A/N: Another trip back to London in this one. Please enjoy and tell me what you think!

I was very excited one morning to find a letter from my mother, inviting us to come and stay with her for a few days. She was missing her grandchildren and wanted to tell us some news going on in the family. I quickly talked it over with Tarrant and wrote back that we would see her soon.

"I wonder what the news is?" I wondered aloud as I wrote back.

"Maybe your sister finally got rid of that pig," Tarrant suggested.

"I couldn't hope for the news to be that good. I hate to say it, but I certainly hope she isn't expecting another child with him."

He made a face indicating that he definitely agreed with that.

The next day, we had everyone packed. Poor Tarrant looked like a pack mule trying to get all the stuff for a 6 year old, a 1 year old and two adults through the mirror. Finally, we were in London and Tarrant collapsed onto my bed.

"Alice, I don't think you realize just how much you pack!"

"Better safe than sorry," I replied.

"Better breathing than dead," he muttered.

I sighed. "Come on, Charlotte, let's go find your grandmother while Daddy takes a rest."

He waved his hand at us letting us know that we should definitely go without him for now.

We made our way downstairs and found mother in the sitting room with Margaret.

"Auntie Margaret! Grandma!" Charlotte cried, running to them.

"Hello, Lottie dear," my mother said, embracing her.

"How's my little curly girl?" Margaret asked.

"I'm well, Auntie. And you?"

Margaret's face fell and I instantly knew that the news wasn't a new baby. "I'm well, too, Charlotte," she replied softly.

"Margaret?" I asked, tentatively. It was then that I finally noticed Lowell, Jr. hiding behind her chair. I raised an eyebrow to her.

"We shall talk on it later. For now, let me see my nephew!" She reached out and Will reached back for her. "He really favors Tarrant now, doesn't he?"

"Indeed."

"What did I do now?" Tarrant asked as he entered the room.

"You're safe for now," I replied. "Margaret was just saying how much Will is starting to look like you."

"Yes, I suppose he does. Poor child."

I slapped his shoulder lightly. "I think you're both quite handsome."

He shrugged and stared off a bit, indicating that the conversation was over. Margaret finally coaxed little Lowell from behind the chair and to at least acknowledge his cousins. Without the oppressive glare of his father, he actually had some fun playing with Charlotte.

Soon enough it was time for supper. I was glad the timing was right for Charlotte to eat. I always worried that leaving at one time in Underland wouldn't necessarily mean that we would end up in the Otherworld at that same time. We never seemed to have that problem, though.

Before I knew it, it was time to put the children down for bed. I was grateful that they were very worn out and fell asleep easily. I wanted to get back downstairs and talk to my sister as soon as possible.

"All right then. Something is amiss here. Fill me in."

Margaret instantly burst into tears. "Alice!"

I rushed over and knelt in front of her. "Maggie," I began, using the nickname I only used for certain occasions. "What on earth is wrong?"

"It's Lowell. He's … he's dead!"

I gasped. "Dead?"

"He got into some sort of bar fight and he was shot."

I had no words.

"He was such a terrible person, though. He was caught blackmailing people in London and threatening others. Three different charges of assault! Not to mention doctoring the books with his family's finances."

Tarrant scooted to the other side of the loveseat to be next to Margaret's chair. "Margaret, first, let me say how sorry I am that this has happened to you. No one deserves the pain you've been through. Second, I want you to know how happy we are that you've finally gotten away from it," he told her.

She smiled, just a little. "Thank you, Tarrant. That's very sweet of you to say."

"Well, it's the truth. I've never met a nicer family than this one, well, perhaps my own, but I would be a bit biased in saying that, but either way, I loved all of you dearly and hate to see such bad things happen to all of you. Of course, it really doesn't get much worse than it did on –"

"Tarrant," I said softly, grabbing his hand.

"Yes, sorry." By now, my mother and sister were getting used to Hatter's rants. Mostly. "But my point is that it's better this way. Now, perhaps you can find someone who loves you."

My mother cleared her throat pointedly.

I cast a questioning glance to both of them.

"Well, tell her," Mother prodded.

Margaret blushed a bit. "I think I may have found someone."

My mouth dropped open, literally. Tarrant was gentlemanly enough to close it for me.

"I have finally rendered Alice Kingsleigh Hightopp, speechless!" she said proudly. "I don't think I've ever done that before!"

"I believe you finally have!" I finally replied. "So, tell me all about him!"

Margaret blushed even more. I could tell this was hard for her in once sense, but she also was dying to talk about it.

"Well, he's … an attorney at the firm that handled all of Father's affairs."

I remembered the lawyers at the firm our family used. There were two of them. I thought for a moment. That would have had to have been … "Mr. Hunnicut or Mr. Kingsford?"

"Mr. Kingsford."

My face dropped. He was so old! "Mr. Kingsford?"

"Yes! Wait, no … I can tell by your face that you're thinking of the father. His son has taken over the office. Brandon, not Richard."

"Oh! Well, that certainly makes a difference! Brandon, Brandon," I pondered, trying to picture Brandon Kingsford instead of his father Richard. "Oh! Brandon! I remember him now. It's been years since I've seen him, but he was quite handsome." I glanced to see my husband's eyes take a barely yellow tint to the green. "Oh, Tarrant calm down. Of course I think you are even more handsome."

He blushed a bit and his eyes instantly returned to green. I swear, men could be such babies.

Margaret chose to ignore our little exchange. "Yes, he is quite handsome. And so kind and thoughtful and he gets along well with little Lowell." She paused for a second. "I've spoken with little Lowell, and he's agreed to let me call him Jacob now; his middle name. Am I a terrible person?"

"For what? For not giving him the legacy of his father? Margaret, I see nothing wrong with it. Did he have a problem with it?"

"No. In fact, he seems to prefer it now. I think he didn't like his father very much."

"Then I say do it. To be honest, I'll prefer it as well. I didn't like calling him Lowell," I said with a smile.

Margaret barely returned the smile. "Neither did I."

I rose from kneeling before her and climbed onto her lap, like we used to do when we were small.

"Alice, really, don't you think we're too old for this?" she said with a giggle.

"No, no I don't."

Hatter laughed heartily at the sight and my mother shook her head as she stifled her laugh.

"Oh, Mother, just laugh with us. I think we need it!" I said.

She gave in once I pulled my sister's head to me and gave her a big kiss on her cheek.

"Now, I think we need to meet Brandon. When can he arrive?" I asked.

Margaret looked concerned. "Do you think it's too soon?"

"Too soon? Maggie, time moves so differently for us, it might be another year before I see you! You could be married and with child at that point!"

My sister blushed 7 shades of red. "Alice!"

"Pfft!" I climbed off her lap and went to sit beside Tarrant.

"Perhaps a dinner party?" my mother suggested.

My face fell a bit. She knew I hated these things.

"Oh Alice, hush. I won't be throwing suitors at you this time. You can just sit back and relax. We'll just invite a few people and Brandon of course."

"Which few people?" I asked.

"Don't worry, Hamish is out of town," my mother said, seemingly reading my mind.

"Ok, that's enough for me."

Finally we all retired to our rooms. Once Tarrant crawled into bed with me, and held me close, he whispered, "Are you ok with this?"

"With what? Lowell? Of course! That man was a dog and I hate to say that I'm glad that he's dead, but at the same time, I'm certainly thrilled that he's out of my sister and nephew's lives."

"Yes, I think it's definitely for the best." He was quiet for a bit. "You know I'd never be like that, right?"

I rolled over to face him. "Of course, darling. You are the finest form of a gentleman out there. You'd never do anything to hurt me." I smiled. "And you know I'm good with a sword, so you know better as well."

Tarrant laughed. "Too true, my love. Good night, sweet Alice. I love you."

"I love you as well, Hatter. Good night."

Two days later it was time for the big party. I was excited to finally be at a party where I wasn't on display. Hatter and Charlotte were nervous, given their appearances, but I told them once I tidied them up, it wouldn't be bad at all.

I braided Lottie's hair back and the hat her father made for her covered most of it anyway. I pulled Tarrant's hair back and covered it with his hat. He looked so handsome! The only thing that made me nervous was the colors around his eyes, but there was nothing to be done for it. They were lighter here in this world, but still noticeable. I told him that no one would worry about it anyway.

Soon enough, we were dressed and ready to go. I had to admit that the Hightopps were a fine-looking family. We made our way down to the party, where the dancing had already begun. My mother could certainly throw together a fine gathering in a short amount of item. I glanced over and saw Margaret dancing with Brandon. He was still quite handsome and they looked very happy together. I smiled as I watched.

"Dearheart, I'm going to get us something to drink," Tarrant said, breaking me from my revelry.

"What? Oh, yes, that would be lovely."

He walked off and I spotted my mother. She waved and Charlotte ran right over to her. I smiled again at just how lovely the evening would be.

"Alice Kingsleigh. What a surprise to see you here," I heard from behind me.

I cringed at the voice and spun around. "Hamish!"

Perhaps not so lovely.

A/N: Ok, so this chapter was originally supposed to be about Tarrant meeting Hamish, but when I wrote about Margaret being there, I just had to get rid of Lowell. I feel better about that. Don't worry, I've got the next chapter already started, so it shouldn't be too long!