I don't know how long Edward and I stood there hugging but our moment was interrupted when Emmett shouted, "Food is here!" We pulled apart and he smiled at me. I swore I almost fainted at the sight of his smile. His perfect smile. Edward took my hand and led me to the buffet table. He took a plate and filled it with a LOT of food.
"Ahm, Edward?" I hesitantly asked. He looked up from the plate and looked at me curiously, "What?" he asked.
"You're not getting all of that for me right?"
He laughed at me and said, "No, Silly Bella. Half is mine of course." I looked at him and laughed. "Of course. Silly me." I said.
He led me to the table where the others were seated. I sat between Emmett and Edward. I laughed out loud because the sight of Emmett inhaling his food was hilarious! While I laughed Jasper and Emmett stopped eating and looked at me wide eyed.
"What? Is something wrong?" I asked them.
"You… your…" Jasper stuttered.
"What are you saying, Jazzy?" I asked him. I really am confused now. I looked around and saw Rose, Ali and Edward trying to control their laughter.
"Your laugh, Bells." Emmett seemed to recover from his daze.
"What's wrong with my laugh?" I'm feeling self-conscious now. It must have shown in my face because the others stopped laughing and Edward took my hand.
"There's nothing wrong with your laugh, Bella. Honestly, it's the most beautiful sound I have ever heard." Edward told me. I blushed while he smiled at me. I for a moment I forgot where we were until Rose and Ali cooed, "Awww!"
I turned to Emmett and Jasper and smiled at them. I started to eat my food in silence. Edward and I shared a plate and he would often offer me random dishes and ask me about London. The others seem to enjoy watch us interact and stayed quiet most of the conversation.
"How long are you staying, Bella?" Alice asked me hesitantly. I saw pain and fear in her eyes. I looked at all my friends and saw that they were trying not to look sad and hurt. I smiled while answering her.
"For a while, I guess."
"How long is a 'while'? Rose questioned.
"I don't really know yet. It depends." I said.
"It depends on what?" Jasper prompted. I smirked at him.
"Oh so your speaking coherently to me now?" I attempted at changing the subject.
Jasper blushed and said, "Stop changing the subject."
I smiled warmly at them and looked Emmett in the eye.
"I don't know where I'll be attending college yet." I said to them.
"What does college have to do with the duration of your stay?" Edward pointed out, clearly annoyed that I'm not answering the question properly.
"Because if I study at UW then I'll be here for five years but if not then until the end of senior year." I announced happily. "You better get use to having me around again." I added.
The look on their faces is priceless! Emmett and Jasper looked beyond shocked, Alice and Rosalie looked like they were about to cry because of happiness and Edward has my crooked grin on and his eyes are filled with so much…. Love.
"Your staying for senior year?" Alice squealed. I laughed at them and nodded. Suddenly, Alice and Rosalie were pulling me up and hugging me tightly while gushing how much fun senior year will be.
"Your serious?" Emmett asked quietly. He looked so sad yet there's hope in his eyes. I really messed him up when I left without saying a proper goodbye. I pulled away from Rose and Ali and nodded to him. His eyes instantly brightened up and he shouted, "My little sister is back and she's back for good!"
The six of us laughed out loud and the three boys joined us in our embrace.
"Ehem. But I think you should all go home now. You are disturbing the party." Carmen scolded us playfully. Standing behind her was Eleazar, Renee, Charlie, Esme and Carlisle – they were all smiling at us. Of course, being the fool that Emmett is he said, "But, Carmen, I am home. Where am I suppose to go?" This earned him a smack in the head from Rose and a disappointed look from our Mom.
"Honey, what Carmen meant to say is that you all should go to the Cullen's to spend the night while the parents stay here with our own slumber party." Renee explained carefully. Emmett confusion cleared and he mouthed. "Oh" this earned him a laugh from Jasper. Emmett turned to Jasper and said, "Don't you laugh at me, Jazzy. Because, if I remember correctly, I am not the one who checked out my sister and cannot form coherent sentences around her." Emmett smiled smugly, Jasper blushed while letting out string of profanities against Emmett and Edward laughed. Jasper turned to Edward and said in a menacing tone, "Don't you dare laugh at me. You ogled at her too! And you cant keep your eyes off of her!" Jasper smirked while I blushed.
"Its not my fault she's gorgeous and by the way I'm single and you ogled her in front of your girlfriend." Edward said in an unaffected tone.
"Yes, Jazzy, it is different." Alice said in a reproaching tone. Jasper turned pale and told Alice, "I'm sorry. Its Bella's fault!"
"Wait! How is it my fault?" I asked. How am I the one to blame here!
"Because if you don't look like a goddess then I won't ogle at you." Jasper answered immediately and in a serious tone. Alice smacked him in the head while the parents and our friends laughed at him. I blushed a very deep shade of red at his answer.
"Why, Alice?" Jasper whined.
"Asshole." Alice said. Jasper looked only more confused and looked at us for an answer. Rosalie happily explained to him what he did. Jasper then realized his word spurt and mumbled, "Stupid, beautiful, brunette goddess." He thought he said it quietly but everyone at the table heard him and laughed! Alice tried to act angry but the petrified look on Jasper's face set her off and she ended up laughing the loudest. I looked around and saw all of my families faces. They are the same ones that I left two years ago because of my issues and they still love me. I realized with a shock that this truly is home. I am home.