Prologue

He couldn't breathe, no- he was breathing too fast. His limbs hurt but he refused to move. He couldn't move. Pain seized through him, causing him to open his eyes. Oncie gazed up at the canvas roof of his wagon, he glanced around in a panic, trying to find anything to distract him from the horrid nightmare. He squeezed his eyes shut again, as the cold laugh of the Queen of Hearts echoed in his mind. Slowly the laughter faded in his mind to another laugh, this one taunting him. "Oh, Oncie, you think someone in their right mind would love you? Ha! That's a trip. Sometimes, I can barely stand ya, and all your crazy i-dee-a's" He could picture his younger self flinching back from the face bending over him. "You sir, are just what I named you, a once in a lifetime experience that I honestly wish never happened." A hand reached out and patted his head while a snicker escaped his mother's lips. "Oncie, you just stick with your family and don't even think of goin' off like all the other good for nothin's. You have your place here with us, and your momma. Now… go finish your chores."

Oncie swallowed hard and forced himself to roll over on his side, sucking in a shallow breath. He felt tears stinging his eyes. Who was he to think everything would be different… Just because they escaped Wonderland didn't mean his life would be blissful and bright. How could he have let himself believe that, even for a moment? He closed his eyes and pictured Rapunzel's bright smile lighting his day, but even as he smiled at the thought his heart grew heavy. No… who was he to think her smile was for him, even for a moment. He'd finish his time here and move on… because sooner or later life would catch up to him… and he couldn't let Rapunzel see him crumble and fall. He wasn't what she needed and he knew it.

Oncie curled his fingers into a fist, biting his lips to keep from crying a loud. It hurt so much. Everything hurt down to the depth of his soul… and nothing- not even Rapunzel- could fix that. He was broken and unfixable… and that would never change.

Chapter 1

Three months earlier...

"Rapunzel!"

Rapunzel caught sight of the grey-haired woman hurrying down the red dirt path, a look of joy and relief playing across the lady's face.

"Mother!" Rapunzel stood up in the wagon and waved at the woman, looking as though she would jump and run to her.

"Rapunzel!" Oncie held the reins in one hand and grabbed her arm with the other. "Rapunzel, wait! Sit down, you'll fall! Don't jump!"

She spun on her heel and looked down at him. "That's Gran, I told you about her! You'll love her! She's probably been worried sick." She turned again, and waved. "I'M ALRIGHT MOTHER!"

Oncie cast her a worried glance, trying to keep his eyes on the road while also trying to keep hold of the ecstatic girl next to him. "Rapunzel, please, sit down." He let go of her arm and caught her hand, pulling her back to the seat of the wagon. "It's not safe dancing around on a moving wagon like that."

Rapunzel shot him a look of annoyance that turned into a teasing grin. "Says the man who fought off soldiers on stairs, and swung from incredible heights on moving beams." She raised her eyebrows at him, waiting for a response.

"I- uh…" He swallowed, unable to answer.

"I'll be fine!" Before he could stop her, she gathered her long braided hair and leapt from the wagon.

"WOAH!" He turned his donkey to the left to keep from hitting her. He came to a jolting stop, his hat falling across his eyes. He pushed it back, muttering to himself in annoyance. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her run into the oncoming woman's arms- both wrapping each other in a long hug.

A slow smile played across his lips as he watched the reunion of mother and daughter. A slight pang crossed his chest as his thoughts wandered, wondering if his family would ever greet him in such a manner… not likely.

Oncie took a deep breath and gathered the reins in his hand, urging the donkey forward towards the two women.

As he drew near he heard Rapunzel's excited voice relaying the details of her time in Wonderland in record-breaking speeds. She broke off her story as she turned and saw him approach. "Mom! This is him. This is Oncie! The called him Hatter in Wonderland but he isn't really the mad hatter, he fell into Wonderland just like me and he's been stuck there for almost a year and-"

"Rapunzel, slow down." Her mother put a steadying hand on her shoulder and looked up at Oncie. "Thank you, young man. For keeping my daughter safe and bringing her home." She glanced over at Rapunzel and then back up at him. "I can't thank you enough."

Oncie felt himself turn red with embarrassment. He met her mother's gaze briefly before glancing towards the ground. "Oh! Y-you're welcome." He tipped his hat back and gave her a small nod.

Rapunzel, glanced up towards her mother. "Momma, I know this has been rough for everyone, and I want you to hear the whole story, but can he stay at our place?"

Oncie glanced at her mother and then away, feeling awkward.

"Oh… Rapunzel-"

"Please, mother, you must get to know him, and-"

"Rapunzel, we don't have very much room and…" She glanced back and forth between her daughter and Oncie. "Well…" She seemed to be weighing something in her mind.

Oncie swallowed and began to dismiss the idea. "Ma'am you don't hav-"

"No, no! It's fine, you can come on to our home. It's rather small but you are welcome." She marched around to his side of the wagon and reached out to shake his hand. "From what she's told me, you saved my daughter's life and I can never repay you enough for that." She glance towards his wagon. "I'm afraid that you'll have to stay in your wagon though, unless you want to sleep on our kitchen table." She chuckled

Oncie gave an awkward grin as he shook her hand. "I-I'll be fine with my wagon. That's what it's for."

Her mother held his hand in a firm grip for a moment, watching him. Then she let go and turned to Rapunzel, who'd followed her around. "Well, we'd better head back, and I'll tell the town to call off the search party. We've been out lookin' for you ever since the children told us you went to find Jamie. Land's sake, I was worried sick."

Rapunzel grabbed her mother's arm. "Wait! Jamie! Is he safe? Did you find him?"

"Yes, yes!" Her mother patted her shoulder. "Don't worry about that youngin', he's safe and sound at his mother's house. Although, I think you should let him know you're safe. He's been a crying and a worryin' since he came home and found out you'd gone into the woods lookin' for him." She shook her head. "When will you kids learn to stay away from where you're told not to go? The townsfolk have been searching since early mornin' then just came back to town to regroup and look again. In fact, that's where we'd better start first." She looked up at Oncie. "Do you mind givin' us a lift to the center of town, young man?"

Oncie shook his head. "No, not at all. Come aboard."

He jumped down and helped them both on the wagon. Then they started off towards the direction of town and the waiting townspeople.

Author's Note: Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! 3 What a day for the release of the second book! I'm sorry that this chapter isn't full of romantic fluff but that will be on the way. Fair warning though, this book will be more along the lines of Romantic - Splice of Life - Everyday Life category and won't have as much action/adventure as the first book. (Hang in there though, because Lord willing, book 3 will bring in all the crazy 'wonder'ful adventure vibes again.) "This is Love" however... will be more along the lines of the movie "Magic of Ordinary Days" (I love that movie by the way. It's an old Hallmark movie. )Well now that the disclaimer is out of the way for story genre, I want to give a HUGE thank you to God. Honestly, this book would not be written if He hadn't of stepped in and given me the inspiration for the story right when I needed it. He goes far and beyond what I could ever ask, think, or imagine. Guys, HE wrote this story, not me. I'm just the typist, HE is the true author and inspirer and I wouldn't be here if weren't for Him. So, Thank you Lord God Almighty!

I also say thank you to RohansDaughter (Rach) for being my official story editor! Thank you so much, Rach. I couldn't do this without you. You help bring my writing to it's peak and I thank you so much for all you do for me with story editing, TimelessTalesStudio, video editing, commenting, and just be an overall true blue friend. **Hugs** Thank you!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has followed my story since the beginning, and those who have now just jumped in! Thank you for all the fan-art, comments, reviews, videos, and encouragement over the past two going on three years. I couldn't do this without you all! All of you supporters are what makes this journey worthwhile and I hope and pray that this story be a blessing to each of you. I love you all!

God Bless,

Violet

P.S. Keep an eye out for the next chapter. Lord willing, it'll be released next Wednesday. ;D