Chapter 13: The Honeymooners

Jervis and Alice were now on their honeymoon and decided to have it in Jervis's homeland of England. They were currently in London but did plan on touring all over the country to see its wonders. Both of them definitely wanted to visit some of the places that inspired Lewis Carroll to write his stories. Right now, they were touring the Tower of London where generations of English monarchs used it for luxury, but it was also used to hold countless prisoners. They were both looking at all of the weapons, suits of armor, and paintings that were on display. Jervis was currently reading one of the exhibit descriptions about the tower's origins. "Interesting. It says here that this tower was built for William the Conqueror in the 1070s to defend and proclaim his royal power and took 20 years to build.", he said as he was sharing the information with his wife. "Say what you want, but this place gives me the creeps. I heard that this place has a history of cruelty and torture with all the prisoners it held. I know two young princes disappeared as they were being held prisoner and their remains weren't found until the 1600s.", she said. "That is true. But places like this definitely have their charm, despite the bloody history.", Jervis said. "True. Why don't we hit some of the other spots on our list. I know you said you wanted to visit all these Wonderland places, starting with Oxford.", Alice said. "Right, we should get a move on.", he said as they left the tower. Their next stop was Oxford where Carroll was once a math lecturer there and spent his days writing his stories. They stopped by the university museum to see the stuffed dodo that inspired Carroll to write the dodo character in the story. They were in front of the stuffed dodo when Jervis began to say, "This is truly frabjous. To think this very place is where Carroll first created his masterpiece. And I like to think this is the real dodo from the book.". "Yeah, it really is something. This is really cool to be where it all started. We should really start taking pictures to put in our wedding book.", Alice suggested. Alice got out her camera and took a selfie with her husband in front of the dodo. They looked at the picture and were pleased with how it turned out. "You look so handsome.", Alice said as she stared lovingly at Jervis. Jervis blushed at the compliment and said, "Well, I'm not as good looking as my beautiful wife.". Alice then blushed herself in response to that. Their next stop was the old-time town of Llandudno in Wales where there was a statue of the white rabbit about to go down his hole to Wonderland and which talked about both Alice in Wonderland and its author. "That is a truly beautiful sculpture.", Alice said. "Indeed. The sculpture is very detailed and is a perfect recreation of the scene in the book.", Jervis said. "I really think the rabbit looks cute, don't you think?", she said. "Uh, yes. I kind of always thought the dormouse was cuter in the story.", Jervis said. "Besides being drunk the whole time?", Alice teased with her eyebrow raised. "Yeah, besides that.", he said. They then took another picture in front of the statue and moved onto their next destination. They then visited the grave of Lewis Carroll himself in Guildford. They actually bought a bouquet of roses for the grave at a local flower shop to show their respect for the man who created their favorite story. They were standing in front of the grave when Jervis began to talk. "It's great to finally meet you, Mr. Carroll. I personally wanted to say thank you for creating a story that changed my life and really got me through all the hard points in my life. And I hope you're resting in peace.", he said as he laid the roses in front of the grave. "And I want to thank you too for giving my man something to love and to make him happy.", Alice said. "But you know I love you more, right?", Jervis said. "I know, just like how much I love you.", Alice said back. They took yet another picture together in front of the grave to add it to the scrapbook. "I know you said there's one more spot you wanted to go to, but it wasn't Wonderland related. Where's that?", she asked. "You'll see. I think you'll find it really cool.", Jervis said. They ended up going to Whitby Abbey, which was where Bram Stoker wrote his personal masterpiece, Dracula and coincidentally, they were there around sunset. The couple were staring at the crumbling ruined abbey in amazement. "This place is both beautiful and creepy at the same time.", Alice said. "That's understandable seeing as how this was where a horror story was written. I've read Dracula too before I became a Wonderland fanatic and was very different than how that character is portrayed today.", he said. "Say, if Dracula was real, do you think Batman would win in a fight with him?", Alice asked. "Maybe. I know he's fought a werewolf already. So, I wouldn't be surprised if he won against a vampire.", he answered. "What a perfect time to come here just around sunset.", she said. "Yeah and look at how lovely that sunset is.", Jervis said as he pointed towards the sunset. They both stared at the sunset for about 5 to 10 minutes before Alice said, "Thank you so much for the wonderful honeymoon. It sucks we have to go back home to Gotham in a couple days. But it's definitely a good start to our life together, Mr. Tetch.", she said. "I agree. And I'm looking forward to our life together, Mrs. Tetch.", he said as they embraced each other. "That's my name, don't wear it out.", Alice teased and winked. He chuckled in response to that, and they shared a passionate kiss in front of the sunset. "We should probably head back to London. Wouldn't want to be here when the sun goes down in case we run into the count himself.", Alice joked. "Ha, ha! Very funny, my dear.", Jervis sarcastically laughed. They then made their way back to London where they spent the rest of their honeymoon before going back home to Gotham.