Finding Normal . . . Or Something Like That

Chapter Nineteen

Disclaimer: Yep, I own nada. Pity

Here's chapter nineteen, in which Alice and Hatter's reception takes place.

The tea shop was bustling with activity as the limo pulled up in front of it. Hatter could see a fair number of people waiting inside for them. A part of him just wanted to go back to their apartment and not leave for a while. But an equal part of him was excited about going in there, with Alice – his wife.

He found that he quite enjoyed using that word in connection with Alice. Looking over at her, he grinned madly. Alice flushed, looking past him.

"Kinda scary in there, huh?"
Laughing, he leaned down and kissed her lightly. "Nothing we can't handle, love," he replied, as he pulled back.

"Can't be any worse than riding a flamingo," Alice said, a bit lamely. He caught a faint, nervous laugh on her voice and he warmed at the memory of her first, rather reluctant ride on a flamingo. That had ended so well.

"This time we won't get wet."

"I'm counting on it."

Hatter reached down and took her hand in his. Briefly, he marveled at the wedding ring on his hand. It had been something of a journey to get to that point but they had finally made it. He was so glad that they were there and was looking forward to a whole new set of adventures with Alice now.

She leaned into him, reaching up, putting his trusty old fedora on his head. The bright sunflower that she must have stuck in there earlier. Hatter grinned at her. Alice really did know him well. What would their wedding reception be if he didn't show up wearing his hat? Carol would be so disappointed him if he wasn't wearing it, even if there was something of a tried history between her and the thing.

"Pity you don't have a hat though, Alice," he mused, pensively. She rolled her eyes. "You are a Hatter now."

A slow smile crossed Alice's face. Great-Uncle Madigan would be so proud of that smile. It was truly mad.

"Who's to say I don't?" she asked cheekily.

She waved her hand in front of his face and Hatter couldn't help himself. He started laughing. In her hand was a newsboy cap, blue to match the sash around her waist, with a bright yellow sunflower attached. Alice set it on her head, mindful of the crystal barrette holding her bun in place. As a whole, her appearance was odd, but he didn't mind at all. It worked, strange as it might seem, Hatter decided.

Pleased, he leaned down and kissed her. "Shall we, Mrs. Hatter."

Laughter was evident in her voice. "Of course, Mr. Hatter."

A huge round of applause met their ears as soon as they entered the tea shop. Vaguely, he heard Tim announce, over the sound system, that he "was pleased to introduce David and Alice Hatter." Those words were easily lost by the number of people who were cheering for them.

Alice squeezed his hand.

More than a few people, he heard, were laughing and commenting on their hats, most priding themselves on getting the obvious connection between his – their- surname and the articles atop their heads. Carol, he knew, was the only one who really understood why the connection was so relevant. Hatter saw her chuckling, eyes bright, as she saw Alice's hat. No doubt the woman had helped Alice pick out her hat, coordinating it with her dress. His mother-in-law certainly had a sense of humor.

With an arm wrapped around Alice's waist, he made nice and did the whole receiving line that was proper for a wedding. For the most part, Hatter really didn't mind. A lot of the people were genuinely happy for them, namely his co-workers, most of her co-workers, their friends, and a good portion of Alice's family. There were those, he knew, in the Hamilton family that had been incredulous of him, vocally chiding both Alice and Carol about not knowing his family history and, to some extent, his choice of profession – not that any of them knew any better, of course.

Still, Hatter kept a smile on his face.

Alice's aunt, a woman near Carol's age named Lizzie, was next. It took everything in his power not to groan. Lizzie and her children had been among the most out-spoken against him. Alice had laughed it off, saying that Lizzie was only really proud of her children and that her cousins were just jealous that she had found someone with whom she could be happy.

"Congratulations, Alice, David," Lizzie said, lightly hugging them. "It was a beautiful wedding."

"Thank you, Aunt Lizzie," Alice replied. "We're both so glad that you could make it."

The older woman paused, looking at Hatter. "It's a pity that none of your family could make it, David." The disdain in her voice made him cringe on the inside. Alice squeezed his hand tightly, reassuringly.

"As am I, Lizzie, but, as you've probably heard, the two family members I wanted here couldn't possibly be here in person."

Alice caught the sadness and regret in his voice and she leaned against him. "Your Mom and Uncle Madigan are here in spirit, David."

"I know they are."

For now, that seemed to satisfy Lizzie, as she moved on. Alice kissed him on the cheek, earning more than a few cheers from their guests. Hatter smiled, despite the sadness that had unexpectedly washed over him.

Finally, after what felt like forever, they finally got through the receiving line. Alice slid her hand through his elbow, gently tugging him towards the tables. They had agreed that, since they were going to have their reception at the tea shop, then the reception itself should be less than formal. There were no specific seating arrangements, save for the head table, where he, Alice, Tim, Meg, and Carol would all be sitting. Everyone else could sit where they wanted. They wanted their guests to have fun. As they sat down, Hatter noticed that everyone was taking their cues from them and gathering around tables of their own.

The sound system crackled and whined briefly. He winced. That was something they would have to fix later on.

Meg stepped into middle of the dance floor, the microphone in her hand, a grin on her face.

"Alright everyone," she said, with a laugh, "now that I have your attention, we can begin." Everyone chuckled some. "I met Alice in our freshman year of college. We sat next to each other in freshman composition and, lucky for Alice, I was the whole reason she passed that class whatsoever. Okay, I joke. Alice and I have been friends for a long time and the stories that I could tell you about Alice are numerous and colorful. But I'll spare you the embarrassment though. Still, knowing Alice for as long as I have, I've picked up on a few things about her. Alice is a tough, smart, independent woman who has a close relationship with her mom. She has high standards and expectations; so when she first told me about this guy she was dating, named David, I, like many other people, had my reservations. Based on what she told me, David seemed to be crazy and the absolute wrong person for Alice, but then I met him. He is warm, kind, a bit mad, and totally in love with Alice. It didn't take me very long to realize that they were meant to be together. They work." Meg turned to look at them. "Alice, David, you two are the craziest, sanest people I know and I'm honored to know both of you. I am proud to call you my friends and I look forward to seeing you in this new chapter of your lives together."

Applause met their ears. Alice looked at Meg, smiling. Hatter saw her mouth 'Thank you' to Meg as she handed the microphone to Tim. Meg slipped next to Alice, hugging her some and smiling at Hatter warmly.

"How do you follow that up?" Tim asked. "Like Meg, I've known Alice for a long time and had similar reservations about David when I first heard about him. Once I met him, I realized that he was a really cool person and he became someone I truly trust and respect. I don't have as many stories about the stupid things that David's done in his past. Alice won't tell me any and David says that I won't believe him if he told me. Still, I've had the chance to see them together and I will agree with Meg. They work together. Not only do they have the literary thing going for them, but they are generally good people." Tim gave them a big, warm smile, as he continued. "David and Alice, you two are awesome and I can't think of two people more right for each other than you two." He picked up a glass of wine and raised it. "To the Hatters. May they have a long and happy life together."

"To the Hatters."

Hatter looked at Alice and she leaned over to him, whispering in his ear, "We should give our speech now."

He nodded and they stood up. Alice took the microphone from Tim.

"David and I want to thank you all for coming and celebrating our wedding with us. It means so much to us. But, before we get to the food, we want to take some time to thank someone very special to the both of us – my mom, Carol Hamilton." Alice looked at her mother and David saw a tear slip down her cheek. "Mom, I wouldn't be the woman I am today if it wasn't for you. You were there when I didn't believe in myself. You helped me through some of the worst times of my life. I love you so much."

Hatter wrapped an arm around her waist, as she choked up, pressing his cheek against the top of her head, displacing her hat some, pulling her close to him. Taking the microphone from her, he continued, "Carol, you did an amazing job raising Alice. Every day, I am impressed by you. You were willing to accept me into your life with open arms, even when I had my moments. I love you as if you were my own mother." Carol smiled, tears in her eyes. She knew the meaning behind his words. He gave her a look, feeling tears well up in his eyes. "Since Alice and I are Hatters, that makes you a Hatter by association and, as such, we have a token of our love and appreciation for you."

Tim handed him the cheerily-decorated bag that had been hidden behind his chair. Alice pulled her mother up to them. Tears slid down her cheek as he handed her the bag. She opened it and pulled out a boater hat with a dark blue sash around it. Carol laughed, wiping away her tears, and proudly put the hat on her head.

She took the microphone. "I'll only say a few words here. Alice, my daughter, I am so proud of you and the woman you are today and I know your father would be as well. David, if only your Mom and Uncle Madigan could see you today. They would be proud of you and what you've accomplished. So, on their behalf, I am so glad to call you my son and to have you in my family."

She hugged them both, kissing them each on the cheek.

Alice leaned over and spoke into the microphone, "Alright everyone, enough with the emotional stuff. Get some food and enjoy the reception."

So what did everyone think? You know what to do. Review! I'll try to get another chapter of Alice and Hatter awesomeness up soon – also known as THE HONEYMOON!