The sun woke me up, and I realized I was in a carriage on my way to my honeymoon destination. I turned to look at Alice, and her head was still on my shoulder. I recognized where we were. We were in Queast, but we still had until midday until we reach our destination. I kissed her head, and she turned to look up at me. I smiled at her, and she snuggled up to me. I wrapped my arm around her, and we watched the scenery pass us by.

She tried to pry me for more information, "Where are we?"

"We're in Queast. We still have until midday so don't worry love. We're almost there. I will have to blind fold you after a while so you don't see the place," I couldn't tell her everything because I wanted to surprise her.

She looked at me, and still tried to get me to give more than what I did, "Tarrant, the suspense is killing me. I can't take it anymore. Is it as beautiful as the scenery we're passing by?"

I looked outside at the beautiful trees with their white blooms swaying in the breeze, the red, blue, and pink flowers in the grass also swaying in the breeze. The place I'm taking her has all this and more. How do I describe it to her but not give it away?

I turned back to her, and smiled, "I've only seen the place in my parents' paintings, and by what I've seen it's beyond beautiful. My parents never took the children to their anniversary trip in Queast. Mrs. Gillihan still runs the place, and she always helped my parents. She was so happy to hear that I survived the devastation, and was more than thrilled to find out I got married, and will be spending my honeymoon with her at her place."

I got a smile from her, peeked out the window of the carriage, and I could see the place in the distance. I took out the blind fold. She looked at it, and she got a wicked smile on her face. I smiled back because I knew she was thinking naughty but I wasn't using it for that. We were getting close. I pulled her hair away from her face, and wrapped the blind fold around her eyes. I tied it good, and tight so she couldn't see a thing until I help her out the carriage. I couldn't believe how gorgeous this place was. Trees with white blooms lined the driveway creating a canopy overhead. Pink, yellow, blue, red, and white tulips in beautifully landscaped flower beds curved the paths in the garden. The grand mansion which was several yards away was landscaped with multicolored rose bushes, white lilies, beautiful white and pink calla lilies, and multicolored snapdragons. I finally understood why my parents came here often to escape the havoc we caused them at home, and how beautiful it was year round.

Poor Alice, who was blind to the world, asked me, "Are we there yet? When can I take this blind fold off?"

I laughed, and reassured her, "We are pulling up right now. I will take it off soon."

"You can at least wait until we are alone to take it off," she teased me.

"That is not what I'm talking about my dear, and get your head out of the naughtiness," I whispered into her ear, and she giggled.

The carriage stopped.

"Finally, we're here. Now get me out so I can take this blind fold off!" Alice wanted out, and tried to get up.

I caught her, "Love, stay still. I will open the door, and I will help you up alright."

I opened the door, stood up, slouched so I don't hit my head, and grabbed her dress so she wouldn't trip.

"Grab onto my arms," I told her to help her out.

"Now, don't stand up all the way because you will hit your head," I instructed, and she obeyed.

I continued, "Now, I'm going to start moving. Follow me slowly."

I stepped back watching my front, and back. I stepped down onto the footing, and onto the ground.

I needed to instruct Alice on this part, "Alright take your left foot, and carefully step down."

She did as she was told, and I helped her get her foot steady.

I continued, "Now, take your right foot, and carefully step down to the ground."

I kept her steady, and she got down without tripping.

"Alright, let go of my arms, and I'll remove the blind fold," she dropped my arms, and I walked behind her.

I placed my hands on the blind fold to untie, "Are you ready?"

"Yes!" she was so excited she was bouncing.

I untied the blind fold, and removed it from her face. She gasped at the sight of the mansion, and the beautiful gardens. The footman carried the suitcases to the front door. She turned around to face me, and pulled me into a heated kiss. We broke the kiss, and I could tell my eyes changed color by her smile.

"I'll take that as an 'It's beautiful thank you' kiss. You're welcome. I'm glad you like it," I grabbed her hand, and started walking to the mansion.

We walked up the stairs, and knocked on the door. Mrs. Gillihan opened the door, and she bear hugged me.

"Little Tarrant Hightopp, it's been years since your parents' last visit so I haven't received any updated paintings of the Hightopp family. I'm so sorry about their passing…"

"Actually, I'm the only Hightopp left. On the Horunvendush Day, the Jabberwocky destroyed the village, and my family didn't make it out alive. It's just me left. I fell in love with this beautiful woman…" she didn't let me finish.

"Alice Kingsleigh, the champion who slain the Jabberwocky, you picked a beautiful girl, Tarrant. Your parents would have loved her. I'm so thrilled you picked my place to bring her for your honeymoon. Let me show you to your room, and I'll show you two around the place," Mrs. Gillihan led the way into the foyer and up the stairs.

I brought the suitcases inside, and the place was beautiful. A huge crystal chandelier in the foyer hanging from the ceiling. The light bounced off the soft yellow walls with the antique furniture of Old World Underland. A man which stood about six and half feet tall walked up to us, and took our luggage from me. He followed Mrs. Gillihan, past her up to go up the stairs, and she turned around to face us.

"That is my only son Tobian. He is the man in charge since I'm too old to do anything but cook. I didn't do anything all week so I could have enough strength to go up the stairs to show you the room. It is the same room your mother and father stayed in," Mrs. Gillihan started walking up the stairs, and Alice and I patiently followed her.

After what seemed like an hour, we made it up the stairs. She escorted us all the way down the middle hall. We walked to the only door on the right. She opened the room, and my eyes widened. Alice gasped at how large just the sitting room was. There was a cream colored leather sofa which could seat up to six people comfortably. Two cream colored red rose upholstered winged back chairs with a matching chaise lounge chair with a mahogany table in the center of the room. There was a large brick fireplace with a dark stained oak mantle to the left against the wall when you walk into the room with the last family portrait of my family. I pulled Alice to the fireplace, and pointed to the family portrait of the Hightopps. Her mouth dropped when she noticed how many brothers, and sisters I had.

She tried to speak but she was too shocked, "Tarrant…how…did…how many brothers, and sisters did you have?"

I laughed and answered, "Let's see. I'll name them for you. In the center, you have my mother, and father. To the left of my father, are the twins, Garran and Gavin. To the right of my father, are the triplets, Sophia, Sondra, and Sandra. To the left of my mother, are the quadruplets, Toby, Tobias, Teresa, and Tabatha. To the right of my mother, are another set of triplets Carla, Charlotte, and Carlisle. Next to Carlisle, are the last set of twins Helen and Karen. I'm the only one kneeling holding my mother's hand. So all together children wise, there were fifteen of us."

Alice couldn't breathe. She was gasping for air. I brought her to the chaise, and sat her down. I started fanning her.

Mrs. Gillihan started giggling, and added, "Little Tarrant was a surprise. Marlane and Randolph thought they were through with having children. Nine months later, little Tarrant came along, and they loved him just as much as the other fourteen children."

Alice smiled but was still trying to catch her breath.

Mrs. Gillihan turned to me, "I'll go fetch her some water. Tobian will bring it up," and she left us to get settled.

Finally, she was able to speak, "You had a big family. Were your parents part of a big family?"

She asked so I relayed the information, "My father was number seven of sixteen and my mother was number ten of twelve. My grandmother was number nineteen of nineteen. My grandfather was number seventeen of eighteen. There is a history of twins, triplets, and quadruplets in my family."

Alice was silent for a while. I was curious about her family.

I decided to ask the questions, "What about your family? You got to see mine. I hardly know anything about yours."

I had to ask, and she gave me what I wanted to hear, "Well, my parents had Margaret and me. My father was number four of eight children, all twins. My mother was number six of six, one set of triplets. My father's father was number three of ten. My father's mother was number six of nine. My mother's father was number five of five. My mother's mother was number seven of seven. There is a history of triplets and twins."

I closed my eyes, inhaled, and exhaled. I reopened my eyes, and looked at her. I grabbed her hands in mine, and gave them a soft squeeze.

"I think we're doomed to having a large family. Because my brothers, and sisters only had singles; no multiples," I informed her.

Alice agreed, "I think we are doomed to a big family because Margaret told me that two is plenty for her, and knowing her, she won't have more than two. I hope we can handle it."

I smiled, and took her in my arms, "We will when it happens. Let's put that aside for now, and enjoy the honeymoon because before we leave to go back I want to break my parents' record."

Alice looked at me, and got extremely pale. I laughed hysterics then Tobian walked in with the water.

"Thank you," I handed Alice her water, Tobian left, and I reassured her, "Not the number of children, I want to make love to you in every available space in this room."

The color returned to her cheeks, and she smiled at me. She drank the water, and laid back against the back of the chaise. I stood up, and offered her my hand. She took it, and stood up. We walked to the bed which was a posted bed with posts all the way to the ceiling with curtains. The curtains, and bed set were a red rose print; alas, no silk. I felt the sheets, and goodness, it was silk.

Alice called out from the bathroom, "Tarrant, come see this!"

I walked into the bathroom, and the tub was huge. It looked like it could fit four in there comfortably with ample leg room. Two separate sinks for us to get ready in the morning with beautiful marble tops. We walked out the room, and Alice went to our suitcases for something, and she found a piece of parchment.

"Tarrant, what is this?" she showed me the parchment.

I examined it, and it looked like my father's handwriting. Oh sweet mother of pearl, it was different places in this room, and I have a feeling what they did in those places. I turned every shade of red from embarrassment. Alice laughed hysterics when she figured out what it was.

She shook her head, "I can't believe you wrote down where you would make love to me."

"Not I, this is my father's handwriting. He's been dead for years, but I still remember his handwriting like it was yesterday. Alice, this really is embarrassing. My parents were rabbits. They must not have left their room during their whole trip. No wonder we were that many. Oh but this is a challenge. Let's see. They did the balcony, the sofa, the winged backed chairs, the bed, the fireplace, the hot spring…there's a hot spring, the stables…good gracious, up against all walls, the bathroom counter, the bathroom floor, against the tub, and the table. That leaves the tub and the chaise," I pointed to the spots where my parents left out.

Alice cleared her throat then pointed to the floor. I smiled at her, and she at me. We walked up to each other, and leaned in for a passionate kiss.

I brushed my hand across her cheek, "Let's go down, and see the rest of the place. Then we can begin the honeymoon."

We kissed, and linked arms to walk downstairs. We left the room, walked down the hall, and down the stairs. Mrs. Gillihan noticed we were coming down the stairs, and waited for us.

"I'll show you around outside after I show you the bottom floor. Follow me," she led the way, and we followed patiently behind her.

She led us to a room with a dark stained wood table the length of the room. Alice pointed to a painting on the wall, and it was another family portrait of my family with only my parents. I smiled at the painting, and I admired the beautiful light blue walls with a cream color on the bottom part of the wall broken apart by brown chair rail.

"This is the dining room where you will meet for lunch at noon and supper at six. Over through this door straight ahead is the parlor room where the rest of the Hightopp family portraits are," she showed us the room, and led us into the next room.

We entered the parlor room, and gracious, it was nice. The walls were green with light stained wood furniture with a light brown hardwood floor. Alice walked over to the left side of the wall starting with my two oldest brothers. Mrs. Gillihan sat down in the red winged back chair for a minute while we were going through the portraits.

Alice started questioning as we walked by each one, "Now, that is your parents with the first set of twins…"

"Garran and Gavin that's them in all their glory as babies," I informed she was correct.

She continued, "Then there's the triplets, let me see if I remember, Sophia, Sondra, and Sandra. They were how much younger than your oldest brothers?"

"We were all five years apart, and you are correct again, my love. You're catching on quickly," I was shocked she even remembered some of the names of my brothers, and sisters.

She carried on to the next painting, "Then the quadruplets Toby, Tobias, Teresa, and Tabatha."

I smiled, and nodded.

She led me to the next one, "Then came the other set of triplets Carla, Charlotte, and Carlisle. You and Carlisle almost look alike. The eyes give it away. Yours are green and his are blue."

"I don't find I look like any of my brothers or my father. Many people tell me I favor my mother. I can't believe you remember my siblings so well," I was so excited that Alice was willing to learn my family.

She moved me to the next one, "The last set of multiples, and they were twins Helen and Karen."

I nodded, and decided to ask a silly question, "And who was the surprise and final baby?"

She turned to me, pushed me next to the painting, and smiled, "You, my dear husband. The last and final Hightopp; number fifteen of fifteen children. I prefer the picture where you were kneeling holding your mother's hand. You looked like a perfect gentleman."

I got teary eyed for a few seconds, and closed my eyes. I inhaled, exhaled, and opened my eyes. I embraced Alice, and Mrs. Gillihan got up.

"In the morning, you can have tea in here or up in your room. I cannot walk anymore. My poor legs are in so much pain. You can go walk around, and explore the property. Tobian knows to keep his distance and only assist when he has to," she released us, and she sat back down.

Alice took my arm, and we walked out the double doors to the back of the house. We walked on the pathway, and I pointed toward the stables. She had a wicked smile on her face. I smiled, and we detoured toward the stables. We walked up to the stables, and we walked up to the door. I opened the door, and Alice walked in first. I followed behind her closing the door. We looked at each horse. There were two black horses, three brown, two white, and one white with brown splotches. We continued to walk to the darkest place in the back in the hay. Eventually, we took off in a sprint. I took her; we landed against the pole kissing passionately, and undressing each other. After we removed our garments, I laid her down in the hay, and started kissing my way down her neck.

"Oh…oh, Tarrant."

It was play time for both of us. _CLANNADH_, it felt amazing in the hay.

"Tarrant…ugh…Tarrant!"

She was ready for me, and her body was showing all the signs.

"Good God, Tarrant!" she squeaked, and exhaled.

_Gonadh_, she almost made me lose my control.

She started begging me, "Tarrant…_sigh_…I want you…_sigh…_now!"

I stopped, positioned myself, and by the smile on her face, I knew my eyes were very dark emerald green.

I smiled, and replied, "Brace yourself love."

I went in much easier than the previous times, and started moving. She moaned as I gradually quickened the pace. We gazed into each others' eyes as we moaned in pleasure then I leaned in for a kiss. She inserted her tongue in my mouth, and our tongues stroked one another. We broke the kiss, and one little word sent me into madness mode. She knew, after I saw my family portraits, my emotions were ever changing, and she took advantage.

One little word, she gasped, "Faster."

I lifted my head, in her eyes I noticed the golden color, and the accent came out in all its glory, "Yu wan fas luv then fas yur goin' ta get!"

I rammed into her as fast as I could.

She screamed, "Oh, Tarrant! Oh, Jesus!"

She satisfied my mad side perfectly. If I wouldn't have been mad, I would have noticed that she was hurting somewhat. However, the mad side was extremely happy. I leaned over, while ramming her very hard, and very fast, and kissed her passionately.

Alice sounded like she was almost whining, "Tarrant…I can't…hold out…anymore. Let it go…if you're…ready."

Sure enough, one very powerful thrust, and it was over. At that moment, we both let out a pleasured moan, and I collapsed on top of her. I closed my eyes, and I tried to relax. She started playing in my hair, and how much she helped me just by doing that. I looked up into her eyes, and noticed the gold was gone. It was my normal light green eyes reflecting inside hers.

I hung my head feeling ashamed, "I hurt you didn't I?"

She took my face into her hands, "Look at me," I looked up at her, and she continued, "I'm well. It did hurt a little but I was thoroughly satisfied. I told you that giving in would sometime make it more exciting."

I shook my head, "The madness is what I was afraid of. For sure, I thought I was hurting you badly but I guess my madness is also in love with you that it wished not to hurt you too bad."

She giggled, pulled me to her to kiss her, we kissed, and she added, "One we can scratch off your father's list. What's next?"

I formed a wicked smile on my face, "Are you ready for that hot spring?"

She smiled, and both of us got up quickly to put on our clothing. I got the hay out of her hair after we finished putting on our clothing. The hay was gone, and our hair was fixed so we could leave. We linked arms, and walked out the stables. I closed the door, and we turned right to go to the hot spring. We walked down the dirt path, and turned left to go to the wooded area. We kept following the path, and it ended at the hot spring. Steam formed a mist over the large water hole. We looked at each other, and stripped down. We walked in, and I took Alice in my arms. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and gave me a long hard kiss.

She asked me, "When I told you I like the painting in our room better than the others, you got teary eyed. Why?"

I closed my eyes, and the tears ran down my face. I grabbed her, and cried into her shoulder. She understood why I was the way I was. My entire family was wiped out because of the Jabberwocky on Horunvendush Day, and I had to live in the madness until she came along.

I was finally able to speak, "I miss them, Alice. Not a day goes by, I don't think about them. Seeing those paintings again just reminds me of what I can't have anymore because they're dead. How I wish you could meet them, love. My parents would adore you. My brothers would tease me for finding a beautiful girl to fall for an ugly guy like me. My sisters would have loved you to bits."

I started crying again, and Alice took my face into her hands, "You have me now. I can't replace the family you lost, but look at what you have right in front of you. You need to hold on to the precious memories you had with your family, and suppress the memory of their death. Besides, I'm the one who slain the one who took them away from you."

I gently kissed her, and replied, "My brave Alice, you are my savior. I'm a lucky man that you chose me as a husband. I love you so much."

"Just hush, and make love to me," she shut me up by kissing me firmly on my lips, and her legs wrapped around my waist.

She broke the kiss, and seductively whispered, "My turn to be in control."

My eyes turned from emerald green to almost black. We kissed as we felt each other.

It was my turn to beg, "Alice…_sigh…_I want you…_sigh_…now!"

She smiled at me, and seductively whispered, "Your wish is my command."

She positioned herself, and slid down. _Gonadh,_ it felt better in the water. She moved up, and down, and goodness it was getting hotter in that hot spring!

She gave me permission, "Tarrant…_sigh…_let it go."

She quickened up some more, tightened some more, and I let my control go up and over the edge. After catching our breath, we got out, and changed back into our clothing. We walked back to the house with my arm wrapped around her waist.

It was time for supper so we met in the dining room. Food was already on the table waiting for us. We ate, and we told Mrs. Gillihan good night. We walked back up to the room, and closed the door. I locked the door, and turned to Alice. I walked up to her, and passionately kissed her lips.

She said as I kissed her neck, "Let's…_sigh_…go to bed."

We removed our clothes, and climbed into bed. We kissed each other so heatedly. Well, I'll let the imagination take flight on what happened next.

She started begging, "Tarrant…inside…now!"

I looked up at her with an evil grin, "I want to try something new. Get on your hands and knees then face the headboard."

She did like I said then I found my way inside. _MATH DIA!_ This was amazing. I could barely control myself in this position. In and out I rammed into her, and I decided to pick up the pace.

"Ooooh, Tarrant!" Does she know that every time she calls my name she makes it extremely difficult for me to control myself?

I continued to love her. She moaned my name louder, and geez, it's getting harder to hold it back. I leaned over, and kissed her cheek with my hands holding her breasts as they bounced. She tightened up around me, and it was very difficult to continue on.

I told her, "I…_sigh_…can't hold…_sigh_…out much longer."

She granted my request, "Let it go."

Two thrusts, and there she blows. I pulled her up to me, and sat on the heels of my feet. She turned her head to kiss me. I kissed her, and we pulled apart. We got under the covers, and I wrapped my arms around her. She turned toward me, and placed her head on my chest. I kissed her head, and she looked up at me.

"It really does get better, and better. Let's see, we already did the stables, hot spring, and the bed. We have nine more places, and then your parents' record will be smashed," she started kissing my neck.

My eyes got extremely dark again, and I looked into her eyes, "Up for round four on the balcony?"

A wicked smile formed on her face, and I knew it was a yes. I got out of bed quickly grabbed my robe out the suitcase. I opened the door to the balcony, and looked about. No one was out. I ran back in, dropped the robe, picked her up, and carried her outside. I placed her down on the lounge chair, and we passionately kissed. I broke the kiss and began to play with her.

I smiled as I lifted my head to look into her face. "Not so bad, eh, lass?" I teased her.

"You're...you're..." She struggled with words. What was she trying to call me, incorrigible, or a master of seduction?

"Utterly magnificent?" I offered helpfully.

She giggled, then gasped as her body began to spasm around my probing fingers.

"Ah, I think you are ready for a more...intimate caress?" I teased gently. I moved down her body, and slid my hands beneath her pelvis, lifting her to my eager mouth.

Oh, she was ready! My tongue replaced my fingers. I poked the tip of my tongue inside her, and wriggled it until she was gasping, and bucking.

I had to grip her backside, and hips firmly to keep her in place. I love making her lose control! What better signs than her gasps, moans, and uncontrollable movements to tell me that I am doing things right?

Alice began to feel the tightness in that spot, and the almost disembodied feeling she experienced when she was approaching the ultimate peak of pleasure! But she wasn't quite there yet. But the journey was so sweet...to both of us.

I quickened my pace, causing Alice to cry out loudly, "Tarrant! Please! I can't...can't..."

I paused for only a moment. "Let it go, lassie, let it go..." And when I loved her some more, she did.

"Oh, God!" she screamed, her body bucking, and spasming so powerfully that I could barely hold her still. "Tarrant! I..._Tarrant!" _

I had never been so happy to hear my name actually screamed! Usually when someone screamed my name, it was because I had done something wrong, or angered the wrong person...but now, oh, how gorgeous it was! My name was being screamed in pleasure by the only woman I love.

I moved up to kiss her quivering belly as she slowly calmed from the aftershocks of her pleasure. When she had regained her breath, I smiled at her, and got up. I picked her up, walked back into the room, and closed the balcony door with my foot. I brought her to the bed, and laid her down gently. I got in, and covered us up. I took her into my arms, and gave her a gentle kiss.

I brushed my hand across her cheek, "Goodnight, my wife. See you in the morning."

She placed her hand on my cheek, "Goodnight, my husband. See you in the morning."

We kissed again, closed our eyes, and sleep claimed us due to the traveling, and all that love making.

Two days have come, and gone so quickly. We only left the room to eat lunch, and supper. The rest of the time…well…you know what we did. We were very very naughty. We pretty much demolished my parents' list except for one place; the tub. We got up this morning, and had our tea on the balcony. Alice sat on my lap watching me finish my tea. She kissed my cheek, and I placed my cup down on the table.

I wrapped my arms around her, and gazed into her eyes, "We leave today to go back. What would you like to do before we leave? We could go horseback riding so we could tell everyone we did something. We don't want them to think all we did was made love..."

"Tarrant," she got me out my babbling.

I inhaled, "I'm fine. You say what you want to do."

A smiled formed on her face, and she thought out loud, "Well, we need a bath first then we could go horseback riding. We could take a walk in the garden then have lunch."

The wheels were turning in my head. We can bathe alright, and we could add something else. We looked into each other's eyes, and a wicked smile formed on our faces. We stood up, and ran inside to the bathroom. After we filled the tub with water and stripped down, we both got in.

"I'm in control this time love, so lie back and relax. Enjoy being the one with no control." She moved to where she was on top of me again.

Gold specs started to ease through my emerald green eyes. I had a sly grin on my face.

"Ya ben plannin' dis 'aven't ya?" I asked as I felt his way up to her breasts only to get my hands swatted at.

"Didn't I tell you that I'm in control?" she commanded, and I had a huge grin on my face.

Alice leaned over, and gave me a long, deep, very heated, very passionate kiss. She let her hand slide down my side, and between his legs. I slowly broke the kiss, and let out a deep moan. Alice kissed her way down my neck, down my chest, and stopped at my stomach. I was pushed to a whole new height, and a shiver ran from where Alice was stroking, and travelled up my spine. She felt me shiver, and it reassured her that she was doing a fantastic job. It hardened as she moved her mouth and tongue up and down. I was ready for her. She stopped, and looked up at me.

"Why did ya stop, luv? It wuz feelin' so amazin'," I started to get up to where I could touch her.

Alice pushed me back down, and crawled on top of me. I took both breasts into my hands, and began kneading them. She arched her back, and moaned.

"Ah thin we're both ready fur each otha," I stated as I felt how wet she already was.

Alice positioned herself on top, lowered herself, and started riding me. I threw my head back, and moaned at how wonderful it felt. She let my hands roam from her hips up her sides to her breasts. Alice threw her head back, and moaned letting me know what I was doing was fantastic. Alice leaned forward to give me a heated kiss. I inserted my tongue into her mouth, and a tongue battle started. Alice slowly broke the kiss, and we gazed into each other's eyes full of passion, and hunger for more of each other. While kneading the right breast, I brought my mouth up to the nipple, and sucked on it.

"**Good God, Tarrant!** Oh…what are you trying to do? Get me to go first? I'm the one who's in control here remember," she groaned, and then backed away to where she was looking down at me.

When I gave her a wicked grin, she rocked her hips faster. It was my turn to grab onto something, and squeeze the life out of it. We were both gasping in the heat of passion at how pleasurable it was, and have the tingling feeling of it coming to an end.

"Alice, luv, Ah dinnae if Ah cud hol' out much longa," I groaned fighting the urge to release.

"I can't hold out much longer either. Let it go!" Alice said moving her hips faster.

In several thrusts, we both gave in.

I leaned back to catch my breath. She looked at me, came up to me, and gently kissed me. She picked up the sponge, and began washing herself. _Gonadh_, I wonder if she knew how much she was teasing me by her washing herself. I grabbed the sponge from her, and washed her back for her. I rinsed her off, and I began washing myself. She grabbed the sponge from me, and washed my back. She rinsed me off, and I drained the water. I kissed her then I got out to dry myself. After drying myself, I brushed my teeth, and combed my hair. I walked out the bathroom, and picked out my blue jacket with my purple shirt with the brown pin stripe pants. I put on my hat, and Alice walked out the room after brushing her hair, and teeth. She picked out her teal dress, and hat. I helped her zip up, and she put her hat on. She put on her shoes, and we were both ready to go. She took my arm, and we walked out the room.

The door closed behind us as we walked toward the staircase. We walked down the staircase, and I looked toward Alice's direction. I noticed she was sweating, and she started to fan herself. My eyes widened because I started to think of possibilities of what could be wrong. I shook my head, and we continued to walk outside to the stables. We were outside walking to the stables, and she snuggled up to me. She was shivering. It wasn't a cold day. It was warm to be exact, and yet she was shivering. I took off my jacket, and put it on her. She got better, and we reached the stables. I opened them up, and we walked up to the horses. I picked out the black one, and she picked out the white one. We saddled them up, and we got on. We rode out the stables, and I led her to the lake where my mother, and father would always ride to. My father told me about it, before the Horunvendush Day, that whenever I go to Queast to stay at Mrs. Gillihan's to go out by the lake. Today, I wanted to see this lake. We rode down the trail, and Alice got curious.

"Where are we riding off to?" she questioned me letting her curiosity get to her.

I slowed down to where we were side by side, and I took her hand in mine, "We are going to a place my father took my mother every time they went horseback riding. That is all I'll tell you."

She exhaled impatiently, and I chuckled. I brought her hand to my mouth, and I kissed it. We never let go of our hands until we reached the lake. It was beautiful. Flowers in every color bloomed across the land surrounding the lake. The trees had beautiful white blossoms on every branch. There was a dock which leads a couple feet into the lake. Alice's mouth fell open when she witnessed the beauty of this place. I stopped my horse, and I got down. I lead the horse to the post, and tied the reins down. I helped Alice down, lead her horse to the post, and tied the reins down. I felt closer to my parents by being here. I closed my eyes, and a tear fell down my face. Alice caught the tear, and she embraced me.

She scratched my back, "This is getting to be too much for you isn't it. Maybe we should leave now to go back home."

I looked at her, and lead her to the tree. We sat down, and I wiped away the extra tears that were falling.

I objected, "We are not leaving now. Alice this was part of my parents that I never got to experience. I finally understand how their marriage lasted as long as it did; the anniversary trips here, my siblings, me, and their love for each other. I want that as well. I wanted that for as long as I could remember. Now that you're here to stay, I know my wish was granted. We will have an everlasting marriage. Do you know how I know that?"

She asked, "How?"

I answered her, "Because we almost died to save each other, and we came here. I agree with both my parents. There is some sort of magic here that brings us closer together. My Alice, I love you more than life itself."

She placed her hand on my cheek, "My Tarrant, you always knew how to say the right words at the right time to make me love you even more than what I did before. I will never stop loving you."

Our lips met for a long gentle kiss. I looked at my watch, and it was time for lunch. I stood up, and handed my hands to Alice. She got up, and removed my jacket. She gave it back to me, and I put it on. We untied the reins, and got back on the horses. We followed the trail back to the stables. When we riding to the stables, Mrs. Gillihan caught sight of us, and waved at us.

She announced, "So that's where you two have been. Lunch is ready in dining room!"

We rode into the stables, and stopped the horses. I got down first, and then I helped Alice down. She was sweating again. Something was terribly wrong, and we needed to leave fast. We removed the saddles, and put them back where they belonged. We lead them back into their stalls, and removed the reins. We closed the door to their stalls, and hung the reins where they belonged. We walked out the stables, and she grabbed my arm. I closed the door, and we walked back to the house.

Alice squeezed my arm to get my attention, "Tarrant, I don't feel well at all. I'm hot then cold, and now my stomach is killing me."

I brought my lips to her forehead, and she was boiling. I placed my hands on her face, and it felt as if her cheeks were on fire. We had to get her to a doctor, and fast. I took her hand, and we walked up the stairs. A blue butterfly landed on the rail, and called my name.

"Absolem good friend, I need your help…" he didn't let me finish.

"Alice looks horrible what did you do to her?" he picked at me, and now was not a time to joke around with me.

I remained calm, and asked the favor, "Absolem, Alice is ill, and we are leaving now to go back home. I need you to go to Mirana to ask for the doctor to come to our home to examine her."

"I can hear the baby cries already," he started picking at me again.

I smiled a little bit then I corrected him, "No, it's not that. Please Absolem, we don't have that much time."

He caved, "Alright, since she saved Underland from that terrible queen, I'll help. I'm very limited on doing favors. I'm not a Passenger Pigeon, you know."

He flew away then Alice let go of my hand, and bolted inside then up the stairs. Oh no, it's worse than I thought. I ran inside, and Mrs. Gillihan caught me.

"I take it you will be leaving sooner than what you planned," she stated the obvious.

I nodded, and replied, "Yes, I'm afraid so. She's not well. Not what you think it's something else. I think it's the crud but we need to make sure. I apologize for taking off so quickly. I'm so happy to have met you. This place made me feel closer to my parents than I have been in a very long time. Thank you for your hospitality. We both enjoyed ourselves."

She embraced me, "I'm glad you both enjoyed it here. Come back again, and don't wait as long as your parents did."

I walked to the stairs, turned back to her, and smiled, "I won't. Thank you again."

I bolted up the stairs, and into the room. I heard Alice vomiting violently in the bathroom. I opened the door, walked up to her; since her hair was up I scratched her back to let her know I was there. She shut the water off in the sink after she cleaned her mouth off. When she looked at me, I knew we had to get home fast. Just after that vomiting session, she was starting to look pale. I finished packing everything while she lay down on the chaise.

She started crying, "I'm so sorry, Tarrant. I had to get ill at the wrong time."

I closed the suitcases, sat down on the chaise, and pulled her to me, "Alice, my love, you can't control when you get ill. If life would be that simple, then we would never fall ill or die. Let's get you home so you can get well."

When she stood up, she ran back into the bathroom to vomit. I felt helpless, and it was making me upset. I picked up the suitcases, and right when I opened the door, the footman from the carriage was standing there. He picked up the suitcases for me, and I opened the door to the bathroom. She was rinsing out her mouth, and wiping it. She was getting paler than before, and I was getting nervous.

"I feel helpless. I wish I could make it go away but I can't," I wrapped my arm around her waist, and kissed her forehead which was still boiling hot.

She rested her head on my shoulder, and we left the room. We walked down the stairs, and out to the carriage. The footman opened the door, and I gave Alice my hand. She took it, and got in with some difficulty. I helped her in, and went to talk to the coachman.

"I want you to go as fast you can. Mrs. Hightopp is very ill, and needs a doctor right away," I explained the situation.

"Yes sir, we'll go as fast as the horses can go," he was very polite, and understanding.

I jumped in, and closed the door. I almost fell in the seat because the horses took off very quickly. Alice giggled that I lost my footing, and stumbled to the seat. I smiled at her, and I leaned over to feel her forehead. She was still very hot. She was starting to get annoyed, and pushed me away.

"Love, I'm very concerned. I believe you have the crud," I told her.

She gave me a confused look on her face, "I have the flu. I have the chills, at times I sweat, I have an extremely high fever, and I'm throwing up my guts!"

"Alice, you're starting to sound like me love. That's what you call it in the Otherland, well, we call it the crud. There's a twenty four hour crud and then there's one that lasts a week. The twenty four hour one you still have the chills, sweats, and fever. The week one you have the chills, sweats, fever, and vomiting," I informed her, and she moaned.

I kissed her forehead, and she grabbed my arm. I noticed she was turning green. I stuck my head out.

"Stop the coach!"

The coachman stopped, and Alice dashed out. I stepped out, walked up to her, and she was coughing up everything she ate yesterday. She finished, and cleaned her mouth with her handkerchief. She turned to me, and I embraced her. I lead her back to the carriage, and she was having trouble getting in. She was dehydrating fast, and we had nothing for her to drink or eat. I didn't have to tell the coachman anything. When I got in and closed the door, the coach took off with impeccable speed. Alice looked at me, and she collapsed on my lap. I started shaking her, and tapping her cheek.

"Alice…Alice…please, love, open your eyes…Alice!" I called out to her, and she didn't budge.

I pulled her close to me, and she was boiling hot. The ride seemed to go by fast. I held her in my arms, and rocked her back and forth. I looked down, and she was still out. Oh my poor Alice, her first Underland illness. She gave up so much to be with me, and here I am I can't do anything for her. I kissed her forehead, and hoped that we were close to home.

I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up I realized where we were; home. I recognized the carriage at the house, and it was the queen's. What is Mirana doing here? Our carriage stopped, and I moved carefully. I picked up Alice, and carried her into the house. Mirana followed me in toward our bedroom. I laid her down, and I changed her into her sleeping clothes.

"Mirana, what are you doing here? I thought Absolem went to you for the doctor?"

"Tarrant, my strength is in the healing arts remember? How long has she been out?" she started asking questions.

I thought for a while, "For about two hours I believe maybe more."

"Go get a cold rag, and start wiping her face. I'll get her to wake up," She took out a vile, and from what I remember, it didn't smell pleasant.

I ran into the kitchen, and found a rag. I wetted the rag with cold water, and I rang it out. I ran back into the bedroom, and Alice was awake…kind of. I placed the cold rag on her forehead, and she turned to me.

"That feels good," she told me weakly.

I smiled knowing she was going to be alright.

"Alice, you have the crud. You will be down for a week. Tarrant has a good recipe for curing the crud. Make sure you get plenty of rest, and drink lots of water. Good thing about the crud, once you get over it, you won't catch it until next year. Get better soon," Mirana bent over, and kissed Alice on the cheek.

"Thank you, Mirana," I thanked her as I was stroking Alice's hair.

She turned around, and ordered me, "You, Mr. Hightopp, will not step foot in the castle until she's well. That is an order. Your hats can wait."

I moaned, and Alice giggled. Mirana walked out, I kissed Alice, and followed Mirana to the door.

She turned to me, and reminded me, "Make sure she drinks lots of water, and start making your mother's soup."

I bowed to her, and picked at her, "Yes, your majesty."

She shook her head, and she got into the carriage. I waved farewell to her, and I ran back in. I started making my mother's crud curing soup. While I was getting the water to boil, I fixed Alice a glass of water. I walked to our room, and she looked at me. She smiled a weak smile, and I handed her the glass. I ran my fingers through her hair, and kissed her forehead.

I placed my hand on her cheek, and my heart sank, "I don't like seeing you this way. I feel helpless. All I can do is just sit back, and wait for you to get well again."

She smiled at me, "Just make your mother's soup, and I should feel better in no time. I have a riddle for you my husband."

My eyes widened, and she knew I love challenges, "Ask away my dear wife."

She started the riddle, "What is it that everyone requires, everyone gives, everyone asks, and that very few take?"

I was quiet for a while. I finally remembered the water, and I ran out the room. I heard her laughing as I reached the pot. The water was boiling, and I started adding the ingredients. Three drops of vanilla, four drops of dog saliva, one decaying finger of a thief, stir four times clockwise, two nails of a cat, one rat tail, spit, stir six times counterclockwise, and serve. I grabbed a bowl from the cabinet, took the ladle, scooped the soup into the bowl, grabbed a spoon, put out the fire, and walked back into the bedroom with an answer for the riddle.

"The answer to your riddle is advice. Here's your soup, my love. I know it looks revolting, but it's delicious. It's hard to believe, I know, but trust me. While you're eating, I need to come up with another riddle since you solved the raven and the writing desk one," she giggled as she took a sip of the soup.

I watched her as she inhaled that soup. She enjoyed it, and she couldn't deny it. Another riddle…I know I have one that will have her thinking…got it.

I relayed, "I have one my dear. Here on Earth it's true, yesterday is always before today; but there is a place where yesterday always follows today, where?"

She finished the soup, and laughed, "That is so easy. It's a dictionary."

A smile formed on my face, and I had one that will get her thinking this time.

"It is hot when released but cooled when left alone; it could be translucent or transparent," my eyes darkened, and I think I gave it away.

She started guessing. She was stuck. I had her, and I started clapping. I got her, and I won. I walked out the room, and she figured it out.

She yelled at me, "Tarrant Hightopp, you have a filthy mind! Come back here you naughty thing you!"

I covered the soup so I could reheat it in the morning, and walked back to the room laughing.

I peaked my head in through the doorway, and playfully asked, "Do you have an answer for my riddle?"

She gave me some eyes, and motioned for me to go to her. I walked over to her, crawled into the bed, and laid next to her. She whispered the answer in my ear, and I smiled.

I placed my hand on her cheek, "Correct, my love. I noticed you drank all your water. Shall I go get you some more?"

She shook her head, "Wait until morning, I'm so tired."

I got up, changed into my sleeping clothes, crawled back into bed, and blew out the lights. I covered myself, and pulled her close to me. Good thing I had the crud already because if I didn't, then Alice would have to take care of me when she was well again. I gave her a long passionate kiss.

"Tarrant…I want you so bad…but I'm too weak to even move," she groaned as she played in my hair.

I scratched her back, and disappointingly stated, "I want you as well; however, we will not do anything until you're stronger. I don't want you to relapse. Once you get your strength back, I promise we will make love again. You know I never break promises. Let's go to sleep. We have a long week ahead of us. I love you, Alice."

"I love you, too, Tarrant," she kissed me, I returned it, and we fell asleep in each other's arms.