Finding Normal . . . Or Something Like That
Chapter Twenty-Three
Disclaimer: Nope, absolutely no owning here. Sorry!
Okay, guys, so I've made the decision that, after this chapter, there will only be one more in this story and then "Finding Normal, Or Something Like That" will be officially ended. It came as a hard decision, but this was a decision that I needed to make.
Here is chapter twenty-three, in which Alice and Hatter welcome their first child into the world.
Nothing in the whole universe could ever have prepared Hatter for the moment that his wife went into labor and he had to take her to the hospital to deliver their first child. Like any first-time father, he knew that he was stressed and nervous beyond belief. But, to his great credit, both he and Alice were well-prepared for this.
Regardless of his personal opinions of doctors (they hadn't gotten any nicer since that first time he was in the hospital, waiting on Alice), the nurses were as nice as he remembered. They had been very indulgent of his eccentricities and his obvious nerves.
Alice wasn't much better than he was. She was the one in labor after all.
Carol had met them in the hospital, an hour after Alice had been checked in. That was the fasted that she could there. Hatter was infinitely glad that his mother-in-law was there. She handled making all the calls to the friends and family, running interference for Alice and Hatter. That meant that Hatter could stay at Alice's side and be there for the delivery of their child. Hatter knew that Alice would never forgive him if he fainted during the delivery.
Regardless of all of their worries, after eight hours after Alice's water broke, she delivered a healthy baby boy.
Hatter felt his heart swell with sheer fatherly pride as he watched Alice take their newly-swaddled son into her arms, cooing gently over him, rocking him carefully. Hatter gently sat down on the bed and wrapped an arm around Alice. The nurses were busy around them, finishing getting everything cleaned up after the delivery.
He put his chin on Alice's shoulder, smiling down at their son – their son!
Their baby was so small and so precious. Given that he was their son and a Hatter, it was only fitting that the cap he wore to keep his infant head warm was unique. Carol had insisted (somewhat to the chagrin of the nurses) that he wear a soft cap of bring orange and yellow with the word "Hatter" emblazoned across the front.
"He's perfect," Hatter said, kissing Alice's cheek.
Alice sighed. "Yes he is." Their son snuggled closer to his mother. "Hello, kiddo."
The door was pushed open and Carol came walking into the room. Hatter smiled at her as she walked to the open side of the room. A watery grin crossed Carol's face as she looked down at her grandson.
"Mom," Alice said, looking up at her mother, "meet your grandson, Robert Madigan Hatter."
A tear escaped from the corner of Carol's eye. She understood the significance of the name and Hatter knew that she appreciated it. They hadn't told anyone the name of their son, even though they did tell everyone that they were having a boy. Alice had wanted to keep some element of surprise and Hatter had been quick to second that idea.
Still, as Carol sat down on the bed to get a closer look at little Robert, the older woman said, "He's a little angel. His grandfather and great-grand uncle would be so proud to meet him." Carol looked at Hatter and smiled. "And his other grandmother too, if she were here."
Hatter returned her smile. "They're looking down on him, from wherever they are, Carol. I know it."
"They're probably raising a cup of tea in his honor," Alice added, gently kissing the top of Robert's head.
"Uncle Madigan's probably saying how it's not his un-birthday." Carol and Alice both laughed at that. Alice looked at Hatter and gently handed Robert over to him. He cradled his son close to him, smiling. Tears filled his eyes. "Little boy, we're going to have the grandest adventures."
"And the greatest tea parties," Alice commented.
Hatter chuckled. "Well naturally, if there's one thing a Hatter knows how to do, it's have a tea party."
"And wear hats," Carol said. She was smiling. "It's only right that a Hatter wears a hat and drinks tea."
After a few more minutes, Hatter rose from the bed and walked around to Carol, letting her take her turn. Carol was careful as she held her grandson for the first time. Hatter sat back down, holding Alice close to him.
His wife was tired, which was only expected after childbirth. She leaned against him. Hatter, smiling cheekily, pulled out a long stocking cap and set it on her head. Alice chuckled a bit. Carol did too, when she looked up.
There was a hat for every occasion and Hatter was never one to turn down presenting his wife with a new hat. She did need to build her hat collection.
When Carol returned Robert to his mother's arms, she reached over and patted Hatter on the arm. Hatter looked at her.
"I'm sorry your family couldn't be here to see your son, David," she said. "But I know that they would be so proud of you, of Alice, and of your little boy."
"Thanks, Carol." Hatter smiled down at Alice and Robert. "I have my family here and that's good enough for me."
The three shared a knowing look.
Family, Hatter had come to realize over the past few years, wasn't something that you were really born into. Yes, the family you had when you were a baby generally stayed your family. But that wasn't the only definition of family. Family was what you made it to be, and Hatter was very proud to say that his wife (laying there in that hospital bed), his son (snuggled close in his wife's arms), and his mother-in-law (smiling at her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson) were his close family now.
He couldn't be happier.
The White Rabbit could pop up and Hatter would give him a big hug, because Hatter was just that happy.
Of course, he would never tell Alice that. She would probably hit him upside the head (and Hatter didn't doubt that she could do that with their son in her other arm).
Still, after Carol had excused herself after a half hour of conversation to begin making the phone calls to everyone that Robert was safely delivered into the world, Hatter laid close to Alice on the hospital bed. It would be a few minutes more before the nurses came to take Robert to the nursery so that Alice could get a few hours of sleep and so that Hatter could dash back to their new house to shower and bring fresh supplies for Alice.
Hatter smiled. They had a crazy few years ahead of them and he was so glad that they were already moved into their new house.
But, he decided, crazy was a good thing and crazy was something that both he and Alice could handle very well. After all, he was the Mad Hatter and, as such, crazy was a staple of his very existence.
Yes, everything was good for them.
Let me know what you think! You know how I appreciate reviews!
Like I said above, there will only be one more chapter (the epilogue) after this and it will be something of an epilogue, set a few years after this chapter, so we'll get to see Alice and Hatter and their family a little ways down the road.