Penname: calin-durus

Original or Derivative (fanfiction): Derivative

Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): Rated M for language; No beta.

Disclaimer: All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

Prompt: cinch

"Suck it in Alice, I can't get this tighter if you don't help," Rose snapped at me.

"I need to be able to breathe Rosalie!" I shouted back before taking a deep breath and holding it as she cinched up the back of my corset.

"Well, you wanted to be a southern belle, so don't give me shit."

I rolled my eyes and scowled at her. She purposely chose now to bitch since she knew I couldn't fight back.

"I got the petticoat," Bella said as she rushed in. "Holy crow the guys look good," she giggled as she handed the petticoat to Rose. "Oh wow, that really pushed those up!"

Rose and I laughed at Bella's realization, well more so at the fact that she was blushing.

"They're tits Bella, you've seen them before," Rose sighed. "Alright Alice; done and cinched up."

After a quick thank you, the girls helped me into the cornflower blue dress. As Rose and I worked on my hair, I could see the questions in Bella's eyes.

"Just ask it Bella," I finally snapped.

Her eyes widened as she picked nervously at her nails. "I was just wondering… what is it like dating him. I mean, he's so much older than you."

"Jesus," Rose muttered as she shook her head and left the bathroom.

I knew this was going to come up eventually. I was honestly surprised it didn't happen sooner. "Can you hand me that bobbie pin?" I asked pointing at the stray pin. She handed it to me before pulling herself up on the counter. "What exactly do you want to know? It's like dating Edward, only Jasper is more…" I paused to think of the right word.

"Dead?" she offered.

"No, he's very much alive. His heart still beats for Christ's sake!" I rolled my eyes and stepped back to look at my reflection. "I was going to say either experienced or knowledgeable but whatever."

"How can he be alive?" she asked quietly.

I shrugged. "Honestly, we have no idea. We just know that he hasn't aged since his twentieth birthday."

Bella nodded. "It's kind of romantic… you two I mean."

"How do you figure?" I asked as we went out to my room where Rose was now dressed in her goddess costume.

"Well… I mean 'cause he's said he's gone through the years alone without a purpose or knowing where he was heading until he found you…"

I smiled and looked down at the gown of my costume. "I didn't know he said all of that…"

Rose opened her mouth to say something but was cut off the sound of knocking on the door.

"Come on in we're decent," I called out.

"Well, I don't know about decent," Rose muttered looking at Bella's retro rock star outfit.

"Relax Rosie, she's Joan Jett for Halloween," I defended as Emmett walked in, complete in a gladiator costume.

"Well, look at the pretty ladies…" he whistled. "Hey Ali," he added as an afterthought.

I rolled my eyes at my older cousin. "You're a dick."

He laughed and shook his head. "The guests are showing up and Esme wants Ali down to help great guests."

"Alright, let's go," I motioned for the girls to go ahead.

I picked up my parasol, slowly following behind my friends. I could hear Edward and Jasper laughing down stairs. My heart rate accelerated as it always does when he's near. This was different though. I was anxious to see him in uniform. After months of scowering for fabric that matched perfectly with his uniform and repairing it, I was finally going to see what Major Jasper Whitlock looked like when he a boy in his youth.

The cover, of course, was that he wanted to be his great grandfather for Halloween, replicating his uniform. But in truth, every element of that uniform was his.

When I stepped down onto the landing, I slowly looked up and my eyes locked on to his. A small smile graced his lip as he took my hand in his, brushing his lips across the knuckles.

"My own southern belle?" he asked amused.

"I figured the solider needed a woman to come home too," I winked at him.

"I'll always come home to you."

Want to see Alice's dress and Jasper's Uniform? Here you go http:/pm(dot)b5z(dot)net/i/u/10030340/i/b6195(dot)jpg - Alice's is obviously the blue and Jasper's uniform - http:/www(dot)civilwaracademy(dot)com/images/Confederate-Uniform(dot)jpg