Caralla had left that morning. All of the Cullens had gone to the airstrip to see her off. After promises to come visit again in a few months, when it wasn't an emergency and she could actually visit, she departed. Bella watched the sky until she could no longer see the shine of the sun on the silver bird, and then they all headed home. Life had returned to a bit of normal, and everyone was glad for that. Bella and Edward were curled up together on her bed, enjoying the quiet and just cuddling and talking softly about everything that had happened when they both heard Carlisle's voice in their minds.

~I hate to intrude, but Alice requests all of our company downstairs. She says we have to talk about the party Friday, quickly, while Esme is out at the store.~

"Shit!" Bella jumped up. "We forgot about Esme's birthday party!" Edward just looked at her, puzzled, so she elaborated. "You know, where you four all get dressed up and -"

"I know which party, Bella," he said with a laugh. I'm just trying to get used to the fact that someone can communicate with your mind and I can't. It's strange." He pulled her close, his arms circling her. "But Alice is right. Shall we see what new tortures she has planned for us poor boys?" he finished with a childish whine, and Bella just laughed. A few moments later everyone was gathered in the living room.

"We've got less than two days," started Alice without preamble. "Jasper says you guys are ready. What do you say to a demonstration? That way we can hammer out any details before Friday." She'd put them all on the spot and they knew it. Rosalie and Bella grinned at each other. This wasn't how either had thought to spend their morning - but they weren't complaining. And beneath Alice's brusque, all-business exterior, her eyes glittered like the gold they were. In contrast, all four of the Cullen men had found the floor or the ceiling to be extremely fascinating as they avoided her eyes.

"Like, right now?" asked Emmett.

"No, next year," snapped Alice. "Of course right now! When did you think I meant?"

"Are you sure that we should? I mean, with everything that's happened in the last couple of days...what if, say, Carlisle and Bella are still too shaky, or what if -" Rose moved with vampire speed to place her fingers against his lips.

"Emmett. Shut up."

"Carlisle and I are fine, thank you for the concern." Bella stood as well, and soon all three women were standing shoulder-to-shoulder, leaving their men little choice. Edward sighed theatrically.

"Okay, they're serious. Maybe we should just..." he closed his eyes in mock resignation - mock because Bella knew she could see him enjoying the idea of cutting loose for once. "...just buckle down and do it."

"Soonest begun, soonest done," murmured Carlisle in agreement, though his eyes flickered from Bella to Rose to Alice and back to Bella, and his amusement was plain to see.

"Jazz?" asked Emmett in a small voice. The southern vampire just propped a hip against the couch and adopted a wicked grin, looking for all the world like a GQ model.

"You know, Emmett," he began slowly, mischievously, "I don't see why you're so nervous. It's not as though it's anything Esme hasn't seen before."

"Yeah, but I usually don't shake my ass for a crowd!" he protested. By this time the girls were all chuckling at the by-play.

"True, but maybe you should," said Jasper smoothly. "It might make it easier to remove the stick you've got jammed up there." Emmett took a swing at Jasper, who ducked easily and darted behind Edward and Carlisle, looking out from between their shoulders playfully. Bella collapsed laughing, Rose slumping down against her.

"He's got you there, baby," she grinned at her husband. He let out a very theatrical sigh.

"Fine. Put on some music and let's get this shit started."

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Author's note: So, the end of this book and it seems everything's worked out now. Thank you for the wonderful reviews and comments, and of course to my Evil Plot Bunnies. LOL Don't worry, I won't leave you hanging. Esme's party will still be happening, and you've all got front row tickets. Make sure to bring some dollar bills to slide into the guys' clothes...well, at least, while they're still wearing any. :-D