Alice

30. The Goodbye

30. The Goodbye

The next morning, the air in the castle had a sluggish feel to it. Many people (particularly the Mad Hatter) were a little hung over, and everyone was exhausted. I definitely was, seeing as I stumbled into my room at five in the morning. But I think I can speak for the whole kingdom when I say that the aching feet, the inability to keep my eyes open, and the dull buzzing inside our heads were worth it.

In fact, no one wanted to stop the party. Because of this, a bunch of us decided to get together for a late breakfast when everyone was awake. So, at noon, the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Blue Caterpillar, Brokk, Martha, the Cheshire Cat, Jack, and I all gathered in the dining room. On the long table was a feast of pancakes, waffles, French toast, bagels, toast, hash browns, omelets, scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, coffee, every fruit juice imaginable, hot cocoa, tea, milk..... Basically, anything anybody could ever want in the morning.

After staring in stunned silence at the amazing feast before us, we sat down and instantly dug in. Partying makes you hungry, you know.

As we enjoyed the great food, we chatted about different topics. Sometimes, there were three or four different conversations going on at once. Other times, we'd all have one big discussion. I talked about everything from the many new holidays Wonderland is to have with the Mad Hatter, to the very short seasons of Wonderland with Brokk, to fruitlessly trying to convince the whole table that I am not a secret ninja with incredible sword fighting skills.

We all talked and laughed, until Martha asked Jack what the first thing he wanted to do in his new life. He blushed. "Well," he began. "I was going to wait till tonight to ask her, and I wasn't going to say anything to anyone else until tomorrow, but since you brought it up...." He stood up and pulled out a small, square black box. I caught my breath as he got down on one knee beside me. "Alice, you've changed me in more ways than you know. You brightened up my life from the moment I saw you. I love you, and I want to be with you forever." With that, he slowly flipped open the box. Inside, resting on a bed of red velvet, was a ring. It was small and simple, with tiny diamonds and rubies encrusted in a woven design. Jack looked up at me, and asked a question I'd never thought I would hear: "Alice, will you marry me?"

I was stunned. I couldn't believe it. Jack had just asked me to marry him. He looked up at me, waiting. I felt my friends' eyes on me, waiting. Everyone was waiting for my response. And everyone thought they knew what it was.

I suppose this was my time to tell them. I'd been waiting for the right moment to announce it, and I guessed that moment had come.

I took a deep breath. "Jack, I want nothing more than to marry you," I said truthfully. "But... I can't." Jack's brow furrowed in confusion. I heard shocked murmurs uttered throughout the room.

"Wh- Why not?" Jack asked, struggling to understand.

I stood up and faced the room, addressing everyone. "I can't because I'm leaving Wonderland."

The room erupted. "What?", people cried. "Why?". Jack looked as if I'd stabbed him.

"I can't stay here. This isn't my world. I don't belong here."

Martha stood up. "That's not true and you know it," she told me. "We all love you, and I can't think of a better young woman to be our queen." A murmur of agreement floated through the room.

I sighed. There goes that excuse. "Okay, Martha. You're right. I've never felt more at home than I do here."

"Then stay!" Brokk cried. "Yes, stay!" agreed the group.

"I can't." Why were they making this harder than it already was? "I have responsibilities. Things I have to do. People I can't let down. I mean, before I fell down that rabid hole, I had my whole life planned out. And then, everything was turned upside down..... Although, it's better that way," I realized aloud.