A/N: Well, I didn't finish it in time for Christmas like I wanted to, but at least I made it for New Year's! *sigh*

Thank you, thank you, thank you to my amazing readers! And especially those who've reviewed! You guys rock! [For those who haven't reviewed: you never call, you never write, come on! Let's catch up with each other! ;-) ]

I couldn't believe the ball was finally here! This was one of the first celebrations in Underland (or anywhere, really) that I was actually excited to attend.

"Cricket, I need you to hold still, or this hat just won't sit right!" Tarrant gently chided.

"I can't help it! I'm wound up for tonight! I can't wait to see everyone dancing and mingling and having a great time!"

"Alice, I cannot believe I am watching you bounce in excitement over a royal ball. I'm not sure I've ever seen this. Perhaps only for our wedding reception. And that was for different reasons, eh poppet?"

He waggled those eyebrows at me in the mirror and I actually began to bend over with laughter.

"Alice! Sit!" he yelled with a playful tone and laugh. "If I mess your hair up, your mother will have my hide!"

"Oh, pfft! You've seen my mother the last few days. She absolutely adored you before and I think she does even more so now. You could do no wrong in her eyes."

"Even though I encourage no corsets and no stockings?" Hatter teased.

"You know, I think she's willing to overlook even that."

Tarrant smiled and continued to place the hat around my half-updo. It really did set off the gown that Moibeal made me.

"I still can't believe your mother made so many gowns in just a week."

"She had help from Bri and Gwen."

I turned to face him and rolled my eyes. "Tarrant, in London, it would take twice as many people twice as long!"

"You have poor seamstresses there."

"Perhaps." I took one last look at myself and straightened Tarrant's kilt and then went to get the children ready.

Finally, the 4 of us were walking to my mother's chambers. When she opened the door, I couldn't help but gasp.

"What? Do I not look right for the occasion? Oh dear, Alice, is there time to change?" she asked.

"No! Mother, you look beautiful! That gown is perfect for you!"

"Grandmum! You look so pretty!" Lottie echoed.

"Oh! I feel so much better," she said, putting a hand to her chest in relief. "Shall we get your sister?"

"Absolutely."

We went and collected Margaret's family and then to get the Hightopps. Once we arrived at the ballroom, there was a line to be announced. I walked past the line to see just what was happening.

"Are we that late?" I cautiously asked Nivens, knowing his disdain for tardiness.

"Well, no, not exactly. You're not late, just un-early. Many people got here even sooner just to get into the celebration for Princess Lily."

"I see."

He turned back to announce the next couple and I went back to our families.

"Are we late?" my mother asked.

"Un-early," I replied.

"Well, that's not bad," Tarrant said. "There's nothing wrong with un-early."

I smiled. "I suppose so."

After more time than Lottie was willing to wait, it was our turn. Just as with the supper of my family's first night here, I smiled brightly hearing all those names being called together.

We sat at the large table and I couldn't help but remember a few days ago when our families met...

"Mother, this is Moibeal and Macbean, Tarrant's parents," I said. (I caught my Hatter's grin as I said the words and I could just hear his thoughts: "Tarrant's parents! Now that's a lovely rhyme!")

"Helen! 'Tis a pleasure to meet the woman who raised such a dear Alice!" Moibeal said as she pulled my surprised mother into a hug.

"Um, yes, it's lovely to make your acquaintance as well," Mother squeaked out. Her dislike of physical shows of affection, especially from strangers, was obvious to everyone but Moibeal.

"Mo gradh, let the woman breathe!" Macbean said as he pulled his wife away. "Helen, tis very nice to meet yeh. Yeh did a wonderful job raising yehr daughter. She's a jewel and we're happy to have her in our family."

"Thank you very much, Macbean."

I decided to turn the focus away from my mother. "And this is my sister, Margaret, my brother-in-law, Brandon, and my nephew, Jacob."

"And with another child! How blessed yeh are!" Moibeal said, but this time keeping the embracing in check. "Tis so nice to finally meet Alice's kin. Mac was right. She's been nothing but a miracle to our family."

I blushed and quickly changed the subject. "Moibeal and the girls will be making our gowns for the ball."

"Aye. I've got the original numbers from Tarrant and have begun the dresses already. I'll need some fittin's from yeh, though. 'Specially Margaret with her bairn bump."

"Thank you so much, Moibeal. I cannot wait to see it. And where are your daughters?" Margaret asked.

"They're out with Lottie 'n Will. Those two think the world rises and sets on their niece and nephew."

Margaret and Mother nodded. I think they were relieved to be meeting the Hightopps in small doses. If you didn't know the background of those from Witzend, it was very hard to get used to.

But as they sat and discussed their children, gowns and life in Underland, I began to see wonderful relationships forming. I always dreaded mixing in-laws, even long before the possibility of having to do so with Lady Ascot. Even for this day, I was full of anxiety. I knew that the Hightopps were wonderful people and that my family was amazing as well, but they certainly came from two different worlds (both figuratively and literally).

And as the chit-chat turned into conversations, I knew that I had nothing to fear all this time … and that I would be getting an "I told you so" from Tarrant just as soon as we were alone.

"Dearheart, are you listening?"

I snapped to attention and turned to Tarrant. "What? I'm terribly sorry!"

He grinned and giggled a bit. "I thought you had wandered away. I just wanted to let you know that your food had arrived."

"How did that happen?" I wondered aloud.

"Well, you weren't really here to notice, were you?"

"Perhaps not."

Dinner was, as usual, amazing. My family commented on just how curious and yet delicious the food was. Tarrant's family was astonished that most of these foods weren't available in the Aboveland.

We sang to the baby princess, ate some cake and then finally, it was time for my favorite part of any Underlandian ball: the dancing.

Tarrant stood and offered his hand to me. "Lady Hightopp, will you grace me with a dance?"

"Why, Lord Hightopp, it would be my honor!" I stood to join him and then turned to my family. "You all are, of course, welcome to dance as well."

Tarrant lead me onto the dance floor and pulled me close.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked.

"Hatter, I'm most comfortable when you're holding me," I replied.

"Aye, but your family is watching."

"Then let's show off a little," I said with a wink.

"Oh, m'lady wants teh show off, then we'll be showin' off like nuthin' else!"

He quickly spun me under his arm and led me into a set of complicated steps. It felt as though someone was looking at me, so I nudged him to turn. There I saw Margaret staring at us, slack-jawed.

"Something wrong, Maggie?" I asked as we spun by.

"My baby sister, the one who dreaded parties and refused to quadrille at any cost, is dancing! And enjoying it! Alice, where did you learn to dance like that? I've never seen you do so during your visits," she stammered.

"Tarrant taught me. The Hightopps are known for their dancing," I explained.

"Aye! Tha' we are!" Macbean said loudly as he and Moibeal danced past us.

Margaret shook her head and laughed. "I love you here, Alice. You truly belong in this world. You are finally able to be yourself."

"Thank you! It's nice to finally be comfortable—" I barely got the last of that sentence out because Tarrant had spun me back into dancing.

"Hatter!" I cried with a giggle. "What are you doing? We were talking!"

"No, you were dancing with me first. I was just taking back what was mine!"

I smiled at him and winked as I changed the steps a bit. He followed right along and grinned back.

"A challenge, eh?"

"No, I know you're up to it. We're still showing off," I said.

"That's my girl."

Two songs later, we went back to the table. Margaret had only been able to dance one before needing a break. Moibeal and Macbean were still going strong.

"My goodness!" my mother exclaimed. "You two certainly are a pair out there. You looked wonderful!"

"Would you like a turn around the floor?" Tarrant asked her.

"Me? Oh, I hardly think I could keep up!"

"Wait here," he said as he walked to the band leader.

"What on earth is he doing?" Mother asked.

Before I could answer, I noticed the band playing a much slower song. "He's taking it down a notch for you, I think."

"Now then, I believe we can dance now," Tarrant said as he returned.

He offered his hand to my mother and she blushed.

"Well, I don't see why not."

I beamed as I watched Tarrant carefully show my mother the steps to the song. I had forgotten what a brilliant dancer my mother used to be. She caught on right away and they turned around the floor beautifully.

When the song ended, Tarrant bowed to my mother and she giggled as she gave a curtsey. As they came back to the table, I applauded for both of them.

"Mother, that was wonderful!"

"Well, I see why you enjoy dancing so much now! Tarrant is an excellent teacher."

"I had fantastic teachers as well," Tarrant said, nodding towards his parents, still dancing.

"Bri, Gwen, if you want to go dance a bit, we'll stay with Lottie and Will," I said to my sisters-in-law. "Besides, the nannies will be taking them upstairs soon anyway.

"Thanks, Alice!" Gwen shouted as she dragged her sister to the dance floor.

"They'll be wonderful dancers as well," I said to Hatter.

"Indeed," he whispered. Even after having them back in his life for a while, I think he was still amazed that they were actually back. Actually alive.

Sensing the moment, my mother leaned over. "Your sisters are beautiful, Tarrant."

"Thank yeh, mum," he answered. "They truly are."

Just then, Mirana came over. "I can't tell you how much I love seeing all of you here!"

"It truly is one big happy family," I said. "Thank you so much for everything."

"No thanks are necessary! This is my pleasure!"

"Well, you'll still get one from me, your majesty," my mother said. "I thank you for allowing us into your world, your castle and your family."

Mirana teared up. "Helen, again, no thanks are necessary. But you are certainly more than welcome. And you are welcome to return whenever you like. Those rooms will be kept for you. I hope to see more of you here."

As Mirana's voice broke as she spoke, I began to realize something. Perhaps she wanted a mother as much as she needed a sister. Perhaps my mother realized that as well.

"I know I shall be back, dear."

The queen sniffled a bit and straightened up. "I am very glad to hear it. I hope you have a wonderful time for the rest of the evening!"

She winked at us and walked away. It was hard for her at the very formal events as she wasn't able to be our Mirana then.

We talked a little more and danced a lot more. Soon enough, it was time for us to leave. Margaret and Brandon had actually taken Jacob upstairs quite a bit earlier for some rest. Mother was looking exhausted. We said our goodbyes and wandered up to our chambers.

When we reached Mother's room, she embraced me tightly. "Alice, I am so terribly proud of you. You have become exactly what you were meant to become. I'm so sorry for anything I may have done that could have stopped this."

"Mother, everything you did led me to here. I am happy now. All is well."

She pulled back and looked me in the eyes, as if to confirm what I was saying. She smiled and nodded. "Good night, Alice." She hugged Tarrant as well and went into her room.

We went into ours and I collapsed onto the bed.

"Well, that was something!"

"One of the best nights we've had," Tarrant agreed as he started to remove his clothes.

I began to do the same and we changed into our night clothes. Then we climbed into bed and I leaned back against him.

"You were beautiful tonight, my love," Tarrant whispered as he pulled me close.

"And you were handsome as ever. You wear a kilt very well."

"'Tis sumethin' else Hightopps are known fer."

"Aye," I said, right before yawning.

"Get some rest, cricket. It's very late. I love you, mo bhilis."

"I love you too, mo gradh."

End note:

So, in case you missed it, this is what Tarrant saw a while back in that familial vision. Waaaay back in chapter 37.