This is more of an epilogue than a final chapter, seeing as its so short… Thank you fellow readers for taking the time to comment, read and enjoy this story! I hoped you loved following it just as much as I enjoyed writing it. I do apologize about the somewhat abrupt ending, but I just had a feeling that this was a good ending, and I wasn't sure where else this story could go. If it's highly requested, I could write a sequel somewhere down the road.

This chapter is rated a simple G. I don't own Twilight or any of its characters, and I never will!

Keep an eye out for my next fanfiction; it'll be an AroBella one! (Yes, I am strange.)

The Last Thing I Ever Do

Chapter Five

Word count ~ 1,145

I remember reading a famous quote by a great man once. "Forget canines. Silence is a man's best friend." In any other circumstance, I would have easily agreed. But apparently, that man wasn't thinking of vampire victims when he'd spoke those words. Frankly, the silence was the worst part. There was nothing to distract my mind from the intense pain.

I had never had the misfortune to catch any part of my body on fire before. But if I had to imagine, I'd say this was the equivalent. It felt as if my body was being seared right to my very core. I could feel it underneath my skin; impossible to escape or find any relief from. I lacked the ability to cry out or move; I was paralyzed. So I lie there in agony, with only silence to comfort me.

'Carlisle said it would burn,' I kept repeating in my head. 'There are four stages. He said I only got through the first when James bit me. So the first stage must be the initial burning pain before you lose consciousness. The second is losing consciousness. The third and fourth…?' I would have sighed in exasperation, had I been able to open my mouth. 'I guess I'll be finding out soon enough. It can't be any worse than this, can it?'

Instead of concentrating on the pain, I tried to think of other things. 'Mind games.' I tried to picture the future. 'Jade will look way different by the time I'm healed.' I relived memories; dozens of them. My mind worked like a scrapbook, recalling certain experiences and placing an image or two with them. 'My first day at Forks, after not visiting for years.' My orange truck. Jake's long hair. 'Jake crashing prom.' My cast, dress and sneaker combination. 'Italy with Edward and Alice.' Jane's creepy red eyes. 'Slapping Paul.' Jake changing as he jumped over me. 'My first kiss with Jake…' Exactly that.

The weight on my chest increased slowly, and each breath became harder and harder to force into my lungs. Finally, the effort was too much, and I simply exhaled and didn't inflate my lungs again. Instead of feeling the normal urge to breathe in, I felt nothing. 'No need to breathe…' The new silence was even more uncomfortable; bearing down on me like the weight of a heavy blanket. I tried once again to find another sound to concentrate on.

I didn't have to strain much at all this time. I heard voices on the television downstairs. Birds chirping in the pine trees outside. The roar of cars on… 'Is that the freeway…?' Astonished, I focused on the television voice. It was a man, reporting on a football game. 'The third stage… These senses are amazing.' Happy to be rid of the quiet, I listened to the scores of recent baseball games.

Although I had no sense of time, I knew it was quite awhile later when the scent of pizza drifted into my nose. The smell should have made me hungry, but it did nothing but confuse me. 'Why are the Cullens making food?' My question was soon answered when I heard new male voices outside as they approached the house. The front door opened, and I placed the individuals; Jared, Seth, Sam, Embry and… 'Jake.' The urge to tear up came, but nothing happened. I listened to them talk with Carlisle and Alice, and then there were footsteps on the stairs. Someone was coming up to see me.

"She's well into stage three. Her senses are more aware that yours or mine right now. She should complete the final stage soon and become conscious. Actually," he paused, "I wouldn't be surprised if she could hear us right now."

I yearned to answer him; to tell him and Jake that I could hear them. My acute senses made me aware of Jacob moving closer. He was warm and comforting. My pain was nearly gone.

"Bells, if you can hear me… I'm here. I'm waiting for you to wake up. We all are. Can you wake up for me, so I can hold you…? You'll have to be careful not to squish me." He chuckled. My eyes longed to take in his chocolate eyes. "Jade's doing amazing. I wish you could see her, she's gettin' so big…" He paused, seeming at a loss for words. Then, he whispered, "I love you."

Without a second thought, I began to reply. A small noise that sounded like the beginning of an "I" came from my mouth. Then I realized my lips were parted.

"Bella!"

I sensed Carlisle rush over, and Jake's hand was gone. There was a protest. 'Now's as good as ever.' Forcing my limbs to work, I felt my fingers twitch. "Stay back. She might initially become hostile." All was deathly quiet, apart from Jake's breathing.

I opened my eyes slowly, wary of my new body. Little strands of rainbows circled the fluorescent light above me. Testing my muscles, I pushed myself up, flexing my tendons. The clarity of the room was spectacular. Every little detail was apparent now – details I didn't even know were there before.

"Bells?"

Jake's voice caught my attention, and I turned my head. Although he stood next to a vampire with unexplainable beauty, he held his own. His tan complexion and dark hair completed the pallet for his brown eyes, captivating me.

"I'm fine, Carlisle. I'm not gonna eat Jake or anything." My voice sounded foreign. Jake smiled and pulled away, but Carlisle remained wary.

"Careful, Bella. You're a newborn, remember. You don't want to do something you'll regret."

Jake reached out to me, and I stood, surprised at the strength of my body. I thought I'd be off balance after lying down for so long, but I felt as if I could leap through the roof and touch the moon. Jake took me in his arms hesitantly, holding me tight. 'He feels feverish.'

"You're freezing. Called it," he smirked, and then nuzzled my ear. "Welcome home, my Bella," he whispered. His breath sent tiny shivers down my spine. I looked at Carlisle for an explanation. The look on his face was one of amusement.

"I forgot to mention… Vampire bodies are quite sensitive, especially for the first few weeks."

Jake smirked, waggled his eyebrows, and then laughed. I would have blushed if I still had the ability to. 'I'm going to love you forever.'

"Missed you." He kissed my forehead. "Let's go see our little girl." I followed him down the stairs, hand held securely in his larger one. My two families were waiting for me in the living room at the bottom of the stairs. Jade stood next to Alice.

'If it's the last thing I do.'