Morning came faster than I imagined. I woke up and was in the same position I went to sleep in. Alice was too. I smiled and kissed her cheek. I got up and heard a whistle blowing. I put on my robe, walked into the kitchen, and saw Carlisle making tea. He was wearing a blue plaid robe over his sleeping clothes. He dropped the tea into the pot and took out three cups. I walked up to him and patted him on the back.
"Good morning, _mo_ _bràthair_. Did you sleep well?" Carlisle asked me as he poured the tea into his cup.
I smiled and answered, "Yes, I slept very well. If I remember correctly, you take three sugars and one twist of lemon in your tea."
He chuckled, "You remembered. If I remember correctly, you take three sugars and two twists of lemon," and he was about to put the sugars in.
I moved my cup out the way, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Because I do take something extra with my tea," and he looked at me curiously.
Alice walked in and she fixed three sugars, kissed me, then squeezed the lemons. I stirred my tea and gave him a 'see' expression. Carlisle shook his head meaning we were pathetic. I fixed Alice's tea. Two sugars, kissed her, and I squeezed one lemon. She stirred the tea and took a sip. I sipped mine and Alice sat on my lap like she always does when we have our tea in the morning.
Carlisle placed his cup down and revealed, "Mirana and I will not be that pathetic."
I interrupted him, "I didn't think I would be like this either _bràthair_, but I am very much in love that I cannot be away from her. You'll see."
Carlisle sipped his tea and he remembered something, "Remember tonight it is my welcome home party/Congratulations on engagement/Congratulations for finding out you're with child party. Remember the Hightopp brother's dance _bràthair_?"
I smiled, "I remember. It's been so long since we've danced to it. You may have to show it to me again. It will be odd without Gavin, Garran, Tobias, and Toby. Maybe we shouldn't do it."
Alice beat Carlisle to answer back, "You will dance it because now I'm curious. Why don't you two dance it in loving memory of the Hightopp brothers who have passed on?"
I smiled at her and Carlisle replied, "She's good, Tarrant. Mother would have loved her. That is a great idea, sister. Come on, Tarrant, for all the brothers Hightopp that have died before us. We will dance the Bracken for them."
I caved, "Alright, I'll need to change then you'll have to teach it to me all over again because I only remember parts of it. Last time we danced this I was only fifteen."
"Can I watch?" Alice questioned because she was very curious of how the Bracken was.
I smiled and kissed her, "Of course, you can. You just can't dance with us."
She gave me a sarcastic expression and Carlisle laughed with me. I finished my tea and placed my hand on Alice's belly.
"Are you feeling alright this morning? No morning sickness?" I asked too soon.
She placed her cup down and ran to the bathroom. I heard her coughing and I always knew what followed. Carlisle finished his tea and washed his cup. He picked up Alice's cup and I didn't protest because she will be drinking water when she gets back. I don't want her to dehydrate because our unborn children will be at risk. I handed Carlisle my cup and he washed it. I gave him the teapot and he washed it. I put the sugar and lemons away while Carlisle put the cups and teapot away.
"How is Alice's dress coming along?" I asked because I wanted to know the progress.
He smiled, "I spent all night last night making the bodice so it could grow with her. That is finished and I woke up early this morning to work on the rest of the dress. I only have the neckline and sleeves left then it will be finished. Now, I'm ready to re-teach the Bracken to you."
We ran into our bedrooms to get ready. Alice walked into our bedroom with a glass of water in her hand and laughed.
She sarcastically stated, "You know I thought I just might find you in here. Are we going to the castle today or wait until tonight?"
"After Carlisle and I practice the parts I don't know then we'll head off to the castle. We might be here for while because to be frank I hardly remember any of it," I quickly changed into my brown suede jacket, pink shirt, brown pinstriped pants, socks, brown shoes, put on my hat, and Alice followed me out the room with her glass of water.
Carlisle was already outside in his blue suit, black button up shirt, blue socks, black shoes, and his black hat. He smiled at me when I walked out in a suit he made for me. Alice sat on one of the benches outside. We began by standing next to each other with our heads bowed.
He began to instruct me, "Now, we start by spinning to the right on one leg to where we face back where we started."
At the same time, he and I spun around turning back to face Alice.
"Good, now it will be a hop right, hop left, and criss-cross with our feet. Let's put the beginning part with this ready, one…two…three…and start," Carlisle explained the next few steps to me.
We started over with our heads bowed. He and I spun around on one leg to where we faced Alice and Mirana; she must have just got there. Then we added hop right, hop left, and criss-cross with our feet.
"It's starting to come back to me now. Next is the right kick with arms raised, step back, step back, left kick with arms raised, step up, step up, and we join right hands?" I wanted to make sure I was right.
He smiled at me, "You do remember. Very good, now let's add everything we just did to what you just said."
He counted us off after we bowed our heads. We spun around on one leg and faced the women. I smiled at Alice and she returned my smile. We hopped right, hopped left, criss-crossed our feet, right kicked with our arms raised, stepped back twice, left kicked with our arms raised, stepped up twice, and we joined our right hands.
Carlisle smiled at me, "You're getting it, Tarrant. I'm impressed you remember that part. Do you remember what's next?"
I smiled and I whispered in his ear.
He smiled, "You do remember. Now start from the top."
He counted off from when we bowed our heads. We spun around on one leg, hopped right, hopped left, criss-crossed with our feet, right kicked with our arms raised, stepped back twice, left kicked with our arms raised, stepped up twice, joined hands, and we back flipped at the same time.
Alice and Mirana were clapping at how it looked so far. We bowed to them and decided to take a break. I crashed on the bench next to Alice.
I told Carlisle, "I remember the rest. Thank you for sparking the memory. I just needed to know how it started."
Mirana decided to speak, "Well sweetheart, I set up your shop next door to Tarrant's so you two could keep each other company while Alice and I talk about the wedding."
Carlisle got excited, "Good I can finish making my new sister's dress. I'm almost finished. She could wear it to the party tonight with her new hat. I will also start on a dress for you, my love. I know your measurements by heart."
Alice got both of them to blush, "Of course you do."
I chimed in, "I also need to get back to the shop. Who knows how many hats I will have to make today?"
"Tarrant, come see what I've done so far on Alice's dress," Carlisle begged me to go see what he did so far on the dress.
"Can I come?" Alice asked watching us go back into the house.
We both hollered, "**No**!"
We walked into the first bedroom down the hall and when I saw the dress I got tears in my eyes. Even though it wasn't finished, it was still beautiful.
I smiled and told him, "_Mi gràdhaich ei, bràthair_! It is beautiful."
Carlisle patted me on the back, "And then I'm not finished with it. I really want to see your reaction when I finishit. Now, let's go to the castle. Go keep Alice away while I move the dress to the carriage."
I walked out the room and back outside in the backyard. Alice and Mirana were having a good conversation then I sat down next to Alice, placed my hand on her belly, and kissed her cheek to let her know I was back. She turned to face me and took my hand in hers.
I looked at both women, "Shall we off to the castle? Carlisle is excited to start work again."
Carlisle met up with us while we were walking back into the house to go to the carriages waiting outside. We walked together out the front door and I closed up the house. We walked to our different carriages and we all got in. We rode off to the castle following Mirana's carriage. I was reviewing the Bracken dance moves in my head from where we stopped. From what I remember, after the back flip, we spin away from each other. We would be facing each other to dance the same steps which was side step to the right three times, jump up, side step to the left three times, jump up, and the solos. Alice was smiling at my deep concentration and when I looked at her, she started giggling.
"What did I do?" I was curious of what she was laughing at.
She kissed me and told me, "You want the Bracken to be perfect, but your expressions were priceless."
She started showing my expressions and I started laughing. We pulled up and the carriage stopped. I got out and helped Alice out. We walked up with Carlisle and Mirana. Nivens blew his trumpet.
He announced, "Her royal majesty and her fiancé Carlisle Hightopp along with Mr. and Mrs. Hightopp."
Carlisle and I parted from Mirana and Alice then ran out to go get Alice's dress out the carriage. Carlisle climbed in to get it and I grabbed the skirt part of the dress while Carlisle held the bodice and carefully got out the carriage. We walked quickly in without being noticed and got it into Carlisle's shop. I walked out his shop and already he had customers. I walked into mine and I had three ladies waiting for me.
I greeted them excitingly, "Good afternoon ladies! How could I be of assistance?"
"My daughters and I would love a hat for the party tonight," the plump woman told me.
I took out my parchment and quill and began, "Alright then, what kind of fabric would you like? I have taffeta, velvet, satin, and silk."
The woman said, "All three of us want velvet. Britlin wants brown, Lily wants pink, and I want orange."
I wrote down everything she was telling me then I asked, "How will each of you wear your hair tonight?"
"Britlin will wear her hair up, Lily will wear her hair down, and I will wear my hair up as well," the woman gave me the last bit of information I needed.
I smiled, "Thank you ladies for a challenge. I shall not fail you. Be sure to stop by my brother Carlisle's shop next door. He makes beautiful dresses for every occasion."
"Thank you, Hatter," the woman thanked me.
I smiled, waved, and replied, "Thank you, ladies."
I rushed to work. I worked on the pink hat first. I cut the fabric I needed and started by making a round brim. I sewed it together and made the round top. I sewed the top to the brim. I found pink plaid ribbon and tied it around where the brim and top meet. I tied the ribbon into a bow. I found one large beautiful pink feather. I sewed it to the right side of the hat after I tucked it behind the ribbon. That hat was finished and I started on the brown hat. I cut the fabric I needed and started making the brim just like Alice's Engagement Ball hat. I made the top about four inches tall and an oval shape. I found brown lace and outlined the top. I sewed it in place then made a bow out the same lace. I let the ties drape long down the back. On the left side of the hat, I found brown ribbon and made a smaller bow with a small brown feather. I sewed everything in place and the hat is finished. For the orange hat, it is the same style, but instead of the draping lace down the back, the lace was scrunched on top making a rippling effect. Alice walked in when I set the last hat down and started tallying up what the lady owed me for three hats.
"You look as if you need company," she smiled at me while walking toward my direction.
I looked at her and replied, "You could only imagine how I had to pry out information from the lady that ordered these three hats. Usually the ladies tell me I want a Mrs. Alice hat and it was easy. However, this was a challenge and I do say I believe I out performed. Now I need a break."
Alice felt the pink hat and her mouth dropped to the floor, "Velvet? Does she realize how much velvet costs?"
I smiled, "Not as much as silk but it is pricey. Your recent hat is the most expensive I've made. If someone wanted me to make the exact same hat for his wife, it would cost him one piece of gold and ninety pieces of silver."
Her mouth dropped to the floor, "Tarrant, why make a hat that expensive?"
"It is not meant to be duplicated that's why. When everyone finds out the price, they will change their minds very quickly. How are you feeling? Better from this morning?" I wrapped my arms around her waist pulling her closer to me.
She smiled, "Thackery fixed me some noodle soup with chicken. I feel much better now that I ate something. Tarrant, I've never seen Mirana so happy. She's talking nonstop about the wedding. She asked me to be her matron of honor."
"Well, that's wonderful love. Did she say what she wants for her colors?" I was being curious now.
She smiled, "Gold. She told me I could wear the one Carlisle is making me as my gown. However, I cannot wear the hat because of the red. Red is not one of her colors. I also found out from her that she found a way for us to visit my mom. She said that in the spare bedroom there is a mirror that matches the one in my bedroom back in London. I know it sounds strange but she told me they fashioned it after they tested it to see if it worked. It does and Mirana met my mother and they had a good visit. She said mother sent us all the happiness in our marriage. However, we have to tell her about her becoming a grandmother in nine months."
I posed the question, "Do you want to visit her after the wedding? We will be busy for the next two weeks."
She pulled me to her for a long passionate kiss.
I broke the kiss, "I take that as a yes definitely kiss," and the woman returned to pick up the three hats, "Hello there, your hats are ready and they are worth one hundred twenty pieces of silver."
The woman looked at the hats and gasped, "Mr. Hightopp, they are beautiful. Congratulations to you and Mrs. Alice. I heard you're with child. I'm very happy for the both of you."
Alice and I replied at the same time, "Thank you."
We smiled at each other and I wrapped my arm around her waist. The woman paid for the hats and left. Carlisle walked in with a huge smile on his face.
"I only know that smile for when you complete something for one of the family members. The dress is finished isn't it?" I pretty much cut to the chase to why he walked in.
Carlisle replied, "It is finished and I want both of you to come see it. I have other dresses already made but they are for other ladies who want a dress for this evening mind you. Follow me, my dear brother and sister."
Alice and I followed him out my shop and into his. His shop was full of dresses but one gold dress stood out from them all. Alice gasped as she left my side to go feel the dress. The dress was off the shoulder long sleeve with gold glittery lace around the neckline. The bodice had gold roses embroidered all around. Where the bodice ended and the shirt began, there was a gold rose on the right in front in the middle of a bow tied long. Alice had tears in her eyes, but it was happy tears. I had tears in my eyes because this was the best Carlisle had done in years. Alice gave Carlisle a huge hug.
While sobbing, she exclaimed, "Oh Carlisle, I love it! Thank you so much!"
Carlisle smiled and replied, "Only for you, my new sister. Oh, the gold rose comes off and you can add this red rose to match your hat."
I walked up to the dress and felt it. The tears fell down my face as I felt the embroidery on the bodice. I looked at my pocket watch. It was time to go to get ready for the party.
I hugged Carlisle, "_Mi gràdhaich ei, bràthair_! It is absolutely breathtaking. Your work will be displayed tonight at the party. Speaking of, we need to get back home so we could get ready. Now how much do I owe you for the dress?"
Carlisle protested while he boxed the dress and the extra accessory, "Keep your money, _bràthair_. You'll need it for when the babies arrive."
I agreed and picked up the box. We walked out and got into the carriage. The carriage took off to our home at a moderate speed. I daydreamed out the window while Carlisle was telling Alice all the embarrassing times he and I had when we grew up. Alice was laughing hysterics about the time I accidently set my brother Gavin's hat on fire by attempting to light the candles on his birthday cake. He was also explaining the time I was learning the Bracken when I attempted to back flip and landed on my back.
I chimed in on that one, "I was in bed for five days. I couldn't move. Tobias got a kick out of it though. He told me it served me right for bragging on how much I caught on to everything else."
Carlisle added, "Tobias was always jealous of Tarrant and me. He didn't have the Hightopp trade of seamstry. He was a builder. He built lovely houses. However, he wanted to be like Tarrant and I so he could make mother and father happy. Let's just say his first attempt to make a hat was his last because it was awful. Not even a rat would wear the hat he made."
We all laughed at the remark and the carriage stopped. Carlisle got out first, then I got out, I held out my hand for Alice to take, she took it, and she got out. Carlisle told the coachman to pick us up around six o'clock. We walked into the house and we all parted ways to go get ready. Carlisle went into his bathroom to bathe. Alice and I walked into our bedroom to lay out our clothes for this evening. I picked out my brown suit with the pink shirt with the black bow tie with the multicolored specs. Alice took her dress out the box, removed the gold rose, and pinned the red rose. I walked into the bathroom to draw the water for the bath. Alice followed me into the bathroom and closed the door behind us. I turned around and smiled as she walked up to me. She gave me a long gentle kiss and I gently pushed her away.
"We don't have time for that love. Besides Carlisle is just two rooms down…" I started to explain but she proved me wrong at what she wanted to do.
She laughed and replied, "No, my dear husband. We can take a bath together to save water and we can be together just like before your brother came to stay with us."
I smiled at her and I knew my eyes changed to the dark emerald green because Alice was smiling at me. We quickly undressed and climbed into the tub together. She stopped the water and she laid back against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her waist to where my hands rested on her belly. She placed her hands on top of mine and exhaled.
I broke the silence, "I still can't believe it. Four babies…we will have our work cut out for us."
She smiled at me, "Like you said we'll take one day at a time. It won't be easy but we can handle it."
I nodded and exhaled, "We need to take our bath and finish getting ready. We have a party to go to remember."
She groaned and I laughed while reaching for the sponge. We both washed ourselves and drained the water. We dried off and I started to shave. Alice walked into the bedroom and started to change. After I finished shaving, I walked into the bedroom to change. I put on my brown suit, tie, socks, and shoes. I grabbed my brown hat and put it on. Alice was having trouble with the zipper.
"Careful love, allow me," I stopped her before she ripped the dress.
I grabbed the zipper and it zipped up with no problem. She looked amazing in that dress. I couldn't wait to see her in it when she gets further along. I pulled her close to me and smiled at her.
"You look beautiful, darling. You also feel amazing in that dress. I won't be able to keep my hands off you tonight," I gave her a wicked smile and by her smile, my eyes got darker.
She pulled me to her and our lips met for short kiss. There was a knock at the door. Alice picked up her hat and put it on. I gave her my arm and she took it. We walked out the bedroom and up to the front door. Carlisle came out wearing his black suit, white shirt, black tie, black vest, black shoes, and his black hat. I opened the door and our carriage was waiting. I helped Alice in first, then I got in, and Carlisle followed behind me.
When the carriage took off, Carlisle tapped me, "Ready for the Bracken?"
I smiled and replied, "I'm ready. I bet it's the first dance of the evening."
Carlisle got a wicked smile on his face, "How much you want to bet it's the second dance?"
I placed a bet, "If it is the first dance, after you're coronation, I wear the crown for two minutes."
Carlisle laughed, "If it is the second dance, you will be the court jester for a week."
We shook on it and Alice thought we were pathetic. The carriage arrived at the castle and who was waiting at the top of the stairs, Mirana. Carlisle was the first one out and jogged up the stairs. Alice and I got out then walked up to join them. Nivens was there and ready to announce us in. Right when he was about to blow the trumpet, I snatched it out his paw and held it above my head.
"**Tarrant**…I need to announce all of you in! I need it back!" Nivens demanded as he hopped up and down trying to get his trumpet.
"Tarrant Hightopp, you better give Nivens his trumpet back or you will be without for the whole nine months," Alice whispered in my ear and I gave Nivens his trumpet back very quickly.
The little fur ball blew a beautiful fanfare and announced, "The couples of the evening her royal majesty Queen Mirana of Marmoreal, her fiancé Carlisle Hightopp, Mr. and Mrs. Tarrant Hightopp."
We walked in side by side and the guests welcomed us in with their applause. Mirana motioned for everyone to quiet down so she could make an announcement.
She announced, "Thank you all for coming tonight. This party is for Carlisle for returning to us after so many years of hiding. It is also for Carlisle and I's engagement announcement. Also, Mr. Tarrant and Mrs. Alice Hightopp just recently found out they are with child. They are expecting quadruplets!"
I could hear Bayard, Thackery, Mallymkun, and Chessur shouting, "Way to go, Tarrant!"
I laughed and Mirana quieted us down, "Therefore, without further delay, Carlisle and Tarrant will dance the Bracken which is the Hightopp brother's dance in loving memory of their brothers that have passed on. Maestro!"
I turned to Carlisle, "I wear the crown for two minutes," and he snapped his fingers in defeat.
We walked into the middle of the floor, turned to face Alice and Mirana, and bowed our heads. The music started and we lifted up our heads. We spun around on one leg, hopped right, hopped left, criss-crossed with our feet, right kicked with our arms raised, stepped back twice, left kicked with our arms raised, stepped up twice, joined hands, and we back flipped at the same time. I heard Thackery cheering us for the back flip. We spun away from each other then faced each other and in sync went side step to the right three times, jump up, side step to the left three times, jump up, and Carlisle started his solo. He right kicked, then spun around, down, up, skip, side step to the left three times, skip, side step to the right three times, split, up, handstand, and he pointed to me. It was my solo. I started off with, surprise, Futterwacken. After the Futterwacken, I spun around, down, up, handstand, side step to the left three times, side step to the right three times, front flip, and split. Carlisle rejoined me as I got up and we placed our hands behind our backs. Right foot first we skipped up three times, then left foot first we skipped three times, I cart wheeled to the right and while my feet were in the air, Carlisle grabbed onto my waist. When I finished my cart wheel, Carlisle was halfway through his then he let go to finish it. For the big finish, I ran to Carlisle. He picked me up on his shoulders and my arms were raised. The song finished. Everyone cheered us on. He let me down and we hugged each other.
Chessur appeared next to me, "That was the best Bracken I've seen in years. You really made your father and brothers proud."
"Thanks Chessur," that was all I could get out because I was out of breath.
Alice ran up to me and hugged me, "That was amazing! You both danced so well together."
Carlisle smiled and Mirana gave him a kiss. I wrapped my arm around Alice and kissed her head. A slow song played so I got to catch my breath while dancing to this one.
The maestro announced, "This is for Mr. and Mrs. Hightopp. Congratulations for finding out you're with child."
I spun Alice around and pulled her close to me. She and I swayed to the music. I heard Thackery whistling at us and I turned to his direction and smiled. I gazed into Alice's eyes and she gazed into mine.
I broke the silence, "You know we need to come up with a signal that will tell me when it's time."
Alice thought for a little bit and she replied, "How about I say this, I have a riddle for you love; what has been hiding for a while and when it's time to come out of hiding it's usually painful?"
I smiled, "A good one. I would know for sure it would be show time. We also need to start thinking of names."
"I know I want to name one of our girls Carlie in honor of my father Charlie. I always liked the name Emily. For the boys, I don't know," Alice started to think.
I added my two bits in, "I like the name Timothy. No junior please! Garran named his first son Garran Jr. and he was just like him in every way. How about Anthony for another name?"
"I like Timothy but not Anthony. How about naming one of our son's after one of your brothers? Besides Carlisle who was your next favorite brother?" she asked me.
I thought out loud, "Not Tobias, not Garran, it would be either Toby or Gavin."
Alice smiled, "I like the name Gavin. So that settles it. The names are Carlie, Timothy, Emily, and Gavin."
I smiled and I rested my head on hers, "I love them. I love you so much."
Carlisle yelled out, "Way to go _bràthair_!"
I twirled Alice around and I dipped her. The song ended. I gave her a kiss and we walked off. It was Carlisle and Mirana's turn to dance. Alice and I sat down because I was still out of breath from the Bracken. Mallymkun, Thackery, Chessur, Bayard, and Bielle came up to us.
Alice questioned, "Bielle, where are the puppies?"
Bielle smiled and answered, "They're at home with their nana. They should be sleeping right now."
Bayard chuckled, "If they're sleeping at all…you know every time we go to parties or balls they play like they're asleep and when we get home they want to know everything."
Alice and I laughed then I wrapped my arm around her. I looked at Carlisle and Mirana on the dance floor. He just twirled her around and brought her back to him.
I yelled out, "Hold her close _bràthair_!"
Carlisle found me and smiled at me.
Thackery patted me on the back, "That was an exciting Bracken, Tarrant. The best I've watched in years. It will be a better Flotchen in two weeks."
I chuckled and decided to pick at him, "So you're trying to say that my brother's Flotchen will be better than mine?"
Thackery shook his head and corrected me, "You know exactly what I'm talking about. It will be a better Flotchen because you and Carlisle will be dancing it together. Your Flotchen was the best one I've danced by far. I had so much fun dancing it with you. You know I prefer you than Carlisle even though you two could pass as twins."
I smiled and the song ended. We all applaud as Carlisle and Mirana walked off the dance floor. The orchestra played another song which had a quicker pace. I got up and I took Alice's hand. I led her to the dance floor.
I spun her around and pulled her to me, "Follow my lead."
We danced close by for a while then we moved away from each other and I twirled her to me to where she had her back to my chest. We danced like that for a while then I spun her back to where we were facing each other. The song sped up and I pulled her closer to me.
"Want a work out?" I asked her.
She smiled, "Sure, I always wanted to dance fast with you."
I smiled and I gave her a work out. We started out with a twirl and we moved away from each other. We kicked with our right leg moved toward each other and traded places. We kicked with our left leg moved toward each other and spun each other around. We met back together; she placed her left hand in my right and I wrapped my arm around her waist. Everyone parted to give us room and to watch. We moved to the left three times criss-crossed with our feet then to the right three times criss-crossed with our feet and spun each other around. We met back together and then I dipped her. The song ended and everyone applaud. I brought her back up and I was really out of breath. I really couldn't breathe. Alice noticed how short winded I was.
She asked very concerned, "Tarrant…are you alright? Do you want to sit down?"
I tried to catch my breath, "I need…to…sit. If not…I…will faint."
Alice brought me to a table and sat me down on a chair. She told Thackery to go get me some water. He took off and Alice never left my side. Carlisle walked up to us and sat down next to me.
"Tarrant, are you alright? Do you need to go home?" he asked me being a concerned brother that he always was.
Thackery handed me a glass of water and I drank the whole glass. It didn't help one bit. I felt very light headed and then everything went black.
"Tarrant…**Tarrant**!" Alice was calling to me as I was coming out of my black out.
I finally realized where I was; home in bed. I tried sitting up and Carlisle pushed me back down. I looked at Alice and took her hand in mine.
"What happened?" I wanted to know what happened at the party.
Carlisle decided to explain, "Well, Tarrant, you fainted. You got very winded after the dance with Alice which was amazing. That's the best I've seen you dance in a long time. You looked winded after the Bracken…"
Alice chimed in, "Carlisle asked if you needed to go home and down you went. You scared me! I got very worried and Carlisle had to carry you out and then into the house. I threw up twice because I was so worried about you," and she placed her hand on my cheek.
I wanted to kiss her so badly but Mirana walked in with a huge glass of water.
"You dehydrated, Tarrant, and you danced too much. The tea is catching up with you. You need to drink water as well instead of just tea," she ordered me and I rolled my eyes.
Alice smiled at Mirana and Carlisle, "Go back to the party. We will be fine. I won't give him tea I promise. He will stay in bed and get some sleep so he could dance the Flotchen in two weeks."
Carlisle smiled and hugged Alice. He and Mirana left the room and out the front door. Alice was already in her sleeping clothes. To my surprise, so was I. She climbed into bed with me and I moved to face her. I placed my hand on her cheek and I leaned forward. I gave her a long gentle kiss.
I began to apologize, "Alice, love, I'm so sorry for not taking care of myself. I'm so worried about you being well that I forgot about myself."
She shook her head, "Tarrant, I'm fine. You're not and that's why you need to drink that water. Well, I'm going to bed. _Math oidhche,_ Tarrant. _Mi _gràdh thu_."
I pulled her close to me and gave her a long deep passionate kiss. She spoke to me in Outlandish and I didn't even teach her that. Carlisle you rat. I broke the kiss and held her in my arms.
"You learned some Outlandish. Oh Alice, you speak it so well. I need to teach you some more from now on. _Math oidhche, _Alice. _Mi gràdh thu._"
After I finished drinking all that water and one trip to the bathroom, we both went to sleep never knowing when Carlisle made it home.
Two weeks have gone by so fast. Alice was now three weeks along and the morning sickness has passed. Carlisle had asked me to be his best man and I was delighted. I made many hats and Carlisle made many dresses for the occasion. It was now time for the Engagement Ball. I had on my brown suede jacket, purple button up shirt, multicolored speckled bow tie, brown pinstriped pants, purple socks, and brown shoes. Alice was trying to get into her periwinkle dress and was having the hardest time zipping it up. She walked over to me and I tried. It stopped when it reached her bust line. I tried to bring the zipper track closer together but it wouldn't budge.
"Alice, you grew some love because it won't zip. And it's not your belly that grew…it's your chest size. I'm not complaining," I smiled at her and she moaned.
She yelled out, "**Carlisle**!"
He walked in and she was crying, "It won't zip! I got bigger!"
He smiled and shook his head. He came around by me and he unzipped to see if he could let it out. To his surprise, he can let out a lot. He let out one seam on both sides then tried to zip. It went up a little bit more but not all the way. He let out one more seam on both sides then tried to zip. It zipped up all the way.
Carlisle smiled at her, "Now, you're all better now. I had to let out two seams. I can take out more when you start to show."
She hugged him, "_Tapadh leatleibh_, Carlisle. You're a life saver."
He looked at me, "I'm impressed, _bràthair_. She's picking it up very well. Ready for the Flotchen?"
I smiled, "Of course I am. It will be a Flotchen I'll never forget."
"I'm so sorry I wasn't there to dance it for your engagement party. Will you ever forgive me?" Carlisle was starting to beat himself up again.
I reassured him, "You'll be making it up when it's our anniversary. Anyway, we'll be dancing it together tonight."
There was a knock at the door. Alice placed my brown hat on my head. We walked out the bedroom after Alice put on her shoes. Carlisle opened the door and we all walked out. Alice got in the carriage first, then me, then Carlisle. He closed the door and the carriage took off. The ride going was quiet. I could tell Carlisle was reviewing the steps in his head by his expressions. He looked silly and I started to chuckle. Carlisle realized what I was laughing at and he stopped. The carriage stopped in front of the castle and Mirana was waiting at the top of the stairs. Carlisle got out first and sprinted up the stairs to Mirana. I helped Alice out and we walked up the stairs.
Nivens blew his trumpet and announced, "Mr. Tarrant and Mrs. Alice Hightopp."
Alice and I walked down the stairs and we were greeted by the Tweedles, Chessur, Bayard, Bielle, and Mallymkun. Nivens blew a fanfare this time and we all looked at the top of the stairs.
He announced, "The couple of the evening Carlisle Hightopp and her royal majesty Queen Mirana of Marmoreal."
Alice and I met them at the bottom of the stairs after they descended. Alice took Mirana to the women and I took Carlisle to the men. All the men bowed their heads. Carlisle turned to me.
"Ready _bràthair_?" He asked me looking in my direction.
"It will be a Flotchen I'll never forget. I've been waiting for this moment for too long," I replied with a huge smile on my face.
He smiled wickedly, "Then hang on because I'm not going to give."
I laughed and we rose our heads up on the drum beat. He started the dance with his signature steps; kick, spin around, down, up, handstand, criss-cross with his feet, split, and then it started with the rest of the men following him. The men started by skip, step to the left four times, spin around, skip, step to the right four times, spin around, and Carlisle holding out his hand begging Mirana to come out. Mirana came out and started with her signature; spin around, down, up, kick with the right leg with arms raised, step up, step up, kick with the left leg, step back, step back, and the women started with her. 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 Mirana moving her index finger telling Carlisle to go to her. He spun to her and I knew he would get her. The men and women did the skip and stepping part while Carlisle and Mirana danced in the center. I looked in Alice's direction and she remembered everything. She looked at me with an evil grin on her face and I returned it. I looked in Carlisle and Mirana's direction. They pushed away from each other and Carlisle rejoined the men and Mirana rejoined the women. The whole process repeated. This was going on forever. We already danced all this three times. It's getting painful. Carlisle and Mirana met in the middle and the men and women did the skip and side stepping part again. Alice and I looked at each other and gave tiring looks at each other. After Carlisle did his impressive number which was kick, kick, back flip, spin around, down, up, front flip, split, and spin up to where he was inches from her lips, Mirana pulled him to her for the kiss. We all stopped and applauded them. Alice walked up to me and she was out of breath.
"Do you need to sit for a while?" I asked her and she nodded her head.
We walked to a table and I sat her down.
I asked her, "Do you want some water? I'll go get you a glass if you want me to."
She nodded her head and I walked to the kitchen to go get her a glass of water. I walked out the ballroom and into the kitchen. I found a tall glass and found the water pitcher. I filled the glass with water, placed the pitcher back where I got it, and left the kitchen. I got back to the ballroom and made my way to the table where Alice was sitting. I reached the table and Alice was nowhere to be found.
"Alice? Alice?" I looked around for her and I found a note addressed to Hatter; she don't call me that anymore.
I picked up the envelope and opened it. I read it and, as I read, I could feel my eyes changing color.
_Hatter,_
_If you want to know where your precious champion is, you'll have to come back where you were held captive before the Frabjous Day. She is where you were and will be treated how you were treated. This is pay back for what you and Alice did to us on the Frabjous Day. You will come alone to Salazen Grum at seven thirty tomorrow morning for a fair fight. If you don't show up by that time, Alice dies. Every hour you are not here, she gets tortured just like you did. You remember how that was don't you. Of course you do, so I suppose you don't want Alice to suffer as much as you did. Hurry, the clock is ticking._
_Ilosovic Stayne and Iracebeth of Crims_
My eyes had to have been red because my blood was boiling.
Thackery came up to me, "Tarrant…oh Tarrant…what's wrong Tarrant…" he watched as I placed my hands under the table, "**Tarrant, no**!"
I flipped the table over in anger and the music stopped. I walked over to another empty table and flipped it over violently. Everyone stopped and Carlisle ran up to me.
"Tarrant, what's wrong? Where's Alice?" he asked and I roughly handed him the letter.
Carlisle read the letter and after I flipped over another table violently, he bear hugged me to try to control me.
"Tarrant, listen to me, doing this will not bring Alice back. You need to get to Salazen Grum as quickly as you can before he begins the first torture method," Carlisle tried to knock sense into me.
I broke through his hold and stormed out the castle. Mallymkun, Bayard, Chessur, and Thackery followed me.
"Tarrant, we will go with you and help you bring Alice back," Mallymkun started to get heroic.
I turned to her and my accent came out in full force, "Nay Mally, yu cun not come wyth me. I 'ave ta go alone. Bayard, I ned ya nose. Follow me."
Bayard and I took off to the stables. I saddled up a brown horse.
"Wow, who goes there needing my service?" the horse questioned.
I answered the horse trying to stay calm, "Tarrant Hightopp, I need you to take me to Salazen Grum to rescue my wife who was kidnapped by Queen Mirana's sister."
"Say no more, Mr. Hightopp. I'll take you there. That bluddy behg hid will not ruin anyone's lives anymore especially you and Mrs. Alice's happy ending. Is he going to help me get you there?" the horse nodded to Bayard's direction.
"Yes, Bayard, let's go to my house first to pick up my sword," I said after I climbed on the horse's back.
Bayard took off running and the horse took off in a fast gallop. I led the horse to my house and got him to stop. I ran into the house and quickly grabbed my sword along with my dagger. I ran out and got back on the horse.
"My name is Louis by the way," the horse told me.
"Nice to meet you, Louis. Thank you for helping me. **Find her, Bayard**!" I yelled out to him and he took off.
I got the horse to follow him to Salazen Grum. My Alice, my babies, I'm coming. Stayne and bluddy behg hid will wish they stayed in exile. Tarrant Hightopp's mad and will kill if Alice is hurt.
_mo_ _bràthair_- my brother
_Mi gràdhaich ei, bràthair_- I love it, brother
_Math oidhche_- good night
_Mi _gràdh thu_- I love you
_Tapadh leatleibh_- thank you
