at all。 His eyes were only
for Alice。 She went quickly to his side； they didn't embrace like other
couples meeting there。 They only
stared into each other's faces； yet； somehow； the moment was so private that I
still felt the need to look
away。
Carlisle and Esme waited in a quiet corner far from the line for the metal
detectors； in the shadow of a
wide pillar。 Esme reached for me； hugging me fiercely； yet awkwardly； because
Edward kept his arms
around me； too。
〃Thank you so much；〃 she said in my ear。
Then she threw her arms around Edward； and she looked like she would be crying
if that were possible。
〃Youwill never put me through ：hat again；〃 she nearly growled。
Edward grinned； repentant。 〃Sorry； Mom。〃
〃Thank you； Bella；〃 Carlisle said。 〃We owe you。〃
〃Hardly；〃 I mumbled。 The sleepless night was suddenly overpowering。 My head
felt disconnected from
my body。
〃She's dead on her feet；〃 Esme scolded Edward。 〃Let's get her home。〃
Not sure if home was what I wanted at this point； I stumbled； half…blind；
through the airport； Edward
dragging me on one side and Esme on the other。 I didn't know if Alice and
Jasper were behind us or not；
and I was too exhausted to look。
I think I was mostly asleep； though I was still walking； when we reached their
car。 The surprise of seeing
Emmett and Rosalie leaning against the black sedan under the dim lights of the
parking garage revived me
some。 Edward stiffened。
〃Don't；〃 Esme whispered。 〃She feels awful。〃
〃She should；〃 Edward said； making no attempt to keep his voice down。
〃It's not her fault；〃 I said； my words