1950, Toronto

[sheisourheart]

It's been a few weeks since Jasper and Alice settled into the house, enough that they are starting to slip into being part of the days rhythms and that Esme finds herself thinking toward their needs the same as everyone else's. It's a random weekday when she peeks her head into the room that look nothing like Edward had kept it.

Golden eyes settling on the girl with her note book, Esme's lips became a gentle smile watching her. "I was thinking about heading into town and wondered--"

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[betagainstme]

Alice presses one hand against her mouth, as if trying to stop the sob threatening to break free, her other hand turning over to grip Esme's.

It takes her a moment to know she'll be able to talk without actually wanting to cry and when she reaches that point, she shakes her head. "Ugh. Sorry."

[sheisourheart]

"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."

[betagainstme]

Alice stares out the window, silent and calm as she takes in the stores. There's one that she saw briefly the last time she was here...that carried the cutest dresses.


There. There it was. "That one." She presses a finger toward a store named Creeds.

[sheisourheart]

"A good place to start," she said, with an appreciative smile.

Esme parked relatively near to the store front.

[betagainstme]

"C'est bonne," Alice smiles, opening the car door and stepping out. A few ladies are walking down the street, arm in arm, talking and looking at the windows of Creeds.

Alice smiles at them hesitantly and stands, hands clasped together, waiting for Esme.

[sheisourheart]

Esme had stepped up to Alice's side, slipping her purse.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Cullen."

Came one voice from the edge of the looking crowd, a rather austere looking woman, with a pinned hat, whose hand was being tugged at by a young teenage girl, pointing at a dress and babbling about the color of the skirt still.

"Thank you, Mrs. Vander," Esme said as they walked up, a smile brightening her face instantly. "How is your husband faring?"

"He is well," she said, with strict pride as she straightened her back. "I keep him strictly on the plan Dr. Cullen gave him." Turning her green eyes and lavender ensemble with hat toward Esme's companion, she added. "And this is?"

[betagainstme]

Alice hesitates, suddenly stricken and unsure how to introduce herself as a member of the Cullen Family.

"Alice," She smiles quickly, her hands clasped in front of her still. "I'm--"

She breaks off discreetly and glances over at Esme. She's what? Visiting? Distant family?

[sheisourheart]

Mrs. Vander, of the green eyes which narrowed on the warbling young girl, then propped one eyebrow up looking back over to Mrs. Cullen, who was glancing over at the girl with fondness. "I did not know you had another daughter?"

Esme's smile was more warm than amused. "She's just come home to us. Alice, this is Mrs. Vander. Her husband and son have been coming to Carlisle since we moved here. Mrs. Vander, Alice."

They could both take from her answer to question what they liked.

[betagainstme]

"I've...been traveling." Alice nods, smiling at Esme. "With my husband. We've finally returned home, much to my mother's happiness, I hope."

Alice curls her fingers around Esme's arm in a loving gesture before nodding again to Mrs. Vander. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

[sheisourheart]

"It is a delight," Mrs. Vander puts pressure on the second word most and the fourth only slightly less, as she peers at the girl. Her faintly graying hair and very nice suit framing her. "To meet any relative of Dr. Cullen's. Your father is brilliant man and our hospital is lucky to have grabbed him up. And all of you, of course."

"Of course," Esme said, feeling the sensation in her chest expand. She didn't a physical heart to choke on the sensation of Alice simply following and wrapping herself closer.

"I shouldn't hold to two of you up too much longer. You two look bound and determined to make a day of something."