A/N: Same as usual, folks. Please enjoy, please review, please understand that I own nothing here and am making zero money from it.
Finally, it was time to get my family. I hurried through the glass, practically dragging Tarrant, got everyone prepared and then led my mother, sister and nephew through. Tarrant stayed with Brandon to help with the luggage.
As we came back through into our chambers, we found Mirana standing there with Lily in her beautiful white baby carriage.
"Hello, Alice's family! It is my honor to welcome you to Underland. I am sorry that my husband could not join me, but you shall meet him at supper tonight."
I had already wandered over to Lily and was making faces at her, whispering, "Hello, my silly Lily."
I noticed my sister give me a strange look then, and I knew we would have to talk later.
"Your majesty, thank you so much for your hospitality," my mother said, curtseying low.
"Mrs. Kingsleigh, please. There is no need for formalities here. Alice and Tarrant are family and you shall be treated the same. I'm sure Alice will take you for a tour of the castle and then feel free to make yourselves at home. Supper is at 6 and I am anxious to get to know all of you much better then."
And with that, she winked at me and left with Lily.
"I cannot believe a queen spoke to us like that," my mother said. I began to fear she was disappointed in the lack of official decorum, but like she had done so much lately, my mother surprised me. "That was fabulous!"
I couldn't help but smile. Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a ripple in the looking glass. "Look out, everyone, here comes Tarrant and Brandon." I ushered Jacob away from the portal as the husbands flew out.
"Well! That was fantastic!" Brandon shouted as his feet hit the floor. "Amazing!"
"Yes, it is a very efficient way to travel," Tarrant said. "Now, shall we take these to their chambers and begin a tour?"
"I think that sounds perfect," I told him. "Your chambers are right down the hall from ours. Mother's, I believe, is first door on the right, the Kingsfords' on the left."
After getting their baggage into their rooms, I began to show them around the castle. I could see the amazement in my mother's eyes as we went.
"And down this hall is Tarrant's workshop," I announced.
"Oh, may we see it?" Margaret asked. "I've always been fascinated by your hats, Tarrant."
"Why of course!" my husband replied proudly and he held the door for all of us.
"Look at all these materials!" Mother whispered. "Tarrant, you are most definitely a master of your craft."
"Thank you very much! I've worked hard to become so."
After showing them to the ballroom and the offices, we went to the kitchens (after a quick lesson on ducking from Thackery's culinary experiments).
"Yeh're late fer soup!" echoed as we opened the kitchen doors, followed by a ladle with some sort of blue broth in it.
"Thackery! These are Alice's family members! Calm yourself!" Tarrant warned as he effortlessly dodged the utensil.
"Kin o' Alice?"
"Aye, her maither and such!"
Thackery twitched a bit, smiled and called out, "Sit! 'ave a bite since yeh're all so late! Bin waitin' fere'er to meet yeh!"
"Please, have a seat everyone," I instructed. I lowered my voice and added, "He might not seem like it, but Thackery is a tremendous chef!"
My family sat very still as they ate, almost as if they were frightened to make any sudden movements around the hare serving them food. They had just been introduced to the fact that here, there really were talking, working animals. And this one was mad and serving them a snack (all while tossing things at them). It was quite a bit for these Abovelanders to take in.
Finally, we set off for the gardens.
Brandon gasped. "I've never seen anything like this! These trees are beautiful."
"Yes, well, one needs to know how to speak with them properly," Tarrant explained, only to receive confused expressions.
"It's an Underland custom," I said. I had a feeling that I would be saying that a lot in the next few days.
As we wandered, Margaret pulled me aside. Here came the talk I was dreading.
"Alice, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"The queen, Mirana, you two seemed to be very close."
"She is my best friend here, besides Tarrant."
"And?"
"And what?" I asked, impatient to get to the point.
"I'm being foolish. Nevermind."
"Maggie, are you upset that Mirana is like a sister to me?"
She nodded. "I know it's silly. You live here and you deserve to have that. But, we've had such a rough road in our relationship … oh, I don't know."
"Let me explain to you. When I came here, I needed to have that friend. Tarrant is a wonderful man, but he is no good at being a female friend. Mirana's sister is … not around either, so we took it upon ourselves to fill the roles. It certainly doesn't mean I love you as a sister any less! It just means that I have a sister here too. Is there no one in London that you can have for that?"
"Well, Brandon's sister is very nice. And we do enjoy crocheting together at family gatherings."
"Well, then, that's wonderful! Maggie, you haven't had friends in years, thanks mostly to Lowell, I'm sure. Get to know Brandon's sister. Make a friend. I don't want you to be lonely."
"I will. Alice, how is it that you are the younger sister, and yet you always have wisdom for me?"
I grinned. "It's a gift."
She embraced me and we heard Tarrant shout, "Ladies! We'll need time to get ready for supper!"
"Let's go! If you think the soup is good here, wait until you have a full meal," I said, grabbing Margaret's hand and pulling her towards our family.
We all went to our chambers to get ready for what I was sure to be a huge meal. Tarrant went to get the children while I got our clothes ready.
When they returned, Lottie and Will were thrilled to learn that Grandmum and the rest of the family were here in Underland. (We very rarely told them about things before they happened, in case the plan fell through. The fallout from failed surprises was always very difficult to deal with!)
We quickly dressed, went to retrieve everyone and walked to the main dining hall, where I noticed McTwisp standing with the Hightopps.
"Hi, Seanmhair!" Lottie shouted, waving to Moibeal.
"Hello, Lottie, m'sweet! Are these yehr kin from Aboveland?"
"Yes! They've come to stay for Lily's party!"
"How wonderful!"
"Maither, why are we waiting out here?" I asked, finally catching up to our speedy daughter.
"Goin' quite formal tonight. Gettin' announced and e'erythin'."
I couldn't help but smile. Mirana was pulling out all the stops.
"Very well. Nivens, whenever you are ready, I believe we are all here now."
He nodded and the doors opened. The timid rabbit blew his trumpet and announced our arrivals.
"Lord Tarrant and Lady Alice Hightopp and their children, Lady Charlotte and Lord William Hightopp … Macbean and Moibeal Hightopp, and their daughters Briallen and Gweniere Hightopp … Mrs. Helen Kingsleigh … Brandon and Margaret Kingsford and their son, Jacob Kingsford."
I didn't think anything could wipe the smile off of my face, just hearing all those names together. It was surreal and amazing!
We were all seated and I noticed that it was only our family, Mirana and Landrew there.
"Mirana, where is everyone else?" I asked.
"Alice, dear, tonight is about meeting your family! So, I called for a private meal instead. I hope that is all right. I should have consulted with you first."
"No, no! It's lovely. A very nice surprise!"
Mirana smiled and turned to my mother. "So, Helen, may I call you Helen? (My mother nodded in shock). Are you enjoying your stay so far?"
"I am in awe of your world, your majesty! It is beautiful."
"Thank you, very much. And please, while we are in private like this, call me Mirana. There is certainly no need for formalities in this room. Oh! But I've almost forgotten to introduce my husband! Everyone, this is Landrew. Darling, this is Helen, Alice's mother and Margaret, Brandon and Jacob, her sister, brother-in-law and nephew."
"It is a pleasure to meet you all," Landrew said. "We've heard so much about you from Alice!"
"All good I hope," my mother joked (mostly).
"Oh of course!" Mirana, queen of white lies, replied.
Supper continued on beautifully. My mother and Mirana spoke as though they were old friends. Landrew and Brandon chatted about their common interest of law and the differences between their worlds. Margaret and I laughed at the scene before us as Tarrant watched with a gleeful look on his face. Having our families all together was something that neither of us could have hoped for before, but now was a dream come true.
As we finished supper, Lily began to get fussy, so Mirana took her leave. Landrew stayed a bit longer, but then left as well to "check on his girls."
Once the royals were gone, we figured we should leave as well. Moibeal ran to my mother.
"Helen! I almost 'ave yehr gown finished. Would yeh mind a final fittin' tonight?"
"No, not at all! I can't believe you're almost done with it!"
"Aye, the second Tarrant showed meh a picture of yeh, I kenned exactly what the gown would look like. I hope yeh like it!"
"I'm certain I will." She turned to the rest of us. "I am feeling quite tired now. I think after this I'll retire to my room. Good night, all!"
After hugs and kisses all around, my mother and mother-in-law left the hall. Yes, this smile would never go away.
"Well, I think we've all had a big day, so we should probably all retire for the evening," Margaret said, just before yawning. "Oh, pardon me!"
"No pardons necessary! Let's get you back to your room," I said, looping my arm through my sister's.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tarrant offer his arm to Brandon. After laughing heartily at the notion, Brandon looped his arm as well. The children giggled as well and followed us through the castle like that to our rooms.
I loved the fact that my family was already losing their stuffy inhibitions for the much more free life here in Underland.
As we climbed into bed that night, I sighed happily.
"Cricket, I love that you're so happy," Tarrant whispered.
"Isn't it amazing? My family is here from London! Yours is here from the past! We are celebrating something amazing for our family here! I don't even have the words to describe it."
"And it's all thanks to you, love."
"Me?"
"Yes, you. My parents and my sisters wouldn't be here if not for your plan to go back and get them. Your family wouldn't be here if not for your plan to finally get them all in the know. And don't think that Underland would be able to have this celebration if not for your courage and dedication in the fight for freedom. So, yes, Alice, this is all because of you."
I grew quiet. I supposed he had a point, but I didn't like the focus being on me like that.
"Well, what about you? You were certainly instrumental in making all those events happen as well. Shouldn't we also honor you?"
"Your modesty and your appreciation for others is astounding, poppet. Fine. If it shall make you happy, I will take some credit as well. Deal?"
I pretended to ponder the notion. "Hmmm, I suppose it will have to do."
"Silly cricket. All right, love. Let's get some sleep. We have a busy few days ahead of us."
"I don't know. I think we'll have plenty of time to rest. For now …"
As I pulled him to me for a kiss, I knew my life was perfect beyond words and thoughts.
End note: I had really hoped to have these three finished by Christmas, but I have my doubts now. *sigh* And my plan for a Christmas-based fluff fest is probably going to fail too. This chapter took too long because it's out of my Alice/Tarrant romance element. I still liked it and hope you did too. But it just took more out of me.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed, I hope you'll review and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas (or whatever you may celebrate)!