Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Thank you Edward's Eternal!

Alice had Edward and I clamped in an Emmett-sized bear hug that nearly knocked me off my feet.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she chanted over and over in my ear. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." I managed to say despite having the air squeezed out of me, but my eyes stung with tears.

Alice.

Joy and excitement bubbled through me - it was so good to see her. So good.

Except I hadn't really seen her. Not yet.

So far there had just been a blur of colour and movement and now a dark head pressed between Edward and me.

Edward's hand was still clasped around mine while he gave himself up to his sister's hug. He said her name and I could hear the smile in his voice.

Finally I managed to work one arm free and wrapped it around her.

"I've missed you," I choked out and closed my eyes, drinking in the happiness of this moment. I had my best friend back.

"Let her breathe, Alice."

Jasper's voice filtered through and I opened my eyes.

He was standing in the doorway, suitcases and duffle bags at his feet. He looked awkward and uncertain now, so different from the last time I saw him, when his teeth were snapping only inches from my face and his eyes were wild with blood lust.

My stomach lurched and, instinctively, I took a step back. Instantly Edward's hand tightened around mine and he pulled me closer.

Alice stepped away, releasing both Edward and me, slowly. Now I could see her and she looked exactly the same, of course, but I could see in her eyes that the last three months had effected her as well.

"I've missed you, too," she smiled. "So much." Then she squeezed my hand. "We'll talk," she said before letting go and moving to stand beside Jasper. She linked her arm through his and looked up at him, nodding encouragingly.

Jasper seemed nervous now. He met my gaze, smiling cautiously, lips closed. I smiled back. His eyes were the lightest I'd ever seen them - he must have drained a whole herd of deer on the way here.

"Edward…," Jasper acknowledged his brother and Edward smiled back.

"Jasper," he said.

Then Jasper turns his eyes back to me and took a deep breath.

"Bella, if there was anything I could say or do to take back what happened, I would." He straightened up and clasped his hands behind his back. "I know it's not enough, but I am, truly, very sorry."

I opened my mouth to tell him it was fine, okay, no need for apologies, but I stopped. He had tried to kill me after all.

"Thank you, Jasper. And, um, I understand."

His posture changed, relaxing slightly and he smiled again as he gave a nod of his head.

Then he picked up the bags and came further into the room.

"I'll just take these upstairs," he said and Edward stepped aside, moving us away from the stairs to let him pass.

"There he is! Oh, Edward! Carlisle, he's here!"

Esme came through the door, grabbed her son in a fierce hug and Edward let go of my hand so he could hug her in return. He seemed pleased by her affection, if a little embarrassed by the uncharacteristic display.

"You're really here," she said against his chest while he gently patted her back.

She pulled back and took his face between her hands. Her face was stern as some unspoken communication passed between them and then Edward bowed his head.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, obviously chastised, and she pulled him into her arms again.

Behind Esme, Carlisle was beaming.

"Bella," he smiled and reached out, slowly, to briefly touch my cheek. "It's good to see you," he said and there was a world of meaning in his simple words.

"It's good to see you too," I smiled back.

Then Esme let go of Edward and Carlisle stepped forward.

"Son ...," his voice cracked slightly as he and Edward embraced.

I felt myself tearing up as Esme took my hands in her cold ones. She squeezed them gently.

"Bella, dear…," her eyes were so warm and so expressive, and their amber depths told me so much. "We've missed you terribly. All of us." She looked pointedly at Edward as he and Carlisle parted.

"I think she knows I've missed her," Edward reached out, wrapping his arms around me. He leant down and kissed my cheek and I nuzzled against him.

"Where are Emmett and Rosalie?" I asked as he straightened up.

"They're not far behind," Carlisle smiled. "Emmett had to stop for gas. Rosalie stopped with him."

"They're driving? I thought you all flew in." I looked at the faces around the room.

"No," Edward answered. "Everyone drove."

"From Ithaca?" But that was thousands of miles. How did they ... oh. And then I blushed as I realised. They all drove like maniacs and they wouldn't need to stop for food or toilet breaks or sleep. Just gas.

"Oh, of course." I muttered and Edward's arms gave me a little squeeze.

"Where's your Vanquish?" I twisted round so I could see his face.

"Specialist storage garage in Portland," he said and kissed the top of my head. "Maybe we can go and collect it this weekend?" He quirked an eyebrow as he smiled.

"Did you do all this, Edward?" Esme asked, looking around the room.

Edward shrugged as he nodded.

"It looks lovely, thank you." Esme beamed at him but behind her Alice was re-arranging the candles. I looked at Edward and he rolled his eyes.

"Told you," he whispered and I laughed.

"Hey!" Emmett was striding across the room, grinning hugely.

He grabbed his brother in a one-armed hug. Edward responded like-wise.

"Got over your tantrum, then?" Emmett teased. He pulled back and tried to give Edward a playful punch in the arm, but Edward leaned sharply to the left and Emmett missed.

"Too slow," Edward grinned, but while he was grinning Rosalie came from behind and swatted him over the back of the head. I hadn't even seen her come in.

"Ow!" Edward rubbed where she'd hit him.

"You didn't see that coming, did you?" Rosalie snarked.

"You've been practicing," Edward murmured and she shrugged.

"What was that for, anyway?" Edward was glaring but I could see the smile tugging at his lips. And then I saw something I never thought I'd see ... Rosalie Hale, embarrassed.

"That was for making me miss you," she mumbled. Her eyes had softened and she leaned in to give him a hug. "It's good to see you," she whispered.

Edward smiled as he hugged her back. "Thanks, Rose. You too."

She pulled away quickly, almost as though she didn't want to be caught in such an affectionate display. I was watching her smoothe her hand over her hair when Emmett grabbed me.

"Bella!" His massive arms encircled me, but made barely any contact. "Don't let him pull another stunt like that, okay?"

"I won't," I laughed and he grinned as he let me go.

"Is that the new flatscreen?" he asked Edward.

"Temporary replacement. The real one gets here next month."

Emmett nodded, going over to check out the screen on the wall.

I turned to say something to Edward, but suddenly Rosalie was standing in front of me.

She studied me for a moment and Edward took my hand.

"Hi," she said flatly.

"Um, hi."

I felt nervous now as I stood under her sharp, appraising gaze. I wondered if she was going to say something else, or if she expected me to. Whichever it was, I could tell she hadn't finished yet. I wanted to shrivel up and hide behind Edward, but I didn't.

Instead I stood my ground and kept my eyes on hers. If I was going to be a part of this family then I'd have to get used to Rosalie...and she would have to get used to me. But I took comfort from Edward when his arms curled around my waist and I felt his chest pressed against my back.

"I want my brother to be happy," Rosalie said suddenly. "And if what makes him happy is you, then ...I guess I'm glad to see you."

I hadn't known what I was expecting, but it wasn't that.

"Um, th...thanks." I stuttered out, completely floored, but pleased, by her back-handed welcome. Edward's arms flexed around me and I felt his lips in my hair.

Rosalie shrugged an elegant shoulder and wandered away, over to the living room cabinet where she swapped the porcelain bowl with the vase of flowers.

"Interior design obviously isn't your thing," I smirked.

"Obviously," Edward replied.

Jasper had come back downstairs and now the living room was full of chatter as the Cullens began to settle back in.

"It looks like all our family is together again," Carlisle smiled as he and Esme came to stand with Edward and me.

Carlisle's eyes were gentle and kind, but I could see the remnants of the strain of the last three months. He shared a quick look with Edward and then turned his focus to me.

"Bella, you have brought so much to this family," he said softly. "And for us to leave you the way we did, without a word of goodbye, or explanation, was inexcusable. We are, all of us, very sorry for the pain that we've caused you." The blush was raging across my cheeks and I thought I might cry.

They didn't have to do this. I shifted uncomfortably, staring down at my hands linked with Edward's and resting over my waist. He was still behind me and I felt him pull me closer as Carlisle continued.

"You have been extremely gracious, understanding and forgiving. Thank you for welcoming us back so warmly."

I waved a hand, asking him to stop, but still didn't look up. I noticed the room had fallen silent.

"Carlisle's taking too much upon himself and the others," Edward said quietly. He moved so he could stand beside me, but our hands stayed clasped. His amber eyes looked into mine.

"In my family's defense they were all just trying to support me, even though they didn't agree with what I was doing. You already know the clean break was my idea." His fingers clutched tighter around mine. "I'm sorry."

I squeezed his hand, staring down at his fingers and noticing how much longer his were than mine. I took a breath and lifted my face, my eyes finding Carlisle's.

"Thank you," I said and my eyes moved to look at the others. Six pairs of eyes watched me, all various shades of amber and gold. "I just...I'm just so glad everyone's back."

"We're glad to be back," Carlisle smiled.

And suddenly Alice was at my side.

"Will you come and help me unpack, Bella?" she chirped. From the corner of my eye I could see Edward's scowl and Alice rolled her eyes.

"I won't keep her too long, Edward." She held out her hand to me, grinning and I grinned back. I had missed her so much.

"I only have until ten o'clock," I said quickly as I took Alice's hand.

"Curfew," Edward explained when Carlisle looked surprised. "A condition of Charlie letting us see each other again."

Carlisle nodded. "Understandable," he said.

Alice's face creased and I could just see she was plotting.

"No, Alice," I shook my head. "Just let it go. I don't want to ruffle Charlie's feathers any more."

She shrugged as she pulled me towards the stairs.

"I'm just thinking it might be time to introduce Charlie to the sleep-over concept," she mused. "I don't think he'd mind you having a girls night with a friend. Especially if he thinks Edward's away camping."

"Alice, I don't ... ,"

"It's something to think about," she said quickly. "Come on."

Alice's walk-in-closet was almost as big as her bedroom. Jasper had left the bags on the bed and Alice began unzipping them.

I sat on the quilt and watched her busily pulling clothes out, sorting them before putting them away. It felt wonderful being with her again, talking, surrounded by clothes, almost like nothing had changed.

Almost.

"What system are you using?" I asked bemused as she sorted more piles on the bed; skirts, shirts and pants seemingly thrown all together, but not. "I mean, I can see you obviously have a system, I just...can't work it out."

"Fabric type," Alice said simply. "All the cottons together, all the wool, all the silk, you get the idea."

"Uh huh."

"And then by shade within each type, going from lightest to darkest."

She picked up an armful of clothes and carried them into the closet.

I thought about Edward's music collection and how he'd sorted it not by artist, or genre, or even the alphabet, but by year and then personal preference within that year.

Perhaps obscure filing systems were some sort of vampire thing. I wondered how Carlisle filed his patient records.

"Things are good between you and Edward." Alice said suddenly. It wasn't actually a question and she was grinning hugely. My cheeks coloured as I thought of Edward with his shirt off just a little while ago.

"Yeah, things are good," I muttered and I couldn't help the small smile that formed on my lips.

Alice was nodding, smiling too, and suddenly I wondered if perhaps she'd seen his decision to get half naked.

"Alice," I hissed, embarrassed. "Did you see...um... ,"

"Did I see what?"

"Nothing."

I started studying the quilt very closely. The embroidered silk was smooth under my fingers.

"I'm so glad he made the decision to come back." Alice's voice was quiet. "It was killing him, being apart."

She came and sat beside me, her hand lifting to gently rub at the dark circles that were slowly fading beneath my eyes.

"It nearly killed you, too," she said softly.

I looked down at the carpet, where a pile of shoes sat, waiting to be sorted.

"You could see him?"

"Not all the time, I don't see everything. But what I did see…," She shuddered and shook her head.

I shuddered too - I didn't want to think about what she saw.

"He almost turned the car around once," Alice murmured and I wasn't sure I understood.

"He was coming back?"

"After he said goodbye to you in the woods...I had a vision... ," Alice's face crumpled and her voice dropped to a whisper. "I could see him parked at the side of the road, just outside Port Angeles. Then the vision would change and I'd see him driving back to your house. Then I'd see him driving onto the ferry for Canada. Then driving back to Forks again, then onto the ferry...," she rubbed her temples. "It took him hours before he finally forced himself to go."

Oh, Edward.

My eyes stung again and I started chewing on my lip. I had to remind myself that it was okay now, he was just downstairs, happy and smiling.

I looked back down at the shoe pile and poked at a red sling-back with my toe.

"Did you see me at all?" I asked after a moment and Alice heaved a deep sigh.

"In the beginning, yes," she said. "I could see what his leaving had done to you and I...," She stopped and looked down at her lap, composing herself. "I'd call him," she went on. "And I'd try to tell him it wasn't going to work and he'd hang up. He was determined there'd be no interference from any of us. He told me over and over to stop deliberately looking for you. The best thing we can do is give her the opportunity for a normal life. It was his mantra."

It was hard, hearing this. Part of me didn't want to know. But part of me knew I needed to.

"After a while he stopped taking my calls. And soon after I stopped getting any real visions of you. It was just flashes here and there."

There was silence, both of us thoughtful as we sat.

Suddenly Alice knelt down on the floor and began sorting her shoes. And there were a lot of shoes.

"Um, by colour?" I asked, getting down to help her.

"Designer."

"Oh."

"You can do Christian Louboutin."

"I can what?"

Alice rolled her eyes. "Just look for the red soles." She held up an example.

"Oh, okay." I could do that.

Alice worked quickly and efficiently, pairing up shoes. She kept talking as she did so.

"Around November, even the flashes began to stop. I'd just get the occasional, very fuzzy blur."

She stilled, a turquoise sandal dangling elegantly from her hand.

"I didn't know...," she trailed off. After a second she put the sandal down and sat with her back resting against the end of the bed.

"The clearest visions I have are of the people I'm closest too, people I have strong connections with." she said. "When your visions started to fade, I thought maybe it was because we'd lost that connection." Her expression seemed lost, and very sad. "I thought maybe you were moving on after all," she said quietly. "I didn't tell Edward."

She picked up the sandal again and found its mate.

"And then, just after New Years it was like you vanished all together."

"After New Years?"

Alice nodded. "Barely anything at all."

Barely anything?

"I sent you a subscription to Vogue Living. You didn't see me do that?"

Alice dropped a black stiletto as she grinned in surprise.

"Vogue Living? Really? Bella, that's lovely, thank you. But no, I didn't see that." She cocked her head in the particular way that vampires do. "Why did you do that?"

I explained about the bookshop and Jessica and the gift subscription idea.

"Bella, that's brilliant!" Alice enthused.

"Thanks. But while I was organizing the subscription I was giving it all my concentration, hoping to get the message through to you, hoping you'd see me. I was focusing so hard that I didn't even hear Jacob and Sam banging on the front door. They had to call me to get to come down and let them in."

Alice frowned now, her perfect eyebrows coming together.

"Jacob Black? The werewolf?"

"Er, yes."

It felt strange, Alice knowing about Jacob, but of course Edward would have told her when he was making plans for my escape to Florida.

"But Bella, that all makes sense now!" Her eyes were bright with understanding.

"What makes sense?"

"Have you been spending a lot of time with Jacob Black?"
"Not really. A bit, I guess. Why?"

Alice was nodding to herself.

"I can't see werewolves," she said simply. "I don't know why, but whenever a werewolf comes into the picture, my visions disappear. When Edward came back here to fight Victoria I was so worried. I knew what he was doing, but I couldn't see him, he just vanished and I didn't know why. Later, when he called to say it was all over we put two and two together."

Now my eyes were wide with understanding.

"Callum," I whispered and Alice was frowning again.

"Who?"
"Callum McLeod. We started hanging out pretty much just after New Years. He's not a werewolf, but he's part Quileute." Now I knew - that's why Alice wouldn't have seen me looking for Edward - because so much of my search had involved Callum.

"Ahh." Alice sounded all-knowing. "Yes, that does make sense," she muttered. "Edward would have worked that out, he should have told me."

"I think he's probably had other things on his mind."

"Probably," Alice smiled.

"But you didn't see me go to Denali?" Callum hadn't been involved in that.

"Denali? No, were you looking for Edward?"

"Yeah, but I found Tanya." I arched an eyebrow.

"Oops!" Alice giggled, eyes wide, and covered her mouth. "Does Edward know?"

"Yes."

She giggled harder now. "How did he react?"

I thought about this. "Restrained panic, I think is the best way to describe it."

Alice laughed out loud and it was all light and silvery. I had missed that sound.

"I can imagine," she said. "But obviously you've worked out there was never anything between them."

"I know. She wanted me to think so, though."

"Mm, yes, I'm not surprised. She's always had a thing for Edward. It was always one-sided, though." She laughed again. "It was hard for him being in the same room as her sometimes." She tapped her temple and I understood.

"The mind reading?"

Alice nodded and sighed. "He spent a lot of time outside while we lived there."

She leant over and grabbed what looked like a pair of brown riding boots.

"Did you see him decide to come back?" I asked and her answer surprised me.

"Yes."

"Really?"

She nodded and set the boots beside her as she reached for another identical pair in black.

"He called after he killed Victoria. He said you were safe and he was going away for a while." She stood and disappeared into the closet with the two pairs of boots.

"He turned his phone off after that," she continued as she returned. "No-one could reach him."

She sat down again. "Now for the Jimmy Choo's," she muttered and reached out to something that was more strap than shoe.

"Anyway, the next day I had a vision of him standing in Charlie's back yard, hugging you. It was very quick, but it was clear." She smiled. "I thought about calling him, to tell him what I'd seen, but I didn't."

That surprised me, too.

"Why?"

She shrugged. "I knew he wouldn't answer. I was going to leave him a message but then... ," She stopped as she considered for a moment. "Even though I could see the hug I couldn't see when it was going to happen, or how. Only that it would. And I couldn't see your faces properly. It could have been a final good-bye hug, for all I knew." She lifted a hand and twisted her finger in her hair, making it spikier in one spot. "So I thought it best not to interfere. If I told him I saw the two of you hugging and he came to see you based on that, and then you told him you didn't want him back and hugged him goodbye...I didn't know what it would have done to him." She gave me a soft smile. "I was almost positive you wouldn't send him away, but I couldn't be sure. I've been a nervous wreck waiting to see what happened."

"Oh, Alice."

I wrapped my arms around her

"I've missed you so much," she whispered as she clutched at me. "So much. And I hated the way we left things, hated it. I'm so sorry. So sorry." Her voice sounded like she was on the verge of tears, and then I was crying the tears she couldn't.

"It hurt," I admitted.

Alice grabbed me tighter, almost too tight.

"We made a terrible mistake," she said. "We just didn't know what to do, there were fights, and Edward was so adamant it was the only way. He was tearing his hair out, literally...he was so...so...,"

"I know. He's told me."

She nodded against my shoulder and pulled back, wiping at her eyes. It was an automatic action, she didn't even seem aware of it, and I wondered if it was some left-over human reflex surfacing.

She sighed then.

"I'm so sorry."

I took a deep breath and wiped my face on my sleeve.

"I know. I'm just glad you're back."

"Me too."

I smiled. Her hair had become mussed up on one side as she'd hugged me. Her perfectly styled spikes were looking a little rough.

"You have a hair out of place," I said.

"Really?" she smiled back as her hand went immediately to her head. "Just tell me which one."

"Which one? Are you serious? You know each individual hair?"

Should this surprise me?

"No," she giggled and rolled her eyes.

"Oh."

And then we were both laughing.

"Lets get on with this," she sighed after a moment and frowned at the shoes.

"I can't find any more red soles." I looked at the six pairs beside me.

"That's fine. You can look for the Manolo's, now."

Manolo's.

I started on my task, picking up shoes and looking inside for the name.

"Are these even shoes?" I picked up a flat piece of leather with what looked like two pieces of long, gold string tied to it.

"Yesss," Alice said in her best duh voice. "They're my gladiator-style summer sandals."

I chuckled and went back to my Manolo mission.

"You knew he sent Jasper and me to watch you in Jacksonville," she said suddenly.

"I knew."

Alice nodded. "Your mother noticed us, didn't she?"

"I think so, yeah."

"Probably a good thing we didn't hire the yellow Porsche, after all."

"Yellow Porsche?"

Her eyes lit up and now she was nodding enthusiastically.

"It was in the lot at the rental car place. It was gorgeous, but Jasper insisted we get that plain black Mazda." She scowled and her perfect lips formed a perfect pout. A second later she was smiling again. "It's okay, though, Edward's promised to get me one for Christmas."

"A black Mazda?"

"Nooo," Alice rolled her eyes. "A yellow Porsche."

I leaned back against the bed, laughing, as Jasper appeared in the doorway.

"I wondered if you needed a hand," he said and Alice waved an airy hand.

"Almost done."

She stood up, gathered some of the piles of clothes that still lay on the bed and carried them into the closet.

Jasper watched her go, then turned to face me. He didn't move from his spot in the doorway, just stood, with his hands clasped behind his back. He smiled but his lips were firmly closed.

"There are two more cases in the car," he broke the silence after a moment and rolled his eyes towards his wife.

"Only two?" I said in mock surprise and Jasper chuckled.

"Only two," he echoed and then his smile faltered and I could see he had something more to say.

"Bella...," he squared his shoulders as he began. "The night of the party, Edward told me you didn't want me to be upset, you didn't blame me."

"I didn't. I don't."

"But you should."

I stood up and pulled my jacket around myself. I wasn't cold, Edward had made sure the house was lovely and warm, but it was something I did when I felt nervous or unsure.

"Jasper, I don't know if anyone is to blame, exactly. I mean, I was a human in a house full of vampires, after all…I guess I knew what could happen."

Jasper bowed his head. He kept his hands behind his back.

"I don't want you to take this the wrong way," he said slowly. "And I'm as certain as I can be that there won't be a repeat of that night, but please don't be offended if I keep my distance from you." He gave me a weak smile.

His words surprised me, but they made sense.

"It's not you, it's me," he added and I smiled at his attempt to lighten the topic.

Reasonable precautions, I thought to myself.

Jasper's eyes flicked to the closet where I could hear Alice moving around. She was humming quietly. Then his eyes came back to mine.

"Out of all of us, I struggle most with this lifestyle," he continued. "I wasn't raised in the same way my adopted siblings were."

There was an undercurrent to his tone and I wondered what he meant.

"I'll tell you about it some other time," he said quickly. "But the point is, while abstaining is gradually getting easier for me, it's not as easy as it is for the others." He looked down at his feet. "I don't know if I'll ever have Edward's control."

"Jasper, please...I don't want you to feel uncomfortable in your own home."

"Not uncomfortable," he said quickly, lifting his face. "I'd just feel better if I kept my distance…not leave any room for mistakes. But I don't want you to think I don't like you…I do."

"I like you, too."

Now when Jasper smiled he seemed more relaxed. His lips parted and I could see just a small amount of teeth.

"Thank you," he said, smiling a little wider and for the first time I noticed he had dimples.

Alice reappeared from the depths of her closet and went to him, kissing him lightly on the cheek.

"Unless you want to join in the girl talk …. ," she left the sentence hanging and Jasper grinned at her.

"I guess that's my cue to leave," he said. "Ladies ...," He inclined his head and then left the room.

"I don't want to make things difficult for him …. ," I started and Alice shushed me.

"You're not." She bent down to scoop up some pairs of shoes.

As I watched her a new question started rattling around in my brain but I wasn't sure if I should ask it. I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the answer.

"Er, Alice... ," Just breathe, I told myself. "Alice can you see anything of my future now?" In other words, I won't push Edward to change me, but will I ever be like you?

Alice didn't answer straight away. She carried the shoes into the closet and came out again before she spoke.

"It's not clear," she said. "It looks like there are still some decisions you need to make. And before you ask, it's the same for him…his future is blurry, too."

I nodded, not sure how I felt about that.

"It's not an exact science, my visions," Alice said gently and took my hand in hers. "But whatever the two of you decide, it'll be the right decision." Her fingers squeezed mine. "And I'll always be here. I'll never leave you again, Bella. None of us will."

And then Alice gave one of her squeals.

"Ooh, and we've got senior prom this year!" She let go of my hand so she could clap.

I rolled my eyes.

"I am not doing senior prom."

"We'll see. Now, what should I wear to school tomorrow?"

She picked up an angora sweater from the bed and held it in front of herself.

"Too purple?"

There was a knock and Esme was standing at the door.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering, Bella, if you'd like something to drink? Or eat?"

"Oh, um ... ," That was unexpected. I knew the Cullens kept food here before, for appearances and also to keep my stomach grumbles at bay, but I didn't expect there to be anything now. I wondered for a moment if they realised that food goes off if it's left too long.

"Er, I don't...,"

"It's fresh," Esme seemed to understand. "We stopped on the way home."

"You didn't have to ... ,"

She raised a hand, stopping me. "I know. But we wanted to."

Esme wasn't to be argued with.

"Thank you," I said. "That would be nice."

I turned back to Alice.

"Are you coming, too?"

"Just let me finish this," she said.

There was a sudden blur and before I'd taken two more steps all the clothes and shoes were put away.

"There!" She grinned, triumphant. "Now I can bring in the other three bags."

"Three? Jasper said there were two."

"Ssh," she put her finger to her lips and winked.

Edward was deep in some sort of four-way video game with Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper when I came downstairs, but his eyes locked on mine as soon as I appeared. He smiled, a wide, happy smile and I could feel my cheeks stretching as I grinned back.

"Focus!" Emmett yelled and grabbed at Edward's controller but Edward jerked it out of his reach.

"Damn it, Edward, we're supposed to be a team!"

"I know!" Edward faced the screen again.

"If Rose and Jasper beat us, I swear, I'm gonna... "

"Emmett...," Carlisle warned, but he was smiling.

"I already know who wins," Alice gloated as she sat on the arm of the sofa, next to Jasper. "I could save you all the stress."

Emmett growled at her.

"Oops, result just changed," Alice giggled.

Edward stole another look at me as I followed Esme into the kitchen.

"EDWARD!"

"WHAT? I'M FOCUSED!"

He turned back to the screen and started frantically working the controller.

I chuckled as I took a seat at the kitchen counter.

"This is the happiest I've seen any of them in a long time," Esme smiled. "Would you like coffee, tea or juice?"

She sounded like a flight attendant.

"Juice is good, thanks."

She poured me a glass and it tasted really good. Esme had bought the premium stuff.

"It's only been a few weeks really since Emmett and Rosalie returned from Europe. Even less since Jasper and Alice came back. And of course, Edward...," She frowned as she returned the juice carton to the fridge.

"Did he communicate with you while he was away?"

"Just a couple of phone calls, to let us know he was still…existing. And then his phone call two nights ago, to tell us the big news." Her expression was happier now, her eyes dancing, her smile beaming.

"We were so excited when he said you'd agreed to take him back. I could hear him telling Carlisle how you'd been looking for him. He couldn't believe it, you know."

"Carlisle couldn't?"

"No, Edward." She pulled out a stool and sat down across the counter from me. "He never thought he'd have anyone and the fact that you would go to such lengths to find him…he said, she was actually looking for me." Esme shook her head, smiling. "And I told him, you're worth looking for, Edward, but he just brushed me off."

"What did he say?"

"He said I have to say things like that." She laughed as she remembered. "You're so good for him, Bella."

"He's good for me, too." I drained the rest of my juice.

"You've changed him so much, brought him to life...maybe you can work on his stubborn streak."

"I think that's fighting an uphill battle," I smirked but Esme's smile faded.

"That night...we tried to convince him that leaving wasn't the answer, but he was beyond reason. He kept saying I should never have hoped...,"

She smoothed her hand over her cheek and sighed. "In the end, we agreed to support him. Carlisle pointed out to the others that Edward had packed up and moved for them, without complaint, many times over the years when, er ...," she trailed off but I got the idea. "So we said we would do this for him."

Cheers erupted from the living room. I could hear Emmett's voice shouting,

"YES! YES! YES!"

"Looks like we have a winner," Esme smiled.

A second later Edward bounded into the kitchen, all bright eyes and lopsided smile.

"Here you are," he breathed and grabbed me, lifting me up and swinging me around. Then he buried his face in my hair, his lips ghosting over my neck.

I shivered and let out a giggle and I felt him smile against my skin. Then he took my hand and we walked back into the living room.

I sat beside Edward on the sofa. He picked up my legs and draped them across his lap and his hand rested on my thigh. Every now and then he'd squeeze, or trace lazy spirals down to my knee and back. I wondered if he realised how good it felt.

He was happy, relaxed and laughing and teasing with his family and I couldn't help but smile as I watched him. The perfect curve of his lips, his eyes creased with his laughs. He'd place frequent kisses on my hair, my temple, and his hands kept up their gentle rhythm on my thigh.

I looked around me at his family; Rosalie in the lounge chair, her head nestled against Emmett who was sitting, balanced, on the armrest with his arm around her. Alice was curled up in the other chair and Jasper sat on the floor at her feet. Every now and then they'd share a look and a smile. Esme and Carlisle held hands on the sofa beside us. All happy couples.

Then I looked back at Edward. He seemed such a long way now from the boy who had been alone; the odd man out. Such a long way from the boy who thought he should never have hoped.

Tonight I planned to give him the gift I bought him in Jacksonville, at the antiques fair. It should show him just how hopeful he should be.

"Bella?"

"Huh?"

Edward was smiling. "You were miles away."

"Sorry. What did I miss?"

He chuckled softly. "It's almost ten o'clock."

"Oh?" So soon.

"We have to go."

I didn't want to, but I knew better than to break curfew my first night out.

Edward swung my legs off his lap and stood.

"Will we see you tomorrow?" Esme asked as he pulled me to my feet.

"Er, I don't think so." I pushed my hair out of my eyes as I thought about the next day. "I have work after school and Charlie probably wouldn't be happy about me being out two nights in a row."

"Of course," she smiled. "Well, whenever you can come, we'll be here."

There were goodnights and hugs and then finally Edward ushered me out the door.

"See you at school!" Alice trilled as we walked down the porch steps.

The ground was slushy now, it had rained while we'd been inside, and Edward lifted me into his arms and carried me to the truck.

"You're still working at Newton's?" I saw the fleeting flex of his jaw.

"Uh huh." I buckled my seat belt as he moved around to the driver's side. "You're okay with that, aren't you?" I asked. He turned the key and the engine sputtered to life.

And I waited.

"I'm okay with that," he said finally and headed the truck down the driveway.

Edward was humming as I sat nestled into his side, feeling every bump of the road beneath the tyres. He was right, the truck did need new suspension. In the dim light of the dashboard I could see his perfect profile, his lips curved in a contented smile.

"You're happy," I said softly and he turned his eyes on me.

"I am," he whispered. "Very happy."

"It was great to see everyone. I've missed them."

"Me too."

I nestled closer. I sort of wanted to bring up the fact that he'd taken his sweater off, and ask if maybe that could happen again, but I didn't know how.

"Tonight was good," I said, instead.

"Yes, it was."

His arm was wrapped around me and his fingers moved a little, sliding tentatively from my waist down lower to my hip, and then giving the gentlest of squeezes. Mmmm

Edward was expert at avoiding pot holes but the road still wasn't being kind to my truck. We bounced along, watching the light from the headlights dance all over the road.

"What are you going to do about the Volvo?" I asked.

"The Volvo ….," he sighed. "The Volvo. Hmm, are you very attached to it?"

"Attached?"

My mind started running over all the memories of that car…the first day I saw it in the car park at school; the night in Port Angeles when it appeared out of nowhere and saved me; the first morning he picked me up for school, all the outings over the summer; seeing it drive up to the gas station in Denali; watching two beautiful women step out of it and glare at me; being relegated to the back seat while Tanya drove; hearing Tanya talk about driving lessons, and hot springs, while she steered with two fingers, Edward-style.

"No, not attached. Why?" My voice might have been a bit sharper than I meant it to be.

"Well," Edward answered slowly. "I was thinking I might just leave it where it is and order a new one."

That seemed a bit excessive, effectively giving away a car and then having to buy a new one. But I knew he could afford it, and it also meant he didn't have to go to Denali to collect the car, or Tanya didn't have to bring it here.

"Yeah," I said. "Order a new one."

His head turned and I could see faint surprise in his eyes.

"What colour?" he grinned.

I considered for a moment.

"Mm, silver?" Maybe I was still attached…just a little bit.

-0-

We pulled up out the front of Charlie's right on ten o'clock. Edward said he'd meet me in my room shortly and then disappeared into the darkness. I strained my eyes and ears, trying to work out where he'd gone, but there was nothing.

Charlie was waiting for me when I got inside.

"Right on time," he muttered. "So, did you have a nice time?"

"Yeah, it was good."

He nodded. "Okay. Well, that's…good. The Cullens are all well?"

"They're well."

Charlie nodded again, his brow furrowed slightly. He was trying and I appreciated that.

"How was the game?" I nodded towards the television and his frown deepened.

"We lost," he grumbled.

I wasn't sure who we were, but I commiserated just the same.

"Maybe next time?"

"Hope so, otherwise we'll miss the play-offs." He rested his hands on his hips and looked around the room, as if he was searching for something. Finally, he turned back to me. "

"Well, think I'll head to bed."
"Me too. G'night, Dad." I smiled and he smiled back. And then I hurried upstairs to the vampire that waited in my room.

My room was in darkness but I could see Edward was sitting on the end of the bed. I switched on the soft light of the bedside lamp and he was smiling, finger pressed to his lips, asking me to be quiet.

"Give him ten minutes," he whispered and inclined his head towards Charlie's room. I nodded and picked up my toiletries bag, holding it up and pointing to it and then towards the bathroom with comical, exaggerated gestures. He rolled his eyes.

"I get the message," he whispered.

The warm water felt good as it danced and splashed over my skin.

I thought of Edward's skin, and how much of it I'd seen tonight.

His broad shoulders, perfect chest ... and right now he was in my bedroom...waiting for me.

I shut off the water and grabbed a towel.

He was lying on my bed, stretched out on his back, arms resting behind his head. He was smiling as he reached out for me. Though I knew he wasn't tired his eyes had a sleepy, half-closed look and his hair was a mess.

Gorgeous.

"You're back" he smiled.

"I am." I knelt on the bed beside him. "What are you looking so pleased about?"

"Lots of things," he answered.

His hands were on my hips and he guided me easily so I was sitting astride his thighs. This was new and his move surprised me. But I liked it. A lot.

He sat up now, too. We were face to face, his eyes were bright now, they'd lost the sleepy look, and he brushed my hair back over my shoulder.

"Um, I have something for you," I murmured quickly - I didn't want to let myself get distracted...just yet.

"Do you?" His breath washed over my skin as he moved in to kiss my neck. His lips made a path from shoulder to jaw.

"Uh...yesss."

He pulled back. "What is it?" He ran his nose along the length of mine.

"Huh? Mm?"

I was distracted and he was smirking now.

"You said you had something for me."

"Oh, right." I swallowed and shook myself a little, trying to clear my head. "It's in here."

I reached over to the bedside table and his hands tightened their grasp, supporting me as I leaned across.

I slid the drawer open and pulled out the neat, brown paper packet and then settled myself astride his legs again. Mmm ...

"Presents," Edward grinned and his face lit up, excited.

"You don't even know what it is, yet," I laughed and he shrugged.

"It's from you, that's all I need to know." His eyes were wide and earnest as he spoke and his simple sentiment moved me. This was the point I had been missing for so long.

I lifted my hand and touched the locket that lay against my chest.

"I understand what this is saying," I fixed my eyes on his. "And now, after yesterday, I understand that you didn't give it to me on my birthday because you weren't sure…about me and whether I would want to be with you." I paraphrased his words from the day before. "But I want you to know that I am sure."

I held out the packet.

"This is for you."

His eyes were curious now as he took it from me.

"Thank you."

I shuffled off his legs and onto the quilt beside him.

I was nervous now. Would he think it was corny, or cheesy? Maybe he just wouldn't like it. My hands were shaking and I sat on them.

Edward was still smiling as he removed the brown paper, and I watched nervously as his smile faded.

Edward's long fingers curled around the flat, blue velvet box and gently passed over the fancy silver catch that had tarnished almost to black.

His eyes flicked to mine and I could see questions there, uncertainty. I smiled and nodded encouragingly, and watched Edward open the box.

His gasp was so soft, I barely heard it, but the reaction in his face, in his eyes, was loud and clear. And it made my heart stutter and soar and sing.

He lifted the pocket watch out of the white satin lining and held it in the palm of his hand. The brown paper fluttered to the floor.

The watch was Edwardian, 1910 according to the tiny date stamped on the back. It had an outer case of silver, etched with a pattern of fine, diagonal cross-hatch and Edward's thumbs moved slowly over the surface, back and forth, as he stared.

"I saw it at an antique fair in Jacksonville," I whispered. "And I remembered you saying your mother gave a pocket watch to your father on their wedding day."

His face came up slowly and I could see him absorbing my words. There were memories and disbelief in his eyes...and hope.

"Yes," his voice cracked.

I inched a little closer and rested my head against his shoulder.

"You said it was special to him."

He nodded, looking down at the watch again, turning it over and running his fingers across the back.

"Very special," he said.

I could see his throat working as he swallowed.

He very gently touched the tiny catch on the side of the watch case. The lid opened and Edward caught his bottom lip with his teeth before he let out a long breath.

"It's you," he whispered and a small smile tugged at his lips.

His fingers traced over the image that had been permanently etched onto the inside of the silver case. "This is beautiful," he breathed.

"I was going to put a photo in it," I explained. "But there was a stand at the fair where they did photo engravings."

Edward was still staring down at my image. It was a head and shoulders portrait and I was smiling softly, my face angled slightly and my eyes cast down. My hair was loose and it hung in soft waves around my face and shoulders, the way Edward liked it. The image was timeless - it could have been 1918 or 2006 or...forever.

"The woman there took my photo and I gave her the watch. Normally it takes a few days but she did me a favour and I picked it up the next afternoon."

Edward's hands were trembling as he ran his fingers over the etching, over the case, over the glass-covered watch-face with its black roman numerals and small window showing the phases of the moon.

I reached over and covered one of his hands with mine.

He looked up. Blazing, amber eyes overwhelmed me and my breathing hitched a little before I spoke. It took me a moment to find my words.

"Edward, I can't tell the future," I began. "But I do know I want to spend it with you, however we can make it work."

Edward didn't speak, he didn't move, but his eyes held hope and possibilities and promise...and joy.

"Thank you," he finally whispered and pulled me back into his arms. "Thank you."

He shifted me so I was sitting astride him again and we wrapped our arms around each other. My cheek rested on the top of his head, his head was nestled against my chest. And I could feel the pocket watch clutched tight in his hand that fisted against my back.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too."

After a moment he pulled back, picked up the blue velvet box and nestled the watch gently back inside. His fingers made one last sweep of its smooth surface before he closed the lid and set it down on the bedside table.

Then, turning back to me, he cupped my face in his hands.

"You. Are. Everything."

He almost growled the words and his eyes told me everything...how he loved me, how he'd lost me, how he'd never let me go again.

Suddenly his lips were on mine, gentle and soft but with an intensity that was new. And very exciting.

Our mouths moved together, his tongue swept over my bottom lip and then he moved his kisses to my neck.

My head fell back, my eyes closed and I gripped his arms as they curled around me. His tongue was making circles beneath my ear and I moaned. Loudly. In his ear.

"Er, sorry," I mumbled, embarrassed.

"Don't be." His lips were running kisses down to my shoulder now. "I like to hear you."

My eyes snapped open. Had I just heard right?

"You...like to hear me?"

"Yes."

Oh...wow...

"Mm, what else do you like?" I could hear the shake in my voice.

"Do you want me to tell you?"

"Um, yes?"

He lowered his head, kissing across my collar bones and on to my opposite shoulder, up behind my other ear.

"Maybe I could show you."

I thought my heart was going to break through my chest.

"Um, okay…,"

His hand wound around my back, supporting me as he leant in closer. His mouth closed over the skin of my neck, just below my jaw, and he sucked, ever so gently and carefully, but the sensation was still like a bolt of electricity through me.

This was new and … oh… so good.

I gasped and groaned, my fingers clawed around his biceps, and his lips curved against me in a smile.

"I've always wanted to do that," he said, pulling back, looking shy and smug at the same time. He trailed a finger across the path his lips had just taken. "I've never trusted myself before."

I was practically panting as I stared at him. Edward's smile faltered slightly and faint doubt crept into his eyes.

"Did you like it?" he asked.

I nodded dumbly.

"I'd like you to do it again."

He smiled, and his eyes gleamed.

"My pleasure," he breathed and leant in again, on the other side.

He took longer this time, but it was still just as gentle and delicate. Hiis lips covered his teeth as he pulled my skin carefully into his mouth.

"Aah, Ed...ward, mmm ..."

I felt Edward's fingers tense against my back and the hum of his moan against my skin was like electricity.

He pulled back, breaths heavy, eyes dark. He swallowed twice as he stared at me and then his lips were back on mine.

I ran my hands along his sides, up and down his ribs as our mouths moved slowly, tasting, savouring each other.

This was all so new, and I was very aware of his thighs between my legs. I tried to be still, but every now and then Edward would shift and I'd have to fight the urge to move against him.

My fingers edged under the hem of his sweater, just a little, and he pulled back from our kiss, nudging my nose with his as he raised his arms in the air

Yes!

I pushed the sweater up eagerly, exposing the pale skin of his torso, chest and shoulders, and then Edward helped me pull it off over his head.

I bit my lip, hard, as I stared, drinking him in.

He took my hand in his, his eyes holding mine, gauging my reaction, and slowly brought it to his chest, laying it over his heart.

He smiled shyly, looking at me through his lashes and the hair that hung tousled over his eyes.

I lifted my other hand, asking permission.

He nodded but seemed just a little nervous.

"Slowly, please."

I smiled, understanding, and carefully ghosted my fingers over his skin as I started to explore.

His jaw was tense as he watched me. His hands rested loosely on my hips as I ran my hand over his sides and caressed the planes and contours of his chest. His skin was smooth and the muscles beneath were hard.

He was beautiful.

So beautiful.

I ran a slow finger down the middle of his chest and my eyes followed its path.

"You have a belly button." I hadn't meant to say it and I blushed at how stupid I sounded. But it just seemed so human.

"Yes," he smiled. "I do."

I giggled a little and he smiled wider, leaning in now to kiss me. His hands came up and wound in my hair, twisting and holding me as his lips moved with mine. My hands roamed over his chest, his shoulders, the broad expanse of his bare back. His lips moved to my throat again as my fingers ran over his arms, feeling the swell of his biceps. I could feel the quiver of his muscles underneath his skin and I realised how new this sensation would be for him.

I rested my palms back on his chest, my movements were a little more confident now, and I made circles with my thumbs, along his shoulders, across his chest, over his nipples.

Edward gasped, jerking back sharply. His chest was moving fast and he smacked his palms flat down on the bed.

"Sorry," I gasped, stunned. It had happened so fast my hands were still in mid-air. "What did I do?"

He looked down at his chest, and then back to me. Slowly, I lowered my hands. I didn't know what was happening - was it too much? Had I done something wrong?

"Did I hurt you?" I asked and suddenly, at the impossibility of my question, his lips quirked up in a smile.

"No," he said. "It felt...good." His smile widened. "Really good."

I followed his lead and started smiling too, but stopped when I saw the sudden mortification stealing over his face.

His lip was clamped firmly between his teeth as he very, very carefully put his hands on my hips and eased me off his legs.

Then he pulled up his leg and hugged it to his chest. And suddenly realisation began to dawn through my confusion.

I didn't know where to look, or what to do. Edward was staring out the window now and my face was all shades of red as I focused on the floor. But I was also feeling incredibly smug.

I'd made Edward Cullen hard.

"I'm sorry," he said after a moment.

I lifted my gaze from the floor and looked at his profile in the moonlight.

"Don't be," I said quietly, though I wasn't sure what he was sorry for. For being aroused? For stopping? "It's, um, okay to feel good."

"I know," he said and his answer surprised me. He turned away from the window and smiled at me, making my heart lift.

"I just didn't know it would feel that good. No-one's ever touched me there before." He gave me that lopsided smile. "I'm sorry if I startled you."

"It's okay."

We were quiet. He rested his chin on his knee and stared back out the window while I stared at him.

"I don't want you to think that I don't... ," he started then stopped. He seemed to be struggling, but then he gave a low chuckle. He tilted his head, turning to look at met me through his lashes.

"I'm not...uneffected, by you, Bella."

He gave me a lazy smile and just the subtlest arch of an eyebrow.

I thought my heart was going to give out. It lay in my chest, panting and fanning itself, trying to keep up with the blood that scorched like fire through my veins.

And now I was curious, too.

"Um, mm, does it happen often?" I asked quietly, blushing and staring determinedly at the floor.

"Yes," he sighed.

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Oh."

My skin felt hot and tingly and I began picking at the floral pattern on my quilt and talking fast.

"It's just...I've never noticed. I mean, I've worked out that it happens, I know that you have those feelings for me. Well, I haven't always known. I thought for a long time you didn't feel that way, about me." I stopped for breath and Edward spoke.

"I'm sorry I made you think that." His voice was gentle. "It's never been the case."

I smiled down at the quilt, looking at the creases my fingers had made.

"It's okay, I understand now. While you were gone I started looking at things differently, and remembering things, like that day in the meadow when you were tickling me, but, um, it's never been, er, obvious."

I'd run out of breath again and had almost picked a hole through the quilt.

"My control is usually better," Edward said. "You caught me off guard tonight."

"Oh." I nodded.

And then Edward gave a nervous sort of laugh.

I turned now to look at him. He was lying on his back, I hadn't even felt the bed shift with his movement. His hands were behind his head and he was staring at the ceiling.

"What's funny?" I asked.

"This conversation."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "I never in, well, I was going to say never in a million years, but I guess I should say never in the last hundred years have I thought I would ever tell these things to a lady."

Now I was intrigued.

"Why not?"

"In my time people didn't talk about things like that."

"Married people would have, surely."

He shrugged again.

"Maybe. But sex was still a taboo subject."

Sex.

I'd never heard him say the word before. Geez, it sounded good coming from his lips.

"Do you think we'll ever, er ... I don't mean tonight, or tomorrow, just...one day?"

He turned his head on the pillow to face me. He was smirking now, eyes bright.

"Isabella Swan, that's the second time since I've known you that you've asked me that question."

I giggled and ducked my head.

"You have a one-track mind," he teased.

When he didn't say anything more I looked up and his face had become serious. His eyes burned into mine.

"I want that for us," he whispered and his words, the conviction in his voice, in his eyes, made my breath catch in my throat - he wanted it.

"Bella, you've given me a lot to think about tonight and I... ,"

He stopped now and chewed the corner of his lip. His hand reached over and covered mine, his thumb stroking gently over my skin. He sighed softly.

"Would it be okay if I said I think we're getting there?"

A slow grin spread across my face as a matching grin spread across Edward's.

"Yeah," I said. "That would be okay."

Soft moonlight reflected off Edward's bare skin and he reached out to me, pulling me close. My cheek rested against his bare chest and I placed a soft kiss over his heart. He lifted my hand and slowly, deliberately, kissed each of my knuckles, one by one, keeping his eyes on mine the whole time. I felt like I was melting from the inside out.

Then Edward turned my hand over. He uncurled my fingers, opening my hand to him and, still holding my gaze, he slowly lowered his face. His lips touched my palm as his thumb gently stroked along the side of my hand.

I was barely breathing now.

Edward's mouth continued its slow dance. As his lips pressed over the sensitive skin of my wrist...he winked.

Oh, yeah..we were getting there.

ooo0ooo

The school was buzzing with the news that Edward and Alice Cullen were back. Heads turned and jaws dropped. Stares, whispers and gossip followed us as we walked through the corridors towards the office. Edward's arm was draped casually around my shoulders and Alice glided along beside us, smiling.

"You should hear the theories," Edward murmured in my ear.

"Mm, like what?"

"Lets see...Carlisle's been in prison for practicing plastic surgery without a licence but now he's out on parole. Um, we've been in witness protection but whoever we're hiding from is dead now so it's safe to come back, and...," he began to chuckle. "I was addicted to drugs and went away to re-hab so the whole family came along to support me." He shook his head. "Apparently I'm cured now."

I stood just inside the office doors while Edward and Alice filled in their paperwork and I thought about the last time I'd stood here like this. It was just over a year ago and Edward had been trying to transfer out of Biology to get away from me. Now he was trying to get back in.

I could see the conversation between Alice and Edward and Mrs Cope was intense. There was much shaking of heads, Mrs Cope was flushed and fluttery and finally Edward nodded and took the papers she handed him.

He walked over to me and held up his timetable.

"Oh," I said, disappointed. "Do we have any classes together?"

I scanned his schedule quickly as he linked his fingers with mine.

"Calculus," he shrugged apologetically.

"Just that?"

"At the moment." He bent down to kiss my cheek. "I'm working on it," he whispered.

Jessica bailed me up as soon as I walked into first period History.

"Did you know the Cullens were back?"

It wasn't a question, it was an interrogation.

"Yes." I smiled cautiously and took my seat.

"Are you, like, together again?" She sat on the edge of the desk, her piercing gaze going right through me.

"Yes."

"When did they come back?"

"Um, a couple of days ago." Saying 'last night' would sound too suspicious.

"So, was that the first time you saw Edward since he left?"

I rolled my eyes. She was like a dog with a bone.

"I heard from him a few times." It wasn't a complete lie - I thought of my locket and the library books.

"So, what happened?"

"Geez, Jess...what is this?"

"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition." Callum grinned as he slid into the seat beside me.

"The Spanish what?" Jess looked at Callum like he'd spoken a foreign language.

"Inquisition. It's Monty Python," he explained.

"Monty?"

"Python. Monty Py...never mind."

I swallowed the laugh that was threatening as Jess turned back to me.

"So, what happened?" she repeated, undeterred.

"I tried," Callum whispered out of the corner of his mouth and I had to bite down on the inside of my cheek to stop from laughing.

"Esme didn't like Los Angeles." I managed to answer. "And being apart wasn't working for Edward or me. He was coming back with or without his family, anyway."

Jess' mood immediately changed. Her face broke out in a smile and her sharp eyes softened.

"Wow," she said after a moment. "He must really like you. I mean really, really like you."

And now the surprise in her voice irritated me.

"Did Rosalie and Emmett come back too? And Jasper?"

I could feel my face flushing as I prepared to lie.

"Um, Rosalie and Emmett are still at college, they'll be back for Spring Break. And Jasper's here in Forks. He's deferred college until he and Alice can go together."

"That's so sweet," Jess hugged herself while I looked down at my lap.

"I see Cullen's back."

Mike scowled as he pulled out his chair and sat down at the desk in front.

"Three months in California, he doesn't look like he got much of a tan." He sounded suspicious.

"I guess it's been winter," I murmured.

"So, are you two back together?" He leaned over the back of his chair to stare at me and his voice was heavy with disapproval.

"Yes," I met his gaze steadily. "We are."

"He came back for her," Jess broke in. "I always knew he was romantic."

Mike's eyes almost rolled back in his head as he turned around in his seat, muttering under his breath.

"So, are you going to... ," Jess started again but Callum cut her off.

"Have you started the history assignment, yet, Jess?"

She shrugged. "I've started," she said vaguely, just as the teacher came into the room. Jessica took her seat without turning around once to look at Callum and I was confused by her apparent indifference to him. There hadn't been a single hair flick since he'd arrived.

"You're not her favourite person anymore?" I asked and Callum shook his head.

"Not since she saw Leah kiss me goodbye in the car park this morning," he smirked.

"Ah."

It was lunch before I really got to see Edward or Alice properly again.

We sat at a table with Angela, Jessica, Mike and Tyler.

I thought my friends might feel awkward with Edward and Alice but, thanks to Jessica, the conversation flowed.

She asked questions about Los Angeles and Edward and Alice's vague answers came with polite smiles.

Then the conversation moved on to other things. Mike and Jess were arguing over their shared science project, Angela and Alice were discussing an upcoming art exhibit in Portland and Tyler wanted to visit a club in Seattle that his cousin had told him about.

"We could all go," he said, looking around the table. "We're all over eighteen, now, right?" He looked uncertainly at Edward and Alice who both nodded. When Tyler's attention had moved elsewhere I leant in close to whisper in Edward's ear.

"When did you turn eighteen?"

"I never turned eighteen, Bella."

I scowled. "You know what I mean. You just told Tyler, and you told Charlie the other day. When is your birthday?"

"I don't have one anymore."

"Edward!" I hissed.

Jess looked up quickly, curious. Edward draped his arm around my shoulder and nuzzled my ear and she looked away again.

"June 20th," he whispered.

June.

I'd missed it.

I racked my brain. June. Summer vacation.

"What were we doing on June 20th?"

I knew he'd remember and I hoped it was something nice.

"We were in the meadow," he whispered, nuzzling again. "We were looking for shapes in the clouds. And I discovered how ticklish you are." His fingers played over my shoulder just a little.

"Oh." My face flamed, I could feel it and I looked down at my hands, smiling, as his lips kissed the shell of my ear.

It was something nice.

Lunch was over and everyone started pushing back chairs and standing up. Edward grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. Sticking out of the top were college brochures.

He saw me looking.

"They're from the Counsellor," he said. "Apparently I'm behind in my applications." He was smirking but my mouth had dropped open.

Since he'd been back we'd been in our happy little reunion bubble, and now reality had hit me smack in the face.

"Edward," I took his hand. "What happens after graduation?"

He looked down at me - he wasn't smirking anymore.

"What do you want to happen?"

I rolled my eyes. "I asked you first."

He frowned, his eyes were speculative as they watched me closely.

"Well, that all depends."

"On what?"

He was quite for a moment, still frowning and thoughtful, as the cafeteria emptied around us. Then he shrugged.

"On what we decide," he smiled, suddenly. "Come on, we'll be late for Calculus."

He grabbed my hand and I followed him and his mood swing out the door.

ooo0ooo

The afternoon dragged. When Edward met me after last period he seemed quiet and distracted. Alice did all the talking as they walked with me to my truck.

Rosalie had let them use her shiny, red M3 and it was in the parking bay next to mine. My truck had never looked shabbier.

"Have fun at Newton's," Alice grinned as she opened the car door. "I might come in and buy some camping socks," she winked.

"Please," I said. "It'll break the monotony of unpacking boxes of tent pegs."

Alice laughed as she climbed into the car.

"Will you come and visit me at work?" I turned to Edward. He still seemed miles away.

"Mm, I don't think I can this afternoon," he said and that surprised me. "I've asked Callum if he'd come and meet Carlisle and show him through his father's computer files. He's always interested in any research about our kind."

I could imagine that.

"When did you ask Callum?" Neither of them had mentioned it.

"Just now, in Civics class."

"And he agreed? He's not scared?" I grimaced and bit my lip. "Not that he should be scared of you. I didn't mean... ,"

Edward's lips twitched with a smile. "I know what you mean." He kissed the top of my head. "But no, he's not scared. Wary, but not scared. But he's very curious to see how we live and that curiosity has overridden any human sense of self preservation." He rumpled my hair. "Like someone else I know."

I scowled at him and he laughed.

"But Leah will no doubt come with him."

"Bodyguard," I smirked and Edward smiled.

"Something like that." He pushed my hair back from my face and stroked my cheek. "But I'll see you later tonight?"

"I'll be home by five thirty. Charlie won't be in until six thirty. We'd have an hour to ourselves."

Edward grimaced just slightly. "Actually, I was thinking of later than that. After Charlie's asleep."

"Oh." Really? "Um, okay, sure." Why? The knot in my stomach was trying to make a come back. I pushed it down.

Edward smiled and leant in to kiss me.

"Until tonight," he whispered, and the knot disappeared.

ooo0ooo

Two hours at Newton's felt like two days. Mike was barely talking to me, there were no customers and I had to sort through the camping food and throw out anything that was out of date.

The only bright spark was Alice and her camping socks.

She breezed in and stayed for twenty minutes, chatting and laughing with me while Mike scowled from behind the counter.

She told me that Callum, Carlisle and Edward were deep in discussion when she left and Leah was very tense in the kitchen while Esme tried to offer her cookies and cups of tea.

Then Mike started throwing me dark looks and asked if I'd finished separating the dehydrated curries from the freeze-dried stroganoffs and Alice took that as her cue to leave.

"Do you get a commission on sales?" she asked me as she put five pairs of socks on the counter.

"No."

"Oh. Well, I won't buy The Glacier."

The Glacier?

I looked towards the three thousand dollar tent that was on display in the corner.

"You wouldn't?"

She grinned and held up her fingers. "Two. But if you won't get a commission ... ," she shrugged. "See you tomorrow!"

And she was gone.

ooo0ooo

I hoped Edward might change his mind and come over after work after all, but he didn't. I wondered if my question about life after graduation had unsettled him. So I decided that when he came over I'd just ask him what was wrong. Simple.

I didn't get my chance until almost ten o'clock.

Charlie was snoring in his room and I'd just come out of the shower. My room was dark but in the shadows of the moonlight I could see Edward sitting in the rocking chair.

"Hi," I whispered and he smiled, opening his arms to me. As I climbed into his lap he kissed the top of my head and then rested his cheek there.

"Hi."

I snuggled against him. He seemed content and peaceful, happy.

"How was work?" he asked after a moment.

"Fine. Mike was in a mood."

"Mm, that would be because of me."

"How do you know that? Oh, of course." Mind reading vampire. "But why? Is it because you've come back?" What was it with Mike?

"My sudden return has put a spanner in the works," Edward smirked. "He was going to ask you to go to the movies with him on Saturday…as a couple."

"Oh! Are you serious?"

Edward nodded.

"Then he's delusional."

Edward chuckled.

"I would never have said yes. Even if you weren't here, I wouldn't say yes."
"I know," Edward smiled and leant down so he could kiss my neck. "Because you love me."

I felt a thrill run through me.

"Yes," I sighed, tilting my head so he could move up behind my ear. "You."

"Mmm. Me." He hummed against my skin and it sent a shiver through me. I forgot about something being wrong and instead wondered briefly how far he'd let things go tonight. He was wearing a cotton shirt with buttons - I could get that off easily as long as my fingers didn't shake.

"So you're not jealous then?" I breathed. His sweet breath washed over my skin.

"Insanely," he murmured. "But I know you're mine."

"Yours."

Edward placed one last kiss on my jaw and settled me closer.

"How were things with Callum?" I stroked my fingers along his forearm that was exposed below the rolled up sleeve of his shirt.

"Callum was good. He wasn't wary for too long. He and Carlisle got on well and he's bonded with Emmett over Super Mario."

"What?"

Edward chuckled again. "When we came downstairs from Carlisle's office Emmett was fighting with the game, it wouldn't let him move on to the next level." He shrugged. "Callum made a suggestion and it worked. Emmett was impressed and they spent the next hour playing each other."

"Are you serious? Who won?"

"Callum. But Emmett's challenged him to a re-match."

"I'd like to be there for that. How was Leah with all this?"

"Anxious at first, very wary...but eventually she relaxed enough to ask Callum if he was planning to stay all night." Edward grinned at this. "Callum put down the controller, Emmett laughed and told him he'd better get used to that and Rosalie whacked Emmett over the back of the head."

I was laughing now, and so was Edward.

"Sounds like it all went well, then."

"It did. Professor McLeod has accumulated a lot of information, Callum hadn't even looked through half of it. Looks like Carlisle's going to be busy for a while."

Edward rested his chin on the top of my head then. He became very still and quiet and I wondered where his mind had wandered.

"Are you okay?" I asked and felt him nod in response. It seemed he wasn't going to say anything, but a moment later he spoke.

"I think…I think we need to talk."

My heart reacted immediately.

"Should I be worried?"

Instantly Edward's lips were in my hair, his arms tightening around me.

"No, not at all. At least, I hope not."

"Oh, um, okay."

He lifted me and sat me on the bed. I thought he might join me but he didn't. He stayed in the rocking chair, rested his elbows on his knees and cupped his face in his hands.

"I'm not going anywhere, Bella. Ever." He smiled, watching me carefully. "And that's what I want to talk to you about."

A/N: Thank you to everyone who's reading this story, and to everyone who's left me a review or sent me a message! I can't believe it, but this story has cracked 1000 reviews! I'm blown away. Thanks again.

At the moment it looks like there will be two more chapters after this one. Maybe three, but more likely two.