Night Owl

Jasper gripped his sister's shoulders, and forced her to face him, "Get your act together Rose!"

Her violet eyes met his familiar ones. She held his gaze, and nodded, "I'm good Jasper." Rose stood up straight as his hands dropped from her shoulders, "I'm good." She repeated herself. It was more to convince herself rather than Jasper.
"You're good," Jasper snickered, shaking his head, "You puked in the middle of the street. How drunk are you?"
"Sober?"
"Who pukes sober?"

Her brother placed his hands on his sister's cheeks, and pulled her in close, "It's all in your eyes." He inhaled a sharp breath, "And I can smell the alcohol on your breath." Jasper released her face, and stepped back, "Mom will know."
"I have everything under control."
Jasper dropped his arms, and smirked, "Prove it."

Rosalie's eyes rolled as she led her brother up the outside stairs. Just as she reached for the doorknob, the front entrance opened. Their butler stood, and welcomed them into the mansion.
"There you are!" Rebecca proclaimed, stepping out of the dining room, while holding a Yorkshire terrier in each arm, "I've been calling you two for the past hour. I was tempted to call the police and get your faces posted on the side of milk cartons."

Both Yorkshire terriers –Daisy and Duke- were twins just like Rosalie and Jasper. The adorable little pups walked around the Hale mansion as if they owned it. Their heads were held high and there was a perky bounce in their step as they walked through the lengthy hallways of the manor. Duke looked absolutely adorable with his small necktie, which was always color coordinated with Daisy's silk hair bow.

Rebecca set the dogs down and watched as they ran to their respective owners. Rosalie dropped to her knees and opened her arms as Daisy ran into them. Jasper scooped his little pup up and smiled as Duke licked his cheeks. The large house was soon encompassed by the high-pitched barks of the pups.

Rebecca adjusted Duke's bow-tie, "Don't they just look lovely? Ashley picked them up from the groomers today."

Rosalie pecked her puppy's cheek before lifting Daisy up completely. Duke rested on his back in Jasper's arms, as the young Hale excitedly rubbed his belly. Rebecca couldn't help but smile at the image of Duke's tongue hanging out the side of his mouth as his eyes closed in relaxation. Duke absolutely loved having his tummy rubbed.
"How was the party?"
"Good I guess," Jasper shrugged his shoulders, "same old, same old."

Rebecca smiled at her son's eye contact, but when she looked to her daughter, she noticed the avoidance. Becky could read her children like an opened book. She automatically knew that Rosalie was hiding something.
"Sweetheart, look at me," Rebecca turned her daughter's face towards her, "alcohol is not the answer."
"It sure makes you forget the question though."

Rosalie was trying to make light of the situation. She didn't think it was a big deal. Jasper was drinking. The only difference is her brother knows how to hold his liquor. Her, not so much.
"It isn't a solution."
"Chemically speaking, it is."

Rebecca firmly gripped her daughter's chin, and looked further into her eyes. She observed the violet orbs that mirrored her own eyes a long time ago. "Maria, come in here!" Rebecca currently brushed her fingers against her daughter's rosy cheeks, before pecking one.

The young, foreign maid rushed into the foyer, dressed in the cliché maid outfit, and holding a feather duster in her left hand, "Yes Mrs. Hale?"
"Tell the chef to make that hangover shake," Rebecca ordered, waving the maid away with the sway of her hand, "Sweetie," she paused in order to meet her daughter's eyes, "It works wonders. Trust me. I used to be 21. I wasn't always this perfect."
"Oh mom, we know!" Jasper laughed, earning a nod of his sister's head to back him up, "Grandpa told us…everything."
"And what exactly did he say?"
Jasper smiled before continuing, "He said you use to throw wild parties when he went away on business. You snuck boys in and out of the house. You drank underage and you owned a fake ID."

Rebecca stepped back in confusion, "He knew all of that?" The older Hale was completely lost. She thought she got away with everything. She had no idea her father knew of the things she got into as a teenager.
"Mom, grandpa was one of the smartest people we've ever known."
"I always had a little only child rebellion in my soul." Rebecca shrugged her shoulders, "It's one of the reasons why I had more than one child."
Rose smirked, "Mom, you really didn't have a choice."
"We're twins." Jasper added.

"Did you guys know that I didn't move out of my parents' house until I was pregnant and engaged to get married to your father?" The older Hale pulled her two children towards her, "I was 26." She grinned as their eye brows rose in confusion, "I just wanted…you know to say that there's no rush to move out. You're 21. You still have grad school."

Rosalie glanced down at Daisy, as she rested against Rose's feet. The little pup was tired, but she wasn't heading to bed until Rosalie followed. Rebecca couldn't help but smirk at her children's confused expressions.
"Where did that even come from?" Rose stepped out of her mother's arms.
"Mom, you're just random." Jasper added.

Mrs. Hale slowly began to walk towards the kitchen, "I was thinking about it for some time. I'm afraid of having an empty nest. I'm not ready for it."
"Mom," Rebecca turned around to face her son, "you don't have to worry. I'm not planning on moving out until I graduate grad school and find a place of my own."

Rosalie watched as her brother called Duke over to the left staircase. She already knew what he was planning to do. Rose rolled her eyes, as she waved Daisy to follow her up the right staircase. Rosalie didn't want to get in the way of her brother's race up the stairs with Duke. The young Hale positioned himself next to his dog at the bottom of the last stair, "On the count of three buddy…" Jasper winked towards his pup as Duke's tail wagged excitedly, "One…two…go!"
"I know Jasper isn't running up the stairs!" Rebecca hollered from the kitchen, "Must I remind you of what happened last time?!"

Rosalie smirked at her brother as he came to a sudden stop. Duke, on the other hand, continued the race up the last few stairs. The male pup proudly and smugly stood at top of the stairs wagging his short tail even faster than before. The dog was absolutely arrogant. He knew he won, mostly because Jasper had to stop running on account of his mother.

Daisy had a little pep in her step as she followed her Rosie into her bedroom. The small dog pranced onto her fluffy doggie bed and paced circles into a spot before lying down.
Rosalie kicked off her shoes, "Come in." She whispered at the sound of a small knock at her door.

Rebecca happily walked into the room, carefully balancing a disgustingly green smoothie in one hand and a hanger with a newly designed dress in the other.
"I made this for you." Rebecca excitedly announced, holding up the dress, "I thought you might like it."
Rose's eyes scanned the dress, "It's cute. Thanks. Can you put it in my closet?"
"I will warn you now," Rebecca laughed, sticking the dress into the closet, "It's nasty…and some of the stuff inside of the drink you will have to chew." The dress Rebecca stuck into the closet was placed in the section designated towards the clothes that haven't been assigned a section. While they're away Olivia and Ashley are supposed to finish sorting the outfits.

Daisy noticed the nervous expression on Rosalie's face. In an effort of ease, she rose to her feet and left the comforts of her bed, and took a seat beside Rosalie's feet.
"I appreciate the moral support Dais-" Rose lifted the drink towards her mother, and smiled, "Here goes nothing."

She inhaled a sharp breath and took a large gulp of her drink. Immediately she pulled the glass away, "Yuck!" She set the glass down onto her dresser, "This is disgusting!" Staring confusedly at the mysterious beverage, her head shook, "I'm not drunk enough to have to drink that!" She wiped the corners of her mouth and backed away, "What the hell is in that?!"

"Trust me sweetheart," Rebecca lifted the glass and held it out to her daughter; "you do not want to know. That shake recipe has been in the family for generations. I've drank at least seven of those in my lifetime, and I still don't know what's in it. It works though, you just have to hold your nose and chug it down." She lifted the drink to her daughter's mouth and waited for Rosalie to take a hold of it, "You'll thank me tomorrow."

The young Hale pouted her lips and as a result made her mother pout as well. Rebecca wasn't planning on moving from her current spot until her daughter drank the entire glass, "Come on." She placed the glass in Rosalie's hand, "Guzzle it down for mama."
"You're enjoying this."

Daisy sat up straight, and perked her ears as she watched Rose hold her nose. She could see the pain on her owner's face, and she didn't like it one bit. Out of frustration, Daisy barked loudly.
"I know…" Rose sighed.

The young blond closed her eyes, and held her nose as she swallowed and occasionally chewed through the thick, green liquid. Rebecca clasped her hands together proudly, "You have made a mother proud." Rose finished the drink off with a cough and a stick of gum she popped into her mouth, "Remind me never to drink alcohol again."
"That drink is kind of the point of that statement," Rebecca snickered, taking the glass from her daughter.

The older Hale eyed the flat screen hanging from her daughter's wall. She noticed her younger lookalike eyeing the Wii positioned on top of her dresser. Rosalie looked back and forth between her mother and the gaming system, "Seriously mom? You want to play me?"
"Sure, how hard could it be?" Rebecca pulled her robe off and tossed it onto her daughter's bed.
"Not hard, unless you're trying to beat me."

Bradley held the railing of the stairs, and dragged himself up. He couldn't help but feel exhausted after a long day in the office. He set his briefcase down by the door and smiled at the group of luggage positioned next to the front door. They all listened to him and did what they were supposed to do.

The oldest Hale presided over more than ten cases today. He wanted to fit in as many as possible before he takes off on vacation. Bradley made his way towards his room, but stopped briefly in front of his son's bedroom. The judge loosened his tie, before knocking, "Come in."

He twisted the knob and entered. Jasper stood, his feet planted on his navy blue carpet. All he wore was a pair of basketball shorts. Duke laid on Jasper's bed, resting between two large pillows.
"Were you about to go to sleep?" At the sound of Bradley's voice, Duke popped up and raced over to greet him.
"Yes."
Bradley closed the door behind him, "Do me a favor? Watch your sister tomorrow on the way to the lake house. She's just like your mother and you know how they can get sometimes. So make sure you watch after her."
"Always." He grinned.

Mr. Hale unbuttoned his suit jacket, and smiled, "I'm proud of you son."
"For what,"
"I am just proud of you. I could never have asked for a better son."

The elder Hale took a seat on the corner as Duke took a seat next to his feet. Jasper flopped down into his black bean bag, and sighed into the warm atmosphere of his bedroom, "How was work?"
"Very eventful," Brad shook his head and suppressed a laugh, "I'm just glad it's over."
Jasper laughed, "Hmm, sounds boring!"
"It was exciting to me!"
"Your definition of excitement is completely different than mine!"

A loud thump sounded through the large walls of the manor. Both Hales ignored the noise as they continued their conversation. Jasper intertwined his hands over his six-packed abdomen, "Why are we still going to the lake house?"
"It's tradition," Bradley answered, rising to his feet, "It's a way we can all come together."
"Why?" he pressed on, "We hardly do anything, but swim and talk."
Another thump sounded, followed by three more. Jasper rolled his eyes at his sister and mother's loud…whatever they were doing.
"The main thing is we're bonding and relaxing. No school worries and no work worries. Your mom is leaving her PDA and I'm leaving my laptop. You and your sister are our main priorities."

Bradley cut himself off at the sound of another thump. He stepped out into the hall, and noticed his son following after him. Maria was currently downstairs, buttoning up her jacket, and preparing to head home for the night. The chef was heading back to his quarters. The butler and the other servants got off of work an hour ago. It had to be Rebecca and Rosalie making the noise.
"What are they doing?" Jasper questioned, leading his father down the hall.

Laughter filled the long and empty halls of the mansion. Bradley arrived at the door first, and opened it after another thump was sounded. Rosalie and Rebecca could be seen laughing as they played tennis on the Wii. The thumps were the result of their hopping around and hitting the virtual ball.
"Can we join?" Jasper asked, pushing his father into the room, "We can play teams." He crossed his arms across his bare chest as he took a seat on his sister's loveseat.
"You can play," Rose stuck her tongue out, "as long as you boys don't mind losing to a bunch of girls!"

Rebecca nodded in agreement to her daughter's statement, "I hope you boys can take defeat. I will admit it's going to hurt a little!"
"Oh you are so on!" Jasper tossed his father a controller.
"It's going to really hurt when we win…" Bradley added, pulling his suit jacket off, "You're going to eat your words! Becky you're such a sore loser!"
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are mom!" Jasper laughed, hitting the ball to start.

Emmett pulled off his jacket, and tossed it into Stan's hands. Stan, the butler, smirked as he hung the leather jacket up in the coat closet.
"Stanley," Esme's voice shouted from the living room, "Who was at the door?"
"It's just me mom!"
"Well come into the living room! Have you forgotten what day it is?!"

Before walking into the living room, Emmett made a stop at the kitchen. Chef Michaels most likely retired to his quarters for the night, so Emmett would just heat up some leftovers the chef made for dinner. Michaels is a legend in the kitchen. So whatever he made is surely to be good, especially as leftovers.
Carlisle stepped into the kitchen, "Bottom drawer to the right."

He tossed his lab coat onto the counter, before reaching overheard and pulling two saucers out of the cabinet. Emmett grinned brightly as he lifted a container of lasagna out of the refrigerator. "Mom's waiting for us in the living room." Emmett sighed, setting a slice onto his saucer.
Carlisle grinned as he watched a slice of lasagna being placed onto his dish, "Then I guess we should hurry up." He grabbed two forks.

As Emmett wrapped up the remainder of the lasagna and placed it into the fridge, Carlisle placed the two saucers into the microwave. Emmett's strong sense of smell grew as he searched the kitchen for the dessert cart. Carlisle removed his hot plate from the microwave, "Your mother and I are leaving early in the morning."

Emmett cautiously pulled his plate from the microwave, "This smells so good!" He stuck his fork into the beautifully created Italian dish, and blew onto the pasta before sticking the fork into his mouth, "Michaels is the best cook!"
"Come on!" Esme impatiently hollered, running her finger over the brim of her wine glass, "I'm getting low on wine!"
"Then grab another bottle from the cellar!" Carlisle proclaimed, entering the living room with his plate in one hand and an empty wine glass in the other.

Regina, a night maid stood under the threshold that connected the living room to the dining room. She grabbed a random bottle of wine and quickly rushed over to Esme in order to refill her glass.
Carlisle pulled his glass away before Regina could fill it, "I don't like that kind." He set his plate down, "You know what I like Regina."

She nodded her head before disappearing to go down to the wine cellar. Esme excitedly took a seat on the floor in front of the coffee table and crossed her legs, "I'm the hat!" She set her glass down in front of her before pulling the top off of the monopoly box, "Em, you're the dog and Carlisle you're the car!"
"Why don't we ever get to pick our pieces?" Emmett questioned, glancing at his father for an answer, "I mean, I always wanted to be the iron, but mom always makes me the dog. Should I take that as an insult?"

Esme jokingly shot a glare in the direction of her son. In response, he rolled his eyes and grabbed the dog piece, "The dog is fine." He set his piece onto the board.

Regina soon came back with a bottle of Carlisle's favorite wine. While she struggled to pull the corkscrew off, it soon snapped after multiple attempts. After taking a seat on the floor, between his son and his wife, he smiled towards Regina as she filled up his glass, "Thank you."
"You're welcome sir."
"I'm getting low," Esme gently shook her glass, "Honey, you need to roll the dice."

Carlisle rolled the dice, and pulled a card after landing on the square. Go to jail –go directly to jail-Do not pass go –Do not collect $200.
"Are you serious?" He drawled, slamming the card onto the board, "I get this card every time we play!" The older Cullen lifted his piece and slammed it down onto the jail part of the board game, "Sometimes I think you be cheating Esme."

Mrs. Cullen couldn't help but laugh as she grabbed the dice. She won this game all of the time, which is mainly the reason why she always chooses to play monopoly when it's her turn to pick the game of the week.
"Regina," Esme called out, "refill my glass one more time, and then you may head home for the night." While it was hours before the night maid was off, she always appreciated when her boss sent her home early for the night.

The young maid happily obliged and refilled both Esme and Carlisle's glasses. She grabbed the cart and pushed it into the kitchen before disappearing.
"How was the party?"
Emmett shrugged at his mother's question, "Same as usual. It could have been better. I heard you had to go into work today. How was it?"

Esme shot her husband a glare, before smiling towards her son, "Your father fired three doctors and seven nurses."
"Dad, why?"
"I had to," Carlisle sighed in frustration, "You don't understand. They were incompetent!" he set his hand onto his son's shoulder, "Your mother and I are the best that the hospital has…so it's only right that we hire the best. They weren't the best."

Emmett leaned forward and moved his piece on the board, "You guys just use your power to get what you want."
"You're right," his mother nodded, "You're absolutely right. We do use our power because if you don't use it, then it's a waste."

His mother leaned forward and pecked his forehead. She brushed her thumb across his dimple, "It sounds harsh, but it's a dog eat dog world."

Carlisle reached across the table and took a hold of his wife's hand, "You're mother is right. In this world, the only person you need to think about is yourself and your family. Everyone else…shouldn't be first in your life."
"Wow," Emmett sarcastically smirked, "you guys are made for each other."
Carlisle lifted his wife's hand and pecked her palm, "Yeah, we are."

"Mom," Alice yelled from the foyer, "Dad! I'm home!"
Gregory bowed towards the youngest Brandon, "Welcome back."
"Thanks." she whispered, grinning at him, "Where are my parents?"
"Your father is at work, and I believe Mrs. Brandon is in the kitchen."

Alice walked into the usually pristine kitchen to find it a complete and utter disaster. Jillian stood, apron tied around her waist, and flour sprinkled around her face, hands and clothes. Three batches of burnt cookies rested on a line of pans that sat on the counters. Alice couldn't help but snicker at her mother's attempt at baking.
"Oh Allie," Jillian rushed towards her daughter, "Thank goodness you're home! I'm trying to make cookies for the lake house, and I desperately need your help!"

Alice shook her head as she continued to laugh, "You need more than my help mom. Where's Owen?"
"In his room, asleep," Jillian tossed her daughter an apron, "Besides, I wanted to do this on my own. No help from the help!"
Alice twirled in front of her mother, "Do you see this dress? Rose gave me this dress after Rebecca made it. It's the only one of its kind. I refuse to ruin it in any way."

Jillian groaned sadly. She turned to face her burnt cookies and sighed. The sad look on her face always tugged at her daughter's heart strings.
"I'll go change."
The pout quickly dropped and a smile took its place. Alice turned on her feet, and abruptly stopped at the sound of her mother's throat clearing.
"Yes," She slowly turned around and faced her mother.

Jillian stood proudly, flour and all, and tapped her white covered cheek. Alice couldn't help but laugh as she pranced over towards her mother. She rose to the tips of her toes and pressed a kiss against her mother's cheek.
"Now you may go change…" She waved her daughter off.

Alice took her time as she walked up the stairs set in the middle of the entrance room. She trudged her way, slowly up each one as Gregory continued to stand beside the front door. Her bedroom door was already open, so all she just had to do was turn on the light.
"What are you doing in here?"

The youngest Brandon grinned from ear to ear at her manx cat, Mojo. Mojo purred softly as he laid on a pile of Alice's dirt laundry. Alice unzipped the zipper embedded into the side of her dress. She shimmied out of the tight fabric before grabbing a pair of comfy and silk pajamas folded neatly on top of her dresser. Alice may not have been the neatest person, but she knew where everything was.
"Okay," she scooped Mojo up, "let's go!"

Alice frolicked back into the kitchen and set Mojo down onto the floor. She eyed the apron her mother held out to her, "Tie this around your waist. I have a third apron. Go get your father."
"He's at work."
"He's at work upstairs, not at his work place." Jillian corrected, waving her daughter out of the kitchen once again.

Mojo followed Alice out of the kitchen and up the stairs, in the direction of her father's office. She could hear him arguing into the phone, and only hoped that he was in a good mood to actually help in baking cookies.
"You're fired!" Alice stopped just outside of his office, "Why? Because you're inept, and not to mention, you're unpunctual and rude!" She glanced down at Mojo and sighed, "I hope he's up for company."

She softly knocked on his opened door, before entering. He slammed the phone down onto its hook, before looking up to give his daughter his undivided attention.
"Mom wants us to come down and bake cookies together."

The scowl on Pierce's face quickly went away at the sight of his child. In replace of it, a smirk formed. He nods his head and silently sits back.
"Dad, you're being weird."

Pierce chuckled as he pushed stacks of folders to the side. He emptied a portion of his desk for Alice to take a seat. She obliged and slid on the expensive oak, as her father pat his knee, "You know you can always sit on my lap like you use to do."
"Yeah," she rolled her eyes sarcastically, "I'm not five. Dad, I'm not sitting on your lap."
He pouted, "I miss my little girl."
"Fine, but only for a minute!"

Alice sat on her father's lap and sighed. She absolutely hated this, but it made him happy. And if it made him happy, she couldn't complain much. He did everything for her. He would give her the world if he could, so she could offer up painless obliges that would make him happy.
"Alice!" Jillian brushed flour off of her hands, "Pierce!"
She hopped up quickly, "Saved by mom!"

Once he rose to his feet, his cell phone started to ring. He glanced down at the device before looking up to meet his daughter's eyes, "Let's go before your mother comes after us!"

Riley walked down the stairs of his quiet and usually always empty mansion. The chef went home for the night and the maids and other staff didn't utter a word because that's how Grant wanted it. He didn't want for them to speak unless they were spoken to.
"Our takeout is here," Grant informed, holding up two carryout bags of food.
Riley rubbed his hands together excitedly, "Hand it over!"

Grant handed the bags over to his son, as he went to pop the rented DVD of the night into the player. This was usually their way of ending the week. It was a way to spend time together after Grant's busy work week and Riley's school schedule.

The father and son silently ate their food as the movie started. Any time Riley spent with his father, something else always had his attention. This time it was the movie that pulled at his focus, any other day it's work. His father was always there physically, but mentally he was somewhere else.

His cell phone blaring interrupted the beginning of the movie, "Oh no," he pulled his phone out and glanced at the name, "I'm sorry son, but we'll have to finish this later!" Grant stood from his seat, set his unfinished food down and walked out of the living room.

Riley watched his father disappear into his office. He just shrugged his shoulders, as he turned to finish watching the movie. He was used to the apologies of his father. Something always came up. His father just tossed money his way to make up for it.
"Dad! Come on, you're missing the best part!" Riley bit into his food, as his wide eyes focused on the action film, "And your food is getting cold!"

All Riley received was silence. Grant didn't say anything. He paced in his office and yelled into the phone. His hand ran stressfully down his face before he stormed out of his office.
"Here I come," Mr. Biers muttered, shoving his cell into his pocket.
Riley pushed pause on the movie, "Is everything okay?"
"It's nothing for you to worry about," Grant responded, flopping down onto the couch. His cell phone started to ring again, but the older Biers quickly pressed ignore, "I'm done with work for right now."

Riley flashed his father a toothy grin before pressing play. Grant worriedly glanced at his son, he struggled to pay attention to the movie. His deal was going downhill and there was nothing he could do about it right now. He was trying to focus, but if his deal continues to go south, there's no telling what's to happen. Soon enough, the credits started to roll.
"Thanks."
Grant blinked out of his haze, "Anything for you," he ruffled his son's hair, "I hope you're ready for tomorrow."
"Yeah, I guess. I'm always ready for vacation. Besides," the youngest Bier shrugged, "We've been doing this for years. Jeannie!" Riley watched as the maid entered the living room, "I'm finished."

Grant and Riley rose to their feet as Jeannie cleaned up their mess. She silently collected the trash and avoided eye contact with her bosses.
"I really enjoy our time together dad."
Grant pats his son's shoulder, "I do too."

The father and son split up to head to their separate living quarters. Since it was just the two of them, the house did get lonely. It was too big, for no reason. Grant went right and Riley went left. They hardly ever ran into each other on accident, only intentional.

-Tiffany.