Author's Note: Family reunion! But don't get excited. No Cullens here. Enjoy just the same.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.


Chapter 43

"Father!" Jasper warbled happily as he led me inside our familiar family mansion. It still had that cozy, warm aura around the huge place. "Mother! Guess who I brought! You'll never guess!"

I rolled my eyes, laughing. Just to surprise them further, I hid behind Jasper once we arrived at the living room.

Charlie and Renee eventually emerged from the kitchen.

"You brought Alice?" Renee asked hopefully. "She hasn't been over in a while."

"Someone better," Jasper grinned.

"Who could be better than our daughter-in-law?" Charlie chuckled.

"Your own daughter, that's what," I said, peeking out. "Hi, Daddy, Mommy."

Their eyes grew wide with shock. Renee looked like she was about to faint. Charlie was blinking madly. "Bella?"

"BELLA!" Renee shrieked, and she threw herself into me. Jasper moved out of the way just in time, and I caught her easily. My mother's unique scent that only I was able to smell made me feel warm inside. And I felt at home again.

"Mom," I murmured, rubbing her back. "I missed you."

Renee was sobbing. "Bella…" she blubbered. "Oh, honey…"

I chuckled, pulling away to see her better. "Wow. You haven't changed a bit, Mom. Young as always."

Renee laughed slightly while still crying. "Silly…"

Charlie held out his arms, grinning widely. "Come here."

Laughing, I bounded into his arms. "Hi, Dad. I missed you."

"I missed you too, Bells. Dessert sucks when you're not around."

I laughed again, withdrawing away from him. "I'll make you some brownies later."

Charlie grinned. "What a nice surprise. What happened? Why are you back so suddenly?"

My smile faltered slightly. "It was a last minute thing. I didn't have time to tell you guys."

"Who cares?" Jasper asked, grinning broadly. He placed his hands on Renee's shoulders and guided her gently to the couch. "The main thing is, Bella's back. She'll explain everything later."

"Alright, alright," Charlie said, taking my shoulders like Jasper had done to Renee. He sat me down next to my mother, then sat across from me. "Tell us everything."

So for the next hour, I told them everything. They accepted my excuse of not being able to call because I was busy, though they did seem a bit suspicious. They were also delighted to find out that I was staying after the holidays.

"But this is perfect!" Renee gushed. "You can spend Christmas with us, and we'll still be able to see you, even after the holidays! You should really spend some time with all of us. You know, make up for the last eight years of not seeing each other."

I smiled. "Sure, Mom."

"Have you seen Carlisle yet?" Charlie asked. "You told us that you stopped by the hospital to see your new mentor."

I felt awkward as we neared the touchy subject. "Not yet."

They glanced at each other. Maybe they saw that I still wasn't very comfortable, talking about the Cullens.

Still, they were family friends, as well as in-laws, and I was bound to see them all the time, especially during the holidays. I decided that I might as well forget the awkwardness and act as though that incident eight years ago had not happened.

"So, Mom," I said. "Jasper told me that you're helping Esme with interior decorating?"

Charlie and Renee both looked surprised by my casual mention of one of the Cullens. Jasper glanced at me strangely.

"Uh…yeah," Renee said. "It's really quite interesting. Esme tells me that I've got a bit of talent." She returned to her perky self.

I smiled. "That's great. I'm glad you found yourself a hobby."

"Well," Charlie said hesitantly. "Does Alice know you're back?"

"No, she doesn't," I answered casually. "No one else knows but you guys. And I would appreciate it if you would keep it that way, at least for a while."

"Why?" Renee asked, surprised. "They would be delighted to hear that you're back. They'd come running over here to see you."

I smiled gently. "I'm sure they will. But I'd like to surprise them. I'm assuming that you'll be spending Christmas with the Cullens?"

"Oh…" Charlie said. "I see. I think that's a great idea. Christmas is only a few days away, after all."

Renee nodded. "I'm okay with that."

I turned to my brother. "Jasper? You have to promise not to tell Alice. She'll go babbling to her family about this."

Jasper chuckled. "Oh, I know. I promise."

I grinned. "Good. Well, then, I hope you don't mind me rushing off like this." I rose.

All three of them looked surprised.

"You're leaving already?" Renee asked, disappointed.

"I have my own house, Mom," I reminded her. "I'll sleep there during my stay in New York."

"I'm okay with that," Charlie said. "But why so suddenly? We haven't seen you in eight years, Bella."

"I'm dragging Jasper out to go shopping," I said, bending down and pulling on Jasper's muscular arm.

Jasper looked alarmed. "Shopping? No, thank you. I've had enough of those shopping sprees. You know how hard it is to be married to someone who loves shopping twenty-four/seven?"

I laughed. "Don't worry. My dislike for shopping is still there. But I'm a bit behind on my Christmas shopping. I might as well get everyone presents."

Jasper chuckled. "Good idea. I'll come."

"Bye!" I waved towards my parents, who were laughing.

"Have fun!" Charlie called out.

"Where to?" Jasper asked as we got back in the car.

I thought as he started the car. "I'm not sure," I admitted. "It's been a while, and everyone's become so successful, they probably have everything."

"Not everything," Jasper disagreed. "I remember Esme saying how she needed to go out to the bookstore to get a fun book to read."

"A book…" I mused. "That's a start."

Jasper smiled as he turned the corner. "Next stop, the bookstore."


We bought several books that I'd read and liked during the last eight years. We spent only half an hour in the bookstore, but I had picked out so many books that Jasper was grimacing as he heaved the heavy bag into the backseat of his car.

"Alright, next," I chirped brightly as we exited the parking lot.

He glanced at me, then shook his head wearily. "Where do women get that strength?"

I laughed. "Don't be ridiculous."

"It's true. You just got off of a plane not five hours ago, and you're not even tired."

"It's too early," I said lightly. "So, what about the others?"

Jasper looked thoughtful as he stopped at a traffic light. "Hm. Well, I don't know. No one ever says anything…" He laughed suddenly. "Well, I'm sure Emmett wouldn't mind a bit of your homemade brownies. He's been moaning about how he hasn't had much strength these last few years because he wasn't able to taste them."

I nodded, taking his comment seriously. "Okay. I got it. Next?"

"Well, I'm sure Alice and Rose wouldn't mind getting clothes." He snorted.

I grinned. "Shopping mall."

For the next two hours, I dragged Jasper to five different stores at the mall. I made him carry all the bags, and he looked seriously exhausted when we got back to the car.

"Why did you buy so many sweaters?" he complained. "I thought my arms were going to fall off."

"It's a secret," I said, grinning wickedly. I frowned suddenly. "What was the point of working out so much if you were going to moan over a few shopping bags?"

Jasper glared at me. "A few? That was like, fifty bags, Bella. And you bought at least fifteen sweaters."

I rolled my eyes. "It was less than ten. Now stop complaining."

"What else did you buy?" He was trying to sound casual, but I could see the curiosity burning in his eyes.

I smiled innocently. "Let's stop by the market, Jazz."


"You're going to make us cookies?" Jasper asked, perking up as I added chocolate chips into our shopping cart.

"We'll see."

His expression became surly. "You'd better make me a batch of your chocolate chip cookies."

"Is that a threat, Jasper?" I teased.

"It is," he said, rather gravely. "Emmett wasn't the only one who lost his strength."

I started cracking up. "Whatever."

Once we finished our shopping, Jasper dropped me off at my house.

"Thanks, Jazzy," I said gratefully as he set down the items inside. "You're the best. Remember not to tell Alice."

Jasper straightened, then grinned. "No problem. I'm just glad to have you back, Bella. I'll see you soon."

"Bye!"

He waved without looking back.

I took a deep breath as I looked down at the shopping bags. I had a lot of work to do.


AN: Can you feel the suspense building? Heh. Wait patiently, my lovelies. And I shall be back with another update. Reviews, please! Lots and lots and lots!