Carlisle handed me a tissue and picked up his silver cell phone off the desk. “Alice, could you come down here for a minute?” He listened to her response then quickly flipped it closed. He patted my trembling hand soothingly while we waited for Alice.

She took one look at me and was instantly at my side pulling me into her firm arms. “I’ll be right back. I just need to have a quick word with Edward and then we’ll get started.”

The tears flowed so heavily that I never saw him leave the room. Alice whispered comforting words incessantly, but I wasn’t paying attention. I heard her curse under her breath every so often at Edward, but I couldn’t focus enough to catch the gist of it.

Without warning, there was suddenly another pair of cold arms embracing me. Edward pressed his icy lips against my ear. “Oh Bella.” He stoked my face gingerly. “I’m sorry. So sorry. I promised not to hurt you again and look at what my selfishness is doing to you,” he sighed, his sweet breath tickling my face. That helped slow the tears more than anything. Even without looking at him I was dazzled. “I want you, Bella,” he gave a mirthless chuckle. “Forever. How you don’t know that, is beyond me.”

I tried to stop his apology when his mouth silenced mine. When he was certain that I wouldn’t interrupt him, he released my lips. “I will do this for you. For us. My venom, not his,” he murmured. “My selfishness won’t get in the way again, I promise. I was just so afraid. So afraid. What if the morphine is useless? God! Three days of watching you scream in agony.” He kissed me quickly, palms on either side of my face searching my eyes almost desperately. “But if you’re strong enough to endure it, then I am too. I will be here when you finally open your new vampire eyes. I, not Carlisle, will be the first person you see with your enhanced sight.” I pulled him roughly to me and kissed every inch of his marble face before he pulled me onto his lap taking charge of the kiss, his lips devouring mine.

–

Carlisle had the morphine ready and was walking around the side of the bed that Edward and I were curled up on. He cupped my chin and kissed me, effectively distracting me as Carlisle pierced my arm with the needle, sending a rush of ice through my veins. I felt the cold liquid move throughout my body as I slumped slightly in Edward’s arms.