ESMEPOV
"I love you too, Emmet dear. Mhmm… okay. Well, give Rosalie my love. Of course I'll tell them…. alright then….. Enjoy Europe some more, we'll see you soon. Bye."
I didn't hang up until I heard the click on the other end. I met Carlisle's eyes from across the desk, and I could tell he could see the pain in them. I was still clutching the receiver when he reached over the desk and gently pried it out of my hands.
"How are the kids?" It was a question with multiple meanings, and multiple answers. What could I say? Fine, they're enjoying Europe. Sad, even Rosalie is missing Bella. Still angry, that we had to leave Forks. Awful- they're not coming home because they still can't stand Edwards pain. Though each was equally truthful, I put my head in my hands, sighed, and settled for the one that wasn't already common knowledge
"Fine, they're enjoying Europe." He raised his eyebrows, expecting more. He could tell I was still upset by what Emmett had said. I looked up at him from where my fingers still clasped my forehead and tried to smile. It must have turned out in a grimace, because none of us had truly smiled in a long time. I knew what he was waiting for.
"How much longer?" He muttered, knowing by now that they hadn't called to say they were at the airport.
"At least another month." We were referring to the 'extended' trip that Rose and Emmett had decided to take. What was supposed to be a month long 'honeymoon' had turned into a three month stay. They were still avoiding coming home. It broke my heart that we couldn't be together but it hurt too much for all of us when we sat down and tried to talk with what was left of Edward. He wasn't… for lack of a better term, human anymore. His pain ripped across him in constant waves, and he hadn't been able to have contact with Jasper in months. It was even worse because of the hole we all felt without Bella too.
My Edward was anywhere but here. He blamed himself for Jaspers attack on Bella, and though it wasn't is fault, exiled out family from her. The loving, forgiving, girl that she was, I had no idea what he must have said to make her let him go. All I knew is that his decision now found Carlisle and I mourning in his office in Denali, Alice and Jasper reading in silence-Alice hasn't shopped since we left; we hadn't thought it was possible, but apparently it is – and Rosalie and Emmett hiding away in Europe. Edward was God knows where, 'tracking' Victoria. He checked in occasionally, but the calls were growing shorter, with longer distances in-between.
Carlisle stood from behind his desk and walked around it until he was standing in front of me. His eyes mirrored my pain, our pain, at having our family stripped away from us. Pulling me out of my chair and wrapping his arms around me, he kissed my hair and held me close. I buried my face in his chest, putting my arms around his torso and holding him tight.
"Carlisle… I don't know how much longer I can stand this." I mumbled into his shirt, knowing he would hear me. He put his cheek against the top of my head. Both of us were distraught, pensive, and worryingly quiet. Finally, he broke the silence.
"I'm not sure if we can afford to wait any longer for him to com to his senses. This is no longer just between the two of them, it never was. She's part of our family and there's nothing he can do to stop that."
I looked up into his beautiful topaz eyes and pondered. "What can we do? I don't want to go against his wishes, but there really is no choice anymore." He pulled back slightly so we could look at each other better. We were still in one another's' arms, and that comfort gave me strength to say what I needed to. "We have to go back, don't we?"
Gravely, he nodded. I pulled him close again. Edward and Bella. My son and my daughter. I could already feel my heart fighting against the iron grip it had been held in since we left Forks. We were going back. We were going back! I shot up out of Carlisle's arms, smiling like I hadn't smiled in years… well months, technically. But it felt like decades. His smile matched mine in all entireties and he grabbed my hands and grinned. I wasn't sure if she'd take him back, or if he would come back, but if we could at least have one of them home… the other was sure to follow, it was inevitable.
Hope coursed through my veins, anticipation was making me giddy. Their love was so strong that if we could get sense into one of them, we could have them both back. Suddenly something hit me- I laughed when I realized it was Alice.
She had thrown herself at me, obviously seeing our decision in a vision. Jasper was leaning on the doorframe, smiling, for the first time since Bella's birthday. He could obviously feel our elation, not to mention the happiness that flowed out of Alice though her smile.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" Alice cried, now flinging herself at Carlisle. "We're going to Forks! Jasper, we're going back to Forks!" She ran and pounced on him, hugging him for all she was worth. "I get my best friend back! We get Bella back! We can go shopping!" At this she let out a little shriek and squeezed Jasper tighter, the poor boy. But now Jasper too was beaming, his power being amplified by contact (which Alice was certainly providing).
Carlisle was grinning. In a matter of seconds, we had gotten our beautiful, exuberant, shopaholic daughter back. Always pragmatic however, he had to ask. "Alice, have you seen Bella accepting us back? I thought Edward had forbidden you from trying to see her."
Alice's face fell a little, but not for long. "Well, just because I haven't seen it, doesn't mean it couldn't happen… and it will happen! It has to! Bella loves us as much as we love her, and we're going to be a family again. And when we are, Edward will come back, and they'll be happy. And she and Edward will just have to work out their issues, and then he'll change her, and then they'll get married and he'll be happy. Esme, he'll smile again! And we'll move to a town with a big mall so Bella and I can make up for lost time. Me and Bella will go shopping every day, and we'll buy clothes and furniture and food, even though we wont eat it, and-"
He shot me a knowing glance before interrupting her rant. "Alice, that's all well and good, but have you seen anything of Bella?"
She pouted, disgruntled that her shopping plans were being put on the back burner. "No, I haven't seen anything. Edward said not to look, and after awhile the visions of her stopped coming."
"Well, make the arrangements Alice. Once we're all packed I'll need you to look for Bella. The sooner we get to Forks, the better."
Another shriek of joy escaped my petite 4'11" tall daughter, as she dragged all 6'2" of her husband out of the office. He just shrugged and smiled, eager to get back to Forks like we were. I knew Jasper still blamed himself for our leaving. If Edward hadn't read is thoughts and pulled Bella out of the way, she would have died at his hands. I don't think Bella could have ever blamed him; no one blames him but himself. Living with our masochistic Edwards emotions for so long was bound to rub off I suppose.
"Come on Esme, let's go pack." I could see the excitement in his eyes, while his tone was calm. Using our vampire speed, we were downstairs with our bags on the couch waiting for Alice and Jasper within minutes. Carlisle picked up the phone to call Emmett and Rosalie; someone would need to close down the house if the move to Forks was permanent. Also, I was sure that they would want a chance to gather their things before joining us in Washington. I would be able to hear their conversation from my perch on the arm chair. It was cruel of me, but I almost hoped Emmett would pick up instead of Rose. Her attitude towards Bella had always been nothing short of ridiculous.
"Hello?" The voice was sweet, with a hard edge. Rosalie. Carlisle looked to me and I shrugged, knowing it was best to get it over with and accept her reaction.
"Hello Rose. We don't have much time to explain, but Alice, Jasper, Esme and I are going back to Forks. We're going back for Bella." I could hear a loud whoop in the background and stifled a giggle at Emmett's reaction. He had always considered Bella his silly little sister and loved her fiercely. He had missed her just as much as Alice.
Rosalie, apparently, was not so easily swayed. Her tone was soft but icy. "WHY are we going back for that… human?" I was shocked at how blind the girl could be. Carlisle sighed, and I motioned for him to hand the phone to me. He cocked an eyebrow but acquiesced. Holding the phone to my ear I used a tone I knew she wouldn't dare argue with. I was her mother in almost every sense of the word, and she knew it. "Rosalie Lillian Hale Cullen…" She had to know she was in trouble now if I was using her full name. "Bella is as much a part of this family as you are. She may be human, but she is the reason for your brothers' existence, and she makes us all happy. I don't know what you have against her dear, but all I ask is that you are civil. We are going back to Forks and I need you and Emmett to close down the house after you return and have your stuff moved out." The phone was silent as I finished my rant, but I heard a small "humph" on the other end.
"Fine, we'll be back in a week mom." She murmured, humbled, but I was even more astonished that they were cutting their trip. Again, Emmett sounded ecstatic. Maybe she did harbor some feeling for Bella… or at least for Edward. That reminded me.
"Rose, I need you both to promise not to tell Edward yet." She let out a snort.
"Yea, because he calls all the time. Whatever, we promise." I didn't appreciate the sarcasm, but she had promised and that was all that mattered.
"Thank you Rosalie. You will both need to meet us at the house in Forks when you are done, Alice can set up your arrangements. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"Of course Mom." And with that, our exchange was over. I handed the little silver cell phone back to Carlisle only to see him looking at me appraisingly. It was bewildering.
"What?"
"You… Rose… Wow." Was all he was able to say. He was always amazed at my ability to put Rosalie in her place when she got a little too… tenacious. Now was not the time for this however.
"It's a gift." I said simply and smirked. Turning towards the stairs, I called in a normal voice "Alice, Jasper, in the living room please."
In seconds they were assembled in front of us, suitcases in tow. They were both still glowing. Carlisle motioned for them to sit down.
"Alice, I need you to try to see Bella. That way we can get a grasp of where she might be, and in what… condition." Alice looked slightly confused by his choice of words but nevertheless focused her eyes on a spot on the wall. As they glazed over into a vision I saw Jaspers face clench and tense. He fell to his knees next to Alice and she sunk into him as she came out of the vision. Carlisle looked to me, alarmed, by the dry sobs coming from both our children on the floor. Whatever Alice had seen…it wasn't good.