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TPOV

Yet another tearless sob escaped me. I couldn't stop crying. I felt like a complete idiot. Why did I bite her? She was undoubtedly in more pain now than she had been before. I couldn't take my eyes away from her as she lay on the bed in our guest room. She was thrashing and screaming in pain, a pain that I still clearly remembered being in over four hundred years ago. I don't know why I thought this would help her. I had only stacked more pain on top of what she was already feeling.

I had been kneeling beside her bed for 62 hours with Irina beside me rubbing circles on my back trying to comfort me. Her attempts were futile though. I was so scared that Bella would hate me when her change was complete. The life we lived was not something that one should be forced into. She should have been given a choice and time to really think through her decision. I had given her none of that. I had been impulsive and foolish. She could have been pleading for any number of things but I was sure becoming a vampire was not one of them.

Kate had held her close the entire time. She'd bathed Bella after the venom had sealed all her wounds and put her in one of Irina's dresses since they were closest in size. I'd left Kate to take care of her because I was sure that I was the last person Bella wanted to be near.

"It'll be over soon, dearest," Kate cooed to her. "And when it is you'll never feel pain again. You will be changed and made better. Your mind and body will be stronger, indestructible. You'll be faster and all your senses will be enhanced. You will so beautiful, even more than you were before. You'll be like us, Bella. You'll be a vampire."

Kate had been repeating that every time Bella's screams quieted, trying to prepare her for what she would awaken to. We had no way of knowing if Bella heard her or not but if she could she wouldn't be so overwhelmed later.

BPOV

Burning.

I was burning and the pain was more than words could ever describe. I could feel it every where inside me, my bones, muscles, veins, tendons and even in my very blood. It coursed and blazed through me with a fierce searing vengeance.

I just wanted it to stop and knew that it would soon. Kate promised me that it would. I tried to focus on her soothing words, hoping that it would distract me from the pain. It didn't. I still hoped that her words were true though. Would I really never feel pain again? Would I be beautiful in the way she and Tanya were?

But would I also be a vampire?

When the pain finally began to subside, it did so at a glacial pace, torturing me with anticipation of it's complete departure. When the pain left my limbs, torso and head, it all seemed to concentrate in my chest. I could feel my heart pounding faster and harder than it ever had as it incinerated. And then all of a sudden it stopped.

I remained still as I reveled in the absence of the pain. It was the greatest feeling I'd ever experienced. I seemed to be able to feel everything in light of the pain being gone. I could feel every silken fiber I was sheathed in and the dust in the air as it grazed my body. I could feel my hair, just as silky as what I was wearing, on my face, arms and shoulders. Everything felt absolutely fantastic.

I could hear so much. All sounds were clear and distinct without being loud or overwhelming. I could hear the snow falling, breathing from three different bodies, ticking of clocks and the movement of birds and tiny animals outside.

The smells, while not all good, were still captivating. The air around me was floral, sweet, stale, woody, grassy, pungent, chemical, and musky. It was wonderful. Everything was so intense and I was taking in everything so quickly. I felt sort of exhilarated and so...alive!

"Bella?"

The sound of my name while musical and beautiful, scared me. My eyes snapped open and my body somehow launched itself into a corner. Everything was bright and clearer than it had ever been. I scanned the room I was in. I recognized Tanya and Kate instantly. There was another woman present and even though I had never met her, my mind labeled her as Irina all on it's own.

As I looked into their apprehensive faces, everything came crashing back to me. Renee. Alaska. Restaurant. Kate. Bookstore. Tanya. Shopping. Hike. Deer. Phil. Blood. Wolves. Phil. Blood. Wolves. Me. Tanya. Kate. Vampire?

A strange breathless groan came from my mouth. I slid down the corner my back was against and fisted my hands in my hair. Dim, bloody images swirled around in my head like a tornado. Phil had been killed right in front of me by rabid animals. Renee was gone and now I had no one.

Loneliness gripped me as an agonized shriek filled the room.

"Bella!"

Kate was kneeling in front of me in the next instant. Her arms wrapped around me as her hand stroked the back of my head.

"Please say something, sweetie. Tell me what's wrong," Kate begged. It was then that I realized that horrible shriek had come from me.

"I'm alone," I breathed the sound of my voice was foreign to me. The cadence was different, more fluid, smooth and musical. It confused me.

"No! You have us and we'll be here forever if you want us to be. You don't have to be alone ever again," she replied earnestly pulling away from me only slightly so that she could look into my eyes.

"But my mom. And Phil...,"

"I'm so sorry Bella. We wanted to save him but we just got there too late. I'm so sorry."

She pulled me into her chest again and held me tight. I couldn't help but feel how hard yet soft her skin was. It was like a satin sheet over a marble table. She smelled so good, like peaches, orchids, and fresh air. Then her words from before came to me.

"Vampire?"

I felt Kate stiffen and move away from me. She stood slowly and I did as well. I looked past her to Tanya whose face was a mask of sorrow and remorse. The girl I figured to be Irina, wore an expression full of worry and compassion. Behind both of them I could see a small pale angel faced girl. She looked just like me but infinitely more beautiful. I cocked my head in bewilderment just as the girl did the very same. We both took steps forward at the same time as well. Was she mimicking me? I hated when people did that. I started to get a little irritated with her as she frowned at me when I frowned at her.

Tanya and Irina moved aside and I gasped in shock. The other girl was me! I was looking into a mirror! I wanted to get a closer look and was at the mirror before I even realized I had moved. I placed my hand on the smooth glass of the mirror and gazed at my reflection. My skin matched that of the other women in the room. My body was still slender but just slightly more filled out, hips more rounded, breasts just a little perkier. I looked strong and toned. My hair was thicker, glossier and more rich in color. My lips fuller and redder...but not as red as my eyes!

"Oh God!" I gasped.

"Your eyes change Bella. After you've drank..." Kate began before I cut her off.

"What?" I roared whirling around to face her. "Blood? I will not hurt people! I will not kill anyone! I won't!"

"Bella we don't..." Kate began but I cut her off again.

"I'm a monster!"

"Only if you allow yourself to be!" Irina interjected loudly. Her sharp voice shocked me. It was so different from the soft way Kate spoke. Irina stepped to me and placed her hands on my shoulders. Her touch was more gentle than her tone.

"We don't kill humans. Some vampires do but not us. We can survive off the blood of animals. It's hard but it's possible. We do it and so can you. We are not monsters. Real vampires are not what you see on TV and in movies. If you make an effort to maintain your humanity then you can live a life not entirely different than you did before. Only your body has changed Bella. You're still you," Irina said, her voice more tender than it had been before.

I didn't know how true her words were but they soothed me. I looked into her gold eyes trying to find some sign of deception but found none. She smiled warmly and pulled me into her arms. I automatically hugged her back, just needing to be comforted.

"We can guide you. Help you and show you all the wonders this life has to offer," Kate said now standing beside me and Irina. "I'm sorry that your family isn't here and I know they can never be replaced but we can help dull the ache of your losses. Family is not just something you're born into. You can choose your family and if you choose to let us be your sisters we'll stay at your side for eternity. Will you give us a chance to do that, Bella?"

I was scared, confused, sad, and most of all alone. I'd just met these women but instantly I'd felt a connection to them. They seemed to care about me and in the short time I'd known them they had offered me more comfort than anyone else ever had. I was clinging to Irina for dear life and I felt safe and oddly enough...loved.

I was a vampire now just like them and I had no one else in the world. They were offering me things that I'd never had when I was human. This could be a new and happy start for me, all I had to do was accept it.

I wanted to give a verbal response, but my throat was constricted with too much emotion so I simply nodded my head.

The tension in the room quickly dissipated and I finally stepped away from Irina. She and Kate were smiling at me and I couldn't help but smile back. I looked over at Tanya and saw that she was still frowning.

"Tanya?"

She looked up at me and choked out a sob. She rushed to me and wrapped her arms around me.

"I'm so sorry for doing this to you Bella. But Kate and Irina are right. It's not as bad as you must imagine. This life has so many perks and wonderful benefits. Please don't hate me, Bella. I promise I'll show you how great this can be!"

I hugged her back and tried to calm her the way Irina had calmed me. She was so sad and she didn't need to be. I had made my decision and I planned on making the best of it. My life before had been sad enough. This was my new start.

"I don't hate you Tanya. I'm just scared and confused. Please don't worry. If you promise me that everything will be fine then I'll believe you," I said.

Tanya nodded her head frantically. "I do promise."

"Then I believe you."

A smile filled with relief and joy covered her face. She took my hand and led me to the door.

"First thing's first then. You need to hunt."