I listened down at the raised voices that entered the home. "Who is that smell? There's someone new here Carlisle, are they a threat?" Carlisle chuckled to himself as Jasper walked through the door and his eyes lit up. "No, son, they're not a threat. Perhaps let your brother explain it."

With that I heard footsteps dash up the stairs, down the hall and into my room. A hoarse country accent called out to me. "Catherine O'Brien, a visitor." I smiled as a feeling impossible to name encapsulated me. I jumped down from the roof, lightly landing on the balcony. "Major Whitlock, don't you know it's rude to visit ladies in the night?" A smile crossed his face then, a smile so bright it puts the sun to shame.

He walked slowly toward me, afraid as though I'd vanish in thin air. "It's been 142 years. How do I know I'm not just imagining you?" He asked, his voice wavering for a split second. I closed the distance between us, lacing my fingers through his on both hands. "You found me. And I'll never leave you again."

Slowly, he unraveled our fingers and used his hands to cup my face as he leaned in for a kiss. This kiss was slow & steady. He tasted like elk, which I wasn't complaining about, and he still smelled of oak and honey. I wrapped my arms around his neck, running a hand gently through his hair as he deepened the kiss. Slowly, we had both backed up into the wall. I let out a slight moan as he hiked my leg up around his waist, kissing my neck. Then, the door burst open, ruining our moment.

Emmett, as I'd soon know him, burst through the door. A big burly bear of a vampire with a childlike smile on his face. "Ok we're all super excited you found your mate again and everything but can you introduce her to the rest of us first before you nail her? Please?"

I laughed, releasing myself from Jasper's grip and lacing my left hand through his right, much to his dismay. "It would be lovely to meet everyone formally, don't you think dear?" He chuckled darkly to himself. "You don't wanna know what I'm thinking right now." A raucous laugh sounded from downstairs. "EDWARD SO HELP ME STAY OUT OF MY MIND, YOU BOUNDARY-LESS MONGREL!" I laughed at the sibling's interaction. Eventually, Jasper led me down the stairs and into the living room where everyone was waiting.

Carlisle was the first to smile at my appearance. Then did the woman who clung to him. That must be his mate, Esme. Then followed the blonde girl from earlier, Rosalie, and her mate, the bear-man, Emmett (I would find out later on just how real this nickname was for him). Then standing side by side without any form of contact with each other, were a short, pixie haired lady and the auburn haired boy from this afternoon.

Smiling, I pointed at them. "You two must be Alice and Edward, then. Wonderful to meet you all, truly. Carlisle has told me so much about you all." They all smiled, then Esme spoke up.

"It's wonderful to have you here, dear. We're absolutely thrilled that Jasper is happy once more." That reminds me.

I turned to Alice. "Alice. Thank you for finding Jasper. Thank you for bringing him with you and trusting Carlisle to reunite us again." I looked over at Jasper. "I waited almost a century and a half, and it was all worth it."

Carlisle stepped forward then. "Now there is the matter of school. Catherine has registered herself as a senior at the school. Upon seeing her eyes, they assumed, and rightfully so, that she was one of our family. Now, to catch you up, Kitty," I laughed lightly at the nickname he used to use for me, "At the school, Emmett, Alice and Edward are considered the "Cullen" children, while Jasper and Rosalie use Rosalie's last name, Hale. Given the sure to be obvious relationship between you two, I'm assuming you registered under Cullen?"

I nodded. "Good, good. Now, unlike us, Catherine does retire to bed at a certain hour. She does not sleep but we should allow her to rest before tomorrow." I smiled at Carlisle and nodded toward everyone as Jasper began to walk me back upstairs. I stopped about halfway up and turned around .

"Actually, Carlisle, if it's alright with you, I'd like to play something on that piano of yours." He nodded. "By all means, Catherine."

God I hope Jaz knows this song. Edward laughed a bit as he read what I were thinking as I turned to Jasper. "Darling," I asked him in a hurried whisper, "do you know the words to Great Balls of Fire?" He guffawed, a bright smile overtaking his face. "Do I know Great Balls of Fire? Dear I was a riot in the 50s!" He whispered back.

The two of us made our way over to the grand piano, myself taking a seat on the bench and Jasper leaning against the side. I smiled to myself.

1, 2, 3, 4, I counted Jasper off.

I had never heard him sing before, and it was an amazing experience. His warm southern drawl was perfect for this song.

You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain

Too much love drives a man insane

You broke my will

But what a thrill

I laughed as everyone cried out the next words "Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!" As I played and Jasper sang, everyone was dancing around and having the time of their eternal lives. This happy feeling was something I vowed never to let go of, no matter what may come between myself, my mate and our family.

Emmett spun Rosalie around, and her laughter pealed like a chorus of chimes through the air. Carlisle lifted Esme up as they showed off some surprisingly cool dance moves. Alice even got Edward, who had been gone most of the night, brooding at the Swan girl's house, to start dancing, eventually causing him to crack a smile. This was home.

Once I got to the piano solo, they all paused as I began jamming. Jasper, my biggest fan, started to "hype me up" as I continued. Then, I began to sing with him.

Let me love you like a lover should

You're fine

So kind

And imma tell this world that you're mine mine mine

I bite my nails and I twiddle my thumbs

I'm really nervous but it sure is fun

Come on, baby

You drive me crazy

As the song came to a close, once again everyone yelled out "Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!" There was a resulting applause at the end of the song that made me feel all sorts of cozy inside. Alice grinned brightly. "You should sing something, Catty! It would be great!"

I shied away as I stood up from the bench, brushing it off. "No, I simply couldn't, really." Jasper rested a hand on my shoulder and whispered into my ear. "How's about 'Its been a long, long time?'" I gave him a small nod as he seated himself on the bench, now my turn to lean on the side of the beautiful instrument.

"Alright then," I laughed, "Just one more song before Jazz and I retire for the night." I smiled to myself as the familiar intro rang out, much quieter now that it was just on a piano instead of the full big band I performed it with in the 40s.

It took them all a second to realize as I hummed along, but I saw the figurative lightbulb go off in Edward's mind. "Yes Edward. I'm Kitty Kallen." Carlisle smiled to himself as he circled around with Esme.

"You know, I was at your very first performance with Mr. James, a fine young gentleman, amazing trumpet player." I couldn't contain the smile that burst onto my face. I would've said something, but it was almost time for me to start singing.

Never thought that you would be

Standing here so close to me

There's so much I feel that I should say

But words can wait ... til some other day

Kiss me once then kiss me twice then kiss me once again

It's been a long, long time

Haven't felt like this my dear since can't remember when

It's been a long, long time

You'll never know how many dreams I dreamed about you

Or just how empty they all seemed without you

So kiss me once then kiss me twice then kiss me once again

It's been a long, long time

I watched them all dance around as Jasper began to close out the song. I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before turning back towards the coven. "Thank you everyone for accepting me into this family." Carlisle smiled at me. "As my letter stated Kitty, Alice knew you were going to find us. You will always and forever be welcomed here."

When we returned to my room, I noticed Jasper hesitated at the door. I turned to him, slightly concerned, seeing as it had only been mere seconds since we were downstairs laughing with everyone else. "Darling, what's wrong?" He looked up at me, smiling softly. "If I could cry right now sweetheart, they'd be happy tears. I'm struggling to believe that we've actually found each other again. It's been so long-" When his voice faltered, I knew it was a genuine revelation.

Slowly, I walked him over to my queen bed and sat down. He got into bed with me and laid his head across my lap. Gently, I ran my fingers through his hair. We continued to stay like this for quite some time. We talked about everything, how I've been surviving, the places we've been, our best and worst moments. The various names we've used, the struggles and ease of travels. As it turns out, we used the same document forger, J. Jenks. By the time the sky began to change colors, Jasper grasped my non-busy hand and held tight. "It's ok, Jazz, I'm here now. There is nowhere in time nor space where I will ever leave you again."

He sat up to himself and smiled. "I know, darling. How's about we see the damage from Alice & pick you out an outfit?" I smiled and nodded, getting up and walking over to the massive walk in closet.

Word Count: 1761

(A/N: First Day of School is next chapter! Let's see how this goes 🙏🏼)