Carlisle and Bella laid together laughing, riding the high of being back in each other's company. "They're gunna be back soon," she whispered despite them being alone in the house. "Alice sent me a warning text twenty-five minutes ago."
He sighed, unable to keep his hands to himself. "We could just keep the bedroom door shut."
Bella laughed, playing with his hair again as he kissed just above her bellybutton. She found that she loved running her fingers through his wavy, blond hair.
Her phone went off again and as Bella went to reach for it, Carlisle pinned her hand down against the pillow before she could and he kissed her in a way that left them both moaning against one another.
Bella gasped a breath and matched his intensity as his tongue penetrated her lips again. He finally pulled back and looked toward one of the windows.
"I think I hear the car," he said, but Bella pulled him back to her and kissed him deeply again. She giggled, making him laugh.
Bella's phone chimed again and they both stopped. This time Carlisle didn't prevent her from reaching for it.
"Pulling down the driveway," Bella read aloud. She placed the phone back down on the nightstand beside the bed and scrunched her nose. "You were right."
The two of them quickly got dressed and hurried downstairs. Highlights of the football game were playing on ESPN and Carlisle sat down with his feet outstretched on the couch while Bella retriever a book and sat across the room.
When everyone burst back in through the door, Emmett was the first to greet Bella.
"Welcome back!" He gave her a quick fist bump and hummed one of the songs that had played at the concert. "Good news, Carlisle. Jasper didn't eat anyone."
"That is good news," he said back with a smile as he shook his head.
"We'll help you unpack the truck in the morning," Rosalie offered. "Alice told us you were headed back."
"Thanks." Bella nodded with a smile, glancing over at Alice and Jasper as they hung their jackets by the front door.
Rosalie looked at Carlisle and gave him a hard pat on the front of his shoulder as she walked by where he sat. He cleared his throat and Bella let out a sigh through her nose as she pretended to get back into the book in her lap.
"Oh.." Rosalie turned, "By the way. Carlisle.." She paused for a few seconds longer than she should have. All eyes were on Rosalie. "I'm well aware that Bella didn't come back here all this way for milk and cookies."
Carlisle pressed his eyebrows together as he stared at her. Emmett had his fist curled by his mouth, hiding a smile as she spoke, and now Bella had her full attention on Rosalie, as well.
"What, uh.." Carlisle cleared his throat but didn't get a sentence out before Rosalie let out a little laugh and went on with what she was saying.
"The only person who knew before me was Alice." She put a hand on her hip and looked at the two of them. "I'm a little offended that you thought I was the last to know."
"Rosalie.." Bella started, but she wasn't sure what to say. Was Rosalie mad? Was she okay with it? Bella couldn't totally tell from her demeanor.
Carlisle still sat with an almost dumbfounded look on his face. He wasn't quite used to being open about the personal parts of his life.
"I don't.." Carlisle fumbled on his words, "What are, um.. what-"
"You two can sit next to each other," Rosalie told him with a smile.
"Emmett," Bella started but he put his hands up.
"Don't look at me."
"Bella." Rosalie smirked and raised her eyebrows. "I knew the second I accidentally burst into your room that one morning." She went and leaned her against Emmett. "You are aware of how many beds we went through when we first got together, aren't you? You can't fool me when it comes to that stuff."
No one said anything for a moment and then Rosalie continued.
"I brought it up in the car," Rosalie finally said, ".. and I asked Alice if she knew because of her visions. Look, I know it's none of my business but the whole point I'm trying to make is.. you don't have to hide it. And this is kind of my version of telling you to go for it.. because life is too fucking short."
She added. "And I'm sorry for putting you on the spot, Carlisle. I know you like your privacy."
Carlisle gave a nod and looked at Bella. He then rose to his feet and was about to acknowledge everything that was just said. Before he could, Rosalie walked up to him slowly and threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.
"Don't say anything," she said. "I just wanted you to know that you'll never not have my support. We're a family." Rosalie looked over his shoulder at Bella, "That means you too, Bella." She waved her to them with one finger.
Rosalie separated herself from Carlisle and gave Bella a hug. "I've softened up a bit in the past decade."
Bella let out a sigh of relief and smiled to herself. Now that everyone knew there were no more surprises, she and Carlisle could stop pretending.. or sneaking around.
Rosalie nudged Carlisle. "Now I won't say another word about it." She smirked at him and Bella could see there was a mixture of embarrassment and relied in his features.
Emmett welcomed her back under his arm and she leaned a head on his chest. "I mean.. I can't promise not to say anything," he admitted with a goofy grin.
"All's well that ends well," Alice added as Jasper linked his hand through hers.
Carlisle looked at Bella, as neither of them said much throughout the revelation that Rosalie wasn't as in the dark as they had thought. He took in the body language of the other two couples in the room and acknowledged his relationship with Bella as he put a hand on her back.
She smiled, smally at first, and then leaned into him as his arm fully secured her around the waist.
Bella put a hand on his chest and looked up at him before looking toward Rosalie and Emmett.
"Now.." Rosalie said, "Was that so hard?"
"That's what she said," Emmett said again, laughing at himself as Jasper joined in.
"And this is why I keep these things to myself," Carlisle finally said, cracking a smile for the first time.
Bella laughed lightly beside him.
"Welcome back to the family, Bella," Rosalie said to her. "Officially."