Years ago...In Wonderland...
The mourning coach pulled up to the manor. Her husband was the first to step out, wiping at his eyes. As he offered his hand, she slapped it away and adjusted the veil that covered her face. Gracefully, she climbed out of the coach and squared her shoulders as she entered their home. As the guards closed the door, there was nothing but absolute silence. No laughter, no sound of little feet running upstairs, no cries for father or for mother.
"You've not said a word since we left the cemetery." Her husband sniffed.
Gripping the table that stood in the middle of the foyer, she lowered her head. "What do you want me to say?"
"Something, anything. You didn't even say goodbye after everyone had left us alone with her."
"With her?" She rounded her on her husband. "She wasn't even there!"
"Darling, please don't start this again."
"You know as well I do that what lies under that pathetic mound of dirt isn't our daughter. All it is, is an empty coffin with an old scarecrow pitched by some idiot graverobber!"
"Just because we could never find her body, it doesn't mean she isn't dead."
"But it's very possible that's what it means." She sighed and laid her hands against her husband's chest. "Wonderland is one of the largest realms. She could be anywhere, she could still be alive some place."
"Oh, be practical, love! You know ever since you fell out of favor with The Queen, that our lives mean nothing to her anymore or to anyone who is loyal to her. Someone sees our little girl? They wouldn't think twice before slaughtering her!"
The idea of her little girl being killed and left in a ditch somewhere was enough to turn her stomach. She had to put a hand to her mouth and swallow to keep from getting sick.
Her husband sighed. "It's been a long day. In the morning, perhaps things will be slightly better." He brushed past his wife and headed for the stairs.
"You blame me, don't you?"
Her husband turned and faced her. "Of course not."
"Yes, you do. Let's face it, darling, you've always said my vanity is my greatest flaw. Elizabeth wouldn't stop crying, and I was having such a time trying to find a mask to wear. I was the one who handed her to the outsider, to that little brat! She's the one who let her run off!"
As those last words left her lips, she couldn't help but tilt her head slightly in thought.
"Yes. It was that child who let her run off. Come to think of it, she might've very well done it on purpose."
Her husband scoffed. "Come now, darling. She didn't even know us."
"Oh, but she had held audience with The Queen, hadn't she? Let's face it; my brother's wife would've done anything to get back at me for all those accusations I made. Using a child to do her dirty work isn't below her. That little girl, that Alice, wanted to be sure my daughter would never come back!"
"I won't hear anymore of this." Her husband stormed upstairs.
"You mark my words, love! If that creature even sets foot in Wonderland again, it won't be The Queen who has her head! It'll be me!"
Years later...In London, England...
Alice stood in front of the mirror, her hands folded over her dome of a stomach. Not that it could be helped, being nine months pregnant would do that to a woman. As Alice sighed, her husband Cyrus came up behind her and put his hands over hers.
"I'm so use to growing taller. Not wider." Alice pouted.
"You've never been lovelier." Cyrus planted a kiss on Alice's shoulder.
"Is that so?"
"Of course it is."
"So I'm beautiful even when I knock a vase off a table?"
"Without a doubt."
"Or when my face swells because I've cried for the past half hour?"
"Undeniably so."
Alice finally smiled and faced Cyrus. "Have I ever told you that you know the right things to say?"
"Several times."
Alice wrapped her arms around Cyrus' neck. "Only because it's true."
As the two began to kiss, there was an abrupt knock on the door and Alice's father, Edwin, opened the door. The two quickly pulled apart and Edwin cleared his throat.
"I came to tell you that supper will be ready very soon." Edwin said.
"Thank you, Father." Alice said.
"Thank you, sir." Cyrus said.
Edwin stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. The couple breathed a sigh of relief.
"It seems as though our efforts to be alone are for naught." Cyrus muttered.
"We knew they would be when we chose to stay here until the baby came."
"Remind me again what is wrong with having our child in our home.
"Nothing." Alice brought her hand to Cyrus' cheek. "Nothing at all. It's just that I was born in this house, raised here, and it's always been a great comfort to me. Besides, it's much more convenient. It's larger and easier to find; we can't have Anastasia and Will getting lost, can we? Let alone Rabbit and his family."
"When are they suppose to arrive?"
"They'd said they'd be here tonight or early in the morning. Aunt Clara and Uncle Peter are expected any time now."
Cyrus smiled. "I don't suppose they'll remember me. We only met briefly at the Christmas party last year."
"Of course they'll remember you! Aunt Clara's always had a good memory, and Uncle Peter did promise to teach you-"
Alice suddenly grabbed her stomach and bent over slightly, grunting in pain.
"Alice, was that-"
"No, no, no, no. I'm not due for two weeks, and I promised everyone that they would all be there."
Cyrus lowered his eyes towards the floor and cleared his throat. "Sweetheart, I'm afraid there won't be turning back from this."
Alice looked down at her feet, only to see the bottom of her dress was soaked and she was standing in a large puddle of water.