Chapter 9

Alice began wetting her hair and then began washing her hair with the wild flower soap, making sure to get soap deep into her hair. She learned that Tarrant he preferred it her hair smelled like wild flowers and her body like vanilla, which was quite fine with her. The combination suited her well. Keeping an eye on her lover, she noticed that he got harder as he watched her bathe.

Smiling, she gently grabbed his hand and placed it on her body. "Go on, my dear. Touch me. After all, I'm yours." Alice said softly.

Tarrant stretched his legs, allowing him to move his hand around her waist, and brought her close to him. Alice smiled and rested against him, allowing him more access. Tarrant ran his fingers through her hair, working it more in and then ran water over her. After getting the soap out of her hair and body, he grabbed the honey bar and gently worked it through her hair. Alice sighed happily. She loved it when he washed her hair. It was very relaxing for both them. He got to play with her hair and try different scents or could mix the two together. She got to relax under his talented fingers. After one final dump of water to get all soap out, they relaxed in the water, enjoying each other. As the water got cold, Alice drained the tub and slowly stood up.

Turning to her lover, she said. "Let's get out and have a nice quiet day in bed. Sound good, my love?"

Tarrant smiled softly, nodding, allowing her to help him stand. Wrapping herself in towels, she began drying his body. As she drew his hair back, she had him sit on toilet, getting ready to brush his hair. As the last of his hair was dried, she noticed that it had grown down to his neck. It dawned on her why his past was haunting him more than usual. He cut his hair after the Jabberwocky buried his village to ground. Smiling sadly, she kissed the top of his head.

"My love, I believe I figured out what's making this so hard for you."

"What is it, my Alice?"

Alice gently tugged the ends of his hair. "Your hair has grown lot."

Tarrant tugged on a strand of his hair, confirming what Alice discovered. He gently squeezed her thigh, feeling unfordable with his hair getting long, gently rubbing his shoulders, "Don't worry, my love. I'll trim it back for you.

"Let me go get the scissors and razor. I'll be right back, sweetie."

Tarrant nodded and watched her leave the room. He tried to stay calm, but with each passing second seemed like an eternity, but she soon returned with a comb, razor and scissors in hand. Tarrant got on the edge of the toilet, allowing her room to get behind him. Once she was, she gently moved him back bit, trying to get them closer. She began combing out his hair and then got to work cutting his hair until it was against his neck. Then, taking the razor, she began using to get the hair on his neck before moving around him until his hair was back to his preferred style.

Stroking his hair gently, she said. "There you go. Back to the handsome mad man I fell in love with."

Tarrant touched his hair nervously. Feeling the familiar shortness, he sighed in relief. He looked up at her, smiling softy. "Thank you, my sweet Alice."

"You're welcome, my sweet hatter. I'll happily do it anytime."

Gently taking his hand, she pulled him to his feet and led him towards the bed. Getting him settled back in bed, Alice went over to Leroy, who needed be fed again. Gently picking him up, she headed back to bed, settling against him. Tarrant settled his head on her shoulder, watching Leroy feed from her.

Alice rested her head on his, gently taking his hand and placing it on Leroy's body, allowing him to be involved in moment. She watched as he gently rubbed Leroy's back, helping Leroy relax more, slowly falling sleep. Smiling softy she looked over at Tarrant, who was fast sleep. Gently kissing his head, she gently covered them and moved a pillow to her other side just in case Leroy rolled over before falling asleep herself.

Two hours later~

Alice woke up feeling Leroy being lifted off of her. Opening her eyes to find Mirana hovering above her with Leroy safely in her arms, she said softly. "Sorry for waking you, Alice. The kids told me what happen, so I decided after my meeting I would come get Leroy so you could have some time alone with him."

Alice relaxed and gently stroked Tarrant's hair. "Thank you. In a little bit, could you please bring a light meal and tea?" she said softly.

Mirana nodded. "Of course. How is he?"

Alice looked over at him. Lightly, she moved him so he could be resting against her breast. "His hair grew down to his neck, which reminded him of the past. We talked briefly about his past and agreed whatever suddenly came we'll work through it together one step at time. I believe when the kids pounced on him, something came to mind, causing him break down. When he wakes up, we'll talk about it."

Mirana nodsded. "I'll make sure to keep the kids and everyone else away, unless you need something. I'll bring Leroy to you when he is hungry."

Alice nodded. "Thank you, Mirana. Tell the kids that Papa is doing better than before."

Mirana nodded and quietly left the room, holding Leroy close to her. Alice turned towards Tarrant, pulling him closer. She watched as he buried his head into her, trying hide. Alice gently stroked his hair, trailing it down and slowly getting knots out. Tarrant snuggled deeper into her embrace. By the time she got all the knots out, a maid appeared with food.

Gently, she began shaking him. "Wake up, my sweet hatter. Time to eat."

Slowly, Tarrant opened his eyes and looked up at her. Gently moving the strands of hair out of his eyes, she smiled at him and gently kissed his forehead. "Mirana got us a light lunch and tea. How about we eat in bed today?"

Tarrant nodded, liking the idea. Then he remembered his work and the kids. He didn't spend time with them. Even if no one comes to work, he could make things for Alice, the kids, and their friends, but the kids weren't fully comfortable with him, or at least Duncan. He wasn't sure how Neil felt, but he knew Melody loved him and Leroy only cared about being fed and sleeping. Alice said was quite normal for newborns to prefer females and reminded him daily that as he got older, he would love him. He wanted the kids to love him and to think him as family. The moment he met them and talked to Alice, he began loving them as father, but he still had a lot to learn about being a dad. He didn't want to make a mistake and making the kids hate, or worse, make him hate the kids the way his father hated him. He would do anything to prevent that. He would do whatever it took to keep his new little family and his Alice. Quickly, he got up, only to be pulled back into bed by Alice.

"Where are you going my love?"

Panic settled in. "I need to reschedule my appointments and go to the children. I need to spend time with them. They're expecting me to do things with them."

Alice gently pulled herself to him, wrapping her arms around his torso and keeping him still. "Relax, my dear. Your appointments have already been rescheduled and the kids know that its Momma and Papa alone time right now. They understand, my dear."

"But..." he stammered. Alice gently stroked his face, realizing he didn't remember what happened earlier today.

"My love, you had major panic attack earlier when the children came to wake us up. They know you just need my attention and we need to talk. Mirana will spend time with the children and keep everyone else away. Right now we are going relax and after while talk about it." she said softly.

Tarrant's eyes widened in surprise, not remembering that or what happened after it. All he remembered was the amazing love making night from before. Slowly, images from earlier came. Tears came into his eyes. The children saw his panic attack. That was one of the things he never wanted them witness. Alice gently wiped his tears away.

"Shhh, my love, its okay. They were only worried about you and wanted you be okay. They actually demanded I make you happy again." she said, laughing softly at the end. Tarrant buried his head into her neck, crying. Alice gently rubbed his back, soothing him. "It alright, my love. Lay back down. I'm going to get our food." she whispered into his ear. Tarrant nodded against her neck and allowed her to guide him back to bed.

Alice quickly put on a robe and headed towards to door to find their tray on floor. Carefully picking up the tray, she shut the door and placed the tea pot on the small stove they had in the room. Setting the stove on medium, she waited for the water heat up. "How abut we have nice relaxing herbal tea."

Tarrant nodded, liking the idea. Alice smiled gently putting the herbal tea leafs into the tea pot. Making sure they mixed into water thoroughly, she took tray into the bedroom. Tarrant gently took the tray from her and set it on bed. He was relieved to find peanut butter sandwiches and biscuits with jelly on side. He was glad his Alice ordered a light meal for them. His stomach did feel queasy and the herbal tea would help settle it.

Alice gently kissed his lips and went back to the tea pot, hearing its whistle and poured tea into the cups before bringing it over to him. Tarrant gently grabbed both cups, allowing Alice to climb into bed. Once she settled into the bed, Tarrant handed her cup and they enjoyed a quiet lunch.

To be continued.

I know its been long time since I updated and between school life, work life, and home life also dealing with depression and writers block. It was just no time to update. Thank you for all for reading and patiently waiting for me update. I have another chapter coming soon.