Hey, guys! So sorry for the lo-o-o-ng delay! I had a writer's block and can't break it until now... that's what happen when all the vampires are rendered insane. Forgive me for the delay and now enjoy the next chapter! Things might not be that crazy anymore because... they have learnt their lessons. Um. Yeah.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT!

Chapter 23 – The Letter

CARLISLE'S POV

"We've got mail!" Emmett yelled from the beach. I heard him came bounding inside the living room, where Edward, Jasper and I were lying around dejectedly, looking, as Alice had said, like a couple of mothers who had finally delivered their babies.

"Who sent it?" asked Jasper tiredly.

Emmett didn't answer. Instead, there was a loud PLANG! as Emmett broke something that sounded suspiciously like glass bottle.

"What the hell, Emmett?" I hissed, jolted up from my peaceful meditation.

In Emmett's hand was the mouth of a broken bottle, and broken pieces of green glass scattered around the floor. I sighed and closed my eyes.

Lying innocently on top of the damage was a piece of white paper. Emmett bent down and picked it up.

"As I've said, we got mail," Emmett said. Out of curiousity we gathered around him for a better view. Emmett unfurled the tightly scrolled paper and began to read:

"Dear boys,

You have passed the first half of your exile today! Congratulations! Now that you only have the six weeks left before coming back home, and I suggest that you boys really start to polish up your cooking skills.

I will not add anymore punishments upon your fleshly body, as I am sure your holy soul has received the intended messages. But should anyone of you break any of my furniture, house, or any of my favorite Egyptian vase again, I will make sure you will suffer in the Eternal Hell of Esme. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Alas, I hope that you really understand the objective behind the exile. I am not ashamed of my feelings to admit that I missed my husband and sons very much. But sometimes patience DO grow thin. You are all big boys already. You should start to behave more rationally.

I will add no more but "God bless your souls!"

Love,

Esme

PS. The girls sent their love.

Emmett finished reading and we all fell silent. Oh, how I missed my beautiful Esme! I don't know about the others but I felt… sobered by the letter. It was written on a piece of old, scented parchment, and Esme's flourish calligraphy danced on the page like an embrace. I close my eyes and remembered her scent by my side, her soft locks around my neck as we gaze upon the night sky on this very island…

We stood there like four statues, deep in our own thoughts. I think about three days passed before anyone spoke anything.

Emmett surveyed the house, and said the most astonishing thing he had ever uttered:

"Let's clean up!"

BELLA'S POV

The magic worked! Esme was the perfect, loving mother right to her core. Who knows that a small piece of letter can do such wonder to the hearts of men?

We watched excitedly as the boys cleaned up the house, as Emmett had so wonderingly suggested, in half an hour. Pillows were straightened, dust swept, dirty laundry and plates cleaned, everything put back in apple pie order. When they had finished the interior of the house, they scouted the beach and cleaned up any towels or undergarments that were baking underneath the bright sun. Emmett had suddenly become an obsessive compulsory and even tried to straighten the coconut trees. Thank god Carlisle dissuaded him before he breaks Esme's trees.

"Do you think they've really sobered up?" asked Rosalie suspiciously as Emmett actually washed his own socks while Jasper, adorned in his apron, was scrubbing up pots so vigorously that the metal are in a danger of being scrubbed thin. Carlisle was vacuuming the whole house and Edward was arranging all the furniture.

"I hope so," smiled Esme.

"Well, I'm sure no vase will be broken this time," said Alice. I looked at our little pixie, and saw that she looked serious rather than enjoying the fun that the boys are slaving away. Alice felt my glance and smiled at me. I returned the gesture but wasn't sure if Alice was herself. Something was on her mind, and I wondered what it is…

It is short compared to the previous chapters... but I've really ran out of catastrophe now and would appreciate some suggestions...

Even if you don;t have, reviews are too appreciated! I promise to upload tomorrow!