Okay, thanks to everyone who favourited this and added it to their story alert lists, but reviews would be greatly appreciated. Here's chapter 2. Enjoy!

Once again, don't own anything except Elsie, and even then, since Lewis Carroll and Tim Burton own the rest that's debatable.

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2.

"Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away"

The Last Beat of My Heart ~ Siouxsie and the Banshees

When little Elsabeth Hightopp disappeared, her parents thought a part of their hearts had been ripped clean out of their chests. The hatter's fits of rage became much more frequent and Alice could often be seen crying quietly to herself.

Wonderland had been searched far and wide, from top to bottom for the little six-month old baby. Mirana had her knights bring Iracebeth and Stayne in for questioning, and she still didn't believe that Stayne told the truth, but they denied having any knowledge of Miss Hightopp's whereabouts.

The few years after Elsie disappeared were hard on Alice and Tarrant. Everyone thought that one of them was going to walk out, and Tarrant did, for about two hours before he felt bad about it and game bag, grovelling to his wife for days about it. She was just happy that he was back.

At the same time that Elsie was crying herself to sleep in her aunt's house, Alice was remembering the day her daughter had gone missing.

**flashback**

It was Frabjous day, there would be a ball later and a feast, attended by everyone in the White Queen's realm that could come. Alice hadn't been sure if she would go. She knew it was expected of her, and that Tarrant would stay home if she would, but Elsie was so young.

The lovely little addition to the Hightopp family was little six month old Elsabeth, named after Tarrant's sister, who had been killed by the jabberwocky. She was such a pretty little thing. She looked just like her father only she had her mother's brown eyes. Everyone loved her.

In the end, Mirana told Alice it would be fine if Elsie came with them to the ball. They could spend the night in Marmoreal and travel home in the morning.

The night started off quite well, everyone danced and had fun, and Tarrant did his famous futterwacken, suggesting that he teach Elsie (when she was a little older).

It was after dinner that it happened. Alice had left Elsie with Mallymkun so that she could have her dance with the Hatter.

Whoever had done it must have come up behind Mally, because when they got back Mally was on the floor, unconscious, and Elsie was gone. Alice had screamed and the Hatter could only stand there in shock.

No one slept that night, they were all out looking for Elsie

**end flashback**

That had been almost twelve years ago, Elsie would be eleven now. They had all forgiven Mally, she was so upset about what had happened and it wasn't her fault anyway.

There wasn't a single day went by in which Alice and Tarrant didn't feel guilt about what happened.

Five years after Elsie disappeared, Alice found she was pregnant again. However, she miscarried this child and two others. In the end, herself and Tarrant decided it would be best not to try again, it always ended in tears and broken hearts.

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Okay, I know that it wasn't very long or cheerful, but I was pressed for time and I promise things will get more cheerful once I've got a few things over and done with in the story. There's a few things I need to cover as an intro which will take the first few chapters.

Press the green button, you know you want to!

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