Hello and welcome back everybody! I'm so glad that you guys enjoyed the first chapter, and I want to say thank you so much for the reviews. You guys are the best audience a fanfic writer could ask for! I hope that this next chapter will prove to be a fun installment for you guys. I know you want to see what happens next, so see you in the author's note at the bottom!
"Oh, why did I ever agree to this?" Mrs. Bennett rushed around the house, trying to gather the scattered contents of her purse and get ready at the same time. She paused in front of the hall mirror, debating yet again her choice of the red and white sweater dress. But it was one of the few kid-free outfits that she had (meaning that it hadn't been marred by finger paint, melted candy, playdough, or one of the other thousands of sticky substances that children always have on hand) so she would have to go with it. She swept her chestnut hair back with a red hair tie, then applied a tiny bit of maroon color to her lips and a bit of blush to her cheeks. There, that would have to do. She snapped the lid back onto the lipstick, and then whirled around to face her two children.
"Uh, technically Mom, didn't you say that you invited North out for coffee?" Jamie piped up. "And besides, this is Santa Claus we're talking about. I don't think he's going to care too much about how you look."
"You're right, you're right," Mrs. Bennett agreed with an embarrassed laugh. "I don't know why I'm getting so worked up about this. It's just two friends meeting for coffee." Still, she turned back briefly to check her hair in the mirror one last time.
"Mama pretty!" Sophie chortled happily.
"Thank you sweetie," Mrs. Bennett said, picking her up and giving her a quick kiss. Then she looked back to Jamie. "All right, Charisa's going to be here any minute. I asked her to come over a little early today. Are you guys going to behave for her while I'm at work tonight?"
"Mo-om," Jamie protested. "Of course we will. I'm ten. I know better than to get myself in trouble."
"Of course you do." Mrs. Bennett set Sophie down and gave him a quick hug. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into me today."
"Maybe it's Jack's leaving," Jamie suggested, looking briefly saddened.
"Could be," Mrs. Bennett hugged him even tighter. "We're all a little sad about that. "
The sudden ringing of the telephone made Mrs. Bennett jump up. She grabbed the receiver, wondering if North was calling. But no, he didn't have their telephone number she reminded herself. She tried to force her heartbeat to slow as she answered, "H-hello? Jennifer Bennett speaking."
She turned towards the door as she listened to the person on the other end. "Oh, hi Charisa…Yes, how are you?...What?...Oh, I see…No, no, I understand…Of course, if you're not feeling well you need to stay home…It's fine…No, I'm sure I'll be able to find someone else for tonight…Yes, thank you for calling me and letting me know…Feel better soon…Uh huh…Goodbye." Mrs. Bennett hung up with a sigh.
"What's going on?" Jamie asked, large brown eyes searching her face for clues.
"That was Charisa," Mrs. Bennett explained, pushing her bangs back off of her face. "She's got the chickenpox and can't babysit tonight."
"Then who's going to watch us?" Jamie pressed.
"Well, I'll probably be able to find someone, but it's going to take a while." She glanced up at the clock. It was already 3:45. "But there is no way I'll be able to make it to meet North at this point."
A knock from the door caused her to let out a groan of frustration. "What now?" she muttered as she hurried to open it. She was almost bowled over with shock to find a seven-foot tall rabbit standing there.
"G'day Missus Bennett," Bunnymund said, smiling. "I was wonderin' if the little ankle biters wanted to come out to play—y'know, to help soften Jack's leaving and all."
Mrs. Bennett was still trying to process through his initial greeting when Jamie suddenly called, "Hey Mom! Why can't Bunnymund babysit for us?"
Mrs. Bennett felt relief flood through her. "Oh, that's a wonderful idea! Bunnymund, you wouldn't mind watching the children for a few hours, would you?"
"Well, uh…" Bunnymund looked slightly uncertain, as if scared by the prospect of having to take care of two kids all on his own. But Mrs. Bennett was halfway out the door before he could protest any further.
"You're a life saver! There's a list with bedtimes and instructions on the fridge, and there's a pan of mac and cheese in the freezer when you guys get hungry. Have a great time! Thanks again!"
"But…I…" Bunnymund watched helplessly as she hurried off down the street. Turning back to his two temporary wards, he saw Sophie obliviously chasing the family dog, Molly, around the living room, and Jamie watching his with a slightly bemused smirk, as if waiting to see what he would do next. He wondered what on Earth he'd gotten saddled with this. Sure, he'd delivered eggs to thousands of children, but if Sophie's one visit to the underground warren was any evidence he didn't know much about taking care of them. He needed someone who knew more than he did on the subject, but the other Guardians were otherwise occupied at the moment. Then an idea popped into his head—someone who was close by and hopefully had some sort of experience with kids.
"Can you two manage not to tear the house apart while I make a quick phone call?" the Aussie asked the still smiling little boy.
"I think we'll manage," Jamie replied, just a smidge sarcastically.
"I swear, that Frost's a terrible influence," Bunnymund muttered under his breath as he headed for the kitchen. He found what he needed rather quickly—the school directory— and then looked up the name of the feisty lass he'd met just the night before.
"Hullo, Dunbroch residence," a voice on the other end answered after three rings.
"Hey, Merida?" Bunnymund responded, his eyes darting out into the living room as he tried to keep an eye on the two kids. "It's me, Bunnymund. Do you happen to know anything about babysitting?"
0o0
Mrs. Bennett arrived in front of the bookstore, a little red faced from running in the cold, with two minutes to spare. She quickly tidied herself, using the glass windows as a mirror, before taking a deep breath and walking in. As she made her way back to the coffee shop, she tried to remind herself to stay calm and collected. This was just two friends meeting for coffee, after all. Nothing to be nervous, or even overly excited, about. Unfortunately for calm and collected, she tripped over a stack of thick volumes just outside the entrance to the tiny café and certainly would have fallen flat on her face if someone hadn't reached out just in time and caught her.
"North!" Mrs. Bennett gasped as the older man helped her right herself. "I'm so sorry. I mean thank you. I mean—"
"It is alright," North chuckled good-naturedly. "No harm done. I am forever tripping over things at the Pole—my boots, a forgotten project, the elves." Mrs. Bennett had to laugh at that. North looked pleased as he took her arm and escorted her to a table.
"It is very good to see you again Jennifer," he said once they'd placed their orders, not without a few curious glances from the barista in North's direction.
"It's good to see you again too," Mrs. Bennett replied, self-consciously tucking a few strands of hair back into her bun. "I'm sorry that I was running late. The babysitter had to cancel at last moment, so I was scrambling to find a replacement."
"Do not worry," North waved aside her worries. "I was running late myself. I invited Hiccup to come visit the Pole and we lost track of time."
"Hiccup? Do you mean Hiccup Haddock?" Mrs. Bennett asked, blinking in surprise.
"Yes," North answered. "Do you know him?"
"I should say so," Mrs. Bennett replied. "He's one of my students. How do you know him?"
"We met yesterday," North explained as the waitress returned with their drinks. "Jack wanted to introduce us to his new friends."
"I see." Mrs. Bennett blew on her peppermint mocha, not sure how she felt about not knowing so many details about her son's life. Still, she guessed that these things would some with time, and at present she needed to focus on what North was saying.
"Such a good lad," he continued, taking a sip of his own sugar cookie latte. "But so lonely. I think he needs more time with his father, but the two are so distant that I fear he is not getting the proper male role model he needs."
Mrs. Bennett nodded. "I understand that feeling. I worry about Jamie all of the time. His father isn't here, and all of our family lives a long way away. I do what I can, but there are just some things he can't learn from me. To be honest, I was beginning to hope that Jack could take on some of those responsibilities, but not only is he too far away for now, that's also too much to ask of a young boy."
"Is true," North said with a thoughtful nod, "it is a lot to ask of Jack. But maybe there is someone else who could help."
"Really? If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears." Mrs. Bennett leaned forward with interest.
"How about me?" North responded.
"You?"
"Why not?" North grinned, obviously pleased with himself for having come up with the idea. "This time of year is very slow for me. I have nothing else to do but twiddle my thumbs, and I would love to spend some extra time with Jamie—if that is alright with you."
"That sounds wonderful!" Mrs. Bennett still couldn't quite wrap her head around it. North was actually offering to mentor her son? Was one of her most fervent prayers being answered? "Are you sure he wouldn't be too much trouble?"
"Not at all," North replied with a wide smile. "Perhaps he can come up to the Pole on Saturdays or Sundays for a few hours and help me around the workshop—he and Hiccup both."
"I certainly think that could be arranged," Mrs. Bennett told him. "Thank you so much for offering!"
"It will be my pleasure. I love being around children, and Jamie especially is a joy to spend time with."
Mrs. Bennett's next question came out before she could even think it though. "You seem like you'd be really good with kids. Have you ever been a father?"
"Ah…Sadly, no," North answered with a sigh that somehow sounded slightly sad. "I've spent most of my life taking care of little ones, but I've never been blessed with any of my own."
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure that you'd make a great dad."
"Thank you."
The conversation trailed off, and Mrs. Bennett mentally kicked herself for bringing up such a sensitive subject. Why was she rambling so badly? Finally she thought to ask, "So, what exactly is it that you do at the North Pole?"
"Well, most of the year we spend preparing for Christmas," North started.
"Wait—we?" Mrs. Bennett cocked her head curiously. "Who is 'we'? Or wait, do you mean the elves?"
"Well, yes, there are some elves at the Pole," North agreed affably. Then he leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, "But to tell the truth, they do not really do much."
"Oh, really?" Mrs. Bennett gave him a bemused smile.
"Yes." North nodded, looking slightly amused himself. "The yetis do most of the actual work."
"Yetis? Now that's something I've never read about in any of my Christmas books," Mrs. Bennett laughed.
"They are actually very good workers," North told her. "They do most of the manual labor—putting the toys together, keeping the workshops clean, looking after the reindeer, and cooking the meals. That allows me to put my energies towards inventing new toys and ways to bring joy to children."
"That sounds wonderful," Mrs. Bennett sighed. "I've always dreamed about the North Pole ever since I was a little girl. It always seemed like it must be the most magical place on Earth."
"It is," North agreed. He fiddled a moment with his cap, and then said, although it sounded more like a question than a statement, "Maybe you could come up to visit sometime?"
"Oh!" Mrs. Bennett gasped, looking slightly surprised. "I-I don't know…I mean, surely, I'm too old to go anywhere where there's magic…"
"Nonsense!" North waved aside her concerns. "Come this Saturday with Jamie and Hiccup. Bring Sophie too."
"Are you sure?" Mrs. Bennett felt herself blushing slightly.
"It would be my honor to have you visit my humble home," he reassured her, ever the gentleman. He took her hands in his, his blue eyes betraying his excitement. "You will come, yes?"
For a moment Mrs. Bennett hesitated, wondering if this was proper for her to be visiting the house of a man she'd just met. But it would be a good idea for her to see where her son was going to be spending his weekends. And besides, it was the North Pole. How much trouble could really happen there? "All right," she finally agreed. "Yes. I would love to come."
"Wonderful!" North cried, his entire face lighting up. "It will be a day you will never forget, I promise."
"I don't doubt that," Mrs. Bennett replied, feeling his infectious joy in spite of herself. Then she glanced at her watch and let out a disappointed sigh. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry, but I have to get going. I'm supposed to be the hospital in half an hour, and it's going to take me a while to walk there on these icy roads."
"Let me give you a ride," North suggested as she collected her things. "I'd hate to think that you might get hurt trying to get there on your own."
"Oh no, I couldn't. You've already done so much…" Mrs. Bennett began to protest, but North was adamant.
"I will not let you risk your health if I there is something I can do to prevent it," North told her firmly, so she finally consented. They left payment on the table, and then walked out to the sleigh together. Mrs. Bennett tried to hide her excitement –after all, this was every child's dream, seeing Santa's sleigh- but she wanted to at least try to remain professional about all of this. But even she couldn't resist giving Comet a quick pet when North invited her to.
The ride to the hospital where she worked went much too quickly. Even though they stayed on the ground for the duration of the trip, it was still exhilarating to be pulled through the snow by a team of gigantic reindeer, the winter air blowing in their faces while a thick lap blanket kept them warm. Mrs. Bennett almost wanted to linger in the parking lot chatting to North just to extend the experience a little longer, but the beeping of ambulances reminded her that duty called.
"Thank you so much again," Mrs. Bennett said as North helped her out. "I had a lovely time."
"As did I," North smiled down at her. "I will look forward to seeing you on Saturday."
Mrs. Bennett nodded, then, not sure how to end the conversation, she offered him a quick wave before hurrying into the building. She slid into the seat at the receptionist desk just minutes before her shift was supposed to start.
"Well, looks like someone's been having a fun afternoon," Margie, one of the other receptionists, said with a wry grin as Mrs. Bennett tried to smooth down the wisps of hair that had come loose during the sleigh ride.
"Oh, nothing terribly special," she replied, trying to make her voice sound calm. "Just coffee with a friend."
"Must be a pretty special friend, Jennifer," Margie observed. "You're practically glowing." She leaned in. "So, who is he? Is he good looking? Where'd he take you?"
"Margie!" Mrs. Bennett protested with a laugh. "It's nothing like that! He's just a friend who's offered to mentor Jamie."
"Uh huh." Margie didn't look like she particularly believed her, but before she could say anything else the victims of a car accident were being wheeled in and they were busy for the rest of the afternoon. Still, despite her earlier protests, Mrs. Bennett couldn't help but feel a warm glow all the way through her shift.
0o0
Mrs. Bennett returned home late that night from work, ready for bed. But what met her eyes as she stumbled into the living room and flicked on the light startled her wide awake. The floor was littered with toys and games of all sorts. Late night cartoons flickered on the old TV screen. On the couch a rather bedraggled looking Bunnymund had finally collapsed from exhaustion, little Sophie curled up in one of his arms. Jamie was sprawled across the old brown recliner, an old paperback serving as his pillow. A noise from the kitchen alerted her to another presence in the house, and a moment later a redhead appeared in the room, wiping her hands on a dishrag.
"Oh, good evenin' Missus Bennett!" the girl greeted her cheerfully." How was your day?"
"Merida?" Mrs. Bennett gasped, shocked to see one of her 7th grade students in her house under such strange circumstance. "What are you doing here?"
"Bunnymund called me," Merida replied, jerking her thumb towards the sleeping rabbit. "He didn't think he could handle watching two little 'uns on his own, and boy was he right." She laughed quietly. "He may know a thing or two about eggs and chocolate, but he knows nothing about taking care of children."
"Oh, I am sorry," Mrs. Bennett apologized, wondering at the same time how on Earth Merida knew the Easter Bunny but deciding to let it go for the moment. "I never imagined that he'd call you and put you to all this trouble—"
"T'weren't nothing," Merida replied with a grin. "I've got triplet little brothers at home, so this was easy in comparison." She looked around at the state of the room and cringed slightly. "Sorry it's such a mess. Bunnymund was going to help clean, but he collapsed as soon as the kids did, so I only had time to tidy up the kitchen."
"Merida, you are an angel," Mrs. Bennett said in disbelief, stepping forward and giving them a hug. "Most of the babysitters don't even do that, and that's when they know they're going to be coming over. Thank you so much for everything you've done."
"Um… you're welcome?" Merida, unused to hugs—especially from a teacher—quickly wormed her way out of the embrace. "I'd probably better be heading home."
"Of course," Mrs. Bennett agreed. She dug into her purse. "I –I can't pay you much, but take this." She offered Merida a few bills.
"Oh, you don't need to pay me." Merida waved her off. "I was glad to do it."
"Surely there's something I can do," Mrs. Bennett pressed her.
Merida cocked her head to one side, thinking. "Well…If you wouldn't mind moving the date out a little on the next English quiz…"
"Consider it done." Mrs. Bennett smiled down at her.
Just then, Bunnymund finally stirred back to life. "Wha-What happened?" he mumbled, sitting up and stretching.
"You fell asleep on the job," Merida told him, a little reproachfully.
"Oh cor, I am so sorry!" Bunnymund almost leaped up but fortunately noticed that Sophie was still asleep on his arm and set her down on the couch before standing. "Your little ankle biters are sweet kids, but they plumb wore me out."
"It's all right," Mrs. Bennett reassured him. "I have a hard enough keeping up with them myself."
But Merida wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily. "I stayed up and even cleaned the kitchen."
"I said I'm sorry. What else do you want me to do?"
Merida raised an eyebrow thoughtfully. "Give me a ride home."
"You can't be serious."
"You owe me. Or should I come up with something more on the humiliating side?"
"I'll wait for you in the hall," Bunnymund grumbled. He gave Mrs. Bennett a quick wave. "See you around, Missus B. Tell Sophie that I said goodbye."
Mrs. Bennett waved, and then watched as Merida gathered up her things. "Are you sure that you'll be okay getting home?" she asked the girl a little nervously. "I'd offer to drive you, but the car tends to stall out in cold weather."
"I'll be fine." Merida gave her a grin. "It may sound like Bunnymund and I hate each other, but I think that he's just an old softie who doesn't want to show his feelings." She headed for the door. "Have a good night. I'll see you in class tomorrow."
Once the two had left and Mrs. Bennett had locked the door behind them, she headed back into the living room. For a moment she debated cleaning up the mess, but a wave of exhaustion overtook her. She ended up falling asleep on the couch next to Sophie where the sound of sleigh bells and reindeer hooves played in her dreams late into the night.
Well, I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! I couldn't resist throwing poor Bunnymund for a loop there—who'd have thought he would have been such a terrible babysitter? Well, hopefully he'll get better with time And things are starting to heat up just a little bit between North and Mrs. Bennett! I wonder where this will lead (Well, I already know, but you guys will just have to be patient!)
That said, just a little foreshadowing and warning—please don't get your hopes up too much about there being a lot of activity at the Pole regarding Jamie's visits. There will be a few family visits over time, but since this fic is primarily about Mrs. Bennett, I didn't really spend a lot of time developing Jamie's relationship with North. Perhaps that can be the topic of a future fic, but I thought I'd just explain that so no one's disappointed later on. Also, to clear up things about the barista: No, I didn't forget about the "invisibility" rule for Guardians. She's apparently a believer, which is why she can see North and was a little bit suspicious about who he was. Sorry, just thought I'd get that red tape out of the way so you guys don't think I'm dropping the ball on plot points!
Moving on, I can't wait to hear what you guys think about this chapter! Merry Christmas (or whichever holiday you celebrate!) to everyone, and I hope you all have wonderful holidays! See you next week. :D