Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

Chapter Seventeen

"We're almost there!" Emmett sung as he turned down onto a dirty old road in the middle of the Tennessee evergreen's.

"You said that like, I don't know, an hour ago!" Alice yelled to him from the backseat.

"So!? We'll we're almost there. Only like a few feet? I don't know, we're almost there!" Emmett called out to her.

"Guys, stop bickering. We're almost there!" I said, my voice raised.

"Fine," they both huffed, rolling their eyes.

I just snorted as I leaned against Edward's chest, causing everyone else in the car to burst into laughter.

To celebrate Edward and my's engagement and defeating the Volturi, the family is going on a vacation to our hometowns. First we'll be going to Tennessee for the week and then we'll be going to Chicago for another week.

This vacation would also be used for planning and discussions. For example; the wedding, where our next destination will be, and what is going to happen now that the big threat hanging above our heads was gone.

We agreed that Alice, Jasper, Renesmee, and I will be leaving the Amazon for now. We spent the last couple of decades living there, so a change would be nice.

I'd miss Zafrina, Senna, and Kachiri, but we'll see them again. Along with the Irish coven and all the other covens of vampires who are our friends. We have a forever to see one another.

Anyway everyone was thinking about moving to Portland, Alaska, or maybe staying in Forks for a little bit longer. Then again, I don't even know what Renesmee plans with Jacob now that he's in her life. Maybe they'll stay with us, or maybe it's finally time for Renesmee to leave the nest.

"Here we are!" Emmett announced, breaking my train of thought as he pulled up to the small log cabin.

"Oh my gosh," I whispered, looking at it.

So many memories filled my mind by just looking at my childhood home.

I could feel the venom pool up in my eyes as I slowly got out of the car first with Emmett right next to me.

The first thing I looked at closely was the old porch where our family would sit at every weekend and watch the sun go down. Daddy use to tell us ghost stories on that porch and tales of adventurers and heroes.

The big pine Emmett and I use to climb up as kids was still in our front yard. It was way taller than it once was.

I haven't been here in over thirty years. I owned the place, but I never really liked to come here. I came once, when it was just me and thought about stuff for the longest time, but other than that I never really came.

This was the first time I was with Emmett since the year he disappeared.

I felt a big hand on my shoulder and turned around to see it's my brother. "Are you okay Bells?" he asked me.

"I'm just thinking. That's all," I replied softly. "Lots of memories here, right?"

"Yeah...Hey do you want to go to the graveyard?" he asked me.

"Why?" I questioned softly, turning around so I could properly look at him.

"To visit Ma and Pa," he replied gently.

"Yes, of course," I whispered, looking towards the ground.

I have not visited my parents graves since their death. I feel like such a horrible daughter, but I just couldn't bring myself to it. I already lost Emmett, them, and Edward; I just couldn't stand to see something that reminded me of what I lost.

"You guys go, we'll be fine here. Don't worry, we are all going out for a hunt," Esme told us as her and the others slowly approached us from behind.

"Are you guys sure? You won't get lost?" I said, my tone slightly teasing.

"We'll be fine. Go, love. You and Emmett need to do this," Edward said to me, rubbing my arms gently. I smiled as I leant forward to kiss his lips.

"Alright," I respond quietly before turning towards Emmett. "Let's go," I said as I let him take my hand and we run through the woods.

We kept running until we got close to the main town. When we reached the small town, I gazed in awe. The whole town was a frosty white since it just snowed. I remember Christmases and winters in Tennessee were always magical.

The town itself really changed a lot since we last walked up the streets, but I could recognize the old buildings. The barber my dad use to go to was still in business, well it was his son, but it was the same business he use to go to on days off with Emmett. They even still have the old movie theater and the little tiny market my mother use to take me to while the boys went to the barber.

We began to run again when we were far into the forest. From there we kept running until we reached the edge of the forest where the old graveyard was. It was in back of the old Lutheran church here in Tennessee. I remember as a little girl we use to come here every Sunday and then go to Grandma's house for brunch with the rest of my family.

Many of our family should be dead by now or they're just really old. It's sad I can't find any of them. Besides our family, I also wonder if any of the kids Emmett and I use to play with are still around here. Like my old friends or even some of my school mates.

"Here's the grave," Emmett murmured, pointing to a spot in the corner graves. I look at where his finger is pointed to see the large grave with both of my parents names' on it.

The memories instantly hit my mind seeing the stone. You know, I can even recall the day they were buried there. I just remember starring at the large rock blankly as they finished patting the dirt on my parents graves. I was there for hours just staring at the ground.

The last time I was here the stone was shinny and new. Now it was covered in moss and dirt. It looks like it hasn't been touched or cleaned in years, which is true.

"Mama. Daddy," I whispered, my voice shaky. I then dropped to the ground and kneeled down in front of the large headstone. I felt the guilt, sadness, and grief bubble up to the surface of my skin when I read the two names.

Renee Marie McCarty & Charles Alexander McCarty

Husband and Wife

Beloved Parents

"Hey Mama. Hey Daddy," I said to them, my voice barley a whisper. "I know I haven't been back in awhile...A lot has changed. I may not look like the daughter you once knew, but it's still me. I'm just...I'm just different...You know I have a daughter now, her name is Renesmee. I got pregnant with her when I was young, but I had two amazing people to help me through it and they became my family...Renesmee is beautiful. She's named after you both, Renesmee Carlie Swan...She has the Swan curls and our brown eyes. Oh, you would have loved her...I also have a fiancé, who's also Renesmee's father. His name is Edward, and he treats me so well. He's a good man. Anyway we're getting married soon, and I just want you two to know that I know you're going to be there with me. I know that when I walk down the aisle, Daddy, you'll be there, and Mama you'll be helping me get ready...Anyway, the most important thing I forget to mention was that...I found Emmett. He's just like me, but I found him. He was um alive all this time. He was safe. Now he has a lovely wife Rosalie and an adorable little girl named Emalie Isabelle. She was named after me, and she's so much like Mama...I really miss you two and I love you both very much. God, I miss you."

By the end of my speech I was dry sobbing. The tears wanted to break free so bad, but all that was developing was venom in my eyes. It actually began to sting and I think a single tear of venom trickled down my face and onto the grass.

I then felt Emmett's arms wrap around me like a cage and rock me back and forth, just like I was little again.

"Shhh, Bells. It's okay. It's okay. I'm right here," he whispered to me, rubbing my back. He let me sob for a good half hour as I just looked at their grave.

Even though they were gone, I could feel that my parents were there in spirt, smiling at us. But it hurts. It hurts not knowing that they aren't here with me.

I miss them so much. God, I miss them.

When I was done sobbing, I let Emmett go. I then watched as he went to say a few words while I leant into his side.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I let my brother have his moment with our parents. While he did that I slowly opened my eyes and looked around my small town. I sighed.

I missed Tennessee. It's always going to be my home. Nothing can ever replace it's spot in my heart.

Once Emmett was done saying his words we stood at their grave for the longest time.

"We need to get this stupid crap off their grave. Mama never liked dirt." I chuckled dryly, as I begin to wipe it off so their stone was much more visible and clean.

"Much better," Emmett murmured, rubbing it off with his elbow.

"Nothing like a little elbow grease, eh?" I teased with him.

We both chuckled as we get up. It was getting dark now and the others were probably setting up for the night in the cabin.

"We should get going," I said, motioning towards the house.

"Yeah...Hey, Bells, can we show the kids their grandparents tomorrow? You know how much Ma wanted grandkids," he said softly, playing with the end of his jacket.

"Sure. I'm sure they'd love to meet them," I said, taking my brother's hand. He gave me a half smile before we then ran towards the old house of ours.

We were at the edge of our property when I spotted an old rope. I froze and felt the biggest grin appear on my lips.

No way.

It was still here?

After all these years!?

"Emmett!" I squealed, running away from him and towards the tree.

"Belle? What is it?" He asked, slightly alarmed, as he followed me.

"Look! Our flipping tree swing!" I gushed, pointing to it like a small excited child at a toy store.

"No way," He breathed, starring at it with his mouth wide open.

It was an old tattered rope with a small bench on it that Daddy made for us. Since money was tight, we never had a lot of fancy store bought toys. We always got those on Christmas.

I remember Christmas was the only time we ever got store bought items. Most of the time Emmett and I had to use our imaginations to play games since we didn't really have toys. Then in some cases we'd make toys. I can recall making dolls out of yarn or old rags with my grandmother before she died. It was something I use to love making with her.

Anyway on Christmas we use to get things like oranges, fruits, candy, one or two toys from the toy store, and maybe a few necessities. My family wasn't very rich and normally we had to save up for things.

I will remember one Christmas in particular. Probably my one of my favorite Christmases.

It all started on the week before Christmas when my parents took us to Philadelphia for a weekend. It was for some case my dad had to take and they sent our whole family there.

I had never been to a city before, so when I stepped into it, I was amazed. I'd never seen anything like it. All the tall buildings and hustle and bustle of the people, it amazed me to no end. I never have been in a place outside of my little hometown with such big buildings and so many people. I didn't even think that many people existed.

I'll always remember as we walked up the streets we past a nearby window. In there I saw a shiny new watch in the window. I always wanted a piece of jewelry like my mother, so I looked at it with such a dreamy pair of eyes. I wanted a watch like that. It was so beautiful.

When my dad saw me looking at it, he smiled and asked me if I'd like it. I said yes, but I could never have it. Our family needed the money, and I didn't want my dad to spend money on me so in the end I told him to spend his money on something for the family.

Well that didn't stop my father from making me happy. On Christmas morning of that year I woke up to find that my big present that year was a shiny new watch.

I still have it with me and I always have it on when I can. It's something very dear to me next to the charms from my past. Along with that there is also the old jewelry of my mother and grandmother.

"Come on, Belle!" Emmett exclaimed, climbing onto the swing. "I'll push you just like we were kids again, it'll be fun. Trust me."

"I don't know..."

"Bells, come on. It'll be fun," he said, offering me the seat.

I hesitantly step forward and then sit down on the rickety old bench. Next thing I know, I'm flying high up in the sky.

I begin to laugh as I swing back and forth with Emmett's hand on my back. I closed my eyes and thought back to the summer of 1925. I was about five years old and Emmett was ten. I remember his big hands pushing against my back as I would fly up amongst the trees with the warm sun in my face.

I grinned as I dove off the swing and landed in a snow bank, laughing my head off. Moments later Emmett came ramming into the snow, causing both of us to laugh at each other. I felt like I was reliving every moment of my past.

Ah, Memories. Even though many have faded, I will hold onto every last thing I can remember.

"We should get going, it's getting really late now," I said to my brother.

"Alright, come on squirt." He chuckled.

We both dash back to the house to see the others have set up a fire and were turning in for the night, or just hanging around while the ones who slept were getting ready to go to bed.

"Today was fun," I announced to my brother. "A nice trip down memory lane, don't you think?"

"It was...I'm glad we found each other Belle. I can't picture my life anymore without you," Emmett told me sincerely, getting emotional.

"Me too, Em. Me too," I replied as I go to give him a big bear hug.

We enter the old cabin to see everyone crowded around the fireplace. Little Emalie was the only one asleep on Rosalie's lap while everyone sat and talked to each other. Their was a T.V, but no one even turned it on.

I look to see Renesmee was bundled up next to Edward as they both laughed at some story Carlisle was telling. I couldn't wait to join them.

This is what I love and miss the most. Moments with my family like this where we could just sit around and talk, like Emmett and I use to with our parents.

"Hey, look who's back!" Jasper announced, being the first to notice us.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked as I knelt down so I'm on the floor next to Edward and Renesmee. He currently had Renesmee curled into his side with an arm wrapped around her shoulder. Edward, when he noticed me, pulled me towards his other side so we were both in his arms.

"Carlisle is telling us some tales," Alice exclaimed cheerfully.

"Like what? Anything I should know about Daddy C?" Emmett asked, giving Carlisle a devious grin.

Carlisle chuckled and shook his head, "I don't think so Emmett. You won't get anything embarrassing out of me."

"Maybe not you, but I could always get something from Momma C," Emmett said, jerking his finger to an amused Esme. "She probably knows all of your stories. Come on Esme, please, anything embarrassing?"

"No, Emmett," Esme told him, chuckling under her breath.

"What exactly is going on here?" I asked Edward, my voice in a whisper.

"Emmett's been trying to find anything embarrassing about Carlisle for decades. Carlisle has yet told us an embarrassing story about himself," Edward explained to me.

I smiled mischievously as I looked towards Emmett. "Really? You want to talk embarrassing stories, Em. I've got a couple up my sleeve. I'm sure everyone, especially Rose, will love to hear about your first kiss with Molly Smith!"

"Isabella Marie Swan you swore you would never speak of that again!" Emmett hissed at me. If he could, Emmett would probably be either a nice shade of purple or red right now.

"I kind of want to hear this story!" Edward announced, chuckling.

"Ditto!" Jasper exclaimed.

"No, you don't. Especially that one," Emmett mumbled, narrowing his eyes at me.

"Why? What did you do Emmett Cullen?" Rosalie asked him, narrowing her eyes at her husband as she stroked her daughter's curls.

"Something. Hey! You know, I have stuff on Bella too! Like I can tell them about the time Grandma knitted you that sweater! You know how that ended!" Emmett cried out, pointing a finger at me.

"Don't you dare Emmett!" I shrieked, hearing him bring up one of my most dreaded memories.

"Okay, children, simmer it down," Alice teased with us.

"Fine," Emmett grumbled, settling back down. I sighed too as I slumped back so I'm curled up into Edward again. Everyone snickered though.

"So Bella, what else do you want to do for the wedding?" Alice asked me, reverting the subject.

Alice has been nagging me the whole entire trip with questions about the wedding. I honestly don't care. I just want to get married to Edward. I would get eloped with him right now if it wasn't for Alice and the other women in this family. Even Emmett wanted a wedding, and I know Edward wants me to have the best. So instead of my idea, we're going to have a ceremony. Probably a small one with all of our friends and some of the wolves, but other than that not a lot of people are going to attend.

"I don't know Alice. You're in charge so you can do whatever you want, as long as you pass it by me first," I told her.

"Really? Are you sure. Bells, it's your wedding."

"Alice, I've never been married before and I just want to marry Edward. I don't care about the little details. I mean I care, it's just it's not the most important thing to me. You enjoy those things, you can if you want. Just tell me what your planning."

"Fine, that's okay...Anyway, so far I was thinking a small ceremony in the back of the Cullen home in Forks. We could have a bunch of pink roses, lilacs, and white flowers. Then there is a beautiful dress, which none of you will see until it's complete on your wedding day," Alice announced.

"I like it. Edward?" I turned to look at my fiancé.

"Whatever makes you happy."

I smiled at my adopted sister, "I think you're going in the right direction."

"Awesome." Alice grinned, turning around to talk with Jasper and Rose, who were conversing over cars at the moment.

"She's so excited for this wedding," Esme remarked, jerking her thumb at Alice.

"Yeah, Alice tends to get very excited for stuff like this," I admitted to her.

"That's nice. I'm just so happy about all of this. You coming into our lives has made this family the happiest it's been in a long time. Well, besides Emalie's birth and Emmett getting married, I have to say our new additions to our family made us even stronger as a family," Esme told me, smiling warmly.

I smiled at her as she goes to give my hand a warm squeeze.

"You remind me of my mother...Just a lot more reserved and calm," I told Esme, slightly blunt with a small chuckle at the end.

"Oh, Emmett's told me that before. She seemed like a lovely woman," Esme said. I nodded and gave her a small smile.

"She was. Very eccentric, and kind of harebrained, but she was our mother...By the way, thanks for keeping an eye on Emmett after all these years," I said, winking at her.

Esme chuckled and went to place a hand on my shoulder. "It was nothing dear. I love everyone here as if they were my own...You see, years ago I lost my child and for a long time I thought I'd never get to feel like a real mother. Well, when Carlisle came into my life he didn't just give me his love, he gave me two sons and then years later I gained three daughters and another son. With also two grandchildren," Esme told me warmly.

"You consider us your children? Already?" I questioned, my tone incredulous. I could feel the venom tearing up in my eyes.

"Yes, dear. You make my son happy and you brought light to this family. How can I not love you all for that?" Esme said.

I smiled, and without hesitation, I go to wrap my arms around Esme in a gentle hug. She hugs back. She smelt of warm cinnamon and apples. It was kind of a homey type of smell. It brought me memories of my mother. She use to smell of evergreens and daisies.

"Awww, family moment! I say this calls for a group hug!" Alice exclaimed, hugging Esme and I by our waists.

I let out a chuckle with Esme and Alice, and the rest of the family laughed as well.

"I'm in on that!" Emmett boomed as he scooped all three of us girls into one big giant bear hug.

"Emmett Dale McCarty, put me down! I'm a lady!" I chuckled as I looked up at him.

"Nah, I don't feel like it," He remarked, his tone teasing.

I rolled my eyes when he finally puts us down so we can join the rest of the family.

"Hey, you know what I want to do," Emmett announced, going towards the door. "I say we have a snowball fight. Boys vs Girls!"

"Are you sure you want to do this Emmett McCarty?" I asked him, my smile smug.

"I kind of do," Emmett replied, coming over to me. "It'll be just like old times. Older McCarty vs younger McCarty. Who will win?"

"Me of course," I snorted.

"We'll see about that little sister," he said, walking slowly away from me. "So anyway, anyone else in?" Emmett asked, looking around at our family.

"I'm down with that idea!" Jasper announced, jumping up from his spot on the floor with Alice.

"I wanna play too!" Emalie cheered, rubbing her tired eyes. She must have woke up when she heard we were going to have a snowball fight.

"What are we all waiting for, I want to do this!" Renesmee exclaimed as she rushed out of the door. I giggled as everyone, including Carlisle and Esme, headed out of the house and into the snow.

"Alright, so how do you want to do this? Anyone want to say the rules or something?" Emmett asked as we all gathered around in a circle.

"How about this," Alice said, grinning deviously. "There are no rules."

"What do you mean by that?" Emmett questioned, scratching his head.

"That you can do anything you'd like," I said as I go to smack a snowball right against his head. "Gottcha Em."

"Oh! Isabella Marie I'm gonna get you!" Emmett roared playfully as he chased me through the woods. I giggled as soon the whole field was erupting in a snowball fight.

I had Emmett hot on my tail, Rose was trying to get Jasper, Renesmee and Emalie were trying to get Carlisle, while Edward decided it would be a fun idea to go after Esme.

After a couple of minutes running I tripped on someone's foot and flew strait into a snow pile. Moments later Emmett flew into it next to me.

"Who the hell did that?" I questioned, brushing the snow off my head.

"I don't know." Alice smiled, with a snowball in hand as she looked at my brother and I.

"Hey! We're on the same team!" I pointed out, frowning at my sister.

"Yeah, I know." she winked at me before she threw it smack in Emmett's face.

"Nice one, way to go Ali," I complimented my sister as she helps me up and out of the snow bank. We both just giggle as Emmett emerges from the snow with white powdery snow covering his whole body.

"Oh, my other little sister, you just asked for it!" Emmett exclaimed as he then began to chase after Alice.

I giggled at their antics. I had a feeling Emmett and Alice would get along just fine. Alice has always reminded me of a McCarty, I wouldn't be surprised if she was a long lost relative. But, maybe that's why we get along so much.

All of a sudden I felt a snowball hit me in the head. I turned around to see Edward smiling at me.

"Really?" I asked, brushing the snow off my hair.

"Well it is a snow ball fight..."

"You just asked for it." I giggled as I threw a fistful of snow at Edward's body.

"You!" Edward playfully growled as he picked me up in his arms. He threw me over his shoulder and I squealed in surprise.

"Edward!"

"What?" He questioned, his lips forming a goofy grin.

I giggled before I went to place a kiss on his lips. He places me off from his back and into his arms. I hold onto his hair as our lips then mold together.

Even if it was freezing, our lips seemed to warm at the touch. His hands ran up and down my sides as our kisses grew more passionate.

"Ew! Ma! Dad! Gross!" Renesmee said, scrunching her nose up in disgusting. "There are children around!"

"Sorry," I said, chuckling as we pulled away.

"You know, I haven't hit a certain girl yet with a snowball," Edward mused as he looked at Renesmee.

"Daddy-"

Edward ran over to Renesmee and picked her up. She giggled as she tried to throw snow at him, only to his the side of his head, getting the white powder all over his bronze hair.

I smiled at this moment, seeing Renesmee and Edward interact.

Everything was just so perfect, I thought to myself.

Later that night we all decided to crowd around the fire place. Even though we're vampires and don't need to extra warmth, Renesmee and Emalie could use some. Plus it's a nice family activity.

We all crowded around on the floor while Emmett, Jasper, and Carlisle decided to tell us all tales. Carlisle told us about his adventures before he turned Edward, then there were Jasper's stories form the Cvil War, and Emmett's comical stories.

That night our laughter filled the home an brought warmth back to the place I once called my home.

A/N: So? Whatcha guys think? Thought it was cute I'm bringing them back to their hometowns? Anyway I loved writing this chapter. It was fun because the watch part is based off a story my grandma told me about when she was a little girl. Basically a lot of aspects of Emmett and Bella's childhood were based off things my grandmas told me. It was fun writing about their past, and next chapter is about Bella and Edward's past in Chicago! So anyway, like the Bella and Emmett moments? The snowball fight? How about that rope swing? Lol, anyway there are a few more chapters to go. One more before the wedding and then about two more after that ;) I might be also starting up another story after this. I keep saying this on twitter, but I will be starting a new Bella and Edward FanFic after this. I just don't know which one I want to post yet, lol :P

So in the meantime, please review, keep on the lookout for more updates, and you guys rock :)