After their kiss in the forest Alice and Jefferson had rushed back to his house. Apparently Grace would be gone until the following day as she was spending the day and night with a neighboring child so they had the cottage to themselves.

So that was how Alice ended up in bed with Jefferson. Currently she had her arms propped on his chest so that she was looking up at him while one of his hands traced patterns on her bare back.

"So, what now?" she asked quietly.

"I suppose that depends on your choice," said Jefferson.

"You're my choice Hattie. You and Grace," she said firmly and she meant it. Jefferson smiled.

"I'm glad to hear that, and I don't doubt for a moment that Grace would love to have you here more permanently. But will you not miss your wandering? I didn't think Wonderlandians liked staying in one place."

"We don't mind if we have something to stay for. Truth be told that wandering desires been decreasing of late. When...when we weren't speaking, I realized I just wanted to be near you and Grace." Of course, that didn't mean she wouldn't still go around to do her extermination protocol if the opportunity arose. But she wouldn't be wandering aimlessly anymore.

"She didn't stop asking about why you weren't coming around," replied Jefferson with a small smile.

"Perhaps we ought to take my move in slowly though a few nights a week. I don't want to rush Grace into anything," said Alice conscious of the sweet child she was growing to care for. True the girl seemed fond of her. But fond of the woman that comes round and having said woman move in was a very different thing. "I don't want her to feel like I'm trying to replace her mother."

"Grace doesn't remember her mother to tell the truth," sighed Jefferson. "But you make a good point. We'll ask Gracie how she feels and ease into the whole thing. We've got time."

"Are you still sure you want to take me on?" asked Alice. "I'm hardly the sweetest influence in the world."

"Perhaps you aren't generally speaking," chuckled Jefferson. "But you're different with Grace. You let your guard down."

"Well that's the thing about children. They generally lack malice. You don't need to have your guard up. At least for the most part." It was one thing to not have to guard yourself around them but another to truly trust them.

"For the most part?" enquired Jefferson.

"Well, depending on the child some don't exactly know when to keep their mouths shut."

"Ah yes. I always thought the importance of secrets was rather a good thing to impress upon Gracelyn," Jefferson agreed. "Especially with my line of work."

"If only Snow White's parents had been as wise about such things," snorted Alice.

"Speaking of secrets. Why do you use the alias?" asked Jefferson. "Alice isn't an uncommon name itself."

"No it's not," she agreed. "But at the time my parents were murdered and a I ran I didn't know if Cora would follow. So, when people called me the Piper I adopted it easily. Not to mention...Alice has been in the background for quite a while."

"Who else knows your true name?" queried the Hatter.

"That lives? Regina, Rum, but only because I had to use it when I signed my contract with him, and now you. Oh, and I suppose maybe King Leopold but that's only because Regina said it in front of him. I doubt he actually will remember."

"I do feel a little sorry for the woman you know," said Jefferson furrowing his brow. "I mean like you said being noble might mean a cushy house and clothes but I can't imagine telling Grace who to marry."

"So long as the man is genuine and doesn't ever hurt her," said Alice. "Otherwise, he'll be feeling the other end of my music rather quickly." Jefferson chuckled.

"That's only if you beat me to him."

"We can make it a joint effort," laughed Alice. Jeffferson leaned in to kiss her again.

"I appreciate how much you care for her. She's the most important thing in my life."

"As she should be. Your love for your daughter and how you've fought to give her the best you can is one thing I admire about you," she replied. "As for my care. How could anybody meet that child and not have their heart stolen?"

OUAT

Jefferson couldn't quite believe his luck. Not only had he found a woman who understood his adventurous and crazier side but who also adored his daughter.

When they were both dressed again Jefferson went over to the neighbor's house to collect Grace. The girl chattered about the enjoyable time she'd had with her friend the entire way back to the cottage and only stopped to gasp when they entered their home and she saw Alice.

"Miss Piper!"

"Hello Gracie," replied Alice opening her arms and Jefferson couldn't help but smile as his daughter pelted towards the blond and tossed herself into her embrace.

"I've missed you so much!" exclaimed Grace excitedly as she pulled back.

"And I've missed you," replied Alice.

"Then why did you stay away?"

"I...had some personal matters I needed to sort out," explained Alice gently. "But the important thing is now I'm back. And, if it's alright with you I'm going to be coming around a lot more."

Grace beamed.

"I'd love that. It's so much more wonderful when your here."

"I'm glad you think so," said Alice as they shared another hug.

"Well, shall we have some breakfast now?" asked Jefferson.

"Yes I was just making that," replied Alice with a crooked smile.

"You cook?" he asked.

"I have survived on my own for several years Hattie," she snorted.

"Yes. In the woods. I didn't realize you were a brilliant chef as well as a musician," he replied teasingly and the blond rolled her eyes.

"Let's just wait and see how it comes out."

As it happened her meal of eggs on toast did actually turn out quite well.

"Well, nobody ended up poisoned so I'd call that a win," said Jefferson cheerfully when they had finished.

"Papa! You've burnt the bacon many times! Stop giving Miss Piper a hard time," replied Grace.

"Rabbit! Don't go giving away my secrets," he said conspiratorially.

"Oh by the time I'm done I'll know all of them," answered Alice playfully. Jefferson checked his supply of mushrooms and saw he was low.

"I'm going to need to collect more mushrooms for the market who wants to come with?"

"I will!" said Grace then asked. "Will you Miss Piper?"

"I can think of nothing better," replied Alice.

"I always know where to find the best ones!" exclaimed Grace as she hurried to get her cloak.

"Yes she's a natural that one," laughed Jefferson.

"You'll have to teach me then," replied Alice the prospect causing a light to appear in Grace's eyes.

Jefferson took the basket in one hand and Graces hand in the other. Grace then held out her hand for Alice to take and he could have sworn he saw wetness in the corner of the woman's eyes as as she acquiesced.

Then they set off one happy little family.

Author's Note: As it says! One happy little family. Hope you all enjoyed this bit of fluff. If you have any suggestions for scenes with our dear couple I am open to requests (I can't promise depending on how I feel it fits) but if you have an idea of something you want to see with them I'd consider it. Admittedly I'm having a bit of writers block at the moment. I've got lots of the scenes during and around my Rumbelle series planned but the in between is trickier. Anyway thanks for reading if you like the story PLEASE PLEASE leave a note below! Until next time!