Everyday Moments Of Perfection

No Place Like Home

A/N: Well guys, thanks for being patient with me. Lol. I'm not gonna bore you with crap at the top author's note, but there's some stuff after for the reading. ;)

Anyway, here's the story... we're kind of staying with the pre-Twilight theme, so this is Jasper discovering the amazing Cullen library and his place in the family. :)

Alice seemed to fit right in.

Jasper watched as she effortlessly assimilated herself into the Cullens' everyday lives, getting used to the patterns and routines of their day. She seemed happy. That was all Jasper had ever wanted for her. He was thankful to the Olympic Coven. They gave Alice the family he could not; the family she had longed for ever since her change. The family she deserved.

Of course, they accepted her. Who could turn her away? She was so... lovable.

Her power was also of great use to them. Among other things, she could foretell the weather. Before her, the Cullens were forced to rely on the sketchy weather predictions of humans, and they had suffered through some close calls. Alice removed this risk completely.

Also, she had managed to get some kind of handle on her power, a better understanding of it. Carlisle and Edward seemed very knowledgeable on the subject of vampiric abilities, and Alice had questioned them endlessly, hoping to grasp some of the finer nuances of her premonitions.

Jasper, on the other hand, had never felt quite like he had fitted in.

He didn't have a missing spot in the family to fill. His power wasn't of much use to anyone besides himself, there were already two sons in the family, and he wasn't especially strong or fast, like Emmett or Edward. True, he did have fighting skills that neither of those two possessed, but he wasn't keen to linger on that aspect of his life for very long.

He still felt secluded; the only time he felt truly relaxed was around Alice. Her emotions were his equilibrium, as much a part of him as his arms or his legs.

Alice had moved all their things into Edward's old bedroom. Well, Jasper didn't have that many 'things'. He had Alice. That was about it. Alice was the one with the furniture and all the clothes. He just needed her, however much Alice insisted he needed Armani.

Jasper emerged from his reminiscences to see Esme looking at him from across the room. Jasper met her eyes. He greatly respected the matriarch of the family. He could feel her confidence in him, and her motherly concern, just as strong as the feelings she had for her other sons, even when she had known him for such a short period of time.

She gave a confident smile, and approached him. Jasper could feel the warmth of her emotions as she got closer. Instinctively, he became more alert. Jasper was not used to being close to other vampires, apart from Alice, and the ones he had been close to -- namely, Maria, Peter, Charlotte -- all set him on edge. Esme seemed to realise this and slowed down, but eventually she was standing right in front of him.

Jasper recognised that she was not a threat. He knew it, but years of habitual fear and fighting caused him to react offensively. Jasper felt a little ashamed; Esme did not mean any harm.

She spoke quietly, her tone imbued with the usual refined, soft pealing of bells he had come to associate with her. "Jasper... how are you today?"

Esme looked genuinely interested in his answer, and Jasper found that he had to ponder her question for a moment. No one had ever outright asked him how he was. Alice didn't need to, one glance his way and she already knew exactly how he felt, what he was thinking and what his immediate future held. But Jasper had never actually articulated in his own words how he thought he was doing.

"It's better... when there aren't any humans around. But it's still a little awkward for me."

It surprised Jasper how honest he was being. There was something in Esme's voice and demeanour which seemed to compel it from anyone speaking with her. She nodded sympathetically, then pierced him with her tawny gaze. She seemed to be pondering something.

"Jasper... there's something I'd like you to see. You haven't seen the whole house yet, have you?"

Jasper shook his head. He hadn't really seen anything inside the house beyond he and Alice's bedroom and the living room. He spent most of his time outside, or hunting, or with Alice.

At his admission, Esme smiled. She touched his arm. "Come on, then."

Jasper followed her up the stairs and past the bedrooms. He had never been down this corridor. Esme gestured to a dark mahogany door on the way past. "That's Carlisle's study." She smiled fondly at the door, and they walked on.

"And this," Esme said, resting her hand on the doorknob of another, smaller, mahogany door. "Is the Cullen library."

Jasper didn't hide his surprise. "There's a library?"

"Yes," Esme said. "But no one in this family seems to get much use out of it. Carlisle sometimes looks up medical journals in here, but he keeps most of them in his study for easier access."

"But... why are you telling me this?" Jasper asked, puzzled.

"You seem like the type of person who enjoys knowledge. There are feelings I get, Jasper. One might call it a mother's intuition. But whatever this instinct is, it occurs to me that you would get the most use out of this than anyone else in this family."

Esme rested a hand on his shoulder, and gestured to the room, before smiling and walking back down the corridor.

Jasper stood for a few seconds, before slowly opening the door. It was bigger than he had expected, spanning the size of about three times the living room. Jasper had expected it to be be dusty from disuse, the way Esme had described it, but soon realised precisely how ludicrous that notion had been. Used or not, Esme was not the type of woman to let any part of her house go unchecked and uncleaned. There was a faint, musty smell of books, but it was not overpowering. It was homely. Jasper noticed a small desk in an alcove, flanked by two, small, empty bookcases. For favourites, no doubt. Next to the desk was a comfortable red armchair.

Jasper felt a small, genuine smile flit across his face. Esme's instincts had been right.

Jasper turned, hearing a quiet knock at the door. He opened the door, and saw Alice standing there, a worried look on her face.

"Hey, Jazz," Alice whispered. "What are you doing? Are you okay?"

Jasper bent down and pressed his lips to her forehead. She giggled in response, and Jasper took her hand, entwining her slim fingers in his. He led her into the library, and shut the door behind them. He pressed her up against the door, capturing her lips. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her close to him.

"I'm fantastic," he breathed against her cheek. He meant every word.

Alice smiled.

Jasper looked around him, and then back at Alice.

For the first time, Jasper truly felt like this was home.

A/N: Now, just a few last things... firstly, I'd like to send out a special thanks to EdwrdHater for reviewing every single chapter on their way to this whilst reading this story. Giant basket of Jasper muffins and a humungous gold medal for you, my dear.

Secondly, there's another poll on my profile page which I would be thankful if you voted in. Recently, I've been overcome with a desire to write a Twilight crossover, but I can't decide what one. So, head over, you might find a fandom you like on the poll and you can vote for it to be crossed over with Twilight.

Lastly, a bit of shameless plugging for those of you who don't know about my Alice/Jasper multichap. Lol. Check it out and drop me a review? ;)

Also, for the Carlisle/Esme fans amongst you, I've just posted the first act of my two-shot, Broken Sonnet. :)

Love and cookies, Raven. x