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Chapter 8: Part of the Family

December 8, Wednesday

Forks, Washington

Alice

"Alice, Dear? Are you here?"

I hear Esme's voice a moment after my front door opens, and I rush out of the kitchen. "I'm here! Come on in!" I call, waving her in. She kicks off her boots and hangs her scarf and coat before greeting me with a hug.

"Oh, how are you?" She asks, squeezing me gently. We pull apart, and I grin at her.

"Busy but happy. Come on in. Would you like a cup of tea?"

Esme nods as we head into the kitchen. "I was just putting some dough in the fridge," I tell her, filling the tea kettle and setting it on the stove. Esme sniffs the bowl near the cutting board.

"Sugar cookies?" she asks, looking up at me.

"Grandma Cullen's recipe." Esme shared it with me last Christmas, and I've been honored to carry on the tradition.

"Sweet Girl," Esme murmurs, tapping the cutting board. "It smells perfect."

I motion for her to sit at our small kitchen table while I pull down two Christmas mugs. "How has your day been?" I ask, getting out my selection of herbal teas. I place a few options in a small gingerbread tin on the counter before bringing the empty cups and tin to the table.

"Oh, just fine. Showed that house down on Sycamore today. It's a lovely little place, perfect for a blossoming family." Esme pauses, giving me a look, and I laugh as I slide the cookie dough into the refrigerator.

"We're not rushing anything," I remind her.

She laughs. "I know, Sweetheart. You know I'm just excited."

I take out a plate of cranberry orange scones and set them on the table by Esme with two extra plates. "Is it the house on the corner?" I ask, settling into the chair next to her. Esme nods as she picks up a scone and sets it on her plate. I grab one for myself.

"Yes, the beautiful little white one with the green shutters. It's so darling."

I nod as I mull the information over. Jasper and I have been living in this small one-bedroom apartment since we moved back to Forks after college. It's nice, but it's definitely not our forever home.

I take a bite of my scone, and before I can say anything else, the kettle is whistling. I get up, lightly dusting my hands over my napkin. I bring the kettle to the table, waiting for Esme to select her tea before pouring water into her mug. I pull out peppermint for myself and smile when billows of minty steam rise to meet me.

"So," Esme says as I set the kettle on the hot pad. I look at her. "Venues?"

I nod, standing. "Yes, let me get my planner." I run to the hallway, grabbing my planner from my purse before rushing back to the kitchen. "As you know, there are only a handful of places around Forks big enough to host a wedding," I say, settling on my chair. Esme nods, folding her hands around her cup. "There is the community hall, and of course, the historic house just north of town. I spoke to Principal Jenks, and he offered me the high school gymnasium if we are able to pick a weekend when it's free," I tell her. Esme nods.

"It's a big space with good parking, but otherwise not very ideal," she hedges.

"My thoughts exactly." I look down at my planner. "Did you have any other places in mind?"

Esme shrugs. "Well, if you're up for the task of trying to plan an outdoor wedding, Carlisle and I would be happy to host it at our house. We don't have much inside space, but there is plenty of yard space, and with the gazebo, there could be some lovely places set up with tents."

I smile at her. "Thank you, Esme. I love the idea of it. I don't know if we could pull off such a feat in Forks, but let's keep it open as an option."

I pull open my planner to make note of the new suggestion.

"Alice, can I just say," Esme interrupts me, reaching across the table to gently take my hand into hers. I look up at her. "I am so grateful you're letting me be a part of all this."

I'm caught off guard by her sentiment, and I twist my hand to squeeze hers gently. Emmett and Rosalie had a massive wedding that was pretty much one elephant short of being a full-on spectacle. It had been on the East Coast, and Esme, despite her hopes, hadn't taken much part in it other than showing up for the rehearsal and actual ceremony.

She never said anything to Emmett or Rosalie, but I knew she had been disappointed not to be involved in her oldest son's wedding.

"Esme, I'm so grateful you want to be part of it," I tell her. "You know my parents. My mom couldn't care less about stuff like this, and as long as it doesn't cost my dad anything, he doesn't care."

It's not to say my parents don't love me. I know they do, in their own way, but they've always been distant with their love. While Esme was always warm hugs and hand-knitted sweaters for Christmas, my parents were firm handshakes and a clean check stuffed in a birthday card.

It never really bothered me because even before Jasper and I were dating, Esme was there. There. When I was five, she was my first dance teacher. In seventh grade, she was the woman I interviewed about business, and now, very soon, she'll be my mother.

I couldn't ask for more from the universe.

Tomorrow, share with us your favorite Holiday Grump! Could be from pop culture, an obscure reference, or even a personal story! See you all then!