Disclaimer: The Twilight series is the property of Stephenie Meyer. No infringement is intended.

Note: This is set a few weeks before the wedding, between Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. This is a short story told in two chapters.

My lovely fiancée was, to put it bluntly, steamed. She sat beside me in the passenger seat of my car, her arms folded tightly over her chest. While the frown creasing her features made her no less beautiful to me, I disliked seeing her upset. She was anxious, too, and in part I was to blame. However, I had vowed to do whatever was necessary to ensure her safety, and I would not be deterred now.

"I still don't think it's fair," Bella groused. "Carlisle's going to fake a test for you. Why can't he do the same for me?"

This was not the first time we had tackled this subject. When I had first told her that we would need to submit results of routine blood testing in order to apply for our marriage license, she had worried immediately. She was not fond of needles and injections, but her main concern was me. As a creature without blood, it was, of course, impossible for me to provide a sample for testing. I had assured her that Carlisle would procure a specimen obtained from a suitable subject. It would not be the first time a member of my family had falsified a medical test or record. Bella had next worried that Carlisle might get caught, but I promised her that there was no risk. Satisfied by my words, her thoughts had turned to matters more personal to her. We were back to those now.

"I mean, what's the difference?" she continued. "The testing is to be sure we don't have any… diseases, and we both know we don't. So I don't see why he can't send in a pretend sample for me, too."

"It's not the same, love," I attempted to explain once again, keeping my voice soft, steady, and as alluring as I could. "We don't have a choice with me. We have to be dishonest by necessity. But to take that any further than is absolutely required would go against Carlisle's principles. You know how upright he is. Integrity is very important to him."

Bella both adored and respected Carlisle, and I knew she would not wish to upset him. My final words seemed to win the argument, at least for the moment. She sighed and let her hands fall to the seat, fingers tapping nervously against the supple leather.

"Fine," she muttered. "It's a good thing I love you so much. I'm only doing this so that we can get married—and I'm only doing that for the honeymoon." Her attempt to remain piqued failed as a little smile crept over her gorgeous lips.

"Mmm," I responded, reaching for her warm hand. I lifted it to my lips and kissed her knuckle.

The hospital loomed before us. Bella's heartbeat sped up, and her skin cooled. I felt terribly about upsetting her, but it was unavoidable. The blood test was required by law. The other part of her appointment with my father was not, but I deemed it critical nonetheless. He had agreed with me, although he had strongly recommended that I inform Bella about the additional procedures before the visit. I had declined; the knowledge would only make her more anxious.

I parked the car then walked around to open Bella's door. For a moment she stared up at me petulantly, like a small child. But when I offered her my hand, she took it and permitted me to help her out of the car. We walked together to the entrance, her heart pounding even faster.

"It won't take long," I told her. "And I'll take you to lunch afterwards."

She shook her head. "Maybe after the nausea dies down."

I kissed her cheek. "Well, at least you're getting out of the fitting Alice wanted to do today." Bella did not enjoy my sister's endless efforts to ensure utter bridal perfection on our wedding day.

"I suppose that's something," she replied rather dejectedly.

We entered the hospital, and I bypassed the reception desk for the elevator. We rode to the second floor then walked to Carlisle's office. His door was open; he had heard us step out into the hallway.

He stood from his desk, smiling warmly. He held two folders in his hand, one thick and one thin. "Bella, Edward," he greeted. Did you tell her yet? he asked me silently.

I gave the briefest shake of my head. His sigh was inaudible to my fiancée but spoke clearly to me. I chose to ignore it.

He rested his hand upon Bella's shoulder, telling her, "Let's go back to the first floor. I have a room all set up."

Her brow furrowed. "I thought we'd just do it here?"

Carlisle glanced at me then said quietly, "It's best to do things the usual way. We don't want to raise any questions."

"Oh. Okay," she responded with slight hesitancy.

I knew she was wondering how obtaining a blood sample from me 'the usual way' would be possible. But Carlisle was clever; I had no concerns about that part of our visit.

We returned to the first floor, where he led us to a small exam room. "Just in here," he informed us. My eyes scanned the room quickly. I saw the materials for the blood draw, as well as the vials, syringes, and equipment he would use afterwards.

A nurse passed by the open door. "Oh, Dr. Cullen," she said, "do you need me?" Her thoughts told me that she had noticed how attractive—although young—I was, and how pale Bella appeared.

"Thank you, Rebecca," Carlisle answered amiably, "but I'll handle this on my own. This is my son, Edward, and his fiancée, Bella. We're just doing the necessary pre-wedding tests today."

"Oh, I'd heard you were getting married," Rebecca replied, smiling at me. "Congratulations." She was a kind woman and seemed genuinely happy for us. Her mind relished the idea of young love; she found it very romantic. "I can run the blood up to the lab when you're finished," she offered.

Carlisle nodded appreciatively. "Thank you."

Rebecca left; the door remained ajar.

"Edward, why don't you go first," Carlisle suggested, gesturing toward the exam table. He made sure his voice was loud enough to be heard from the hallway. He wanted this to appear an ordinary procedure for an ordinary event.

I climbed up onto the table and rolled up my sleeve. Bella watched curiously, interested in how this would proceed. I felt a bit strange sitting on the crinkly paper, holding out my arm to Carlisle. By necessity my siblings and I had feigned a number of human experiences, but this was one I had not had occasion to do before.

"Do you want me to hold your hand?" Bella asked, a little gleam in her eye. She was going along with the ruse quite nicely.

"Yes, love, please," I replied.

She took my hand, and we watched as Carlisle tied a tourniquet above my elbow then tapped gently at the area where the median cubital vein lay. Of course my veins remained unchanged, but to anyone passing by in the hallway it would appear that he was performing the procedure perfectly. He reached for the needle and vacutainer, and I saw that he held an identical container—except that it was already filled—tucked inside his palm.

"You might want to look away," he suggested kindly to Bella.

She did, but her eyes flicked to his hands several times. He positioned them so that it seemed he had inserted the needle beneath my skin. Faster than human eyes could see, he switched the containers. After a few moments, he pulled the needle away and pressed a bit of cotton to my arm.

"Hold that there for a minute, son," he said, turning away to label the vial.

Bella was shaking her head and muttering, "Impressive."

Carlisle turned back to her with a smile and a wink then secured a small bandage over my arm. I slid off the table to stand beside it while he opened the thin file folder he had set on the counter and made a few notes. I recognized the folder as the medical record I had created for myself. Each member of the family had one, and Carlisle and I had spent several rather tedious hours ensuring that each appeared realistic. Vaccination records, reports of yearly physicals, and even a couple of x-rays embellished each file. They were impeccable, if I did say so myself.

Beside my file sat the much thicker one. My chest felt tight for a moment when it struck me that every paper and film within it were real. Bella's file had grown much heavier after the terrible events that occurred in Phoenix.

Bella noticed my gaze. "Are those my records?" she asked.

I nodded as Carlisle closed my folder.

"And that one?" she inquired, pointing to the thin file.

"That's mine," I replied.

"Oh, I want to see it," she said, then a bit more loudly added, "I mean, I'm going to be your wife. I think I should know all your medical history."

Carlisle chuckled softly and passed her the file. I watched as she flipped through it, her eyes widening at what she saw. She was obviously impressed by the detailed information she found.

"This is very complete…" she began.

"I've been pretty lucky," I interjected before she could say anything else. "No major illnesses or injuries."

She nodded. "Right… lucky."

Carlisle took the folder from her. "All right, dear, it's your turn," he said.

Her heart was beginning to thud quickly again. I lifted her to sit on the table. She gave me a final, pleading look.

"Just focus on me," I told her, taking her hand and capturing her gaze.

Carlisle took her arm and applied the tourniquet. He worked quickly but not faster than an efficient human pace. I smelled the sweetness of her blood the instant the needle pierced her. Bella paled and swallowed as the nausea began gnawing at her.

"Close your eyes, darling," I suggested, sliding my arm around her shoulders to ensure that she did not fall over.

She wanted to be brave, my precious little tiger kitten, and I admired her for it. But her body refused to cooperate, and she grew even paler. I glanced at Carlisle. The vial was nearly full, and he gave me a nod.

"Just another moment," I told her softly.

"Okay," she whispered, trying to gather some strength.

Perhaps it would have been better if she had lost consciousness for a minute or two. It would spare her further distress. And, if I were honest with myself, it would spare me from her vexation, too.

I'm finished, Carlisle informed me, bending her arm to hold the cotton ball in place over the tiny puncture.

I shifted my embrace so that I could support her arm in the proper position while still keeping her upright. She was leaning heavily against me, struggling to retain her consciousness and the remnants of her meager breakfast.

"Dad," I said at a volume sufficient to be heard from the hallway, "I think she's going to faint."

Carlisle had been labeling the sample, but he turned back to me. Edward, really, if you'd just been honest with her we wouldn't have to do this—

I did not acknowledge this statement; Nurse Rebecca saved me. She poked her head inside the room, asking with concern, "Do you need any help, Dr. Cullen?"

She had witnessed Bella's episode, which was just what I had hoped would occur. Seeing Bella's pallor, she stepped inside. She looks shocky, she thought. Poor thing… oh, is she pregnant? Is that why they're getting married so young? I'd heard it was so they could be together at school in the fall, but—

This was not the first time I had been forced to listen to such musings, and I supposed I deserved them today, but I was in no mood to endure her speculations. I gave Carlisle a pleading look.

He was beside the table now, pulling two pillows from beneath. "Let's get her lying down," he said, helping me to shift Bella and ease her head to the pillows.

She remained woozy but murmured, "No… 'm okay…"

"Get her feet up, son," he instructed.

I lifted her legs and gently adjusted them so that she lay comfortably upon the exam table.

"I'll check her pressure," Rebecca offered, grabbing a blood pressure cuff from the counter.

Carlisle gave her a nod then lifted Bella's hand to feel her pulse. She was becoming more aware of the activities around her, and her expression reflected her displeasure at the attention she was receiving.

"I'm all right," she said, her voice stronger now.

"Just rest for a few minutes, hon," Rebecca said, wrapping the cuff around her arm.

"Carlisle," Bella protested, "this isn't necessary."

He gave her an apologetic smile. Edward, really, if you'd just told her what you want me to do—

I responded with a quick but firm shake of my head and listened to the nurse's thoughts instead. She was focusing on getting a reading. "Pressure's a little low," she reported softly as Carlisle glanced at the gauge.

He nodded. He knew that this reaction was typical for Bella, so he wasn't terribly concerned. Rebecca was, however, particularly when she noticed the two vials of vaccine on the counter. This was playing out precisely as I had anticipated. Alice's visions had been very accurate this time.

"Dr. Cullen," Rebecca said quietly, gesturing toward the vials, "are these for her?"

"Yes." He gave Bella's shoulder a reassuring squeeze then motioned for Rebecca to follow him out into the hallway.

Bella had nearly recovered and pushed herself up onto her elbows.

"Easy, love," I cautioned.

"I'm fine," she retorted. "You know that."

I smiled, but it felt rather wooden to me. In the hallway, I could hear Carlisle assuaging Rebecca's unvoiced concerns. She had the highest professional regard for him but was worried about Bella.

"They're traveling to South America for their honeymoon," he explained, keeping his voice low, "which will be a surprise for Bella, by the way." I could see the little secret smile he gave her reflected in her thoughts. "I don't believe she'll have any adverse reaction to the vaccines, but I'll do an exam before I administer them, just to be on the safe side."

"Do you want me to order a CBC?" she offered.

"Yes, thank you," he replied.

"And for your son, too?"

"No, he's already had the inoculations for a previous trip."

Much of Rebecca's concern had faded. She followed Carlisle back inside to pick up the blood samples. She asked Bella how she was feeling and received my fiancee's assurance that she was absolutely fine. Bella's innate graciousness prompted her to add a few words of gratitude for the nurse's help.

"No problem, hon," Rebecca said with a grin. "Whatever I can do to keep a bride healthy for her wedding is my pleasure."

Bella blushed and thanked her again. Rebecca departed, samples in hand. Bella was now sitting up fully and moving to get down from the table. Carlisle appeared slightly uncomfortable; he knew what was coming next.

You need to tell her now, he urged me silently.

He was right: It was time to inform her about what I had planned. I took Bella's hand.

"Don't get down just yet," I said.

"I feel fine now," she replied. "All the dizziness is gone—"

I nodded. "I'm glad. But there's something else we need to do while we're here."

She scowled mildly. "There is? What's that?"

I glanced at Carlisle, but he remained tight-lipped. He was going to make me do this on my own.

"Love," I began, "you know that your safety is of the utmost importance to me. I would do anything to keep you from harm—"

"Except letting me fake a blood test," she muttered under her breath.

A silent chuckle rumbled in Carlisle's throat. I just glared at him then returned my attention to Bella.

"As I was saying," I continued, "I want to ensure your safety, and, to that end, it's necessary that we do everything we can to prevent your becoming ill…"

Bella gave a perturbed shake of her head. She knew I was hedging, and she was impatient to find out my point. She turned toward my father abruptly.

"Carlisle," she said briskly, "just tell me what's going on."

I may as well, he thought, since by the time you get around to it you'll already be in Brazil…

This earned another slight glower from me, but my expression quickly changed to one of appreciation; it would be better coming from him anyway.

"Bella," he said kindly, "what your fiancé is trying to tell you, in the most roundabout way, is that you need some vaccines before you depart for your honeymoon."

"Vaccines?" she repeated. "No, I think I've had all the usual ones…"

"You have," he replied calmly. "However, there are some others that are recommended for travel in certain areas."

"In what areas?" she asked, her eyebrows pulling together.

"I'm not at liberty to reveal that," he responded, giving her a playful wink. "I will tell you, though, that Edward has chosen a spectacular destination, and I have no doubt that you will love it."

"Not if I have to get vaccinated to go there," she retorted. She gave me a glare.

"Please, sweetheart," I pleaded, "it's a very special place. I want so much to take you there, to begin our life together there…" I emphasized the word 'together' by stroking her palm; I hoped she would infer my meaning.

She did not speak for several long seconds. Her eyes moved from Carlisle to me, then across the room to the vials, syringes, and files on the counter. Gradually her brow relaxed, and she took a long breath.

"All right," she said. "If it's really necessary…"

"It is," I assured her.

Carlisle nodded in agreement.

"How many injections?" she asked warily.

"Two to inoculate you for the trip," Carlisle replied, "and I'd also like to give you a tetanus booster. There's a new vaccine called Tdap that will protect you against tetanus as well as diphtheria and pertussis. It's an extra precaution, really, but you could be exposed to the latter two on your honeymoon."

"And with my body's attraction to sharp objects," she finished wryly, "I guess I can't be too careful about tetanus."

I was relieved that my father's affability was having a positive effect on her.

He gave her a sympathetic grin before adding, "The healthier you are, the more easily I believe you'll cope with the significant changes you'll be experiencing soon."

Bella understood the he was referring to her transition from human to vampire. She nodded. "Right."

"So," he finished with a smile, "I need to give you a quick examination first." Her frown did not escape his attention. He continued, "Just a brief check-up to be certain you aren't coming down with anything. I can't give you the vaccines if your immune system is compromised."

"Okay," she agreed unenthusiastically.

Her eyes moved to me, and in an instant it was clear that she had figured it out: She knew that I had planned this all along but had kept it from her. She shook her head.

Narrowing her eyes at me, she promised, "I'll deal with you later."

To be concluded…