The days in Denali passed in a flurry of preparation, tension, and quiet moments of resolve. Each member of the Cullen family had their role to play, but the weight of the coming transformation seemed to rest most heavily on Bella and Edward. The Denali coven welcomed them with open arms, offering support and the occasional lighthearted distraction. Yet beneath the surface, every moment felt charged with anticipation.

Carlisle, always meticulous, had spent countless hours refining the plan for Edward's transformation. His medical knowledge was unparalleled, and he assured Bella that he would do everything in his power to minimize Edward's pain. He planned to inject morphine directly into Edward's bloodstream moments before the bite to dull the agony of the venom's initial spread, this was his theory. Additionally, cooling packs would be strategically placed to lower his body temperature, which might help counteract the fiery burn of the venom coursing through his veins.

"I've done this before, Bella," Carlisle said gently one evening as they sat together. "It's not perfect, but it will help. I'll monitor every step of the process. You won't be alone in this."

Despite Carlisle's reassurances, Bella was a nervous wreck. The idea of being the one to bite Edward was almost too much for her to bear. She had spent years trying to protect him from pain, to keep him safe by not involving him in her world. Now, she was the one who would inflict it.

Edward, however, was resolute. He wanted Bella to be the one to change him. "It has to be you, love," he had said softly, cupping her face in his hands. "This isn't just about the transformation. It's about us. About trusting you, about making this decision together. I wouldn't have it any other way."

But Bella's nerves were palpable. Over the following days, every member of the family took turns cheering her on. Emmett teased her relentlessly, cracking jokes about how he was sure Edward would have the "prettiest bite marks in vampire history." Rosalie, in her own way, offered quiet support, assuring Bella that she was more than capable. Even Alice took Bella aside, detailing a vision of the perfect moment when everything would go smoothly.

Carlisle promised to be by her side, ready to intervene if anything went wrong. Still, Bella couldn't shake the worry gnawing at her.

For Edward, the days leading up to his transformation were bittersweet. He worked tirelessly on his company, wrapping up loose ends and ensuring everything would run smoothly in his absence. Tanya and her sisters, ever the charmers, occasionally wandered into the room to chat—or, in Tanya's case, to flirt shamelessly.

"Need any help, Edward?" Tanya asked one afternoon, leaning casually against the doorframe. "You look like you could use a break. Maybe a hunting lesson?"

Edward chuckled, shaking his head. "I think I'll leave the hunting lessons for after the transformation, Tanya. But thank you."

Bella, passing by, rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Careful, Tanya. He's not as coordinated as you think. He might end up chasing his own tail out there."

The room burst into laughter, and Tanya threw up her hands in mock defeat. "Fine, fine. But you can't blame me for trying, Bella. He's just so… manly."

That earned an audible groan from Emmett, who had overheard from the next room. "Manly? You're talking about Edward?"

Even Bella couldn't help laughing at that, and Edward simply shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. He appreciated the levity, even if Tanya's comments made him slightly uncomfortable.

The Denali coven shared their stories over evening conversations, and Bella took the opportunity to recount her first encounter with them. Edward listened intently, fascinated by every detail. When Eleazar mentioned Bella's mental shield, Edward's admiration for her only deepened.

Edward sat beside Bella, his warm human hands cradling hers. The faint crackle of the fireplace filled the quiet moments after the Denali coven had retreated for the night, leaving the two of them in relative solitude. His heartbeat, steady and strong, echoed softly in his chest—a reminder of the limited time he had left as a human.

He gazed at Bella, her porcelain features illuminated by the soft firelight. Despite the strength she exuded, he could sense the worry beneath her composed exterior.

"You're incredible," he said softly, breaking the silence. His voice was laced with awe. "Every time I think I know everything about you, I learn something new that leaves me in complete amazement."

Bella tilted her head, her lips curving into a small, shy smile. "Edward, I'm not that extraordinary. I didn't even know about the shield until recently. And it doesn't seem to work against everyone's abilities—just Kate's."

"That's precisely why it's extraordinary," Edward replied, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand. "Your shield is unlike anything I've heard of. It's powerful, but it also has its limits, which makes it uniquely yours. You're uniquely you, Bella."

She smiled at his words but sighed, her gaze dropping to their joined hands. "I wish I could share your confidence. I just… I can't stop worrying about what could go wrong. I don't want to lose you, Edward. Not for anything."

He cupped her cheek, gently urging her to look at him. "You won't lose me. Carlisle knows what he's doing, Bella. And I trust you. I know you'll be there for me every step of the way. Soon, we'll be equals. No more holding back—no more worrying that I'm too fragile. I'll finally be able to love you in every way, and you can love me without restraint."

Bella's eyes glistened, but she forced a smile. "I know. I just—this is all new to me, Edward. I've never been on this side of it before. I've always been the one changing, not watching someone else go through it. I'll feel better once it's over."

Edward chuckled softly, a low, reassuring sound. "And you think I'm the dramatic one."

She gave a breathy laugh despite herself and nudged him lightly. "I just love you, that's all."

"And I love you," he whispered, leaning closer. "Forever."

The following morning, breakfast for Edward turned into an event. Tanya lingered longer than necessary, blatantly watching him as he ate.

"Does he always look this… perfect when he eats?" Tanya asked, her voice dripping with feigned innocence.

Bella shot her a sharp look while Edward, slightly flustered, wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I'm not sure what you mean," he said, his voice tinged with awkward politeness.

Kate smirked from across the room. "She means you've become her favorite breakfast show, Edward."

"Kate!" Bella scolded, though the corners of her mouth twitched with reluctant amusement.

Tanya ignored them, tilting her head as if studying a rare artifact. "I've never seen someone look so… dignified eating eggs. It's almost disappointing you're about to become a vampire."

Edward raised an eyebrow, suppressing a laugh. "I'll take that as a compliment, I suppose."

"You should," Tanya replied breezily, tossing her golden hair over her shoulder.

Bella leaned into Edward, her voice low enough for only him to hear. "I'm going to have a serious talk with her if she doesn't back off."

Edward chuckled, brushing a kiss on her temple. "It's harmless, love. Besides, you're the only one I have eyes for."

Bella's expression softened at his words, her earlier irritation dissolving. "You'd better mean that, Masen!"

"I do," he promised. "Always."

As they sat in the quiet of their temporary room, Edward held Bella's hand, absently tracing patterns along her palm. His brow was furrowed, his golden eyes pensive, and Bella could feel the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him.

"I was thinking about something," he began, his voice breaking the silence. He glanced at her briefly before looking away, his gaze fixed on the flicker of the bedside lamp. "What if I forget things after the transformation? Like some of my human memories?"

Bella frowned, her lips parting slightly as she turned to face him fully. "Why would you think that?"

Edward hesitated, his free hand running through his hair—a telltale sign of his unease. "You've mentioned it before," he said quietly. "How some of your human memories are… hazy. Like our third date, for instance. I remember every detail: the way the sunlight caught in your hair as we walked through the park, the sound of your laugh when I tried—and failed—to skip a stone across the water. But you don't. You remember the park, but not the little things. It worries me, Bella. I don't want to lose any of it."

Bella's brows knit together, and her eyes softened. She opened her mouth to respond but paused, sensing there was more he wanted to say.

"I've noticed it other times too," he continued, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Like that evening we spent at the diner in Forks. We sat at the corner booth—you had coffee, and I had tea. You said you liked the way the rain sounded against the windows."

Bella blinked, trying to summon the memory he spoke of, but it evaded her. She remembered the diner, but the details he described felt distant, as though they belonged to someone else's life.

Edward noticed her struggle and smiled gently, though his eyes held a hint of teasing. "I told you a story that night," he prompted, his tone light. "About the time Mike insisted I take him camping in the Rockies. He was convinced it would be some kind of man versus wild bonding experience. Honestly, I think he just wanted to see if he could wrestle a bear or get me to wrestle one for him."

Bella raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "Mike Newton? Camping? Please tell me there was more to this disaster."

Edward chuckled, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Oh, there was more. He showed up wearing a brand-new flannel shirt, boots that still had the tags on them, and a backpack stuffed with granola bars and an emergency air horn."

Bella's eyes widened. "An air horn?"

Edward nodded, his laughter bubbling up. "He said it was to 'scare off wildlife.' I told him the only thing it would scare was me, and even that was debatable. But the best part? He brought marshmallows—no tent, no sleeping bag, just marshmallows. When I asked what his plan was if it rained, he shrugged and said he'd 'figure it out.'"

Bella pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. "Oh, no. Please tell me this gets worse."

"It does," Edward said, his grin widening. "We hiked for about an hour—well, I hiked; Mike mostly complained and asked if we were there yet. Eventually, we set up a small fire, and he started telling me how he'd read somewhere that bears were afraid of loud noises. I warned him not to use the air horn, but of course, he didn't listen."

Bella was already laughing, anticipating the outcome. "What happened?"

Edward leaned closer, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "He blasted that thing as loud as he could, and instead of scaring anything off, it attracted a whole group of hikers who thought we were in trouble. One of them was an actual park ranger who gave Mike a thirty-minute lecture on disturbing wildlife. By the end of it, Mike was too embarrassed to even toast his marshmallows."

Bella doubled over, clutching her stomach as tears of laughter welled in her eyes. "I can't believe you survived that without losing your mind."

Edward smiled softly, his amusement fading into something tender as he watched her. "That night, I remember thinking I'd never heard a sound as beautiful as your laughter. Even Mike's antics were worth it if it meant seeing you like this."

He chuckled softly. "You laughed so hard you nearly spilled your coffee."

Bella's lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smile forming. "I vaguely remember the camping story," she said, though her tone held an edge of uncertainty. "But… I don't remember the diner."

"That's exactly what I mean," Edward said, his voice barely above a whisper. "These moments, Bella—they're everything to me. Every little smile, every shared glance. I don't want to lose any of it."

Bella reached up, cupping his face in her hands. Her thumb brushed against his cheek, and he leaned into her touch. "Edward," she said softly, her voice steady and reassuring, "you're not going to lose the memories that matter. And even if some things fade, I'll be there to remind you. Just like you've reminded me of so much."

He closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of her touch and the certainty in her words. Still, the thought lingered, a faint thread of doubt woven through the fabric of his excitement about the change.

"I've thought about marrying you while I'm still human," he admitted, his voice so quiet it was almost a whisper. "A memory like that—standing in front of you, exchanging vows—it's something I'd treasure forever. But what if even that fades after the change? What if I lose pieces of it, pieces of us?"

Bella's heart ached at the vulnerability in his words. "Edward," she said, her tone firm yet tender, "you're not going to lose what matters. You're you—every part of you, human or vampire. And no matter what, we'll have each other. If you forget the small things, I'll remind you. If you forget our wedding day, I'll tell you every detail a thousand times until it's like you never forgot at all."

Her words settled over him like a balm, soothing the ache in his chest. He nodded slowly, leaning forward to press his forehead against hers.

"I just want to remember everything," he murmured. "Every detail, every moment with you. But you're right. No matter what happens, we'll have each other. And that's what matters most."

Bella smiled, a glimmer of humor lighting her expression. "Besides," she teased, "if you forget, you'll just have to marry me again. And again. And again. I wouldn't mind that."

Edward chuckled, the sound low and warm, and the tension in his shoulders eased. "You're impossible," he said affectionately. "But I wouldn't mind that either."

Bella laughed softly, her fingers threading through his hair. "See? There's always a solution."

For the first time that evening, Edward's smile reached his eyes. The worry hadn't disappeared entirely, but Bella's words had given him something stronger to hold on to—hope.

As the day wore on, the preparation continued. Carlisle meticulously reviewed his plans for Edward's transformation, explaining the steps to Bella in detail to ease her nerves. Morphine would be administered first to dull the pain as much as possible, though Carlisle admitted the venom would eventually overwhelm it.

"Venom burns through most medications quickly," Carlisle explained gently. "The morphine won't eliminate the pain, but it should take the edge off initially."

Edward nodded, absorbing the information with calm determination. Bella, however, looked tense.

"Are you sure I should do it?" she asked for the hundredth time. "What if I mess up? What if I can't stop?"

Carlisle placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You'll be fine, Bella. I'll be right here with you. If it becomes too much, I'll step in. But I believe in you."

The family rallied around Bella, offering words of encouragement. Even Tanya chimed in with a cheeky, "If Bella can't handle it, I'll gladly take over."

Bella shot her a glare, but Edward's quiet laughter broke the tension. "I think we'll leave it to Bella," he said firmly, lacing his fingers with hers.

Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.

I just think Tanya is really funny with her banter—she's only half kidding, though, lol.

Bella's worries are justified, I think. In canon, she wanted Edward to change her, so it makes perfect sense that Edward would want Bella to be the one to change him as well.

Regarding Bella's shield, I hadn't fully delved into it, as Jasper's and Alice's gifts are not mental, so they could still feel and see her. There hasn't been any interaction with the Volturi either, so Bella hasn't really had the need to use or practice it yet, especially since we still don't have the mind reader… yet.