Disclaimer: As usual I don't own Twilight, I merely play in the sandbox. I do however, lay claim to my original characters Ella, Adrian and others and the inclusion of the Fey World.

AN: Happy Mental Health Awareness Week 2018 - We Are All Strong! ~ Hannah

Chapter Sixty-Seven – Back in Forks

It was a subdued party that travelled back to Forks from Italy. I use the term subdued because we were missing one of our party. Lauren had stayed in Volterra. It had finally been decided that she should remain with Alec to avoid the pain that comes with separating mates that have not fully bonded. Honestly, I was impressed with the speed of everything being sorted. Aro had been correct when he said he would sort it. The paperwork had been signed quicker than the ink had dried and Lauren's parents had been called and to sweeten the deal, been invited out to Italy. They'd turned the offer down, as Lauren had expected but had agreed to the quickly thought out plan. Lauren would be staying in Italy as part of a prestigious programme to finish up her schooling and continue onto university. Feeding in her strengths in school and forging papers for a famous Italian school had been child's play according to Aro. So, Lauren stayed while we all came home. I knew I was going to miss Lauren but I also knew I would see her again and that she wouldn't leave me a day without talking. That was just Lauren, she loved to talk.

I would see Lauren before the year was out anyway and at least with Alec I knew she was safe. Safer than here in Forks with the eye of the storm.

Dad had organised a 'Welcome Home' party of us all and insisted that everyone participate in the event. I loved my Dad, I would happily go along with his 'welcome home' party games if it made him happy.

The activities and the food gave Christine a chance to talk through wedding plans with Alice, apparently since we'd been gone, she'd worked out all the finer details but wished to use Alice's help for the remainder. I did not find myself feeling neglected or left out of the matter for I knew that Christine wanted me to be involved in the wedding. Quite frankly, it took a weight off my shoulders to know that Alice was helping with the wedding planning for that ninja pixie could organise something at the drop of a hat and would make sure everything was perfect for Christine.

It was strange to think that my family was growing. In my mind it had been big since I'd moved to Forks and discovered the Cullen's. However, I'd never thought about my family with Dad growing any bigger. Now, of course, I couldn't imagine him without Christine on his arm and I'd gained a new sister through that relationship: Angela. My own experiences of a small family hadn't been the most enjoyable, so in my mind, a bigger family was a better family.

My Dad deserved to be completely and utterly happy. I hadn't seen him smile this big in my entire life. Dad always joked that he'd saved his biggest smile for when Bella and I were born but looking at him now made me wonder whether he'd broken the biggest smile record. It just filled my heart to see him so happy. In a world where quite literally anything could happen, the idea that Dad got his happily ever after tied so neatly in a bow, was heart-warming to witness. Not many people got a second chance in life but it seemed that we, as a family, were a family of second chances.

The squeal from Alice brought me back to the presence. The high octave squeal causing everyone in the room to recoil.

"Three weeks? THREE WEEKS? Are you insane? Three weeks to plan a wedding? I don't think I can do that."

Having never seen Alice have a breakdown this big, I wasn't sure what the correct course of action should be. Luckily for me, my input wasn't needed as Esme and Rose headed in the direction of the irate pixie to smooth things over. The idea that Alice panicked over getting things done was almost laughable because she was a perfectionist who could have everything worked out a second before and still have things run smoothly.

I assumed that the shock of three weeks, meant that that was when my Dad and Christine intended to get married. Yes, it seemed rather soon considering that we had just got back from Italy but then again, both my Dad and Christine had been working towards this point for a long while now and were entitled to get married whenever they liked.

I was looking forward to playing bridesmaid along with Bella and Angela. It would be the first time for the three of us and I knew Christine had plans in place to bring us closer. Not that we weren't already quite close. Angela had been the light in the darkness of the 'stereotypical teenage table' at school and always knew what to say and when to say it. She was an intelligent, compassionate and generous person, which was probably why I gravitated towards her in the first place. Also, I guess I could sense she was a lost soul like I was, though neither of us could claim that title now.

A wedding was just what we needed to unwind and forget all that was happening around us. Oh, the fear and uncertainty was still there but I felt more at peace as I thought of the wedding. It was an event to be truly proud of and getting the chance to watch two people I love join was a privilege.

Dad had loved the gifts I'd bought back from Italy, Limoncello – a lemon liquor that Carlisle had purchased for me – a glass blown bird and some different coloured pasta. Christine had also liked the bracelet Bella and I had got for her.

The only difficulty I could envision with the wedding was getting my Dad and Christine to agree to go on a honeymoon. I knew they would fight tooth and nail to not leave us behind but I knew that they would regret it if they missed out on their own honeymoon. Even though they are parents and would worry, I hoped that they'd agree to the honeymoon and take some time to themselves. They deserved it after all.

"I couldn't be prouder of you Dad."

"Me? What have I done?"

"Found your happily ever after. Do you know how rare that is? You never gave up and you never stopped fighting for what you wanted. That's inspiring."

"You're going to make me blush Ella and you know I struggle to talk when I'm embarrassed."

"Sorry Dad. I didn't mean to do that, I'm just happy for you."

"I'm glad you're happy also. Don't think I haven't noticed the looks you and Edward share. All good on that front."

"Yes Dad, couldn't be happier."

"I'm glad of that. There was a moment where I worried for you. Not because of Edward but because of how you were coping with the things that had happened."

"I'm alright now Dad."

"I know but you're my little girl, I'll always worry about you."

"I'll try to keep you from going grey then."

"Cheeky little—"

"Charlie, come here please, Alice had an idea about table features."

"Stay strong kid."

I watched Dad walk away with a smile upon my face. I doubted Christine wanted Dad's input on table features, she probably saw him panicking and looked to whisk him away before he put his foot in his mouth as he so often did with Bella.

Spread out in the kitchen and dining room, it was amusing to see everyone's versions of relaxing. Some, and by that, I mean us humans could do it flawlessly, others, meaning the Cullen's relaxed positions ranged from still as a statue to awkwardly pained. It amused me that there was at least one thing that they didn't excel in.

Being back in Forks bought a sense of clarity with things. Clarity for everything I was blessed to have in life. The fight that was in me had not yet given up and I now felt powerful enough to survive through whatever was coming.

Take that bitches!