Hightopp Hearts
By Detafo
A/N: Here it is! The first chapter of the threequel! I know I said I was going to take a break, but this damned thing kept me up half the night! Hope y'all like it!
Chapter One:
Hazardous High Tea
Alice Kingsley-Hightopp looked about the manor with an air of pride. Soon, the house would be back to its former glory, just as Tarrant had showed her in an old family portrait. The large house would soon be the home of a Hightopp Clan once again, just as it had ten years past before the awful Horunvendush Day. It had taken a lot of convincing from Thackery and Mallymkun, from the White Queen and the Cheshire Cat, and of course Alice herself for Tarrant to return to the house he'd once called home, that which he would call home once again.
The town of Witzend, she knew, held a lot of memories for Tarrant – both good and bad – but soon, she hoped that the pleasant memories would outweigh the distressing once their beautiful baby was welcomed into the world.
It had been a whirlwind year of joy for the happily married couple – they had married on the Eraforous Day, the anniversary of the Frabjous Day, had honeymooned in the North country and then had returned to find that the White Queen had rallied the residents of Underland to restore Witzend to its once-former glory, as well as erecting a pillar with the names of those who had lost their lives on the Horunvendush Day, including the names of Tarrant's lost father, mother and siblings.
And now, as Witzend came together like a puzzle with all its pieces, the newest Hightopp was about to be born and start life anew for the happy couple. Alice gazed out the window to her right and smiled, waving at the figure that was working hard in the garden, tending to the new gardens that had been planted in place of those that had been destroyed by the Jabberwocky. Tarrant grinned and waved back; blowing a kiss she knew was meant for both her and the baby that was growing inside her belly.
Turning away from the window, Alice made her way to the kitchen, picking up the glass of iced quinceberry tea that she had made for her hard-working husband. Exiting through the back door, she made her way across the grass to where Tarrant has stopped pruning to wipe his brow with a large spotted kerchief.
"Poppet, what are you doing out here?" He asked, turning to face her and accepting the slightly sweating glass of tea. "Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I know you think I should be resting," Alice smiled. "But it does get awfully lonely in the house when you're out here working on this beautiful garden. I thought I might take a stroll to breathe some fresh air."
"As long as you're careful." Tarrant smiled, leaning forward and kissing his wife gently. "I want no harm to come to you or our child." He placed a hand upon Alice's swollen belly and giggled as he felt the little being inside kick at him. "I say, it seems he'll grow up to be an expert Futterwackener!"
"What makes you think it is indeed a boy?" Alice teased lightly. It had been a playful argument for nearly six month now – Tarrant was convinced the baby was a boy, whilst Alice was hoping for a girl. They had both agreed that no matter what, boy or girl, as long as it had ten fingers and toes and was healthy, it didn't matter. They would love it just as much as they loved each other.
"Because, my dear Alice, only boys would know how to Futterwacken so spectacularly whilst still in the womb!" Tarrant smiled.
"Girls can Futterwacken too, you know." Alice reminded him. "I Futterwackened when I returned Topside."
"But you are most extraordinary." Tarrant chuckled, placing another chaste kiss on the woman's lips. "As will be our child, I'm guessing."
"Having an extraordinary mother and a half-mad father, it ought to be!" Alice said, returning the kiss. "I promise I won't wander far. I'm only going to the end of the road. I was meaning to visit the market so that I might make something for dinner. You deserve a hearty meal after working so hard outside all day."
"What more could a man need?" Tarrant grinned. "Be off with ye, lass. An' don' be bringin' any sprouts!"
"After the amount of sprouts that Thackery gave us from his first successful crop? I highly doubt we'll need them for at least another year!" Alice laughed, waving as she made her way to the front gate, aware that her husband's watchful gaze was on her until she was out of sight.
As she walked down the street, she was greeted heartily by the residents of Witzend who had survived the Horunvendush Day by going into hiding. Once word had gotten out that the Red Queen and the Knave were no longer a threat, the town folk had slowly trickled from their hiding places to rejoin society.
As she called out greetings to other residents, stopped by some of the older folk and asked how far along she was and given a beautiful yellow rose by the street vendor's son, Alice reflected on how differently her life had turned out from what her mother had had planned for her.
In Overland, all that had been waiting for her was a lonely life as the wife of a businessman. In Underland, she was the celebrated champion, slayer of the Jabberwocky. In Overland, she had been seen as a rebellious, odd young woman. In Underland she was encouraged to do as she pleased, to think her uncanny thoughts, to think of six impossible things not just before breakfast, but before every other meal of the day as well. Yes, it was Underland where she felt her most comfortable.
333
As she opened the garden gate to the path that would lead to the front door of Hightopp Manor, Alice was surprised to see a beautiful white horse quietly grazing by the to the side of the path. "Uulum!" She said softly, so as not to startle the steed. "What brings you to Witzend?"
The Horse looked up at Alice with her dark brown eyes. "The White Queen wished to see both you and Hatter Hightopp. She has not seen you for many weeks and she was beginning to miss you." She said softly. "She is inside with your husband now, and they both await your return from the market."
"It's so very nice to see you again, Uulum." Alice said softly, placing one hand on the horse's nose. She pulled a carrot from the string bag that held her shopping. "Here."
Uulum munched gratefully on the vegetable and gazed at Alice thoughtfully. "And when is your foal due to enter this world?" She asked in her soft voice.
"Within the fortnight, if Doctor Horthanby's calculations are correct." Alice smiled. "But we shall see. With a father like Tarrant, it may be early to avoid being late. Or it could be the complete opposite."
"I wish you the best of luck in whichever time the foal decides to grace us with its presence." The Horse gave a snort by way of a laugh. "But, you had better not keep the Queen waiting. I do believe she had something to ask of you."
"Very well. It was lovely to see you again, Uulum." Alice smiled, before making her way up the stairs and into the house, leaving the royal steed to continue her quiet grazing. Walking into the front parlour, Alice became aware of voices that were carrying from the kitchen.
"Alice? Is that you, Poppet?" Tarrant's voice called down the hall.
"Yes, it's me." Alice called back, hanging her shawl on a hook beside the door, before walking down the hallway and into the kitchen. "Hello, Mirana!" She smiled warmly at the pale figure of the White Queen, who was seated at the kitchen table.
"Hello, Alice." Mirana answered, equally as warmly. "My, you're positively glowing! You look beautiful!"
Alice merely ducked her head to hide her blush. Tarrant laughed. "You've hit the nail on the head, Mirana. She does look beautiful, even if she isn't willing to believe it."
"I do believe you." Alice answered promptly. "It's just that I'm having a hard time understanding how someone as big as I am could be considered beautiful. I've told you that before, Tarrant."
"Poppet, you'll always be beautiful to me." Tarrant smiled. "No matter what anyone else may say." He wrapped his arms around Alice's shoulders and rested his chin on her shoulder, looking at the Queen, who was surveying the scene with a look of utmost tranquillity on her face, a secret smile playing about the corner of her mouth as it always did when she was calm. "Well, now, Mirana… Alice has returned from the market. What were you going to ask of her?"
"Ah, yes." Mirana smiled. "Alice, I know how much you love to write. I have read some of your work that you sent me, and the letters you send every week are always so full of information, they are like their own little books chronicling each week in Witzend." Alice blushed at the compliment. "I was wondering if you would consider taking up a post as an Underland Historian?"
"Historian? To write about the history of Underland?" Alice questioned. "I hardly know anything of what happened before my first visit, Mirana… and all I know of that happened during my absence was Iracebeth's reign."
"You needn't look so worried, Alice." Mirana laughed quietly. "You may write all you know about Underland's history after your return on the Gribling day, and the months you were absent, you can fill in from looking at the Oraculum easily enough."
"It's quite an offer, Mirana." Alice said, absently rubbing her belly in thought. "May I have time to think about it?"
"Of course." Mirana said with a smile. "I just thought that maybe you would like to have an occupation that kept your mind active."
"I think it may be active enough with a little one on the way." Alice chuckled and Mirana joined in. "But it would be nice to have something to fill in my days while Tarrant is in his workshop."
"Aye." Agreed Tarrant. "It would sadden me greatly to see such an active and inquisitive mind go to waste…" He kissed Alice's hairline and grinned. "But I shall leave you two to talk about this history lark. I have some hats to finish off before dinner." He bade both women fairfarren and exited the kitchen via the backdoor. Alice watched as he entered the remodelled workshop at the bottom of the garden. Mirana also watched, smiling.
"I'm so glad to see that you're both happy." She said softly.
"Oh, we are." Alice smiled, sitting across from the Queen. "Now, tell me more about this historian position."
333
"Are you sure you should be travelling like this, Alice?"
"Tarrant, we agreed on this already. Mirana has one of the best doctors in all of Underland in her employ, if anything should happen, I'll be in good hands." Alice kissed the man in front of her, smiling. "And besides, you're coming with me, because Mally asked you to."
"I'm going, merely because I worry about my wife and unborn child!" Tarrant retorted, his eyes beginning to show signs of amber. "You were due three days ago! How is it that the baby is not here yet?"
"Tarrant!"
"Thank you." He wheezed. "I'm fine."
"Tarrant, we've discussed this… sometimes babies like to take their time! My sister's certainly did. All three of her children ended up being born between one and three weeks after her due date! Oh, Tarrant! I didn't mean to frighten you!" She placed both her hands on her husband's pallid cheeks. "It's a part of life. You needn't worry!"
"But what if you go into labour whilst we are travelling to Marmoreal?" Tarrant asked.
"Then the baby will just have to wait until we get to the Palace before it decides it's time to come out!" Alice replied, her hands still on Tarrant's cheeks. "Tarrant, I know you're worried, but don't be. I'm fine, the baby is fine."
Tarrant sighed in defeat. "Alright." He said. "Let us make our way to Marmoreal so that you may take High Tea with Mirana and so that I may find out what Mally is so excited about."
Alice smiled and kissed his cheek, which made him smile his gap-toothed smile. "I love you, Tarrant."
"Not as much as I love you, Alice."
"Is that a challenge?" She teased. Tarrant smirked. "Come on, let's leave now so that we might arrive at Marmoreal by lunch time."
333
The carriage ride to Marmoreal was about as uneventful as watching grass grow. Alice had been napping since the outskirts of Witzend, as her pregnancy had been sapping her energy a lot more quickly the last few days. Tarrant had wrapped an arm around her as they travelled, shaking her gently as they came within sight of the White Castle.
"Alice, we're here." He whispered. "Time to wake up, my love."
"I'm awake." Alice said, unsuccessfully trying to cover a yawn as she sat up and straightened her simple shift – none of her dresses fit her properly since she was so large about the midsection. As the carriage stopped at the entrance to the castle, both occupants looked out the small window to see Mirana waiting upon the top stair for them. Opening the door to the carriage, they exited, thanking the horse which had brought them. The horse merely snorted, shook his mane and trotted off to the royal stables, his errand now finished.
The two of them made their way up the stairs, slowly, because Alice was still feeling a little tired and uncomfortable from the journey, and met Mirana at the top of the stairs. The Queen smiled at them both.
"I'm so glad you could come." She said. "Alice, come in and we shall start our high tea, Tarrant…" She surveyed the man with a smile. "I believe Mallymkun is in the woodshed, waiting to tell you of something that may be of interest to you."
Tarrant cast a protective glance over Alice, who was now standing with the queen. His wife smiled at him reassuringly and nodded her consent to let him go and see his friend. He smiled back, knowing that she was indeed in good hands if something were to happen – heaven forbid! – and tipped his hat.
"Well, I bid ye ladies fairfarren." He said with a grin. "Should you need me, I'll be conversing with Mallymkun… I suppose you'll find us either in the woodshed of walking about the gardens." He turned and made his way down the stairs once again, taking the path that would lead to the woodshed where his friend was apparently awaiting his arrival.
Mirana turned her deep brown gaze to Alice and smiled. "Shall we adjourn for tea, then?"
"That would be wonderful." Alice said gratefully. "I've been feeling uncomfortable all day."
"Poor dear…" Mirana said soothingly. "The baby is wearing you down?"
"Perhaps." Alice agreed. "It definitely doesn't have its father's sense of time!" She smiled at Mirana's chuckle. "Though I must confess that Tarrant's behaviour is wearing me down a lot more than this baby. He's convinced something may be wrong because it is past the due date."
"Fathers-to-be are usually very anxious." Mirana smiled. "I remember Badyx Hightopp when his youngest was about to be born." She glanced at Alice as they sat in their seats. "Badyx was Tarrant's father."
Alice nodded, remembering reading the name on the pillar that remembered each member of the Hightopp family lost on the Horunvendush Day. "Such a tragedy. How old was the youngest on the Horunvendush Day?"
"Barely a year old." Mirana said sadly. Darling Bryte, her name was. And she was a darling. So very happy."
"I was thinking about the names of Tarrant's clan." Alice said after a moment of silence. "If the baby is a boy, I was thinking of naming him Ashtant Badyx, after his brother and father." Mirana smiled.
"And if it were a girl?" She asked.
"Straleigh Bryte." Alice smiled. Mirana nodded thoughtfully.
"After his mother and sister. How lovely. I'm sure Tarrant would appreciate it." She gazed at Alice over her tea cup. "Are you all right, Alice? You look quite pale."
"I feel a little hot…" Alice said, fanning herself. "Perhaps I need a little air. Excuse me for a few moments, Mirana." She pushed herself up from the table, only to feel something warm and wet run down her legs under her shift. "Oh…"
"Alice?" Mirana asked, getting up from the table and helping the girl back into her chair. "Oh, dear…" She looked down at the wet puddle on the floor. "Nivens!"
The White Rabbit knew exactly when he was needed, no matter where in the castle he was, and was soon in Mirana's private chambers almost as soon as the Queen had called his name. "Majesty?" He asked, nose twitching wildly.
"Nivens!" Mirana said, looking thoroughly relieved that he was there. "Run and fetch Doctor Schtarri… I believe Alice is about to have her baby."
Nivens twitched his whiskers in alarm, before his senses kicked in and he was gone with a flash of fur and the bobbing of a fluffy tail out the door to fetch the doctor.
333
"So, you will be partaking on a quest with this other mouse?" Tarrant asked carefully. "Is he good to you, Mally? You know how I worry about you."
"Oh, Hatter…" The little mouse smiled. "He's just perfect. When you and Alice got married, it made me realise how very lonely I would be if I did not find someone… and Bomazon just happened into my life a few months ago… I thought you'd be happy!"
"Believe me, Mally, I am indeed happy for you." Tarrant replied, his face split into his normal grin. "But if he hurts you in any way, don't hesitate to tell me." He winked. "At least now I'll be safe from your sword-jabs."
Mally laughed and poked him with a twig. "That's what you think, Tarrant Hightopp." She smirked.
"Tarrant Hightopp! Tarrant Hightopp!" Tarrant looked toward the door of the woodshed as he head his name being called.
"In here, McTwisp!" He said, spotting the rabbit as he rushed by. "Whatever is the matter?"
"It's Alice!" Nevins gasped out. "She's about to have the baby!"
"Baby!" Both Tarrant and Mally cried in unison. Nevins nodded and beckoned for both of them to follow. Mally jumped aboard Tarrant's hat and the two of them raced after Nevins as he disappeared into the castle once again.
333
"Now, Alice… I need you to take this potion." Doctor Schtarri said soothingly to the groaning woman on the bed. "It will ease your pain." She handed the vial to Mirana who smoothed Alice's hair off her forehead and helped her drink the bright orange liquid. Almost at once, the girl felt most of the pain leave her body and she relaxed against the pillows. "All right…" The doctor said, watching closely. "Now, push, Alice!"
With all the strength she could muster – for she felt so sleepy, thanks to that potion – Alice took a deep breath a pushed, counting to ten before letting the breath go, repeating the actions as the doctor gave her soft, murmured instructions. Mirana continued to wipe her brow with a damp cloth, murmuring soothingly.
At last there it was! A cry pierced the tense silence of the room and Alice opened her eyes to see the doctor holding a bundle of blue blanket. "It's a boy!" She said happily. Alice leaned back against the pillows once again.
"Where is Tarrant?" She asked weakly.
"Nevins went to fetch him." Mirana soothed. "He'll be here very soon."
Alice merely nodded, before screwing up her eyes as the sensation to push became apparent once again. The doctor passed the wailing baby boy to the nurse by her side and once again got into position. "Alice, I need you to push again…" She said in a commanding, yet soothing voice. Alice barely listened as the sensation to push made her groan. A few moments later, she felt the baby slip from her body and she was free to breath normally once again. "It's a girl!" The doctor said joyfully. "Twins! How wondrous!"
Mirana smiled down at Alice and kissed the girl's forehead. "Well done." She whispered. "They're the perfect picture of health."
There was a soft knock at the door as the doctor wrapped the little girl in a pink blanket and handed her to her mother. The door opened and Tarrant, his eyes amber with worry, hurried in. "Alice! Are you all right? Is the baby all right? Why did you not tell me you were feeling uncomfortable today? You should have at least said something, given me a small hint that you might be having our baby today --"
"Babies." Mirana corrected, as the nurse placed the little boy into the crook of Alice's other arm. Tarrant blinked.
"Babies?" He repeated. "We have… more than one?"
"We do, Tarrant." Alice said, with tears in her eyes. "Aren't they beautiful?"
Tarrant took a seat on the edge of the bed, looking down at the two bundles of blankets situated on either side of his wife. "They are…" He whispered. Then he looked up at Alice. "Alice, you're crying! Why are you crying? Are you not happy?"
"I'm crying with happiness, Tarrant." Sniffled Alice. "I'm the luckiest woman in all of Underland."
Neither of them noticed as the doctor ushered the nurse or the Queen out, letting the new family bond alone. After a few moments of silence, Tarrant stroking the cheek of the little girl, and then her brother, he looked up at his wife.
"They're beautiful, just like their mother." He said, leaning forward and kissing Alice's forehead. "What shall we name them?"
"I was thinking something to remember your family." Alice said softly. Tarrant raised his eyebrows. "Tarrant, meet your son, Ashtant Badyx Hightopp." The Hatter bit his lip as he felt tears prick the insides of his eyelids. "And your daughter, Straleigh Bryte."
"Oh, Alice…" He leaned forward and kissed her gently. "The most beautiful names in the entire world."