Lost and Found

Disclaimer: I do not own twilight Lost and Found

A Twilight story

Pairings usual except for Edward/my character Bella/Jacob

It will change POV sometimes.

Senior year, Edward and Bella have split for good, but the Cullens haven't left.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY

Chapter 14 Getting Closer

A couple of weeks later

It has been a little while since I started staying with the Cullen's and it has been some of the best times of my life. I finally feel wanted and loved. I feel as though I finally have the family that I have always wanted. I feel as though I finally have a loving mother and father, and watchful older siblings; and maybe even my other half. Edward. For once I feel like a human and not an abomination. For once in my life I believe that there is a thing called happiness.

Edward and I have been growing closer to each other since that day in the clearing. He really helped me get through everything. The next day at school the only time that he was gone from my side was when we were in separate classes. On the way into school he had his arm around me and he was sending glares to all of the people who were staring at me or more like the bruises on my face, for I had left my hood down since people saw it already. I could have sworn that I heard him, and the others, growl or hiss at the staring people.

Today Edward was taking me to see Carlisle at the hospital for a checkup. It was to see when my casts would roughly need to be changed, and to see if everything was healing nicely. Edward and I were waiting in an exam room for Carlisle to show up, the nurse had already removed the bandages that were covering up my cuts which have healed by now, after bringing me back from having x-rays done.

"Well Carrie, you seem to heal quite nicely, and faster than anticipated. These films show months of healing in a short amount of time," Carlisle said as he came into the room, film in hand.

"I have noticed that I do heal rather quickly." I said my legs hanging off of the hospital bed in the room I was placed.

"By the looks of these films, you'll be out of all of the casts by Thanksgiving. We'll just put fresh casts and wraps on then you and Edward can go home." Carlisle informed me placing the film down on a table that was in the room.

"Oh goodie, that means I can feed myself again," I said while sending a mock glare at Edward.

"But I'm sure that Esme and the others are going to miss it," Edward said with a crooked grin.

"They should just take a picture, it lasts longer," I said before I could stop myself.

"I'll tell Esme you said that," Edward said. I crossed my arms the best that I could out of embarrassment, still being careful of my arms and hands. Edward smirked at his victory, and Carlisle just smiled at our banter.

"You two can continue this after I put on new casts," Carlisle said. With that Carlisle put a new cast on my arm and fingers and I was given a new brace to wear for my ribs.

When we got home Esme immediately came to us asking how everything went. I told her everything was fine, going better than planned, and that I could have all of my casts off by Thanksgiving. She was ecstatic when she heard the news.

"That means you can come with us," she said her tone pleased.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked puzzled and curious as to what she meant.

"Well, as you know whenever it is sunny we always use camping as an excuse. We figured that this Thanksgiving, we would actually go camping. If you were going to be healed by then we were going to bring you with us." Esme stated a smile growing on her face as she spoke.

"What if I wasn't healed by then, what were you going to do, drop me off at my place?" I asked a little nervous and slightly scarred at the thought of going back especially with them gone.

"No. We would have allowed you to stay here either by yourself, but most likely with someone who wanted to stay with you or canceled the trip completely. We wouldn't want you harming yourself further if you were out there with us." Esme explained. By now we were in the living room with everyone else. I took a seat next to Emmett with Edward sitting at my feet with his back against my legs. I was running my fingers through his hair, a new habit I have. Before I ran my fingers through my own hair, now when we were relaxing, I run my fingers through his.

"Now I get to see how rusty my hunting skills have become," I said in a thoughtful tone. I would have put my hands in my pockets if I was able to. It has been a long time since I was able to hunt.

"Hunting," Rosalie asked a little surprised and curious.

"Yes hunting. You didn't think that I got all of my food out of the garbage did you?" I asked. She looked away slightly embarrassed as she sat on the arm rest next to Emmett.

I chuckled, "Believe it or not, not all of my food came from the garbage. When I had time or was in a suitable place I would hunt and fish. I would also dig around for roots and look for edible plants and flowers."

"How would you do that?" Edward asks leaning his head back to look at me. No doubt wondering how I am able to take down an animal, and fish without a rod.

I leaned forward so that he could see me better and placed my hands on both sides of his head/face. "You'll just have to wait and see I guess." I said placing a kiss on his forehead. We have been showing each other more affection lately. Emmett and Alice were still sort of laugh at us. I just stuck my tongue out at Emmett.

"What have I told you about that?" Edward said his voice so sinful and husky that my breath hitched and heart began to speed in excitement.

"But you won't do anything." I said completely sure of myself in tone at the very least. The next thing I know Edward was up and right in front of me, leaning over me with both of his arms next to my sides and his face inches away from mine.

"You want to bet," he said his eyes smoldering. I could feel my face heat up from the roots of my hair to the base of my neck and I quickly turned my head away from him and close my eyes. He pulled away and chuckled at my reaction. He then picked me up, sat down where I just was and placed me on his lap. Edward seems to have this strange fascination with my blush I was sure of it!

I was sitting so that he had his right arm around me and my left side was against the back of the sofa and I was facing him. My legs were draped over his lap with my feet pointing toward Emmett.

"I think you do this to me on purpose to see what my reaction would be. Also, you do realize that someday I just may challenge you on that," I said giving him a long calculated look.

"That will be the day," he said with a chuckle.

"Come on let's go and get some supplies for the weekend," Esme said with a kind of lets go clap of her hands and a small laugh. I can tell that she loves to watch our interactions with each other.

Monday night before break

Edward and I were in the kitchen, working on my idea for our 3D representation of our cell project. I thought that it would be fun if we made giant cookies and decorate them to look like cells; one for animal cells, one for plant cells.

"Why are we doing this again," Edward asked looking to me from his place in the kitchen, next to the stove.

"Because it will be fun and afterwards we, I mean I, can eat it. And it's edible art," I replied with a chipper tone of voice that reminded me of Alice.

"You're weird," he told me with faux exasperation.

"You're just figuring that out," I replied in disbelief. We were the only ones in the kitchen. Carlisle was at work, the girls were in Alice's room, Esme was reading in the living room, and the boys were out in the forest.

"Ok, we need to add eggs, oil and milk to the mixes, and coat the pans in flour so that the cookies do not stick," I said. It felt good to finally be able to do something. Yesterday Carlisle took the rest of my bandages off and I was back to almost one hundred percent. I was still a little sore but I was healed. I just had to make sure to not over do it.

Everyone is still surprised at how quickly I heal 'for a human' that is. Carlisle theorizes

that my body has adapted to heal quickly to ensure my survival. This would explain all that I had survived before I meet them.

"You do know that Esme could do this, she enjoys this kind of thing," Edward said to me grabbing the eggs from the fridge.

"Shut up and get cracking with those eggs," I said. I turned to face the island in the middle and took the flour and the pans to coat them. As I was working on the second pan I felt something plop on to my head and then I felt this goop/slime slide down my head. I reached my hand up and grabbed the offending substance.

It was egg. First I was like gross then it dawned on me, egg. Edward had the eggs. Edward egged me! I turned around and Edward had his back to me. He was putting in the required ingredients into the mixes and stirring. Looking as innocent as possible as he did so. 'Innocent my butt,' I thought with a snort.

I turned back around, making sure that my thoughts were all complaining about the egg in my hair. I grabbed a handful of flour, turned to face him again and tossed it at him. I watched as the flour it him in the back of the neck and I turned around to appear innocent. I waited and nothing happened. I heard Edward with the mixer going then the sink turned on. Then I felt myself getting drenched.

I turned around trying to block the water that was coming at me. Edward had the sink sprayer and it was pointed at me.

"Edward," I shouted shocked.

He stopped spraying me. "What," he said his head tilted curiously, innocently as if he was not just spraying me only seconds before. I just grabbed more flour and was flinging it at him. He laughed and started to spray me with water again. I reached for the sprayer and tried to wrestle it from him. We were both laughing and getting soaked.

"What is going on in here," I heard a woman's voice shout. We both stopped what we were doing to see Esme standing in the entrance way of the kitchen with a slight frown on her face and hands on her hips.

I took that moment to look around at the mess we made. There was flour and water everywhere in the area that we were at. I still had egg in my hair, Edward had flour in his, and we were both soaked from our water fight.

I was looking at my feet in guilt when I saw a flash and heard a click. I looked up and standing beside Esme was Alice with a camera and a grin on her face.

"Alice," I pouted. Then I saw white. I blinked my eyes to clear my vision. I looked up to see Alice, Esme and now Rosalie trying to hide their laughter. Alice took another picture. I reached up and my hand came in contact with something powdery. I looked behind me and saw Edward with flour covered hands standing behind me.

I turned fully toward him with a mischievous smirk spreading across my face. "Now Edward why would you do that with Esme right there," I asked.

"You had your guard down," he replied as if it should be obvious as to why.

"Well I still want an apology," I said. I turned my face and pointed to my cheek.

"Fine," he said with a sigh.

He leaned down and closed his eyes and he went to kiss my cheek. I saw this as my opportunity. I took the egg that I snagged during our scuffle, and broke it over his head. I took my hands and worked it into his hair. Edward pulled away with a shocked look on his face. "You had your guard down," repeating his earlier words to him. I pulled away and started laughing. I heard the others laughing in the back ground.

I watched as Esme, Alice and Rosalie laughed a bit louder and Alice was taking more pictures. Emmett and Jasper came in then. "What's so funny," Emmett asked as he looked between us. Jasper was just calmly assessing the situation as always, but I could see a glint in his eyes as he took in the sight of us in the kitchen. Rosalie just pointed toward us. The both of them took in our appearance more closely and Alice explained what happened. They were soon clutching their sides from laughing so hard.

"Get this cleaned up, and back to work, then you can get yourselves cleaned up," Esme said as she and the others left. I turned toward Edward and saw that he had a frown on his face.

"Oh I'm sorry Edward, but you were asking for it," I said. He still looked slightly upset so I walked toward him and reached my arms up to place my hands on either side of his face. I slowly guided his head down to my level and kissed him fully upon the lips. It didn't take long for him to respond or for our kiss to heat up.

I heard a giggle and I pulled away. I turned toward the entrance to see Alice standing there with a camera in her hands. She turned and left us alone in the kitchen. It was then that I noticed that I was sitting on the counter top. I never noticed that Edward picked me up and placed me there.

He leaned in and placed a kiss on the side of my neck. I turned and gave him a quick kiss, "We have work to do Eddie." I said. We regretfully separated, I jumped off of the counter and we got to work.

We finished making the batter and making the shape that we wanted, and while they were baking we cleaned up our mess in the kitchen and ourselves. When the cookies were done, we decorated them to look more like cells, and we labeled each of the parts. We then put them into containers so that we could hand them in to class tomorrow.

Tuesday went on the same as always. The teacher was very impressed about our 3d representation of the cells. Wednesday went on much like it did on Halloween.

"Today is going to seem like forever," I said sighing exasperatingly.

"Why is that?" Edward asked curious. We were in his car on the way to school.

"Well just think about it. It's the last day before a five day weekend. We have the usual Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving, and then it's the weekend. We also have Monday off due to a teacher in service. Waiting for the day to end is going to make time seem like its dragging on forever. We'll be constantly checking to see what time it is. You know what I mean?" I asked turning my eyes to his beautiful face.

"No not really," he said scratching the side of his head with a look of confusion on his face. I just gave him a look of disbelief before smacking him in the chest with the back of my hand.

"Yes I just wanted to hear how you would explain it," Edward said. "It sort of fascinates me the way your mind works." By now we have arrived at the school. Edward parked between Rosalie's car (on the left) and Emmett's jeep (on the right). I got out and stood next to Emmett who was next to Jasper by his vehicle, and Edward stood with the girls who were by Rosalie's car.

"This weekend is going to be so much fun," Alice said gushing. It was pretty obvious that she was excited about it if her clasped hands, large smile and practically jumping in place were anything to go by. "We'll be hiking, fishing, and a whole bunch of other camping things such as sleeping out under the stars."

"That can be pretty cool." I said, "Especially when you are out in the middle of nowhere and the stars can clearly be seen. You can see a shooting star, or a meteor shower or other wonders of the universe."

"You sound like a nature lover," Rosalie said.

"I am and having to live and survive in it for as long as I remember I have also come to appreciate that which has sustained my life," I said. They became solemn when I said this. To lighten the mood I moved so that I was standing between Emmett and Jasper and I put an arm around their shoulders (as best as I was able considering the height difference).

"Cheer up you guys. I'm here now and that is all that matters."

"That's right," Emmett said placing his arm around my shoulder while Jasper placed his around my back and sending me a big smile. "Our family is even now; four girls and four guys. It's a plus that we can control ourselves around you also." He said in jokingly way.

"Let's go, we have a day where we are doing practically nothing. Then we are going to get started on our fun filled weekend." I said. As I said that we started to walk toward the school still in our little groups. And me, feeling like goofing off a little, wiggled out of their grasps and then quickly jumping up on Emmett's back. "Giddy up Teddy," I said.

"Teddy?" they all asked confused.

"Yes Teddy. Emm here reminds me of a bear, so I called him teddy." I replied smiling at the now proclaimed Teddy as he looked at me from over his shoulder.

"You do realize that people are staring right?" Edward asked his voice sounded slightly reproachful.

"People are always staring at us dear Edward. I feel like acting a little silly at the moment, so I am. Is it that you are just mad because I'm picking on Emmett and not you?" I asked eyeing him contemplatively with a small knowing smirk on my face.

"I think that it is cute," Alice said with a smile.

"Thank you Alice," I said sending her a smile and the others a wink. "I hope you don't

mind me doing this Rosalie."

"I think it's cute, but it would be cuter if you did that to Edward," she replied.

"Then I'll make sure to pounce on him sometime." I told them sending Edward a decidedly mischievous smile.

"Is that a promise?" Edward asked. I made a thinking face/pose then nodded with a grin on my face; he grinned back.

Emmett carried me all the way to my English class, earning a lot more stares and a shocked look from the teacher. In English we played a word game after handing in some papers.

In Latin, after handing in our Daimon translation we played non sequittor. (A game of words that is not sequential. Feel free to message me if you're still confused.) We played until it was just Emmett and I battling against each other. After about five minutes, he was able to trick me and won the game. While walking me to class Emmett kept teasing me about losing to him.

In chemistry, the teacher thought it was fun to have a movie day so he dug out all of his Bill Nye the science guy videos. During the theme song everyone, even Rosalie surprisingly, sang along.

Coming out of the classroom, Edward was there waiting as usual. He greeted me with a smile and a kiss. Even though it was a small kiss I still felt my toes curl. He had his arm around my shoulders and I had my arm around his waist. It was easier to do this than normal because we weren't carrying that much. I had my sketchbook and a couple of notebooks, and Edward had a book to read and a couple of notebooks also.

"Alright class settle down and take your seats," the biology teacher said. "I know you're all excited that you all have an extended holiday break coming, but today in this class we are going to do a small test." At this the other students started to moan and some voiced some complaints.

"Don't worry; it shouldn't be too hard, if you think like a proper biologist. As you all know, biology is the study of life, and there are many things that this includes. This test is to see how well you know each other; you are going to be tested to see how well you know your lab partner. Their likes and dislikes, favorite color, food, what they like to do, things like that.

"This should be easy considering that we live in a small town and everybody knows one another, but let's see how much you actually know. The team that gets the most of questions about each other right gets two movie tickets to this year's sold out it film."

This got people excited because there was a movie showing in Port Angeles that everyone wanted to see and therefore was constantly sold out and difficult to get tickets for. The teacher then handed out the papers. Edward, Bella and I got two sheets since there were three of us in our group. Afterwards we had to hand our sheets to our respective person for them to grade so the winners could be. In the end it was Edward and I who got the most right about each other. This of course didn't please Bella too well.

"That isn't right," she complained. "They are going out so of course they are going to know a lot about each other. It isn't fair that they have an unfair advantage compared to the rest of us."

"That isn't an excuse Bella." I said in the same voice that I used on her last month. "If I am not mistaken both you and Edward went out last year so you should know a lot about him and vice versa, but you barely got any of the questions right; he got quite a few questions about you right.

"If you're worried about the tickets, which your probably not, you can have mine. I don't like going to the movie theaters much. They tend to be crowded and I prefer to watch movies in the comfort of my own home." I turned away from her and busied myself with my sketch book.

I could practically feel the steam of anger rolling off of her from where I sat. "We hang around each other a lot." Edward addressed the teacher. "We haven't even been on a date, just to let you know."

"Well that settles that, and that does bring up a valid point Ms. Swan, your answers for Mr. Cullen shouldn't be counted because you did date him last year and the beginning of this year, so you have an unfair advantage as you said. Mr. Cullen did a very good job on both yours and Carrie's test, and only Carrie's will count since they haven't had a date yet. So Carrie and Edward win the prize. Do you want the tickets Edward?" the teacher asked. Edward shook his head no, so the teacher gave the tickets to the next people.

When the bell rang to dismiss us Edward held me tight to his side as we headed toward the cafeteria. When we arrived at the table, sensing that something was wrong, Jasper sent some calming influence our way and when I sat down Alice wrapped me in a hug. Edward left to get my lunch and Rosalie asked what happened.

When I told them what had occurred in our last class she had a look of outrage on her face, but she expressed how glad she was that I 'put Bella in her place'. Edward came back in the middle of my retelling. When he sat down he pulled me close to his side again and had me sitting so that I was, in a way, curled into him and my legs were draped over his. He held a Pb&J towards me but I just grabbed it from him and started to eat.

Alice spotted my sketch book and started to look through it after my Halloween costume drawings. "You should definitely be an artist Carrie, or take classes or something. These are really good, just probably take a class to clean it up and perfect it," Alice said.

"Right now it is more of a hobby. I'm not sure what I want to do with my life. I've always assumed that I'll be stuck taking care of Thom and Liz for the rest of my life, which is still most likely. Even if I did get away from them, I could never afford it. I'm also the type that wants to learn everything, or more than one thing. The things that I do want to learn I want every degree that I can get for it." I said.

"We could help pay for it," Edward suggested, the others agreeing.

"I couldn't have you do that, I'll feel bad enough about you making up the difference in my pay check for the last month, and for Alice standing in for me at the house. Besides only family should do that, and by family I mean being one of you, and I shouldn't be bitten unless I am dying, then the age should be decent. If I'm old or middle age then it is probably my time to die."

"If I die, I die and unable to fight it off any longer. It would be your groups decision if that should happen. If it was meant to be it will happen, that is my philosophy," I said. Toward the end my voice got quieter. I paused, my eyes clouding and going off into my own little world. I felt happiness around me and felt Edward tighten his arm around me. I sent a smile toward Jasper and gave Edward a small peck on the cheek and went back to eating my sandwich.

"I did mean what I said though," Alice said. "You even have a good imagination. I mean, look at this picture of Emmett." She turned the picture so that everyone could see it, and everyone, besides Emmett, burst out laughing.

In the picture I drew Emmett as if he was asleep. He was wearing wrinkled flannel pajamas, and a night cap which was beside his head. He was half on his side, half on his stomach. Blankets were in disarray, his legs tangled in them, one was hanging off the bed. His mouth was open and drool was dripping out of the corner of his mouth, partially across his cheek and then down his chin. His head was rest in on top of his left arm, which was half underneath a pillow, and his other arm was tightly holding a teddy bear to his chest.

"Awe, He looks so adorable," Rosalie said. "Are there any others?" Alice placed the book in the middle of the table so that everyone could see it.

The next one was of Edward. He was sitting at his piano, dressed up as a musician, but also looking a bit like a mad scientist with his crazy hair and somewhat tousled clothing. (Think of how the clothes just seem to pop off in the older cartoons.) He had a serious look of concentration on his face as he was playing the piano. The piano seemed to be falling apart with the intensity he seemed to be playing it.

The next one was of Esme, looking a bit like a fairy god mother, or the good witch from the Wizard of Oz (do not own). From her and her wand came love and caring and … cupcakes and sweets.

There were some pages that had vague sketches. "I was hoping to maybe try my hand at painting and making some of my drawings into portraits," I said. "I haven't tried that before, or any other materials."

"Still I'm going to get you for drawing me like that," Emmett said darkly.

"Not as long as Eddie protects me you won't," I said as I wrapped an arm around Edward and snuggled closer to his side.

"Don't be too sure about that, you just might deserve what he does to you," Edward replied looking at the drawing of Emmett.

"And I'll pretend that you didn't say that," I stated lifting my nose in the air in a snobby manner which had everyone laughing.

After lunch Alice and I walked to math while she was suggesting ideas that I could draw next. In math class we played math jeopardy, which was a review of everything we have learned during the year thus far and things we have learned in past years.

In gym class the teachers told us that we didn't have to change but we were still going to dance. "I want you to get into groups and you are going to choose a line dance to perform as a final grade. You can choose any line dance that we have done, but we want no more than six in a group. You'll have the next ten minutes to form your groups and decide what you are going to do," the teacher said.

As she said that I grabbed Alice and Rose by the arm and dragged them away from the boys with a quick no cheating to Edward.

"So what are we going to do ladies?" Rosalie asked. I took a piece of paper and a pen from my pocket and wrote down my idea:

'Sexy tractor but with extra heat'

(If you don't know what this is it's the dance to Kenny Chesney's song She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy).

I had a grin on my face and I watch as one slowly appeared on Rosalie's face and Alice's smile brightened. The teacher told us to take a seat on the bleachers and then assigned which order we were to go in. The boys, who formed their own group, were second to last and the girls and I were the last to go.

We watched as the other groups performed their dance. The boys performed the electric slide, even though they weren't really into it and were barley moving, they still looked graceful and perfect.

"Alright time for the second half of the Cullen bunch." the female teacher said. The girls and I took of the denim jackets we were wearing. We were all dressed sort of alike; denim jeans and jacket, a halter top, despite the time of year, and slightly heeled dress shoes. I pulled my hair up into a high pony tail as we walked down to our places on the floor. Rosalie put the music in the stereo and came over standing next to me on my left, Alice was on my right.

We had our backs to the class almost completely on the other side of the gym. As the music started we turned around and slowly and somewhat seductively walked to the center of the gym floor. When the lyrics started we began the dance. Instead of just moving our hips side to side, we did like a body roll and swayed our hips and body in a more seductive way. Our arms were moving around us; up, out, down, around, hands on hips. We made sure to look at 'our' guys occasionally as we danced.

As we finished, everyone was looking at us with looks of shock on their faces, and it was really quite. This made me really nervous and started to feel insecure and slightly embarrassed that I just did what I did. I wrapped my arms around myself and kind of hid behind Rosalie, not wanting to be looked at.

"Well, that was certainly interesting," the male teacher said. The girl's teacher cleared her throat, "I say that was a pass. You can talk for the rest of the class, just don't get too loud. We'll bring out some basketballs also."

We walked back to our seats; I didn't look up from the ground. I grabbed my jacket and put it on and took my hair down out of its tie then sat down with my knees up close to my chest. I felt a pair of arms come around me and a chest against my back and a head/face close to the left side of mine and a pair of lips lightly brushing against my ear.

"I thought that you looked absolutely divine out there," Edward softly said in my ear. "I hope you wouldn't mind doing that again when we get home. Maybe I could join you next time." I could feel a blush staining my cheeks and I playfully smacked his arm.

"You are bad, and perhaps a bad influence," I replied my heart beating at a crazy speed as I envisioned doing just that. If he does not stop with the innuendos I'm going to be permanently red.

"So are you," he said wrapping his strong arms around me.

"Maybe," I told him. The bell rang and before I could get up Edward took one arm and put it under my legs and picked me up bridle style, and carried me out of the gym. He set me down in the hall, but held on to my hand and walked me to my locker. I grabbed my coat out of my locker, which was one of Edward's, and left everything else except my sketch book. We then walked to Edward's locker where he dropped everything off and grabbed his jacket. He gave me a kiss on the cheek, grabbed my hand and walked out of the school.

The others were waiting by their respective vehicles. The guys were still staring at Rosalie and Alice as we approached them. "I'll tell you Carrie, I'm not sure yet whether or not your arrival as been heaven or hell for us," Emmett said.

"Gee thanks Emm. I just feel the love," I said with a mock pout and crossing my arms across my chest.

"You know we love you Carrie," Edward said as he came behind me and did as he did in gym after my dance and buried his face in the crook of my neck. The fact that Edward had just indirectly told me he loved me sent shivers of pleasure down my spine. Alice came up and enveloped me in a hug also, then Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper.

I could feel the stares from the students that were still there as we stood there in our group hug. "Everyone is staring at us, you do realize that don't you?" I asked my face exuberant. Everything about this family makes me happy.

"Last one home is a rotten egg," Emmett declared. The next thing I know I was in Edward's Volvo and Edward was starting it and putting it into gear. We were speeding down the road, trying to beat Rosalie and Emmett home.

We were weaving and speeding past each other to win the race. It was very close but the boys were concentrating on each other so much that Rosalie was able to slip past them and beat both of them home. Edward was a close second with Emmett coming in last.

"Ha, girls rule and boys drool!" I said as I got out of the Volvo. "It's kind of sad Emmett that you lost. I mean, Edward had me, a human, to move and he still beat you."

"And what was that about girls and boys? I thought that you were on my side," Edward said with a slight pout.

"I am on your side Eddie, but I've got to support my fellow women in certain matters, especially when we are proven superior as we are to men." I replied with a small smile on my face and pointing my right index finger up in the air to emphasize my point.

"That reminds me," Emmett said, crossing his arms across his chest with his right hand up to his chin. "Come here Carrie!" he shouted as he ran toward me. We both knew that he could easily catch me so he made sure to move at a 'human' speed. I let out a small squeak and ran toward the house.

The front door was unlocked so I got in easily. I dropped my bag and took off my coat as I was running. I ran to the living room, I glanced behind me and saw Emmett close behind; I let out a laugh as ran around a small table, toward the couch. As I approached the couch I leapt up on it, placed my foot on the back and jumped off and out. I took off toward the stairs; I could hear Emmett behind me as he landed from jumping over the couch.

"Get back here and accept your punishment," Emmett shouted as he continued to pursue me.

"You're going to have to catch me first Teddy," I shouted back. I was having trouble breathing and my heart was pounding, but I was having fun. I ran to the widow and hopped out onto the tree branch that ran along the house. I followed it to the kitchen and I jumped in through the window.

Esme and Carlisle were in there cooking. They turned and sent me a confused look. I ran around the island in the middle and headed toward the living room again.

"Hi mom, hi dad, can't talk right now," I said quickly. It didn't register what I said and I missed the looks of shock on their face. I saw Emmett coming toward me from the side and grab for me. I used my speed that I had and slid under a table. As soon as I cleared the table I got back up and ran toward the living room again. The others were sitting in the living room watching me with smiles on their face.

"Hi guys," I said while laughing and slightly panting from my exercise. Boy do I stink at running.

"You should give up," Rosalie said from where she was seated on the sofa looking at her nails.

"It's fun though," I shouted back weaving around the furniture, and Emmett, trying to be fair, went around also. Alice decided to by me some time by tripping Emmett and holding him down.

"Thanks Alice," I shouted as I was going up the stairs.

Eventually Emmett was freed and he had me cornered against the railing that overlooked the living room. "I've got you now princess," Emmett said as he advanced on me. He had his arms out slightly from his sides, knees slightly bent, a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye. I noticed that he was no longer wearing his white sweater and was left with his black t-shirt and dark blue jeans.

"I still have one option left," I said as I grabbed hold of the rail and placed one foot on it. I had kicked off my shoes when I started running so I was left barefoot.

"You wouldn't dare," he said his face now looking nervous of my only option, yet slightly challenging. I got up on the rail the rest of the way so that I was precariously perched upon it in a crouch hanging on with my hands and balancing of the balls of my feet. I looked down and saw the others looking at me with slightly worried expressions. I sent them a reassuring smile. I turned back and Emmett was right there in my face, looking as if he was ready to grab me.

I sent him a smile then yelled, "Edward, catch!" and I jumped out and away, pushing off of the rail. I pulled my arms close and did a little spin so the landing would be better. As I expected I landed in Edward's arms.

"Don't do that," he berated me. "If my heart was still beating I would have had a heart attack. You scared me; you shouldn't do things like that." He placed me on my feet and was still looking at me disapprovingly. I stood on the tip of my toes and placed a kiss on his lips.

"I'm sorry," I apologized to him. A grin spread across his face. I was about to ask him what was up when I felt someone else grab me from behind.

"Thanks for stalling her for me Edward," Emmett said. I sent a glare Edward's way but he just leaned forward and pecked me on the lips. "Now that I have you I need to give you your punishment." He gave me an evil glare, brought a hand back, I couldn't help the small flinch and closing of my eyes as I saw this, and proceeded to tickle me.

I am a ticklish person so his attack was indeed torture. I curled up and tried to protect my sides but that didn't help at all. It also didn't help that I was ticklish practically everywhere. I eventually collapsed on the floor laughing so hard that I couldn't breathe and I was turning purple from the lack of air.

After what seemed like an eternity Emmett finally stopped his attack and pulled away, and my lungs were finally able to get the oxygen that they needed.

"What is going on out here," Esme said curiously watching our actions from the doorway leading to the dining room.

"Emmett didn't like a picture of him that Carrie drew," Alice said in a cheery way. She had taken her place next to Jasper on the sofa with her legs folded under her and arms folded on the back of it. Jasper who was wearing a grey sweater over a white dress shirt with black slacks and dress shoes had his right hand on her knee looking as calm as can be.

"What picture?" Carlisle asked confused as to what we were talking about. He was still dressed like he was this morning when he went to work.

"This picture," Rosalie said holding up my sketch book opened to the appropriate page.

"Rose!" Emmett shouted, getting up toward her reaching for the book. Rosalie however was already next to Esme and handing her the book. Emmett didn't dare try to get it from her, so he sat down on the sofa where she was just a short time ago with a huff.

"This is adorable, Carrie. I love it." she said looking down at me since I was still lying on the floor. "Carlisle, take a look at this." Esme said walking over to him.

Carlisle looked at the drawing and let out a small chuckle. "I take it that this is what she is being 'punished' for." We all nodded.

"I want a copy of it," Esme declared. She took the book back from Carlisle and looked through the rest of it. They both had comments on the picture of Edward and Esme loved the drawing of her. "Why don't you all go do something, I'll call when super is ready."

Since we didn't have any homework I was in my room just laying on my stomach, with my head at the foot of my bed, with headphones on listening to music. This weekend I wasn't going to worry as much because according to Alice, Thom and Liz left today and won't be back until after next weekend. The down side was that I had to start work again on Tuesday, and I decided to go back to my den after break. As much as I love it here I still feel obligated to my 'blood family'.

I felt my bed move and I looked to my right and saw Edward lying beside me on his side. I took off my head phones and turned so that I was facing him. "Hello Edward. Is there something that I can help you with?" He just reached over and brought me close to him, so I placed my head on his chest and he ran his fingers through my hair. I placed my arm around his torso, my hand resting over his nonbeating heart. I could feel the coolness of his body through his clothes but I still felt warm.

"Do you really want to go back to them despite all that they have done to you," he asked quietly almost as if he was afraid of my answer. I could tell he did not like the idea of me going back. I didn't either to be honest.

"Not really, but I still feel obligated to them. I would much rather stay here with the family of my heart and never return to them, but I feel as though I am letting them down. I know that they could care less, and I feel bad that Alice has to stand in my place and that you are making up the difference in my paycheck. What if they hit her, what would happen then, I can't let you get in trouble on my account." I said.

"You can stay here with us, we don't mind. With you here we know that you are safe, that you can't be hurt, and don't worry about the money, we have enough." he told me almost pleadingly.

I was about to say something more but Esme came in at that moment and told me that supper was ready. Edward helped me off of the bed and we went to the dining room hand in hand. Even though they don't eat they all sit at the table with me as I eat.

I gasped when I saw the table. Esme had prepared an entire Thanksgiving dinner. There was a turkey in the middle that looked absolutely perfect, like the ones on TV. There were also mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, stuffing, rolls, and a marble cake with vanilla frosting.

"So this is what you've been up to today, Esme" I said in slight awe at the sight. "You do know that it would take me a week or so eat all of this." I was beside myself with the meaning of this gesture. I knew this meal was solely for me because they did not eat.

"Well Carlisle and I thought that it would be a good idea to make you a proper Thanksgiving meal. It's been so long since any of us did a celebration like this for anything," she said glowing still from my calling her mother on reflex earlier.

Alice came skipping in with a smile on her face then saying, "I have good news, there is going to be a thunder storm on Monday." I heard cheers coming from the others as they came into the dining room.

"Yeah, it is about time for some baseball," Emmett cheered. I looked at Edward confused. He saw my look and let out a small chuckle.

"You'll find out then," he said. "Now come on, time for you to eat."

As we all sat in our seats and Esme fixed me up a plate. "Just to let you know, we have rented a cabin and the surrounding land for the weekend, we'll be back by Monday," Carlisle informed us as I sat at the table and began eating my feast.

"A cabin isn't exactly camping Carlisle," I said after I swallowed the food I had in my mouth so as to not to be rude and talk with my mouth full.

"Don't worry; we'll be out under the stars. The cabin was to ensure privacy," Carlisle replied with a small smile in my direction.

"When you get done eating I want you to pack and get to bed early tonight, we'll be leaving early tomorrow," Esme said to me. With that I enjoyed my first Thanksgiving meal and chatted with the family. After wards I packed my bags, took a shower and went to bed.

REVIEW PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLESE PLEASE REVIEW