"Apologies are very rarely necessary here, Alice." Esme said gently, squeezing her hand and echoing something her husband had said very recently, too.

She might find the only true exception to that in Rosalie. Rosalie was exacting at times and words helps to soothe things for her. Esme hoped it wouldn't take too long for Rosalie to come around to the girl, predicting they could get along over several things already.

Without pulling her hand away, as they turned into the downtown, Esme's smile picked up as she said, "As this is your first time to be out and about after so long, I think you should pick the first place we go."