It was morning and I woke up smiling like an imprudent individual. I grabbed my robe, put it on, tied it, and walked toward the kitchen. I stopped by Alice's room. The door was still closed. I walked into the kitchen, and fixed the tea. I poured water into the teapot, put on the fire, and placed the teapot above the fire. When I turned around, Alice just walked in wrapped in a robe. It was my favorite robe my mother wore. It was a red, black, and green plaid robe. I walked up to her, and kissed her.

"Morning love, slept well?" I asked her wondering if she slept enough or I woke her because of my noise in the kitchen.

She smiled at me, "I slept well. I dreamed about you all night so it was easy for me to stay asleep. Did you wake up this morning smiling like a fool?"

I laughed, and answered her, "Yes, I was smiling like a fool. A mad fool in love."

She smiled at me, and the teapot whistled. I removed it from the fire, and placed the tea into the water. It mixed quickly due to the hot water. I took out two teacups, and placed one in front of her. I picked up the pot, and poured the tea in her cup. I brought milk, sugar, and lemons because I don't know how she took her tea. I put all that on my table.

"How do you take your tea love?" I asked her wanting to know how to fix it.

She seductively voiced, "Watch. Two lumps of sugar and one from you," leaned in to kiss me then continued, "and one twist of lemon; that is how I take my tea. How about you?"

She stirred her tea, and I smiled at her.

"Watch. Three lumps of sugar and one from you," leaned in, kissed her, and continued, "And two twists of lemon. That is how I take my tea. You know we have a wedding to plan. So let's start talking about it. Where do you want the wedding to take place?"

I stirred my tea, and took a sip. She sipped her tea, and placed the cup down.

"I want the wedding to be where you proposed to me," she picked up her cup, and took another sip.

I nodded, "Alright at the castle in one of the courtyards, and the reception inside where I actually proposed. Now, the honeymoon where would you like to go?"

She looked at me and bluntly stated, "I don't know Underland all that well so I'll leave that up to you."

I smiled, took a sip of tea, and placed my cup down, "You're giving me so much control love. Being that you are still unfamiliar with Underland, I'll pick the honeymoon location. Any of your traditions I need to know so we can honor them?"

She nodded, and disclosed them, "Well, it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride the day of the wedding before the ceremony. The groom must not see the wedding dress until the ceremony. No intimate relations until the wedding night."

I nodded, and responded, "For our traditions, we cannot sleep in the same house the night before the wedding. I cannot see you the day of the wedding until the ceremony. I cannot see the dress before the ceremony. We cannot be intimate until the wedding night. I guess we both have the same traditions. More tea love?"

She nodded, and I poured more in her cup. She reached for the sugar, and I moved it away from her.

"Let me do it. Two lumps of sugar, one from me," I leaned in, gently kissed her lips, and continued, "and a twist of lemon."

"Very good, now let me do yours," she poured more tea in my cup.

"Let's see, three lumps of sugar, one from me," she leaned in, gently kissed my lips, and continued, "and two twists of lemon."

"Very good love. Mmm, it tastes much better when you fix it. We need to get ready. Mirana wanted us to go to the castle to discuss our plans for the wedding," I picked up the teapot, and the tray.

I put away the sugar, the milk, and the lemons. I started washing the teapot, and the tray. She placed her cup down then wrapped her arms around my waist as I dried the tray, and put it away. I smiled, and dried up the teapot. I put it away, and turned around. I took her face in my hands, and gently kissed her lips. She ran her fingers through my hair, and I pulled her closer to me. We broke the kiss, and both picked up our cups at the same time to finish out our tea. I finished first, and washed my cup. Alice finished her cup, and handed it to me. I washed her cup, dried both, and placed them back in the cabinet. We both walked to our bedrooms to change. I picked out my brown suit, and purple button up shirt. I put on my underclothes, my pants, socks, shoes, purple shirt, and coat. I found my bow tie and put it on. I picked up my hat and walked out the room. When I walked by Alice's door, there was a knock at the door. I walked to the front door, and opened it.

"Your carriage, Mr. Hightopp," the footman announced.

I politely stated, "We'll be out in a moment."

I walked to Alice's door, and knocked this time. She opened the door, and was dressed in a beautiful purple gown with her hair worn half up and half long. She was breath taking. I smiled at her.

"You look amazing, darling. Our carriage is waiting," I offered her my arm, and she took it.

She looked at me from hat to foot, and sighed, "Handsome as always."

We walked out the house, and up to the carriage. I offered Alice my hand, and she took it. She picked up her dress so she wouldn't trip to get in. She made it in, and I hopped in. The footman stepped on the back, and off we went. I decided to get our plan written down. I pulled out a piece of paper, and my small quill.

"Alright we said for the ceremony to be outside in one of the courtyards. The reception will be in the ballroom where I proposed. I'm sure she'll want us to stay in the castle for our wedding night before we set off on the honeymoon…" I began, and Alice stopped me.

"We're here," she told me, I folded up the parchment, and placed my quill in my jacket pocket.

The coach stopped, and I opened the door. I got out then held out my hand. Alice took my hand, and carefully stepped out the coach. The footman closed the door, and hopped back on the coach. The coach drove away as we walked up the stairs to go into the castle. Nivens spotted us, and sounded his trumpet. I'm about to put that thing in the shop very soon because it's getting on my nerves.

He announced us, "Mr. Tarrant Hightopp and Miss Alice Kingsleigh."

Mirana came floating up to us, and kissed our cheeks. She motioned for us to follow her. We followed her outside to the North courtyard. It was beautiful but one courtyard stood out to me when we passed to go to the North courtyard. The courtyard that I saw was beautiful. It had white roses blooming with a gazebo toward the end of the pathway. There were benches for us to sit. Alice's eyes lit up when we passed by it.

"Tarrant, this was the courtyard I found Absolem making his cocoon. This is where he convinced me into making the right decision by becoming the champion, and slaying the Jabberwocky. It was in this courtyard that I realized my feelings for you were much deeper than I realized. It was in this courtyard that I realized I loved you," she recognized the courtyard, and started dragging me into the courtyard.

I called to Mirana, "Mirana, I think this courtyard would be ideal for the ceremony."

She turned around, and saw me disappear behind the column out to the beautiful courtyard. She met us in the courtyard, and she smiled.

"Oh yes, I concur with this location. The East courtyard will be the ideal place for the ceremony. Not much decorating will need to be done because it is already beautiful. I'm sure you will fancy the reception in the ballroom where Tarrant proposed. Now, for the wedding night, follow me," Mirana turned, and walked back into the castle.

I gave Alice an 'I told you' expression, and she smiled. We followed her upstairs, and walked down the elaborate hall full of white chandeliers with crystals hanging from them. We walked down the hall up to an opening to a private balcony. Before the balcony to the right, there was one room down this whole hall. Mirana opened it up. My mouth dropped. There was a king sized bed with white floral bedding. It was a four posted bed with white curtains. There was a sitting area with a table in the middle. The sitting area included a sofa, a chaise lounge chair, a winged back chair, and a padded rocker chair. Alice looked at me, and my mouth was still open due to the fact the room was beautiful. She closed my mouth for me, and I walked to the bed. I felt the sheets; silk. I felt the curtains; silk. I was a Mad Hatter in love with the room.

"Mirana, I think I want to move into this room," I spoke without thinking.

Mirana laughed at me, and replied, "Glad you like it, Tarrant. Oh Alice, you are to stay in the castle the night before the wedding. It is one of our traditions for the future bride, and groom, not to be in the same house the night before the wedding. Now, let's sit down, and talk about a date because I want to give you an engagement ball hopefully a week before the wedding. So, when do you want the ceremony to take place?"

Alice answered before I had time to think, "I don't want to wait any longer. The sooner we're married the better. I can't live without this man in my life."

I chuckled, and tried to reason with her, "Alice, love, let's think about this. I just proposed to you last night. You don't want to wait a little while, and then marry. We can wait like a month or so…"

She interrupted me, "A month is far too long. How about two weeks?"

"Two weeks! Three, I'll make you a hat, and it's a deal?" I attempted to reason with her.

She seductively reasoned with me, "Two weeks, and I'll make your life worth wild."

I knew my eyes changed to the dark emerald green color, and finally I caved, "Two weeks it is. No hat?"

She laughed, "I want a veil like every bride. Trust me sweetheart, you'll have all our lives to make hats for me."

I smiled and Mirana started up again, "Lastly, dress fittings, and tux fittings…"

I added, "I have a suit already. The black one I wore last night. I have a white vest, and a white tie. It'll be perfect for the wedding."

Mirana smiled, and started pushing me out the room, "Alright now off with you, Alice is going to get fitted for her dress. You can go fiddle around in your hat shop."

"I'll take the hint and leave," I tipped my hat, and started to walk out the room.

Alice got up, and walked over to me. She turned me around, and gave me a long gentle kiss.

I smiled, "Have a wonderful time. You know where to find me when you're finished."

I walked out the room, and down the stairs. I walked down the hall, and turned into my shop. I already had three customers waiting on me. Yahoo, I love customers!

Very gentlemanlike, I asked, "How can I help you ladies?"

One of them replied, "All three of us would like a hat like Miss Alice wore last night."

"Sure, what color would you ladies like?" I was writing down everything they told me.

"I want red," the red headed woman told me.

"I want a royal blue one," the blonde headed woman said.

"I want a yellow one," the brown headed woman told me.

I finished writing everything down, and I pulled each material aside.

I informed them, "Give me a couple hours, and the hats will be ready."

"Thank you, Hatter," the ladies told me in unison, and I started on the red one.

I pulled as much fabric as I needed and cut it. I started making the top, and sewed it together. Then I made the brim, and sewed it to the top. I picked up three peacock feathers, and sewed it in the midsection on the right side. I took the extra fabric, wrapped it around the midsection, and draped it down the back. I sowed the fabric in place, and the red one was done. I started the royal blue one. I pulled as much fabric as I needed, and cut it. I started making the top, and sewed it together. Then I made the brim, and sewed it to the top. I picked up three peacock feathers, and sewed it in the midsection on the right side. I took the extra fabric, wrapped it around the midsection, and draped it down the back. I sowed the fabric in place, and the royal blue one was finished. I started making the yellow one. Alice walked in, and sat down in the chair. I turned around.

"Hello love, did you have fun with your dress fitting?" I walked up to her, and kissed her.

She smiled, "Yes, I missed you, and I wanted to see you work."

I smiled, pulled as much fabric as I needed, and cut it. I started making the top, and sewed it together. Then I made the brim, and sewed it to the top. I glanced at her every now, and then; sure enough, she was watching every move I made. I smiled, and continued working. I picked up three peacock feathers, and sewed it in the midsection on the right side. I took the extra fabric, wrapped it around the midsection, and draped it down the back. I sowed the fabric in place, and the last hat was finished. The three women walked in while I was tallying up the prices. I finished tallying it up. The women started talking to Alice, and I could tell those women were not the ones she would talk to over tea. She just smiled, and laughed when she needed. I decided to relieve her.

"Well ladies, your hats are ready, and each hat is thirty seven pieces of silver," I pried them away from Alice, and they took my bait.

They each paid me, and I thanked them. They left, and I pulled my chair next to Alice. I rested my head on her shoulder, and she kissed my head.

We left to go home after I made five more Miss Alice hats in black, purple, pink, orange, and white. We arrived at the house, and I immediately went to bed. She kissed my lips, and told me good night. I went to sleep, and dreamed about what the next two weeks would bring.

Two weeks passed by so quickly. The last fittings for the dress, more Miss Alice hats for the women for the wedding in every color of the rainbow, finding my best man, picked out the wedding bands, and now the engagement ball. We're having it the night before the wedding. I don't understand why but I guess it was due to the fact we were all busy planning for the Wedding of the Century. I finished my bath, and I put on my brown suit. I found my hat, and put it on. Alice came in my room having trouble with something.

"Could you help me with the zipper? I can't reach," Alice pointed to the zipper on her dress.

I placed my fingers on the zipper, and pulled up. It zipped with no problem. She now had a new hat to sport. It was the same style like her first one but instead of peacock feathers it was duck feathers on both sides. I turned her to face me, and she was beautiful. She wore a turquoise gown off the shoulders. Her hat was in the same color. She wore her hair up in a curled ponytail. I wrapped my arms around her waist, and pulled her closer to me.

"Our last night as an engaged couple," I leaned over, and kissed her.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, "I know. I'm going to miss you tonight when you leave. But it will make me more anxious for the ceremony tomorrow. I love you Tarrant, and I always will."

She pulled me to her, and her lips met mine for a long gentle kiss. There was a knock at the door. I exhaled slowly, and gave her my elbow. She took it, and we walked to the door. She stopped me, and looked inside her room. She lowered her gaze, and watched her feet as we continued to walk to the door. I opened the door, and our carriage was waiting. We walked to the carriage, and I held out my hand. She picked up her gown, took my hand, and stepped in. When she sat down, I hopped in. The carriage took off, and boy it was quiet. I decided to lighten the mood.

"We will get to dance the Flotchen tonight," I smiled, and played with her fingers.

She looked at me, and questioned, "What is the Flotchen?"

I chuckled, and answered, "It is a folk dance only danced at engagement balls. It is a war between the women, and men. The men start it off with the groom to be in the front leading the men. The women follow with the bride to be in the rear then making her way to the front. Then the groom tries to persuade the bride to dance with him. The bride plays hard to get, and it is the bride's turn to persuade the groom. They join in the middle to dance. The men, and women do the same steps but apart while the bride and groom dance together in the middle, and during their solo dances. The bride and groom join hands, and push each other away to return to their sides. The entire process repeats itself until the bride caves. The ending of the dance concludes with the bride and groom kissing."

Alice smiled, "Mirana taught it to me yesterday while you busy making hat after hat after hat. I didn't know that was the name of the dance. I'm a step ahead of you."

I smiled, leaned over, and kissed her, "Good because it is the first dance we dance tonight."

The carriage pulled to a stop. I opened the door, and hopped out. I held out my hand, and she took it. She carefully stepped out, and took my elbow. We walked up the steps, and Nivens saw us coming. I decided to get playful with him. He was about to blow his trumpet, and I took it out his paws then raised it above my head.

"Tarrant! I need to announce you two in," Nivens started jumping up to try to get his trumpet back.

Alice nudged me in the side, and I gave it back. He blew a nice fanfare. Everyone looked at him.

He announced, "Our couple of the evening, Mr. Tarrant Hightopp and Miss Alice Kingsleigh."

We walked down the steps into the ballroom. Mirana walked up to us, and smiled at Alice.

"Are you ready to show him how beautifully you dance to the Flotchen?" Mirana asked still smiling.

Evidently, Alice is amazing at it by the way Mirana sounded.

Alice replied, "Yes, I'm ready."

Mirana took her to the women, and Thackery took me to the men. The music started, and it was faster than I remembered it. I looked at the women, and a wicked smile formed on my face. All the men bowed their heads. I turned to Thackery.

"Ready old friend?" I asked him.

"It will be a Flotchen I'll never forget," Thackery replied.

I smiled, "Then hang on because I'm not going to give."

I heard him laugh, and we rose up our heads on the drum beat. I started the dance with my signature; Futterwacken. The women were interested, and I knew Alice would be a goner. The men followed me to the center, and started with begging of the bride to come out. The men started by skip, step to the left four times, spin around, skip, step to the right four times, spin around, and I holding out my hand begging Alice to come out. Alice came out, and she started the women by being seductive you know the feeling of her figure then spinning. Then the women joined her when she did the Futterwacken. I smiled big when I figured out she can Futterwacken. Just like the men, the women started by skip, step to the left four times, spin around, skip, step to the right four times, spin around, and Alice moving her index finger telling me to come to her. I spun to her, and I knew I would get her. She and I started our dance till we give dance. The men and women did the skip and stepping part while Alice and I danced in the center. We let our palms touch, and walked around in a circle counterclockwise three times then hop left, hop right, crisscross with our feet, spin around, down, up, our palms touched again, walked around in a circle clockwise three times, hop right, hop left, crisscross with our feet, spin around, down, up, and then the solos. I was saving my dance I'd practiced for last. I did a double down Futterwacken. It was the same moves of the original with a kick, slide, handstand, and a spin. Alice was impressed, but she started. She spun around, side stepped to the left quickly three times stuck out her left foot, side stepped to the right quickly three times stuck out her right foot, and ended with a spin to where she was inches from my lips. I smiled, our hands came together, and we pushed away from each other. This started all over again. The dance continued for some time, and I could tell Alice was giving. It was our solo dances again. She started, and it became more seductive. I almost gave in but I started my number. I called it Do or Die Futterwacken. Just like double down, but added kick, kick, slide, back flip, spin, handstand, and spin up to her inches from her mouth. When the bride gave in, she kissed the groom. Well, Alice gave in. She pulled me in for a kiss, and everyone clapped as the dance ended.

I smiled, "You can Futterwacken. I thought it was erotic."

"Tarrant Hightopp, you beast," she returned the smile.

A slow song played, I spun Alice around, and pulled her close to me. We swayed to the music. We gazed into each other's eyes, and I rested my forehead on hers. She smiled at me, and I picked my head back up.

I began to speak, "Just think, tomorrow at this time, you'll be my wife."

She added, "Tomorrow at this time, you'll be my husband. Oh by the way, I know the answer to your riddle why is a raven like a writing desk?"

My eyes widened, "Do tell love."

She leaned over, and whispered into my ear, "A raven is like a writing desk because Poe wrote on both of them."

I spun her around to where her back was toward my chest, I wrapped my arms around her still swaying to the music, and kissed her left cheek.

I whispered in her ear, "Only you could answer that. Oh, my clever Alice. I could take you right here but we're not married yet."

She laughed, and I spun her back around to face me. The dance ended, and I dipped her. She's getting used to my dancing already. We danced all night, and it was the last dance for the evening. In my tradition, the bride and groom to be dance a good bye till morning song. The name of the dance was called Godnick. The name sounded anomalous to me when I was a child, it still sounded anomalous to me, and I'm an adult about to be married. I spun Alice around, and everyone watched as we swayed to the song. I looked longingly into her eyes, and she did the same to me.

She sadly said, "It won't be without you tonight. I'm going to be alone in the morning having tea with someone else. I'll miss seeing you in your purple plaid robe making tea. I'll miss your voice and the way you hold me."

I replied, "Just think, tomorrow night, you won't want to take your hands off me."

She smiled, "Your mind is being naughty, Mr. Hightopp. Stop it."

I chuckled, "I'll miss seeing you in my mother's red plaid robe. I always loved that robe on her, and you look gorgeous in it. I'll miss you sitting on my lap laying your head on mine waiting for me to finish my tea. Oh no, it's the end of the song."

She begged, "Dip me."

I spun her around, and dipped her like she asked. I leaned forward, and passionately kissed her. I pulled her up, and we walked out the ballroom. I walked her up the stairs to the room we will share tomorrow night. We got to the room, and she stopped.

"My dress is in there, and I don't want to open the door for you to see it. Good night, my Tarrant. I'll see you in my dreams, and at our wedding," she wrapped her arms around my neck.

I closed my eyes, sighed, and opened them, "Good night, my Alice. I'll see you in my dreams, and at our wedding."

Our lips met for a long, deep, gentle kiss. We parted our lips, and embraced. We pulled apart, and I turned around. She opened the door, and closed it.

I walked up to the closed door, and told her, "I love you."

She replied, "I love you too."

I walked away, and down the stairs. I walked out the castle, down the steps, up to the carriage, and climbed in. I looked up to the balcony, and there she was. She waved to me, and I waved back. The carriage took off into the night. My last night as a single man, and I'm smiling like an imprudent individual. I watched the scenery go by, and then we arrived at my home. The carriage stopped, and I hopped out. I opened up my house, walked in, and closed the door. I placed my hat on the hat stand, and walked to my room. I finished packing my things for tomorrow night…no, my hat! I ran into the living room to the hat rack, and picked up my hat. I ran back into my room, and packed it. I checked every bathroom to make sure I had all my essentials. I checked every room to make sure I had everything. I had everything so I finally changed into my sleeping clothes, and went to bed to dream of Alice.