A/N: Thank you to StormDragonfly for the wonderful beta work, and to all who have continued to follow the story despite the longer wait time between updates. Any typos or grammatical errors in the chapter are mine alone.

Twilight isn't mine. No copyright infringement was intended.

Chapter 13

I smiled warmly at the sight of the townhouse as I pulled up on the driveway. The inviting glow of the light from behind the windows made it look like a beacon against the twilit backdrop of the sky. As much as I wanted to jump out and run to get inside, I steadied myself and sat back a little longer to savor the comfortable situation that my life was currently in. Of course if someone had asked me months ago if this was what I had expected – that I would be coming home to an ex-boyfriend's father-figure and eating Chinese take-out on my birthday – I would have laughed outright. Actually, what I had expected back then was a romantic dinner with Evan – perhaps at that fancy restaurant on Kits Beach overlooking English Bay.

I wondered if I would've continued to be happy in my ignorance had I not discovered Evan's infidelity. Maybe. It was easy to be with him, despite the limited time we spent together in Vancouver. But after the surprise office visit, I found little regret in leaving. It jarred me at first when I realized how unprepared I was for a life without him. I had to get up and brush myself off and start again with help from someone I least expected.

Then the phone call happened. It was nerve-wracking, to say the least, but it was civil. Since then, Evan and I sent a couple of text messages to each other trying to settle on a day when he could come down for a short visit. He mentioned having to get a few things sorted out at work first, which made him uncertain of when he could come down. Admittedly, I fibbed a little about how irregular my schedule at work was just to make things more difficult. I wasn't looking forward to seeing him right away, even though we were long due for the "proper closure" that Angela had suggested.

While I continued to muse in my Jeep, I saw the front door open, allowing some of the light from inside the house to spill out on the front steps. He came out in a slow fluid motion and leaned against the doorframe. It took everything in me to keep from gaping at him. I quickly grabbed my things and my paper bag of take-out to join him.

"I thought you'd never come in," Carlisle said with a smirk.

"Oh, I was just admiring the house for a bit. It's very pretty with all the lights on and the sky looking the way it does now," I replied, gesturing up and around with my chin awkwardly.

He laughed good-humoredly and relieved my arms of their burden in one swift movement. "Don't come in yet. Wait here," he said, and then disappeared behind the door. Before it could close all the way, he was already back, barring the entrance. I raised my brows at him. "I have a surprise for you."

"What? No... Carlisle, I thought we agreed not to get me any more things," I protested and reached for the door handle.

"Nuh-uh, this one doesn't count. Today is a special day." He wedged himself farther between me and the door so that I had to pull my hand back.

But instead of feeling indignant over his violation of the agreement we had made, I found myself giggling at his expression of "nuh-uh." It was the first time I heard him speak like that. It was so informal, so current, and so youthful that it caught me a little off guard. In the few weeks that we'd been living under the same roof, I noticed that his formal, very put-together persona had been slowly turning into something more casual and relaxed. It began with the clothes and apparently it had spread to his speech as well. I liked it – maybe a little too much, based on the unwelcome warmth growing on my cheeks.

"Okay, okay. I won't be a pain today. Let's see it," I said and he rewarded me with a dazzling smile.

He went behind me and covered my eyes with a scarf. "No peeking," he teased and I suppressed another giggle when he placed his hand on the small of my back to guide me inside. After a few steps in, I felt the warm indoor air waft over my skin. Carlisle pulled the scarf off and I opened my eyes to the brightly lit living room. There, nestled against the wall adjacent to the large window, was a new addition that hadn't been there when I left for work.

"Happy birthday, Bella," he said as he planted a kiss on my temple.

"Carlisle…" I gasped. "You got me a piano?"

"Do you remember that afternoon a few years ago when I asked if you wanted more lessons?" he asked. "I thought that since we see each other all the time now, we can resume those lessons… that is, if you're still interested –"

I couldn't believe that he remembered my enthusiasm to play on that rainy afternoon long ago. It was a sweet gesture and I could barely contain the gratitude I felt for his thoughtfulness. Before he could finish what he was saying, I had already spun around and kissed him on the cheek. Unfortunately, due to my poor aim, my lips landed just to the corner of his mouth instead. I pulled back as soon as I realized what I had done.

"Well, I take that as a very enthusiastic 'yes,'" he said, his eyes dancing.

My heart pattered at his reaction to my kiss. He looked pleased and I was surprised to find myself equally gratified that I had made him feel that way. I walked over to my present and ran my fingers gently on the smooth ebony surface, taking note of the name "Mason & Hamlin" stamped in old English text across the front. I didn't know anything about piano brands, but I was thankful that it was a rather modest-looking upright instead of an extravagant grand like Edward's.

"Do you like it?" he asked softly close behind me.

"It's beautiful," I said as I turned to meet his gaze. "I never thought I'd ever have one."

"Now you do. Why don't you give it a try?"

I raised both my hands in front of me. "Oh no, I haven't touched a piano since that afternoon with you and I don't remember much from that lesson. How about you play something for me instead?"

"Bella, this is yours. It wouldn't be right if you weren't the first person in this house to strike the first note."

"Fine," I said as I pushed the fallboard back and placed my right hand on the keys. Very carefully, as though it would break, I pressed down on a key and sustained the note for a few moments before facing Carlisle again. "Okay, your turn."

"That wasn't what I meant," he protested, though he couldn't quite hide the grin that formed on his lips.

"Please, Carlisle. I love it – I really do – but I just want to listen to something beautiful instead of clumsy clacking."

He sighed as he relented. "Alright… it is your birthday, after all." He sat down with the grace of a practiced concert pianist and began a sweet, tender melody. Unlike the hectic pieces that Edward tended to gravitate toward, Carlisle's selection was unhurried and simpler. However, I found it deceptively deep and complex. On the surface it sounded happy, but it had some undercurrents of yearning – at least it sounded that way to me.

He stopped mid-passage and looked curiously at me. "Bella?"

I was woken from my music-induced reverie. I didn't realize that I had moved very close to him during his impromptu performance. "That sounds wonderful."

"I'm glad you like it. Do you want me to teach it to you?"

"I don't know… it seems above my skill level. I'm going to butcher it."

He scooted over to the left and patted the empty space next to him. "I'll show you how to play the right-hand and tomorrow I'll get a copy of the whole score for you." I gave him a dubious look and he chuckled softly. "I remember you were the same way a long time ago and you did alright in the end."

That swayed me. When I finally settled down next to Carlisle, my fingers began to twitch in anticipation. The first little bit was simple enough and I imitated his finger movements with ease two octaves up. But as we got to the chords my fingers felt weak and the notes I played sounded garbled. I tried it a couple more times to no avail.

"Here, it's all in the fingering." He stood up and leaned over me from behind. He laid his right hand directly on top of mine while his left hand rested comfortably on my shoulder. "Try to use these fingers to play the first two chords. Oh and keep the finger arch strong… don't let your middle finger collapse." He lifted his hand from mine and I did what I was told. The improvement was instant. "Again," he said, so I played the same set of chords again. He got me to repeat it a few more times before he said "Now, from the beginning."

I was so focused on what I was doing that it took me a second to realize that I had successfully reached the end of the stanza. "Oh my God, I did it! No mistakes!" I exclaimed as I turned my head to the side. He was still leaning over me, our faces mere inches away.

"See? I knew you could do it," he said.

Our eyes locked together.

"Thanks…" I replied breathily.

There was intensity to his look and I found myself reaching up to touch his face. He leaned lightly into my hand and I could feel a force pulling us closer and closer together. I swallowed nervously and closed my eyes. His breath was on my skin. Without a doubt I knew that our lips were going to meet, so I remained still and waited for him to close the gap. It didn't happen. Without warning, the cool feel of his skin disappeared from my hand, and when I opened my eyes, I saw him walking towards the front door.

What the hell…

I was confused at first until the overwhelming feeling of disappointment crashed over me. My instinct to hide kicked in. Just as I was about to retreat to my room to nurse my bruised ego, I heard a distinct voice that I had not heard in a long time.

"Hello, Carlisle!" There was a momentary silence. "Aren't you going to invite us in?"

"Of course, Alice. Please come in."

Upon hearing the word "us," my mind began to wonder who was with her – all traces of my disappointment fizzling away. As I got up to join the others by the front door, I was immediately encircled by strong slender arms.

"Happy birthday, Bella! I can't believe it's been years since we've seen each other!"

"Oh my God, Alice!" I squealed as I tried to get my arms loose to give her a hug in return. She wouldn't have any of my squirming so she spun around in circles hugging me close to her.

When she finally released me, I stepped back and turned my attention to the other visitors. There stood Jasper and Edward, both looking as tall and beautiful as the day I last laid eyes on them. Jasper nodded politely in greeting while Edward was leaning back casually against the wall with his signature crooked smile on his face. He pushed himself off the wall and walked lithely over to me.

"You look good, Bella," he said as he held my hands in his.

"Time's been kind to you as well," I said, grinning from ear to ear. "So, what brings you all in the neighborhood?"

"The three of us were on our way back east from Peter and Charlotte's, but we thought we'd drop by to see you and Carlisle."

"How did you know that I was here?" I asked automatically and then I shifted my gaze to Alice, who tapped at her temple coyly. "Oh, right. So how come it's taken you so long to come for a visit?"

Alice and Jasper exchanged a look, but it was Edward who answered. "We just thought it would be nice to surprise you on your birthday."

"I see… well, it's great having you here. I'm hoping we can spend some time together before you have to go again." It was an invitation that I should have cleared with Carlisle first. I looked guiltily at Carlisle, hoping I didn't overstep my bounds. "That is, if Carlisle's okay with it."

"Of course, you are all welcome to stay as long as you wish," he said pleasantly, though I had detected some reservation to his tone. I sincerely hoped he wasn't upset in any way because of what almost happened earlier.

Edward's smile grew. "Great! Then we'll stay a while."

"In that case, I'll have plenty of time to catch up with Bella," Alice piped in. "I could use a hunt tonight. Jasper and I are famished."

"I'll remain here with Bella if you want to join them, Carlisle," Edward suggested.

Carlisle looked at me uncertainly. "Alright… I guess I'll see you in the morning."

I nodded in the affirmative just as Edward's arm snaked around my waist. Carlisle looked disapproving, much to my surprise.

After the vampires left for their hunt, I headed over to the kitchen for my dinner. During the excitement over my present and the arrival of our visitors, I had ignored the protestations of my stomach. I could feel Edward's eyes on me as I transferred some food from the cartons.

"It's been a while since I've smelled human food," Edward commented as I finished heating my take-out in the microwave.

I rolled my eyes at him and set my laden plate across the kitchen table from him. "Get used to it."

He laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad you haven't changed."

"Well, I have changed… I aged, obviously, and I've gone through a few things. Of course you would know about what's been going on with me if you had actually kept in touch." I meant to sound joking, but my disappointment over his lack of correspondence made me sound bitter instead.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to stop communicating."

I sighed. We were just reunited again after many years and it wasn't the time to start a fight. "No, don't be sorry. I sort of expected that things wouldn't be the same over long distance."

We were quiet then. Edward excused himself and went into the living room while I picked away at my dinner. When I had my fill, I cleared away the dishes and followed after him. He was looking out the window admiring the view. "So, what is it like?" I asked as I settled on the sofa, tucking my legs under me.

"What's what like?"

"You know… Carlisle and Esme's separation. What's it like for your family to be so changed? How are the rest of you coping?"

"There isn't anything to cope with. It's not like we're children who watched their parents go through a messy divorce, Bella. We're all adults – a few times over. There is no resentment towards either of them for deciding to split up. We all trust that they've done what's best for them. Besides, it was a long time coming."

I wondered if he and the rest of the family were privy to the details that brought them to their decision, but I wasn't about to test that guess. "How is Esme?"

"She's as well as can be, given the circumstances. She keeps herself busy."

"Does she get lonely? I mean, of course it must be horrible to lose one's longtime companion. But other than work, does she go out at all to, you know, meet other people?"

Edward turned to face me with an amused expression. "You mean to find someone new?"

"Yes."

"Well, Rose and Alice brought her along to some college party that they were invited to. Esme was horrified," he snickered. "After that, she wouldn't hear of anymore outings with those two."

"I guess I can see why she was against the college party. After being with Carlisle for so long, why would she want to hang around a bunch of drunken frat boys?" He raised a questioning brow at me. "Why are you looking at me that way? It's true that college parties are usually frequented by frat boys and girls. And as for the Carlisle comment… well he's leagues above them. Everyone knows that," I stated matter-of-factly.

Thankfully he didn't pursue the conversation further. It had been a long day and I was getting pretty tired. When I failed to suppress a yawn, Edward was the one who suggested that I get some rest.

"We'll still be here when you wake up. I promise that you and I will have more time to talk. Alice and Jasper want to spend time with you, too."

"Knowing Alice, it'll take a lot to keep up with her," I grinned. "Okay then, until tomorrow. Goodnight, Edward."

He gave me a warm smile along with a wave and I turned for the stairs. Tonight was definitely full of good surprises and the next day was promising to be just as interesting.

As I snuggled into bed, I thought about that almost-kiss with Carlisle. I was sure it was going to happen – I wanted it to happen – but he pulled away. Was it because he heard the others coming or was there some other reason? Whatever it was, I wouldn't know for sure unless I asked him about it.

"You can't just stare at me like that, Alice. It's getting kind of creepy," I hissed as I glared at her across Ellen's café.

Jasper covered his mouth to suppress a laugh while Alice playfully smacked him on the arm. She stood and pranced over to the glass enclosure that contained the baked goods next to me. "Hmmm… what is that twisty looking thing?" she asked, making a show of interest in food that she wouldn't be able to eat.

"Cinnamon twist," I said.

"Okay, I'll have two of those – one for me and one for Jasper."

"You know, wasting food is generally frowned upon," I chided.

"Well, if I have food on my table, then you won't have a reason to kick us out."

"I just don't see why you couldn't wait for me to get home. My shift is only a few hours this afternoon."

"Because, Bella," she cooed, "I don't want to waste a second away from you. I haven't seen you in a very long time."

I was about to open my mouth to deliver a smart-ass comment when I got interrupted by the soft bleep of my cell phone. I retrieved my phone from the front pocket of my apron and saw a text message from Evan.

Hi. All's good on my side. Are you going to be free anytime this week?

I stared unseeingly at my phone screen as I formulated in my mind another excuse to put off meeting him.

"You probably shouldn't keep putting it off," Alice said, breaking through my thoughts. I knew without asking that she was referring to my message.

"I know… but I'm not sure if I'm ready to deal with him yet," I replied and shoved the phone back into my apron. She gave me a small sympathetic smile and walked back to her table.

The last hour and a half of my shift went by very quickly and I was still no closer to knowing what to text back to Evan. While the three of us walked to where I parked, Jasper politely excused himself and took off in another direction. I gave Alice a quizzical look.

"I asked Jasper if we could have some time to talk. Just you and me," she said as she linked her arms with mine.

"What did you have in mind?" I asked.

"This game of tag that you're playing with Evan… it has to end at some point, don't you think?"

"Maybe," I said, my eyes narrowing slightly. "Don't take this the wrong way, Alice, but I don't think it's any of your concern." It wasn't a kind thing to say. If it bothered her, she didn't let it show.

"I just want you to be happy. If you tie up your loose ends with him sooner rather than later, you'll be able to finally move on with your life."

"How much about Evan and me do you know?"

"Quite a bit actually… I know that he was your first love since Edward. I know you went with him to Vancouver over the summer," she rattled off as though she was reading from a list. "I also know how he broke your heart."

"I wonder if we would be having this conversation if you had warned me that my relationship with him was doomed to fail," I said a tad too bitterly.

Alice's grip on my arm loosened and our pace halted to a stop. "I honestly didn't know that it would turn out that way until the day he decided to give in to temptation," she said, her voice betraying a small trace of hurt. "Even if I did, you know I couldn't tell you, Bella. I really do believe that things happen for a reason."

I couldn't be sure what purpose my heartbreak had for the future, but I could at least try to understand Alice's position. It couldn't be easy for her to hold her tongue when she has visions of unpleasant things, especially if they had to do with her loved ones. It was a responsibility I wouldn't want for myself.

"It's fine, Alice. I understand," I said as I tried to force a smile on my face. She seemed to appreciate my attempt to make peace, so she pulled on my arm to continue our walk back to my Jeep.

The first few minutes on the ride back to the house were quiet. Alice took in the sights from the passenger side while I carefully wove through the rush hour traffic. I regretted the tone that I had taken with her earlier, especially since there were a few things I still wanted to ask her. While I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel, thinking of how to strike up a conversation, she spoke up.

"It's okay to ask me anything. Just keep in mind that I might not always be able to give you a satisfactory answer."

"I'll keep that in mind," I grinned. "So… was Evan part of the reason why you and the rest of the family kind of dropped off?"

"Partly, yes," she answered. She shifted in her seat to face me. "I had a vision of you meeting him and I saw how happy you were. You had a chance to live a life without the complications that came with being affiliated to us. So, we backed off and let you decide how much of us you wanted in your life."

My immediate reaction was shame. When I noticed her correspondences dwindle in the latter part of my second year of college, I convinced myself that the long distance just wore away at our friendship. But after hearing her side of the story, I now realized that I had been the one who ended it. I didn't try hard enough to keep up with them because I had been so wrapped up in my own life with insufficient regard for what they thought and felt. I was a terrible friend.

"You shouldn't feel bad about it, Bella. We all understood how busy your life had become. Besides, we had some issues to deal with on our end that we didn't want to worry you with."

"Carlisle and Esme," I stated.

She nodded in response. "It was becoming evident to the rest of us that whatever problems they were having weren't going to be easily fixed."

"Still… you were like family to me. I should've been there for you and everyone else."

"Things happen for a reason," she said for the second time that day.

"It creeps me out when you say things that. It's like something big is looming on the horizon and I have no idea what to do about it."

Alice laughed it off. "It's going to be fine. I know I have a tendency to be cryptic at times, but you'll just have to trust me on this."

That night, as I settled under my sheets, I thought about what Alice had said about Evan. According to her, he had given in to temptation, which meant that he didn't go looking for someone behind my back on purpose. It sounded like it just happened, but it didn't change the fact that it sucked. Still, I couldn't prevent my mind from picturing a sultry Nick throwing herself on him. I braced myself for the wave of nausea that I was sure to have at the thought of them writhing together, but to my surprise I had no impulse to vomit. I forced myself to remember the afternoon when I caught them together, thinking that an actual memory would surely trigger a response from me. Nothing. I didn't feel sick. I didn't even feel any hurt.

Am I over him?

I got up and retrieved my cell phone from my bag, resolute in what I was about to do. Alice and Angela were right – it was time to tie up loose ends.

I work a half day on Thursday. Do you want to come down in the afternoon?

I hit "Send" and within seconds I received a reply.

Great! I'll see you then.

A/N: To those who are curious about Carlisle's impromptu performance, he was playing Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 11 (A Major; K331; Andante grazioso). I realize that music is a highly subjective form of art. So, to anyone who have advanced music theory background, specifically in Music History and Analysis, I would be happy to hear from you if I had interpreted the Tema portion of the sonata incorrectly. Thanks :)