A/N: I still own nothing here! If I were making any money from this, there would be much quicker updates! Many, many thanks to all who are still with me in this! You're all just so muchy!

"Hatter..." I heard a voice softly call through my slumber. "Hatter ..."

It sounded like a dream until "Tarrant!"

I sat straight up in bed and turned towards the screech ... er, my beautiful wife. My beautiful, expecting, wife.

"Yes, my love?"

"Hatter, I'm hungry," she whined.

My eyes must have begun to darken because Alice slapped my arm and said, "Not that! I'm actually hungry!"

"But, Alice, it's ..." I squinted at the clock. "It's 3:30 in the morning. Can it wait until breakfast? I'm certain that Thackery will have someth-"

"No!" she interrupted. "I'm quite hungry now!"

"Well, what are you hungry for?"

"An almond bark, cucumber, and elderberry sandwich," she stated as if there was nothing strange about that request.

I could barely believe what my ears heard. "A what now?"

"An almond bark, cucumber, and elderberry sandwich. Please? I know it sounds strange, but it's what I really want!"

Now, ever since Alice found out she was expecting, we had been noticing a strange combination of Underland and Overland symptoms. The baby was growing faster, so it would be a shorter pregnancy, like in Underland, but she was getting cravings which was rare in our world. I began to wonder if those cravings would have been worse if she were in London.

"Almond bark, cucumber, and elderberry. Well, if it's what you want," I said, rubbing my eyes and slowly getting out of bed.

"I know I've been very trying lately, darling, but -"

"No, no. Don't apologize, cricket. I understand. I just hope I can find those things in the kitchen." I put on my robe and kissed her forehead. "I shall return as soon as I can."

I made my way to the door and then turned back. "Is there anything else you might want?" No sense making two trips!

"I don't think so. That will be fine!" she said with a huge smile.

As if I could ever deny that smile anything.

"All right then." And with that, I grabbed a candle and made my way to the kitchens.

I pushed open the door and found Mirana there, floating around and humming to herself.

"Mirana? What are you doing here?"

"I just could not sleep and decided to see what I could do in here. And yourself, Tarrant?"

"Alice has a craving. One that is not to be ignored."

"Ah yes, I have heard how powerful those can be. Underlandian women do not get those as strongly as those from Alice's world. I do not envy what she is going through."

"Aye, neither do I."

"But I suspect that you are going through it as well, yes, my friend?"

"I suppose so. I suppose so."

"So, Hatter, what is it that our dear Alice is craving so desperately at this early hour?"

"Almond bark, cucumber, and elderberries."

Mirana scrunched up her face. Even to someone so experienced at using strange ingredients in potions was taken aback by Alice's request.

"Well then," she began. "Let us see what we can find."

She fluttered through the kitchen, grabbing a plate and searching the cupboards.

"Can I help?" I asked.

"No, Tarrant, just sit there. I know exactly where to look." She pulled out a jar. "Now, did she want the berries on the bark?"

"Well, she wanted a sandwich."

"Tarrant Hightopp! You must be specific with these things! I shall give her both berries and jam, just in case her taste changes."

The queen arranged a lovely plate for Alice and poured a glass of milk, knowing that Alice had been drinking it constantly lately. She put them on a tray and handed it to me.

"Seems strange to be served by the queen," I joked.

"Please," she scoffed. "Alice is my sister now and I would do anything for her. Now, get back to her before she comes down here to find it!"

"Yes, your majesty," I teased. "Thank you so much."

"It is nothing. Give her my love."

I hurried back to Alice, fully expecting to find her asleep. Instead, I entered our room to find her sitting up, reading a book.

"Oh, thank you, Hatter!" Alice cried, just about to leap out of bed.

"Ah-ah-ah! You stay there. I shall bring early morning breakfast in bed to my lady."

She smiled and clapped excitedly.

"Oh, berries and jam! Very considerate, my dear!" She took a large bite of the sandwich.

I briefly considered taking all the glory for the late-night snack for myself, but I instantly felt guilty.

"Well, it's not all my doing, in fact most of it is not. Mirana was in the kitchen at the same time as I, and she knew where everything was, and as much as I wanted to help, she was certain that I sit right where I was and just let her do it and I wanted to-"

"Hatter!" Alice mumbled with food in her mouth.

"Yes, sorry. Anyway, you should thank Mirana next time you see her. She knew what she was doing quite a bit more than I did. And she sends her love."

"Well, you went for the food, so that is a huge help to me. The baby and I thank you!"

"Anything for my girls," I replied, quite sincerely. It was the truth. There was nothing I wouldn't do for my Alice or our baby daughter. Even if it was heading to the kitchens at all hours for some of the strangest food combinations known to Underland.

"So, can I expect more cravings like this in the future?" I asked as I reached for a berry.

Alice playfully slapped my hand and stole the elderberry. "Yes, I suppose you should. I'm sorry for it."

"No, I told you earlier that you are not to feel guilty about this. It is all for the baby and so I will fetch you whatever you need."

She beamed and held a berry to my mouth. I gratefully accepted it and her smile grew even wider. "Thank you, my love."

"You are more than welcome, sweetness. Now, since you are finished ..." (when had she eaten the entire thing?!) "... shall we return to sleep?"

"Yes, I think we shall."

I took the tray from her and put it on the table. As I crawled into bed, I smiled as my precious bride snuggled against me.

"Will you sing to me, Tarrant?" she asked with a voice full of sleepiness.

"Of course, my dearest Alice." I placed my hand on her already swollen belly and kissed Alice's head, then began to sing her Outlandish lullabies. This was certainly worth any late night trips to the kitchens.