Jefferson was relieved that Grace had come to see Alice as a mother figure. He'd never been willing to remarry just to get the girl a mother but nor would he have been able to accept a woman who Grace was uncomfortable with.
The fact that Alice seemed to slide perfectly into their little family was the best possible outcome he could imagine. And frankly he was more than willing to make the whole thing official. He knew what love was having experienced it before and he was in it once more.
A fact he'd actually not been sure was even possible after Priscilla died. Yet here he was now looking for a ring. Lucky for him the man selling actually owed Jefferson a favor. His eyes alighted upon a pretty piece it's band was sliver and looked like twisted thorn branches while at the top was a small flower with a pale blue jewel in the center.
It rather reminded him of his Alice. Prickly on the outside but kind and gentle as a flower if you were lucky enough to earn her affection.
He chose the ring and then headed off in preparation for the proposal. They were all planning to go out and collect mushrooms. Or at least that was what Alice believed the plan to be. He and his darling Grace had a different one in mind. They left the cottage together and as soon as they reached the spot in which Alice and Jefferson had first professed their love Jefferson winked at his daughter, who said.
"Oh! I forgot my gloves!" she said. "May I run back and get them?"
"Of course," said Jefferson. "The cottage isn't too far off and we'll stay here."
"Are you sure?" said Alice looking concerned.
"She's six years old I think she can manage a few paces in a straight line," replied Jefferson knowing full well his daughter wasn't actually going more than several feet.
"If you're sure," said Alice and Grace dashed out of sight supposedly to the cottage though Jefferson knew she was simply hiding out of view.
"Well, I suppose while we wait that gives me time to do something I've been thinking about lately," he began.
"Oh?" asked Alice who had been staring in the direction Grace disappeared and now nearly jumped to see Jefferson on one knee.
"What in Absolum's name?!"
OUAT
Alice was a little nervous to have Grace run off on her own even if she was six years old now.
However all thoughts flew from her mind as she turned to see Jefferson on his knee smiling up at her.
"What in Absolum's name?!"
"Alice, ever since you came into mine and Grace's life, it's become...unbelievably wonderful. I now can't imagine it without you and I'd love nothing more than if you'd agree to be my wife."
Alice thought her heart might have stopped. She loved Jefferson yes. And she knew he loved and trusted her...but for him to ask her to be his wife? It made it real in an entirely new way.
"I...I'd love to. I thought I'd lost my family forever the day Cora killed them. But I've found a new one with you.
"And you'll always have it," Jefferson assured her as he held out a ring with a beautiful blue stone it's band like a ring of thorns. It was perfect. She slipped it onto her finger and as soon as Jefferson was back on his feet, she tossed her arms around his neck and kissed him.
He returned it passionately and then a small voice cried.
"I knew you'd say yes!" she turned to see Grace hurrying back into the clearing.
"Oh, so you two conspired about this together?" she asked with a smile.
"I wouldn't say conspired. More like planned," said Jefferson with a smirk.
"Yes, conspired means it's bad!" exclaimed Grace and Alice laughed.
"I suppose so. But you were sure I'd say yes?"
"Of course! You love us and we love you!"
"Well, I suppose then it would be a foregone conclusion," she replied warmly pulling the girl into a hug.
OUAT
Now they'd agreed to get wed the next point was to get someone to do the ceremony and witness it.
Unfortunately, there was one problem. Alice's reputation. So far she'd managed to avoid causing too much trouble by not interacting much with the neighbors they dropped Grace off with and without an introduction nobody need know she was the Pied Piper.
Unfortunately getting married required more interaction and not many people were willing to get friendly with someone like her.
"I think we'll probably be able to bribe a cleric but as far as witness's we're rather stuck," sighed Alice.
"Grace can count for one," shrugged Jefferson.
"She's six."
"She's a live body."
"I suppose worst case scenario I can...persuade...someone to comply," offered Alice and Jefferson chuckled.
"I'm not sure that counts dearest." Suddenly a wild idea hit her.
"What about Rum?" Jefferson looked at her like she grew a second head.
"Do you seriously think his Darkness would agree?"
"He certainly worked rather hard to help us reconcile. And I suppose we wouldn't have met without him."
"No, I suppose not," replied the Hatter pensively as he sniped away at a hat. "I guess it's worth a shot. What's the worst he can do?"
"Word to the wise. Don't ask people like Rum and I that. We can always come up with something," replied Alice smiling wickedly.
"I shouldn't find that as attractive as I do," snorted Jefferson flirtatiously.
OUAT
They showed up at Rumplestiltsin's castle Jefferson feeling a little antsy he liked Rumplestiltskin but he didn't know if the imp liked them enough to agree to witness the wedding.
"I didn't call for you two," said the Dark One as soon as they entered.
"No, this is rather a personal call, we're the ones in need of a bit of assistance."
"What did you do?" asked Rumplestiltskin sounding annoyed and exasperated. "It'll cost you."
"We didn't DO anything unless you count getting engaged," responded Alice holding up the hand which bore the ring he'd given her. The imp's eyebrows rose.
"My my my Pip. I didn't think the Hatter could con you into marriage."
"Ah yes and you speak from such vast romantic experience," snarked Jefferson. "And there won't be a marriage unless we can find a second witness. Preferable one that Alice doesn't have to force into compliance."
"You want ME to witness your wedding?" the Dark One sounded completely perplexed.
"That is what we said Rum." replied Alice.
"For the record it was this one's idea," added Jefferson jerking a thumb at Alice.
"Of course, only a Wonderlandian would come up with something so mad," scoffed Rumplestiltskin.
"Does that mean it's a no?" asked Jefferson.
"Not necessarily, though I do question your sanity."
"What's it going to cost?" asked Alice. Rumplestiltskin raised an eyebrow.
"One free deal." Jefferson exchanged a glance with Alice.
"I'll do you one deal," specified Alice. "Hattie's portal jumping is far too risky to do for free."
Rumplestiltskin gave a high-pitched giggle.
"As you wish." Jefferson got the impression he wasn't half as irritated as he pretended.
OUAT
It took a couple of tries but they finally did find a cleric willing to marry them for the right amount of gold.
"You'd think clerics would be a bit less judgey," snorted Jefferson.
"I know and really it was only the ONE town I did plus the...occasional individual I've helped Rum...persuade."
"Kidnapping children does give you a bit of a reputation. Even if it was a one-time thing," replied Jefferson dryly.
On the appointed date and time Jefferson in his best waistcoat and red shirt along with the long leather coat he usually reserved for his travels went on ahead to meet the cleric at the church with Grace.
Alice had a last odd end to tie up and planned to follow them soon after. When she arrived carrying the bouquet of red and white roses that Grace had picked she found Rumplestiltskin outside.
"Aren't you supposed to be in there?" she asked.
"I just arrived myself Pip," he replied. "And you don't honestly plan to get wed in THAT?" he motioned to her light blue dress which was plain but Alice didn't exactly have the skills to make her own dress. Making garments from scratch was different from mending.
"Not all of us spin straw into gold," she replied raising an eyebrow haughtily.
"No. But nothing says you have to in order to look presentable," and before she could say anything Rumplestiltskin had waved his hand and she was surrounded by crimson smoke. When it cleared her blue dress was replaced with an elegant white one that was long with a pleated skirt. A pale blue sash went round the bodice embroidered with rabbits, flowers, and music notes. The bodice was mostly smooth with a v neckline and hints of the pleats from the rest of the dress, and the sleeves were of a weightless sheer material that hung to her elbows and had pleats within them. It was simple yet elegant. Around her head was a simple crown of flowers.
"It's beautiful Rum," she said in surprise.
"Yes it is," said Rum though he wasn't looking at the dress. Another wave of his hand and his image changed from his usual impish self to a simple peasant with brown hair and eyes. Largely unremarkable.
"What's with the disguise?"
"Don't want to be terrifying your spawn on your wedding day," he replied.
"You wouldn't."
"You don't know that."
"I do."
"Well, then think of it as not having to pay the cleric extra for having to put up with the Dark One as a witness." Alice rolled her eyes in exasperation then gave a small smile.
"Thank you, Rum for all of this," she said. Rumple smirked.
"Well, if you're going to make me attend you might as well look presentable." Alice whacked his arm.
"Rum!"
"Only joking Pip." Then together they entered the building.
OUAT
Jefferson was wondering if something had happened to Alice and Rumplestiltskin as neither had shown up yet when the doors to the church opened and Alice walked in looking like something out of a dream. He assumed the man walking next to her was Rumplestiltskin in disguise for whatever ridiculous reason the man could cook up. And that he was responsible for the new dress.
Regardless the smile Alice gave him as she walked towards him and Grace was enough to make his heart run a thousand miles a minute. When she reached him she passed the bouquet to Grace and then took his hand.
Jefferson was only half aware of what the cleric was prattling on about as he stood in awe of his beloved Alice gazing into her grey eyes. He finally tuned back in when they reached the vows.
"I Jefferson Hatter take thee Alice Kingsley to be my lawfully wedded wife in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, till death we do part." Then he added, "And I swear that from this day to my last day I will love and protect you with all I have. You will never be alone again." Alice beamed.
"I Alice Kingsley take thee Jefferson Hatter to be my lawfully wedded husband in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, till death we do part." She squeezed his hands. "And I swear that I will always look out for our family and love you and Grace with all my heart. My magic, my music, and myself...all belong to you."
"I declare you bonded for life. You may kiss the bride," declared the cleric unenthusiastically while Grace cheered. Jefferson leaned in and pressed his lips to Alice's and though there was no curse to break he could swear he felt the rush of true love between them.
Author's Note: SOO! our couple gets married! And Rumple is a witness though to preserve the continuity of The best tea cup series he doesn't really meet Grace here. More like shows up for the ceremony, signs off and buggers off. I hope you all enjoyed the story if you like it PLEASE PLEASE leave a note below! And if you have ideas for our couple I am open to suggestions! Until next time!