Moonlight Dwelling

"So how do you make a vampire?"

Bella looked at Edward who just sat there. She was glad that they weren't in the sun because she'd be distracted by his skin glittering in the sunlight like a diamond carved into the shape of a life-sized angel.

"There are a few steps in the process in order to become a vampire. You need to have tomato juice and french fries."

"Can I use ketchup instead?"

Edward looked at Bella and she nearly got lost in his amber eyes but she pinched herself so she could stay focused.

"I guess you could use that as a substitute since it has tomatoes in it."

Since Bella knew that Alice saw her as a vampire she was confident that Edward would do it. She nodded at him to continue.

"At twilight under the light of the moon you must go out to the woods and remove your clothes."

Bella was willing to go naked in the woods if it meant she'd be with Edward forever. Besides only a squirrel or maybe a bunny would see her unless Edward had to be there. At some point he was going to see her naked which made her blush because just the thought of Edward with her naked and alone in the woods caused her to grow warm.

"Are you all right Bella?"

"I'm fine. It's just a little hot out here."

Bella was surprised to find herself able to speak and for the millionth time she was glad that Edward couldn't read her mind.

"Do you want to go home?"

"Oh no Edward no more stalling. Now tell me the rest."

"You'll need to make a circle with rocks that's big enough for you to get in the middle of. Next you sit down and eat the french fries."

"Can I bring a Coke with me?"

"If you'd like."

"I wouldn't want to choke on a fry while I'm sitting alone and naked in the woods."

Edward smiled at Bella.

"After you eat the fries with ketchup you need to stand up and pour the tomato juice or ketchup all over you."

"Tomato juice would be easier wouldn't it?"

"Just dip your fries in the ketchup Bella."

"Can I have a burger too?"

"Bella do you really want to become a vampire?"

"Of course I do. I just didn't expect this since I was expecting you to bite me and give me your blood."

"So impatient Bella. I'm not done yet."

"Okay go on."

Bella had to bite her lip so she wouldn't start giggling.

"Next you need to howl at the moon until the sun rises."

Bella just nodded since she knew she'd start laughing if she said a word.

"You'll need to do this once a week for a month. After that you'll suck my blood from my little toe."

"So I'll start tonight because I refuse to have another birthday and get older while you stay the same."

"I'll have Alice bring you what you'll need."

"Thanks Edward."

She kissed him hoping it would lead to more but he pushed her away.

"Edward!"

"Bella I don't want to hurt you."

Edward winced because he'd already hurt her when he left. He'd never make that mistake again. He didn't want to risk hurting her so it was hands off until she was a vampire and not so breakable.

"It's not like you're going to rip my head off in the heat of passion."

"Do you really want to pay another visit to the ER? They all know your name."

"I guess I can be patient for a little while longer."

Edward kissed Bella and scooped her up to carry her home. She just enjoyed being in his arms where she felt completely safe and how soon they'd be together forever. He put her down on her bed.

"Take a nap I'll wake you when it's time."

Bella drifted off and dreamed about being in the forest. She tripped over the bottle of ketchup and hit her head on a rock when she fell. A familiar wolf appeared whining. Bella woke up and saw Edward sitting there watching her.

"Bad dream?"

"More like weird dream. I tripped on a bottle of ketchup and hit my head on a rock."

She didn't mention Jacob turning up in her dream since she didn't want to hurt him.

"That isn't so weird Bella."

"Yeah I guess so since it's me."

"Just to be safe you should wear this tonight."

Edward gave Bella a helmet.

"I'll make quite a sight wearing this helmet with tomato juice dripping down me while I'm naked in the woods. I hope I don't end up with helmet hair."

Edward chuckled and thanked fate for bring Bella to him.

"So is it time?"

"Yes."

"I'll wait until later to take a shower."

"Alice is outside. She'll take you and I'll see you tomorrow."

Scooping her up Edward took Bella down the stairs and out to the front porch where Alice was waiting.

"Are you driving Alice?"

Bella noticed the Volvo parked outside.

"I didn't want to risk you dropping something on the way."

"I'll be so glad when I'm a vampire instead of a clumsy human."

"Did you ever think that you might be clumsy when you're a vampire?"

Alice smacked Edward.

"Stop that Edward."

"Ow."

"You're such a baby."

"Hey I'm trying to become a vampire here."

Alice and Edward turned to Bella and said in unison, "Sorry."

Edward watched from the porch as Alice drove off with Bella.

"Alice did you bring me throat lozenges?"

Alice raised an eyebrow.

"I'm going to be howling till dawn which means my throat will be pretty sore."

"Howling?"

"That's what Edward told me to do."

Alice started laughing.

"What's so funny Alice?"

Alice looked over at Bella and said, "Jasper dared Edward to add howling to the process to see if you'd fall for it."

"Oh really. Honestly that's a relief since I doubt very much that I would have been able to do it."

 "I can't believe you fell for that."

"Couldn't you see me doing that?"

A crease appeared between Alice's eyebrows.

"No I just saw nothing which always irritates me."

Bella thought about Jacob turning up in her dream and how he was a blind spot for Alice.

"It didn't seem any odder than the rest of it."

"Yeah I guess."

Alice parked the car and brought out a basket that she handed to Bella.

"I'll be back soon with your burger and fries."

"Thanks Alice."

Bella went into the woods looking for a place to make a circle big enough for her to sit down in.

"Oops I forgot the helmet. Oh well I'll make do and tell the rocks to behave."

Bella started gathering rocks and set them down to form a circle. She found a blanket in the basket which she put down first so none of the rocks were close enough to prove hazardous to her head.

"Okay rocks if you won't hurt me I won't hurt you."

Bella sat down to take off her shoes and socks. She next took off her t-shirt and bra. She stood up to remove her jeans and panties.

"Damn it I should have written the directions down. Do I pour the tomato juice on now?"

Alice walked up to Bella while she was trying to figure out what she was supposed to do next.

"Look in the basket Bella."

Bella turned around at the sound of Alice's voice.

"You really should wear a bell or something."

Bella could feel her heart racing a mile a minute. She wasn't too comfortable being in the woods especially when she was naked.

"Sorry Bella. There's a shower cap in the basket to put on your head before you pour tomato juice on."

"Thanks Alice."

"Here's your food. I'll wait for you at the car."

"Did you happen to bring a towel or something so I don't make the car seat all sticky?"

"Don't worry Bella."

Bella looked down at the blanket she was standing on.

"Oh I could use tihs."

"Don't worry Bella everything's going to be fine."

Alice waved and went back to the car.

"Okay french fries you smell good."

Alice came back with a Coke.

"Sorry I forgot to bring your drink."

Bella grabbed the can and set it down next to her. She pulled the fries out of the bag along with the burger. She took out the packets of ketchup to squirt onto the bag to dip her fries in.

"It's like I'm having a naked picnic with myself."

She took a bit of the burger which was like a party in her mouth. She swallowed and grabbed some fries and took a sip of Coke after. Edward being with her would have made things perfect. Just thinking about him caused her to blush. She finished eating and walked over to the basket to get the tomato juice.

"Here goes nothing."

She turned the bottle over and poured the juice on her only realizing when it was too late that she forgot to put on the shower cap.

"Oh crap I forgot. Well I'll have to take a shower anyway."

She wondered if she really had to do this three more times.

"I'll ask Alice."

"Ask me what?"

"Holy crow Alice put on a bell already. I thought you were waiting for me at the car."

"What am I a cat?"

"Do you want to give me a heart attack?"

"Come on Bella let's go. You look like Carrie at the prom."

"Ha ha."

Bella grabbed the blanket and wrapped herself up in it. Alice put her hair up under the shower cap. They walked back to the car and got in.

"Alice I want to know if I have to really do this three more times."

"Edward only added the part about howling at the moon."

"So I have to suck his toe too?"

"Don't worry I'm make sure he cleans up before the big day."

Before she knew it Alice pulled up in front of the house.

"Holy crow I forgot about Charlie."

"Don't worry he's sleeping."

"Good because this would be a little hard to explain."

"I could rinse you off with the hose before you go in."

"Alice!"

Bella went inside and dashed off to the bathroom. Charlie usually slept like the dead but she didn't want to risk it. She took a shower and washed her hair.

"I'm so glad I didn't have to pour honey over me."

Bella shuddered at the thought.

"One down, three to go."

She put on her robe and went to her room and fell asleep. In the morning her head looked like a cat died on it but Edward in between chuckles helped her brush it until it looked like hair again.

The next three weeks flew by and finally it was time for the final step in Bella's transformation had finally arrived. She was really excited and a little nervous when Edward came over so she started babbling.

"Did you clean your feet? I don't want to suck on toe jam."

"Toe jam?"

"I'm not exactly sure what is it but I'm pretty sure I don't want to try it."

"Yes Alice made sure I cleaned up and clipped my toenails."

"I didn't think about that. That would have really sucked if I cut myself on your toenail."

Edward chuckled as he sat down to remove his shoe and sock.

"Got a preference?"

"Why do you have an extra toe or something?"

"No I just have the five toes on each foot same as you."

Bella got down on the floor next to Edward and picked up his foot and started sucking on his toe.

"Bella."

"What?"

"While I enjoy the toe sucking part I have to slice my toe since you'll need to suck my blood."

"Oh yeah the blood part."

"Will you be okay? I'll just guide my toe towards your mouth so you don't have to see the blood."

"That would be good since I'm so close to becoming a vampire. I sure hope I get over this blood thing once I'm like you."

"Close your eyes."

Bella closed her eyes while Edward sliced his toe open. He brought his foot up to Bella's face.

"Open up."

Bella reached out and put her mouth on Edward's toe and started sucking at the blood. She never thought about the taste of blood before so she was a bit surprised to find it the most delicious thing she'd ever had. It was right up there with chocolate.

"Okay Bella that's enough."

Bella reluctantly pulled away and wondered if she could still eat chocolate when she was a vampire.

"What now?"

"Eternity together."

Can I still have chocolate?"

"Chocolate?"

"Yeah chocolate bars dipped in blood sounds pretty good don't ya think?"

Edward chuckled and kissed Bella.

By Barbara Desmond