Chapter 34

'Alice, I have been through this before, I know what I want and big isn't it!' I said as I fed a spoonful of mush to Atticus. He pulled a face.

'But Bella, Jacob wasn't the one! Edward is!' She exclaimed as she paced back and forward.

'Simple, classy and small,' I said as I attempted to feed a now squirming Atticus. He pushed the spoon away. I pulled a face and he frowned. He had Jaspers features but Alice's pout. I took another spoonful of food, this time bigger and made aeroplane noises. Instead of flying into his mouth i flew it into mine. I chewed the mush and pulled, what i assume, was the same face he had.

'Ew Alice, what is this?' I asked as I spat it out. Atticus laughed and Alice snatched the jar and spoon away.

'Zucchini and Tuna,' She sad as she shoved a spoonful into Atticus's mouth. He let out a small protest but Alice just put another spoonful in. He grumbled but eventually swallowed.

'Bella! Please, you said you love me and lets face it, Jasper isn't gunna get me into a wedding anytime soon,' she said rolling her eyes and shoving another spoonful into Atticus's mouth. Bits dribbled out the side as he made a funny face.

'Bitter?' I asked sarcastically mopping Atticus's face with a wet flannel.

'No. I love weddings but i'm a modern girl, I don't need marriage to show how much I love Jasper. It would be nice though, to finally be the one to walk down the aisle, in a beautiful gown, everyone staring in awe,' she as she stared off into the distance, while she did this Atticus knocked the bowl of mush off the highchair and onto the floor. He grinned as Alice snapped back to reality.

'Atticus!' she tutted and bent down to start clearing up the mess. I smile at him and he grinned his sweet toothy grin back. He reached his arms up to alert me to his want to get out of the highchair. I pulled him up into a hug. He giggled and kissed me on the cheek. I walked over and placed him in his play pen. I was about to question Alice further on the issue when I heard a knock at the door. I sighed.

'We're going to get back to this,' I said pointing at her. She grimaced and I pranced over, tumbling slightly, to get the door. I opened it to reveal Carlisle and Esme. They both grinned and Esme reached forward and snatched my hand into her grasp.

'Oh congratulations honey!' She said hugging me tightly. I hugged her back. She moved past me and into the play area. She pulled Atticus into her arms and started bouncing him around.

'GAMMA!' I heard him squeal. I turned back to see Carlisle swaying awkwardly on the spot. Carlisle was never lost for words and it shocked me to see him so nervous.

'Carlisle?' I asked trying to welcome him in. He shook his head.

'Let's go grab some coffee,' He said. I nodded and turned to grab my jacket. We strolled into the elevator and went down. It was awkward. I realised that Carlisle and I had never been alone before. Normally, if we were, it was only for a few short seconds until somebody returned. I cleared my throat.

'Everything okay?' I asked as we started to walk to the Eclipse Bar. He nodded and looked into the distance thoughtfully.

'Bella, do you truly love Edward?' he asked. I was shocked at his question and without thinking responded.

'Of course, I've never felt love like this before,' I said now stopping at the bar. I ordered a coffee and Carlisle did the same, I pulled out my purse to pay but he beat me to it. We took our seats and overlooked the city.

'Why do you ask?' I questioned as I fiddled with a menu. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a box.

'To be honest I knew your answer, you two remind me of a young me and Esme,' he chuckled. 'I know its early, I didn't give Rosalie hers until her wedding day but I think it's appropriate now,' He slowly unfolded the delicate piece of fabric that wrapped around the box. I looked on curiously.

'I'm not sure if Edward has ever mentioned it, or if you've ever noticed his cuff but we have a family crest,' He now popped the lid of the box open but hid its contents from my eyes. 'It is tradition for the father to pass along the crest to each new family member on their wedding. He chooses the form in which he believes is appropriate for the person. I knew this day was coming Bella, so I had a lot of time to think about it when I realised that you wouldn't suit anything that belongs in this modern day,' he waved his hand around. 'So, I fished around and found the only photo of my dear mother, god rest her soul, and got a perfect replica of the necklace she wore,' He ran his fingers over the necklace, which I still could not see. I knew very little about Carlisles history and this intrigued me.

'What was your mother like?' I asked curiously. He smiled a smile i had never seen before. It was like he was happy, but with a saddened lining. I leaned forward to prove my focus and he took a deep breath in.

'I never knew her, she died while giving birth to me,' he said sadly still focussing his eyes of the pendant. 'From what I understand though, she was a marvellous woman. People in my town spoke very highly of her. They described her as selfless, yet clumsy, beautiful and funny. She is said to have been the kindest woman. I truly wish I got to meet her,' He said, sadness now more obvious the happiness. He snapped out of his trance and smiled at me.

'Anyway,' He said looking me in the eyes, 'the way everyone described my mother reminded me of you and I thought that this would be appropriate,' He snapped the box lid closed and handed it to me. I accepted i.

'Thankyou Carlisle,' I accepted the box and ran my fingers over the felt case. I suddenly felt nervous. I was going to be a Cullen. I was going to be Bella Cullen. I smiled and popped the lid up. I gasped. In front of me was the most beautiful pendant I had ever seen. I felt a warm tear in the corner of my eye. I wobbled down my face and fell onto the pendants face. I pulled in carefully out of its box and examined it more closely.

'Can you help me put it on?' I asked. He nodded and came behind me. I handed him the necklace and pulled my hair to the side. I felt him clasp it on and I was surprised at how light it was. I traced it with my fingers and felt another tear roll down my cheek. 'I'll never take it off,' I whispered. I stood and pulled him into a hug. I loved my family so much.

***

When we got home we found Esme and Alice enjoying a cup of tea together. Carlisle sat by Esme and put his arm around her. I sat next to Alice. She smiled.

'I see you have the crest!' She said sipping her tea. I nodded and grinned. I now noticed that Esme also had a necklace. Hers was simpler and smaller than mine but it suited her perfectly. I looked to Alice and noticed that the bracelet she always wore had the same emblem as a small and delicate charm. Carlisle had a ring.

What age do Cullen children get there charms?' I asked wondering about Atticus. Carlisle smiled.

'eighteen, unless your Emmet, then 21,' he laughed and then stopped. The thought of Emmet or Rosalie was painful for all of us. We quickly changed the subject and chatted for a bit about wedding ideas before the boys go home and joined us. Edward came and sat by me kissing my head while Jasper went to pick Atticus up and sit next to Alice. We had a lot of small talk when Jasper cleared his throat and called us all to attention.

'I understand this is a hard subject for all of us, but what are we going to do about Emmet and Rosalie?' Esme let out a whimper and excused herself claiming she wanted to wash the mugs and make fresh coffee for everyone. Carlisle followed her while Alice pretended to be distracted by fixing Atticus's buttons. Edward played with his phone while i stared off in the opposite direction. Jasper let out an angry sigh.

'Fine then,' he said handing Atticus to Alice. He stormed off in the direction of his room and came back out 20minutes later with a duffel bag. I looked at him in shock.

'What do you think you are doing?' Alice asked her voice poignant and angry.

'Africa, I am bringing at least Rosalie home,' He said as he searched through several draws.

'What about Atticus and me,' she said her voice now rising in volume.

'Rose is my twin sister, she needs to come home so that i can monitor her health!' He said not looking in her direction.

'Yes and I'm you girlfriend...' Alice stopped and slammed her hand down. I jumped in surprise and Esme and Carlisle came to see what the loud noise was. Atticus started to cry.

'You know what Jasper, I'm walking out! Not you...Me!' she screamed. We all looked at her stunned. Her sudden mood change reminded us of when she was pregnant with Atticus. She moved toward Esme and handed her a now hysterical Atticus.

'I AM SICK TO DEATH OF THIS!' She yelled as she now threw one of the mugs that Esme had missed at Jaspers head. It hit him. He let out a loud yell of pain. Carlisle tried to step between them but Alice swiped at him. He ducked out of the way and backed off.

'YOU KNOW ALICE I'M A LITTLE SICK OF YOUR CHILDSIH BEHAVIOUR. NEWS FLASH, YOUR NOT SIX ANYMORE, THEREFORE YOU HAVE TO ACT LIKE AN ADULT,' Jasper screamed back. I had never heard Jasper yell. Not in my whole time of knowing him. His face was extremely angry and he had a lump developing from where the mug hit him.

'I HAVE TO ACT LIKE AN ADULT! WE HAVE A CHILD TOGETHER AND YOU THINK IT'S OKAY TO JUST JET OFF TO FIND ROSALIE? I THINK THATS THE CHILDISH ACTION!' She now hurtled a pillow at him but he caught i and threw it back at her.

'SHE IS MY SISTER AND UNLIKE YOU LOT WE DONT HAVE THE PERFECT FAMILY THAT CAN JUST PULL MONEY OUT OF THEIR BACKSIDES TO FIX ANY PROBLEM! WE ARE ALL WE HAVE, THAT'S IT AND IF YOU DONT UNDERSTAND THAT I DONT KNOW WHY WE ARE TOGETHER!' I heard Esme gasp as Carlisle tried to interject again. Jaspers face dropped as he realised what he said as Alice moved toward him. He eyes were dark and serious. She swallowed and then turned away from him.

'I do understand and I'm sorry,' she said. I had to do everything to hold back a gasp. I was expecting tears and bloodshed, not an apology. I could now see that she was crying but she was trying to hide it from Jasper. 'I don't want you to go, I want you here with me and Atticus,' she was now sobbing making it hard for him to ignore her state. He walked forward to touch her but she moved away.

'But in reality that's just not going to work anymore. How long have we been together Jasper?' she asked burying her head in her hands muffling her words. He gulped. (a/n i'm guessing here cos i kinda cant be screwed actually working it out).

'Four years,' he said. She now turned to him and fell to the floor. His jaw dropped. She pulled one knee up and pulled his hand into hers.

'Jasper Liam Hale, will you marry me?' She asked her voice free of fear. At first I assumed Jasper would be angry at her for taking away a moment that is normally something a man does. She looked up at him and swallowed nervously. After a few intense minutes he let out a laugh.

'We do everything backwards' He said still laughing. I felt Edward chuckle beside me.

'Of course I'll marry you!' He said pulling her to her feet. They embraced for a moment while everybody looked on. Edward cleared his throat.

'You won't need to worry about Africa either,' he said putting his arm around my waist. Jasper looked at him.

'Bella and I have volunteered!' he said happily. My jaw dropped.

'What!?' I asked. Alice let out a little musical laugh.

'Well, I think it's a great idea,' he said smiling and puffing his chest out slightly. Esme laughed as Carlisle whispered something in her ear. She nodded.

'Us too!' Carlisle said.

'Alice, Jasper and Atticus can take care of home and we can venture to find the rest of our family. Our goal will be to have a Christmas together!' Esme said smiling and clapping her hands together. I nodded.

'It's a deal!' and with that Carlisle, Esme, Edward and I prepared for the trip of a lifetime, a trip to find our family and bring them back home.

***

Mmmm so I thought it would be fun to send those four on a little mission, nothing to grand but I really hate not having Emmet in the picture, although he is probably my least likeable character i think he adds a certain air to the story. He always makes the story complete.

Yay Alice and Jasper are engaged, but don't get to excited folks there is another twist to come for that loving pair before they walk down the aisle.

Btw im totally pumped that this story contains 44793 words...if only i had this much enthusiasm about my school work...

REVIEW... (and remember if you review the last chapter (33) then there is a small prize, so please please review!! Both that chapter and this one!!!)