Hatter's Heart - Erin Bedford Page 0,36

even or it could..." she trailed off and gave Chess a look over my shoulder. He nodded. With a small smile, Kat lowered the paper bag. "It could hurt the baby."

"Baby!" I screamed so loud that they could probably hear me all the way in the Seelie Court.

"How could you not tell me you're pregnant?" I cried into the mirror, my heart pounding so quickly I feared it might fall out of my chest.

Chess chuckled at my reaction as Kat beamed at me.

"We just found out a few days ago," Kat dipped her head, a bit shy for once in her life. "We were going to tell my parents today before all this," she waved her hand vigorously around, "happened. Which, babe," she shifted her eyes to Chess.

I moved the mirror so she could see him completely.

"Yes, pet?"

"Hurry up and get your ass back here, I want some fried pickles." When I made a disgusted sound, she added on, "Don't judge me. Pregnancy cravings."

Chess rolled his eyes. "You're only six weeks in, kitten. The cravings won't start for another month. You're just addicted to fried food."

She stuck her tongue out at him. A clanging sounded in the distance causing Kat to frown. "Hold on a second." Her mirror bobbed as she walked.

Chess and I waited patiently while she opened her door and greeted her guests.

"Mop! Trip! I didn't expect you to get here so soon." Kat's surprise was clear in her voice. The mirror turned, showing me both of them. "Say hi to Alice everyone!"

Everyone?

Then I noticed that it wasn't just Mop and Trip but their whole family.

"Let me through," A female brownie commanded, pushing past Mop and into Kat's home. "I need ta see what we be workin' with. Ah! Pixies on toast! What a mess ye made of yer home. Donna ye ever dust ye silly girl."

Mop huffed and chased after her. "Love, donna be criticizin' the Moderator. We be guests."

While they argued, Trip and his wife, Petal, were counting the children.

"Nine, ten, wait," Petal frowned and searched the porch. "Where's Tolum? Tolum?"

"Here mum!" an opalaught smaller than all the others popped his head out from behind the group.

Grinning from ear to ear, Trip turned back to the mirror. "Trip loves his big family, Trip does. But so many children is hard to keep up with. Yes it is."

I covered my mouth to stifle a giggle, clearing my throat, I said. "I'm glad you all made it over alright. Did you warn the others?"

Trip bobbed his head as his family moved into Kat's house. "Yes, yes. Trip and Mop sent messages through the flowers. Yes Trip and Mop did."

I frowned. "Are you sure everyone will get it that way?"

"Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Everyone listens to the flowers. Yes, they do." Trip primly nodded. "Much more than Mop and Trip. Trip expect them to come any time now." His head swiveled, his ears perking up at a sound I couldn't make out. "Oh, there they are. Yes there!"

"Oh, fuck." Kat groaned turning the mirror back to her. "I gotta go. My house is about to be overrun with Fae I have to house. Call me with any updates." The mirror went dark before I could respond back.

I turned to Chess, my brow furrowed. "Do you think she'll be alright?"

Chess pushed his braided pink hair off his shoulder and shook his head. "Not likely. She's been on edge ever since we found out. The doctor said she has to keep her blood pressure down or she will end up on bed rest."

"Then you should go to here," I insisted, placing a hand on his arm. "I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happen to your baby."

"No. It's alright. Kat will call her mother to help out. She loves the whole publicity of helping the Fae in need." He grimaced at the words but gave me a stubborn frown. "I came to help you find Hatter. So, here I am. It'll be faster if we both are looking for him."

My chest tightened with emotion. "Thank you, so much Chess. Your father would have been so proud of you."

Chess cocked his head to the side. "My father? Oh, yes. I forgot you met him."

It was my turn to be confused. "Did I?" I searched my mind for some remembrance of a memory but only came up with pink and purple colored cat. "I don't remember meeting him in any real sense. He only gave me directions once." I pulled my lower lip into