Author's note:

Have someone told you guys that you're awesome today? If the answer is "no" consider this your lucky day. You're awesome, all of you. That's all I needed to say.

21. Forever and Always

"Do you vow to cherish and take care of Alice 'til the end of Underland; forever and always?" Mirana requested to know.

"Forever and always." the beaming groom promised.

Mirana nodded before turning to said Alice. "Alice. Do you promise to be faithful to Tarrant, to love him to the end of Time?" she asked. "Do you promise to cherish and take care of Tarrant 'til the end of Underland, forever and always?"

The blonde nodded mutely. "Forever and always." she whispered, her smile hardly visible behind the beautifully made veil. It had supposedly been in the Hightopp clan's possession since Underland saw its first morning, and now it served its purpose, making Alice look beautiful as ever.

"Forever and always." Mirana repeated slowly. "By the power invested on me by Underland; I hereby declare you Hatter and wife. Tarrant, you may kiss the bride."

Not an eye was dry, Mirana noted through misty such, as Tarrant, finally, wedded his Alice. (Even though Chessur claimed that something must've caught his eyes; a story none believed.)

"Congratulations." Mirana smiled teary eyed, glad to be the first in a line of luck wishers. "We've been waiting for the two of you to come to your senses ever since you first came here, Alice. It seems Tarrant was the first to come to his; he's loved you for so long. Good luck, Mrs Hightopp."

"I won't be needing luck." Alice beamed. "Not when I have Tarrant."

"Then you're lucky to have someone like him."

"I'd say I am the lucky one." Tarrant lisped shyly, blushing. "But that would be lying. I'm not just lucky; I'm blessed with Alice, who is beautiful and brave. And I'm blessed in knowing she loves me as much as I love her."

This time it was Alice's time to blush. "We are lucky, both of us, in that manner."

"Aye, lass, that we are." bowing, Tarrant grasped her hand. "Would you care for a dance, Mrs Hightopp?"

Alice laughed. "Why do you ask? I'd dance with you at anytime."

"Just so I can hear you say that." Tarrant gently placed his hand on Alice's shoulder and the other one wrapped lightly around her waist. "Do you remember how it's done?"

"You taught me, of course I do." Alice smiled, copying his hands with her own, light as feathers.

Then they soared over the floor, barely even touching the cool marble.

Mallyumkun silenced a sniffle. She was glad for Tarrant's and Alice's getting married, she truly was. But the happiness was dulled by the fact Chessur seemed to have disappeared, leaving her the only one without someone accompanying her to the dance.

"I should've known that bleeding excuse of a cat would just leave like that. It's all he ever does, isn't it?"

"It is?" a voice by her side asked.

Mally turned, ready to strike at the intruder, finding herself nose to nose with a handsome gray mouse.

"Someone's abandoned you? Sounds like an awful being." the mouse grinned.

"No, he couldn't be awful…" Mally sighed. "He's just a little unreliable."

"Then why do you stay with him?"

"Because…" Mally turned silent, blushing.

"Because you love him?" the gray mouse suggested.

"Yeah… I do. Who are you, anyway?"

"Oh, I think you already know."

"I do?"

"You do." The mouse started growing, rapidly transforming into a gray and blue tabby cat.

"Chess! You dog." Mally cried.

"My! Mallyumkun, I am truly offended." the tabby purred. "Now I shall never speak to you again."

"I'm sorry, Chess."

"No need. Doesn't the happy couple look spiffing?"

They simultaneously looked at Alice and Tarrant twirling over the floor; Alice in a beautiful white dress, tinged with blue. There even was an over-sized fabric rose fastened at her waist, a perfect replica of the flower Tarrant had mistakenly killed a few days earlier. Tarrant had honoured her by fastening its twin at the brim of his hat; otherwise he was dressed in clothes similar to what he always wore, only fancier and newer. Mally hated to admit it, but they looked perfect together. Unlike Chess and herself…

A cat and a mouse. It was actually preposterous; they should be deathly enemies for the love of cheese! And yet, here they were…

"Would you mind posing as a mouse again? I liked that form…"

"Are you saying you don't like this form?" Chess purred.

"Yes. No! I mean, it would be nice having you being my size for once. Always having to look up at you gives me a sour neck."

"We wouldn't want that, now would we? Very well, fair Mally, your wish is my command." The cat turned back into a mouse, still grinning with pointy teeth, though. "Care to dance?"

"Yes, please." Mally curtsied, silently cursing herself for being such a girl around Chessur.

Chess, still grinning broadly, stroke her cheek with a soft paw. "Then let's dance."

Mirana watched the unusual couple with an amused smile. It was wonderful how things could turn out here in Underland. No one actually paid any notice to the romance going on between the cat and the dormouse. Well, there was one…

"Alice!" Mirana called her friend over. "There's someone I'd like you to meet."

"Can it wait?"

"I wouldn't count on it. Just come along." before Alice could protest, Mirana added; "That's an order."

Sighing irritably, Alice followed the Queen to the furthest corner of the hall. A pair of women stood there, one of them holding a baby in her arms and a small boy latched to her side.

"She's here." Mirana smiled.

The women turned to look at them, and Alice's chin dropped in surprise.

"Margaret! Mother!" the newly wed gasped.

Author's note:

I was going to finish this yesterday, but I as good as fell asleep across the keyboard… But it's here now. Smile everyone! That's an order. And yes, I ship Chess and Mally. You don't have to like it, just don't tell me in that case. Could someone please tell me what `yaoi´ is? I've came across that word when browsing, but I didn't read those stories, just because I didn't know. Is it something I shouldn't read concidering I'm 14? Someone, tell me!