Now, I know that some of you may believe that you're too old for animated movies, but no one is too old for comedy. If you haven't seen 'Ratatouille' yet, go watch it, or it will make me very sad inside. I may even go into a coma, which means no more chapters. Ooh, I like that. I just threatened someone while wearing a wonder woman cape and devil ears. . Yay! My quest for epicness is fulfilled! From now on, I am Wonder Devil! Hear me roar! (chugs more root beer)

Anyway, here's the next chapter to this story. AGH!! I can't wait to get further into it!!!!! (dances with excitement)I know that right now there's not much excitement, but mark my words; THE BEST IS YET TO COME! I promise! Besides, this one's cute. And we get Carlisle!! Woohoo!!!!!! (squeals of joy and love)

All characters and original story belong to Lady Meyer. All of you should bow down on your knees and kiss her feet. Only if she recently got a pedicure though. Please, be sanitary. (Sorry, Stephenie, I'm sure your feet are clean, it's just the insanity talking. Typing. Whatever, I should write the story now.)

R&R!!! Or I'll hire a hitman!

-L-

Aren't you glad I finally saw the ruler button? I sure am.

Bella

I could hear the hum of the tires against the road as we made our way to wherever it was we were going. Alice had her hands in my hair, forming a single French braid down the middle. I wondered how it looked; my eyes still blinded to my surroundings. The scents I picked up were mingled; some Emmett's, some Alice's, and some belonged to the fresh smell of Emmett's jeep.

I sighed, Emmett laughing at the act.

I turned to face the front, wishing I could have as piercing eyes as Edward and Alice did.

"So, Bella's alive." He says the words happily, but I can sense the taste of sympathy in his voice as well. "Never thought I'd see that coming." He added, playfully.

"Still, I get my little playmate again, right?" he teased. I smiled a little, remembering the times when he was so much more than a playmate. He was like an older brother to me. He still was, really, only now he was the brother who was dragging me to some place in who knows where, and I wouldn't know how to get back. Not quickly, anyway.

"Don't be so sure." Alice teased. "I don't know if she'll forgive you for this one." She added. Emmett made a sniffling sound, as if he were pretending to cry. I could imagine the big, confident smile he always had plastered on that face of his.

"After what we've done for her, she better forgive me. Or else I'll tell Edward about her other man." He threatened. My brows furrowed from under the blindfold in confusion and anger.

"What other man?!" I whined against the accusation. After Edward left, it seemed that no one existed at all, least of all men.

He laughed. "The one I can easily fabricate. I have a great imagination, Bella. Just so you know." He laughed darkly. I felt like I was being verbally harassed.

Alice tied the rubber band around the end of the braid, finishing her work just as I felt the jeep come to halt. My door was opened, but, having had heard no other doors open from the jeep just yet, I knew it was someone else.

"Bella, I'm afraid the last time I saw you so agitated was the day we last spoke." Said a familiar voice. Almost instantly, I knew it was Carlisle. When his hand found mine to bring me down from the seat, I threw myself at him. I laughed, hugging him tighter than humanly possible. He seemed to be taken aback at first, but after a while, I'm pretty sure he returned the embrace. He let me down gently, leading me towards a few steps and then to a door.

I could hear it being flung open, no grace in the quick act. I was still blinded, but I could feel the soft, wavy hair against my cheek as I was caught in another hug.

'Esme.' I thought to myself with glee. She felt just the same as when I last saw her, and I trust that her physical description would still be the same.

"Oh, Bella, honey, how I've missed you!" she whispered affectionately. I could feel Carlisle standing by her. I smiled, hoping they would untie the blindfold now.

The fragrance from the house hit me like slap. I'd embedded this scent into my heart and soul after I left Forks, but now it was all around me, no longer just a simple memory. The blindfolds had yet to be removed, but all I needed to know that we were in the Cullen house was given.

I stumbled a little, dumbfounded by my scenery. Carlisle was there to assure that I wouldn't trip just yet. My grip was strong, I know; but he didn't react to it. Not in any way that my other senses could tell. He was leading me somewhere. I could feel the presence of everyone else beside and behind us. I think I even recognized a hint of Rosalie's scent. I so wanted to remove the cloth from my eyes. I wanted to see her and ask her if she still hated me so. I wanted to beg her to accept me, to be friends with her. I wanted to be able to go to her when Alice was being too forceful on the dress-up games.

I didn't want to dwell on that right now, though. Everything was too perfect to let myself drown.

Carlisle gently removed my death grip on his shoulder and backed away from me. I was about to speak, when I felt Emmett's arms swiftly under me, lifting me up high, like a trophy. I squeaked like a mouse, squirming around under his hold.

"Don't do that, or you'll fall over, dear." I heard Esme laugh. It seemed as though we were going up the stairs, but they went higher than I remembered. Perhaps I hadn't remembered it as well as I'd thought.

Right as I was to demand my destination, Emmett set me down. I could feel smooth, strong hands place themselves on either side of my shoulders. The hands were not as big as Emmett's; causing me to think-hope-that Edward had caught up with us. Cool lips grazed themselves against my bare throat, and I knew it was him. A smile unwillingly lit up my face at the thought. His hands moved up to the blindfold, untying it with ease. It fell to my side after it was off.

At first, the bright lights in the hall were all I could see, assuring me that nightfall had come. I blinked a few times to find that there was a new door in the hall. It was right next to Alice's bedroom door, only this one had a fresher scent. Somehow it seemed newer, like a recent addition to the house. I looked around profoundly confused. The faces around me were all welcoming, full of love. Even Rosalie didn't scowl, though I didn't necessarily feel love either.

This door was new. I'd memorized all that my mind could before I left. That included their house. Especially their house. This door was not here before, yet it seemed to have been a part of this building since the beginning. I reached to open it, but Alice and Emmett were in my way instantly. I looked at them, confused again.

"First of all," said Emmett, "Edward, did you set everything up already?" he asked. I turned to Edward, wishing I knew what was going on. He smiled.

"Of course. It will be up to her whether she wants to keep it that way though." He replied. I turned back to Emmett, who made a short nod towards Carlisle.

"Bella," Carlisle said my name as if I were his own child. "As you know, we all loved having you be a part of our family." He started. My eyes shifted towards to Rosalie, but they didn't stay. I returned my gaze to Carlisle.

"And though we would understand if you don't wish to do this, we want you to know that our arms will always be open to you." Esme added quickly. Carlisle nodded and then continued.

"We would only ask that you accept us as your new family." He said slowly. I think that was his way of saying that even so, he understood as well that they wouldn't really be able to replace Charlie and Renee.

I turned to everyone in disbelief. Emmett had the face of a little boy; ecstatic. I laughed at him, feeling as though I could cry. Jasper was only smiling at me, but that meant so much coming from him. Alice was jumping up and down, looking even more like a little pixie as she danced in her place. Esme and Carlisle looked at me with the eyes of parents and Rosalie even gave me a warm smile. I truly felt that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't so bad after all.

And Edward. I saved him for last, knowing that it would be the loveliest face to see. His eyes were smoldering, his smile full of love and passion. My hands rose to cover my mouth, for I was speechless. I couldn't find the right words to say for what I knew would come as soon as I turned that knob. I could feel my vocal cords doing something, but I couldn't tell what until everyone else joined me. We were laughing. I reached for the knob, but Edward gently pushed my hand away and opened it for me.

It had bookshelves full of books. Books from my room in Charlie's house and books that he had obviously just bought. Some I didn't even recognize. That was almost the best part. The shelves were endless; filling one corner of the room to the next. The walls were crimson red with golden leaves spread around as if a wind had just blown. There were purple bubble-like lanterns on one side, to light up the room if I didn't want the light from the ceiling. The bed had red, purple, green and golden blankets and throws fixed perfectly on top of each other as comfortable golden pillows spread across the end of it. My boxes of things from home were set in the corner, obviously for me to display however I wished.

But the best part was that the pictures of Edward and me that I'd taken the day he left were placed on a dresser beside my bed. A stereo lay on a small table next to a desk with a new computer on it. It was playing the CD he had given me for my birthday, my song ringing through the walls of the room. It was heaven on earth.

I couldn't even begin to think of how to thank them. When had they even managed to find the time to do this, anyway? It seemed like something that would take time, even for vampires. And why would they do it?

But Edward wouldn't allow me to ask. That much I could tell by his hold around my waist, as he helped to stay standing.

I looked up at him to find that his eyes had somehow returned to that lovely butterscotch, even though he still hadn't hunted since the rain. His eyes were smoldering once again, only this time I could actually hear what they'd wanted to say all along; ever since the blindfold was placed on me as I struggled out of Emmett's grasp. Edward said the words as they were spoken in my mind.

"Welcome home."

Edward

A smile I had never seen before played across her lips. It was astounding. Never had I seen her look that beautiful. Her hair rested lightly on her shoulders, her lights lit up so much, I felt as though I were looking at a million stars in one place. I was the one blinded now.

She couldn't bring herself to enter until Emmett gave her a little shove inside. At first she turned to run back out, but when Alice took her by the hand and flung her to the bed, she laughed and started to unwrap all the throws tangling herself inside them all. She was a ball of blankets now as she smiled at me.

I knew that whatever questions and complaints she may have for the 'attention' we gave her, they would never escape her lips. She was happy. She was happy and that was all I needed to live forever by her side. Just her and that smile.

Alright, now everyone say it with me…

"Aw….."

-L-