City of Life
Disclaimer: I made up the city Civima, so that is mine. I own the plot. Anything Twilight-related belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
This chapter is dedicated to Briony97, supertwilightobbsessor, KCcrazy, StantonDimitriCullen, sakuraxsyaoran-harryxdraco, twilightfanatic68, Jalice-Bedward-Rommett, MissBliss03, ChocolateGal16, Mznickwhite, .writing., xTwilightxChickx, Euffie, SunnySkies4Life, jackiehyde4eva, TheNamesKeepChanging, and BlueBelle.
The advertised story today is: True North by jasperinmyroom. It's completed, as is its sequel, Deep South, and the third story, East Meets West: Carpe Diem is in progress. It's one of those Alice-and-Jasper-switch-with-Edward-and-Bella stories, but this one is REALLY good, and THE BEST I have ever seen. It has a solid (and AMAZING) plot, has its own variations of everything, and makes me think that this is what Twilight actually would've been if Stephenie Meyer had dreamt about Alice and Jasper instead.
Summary: Alice Brandon moves to Forks with very low expectations, and nothing happens to change her mind. But Alice can't help feeling irresistibly drawn to the handsome, aloof Jasper Hale, and wondering whether she's really found her true direction after all...
READ IT! READ IT! READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sextus:
Emmett excused himself from the group, as he had a show to perform. Also, Alice had shooed him away, insisting that he shouldn't see the bride's gown until the wedding.
The townspeople bowed deeply as the Royal Princess and the duchess passed by, although Bella and Rosalie frowned when they heard some people whisper of Alice's witchcraft.
Afton followed close enough to protect them at a moment's notice, yet far enough to give them privacy.
Rosalie was describing how she wanted the wedding to look like. "The whole town is going to come, although I hope Royce, the idiot he is, won't hear about it until afterwards. The castle servants are going to come, and I hope you two can make it."
Alice nodded excitedly. "Of course we will! And we can bring Edward, mother, father, and even Jasper with us."
Rosalie blinked. The whole Royal Family was coming to her wedding. She took a deep breath and continued with the descriptions. "It's probably going to be cold, so it'll be indoors. But I don't know where. The biggest available indoor area is the church, and it won't be able to fit everyone."
"You can have it in the castle ballroom," Alice offered. "And I insist!"
Rosalie smiled. "Thank you, Alice."
"So what flowers do you want?" Bella asked.
"Well, I'm going to be having a bouquet of white daisies. I can't have that much, because the only place close by that grows them in winter is Lupitas, and they're going to be expensive to get. Oh, that means that I can't get many flowers at all, because Civima doesn't grow many pretty ones in the cold. And I don't have any bridesmaids yet."
Alice bounced up and down. "We can get flowers for you! And don't argue," she added. "We'll get you a bouquet of a dozen white daisies, and garlands of purple violets, to bring out your eyes. And the bridesmaids can carry red roses, for your name. Ooh! Bella can be your maid of honor, and I can be a bridesmaid!"
"Really?" Rosalie asked.
"Yes. But, Alice, don't you think you should be maid of honor? You're the princess, and Rosalie met you first."
"But we're both equal friends now, and you're going to be queen soon, which is higher than princess. Besides, I think Edward's going to be Emmett's best man, and best man and maid of honor walk down the aisle together." Alice winked at Bella.
"Who's going to give me away?" Rosalie wondered.
"Where's your father?" Alice asked.
Rosalie looked down. "He died after we moved here."
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Alice looked a bit sad. "How about my father gives you away? He thinks of you like a second daughter."
"The king – giving me away." Rosalie looked like she was going into shock. This was a lot to take in.
"Why not? Father would love to! And Jasper could be a groomsman, or he'll feel left out, and he'd feel better if he was closer to me so he could protect me better. So what color dress should Bella and I wear?"
"Well, you said you were going to carry red roses, so maybe red. And the cake – I'll ask Charlotte, the innkeeper, to bake one."
The three girls entered Makenna's dressmaking shop. Afton stood just outside the door. Makenna, who was very pretty and still thirty years old, greeted them with a smile.
"Your Highness, Duchess, Miss Hale. What can I do for you today?"
"I'm getting married in December, and I need a dress," Rosalie said, beaming. "Bella and Alice offered to be my maid of honor and bridesmaid. We've agreed on red dresses for them."
"Oh, congratulations, Rosalie! Come here, I need to get measurements."
For her wedding gown, Rosalie picked out an ivory silk, lace trimmings, and a cornflower blue sash. She'd also brought her mother's old wedding veil to make sure it was still in good shape.
Makenna sketched out a design. The dress would be strapless, with a sweetheart neckline, a white cloth rose at the center. The blue sash would be at the waist, and lace would line the hem. There would be silver beads along the hemline, too.
Bella and Alice's dresses would be simple, as they had no desire at all to outshine Rosalie on her big day. They would both be red silk and floor-length, as it was improper for a lady to wear something above the ankles when out in public. Bella's would be sleeveless with a square neckline, and Alice's would be off-the-shoulder with sleeves that didn't even go halfway to the elbow.
Bella and Alice said their goodbyes to Rosalie and headed back to the castle. Once they were in the safety of the stone fortress, Afton left to perform other duties.
Bella left to go find Edward, and Alice was left alone. She danced her way over to the music room, where Edward's grand piano resided. He himself kept it tuned, cleaned, and polished each day, and forbade anyone but Bella, Carlisle, Esme, and Alice to touch it.
Besides the piano, there were also all instruments Alice could possibly imagine. There was even an area with a hardwood floor to dance on.
Alice twirled around, basking in the warmth of the sunlight that came in through the wide windows.
"Your Highness." Alice grimaced and turned around.
"Lord James," she said stiffly.
He stepped into the music room, teeth showing as he grinned. He looked at Alice like a predator would look at its prey. "You look absolutely ravishing today."
"Hmm, thank you."
James sat down on the piano bench. Alice's eyebrows rose. "Prince Edward would appreciate it if you would not touch any part of his piano."
He sighed and stood up, but not before brushing his fingers across the keyboard. "Very well, only because His Highness or the king could order my death at any given moment."
"My father and brother do not kill people just like that," Alice snapped.
"Yes, because they are too cowardly, as they fear vengeance will be taken upon them," he sniffed. "And then who shall take the throne?"
"They are the bravest people I know. And my mother or I would take the throne."
James looked up, interest peaked. "You'd take the throne?"
"Of course. If no heir is left behind if the king and prince, the queen temporarily takes the throne until the princess is married and becomes the new ruler with her husband."
"Really." He stepped closer – way too close for comfort. "And who would be your husband if this is to happen?"
"Are you implying that you are going to perform treason?" Alice demanded.
"No, I never said that. Now," he said, leaning his face in, "who would be your king?"
"Definitely not you," she sneered. That was odd, Alice never sneered.
"You little –" James raised his hand to hit her, but another hand reached out and grabbed his wrist.
Jasper looked ready to kill. "You will not harm Her Majesty."
James looked at him condescendingly. "And you are?"
"Your worst nightmare." Jasper smirked as he carelessly twirled a little dagger around in his fingers. James looked at it warily then glared at Jasper.
"I shall speak to the king about this." He turned to Alice. "Remember, if you upset the wrong people, this kingdom may be left without anyone to take the throne."
James strode off and out of sight. Jasper gently took Alice into his arms. "Are you all right?"
Alice nodded. "He's going to do something."
Jasper kissed her forehead. "I'll tell His Majesty about him, and I'll mention him at my meeting with Peter and Charlotte."
Alice smiled and gently pecked him on the lips. "My hero."
Bella had gone to the gardens to meet Edward, but realized it was still too early, so she headed to the music room to sit by his piano and reminisce on her lullaby her wrote.
She jumped back, startled, when Lord James stormed by. Bella frowned and continued on, but paused when she heard Alice and Jasper speaking.
She caught sight of them kissing and almost gasped, but caught it just in time. Bella smiled. Her sister had finally found love. She'd keep the secret. But this might put the kingdom in danger.
Raise your hand if you think James should go drown himself in pudding! (Raises hand.) Wow, nice timing, Bella. Ha ha. Remember, review = preview!
