Hi all,

Feel free after reading to leave a comment letting me know what you think of the story so far. I am curious to know what you the reader think now that the story is more developed. Are there any character traits you want to see more of for a certain character? No pressure if you don't feel comfortable answering. Thanks, either way.

-Byher

A note for the story going forward, the words inside the stars represent someone talking to Edward in their mind, not aloud.

Nine months since Bella has changed

Alice's point of view

The family is all together in the living room. Carlisle and Esme are talking by the wall of glass that looks out at the snow-covered wilderness. I am on the couch with Rose and were watching the boys play a video game where they are racing cars. Rosalie points out to me "I don't understand why when I've upgraded their vehicles to the utmost perfection that they insist on racing in these video games." I am about to reply when I have another vision of Edward.

Everyone has gathered around me in an instant with inquisitive looks, they know well the look of me having a vision. "I can see Edward coming home. He is still morning the loss of Bella of course but he is ready to doesn't want to be alone anymore. He looked lonely, I think he is craving the familiar comfort of family," I say aloud to everybody. The shock only lasts a moment, then they all look like me, smiling happily at the prospect of him coming back.

Esme has sad-looking eyes, I am not sure whether it's the mention of Bella or worry for Edward that given her that look. She is the first to speak in a hopeful tone. "He's returning to us Alice, are you sure, is he really coming home"?

His future is clear to me, I have no doubt so I briskly nod and say "yep, he should be here tomorrow when the sun is high, I'd estimate around 3 o'clock". Now everyone is looking excited, we all took it hard when he left two months after finding out about Bella.

I still remember when he got back from Tokyo and found out. It took both Emmett and Carlisle to restrain him when he first found out, and he wouldn't be calmed by Jazz. Jasper said his emotions were too strong-willed, that they were completely consuming him and couldn't be swayed. To calm him took days, but we had to keep him from running off and destroying himself. I know he wanted to, and he even had a few ideas of how to, I saw flickers of them. Horrible visions of him going to the Volturi, and another of him suffering, starved and weak.

He tried countless times that first month after her death to make it to Italy, between the six of us he couldn't get through and see his plans to fruition. After being stopped on his last attempt he said "fine you win, but there is more than one way to be destroyed and I don't have to stop existing for that to occur. It happed to me the moment Bella took her last breath and there's no point in continuing life now, it has no tether, no meaning. It is an impossibility for me to be happy again, I don't deserve it". Then he walked back to the house and shut himself in his room.

He didn't leave his room for anything, not even to hunt, he just remained on his black leather couch occasionally getting up to change the music streaming through his sound system. He was in a terrible state with hollow eyes of the darkest black, and though his body still looked strong he moved sluggishly like it was difficult. The pain of thirst probably overwhelming at that point.

He starved himself for three weeks until something finally got through to him. It was Esme's sorrow and the guilt of hurting his family that kept him from destroying himself in this way. He could hear us throughout the house, our thoughts, and I think that is what saved him from himself. He new destroying himself would destroy us and wreak havoc on this family, the people remaining in this world that he wanted to protect.

So he started hunting again, then a week later left us. I could see he wasn't planning anything, he just wanted to grieve alone for a time, so nobody voiced objections. When he left it upset all of us but effected Carlisle and Esme the deepest. It was their second time at what felt like losing him.

we all have our mates and could not bear to even think of something happening to them, so we understood when he left that it was something he needed to do. I knew we would all be together again.

And come tomorrow, we will be. I know he plans to mope around for the first few centuries but he will learn to live again. He is already enrolled at the same college as me and Jazz, set to start in a week. I enrolled him when I saw coming home as one of his future possibilities months ago. He wavered for a while, not being able to decide what he wanted. Then recently, I saw his future become fixed, he had made up his mind.

My musings are interrupted when Carlisle asks me "how does he look Alice, can you see if he will stay, is he home for good". I tell him happily "yep, I see him starting school with me and Jazz in a week". Which reminds me I need to go shopping. I vow to find welding outfits that are stylish.

The next day when Edward arrives at the house the whole family is out front waiting for him. I am happy to see his eyes are bright butterscotch from his recent hunt. I hand him the outfit I am holding, I've taken the liberty of getting him some new clothes. I tell him with a happy grin, "I saw you would require fresh clothes, And I was right you look terrible. You know Edward just because I wasn't around doesn't mean you can forsake style. It's a good thing you have me now". His clothes look as bad as they did in my vision with his plain black V-neck shirt wrinkled, and some dirt on his pants like he has been lying on the ground.

He takes the clothes I am handing him managing to look both amused and sad, "Alice I have clothes in my room, you don't need to start delivering them to me," then gives a soft smile And continues with, "and I will not be going to school".

Darn I thought I was hiding it so well.

Edward replies to my thoughts "you were," then nods his head to Emmitt and says, "but he wasn't".

I know he will fight me on going to classes for the rest of the week, but I can definitely see him going. By the look of annoyance Edward is giving me, I know he also sees it as well. I am looking forward to getting back to school, it brakes up the monotony of everyday life. I've decided to take some design classes this go around and major in Welding, I already do both exceptionally well and thought it would be fun. Plus an added bonus, Jazz said he would do welding with me.

I look at Edward and think, *I signed you up to major in Music History and Literature, figuring since you know both so well you won't have to put in any effort, and it can all go to controlling your brooding.*

Edward looks towards me and responds to my thoughts saying, "I do not brood" but then gives me a sheepish look that turns blank in an instant.

"If you say so, but we both know I'm the seer".

Esme hugs him tight and looks like she won't let up for a while. "Welcome home Edward" Esme looks so happy as she says it, but Edward looks to be wincing from her tight hold.

Emmitt with a booming laugh claims, "sorry Alice I couldn't help myself. I was thinking of you hogtying Edward and dragging him to school," and then chuckles to himself "now that's something I'd like to see".

I smile knowingly. "It won't be necessary" then look directly at Edward "we both know it".

Edward ignoring both me and Emmitt looks down at Esme who is still hugging him tight and smiles at her with affection. "I missed you too, but you're hurting me Esme".

She releases him immediately looking apologetic, "oh sorry, it's just so good to have you back".

Emmitt agrees, "yeah bro, don't do that to us again," then punches Edward playfully in the right shoulder jumping gracefully back out of the way when he quickly counters.

Edward mutters a groan and rubs his shoulder, grins mischievously. "you're going to regret that." Then quickly tosses the clothes back to me and lunges at Emmitt tackling him to the ground. Emmett being stronger rolls them so he's on top leaning over him.

Emmitt playfully says "oh sorry Eddy, did I hurt you" with a happy excited grin. Edward using his supper speed punches up at him making contact with Emmitt mid-chest. The hit jolting Emmitt back while Edward retorts "not as much as I just hurt you," and leaps out of Emmett's grasp.

Esme steps between the two "boys, boys, let's not fight, Edwards just come home" but she has a happy smile on her face seeming pleased at the normality of Edward and Emmitt playing around roughly like they did before. Edward and Emmett give each other a, well settle this latter look, and then I get a vision of Emmitt putting blue hair dye in some of Edwards shampoo".

Edward looks to Emmitt and says "you putting hair dye in my shampoo again is more of an annoyance for Alice who will fix it." Then he adds "it also won't work this time because you don't have Alice in on the prank like you did last time".

I look to Emmitt and say "I don't mind you dying Edward's hair again, just not blue it doesn't go with the fall color outfits I have picked out for him" and I hold up the Stefano Ricci maroon long-sleeved three-button polo. Then Rosalie says "babe, go for red, It's really a better color don't you think"

Esme says "I like red Rosalie but think Edwards natural hair color will suit him just fine," then she smiles at Emmitt and asks, "don't you think so Emmitt"? Emmitt monas disappointedly then replies "yes Esme" resigned to not dying Edward's hair.

Everybody now looks relaxed and amused, I have got to give Emmitt more credit. He is not just brawn, I know he orchestrated this with that initial punch. He was trying to break the ice and make it feel like Edward never left, it worked too. Although Edward has gone back to having a sad look in his eyes.

Carlisle clears his voice to get our attention. "Shall we all go inside?" making his own way in with Esme now next to him.

We all follow and I dance over to Edward's side and hand him the outfit once again telling him " I also restocked your closet."

"Thanks Alice" he gives me a forced smile and he has the same sad look in his eyes that he had since he arrived. I can tell he is trying to hide his sadness, he doesn't want us to worry, but it's still obvious to me.

I ashamedly tell Edward *you can't hide it from me, I know you're still in pain so if you don't want to go, you can skip this semester of classes. *

"It's ok Alice, I'll go." I smile big and kiss him on the cheek, knowing he will be going just to make me happy, * you won't regret this*.

Jasper looks at me with a questioning gaze, probably wondering why I am feeling so triumphant and guilty. Then he looks at Edward's resigned look and doesn't look confused anymore. Before I can enter the house Jasper wraps his arms around me in a hug from behind and says "love, you want to go hunt". Then Edward gives Jasper a grateful smile, probably happy to have my pestering elsewhere.

I turn in Jasper's arms to face him "sure, let's go." Looking back at Edward I tell him, "It's really good to have you home." Then Jasper unwraps his arms from me and grabs my hand, and we run off to hunt.

While we run jasper tells me "you need to give Edward time Alice. He may have come back home, and yes he is acting normal for the most part, but he is feeling an eminence sadness and great pain. So much so, that it is hard for me even to be in his presence."

"I know jazz, I may not be able to feel his pain like you, but I can see it in his eyes." I can hear the sadness in my voice and know jasper does as well because he gives my hand a comforting squeeze.

"You know he also felt happy today." Jasper pauses as if contemplating something and then continues. "His emotions are at war, he immediately feels guilt along with any happiness." Then jasper slows his pace and looks me in the eyes "I believe in time he will understand that he has always tried to do what he thought was best for Bella and forgive himself, perhaps not completely, but to the extent that it no longer torchers him."

"I know Edward is only going through the motions right now, and I know that he agreed to school only to make me happy. That is why he is doing everything, to make us all happy. He thinks he can't truly be happy anymore, but doesn't want to be alone or make those around him sad, so he pretends. This is all part of my plan, I think if he pretends long enough then over time his appearing happy for us, will turn into actual enjoyment. He will find himself not having to try so hard when smiling, and then not have to try at all, and finally, he will start to appreciate this life he has. I know it will take a while, but I have confidence and hope in that future"

Jasper says adoringly "my little minx, always looking to the future. I don't know how I keep up with you."

I tell him back challengingly, "you don't, that's why I always win are races." Then I flash him a big smile, let go of his hand and run ahead laughing. He catches up quickly and leaps at me playfully making us both tumble to the ground tangled up with each other.

He rolls us over so that I am beneath him and leans his face down close to mine and says, "I think I do pretty well keeping up." I am about to retort but before I can he kisses me passionately, then all I can think about are his lips on mine.