〃Does—does he〃 I took a deep breath。 It was harder to say his name out
loud； even though I was
able to think it now。 〃Does Edward know you're here？〃 I couldn't help asking。
It was my pain； after all。
I'd deal with it when she was gone； I promised myself； and felt sick at the
thought。
〃No。〃
There was only one way that could be true。 〃He's not with Carlisle and Esme？〃
〃He checks in every few months。〃
〃Oh。〃 He must still be out enjoying his distractions。 I focused my curiosity
on a safer topic。 〃You said you
flew here Where did you e from？〃
〃I was in Denali。 Visiting Tanya's family。〃
〃Is Jasper here？ Did he e with your'〃
She shook her head。 〃He didn't approve of my interfering。 We promised〃 she
trailed off； and then her
tone changed。 〃And you think Charlie won't mind my being here？〃 she asked；
sounding worried。
〃Charlie thinks you're wonderful； Alice。〃
〃Well； we're about to find out。〃
Sure enough； a few seconds later I heard the cruiser pull into the driveway。 I
jumped up and hurried to
open the door。
Charlie trudged slowly up the walk； his eyes on the ground and his shoulders
slumped。 I walked forward
to meet him； he didn't even see me until I hugged him around the waist。 He
embraced me back fiercely。
〃I'm so sorry about Harry； Dad。〃
〃I'm really going to miss him；〃 Charlie mumbled。
〃How's Sue doing？〃
〃She seems dazed； like she hasn't grasped it yet。 Sam's staying with her〃
The volume of his voice faded
in and out。 〃Those poor kids。 Leah's just a year older than you； and Seth is
only fourteen〃 He shook
his head。
He kept his arms