We've reached Chapter Twenty! I can't believe this story has been so long! It means a lot to me that I have people who have been reading this the entire time and still like it, I know I certainly love writing it.
I know I said Rose's birthday was January 23rd but then I realized that means I skipped it so...just pretend she's turned thirteen. I may publish a flashback chapter or a one-shot later on, but for now her birthday has passed. As for Jackson, his birthday will be July 15th.
Green Meadow1870: They are very close. Opening up to him was another step in her life. She's making so much progress, I had to include more in this chapter! Rose's past has certainly evolved over time. Originally she was just a homeless girl, but then as I kept writing this story it became...well, what it is now. And I hope the wedding is good! I've never written one before.
Chapter Twenty
The next two months flew by. They bought Anne's wedding dress, and the place was set up. Luckily, O'Malley was a minister and could wed Anne and Phillip. The jobs were handed out - Lettie was the Maid of Honor and Phin was the Best Man. As for Rose and Jackson - they were the flower girl and ring bearer.
Rose had tried to put off getting her flower girl dress, claiming one of the dresses she already had would work fine, but she couldn't stop Anne from taking her out to a store before the wedding.
They found their way in and started browsing the dresses. Caroline and Helen would join them as soon as school ended.
When the sisters arrived, the man at the counter frowned. Like every building Rose and Anne were allowed in, it had a 'Colored' sign above the entrance. He hadn't expected to see two white girls come in. Especially two girls who looked like they had money.
"Hello, are you two lost?" he asked politely, walking up to them.
"No sir," Helen said, smiling. "We're here to meet our friends."
Suddenly, Caroline spotted Rose and Anne and grabbed her sister's hand.
"There they are! Rose! Anne!"
The two looked up to see them, and Caroline said good-bye to the man before running up to them.
A few people turned in surprise when they saw them, but none of the three girls noticed, they were two busy having fun.
Caroline picked up a very lacey pink dress and, giggling, said, "Imagine WD wearing this!"
Thus cracked up all the girls, and even Anne had to stifle a chuckle at the image that popped into her head.
The four scanned the racks before Caroline grinned and pulled up a dress. It was purple and she said, "This one matches your eyes, plus it has lilac mixed in and we know how much you like light colors."
Rose smiled and took the dress. It was clear she loved it, but she didn't say anything.
"Let's buy it," Anne smiled, and before Rose could protest she said, "This isn't just for the wedding Rose, you clearly love it."
Rose smiled and nodded.
"Let's buy it."
The dress was short-sleeved with puff sleeves. It was a beautiful purple that did match Rose's eyes. The skirt reached to just above her ankles and the purple fabric flowed down in a slightly puffy shape. Lilac lace lined the bottom of the skirt and the sleeves. A lilac ribbon was tied around the waist,
"Perfect, now all we have to get through is the actual wedding."
One week later, they were all ready. The wedding was going to happen in the circus, but it looked perfect. They had let the place fill with natural light and had placed a small stage at the edge of the ring. Chairs were lined up in front of it, and the flowers lined the edges of the aisle. A few people had gotten instruments out and would be playing the wedding music. Anne, Lettie, WD, Rose, and Jackson were waiting behind the bleachers.
"Are you nervous?" Lettie asked Anne, who smiled.
"Surprisingly...not really. I know this is exactly what I want and that Phillip will never hurt me. Plus, we already have a daughter. Even if we didn't get married we are stuck together."
Rose chuckled, and Lettie looked up as she heard her cue, giving Anne one last smile before walking down the aisle.
Jackson went next, and then Rose heard her cue. She gave Anne a quick hug then walked up, scattering rose petals as she walked. Anne had purposefully chosen roses because of her.
After she finished she sat down in one of the seats at the front.
And then it was Anne's turn. She walked down the aisle with WD at her side. They reached the stage and he kissed his sister's cheek and whispered in her ear, "Our father doesn't know what he missed."
Anne's eyes filled with tears and she hugged her brother, who turned and smiled at Phillip, who was staring at Anne, speechless.
"Take care of her."
He just nodded, his eyes still glued to his soon-to-be-wife.
O'Malley talked and then they exchanged vows. Jackson brought the rings up to them, then sat down next to Rose, who gave him a small smile.
"You may kiss the bride."
Phillip pulled Anne towards him and placed a gentle, love-filled kiss on her lips.
The whole circus erupted in cheers, and Rose was sure people on the street jumped at the noise.
Rose was the first up there, hugging her parents and whispering, low so only they heard.
"Congratulations Mom and Dad."
It was time for the first dance, and Rose nodded to their musicians before walking up to the stage.
She took a calming breath, steeling her nerves, then looked up. She met Jackson's eyes and gave him a small smile before starting to sing.
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave'
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me"
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
She finished the song. Everyone who hadn't heard her sing before was shocked, but Rose just smiled. She had written that song for her parents months ago, but only now got to use it. She sang a few more songs, then climbed down from the stage, smiling.
"That was amazing," Jackson said as a more upbeat song started to play.
She blushed.
"Thanks. It was hard, but they're my family. I couldn't do it in front of strangers though."
They stood there in silence for a moment, then Jackson spoke.
"So...everyone's dancing...want to?"
"To what?"
"Dance? You don't have to if you're not comfortable with it - I know how you are with touch, but I figured since it's a faster song and not a waltz-"
"Jackson," she interrupted, looking amused. "I trust you, you're my friend. Let's go."
He repeated those words in his head. She had never said it before, but he loved that she meant them.
I trust you.
He was broken out of his thoughts when she grabbed his hand and dragged him onto the ring. They laughed as they attempted to dance and they both tripped over their own feet a few times.
Anne and Phillip both watched how happy their daughter looked.
"They like each other," Anne said softly, and the simple sentence was loaded.
"At least she found someone, someone who trusts and respects her. He clearly knows quite a bit about her past, and never even touches her without asking," Phillip pointed out.
Anne bit her lip.
"I hope it all goes well. She's been through enough heartbreak."
Phillip smiled as he saw Rose giggle and spin around.
"I think it will."
Slight cliffhanger ending! I think I built up Rose and Jackson's relationship well enough to finally reach this part. Also, before someone says "They're too young," Jackson's nearly fourteen and Rose may be thirteen but she's very mature and has been through enough that her mental age would be higher.
Anyways, please review! I want to know what people thought of the wedding, I've never written one before so I would enjoy some feedback.
-Creator of Magic