Misadventures in Overland Chapter 12

A Family Reunion

I should probably put a Disclaimer. The only characters I do not own are those created by Carroll and Burton. The rest are mine. (Applies for all my tales.)

Stayne and Alannah had finally finished greeting each other. Alannah, her face slightly flushed from the rather passionate kiss her husband had bestowed on her, smiled, then smoothed down her dress. "How did you know we'd be coming back today, love?"

Stayne laughed. "I actually didn't. I was on Patrol when I noticed that there were people walking around out here. Since this is the entry from Overland, I was able to put two and two together."

Alannah grinned, and then frowned. "But this is rather out of the way for you, isn't it? Usually you don't come out this far, do you?"

Stayne nodded. "I do, but not very often. However, Mirana insisted." His eye suddenly widened in shock, and he laughed. "I do believe she knew you would be coming home today! So that's why she said it was most important that I patrol this stretch of Underland!" He shook his head in amusement. "She can be quite devious when she wants to be."

He turned to Alice, and smiled. "Alice, may I offer my congratulations for your happy occasion?" At Alice's puzzled look, he laughed. "Alannah told me you are expecting. I'm very happy for both of you. You deserve this."

Tarrant frowned. "Thank you, but how did Alannah tell you?"

Alannah blushed. "Well, Ilosivic gave me a mirror, and I could use it to talk to him, and I was telling him about Overland, and it just slipped out, and Alice, please don't be upset with me, I was just so happy that you and Tarrant were finally getting what you wanted, and…"

"Alannah!" Stayne, Alice and Tarrant all replied at once. She blushed deeper.

"I'm fine."

Alice gave her a gentle hug. "I'm not upset in the least." Alannah smiled softly.

Stayne grinned, and then turned to Alannah. "Now, my lady love, I do believe that there are two young ones who will be quite glad to see their Momma. If you will allow me to offer you a ride back to Marmoreal, you can see them." He looked at Tarrant and Alice. "The White soldiers should be coming by any minute. Would you object to riding back with them?"

Tarrant shook his head, grinning. "Not a bit. I'm sure Alannah wants to see her son and daughter. Alice and I will follow along directly."

Stayne nodded, and then led Alannah over to Grey Star. He nickered happily at her, and she stroked his neck. "I'm very glad to see you too, Grey Star. Do you think you can carry both of us?" At his snort of affirmation, she laughed. "I'm very glad to hear that."

Stayne vaulted onto the saddle, and then pulled her up in front of him, wrapping his arms around her waist. She smirked at him. "Try to keep your hands in one spot. I'd hate for you to become distracted."

He chuckled wickedly, and leaned forward, letting his voice darken. "I make no promises, my beauty."

Alannah moaned quietly. "Good." Stayne chuckled.

"However, since I intend to spend the whole night making passionate love to you, I think perhaps I can restrain myself until then." He grinned at her sigh of happiness.

Alannah leaned against him, watching the landscape flow by as Grey Star galloped towards Marmoreal, then grinned happily as she saw the castle on the horizon. "It's so beautiful, isn't it?"

Stayne nodded. "It is. I'm still amazed by the difference between it and Salazen Grum. Marmoreal is so bright and cheerful, and Salazen Grum is-even after all these years-still dark and morbid. Iracebeth marred it beyond any repair. And now that it's been completely abandoned, it's even more dismal." He sighed. "It wasn't like that always. Before Iracebeth tainted it, the castle was actually quite beautiful."

Alannah sighed. "I'm sure it was."

They rode up to the palace steps, and Stayne bought Grey Star to a halt. "We're home, Alannah." He dismounted, and then extended his hand, helping her dismount. She grinned, and then ran up the steps. Halfway up, she stopped. "Ilosivic, where are the children?"

Stayne laughed. "They're with Mirana, in her chambers. She told me to bring them over. I think she's planning something."

Alannah grinned, and then darted into the palace, running as fast as she could towards Mirana's chambers. Stayne chuckled, and then turned to Grey Star. "Let's go get you settled."

Alannah stopped in front of the door of Mirana's chambers, grinning in anticipation. She giggled quietly, and then knocked gently on the door.

Mirana opened it, and grinned happily at her. "Welcome home, Alannah! I do believe there's someone here who will be delighted to see you. Won't you come in?"

Alannah laughed. "Thank you, Mirana." She walked in, and a streak with black hair came pelting towards her.

"MOMMMMAAA!" Katarina ran up to her, and leapt into her arms. She caught her, kissing her on the cheeks.

"Hello, my little one! I missed you so much! Were you good for Daddy?" Alannah turned as she heard Stayne chuckle. "Was she good?"

He nodded. "She was. They both were."

Alannah smiled. "Good. Now, Katarina, where is your brother?"

Mirana spoke up. "He's lying on the couch, sleeping. Do you want me to wake him?"

Alannah shook her head. "I'll do it." She gently set Katarina down, and then walked over to the couch, smiling softly at Michael. He was sleeping, his thumb tucked firmly in his mouth. She gently stroked his face. "Michael, Momma's home."

He slowly opened his eyes, and looked at her. His face split into a huge grin.

"Momma!" He said happily. Alannah gaped in joy at him.

"Michael, did you just say?" She laughed.

"Momma!" He repeated, and Alannah laughed.

"You did! You said Momma! Ilosivic, he spoke! He spoke!" She scooped Michael off the couch, kissing him. "Well done, little bit!"

"Momma!" Michael repeated again, and Stayne grinned.

"I wonder if he's going to be a rambler as well." He walked over to them, and gently kissed the top of Michael's head. "I'm very proud of you, lad."

Michael giggled, reaching for him. "Dada!"

Stayne and Alannah chuckled. "He's quite good at this, isn't he?" Stayne asked. Alannah giggled. "That he is." She kissed Michael, who giggled. "That he is."

"Who is good at what?" Alice and Tarrant had arrived home, and upon being told where the Staynes were, had immediately headed towards the chambers. Tarrant bowed to Mirana, and then repeated his question. Alannah grinned.

"Michael. He's started to speak."

Alice grinned. "That's marvelous! What was his first word?"

Alannah smiled proudly. "Momma, of course! What else should it be?"

Alice laughed. "Yes, what else. I have a feeling that my child's first word is going to be the name of a hat. Either that or something to do with tea. But as long as Tarrant doesn't ask it about ravens and writing desks until the child is at least five, I'll be happy." She smiled at Tarrant's slight pout.

Mirana looked at Alice, eyes wide. "Alice, are you pregnant?" At Alice's happy nod, she pulled her into a hug. "Then I offer my most ardent congratulations. How did you find out?"

Alannah blushed. "I noticed that she was different, and was able to figure it out. I informed both her and Tarrant when we were in Overland." She chuckled. "Tarrant fainted when I told him."

Mirana laughed. "That must have been quite the spectacle." Alice and Alannah laughed, nodding. Alice got herself under control.

"I was a bit upset with Alannah at first, since I thought Tarrant had been hurt. But he was just surprised." She looked at Tarrant. "Right?"

Tarrant grinned. "Yes, very pleasantly surprised, but also shocked. I mean, we'd been trying for so long, I had almost given up, and was going to resign myself to simply being an Uncle to Michael and Katarina, but then Alannah told me the wonderful news, and now the Hightopp name can continue, and I'm so happy, and scared, and thrilled, and"

"Tarrant!" Alice exclaimed, laughing. "I'm just as thrilled and scared as you. But we'll get through this together, I promise."

He sighed in relief, and kissed her. "I love you, Alice."

"I love you too, my mad Hatter."

Katarina looked at Alice. "Aunt Alice, are you going to have a baby?" At her nod, Katarina clapped. "Yay! I hope it's a girl, because then I'll have someone to play with besides my brother. He's a lot of fun, but another girl would be funner."

The adults laughed. "I make no promises, little one," Alice said. Katarina frowned.

"Well, I suppose a boy would be okay too."

Night had finally fallen on Underland, and the travelers had returned to their homes. Alannah lay in bed, staring quietly up at the ceiling. She turned as Stayne entered their bedroom, climbing into bed. "They're both sound asleep."

Alannah smiled, and then kissed him. "Good. Now, I believe you said something earlier about making passionate love to me?"

Stayne growled, and then kissed her deeply. "Why yes, I do believe I did."

Author's Note-Just the epilogue to go. Oh, and indiejunkie- I don't intend on ending this series any time soon. I'm having too much fun with it.