Alice

Disclaimer: Ego non operor usus Crepusculum. I have not taken official Latin lessons and am merely using an online translator, but, to all of you Latin scholars, please forgive me for butchering the language. And to all of you non-scholars of Latin – I'm pretty sure, based on all of the other disclaimers on every single other fanfiction on this site, you know what I'm talking about. If not – translate it yourself. XD Sorry if I'm acting bitchy. It's the middle of the night and I can't sleep…

This chapter is dedicated to xFender'sGirlx, AmberlynotKimberly, VampiricMirth, margaretng, StantonDimitriCullen, JSod93, justanotherditzyredhead, Mznickwhite, raindropsX, Helewisetran, Shawnee21, ashleyahh, Euffie, twilighter97, k-pattttttttz, .writing., xoxo-RaNdoM-pIxIE-xoxo, Jazzy-kins, Franky-J-Cullen, skrappy1389, Piperita, CuttlefishRock, sakuraxsyaoran-harryxdraco, Rachh93, iluvshim, and SunnySkies4Life.

Kids: They Dance Before they Learn There is Anything That Isn't Music

Edward POV

Alice had been with us for six months now. It was nearing May, which meant that it was almost her first birthday. We had argued and argued over when her exact birthday should be, just like we had argued over her name, until, once again, Jasper settled the whole argument with just one word.

"Seventh."

Then he picked up Alice and walked out of the room again.

Seven – it was perfect. It symbolized so many things. It represented her place in the family, as the seventh Cullen. It represented the seven colors of the rainbow, and how cheerful and happy and innocent she was… just like a rainbow.

Seven represented the average number of spots on ladybugs, which were Alice's current obsession. It represented the neutral number on a pH scale, and how Alice never seemed to be involved in any arguments, but just sat there and observed. She was never acidic, or to basic (blasé, rather).

It represented the Seven Virtues: chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, humility. Alice was the most innocent and the sweetest being, alive or undead, that I had ever had the pleasure (or displeasure) of meeting.

It represented the number of dwarfs in the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was currently Alice's favorite fairy tale of all time.

It represented the lucky number of seven. We were all so lucky to have her in the family now.

And then my most favorite of them all – the legend that the seventh son of the seventh son would be a vampire. Of course, Alice was a girl, but it was still a bit ironic.

We were currently in Michigan now. We hadn't wanted to stay too long in Mississippi, just in case someone recognized Alice and demanded that we give her over to child services. We were far too attached to her now to do that. And Jasper would probably go on a killing spree before he would even consider letting Alice go. He hardly even ever let her out of his sight these days.

Well, except for now. He was currently on a hunting trip, though he would be back pretty soon. I was playing on my piano when I paused as I listened to Alice and Emmett's thoughts.

Alice's thoughts were becoming more coherent as she developed more, so I could understand her a tad bit better, though of course she was still not as advanced as a grown person yet. But she would be a genius, I was sure.

Fun! Fun! Throw again! Throw again! I heard her thoughts mentally squeal as I saw the sky through her eyes. What the hell was going on? I tuned in onto Emmett's thoughts.

Aw, the little midget is enjoying this! I love this game, too. This is so fun, I think – WHOA! Phew, I almost missed her for a second there. A quarter of a second later and Alice would have become splatter on the grass. Ah, well, what the others don't know won't hurt them… oh, shit, Edward's at home.

"Emmett!" I hissed, stalking outside. If he hurt my favorite sister in any way whatsoever, I was going to tear him apart and separate each piece into a different box. Then I'd leave the pieces for Jasper, so he could put him back together and tear him apart again. Then Rosalie could have the pieces and kill him. Maybe even Esme would like a turn at killing him.

I halted and stared with my mouth open as I saw Alice's teeny little body being flung up into the air as she screamed in laughter. Fun! Fun!

I ran over to a little field, where Emmett was lying down on his back, carelessly tossing her up and down into the sky as he kept his eyes shut.

"EMMETT!"

Emmett yelped and clambered up. I gasped as I saw Alice coming down just out of his reach, even at vampire speed. Suddenly, a white blur hurled out from the woods and leapt into the air, catching her just before she hit the ground. Jasper landed lightly on his feet while Alice giggled and clapped her hands, settling down in his arms. "Again, again!" she squealed. She was so far advanced for her age that she could speak more words than the average one year old.

Jasper slowly turned around. Even I was scared as I heard his thoughts. They were only about two things – one was about how he was worried about Alice and hoped that she was okay. The other half of his thoughts was focused on planning on how to kill Emmett.

Even though he had just hunted, Jasper's eyes were pitch black as he glared at Emmett.

"I. Will. Kill. You," Jasper enunciated slowly. Emmett's eyes widened as he slowly took a few steps back. Jasper was serious. I could hear his thoughts, after all.

Alice's eyes widened as she squirmed around in his arms. Finally, she managed to squeeze out and slide down his legs, plopping down on the ground. I watched in shock as she slowly stood up onto her feet and wobbled over to Emmett.

"Jazz. No kill. No kill!" Alice ordered, frowning, placing her tiny little hands on her hips. I had to stifle a chuckle then. She just looked much too adorable.

Jasper's eyes lightened up ever so slightly, and I could hear his thoughts change course, though he was still harboring murderous thoughts towards Emmett. Alice could get him to do anything.

Then I remembered. Alice had walked. Wasn't she supposed to be doing that in a few months? She really was an early developer, then.

I heard a car pull up. Rosalie, Esme, and Carlisle were hurrying over. They froze and stared in surprise at Alice, who was standing.

"Daddy!" Alice squealed, hobbling towards Carlisle.

How is this possible… she shouldn't be doing this for a little bit longer.

Oh, she's just so adorable!

My daughter is perfect, just like me! She's going to be the smartest of them all.

And so that was how all thoughts of murdering Emmett that particular day were forgotten.

Ah ha, Emmett SOOOOO owes Alice. Oh, question! When exactly does the Twilight DVD come out? I know it's either March 21st, March 28th, or March 31st. Anyone know?

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