(~RPOV~)

I held Emmett's hand tightly under the table. We sat across from Jasper and Alice, and Carlisle and Esme sat separately at both ends of the rectangle dining room table. Emmett slowly massaged my fingers as I gave Alice a pointed look. I was not looking forward to this conversation, and though I was complicit in her scheme, I figured it was Alice's responsibility to own up to it in front of Carlisle and Esme. After about thirty seconds of silence, Carlisle cleared his throat and spoke. "Alice, Jasper, is everything alright?" His voice exuded calm.

Alice oriented towards Carlisle and inhaled sharply, "Well, you see, not right now. But it will be," a tranquil wave tickled the fingers of my free hand as she continued, "if we work together."

Carlisle's forehead crumpled into confusion at her cryptic remark. Emmett shifted closer to me and released my hand. Esme spoke first.

"Of course we will work together - we are a family. What is going on Alice?" Esme leaned in closer to the table.

"We're going to get Edward and Bella back together." Alice stated. She looked so positive and nonchalant.

I had expected a riotous outburst to take over, but instead was met with heavy silence. Esme's hand flew to cover her mouth as her eyes darted towards Carlisle, who was frozen in place.

"It's about damn time!" Emmett exclaimed and followed with a chuckle. He placed his arm around me, squeezing tightly. A spark flickered in my chest - Jasper was reflecting Emmett's joy across the table.

"Alice, are you sure? I have always hoped…" Esme trailed off, her hand slowly extending towards Alice. She pulled it back and held her own neck, as though she were choking on her own words. Her eyes glistened with unshed venom. "How?"

Alice smiled and shook her shoulders as she geared up to share her battle plan. "Well, you see, we've already started."

As Alice relayed her plan, I monitored everyone around us. Esme - who kept letting out soft exclaims; Emmett - who was giddy with excitement over a new mission to execute; Jasper - who remained calm and neutral. Carlisle, who remained frozen until Alice finished. Without taking a breath, he rubbed his temples as though he had a headache. He let out a small sigh "Alice…".

Alice's eyes glazed over briefly, and she blinked to clear her vision. "It doesn't matter if you fight this, Carlisle. It's going to happen."

Esme gasped and her eyes narrowed at Carlisle. My mind wandered back to the day I heard them arguing. I knew she could be fierce, and surely Carlisle's resolve must be waning. Had he really not questioned Edward's decision once over all these years? I cleared my throat. "Carlisle, why? Why are you so against this?"

He looked surprised. "Rosalie, I'm surprised to hear you agree - I thought you supported and respected Edward's decision. This is the absolute last thing he would want, -"

"That's where I think you're wrong," I cut him off gently, "I saw him a little bit ago." Carlisle looked like someone had struck him. "And I believe this is what he would want." I took a breath and let Jasper's manufactured determination wash over me before I continued. "I think this is the best way. I agree with Alice."

"Jasper?" Carlisle's voice sounded so small.

"I will always stand with Alice. I went to Bella's today with Rosalie. If Edward's emotional state is anything like hers, the answer is simple." Jasper replied gently.

"You two saw Bella?" Esme interjected. I nodded in response as she wrung her hands. "How is she?"

"She's…. She's alright, I think. But she could be better." I finished lamely. I didn't want to add any additional concern, especially since we were here now.

"Oh Carlisle. Surely you can see, can't you?" Esme pleaded.

"Esme…"

"Let's go for a run, please. Outside." Esme stood, and gestured outside. Carlisle walked out, and Esme followed wordlessly.

"Well, that could have gone worse." Emmett offered.

Alice nodded, "It certainly could have. I'd say overall, it went pretty much as I hoped."

"Carlisle is feeling deeply conflicted, but judging by Esme's emotions, I bet he'll agree sooner rather than later." Jasper noted. "We should all take a break to digest this."

Emmett and I left as Alice climbed into Jasper's lap. We had our own business to attend to.

(~BPOV~)

I bit at my jagged fingernail and stared at my phone. A text message from Renee - Happy Thanksgiving thankful 4u:) - had gone unanswered. Rosalie had left a few hours ago, after we (well, she) made plans to meet next Monday at a car shop. After she left, I laid on the couch, alone again. I was still avoiding the mess in my kitchen. My stomach rumbled and I rolled over, trying to muffle the sound. It felt relentless.

I reluctantly got up and tip-toed into the kitchen, taking care with my steps. A box of crackers in the cabinet would have to do - the sea of glass blocked the fridge and the stove. I shoved a cracker in my mouth, dry and tasteless. A small vibration sounded from the living room. Cautiously, I made my way back and checked the caller id. Sawyer. My heart jumped, and I answered with shaky hands.

"Hello?"

"Hi B! Happy Thanksgiving. What are you up to?" I could hear his smile through the phone.

"Hi! Oh you know, just carving a 20 pound turkey before I pour the champagne." I did wish I had some wine though.

"Wait, really?" He asked, and I couldn't help but laugh. He laughed too. "To be fair, I didn't think you were serious, but hey, never know, right?"

I shrugged, and realized he couldn't see me. "Nah, fair enough. What are you up to today? Did you see your family?" I put another cracker in my mouth.

"My mother asked, but…" he let out a humorless chuckle, "I didn't want to spend a holiday unhappy. I went to the movies earlier and got some take out. Now I'm just sitting on my couch, but I figured you might be in a similar spot up there, so I wanted to say hey."

"I didn't know you were a psychic." I jested.

"It's one of my many talents, what can I say? Did you talk to your mom today?"

"Well, she sent me a nice 'happy thanksgiving' text. I didn't reply. I just… You know." I played with a cracker, and crushed it by making a first. The edges dug into my palm, and I released the crumbs onto the floor.

"I know, trust me."

A quiet settled over the line, but I could still hear him breathing. It was nice to not feel so alone.

"So, B. You going shopping in the morning? Or tonight?"

"Yeah, no, that's a hard pass from me. Are you?"

Sawyer launched into his game plan for shopping, updates on Annie, and anything else he could think of. I considered telling him about Rosalie and what happened, but decided against it. We kept each other company until I drifted off.