Chapter 4
Alice
Things were almost the same although Jasper and I didn't make love any longer, he said it felt wrong although he still held my hand and kissed me sometimes but it was a brothers kiss now. Luckily no one except Edward cottoned on that there was something different in our relationship and he questioned me constantly until one day I lost my temper with him. It had never happened before and he was dumbfounded as were the rest of the family. We were having a family conference about our next move. It was time yet again to move on and start over. A new life in a new place, we'd done it so often it was almost routine these days,
"Maybe Alice would like to go somewhere on her own."
"Why should she want to do that Edward?"
"Well its obvious she and Jasper aren't a couple any more Carlisle."
"Edward really."
"Well its true Esme. They don't even have sex, she's come to her senses at last."
Emmett stood up ready to defend me at the same time Jasper did but for once I was faster than either of them, shocking even Edward with my response.
I didn't actually mean to rip his hand of at the wrist but he pulled away as I jerked him forward and it came away in mine and so having nothing else convenient I used it to hit him round the head,
"Don't you dare discuss Jasper and I. What we do is none of your business Edward and its time you learned to keep your mouth shut and your prying out of our heads."
With a last whack I threw his hand across the table and sat back down, my arms folding, still fuming. For a few minutes no one spoke they were all taken aback, I wasn't a violent person by nature. Then Emmett smiled and clapped his hands.
"Good for you Alice. It's about time someone gave it to Edward straight."
Jasper took my hand and kissed it,
"Thank you Alice for defending me."
"Well you'd have probably killed him so he should be grateful I got in first."
I glared at Edward as Carlisle helped him fuse his hand back on,
"You could have permanently damaged my hand Alice. It could have stopped me playing the piano."
"Oh I'm so sorry Edward please forgive me for that. Next time I'll rip your head off instead you nosy inconsiderate beast."
Carlisle
I thought I'd better do something to defuse the situation before Alice attacked again,
"Edward listen to me. Your attack on Jasper was totally uncalled for and what they do is none of your business. I know none of us can keep things from you if you want to know but you need to learn that just because you know doesn't give you the right to use that knowledge and certainly not to use it as an attack. Now you owe Alice and Jasper an apology."
He looked at me quite obviously upset that I was taking Alice's side but he knew I was right and I had been far too easy on him in the past as my first-born so to speak. It was time he learned a few hard lessons and this was to be the first. Esme joined me and I wondered how she would react to this, I knew she loved Edward as I did.
"Edward you heard your father now apologise then you and I are taking a walk."
He mumbled an apology and Esme took him by the arm almost hauling him out of the chair. We all watched them leave the room before anyone spoke again.
"Alice I'm very sorry if Edward embarrassed you, Jasper you too. It was unforgivable."
I knew it was also true but that was beside the point.
"Yeah, he needs to learn to keep his big mouth shut. Its got nothing to do with him what you two do. Forget about it Jazz, Alice, if he says anything else I'll ram his teeth down his throat."
Alice smiled her thanks at big brother Emmett while Rose nodded her approval but I could see she was wondering if there were any truth to Edwards assertions.
Alice
I saw the conversation Esme would have with Edward and I was mighty glad I wasn't on the receiving end of her heated lecture. It would certainly stop Edward from saying anything else. The problem now would be Rose, there was no way she would let this go so I'd have to tell her at least something. In the meanwhile we continued with our discussion of where we would make our home next.
"I think we should try somewhere we can get out as much as possible, what about Washington State?"
"Well we haven't been back there in a long time and Esme did love the area. If she can find a house she likes then why not? Does anyone else have anything to say?"
Carlisle looked around but I knew Emmett and Rose didn't mind where we went, in fact the idea of mountains, bears, and other large prey would be an extra lure for him.
"There is just one thing that you and Jasper may not know. We already have a treaty in place with the guardian tribe in Forks Washington so somewhere near there would be fine and the school in Forks was a good one years ago.,Lets all do some digging and see what we come up with, any pros and cons so to speak. I need to see if there are any vacancies in the hospitals close by, I can transfer in from Denali, Eleazer has someone in Alaska who can arrange things for me which is helpful. For now though I think we should all respect Alice and Jaspers privacy and not ask any questions."
I knew that was aimed at Rose especially but I saw Emmett curious too and taking Jasper to one side when they next went hunting together.
Carlisle
When Esme got back she was alone but I could see from her face she was still angry and embarrassed so I suggested we went hunting together, away from other ears. We ran for a good half hour before she stopped and turned to me,
"What's going in Carlisle? With Alice and Jazz I mean? Edward was right wasn't he? I knew things had changed between them but they seem to be happy with the new relationship so I tried not to worry myself."
I told her what I knew and saw the sorrow in her eyes, she felt for both of them,
"That still didn't give Edward the right to come out with something like he did. We've been much too easy on that boy Carlisle and he seems to think that its acceptable to listen to our thoughts and speak as he sees fit. I've told him, I wont tolerate it, that if he ever does anything like that again I will personally show him the door. I will not have such shameful behaviour in my house and I hope you will back me up."
"Of course Esme, I was thinking the same thing myself, Edward has become very arrogant of late, he's rubbing everyone up the wrong way. I even found him arguing with Emmett the other day and Emmett never argues with anyone. Edward is upsetting the family dynamics and it has to stop. I think its more my fault than yours Esme. I always looked on him as special but he isn't, no more than any of the others and he needs to understand that. I'm hoping this move might help, especially as he'll be starting a new school with Alice again. She won't take any nonsense from him not any more. I think he just ruined their close relationship and she's the one best placed to keep him under control, she can see what's coming after all."
"What about her and Jazz though? It's such a pity, they always seemed so happy".
"They were Esme, they still are, I think they will always be very fond of each other, have each others best interests at heart but if as she says he has a mate in this girl he met years ago then we must be patient and see what happens but in the meantime lets keep it our secret."