A Change

Alice's POV

I couldn't wait to see Edward. I only ever saw him once a year now and I missed him. We all did. Jasper had to comfort me often as I'd remember how much our family had changed in the last six years. Edward was the only one that didn't take part in family events except for Emmett and Rose's wedding and mine and Jasper's. Other than that we had only seen him four other times. Each time he looked worse than the last. Esme was the most affected by his distance. Edward was the first adopted out of us all and had been with Esme and Carlisle since he was four. She had a son who was still born and had lost the chance of conceiving again. When Edward locked himself away she lost her second son.

"Please fasten your seatbelts we are coming into land."

Jasper took my hand in his as we started to descend.

"What have you been thinking about darlin?"

"Edward. I don't know if I can look at him again. He's so depressed."

"We have to give him support Ally. If we don't then I'm scared of what he might do. Just be glad that he's trying to make a path to a future for himself. He's about to start his last year before he gets his law degree."

I didn't say anything as I pecked his lips and waited for the plane to land. As soon as it did, I was up and out of my seat, wanting to get off the plane as soon as possible.

It wasn't long before we all had our bags and were making our way out of the arrivals gate. Emmett was the first to spot Edward and we all made our way over to him, looking him over. Esme pulled him into a hug first; his arms wrapped around him, holding her tightly.

"Hey mom. I missed you."

"I missed you too son. How are you doing?"

"Good. I'm doing really good. How are you mom?"

"I'm doing well. I'm really happy to see you."

"You too mom. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

We all stood stunned. This wasn't the Edward we had seen a year ago. This was a man who was happy, genuinely happy. As soon as Esme stepped back into Carlisle's arms, I leapt at Edward.

"I've missed you Edward."

"I missed you too Alice. So much."

"Why the change?"

"I found someone."

I gave a little squeal as I held him closer to me.

"Will I get to meet her?"

"Yes. She's coming round later. You're gonna love her."

I hoped I would. I wouldn't ever love her as much as I loved Bella. She was my best friend but I couldn't think about that. I'd only start crying. Edward seemed to finally move on and I had too as well.

"I can't wait to meet her."

After the other's had embraced Edward we made our way to his car, Carlisle, Emmett and Rose went off to rent a car for the week. Edward gave them a brief route to his apartment before starting his car. Esme started asking him questions about what he had been doing in the last year and about the girl he met. As I went to glance out of the window something caught my eye and my jaw dropped.

"Edward, is that a ring?"

He smirked at me in the mirror and nodded his head.

"I'm engaged."

Esme and Jasper's jaws dropped as they looked at his hand.

"This girl must be special then."

"She's amazing."

I must admit, I was disappointed that it wasn't Bella who he was going to marry but happy he had found someone.

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"I only asked three weeks ago Alice. It hasn't been that long and we haven't planned anything yet."

"I'm so happy for you Edward. I can see how happy she makes you."

I wanted to say something like, 'Bella could make you happier' but you don't talk about Bella when Edward's nearby. We continued to talk about Edward's engagement all the way to his apartment before telling the others of the news. Once inside I looked around his apartment to see it quite bare. There wasn't much around but the basic essentials.

"Where's all you stuff Edward?"

"I've been living with my fiancé. I need this place for when school starts again though. Her house is too far from the school grounds to get there for the early mornings."

"What does she do? Is she studying or does she have a job?"

"She's an elementary school teacher half an hour from here. She loves her job."

I noticed that he kept glancing at the clock as we sat round the small living room. The conversation moved onto shopping and all the places we were going to visit in the next week before the doorbell rang.

"That will be her."

He got up from the couch, a large smile covering his face as he ran out of the room. No one said anything as we tried to hear what was being said before a young girl ran into the room and grabbed a book before running into the kitchen. We all looked at each other, none of us understanding what was going on.