"Happy birthday, Mrs. Van Dort."

@ive-only-my-wits

It’s been nearly a month on, but he still hasn’t stopped smiling like an idiot when he calls her that. “I suppose this is more of a delayed wedding present than a birthday one, but – well, considering how long it took us to get to the wedding…” With a slightly-awkward laugh, he hands the gift over. Pulling off the paper will reveal it’s a small wedding album, bound in red leather with their initials in gold on the front. Inside are some pictures of the happy couple and their friends, a few pressed flowers, the recipe Victor used for their cake, and their marriage license. Plus a few doodled butterflies, because Victor.

It brings a smile to her face as well to hear that name. While nothing really has changed since they got married, the official-ness of it all has certainly made itself known. The glow hasn’t quite dulled yet. “Thank you, Mr. Van Dort,” she says in response with a smirk, before giggling. “Late wedding gift, on-time birthday present...it’s all still holds the same sentiment.” Pulling away the paper, a smile lights her features as she sees the gift. It’s wonderfully bound, and her smile only grows when she sees what’s inside. “Victor, this is lovely- a very good way to remember a very, very special day.” Going up to her tiptoes, she presses a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.” 

A Day For A Glorious Wedding (w/ive-only-my-wits)

The door opens – and Victor’s jaw drops, just a little, as Alice is revealed. He’s always considered her beautiful, even during the roughest times, but now…now she’s practically glowing. The dress with its butterflies around the hem suits her perfectly, her hair has never looked softer or shinier, and her eyes – he never thought they could ever look prettier, but today, they do. Maybe it’s the way she’s looking at him, as if – as if she doesn’t want to be anywhere else, except by his side. This beautiful, wonderful woman actually wants to marry him. Victor finds himself having to hold back tears. How had he ever gotten to be so lucky?

He returns her smile as she comes up beside him, awash in so much happiness he feels about ready to burst. To think he was afraid of doing this, frightened of her not showing up…he’d be embarrassed if there was any room for it. But instead he’s almost deliriously cheerful, wanting nothing more than to sweep her into his arms and kiss her silly.

Of course, there’s the actual ceremony to get through first. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the magistrate starts. “Today we come together to join this man and this woman in marriage. If there are any who object to this union, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace.”

As Nell Van Dort is not here (Victor’s doubly glad now he didn’t bother to invite her), silence greets these words. The magistrate nods approvingly, then looks at Victor. “I believe you have your own vows prepared?”

“Yes, sir.” All right, this is it… He turns to Alice and takes a deep breath, raising his right hand. “With this hand – I will lift your sorrows.” The bottle of wine they’d procured just for the occasion is uncorked, and a bit poured into – well, the nicest cup Victor could find in the house. No goblet, but it’ll do. “Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine.” Cup is exchanged for a candle, which Victor very carefully lights off the second. Thankfully, the wick on this one does not hate him and easily takes the tiny flame. “With this candle, I will light your way in darkness.”

And finally, the big one. Victor reaches inside his pocket and pulls out the ring. “With this ring…” He slides it onto her finger, and swallows down a sudden lump in his throat. “…I ask you to be mine.”

Everything feel very peaceful as the magistrate starts, and Alice finds that she can’t help but keep glancing over at Victor. Surely he’s as contented as she is. It’s a nice feeling- like everything is going right in the world. And for _them_, that’s a pretty rare feeling. 

No one gives an objection, and Alice has to fight the urge to smirk. Of course no one objected- how many people have been pushing for this again? And if anyone would have tried to say something, Martha’s look would have shut them up quite completely. 

When Victor starts his vows, however, her cheerful smile turns far warmer, taking in this precious moment. Later she’d tease him about getting his vows right for once, but for now she was taking it all in. Saving every second, embedding it into her memory. 

Because this is something she never wants to forget. 

She takes a moment to soak up the ring on her finger, even though Victor is finished speaking. Then, it’s her turn. Every motion is reciprocated, every line repeated...Save for the last. Because she isn’t asking him to be hers. 

She’s letting him know she’ll always be his, though, with a quiet yet genuine, “I’ll always be thine.” 

A Day For A Glorious Wedding (w/ive-only-my-wits)

There’s a general scramble for the seats at the magistrate’s announcement. Victor spots Martha coming outside as everyone gets settled. Well, that must mean Alice is ready too… He exchanges a nervous smile with the woman as she takes her place among the others. Good old Martha. She’s been a real boon to them in this endeavor. Not in the least in being the one who started them down this path in the first place. Would we have ever gotten married if not for her? Or would we just have continued on as we were? Not that there was anything wrong with it, but…I guess it is nice to have it all official and suchlike. Ugh, if only my stomach would settle…

Finally, it seems like everything’s ready to go. Victor turns and whistles at Moonlight, a signal they’d worked out a few days before. Moonlight, sitting on the sidelines with the other pets, chirrups and hits the “play” button to start up the wedding march clip Victor was able to find on his smartphone. That was a fortuitous discovery indeed – he’d been worried their wedding was going to be entirely music-free otherwise. Thank God for friends willing to introduce him to 21st century technology – and noticing the darn thing had a “music” button! (And for having a pet smart enough to easily perform such a task without mangling the phone.)

Of course, the start of the march is Alice’s cue to enter. Victor swallows and looks down the makeshift aisle as the familiar tunes play. This is it…

Martha smiles back at Victor with a bright grin. She’s perfectly content, and excited for the couple. She mouths a gentle “It will be fine!” to him, before taking a seat by her own husband. As soon as the music starts, though, she’s up again, eyes excitedly pinned to the door while waiting for her friend. 

And sure enough, the door opens to reveal Alice, who’s got an almost-sheepish smile on her face. But the moment she locks eyes with Victor...all the butterflies in her stomach cease. A deep breath, and a first step. 

It’s nice, having a small group. It’s intimate, and it’s nice. Supportive. At the very least, she’s grateful that Victor’s parents aren’t here. She could only imagine how horribly that could go. Nell Van Dort would want to have her way with everything. 

To Hell with that. This was her’s and Victor’s day. 

Coming up beside him at the alter, she settles on a softer, warmer smile. He looks nervous, too- but at least she’s here. She knows that was one of his fears. She’s here, and she doesn’t plan on leaving. This is it...

A Day For A Glorious Wedding (w/ive-only-my-wits)

Oh God, it’s only been three minutes?

“You seem nervous, Master Van Dort.”

Victor jumps, then gives the magistrate a sheepish smile. “Do excuse me sir, Weddings and I – it’s c-complicated.”

“So I understand – I’ve heard most of the stories,” the man replies, straightening his wig.

Victor swallows. “I – I assure you, sir, that anything about wedding n-nights–”

“Let’s not get into that,” the magistrate cuts him off, waving a hand. “Besides, the vast majority of the stories were about you and your current bride. Enough to make me wonder why you only chose now to get your license.”

Victor fiddles with his tie, remembering the clack of bones against a metal goblet, and a bedroom lying disheveled and empty. “Like I said – weddings and I are complicated,” he mumbles.

The magistrate gives him a probing look. “Well, this is about as uncomplicated a ceremony as one can have, short of just turning up in a registrar’s office,” he comments, then smiles. “And I have it on good authority Jack Splatter is currently in no condition to attend, so I think you’ll be fine.”

It’s not until he’s laughing that Victor realizes how much he needed to. Well, at least that’s one thing going wrong that he can cross off his list. “Thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcome.” He raises his voice. “Places, everyone! We’re about to begin!”

“Alright, my dear; it’s all on your own from here. But...not really. Because everyone will be around as you walk down the aisle, and then you’ll be with Victor at the end of it. I’m sure he’s just as anxious as you are.”  “That’s probably true,” Alice admits, fiddling with a strand of hair. “I...suppose I’ll see you out there. Thank you again for everything you did. I’m not sure this would have all happened with out your help.” Martha giggled, gave her a gentle squeeze on the shoulders, and left the room to go find her seat. With a deep breath, Alice too exited the room in order to make her way outside.  She wasn’t all that nervous- she’d spent last night in Wonderland talking with the different inhabitants. They all seemed to shrug off her concerns, so why shouldn’t she?  This was a good thing- she ought to let it be a good thing.  With as much as they had been through, this was where they got to say they made it out alright. They made it out together, and together they could take anything the world would throw at them. That line of thought seemed to be enough to make her smile, muscles relaxing. She could do this.  They could do this. 

A Day For A Glorious Wedding (w/ive-only-my-wits)

It’s a beautiful day for a wedding.

Nature must have realized what the occasion was, Victor decides as he stands out in the back garden. There’s no other explanation for the fact that all of the flowers seem to have come up at once. Daffodils and daisies, tulips and even a few little rosebuds, all adding a burst of brilliant color to the yard. The scent drifts along on a light breeze, making everything smell fresh and new. It’s a perfect day for new beginnings.

They haven’t done much to set up for their particular one – Victor personally considers the huge almost-wedding his friends Below threw for him and Emily to be enough for one lifetime, and Alice never seemed the sort to want a lot of fuss. A talk with Dr. Wilson brought forward a magistrate who both got them their marriage license and was willing to act as officiant. A glance through the bakeries in the city convinced Victor he could make their wedding cake as well as any of them – and in his and Alice’s preferred flavors too. Alice’s friend Martha was more than willing to come back over to help with the rest of the food and Alice’s dress. Victor, of course, knew the suit he’d be wearing – and while it’s gotten a fair bit of use throughout the years, it’s still in good enough condition for binding himself in holy matrimony. And with everyone they want attending aware of the date, what else do they really need?

For me to get my vows right, Victor tells himself, standing with the magistrate at the little table they’ve set up under the trees. Around them is a rough semicircle of chairs for their friends and relations (though it should be noted that Victor’s parents have been very definitely NOT invited – “relations” here means people like Alia, Sam, and Dianna.) I cannot get them wrong again. I know them by now, I must! It’s just – getting them out of my mouth that’s always the trouble. He fiddles with his tie, trying to ignore the knot in his stomach. It’s going to go better this time, he reassures himself. Really.

You’re not getting left at the altar again.

It really was a pretty day outside. 

From what she could see from the window, at least, because for the past hour Martha had been getting her ready. Really, she’d insisted upon simple things, but...looking in the mirror, she couldn’t help but feel grateful that Martha hadn’t listed to her. The dress was simple- the normal length she wore her dresses, with butterflies embroidered into the skirt. She didn’t look unlike herself, just-- 

More like Wonderland Alice than Normal Alice. 

“You look stunning,” Martha said, peaking her head over Alice’s shoulder. She looked smug with herself, and Alice couldn’t help but giggle. “It’s thanks to you, you know. You helped quite a bit with all of this- the food, the dress, the preparations. Hell, you were the one who got Victor and I to actually sit down and talk about getting married.” 

“Yes, well- you’re welcome. I hope your nerves are doing well- you know everything’s going to be okay.” 

“I do know that, yes- but...Well. Some things are hard to overcome. I’m excited, however- if that helps anything.” 

“It does,” Martha agreed with a smile. “Nothing’s really going to change...just your last name. That’s it. That’s the only change between you two. You’re both fiercely protective of each other, and everything will be okay. Deep breath, Alice- the time is almost here!” 

Victor plates the finished pancake and starts another. “I would not mind an outdoor wedding in the least,” he says, smiling at her over his shoulder. “Trees as a canopy, flowers edging the path…especially in April, when everything is coming into bloom…” He gazes off into the middle distance for a moment, imagining it. The world a spray of color, and the middle his lovely bride… “It would be a lovely way to get married. Though, ah, we will need to get a proper marriage license first. And someone to officiate.”

“I think so, too,” Alice agrees with a smile. It really would be a very pretty scene, wouldn’t it? Though, the other things proposed are definitely things to consider. “Do we even know someone who could officiate...? I’m sure we could find someone, but...Perhaps Dr. Wilson knows someone. We’ll have to talk to him...”

“i’m okay” (c lo s e d)

If Ciel had to describe Madeline’s funeral in two words, they would be “reality check.” 

The incident with Madeline happened only two days ago, and Ciel couldn’t get rid of those awful images. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t push the memory away; it was too fresh. Plus, he couldn’t really complain; Mrs. Liddell was taking this harder than the earl, and he couldn’t blame her! That wasn’t just anyone she lost, that was her daughter! The one and only child she raised from birth! To see Madeline being taken away from her, Ciel noticed, practically tore Alice to bits. He couldn’t begin to imagine what damage Wonderland was taking!

But, he couldn’t bring himself to ask. Ever since Madeline passed on, Ciel shut himself away from the world, not speaking to a single soul. He even skipped school that week, for fear of bumping into one of Madeline’s friends. Sebastian brought his meals up to his room, but Ciel refused every day to eat. He was slowly breaking down, and it wouldn’t be long before he would finally snap.

A few hours after the funeral, Ciel couldn’t take the silence anymore. He needed to interact with someone before he lost his mind. So, he walked through the quiet flat to Alice’s bedroom, and took a deep breath. “ Mrs. Liddell, ” Ciel mumbled, knocking on the elder’s door, “ may I come in? I-I need someone to talk to. ”

@ive-only-my-wits

Reality was a cold, merciless force.

For years now, things had looked as though her life were getting better. A job as a teacher, a loving husband who had overcome all odds with her, and a lovely little girl. A family- what she’d longed for after losing her’s so long ago. Something she was determined to hold on to. So why hadn’t she seen that Madeline was suffering? 

As she did with everything, Alice blamed herself. She knew, indeed, that people had forced her daughter to take her own life, but Alice had been in that state before. The question of whether to live or die seems to have a clear answer in those moments. Madeline had made her choice very, very clear. The image of her daughter’s body going limp, all life draining from her face, was forever burned into her memory. It haunted her the past two nights. It’s all she could see at the funeral today, in between flashes of Queensland. 

She tried to act as though her hallucinations weren’t coming back; that she wasn’t losing her mind again. But the fact was that Alice wasn’t coping- the shock hadn’t fully set in, though the grief had. Less and less she wanted to talk, more and more she stared at walls and ceilings for long periods of time. How long before she found herself catatonic again? For Victor’s sake, she couldn’t- they needed each other. 

The knock on her bedroom door disrupted her current session of staring at the wall, and boojums screamed in her ears and ruins scooted across the floor. All went silent, save for her sudden hiccup. Had she been crying....? The feeling of wetness on her cheek served to prove as much. Wiping her cheeks with the back of her sleeve, she took a moment to compose herself. 

“Uh-- y-yes. Of course; come in, Ciel.” 

“At least you didn’t startle me enough to burn breakfast,” Victor replies with a little smile. “We’re much overdue for this anyway.” His expression turns seriously thoughtful. “So we’ve settled the when – but what about the where? I only know one church myself, and – if you’ll forgive me – I really don’t want to be married back in Burtonsville.” Not only does he fear it stirring up all his old anxieties all over again, there’s also the small matter that he doesn’t want to share what should be the happiest day of his life with those small-minded berks. (If they could go to the Land of the Dead just underneath, that would be a different story.)

“Goodness- what a mess that would have been. And a waste of a perfectly good meal, too.” She smirks, but it fades to a look of contemplation at his question. “It’ll do us no good to go to Burtonsville, anyways.” Deal with Nell again? No, thank you; she’s had quite enough of that woman. “Perhaps...I mean, an outdoor wedding isn’t a bad idea. Surely we could have it here in the forest...?” It’s only an idea, but it’s the only thing she can think of at the moment. 

It’s only fair – it’s not like she hasn’t rubbed off on him too. Anyone who’s met him when he’s in a snarky mood can attest to that. They’ve molded each other a lot in the years they’ve been together, though hopefully for the better.

He’s pleased to see her relax after the squeeze, and even happier to hear her laugh, even if it’s kind of at his expense. He giggles as she pokes his belly. “Trust me, I’ve tried, and it doesn’t appreciate it,” he tells her. “And one would hope…all we need is a little cafe. Surely Oxford would have an abundance of those.”

At the very least, surely they’ve leveled the playing field with each other. And it seems to work just fine for them! 

“I’m sure they do. We’ll have to look around...maybe ask a few locals.” A pause. “Things ought to be a nice change from the East End though; while we haven’t lived in the city in a while now, I can’t help but feel that London has shaped my expectations of the world. What a low standard...” 

Valentine’s

Victor, by contrast, has been acutely aware of the date coming up, and asking for advice on what to give her. Which has been very fruitful, actually…but before he can present his gifts to her, here she is with hers. “Oh, hello! Happy Valentine’s Day,” he says, greeting her with a smile.

He’s appropriately impressed with the card – what cute little butterflies! – and of course he is never going to turn down chocolate. The stuffed puppy in all its hand-stitched glory makes him go still for a moment in surprise – then he smiles again and gathers it up into his arms. It’s so soft and cuddly…just like the one he had so many years ago. “Oh Alice…it’s wonderful. Thank you.” He leans down and kisses her, warmth pooling in his belly. He really is so lucky to have her…

“Now, I think it’s time for your presents! I asked around, and got a few different suggestions, so you’ve got a variety of gifts.” Indeed she does – sitting on their table in the kitchen is a homemade chocolate cupcake, iced with strawberry-red hearts; a necklace consisting of a tiny bottle on a cord, filled with purple-tinted water and with a tiny “Drink Me” label around its neck; and – is that sheet music?

“You’re welcome,” Alice says as she returns the kiss, quite pleased that he seems to enjoy the gift and card. While she knows he would have liked them just because they came from her, it’s still satisfying to know that his enjoyment goes past that. 

Following his gaze, Alice looks at the table and finds herself smiling. For as much effort as she put into his gift, it would seem her Victor has done the same- though, did she really expect anything less? He’s always been good to her. To this day, she still doesn’t know why the universe has let her keep him in her life...But you won’t ever hear her complaining about it. 

Her hands run over the necklace, moving the little bottle between her fingers with a fond look in  her eyes. “I love them,” she says, before looking up at him. “I can’t wait to hear the music you’ve made- I bet it’s something spectacular.” 

HIATUS NOTICE

Victor can hear it in the way she laughs – the hope, the fear, the nervousness, the excitement – all of it. She sounds kind of like – him when she laughs like that. He gives her hand another squeeze, hoping to reassure her that he’s here and he’s not going anywhere. They might be facing some nasty moments from her past, but they’re facing them together. That’s the important thing.

At the word “breakfast,” there’s a rather loud growl from the area of Victor’s stomach. He glances down, then back up at her with a blush. “I – think that would be a good idea,” he agrees with his own awkward chuckle. “You’ll have to take the lead, though. I wouldn’t even know where to start looking for a restaurant.”

Well, she wouldn’t say that Victor hasn’t rubbed off on her; perhaps this is just one of many ways he’s done that. Still, the squeeze helps. She really isn’t alone in all of this, and the person with her is the person she trusts most in this damn world. Something seems to settle within her, and her muscles relax enough for her (and likely Victor) to notice. 

Now there’s an actual laugh from Alice. “Hard to argue with something like that,” she says, playfully poking her beloved’s stomach. “Shouldn’t be too hard to find something....while I doesn’t suspect the town is the same as it was a decade ago, surely the businesses have all stayed in the same types of areas....”