A Splintered FanFic- The Start Of Forever

Chapter 9: The Guest List

(SPOILER ALERT)
When: October 16, 2014
Where: Red Court Throne Room

We started planning the wedding the day after I proposed. Morpheus told me he would be fine with a more human wedding but I declined.
"I'm marrying a netherling in wonderland, I'm about as far away from human as I can get." I told him. He simply nodded his head, but his gems were a proud purple. "But I do want to invite a few people from the human realm." He nods his head slowly.
"Like who?" He asks.
"Well, my mom and dad, for one." I say. "Also Jen. We used to fantasize about what our weddings would be like when we were young." I smile at the memory. My heart aches a little at the thought of how I've grown further away from her in the past three years. Jen, Jeb and I used to be so close. Jeb. Should I invite him? Before we dated we were good friends. It's been a few months since we broke up. Maybe it's been long enough for him to cool down. I hope so, because I really do want him there.
"I want Jeb there too." I say flatly. Morpheus's eyes darken. He snarls.
"Why do you want Jeb there?" He basically spits out the name. Behind his blue eyes, I see he is a little hurt. He's worried I've changed my mind.
"Because he used to be my best friend. This may be the last time to ever see him before I stay in Wonderland forever." My eyes soften. "You have nothing to fear. I don't think of him that way anymore." He seemed a little less upset, but not completely. I smile and look up at him. I hadn't really taken in his attire yet today. He's wearing black pants and a white shirt with a blue vest over it. His current hat is a shade darker than his blue vest. It has delicate spirals of gold thread, with a small black moth at the smallest point of each spiral.
"Would it make you feel better if I told you, you look very sexy today?" I purr out the second part. I can feel his previous doubt melt away and become replaced with arrogant pride. He always beams when given the chance to show off his clothes.
"You don't need to tell me things I already know, luv." He smirks. "But since you did, I would like to inform that this it's one of my older hats. Don't you want to know what it is?" I laugh at his eagerness to share.
"I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway."
He ignores my answer and continues. "This is my contriving hat." He says proudly. Then he realizes I changed the subject. His snarl reappears along with his gems red with anger that I tried to trick him. "I still don't want him here."
I move my hand to rest it on the side of his face, but he turns away. I drop my hand, a little hurt.
"Don't you want to show him you won and he lost?" I ask. He looks back at me. The look on his face nearly crushes me. His eyes a little unbelieving, questioning, and a tad hurt.
"Do you really think my affection for you is a game?" I'm a little in shock. I didn't expect him to take it that way.
"No no no, I didn't mean it like that." I say. "I know it's not a game. Morpheus, I know you love me, just as I know I love you." He looses his look and steps towards me. He puts his hand on the side of my face and looks into my eyes, silently questioning me if I'm telling of truth. My eyes soften as I tilt my head upwards and gently press my lips to his, answering him in the best way I can. He kisses me back softly. But the softness slowly turns into passion, both of us hungry for the other. When it's over we're both panting. He leans his forehead against mine.
"You can invite him." He says quietly.
"Are sure? I don't want to if you're not completely okay with it."
"I'm not completely okay with it, but I'm close enough."
"Alright, I'll head up to the human realm tomorrow."
• • • • •
I woke up alone in my room. I won't be alone for too much longer though.
I get out of bed and get dressed. I put on a white tank top with a black mesh shirt over it. Then put on a thick red belt around the small of my waist. I grab a black velvet skirt and a deep red petticoat for underneath. I look in the mirror and smile in approval. I know I don't dress like a "normal person," but that's what makes it so great. I'm not going to say mushy garbage like "it's what makes me special." It's like how my makeup is my "war paint." My clothes are my armor.
I walk through the door and into the hallway. I've noticed that doorways in Wonderland vary in size. It makes sense. If you are a small humanoid animal, you don't need a door that's the size of an average door in the Human Realm. Or if you're a type Netherling similar to Morpheus and me, then you will need a door that's a bit wider and taller. Otherwise, our wings hit the door.
I hesitate while passing Morpheus's door. It's easier to just leave. I don't want to give Morpheus a chance to change his mind. Once I reach outside I take to the air, flying high above the land. I never get tired of this view. I smile to myself as I glide downwards to the Palace. I land with little issue and walk through the door. I walk confidently, nodding my head at every servant that curtsies or bows to me. I feel like I should tell them they don't need to do that, but I kinda like the sense of authority I feel when they do it.
I enter the portal room and stare at the 15 x 5 foot mirror. The glass hasn't a single impurity. I reach for my key on a chain around my neck and pull it over my head. I watch as the glass cracks and forms a keyhole. I insert the key. The glass falls away to reveal a water like image of my bathroom in my house. I step into the mirror and find myself in the sink. I get up and scoot of the counter and onto the floor. I'm a little dizzy, but I know it will go away in a moment. I slowly walk into my bedroom. It's exactly as I left it. Mom and Dad haven't even made my bed. I stick my head out of my door and look both ways. I'm not sure why, but I don't think I can bare talking to both my parents and Jeb about marrying Morpheus in the same day. I know how much my mother dislikes Morpheus, and Jeb isn't any better. So, instead I leave an elegant white envelope on the kitchen table. It's addressed to "Alison and Tomas Gardner."
I return to my room one last time. I look from my walls, to my unmade bed, to my overflowing draws, to my cluttered bureau. I pick up my jade caterpillar. My jade Morpheus. It's a little weird to think I'm marrying someone who once was a caterpillar. Wait. If we had children...
I can't think about this right now.
I put down the statue and walk out my door. I drag my palm on the familiar walls on the way to the front door. I open and close it without making a sound. I walk across the porch and find myself at the Holt residence. I step up to the door. I go to knock on the door, but stop inches from the wood. What if he's still upset? How will he react? What if he's not home? Questions race through my mind before I take a deep breath, and knock three times. I hear some shuffling from inside and a familiar voice shouting, "I'll get it!" The door swings open.
"What's u- Alyssa? Oh my god I haven't seen you in forever!" Jen hug tackles me to the floor. "Where have you been? How dare you just up and leave without saying good bye!" I totally forgot I didn't say goodbye. I talked to Jeb then returned to Wonderland.
I laugh softly and hug her back. "I know, I missed you too." We finally separate and she sits back. I glance around and notice the living room walls are a different color. "How long has it been?" I honestly lost track of time while in Wonderland.
Jen looks at me a little funny. "It's been seven months..." Seven! That's half a year. Have I really been gone that long? I must have had a strange look on my face, because she reaches her hand out and gently places it on my arm. There is a look of concern on her face. "Alyssa? Are you okay?" I nearly laugh. This won't be easy.
"Funny you should ask..." I tell her everything from the time I first heard plants and bugs talking to me, when I went down the rabbit hole with Jeb in tow, to what I'm doing with Morpheus now.