Finding Normal . . . Or Something Like That

Epilogue

Disclaimer: Yep, I really don't own anything here. I'm just playing in this sandbox.

This is the very last chapter of this story. I never thought that it would come to an end, but here it is. Like I said in the last chapter, it wasn't an easy decision to end this story, but I felt like it was time to come to an end. All good things must end and we are leaving Hatter and Alice on a good note.

Maybe I'll come back and give you all a new story about our favorite odd Wonderland couple. We'll see. One never knows when and where the Muse will strike.

Still, this was a story that I enjoyed writing and I want to say a bit thank-you to everyone who has stuck with it from the beginning. This chapter goes out to all of you.

So, without further ado, I give you:

The epilogue, in which Alice and Hatter tell their children a bedtime story.

The giggles of three children cut through the air as the tall tale of their father was spun through the air. It was just like any other bedtime story that was told in the Hatter household, full of adventures and monsters and crazy white knights.

Or just another of his crazy stories about Wonderland.

Hatter was full of those, Alice had decided, a long time ago, when he had first telling the bedtime stories, when Bobby was three and their little girl, Lana Carol, was a mere babe in arms.

Now, Bobby, aged ten, Lana, aged seven, and Charles Jack, aged four, were completely entranced by their father's story. Alice couldn't help but smile as she watched Hatter spin the story. It was about Wonderland. In fact, it was the children's favorite Wonderland story of all, about how a silly and tough Oyster-girl in a blue dress fell through a Looking Glass and made a very suave, hat-wearing tea shop owner leave Wonderland behind.

Most kids only got their parents to read the books by Lewis Carroll to them when they were growing up. Bobby, Lana, and Charlie, on the other hand, got the crazy adventures of Wonderland told to them directly from their father.

But it was worth it.

Finally, Hatter was finishing his story. Alice tuned in to see how he ended it this time. He liked to vary the endings, depending on his mood.

"And so, after Alice fell back to her world through the Looking Glass," Hatter was saying, "the Mad Hatter decided to follow her. Of course, when he got to the Oyster-world, Alice was very hurt, so he had to get her to the hospital. Now, the Mad Hatter doesn't particularly like doctors, but the nurses are particularly helpful. They let him stick around until Alice's mother got there. Well, the Mad Hatter couldn't tell her about Wonderland yet, so he told her that he was merely a nice construction worker who saw Alice run towards the Looking Glass. Alice's mother was so grateful for his help (and because he was so nice), that she invited him to stop by her and Alice's house, once Alice got out of the hospital."

"What happened next, Dad?" Lana asked, her eyes wide, as she clutched her white rabbit stuffed animal.

Hatter smiled. "Well, of course, the Mad Hatter stopped by. He liked Alice after all. She was an interesting person. But, see, he was afraid that she wouldn't remember him, since only an hour had passed in the Oyster-world, when much longer had passed in Wonderland. But, when Alice and the Mad Hatter saw each other, Alice did remember him."

Alice smiled as she remembered their reunion. She walked into the room and wrapped her arms around her husband's shoulders.

"Alice said the Mad Hatter's name and ran up to him, hugging him tightly. Then she told him how happy she was to see him." She looked at her three children. "Do you know what happened next, kids?"

"What, Mom?" Bobby asked.

"They kissed and lived happily ever after."

The three kids giggled and let their mother usher them off to bed.

Once they were safely in bed and the lights were turned off, Alice and Hatter walked downstairs to the living room.

Alice smiled to herself. Life was good for them. Hatter's tea shop was prosperous and her dojo had recently expanded. They were doing well for themselves. Carol was still taking renovating jobs and she was a regular visitor in their home.

Hatter twirled her around and pulled her into a close embrace. He was smiling as he bent down and lightly kissed her on the lips.

When he pulled back, his eyes were sparkling brightly.

"Finally," he said.

And Alice knew what he meant.

Well, this is it – the end. It's over now. I supposed you can do me the honor of giving final reviews, letting me know what you thought of this story in general.

Thank you to everyone who has ever reviewed this story. It's was wonderful to hear from you. Just because "Finding Normal, Or Something Like That" is finished doesn't mean I won't still be writing. Check out my other stories and, if they suit your fancy, give them a whirl.

As someone once said: "Thank you, and good night."