Everyday Moments Of Perfection

A/N: Hey, guys. The response I got to the last chapter—battle scene from Eclipse—was amazing, and thanks to all my reviewers, especially those that pointed out I forgot to get Jasper bitten—which I slipped in there after I was told, thanks ever so!

I can't believe I did it—my muse is a prat—but I started yet another bloody story. It's just a bunch of crack pairings, basically, but I'd appreciate it if you guys were to check it out. Beware—you might be really creeped out. However, I did have massive fun writing it.

About the AxJ story—I do have several possible plots/titles, but right now I'm having trouble deciding. Maybe you guys could tell me what kind of things you'd like in an AxJ story and it might help me choose one. Thanks.

Anyway, this is a little vignette about the relationship between Jasper, Alice, Esme and Carlisle. Which coincidentally was semi-suggested by Ilithya. ;)

Jasper heard the keening sobs from above.

That was Esme's bedroom.

It happened every so often; in times of quiet and solace, when the memories started to rise up from deep within her, and her children of the present could no longer quell the ghost of a child from the past. When Carlisle could not keep the recollections of a counterpart far more evil than he from coming back to haunt her eternal life. She felt like she was drowning within the terrible reminiscences, feeling the wind whip past her falling form, crashing towards the rocks and the salty sea with a bitter finality, lost in despair, knowing that she deserved it…

Jasper rose, sharply. The feelings were too strong, consuming him utterly. He could feel every nuance of his mother-figure's suffering, every iota of pain and shame. He always did.

Alice skittered into the room, tilting her head towards the ceiling as she too heard Esme's cries.

"Carlisle?" she mouthed, panic and sadness filling her doe-eyes.

"Not here," Jasper mouthed back.

"Edward?" Alice mouthed again, pity filling the well of her emotions to the brim. She knew that Edward or Carlisle were far more able to help Esme than they were. They had been there at the start of her vampiric life, after all.

Jasper just shook his head. Edward was out—at Bella's house, no doubt, and Carlisle was out on call at the hospital.

Alice raced up the stairs, Jasper in tow. They got to the top of the landing, and Esme's pained sobs increased in both volume and frequency. Alice walked silently up to the egg-white wooden door, which was closed. She lay a hand against it, and stood there, wishing she could help.

Jasper came up behind her, placing a hand on the small of her back in comfort and support as he read her emotions. He looked at her, his gaze asking her if he should use his power to assuage Esme's turbulent emotions.

Alice looked unsure; Jasper could feel the confliction of her emotions.

He gave a small smile, taking the pressure off her. Jasper knocked softly on the wooden door, creating a hollow sound. He heard the shuffling as Esme moved something—paper, it sounded like, and sniffled, before calling in a slightly hoarse, yet falsely cheery voice, "Yes?"

"It's Jasper," he said in a low voice.

He could feel the shift in Esme's emotions as she knew she had been caught. She could not put on a façade with Jasper, not with his empathic abilities able to detect every ebb and flow of her passions.

"Come in," she whispered, all pretences gone and her voice raw with remembered grief.

Alice just looked at Jasper as he met her eyes, and nodded, signalling that she was going downstairs. He nodded, before slowing pushing open the door.

The sight before him made his heart drop. Esme sat in a small crouch on the thick, carpeted floor, a pile of messy papers around her that she had hastily pushed to one side, along with ancient photographs. Her face was utterly grief-stricken, yet her eyes were perfectly dry, the warm gold frozen and flecked with onyx. Jasper approached her, sitting down on the carpet opposite. He picked up one of the photos that lay in front of Esme's shaking hands.

Jasper could barely make out the objects in it—the photo was black and white, and badly shot—but he could make out a little bundle of blankets, in which lay a tiny baby.

"My son," Esme said, though her voice wavered. "Just a day old."

Jasper looked up at Esme, his eyes deep with sympathy. He reached out a hand and took one of Esme's slender, pale ones, transferring a small tendril of peace through his touch.

It didn't seem to help, as her body shook slightly. "I can't… he's not here… my son…"

Jasper rose from the floor, going over to sit next to Esme, who started to sob quietly once more. Jasper didn't know what he could do. His heart ached for his… mother. Jasper realised that Esme was the only one who could ever be his mother. His own mother was long dead, and Jasper didn't really remember her very clearly. Ever since he and Alice had joined the Cullen family, Esme's presence had been a constant ray of sunshine, touching his powers and making him happier. Whenever he needed to feel better, he would go and just sit in the bubble of warmth that was Esme's emotions. She had been a motherly conscience, and a warm heart to care for him. She loved him unconditionally—as he loved her.

He was her son.

As he realised this, the words just slipped out, in response to Esme's pleadings. "He's here."

Jasper didn't realise he had spoken them aloud, but as soon as he had, he looked towards Esme, judging her reaction. When she smiled nervously, he said seriously, his Southern accent emerging with the strength of his words, "Your son is here."

She clutched his hand tightly. "Oh, Jasper. Of course you are."

She leant in towards his and he embraced her, just holding her as he felt the wave of sorrow pass and her bubble of contentment return, coupled with a strong sense of happiness at Jasper's words.

"You've always been my son… since the second you walked through that door. And you always will be," Esme murmured into his shoulder.

"Love you. Mom."

They sat in a tight embrace, the ghosts of the past quelled for the moment, as a son comforted his mother.

~oOo~

Alice sat downstairs, fidgeting nervously as she heard whisperings from upstairs. She strained her ears to hear what was being said, but she could not make out the vampiric whisperings from the room above. She just hoped her mother was alright. Alice did not remember her biological mother. She had no memories of her previously familial bonds—this was the only family she had ever known, as she was extremely attached to it.

Alice heard the click in the door as it opened, a wearied Carlisle in the doorway, his doctor's kit in one hand as he hung up his white surgeon's jacket in one swift movement, his hand stopping in mid-air as he heard the anguished voices upstairs.

He made for the stairway, but was stopped by Alice. "Wait," she said, as Carlisle looked at her questioningly. "Jasper's with her. Don't worry, he's calming her down."

Carlisle looked pained. "Is she okay?"

Alice looked at him, before answering truthfully. "No."

She saw the hurt flicker in Carlisle's eyes, before smiling with a simple honesty shining on her face that Carlisle could not ignore. "But she will be."

Carlisle gave a small smile, before unexpectedly leaning down and sweeping Alice into a hug.

"You're a gem, you know that, don't you?"

Alice felt a surge of happiness; she was truly touched.

Carlisle looked at her. "The day you and Jasper walked into our lives; I saw a happiness in Esme. She glowed with it, and she hasn't lost it, not since you arrived. It's all thanks to you and Jasper. You made this family complete."

Alice just gave a small smile. "Thanks, Dad."

Carlisle looked slightly choked up, and clutched the small hand of his pixyish daughter firmly in his own as she put a hand on his back, giving him strength.

They stood, hand-in-hand, just waiting, as a daughter comforted her father.

Aw! I don't know about you, but I loved writing this. I'm so happy now. Hehe. :)

Raven. x