Alice's plan to overthrow the Queen of Hearts is thwarted by a dashing pirate with a hook. Years later, after the curse is broken, they reunite once again.
---------------------------------
slowly editing! You'll see at the end of each chapter if th...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I approach Jefferson's massive home with wonder painted across my face. It's not like his cozy little tree house back in Wonderland. Instead, he has a ginormous mansion that nestles perfectly into the woods. As beautiful as his home is, I can't exactly imagine him living here and being happy. I know all too well what it's like to live in a home so large you feel an emptiness inside you so deep you can feel it echoing. An infinite void.
That's why Andy and I spent most of our time out at sea in The Wonderland. When I left our apartment, he hugged me tight and kissed me. I was planning on having the talk with him last night. But the words got caught in my throat like shards of glass, and I'm an awful person for it.
Jefferson invited me to come have breakfast with him, telling me he had a big surprise for me. I don't know whether to feel dread or excitement. It's always a mixed bag when it comes to him.
I approach the white double doors. I lift my hand to knock when the door swings open. I furrow my brows when I see no one in front of me. I open my mouth to call out to him when I glance down and see a little girl looking up at me with a toothy grin.
"Uh..." I trail off, aware of how dumb I sound right now.
She's probably about eleven years old with golden blonde hair.
"I'm Grace! Father's told me so much about you!" She exclaims.
I feel my heart nearly explode out of my chest. I slowly crouch so that we can be eye to tearful eye. Well, at least I have tears in my eyes.
"Grace," I say simply.
She nods her head, as though she's proud of the fact. As though her mere presence isn't a miracle.
"Alice. Meet my daughter Grace." Jefferson's voice comes from over Grace's shoulder.
I look up to see Jefferson smiling at me knowingly. I get up and throw my arms around his shoulders. I bury my face in his chest, not even feeling guilty that I'm getting it wet.
"You found her." My voice is muffled.
"Why are you crying?" He whispers in my ear, concerned.
I pull back to look him in the eyes.
"I promised to help you find her. Instead, I got myself sucked into another portal." I whisper back.
He brushes my frizzy hair out of my face with a fatherly smile.
"Alice, you did help me find her. You helped break the curse, and you won against Cora."
He grasps my shoulders for extra emphasis. I look down at my shoes, shaking my head.
"I know, I just-"
"Just nothing. Now come and have breakfast."
He doesn't let me finish, putting his arm around me and leading me to the kitchen. I notice now that Grace must have left us to give us some privacy. The kitchen is just as large as I had expected and smells like the bakeries I used to frequent back in the Enchanted Forest.
