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: Technicolor

Show me a Garden That's Bursting Into Life

Philadelphia, 1948

I'd been seeing this restaurant filled with these people for nearly seven years now. At times I was working here because I was too impatient to get there that I arrived an entire year early and sang in the bar. Other times, I arrived after him, coming up behind him and it was almost like he was waiting for me. As it was, I was somewhere in the middle. I arrived early, when the restaurant first opened for the lunch rush and rented a room for the night from the barkeep. I then sat at the bar and waited.

It was a risk. The humans would get suspicious if I sat for too long without food or drink. I had to use my lightening reflexes, a large purse, and a now doomed ficus to create a deception as a waited. I my club sandwich sat in pieces in my purse and the poor ficus drank a bottle of soda, appeasing their curiosity while I waited for him.

I was sitting on the high stool at the bar. I had dressed for today in my favorite black pants and teal silk blouse. It was perfect for whatever he would once he knew the future. That was the only unknown. I knew he would listen to me and then choose me. I knew we would be together. But I didn't know what we would do first or where we would go after we decided; that would be his choice and since he had not made it yet, I couldn't see it. But I would follow him wherever he wanted to go.

So I waited: patiently on the outside, busting with impatience on the inside. To the casual observer, I looked expectant, anxious, possibly even hopeful. Inside I was a bundle of nerves. I had seen this and been planning for this for the entirety of my existence…well, at least the parts which I could remember. Finally, it was time for my happily ever after.

He was coming. He would open the door in just under a minute. I sat up straighter and ignored the older man who had been watching me for the past half hour. Silly humans and their infatuations wouldn't trouble me any more; my husband was coming.

The door opened and I was out of my seat the minute he ducked in out of the rain. He was taller than most men I had encountered. His long blond hair was curling with the wetness of the day. A well worn, brown hat sat jauntily on his head, covering the deep burgundy of his eyes from the weak eyes of the humans. He had a powerful jaw line that and a long neck, crisscrossed with battle scars. His clothes made me frown, though not because they were cheaply made or because they weren't the latest fashions. They made me sad. I noticed the small tears and smudges on the cloth. He hadn't been taking care of himself. I smiled. Well, now he would have someone to take care of him.

I walked over to him, ignoring his initial wariness at my approach. I knew he knew I was a vampire and that he was wary of my intentions. It didn't matter. I knew of his gift and I knew he would feel my intentions before he would attack. When I was close enough to him for it not to cause alarm to the humans, I began whispering to him.

"You've kept me waiting a long time," I said.

His eyes were wide with wonder and he seemed overwhelmed with the emotions he was experiencing and those that were rolling off of me. He ducked he head slowly, tipping his hat.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," he said with a southern drawl that sent chills up my spine. It was the first time I had ever heard him speak. In my visions, he was always standing there quiet.

I held out my hand to him. "Alice," I said.

He took my hand with a smile, never blinking. He seemed surprised with himself.

"Alice…?" he said.

The question hung between us. I felt some of my old resentment at being the tiny singer without a name or the eccentric ingénue with only a first name rise up in me as I thought of the question. I beat those emotions down; they had no place here.

"Just Alice…for now. I've rented us a room, Jas."

He raised his eyebrows at me but didn't seem shocked that I had made arrangements for us and knew his name. I turned and he followed me through the restaurant to a set of wooden stairs leading up the second floor guest rooms. His hand never left mine. Forever had begun.

A/N: They are just so perfect for each other. *sigh* I was anxious to get these two together. I think their two year journey to find the Cullens will be full of fun and excitement. Just so you know, I'm not actually going to write the moment that they meet the Cullens...I don't want to ruin anything for when I write it in Edward's story. But hey, there's an idea for anyone thinking about bidding on me for the FGB fundraiser...Alice's POV of the first time she meets her favorite brother. I'm just saying. ;) Anyway, hope you enjoyed their first meeting. More to come tomorrow...I wonder what they'll be up to in the hotel room?? hmm. ~Jen