"Five minutes," Alice sang excitedly. It had begun snowing as Carlisle and I had reached the house, and none of us could resist standing out in it. It turned the dark and foreboding forest into one that could be home to any mythical creature, although not necessarily vampires. Jasper and Emmett were already eying the girls as the snow came thicker and faster, despite the fact that trying to take Alice by surprise was useless, and throwing anything wet and hard at Rosalie was going to be painful for all of us. I sighed. But boys will be boys. Right on cue, Jasper and Emmett threw a snowball each at their wives. Alice laughed, merely deflecting the snowball aimed at her shoulder with the flick of a finger. Rose, however, was not so lucky. The snow hit the back of her head and exploded into small lumps, sticking to her hair.

"Emmett," she growled, her eyes flashing to her husband while Jasper was doubled over with laughter, having to hang on to Alice for support.

"Yes, precious?" Emmett asked innocently, looking up from where he was studying his nails with apparent interest.

"My hair, you idiot!" she cried, shaking her wet hair at him. "Look at it!"

"Me?" he replied in mock offence. "You thought that was me?"

"Don't push me, Emmett!"

"It was Jasper," he said childishly, pointing a finger at his brother who was still laughing uncontrollably.

"Was it hell!" She began stalking towards him, like a tiger to her prey.

"Bring it, babes," he grinned, inviting her with the curl of a finger.

"Emmett wins," Alice grinned.

Rosalie groaned, stopping in her tracks. "Stuff you Alice."

Emmett singgered. Carlisle chuckled quietly and I smiled. They really were quite amusing.

"Do you find this funny?" Rosalie accused us with wide eyes.

"No, not at all honey," I said seriously, trying to keep my face from twitching and reaching out to put an arm around her.

"You do!" she wailed reaching up to her hair and rushing inside before Emmett and Jasper got another chance to throw their newly made snowballs at her.

"She'll be out before Edward gets home," Alice giggled. Rosalie was such a drama queen, she was either annoying the heck out of you, or amusing you until you laughed your sides sore. But we wouldn't have her any other way.

The family banter continued for the nest few minutes, although you didn't need to be Jasper to tell that everyone was feeling more tense. Rosalie emerged again from the house with a towel turban, her eyes flaming as if she were daring Emmett or Jasper to throw more snow at her. But something told me they had other ideas for the balls of compressed snow in their hands and pockets.

"He's at the drive entrance," Alice said excitedly right as the sound of tyres hit the mud track. I flitted back to Carlisle's side as the sound grew louder and the purr of the engine was now definable as the Mercedes, and he wove his fingers through my own. That was a comfort to me. I was beginning to feel much more anxious, although I appeared to be the only one that way.

Alice was stood in the arms of Jasper, her eyes sparkling as they did when she was excited, while Jasper's were more eager. I was surprised that he was so enthusiastic, but I had a feeling that once all the welcoming were over, and they were back in the school, that would change once again. Rosalie was standing stiffly away from Emmett, still throwing him darks looks, but otherwise looked totally at ease, Emmett, like his brother, looking eager. He darted to Rosalie's side quietly, and pulled his arms tightly around her in an embrace. Her had expression softened slightly, and she lent into him. I sighed happily, so glad that we had each found our true other half. I turned to look at mine. His face was calm, cool and collected, there was nothing in his eyes to he was otherwise, but somehow I could tell he was as nervous as me. He was just a better actor - after all, he had had over three hundred years to perfect it.

Suddenly the black car sped around the corner and straight into the open garage, and out stepped Edward. He was in the same clothes as he was when he left, his hair just as messy, although he was better fed. He grinned at us all, looking at each of our faces in turn, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

"Edward!" Emmett roared. "Where've you been, mate?"

"Come here, you softie!" Jasper yelled, and right on cue, the pair of them pounced on him and pulled him to the floor.

"Oh, I have missed my punch bag!" Emmett boomed. "Jasper wouldn't let me punch him, he made me feel like I was in love with him instead, which was kind of disturbing, so I am so glad you're back!"

"Nice to know my place, Em," Edward mumbled from where he was squashed to the floor under his brothers.

"Glad to hear it, mate!"

"Get off your brother," I laughed, my heart swelling as I saw Edward's face.

"Yes, ma'am," Jasper and Emmett said in unison, jumping up at exactly the same time, and taking a step back together. They grinned at each other slyly.

"Don't you dare," Edward murmured as they both raised their hands.

"Too late!" Emmett cackled, and suddenly snow was flying at Edward at a hundred miles per hour. He stood still for a second with an exasperated expression, and promptly walked in a straight line to the house. Emmett and Jasper looked dismayed for a moment as their target refused to react, but seemed to have a new idea. The rest of us followed Edward in as the boys turned on each other, all hell breaking loose in the form of an immense snowball fight. It was very amusing, and I would have stayed to watch, if it wasn't for Edward.

"Carlisle, can I speak with you?" Edward asked before anyone else could speak.

"Of course," he replied calmly, indicating towards his office upstairs. Edward nodded.

Edward, I love you, I thought as loudly as I could. He smiled at my weakly as he passed, and allowed me to touch his cheek for a moment. I sighed. Poor Edward. I hoped Carlisle could help him, in any way.