Chapter 2:
Chapter 2:
The Reunion
The breath accumulated in my lungs escaped as the wide oak door swung open. There stood was a tall woman. She was petite with long wavy brown hair. She had a sweet, inviting smile. She was familiar looking, even though I hadn't seen her in years, which seemed like decades. She squinted her eyes a little, and tilted her head.
"Bella, Bella Swan. Is that you? Why, of course it is you? Well come on in dear." She waved me in with one bony hand. Her smile deepened, as she looked me over. "My, my, we haven't seen you in forever," She reached across the distance to hug me; I took the initiative and leaned in as well. We hugged for a moment, when I realized how great this felt. To see her, to see the people I loved most. A huge, goofy grin spread across my face, I couldn't hold in the joy.
"Esme, I have missed you soo much. How long has it been? Too long, that's what I know." I paused at the expression on her face; she seemed to be saying How? "I moved back in with my dad," I explained to her. "I'm starting school next week." I lifted up my arms, as if to say, Finally!
"Well the kids are in town picking up a few things for dinner, but they will be back soon." By the kids she meant Edward, of course, Emmett, Rosalie, Alice, and Jasper. Emmett was pretty much my big brother, I loved him and he loved me back. Alice was my best friend, I don't know how I could have survived six years without her. I wasn't as close to Rosalie and Jasper as much as the others, though they still felt like family. Edward. Ah, Edward. He and I hung out so much over those summers, that we were becoming each others shadow. I loved him then as a brother, but as I got older, the brotherly love faded. I'm sure he had no feelings for me in the sense that I had. I was his friend, his sidekick, partner in crime. But no way were we going to be more than that, or at least that's what Edward thought.
"Carlisle is in the den, if you want to see him." Esme pointed to the frosted French doors that apparently led to the den. Why wouldn't I want to see Carlisle? He was like my second dad. I stepped eagerly toward the doors and rapped on the wood frame gently. Come in, bellowed a voice, I had only known too well. I opened the doors, and tiptoed in, peeking from behind the glass. Carlisle looked only a few years older but he was still the same. He looked over the rim of his paper to see me standing there. "Bella!" He exclaimed, as he glided over to me in a matter of seconds. He stretched his arms out, bracing for a hug. I wrapped my arms around him and laughed. "It has been too long since I have seen you last. I've missed you, all of you." Carlisle smiled gently. "We have all miss—
He didn't get a chance to finish, and was looking past me at something behind me. I swiveled to see what he was looking at, to find a pixie haired girl, pick-thin, with her mouth wide open.
"Alice! Oh how I've missed you!" I gaped in surprise at her. Without saying a word, she ran up to me with a little too much force. We wobbled a little during the collision, but our arms were locked in a death hold. I didn't ever want to let go. I squeezed her tighter and whispered, "Alice, I love you, you know that. And I'm glad I'm back, I can't wait to catch up." This feeling, this overwhelming feeling of joy. It was worth it, it was worth saying goodbye to my friends back home. It was worth seeing my mom's face as she drove away from the airport. I loved this, I felt at home.
Just then did I notice the bag of groceries on the floor. Deserted, where Alice had dropped them at first sight of me. Another figure walked through the door, in a hood. He stopped when the saw the traffic flow of groceries, that Alice dropped.
"Bella!!" The big figure ran to me and trapped me in his arms.
"Emmett! Hey!" He was a lot stronger than I remembered, then he squeezed even harder. "Emmett, I can't breathe here." I struggled to let the words out.
"Oh, yeah," he loosened his grip, but didn't actually let go. He pecked me on my cheek quickly and apologized, "I'm sorry, it's just that I have missed you so much." He finally let go of me, with my brain trying to tell my lungs how to function properly again. We five, Alice, Emmett, Esme, Carlisle, and I walked into the kitchen. We set the bags on the counter, but never actually put them up.
"Oh, wait. The others are coming in, Edward too." Emmett announced to the group, emphasizing on Edward and looking at me while he said it. And as always, when Edward's name was mentioned I sort of flinched, it was pretty much a reflex by now.
Emmett chuckled at my reaction. And just as soon as the nervousness went away, it fluttered back into my body. Edward is coming! I will get to see him again!
The bodies shuffled into view after reaching the door. Rosalie first, Jasper behind her, and lastly Edward. A gasp escaped Rosalie's mouth. Jasper's eyes widened. And Edward, he looked terrified.