AN: Oh my gosh! I can't believe how long it has been since I last updated! I'm so sorry to my loyal readers! I've been so swamped with real life, I've barely had time to sleep, never mind write! So thank you so much to everyone still reading this, I really appreciate your loyalty. And a special thanks to my reviewers; Guest, Karma, petit turion, sarahmicaela88, Liljaiiris, july88, and Anony, you really make my day and push me to keep going!

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Chapter Thirty Four: Hoping for Happiness.

That night I sat up for hours, watching the clock tick by the minutes slowly. I listened to every creak and squeak the house made, hoping for a sign. The wind was thankfully quiet tonight and the rain was merely a drizzle. It made me hopeful. I had been home all of yesterday and the night. He must need to come home soon for provisions. Surely, he would come home. My heart ached with hope as the sun began to brighten the dark blue sky and I hunched tiredly in my bed. Apparently, he could last another night alone.

I had barely succumbed to sleep when I heard the little bell I had installed as a precaution tinkled quietly. Throwing back my duvet, I flew to my door and down the stairs. My hand gripped the stair rail as I tripped to a stop at the bottom of the stairs.

Sam stood, looking startled at my sudden appearance. As if I was the one who didn't live here anymore. We stared at one another for a moment longer, before I lunged at him. Wrapping my pyjama clad arms around his dark, hot waist, I hugged him tight.

"Hi Sam." I smiled into his chest. He carefully embraced me back, as if he was scared to crush me with his large hands. But I only held him closely and felt his newly muscled frame press against my cheek, "Welcome home."

I had resolved earlier in the night to not get angry at him, or start any more arguments. I vowed to do everything I could make Sam return home and not leave me again. My sanity couldn't risk losing him again and I would do anything to prevent that from happening. As I held him close, I knew I would stick to that rule. No more demanding questions or shouting accusations, I need my big brother back in my life. I hated that I had driven him away. I hated that he felt he couldn't trust me anymore. I hated that we were in this situation at all. But I would do anything to fix it. I would be Bella again, and hopefully he would be my Sam again too. Maybe, if we tried to continue as we were before, we could return to how it was. So easy, so comforting, so much a home it hurt to think as it not being, however temporarily. Squeezing my arms around him, I looked up and smiled at him.

"Hi Bella." He smiled back hesitantly.

"Are you hungry?" I asked and stepped away, "I made berry cobbler and lasagne?"

"Gods Bella…" Sam sighed, "You know exactly what I need right now."

"Well, it's no wild animal diet, but it'll be better for you." I tried to tease him. He forced a chuckle and sat at the table.

"Thanks Bells." Settling into his usual chair, he looked around. It was as if he didn't remember what our home looked like. As if he was seeing it for the first time. He ran his fingers along the table's surface and took in the room with his dark eyes. It was odd to see. Our home hadn't changed since he was gone. I had kept everything just the way we liked it. I didn't understand why he was suddenly interested in staring at it all, as if he'd never seen it before, but I didn't question it. It must have been strange being comfortably home again after spending so long alone in the forest, not a wall or light fixture in sight. I swept his absurd behaviour away with a quick shrug and turned to the task in hand.

"No problem." Nodding, I pulled the food containers out of the freezer and set about defrosting them in the microwave, "Do you want a beer? There are a few bottles in the refrigerator that have been in there since you left, but it should be fine."

"Sure. That sounds great." He smiled and went to grab it himself. I marvelled at him being home again. Nothing could describe the happiness swelling my heart. It was like I had been missing from home for weeks, not him, and I'd finally come home. I just wanted to enjoy this feeling of normalcy. Of having my brother back. Sam may have suddenly gain kilos of muscles and a new mature aura from being away, but he was still my Sam and I was just glad he was back. Hopefully, this time he would stay and my heart could stop hurting.

The microwave beeping distracted my thoughts and I turned to switch onto ordinary cook mode to finish cooking the lasagne and cobbler. When I turned back, Sam was gulping his beer and frowning. I noticed three sat on the table already empty. Alarm bells rung loudly behind my ears and I moved to stop him drowning himself in alcohol. But he stopped before I reached him. Holding the half empty beer bottle before him, he frowned deeper. A frown creased my features in response. Sam was a huge alcohol drinker, he would perhaps have a beer at the weekend, but he was never excessive. His behaviour just grew more and more puzzling. Sam glanced at me, frozen in confusion and concern, before smiling awkwardly.

"I'm glad we don't have any more." I tried to make light of the odd situation and he nodded absently.

"Sorry." He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, "I must have been thirsty."

"And no doubt tipsy." I quickly gathered the empty bottles and raised a brow at him.

"What?" He chuckled, "And you weren't when you installed that shop bell?" He gestured to the door and I laughed sheepishly.

"It was to alert me of…intruders." I admitted quietly. He looked at me strangely before laughing. In response, I found myself laughing at what was an odd decision, and we both laughed enough that I nearly didn't hear the microwave beep.

"Well, take it down. We don't live in a shop."

"I don't know with all the food I've been cooking. We could open a restaurant." I smiled.

"With you as chef, I would eat there every night." Sam smiled as I served up his food.

"You already do." Sitting down with my own, smaller portion, we enjoyed a slightly odd, but happy breakfast, and I prayed hope had finally won out.