"But overall, they've adjusted pretty well. We have some trouble with Jasper every few days, but it's nothing major. He's stubborn and has a smart mouth on him, but he's a good kid." Carlisle tells the caseworker, a tall brunet with her hair pulled into a tight bun named Valarie, over a cup of coffee. She smiles, breaking her tough persona.
"That's good to hear. I know Jasper wasn't thrilled with the idea of moving."
"He wasn't." Esme says. "Rose was very open to it, but it took a while for Jasper to accept it."
"I do have a few concerns, though. They lean on each other for everything. When one of them leaves the house, the other wants to follow. I completely understand why they're like that, but with Rosalie turning eighteen, if she chooses to move out, I'm worried that she'll want Jasper to come with her. She's a good kid, very responsible, but she can't take care of her brother by herself." Carlisle explains. "Which, if she chooses to stay here, that's fine, but at some point they will not be living in the same house and I don't think they will adjust well to that."
"I can see how that may be a concern." Valerie nods and jots some notes on her clipboard. "When will the kids be home from school?"
"It should be anytime now." Carlisle says with a glance at his watch.
"I'm sure they're getting fast food. I made the mistake of telling them I'm making salad for dinner." Esme chuckles. Carlisle smiles, but rolls his eyes.
"Those kids act like eating a salad would kill them."
The three make small talk for only a few minutes until they hear the Jeep come rumbling down the driveway. Only a few seconds later, the door in the kitchen that leads to the garage flings open and the four teens flood in, each with a paper cup and bag in their hand. They don't seem to even realize their guest until Carlisle clears his throat.
"We have company, kids."
Edward and Emmett give Valarie a short hello as they dig plates out of the cupboards. Jasper and Rosalie glance at each other nervously.
"Hello Jasper. Hello Rosalie." Valarie says with a smile.
"Hi, Mrs. Valarie." Rosalie forces out. Jasper just hardens his glare.
"Rose, let's go talk." Valarie tells her. She stands from her seat, abandons her coffee cup, and heads towards the living room. After exchanging unhappy looks with Jasper, Rosalie sets her food and drink down and follows her. With a scowl, Jasper takes Valarie's spot next to Carlisle.
"I don't want to talk to her!" He hisses under his breath. Carlisle takes a sip of his coffee before responding.
"You don't have a choice, Jasper."
"But I-"
"I'm not arguing with you." Carlisle insists, cutting Jasper off before he can finish his sentence. "This is nonnegotiable."
"Carlisle, she's just a bi-"
"Stop right there, young man. Do you want to lose your phone?"
"No." He grumbles.
"Then watch your mouth."
"You don't even know what I was going to say." He pouts and crosses his arms over his chest.
"Oh I bet I do."
"I was gonna say she's just bitter." Jasper claims. He snatches his bag and leaves Carlisle at the bar to join Emmett and Edward at the table. Carlisle looks at Esme, smirks and rolls his eyes. She smiles back, shaking her head.
"So how do you like it here?" Valarie asks after Jasper slouches on the couch. He scowls at her.
"It's good."
"Good. Can you tell me a little more about what it's like to live with the Cullen's?"
Jasper keeps his disgruntled look and shrugs. Valarie raises one brow at him.
"This can be either a quick conversation or a long one. It's all up to you." She says. Jasper groans loud enough to turn the heads of the rest of his family in the kitchen and throws his head back.
"We have three meals a day, we're not hit, they buy us what we need, they make us go to school." He reports. Lifting his head, he gives Valarie another hate-filled glare. "And we have to follow rules or we get grounded, which is the only reason I'm talking to you right now."
"Thank you, Jasper." Valarie says. She jots down some notes on her clipboard and stands, offering her hand for Jasper to shake. He looks at it with disgust. She shakes her head. "You haven't changed a single bit."
"Get out if you don't like me." He mumbles.
Valarie leaves without another word to him. She stops to talk to Carlisle and Esme one last time. Jasper watches her over the top of the couch, and only returns to the kitchen once she walks out the door. He slumps down in his chair, drags a French fry through a big blob of ketchup and looks to Carlisle.
"I hate her, Carlisle."
"I hate her, Maria." Jasper says softly as he shivers in the corner of the garage. "She's always poking around in my business."
Did you tell her anything? Maria asks.
"Nope."
Good boy. Don't let her pry any information out of you. Especially about us.
"Of course. I would never tell her about us. I love you too much to put our relationship in jeopardy."
Don't give me that lovey dovey shit, Jasper. You know I hate that.
"Yes ma'am." Jasper responds. "I do miss you, though."
I wish you were back here. These little brats behaved better when you're here to yell at them.
"Ask Peter. He should be able to get them in line."
Yeah, Peter's been stepping up.
"Do you think you could send me a picture?" Jasper asks. "I haven't gotten one from you."
If I get time.
"Okay. I'll be waiting for it." Jasper says happily.
"Jasper!" Alice calls as she flings open the garage serves door, making Jasper jump. She gives him a flirty smile. "I came to visit you."
"Um, I have to go." He tells Maria.
Me too. I think one of the little kids is stuffing crap into the toilet. I swear, I'm going to beat the shit out of Peter if he's letting that happen.
Maria hangs up without another word. Jasper slides his phone into his pocket, his eyes glued on Alice. She shakes her shoulders and brushes the snow off of her chest. When she looks up and catches his eye, she grabs the corner of her shirt and twists it around her finger, exposing her protruding hip bone and a small portion of her stomach. She goes to Jasper, slips her hands under his shirt and hugs him.
"It's eleven at night. What are you doing here this late?"
"I missed you."
Jasper chuckles and kisses her on the top of her head before hugging her back.
"Everyone else is asleep." Jasper says. "We don't have to hide in the garage."
"We could sneak into the laundry room." Alice smiles up at him.
"Let's go." Jasper agrees, and the two run for the door.
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