Finding Normal . . . Or Something Like That

Chapter Twenty-two

Disclaimer: Yep, I don't own this.

Here's chapter twenty-two, in which Alice and Hatter have a long-awaited conversation and everything begins to fall into place.

Hatter tiredly walked into the apartment, trying very hard to suppress a yawn. Late nights at the tea shop were never fun, no matter how much he loved the place. It was his pride and joy, but it cost him romantic dinner dates with his wife sometimes and Hatter loved those dinner dates with his wife. Still, it was going to be worth it, he told himself.

As he closed the door behind him, he looked up to see Alice sitting on the couch, staring off into space, her knees pressed against her chest.

Something was very wrong.

"Hey, love," he said, walking towards her. She looked up at him as he sat down next to her, wrapping his arm around her.

"Hey, Hatter." Alice sounded depressed. Hatter didn't like it when Alice sounded depressed.

"What's wrong, Alice?"

She drew a deep breath. "You know how I was at the doctor's today?" Her question was tentative.

Hatter nodded. "Yeah, about that bug you've been dealing with." For a moment, Alice was quiet. She didn't look at him. That had Hatter even more concerned than before. Gently, he reached over and cupped her cheek, turning her face to him, gently stroking his thumb over her skin. "Is everything alright, Alice?"

"I don't have the flu."

He raised an eyebrow. "Well, if you don't have the flu, then what's wrong with you?"

Alice bit her lip. "It's not necessarily something wrong with me." Hatter noticed very pointedly how she emphasized the "wrong." Safe to say, his interest was raised. "It's just very unexpected at the moment, especially considering where we are right now."

It wasn't like Alice to beat around the bush and, as much as Hatter didn't like doctors, there was something important that they had told his beloved wife. Instantly, he began to fear the worst and he began to praying to all the gods (of this world and Wonderland) that Alice was going to be okay.

"Alice, what did the doctors say?"

A little smile crossed her lips and Alice took one of his hands. She guided it to rest on her stomach. Hatter looked at her stomach and their hands on it, the wheels in his head cranking faster than they had ever done before.

"Congratulations, Hatter. You're going to be a father."

Hatter sputtered for a moment, taking it all in. Finally, as his thoughts caught up with his brain, he gave a mighty cheer and scooped Alice up, swinging her around in his arms. She giggled some, holding onto him tightly. He kissed her full on the lips.

When he drew back, Hatter smiled brightly at his wife.

"We're having a baby!" he exclaimed.

"Yes, we are."

He set Alice down on her feet. Hatter swept his hat off of his head and ran a hand through his hair excitedly.

"That's – that's amazing, Alice!" He hugged her again, feeling as giddy as a schoolboy.

"So, you're not upset?" Alice's voice was tentative.

Hatter stopped and stared at her. "Why would I be upset? How could I possibly be upset about this, Alice?"

Alice fidgeted a bit. "We've only been married a year, Hatter. I mean, I know that the tea shop is doing fine and is prospering. All of my classes at the dojo are full." She paused and pressed a hand to her forehead, beginning to pace. "Oh now, I'm going to have find someone who'll cover for me at the dojo, maybe hire a temporary employee." She was babbling, clearly thinking out loud.

Hatter reached over and put his hands on her shoulders, stopping her. She looked at him with wide eyes.

"A baby is wonderful, Alice," he said firmly. "Don't worry about the dojo. It'll get sorted out." He cupped her face. "We're having a baby. We're going to be parents!"

Only then did she give him a wide, truly happy smile. "Yes, we are."

"How far along are you?" he asked, after a moment.

"Only six weeks," she answered.

Hatter grinned. "Have you told your Mum yet?"

Alice gave him a cheeky, Hatter-worthy grin as she twisted from side to side in a very playful manner. "Not yet. I wanted you to be first person that I told."

He met her eyes and a shared thought seemed to pass through both of their minds. "Well, what are we waiting for?"

Moments later, Alice was curled up next to him as he had the phone in his hand, dialing Carol's number. He held the device between the two of them as it rang. After three rings, Carol picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Mom," Alice said, her tone happy.

"Hello, Carol," Hatter echoed.

"David, Alice, what a pleasant surprise," Carol said, her tone genuinely happy and enthusiastic. Hatter smiled at Alice. "How are you two?"

"We're good, Carol," Hatter said. "How are you?"

Carol chuckled on the other end of the line. "I'm alright. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your call at this time of night?"

It was late, Hatter knew, but this call was worth it.

"Well, Mom, David and I have some news to share with you – some really good news."

He could almost hear Carol smiling on the other end of phone as she answered, "Really? And what might that news be?"

Hatter took Alice's hand and squeezed it lightly. Alice near-squealed, "We're having a baby!"

"Oh my goodness! Congratulations!" Carol exclaimed excitedly. "When did you find out?"

"Today," Alice said, "I had a doctor's appointment and he confirmed it."

"That's absolutely wonderful." There was a brief pause. "Were you with her, David, or did you just find out?"

Carol's question was light-hearted and Hatter knew that she was intrigued. "I only found out just now, right before we called you. Alice surprised me with the news when I got home from the shop."

"Regardless," Carol said, "this is wonderful news. Oh, I'm going to take you two out for a celebratory dinner."

"That sounds great, Mom."

They chatted with Carol for a few more minutes before they made their manners and said goodbye, plans in place for the three to go out for dinner later in the week. Hatter clicked off the phone and tossed it onto the coffee table. He pulled Alice close to him. She snuggled into his chest, sighing happily.

"We're having a baby," she stated.

"Yes, we are."

And Hatter couldn't possibly be happier about this. They were starting their family! He placed a kiss on the top of Alice's head as he made a silent promise that he would be there for Alice every step of the way. Then he made a silent promise to the growing baby in Alice's womb that he would the best father that he or she could ever have.

Alice nudged his side, after a while of them cuddling. Hatter looked down at her.

"Yes, Alice?"

"I think we might have to move. This apartment, as much as I love it, isn't going to be big enough for us when the baby comes."

Hatter nodded. "We can start apartment-shopping this weekend."

"Good."

And Hatter knew that everything was going to okay for them and their unborn son or daughter.

I know that this wasn't the longest chapter in the world, but the shortness is made up for in Alice and Hatter sweetness. Yay! They're finally starting their family!