Marshall pouted all the way back to Forks, and eyed the ceiling as they entered their former home. It felt foreign to him; almost unreal. He'd listened to music on his phone, picturing Tanya's face as he listened to ninety percent of the lyrics. While the incident with the Volturi hadn't happened all that long ago, it suddenly began to feel like it had happened ages ago. His absence from Tanya, on the same note, felt like years.

"It smells weird in here," Emmett said, kicking off his shoes, "Like... must."

"We'll have to get to work." Esme looked over her shoulder at him and smirked.

"Anything you say Mama Bear." He winked and then made his way upstairs. "Same rooms."

"Let's go to the reservation," Bella urged, tugging on Edward's shirt. "And then maybe we can break into Charlie's old house and snoop around?" When he laughed she went on. "I have to see what these new people have done to the place."

"You may, uh," Edward laughed in a pause, "You may cry."

"Probably," Bella admitted.

Edward looked to Esme for a sense of approval and when she realized she waved her hand with a smile. "Go."

"Dad, um..." Marshall looked at Carlisle. "I want to maybe take a trip back to Alaska once we get settled in here. A week or so maybe?"

"We'll see," Carlisle told him, patting him on the shoulder. He glanced at Esme and then turned to his son. "Help me get some more things from the car."

...

The house was put together rather easily with the help of everybody. Within just an hour or so things looked as if they had never left - but they didn't quite feel that way.

"This is so weird," Rosalie said aloud with a laugh. She walked with Esme through the halls, examining the paintings on the walls and trying to adjust little details back to the way they had been the last time they were there. Rosalie pointed when Carlisle waved her into his office, where he stood adjusting a laptop. "Go ahead," Rosalie smiled, "I have to get Emmett away from the video games."

Esme laughed and parted ways with Rosalie before hurrying into Carlisle's office, shutting the door behind her as she sensed he wanted to talk about something important. "Hey," she said, eying the room that looked barely different than it had they left.

"I know," he took a deep breath. "I mean... I don't know. It's odd a little. I don't know why this time more than the rest."

"Me either." Esme looked at him. "What were you going to say?"

"Well..." Carlisle walked across the room and kissed her once on the lips. "I love you... that's the first thing."

She chuckled against his lips and kissed him again. "Okay... good start."

"And the second thing..." He paused.

"Marshall." Esme raised her eyebrows and looked at him.

"Yes."

"We're in control," she reminded him. "We'll have a talk with him."

"When?"

"Not tonight." Esme smiled at him. "His brother is keeping his mind occupied tonight." They both listened as they took over the controllers of the Xbox that Emmett reluctantly gave up.

Carlisle smiled but sighed. "It just worries me is all."

"I promise we'll talk to him when the time's right," Esme said, "It's not going to be any more complicated than our other children's love interests."

He laughed quietly. "Yeah... I guess so."

"Or ours." She raised her eyebrows and smirked.

"I guess ours ended up alright." He leaned in to kiss her and Esme pulled back.

"You guess?" she teased.

Carlisle took in a deep breath through his nose and gave her a look before Esme gave in and kissed him. "What are the chances that I get some alone time with you?" he asked.

Esme gave a listen, taking in the sounds and conversations from the rest of the house. She looked back at him. "I'd say they're promising."

He kissed her again, a little harder and backed away when he felt her body press against his.

"What's wrong?" Esme asked him.

Carlisle took a deep breath and looked around. "I don't know," he admitted. "I just hear everyone's conversations... being back here, it's just-"

Esme pulled his lips to her again and rested her hands on his waist. She didn't allow him to part from her until she felt his body relax. Carlisle's hands rested against her hip and lower back. "Don't think about anything of it," Esme instructed him.

"Okay." He breathed into her mouth.

Esme kissed him once more. "Remember... in this crazy house," she laughed at her own comment, "We have to find some husband and wife time."

"Your'e right," he sighed against her. "I'm sorry."

"Don't-" Esme began but he kissed her again. For a short time they stood just kissing one another in the center of Carlisle's office until she finally pulled back. "Why don't we go down the hall?"

He took a deep breath, not wanting to part from her but nodded and followed as she led the way a few doors down to their bedroom.

"I can't believe we're back here," Esme began, but Carlisle pulled her toward him and kissed her hard. The two of them had taken turns interrupting one another as their conversation went on, but neither of the minded. "Maybe..." Esme said, pulling back and laughing as her husband pulled her closer with more force. "Maybe we could start some bath water."

Carlisle opened his eyes and took a long, deep breath.

"If you want," she added.

He smiled and looked down at her. "Okay."

"You need to relax," she joked, pushing up on her toes to kiss him.

"I think you're right." Carlisle grinned and loosened his tie.

"Let me get that." Esme reached up and untied the piece of fabric before undoing the first few buttons on his shirt. She turned. "Would you mind getting the zipper on my dress?"

He snickered and did as she requested. Esme slipped out of the casual dress she was sporting and then looked over her shoulder as she walked slowly into the bathroom that attached to their room.

Carlisle admired her for a moment and then followed her lead, doing away with his clothing before entering behind her where water was beginning to run.

Esme studied his near-perfect body and he grinned almost shyly. She walked toward him, reaching past him to lightly click the door shut before locking it as the hot water brewed beside them.

"Husband and wife time," she reminded him with a kiss.

Carlisle nodded and kissed her back softly. "You've got my full attention."

"Good." Esme ran a hand town his torso and then slipped into the bath with a smile. "Add some bubbles."