Finding Normal . . . Or Something Like That
Chapter Fifteen
Discliamer: Nope, I really don't own anything. If I did . . . . well, let's just say, I would be a very happy woman right now.
So, here's chapter fifteen, in which Alice and Hatter open the envelope from Charlie, read several letters, and make discoveries and decisions.
I was going to put an interlude in Wonderland in this chapter, but decided against it, after seeing the feedback from last chapter. Oh well, the interlude will have to wait until later. Enjoy!
Alaina Downs - It's not so wrong to feel bad for Jack. But Jack gets prominently featured later on (soon).
Cortexikid – I didn't comment last chapter on your review, but thank you! It's really amazing to hear that you think my story's so good. Great validation for me.
Brumeier and CupofTeaforAliceandHatter – Your questions will be answered in this chapter. I hope this chapter meets your expectations about the contents of Charlie's envelope.
Kittyinaz – Well, I didn't the heart to be extraordinarily cruel to Jack. After all, in some twisted world, he could be seen as sympathetic. Besides, Hatter totally wins – he loves Alice.
To everyone – I appreciate the reviews so far! They've been so positive and they're really encouraging to me. I didn't think that a lot of people would read a multi-chapter Alice fic, but you all proved me so wrong. Thank you! I hope I continue to live up to your expectations.
It was dark by the time they got back to the apartment. Alice's evening class had run late and, as consequence, he stayed at the tea shop later. Charlie's letter, neatly tucked in his pocket, was unopened. Alice hadn't wanted to open it in the middle of the shop, despite the fact that she, like him, was extremely excited about the prospect of news from their friend.
Alice yawned slightly, worn out from the lessons, as she usually was. Hatter trailed after her, into the kitchen, wordlessly watching as she began pulling things out for dinner.
He immediately grabbed the pot from her, giving her a patented Hatter glare.
"Hatter!" she exclaimed, clearly annoyed.
Grinning, he playfully kissed her cheek. "Go change, love. I'll start on dinner."
She gave a heavy sigh, but he saw the appreciative smile forming on her lips. Alice really had had a long day. "What did I do to deserve you?"
"You walked into my tea shop in a very wet dress," he answered, mirthfully.
Alice didn't give him an answer, but she was grinning brightly, despite her weariness, as she left the kitchen.
Hatter took of his jacket, draping it over the back of a chair.
Absently, his fingers touched the edge of Charlie's letter. A wave of nostalgia hit him harshly.
It wasn't often that he missed Wonderland, but, when he did, it really rocked him. For the most part, Hatter loved being in this world, loved Alice, and loved his life. Still, there were times that he missed the old comforts of what it had been like, before everything bad had happened. Before his father had degraded him for not living up to his expectations and not going into the service of the Red Queen. Before Great-Uncle Madigan had died and his mum had gotten sick, dying not long after Madigan. That was the last time that he had really been happy.
Soberly, he went about cooking dinner, an easy pasta and sausage dish that Carol had taught him not too long ago.
When Alice came walking back in a few minutes later, she smiled at him and seamlessly began working alongside of him. Her presence eased his ache at leaving Wonderland behind. She was more important than any of that, he knew.
A half hour later, the dirty pans soaking in the sink, they set down for dinner. Hatter set Charlie's letter on the table. Alice raised an eyebrow at him.
"Do you want to wait until after dinner to open it?" he tentatively asked.
She must have caught the wistful tone in his voice because Alice reached over and took his hand, squeezing lightly. He smiled at her. Alice shifted and, when he looked down, Hatter realized that she had taken the envelope from in front of him. She grinned cheekily at him.
"I'm sure it's only good things," Alice told him. "We can wait a little longer."
Carefully, she set it to the side, far enough away from their food so that they wouldn't accidentally splash anything on the envelope as they ate.
The food did wonders for easing his nerves. Hatter was able to remind himself of everything that he had left behind and that this world was a much better place for him, even if there were a few (living) people he sorely missed – namely Charlie and Dormie. Besides, Alice was more than worth it.
Alice put their dirty dishes onto the counter when they had finished and shifted so that she was sitting on his lap, Charlie's letter held tightly in her hand. Hatter wrapped his arms around her.
Gently, she opened the envelope and pulled out several folded pieces of paper.
Opening the one on top, Alice read:
"My dear Alice of Legend and David Hatter, if you are reading this letter than King Jack has successfully delivered this letter. For that, I am grateful. No doubt you are wondering why an old man like myself would write to you, especially from Wonderland. Have no fear, my good friends, I have important information to pass along to you. Well, and to write to Hatter to encourage him to get on with it and marry Alice of Legend already." Here, Alice paused and started laughing, turning to kiss him on the cheek before Hatter on the cheek. "I have enclosed letters that were entrusted to me over the years by a few very insightful people to pass along, in the event that I ran into you, which I did and forgot to do. Silly old me. Please forgive the scribbling of an old man. Just know that there are those of us who miss you and wish you all the happiness both our worlds. Best regards, Charlie, the White Knight."
She sighed and leaned back against Hatter's chest. He tightened his hold on her waist a bit, looking at the letter.
"Hang on," he said, seeing something at the bottom of the page. "Charlie something else – 'P.S. Hatter, Dormie wanted me that he hopes you got that hat rack that we sent through the Looking Glass for you.'"
Hatter looked at Alice, his eyes wide. A smile crossed his lips. He knew that Dormie and Charlie had something to do with that.
Alice laughed some, shifting through the other folded papers, seeing the names on them and the handwriting. She tensed a bit and Hatter looked over her shoulder and saw the one that she was looking at, the one with her name on it.
"That's my Dad's handwriting," she quietly told him. "How?"
"Read it, Alice. I'm sure he'll explain in the letter."
Hatter carefully took the other letters from her as she got off of his lap, going to sit in her abandoned chair. He saw the way her hands wobbled. Wisely, he looked down at the letters and shifted through them. It hadn't surprised him to see a letter for Carol, also in the writing he now recognized as Robert Hamilton's. He set it aside with great reverence.
As he looked through the remaining letters, Hatter saw a fair number addressed to him, in the writing of his few remaining friends in Wonderland. A few were even addressed to Alice. One, at the very bottom of the pile, caught him by surprise.
The untidy scrawl on the front was easily recognized. It was his Great-Uncle's.
Setting aside the other letters, apart from the one for Carol, to be looked at later, he carefully opened the letter and read:
'My dear David,' the letter began, 'I am so sorry that I could not be there for you as you grew up and opened your shop. But, things being as they are, I hope that my good friend, Charlie, has gotten this letter to you safely and in one piece. The man is genuine, but sometimes I doubt his sanity. David, I know that you have a great future ahead of you, whether it is here in Wonderland or even in the Oyster World, regardless of what your father might say. I am no fortune-teller, but you are a Hatter and the new Alice of Legend will come soon. She has that way about her. If you happen to meet her, keep her safe. Keep her happy. She is Alice and she is the most important thing you'll ever meet. I made that mistake, once upon a teapot, and let my Alice go without ever following her. Do not make the same mistakes that I did. Your mother, bless her heart, would have my favorite teacup if I didn't tell you this (and she wants me to tell you that she loves you – she is badgering me right now). And remember, dear boy, you're a Hatter. You're supposed be a bit mad, drink tea, and wear a hat. All my love and affection, your Great-Uncle, Madigan."
He couldn't help but smile at the letter. That sounded so like his Great-Uncle. The man always knew how to make him feel better. Wiping away a few tears, he looked up at Alice and saw her crying. His heart tugged at the sight of her.
Hatter rose and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her tightly, kissing the top of her head. "You're all right, Alice," he whispered into her ear.
She sobbed some, holding her father's letter tightly.
"He knew that there was something controlling him," she weakly explained, "so he wrote letters for Mom and me and got them to Charlie, just in case."
"Madigan gave Charlie a letter for me as well."
Alice looked up at him. "We're going to have to tell Mom about Wonderland soon. I couldn't bear to keep Dad's letter from her."
She was right, though Hatter had known that they were going to have to bring Carol in on the true nature of their meeting at some point. Jack's delivery had only stepped up that particular time-frame.
Hatter smiled at her and kissed her cheek.
Madigan was right. Alice was the most important thing in his life and he would do anything to keep her alive, safe, and happy.
That's chapter fifteen. Hope you like it. You know what to do – go review this chapter. Remember, reviews a happy writer makes.