Here it is... chapter 11!
Chapter 11 – Reunion (Alice's POV)
I stared at the figure of my intended, unbelieving. I was convinced that this wasn't him, even though the man in front of me bore a striking resemblance to my Jacob. The russet-colored skin, the dark hair, the black eyes – they all seemed so familiar. Slowly, I reached out my hand. He took it in his, holding on in the exact manner my Jacob had. I felt the tension and fear in my body melting away at his touch.
"Is it really you?" I whispered.
"It's really me," he replied.
"But how? I thought you were… Aren't you supposed to be….dead?"
"It's an interesting story that I think your parents need to hear as well. Find them, and then I'll explain."
Ten minutes later, after my parents had gotten over the initial shock of my dead intended being alive, we all sat in the sitting room, waiting to hear Jacob's story. Jacob looked around nervously before he began.
"The whole story begins with me being drafted into the Confederate Army," he said. "We trained very hard for many months. One day, about a year and a half ago, we engaged the North in a nasty battle. The last thing I remember from the fight was being knocked over and feeling my head hit the ground. Everything goes black after that." Jacob paused. "What I think happened was I was knocked unconscious and they thought I was dead. When I regained consciousness, the fight was over. I was alone among the dead. I went back to where our camp was, but they had left. Luckily, there was a town a few miles away. I stayed there for a few weeks, maybe two months, regaining my strength. Since then, I've been traveling, reassuring close friends and family that I'm alive. That's how I ended up here. I came to find Alice and claim my bride." At this, my parents and I exchanged worried looks, but Jacob didn't notice. "Anyway," he continued, rising to his feet, "I'd better go. My father and I are staying at the local inn. We'll be over tomorrow afternoon to discuss wedding plans. Goodbye Alice." Jacob bent down and kissed my cheek. "Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Brandon." Without another word, Jacob left.
After he left, I turned to my parents. "Well, this is going to cause some complications," my mother said finally.
"What are you talking about, mother?" I asked.
"Alice, you're betrothed to Jacob and engaged to Jasper," my father said. "And you can't marry both."
"So… who am I going to marry?"
My parents looked at each other and my heart sank. "We're sorry Alice, but you have to marry Jacob. You two are betrothed. It's only right," my father said.
"But I thought the decision was that I could marry someone else."
"Not quite, Alice, dear," my mother said. "The decision was that as long as Jacob is truly dead, you can remarry. Since Jacob is alive, you can't remarry."
"So what are we going to tell Jasper? That I can't marry him because I have to marry a man we thought was dead?"
"We will explain everything to the Whitlocks in due time," my father said. "I'm sure Jasper will understand."
"All Jasper will understand is that I've betrayed his trust," I said, fighting back tears. "Again. How can I do that to him? I love him."
"You love Jacob too, don't you?" my mother questioned.
"Loved. I loved Jacob before I had to accept that he was dead. Now I love someone else."
"I'm sorry, Alice," my father said sternly. "But you are marrying Jacob and that is final."
"Don't I get a say in who I marry?" I pleaded. "Don't you care about my happiness?"
"Alice, this conversation is over," my father said. "You're free to go."
"Fine," I said softly. I left the room, tears streaming down my face. I raced to my room, locking myself in. I fell onto my bed and began to cry my heart out, over Jacob and Jasper and everything that should have been, but wouldn't be anymore.
Sniff. Poor Alice. Well, you know the drill. Reviews are not mandatory for the next chapter. You'll probably get it tomorrow. Until then.
xoxoxoxoxo, TwilightTeen212