A/N: Hello readers! I feel it's probably time to once again mention that I own nothing recognizable in this story. Not a penny is being made from it! I'm just doing this because fluffy Alice and Tarrant make me smile. :-)

As I was walking to my office, I heard the unmistakable sounds of my husband's voice coming from Mirana's office.

"Any excuse, eh?"

"Come now, Tarrant! It would be lovely and you know it! Besides, everyone adores them!"

"Not everyone. Alice isn't one to love them."

I decided to go play referee to whatever was going on. Especially if I was involved.

"What would be lovely that I wouldn't love?" I asked as I entered the room.

"Alice! Yes! You'll help me on this!" Mirana said excitedly, getting an eye roll from Tarrant. "Don't you think a ball is in order to celebrate the return of the Hightopp family?"

Why in Underland's name did she think I would help her with this? My dislike of formal dances was practically a running joke with the 3 of us.

"Well, Mirana, I know you think it would be wonderful …"

"See!" Tarrant interrupted. "Alice thinks it's awful too."

"Now, I never said awful!"

"The Hightopps have always been and, thanks to the two of you, still remain one of the most respected families in all of Underland," Mirana explained. "Why should we not celebrate Macbean, Moibeal, Briallen and Gweneira's return?"

"But do you think it's too soon?" I asked.

"Well I'm not having it tonight!" Mirana countered. "I was thinking two nights from now."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as well.

"Has anyone asked them about this?" I asked.

"No, but that is why I am asking Tarrant," Mirana explained. "I wanted to get his opinion first. Though, I assumed that this was the answer I would get."

"Alice, doesn't it sound ridiculous?" my husband asked.

It occurred to me that it was a very good thing that we were in Underland and that it was also a very good thing that we were friends with the queen. Speaking like that to royalty would have been completely scandalous in London.

"No, it doesn't sound ridiculous," I said. Mirana beamed. "But it doesn't sound wonderful either," I added. Her face fell. "I think a celebration would be nice if, and I stress if, the Hightopps are in favor of it. Come now, Mirana, think of their point of view. They were just zipped forward in time. Saved from terrifying and firey scene. Perhaps they'll just need some time to adjust."

Mirana looked unconvinced.

"Not to mention, should we really make a big deal about how they returned? If everyone knows that we used the jabberwocky blood to go back in time, then others may want to try the same thing to save their relatives, and possibly mess up Time itself."

"Well, I suppose that is a good point. Then we could just have an unbirthday celebration and only we will know why we are really having it. And when people ask why the Hightopps are back, we shall just say that the magic of Underland wanted them back here and that we are not to question it."

"Yes, I think that is the way to go whether we have a ball or not," I said, glad to have an answer when surprised people saw my in-laws unexpectedly back from the dead.

Then suddenly … "There you are!" I heard Moibeal say from the doorway.

Tarrant spun and smiled at his mother.

"Mhac, I've been lookin' all over for yeh. Where have I wandered to?" she asked before taking in her surroundings. "Oh! Yehr majesty, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed as she curtsied low.

"Now, now, Moibeal. I have told you that you and your family are more than welcome here in the palace. My office is no different."

"Yes, but—"

"Mathier! Listen to her!" Tarrant interrupted, getting a glare from Moibeal.

"Fine, fine. I just needed to tell yeh that Mallymkun and Thackery are lookin' for yeh."

"Oh! Tea time already! Mirana, we'll finish this later?"

"Nonsense, your mother is here. Why shouldn't we ask her now?" Mirana said, with a mischievous look in her eye. "Moibeal, now that you and your husband and daughters have returned to Underland, I wish to throw a ball in your honor."

"For us?" Moibeal asked incredulously.

"Yes, of course!"

"But why?"

"Why does no one understand this?" Mirana asked no one in particular. "Underland is a family. Four members were lost and now they are back. I want to celebrate that."

"Yehr majesty, if yeh wish to have a ball, then by all means have one. I'd ne'er wish to displease yeh."

Tarrant rolled his eyes again, earning a cuff to the head from his mother. "Tarrant! I taught yeh more respect than that!"

"Och! Ma! I keep tellin' yeh tha' we're friends wit' Mirana!" he said, accent coming out in frustration. "She kens 'ow Alice an' I both have ne'er liked fancy teh-dos."

Mirana tried to hide her smile, but couldn't. "Tarrant is right, Moibeal. I take no offense to what he is saying. Though I do wish he would just see my point of view!" she said, stamping her foot like a child.

Now Tarrant smiled. "All righ', all righ'. If the rest o' th' Hightopps say that it's fine, then it's fine. Happy?"

"Thrilled!" Mirana squeaked, clapping her hands excitedly.

"Alice, come take a walk with me," Tarrant said with his lisp returning. He reached for my hand. "I need some air after that battle."

Mirana stuck her tongue out at us and offered to find the family with Moibeal and work on the details with them.

"Hatter, you knew you would lose that battle, right?" I asked as we reached the gardens.

"Oh yes, of course," Tarrant answered. "But I was certainly not giving in without a fight first. Mirana and her celebrations."

"You know she's just happy to have them back. We all are."

"I know. Trust me, cricket, no one is happier than myself. At first it just felt as if she was using them to have another ball."

"I don't think she would do that. But regardless, it is nice of her to offer and it definitely is a reason to celebrate. We did the impossible, you know."

"Well, when we stopped believing it was such…" he said with his bright green eyes twinkling.

I smiled. Those words that we had spoken on the Frabjous Day had become almost like saying "I love you" to each other. "You make an excellent point, my darling. Have you calmed down now?"

"Aye, bein' in the presence of one's bonnie wife will do tha' for a man."

"Lord Hightopp, are you Outlandishing for a reason?"

"Maybe, Lady Hightopp…"

"Hatter, you know we both have work to do," I protested, barely half-heartedly.

"Aye," he said, leaning over to kiss me gently.

"And you know that we are out in the gardens."

"Aye." He moved to my neck.

"Tarrant!"

"Aye?"

I paused to savor the moment. "Race you to our chambers!" And I took off.

I didn't bother to look back, but I knew if I did, I would have seen my husband standing slack jawed, shaking his head in disbelief and smiling in resignation that he would just never figure me out (but secretly loving it, I'm sure).

Two nights later, we were waiting to be announced for the latest grand ball.

"Mummy, do we have to stay long?" Lottie whined, tugging at the skirt of her dress. "These are always so boring."

"Buttercup, I know exactly how you feel," Tarrant sighed.

"I know how you both feel. After dinner, sweetheart, you may go back to your room with Nanny Bethalyn."

She brightened at the idea of leaving early. Tarrant just continued to sigh.

"Hatter, it will be fine. We'll just dance the night away and forget everyone else. Well, except your family. They are the reason we're here."

"True. And actually, my parents will give us a run for our money with the dancing, I'm sure."

I smiled as Moibeal walked over. "Tarrant, please cheer up," she said, straightening his already straight bow tie. "We're honored that the queen wants to throw this for us."

"I know, I know. I guess I'm just used to complaining about these."

"He gets it from me, Mathier," I said to save him. "He's more used to me complaining about them. It's a habit I picked up in London."

"Well, we are happy to be here, so smile for me!"

Tarrant obliged and as I glanced over at Macbean, I could see that Tarrant wasn't the only one not thrilled to be here. I gave him a smile and he returned it, just not in the Macbean-way that I reminded me so much of his son. I hoped that he would cheer up at some point as well.

Finally, it was our turn. Nivens smiled up at me before blowing the trumpet and calling out, "Lord Tarrant and Lady Alice Hightopp, and their children Lady Charlotte and Lord William Hightopp!"

As we approached our seats, I heard, "Macbean and Moibeal Hightopp and their daughters Briallen and Gweneira Hightopp!"

Tarrant beamed at hearing their names. He might not have wanted to come tonight, but I thought that moment alone might have made up for it. Tarrant and Macbean helped the ladies into their seats and we waited for dinner.

Now that we were all together, I took a moment to really appreciate the gowns that Moibeal made. I hadn't needed one because of all the dresses that Tarrant had made for me over the years (I had never worn this one yet). But the ones my mother-in-law made were beautiful. Each of them was the ideal perfect color for the girls and herself. They fitted them perfectly and were embroidered with such detail. I couldn't believe she made them so quickly.

"She does amazing work, eh, poppet?" Tarrant whispered to me.

"It's unreal!"

"She made the kilts that my father and I are wearing as well."

"But you've had that kilt for years … oh." Now I knew why that specific kilt was so important to him. "Well those are amazing too."

Once all the guests had been announced, Mirana began to speak about unbirthdays and why we should celebrate them, considering how precious life is. I knew that was a nod to us, considering what the real celebration was about.

Finally, it was time to eat. No one was more appreciative of this than Charlotte. You would have thought we never fed this child the way she gobbled up her food. Of course, the real reason was just to leave as soon as dinner was finished. Imagine her disappointment when I told her that everyone needed to finish before she could return to her room.

Moibeal managed to keep her occupied while the rest of us tried to finish in a timely, yet comfortable pace. She was already a fantastic grandmother. I couldn't believe that in just the few days they had been here, each of the Hightopps were quickly integrated into our family. Of course, it was no surprise to me, knowing their son so well. Anyone would adore these people, let alone family.

Once we were finished, Charlotte was thrilled to leave. She was sad to tell us all good night, but at the same time, ever so glad to leave with Bethalyn. Isabelle took Will and we took in the peace of a child-free table.

I originally felt bad for Bri and Gwen, losing their little distractions, but when it came time for the dancing, the two of them ran to the floor and began to dance like nothing I'd ever seen.

Macbean offered his hand to Moibeal and they walked to the dance floor as well. I glanced to Tarrant.

He smiled at me and then looked over at his parents. "My beloved, I fear that our reign as Underland's best dancers might have come to an end. My parents are incredible dancers."

"Well, if I must lose it to someone, I'm glad that it's them."

"Doesn't mean we can't try to keep the title," he said, standing and offering his arm.

I laughed as Tarrant swung me dramatically onto the floor and we instantly fell into the steps. Our connection to each other was almost tangible once we stepped onto the floor. Since his parents were dancing so well, Hatter led me into a series of complicated steps right by them. It wasn't showing off, per se, as much as it was a son showing his parents just what he had turned out to be: someone they could be proud of.

He twirled me around and we ended up by Mirana and Landrew.

"Mirana, I apologize. This was a lovely idea," Tarrant said. I was proud of him for swallowing his pride like that.

"Thank you, Tarrant. For your kind words, I shall refrain from saying 'I told you so'," Mirana giggled.

Landrew rolled his eyes. "That's my wife." She glared up at him. "And isn't she a beauty?" he said stammered nervously.

"Landrew, sir, some day soon, I shall have to talk to you about how you speak around and directly to your wife while she is carrying your child," Tarrant whispered.

"And I think I shall thank you for it," Landrew replied, obviously tense about what he had done.

Tarrant spun me again. "Well, I think we caused enough trouble over there. Let's find somewhere else to spread our mischief."

"Indeed," I sighed, hoping Landrew wouldn't get too much penalty for that last remark.

For now though, I just wanted to concentrate on holding my husband. I laid my head on his chest as the slow song began and just swayed with him. There was no where I felt more secure than in my Hatter's arms.

All in all, it was truly a night to remember. My husband could finally have that feeling of family that I know he lacked, especially on trips back to London. My in-laws were sweet and charming people (complete opposites of Lady Ascot, what a relief). Underland was as it finally should be. We laughed and smiled so much that my face hurt by the end of it.

And, truth be told, Tarrant and I kept our dancing title.