"Bella. Bella! Wakey-wakey, little sis. It's time to get off the plane now," I heard Emmett say as he shook me.

"Em…five more minutes? Please?" I pleaded as I opened my eyes.

"Do you want me to cause a scene like last time and carry you?" he grinned.

I stood up fast. "No, thanks. Let's go."

He laughed as he stood up. "Come on, Bells. It wasn't that bad. I only carried you down the aisle and out the plane before we were asked to stop."

"Yeah, and you mortified me enough to last a lifetime," I retorted as I grabbed my bookbag and started down the aisle after Emmett.

"You get embarrassed at the least littlest thing, though, so it shouldn't matter," he said as we made our way out of the plane and into the airport.

I rolled my eyes. "Do you see Dad?" I asked as I started looking around for Charlie. "He's supposed to be here by now."

Emmett looked around the tiny airport. "Yeah. He's right there," he said, pointing toward the front of the waiting area.

We looked at each other and took off for our dad. It was tradition: we would see our dad and run for him. The person who got there last (usually me) had to make dinner that night. We had started the tradition the first time we came back to visit our dad.

I tripped, of course, on the way, making my brother the winner once again. I heard my dad laugh as he bent down to help me up. "Bella, Bella. Still clumsy?"

I turned bright red as I said, "Yeah. How've you been, Dad? I mean, it's been two weeks, right?" I grinned.

He laughed again. "That's right, two weeks. I'm good, sweetheart. I'm good."

"And no one knows that we're back, right?" Emmett asked.

"Right. Although, I think you should've told someone. I've had everyone asking me when you two were coming back," Charlie said.

"Everyone meaning Alice, right?" I smirked.

"Can't fool you, can I?"

I shook my head. "Nope."

"She was really upset that she was missed you guys two weeks ago, but the Cullens had already planned their trip to Alaska a couple of months back, so nothing could be done about it," Charlie said, shaking his head.

I nodded. "I know. She emailed me about it when I told her when we were coming. Her email back to me was in all caps, exclaiming that I was ruining her vacation." I grinned. Alice could be quite the drama queen when she didn't get what she wanted. Rose and I would just give in to her pleading when we were younger when she would want to play "Fashion Show" instead of playing with the boys. Happy Alice is a hundred times better than Angry, Mad, Upset Alice.

"Let's get our luggage so you can start dinner, Bella. I'm starving," Emmett whined as his stomach started growling. He was standing behind me and tapping the back of my leg with a suitcase he had in his hand.

We got our luggage quickly and headed toward Charlie's cruiser, piling everything into the trunk. I sat up front, while Emmett sat in the back, behind the glass partition. I grinned when I looked back at my brother, looking the part of the criminal. At least in my mind.

"What are you grinning at, little sister?"

"Nothing. Just at the criminal in the back seat," I laughed.

"Just wait 'til you're back here. Just wait."

I rolled my eyes as I turned back to the road. The rest of the trip from Port Angeles to Forks was uneventful. It was pretty quiet in the cruiser, save for the radio and some humming from Emmett. The whole way back I was thinking about what everyone's reactions were going to be once we got back. I mean, we hadn't seen any of our friends in a couple of years. Our friends had gone with Charlie to California the first couple of summers that we had been gone, and we had even gone to Disney Land with our whole families (with the exception of Renee and Phil) the summer I was fourteen, but the past couple of years had been absent of our friends. Of course we had kept in touch with email and phone calls, but we all had gotten super busy with school and everything else so we hadn't seen each other since that summer. Three years had gone by and I was starting to get anxious at the thought of seeing Edward once again. I still slept with his baseball hoodie that he had given me when Emmett and I had moved away.

I had apparently fallen asleep again because the next thing I knew was Charlie shaking me and telling me to wake up, that we had arrived home.

I looked around at my surroundings. It was the same Forks that I had left 6 years previous. Just about everything was the same, save for the newer model cars on the street around us. I got out of the cruiser slowly, not wanting to fall flat on my face. Emmett had already gotten his stuff out and was working on getting my stuff, too.

"Thanks, Em," I yawned.

"No problem, Bell," he grinned. "So, I guess you're too tired to cook tonight?" I nodded as I yawned again. "I guess we'll be eating pizza tonight, Dad," he said, turning to Charlie.

"Aw, that's fine. You guys need to rest up anyway. You've got a big day ahead of you tomorrow."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, I know you guys are probably going to need to sleep in, so don't worry about going to school tomorrow, but I was thinking that you would want to go visit your friends after they get out of school."

"Oh," I said, with a sinking feeling in my stomach. One step closer to Edward, I thought. One step closer to the best friend that I hadn't seen in three years. "Yeah. If you don't mind."

"Of course I don't mind. Now let's get your stuff in and order dinner. You look like you're about to fall asleep on your feet."

I followed my dad and brother into our house. It, like Forks, was the same as it had been six years ago when we left. Nothing had really changed except for the pictures. The ones with my mom in them were now gone and replaced with updated pictures of Emmett and me.

Charlie stayed downstairs to order the pizza while Emmett and I went upstairs to start unpacking. I followed Emmett to my room, where he sat my suitcases down. "Hey, Em?" I asked as he started to leave.

"Yeah?" he asked, turning back around.

"Are you nervous about seeing our friends again? I mean, it's been, what? Three years?"

"I guess. I mean, it's weird, you know? Not having seen them in so long, but still knowing that they're our friends. I guess we'll just find out tomorrow then, won't we?" he grinned.

I nodded. "I know what you mean. I'm so nervous about seeing Edward again. I mean, we were best friends growing up, but we haven't seen each other since we were fourteen. Now we're seventeen…"

"Of course it's going to be weird, Bella. Don't worry so much about it, though. You guys will always be best friends, understand? And if Edward does anything that'll hurt you, I'm always here to kick his butt."

I grinned. "Thanks, Em."

"No prob. Anyway, I'm going to head to my room so I can start unpacking, ok? Let me know if you need anything, little sister."

"I will, big brother," I smiled. He turned and headed out the door, and I fell back on my bed. I wanted to take Emmett's advice but I was still worried about seeing my best friend again.

I got finished with my unpacking as soon as the pizza was delivered. Emmett and I raced downstairs, but I beat him, for once. The three of us ate in silence, but it was a comfortable silence. Afterward, I cleared the dishes and washed them before heading back to my room to go to sleep. Jet lag was starting to catch up with me, so I kissed Charlie goodnight and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

After I brushed my teeth and changed into my pajamas, I walked back to my room and snuggled under the covers, thinking about what the next day would bring. My last thoughts as I drifted off were those of my best friend and me as we reunited.

OoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooO

I woke up to the sound of rain hitting my window. That was something that I was going to have to get used to again, the rain. Sure it rained in Florida, and we had hurricanes, but it didn't rain constantly. I opened my eyes to take in everything around me and noticed that there was a note on my pillow.

Bella,

Didn't want to wake you up, but I just wanted you to know that there's a surprise for you and Emmett downstairs on the kitchen table, for school. It's not much, but it's something that you two need. I'll see you both when I get off work.

Love,

Dad

I got up and ran to Emmett's room. He was still asleep, so I leapt on his bed and started jumping. "Emmett! Time to get up! Dad left us a present downstairs!"

Emmett's eyes sprang open and he pushed me over the side of the bed, leaping toward the door. "I'm going to beat you!" he laughed as he ran downstairs.

I followed, limping. "Stupid Emmett," I muttered as I made my way after the big oaf I like to call my brother.

Emmett was standing at the kitchen table and looking at something on the table. I made my way over to him and smacked him on the arm. "Thanks a lot, you big jerk. That hurt."

He turned to me and rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Suck it up," he grinned. "Look at what Dad got us!"

"A key ring?" I asked, suddenly wary of what our father had gotten us.

He rolled his eyes. "Of course not, loser. Well, it is a key chain, for the two of us, but they have keys on them. As in, Dad got us cars, Bella!"

"What?! Are you serious? What did he get us?" I screeched. He shrugged and I said, "Well, come on! Let's go!" I ran off toward the front of the house toward the front door, with Emmett following closely behind. I stopped as soon as I got to the front step outside of the door and stood there, gazing at the beautiful cars in front of my brother and me. They were amazing. Charlie had gotten Emmett humongous green Jeep Wrangler, while I had received a red Ford truck. Of course they weren't brand new, far from it, but they were the best cars. Most definitely.

"Oh, wow. Wow," Emmett kept repeating.

We stood there, looking at our cars for a few more minutes before heading inside. I started making chocolate chip pancakes for the both of us, and Emmett watched me. "Hey, kid?"

"Emmett," I warned. "I asked you not to call me that."

He rolled his eyes. "Please." I glared at him. "Fine. Isabella. What do you want to do today?"

"I guess we should get everything cleaned up, you know? I mean, that way we don't have to worry about it, on top of starting school tomorrow. I know you don't like to clean or anything, but it would be nice for Dad if he came home to a clean house, right?"

Emmett groaned. "Argh. I guess you're right. Oh, we should go to the store afterwards, that way we can stock up on some food. The cupboards around here are almost bare."

I nodded my head in agreement. "Yeah, or maybe we should just make something here tonight, since we might have to get some school supplies tomorrow after school?"

"Yeah. Now, let's stop talking and eat breakfast. I'm starving."

"You're always starving," I said as I placed a stack of pancakes in front of my brother and I as I sat down to eat. "What do you think of the pancakes?"

He dug in and responded with a full mouth, "First of all, I'm a growing boy and I need my food. Second, these pancakes are the best ever. Bells, you could seriously become a chef if you wanted to. I mean, if the whole teacher thing doesn't work out."

"Really?" I asked, playing along and acting surprised.

"You're a horrible actor. You know that you're good enough. You cook all the time," he said as he was still chewing. He took a gulp of milk from his glass and swallowed. "But seriously. These are probably the best I've ever had. No kidding."

"Well, thanks."

Our conversation ended there as we continued the meal in silence. I sat there just playing with my food for awhile before I noticed that Emmett had stopped eating. I looked up and caught him staring at me. "What is it?" I asked.

He shrugged. "I don't know. I think that I'm nervous. Really nervous." He looked down. "I know that I said that everything would be alright, but what if it's not?"

I was shocked. In the whole time that I've lived with my brother, I don't think I've ever really seen him down like this, except for the time when we moved away, but that was a different story. "Em. It's going to be alright. Remember what you told me last night or did you already forget? They're our friends. Just because we haven't seen each other in almost three years doesn't mean that we're not friends. It's going to be a little weird, and it's going to take a while to get in the swing of things again, but I really think it's going to be okay."

My brother smiled. "Thanks, Bells. You're the best little sis ever," he said as he got up, walked around the table and engulfed me with in one of his bear hugs.

"No problem, big brother. I'm nervous, too, but we won't know until later. Plus," I added, grinning. "I didn't know that you were turning into a big softie."

He pushed me away as he rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Now, I need to start unpacking. I don't want to live out of my suitcases for forever."

I rolled my eyes as I put our plates in the sink and washed them. After I got finished, I went upstairs to my room and lay back down on my bed. Chores could wait until Emmett finished unpacking his things.

I heard a dinging coming from my open laptop, signaling that I had an IM. I picked my laptop up from the place on the floor where I moved it to last night and saw that the IM was from Edward. I smiled. I loved the fact that we still talked to each other, even if we couldn't see the other person. Emails and texts and phone calls are what kept me going for the past three years. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't been able to talk to my best friend about everything important that was going on in my life.

Hey, Bells. You know what I was thinking?

I laughed while I wrote him back. No. I don't know what you were thinking….what were you thinking?

I didn't have to wait for very long before I got a reply. I think that you should blow off your school in sunny Florida and come visit me in Forks.

Edward. Seriously? I have very important placement tests coming up this year. I can't leave now. :(

Bell-ll-ll-a. For me? Alice and Jasper are driving me and Rose insane! I'm serious. They finally started dating at the beginning of the summer…and they're insufferable.

I laughed when I read Edward's last message. Yeah? Alice told me that you were being all mopey and stuff when they were around…

That's only because there are the typical "cute" couple, with couple names for each other. Already. I need you here to alleviate all of the cuteness.

Eddie. I'm sorry, but I can't. I'll try to come at Christmas, but I can't come for the school year. Please forgive me. I laughed out loud at the last sentence I sent. It was just too funny that he was begging me to come, with me saying that there was no way.

"Hey. What are you doing?"

I turned around at Emmett's voice. "Nothing. Just talking to Edward."

"Oooh. How's Eddie Bear doing?" he grinned.

"Emmett," I scolded. "He doesn't like being called that, and you know it."

He shrugged. "What are you guys talking about?"

"Oh, nothing. He's just begging me to come and stay in Forks to alleviate the cute couple that is finally Alice and Jasper."

"They finally got together? Man, Edward and I had a bet on how long it would be before they would. I thought it would be much sooner than this. Crap. That means I have to be Eddie Bear's slave for a day…if he remembers…and don't you dare tell him!" he yelled as I started typing.

"Too late," I grinned.

"Isabella! I will get you back for this," Emmett said with an evil grin.

I just stuck my tongue out at him as he left my room. I turned back to the laptop to read Edward's response.

I understand. I just miss my best friend. Maybe soon? Oh, and let Emmett know that the next time that I see him, be ready. :)

So, how's your vacation going? Other than Alice and Jasper making googly-eyes at each other?

It's pretty boring. Just a bunch of cousins that we haven't seen in forever. We're leaving for the airport in about an hour, and I am SO GLAD that I'm going to be back in my own bed in a few short hours. Ah, glorious bliss.

I'm sorry that it didn't turn out that well. I guess I'll be hearing more details later from Alice when she calls to explain how horrible it all was. But I guess that I should be letting you go, so you can finish getting ready and so I can finish up some cleaning. Call me later, though, ok?

Ok. I will. Love you Bells.

Love you, too, Eddie.

With that, I signed off and closed my laptop. I was so excited about seeing Edward that I put my computer down and ran to Emmett's room, suddenly full of energy.

"What are you so hyper for?" my brother asked. "Oh, wait. Let me take a wild guess: your boyfriend," he said, smiling.

I hit him on the arm. "Emmett. He's not my boyfriend, but yes, I'm happy about seeing Edward. Now, let's start cleaning. I'll take the kitchen, you take the bathroom, and we'll both do the living room, deal?"

"Why do I have to clean the bathroom?" Emmett whined. "I always have to clean the bathroom."

"Because I know where everything goes in the kitchen, and the bathroom has less breakables than the kitchen. That's means that there are fewer things for you to see if you can break." I paused. "Just go, OK? Please, for me?" I asked, putting on my best 'puppy-dog eyes' look. Emmett was a sucker for my begging face and he caved in easily.

"Fine, fine, but next time it'll be different. I promise you that one," he muttered as he walked toward the bathroom.

I just smiled. He always said that, and our chores never changed.