Transformation
A/N for 2018-08-31: Hi all, this is a wee chapter. There will be one more to conclude it all - coming in the next while (likely before the end of September).
In the meantime, if you like angst (and how can you not, if you're reading this?) head on over to my newest story, "A descent like no other," another vamp fic, which is well under way.
As always, thanks for feeding the writing with your reviews!
~ Erin
Their honeymoon had bled into the start of the new school year. It wasn't anything strange for them to not come back to Forks afterwards. Or for the other family members to disappear to college, too. For Esme and Carlisle to take a few weeks holiday out of town.
She'd never been to Alaska before. It was as beautiful as she'd imagined it, all the green of Forks, but deeper, more rugged.
"Is all of this really necessary?" she asked, her gaze sweeping the medical equipment in the room.
"Yes," Edward chuckled.
"I won't need it in a few days."
"No, but you need it now."
"It's—"
"Utterly necessary," he murmured, leaning down and effectively silencing any more disagreement with his lips.
Their 'cousins', as the Cullens referred to them, were welcoming, except for Irina, who kept to herself, making only the most cursory of greetings. The barely concealed anger she'd levelled at Bella had pulled quiet snarls from Edward and Jasper.
"This is a happy occasion," Tanya had said forcefully, testing the claim of her words. "We're glad to have you." Then she'd glared at her sister, watching Irina slink away.
"I don't want to wait to long," Bella said, letting her fingers dust over Edward's hair. "We've waited a long time, already."
"Then we won't."
"You're sure, still?"
"I meant what I promised," he said solemnly. "I will change you, Bella."
So it was, that not so many days after they arrived that they retreated to the room they'd called their own, not as crowded with machines now, to begin her last human moments.
They were sweet ones, their bodies gently tangled together in an act that would soon not require so much care on Edward's part, as Bella's.
When they were dressed again, he raised an eyebrow at her, glass of water in one hand, pills in the other. She'd refused, utterly, to have anything that required a syringe, to deal with the pain of her change. The idea of it made her twitch, the trauma of what Jun had done too fresh.
She palmed the small pills to her mouth, swallowing quickly.
Then he slid into the bed with her, pulling her onto him.
"How will you know they're working?" she asked.
He smiled. "You think I don't know you well enough?"
"No," she chuckled, "just—"
"Nervous?"
"Yes."
"Mmm." He squeezed her in a light hug. Then, listening to the thoughts of those around them, snorted.
"What?"
"Alice."
"What about Alice?"
"What do you want to wake up wearing? Heels and a dress, or your normal attire?"
"Do you seriously have to ask?" she sounded worried.
"Just making sure Alice hears the answer from your lips," he muttered.
It was her turn to laugh.
The other women in the family had taken Bella aside, politely explaining that her change would solidify her current state. Her hair would never grow, and it wouldn't be able to be cut, not easily, anyway. Her nails too. So, she'd made her permanent choices. Alice had filed her nails for her, telling Bella she'd be glad of the precision when she could see it for herself.
Edward had laughed, openly at Alice's priorities. "Of course, how could I stand to have a wife with," and here he'd gasped and put his hand to his forehead, "uneven nails."
Now she murmured, "cold," shivering a little in the bed.
Edward pulled another blanket over her. She wouldn't be soon. He was running his fingers over her hair and cheek, memorizing the texture of her soft skin, the feel of her blood under it. Holding onto, in his mind, the last blush he'd seen sweep up her face, when Emmett had made a raucous joke that morning.
Her eyes were having trouble focusing, but she was holding on, blinking rapidly. Fighting.
When they finally fluttered shut, he whispered, "I love you, Bella," and then called out to Carlisle. "Be close now, please." He didn't want to risk not stopping at just a bite. It wasn't that he doubted himself, but he wouldn't proceed without every precaution possible.
With a final kiss to her still human neck, he bared his teeth and let them pierce the flesh there.
Her blood was the consuming sweetness he remembered, sucking him inside himself, the monster raging to continue.
It was nothing now, to swat it away. To bury it in a desire for an eternal spouse. One that couldn't be hurt.
He licked the wound closed, sealing in his venom, and then repeated his bite at her elbows, and her knees.
She remained unnaturally still.
"Carlisle," he said more urgently.
Appearing silently, Carlisle looked and then listened, glancing at Edward.
"Better than expected," he said, a hand on Edward's shoulder.
"Are you sure? She's not moving. Surely she should feel something."
Carlisle shook his head. "She isn't in pain, and she looks to be peaceful. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Yes, but—"
"You're used to worrying about her, Edward," Carlisle smiled, "it might take you some time to get used to not worrying. Probably good to start now."
Edward sighed, a small smile of agreement on his lips. It was true.
"Thank you," he whispered, sitting down to watch, and to wait.
DISCLAIMER: S. Meyer owns Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.