A Wonderland Wedding

Chapter Seven: Fond Farewells.

Arianna opened her eyes, sighing happily at the wonderful feeling of her husband pressing up against her. She smiled, turning those words over in her head. Her husband. They sounded better every time, she thought. She turned onto her side, smiling at his sleeping form, and gently traced his face with the tips of her fingers. She loved how his hair fell around his face, and if he was awake, she could easily find herself getting lost in his dark blue eyes.

Arianna was never sure when she realized that she loved Michael as more than a best friend. All she knew was that one day; she had looked at him and felt butterflies erupt in her stomach.

Michael sighed happily at the feeling of Arianna's fingers and opened his eyes. "Good morning, my love."

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

He smiled, kissing her softly. "Marvelously. You?"

"Wonderfully."

Michael kissed her, tracing her face with his fingers, and Arianna shifted so she could cup her hand behind his head. "Michael, I love you."

"And I love you, Arianna."

She sighed in happiness, and then stretched, whimpering a bit at the sore spot between her thighs. Michael looked at her in concern. "I didn't hurt you last night, did I?"

Arianna shook her head. "A bit at first, but everything after felt so blessedly wonderful. I'll go see Alannah later and ask if she has a salve." She gave him a wicked grin. "Besides, I plan on making love to you many, many more times, so I've a feeling I'll get used to your-rather impressive size quite quickly!"

Michael gave her a devil smile and pounced on her, pinning her arms to her side. "Would you care to get used to it some more right now?"

Arianna groaned in answer. After, as she and Michael were snuggling together, there came a knock on the bedroom door. Michael sighed and went to answer it. "Mum!"

Alannah grinned at him, a tray in her hands. "I've bought you two some breakfast. Mirana was going to invite you to dine in the main Hall, but we convinced her that you two would rather have a bit of privacy. There's raspberry scones, squimberry tarts and rose currant tea. I even had Thackery throw in some black currant jelly for the scones. Oh, and Victoria contributed this bottle of rowanberry cordial."

Michael took the tray. "Thanks Mum. And thank you for the wedding present. It worked quite well."

Alannah laughed. "I'm glad to hear that. Arianna, how are you doing?"

"I'm a bit sore, but I'm told that's normal."

Alannah nodded. "It is, and I'll bring you a salve later on that will help ease the pain. Now, you two enjoy your breakfast."

After she left, Michael kicked the door shut with his heel and walked over to the bed, setting the tray in front of Arianna. She grinned, clapping her hands in anticipation. "Oooh, everything looks delicious. I'll bet you anything Dad made the tea."

Michael laughed. "I'm sure he did. Rose currant is your favorite flavor, after all. Now, I say we try some of Vicki's cordial." He uncorked the bottle, taking a sniff. "Smells delicious." He took a sip, smacked his lips, and grinned. "Excellent." He extended the bottle towards Arianna, and she took a sip, and then beamed.

"Delicious! It's tart and sweet at the same time, and I love how smoothly it goes down. She's getting to be quite good at this."

"That she is. Now, would you like a tart first or a scone?"

"Scone, please."

After breakfast, they decided to go to the Windmill and surprise Tarrant. When they arrived, Arianna grinned. "Good, he's asleep."

She snuck up to the Tables, catching the eyes of Thackery and Mallymkun, and placed her finger to her lips in a shushing gesture. The animals nodded, wide grins on their faces.

Arianna stood inches away from her father, leaned in, and spoke. "Morning, Dad!"

"AAH!" Tarrant leapt up in surprise and nearly fell off his chair. He blinked, and grinned at his daughter. "Lass, you gave me a bit of a fright. Hello, Michael."

"Hello."

Tarrant looked at Arianna. "Just how did you know I'd be here, anyway?"

"Dad, you always come here for breakfast. Where are Mum and Josiah?"

Tarrant grinned. "They should be along any moment, and so should Michael's Mum and Dad. If you like, you may join us for a second breakfast. That is, unless you have other plans."

Michael shook his head. "No, we'd love to have a family breakfast." He turned at the sound of footsteps. "Morning, Dad!"

Stayne grinned at him. "Morning. How'd everything go last night?"

Michael smirked. "Quite well. It's definitely something I could get used to." He grinned wickedly at Arianna. "Wouldn't you agree?" She nodded, giggling, and Tarrant loudly cleared his throat.

"Ahem! Moving past our children's wedding night; I propose that we make this a wonderfully mad breakfast!"

Alice laughed, sitting next to him. "Well spoke, my love. Let's feast!"

And feast they did. After, Alannah presented Arianna with a small jar filled with a greenish-purple paste. "This is a healing salve. Just apply it to an injury and the pain will be gone."

Arianna hugged her. "Thank you so much. I probably won't need it too often, though."

Alannah laughed. "No, but Michael might. It won't ever lose its potency, so you can keep it for as long as you need."

Arianna nodded. "Soldiers get injured, true."

Alannah hugged her. "They do, and I'm not going to lie and tell you that you get used to seeing them get hurt. But our men are brave and capable, and this is what they were born to do."

Arianna gulped. "I know, and I would not want Michael any other way besides how he is, but…he told me once about what happened when the White Army battled Humpty Dumpty."

"About his father being injured or about me succumbing to Madness?"

Arianna laughed softly. "Both and I'm scared that if he's hurt badly…I am the Mad Hatter's daughter, after all."

Alannah gazed at her daughter in law. "Arianna, you will not get anywhere in this life by asking 'what if' questions. All those will do is make you old and gray before your time. Being the wife of a soldier is scary and marvelous at the same time. You will miss him terribly when he's gone and rejoice when he returns safely. You will never stop worrying about him, and each time he returns to your arms will be like the first. But if you spend your life asking 'what if', then you will miss out on the positive sides-your husband is brave, resourceful, and a warrior. Remember that, and more importantly, remember that Michael loves you with every fiber of his being."

Arianna pulled her into a tight hug. "Thank you, Alannah. I love you."

Alannah kissed the top of her head. "I love you too, my dear. Now, let's have a smile." Arianna beamed at her, and Alannah giggled. "Much better. You've got your father's grin."

"I've got his hair and temper too."

Alannah laughed. "No, I think the temper is from both your Mum and Dad."

Arianna giggled in agreement. "True. Oh, here comes Mctwisp."

The White Rabbit hopped up to the tables, clearing his throat, and all eyes turned to him. "Lady Stayne, your father is getting ready to return to his ship."

Alannah nodded, wiping a stray tear from her eyes. "Thank you." She turned to her eldest, who was sitting at the table with a stricken look on her face. "I'm sure they'll come to say Fairfarren, Katarina."

"And indeed we will." Elias walked up to the Tables, pulling his daughter into a tight embrace. "I am sorry I cannot stay longer, but duty calls. It was a beautiful wedding." He smiled over at Arianna. "Welcome to the family."

Erik led Katarina away from the tables for a private conversation. There was a long silence, and Katarina finally spoke. "I'll miss you, you know."

Erik took her hand, gently kissing the knuckles, and then planted a soft kiss on her lips. "I'll miss you as well, my black-haired beauty. Will you write to me?"

Katarina nodded. "Of course I will, and you must promise that you'll write back."

"I will, and the next time I return I will bring you a pretty bauble for that lovely hair of yours. Or would you rather I bring you some paints?"

Katarina blushed. "N…no, I wouldn't mind a bauble." Erik grinned.

"Then I will be sure to bring you the finest one I can find. Fairfarren, Katarina."

"Fairfarren, Erik."

Erik turned away, then turned back and pulled Katarina into a kiss so passionate that it made her toes curl. He grinned wickedly at her. "Something to remember me by. Fairfarren, my lovely."

Katarina sighed in happiness as she watched Erik follow after her grandfather. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice Stayne right next to her until he cleared his throat. "Huh! Oh. Hello, Dad."

Stayne grinned at her. "You seem to have taken quite the shine to Erik Rogers. I think it's wonderful."

Katarina beamed at him in relief and joy. "You do?"

"Of course. You deserve to be happy, and Rogers is a good man. He made a favorable impression on both your Mum and I in the short time he was here, and I know that he made one on you."

Katarina gave a sigh of relief and hugged him. "Thank you Daidi."

Stayne gulped in happiness. "You're most welcome, little bit."

Two days later, it was time for the Overlanders to return to their homes, and-in Lydia's case-their proper times. Helen and Richard were the first to leave, and Helen hugged her new grandson in law. "Fairfarren, Michael, and take care of my granddaughter."

"I shall, Helen. Richard, it was very nice meeting you. I hope you and Helen come back to Underland again."

Richard smiled and shook his hand. "We certainly shall. This is truly a wonderful place. I enjoyed meeting all of you."

Helen said her farewells to her daughters-and there were tears on both sides-then she grabbed Richard's hands, shut her eyes, and wished them home.

Lydia looked over at her friends, a sad smile on her face. "This has been the most wonderful and mad week I have ever spent, and I will not ever forget it." She hugged and kissed everyone, then shut her eyes, wishing herself home. She felt the strange hurtling sensation rush through her, and then opened her eyes, grinning as she noticed that the clock on her bedside table showed that only five minutes had gone by. She grinned and lay back on her bed, reflecting on the great fun she had had with her friends in Underland.

And back in Underland, Michael and Arianna Stayne started down the path of married life. They both hoped it was one that would never come to an end.

THE END.