Penname: javamomma0921

Derivative Fiction

Rating: M

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: Style

Wedding Bells

May 15, 1932

Dear Brienne,

Thank you so much for everything you have done for me. You have enriched my life and given me reason to believe this life isn't merely one mistake after another. You have been my friend and for that I am more grateful than you can possibly know.

That is why it is with such sadness that I leave you this way. I just cannot pretend anymore, Brienne. This wedding planning has brought back so many painful memories for me, so many things which I wish to forget. I must find another place to be, someplace where I won't be confronted with my past so often.

I hope you can understand and do not think ill of me. Please, give the enclosed gift to Gaby as my wedding gift to her. It can be her something blue if she wishes; I know she always loved it. Please, don't tell her this was because of her. I couldn't bear it if she blamed herself. I truly loved making her gown and I hope she enjoys wearing it.

You won't see me again. Thank you for everything you have done for me; I know that you and Gaby will take the shop far.

Yours,

Alice

I folded the letter and placed it in the envelope. I then unclasped the brooch I had worn nearly every day I was in the shop, a delicate humming bird crafted out of the finest sapphires and rubies. I kissed it once, a farewell to my friends, and placed it in the envelope as well. The envelope propped on the counter where I knew Brienne would see it, I locked the door and left my key beside the letter.

I sighed as I flew back to my little house. It had been paid for up until the end of the year, but I could not stay here. Brienne and Gaby would find me if I stayed close to the city. I needed to distance myself from them before their suspicions became speculations. It was more dangerous for them than it was for me, after all. I couldn't let them be exposed to the danger my secret posed to them.

I had heard stories, passed down by some of the wanderers I had encountered along the way, of the great Volturi sitting high on their thrones in Italy. The thought of them made me shiver, though I did not know why. There would be a time in my future where the Volturi and I would cross paths; it seemed inevitable given my gift. Now, however, it was vitally important that I not come to their attention. I did not have a family to shield me. I feared if my path crossed the Volturi's path, they could easily disrupt my destiny. It was better for me to be cautious for the human's sake, but I was being selfish as well. I wanted my destiny and I wanted it badly.

I packed up the house, preparing everything I wanted shipped back to America and also the rest, which I would donate to a local charity. I would ship my belongings to New Hampshire in the morning, but I would stay in France for three more days, hiding in the woods. I had a wedding to observe.

I was far too selfish sometimes. After all, I had seen Gaby in her dress three times already for various fittings. I just couldn't bear to leave the city without seeing her as a bride, dressed up for her wedding day. She would never see me, but I needed to do this. I wanted to be there for her even if she could not know I was there.

I spent my days in the forest, sitting in the trees drawing or singing softly to myself. It wasn't very different from what I did when I first woke up as a vampire. I didn't really know what to do with myself, though I knew I mustn't attack humans. The vision I had when I awoke, disoriented and blindingly thirsty, was both violent and compelling:

I awoke in the middle of a forest I didn't recognize in a body I didn't understand with longings I couldn't express. My throat burned, but I didn't know why. My mind was racing, but I couldn't process what was going on around me. I heard everything around me, from my startled noises, to the silence of the woods around me. Some part of me expected sounds of some sort; I know now some dim human instinct was expecting animal sounds which did not come because the animals were naturally frightened off by the newborn vampire.

I looked around the leaf and moss covered forest where I seemed to be hidden and that was when I got my first vision:

I was a red-eyed, thirsty vampire. I needed blood to drink, but I should not drink human blood; I was destined for more than normal vampirism. I saw myself as a golden eyed vampire, happily standing next to a blond-haired, golden-eyed vampire who would one day be my husband. He called me Alice. Behind us were five other golden-eyed vampires who were our new family. This was my destiny. I should begin the process of seeking it now, feeding only on the blood of animals. It would help me to blend in and prepare me for the time when I would meet my family.

I sighed, swinging my leg in the tree. Memories of my first days as a vampire were difficult for me. I remembered each of them with perfect clarity, but they were full of dizzying visions which I did not understand and utter loneliness. Hiding the forest now brought those memories back to me full force and I felt the emotions of those days more acutely.

The day of the wedding dawned with a beautiful sunrise. Gaby would have a perfect day for her wedding. I smiled at my happiness. Of course, I had seen this when she told me her wedding date. Still, it pleased me to see my vision coming to fruition. I ran back to the house, carefully listening for any signs of humans lurking around. My house was blissfully deserted. I slipped into the house and shrugged on my black wrap, the large sunglasses and wide brimmed, white hat I had laid out for today's journey.

I walked slowly toward the church where the ceremony would take place, tucking myself away behind a buttress of the church so that I might see the bride arrive without being noticed. The car pulled up and the throng of family and friends pushed closer to the car; I wondered if I had chosen unwisely. Of course, once the door opened, the throng backed up with a gasp, allowing the blushing bride a wide berth.

She was stunning. We had fit her with a low slung, combination hat and veil which sat jauntily on her head. Her hair had been slicked back as I instructed her, forming a flattering bun at the nape of her neck. The silver hat was pinned to the side of her head and the veil covered most of her face. The rest of the veil hung down to her fingertips. It was a battle getting her to agree to that length; she had envisioned yards and yards of gauze trailing after her. This was far more dramatic and beautiful on her.

Her dress fit perfectly. The "V" dipping down her back was accented with the finest rhinestones which trailed down the back of the dress and formed two trailing lines for the train. They sparkled and shone in the sunlight, stunning the crowd into silence. In the front, a higher, "V" accented her breasts and was outlined with a crisscrossed pattern of jewels. Despite the hundreds of jewels on the dress, the entire look came off very understated. It was the beautiful bride which everyone looked at and admired. The dress simply accompanied her style and grace.

I saw Gaby take a quick, sad look around the crowd, looking for someone who she knew was not there. She caught Brienne's eye and they smiled warmly at each other. Once Gaby was inside the vestibule of the church, Brienne took her turn looking around the crowd. I stepped out at that moment, drawing her eye, and turned to walk away. I heard her muffled cries of "Excusez-moi, s'il vous plait!" The crowd was too thick. She would have to choose between her friend's wedding and coming after me. I knew what she would choose and it was the right decision. I walked away, knowing I would never see her again. It was enough for her to know I had come.

A/N: I had a feeling y'all might like to "see" the dress. Also, I'm going to put a link on my profile page of the dress that I looked up when thinking about a 1930s style dress. Hope you enjoyed this ending for Alice. There is more in this one than I expected, what with the Volturi and all, but I still think she would have been thinking like this before she found Jasper and the Cullens. Let me know what you think! ~Jen