A Full, Rich Life

Chapter One: Arrivals And Surprises

Helen Kingsley took a deep breath, allowing her eyes to glance quickly over the home where she had lived for so many years. It had been a happy place, full of laughter, joy, and even a few tears. Now it appeared almost sad, as if it knew that its Mistress would never be returning.

She had dismissed her servants a week before, making personally sure that each and every one of them went to households where she knew that they would be treated fairly. Her few belongings that she did not deem as absolutely essential were given to friends or to the poorhouses.

Richard had been hardest. She was quite fond of him, perhaps even loved him, but she knew deep in her heart that he would not be able to cope in Underland. So she had said her final farewells, and then left for one last look around her home.

She picked up the vial on the table next to her, uncorked the stopper and took a deep breath before taking a large sip of the contents. Right before she felt the world go gray she upended the bottle, pouring the remaining contents onto the parlor floor.

Helen felt the familiar tugging of the Transport Potion, and kept her mouth slightly open. She had discovered during her second trip to Underland that that helped to ease the nausea. But she still hadn't quite adjusted to the strange hurtling sensation and the whistling in her ears. Fortunately, it was over quite quickly, and she soon felt the solid ground beneath her feet. She opened her eyes, beaming as she recognized where she had landed. She listened, hearing the sounds of a rowdy Tea Party in the distance, and hefted her small suitcase, setting off as quickly as she could for the Windmill.

Halfway down the path, she stopped, coughing and trembling. "Damn this! I am going to have some bloody tea and scones!" She took a breath, then straightened her spine and continued down the path.

Arianna was munching on a blueberry tart and watching Fiona smear her face with frosting when she noticed someone walking up the path. She blinked, then her jaw dropped and the tart fell to the ground, where it was promptly rescued by Badger. "Gran? !"

Alice and Margaret, who had just come out of the Windmill with plates of tarts, stopped dead in their tracks, then in one fluid motion, tossed the trays aside-Ilosovic and Tarrant caught them before they fell-and tore down the path, shouting in joy. "MUM!"

They met in a rush, and Helen gave her daughters a one armed hug. "Oh my darlings, I'm so glad to see you! I see I came just in time for a lovely tea party! I do hope Tarrant hasn't eaten all the raspberry tarts! Michael, don't sit there with crumbs in your mouth and your jaw hanging like that. Come and give your Gran a hug! You too, Ari."

Michael and Arianna dashed over, giving Helen a hug and, in Arianna's case, a kiss on the cheek. Fiona toddled over, smeared with frosting. "G'an! G'an!"

Helen picked her up and gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek. "Hello, love! Odd, but I don't remember you tasting like chocolate frosting when I saw you last. Whatever could have happened?"

Fiona gave a chocolaty smile. "Cake!"

Helen's eyes widened in appreciation. "Cake, you say? Well, I had better make sure I get some. Is it good cake?"

"Goo' cake."

Helen walked over to the Tea Tables, hugging and kissing everyone present before finding an empty seat next to Victoria. She was about to pile her plate with treats when she noticed something on Victoria's right hand that had most certainly not been there a month ago. "Vicki, is that…an engagement ring?"

Vicki beamed and nodded. "Josiah proposed to me right after we came home from Overland. I'm getting married on Saturday."

Katarina chuckled, holding up her right hand so her ring showed. "You mean we're getting married on Saturday." She grinned at Helen, who was speechless with joy. "You've arrived just in time for a double wedding."

Helen grinned so widely she thought her face might break. "Oh! Oh this is wonderful! What a lovely surprise! And I've got one of my own. I'm not going back to Overland. I'm here for good." She held up her hand as Alice and Margaret both started to open their mouths. "I have given this much thought. I have discovered that I feel more at ease here, especially since this is where my family resides. I have taken care of any unfinished business I may have had, and said my farewells to friends. There is no use trying to change my mind."

Margaret smiled. "That's wonderful, Mum, but why only one suitcase? Surely you'll need more clothes."

Helen's voice was dry. "I was under the impression that I had a granddaughter that was Royal Seamstress. Surely she could manage a few clothes for…" a fit of coughing interrupted her, and Alannah looked over, brow furrowed in worry. After several moments, Helen continued. "For me."

"Are ye alright, Helen?" Tarrant asked, worry in his voice. Helen waved her hand at him.

"Yes, yes I'm fine. Nothing for you to be concerned with! Could you pass the tray of squimberry tarts, please?"

Tarrant frowned but decided not to press the issue. "Of course."

After the Tea Party, Tarrant and Alice offered to let Helen stay in their spare room until she could find a place of her own. She found the idea most agreeable, and preparations were made to get it cleaned up a bit.

Helen headed inside the Windmill to get washed up, and Alannah followed. "Helen, I want to talk to you."

Helen splashed some water on her face and gave Alannah a rather forced smile. "About what?"

Alannah sighed, speaking in a low voice. "Helen, I'm a healer. I know when a person is ill and trying to hide it. You have a rather wasted look, and your face is very pale. That makes me concerned."

Helen gulped. "Close the door; I don't want anyone hearing this yet." Alannah shut the bathroom door, and Helen took a breath before speaking. "How familiar are you with Overland ailments?"

"I know most of them."

Helen nodded. "Good, then this will be much easier. A few months ago, I started having horrible coughing spasms. I didn't think much of it, and took the medicine the local pharmacist prescribed. But about a month before Josiah and Vicki visited, I noticed blood in my handkerchiefs. I went to the doctor immediately."

Alannah smiled in sympathy. "I don't blame you. Did he find what was wrong?"

Helen smiled grimly, the memory of that terrible day burned in her brain. "He told me that I have consumption."

Alannah felt tears in her eyes. She knew about that dread Overland disease, and the ravages it inflicted on the body. "Helen, how sick are you?"

Helen blinked back tears. "I have a week or two, I think. I was rich enough so I could afford the latest medication, otherwise I would be in a sanitarium. I'm no longer contagious, though. I wanted to come here earlier, but there was so much I had to get done first. I've been hiding this from everyone for a long time, and I'm tired of hiding. But I will still have to hide until after the weddings. The last thing anyone needs on a joyous day like that is black clouds." She walked over and grabbed Alannah's arms with surprising strength. "Swear to me that you will not reveal this to my daughters. I want to be the one to tell them."

"I swear on my Oath that I will not reveal the extent of your ailment to anyone." Alannah sighed, and then gave Helen a gentle hug. "Tarrant and Alice are probably waiting for you."

Helen nodded, wiping her eyes. "Do I look presentable?"

"You look perfectly lovely, Helen."

Helen smiled, then squared her shoulders and took a deep breath before heading outside where Tarrant and Alice had a small carriage waiting.

Alannah watched them go, her mind churning, and as a result didn't notice Ilosovic until he gave her a soft kiss on the throat. "You alright, love? Usually you hear my footsteps before I get within ten yards of you."

Alannah leaned into him. "I found out why Helen is staying for good. She's dying, Ilosovic."

Author's Note: Consumption is now better known as tuberculosis, and it was once common practice to put those with the disease in health sanitariums.