A/N:Hey look at me! A new chapter in a reasonable amount of time from the last! I'm on a roll! Anyway, I want to thank all of you who reviewed the last chapter. You guys literally make my day. I run around telling my boyfriend and my sister and anyone who will listen about your reviews.
To say thank you, after the last chapter I will be posting a special, personal message to each and every one of you who reviewed this story. And if you haven't reviewed yet, I'd love it if you could tell me what you think. Even a short message will make me do a happy dance. I'd love it if we could take this story to over 50 reviews before the last chapter is posted.
After this chapter will be the happy ending I promised. So look for it soon. And as a special holiday present to you guys I'm working on a longer holiday Jalex. There, I've said it. Now I've shamed myself into having to write and finish it before the holidays are over. So check it out, it'll be posted up soon. It's called "All I Want For Christmas" and it's about our favorite couple getting themselves into a tricky mess during the holidays and needing each other to get through it. Lame summary I know but I'll post a better one and a preview with the last chapter here.
Now, without further ado, here's chapter four. Also, I don't own Wizards of Waverly Place.
New America, 2524
"Alexia Jane, please get ready for the party," Lady Mary Theresa said. Alexia Jane stood up from the table, ever the obedient daughter.
"Mother, what is Alexia Jane doing home?" As she climbed the stairs, she heard his voice and a frown marred her perfect face.
"Darling, your sister is home for your party tonight." Her mother's voice came floating in from the hallway.
"Miss Alexia Jane, your bath is ready," Celia Ann, her maid came in and curtsied. Celia Ann's blue eyes never looked up.
"I shall adjourn at once then," Alexia Jane said, a smile returning upon her face.
"Celia Ann," Alexia Jane had finished her bath and was now playing with the fabric of her chemise as Celia Ann dressed her. "Do you believe J.J. will marry Miss Mary Catherine?"
"I believe it is God's will that Mr. John Justin should marry very soon," Celia Ann said carefully. "Ever since the Divine Rebellion, you know all God's Children, upon reaching eighteen must marry."
"Yes," Alexia Jane nodded. "Father reads the Holy Laws to us every night. Our Holy Father has made a Divine Country and we must repay him by following all laws the Pope has set forth for us," she imitated her fathers voice. There was no sarcasm in her words.
"Do you want Mr. John Justin to marry her?" Celia Ann asked quietly.
"If it is God's will, I must accept," Alexia Jane said without looking up. "It will mean J.J. is no longer needed at home. He will go to University and leave this house for me and Maximilian."
"My lady, why do you and Mr. John Justin dislike each other so?" Celia Ann asked as she poured warm water over the soap on Alexia Jane's head.
"That is impertinent," Alexia Jane said sharply.
"Forgive me, Miss," Celia Ann said, a note of fright in her voice. Alexia Jane dismissed her maid.
"Father," J.J knocked politely on the door of his father's study.
"Come in, son," Sir Matthew smiled brightly at his son. "Are you ready for your party?"
"Yes, I am," J.J. nodded. "Tomorrow, I am a man."
"You will make our Lord proud," Sir Matthew said. "When you join in marriage to Miss Mary Catherine Harper."
"It is that I wish to discuss with you," J.J. said. "I am not certain she is obedient enough."
"Well, my son, there are ways to tame a wild cat," his father intoned. J.J. walked over to the leather couch and sat down.
"I need a wife who will be completely obedient to me. Miss Mary Catherine has been in the past...willful towards this union. She has intimated she may not accept my offer. She believes Mr. Ezekiel will offer her first."
"You must not let that happen," Sir Matthew said, a look of anger in his eyes.
"I know, Father," J.J. said solemnly. "I shall do as you desire."
"As God desires," Sir Matthew corrected.
"Move out of my way," J.J snapped as he saw his sister emerge from her room. The two siblings' relationship was deeply bitter.
"Your impertinence astounds our Lord," Alexia Jane snapped back. "I, being a woman, have the right of walkway."
"And I, being a man, have the privilege of correcting your misguided thinking," J.J.'s dark eyes flashed in anger.
"Is it not said that God desires man should put woman first?"
"Yes, woman," J.J. agreed. "Not child."
"You are the most arrogant, pig-headed swine of a man to ever grace this land!" Alexia Jane's voice rose.
"One is to wonder how you might catch a husband, being as you play the part of a pure woman while soiling your good name with the St. Peter's boys every chance you get."
"Mr. Dean offered to walk me to my class once!" Alexia Jane said. She balled her hands into fists. "Why do you hate me so?" her voice cracked into a whisper.
"Only because you sully the good name of Russo!" J.J snapped, stalking off down the hallway to his room. Alexia burst into tears, hating her brother with all she could muster.
She returned to her room to finish getting ready. It simply wasn't fair. After letting Mr. Dean walk her to class once, J.J. had accused her of impropriety and grown so angry with her.
Ever since, their feud had only grown, until their hatred eclipsed any familial love they might have once shared.
"You look perfect, Miss," Celia Ann said with a smile. "Every boy will be asking for your hand soon."
"Yes," Alexia Jane said distractedly. "You are right." She opened her door at the same time her brother opened his door. J.J.'s face had a strange look, replaced quickly with a scowl. He retreated back into his room while Alexia Jane walked down the stairs and into the sitting room.
"Mother, do you like my new party dress?" Alexia Jane twirled around with a smile on her face. Lady Mary Theresa smiled brightly in return.
"It is quite befitting to a proper young lady," her mother said with a nod of approval. "Now, your father would like to remind us ladies to be on our best behavior." Alexia Jane nodded in understanding.
"Miss Mary Catherine, a pleasure to see you as always," Alexia Jane greeted Mary Catherine cordially, the perfect hostess. Inside, Alexia Jane was secretly pulling out every one of Mary Catherine Harper's strawberry blonde hairs and ripping her purple party dress to shreds. Alexia Jane would have to give penitence to Father tomorrow for her unkind thoughts but for now she relished them.
"Miss Alexia Jane," Mary Catherine nodded.
"Oh there you are, Miss Harper," Ezekiel appeared out of nowhere and bowed to the girl, a wide smile on his face.. Alexia Jane made a face that neither noticed.
Eventually the party reached its full swing and Alexia Jane found herself on the porch in the company of the young Mr. Mason.
"I do believe that Father Edward was right when he stated we have a duty to open our hearts to God's will," Alexia Jane said, flicking some of her hair over her shoulder. "After all, even with the Holy Laws we can only know what to do so much." She smiled when Mason nodded in agreement.
"I think that..." but before he could finish, a deep voice rang out over their heads.
"Alexia Jane, what are you doing?" she looked up to find J.J standing in the doorway, looking at them with dark, flashing eyes.
"I'll just be leaving," Mason said, hurrying away.
"We were simply talking!" Alexia Jane burst out.
"Without a chaperone?" said J.J. He walked over to his sister and grabbed her arm roughly.
Alexia Jane saw the dark hatred in his eyes and felt something inside her break. How could the close relationship they had once shared as children be so completely gone now? Why was he so hateful and angry with her now. It made her want to cry. Her eyes welled up with tears.
"We have committed no impropriety," she said smugly, turning her nose up. "There are more than twenty adults and fifty of our peers in that house. We are in full view of dozens of people. We were talking," she hissed. Her brother held onto her arms with a vice-like grip.
"You're hurting me," she said and tried to break free. He continued to hold her so she stopped moving. He loosened his grip when she relaxed. They stood there in the light of the porch, the swing creaking almost ominously behind them.
"Please, J.J." Alex looked into his eyes. "Why do you hate me so?"
"I do not hate you," he growled.
"Then why are you so mean to me?" Alexia Jane cried. J.J. released her arms. She held them to herself, rubbing them. There would surely be bruising tomorrow. "Why does it matter who I spend time with?"
"It just does," he said.
:"But why?" she pressed.
"Leave it be!"
"I cannot. Not until you tell me why you are so worked up over who I talk with."
"Alexia Jane Russo!" J.J. spat. "Not now!" She felt her excitement mounting as she pushed him for answers. She took an unconscious step forward, making him step backwards to avoid her.
"Yes now! Tell me why I cannot walk to class with Mr. Dean or talk with Mr. Mason!"
"Because you're mine!" He exploded, grabbing her again, looking at her with an intensity that rocked her backwards on her feet. Alexia Jane felt tense and nervous but a part of her was not afraid at all. "You're mine only. No one else's. I will not let you go."
"Good," she said softly. "I don't want to be anyone else's."
"Alexia Jane," he said with a warning. She pressed close to him, looking at his wrinkled brows, clearly confused at the turn their conversation had taken. He groaned and pushed her away. "What are you doing to me?" he asked. She shrugged.
"We have cleared the confusion."
"I suppose we have," he whispered, leaning in to gently kiss her. "You're my Alexia Jane Russo, mine," he whispered after their kiss. "Don't you forget it."
"Never," she agreed.
Unfortunately, their kiss was seen by another.
That night was the end of the tension between Alexia Jane and J.J. That night was also only the beginning of their nightmare. Their crime was great according to the Holy Laws. They were taken from their family, separated and condemned.
Alexia Jane stood, trembling on the scaffold. The icy air was making her cold heart even colder. After they had taken her and her brother to the gaol and then the Work Camps, she had grown numb inside to shield her heart from any more hurt.
Wearing thin garments that barely kept the cold from biting deep into her bones, she reminisced about the luxurious dresses and clothes she once had. Her bare feet scraped roughly on the wood, making her long for the fine shoes she was once privileged to own.
And as she faced the noose for her crimes, her heart lifted in thought that she might once again be joined with the deepest love she once had.
"Alexia..." a hoarse voice startled her from her final thoughts. She turned her head slightly, seeing a familiar face look back at her across the wide platform. Her heart lept upon seeing J.J.'s face staring back at her. If she wasn't so frightened, she might have laughed that they were to be hung together.
They waited to die, small smiles upon their tear-stained faces. When it was their time, they stepped up to the twin nooses, waiting once again as they were placed around their young necks.
"Remember," J.J. whispered, so only she could hear. "You're mine."
The hang-man released the lever.
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