Chapter Eight: The Big Family Lunch

"OK what do you think of this one?" asked Alice, walking into the living room again.

Ollie looked up from his programme and smiled "that one's really pretty mom" he said, already turning back to the TV and she really couldn't blame him this was the sixth outfit she had tried on.

She walked back into her bedroom and looked at it again in the full length mirror, finally she decided that the pale lilac dress with the smoky grey wrap cardigan was probably just dressy enough to make it look like she made an effort but not to dressy to seem like she obsessed about her outfit.

The door bell rang, signalling Jasper's arrival, she grabbed her shoes and Ollie's hand as they made their way to the front door, picking up their big coats in case the weather turned colder later on.

She opened the door, a smiling Jasper waiting for her "Oh shoot I forgot the gift" she rushed back into the kitchen to scoop up the flowers and wine she had brought for Esme and Carlisle and hurriedly made it back to the front door, seeing that Ollie was already sitting in the car laughing with Violet.

"OK all ready" she said, closing the door behind her, smiling as Jasper gave her a quick kiss on the lips and opened her door.

She looked up at the big house as they made their way up the long drive; it looked so different from Friday night when they had picked up Ollie, the light was coming through the trees and glinting off the large windows.

She turned back to Jasper who was just watching her take it all in, "Is this just a lunch with your parents and us?" she asked

"Uh not exactly" said Jasper.

"What do you mean, not exactly?" she asked raising a delicate eyebrow and worry beginning to settle in her stomach.

"This is a family lunch so Bella and Edward will be there with Jake and Nessie and Rose will be coming as well, probably with her latest catch and of course you, Violet, Ollie and I will be there as well as Mom and Dad" he said in a rush.

She stopped short "all your family together?" she asked a little intimidated, she wasn't sure she was ready for this, yes she had met them all but in groups of two or three never all together.

"Don't worry Alice, you already know them and mom just adores you and Ollie" he said.

She nodded and walked up the steps to the front door, slowly as Carlisle opened the door a wide smile on his face "Alice lovely to see you, and you as well Ollie" he said, welcoming them into the house.

"I brought you and Esme some wine and flowers" she said proud that she didn't stammer out the sentence.

"That's very kind of you," said Carlisle, "Come on up and meet the others properly".

Jasper held her hand as they walked into the open living room, and she admired the beauty of it, the large glass walls looking out into the forest surrounding the house, and the light airy feeling the whole room held she felt herself start to relax a little.

"Alice" called Esme, rushing over to greet them, hugging and kissing them both.

"It's lovely to see you, Esme" she greeted handing over the flowers "for you".

Esme smiled "so thoughtful" she murmured "well come on through and greet everyone".

"You know Edward and Bella, little Jake is around her somewhere I am sure, Nessie's upstairs sleeping" said Esme.

She waved to them "and you know Rosalie her date couldn't make it unfortunately".

She greeted them all and took the surprising hug from Rosalie in her stride before Bella stole her away to look at Nessie and pump her for information about the date on Friday evening.

"Dinner's ready, everyone" called Carlisle, and she followed the others through to another large room that was dominated by the long oak table, she carefully sat down taking her saved seat next to Jasper and saw that Ollie was sitting with Jake and Violet, grinning with his friends.

She honestly didn't know what she was worried about, the meal was flowing smoothly with conversations for every side, and she learnt more about Carlisle and Edwards work, and listened intently to the goings on with baby Nessie and the pain in the butt Edward could be on occasion, which to her amusement they all agreed to.

"How's that job going Rosalie?" asked Esme, as they where finishing up, a few of the others still eating.

Rosalie shrugged "I quit, it just didn't excite me, and I don't think I was meant to work in an office" she replied.

She had to agree with her as Rosalie really didn't strike her as the type of person who should be stuck behind a desk; she should be out there helping people with her own flair just like the rest of her family.

"Well if you're looking for something else I need an assistant manager in the shop" she said surprising herself as the words left her mouth.

All eyes turned to her "really?" asked Rosalie

"Uh yeah, I don't have time to run the store and design the outfits at the moment. I am really swamped and have a mountain of designs to approve and send out and all of the applicants I have interviewed haven't been what I need, so yeah if you want the job we can have a trial period" she said nodding, Rosalie really was the best candidate for the job.

"Are you sure?" asked Rosalie, a little hope in her eyes.

"Of course she is" said Esme picking up her water "she's practically family now, and family helps out family".

She and Jasper both blushed at her statement but with a grin she noticed that Jasper didn't say anything against the statement.

They stayed long after dinner, talking new designs and shop ideas before Jasper tapped her on the shoulder and pointed out that both Violet and Ollie were flagging.

She smiled and nodded. It all seemed so natural, and she had been so worried that morning about how they would all get along and now she didn't really want to leave. "Rosalie come by the shop at 8.30 tomorrow and we can go through some things" she gently picked up Violet seeing as she was the lightest of the two and headed over to the front door where Carlisle and Esme where already standing, saying goodbye to Jasper who was holding Ollie.

"Esme is it OK if I drop Ollie over early?" she asked as she drew closer to the other women.

"Of course he can keep Jake and Violet company" said Esme walking them to the door placing a kiss on their cheeks before they were carrying the children down to the car and driving through the early evening.

BPOV

"They are so cute together" she said after Alice and Jasper had gone.

Rosalie nodded next to her "did you see, she didn't hesitate to pick up Violet as they left, or that Jasper didn't mind taking Ollie out to the car?" she asked

Esme nodded "I know they really are perfect for each other".

"Who knew our brother was looking for a pixie" she laughed, causing Rosalie to laugh as well.

"I am so excited about the job on Monday" said Rosalie smiling at the prospect.

"You'll be great at it, that's why Alice choose you".

"Did you see Jasper didn't say anything about mom calling her family?" she asked, Rosalie nodded.

"Hard not to with the shade of red they went" said Rosalie giggling.

"Bella are you ready to go?" asked Edward coming over to her, she nodded.

"See you soon Bells" said Rosalie getting up to hug her and Edward.

"Night Esme, Carlisle" they said as they left thoughts of the happiness Jasper and Alice exuded filling her mind on the journey home.

Thank you to all who read this chapter I hope you enjoyed it

Disclaimer: all the adult Cullen's, Brandon's, Nessie and Jake belong to Stephanie Meyer; the other kids are all my own imagination