H A U N T E D

Alice's Vision

'The cathedral's marble floors are covered with white lily petals, leading to the front of the church. Low-hanging wreaths of entwined lavender flowers hanging from the ceiling, like the angels that Michelangelo painted in the Sistine Chapel, waiting for the touch of Heaven and Earth to explode in a wonderful eclipse.

A flick of a wrist signals to the pianist to press his fingers to the black and white keys of his instrument, and the harpist slowly falls in with her music, pulling at the strings of her golden harp, swaying her head with the music. The officiant raises his hands, his palms facing up to the ceiling, silently asking the attendees to rise. The sound of bodies raising from the wooden pews silently cracks through the beautiful music of the symphony, and heads turn to the large doors that swing open, revealing Renesmeé's form. Adorned in a lilac satin dress that hangs from her form, the young woman takes a step into the church, her head held high. Her dark hair is braided into a crown, held there by light white flowers pinned into her locks. Her hands are covered with satin white gloves, with a bouquet of lavender flowers held in her fingers.

Friends and families gasp at the sight, with eyes filled with pride and admiration that follow her every step deeper into the cathedral. The arrival of a white dress pulls everyone's attention from the young woman, to the lowered eyes of Ophelia Lee. The paint around her eyes would make the gods envious of the colors in her irises, as it matches the golden hue of her betrothed. The large train of the dress is held up by three sisters, whose astonishing beauty fades next to the blushing bride's. For a second, Ophelia stands at the entrance of the church, letting her eyes travel along the guests, before she turns her head to the side, where an elderly man steps forward and takes her left hand. He laces her arm through his, and slowly they starts to ascend towards the waiting wedding party. Each step her heeled foot takes, it gives off the illusion of the lilies making way for the beauty, as her foot hits open marble.

Against her chest, a heart-shaped pendant rests between her collarbones, rising with each anticipated breath she takes. Her rose-painted lips, once pulled into a tight-lipped smile, breaks into a breathtaking grin as her opal eyes meet the citrine-colored irises of Jack Cullen. The boy stands proud next to his brothers, who all know the exhilaration of seeing your beloved walking down the aisle towards you, with the intention of being yours forever.

His usual unruly hair is combed back, letting the guests see the excitement of the day in his eyes, and the smile carved onto his lips like stone. In the breast pocket of his tuxedo, a white peace lily is placed. It is reminisced of the day he knew that if he did not ask this girl to be his, life would be like the dead of winter after having the taste of honey. You will forever miss it, but it will forever be out of reach. His hands are balled in front of him, his one hand holding on to his wrist while the other flexes nervously.

Parting like the Red Sea, Ophelia finally reaches the final two steps before the rest of her life, and Jack comes down to meet her halfway. His hand reaches out for hers, yet his eyes searches for Flynn's. They ask him to trust him, to know he will keep her safe - forever. Flynn's red-rimmed eyes crinkled with laugh lines, and he nods as he places his granddaughter's hand on her future husband's hand. The old man lifts their hands up, pressing a kiss against each of their hands before going to join Esmé in the front pew. The bridesmaids set the train to float down the stairs, letting it set the illusion of floating clouds. The couple turns to the officiant, who gestures for the guests to take their seats.

The harpist and pianist play the final notes of the ballad, and all attention turns to the golden halo of happiness that entwines around the two young adults, waiting to be joined in matrimony.

"We are gathered here today-", the officiant starts, glancing down at the notes made earlier, at the request of Jack and Ophelia. The ceremony goes on with most eyes red with tears and pride. Ophelia tries not to spoil her makeup, but as soon as Jack starts his vows, her breath is hitched in her chest, filled with excitement and trepidation. Their hands find one another, and all feel well now.

"Ophelia-", he started, having mesmerized the vows earlier. It took an eternity to write, and now he can finally proclaim his love in front of all. He imagines the way his heart would be beating like stampeding horses, trampling the words in his throat.

"When I first set eyes on you, six years ago, the world seemed to expand in its possibilities in how one can love someone. The emotion that I feel whenever I look at you, is something so foreign to most people, they haven't named it yet. We can only start to describe it, as being unconditional love", he clears his throat, squeezing Ophelia's hands as he feels them quiver in his. They're slightly damp, and his fingers traces her skin, smelling the sweet perfume of her body.

"Wars would have been fought in your name, and I would lead them. I love you, Blondie, more than I thought could be possible. I pledge to stay by your side until the world caves in on itself, and we have no one left but each other. I will keep your head above water, even if it means giving you my lungs. I swear to be yours, as long as you will have me, forever and always, until death do us part."

Ophelia sniffles slightly, reaching to poke a tear in the corner of her eye with her pinky nail.

"Well, now you made me look bad", she jokes, which causes the small church to giggle. She clears her throat, and strokes the back of Jack's hand with her thumb, reciprocating the action.

"Jack, there are many ways to say I love you. Ti amo, Je vous aime, Ich liebe dich, ek lief jou. Today, I'll start by saying I do. Every breath I'll take, every fluttering heartbeat, they'll all be dedicated to you, my sweet love."

No one can deny the way they look today. With the rolling gray clouds that stops the sun from flashing a halo around the couple, but instead colors them mystical, they're in love. The officiant allows the couple to share a kiss, before announcing them united in holy matrimony.

And it was perfect.'

Alice gasps as the second passes, her fingers barely skimming the white petals of the lily she arranges in the vase. Towards the back of the house, she hears the warm laughter of her family, as they eagerly await their Christmas presents.

The vision was clear in her head, and she cannot wait to tell Jack. Of course, a few years will pass before it happens, but at least she'll have time to arrange the wedding.

The sound of hands clapping once Flynn comes down the stairs, makes Alice smile. She rushes to join her family, and Edward catches her eye. He glances down at their baby brother, and their hearts are happy for the boy who deserves the world.

The crisp smell of cinnamon and burning wood perfects the image, and Ophelia looks excited to see her grandfather in a Santa suit. For a moment, Alice realizes this won't be the last Christmas they'll share with Ophelia Lee, and she doesn't need her gift to know this.

a/n - I am officially done with this book. this was in the archives and is a rough draft, but I loved it too much not to post it.