AN and Disclaimer: Emma and Ian are mine….everyone else belongs to Mrs. Meyer.

Ok this chapter is for Little Coward who was my 100th review!!! Yayayayaya!!!! So enjoy and please leave feedback…it makes me smile….especially after having to deal with kids all day long!!!!

Interlude: Carlisle and Esme

Carlisle POV

Christmas Eve- my family's favorite night of the year.

When Esme and I returned from our hunting trip, Emma seemed to be doing a bit better with Rosalie and Emmett being home, even with Edward's news that he wouldn't be joining us for the holiday.

Shame.

It won't be the same.

I only have two wishes for this Christmas. First, I wish for Emma to be herself once again. Second, I wish that Edward would come to his senses.

But there is only so much I can do. Emma is doing better, I do admit, and perhaps with Emmett's excitement about Christmas Eve, she will get excited as well. As for Edward, I can't force my son to come home against his will – but I know that his brother's would if they could – Emmett especially. He and Emma are the two biggest Christmas freaks in the family.

Yet, around 6:30, one of my wishes was granted.

"Come on!" Emma yelled, bursting through my study door, where Esme and I had been finishing our Christmas wrapping. "Let's go! It's dark enough!"

She threw our jackets, scarves, hats and gloves at us – even though we truly didn't need them. She had always preferred that everything seemed traditional enough, while we weren't.

Esme and I looked at each other in shock. Not two hours go Emma had been in one of her moods. Not even Jasper had been able to manipulate her mood.

What had happened?

We quickly gathered up our winter gear and made our way into the front entry hall. What was going on shocked me a bit. Emma had gathered the entire family and gotten them al ready to go find our tree in the woods. The only one missing was Emmett. But not two seconds later, he emerged from upstairs, balancing three boxes of our Christmas decorations in his arms. And perched on top of his head was a vibrant, sparkly red Santa had. Obviously something that Alice had bought.

"That's all of 'em," he sat setting the boxes down.

"Good," Emma said with a smile on her face. "Now let's go!"

She was clearly bouncing up and down as we fastened our jackets. As we began to file out of the house, I leaned over towards Jasper.

"What happened?" I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I think the Christmas spirit finally won her over.

I chuckled as I watched Emma receive her traditional piggyback ride from Emmett. They've done this every year for as long as Emmett had been in the family.

We didn't get far before we stopped. A true Christmas miracle was waiting for our family outside.

Edward was standing in the driveway, obviously waiting fro us to all leave the house. I wonder how Emma and Alice didn't notice Edward being home.

But the next thing that I was Emma scrambling off Emmett's back and tackling Edward. She knocked him to the ground and started hitting him. I was going to intervene, but Esme stopped me.

"Let her be," she said. "She needs to do this."

For a few minutes our family watched as Emma continued to hit, scratch, bit and slap Edward. And he took it all without fighting back.

"I want a good smack at him too," Emmett finally said, cracking his knuckles.

Emma stopped and looked up at him. "Have at it," she said moving Edward's face into place, while keeping a death grip around his neck.

"That's enough," I said stepping in front of Emmett. "I think Edward's endured enough of a beating.

Emma glared at me before letting go of her brother's neck. She got to her feet and helped Edward up as well. "I told you I'd be here," he said looking at her.

She simply glared at him as well for a few seconds before allowing Jasper to pull her close. She and Edward must have had a mental conversation.

"We're glad you're home," Esme said hugging him. I nodded in agreement as did Alice. But no one else did. Instead, they all looked at Emma. Jasper nudged her gently as she turned to look at him. A second later she sighed. "Just don't do it again! At least give me some warning!" she said.

Edward smiled and pulled his sister into a hug.

Christmas was now perfect.

Esme POV

If I could cry, I would.

I'm so thankful that Edward came to his senses and came home for Christmas. I know that his siblings as happy as well, especially Emma. She may not be showing it at the moment, but I know deep down she is.

I'm just thankful that she did not become catatonic like she did before. And even more thankful that Edward stuck to his diet, like he promised.

I just wish that I knew what to do to keep him home for good. Even though I love him as a son, he has to make his own decisions in life.

Breaking up with Bella, was not a good one. It would not shock me if he eventually went back to her. They are truly meant to be.

Coming home for Christmas was a good one.

Christmas is always magical and wishes do come true.

My family is reunited for now.

I could not ask for anything else.