A Very Merry Christmas

Twenty Two Years Old

Part One

"Pippa?"

"Hm?" Pippa asked, turning to face Jude, who was looking at her with both mild concern and amusement, "What? Oh sorry," Pippa muttered blushing slightly. She sat up straighter in her chair, putting her hands on the warm cup of coffee. They sat at a window seat in the cafe. It had been decorated nice for the holidays, with tinsel and wreaths and a small Santa Clause standing in the middle of each table.

"Are you okay?" Jude asked her.

Pipa nodded, "Yes, I'm sorry. Just distracted," she said and glanced out the cafe window again.

Her mind had been wandering since Jude had taken her out to lunch. She thought about her passed parents. The first year without them had been more than difficult. Her grades had slipped and for a few months her friendships had dwindled. Pippa had snapped out of it, though there was still a nagging in the back of her head that told her she would not be seeing her parents again. She thought about the Guardians. It had been two years since her and Jack had visited North's workshop. She saw North's every Christmas when he came to leave gifts around campus and the town. It was only a matter of time before she saw him again, as Christmas was quickly approaching this year. Tooth had stopped by once or twice but she was really to busy to visit long. They usually just exchanged a few words before the colorful fairy was off again. The Sandman visited Pippa often but only ever to leave her sweet dreams. Bunnymund had dropped in once or twice as well. Pippa remembered the first time the Australian Easter Bunny created a large crater in her bedroom. Pippa had jumped so high, she had fallen right off the edge of her bed in a tangle of blankets and homework.

"Hello there Pippa," Bunnymund had said, appearing from the hole, "Jack tells me ya like to paint?"

Pippa had nodded, pulling herself out of the mess and staring at the hole that had been created in the middle of her room. The six foot tall rabbit seemed to take up most of her small bedroom, and the area next to her bed where the ground had sunk in did not help.

"How about callin' in a sickie and joinin' me down at the Warren for a bit?" he had asked.

Pippa had only really caught about half of what Bunnymund had said; she was to excited and shocked to see the warrior rabbit. Pippa nodded and had gone with Bunnymund. He had taken her to the Warren, a place which Pippa found peaceful and charming, and there they spent the day, painting eggs. Pippa had made Bunnymund promise to come and get her next Easter to paint some more.

She thought about Jack too, wishing she could see him more than a few days during each winter. Still, she cherished the time they spent together.

Pippa also let her mind wander to college. With the death of her parents, things had changed. Her grandparents had moved into her parents house. They still had Smokey Bear and Pippa was in the middle of making arrangements to move into a pet-friendly apartment complex. These thoughts and others had buzzed around her mind, keeping her up at nights.

Pippa was grateful for Jude. He was there for her, he kept an eye out for her. Pippa looked up at him; his dark hair and light eyes, and smiled.

"I'm fine, really Jude," she said, making him relax some, "I've just been thinking is all."

"Yeah? About what?" Jude asked, taking a sip of coffee.

Pippa shrugged. How could she tell him? Tell him the biggest secret that surround her life? That childhood legends were real and Jack Frost, her dearest friend, was only ever around once a year? He would never believe her.

"Just college. My classes and things like that," Pippa finally settled on. She didn't want to talk about her parents or the Guardians.

Jude nodded sympathetically, reaching over a tenderly placing his hand onto of hers.

Pippa looked up at him and smiled, grateful for the company.

"How are classes going?" Pippa asked him in turn.

Jude withdrew his hand and shrugged, turning back to his drink, "Really good actually. Passed one of my exams last week so I can't complain."

Pippa smiled at him. Jude was studying to become a mechanical engineer. He wanted to build race cars and design engines, things like that. He tried once to explain why he liked it to Pippa. She didn't see how someone could actually enjoy math and physics like Jude did. He told her that when he was younger, he use to read books about the mechanics of cars instead of the fantasy novels his friends picked up. Then at fourteen he rebuilt his very first engine. Jude liked everything about it, Pippa just didn't understand it. Then again, Jude didn't understand art. He thought it was nice, sure, but he didn't see how throwing paint on a canvass could be called a masterpiece. The two finally settled on agreeing to disagree, that neither would understand each others choice in professions.

Pippa realized that Jude had continued talking, pulling her from her thoughts once again. She bit her lip, hoping he hadn't said anything important that she missed.

Outside the cafe, Pippa could hear happy screams coming from some children as they ran down the street. She glanced out the large windows, as did Jude. One boy had taken hold of a car bumper, his feet planted firmly as he slid over the icy asphalt behind the vehicle. Pippa grinned and watched a few children run past the frosted window, turning back to call someones name. Looking, Pippa saw who they were calling at; an impish white haired winter sprite.

Jack Frost hovered a few feet of the ground, flying fast behind the car. His long hooked staff dragged on the street, creating an extra layer of ice for the boys feet, making the "skating" all the more smooth. He was laughing as the children chased after him, screeching with delight.

Pippa could not contain the grin on her face as Jack and the children disappeared from the cafe window, heading for the park.

She glanced at Jude, who was looking at her curiously.

Pippa felt herself blush, "Sorry," she said quickly as Jude smiled at her. She took a sip of her coffee, feeling Jude's eyes on her.

Pippa wasn't the best at hiding her sudden change in mood. Jude studied her carefully, noticing how she squirmed in her seat. She didn't want to be in the cafe, she wanted to out, doing something else. She quickly racked her brain, trying to find a legitimate but polite way to excuse herself from their coffee together.

"Need to be somewhere?" Jude asked, raising an eyebrow.

Pippa finally met his eyes, nodding carefully. Jude leaned forwards, his voice dropping, "You know you can go. It's not like I'm holding you against your will or anything."

A wide grin spread across Pippa's lips but she made no movements, "Are you sure?"

"Of course I am Pip," Jude brushed it off, leaning back in his chair, "It's just a coffee break after all. We can reschedule."

Pippa grabbed her long black coat, "Thank you Jude," she said as she stood, grateful that he didn't ask any questions. She slipped her coat on over her cardigan and grabbed her scarf, turning towards the door. She hesitated and glanced back at Jude. He smiled at her and waved her off. Pippa stepped over to him, quickly pecking him on the cheek.

"Thank you," she said again as she pulled back, smiling. She turned and wrapped the scarf around her neck, pushing open the cafe door with a final, "Merry Christmas!" to Jude and heading down the street.

Jude watched Pippa leave, his fingers traveling to his cheek, still warm from Pippa's brief kiss. He grinned and chuckled to himself, shaking his head before taking another sip of his half drunk coffee. He couldn't quite figure out Pippa. She was a quirky, mysterious little red head.

Pippa made her way down the sidewalk, picking up her pace when the park came into view. The children were running around, screaming with laughter and throwing snowballs. Right in the middle of it was Jack, throwing his own snowballs. Pippa watched her immortal friend for a few minutes as he played with the other children. She bounced on her toes slightly as she made her way up the slopped hill, the same hill where Pippa had reunited with Jack three years ago.

At the last few feet, Pippa stopped, stooping down and grabbing up a large handful of snow, shaping it to a snowball. She tossed it into the air and it soared a few feet, hitting Jack in the back of the head. The children paused, mid fight, looking at Pippa curiously. No doubt it looked strange, a college student, joining in on the fun with the Guardian whom they thought only children could see.

"Gotcha!" Pippa cried out triumphantly as Jack turned to face her. A mischievous smile curled his lips and he pointed his staff in her direction.

"Get her!" Jack called towards the other children, who began aiming their snowballs at her, completely forgetting their hesitation. Pippa squealed as they turned on her like a pack of wolves. A rain of snowballs came at her, soaking her with snow. Pippa retaliated with a few snowballs of her own.

She felt like a kid again, playing and laughing in the snow with Jack Frost. It helped to melt away her worries and sit back and have some fun, something she hadn't done in a while.

Another round of snowballs came at her and so did the kids. They ran at her, little arms wrapping around her arms and waist and knees. She fell back in the snow, laughing until her sides hurt. Jack watched them bemusedly until the snowballs were aimed at him again, in which he joined the snowball war. Soon the park was a large battlefield of snow and ice, every man for himself.

A few minutes later and Pippa was sitting on the bench, chilled and out of breath. She signed and sat back as Jack walked over to her.

"Good to see you again Pipsqueak," he said lightly.

Pippa looked up at him and smirked.

"I didn't think you were much for snowball fights," Jack said, taking a seat on the bench next to her.

Pippa shook her head, "Not really but I needed that. It was fun."

Jack looked at her, his blue eyes studying her carefully, "How have you been?" he asked.

Pippa took a deep breath before looking at him and giving him a half smile, "You would think that it'd get better the longer they're gone, but it's not. It's like you said; forgetting them doesn't make them less dead or make grieving any easier. Accepting they're gone though, that helps. And my friends. You, Jude, the Guardians, my roommates, they help too. So yeah, I'm doing good," Pippa finally said with a determined nod of her head, like she was convincing herself of that statement.

Jack smiled, "Good. That makes me feel better."

Pippa glanced at him, "Bringing a little extra snow for North are we?" she asked.

Jack chuckled and swung the staff around in his hand, "You bet. Any plans for Christmas?"

Pippa shook her head, "I don't think so. My grandparents are spending the holidays in Spain and my roommate invited me up to her family's house for their Christmas. I'm not sure if I'm going though."

"You can't spend Christmas alone Pippa," Jack said seriously and she just shrugged at him. Jack glanced around at the kids, some of whom were now making snow angels, suddenly getting an idea, "Why not spend Christmas with me?"

Pippa looked at him, eyebrow raised suspiciously.

"No, really," Jack said hastily, seeing the look on her face, "Come up to North's work shop. North will be there for a while until he has to deliver presents. Maybe you can even help him. The yetis and elves will be there and while they're not much company it will be better than staying here."

Pippa searched Jack's face for any hint of a devious plan that he had a tendency to think up, her nose scrunching up as she considered his offer. When she was satisfied that he had nothing up his sleeve, Pippa nodded, "Okay Jack. We'll spend Christmas at the North Pole but under one condition. I get some of those delicious peanut butter cookies the elves make so well."

Jack held out his hand and Pippa took it, "Deal," he said with a lopsided smirk, giving her hand a single, firm shake, "Set your watch Pipsqueak because in a few days, you'll be unwrapping presents in the North Pole."

Pippa laughed, "I look forward to it," she playfully teased along, "What child doesn't dream of spending Christmas at the North Pole after all?"

Jack grinned, watching her. Her nose was red from the cold and her breath came out in small clouds. Her hair was wild from running around and spots on her jacket and pants were wet from where snowballs had landed.

Battle wounds, Jack thought playfully. He was glad to see that his friend was coping well. She looked, well, good. Jack had missed Pippa, and not like the years past. He was always excited to she her, but after leaving her last year he couldn't get her out of his mind. He had wanted to keep checking up on her but he had other responsibilities. He had missed her, a lot. Perhaps more than he was willing to admit. A snowball from one of the kids pulled Jack from his thoughts as it hit him in the shoulder.

"Come on Jack!" The kids cried, wanting to play a little longer. Pippa looked at Jack and he grinned at her with a guilty shrug. They both jumped up in unison, scooping up handfuls of snow for another round of fun.

"Ready?" Jack asked as Pippa climbed onto the roof. She nodded and smiled up at him. It was Christmas Eve. Most of the apartments were empty and quite, students and professors going home to their families for Christmas. The rest of the town however was alit with Christmas lights and alive with bustling last minutes shoppers. Somewhere in the distance, Jack and Pippa could hear Christmas music coming from some store front.

Jack smiled, "Good," he said, taking Pippa by the arm and lifting her up onto his back. By the third go, the take off was not nearly as frightening as Pippa anticipated it to be. She had gotten more comfortable with flying, finding herself especially enjoying the view during the holidays when everything was so bright with Christmas lights. She welcomed the familiar cold wind tearing at her hair and the sudden feeling of her stomach tying in knots. She got comfortable, knowing that like last time, it would be a few hours before they got to the North Pole.

However, those few hours seemed to pass faster than before. Perhaps it was the prospect of spending Christmas at the North Pole or the excitement of flying again with her friend but either way, they were at the North Pole before Pippa knew what to do with herself. She slid off Jack's back, stumbling a little on her tired legs. She straightened and smiled at him before he pulled open the large wood doors to North's workshop.

Pippa still found herself biting her lip with amazement, her eyes wide. It was exactly as she remembered it, vast, impressive and beautiful.

"I have no time for visitors!" came North's deep booming voice from somewhere in the workshop, "It is Christmas Eve! I only have hours before-"

He stopped suddenly as he entered the main room from his office, seeing Jack and Pippa.

Pippa leaned into Jack, "You didn't tell him we were coming?" she hissed worriedly and Jack just shrugged at her.

"Jack! Pip! It is good to see you!" North suddenly said, a large grin appearing from beneath his long white beard. He walked over to them and pulled them into a large bone-crushing hug, lifting them right off the floor before setting them down again.

"Hello North," Pippa said sweetly with a smile as Jack set his staff on his shoulder, slipping a hand into his sweatshirt pocket.

"What are you doing here?" North asked in his thick Russian accent.

"Well, I thought it would be nice if Pippa saw the Christmas action from the inside out, you know?" Jack said with a shrug, purposefully leaving out the fact that Pippa had no one to spend Christmas with.

"Ah!" cried North, clasping his hands, "Then you are most welcome! We will put you right to work with feeding the reindeer, yes?"

"Actually North we..." Jack started but was cut off by the look on North's face, "That sounds perfect, right Pipsqueak?"

Pippa grinned and nodded, "Sure thing North, just tell us what to do."

North led them towards the back of the workshop to the stables. He introduced them to each of the reindeer, all had Russian names in which Pippa had no hopes of remembering. He showed them how to feed them and hook up the halters before leaving with a promise to send the elves in to help.

Jack looked at Pippa was an apologetic smile, "Sorry. I thought we'd be sitting by the fireplace with cookies and milk," he teased lightly, "Not feeding horses."

At this, one of the reindeer stamped his hoof impatiently. Pippa laughed and patted the large beast.

"It's okay, really," she said with an easy smile.

She moved around into one of the reindeers stall. They were large animals, their shoulders reaching Pippa's height. They all had antlers, both male and female, with thick coarse fur that was warm when Pippa ran her hands in it. They were calm and focused, their knees clicking with each step they took. A few elves entered the stables, one tugging on Pippa's pant leg to her her attention. She looked down to see him offering a carrot to her. She smiled and took it, feeding it to the reindeer.

"Thank you!" Pippa said to the elf, who rang his bell in reply, before quickly shuffling out of the stall. Jack went and picked up the harness that was tacked up on the wall, handing one side over to Pippa. It took a few tries and a couple of exchanges of, "No, I think that goes over there," before they finally managed to get the harness fastened to the reindeer.

Pippa ran her hands over the animal, "They're so big," she said.

Jack shrugged, "They have to be, to pull North and his sleigh," he said cheekily.

Pippa peered at him from over the reindeers back, smiling, "They're like big friendly giants; sweet, but kind of terrifying at the same time," she said and reached up, rubbing the reindeer above the nose.

Jack chuckled, "So I know it's not what I promised, but are you having a good Christmas so far?"

Pippa lifted and eyebrow, pretending to think his question over, "I'll let you know after I get those peanut butter cookies you promised."

Jack grinned and shook his head, "Good enough for me," he said gently and Pippa went back to petting the reindeer before the moved to the next one.

Jack studied Pippa as they tacked up the reindeer. He wanted to tell her everything; that last year was one of the hardest years for him to leave her, that he was perhaps having stronger feelings than just friendship for her, that without her it was like he was missing part of himself. He just wasn't sure how. Jack contemplated on his thoughts as he snitched up the halter. He would tell Pippa eventually of his growing feelings. Not tonight, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not until next year, but he would. He'd find the words to tell Pippa how her felt.

Authors Note: Merry Christmas my lovely readers! First off a thanks to my reviewers: Paper Lily Webs, Robin-Is-Totally-Whelming, Shutterfly23, An Echo In Time, Miss Bioshock, Fantasy-Manina, DamnationOfTheDead and ItsmeimAMAZING and all of my favorites, followers and everything everyone else! You guys do mean a lot to me! I've gone through the list and have taken a look at most of your profiles or stories and Im very lucky to have such wonderful readers. Thank you!

Your Christmas present this year was a nice, happy, Christmas filled chapter that's the longest chapter so far. Hope you enjoy it! I'm putting it up without being Beta-ed first because I wanted to get it up tonight but it will be corrected. Thank you for the continued support! We have about four or five more chapters before the end so I hope you've enjoyed it so far. Thanks guys!