To Bunny's surprise he didn't mind the week long separation as much as he thought he would. The time he was spending away from Jack was giving him a chance to think. The topic that was now for most in his mind was Jack becoming his mate. Until just over a week ago it had been a hope he had never shared with the winter spirit, but the threat of them be separated had brought it to the surface. Then there was the night just before the vote where they had almost mated. He had wanted to make Jack his mate so bad it had hurt when he had to push him away. To have that one night with Jack would have been enough as long as he remained alive. He could not began to count the number of times he had wished for just one more night with his first mate at least until he had realized the feelings he had held for Jack.

That was another reason Bunny had pushed Jack away. Though he did love Jack and would be more than happy to make him his mate. Bunny could help but feel as he was betraying Xandria his first mate. Pookas weren't ones to ever have more than one mate in their life time. Thats not to say it didn't happen. Bunny had met a few widows back before the slaughter of his people who had taken a second mate. Then Bunny could never understand how they could ever think to take a new one. Now however he could they had fallen in love just as he had done. Still the feeling he was somehow betraying Xandria wouldn't go away.

These thoughts played in his head for the entirety of the week as he finished the preparations for Easter. As he thought over what was happening and what had happen. Bunny began to wonder if he was ready to take a new mate. A week ago he had been more than willing he had almost done it, but now that they had all the time to think he wasn't sure. He knew that sooner or later Jack would bring up the subject, and he would needed to know was he ready?

Bunny stopped thinking for a moment to check the progress. He looked down at the egg in hand and then to the basket he had been working on. They were all winter theme. Beautifully painted with delicate snowflakes that were each unique as the one they reminded him of. Bunny smile as he realized he had his answer. There was just one thing he would need to do before he could finally leave Xandria in the past.

Bunny entered his bedroom. Easter was only hours away and he would be leaving soon. Somehow despite the time he had taken off Bunny found himself with a few hours to spare. He walk slowly to his bed and more specifically to the post that was above where he slept. There hung a tarnished silver arm band that was carved with the language of his race. The arm band Xandria had given him at their mating ceremony. He had worn it for the first two hundred years after he lost her. Before he had removed it and placed it there as it was traditional for a widow to do when they were ready to move on with their life. Now for him to take Jack as his mate he would have to take it down and put it away. As to show respect to both mates, for a pooka could only ever have one at a time. To leave the arm band in sight of Jack would be to say he could never love him as much as Xandria. To leave it where it was would be to tell Xandria she no longer mattered.

Bunny reached for the arm band nervously. He had never though he would ever be doing this, but here he was putting the past to rest. He grasped it firmly and with one swift move he lifted if from its resting place. Bunny stared at it for several moments examine every inch. He couldn't believe how much it resembled the one Jack had give him. The only differences were that the one he wore was light than the one he held. The marking were different as well. Jack had carved snowflakes into the one he had been give, and Xandria carved the promise she had made him into her's. Though setting all that aside the most heart breaking of the differences was the fact the arm band she gave him no longer pulsed with her magic. Her wonderful winter magic.

Bunny eyes grew wide when he finally made the connection. In the time he had fallen for and been with Jack he had never realized the connection he unknowingly share with Xandira. Xandria had been from the Northern pooka clans. He vaguely wondered if that had been one other reasons he was attracted to Jack was because he shared the same kind of magic as Xandria. That though was quickly pushed away from his mind. No what had attracted him to them was their personalities. Though they couldn't be more different in that respect. They both shared his love for children and were both dedicated to their work. So no he wasn't attracted to Jack because he reminded him of her. They just both held some similar traits. Ones that he just happened to find extremely attractive.

"Xandria," Bunny said taking a deep breath "I know I 'aven't talked ta ya in a while, and I don't think I'd be talkin' ta ya now if it weren't for this," he said turning the arm band over in his paws "it just I can't carry ya with me any more. Not now that I 'ave Jack it wouldn't be far ta 'im or ya. He makes me 'appier than I can I've ever been since I lost ya. He makes me feel whole again. I'll always miss ya but that doesn't mean I 'ave ta stop livin' my life. When I lost ya all I wanna ta do was ta join ya, but I kept on livin' cause I knew that what ya would 'ave wanted me ta do. All I can say is that I'm glad I did otherwise I never woulda me Jack. He's wonderful Xandria I'd think ya'd like him if ya could 'ave met him," Bunny smiled at the thought of his first mate and soon to be mate meeting "I'll never forget ya or the life we shared, nor will I forget our kit. But I'm finally able to move forward. To allow myself ta be happy again. Good bye Xandria." Bunny said as he stood from where he sat on the bed and moved to the a small closet in the far corner.

He opened the door to find a few of Jacks hoodies hanging up along with some shirts and pants. In the bottom was a footlocker that held some of Bunny's thing such as different armors he wore on special occasions. He pull the trunk from the closet to reveal a hidden panel. Pulling away the panel he revealed a integrally carved wooden box. Bunny remove the box from its hiding place. Taking a deep breath Bunny opened it to reveal treasure from his past. Things he could not bare to part with but were to painful to look at. His parents's arm bands. The stuffed rabbit he had made for his and Xandria's unborn kit. Photographs of his family and mate. The sliver ring that he wore in place of the arm band before mating with Xandria to show he was spoken for. The pot of marking paint that was used for the mating ceremony, and finally Xandria's arm band. Holding back the tears that were starting to prick at his eyes at the sight Bunny place the one she had given to him along side her's. Seeing the two together again brought more tears to his eyes. This time he allowed one to fall. The last one he would ever cry for his first mate. He closed the box and placed it back into its hiding place. Replacing the panel and moving the footlocker into place. Bunny stood closing the door to the closet and turned to leave.

As Bunny exited his room he felt a weight lift from his heart. As he move forward he realized it was towards the new hopes he held for the future as well as the very likely hood of a new mate.

Author's Note:

Originally this had been intended to accompany the previous chapter, but as I read over it realized it just didn't seem to fit with the first half. When I was writing it occurred to me that maybe some part of Bunny was still holding on to he first mate. That there might have been more to why he stopped himself from mating with Jack. Though I've never been put in the situation Bunny is facing I could only imagine that he might on some level feel as if he is cheating on his first mate. The whole purpose of this chapter was for Bunny to finally let go and move forward to the future. Oh and just to be clear Jack is not a replacement for Xandria. Yes he shares certain qualities with her but then again who doesn't have a type. The only thing that is the same between them is they have winter magic, they love children, and they are dedicated to their work.Thats is it.

Writing this chapter gave me a new idea. What do you think about Jack getting a chance to meet Xandria? Vote on whether you want to see the to meet or not. Anyways please review and tell me what you think. Until next time...