9. Awakening

Edward

As we ran, Alice made phone calls. The first was to Carlisle to let him know what had happened and that we were on our way. The next was to Skye; to let her know what happened and that we would be at Esme and Carlisle's.

As we entered the house, Carlisle instructed me to carry Colin to the spare bedroom he used when he stayed with us.

"He's a mess," Carlisle said. "But the venom is working."

"Are you certain? His legs…" I started.

"They're not too far gone. They'll heal, Edward."

I took a deep breath and looked at my best friend laying on the bed, bloody and burnt. He was breathing rapidly and his heart was racing. He was scared and literally burning from the inside out. He kept saying my name in his head. Wondering if what he was feeling was normal. I took his hand in mine.

"The burning sensation you're feeling unfortunately is part of the change. It will subside by the time the transformation is complete. I will do my best to talk you through it and Jazz will help you with some of the pain."

He calmed slightly, and tried not to focus on the pain.

I turned to the sound of cars doors slamming and Alice leaving the room.

"How is he?" I heard Skye ask from downstairs.

"Dad says he'll be good as new." Alice answered her.

"Thank God!" She let out a heavy breath.

I stood up and went downstairs. I walked over to her and planted a quick kiss to her lips all the while being careful not to dirty her up. Jazz had the twins, one in each arm, and Emmett was holding Lisette who was sleeping soundly.

"Skye, what are you doing here?" I asked her before kissing the sleeping babe in her arms.

"I was worried about Colin. How is he?"

"As well as can be expected during the change."

He groaned loudly and she looked toward the stairs. As she headed for them I stepped in front of her.

"Where do you think you're going?" I asked.

"To see Colin." She side stepped.

"No, no, you're not going up there." I blocked her again.

"Don't be silly. I can help."

"There's nothing you can do?"

"I can help him stay calm while he's in the tub," she said.

"Tub? He's not in the tub. He's in the bed."

"Well let's get him to the tub. I'll need some ice."

"What?" We all said in unison.

"It will help with the burning."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

She smiled. "The burning isn't in his head. And it's not a figment of his imagination. His skin feels like it's scorching. The cold water will help soothe that. You know, like when you have a fever." She shrugged.

I looked at her. Why in hell didn't we think of that before? It seemed so simple a solution. So...logical.

She laughed.

"You guys overthink everything," she said. "If somethings hot, you try and cool it down, right?

"Right." I agreed.

"By the way, it will only work through the first half of the change. Once his skin changes, the water will do very little to comfort him. He'll have to tough it out then. But Colin's a fighter, he'll be just fine." She said in her southern drawl.

I heard the tub come on upstairs.

"I guess Carlisle heard you." I gestured up the stairs and she started toward them again.

I grabbed her arm.

"Dad and Rose will handle it. You can't go up there."

"Why not?" She placed her hands on her lovely hips.

"You know why? I can't have you around a newborn."

"Oh stop it, it'll be days before he wakes up."

"No, absolutely not. Besides I need you to be home in case the cops, hospital, or his parents call the house instead of my cell phone."

"Edward…"

"Please, take the kids back home and put them back to bed. I'll see you in a few."

"I assume this means we're not going to Louisiana in the morning?"

I pulled her to me.

"I really need to be here for him. I'm the one who changed him. He's my responsibility."

"Shhh… I know. I was just confirming." She stroked my face.

"Thank you." I bent over and kissed her.

"Umm humm…" she hummed running her fingers through my hair.

"We're still going. I promise. It'll just be a little later than we expected." I whispered under my breath against her mouth.

"You bet your ass we are." She swatted my behind. "You hurry on home."

"I will." I kissed her neck. "Let me walk you out."

Jazz and Em followed us and put my sleeping children back in the car. I nodded my thanks to them and they left us outside in the driveway. It was unseasonably warm out tonight.

"You going to be okay getting them back to bed. I can ride home with you and run back," I said as she put Stevie in his car seat.

"No, I got them in the car. I can get them out. It's okay."

"Alright." I kissed her then open the door.

She sat down, scooped her legs in and started the vehicle.

"Ice, use plenty of ice."

I nodded then watched her roll away before turning and running back into the house.

Skye

When I woke the next morning Eddie was there, in bed with me, just as he promised. I rolled into his side and kissed his chest.

"Good morning, beautiful."

I groaned.

"You're still sleepy. Rest. I'll get the kids when they wake up." He stroked my hair.

"Etienne…"

"I'll give him a bottle."

I nodded and closed my eyes again.

0~~~~~~~~~~0

I woke to the sound of the kids fighting and Eddie calmly but firmly chastising them. I sat up and the entire front of my shirt and pillow were soaked. I slowly peeled the stickiness from my skin then took it off. After changing the sheets on the bed; I hopped in the shower.

"I could help you with that you know." Eddie appeared out of nowhere, smiling, with Stevie in his arms.

"I'm sure you could." I winked and held my hands out for Stevie.

I sat on the bed and pulled him close to me. He quickly latched on and sucked eagerly. I smiled down at him and pushed his constantly growing hair back.

"He needs a haircut. And so do the twins," I said.

"I'll get Rose to do it later."

"So, any idea of when we'll be moving now?" I asked.

He sat next to me.

"I'm not sure but I'm hoping we can move in a few months. If I can get Colin to control his blood lust by then we could just take him with us to Louisiana. I was thinking he could stay in your cabin until he and I feel totally confident with his control."

"Eddie, you can't stick him out there in the bayou by himself." I shook my head.

"Why, there's no one around? It's completely secluded and therefore safe."

"But he'll be lonely out there by himself. It's going to be hard enough for him dealing with the change."

"Colin will be fine. He's strong, and has a strong mind. He'll understand my concerns."

"I know that, but…"

"I don't have any other options right now, Skye. He's my responsibility. I'm his sire. I did this to him and I owe him at least this much. But I can't and won't take chances with you and the kids." He looked at Stevie.

"I know, but…"

He interrupted again.

"Let's just hope he comes around quickly. Okay?"

I nodded knowing this would get me nowhere. At least he hadn't completely given up on New Orleans. At least he still wanted to keep his promise and take me home. I leaned into him and he kissed the top of my head. I sighed contentedly and he laughed. He didn't know that it was those little intimate gestures that made me fall in love with him more and more everyday.

Edward

It was around noon when I received 'the call' from Colin's mother. She was crying hysterically and it hurt me to hear her pain. I soothed her the best I could and got the information for Colin's funeral.

When Rose got to the house to trim the boys hair, I left and went to check on Colin. The cold water, surprisingly, was helping. He was more comfortable and didn't thrash as much. That was good because it gave us all a break. Day one had passed without much incident.

0~~~~~~~~~~0

I kissed Skye and pulled her to me.

"I'll see you later."

She nodded and smoothed my shirt against my chest.

"C, should be waking up today and I want to be there when he opens his eyes." I told her as she fixed my collar.

"I know you do and I'm sure his dad appreciates you coming to help with things. I hope his mother comes around."

"Me too. But it could take a while. Colin was her only child."

"I understand what she's going through. It's a terrible feeling losing a child...or even just thinking that you might."

I hugged her. I hated when she thought about EJ's kidnapping. I hated it even more that I couldn't take it back.

"Shhh…" I pulled her face to look up at mine. "Never again. You're safe now." I kissed her lips and she nodded.

"I know…" she whispered.

"Okay." I kissed her again. "I have to go. I'll call you when I'm on my way to mom and dad's."

She nodded and I kissed the kids as I heading for the door.

0~~~~~~~~~0

As I drove to the funeral home to meet Mr. Williamsen I thought about Colin. Did I do the right thing by changing him? Would he regret it once he woke up? Surely he would miss his parents and human life.

I let out a frustrated growl. I guess the little bit of peace I'd had was over. Things had been going too good for me, and I was sure that my seven year hiatus was coming to an end.

I rolled my eyes.

Not only did I have Colin's change to worry about, but the fact that I had to change him at all was haunting me. Someone, or better yet, something, had run him off the road. A non human something. Which causes me to believe that this wasn't a random incident. And Colin wasn't the only human with whom we interacted, but he was definitely the closest. The closest since Bella as a matter of fact. He was practically family and I couldn't shake the feeling that his closeness to us was why he was hurt. As a matter of fact, I was sure of it.

As I pulled up to the funeral home, I spotted Colin's dad waiting out front for me. I parked quickly and got out. As I walked toward him he smiled weakly. He was thinking how good a friend I had been to Colin and was so grateful that he didn't have to do this alone. Then I saw the images of Colin's mother in his memories and felt my entire mood shift in that second. Their grief hit me so hard that I had to stop because I suddenly felt paralyzed. I may have 'saved' Colin from his untimely death but I hadn't saved his parents from it. I closed my eyes and tried to shake it off.

When I opened my eyes Mr. Williamsen was standing before me.

"I'm sorry…" I tried to explain away my moment of weakness.

He wrapped his arm around me.

"It's okay, son. We'll get through this. All of us." He hugged me and I nodded accepting his embrace.

"Thank you for coming," he said.

"Of course… You're welcome," I said letting him go.

He took a deep breath and pat my shoulder.

"Come on. Let's get this over with."

By the time we had finished finalizing everything I was mentally, emotionally and surprisingly, physically exhausted. My own feelings, thoughts, and worries combined with his, were just too much. I was glad to be leaving. And as I pulled away from the funeral home I made a personal vow to never change another human with family of any kind. Everyone involved got hurt. No one was left unscathed. Including me.

As I pulled up to house I realized that there was a lot of commotion going on. Colin was waking up. I had made it just in time. As I made it to the top of the driveway I saw the Hummer and felt my anger coming to a head.

"Fuck!" I growled. Why can't that woman ever follow directions?

Skye

I pulled into the driveway and got out of the car. As I turned around I found Jazz standing in front of me. I jumped back and grasp my chest.

"Damn it, Jazz! You're as bad as Eddie with the ninja shit. Don't sneak up on me like that."

"I shouldn't be able to sneak up on a mind reader. Now what are you doing here? Do you like pissing Ed off?"

I rolled my eyes as I opened the backdoor for the kids. They jumped out and started to run toward the house. Jazz let out a loud whistle and they all froze in place.

"Now that's a neat trick. Can you teach me that?" I smiled at him.

"Yep, but not today," he said opening the door for me. I looked at the seat then at him. "Get in, Angel."

"I'm not leaving."

"Damn it, woman! Get in the car!" He growled.

I grabbed his shirt and pulled him down to me.

"No, I can handle myself." I kissed his cheek and tried to step around him. He blocked me.

"I know that, but I have a hellva lot more experience than you with newborns, and they are unpredictable when they first wake up. I think you need to give us a few days with him to see where he's at." He pinned me between his arms to the car to prevent my escape.

"You're getting as bad as your brother." I looked up at him.

"Please…you know that's not true. But I have to agree that you and the kids shouldn't be around Colin when he wakes up. It could be dangerous. And I know you can handle yourself, but he will be very fast and very strong, Angel. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but I am asking you. Please. For me. I like C, and I'd really hate to have to kill him…again." He smiled.

I smiled back and looked into his eyes. They seemed to know no depths. They were, as usual, completely open to me and I couldn't turn away. His hand went for my cheek but pulled away when Etienne started to squirmed in his car seat. I turned to take him out.

"We'll stay outside, on the back porch, because I want to be here when he wakes. That's my final offer. Take it or leave it."

"Fine! But stay on your shit, Angel. He'll still be able to smell you guys down here."

"I know. I will," I said as I lifted Etienne out his seat.

"Alright..." he said in his head as he closed the distance between us.

I turned quickly to find him way too close. He looked into my eyes and then at my lips. I swallowed roughly and began to feel a little warm. He smiled deviously. I swear I hated his gift.

Etienne squirmed drawing both our attention and breaking the moment. I looked down and he raised his head looking at the kids who were all watching him.

"Okay, kids, you heard your mama. In the back, and stay on the property!" He yelled as they scrambled off.

He smiled and took Stevie from me. "Come on."

I shook my head and followed him. What was I going to do with him?

0~~~~~~~~~~0

I was sitting on the back steps watching Stevie waddle around and Jazz and Em tossing a football with the twins and Lisette when I saw Alice's vision of Colin waking up and growling at everyone. I stood up.

"I think you guys need to get upstairs. Colin's waking up."

Em and Jazz ran toward the house and I tried to follow.

"Stay here, Angel," Jazz said as Em ran into the house.

"Jazz…"

"No, you have to stay. I mean it."

I pouted like a big baby and flopped in the lounge chair.

"Fine." I growled through gritted teeth.

He took off up the stairs.

I could hear them talking and waiting. They were waiting for him to open his eyes. His heart had already stopped. Then it was quiet. Too quiet. I went into the yard.

"JR, EJ, watch your brother and sister."

"Okay, mom," JR said as I handed him the baby. He smiled and kissed his cheek.

I headed into the house. When I got to the stairs the growling began and Eddie flew in the door.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He yelled at me.

I turned quickly to face him.

"Hi, Eddie." I smiled.

"Don't 'Hi, Eddie' me. Why are you here? I told you to stay home. And where are my children?"

"Out back playing."

"Out back? You left Etienne out back?"

"JR has him. Don't worry, they're fine. I'm watching them." I pointed to my head.

"Well you need to go and join th..." he started, but then a loud crash came from up the stairs.

We both turned toward the sound. Eddie closed his eyes and a string of profanities flew from his mouth as the commotion got closer.

"Fuck! Get ready." He warned pushing me behind him.

"What? Get ready for…" before I could finish I tuned my mind into the quick approaching figure.

"Oh shit!" I panicked.

"Focus baby! And stop him so I don't have to!" He crouched down in front of me.

"Ummm okay… I'll try," I said as Colin flew down the stairs toward me.

He was so fast. I could barely see him, let alone focus enough on him, to stop him.

"He's so fast!" I yelled and moved from behind Eddie as Colin headed right for him to get to me.

Eddie braced himself for the impact that never happened. Colin completely dodged him and came right at me. I was in shock at his speed. I had never met anyone faster than Eddie.

I held my hands up in self defense and pushed back with my mind. Colin and Edward went flying into the wall because he had jumped in front of me to stop Colin.

"Oh god, Edward!" I yelled without taking my eyes off Colin, who was not giving up. I watched him crouch, growl, then lunge at me again.

By this time Jazz and Em were on either side of him and they lunged when he did.

"Oh hell…" I growled and pushed everyone back from me. They all went flying to different corners of the room.

Colin flew back hard into dining room table splintering it into pieces. But before I could blink, he was back up and growling.

What the hell?

Thankfully, this time he was a little disoriented and swaying on his feet. It didn't last long but I used the brief moment to get to him. I shook my head bewildered as I moved him off the ground quickly. He floated toward the ceiling still trying to run at me.

Eddie flit to me quickly. I turned into his arms and he held me tight.

"You alright?" He asked as he checked me over.

I nodded. "I'm fine. Are you okay? I'm sorry... I didn't mean to… You jumped right in front of me…" I babbled on.

"Skye…"

"Oh god! Did I hurt you?" I asked nervously.

"Skye, I'm fine."

"Edward…"

He stroked my chin.

"Mon amour, I'm fine. Really."

I nodded again and turned toward the others. "Sorry guys. I couldn't get a lock on him. He's so fast. I had to hit all of you."

"It's alright. We know," Jazz said shaking plaster out his hair.

"Damn sis, remind me never to never piss you off." Em smiled brushing the drywall from his shoulder.

"What are we going to do about him?" Jazz asked looking up.

"What's his deal anyway? My aunt was nothing like this when she woke up," I said looking at him too.

Edward looked at me. "Didn't you read his thoughts?"

"They don't make sense. They're all jumbled and focused on me."

"Lei e il tuo cantante," Eddie said looking at Colin.

"She's your singer?" I translated quickly.

"No way!" Em shouted.

Then I realized what I said. "Oh god...Edward?" I looked at him and his face was in despair.

"You're his singer." He shook his head in defeat. "Can't I fucking do anything right?"

"Edward, it's not your fault."

"No. I guess it was someone else who changed my best friend into a bloodsucking vampire that wants to kill my wife."

"Edward, you couldn't have known. And maybe you're reading him wrong. I mean, I have venom in my blood. It usually isn't very appealing to vamps."

"Man, what are the odds that this could happen? It's crazy." Em agreed.

Eddie shook his head. "No, it's just how my life is going right now, Em. Everything's going to hell." He looked at me. "I'm not wrong. I wish I were. But I've been where he's at. I know these thoughts he's having." He pulled me close to him. "You need to leave. Right now."

"Edward…"

"Angelique, I mean it. He'll calm down once you're gone. I need to talk to him. And he needs to hunt." He kissed me. "Please, go home. I need you safe." He stroked my hair. "I'll be there within the hour. I promise."

"And what about him?" I gestured to the floating vamp.

"Em and I will get the kids ready and in the car. Then we'll come back and hold him until you're gone."

"Oh god, the kids? Does he want them too?" Rose asked.

"No, too much of my venom in them. Their blood doesn't even appeal to him," Eddie said looking down.

Rose seemed relieved at his answer. As did everyone else. Eddie and Em left the room and went out back to gather the children.

"Mom, I'm sorry about the walls and the table. We'll have it fixed and..."

"Skye, it's okay honey. It'll be fixed by tomorrow morning. And I can find another…"

"Antique, Victorian, cherry wood dining table? Not likely." I closed my eyes feeling really bad.

"It's okay. Alice and Rose will help me shop for one on the internet. We'll find something similar." She hugged me.

Eddie came back into the house and walked up to Colin.

"C, I'm going to have Skye let you down. But Em and Jazz are going to hold onto you."

Colin took his eyes off of me and looked at Edward.

"Edward?" he said. Realization dawning on his face.

"Yeah."

"Oh shit! Ed, I'm sorry man! I didn't mean to…" he apologized.

"I know you didn't…"

"I always thought she smelled really nice. But now...now she smells like heaven."

"I know she does."

"God, do we all smell like that you guys?" he asked.

"No, she's your singer." Eddie sighed.

"My what?"

"I'll explain everything after I get Skye and the kids off."

"Guess we're going to have that talk sooner than we thought."

"Yes, it would seem so," Eddie said.

He nodded and Eddie came to me.

"Alright Skye, let him down."

I did and Jazz and Em grabbed his arms and took him out the house. He didn't struggle, much. He let them pull him away. As Edward walked me to the Hummer I read his thoughts. He was very upset. With me, for not listening. With Colin, for coming after me. With himself, for creating the situation. And with the entire situation in itself.

I stopped walking and faced him. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you."

"You should be," he said.

"And I'm sorry that I'm Colin's singer. But it isn't your fault. You didn't know it would happen this way." I stroked his face. "He'll learn, just like you did with Bella to resist me. Who could be a better teacher at that than you?"

"We can't stay here now. And he can't come with us to New Orleans. Not until he can control himself around you. I won't risk you."

"I'm sorry. I know you wanted him with us. It'll just take a little longer now. Everything will work out. You'll see." I took his hand.

He carefully pressed me against the trunk of the Hummer. "This is why I love you. You're such an optimist..."

I smiled as he leaned in to kiss me.

"You think you can work some of your magic on me tonight?" He smiled crookedly.

"Are you sure you'll be up for that?"

He kissed my mouth. His hands gripping my ass as he pressed his cock harder into my belly.

"Yes, I'm sure. It has been a long day. So can you do this for me?"

"I can," I said breathlessly.

"Good girl." He swat my ass and smiled. "See you in about an hour."

I nodded and sat in the car, heart racing. He shut the door and smirked as I pulled out.

0~~~~~~~~~~~~~~0

An: Hope you enjoy the chapter and review it. It's hard work writing this stuff...show me some love. Let me know you appreciate it. ~smooches~ LRC.