Chapter 7
The Family
"Only three of them are there today," I said to Jasper, my voice bubbling with excitement. We were running through the trees toward the house from my vision. I could see them so much more clearly now, we couldn't have been more than a few miles away. The low dull moon lit the path for us, not that we needed the light in any sense; we could have found our way through the darkness with our fountain of senses. The sun would be rising soon.
"Alice, let me go first," Jasper pleaded, "if they get aggressive I will know and I can come back and we will decide how to proceed." I giggled at his supererogatory worry. He was always so prepared, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it would be nice if he could relax for a few moments. It wasn't as if I couldn't care for myself.
"They're not like that Jasper, they will not fight us, I'm sure of it." I leaped over a fallen tree branch then tapped my temple, explaining what I meant. "It's like I've known them for years."
We continued running in silence until the house came into view. I could only imagine how incredibly entertaining my face appeared to Jasper. I gasped as I saw the house from my vision, a grand three story home with a large glass wall covering most of the front side of the house. The wind began blowing in the direction of the beautiful home; they'd pick up our scent.
I could hear Jasper sigh, he was probably thinking out his tux again. Jasper wasn't exactly a man of fashion; he didn't seem to understand that there was no occasion when a tux would seem out of place. I couldn't understand his perspective, in my opinion, he looked incredibly dashing in the black and white suit. He probably would have been perfectly comfortable in cotton pants and a muscle shirt, I though with revulsion. I could see that for the rest of our existence that I would be picking out his clothes…
My black Chanel dress made me feel much more confident. When we stepped onto the cobblestone of their driveway I quickly exchanged my flat ballet style shoes for the more elegant high heels that I'd bought with the dress. When I straightened Carlisle, his wife and daughter were standing on the front porch, staring out at Jasper and I suspiciously. Jasper's hand griped my hand firmly and pulled me back so that he was between me and Carlisle and his family. I smiled brightly over Jasper's shoulder, a feat that would have been near impossible for me to accomplish without my trusty Chanel heels.
We moved forward slowly, allowing them to assess our appearances, it was Jasper's that I was sure would terrify them. I saw the flash of fear in them when they finally saw his scars. I couldn't understand now why anyone would be afraid of Jasper, even if he did have scars. I couldn't understand why I feared him at first. He wasn't scary in the least! He was gentle and caring, they would see that soon.
"Hello Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie! It's so good to finally meet you! When will Edward and Emmett be back? I can't wait to meet them." I was rambling, I didn't realize how nervous I was until now. They looked at me with shock and confusion. Carlisle's face was full of confusion. Silly Alice! I'd forgotten again! I'd been having visions of them for so long, introductions felt awkward. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I always forget. I am Alice and this is Jasper. We are coming from Philadelphia. We've been looking for you," I explained. I cast a quick look at Jasper; he was eyeing Carlisle carefully, still prepared should the mood of the moment turn aggressive. Still on the lookout, that overprotective man. Internally, I gushed over the marvelous man before me until I heard Carlisle speak.
"Miss Alice, you look beautiful, it is nice to meet you both." I smiled to him thankfully. I quickly shot Jasper another look that read 'told-ya-so'. I saw a smirk pull infinitesimally at his lips. "I don't quite understand what you mean…You've been looking for us? Forgive me, but how do you know our names?"
"Oh Carlisle, we have a lot of explaining to do, may we come inside? I swear we mean no harm. I know Jasper looks scary but really, he is very nice." Jasper squeezed my hand playfully, he appreciated my light mood I guessed, and his dull demeanor was beginning to dissipate to match my giddiness. "Yes, please do come in," Carlisle agreed after deciding I was speaking the truth.
I entered confidently behind the three, pulling Jasper along behind me. I waltzed to the large white sofa and sat cozily beside Jasper and closed my eyes, taking in the warmth and closeness of the home. It all felt so right. I could feel it, Jasper and I could survive here. Not just survive we could live. We could experience things together, make memories together.
"Ahh yes, I can see so clearly now."
I turned to Jasper and took his hand gently. "Can you feel it, Jasper? It feels like home." I turned to face Carlisle and announced that we wished to join them. They looked at me with shock, their eyes shifted from me to Jasper and back again.
"Ahh…Miss Alice, Mr. Jasper, we live differently than you, we do not hunt humans but we do live around them, we survive only on the blood of animals." I grinned at him then. "We know; that is why we came to find you. I have been following your lifestyle for around two years now recently…I slipped, which is why my eyes are not the same color as yours. Jasper, here, is willing to try."
I looked happily at him, awaiting his answer. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it abruptly. It looked as though he were trying to phrase something just perfectly. "I know you're all confused," his clear baritone voice announced finally. "I was just as bewildered when she found me. Alice has the ability to see the future. She has been getting visions of your family for quite a while. This is how we were able to find you."
Carlisle looked at me, his sandy yellow eyes glittering with wonder. "You have seen how we do things?"
Your family has been my only company for most of my life…as far as I know. I learned everything from you. If not for my vision, I don't know what I would have done." It was an honest statement. His face shone with pride as he smiled at me.
"So you mean to say that you both want to give up the normal vampire lifestyle, for one of sacrifice?"
Sacrifice was not what I considered it, but I nodded excited. I felt Jasper move slightly beside me. Carlisle looked at us wide-eyed then turned to Esme and Rosalie. "We are happy that others want to adopt our lifestyle." He turned back to Jasper and I and smiled widely.
"Believe me it is very rewarding. I feel…honored that you want to join us. Please understand my concern though. We take our commitment very seriously, we cannot risk exposure. If you want to join us you must be serious about this."
I nodded, understandingly. There was no turning back when we agreed to this. We couldn't mess up…slip up… We'd have to be strong. I'd have to be strong. For Jasper.
"Carlisle, we are very serious, I swear to you. I have seen us with you in the future," I explained to him. "I know it is meant to be."
He looked at me and Jasper tentatively for a moment. Finally he smiled warmly at us and said, "Welcome to my family, I am Dr. Carlisle Cullen. This is my wife Esme and our daughter, for all intents and purposes, Rosalie." I smiled widely and ran forward to embrace Carlisle. "Oh thank you, thank you!" I ran to Esme and Rosalie and embraced them as well.
"Edward and Emmett are…" I cut Carlisle off, already knowing what he was about to say. "Are out hunting, yes, they will be back in one hour." Carlisle grinned at me in wonder. "Miss Alice, you have a marvelously intriguing gift," he said smiling warmly. I smiled back at my new father figure. "Carlisle, please just call me Alice. But, oh, Carlisle, we have so much time to talk, what I want to know is which room can Jasper and I move into?"
Esme gave me a warm smile and took my hand. "Well, let us give you a tour of the house first," she suggested, leading Jasper and I up the stairs to the second story. I stopped at the first door. It was think dark oak and I realized that it faced east. A small smile curled my lips upward as I turned to face my new mother. "Who's room is this?"
"Edward's," she answered, smiling warmly. I couldn't help but smile along with her, she was so kind.
"It faces the east, I would love to see the view, may I go in?"
"Of course, Edward won't mind at all."
I thanked her and pushed the door open. I admired the view in awe. Pulling Jasper along with me I danced to the large glass window, pressing my face against it like I'd seen children do many times before. It was lovely, the trees covered about half an acre and I could see the sun peeping through their branches. I forced my eyes to pull away from the rising sun back to Esme and Rosalie.
"This room has the best view," I said confidently. I already knew it would be mine and Jasper's. "Do you think Edward will mind if I stole his room?" My eyes drifted shut as I tried to peer into the future. Edward wouldn't mind, in fact, he'd adore me.
"No, no Edward won't mind at all. He will just throw a temper tantrum like the baby he is," Esme said smiling, she was already apologizing, which I found slightly entertaining. "Umm…Alice," Jasper said quietly. Even now his voice made my knees buckle slightly, there was no way my infatuation with him was healthy. "I don't think that's a good idea. I mean they were all nice enough to let us stay, let's not strain their hospitality."
I turned to and grinned, "Oh, Edward will be upset for a little while but he likes me so he'll get over it." My grin widened, I tapped my temple reminding him of my gift. "Alice…" Jasper shook his head hopelessly, fighting the smile that was penetrating his tough-guy face.
"Relax, Jasper," I coaxed, his stress was clear in every sense. "Edward and I are going to be great friends. Being here makes seeing that so much clearer. Esme, I promise if Edward objects vehemently, we will take up residence in the garage. However, right now, I see Edward enjoying life immensely down there." She didn't look convinced, only nodded and exited the room to give Jasper and I privacy.
Jasper staggered to the window and sighed. At first I thought him angry at me until I saw his smile. His deep scarlet eyes glittered as his gaze shifted to me. Before I could get lost in my fantasies I hurried to pack Edward's things. Taking everything with care, I put them in boxes and bags and placed them neatly in the garage. I finished quickly, not wanting to waste time, Edward and Emmett would be back soon.
Once finished I pulled Jasper along down the stairs to our new family. "Carlisle, if you don't mind, Jasper and I would like to hear all about you and your family." Carlisle inclined his head politely. "Well, Alice, Jasper, we have much to tell, but how about we save the history for when the boys get back, which will be in…" My eyes locked on a grandfather clock that was settled in the far corner of the room. "Two minutes, thirty two seconds," I finished for him, smiling.
Esme had suggested we wait outside for the boys to show. My eyes drifted to Jasper who held a firm grip on my hand. I assumed he was mentally preparing for a fight. Although I already knew there would be no violence between us, I still worried for Jasper. He was so protective over me, if they even showed hostility he'd be sure to attack. Gently, I stroked his fingers with mine.
I could hear them running now. They'd picked up our scent and were now bolting towards their home. A few seconds past before I could see them emerge from the trees. Edward and Emmett's butter yellow eyes burned with an intense instinctive want to protect their family. I felt Jasper shift forward a millimeter, his body tensed more as he eyed the two.
Jasper managed to maneuver me behind his left shoulder, keeping a safe wall between Edward and Emmett and me. I stood on my tiptoes to see over Jasper muscular shoulder and smiled at my new brothers. "Hi, Edward! Hi, Emmett!"
I am sooooo sorry it took so long to update. I've had a lot of stuff going on D: First spring break then easter now my birthday and my school dance all on the same day this weekend! I'm sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!! But trust me I'm still in this till the end! I love rewriting this story! Once again I am honored. All props to Clairdeluztaz! I heart you Taz! And to all you guys, thank you so much, ya'll are so encouraging. I love reviews!!!!! WOOT
