A/N: Thanks once again for all the story alerts and reviews - you know it means a lot to me guy :B

So, the Cullens are back (yay!) Now for the real fun to start...

Alice's return had been the best.

I dreamt of her on the Wednesday night and knew as soon as she touched me that she was coming.

I ditched school – something I had vowed never to do again – on the Thursday morning and drove like a madman to the Cullen's house.

She was already standing in the driveway, by the steps, waiting for me. She had probably seen me coming hours ago.

I parked the truck carelessly and flung the door open while the engine was still running.

"Alice!" I half-screamed, half-sighed. "I've missed you so much!"

I heard her tinkling laugh in my ear as she squeezed me tight.

She pushed me away then to look at me and I couldn't help but squeal in excitement.

"I can't believe you're really here!"

It felt so odd to be looking at her perfect, white skin and spiky, dark hair.

Only in my dreams did I get the chance to see them and it wasn't the same.

My mind had added tiny human blemishes that just weren't there on a vampire's flawless skin.

Jasper came out of the house then, a huge smile stretched across his face.

He laced an arm around Alice's nimble waist and kissed her tenderly on the neck.

I felt a slight tug of my heart. When would I have my Jasper equivalent back?

"Let's go inside," Alice said in her child-like voice, saving me from spiralling into an abyss of loneliness just in time.

Even so, Jasper raised his right eyebrow at me and he clocked my emotions.

But Alice had already gone – dancing up the steps as though she hadn't a care in the world.

Jasper hopped up the stairs after her and entwined his long fingers in hers. I smiled as I saw her look at him lovingly.

Perhaps, I didn't have my Edward back but part of me was content when I realised I had created there happiness.

I swelled at the thought that without me, they wouldn't be together right now.

It sounds obtuse but I needed to boost my self-esteem and, besides, they had looked so happy.

I grinned to myself as I remembered Alice's tender expression once more and climbed up the steps.

We were back round the large, wooden dining table.

Each couple sat next to each other – hands joined or with someone's arm wrapped around the other – all urgently trying to make up for the last six months apart.

Even for vampires that was a long time.

I, on the other hand, sat alone watching them; desperately clinging to the happiness and pride I sometimes felt when I saw them all back together.

In truth, I had done what I said I would do – I brought back the Cullens to where they belonged.

After a while, Carlisle stood up.

"So, everyone's back where they belong at last," he announced, smiling as though he didn't quite believe it. "Everyone… but Edward."

He glanced briefly at me and I lowered my head.

"Typical," snorted Rosalie. Ever since I had brought Emmett back she had returned to her usual frost reception towards me.

I frowned and let my hair fall across my face. I went to grit my teeth so as not to let on she had hurt me but, instead, felt the warm glow of relaxation spread across my chest.

I looked up at Jasper immediately, who just winked and tightened his grip around Alice.

"Thank you, Rosalie," Carlisle continued. "But Edward will return when he wants to. It's just unfortunate that he is the last to arrive."

Rosalie opened her mouth to speak but Esme got there first.

"He'll come back when he's ready, Rose."

She closed her mouth but scowled fiercely all the same.

"But we really need to talk about what we're going to do in the mean time," began Carlisle again. "We split for a reason and…"

"Please, not this right now!" complained Emmett loudly. Carlisle turned to look at him. "I've only just got back and…"

He looked at Rosalie with sad eyes then back at Carlisle. It was true. Emmett had only arrived this afternoon as I had accidentally fallen asleep on the sofa after breakfast.

Carlisle smiled, knowingly.

"You're right," he laughed briefly. "This is not for now. You need time together. Six months is a long time – I know I felt it."

He sat down by Esme and took her hand.

"Go," he said simply as he turned to face her. "We'll talk later."

He didn't even bother to look at us for the last bit, just carried on staring longingly into Esme's wide eyes.

Holy crow! What was it with all the love around here?

It was enough to make me start to regret wanting to bring them back!

"Bella?" It was Alice that spoke to me. She and Jasper were standing by my chair, still hand in hand. Rosalie and Emmett were long gone.

I tore my eyes away from Esme and Carlisle's silent exchange to look at her. "Jasper and I are going to play chess. Would you like to come with us?"

It took me a moment to answer.

"No, thank you," I replied. "Like Carlisle said – you need time together. Please, don't take pity on my just yet."

I smiled at her weakly, hoping she wouldn't see how pathetic I really was. To my relief, a breath-taking smile swept across her face.

"Feel free to make yourself at home," she said rapidly. "We'll see you later."

I returned my attention to the wooden table as they began to leave. Even Esme and Carlisle has slipped away.

No one cared for the only beating, lonely heart in the house. At least not for now and why should they anyway?

I felt one final pulse of happiness spread though my chest and I turned my head to see Jasper disappearing out the door.

After several minutes of silence I got up. I couldn't sit there forever. But, I wasn't going home just yet.

Not when my family was here.

I wandered aimlessly through the house, listening for any noise that would give away that there was anything else living here apart from me.

Though, technically, there wasn't. Curse those graceful vampires – they made me feel lonely.

I had just entered the kitchen and was remembering how the Cullens had tried to cook me Italian when I thought of it.

I don't know why I had never had the urge to do it before, but just then it felt perfectly right.

I left the kitchen and climbed the stairs.

I heard Alice's musical laugh from behind her bedroom door – the first proof of life I had heard in over an hour – but didn't bother to stop.

In fact, I didn't stop until I reached the very last door on the top floor of the house.

Edward's room.

A/N: Oooh! Will she go in? Drop a review, sweets!

Mel x