I woke up to find Alice not in bed. I grabbed my robe, put it on, tied it, and walked to the kitchen. I heard the whistle on the kettle and I walked into the kitchen to find Alice making the tea. I smiled and I wrapped my arms around her.

Without turning around, she asked, "Did you sleep well?"

"I did. How are you feeling?" I questioned still concerned about her.

She turned around and replied, "I can sit down now with only a little bit of pain. It's tolerable."

I played in her hair and asked a dumb question, "Are you well enough to go visit your mother?"

Alice fixed my tea and gave me a hard deep rough kiss. If she kept that up, I would take her on the kitchen table. I broke the kiss and tried to catch my breath.

"I'll take that as a yes," I finally got enough breath to speak.

I fixed her tea and gave her a kiss. I stirred my tea and drank a sip. I sat down on the chair and Alice sat on my lap like she always did. I wrapped my free arm around her waist to where it rested on her belly.

She broke the silence, "Carlisle and Mirana leave for Queast today. I told Mirana she would love it there. I also told her to go horseback riding and visit the hot spring. I thoroughly enjoyed the hot spring."

I smiled and replied, "So did I. I told Carlisle to save the lake for the last day. I also told him about how we demolished father's list. He too loves a challenge and told me to write down what and where we did. You should have seen his face. He told me no wonder we're having quadruplets."

We both laughed and I rubbed her belly. Alice placed her hand on top of mine on her stomach. I kissed her cheek and finished my tea.

"We need to get ready if we are to see Carlisle and Mirana off then go visit your mother," I rubbed her belly one more time then spanked her on her right side of her buttocks.

Alice stood up and gave me a deep rough kiss. I couldn't take it anymore. I cleared off the table and laid her on it. I untied her robe and she took it off. She untied my robe and I removed it. Our lips met in a passionate kiss and our hands explored each other's bodies. Oh, it's too early in the morning for me to give too many details; besides, I'll let your imagination fill in the blanks.

After one powerful thrust, it was over. I rested my head on hers and tried to catch my breath. Alice sat up and took my face into her hands. She gave me a gentle kiss.

She whispered in my ear, "Race you to the bathroom."

We both took off in a sprint out the kitchen, into the living room, down the hall, into our bedroom, and into the bathroom. It was a tie. I couldn't believe it. She started the water for the bath. I walked into our bedroom to pick out our clothes for today. Alice walked in and picked out her purple dress. I picked out my brown pants with my blue jacket and blue shirt. We walked into the bathroom and I stopped the water. We both climbed in after grabbing a towel and wash rag. We washed ourselves and Alice drained the water. We got out, dried ourselves off, brushed our teeth, put on our underclothes, combed our hair, and walked into the bedroom. I changed into my clothes. I was putting on my brown shoes and I heard Alice groaning. I turned my head and she was having problems with the zipper.

"Tarrant…the zipper won't budge," she whined as she walked up to me.

I examined where the zipper stopped, "Hmm…I believe I may need to let out some seams," I peaked inside the dress and I could let out a lot, "Let's take out two on each side and try that."

I unstitched two seams from both sides and tried the zipper. Still wouldn't budge. I let out another seam and again…won't budge. I let out two seams. I tried and it zipped up all the way. I started smiling because it was her belly this time which caused the problem for the zipper. How was I going to explain that?

Alice spun around and gave me a huge kiss, "Thank you, love. It feels a lot better. How many seams did you let out?"

I replied, "Five on both sides…it was your belly that grew some that caused you this problem. Oh, Alice, I can't wait to see you grow. I bet you will be breathtaking when you show more."

She smiled at me and put on her shoes. I picked up my brown hat and placed it on my head. I took her hand in mine, walked out the bedroom, down the hall, and to the front door. There was a knock at the door and I answered it. The carriage arrived and we walked out the house. I locked up, helped Alice in, and I climbed in. The footman closed the door and the carriage took off. Alice played with my fingers as I watched the scenery pass us by. Something or should I say someone caught my attention. She was about five foot nine inches tall, wearing a long purple velvet dress, had an emerald green hooded cloak, the hood covered her face so I couldn't see who she was, and yet she was wearing brown high top shoes. I turned to look at the empty seat in front of us and stared off. Alice noticed my change in behavior and squeezed my hand. I turned to her and I knew she wanted to know what was bothering me.

"Tarrant, are you alright?" she questioned me being concerned.

I reassured her, "I'm fine but there was a woman limping toward the castle. She looks familiar to me."

Alice got that curious expression and continued to question, "How does she look familiar to you?"

I looked deep into Alice's eyes and the carriage stopped. I opened the carriage door and got out first. I helped Alice out the carriage and walked into the castle. Carlisle and Mirana were already down the stairs walking our way. Carlisle walked up to me and I smiled. Mirana and Alice hugged and already Alice was questioning her.

"So _bràthair_, this is what married life is like. No wonder you are the way you are. I completely understand now. She fixed my morning tea this morning and it's like you and Alice fixing each other's tea. I'm eating my words now," Carlisle told me while hugging me and patting me on the back.

I chuckled, "I told you didn't I. You look very happy, _bràthair_. I also know that you'll enjoy the honeymoon in Queast."

"Be prepared to have your record smashed," Carlisle smirked sounding big and bad.

I laughed, "We'll see if you could do all that plus what Alice and I did plus adding your own to the list. Who knows…maybe you'll succeed and maybe you won't. Have loads of fun and remember to save the lake for the last day."

He nodded at me and hugged me. He hugged Alice and what she told him had Mirana and Carlisle blushing.

"Have fun and be very naughty. Just don't stay in the bedroom for the entire honeymoon," she smiled as she told him that and I laughed hysterics when both Carlisle and Mirana turned red from embarrassment.

We followed them outside as everyone threw rice at them running to the carriage. Carlisle turned around to look at me and I waved. Suddenly, the woman showed up and removed her hood. I realized who she was. Could it be?

The woman screamed out, "**Tarrant!** **Carlisle!**" and fell to the ground unconscious.

Carlisle and I took off in a sprint to her. I knelt down and sure enough it was my older sister Sophia. _Math Dia,_ I thought she was dead but yet I thought Carlisle was dead and he's alive. Carlisle turned to me.

"Tarrant, look at her. She's with child," Carlisle pointed to her swollen belly and I didn't understand how she could be with child when her husband died before the Horunvendush Day unless…no it couldn't be that someone forced her to…no.

"Let's get her inside the castle. Get Mirana and Alice and meet me upstairs," I told him as I picked her up.

_Clannadh,_ she was heavy. I moved passed everyone and got into the castle. Mirana caught up to me and lead me up the stairs with Alice close behind me and Carlisle behind her. Mirana brought me to a large room which looked like a birthing room.

Mirana ordered me, "Put Sophia on the bed. Alice, help me get her out her traveling clothes and into this gown. You two get out!"

Mirana pushed Carlisle and I out the room. Alice stayed behind in the room with Mirana. Mirana shut the door and I immediately started pacing the floor. Carlisle decided to do the same thing.

I checked my pocket watch and one hour passed by. Suddenly, I heard a scream and it was Sophia. Carlisle knew that scream too well and I looked at him with a questionable expression.

"She's in labor. She's probably pushing right now. Get used to it Tarrant in seven months it will be Alice sounding like that," he explained and the last thing he said hit home for me.

I hope Alice wouldn't sound like that when she gives birth to our babies. That scream sounded painful beyond comparison. There was another scream and it sounded worse than before. I started biting my knuckle on my right index finger and closing my eyes. The scream stopped and I looked at Carlisle. He was feeling the exact same feelings I had; worry, sympathy, and love for our sister. There was another scream followed by a faint baby cry. Carlisle and I smiled then hugged each other.

"Congratulations uncle," Carlisle shook my hand.

I congratulated, "Congratulations uncle."

Alice walked out with a smile and announced, "A beautiful niece. Her name is Sarah Alice Hightopp. You two can come see her. She's been asking about both of you."

Carlisle walked in first and I walked up to Alice and kissed her gently on her lips. I wrapped my arm around her waist and walked into the room with her. Sophia was laying on the bed breathing hard for being out of breath and sweating.

I smiled and kissed her forehead, "_Piuthar_, you're alive and well. You have a lot of explaining to do."

Sophia giggled and began, "Yes I do so I'll start by explaining what happened on the Horunvendush Day. When the Jabberwocky showed up, I tried to grab Nessa and Belle to bring them to the safe house. The Jabberwocky already got Nessa and when I grabbed Belle's hand, the Jabberwocky got her too. I ran as fast as I could to try to save the rest of the family. I couldn't find you, Carlisle, or you, Tarrant, so I ran deep into the woods to our safe house. I stayed there and about nine months ago a man by the name of Ilosovic Stayne found me. He recognized I was a Hightopp and he told me something about you and him fighting then you removed his eye in the process. He told me what he wanted to do to me for revenge of you taking his eye. I pretty much told him to _faigh muin dheth_ and he forced himself on me," she busted into tears and continued, "He raped me and left me there without any feeling of remorse. I fought back as much as I could but he was too strong for me. About a month later, I realized I was with child because of the symptoms. Immediately, I wanted to die because I refused to have that _asal's _baby. I tried everything and the baby still made it. That was when I realized the baby was more Hightopp than Stayne so I decided to go through with the pregnancy and here we are. The only thing that reminds me of Stayne is her hair other than that…she's a pure blooded Hightopp."

My anger just rose and Alice noticed it. She placed a hand on my shoulder and I walked to the window to look out.

I started cursing, "_Dia gonadh gille cù boireann! Chum asal ei _nas fheàrr o marbh! Math gnothach mi marbh fhèin!"_

Alice got extremely angry at me and yelled, "**Tarrant**!"

I heard the baby cry and I turned around to see it. She was the most precious little thing I laid my eyes on. Seeing my sister happy even though Stayne did that to her a long time ago, I let it go and decided to enjoy my niece. I looked at Alice and she was still angry at me. I pulled her close to me.

I whispered in her ear, "I'm so sorry for what I did. What Stayne did to you and now my sister…it just pushed me over and I'm terribly sorry for lashing out like that."

She could tell I was sincere because she kissed my cheek.

Mirana told Sophia, "You will stay here in the castle with us and I won't take no for an answer. Carlisle and I will be on our honeymoon so Tarrant and Alice will be here in the morning to check on you since they both work here. The midwife told me she would check up on you throughout the day, the evening, and tomorrow. We're so glad to have you back, Soph. We missed you. I hate to cut this short but we have a honeymoon to go to."

Sophia laughed, "Alright…have fun and do lots of naughty things," and moved her eyebrows up and down.

Alice and I laughed hysterics as Mirana and Carlisle turned scarlet red from being embarrassed. We told them farewell and they left the room. It was just Sophia, Alice, and I left in the room with little Sarah.

Sophia broke the silence, "So you're married to 'the Alice' and are now expecting quadruplets. Well Tarrant, you beat mother and father that's for sure, but you look extremely happy. I'm proud of you. Mother and father would have loved her. She and I talked while I was in active labor and we hit it off just perfectly. Your love story is one for the books from the way you told her you loved her right down to the proposal and marriage. I just wished I had what you have. My marriage was dreadful. I stayed with Victor because of Nessa and Belle."

I smiled at her, placed a hand on her shoulder, and replied, "You will find your true match one day, Soph. Fate brought me Alice, so maybe Fate will bring you yours one day. I'm so happy to have you back, _piuthar_. I really missed you terribly. Now I have a new niece I could spoil like I did with Nessa and Belle. I really hate to leave you, but you need your rest and we have to visit her mother. If you need us, send Thackery or Mallymkun for us."

Sophia nodded and kissed a sleeping Sarah in her arms. Alice and I left the room and closed the door. We walked down the hall and I wrapped my arm around her then kissed her head. Alice broke the silence as we walked down the stairs.

"I'm not looking forward to labor and delivery! If I have to go through that much pain, you're going to be there with me so I could squeeze the life out of you and blame you for everything," she glanced my way waiting for what I had to say.

I cleared my throat and answered, "I'm not supposed to be in the birthing room with you when it gets to that time. The fathers are supposed to wait outside the room."

Alice began to argue her point, "You and I have been through everything together. We both got trapped in the Red Queen's castle, both escaped the castle, both fought on the Frabjous Day, both travelled to the Otherworld so I could tell my family farewell, both returned to Underland, both danced at the Frabjous Day ball, both travelled to Queast, both fought against Stayne and the Red Queen for the second time, both helped Sophia bring Sarah into the world, do I need to continue?"

I tried to get her to understand that Mirana and the midwife won't let me in to be with her when she goes to give birth, "Alice…I know we do everything together…however, the midwife and Mirana won't let me in while you're in labor and giving birth. The father has to stay outside until he hears the baby cry. Darling, I would love to be in there with you I truly do; however, we will be fighting fire with fire on that one."

We walked out the castle and up to the carriage to go back home and she threatened, "Those babies will not come out of me unless you're in the room with me!"

I knew I was fighting a losing battle so I decided to say what she wanted to hear, "Alright…I'll see what I can do to persuade them to let me be with you."

She stopped in front of the carriage and pulled me in to where our lips met for a long gentle kiss. I broke the kiss, opened the carriage door, helped Alice in, climbed in, and the carriage took off toward the house. Our fingers intertwined and I started playing with her fingers.

Alice broke the silence, "I can't wait to see my mother. Oh darling, it's been so long since I've seen her. How do you think she'll take it when she finds out she'll be a grandmother to quadruplets in seven months?"

I thought for a bit then answered, "Don't worry, darling, it will be fine. Your mother will be ecstatic when she hears the wonderful news."

The carriage stopped at the house. I opened the door, climbed out, helped Alice out, and took her arm in mine. We walked to the door. I pulled out my keys and unlocked the door. I opened the door and Alice walked in first. I followed behind her and closed the door. We walked into the spare bedroom where Carlisle stayed before he got married. Alice saw the mirror and she got more excited.

"Well, what do we do?" she asked being curious.

I chuckled, "Let's see if I remember what Mirana told me," and I tapped in the middle of the left frame, middle of the right frame, and middle of the top frame, "The picture in the mirror should change right about now."

Instead of looking at ourselves, we could see into Alice's childhood bedroom. Alice smiled and turned to me. She hugged me and I returned her hug.

She broke the embrace, "Let's go."

I took her hand and together we stepped through the mirror and into her bedroom in London.

We looked around; Alice opened the door, pulled me out the room, down the stairs, and into the parlor where her mother was sitting. Mrs. Kingsleigh looked up and smiled at us. She got up and hugged Alice then she hugged me.

"Please sit down. Oh, Alice, you look beautiful. You're positively glowing!" Mrs. Kingsleigh admired her daughter at how married life was treating her.

Alice giggled and replied, "Well mother lots of things happened since I left you. Tarrant and I are now married for four months, and we have some wonderful news to tell you."

Mrs. Kingsleigh looked at us and questioned, "Well…what is it? Tarrant, are you going to tell me or Alice, are you going to tell me?"

Alice looked at me, "Ready, we'll both tell her. One…two…three."

Both of us said at the same time, "You're going to be a grandmother!"

Mrs. Kingsleigh had a huge smile on her face, got up, and hugged us both.

"Oh my gracious this is such wonderful news! How far along are you?" she asked.

Alice replied, "Two months and it's quadruplets!"

Mrs. Kingsleigh cocked her head and I noticed her confusion.

I decided to clear up the confusion, "In Underland, we have ways to find out what the gender of the baby is and how many your having. Alice took the potion and it revealed we are having two boys and two girls because her hands glowed pink and blue then my hands glowed pink and blue."

Mrs. Kingsleigh was smiling from ear to ear then decided to speak, "Oh Alice, I couldn't be more happy for you and Tarrant. You two will make wonderful parents. I want to talk with Queen Mirana when she gets a chance so we could plan a baby shower for you. Don't even think about objecting to it. I feel bad already for not being there for you on your wedding day so I want to have a baby shower for you."

I added my two bits in, "It would be a wonderful idea, darling. Just think, you would be the center of attention with a lot of women going ooh and ah over the baby clothes, basinet, crib, the bedding, and all your other gifts you'll receive. I'm pretty sure Carlisle will do something for me the same day," then I leaned over and whispered into her ear, "We'll both go through torture of being the center of attention."

She giggled at me then agreed with her mother, "Alright, you can throw me a baby shower."

Mrs. Kingsleigh was overjoyed and Alice's sister walked in.

"Oh Margaret! Look who's here for a visit and with some wonderful news!" Mrs. Kingsleigh told Margaret who was still overjoyed that Alice agreed to let her throw her a baby shower.

Margaret smiled as she ran up to Alice to embrace her, "It's so good to see you again, sister. So what's this wonderful news mother is telling me?"

Alice looked at me and we both told her, "You're going to be an aunt!"

Margaret started bouncing and hugged Alice tighter, "This is wonderful news! How far along are you?"

Alice got her to sit down next to her on the couch we were sitting on and told her, "I'm two months along and it's quadruplets!"

Margaret cocked her head to the side and I noticed her confusion so I decided to clear it, "In Underland, we have a potion that tells you how many you're having plus the gender of the baby. In our case, both Alice and my hands glowed pink and blue. So we are having two boys and two girls."

Margaret had tears in her eyes, "I'm so happy for you Alice and you two, Tarrant. Excuse me," and she ran out the parlor room.

I looked at Alice and her mother then I excused myself, "I'll go check on her. I'll let you two have some girl talk while I go see how Margaret is."

Alice mouthed thank you to me and I leaned over to give her a kiss on her forehead. I walked out the parlor and I could hear her crying. I followed the cry and found her outside in the gazebo. I walked up to her and placed my hand on her back.

She looked up at me and began to apologize, "I'm so sorry, Tarrant. I really didn't mean to start crying at you and Alice's wonderful news. It's just that I'm going through a rough time right now. I don't want you to tell anyone this not even mother. Lowell and I are no longer married. I caught him in bed with not only another woman but my best friend since grade school. Before all that took place, I found out I was with child then all this happened, and I lost the baby."

She started crying again and I wrapped my arm around her, "You'll be alright, Margaret. It just takes time to heal a broken heart. I had to watch our queen live her life with a broken heart for a long time, then my brother returned, and now she is on her long overdue honeymoon. The right man will come one day, Margaret. Alice came to Underland and stole my heart. I'm sure when the right man comes around you'll know from the moment you look into his eyes."

Margaret hugged me and began thanking me, "Now I understand why Alice chose you over her childhood home. You are more like her and understand her much better than what mom, dad, and I did. I just wish I could find someone like you that could understand me completely and would love me for who I am not as eye candy," she looked at me in the eyes, "Thank you for listening to me, Tarrant. You are a wonderful brother-in-law."

I smiled and answered, "Anytime you need someone to listen, I'll be there and so will Alice. However, you cannot let this linger on you any longer. You will have to tell your mother and Alice sooner rather than later."

Margaret nodded and stood up. I stood up and she grabbed my hands. She smiled at me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Margaret turned toward the door and she looked pale. I looked at the door and there was Alice. She had her hands balled up into fists and what had me surprised were her eyes. They were no longer her beautiful blue but a fiery red. Alice started walking up to Margaret.

Margaret tried to make her see reason, "Alice…it was a sister/brother-in-law peck on the cheek…it was nothing…Alice…Alice…**Alice no**!" and she took off running into the garden.

Alice started yelling in an Outlandish accent while chasing Margaret, "**Margaret I'll kell ya!** **How dare ya kess ma husband?** **Do ya wan a death wish?** **Ya hav someone fer ya ta kess so go and kess him!** **But ya know how I fel abou him…tha no gud hairy guddler's scut!**"

Suddenly I felt my eyes changing color, yelled out, "**Alice Kingsleigh Hightopp**!" and started chasing her.

I ran as fast as I could to try and catch Alice from hurting herself and our unborn children. Mrs. Kingsleigh heard the commotion and caught Margaret in a bear hug. I caught Alice and I tried talking in her ear to calm her down. It was too late for Margaret fired back at Alice for the comment about her husband well, ex-husband.

"**Alice Kingsleigh Hightopp, how dare you?** **You have no idea what I went through after you left with Tarrant on the day of you and Hamish's supposed to be engagement party! ** **I caught Lowell in bed with another woman who happened to be my best friend in school! Before that, I found out that I was with child!** **But when I told Lowell I didn't want to be married to him anymore, I lost the baby!** **I gave Tarrant a little kiss on the cheek because he is my brother-in-law nothing more and nothing less!** **Mother, let me go!**" Margaret broke free of her mother's hold and she ran into the house.

Mrs. Kingsleigh looked at Alice, shook her head, and followed Margaret inside. I felt Alice ease up and then she fell to the ground with me going down with her. She began to cry and I held her close to me.

"Oh Tarrant, I'm so sorry for lashing out like a mad woman. I didn't know Margaret was going through such a hard time. I was so happy at first for being with my mother and sister and now I made a huge mess of things. I wished we never would have come here today," Alice cried in her hands.

I helped her up and got her to look into my eyes, "You did make a mess of things. I love your accent by the way. It makes me want to ravish you in your childhood bedroom. You did sound like a mad woman. I guess that's what happens when you hang around a mad man long enough. You had me very scared for the babies. Alice, darling, you need to think about them before pulling another stunt like that. We could have lost them but I realize they are pure blooded Hightopps because they fought to stay alive during your stunt. Your eyes got me the most. If that is how I look when my eyes change, then I'll do my best not to get so angry anymore because that was terrifying."

I got a laugh out of her and she spoke, "I need to go apologize to Margaret. Will you be there with me?"

I chuckled, kissed her head, and led her into the house, "I'll wait outside the door. You and Margaret need to talk it out."

We walked back into the house and up the stairs to Margaret's bedroom. Alice knocked on the door and Margaret told her to go in. Alice opened the door and walked in. Mrs. Kingsleigh walked out and shut the door. She and I stayed outside and listened to the whole conversation.

"Margaret, I'm so sorry for lashing at you like that. Being with child, can make you do irrational things that you have no control over. Why didn't you tell me about you and Lowell instead of storming out the room like that?"

"Alice listen, I did not storm out the room because I was jealous. I left because I lost my husband and my unborn child in one day. You have everything you always wanted. I thought I had everything, and then I lost it because of a man who has no idea how to treat a woman."

"Margaret, you and I were very close when we were younger and I want us to be close again. I want to know if you would be the godmother of my babies."

"Oh Alice, you know I would be honored. I hope the queen doesn't get angry because you asked me to be the godmother."

"Mirana is not the jealous type. She'll understand and trust me there will be more in the future so Mirana will be a godmother as well."

"You're allowed to call your queen by her first name?"

"Yes, Margaret, she is not into the formal greetings so she wanted her closest friends to call her Mirana instead of her majesty or your highness. So…all is forgiven? You're not mad at me for thinking you were making a pass at my husband?"

"Ha ha! Alice, little sister, I love you and no I would never make a pass at your husband. I love Tarrant and all, but he is not my type. He was made for you and you alone. I would never do anything to make you two unhappy. I hope I didn't offend Tarrant by saying he's not my type."

They both laughed and I chuckled to myself. She didn't offend me at all. She melted my heart when she said I was made for Alice and Alice alone. After the laughing stopped, Alice began to speak again.

"No, you didn't offend him I'm sure. Oh Margaret, I'm so terribly sorry about you and Lowell and your unborn child. I wish I was there for you in your time of trouble."

"Stop it, Alice. I had mother with me but I didn't explain everything to her until you lashed out at me. Married life is treating you well I see. I can't wait to see you grow and be there with you when you give birth. Can we go to Underland? I would love to see what it's like."

"Yes, you can. In my bedroom, my floor length mirror is the gateway to Underland. Tarrant will show both you and mother how to use it. So when it comes time for my baby shower, you two will be able to come on your own instead of having Tarrant or me come to get you."

I heard Alice yawn and she continued, "Well, it's time for us to leave. I'm really tired. All is forgiven?"

"Didn't I tell you that all is forgiven. Go home and get some rest. You'll need it because once those babies are born, you will have no sleep at all."

The door opened and Alice walked out with Margaret. Alice turned to me and embraced me. I looked at Margaret and she smiled at me. I returned her smile and broke the embrace. We walked to Alice's old bedroom and stepped in front of the mirror. We could see ourselves and I turned around to show Mrs. Kingsleigh and Margaret how to work the mirror.

I began to explain, "If you ever want to visit Underland, you will tap in the middle on the left side, middle of the right side, and middle of the top of the frame. The image will change right about now," and they could see the spare bedroom of our house.

Mrs. Kingsleigh and Margaret gasped and had smiles on their faces.

I continued, "Then all you have to do is step through," and I walked through it and waved back at them.

Alice hugged her mother and sister one more time then stepped through. We both waved to them then the image changed to where we could see ourselves again. Alice turned to me and she started crying again.

I rolled my eyes, smiled at her, and embraced her, "Are you still going to apologize for something both Margaret and I forgive you for? Darling, listen, you're with child and your emotions change on the turn of a piece of silver. We don't blame you at all. You are forgiven. Now stop crying."

Alice dried her eyes and corrected me, "That's not why I'm crying. I just have that god awful feeling that you won't be with me when I have the babies and I'm scared."

I inhaled and tightened my hold on her, "I hate to see you this way. Please love you need to trust me on this. I will talk to Mirana and the midwife. I'll throw in the kidnapped part and that you are scared to be anywhere without me."

She looked up at me and questioned, "Can we go now?"

I chuckled and left the room to go call for a carriage. I called for the carriage and I noticed Alice laying down on the couch in the living room. I walked up to the couch and I sat down on the floor looking at her. She was sleeping soundly. I took her hand in mine and started caressing it. I started thinking about when it was time for her to deliver the babies. What if she didn't deliver because I wasn't allowed to be in the room with her? I had to talk to the midwife because knowing Alice, she would find a way to hold those babies in just to get her way. There was a knock at the door. Alice opened her eyes and smiled at me. I got up and helped her up. We walked to the door and opened it. The carriage was there. I locked up the house, helped Alice into the carriage, got in, and it took off toward the castle.

Alice played with my fingers and broke the silence, "You want to know what is a huge fantasy of mine is?"

I looked at Alice and I could tell my eyes changed color, "What?"

She leaned over and whispered in my ear, "You ravishing me in your hat shop."

I looked into her eyes and noticed my eyes were emerald green with gold specs in them. I smiled at her and leaned over to her ear.

I whispered, "Now you're making me have naughty thoughts, Mrs. Hightopp. Maybe I should ravish you in the hat shop since your giving me these thoughts."

Alice giggled and the carriage stopped. I got out first then helped her out. We walked into the castle and up the stairs to go to the midwife's office. I knocked on the door and the midwife answered.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hightopp do come in. You're feeling alright Mrs. Alice?" she asked being concerned.

Alice decided to be truthful, "No, I'm not alright. Why can't Tarrant be in the room with me when I give birth?"

The midwife closed her eyes then began to explain, "Mrs. Alice, the men have to wait outside the birthing room because it is a time when the women bond together to help welcome the baby into the world."

Alice got teary eyed and started raising her voice, "Lana, do you remember what happened two nights ago?"

Lana closed her eyes and nodded, "Yes, I do remember. The red queen and her knave kidnapped you…"

Alice interrupted, "And tortured me. I thought I would never see Tarrant again. Do you understand how terrified I was? I thought I was going to die that night along with my babies. Tarrant and I have done everything together and I don't want to deprive him of not seeing his children brought into the world. I won't be able to do it without him. Please Lana…I want him to be there with me. I have to have him with me."

I couldn't believe it. Alice had the midwife speechless. This was the first time in years that someone had Lana, the midwife, speechless.

Lana looked at Alice and concluded, "Alright…you win. Mr. Hightopp can be with you when the time comes for you to give birth."

I smiled and thanked, "Thank you, Lana. You have no idea how much this means to us."

Lana smiled, "Oh trust me. I know it means the world to both of you. I need to go check on Sophia. See you in two months, Alice, for a checkup."

We walked out with Lana and walked down the stairs to my hat shop.

"Feel better?" I asked.

Alice sighed, "Yes, much better. I'm ready to be ravished in the hat shop."

I chuckled and opened the door. I grabbed her, pulled her in, closed the door, and locked it. Sorry, I want to keep this memory to myself. Oh, how fun it was!

_Piuthar-_ sister

_Dia gonadh gille cù boireann!_- God damn son of a bitch!

_Chum asal ei _nas fheàrr o marbh!_-That asshole is better off dead!

_Math gnothach mi marbh fhèin!_-Good thing I killed him!