Forever Wonderland CHAPTER 9
Characters: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland characters, and OFCs
Rating: G to PG-13 for some fighting sequences
Disclaimer: As much as I would love to claim Wonderland and all it's gloriousness, I cannot. Therefore, I give all credit to Lewis Carroll, Disney and Tim Burton.
Summary: Imagine being the granddaughter of the great Alice of Wonderland. Imagine for a minute that you wished you could go to the place where you heard the stories? Could it be possible? This world makes you think that it couldn't be, but really, could it?
Tarrant and Melody sat in the kitchen. They were silent. Tarrant was about to say something when there was a knock on the door. Melody sighed in thankfulness. The silence was starting to drive her crazy.
“A invitation from the Queen,” the gentleman said.
Tarrant took it from his hands, bade the gentleman good day and watched him as he walked back to the elaborately ornamented carriage.
“A letter from Mirana,” Tarrant said as he walked back to the table. He sat down and glanced over the parchment, placing his fingers to his lips.
“What does it say?” Melody asked in anticipation. When Tarrant didn’t respond back, she repeated herself with a little more emphasis. Again he did not reply. She smacked her hand on the table. Only then did he look up.
“What does it say?” she said again in a gentler tone.
He handed her the parchment and she read what the Queen had written:
Dearest friends,
It is my privilege to invite you to be our guests at the Mamorealian Ball on the thirteenth day of August at the stroke of seven in the evening. It is a feast and reception in honour of you, Tarrant Hightopp and Melody, Great-great-Granddaughter of Alice Kingsley. There are no words, my dear friends, for what you have done.
“With warmest regard, Mirana,” Melody read out loud, looking up. “Tarrant...”
He stood and moved over to Melody. “There is no need to be nervous, my dear. You have already met the Queen and she is very fond of you. No doubt, Nivens, the Tweedles, and the rest of Underland will be there to greet you.”
Melody’s eyes grew wide. The rest of Underland, she thought to herself. Her breath caught in her throat. “Did you say Tweedles?”
He nodded.
“They are still alive?”
Tarrant furrowed his brow. “Why, yes. Why wouldn’t they be? I told you once before that us Underlandians age gracefully. If I am correct, by your time, I would be,” he thought hard, placing his finger to his chin, knitting his eyebrows together, “one hundred and eighty years.”
Melody let her jaw drop open. “And how old would you be in...Underlandian?”
“Thirty-nine. But we do not count age. And now, my dear, I think that I can ask you the same.”
Melody smiled slyly. “I do not think that you can, my dear Hatter. For I did not ask. You told me your age. And besides, women do not like to be asked their age.”
“Oh.”
“But since you asked ever so nicely, I shall tell you. In my time, I would be twenty-eight. What would that be in Underlandian?
Tarrant thought for a minute; then let his face light up. “In Underlandian you would be...” his face fell into a confused look. “Twelve.”
“Twelve? I don’t want to be that young again. I had a hard enough time once.”
“But remember, we age gracefully!”
“Yes, I do understand that, but I am not Underlandian.” She paused. “Does it bother you that I would be twelve?” Melody cautiously asked, not really understanding why she did. But at the same time, her heart was fluttering.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and smiled. “It would never matter to me. A friendship and a bond cannot be based on age. You and me, Alice and I, we shared something. We understand each other. And nothing, not even time, can separate that.”
As Melody watched him talking, feeling his warm hands on her shoulders, she noticed his eyes change from green to blue. They weren’t a real strong blue, but more of an aqua. But to her, they were beautiful.
“Now! We need to make you a lovely dress for the ball! I only have three days in which to do so, so I must be off!”
He lightly patted her cheek and bounded up the stairs. Melody noticed a slight limp in his step yet as he moved upstairs, but he hummed a merry tune. She heard him close the door.
Melody let a smile play on her lips. There was something special about the Hatter that she just couldn’t put her finger on. He always made her smile. He always knew when to make her laugh. And even when they argued, it didn’t last long and she forgave him quickly and vice versa. Melody placed her hand on her heart and felt it pumping hard against her chest wall. What was she feeling? Was she starting to have feelings for the Hatter?
She shook her head to erase the thought. No. It would or could never happen. She was to go back to her world any day now. Just watch and see. Mirana was throwing this big ball for her and Tarrant and she was going to tell her how to get home. But why was she included in the honoring of the slaying of the Black King? She had no part in it.
Maybe it was because she was the great-great-granddaughter of Alice. That had to have been it. Why else would be have been included?
And to think that all of Underland will be there. Her stomach twisted in knots. She was never one for big crowds; she liked being by herself most of the time. And now she was expected to speak and put a smile on for all of Underland. She didn’t know what to think. Tarrant will be with me, she thought. Then again, maybe not. It was a ball in honor of him as well. No doubt he would be thrown from group to group being showered with praises.
A loud bang from upstairs woke her from her daydreaming and she bounded up to the room that Tarrant was in. She slowly opened the door to see Tarrant bent over rummaging through a pile of fabrics. He threw something behind him and she darted out of the way just in time before it hit her in the head. She watched him as he walked over to the sewing machine.
He plopped the fabric on table next to the complicated contraption and removed his hat and jacket. He pulled the apron off the table that was next to the machine and wrapped it around his body. He held up the material, eyeing it. He seemed displeased with something and headed back over to the pile of fabric. He rummaged some more and nodded with a happy sigh moving back over to the machine.
He furrowed his brow as he moved his face closer to the needle and began letting the bobbin move. His foot moved in rhythm with the sound of the machine making the threading go faster. His mouth was full of pins and he was concentrating so hard that his eyes were squinting.
Melody smiled to herself. He had no clue that she was there. She silently closed the door and headed back downstairs. She moved into the sitting room and found a book to read and lowered herself to the couch.
A few hours had past and she could feel her eyes begin to slowly close. She heard the door open upstairs.
“Melody! Come quick!” came an excited cry from Tarrant’s lips.
She closed the book and headed upstairs to see what was so exciting or what was wrong. She found Tarrant in the middle of the room standing in front of a mannequin covered by a large white cloth. Tarrant’s eyes were wide with excitement and his spacious teeth showed in a wild grin.
“What is it, Hatter?”
“I have a surprise for you,” he said walking over to her. He took her hand and led her into the room. “Go on, look.”
He twisted his hands in front of him in anticipation. Melody looked at him and smiled and walked closer to the mannequin. She slowly removed the white cloth and revealed the most beautiful dress she had ever seen.
To play with him, she kept her face emotionless and moved around the dress. She let her fingers examine the glitter and sequins adorning the fabric. She placed her nose close to inspect the stitching, though she had no clue what she was looking for, but she tried her hardest to make it look as though she did.
She caught Tarrant fidgeting out of the corner of her eye, his smile slowly starting to fade. She knew she was being really harsh on him and she herself was having a hard time keeping a straight face.
She walked over to him, face still showing no emotion.
“Is it to your liking?” he timidly asked.
Melody let her nose rise in the air a little. “It is satisfactory,” she said flatly.
Tarrant’s face fell in tandem with his shoulders. Melody felt horrible for what she was seeing before her and she couldn’t play along with her charade any longer.
“Oh, Tarrant,” she said placing her hands on his shoulders. “I cannot play this game any longer. It is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen! How did you do it in such a short time?”
“You mean,” he quietly asked, “that you truly do like it?”
“Of course! I was just playing with you since you were so excited!!” Melody moved back to the dress and let her fingers softly touch the fabric. “Really, Tarrant, you outdid yourself.”
“Well, it’s easy when you have such a subject that is inspiring.”
Melody felt her cheeks flush. She turned to see Tarrant’s eyes had turned a dark blue.
“Your eyes,” Melody said walking closer.
“My eyes?” Tarrant asked in concern.
“They’re blue. A dark, bright blue. Almost cobalt. I’ve never seen them that color before.”
Tarrant blushed, moved his eyes to the floor and shrugged.
“O-oh,” he stammered. “They turn that color when I am elated about something.”
“I am happy, Tarrant. Thank you for such a lovely dress. May I?” she asked pointing to it, motioning to take it to her room.
“Oh, yes!” He carefully picked it up, mannequin and all, and carried it to the his room in which she had been occupying.
They walked down the stairs together while discussing what they were going to be eating for dinner that would be in a few hours.
Tarrant went about the kitchen creating the meal, leaving it a surprise for Melody to what he was making. They laughed and regaled stories. Mallymkun and Thackery came in for some time then bounded back outside to enjoy their own tea party in the front yard.
“Tarrant?”
“Yes, my dear.”
Melody was silent for a moment. She didn’t know how to go about Tarrant about one question that had been on her mind the past few days.
“Why do you think, I mean...” she stammered. “Do you think that Mirana will be sending me home after the party? Do you think that is why she included me in the honoring?”
Tarrant stopped scraping a bowl. He turned, flour all over his apron, to her.
“How could you think such a thing?”
“I don’t know, it’s just...I don’t know.”
Tarrant set the bowl down and turned back to her again. After a couple minutes of silence he responded.
“Do you want to go home?”
“No!” she blurted. “I mean, yes I do, but I like it here, too, and I wouldn’t want to leave. I wouldn’t be able to speak with you and you, well,” she felt her cheeks flush again, “you have become such great friend I wouldn’t want to lose you.”
Tarrant sat down next to her. He placed his hands on her hers and squeezed them tight. He watched her eyes flash numerous emotions that were going through her mind. To comfort her, he placed his hand on her cheek. He felt it warm and flush.
“Melody,” he whispered. “You will always have me. You can visit Underland anytime you like. You know how to get here. You look here,” he said as he pointed a finger to her heart.
“But it’s not the same. I want to talk with you, laugh with you. I need physical interaction. Not like that!” she felt her face turn twenty shades of red at the astonished look on Tarrant’s face. “I mean, like, holding me, comforting me. Oh! Not like that either!” she stammered as she tried to regain her thoughts.
Melody moved from the table and crossed the room while moving her arms across her chest. She couldn’t look at Tarrant now. She had embarrassed herself to unbelief. She heard feet moving across the floor. Tarrant stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
“I know what you mean, dear.” He turned her around and drew her chin up with his fingers. “Like I said before, our friendship is a bond that can never be broken.”
“I’m so glad that you understand me, Tarrant. Sometimes, I say things and I know what I’m thinking but it comes out all wrong.”
“You mean, even in a friendly way, I wouldn’t be able to hug you?”
Melody rocked her head side to side and pursed her lips. “I need a hug now.”
Tarrant smiled sincerely and moved to her. He wrapped his arms around hers and held her tight. He felt her sigh. He knew it was a sigh of understanding and contentment. He felt her move her arms around his torso and turn her head against his chest.
Melody wrinkled her nose and sneezed. “Tarrant,” she mumbled against him.
“Oh, sorry, flour,” he said removing her from hug. “I really should continue cooking.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Melody said as she wiped her nose. She sneezed again. “I think I am going to go back to the sitting room and read. Let me know when supper is done.”
They ate supper and shared some more stories. Mally and Thackery joined them once again and ate too much. They enjoyed Hatter’s cooking. After dishes were done they all went back into the sitting room and shared tea and more stories. Melody read part of a poem from one of the books that she was reading and acted out all the parts. Tarrant clapped his hands together and shared his own poetry.
Melody was starting to feel the night tug on her eyes and she excused herself up to the room. She lit the little candle by the night stand and caught the glitters from the dress out of the corner of her eye. She walked up to it and ran it through her fingers.
The fabric was the babiest of baby blues. She lifted up the skirting and saw there were layers upon layers of taffeta. The main layer was satin covered by a sheer white silk. The stitching in the skirt looped in swirls giving it the look of a butterfly floating on the breeze. The bodice had capped sleeves that would expose her shoulders. The neckline was modest.
Tarrant knew her taste well. Plus, Melody knew that he was probably timid making a plunging neckline thinking that she would be wearing it. She wondered what his thoughts were when he was piecing the fabrics together.
Melody ran her finger along the neckline. Tiny pearls were sewn into the collar line. The shimmery silk that laid over the full skirt was also sewn into the bodice.
Melody felt her heart leap at the thought and time that he put into it. “It’s easy when you have such a subject that is inspiring.” His voice floated into her head. She just remembered what he had said earlier. What were he intentions when he said that?
Melody slowly walked away from the dress and put her night clothes on. She climbed under the covers and stared at the dress hiding in the shadows. The jewels sparkled in the dim light and Melody felt like a school girl smiling wide at the beautiful present that Hatter created just for her. Just. For. Me, she thought. She slowly lowered herself to the pillow and blew out the candle.
PREVIOUS CHAPTERS:
Chapter 1/ Chapter 2/ Chapter 3/ Chapter 4
Chapter 5/ Chapter 6/ Chapter 7/ Chapter 8
Rating: G to PG-13 for some fighting sequences
Disclaimer: As much as I would love to claim Wonderland and all it's gloriousness, I cannot. Therefore, I give all credit to Lewis Carroll, Disney and Tim Burton.
Summary: Imagine being the granddaughter of the great Alice of Wonderland. Imagine for a minute that you wished you could go to the place where you heard the stories? Could it be possible? This world makes you think that it couldn't be, but really, could it?
Tarrant and Melody sat in the kitchen. They were silent. Tarrant was about to say something when there was a knock on the door. Melody sighed in thankfulness. The silence was starting to drive her crazy.
“A invitation from the Queen,” the gentleman said.
Tarrant took it from his hands, bade the gentleman good day and watched him as he walked back to the elaborately ornamented carriage.
“A letter from Mirana,” Tarrant said as he walked back to the table. He sat down and glanced over the parchment, placing his fingers to his lips.
“What does it say?” Melody asked in anticipation. When Tarrant didn’t respond back, she repeated herself with a little more emphasis. Again he did not reply. She smacked her hand on the table. Only then did he look up.
“What does it say?” she said again in a gentler tone.
He handed her the parchment and she read what the Queen had written:
Dearest friends,
It is my privilege to invite you to be our guests at the Mamorealian Ball on the thirteenth day of August at the stroke of seven in the evening. It is a feast and reception in honour of you, Tarrant Hightopp and Melody, Great-great-Granddaughter of Alice Kingsley. There are no words, my dear friends, for what you have done.
“With warmest regard, Mirana,” Melody read out loud, looking up. “Tarrant...”
He stood and moved over to Melody. “There is no need to be nervous, my dear. You have already met the Queen and she is very fond of you. No doubt, Nivens, the Tweedles, and the rest of Underland will be there to greet you.”
Melody’s eyes grew wide. The rest of Underland, she thought to herself. Her breath caught in her throat. “Did you say Tweedles?”
He nodded.
“They are still alive?”
Tarrant furrowed his brow. “Why, yes. Why wouldn’t they be? I told you once before that us Underlandians age gracefully. If I am correct, by your time, I would be,” he thought hard, placing his finger to his chin, knitting his eyebrows together, “one hundred and eighty years.”
Melody let her jaw drop open. “And how old would you be in...Underlandian?”
“Thirty-nine. But we do not count age. And now, my dear, I think that I can ask you the same.”
Melody smiled slyly. “I do not think that you can, my dear Hatter. For I did not ask. You told me your age. And besides, women do not like to be asked their age.”
“Oh.”
“But since you asked ever so nicely, I shall tell you. In my time, I would be twenty-eight. What would that be in Underlandian?
Tarrant thought for a minute; then let his face light up. “In Underlandian you would be...” his face fell into a confused look. “Twelve.”
“Twelve? I don’t want to be that young again. I had a hard enough time once.”
“But remember, we age gracefully!”
“Yes, I do understand that, but I am not Underlandian.” She paused. “Does it bother you that I would be twelve?” Melody cautiously asked, not really understanding why she did. But at the same time, her heart was fluttering.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and smiled. “It would never matter to me. A friendship and a bond cannot be based on age. You and me, Alice and I, we shared something. We understand each other. And nothing, not even time, can separate that.”
As Melody watched him talking, feeling his warm hands on her shoulders, she noticed his eyes change from green to blue. They weren’t a real strong blue, but more of an aqua. But to her, they were beautiful.
“Now! We need to make you a lovely dress for the ball! I only have three days in which to do so, so I must be off!”
He lightly patted her cheek and bounded up the stairs. Melody noticed a slight limp in his step yet as he moved upstairs, but he hummed a merry tune. She heard him close the door.
Melody let a smile play on her lips. There was something special about the Hatter that she just couldn’t put her finger on. He always made her smile. He always knew when to make her laugh. And even when they argued, it didn’t last long and she forgave him quickly and vice versa. Melody placed her hand on her heart and felt it pumping hard against her chest wall. What was she feeling? Was she starting to have feelings for the Hatter?
She shook her head to erase the thought. No. It would or could never happen. She was to go back to her world any day now. Just watch and see. Mirana was throwing this big ball for her and Tarrant and she was going to tell her how to get home. But why was she included in the honoring of the slaying of the Black King? She had no part in it.
Maybe it was because she was the great-great-granddaughter of Alice. That had to have been it. Why else would be have been included?
And to think that all of Underland will be there. Her stomach twisted in knots. She was never one for big crowds; she liked being by herself most of the time. And now she was expected to speak and put a smile on for all of Underland. She didn’t know what to think. Tarrant will be with me, she thought. Then again, maybe not. It was a ball in honor of him as well. No doubt he would be thrown from group to group being showered with praises.
A loud bang from upstairs woke her from her daydreaming and she bounded up to the room that Tarrant was in. She slowly opened the door to see Tarrant bent over rummaging through a pile of fabrics. He threw something behind him and she darted out of the way just in time before it hit her in the head. She watched him as he walked over to the sewing machine.
He plopped the fabric on table next to the complicated contraption and removed his hat and jacket. He pulled the apron off the table that was next to the machine and wrapped it around his body. He held up the material, eyeing it. He seemed displeased with something and headed back over to the pile of fabric. He rummaged some more and nodded with a happy sigh moving back over to the machine.
He furrowed his brow as he moved his face closer to the needle and began letting the bobbin move. His foot moved in rhythm with the sound of the machine making the threading go faster. His mouth was full of pins and he was concentrating so hard that his eyes were squinting.
Melody smiled to herself. He had no clue that she was there. She silently closed the door and headed back downstairs. She moved into the sitting room and found a book to read and lowered herself to the couch.
A few hours had past and she could feel her eyes begin to slowly close. She heard the door open upstairs.
“Melody! Come quick!” came an excited cry from Tarrant’s lips.
She closed the book and headed upstairs to see what was so exciting or what was wrong. She found Tarrant in the middle of the room standing in front of a mannequin covered by a large white cloth. Tarrant’s eyes were wide with excitement and his spacious teeth showed in a wild grin.
“What is it, Hatter?”
“I have a surprise for you,” he said walking over to her. He took her hand and led her into the room. “Go on, look.”
He twisted his hands in front of him in anticipation. Melody looked at him and smiled and walked closer to the mannequin. She slowly removed the white cloth and revealed the most beautiful dress she had ever seen.
To play with him, she kept her face emotionless and moved around the dress. She let her fingers examine the glitter and sequins adorning the fabric. She placed her nose close to inspect the stitching, though she had no clue what she was looking for, but she tried her hardest to make it look as though she did.
She caught Tarrant fidgeting out of the corner of her eye, his smile slowly starting to fade. She knew she was being really harsh on him and she herself was having a hard time keeping a straight face.
She walked over to him, face still showing no emotion.
“Is it to your liking?” he timidly asked.
Melody let her nose rise in the air a little. “It is satisfactory,” she said flatly.
Tarrant’s face fell in tandem with his shoulders. Melody felt horrible for what she was seeing before her and she couldn’t play along with her charade any longer.
“Oh, Tarrant,” she said placing her hands on his shoulders. “I cannot play this game any longer. It is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen! How did you do it in such a short time?”
“You mean,” he quietly asked, “that you truly do like it?”
“Of course! I was just playing with you since you were so excited!!” Melody moved back to the dress and let her fingers softly touch the fabric. “Really, Tarrant, you outdid yourself.”
“Well, it’s easy when you have such a subject that is inspiring.”
Melody felt her cheeks flush. She turned to see Tarrant’s eyes had turned a dark blue.
“Your eyes,” Melody said walking closer.
“My eyes?” Tarrant asked in concern.
“They’re blue. A dark, bright blue. Almost cobalt. I’ve never seen them that color before.”
Tarrant blushed, moved his eyes to the floor and shrugged.
“O-oh,” he stammered. “They turn that color when I am elated about something.”
“I am happy, Tarrant. Thank you for such a lovely dress. May I?” she asked pointing to it, motioning to take it to her room.
“Oh, yes!” He carefully picked it up, mannequin and all, and carried it to the his room in which she had been occupying.
They walked down the stairs together while discussing what they were going to be eating for dinner that would be in a few hours.
Tarrant went about the kitchen creating the meal, leaving it a surprise for Melody to what he was making. They laughed and regaled stories. Mallymkun and Thackery came in for some time then bounded back outside to enjoy their own tea party in the front yard.
“Tarrant?”
“Yes, my dear.”
Melody was silent for a moment. She didn’t know how to go about Tarrant about one question that had been on her mind the past few days.
“Why do you think, I mean...” she stammered. “Do you think that Mirana will be sending me home after the party? Do you think that is why she included me in the honoring?”
Tarrant stopped scraping a bowl. He turned, flour all over his apron, to her.
“How could you think such a thing?”
“I don’t know, it’s just...I don’t know.”
Tarrant set the bowl down and turned back to her again. After a couple minutes of silence he responded.
“Do you want to go home?”
“No!” she blurted. “I mean, yes I do, but I like it here, too, and I wouldn’t want to leave. I wouldn’t be able to speak with you and you, well,” she felt her cheeks flush again, “you have become such great friend I wouldn’t want to lose you.”
Tarrant sat down next to her. He placed his hands on her hers and squeezed them tight. He watched her eyes flash numerous emotions that were going through her mind. To comfort her, he placed his hand on her cheek. He felt it warm and flush.
“Melody,” he whispered. “You will always have me. You can visit Underland anytime you like. You know how to get here. You look here,” he said as he pointed a finger to her heart.
“But it’s not the same. I want to talk with you, laugh with you. I need physical interaction. Not like that!” she felt her face turn twenty shades of red at the astonished look on Tarrant’s face. “I mean, like, holding me, comforting me. Oh! Not like that either!” she stammered as she tried to regain her thoughts.
Melody moved from the table and crossed the room while moving her arms across her chest. She couldn’t look at Tarrant now. She had embarrassed herself to unbelief. She heard feet moving across the floor. Tarrant stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
“I know what you mean, dear.” He turned her around and drew her chin up with his fingers. “Like I said before, our friendship is a bond that can never be broken.”
“I’m so glad that you understand me, Tarrant. Sometimes, I say things and I know what I’m thinking but it comes out all wrong.”
“You mean, even in a friendly way, I wouldn’t be able to hug you?”
Melody rocked her head side to side and pursed her lips. “I need a hug now.”
Tarrant smiled sincerely and moved to her. He wrapped his arms around hers and held her tight. He felt her sigh. He knew it was a sigh of understanding and contentment. He felt her move her arms around his torso and turn her head against his chest.
Melody wrinkled her nose and sneezed. “Tarrant,” she mumbled against him.
“Oh, sorry, flour,” he said removing her from hug. “I really should continue cooking.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Melody said as she wiped her nose. She sneezed again. “I think I am going to go back to the sitting room and read. Let me know when supper is done.”
They ate supper and shared some more stories. Mally and Thackery joined them once again and ate too much. They enjoyed Hatter’s cooking. After dishes were done they all went back into the sitting room and shared tea and more stories. Melody read part of a poem from one of the books that she was reading and acted out all the parts. Tarrant clapped his hands together and shared his own poetry.
Melody was starting to feel the night tug on her eyes and she excused herself up to the room. She lit the little candle by the night stand and caught the glitters from the dress out of the corner of her eye. She walked up to it and ran it through her fingers.
The fabric was the babiest of baby blues. She lifted up the skirting and saw there were layers upon layers of taffeta. The main layer was satin covered by a sheer white silk. The stitching in the skirt looped in swirls giving it the look of a butterfly floating on the breeze. The bodice had capped sleeves that would expose her shoulders. The neckline was modest.
Tarrant knew her taste well. Plus, Melody knew that he was probably timid making a plunging neckline thinking that she would be wearing it. She wondered what his thoughts were when he was piecing the fabrics together.
Melody ran her finger along the neckline. Tiny pearls were sewn into the collar line. The shimmery silk that laid over the full skirt was also sewn into the bodice.
Melody felt her heart leap at the thought and time that he put into it. “It’s easy when you have such a subject that is inspiring.” His voice floated into her head. She just remembered what he had said earlier. What were he intentions when he said that?
Melody slowly walked away from the dress and put her night clothes on. She climbed under the covers and stared at the dress hiding in the shadows. The jewels sparkled in the dim light and Melody felt like a school girl smiling wide at the beautiful present that Hatter created just for her. Just. For. Me, she thought. She slowly lowered herself to the pillow and blew out the candle.
PREVIOUS CHAPTERS:
Chapter 1/ Chapter 2/ Chapter 3/ Chapter 4
Chapter 5/ Chapter 6/ Chapter 7/ Chapter 8