Rise of the Guardians 2: Rise of Love

To

Jaime

Chapter 1 : Jack

It was a little chilly riding the wind in February, but I didn't mind. Elsa always says "The cold never bothered me anyway." and I felt the same. As I made my way to Central Park, I could already see Valentine. She waved me down as she saw me. I always liked seeing her at this time of year. Always so excited and bright-eyed. It made me feel good to see her so happy. Valentine was dressed in her usual getup along with a fuzzy parka. Her bow and quiver slung neatly across her shoulder and her winged shoes fluttering with enthusiasm, trying to race to the next young couple. A picnic basket lay at her feet on a spread out blanket. She was smiling from ear to ear and her opal eyes were glittering with joy. This was our first get-together in what seemed like years. I couldn't make the last seven because I was either dealing with Pitch or spending time with Elsa.

"Hi Jack! It's so good to see you again!" said Valentine anxiously with a big hug.

"Hey Val. Good to see you too. How have you been?" I said as I broke from the hug.

"Great! So busy at this time of year, you know. With Valentine's Day coming in just three days and all. How bout' you, Jack?" Valentine said as we sat down. She handed me a sandwich.

"I'm great, too. Actually, more than great. I am now officially a Guardian and I have a new girlfriend!"

"Jack, that's AWESOME." said Valentine, surprisingly without a hint of jealousy."What's her name? How long have you been together?"

Of course she was so excited, love was like her I realized the irony of how she was single, but her job was to spread love throughout the world.

"Her name is Elsa, and we have been together for longer than I can remember."

"AWW! That is so sweet."

"So, what did you do while I was away?"

She kind of looked down at the mention of her pastimes.

"Well, I visited Paris, then I went back to Germany and trained more Cherubs. I also went to Rome and did some sightseeing. When I wasn't working, I was enjoying the beaches or roaming ancient ruins."

"Sounds cool." I said, not really knowing what to say. I felt bad. She always seemed so lonely when she wasn't talking to me.

"So, Jack," Valentine said smoothing her hair back," tell me all about Pitch and the Guardians, and Elsa too!"

So I told her all about how Pitch attacked our jobs to make the children not believe in the Guardians. And then how we defeated Pitch with the help of Jamie and his friends, and from Sandy, who thankfully returned. Then I told her how I met Elsa. All alone in her ice castle, scared and worried. Valentine got all squeal-happy when I told her I called Elsa my Snowflake. She asked a bunch of questions and got all excited when I told her about any romantic stuff I did for Elsa. We talked until the sun slowly descended into the horizon and dinnertime had arrived. At the thought of dinner, I remembered the amazing dinner Elsa had said she would make tonight.

"Hey Val, I think I'd better be heading out before Elsa has my head."

"Okay. Bye Jack! Have a nice night." she waved goodbye. And with that, I waved back and was off.

I arrived home to a worried Elsa and a semi-cold dinner.

"Hey Snowflake." I said and then kissed her on the cheek.

"Hi Jack. Where were you? You were late. Lunch doesn't take that long."

"I know, I know. But if you have about five years worth of catching up to do, don't you think it would take a little more than one hour?"

"I guess so, but being late for dinner… there is no excuse in the world."

"Yes mom." I said teasingly.

"Well then, it's late and I am going to bed."

"Ok. Good night Snowflake."

"Good night Jack."

She left the room and then I quickly finished dinner, took a shower, and went to bed myself. As I let my head sink down into my soft pillow and slowly start to fall asleep, I thought of how great this life was. What I didn't know was, the next few weeks would really test the truth in that.