Finding Normal . . . Or Something Like That

Chapter Eighteen

Disclaimer: Do I own it? Um . . . (checks pockets) . . . nope, still don't own anything.

This is chapter eighteen, in which the wedding takes place. Yep, here it is. The one you've all been waiting for.

Sorry it's been a while since I've updated. It's my last semester of college, so you know how it goes.

Alice's wedding dress: .net/wedding-dress/wedding-dresses-halter-2/

Hatter shifted from foot to foot. He was incredibly nervous, more so than he had ever been in his life and that was saying a lot. Still, excitement and an overwhelming sense that this was the right thing overlaid that nervousness.

Damn, he could really go for a cup of tea right now.

A hand patted his shoulder. Hatter looked over at Tim. The young man gave him a reassuring look.

"Don't worry, David," the man calmly said, "you'll do fine."

He laughed. "If I look like I'm about to fall over, hold me up."

"Will do."

Tim rolled his eyes and gave him a cheeky grin. Hatter knew that he had made the right choice in asking the man to be his best man. Tim had truly become the best (male) friend that Hatter had since he had come to this world. Granted Tim didn't know the full story behind his life before he had met Alice, but regardless, he had accepted all of the odd quirks that went along with Hatter's personality.

Piano music filled the air and Hatter's eyes immediately went to the back of the church. Meg came walking out first, in a light blue, knee-length dress, a sash of darker blue around her waist. She carried a small bouquet of sunflowers in her hands.

The music changed and the gathered witnesses stood from their pews, turning. And then Alice appeared.

She was breath-taking, dressed in a flowing white, halter dress, a band of blue around her waist. Alice had forgone a veil, he noted, her hair pulled back into a simple bun, with a few strands curling around her face. He could see the shine of a crystal decorative piece in her hair. Her bouquet, sunflowers as well, were bright, making Hatter smile.

He watched as Carol, taking the place of Robert (obviously by Alice's request), walked her daughter down the aisle.

Hatter was so glad that Alice had wanted a simple wedding. He wasn't much for pomp and circumstance. And, even with Carol's assistance, they were paying for most of the wedding themselves. Alice had been adamant, from the beginning, that they didn't need to over-do the ceremony itself and that the reception would be a continuation of the celebration. As a result, he had shut down the tea shop for the wedding and had had it decorated as the reception space. By his request, Anderson was providing the food and Francesca had offered use of her brother's band as a wedding present.

But all of that got pushed out of his brain as Alice and Carol (finally) reached him.

Carol kissed her daughter on the cheek, hugging her, before turning to him and opening her arms for a hug. Hatter embraced her, kissing her cheek. When he drew back, he knew he saw tears of joy in her eyes. Then, the older woman stepped to the side.

Alice beamed up at him and he grinned at her. It was hard to tear his eyes away from her. Taking her hand in his, Hatter looked up to the priest. Alice had personally asked that this man oversee the wedding and he couldn't deny her that. Father George had been a good friend to her mother and her, especially after Robert had disappeared.

"Dearly beloved," the man began, a genuine smile on his face, "we are gathered here today, in sight of God and friends, to celebrate the union of these two people, Alice Hamilton and David Hatter. I first met Alice many years ago, under very unfortunate circumstances. Her father had just passed away and, in an attempt to console Alice, Carol had brought her here. Although it was difficult at first, I found that Alice was a strong, intelligent, and capable person who flourished into an independent woman. We had many lively debates. When she came to me to ask if I would marry her to David, I was incredulous. Who was this odd young man who had managed to capture her heart?"
Both Alice and Hatter laughed. The first time he had met George, Hatter had been in full-blown Wonderland mode and, as such, had almost scared him right out of the tea shop.

Father George continued on, "But, as time went on and I got to know David, I saw how compassionate he was, how hard-working and motivated he was, and, most importantly, how much he truly loves Alice. And so, it is a great honor to be able to perform this ceremony today. Marriage is a true partnership. It takes time. It takes effort. It takes a lot of work from both sides. Alice, David, are you willing to face these challenges as they come?"

Hatter looked quickly at Alice and grinned. Together, they said, "We are."

"Good." George indicated for them to face one another and they did. "With that in mind, I have been told that you have written your own vows. Alice?"

Alice smiled at Hatter, taking both of his hands in hers. "David, when I first met you, I didn't know what to think. Well, I did. I thought you were crazy." A few people laughed at that. "But, as time went on and I got to know you better, I realized that, underneath the paisley-clad exterior, you were kind, considerate, a little rude at times, but, overall, a good man. Like you once told me, you're always there, when they pass the hat. Falling in love with you was the most natural thing in the world. I love you, David, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

Warmth and love rushed through him. Hatter knew that, if he was in the Casino, then the now ex-Queen of Hearts would have had a lot of joy out of him. Faintly, he heard George tell him it was his turn to speak.

"My dear Alice, you change me, for better or worse, though I like to think it was for the better. I never thought I would find someone who could see past all the negativity that I saw in myself, but you did. And to think that, when you came walking into my life, it was raining and you needed help. Of course, who wouldn't help a very pretty girl in a very wet dress?" Alice blushed bright red, but smiled none the less at that. "I love you, Alice, plain and simple, and I want to be yours for forever and a day."

The church was silent for a moment and he heard more than a few sniffs from the group.

"After that, there is little more that I can say," George said. "The love that these two share is evident." Hatter looked at the priest as he brought out the weddings rings. A rush of joy flushed through him – their wedding rings.

It only took a matter of moments for them to repeat the words of George, promising to love and cherish each other for as long as they both shall live, and to slip the rings onto the other's ring finger. Hatter took great pride in putting the ring on Alice's finger, just as he knew she felt the same about putting the ring on his finger.

"By the powers vested in me, by the Church and the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. David, you may kiss the bride."

Hatter didn't have to be told twice. He bent down and captured Alice's lips, pulling her close to him. He felt her arms twine around his neck. Playfully, because he couldn't resist, Hatter picked her up and swung her around, earning a laugh from the congregation. Alice's eyes were bright with laughter as they separated and he set her down.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. David Hatter."

Everyone burst into applause as he took her hand in his, squeezing lightly. Jubilant music echoed through the church and they walked back up the aisle. Hatter looked at his wife and felt a rush of excitement for that thought.

In the vestibule of the church, he leaned down and softly kissed her cheek.

"Hello, wife," he whispered into her ear.

Alice leaned into him, smiling. "Hello, husband."

He wrapped his arms around her, glancing back to see people beginning to file out of their pews. Very faintly, Alice groaned, though he saw the bright grin on her face. She was just as happy as he was. She leaned back against his chest. Hatter leaned down and rested his chin on her shoulder, not bothering to contain the cheeky, though entirely happy smile that split across his lips.

Hatter didn't really notice the number of pictures that people were taking. The fact that Alice – his wife! – was in his arms was sufficient distractions, he decided.

It didn't long to find Carol. The elder Hamilton boldly navigated her way through the crowd of well-wishers who had gathered around them on their way outside the church. She was glowing with pride as she came up to them.

Alice pulled out his arms reluctantly to hug her mother. Hatter hung back for a moment before wrapping his arms around the two women.

"Hi, Mom!" he said exuberantly.

Both of the women in his arms looked up at him. The chuckle to his right was definitively Alice's, though the surprised gasp was Carol's. A second later, a proud (if teary) smile crossed her face. Hatter knew that she understood what he was trying to tell her. It was a long road, but this was definitely the place that he wanted to be.

"Alright, you two," Carol said, as she disentangled herself from the newly-married couple, "there are people who want to take pictures with you and there's a reception that is waiting for the happy couple."

"Fine, Mom!" Alice said, with a playful groan.

Well, there it is. That's the wedding of Alice and Hatter. I hope it lived up to your expectations. Next up is the reception (of course!) and, given that this is Alice and Hatter, expect some fun times. You know what to do. Go review. Reviews make for a happy author.