Alice chewed her lip slightly as she sat on the sofa, looking up at the clock. She watched it tick closer to half Seven "

when is he supposed to be here?" Her mother asked as she sat down next to Alice

"Any minute now" Alice replied

"and you're really sure about this date, I mean, how long have you actually known David?" Her mum asked.

Alice smiled to herself, to her, he would always be Hatter, no matter how much he told her to call him David, now that they were in her world.

"I've known him longer than you think Mom" She replied "plus, he's helped me with a lot, that you don't know about" She told her mother.

She continued to watch the clock, hoping he would turn up soon, and thought back on how she greeted him when he turned up at her place, after she woke up after Wonderland.

There was a knock at the door and Alice jumped up and smoothed down her dress "So I look OK?" She asked her mother

"you look beautiful" Her mother replied, kissing Alice's forehead.

Alice walked quickly to the door and opened it "Hatter" She beamed.

Hatter smiled and took in Alice "you look…. beautiful" He said softly. He pulled his hand out from behind his back

"For me?" Alice Asked.

Hatter shook his head "for your Mom, I think after the last time I came here, I need to get in her good books" He said.

Alice laughed softly as her Mom came to the door "

Mrs Hamilton, these are for you" Hatter smiled, handing over the flowers.

"thank you David" Carol replied, taking the flowers

"And this…." Hatter began and opened his jacket pocket and pulled out a single stemmed rose "is for you Alice" He smiled.

Alice blushed and took the rose, bringing the bud to her nose and breathing it in. "thank you Hatter" She whispered, smiling at him.