Before too long had passed, Jasper had stopped the car right in front of the Trinity Foster Care building. Alice and Edward were waiting for us.

Alice hit Edward's arm and declared joyously, "I win!"

Jasper snorted, "Edward, I can't believe that you, of all people, bet against Alice! The apocalypse must be near."

Edward scowled, "That's not funny. I just had a very hard time believing you'd show up, that's all."

Jasper shrugged, "No harm in having a look, right?"

Alice crossed her arms and leaned back against the brick wall. "Is that all you're going to be doing? Just looking around, like we're at a pet store?"

I watched, fascinated, as Jasper's eyes began to darken. That meant only one thing, she was pissing him off.

It surprised me, actually. I was on Alice's side with this one.

Jasper growled, "I never said that, Alice."

She shrugged, "You implied it. This is a child, Jasper. A relative of yours! A great-something-grandson of your favorite brother. How could you just 'look around'?"

Her tone was extremely casual, but her words upset him even more.

He growled and his body stiffened with hostility.

Alice shivered and shifted unconsciously closer to Edward, who also began to growl.

His challenge accepted, Jasper started to snarl and his hands clenched; ready to fight back if attacked by Edward.

I took a step in between them and wrapped one arm around Jasper, warning, "All right boys, that's enough. The middle of the day isn't time for a fight. Especially not over a simple comment."

Alice instantly agreed, helping me play peacemaker, "You misunderstood me, Jasper. I didn't mean anything bad by what I said."

After a few tense seconds Jasper's body slowly began to relax. He asked steelily, "What did you mean?"

I was wondering that myself. It seems like he had a point, but it wasn't very clear what that point might be.

She straightened out her jacket and simply stated, "Only that you should try to be a little more serious about this. Think about what it means for you, and him, and everyone else, no matter what decision you make."

Jasper huffed, "I had planned on that. You stay here with Edward. Come on, Bella."

He smiled a tiny bit at me and I took his hand, leading him into the building.

The lady at the reception counter cheerfully called us over and asked, "What can I do for you?"

Jasper smiled charmingly, "I'd like some information of your adoption policy, if you don't mind."

She handed him a clipboard, "Certainly. Here's a form you can look at, and I can answer any questions you might have."

Jasper handed me the clipboard and asked, "Will you fill this out?"

I took it from him, startled. I asked, "Are you sure?" Already? He's already decided to have the paperwork finished?

Jasper agreed, "Quite sure."

I shrugged and went over to the chairs, lowering myself into one. I began answering all the questions I knew answers to. Like the current address, the occupation, yearly income, adopters' name, and age, and gender.

In short terms, a whole lot of semi-useless information.

I had just finished writing down NONE for medications when Jasper came to sit beside me.

I smiled, "Right in time. You need to do the rest."

I watched over his shoulder as he jotted down a social security number, altered two of my answers, and listed me in the 'mother' category.

I glanced sharply at him and he grinned, "How about it, mama? You know I can't do this alone. Besides, it's you who wants him."

Jasper wanted me to help raise him?

He wanted me to take the role as mother?

I felt myself go numb and I just looked at him stupidly.

Eventually, the feeling in my body began to return. I felt myself flush with responsibility and affection.

I smiled at Jasper, "Let's go and meet him."

After Jasper explained to the people who run this group home that he was the last surviving relative of Silas, they were more than happy to introduce him to us.

Over the next seven days, we visited every day for two or three hours.

Today, the day before the date on the adopting document, Jasper was in a private meeting with the owner of the place.

Alice has informed me he's going to pay her off. I was surprised, and asked what for.

Apparently, you're supposed to have a few home visits after one adopts, and it's supposed to be people older then 21 who have a steady job. Edward made a point to mention it's usually a three-month process, which we needed to be done in nine days.

So, Jasper decided to make life easy and buy the kid.

I was seriously unhappy about that, but what can we do? We're not moving to Texas just to make these people happy.

After a while, the door to the main hall opened. There was Jasper, smiling at me hugely. I was surprised to see him this happy, but it was a pleasant surprise. It's about time the big idiot starts to trust himself and attempt a life of happiness rather than suffering.

Jasper turned behind him and gently nudged Silas forward I heard him mutter, "Go say hi to mama, Silas."

Silas smiled and ran across the room, climbing up into my lap and hugging me. "Hi, mama! Daddy says we're going home."

That's what's really great about four year olds. They're so accepting, and trusting. When we told him yesterday that we were going to be his new parents, he was terribly excited to start calling us such titles.

I kissed his cheek, "We are going home. Are you excited?"

He smiled up at me and nodded.

Edward smiled too, and asked him, "Why?"

I'm sure he knew the answer, with his mind reading and all. He must want the rest of us to know.

Silas's big, innocent, eyes turned to Edward and he stated, as if the simplest thing in the world, "Because I never had a home before."

Awww!

The family was just going to love him!

I'm sure the Cullens' would accept him readily.

Charlie, on the other hand, might be a little… difficult.

I guess we'll see in 48-or-less hours.

I know that was a little sudden, but I want to keep the plot moving along. And I wanted to skip awkward meeting time. Sorry.