7.
Buy Me a Shotgun
"Dad! Alice is taking all of my Legos!"
"Edward! Get those away from her! She could swallow one!"
Carlisle ran to the little girl and pried the toy out of her hand. She started to cry and Carlisle looked over at Edward. "Son, you have to be more careful. Alice is still a baby and she puts everything in her mouth. If she were to swallow one of your blocks, she could choke or get it stuck in her tummy. That would not be good at all.
"Edward,you're not very good at keeping her safe by letting her get your Legos." Jasper said as he walked toward them across the grass. When he reached the patio, he gave Edward a grim look. "I can't leave you for five minutes and you let her get in danger. You have to be more careful. We are her big brothers. If we don't protect her, who will?"
Carlisle always got a kick out of how serious Jasper was. At only 5 years old, the boy was an old soul and, though he could romp with the best of them, namely Emmette, he always seemed to approach life thoughtfully and with a plan.
"She's OK, guys. She's just mad because I took it away from her, but she could be in serious danger if we didn't catch her in time. I'll take her inside, but keep an eye on her next time, OK, Edward?"
"OK, Dad. I don't want anything bad to happen to Alice."
"I know you don't, son. We just have to always make sure that the baby is safe. We did the same thing for all of you kids when you were little. Rosalie and Emmette had to keep their small toys picked up when you and Jasper were babies, too."
"Not baby!" cried Alice, stomping her tiny foot. At almost two years old, she was a handful. Sweet as can be, but full of energy. She gave her parents and brothers a run for their money. They all loved her dearly, though, and she could do no wrong in their eyes. Her brothers, especially, thought the sun rose and set on their baby sister. Her parents tried in vain to keep her from being spoiled but, between the Cullens and the Hales, it was a difficult task. Even Rosalie catered to the tiny, dark-haired girl. All she had to do was look at you with those huge, dark blue eyes and stick out that soft, pink bottom lip, and you were lost. She was adorable, and she knew it.
"No, Alice. You are a big girl now." Agreed Jasper bending down to smile into her face. "Don't be mad. We are just taking care of you cuz we are your big brothers."
"Not bubba!" Alice yelled and pointed at Jasper.
Jasper felt tears come to his eyes but he didn't want Edward to see and call him a sissy, so he blinked hard several times and stood up. He always felt bad when Alice said he wasn't her brother, but he knew she was just a baby and didn't understand.
Alice patted his hand softly and said, "Lubba" and ran away giggling. He smiled. She was a little stinker, as his dad always said, and she kept them all busy. He could get so mad at her sometimes but, all she had to do was smile at him or say 'Love ya', and he couldn't stay mad.
Carlisle went running after Alice and grabbed her up as Jackson and Lynnette walked up.
"Keepin' ya' busy dere, Pardner?" Jackson drawled and laughed.
Lynnette chuckled and playfully slapped him on the arm. "Jack, be nice. Poor Carlisle looks beat."
"I am." said Carlisle. "This little angel has kept me on my toes all morning!"
Alice giggled as he kissed her belly. He set her down and she stuck two fingers in her mouth and scampered back over by the boys. She pushed Jaspers hands away from the Legos and plopped down on his lap. He kissed the top of her head and started singing softly in her ear. Alice yawned and relaxed against Jasper's chest and her lashes started to flutter.
"Someone looks like they're ready for a nap," laughed Esme, coming out onto the patio with a pitcher of lemonade and some glasses.
"No nap." breathed Alice, but her lids finally closed. She was breathing heavy by the time Esme crossed the patio to lift her out of Jasper's lap. He looked up and shared a sweet smile with Esme before she took the baby into the house for her nap.
"I swear that boy can calm her just by saying her name." marveled Carlisle, looking at Jasper.
"He just has a way with her, " agreed Lynnette, "He took to her the day you brought her home."
"And she to him," chuckled Jackson. "I hope he grows more of a backbone with her before she gets much older, though, or she'll be gettin' him in a whole heap o' trouble! Ole' Carlisle'll be chasin' him with a shotgun!"
Jackson clapped Carlisle on the back as he laughed. Carlisle, on the other hand, looked somewhat stricken.
"Now what did you say to my husband, Jackson Hale?" Esme admonished playfully as she stepped back out of the house. "He looks like he's just seen a ghost!"
Lynnette shook her head, "I think Carlisle just saw his future and it didn't look pretty."
"Oh, dear!" laughed Esme. "Do I want to know?"
"It had to do with Ali, Jas and a shotgun." cracked Jackson.
"Jackson Hale! Couldn't you give him a few more years before you get him worrying about that? She's not even two yet, for crying out loud!"
The three of them turned laughing eyes toward Carlisle. He still had a stunned look on his face. "You just had to have a girl, didn't you, Esme? Here I am, looking at the boy I think of as a son in a whole new light, and on top of that, now I've got to buy a shotgun!"
He looked over at Jasper playing with Edward and smiled at the bright, blonde child. "Alice could sure do a lot worse," he thought. "A lot worse!" he shuddered, and joined the other adults for some of Esme's famous lemonade.
