Disclaimer: I don't own the miniseries.
A/N: I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update. I know usually I'm quick with chapters but first I got writer's block and then was just relishing in the winter break from school. Still, sorry I didn't update the story.
New Year's for Alice hadn't ever really taken a mean to her for the longest time. Every since her dad had disappeared from her life the resolutions had all become the same year after year. I'll find daddy, I'll find a good man, and I'll keep my mother safe. Now Alice was stuck sitting in her kitchen at the island thinking about what she should resolute in for the upcoming New Year. She had found her father (Unfortunately losing him soon after), she had found a great man, and her mother was as safe as could be.
The young woman didn't need to worry about Hatter being safe. There wasn't nearly as much to fear in her world as there was in his. She knew Charlie was protected by the Red King himself. Both she and Hatter hadn't many tiffs, so she couldn't really resolute to repair an already awesome relationship. So poor Alice was stuck pondering how her life had changed drastically. So drastically in fact that it had taken away her ability to appease to the New Year resolution rule.
"I think it's just silly how your world celebrates a new year. I mean I understood birthdays and, once you had explained it to me, I understood Christmas but I just don't see the point in dropping a ball from a 'Time Square.' Which reminds me, why do you have a time square? I look around and most the time keeps you have a circular. Shouldn't you have dropped the ball from a 'time circle?' You oysters make little sense." Hatter rambled about New Year's while he scurried about in cleaning the house. They were inviting Alice's mother over as well as Jack, the Duchess, and Charlie. Jack and Carol both understood what the party was for but Duchess and Charlie held a bit of confusion about it. But they took it in stride because a party was a party and one might as well enjoy themselves at it.
Hatter knew his wife was mulling over something so he only kept up a light, one-sided conversation. The young man didn't expect much a reply from his young woman because he had a feeling the whole "New Year" thing was getting her a bit down. If, though, this mulling lasted too much longer he would have to sit down with her and have her explain herself on what it was that had gotten her so down.
"What are your new year resolutions, Hatter?" Alice asked out of the blue. Her eyes were looking directly at her husband and he cocked his head to the side, sort of like a confused puppy.
"What are New Year resolutions?" Hatter inquired carefully and quietly. He had moved to stand on the opposite side of the island as he looked right back at her.
"They are something you promise yourself to do for the next year. Most people usually don't complete all of theirs, or even some of them, but almost everyone makes them. So do you have any in mind?" She asked him again. It took a minute as Hatter pondered about any promises he would make to himself.
"I think…my resolutions are…to keep you happy, to keep you safe, make sure my tea shop thrives, and to do everything in my power to never lose you." Hatter nodded his head as he finished. "What are your resolutions, my love?"
"I don't know what they are. I don't need to keep you safe, I'll always try to make you happy, and my karate thrives enough to live off of." She explained with a huff. Her husband made his way over to her and kissed the top of her head while grasping her hand gently.
"Well, is there anything you want to accomplish this year that might be difficult to do?" Hatter asked. His voice was quiet, loving, and gentle. He knew that something about New Year was touchy for her but he wasn't quite sure.
"Not that I know of." Alice answered with a sigh. Hatter let go of her hand and began to gently rub her back.
"What did you promise last year?" His voice was very quiet and gentle because somehow he knew this was the question that would tell him why she was so upset. It was a moment of silence before his wife slowly breathed out and closed her eyes.
"I accomplished what I had promised. I kept my mother safe," She paused, opening her eyes before continuing, "I found an amazing man," She smiled up at him but then her eyes averted and she looked back at the island counter, "and…I found my dad." Alice's voice choked up a bit while she admitted the last answer.
Now Hatter understood why this time of year wasn't good for her. Especially this year. Before she was always searching for her father. Now that she had found him, this time of year reminded her of how she had also lost him. So what could she promise this year since when she could remember she had been promising to find him?
"Well…" Hatter paused for a second while Alice opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Then there's the answer." A smile lit her husband's face as he looked down at her. "You don't need a resolution this year. There's nothing wrong in your life that can be fixed so why should you promise for something you don't need to? I personally think you're perfect as you are." Hatter kissed her head and a smile lit up her face as well. She stood and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I love you Hatter." She whispered and her husband would have replied but he knew he didn't need to. The comfortable silence didn't need to be broken by words they already had heard and knew were true.