Disclaimer: No I still don't own Twilight or any of its characters. Yes, Jasper is in my closet. Just kidding…Or am I?
Pixie's Note: So Here is the next chapter! Woot! I thought the last chapter was rather dark, so I went ahead and created something less dark and more cheery. An insight of the Cullen household from Jasper's POV. Hopefully, I did this somewhat right .I wrote this at the same time I was writing Everything Changes. So Hope it turns out good. Be sure to Review!!
Anyhow, Happy reading!
The Sounds of May
Chapter 2: First Time.
Jasper POV
I couldn't believe my eyes, I was staring at an angel, or so I thought she was. Her blue eyes were like the ocean, trapping me in them and I had no want to struggle away from it. My smile grew wider as I offered her a silent warm welcome. I have never seen her before, it didn't even cross my mind our neighbor has a daughter. A smirk replaced my smile as I watched her duck away from my view. I didn't want her to but it did bring amusement to my eyes. She was beautiful, I was standing there in awe. Waiting for the brown haired girl to peek back up but she never did.
"Hey! Head's up Jaz man!" I heard Emmett call out to me and just as I turned I saw a football being thrown at my direction. Typical of them, trying to break me away from my thoughts as they usually did when I gazed off into space. But this time, I was staring at an angel. Somehow, it didn't even faze me that the ball was coming my way. All I could think of was her, for the first time I wasn't alone. I didn't feel alone either. We were both afraid inside, but I knew when our eyes met we both felt an undeniable spark of hope.
"JASPER!" Edward called out finally snapping me from my thoughts, I could've sworn he was laughing a second ago now, worried echoed in his voice. Thankfully I had good reflexes, with a blink of an eye, I held out my hand and the football was caught in between them, inches away from my face.
"What the hell's gotten into you?"Emmett finally asked, couldn't say I wasn't waiting for his reaction. "First the starring, then the smiling now this. What's up?" He asked, shaking me softly before he looked up at the balcony where I once stared at, where she once stood.
"Nothing, just didn't think I was going to catch the ball."I shrugged, tucking my hands in my pockets as I looked up at the balcony again. "Hey you guys know who's the neighbors daughter?" I finally asked, she gave me a different feeling. I guessed I assumed I just needed to know her. Find a way to somehow know a bit about her. If not from them, then I could get it from our mom.
"She doesn't have a daughter Jas. Remember her husband died with their kid."Edward answered, taking the ball from my hands and placing it under his own.
"Could've sworn there was a girl up on the balcony." I replied, I couldn't have been hallucinating. That's crazy talk, I knew I saw her. Pretty damned sure they saw her too.
"Oh no, that's not her daughter. That's her niece I think. I heard mom and the neighbor talking about it the other day. Said something about the girl staying with her for a few years. Her mom passed and dads not in a good state."Edward answered, shrugging. Thank whatever power was giving that boy brains. If it wasn't for Edward I would be at loss.
"You figured all that out or overheard it?" I asked, as I moved closer to him. Curious as to how he knew all that. He was smart, but not smart enough to know that much information without a second source.
"Mom told me." He told me, I couldn't believe they passed on this information. Instantly I glared at him. He knew well enough I could take him and Emmett. It was easy to trick Emmett, and physically I was capable of holding down Edward.
"What? Don't give me that look Jasper. Mom wanted all of us to know. Told me first so I can tell you three. Don't know her name, but mom told us to be nice to her if we see her. Probably going to take us over there tomorrow or something." He defended and I recoiled. Letting my slight anger pass, why I felt anger didn't cross my mind. Jealousy? Hatred? Hatred because Edward knew something I didn't. Or was it jealousy because he knew about her before I did?
"Looks like Jaz mans got himself a crush." I heard Emmett tease. I swear that boy is writing his death wish. I glared at him as I did with Edward before, this time more threatening.
"Emmett shut up before I tell everyone who you have a crush on." I spoke, trying to not result in jumping on him and giving him a good wrestle.
"I don't care if you tell her. Not like she doesn't know. Right baby?" I rolled my eyes as I watched him wink at my sister. Rosalie, MY sister dating Emmett. That was not what a brother wants to hear. I wanted to run to the bathroom, to show how in disgust I am with that idea.
"Gross. Don't call my sister that." I replied, looking like I was about to throw Esme's homemade lasagna on the floor.
"Shut up Jasper. That's my monkey man." Rosalie hollered at me, That girl needs to get a grip. Besides acting like a Queen of la la land, shes a pain in the butt. I guess that's one thing she and Emmett have in common, being a royal headache.
"Oh yeah, I'm her monkey man."Emmett boasted proudly. Like Edward really cared if he was or wasn't. And I surely wont want to be crowned Rosalie's monkey man. That just crosses boundaries unmentionable at my age.
"Yeah about to be squished man." I threatened again, this time I let the lightly hood of being with them get to me. A playful smirk appearing on my lips as I watched Emmett closely.
"I'd say run now Emmett." Edward spoke smoothly and before Emmett could even react I was already moving towards him as fast as I could.
"Shit!" Was all I heard Emmett say as I tackled him to the ground. He had nowhere to run and for a guy his build, he was ticklish and easy to wrestle. We laughed as we continued to wrestle with each other. I was tickling him while he was trying to throw me off. That effort was useless against me. He was at my mercy.
"Boys! Dinners ready. Rosalie dear mind helping me set the table while the boys get cleaned up? Jasper, Emmett off each other! Now!" I heard Esme call out from the door.
"Yes mom!""Yes ma'am!""Sure, Esme." Was all that came from our lips. Each and every one of us responding to Esme's call. It had been like that, since Rosalie and I joined the family. Esme would call out to us and we would all respond like a chorus. Rose and I are twins, real siblings but our parents abandoned us when we were three. Got put in the foster care until we were seven, and that was when Esme adopted us. And we became a part of the growing Cullen family. With Carlisle her husband, and Emmett and Edward the other two Esme adopted. Emmett and Edward aren't siblings like me and Rose. Edward was adopted first. Then a month after was Emmett. Then a year later was me and Rose. It's a growing family but we learned to adjust.
I walked into the kitchen, my sister was setting the table and Emmett and Edward made their way to the bathroom. I looked to see Esme, finishing the last bit of tonight's dinner adding in the necessary seasons before she turns off the stove.
"So, Miss Esme, "I began, breaking the silence that elapsed since I entered the kitchen. After almost three years of being with her, I still haven't gotten used to calling her mom as everyone else did. Rosalie called her Esme, Edward and Emmett called her mom. I on the other hand often called her ma'am or Miss Esme, occasionally I would call her mom.
"Jasper, I love your manners but you're my son now too. No need to call me that. Now What is it?"she spoke in that ever so gentle and motherly tone. She was a great woman, I admired her for saving all four of us from suffering at a foster care. She was calm and composed, not like a lot of women around this town.
"Oh right, sorry ma'am." I apologized my southern accent was noticeable. I still coined the term ma'am instead of mom. I wasn't quite used to it. Not yet at least but I proceeded with my question. "Do you know of Miss Sophie has a daughter or niece?" I asked, remembered the girl on the balcony. I couldn't just forget her. I needed to know her somehow.
"Oh I'm guessing you saw her. That little one is Alice. Sophie hasn't stopped talking about her since who knows when. I saw Alice once when she came for her birthday years ago. That was before I considered adopting with Carlisle. A year later I got inspired and adopted Edward. A month after was Emmett, Then a year after we took you and your sister." She responded. The look on her face was soft and caring. I'm guessing reminiscing back to the days she adopted us brought her joy. Which I didn't mind at all. I was happy to be in this family, more than I ever was when I was in foster care.
"And we're grateful for that." I quickly responded, smiling at her.
"As Am I, Jasper. Now, go on and get cleaned up for dinner. I have an announcement to make."She said, pushing me lightly as I finally made my way to the bathroom to clean up. Once I was done, Everyone else was gathered at the table in their correct positions. Only one spot was left and that was for Carlisle. He always came late, he was a doctor at the hospital and worked for hours. No wonder Esme wanted to adopt us, to keep her company.
"Alright, Emmett since you were the troublemaker today. I say you lead us. One achievement of the day, and one grateful. Oh and One goal." Esme spoke. It was our daily talk before dinner. Esme's rules made us grow accustom to it. It wasn't bad at all, actually it allowed us to open up to them. Made us closer I guessed.
"My Achievement is I'm Rosalie's Monkey man! One grateful is oh I ate one of those huge burgers from the burger place by myself in world record time."Emmett began, typical answer from Emmett. I'm pretty sure he has a brain the size of a peanut at this point.
"Don't remind me. That was definitely pig nature. And that doesn't count as a grateful, genius." Edward spoke up, I laughed in agreement.
"Edward, be nice." Esme spoke, trying to calm us down again. The only one silent was Rosalie, sitting there looking bored.
"It wasn't." I defended Edward as I was laughing.
"Jasper you too." Esme said, calling me out now. You could say this was the usual pre-dinner talk. Emmett, being made fun of was also part of it.
"Yeah shut up. I'm grateful I could do that! And for my big stomach. Hah!" He said in his own defense, tapping his belly before he flashed us all a huge grin. " Alright, one goal. Is to get Rosalie to date me. Oh yeah baby."
"Emmett, I do think you and Rosalie make quite the couple. But refrain from using inappropriate tones when we're sharing." Esme finally said, setting him straight. Every time I heard him call Rosalie 'baby' freaks me out. That's my sister and my best friend. Not to mention were all siblings, well foster siblings so that has some boundaries right?
"That's right, Emmett. Treat a lady like a princess and be sure to be a gentleman. Girls always go for those. Using inappropriate names or words around a lady isn't acceptable." I heard Carlisle speak up as he finally joined us. Wrapping one arm around Esme and giving her a light kiss on the cheeks as he took his place beside her.
"Just in time, Love. What's your goal, grateful and achievement." She spoke, giving him that smug and sweet smile she only gave him.
"Hey Doc. What's up doc. Whatcha doin' doc?" Emmett interrupted their sweet moment. Again, Emmett is just the funny clown. His comments don't ever seem to do any more than annoy the rest of the family.
"Emmett, you need to stop watching too much cartoons."Edward finally spoke, his hand to his head. Definitely, better than cartoons. All I needed was a bucket of popcorn.
"I'm fine Emmett. Now let's see. Ahh, I saved a young girl's life today. I am grateful for my wonderful wife and children."Carlisle finally spoke, his hand was on his chin.
"Oh yeah score!" Emmett busted out again
"Emmett." This time Carlisle and Esme chorused. They sounded good together.
"Sorry!" I hear Emmett apologizing sinking back into his seat. Yeah, that's right monkey boy calm down.
"And a goal, to take you all hiking this Saturday. Yes Rosalie, even you." I smirked. Rosalie? Go hiking? It was nearly impossible to get her to go hiking. Royal headache wouldn't.
"Ugh. Do I have to? Can't I just fix cars or something?" I heard her beg, definitely going to be an interesting Saturday. Oh how I looked forward to it.
"Don't worry baby, I can carry you." Emmett and his smart mouth interrupted again. I was on the verge of grabbing duct tape and taping his mouth shut.
"Emmett!" We all chorused except Rosalie and of course Emmett.
"SORRY! It's public now, might as well." He muttered which caused Edward and I to laugh so hard it was impossible to keep it in now.
"Boys." Esme spoke, in attempt to calm them now.
"Edward, how about you?" Carlisle asked as he joined in the attempt. Amusing to see this really.
"I learned Debussy Claire de Lune. Grateful for my family, excluding Emmett until he learns how to be civilized." I chuckled at his remark. Edward was a talented pianist and Emmett did need to learn how to be civilized. He needed to learn how to keep his mouth shut. Definitely need to shut up.
"HEY! I am." Emmett spoke again, like I said he needed to shut up.
"See, uncivilized. And Goal..to get Rosalie to stop being annoying." Edward finished, smirking at his own statement in contentment.
"I am not."Rosalie defended before scoffing. Ah my sister, the shrew of the Cullen household.
"Rosalie, Since Edward mentioned you why don't you go next." Esme suggested. This thing was dragging on longer than usual. I was growing hungry but I didn't mind. It was amusing beyond words.
"Ok. Goal, to get Edward to vanish from my sight. Grateful for everyone, ESPECIALLY Emmett, excluding Edward. Achievement, I painted my nails today. See!"She showed off her nails to everyone in the table. Esme and Carlisle paid attention, Emmett winked at her and Edward and I groaned. Too uninterested to even pay attention to that detail.
"That's wonderful Rose. I should go next, Jasper will be last since he went first last time." Esme beamed brightly and I simply nodded
"Yes ma'am." I said, bowing my head lightly as I listened in on her.
"My achievement, I finished my painting this morning. My Grateful is for every single one of you and my wonderful husband." Esme spoke before leaning in to kiss Carlisle.
"EW!" We all chorused as they kissed. We were used to it but it never hurt to voice out the fact we were still there, watching them.
"And my goal is to cook an Italian dinner for eight for tomorrow." Esme finished, blushing as she smiled back at us.
"Why eight?" Emmett voiced out, eager to know why two extra counts were on there.
"Because, tomorrow we will be inviting our neighbor to dinner. You all know my friend Sophie and shes going to be bringing her niece, Alice." Esme explained.
"Ooh! Jasper's girlfriends coming."Emmett teased, nudging me. I gripped the chair, holding myself back from jumping on Emmett that moment.
"Girlfriend?" Carlisle asked curiously, giving me a glance. One I knew too well, it was the "Do you need the talk yet?" look.
"Jasper was staring at her." Emmett said again. The boy was writing his death wish and waving it around.
"Shut up! Before I kick your ass." I threatened out loud.
"I'm with Jasper!"Edward sided with me. Two can out number him anytime.
"BOYS! Stop!"Esme called out snapping us out of our little fight zone.
"Sorry mom." We boys chorused.
"Jasper, why don't you tell us you're three." Carlisle asked in a calmer manner, hoping it would spread to the rest of us. Avoiding a fight.
"My goal is to beat the shi-"I began but was shortly cut off by the sound of Esme's voice.
"Jasper Whitlock Hale-Cullen! Don't you dare finish that sentence." She scolded and I ducked my head in apology.
"Sorry ma'am. What I mean is, my goal is to….make Emmett understand my point of view. Whether it be forced or not. My achievement is, I got Rosalie to stop bugging me today. My goal is to…make a new friend." I said before looking at Esme and Carlisle for approval. And they gave me that motherly, fatherly smile I needed to see.
"Awww he wants a new friend. Will it be with Alice! Jasper and Alice, sitting in a tree k-i" Before Emmett could even finish the song I was already standing.
"I DON'T EVEN KNOW HER!"I yelled looking at him. My eyes were like piercing swords glaring at my target- Emmett.
"Oh run Emmett RUN FAR!" Edward called out as I darted out after him. Emmett laughed before he began to ran around the table. I was right on his tail.
"BOYS! Boys! Stop it this instant."Esme called out. Her voice was calm and composed, again puzzling me how they could be this calm when the rest if havoc.
"Emmett, enough of your rude comments. Edward, enough of feeding the fight and Jasper, just ignore Emmett." Carlisle scolded.
"Yes ma'am." We all chorused as I finally retreated to my seat, Edward to his and Emmett to his own.
"Good. Dinner is served." Esme spoke as she brought out our favorite, Chicken and pasta with broccoli and Alfredo sauce.
After dinner, things were less tense. Emmett played his video games, Edward was in the piano room, Rosalie was in her room getting an early beauty rest, Carlisle was in his office, Esme was cleaning in the kitchen and I was in the room I shared with Emmett and Edward reading Great Expectations.
After an hour of free time, we got ready for bed. But somehow my mind was still locked on the fact; I had seen no sign of Alice since hours before dinner. No sign of her brunette locks, her blue eyes, her soft sweet smile. She was an angel in my eyes. My ray of hope.
"Good night boys." I heard Carlisle say from the doorframe. It snatched me away from my thoughts of my angel. I get to see her tomorrow that's all I care.
"Night Dad." We chorused as we crept into bed.
"Night Edward." I heard Esme say, giving him a kiss on the forehead on the bed farthest from me.
"Night mom." He replied before I saw him curl up to his side.
"Night Emmett." Esme said next, she did the same to Emmett as she had with Edward. He was in the middle of Edward and I. Why he was in the middle, I had no clue. I always thought he would be easier to attack in case something did tick me off enough.
"Night Mom." He spoke in his pretend angelic voice. I atleast am feeling good I get a few hours without Emmett blabbing the day away.
"Night Jasper." She then moved to me, kissing my forehead and smiling down at me. Her motherly love radiated off her. It was obvious she cared for us strongly.
"Night Ma'am." I said with my southern tongue. One that I knew Esme liked that I still possessed.
"Sweet dreams." Esme finally finished as she stood at the doorway with Carlisle. With one look at the three of us, they flicked the light switch off and closed the door shut. I heard them walk down the hall way, making their way down to their room.
I closed my eyes, my mind drifting to nothing but thoughts of my sweet angel. The first time I have ever thought about a girl this way. She was something different. I liked different. As I fell asleep, I began to dream of my Alice.
Pixies Note: Geez that was an awfully long chapter with a LOT of Emmett's side remarks. It was fun writing that whole mess, so hopefully you guys liked it.
REVIEW!!! Okie? PIXIE OUT!