Chapter 16

I was far away from everything, floating on a rather uncomfortably hot cloud, but it wasn't hurting me too much. I dimly heard voices around me, felt soothing hands on my burning skin, but I was in a daze. I wondered if I was dying, or already dead, but no, I could feel the drum beat of my heart in my ribcage. It was very slow, but powerful, and I could feel the burn of the venom in my veins and limbs. Edward had bitten me, and I was changing. It wasn't excruciating like I had expected, surprisingly. Just really hot, and right. I felt like I was a caterpillar, discarding my old body behind me, with this unmoving stage as a chrysalid. And soon I would wake up a butterfly, free and light.

The sounds around me sharpened and increased in volume, and I focused on them. I recognized words spoken, voices rising softly, and I listened. "… not even twenty-four hours. How could the change be already almost complete?"

"Edward's pheromones started changing her around two weeks ago," Carlisle's voice rose not far from me. "She was half-vampire already."

"But she's so still," Edward said, and his voice was laced with worry and distress. I wanted to comfort him so much.

"She's all right, Edward," Alice said from farther away. "Only about two hours left."

Wow, I thought with awe. In two hours I would be a full vampire, and without suffering too much. I was truly lucky. But next to me, I could feel my husband's anguish. I was lying on a mattress, and from the still air around me and the smell, we were back in the house, and I was on my bed. Edward was lying next to me, and I was nestled in his arms. I loved it. I could feel that his presence was the only thing keeping the pain at bay. I loved him.

I tried to lower my mental shield. I wanted to reassure my mate, I wanted to thank him. The shield obeyed me easier this time, and Edward gasped. "Bella?" he murmured in my ear.

I'm here, my love, I thought, happy to hear his relieved sigh. Are you all right?

"Me?" he snorted incredulously. "I'm fine, Bella, but how are you?"

I'm... well, I can't say fine, but it doesn't hurt too much, I told him in my head, hearing the excited conversations from around us, rejoicing at me communicating with Edward. And I have to thank you for that, my love. You holding me keeps the pain at bay.

"I'm happy, love," he said, kissing my cheek. "It will be over soon."

I'm glad, I thought, my shield starting to fight me to snap back around me. And you stopped from draining me, my love. You're incredible.

"It was hard, I admit," he confessed shamefully, "but I love you, my Bella. I can't kill you. You were right all along."

Of course I was, I thought smugly, earning a weak chuckle. Edward, I can't fight my shield any longer. I'm sorry.

"Don't be, love," he said, kissing my forehead tenderly. "We'll talk in a few hours. Thank you."

Thank you for saving me, my love. I love you.

My shield recoiled back in place then, and Edward sighed a little. "I love you too, my Bella."

I listened to the conversations around me, curious. I wondered what had happened after I had collapsed in the field. Had Jacob and Irina fought after all? Was everybody okay? Fortunately for me, Alice saw my decision to ask. "Edward, Bella wants to know what happened with Jacob and Irina."

The conversations died down, and Edward's hold around me tightened. "Irina is dead," he said with a sad voice. "She attacked Jacob while we were all distracted by your heart attack and my changing you. Jacob claimed he only defended himself, but the truth is he used Irina to punish us for your change. He tore her apart and threw her into the bonfire before anyone could react. Then Seth, Quil and Embry restrained him, and Sam and Carlisle talked some more. Sam agreed that Jacob broke the treaty, but Carlisle told him that we could renew it and forgive what had been done if Jacob was punished. Sam and the pack agreed, so did we. So we're good with the wolves. Well, as good as we can be with one of them killing one of us," he added with a bitter voice. "But Irina wasn't herself. She was acting rashly, and I wouldn't be surprised if she had really provoked Jacob for him to end her. I can't be sure, as I was focused on you, love."

"I'm certain she wanted out," Tanya said from the corner of my bedroom, her voice subdued. "She couldn't accept the truth about Laurent. I'm grieving her, but I can't help the thought that it's best for her this way. She doesn't hurt anymore."

"And Sam and the elder Quileutes banished Jacob for a year," Edward said after a few seconds. "It's his punishment for his crime. They told him to stay human and work to sort out his anger. He can return a year from now, and he's forbidden to phase or seek you out, Bella."

I nodded faintly, my heart sinking. I was sad about Irina's death and Jacob's ban, but I couldn't do anything about it now. I had tried to prevent it, and I had had to be changed immediately to avoid dying.

Silence settled around me, and I focused on Edward's breaths next to me. I could feel my senses sharpen, at the same time that the fire slowly retreated from my limbs, concentrating in my chest. The pain flared abruptly when all the fire gathered in my heart, and I moaned lowly, but as Edward tightened his hold on me my heart thuddered, then stopped. The pain vanished, and I knew then that the butterfly was born. I was ready to spread my wings.

I opened my eyes, taking in every dust particle swirling around me, every ray of light, everything with awe. It was so much, and so right. I turned my head, and gasped. My vampire, even more beautiful than he had ever been through my weak, human sight, was smiling at me, dazzling me with his gorgeous eyes and his sweet breath. "Hello, love," he said, his musical velvet voice soothing me and making me fall even harder for him.

"Hi, my love," I said before closing in to kiss him. In less than half a second I had him pinned to the mattress and me sprawled over him, kissing him senseless. It was pure bliss, and I would've gone further if some throats clearing and embarrassed coughs around us hadn't startled me. I jumped from the bed, crouching in front of Edward to protect him, and was about to growl when I realized it was our family surrounding us.

"Easy, love," Edward said, putting his arms around my waist and making me sit on the bed, kissing my neck and calming me. "No one here wants to attack us."

"Just wait a little bit more to be intimate, please," Emmett joked, flashing his dimples. "I want to be far away from you when it happens."

Everybody chuckled, including Edward and me, and Carlisle approached me cautiously, with exaggerated slowness. "How do you feel, Bella?" he asked me kindly.

"Fine," I grinned at him. "It's strange, but fine." The acute senses were disorienting, that was true, but I felt okay.

"You're in control," Jasper said, impressed, and I turned my head to look at him. His scars were impressive, but he was smiling at me, and I reciprocated. "Are you thirsty?"

"Very," I said, standing up and helping Edward up. "But I can wait a little longer if need be."

"No, no," he shook his head, his eyes glinting with mirth. "I believe you and Edward should go, and... well, we'll see you two sometime next week, I suppose."

I stared at him uncomprehendingly, but all the vampires around us were chuckling. I shrugged, then my eyes fell on the clothes I was wearing. "Alice?!" I shouted, making everyone jump. "What is this?!"

"It's a beautiful outfit, Bella," she said defensively as behind her, Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie, Tanya and Kate were exchanging money. "It looks wonderful on you."

"Alice," I rumbled angrily, fists clenched, "I highly doubt that a tight dress and stilettos are practical for a hunt. I need to change clothes."

"Bella," she whined, "it looks so perfect on you!"

"Maybe I'll think about wearing it for my next date with Edward, but I will change clothes now, so everybody out, please!" I said loudly, pointing at the door.

Rosalie cashed in the money with a sly grin and winked at me on her way out. Emmett grumbled about me noticing my clothes before being out of the house, and Jasper was still impressed. "Every newborn is out for blood a minute after waking up, and Bella notices her outfit first," Tanya grunted. Kate patted her on her head as they exited my bedroom.

Esme came in front of me and beamed at me. "You're so beautiful, Bella dear. Welcome to the family again." She hesitated, then opened her arms tentatively. I went to hug her, careful not to embrace her too tightly, remembering Jasper telling me about newborn strength. We hugged for a few seconds, then she pulled away, putting a hand on my cheek, her amber eyes sparkling with happiness.

Then Carlisle kissed my forehead. "Now you're fully one of us, dear child."

I was moved, and my dry eyes disconcerted me, but then I remembered that I would never cry again. I would never sleep again. I would never eat again. However I would enjoy every second of eternity with my vampire and my family. Eleazar and Carmen exited the room with Esme and Carlisle, smiling at me kindly, leaving Alice who was wringing her hands. "Really, Bella, you can keep the dress. It won't bother you for the hunt."

"But it will be destroyed," Edward said, rushing to my defense and snaking his arm around my waist. "And I'd rather see this pretty dress on my wife during a date."

"Besides," I added triumphantly as Alice's face fell, "no way I'm going hunting wearing stilettos. So it's better this way, Alice. But I appreciate the gesture. Truly, I do, and I like the outfit."

"Really?" she asked, the corners of her mouth lifting.

"Really," I promised. I would humour her, but another day. I wanted to take it easy for my first hunt. "Thank you, Alice."

She ran to me, and we hugged. Again I was mindful of my strength, and she lightly kissed my cheek. "Welcome to the family, sister." I hugged her a little tighter, and she squealed. "You're so strong, Bella! You'll give Emmett a taste of his own medicine soon!"

"I can't beat Emmett!" I protested, and Edward and Alice shook their heads back and forth.

"You can, love," Edward promised me, Alice nodding in front of me with a gleeful smile on her lips. "And you will."

"We'll see," I shrugged. The burn in my throat was becoming distracting. "Can we go, Edward?"

"Of course, love," he said apologetically. "I'm sorry. I'll help you out of this amazing dress, and into your new clothes, then we'll go."

Alice left us, and I let Edward do the work. I was too afraid of ripping my clothes, and I really wanted to keep that dress. He gave me a simple shirt with some skinny jeans, and after shredding the first two outfits I succeeded in getting dressed without any tearing. I was rather proud of myself. Edward gave me my sneakers, and I put them on very carefully. Then he took my hand. "Ready, love?"

I nodded, beaming at him, then we ran downstairs and exited the house through the bay doors. Running beside Edward, and not on his back, was exhilarating, and I uttered a little squeal. I felt like I was flying. I was free. I was... thirsty. I stopped abruptly as the smell of elk wafted in the air around us, and I didn't pause. I knew Edward was behind me, but he kept his distance, and that was fine by me. I was learning to use my hunting senses, and I wanted to do it alone.

I spotted a few elks grazing in a small clearing, and without thinking further I lunged, leaping onto the largest animal. We tumbled to the ground, I snapped his neck and sank my teeth into his pulsing point. The warm, delicious wooden-flavored blood poured down my throat, and I moaned in pleasure. This was so good! I vaguely heard Edward killing and drinking from another elk some thirty yards away, but I was focused on my thirst. I drained the elk, then ran after the others. I took down three more before being sated, and noticed Edward sitting atop a lower branch of a spruce tree, watching me with rapt attention, his eyes black.

Desire unfurled in me like a wildfire, consuming me. My breathing hitched as he jumped down on the ground. And then I let my instincts forward again. Less than a second later I was on top of him, having tackled him to the ground, and another second later his clothes were torn to shreds around us. He growled, and I shivered in anticipation. He ripped my own clothes off in a swift movement, then pulled me on top of him. I grabbed his wrists and slammed them on the ground next to his head, effectively pinning him underneath me. "Mine," I snarled lustfully, losing myself in his onyx eyes.

"Mine," he repeated with his sexy growl, making me even wetter. I didn't care if it was blood or venom coursing in my veins right now, I didn't care that I was a vampire or a human. All I cared about was my gorgeous mate under me, my loving husband and my destiny.

"I love you," I said, kissing him with all I had.

"I love you too," he whispered against my lips, then bit the lower one. That was my cue. I positioned myself on top of him, then slid on his long, hard cock. The sensation was indescribable. As a human, I had loved having sex with Edward. As a vampire, it was a thousand times better. And it lasted... well, three days, I think. We changed positions, destroyed countless trees and rocks, rolled around and made a mess of ourselves, but I hadn't had enough. And as vampires, there wasn't any need to stop.

I only stopped when Edward told me that I was about to crush him with my strength, and I released his arms. I didn't want to hurt him. "It's okay, love," he said with a mischievous smile, rolling me over. "Now's my turn to take you." And he made love to me again and again, making me scream his name and growling and snarling, scaring away the wildlife within a two-mile radius. I couldn't believe I would be this happy and content. I was in bliss. I was a vampire, and I was in the arms of my mate.

Five days and three hunts later, we returned to the house. We were stark naked, of course, our clothes since long gone. And I dimly wondered what our family would say, with us gone for eight days. But nobody was home, fortunately. Alice must have seen us return in our nakedness, so we had had time to shower – and destroy my shower stall – by the time they all came back. Edward was on the phone with a plumber when they rushed in the living room, grinning widely.

"Hello, lovebirds!" Emmett boomed loudly, making Edward scowl and retreat into the kitchen, cellphone against his ear. "Who's he talking to?"

"A plumber," I sighed, waiting for the laughter. They didn't disappoint, and even I cracked a smile.

"What did you do?" Esme asked quietly, trying to suppress her smile.

"We... broke my shower stall," I admitted with a smirk. Everybody, even Carlisle, roared in laughter. "And it's a little too much damage to repair it by ourselves."

"Newborn strength," Jasper shook his head, a knowing smirk on his lips. "But it can also happen with normal vampires. Right, Emmett? Rose?"

"Shut up, Jazz," Emmett laughed, as Edward reappeared next to me. "Remind me who destroyed the living room in our house in New York?"

"And you and Rose destroyed all the kitchens and bathrooms in every house we ever lived in," Esme said sternly, and Emmett stopped laughing. I giggled, then put my arm around Edward's waist.

"When will the plumber come, Edward?" I asked him, and he sighed.

"Tomorrow morning, love."

"Are the Denalis gone?" I asked my family. They told me they were back in Alaska, and were looking forward to spending more time with me there.

"Will you be on your way?" Carlisle inquired, as we all took seats on the couches and loveseats.

"Whatever Bella wants," Edward shrugged, pulling me into his side and kissing me. "Do you want to go to Alaska tomorrow, love?"

"What would be best?" I asked him back.

"Actually, Bella..." Alice started, and Edward growled faintly. My shoulders slumped.

"Yes, Alice?"

"Charlie came three days ago," she explained, and I froze. My father didn't want to see me again, so why did he came? Would he give us a hard time?

"We only told him you weren't home," Carlisle said, trying to reassure me, "and he saw your truck was missing, so he told us he would be back. But he refused to tell us why he came, and since Edward wasn't here..."

"I don't want to see him again, and I can't," I stated as calmly as I could. "What are we going to do?"

"We'll disappear," Carlisle said seriously. "We can't let Charlie discover your change. But it would be good if Edward could stay long enough to listen to his thoughts, to know what he wants and if he'll pursue us."

I nodded, and Edward did too. It meant that he would have to stay at the house, and I would have to go hunting with other members of my family. I could do it. "I hope he'll come soon," I just said. "The sooner we're far away from here, the better."

"Our house in the Denali park is ready," Esme told us. "We can leave at a moment's notice."

"I gave my notice a week ago," Carlisle added, taking Esme's hand. "I'll be able to leave next week. All is taken care of with the school. Alice, Edward and you are homeschooled until graduation."

I nodded, and thought about something. "Thank you all for this. I'm sorry to disturb your plans about staying here. And if you want to..."

"Don't ever finish this sentence, Bella Cullen," Rosalie said icily, shooting daggers at me. "You're family, and we won't leave you alone. Being a newborn isn't easy, even with a mate, and you will need all our support, not only Edward's. Personally, I don't care if we spend the next decade in the Alaskan wilderness. We can do it for you, Bella."

All my family nodded and smiled at me. I felt my throat tighten, and my eyes pricked from tears I would never be able to shed anymore. "Thank you," I whispered.

Edward kissed me tenderly. "You're one of us, Bella. Don't worry, we'll stay a few years in Alaska, then we can move to Canada or the East Coast."

"Hey!" Alice protested. "You promised Jazz and me that the next move would be in Ireland!"

"True," Carlisle nodded. "What do you think, Bella?"

"I've always wanted to see the Emerald Isle," I beamed at them. Alice squealed and bounced happily on Jasper's lap, who winced. I gave him a sympathetic smile.

I spent the rest of the day playing video games with Emmet, Jasper and Edward. My brothers were impressed that I didn't throw any tantrums when losing, and that I only broke three remote controllers. For one, I was happy to not be a crazy newborn. Only one thing I was crazy about, and it was...

"Bella!" Emmett whined. "Could you quit eye-fucking your mate for more than five seconds, please? We're playing Call of Duty! It's serious business."

I ignored his comment, dropped my remote controller and threw myself at Edward, who tumbled on the couch, laughing. I hadn't kissed him for twenty minutes, and it was an indecent amount of time. We kissed, our hands roaming, and only Jasper's shout made me raise my head. "Oy! Stop that, you two, or I'll make you go at it in front of all of us!"

"Dream on, older brother," I said, nipping at Edward's lower lip, but sitting up with a sigh. I could hear Esme's and Carlisle's laughs from their studies, and Rosalie's one from the garage. Alice was concentrating very hard on her computers, and I caught the words 'Paris', 'ugly models' and 'stupid trends'. I didn't even want to ask.

As Edward sat up next to me, he stiffened in my arms. "Charlie's coming."

I knew I should leave immediately, but I wanted to hear what my father had to say. So I rose up and kissed Edward swiftly, then ascended the stairs to my room in two seconds. Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie entered right after me, and closed the door. I stood next to my bed and extended my arms. Without a word, my brothers caught them and held me, and Rosalie planted herself firmly in front of me. I wanted to control my bloodlust, but they were my insurance policy. I didn't want to kill my father, even if I would never be able to see him again.

"You'll do well, Bella," Rosalie said with a small smile. "Don't worry. You won't kill him."

"I hope not, Rose," I murmured as I heard Charlie's tires squeal on the driveway. "How come you didn't see him coming, Alice?"

"Last second decision," she said from one floor below, sounding angry. "He made up his mind one minute ago, while driving on the road."

"Don't worry about it, pixie," I shrugged. I wasn't mad at her. Ten minutes later, the cruiser stopped in front of the house, and I took a deep breath. I shot a look at Jasper. "What do you advise me to do?"

"We're here to restrain you," he said very quietly as my father ascended the stairs. "Take one breath, then hold it."

I nodded, then heard Carlisle open the door. I caught a whiff of my father's scent, and... nothing. It didn't appeal to me at all. The scent was wrong, somehow. Much too sweet and strong. I shook my head, baffled. "What is so appealing?" I muttered. "I couldn't drink his blood. It smells disgusting."

My brothers and sister shot me an astonished look as two floors below Carlisle greeted my father. "Hello, Charlie. What can I do for you?"

"I want to see Bella," my father huffed, his tone scornful. Why was he here if he still disapproved of me? I couldn't wait for Edward, who was hiding with Alice in Carlisle's study, to tell me about what Charlie was really thinking.

"She and Edward are away," Carlisle said politely. "May I take a message?"

"She doesn't answer her phone," Charlie said angrily.

"I think she wanted to change her number," Carlisle told him neutrally. "Come in, do you want something to drink?"

"No, thank you," my father said dismissively, making my venom boil – I had no blood left in my veins. "She doesn't want to see me, does she?"

"I don't think so," Carlisle said calmly. "But neither did you. At least, that's what you told her the last time you saw her."

"Well, tell her that this was the last straw. Jacob disappeared, and I think it's her fault. Tell her that if something happened to him, I'll hold her personally responsible."

I had to bite my lip to stifle my outraged scream. It was so unfair of him. Jacob had killed a member of our family, however distant, and Charlie blamed me? Jasper sent a wave of calm my way, and I focused on Carlisle's answer. "I don't believe this is Bella's fault. She doesn't have any contact with Jacob."

"That's the problem," Charlie said murderously. "She let him down and married your good-for-nothing son instead. Have they run away?"

"No," Carlisle said coldly. "But they don't want to have to endure such undeserved hostility. They love each other, Charlie. Maybe it's time you start to accept it."

"I never should've defended you!" Charlie spat at my father-in-law, and I snarled. Rosalie put her hands on my cheeks, making me look at her butterscotch eyes, and shook her head. "Billy Black told me again and again that you and your family were bad news, and now you've taken my Bella away!"

"I'm sorry you see it that way," Carlisle replied, his voice colder than I'd ever heard. "But Bella made her own choices. We didn't take her, and she's not your property. Now I believe we have nothing more to say. I'll see you out."

"I'll watch out for you, Cullen," Charlie seethed on the threshold. "Your son won't get away with this."

"Bastard," I hissed, and Emmett and Jasper tightened their grip on me. But I didn't fight them. I wouldn't attack my father, even though he deserved it. As Charlie's cruiser started and left, I couldn't bite back my shout this time. "Goddamn you, Charlie! Go to hell!"

"Hey, hey, Bella!" Rosalie said, making me focus on her concerned eyes. "He's gone, and he won't come back. And if he does, we'll be gone. You know it's not your fault Jacob was banished, and the tribe couldn't tell Charlie about it."

"I know, but I resent him so much!" Jasper and Emmett dropped my arms, and I slumped on my bed, my face sinking into my hands. "He's only on Jacob's side. It's so unfair."

"It doesn't matter anymore, sister," Jasper said, sitting next to me and putting his arm around me. "Jacob will or won't come back next year, and Charlie will be alone. He lost you. It's his loss and our gain. We're here for you, Bella."

"Thanks, older brother," I said, leaning on his shoulder. "You have a knack for comforting people."

He chuckled. "I must admit I quite like this, Bella. And now I won't be afraid of killing you." I winked at him, Emmett and Rosalie embracing each other next to us.

"Bella," Jasper said more seriously. "You said you wouldn't drink his blood. Were you serious?"

"Absolutely," I nodded as Carlisle, Esme, Alice and Edward entered my bedroom. "The scent was so sweet and strong, it was... cloying, and wrong. Like reindeer, but a hundred times worse," I shuddered. "No, I wasn't even remotely tempted."

"Extraordinary," Carlisle murmured, looking awestruck. "I wonder..."

"What?" Jasper asked him, dropping his arm as Edward sat on my other side and leaned over me to kiss my hair.

"Bella's been drinking animal blood for approximately two weeks," Carlisle thought aloud. "Maybe she's used to animal blood, and now human blood smells wrong for her since she's a vampire."

"You mean that by drinking from animals before my change, I'm immune to the stronger, human blood?" I asked incredulously.

"It would be interesting to test this theory," my father-in-law said. "Can we do it now?"

I nodded, wanting to humour him. While he was gone fetching blood, I turned towards Edward. "What was Charlie thinking?"

My husband sighed, looking sad. "He's much more coherent now, but in his mind Jacob's the victim and you played him. He won't forgive you for several years, Bella, if ever."

"I don't care," I shrugged, more pained than I wanted to let on. Nobody commented, but I knew Jasper wasn't fooled, and neither was Edward. "Will he seek us out?"

"No," Edward and Alice said together. "He'll lose our trail in Alaska, then he will quit," Alice added, giving me a supporting look.

We all went down to the dining room, and Carlisle arrived with a blood bag in his hand. Jasper and Emmett went outside immediately, and Rosalie and Esme followed them more slowly, shooting me encouraging smiles. Edward stood behind me, gripping my arms tightly, and Carlisle looked at me, knife in hand. "Ready, Bella?"

"Ready," I simply said. Carlisle slashed the bag open, and the blood poured into a bowl underneath. I didn't stir. Astonished, Carlisle and Alice were staring at me blankly, and Edward released me.

"Bella, love, you...?" he stammered, dumbstruck. "You're not...?"

"I don't like the scent," I tried to explain, looking at his baffled expression. "That's not food. It reminds me of bleach. It's so strong, it's heady... " I added, wrinkling my nose.

I took the few steps separating me from Carlisle, and bent over the bowl. I inhaled deeply, and I nearly gagged. "No, definitely not," I said, backing away into Edward's arms. "Now tell me I'm a freak."

"Bella, you're not a freak," he said admiratively. "You're... exceptional, love. And..."

"Yes, Edward," Alice nodded enthusiastically as Carlisle took the bowl to the kitchen. "It means that Bella can be among humans right away!"

"Better not," I shook my head. "Even if I don't want to drink from them, I can't control my strength yet, Alice. I need to train, and I'd rather be in a secluded place for that. Besides," I added with a sly grin, "Edward and I would like to have our honeymoon first."

"Where?" she chirped excitedly. I shot a look at Edward, who gave me his crooked grin.

"Either we can go to Alaska right now, and the family can join us later," he offered me, eyes twinkling, "or we can go to Isle Esme. It's in the Atlantic ocean near Rio de Janeiro. Whatever you prefer, love."

I thought about it. Both propositions were tempting, but... "I think a honeymoon would be nice on a tropical island," I beamed at my husband, as my family joined us back. "We'll have plenty of time to go to Alaska afterwards. But... Isle Esme?"

"It's a gift from Carlisle," Esme told me, rubbing my arm affectionately. "It's wonderful, and secluded. I told Edward you could go spend a few weeks there. You'll have a great time."

"Thank you, Esme," I smiled. "That's very nice of you. My love?" I turned towards Edward, who took me in his arms. "Can we go tomorrow?"

"Whenever you want, love," he kissed my neck, making me shiver in anticipation. "What about graduation?"

"I'll graduate next time we go to high school," I said dismissively. "It's not important anymore. My whole life's here," I added, looking around at my loving vampire family. My Cullen family.

"So, little sis?" Emmett laughed. "You're more focused on sex than on human blood?"

"Exactly, Emmett," I smiled mischievously at him, making his jaw drop and my family chuckle. "Edward is far more appetizing, and I will savor each and every one of my meals."

"We've created a sex-crazed monster!" Emmett exclaimed, and I burst out laughing, Edward burying his face into my neck. Yes, I would enjoy every second of my time with my vampire. I would never have enough of him.

PhPhPhPhPhPhPh

Epilogue

"Race you to the house?" I taunted, smirking.

"You know you're going to lose," Edward said, dazzling me as he held me in his arms.

"True," I sighed, kissing him soundly for a few minutes. "Come on, my love," I said at last. "I've received an email from Angela."

We ran hand in hand to our house in Ireland. We were still living separately from the rest of the Cullens, as each couple had decided to spend a decade on their own before reuniting in Yukon in two years, and go back to high school. In truth, Edward and I had been kicked out after our brief stay in the house in Alaska, as we simply couldn't keep our hands off of each other, and it annoyed the rest of them to hear us making love for days on end. So Esme had found a cabin for Edward and me twenty miles away from the Cullens, and we had spent five years basically having sex at all times. Then we all moved to Ireland, as promised, and I was delighted by the country.

But I missed North America with a sickness. Edward had offered me to go back, and wait for the others there, but I didn't want to be away from my family for too long a period. Edward understood. My gentleman vampire was more caring and overprotective than ever. I loved him.

We had left Forks fourteen years ago, without a backwards glance on my part, except for Angela's friendship. I never saw her again after my change, but we still wrote emails to each other, and I had news from my old hometown through her, as she and Ben were teachers at Forks High. They were happily married, had a nice house, three kids and two dogs. I was really happy for her.

"I win!" I said triumphantly as I passed the threshold first, and Edward chuckled.

"Only because I let you enter first," he said, grabbing my waist and kissing my neck.

"My gentleman" I sighed, leaning into his embrace. "Remind me to give you my next fox."

"Mmmh," he hummed against my skin. "That's a payment I can hardly refuse. Though I have to say I miss the mountain lions."

"Oh, God, me too," I moaned. Ireland was very nice, but the wildlife wasn't abundant, and I disliked sheep intensely. "I would even settle for a grizzly."

"Don't tell Emmett next Sunday," my mate whispered in my ear between kisses along my collarbone. "He's going crazy and daydreams about bears."

"Maybe we'll convince everyone to go back earlier," I said, rubbing the front of his pants. He growled.

"Bella..."

"My email first!" I exclaimed, wriggling out of his arms. He chuckled. I ran to the computer, and thirty seconds later I was reading Angela's mail, Edward behind me.

Dear Bella,

I'm happy to read that you're well and happy in Dublin. I assume that being in another continent can be disorienting, but I'm very happy for Edward and you. Your jobs seem to be interesting, and I hope one day you'll come back to Forks and you'll tell us all about it.

Everything's fine in the Cheney house. Ethan hates his school, but I think he's starting his rebellious teenage phase. He still refuses to do anything except reading, and I worry a little about him. But Ben will have him pass some tests, so I hope we'll soon know if he's really a little genius or just lazy. Maddy and Abby are the evil twins right now, and I can't wait for their seventh birthday. I'm lucky to have my parents to watch them sometimes, otherwise Ben would be bald and me drunk all the time.

And now the gossip news. Mike and Jessica are pregnant – again. Even after their shotgun wedding and four kids, they still don't know what birth control is, apparently. Mrs Stanley is desperate, and Mrs Newton is going crazy with Jessica's absurd cravings, and she's already weighing two hundred pounds three months along. Really, who wants to eat cucumber slices topped with maple syrup on French toast? It makes me sick just writing it. I'm happy I'm not a fan of outdoor activities, because from what my mom told me, Jessica eats her death meals at the counter of the store. She makes the customers flee, and her in-laws aren't happy at all.

Jacob and Vanessa made an offer for Dawling's garage, and the old scoundrel said yes. Now we have a decent place for our cars to be repaired, at last! About time, too. Vanessa will give birth to their second son anytime now, and she wanted to be in Forks by then. Billy will stay at La Push, he said he didn't want to be a nuisance for them. And Rachel and Paul watch over him, anyway.

Lauren wrote me an email last week, I couldn't believe my eyes! She and Tyler are still in Sacramento, but they're broke, so they're talking about coming back, and Tyler finding some work at Jacob's garage. I wouldn't bet on it. Jacob will already have Quil and Embry with him, plus Vanessa as a secretary, so I don't think he'll hire Tyler. And since Lauren can't work a job to save her life, I don't know what will happen for the two of them. Mrs Crowley told my mom that Tyler is thinking about breaking up – again – but maybe Lauren has bewitched him, and he can't. I mean, she cheated on him three times, and he takes her back every time! Nobody understands, here.

And now... your dad. I'm sorry, Bella, but he had a heart attack last night. He's in the hospital, in the intensive care unit, and Sue told my father that his chances were slim. Too many greasy meals. Poor Sue seems to be doomed with her husbands. Fortunately Leah and Matthew are back from Seattle, so they'll take care of her if anything happens. Seth is still in New York with Britney, and he still doesn't speak to your dad. I suppose the news won't upset him. That's just so sad.

I know that you weren't in good terms with your dad, but if you want me to pass a message, I'll go and try to see him. Let me know. I'm sorry, Bella.

Love

Angela

I sat back on my chair, my dead heart hurting me. Charlie was dying. After Renee and Phil's car accident six years ago, now I would lose my father. I wanted to be indifferent, but I couldn't. I only wanted him to still be my dad, but he had never stood by my side. Always on Jacob's side.

"I'm sorry about Charlie, love," Edward said, all lightness gone. "Do you want to go see him?"

I shook my head. Even though I had never had any urge to drink human blood and could easily pass as human now, my father, even on his deathbed, would know that something was wrong with me. "No, I don't," I said simply, regret in my voice. "I've been dead for him since a long time ago. Sometimes I wish things were different, I wish he would have realized that he had been wrong. But he has always been stubborn."

"We could call the hospital," Edward suggested. "Or ask Carlisle to do it."

"Please ask Carlisle," I requested. So Edward called Carlisle while I wrote back to Angela, telling her about our false life as environmental researchers in Ireland, our siblings in Canada, and Carlisle and Esme in England. It wrenched my heart to write so many lies, but that was the price to pay for Angela's friendship. I was used to it now.

I didn't give her any message for my father, only for Sue, telling her that I was with her in thoughts. I couldn't say anything else. Our relations with the pack, or rather the former pack, were distant but friendly, however Sue had hated me from the start. Emily and I wrote emails too, and she was raising two daughters with her beloved Sam. And she was the one who gave me the news about Jacob imprinting on Vanessa during his banishment. According to her, Jacob was feeling remorse towards me. I didn't care.

Edward's phone rang, stirring me out of my musings. "Carlisle?"

"I called Forks General," my father-in-law said sadly. "Charlie passed away this morning. I'm sorry, Bella."

"Don't be, Carlisle," I said neutrally. "It was meant to be."

I rose and exited the house, looking into our small garden. I wanted to cry, but I only had emptiness to give to my father's memory. The emptiness of what could have been, had he stood by me. After a few minutes I felt Edward's arms around me, and I leaned into his chest. He was my life, my destiny. I turned around, and lost myself in his golden eyes.

"Do you want to attend the funeral?" he asked me softly.

I shook my head. "I don't want to see Jacob, or Sue. I don't want Seth to fight his sister again because of me. I don't want to be away from my family."

"I understand," he whispered, caressing my cheek lovingly.

"I love you, Edward."

"I love you, Bella."

THE END

This is it! I hope it's slightly better now than it was before, and that you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading, and please leave me a review ;)