Wonderland Days, A Fanfic: Chapter 17.C (Noah's Ending)

….Neither...

I turned away from them both and ran outside, feeling the tears burning in the corners of my eyes.

I loved it here in Wonderland. I loved the way Oliver would always remember my favorite books. I loved the way Elliot would let me into his study to chat, even when he was working. I loved the way Clark and Lance could get me out of my depressed moods with a simple cup of tea, or just listening to me. Hell, I even loved the way Jack and I could talk about anything, almost like siblings.

I loved it here...but I knew I had to go back. I had a family and a group of life-long friends back in my own land.

I don't know why, but I could feel my heart hurt so much from running away, but I couldn't think about that now. For now, I just had to get back ho-...I mean back to Oliver's home, change, pack my stuff, and wait for morning to arrive.

I don't even remember getting back to Oliver's home, but I do remember packing my stuff into my side bag (which was getting really heavy in the process), and finding the bottle of Alcohol Oliver had from a few weeks ago.

I just stared at it for a long while, remembering that when Oliver drank it, his heart had been hurting too. "Maybe it make's one's heart feel better..." I mumbled to myself as I uncapped the lid and took a swig of it.

It burned the back of my throat and tasted like crap-water, but it did make my heart feel better. I took a bigger swig of it before finishing my packing.

I sat on the bed, just drinking from the bottle of alcohol (which I think it said Wonderland Whiskey, but I didn't really pay attention to the brand) and waited for morning to come. Or sleep, whichever came first.

My head felt much lighter than usual, and I felt quite a bit warmer too. I kicked off my stockings and heels, hoping it would cool me down, but it didn't. I decided to throw off my dress to, leaving me in just my slip and a bra.

"Much better~" I said as I felt the cool wind on my overheating skin. I took another drink and had finished off the bottle before I heard the door open, and I saw Oliver's tired and sad face.

"Ashley..." He mumbled, but then blushed when he looked at me. "I'm Sorry! I'll just le-" He began, but in the middle of his apology, I had stood up ad walked (well...stumbled really) over to him, and kissed him.

That was the last thing I remembered before it all went blank...

~The Next Morning~

I groaned in a bit of pain. My head was pounding, my body felt absolutely sore, and I was cold as hell.

It took me a few minutes to just sit up, keeping my eyes shut until I realized that the room was dark. I opened my eyes and saw no sunshine, but instead dark clouds and rain outside my- I mean Oliver's window.

I couldn't remember anything from last night after getting back to Oliver's home and began packing. This kind of scared me, but hey, after long nights like those, I don't think anyone could really remember much if they were in my place.

I slowly looked around the room and noticed my clothes were hanging on the door, and the fancy dress Lance had given had disappeared. "Oliver must have washed it..." I mumbled to myself as I slowly got out of bed and carefully (since I was kind of stumbling around) walked over to my clothes and took them into the bathroom with me.

I went through my usual morning routine one last time (Good lord, the shower was just a blessing today!) before just looking around at the house, trying to capture its images in my minds eyes, never wanting to forget where I had spent the last month in.

I sighed and grabbed my bag (and an umbrella) before making my way out of Oliver's home one last time.

I made sure the walk today would be much slower than normal, not wanting to leave so quickly. But all too soon, I had made it to the Clock Tower for one last trip. I walked in and spotted Oliver, who quickly noticed me and blushed.

I sighed and saw none of my friends (save for Oliver) there. But I guess they had listened to me, since I had told them I didn't want anyone coming today, just because I knew the goodbye's would be too hard.

Oliver walked over to me, an odd smile gracing his pale face. "Well today's the day, huh? I hope you got a good night's rest. I didn't sleep too well last night..." His pale cheeks quickly turned a rosy color at that. I wondered if he was getting a fever, but his cheeks soon turned back to normal. "So...are you ready to go back home, Ashley?"

I nodded and Oliver began to lead me to the set of double doors that had been locked up since my first day here. Just before Oliver had opened the doors, we both heard a very familiar voice. "Wait, Oliver. We have to turn back the surface's time before she goes."

This surprised us both as we turned around, only to see Elliot von Hart out of the castle, still in his cape and crown.

"Y-your majesty? Wh-what are you doing here? Oh, never mind that! Just what do you mean by "turn back the surface's time"?" Oliver asked, just as confused as I was.

Elliot spoke "Ashley has been missing from her world for 30 days, so her friends and family are obviously going to question where she has been all this time. To save them all the confusion, and to erase the grief they felt when she disappeared, we have to turn back their time using this clock tower."

Oliver's red eyes widened in surprise. "So that's why this clock tower is so important! Why didn't you tell me about this before, your majesty?"

Elliot frowned. "Nobody must know about its power. Not only does it hold the surface's time, but if it were to be destroyed, the surface would collapse and crush this world. Please keep this between us Oliver."

Oliver quickly nodded. "O-of course, your majesty." He then turned to me. "Um, Ashley. We need to hurry. The hole to the surface might close soon. You stay here while I go turn back the surface's time." And with that, Oliver hopped off, letting Elliot lead the way to wherever they were going.

"Hey..." I heard a familiar voice say. I turned to my right and saw Lance standing there, a sad smile on his face.

"Hi..." I mumbled, already feeling the urge to cry. I didn't want to cry in front of my friend, because I told him it may happen if he came to see me today.

"Um, I just wanted to see you one last time before you leave, princess. I decided to go back to my kingdom on my own, but you'll still always be on my mind." Lance then quickly (and silently) walked over to me, giving me a quick hug. "Thank you for everything, Ashley. I won't ever forget you. Please, go back to your home and live a happy life. Good princess." And with that he left before I could even say goodbye,

I felt tears running down my cheeks as Oliver came back alone. "The King has to make sure this works, so he is staying behind. But...he wanted me to tell you goodbye..."

I rubbed my tears away and nodded.

"And Ashley...Thank You...You made me feel so loved las-...since you came here..." Oliver said as he gently kissed my forehead I cried more and Oliver just waited a few minuets for my tears to slow down before he opened the doors. "Are you ready?"

I nodded and walked through them. "Goodbye Oliver...Goodbye Wonderland..." I called out behind me, not wanting to watch my month-long home disappear.

The last thing I remember is a bright light...then...nothing...

~A few hours later (I suppose?)~

I felt groggy as I opened my eyes. Everything was unfocused for a moment before I realized I was stair at Noah, who I was absolutely delighted to see.

"About time you woke up, Ashley. Didn't I tell you not to go anywhere? When I came back I thought you left, but I found you snoozing over here." He chuckled "But I'll let you off the hook since it's your birthday. Here's a little something for you, Ashley. And again, sorry for not getting you a cake this year." Noah said.

I smiled and felt sad as I opened the gift, wondering if time had been set back in Wonderland too. As I opened it, I began to hear something play the tune of "Happy Birthday", ad to my surprise, there was a music box sitting in the small package Noah had given me.

It was a shade of off-white with little black ribbons painted onto it, and hearts, spades, clubs, and diamonds painted onto it.

I smiled, feeling even sadder, but at the same time, happy.

"Do you like it?...It took me forever to find that, but I think it's really the perfect gift for you."

"Thank you Noah...I love it." I said as I set it down, package and all, the song continuing to play.

"Hey Ashley...can I ask you something?...Can you see us in the future...always being together, just like this?" Noah asked as he looked out into our village.

It took a moment for me to answer. "Kind of. I wish that it could be like that."

Noah smiled and looked at me. "Ashley, you don't have to wish. All you have to do is ask. I...I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember."

I was surprised, since I had only seen Noah as my brother.

"I wish that we can stop being friends and mean much more to each other. Wouldn't it be nice if you and I could be in each other's futures? Together we can make those wishes come true. Right Ashley?" Noah asked, hope gleaming in his eyes.

I nodded and smiled. Noah took that as a yes, and he kissed me. Not on the lips like Oliver or Elliot had done, but on the cheek instead...

~Years later~

It's been at least ten years since my trip into Wonderland, and by now, Noah and I had gotten married in a one-sided love (I still only saw him as my brother). But I guess I should tell you just what happened since I cam back from Wonderland.

Well, besides Noah and I getting together, I had found out some very big news just a few weeks after that. I had gotten pregnant in Wonderland.

I don't know how or when, or who the father even was, but all I knew at the time was that I was scared. I told Noah, and he thought something must have happened to me at least a month or two beforehand to make this happen. He promised he would be the father to my child and claim it as his own.

Our parents weren't happy, but they let us marry just a few months later, towards the end of my pregnancy.

About two months later, I had given birth to a gray haired, blue eyed son who I had named Allen Joesph. I knew then who the father was, and I felt sad that neither father nor son would ever meet.

But Noah was ecstatic the day Allen was born, and had taken to him right away.

By the time Allen was three, I had gotten pregnant again, this time with Noah's child. Nine months later I had given birth to a little girl name Mary. Noah loved her just as much as he loved Allen, and Allen was happy to be a big brother.

We are now living in our village, happy (for the most part). Allen is usually out with his friends, playing ball or fishing, and Mary loves to sit at home and read, mostly fantasy stories (if I didn't know better, I could have sworn she was His child, and not Allen).

Noah and I are happy, he in love with me, and me, well, I'm just happy I can make my pseudo-brother happy.

But...I do long for Wonderland again, wanting to introduce Him to his son, and letting Mary explore the colorful town.

I miss Oliver..I miss Elliot...I miss everyone. I may have been born in this land. But Wonderland will always be my true home...

-End Chapter 17.C-