Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyers owns all that is Twilight. I alas do not.

Thanks to all that are reading. Here is the next piece of the puzzle...

BPOV

"Do you intend to stay? Or are you going to run away again?"

"If you're not opposed to it I'd like to stay. I can't imagine any excuse I could give Dr. Williams."

He shrugged and gave me the same crooked smile. Some things never change.

"Well I think we have a few things to talk about, but here is not the place."

"Would you mind coming to my house? I'm sure Alice and Jasper would love to see you."

Even in the short time I had known her, Alice had become like a sister to me. Although I liked Jasper his presence gave me pause.

"Does that make you nervous?"

"Can you read my mind now?"

"No," he said somewhat sadly. "But your furrowed brow gave you away."

"It's just… Jasper."

"No, he is doing so much better. He is actually teaching now."

"Wow!"

"How about I follow you home and then I drive us to the house?"

"Are you sure you'll be okay with me in the car?"

"I've been by your side all day Bella. I'll be fine."

We got in our cars. I watched him in my rearview mirror on the short drive to my home. He still was driving a shiny silver Volvo, just a newer model.

I surprised myself at how calmly I was handling this all. I guess I have grown and matured from that teenage girl. Bizarre as this all was I was curious.

Ever the gentleman Edward was waiting at the passenger door of his car even before I could turn off the ignition.

"Do you live far?"

"No, just outside of town. The house sits on ten acres of woodland. It gives us some privacy.

"How are Jasper and Alice? …and how did she not see this?"

"Well now that I think of it, she may have. The past few weeks, actually since I was matched with Concord Hospital, she has been thinking of music for her cheer squad whenever we are together."

"Cheer squad?" I interrupted.

"She is coaching the high school cheer squad," he said accompanied by an exaggerated eye roll.

"All that energy, yeah I can see that. Hey do her girls call her Coach Lock?"

"Yep, one time someone shortened her name and it stuck. She and Jasper are living as a married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock. We tell people I'm her cousin from California."

"You said Jasper is teaching?"

"At Boston College, Civil War and mid-century History. He has come a long way in the last dozen years."

"Hmmm…did he ever forgive himself?" We both knew what I was asking about.

"Yes and we all came to the realization, most belatedly, that the whole incident really wasn't his fault."

"How so?"

"Well as an empath he absorbs the emotions around him. Couple his reaction with the instantaneous blood lust of all the vampires in the room, it must have had an exponential affect on him."

"Honestly I never had any hard feelings about it. I can understand having a difficult time fighting your true nature."

A grimace passed across Edward's face so quickly. If I hadn't been looking I would have missed it entirely.

"Edward, do you want me to roll down the window for some fresh air?"

"No, I'm fine. Thank you though. We're nearly there."

Moments later he turned up a nearly hidden driveway. The setting is eerily familiar.

Rounding the last curve brought a wonderful home into view. Alice stood, no—bounced, on the wrap around porch. Excitement radiated from her. Jasper stood at her side. I wonder if he was trying to calm her? He at least was smiling.

Edward made his lightening speed dash around the car before I could reach the handle.

"Alice please," begged Edward. "Jasper can you calm her down?!"

"This is calm," Jasper laughed.

"Alice please," I gasped in her iron grasp. "Gotta breathe."

She loosened her hold but didn't let go. Now that I could breathe I hugged her back.

"I've missed you…" we said in unison.

Everyone laughed and we walked inside.

"This is beautiful," I exclaimed.

"Esme and I decorated it together," said Alice. "Bella are you hungry? Can I get you something to eat?"

"You have food?"

"I've been waiting almost a month for you to get here!"

"I knew there was something you were hiding with all those songs," Edward laughed.

I was surprised at his easy-going response.

It was strange sitting down to eat food with three vampires watching you with a look of mild disgust.

Stranger still was the ease with which we slid into easy conversation. All the Cullen 'kids' were tired of their recurring role as high school students and decided to follow other paths.

"Edward, how come you decided to go to medical school again and take the final steps to become a doctor?"

"Well it's because of you actually. I figured that if I could resist your blood then anyone else would be a breeze."

"This has been ….fun," I said after several hours of conversation and catching up. I wasn't quite sure that was the right word but it would have to do.

"Bella, would you like to come back on your next day off? Carlisle and Esme so want to see you." Alice gave me the puppy dog eyes and the pouty lip.

"How can I resist? Sure Alice. I'll let you know." Edward borrowed my cell phone and programmed each of their numbers into it. "Edward, it's getting late and I need to get some sleep so I can be ready to run my new resident ragged tomorrow." I bid Alice and Jasper good-bye and we were headed back to my home in no time.

It was quiet on the ride back and I appreciated that Edward didn't feel the need to chat. So much had happened in the past day and it was a lot to process and take in. My mind was a whirl of thoughts and emotions when we pulled up in front of my house.

"It's been an …interesting day Edward," I said as I move to leave the car.

"Thank you Bella. I don't know if I could have been so diplomatic and well…kind… if I had been in your shoes today. I really appreciate this."

"I'll see you tomorrow and," I tried to look stern, "don't be late for work tomorrow."

I think I heard him chuckle as I shut the car door and walked into my house, my home.

A/N: I know this was a really short chapter but stick with me, more is coming tomorrow. I appreciate each and everyone of you!

Now something that's been bouncing around my brain... I know there are those of you who are 'Team Edward' or 'Team Jacob' but honestly Jasper has always done it for me. Have you read any stories that explored the empath idea more fully, if so please send them along to me. On that same line, I have always wondered why Jasper wasn't aware of Bella's pain during her change in Breaking Dawn. What do you think?

Whose TEAM are you on?