A short(er) chapter for a change. I can't believe this story is already over thirty thousand words. Damn. Anyways, this was again cut up, the end of Bella's previous chapter. I have to move back into my dorm next week so updates might be further in between, I'm trying to get as much done as I can before classes start again. Let me know what you think.

Homecoming 2.2

Bella's POV

Innuendo

My tears didn't seem to want to ever stop. "I missed you." I sat between Carlisle and Esme, wrapped in their arms as I cried, letting them comfort me in a way no one else ever has. I felt stronger than I had in a long time. I knew I couldn't let myself completely open up to the pain that has overcome me since they left, couldn't let myself depend on them like I would have before, it was nice to feel as though they were on my side.

I don't know how much time had passed with me between them but after I've cried myself out I heard the back door open and Edward was back. He opened his arms for me and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I wanted- needed- to be close to him. He lifted me easily, holding me to his chest as I rested my head on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" He asks. His arms, safe and protective. This is where I wanted to be since he left.

I nod but he doesn't look convinced. "I missed you."

"I have a surprise for you, do you want to see it?" Edward asked.

I look up at him with narrowed eyes. "What kind of surprise?"

"A good one, necessary, I promise. Alice and Esme helped me." He kisses me softly as my defenses break.

I look at Esme and Carlisle who smile as they watch us. They are wrapped in the arms of the other, then look back to Edward. "Okay."

He smiles my favorite crooked smile. "Close your eyes until I tell you to open them." He instructs.

As soon as my eyes slip shut I feel air fly by us as Edward runs.

"Keep them closed." He whispers as he opens a door.

I feel him place me on my feet and my toes curl into the soft carpet. His cold hands cover my eyes.

"Are you ready?"

"Show me already! You're giving me anxiety."

He chuckles and it sends a shiver down my spine. "Okay. . . Open your eyes."

It takes a second for my eyes to adjust when he moves his hands from over my eyes.

A king-size wrought iron canopy bed sits in the middle of his room, framed by bookshelves that match the white sheets.

I don't know what to say, my hand covering my mouth. It's gorgeous.

"Y-you got a bed?" Is the first thing that pops into my mind.

"We did. It's for us, when you sleep here." He tells me.

I turn to face him, leaning on my top toes so I can put a kiss on his cheek. "You didn't have to do this."

"Anything for you."

"Thank you."

"If you don't like it we can pick out another, or new sheets, anything you want."

"Well, I don't want to make any rash decisions." I told him. I take his hand and lead him over to the bed, patting the spot next to me so he sits down. I lay back, my feet still hanging off the side. He looks at me and shakes his head, mirroring my movements.

"What's the verdict?"

I smile brightly at him. "It's perfect." He's still laying down, watching me as I climb over him and straddle his waist. I lean down and trail soft kisses down his jaw until I reach his lips. "Thank you."

"Anything you want, Baby, it's yours."

I smirk down at him, an eyebrow raised. "Is that so?"

"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" He asked.

I tried to look innocent but the roll of his eyes had me thinking I didn't pull it off.

"Anything you want within reason."

Was my turn of the century proper gentleman Edward turning into an actual teenage boy? I chuckled once to myself at that idea.

Edward cocked an eyebrow at my laugh. "'What?" he asked wearily when I didn't volunteer anything else.

I shook my head. "It's just that, you know, you seem to behave more like a normal teenage boy these days. I seem to remember you as much more. . . ' I paused for a moment struggling to find the right word that wouldn't offend him.

"Uptight?" He volunteered with a wry grin. I chuckled and nodded. He chuckled once, but then turned serious. "I've been trying to change my ways, Love."

A coy thought snuck to the forefront of my mind and I felt my blush returning with a vengeance.

"What are you thinking?" He asked, his hand sweeping my hair out of my face.

Be honest, I told myself. You've asked him to be.

"I was wondering if there was some hidden purpose to this bed, beyond me resting on it. . ." I trailed off suggestively.

"Miss Swan, are you attempting to seduce me? Because it's adorable," he kissed my forehead, "and utterly ineffective." He chuckled, his breath against my neck as a shiver ran down my spine.

"You're terrible." I pouted for good measure. "Total tease."

He flips us over, my back against the soft duvet and he trails light kisses down the side of my neck up to my lips.

I need to think of something else, anything else. His family can hear everything. "When did Alice find the time to do all this?"

"She has her ways. I don't attempt to understand them."

I roll my eyes at him but can't keep the smile from my face.

"She's not done. Everything else she ordered will be delivered later this week. Alice will decorate to your tastes. Don't try arguing with her. She'll know what you like. . . no matter that we're moving in a few years. She's all about living in the moment. She'd build us a new house on the property if Carlisle hadn't told her it was ridiculous and impractical."

I sit up quickly so I can see his face clearly. "Our own house? Please tell me you're joking."

"The family is reining her in, don't worry."

"You don't sound convinced," I note.

He shakes his head with a quiet laugh. "Because I'm not, Alice will be Alice."

"I can't see us ever needing a house of our own so close to your family." The whole point would be for privacy, which wouldn't be achieved if we were only a mile or so away.

"I have one, a house of my own I mean." He says. "I own a house in Chicago. It's where I lived when I was human."

"You do?"

He nods, pushing a lock of my hair out of my face. "No one's lived there since 1918 when my parents died, but I've kept it all these years."

"Why do you keep it?"

He shrugs. "I haven't had a reason to get rid of it. I stayed there for a while when I went off on my own."

"Why haven't you all lived in Chicago again?"

"In small towns like Forks, people are more likely to not move from the surrounding area, that means we'll be less likely to encounter them again the next time we move to a small town."

"But can't you blend better in a big city like Chicago or Seattle?"

"In Chicago, Carlisle had to work nights, which isn't noticeable when there is a small family but when there is one as big as ours it rings some alarms." He says. "With a small-town life, most people stay in the same small town, or move to a big town close by. They're less likely to move to another small town on the opposite side of the country."

"Oh." I intertwine his hand with mine.

"Would you want to go there?"

"Go where?"

"To Chicago? I can show you the house and the landmarks I grew up with. We can stay in my house, or a hotel if you'd prefer."

"Really?" He wanted to share this with me? Physical proof of his human life, the world he grew up in.

"Of course, Bella. It'll be fun."

I smiled up at him. "I'd love to." Planning for the future, what a strange concept.

"The hospital Carlisle worked at in 1918, where my parents died, and technically I did as well, is still standing. It's a historic building being used for office space the last I heard, but the outside has remained unchanged for the most part."

"Wow. It's hard to imagine something that old still being useful." I tease.

"I am insulted." He feigns hurt.

"Good." I giggle.

He offers me his hand, pulling me to my feet. "Come, Esme and Carlisle made you lunch."

"They didn't have to do that."

"They know." He assures me. "Though Esme wants to know what you'd like for dinner, to take home for you and Charlie."

"I don't want her to go through any trouble." I insist, shifting uneasily.

"She will if you don't give her direction," he said quietly.

I guess I recognize the truth in his words. I try to think of something quick and easy. "Meatloaf, maybe, if it's not too much trouble." I offer, feeling somewhat defeated by the Cullen's feed-Bella-at-all-costs plan as he leads me down the stairs. It was both endearing and getting somewhat old already.

Alice was waiting for us at the foot of the stairs. "What took you guys so long?" She asked a little suggestively, making my face heat up and Edward chuckle. She pulled me down next to her on the couch. "I said everything would be fine, didn't I?" Alice looked over my shoulder at Edward, her voice full of disapproval.

"You were right, Alice." He says. "Bella took her surprise surprisingly well."

I roll my eyes. "It was something practical. Your couch is not comfortable. . . And you should never bet against Alice."

"Truer words have never been spoken." Jasper agrees as he joins us. "Bella?" I look up, not expecting Jasper to address me.

Any embarrassment and unease I'm feeling is taken away and traded for contempt. I know it's his doing. I smile up at him gratefully. "Hi, Jasper."

"I didn't get a chance to speak to you at the airport but it's good to see you again, Bella. Things are downright terrible when you're not here."

"I missed you too, Jasper."

"I want to apologize. Given what happened on your birthday, at the time. . . I-" His eyebrows drew together as he looked for the right words. "I found Edward's decisions reasonable." He tells me. "I shouldn't have. I'm sorry, Bella, for everything."

He had nothing to apologize for in regards to that dreaded birthday party. Jasper and I weren't close, though I hope that will change. He's not the reason Edward left and wouldn't have been the reason he stayed. "I'm sorry, too, Jasper."

"What do you have to apologize for?"

I sigh softly. "If I had just been more careful then none of this would have happened. I'm sorry you feel you have to apologize for my mistake."

"Bella-" he starts but I cut him off.

"It's just as much, if not more, my fault as it is anyone else's. You included." I insist.

He sighs. "I'll agree to disagree on that. You forgive people way too easily, you know?" He said.

I shrug. "That's not true. I can stay mad if I want to, but with you, there's nothing to forgive."

He hugs me and I hope he can feel how much I care for him.

"I can't imagine how hard it must be for you all the time. You don't have to just deal with your cravings, but you can feel everyone else's as well. I'm sorry I made it harder for you."

"And I'm sorry you didn't believe me when I said Bella had already forgiven you," Alice adds. I had forgotten she was there.

"Time Turns Flames To Embers. . ."

Time moved too quickly, I was used to the strange lurches and dragging lulls that would never seem to end. This was new, because for once I didn't want this to end. I felt safe here, something I haven't felt much lately. I didn't want to leave but I knew Charlie expected me to be home.

Carlisle stopped us before we left. "Bella, can I speak with you before you leave?"

"Um, sure." I turned to give him my full attention, things felt easier between us than they had this morning.

"Have you been to the doctor recently?" He asked gently.

"Um, no. . . Not since Dr. Gerandy after, um-" I glanced quickly at Edward before my eyes settled back on Carlisle. "Sam found me un-unconscious in the woods after, um, you know." I looked down, my face heating up with my familiar blush.

"Have you been sleeping well?"

No use in lying, I'm sure they noticed the bags under my eyes that rival theirs. I shook my head. "Since we came back from Italy it's been better. . . But that could just be because I was awake for three days straight."

He nods, listening intently to my every word. "I hope you will be sleeping better, and stay sleeping better than before. I don't want to prescribe you a sleeping pill because those tend to be more of a hindrance when you're trying to get off them. . . Would you be willing to try something for anxiety?" He asked me.

I chewed on my bottom lip as I thought over his proposition. "I guess it can't hurt?" It comes out like a question.

"It'll be prn, only when you need it."

I shrug noncommittally. "If you think it's best." I was wary of what he proposed, but didn't want to contradict him. He could tell I wasn't convinced but didn't push it. It's bad enough that I have to sleep, but what if I can't wake up? I could only see that being worse.

"If you need anything I hope you know you can come to me, to any of us really." Carlisle insists. When I agree he pulls me into his arms, kissing the top of my head. "Come back soon, Sweetheart."

"Are you ready to go?" Edward asks.

I nod, hugging everyone goodbye before letting him lead me to his car.

"Nobody tells you what to do when a good man hurts you. . .

And you know you hurt him too."

Charlie is waiting for us when we get back. Edward walks me to the door and kisses me quickly before Charlie opens the door.

"Oh good, Edward's here," Charlie grumbles.

"I was just making sure she made it to the door. I didn't think the meatloaf my mother made you would have survived up the driveway in the rain."

"Goodbye Edward," I take the tinfoil-wrapped dish from him and hand it to Charlie.

"Billy called me earlier, Jacob is coming by," Charlie says. Edward grimaces as Charlie gives him a smug smile.

"Dad, can you give us a second?" I ask nicely, giving him a smile that I hope will win him over.

"Fine." He grumbles, walking inside with the meatloaf.

"Please be safe. I know you say Jacob would never hurt you but I'll still worry until Alice can see you again. I'll be over tonight."

"Love you."

"Love you, too." He leans down and kisses me before opening the door for me.

It seems like only moments passed before Jake was letting himself in the front door.

"Hey, Charlie." Jake greets him.

I can hear Charlie pause the game. " It's good to see you around here, it's been too long."

"I know, right?"

"Bells is in the kitchen making something for dinner, you're welcome to stay."

"Thanks, Charlie," Jake says before walking the short distance to the kitchen.

I'm putting the meatloaf in the oven to warm up. As much as I hate the thought of Esme and Carlisle wasting their time and money to make me dinner, it is nice not to have to cook for once.

"So you're still alive. . ." Jacob rubs the back of his neck. There's a distance between us that wasn't there before.

"Did you think I wouldn't be?"

He shrugged. "We didn't know what to think." He slips into the pack plural so easily it takes me by surprise for a moment.

"I was, uh, only gone for like three days. I've been back for a while." I tell him as much detail as I can risk.

"Oh." His nose crinkles like he smells something rancid. "You stink, Bella."

"Go to hell." I'm not in the mood for this crap. "Was there something you wanted Jake?"

"You seem. . . different." He notes, leaning against the fridge after taking one of Charlie's beers.

". . . I'm happy." Happy seems like the wrong word to describe how I'm feeling, but I can't think of a better one. Jake obviously wouldn't want to listen to my ramblings.

"They're back?"

Oh. That's what this is about. Silly me, this isn't a social visit. "Yeah. I think they came back the day after I left, most of them anyway."

"Sam wants to meet with the leader." He adds.

"Good for Sam." It's a snarkier response than I intended but I don't know what else to say when he's like this.

Jake rolls his eyes. "Don't be difficult, Bells."

"What do you want me to say? I don't keep his schedule on hand. I'll pass the message along."

"We haven't seen the Red Head since the day you jumped."

I feel a shiver down my spine.

"Have you told them?"

"Some," I admit. There isn't enough time in the day to relay everything that happened.

"Well, you better tell them more because if they're here we can't protect you or Charlie when you're off the reservation."

"I know what the treaty says, Jake."

His eyes roll to the window, watching the rain fall down. "Of course you do."

"Listen, I'm sorry, Jake, really. I'm sorry I hurt you when I left but I'm not sorry I left." I tell him, my voice soft but full of emotion. "You're my best friend. . . even if I'm no longer yours."

He sighs, running his fingers through his cropped hair. "Of course, you're my best friend, Bells. . . I just," he takes a swig of his drink. "I just saw what he did to you and I can't stand the thought of that happening again."

"He won't leave again," I try to sound sure and unwavering.

Jake doesn't respond as the timer on the oven goes off.

"Are you staying for dinner?" I ask him.

"Is that an invitation?"

I roll my eyes. "You don't need an invitation, Jake, you're always welcome here."

A/N: I received a review stating that Bella and Edward's relationship is toxic. . . and yeah I think that has been established. A Lion and a Lamb are just that. This story is not a road map to a healthy relationship, I'm just trying to make it a little less toxic, where Bella and Edward are more like equals. I hope Bella comes off with more of a backbone but it is what it is. Her childhood with Renee shaped her adult life, and that relationship was toxic (side note: This is not a Renee support story. There may be some of my own displaced mother issues). The Twilight Saga has many faults, I think we've all realized this by now.

If you don't like it, you don't have to read it. If you do like it, please review :)