Guardians for a Family Chapter 10

I do not own Rise of the Guardians or any of its characters or The Guardians of Childhood or any of its characters

Dancing Snowflake

"That one is sweet potatoes, that one is squashes, that one is peaches and the other is apples," Bunnymund explained.

"Nice arrangement Bunny," North commented.

"Only the best for the little ankle biter," Bunny replied. "Besides it's time for him to start eating solid foods and I don't think Tooth would want you to start feeding him cookies right now."

"Don't remind me, ears still ringing from lecture," North stated.

"Yer not the only one," Bunny said as he pointed to his ears.

The two Guardians shared a laugh while Jack cooed in response and clapped his hands. There in front of the two Guardians and baby was a basket filled with four jars of mashed vegetables and fruits. Now that Jack's teeth started to grow in the Guardians decided that it was time to start feeding him solid foods or at least mashed up foods. Bunny had taken the liberty of collecting various foods from his gardens at mashing them just enough for Jack to eat them. He only mashed a little due to the fact that some of the other vegetables and fruits were ready to be picked yet and he wanted to hear how Jack responded to them.

"Anyway when it's time for him to eat feed him a little of each to see if he likes them or not, also still give him his milk but not too much since he'll be eating more stuff this time," Bunny said.

"I understand Bunny, no need to worry," North said as he held the baby in his arms. "Jack in good hands."

"Let's hope," Bunny commented with a smile. "Well I should get going now; I'll stop by the end of this first week to see how much he ate. If all goes well I'll give jars to Tooth and Sandy when it's their turn to care for him."

"Alright then see you later Bunny," North responded.

"Goodbye North and goodbye Jack," Bunny said as a hole appeared on the floor.

Jack waved his hand at the Guardian of Hope and Bunny waved back, he then left through the tunnel he created. North turned to the infant in his arms.

"Ready to spend time with your favorite Santa Claus Jack?" North questioned.

Jack cooed and giggled as he waved his arms in the air. The Guardian of Wonder smiled and started to walk to the kitchen while carrying Jack and the basket full of Jack's food. Once there he placed the jars into the ice box he had, a large wooden and decorated box that held large bits of ice in a secret compartment that was underneath it. It came in handy with it came to keeping food fresh and making it last longer.

"Now little snowflake there's something I want to show you," North said as he walked along the halls of his home. "Something new and special seeing how you loved kangaroo and baby kangaroo toy I figure I can make something else you like."

Jack simply stared at the Guardian of Wonder as they passed several yetis and elves that were busy working on various toys, the yetis more so than the elves though. Jack gazed in awe over how fascinating some of the toys looked as well as how they brighten up the room with a variety of colors. North couldn't but notice this and he smiled. Jack saw the wonder in the toys that were being made; his eyes were filled with the same wonder as his. Jack noticed that they were heading to North's office as he recognized the path and the door once they got there. He remembered sleeping there during the times it was North's turn to watch and care for him. He also remembered that it was the same place where that bad man had scared him. He clutched North's shoulder tightly as they entered to the office.

It was the same as always, busy with new toy designs and several ice sculptures were scattered across the area. Jack cooed some more when he saw his cradle in the office. North and Bunny had the tendency to move his cradle around due to the fact that they worked in one location while he would mostly travel with Tooth and Sandy as they barley sat still due to their jobs. He had slept in his cradle at Tooth's Palace from time to time but he had yet to actually use his cradle when he was with Sandy. Out of all the Guardians he had yet to go to Sandy's home. He had been to the North Pole, the Warren and the Palace but not the Island. Sandy's Island. The Guardians knew this and they knew that it was not Sandy's fault as being the Guardian of Dreams Sandy barely got a chance to go home himself even before Jack came into the picture. And the times when Sandy would have a chance to go home Jack wasn't there since he would be with the other Guardians. The Guardians weren't worried though as they knew Jack would have a chance to see Sandman's home one day. They knew that there were spirits there who were anxiously waiting to meet him.

"Here we are Jack," North said as he gently placed the baby on the floor.

Jack gave the Guardian of Wonder a puzzled look as North was looking through his desk for something. He then brought out a small sphere-like box that had beautiful designs of snowflakes with different shades of blue along with white and gold coloring. Jack's eyes widen at the beauty of the box as he it was placed in front of him on the floor. North then sat down next to the box and that's when Jack noticed that there was a small level sticking out of the back of the small offering. North placed his hand on the lever and twisted it around a little before releasing it. Jack saw the level start to move on its own as the lid of the box opened to reveal a beautiful sight. When the lid opened a small stage was lifted to where the lid was and in the middle was a snowflake. Surrounding it were small snowmen and other little snowflakes. Music could be heard and it was emitting from the small box. It was the lullaby that North would always play for him whenever he was with him and when it was time for him to sleep. Jack cooed and clapped as the small figures began to spin as the music played. It was soothing for him to hear. North smiled as Jack clearly enjoyed the small object he made.

"You know song don't you little snowflake?" North questioned.

Jack looked at North and gave him a big smile; his small teeth were showing as he did so. North then scooped Jack into his arms along with the music box. Jack gasped a little at first but quickly smiled as North began to move around. North started to slowly dance along with the soft music. Jack held onto North's shirt as they moved around the room. He giggled and waved his arms in the air.

"Enjoying dance?" North asked.

Jack merely giggled in response but it was easy to tell that he was enjoying himself. More music filled the air as the Guardian of Wonder and the future Guardian danced together. After a while Jack nuzzled his head into North's shoulder and relaxed as the lullaby continued to play. He kept giggling along with gurgling as he danced in North's arms. He watched the little objects move on the music box, he was getting lost in the detailed designed North had given them.

North held onto the little one while holding the music box. He knew that Jack was very fond of the lullaby so he wanted to incorporate Jack into the lullaby. He did so by creating a new music box that had Jack's theme of winter and snow. Truthfully this lullaby was what North use to listen to during his days as a human. Indeed Santa Claus himself was not always a nice and giving person. He was the embodiment of naughtiness back in his youth and before he was a Guardian. He constantly went through tough moments during this time but with guidance he was able to discover what his true destiny was. His destiny was to bring wonder to the world by being a Guardian and by being Santa Claus… that was his center. He wanted to be that for Jack… he wanted to be his guidance along with being a member of his family. He saw himself in Jack, the little one had the same eyes as he did and still does. Eyes that are eager to see what others cannot see. They were full of wonder.

"I can't wait to see what your center will be Jack," North said as he paused from dancing.

Jack looked at him with curious eyes.

"The road to becoming Guardian will be long and tough little snowflake," North commented. "But we Guardians will always be there for you."

Jack cooed in response and stretched his hands towards the music box, by this time the lullaby had stopped playing. North handed it to him. Once it was in his hands he looked at it carefully before copying what North did earlier. He twisted the lever sticking out and the music started to play once again with the little objects dancing. Jack gurgled and hugged the music box. North chuckled a little at the sight before realizing that it was time for Jack to eat.

"Alright little one time for you to eat," North said. "Time to give Bunny's food a taste. What do you say Jack?"

Jack held the music box in one hand and waved the other in the air as if telling North he was ready, the Guardian of Wonder smiled.

"Come on my little dancing snowflake we've got whole three weeks together before Bunny takes you and tries to make you think that Easter is better than Christmas... which is lie!" North exclaimed.

The baby giggled at North's comment before turning his attention to the dancing music box. He had danced with North and even though he couldn't walk yet he enjoyed it. He was like the dancing objects in the music box. North was right, he was a dancing snowflake. He wanted to dance in the snow… with North… Bunny… Tooth... Sandy… he wanted to dance with everyone. Because there was nothing better than dancing with your family… nor was there anything more fun.

Next chapter... Jack's first word! What will it be? Who knows?

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