An Orderly Chaos

Chapter One: An Invitation to a Party

Helen Kingsley carefully reread the letter she had just finished writing, inviting her two daughters to come home for a visit. She smiled, remembering the letter she had received from Margaret two years earlier, telling her not to worry, that she-Margaret-was safe and happy in Underland, and married to a fine figure of a soldier. At first, Helen had been a bit mortified at the thought of her eldest, and, if she had to confess, favorite, daughter married to a common soldier, but Margaret's glowing happiness showed through in every line of her letter. Helen had not been totally ignorant of the appalling way Lowell had treated Margaret, so it was quite refreshing to read that her new husband treated her like the lady she was.

Helen signed the letter, then with a slight smile, walked over to the fireplace. Margaret had told her that was the best way to send letters to and from Underland.

'All you have to do, Mother is speak the name of the person you wish to send the letter to, and toss it in the fireplace. The Queen has connected our house to our homes in Underland.'

Helen smiled. "Mrs. Margaret Blanchard, Underland." She tossed the envelope into the fire place, grinning as a gust of wind carried it up and away.

Margaret was nursing Adrian when she noticed a white object flutter through the window and land at her feet. She bent down as best as she could, and picked the item up. Her face lit up in happiness as she recognized her mother's handwriting on the envelope. She quickly tore it open, and beamed in happiness.

'My dear Margaret:

I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that you have found joy and happiness in the strange world that Alice first told us about. I confess, at first I did not believe such a world could exist, but Alice has a way of making even the most impossible things seem possible. I still remember when Alice and her two mad friends came for a visit, and the lovely time we all had. But that was so long ago, and I find myself missing my two lovely daughters quite terribly, and I wish to see you, and your friends and family.

I will be throwing a party to celebrate the opening of the Social Season in three days time, and would love nothing more than to see my family once again.

Much Love,

Your Momma, Helen.

P.S: Tell Lady Stayne that I look forward to meeting her husband.'

Margaret grinned, and looked down at Adrian, who had finished his supper and was now snuggling up to his Momma, ready for a nap. "Would you like to meet your grandma, my little lad?" Adrian yawned, and Margaret laughed. "I'll take that as a yes." She turned as she heard the front door open, and felt her heart flutter at the sight of her husband in his uniform. 'He's so handsome.'

Adrian's face spilt into a huge grin at the sight of his Daddy, and he held out his arms, gurgling. Thomas walked over and picked him up. "Hello, my lad. Have you been good for your Momma?" Adrian blatted, and Thomas laughed, then leaned over and kissed Margaret. "Hello, my Meggie. I missed you quite terribly." He noticed the sheet of paper in her hand. "Who wrote to you?"

"My mother. She misses Alice and me, and wants us to come home for a visit with our families. The Staynes are invited as well. I was waiting for you to come home so I could go tell Alice the news. Could you watch Adrian for me?"

"Of course."

Tarrant grumbled as he heard a knock on his front door. He opened one eye, smiling at the sight of his Alice curled up next to him. 'Maybe if I ignore them, they'll go away.' He shut his eye, and for a few moments there was a blissful silence. Then the knock sounded louder than before, and Tarrant cursed under his breath at Arianna's shout.

"Dad, there's someone at the door!"

"Answer it, then! Your mother and I had a busy night last night!"

Arianna giggled. "I don't want another brother, Dad!"

Tarrant groaned. "Arianna, just answer the door!" He lay back with his arm over his forehead, and then blinked as he heard the distinctive sound of Alice giggling. "How long have you been awake, my dear?"

Alice grinned at him. "Long enough love." Tarrant groaned, and she laughed harder. "You are so handsome when you're flustered."

"Aunt Meggie!"

Margaret smiled at her niece. "Hello, darling. Is your momma awake?"

Alice came out of the bedroom, grinning at Margaret. "Meggie! What brings you here?"

"Mother wants us to come for a visit. The Social Season is about to begin, and she wishes to see us and our families. The Staynes are invited as well."

Alice laughed. "Oh, I can just imagine the chaos that Tarrant, Alannah, and Ilosovic will cause."

Margaret nodded. "Yes, it's certainly going to be interesting. But one question, how are we all going to get to Overland? I thought the last of the Jabberwock blood was gone."

Alice grinned. "Alannah made a transport potion, remember? It's how Tarrant sent Lowell home."

"That's right! I just hope we don't have to become rats. That would be most inconvenient."

Alice laughed. "No, the potion works on humans. I can't wait for Arianna and Josiah to meet their grandmother. When do we leave?"

"In two days. I'll go and extend the invite to Alannah and Ilosovic."

After Margaret left, Tarrant wrapped his arms around Alice, gently kissing her cheek. "So we're all going to descend upon the Society of Overland in two days. This is going to be quite the chaotic event."

Alice laughed in agreement.