Romeo and Juliet- Alternative ending
My heart races as I am standing here in the town square. My beloved husband stands with me, back to back and hands clasped and intertwined. Our rival families standing in close approximation with lit torches and swords drawn.
Our speech memorized so it can be said in unison, our supportive friends scattered in the crowd waiting for our signal. We raise our hands and begin our speech as our dear friends chant 'We are one' in repetition.
"We are one and the same. We have taken our sacred vow. Our hearts belong to none other but each other and God. If you wish to support us and take us into your hearts, then treat this as a marriage treaty. If you wish the senseless bloodshed to continue, then slay us now. If you wish to murder your son and daughter, know that not two will die but three.'
We draw our swords and throw them at our feet. A third of the crowd stands in awe, a third draws swords and a third holds those with drawn swords back. We have a plan 'B' and we need it now. Romeo spins me around holding me tightly as he throws down a glass vial creating a plume of smoke thick enough for us to go down the trapdoor hidden below us.
The catacombs are dark and dank, several torches and two bundles filled with supplies enough to get us to or destination are waiting for us. Though it pains us we know this our only option. Maybe in time things will settle enough for us to return, but for now we must escape.
Our path is carefully marked to prevent our being lost and we escape the underground tunnels into the next day's bright light. Into the hills we flee. A small hut awaits us, filled with enough supplies and furniture to make us comfortable as we get on our own feet.
This first night is terrible due to the memories of viciousness within the eyes of some of our beloved kin. It is also a wonderful night because, for the first time, we can spend the night in each other's arms without fear of our secret being discovered.
-One Year Later-
It is a regular morning; I sit here in the early rays of sunlight with our sweet daughter at my breast. If ever I were to believe in magic, it would be the look in my child's eyes as she looks into my eyes in peaceful moments such as these. I look up to see my dear Romeo running towards me with a gleam in his eyes. I quickly stand and cover myself and bundle or precious little one back up. Then I see why my husband is in such good spirits. Our parents are behind him coming towards us with open arms, pleas for forgiveness, and hope for us to return home.
Our families now have peace. Our child can grow knowing nothing but peace between the ever blurring lines between the Montagues and Capulets.