Disclaimer: SMeyer owns Twilight, not I.

Alice had me ride piggyback as she and Jasper moved west at vampire speeds. I was finally set down once we entered Ohio.

"Alice?" Her husband urged.

"I don't see them coming after us. We'll be safe.. for now. OH BELLA!" She suddenly wrapped her arms around me, trapping me in the most suffocating embrace.

"I was so worried about you and whether we'd make it in time!"

"Y-you were?" I managed to say.

She broke the hug. "Oh! I'm sorry.. it's just that you've been in my visions for a while now, so I already skipped the formalities." Alice held out her hand to shake mine. "Hello, I'm Alice and this is my husband, Jasper. Edward, you know, is my brother and Carlisle is my father." But she was restlessly tapping her foot as she said this. I grinned.

"You can go back to the hug part again."

"YAY!" Jasper gave a laugh as I was attacked once more.

While we'd fled, my mind had dwelt upon Aro's sickening words. Five Billion. Five Billion. Five Billion. They had looped in my head like a merry go round from hell, yet I wasn't nearly as dizzy as I could've been - rather distant. Carlisle had mentioned Jasper's charismatic powers.

My eyes turned to the lithe vampire and I smiled fondly. "Thank you for calming my spirits," I said.

"Consider it my version of a hug," he smiled in return, giving a bow of valor.

Alice abruptly loosened her constricting hold, allowing me to take a step back and find her eyes adrift in the hereafter. "Alice?" I spoke tentatively. Jasper's focus darted to his wife. But I could see her brilliant teeth shine as joy spread across her face.

"Edward will be here shortly."

"Edward?" The sacred name slipped from my throat in a reverent tone.

"Contending with those vampires slowed his pursuit considerably." Jasper grinned. "Though I've no choice but to marvel at my brother's prowess."

"Thankfully, we were in South Carolina when I had my vision of you in danger."

"I see." Alice and Jasper - I felt so very honored to be in their sweet company. Though I could plainly see the subtle difference between the pair I'd viewed onscreen and the two standing before me now. A little less vibrant. A little more lackluster. Desperately clinging to their original identities as though they would wane into the depths of despair otherwise.

Alice's eyes suddenly widened. "I found you some human food, Bella." She handed me a package of gummy bears.

"Thank you!" I replied. But she frowned. "Oh.. they're so cute. Can I keep one, pretty please?" I laughed as I opened the plastic.

"Choose your gummy buddy."

As Alice pro'ed and con'ed between a red bear and a green bear, I glanced upward to perceive my love running toward us.

"Bella!" His eyes were full with worry and relief. I got nervous at the sight of him, my heart drumming wildly beneath my ribs.

Without looking up, Alice stepped aside to give us room as Edward approached me. "You must be tired after covering over two thousand mi-" He cut me off, and I was trapped in another suffocating embrace. But this one hot wired my nerves.

"Please try to never do that again," he whispered into my ear. I shivered against his cool breath.

He suddenly turned to look at Alice, nodding as she and Jasper walked ahead.

"Where are they going?" But he wasn't interested in answering me. His eyes were now fixated on mine, topaz melting into my soul. I swallowed hard as his thumb brushed my bottom lip.

"May I kiss you?" He was asking? I only smiled and he brought his lips to mine, lingering for but a moment before pulling away. Edward placed my hands in his.

"Bella, I need to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"Did you mean it when you said you loved me?"

"Yes." He was quiet, turning my smile rueful.

"Are you offended?"

"I am elated."

"Because someone loves you." I spoke thoughtfully.

"No." I knit my brows as he refrained a laugh, encircling me within his arms once more.

"I'm elated because the girl I love, loves me too." He kissed me again, this time without hesitation.

"Carlisle!" Alice ran into her adoptive father's arms.

"My sweet girl," Carlisle hugged her as his eyes beheld us. "Edward, Jasper; my dear boys. Bella," he looked at me with the same smile of compassion that had once weakened my defense system. "I'm so relieved to see all of you safe and sound!"

"Carlisle, we must talk." Alice tugged a little on his sleeve. Then she turned to me. "Bella, keep Edward distracted for me. I simply cannot entertain him ALL the time," she teased. Edward slightly glared in response, but I gave an involuntary yawn at that moment and his eyes fell upon me, entranced. I was beyond exhausted.

We were home. And every Cullen had returned. I was briefly introduced, taking note of Esme's warm eyes and loving embrace, Emmett's smirk and overpowering hand shake(for which he was bonked over the head), Rosalie's friendly nod. Edward, having already exchanged hugs with his family, stole me away to the left wing with little found resistance.

"I can stay up, I want to talk with the others more and get to know them better." He ran a lock of my dark brown hair through his fingers before kissing the tress.

"You should sleep. They'll be here tomorrow." I knew he wanted me to rest for the same reason he hadn't yet asked about my unwelcome visit with the Volturi. He was using time as a buffer. But no doubt Alice had silently told him the necessary details already.

"You won't leave, will you? You'll stay in this room with me?"

He flashed me my favorite crooked smile. "I am bound to you now. However could I possibly stray from the heart holding mine as captive?"

I recently discovered that typing this story is similar to eating a bowl of Lucky Charms. I munch on all the oat stuff first, making my tummy content, yet awaiting the moment when I can eat the yummy marshmallows. But once I've finished my bowl, I want another bowl!

Thank you everyone, for being my symbolic marshmallows! Your reviews have kept me going, so keep 'em coming please! :D