Hey, I'm back. I'm now done with school, softball and I just got back from a vacation so I now have time to write and I'm feeling better. I don't know if anyone will still read this since it's taken me sooo long to continue, but thanks to any of you who have patiently waited. I am not proud of this chapter but I thought I owed you something so here you go…

I guess you can say that this was what I have been hoping for, but it also bringing back the pain that I have learned to contain. You see, even though I started to move on with my life I never really got over Alice leaving, I just learned to deal with the pain.

With all that has happened in the past 24 hours, I'm just living from moment to moment because everything is changing. But there are three things I know for sure. First, Alice is back, for how long, I don't know but she's back. Second, even though Alice is back, I may never see her alive and well again. And third, her daughter is sleeping upstairs in the old guest room and I now am responsible for her.

I looked around the large living room to see Edward and Carlisle deep in conversation and Esme slowly rocking Noah back and forth. I fought against my eyelids which refused to stay open. I had been up for over 36 hours and I was exhausted. Not to mention today was a long day with trying to getting to Paige settled in and comfortable.

As my eyelids won and sleep began to take over I heard my name, which made me sit up again and look around to see who it was.

"I need to include Bella on this decision" Edward said to Carlisle as he buried his face in his hands covering up his frustrated gaze.

"Include me in what?" I budded in.

Edward got up, moved over to me and put his arm around my shoulder, "What we will do now" I gave him a confused look, he continued, "What we will do with Paige?"

I smiled, that was easy, "Take care of her until Alice is better."

Edward nodded, "But what if Alice doesn't get better?"

I gulped, I hadn't thought about that. But it was kind of too late to turn back she was with us and we can't just turn her out. I looked into his beautiful green eyes, "We can't just turn her away, I guess we'll have to take her in and raise her."

Edward smiled like that was what he wanted to hear. "Ok" he mumbled, "Where will we live?"

I turned my head to the side in confusion, "What do you mean? I thought we would just go home. I know the apartment's small but we were planning on buying a house soon anyway."
"So you want to go back to Portland?" he questioned quickly.

I began to nod but Esme interrupted, "You can't go back to Portland!" she screamed.

I turned my head quickly to look at her, "Why?"

"You have to think about Paige too" she said gently.

"I am."

"Then did you think about this" Esme questioned, "How will Paige see Alice? Will you drive her up here weekly? Or how about when Alice wakes up, Alice will want to see her daughter but she'll be in a different state! You can't keep moving her around; she needs to be in a stable, loving home right now."

"Oh" I mumbled looking at the ground, I hadn't thought about that.

"Think about it this way" Esme continued softer, "If for some reason you were in the hospital and lets just say that Alice was the only one that was able to take Noah, would you want her taking him 4 ½ hours away from you?"

I continued to stare at the ground as I slowly shook my head no. Edward tightened his grip around me and pulled me closer. "It's up to you love" he whispered in my ear, "Whatever you want."

I leaned back against him and thought for awhile, "At least for now, I guess we can stay here. We'll see what happens; I'm on maternity leave anyway so I won't miss any work."

I work for a smaller local newspaper in Portland, they where giving me 6 months off starting in September but when Noah came early they told me that they'll just add on two extra months.

I looked at Edward who was grimacing, then it hit me. "You can't miss work" I murmured, he nodded. "Then why are we talking about this, we need to go home."

He shook his head, "I need to go home, you on the other hand need to be here right now."

"But Edward," I cried, "I can't do this without you. I need you, I need you Edward."

He chuckled and wiped a tear from my eye, "You're stronger than you think you are. Don't worry; you can always call; as soon as you need me I'll be here. And every weekend I'll come back."

I nodded but continued to fight back tears, "I don't know if I can do this on my own Edward. At least the taking care of the kids' part, I don't know how."

Esme laughed lightly, "I saw you today with Paige, you have nothing to worry about, but if it makes you feel any better I'll help you anytime. Heck, I'll even get up with Noah at night if you want."

I smiled, "Thanks Esme. Are you guys sure that your ok with us staying here, otherwise I'm sure we could stay with Renee and Phil."

"Don't be silly Bella" Carlisle said, it was the first time he had spoken throughout this. I had almost forgot he was here. "We have more than enough room for all of you. Our house is empty without the boys, we would be more than happy to have you."

I gave him a shy smile, "Are you sure?"

He rolled his eyes and smiled, "You are family Bella, this is your house too."

"Thank you" I said humbly.

The others continued to talk and Esme gushed over Noah, again. I leaned back against Edward and let sleep take over me. After awhile I came around enough to realize I was no longer on the couch, actually I was floating in the air. Well not really but Edward was carrying me to the steps.

"Put me down" I yawned trying to be stern. Edward just laughed. "I'm not a child Edward, put me down. You're going to hurt yourself."

"Bella, you're no more than a feather to me" he laughed kissing my forehead.

I closed my eyes but continued to talk, "What kind of feathers have you seen in you're lifetime? 'Cause as far as I know a feather doesn't weigh this much. Edward just put me down before you hurt yourself."

He chuckled, "Bella, I've carried you before and I didn't get hurt. Nothings changed."

I rolled my eyes, "Expect for the fact that I just had your baby and I've gained weight."

"So are you insulting my strength now?" he smiled.
I put my hand up in frustration. "No Edward…just put me down, I want to walk."

He laughed again, "Fine, let's make a deal. I'll put you down when you keep your eyes open for a minute."

I smiled, "Fine, deal." I slowly opened my eyes and looked at Edward. I could spend years just looking into that beautiful face but my body had other plans. I fought against my eyelids but in the end they won out.

I laid my head back in defeat. "Carry me away prince charming" I teased.

"My pleasure, my love" he said happily.

I shivered as Edward's warm arms were replaced with a cold bed. I spread my arms out in a search for Edward, but didn't find him. "Edward" I called, "Where are you?"

He chuckled as he crawled into bed beside me, "Right here love." He wrapped his arms around me and I felt every muscle in my body relax.

"Where's Noah?" I asked half asleep.

"In his crib on my side of the bed" Edward said into my hair.

"Move him by me" I said followed by another yawn, "It'll be easy to get up with him."
I felt Edward shake his head, "I'm going to get up with him, you're overly exhausted. Don't worry about a thing; sleep in as long as you want. I don't care if you sleep all day."

"Edward" I groaned, "You don't hear him" I yawned again snuggling up closer to Edward.

"That's because he's always been next to you. Don't worry about anything, just get a good nights sleep" he said followed by a quick peck on the lips which ended way too quickly.

"Thanks Edward" I mumbled as I feel deeper into unconsciousness.

"Good night love" was the last thing I heard him say before I feel asleep.

When I woke up the next morning or should I say afternoon, since it was 2. I took a quick shower and got dressed in the only other clothes I brought with me.

I tried to do something with my hair, but gave up and threw it into a pony.

I ran quickly down the steps to find my baby, no surprise I found him in Esme's arms fast asleep. Edward was reading the newspaper and Carlisle must have been at the hospital.

I sat down next to Edward, who slowly lowered the paper to see me.

"Well good morning love" he said giving me a quick kiss. "Did you sleep well?"

I smiled, "I always sleep well with you next to me."

He laughed, "Except for the fact that you didn't even notice when I left this morning."

I rolled my eyes and slapped him playfully. "Hey, where's Paige?" I asked realizing that she wasn't down here.

"She went to her room to get something, actually that was awhile ago, maybe I should go check on her" he said with his voice getting more uneasy towards the end.

I shook my head, "I'll go, read your paper."

And with that I got up to go look for Paige. It wasn't that hard, I got to the third floor and spotted her staring at some old pictures.

She slowly turned her head to look at me. "Is that you and my mom?" she asked innocently.

I went over to see what picture she was talking about. It was one from Renee's wedding, we were both dancing and Alice had her head thrown back like she was laughing super hard. I smiled and nodded, "Yeah Paige, that's us."

"How about that one?" she asked pointing at one down the hall.

I moved behind her and gave her a small smile. "Yep and that was her first car" I said pointing at the yellow Porsche in the background.

"But it's so nice" she said weakly not tearing her eyes away from the picture.

Not knowing what to say I just shrugged hoping it would pass, which thankfully it did.

Paige continued to look down the row of pictures, "Are these all of you guys."

I had been down this hallway many times and knew without looking that they were. Some where just us, others included Edward, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie.

Paige stared at me intently as she waited for an answer. I simply nodded; she turned and pointed to another picture. "Who are those other people? I know that one's my mom that one's you and that one's Edward but who are the other three?"

"Well" I started looking at the picture, "That's Edward's brother, Emmett and his wife, Rosalie. And the other one, next to your mom is Jasper."

"Why is my mom sitting in his lap?" she asked.

I closed my eyes not sure on how to answer it. It was a question only a child would ask you. I decided to tell her the truth, "Jasper was your mom's boyfriend" I told her.

"You mean she had a different boyfriend before my dad?"

"I guess so" I answered truthfully.

"Did she used to live here?" she asked looking around at the big house.

"Yes she did. That was her room, right there" I said pointing at the door to our right.

"You guys look so happy" she whispered touching the pictures.

"She was my best friend."

"I've never seen my mom this happy" Paige said looking down and the ground.

"You're mom was always happy" I smiled playing with her hair.

Paige turned around suddenly with an angry look on her face. "Why didn't you come see us?" she pouted. Shocked by her change in attitude I didn't answer. "If she was happy with you, why didn't you make sure she was happy somewhere else?"

"I called her Paige; I wanted to come see you but…"

"But what?" she cried, "I thought you said she was you're best friend?"

"She was, but Paige, listen it's not that easy."

"Why not?" she drilled. "My mom more than anything, needed a friend, why where you there?"

"Paige I called her all the time, she never answered" I said trying to calm her.

But instead she got angrier, "It doesn't matter if you called, if she didn't answer you should have gone and found out why!"

"It's not that easy Paige" I said kneeling down to her level, "I didn't know where you where. She left Paige, a very long time ago. With no word on where she was going or if she would be back. I didn't even get a good-bye. She just left."

"Why?" she asked a little calmer.

"I don't know. I haven't talked to her since."

"Did you guys get in a fight? Because I get in fights with my friends all the time."

I laughed, "Not that I can remember."

"Oh" she said dropping the subject. We both stood there for a couple on minutes looking at the old pictures and memories that went with them.

"This was my mom's room?" Paige asked standing by the door I had pointed at earlier. I nodded. "Can I go in there?" she asked hesitantly.

I shrugged, "Go ahead, I haven't been in there in years."

I followed after Paige and realized that no one else had been in there in years either.

Everything was exactly how Alice had left it; dirty clothes in a pile, bed unmade and even the blanket I had used was still draped over the couch.

"This was her room?" Paige asked shocked.

I smiled, "I was jealous of her too."

"But this is bigger than our entire apartment!" she said twirling around, just like Alice had done, when she first moved in. "Why are there clothes all over the floor?"

I grimaced, "I guess when she left, it hurt us to much to come in here and this is how she left it."

"But she never lets my room be dirty" she complained.

I shook my head and laughed. We both took a look around the room. I started to dust and wipe cobwebs out of the corners. When I noticed a vase of dark and wilted roses but in there mists one was standing tall.

I felt it, it was fake; confused about what this was for I searched for a card or note or something that would give me a clue.

On the floor I found a crumpled piece of paper. I unfolded it and it read…

I love you and I will wait for you until the last petal hits the floor – Jas

Tears came to my eyes, I remembered finding this years ago when Alice was still here. But I couldn't help but think if this was still true, all these years later.

"Bella?" Paige called from the door, "I'm going to go downstairs."

I jumped, somewhat startled. "I'm right behind you Paige."

She nodded and waited for me. I smiled at Paige as she turned to run downstairs.

I strayed for a moment and slowly closed the door. The last thing I saw of that room was the one lone rose standing tall, forever waiting. All the other's around it gave up and hung low in defeat, even though it was the only one left, it was proudly standing tall. Just like Jasper has done.

We all had given up, accepted the fact that Alice was gone and we wouldn't see her again. But Jasper didn't, even though he was alone, he waited. I don't know if he still loves her or if he just wants to see her again, but I can tell you that he's the only one that never gave up.

Like I said my life is changing around me. I can't dwell on the past or think to far in the future because I'll get lost in the present. I'm taking it a day at a time and hopefully things will just fall into place.

Please review so I know people are still interested.