Chapter 14 – Home

It was a week after Christmas. Everyone was getting on each other's nerves in the small house that served as the Irish coven's home. Finally Carlisle decided they should go back to their own house as Alice had predicted that the tension would grow between them and, someone might lose their head. That being meant in both contexts.

"Siobhan my dear," he said one frosty morning. The girls were making patterns on the window and he could see Maggie getting agitated with the fact she would have to clean them, "We have intruded on your hospitality too long. We should go home."

"Nonsense," she said.

"No it's the truth. You must come and visit us sometime but we really must go," he replied calmly.

"Ok. We will drive you to the airport when you're ready," Siobhan answered knowing she would be fighting a losing battle if she continued.

At that moment Alice followed closely by Jasper, Edward and Emmett carrying the many suitcases they had bought came down the stairs.

"Are we ready then?" she said curiously.

"Yes of course I'll get the cars. We'll do the same as we did on the way here in terms of seating."

Everyone nodded and followed her out of the house. Maggie was going to stay though so she said her goodbyes from the doorstep.

At the airport Siobhan wouldn't let them go without giving them each a big hug and a kiss. As Emmett was approached Jasper and Edward were trying hopelessly to stifle their laughter. It was the look on his face as much as anything that reduced them to this.

In the terminal Alice took Issy and Bella's hands and led them through the shops buying what she called essentials. Issy enjoyed this and chatted happily the whole way round. Bella however was not impressed.

"Isabelle love. Do you ever stop talking? Your tongue's going to drop out one day you know," she told her daughter.

At this Issy screamed and her hand went limp in Alice's. Her other one flew to her mouth.

"What is it? Are you ok? Honey I didn't mean it," Bella sounded panicked. She went and stood with her arms around her daughter; a worried expression on her face.

Edward had heard the scream also and rushed over as fast as he could without being noticed. As he got there Issy opened her mouth and spat out blood into a tissue that Bella was holding. With it came a tooth. Everyone laughed as they realised what had really happened. You see over time they had grown accustomed to the scent of Issy's blood and now it didn't bother any of them (Jasper included) at all.

"Your tooth's come out angel. Its normal don't worry. The tooth fairy can come now and she'll leave you some money to finance some of your shopping trips with Alice," Edward told her.

"As if we really need financing Edward," Alice retorted.

Esme wandered over seeing the huddle of her family.

"Is there a problem?" she asked curiously.

"Nanny I lost my tooth. The fairy will come now and and and... Can I have a straw?"

"Oh well done Petal. It's a very big one isn't it? But why exactly do you want a straw excactly?"

"So I can stick it in the gap and drink through it. Why else?" Issy replied surprised that no-one understood.

"Well you could have wanted to dance with it or use it as a telescope," Emmett put in.

"No that's just you. Everyone else here is sane," Rosalie replied taking her husband's hand in hers.

"Sane. When did you last look at Jasper and Edward? Not mentioning anyone else or we could be here till Sunday," he replied confidently.

"It is Sunday," Jasper said laughing.

All of them burst into laughter again when the loudspeaker announced that their flight was boarding in gate 3. Everyone picked up their hand luggage that complied with the airport regulations and went towards the door with the yellow three on them.

The flight seemed to take years. They got delayed at the other side waiting for the runway to empty. But, finally they were in the car driving home.

When they got home everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They turned around the corner and were met by a child carrying a basket.

"Hello," she said as they walked up to the front door.

"Hello dear, who are you," Esme asked kindly.

"My name's Brooke and my family have moved in down the road. It's a long way but Mother said I should come and introduce myself to you. I've been here for twenty minutes," the child replied.

She had a mane of ginger hair that looked very hard to tame and hazel eyes. Alice had to pick Issy up so she didn't feel the urge to tackle her hair.

"Sorry we've kept you waiting. We've just come back from holiday but you can come in for a bit if you want. Alice the unpacking can wait can't it?" Esme asked.

"Yes. Of course," Alice replied.

"Come in Brooke and I'll introduce my family to you," Carlisle said smiling.

She went in and stood in the doorway uncertain of where to go or what to do. The others followed and assembled themselves in what could resemble a line but was more of a jumble.

"Right, I'm Carlisle, this is my wife Esme and these are our children: Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Alice, Edward, Bella and their children Renesmee and Issy," he gestured to them all as he introduced them.

"Auntie Rose can we have the chocolate cookies please?" Issy asked.

"Yes darling. Brooke would you like to come? How old are you?" Rosalie said walking into the kitchen.

"I'm seven and three quarters," she replied following them.

"Issy's five and Nessie's twelve," she said smoothly. They'd all learnt to lie about Renesmee's age from when she was tiny; it now came naturally to them.

She was passed a plate with a cookie on and took it to the table nearby. Rosalie bought Issy over and sat her on her lap. She then proceeded to feed her as she could see her niece's eyes drooping from tiredness. The others came in to join them and Alice asked if she could do something with Brooke's hair.

"Yes please. Mother never has time to do mine," she replied, her mouth full of cookie crumbs.

"Mummy normally lets Auntie Alice do mine," Issy said yawning.

Bella took her from Rosalie and excused them both.

Issy was nearly asleep when Bella carried her into bed. She just managed to say:

"Mama I like Brooke," before falling asleep.

When Alice had finished with Brooke's hair Carlisle took her home and told her to come round soon.

"She's a nice girl," he remarked to Esme later that night as they unpacked the bags.

"Mmmm," she replied absorbed in her own world.

This chapter is quite random really. I just selected things to happen and put them in an order that suited the tone of the story. I hope you enjoyed it. Also PLEASE vote in the poll. I'm the most indecisive person you'll ever meet so you've got to help me. Thank-you XxX