Firsts

Author's Note: I wanted to thank Kittyinaz, Duchessfaelen, and Smiles2Go for being a great sounding board for this. Also to all my other reviewers, you guys rock! Thank you so much for taking the time to write a little something. Much appreciated. I also wanted to say that I inserted dividers in between my sections and FF keeps taking them out. Boo L Anyways, enjoy this, and another thanks to Kittyinaz for her prompt here.

Blood always ends a good thing

Alice turned twenty four during her first birthday with Hatter.

Hatter had an idea for Alice's birthday. It involved his favorites of, good food, a naked Alice…and that red box just waiting to be opened.

He wanted to give it to her. He wanted to do it for months.

The night before her birthday, they had dinner with Carol. Carol made Alice her favorite dinner, along with the same birthday cake that Alice asked for every year. Alice giggled when Hatter and her mother sang to her. They were so off key, and Hatter even made a dramatic show of it by ending the song on one knee, with his arms outstretched.

But today, today, was her actual birthday. It was a Saturday, and Hatter had put in for the day off. He wanted to wake up with Alice, make her some scrambled eggs and coffee, and then take her out. Wherever she wanted.

He woke up before her to start the cooking. He knew he wouldn't have long once he put the bacon in the pan. Hatter smiled when he heard her feet on the floor. The bacon had barely been sizzling for one minute.

"Happy Birthday," Hatter said, and grinned at her. "Sit down."

"Thank you." Alice watched him dab the bacon with the paper towel. "Wow. Is this for me?"

"Well, it's your birthday so…yes it is."

"Hatter, you didn't have to do this," Alice told him. "Don't you have work today?"

"Took the day off." Hatter placed the breakfast plate in front of her, and kissed her, his whiskers tickling her cheek. "Stay here. Eat. I'll be right back."

She giggled. "Okay."

Hatter opened the closet and took out the card. He nearly slid on the tile in the kitchen as he breathlessly handed the card to her. "Happy Birthday," he said, again.

"Thank you!" Alice replied so giddily, that he thought she was going to burst out laughing again.

"Now, today, the weather is nice, it's a bit cold, but we'll go out, do whatever you want." Hatter was perched next to her. "But, tonight, we have plans."

"Well, I do expect some great birthday sex," Alice quipped.

He chuckled. "And you'll get it. But, that's not what I was thinking." Hatter shot a dimpled smile at her. "At least, not all I was thinking." He kissed her cheek. "Now, eat your food."

The day was cold. Alice almost regretted leaving Hatter's apartment. She partly wished that she could have forced Hatter into his bed, and to have her own birthday fun with him.

It was dark when they finished eating the pizza from Alice's favorite place. "Can we go back to your place now?" Alice pleaded. "I'm so cold. I just want to be in bed with you."

"No!" Hatter exclaimed so loudly that Alice jolted back. He closed his eyes. He could feel the box burning in his jacket pocket. "I mean, not yet. One more thing."

"But, Hatter…I'm really cold, and I think we could warm up plenty fast under the sheets," Alice whispered, and started to move her hands down his pants.

"No!" Hatter grabbed her hand, and pulled her down the street. "I told you, Alice! One more thing! Why are you not listening to me?"

"I-" she didn't get a chance to finish. Hatter was yanking her after him.

She didn't even pay any attention to where they were going. Hatter was a blur of red from his jacket, and black as his hair flowed jerked behind him. Alice crashed into his back as he skidded to a stop.

They were in Central Park. "This is it," Hatter panted. "I wanted to do this."

Alice looked at the buggy in front of them. "Hatter."

"John, you know my co-worker, he said this is one of the most romantic things to do in your city." Hatter chuckled. "Well, actually the words were phrased differently , but, you get the idea."

"This is so sweet, Hatter." Alice flung herself in his arms. "This ranks right up there with, you know, following me from another world."

"I hope…" Hatter bit his lip. "We gotta get in the buggy, Alice!" he shook himself out of his thoughts, and dragged her over.

The air was even colder in the buggy, but Alice didn't care. There were blankets…and Hatter. He was the warmest of all.

Alice had nearly fallen asleep as she lay her head on Hatter's chest.

"Oi! Stop the buggy here!" Hatter called out.

Alice looked around. "Hatter, this is Central Park…at night. No."

"Yes. I will pick you up and out of this carriage if you don't come."

"Okay, okay."

Hatter waited for her on the ground. "Alice, I love you," he said, as the buggy drove off.

"I love you too." Alice was confused. She watched Hatter pace around. "Can you stop moving? You're making me nervous."

Hatter swerved to face her. "Oh, no. I don't mean to freak you out." He moved his hand through his hair. "I just have no words. No, I mean I have words, but I can't…" he bent his head and growled.

"Are you trying to tell me you're leaving, or something?" Alice asked, her voice quite small.

"Hell, no!" Hatter cleared his throat. "No, of course not." He put his hand in his pocket, and reassuringly felt the red box. "Alice, I want-" Hatter's voice stopped as his legs went up in the air.

He slipped on a patch of ice. The resounding crack was felt by Alice as Hatter's head hit the ground. "Hatter!" Alice shouted, and kneeled down next to him. "Oh, my god! Are you okay?"

Hatter gingerly touched the back of his head. Blood stained his fingers. "Alice, I think I may require those hospital services of yours."

"Oh, god!" Alice fumbled for her cell phone.

"Wait…Alice." Hatter grabbed her hand. "I need to ask…will you m-m-move in with me?" He groaned, and covered his face with his hands. Idiot.