Rosalie finished a beautiful and delicate brown smoky eye, "Here, you always did the best winged liner." She explained as she handed me the liquid liner pen. I smiled and took the pen graciously placing my liner in one perfect line.

"I love doing that." I vibrated

She then took each curl delicately out of their pins and spray them so that they each laid perfectly in their place. "Done." She sung with a pleased look on her face.

I jumped up from my seat and ran to the bed to retrieve my dress and shorts. I carefully pulled the dress over my hair and face smoothing it with my hands. I turned to Rose with a spin, "How do I look?"

She stepped towards me and pulled me into a tight embrace. "You look amazing Ali, you always do."

"Thank you Rose…For everything." I whispered to her. Hugging her even tighter.

She released me, "Now…Let's not mess up my hard work. You have an eager gentleman awaiting you."

"Rose?"

"Yeah, Ali?"

"I'm nervous." I admitted.

"Why on Earth would you be nervous?" she laughed.

"I'm scared for one that I won't be any good at swing dance. For two, I'm scared of losing him."

"I hardly doubt even the most horrific dancing could scare Jasper off." She jested. "But in all reality Alice, I've seen you swing dance. You are incredible, and I can confidently say that would be something that would have stayed with you. Plus, Jasper, as much as I hate to admit anything good about my brother, he's an amazing leader. He won't let you be terrible. And as for losing him? Alice, as long as Jasper Whitlock Hale is alive, he will be by your side. He's incapable of going anywhere where you are not."

I nodded and swallowed hard as I walked to the bedroom door. I opened it, made my way to the top of the staircase with Rosalie's aid, and my heart stopped. As I glanced at the edge of the stairs to get my footing, I saw him. He was a sight to cure any romantic. I couldn't wait any longer, I quickly made my way down the stairs towards him.

When I arrived at his feet, I bowed and offered him my hand. I had to stay classy, and refined. He was a southern gentlemen and was probably used to no less.

"You are a breathtaking sight Major." I breathed to him, having studied a great deal about World War II army uniforms in my spare time. What's more was I called him Major before. I'm not to sure what that was about.

"I thought you weren't a history major."

"I have a refined appreciation for a man in uniform."

Just then Edward walked to Jasper and handed him something. "Alice Darlin', your neck is looking a little bare."

I grabbed quickly at my throat having forgotten the beautiful necklace of stones and pearls Rosalie had prepared for me "Oh no, Rose!"

"I thought perhaps you would like your crest to wear." Jasper said as he dangled a necklace from his long finger.

I examined the necklace closely as I took it from him. It had unique pieces on it including a heavy crest. I had noticed that the Cullen men all wore a bracelet with the crest on it. "Oh Jasper…It's so beautiful. It's just like yours…" I had a flash of a vision as that moment, almost a memory. "Wait. I've seen this necklace before in a vision."

"It was yours, I only thought you'd want it back."

I gave the necklace back to Jasper and twirled in front of him raising my hair. I loved having him so close. I offered my thanks and spun to give him a delicate hug without getting makeup on his no-doubt expensive uniform. The details of it were immaculate but I suppose I should have expected no less. There was a very real chance that the uniform had seen the war itself.

"You both look amazing. May I take your picture?" Esme offered more out of politeness than an actual question.

I happily obliged, bringing myself closer to Jasper and showing genuine happiness for the camera.

"Son, I have a surprise for Alice and yourself out front if you wouldn't mind." Carlisle offered as he made his way next to his beloved.

A surprise? I was normally the one to surprise others!

"I'm afraid she was a year late to assist the Allies, but she's still a beauty."

When we walked outside, there was a beautiful vintage Triumph perfect for a U.S.O. ride in style.

I couldn't contain my excitement at the perfection as I ran to the car. "Carlisle! This is incredible, thank you!" I bellowed as I hugged him. This truly made the night perfect.

Jasper opened the passenger door for me and lowered me into the car, my hand in his. He waited for me to fasten the lap-belt before closing the door securely but also gently. As he got into the driver's seat I was gleaming ear-to-ear. I had only hoped there were some significant modifications to the car to better weather the storm ahead.

We waved to the family as Jasper pulled away. "You ready Darlin'?"

"So much more than ready." I laughed. "thank you for all of this Jasper, I've really needed this."

"I am the one who should be thankin' you Darlin'. You've brought a new light to my life, and to the family's. I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" I was taken aback.

"I promised I'd take you to a U.S.O. dance in 1970, that's why I had the uniform. But we never made it, and that was my fault. Could you ever forgive me?"

"Jasper. There is absolutely nothing to forgive. I'm assuming it had something to do with restraint? Rosalie was talking about how her restraint keeps her from doing the things she really wants, so I could only guess."

He nodded. "I was denied the proper upbringing that our adopted siblings were privileged with."

"I saw the Civil War uniform in your closet too. Is that for Gettysburg reenactment week or something like that?"

He lowered his head into his laughter. "No. No, that one was government issued."

My jaw dropped as I turned in my seat to face him more. "Wait, really? Like you fought in the Civil War?"

"Well, I never saw any real battle." He chortled. "I was turned before the start of the battle of Galveston. I was evacuating women and children."

"How chivalrous."

"I was on my way back to camp when I found three women. I stopped to offer them my aid thinking they had gotten lost from the convoy."

"But they were vampires?"

He nodded. "The oldest was Maria, a Spanish vampire who held the territory down there. She was, and still is in fact, a leader of the southern vampire Army. She needed a soldier with battle training. Someone who could keep her safe and secure her territory."

Maria. A Spanish vampire? Could she possibly be the one from my dreams? No…That would be too much of a coincidence. Why would I have anything to do with a southern army?

"Is this the awkward ex talk? I feel like it is." I nervously joked.

His head dropped again into another laugh. "I thought I loved her, I did. But I soon realized she loved the security I brought her. I was a puppet. My powers served her well."

"I'm so sorry Jasper. It's so weird that I've seen so much of your family, but nothing of any of your pasts."

"It was all a long time ago Ali."

I was grateful for Carlisle's gift. The car didn't break 65 mph, nearly half what I was used to with Jasper. It gave us time for much needed conversation.

"Is that what the scars are from? From the wars?"

Jasper pulled at his sleeves.

"Jas, I'm not judgmental or scared. I just want to get to know you." I scooted closer to him.

"I know Darlin'. It's just that I'd rather you didn't know about the nightmare I really am."

"You said it yourself Jas. You didn't have the same upbringing as the others. I'd say the experiences you've had in what? Two centuries? They've got to make you a better person. You've been through so much with this world. You've seen so many lifetimes. I think it's rather remarkable."

He shook his head. "You've always had a unique perspective on everything Alice." He stated with a smirk.