A/N: Hello? Bueller? Bueller? I kid, but I know I've been MIA since the beginning of the year. A lot of family issues, working on another project and new job changes...it's been a lot. Thank you guys for your patience :)

I don't own Twilight, 2 out of 3 of the above mentioned issues wouldn't have been issues if I did!

"You make your own kinds of mistakes, and I'm sure you'll have your share of regrets in life. But commitment was never your problem, sweetie. You have a better chance of making this work than most forty-year-olds I know. My little middle-aged child. Luckily, you seem to have found another old soul."
― Stephenie Meyer, Breaking Dawn

BPOV

"So, how is school going for you girls?" Renee asked us as we sat in one of the spare guest rooms in her and Phil's house. It was perfect for her: right near the beach, open space so that she could entertain, a spacious room in the house to paint and plenty of room outside for the same.

"It's going okay," Jess offered. "I think we're glad mid-terms are over and we have a break before finals."

"Anything new and exciting for you, Bella?" Renee asked me.

"I joined yearbook recently," I told her. "I've been having a lot of fun learning the different layouts and helping with editing."

"Speaking of helping, she really came through on an eleventh hour miracle for prom," Jess added.

"My Bella helping with prom?" Renee asked in surprise. "Baby, I thought you hated dances or really bringing any attention to yourself."

"Well the second is definitely still true," I said. "But it is senior year and I feel like I was sleep walking for the first half of it; I figured jumping into as much as I could sort of makes up for it."

"You were in pretty bad shape, honey," Renee agreed.

"I'll give you two some privacy," Jessica volunteered. "I'm gonna try giving my parents a call again. Thank you again for letting me stay, Renee."

"It's absolutely no trouble, honey," Renee waved off. Jessica gave us some space and went to the other guest room.

"I like her, she seems like a sweet girl," Renee said.

"She's been a great friend the last couple of months," I said honestly. Now that everything was out in the open with the Cullens between us, we've actually bonded closer together.

"Be honest with me, how do you feel now that the Cullens are back?" Renee asked.

"It was a little shocking at first, but we're all working through it," I told her. "Edward and I are really trying to take our time getting to know each other again."

"That's good to hear, but are you happy?" Renee asked.

"Yeah, I am," I admitted. "Even though I was in really bad shape, I think we needed that time apart. We had to grow up and realize what we want for any future we may have together."

"Okay," Renee sighed softly. "It's just your my only baby and I want what's best for you; there are times I have to remember you are legally an adult now. You've been my little old soul all these years, but you still had some growing up to do."

"You're not kidding," I said laying down on the bed. Renee lied next to me like she used to do when we lived in Phoenix.

"I really missed you, Mom," I said looking at her.

"I've missed you too, baby," Renee said looking at me. "I'm just so happy to see you looking like yourself again. When I saw you in October, you looked like this hollow shell and it broke my heart."

"I truly hope you and Edward make it through, sweetheart. I couldn't bear to see you that way again," Renee said with a sniffle.

I turned to hug my mother, partially to comfort her and partially to apologize for her having to see me that way.

"I hope so too," I told her. We sat up and talked for a little while longer until I couldn't suppress my yawns anymore.

"Alright, I see the travel is catching up to you," Renee said. She gave me a kiss on my temple and got up from my bed.

"I'll talk to you in the morning sweetheart," Renee said.

"Goodnight, mom," I said cozying up under the covers. I fell into a fitful sleep, hoping that I hadn't lost any family members tonight.

EPOV

"How are they, Alice?" I asked her. Jake and Seth stayed behind while the rest of the pack went back to La Push. Rosalie, Carlisle, and Emmett were out with Cassandra to help her stage her "death" so that she could finally give her parents closure.

Jasper sat near Alice's feet, strumming a guitar lazily. Esme was in the kitchen, fixing the wolves something to eat.

"They're fine," Alice said with a content smile. "Bella and Renee got a chance to catch up; Jessica spoke with her parents so they know she's safe in Florida."

"Right now, they're sleeping. I'll text Bella tomorrow to let her know that we're alright and to for the two of them to enjoy their time there," Alice continued.

"Wait, why wouldn't you say it's safe for them to come home?" Jake asked anxiously, basically echoing my own thoughts. Jasper sent a shot of calm our way and we relaxed.

"For Jess's part, she would have been home alone for most of her vacation no matter how long you tried to keep her out during the day, Jake," Alice said. "And I don't think Billy is that progressive that he would let you stay the night there or Jess spend the night at your house."

"Fair point," Jake sighed.

"And Edward, the last time Renee saw Bella was right after we left," Alice explained to me. "She needs to have that time with her mother so she can see that she's genuinely okay this time."

"Why do I have a feeling there's something you're not telling me?" I asked her.

"Renee wanted to show Bella some options for college down in Florida," Alice sighed. As I was about to interject, Alice put her hand up to stop me. "Bella says no, of course, because she's made up her mind about UNH. She has to stay down there so Renee can see in her face it's truly her decision to go there because she wants to, not because we'll be in neighboring schools."

"Edward, I can promise you this: your relationship has gotten so much stronger," Jasper said. "When we first came back, all I could sense from Bella was distrust, hurt, and anger. Since you two have been more open in your conversations now, I can't sense anything like that from her."

"She has gotten better," Jake chimed in. "The couple times that we've all hung out together, she seems so happy that she almost has a physical glow coming from her. I actually see my friend again and not some broken shell that looked and sounded like her."

"So I just have to exercise patience for the next six days," I said. "I can do that."

Alice, Jasper, Jake, and even Seth gave me skeptical glances.

"What?" I asked. "I waited almost 90 years to meet her, and because of my own stupidity, seven months away from her and another month and a half to get back to a better place with her. I think I can handle another six days."

Jasper and Alice shared a look again and Jake took notice.

"What do you have up your sleeve, Pix?" Jake asked.

"So maybe it'll be four days…" Alice trailed off as she pulled a pair of airline tickets out from behind her back.

"There's a tour of UNH for prospective students going on Wednesday," Jasper said. "Renee is going to want to visit the campus for herself so she knows Bella is truly okay going there."

"From there you guys can drive to New York and Jessica can check out NYU's campus," Alice said. "You'll all fly back in that Saturday night."

"I don't know what to say," Jake said looking happy at his ticket.

"You're welcome," Alice said with a wink.

"I should remember to never underestimate you, little sister," I told her giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"Yeah, you're just lucky I love you," Alice said.

"Jake, Seth, dinner's ready," Esme said.

"It's weird that you guys don't eat, but are still really good cooks," Seth said as he walked towards the kitchen.

"We're hanging out with people who are supposed to be our natural enemies; we change into giant wolves and that's the weirdest thing you can think of," Jake said.

Seth simply shrugged his shoulders and continued his walk towards the kitchen. We laughed as Jake shook his head and followed after Seth.

BPOV

It had been 3 days of relaxation I didn't realize I needed so bad. My mom had taken Jess and I to a spa for a girls' day as a present from Phil's mom; she showed us some of the tourist traps as well as some cool local places that she got to discover for herself. My mom and Phil had built up a comfortable life for themselves here and for that I was grateful.

Jessica joked if I wasn't careful Edward may not recognize me because I looked like I was actually getting some color from being in the Florida sun. I had to laugh, especially since he sent me texts everyday about how gloomy it was in Forks and how he wished he could walk in the sun with me. I missed him terribly, but thankfully I didn't have an aching gape in my chest like when he left me; I could still feel the pull whenever we were apart, but it wasn't a pain that I couldn't handle.

At one point, my mom sat me down while Jess was on the phone with her parents to talk about my school plans.

"So, have you gotten any of your acceptance letters from anywhere yet?" Renee asked.

"Yeah, I have," I told her. "Sorry mom, things have been kind of crazy lately and I've forgotten to call."

"Oh, Bella you don't have to apologize," Renee said patting my hand. "I was hoping just a touch of my personality was in there after all."

We both had to laugh at that, because where Charlie always said in looks, I reminded him of mom-my personality was a bit more his speed.

"Well, where did you hear back from?" Renee asked excitedly.

"So, I got in the University of Washington, Dartmouth has me on their waitlist and the University of New Hampshire accepted me on a Presidential Scholarship," I told her.

"Bella, that's amazing!" Renee said giving me a tight hug. "But I didn't hear any Florida schools on that list…"

Alice warned me my mother may want me to go to school down near her; luckily I would be able to convince her otherwise.

"I think I've gotten used to cooler temperatures now," I joked lightly.

"It would seem so," Renee joked back. "Did Edward convince you of the other two?"

"He did suggest Dartmouth," I admitted. "UNH was my choice though, just in case I didn't get in."

"I just have one question, sweetheart," Renee said. "Are you going to New Hampshire because Edward wants you to or because you want to?"

"Honestly, at first it started out for him," I confessed to my mother. "Now, I want to go for me. Jess and Angela will be a few hours away in New York and while the Cullens will be in New Hampshire too, I'm still doing my own thing…and I'm excited about that."

"Okay," Renee said with a gentle smile. "Now that I know that, I can let you go with my blessing."

Right now, Jess, Renee and I were lounging in the front yard of her house. It was a sweet little place a couple minutes away from the ocean. It was just a bit cooler than most of the city and if you closed your eyes and focused, you could hear the waves lap along the beach and smell the salt from the water.

"To think you could have done this on your weekends and all your breaks," Renee said.

"Mom, we talked about this," I said in a playfully warning tone.

"I know, I know," Renee said. "But at least I know you'll come visit. And Jessica, you're welcome to come too."

"Thanks, Renee," Jess said as she picked up her phone after an alert went off. "Ooh, NYU is doing a tour this Friday…Is there any way we can exchange our tickets?"

"I don't know," I said. "It does sound like fun though."

"Oh! I think Phil may have some miles from visiting his folks and from game travel," Renee said. "Let me ask him."

Renee ran towards the house to call Phil.

"Hey, I know you wouldn't want to leave here so soon, but maybe your mom can come with us and we can take a train to New Hampshire the day before and check out UNH," Jess suggested.

"That could work," I said. "And then my mom may not be as bored while Phil's doing spring training."

"All right, I just got off the phone with Phil," Renee said with a smile. "Would you girls mind if an old woman tagged along so she can see the school her daughter may be heading to?"

"I mean, she could, but what are you going to do, Renee?" Jess said with a wink.

"I like her," Renee said.

"Of course you can come with us mom," I said.

"Glad you said that, because I already booked tickets for the three of us," Renee said with a smile. "New York, here we come!"

A day later, we found ourselves in the MHT Airport at the car rental section. While Renee stood in the line, Jess and I called the surrounding area near UNH for available hotel rooms. It took us about three times each before I finally got one that was available for the night.

"Uh-huh," I said as the concierge gave me the details. "Yes, we can be there in the next hour…thank you. We'll be there soon. Bye."

"Any luck?" Renee asked as she held up the keys.

"Yeah, I got us a room at the Hilton about 10 miles away from the campus," I said.

"Basically anything closer was already booked up," Jess said. "I'm almost afraid to try and find anything here in the city."

"Well, we can give it the old college try when we get to New Hampshire," Renee joked. "Are you girls ready?"

We nodded and followed Renee to the little blue Corolla that reminded me of my little blue Camry back home in Forks. I almost forgot that Renee drove like a member of the Cullen family with her need for speed. Instead of the drive taking the full hour, it took about 35 minutes to get there.

We checked into the hotel, each taking a turn to freshen up a bit once we reached our room, and then began the short drive to campus. We pulled into the parking lot just as it looked like the tour group was forming.

"Alright, we may have a few more stragglers, so we'll give two more minutes until we start with the tour," the tour guide announced. Once we were in place, as well as a few other families who were running late, the tour guide began.

"Nice to see everyone today," she said with a smile. "My name is Annalise and welcome to today's prospective student tour of UNH! We're glad that you have chosen us to be your educational hub for the next four years of your lives."

"Is everyone ready to get started?" Annalise asked. After a chorus of "yeses" and some head nods, we began our tour. Annalise was sure to highlight the parent-friendly portion of the tour: the history of the campus, the strong academic curriculum, and the great student organizations we could join. The campus itself was beautiful and I fell in love with the library automatically, much to my mom and Jess's amusement as they literally had to pull me away.

"So if no one else has any other questions, I'll let you all break to our dining hall for refreshments or you can visit our campus store to get a jump on stocking up UNH gear," Annalise with a smile. "I hope you enjoyed your tour and we can't wait for you to join us in the fall!"

The group applauded and some followed Annalise to the dining hall while she pointed out the campus store to some of the other families.

"So do you girls want to grab something to eat first or just head back to the hotel?" Renee asked.

"I'm okay with waiting…" Jess said but trailed off when something caught her eye. "Oh my God!"

"What is it?" I asked looking in the same direction, but I gasped at what I saw too.

Right at the edge of campus, there was a silver Volvo parked near the quad with two familiar figures standing right near it.

"Girls, everything okay?" Renee asked when we didn't answer. I don't think we paid attention as we walked towards them and eventually broke out in a run to get to them.

An almost perfect vacation was finally complete, now that the two missing piece known as Edward Cullen and Jacob Black were there.

I'll be working on part two to the reunion soon! Again, thank you guys for bearing with me; you're too awesome for words! Thank you to the new followers: Betty1968, Twi-madkat18, VoidScorpionn, and Roza Dragomir Belikova; thanks to the new favoriters: LOVESROOKIEBLUE-ANDYANDSAM, KieranSiobhan, Gordies24, Immortal Loves1, and flake13; thank you to my new favoriting follower, jorg0382; thank you to the new author followers: and AHealingRenaissance; thank you to a day one reader, traceybuie, for favoriting and following my author page; finally, thank you to pat1968 for doing all of the above!

Until next time,

xoxo