I woke up, and turned to Alice. She was still sleeping soundly. My poor Alice, I leaned over, rested my hand on her, and gave her a kiss. She was soaking wet. Her fever must have broken during the night. My mother's soup was doing some good for her. I got up, put on my robe, and walked to the kitchen. I walked into the kitchen, and started the fire. I poured water into the kettle, and placed it over the fire. I removed the lid to the pot, and found a clean ladle in the drawer to stir the soup with. I went to the cabinet, grabbed a glass, and filled it with water. I walked back to the bedroom to go check on Alice. I walked in, and she turned on her side facing the window. I walked over to her nightstand, and set the glass of water down. I pulled the chair by the window next to bed, and sat down. I leaned over, and touched her forehead with my lips. She still felt a little warm, but not like yesterday. She opened up her eyes, and smiled.
"How are you feeling?" I asked her while watching her stretch.
She moaned, "I've been better."
I laughed, and heard the whistle blowing for my tea. I pointed to the glass of water for her to drink. She nodded, and I got up. I kissed her forehead, and walked out the room. I checked the soup, and it was boiling. I stirred the soup, and took my kettle off the fire. I placed the tea in the water, and it mixed. I opened the cupboard, and took out a bowl. I poured the soup in for Alice, put out the fire, placed the lid back on, and I fixed my cup of tea. I carried the cup of tea, and the soup to the bedroom. I walked in, and noticed she wasn't in bed. The bathroom door opened, and she walked out.
I went into panic mode, "Are you vomiting again?"
She laughed, and corrected me, "No, I went relieve myself. I love that soup. You forgot something," she pointed to my cup of tea then to her lips.
I smiled, and I kissed her. I gave her the bowl, and she immediately started eating. I sat down on the chair, and she climbed back into the bed carefully not to spill the soup. After a few bites of soup, she would drink some water. I sipped my tea, and placed my cup down. She ate some more soup, and took a couple sips of water.
She placed her glass down, and started crying, "I'm so sorry Tarrant. I know you want to go make hats, and I'm depriving you…"
I put my cup down, and I climbed back into the bed. I put the bowl of soup on the nightstand, and took her in my arms.
I kissed her forehead, and exhaled, "Alice…Alice…love you're not depriving me at all. I love being with you. I love making hats, but you are more important right now than making hats. Wait, I just said making hats was not important. Check, and see if I'm feverish."
Alice started laughing, and checked me, "You're nice, and cool. You always know what to say to me to make everything alright."
I smiled, picked up the bowl of soup, and handed it to her, "Eat it. By the way you're recovering, you will be yourself again in two days. However, I don't want to take any chances. You and I will take the whole week to recover."
"But what if I want you now?" she seductively whispered as she ate her soup.
I looked at her, and I knew my eyes were very dark by the way she was smiling at me.
"You're pushing it, love. The answer is no. After you finish that bowl of soup, you're going take a cold bath then going lay down on the sofa in the living room because those sheets need to be washed. Your side of the bed is soaking wet from when your fever broke. No nurse, and patient relations this week. I want you better, and fast so I can make love to you in every room of this house," I teased her by getting on my knees with my lips inches from hers.
She smiled, and pulled me into a long deep passionate kiss. _Gonadh_, I wanted to take her right there. She placed the bowl of soup on the nightstand, and removed my robe. She was reaching under my night shirt, and I caught her hand.
She broke the kiss, and I smiled at her, "I really meant what I said Alice. I'll go draw your bath water."
I got up, and she threw a pillow at me. I turned toward her, and picked up the pillow. I tossed it back on the bed, and went into the bathroom to draw her water. While the tub was filling up, she finished her soup, and drank all the water. I grabbed her robe, and another set of sleeping clothes then brought them to the bathroom. Alice stood up, and walked into the bathroom. I stopped the water, and I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned, and looked at her; she was completely nude. I smiled at her, and stood up.
I passionately kissed her, and commanded her, "Get in."
She got in, and gasped, "Tarrant, it is freezing!"
I chuckled, "It will help reduce your fever, and I wash."
I grabbed the sponge, and lathered it up. I washed her, and it was very hard to control myself. I wanted to take her in that bathtub, but she's sick. I rinsed her off, and she washed her face. She rinsed off her face, and I handed her the towel to dry her face. I drained her water, and she stepped out the tub.
"How do you feel?" I questioned as I tried to control my lower self to behave.
"Much better, I think I can take you on, Tarrant Hightopp," she dropped the towel after she finished drying herself.
A wicked smile formed on my face. How badly I wanted her, and she wanted me. I decided to go for it even though I shouldn't. I'll leave the imagination take flight for this one, and yes, it was on the bathroom floor.
Sure enough one powerful thrust inward, and there it blew. I collapsed on her, and tried to catch my breath. She ran her fingers through my hair, and my breathing slowed. I looked into her eyes, and they were green again. I kissed her, and felt her forehead. She was still nice, and cool. I smiled and I got up.
"Now I need a bath because of the workout I just had," I drew my water.
Alice put her sleeping clothes on, and put the robe on. She walked up to me, and kissed me.
"I'll go lay down on the couch. I'll see you when you get out," she kissed me again, and walked into the living room.
I got into the tub, and stopped the water. While I was bathing myself, I heard talking coming from the living room then laughter. I hurried up, and finished my bath. I drained the water, and dried myself off quickly. I finished getting ready by putting on my underclothes, my brown pants, my socks, my blue button up shirt, my brown jacket, and brown shoes. I pulled the sheets off the bed to wash them. I walked into the living room with the sheets. Thackery was there warming up the soup, and Alice had a glass of water in her hand.
I smiled, and questioned, "Thackery, it's good to see you. What are you doing here on this fine day?"
He answered me, "Coming to check, and see if you're a father yet, but I was wrong it's the crud. Crud…crud…full of crud…cruddy crud…**where's that spoon**?"
I hollered at him, "Don't you dare break anything in that kitchen! That's my grandmother's china!" and I walked outside to wash the sheets.
I filled the wash tub up with water, pour in the cleaning liquid, and started washing. After I washed the sheets, I hung them on the line to dry. I walk back into the house and Thackery was the only one in the living room.
"Where's Alice?" I started to get into panic mode.
She walked out of the bathroom and she was fine. I walked up to her and my lips touched her forehead. She didn't feel warm anymore. She shook her head at me.
I questioned, "What is wrong?"
Alice looked at me and shook her head, "You are still worrying about me. I'm fine. Just a normal trip to the bathroom and that's all."
Thackery started humming a lullaby and rocking his arms back and forth as if he was holding a baby. I looked at Alice and I looked at him. I didn't know what to think. I hope Alice was not with child while she has the crud because it could be deadly for the baby.
Alice noticed my change in emotion and reassured me, "He's picking at you. I'm not with child. Trust me you'll know if I was."
I turned to Thackery and my eyes turned red. Thackery noticed I was extremely upset for him doing that to me.
"Tarrant…oh…Tarrant I didn't mean to do that…where is that spoon? I think I left it over there…why are you following me?...Tarrant…Tarrant…**Tarrant oh no**!" he took off in a fast hop into the kitchen and I followed after him running at top speed.
I yelled at him with my voice roaring through the house and the accent came out in all its glory, "**Thackery Earwicket, I cud kill yu! Why wud yu do tha tu me? Yu know **_**gonadh**_** well tha ever since I los me famly me emotions change every secund and ye pull a stunt lie dis!**"
Thackery ran into the living room carrying a ladle and ran around the couch Alice was laying down on trying to get me to slow down.
"Tarrant…please…I didn't think you would get so angry. It was just a joke. Tarrant, stop it! **Alice, help**!" Thackery called out to her when we reached my bedroom and I caught him.
"**Tarrant Hightopp, leave him alone**!" Alice shouted at me.
I let him go and Thackery ran behind Alice. I stood up and turned to her. The expression she had on her face made me feel like someone stabbed me in the chest with my own sword. This was to be our first fight so I might as well get it over with.
I calmly stated, "He shouldn't have done that."
She fired back, "No he shouldn't, but he is trying to change. You need to be patient with him and what is wrong with a little joke?"
I could tell my eyes were changing back to red and the accent returned, "**Jokin' bou me becoming a father is nothin' to joke bou, Alice! He knows how me famly meant the world to me and how yu mean the world to me! He shoun't have gotten me hopes up only to have 'em come crashin' down on me!**" I felt tears rolling down my cheeks when I added, "I can't take anything like that anymore. If it's a possibility then I need to know and not told maybe then you're not. This is no joking matter. This is serious. Both of you know how much I want a family just don't joke about it."
I sat down on the chair with my head in my hands letting the tears flow. I heard Alice tell Thackery to go get her some soup and he left. She took my hands in hers and moved them off my face. She sat down on my lap and embraced me. I wrapped my arms around her and continued to let the tears flow.
She scratched my back and soothingly said, "I didn't joke about it so don't take it out on me. You tell me everyday how much I mean to you and I will tell you that you mean more to me than life itself. I know you want a family because I want one too. Trust me, if there is a slight possibility that I might be with child, you will be the first to know because you are the father and you should be the first to know. You need to be more patient with Thackery because he is trying to control himself but it can't be turned off and on so easily. Give him time."
I looked at her and placed my hand on her cheek, "Are you sure you're alright? You didn't vomit again?"
She looked at me in the eyes and replied, "I'm fine and I didn't vomit at all this morning or this afternoon."
I kissed her, embraced her, and said, "I don't want to fight with you anymore. I don't like to do that. When you fussed at me, it was like someone stabbed me in the heart with my sword."
She continued to scratch my back and agreed, "No more fighting. We'll talk things through before we raise our voices."
A week passed by so fast. This morning though was bad for Alice. She woke up throwing up but not like she did with the crud. This was different. She walked out the bathroom and I was pacing the floor. She laughed at me and I turned around.
"Are you alright?" I asked her being concerned.
She smiled and kissed me, "I'm fine. Let's go see Mirana and how many hat orders you are behind on."
She seemed different somehow. I can't put my finger on it but she was different. I smiled at her and we walked into the living room. There was a knock at the door and she ran back into the bathroom. Something was wrong and she wasn't telling me. I answered the door and the carriage was waiting.
I told the footman, "We'll be out in a moment," and I went into the bathroom to find Alice waiting to see if it was over or not.
Nope, she coughed and sure enough something came out. Good thing her hair was worn up. I scratched her back letting her know I was there and was concerned about her. She rinsed out her mouth, stopped the water, and wiped her mouth with a towel. She turned to me and smiled.
"I'm fine, Tarrant," Alice wrapped her arm around my waist.
I shook my head, "You're not telling me something, Alice. I would like to know what it is you're keeping from me," I lead her out the bathroom and to the front door.
She smiled, "You got me. I wanted to wait until we got to the castle but I guess you leave me with no choice. I want to wait until we are in the carriage so no one could hear the conversation."
We walked out the house, I offered her my hand, she took it, and got in the carriage with no problem. I hopped in and closed the door. The carriage took off and I turned to her.
She continued the conversation, "Well, since you had sisters, you understand that every month a visitor comes," she noticed my confusion, "You know when we go to the bathroom it's bloody."
I nodded my head to signal I understand. _Clannadh, _could it be what I think it is?
She still continued to explain, "Well, my visitor is late. We have been married for almost a month now and I am exactly one week late. Now I'm sick only in the mornings."
I got up and knelt in front of her, "Alice…are you telling me that we might be…you might be…with child?"
She smiled and nodded. I bit my lower lip and I embraced her from where I was. She started laughing.
"Tarrant, I'm not sure but I have all the symptoms. That is why I didn't want to tell you anything until we got to the castle. Will you sit down? I don't want you to hurt yourself," she revealed and I got back on the seat.
I placed my hand on her cheek, "I love you so much. I'll be the happiest man in the world if it's true," and I leaned forward to kiss her.
I gave her a long gentle kiss and the carriage stopped. I got up quickly and opened the door. I held out my hand. She took it and I quickened my pace because I really wanted to know if we're expecting or not. We reached the entrance to the castle and Nivens didn't have time to announce us in.
He quickly blew his trumpet and rushed out, "Mr. and Mrs. Hightopp!"
I almost ran into Mirana when she walked out to see who was coming.
Mirana smiled and pointed out, "Well, I see you two are back at the castle. All of us feeling better I see and one of us is glowing…Alice, you look lovely today."
Alice smiled and replied, "Thank you, Mirana, but we want to take a test or potion to see if I'm…with child or not."
Mirana was beaming and grabbed Alice's hand. I followed them to one of the parlor rooms where there was a couch, two winged back chairs, and a chaise lounge chair. Alice and I sat on the couch while Mirana made the potion. I wrapped my arm around her and she looked at me.
"I'm so nervous," she exhaled sharply playing with my fingers.
I squeezed her hand and she looked at me, "I'm nervous too. We shall find out shortly."
Mirana walked up to us and handed Alice a cup, "Drink this. It will probably taste bad at first but then it will taste better once you drink it all."
Alice looked at the purplish clumpy liquid in the glass and started to drink it. The face she made when she took the first sip was hilarious. I bit my lower lip to contain my laughter. Her expression eased up to a more satisfying look and finished the rest in three swallows.
Mirana explained the process, "Now it's a sit and wait game. If you are with child, the future mother's hand will glow blue or pink according to if you're having a boy or a girl. If it's twins, both of the future mother's hands will glow blue or pink or both. If it's triplets, both of the mother's hands and one of the father's will glow. If it's quadruplets, both of the parents' hands will glow."
My mind started to wonder off. I was already picturing Alice and I sitting outside the castle having a picnic with our children. She and I were sitting on the blanket watching the children run around chasing each other. Suddenly, I was taken out of my daydream.
"Tarrant…" Alice called out my name and I looked at her.
She showed me her left hand and it was just starting to glow blue. I smiled a huge smile and then I notice her other hand starting to glow pink.
I took her other hand and exclaimed, "Look love, twins."
She shook her head, a tear ran down her face, and corrected me, "Look at your hands, Tarrant."
I looked at my hands and I couldn't breathe. One hand was glowing blue and the other hand was glowing pink. I was bottled up with all this energy I had to do something. I stood up and walked toward the window.
I exclaimed, "**I'm going to be a father! Callou…Callay**!" and I Futterwackened, vigorously.
Chessur appeared in and asked Alice, "Why is he doing his Futterwacken?"
Alice smiled, "Because Chessur he's going to be a father."
He smiled and kissed her hand, "Congratulations and it's twins!"
I stopped for a moment and corrected him, "No my disappearing friend, quadruplets!"
Chessur laughed, "You dirty dog; you beat your parents' record for the first born children. They had twins then quadruplets. You are having quadruplets first! Wonder how many will be next?"
I stopped and I smiled, "Patience Chessur, I want to focus on one day at a time. I'm going to be a father! **Thackery**!"
Thackery came in and I picked him up in my arms. I started swinging him around.
"Thackery…I'm going to be a father old man!" I shouted because I was so happy.
Thackery was laughing and got on my shoulders holding up his spoon, "Congratulations! How many four…five?"
I grabbed the spoon away from him and tapped him on his head, "What are you trying say that I'm a love making fiend? Four, Thackery, four on the way!"
"You animal you! We need to celebrate! Give me back my spoon!" Thackery was attempting to get the spoon out my hand.
Mirana agreed, "Yes, we do need a celebration. I'll take care of it and you, sir, have many hats you need to make. You'll find your shop loaded with orders."
I got up and held out my hand which was still glowing pink to Alice, "Shall we off to my hat shop?"
She gave me her blue glowing hand and we walked out the room to my shop. I had more customers waiting for me. Our hands were still glowing pink and blue but I didn't care; I'm going to be a father.
I clapped and gleefully stated, "Good morning ladies! How can I assist you?"
The lady in the teal dress exclaimed, "I would like a Mrs. Alice hat the one she wore to the Engagement ball in a teal color."
Long story short, they wanted a Mrs. Alice Engagement Ball hat; one teal, one maroon, and one pink. I looked at the mounds of parchment and they were all Mrs. Alice Engagement Ball hats in every color imagined. I had my work cut out for me today. I motioned for Alice to come to me. She followed me to the fabric and I pulled out a golden fabric which matched my eyes when they turn.
She shook her head, "An inspiration for a new hat for me. Tarrant, you have all those other hats to do. Make the others first then you could make mine."
I agreed, "True because this hat is not meant to duplicate. This hat was inspired from our honeymoon and I will add something to remind you of our four little ones on the way. Four…I still can't believe it…four. I'm the happiest man in the world and I have you to thank for it."
She laughed, "I couldn't have done it without you. I'm the happiest woman in the world because I have you and our little ones on the way. Four, Tarrant…we have your family and my family to thank for that. Both of our families had multiples as the dominant gene for our generation. You were right. We're doomed to a big family."
I pulled her closer to me, "You said so yourself, love. I told you we will take it one day at a time. My parents did it and so can we. After I finish making these hats, I have something to show you."
She rolled her eyes at me, "Am I going to be blind folded again?"
I chuckled, kissed her, and replied, "No, you won't. I don't want to put our wee ones in danger."
Mirana walked in and asked, "May I borrow Alice? It will be loads of girl talk and it won't interest you."
I nodded and Alice left with Mirana. I started on making all those Mrs. Alice Engagement Ball hats.
Six hours have passed and I finished the last Mrs. Alice hat. I picked up the golden fabric and cut off as much as I needed. I made the brim round this time and sewed it together. I made the top part round as well and sewed it to the brim. I found gold ribbon and I tied it into a bow around the top part of the hat outlining the brim. I found some silk red roses and cut four off the stems. I sewed the silk red roses onto the hat. I added the leaves and baby's breath around the four silk red roses. I sewed everything in place and I felt arms wrapped around me. I turned around and there was my Alice the future mother of my four babies.
I told her, "Close your eyes," she closed them, I picked up the hat, and anxiously stated, "Open them."
Alice opened her eyes and saw her new hat. She gasped and felt the hat. It was silk. She pulled me in for a long deep passionate kiss. We broke the kiss and we both smiled at each other.
I started to explain, "You understand the gold color for our first time in the madness. Red roses for my love for you. But why four red roses?"
She placed a hand on her belly and looked up at me, "For our little ones on the way. Tarrant, it's perfect. I don't have a dress that will match it."
I had a smile on my face and told her, "All in good time love."
A lot of ladies walked in to come get their hats. I told them the amount and they all paid me. One by one all the Mrs. Alice Engagement ball hats were gone. I turned to Alice and noticed she was sitting down watching me close down for the day. I smiled at her and pulled a chair up to her.
I asked her, "Are you ready to see what I have to show you?"
She looked at me with concern in her eyes, "You're bringing me to where the Jabberwocky attacked your family aren't you?"
I nodded and she began to question, "Will you be alright? I mean this is the place where you lost your family and if I would be you I wouldn't even think about that place anymore. Who would want to think about a place where you lost your family?"
"Alice!" I was shocked that she was starting to babble on like me.
Her eyes widened and I started laughing, "You sound like me love. I'm flattered. I mean who would have known that you would start going on and on about something like I do. I would have never imagined yet alone experience you babbling."
"Tarrant! Now you're babbling. Are we going or not?" she questioned getting impatient.
I got up and held out my hand, "Shall we, my lady?"
She grabbed my hand and we left the shop. We walked out the castle and toward the forest. I was watching out for everything even a small twig because I don't want Alice or our unborn children getting hurt. I helped her down a hill and step over a large branch. We continued walking and I could see the ruins of my old village. I turned around to face her.
"Quick question before we walk into the used to be village; how bad do you think it is?" I wanted to know exactly how bad she imagined it.
She looked at me with tears in her eyes, "Horrible."
I closed my eyes and corrected her, "It's far worse than you think. You better hold on to me love, because it's horrendous."
She grabbed my hand which was still glowing blue and I led her to the village. When she got sight of the ruins, she gasped and fell to the ground. I knelt down and took her in my arms. Tears were flowing down her face. I rocked her back and forth.
"Now I understand why you went mad over this. If it would have been my family, I probably wouldn't have made it passed one year. How could someone be so cruel and heartless? Look at this, you can't even tell what stood here. Every house is scorched wood broken into piles. I'm so sorry, Tarrant. I wish I could do something to bring them back," she cried into my shoulder and I scratched her back.
I stood up and held out both my hands to help her up. She took them and she stood gazing into my eyes. I embraced her and kissed her head.
I started walking with her, reassured her, "I know you wish you could bring them back. So do I. However, we can't change the past, love. What's done is done. Now, I want to tell you the memories I had here the best I can without crying," and I started pointing and explaining, "In the middle of the street here, there used to be a large pole with multiple colored ribbons. The children would each take a ribbon and go around in a circle wrapping their ribbons around the pole then unwinding them to do it over again. The last house down there where we entered was my grandparent's house. The previous house was Uncle Billford and Aunt Grisabelle's. The next house was Garran and Della's with my two nephews. The next house was Gavin and Alana's with my two nieces. The next building was my mother's sewing shop. She only did alterations. The building next to it was Carlisle's dress shop. He made dresses even Mirana would wear. They were courting; he and Mirana. He was supposed to propose to Mirana on the Horunvendush Day but the Jabberwocky came and you know the rest of the story. He would have made you the most beautiful dresses, Alice. That was his house connected to his shop. My other brothers and sisters didn't live in this village but the other one that got the most damage on that day. The big house next to Carlisle was my childhood home."
"How did Mirana take Carlisle's death?" she asked and I hung my head.
I looked at her in the eyes and gave her the answer to her question, "She's still grieving to this day, love. Time did not heal her heart. They were in love, Alice, like you and me. Every day I hoped that somehow my brother Carlisle had survived the devastation but he was just afraid to show up so he wouldn't get imprisoned for the Red Queen and die in one of her cells. Alice, look at my childhood home. The first floor is still intact. Come with me."
I led her to my childhood home and opened the door. When we walked through the front door, it was as if I stepped back in time. Paintings were still hung on the wall, the furniture was still standing, and the walls were still tan with red stripes.
I began to explain, "If you come over here out the foyer, you can see the dining room and the kitchen. Mother made the best meals and we always had the best dinner parties. The living room is in here," I brought her in and she pointed to the painting above my father's favorite chair.
I smiled at the painting because it was the one she liked with me kneeling holding my mother's hand. I pointed to my father's chair. The chair was brown suede and it rocked.
I smiled, "Father would sit here," I sat in the chair and pointed while explaining, "My brothers, sisters, and me would sit on the floor in front of him. He would tell us the history of our family, of Underland, and even taught us how to speak in Outlandish. He would also tell us bedtime stories or scary stories when mother was in the kitchen washing dishes. Every night, he would pick one of us to sit with him on his chair until we were too old to sit with him. When they were on their anniversary trips, Carlisle always looked after me. He taught me how to dance and how to be the proper gentleman."
I trailed off and Alice sat with me in my father's chair.
She revealed, "Now, it will be your turn with our children. You can explain the history of our family, Underland, how to speak in Outlandish, tell bedtime stories, if you even think about telling them scary stories," and she tickled me, "You will be without for three weeks."
My mouth dropped open and I narrowed my eyes, "You wouldn't dare."
She gazed into my eyes and replied, "Try me."
My eyes widened, she laughed, "Oh Tarrant, I know how to make you nervous," and she got serious, "You were very close with Carlisle weren't you."
I nodded my head, "Not a day goes by that I wished he would be here. He would have loved you, Alice. He would have spoiled you like he spoiled me. He made me my brown suit that I wore for our Engagement Ball and the black one I wore at the wedding," and I noticed Alice staring at the opening to the foyer, "Alice, love, what is it?"
She smiled and took my hands in hers, "You said you wished your brother Carlisle would have somehow made it through the Horunvendush Day. Turn around."
I turned to look toward the foyer and I thought I've seen a ghost. My older brother, Carlisle, was standing in the doorway wearing his favorite gray pinstriped suit with a light blue button up shirt and a gray pinstriped bowtie with black shoes.
"Tarrant…is that you? You've finally come home after all these years," he walked up to me and I stood up.
He stopped in front of me and I grabbed his hand. I felt him to make sure I wasn't having any hallucinations. I had loads of questions and I wanted answers.
"Carlisle, I am very happy to see you again after all these years. Why didn't you try to find me after the Horunvendush Day? Why show up now? I went mad because I thought my entire family was wiped out of Underland that day. Do you want to know how Mirana is doing? She never healed Carlisle because she thought you were dead. Were you afraid to show yourself in public? Why wait until now to come out in the open?" I could sense that my eyes were changing color and Carlisle hung his head when he looked at my changing eyes.
He inhaled and began to explain, "When the Jabberwocky was destroying everything, I tried to get father, our nephews, and nieces to safety. I failed on both accounts to do that. I hid behind my house in the forest to try and stay alive. Tarrant, everyone was dead and I was on my way to meet everyone else if I didn't find a way to stay alive. When I heard the Jabberwocky fly off, I walked back into the village to see everything burning. I came here because the first floor didn't get destroyed. My shop and home was burnt to the ground so I had to live somewhere. Another thing; that bloody big head won't catch this Hightopp to mend clothing for her. I would have killed myself if she would have found me alive so that's why I hid myself for so long. I do apologize, dear brother, for not finding you or sending word that I was alright. Mirana, my dear Mirana, how will she ever forgive me? If she doesn't, I think I would find a way to kill myself."
"Carlisle, stop it! Mirana will find a way to forgive you because she still loves you with all her heart. Oh brother, it's so good to have you back!" I embraced him; I broke the embrace and ran back to Alice, "Brother, this is my wife, Alice."
Carlisle smiled at Alice and kissed her hand, "Pleasure to meet you, Alice. Brother, is she the Alice? Is she the one who was to come and slay the Jabberwocky to return the crown to Mirana?"
Alice turned to me, "I'll answer this one, love," then turned to Carlisle, "Yes, I am the Alice. I came from the Otherland and I beheaded the Jabberwocky. It took me some time, but if Tarrant would have showed me this instead of taking me to Absolem, I would have had no problem taking up that sword and becoming Mirana's champion. Don't worry, I killed the beast that killed my new family. They can now rest in peace knowing Mirana is on the throne and their youngest son will be a father to quadruplets in nine months."
Carlisle smiled widely and slapped my back, "Tarrant, you animal! You beat father and mother's record of the first born children. They had twins and you have quadruplets. I knew it would be you to have all the multiples. Congratulations little brother and my new sister. I have a new inspiration on a dress; if you don't mind, Tarrant?"
I smiled and wrapped my arm around him, "Why would I mind? You are my brother and the best seamster in Underland. Why would I deprive you of making my wife a dress? I pick the color and the material."
Carlisle laughed and agreed, "Fine, but first I want you to take me to Mirana."
We left my childhood home and we walked back to the castle. Alice was on my arm and I was explaining to Carlisle exactly how the Red Queen went down the whole time we walked back to the castle. We reached the castle and when we walked up the stairs, Nivens dropped his trumpet. Carlisle stopped, bent down, and handed the trumpet back to Nivens.
Nivens was stumbling with his words, "C…C…Carlisle Hightopp…is it really you?"
Carlisle smiled and told him, "Yes, dear friend it is. Now announce my brother, his wife, and I in please."
Nivens blew his trumpet and Mirana walked out, "Mr. and Mrs. Hightopp and Carlisle Hightopp."
Mirana was frozen and Carlisle walked up to her. She took her hand and placed it on his cheek. She felt his arms and his face still disbelieving that he was standing in front of her.
Carlisle laughed and took her hands in his, "It's me, my darling. I know I have to explain myself so give me the opportunity to do so. I didn't want to get enslaved by your sister so I went into hiding after I tried to help my family survive. Since I failed to save my family, I immediately went into hiding and since I heard some cats talking the other day how you're now back on the throne, thanks to Alice and my brother, I decided to come out. I should have written to you to tell you that I was alive and well. I'm so sorry, love, for putting you through _Iutharna_, will you ever forgive me?"
Mirana smiled at him, "Of course, I forgive you. I never stopped loving you, Carlisle, and I never stopped waiting for you to return to me."
"I wanted to do this on the Horunvendush Day but the Jabberwocky ruined everything. Mirana, ever since you walked into my life, I had a purpose to live. You were the most beautiful woman I ever met. You made me laugh. You comforted me when I was sad. You listened to me when I needed someone to just listen to what was on my mind. Our first kiss in the courtyard reassured me that you were the one who will love me for the rest of our lives. It's been years that you had to wait and I will apologize forever if I have to. What I'm trying to say is, I love you, Mirana. I always had and I'll always will," he got down on one knee and pulled out a beautiful diamond ring from his pocket.
Mirana had tears in her eyes but they were happy tears. I turned to Alice and she was crying too. I wrapped my arm around her and kissed her head.
"Mirana, my love, will you marry this lonely Hightopp?" Carlisle showed Mirana the ring and she gasped.
It was a platinum ring with a huge princess cut diamond in the center with small round diamonds outlining the bigger diamond.
Mirana closed her eyes, nodded her head, reopened her eyes, and exclaimed, "Yes, my dear Carlisle, I will marry you."
Carlisle slid the ring on her finger and I was very excited. I get to dance the Flotchen with my brother.
After discussing their wedding plans, Carlisle came home with us and he will be staying with us until the wedding which is in two weeks. He measured Alice for the dress he wanted to make her and I smiled as I watched him work. He reassured Alice that she could wear the dress even when she will grow larger. From what I remember of Carlisle's dresses, there are no built in corsets so she will be fine.
I reminded him, "Remember now, I want the dress a golden color like her hat and it has to be silk."
Carlisle gave me a wicked look and replied, "I wonder why it has to be silk."
My mouth dropped and I blushed every shade of red possible. Alice started giggling and Carlisle chuckled as well. He finished measuring and we told each other good night. Alice and I retired to our room and changed into our sleeping clothes. We climbed into bed and pulled up the covers. I placed my hand on her stomach and she placed her hand on mine.
"We're going to be parents. I'm still in shock. Oh Alice, not one but four. I love you so much more now that you're carrying my children," I snuggled up to her.
She smiled and replied, "I'm still in shock as well. Isn't it amazing, Tarrant? We're going to be parents. Four…darling, I love you more than you'll ever know. If we make love anytime soon, we'll have to be extra careful."
I nodded, "I agree. I don't want to harm our little ones during our love making sessions. We had a long day. Let's get some sleep. Good night, love. I love you."
She smiled at me, "Good night, darling. I love you, too."
We shared a long passionate kiss and I bent down to kiss her stomach.
I started talking to my unborn children, "Good night _mo _gràdhaich_ let's let mommy sleep for nine months and not keep her up at night."
Alice started laughing, "Tarrant, they can't hear just yet. They are very tiny just starting to form."
I smiled and told her, "So, I want to start talking to them early because the more you talk to them the sooner they will begin talking once they're older. Remember, I come from a big family and I was surrounded by babies."
Alice pulled me to her for deep passionate kiss and told me, "I know. Let's go to sleep shall we."
She turned on her side facing the window and I pulled her closer to me. I placed my left arm around her to where my hand rested on her stomach. I let sleep take me so I could dream of my future family.
_Iutharna_- hell
_mo _gràdhaich_- my loves
