Chapter 10 - Homecoming

After what could be only described as the flight from hell in the tiniest, most decrepit airplane ever, we arrived in Northern Michigan. It had been some years since I'd passed through this sparsely inhabited part of the state, let alone even let Michigan cross my mind. It would have to be a stunning property for Esme to be near here, it was too far from a major city to otherwise see the perks for my mom.

Jasper picked us up from the airport, keeping a light commentary on local attractions and oddities. I listened half heartedly, instead watching the joy on Hannah's face at the recent snowfall. It was still dry when we left our home, and evidently she'd never seen snow before.

Her golden eyes lit up at the banks of snow on the side of the road, and I could only imagine what her brain was focusing on as her eyes flickered from the snow to the back of Emmett's head.

I pulled the hood of my coat over my head. I would be prepared for the upcoming attack at least.

It took less than 20 minutes to arrive at our family's new home at the edge of Munising, Michigan. The tiny backwater town was on the edge of Lake Superior, in the South Bay area. The home my mother had searched for was several miles from town and on the water's edge. Carlisle loved to swim so perhaps this was her gift to him.

Their home was a sprawling cabin-style property that seemed to rise out of nothing and dominate the surrounds. The smoke was curling from the chimney, and I observed my least favourite brother lounging out by the deck that overlooked the water. He was still hesitant I suspected.

"Edward," boomed Emmett, slamming the car door as he bounded over to our brother. "Long time no see."

"Hello, Emmett," smiled Edward, letting my mate embrace him in a bear hug. "Missed me?"

"Of course not," he replied smoothly, eyeing around for our niece as I led Hannah out the car, keeping my eye on him as he kept his eye on us. "Where's the family?"

"Bella and Nessie are doing some last minute shopping with Jacob."

"What a shock."

Edward turned and flashed me a brilliant smile. Most likely already analysing my thoughts like the nosey, tactless prat he was.

"Hello, Rosalie, Hannah," nodded Edward, walking over to give me a hug. "Esme will be delighted to hear you've arrived. Let me get that," he said, reaching over and taking Hannah's bag from her. "Esme is dying to show you your new bedroom, Hannah."

Hannah just watched him. She reached out and held my hand, remaining unusually tightlipped. I smiled triumphantly. She trusted him as much as I did.

You're so two-faced, Edward.

My brother ignored me, simply following us inside as he and Emmett began chatting about something trivial. Jasper, bored with the conversation, disappeared before I had a chance to thank him for the ride. I made a point to remember to speak to him later; I had something to ask him.

"My darlings!"

Without warning my mother attacked me from all sides, kissing and hugging me like no tomorrow. I felt her soft lips on my cheek and her fingers in my hair. I saw Hannah squirm away, almost free until Emmett tackled her back into a mangled group hug.

"Oh look at you, look at the three of you!" she moaned, reaching out and touching our hair as though it had suddenly grown into some unseemly hairstyle. "You look wonderful, of course, my dear," Esme said, ignoring the pair of us as she pushed closed to Hannah, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Your eyes are beautiful."

If Hannah could blush I felt she would've been the colour of a beetroot.

"Um, thanks."

"I knew they'd change, I believed in you," said Esme warmly, squeezing her shoulders before turning to feast her eyes on us. "I am so glad you're home. I have your rooms all ready for you to move into."

"We're only staying for the holidays, Mom," Emmett reminded her, reaching over to throw his arm around her shoulders. "You can have us in June."

"Oh I will," she replied lightly, leaning her head against his chest. "Rosalie promised."

I rolled my eyes and reached my hand out again for Hannah. "Let's go find your new tomb."

"I hope it has a coffin," she teased.

Esme pursed her lips at our comments, but took us on a guided tour of the new Cullen homestead. It was larger than anything we'd lived in for some time, after a stately home back in the '70s Esme had tried to downsize, but she seemed to throw that to the wind with the latest place.

The attic space had been designated to Jasper and Alice, whilst the entire top floor was dedicated to myself, Emmett, Hannah and Nessie. I was surprised to hear the last name thrown into that mix, but my furtive looks to Edward didn't give anything away.

My parents had their own suite on the main floor, whilst Edward and Bella were nestled on the ground floor. Apparently Jacob didn't have a room, which I granted was due to Edward given his smug look, when Esme explained he was currently attending college.

I was only half-heartedly interested in the tour, instead I watched Hannah as she marvelled in every sight. She limited her discussion of her human and vampire life before us, but it was clear to me she has never had a lot. Just like she had in the cabin, she seemed genuinely overwhelmed by her own bedroom – which shared a bathroom with Nessie, a fact Esme delighted over.

"Oh she's just so excited," gushed Esme, showcasing proudly the immaculately styled room Hannah would never actually need to use. "Renesmee has been planning so many things to do once you move for good, like having a real sister she told me."

Hannah smiled wryly but said nothing.

"What are the arrangements for this place, Mom?" asked Emmett, sitting down on the large bed in Hannah's future room. "What's the story?"

"At the moment you are all still at school, Carlisle explained that you wanted to finish off the school year and I am rarely here to support that." she said smoothly, "In the summer you will all move here permanently, the town of course realizes you're here for the holidays."

"Are we all living here? The saintly Cullens, taking in their own orphanage," I teased her.

Esme just smiled. "No. Yourself, Jasper, Hannah and Nessie are the only children we will be having during this chapter of our lives."

"No way!" exclaimed Emmett, staring at our brother whose lips were becoming thinner and thinner. "You agreed to that? Is Ness starting school?"

"I'm going to school?" interrupted Hannah now, her eyes darting around us.

I stared at Esme. "I never agreed to Hannah going to school."

"Oh come on, Rosie, Hannah's doing great," Emmett insisted, grabbing at Hannah and pulling her onto his lap. "Aren't you, kid?"

"Better than Emmett."

"Thanks."

Esme laughed at our expressions, even Edward cracked a smile.

"Carlisle thought it would be good for Hannah, and Edward and Bella think it would be good for Nessie."

"Renesmee pushed for this," spoke Edward, looking more towards Emmett and Hannah than I. "She reasoned that the three of you," he nodded towards Hannah and I. "Resembled real siblings, enough for a distant connection to either Esme or Carlisle. She could be the only adopted child."

"Nessie doesn't want you to go to school with her," Hannah said softly, staring up at my brother. "I get that. Who wants to go to school with their parents?"

"No one," I whispered, my heart clenching.

"Well, I for one, am excited," she smiled, standing up and giving Esme a quick hug. "You know, I never got to finish high school. I was pretty stupid though, I doubt they'd have graduated me anyway."

I watched the little one give us all a smile as she disappeared from the room, with Emmett following close behind her. Esme excused herself to do something or other, leaving me alone with Edward. Bloody, Edward who was smiling at me.

I ignored him and took in the surrounds. Admiring the pretty corner window seat Esme made sure to put in, and the shelves of cheesy young adult books I knew Hannah would pour her heart and soul into. The violet shade wasn't to my taste, nor was the music collection my brother must've donated but it was very her. And clearly, she was an eternal teenager if she'd never even finished high school.

How old was she?

"Younger than me," remarked Edward. "And no, I won't tell you."

"You're useful," I sighed, turning to watch him. "Are you really okay with Hannah being around Nessie? You know I wouldn't be offended if you said no, I only want what's best for her."

"Hannah or Nessie?"

I hesitated, wondering when this answer had changed. "Both."

"Nessie argued for this more than anyone else did, even Alice. They've been talking."

"I heard," I frowned.

"Nessie admires her," he told me, contemplating his next answer. "I have - we have given her everything but apparently friendship is not something you can give to someone. This will be as beneficial for my daughter as it will be yours."

"I don't have a daughter."

Edward grinned now. Obnoxious, son of a…

"Don't kid yourself, Rosalie. I heard her call you mom in her thoughts."

My heart warmed and my mind raced. Then I stalled when I realized the mind reader was doing just that. Edward simply laughed.

Oh fuck off, Edward. I cursed, pushing him out of the way as I went to go find my new family wondering what the future held for us.