Okay. I owe you all a HUGE apology. I haven't updated MMAM in a month (to the day), and that's just ridiculous. I'm so sorry. Especially seen as though I've still been getting hits and reviews. So thank you.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the response i got to A Piece of Forever. If you reviewed, or PMed me - thanks. I am contemplating whether or not to write Edwards reaction, thanks to a suggestion from a reader.

So here it is – we're still in Edwards POV. It's quite long as well, to make up for the lack in updates.

I want to –again- say thank you to BrittanyPerson (have i mentioned her before? A lot? Tough :D) this girl is honestly one of the most talented, funny and inspiring people i have ever talked to. I have her to thank for most of my writing. So, I'm dedicating this whole story to you, huni. Thanks xx

As i emerged from the thick forest, through the heavy mist a small figure in the middle of the clearing came into sight.
I took a step towards her and her head rose at the sound of my presence, though she knew i was there.
Alice stared into my eyes, her head tilted slightly. She made no effort to approach me.
Edward. She thought softly. You're really back.
I looked at her. 'Yes.' I replied simply. My voice was toneless. I hadn't spoken to anyone in so long, and my voice echoed the emptiness i felt inside.

A small smile spread across my sister's face. It's good to see you. Her voice rang with sincerity. Not much could keep Alice down for too long. She really was pleased to see me.

I couldn't understand why. After all i had done i didn't deserve any warm welcomes. I didn't want them.
Her smile faltered slightly. I really missed you, Edward. We all did. As her face fell, so did her controlled thoughts and through her mind i saw flickers of these past months. My family.

I had hurt them. More so than i had thought. Guilt and shame overwhelmed me. Who hadn't i damaged in these past months? I truly didn't deserve anyone.

Hey, Edward. Alice tried to get my attention. With effort, I raised my head. She looked at me with sad eyes, and took a step closer. It's okay, y'know. Everything will be.

I had no reply. Because she was wrong. No matter what she may have seen, it was not going to be okay. Nothing was, ever again.

She looked at me more intently, concern across her face. They're so happy that you came back to us.

'Alice' i spoke, slowly. 'You know I'm not staying.'
She looked away for a moment and then nodded. Yeah, i know. She said a trace of reluctance in her voice.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Instead we stood there, motionless. Then Alice closed the distance between us, her tiny frame in front of me. Determination flamed in her eyes.

Come on then. They're waiting for you. She held her hand out to me, gesturing for me to take it.

I recoiled slightly. Physical contact with anyone was something i avoided at all costs. But Alice was unwavering. She firmly took my hand and glared back at me, daring me to object. I wanted to, but the truth is i really didn't have the strength to, and she would get her own way eventually anyway.

When she was satisfied i wasn't going to protest, she turned around and began to walk through the woods, me with her.

Jeez Edward. No need to be so difficult. She muttered, vaguely irritated.

'Sorry' i murmured bitterly. I could see where this conversation was going, and i really didn't want to go there. But Alice, ever the unashamedly interfering person she was, was resolute that we were going to talk.

No, that wasn't fair. She wasn't interfering. She just wanted everything to go back to how it had been. She wasn't to know that it was a wasted effort.

How have you been? She thought, more gentle this time.

I inhaled deeply. 'How do you think Alice?' though i meant it to be harsh, my voice came out as a pathetic murmur. She looked at me sympathetically and sighed. I'm sorry Edward, i really am. It's just, i hate seeing you like this. It's not right.

'I know Alice. But there's nothing i can do.' I said, hoping my words would finalise the conversation, but Alice continued.

Her eyes pleaded with me, though we were still walking. But, Edward, you know there is. All you have to do is go back-

I stopped walking. My hand pulled Alice to a halt. She turned to me. I could see she was about to say something, but the glare on my face cut her off. I dropped her hand.

'Don't even go there Alice. Just don't.' I said my voice hard. She held her hands up in a 'shoot me' way. Honestly, anyone else would have given up. But not Alice.

She grabbed my hand back, and pulled me along. As she turned back, she muttered in a voice almost unintelligible, but deliberate 'yeah well, we both know it's only a matter of time before you cave.'

I closed my eyes. She really was pushing it now. She knewhow much it hurt to even think about her, yet still she didn't give up.

I decided to let it go. With Alice, that really was the only way.

We continued in silence for a few minutes, not bothering to run. After all, i was defiantly in no rush to see my awaiting family.

Suddenly thinking of them made me wonder. 'How come they didn't come to meet me?' i questioned.

Alice laughed humourlessly. 'They wanted to. Really. But i knew you wouldn't want it so i convinced them to stay home. But they're all waiting for you there' a hint of a smile crossed her face.

'Thanks' i said quietly. Though she really could irritate me, Alice understood me better than...well, almost anybody. I was truly grateful i had her.

We finished the journey in silence, until i finally caught sight of a large house, unmistakably Esme's design.

Thinking of Esme made me realise how much i actually had missed them all, and i suddenly found myself wanting to see them.

A vision of me warmly embracing my mother flooded Alice's mind. See. She thought. It'll be okay.

I nodded. It didn't – couldn't – fill the empty space inside me that burned so badly, but seeing my family again, might at least make them happier. And, wasn't that the only thing that mattered? As long as everyone else could be happy and safe, i could take anything. I hoped.

Through the window, i saw my mother's anxious face staring out. As she saw me, her whole face lit up with happiness, and she turned to Carlisle excitedly.

This was going to be so much harder than I'd imagined. I really wished i could turn around and run away, like the coward i was.

Feeling my tension, Alice stared up at me. Just try Edward. No one expects you to be... her thought trailed off, lost for words. It'll be hard, i know. But i promise they won't be too full on.
She pulled me further, until we reached the door. I took a deep breath, and Alice smiled reassuringly at me.

We walked through the door. Carlisle and Esme were waiting for us in the room.

No one spoke for a moment. But then Esme's soft voice spoke. 'Edward' she breathed, and ran up to hug me. I wanted to initially pull back from her hold, but feeling her soft motherly arms around me, her warm presence, made me realise how much i actually needed to be held.

Edward. Her joyous thoughts broke through my own. I've missed you so much, son. I hope you're well. I love you.

I knew that if she could, she would be crying. A lump rose to my throat. 'You too Mom.' I whispered, as i hugged her back.

She finally released me, and i saw the smile radiating on her face. It stung to be around such happiness, but i knew i had to keep up the charade. I couldn't let them see how well i wasn't doing, that, actually, i was as far away from ok as was possible.

Carlisle moved toward me. Son. He said before hugging me.

The others had joined the room, and i looked at them carefully in turn. Jasper's face was a confliction of emotions. He could feel Esme's happiness, and yet, try as i might, i couldn't hide my emotions from him. He could feel the pain emanating from me. He winced slightly.

A wide smile was spread across Emmett's face. He came to me and lightly – for him – punched my shoulder. 'Hey Bro' he said, cheerily.

'Emmett.' I nodded.

I turned to look at Rosalie. She just stared back at me, a hint of sadness across her face. Edward... she began, before stopping herself. I had a feeling there was much more she wanted to say – or maybe shout- but she held herself and her thoughts back.

Rosalie. I always knew that out of everyone, she would be the least forgiving. Not that i wanted forgiveness, but still. She would hold the blame to me for causing any hurt my family had endured because of me. And i totally agreed with her. It was my fault. She was right.

Looking around at everyone, i reconfirmed what i had already decided. I would not stay for long. I couldn't. I would stay long enough to make my mother and everyone else happy and then i would leave – again – probably causing even more hurt in the process.

It seemed that was all i ever did.

Please Review! I really love hearing your thoughts and it does only take a second!
Can i have a few more before the next chapter goes up??
Rose xx :D