Chapter 7

Scared the Hell Out of Them

We left on Thursday for Jackson. Alice was bubbling over with excitement.

"Just like I knew you were going to be a part of my future, I know they are a part of our future" she was saying. It seemed as though I was going to have to try her method of feeding. I needed her, to be near her, and this was where she wanted to be. I could give their lifestyle a try. I still thought it was against our nature but, if they survived, and if it allowed me to be with Alice, I would give it a try. Alice's upbeat, cheery attitude kept me happy. I found myself enjoying her company even more, if that was possible. We talked and chattered endlessly on the way to Jackson. I'd never seen her so free, like a weight was lifted off her. The train could only take us so far, for Jackson was only a small town, so we had to run part of the way.

"I can see them so much clearer now. Try not to look so scary Jasper," she joked with me.

Before we even met the town, we crossed the scent of vampires in the woods. It was just a matter of following their scent. I was a bit worried. What if these vampires were territorial?

"Only three of them are there today," she said as we raced up the hill, the scent was stronger in the air, we were close now. It was still dark, before dawn.

"Alice, let me go first, if they get aggressive I will know and I can come back and we will decide how to proceed," she laughed at me.

"They're not like that Jasper, they will not fight us, I'm sure of it," she tapped her finger to her temple and continued in a patronizing voice, "It's like I've known them for years." I was still unsure but I trusted her, besides, I knew I could handle any fight, if it came to that. Three, it would be easy.

The grand house came into view, the wind had changed, blowing our scent toward them and so they were expecting us. The glass that Alice had seen was all shut up now, the house looked utterly secure. Alice had insisted that she wanted to wear the black Chanel dress and she made me wear the tux. The tux! I had a feeling she'd planned that all along. I felt ridiculous.

As we stepped off the mushy ground and onto the cobblestone, Alice pulled out her Chanel heels and slipped them on her feet. She had some sort of reverence for those shoes; she didn't want them to touch the mud. The man, Carlisle, stood on the lower porch with two females behind him. One had caramel coloured hair and the other was blonde. She was strikingly beautiful but her face was fierce. Carlisle seemed curious about us or maybe it was the attire.

I held Alice's hand firmly, ushering her behind me. She was smiling brightly. The three vampires ahead of us were fearful but also interested. They noticed my battle scars then, and fear exploded out of all of them. When we reached the porch steps, Alice shouted out, "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." They all looked staggered. Alice read their faces and continued, "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."

Carlisle composed himself but still had that element of fear in him, his eyes flickered back to me intermittently, "Miss Alice, you look beautiful, it is nice to meet you both. I don't understand what you mean though. 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" Carlisle weighed that for a moment then stepped aside, "Yes, please do come in."

We stepped right into the living room where Alice proceeded to the white couch and sat there. I followed her. She was so clam, so serene. She closed her eyes. The three vampires sat across from us. The floors were rich rose carpet, there was a fireplace to the right of us and the three vampires shifted uncomfortably, for indeed, they were uncomfortable.

"Ahh yes, I can see so clearly now," she turned to me, "Can you feel it Jasper? It feels like home," she whispered. I had no idea what she was talking about. She turned to them then, "So, we have come to join your family," She announced confidently.

Carlisle was doubtful, the females were shocked, their eyebrows reaching for the sky. I made an attempt to calm them. "Miss Alice, Mr. Jasper, we live differently to you, we do not hunt humans but we do live around them, we survive only on the blood of animals."

Alice smiled brightly. "We know; that is why we came to find you. I have been following you lifestyle for around two years now but, recently… I slipped, which is why my eyes are not the same colour as yours. Jasper, here, is willing to try, aren't you Jasper?" She looked at me. It was my turn to say something.

"I know you are all confused, 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." I explained.

Carlisle looked at Alice, "You have seen how we do things?" Alice smiled. "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 visions, I don't know what I would have done," her face was serious now.

"So you mean to say that you both want to give up the normal vampire lifestyle, for one of sacrifice?" Carlisle asked. Alice nodded vigorously. I nodded once. I could feel the skepticism in the blonde girl, the admiration in the other woman and in Carlisle, happiness. He looked around quickly to his companions; he locked eyes with the blonde and then turned back to us.

"We are happy that others want to adopt our lifestyle. Believe me it is very rewarding. I feel…honoured 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," he was grave.

"Carlisle, we are very serious, I swear to you. I have seen us with you in the future. I know it is meant to be."

I could feel that he wanted to give us a chance but he also needed to protect his coven. Those emotion warred inside him. Carlisle considered for a long moment then put aside his fears and said, "Welcome to the family, I am Dr. Carlisle Cullen. This is my wife Esme and our daughter, for all intents and purposes, Rosalie. Alice danced forward to embrace Carlisle and said, "Oh thank you, thank you." I shook hands with the leader and kissed the hands of the ladies. Alice was jumping up and down as she hugged Esme and Rosalie.

Rosalie was stunning. She felt a little annoyed at Alice's energy but otherwise seemed not to mind our intrusion. Esme liked us very much; her feelings were full of care.

"Edward and Emmett are…" Carlisle started to explain but Alice cut him off, "Are out hunting yes, they will be back in an hour," she informed them. Carlisle was very curious about Alice's visions and proceeded to ask her a few questions.

"Oh Carlisle, we have so much time to talk, what I want to know is which room can Jasper and I move into?" I was surprised. I guessed her confidence came from the fact that she could already see the answers. "Well let us give you a tour of the house first," suggested Esme.

The house was really big and spacious. I could feel the homeliness now. Alice stopped in front of a thick oak door and asked, "Whose room is this?"

"Edward's" Esme answered serenely.

"It faces the East, I would love to see the view, may I go in?

"Of course, Edward won't mind at all."

Alice swung the door open and danced blithely inside. The walls were pale blue and there was a huge closet in the far corner. Alice went straight to the window. She opened it wide and stuck her head outside. I could feel her wonder and peacefulness as she watched the sun rise. As the day broke, needles of tepid sunlight struck her face and she seemed to exist in her own world. She turned back to Esme, Rosalie and I and said very matter-of-factly, "This room has the best view."

She smiled angelically and asked,"Do you think Edward will mind if I stole his room?" she put her index finger to her temple and closed her eyes. Rosalie's eyebrows shot up and she walked away muttering, "No, no Edward won't mind at all. He will just throw a temper tantrum like the baby he is." Esme looked apologetic.

I thought it was necessary to trim her hopes then before she got disappointed or kicked out."Umm Alice, I don't think that's a good idea. I mean, they were all nice enough to let us stay, lets not strain their hospitality," I tried to reason with her.

"Oh, Edward will be upset for a little while but he likes me so he'll get over it," she answered assuredly

"Alice…," I said shaking my head.

"Relax Jasper, 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." Esme looked unconvinced but seemed to decide that Edward could hold his own.

I sighed. Alice was an unstoppable force of nature. She would get her way no matter what. Wasting no time, she flew around the- our- room packing all Edward's things in boxes and bags and delivered them to the garage. It took her no less than ten minutes. I just sat on the bed watching in awe. When she was done, she pulled me down the stairs and called the family together.

"Carlisle, if you don't mind, Jasper and I would like to hear all about you and your family."

"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…" Alice focused on the clock then replied, "Two minutes, thirty two seconds," then she smiled brilliantly.

"Well, then, lets go wait out in the front porch," suggested Esme. I noticed that the glass had returned, it seemed as though the house had tight security. It was impressive. I was a bit apprehensive about meeting the men of the coven, things could turn hostile due to an overdose of testosterone- or whatever it was that made us territorial. It was not long before two vampires came charging toward the house; they were angry, hostile and definitely braced for a fight. One held a piece of fuchsia pink cloth in his hand.