To Fill the Void

[Alice Cullen]

-I knew that Jazz was feeling the same way I was: We missed our family. Despite the brilliant technology at hand (Facebook, Skype, cell phones, etc), it didn't ease the ache of knowing all we had to do was walk through the front door and there they'd be.

It took getting used and honestly? I don't think any of use would fall into a completely comfortable place where it was "normal". The small consolation in all of this was how close Em and Rose were actually. At least we were on the same land, England was close enough to visit on a regular basis.

So, when the call came that a realtor I'd hired had a place for us to look at in town, for the boutique I wanted to start up, I hung up and found my mate in the living room, reading quietly.-

"Care to join me for a trip into town? Just a quick one. Angus found a small building he thinks might suit for what we have in mind."

[Jasper Hale]

*Sitting on the couch in the living room, holding a book, I pretended to read. I had heard Alice's phone ring and had assumed it was one of our brothers or sisters. She came skipping in with a big smile on her face, which instantly lifted my mood*

"Of course. I would love to see our future home away from home."

*Grabbing her hand with a smile, I got a bit of butterflies in my stomach. I loved feeling her hand in mine.*

[Alice Cullen]

-giving a cheeky grin, pulling him closer as I leaned into him- "Home away from home? Ah, you know me so well!"

I nuzzled my lips against his for a delicious moment before deepening it into a slow, thorough kiss that would have left us both breathless. If we had used our lungs. Mmm. Sighing, I pulled away and touched our foreheads together. "Have I told you how much I love you lately, Jazz? Because I do. More than I can ever say...."

Tugging his hand, I grabbed up my phone and the house keys, tossing the car keys his way. The town wasn't too far off but I didn't want to set the locals to wondering about our "odd ways" just yet. "I just hope this is "the one". We've been looking for weeks now."

[Jasper Hale]

"I love your passion about this, honey. I am so proud of you for your planning and hard work you have already put into this"

*I ran down to the car and opened her door for her. After she fluidly sat in the seat, I walked around to my side and slid into my own seat. Pulling around the drive, I headed towards town.*

"I am sure that, if by chance this isn't the one, that we will find the right place. Angus has been working hard for you. I don't think he would call us into town if it wasn't exactly what you were looking for."

[Alice Cullen]

-I nodded as he spoke, whipping out my phone as it buzzed and grinning at the text. Glancing at Jazz, I chuckled- Emmett. Said to tell you that Scotsmen are hoary, lazy bastards who can't take down a wall sign, let alone cattle. And he misses you. But not in a gay way.." -laughing and showing him the text before sending back a quick message about Englishmen being pansy, effeminate, polo loving lackwits and we'd see them soon before I turned my attention back to my husband as we drove to town. We made small talk, this and that. The great thing about Jazz is he just KNOWS me. If this was the right shop, the next few weeks would be busy. Busy was good. Before I could stop it though, it slipped out- "I hope Henry is okay."

I missed my Maker. More than I thought I would.

[Jasper Hale]

*Laughing at my brother's stab at humor, I could imagine him getting Alice's text back and laughing. Oh, I even missed his inappropriate remarks. I could feel Alice's sadness and her worry before she spoke about Henry.I grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles*

"Baby, I'm sure he is fine, but I know how much you worry. I can feel it and it hurts me. You know he loves you and he wouldn't want you worrying about him."

*I asked where the place was and she pointed to a row of buildings and I pulled in the lot across the street*

[Alice Cullen]

-Henry had made his choices, his decisions. And while I couldn't say I liked them, I'd honor them as his wishes as any daughter would and should respect her father's wants. Henry wanted me to go on...wanted our family to live out our eternity, away from Aro's devious gaze. But I knew it wasn't that easy. Despite Henry's assurances, I knew we weren't through the Volturi. Not by a long shot. But....later, I'd worry later...

Right now, I had other things on my mind. We both got out of the car, my hand finding his as he came around to my side while Angus walked from the front door of the cutest little shop nestled between a bookstore and a chemist shop, a huge grin splitting his ruddy face as he saw us and waved a greeting.-

"Och and it's good tae see the both of ya lookin' sae bonny and cheerful. I think this be the one you're looking for, Miss Alice. And it has a lovely nook in the back for Mister Hale there to make his own."

-I laughed merrily, nodding my head as I gave him a firm handshake- "I hope so, Angus. I want to get to work. I have soooo many ideas..."

My eyes were sparkling as I looked to Jazz then back to Angus who continued to beam, holding the door open to let us in.

And the moment we did...I just..knew. This was it. It felt...like it already belonged to us.-

[Jasper Hale]

*Not letting go of her hand, I took a firm grasp of Angus's and nodded my head in a greeting. I could feel Alice's mood completely lift up and her eyes were glistening from happiness. It just radiated off her and made me smile as she looked up at me*

"This seems perfect, my love. I feel like this is the right move for you and I definitely think this is the one."

*I gave her hand a little squeeze to draw her attention back to us. I could tell she was far away with plans and ideas. I couldn't help but laugh at her*

[Alice Cullen]

-I was already matching color swatches and designing wall units in my mind. I had books full of sketches back at the house, already filled with my visions of what I wanted. I only left Jazz's side once, to run around the rather large and airy shop, mentally calculating things and by the time I was back, he was already writing out the hefty check to Angus's office. Another few moments and Angus was tucking the check away and handing us the keys, dropping them into my palm-

"Ah have a feelin' this check willna be bouncin' a'tall. Congratulations Mister and Missus Hale....and if you be needin' mae services again, dinna hesitate to call."

-We both said goodbye to the gruff Scotsman, waiting until he was out the door before I literally threw myself into Jazz's arms, squealing happily and covering his face in kisses-

[Jasper Hale]

*I laughed as I watched Alice try to hold in her squeals while Angus was taking the check and telling us goodbye. My heart felt like it might explode from the happiness I felt making her dreams come true. I wrapped my arms around her as she threw herself into me and buried my face in her hair*

"So, I know you've designed the place in your head already. I can imagine it won't take long at all to get everything ready for the grand debut. I'm going to go check out my little nook."

*I kissed her behind the ear before I took off into the back. The area was very spacious and there was plenty of storage space. I knew this place would be up and running in no time and I couldn't wait to see this dream all the way through.*

[Alice Cullen]

-It was one way to fill the void. This shop. That was its purpose. But in no way did it replace my family. Nothing would. But this would keep me busy and bring a bit of light to this otherwise drab town, painted in hues of gray and mousse. It reminded me SO much of Forks, perhaps that was the driving reason for choosing it. Humming softly, as I took more mental notes and pictures with my phone, I happened to notice night had fallen, it was dusky outside. Maybe it was this very land, steeped in ancient folklore and mystery but it was like living in a Grimm Fairy tale. I loved it! Peering out the window for a moment as the sleepy town of Dunvegan settled into the twilight, I turned finally and made my way back to Jazz, watching him for the longest time as he stood in the middle of what would be HIS space here. He was so beautiful. Men can be beautiful, too. And my Jasper was proof of it. Sidling up to him finally, slipping my arms around his waist from behind, I hugged him close-

"I'm done here. Ready when you are, to head back home. Or ....whatever your heart desires."

[Jasper Hale]

*Feeling her hands wrap around me, I turned around and kissed the top of her head*

"Let's go drop the car off and go for a run. Maybe we can find something to eat and if not, well, we will figure something out."

*She laughed and we headed out to the front of the store. She looked around one last time, while I opened the door for her. We headed to the car and talked on the way home about her ideas for the shop. We would definitely be busy for a while and hopefully the void would be filled, even if it's just a temporary fix. Stepping out of the car, I glanced at Alice and smiled. She sensed what I was thinking and took off, trying to beat me. I threw my head and laughed and chased after my enticing and beautiful dream*