First of all, thank you to everyone who reviewed and subscribed and thank you to my loving beta and original author of this story, IcyActress, or as I will now call her, Icy. :) Also, it was sweet of edwardlovesklutzybella to send me that message, thank you again!

======================CARLISLE'S POV===================

I heard him rustling things in his room, getting ready for the move. I remained in my study. With all my heart I wished to storm into his room and pin him down and punish him for such thoughts but I knew I couldn't. I had given all of my family a choice and he had made his and no doubt, would try to convince the others. I pinched the bridge of my nose.

If there was one thing which frightened me, it was being alone. All those lonely years of my second life came flooding back to me. The cold bitter loneliness, the silence that tore into my soul, the pearls of laughter I heard from children in the streets, children that I wished could be mine to hear, to see, to cherish.

Yes, I had fought Emmett. Not inside the school, of course. He had taken Marri home with him and I was forced to stay and deliver the rest of the immunizations. Never in my life had my job caused me such pain. I would lose my family because of my job. When I arrived home, he was waiting at the staircase. I could hear Rose upstairs, tending to Marri.

"Emmett - "

"You could have warned her, Carlisle, you could have -"

I physically flinched at him addressing me with my first name. "Emmett, we can discuss this calmly and-"

"NO!" He banged his fist against the railing of the stairwell and I watched it split into thousands of little slivers of wood. "EVERYONE!" He yelled. A couple minutes later, the whole family was assembled (minus Marri and Rose) in front of me. Emmett turned his back to me to talk to them.

"We are in serious need of a family meeting," he started. "I am sick and tired of the way Carlisle has been treating us so I'm leaving." Several gasps escaped. Esme looked horrified.

"He is a weak guardian, reduced to spanking us and lying to our faces about pain rather than earning our respect as people of the household." I saw Bella begin to nod in agreement - she decided to rejoin our family, yet again. "I'm taking Rose and Marri with me. Anyone who wants to join us must do so now."

Still silence. Bella was the first to step forward.

Edward followed, no doubt to be with Marri.

Jasper hesitated, setting one foot forward. Alice quickly grabbed his arm. A long look was shared and the foot was taken back.

Emmett waited for another minute. "No one else?" He glanced at Alice and she shook her small head.

"Ok then," Emmett straightened up as Rose came down the stairs with Marri curled up at her chest. "Just me, Rose, Marri, Edward and Bella. Bye, Mom." Esme began to shake her head violently in denial, eyes wide in panic. Each of the leaving party gave her a hug, Marri quietly sobbing into her shirt collar.

"Emmett, please don't –" Esme started, her entire form trembling.

"I'm sorry." He lead the group out as Rose struggled to pull Marri off Jasper. It took five whole minutes. I remained silent, silent in grief.

Without saying a word to my trembling Esme, my broken Jasper and my rigid Alice, I went into my study and proceeded to sob tearlessly.

I don't know how long I have stayed in this room. I can see a thin layer of dirt on top of my desk as I lift my head. My throat burns. The door opens and Alice walks in, eyes open with concern.

"Daddy?" Her voice is careful, not wanting to hurt me any farther. She comes from behind me and hugs me.

"I'm ok." I say quietly, patting her hand tenderly.

"Dad, you can't live like this. We have to –"

"Don't worry." I say shortly, breaking from her embrace. "I've just been thinking."

"About what?" Alice's head moved to one side.

"How to get Marri back."

AN – I write rather short chapters, just to let you know. Reviews are always welcome!