Emma Returns
Jack picked Emma up and nodded to the Guardians.
"No fighting while we're gone." Faith said, nodding to Emily Jane and stepping through the portal. Jack carried his little sister through.
They emerged at the lake, and began walking slowly to Jack and Emma's house. The door opened as they neared.
"Emma, is that you?" Mrs. Overland called, opening the door. She gasped, her breath catching in her throat as Jack gently put his little sister on the ground. Emma didn't let go of his hand as he looked at their mother, smiling shyly. She hurried forward, pausing when she was in front of him. She cupped his cheek with one hand.
"Jackson?" she breathed. He leaned into her hand, giving her a watery smile.
"Mama." He whispered. She hugged him tightly, even if he was taller than she was. He dropped his staff with a clatter and hugged her tightly.
"I missed you so much, oh God I missed you." She said, crying into his shoulder.
"Mama, don't cry. Don't cry, it's alright. This is faith, she can explain, just let me run and get something." Jack said. He hurried into the house, and Mrs. Overland turned to Emma and Faith. Faith hurriedly explained about Jack becoming the spirit of winter and losing his memories and her interference. While the woman was processing this Jack came back out of the house, holding a small box in his hands.
"I'd been saving up to buy this for your birthday. I finally got enough money, but I never got the chance to give it to you." Jack said, handing her the box. She opened it, revealing a silver necklace with a snowflake on it. She gasped.
"Jack, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed. She hugged him and he picked up the necklace, fastening it around her neck.
"You're my snowflake." Jack said, smiling. Mrs. Overland hugged her son tightly.
"Jack. It's time to go." Faith said. He turned around to see her standing next to the portal.
"What?" Mrs. Overland gasped.
"I'm from three hundred years in the future, Mama. I have to go back. I love you so much, I promise. I love both of you." Jack said, hugging them. Emma wept into his shoulder. He pulled away and she wiped her eyes.
"Don't ever forget me." Emma whispered.
"I'll never forget you again, I promise. Just don't stop believing in me." He said. She grinned.
"I never did." She replied. He hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. Before kissing his mother's cheek, hugging her.
"I'm losing you when I only just got you back!" she exclaimed, hugging him close.
"It's okay, Mama. I promise. It'll be fine." He assured. He turned away, seeing his mother and little sister standing there with tear-streaked faces. The little snowflake pendant caught the light and jack smiled, raising a hand in farewell before following Faith back through the portal. He walked over to the other Guardians before Faith cleared her throat.
Faith looked at the Guardians and Jack. She took a deep breath. She was terrified, Pitch could feel it. Then it clicked. He smirked. This would be good.
"I haven't been completely honest with you all, and for that I'm sorry… Especially you Jack. I never wanted to lie to you, but it was better to wait until now to tell you. But now it's time for the secrets to end." She began. They all exchanged confused looks. Emily Jane gave her an encouraging look, a smile that said
I'll be here for you no matter what happens.
Faith returned the smile warmly, glad her friend was there.
"Faith is actually my middle name. For a long time I thought it was my last name, but when I regained my memories I started using the last name I had when I was mortal. My full name is Emma Faith Overland." Gasps filled the air.
"What?" she turned to see Jack standing there, his jaw hanging open slightly.
"Prove it." Bunny challenged, seeing the shock on Jack's face. No one messed with his little brother. Faith reached into her shirt and pulled out a snowflake necklace. The very one he had just given his little sister. His staff fell to the ground with a clatter as shock and betrayal filled his blue eyes. He looked desperately around, as though expecting the scene to melt away before his eyes landed on the pendant. He turned on his heel and ran, stumbling as he pushed past the Guardians and into the hallway. Faith- no Emma, gave him a desperate look before her feet moved, instinctually racing after him.
"Jack! Jack, wait!" she exclaimed, pushing past the Guardians and running after him.
She found him pacing the room, looking pained and hurt. He ran a hand anxiously through his white hair. In her mind's eye he was suddenly Jack Overland again, desperate to figure out a way to feed his family for winter, or how to pay a debt. He had loved her so much. Did he still?
"You knew? All this time you knew I was your brother and you never bothered to tell me? You lied to me!" he demanded, not even looking at her. He felt so confused, hurt and betrayed.
"I didn't always know, Jack!" she said, trying desperately to reason with him. It was like her worst nightmare come to life. This is what she had feared all along. She had feared his anger, his hatred, his rejection. She suddenly felt like a seven year old, waking up from a nightmare and wishing Jack was there to comfort her, still believing it was her fault. She felt her eyes start to burn, her throat closing up as tears she refused to shed blurred her vision.
"Two hundred years you've known! You've known about me! You knew I was alone! Two hundred years the family I had hoped for was hiding from me!" he yelled.
"I thought you hated me!" she yelled back, her voice tearful.