I landed with a hard thud.

There was pale blue sky above me, fringed with red and orange leaves. It was autumn. With my arms spread wide against the earth, I watched a red leaf flutter down in a spiral.

I was laying on some sort of dirt mound. There were flowers strewn around me. But they weren't wild—they were floral arrangements. That was strange.

Frowning, I tilted my head back even farther to see more and promptly squeezed my eyes shut.

It was a grave.

There was something funny to be found in this situation. I even laughed. It was a crazed sound, the kind you hear in movies when a patient is being dragged away by the orderlies. I was pretty sure that I was steps away from a nervous breakdown. I laughed until tears were flowing down my cheeks. It was an uncontrollable swing from giggles to sobbing. The transition from near death experiences to ordinary human events back to time travel had boiled over.

When I calmed down, I began to think coherently again. The first thing I had to do was get the hell out of this cemetery.

Whatever cosmic force that controlled my time travel was having a great laugh at my expense. Well, that was over. I pushed myself to my feet with my good hand, brushing the dirt off my jeans.

The second thing I had to do was determine the year and where I was. I didn't dare hope to be in Cullen territory. It was better to think of other things—to prepare for the worst—until I saw them with my own eyes.

Several cars went by me, affirming my rising suspicions. I was definitely in the fifties again. God, when was I ever going to get out of them? The sixties would have better music—and hopefully less danger.

Though I was hesitant to hitchhike, I didn't feel like walking farther than I had to. I stood waiting for nearly a half an hour. Finally, two curious old women picked me up. They seemed nice enough, but also apprehensive about my appearance. I was sure that was nightmarish. I gave them some money for their trouble and they chose not to question me.

The license plate told me we were in Michigan. Another northern state where hunting activities would go unnoticed. A positive sign.

"Here's fine," I said hurriedly when the local hospital came into view. I gave the last of my money away to a bored nurse for the whereabouts of Carlisle's office. With my heart pounding, I dashed up the stairs. If anyone knew where Edward was, it was the vampire who made him.

Carlisle looked up from his paperwork when the door opened, then he froze. For a moment he was unnaturally still. Then with a speed I still hadn't grown used to, he rounded his desk and pulled me into a hug.

Tears sprung to my eyes at once. I stiffened. The reality hit me so fast I couldn't breathe. They were all okay, of course they were. Everything was okay now. James was gone. If Carlisle was fine, then so was everyone else.

"Bella. Thank God."

I could hear the desperation my voice. "All of you?"

"Everyone is safe," he assured me. "Safe and sound, thanks to you."

"I don't know what that was, Carlisle. That's never happened to me before. I don't know where to begin with it."

"I have my theories," he said with a glance to the work he left behind. "We can discuss that later."

"Where's Edward?"

His expression grew pained. "We convinced him to go to school today, but he's . . . he's not well, Bella."

I felt my knees wobble. "But you said—"

Carlisle steered me to a seat. "Physically, he's fine. But mentally . . . he's struggling with his gift. He's having trouble separating the thoughts of others from his own."

I always took that ability for granted. Edward's gift required constant work to maintain a comfortable mental state. But with enough trauma, that careful control could come crumbing down.

I shook my head. I had to see him. I was sure when we met again, all the pain would pour away like water. We could help each other.

He seemed to follow my train of thought. "Take my keys. Drive north for ten minutes. The school will be on your left."

I hugged him again. There was no lack of father figures in my life, but Carlisle had a serenity I cherished. He worked tirelessly with his family to protect me. He knew was it was like to live in fear of discovery. And the loneliness that came from hiding a secret.

His '54 Eldorado was waiting for me behind the hospital. Despite the climates they chose, they really loved the convertibles. With a burst of spontaneity, I jumped over the door into the seat. The gear shift jabbed at my ribs and knocked the wind out of me.

I groaned. Being cool was just not in the cards. Luckily no one was around to witness my mortification. Scowling, I pulled out of the parking lot and sped north.

The day must have just ended. Students were flooding out of the school, ducking into cars and shrugging on coats. I parked and sat waiting, straining my eyes through the glass. In a sea of faces, there was only one I kept watch for.

Finally that glorious bronze shade appeared among the rest. My heart clenched. Even from this distance I could see his head drooping. He looked tired. One boy jostled him carelessly as he went by, but Edward didn't even meet his eyes. He looked as haggard as . . . well, me.

People turned their heads as I passed. I was used to that. My clothes were always wrong and I stood out while everyone looked the same. But I didn't care; I only had eyes for him.

He must have seen me in their minds. That or my scent reached him before I did. His head shot up, eyes opening wide. I'd never forget the expression on his face—shock combined with boundless joy. All of my fears melted away in that moment. He wasn't hurt. He was alive. He was so close I could smell that strange fragrance all the Cullens had, an irresistible lure for humans like me. My footsteps were light as I ran to him.

My heart was bursting. The Edward from 1962 was going to be a reality. He assured me the future we had together was worth what we went through. Now, it felt like his words were coming true.

My Edward crossed the distance between us and held my face in his hands. He held it as tenderly as if I was made of glass. Up close, I could see the same dark circles under his eyes. He could not read my thoughts, nor I his, but I sensed the night of September 13, 1956 was on both of our minds. Fresh tears gathered at the thought. It was a night we came so close to losing each other.

My hands curled around the collar of his shirt. His cool breath and tongue were in my mouth, his hand coiled in my hair. One of us sighed. The kiss seemed to go on forever. I thought that if we knitted together, no harm would come to us again. We would be invincible as one being. I never wanted this to stop.

But he did stop. We were in the school courtyard. It was not the place for this. But I still heard my own breathless protest.

"What's wrong?"

"Not here," Edward murmured. He saw the car keys in my hand. "You drive."

We scurried to the car past the last few onlookers. Edward slid seamlessly over the hood to the other side, then jumped into the passenger seat. My jaw dropped open. Of course he perfected that move.

"Turn here. Head south for a bit."

Edward didn't make driving easy for me. He pressed a wandering hand on my thigh. The other moved my hair behind my shoulders. The icy brush of his lips on my neck made me shiver.

He directed me to the same graveyard from this afternoon. I laughed. It had seemed so foreboding when I arrived here on my own, but with him, it was a secret, secluded place. A place just for us.

"What's so funny?"

I shook my head, smiling. I wanted to show him. He watched me curiously as we walked through the gate. After a minute or two, I found the grave and pointed.

"This is where I landed."

"Edna Carson," he read, his head cocked to one side. "Beloved wife, mother, and wayward traveler."

"Wayward traveler, huh? I guess she and I have something in common."

We stood there for a few minutes before we moved on. There was a maple tree nearby. I remembered that was the very first thing I saw in this trip to the past. The red leaf sat on the ground where I left it. I picked it up. I wanted it pressed and framed in our room.

Edward took off his jacket and motioned for me sit. Sitting with our legs crossed across from one other, it was like the early days of our relationship. When we talked for hours and hours about everything. When everything was new and safe. Unmarred by enemy vampires.

Edward held my wrist in his hands. He held it so tenderly I felt nothing at all. Sometimes I forgot about his endless degrees and certificates. He and Carlisle could probably open their own practice if they wanted to.

I watched him study the cast for a moment. Apparently the doctor from my time had wrapped it in an acceptable fashion.

"What happened to the others?"

His eyes glinted with a malice I had never seen from him. "We disposed of them rather quickly after you disappeared. There was only one survivor—the female."

I could see her in my mind's eye. Victoria. She looked at me as I stood staring over the ashes in a way I would always remember. Her eyes were onyx black and full of hate. My hands trembled at the thought.

"She'll never go near you again," he promised, watching my reaction with sharp eyes. "We'll find her."

"How?"

Edward shook his head. "You'll have to see it to believe it."

I let the matter drop. I didn't even want to say her name anymore. Speak of the devil and she will come, I thought darkly. The graveyard was empty but I had been fooled before.

I turned back to Edward. His eyes were on my good hand. I watched him trace an inquisitive finger across my palm. I closed my hand and trapped his finger there.

"What did it feel like?"

"Wonderful," I admitted, my gaze falling to the ground. For the first time, I felt ashamed to think that.

The light bursting from my hands was akin to an electric shock. I felt it charging through me in a searing wave that night. I remembered the hiss that followed when the heat clashed with cold skin. I remembered James screaming.

The power I felt wasn't an uncomfortable feeling by any means. But the pleasure I derived from the experience was completely foreign to me.

"I liked I was able to do that to someone evil," I murmured after a long moment. "It felt good to see . . . to see him suffer."

I met his eyes, expecting to see revulsion in them. I found none. Instead I recognized a shade of what looked like pride, even triumph. "What?"

"He deserved what he got," he told me, cupping my cheek. "Feeling good about hurting someone who hurt you . . . that's not wrong."

"Does that make me like him? To enjoy the pain I caused?"

"No! You're not like him at all. Bella, that creature had been killing for centuries. He enjoyed the hunt and the fear in the eyes of his victims. He killed those girls in Portland and a kind man who was looking out for you. You performed an act of justice."

"But—"

"Bella," he interrupted, pressing one hand to my heart. "You saved my life. You saved our family. You protected yourself. A condition you've spent your whole life enduring just became your greatest weapon."

"And you don't . . . " I struggled to find the words. "You don't see me differently?"

"Not in the the slightest," he assured me. "You'll always be my Bella. But I now know better than to make you angry."

I swatted at his hand. "Hey!"

Edward ducked, anticipating my attack. What he didn't expect was me to dart forward and press my lips to his. It was an echo of our kiss by the school, tinged with longing. Judging from the low growl in his throat, he didn't mind at all. He pulled away after a few minutes, looking sheepish.

"Should we be doing this here? Isn't it disrespectful?"

I traced the smooth line of his lip. "It's just us and the ghosts."

His eyes fell closed as my mouth replaced my fingers. The kiss deepened and a low oath escaped his lips. He pulled away from me to lay back against the grass. I wondered if he sensed my need to control us this time. I undid the buttons on my shirt with shaky fingers. I wouldn't think of the torn dress and the night chill against my skin. That was in the past.

I sank down onto him with an oath of my own. Nothing felt so right as when I was with him. He shuddered at the rock of my hips. I pulled his hands up so they rested there, giving him permission to guide me. He sat up suddenly so we were nose to nose. We both moaned. It felt the best this way. He tilted my chin up so he could kiss my neck.

I wanted to memorize this moment for all time.

Afterward we lay huddled under his jacket. The stars had come out and the graveyard was quiet. Peaceful.

"How long has it been?"

I could tell he didn't want to say. "Three years."

My eyes fluttered shut. I could barely handle a couple days and he spent three years without me. I rolled so my back was to him. It was so unfair.

"Don't be upset."

I turned back to face him. "Why aren't you?"

He seized my hand and pulled it to his lips. "You're here now. It may get lonely sometimes, but when you come back . . . it's worth it. Trust me."

"I do," I whispered. "It's me I don't trust."

"Why not?"

"My life is going on in the next century," I said sadly. I remembered my harrowing flights and dinner with my dad. "Every time I go home, I'm scared I won't come back."

"Carlisle is still looking for Elliot," Edward said firmly, pulling me into his arms. "Maybe if we find him, he can tell us more about how your condition works."

But still I wondered. In 2005, I was moving and starting a new school. I was living two lifetimes in the span of one. Sometimes it was difficult to wrap my mind around. I wondered when the timelines would converge. There was still forty-six years between then and now.

"You have goosebumps."

"I usually do when you're around."

He snickered at that. "No, I mean it's getting cold. Let me take you home."

I took one last look at the graveyard as we dressed. It was another place I'd always have a link to, even if I never saw it again.

The Cullens upgraded their car collection in my absence. There was even a motorcycle sitting in the driveway. It had to belong to Emmett or Rosalie. I parked behind it and turned off the car. As we started on the pathway to the house, Edward held me back.

"There's something else," he said softly.

"What?"

"We have some newcomers in the coven. They were waiting when we moved here."

"Waiting for you?"

"They have gifts," he explained as we walked. "Gifts far more impressive gifts than mine."

I didn't have much time to digest his words. Before I knew it we were walking down a hallway to the living room. Then I saw them.

I felt myself step backward involuntarily, bumping into Edward's chest. Meeting unfamiliar vampires was going to take some getting used to. It had not gone well the last time.

The two were as beautiful as the rest. The female was small, smaller than even me, with short jet black hair. The male beside her was a lean and wiry blond. Not the first two people I'd put together, but there was a sense of harmony to them. Mates in every sense of the word. It seemed opposites really did attract.

"Bella, this is Alice Brandon and Jasper Whitlock."

I smiled uncertainly. "Hello."

Alice smiled back. "Hello, Bella."

Her mate nodded in my direction. "Pleasure to meet you."

It was a pleasure, I realized. My anxieties faded away like a flickering candle. The uncertainty I felt only a moment ago was gone. But how? Nothing had been said. Before I could analyze my newfound bliss further, it rose again in a swell.

"Not too much, Jasper," Edward cautioned from behind me.

"Too much what?" I asked.

"What you felt just now is Jasper's power," he explained, one hand pressed to my back in a reassuring gesture. "He can manipulate the emotions of those around him. A subtle but effective gift."

My eyes flickered back to Jasper, who tipped an imaginary hat in my direction. "Forgive my rudeness, Bella, but it was the clearest way to illustrate what I can do."

Like the other Cullens, Jasper had a charm about him. "Of course."

Alice was watching me from her place by the sofa. I met her eyes and blushed. Still smiling, she shook her head at Edward.

"All I see is darkness."

"Yes," Edward agreed, guiding me to a chair. I sat down, but watched the proceedings with inquisitive eyes. "How puzzling."

"What?"

"I'm gifted with the Sight," she told me. "I see the things that are coming, things that could happen . . . a subjective future, in a way."

My eyes widened. A psychic and a feelings . . . manipulator. Impressive gifts indeed. The Cullen family had become a powerful coven. Emmett's awesome strength, Edward's telepathy, Alice's visions, Jasper's emotional pull, and my blasting time power. It was almost too much to take in.

"Did you see me coming?"

Her smile faltered. "No."

Before I could ask any more of her, Emmett burst in from outside. With a great roar of laughter he picked me up from my chair and swung me around. I wriggled in his arms, kicking my feet helplessly. He ignored my struggling. "It's the traveler!"

"The traveler who can burn you to ash if you don't let me go."

He dropped me so fast I gasped. I never hit the floor. Edward was steadying me before I could even think about it. It was if I never fell at all.

"That's more like it," I huffed, folding my arms. "Don't mess with me."

Then Rosalie was there, her perfume following her like a shadow. They were all there. As I studied the room, full of old and new faces, I realized this was home.

Edward caught my eye and beamed. It was another moment I wanted to remember for all time. The way he ducked his head when he smiled, the comfort of his hand around mine.

It was as close to perfect as life could get.

A/N: Alice and Jasper have finally arrived! Lol. So many of you were asking about them.

I hope Santa was good to everyone! But here's my gift to you: to ring in 2016, I'm going to post two chapters next week (due to length). Just as before, one will post on Monday and the next will be on Friday.

Happy Kwanzaa to those who celebrate, and I'll see you all next year! (I hate that saying, but I had to! Lol.)