I'm still easing into the storyline, so don't worry, there will be some action in the near future :) Thanks for the reviews so far, and continuing to follow.. for anyone who doesn't have an account and wants to talk, I'm not sure how we could... but it only takes a few minutes to sign up for an account on here .. or i could give out my you tube account...

Chapter 4

"She's still alive," Alice told Carlisle and Esme. Jasper stood at her side in the living room, "But now she's alone. She's lost and angry. She doesn't know what to do."

"Does she have any intentions of coming our way?" Carlisle asked.

Alice shook her head, "Not at the moment. She wants vengance still on you and the Volturi."

"There's no way she'll be able to make it here without us knowing it," Jasper told them, "And there's only one of her. It would hardly be an issue. In fact, it might be a good thing if she decided to come this way because we could just get rid of her."

"I'd rather see her make her way to Italy," Esme said.

"Do you think it's possible that she could develop a puppet, like Victoria did with Riley?" Carlisle asked, "Without us knowing it."

"I suppose it's possible," Alice said, "But again, I don't think it would be anything in particular to be concerned about. We'll be able to get someone's scent if they're close... like the last time."

He nodded and looked to Esme.

"Did you hear about William?" Esme asked them.

Alice grinned, "He was able to give Edward a taste of his own medicine I heard."

"We tested it out," Jasper added. He looked at Carlisle, "I think your theory may be correct."

"Jasper tried using his gift on William and the feeling was reciprocated," Alice told them.

"So it's more or less confirmed then?" Carlisle asked.

They nodded in unison, "We're pretty sure anyway," Alice said.

"It probably just took him a little while to realize it, or control it."

"Maddy gave him a couple of shocks down at the island," Esme told them with a smile, "But it didn't work then."

"Maybe he didn't know how to harness it then," Jasper thought aloud. He shrugged.

"Ooooh, I wonder what would happen if she shocked him now," Alice wondered with a devilish smile.

Esme and Carlisle smiled.

"I'd be willing to make a trip to find out," Jasper said, raising his eyebrows, "It's about time he got to visit his little lady friend again."

Masen and Leah entered the house.

"Hey, can we hurt Masen to see if William could cure him?" Alice asked jokingly.

"What?" Masen asked.

Esme shook her head with a smile.

"Nevermind," Alice said, pulling Jasper by the pocket of his buttondown shirt, "Let's go Jas. You're looking a little hungry."

They slinked out of the house, leaving Masen and Leah with Carlisle and Esme.

"Where's Alexandra?" Masen asked.

"Rosalie," Carlisle stated.

He nodded and looked at Leah. Their expressions showed a hint of nervousness.

"What?" Esme asked, picking up it. The tone of her voice gave off nervousness of her own.

Carlisle crossed his arms in front of his chest, "What's up?"

"Nothing... really," Masen started, "I, uh, just think it would be a good idea if I moved.. in with Leah."

Leah stood silently at his side and eyed the floor, occasionally peeking up at his parents. They looked at each other and didn't say anything at first.

"Are you going to help Leah with the payments?" Carlisle asked.

He nodded.

"Okay," he said, looking over at Esme. "So you'll need to get a job for the time being."

He eyed both of them, "Like what? Where?"

"Go find one," Carlisle told him, "Where ever."

"He doesn't have to pay me anything to live there," Leah insisted.

Carlisle smiled, "Of course he does."

"Can I work at the hospital like Emmett? I can carpool with him."

"What do you want to do there?" Esme asked.

"I don't know. Whatever."

"Think about it for awhile," Carlisle told him.

"You bought houses for everyone else," Masen insisted.

"And maybe the two of you will get a wedding present," Esme told them, "Until then, you pay Leah out of your own pocket."

"Mrs. Cullen, I've eaten your food. I've stayed here. You've all taken me in... he really doesn't have to pay me anything at all."

"Yes he does," Esme said at the same time as Carlisle, "Besides," he added, "Masen needs to get better educated regarding the real world. I'll pay until you get yourself settled."

"And before you protest about the others," Esme added, sensing he was about to say something else, "They all went to high school... a number of times. And Edward and Rosalie have degrees. They just can't go back to school here at the moment because they've already graduated."

"I don't think it's a bad thing," Masen said defensively, "Can you get me a job at the hospital?"

"We'll see," Carlisle said, "Go looking around. I'll check in to see if there's anything part time you could do."

"Okay," he agreed.

"And at some point, I'd still like you to go to school."

"Dad, I would but some girl might try to steal me away," he smirked and looked at Leah from the corner of his eye, "I can't have this one get all jealous and, you know, go all wolf beast in public on the high school chicks."

Carlisle shook his head, "You're not that good looking Mase."

Leah snickered.

"Well, they say I look like you so I guess that's where the non-attractive part comes in," Masen joked back. He decided to butter up his mother, "Because my mama's gorgeous." He picked Esme up around the waist and twirled her around.

She was taken off guard and started laughing. Carlisle and Leah both smiled at their interaction.

"I'm glad we're all okay," Masen said, changing the subject briefly, "I mean things are starting to sink in I think. Anyone could have died. I'm really lucky to have you guys. And if you want me to go to school I'll go to school. If you want me to work, I'll work."

Carlisle messed up Masen's hair with his hand, "We'll talk about it."

"So he can move in right?" Leah asked, somewhat shyly.

Carlisle looked at Esme, who was still smiling. She nodded to him. "That's fine," he told Leah.

Masen grinned, "Let's get packing lady."

They two of them made their way toward Masen's room.

"There are some boxes in the attic if you need them," Esme called to them.

"Okay," Masen said back. They heard Leah laughing a few seconds later and saying "stop" as they guessed Masen was tickling her from what they could hear.

Carlisle stared at Esme with a half smile and brought her to him with one arm around her shoulders. She finished the hug and brought herself all the way to him. "I'm happy," she told him.

"Me too," he said.

"I'm really happy."

Carlisle laughed and took her face between his hands, "Me too." He gave her a quick kiss before Rosalie walked through the door with Alexandra in her arms and William just behind her.

"She's trying to talk," Rosalie said handing Esme her baby.

"Maybe Mommy will be first this time..." Esme teased, looking at Carlisle.

"I hope so," he said.

"Can I... watch the game?" William's timid voice came from behind Rosalie.

It had only been a day since he'd been punished. There was a soft spot lingering in Rosalie's heart for him, but she knew she had to be firm, "Your dad said no. You'll live with out it for a week."

He sighed.

"Maybe if you be good the next couple of days, we'll cut your punishment short."

William tried not to twist his face in disappointment, "Alright."

Rosalie smiled and raised her eyebrows at them as she left the room.

"Come here Mommy," Carlisle pulled Esme back into an embrace, "I love you. And she'll say it first. I'm sure."

Esme smiled, "We'll see Daddy."