FAGE 11: Are you in...?

Title: Aegis

Written for: Cejsmom

Written by: Purlysurly

Rating: T

Prompt: Cejsmom said: "I love a story that can bring a lost couple back together and give them a second chance." Summary: A marriage on their own terms and a honeymoon as fulfilling as any human/vampire one can be. No Renesmee in this story and Bella's transformation is on her terms. But what happens when it goes awry?

If you would like to see all the stories that are a part of this exchange visit the Facebook group Fanficaholics Anon: Where Obsession Never Sleeps, or add the C2 to get all the stories direct to your inbox.

Thanks to my fantastic beta, Edward's First Kiss.

This is my first time writing for FAGE (the Fic Awesome Gift Exchange!) and my first time writing vampward. So, keep that in mind, yeah? We've got 13 chapters, all posting today ('cause thems the rules!). Let me know what you think!

"Alice, anything?" Edward asks. Tension and worry radiate off him as he rakes his hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry, Edward," Alice replies from the doorway. "You know I haven't been able to see much of Bella's future at all lately. My original vision of her is still there, though. She's one of us. And she's happy. Hold on to that."

"She's doing fine, son," Carlisle says, trying to sooth Edward's frayed nerves. He moves to stand behind Edward's chair beside Bella's bed and puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Her transformation will be over soon. Then you have forever to look forward to." Carlisle squeezes Edward's shoulder, then exits the room, taking Alice with him and closing the door. Edward is left alone, gazing at the beauty that is Bella; his wife.

For the hundredth time he reviews the horrible series of events that brought them here. If he hadn't been such a fool after Bella's birthday, the Volturi would never have been involved. Bella would still be human. She'd still blush when he complimented her, and he'd be able to listen to her heartbeat. But no. Because he ran to Italy, and she – god bless her – rescued him, now they know about her. And they demand that the law be followed.

Perhaps he should be a bit more grateful. They hadn't insisted that Bella be changed right then and there. They had granted them time. Time they had used to repair their fractured relationship, coming out of it stronger than ever. Time to get married and go on a honeymoon. If Edward could blush, he would as he thought of all the amazing sex they had had while at Isle Esme.

But once they came home, reality had set in quickly. Bella wanted to be changed, and he was honor-bound to hold up his end of the bargain. She married him; he would change her.

They spent a few weeks putting everything in order. Charlie and Renee believed they would be going to the East Coast for college. Bella would keep in touch and they'd be able to share the holidays for a year or two. Then life would get busy, and they'd claim other commitments kept them from coming home over summer break. Skype and Facetime would be sufficient for another year or two. Then they would stage an accident that would tragically kill the young couple.

Bella still struggled with the pain this would cause her parents, but there was no other way. She took comfort knowing that she would be able to watch over them from a distance for the rest of their lives. It was how it had to be.

Carlisle and Bella had discussed ways that might make the transition easier for her. Though morphine or anesthetic wouldn't help the entire time, as the venom would burn through it quickly, they hoped it would help mute the initial pain. So, two evenings ago, Edward and Bella had been cuddled on the bed, sharing a few sweet kisses as Carlisle added a sedative to the IV that he'd placed in Bella's arm.

Bella's eyes never left Edward's, and he stared right back, whispering how much he loved her and how much they had to look forward to. He told of the places he wanted to show her until her eyelids closed and her head dropped to his shoulder. Then, he laid her back gently and slid off the bed. He spent a moment making sure she was in a comfortable position and arranged the blankets just so.

"I don't think I can do this, Carlisle. I can't be the one to cause her such horrific pain."

"I can do it for you if you'd like, son. But I know you can do this. And you know how much Bella wants it to be you. She wants it to be your venom."

"I know," he'd said. "I know."

Edward took a deep breath, and he felt a wave of calm wash over him, muting his worry. He sent a feeling of gratitude back to Jasper and then began.

Carlisle stood by Edward as he bit into the soft skin of Bella's neck, pulling him back before he took too much blood. Then he calmly encouraged Edward as he sank the syringe full of venom directly into Bella's heart.

They weren't exactly sure what the impact would be as neither had ever heard of anyone being changed in this manner. But they were reasonably sure it wouldn't cause any harm, and they hoped it might make the transition go faster.

Now, 52 hours later there's still no sign of Bella waking. In fact, she's been completely still. None of them have ever seen anything like it. All of them, except Alice, graphically recall the pain of their own transformations. Carlisle and Jasper, who had seen many humans changed, have never seen a person not writhing in agony as the venom burns through every living cell.

As usual, Bella is an anomaly. Perhaps it's the anesthetic after all. Maybe it's the injection directly into her heart. Whatever the reason, Edward is beyond worried about what it may mean.

He hasn't left her side and has distracted himself by continuing to talk about the plans they have made. The plan to move to Alaska while Bella acclimates to her new life, learning to control her feeding urges, discovering how to use her enhanced abilities. Edward is curious to find out if Bella will have a special gift as a vampire. Since the special abilities he's aware of usually come from some inclination in the person's human life, he can't begin to imagine what sort of gift she might have. But with all the surprises Bella has brought to their lives, he would certainly bet it will be something amazing.

As Edward sits reflecting on these things, another part of his brain is monitoring Bella's heartbeat and watching for any movement. He realizes that her heartbeat, once steady and strong, begins to race. The heart is the last organ to succumb to the venom, and he knows this is its last valiant attempt to fight it off.

All his attention is on the sound. Her precious heart tripping along at an unbelievable rate. It's so fast, so loud, he wonders if the organ will survive the transformation or if it will give out before the venom has completed its work.

Then, without further fanfare or spectacle, Bella's heart stops.

The room is completely, deathly silent.

Edward rises from his chair and stands next to her bed. He grasps her left hand in his and gazes intently at her face. The rest of the family come to the room, having heard the last beat of Bella's humanity. First Alice and Jasper file in, standing along the far wall followed by Carlisle and Esme, then Emmett and Rosalie.

They are still as statues, none of them even breathing, as they wait.

Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to S. Meyer. No infringement intended.