CHAPTER 23. The Angel

Summary

As Bella drifts, she dreams of being in dark water and almost rising to the surface, as well as a sharp pain in her upraised hand. Then she knows she is dead because she hears an angel calling her name. She then hears other noises and the angel's voice calling for Carlisle while crying over Bella. She breaks through the dark pool and is struck by several kinds of strong pain. Edward is handling her while Carlisle tells him to watch out for the broken leg and ribs. As Carlisle starts to take care of her, Bella says her hand hurts and is burning. Carlisle sees that James had bitten her. Alice tells Edward he has to do something and Edward protests against it, then Carlisle suggests that Edward suck the venom back out. He's not sure if it will work and Edward isn't sure if he can do it, but Bella screams again and he proceeds. Edward proceeds to drain the venom from the wound and the fire in Bella's hand disappears. Carlisle asks Bella where Renee is and she explains the ruse James pulled, then she tells Alice about the video which recounts how James knew where she came from. Bella smells gasoline and finally falls asleep.

Notes

There is an irony that Bella perceives a vampire as an angel, but this only proves how deep her love is for Edward. The venom left in Bella's hand risks being James' last legacy as a corrupted parental authority, as he could "father" yet another vampire. Edward opposes this, however, and establishes his own authority as Bella's true love. In this manner - as well as his will to not feed completely off Bella - romantic love is powerful and even redemptive.

CHAPTER 24. An Impasse

Summary

Bella opens her eyes and finds herself in a hospital bed. Edward is waiting for her and tells her everything is alright. She says she has to call Charlie and Renee, Edward tells her that Alice already called and Renee is already at the hospital and just stepped out to eat. Bella asks what they told her parents; the cover story Edward used is that Bella fell down two flights of stairs and through a window. Bella then asks how he did it - meaning, how did he stop drinking her blood; Edward says that it was impossible but he did, meaning he must love her. She then asks what happened to James, and Edward explains that after pulling James off Bella, Emmett and Jasper took care of him. They then had to leave the room because of all the blood. Bella observes that Edward stayed, as well as Alice and Carlisle, prompting Edward to add that they love her, too.

Bella then asks how Edward is justifying his own presence at the hospital. The cover story he provides is: he came to Phoenix with Carlisle and Alice to talk some sense into Bella and have her return to Forks. On the way to their room, Bella tripped and fell, which goes back to the cover story of Bella's injuries. Alice created the evidence for this fall and had fun doing so. Bella kisses Edward and notes that the heart monitor machine accelerated wildly then stopped altogether; Edward is alarmed, but Bella isn't done kissing and the monitor goes wild again. Edward then hears Renee coming and pretends to sleep. Renee arrives momentarily and expresses her concern for Bella, as well as admiration for the Cullens she meets. She also has news about Phil: he signed with the Suns and they'll all be moving to Jacksonville. Bella protests, saying she wants to live in Forks; Renee asks if Edward is part of the reason and Bella says that is the case. Renee adds that Edward loves her, and Bella tries to soothe her mother by saying it's just a crush. Bella then lets Renee leave since she's expecting a call from Phil, but Renee adds she'll be back soon, as she's been sleeping at the hospital as well. Bella says she doesn't have to do that but Renee says she's been nervous, as somebody broke into the dance studio around the corner from her house and burned it to the ground. Also, a stolen car was left behind right out front.

A nurse comes in as Renee gets ready to leave, asking if Bella is fine since her heart rate is a little high. The nurse then adds that the an RN will be in to see her, then leaves. Alone with Edward again, Bella asks about the stolen car; Edward then mentions Florida and how that sounds like what Bella wants. However, Bella doesn't understand, since that would mean Edward would be indoors all day. Edward smiles almost and says he would stay in Forks, where he can't hurt her. The RN nurse arrives and asks if Bella wants more pain medicine but she refuses for the time being. When the RN leaves, Bella begs for Edward not to leave and makes him swear it. Bella asks if Edward is tired of saving her, Edward says he doesn't want to be without her but that he places her in danger all the time, as seen by her current situation.

Bella asks Edward why he didn't let the venom spread so that she could become a vampire; this angers him, as he realizes Alice must have told her about the process. Bella reasons that an equal relationship where they can take care of each other equally makes sense, while Edward warns that she has no idea about what being a vampire means. She points out that she will die eventually, since she is mortal, and Edward argues that's how it should be. Bella warns that she knows other vampires and Edward snaps that Alice wouldn't date. Bella then realizes that Alice had already seen that she'll be transformed into a vampire. Edward implicitly confirms this by saying she's wrong and that she also saw Bella dead, and that turned out to not be the case. Bella says she'd never bet against Alice. Bella and Edward realize that they are at an impasse and he calls for the nurse to give her her pain medication and put her to sleep. The RN appears and administers the drugs; Bella asks Edward to stay and he agrees, then tells him she loves him. Finally, right before going to sleep, she says that she's betting on Alice.

Notes

Given the nature of Alice's ability, someone must have already made the decision that Bella will become a vampire. The question becomes: is it Bella's sheer desire that makes this a possible future, or has some other decision - say, Edward choosing to be with Bella - that is the mental catalyst for this vision?