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I only own my little plot!

APOV

I woke at around 5am the following morning. I guess that's the downside of falling asleep before it's even dark out. I sat up slowly, assessing how I felt after a long rest. Tired, still, but I was bound to wake up in the shower. A little shaky, but I was also starving, which was a good sign.

I descended the stairs very quietly - I doubted anyone else would like to be awake at this hour – and made my way into the kitchen. A little while later I was flicking the channels with the volume low, trying to find something other than porn or 24hr news. Weren't infomercials on all night? Sighing in frustration I took another bite of toast as I scooped Vogue from the coffee table. Much better. I was so immersed in an article about the late and utterly fabulous Alexander McQueen that I didn't hear anyone coming down the stairs. I heard my mom gasp, and I swear I must have jumped about a foot in the air.

"Geeze! You scared the crap out of me!" I sat the magazine on the sofa.
"Well you gave me a fright as well…I didn't expect anyone to be awake at…a quarter past six. How are you feeling?"

I smiled softly as the surprise disappeared from her face, replaced with loving concern.

"Much better. Starving, so I had like three pieces of toast already."
"I'm glad. You know I hate to see you or your brothers feeling unwell."

I nodded as mom placed herself beside me on the couch.
"I know you're practically a woman now but I'm still allowed to fuss over my baby, aren't I?"

I giggled softly, nodding my head as I leaned into her embrace.
"You wouldn't be you if you didn't. It would just be weird."

I let my eyes flutter closed as my mom began to run her hands through my long, dark hair, marveling at how she always knew how to relax me.
"Are you feeling up to going to school? It's Friday, I doubt you'd miss that much…"
"No I'm fine, I want to go. I need to feel productive until Rose and Em and Jazz get back, otherwise I'll mope around all day waiting for them."

This elicited a chuckle from Mom.
"I hardly think anyone could ever say that you mope. But if you're sure…"
"I'm sure Mom, thanks." I assured her, kissing her cheek as I got up, heading upstairs to shower.

It was possibly the longest school day I've ever endured. I could barely sit still in any of my classes I was so excited. They wouldn't be back until later in the evening, but I was starting to think that maybe I could have just mooched around the house waiting for them. It's not like I was concentrating here anyways.

Bella found it hysterical. She kept nudging my arm in English to make sure I was taking notes and not staring off into space; exciting beyond belief about the weekend. Our last class was Chemistry, and if the entire day had dragged, this final period was excruciatingly slow.

The minute the bell sounded I was up like a rocket, and home in the record time of 8 and a half minutes. My dad chuckled as I came bounding through the door.
"What did you do, teleport home? You know not to drive so fast, Alice." I nodded. I did understand, but I was far too excited to pay any real attention.
"Sorry Dad. What are you doing home already?"
"I booked a half-day, remember? I didn't want to be getting back later than Emmett."

I smiled to myself. Dad was not only incredible at his job, but he also made sure that family was his top priority.
"It's just as well, if you got home after Emmett you'd have starved. I texted and told him about the chilli."
Dad chuckled again.
"Ah yes…I didn't even think about that. I spent most of my day thinking about you, sweetheart. Did you feel alright at school?"

"Yea, I felt fine. I guess it was just a bad spell last night."
"Well I'm glad." He smiled, his hand resting gently on my shoulder.
"Why don't you get your homework out of the way, it's only a few hours until they get here."

Just as I was proofing my essay for American History my phone buzzed. I grabbed it from my bed, smiling as Rose's name flashed beside the message.

Hey cutie, hit a little delay, and one extra person for dinner tonight, just a head's up to Esme and Mom. I'll explain and apologize to you later. Be there in 15! Xxx

I frowned softly. She'd apologize to me? Why would I care who else came for dinner? I shrugged, saving my amended essay and shutting the lid of my Macbook. I scooted over to my closet and pulled out my favorite jeans and a cream, cashmere sweater. I quickly retouched my makeup, smiling to myself. Though it had been months since I'd seen Jasper in person I knew it was silly trying to go over the top to look great. I just wanted to look myself. After all, that's what he said he liked most about me, that I never tried to be anything I wasn't. I made sure I was presentable before heading downstairs where Mom and Dad were chatting with Rose and Jasper's parents.
"Hey pumpkin! My, you just get more gorgeous every time I see you!" I giggled, hugging Whitney. "You see me every other day!"
"Well that doesn't mean you don't! You excited about my Rose and Jasper coming home?"
"Gosh yes! Oh…that reminds me, I got a message from Rose. They'll be about another fifteen minutes, and they're bringing a guest with them."
"Not to worry, the more the merrier." My mom smiled as my dad planted a kiss on her hair.

Edward chuckled, looking up from his regular spot at the piano.
"Or less…as Emmett's going to discover when he needs to share his chilli."

As Dad and I were making sure the candles in the table centerpiece were all lit, we heard a key in the door, and the familiar boom of Emmett's voice.
"Family! I'm hooooome!" I squealed, sprinting to the foyer and into his huge, waiting arms.
"Midget! It's so good to see you." He smiled, releasing me and kissing my forehead.
"Alice!" Rosalie shrieked with excitement, barging past as Mom and Dad embraced Emmett. Rose swept me up in a hug, whispering in my ear.
"I'm sorry..."

I frowned, pulling away. Why did she keep apologizing to me? Over Rose's shoulder appeared a mass of blonde hair identical in color to hers. The butterflies that had been nesting in my stomach all day finally released themselves in a flutter of activity as his eyes met mine.
"Hey darlin'." He smiled, his lip curling up adorably at one side. He cleared his throat before addressing everyone in the room.

"I'd like y'all to meet Maria."