What Not to Wear
"Nes-sie!" Alice yelled, exasperated, as the unbelievably quick toddler darted gracefully around the living room. She dodged Esme's priceless furniture, knowing full well the consequences if she broke them. She had seen her uncles fight enough to fear her grandmother's wrath.
In Alice's tiny hands, was a pink dress complete with ruffles and enough sequins and sparkles to blind someone. The dream dress any young girl would desire. Alice could have easily caught the reluctant child, but she knew the struggle would be worthless once Renesmee threw a fit and Jacob would come to the rescue. He was too overprotective to let Alice have any fun with Renesmee.
Dress-up was never an issue until Nessie decided she was too old and voiced her unwanted opinions. She hated shopping almost as much as her mother. She's stubborn as Bella with the exact indifference towards fashion, she thought bitterly to herself. What had Alice done wrong? Didn't all girls like playing princess? Renesmee surely was one of a kind.
Nessie giggled in her adorable voice, and Alice's heart warmed, figuratively speaking. Nessie was the only one who could even make Alice consider changing her mind. Renesmee cautiously walked to Alice, and touched her shoulder. A picture of Nessie in a t-shirt and denim jeans entered her vision. After taking a long look at it, she sighed heavily. Why couldn't she dress her up like her own personal doll like she used to? Even when Nessie dressed herself, it still wouldn't look like the perfect outfit in Alice's mind.
"It's your first birthday! I want to make you look pretty," she coaxed, widening her amber eyes. Nessie frowned and looked at the ground.
"Daddy told me I was already pretty," she mumbled under her breath, but Alice could still hear her. Alice felt instantly terrible. She tried to rephrase her words for Nessie's benefit. Could she say anything to convince her that an exquisite dress would be better for this special celebration?
"I mean, make you look prettier! You always look pretty, never forget that. You're even more than pretty," she replied, touching Nessie's head gently. Nessie gave Alice a toothy grin.
"Thanks! So, I don't have to wear a dress?" she asked excitedly. Alice narrowed her eyes into slits. Nessie tricked her! She was stuck. Either tell Nessie she had to wear the dress and suffer the guilty conscience, knowing she had hurt the feelings of her favorite niece. Or, say she didn't have to and give the little monster satisfaction of wearing whatever she wanted. What to choose? How devious!
Alice decided on the safest answer that would bring the least conflict. In some ways, it was the most depressing answer. "It's up to you." Defeated, she set the outfit on the leather sofa and marched to the backyard, still managing to look as graceful as a professional ballet dancer.
Renesmee saw the disappointed and betrayed look on Alice's face as she left, and her stomach did little flip-flops. Alice was only trying to do what she thought was good for Nessie. It was just Alice being Alice. To wear it or not to wear it? She knew in her heart that she should make Alice happy…
Nessie stared at the overly pink outfit for a debating moment. Finally, she picked it up and ran to her room to change. Alice inwardly cheered as she peaked through the window to find the dress missing.