I realized that I could feel things other than the fire raging through me. Like Edward’s hand stroking my hair rhythmically. I could hear the pain in his voice, but couldn’t comprehend his words. As the morphine took me I floated away from everything. I was suddenly in Biology watching a movie in the dark fighting the urge to run my hands all over Edward. Jacob on the beach when he told me about vampires. Sam carrying my dazed form to Charlie. James filming me in the ballet studio. Renee playing her piano. Phil laughing as I ducked from the softball, rather than catch it. Billy’s face swam through my vision followed quickly by flashes of Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett, Quil, Seth, Esme, Carlisle, Embry. Angela and Ben holding their little baby girl. Charlie and Sue Clearwater exchanging vows. Meghan very pregnant with a wolf keeping a protective watch over her. Marcus holding his transparent arm out to me and Aro’s hand restraining me. Then my vision filled with Edward; blood tears streaming down his pale face, his earlier words resonating through my thoughts.

My body began to convulse, wrenching me out of my visions. The morphine long worn off, I screamed the scream that I’d been trying desperately to keep locked away in my mind.

“Carlisle!” Edward yelled.

“My god!” I heard Carlisle exclaim. “She’s nearly transformed.”

“But it’s only been two days.” Edward’s voice filled my ears like music.

My heart was pounding against my chest trying to escape the venom that was destined to destroy it. I let out another ragged shriek and my body shuddered as my heart gave its final beat. Silence washed over me. No pulse thundering in my sensitive ears. No breath moving in and out of my lungs. I knew that there were others near me, yet I couldn’t hear a breath from any of them.

“Is she okay?” Edward finally asked, his words laced with fear.

I felt hands on me. “I believe that the transformation is complete.” Awe colored Carlisle’s words. “A full day ahead of schedule.” He laughed. “Don’t look so shocked, Edward. She seems to go against all the rules, why not this one as well?”

I heard Alice whisper something, but it was interrupted by Edward. “Bella, can you hear me?” His lips roamed over my marble skin.