The morning of the Spring Ball, Alice pounced on Bella's bed. The whole morning and afternoon of that day would be spent preparing for the ball that was to take place that evening.
"Bella, wake up!" Alice urged, shaking Bella awake. "We have to get ready!"
Bella groaned, rolling over. "Ready for what?"
Alice gasped in shock. "Why the Spring Ball, of course. Don't you remember?"
"The Spring Ball?" Bella sat up in her bed.
"Yes!" Alice grinned happily. "It's going to be a masquerade. Oh Bella, it's going to be so wonderful." She smiled dreamily. "Good thing Jasper found those two masks for us!"
"Masks?" Bella's eyes furrowed in confusion.
"Honestly, Bella, don't you remember anything? You got a mask to match your dress and I have one to match mine. You were so out of it yesterday. Your mind was miles away."
"Sorry," Bella muttered.
Alice smirked. "Were you thinking of Jacob?"
Bella's smile was slightly sad. She hadn't been thinking of Jacob, she had been thinking of Edward. Instead of Jake, she had wished that her Angel would be her escort to the Spring Ball. Yesterday while at the dress shop, she had daydreamed about what it would be like to dance with her Angel, Edward, while the other couples waltzed around them. Now wonder she hadn't seen the masks.
- - - - - - - - That Evening - - - - - - - -
"We look good," Alice said appreciatively.
Bella and Alice stood before the mirror just before Jasper and Jacob were supposed to escort them to the Ball. Bella wore her emerald green gown and Alice had her violet one on. Bella's mask was of dark ebony satin, only covering her eyes and the bridge of her nose. Green ribbon trimmed the black mask. Alice's mask was basically the same but with a dark purple ribbons. Peacock feathers had also been attached to the top of the mask.
A knock sounded on the door. Alice grinned at Bella as if this was going to be the happiest night of her life. "Yes?" she asked.
"Are our ladies ready?" Jasper called from the other side of the door.
"Yes we are." Alice threw open the door, allowing us to see Jasper and Jacob. They were both dressed handsomely in black dinner jackets and bow ties.
Jasper was tall and blonde; Jacob was also tall but with dark hair and russet skin. They both smiled charmingly.
"You are both beautiful, Bella," Jacob said when she put her arm through his as was proper. He hadn't put on his mask yet but she assumed he would when they neared the ballroom.
"Thank you," she replied politely. "You are very handsome too."
The Spring Ball was the most important event in the Opera House. The maids had cleaned and dusted the halls and ballroom until the floors and walls fairly shined. The Opera House had one ballroom that was large enough for seventy to a hundred people to be in it with plenty of room to spare.
Chairs lined the walls for the ladies to sit between dances, and a table had been set up against the south wall that held wined and brandy for the men. Hor d'oeuvres and sweets sat on silver platters on the tablecloth. A band played in the corner, the piano and violin blending seamlessly with the other instruments. Couples were already gliding gracefully across the dance floor.
"Oh Jasper," Alice breathed, her eyes widening as she took in the many elegantly dressed masked figures. "Let's dance, please."
"Of course," Jasper replied, leading her onto the softly lit dance floor.
Jacob had put his mask on, exactly the same shade as his hair. "Would you like to dance?" The way he asked it didn't really make it a question, more like a demand. Even if she refused, he would probably persist until she gave in. So instead of arguing with him, she allowed him to take her into the center of the ballroom.
As she concentrated on not stepping on his feet, Jake began to speak.
"I have been thinking about you for quite a while," he said. His mask obscured his face so that it was hard to read his expression. Of course, that was what he had been hoping it would do. True, he had been thinking of her. He wasn't used to waiting this long for something he wanted, something he was determined to have. And he had waited long enough for her. He had waited for her to soften up to him, but he was tired of being patient. Tonight would be the night that he'd finally have her.
Bella glanced up from her fixed stare at Jacob's bow tie. It would be improper for her to watch her feet, not to mention embarrassing, so she concentrated on his tie. Glancing up from the black material, she caught sight of an unmistakable white mask. She gasped and froze.
"Are you alright?" Jake asked, turning around to see where she was looking. But the white half-mask had vanished from sight, along with the man behind it.
"Yes, I'm fine," she said quickly.
Now as they danced she was on high alert, scanning the crowd for the Phantom. But she didn't see him again, and her heart fell.
You're thinking about him too much, Bella scolded herself. If you look for something hard enough, you'll find it. Focus on Jacob.
She brought her eyes up to her escort's face, the tall, tanned man. But she wished more than anything that it was an ivory mask and pale skin before her. A few seconds later she saw a flash of Edward's bronze hair and white mask. This time she kept dancing but locked her eyes on him, determined to prove to herself that he was actually here. A couple moved in front of her, blocking her vision, and when they glided past he was gone again.
"Would you like to go for a walk?" Jacob proposed, stopping.
"Yes," she answered, relieved that he had finally let her stop dancing but also reluctant to leave in case Edward came back.
Jacob led her out of the ballroom, through the open double doors. His hand was warm on the small of her back. He led her until they were in a solitary hall. He wanted for it to be just the two of them when he told her - he had to make this sound good.
"Bella," he began, looking at her. "Could you remove your mask?" His voice was impatient with anxiety. How he worded this would determine whether she said yes or no.
Bella carefully took off her mask, holding it delicately in her hands, and looked up at him.
"When we first met, we were so young," he began. "I thought you were too young to understand love. But now I know that I was wrong." He moved closer to her, still wearing his black mask. Bella was beginning to feel claustrophobic with him so close.. "I didn't recognize you immediately, but now I do. Bella, I think I love you."
She was frozen in shock. She had wanted to hear this from him for so long, had wanted to hear him say that he loved her. So why did it only inspire dread inside her? Why did she wish she had never gone into that hall with him?
"Jake, I …" she trailed off, unsure of what to say to make this right. In that moment, after he had told her his feelings, she knew she didn't love him. The vision of Edward's face flitted before her eyes. That was who she loved; that was who she would rather die than live without.
Without waiting any longer for her answer, Jacob leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a rough kiss that was all passion on his side and all ice on hers. His hot hands ran down her body as he backed her against the wall. His insistent lips pried hers apart, his tongue invading her mouth. She reached up, trying to pull his hair and smack his face to get him to leave her alone. His hand pressed against her back, molding her to him. She screamed into his mouth.
"You will let her go if you wish to keep your life," a cold voice said from behind them.
Immediately, Jake pulled away to glare at whoever had interrupted them.
Gasping, Bella stumbled towards her savior. A second later she recognized the voice. Her head snapped up, and she saw Edward's white mask and his angel's face behind it. Relief washed through her, and she rushed to him.
"Oh, Edward," she breathed. "I'm so glad you're here." Edward didn't look at her. His eyes were locked on Jacob's in what could only be described as a deadly glare.
"Who the hell are you?" Jake demanded harshly, standing tall.
"Your death if you don't leave." Edward was the epitome of a destroying angel.
"You think you can hurt me?"
Edward's only reply was the narrowing of his eyes. Jake huffed angrily and pushed past them both, walking quickly down the hall and into the ballroom once again.
Bella watched as her Angel bent down and picked up her mask that had fallen on the floor, forgotten, when Jacob kissed her. He was dressed in the same black tux as the other men were. Except he put everyone else to shame with his perfection.
"I am so dreadfully sorry for that, my Bella," he said softly, handing her the unharmed black and green mask. "I should have stopped him sooner."
"This isn't your fault, Edward," Bella said. "Don't blame yourself."
He sighed. "I hope you aren't planning to go back and dance with that idiot."
She looked up at him, suddenly wishing she could see his full face. But she didn't dare to try and remove his mask again. "Will you be my escort now?" she asked, unable to keep the hope from her voice.
He looked at her and smiled slightly. "But of course, beautiful Bella." Edward said smiling at her. Bella blushed crimson and took the hand that he offered, walking her into the ball room. Alice jumped to Bella's side.
"You're not Jacob." Alice said in an obvious tone. Edward shook his head.
"I'm not." Edward clarified, his eyes on Alice. He smiled at her, knowing it was his niece.
'How beautiful she's gotten' Edward admired his niece in his mind, reading hers was something he did often, she didn't think of him much. She met him when she was seven, and then nothing. She was getting suspicious on how he never aged, so Rosalie thought it wise to stay away.
"Alice Cullen, how do you do?" She asked shaking Edward's hand that was not gloved. "My, I didn't realize how cold it was." Alice said withdrawing her hand.
"Oh, pardon me, I didn't mean to startle you, I was holding the ice sculpture for the attendant, it almost fell over. Did you not see that?" Edward asked, "Magnificent, isn't it?"
Alice looked at Edward suspiciously, he looked familiar. 'Where did Bella get this man from, and why is it I've never heard of him before...' Alice pondered, Edward cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry, how very rude of me, I'm Edward." Edward paused, he used his mother's last name when communicating with others, "Edward Masen." He clarified as he coughed into his shoulder.
"Oh, how wonderful. May I speak to Isabella for a second?" Alice asked, Edward nodded his head like a perfect gentlemen.
"But of course, Ms. Cullen."
"Oh, of course, by the way, I like your mask, very creative, what is it made out of?"
"Not a clue." Edward said tapping it lightly. Alice laughed lightly and nodded her head, leading Bella far away from Edward.
"What is it, Alice?" Bella asked, impatient.
"Why have I never heard of him?" Alice asked tapping her small foot, her lips in a small pout.
"He..." Bella couldn't tell Alice that he was the Phantom of the Opera. Thankfully, Alice interrupted her from telling her any excuse she'd concoct.
"Never mind that, I think Jasper is going to ask me..." Alice squeaked in delight.
"To marry you?" Bella asked, her eye brows raised almost connecting at the ends if it weren't for her muscles not allowing it.
"Yes!" Alice said, she took Bella's hand and put it at her heart, "can you feel how nervous I am?" Alice asked, Bella felt Alice's quick pulse underneath her finger tips.
"Oh, wow, Alice, this is wonderful!" Bella said smiling, Alice's face was already wide with a please expression, her small pearl-like teeth showing and shinning brightly.
"Wait, how do you know?" Bella asked, Alice rolled her eyes.
"I had a feeling, and a dream that it would happen, tonight!" Alice said, as if Bella should know that, of course she should, it was Alice.
"Oh, right of course, this is wonderful!" Bella said smiling.
"I know!" Alice paused, "but back to Edward." Alice said smiling.
Bella groaned internally, "what about him?" Bella said, as if there wasn't anything to say.
"Come along, Bella." Alice laughed, "I've never heard of him until now, he's quite handsome. What happened to Jacob?" Alice's rambling went on into incoherent babbling.
"Alice.." Bella prodded, but no answer. "Alice!" Bella called Alice's attention, Alice's head snapped up to Bella's face, her eyes wary, and her lips trembling with anticipation.
"He's an old family friend... And Jacob.. Well, I don't want to talk about Jacob." Bella said scratching her arm. Alice never saw Bella so serious before, she quickly let it go.
"I should return to Jasper, and you should return to Edward. I want you to watch Jasper propose to me, so don't be long. Dance near us." Alice said smiling, she skipped over to Jasper, who was talking with a few older gentlemen, they were the Volturi brothers, Aro, Marcus, and Caius Volturi. All well respected, they dressed to impress, and they all were stuck up. Aro was the nicest out of them all, he was more down to earth.
"That was interesting." Edward said as Bella appeared to his side, Bella looked at him, confused mostly. "Your conversation, with Alice." He specified.
'My niece, getting married? To the owner of the Opera House. Oh, it was meant to stay in the family without my help. How wonderful.' Edward stopped what he was thinking. Edward Cullen was dead. Edward Masen was a figment of his imagination. He wasn't her uncle anymore than that brute standing over in the corner was.
"Something wrong, Edward?" Bella asked, Edward shook his head.
"Nothing, love, nothing." Edward said shaking the disturbing thoughts from his head. Never did he shake his own thoughts, and never had they registered as disturbing - those were always someone else's thoughts.
"Would you like to dance?" Bella asked, Edward nodded and he walked her to the dance floor, and he placed his cold and on the small of her back, holding her close.
"Do you like Jasper?" Edward asked, Bella looked into his golden eyes, and smiled.
"He's polite, always minds his manors. Good southern man. He's always following after Alice. Been dating her for around four months, now." Bella said, Edward chuckled to himself.
"That's not what I asked."
"Do I like him?" Bella repeated the question, Edward nodded. "Yes, I do. He's very nice, and perfect for Alice." Bella paused, "he always can tell what your feeling.. He calms Alice down fast, but it's like, a loving calm, you know?"
"Yes, I'm feeling it now." Edward said, his eyes smoldering into Bella's chocolate eyes. They were melting, her eyes were melting, her body was melting, her mind was melting - into him.
"I love you, Edward." Bella said looking into his eyes, he smiled.
"As do I love you." Edward said, they danced for a few minutes, Edward stopped abruptly.
'Now is perfect. Do I have the ring? Yes, yes I do.' A southern accent came into his head, and he recognized it as Jasper Hale's.
"Come, love, I believe now is the moment." Edward said pulling her to the place where Alice and Jasper stood, Jasper abruptly let go of Alice's hand and got down on one knee.
Alice's face was a face of pure sunshine. Her face was bright red with anticipation, and if Jasper weren't there, Bella was sure that Alice would be jumping around.
"Alice Mary Cullen." Jasper stated her full name, "I've known you for only a short while, but in that short time, I've never felt closer to you. You make me smile, make me laugh, make me feel things I've never felt before. I can't help but think of a future with you, family-with you. Everything with you. Alice, what I'm trying to say is, Will you marry me?" Jasper asked.
Alice's face was priceless. All of Aro's money in that new fancy bank of his couldn't pay what it was to see Alice's face in pure shock.
"Alice, sweetheart, will you marry me?" Jasper said looking into her eyes.
"Yes! Oh my gosh, yes!" Alice said Jasper smiled and put the ring on her finger. Jasper stood up and he took a deep breath, only to have it knocked out of him by Alice's killer grip.
"I love you, SO much, Jasper!" Alice said hugging him tighter.
"I love you, too, Alice." Jasper said, Jasper took off Alice's mask and he took off his white black mask, he took Alice closer, and kissed her lips lightly, tenderly, lovingly.
Bella sighed, she was so happy for her best friend, everything was working out. She was going to marry the man of her dreams.
"Would you sing them a song, Edward?" Bella asked, Edward smiled, and it caught Alice's attention.
"You sing?" Alice asked.
Edward shrugged to himself. "A little." He admitted, Alice vibrated with joy.
"You must sing us something!" Alice pleaded.
"Now Alice," Jasper scolded quietly, "you don't have to um.. I'm sorry, I've not gotten your name." Jasper extended his hand, "Jasper Hale."
"Edward Masen. Sorry, my hands are a little cold, perhaps a handshake when they're not." Edward said smiling, that day would never come.
"Of course. But, Edward, we'd be honored." Jasper said smiling.
"All right. One will not hurt." Edward said, he kissed Bella's cheek and whispered in it, "this is for you, love."
He whispered something into the pianists ear and she began playing something somber.
It was Think Of Me.
Bella's heart almost melted. Almost.
"Think of me,
Think of me fondly,
When we've said good bye!
Remember me, once in a while,
Please promise me, you'll try!
And on that day, that not so distant day,
When you are far away and free.
If you ever find a moment.
Spare a thought for me..."
Edward kept singing, while he sang, he heard nothing but Bella's smiling thoughts, her loving thoughts. He kept his eyes trained on Bella's but made an attempt to look at Alice and Jasper who were looking into each others eyes, drifting into their world of love.
- - - -Meanwhile- - - - - -
Jacob sat as his desk, looking though papers. He's heard that name, he's heard that voice. It was so familiar, it was right in front of him he knew it.
He shuffled through various papers on his desk.
Old actors.
Old owners.
Old everything. Almost three decades old.
He sighed, this was going to take forever. He knew he had research to do - just how much?
We do know that Alice's name is actually Mary Alice. But we switched it around. It seemed better... And, we'd like you all to know that Forbidden Words has thanked you for all of your 'get well soon's and that she's recoperating well. Unfortunately has a 'butt load' of homework. She'd like to say 'thanks' to all those who care.
We hope you've enjoyed the chapter!!! Ohhh cliffie!
~ForbiddenWords & Oriana~