Author's note: I do apologize for not updating this, but since Edward and Bella have finally found each other, I refuse to try and just slap something together. They've been through so much to get to where they are, that they deserve the best I can give them. :)

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She looked wonderful. He didn't know the last time she'd seemed so...sure, so content. The haunted look in her eyes was gone, the pain he was so used to seeing just under the surface replaced by quiet curiosity and patience. After they'd finally, albeit reluctantly, stepped out of one anothers' embrace so the rest of the family could welcome her back, Edward moved back and just watched her. He was so amazed at the changes he saw, though they'd only been apart nine days. ~I wonder what changes she sees in me, if any.~

"Edward?" He turned to see Carlisle standing nearby. "I'd like to talk to you sometime this night, after Bella goes to sleep. I'm not going to pull you away from her on your first day together in over a week." He smiled.

"All right," Edward agreed easily, even though he could tell something was weighing heavily on the elder vampire's mind. He had thought earlier in the week that he would wait for a few days before asking Carlisle to view their time in Greece, but after seeing his father and Bella together, the tenderness there, the connection, he made up his mind. He wouldn't ask at all. Whatever happened, whatever was said or done...it belonged to the two of them. As much as Edward loved them both, he thought it was the least he could do to show his acceptance.

"So, Bella, do you want your surprise now or later?" Alice was all but bouncing in place, and Bella just looked happily overwhelmed.

"You guys didn't buy me anything, did you?" Her mock severity didn't phase the family in the least. She glanced back at him, and he walked over to fold her into his arms.

"Not 'buy,' precisely..." he began.

"More like 'assembled,'" Jasper finished with a grin. Bella was obviously trying to get some clue from their expressions, giving up when she realized it was a lost cause. She sighed, snuggling into Edward's embrace and trying to glare severely at the ring of people smiling at her.

"I swear...you guys all need to-"

"Bellissima," cut in Carlisle's soft voice. Edward felt the tremor that moved through her when he spoke, and wondered what exactly it was Carlisle wanted to discuss with him tonight. "You are one of us now. A part of this family. And we love you. So stop trying to convince us not to give you gifts." He paused, smiling at her with genuine affection, before his gaze moved rather pointedly to her chest. "Don't enlist in a battle that you've already surrendered." A flash of possessiveness sprang to life until Edward noticed the slight bump underneath the neck of her shirt and realized she was wearing the pendant that Carlisle had commissioned. A brief glance at the other's eyes confirmed this guess. Bella, however, had missed the entire wordless exchange between the two and smiled sheepishly at the Cullen patriarch.

"I'm sorry, Carlisle," she said softly, and Edward didn't need Jasper's talent to feel her emotions surge. "I just don't think I'm as special-" He couldn't think of a better way to stop that line of thought, so he did what he'd wanted to do for days. A quick twist of his grasp had her spun around facing him, and he smiled at the shock in her expression as his lips met hers. She melted against him as she always had, that warm softness curving tightly into his body, but unlike every other time, he didn't panic. Didn't try to fight himself, or her, or the emotions he felt. Instead, he pulled her against him fully, his hands roaming down to the small of her back and lower, holding her in place as he explored her mouth with his own. Her surprised moan and ecstatic response, the way she pressed herself even closer and whimpered softly into his lips banished the last of the doubts Edward had entertained about her return, leaving behind only need, joy, and a love so full it was painful. Neither noticed the rest of the Cullens as they smiled happily at one another. They didn't notice Jasper's and Emmett's high-five, didn't see the contentment and adoration on Carlisle's face as he rejoined his wife, who welcomed him into her arms with a smiling sigh and a kiss. And they didn't notice that at some point, everyone else went inside, leaving Edward and Bella standing in the morning sunlight.

The world seemed right at last.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As curious as Bella was, she was more happy to be back with her family. After she and Edward had pried themselves away from one another long enough to rejoin the rest of them inside, she banished all thoughts of what their gift could be and just immersed herself in the atmosphere. They spent hours talking, Bella rhapsodizing over the food and the sights with such longing that Emmett had to joke with her.

"Hey, Bells, you sure you wanted to come back? Sounds almost like you're ready to cheat on Ed with the Ionian Islands." She just chuckled.

"No, I am very very glad to be back. But I would like to visit again. It was so beautiful there..." She trailed off, sharing a glance with Carlisle that had everyone grinning behind their backs.

"So what did you think of Caralla?" asked Alice. Esme chimed in.

"Yes, I was wondering that as well." Bella laughed.

"Oh, she's something else, all right. Blazingly gorgeous - and that gift of hers... you know, you guys could have warned me."

"Oh, where's the fun in that?" drawled Jasper, his arms around Alice's shoulders as he sat behind her on the couch. "You can't truly appreciate the power that is Caralla if you're forewarned." The group as a whole laughed, and Bella knew she'd never been so content in her life.

"So...gift? We all want to see what you think." Rosalie was the one that brought it up this time, and Bella thought back over all of the changes their relationship had taken. It was a hard road, but she loved the blonde dearly now, and the feeling was mutual. Bella smiled.

"Okay. Gift. But if it's too expensive you're taking it back." Everyone but her and Carlisle began to laugh hysterically.

"'Taking it back.' Good one, Bells," said Emmett. She glanced over at Carlisle, who shrugged his shoulders.

"I have no idea. I was in b-Greece with you all week." Bella blushed, and she could tell that everyone had caught the almost-slip. Luckily for her flaming face, though, no one mentioned it. Alice jumped up, grabbing Bella's hands and pulling her off of Edward's lap...causing a bit of a scene as he had to adjust himself quickly.

"Wow, Bella, I don't blame you for not wanting to stand up. I'd have stayed there, too!" She thought she couldn't get any more red. She was wrong. Especially when Rose chimed in.

"Mmm-hmm. I've called first dibs when he's done with you, though." Esme laughed, Jasper and Emmett snickering. By this point Edward had gotten himself together somewhat, and broke in.

"Okay, are we giving Bella her gift or are we discussing who gets to have their way with me after I'm finished making love with my beautiful girlfriend?"

"Hmm...we get to choose?" said Rose thoughtfully.

"Rose!" he snapped, embarrassed. Bella chimed in.

"It's okay, Edward. She can have you when I'm done." She shot a wicked glance at Rosalie. "If there's anything left, that is."

"Woo-hoo, Bells! Someone has sure been thinking this through!" Emmett barked.

"Well, do you blame me? I've been waiting for this for years now!"

"Enough! Can we please show you your gift now?" Edward was all but begging in his embarrassment, and Bella smiled at how hot it sounded. ~I wonder how else I can make him beg before I'm done with him..?~

"Lead on, my stubbornly gorgeous man."