Author's Note: I do not own Twilight. Twilight and all of the characters are the creation of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 27: Family
-oOo-

We were able to get a flight out of Rome at two p.m. their time, and we arrived in the Seattle airport at about seven-thirty p.m. pacific time. I was happy we didn't arrive too late, but my sleeping schedule would be messed up. Again. Maybe I could use tomorrow to get back into the swing of things...
The flight was pretty uneventful. Esme said I slept almost the entire time. Maybe THAT will help with the time change...
We went through the baggage claim and luckily we got all of our bags quickly. We would be meeting Rosalie and Emmett somewhere past security. Rosalie would be taking the ladies home in her convertible and Emmett would be taking the guys home in his jeep.
There were barely any people in the airport at the time, which I thought was surprising because it was Thanksgiving weekend. Maybe people would be coming back tomorrow. Perhaps they came back yesterday, or we missed the rush entirely.
Alice grabbed her last bag as we made our way to the exits.
I was the first one to see Emmett.
Ours eyes connected and an infectious grin spread on his face.
"Emmett!" I shouted, running to him and leaving my suitcase behind. He swooped me up into his arms and spun me around.
"Hey kiddo!" he said. "We missed you!" He leaned closer to me. "Especially Rosalie and Parker," he whispered in my ear.
He let go of me. I saw Rosalie, and she had a big smile on her face. I quickly moved to her to give her a hug.
"How are you? Oh, we missed you so much!" she said.
"I'm good. Even better now that I'm back," I said.
Esme, Carlisle, Alice, and Jasper caught up with us, and Jasper had my suitcase along with his.
"Esme! Carlisle!" Rosalie said excitedly. Rosalie hugged Esme and Emmett gave Carlisle one of those "man hugs".
"Let's get to the cars so we can get home!" Alice said excitedly. Every nodded in agreement.
As we put our bags into the cars, Emmett came up to me and Jasper.
"Are we still up to a Rockband jam session when we get back?" he asked.
"You know it!" I said. "Are you in, Jasper?"
"Most definitely," Jasper replied.
"Yes! I'll get either Eddie or Carlisle to join us," Emmett said.
"Well, ma'am, allow me to get your door for you," Jasper said. He opened the car door for me and I climbed in.
"Thank you, sir," I said with a smile.
"Anytime, ma'am. The gentlemen and I will see you when we return to our lodgings," Jasper said.
"I anxiously await our arrival. Goodbye, sir," I replied.
"Do I even want to know?" I heard Emmett say as Jasper shut the car door.
Esme laughed as she gracefully sat down in the car. Rosalie just shook her head. Alice said nothing.
Oh no. Did I upset her? Did I make her mad?
"Alice, I'm sorry. Did I make you mad?" I asked quietly.
She looked back at me, but she was smiling. "Of course not!"
I smiled back. "Okay, good! You were quiet, and I thought you were mad at me."
"No, no, no! He is your brother, after all. I know you're joking," she replied.
The drive home was quiet. Nobody really needed to talk. Esme stroked my hair and I ended up falling asleep, once again, with my head on her shoulder.

-oOo-

"Alex, wake up," Esme said, gently shaking my shoulder.
"Are we home?" I mumbled sleepily.
"Yes, and it is only ten forty-five. The drive was quick. Do you want to go to bed yet?" she asked.
I sat up rather quickly and rubbed my eyes.
"After all the sleeping I've done today, I don't think it's possible to go to bed yet," I said with a giggle.
Someone opened my car door. "I was hoping you would not go to bed yet," a familiar voice said.
I looked up and it was...
Parker.
"Parker!" I squealed. He helped me out of the car then picked me up into his arms. I planted a kiss on his lips then hugged him as tight as I possibly could.
"I missed you," I told him.
"I missed you more, my angel," he replied. "Now, let's grab your bag and get inside with everyone else."
"Sounds like a plan," I said.
We made it into the house when Parker took my suitcase up to my room and back within the blink of an eye. Edward, Bella, and Nessie were in the living room.
"Hi Alex!" Nessie said, coming over and giving me a hug.
"Hey, good to see you again, Nessie!" I replied.
Bella came over and gave me a hug.
"I heard you were very brave," she said. "Thanks for saving Carlisle and Esme."
"Yes, thank you," Edward said.
"It wasn't just me," I said. "He probably wouldn't have believed me if Alice wasn't there."
"Alex, Jasper, and Eddie!" Emmett called. "It's time for some Rockband!"
I smiled and ran into the living room, where everyone was. Emmett sat down in front of the drums while Edward and Jasper picked up the guitars. Great, now what would I do?
"I guess I'll just play the next round," I said, sitting on the couch.
"Nah, I don't think so," Emmett said with his usually goofy grin.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"There is one more instrument," Jasper said.
"What?" I questioned. "We only have the drums and the two guitars."
"There's also... your voice," Edward murmured.
"What? No, no, no. I... Well, I can't... we don't have a microphone."
Alice picked up a brand new microphone in a plastic bag. Of course.
"Well, I... I can't sing," I stammered.
"Ah, that's a lie," Alice said. "When Jasper was out hunting Friday, you were in the bedroom while I was in the living room. I heard you singing, Alex. You're really good."
Shoot. I did sing in Italy, didn't I?
"Please? Please sing?" Alice pleaded.
"I don't know..." I trailed off.
"Please Alex?" Esme asked. "For us?"
I looked at her and took a deep breath. How could I say no to that?
"Oh, just... Just hand me the microphone," I muttered. Alice clapped in delight and handed me the microphone. Emmett already had the game powered up.
"What song will we be doing, Alex?" Emmett asked. "You're singing, so you get to chose."
"That's What You Get by Paramore," I said. "That's my favorite song on the game."
"Coming right up," Emmett said. The song started to load as the musicians showed up on the stage. Hundreds of "fans" stood in the audience.
Holding the microphone with both hands, I took a deep breath before I started singing.
"No sir, well, I don't wanna be the blame
Not anymore.
It's your turn, so take a seat
We're settling the final score.
And why do we like to hurt so much?
I can't decide, you have made it harder
Just to go on.
And why, all the possibilities
Where I was wrong."
I looked over at Emmett. He was smiling.
Get into it, he mouthed.
I smiled. What did I have to lose? I lowered one hand of the mic.
"That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa.
That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa.
I drowned out all my sense
With the sound of its beating.
And that's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa."
I started tapping my foot during the pause. This is actually fun!
"I wonder, how am I supposed to feel
When you're not here?
'Cause I burned every bridge I ever built,
When you were here.
I still try holding onto silly things,
I never learn.
Oh why, all the possibilities
I'm sure you've heard."
Just a little movement wasn't enough. I started doing moves for the lyrics and going over to Emmett then Jasper and Edward.
"That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa.
That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa.
I drowned out all my sense
With the sound of its beating,
And that's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa.
Pain, make your way to me, to me,
And I'll always be just so inviting.
If I ever start to think straight
This heart will start a riot in me.
Let's start, start, hey!
Why do we like to hurt so much?
Oh, why do we like to hurt so much?
That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa!
That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa.
That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa.
Now I can't trust myself
With anything but this,
And that's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa!"
The last notes of the song faded away, and everyone broke out into applause. Did I really just do that? Did I just perform in front of everyone?
"Oh my gosh Alex!" Alice squealed.
"Alex, that was phenomenal!" Esme said.
"You think so?" I asked, starting to blush.
"Absolutely," Carlisle said.
"I don't think I can top that," Rosalie stated.
I looked around at my family. We were together again, united and strong.
"We will always be a family," Edward said reading my mind. "Together forever."
"Truly forever," I said.

-oOo-

Sigh, only one more update then this story is finished... No epilogue to this story!
Please review!
P.S.- You can hear this song by searching "That's What You Get by Paramore" on YouTube (if you haven't heard it already).