Alice's Return

 

Epilogue- 5 Years Later

 

Alice sat in her father’s favorite chair, a glass of whisky in her hand. It had been five long years since she last saw her husband. Five painful years. Now she stared at the fire place, tears in her eyes, thinking of him. It didn’t help that it was raining outside like it was that day.

“I miss you so much.” She whispered.

Suddenly the double doors banged open at a strong gust of wind. Alice cried and jumped from her seat, her glass falling to the floor. The wind blew through the room and circled around her.

‘Alice…’ It whispered in his voice.

“Tarrant?” She gasped. And when the voice called to her again she followed it out into the rain. “Tarrant!” She called again.

‘Alice,’  the voice answered, leading her to a clearing before the woods. She stopped and watched as Tarrant’s form began to solidify in front of her. His green eyes stared at her in disbelief. “Alice?” This time his voice was strong.

“Tarrant?” She whispered before running to him. It was him, not a dream. To prove it she kissed him.

Hatter groaned and kissed her breathless. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too.” She was crying again. “I’ve tried to return but I can’t.”

“The key is still missing, we’ve tried everything.” He grabbed her face and kissed her over and over. “I’m afraid I can’t stay, the potion doesn’t last long.”

“Don’t leave, please.” She clung to him. “I need you.”

“And I need you, my Alice. I would give anything to stay with you but without the key it’s impossible. It took five years to allow me this but it won’t happen again.” He hugged her tighter.

“I love you Tarrant.” Alice clung to him tighter. Then her hands slipped through his form. “No, not now.”

“I’m sorry Alice.” He tried to touch her cheek but fazed through it. “I can’t stay any longer.” He reached up and removed his hat. He handed it to her. She shook her head but he forced it into her hands. “Keep it. Remember me.”

“Tempest.” She looked up at him with tear strained eyes, holding his hat to her chest.

“What?”

“Her name is Tempest and she’s beautiful.”

His eyes widened as he realized what she was talking about. “Our baby…”

“Mommy!” A high pitched voice called from behind them. They turned to see a little girl with unruly red hair and bright green eyes clutching a stuffed gray cat. “Mommy?”

“Tempest,” Alice knelt and the little girl ran up to her.

The girl looked up at the tall, slowly disappearing man whose hair and eyes matched hers. He knelt, eyes locked with hers, lifting his hand to try and touch her. But he couldn’t.

“She is beautiful, just like you.” Tarrant smiled at her then Alice, his hand nearly gone.

“Tarrant, don’t… please.” Alice tried to touch him but her hand fell through him.

“I love you, both of you.” He said before fully disappearing.

“No, Tarrant come back!” Alice cried out into the storm but he didn’t answer.

“Mommy, was that daddy?” Tempest asked, looking up at Alice with big green eyes.

“Yes, that was.” Alice pulled her daughter into her arms. “But now he’s gone.”

Tempest looked at where Hatter had been then at the hat still clutched in her mother’s hand. She took it and examined it like it was some new invention. Then she placed it on Alice’s head. “Then there is hope.”

Alice stared in shock at the happiness in her daughter’s eyes. Perhaps the young girl was right and there was hope that they could be a family.

 

The End! (For now)

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So here's the deal this is the end of Alice and Hatter's story but... I have a sequel, it is about their daughter. Here's a quick summary:

Eighteen yeay old Tempest Kingsliegh never fit in in London but after a bad night and a bit of good luck she finds herself in Underland. The only problem, nothing is like it was before. Now she's bound and determined to find her father and help the inhabitants of the once beautiful land as best she can. With the help of the White Prince, Alaric, Tempest must face down the new Red Prince, who is obsesed with her and determined to make her his queen. After a very tramatic event she must rediscover herself and figure out her destiny.

Crappy summary but that's it. It will be a Tempest and Alaric fic. If enough people ask I will post it but not until sometime in July. So pleeeeease review!

Just to make it clear: I HATED braking up Alice and Hatter! But they will be together again, no matter what!