Back in Forks! Here's Carlisle's Point of View. Apologies for the EXTREMELY long wait. It hopefully will not be too long before more chapters are posted.

Chapter 21 (CPoV)

It's been two long days since everyone had split up. I got a call about two hours ago from Edward saying that they were headed back and had a surprise to share. He wouldn't say what it was. I chuckled shaking my head. I am curious though... Why would Edward want to surprise us when we are trying to hunt down Victoria? Could they possibly have caught her? I didn't think so... He would have told me if he had.

My eyes flashed up from where I had been skimming a medical text as Esme flitted into my study. She came up behind me and ran her fingers through my hair. "You're worried," she murmured fixing my messy hair, "You never mess up your hair when you study unless you're worried," she frowned.

I sighed. She knew me too well. "I'm worried for Bella. With Victoria still out there and now her father knows about us... And Phil is getting involved..." I trailed off looking away from Esme as she took her fingers from my hair. Her hand gently touched the side of my cheek and turned my face to hers.

"I'm worried too. But soon we'll find Victoria and then we can move far away where her father won't be in any danger from us," she said softly, looking sadly into my eyes. I know how much it would pain Bella to leave her father. But it would be even worse if her father was killed. I remembered what I had been thinking about before Esme had come in.

"Edward called, he should be arriving in an hour or so. Alice and Rose could get back any time now," I said. Her eyes lit up and she nodded as I rose to my feet, putting the book I had been reading back on the bookshelf. Esme squeezed my hand and I swooped down to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. We have alternated patrols 24/7 since we had no need for sleep. That meant I hadn't really seen her much in the last two days. That also meant that I had been spending most of my free time at the hospital. I'm glad it was almost over and our family will be back together. Although, I wish I knew what was going on.

We flew down the stairs and sat beside each other on one of the white leather couches to wait for our children to come home. Before long, we heard two sets of feet walking up the driveway. Instantly we were standing in the doorway, looking out as our two daughters walked up to the house at a human speed. Esme stepped forward and embraced the two girls. "I'm so glad you're safe," she mumbled in a motherly tone.

A warm feeling kindled in my chest as I watched their exchange. I missed them so much... Once Esme released them, they both ran up and gave me a hug. I wrapped my arm around them and patted the back of their heads like I had always done. Alice looked up at the both of us. "They haven't gotten back yet?" she asked as she inhaled, searching for their scents. Esme and I looked at each other apprehensively. "Could you not see their return?" Esme asked anxiously. I froze and looked to Alice. There's no need to panic. Alice doesn't see every little thing.

"About that," Alice said, looking extremely frustrated, "there are some things we need to catch up on." I nodded wearily and stepped aside to let them into the house. We all gathered around the living room: Esme and I on one couch and our daughters on the other. "So, what's happened? Why haven't you seen their return?" I asked calmly as if I were talking to one of my patients at the hospital. Alice looked worried, "I can't see a thing," she whispered, "I was getting fuzzy images at first, and then everything went blank. I can't see Bella. I can't see Victoria. No one!" she cried.

Rosalie embraced Alice and rested her head on Alice's shoulder. "It's not your fault..." she soothed. I looked on in silence as I watched Rose comfort her sister. Once Alice had calmed down, Rosalie looked towards us and met my eyes. "Alice, before she lost her sight, saw a vision. Victoria is forming a newborn army. We don't know where and we don't know when, but she is," Rose said firmly, trying hard not to let her voice shake.

This was bad. This was very bad. I couldn't let my family be in danger. But how can we avoid something like this without a fight? I sighed and pulled Esme closer to me.

"I got a call from Edward a little while ago. He said everything was fine. He said," I paused looking to Alice's face, ready to gauge her reaction, "He said he had a surprise." Her eyebrows furrowed... playfully?

"Yeah," she pouted, "and he won't tell me! I don't know how you guys can stand this!" she groaned, exasperated.

Esme and I couldn't help but chuckle at that. We waited around, tidying up the already spotless house, trying to busy ourselves until the rest of the family got home. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I heard the slightest sound of tires over gravel. All four of us were at the door in an instant, Alice standing on her tippy toes - as if that would help her see the surprise sooner.

It wasn't the surprise I was eager about. It was my sons and daughter. I hadn't seen them in days. I just wanted them safe. I just wanted them home.

We watched as Emmett's jeep spun into view. Alice let out a squeal and charged the jeep before it was even up the driveway. Jasper jumped out of the car and swept Alice up into his arms. And then Alice froze, staring into the car.

And then I saw it. Gleaming red eyes staring out from the back of Emmett's jeep. They had brought back the vampire?! What was going on?! And then a terrible thought consumed me. Bella. I quickly made sure that I could hear her heartbeat. I swear, if I was still alive, I probably would have had a heart attack just then.

I ran down with Esme to stand beside the jeep, both of us wondering the same thing as Alice voiced our question aloud, "Who is that?"