Everyday Moments Of Perfection
A/N: Hey everyone! I'm really happy because the last chapter got the highest review count yet! :) Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 26 as well.
Paper. Creations is also included as an extra. Look out for Maggie and Garrett… :)
Oh, and just a little note: cailidh is pronounced like 'kaylee'. And the dance all the Cullens join in with at first is the Virginia Reel. The version we learned in school, anyway. 'Do-si-do' is the term for going around your partner back to back. ;) Oh, and craic is an Irish term for fun or a laugh.
The Cullens had moved yet again, this time to Ireland, one of the few overcast places left for them to go. They were headed to a cailidh, an Irish dance night. Alice was pulling Jasper along by the hand, bouncing excitably as they all made their way from their cars to the dance hall. The Cullens were all in attendance, along with Kate and Garrett. The rest of the Denali clan were out hunting, so they had decided to tag along with the Cullens instead of just remaining at home.
The rowdy, lively voices could be heard at almost deafening volumes to the sensitive hearing of the vampires, the lilting Irish tones sounded very much like music, all combining with the violins, guitars and harps to create a comfortable, loose atmosphere.
As soon as they entered the door, the vampires were all hit with different things. Those with powers, most specifically Jasper and Edward, were hit with various thoughts and emotions. But all ten vampires were hit with the scent of blood, of sweat, and the sense of excitement and happiness in the air.
Alice giggled slightly, tugging a little on Jasper's shirt sleeve. He looked at her and she just smiled as a lively tune started up and the humans began to pair up and form lines.
Alice nudged Jasper three times while punctuating each word with a nudge, giving a little smile and an expectant pause between each word. "Me. You. Dance…."
Jasper grinned, sweeping Alice up and placing her opposite him in the lines. The rest of the Cullens, as well as Kate and Garrett, filtered in to stand beside them, forming their own little set. Alice and Jasper caught each other's eyes as they stepped in, clapped, stepped out and followed the intricate patterns of the dance with unearthly precision and grace, unusual for the uneven, lively, distressed pace of the Virginia Reel. All five pairs moved in perfect synchronicity, all human pretences for the moment, gone.
They turned, and repeated the do-si-do twice. Alice and Jasper found themselves at the top of the set, so they firmly joined hands and, laughing joyously, skittered down the lines to the cheers and claps of the others, who were all smiling, and Jasper could feel the happiness bouncing off them, making his own grin wider. They then raised their entwined hands above their heads at the end, making an arch, which all the other pairs then proceeded to make their way through. Jasper's hands lingered on Alice's, and when they stepped in to clap hands again, his nose was touching hers, and his lips lightly flitted across her own, making her lips tingle slightly.
~oOo~
An hour of dancing, laughing and general merrymaking had passed in a blur of warmth and excitement to the Cullens. They were sitting at their own little table at the edge of the dancefloor, with Alice practically on Jasper's lap. Kate, Rosalie and Emmett had gone to join in the progressive Canadian Barndance that was the current dance of the moment, but Garrett had sat out, content to watch Kate flitting between the groups, dancing away. Jasper felt his emotions lift every time he saw the gentle curve of her smile, or the soft bounce of her hair as she twirled around – but he did look lonely.
Alice smiled wryly, glancing at Jasper in a conspiratorial manner. He met her gaze with a puzzled look, and she nodded subtly at Garrett, who was partner-less when the soft strains of a slow Irish tune sounded through the hall. Kate had been commandeered by a fairly tall Irish man, who looked like he had just won the lottery, but seemed harmless enough. Alice looked around, and her golden eyes fixed on a girl, sitting by herself at one of the tables. She was fairly small in stature, with curly, dark brown hair. She was biting her nails nervously, stealing glances at Garrett.
Alice heard a blonde girl sweep past the dark-haired girl and laugh in a light, Irish accent, "Come on, Maggie, would ye get up and dance for once, it's a great craic!"
Maggie just smiled, looking slightly weary, but still glancing towards Garrett, trying to remain unseen behind a curtain of curls.
Jasper pulled Alice up and dragged her over to the dancefloor, but Alice got in a few pointed looks to Garrett at the girl, Maggie. Garrett smiled, taking the hint. Alice's eyes twinkled as she looked back at Jasper, putting her arms around his neck as they swayed.
Garrett got to his feet and approached the girl, a warm smile on his face. Like a true gentleman, he bowed slightly when she looked up, before offering his hand to her.
"I'm Garrett."
"Maggie," she whispered, looking a bit star-struck.
"Would you like to dance, Maggie?"
Maggie stared wordlessly. She seemed to compose herself and just nodded, smiling widely, before placing her hand in Garrett's.
~oOo~
Alice spotted Maggie getting to her feet and approaching the dancefloor with Garrett, and smiling knowingly. Jasper just shook his head playfully, before resting his head on Alice's shoulder, his lips against her neck. They turned slowly, Alice nearly off the ground as Jasper lifted her slightly, her small feet on top of his as he held her weight with no effort at all. Alice's hand rested on his neck, stroking it slightly, making Jasper shiver with the sensation.
Alice hummed along to the tune, her power letting her know what notes she should be about to hum. Jasper just listened to her voice, which curled around them, wrapping them in their own little bubble, where every other sound and sensation seemed dampened, and Alice appeared to be sharpened as he was aware of her every movement, her every gentle touch, every rise and fall in her emotions.
As they revolved, Alice seemed almost sleepy, if that were possible, with the feeling of happiness and completeness she felt while in Jasper's arms. Her guard was fully down, her trust completely in Jasper's hands.
Alice hugged him closer, transmitting to him one feeling, rising above all the others with complex simplicity, covering him completely. Her love.
Jasper let it fill him, knowing it was like saying, 'I love you' between humans, and yet, as with everything else in their lives, it was heightened, made brighter and clearer and far more potent by who they were, making him able to feel her love, be assured of it.
Alice's lips met his, and everything else just fell away, bar the lingering jittery and tingly emotions that passed between them.
"Dancing's just the best," Alice murmured against his lips, each word blurring into the second with her contentedness.
Jasper didn't say anything.
He didn't have to.
Aw... Jasper and Alice. Anyway, so yeah. I hope you liked your little extra role, Maggie! Hehe. :)
Only 2 days till Christmas! Yay!
Hope you liked it! Please review if you've got time, I do love reading them.
Raven. x