Prologue – Parting is such sweet sorrow

"Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow."

~ Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2 ~

Alice POV

'Flight 1753 to London, Heathrow, now boarding' said a disembodied voice, coming from the speakers, repeating it in again in several other languages. Looking at Jasper I could a deep breath, this was my flight.

He was holding my hand in a tight grip, as if I was about to disappear at any moment. Not letting go of my hand he gave me a held me close, leaning down to kiss me. I poured all of my love and passion for him into that kiss.

Bella and Edward were looking away, attempting to give me some space.

Leaning away when we needed to breathe, he gave me a small smile, that didn't reach his eyes. I started to walk to where my flight was boarding, him still holding my hand.

'You don't have to go' he said his voice taking on a note of desperation.

Edward looked at his friend with concern, Bella holding his hand. She motioned for him not to intervene, he sighed draping his arm round Bella's shoulder.

'You could stay with me, we could work it out' I shook my head we had already had this conversation many times before. Stopping and turning round to face him. I released my hand from his, bringing both of my hands to his cheeks, looking deep into his shining blue eyes.

Those eyes that normally looked so peaceful and happy were now filled with anguish, I hated to cause him pain. Kissing him once more, I savoured it, committing the feel of his lips against mine to memory, along with the comforting smell of apples and spices that was so distinctly Jasper.

'I love you' I breathed, his lips hovering above mine. I shifted so I could look at him properly, at this statement he glared at me angrily.

'Don't' he shook his head, shutting his eyes 'don't say it like that'

'Like what?' I replied my voice soft.

'Like your never coming back' I looked down, he was right.

'I'm not Jasper, I think it's best if we don't try to contact each other, it will be easier that way' he opened his eyes, slowly.

'Easier? For who, because this is the hardest thing, I have ever had to do' he sounded calmer, but a tear slipped out, I wiped it away, keeping m hand there for a moment.

I had almost come to terms with my situation, but Jasper was unyielding, he refused to admit to himself that this was the end for us. We loved each other but would that be enough when I was in London and he was here in forks? Could our relationship survive the long distance?

It would be easier to say goodbye now, to leave now, before he got even more hurt. But he couldn't see all that I was doing, I was doing it for him.

We heard the speaker announce that my flight was taking on the last borders. Taking out my ticket, from the bag hanging on my shoulder, I looked at jasper one last time.

'I have to go, now' my voice breaking as tears filled my eyes.

'I love you, always' he said, holding me to him, as he imparted a farewell kiss on my forehead.

Turning to Edward and Bella I gave them a big hug, not wanting to let any of them go. Bella held me tightly, kissing my cheek, when she moved away I saw that she was openly weeping, Edward wiped away her tears holding her closer to him.

'I'll miss you, Ali' she said between gut wrenching sobs.

'Goodbye' I said simply, as I turned my back on them, wiping away the tears, streaming down my cheeks.

Chapter 1 – The true beginning

"The true beginning of our end"

~ A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 5, Scene 1 ~

Alice POV

Settling myself in for the long flight, I lowered the shade over the window. Tying my long hair in loose ponytail, I attempted to get comfortable in my chair, promptly falling asleep as I let all of the mental and physical exhaustion caught up to me.

'Alice, something's happened' said my grandmother, struggling to stay composed, as I handed her a glass of water. She had the phone in her lap and I knew immediately, it was nothing good.

'What is it?' my voice cracked as I tried to remain calm.

'I just got a call from the hospital. They say Harry and Lillian got shot' he wheezed awkwardly as she got out of her rocking chair. Placing the phone on the table next to her, she motioned to the car keys dangling on the hook by the door.

'Drive us will you, I feel I'm in no fit condition to drive' I nodded not trusting myself to speak. She held my hand and gave me a reassuring squeeze. Getting in to the car I started to drive faster than was probably wise. Taking out my phone, I called Japer.

'Alice?' I was meant to be meeting him in twenty minutes.

'I need to go to the hospital, will you meet me there? I blurted it out, talking very rapidly, as I did when upset or nervous.

'Okay, shall I tell Bella?' he was calm, just what I needed right now.

'Please' I responded, hanging up and keeping an eye on the road.

Gran didn't complain about how fast I was driving, I suppose she was just as anxious to get to the hospital, to see her son and daughter in law, as soon as possible.

Getting to the hospital, we were greeted by Edwards' dad Doctor Carlisle Cullen, Jasper and Bella weren't there yet, but Carlisle explained to us what had happened. He told us they had been involved in a robbery at a local gas station, dad had been shot in the head and mum in the chest. Because there was significant damage to the brain, it was unlikely dad would survive, however they had more hope for mum as the bullet had missed her heart by a couple of centimetres. They were going to perform surgery immediately.

All we had to do now was wait.

Ten minutes later, Bella, Jasper and Edward arrived, they were full of questions but stopped when Carlisle filed them in. We all sat in silence, just waiting for a glimmer of hope. I was curled up in Jasper's lap, holding on to him desperately, my grandmother sat in a stony silence refusing any offers of drinks or food, only talking when a doctor walked past, to ask about my parents.

After six intense hours we got the devastating blow.

Neither of my parents had made it.

'We are now approaching London, please fasten your seatbelts, as we prepare to land' the captain's voice, woke me up, as the seatbelt light above my head lit up.

Shaking my head to get rid of the memory, I sat up, doing up my seatbelt.

After a smooth landing, I got off the plane, I realised it would be 6pm back home, making in 2am here in London. It was dark and cold, a lot like Forks. Hurrying to baggage claim I waited fifteen minutes till I got my suitcases. Walking with my suitcases to find my aunt Grace and cousin Emmett, I was continually bumped and shoved by various other people all in a rush to get to their destinations.

Aunt Grace was my mother's sister, she was older than my mum by five years. She had the same long dark hair as my mum, but unlike my mother who had brown eyes, she had green eyes like me. 23 years ago my aunt met Jack Williams a director, in Seattle, he was there filming his latest movie, my aunt was the producer. A year later they got married, six months later she got pregnant her first child Emmett, he was 22 and had just training to be a teacher. He had two younger sisters Alyssa and Brooke, Alyssa was 16 and still in school, while Brooke was only 11, having only just started school.

The last time I had seen my aunt and her family was two years ago, when it was aunt grace's 45th birthday. We had all done the tourist thing, going to see the London eye and Big Ben, so to be alone this time round was a depressing thought.

As I searched for my relatives I heard a very distinctive booming voice come from my left.

'Alice' it was Emmett, that loud boisterous man that acted like such a child. Turning around and spotting my aunt as well, I made my way towards them. As I reached them Emmett scooped me up into a massive bear hug, my feet barely touched the ground!

'Emmett can't breathe!' I puffed out as he squeezed me tight. Aunt Grace smiled as he let go of me, giving me a gentle hug she squeezed my hand to assure me it was okay. Emmett was also smiling broadly, taking my suitcases, he started to talk rapidly in his thick British accent.

'Sorry, coz I just haven't seen you in while' he smiled at me again

'And you're still as tiny as ever' I glared at him and he chuckled loudly.

An hour later and we arrived at their home, which was now my home. Their house was located in Osterley a nice place, with a park ten minutes away and a shopping centre not too far away either. It was a fairly large house, with four bedrooms, the girls shared a room and I would get one of my own. Emmett didn't live at home anymore he lived on campus, however he still had his old room, for when he came back on every other weekend.

Not allowing me to carry my own bags, Emmett showed me to my new room and let me sleep as it was now 3am London time and I was exhausted.

My room was tastefully decorated, with red and bronze silk bed sheets and gauzy red curtains, there was a fairly large window overlooking the garden, a white desk and matching cupboard and set of drawers were pushed against opposite walls. The room was exactly what I would have picked out, but very generic, it didn't feel like home.

As the rain started to patter against my window, I lay in the bed with my eyes shut tight. All I could see behind my eyes was Jasper, the look on his face when I left him. I fell asleep listening to the rain that reminded me of Forks, with tears streaming down my face.

Six years later...

'Alice! Bella's on the phone' said James, bringing me a cup of strong coffee.

'Alright, James' picking up the extension in my studio, I wondered vaguely about what Bella was calling me up for.

'Hey Bells' I said, while putting the finishing touches on a green halter neck dress, my show was in two weeks time, and everything had to be perfect.

'Alice, you will never guess what just happened!' I could tell that she was clearly excited about something.

'If I'll never guess, I don't want to play this game' I couldn't resist teasing her, just a little.

'Edward proposed!' she blurted out squealing at the end.

'That was kind of inevitable. Honey, we all knew he would' I shook my head, smiling at my best friend's behaviour.

'Oh, Ali, don't be such a buzz kill!'

'Not me! I'm the life and sole of the party!' we laughed.

'So have you settled on a date?'

'Yep, the 3rd of august!' she sounded gleeful.

'But, that's only a month away! Damn girl, you work fast!' giggling she continued.

'Edward says he wants' to be married as soon as possible, so he can let everyone know I'm his wife! We only want a simple ceremony. With maybe, some Alice Brandon originals for the bride and her bridesmaids? Not forgetting of course the maid of honour!' I smiled some more.

'Depends who the maid of honour is' I said nonchalantly, surveying my work on the mannequin.

'You, naturally, who else but my best friend?' I dropped the casual act immediately and chuckled.

'That would be brilliant! Congratulations Bella send my love to Edward, now go to your husband to be, while I create you a masterpiece!' she giggled joyfully.

'Thanks Alice, I'll send you the invite soon. Don't forget to bring James, drag him away from his work for a while! Bye, bye!'

'Bye Bella' putting down the phone, I took sip of my coffee. I haven't been too forks in six years, Bella would always come to London for a visit. So much would have changed, was I prepared to go back there and face it? Shrugging away those thoughts I walked up the stairs from my basement studio, into the kitchen placing my empty mug in the dishwasher. James was sitting in his study, assembling a proposal for some new brand of healthy cereal, not that there wasn't already enough out there.

The study door was open, and he was sitting perched on the edge of the chair his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his tied loosened.

'Hey' he said as he shifted around some papers, smiling at me as I perched on the edge of the desk.

'Hey' I replied, smiling back at him.

'I heard screaming, should I be worried?' he raised an eyebrow, still smiling at me.

'Bella and Edward are getting married on the 3rd next month. They want us there' he smiled he had met Bella and Edward enough times to know that they were perfect for each other and that marriage was predestined for them.

'I'm happy for them, but I have that trip to Manchester, that might clash with that' I frowned he was such a workaholic. I loved my work but I never let it take over my life. He stood up, holding my hands he leaned down kissing me briefly on the lips.

'I'm sorry baby, but you know I can't cancel, I am so close to getting his promotion' pushing him away, I walked to the door.

'It's my best friend's wedding, and I want you there. I hope this won't happen when we get married, you working right up until the day. You would probably be late to your own wedding' I said coldly, walking back to my studio.

'Alice!' he followed me, stepping in front of me, blocking my path.

'Alice, I'm sorry. I do love you' he put his hands to my cheeks forcing me to look at him.

'Where have I heard that before?' I said scathingly.

'Oh, yeah, I'm sorry Alice, I have to work tonight. I love you' he looked wounded by my accusation, but I continued.

'I'm sorry Alice I have to go on a business trip. I love you'

'Alice, please. I do love you, I wouldn't have proposed to you, if I didn't' he looked at me imploring me to forgive and forget, like we had done many times before.

'As long your there for the ceremony, don't be late James' he smiled having succeeded this time.

'Okay baby' he said kissing me on the forehead. Walking away from him, I didn't respond. We had been married for one and a half years; the honeymoon period was clearly over.