Author's note: Hey all! I'm so sorry I haven't updated at all since… I dunno, forever? If someone has a date, please post in the comments – I'd love to know. Anyway, life is hectic but we've hit break which (at least to me) is UPDATE SEASON! I will do my best, so without further ado – chapter 13 of Raven.

Chapter 13: The Return

When Alec and I returned to Volterra that evening, we approached the masters with our decision. Of course, they welcomed us happily – arms open with affections of "son" and "daughter". Felix was ecstatic, as was Heidi, Corin, and Renata. Jane and Demetri were overjoyed, but in their own subdued ways. I didn't ask Alec how he the number for my family's home, but still asked for him to ring them. Carlisle picked up and took the news with undetectable disappointment. I took a smug sort of pride in knowing that Isabella would likely have a tantrum – about what, she didn't know, but she knew it would happen.

Alec stared at me from the driver's seat. I wasn't going to agree to this, no matter how many times he gave me that look. The one he used to use on me as a child; sweet and caring, that look was the one that could get me to do anything. Alec knew that and, in my opinion, abused power. I was twisted so far up in my seat, just to keep from meeting my husband's maroon gaze, that I had crossed the ridiculous line many times over. My teeth were clamped onto my bottom lip hard to stifle laughter bubbling up.

"Are you sure you aren't going to come in? We did come for you and-,"

"Don't start with me, Alec. Not today," I said, voice straining under the laughter. I could almost hear Alec's grin widening, but I didn't turn until I heard the car door shut. My head snapped around, eyeing the empty seat beside me. The car went absolutely silent and it was really wigging me out. I began to laugh nervously, curling my knees to my chest and worrying my sweater sleeve.

"Very funny, Alec, now come ambush me already," I called, sarcastic and shaky. He was going to appear right out of nowhere and scare the ever-living wits out of me. And then I might have to comply with him.

"If you insist, usignolo," Alec appeared at my side, the passenger door wide open. "But, you don't have to come with me," I let out the breath I'd been holding, comfort finding me too soon. Suddenly, he pulled me from the cabin and flung me over his shoulder. It wasn't until I saw he was ascending the steps to the house did I register what was happening.

"Seriously? Please, Alec, please? Let's not and say we did, okay. I can fabricate a few good memories! Aro won't know the difference l, so maybe we can catch a flight to New York or maybe even London! Barcelona is probably very pretty this time of year, and wouldn't you rather not be damp?" I began spitting out any excuse I could. Not this, anything but this. Id already done Aro a cavorted 13 months ago; couldn't he be happy with that?

"Renesme, calm down. It'll be alright, but only if you aren't a ball of nerves," he replied with a laugh, setting me down in front to the door. He kept a good hold on my arm; I wasn't going to even attempt escape because he'd catch me and the second time would doubly humiliating. I resorted to pouting like a child as Alec rang the doorbell.

"Some husband you are... really supportive," I grumbled. Alec just shook his head, chuckling at my teasing tries to reclaim control over my wrist. It was only another second before the door opened revealing Jasper, looking confused. I smiled meekly, embarrassed. My uncle smiled warmly, shaking Alec's hand before inviting us inside and leading us upstairs where the kitchen was.

"Guess who decided to drop in everyone," he strode into the eerily quiet room. Almost in sync, they all turned from their books and computers to stare at us, wide eyed. I smiled shyly and gave a quick way, awkwardness in every fiber of the scene.

"You came to visit," dad grinned. Mum looked surprised, like she had expected Alec and I to go back on our word.

"Oh, ye of little faith!" Alice chirped, moving to embrace the two of us. "Of course they would come and see us. Did none of you hear about the visions, or did Jasper not tell you?" Given the strained pause in the air, I took that Jasper had not told the rest of the family. I snickered a little bit at his mildly blank expression.

"Why don't we put that aside for now?" Esme intervened perfectly, waving at us from the couch next to Carlisle. "What took you all so long?" She gestured for us to sit down, and we took a seat on the chaise lounge.

"Aro had you both all over the place, didn't he?" Carlisle answered for us. I nodded and leaned into Alec.

"Of course; there was a rogue nomad in Scandinavia," Alec explained. "Nothing too serious, but just enough to cause a little bit of panic. All the superstition and mythology up there. You'd know better than all of us, Carlisle," My grandfather laughed, giving me a warn smile. It was nice to know that my family hadn't taken oftenest or held a grudge over our decision. When I first met them, I was astounded at their ability to move on and even hated them for it. Now, "forgive and forget" was a comforting motto.

"Its been pretty quiet lately," I added. "No trials or major conflicts, so, we've been pretty bored since the Scandinavian issue... and a change of scenery is always nice," there was another pause. We were all getting used to each other again, so the unease was less skin crawling than before.

"Um... how long are you going to be around?" Alice said softly, a sort of sadness creeping into her features at the thought we might leave again. Alec and I glanced at each other. Placing my hand on his, I sent him an apology for earlier and gave him the choice.

"We were thinking 2 weeks," He answered, playing with my fingers like he does when he's uncomfortable. "Renesme was talking about spending a week in London before Demetri decides to hunt us down," Alice nodded and my eyes flickered over to my parents; dad had an odd, perplexed look. He looked at me and I shot him a face that said "what?".

"Since when have you been going by Renesme?" He asked, hesitating.

"For about 6 months now... I guess I got used to it while I was here, but I still answer to Raven," I adjusted to get a good scan of everyone. Rosalie and Emmett hurdled together in a chair, mum and dad at the love seat, and Alice playing with Jasper's hair as she sat on the kitchen counter. "There hasn't been a lot of confusion, so I think I just might keep it."

"Alright, enough of the deep family reunion stuff; I want to take my niece shopping whether she likes it or not," Alice declared, hooping down from her perch and marching over to me. It must of been "Lets Pull Ren Around Like A Ragdoll Day" because suddenly, I was being dragged over to the door. "As cute as she looks, its a little to casual for my tastes. Rose are you in?"

Grudgingly, Rosalie stood up and rescued me from Alice's constrictor grip. "I'm in. Bella, I take it you'll stay here?" Mum nodded. Rosalie patted my shoulder and ushered me to Alice's canary yellow Porsche. Normally, I would've been resisting l, kicking and screaming. Even though Id spent all day in Alec and my rented black Lincoln town car, I let them take me. It'd been a year since I'd been forced to decide where my allegiance lay and, crazy as it may seem, I missed the eclectic family in the woods of Washington.

Author's Note pt. 2: Sorry to say it folks, but that's it. This is a quick sort of wrap up. It wasn't supposed to end up this way, but y'know how you get writing and things just unfurl… Well, that's what happened here. I am working on a tangent project of Raven's memories so look ahead to that. Thank you for the positive support, but I will let you all yell at me from the comment section – just this once and only on this chapter! Do you solemnly swear? Yes?

Thank you and see y'all on the next story :D Carie