I was in an exceptionally good mood when I saw the prompt for this morning, as it was something I was really looking forward to. Classical music and movie scores are my favorite things to listen to as I'm writing, and Beethoven is by far my favorite composer ever. So the combination of the two were a very exciting prospect for me. And this is what came out of listening to the music and the extremely good humor I was in today. :)

Penname: kyla713
Creative Original or Derivative Fiction: Derivative Fiction

Rating/Warning(s): M

Notes:

Disclaimer: All copyrighted, 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: Musical Mastery: Beethoven Symphony No. 9 http://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=YAOTCtW9v0M

It was like an ancient fairytale come to life. From the horse drawn carriages to men in long waistcoats, taking my hand as I stepped down in my long white satin ball gown. The Cullens had truly gone all out for this occasion by holding an old-fashioned Christmas Eve masquerade ball. I had never been much one for big parties, but the idea of having the opportunity to step outside of the real world and into something I had only read of in books and seen in movies, was far too great of an appeal.

Gazing up at the house, illuminated with thousands of white holiday lights and laced in green and red garlands, it appeared so much larger than it already was. I ascended the stairs toward the entrance slowly in anticipation of what lay inside. I couldn't help but smile as I reached the door at the sight of the groups of people gathered around the room eating, drinking and laughing while dozens of couples were already moving gracefully around the dance floor.

It was exactly like walking into a fairy tale.

Along the right side of the room was a long buffet table and I walked to the end to the large punch bowl, smiling as the server behind it handed me a glass.

As I took the first sip, a tall man came to stand beside me.

"I assume your dance card is full already, m'lady," his soft voice filtered over to me.

Suppressing a chuckle, I turned my head to gaze at him. He looked extremely handsome, and even with the mask covering most of his face, the green of his eyes and the haphazard lay of his hair despite his recent haircut, he couldn't hide from me. And even if I were blind, I would still know that voice and his scent anywhere. I bit my lip and averted my eyes, giving an overly dramatic sigh. "Alas, I believe it is my fate to be a wallflower this evening."

"That, my dear, would be an unforgivable happenstance," he replied calmly, shaking his head and moving to stand in front of me, holding his hand out for mine. "Would you do me the honor?"

As I bowed my head, I placed my hand in his and he raised it to his lips to brush a soft kiss upon it. We were both holding back smirks as we made our way out onto the floor, but my lips spread into a wide smile as our joined arms extended out as he swung me in a wide berth to face him.

If I wasn't already insanely in love with the man in front of me, he might have just won my heart as he bowed in front of me. This was something I had always dreamed of, and he had seen to it that it became a reality, right down to the elaborate dancing. I bowed in a small curtsy and he pulled me to him as I rose.

"Merry Christmas, baby," he whispered, his arm sliding around my waist and kissing me gently.

Before I could respond, he began leading me across the floor and I let out a laugh as he spun me in circles, feeling the billowing of my long skirt around my legs with the movement. Eventually he slowed, but never completely stopped and danced with me all the way out to the back patio. It was chilly, but I didn't mind. It only meant that we were completely alone, as no one else wished to brave the damp, cold December air.

I stared up into his eyes as my arm draped around his shoulder and my other hand held securely in his against his chest.

"How did you recognize me so quickly?" I asked softly, tilting my chin up slightly.

"I'm afraid I can't answer that," he replied with a smirk, releasing my waist and turning me around. I furrowed my forehead in confusion as he held me out at arms length, chuckling before tugging me gently toward him until his arm was secured around my waist, my back pressing against his chest. "I'm supposed to be a gentleman tonight, remember?"

I nudged him lightly with my elbow as he laughed and lightly kissed my bare shoulder. "I'm serious, Edward."

"Alright, all impure thoughts aside," he whispered, kissing my cheek and turning my chin with his fingertips to look back at him. "Your smile the moment you walked through the door. It was unmistakably Bella."

I raised my hand to his face, gently tracing his jaw line with my fingertips and guiding his lips toward mine, brushing them lovingly. "Thank you."

Edward kept his word and was the perfect gentleman all night. Although the sight of him dressed so impeccably rendered a few impure thoughts of my own, I was far too entranced by the fantasy world surrounding me for them to linger around for long, wanting to enjoy every moment of this.

As we counted down to midnight, the time at which the immense tree in the front room was to be lit and our masks to be discarded, his arm tightened around my waist to hold me against his side. Even though my night was almost over, I had never been happier than I was at that moment, each of us taking a hold of each other's masks gently between our fingertips.

3…2…1…

The instant our masks were removed, his lips met mine softly as the room fell dark and just as quickly illuminated again beyond my closed lids. We slowly pulled apart, and my eyes moved to the beautiful white pine tree decorated with crystal ornaments and yet more white lights, giving it an almost heavenly glow.

A movement of his hand caught my attention, and my eyes lowered from the tree to his fingers, which held between them a platinum ring with three diamonds lining the band. I raised my tear-filled gaze to his, seeing the unspoken question resting in his eyes.

No words were needed. Nothing could have made this moment more perfect.

I smiled and nodded, raising my left hand to him where he instantly slid the ring onto my finger. As he set it into place, he gently kissed it and then pulled me against him, pressing his lips firmly to mine. My hands held his face and he lifted my feet off the ground, spinning me around and causing me to giggle against his lips.

I was the luckiest woman in the world. After all, who else nowadays can say they were proposed to at midnight at a Christmas Eve masquerade ball by their very own Prince Charming?

If you haven't noticed, I have a thing for proposals and babies. Especially when writing something like this. Makes me giddy.

Now off to try to write my updates again :)