We were called down to dinner, and Alice ran down instantly, as if she would be punished if she didn't get there in five seconds. By the time I arrived, Alice was sitting at the table with a plate, containing a tiny portion of food. She grinned at me when she saw me.

"Jasper," Esme smiled, giving me a plate with a regular sized portion.

"Thanks," I nodded, sitting down at my usual spot at the table. Alice looked at me for a while, pointing at the seat beside her. At Rosalie's spot.

"You want Jasper to sit there?" Esme smiled, and Alice nodded, pointing to the other chair beside her. Esme and I complied with her request, sitting either side of Alice. Rosalie wasn't impressed.

"Jasper, move," she ordered.

"Rose, just sit there. Alice wanted us to sit with her. Be polite, she's our guest," Esme said quietly. Alice looked bewildered, beginning to stand up.

"No, no, sweetie. You stay there, there's no problem," Esme placed her hand on Alice's shoulder. Alice slowly sat down again, staring at her knees. Rosalie reluctantly sat down as well, and we were shortly joined by Edward and Emmett, still arguing, and Carlisle. I noticed Alice look up at Rosalie and smile at her, an attempt of friendliness towards her. My sister, being her usual self, rolled her eyed rudely and refused to acknowledge Alice's gesture. Alice sighed softly, but no one seemed to notice.

After dinner, I decided to be sociable and stay downstairs with my brothers. Rosalie had disappeared the moment we were excused, probably still sulking over the chair situation. Alice was about to go upstairs as well, but Emmett made a kind offer.

"Hey, Alice, why don't you stay here with us and hang out?" he said, his voice unusually gentle and soft. Alice smiled and nodded, skipping lightly to the couch and sitting down. Her tiny feet tucked under her legs neatly. Emmett sat beside her, and then reached his arms to her.

"May I?" he murmured, and she nodded, giggling quietly. Emmett lifted her onto his knee, making her look like a toddler compared to his size.

"Is our mom okay?" he asked. Alice froze, her Bambi eyes sparkling with tears and her sweet face crumpling. She made little sniffling noises, accompanied with tiny gulps. Edward stared at her from across the room, and Emmett looked overwhelmed with guilt.

"Oh, hey, I'm sorry," he sighed, wrapping his arms around her, "I didn't want to upset you."

She buried her head in his shoulder, whimpering and sniffling quietly. I was sure she whispered, "Mommy".

"What's going on?" Esme appeared in the room. It was almost as if she had sensed Alice crying, as she was too quiet to hear from the kitchen. She noticed Alice instantly, and knelt by her and Emmett.

"Alice! What's happened, sweetheart? Who upset her?"

"I asked how our Mom was," Emmett confessed a little sadly, "I didn't mean to upset her."

Esme sighed a little, gently stroking Alice's hair. Alice curled her fingers around Emmett's shirt, clinging to him.

"Alice, would you like to go visit your Mom?" Esme asked, "There's no problem if you do. You're welcome to see her whenever you like."

Alice looked up; her pretty eyes red and her flawless skin tear-stained. She took Esme's hand and got up, and Emmett went upstairs instantly. I went upstairs to my study.

I found a little note by my desk, on the floor, from Alice. I couldn't work out when she put it there, but I shrugged the thought from my mind and read it.

Jasper,

Thank you for being so nice to me. I've never really had any friends. The only person that ever loved me was my Mom, and now she can't. Your kindness means a lot to me, and if staying with your family doesn't work out, I'd like to keep in touch. I appreciate how you welcomed me into your home and let me into your study. No one's ever been nice to me like that.

Alice.

I smiled to myself, feeling good that my actions had touched her so much. I put the note in the box I saved for only a select few items, sitting at my desk and subconsciously spinning in my desk chair.

Alice didn't get back until late, returning while I was in the shower. I vaguely heard the front door shut over the roar of the water. I heard her come upstairs and into her room, but got a shock as she walked straight into the bathroom. I hadn't locked the door, which I didn't usually do anyway. Only Edward and I used it, and we had devised a rota to avoid situations like that one. We both gasped, my response being grabbing the nearest towel in sight to cover myself. Alice slowly turned bright red, a tear streaming down her cheek as she disappeared from the room.

Once I was dry and clothed, and went to her room and gently knocked on the door.

"Alice," I said quietly, "Can I come in?"

The door was pulled open from the inside, but I heard Alice leap onto her bed. As I entered the room, I saw her shrink into the corner. She looked petrified.

"Are you alright?" I said in concern. Alice sniffled, the tears beginning to flow again. She wrote on a little notebook, handing me the paper.

You won't want me here anymore.

"No, no!" I shook my head, "It was an accident. My fault for not locking the door."

I'm sorry.

"It's alright," I smiled, "Don't worry about it, I'm not mad at you, I promise."

Alice stood up, approaching me cautiously and hugging me tight. I stroked her hair gently, kissing her forehead and kneeling down to her level.

"We want you to stay here. You don't have to worry about little mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes."

Alice rested her head on my chest, writing in her notebook.

My Mom's getting worse.

"I'm sorry to hear that," I sighed, and she clung to me in a hug.

I want to go to bed.

I nodded, standing up, "Alright. I'm right here if you need me."

Alice wiped her eyes and nodded.

"Goodnight," I smiled a little, and Alice waved. I smiled to myself as she left, putting all her notes in a drawer.