Chapter Four: Family
Jasper sat quietly in one of his houses and sipped his red wine. He had just come back from the Restaurant opening and sat celebrating with himself with a bottle of red wine and a bag of cheetos. He was watching 'Vampires Suck' in his private mini movie theatre.
The phone rang and he walked over to it. "Hello" He answered in his sexy voice.
"Hey Jay, it's Rose. Click onto Access Hollywood now!" She said urgently.
"What's wrong?" He asked as he switched over to Direct TV with his remote.
"Nothing!" Rosalie shouted. "Just watch it, call you back in a few."
Rosalie hung up in a flash. Jasper stared at the phone and placed it back on the receiver.
He sat down and watched as the pretty Diane Simmons appeared on screen announcing about…...Jasper Whitlock!
"Just a few moments ago Access Hollywood cameras were videoing live what happened at Jasper's Restaurant opening in Seattle, Washington. The star had been working on this hotel for sometime now and finally Pegasus Hotel is opened to the public. What do you think about the restaurant move Tom?"
"Well there's not much to say Diane. I mean it's an alright move but why Seattle?"
"Yes I asked that same question too. Here's what Jasper had to say."
A video appeared with Jasper at the opening with the blinding flashes of the cameras. "Well a lot of questions have been asking, um, it's where my mom Didyme is and I want for her to be able to go out someplace nice and not have to stress. Um, and my other family can come roll down from Forks to eat there so it's just bringing my family together."
The video ended. "Well Tom I think that's sweet what he said."
"Yep," Tome said. "But enough about his career. Let's hear about the relationship with Jasper and the newly divorced Maria South."
This time Sandra Hose spoke. "Well here's a clip on Maria and Jasper's response when I asked."
A video clip showed Jasper refusing to comment and Maria stating they were just friends.
They were actually. Their managers had just thought they could do a little boyfriend girlfriend stuff to hype their popularity among the world.
"Now what do think of that Tom?" Sandra asked.
"I don't know what to think. But you the viewers can put down your thoughts on our website Access . Do you think they're dating or not? Next we'll have…."
Jasper chuckled and turned the television off. Not bothering to continue watching 'Vampires Suck.'
The world was so clueless.
He was going to tune in tomorrow to see how many people thought they were dating.
He got up and was about to walk out when he forgot his cheetos. As he was returning the phone rang again.
"Hi Rosalie. I watched it."
"Didn't I tell you dating that bitch was a good idea?"
Jasper frowned at the term she used. "Bitch?" He asked, slightly angry. "Don't you like her?"
"Ugh," She groaned. "Anyway, forget her, wasn't it a good idea for you to play date Maria?" She pressed.
"Well…..for the purpose you wanted…yes. Yes it was."
Rosalie laughed lawlessly in the background. "Pretty soon what the family's making now will seem like potato chips when I'm done upgrading us. We'll know Barack Obama personally by the time I'm finished."
"Rosalie…."
"Gotta go." She said hastily. She barely grumbled a 'enjoy your night' and hung up.
Jasper hung up as well and went for his food and drink. Rosalie was his sister but sometimes she behaved a little weird.
Next morning with Alice….
Mary-Kate stepped quietly into her mother's room and cuddled next to her. It was Sunday at 9:00 and Alice hadn't woken up as yet. Mary-Kate shook Alice lightly. She stirred and stared at her daughter. Alice covered her mouth to yawn and said, "Morning sweetie, sorry I'm late."
Alice held Mary-Kate in her arms and carried her to get bathed.
When Alice and Mary-Kate bathed and brushed their teeth. Alice began to make pancakes, tea for herself and orange juice for Mary-Kate. She cut a few slices of oranges and strawberries and placed them decoratively around the plate for them to eat as well.
"So, how were you and Mrs. Mabel doing last night?" Alice asked as she sat down to eat.
"Okay" Her eyes brightened. "I told her about Space man. It was fun!" She squealed. "But she's slow."
Her expression made Alice laugh. "Well I'm glad you had fun she said."
Space man was their own game that Alice had made up. Alice had gone out to buy fun space costumes for them. Alice was the bad space girl, Zera that wanted to catch all the little boys and girls to eat them. Mary-Kate, M.K. in the game, would run around trying to get away from Zera.
M.K. won most times though seeing she had he energy to keep running around and around.
Alice made a note in her head to apologize to Mrs. Mabel. She could just imagine the running she would have had to do. No wonder she was so tired. Alice thought.
Alice got up to wash the dishes but before she could reach the sink the phone rang. Mary-Kate hurried to answer it and Alice quickly followed her.
"Hello" Mary-Kate said in a squeaky voice. "Oh, she's right here." Mary-Kate gave the phone to her mother.
"Hello, how may I help you?" Alice said.
"Hi Alice, it's me Bella from the Pegasus opening last night."
"Yes, yes I remember Bella. What's up?" Alice asked. She was wondering why Bella had called her.
"Yeah well, you were really nice last night and Edward and I are having a family picnic this afternoon at one and…I was wondering if you could come. You can bring your daughter too." Bella said. She had liked Alice very much and had enjoyed her bubbly personality ad despite Rosalie's no's she had called to invite her to the picnic.
"Oh, well, um, you say it's a family picnic. I wouldn't want to…intrude."
"Oh you're not intruding at all! In fact everyone liked you, especially Jasper." She was correct. Jasper had liked Alice more than some of his own day to day business associates, and just in the short space of time they had spent conversing.
"Oh, all right I'll be there…but where is there?"
Bella laughed. "Don't worry. Finding Carlisle's house is a bit hard; I'll send a taxi for you at one, Jess'll give me your address. His name is Ben."
"Ok Bella" Alice squealed in the phone. She checked her watch and saw it was twelve. "Oh gosh I've got to go Bells, bye."
Alice hung up, lifted Mary-Kate into her arms and headed first to her closet and then to her own.
It was very easy choosing clothes for Mary-Kate; all Alice had to do was select a very cute sunny yellow dress with a sky blue blazer and matching yellow slippers. She packed a little Hannah Montana bag with a colouring book and some crayons and Ariel, her doll.
Alice chose a very nice purple dress with black pumps and some simple but pretty accessories. She combed Mary-Kate's long black hair and placed a very nice, sparkly flower hair accessory and a hair band on it.
When they were finished, just as Alice stepped downstairs a yellow taxi appeared and a very nice looking young man got out of the car.
"Alice…and Mary-Kate?"
Alice nodded. "Ben?" She asked. He nodded. "Benjamin, Ben for short."
"I'm Alice and this is my daughter Mary-Kate."
They shook hands and Ben escorted them to the car.
"Thank you Ben"
He winked at her. "My pleasure. I'm always on my best behaviour with a beautiful lady and I'm driving two beauties today. My lucky day!"
Alice caught a glance at his finger. "Better don't let your wife hear you." She teased.
"She can live." He added with a laugh.
Mary-Kate, not understanding the conversation, shook her head and stared at the interior of the car.
Alice looked around it as well; it wasn't your average taxi. "What's a taxi driver do to get a car like this?" She asked.
"Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen senior pay me rather generously because they know I'd like to go to a university and further my studies. I always refuse but…they happen to be insistent people. Some of the money goes towards upgrading the car. You'd be surprised; many rich folks prefer to travel in this baby rather than the other cars."
"University?" Alice raised an eyebrow. "How old are you? What are you studying?" She asked with interest.
"I'm just twenty three and I'm studying to become a geologist." Ben said with a smile.
"Wow" She said. "And…how does…marriage come into all this?"
"My high school sweet heart. As soon as we got out of school we married. Our folks were really mad but they got over it. We've been married for six years now."
Alice nodded. "Do you have any kids?" She asked. She was aware she was being very nosy but she was very curious. Alice crossed her fingers, hoping Ben wouldn't insult her for being too personal.
"Oh, only two…boys. I was hoping for a girl. But kids are out of the way for now seeing that I've got my studies to focus on now. I'm really hoping to make them proud of me."
"I'm sure they will Ben." She said encouragingly.
Suddenly Mary-Kate burst out in a loud "Wow! Mommy look, is that a castle?" She asked pointing at the white mansion that Esme and Carlisle lived in.
"No sweetie…it's just…a…a big house." Alice said.
Benjamin parked the car and stepped out to open the door for Alice and Mary-Kate.
"Alice," Esme said. She placed a container of hot sausages down on the table and walked to them. She hugged Alice. "How are you dear? You look pretty! I love that dress."
Alice smiled broadly at the warm welcome. Mary-Kate stood shyly behind Alice. "I'm fine Esme; this is my daughter Mary-Kate."
Esme stooped to Mary-Kate's level. "Hello darling. I'm your mommy's friend Esme. You can call me Nana, that's what my granddaughter calls me."
Mary-Kate stepped in front and stretched her little hand toward Esme. "My name is Mary-Kate. You can call me Mary-Kate Nana."
Esme laughed and shook her hand and led her to everyone else.
""Everybody" She shouted. "Alice's here."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and walked to Esme.
"Oh" Rosalie said. "Whose little angel is this Esme?"
"What's your name sweet heart?"
"Mary-Kate"
"Oh, what a precious name."
That's when Rosalie looked up and saw Alice. Her facial expression changed from sweet and delighted to pure scorn.
"And what are you doing here?" Rosalie asked.
Alice was very offended by her tone and was just about to say something insulting when Bella, anticipating the easy quarrel, answered the question.
"I invited her Rosalie." Bella said.
"Oh" She answered curtly. Rosalie had never liked Bella much. Bella had no fashion sense and seemed to take for granted the money that Rosalie tried to get for the family. But Bella was indeed grateful for her sister in law's efforts but just considered Rosalie as power hungry and Bella thought she was not grateful for the family that she fortunately had around her.
"Well" Rosalie said. "Where's Mary-Kate's daddy, Allison." Rosalie pronounced her name wrong on purpose.
Alice gritted her teeth angrily. She held Mary-Kate's hands. "It's Alice and I have no idea where he is."
"Typical" Rosalie said.
Alice got angrier. "And what's that supposed to mean?" She asked quietly, with venom in her voice.
Everyone else sensed the tension between the two and Jasper decided to break the ice. "Well it's lovely to see you again Alice." He said smiling. "And Mary-Kate is just like a miniature Alice." Mary-Kate smiled. She liked being compared to her mom.
"Yeah" Emmett agreed. "She's just so tiny…like you, pixie like." Everyone else laughed except Rosalie.
"Well" Carlisle said, clearing his throat. "Let's continue unpacking this food. Alice you sit down, you're our guest."
Alice quickly refused. "No Carlisle. I can help."
"Oh, all right" Carlisle said.
"C'mon dear, you can help me make the hot dogs." Esme said.
"But" Rosalie stuttered. "I'm helping you do that." She cast Alice a dirty look. "Alice can go find Fido."
Alice clenched her fist tightly. She silently counted to ten and answered as calmly as she could. "Well I'm not familiar with your dog but… you could do that and I'll help Esme."
"She's right Rose." Esme said. "And when you're finished bring the children here and the other adults."
"No need" Jasper said. "Here they come"
Racing together were two adults and three children. Four adults were walking behind the group as they ran to touch the huge mango tree in the Cullen's back yard.
"Come over here guys!" Bella shouted. Everyone walked over. Rosalie grabbed two children in her arms as they cried, "Mommy!" The boy shouted gleefully. "I won Mommy! I won!" The little brunette girl smiled and hugged her brother. The little girl's hair colour made Alice a bit skeptical about Rosalie being her actual mom. Now thinking about it she remembered Jasper mentioning something about his niece and nephew.
"When Emmett brought them home I was so excited. They were cute. Little Samantha was so shy."
"Shy?" Alice asked. "How can babies be shy? Does Rosalie have twins or something?"
Instead of answering Jasper had cleared his throat and had changed the subject.
The boy is older than the girl. Alice thought. How could Jasper say when Emmett brought them home? Were they adopted? It looks so because none of those children have any resemblance to Rosalie or Emmett, excepting the boy's hair.
Alice smiled broadly when the two children looked at her. Another girl joined them. Alice immediately recognized her as the Bella's daughter. "Renesmee this is mommy's friend Alice." Bella said.
Alice smiled and shook her hand. "Hello Aunty Alice."
"Hi Renesmee" Alice replied.
Edward shook his head. "Nessie, it's her nick name." Alice saw Bella scowl.
"Hi Nessie" Alice said. "And who are these two angels?"
Emmett smiled proudly. "These are my two children, Samantha and Noah."
"Hi Aunty Alice" Noah said. "C'mon Sammy"
Samantha frowned. Noah smiled wickedly. Samantha had always objected to the nick name. Ever since she said she didn't like it Noah had started to call her that instead of Samantha just to annoy her. "Hi Aunty Alice"
Rosalie watched coldly as Samantha smiled and shook hands with Alice.
"Now, now" Rosalie said. "You guys go on and play while we get the food ready."
Renesmee, Samantha and Noah walked away chatting amicably with Mary-Kate.
Alice smiled. "I thought you said she was shy." She said to Jasper.
"She is…I don't know. Guess you can't put labels on children, anyway Alice this is my mother Didyme, my step sister Mackayla and this is Bella and Emmett's dad Charlie."
Alice shook hands with all three. After everyone was acquainted with each other they all walked to the tables to get the food ready. All the while Alice and Mary-Kate were smiling and laughing among the families.
Why couldn't I have a family like this? Alice thought. Why God, why?