"Hello. Terribly sorry we haven't opened the door fully. It was on the side of caution but did come in. We will have much to discuss. I am so very excited to hear all about you." Hermione graciously said.
Alice and Jasper were seated in the living room. The rest of the family followed in and sat around staring at the new vampires. Again Hermione broke the silence and said, "This is Carlisle, Edward, Rosaline, and Emmet and I am Hermione. We would love to hear more about you."
"Well, I came from Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1901. My name was Mary Alice Brandon. And my father was a jeweler and my mother died when I was younger. I was institutionalized by my dad and stepmother. At least that's what my file says from the hospital. I don't remember my human life at all. I know I befriended a nice vampire who worked at the hospital, who helped me escape when this tracker named James went after me because that is how I became a vampire in the first place. I guess I always had premonitions and they just became stronger as I got turned.," Alice chirped.
All of the vampires and Hermione had to process her backstory as they had felt almost a rush of an overwhelming sensation of sorrow, and joy. It probably didn't help that Alice naturally talked a little fast. Jasper, not completely letting his guard down, smirked at how everyone in the room's feelings was changing so quickly.
"That's how one gets "Aliced", he joked a little. The rest of the Cullens politely nodded along except for Emmet who laughed out loud. "My story is a bit more dramatic. I'm not proud of who I was and it was Alice that changed me to be better," Jasper explained.
"I was born Jasper Whitlock in 1844, in Houston, Texas. I joined the Confederate Army before I was 17. promoted to major in the army and became the youngest major in Texas. I was turned by Maria to create a vampire army. I helped Maria reclaim her territory in a war of vampires and helped the other two vampires in the group too. They were going to rebel and kill Maria so I teamed up and tried to kill them instead. Her army was built with newborns and since she wouldn't let them live past a year, I was tasked with disposing of them. But I can feel emotions of others, so when they were in pain, I felt the pain, same with the humans I killed or drank blood from. I tried not drinking but the thirst was too hard to bare. Therefore, when I left the group and roamed on my own, I found Alice. She offered me a different lifestyle that I have never known. Meeting her at that diner changed me for the better. She has been my joy and happy ever since." Jasper said his voice gruff with raw emotion. There wasn't a doubt in the room that he loved Alice.
Hermione turned to Carlisle and nodded at him. It was the only motion he needed before he said "I would like to offer you a place in this family. Welcome to being a Cullen."
The rest of the siblings were welcoming too. They knew without Carlisle to guide them in their newfound abilities or each other it would have been hell to try and navigate. And of course, Hermione was the glue that held them together with her patience, morality, love, kindness and how much she cared about their family. Still, they were wary of Hermione and the newer siblings together because they hadn't lived as long without human blood. But they trusted Hermione and Carlisle's judgment.
Alice and Jasper were shown a room together as they made it clear they were a couple. It was medium-sized but had oak wood doors to a balcony and a queen size bed that felt like a cloud. Not like the burden of sleep was a problem for the undead but it did provide a piece of alternative furniture to seating. The ceilings seem to stretch for miles but the warm lighting from chandeliers allowed an orange glow to illuminate the room. A large closet was something that made Alice squeal in delight. She had seen such a gorgeous room but didn't recognize it as hers until the Cullens officially decided to accept them as part of the family. She tried looking fashionable but she could only assume how many clothes she could fit in the large drawers. Jasper enjoyed the view, a lookout in the forest and with his improved eyesight he saw a body of water that looked refreshing. Even without needing to breathe the fresh air that hit him as he opened the doors made him feel more human. The house emotions were still worried and excited and a lot to process so the ability to feel a bit more grounded made him feel much better about the entire situation. Embracing Alice he felt like he was home.
At 6:30 there was a light knock on their door. It was rather polite as they could hear a heartbeat behind the door. Nevertheless, Alice flung the door open with a wide grin. They had finished unpacking and feeling a bit more settled. Hermione smiled at her new daughter. "Hello. I know you probably don't eat but the rest of the family will be sitting down for dinner soon and I wondered if you would like to join. It's rather informal and I promise it won't just be you watching me eat. I'd find that rather embarrassing and awkward. We typically discuss the day and I have blood pops for anyone who wants them. I've also got blood pouch drinks if you prefer that too." Hermione extended the invitation.
Jasper spoke up first. "Why yes, I think we would be delighted to attend ma'am. But I must inquire, what are blood pops and why are you so comfortable about vampires. You are human after all."
Hermione smiled widely at her new son. "Just Hermione will do. The rest of the kids call me Mum. But don't feel obligated as we are still getting to know each other. Ma'am reminds me of being back at school. As for blood pops, they are a delectable treat for magical beings that might like the taste. I specifically buy the animal ones though. I suppose if we want to get into why I am so calm around a family of vampires we should head down to dinner."
Jasper felt like he didn't get his questions answered at all. He just had more of them. "Buy? How do you buy blood? What's a magical being? How do you know all of this?" His thoughts were jumbled.
From downstairs Edward could hear all of the thoughts and chuckled causing others to look at him. He shook his head and just said: "Hermione confused Jasper with her presence." That was all the rest of the table needed to know to understand. Chuckling with him they could only imagine what it was like. They were thrown into this a bit more easily than their new family.
Alice came bounding down the stairs and went looking for the dining room. Jasper and Hermione walked down the steps more naturally. They reached the table and Carlisle rose to pull out a chair for Hermione. He walked to the adjoining kitchen and brought out a roast that would make Ron jealous. Hermione smiled at him and thanked him. She asked Rosaline to pass out the blood pops and pouches from her bag. Rosaline placed several different options on the table. Emmet practically dove for the elk pop. Looking sheepishly when the rest of the vampires and Hermione looked at him. He offered the elk pop up but no one was going to deny him it and he was able to quickly unwrap the candy and shove it in his mouth. Giving Alice and Jasper an encouraging look Carlisle grabbed a pouch and poured it into a wine glass. Rosaline did the same with her blood bag of a bear. She did hold a small grudge against bears still. Edward popped open a deer blood pop and began licking. Alice and Jasper looked around and saw everyone munching on their snack and Hermione's dinner.
Grabbing the blood pop labeled wolf Jasper sniffed it. It smelled like blood. Giving it a lick he was shocked it tasted like blood. He eyed Hermione again. She said she bought them. He wondered where. Alice grabbed a lollipop labeled rabbit. She enjoyed the flavor a lot and couldn't believe the rest of her life was going to be like this. But she was confused about why she didn't see Hermione's future. She supposed she needed to get to know her to see it.
Hermione finished dinner. The roast was delicious and she was satisfied. Her kids had gone through a second round of lollipops so she made a mental note to pick up more. Their eyes were warm and she saw no hunger in them allowing her to feel satisfied with her life. She figured the new Cullens might have questions for her. They retired to the sitting room to discuss those topics.