A sharp tap on the front door interrupts yet another 'Rosalie and Emmett private moment'. The rest of the family are off hunting, although I believe it is the noise that tends to drive them away more than the need for sustenance. I have truly tried to be quiet, but screaming is just a part of the excitement for me, therefore impossible to go without. That annoying, insistent tapping is interrupting a good scream right now. No matter how I try to focus on the matter at hand (well, Emmett isn't exactly in my hand, but that is beside the point) the tapping refuses to stop. I grit my teeth, pull my negligee down over my bare skin, and stomp to the door.

The open door reveals two people, obviously vampires, and one of them a vegetarian, the other...a newborn? Or a new vegetarian? His eyes are an odd orange shade. The little one, the female, starts to speak, so I return my gaze to her.

She is tiny, not even reaching my shoulder, and she has dark hair standing in tufts around her small face.

"Rosalie!"

"Pardon me? Do I know you?"

"Not yet. I'm Alice, and this is Jasper."

"Ma'am." The male dips his head in my direction. I look at him closely. He's quite tall; he looks almost comical next to elfin girl. Very handsome, the kind of man I would have admired when I was human. I narrow my eyes at his southern drawl, though.

"Was there something you wanted? The Cullen's are out at present."

"Yes, I know." The girl chirps. Literally chirps. She sounds like a singing bird.

"Well...can I help you with something in their stead?"

"Sure. Can you help me with these bags?"

I peer over her shoulder at the line of suitcases behind them, raise one eyebrow.

"It looks like you're moving in."

"Yes."

"Sorry, but I thought you just said 'yes'."

"I did."

I was still standing in the doorway, trying to understand what was happening when Emmett bumped down the staircase.

"Rose, what's taking you so long?"

Seems he hadn't bothered to put half his clothes back on. The girl, Alice, was peeping around my arm, a huge grin on her tiny face. The man with her, Jasper, stood unmoving, almost unseeing, gazing straight ahead into the distance.

"Ho, who's this?" I turned to watch as Emmett pulled his suspenders over his massive bare chest.

"Hi! You must be Emmett. I'm Alice." She slipped under my arm, right through the door, to stand on her tiptoes and hug a very surprised Emmett.

"And apparently this is Jasper." I snarl on the final word, and step back. If Alice has already allowed herself entry, might as well make it a full house.

Emmett gives Jasper a welcoming pat on the back that sets him stumbling. And brings the first iota of emotion I have seen to his face.

"You have quite an arm."

Emmett flexed his muscles. Something he was very proud of. There are two ways into Emmett's heart. Sex and admiration for his strength.

"That I do."

"How about an arm wrestle. I think I could win, with a bit of a warning."

A familiar gleam entered Emmett's eye. "You're on."

"First the bags!" I'd forgotten about Alice. "The big room up the back, with the nice view over the trees."

Edwards room. She was moving herself into Edwards room. Hmm. Maybe this idea could prove to be interesting.

* * * * *

Alice and I sat in the lounge, waiting for the Cullen's return. Emmett and Jasper had moved all of Edwards belongings into the garage, replaced it all with the bags Alice and Jasper had brought along. I smiled serenely, eager to see the look on Edwards face. The front door opened softly, followed by two steps of footsteps. I rose from my seat, crossed the room to welcome Esme and Carlisle home. And to introduce them to our newest addition.

"Esme, Carlisle. This is Alice."

Hand shakes all around before getting to the point. "I hope you don't mind me moving in."

Esme and Alice seem as surprised as I was, but both of them recover remarkably quickly. Esme smiles happily. "Why not? The more the merrier." She looked at Carlisle hopefully.

"I agree. You're welcome to stay, as long as you like."

Alice squeals, delighted.

"Let me get Jasper, he'd like to meet you too."

She dances from the room.

"Jasper?" Carlisle looks at me, curious.

"Her mate, I believe." I shrug.

Alice returns in moments, pulling Jasper along behind her. Emmett follows, grinning and flexing his still bare muscles.

"Next time." Jasper throws at him, under his breath.

Esme smiles, thrilled, and kisses Jasper on the cheek. "Welcome to the family." Jasper gazes into the distance again.

"Ah. You really are so...happy. All of you." His orange eyes turned to me. "With the possible exception of you. I can't quite figure you out."

Carlisle's eyes bore into Jasper, excitement evident in his features. "You have a gift?"

Jasper nods, seeming very uncomfortable. "I can...feel emotions. Alice's talent, however, is much more interesting than mine."

Carlisle could barely contain himself. "Alice? You have a gift also?"

"Yes." She chirps. "I can see things, things that are going to happen. I saw Jasper, and I saw all of you. I saw this is where we are meant to be."

A very long night followed, with Carlisle drilling Alice and Jasper for every detail of their gifts. Edward returned with the dawn. Jasper caught my eye from across the room; he must have caught wind of the thrill that passed through me, knowing what was coming. Edward looked at me also when he entered the room. The laughter in my head must have been louder than I expected. His gaze was drawn to the new thoughts next, and his mouth turned up at the corners.

Alice danced across the room. "Edward! Sorry we took your room, it had the best view. Oh, I'm Alice by the way, that is Jasper."

H nodded still smiling.

"My newest sister? Nice to meet you. I guess I had better find a new home for my belongings."

And our family expanded again. Though with less fan fare than I had hoped for.