It had been a whole week that he had been away, and although he needed desperately to get away for that time, he knew that he needed to be with his family more and running away had only been a temporary solution to his rather large and complicated problem. Besides, he felt like a total coward and knew that running away from his problems never helped in the past. He was better off facing his problems with whatever strength he could muster and he knew his family would be able to help him a great deal.

Being around Tanya and her clan was both rewarding and difficult; Rewarding because he was far away from Forks and they all understood his problem upon finding a Singer, difficult because they were all much older than he was and by a great margin. So although they understood what he had been struggling with, the struggle for them was very far away in time, and being the weakest vampire there was...demeaning. His pride was ever the issue when it came to weakness and struggle. He had been, up to that point, in total control against his vampiric nature. Shame burned again like the venom in his mouth, especially when he knew that his entire family would know what happened. They knew he ran away.

Ultimately, it didn’t matter to him. He needed to be here, no matter what it made him feel on his shallow end. He didn’t need to pretend to be anything with his family, so at least there was that comfort. Because even in Denali, he had to pretend to have more control than he actually did. It didn’t matter that they probably knew he was trying very hard to keep it together. He breathed a deep sigh of relief as he sped the Mercedes onward towards the house. He was in familiar territory now, and everything was telling him, from the forest to the sky, that he was home.

He rolled all of the windows down in Carlisle’s Mercedes, eager to take in the air of his current hometown. He had to admit it, this was already turning into the most interesting place they had ever lived. He would surely never forget it when they all moved on.

That thought hadn’t ever caused him to wince before, and he just had. How was that to be explained? They all knew that their homes, however great, would always have to be left behind. No matter how much they liked it, they couldn’t play house for too long before people started to catch on. Not that they ever had a chance. One day out of the blue, the Cullens would be gone without much explanation, never to be seen again.

Edward jerked slightly in his seat as if reacting to being physically hit with something. Whenever he thought of leaving Forks in the past, he was relieved and tired of this place. But just then, when he thought of leaving, it caused him to react. It was no mystery, though he tried to lie to himself, as to why he was suddenly resisting the thought of leaving. And she had a name.

“Isabella, you are making things quite complicated for me.” He said sarcastically.

The familiar twist in the road suddenly came into view, and the relief that he felt was so intense that he smiled. He was so inexplicably glad to be home, but that didn’t stop the negative feelings from creeping up on him. The smile faded, and his lips settled into a straight line. He drove the Mercedes to the front of the house and parked it in front of one of the garage spaces right beside his Volvo. He killed the engine and simply sat for moment, waiting.

To be honest, the house had gotten dreadfully boring without Edward. It had also gotten eerily quiet without hearing his piano playing at random hours of the day. Jasper missed Edward and while he was not the type to verbally speak his feelings the majority of the time, he was sure the rest of the house must know how he was. In fact, they all missed him. It varied for how much they missed him depending on how close they were to him. Alice, for sure, missed him the most; Jasper could feel it. He didn't like when she was sad such as this, but Jasper knew it was just how it would be until Edward would return.

Jasper flicked the page of the book easily. He was trying to read the book as slow as he could, but it was extremely hard for a vampire to do. He had read this book before as well and this was only the second time he was reading it, surprisingly enough. He had various books on his book shelves that Jasper had read much too often to be normal. Then again, Jasper wasn't normal. He read at an inhuman speed and he couldn't help but move through books quickly. He flicked to the next page already, trying to get himself to slow down once again; it really was difficult to read slowly for him.

Alice was curled up next to him as he read. But, in a matter of moments, she had rolled over and was resting her head on his chest. Her head did not move as Jasper was not breathing; he did not breath if it wasn't necessary. He breathed when he was around humans, but never when he was just with the members of his coven. Jasper's eyes bounced from the book and looked down at Alice, her expression having changed. He knew that look. She was watching for Edward again, but then Jasper heard Edward's name roll of Alice's lips. Edward? Was he coming home?

Alice sprung of the bed and landed gracefully on the floor. Jasper moved the book out of the front of his face and gave his wife a look of curiosity. She had yet to confirm he was returned, yet Jasper really hadn't even asked the question. However, Jasper could feel the change of emotions in her. He could feel the miserable ones being kicked out of the way by the happy, excited ones. Jasper still had not asked the question that was lingering on his lips, but then spotted her happy gesture and the thumbs up. Yep -- Edward was on his way home.

While Alice waited downstairs, Jasper stayed up in his room and continued to read his book. Jasper could still hear the same sounds coming from downstairs, except this time he would hear Alice's voice every so often let the others know Edward's current progress. Jasper also lived outside for the engine of Edward's silver Volvo, but Jasper knew he would hear Alice's voice telling of his approach before Jasper would even hear his car. Jasper closed his book as he heard Alice speak that he was coming down the road. He got up and shoved his book in his correct place on his book shelf as he heard the door fling open downstairs at Alice's exit. Jasper then headed down the stairs to meet Edward as he came inside the door.

Edward heard the tinkering of the Mercedes when the engine was cut off. Perhaps the car would be glad for a rest. He had been driving for hours and hours. It might have been faster if he had simply run all the way there, but the car served him as a shield from the outside world. He didn't have to smell, touch, or experience anything but the road. It was safer for everyone that way. But he had been away for too long, so much so that just being parked in their house's driveway made him so happy, happier than he had been in quite a long time. How he had ever left them in the first place, he wouldn't ever know or understand.

Tanya's clan had been both inviting and helpful, but even their hospitality wasn't enough to make him want to stay. In the beautiful white tundra of Alaska, he had found some clarity of mind. He had withdrawn himself from Isabella Swan's enticing smell, bringing him back to himself. But in doing so he began to feel something else in its place. A fierce craving took hold of him now, knowing what the scent would do to him yet wanting it so much that it hurt. But perhaps part of it wasn't the scent itself. It's true, her blood sang to him, called to him. He was addicted to it. But the scent -belonged- to the girl, not the other way around. So in some small but unimagineable way, he was craving her.

His thoughts were suddenly torn from him when he heard Alice's familiar mind come into view. He didn't seek her thoughts, in fact he shut his mind to her mind immediately, not wanting to invade. He turned sharply to his side where she now stood smiling over him. He stepped out of the car and grabbed her in his arms and hugged her tightly. "Hey, Pixie." He almost spoke in a whisper, so happy was he. "You didn't move all of my things into the garage did you?" He remembered their first meeting. He released her gently out of his tight hold and finally, a smile spread across his face. "You knew I was coming back, didn't you?" He laughed a bit at her comment. "How could I stay away?"

Quietly, Carlisle came to his side as well, and the look in his face was enough to make Edward feel shame as he never felt. Carlisle was so happy to see him again, and he couldn't quite explain why it made him feel so guilty. Carlisle was his father in every sense of the word. He had given him life when all he had was death. He raised him and taught him, believed in him and helped him. He attempted to smile back at Carlisle, but he was emotionally drained and exhausted, yet even that couldn't keep him from reciprocating. "Hey, Dad." He said, hugging him tightly as he had Alice. "How have things been going without me around?"

He looked just past the garage and could see the entrance to their house, and there he saw Jasper, waiting to greet him. Edward nodded to him, sure that he would see the greeting. He wanted to know how everyone had been while he was away. "I suspect you all want me to explain what happened? I know Alice told you what she knew. But, even if you don't ask me what happened, I need to explain. I must." Edward sighed heavily. "It's all I can think about. It's all that's been on my mind. It was a long drive, so I had a lot of time to think things through."

His head was inclined downward, so many things were happening at once. And Bella was ever in his mind. Even now he wanted to catch her scent again, just to face his fears. he didn't want to hide from it anymore. He didn't want to have to run away. He was Edward Cullen. He had been trained to withstand the lure of blood, even if it was that of his Singer.

Now that Edward was home, there was questioning in Carlisle’s mind about what they would do next. In a normal, human family a son taking an interest in a girl wouldn't have been a problem. People found others interesting all the time. Edward was a responsible man and despite the trouble this girl was causing, there had to be something about her that was special. But they weren’t this. They were vampires and had joined together for years to resist the taste of human blood. This girl’s blood sang for Edward, so she wasn’t just another human girl. This would turn out to be probably one of the most dangerous and difficult challenges his son would face. It was hard to fathom how Edward would be able to go to school where there was a girl whose blood he craved so much.

Nevertheless, Carlisle had confidence in Edward. He hadn’t succumbed to his want for human blood all these years and he knew that with the support from his family, he would be able to hold back. If that meant taking Edward out of school for a little longer, he would agree to this. Carlisle would have one of the other children get Edward his schoolwork, so that could help distract Edward from the girl’s blood. Whatever overcoming this feat required, Carlisle would do it. Ultimately it was up to his son, but he would be there every step of the way. Hopefully Edward would realize this.

They were a family now. Carlisle’s lonely years where he had been the only vegetarian vampire he knew were over. Their family had been through quite a bit together. Each member that was added offered something new to their ensemble and he was pleased by this. Of course, they still seemed to be missing one. Carlisle couldn’t imagine what he would do without Esme. Although he had lived for hundreds of years without her, now it was impossible to even think about. If he ever were to lose her… he had no idea how he would manage. He saw the loneliness in the way Edward acted. Whenever he played the piano, he wondered what he put into the music that made it so beautiful. Maybe it was his longing for someone to share it with, though honestly Carlisle had never asked.

As Edward turned to embrace him, he returned the hug in a fatherly manner. This was perhaps a bit funny for him to say, but Carlisle loved hugs. The person who gave the best ones was Esme. Personally he thought it was amazing, how one could just hug her and when they stopped they felt so much better. He was a happy individual, but this didn’t stop him from wanting them on a regular basis because they were so comforting. Edward gave wonderful hugs as well. Honestly Carlisle was so relieved that he had made it home safely. He hadn’t been expecting his son to get into a car accident or anything of that sort, but he had thought maybe he would see him in pieces. As it was, he did look to be quite confused, but hopefully as a family they could work this out together.

The last thing Edward needed was to learn that everyone had been missing him like crazy. Of course, they had, but he had so much on his mind right now and Carlisle didn’t want to put even more weight on his shoulders. Besides, Edward had needed to go so he could have some time to ponder by himself. Making a decision and figuring out what to do in situations like this was a serious matter. Most likely Edward wouldn’t have been able to find much peace and quiet in the house, at least during most parts of the day. Every one of the Cullens were too social for that. Often Carlisle and Edward would stay up talking about almost anything, and since they never needed to sleep the rest of the family would normally join them. This was what he had always dreamed of having and he finally had it. The idea that something could disrupt their peace was very unsettling.

“They’ve been fine, son,” Carlisle replied in an assuring tone. He refused to betray his worries across his face, simply because Edward shouldn’t have to deal with anything more on his plate in that moment. Yes, they all had some catching up to do and Edward would need to explain what was happening to the Cullen family. But he honestly didn’t understand why they should do this straight away unless Edward wanted to speak about it. Carlisle didn’t want to avoid the subject of any topic in their house. It was a place where any of the Cullens could express their thoughts freely. He wouldn’t have any objections if Edward wanted to tell them what had happened on this trip as soon as his feet touched the doorstep, this was all up to him. “Would you like to relax first, Edward? Or should I have everyone come to the living room?” Carlisle asked. He would be happy to do either for him. Even if he wanted to relax, it would be best to call everyone down so they could at least say hi to Edward.

After saying this, Carlisle turned towards Alice. He didn't want to appear as if he had been ignoring her the whole time. He had just wanted to make Edward feel welcome and to let him know it was okay that he had to leave for awhile. “Well perhaps we should work on getting you a car, then?” Carlise replied, with a twinkle in his eye. He didn't mind. He hadn't been aware that Alice wanted one, but money wasn't an issue for them. He was a doctor and they had saved so much money over the years. Even when he had traveled and hadn't worked for awhile while he was alone, he had been fine money wise.

Rosalie had been virtually shopping for clothes at her leisure when Alice's voice chimed like a bell, ringing forth from below. The fingers Rosalie had been strumming against her modern, chic desktop came to a halt, her clicking abruptly stopping. The muscles of her elegant neck pulsed beneath her pale skin as she turned her head in the direction of the doorway, which stood slightly ajar. She rose and took hold of the doorknob, then wondered what would be the point of joining her family in anticipation. The door clicked shut instead, the white blonde figure returning to her perch at the computer desk. The clicking begin, frenzied now, as Rosalie scrolled through pages of tops, bottoms, and shoes, all of which very interesting but merely serving as a distraction. A vampire's life may have been a very long one indeed, requiring patience which Rosalie certainly met, but that did not evaporate her rekindled feeling of anxiety. Edward was coming home; her somber, if not downright melodramatic, brother would soon be here.

Truly, out of the entire family, none shared such a traditional, nor unique, feeling of siblinghood than did Edward and Rosalie. Having hoped that the two might develop a romantic interest for the other, Carlisle had surely been in for a surprise after changing Rosalie. The very instant she had heard Edward's voice (and she had heard him before she had seen him), Rosalie had been annoyed. Edward's sureness, and almost every other one of his traits, irritated Rosalie to almost no end, but perhaps it was this typical bond that made her love Edward all the more. The two stoic vampires would rarely be seen doing much together, true, but both held a level of somberness akin to each other, making it difficult not to enjoy the other's company at least once in a while.

And frankly, Rosalie did not want to sit amiss the excitement, knowing all to well the feeling would also begin to seep into her, making it difficult to stay agitated with Edward. Alice had shed light onto the situation entire, there was that, but she wanted to hear it from Edward's perspective. His dramatic exit had only served to make this situation all the more mysterious, and that irked Rosalie, for she was a woman who liked the truth immediately handed to her (a task Emmett more than fulfilled with his blunt and honest nature). Instead, she remained shut up in her room, the gray day Forks presented, not at all surprisingly, floating lazily through the open bedroom window.

Hours later, after Rosalie had made her purchases and abandoned the virtual world of clothes, Rosalie lounged like a cat upon the room's love seat, eyes closed and listening to the gentle thrum of music beating from the stereo. Something other than gentle notes upon a bar flitted to her senses, threading through the stereo's voice, enabling her shut eyes to open, revealing two large, sparkling gold irises. Edward was obviously home, due to the low cheers and excited rabble. Rosalie straightened, pushing from the sofa and gliding to the window, leaning out into the darkening day. Hers and Emmett's room gave a good view of the driveway, not necessarily clear, but one that sported the images of parked cars and the figures of Carlisle, Edward, Esme, and briefly Alice and Jasper. Emmett was not in sight, but Rosalie knew her husband was around, and would soon be greeting Edward in a manner that was common to Emmett: full of energy, laughter, and excitement.

Relinquishing her hold of the window sill, Rosalie turned and exited the room, soon descending the stairs. She had overheard Alice's commentary, and chose to join her and Jasper in the living room, rather than privileging Edward with her immediate presence. It was her nature, after all, one that was expected and therefor didn't offended. Silently, Rosalie sat upon one of the sofas noncommittally, curling her jeaned legs beneath her, giving the room's entrance a nonchalant glance, waiting for the approaching group.