Chapter 46 White Tribunal

Fine weather and few people in the subway were the little things ordinary people like Jasmine felt thankful for, rush hours are not meant to be underestimated for commuters like her but instances such as this was welcome in anyway. In a few months she'll be getting her college diploma, the fruit of her labor – she's been doing early job hunting recently to make herself more productive, the generous tip that Tom and Benedict provide for her company make her feel like a freeloader. Julia often messages her on Facebook and it breaks her heart to the little one with brief answers despite the latter's effort to continue the conversation.

Jasmine is heading towards the KCL gymnasium to attend a mini session for the S.Y. 2018-2019 graduates, she just got back from the library so her breath was a bit uneven. One by one seats were being taken, a large projector was placed at the center for the audio-visual presentation. Rummaging her bag for a pen and notebook to jot down important notes, the lights suddenly went off.

KCL's anthem resounded and the future graduates stands up as they all sang in unison, after which they resumed sitting promptly on their seats only to be dumbfounded when Graham Norton's face shows up in the big screen. Just when their flabbergasted faces were about to recover Graham Norton fabulously introduces his special guest... and another burst of murmur erupted from the KCL audience. It was none other than Alan Rickman himself!

"Is this live?" one student askes, others began fiddling their smartphones and Alan is currently trending on twitter.

"Professor Rickman's trending on twitter!"

Jasmine confirming the live interview began having cold sweats, just what on earth is Alan doing in the Graham Norton Show?

The two men warmly shook hands as Graham motions Alan to sit down on his iconic red sofa. "Ladies and gentleman for the first time, a warm applause for Alan Rickman."

The audience applauded, Alan gave them a curt nod, he then looked at the camera and gave the non-studio audience a devastating smile. Jasmine's heart skips a beat on that one.

"Thank you for having me Graham, despite the short notice."

"Bullocks!"

The two click in one go and talk about anything under the sun, Jasmine's schoolmates were equally surprised of Alan's impeccable humor.

"I do have a slightly naughty poem," Alan winked at the camera, "It goes... sex is a sensation caused by temptation. If a guy sticks his location in a girl's destination to increase the population of the next generation. Do you get my explanation? Or do you need demonstration?"

Quipped with that voice of his, his rather naughty poem earned an earth-shattering squeals from his growing women fanbase.

Graham laughs out loud at the effect, "On a serious note," the host began upon recovering, "I heard you're having a tough time recently?"

"Yes. Woman problems actually."

"Ooh~ what kind of woman gives the Alan Rickman a hard time?"

Alan's face became solemn while the camera zooms in his pale amber eyes and a slight smile made him look more endearing and handsome.

"I know that look!" Graham exclaimed jovially, "you really are in love, aren't you?"

Alan chuckles, he looks ten times younger when he does that.

"I am." He answered, "she's a wonderful and extraordinary and oh so lovely."

"Poor ladies of London." Graham began shaking his head as he addressed the heartbreak of the Rickmaniacs fandom, his statement was accompanied by a suitable glass shattering sound effect. "Well, the man has spoken and I'm sure I am not the only one curious regarding this subject, you are trending on twitter worldwide!"

#Rickmaninlove is spamming the social media flatforms at this very moment and Alan slightly blush from the sudden recognition, he isn't someone who enjoys people prying on his private life normally. He is very private after all.

"Yay for the hashtag." Alan sarcastically replied but his smile was one that could make one's heart flutter.

"Are you an item, Alan?"

The man in question looked straight at the camera his sweet self was replaced by the determined and straightforward man that he is. "To the woman who stole my heart and made me breathless. I am not planning on letting you go. I will fight for you – for us and I will love only you with the remaining days of my life."

Jasmine clenched her fists; her notebook was stained from the droplets of her tears.

"There are people who will judge us, disapproves of us but doesn't that make love look hard? Love is when a person makes you whole, love is a salvation and you are the oasis to my life's desert. I am far from perfect but I know I can make you happy so", the camera shifted from Graham – his looks hold admiration and respect for the renown British actor, then to the live studio audience, anticipation and empathy were written from their faces and finally to Alan Rickman whose eyes spoke with ardent love. "Jassy, will you let this old man have you as his wife?"

And the interview was cut off! People from the gymnasium didn't speak for a while and once recovered, a burst of incoherent sentences erupted from all of them and Jasmine bolted out of the door. Alan proposed to her once more with the whole world as witness! She barely had to catch her breath as she made her way outside the Strand Campus, Alan's declaration of love and assurance made her head spin and her heart about to burst from her chest, mix emotions were swirling within her. She had to see him!

"Is everything ready, Taylor?" Emma Thompson walked into Alan's house, it was snowing outside and few snowflakes managed to slid down the back of her coat. The fire felt good. Taylor walked in front of her, a grin plastered across his face. "It's just like we planned. Want to see?"

Leaving the warmth of the hearth from the parlor, Emma followed him to Alan's private office and chuckled. Taylor, Lindt, Mrs. Woods and even Julia had been busy. A pile of blankets in the corner, small table lamp, a basket of bread and jam and warm beverage should keep the couple happy for their short confinement.

"They're going to have to snuggle to keep warm."

"Precisely." Mrs. Woods' eyes twinkled, who'd have thought that the old fox is such an imp? Now the challenge would be making it appear accidental.

"Did you fix the doorknob?"

Taylor grinned. "Observe." He pulled on the knob and sure enough, it came off in his hand. Had the door been closed, he would have been unable to leave without help.

Brilliant.

Lindt made sure that no paparazzies linger on the Rickman household providing the false information was a piece of cake for a tech-security expert like him.

The reason why the interview was cut short was because of Julia's sudden disappearance. Alan was informed by one of the show's staff of Mrs. Woods frantic call.

"Julia?" Alan yelled.

"Mrs. Woods?"

No one answered. The house was silent except for the music coming from the gramophone located in the parlor. Alan was surprised to find no one gathered around the blazing fire, listening to the beautiful music.

When he reached his office he was surprised to see Jasmine as she is equally startled to see him as well. Then the door closed behind them, the following click indicating it was now locked.

"Julia's fine," Emma Thompson's voice was heard through the door.

"Hi Daddy. Hi Jassy," the child said proving her Aunt Emma's claim.

"Now," Emma began, "you two might as well get comfortable 'cause you're not getting out of there until you sort your mess. In the meantime, we're all going to Harrods for late shopping spree.

Noises of shuffling and stomping feet and murmuring voices followed.

"How many of them are out there anyway?" Alan's question brought a smile to Jasmine's lips.

"Sounds like your entire household." She turned to look at him and his mouth suddenly went dry. God, he miss those dimples.

Lashes glistening from melted snowflakes, her cheeks flushed from the cold, she was the only woman he knew who could be more beautiful every time he laid his eyes on her.

"Would you like to warm by the fire?" it wasn't what he really wanted to ask, but it was a start.

She nodded as she crossed the room to the hearth. He followed closely behind. They stood in front of the flames, warming their icy hands and staring ahead silently, until he finally asked, "Now what do we do?"

Her dimple sank into her cheek with a grin and he was flooded with relief. Maybe if he proposes to her again, her answer would be different?"

"I saw your interview."

"And?"

Jasmine closes her eyes, this is the extra leap she needed, "I also want to believe in us, I want to be with you and Julia's lives. I wanted to love you in many ways that in know, will you still take me?"

"Oh darling," Alan pulled her into his arms, he cupped her face. "I never thought I would ever love again, but I was wrong. I love you Jasmine Matthews, tell me that you'll become my wife."

She smiled, the twinkle in her eyes told him the affirmation he needed but it's still different if he hears it right from her pink lips. "I love you Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman and of course I would gladly be your wife."

Pressing his cheeks against her temple, he said, "you belong to me woman." He moved his lips across her brow. She quivered and turned her face up toward him.

"I told my self many times that you are a woman who needed wooing. I even practiced at words to persuade you to allow me to put my hands all over you once more." He exhaled beneath her ear with such force and passion. "But who needs words when I want to put my mouth on you..." she trembled. "Everywhere."