Alice couldn't sleep no matter how hard she tried. Her mind was racing with all these thoughts of how happy she is with Hatter but then her old insecurities crept back up again. Everything has been going so perfectly for them for almost a year now. When will something go wrong? She doesn't want anything to go wrong but nothing is ever truly perfect. Sure, they have little tiffs but they always make up before it's time to sleep. It's never good to go to bed upset with the one you love. They've always made it a point to work it out before sleeping.
She crept out to the kitchen and grabbed her favorite mug made to look like the Mad Hatter's hat from the animated movie. Hatter kept her favorite tea blend (named after her) pre-made in case she ever wanted to make it when he's not around. Preparing her cup of tea, Alice's thoughts kept going to that awful insecure place. What if he gets tired of her? What if an argument leads to one of them saying something so hurtful, the other won't ever forgive?
Alice went to curl up on the couch trying to reassure herself but nothing was working. She had no idea why these thoughts kept swirling around. All she wanted was for it to stop and give her some peace of mind. It wasn't long before she began crying to herself, struggling to hold back her vocal sobs. She kept thinking how ridiculous this all was: crying over things that probably won't ever happen. Alice hates being so unsure of everything, no matter how much she just wants to blindly believe everything will be fine.
Hatter woke suddenly from the sound of Alice crying. Worried, he rushed out of bed and found her curled in a ball at the end of the couch desperately trying to keep quiet. He didn't hesitate to sit down and gather her up in his arms, stroking her hair. She buried her head in the crook of his neck, crying more vocally.
"Shhh, love, it's alright. I'm here," Hatter whispered softly. He let her cry it out, humming the Ed Sheeran song they first slow danced to. This caused Alice to calm herself a bit, no longer crying out loud; all that remained were silent tears slipping down her cheeks. She lifted her head up to take him in. He's here and he loves her, she thinks to herself. Hatter slid his finger across her cheeks to wipe the tears away. He hates seeing her hurt. He'd do anything to make her smile and laugh.
"You won't get tired of me, right," Alice asked in a small, shaky voice.
"No, of course not, Alice; I would never be tired of you, love. What's brought this on," Hatter responded questioningly.
"It's stupid," Alice admitted, "but I just – I kept thinking how amazing everything has been with us and I got scared that something would just go wrong. Things don't ever stay perfect forever. Something is bound to go awry and ruin it all." Her voice was thick with emotion.
"It's not stupid, love. Look at me," Hatter requested in a soft, calming voice. "We have survived near-death, being separated by a looking glass and even Jack." Alice laughed at the latter, causing Hatter's eyes to light up from the sound of it. "We survived it all by fighting together and for each other. No matter what happens, at the end of the day, we're both gonna keep fighting for us. I am madly in love with you, Alice Hamilton, and nothing could ever change the way I feel about you." Alice's eyes were filling with tears of happiness.
"So, is that why they call you the Mad Hatter in all those stories? Because you're madly in love with me," Alice asked teasingly.
"I suppose so, my little oyster," he confirmed for her amusement.
"Do you wanna know a secret," Alice whispered sweetly in his ear. Nodding his head, Alice kisses him softly, allowing her lips to linger against his. "I'm madly in love with you too," she tells him in a romantic tone of voice.
Before she has time to react, Hatter's lips are on hers, kissing her hungrily. She returns his affections, running her fingers through his hair and turning her head slightly to deepen the kiss. Their lips part and Alice is trailing small kisses along his jawline as Hatter pulls her into his lap. He begins kissing down her neck and onto her shoulder whispering how much he loves her in between kisses. He lifts her into his arms and carries Alice into their room.
An hour later, they're entangled together and Alice's head is laying on his chest listening to his heartbeat. She leaves little kisses on his chest as Hatter is tracing hearts on her shoulder.
"We're really gonna be fine," Alice spoke quietly. Hatter smiled as he continued to trace hearts on her skin.
"Of course we are, love. I intend on making you happy for the rest of your life," Hatter confessed. Alice lifted her head, suddenly aware of what he implied.
"Are you –," Alice began to inquire but stopped short when Hatter pulled a ring out of his hat on the nightstand.
"Alice, my love, you are everything to me. I'd do anything for your happiness. I believe in us and I know you do too. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife," Hatter proposed. Without hesitation and tears forming in her eyes, Alice kissed him. "Is that a yes," he whispered.
"Yes, Hatter, I love you," Alice told him enthusiastically. He slid the ring on her left hand, the heart-shaped sapphire center twinkling in the moonlight streaming through the blinds. It was this moment they both realized home isn't always a place; but they're home to each other.
Author's Note: Holy wow THAT took a turn even I didn't expect! I was doing all I could to not write a proposal in this fic but there it is, y'all, in it's beautiful glory. Thanks so much to my lovely reviewers and proofreader/writing cheerleader, JillJones123, PrimevalAngel and AlwaysHopelessRomantic95!