It was December 6th and the night before the wedding. Alice and Julia were staying over at Carol's apartment having a bit of a girl's night while still preparing things. Alice and Hatter had decided on a small wedding with the people they were closest too. Julia and Liam were the maid of honor and best man. Alice had personally asked Charlie to be the one to walk her down the aisle much to his delight. The wedding theme, Winter Wonderland, was a bit of a pun that Alice came up with and Hatter had laughed at the cleverness of it.
As of now, Alice, Julia and Carol were making the last of the centerpieces for the reception. They consisted of white poinsettias, cut Christmas tree branches, pinecones and holly berries. They were discussing the impending marriage excitedly. Alice was absolutely glowing when she heard them say Hatter's name. She loved him more than she could truly express. It sometimes frustrated her to not be able to even begin how to explain to Hatter how much she loved him. The rest of the night passed in a blur and it was eventually time to go to bed.
Hatter could not sleep for the life of him. He was excited and a bit nervous that he'd mess up the vows he wrote for his Alice. He wanted nothing more than to have her in his arms right now. Groaning at his failed attempt to sleep, he got up to make himself a cup of tea just like Alice does when she can't sleep. Little did he know, Alice was restless and wishing she had a cup of her favorite tea and her Hatter lying next to her. Hatter went to try for sleep again after finishing off his tea. He tried a new approach and lay down on Alice's side of the bed. He could smell the faint scent of her shampoo on her pillow which promptly helped him sleep.
The next morning, Alice awoke to the sound of frantic shuffling in the living room. She opened her door to find Julia and her mom getting the centerpieces packed up safely to bring to the chosen venue. Alice and Hatter had found a gorgeous, small rustic barn in a rural area outside of the city. The morning was spent gathering everything together and getting ready. Alice was not to change into her dress until they arrived at the destination.
Liam arrived at Hatter's apartment just after Charlie, Jack and Duchess came through the looking glass. Everyone was ready to go. They all piled into Liam's SUV after carefully hanging Hatter's suit on the hook in the backseat. Alice was riding with her mom and Julia, butterflies going crazy in her stomach. She couldn't wait for the moment she would walk down the aisle. All she wanted was to see Hatter. Frustrated, she thought how that old superstition about not seeing the bride before the wedding was ridiculous. Not being able to see him was causing her to become a nervous wreck.
After what seemed like days, she had finally arrived at the venue. Alice could see Liam's vehicle, relieved that Hatter was already here and getting ready. Julia guided Alice to the back building where they were to get her all dolled up. Unzipping the garment bag, the women admired the dress Alice had picked out. It was the same shade of baby blue as the iconic dress she wore when she met Hatter. It was strapless with a sweetheart neckline. There were silver embellishments decorating the bodice and sprinkled throughout the ball gown skirt. It laced up in the back like a delicate corset.
Alice styled her hair in loose curls, pinning the sides back with a silver bejeweled barrette borrowed from her mother. She slipped into her dress and Julia helped lace her up. Stepping back, Carol and Julia took in Alice's appearance. Turning to look in the mirror, Alice let out a small gasp. It was all finally becoming so real. She was about to become Hatter's wife and she couldn't be happier.
"Alice of Legend, you shine like the stars in a Wonderland sky," Charlie complimented, making Alice laugh.
"Why thank you, Charlie," Alice replied. Carol hugged her daughter and left to go sit with Jack and Duchess in the barn. Julia, Alice and Charlie left to meet up with Liam who informed them Hatter was inside and the ceremony was about to begin. It wasn't long before the music began to play. Julia and Liam walked down the aisle as the rightful Maid of Honor and Best Man. After what felt like hours, Alice was walking down the aisle, her arm linked with Charlie's.
The barn was decorated like a winter wonderland. The aisle was a path of sparkling fake snow and lined with small leafless trees with white Christmas lights adorning the branches. There was an icy blue glow in the barn thanks to the curtain backdrops and lighting. There were decorative silvery white snowflakes hung from the ceiling strategically to give more sparkle. The long table off to the side had a icy blue, satin tablecloth with the three centerpieces going down the middle of it.
When Hatter saw Alice, his whole face lit up. She was breathtakingly beautiful in her wedding gown. His heart was racing faster as she got closer to him. Alice was thrilled to finally see Hatter. She couldn't stop herself from smiling. The butterflies she felt seeing his smile became relentless.
"Finally," Alice whispered, reminiscing the day they reunited with that same word rolling off of Hatter's tongue.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of David Hatter and Alice Hamilton in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, that is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this estate, these two persons present come now to be joined. If anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. Who gives this woman to be married to this man," the minister asks.
"I, Sir Charles Eustace Fotheringhay Le Malvois III, do," Charlie replied proudly, placing Alice's hand in Hatter's. The room was filled with quiet laughter at Charlie's proclamation. It was then that the exchanging of the vows began. Alice's heart fluttered at the sound of Hatter's voice.
"Alice, my love, you took me by surprise. I knew there was something unique about you when we met. I didn't expect that I would fall madly in love with the beautiful, stubborn woman that stood in front of me. I wouldn't change a thing about our adventures together. With this new adventure that awaits us, I promise to love and cherish you wholeheartedly and to be yours forever," Hatter spoke from the heart, his voice thick with emotion.
"David Hatter," Alice began, smiling, "there was a time I carried a heart without hope. I was walking through life in the dark and you appeared shining brighter than a star. You saved my life in more ways than I can count. Not only do I trust you with my life, but I trust you with my heart. I have no idea where I'd be now if I didn't take a chance on you. All I know now is I want to wake up to your smile every day for the rest of my life. You are my wonderland, a dream come true. I will always love and cherish you. I want nothing more than to be yours forever."
They slid the rings onto each other's fingers.
"Do you, David, take Alice to be your lawfully wedded wife," the minister asked.
"I do," Hatter smiled.
"Do you, Alice, take David to be your lawfully wedded husband," asked the minister.
"I do," Alice replied, happily.
"By the authority vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," he proclaimed.
Hatter wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a soft but passionate kiss.
"And now, to all the friends and family who have come to celebrate this marriage, I would like to present, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Hatter," announced the minister. Everyone cheered as Alice and Hatter joined their loved ones.
Author's Note: Hey y'all! I'm so excited to finally get this sequel off the ground! Stay tuned for the reception coming in chapter 2!