper. He's looking for you. He wants you to paint a warrior's mark on his back and challenge your father. Jokingly, of course."

Her eyebrows furrowed but she turned and ran out of the hut. I frowned as I replayed my words. How did I know what Jasper wanted?

"Bella we were so worried about you," Esme said as she placed her hands on my shoulders and lead me to the soft bedding. "Why don't you just sit and let me look you over."

"I'm fine Esme," I said, but laid down if it would make her feel better. I had never felt so wonderful before.

She pressed her ear against my chest and listened for a moment.

"Your heart is very strong." She said. "And you are breathing very clearly. How does your head feel?" She stroked the hair off of my forehead as she pressed her hand against it.

"Esme I swear, I feel wonderful. I've never felt better." I smiled as I reached out and grabbed Edward's hand. His tail began wagging happily back and forth. I giggled and pulled him closer to me.

Esme gave me a look I couldn't quite place.

"Mother will you give Bella and I a few moments alone, please?" Edward asked.

"Of course." She said as she got to her feet and walked out. I watched as she wrapped her arms around herself and walked away without looking back. I knew something was bothering her, but I didn't know what.

Once she was gone, I turned to Edward and smiled up at him. "I really missed you."

His forehead pressed against mine. "I missed you as well. I thought… I was so afraid."

"You don't need to be afraid." I said as I grabbed his hand and held it to my chest. "I've never been better."

"I am sorry I could not protect you. I am just not strong enough to fight off the outcast."

"His name is Caius," I said. "And he is a child of the goddess just as much as you or I. He cannot help the circumstances of his birth."

His brows furrowed. "But… he attacked us…"

"He is just misguided." I said firmly. "We're not worrying about him now though. I'm just so glad we're okay and we're together."

He smiled and closed his eyes. "I am thankful to the goddess that you are awake now."

I bit my lip. "Edward, can I tell you something?"

"Of course. You can tell me anything." He smiled.

I opened my mouth, but I stopped suddenly as my vision went white and Edward's beautiful face was replaced but horrid colors of red and black. I could hear angry voices and hissing, and I felt fear.

I gasped as I felt Edward's hand on my cheek. I blinked and my vision came back to me, the voices dimmed slowly before finally disappearing. I blinked several times before swallowing my confession.

I couldn't tell Edward that his beloved goddess mother had journeyed to the great beyond to be with her mate and child. He would not accept it. This was my biggest fear, and it would come true if I said anything.

"N-never mind," I smiled. "Never mind. It's nothing. I'm just glad to be back."

I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly when he tried to question me. I just didn't want to tell him anything now. I couldn't stand it if he hated me.

He let out a purr, to which I let out my own. I wasn't sure how I was able to do this, but it felt nice to feel Edward's body melt into mine and completely relax. I giggled as he pulled away looking dumbfounded.

"How are you doing that? You have never done this before?" He said, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"I can do a lot of new things now," I said as I looked down at my hands and flexed my fingers. I felt much stronger. "Edward… do you think I could try something? It's a little crazy."

"What would you like to try?" He asked.

I bit my lip. "It's crazy, but I just want to see if she was right." I looked around before I spotted the sheathed knife that was on his hip. I carefully pulled it out before looking up at him. "Do you think you could cut yourself?"

His eyes widened. "You want me to hurt myself?"

"No, well, yes," I said, "Ugh, I don't want you to hurt yourself, but I just wanted to try something. Let's forget about it, I'm being silly. It's crazy."

He stroked my cheek. "What is going on with you? You are not acting like yourself. Are you feeling alright?"

"I feel fine," I smiled. "I'm just really, really glad to be back. I missed you so much."

He smiled widely and rubbed his nose against mine as he purred. I didn't answer his purr because it was obvious I was freaking him out.

He pressed his face against my chest. "Please, please make the noise again."

I laughed and purred again for him. He sighed happily and melted against me once more. I stroked his hair and watched his eyelids flutter.

"I really missed you Edward." I told him.

His eyes opened. "I really, really missed you Bella. I am not sure where you went, but I am really glad you are back."

"How do you know I went somewhere?" I asked.

"I could feel it. Your emotions were all over the place. I knew you were not dreaming though. Your eyes never moved."

"I was somewhere." I said. "Somewhere wonderful with the Auk'ell'ieks'Ognil."

He gasped, his head shooting up and his eyes wide. "H-how did you… how did you speak my language?"

I smiled and grabbed his hand. "You were wondering where I went? I was with her. She showed me my destiny. I was… I was really sad when I had to leave. But I'm glad to be back with you and our family."

He smiled widely. "I am not sure what Auk'ell'ieks'Ognil did or showed you, but I am very happy. You are different, but I like it. You are happy. I like you happy."

"I think I just feel our heartbond now. I understand things a little bit better." I looked up and smiled at him. "I understand my destiny a little bit better now, too. And I think I'm ready to fulfill it. Even if I'm a little scared."

"You do not have to fear anything. I will be here by your side. Our destinies are tied. Without you, there is no me. I am nothing without you." He stroked my back and started purring. "I will have to leave even more offerings to Auk'ell'ieks'Ognil to thank her for bringing me your true self and making you happy."

"She will like that," I said as I kissed his forehead. "You are really tired. Why don't we go back to your hut and sleep?"

He got to his feet and lifted me into his arms. "That is a great idea. You and I can both sleep."

The Next Morning

I stretched and yawned, feeling Edward underneath me. Edward was still sleeping peacefully, snoring lightly. I looked over to see that even Carlisle was still sleeping, and Alice was still on top of him. Esme, however, was nowhere in sight.

I looked out of the opening of the hut to see Esme standing against the railing and staring out at the rising sun.

I got up carefully to go to her. She didn't look over at me, but I knew she knew that I was there.

After a moment, she finally spoke, "I know that our goddess has left us."

My eyes widened. "H-how—,"

"I'm not stupid," She said with a frown. "As soon as you woke up, I knew. She has not spoken to me since you were asleep. The last thing she told me was goodbye. Seeing you waking up… I now know why her final word was goodbye."

I was silent for a moment. "I-I'm so sorry Esme."

A tear slid down her cheek. "When I was a girl, I had such horrifically vivid dreams that the goddess told me were premonitions. I didn't believe them, but now I have too."

"What were your visions of?"

"Of a girl that would fall from the sky to come and change the people. She never said if these changes were good." Esme turned to me, her usually light eyes dark and sunken in. The image was haunting. "That concerns me."

I looked down at my hands. "The changes are good. At least, I'm pretty sure they are good."

"So, you know what they will be?"

"Kind of." I said. "I'm not entirely sure what all of the changes are. Auk'ell'ieks'Ognil just told me that they are much needed changes. But she could not do them. So, she created me and made it my destiny to change the people."

She sighed before placing her face into her hands and sobbing. My eyes widened before I placed my hand on her back.

"Esme… you are still the healer, I promise you. I am nowhere near ready too—,"

"Carlisle is going to die," She sobbed softly. "One of my most frequent visions is of Carlisle dying."

My heart started beating painfully. "Esme I—,"

"Esme?" I heard Carlisle call softly.

Esme jerked her head up quickly and wiped her tears. Carlisle walked out of the hut; his face full of concern. He looked between Esme and me.

"Is everything alright?" He asked as he pulled Esme into his arms.

"I am fine," She smiled at him as she stroked his cheek. "I was just checking on Bella. Making sure she was feeling fine."

He nodded, but his brows were still furrowed. I knew he was still suspicious; however, he chose not to pursue it.

"Come on, it is still early." He said as he turned her back towards the hut. He looked back at me before saying, "Come on."

I nodded and followed them back into the hut to go back to sleep. Or at least pretend to sleep. Esme's words and worried face would surely haunt me.

I might update again! We shall see! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!