Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Louisiana Love

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 03: A Very Merry Yuletide

Louisiana 1894, December

(Arabella’s POV)

It has been well over a year now since we lost Peter and Charlotte. I do miss them so. However now we have begun a new chapter in our lives. I know Emmett plans to ask for Miss Rosemarie’s hand in marriage. He has been planning this for a few weeks now. He wishes to propose to her Christmas eve at the Yuletide Ball. It is a grand gesture but Rose will appreciate it more then if he were to do it at home where no one would see. Most everyone in town already knows of his plans. Oh what a wonderful holiday celebration this will be.

Mississippi Bayou 1894, December

(Peter’s POV)

It has been months since we ran from the war whore. I miss the Major something fierce. We have been travelin’ around and have yet to come across any more fightin’. Perhaps it is just in the southwest. Christmas is closing in quickly. Passing through town one night Char and I saw the most beautiful gown in one of the shops windows. I immediately thought of Arabella. So we lingered around outside the shops until they closed up for the night. Breakin and enterin wasn’t sumthin new to us. As a matter of fact we were rather good at it. I knew if we sent it by mail carrier it might not make it in time. So after several hours of debate with Char, we were headed home to secretly deliver the Christmas gift to Bella.

Yuletide Ball 1894.

(Arabella’s POV)

Everyone was dressed in their Christmas best. Men wore finely tailored suits, and the women wore dresses that I think even the first lady would envy. Rose looked stunning in her ruby red corseted ball gown. I was stuck in blue. How I loathed the color blue. It came in so many shades. Sky blue, cerulean blue, robins egg blue…the list goes on and on. I don’t even see how blue can be considered a holiday color. I much rather wear green or white even, but alas Emmett put his foot down. Blue brings out the color in your eyes he says…yeah yeah…blue is also the color associated with depression. As the saying goes: why do you look so blue. If we go with that then the dress is perfect.

I love my brother and Rose dearly, truly I do; but one can only take so much badgerin’. Bella you should really look to find a husband. Bella you should settle down. Bella you need a man to take care of you. Bella your brother can’t look after you forever you know. Bella. Bella. Bella… Just once I would love to stand and scream…I changed my name! I swear they all believe that women are incapable of standing alone.

Peter would have never forced me to look for something I wasn’t ready for. *sigh* oh how I miss my brother. Char was a spitfire let me tell you. I thought paw was gonna have a heart attack when he heard the mouth on that girl. She was worse then most men I know. But she took no lip or sass from anyone. I can’t count the number of times she put Peter in his place.

I must have been lost in my own head for some time cause the music had stopped and Emmett stood in front of the small stage where the band played.

“Would Miss Rosemarie Kinely please be kind enough to come join me here.”

We all watch with baited breath as Rose made her way to Emmett.

“Emmett dear what is this all about?” she asked.

He dropped down onto one knee and took her hand in his.

“Rosemarie Kinely, I have loved you from afar since the first day I saw you two years ago. I drove my darling sister close to madness with the way I would sulk and groan when I couldn’t see you. I know it took me a long time to see reason but now that I have I can’t wait one more moment. Miss Rose, would you do me the greatest pleasure any man could ask for of a woman and become my wife?”

I swear Rose almost fainted. Almost. Rose was one tough woman I knew her and Emmett were made for each other. They balanced each other. Emmett could be a push over, Rose was one you didn’t push. Emmett was rather childish at times and Rose was always the adult.

“Yes… a million times yes. Emmett McCarty it would be my greatest pleasure to become your wife.”

Emmett, after placing the ring on her finger and a light peck on her lips, picked her up and swung her around, making the rest of us rather dizzy. I watched afterwards as the music and merriment continued on into the night. As I felt It was getting late I made my way to Emmett.

“Brother dear, I feel it is getting rather late and I wish to turn in. I will be headed home.”

“Certainly Bella. I will just gather our things and we will be on our way.”

“No. no. Emmett I am fine, I can find my way perfectly well on my own. You and Rose stay and enjoy your engagement. I will see you both at home later.”

“If your sure. I would feel much better if you had a chaperon to guide you home.”

“Emmett. I can take care of myself just fine. Remember, I had a wonderful twin who taught me to fight.” I smirked at him.

“You always were a scrappy thing weren’t ya.”

“Damn straight.” I whispered low to him so no one else would hear.

He chuckled at me and turn to continue his evening with Rose. I started toward home. It was only a few lengths down the lane. I was almost home when I saw two people lurking around the house. As I got closer I yelled for them to stop. They froze almost instantly. Turning faster then possible, they looked in my direction. I gasped.

“Peter…Charlotte?”

“Arabella”

That was the lasting thing I heard before I fainted.