We are all born with a wide eyed innocence

~ Innocence

Servants rushed up and down the white corridors of Marmoreal. It was a big day! Bigger than when Time stopped the passage of time in Underland. Today was the day that Crown Princess Mirana was giving birth to her first born child!

The long, white corridor outside of her bedchamber was crowded with courtiers, servants, and family members who were all eager to catch a glimpse of the babe. Crown Prince Sudhir, Mirana's husband, stood anxiously outside the double-doors. Beside him stood Princess Iracebeth and Prince Sushila, duchess and duke of the Red Heart House and its lands in Salezan Grum. The other houses, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades stood nearby as well. Countering the white courtiers of Marmoreal were the black courtiers of Chaparral.

King Evander and Queen Irene stood by watching their son-in-law as he paced nervously. They looked to their daughter and other son-in-law. Sushila was trying to calm down Sudhir while Iracebeth looked increasingly bored and irritable.

Irene smiled to Evander before floating away from his side. She noted as Iracebeth instantly perked up at her mother's approach. Irene brushed a gentle hand over her daughter's violently red hair, forcing herself not to cringe at Iracebeth's large head. It was the one feature that Irene wished had not been passed down to her daughter from Evander's side of the family.

"Iracebeth, my darling," Irene spoke in her quiet, even voice, "are you not anxious? Or do you hide your worries for your sister better than Sudhir?"

Iracebeth looked over to the two men that had been joined by Evander and snorted in an unladylike manner. "I seem to be much better at keeping a level head in stressful situations." Glancing up at her mother, the short woman asked, "Do you not think, mother? If Sudhir cannot keep a level head when his wife is in labor, how can he rule a country? Sushila is doing a much better job at staying calm."

Irene laughed, a light and airy sound. "Oh, my darling," she chuckled and shook her head. "Do you think any man could be calm or level headed when his love is having his child? Your father - who is level headed and from whom you inherited your own personality - was a fretting mess when your sister was born. When you were born too, I believe."

Grunting in petulant irritation, Iracebeth grumbled, "More when wittle Mirana was born."

"No, Iracebeth." Irene frowned sadly. "Your father loves you both equally."

"But he will not give equal rulership."

"Do not bring up bitterness and strife today, Iracebeth Heart," Irene commanded. In a much more pleading and comforting tone she added, "Not today. Not when it is a joyous occasion."

Iracebeth opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted when the door to Mirana's chambers opened. A woman in a gray dress with a crisp white apron over it and a bit of blood staining the front of her frock stepped forward.

All eyes riveted to her perspiration speckled face and breathes were held. A weary smile broke out over her face and she nodded. "A healthy girl."

Applause and cheers rang out through the hall. Servants darted away to retell the news. Courtiers pressed forward to peer into the room. The woman held up a hand and stopped them all in their tracks. "She asking for her husband first."

Sudhir received a resounding slap on his back from Evander, waking him from his shocked daze. The young man smiled weakly at his father-in-law before walking shakily into the room. The woman shut the door.

Sudhir walked cautiously and quietly up to the large, white bed that his wife lay in. Her ash-blond hair lay about her like rays of sunshine. Strands stuck to her pale, wet forehead. Brown eyes rose from looking down at a small bundle held in sturdy arms to meet his blue eyes. Mirana's rose-red lips quirked into a smile and her dark eyebrows curved up in anxiousness at his opinion of the child in her arms.

"Come, my love," she cooed softly. "Come meet your daughter."

Sudhir approached the bedside and sat carefully on its edge. Mirana moved the soft, white blanket aside from the bundle to reveal a round, puckered face. Sudhir stared in wonder and drew in a breath. She was absolutely perfect. He reached out a shaking hand and ran a finger over the small, round nose. The nose twitched and the eyes opened a sliver to blink up at him.

"Would you like to hold her?" Mirana questioned.

"Yes, yes of course." He held out his shaking hands. Following Mirana's directions to support the baby's head, Sudhir drew his little girl to his chest and stared in wonder at the little creation.

"She has your hair and complexion, I think." Mirana murmured happily.

"I hope she has your eyes," Sudhir choked out as he felt tears rise from his own happiness.

The door opened once more, allowing Evander, Irene, Iracebeth, and Sushila entrance. Irene was the first to reach the proud parents' side. She kissed Mirana's cheek before turning her attention to the father holding the newborn. "She is perfect, Mirana. So innocent looking."

Iracebeth approached next, no expression on her face. She peered at the child and wrinkled her nose. "She is small."

"Most newborns are, sister," Mirana laughed breathily as her eyelids drooped with fatigue.

The nurse that stood by watching over the proceedings noticed the crown princess' drowsiness. Stepping forward, she said, "We must let mother and child rest."

Irene kissed Mirana's forehead once more and gently hugged Sudhir. When she drifted to Evander's side, he wrapped a hand around his wife's shoulder. "What will you call her?" Evander questioned.

Sudhir looked to his wife questioningly. They had discussed names. Names such as Sabina, Sakina, Aeronwen, Candida, or Livn should they have a girl. If a boy, Akakios, Casimir, Solomon, Ailbhe, or Cledwyn. All suitable names indeed. Now though - now those options did not suit her.

Mirana's head turned to stare in thought at a vase of lilies that he had had brought to her that morning. Pure, white lilies that burst forth with fragrance and perfection. A smile graced Mirana's face as she looked up at Sudhir, he smiled back and nodded in agreement.

"Lily," the both said in unison.

"A flower?" Iracebeth scoffed.

"Princess Lily White," Irene spoke slowly as she tried out the name. "Yes, appropriate."

The nurse came to Sudhir's side and took the newly-named child from him. Sudhir felt a pang of loss and protectiveness. He stood and watched over the nurse as she settled Lily into the bassinet that stood a short way away from the bed.

At the nurse's insistence, the family began to leave. Sudhir pressed a kiss to his wife's lips before following the others out of the room.

News spread far across Underland of the birth of the princess. The birth of Princess Lily White.

Author's Note: This is to prove I'm still alive. Never fear, I'm not giving up on my other stories. I've just been so busy! =/ And I've hit an inspiration block with the others. So this is my creativity coming out in what meager form it can find. This will be a series of one-shots that will (hopefully) lead up to a story later. Most if not all of the events mentioned in this will be before the Alice in Wonderland (2010) film. Some events will be based after the events from the series of books. I apologize if the events from the books are not 100% accurate. Think of it as creative license.

I hope you all enjoy the fun!