She closed her eyes and soaked in the warmth, the inside of her lids bright red from the sun. The day was beautiful, the sky was as blue as a robins egg, and she could hear the sound of the creatures in Underland in the distance…
"Ahem!", someone cleared their throat to her left. She spun around in surprise to find McTwisp staring sheepishly at her from behind a tall tree.
"Lady Alice…", his long, white ears touched the floor as he removed his hat and swept into a low bow. Alice smiled fondly at the regal rabbit while ascending the ancient stone stairs.
"Hello McTwisp", said Alice happily as she approached him, "It's been a long time". She hugged the white rabbit and held back a laugh as he became discomposed.
"Oh yes, yes quite right, quite right", he mumbled gaining control of his speech, straightening his tie, "you are right on time. I dare say, it was a wise idea to have Absalom escort you". He pulled out a large, ticking pocket-watch from his silver waistcoat and glanced at it quickly.
"A proper escort indeed", Alice mumbled irritated, rubbing her shoulder absentmindedly. It still smarted from her attempt to avoid being crushed by her belongings.
McTwisp seemed to not hear her and straightened up, "Well we should be off, everyone is quite excited for your return! We have celebrated the anniversary of Frabjous Day every year in your absence you know", he said proudly.
Alice's memory went back to the final battle that led to the salvation of Underland. She couldn't help but feel flattered by the thought of them celebrating her success. She had defeating the Jabberwocky and rid the kingdom of the terrible Red Queen. How that woman could have had brains at all Alice could hardly imagine.
All of her friends had been there in her support. Her dear Mad Hatter had fought heroically along side her. With this thought Alice's face grew hot and she began to feel the butterflies rise up in her stomach again.
"Tell me McTwisp where is Hatter? How come he is not with you?"
The rabbit gave an understanding smile, perhaps a little too understanding for Alice's taste. "The Queen had thought that should be our first stop for the day. The only stop actually".
Alice could have broke into a jig right there, but she tried her best to hold her composure, she did not appreciate the smug look he was giving her. Though her insides squirmed she began to move slowly forward, "Then we shouldn't keep him waiting".
He bounded slightly ahead of her as she walked, "All of your belongings will be taken to the castle, the Queen wishes to see you tomorrow afternoon. We all have missed your company Alice", he said earnestly.
As they journeyed through the jungle of mushrooms and tangled vines, the flowers bowed and shouted their appraisal at her. She felt a little embarrassed at all of the attention. The morning stretched into afternoon, and they chatted as they walked. Alice wanted to know everything that had happened since she had been away. He was recounting a particularly funny story, about the March Hare painting the halls of the castle with drabsenburry jam when she heard the music from a phonograph in the distance.
This time Alice couldn't help herself, and was about to break into a run when the rabbit held her back.
"Wait! I almost forgot", he produced a small white cake from a pouch in his pocket, "Take this, I suppose you'll want to be your proper size when you see him".
Alice glared, but he was busying himself with his waistcoat and took no notice. She was growing a little irritated by all of these insinuations. She had admitted to herself that she felt a little more than friendship between her and Tarrant, but she wasn't quite ready for anyone to know, not until she could confirm he felt the same. It had been three years now…he could have forgotten any feelings he had held for her.
She ignored the anxious feelings inside her as she took the cake from the rabbit's paws and took a tiny nibble. She would sort things out when the time was right, but right now all she wanted to do was to see him, that would be enough for now.
McTwisp stepped back as Alice's body began to expand. Her knotted nightgown stretched against her as she grew. She adjusted it until it fit properly once again, "Thank you rabbit!".
Her eyes were bright with excitement as she jogged into the clearing.
"We'll be sending a carriage for you tomorrow morning!", the rabbit shouted, but she barely heard him over the pounding of her heart.
When she arrived into the clearing she spun around searching the area for her friends. The normally disheveled tea table was neatly laden with polished silver and china. In the center there was a tall, five-tiered pastry set, containing small cakes and buttered scones. Instead of the average white, it had been replaced with lavender, laced tablecloth, which looked as though it could've hung on the shoulders of the Queen herself. The grass had grown lush and green, and the windmill stood sturdy and refinished in the outskirts.
Underland had changed for the better since "the bloody big-head" had been banished.
"He must be inside", Alice hoped. She steadied herself as she approached the tall structure. She smoothed down her hair and knocked softly on the arched door. As she waited she thought of what she might say after all these years. She could perhaps act as if she had never left, but he might think she had not missed him at all…
She battled with her choicesfor a second, and then realized she still had not even been received yet. She knocked once more, this time a little harder.
Still no answer.
"Well, I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I let myself in..", she tried the door and it swung open slowly. Alice peered around the circular room once inside. The entire place was decorated in loud, eye-catching colors. The furniture did not match, but in some ways fit harmoniously with the eccentric decorations, all mostly in purples, blues and greens. An enormous fireplace was situated to her immediate left, almost taking up half of the wall-space. The house was a masterpiece, if you could call it a house.
"Hatter…?", she called softly. She began to climb the winding staircase until she reached the second floor, still no Hatter. She frowned, "He's not here…".
Her heart sunk. Alice turned to retreat back down the stairs to catch McTwisp before he got too far when she heard a soft humming. She stopped and looked around. The sound was coming from an attic door on the ceiling she had not seen. Alice reached up, took hold of the latch and pulled slowly. Stairs appeared from the ceiling, and she pulled them down until they rested on the ground. Her footsteps could not be heard over the merry tune coming from the Hatter. He stood with his back towards her, fussing over a garment draped over a mannequin in the center of the bedroom. His hands worked with quick, flicking motions, sewing and pinning the fabric on the dress. Her blood pounded in her ears as she took a steadying breath. He paused, scissors and needles in hand. Tarrant Hightopp turned slowly until his large, green eyes rested on her, one slightly different than the other.
"Alice…", his whisper was soft and disbelieving. She could no longer contain herself, caution out the window; she crossed the room in a few steps and threw her arms around him in a tight embrace, burying her face in his neck. He smelled like tea and firewood.
"Tarrant", she spoke his name with such unconditional love, she would have been embarrassed if she was thinking straight, but all she was aware of was how close they were in that moment. He slowly pulled away from her until they were facing each other, face only centimeters apart.
" Alice…", he whispered once again, "you're here… you're here!" He grew louder as he spoke, a smile stretching across his handsome features. He let out a maniacal laugh as he picked her up by the waist and spun her around until she felt dizzy, her hair flying around her face.
Laughing with him she hugged him once more, "Yes I'm here, I'm here!".
They pulled away, still holding each other at the elbows, beaming.
"Am I the right Alice this time?", she asked teasingly.
"I knew you were the right Alice from the very beginning. Absolutely the right Alice, I'd know you anywhere.", he spoke excitedly, "Of course, how do you know I am the right Hatter?", he asked with devilish grin.
Still all smiles, she took his face in her hands. She was sure her heart would beat out of her chest this very moment. She had grown rather bold during her time in China, in speech and action. There had been many men who had accompanied her and Lord Ascot during their travels, all of them attempted to woo Alice one way or another. She had never considered herself a pretty girl, though many had called her so. She rejected them all of course. Alice kept telling herself she had to focus on completing her father's dream, but in the back of her mind, she knew she was saving herself for this moment, for this man.
Tarrant's smile had faded and his eyes began to smolder a reddish color. She wanted to kiss him, every inch of her was reaching out to him.
She was very aware how close their faces were, her breath quickened as he rested his hands on her waist.
"HATTER!!"
The loud noise had caused both of them to jump, breaking the spell; they stepped sheepishly away from one another as Mallyumkun came scurrying up the steps.
