Authors note: Hey again! Hope you all like this new one, this chapter kind of represents a turning in the story (for me at least, you guys can let me know what you thought). It isn't so much about Alice's career and starts to be more about family. Also I decided to do it from Esme's POV. Enjoy.

Chapter 15 - Comic Book Expression of Shock

Today was going to be a good day. I told myself that when I woke up this morning. Carlisle hadn't been snoring, for once, and I'd gotten such a good sleep. When I woke up my wonderful husband was stoking my hair and smiling down at me.

"Do you remember when Alice used to crawl into bed and play with your hair in the morning?" He said.

I laughed at the memory. "Yes, but it never lasted long before Emmett and Edward would come in and jump on the bed because we were being 'too boring'"

"Ah yes, the tickle monster would have to chase them around the house," He smiled as he reached down and pretended to lightly tickle my ribs. I laughed and pretended to struggle away under his grasp. We were both in fits of laughter when the commotion stopped and Carlisle leaned in to kiss me. I didn't even want to admit how many years we'd been together, but still very time he kissed me it felt like the first time all over again. Too many years to count and three grown up kids later…we still got it. "Edward is going to know what it feels like soon, I mean to have your kids wake up at ungodly hours."

"I still can't believe he's going to be a father Carlisle," I said. "He's still my baby, my baby's having a baby."

He chuckled, "Makes you feel old, doesn't it?" He paused, narrowing his eyes in thought. "We should get the kids round soon, I miss them."

He really was such a sensitive man, my husband. One of the many things I loved about him. "So do I. I'd love to see Rosalie again, get to know her better, and I have feeling Alice has met someone special."

Carlisle raised his eye brows at me, "Oh really? Did she say something?"

"Well she didn't say anything," I admitted sheepishly. "But a mother knows these things."

"Well wouldn't that be something, I do worry about her," he said.

"You're her father, it's your job." I reassured him.

"I know, it just that…well I guess I just want her to be happy. I want my little girl to be happy."

"So do I baby," I said smiling up at him. "It's a shame actually, I was going to try set her up with that nice young architect of ours." I laughed.

Carlisle burst out laughing, "I knew I could see scheming in your eyes the last few times he was here. He is a nice a young man though."

I sighed, it would have been nice to stay in bed forever but sadly we both had things to get on with, so I gave him one last kiss and got up. "I'll give the kids a call."

I spent most of my day ordering furniture and decorations for the cottage, not too much; I wanted Bella and Edward to make it their own home. Just enough to get them started, I couldn't help myself. We were originally going to rent it out, a little investment for retirement. But the house Edward and Bella were set to buy fell through so we decided the cottage should be theirs. We hadn't told them yet though, we wanted to do it in person next time we saw them. Which reminded me; better call them.

Just as I picked up my phone to call Edward it started ringing, Emmett's names flashed on the screen. "Hi sweetheart," I said lifting the phone to my ear. "What a coincidence I was actually just about to call you." Well…it was partially the truth.

"Aw really? Great minds I guess," His voice boomed in my ear. I hadn't talked to him in weeks; it was always nice to hear your child's voice.

"Yes! Your father and I would love to have a family dinner sometime soon and we'd love for you to bring Rosalie along!" We had met Rosalie twice before and she was quite the young woman. She was lovely of course, but also sharp enough to keep Emmett in line. The boy was totally under her spell, and completely in love. They hadn't been together too long but neither Carlisle nor I would be surprised by an engagement announcement anytime soon.

"Yeah of course mom, we'd love to! That's actually what I was calling about, thought it would be nice to bring the gang together."

"Excellent! When are you both free? I'm sure I can get the other two to work around your schedule for once, this family has done enough working around doctors schedules."

Emmett's roaring laugh rang in my ear, "Non doctor's unite, yeah? Well Saturday would be good for us."

"I'll just check my calendar, I have the architect coming round but that's not a problem, I might be able to convince him to stay for dinner again. He's a lovely young man but far too skinny."

"God mom your such a…mom!" Emmett laughed.

"Yes well, that happens when you have kids. I'll give the others a call." I was about to say my goodbyes but was struck with a sudden thought. "You see your sister quite often don't you?"

"Yeah I guess so. Not so much recently, she's been dodging me. Why?"

"Well I just wondered if you knew if she was seeing anyone, She hasn't said anything but I just have a feeling." I said carefully. I didn't want to sound like I was snooping.

"Eh…I don't think so. I'm sure she would have said something. She has been really weird recently but its probably just work. I keep trying to get her to meet Rose but she always seems to be busy these days. You know what those doctors can be like?" he joked.

"Oh yes I suppose I do, oh well thank you for calling sweetie and I'll see you and Rosalie Saturday!"

Emmett was such a lovable boy. I had always had a soft spot for him, he wasn't so serious like the other two. Alice wasn't as intense as Edward but she was always so focused, so set in her plans. Emmett was more of a come-what-may kind of person, a bit more like me. Though I loved all my children equally, of course.

But I never felt the need to look after Emmett the way I didn't with the other two, well not as strongly anyway. Sometimes I even felt like he was the one looking after me. He's turned into a young man any parent would be proud of. I know Edward had Bella; I'd be far more worried about him if he didn't, but she was his anchor. She kept him rooted in reality when his mind wandered into darker places. But I know Emmett looked after Alice, more than he would ever admit to.

I worried about Alice; she worried too much about the future. Too concerned with what could happen that she forgot what was happening. Always kept her guard up, not really letting people in. She buried herself in her work, she liked to think she wasn't like her father or her brother who lived and breathed doctoring. That being a doctor was just a job to her, but that wasn't true. I always felt like she was trying to prove herself for some reason. She was complicated.

Emmett was boisterous and full of life and loud and caring.

Edward was shy and sensitive and reserved and intelligent.

Alice was complicated.

I think that's why I wanted so badly for her to find someone. I did not believe that a woman needed a man by her side, and Alice certainly could function very well on her own. But I wanted her to find someone that she could let her guard down with. Someone that would make her live for the now. I just wanted her to be happy, it's all any mother wanted, and I always thought that maybe behind her bubbly exterior, she wasn't.

But she had been different on the phone this past month or so, brighter some how. I just hoped that maybe she had found that person that would show her she didn't have anything to prove.

Maybe I'll just give her a call now.

"Hey mom, what's up?" She chirped as she answered. Before I had a chance to speak she continues on. "Emmett texted me and yeah I'm free on Saturday and I'd love to come. And ehh…"

She paused. She was pausing too long. "And what sweetheart?" I prompted her. My heart quickened slightly, if Emmett had told her about Saturday maybe he'd told about what I'd asked him?

"And yeah…I have started seeing someone." She said carefully. I had been right, a mother always knows. I felt that strange feeling in my chest, a kind of nervous excitement. It was like before Christmas morning and you cant wait for it but you also don't want anything to go wrong. My boys would never forgive a burnt turkey.

"Alice that's brilliant news. Do you want to talk about him?" I was always carful with Alice, if she wanted to talk she could go on for hours but if she didn't…well it was best not to push her. "Or her?" I added quickly.

"It's a him mom, it…eh…was always gonna be a 'him'." She sounded slightly confused, like she'd never really thought about any other options. "He's…amazing." I could hear in her voice that she didn't really know how to word what she wanted to say. I knew that feeling well. Two words into her description of him and I knew…my daughter was in love. "He really is mom. I've never felt like this about anyone before, I mean we haven't been seeing each other long but I just…I just feel like…I mean I just know that this is right! Does that make sense? "

"Of course it does sweetie! How long have you been seeing him?" That nervous excitement in my chest was quickly turning to…into what? Joy? Relief?

"Well that's kind of complicated. Because I've known him for about six months I think and we sort of got together maybe a month ago but the thing is…he was kind of a patient of mine so…I couldn't really be with him. But last week I told my attending about us and he was fine with it, which was weird and really surprising but good, so yeah now I'm not his doctor and I'm his…girlfriend. So I guess I have a boyfriend." She the whole thing so quickly, but also a bit disjointed, like she was thinking it all through for the first time herself. Almost like she was nervous to be saying it all out loud. I couldn't help the smile that was spreading across my face.

"I'm so so happy for you Alice! Can he come on Saturday? I'd love to meet him." I didn't want to be too pushy but she did say he was her boyfriend so I, as a mother, am allowed to want to meet him.

"Yeah I'll ask him, I hope he can make it…I really want you guys to meet him!" The nervousness was gone in her voice. She was back to her bubbly self.

"Okay honey, let me know if he can make it. I can't wait to see you Saturday!" I said.

"Yeah same here mom, see you then."

"Oh and Alice," I said quickly before she hung up. "I really am so happy for you."

"Thanks mom," She said quickly before hanging up.

So I guess that answered that question. She was seeing someone. My goodness I felt like my chest could explode. I was so excited for her. I guess that meant I couldn't set her up with our lovely young architect. Oh well, better she found someone on her own. I couldn't wait to meet him. Anyone that could steal my little girls heart like that must be…amazing, as she put it.

The smile didn't leave my face for days.

Saturday came around quickly. Unfortunately Alice's boyfriend couldn't make it, which I won't lie…I was disappointed to hear. Edward and Bella would be coming over earlier, we told them it was because we wanted them to ourselves for a while but really we wanted to show them the cottage while Jasper was here and he could talk them through the place.

I was excited for them to be living so close by, the baby was due in a few months and hopefully the cottage would be done by then. We had hit a few wrinkles along the way but Jasper had managed to iron everything out for us and the cottage was looking beautiful. It looked nothing like the original structure, probably because apart from the original front stone wall it was completely different. I couldn't wait to show it off to Edward and Bella, who should be arriving any moment.

The roast was slow cooking away in the oven, the desert was in the fridge and all that was left was cooking the veg really. So my work for the day was mostly done. I stood at the sink and looked out into the drive way, like me watching would make my children magically appear.

"The kitchen smells amazing as always Esme," A voice rang from behind me. I turned to see Jasper, soaking wet, in the doorway. I looked him up and down frowning. He'd been working at the cottage since early this morning; there had been some problems with support beams and materials that he needed to be there to deal with. He'd taken off his overalls and boots but his jeans and shirt underneath were still soaked through and his hair was dripping. He must be freezing, poor thing. "Aw I'm sorry," he said looking down at himself. "I don't mean to get your carpets dirty, I took my boots off but I think the mud's soaked through, its been raining for hours."

He must have mistaken my concerned for annoyance, oh dear. "Oh don't be so silly! I don't care about the carpets, I just don't want you lot to catch your death out there."

"Oh don't worry," he interrupted quickly. "Everyone else has gone home, was getting hard to build in those conditions, I'm the last one in. But we're definitely on schedule to finish within the month."

He was smiling and nodding eagerly. He was such a passionate person, the kind of person that made you want to go out and do something too. He loved what he did and he was proud of it. He'd been here so much in the past few months he'd been working that I'd started to grow very fond of him. After I found out his mother had passed when he was so young I just wanted to mother him, he looked like he needed some mothering. Apart from that I didn't really know much about him, he kept himself to himself, most of our conversations were about the cottage.

"I'm glad to hear it! But I honesty don't mind if we finish behind schedule if it means you don't stay out in the rain for hours, you need to take care of yourself." He smiled at that, like he knew some joke I didn't. "Now let me get you a towel, and a change of clothes, I'm sure I still have some of Edwards somewhere that will fit you."

"Oh no its fine, I have a change in the truck, I'll just go get them." He smiled. He looked so pale and he was visibly trembling. I just wanted to give him a hug. I'd been too busy with the food to notice, but the weather had taken a turn. The sky was turning black and it felt like the start of a storm.

"Okay, but you are staying for dinner and I don't want any argument. All the kids are coming and I'd love for you to meet them."

"Yes ma'am," he answered with a smile.

As Jasper was in the bathroom, getting dried off, I started chopping up the vegetables for dinner. Edward and Bella were late. I tried not to worry. They were probably just driving slowly because of the weather, nothing to worry about. The rain was battering against the window viciously. Oh I do hope everyone gets here all right.

"Just me, the town burglar," a very familiar voice called from the hallway. "look who I found," He said as he walked into the kitchen. "I think this could be one of our children dear, though I may be mistaken."

"Oh Edward honey," I said as I quickly made my way over to him and pulled him into a hug. "And Bella, oh you look radiant." I pulled her in close, well as close as I could.

"I look huge you mean," she sighed. "I don't know how I'm going to make it through the next two months."

"I know how you feel Bella, but trust me it will be worth it." I winked.

We were in the process of moving through to the lounge when Jasper appeared out of the bathroom.

"Oh hello again Jasper," Edward smiled. They had met quite a few times in the past months, with Jasper working here and Edward coming down to sort out moving. I think they'd become quite friendly which I was very pleased about. Edward needed more friends. Oh that sounds terrible! He had friends of course I just meant…oh never mind.

After all the meet and greets and hugging we sat down in the lounge and Carlisle took my hand in his and looked down at me, I gave him a small nod. Oh ahead, tell them.

"Edward, Bella," he started. "We have something we'd like to tell you." They both looked so nervous sitting there, I suddenly became nervous myself…what if they didn't want to move into the cottage? "We know that you've had some bad luck trying to find a place here so your mom and I would like you to move into the cottage. Jasper can show you about the place and we hope it's…suitable. It's pretty much all finished but if there's anything you want to change about it I'm sure Jasper can help."

Jasper smiled and nodded reassuringly. Edward and Bella just stared at us. We waited for what felt like a lifetime before they finally spoke. "I don't know what to say," Edward finally said as he stood up and walked toward us. He wrapped his arms around Carlisle and me. "Thank you so much." He whispered. "We'll pay rent of course, or maybe…buy if off you."

"Don't be silly," Carlisle said. "The place is yours for good. Do with it as you please. Lets just call it…a baby warming gift."

"And it means I have quick access to my grandchild," I joked. There was more hugging and 'thank you's and offers of financial payment that were rejected. I left them with Jasper to look over the plans so I could continue with the food. The others would be arriving soon and I hated people arriving to an empty table.

"I was hoping to take you out and walk you though it but…the weather has taken a turn for the worse." I heard Jasper say as left the room. I couldn't help but feel excited. My baby was moving into my backyard…and was about to have a baby of his own. And the other two had found what Edward had found in Bella. This was the mothers dream.

My heart leaped when I spotted Emmett's truck pull into the drive. Another one of my baby's here safe. Two of my baby's, I corrected my self. Rosalie was a part of our family now.

I moved out of the kitchen to greet them at the door. They were both dripping wet just from the walk from the car, the weather was getting worse. I pulled them both in for a hug, the only way I knew how to greet.

"I hope the drive up wasn't too bad," I said as I hung up their coats to dry.

"It was okay actually, the weather only got bad when we got into forks really." Rosalie said. "What ever is cooking smells wonderful Esme, honestly you're going to have to give me some cooking lessons."

"Yeah mom, you really should," Emmett pretended to whisper at me as he ran his finger along his throat. Rosalie lightly slapped his arm and scowled at him, but there was a smile playing at corner of her lips.

"I'd love to Rosalie," I said with a smile. "Though I'm sure you don't need them."

"Well I've never poisoned anyone," she said, her voice muffled as she removed a heavy woollen scarfed from her neck and hang it up, as she did so the door to the living room opened.

"I thought I heard some familiar voices," Jasper said from the doorway.

"Jasper?!" Emmett boomed as he moved toward Jasper and pulled him into one of his famous bear hugs. Apparently they knew each other!

I looked over to Rosalie who stood frozen with a look of total shock on her face. "Jasper?" She said, clearly confused. "What are you doing at Emmett's parents house?"

Ah, so Rosalie knew him too. This was very interesting.

"Um…I'm working." He said, confusion obvious in his voice as well. But then a smile light up his face as understanding hit. "Well this is coincidence."

Rosalie walked forward and hugged him tightly. She must know him very well, Rosalie wasn't much of a hugger as far as I could tell.

"Lets go through to the living room where it's warm, I think Carlisle was trying to get a fire going," I said ushering them through. I could hear Rosalie talking in a low voice to Jasper, though I couldn't make out what she was saying, she sounded concerned though. The living room was cosy, Carlisle had managed to get a fire going which crackled softly in the corner. It was warm and filled with happy voices. Just like a home should be. You don't realise how empty your house feels without your kids until they come back. "So how do you all know each other?" I asked as we sat down.

"Jasper is my little brother," Rosalie answered me. My surprise was apparently evident on my face as family laughed at me.

"Well how about that," Carlisle said. "This is even more of a family get together than we'd planned."

"Well, now you are most certainly staying for dinner," I smiled. I didn't really know what else to say. I was glad they all knew each other, made life a little easier. I could see the resemblance now; I don't know why I hadn't noticed earlier actually, Jasper and Rosalie could be twins. Everyone slipped into easy conversation as the fire crackled away. Rosalie was chatting away to Bella about baby stuff, by the look on her face I could tell she wanted kids of her own. Maybe more grandchildren on the horizon?

Jasper fit in so well with Emmett and Edward, my two boys were so different and it was like Jasper bridged the gap. It did help that they had both independently gotten to know him. I almost felt like they were all my sons, strange though that was. They just all fit together, I hoped they would stay friends; I could see the three of them making a good team. Though I suppose one day Jasper might be Emmett's brother-in-law, that was a strange thought. He was my sweet young architect that I wanted to mother and maybe one day he might a son to me…a little bit anyway. I absently wondered how Alice's new man with fit into all this.

Just as I had the thought the living room door burst open, I hadn't even heard the front door with all the chatter going on in here.

"Hello family!" Alice announced as walked in. "That weather is so nasty out there I swear this guy nearly ran me off the road when…" She stopped mid sentence as she entered the room. Her eyes fixed on Jasper. Her mouth fell open. I would have laughed at her comic book expression of shock if I weren't so confused for the second time in less than an hour. Did she know Jasper too? Was it really that small a world?

"Alice?" Jasper asked, clearly as surprised as she was.

"Jasper you…you're here…how…?" Alice eyes started to dart around the room as fractions of sentenced rolled from her mouth and I felt I could almost see the cogs turning inside her head. "And Rosalie? Wait…you're Emmett's Rose? Wow I did not see that coming! But…Jasper…why are you at my parents house?"

Jasper stood and started walking toward where Alice stood. "I'm working," he said.

Alice's face suddenly changed from shock to amusement as she burst into laughter. "You're working on my parents cottage?" She said. "You're the 'lovely young architect' my mom has been trying to get me to meet for the past six months?"

Jasper smiled at her. That smile…I knew that smile. And Alice's eyes light up when she looked at him. Oh my god. It was him. I didn't know how, but I knew it was him. He was the man my little girl had fallen for, and by the look on his face he had fallen just as far.

"Someone is going to have to explain all this to your old dad," Carlisle said beside me.

"Well," Alice started, her voice still warped by the smile that took over her face. "I've been seeing this guy…turns out my architect is your architect."

Rosalie gasped. "I knew it! I knew there was something going on between you two! Didn't I tell you Emm?'

"Wait so when you were talking about Jaspers doctor you were talking about…Ali? My sister?" Emmett asked.

"I guess so," Rosalie said softly.

Jasper took Alice's hand in his and turned to ward us. "Well I guess I don't need to worry about meeting the parents then," he said sheepishly.

I'd held my tongue as long as I could. They needed a hug. "Oh my goodness you two I am so happy for you both." I could feel tears starting to form in the corner of my eyes. I don't know how they all knew each other really, but they could all explain later. For the moment all that mattered was that my daughter had found someone that made her happy. And that person was one the loveliest young men I'd ever met. He fit into the family like he was one of our own. This was the mothers dream.

"Well tonight just got way more interesting," Emmett said. "I swear you couldn't make this stuff up!"

Alice laughed, "small world," she said softly. Her eyes didn't leave Jasper.

"So…" Edward piped up. "Alice is going out with Jasper who is Rosalie's brother and Rosalie is going out with Emmett, and Jasper is working for out parents?"

"Yeah I guess that kind of sums it up," Alice answered.

"How did none of you figure this out earlier?" He asked.

"I have no idea," Jasper laughed. "But this was interesting way to find it all out."

Small world.

Authors note: Love it? Hate it? I want to know!