Goodbye means you're not coming back. So I won't say it.

[Alice Cullen]

-we were all packed, most of our things had already been boxed and shipped to our new home in Scotland, Greshnorish House. Jazz and I had taken a long critical look at the craggy, mostly cloudy region and finally decided on the Isle of Skye. This house was a bit off the beaten path, giving us our privacy but close enough to the towns of Dunvegan and Portree to have some interaction with the locals. I had plans, once we arrived and were settled, about finding a building to buy. I wanted to start my own business....fashion! Of course! Turning around in our empty room, I felt that mantle of homesickness around settling around me. Jazz had gone off to meet J, he was due back home any moment with our passports and all the other vital information we needed. We were leaving tonight, no ifs, ands or butts about it. We'd already said what we needed to everyone privately. What else was there to say? Goodbye? No. Goodbye means you're not coming back or that we won't be meeting again. And we would be. Someday. So I wasn't going to say it. Ugly word...goodbye. Glancing at my watch, our plane was leaving Sea-Tac in about an hour and a half. 14 hour flight ahead. I grinned, letting out a musical laugh and wondering how Jazz felt about the mile high club? No. We'd break the plane! Picking up the picture brochure of the house we'd bought....it was very simple and pretty. Wait til I got my hands on it! -

[Jasper Hale]

*Pulling up the long drive, I pulled the car into the garage. J. Jenks had been very helpful and done very well on our important documents. I climbed the front steps and walked into the door. Hearing the laugh I've grown to love, I walked up the stairs and to our bedroom. Seeing Alice standing in our empty room, I felt a bit of sadness welling up in me, almost a lump in my throat. We had said our good graces to everyone. I was very lucky to have my amazing wife to support me and be by my side. Watching her look at the picture brochure of the house, again, I laugh*

"Honey, are you that excited? You have barely put that brochure down."

*Chuckling, I walked over to her and kissed her temple*

[Alice Cullen]

-looking at him impishly, I couldn't deny it. My fingerprints were all over thing, leaving smudged grooves but I was in love with it! Keeping it in hand, I still managed to wind my arms around his waist, chuckling low- I'm just thinking of all the wonderful things we can see and do with it! -standing on tip toe to kiss the bottom of his chin- I think we're all about to take a trip to Wonderland...adventures just waiting to happen for all of us. And thank goodness for Skype! I already set up dates with Rose, Esme and Bella! -slight pause- Everything go okay with J?

[Jasper Hale]

"Everything went as it always does with him. He stuttered a lot and was shaking a bit. Not sure why he hasn't gotten used to me by now. Ah, the joys of Skype. Yes, we will be using it a lot, I predict. How is everything coming along here? Looks like we're ready"

*Looking around the room, I nod and tighten my arms around her waist*

"I'm definitely going to miss this place, but I am looking forward to our adventures. Would these adventures include clothes or are they optional?"

*Laughing, I kiss her passionately*

[Alice Cullen]

-falling into the kiss for several moments, savoring his scent, his taste, his arms, I finally groaned, half laughing as I gave a wide, wicked smile- Optional, of course! Tell me, Mr. Hale....you ever make love in a rolling field of heather? Or taken a midnight swim in an inky loch? -waggling brows- And THAT is just for starters! -still keeping close to him, I finally nodded. -Everything here is..well..quiet. I already told the others we'd be gone by the time they got back. -I was going to miss this house, the sheer comfort of familiarity. Knowing that no matter what room I walked in, someone was going to be there. I was definitely going to miss Jake, my Balto! And Seth! I was closest to them both, of all the wolves. I'd tried with Leah, but I know her scars ran deep and she was a closed off person. I couldn't blame her for that, knowing some of her story. Glancing at my watch again, I swallowed hard- Best lead the way, Jazz or I'll end up a sobbing mess, clinging to the door frame...-the thing was, I wasn't joking entirely. Leaning around him and picking up my overnight bag, I handed him his then scooped up my purse and took one last, long slow look around-

[Jasper Hale]

"Well darlin, I don't believe I have done those things. Well, at least not for awhile. I can't wait to see what kinds of things we can do, with and without clothing. Well, I guess we shall not waste any more time and think of reasons to stay, let's go."

*Grabbing her hand, we walked down the stairs and out onto the porch*

"Do you feel like a run or shall we drive, my love?"

[Alice Cullen]

-seeing as how we were both going to be stuck on a plane for the next full half a day, I was more than willing to run. Already dressed comfortably in jeans, a loose sweater and a jacket (not that I needed it, but it was all about playing the part, right?), I glanced down at my tennis shoes then back at him- I fancy a run. You?

[Jasper Hale]

*The thought of being on a plane for that long, I, too, was ready for a nice run*

"Definitely ready for a run baby. I can't wait to get "home" and break in the new house."

*Kissing her on the forehead, I take off running through the trees. I was inhaling, unnecessarily, the scents of Forks, our home. I was looking around me, the beautiful scenes of the greens and browns all mushed into the forest floor. The sounds of cars, wolves, bugs, the river. All of these, I would never forget, but I knew with Alice by my side, I would be just perfect*

[Alice Cullen]

-I noticed we both ran a bit slower than we normally did. I also knew why. In our own way, we were memorizing the forest, the foliage, the sky, the smells. From far off, I heard wolves howling and knew instinctively it was Jake and Seth, it made the lump in my throat bigger just as it touched my heart. It wasn't long before we were standing in line at the airport, sorting out our tickets and other documents, checking in and heading to our flight, number 186, British Airways. And a few minutes past that, my hand in his, we held each other's gaze as the big jet taxied down the runway, lifted in the air and took us off down this new rabbithole. Adventures in Wonderland, indeed. As we rose higher in the air, I peered out the small window like a child, looking as Washington grew smaller..and smaller...and then we drifted above the clouds and nestled into Jazz. They say there is no place like home. And as long as I have Jasper, he IS my home. For one brief moment, I opened my mind up to Edward, sending him these images.....and our love. Always, our love.-