So tempted to post it as a second chapter for "Origins", but this title just melt me... sorry...
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How to Greet a Hatter
That was one of the rare days during which the Hatter left in hurry his workshop. He quickly went down to the stables and asked Examiner if he could escort him home: the cheerful Arabian agreed, allowed him to mount on his back and trotted on along the path for the Hightopps house.
The horse stopped and the Hatter jumped off the saddle, fixing the reins so they wouldn't annoy him during his trip back to Marmoreal: "Thanks!" he said before heading towards his house as Examiner trotted away again.
He quietly opened the door and called: "Alice?"
He heard noises from the kitchen while hanging his coat on the coat rack and made his way inside: "Alice, dear? I'm back!"
"Hi Tarrant!" she responded back.
From the tone of her voice Tarrant deduced that she was busy with something. He entered the kitchen and saw her managing to keep a Bread-And-Butterfly still while it was trying to fly away. He approached at her and hugged her waist from behind resting his chin on her shoulder: "Now, darling, is that the way to greet a hatter?" he asked knitting his eyebrows together.
Alice giggled, turned and pulled his head forward to kiss him passionately: "Hello, Tarrant…"
"Good evening, my lady" he murmured caressing her cheek, then his hand ventured farther down her side, to stop on her swollen belly. He knelt on one knee and kissed it too: "Hello, mo bhilis*…".
Alice felt her eyes grow moist, but fluttered hard to not let the tears go: "He will be able to greet you properly very soon, you know?" she continued stroking his cheek with the back of her fingers.
He leaned into the touch and said: "Come and rest with me, Alice. I ate a little at the Palace"
"Are you sure? Because I was…" she said indicating the Bread-And-Butterfly but, noticing that it had flew away, she sighed "Never mind then".
"I know what to do tomorrow"
"What?"
"Teach you how to put jam on the nose of a Bread-And-Butterfly to make it stay still, Alice"
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Later that night, the Hatter was sleeping holding his Alice from behind, with a hand resting on her tummy. He barely felt hers on his own, before her yell: "Tarrant!"
He gasped frightened and jumped upright: "What!?"
"Oh dear, I'm sorry I startled you…" Alice apologized taking his face into her palms.
"Alice what's the matter? Are you not ok? Are you hurt?-"
"No, no Tarrant. Just, the baby kicked!"
He froze elaborating again and again what she had just said. He didn't know what to do now: Alice was as overjoyed as he was, he wanted to hug her, hold her tight against him, kiss her… but he froze.
Alice took his hand and placed it on her stomach: the instant he felt their little creature move against his palm, he laughed exited: "Have you felt this? Our baby likes my touch!". He really could have futterwackened, but he preferred not to ruin the moment. Alice was laughing too, happy tears running down her cheeks and the Hatter noticed: "Oh, darling…" he said sympathetically as he pulled her into a loving hug: "It did take us by surprise, didn't it?"
She nodded against his chest and sighed.
"Alice, look at me"
She lifted her head and her eyes focused straight in his: how was it that he seemed always so calm when she was scared? He leaned down and kissed her lips warmly, then she threw her arms around his neck: "Tarrant, you were able to feel your child! Wasn't that magnificent?" she exclaimed.
He hugged her back tightly and a lone tear escaped from his eye too; he pulled back to face her: "That's the best way to greet a hatter ever…"
Alice smiled and kissed his tear away: "Shall we try to sleep again?" she asked laying back on the bed and let the Hatter pull the blanket over her: she couldn't help but notice the ever so slightly disappointed spark in his eyes; she pulled up in a half sitting position.
His eyes brightened again as he laid down too so his ear was pressed against her swollen belly, like a child waiting for his baby brother or sister, while hugging her waist.
She fell asleep passing her fingers through his red curls. Tarrant, instead, stayed awake a bit longer whispering sweet nothings to their creature until sleepiness won him.
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The early morning silence of months later was broken by the wail of a newborn.
"A handsome, healthy boy, Alice!"Mirana announced before she handed the baby to the midwife who would have cleaned him up.
Alice laid in Tarrant's arms, he held her and rocked her gently: "You've been great, my Champion" he whispered.
"Sorry I kept saying it was all your fault…"
"Hush, I don't care" he kissed her cheek.
Just then the midwife handed Alice the bundle of light blue blankets.
"Alice, he's… he's perfect…" he murmured with teary eyes.
Thomas Zanik Hightopp had already a hint of dark curly red hair which contrasted perfectly his pale complexion, light eyelids and high flushed cheekbones.
"He got so much from you" Alice remarked soothingly still looking down at her son.
"Ah seeh…" Tarrant nearly sobbed.
She looked up at him and saw that happy tears were sliding freely against his face: "Come here".
He cuddled in her embrace and cried silently in her nightgown: "My men… what would I do without them?" she thought out loud, caressing the Hatter's cheek: "Hatter, you are a father!" she remarked.
He pulled up and kissed her cheek in an almost desperate way: "Tha gaol agam ort°, Alice… Thank you" he said still touched.
"No tears right now Tarrant, look!" she said.
He looked down at the child while he tried to open his eyes: under the natural bluish fog-like shadow they could see a magnificent bright blue-green color.
"Hey lad! Welcome in Underland!" the Hatter exclaimed happily, after Alice had handed her son to his proud father.
Author Note: *mo bhilis = My sweet °Tha gaol agam ort (ha geul ahkum orsht) = I love you. Thank you for reading.