Who: Alyssa and Bex What: Aunt Bex meets her nephew and niece Where: Wonderland When: the first day of the Portal Warnings: low Status: closed/g-doc
When Alyssa got to the art store, she hadn’t expected to see a portal. Did she scream with glee when the Netherling realized she could go home? Really go home. Not forever, but for a few days she could be where she truly belonged. She sent texts to the people she cared about: Bex, Kol, Ned, Peter, Liz, and Kate. Anyone else would find their way there if they wanted.
Without waiting further, Alyssa drifted down the Rabbit Hole. When she landed, her sundress turned into this, an outfit that drew out a sigh from Alyssa. She’d missed her clothing here.
The Red Queen made it about ten steps outside the Rabbit Hole and Jabberlocky before her kids assaulted her with hugs. She’d missed Muse and Hathor unbelievably. “Hello my darlings.” Alyssa wrapped them both up in hugs.
Rebekah was idly surfing the web, attempting to find new pieces to spice up the museum, when her phone buzzed. Turning her gaze from the screen, Rebekah reached for her phone, a smile forming on her lips when she realized it was from Alyssa, and that the young woman had finally gotten her wish. A portal to Wonderland had appeared in Madison Valley in the art store.
Instructing Alex to hold her calls for the rest of the day, the blond hurried from the museum and made her way over to the art store. Being that Alyssa was nowhere to be found, Rebekah assumed she’d already entered the portal. Though excited, Rebekah approached the portal cautiously, studying it with wary eyes, before deciding to step inside.
It wasn’t so much stepping as it was falling. At first, Rebekah was a bit frightened by the experience (even if she knew the fall couldn’t hurt her physically) because it was a strange sensation. She’d never experienced a fall that was slow, yet fast at the same time. However, all too soon she was landing, stepping outside what she assumed to be the Rabbit Hole and blinking in the bright light of day.
Her heightened sense of smell and hearing picked up on all kinds of scents and sounds she’d never experienced before. Though, one in particular was very familiar and after the dots cleared from her eyes, she caught sight of Alyssa surrounded by two children. The sight truly melted the original vampire’s heart. The young woman looked so very pleased to see them and them herself. Rebekah wasn’t sure she should approach, least she spoil the moment, but, after a few minutes of lingering by the opening, she walked over,
“Alyssa, darling, you look so happy,” Rebekah greeted once she was close enough to the trio.
Alyssa heard footsteps, but hadn’t turned to look at who approached, too enthralled with her children. Muse, nearing 10 years old, and Hathor at 8 would be fully grown and mature in such a small amount of time compared to human children. Muse, of course, only wanted to be hugged for so long.
“Mum. Who is that?” He very politely didn’t point, but his head indicated the blonde original whom Alyssa considered family. Hathor smiled brightly. Muse might take after his father in looks, but Hathor resembled her father more in personality.
When Alyssa realized it was Rebekah, her smile grew. She never thought her children and Bex would meet and yet. Here they were.
“Muse, Hathor, meet your beautiful and intelligent Auntie Bex.” Alyssa beckoned over her dearest friend. “Bex, this is Muse and Hathor.” Muse politely held out his hand, wondering how he was only meeting an aunt now. Hathor, though, mused out loud. “She’s…not like us Mum?”
“No, she’s not from Wonderland, but that doesn’t make her less family.” Hathor accepted this information, nodded, and walked over to hug the original vampire.
It felt like only a little while ago Alyssa was saying how much she wished Rebekah could meet her children and now here they were. Obviously, one of the children noticed her first and pointed her out to Alyssa. Though, in a moment, Alyssa was beckoning her over to meet them both and the vampire obliged with a smile. It was such a beautiful moment for Alyssa, but Rebekah also considered it one for herself. She was meeting her friend’s family and that meant everything to her.
Being introduced as ‘Auntie Bex’ only succeeded in pleasing Rebekah so much more. Oh, she loved the idea of being an aunt to Alyssa’s children. The vampire beamed at them both and accepted Muse’s hand in a gentle shake.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Rebekah replied sincerely.Hathor’s question wasn’t surprising. It was easy to tell Rebekah was not like them and didn’t quite belong in Wonderland. Though, the original vampire did appreciate Alyssa’s response and she gave the young woman an appreciative smile for it.
The girl seemed to accept the explanation and offered Rebekah a hug which the vampire eagerly accepted. Yes, there might have been the hint of tears in Rebekah’s eyes before she pulled back and looked between the three of them.
“Yes, family is defined by far more than blood. It is why I consider your mother to be like a sister to me. An honorary member of my family.”
Alyssa couldn’t keep the pure joy from her face as one of her favourite people in the world met her children. The two loves of her lives, whom she missed every moment of the day back home.
“Auntie Bex, you’re very lovely. I hope Mum has used you in art,” Muse said out loud as he considered the blonde original in front of him. Hathor nodded in agreement.
Alyssa went to say something else when a very familiar voice spoke. “My Lady Queen, returned to Wonderland you have! Late you are, indeed.” Rabid White’s voice held relief and a touch of criticism. The Red Queen lifted up her most trusted advisor in a hug. “I will be there soon.”
He nodded his head, careful so his antlers didn’t poke anyone. The fact only his face still had skin had long ago ceased to surprise Alyssa. When she set him back to the ground, he bowed and returned from where he came.
Muse gently hugged his aunt with the disappearance of Rabid. Hathor muttered, “Rabid, reading the room well as always.”
Rebekah smiled at the compliment. Both Alyssa’s children were polite, bold, but polite and Rebekah liked that very much. “A few times she has, but it is really my honor. Your mum is quite the artist and well known in town for it.” Yes, the blond was not above giving Alyssa credit where it was clearly due. Though it did bother Rebekah to know that her two children might never see that art and after this portal closed? They wouldn’t see their mother. At least, not like this. The moment she left would freeze everything supposedly, but that was hardly comforting.
Rebekah sensed the creature before he spoke up and he was unlike anything she had ever seen before. Though, that wasn’t surprising given this was Wonderland after all. She watched the interaction between him and Alyssa, noting how he was careful with his antlers. Rebekah couldn’t help, but think those antlers had made his life rather difficult.
“I don’t wish to keep you all if you have somewhere to be,” Rebekah replied, eagerly accepting the hug from Muse. The blond adored children, particularly because she could not have any herself given her status as a vampire. She would always savor every hug from Hope and now from Alyssa’s children as well. “I know you happen to be rather important here, Alyssa.”
Hathor held out a hand to her newfound aunt and asked Alyssa, “Mum, can she come with us? Please?” When Hathor looked at her mother with those eyes, the Red Queen found it difficult to say no to her.
“I don’t see why not. I’m sure your father would enjoy meeting her and we can give her a proper tour and everything.” Muse remained quieter, but looked at his sister. “It should be her choice, Hath.”
Alyssa, for all her toughness and strong-will, didn't want this moment to end. Because when she went back to Madison Valley the children wouldn’t remember their Auntie Bex. And if she ever returned home for good, neither would she.
“Would you like to come with us, Bex?” she smiled warmly. The Netherling appreciated no mention of Rabid’s physical appearance was made. She knew how much he hated the disease that ate all but the skin on his face. His antler, looking like rabbits ears, gave rise to the myth of the White Rabbit, instead of Rabid White.
“I can show you around. I’m sure Ivory would love an excuse for some company too.” Her counterpart, the White Queen, lived a more lonely life than Alyssa, sadly.
Obviously, if Alyssa had said it was best she didn’t come along, Rebekah would have accepted her friend’s wishes. After all, this was her home and she was ruler of it. She had priorities to attend to and subjects to take care of. However, at the invitation and the offer of Hathor’s hand, Rebekah was more than willing to accept. After all, she did want to see more of what this place had to offer.
“I would be honored to come along with you and see everything this place has to offer,” Rebekah replied with a warm smile of her own. She took the girl’s hand gently. “And I wouldn’t miss out on the chance to spend time with my niece and nephew for all the world.”
Much like Alyssa, Rebekah knew that once she left this place and the portal closed, Hathor and Muse wouldn’t remember ever meeting her. If Alyssa ever returned permanently, she would not remember her either. It was a depressing thought and Rebekah did her best to push it away for the time being. She wanted to focus on the here and now and enjoy the moment while she had it.