Penname: javamomma0921

Derivative Fiction

Rating: T

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: Air

Like the Air That I Breathe

Something was wrong. Jasper was intentionally and erratically changing direction today so our entire day kept disappearing. It was only early morning, but I was already fed up with his antics. I froze where I was, crossing my arms and refusing to go any further.

"C'mon baby," he coaxed me. "Can't you just play along?"

I looked harshly back at him, waiting for him to say something more. He sighed, his arms falling to his sides and then the day fell into place. My hands flew to my face. Today was the day: we were getting married.

"Oh!" I exclaimed. "How long have you known?"

"Just for the last week," he mumbled. "I wanted to hold you off at least until we got to the dress."

I frowned.

"Why can't I see my dress?"

"Because I haven't seen it yet," he explained with a smirk, happy that he could surprise me in some way. "I wrote ahead while we were on the coast. I don't know what they created for you."

"When do they open? Are you sure it's ready?"

He placed his palms on either side of my face and I immediately began breathing again.

"It's all taken care of, Alice," he whispered. "Can you let me lead?"

I nodded.

"Let's go."

We ran the rest of the way into town. It was difficult for me to slow down enough to look normal to the humans. Jasper was trying to calm me.

"You know I dislike it when you handle me, right?" I asked.

"I was under the impression you liked when I handled you, darlin'," he drawled.

I squeezed his hand. "That's not what I meant," I hissed. "I dislike the mood altering, Jas."

"I know. Sometimes you need it though. Look, Alice."

I looked at the store front where the creamy ivory gowns hung in the window, the sequins shimmering in the florescent light. All of the gowns were beautiful and classic looking. I looked up at the name above the door and couldn't believe my eyes. Gabriella's Boutique. The vision hit me strong.

"I can't go in there, Jas," I said backing up.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"I know the owner. That's Gaby, my protégé from so long ago. I can't…she'll recognize me!"

"How long has it been?"

"Twenty-five years," I said. "She will expect me to be almost fifty by now!"

"Or, she'll assume you are Alice's daughter…humans rarely assume the strange and unusual."

"You think?"

I looked ahead into that future and saw the scene play out as Jas had suggested. Gaby would be older, of course. She would see me, the vision of her former mentor, and she would immediately remember. But, instead of recoiling in fear, she would remark on the similarities between me and her former friend to which I could easily reply that the woman she described was my late mother. I smiled.

"Alright, let's go in. I'm dying to see Gaby again anyway."

It was harder than I anticipated keeping myself from running over to her and squeezing her into a tight embrace. There was a look in Gaby's eye when she saw me that said she knew me for who I was, but just as quickly I could see that she was choosing to ignore that in favor of the more reasonable explanation. She took me in the back and showed me the dress she had created for me. It was stunning, of course. I wouldn't have expected any less from my former protégé.

She had crafted a beautiful lace gown with an asymmetrical neckline and covered in antique lace. One of the sleeves was long and belled at the bottom, the other side was strapless.

"It is perfect with your beautiful complexion, Al—I'm sorry. What did you say your name was?"

"My name is Alice," I replied. "Father named me after Mother when she died in childbirth."

"God rest her soul. She was a beautiful woman and so talented. She could have designed you an even more beautiful gown than this."

"Well, it's a bit like she is designing for me; you were her student?"

"She taught me everything I know," she replied immediately.

"No, I think you expanded greatly on her work," I said softly, fingering the delicate fabric. "This is so beautiful."

"Thank you, dear."

After Jas paid for the dress, we left the shop. I caught Gaby peeking out of the door as we walked away, following us with her eyes.

"Do you like it?"

"It's perfect. It's exactly what I would have designed for myself if someone had given me the chance."

He snorted at me and pulled me closer to him.

"It's better this way and you know it."

He was right, of course. This was exactly the way it was supposed to be, as if my life was coming full circle.

"Where are we going?" I asked, as we headed out of town again.

I was looking forward and the only thing I could see was a ring of old trees and a clearing trimmed in fine lace.

"I hope you're not too disappointed with where I've chosen," he said, looking down. "I thought it best to keep as far away from the humans as I could, so I hired a non-denominational minister to marry us in the middle of the woods. He thought I was a little eccentric, but he agreed…for the right price."

"It'll be perfect. Just like everything else you've planned."

"I tried to plan it like I thought you would want it."

I turned to him and took his face in my hands.

"No one has ever known me as well as you know me. No one else could have given me what you are giving me today. It will be perfect. I'm sure of it."

We arrived at our destination. He had set up two small tents on either side of the clearing: one for me and one for him. I didn't have to ask when he found time to do all this; it was so clear that all of the time he "went hunting" in the past couple of weeks, he had been preparing this for us. I saw the lace which must have been placed just last night. I pointed to it.

"Is that why you wanted to know the weather for last night and today?"

He grinned sheepishly and nodded.

"Clever," I said. "I like it."

"I hoped you would. Would you care to get dressed?"

"Indeed."

I stepped into the tent, spacious enough for me to comfortably change into my dress and arrange myself. I felt pleased that I wouldn't need any makeup. There wasn't a mirror. The minister would be waiting for us when I emerged. Also, I could see that he was brining a camera for a formal picture. Jas had truly thought of everything.

"Do you, Major Jasper Whitlock, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold in sickness and in health, to love and honor all days of your life?"

"I do," he said without hesitation.

It was about to be my turn. He hadn't asked for a name; I wondered what he would call me.

"Do you, Alice, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, to love and honor all the days of your life?"

"I do."

It was fitting. I didn't feel I had a name until this day. I wouldn't have wanted to assume a name in order to marry Jas. I was glad he had only given the minister my first name.

"Major Whitlock, you may say your vows now."

"Alice, you found me when I needed you most. You gave me hope when I was full of despair. You trusted me on my darkest day. And you gave me love without every asking for anything in return. You are my rock, my anchor, and my beacon of hope. I promise to love you with everything I have for the rest of my existence."

"Alice?" the minister asked. "Do you have vows you would like to recite?"

"Yes," I said, pleased that I had thought of this when he asked for my hand. "Jasper, I would have waited for the rest of eternity to find you. You have given my life purpose and direction just by merely existing. Your love makes me whole and gives me meaning. I love you freely and unconditionally for the rest of my existence, and I will be happy to remain by your side until the seas turn to dust."

The minister said the rest of his formalities, pronouncing us husband and wife. I waited with bated breath for the moment I had been dreaming of since he first proposed.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Major and Mrs. Whitlock, you may seal your union with a kiss."

Mrs. Whitlock. Mrs. Alice Whitlock. I had a name.

A/N: *sigh* So, did I surprise you? Did I? Hmm? I hope so. I hope you liked it. I wasn't sure about adding Gaby into he mix, but I kind of liked the idea of Alice running into her old friend. Let me know what you thought! :) ~Jen