Carlisle excused himself to his home office to wrap up some work things he didn't get to during the day, and Bella decided to take Emmett up on the offer to let him teach her how to play a few of his favorite games on the PlayStation.

She put up with his inability to reel his excitement over his discovery of her relationship with Carlisle, though begged him not to fill in Rosalie just yet.

"I won't tell her," Emmett vowed, "As long as you never let her know that I knew before her.. because she'd probably rip my head off."

Bella laughed and nodded. "Okay, deal."

Alice and Rosalie soon after came in through the garage, upbeat and freshly manicured as night fully submerged their cozy dwelling.

"So, I've been feeling a bit too antisocial lately," Alice said as she entered the living room where Bella and Emmett sat. He paused the game and Jasper hurried in to greet Alice with a quick kiss.

"Me too," Emmett suddenly realized.

"I thought so," she said with a smile.

"That's why.." Rosalie more or less jumped into Emmett's arms and he let the controller fall to the hardwood floor. ".. we just booked a couple of rooms at ski resort a couple of hours from here. For the six of us."

"Skiing?" Bella asked.

"Don't worry," Emmett told her, "You're not a klutz anymore, remember?"

"It'll be fun," Alice said to her with raised eyebrows. She turned to Jasper who appeared the stiffest of them all regarding the news. She danced her fingers down his cheek, "My visions are clear. You won't hurt anyone. I know it's been awhile since you've been in a crowd."

"So should we pack?" Emmett asked, setting Rosalie back down onto her feet.

"We're not going for about a month," she explained, putting her arm around his waist. "Bella? Are you in?"

Bella glanced at the staircase, not knowing if Carlisle could hear their conversation or not. But she nodded, "Yeah.. yeah I'm in. I'll have to make a trip back to Forks to pack and get some things."

Rosalie actually seemed genuinely happy that Bella was coming. "Good." She nodded with a smile.

"Oh Carlisle!" Alice shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth.

Emmett looked at Bella and flashed her a little wink, prompting her to shake her head and look down with a smile.

Carlisle took his time walking down the staircase that led into the living room where everyone had since made themselves comfortable on the pair of sofas.

"December 26, 27 and 28th," Alice rattled off the dates, "Take off of work. I know you have the days."

"And you can't bring your laptop," Emmett added, making everyone laugh. "Besides I'm sure you'll have plenty to do with your hands."

Carlisle visibly cringed at the comment, making Rosalie laugh as she swatted Emmett on the shoulder.

"Em, stop, we don't want him to stay home. We want him to come."

"That's what she said," Emmett couldn't help it and went to high five Bella who just shook her head. "The Office.. Michael Scott.."

"I got it," Bella nodded and smirked before falling back down onto the couch and pulling her knees toward her chest. "I think it'll be.. fun."

"You know, Bella," Rosalie said, "As much as I hate to admit it.." she smiled to let her know that she was teasing and then went on, "Things have seemed a little brighter since you came here."

Bella gave a genuine smile. "Thanks Rosalie." She looked around at all of them and held Carlisle's gaze for a moment before looking back to her. "It feels good to be back with everybody."

"And I suppose.. you could stay for as long as you'd like," she added, still grinning before standing up to give Bella a hug. "You.. and Carlisle.. you've both had to go through something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. And I'm glad you both look a little more.. alive."

Emmett grinned wide, alternating his looks between Bella and Carlisle. "Me too!"

"Me three," Alice added.

"Ditto," said Jasper dryly with a lopsided smirk.

Bella felt a little guilty for keeping Rosalie in the dark. After their moment together and accepting her warm hug, she didn't want to ruin it if Rosalie happened to dislike the idea of her and Carlisle being together.

"I, uh, I'll probably spend Christmas with Nessie and the kids," Bella said, "but I'll be here for the 26th." It felt a little bittersweet not to spend Christmas with Carlisle, too, but she knew they would have plenty of time together.

"So it's a plan then.." Alice looked at Carlisle now, "Yes?"

He nodded. "Sure." Carlisle added, "Alice, can I talk with you for a moment?"

"Of course." She jumped up from her seat and skipped happily toward him.

The two of them exited the room as Rosalie looked to the paused video game on the screen. "Okay. I'm sort of in the mood for your Fort Nite game."

"Nice," Emmett said, looking at Bella.

"It's okay," she assured him, "Rose can take my spot." Bella took out her phone, "I'm going to text Renesme."

Carlisle walked with Alice into the garage - which seemed to be the spot with the most privacy to talk. Still, he spoke quietly.

"Bella says you-"

"I've known for a while." Alice grinned at him. "This is great, Carlisle."

He ran a hand through his hair. "Emmett knows."

"Ooo.." Alice sucked her teeth and tapped her lips with her index finger. "I thought he might from his comment in there."

"Bella's afraid of what Rosalie might think," he lowered his voice even more.

"Honestly, Carlisle, I think it'll be more comfortable for both of you if everyone just.. knew. I mean it's an unexpected relationship between two people who we all love.. and who have been through Hell and back."

He pinched the bridge of his nose as he thought for a few minutes and closed his eyes.

Alice walked up and placed a hand on his forearm, making his eyes reopen. "This isn't supposed to stress you out, Carlisle. So don't let it. Enjoy it."

"I know. I am."

"You've been through enough," Alice went on. "There's finally a glow on your face again and there's nothing wrong with letting yourself be happy." She looked up at him, "In all of the time I've been alive, you are by far the kindest, most deserving man of happiness that I have ever met. I mean that. It ripped my heart out to know you were hurting so bad, and with Jasper feeling all you were feeling I was even more distraught for you."

Carlisle swallowed hard and let out a sigh through his nose.

"We all love you," she continued. "And I know Rosalie will understand whenever the time comes to tell her. But, if you can do one thing for yourself, Carlisle, it's this. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone. All that matters is that you've found happiness again."

He gave a barely-there smile and accepted a hug from Alice that she initiated. "Thank you, Alice."

"Thank you Carlisle," she said, pulling back with a grin as she still held onto him. "It's good to have you back."