Bella

A few hours later we pulled up in front of a house I assumed was the home of the Denali clan. It looked like it had just fallen out of a picture postcard. It was a log cabin, two stories, complete with a large front porch and a stone chimney. It was delightful. It was nestled back into the woods a little and there were a few large trees giving shade over the entire front yard. There were thick trees behind the house and it seemed like the whole place was enchanted. I half expected gnomes and fairies to come out and play.

We got a pixie instead.

Alice came bounding out of the house before Edward had even cut the engine. She launched herself at Edward the moment he got out of the car. I walked around the front of the car to join them.

"Edward! I'm so glad to see you! It has been too long since I saw you last. You look so much better, happier."

He grinned and hugged her tightly. "I'm glad to see you again too, you little pixie."

Alice turned to me and captured me in a hug.

"Bella! I am so glad you did this. And you are wearing the clothes I bought you too!"

She sounded ecstatic. I scowled at her. I wore the pale pink dress she had packed for me. It had little cap sleeves and eyelet lace around the sweetheart neckline. It had seemed more appropriate than all the tropical sundresses she had packed. I wore my favorite white Ked sneakers with it. I wasn't about to put on the ridiculous sandals she had bought.

"You really didn't give me much choice, did you Alice? Since you stole all my clothes? It was wear these or nothing at all."

"I had to Bella," Alice said. "Everything you packed was so boring. I knew you would want to look dazzling when you saw Edward again." I was exasperated but I had to admit to myself that she was right. Seeing the glow in Edward's eyes when I had worn those blue pajamas had made her theft worth it, almost.

"Let's go inside," Edward said.

Alice led the way up the stairs and into the house. I could feel the tension in Edward as we walked inside. It was a large room and I was surprised to see that the whole back wall was glass, just like at the Cullen's home in Forks. Esme must have helped with the design of this home too.

The room was decorated in warm creams, caramels and chocolate browns. The walls were natural log and the entire feel was rustic without being hokey. The room we were in looked like the living room; there were several large couches and arm chairs. A huge natural stone fireplace took up the left wall and to my right there was a large staircase. Emmett and Rosalie were standing next to it. I was surprised; I had not expected to see them here.

Jasper was standing, leaning against a wall beside them. He looked uncomfortable and that made me sad. I did not want things to be awkward with Jasper. He looked at Edward and then seemed to relax a little. Alice went to stand by him and she put her arm around his shoulders. Carlisle and Esme were standing next to one of the couches and it was Esme who came forward first.

"Edward! It is so good to see you again, son." She hugged him and it looked like she might be crying, if that were possible.

"I'm glad to see you again too, Mom." Edward grinned. Esme gasped and smiled. Then she turned to me.

"Bella, thank you so, so much for what you have done. It means so much to all of us to have Edward back with us and it is all because of you." She kissed me softly on the forehead and pulled me into her embrace. I blushed at her welcome but I was happy to see her again too.

"I'm glad to see you again too, Esme. I've missed you." She hugged me tighter in response.

Carlisle walked up to Edward and hugged him. Then he turned and hugged me as well.
"Thank you for giving us back our family, daughter." I felt tears form in my eyes at his words.

"Thanks Carlisle. It's good to see you again."

All the worry that I had felt at seeing Edward's family again dissipated in the face of their delighted reactions. Edward squeezed my hand and I looked up at him and smiled. He smiled my favorite crooked smile at me and I felt Esme's joy as she stood beside me.

"About time you showed up again Edward," Emmett's voice boomed across the room. "You too, Bella." He winked at me and I had to giggle. Everything was so easy and carefree with Emmett.

I saw Rosalie smile at me. She didn't come forward but she didn't look angry. It was enough.

I saw Alice gently nudge Jasper and he approached us warily. It seemed like everyone in the room went still, waiting for our reaction. Jasper stood in front of Edward and looked at him cautiously. Edward held out his arms and took Jasper into a bear hug. Neither spoke but I felt the tension ease and Emmett's laugh echoed around the room. Jasper looked up at Edward questioningly and I saw Edward nod.

Jasper turned to me and the room went still again.

He looked nervous and I smiled up at him. He took one of my hands in his cold one.

"Bella, I am so very sorry for what happened on your birthday. I swear to you that I will never ever hurt you. Can you ever forgive me for what happened?" He looked worried about my answer.

I reached out with my other hand and held his in both of mine.

"I forgave you the moment it happened, Jasper. I know that you would never harm me. Please don't give it another thought." I impulsively reached up and hugged him. He froze for a moment then hugged me back.

"Welcome back to the family, little sister." Jasper said. It was the first time he had ever acknowledged me that way and I felt tears of happiness in my eyes. I grinned up at him.

I felt all the tension in the room dissipate. I guessed that they must have been as worried about my reaction to Jasper as I had been about all of theirs.

I noticed for the first time that there were other people in the room besides Edward's family. There were five of them, all standing off to the left, watching the little family reunion. Edward introduced them.

"Bella, this is Tanya, Irina, Kate, Carmen and Eleazar. They are our other family."

They were all mind-blowingly beautiful. I nodded at them in welcome and they all came forward to introduce themselves one at a time. I wondered what they thought of me. I felt like a dandelion in a bouquet of roses.

One of the women, a gorgeous silvery blonde came forward first.

"I'm Irina and this is Kate," she motioned to another beautiful blonde woman who was standing next to her. "It is very nice to meet you at last." They smiled warmly at me. I could find nothing to say in the face of such staggering beauty so I just smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.

The dark haired couple introduced themselves next. "And I am Carmen and this is Eleazar. It is a pleasure to meet you. We have heard much about you from Carlisle and the rest of the family." They were a striking couple, with an olive tone to their pale skin. I felt myself blush hotly at their words. I was not sure what the Cullen's might have said about me, especially Emmett. They looked at me, seemingly perplexed by my reaction.

The last one to approach was a stunningly beautiful strawberry blonde. She looked at me questioningly and I felt Edward stiffen at my side. She looked him with a sheepish look and I decided I didn't want to know whatever it was that she had been thinking.

"I am Tanya," she said. "We are glad that you are here, you have made Edward very happy again."

"It is very nice to meet all of you as well." I looked around me in wonder. There were so many breathtakingly beautiful people around me, men and women, that I felt rather insignificant. Only knowing how much Edward loved and wanted me gave me any feeling of peace when surrounded by such magnificence. I looked up at him now and I knew he could read the uncertainty in my eyes. I wasn't sure where to progress from here. Edward stepped in and came to my rescue.

"Let's all sit down and talk," he suggested.