Disclaimer: O.K. again with this, I don't own Twilight or its characters. Incidentally, that fact ought to be rather obvious.

So, I hope none of you thought things were over just because Sarah got adopted. Oh no, now the gumbo really gets cooking.

Chapter 6

Homeward Bound

Rain pelted the windshield of the car as it made its way along the highway. A week had passed since the night the Police Chief came calling. Most of that time was a blurry haze to her. She didn't remember very much nor did she care to remember. The only thing that stood out against the bleakness that threatened to swallow her was the outpouring of affection and support the Cullen family had shown her.

From the back seat of the doctor's car, she listened to the steady rhythm of the windshield wipers. They were on their way to the airport. A flight was booked for her, Dr. Cullen and Edward. They were accompanying her home to Louisiana. The rest of the family had arrived safely on a flight two days earlier. It was amazing to her the way Doc, Esme, and the rest of the family just stepped up and took over. Most of her aunt's arrangements were already in place. Doc was handling the LBI detectives, Esme and Alice dealt with the funeral home, and Jasper made all the travel arrangements.

Emmett, Rosalie, Edward, and Bella took turns looking after her. They coaxed her to eat when she had no appetite and refused her meals. They soothed her to sleep when the promise of impending nightmares had her too scared to close her eyes. They prodded her to get out of bed even when the weight of her own despair was so great all she really wanted to do was lie there and die. Like four gentle shepherds tending to a forsaken lamb, their presence was constant; at least one of them was always at her side. The only thing they hadn't managed to do was make her smile.

"Are you alright back there Sarah?" the bells in Doc's voice tolled with concern.

He must have noticed she was crying again. Her tears came in unpredictable spurts now, which was an improvement over the torrential downpours of earlier in the week. Though she nodded, she was very much afraid she would never be truly all right ever again. A hand grasped hers and somehow she knew it belonged to Edward.

"It's going to be OK," he offered softly. "It can't rain forever."

Somehow, she doubted that.

* * * *

Sarah's left hand was wrapped tightly around the crook of Carlisle's right elbow as he led her through the busy airport terminal. She hobbled on one crutch and leaned heavily into him with each step. Edward walked on the other side of her, managing their luggage and carrying Sarah's other crutch. Her eyes were dry for the moment but he knew the next squall could strike at any time. She was trying to be brave in spite of her grief, and he was extremely proud of her for the effort.

The line at the security check was longer than he had anticipated. Though they were in no danger of missing their flight, the lag time was feeding Sarah's anxiety. In the parking lot, the sounds of the air traffic over head made her jittery. Inside the terminal the noise and press of the crowd only made her jitters worse. She clung to his arm as if it were a life preserver.

When they reached the head of the line Carlisle took off his shoes, removed his belt, and emptied his pockets. He passed through the metal detector first and, once cleared by security, he helped Sarah through. The alarm went off and she froze like a doe caught in the glare of oncoming headlights.

Suddenly he wished for Esme. His wife had a way with the girl like no one else, only Alice came close. Sending the rest of them on ahead was a calculated part of his plan. During one of their late night strategy sessions, Jasper brought up the notion that Cane might have been baiting a trap by killing Sarah's aunt. If so, he would be expecting her to return home in the company of her two friends. Carlisle was intent on giving the monster exactly what he expected, Sarah returning home in the company of two male vampires. He only hoped that Cane had never met Skeeter and Vincent before.

The rest of the family had the task of scouting out the area and setting up a few surprises of their own. He was hopeful that Jasper might be able to find Cane before he and Edward arrived with Sarah. So far, this hadn't panned out.

"Does the girl understand English?" the security officer turned to him and asked. The man's heavy accent was of West Indian origins, most likely Trinidadian.

"Yes," he finally answered. Privately he wished to say more, but getting himself arrested for threatening a TSA agent wasn't a good idea.

The agent instructed Sarah to hold her hands out to the side and then he frisked her with the hand-held wand. The metal rods in her leg brace had set off the alarm. Edward passed through without incident.

They arrived at Gate 6 an hour before boarding time. As he settled Sarah into a chair, the alarm on his watch chimed.

"Edward, we passed a sandwich shop on the concourse, would you go pick up something for Sarah to eat? It's time for her medicine."

"Sure thing Dad," he answered. Over the years, the human act had become second nature to him. "Do you want anything?"

"No, I'm fine." With that, he watched his son disappear into the crowd.

The phone in his pocket began to vibrate. He fished it out to check the caller ID; Esme's name appeared on the tiny backlit screen.

"I need to take a call," he whispered to her as he patted her arm. "I won't go far."

By the time he returned, Edward was back and coaxing her to eat.

"Come on, Kitten," Edward cooed, "It's really good, I promise you'll like it."

Esme started calling her Kitten the morning after her adoption and the moniker soon caught on with the rest of the family. He even found himself using it from time to time. He sat down beside them and watched her. When he determined she'd eaten enough, he administered her medication.

"Who called?" Edward asked as he nudged another piece of sandwich under Sarah's groping fingers.

"Esme."

Her head jerked up at the name and he heard the sudden quickening of her heart. She turned in his direction. "Is she alright?"

"Of course, honey," he soothed. "She sends both of you her love."

He would have to find a private moment to share the details of the conversation with Edward. Though his son could read thoughts as easily as a book, he tried not to intrude on the minds or privacy of those in his family. This was too important a matter anyway; it always was when it involved Alice and her visions.

* * * *

They sat together on the plane, Carlisle on the aisle, Edward by the window and Sarah between them. The pilot ramped up the engines and Sarah nearly jumped from her seat. She had been trembling ever since the flight attendant seated them. Though he hated to keep drugging her, he had to admit the thought was tempting.

"Relax Sarah," he whispered to her. "Honestly, honey, there's nothing to be afraid of."

At that moment, the engines ramped again and he heard her heart slam into a gear he didn't know existed. If he didn't soon get her calmed down he feared she would have a heart attack. With a sigh, he stood and opened the overhead compartment to get his bag. He would have to be very discreet if he was going to sedate her without anyone noticing.

"Hey, Dad," Edward flashed him a knowing look. "While you're up there could you hand me my backpack. I have something in it for Sarah."

He had no idea what his son was up to, but he handed him the backpack anyway and retrieved his own bag as well. Curious, he watched Edward rummage through the pack. He pulled out a brand new MP3 player and a set of headphones.

"We all chipped in and bought you a present." Edward told her. "I'm going to put something on your ears now, Kitten, OK?"

She nodded, then sat patiently as Edward put the headphones on her.

"Now listen."

As he mashed the play button, Carlisle realized they were both holding their breath. At the sound of the music, first surprise and the pleasure lit her face and for the first time since that horrid night, the doctor watched a faint smile curl her lips.

"Vivaldi," she squeaked.

"Yes," Edward answered with a chuckle. He was obviously pleased the gift made her happy. "And Beethoven, and Mozart, and Chopin, and Wagner, and a bunch more. Everything from my collection we though you might like."

The doctor watched the miracle of the music in awe. She settled back into her seat and closed her eyes. Soon he noted her heart rate had dropped back into a normal rhythm, her trembling ceased, and her breathing became easy and shallow. By the time the plane reached cruising altitude, Sarah was snuggled up against Carlisle's shoulder fast asleep.

"Edward, I owe you one," he whispered so as not to wake her.

"I wish I could say that I'll add it to your tab, but actually you owe this one to Bella, it was her idea." Edward paused and when he spoke, again his tone was low and serious. "What was Alice's vision about?"

"We were right," He, sighed, "Cane is watching the Lafayette airport. It's a good thing we had the others fly into New Orleans and drive to Breaux Bridge. Otherwise we might have tipped our hand."

"Then he's waiting for us?"

Carlisle nodded. "But he won't try anything in the terminal, it's too public. Emmett and Jasper have the airport covered anyway, just in case."

"Sounds like fun," Edward grinned before settling back, closing his eyes, and pretending to yawn. "I can't wait."