So... How's everybody been? Have a good week?

It is soo cold right now. I have my sweatshirt on, the fire is going behind me, and I have, like, 8 layers of socks on. But I'm not going anywhere because I'm determined to write.

Disclaimer: Alice and the Cullens aren't mine, nor is Stephenie Meyer's version of vampires. I'm not earning anything from writing this, except maybe a happier mood. :D

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My mother opened the door wider to let Alice in.

"Thanks, Ms. Racine." Alice said before stepping inside. She feigned curiosity as she took a look around the house, even though she already knew what it looked like from any visions she had.

"What a beautiful house you have. And thanks for having me here. I know it all must be a bit much for you. " Alice had a knowing smile. I hoped she wouldn't push her knowledge too far without my mom noticing.

She looked at me. "Rach, we need to get the bags out of the car, mind helping?"

"Sure," I looked at my mom as I slipped on my shoes, "Be right back." She nodded as I followed my sister out the door.

I suppose it was a good opportunity for my mom to think, if only for a few minutes. If I was her, I would have been freaked-out at seeing my daughter on my doorstep after being dead for two years. I would have run upstairs and called the police, I'd be so scared. All in all, my mom was talking it pretty well.

It was raining lightly now -not enough to be an annoyance. Alice unlocked the back door. Neither of us had much, so everything was just put in the back seat.

As I collected my things, Alice started talking. "That went pretty well, don't you think?"

"Yeah, I guess. I assume you watched the whole thing?"

"Bits-and-pieces, yeah. Enough to know when to knock on the door." She smiled.

I laughed. "Good timing, by the way."

"As always." She replied. "Oh, have a nice sleep tonight, eh?"

"You're kidding!? That's awesome! I wonder if I'll dream…"

Alice laughed. We finished grabbing our bags and headed towards the porch again. When we stepped in the front door, my mother wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"She went upstairs to get me a couple blankets. She's planning on setting up the couch for me to sleep on." Alice said. "She's quite a nice woman, your mother." Alice walked into the living room and set down her things beside the couch.

I smiled. "I know, she's always been like that."

I heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and turned in time to see my mother with some blankets, just like Alice said. "I hope you don't mind the couch." She said, placing them on the coffee table, then took the top one off, unfolded it, and put it on the couch as a bottom sheet. She placed the blanket over that, and put a pillow on one end.

"Voila! A bed fit for a princess." She said, then turned to Alice, "I imagine you must be tired. Help yourself to the kitchen food and bathroom. I'll be upstairs if you need anything."

"Thank you so much, I'll see you tomorrow morning." Alice said.

"I'll be right up, too. Is my bed still there?" I asked my mom.

"Yeah, it is. But your blanket and sheets are in the closet. I'll go get it ready for you." She turned on her heels, going back upstairs.

So my mother was being great about this, I just didn't want her to have a breakdown later. I couldn't hear her moving around upstairs, which bugged me, but I was sure Alice would make sure nothing strange happened. Besides, I wanted to try sleeping. First, though, I needed something to eat.

"I need something to eat, Alice. Did you go hunting while you were gone?" I asked as I walked towards the kitchen.

"No, just for a drive around the town." She followed me in and sat at the table in the corner.

I went straight to the fridge and got out some milk. "Where's the cereal?" I said to Alice.

"The corner cupboard near the dishwasher."

I went there and pulled out some Cheerios. A safe selection, I thought as I saw some of the locally made cereal. Who knows what they put in that crap. And honestly, it really didn't look good. My mom had always been a health addict. She usually shopped at local stores, only buying local foods. Of course, she had normal food too, just not as much.

I looked through some of the small drawers and found a spoon, but had to ask Alice where my mom kept the bowls. I had always remembered the kitchen having wallpaper with forget-me-not flowers on it, but I suppose my mom had painted it, because now it was just a light yellow.

I settled into the chair across from Alice and ate my cereal. Not bad for a first dinner.

The look on Alice's face was full of disgust. "That looks gross."

"It's actually not bad. I think it needs some chocolate, though."

Alice burst out laughing. But I was dead serious. I guess she got the point when I didn't start laughing with her, so she tried to calm herself down.

"Chocolate? Oh my. You need to try ice cream –oh shoot. I should not have said that."

My eyes shot up. I remembered how much I loved that stuff! I hurried to finish my cereal, put my things in the dishwasher, and went to the freezer.

Chocolate ice cream. Perfect. It was front and center in the freezer. I got out the whole tub and picked out another spoon.

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Alice took the ice cream away before I could eat too much. She sent me to bed, and settled into her blanket. It probably wasn't all that comforting, but it was just a human instinct to snuggle up in a blanket. She turned the TV on with the volume on very low.

"Your mom's already in bed. Try to be quiet." Alice whispered to me.

"Okay. Thanks for coming with me."

I picked up my bags and walked up to my old bedroom. My mom hadn't unpacked any of my old things. The boxes were still on the floor where I put them when we moved in. A sudden fatigue hit me just then. I turned off my light, and in my clothes, slid under the covers of my bed.

"Goodnight Alice." Was all I said.

For the fist time in two years, I slept.

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Ok, that one was a bit shorter, but it was a nice place to stop, don't you think?

I'm getting lonely talking to myself! Please R&R

~Maux