Finding Normal . . . Or Something Like That

Chapter Thirteen

Disclaimer: Yep, still don't own anything.

YAY! I'm back! Sorry, I've been away. Hopefully, you've read my Author's Note and you know why I've been pretty much out of commission. But, here's a brand spanking new chapter of sheer Alice and Hatter fluffiness for your enjoyment. Actually, this was going to be the Chapter Fourteen but, given the status of my fic, I've decided to bump it up, to make up for being away for so long. Get excited.

Here's chapter thirteen, in which Hatter proposes to Alice.

In the end, Hatter did wait until summer, or at least until the first day of summer by the Oyster World's reckoning. He couldn't wait any longer.

He had understood what Carol had asked, when she had asked him to wait until summer to propose. By then, he and Alice had seen an entire year to their relationship. The seasons had passed. They were able to see each other in different facets of their lives. And, to be perfectly honest, this year had made him love Alice even more.

Hatter was a man who, when he had a plan, stuck to that plan. He knew his guns. To be perfectly honest, there were no speeches, or fireworks, save the ones that had followed, when they had been in bed. And those fireworks were typical of a newly-engaged couple.

As a matter of fact, he had proposed while they were in bed.

He had taken Alice out to dinner, as a treat, to celebrate the first day of summer. (That's what he had told her anyway.)

The sapphire and diamond ring had sat inside his jacket pocket the entire night, in the event that he had worked up the courage to propose at dinner (which he didn't). Carol had helped him pick out the ring a month earlier. He had subtly asked her to help him when Alice had dragged the both of them out for his un-birthday in late February. The older woman had been so ecstatic when they were at the ring shop, demanding the best of they had to offer, proudly announcing that "this young man" was proposing to her daughter. The shop employees had smiled indulgently, at least at first.

Alice had been so pleasantly surprised when she had seen the ring. She had cried tears of happiness.

If he was any judge of style, he would say that he had been very crafty, planting the ring in his hat as soon as they walked back into the apartment. Alice hadn't thought anything about him fiddling with his hat. That was just his way.

They had been cuddling after a very satisfying evening, in more than one way. Alice, in her usual way, had started playing with his hat. She liked to do that.

Hatter smiled often at the memory.

Her eyes had gotten very wide when she had felt the soft velvet of the ring box, pulling it out. He had taken that opportunity to shirt so that he was facing her. Hatter had wanted to get down on one knee, but this felt more right, more them. After she had opened the box, he carefully took it from her, satisfied by her gasp, throwing away the speech that he had worked so hard to prepare.

"Alice Hamilton, I love you," he had said. "Marry me?"

She was speechless for a few seconds before she had looked at him, tears in her eyes, nodding, smiling.

"Yes!" she had exclaimed, throwing herself at him.

Hatter had grinned madly as he had held her tightly, the ring box tight in his hand. Relief and hope surged through him.

It had felt so right to slip that ring on her finger.

After they had spent the rest of the evening making passionate love, she had called Carol. Her mother had been expecting Alice's call any day, but was genuinely excited to hear that it was official. There had been no question in her mind that Alice would say yes.

Which was where Hatter now sat, listening to Alice on the phone with her mother.

The broad smiling was still on his face and he doubted that it would leave any time soon. After all, he had gotten the best present he could ever receive – Alice had agreed to marry him.

Expertly, he flipped his hat up onto his head.

Seconds later, he heard Alice hang up the phone and walk back into the bedroom. She was smiling too, her robe wrapped tightly around her. The ring was sparkling on her hand in the dim light. Hatter found he really liked seeing the ring there. It looked good on her hand.

"Mom wants us over for dinner tonight," Alice said, as she sat down on the edge of the bed. In response, he wordlessly reached out and pulled her fully onto the bed, kissing her loudly on the cheek. Alice giggled some, slapping his chest playfully. "Though she said that she was expected my call yesterday. Do you know what she meant by that?"

For a moment, he feigned an innocent look before cheekily smiling.

"Your mom made me promise that I would wait until summer before I proposed. Something about spending the four seasons together or something mad like that."

Alice rolled her eyes.

"And when did you promise that?"

"Christmas."

Her jaw dropped in surprise. Alice looked down at the ring on her hand, studying it, lost in thought for a moment.

"You mean you've had this ring on you since Christmas?"

Hatter kissed her cheek, chuckling. "Nope. I've only had the ring for a month. I've just known that I was going to propose since Christmas. Your mum gave me her blessing then and she helped me pick out the ring."

"Really?" Alice looked up at him with a smile on her face.

Hatter nodded. "She insisted on the diamonds. I liked the sapphires." He shifted his hat on his head, tightening his hold on her. "Plus she was a better judge of your ring size, despite my . . . intimate knowledge of your body."

"Hatter!"

He couldn't help himself. It was so easy to make Alice blush sometimes.

Alice leaned her head against his chest, her hand absently sliding down his stomach. Unexpected goosebumps raised on his skin at her touch. He shivered some, stifling a low moan as best he could.

"I try," he answered, albeit a bit strangled, trying to control himself.

She must have guessed the reason for the tone in his voice because she kissed his shoulder. "So what shall we do with our day?"

"Well, I should stop by the shop for a while this afternoon," he said, a bit reluctantly. "And you've got your classes this afternoon, love."

Shaking her head, Alice looked up at her. "I'd much rather spend the day in bed with you. It's so much more fun than teaching, as much as I love karate." She trailed kisses across his chest. Hatter really was tempted to not leave either now. "But I guess you're right."

"But you don't always have to listen to me, Alice," he pleaded. Damn, he really did want to keep her from leaving the apartment now.

"Hey, this way, I get to show off my ring now." She leaned up and briefly kissed his lips. "If it makes you feel better, I'll let you drive me to the dojo, so you can walk me in and act all smug."

Ooh, she knew him way too well.

"I do not act smug," he lamely defended. He grinned. "Besides, I get to wrap my arm around you, look at all other guys who flirt with you, and say, 'Mine'. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Nope, just as long as I get to do the same for you."

"Fair enough."

Alice slapped his chest. "Alright you, let's get you in the shower." He gave her a pout he knew that she couldn't really resist. She smiled and rolled her eyes. "I can't have my fiancé walk into his shop looking like he rolled out of bed after a night of really amazing sex."

"Well, it was a good night of sex," he conceded, scooping her up in his arms, carrying her into the bathroom. Tenderly, he whispered to her. "And my love, my Alice, my dear fiancée, you are absolutely beautiful. I love you."

"I love you too, David Hatter."

Hatter kissed her deeply as they climbed into the shower. Alice might have protested, once upon a time, but she was more than happy to share a shower with him. If anything, it save water – most of the time.

And, he was so glad that she was.

There's chapter thirteen. Hope you enjoyed. Sorry it's a bit short but boy did I tease you! NAKED HATTER! Anyways, you know what to do. Go review. I'll post again soon!