Welcome back everyone. Hope y'all are enjoying it.

SM owns all things Twilight. No copyright intended.

Now onto the story.

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Bella:

Massachusetts welcomes you.

That's what the state line sign said. Little did they know what just crossed into their state.

The rest of the ride went smoothly. I had a few more dreams that Jasper calmed me through. Dreams that I haven't had in years. Dreams of the terrible beatings that Aro would give me. Dreams of my first few shifts. Dreams of having to stay hidden and quiet from the villagers.

We had to stop an hour from Salem to give Jasper some time to get away from Emmett and I. Our emotions were getting to be too much for him. Between Emmett's nerves of seeing Rosalie again plus my emotions of being back in Salem. It just became too much for Jasper to handle so I suggested that we make a stop and give him some time.

"Do you smell that?" Emmett asked me.

I looked over at him. "Smell what?"

He sniffed again, "I smell fear and blood."

I closed my eyes and let my senses take hold. Sure enough, I smelled what Emmett smelled.

"Do you think Jasper is hunting?" I asked.

Emmett shrugged. "He could be but maybe I should check anyway."

I nodded. "I'll stay with the truck in case it isn't Jasper."

I kept watch around the truck. One always has to be careful when on the run from Aro. Thankfully, both Emmett and Jasper came back together. Seems it was Jasper who was having a snack.

"Feel better brother?" I asked.

"Yes I do. Sorry about that. I just needed a minute." He replied.

"We understand." Emmett said. "Now let's get back on the road. We have about an hour left before we get to Salem."

I decided to talk once we climbed back into the truck. "So, have either of you decided where we would be staying once we get to Salem?"

"Well for the first few days, we were going to stay at the Hawthorne Hotel while waiting for the house to be ready, however, the upgrades and repairs on the house are done." Jasper said.

"Wait, the house is still there? How can that be?" I asked.

Emmett laughed. "Seriously, you ask that? We always keep the houses that we have bought over the years. One never knows when one will visit."

"What about all the furniture and stuff?" I asked.

"It's still there. It's covered with sheets as we do with every house." Jasper said. "Now I forgot to tell the both of you that I have had the house renovated."

"What do you mean?" asked Emmett.

Jasper smiled. "I've had it updated. For instance, I have had bathrooms added. No more out-houses." He laughed.

I laughed. "Thank heaven for that. Not that we needed them anyhow. What else? You didn't touch any of my stuff did you?"

He smiled again. "Actually, I did but I promise you will like what I have done. I also remodeled the kitchen. I hired people to repaint the entire place."

"Well Jazz, I can't wait to see the place." Emmett said from the driver's seat. "We are just about there."

I sat up straighter, looking through the windows to find the big white house, however I couldn't find it.

"Where is it?" I asked as Emmett pulled into a driveway. "This can't be the same house."

"Oh but sister, it is. Do you like?" Jasper asked.

Emmett came to a stop and shut the engine off. We slowly got out of the truck and just stared at the house that used to be white and is now a pretty medium blue. We could see the work that Jasper has had done to it but I could also see some of the original parts like the bricks on the steps, the windows, the banister around the porch, and the columns. The landscape was beautiful with freshly planted flowers. Jasper even added a fountain in the front yard that can be seen from the road. The house looked amazing and we haven't even stepped inside yet.

"Jazz man. This place looks great." Emmett said. "You kept the original light fixtures. I didn't know that you can turn candle fixtures into electric ones."

We couldn't help but laugh at Emmett. I swear he never acted his age.

"No shit. Is that the original door bell?" I asked, amazed at looking at the pull knob. It's connected to a rope so that when you pull it, the bell actually rings inside. Kind of like the bells over the doors in stores.

Opening the door, we noticed the foyer was still the same, except for the paint. While the archway was still the same, the color was now white instead of brown. I walked to the right into what was once my parlor room. Back in the day, men and women had their own parlor rooms and they were separated by wooden doors that slid in and out of the walls. Jasper had my room painted a light purplish color. He replaced the fireplace with an electric one. I loved this room. My portrait from 1800 hung on the wall opposite the fireplace. Jasper kept the furniture that I had collected while I lived here. Still in their original spots.

Walking into the men's parlor, I noticed it was painted a light green color with the mantel over the fireplace that I had made for Jasper and Emmett in 1816. Jasper didn't change much in this room either. Their furniture is still in their original spots as well. Their portraits hung on the wall opposite from the fireplace as well.

Their parlor led into the kitchen which I have to say was beautiful. Jasper was right, he completely remodeled the whole thing. It's smaller than what it used to be. I guess getting rid of the old cooking stove would do that. He kept the nick-nacks that we had collected over the centuries.

There was also the formal dining room and half bathroom on the first floor, plus the door to the basement. The second floor held three bedrooms, a full bathroom, and the laundry room. The third floor used to be the attic, but Jasper had that converted into two bedrooms and a full bath. I decided that I would take one of the bedrooms on the third floor. They had a little seating area in two of the windows. I love to sit by the window and read or paint.

"Hope you don't mind, but I would like to take one of the rooms on the third floor." I told Jasper

He nodded. "I thought as much. You can use the other for a studio if you would like."

"Really? That would be great. Thank you." I replied, throwing my arms around him.

He laughed. "You are too easy to spoil Bells." He wrapped his arms around me, returning the hug. "Now come one. Let's unload the truck and get settled in. I'm sure we won't have a lot of time to relax."

I traveled at vamp speed to the front door then walked at a human pace. I also had to carry my luggage like a human would. This is one of the reasons why I like to live far from humans, so I can be myself. Emmett being as big as he is, could carry larger amounts of stuff.

The staff that Jasper hired had removed the sheets from everything. I just had to wipe everything down. Once I was finished with that, I took my bed apart to move it to the top floor. Totally an easy task. I put the bed back together. I needed a new blanket set and pillows. The guys brought my dressers up for me. Have I mentioned that I loved my brothers? I really do even if they are assholes sometimes. I headed downstairs once I had everything put away.

I found them playing chess in their parlor.

"So I'm thinking we need to go shopping?" I said.

"For" Emmett asked.

"Well for starters, food. Second whiskey." I said. "A bed set. Plus we need towels. Seems I couldn't find them."

"Some things had to be thrown out. I'm guessing that would have been one of them. No prepping and packing could stop them from getting ruined. Let us continue this game later." Jasper said.

"Yes, sure. I'm losing anyway. It will give me time to ponder my next move." Emmett said while standing.

I could not put into words the emotions I was feeling as we drove from our home to the main town. Things definitely look different. Houses that used to be there are no longer there. There's a ladies boutique in the building that used to be the general store. I am amazed.

Jasper parked the SUV and we hopped out. We were deciding which direction to go when another paper appeared in front of us. It swayed to the sidewalk.

Emmett picked it up and smiled.

Go to

Almy's Department Store Clock

"Rosalie." He whispered.

"Well brother, let's go."

We fell in step with each other, laughing about the things we used to do when we were kids along this road. The trees we helped plant are still standing proudly. Although they are fifty feet or more taller than when we planted them.

"There's the clock." Jasper pointed to it.

Once we reached the clock, we looked around, waiting. Out of nowhere, small arms are wrapped around my waist from behind. I twisted my body trying to see behind me. My brothers were laughing at me. There is only one person who could cause that kind of reaction from us.

"Alice my dear." I said.

She laughed and squeezed me one more time before releasing me. I turned around and sure enough, there stood my Alice in all of her five foot nothing. I noticed she cut her hair. Her once long black hair is now above her shoulders styled like pixie, it stood in different directions.

"Your hair." I said. "What did you do to your beautiful hair?"

Alice shrugged. "I needed a change. It will grow back." She looked behind me and smiled. "Hello boys."

"Alice." They sang as they rushed her. She looked so tiny and breakable in Emmett's arms. Jasper held her tighter and longer, whispering in her ear that caused her to giggle.

"Where's Rose?" Emmett asked.

Alice turned her head to look at Emmett. Her eyes turned white. She smiled and answered, "She will be here any minute now." Her eyes went back to their normal grayish blue.

Sure enough, Rosalie joined us. We watched amused as she walked up to her. Heads turned in her direction from every angle.

"Shut up." She laughed as she hugged me.

"Nice to know that it still happens fifty years later, huh?" I laughed.

"Like you have room to talk bitch. You are what? 750 and you still make heads turn." Rose laughed as she walked over to hug Emmett.

"800 but who's counting?" Jasper laughed. I gave him the finger.

We decided to walk to the ice cream shop. Once we had our order, we sat at a table outside. It was such a beautiful day.

"So I see you guys are staying at the old house." Rose said.

"Oh god Rose, you need to see it. Jasper really outdid himself with the guys he hired to repair and upgrade it. It's beautiful." I said.

"I've only seen it from the outside. I would love to see the inside." She said, Alice nodded her head agreeing. Rose laughed. "Alice, I'm sure you know exactly what it looks like. The almighty Alice."

Alive threw a napkin at her. "I peeked. Sue me." She laughed. "Let's go see it."

"Well actually, we came here to get some stuff for the house. It seems some of the stuff had to be thrown out." Emmett said. "It was too old."

"Yay shopping. Let's go." Alice jumped up.

Thank goodness we bought the SUV because we had a ton of bags that we put in the back. We then headed back to the streets to go to an antique store that I saw on our shopping spree. I love antiques. Antique anything really. I was walking in an aisle looking at dish sets when I heard Jasper gasp.

"No way Jas. Is that?" Emmett said.

"Yeah it is." Jasper said.

The four of us crowded around Jasper looking at what he found. To say I was shocked would be an understatement.

We were looking at an oil painting of me and E… Edward. God, I couldn't even think of his name without my heart skipping a beat which of course caught the attention of the other three vampires. I looked down at my feet.

"Bella is that you?" Rose asked.

"Yes." I whispered. "I need to get out of here. Could you get those dishes over there. Alice knows which ones."

I didn't wait for a reply before I was out the door and walking down the street. I don't know why it is so hard for me to think of him. It's been so long since I've seen his face, heard his voice that I should be over him but yet, I can't. Not one person I've meant in 800 years has been able to take his place.

Fuck this place for breaking open that part of my heart that I have had closed for so long.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Bells, talk to me. What's wrong with that painting?" Rose asked.

She led me to a nearby bench and pushed me to sit. I must have been really out of it because she was able to push me so easily.

"Now spill." She ordered.

I looked up at her and gave a small smile. "That painting was painted a few days after I turned 18. It was the day after Ed." I stopped and sighed.

Rose placed her hand on my shoulder. "It gets easier sweetie. You have to let the memories spring free otherwise it will hurt every time you think of him or an event that reminds you of him. It happened with Emmett and me. I couldn't think of him for so long."

"Why did you run from him?" I asked.

She laughed. "Vampires and witches don't get along, Bella. You know that."

"Neither do witches and wolves, yet here I am." I laughed. I raised my hand and pointed to my head. "Then again, wolves and vampires don't get along, yet again, here I am."

"Yes well, you didn't become a vampire by choice, however, you were born a witch and wolf. I'm still not sure why witches lose their powers when they become a vampire. Well, except Alice. Now anyway, back to the topic. Tell me about the painting."

I sighed. "It was a few days after my birthday when Ed." Sigh. She's right. I just need to pull the band-aid off. "Edward proposed to me. Of course I said yes. I had been in love with him since I was a young girl. Anyway, his mom had us sit and pose while she painted. It was our engagement painting. We were so excited about the painting. It hung over Edward's parents' fireplace. She was so happy. Happier than I was, I believe." I sighed again. I could feel the tears as they stung my eyes.

I felt Rose wrapped her arms around me. I leaned my head on her shoulder. "What happened?"

"It was my first full moon. He went with me and Charlie. Edward wanted to prove to me that what Aro had said wasn't true. Charlie tried to talk him out of coming with us but Edward being stubborn wouldn't listen. I fought against the pain, screaming. Edward tried to hold me through it and when I fully shifted, I attacked him." I was a crying mess by now. "There wasn't anything that I could do since I was in wolf form and since I hadn't learned how to change back yet, I ran off."

"Oh Bella. I'm so sorry." Rose whispered. "Was this before or after Aro made you into a vampire?"

"Before. Edward survived that attack thankfully but I was not to have contact with him anymore. The village looked at me differently. Whether they knew the truth or not, I don't know. Edward wouldn't come near me. He wouldn't even look at me."

She tightened her hold on me. "I'm so sorry, Bells. I wish I knew what to say to help you."

I sat up. "It's okay. It was so long ago. He probably moved on, got married, and everything." I said as I shrugged it off like it wasn't it a big deal.

Rosalie was about to reply when we heard my name and turned our head in the direction of the voice.

"Isabella?"

I left Rose's arms and flew into the arms of the man standing in front of us.

"Charlie." I sighed when his arms wrapped around me.

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There you go folks. I had one way that I wanted this chapter to go but it went in a different direction once I started writing it. I hope y'all like it.

For those of you who have kids going back to school or who's kids have already gone back, I feel your pain and worries. I'm happy they are going back but I'm also scared of them going back. It's a never ending cycle. LoL.

Let me hear your thoughts. Until next time…