Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight that's by Stephenie Meyer
And thanks to my Beta: Accept the Unaccepted
Home Sweet Home
Now as I reached the orphanage I saw the gang already waiting outside with their small luggage, containing what little possessions they owned. I unlocked the trunk where they easily fitted their belongings and piled in the car, the girls giggling it the middle seats and the boys wrestling in the back.
"Good Morning" Esme greeted them, while I asked "How's it going?" I got a bunch of replies like awesome, great, fine, excited, amazing, and hungry.
I laughed at that one and Esme asked "What do you guys like to eat?" puzzled because we don't usually eat. More replies like pizza, hot dogs, salads, hamburgers, pasta and French fries so we just ended up at the mall food court so they can choose whatever.
I gave them each a hundred dollars from my wallet for lunch and said they could keep the change. Emmett gave a loud whistle "Wow, our family is balling, Carlisle what do you do?"
Esme answered this time in a low whisper "He deals drugs as a living." Edward raised his one of his eyebrows, while Jasper intrigued by my job asked "Really?"
"No!" I was shocked that Esme said that. Bella asked sceptically "Are you sure?" while Rosalie said "It's ok, we are family now." even Alice added "We'll still love you!"
I looked at Esme to clear my name but she started breaking down with laughter but finally chortled "Just messing with you, Carlisle." I gave a sigh of relief can't have my kids think I'm part of some gang doing illegal trades "Very mature!" I said sarcastically.
Esme continued laughing and said "But the look on your face was priceless!" All I had to do was roll my eyes at her while Emmett asked again "So what is your job then?" "Doctor" was my short simple reply which Jasper commented "Oh" disappointed.
Just then Emmett's stomach gave a growl and I suggested "Let's go eat; we still have a lot to buy." Alice perked up and asked excitedly "Does that mean we're going shopping?" Esme smiled and nodded a yes which caused Alice and Rosalie to exchange meaningful looks while the boys groaned. But soon went off for breakfast while Esme and I waited.
The first stop after eating was to the mattress store, so they could get a bed, pillows, and blankets. Emmett's bed was huge so he could actually fit and have room to move without falling off. Edward' bed was very bouncy while Jasper's was a metal style bed. Bella and Alice decided on a bunk bed with Bella taking the bottom because of her clumsiness and Alice is claustrophobic so she took the top. Rosalie's was a soft and comfortable type on bed. I paid and asked them if they could deliver the beds by today which they agreed to by seven.
Then we decided to split, Esme taking the girls to buy clothes while the boys and I went for the electronics and were to meet at the car by two. We were late and got there by two twenty the boys and I were moving all our purchases in the car which included Rock Band, Wii, PS3, and a bunch of games. We waited inside for the girls who were even later and listened to music on the radio.
By two forty the girls returned with bags of clothes which wouldn't all fit in the trunk so piled on top of everyone during the drive home. Alice, Rosalie and Bella were thanking Esme for the new clothes that consisted of t-shirts, tank-tops, tube-tops, halter-tops, jeans, mini skirts, dresses, hoodies, sweaters etc... the list goes on. Esme said "You guys should thank Carlisle he pays for the bill."
Turning and giving me a quick wink. "Ha ha, good thing I've been working for three hundreds years, eh?" I joked. "But, Carlisle you're only thirty." Bella stated.
Oops a slip "Uh…" backtracking I said "I was just being sarcastic." chuckling nervously. "He was obviously joking Bella, like DUH!" said Emmett rolling his eyes leaving a very embarrassed Bella.
Once at home I let out children loose to explore the house and choose their rooms upstairs, while Esme was filling the fridge with food and I wired up the video games to the TV. Alice and Bella had to share a room because of the bed they chose and had one with a huge walk-in closet for Alice. Edward was the room with the best sounds and echoes while Rosalie's had the best view of the river and forest. Emmett's was the coldest room because he likes to work out and Jasper's was brightest room.
Around four they finished unpacking their belongings and were exploring the forests. Alice and Rosalie were last to leave and Jasper seemed reluctant to but Alice waved him off with the boys. When Jasper was out of earshot, Alice came up to me and whispered "Today's Jasper birthday! Are you in?"
"What's your plan?" I asked her. Alice explained her plan about a surprise party for Jasper. She said that she would decorate the house and that Esme was already in, cooking us dinner with Bella. Emmett and Edward are distracting Jasper while Rosalie can help me pick out a present. I agreed and asked Rosalie what they planning to get him and that money was not an issue.
She said "Well, I noticed the car in the garage I was thinking that might make an awesome gift, if it's ok with you." I said no problem, but the car is not in its best condition, and suggested we could just buy him a new one. But Rosalie said she really good with cars and could fix it in no time and asked for the tool box which I said was in the garage.
By seven the door bell rang and a horrified Alice came saying she's not finished and a panicky Bella saying the turkey is still baking. Luckily it was just the bed delivery and not the boys so Alice gave a sigh of relief going back to work. Ten minutes later Rosalie finished the car and came in for a shower because she had grease in her hair.
At eight Edward came in asking if we were ready and Alice said "yeah", but think of an excuse to leave with Emmett so you guys can come back to hide. Edward asked me for a short-cut back and I said there is a trail that cuts right through the forest instead of curving around and Edward swiftly left to find Emmett.
Bella and Esme set the table which smelled wonderful while Alice switched off the light commanding us to get into positions. We all went to our hiding places and when the lights went on we all yelled "SURPRISE!" "False alarm" said Alice "Get back" and gave Emmett a dirty look, who shrugged and said "Oops, my bad." Edward turned off the lights while we all ducked back down and he went behind the couch.
A few minutes later Jasper trudged in mumbling something about the lights before finally flicking them on. This time when we yelled "SURPRISE!" it was the actual thing and Jasper stood pretty shocked before breaking into a giant grin. Looking around the house which Alice did a wonderful job of decorating with colourful balloons, bright streamers that were twirled and hanging across the ceiling, and a birthday banner on the wall above the fireplace.
Alice literally ran to him to hug him which he accepted with open arms and she giggled "Happy birthday, darling." Jasper laughed and said "Damn, I even forgot about my own birthday."
"That's why we're here to remind you and to give you BIRTHDAY BEATS!" shouted Emmett punching Jasper in the arm. Alice cleared her throat and practically growled "Emmett why don't you do that later, dinner's getting cold, Esme and Bella worked almost all day for it!"
Everyone took a seat at the table and started eating the grand dinner that was made except for Esme and me, hopefully they won't notice. But Bella did and asked "Aren't you and Esme going to eat?" My lame excuse was "Were not hungry yet but help yourselves to the food."
There was cream soup, Greek salad, corn on a cob, mashed potatoes, smoked salmon, bruschetta, spaghetti, lasagne, barbeque chicken, stir fried vegetables, roast beef, and stuffed turkey. She nodded seeming to buy my excuse and started to fill her plate.
As they ate I started thinking about how long we can keep up this charade, this time Bella let it slide, but eventually they'll notice we never eat, never go out in the sun, and always go on hunting trips. My stomach knotted as I thought of how I'm going to explain that Esme and I are vampires.
Esme sensing my uneasiness, patted my shouldered and whispered "It's going to be ok, they'll understand."
"How can you be so sure and confident about it, they might think we're monsters" I whispered back sadly.
"Is that what you think of me, Carlisle, a monster?" Esme questioned. "No, but our kind…" I said trailing off.
"Carlisle, listen to yourself," Esme said disapprovingly shaking her head, "Have some faith, in us, in the children." Esme said gently and smiling encouragingly.
"You're right, we're family now." I said quoting Rosalie and winked.
"Now that's the Carlisle I know." Esme said remembering the joke. I was feeling better now, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, after the conversation with Esme.
The only thing that gave us away was the wink I gave Esme, which Jasper caught and said "Did we miss something?" I shook my head no, Jasper looked like he was about to say something but Emmett interrupted saying "They're just flirting."
I looked at Esme and she gave me a questioning look like why I didn't tell them, I whispered barely moving my mouth "When the time is right." No one noticed it though for it was said so fast and quickly, that it would be impossible human ears to pick it up.
Emmett then claimed "See they're not denying it."
"Just eat your dinner, Emmett." I said. "Oh and please chew with your mouth close." added Esme. Everyone at the table laughed at that, and Emmett opened his mouth to protest, but Alice said in a sweet voice "Didn't you hear mom, it's rude to eat with an open mouth so shut it."
Esme was beaming upon hearing the title used on her, her eyes just sparkling with emotions, showing love towards our children. All my doubts vanished at that moment, things will work out; their love and acceptance will pull us through.
By the end of dinner, there were still a lot of leftovers that got stored in the fridge, even when Emmett had three plates full and everyone else had between one to two plates. For dessert there was a three layer chocolate cake that Esme was lighting the candles to and asked "You're eighteen, right?" "Actually I'm nineteen." answered Jasper.
"Oh" said Esme who added an extra candle while Emmett asked "How'd that happen, you're older than me?"
Jasper explained "My uncle wanted me to have more support from the orphanage so took off a year when filling the application." "Well that just means an extra punch" said Emmett continuing his birthday beats with Edward joining in.
"Hey, time to blow out the candles, birthday boy." said Rosalie "And make a wish" added Bella. With one breath Jasper blew out all the candles while we sang happy birthday. "What you wish for?" asked Alice while Jasper shook his head saying "You should know." Alice looked confused for a second before realizing and giving Jasper a gentle kiss on his lips.
Emmett coughed and said "There other people in the room still." Alice snapped "That never seemed stopped you and Rosalie!" That comment shut Emmett up and sent Edward into a laughing fit. Esme finished cutting the cake and was passing around slices. After we all shoved our dirty plates in the dishwasher and blind folded Jasper telling him not to peak, we led him to his present.
Once in the garage I could barely recognize the car, it was cleaned and fixed like new. It had a giant red bow on the hood and Alice polished the keys tying ribbons on the keychain.
"Can I look yet?" asked Jasper who was getting restless, Esme said just one more second while she pulled out her camera. "Ok" she said and Jasper untied the blindfold and gasped.
Esme snapped a picture of him with his jaw hanging open from the present. He recovered from his shock and said "Wow, thanks guys!"
Rosalie said "It's Carlisle" and Jasper turned to thanked me. I tossed him the keys and said "Your welcome, but Rosalie fixed it and Alice wrapped it." He gave Rosalie and Alice each a hug then stepped back to admire his car.
"Do you know how to drive?" I asked him and he said "I learned a bit before…" and yawned.
"I suggested you drive it tomorrow and that you all should get some rest now, it's been a long day." Disappointed he agreed and went back in for a shower followed by everyone else, then straight to bed.
