A knock at the door made Alice jump lightly. She dropped a piece of bacon fat, and before she could gingerly pick it up, Emmett bent down and grabbed it, eating it despite it being Alice's, and on the floor.

"Emmett, please," Carlisle frowned, "Table manners."

Alice giggled quietly as Esme went to answer the door. Emmett winked at her playfully.

"Alice, your social worker's here," Esme came and stood behind Alice's chair.

Alice smiled, but her eyes told a different story. They were wide, terrified, and her whole body had tensed. She looked as if she was prepared to run away.

A strict looking woman in a tight black suit and ridiculously high heels entered the dining room.

"Alice, you need to come with me for a meeting about your accommodation," she said briskly, clapping her hands twice, "Come on."

Alice stood up instantly, half way out of the kitchen before Esme cut in.

"Can't she finish her breakfast?" she put her arm around Alice's shoulders.

"Not really. Come along, Alice, get your things and let's go."

"Jasper, go help Alice pack up her things," Esme nodded to me. I nodded in response, following Alice as she darted upstairs. She took a tiny soft toy and stuffed it into her pocket, then gave her other one to me. She then got her photo of her and her mom, and gave that to me as well. Several minutes later, and she's given me a few pieces of clothing and a pile of other things.

She stared at me hard and meaningfully, and I understood her wishes.

"I'll keep everything safe for you, I promise," I smiled at her softly, putting the things in an empty draw in my dresser and returning to her. Upon my return, Alice flew at me, clinging to me tight and letting out a small whimper.

"Hey, it's alright, darlin'," I murmured, "You'll be back here soon, I'm sure."

"Alice!" the social worker yelled, and she disappeared back downstairs. I carried her bags down behind her.

"Thanks," the social worker said dismissively as she took the bags from me. She went out to the car, and Alice took this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone. She went to Carlisle first, hugging him tight and resting her head on his chest. She was too tiny to reach his shoulder. He kissed her cheek, gently patting her back.

"We'll see you soon," he smiled warmly, and Alice gave him a small envelope. Esme was next on her list, hugging her and also giving her an envelope. She dropped envelopes by Rosalie and Edward, not wasting her time by attempting to hug them, and was grabbed up into a bear hug by Emmett. She giggled childishly.

"Take care, Alice," Emmett smiled, and Alice playfully poked his nose and gigged. He chuckled, kissing her forehead and letting her go, "Say hey to mom for me."

Alice nodded silently, successfully masking the emotions that would have normally been released in response to her mom.

"Alice, we're leaving right now!" the social worker came in, just as Alice went to hug me. I ruffled her hair a little, accepting my envelope before she was dragged away by her arm. I heard her whimper quietly. Esme went to wave her off, and I went upstairs. I'd lost my appetite, walking up to my room without being excused. I vaguely heard Carlisle calling me back.

I sat in my room with the envelope, opening it to read Alice's letter.

Jasper,

Thank you very much for being so nice to me. I'm going to miss you, but I hope I'll be able to move in with your family. I've never met anyone like you before, but that's a good thing. Not many people find it easy to talk to me, but you do. I'm sorry if I annoyed you when I slept in your room. I struggle sleeping in unfamiliar places, and I felt safe with you there with me. I've never had a room on my own before, and I don't really like it. It would have been strange if I had shared Carlisle and Esme's bed. I like them a lot, but if Esme knew I shared your bed, I'm scared she'd make a big fuss over me about it. Please don't tell her.

I most likely would have given you some of my things to keep safe. I know you'll keep them safe. I'm sure. Thank you for looking after me. It really means a lot. I'm going to tell my mom about you when I see her in hospital. I only whisper. She's the only one I can talk to properly, because she's in a coma and can't read my letters.

I'm scared something will happen.

Thank you for being there for me.

Alice Brandon.

She had drawn a small heart by her name.

"Jasper, sweetheart?" Esme stood in my doorway, "Are you alright?"

"I hope Alice will be alright," I sighed, "She looked terrified."

"I'm sure she'll be alright. She'll only be there a day or two," Esme sat on my bed.

"She gave me a lot of her things to keep safe for her. She's scared they'll be taken," I shook my head a little.

"She wrote about you in her letter to me," Esme smiled, showing me a part of it.

I think you and Carlisle are amazing people for bringing up four children, and I think you've done a great job. Especially with Jasper. He's the nicest person I've ever met. No one's accepted me like he has, and I hope we can be good friends. I can't thank him enough for his kindness, and I think this is down to you and Carlisle for bringing him up so well.

I couldn't help but smile at her words. I almost wanted to keep Esme's letter for myself.

"You know what I think would make her feel better while she waits for the paperwork to clear?" Esme smiled, "You should go visit her. I'll give them a call and ask if you can. Maybe you could take her out somewhere."

I nodded, my smile unyielding, "I'd like that."

Esme went to call the social worker a few hours after Alice had left, in order to give time for the meeting to end. She came up to my room and smiled.

"You can go over there now. Want me to drive you?"

"No, thanks," I shook my head, "Rosalie's still reeling from not being the only girl in the house, you should pay her some attention to calm her down."

I grinned mischievously, and Esme laughed, "Have fun."

She kissed my cheek, and then allowed me to go down to the garage.

Thanks SO much for all the great feedback for this story! I think I got the idea from the Little Mermaid – when Ariel loses her voice and has to communicate to Prince Eric in different ways. Just a bit of trivia for you :P Anyways, next chapter is in ALICE'S point of view, so you all get to see how she's thinking as she can't say it herself!