***Disclaimer – Stephanie Meyer owns everything Twilight. I'm just letting the characters live in my mind for a while.***

Chapter 5

(still in CPOV)

"Bella, are you ok, sweetie?" She hadn't said a word and that concerned me a bit. I kissed the top of her head and drank in her scent. Beautiful. "Bella…"

"Mm-hmm." Her shoulder shook a bit and I could smell liquid salt. Don't cry, Bella, please. I hugged her close as she wiped her face with her hand and sniffled, trying to make herself stop.

"Are you sure?" She nodded her response. I guess that'll have to do, for now. "We should get dressed. Edward will be back soon."

I slowly let her go and turned to swing my legs over the edge of the bed. Moving at vampire speed to the other side, I picked up our clothing and gently laid hers on the bed next to her. I put my boxers and pants back on. She didn't move or look at me.

"Bella, hun, you're scaring me a bit. Are you ok? Did I hurt you?" I knelt beside the bed and grasped her hand and wiped a tear away from her cheek. Her eyes seemed a richer brown when they were filled with tears.

"No, I'm not hurt. A little sore, but not hurt." I didn't hurt her. "I-I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong." Her voice was so quiet, if I was human, I wouldn't have heard her. "I think I'm just overwhelmed." Of course you are. "I didn't mean to worry you. That was amazing. Unlike anything I expected." I smiled with a hint of pride.

"Bella, losing your virginity, especially for women, can be overwhelming. This is absolutely normal." I hesitated for a moment, "Is there anything you want or need? What can I do? Would you like help getting dressed?"

She sat up and caught the sheet as it started to slip from position, covering her. She blushed.

"No need to be embarrassed, Bella." I reached to tuck her hair behind her ear. She blushed again.

"I know." She confirmed as she fumbled with her bra.

"Here, let me." I held out my hand as a deep scarlet crossed her cheeks. She turned around and I hooked her bra easily. She leaned forward to slide her panties and shorts back on. I picked her tank top up and turned it right side out and held it up for her to slide it over her head.

Once she was dressed, she motioned for me to move. Quickly, I stood and moved out of her way. She climbed out of the bed, slowly, wincing twice. Damn. Perhaps I did get a little hasty in the excitement. I moved to help her and she raised a hand in a signal that she was ok. She remained motionless for a moment while she steadied herself and then began to remove the sheets. When she pulled back the cover sheet, the evidence of what we had just done was glaring at her from the bottom sheet. Blood.

Her eyes filled with terror as she looked up at me, "I'm so sorry, Carlisle."

"It doesn't bother me now." I knew what she meant.

"Now? So, it did…before?"

"At first, yes." I had to be honest.

"I didn't mean to make it uncomfortable for you." She looked downward at the sheet and quickly stripped it from the mattress. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw there was no stain on the mattress. I moved over to her and took the linens away.

"You didn't. It's not your fault." Glancing down at the pile of sheets in my arms, I added, "I'll take care of these." I tossed the soiled sheets into a pile next to the door. As soon as I could, I'd dispose of them properly. I turned back to her. She was just standing there, staring at the mattress. I walked in front of her and sat down, putting my face almost level with hers. I wanted to reach for her hands, but even after what we'd just done, I needed to give her space. Instead, I placed my hands neatly folded in my lap.

Suddenly, a sob shook through her and she fell into my lab. I pulled her tight to me and let her cry, smoothing her hair and wiping tears.

"Bella, talk to me. I'm still the same man. You can talk to me about anything." I tried to soothe her. She sniffled twice and then opened her mouth to speak.

"I'm not upset; I'm happy. That was amazing, Carlisle. I'm sure I won't forget that. Thank you."

"You're very welcome."

"Will things be awkward between us now?"

"Maybe for a bit, but once you've changed, you may not even remember. At least you won't care because you'll be able to be with Edward." Hopefully it won't be strange between us.

She opened her mouth to speak again, but before she could utter the first syllable, I sighed and raised my hand to shush her. I heard a car pull into the driveway. Edward. A quick glance at the clock on the wall told me that it was 10:25 pm. Wow, time flies… How did he know we are done? Was he listening? Probably.

I turned my eyes back to Bella and smiled. I thought to myself, knowing Edward would hear it. It's safe to come in. When she gave me a confused look, I whispered, "Wait." I watched the door, but I could see her frustration in my peripheral vision. I could hear her heart quicken in anticipation.

The door burst open and, after glancing at the crumpled sheets on the floor and composing himself against the smell of blood, Edward was by her side before she could register it was him that entered the room. Her eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped. He brushed his thumbs on either side of her face to wipe away the tears.

"You've been crying." He was very concerned and turned to give me an angry glare. She's just overwhelmed. She's fine. It's normal. She's yours now, son.

"Thank you" was all he said to me as he scooped up his wife and carried her out of the room.

When the door closed, I sighed. I reached for my socks and shoes and quickly donned them. I nodded once to myself, stood, and gathered the sheets. As I passed their room, I heard her laughing. It's going to be ok now. Just as I came to the top of the stairs, I heard Edward walk up behind me. I turned to face him as he spoke quickly.

"Thank you, Carlisle. Are you still ok with her change tonight?"

"Let me dispose of these," gesturing to the sheets, "and I'll be in." He seemed relieved.

"She's going to take a shower and then we'll wait."

"I won't be long." He nodded and disappeared back into their room.

I placed the sheets into a bag and threw them in the trunk of my Mercedes. I planned to burn them in the incinerator at the hospital the next time I had a night shift. As I walked back into the house and up the stairs, I recalled the events of the evening. She may not remember soon, but I surely will. I allowed myself one last revel in the memories and then shut them away. Edward didn't need me thinking of his wife like that for eternity.

I raised my hand to knock on the door, but Edward called for me to enter before my knuckle touched the painted white wood. I opened the door and stepped inside. They had one candle burning by the window, and she was lying on their bed. Her hair was damp and she had changed into a pair of black yoga pants and a t-shirt. I nodded at her in greeting. She smiled back at me. I couldn't help but return the smile.

Edward knelt beside her on the bed, holding her hand. I knelt on the floor next to the bed and held her other hand. She smiled again as I raised her hand to my mouth and kissed her knuckles.

"You'll be fine, Bella. We'll be waiting." I reassured her. I could hear her heart beating fast.

Edward took a deep breath and leaned over her. He held her hand in one of his, while his other hand stroked her cheek. He kissed her with such great passion, I turned my face away to give them a moment of privacy. Then he broke the kiss and turned her face away from him, towards me. Just before she closed her eyes for the final time as a human, I smiled at her.

Edward whispered into her ear, "I'm sorry, Love. Forgive me."

Then I saw her eyes close and her mouth opened in a silent scream. I knew the fire was consuming her. And we will be here, waiting.