A/N: This chapter is thanks to LittlePlagueSpirit. They suggested this storyline and honestly, when I read that, the chapter just wrote itself. So, thank them if it's good. And if you don't like it, then blame me. :-)

Also, can I please recommend a video? It's "Start Again" by xAngelicInsanityx.

http: // www . youtube . com / watch?v=xHixFUDPbzU It's so flipping amazing that I don't even have the words for it. I found the recommendation for it in DariaSilver's story "Alice in Underland." (Which is also amazing)

It has been so great to find this section of stories and I know that I wasn't the only crazy person to wish that Alice had stayed with Hatter and had babies and a happy life. And also, thanks to all those who share in my love for the kilt. Awesomeness.

Ok, super ramblings over before someone has to yell, "Starlight!" and get me out of my trance.

"You know what will happen tonight, right?" I asked as we climbed into bed.

Tarrant nodded sadly as he looked out the window and saw the storm beginning to rage. "I also know what I wanted to happen tonight."

I fought the urge to laugh at him. He was pouting like a child who was denied his dessert. (Well, I suppose in once sense he was.) "Hatter, honestly. You say that as if we never do anything. I have an entire room of hats that says otherwise."

He smirked at that, obviously proud of just how many hats I had, and thinking of just how many more I would have in the future. "Yes, cricket, I know this. But it doesn't change the plans I had for tonight. If anything, it urges me on. The need to make another hat."

"Poor deprived Tarrant," I teased. "Just go to sleep. Once the storm really gets going, you know they'll be in here."

I kissed him sweetly, not wanting to make him any worse. "Good night. I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetness."

I curled up to him and put my head on his chest. The rain began to beat against the castle, making a soothing rhythm, for now.

"Bloody weather," Tarrant muttered as he absent-mindedly stroked my hair.

I smiled at his frustration, knowing that it only mirrored my own. But the fast approaching storm would take precedence over love making tonight. We needed to rest now because the rest of the evening would undoubtedly bring guests to our room. Guests that required us to be coherent and clothed. Knowing that, I allowed the sleep to claim me.

Only a short time later, I awoke to a loud thunderclap. This type of weather was rare in Underland, but when it came it was always harsh.

Tarrant began talking in his sleep. "No, I don't want a scone. Barely even like scones. Now cakes, cakes are the way to go. That is of course, unless you are someone who enjoys scones, rather then you should –"

"Hatter!" I said softly to break him out of his ramblings.

"Thank you," Hatter whispered and began to snore softly.

I could see that the storm wasn't affecting him much.

"Mummy!" Will called. I had a feeling he would be first. I got out of bed and stumbled to his room.

"What's wrong, Will?" I asked as I opened the door.

"It's so very loud! And I'm scared, Mummy! Can I sleep with you and Daddy?" Our four-year old son looked at me with Tarrant's eyes and I knew I wouldn't be able to tell him no.

"Yes, come with me. And get your hat." The only thing that would help Will sleep was a stuffed top hat that Tarrant made him. It really was cute.

Just then, a flash of lightning lit up the room.

"Mummy! Daddy!" cried Charlotte.

I picked up Will and started to carry him to Lottie's room. "Let's get your sister, too."

She bolted at me the second I opened her door. She was always scared of the lightning more than the thunder.

"Mummy! Can I please sleep with you and Daddy?" Charlotte pleaded.

"Of course, Lottie, let's go."

As we were entering the bedroom, I could still hear Tarrant talking in his sleep. He so rarely did this that I found it terribly amusing. I began to wonder just what was going on inside that head of his and where his dream had taken him since I left to fetch our children.

"No, no scones! Please go. Having Alice here!" he mumbled.

Oh!

"Hatter!" I said sharply, hoping to get him out of that dream quickly.

Tarrant sat up, startled, and looked at the three of us. He blinked rapidly and finally focused. "Oh dear. Right then. Did the storm frighten everyone?"

"Yes!" Charlotte cried as she rushed to her father. "Daddy, it's so bright and so loud!"

He picked her up and sat her on the bed. "Ah, but there is nothing to fear here. The thunder may be loud and the lightning may be bright, but you are safe with us."

Will and I joined them, just as another clap of thunder boomed, almost trying to prove Hatter wrong. Lottie jumped and clutched Tarrant's arm. She whimpered and he held her close. The thunderclap made Will shudder in my arms and the following lightning bolt made Lottie hold even tighter to Tarrant.

"Buttercup, dinnae fret now. We're here and nothing will harm yeh. Did I not tell you that we would be safe?" he asked her.

"I know, Daddy. It's just so bright."

"And loud!" Will added.

"Yes, it is. But your mother and I are right here and nothing will harm you."

Will relaxed at this, but Lottie seemed uncertain, still holding onto Tarrant's arm for dear life.

"I'm still scared."

"Buttercup, I made you a vow when you were born. Now, of course you wouldn't remember this since you were only just minutes old and probably dreadfully confused about your newest location what with the brightness and the chilliness and the much more space–"

Charlotte giggled. "Daddy!"

He shook his head slightly and looked at her. "Thank you … I'm fine."

I was torn between wondering if Tarrant did slip into a ramble or if he was just faking one to make Charlotte laugh. I was fairly certain that it was, in fact, the latter. Anything to calm her down.

"At any rate, I promised you that I would always protect you. And I will. I will always protect you and your Mummy and your little brother too. This is what Hightopps do. We protect each … other."

I could see the pain in his rapidly changing eyes as he said that. There were no other Hightopps to verify that promise for her, aside from the ones sitting in the bed with her. On the contrary, none of the previous Hightopps were able to protect each other on that horrific day. I knew Tarrant still blamed himself for that being true. He insisted he could have done something to prevent the destruction of his clan, despite numerous contradictions from numerous people that it wasn't his fault at all and that he had actually done the right thing.

"Yes, Lottie. Our family will always keep you safe," I said, hoping to break him from what I feared could become a trance.

"Yes, yes. Always. I will not let anyone or anything harm you," Tarrant reiterated, his eyes returning to green.

Charlotte loosened her death grip on Tarrant's sleeve just the slightest. I persuaded Will to put his head upon the pillows, as I put my elbow on one, propping up my head. I noticed Tarrant doing the same.

As we laid there, with our two children between us, I flashed back to my own childhood. My mother found it terrible when Margaret and I would want to climb into bed with our parents. Father, not surprisingly, was all right with it. So, my mother would deal with us
being there. Now, I wondered just what her problem was. Surely there was no decorum for this kind of thing. If a child is frightened, why would a parent not want to comfort them? I glanced down at Will who was finally asleep, grasping tightly to his hat. Tarrant had finally convinced Charlotte to lie down and was softly singing something in Outlandish to her.

Finally, I saw her eyes begin to droop and she succumbed to sleep.

Tarrant glanced over to me. "Well, that was interesting," he whispered.

I nodded. "You were wonderful with her," I replied quietly.

He looked down at her and smiled. "She really is Daddy's little girl, is she not?"

"Without a doubt in my mind."

He laid his head down and suddenly a thought occurred to me.

"Hatter…" His head popped up again. "The tea tables? Really?"

He grinned at me. "Best of both worlds, love."

I sighed. Only my Hatter.

"I love you, Alice."

I rolled my eyes but returned his smile. "I love you, too, Tarrant."

We laid down again. I knew the storm would last all night, and was likely to wake the children again, but with all of us together, nothing could happen.